Thoughtful Gifts

I am a very practical  person and I love receiving useful things as gifts.   Here are some of the gifts that I love:  

• Address Book - my daughter knows that I am old school.  I keep in touch with friends and family through snail mail.  I know it's kind of  obsolete  but sometimes, receiving personal letter  feels really good.  I always think that it is better than receiving text or email.  I know that the latter is a lot faster but  there is something so personal with handwritten letters that make it very special.  So this address book will surely be used.  Thanks to my daughter!

• Personalized Items - I think homemade gifts are the best.  They are made with  love.  My daughter made this for her brother and he loved it.  It is now hanging on his bedroom wall.  

• Art Piece - She also made this for  us.  She used bottle caps to make this octopus  . Isn't this so cute?

•  When they were younger, we  were trying to teach our son to be less messy by setting an example and one time, my husband told our son  that he wants to eat the cookie that he wanted at the living room, he should eat like his sister does.  We went to  the living room where she was eating and found so many crumbs on the couch and my husband  blurted "Crumbs everywhere".  Since then, they were not allowed to eat  anywhere but in the table lol.  Our daughter thought it would be funny to make a toast, crushed it and put it in a frame to remind us of  that funny moment.

• Tennis Rackets -  The kiddos got us these  tennis rackets so we could fairly play tennis with them.  We used to use the old  pair of tennis racket and they are pretty heavy so every time we lost a game to our children, we always  say that it is because our rackets are vintage lol.  So now, we don't have that excuse anymore.

• Keyboard - My husband knows that my old keyboard is a pain in the tosh to use because all of its letters are faded thus it  makes it hard to use.  Now I can use my office without turning the light on during night time, all I have to do is push the bulb icon and the  keyboard is instantly lit.

• Personal Protection - During warm weather, I do my  walking outdoors and my husband always worry about my safety going alone so he got me something for protection last Christmas.  I will have to  get me a conceal carry permit and of course go on practice using this  baby.

One of my husband's Christmas #gift for me.

A photo posted by Chubskulit Rose (@chubskulitrose) on Jan 11, 2017 at 2:41am PST

How about you, what is your favorite gift this year? ABC Wednesday

5 Important Things You Should Never Forget to Bring in a Family Trip

If you’ve traveled a fair amount of family trips in your life, then you know exactly why you should pack well before a trip. Aside from the inconvenience of missing out essential items, you can also get stuck with unruly and impatient kids should you forget to bring things to keep them busy or full.

To save yourself from the stress and headache, here are 5 of the most important things you should pack for your next trip.

1. Car-friendly foods

If your family is going for a long trip out of town, it’s a good idea to pack some snacks the kids can enjoy while in the car. Make sure that they aren’t gooey, greasy or crumbly to save yourself from the stress of having to meticulously clean your car after the trip.

You can bring sandwiches or some fruits with you. You can make granola bars, cheese crackers and some vegetable chips, too.

2. First aid kit

You should already have a first aid kit in place in your car. If you haven’t set up one yet, make sure to do it before your actual trip. Ideally, you should have medications in your kit, like pain relievers and antihistamines. You should also pack antiseptic wipes and band aids just in case someone gets scratched or wounded in your vacation.

For your kids, make it a point to include bug repellent, sunburn creams and antibiotic ointments. The number of medicines should bring will depend on how long your vacation will be. Pack more if you’ll be staying there for several days.

3. Money

If you’ll be traveling to another country, make sure to exchange your money to its local currency before the trip. Having enough money is essential for family trips as it will give you the opportunity to explore the area and buy some local items for your family and friends at home.

Aside from having money in your wallet, it’s also a good idea to stash some cash in the secret compartment of your bag and some in your documents’ envelope. Hiding money is one good way to be assured that your family won’t be stranded in a foreign land with no cash.

4. Water

While traveling, make sure that you have enough water in the car to keep everyone hydrated. Dehydration can give you cramps and headaches during the trip. It can also make you extra irritable and easily exhausted.

If your family is a frequent traveler, it can help if you invest in reusable water bottles so that you can just get them refilled before a trip. In case it’s a last minute packing, be sure to drop by your local grocery store for some bottles of non-flavored water.

Bringing your own bottles may not sound that convenient but it’s one of the best ways you can protect your family during your trip, especially if you aren’t sure about the quality of water in your destination.

Aside from bringing your own water, you can also consider investing in portable water filtration systems. If this sounds too expensive, you can, at least, buy a stove top or standard electric kettle so you can boil water before consuming it. Stove top kettles aren’t only affordable but they are convenient to have, too.

5. Wet wipes

You’ll never realize how important wet wipes are during family trips until you’re stuck with messy and sticky kids. These wipes aren’t only great for cleaning mess but in disinfecting as well. Since a lot of wet wipes contain alcohol, keep in mind your kids’ sensitive skin when using it on their faces.

Music Instrument for Christmas

 My husband and I went to the store to get  the   thing that my son wants for his birthday but  it was no longer available.  So now, we are trying to find  one online.  His borthday isn't until next month but we want to get it now while it's on sale, unfortunately it was gone.  I originally planned on getting him a guitar  but changed my mind.  If we can't find the thing that he wants, I might fo back to my original plan.  

