It’s Time To Move Forward

Over the last one week, I have been seriously thinking about creating my own online store. I have always had an ace up my sleeves on a small business plan. Ever since Google dealt a big blow on most blogs including my blog, by lowering our PR,  it has been really difficult for us to get opportunities from advertising networks. My income has been slashed substantially over the last two weeks. It’s time for me to bring the card out from my sleeves now. A friend of mine who recently started her online store selling her self designed babies and ladies apparel is using an ecommerce software that she had purchased from Ashop Commerce, a world-class provider of hosted shopping cart software. This software is the perfect solution for small to medium sized merchants who wish to set up their online business.

When I checked the website of Ashop Commerce, I found out that there are several affordable plans to accommodate businesses of any size that comes with many freebies. I just need to pay a monthly store fee and a once-off setup fee. Best of all, I’ll get a 10-day FREE trial with no credit card required and there is also FREE store design upon signing up.  Sometimes unfortunate events happen for a reason and maybe this is a blessing in disguise for me to kick-start my online business.

No. of times viewed = 147

The Love Chain Tag

Been tagged on this one by my very good blogging friend.

This is how the tag works.

This linky love trail rules: When you get tagged…you have to add your name to people who had done the tag and and let the list grow!

Those Who’d Dunnit

Limadang.com
RamblingMoo.com
blogginginmypyjamas
StylewithPassion
Chinneeq
Dora-zooropazoo
Babyshern
Frankensteina
Diyanazman
Lovely Mummy
Healthfreakmommy

Tagging time:

Wen

Blur Angel

Channel Wong

No. of times viewed = 362

Want To Earn Money While You Blog?

When I made the decision to leave the corporate world to be a SAHM almost 2 years ago, never have I thought that I could one day work from home doing something that I have passion in. Before I created my own blog, I was merely visiting other people’s blog and I really got enticed to do what these great SAHMs are doing – blogging and get paid for blogging. It took me many months before I finally kicked my own butt to put in some time and effort to create my own blog. After my blog was finally created (albeit with lots of difficulties for an IT retard like me), the rest was history. There’s just no turning back. I jumped into the blog advertising bandwagon and I have had absolutely no regrets since.

I now write advertisements for a number of advertising networks connecting advertisers and bloggers and one of my favorite networks is Smorty. They pay well for blogs with a good Google Page Rank (PR), they have opportunities on many interesting products and services and they pay very promptly too. I have absolutely no regrets being a part of Smorty.

If you own a blog and would like to blog for money, wait no further. Visit Smorty.com today and register your blog. You’ll be smiling away as you blog and laughing away to the bank too!

No. of times viewed = 192

Pregnancy at 18 Weeks

That’s my belly at 18 weeks+.  Pretty big eh?  But many people are not even aware that I’m preggers, maybe because of my dressing up and I know how to conceal my belly!  Also, I have not put on much weight.  To date, I’ve only gained 3.5kg.   As with my other 2 pregnancies, my appetite has reduced tremendously as my belly expands but I’m trying to force myself to eat wholesome food.

No. of times viewed = 237

Sherilyn Can Finally Cycle

Sherilyn can finally reach the pedals of her tricycle.  She’s been trying in vain for the last one year or so to reach the pedals but her legs were not long enough.  Lase week, I was so surprised to see that she could finally reach  the pedals and cycle on her own without being pushed.  She’s so proud of her achievement and no longer envies Alycia who has been cycling like a pro now.

No. of times viewed = 253

Free Moving Planner

Tell me, is there anyone who does not dread the process of moving house? It sure is good to be moving to my dream home but the thought of all the planning and organizing the move, the packing and unpacking of all your paraphernalia just sends shivers down my spine. We’ll be moving to our new condominium next year and though we have about one year more before the move, I’m already dreading the thought of packing all our things. There is just so much stuff to pack – our kids’ stuff, hubby’s stuff, mil’s stuff and my stuff. I admit I’m quite a pack-rat and since we will be moving from a double storey house to a condo, I guess I have to discard a lot of my junk.

Since I am no expert in organizing a move, I would really need professional removal services and removal companies that can help me minimize my moving woes.  Also, if only there was a site here like moveme.com, my moving woes will be reduced.  At moveme.com, anyone who is moving can use their services for free and get free quotes from reliable removal companies.  What I  like best is their award-winning Move Planner which has been a lifesaver to thousands of people. The Move Planner will organize and manage every aspect of your move and remind you to do things at the appropriate dates. This site also helps people to inform the relevant councils, utility companies, banks, insurance companies and even friends of their change of address. I will definitly use the Move Planner as a guide to help me organize my move next year.

No. of times viewed = 194

Christmas Is In The Air

After reading BabyShern’s post on Christmas tree, I reminded hubby to fish out the packed Christmas tree from our storeroom. I can’t believe a year has passed us by so quickly. It was partly because of this Christmas tree that hubby’s new MPV got stolen. I was still in Ipoh with the gals when he called me to inform that his car was stolen, right in front of our house in broad daylight. Hubby had bought this Christmas tree the day before he was to go to Ipoh and fetch us back to KL so that he can give the gals a surprise.  After getting the Christmas tree out from his car, he quickly decorated the tree. He didn’t even realized that some professional car thieves had stolen his car, just in a flash.

