We just put up our artificial christmas tree. It’s less than a month before Christmas and the decorating in each house in now in full swing! Everywhere you look, there are Christmas lanterns, lights, wreaths and other festive decor hanging at houses. You can just feel the holiday spirit already. Plus, the weather has gone a lot cooler now.

I am still preparing my Christmas list. I might do my shopping this coming weekend or the week after that. How about you? House all decked out already? Done shopping?

It seems the exit signs around the office became a premonition of sorts to Lydie. She was always seeing it lighted whenever she enters her boss’s office. For some reason, it became a fixation. Little did she know that it was actually a sign that she’s about to exit the office already.

Her boss terminated her because of poor performance. Lydie was confused because her boss was always praising her work. She went to the human resources department head and complained. Turned out her boss wanted someone, her cousin, to replace her. She was supposed to be reinstated. She opted out instead. She is now working for a much larger company under a much better boss.

Some things can really be a blessing in disguise, you just can’t see it right away. Like the impulsive subscription to bell tv by my friend’s dad. It was spur of the moment since they don’t really need the additional monthly bill. But then because of it, they are now spending more time at home on weekends. Instead of going out or doing something to make their weekends fun, they are now bonding over family-friendly shows. Staying at home, eating home-cooked meals, and just spending time with the family… much cheaper, don’t you think?

kids birthday invitations

I got some fun Party Invitations today! I love going to birthday parties, especially kiddie parties. You can leave your worries at the door of the venue and really have fun while watching kids running around and enjoying the day. I treasure every birthday invitation I get because to me, it meant that the celebrator would want me to toast another year of his life.

At CardsPersonalized, a party invitation is sure to be magical. They offer premade designs at their site and can modify any design or color as requested. You can also personalize the invite by adding a photo, picture or logo to any card on their site. Add a photo of the celebrator for a more intimate/personal invite, don’t you think? You can do this most especially with kid birthday invitations.

Don’t forget, for your fun party invites, go to http://www.cardspersonalized.com and avail of their special card designs and their free shipping, too!

When I was a kid, life was simpler. Every little problem could be solved with a kiss or a hug from my mom. I could get hurt but with my mom’s loving touch, the hurt goes away just like that. And my world was small yet my playground was wide. My mom was my world and the world was my playground.

And then I grew up.

Things are now complicated. Mom’s not here anymore to soothe away the hurt and pain. Mom’s not here to kiss or hug the problems away. My world became smaller and the world’s no longer a playground.

How I long to go back to those days when I was still a kid and life was so much more normal and simple…

Gila is going to take up an online degree, particularly a Masters in Business Administration. She’s been passed over for promotion at work because there are those who is more than qualified than her. She’s not motivated to work anymore until one of the new officers at their human resources department told her what she lacks. An MBA degree.

For Gila and other working adults out there, there are online universities offering MBA courses and other post graduate degrees to further boost your qualifications. Western Governors University is one of these educational institutions. Perhaps, WGU’s edge over the others is that it is a fully online accredited school. It is also non profit and offers help to those qualified but cannot afford to get themselves to schools.

Go to www.WGU.edu now for more information.

I once wrote something about an old friend. I didn’t mention her name. But she guessed it right away. She got mad at me for writing it. On my own web page. Without any mention of anything that would point to her.

It’s probably partly my fault why she got mad. We’re friends for almost two years while we’re working for the same company. And then something happened where she turned her back on me. Office politics, baby! We were fighting for the same position and I thought we were beyond politics. Apparently, I was wrong.

I just saw that she’s already married with a kid. It just brought to mind that you can never really trust someone who’s considered competition. Even if you tell each other both of you are beyond petty office politics, at the end of the day, it’s really who’s tougher and cutthroat who will emerge the winner.

Sorry, I may be tough but I was not cutthroat. Yet.

The people going on orlando vacations are making me jealous and envious of them. Two of our family friends are going to Orlando for family bonding. Our whole family can’t go because of work. My sisters are all working and two are teachers. It is impossible for them to be excused this December. My brother’s in college, so he won’t be available as well. So sad.

I am making a promise to myself that this coming February or March, Orlando will see a lot of me!

I just wish the plans will push through and everyone will be available by then.

Are you all ready with your Christmas gifts? I am starting to buy little by little and wrapping it. I am excited to give gifts! I am having so much fun shopping and wrapping unlike a friend of mine who’s all stressed out coming up with business gifts for their company. I think the pressure of coming up with a unique item is taking the fun out of looking for the gift. Thank goodness I am only thinking of personal gifts to family and friends.

How about you, are you starting to shop and wrap already?

Jem, my friend living abroad, will be going on a ski vacation this coming weekend. Her family will stay there for three days. I know that she needs some leisure time because she’s immersed in helping in her husband’s business as well as taking care of their little son.

There are days when I daydream about going on an all-paid vacation where I can stay in my destination of choice for as long as I want…

Oh well.

More than three years ago, I didn’t know I am capable of loving someone who’s not even of my own blood. Sure, I was considering the notion of adopting in the future. I still do, by the way. But then instead of adoption, an alternative rolled out in front of me… taking care of a little kid of a neighbor’s.

She’s been with us since she was a little more than a year old. She lights up our lives. In fact, my sister teases me that she’s my favorite. Well, she’s a sweet little kid who can shower you with so much affection that it could melt your heart away.

I just hope that she never changes.

Women are all about weight loss pills these days. Losing weight and being sexy is most women’s goal. I must admit that I am one of those women I am talking about.

I don’t go overboard with dieting. I have never wanted to be skinny so just getting to my ideal weight is more than enough for me. I will go back to the gym to motivate me to exercise regularly. Just thinking of the amount of membership and monthly fees will surely motivate me. Plus, I am trying to cut down my food intake, especially at night. And just maintaining an active lifestyle.

A couple of mounts are stored in the second floor of our house. It came with the tv sets we’ve purchased in the past. My dad’s dusting it to be given away to relatives in the province who might not have one at home. Anyway, I bought a tv stand complete with slots for CDs/DVDs, VCR and other miscellaneous items related to our viewing pleasure.

We are thinking of going back to the province this coming December, even for a weekend for some R&R and to greet the relatives a Merry Christmas personally. We just might if we save enough.

The auto insurance quotes will be emailed to me tomorrow. I need it because two of my friends asked for my help in getting better insurance policies for their cars. With the recent recession, people have learned that there is something better out there for a cheaper price. If only they know how and where to look for it, they will find it.

Since my friends know that I have colleagues in different industries, anything that has to to do with money matters they run through me first before proceeding and making a decision. I try to help them as much as I can. I also tell them upfront if I don’t know anything about what they’re asking me about or if I can’t help them for one reason or another.