Two beautiful friends Mariuca, and Beth tagged me. Thank you darlings, I enjoyed answering the questions.

Here goes...

1.) Have you ever been on TV?
*Yes, during the finals of a bowling tournament. I was one of the finalists, didn't win though, I was too conscious of the camera, lol.

2.) Have you ever sung in public?
*Yes, same with Marzie, during karaoke sessions with friends.

3.) Have you ever dyed your hair blond?
*Nope.

4.) Have you ever eaten frogs' legs?
*Yes, fried frog's legs. It's really yummy and tastes like chicken. Try it marzie, you're going to love it.

5.) Have you ever received a present before that you really hated?
*Nothing that I can remember.

6.) Have you ever walked into a lamp post?
*No, but I've walked into glass door once.

7.) Have you ever cooked a meal by yourself for more than 15 persons?
*Yes, many times. When my kids are having a party here at home during their birthdays.

8.) Have you ever fallen or stumbled in front of others?
*Lol, yes. During a concert years ago, We were waiting on queue to get inside the concert hall when I suddenly made the wrong step, then I fell.

9.) Have you ever done volunteer work?
*Yes.

I'm passing this on to: Charm, Tina, Cherry

Many women nowadays are becoming too conscious of their looks which explains the boom in cosmetic surgery business. Clinics performing plastic and aesthetic surgeries have mushroomed everywhere and even doctors who are not experts in this field are joining the beautification bandwagon. You don't have to look far to find a clinic offering these kind of services.

Changing your looks or getting rid of what you don't want is so easy. If you think your nose is too wide, you can easily have a plastic surgeon reduce it to the size you want. If your breasts are too large, you can have a breast reduction and the list goes on. What's even more surprising is that women are willing to pay more when it comes to looking good. But, should you trust a doctor if you know that he is not an expert in this field?

Changing or enhancing a part of your body is a very delicate procedure and it's always best to have a specialist in this field do the job. Professionals like the MYA [Make yourself Amazing] surgeons, who do not only understand what you need but who are dedicated in providing you the most-advanced and time-proven techniques available today. Complications may occur, I'm sure you know that, and if your surgeon is not well-experienced chances are, you'll end up not looking as you expected or worse.

If you're worried about cosmetic surgery prices, MYA offers their clients competitive finance packages that will suit your budget. Make Yourself Amazing now, click on the link or call 0 8000 14 10 14.

Well, the holidays are finally over and here's great news to those who [like me] packed on extra pounds over the last weeks. A tropical fruit cleanse featuring papaya and pineapple can melt off 7 pounds in one day. It's because of papaya's papain and the pineapple's bromelain, both are enzymes that fight fat. They work hand in hand to break down protein to reduce abdominal bloat and dissolve fat-trapping waste in the circulatory system for fast elimination. The combo also revs fat-burning liver function and neutralizes inflammatory compounds to reduce gut inflammation.

For a one-day cleanse, here's what you need: cut at least 4 peeled papayas and 2 peeled pineapples into small chunks, place in a bowl and chill. Munch on these fruits whenever hunger strikes. Don't forget to drink at least 2 liters of water throughout the day. This seems very easy to do, so I'm definitely going to give it a try because I don't think I can last the one-day fluid only cleanse.

My son is having some problems with his least favorite subject, and that is MATH. All his grades on his other subjects are okay except for this one. I'm a little worried because he is graduating this March and he's going to be in high school next school year. Hubs and I are thinking of getting him a tutor, and my sister in law have arranged for her son's tutor to meet with me on Monday. But now I think I am going to cancel the appointment.

It was a blessing in disguise when I checked my email a while ago. Social Spark has reserved the Brightstorm opportunity for me. First I had a vague idea on what it was all about, but when I checked the web site and was asked to Sign up for a free brightstorm account, I knew this was something my son needs and it's an opportunity I shouldn't pass.