Back to the Christmas tree, Alycia and Sherilyn were so excited when daddy brought out the Christmas tree. They helped to decorate the tree with the ornaments but Sherilyn, the one with the itchy fingers chipped part of the Christmas star.

After the tree was fully decorated, the gals kept singing “the Christmas tree is AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME…..”

No. of times viewed = 259

Seek Debt Help If You Need It

When my friend’s father who was a Managing Director was retrenched by the company, he could not find another high-paying job with similar perks. He had exhausted almost most of his savings to pay for their daily expenses and for my friend’s university fees. My friend has 5 other school-going and college-going siblings. They were very used to living a luxury lifestyle and could not adjust to life with the bare minimum and continued to spend lavishly. My friend’s father then took a personal loan from a bank to cover their expenses. Soon, his credit cards were all maxed out and he did not have sufficient money to repay the banks. Consequently, the banks soon shot out legal letters to him demanding payment. When he could not settle his debts months later, legal proceedings to declare him a bankrupt was underway. My friend and his family were traumatized as they knew the implications of being a bankrupt and they did not want the whole world to know that he is a bankrupt.

My friend’s father then sought debt advice from a company that provides debt help. He was given the option of choosing between IVA and bankruptcy. My friend’s father chosed IVA and signed a contract to repay his debts to his creditors over a period of 5 years. He has since found new employment and is slowly and steadily repaying his debts. My friend and his family were also forced to lead a simpler lifestyle with no luxuries. It was a real expensive and painful lesson for my friend’s father. With sites like DebtFreeDirect.co.uk, a leading provider of free and impartial debt advice, many people are now able to solve their financial problems and start life afresh.

No. of times viewed = 188

Flash Cards Again

When Alycia and Sherilyn’s interest in flash cards were waning early this year, I found it really hard to hold their attention when I flashed the cards to them.  I was practically forcing, bribing and my temper flared too.  I decided the flash cards needed a respite for a few months and kept all of them.

Several days ago whilst rummaging the drawer, Alycia dug out the boxes of flash cards and asked me to read to her.  I gladly read to the gals during breakfast and I also took the opportunity to teach them phonics.  Alycia’s reading has improved slightly over the last few days as I have intensified the reading program with her.  I’ve also resumed the Peter & Jane series books with her.  Her interest in reading is still not as enthusiastic as I would want it to be but she’s definitely improving. 

No. of times viewed = 322

Alycia’s Mastered The Chopsticks

Yes, Alycia has finally mastered the chopsticks.  Now, she doesn’t want to use the spoon and fork anymore whenever she eats noodles but requests to use the chopsticks instead though she’s taking longer than usual to eat with chopsticks.  And she’s really proud of her achievement! 

No. of times viewed = 231

The Ultimate Marketplace For Lenders and Borrowers

What would you like to do with your money if you have some extras? Would you like to invest them in stocks and shares, place them in a Saving account in a bank or lend them to people who need your money and earn good rates out of it? Yes, you read me right. You can actually reap more money out of your money when you lend them to people who need them at Zopa, the world’s first lending and borrowing marketplace in the U.K.   Zopa is not a bank but a fully licensed  lending and borrowing marketplace backed by the same investors of eBay, Skype and Betfair.

At Zopa anyone from students to professionals, entrepreneurs, pensioners, housewives or just about anyone who has the wherewithal can ‘invest’ in their money by lending them to people who want the money.  The lender sets the rate on the loan to the borrower based on the borrower’s creditworthiness. There is a proper and legally binding contract between the lender and the borrower, to which the borrower repays the loan via direct debit.

‘Investing’ your money in Zopa is like placing money in a Saving Account  in a bank but you earn better interest rate. It’s a good alternative to placing your money in a bank for the lender and for the borrower, you too get better rates than borrowing from a bank.   Zopa is truly the ultimate marketplace for those who have the money and those who need the money.

No. of times viewed = 238

The Trick

This pandan layer cake did the trick.  When Alycia refused to part with the junk food that she got from the children’s day party at her pre-school last week, I told her I will buy her her favorite cake.  When I brought the pandan layer cake home, she hurried to the kitchen and willingly gave me her bag of junk and said she doesn’t want to eat them anymore.  I was pleasantly surprised that it was so easy to trade with her something that she liked so much by swapping it with another item that she likes.  So the next time she comes home with a bag of junk food from school, I will bring her to the bakery and ask her to choose another healthier alternative in exchange with the junk food!

