Home Cleaning Tips

I cleaned our bathroom today and it was easier for me this time because I followed some of the simple tips below:

Easy Bathroom Cleaning

Clean after a steamy bath or shower. The walls, fixtures, etc., will be much easier to clean because the steam will have loosened the dirt.

Cleaning the Sink

• For light stains, rub with a fresh cut lemon.
• For dark stains (like rust) rub with a paste of borax and lemon juice.

Bathtub Rings

• To avoid bathtub rings, don't use oily bath preparations. Use a water softener if you live in a hard-water area. Rinse the tub immediately after bathing.
• If a ring does form, wipe it off with undiluted ammonia (wear rubber gloves) or a wet sponge generously sprinkled with baking soda. Rinse clean and wipe dry. For a more stubborn stain, scour with automatic dishwashing detergent or rub with a cloth dipped in vinegar.

Cleaning Toilet Bowl

• Clean the toilet bowl while you're away by pouring in 1/4 cup bleach and leaving it until you return.
• Keep the toilet bowl ring-free by pouring a half-gallon of white vinegar in it once a month. Let it soak overnight before flushing.
• Don't use bleach if you're already using a tank-held cleaner that's released when the toilet is flushed. The two may react chemically.
• To avoid clogging and odors, pour one cup baking soda down the bowl weekly.

Getting to Dirt in the Corner

Can't get to that dirt in the corner? Make a pointed tool by cutting an old whisk broom at a 45 degree angle.

Small Bathrooms

If you have a small bathroom or a tile entrance and don't have time to bother with a scrub bucket, just use an all purpose spray cleaner and a damp sponge for quick clean up.

Freshen Drain

To freshen drain, pour 1/4 to 1/2 box of baking soda down the drain, add 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Cover drain tightly for a few minutes and flush with cold water.

Sparkling Sink

Wipe a stainless steel sink with vinegar or a touch of oil on a cloth to make the sink sparkle.

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Shopping and being a mommy

Shopping is one of my favorite thing to do. I think most women do hehe. I shop for gifts for my loved ones, if I have extra money in my pocket and if I see things that I need and I like. When I was single, I am addicted in buying shoes and clothing. But now that I am married and has a son, I am now into buying gifts to my hubby and getting addicted in buying baby stuff.

Baby stuff are so cute and adorable. I love buying cute clothes and outfit for my son and I love buying those bib with funny writings on it. Speaking of that, my son has a bib that says "Cutie on Duty" with a military fatigue design. He also has a bib that says "Daddy's little tough guy". I love buying toys for my son too. I love watching him play with his colorful educational toys that makes loud sounds and bright lights. I don't know, but since I got pregnant and became a mommy, I go straight to the baby/kids section instead of going to women's section in the mall. I don't know how to explain that but I just love and I am happy that I put my son's need first before mine.

Sometimes it is hard for me to go to malls and stores to shop because I am busy taking care of my son and doing house chores. So instead of just going to stores I am more likely shop online. Online shopping is very convenient for me because I can shop wearing my night suit and shop while watching my baby. In online shopping you can choose variety of selection plus sometimes you'll be shock how cheap the prices are compare to the prices in the store. Some online websites offer free shipping too which is another way of saving money in shopping. I also won't have hard time looking for parking space, be in lone line to pay the items I am buying, pay gas money and most of all, I can avoid the crowd.

I actually enjoy shopping online. It makes my shopping time more convenient, cheaper, hassle free and safer.

Greyson Chance on Ellen for the second time

Ameriplan

Hubby and I talked about our insurance plan because we noticed that we pay too much to the insurance that we have for small benefits that they offered us. I am not actually happy to the vision and dental plan that we have. I am thinking of an alternative dental plan for the both of us.

Insurance now a days is really expensive and sometimes you still have to pay large amount for the co-pay fee. I am actually thinking of just switching to companies who offers discount plan. There are now lots of companies like that because not all can afford insurance plan.

