Three Important Questions I Ask Myself Before I Make A Purchase

How many times have you purchased something just because it was on sale? Was there a time when something fancy caught your eye in the store window on your way home from work and you just happened to have received your paycheck? 

I have been guilty of it many times in the past and most of the time I regretted my purchase. I guess with age comes reason and I have learned my lesson. Experience is indeed the best teacher. 

For me to avoid buying on impulse, I ask myself three questions before putting an item in my cart. It works pretty well for me so I am sharing it with you.

"Do I NEED it or do I WANT it?"

Photo credit: http://fami.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/needwant.jpg

There is really a difference between "need" and "want." Simply put, a "need" is essential for survival. These are the basic necessities, such as food, shelter, and water. To stress the extreme, a "need," if not met, may cause an individual to die. In contrast, a "want" is something we desire, or a wish, which is not going to negatively affect our well being even if this "want" is not met. Simply put, "I want a new car," will not be detrimental to our survival if we don't get it.

In mommy language, we can say, "I need to buy bread," and this would mean just enough for the family's consumption. If you see a sale for bread and say, "I want to buy bread," even if you still have 7 loaves at home, you still go ahead and buy 7 more loaves just because they are on sale. Now that is definitely impulse buying. 

"How often will I use it in the next 30 days?"

Photo credit: http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/y2ldv5eufb3jcrtfouye.jpg

This is the question I ask myself when I am tempted to purchase a new outfit, shoes, sneakers, or a quirky kitchen gadget. Just when I am ready to whip out some cash, or my debit card, I stop and think long and hard. Being a work at home professional, new clothes are not a necessity. It is just so tempting at times to purchase a new pair of jeans, which, come to think of it, may only be worn once in the next 30 days. 

One time I was window shopping in the mall when I came across a good sized crowd watching a product demonstration of a vegetable chopper. It was amazing because it did not need electricity to use it. Simply pull a cord and the two sharp blades inside the container will spin and chop your veggies. Guess what. I bought one. And I regretted it because I came home realizing that my purchase was just a manual food processor. How many times did I use it? ONCE. I returned to using my trusted high powered food processor. Money down the drain. Lesson learned: Stay away from product demonstrations. 

"If I buy it, will it change the world?"

Photo credit: https://qzprod.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/china-impulse-buying.jpeg

Funny but true. This is the question I ask myself when faced with a major purchase. A new refrigerator, or washer-dryer combo, or a new oven. Some appliances, even if they are still working good may not be using electricity effectively, so replacing them with the new ones will be beneficial in the long run, giving me savings in my electric bill. 

However, when vanity strikes, this question repeats itself in my head over and over until it makes me turn my back and leave the store. A new phone? Maybe ditch my tablet and get a slimmer, newer model? Maybe those fancy hair irons?

My response to the question is a definite NO, it will not change the world if I give in to vanity. I may have the money to spend but still, NO. 

If I would want to effect change in the world, I would rather buy products from companies that donate part of their sales to worthy causes. I could check out those worthy causes by reading things like K9s For Warriors reviews and so on and make my purchasing decisions based on that. I would choose products that are environment friendly and those that do engage in animal testing. 

It is so easy to be tempted to purchase on impulse. The huge discounts being offered for goods that are not really essential for our daily survival. It is only wise to be frugal with our hard earned money. Save for a rainy day. Save for your child's college education. Save for retirement. Save for that well-deserved vacation you've been planning for years. 

Focus on your blessings. Your family, friends, food on the table, a roof over your head, and clothes on your back. More importantly, practice the these three virtues - Faith, Hope, and Love so you will be able to make the right choices and live a happy fulfilled life. 

The Secret to Great Blues Music is in the Amp

Listening to guitar blues on a lazy weekend evening is an activity I really enjoy. The beautiful, soulful music, emanating from a great sounding guitar and played by a talented musician is an exhilarating experience!

To enhance this acoustic pleasure is the choice of a good guitar amp especially designed for blues music. The best amp in this genre is the peavey delta blues. The features of this amp offers modern versatility and superb sound for a price you can afford.

So whether you are in for a gig or just jamming with your band, you'll never go wrong with this amp!   

Amazing ideas that will help you decorate your small bathroom

Those who have a small bathroom know how hard it can be to find the proper décor. Unlike some other rooms, which can be quite plain, bathroom requires a lot of hardware and accessories. Similarly to kitchen, there are numerous objects that you have to place inside in order to make it functional. Because of this, you interior design may suffer.

