Annoying Cold Sores

Cold sores can be very painful and annoying especially when you get it in the mouth area. I've tried a few treatment products that can make the sores dry but could sting tongue when you happen to lick your lips, though admittedly they helped in getting rid of the herpes simplex virus. But I would prefer the treatment that is effective in killing bacteria without hurting the skin. Right now I have an ointment for canker sores that has a numbing effect so I can still eat or brush my teeth without any pain.

A Great Distraction

Despite the emergence of different networking sites, blogging is still my first love. I couldn't believe I've been blogging for almost four years now. I'm on various web directories and I must admit I have made quite a lot of friends around the globe just through blogging. I also had the opportunity to meet some bloggers in person. I still see myself blogging in the years to come though not as active as before. I consider blogging as a great distraction from the routine of motherhood and housekeeping.

Creepy Night

Last night, my son and I slept-over at my aunt's so I could help her out with her grocery shopping, laundry, and few errands the following day. It was our first time to stay in her tiny apartment for the night so I found it hard to sleep. It also felt kinda creepy as I was thinking about my dead uncle especially when I smelled cigarette smoke in the middle of the night, my uncle was a chain smoker. The following day I woke up with huge eye bags. I would probably need the best under eye creams to get rid of them. Next time I visit her again, I don't think I would sleep over anymore.

Looking After an Aunt

I had a very exhausting day today. I visited my aunt and helped her with her errands, laundry, and a lot more. My aunt lost my uncle early this month through massive heart attack, and she's been a mess ever since. She was kinda spoiled by my uncle when he was still alive, so there are so many things she couldn't do on her own like driving a car to begin with. This additional responsibility of looking after her is filling up my schedule not to mention giving me adult acne due to stress.

Online Public Safety Degree

I salute the people like the police men, fire fighter, emergency medical services to name a few, who are putting their safety on the line to protect the people like us in the community. Assuring public safety involves many challenges so these professionals should have a deep understanding of the society we live in and the confidence and creative mind to handle threats to our safety and security.

So for the professionals in the law enforcement; emergency medical services; fire services; disaster response; or communication, who are looking for a place that will help them equip themselves with the skills they need to effectively and efficiently manage the challenges of public safety. Lewis University has a long standing reputation for leadership in the field of criminal and social justice that offers online public safety degree that includes curriculum that will greatly expand the ability for creative thinking and innovative problem solving. This program will prepare the professionals to lead with confidence, communicate with authority, and inspire hope in times of crisis.

Baked Shrimps with Ritz Crackers Crumbs

Here's another easy recipe for you. The original recipe calls for scallops, and since scallops are very pricey, I substituted shrimps. I keep a big pack of medium shrimps in my freezer so I have them handy when I need to stir-fry veggies with shrimps or cook Mung Beans with Shrimps instead of pork (Ginisang Monggo). This dish smells really good while baking in the oven, you can not resist to eat them right after baking. Everything really tastes and smells good with butter! We had this for lunch today and I partnered it with Couscous with Broccoli.

BAKED SHRIMPS WITH RITZ CRACKERS CRUMBS

INGREDIENTS
1 lb Shrimps, deveined and pat dry
6 tbsp butter, melted and divided
10 pcs Ritz Crackers
salt and pepper
1 tsp garlic powder

PROCEDURE:
1. Preheat oven to 375 deg. F
2. Put Ritz crackers in a ziplock bag and crush into crumbs, set aside.
3. Pour half of the butter on the shrimps and stir to coat.
4. Sprinkle the shrimp with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
5. Arrange the shrimps in a shallow buttered casserole.
6. Cover with Ritz crackers crumbs.
7. Pour rest of the butter over crumbs
8. Bake for 15 minutes.

Clean Fresh Air

We had springy weather the past days so I was able to open some windows for much needed fresh air. I've had enough of the cold weather to say the least, so getting warm weather like this is a welcome change. My two boys have been alternately coughing and sneezing mostly due to dusty air circulating in the house. I just couldn't wait for the real spring to arrive so I could open all my windows for real fresh air, spring air means free home ventilation.

Chaotic Schedule

The one thing that remains regular in my fitness regimen is the Zumba class on Saturdays and hopefully I can keep it that way. I used to workout at least twice a week aside from the Zumba class but recently I just couldn't squeeze that in my busy schedule. Though I feel that I gained more stamina and firmer muscles, I still miss using fitness equipment for my abs, arms and legs. The past days have just been chaotic with the sudden death of a relative that I missed a lot of gym time, but the coming week should be a little better.

It's Not Wrong to Help But,,

...don't extend credit that would affect your own.

I'm happy that having bad credit report has never been a problem to my hubby and I. We are both responsible people when it comes to handling our finances and credit so we enjoy high credit score. Unlike some people we know who are over dipping into all kinds of debts that are beyond their means which obviously affected their credit negatively. And one friend was not smart enough accommodating a relative to make a loan using his credit, so when that relative defaulted my friend had to assume responsibility but only after his credit was already badly damaged. Last time I head that friend I was talking about is not anymore in speaking terms with the relative he extended his credit to. I'd say it's not not wrong to help, but I wouldn't extend credit that would affect my own, especially with relatives.

Customs Hats For Me

I'm not into hats, I feel like I don't look good wearing one since I thought I've got big head. But since it is a necessary accessory to protect my head on cold wintry days, I don't have a choice but to wear one. I guess I should do custom hats that would perfectly fit me instead of just buy the ones in store that are obviously made for people with tiny heads, lol.