EMPOWERED MOM

To all married mothers, single mothers, stepmothers, pregnant mothers, wanna-be mothers, SINGLE FATHERS who are also mothers (inatays), grandmothers, yayas who act like mothers, gay/ lesbian mothers, and all other types of mothers I failed to mention:

THIS IS OUR DAY…. LET’S ALL HAVE A LAZY, LAID BACK DAY… LET’S ALL JUST SIT BACK AND RELAX… LET’S ALL ENJOY OUR DAY… MAKE THE BEST OF YOUR DAY! HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! ♥

I have always been fascinated with the art of choosing the right location for a home. My friend Cecil taught me indirectly, while she was looking into Real Estate in Teton Valley, when she and her husband, Mark, were looking for a great location for their second home. Technically, the couple lived in New York for the first three years of their marriage, then decided to move to Teton Valley Idaho. They wanted to be far from the city during some months, and Teton Valley, being far from the hassle and bustle of the big apple, was their choice at that time. Teton Valley is a rural, agriculture and ranching based economy, and while the emphasis is towards recreational tourism, the couple thought that it will somehow give them a breather from their stressful city life.

Some of their friends in New York would tell them that Idaho is such a  far cry for vacation, but they would simply tell them that if real estate is the concern, it is much cheaper and much wiser to invest there than in the city, where everything is high rise and cramped.

If you ask me, it is also similar to what is happening right now to my family. Weekdays, we are here in the city proper, while on weekends, we are in Opol, which is ten minutes from the beach, and twenty to thirty minutes from city proper. It was a good buy, real estate wise, because it has answered a need, after our former home in Balulang had been hit by TS Sendong last December 2012. My parents are wise to have bought that lot in Malanang years ago. Though the purpose was for some business venture, temporarily, it has become a vacation house of some sort.. But of course, when everything will be in proper order already, before the end of this year, my parents will be moving to their home of choice in Gran Europa.

All lots and homes are actually investments, and somehow, to have taken hold of them is an art. Acquiring real estate at a minimal value, and selling them someday in a higher value, that too is an art. I thank Cecil for teaching me how it works.. I am now thinking of going into that line of business too.

A war is waging in someone’s head right now. She is in a dire need to decide what brand to use for her journey to beauty. It’s wonderslim vs medifast, and another brand is going to join the said chaos in her head. Unless of course, she decides what brand to go with.. hahaha..

I wish all wars are just like that. I wish it were as simple as that. I wish it were easier to handle and resolve, like that problem above. But some wars in the head isn’t as easy as how that problem is presented. Take Scarborough Shoal for example, China and the Philippines both believe that the said area is theirs. And both may be right, or they could also be wrong.  If King Solomon were only alive, I am sure he will be able to do something about it. Why does it matter so much that one will win and the other lose? That is why there are bullies everywhere, even online. The fact that some people really want to feel and point out that they are above some people—-

You’re out of work, the bills are past due, and you have creditors hounding you on the phone. Bankruptcy is starting to look like your best option. Before you make the decision, learn about your family’s rights when filing for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy by hiring an attorney who specializes in bankruptcy.

What’s the difference?

There’s a big difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 for personal bankruptcy. Chapter 7 means that your unsecured debts will be discharged completely, with only a few exceptions. This is your best option if you have little in the way of assets and are carrying large credit card or loan balances.

Under Chapter 13, you’ll be repaying your secured debts with reduced or eliminated interest, penalties and fees. Chapter 13 is the answer if you’re trying to hold on to your home but having a difficult time making your mortgage payments.

The website www.totalbankruptcy.com gives more details on these types of bankruptcy. It also has other resources that you can use to learn more about the process, and it can also direct you to a bankruptcy attorney in your area.

Will I lose my assets?

You have a good chance of holding on to your assets if you file for Chapter 13, depending on your personal situation. Because you’ll have your secured debts like your mortgage and car payment reorganized and consolidated, you may be able to keep those assets.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy involves liquidation, or selling off your assets to help pay down your outstanding debts. There will be a certain amount of personal property that’s exempt; this usually pertains to your clothing, household items, and furniture. If you own a car, that may also be exempt if it’s below a certain value. These exemption amounts vary from state to state, and that’s why finding a local bankruptcy attorney should be at the top of your priority list.

When will I get relief?

When you file your petition for bankruptcy, you’ll get immediate relief from collection actions like foreclosure and repossession. It’s essential for your financial future that you be completely honest with your attorney about your situation.

You canexpect to complete Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings within a few months, although this varies by state. A Chapter 13 repayment plan usually lasts from three to five years, and sometimes longer.

Bankruptcy doesn’t mean giving up. In fact, it just might be the most responsible thing you can do for your family’s future. Do your homework, know your rights, and choose your attorney wisely. You’ll put this hardship behind you and be ready to face a better tomorrow.

Most apartments today are generally small spaces shared by many people. When moving to smaller apartments, adults and kids often share a space, and it can be a challenge to meet children’s unique needs. Kids often want special spaces to live in and call their own. Here are some target areas and tips to make a new apartment kid-friendly.

Create a Theme Room

If your family has relocated to a new area, it can be fun to have one room be a theme room central to the area you have moved into. For example, Orlando apartments could be themed toDisneyworld or anything relevant to the place. Just one theme room, such as a child’s bedroom or bathroom, can be fun for kids.

Redesign the Kitchen

The kitchen can easily be made kid-friendly. The best part about making the kitchen in an apartment kid-friendly is that items can be easily stowed away when a time comes that the area needs to be an adult space. Fun placemats can make clean up a breeze and make meal time more fun for children. Finding kitchen tools and appliances that have quirky designs can make that area a space for kids as well.

Allow Kids to Design Their Rooms

Children’s bedrooms can be made into their own space by helping them personalize the interior decor of their rooms. For instance, rooms can be designed using their favorite colors as an inspiration for the interior decor. Let your child pick their own paint colors or theme to suit their tastes. It is very easy to coordinate bedding, furniture, and dressers with today’s bedroom kits for children.

Make the Bathroom Child-Proof

Many apartments offer half baths which could be kid-themed and become the designated children’s bathroom. Even if your apartment only has one bathroom, small touches such as a fun electric toothbrush or colorful soaps can add that child-friendly feel. In addition, make the bathroom safe for kids by ensuring that there are no toxic chemicals and sharp objects in the bathroom.

Add a Spare Room

If the apartment is constructed to have one room that is bigger than the rest, such as a large living room or dining room, consider splitting it. Set up something your child enjoys in their own space. If your children enjoy arts and crafts, create a little art area complete with easel and craft supplies.

Moreover, if they enjoy video games, turn one room into a game room furnished with a small television and a gaming console. Room dividers can be found very inexpensively and can make a friendly spot for a child.

Making kids feel like they too own a part or space in the apartment they live in is important. By keeping these tips in mind, you can make any area in your home a comfortable and fun living space for children.