Although I was not able to take the free course because my coupon has expired, merely reviewing the site's courses and reading their teachers' qualifications are enough to let my child take the easy courses. I've always believed that learning should be fun and although math is a serious subject, the kids will be more interested if they're having fun at the same time.

You too can also Sign up for a free account. Just click on the links to be directed to the site.

Below is the list of top droppers for the month of December. All ten wonderful sites will be featured on my side bar for the whole month of January. Thanks to all of you. Hope to see you again next month.

May your home be blessed...
your love be rewarded...
and your life enriched by GOD
to whom we give thanks for all we have.

From my family to your family... HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Some women become so edgy when age is the topic. I don't understand why they fret when they become 40ish. I am in my early forties and I still feel the same way as I was in my thirties. Except for the fact that I'm beginning to notice some fine lines and wrinkles. But it doesn't really bother me so I don't dwell too much on that. My hair is salt and pepper but I really don't mind because hair dyes can do the job.

The only thing I didn't like when I turned forty is having to wear reading glasses. It took me some time to adjust because I had to slow down on my favorite hobby, cross stitching and embroidery. But later on I realized that I shouldn't let that stop me from doing what I love most, so I started stitching again.

And one more thing, wearing eyeglasses will not make you look old, you can still be fashionable and as long as you know the right frame for you, you'll look good. When my daughter showed me a site where I can get beautiful Holiday frames for less, my face lit up. She knows how frugal I am and that I won't spend much on eyeglasses. I have never really shopped online because I used to think that they were more expensive but I was surprised because I got mine for only $8.00. You don't believe me? Click on the link to check.

Hi Ladies! Here's another great tip for all of you... Accessorizing with over-sized chandellier earrings or hoops is a smart move. These big earrings are not just stylish but they bring emphasis to the face and away from your figure flaws. That'll be all for now. I hope you have a blast tomorrow. Happy New Year!

Find the best buys from a wide selection of fiction, non-fiction books, audio books, Children's books, DVDs, Magazine subscriptions, Stationery and many more at Borders. The web site is your portal to hard to find and cheap books. You can shop by category, they have thousands of items in each category and they guarantee you that your purchase will be dispatched within 24 hours.

I was able to get the Nursing Calculations book and The Student Nurse Handbook that my cousin have been looking for for only 9.99 pounds. She has searched the local bookstores for those books but both books were not available in our area. She was so thankful that I discovered Borders because the site lists thousands of nursing books. Now she knows where to buy reference books the next time she needs them. I also found some fitness and diet books but I'm still thinking which one will work best for me. I want to start the new year right and this time I am going to stick to my resolution, to diet.

If you're a book lover or you want to give them as gifts, drop by their web site and you're sure to find so a lot of interesting items.

This is a paid advertisement by borders.co.uk.

Have you been having "junk sleep" lately? You know, sleep that lacks quality the body needs to recharge. It's the reason why you have low energy, mood swings and brain fog. Even sleeping for eight hours every night does not mean you're getting high-quality sleep.

I've read that one surprising cause of junk sleep is wearing form-fitting sleep wears. Studies have shown that women who slept in snug pajamas and tight-fitting undergarments experienced a 50 percent plunge in levels of melatonin. The tight garments block the escape of body heat and suppresses melatonin production and can lead to deficits in restorative slow-wave phases of sleep. To sidestep this, wear comfortable loose-fitting pajamas.

I should have posted this one last October during the Breast Cancer Awareness Month but there were so many things in my mind that I have totally forgotten about it. Anyway, it's better late than never.

Here are some facts and fiction about the dreaded disease that we all should know about...

FICTION - all breast lumps are cancerous.
FACT - 80% of lumps are caused by benign or non-cancerous changes in the breast. According to experts, this percentage tends to fluctuate with age. For young women, more than 80% of breast lumps are benign as a woman ages, her risk of developing breast cancer increases.