Luckily for you, there are some tricks which can be used in order to improve layout and looks of this room. They will help you maximize your space making the small bathroom look big.

1.       Do the proper planning

Measuring everything in advance is the key when decorating your bathroom. You will have to adjust all your items according to available space. In comparison to a big bathroom, where you are allowed certain luxuries and are able to go over the top, you have to put everything in a proper place when it comes to its tinny counterpart. Furthermore, make sure that all the items are proportionately smaller. If you are planning to get hardware for an average bathroom, you will be in a lot of trouble. Best way to go is by measuring dimensions of each and every item that you wish to incorporate. Then, make outlines with a chalk and see how it looks like. Trust me; it is much better to scrub a little chalk than to make a bathroom which you cannot use.

2.       Use the colors to your advantage

You have to know a lot about colors in order to find the ideal ones. You may try certain combinations that look great on paper just to find that they are completely useless. When it comes to small bathrooms, one thing to note is that dark colors do not help. They make space feel more confined than it actually is. Instead, you should opt for lighter colors. Also, it is much better to use jovial patterns for tiles. Have in mind that décor doesn’t strictly revolve around patterns and colors; it is a general feeling that we get when we enter a room. By creating a relaxed, casual atmosphere, one that will dazzle guests, it is possible to improve person’s experience distracting him from the confined space.

3.       Use a lot of wood

If you listened to our advice and chose the proper tiles, it is time to decide on the other pieces. Wood is an ideal material for a small bathroom. As we said, when it comes to a confined space, there is only so much you can do with objects and colors. However, it is possible to change the overall theme making the room feel cozy. Most people associate wood to nature and relaxation. When using this building material, you are making sure that your guests will have a nice experience. Design is oftentimes subconscious. While one part of your brain will feel the limited space, the other part will be relaxed due to your design choice.

4.       Find creative solutions

People usually view rooms in terms of their eyesight. Space which is out of sight is oftentimes perceived as non-existent. Although this is really absurd, it is simply the way our brain works.  When decorating a tinny bathroom, you will have to consider all the available space such as the ceiling, the corners of the room as well as the upper parts of the wall. Each one of these can serve some purpose and may provide some additional room for your accessories. Now, this doesn’t mean that you should have towels hanging from the ceiling. It means that you are able to use one of these areas and place some additional objects there. For example, instead of using a wide cupboard, why don’t you use a tall one that will go all the way up? Use your door to hang the towels. If you have some cleaning products, place them in the corner, out of your guest’s sight. 

 As you can see, there are numerous things which you can do with your bathroom, regardless of space limitations. Interior design doesn’t only revolve around cute themes and nice colors. Its main purpose is to make a person feel good within a certain space. With our tips, you will be able to accomplish just that. 

The Alesis Q49: Power Performance in a Compact Sized MIDI Keyboard Controller

On few occasions, I write about musical instruments and how it can help an individual improve their craft. 

Today, I am introducing the Alesis q49 USB/MIDI keyboard controller. The term MIDI refers to Musical Instrument Digital Interface. It is a device that allows electronic instruments and other digital musical tools to communicate with each other. This allows for better sound production be it for studio or personal use.

The Alesis q49 is one that is highly recommended among the other MIDI keyboard controllers available in the market today. It is compact, having only 49 keys, however, its size does not compromise the power it provides. Portability and easy adaptability just some of its features. Simply plug and play with its USB and MIDI jacks.

This awesome device features an octave up and down buttons, pitch and modulation wheels, data slider and the ability to send program changes right on the keyboard. 

Best of all, it works like a professional piece of equipment at a price anyone can afford! If you know of a friend or relative who is a budding musician, be sure to recommend the Alesis q49. They'll thank you immensely for it. 

Change The Way You See Beauty

I love taking photographs. My interest in the art started when I was still in grade school and I absolutely adored my very first instamatic camera.

I am now a mother to three young adults, and a grandmother to an adorable little 8-month old baby boy. Although I have not taken my love for photography to a professional level, I still enjoy walking around the neighborhood with a digicam in my pocket and my smartphone ready to capture an extraordinarily beautiful moment. 

My photos have always been random, candid shots of mundane and ordinary things. There is so much beauty in stuff we usually take for granted. I guess I just have a different perception of "beauty." 