I am thinking of Ameriplan as our alternative to insurance. I visited their website and they offer very affordable prices and not only that, they have this plan called Total Health Package which covers the whole member of the household. It covers the dental, vision, hearing, medical and prescription drug. Vision healthcare is very important to both me and my husband because we bought have poor eyesight so I am very glad that they included it already in their package.

I believe that sooner or later, the government will require everybody to have health insurance but not everybody can afford it so I believe that health plan like this is a very good alternative to health insurance for those people who has low income and can't afford health insurance.

Greyson Chance on Ellen

This very talented 12 yr. old boy was discovered on YouTube. I love the version of his Paparazzi by Lady Gaga. He really has very good voice. I bet he will be one of the famous pop stars. I can't wait on his next performance on Ellen once again tomorrow.

A Vinyl Siding Project

This is a guest post by Mark Alterson

Painting a home is a pain. It chips and eventually looks bad again. We decided to install vinyl siding ourselves, although we bought some sears vinyl siding beforehand. Having a ranch made it easy, and more affordable. Although it can be done alone, my husband recruited his friends to help.

Choosing the type of siding is difficult. My husband wanted dutch lap and I agreed. But there are so many color choices. Making sure it matched my new roof, we went with a beige. We purchased the materials from the local supply company, and we already had the tools. A good ladder, a table saw with a reverse blade, and some nails were the biggest materials that we needed.

Once we started the project the guys prepared the house, prepped the windows, and wrapped them with pre-formed window molding. Installing the vinyl siding seemed like a relatively smooth process. One guy measured, one cut the siding, and my husband installed it. It seemed to just fit together, one over another. I am sure it's more difficult, but I'm a girl. It got a little more tricky around sliding doors, windows and up into the eaves. They did it and it looked great.

We also went with some super corners in a cool white color and I loved it. The rake edge trim was a little hard to do and it looked awesome when it was finished. I am very happy with my home's new face. If you are mechanically inclined, you can do it too.

Fun facts about Entertainment and Famous Individuals

Einstein couldn't speak fluently when he was nine. His parents thought he might be retarded.

Adjusting for inflation, Cleopatra, 1963, is the most expensive movie ever made to date (mid-2002). Its budget of $44 million is equivalent to 280 million 2002 dollars.

Between 1931 and 1969 Walt Disney collected thirty-five Oscars.

Chocolate syrup was used for blood in the famous 45 second shower scene in Alfred Hitchcock's movie, Psycho, which actually took 7 days to shoot.

Comedian/actor Billy Crystal portrayed Jodie Dallas, the first openly gay main character on network television on ABC's Soap, which aired from 1977 to 1981.

Disneyland opened in 1955. Donald Duck lives at 1313 Webfoot Walk, Duckburg, Calisota.

Donald Duck's middle name is Fauntleroy.

Even though they broke up 35 years ago, the Beatles continue to sell more records each year than the Rolling Stones. Famous billionaire Howard Hughes stored his own urine in large bottles.

Even though they broke up 35 years ago, the Beatles continue to sell more records each year than the Rolling Stones. Famous billionaire Howard Hughes stored his own urine in large bottles.

In The Wizard of Oz the Scarecrow was looking for a brain, the Cowardly Lion was looking for courage, and the Tin Man was looking for a heart.

Mickey Mouse is known as 'Topolino' in Italy.

MTV (Music Television) made its debut at 12:01 a.m. on August 1, 1981 The first music-video shown on the rock-video cable channel was, appropriately, "Video Killed the Radio Star" by the Buggles. MTV's original five veejays were Martha Quinn, Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, J.J. Jackson and Alan Hunter.

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Freebies!!

My free samples arrived today! Actually, I totally forgot that I signed up last month to get freebies in this website til I got the package this morning lol! I am sharing this to all who likes freebies like me :D These are the samples I got :)

More flowers!

