Swine Flu Wednesday, April 29, 2009

I saw this as a headline on Yahoo! before I signed in to check my email. Whenever I hear about any flus and outbreaks, I can't help but be worried, not for myself but for the kids. Information would be my weapon for now.

Rihanna - Take a Bow Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Take a bow

I've always liked rock music, but since I listened to this song by accident, I really liked it. Hope you do so, too!

Ranting about SocialSpark Monday, April 27, 2009

I am so sad. :(

I finished a couple of days ago a post for SocialSpark but I got an email saying that the post could not be approved and it cannot be resubmitted anymore because the post before it was more than 7 days in between. The email further states that posts must be consistent and therefore, my post cannot be resubmitted.

I just feel bad that I didn't know about this policy in the SocialSpark TOS, but at least now I do. And I guess in a way, I've been busy with my work that I haven't been posting in my blogs as often as I did before, it's partly my fault.

I ended up deleting the said post since I think there's no point in having it up my blog. I'm not going to get paid for it anyway.

Mother's Day is Coming Up! Monday, April 27, 2009

Mother's Day is Coming Up!

whoCelebsTweet.com - Celebrities on Twitter Monday, April 27, 2009

Who would have thought celebrities with their busy lifestyles have the time to join and maintain a social networking site? Well, they do and do check out whoCelebsTweet.com to check out the hottest and latest information and updates from your favorite celebrities!

Fast and Furious - New Model, Original Parts Friday, April 24, 2009

We just finished watching Fast and Furious - New Model, Original Parts. It's the 4th part in the series, and it re-features the original cast in the first movie. The movie stars Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Paul Walker, and Jordana Brewster.

I've been a fan of the said series, and I loved the cars and the action. I also particularly loved the way the characters in the movie have gotten depth and have seemed to grow in the 5 years time. There are new twists to the story, and if you've been following the series as I've been, this is great movie.

Handcrafted Batik Store Friday, April 24, 2009

Nicolas Cage - Knowing Monday, April 20, 2009

My family and I just finished watching Knowing, the new movie with Nicolas Cage. All I can say is, it is fantastic! The effects were marvelous, the acting was superb, and the plot was more than amazing.

The movie is about testing your beliefs and faith and making sacrifices out of love. If you're watching it with kids, be prepared to answer dozens of questions from them - like I just did with my kids.

This movie got me thinking that I'm glad I didn't get any supernatura powers of seeing the future. As the saying goes, Ignorance is bliss. But I'm not saying that I don't want to know all the time. But I'm just glad that I can enjoy one day at a time and take it from there.

Sponsored Conversations Sunday, April 19, 2009

Free Emoticons & Winks for messenger Sunday, April 19, 2009

Extreme48, the best deals around! Sunday, April 19, 2009

Extreme48, the best deals around!

Dark Sky Festival in Harmony Florida Sunday, April 19, 2009

Dark Sky Festival in Harmony Florida

Billionth Download at App Store Sunday, April 19, 2009

MyGearStore.com Sunday, April 19, 2009

Cell Phone Accessories

Laptop Accessories

iPod accessories

Macbook accessories

Heatwave Celebrity Cruise Sunday, April 19, 2009

Making Change Sunday, April 19, 2009

A Weird Comment Sunday, April 19, 2009

I just got a really weird comment from a certain Mike which I chose not to publish. The comment wasn't spam comments about adult medication or adult websites, but as he says, he was just ranting out his thoughts and that if the situation was a phone conversation, what he was saying would sound more natural.

This Mike said that he can't find anyone who could act and has lost the inspiration to write. I find it sad, but then, I found his comment in one of my posts too weird to be published. The post he chose wasn't even related in the slightest bit to what he was saying. Not that I'm being rude, but this post will just acknowledge his comment that I decided not to publish.

So to Mike, I really hope you find the inspiration to write, and find whatever it was you were looking for.

Cancun All Inclusive Family Vacation Friday, April 10, 2009

With the summer heat just around the corner, a Cancun All Inclusive Family Vacation sounds like the perfect escape from the summer heat. Imagine seclusion on the white sand beaches of Riviera Maya coupled with an elite level of service that leaves you feeling totally relaxed and pampered and well taken cared of.