FICTION - Breast cancer is mainly a genetic disease.
FACT - Only a small percentage of breast cancer cases are thought to be due to abnormal genes. A mutated breast cancer gene is only one of the risk factors for developing breast cancer. 80% of women who get breast cancer have no clear risk factors.

FICTION - Small breasted women cannot get breast cancer.
FACT - the amount of breast tissue a woman has does not affect her risk of developing breast cancer. Breast size is certainly not a significant risk factor for breast cancer.

FICTION - Underwire bras cause breast cancer.
FACT - There has been reports that underwire bras can constrict the body's lymph node system, causing breast cancer. But this link is completely inaccurate. There are other factors like genetic and environmental that contribute to breast cancer.

So, there you have it. Don't just believe what you hear. It's better to have regular check-ups and mammograms at least once a year.

Have you heard of the MS Project Server 2007? It is an application specifically designed for you and your organization to manage you projects. First, let me explain to you what it is all about. This application allows you to do so many things easily. It allows you to save a lot of time and therefore maximize your profits. I know this may sound too familiar to you guys and you probably have this kind of application already.

But, what makes the Microsoft Project Manager so different from other project servers is it enables you to manage your re-schedule uncompleted work, assign a deadline to a task, assign formulas and graphical indicators, you will be equipped with tools (like Gantt Charts, time keeping, document storage, and version control) to make it easy for you to stay on track and deliver, cost resources, material resources, and many more. You can actually customize everything to suit your needs. And all these great features are offered for only $54.99.

The MS Project web access will help make your business better. If it doesn't, Phase 2 International will give you a full refund. Click on the links and know more about this new software.

I got another award! This one came from Lynne of The Sewing mom. I have to agree with her that this one is pretty special. Thanks Lynne, I truly appreciate it.

I heard from a friend that she's been using potassium-sodium salt blends as a way to manage her weight. According to her, these new salt blends are lower in sodium and rich in potassium, a mineral that helps regulate the water balance in the body to fight bloat. But I recently came across an article saying that the new salts do not really promote weight loss. The experts suggest that if you really want to fight fat, try experimenting with slimming spices like cayenne, ginger, pepper, mustard and cinnamon. These are all metabolism boosters and offer many benefits like pain relief and blood sugar control. I already told my friend about it, all the while she thought she's losing fats, so she's giving up on the salt blends.

I happened to pass by a web site where you can engage in the Sit on Santa's Lap Experience using the Ceiva Share's photo frame to upload your photos. I found it interesting and thought of putting my kids' photos there but I remembered my nephew's photo which I took the other day while we were at the mall. It was his first encounter with The Bearded Man and he cried so loud when Santa got him to sit on his lap, he was terrified. Well, not all kids are happy to see Santa, my kids were all smiles with their first encounter. I found my nephew's photo cute and I thought it would be a nice surprise to her mom once she sees this one.

If you happen to live in the US, the web site is holding a contest. Everyone of us has got a wish so just upload your photo like what I did here. Then leave your name and your wish. It's fairly easy and that's all you need to do, then Santa and the elves will have to check if you have been naughty or nice. If the elves give you a thumbs up, you're in. Each day, 1 random entry will be selected and the prize? $500!!! Hurry now and take advantage of this easy contest.

Here are the rules for the award:

1. Please put the logo on your blog.

2. Place a link to the person from whom you received the award.

3. Nominate at least 7 or more blogs.

4. Put links of those blogs on your blog.

5. Leave a message on their blogs to tell them.

I am sharing this with:

Adie @ Under One Roof
Marzie @ Wishing On A Falling Star
Max @ Max
Babette @ Definitely Maybe!
Carol @ A Second Cup
Sam @ Show me your interest
Seeker @ Curiously Awesome

Menopause is not something I look forward to but since I am in now in my forties and will soon be approaching menopause, I want to be ready when it comes. I have heard stories from my mom and other women about hot flashes, mood swings, falling levels of the female sex hormones and the many physical and psychological changes when they reached that stage. They say hot flashes disrupted their days and night sweats kept them up so they were moody and tired the next day.