Last year, I posted here on my blog that I planted flowers and some of them didn't bloom. This year, the flowers that I planted last year that didn't bloom, bloomed! YAY! I was surprised because I don't really expect that they would ever bloom. I think it has something to do with the right time and season of planting that's why they didn't bloom last year. The hanging tomato plant we have is growing and the more it grows, the more excited I am to see tomatoes. Next year I want to plant MORE flowers. I am thinking of planting tulips. I think they really are pretty and aside from that they are perennial flowers so I don't have to plant it every year.

Here are some pictures of the flowers that bloomed.

Senior Technology

Guest post written by my friend Sam Liam

When I was younger I can remember taking a lot of abilities for granted such as the ability of sight, smell and hearing. However, I found that these things should not be taken for granted because they tend to fade as we get older. When my hearing started to decline I was worried that there was nothing I could do. Most of all, I worried about my quality of life and I thought that I would miss out of the special occasions in my family. These things include graduations, weddings and even local football games that I enjoyed attending. When my hearing started declining I became very worried and hoped for a solution. After speaking to my cousin she told me about the Miracle Ear products and solutions. She had suffered a 50% decline in hearing within the last two years until she decided to purchase a hearing aid. This is a Hearing aid that cost her just $653 with a free hearing exam. The hearing aid that she purchased resulted in a dramatic improvement in her hearing and the hearing aid is very easy to place into the ear and remove without it falling out. She suggested them to me and I set up a free hearing examination for myself.

The examination was free of charge and I selected their Completely-in-the-Canal solution that includes a 2 year warranty that covers loss and damage. This hearing aide is comfortable and fits nicely while not obvious when worn. Because of the variety online I am able to have the best hearing solution at a very low price. My quality of life is restored and I do not have to miss out on any special family occasions, I was scared that I would lose the sounds of life that go along with the sights. However, I found hearing products worked well in my situation and restored my hearing while the best aspect was the fair and affordable prices.

Animal Trivia

I watched Animal Planet yesterday and I found out lots of animal trivia. I learned that elephant's poop can be turned into paper. Duck's quack doesn't echo. It takes 40 minutes to hard boil ostrich's egg. cat's urine glows under a black light. Sharks are immune to all diseases.

Those are just some of the trivia I learned. So i came up to an idea of researching more animal trivia. Here are some trivia for all of us:

A 1,200-pound horse eats about seven times it's own weight each year.

A bird requires more food in proportion to its size than a baby or a cat.

A capon is a castrated rooster.

A chameleon can move its eyes in two directions at the same time.

A chameleon's tongue is twice the length of its body.

A chimpanzee can learn to recognize itself in a mirror, but monkeys can't.

A Cornish game hen is really a young chicken, usually 5 to 6 weeks of age, that weighs no more than 2 pounds.

A cow gives nearly 200,000 glasses of milk in her lifetime.

An adult lion's roar can be heard up to five miles away, and warns off intruders or reunites scattered members of the pride.

An albatross can sleep while it flies. It apparently dozes while cruising at 25 mph.

An electric eel can produce a shock of up to 650 volts.

An iguana can stay under water for 28 minutes.

An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.

Dolphins sleep at night just below the surface of the water. They frequently rise to the surface for air.

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Summer Community and Fitness

Guest posted by Angela Dawks

I am the type of person who waits for summer during all of the other seasons. My favorite part of summer is the fact that I live in a small town and can feel like a part of the community while I jog. I take my summer vacation daily at certain times or just in little 30 minute breaks.

I love to run at 6 am because that is when the local coffee shop opens across town. It is about a 4 mile jog round-trip and a great way to start my day. I keep my key around my neck, throw on my running shoes, set my adt alarm system and head out of my house. The air is still cool early in the morning and most people in my town are leaving early to travel a distance for work. I love working at home because I can go for a run whenever I want.