No. of times viewed = 204

Maid Stories Again

My maid caused a big stir and commotion last night when her Nepalese boyfriend tried to talk to her from outside the gate.  I was about to take my shower when I heard a commotion outside our house.  I peeped at the window and saw a group of about 4 guards apprehending a man.  I thought the man was  acting suspiciously outside my house, thus the reason why the guards apprehended him.  The guards were apparently very furious and kept shouting “bl**dy hell, you stay away from here, don’t let me see you again!”   Minutes later, the guard saw me peeping from the window upstairs and said this “you be careful, this Nepalese man was talking to your maid. He wanted to climb into your house.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you when your maid runs away.  We will be making a police report.”  

I was really flabbergasted.  How on earth did my maid befriend a Nepalese man when we don’t allow her to go out?  I called my maid and questioned her.  Initially, she denied knowing the guy and said the guy wanted to talk to her.  When I asked why the guy wanted to climb into our house,  she denied that.  She kept saying “Madam percaya saya tak, guard tu bohong.  Lelaki tu tak panjat pagar”.  I just told her that whatever it is, just don’t cause any trouble to us coz having a stranger climbing into our house compound is a serious matter and I definitely do not want to get startled when I see a stranger in my house. 

Anyway, I  quickly called hubby to inform him and I also told my hubby not to be too harsh on our maid coz we don’t want her to be full of vengeance and hatred towards us.  When he came back, he queried my maid again.  After using some reverse psychology and some humor, my maid finally admitted that the Nepalese man is her boyfriend whom she had befriended when she went out to dry the laundry and water the plants.  They see each other everyday.  They have also been exchanging love letters.  We told our maid that we will not stop her from seeing her boyfriend but she can never bring the guy into our house and she cannot go out with him.  After all, she only has a remaining of 1.5 months to work for us and she can do whatever she wants thereafter.  Long story cut short, we managed to have a heart-to-heart talk with her and she confessed many things to us.  We also told her that we had found out that she’s been passing letters to another guard, to which she was really shocked to know that we had discovered her dalliance with the guard. 

What I don’t understand about these Indon maids is how can they be in love so easily with so many men whom they barely know at the same time.   There was a similar case with my 2 previous maids when we found out that they had dalliance with several men at the same time!  Maybe they were all stricly platonic relationships and they were just trying to find something fun to do to kill loneliness and stress?  I don’t know, I just hope I get to analyse their behavior better, understand them better and know how to tackle them better so that all these problems will not recur with my future maids.

No. of times viewed = 255

I Really Need To Treat My Painful Blisters

The blisters and calluses on my toes are not getting any better though I have stopped my daily jogging sessions for almost 4 months now.  The blisters are causing my toes to hurt whenever I wear pointed heels or graze the affected toes against hard objects. I should really see a skin specialist to treat those painful blisters one of these days. When I resume my jogging sessions after my baby pops out next year, I should also get some Blister Prevention patches from Go Engo to prevent more blisters from forming on my toes. I heard that these patches are specially created to help runners, hikers, dancers and athletes manage hotspots and blisters by preventing friction from rising during their workout sessions. I should also get some of these patches for hubby since he’s been complaining about painful feet after his workout sessions at the gym.

No. of times viewed = 255

Junk Food

Whenever there are birthday parties or children’s day party in Alycia’s pre-school, I would be worried about what junk food she would be bringing home coz it would be almost impossible to stop her from eating them.  All hell would break loose if I ever try to stop Alycia from eating them.  Last Friday, Alycia brought home a bag full of MSG, sugar and color laden junk food – sweet colorful jellies, sweets, chocolates, Mamee, Cheezels, etc.  Sometimes I just don’t understand how the teachers and parents think to be buying and giving away these unhealthy food to toddlers.   

I was trying to find a way to trade these junk food with her and finally, I thought of a way;  and it was oh so easy.  With that item that I had bought, she volunteered to give away all these junkies to me with no threats or bribes. 

to be continued………

No. of times viewed = 148

Tag : My Proudest Moment

Alice and Slavery Mum would like to know what my life’s proudest moment is.   Like most mums, mine was when I finally managed to cuddle Alycia in my arms and meet her face to face for the first time after carrying her for 38 weeks.  

When I was carrying Alycia, I had gone through endless downs and many nerve-racking moments.  During the initial stage of my pregnancy when my gynae could not detect the sac in my womb, I was worried sick that it would be an ectopic pregnancy.  Weeks later, my sil who stayed with us had German measles and I was at risk of contracting it too.  I got even more convinced that I had German measles when spots started to appear everywhere on my body.  My gynae did a blood test to check for German measles and I had to wait for 2 weeks for the results to be out.  That 2 weeks was one of the longest periods in my life.  When the results were finally out and revealed that I had no German measles, I was overjoyed.  Many weeks later at around 20 weeks of my pregnancy, I started to have frequent contractions throughout the day.  A trans-vagina ultrasound scan showed that my cervix had shortened and upon the strict advice of my gynae, I was on partial bedrest for the next 3 months until I delivered Alycia.

Alycia was indeed a miracle, a baby whom I’d wanted so much to have and had gone through so much to conceive her.  The afternoon of 5th December 2003 was indeed the happiest and proudest moment in my life.  She was the most beautiful baby I’d seen.

No. of times viewed = 294

HEALTH FREAK MOMMY