We used to have trouble deciding on housewarming gifts for friends and family until we found a great and reasonably priced  lg home theatre system to buy and wrap as gifts.  You see with us Asians particularly the Chinese, we need to buy something not only useable but substantial  – meaning – the gift has gotta be good enough – so we won’t lose face (if you know what i mean).  So yes, a home theater system would never go wrong right?  after all, every home needs one.   Even if the host don’t like electronics, she would still want a home theatre system just for watching her movies or listening to her morning radio.  So from now on – we get them a good and reasonably price home theatre system and I’m always proud to present it to them – not like Tupperware or a bread warmer.

Last year the oldest just went to college in the city and we had bought her a 2nd hand car to help her go from her apartment to the campus but since gas is so expensive we decided to let her scoot around the city in a scooter instead of a car.   So we went hunting for a 2nd hand scooter and found one online – but have yet to decide since it was a little more than what we want to pay for.  On top of the scooter – we still need her motorcycle helmet and of course, she needs to go for a training class – which would cost us another few hundred dollars.   And don’t forget that road insurance too.   I know the spouse would ultimately get the scooter for her – since she will be in college for another 4 years or more.   So she will use the car when the weather is cold like now and on warmer days and the road is good – she will have to scoot around in her scooter/motorcycle.  How many of you let your 19 yrs old ride on a scooter?

So everyone wants to know what I got for Christmas – well, this is it – and antique cello from the spouse.  You see, i had been eying this for the longest time from a local antique shop in Toronto and the spouse knows about it.  But I was unwilling to pay so much for a cello that I probably wouldn’t play so often  – isn’t it priceless when the spouse buys it for you  and tells you nothing matters but you?  Yup ! very sweet indeed – but darn ! exorbitant price to pay for – this will sit in our dining room and maybe if you are lucky I will record a song or two on youtube for you.

I’m really proud of myself for being a very savvy mom – because ever since having kids and my own family – I always use coupons to save on just about anything I buy.    Some people may say i’m el cheapo – but I think I’m the best – why spend more money when you don’t have to right?  there are all sorts of coupons out there but the best one I’ve found is the ones from drop down deals !   by using this coupons  – I don’t have to search for coupons from everywhere on the internet because the coupons you need – just drop down on your browser – it’s pretty easy and it’s absolutely free.  Be a savvy mom like me – and save a ton of money when shopping.  I loved it!

My kid asked me out from no where – about what our family values were – now that was a deep question – hahah!   so I sat and thought for a bit – and like most parents – we think we have an answer for every question they have but you and I know that’s not true.   Asked me about cleaning the house with the right cleaning detergent or what ingredient to cook any dish – or even about Wholesale Insurance -  I can tell you that like the back of my hands – but family values?  I stopped a bit and thought about it -  so what is most important to me?  what are my family values?  what’s yours?

Spending time together and making them for family – near and far is important to me.  I believed in preparing for the future especially those of my kids – therefore I’m so good with insurance – they all have them – I made sure I bought one for myself too – but not just any insurance but one with the best premium and best coverage. Communication is the core of any relationship and honesty is another – not being judgmental is what I have to work on.  My family values are very simple : love, honesty, communication and making time for family are all very important to me.  So Sundays supper with the extended family is a must and I teach this to my kids – because I want them to come home once a week for sunday supper with us too – when they grow older and have their own family.

]]> http://www.trenduk.org/2011/06/growing-up-with-children/feed/ 0 http://www.trenduk.org/2011/06/rain-gutter/ http://www.trenduk.org/2011/06/rain-gutter/#comments Tue, 21 Jun 2011 22:36:34 +0000 Trendy Chick http://www.trenduk.org/?p=2053

I definitely need a rain gutter if I want a garden around the house or just to plant a flower bed around the house but of course, the spouse don’t see it this way since he doesn’t think we need more gardening done around the house.  I do agree with him at times – because we don’t really have lots of time on hand with so many children to take care of but on the other hand – who doesn’t like flower beds around the house and flowers blooming in the spring – to bring some joy from the deary winter.  I doubt a rain gutter would cost a lot – now if only I can get an uncle or a cousin to help out  -  to install the gutter.   I even found online how to install rain gutters – and it takes somewhere between 6 – 8 hrs of work.    For homes in most regions of the country, rain gutters and downspouts are necessary to collect and carry away rainwater. Without them, water would erode the soil around the foundation, splash dirt onto the siding and likely leak into the basement or crawlspace.  So that’s why I need to get a gutter – so i told the spouse – that’s my reason – haha!

The weather isn’t the best yet – it had been raining hard here – the children and I can’t wait for summer to come because we are all geared up for our road trip to Cape Breton.  We’ve got our emergency roadside assistance and our RV is look at by the garage – and we are all ready to go as soon as the school is out and the weather would cooperate.

Like the spouse said to me the other day – that with Father’s day round the corner – it only reminds him that he has to be more responsible because we are doing a road trip this year – therefore, he made sure that we have our roadside assistance in case something should happen during our trip – since the kids are going to be with us.   I feel a lot more at ease now that I know we have someone to call during medical emergencies or even if the RV doesn’t work.  Buying a peace of mind is worth every penny and plus it’s affordable – so why not?  The entire family can be in a family plan – so everyone going for the trip is taken care of – i like that a lot.  I hate to be crying over split milk – as I pride myself as a pro-active mom – so if you are dying to go camping with your RV or go for a road trip – make sure you get your emergency roadside assistance number handy.

I’ve always wanted a foose ball table in our basement but unwilling to spend so much on it because the spouse refuses to play on it.  So only the kids and I will be using it – and you know how kids are – they say they want it but in the end – they probably forget about it after a while – so unless I can get the Foose Ball machine from a yard sale for really cheap I won’t be buying any.   For those who love playing foose ball – what is the reasonable price to pay for a table 2nd hand?  let me know eh.