Take for example this first photo. I saw this beautiful butterfly (Papilio demoleus or "Lemon Butterfly") laying on the sidewalk. I took pictures of it and was amazed because it kept still, like it was allowing me to take pictures of it. Sadly, after a couple of shots, I found out that the butterfly was dead. Its wings spread out as if in flight. Beautiful, even in death.

Nature for me, is one of my choice subjects to depict beauty. I love flower photographs, especially after a downpour. The petals look fresher, the leaves greener. This next photo was taken while I was walking to the grocery store. I chanced upon this lovely cluster of little red flowers. My friend, a professional photographer said, "Anything red is always beautiful in photographs." Indeed, he was right!

The miracle of life in itself is a thing of beauty. A lone, wild pepper plant thriving and surviving in a small patch of soil along the side of a street bears fruit. The beauty of life unfolding in the most difficult of situations.

There is so much beauty around me and my heart just fills with joy just to witness these simple things. It is in these little joys that my faith in God is strengthened. 

"He hath made everything beautiful in His time." 

(Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Its been raining for days on end, but I always make it a point to look at the world from a different angle. Rain provides water, which supports life. If I could only hear it, I am sure there is a joyful song sung by all creatures of the earth every time it rains. I have captured some of these moments using my trusty little digicam.

A snail doing its happy rain dance:

A caterpillar finding its way to a tree branch, to hie away for a time and grow its wings.

And mushrooms sprouting on a log:

I have changed the way I look at beauty by using my heart instead of my eyes. My faith guides me to see things differently and to appreciate these blessings. I know there are so much more around me waiting to be appreciated for their unique beauty.

My wish is to be able to immortalize moments of beauty with a better smartphone camera. I have come to know that Huawei P9's camera will be able to provide me with clearer, crisper photos. Engineered with Leica technology, I am sure it will give me print-ready photos! I can give my digicam a rest and just have one device with me every time. Huawei P9's primary camera's specifications are Dual 12 MP, f/2.2, 27 mm, Leica optics, phase detection autofocus, dual-LED (dual tone) flash. Although I do not take "selfies," it is also good to know that its secondary camera has these features -  8 MP, f/1.9, autofocus, 1080p. These features alone are reason enough to dream of owning one! Huawei P9 will definitely Change The Way You See Mobile Photography!

Until that dream materializes, I will continue on my journey of life, taking photos along the way and sharing it with others so that they too, may change the way they see beauty.

Are You Longing For A Dream Vacation? Try The Philippines!

I love my country, all 7,107 islands of it!

Filipino. That's what I am. 

Beautiful beaches, breath-taking sights, centuries old churches and structures, warm smiles and genuine hospitality.

Our people are resilient, able to rise up and smile despite frequent natural calamities. Family is of utmost importance, and every parent's goal is to see their children graduate with a college degree.

Although not every Filipino lives an idyllic life, it is the determination, the will to survive, and faith in God that keeps these descendants of the Malays moving forward.

I am sharing a short video with you. It shows our beautiful beaches and coastlines.

Visit my country if you can. It is an adventure you'll definitely treasure for life. 

Philippines – Like You've Never Seen It Before | DJI Phantom 3 4K | Osmo | 4K Video from JustOneWayTicket on Vimeo.

How I Make Worklife Easier

After a decade of working in a call center as a Quality Analyst, I have decided it was time to quit. Last March 2016, I turned my back on the highly stressful graveyard shift, the commute at ungodly hours and the lack of sleep.

I am now a Work at Home Mom-Freelancer-Blogger-Virtual Assistant-Social Media Manager-Nanny all rolled into one. You may say, "Lucky you. You get to stay home and work." Hold your horses, people. Working at home is not as easy as you think. Although I get to work in my pajamas and never have to worry about commuting, home based jobs can be as stressful as office based jobs. For you to be successful in this field, you have to be the Master of Multi-Tasking.

My work station at home.
I am in the process of completing social media chore threads for two clients

My daily tasks include taking care of my grandson from 7:00 am to 11:00 am; and from 6:00 pm to 10:30pm. So between the hours of 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, I focus on my online tasks, making sure that every assigned task is complete and error free. 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm is spent preparing dinner for the family. Nothing special. I am lucky my children are not picky eaters. From 10:30 pm till 1:00 am, I do my online writing assignments and update my blog. Bedtime for me is usually around 1:30 am.

Doing my data entry job while my grandson is asleep in his crib.

Saturdays are dedicated to household chores - doing laundry, cleaning the house, replacing bed sheets and pillow cases, and grocery shopping. 

