It's almost the end of the year....

Ok, I've been very lazy as I've not been updating for a loooooooooooooong time. It's December, nearly end of the year and Yes, I have crossed the 30s threshold and it's not that scary as I though it was. But one thing I can't deny is that once a woman hits her 30s, time really flies. Well, I have to agree. One minute, I was in my 20s, enjoying life, having a baby and the next, I'm in my 30s and my kid is all grown up. Well, she has not grown to be a teenager yet, but soon, she will become one. Lil princess have just celebrated her 5th birthday and she enjoyed herself a lot. But the sad part was that it's the last year she will be with her friends becoz the school will be closed down due to the lease not being renewed. It's quite sad when you have to go your separate ways after being in the same class for so long. She is quite emotional when it comes to goodbyes so I'm not so sure how she will handle it.

Times flies....

I have realised that I have not been blogging or updating my photos for the past 2 months and it's almost end of July. Yikes!!!!

But now there is a slight problem. I was trying to download the photos from my camera to my portable hard disk but somewhere along the line, something went wrong and yes, the photos are gone!!! ALL GONE!!!! That night, I went into panic mode. Can't even retrive it. Called my brother and he said he will help me to fix it. But when??? Sigh....it looks like I have to wait for him to be free or wait for my friend to come back and see if he can help me. This is what happens when a dinosaur tries to become IT savvy but failed.

So at the moment, the photos are only available on my facebook account and the link as follows:-

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/album.php?aid=79672&id=740173691

Oh well, lucky I have uploaded to facebook first before this happens but there were some photos which I didnt get a chance to upload. That was the one which Ashley was trying to be a hip-hop gal. Those pictures were really priceless but I don't think I will be able to get them back.

Oh, what happen during May and June was really stressful...there were good moments and bad. So here goes:

May and June was so full of activities. Celebrated Mom's birthday at Irodori Restaurant, with a gorgeous durian cake from Goodwood park, then dinner with my friend, Doreen at the same restaurant and Thai food at Golden Mile Complex, had a wonderful dinner at Himawari. The sashimi is really superb there. And to end things off, celebrated Hubby's birthday at Marche. But the sad thing is I fought with my husband over something that nearly broke up our marriage.

About that last sentence, it is an on-going thing for 5 years. The main difference between me and my hubby is both of us have a different outlook on life. Be it religion, finances, movies, food, etc, etc. We can never agree to disagree and I guess this time round, it kinda woke him up on what happen. Let's just say a blast from my past came back into my life and he was kinda upset over it. I told him that he is just a friend but, men being men, he thought otherwise. So we had a big disagreement and unfortuantely, it brought out the worst in us and also got me thinking on one thing: Do I really want to stay married to him? I asked my friends and they advised me and him to go for marriage counselling because the little princess's future is at stake. If we were to really seperate, she will be badly affected. I guess I was really giving it a lot of thought but somehow, I was being very selfish for a period of time. I thought that by acting childishly, he will just back off and leave me alone to my own devices. Too bad, it didn't work. So now, we are slowly rebuilding the marriage but somehow things are very different between the both of us now.

Happy Labour Day

Well, it's a long weekend for me as I'm off on sat. So now, I'm at home watching Quantum of Solace. Housework is all done expect for the clothes. Oh well, I will probably do it later.

So many things have happen the past month...not sure where to start...but i guess pictures will be able tell the story better. So up next, lots and lots of picture. Stay tuned!

Joke of the Day

Me: Alamak! I fogot to bring my makeup remover. Haizz, need to go down and buy baby oil. Mom, u got baby oil?
Mom: Don't have.
Hubby: What for need baby oil? Use cooking oil lah....it's also the same mah..
Me: Idiot!!!

And my mom burst out laughing very loudly. What a way to end my evening!!

Made up my mind.....

I have made up my mind. About what? Well, initially, I wanted to have another kid this year, but after an argument with my mom last Friday, I think it just kinda sealed my decision. This year would probably be the last year that I can enjoy myself and spend more time with Ashley because from next year onwards, I guess I will probably be expecting a baby. At first, the plan was to have another kid this year, give birth next year, put the baby in infantcare for a few months before I officially "retire" and take a new job - SAHM. But after that argument with my mom and talking with my best friend, I realise that nothing is more satisfying than looking after your own child by yourself. My mind being made up, I told hubby about it. At first, he was a bit hesitant but after I told him the reasons, he supported my decision wholeheartedly.