Imagine yourself and your family in hot tubs and hammocks, swim-up rooms with ocean views, white gauze curtains floating over four poster beds, sunset margaritas served by a Beach Butler on a private stretch of sand, exquisitely presented food prepared by expert chefs…it’s certainly a traveler's dream. What's great about this is that you can enjoy superb amenities inclusive of food.

Yup that's right - you get to travel and enjoy exquisite cuisine all at the same time and all for one price. So you don't have to worry about having to plan funds for meals and accommodation when you can all pay for them in one bill. The food you'll find isn't your common buffet - table setting - what you'll get is cooking that meets the standards of the best restaurants, prepared in a way that will excite and surprise the senses. Special touches include bars equipped with real swings or hanging beds, bars with iced tops to keep drinks frosty cold, tequila lounges with 30 artisanal tequilas on offer, private-label wines from vineyards chosen and offered as they would be in the best restaurants—by experienced sommeliers.

So the next time you plan your family vacation, do consider booking with Karisma Hotels - you'll get an all - in - one deal that you won't find anywhere else.

Survivor Season 2 Friday, April 10, 2009

GMA is already screening applicants for the Season 2 of Survivor Philippines. I'll be really honest - I can't follow TV shows that well, and I don't like reality shows that much, since some reality shows bring out the worst in people because of their desire to stay in the game.

I wonder how they will be casting the second batch of Philippine survivors. The first season had mix of a really older guy, and young girls and guys. The winner, JC Tiuseco, is now officially a celebrity with appearances in TV shows and variety noontime shows.

If I had the guts (and the time!), I'd probably try my luck with Survivor, too. You not only win the money, but you also win a new lifestyle in the eyes of the media. Sounds not too bad to me, what do you think?

On Wood Furniture Friday, April 10, 2009

My mom has always loved antiques. She especially loves wood furniture, like mahogany and narra. Most of our major furniture and cabinets are made from such wood. I have to admit, they look beautiful and age with grace. My mom takes care of them by putting on antique wax, which brings out the reddish color and shine in them.

Now that I have my own place, I would love to have wood furniture myself. They're really worth the investment, since if you take good care of it, your kids will have a nice piece of antique to inherit from you.

Like this particular piece. This 3 door red oak hickory barn dresser is a wonderful piece. It is not only beautiful, but functional as well. You can store several stuff in the 3 drawers while maintaining a decorative piece.

Your Child's Cough Wednesday, April 08, 2009

While I was watching Nicole sleep, I went browsing the internet for some articles related to cough and fever. Here's one that I stumbled across from KidsHealth.org and it may be of use to other parent bloggers out there. This article was published on MSN's Health and Fitness.

Coughs are one of the most frequent symptoms of childhood illness, and although they can sound awful at times, aren't usually a sign of a serious condition. In fact, coughing is a healthy and important reflex that helps clear the airways in the throat and chest.

Occasionally, though, your child's cough is going to warrant a visit to the doctor. Recognizing certain types of coughs will help you know how to handle them and when to seek medical help.

About Different Types of Coughs

Here's some guidance on different types of coughs and the kinds of conditions they're typically associated with. If you're concerned that your child's cough is an indication of a larger illness, call your doctor.

"Barky" Cough

Barky coughs are usually caused by an inflammation or swelling in the upper part of the airway. Most often they're caused by croup, an inflammation of the larynx (voice box) and trachea (windpipe).

Croup can be brought on by allergies, change in temperature at night or, most commonly, a viral upper respiratory infection. When a young child's airway becomes inflamed, it may swell near, or just below, the vocal cords, making it harder to breathe. Kids younger than 3 years of age tend to get croup because their windpipes are narrow.

Croup can come on suddenly and in the middle of the night, when kids are at rest. Often it's accompanied by stridor, a noisy, harsh breathing (some doctors describe it as a coarse, musical sound) that occurs when a child inhales.