When I get to the coffee shop, there is a line of cars and people waiting for a breakfast bagel and cup of coffee. I get my coffee and have a seat while I people watch and talk to the others sitting adjacent to me. I know most of the morning people now, as I am a usual fixture in my jogging shorts, sweat shirt and running shoes. We discuss politics, jobs and kids mostly. The winter months aren't as friendly, therefore, the people are in more of a rush.

I make sure to run in the residential areas when I take my return trip home, so I can enjoy the blooming gardens and smell of dew on grass. Feeling like I am part of my community while I enjoy fitness is a great benefit. Many times I find my self jogging to go meet friends or have a cup of tea with my family because it is faster than weaving through traffic with a car. I guess I am just used to the fact that in the summer my main attire is what I pickup at the sporting goods store.

Charice Pempengco on QVC

Yesterday, Charice was on Oprah promoting her new album. She sang several songs and she told her story on TV. She said that her dad abandoned them when she was three years old. She helped her mom through joining singing contest in order for them to survive and have some food to eat. It was truly a heartwarming story.

She was also on QVC the same day. I will order her album on QVC than buy it at stores. On QVC, her album has 4 additional songs that you can found if you'll buy it at stores. Yay! Can't wait to have a copy of her album. She is really getting popular here in the US and I hope that she'll stay sweet and humble.

Mother's Day 2010

Hubby gave me a card for the first time!! Yeah! He is a typical guy who doesn't like sending card or should I say lazy in giving cards lol! I so appreciated this Mother's Day card that he gave me together with chocolates.

Hubby is kinda lazy in writing notes. He would rather type it that hand write it lol! So, this card is really really important to me. I never expect that he will give me a card. I love him so dearly. He is the sweetest thing ever.

Hanging Tomato

Last Spring, we planted some flowers in front of our house. But sadly, somebody stepped on it :( So this time, we thought of planting hanging tomato :D

We always want to plant tomatoes but we are kinda hesitant about doing it because kids might just play with it and step on it again like what happened last year so we decided why not try the upside down hanging tomato? When we bought the Topsy Turvy, what's inside it is only the green thing that will hold the tomato upside down. So we went to the store to buy 2 tomato plants and potting soil and hang it in our tree.
We were kinda shocked because one of the flowers (Red Dianthus) that we planted last year is back. We never expected that they will bloom back because the rest of the flowers that we had died. I got curious and searched red dianthus online. It says that it is a perennial plant. Yay! I forgot about planting a perennial plant last year but good thing we did hehe. We are hoping that nobody will mess up with the few plants that we have this spring. We are also hoping to have good tomatoes for our hamburger this summer :D

This is the red dianthus that is back.

Surviving Mesothelioma

Once again, I read a book about Mesothelioma. I just can't understand why some mining and construction companies doesn't even care or bother for the security and health care of their workers. They should be giving them enough protection against Mesothelioma Cancer.

Mesothelioma is a cancer involving lungs. You can get this disease if you are most of the time exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is being used in fireproof drywall, roofing, pipe insulation, automobile brake pads and shoes. Smoking combined with asbestos exposure may increase the risk of having Mesothelioma Cancer.

Here are some of the the symptoms of Mesothelioma disease that I read on the article: difficulty in breathing, chest and abdominal pain, difficulty in swallowing, cough , weight loss and anemia. If you were exposed to asbestos and you have those symptoms then you better visit your doctor to check if you have this disease. Mesothelioma develops after years of being exposed to asbestos and according to studies , there are many people today that were diagnosed with this disease that were exposed with asbestos years ago.

If you are exposed to asbestos at work, wearing safety protective gear will prevent this disease. And of course, monitoring your health on a regular basis is highly recommended to those people who are exposed to asbestos but not have developed any asbestos-related disease. If one of your family has this disease already try to comfort them and emotional support is the best thing that we can give them.

Dennis Quaid on Ellen for the 3rd time!

I love Dennis Quaid. He is so hilarious and always makes me laugh every time he guests on Ellen Show. This is the third time that he made hidden camera prank on Ellen and he was hilarious as ever.

