What makes a successful marriage?

This was a topic on a radio show a few mornings ago.

There were suggestions such as the ability to forgive, compatibility, and not going to bed angry by some radio listeners.

Experts seem to think that successful married couples should keep their individuality, should get their deal straight (ie lay out their terms before marriage), keeping each other "centre stage", learn to dissolve conflict, must keep the lust alive, etc.

Whilst it is true, sometimes you never know what life is going to hand you. You may get a "screwball" when you least expect it, and then what happens? It wasnt in your pre-nup?

I am no expert, still learning along the way.

Which brings me to this story I once heard:

An elderly widowed woman was invited to dinner at her old friend's home. She noticed that every time her friend addressed her husband, she would start with a term of endearment: honey, darling, sweetheart, sugar bear, etc.

When the husband when into the kitchen to get the desserts, she said to her friend: "A, I am amazed at how loving you are with your husband. Even after 50 years of marriage you are addressing him so lovingly. He must love it. Is that the secret to your successful marriage?"

A replied: "To tell you the truth, I actually forgot that grumpy old man's name some 10 years ago!!"

So I think for a successful marriage, you definitely need: a good sense of humour and a poor memory.

Care to share what you think?

It's not spring

.... but the flowers are blooming. Yes! We do not have the 4 seasons on this sunny island. It's summer all year round. Recently we have had nothing but hot, hot weather coupled with some haze courtesy of our tree burning neighbors. So I was really surprised when I saw some pretty blooms in my garden. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do.





Sorry, but I dont know what flowers are called except for the last one which is an orchid.

Two days ago, when I was showering lil D she drew my attention to something in the bathroom, and I immediately thought of Stardust. So Stardust, this specially for you:

Busy, busy days ahead

The exams are over for one child. In fact the grades have already been back. Did very well for those subjects she loves, and pretty average grades for all the rest. What can I say? Practise, practise, practise! For math that is!! I cant understand why the kids dont understand that Math is a subject where you can score full marks for! All you have to do is practise. it is NOT one where you study for it. I guess, you can tell I aced my math papers when I was in school. And all of that was thru practise. It is a waste if you dont score close to a perfect score for math. So, if you are a school going child, and reading my blog - go practise your math.

Ok, now that I have gotten that out of my system, it is exam week for my second child. Cant wait for the middle of next week to be here, coz thats when it will all be over, and we can all go celebrate, play, party, have fun. It has been a grueling 4 terms this year!

It is also graduation concert week for the youngest, and we are all looking forward to the concert!

You may be pleased to know that its all systems go for her "birthday" party too! It will be one month early, but so what!! Its going to be a dance party! Everybody can then let down their hair and boogie!!

So, this control freak is now trying to get things all ready for that P-A-R-T-Y!! Party favours, games, food, decor, prizes and ermm ... did I miss out anything? Oh yes! Prayer ... for fine weather on that day!

So, have a great week ahead! I know I will be busy, busy, busy till then!

God works in his own time

Yes, we cant rush things, God works in his own time, and he has his plan all mapped out. Any praying, pleading, etc, wont change his timing of things.

But, I am the impatient sort. I want things done according to my schedule. I am at times a control freak. But God still doesnt work that way. He's probably testing me.

People have told me that sometimes we just have to "Seize the day", and "Just do it".

Should I? or should I not?

Is God waiting to see how I handle the situation? How far I will go?

Take things into my own hands and do it?

I dont know. Just praying for a sign to tell me the course of action I should be taking. I am now taking the "wait and see" decision.

Well, it's friday, and I know someone is expecting some joke from me. But how to marry it with what I have just written? I dont know. Anyway, I do know I saw a diamond necklace that I so want. So, I prayed and asked God for it. But I know God doesn't work that way. So should I be stealing one and ask for forgiveness?

Have a great weekend!

Hunting for ideas

I am hunting for ideas for my lil girl's coming birthday party.

You see, since she was born, she never really had a big birthday celebration with her friends. Last year's was a rather impromtu gathering, and she didnt even get to choose her cake. We just bought what there was on the shelves. As for party entertainment, the kids just played on the wii!!

Whilst both her elder brother and sister celebrated every birthday with a party until age 7 this youngest has had close to nothing. So, I thought that since this is her last year in Kindergarten, I will make it up to her with a big celebration before she starts primary school with a new group of friends. BUT I am short of ideas on what to do for entertainment.