It's really not easy being a working mom but the things that I have missed out when Ashley was growing up in infantcare really pains my heart....I missed her first step, her first words, most of her first but I have to say that she have grown up to be a confident, boisterous child. Yes, she is very independent but somehow I feel so guilty for putting her in the childcare for the 1st 6 years of her life. So now that I'm really planning for a 2nd one, I guess career can take a backseat first as my children is the main priority in my life now. Hopefully, when they look back at their growing years, they can proudly say that they have a wonderful childhood as I was with them during their growing up years....

On my way to losing weight.....

Yesterday, I tortured myself at the gym. Yup, you didn't read wrongly. Me, exercise, gym after god knows how many years since I gave birth. Why the need you may ask? Well, it's because of health sake. And also I'm hoping to have another kid, but in order for me to do that, I got to lose those stubborn post-preggie fats. And also, I have yet to take my wedding pictures wz hubby. So I was hoping that this would be a good motivation for me to shed those excess weight and look good in photos. Everyone knows that a camera adds 10 pounds to your face/body/frame. But you know what was the best thing? Hubby said, why not I give birth first then lose the weight then we go and take pictures. WT??!!!! We have postponed this for 5 years already and now he wants to postpone it further? Then both of us would be in our 50s when we decided to take the photos...LOL

Anyway, I'm not letting this get in my way. So now, I'm not targetting at the time frame but more of how much I can lose. And judging from the workout me and M are doing, I think I can safely say we will be able to hit our target soon...that is IF I don't go and pig out on weekends, as it will defeat the whole purpose...=)

So wish me luck!!!

Andrea Bocelli Sings to Elmo

Cancelled dinner

Dinner was canceled today as my MIL was hospitalised. I did not get the news until I was having lunch with my parents and Ashley. So after lunch, I asked my dad to drop me off @ TTSH. Upon arriving there, I saw my youngest brother in law and he told me that my husband was in there waiting for the doctor to check on my MIL. Then about 1/2 hrs later, my eldest SIL came and took over. From there, I knew what happen.

My MIL was not feeling well for the past 2 days and she just self medicated. But this morning, when she was at home, she just felt that she can't breathe and was about to pass out. Lucky that my SIL's maid was with her so my MIL ask her to call my SIL, who in turn call the ambulance and also tried to contact my other BIL and my youngest SIL.

Then at the hospital, the doctor came and gave a bad news. She have fatty liver (liver cirrhosis), kidney problem, heart problem, a suspected ucler that is might be th cause of the bleeding and very low blood count. He also told her that if she continue to drink, she might just drink herself to the grave. Naturally, my husband also told her that it's about time she have to listen to the doctor if not, she will hv to be admitted very often. Yes, it was bad of him to scare the old lady, but when faced with a stubborn mom, it's not easy coz to the elderly people, admitting to the hospital only means one thing - death. So I guess it kinda sink into her that this time her condition is very serious.

I do hope that everything goes well, as it's quite tiring for the whole family. I should know because it was almost 10 years ago that my dad had colon cancer and it was a really horrifying experience for my family. Imagine, rushing to the hospital after work to spend time with my dad and also worrying that would he recover. But thank god, he has fully recovered and now he is enjoying himself. He says that he is living on bonus time from the Lord and he is thankful that each day he gets to see his family. I

So now, all I can do is just to pray and hope that my MIL would recover soon.

Dinner @ Jumbo.....

Tonight, I'm going for dinner with my in-laws. It's our overdue CNY reunion dinner. I know that it's like 2 wks late but becoz we didn't want to eat the set meals that the restaurant have for CNY and also we didn't want to clash with all the couples on V-day. And now, the day have finally arrive. I know, I promise my hubby to behave myself by not throwing any tantrums but I can't guarantee that I won't blow my top. Why did I say that? Well, something happen the last time round and I was not really happy about it. It will not be mentioned here least they might read this and think that I'm petty. So hopefully, everything will go smoothly tonight (fingers crossed).

My recent dish....