I've been doing several readings about it and taking notes on what and what not to do during this stage. There were articles about what food to eat and what supplements to take. Just like my mom and my mom-in-law, most women reach the menopause without seeking medical advice and taking any supplements. But to some, menopause can be severe or distressing, in that case, treatments are available.

I found a web site about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy which puts an end to hot flashes, night sweats, memory loss, weight gain, mood swings, vaginal dryness and low libido. Taking into consideration that not all women are the same, their anti-aging physicians design individualized programs for each woman who suffers from early menopause symptoms, perimenopause, menopause, hormonal imbalance and severe PMS. Their hormone therapy and individualized treatment plan may include a combination of creams, gels, pills, patches, self-injections or pellet therapy. By the way, hormone therapy is also applicable for men experiencing male menopause.

If you are about to start your menopausal or post-menopausal years, being able to prepare for it can help you deal with this stage with grace, serenity and style. It is also important to have a talk with your doctor, so you both can decide which is best for you.

Pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger and brown sugar. That's all you need to bring back that glow from your dull skin. I have not tried it yet but I've read that this mask is used by spa experts and is proven effective to bring back the glow, so why spend so much on spas when you can do it at home?

The winning combination of pumpkin and brown sugar's large granules slough off dead skin cells and reveal fresh skin underneath. The ginger will help reduce redness because of its anti-inflammatory compounds, while the natural warming properties of cinnamon open pores so the other ingredients can penetrate skin more easily.

Here's the recipe for the mask:

Mix 1/2 cup of canned pumpkin, 1/4 cup of sliced ginger, 1 tsp of cinnamon and 1/4 cup of brown sugar. Apply to face and leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

My son Joey, is so excited because he is finally getting two new XBox 360 Games this Christmas. He's been aching to have that Activision Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock for so long so we made a deal. I promised him that if saves some of his allowance, I will match his savings. He seemed pretty determined and was able to save for the game. And since I promised to match it, he's getting two new games.

We were surfing the internet last night and have been comparing prices from different sites. The lowest we found was at Smart Shopping and the price includes vat and shipping. For the other game, he chose the THQ WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009. We have already ordered the games and they're due to arrive in a day or two.

If you are also looking for the newest games, this site is well worth a look. They offer a lot of games, not just for XBox 360 but Nintendo DS Games, PS2 Games, Sega Games, Nintendo Wii Games, PSP Games, Gameboy Games and a whole lot more. The prices are a lot cheaper here compared to the other web sites we have checked. If you're not convinced, you can check the items on ebay first so you'll see the price difference.

OJ is the better choice. An 8 oz glass of 100 % natural juice has more than twice the amount of vitamin C recommended for kids. The vitamin C found in orange juice is six times more the amount found in an equal serving of apple juice. Even if your child drinks just a small amount of OJ, you know he gets his daily fix. Experts say that regular consumption of orange or orange juice may lessen the risk of childhood leukemia.

Last week I was short of cash due to some unexpected expenses. So little money was left and I needed to pay for my utility bills. I was expecting money from my debit card but I had to settle the past due bills immediately so I thought of borrowing from a friend. I called and texted her but I got no response. I felt bad because she totally ignored me. I would understand if she can't lend me money, at least she should have told me. I felt so small, borrowing money from friends is not always a good idea.

If you are trying a 24-hour cleanse, I have read that drinking only lemon water is not recommended. Lemon water alone does not support balanced blood sugar. It will only increase your cravings for bread and sweets.

You can safely flush up to 15 pounds of water weight with a one-day juice detox by drinking a mixture of orange juice, cranberry juice, lemon/calamansi juice, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. The exact recipe was not given so I assume you would only be using a few slices of ginger and a dash each of nutmeg and cinnamon.

The organic acids in cranberries will stimulate liver detoxification while the ascorbic acid in citrus fruits helps deactivate free radicals, heightening the liver's ability to excrete fat and toxins.