As you have probably noticed, I only have one day a week for myself.

How can I do all of these and not bog down due to stress? Well, here are some tips I can share with you.

1. Plan for the day ahead. Before going to bed at night, make sure all the stuff you need in the morning is ready. Fill the coffee maker, make sure the ingredients for a easy to make breakfast is thawed, sliced, and in the fridge. Sort the laundry and soak the whites if necessary. Nothing is more convenient than waking up in the morning and just flicking a switch. Hassle and stress free first thing in the morning is a great way to start the day.

2. Focus on the task at hand. Even if you are multi-tasking (doing the laundry while completing a social media chore thread), you must learn the "switch-on, switch off" technique.

3. Eat a healthy, well balanced diet. There are times that it is impossible for me to sit down at the dinner table to have lunch or dinner, and when this happens, I make myself a sandwich and have it while I am working on something. If I cannot have three full meals a day, I do a "Six small meals" a day plan. That would mean sandwiches, salads, a glass of milk, fruit, dairy or cereal. 

4. Dedicate a few minutes a day for "me time." I usually sit on the couch, put my legs up on a stool and just close my eyes. I don't sleep or nap, I just try to shut my mind off things. It is very relaxing and I feel recharged and ready to accomplish more.

5. I take my rest day seriously. When I mean rest, I mean it. Sundays are when my sons take over the household chores and make meals for the family. I make them learn their ways in the kitchen. I know their future wives will thank me for it!

6. Lastly, I always remember to take my maintenance medication on schedule and of course, my vitamins. I take a multi-vitamin mineral supplement and 1-2 capsules of  the non-acidic vitamin C supplement, FERN-C. 

As we all know, multi-vitamin and mineral deficiency can lead to illness and we don't want that, especially if we are the bread winners in the family. Vitamin C is naturally found in most fruits and vegetables. However, we need to take supplements to fulfill the Recommended Dietary Allowance to reap its full benefits. 

The best benefit we can get from Vitamin C is an increased body resistance against infection and stress. It also acts as an anti-oxidant, thereby helping our body get rid of harmful free radicals. It has been shown to fight and prevent cancer, protect against cataracts, lower blood cholesterol and promotes cardiovascular health. Moreover, Vitamin C is known to speed up healing of wounds. 

Vitamin C preparations are either in the form of Ascorbic Acid or Sodium Ascorbate. As a consumer, we may not usually pay attention to this and purchase any available over the counter preparation. However, did you know that FERN-C (Sodium Ascorbate) is quickly absorbed than Ascorbic Acid? It is true. The low acidity of Fern-C makes absorption easier with less stomach irritation! 

So whether you're a blue collar, white collar or work at home professional, you can stay healthy and reduce stress by taking 1-2 capsules daily of FERN-C, the Number 1 Sodium Ascorbate preparation in the market today. Mabisa, Maaasahan at Subok Na!

Make it a habit. I did and now I am more confident in meeting my work deadlines without the stress! I can achieve my dreams because I know Worklife ay Easy with FERN-C!

Gusto mo ba maging milyonaryo? Simple lang, mag FERN-C para maiwasan ang stress at pagkapagod. Magbanat ng buto. Magdasal. Magtiwala.

To learn more about FERN-C, Number 1 Sodium Ascorbate preparation in the Philippines, follow them on their social media channels:

FERN-C Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fernconline/

FERN-C Twitter: https://twitter.com/FERNCOnline

FERN-C Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ferncofficial/

Stay happy, healthy and stress free while you workity with FERN-C!

My Grandson Receives His First Sacrament

24 July 2016.

It was a very special day. My grandson, Alfonso Miguel, a.k.a. "Amo" was baptized. He was welcomed into the Christian world by family, friends, and 18 pairs of godparents. 

It took months of planning and saving up for the special occasion. Today I am sharing with you photos of this memorable event.

The invitation

I was the one who designed this invitation using a template from Canva.

The Immaculate Conception Cathedral

My daughter and her husband decided to have their son baptized at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Quezon City. This was the same church where my daughter was baptized 30 years ago. The ceremony was held in a hall behind the main church, called the Baptism Chapel. 

The Altar in the Baptism Chapel

Children who were scheduled for baptism had to arrive wearing nothing but a diaper. Only a white blanket is allowed to keep the baby warm. 

My daughter Kristine and her son, Amo

The priest started the ceremony by asking all the godparents to form a line and take turns giving Amo their blessing by placing a sign of the cross on his forehead. This took a while to finish, considering he had 18 pairs of godparents!