Bought lots and lots of potatoes last weekend so decided to make a simple shepherd's pie. Mind you, it's been a while since I have last used the oven to bake anything coz the oven is on the verge of breaking down. So I thought why not make a pie, then at least princess can have it for lunch. So on Sunday morning, got up, cleaned the house and proceeded to make the pie. It was quite fast thanks to the handy potato masher from IKEA. Added lots of milk and butter to the mashed potatoes...yummy!! So after frying the meat and veggies, I added it into a nice big bowl and put the potatoes on top of it. Sadly, I forgot to buy mozerella cheese for it would be nice having a cheesy mashed potato pie :). Then, once that is done, I put in the oven and let it bake for about 20 mins. But as my oven is a bit weird, I added in another 10 mins to be on the safe side.

30 mins later:

Voila!! My first pie for the year. And hopefully not my last. :)

I'm twittering...

Have just joined Twitter. It seems to be better than blogging. And I have to agree. So if you want to know what I am up to the whole day, just go to http://twitter.com/ashleymummy

This morning.......

This morning, while I was taking the bus to work, I came across a small incident. A working mom was bringing her son, who is about Ash's age to school. When the bus came, they boarded the bus but the boy wanted the mom to go to the upper deck. The mom refused. It was morning peak hour rush, so you can imagine the bus is crowded with people NOT moving to the back. Anyway, so after the mom refused, the boy started to throw a tanturm. It was a big one, with screaming and yelling and he kept on wanting to go to the upper deck. But the mom stood firm. Not only did she ignore his tantrum, she also ignored the other passengers' stares and looks. I know how she feel 'cause Ash will just throw a tantrum when she feels like it and I will really feel like strangling her.....It went on for almost 10 minutes before they got off. Once they got off, I saw the mom scolding the son.

Then that's when I realised that it's not easy being a mother when your kid just throw a tantrum and at the same time, embrassing you. I admire the mom for standing firm by ignoring her son's tantrums. 'Cause not all parents will ignore the child's outburst. Some of them will just shout at kid in public, therefore drawing attention to themselves. I guess each parent have their own way of dealing with their child's tantrums but the best way is just ignore them and when the child realise that no one is paying attention to them, they will have to stop somehow.....

Happy NIU Year!!!

Today is the 8th day of the CNY. How time flies!! Just last week, I was so busy cleaning up the house and it was very, very tiring. But at least now, my store room is very neat and the my hall is not so cluttered. Now what am I going to do with the lounge chair which is being used, at the moment, as a clothes holder?? Any one interested? Drop me an email and let me know....if not, it's a waste to throw it away...

Ashley look so pretty in the new dress that Dad bought for her. At first, I was not really keen to buy, but then when Dad and Mom saw how sweet she looked, with the pink hairband, Dad immediately paid for it. Actually, it was Mom, who kinda "twisted" Dad's arm into buying it. Kinda forgot the shop's name but I think it's Bloomb? Anyway it's on the 3rd level of Raffles City, so it's kinda hard to miss it. Hmm...maybe I should get another dress from there for her for her birthday.

Oh, on Sat, I went on a major shopping spree for Ashley at Mothercare in Vivocity. Bought her a pair of PJs, a pair of long pants and 3 shirts for her...oh, and she even picked out a pair of goggles, telling me that her pink one is too tight so she needs a new one....goodness, she just grows up so fast and now telling me that she need new things??!!! Lucky hubby was not around when she said, if not, he will sure shake his head. And so, the damage came up to about $100+ but it was quite worth it because of my discount at Mothercare. And, she is using her own angbao money to buy her things, so it was quite ok. After the shopping spree, we walked around for a while before heading to Daiso to look for my mom. Then Dad decided to bring her to the pet store, while I was at the art shop next door. At the art shop, I saw a nice crayola set that was on sale. Original price was $34.90 but they slash it to $14.90. It comes with 2 paint brush markers, 2 big markers, 2 figurines and a colour wonder colouring book. It was really a good deal and she also have finished the colour wonder books that I bought for her previously. When I showed it to her, she was so happy and wanted me to open it and let her colour on the spot. But I told her, we will do it in the car on our way back.

Later in the evening, we went to IKEA for dinner as I needed to get a dimmer switch for her room. Ok, one thing about IKEA is that they have a playroom for kids and it's always full. So I went to get a number and had my dinner while waiting. When her turn came, she was very happy to finally be able to go in and play. So we left her there for an hour, and went to look for my things. Funny, how when we come to IKEA to get one thing, end up getting more things....but it was really nice to just walk and see what new things they have and kinda hard to resist buying everything that you see. So now, I guess Ashley have one more reason to go to IKEA now.....