Meanwhile, I am almost done wrapping gifts.  I am just waiting for some of the stuff I ordered online to arrive so I can finish  wrapping before the kids  gets off from school for Christmas break.  I only have 3 days left.  I have secured my daughter's gift, wrapped it and  hid it for now.  I don't want her to see it until Christmas day.  We got her  the violin that she is wishing for.   There's no need for raven mti since I haven't gotten my son's music instrument.

I got my son a desk and chair for Christmas because he doesn't have one in his room.  I have to return the chair though because it wasn't  the one I envisioned it to be.  We might make another trip to Office max for his chair.  I still have to put ribbon on that big box but I tell you, this big boxes consumed so much wrappers lol.

#SwissVillage: The Little Switzerland of Ohio

During our short road trip to Ohio, we decided to go to the little Switzerland in Ohio, the Swiss village.  We seldom go there so when we do, we buy   some  Amish products that  we don't find here in our area.  

I love going on a road trip in Ohio because they have such a vast area of  agricultural land.  It is relaxing to  see farms.  

 These crosses caught my attention.  I am not sure what  this was but I thought it was very interesting.

 We love seeing cows and horses  because we never really see one here in our area unless we go drive down in West Virginia.

 A friend of mine got all of their  furniture  from the Amish  furniture store, they said their furniture are high quality.

 Sometime in the future, I would like to try the food in Dutch Valley restaurant and bakery.

 Ohio and Pennsylvania are the two states with major Amish community.  We're fortunate enough that we are in the middle of the two states.  Although it is quite a drive, it is worth the time because you get to see a different way of life in their community.

 You know you are near the Amish community when you start seeing horses and carriages.

 I love their mode of transportation because it is environmental-friendly and also cheaper as they don't have to buy gas.  I'm not sure what those horses think about them travelling everyday but I guess, it is pretty normal to  them.

 My kids love  roaming around in this  store because there are  samples of food in every corner.

 Sugar Creek is a beautiful place.  There's a lot of interesting  things to see and learn from.

A friend of mine said that it is nice to go out there during  winter.  We haven't tried that but maybe someday.  

Safety Moves Families Should Make to Prepare for the Holidays

It should be a time of good cheer and family togetherness, but the holidays also herald a time of mishaps and potential hazards. According to the World Health Organization, 410,000 burn injuries occurred in the U.S. within the space of one year. And 40,000 of those cases required hospitalization. 

But burns are not the only cause of accidents. Yearly, 13,000 people are treated in emergency rooms for accidents related to holiday decorations. 

Thankfully, staying safe only requires a good dose of common sense and a little extra carefulness around certain areas. Here are some ways to keep your family safe during the holidays and avoid holiday related hazards. 

1. Christmas decorations.

Christmas decorations are lovely to look at and are a huge part of creating a holiday atmosphere in and around your house. Just be sure that someone is holding that ladder for you when you are trying to put up a decoration in a hard to reach place. Other safety tips include...

· Make sure Christmas lights do not have any faulty bulbs or frayed wiring.

· Keep candle decorations to a minimum to avoid the possibility of accidental fires.

· If you must string lights up on the roof of your house, make sure you have sufficient help.

2. Space heaters.

If your house does not have central heating and you use a space heater for heating purposes, keep the heater on a solid surface. Avoid placing the heater on carpet and keep it far away from fabrics and combustible items. Make sure to turn the heater off at night and keep an eye on the heater cord. A frayed cord could cause a spark and set off a fire, which has happened in two households already this year.

Depending on the type of space heater you use, you may also want to consider purchasing a carbon monoxide detector. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas that is toxic to inhale. Without proper ventilation and a means of detecting it, your family could be at risk. Make sure to use your heater according to its safety instructions and clean out its filters as often as directed. Regularly open windows to let out stagnant air and other possibly toxic fumes. 

3. First aid kits.

Do you know what to do in case of a burn? Or a cut? Immediate treatment can prevent minor injuries from getting infected and requiring emergency room care. First aid kits are available from many online sources and will prove invaluable to the safety of you and your family. If you are not sure what to stock, some providers sell ready-made fully stocked kits which take the guesswork out of your hands. Having a first aid kit in your house is a must for families with young children.

4. Emergency contact numbers.

Do your kids know who to call in case of an emergency? If a parent is injured, for instance, or if they are home alone, and something happens? Create a list of numbers and input them into your child's smartphone. As well as next to your house phone, as you want this available for visiting relatives, baby sitters, and any first responders.

Here's a list that covers all the bases:

• · 911 (ER)
• · 1-800-222-1222 poison control center
• · local fire department number
• · local police department number
• · parents work place number / cell phone
• · trusted neighbor
• · relatives to be contacted in case of emergency

Because winter brings out items that are used infrequently, we are often not as used to being safety minded regarding them. But staying safe during the winter season does not need to be a complicated affair. Use this article as a springboard and go through your house and do a safety tune-up. Share these safety points with other members of your family so that you can all be aware and keep an eye out for potential hazards together.