what i got for christmas are...

i wasn't expecting to get any christmas presents, well maybe just a few. and i was just overwhelmed with all the presents i got and i thank them from the bottom of my heart for remembering me on this special day.

actually i got an early christmas present from my honey - he bought "us" a Canon Powershot SX110IS since i've been bugging him to get us a digicam. he also got me the Oakley Spontaneous 4.0 since he was able to get a good deal from our friend who works for an optical shop. i just have to wait till February for my eye check-up to see if my grades went up or not before i could have it made to prescription glasses.

then Trisha and Paul got me this tuxedo vest and yellow scarf from GAP.

Bianca got me the necklace i've been eyeing from White House and Black Market.

and Ychen gave me a $25 giftcard from Target that i already spent on some christmas decors i got on the day after christmas sale. i'm just so looking forward to next year. =)

aside from these gifts i also received the following:

• a $25 Starbucks giftcard from Maridel & Tracy
• an ON pajama from Tomas, Tina & twins
  
• 2 movie tickets from Sadie with a note that she will babysit for us so D & i can go on a date.
• a silver necklace with a Sunflower pendant from Aunt Uno, Uncle Johnny & Vanny
  
• home baked chocolate crinkles and rose quartz necklace from Bobet, Vivian and kids
• 2 scented candles from Monique & Joshua
  
• another scented candle and Swiss Miss Caramel drink in a cute tin can from Linky, Irene and kids.

thank you guys for all these gifts and we will see you again next year.

christmas x3

christmas is officially over and we're just waiting for the year to end in a couple of days. in my 6 years of living here in the US, last year's Christmas was the best because my folks and Pat came over for the holidays.

but this year wasn't bad at all - we started on Christmas eve with Dell's sisters and their families and very few closest friends. we decided to have filipino dishes since the sisters rarely get to eat filipino dish. it wasn't a grand handaan, but good enough to fill our cravings.

Dell & his sisters (Maridel, Tina & Pacci)

with Tracy & Sadie

attacking the food

all the girls in the family

Dell with his BILs (Tomas & Rex)

then after some kwentuhans, we started with the white elephant exchange gift. i was # 10 and got a reed diffuser from Old Navy. i love reed diffusers coz it's safer than scented candles or incense burners and Dell stole a $15 iTune card.=)


the festivities continued on with opening of the gifts. we decided to do it early while all the kids are still full of energy. with so many gifts to open, we filled up 4 big trash bags. that's how much gifts we have given and received.






that's only part 1 of the christmas festivities of our family. there's more to come once i nick some photos from other digicams. i had my senior moments and forgot to take some pictures.

merry christmas everyone!

in sepia

my co-kulasa B played with Igi's pic and sent me this...how beautiful and definitely a scrap moment...too late to use for my christmas card but i think i will use this next year. =)

thanks mommy bry!

christmas shopping list

we started late but we're 90% done with our christmas shopping. since we 're a single income family right now, we have to set a budget and make sure we don't go over that amount. and we're pretty much happy with the gifts we bought for the girls and the pamangkins. although we did some impulsive buying just to get it over and done with, most of these items have been returned already after realizing that it won't be the perfect gift.

we're practically in the mall every night since we need to pick up the girls from work (2 of D's daughters work at the mall) and believe me we've checked out almost all the stores trying to find the gift that suits the recipient's personality. the only consolation we get from it is burning calories from too much walking. =)

anyhoo, bath and body works offers the best deals of stocking stuffers. this is where i got some gifts to be given to my 3 SILs and my white elephant gift for this saturday's christmas party. i've challenged my co-kulasas to find gifts that will not go over $10 and man...bbw has a lot to choose from. this is what i got and i will be giving this in a set.

i'm just thankful that dell's daughters, sisters and the rest of our friends are low maintenance. =)

what color christmas tree should you have?

You Should Have a White Christmas Tree

For you, the holidays represent joy and spirituality. The true meaning of Christmas is important to you - even if you're not religious. The holidays are a time of reflection for you. You like to spend time thinking about what's important in life. Your white tree would look great with: Bright, bold ornaments You should spend Christmas Eve watching: The Nativity Story What you should bake for Santa: Sugar cookies - served up with a tall glass of milk

What Color Christmas Tree Should You Have?

an output

i finally made some LOs after almost 3 years of doing nothing but hoarding. head over to my other blog to see it...

prescription glasses

i'm due for another eye check up early next year and i'm pretty sure my grades have gone up again because i can't read small letters anymore when i'm wearing my contacts. i do have a prescription eyeglasses that my Mom sent me from Pinas but i don't like the style of the frame so i just wear it at home or when i need to do quick errands. but if it's some special gimmick with friends, i wear my contacts but even before the night ends, my eyes are irritated and i do get a headache after.

and so i checked out some sites and took note of the styles i want and went to optical shops to try it on and see if it compliments the shape of my face and so far, this is what i like best. it's by Oakley and the style's name is Spontaneous 4.0. i want it in black/sable.

hopefully i can get this with a discount from D's friend so that all i need to worry about is the lens itself. =(