Officially five years :)

We've known each other now for 5 years!! WoW! Seems like it was just yesterday. Hubby and I met April of 2005 in Yahoo! Literati. We were trying to figure out on what was the exact date we met but we can't remember on what day it was.

It was late afternoon that day when I decided to play yahoo literati. I most of the time play that game when I have free time. He was my opponent. At first, we didn't talked to each other til we started second game. I was impressed on how good he was in scrabble. He said hi to me and I said hi back at him. I usually don't talk to strangers specially people on the internet, but I don't know and I can't understand why I had conversion with him (and I am glad I did hehe). We started exchanging Yahoo ID's and everything started into friendship.

I believe that God will send you the right person in perfect time. You don't need to find love because love will find you. Here is one of my song to my hubby. It is entitled "When I met you" by Apo Hiking Society.

Pyramid by Charice Pempengco

Charice is totally an unstoppable rising star now. She has a new album that will be launched on Oprah this May 11th. I will definitely watch this as I want to see her singing in Oprah once again. I am so proud of how far her career is now. This is her new single entitled "Pyramid".

She's not Old, She's my Grandma

Cristina M., author

It had gotten to the point that others began to wonder about whether or not it was time to place my grandmother in a skilled nursing facility. My grandmother was able to care for and dress herself. She also prepared her own meals and took all of her prescribed medications on time. I remembered as a child how she had loved to quilt. One day as we were discussing quilting, I noticed that my grandmother just did not seem to understand what I was saying. Grandmother was also using words in the wrong context. I began to wonder if others had been right. Was my grandmother in the beginning stages of dementia or Alzheimer's? Was I not able to provide the loving and caring home that my grandmother had once provided for me? A television commercial for Miracle Ear suddenly came on. I then wondered if Grandmother’s problem wasn’t not understanding me, could it possibly be that she was having difficulty hearing me?

My grandmother had not been letting on that she was having difficulties hearing. Rather, my grandmother would answer the questions that she thought were being asked. What I and everyone else had concluded, that grandmother's memory was fading, was incorrect. My grandmother was just too proud to tell anyone that she could not hear clearly. Grandmother told me that there was no need for a hearing testing because she was not going to wear one of those monstrous hearing aids; that a hearing aid would not improve her hearing and, worse yet, was it would make her look old. Yes, my grandmother was vain - at age 85. So I took my usually pleasant grandmother for her hearing test. The evaluator was patient, understanding and informative. My grandmother liked him. He showed her different types of hearing aids that would work for her. My grandmother thought that some of the hearing aids were too small. We all laughed when she explained what her mother's hearing aid had looked like. "Boy, how things have changed,” is all that my grandmother had to say.

My grandmother was fitted with a hearing aid. Guess what, Grandma's mental acuity is still there! Now we go shopping, to restaurants to movies and other places that she avoided. Now age 92, grandmother told me the other day that she "will leave the quilting to old people.”

We found bunnies!

I was talking to my mom in the Philippines on the phone early this morning when my dad-in-law knocked on the door. He said "Dian, come over here when you have time. I wanna show you something". So I went to him after I spoke to my mom.

I found him in the yard with my niece. Seems like they are looking for something. My dad said "Better watch your step or you might step on them". I said "What is it?" I was thinking they found spiders. He said "Show it to her Allie" Allie is my niece. Alli pointed a little wild bunny. It was so cute. Dad said that there were 4 bunnies in the yard and there is one bunny missing now. He told us not to touch them or else they will die. He showed us the nest of the bunnies and we can't find the mother bunny so all the little bunnies kept on hopping all over the yard. This is the first time I was able to get really close to wild bunnies. I see them most of the time during spring and summer but I wasn't able to get near them because they run everytime I get close to them hehe.

Allie wants to have them as a pet so badly hehe but that is impossible because they will eventually die if you touch them. The picture above is just one of those bunnies we found.