"Whooping" Cough

Whooping cough is another name for the illness pertussis, an infection of the respiratory tract caused by the bacteria bordetella pertussis. The illness is marked by severe coughing spells that end in a "whooping" sound when a child breathes in. Other symptoms of pertussis include a runny nose, sneezing, mild cough, and a low-grade fever.

Although pertussis can occur at any age, it's most severe in infants under 1 year old who aren't immunized. The pertussis vaccine, which is part of the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis) immunization, is routinely given in five doses before a child's sixth birthday. It's important to follow the immunization schedule that your doctor provides.

Pertussis is highly contagious. The bacteria can spread from person to person through tiny drops of fluid in the air from an infected person's nose or mouth, which get propelled by sneezes, coughs, or laughs. Other people can become infected by inhaling the drops or getting the drops on their hands and then touching their mouths or noses.

Cough With Wheezing

When coughing is accompanied by a wheezing sound during exhalation, it may be a sign that your child's lower airway is inflamed. It's also possible, particularly in younger kids, that the lower airway is being blocked by a foreign object or mucus from a respiratory infection.

Nighttime Cough

Lots of coughs get worse at night because the congestion in the nose and sinuses drains down the throat and causes irritation during sleep. This is only a problem if your child is unable to sleep. Asthma can also trigger nighttime coughs because the airways tend to be more sensitive and become more irritable at night.

Daytime Cough

Allergies, asthma, colds, and other respiratory infections are the usual culprits of daytime coughs. Cold air or activity can make these coughs worse, and they often subside at night or when a child is resting. Try to make sure that nothing in your house — like air freshener, pets, or smoke (especially tobacco smoke) — is making your child cough.

Cough With a Fever

A child who has a cough, mild fever, and runny nose probably has a common cold. But coughs with a fever of 102? Fahrenheit (39? Celsius) or higher can mean pneumonia, particularly if a child is listless and breathing fast. In this case, call your doctor immediately.

Cough With Vomiting

Kids often cough so much that it triggers their gag reflex, making them throw up. Usually, this is not cause for alarm unless the vomiting persists. Also, a child who has a cough with a cold or an asthma flare-up may throw up if lots of mucus drains into the stomach and causes nausea.

Persistent Cough

Coughs caused by colds can last weeks, especially if your child has one cold right after another. Asthma, allergies, or a chronic infection in the sinuses or breathing passages might also be responsible for these persistent coughs. If the cough lasts for 3 weeks, notify your doctor.

When to Call the Doctor

Most childhood coughs are nothing to be concerned about. However, consult a doctor if your child:

• has trouble breathing or is working hard to breathe
• is breathing more quickly than usual
• has a blue or dusky color to the lips, face, or tongue
• has a high fever (particularly in a young infant or in the absence of congestion or a runny nose; contact your doctor for any fever in an infant younger than 3 months)
• is an infant (3 months old or younger) who has been coughing for more than a few hours
• makes a "whooping" sound when she breathes after coughing
• is coughing up blood
• has stridor when inhaling
• has wheezing when exhaling (unless you already have home asthma management instructions from your doctor)
• is listless or cranky

Professional Treatment

One of the best ways to diagnose a cough is by listening. Your doctor will determine how to treat your child based in part on what the cough sounds like.

Because the majority of respiratory illnesses are caused by viruses, doctors typically do not prescribe antibiotics for coughs. If some kind of bacterial infection is suspected, the doctor will probably prescribe antibiotics. Some coughing-related illnesses just need to run their course.

Unless your child's cough is preventing sleep, cough medicines are usually unnecessary. If you do choose to use an over-the-counter (OTC) cough suppressant, consult the doctor to be sure that the dose is correct since all medications can have side effects and, in some cases, can even be dangerous for infants and young children.