You see, her classmates have all been having parties this year, and also the last few years. We have been invited to parties with magicians, magic bubble makers, baking parties, pool parties, parties with bouncy castles and jungle gyms, a star wars party, a MacDonald's party, etc. And I was thinking that I wanted to do something different.

I did a treasure hunt party some years back and the kids had a good time, but I am not quite in the mood for 15 kids to be running all over the house this time round. The last time we hosted a mini-sports carnival for my son, it was a huge success, coz the boys simply loved it.

Initially I thought we would do this sports theme party again where I will get my oldest and her friends to run the games for me. That would save me some money too. But, that is not the kind of party my "unatheletic" lil one would like.

So now I am back to the drawing board again. I thought of doing a "kooky art" party for her, but when I look at what they charge, I think it is a little exorbitant, especially since I know the cost of baking those cookies and cakes are actually quite cheap. I probably could do it myself, but I think I should out-source the party running to the professionals, as that would leave me free to entertain and socialise with the parents.

So, if you have any great party ideas, please share with me!!

Wake up Sleepy head!

There are 2 types of kids, those that jump right out of bed when you wake them and those that don't. I have both types in my house. My son is of the first, and my eldest is of the second.

Every morning I have difficulty waking my daughter S, up for school. I don't know if it's because she was up until late studying, messaging her friends, reading or what? But I do know it's a chore waking her up everyday!! I have to wake her 3 times (i.e. go to her room 3 times) and shout: "You are already late if you don't get up NOW!" before she will even stir. I pity her brother and Dad who has to wait for her EVERY morning. I have told my hubby a couple of times to just leave without her, then maybe she will wake up (pardon the pun) and realise why she should make the effort to get up the 1st time any one wakes her up for school.

I can imagine this transpiring in school if she has to get to school on her own:

TEACHER: Young lady, you've been late for school five days this week. Does that make you happy?
My daughter: Sure does. That means it's Friday, and I can sleep in late tomorrow.

Well, on the subject of school, my daughter is in Secondary 2 this year, which means she has to "elect" the subjects that she wants to major in next year. An all time favourite subject of hers is Geography. I have 3 cousins who majored in Geography in the University. All became academics - one a Head of Humanities in a Secondary school, another a Principal, and the 3rd, the Provost at the local University. I was telling my daughter that if she were to major in Geography, it is likely that she will become an academic too ... but we dont need that in the family. I need a doctor - especially with the rising healthcare costs.

And this is what would probably happen in 20 years time:


ME: "Come on, S, you have to get out of bed or you'll be late for school."

S: "Mum, do I have to? All the teachers hate me, and all the students hate me, too."

Me: "Yes, you do."

S: "Give me one good reason."

Me: "Because you're 34 years old, and you're the principal of the school."

iPod Hazard

There have been couple of hazards reported with using the ipod, MP3 or the walkman. This includes not paying attention to the traffic on the road coz the listener was too engrossed with the music playing, exploding ipods from over charging, etc.

So if you are an ipod user, beware!


Here's a story of something that happened to someone ... NOT ME!!

I was in the restaurant yesterday when I suddenly realized I desperately
needed to pass gas. The music was really, really loud, so I timed my
gas with the beat of the music.

After a couple of songs, I started to feel better. I finished my coffee,
and noticed that everybody was staring at me....

Then I suddenly remembered that I was listening to my iPod.

Guess that's the BIG hazard with listening to an iPod.

Have a great weekend!

Praying

Praying for that response that I so desperately want to get today!


"Lord, I know everything is in your good hands, and in your time."

R.I.P. Mrs Lee

Supportive spouse,
Caring mother,
Successful career woman,
Doting grandmother,
Brilliant scholar.
There is no other quite like you.
Rest in peace Mrs Lee.

Free Smells?

Have you seen those "free smells" signs at cookie shops? I know they have it at most Famous Amos outlets, and I hate them!

Why? Because they cheat people into thinking those smells are free when they are not!!

My children, after getting all those free smells, will insist that I buy the expensive cookies that emit those smells. And mind you they are not cheap. A 3 inch diameter soft bake cookie costs S$2.30!!

With 3 kids, it would cost me more than $6!!

With a cost of $6, I can bake more than a dozen of those cookies!

So if you think those smells are free, think again. They actually cost more than you think.

I wish they sold nose plugs like these: so that I can make my kids wear them every time we go by one of those cookies shops, then we would save a ton!! So does anyone know where I can get them?