Home Treatment

Home treatments should never take the place of consulting your doctor for any of the conditions listed above, but you can help make your child more comfortable:

• If your child has asthma, make sure you have received asthma-management instructions from your doctor. Monitor progress carefully during a flare-up and give asthma medicines according to the doctor's instructions.
• Take a child who wakes up with a "barky" or "croupy" cough in the middle of the night into the bathroom, close the door, and let the shower run on hot for several minutes. After the room steams up, sit in the bathroom with your child for about 20 minutes. The steam should help ease breathing. Try reading a book together to pass the time.
• A cool-mist humidifier in your child's bedroom might help with sleep.
• Cool beverages like juice can be soothing; avoid carbonated or citrus drinks, however, because they can be painful on raw areas.
• You should not give your child (especially a baby or toddler) OTC cough medicine without specific instructions to do so from your doctor.
• Cough drops, which are fine for older kids, are a choking hazard for young kids. It's best to avoid them unless your doctor says that they are safe for your child.

Reviewed by: Aaron S. Chidekel, MD
Date reviewed: October 2005
Originally reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD

Blog Aggregator Hosting Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Hey guys! This might be of interest to bloggers out there. I just created my community aggregator over at FeedCluster.com blog aggregators. If you'd like to visit it, here's the link to my community aggregator. I've named my community aggregator as Making Money Online.

I love writing and it has always been a passion of mine. But when I realized that I could actually make money while blogging, it became twice as fun for me. I loved how I can write and earn at the same time. Doing something you like and making money out of it is certainly a lot of fun and is very fulfilling.

Through this community aggregator of mine, I am hoping to meet other bloggers who feel the way I do about blogging. It helps you earn, but at the same time it's a passion. If you have time, please join my community aggregator. It would be fun to get together with other bloggers who think the same way.

Hotel AC Baqueira Thursday, April 02, 2009

What do most hotels do when it is off peak season? Like when there is still a lot of snow? Or if you're a skiing destination and the snowy season is almost over? These would be a good time to attract clients to come and visit by lowering prices or offering discounts on regular rates.

What Hotel AC Baquiera does during these times is it currently offers a ski pack inclusive of stay of 5 nights, buffet meals, spa, and ski passes for only 750 Euros. Hotel AC Baquiera also offers several romantic weekend getaways perfect for you and your special someone. Discounted deals for 2 nights with spa services as well as wine cellar and other romantic amenities are being offered for 300 Euros.

Hotel AC Baqueira was inaugurated last November 2008 and is already considered by many as a de luxe hotel. The rooms are huge and situated in a very strategic location, not to mention the fact that everything in the hotel is new and newly released.

So what are you waiting for? Even if the snow is already melted, there's always a perfect reason to spend a romantic weekend with your special someone or just go for skiing. And when you do plan your trip, visit Hotel AC Baqueira. It is well worth your time and money.

This is a sponsored post.

Blog Earnings for March 2009 Thursday, April 02, 2009

I've decided on posting how much I earn monthly to inspire myself to work harder each month. The money I earn from blogging goes a long way, like for this month's earnings, I will be paying Keisha's tuition for the coming school year.

For March, I made a total of $148.11. I'll be posting a screenshot of my PayPal account as soon as I finish on some errands. I apologize, but this post is actually a spur of the moment post.

Allegro Medical Thursday, April 02, 2009

What is Allegro Medical?

For those who aren't familiar, Allegro Medical was founded back in 1996 and is one of the largest and technologically advanced, independently owned online retailers of life enhancing products in the United States. Allegro Medical serves more than 1 million customers and counting, and has expanded their service to include consumer retail products like exercise equipment, outdoor gear, and maternity and baby supplies.

Allegro Medical is based in Temple, Arizona, and their main website is at www.allegromedical.com. Their website has 55,000 products listed under 50 categories and literally hundreds of sub categories. Some of their featured products are:
• FreeStyle Diabetes Test Strips
• Pediasure
• Kinesio Tape
• X2 Vest Weight Vest
• Carpal Tunnel Computer Glove
• Breast Feeding Pillow
• Blood Pressure Monitor
• Shower Chair
• Polar Heart Monitor
• Philips HeartStart Home AED Defibrillator

Popular Categories include:
• Children/Pediatric
• Daily Living Aids
• Diabetic Supplies
• Emergency Preparation
• Exercise/Fitness
• Hospital Discharge Favorites
• Maternity Care
• Sexual Well-Being
• Urologicals/catheter
• Wound Care Supplies

Happy April Fool's Day! Wednesday, April 01, 2009