My youngest son, Mickey was one of Amo's godparents

After all the godparents were done giving him blessings, it was time for the priest to proceed with the Baptism.

Amo receives his First Sacrament

The priest places a sign of the cross on his forehead and gives him his blessings

Amo seems to be listening intently to what the priest was saying

The priest then instructs Amo's parents to put clothes on him, as he has already been cleansed of original sin. Amo's father, Adi then proceeds to light a candle from the main altar. He passes it on to light the candles of the godparents as they renew their Baptism vows. 

The priest gives his final blessing and says, "Welcome to the Christian world, Alfonso Miguel!" Applause and cheers filled the hall. Everyone was happy to be witness to this special occasion.

The proud parents

Amo with his godfathers

Amo with his godmothers

The Baptismal party was held at Dad's World Buffet. The function room was filled with over a hundred guests and well-wishers! Everyone had an awesome time and happy tummies. The food was superb! We got to sample dishes from all over the world. Of course, I can't go home without trying out the dessert bar! It was just sad that taking photos of the food was not allowed. No regrets though. 

It was definitely a memorable event. Of course, my mom would not end the day without a photo op with her great grandson.

Thanks for spending time viewing our photos! Wishing you all a great week ahead.

Welcome to the Christian world, Amo! 

May God keep you and guide you as you go through the journey of life.

10 Funniest Signs - It Is Definitely More Fun In The Philippines!

Filipinos have a great sense of humor. We manage to smile despite the numerous natural calamities that strike our country every so often. I remember one meme that says, "You're just a storm. I am a Filipino." 

True. You'd notice right away that Filipinos, compared to other Asians, always have a happy disposition. Not only that, I think we have the funniest signs ever. Here are my Top Ten funny signs I found on the web today:

1. A barber shop

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2. A pet shop and grooming salon

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3. A small town bakery named "Bread Pit"

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4. A pharmacy in Northern Luzon

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5. A shoe repair stand

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6. A laundry shop

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7. A street warning sign. Oh yes. This is definitely true. They are really slow.

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8. Another street warning sign. Haha. 

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9. A huge sign inside the church:

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10. I had no idea there was a nudist beach resort in the Philippines! Haha.

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So those are my Top Ten funny Filipino signs for today. There are a gazillion more. I guess I have to get back to the habit of taking a camera with me every time I go out. Who knows there might be a winner out there?

Peace, Love, and Happiness to all!

Rain and Daydreams

It is raining. Can't go for a walk.

The very first tropical storm of the year in our part of the world.

So I sit here, browse around, wishing the power won't go off. Then I started to daydream. I thought of things I could never ever EVER own in my lifetime. Even if I work 24 hours a day, it would still be impossible, unless of course, I would win the lotto. Fat chance.

Its free to dream, right? Join me on my daydreaming journey!

I have always wanted a nice, big, country style house built on a large sprawling property. Surrounded by lots and lots of fresh air and greenery. I have lived all my life in the city and there is nothing more I would love to do than to live in the country.

Here's my dream house:

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I love earth tones and this is the perfect house for me. Large windows, with a rock, brick and stucco facade. Wood accents and a well maintained front lawn. Perfect!

I have always wanted to have a pool. I love the water and would jump at any chance to go to the beach or take a dip in a pool. If I had my own, I want it to look like this:

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Of course if I had a pool, I would also need to have a patio, with the option of having a hot tub too. It would be nice to have weekend barbeques with the family while enjoying a cool and relaxing time at the pool. My patio should be made of wood, furnished with nice chairs and plush cushions. I can only imagine sitting there at night watching the stars!

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Being Asian, I need to have something unique to my culture. Yes. I want a Zen garden and Koi pond. Sitting beside it, listening to the trickling of the water droplets and watching these beautiful fish swim ever so gracefully is truly relaxing. I can sit there and write a novel! 

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When I was a little girl, I always dreamed of having a tree house. My cousin and I would climb trees and pretend we had a tree house. If I had the ways and means, I would have a tree house built on my dream property. A cute little one with a bridge (instead of a ladder) which connects to the main house. I could use it as a studio where I can take lots of pictures of the views outside, or maybe learn to paint and create masterpieces in there. It could be my own little quiet place. This dream of having a tree house was intensified by watching that TV show, Tree Masters.

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Now that I am done with the exterior, I am starting to complete my dream with the inside of the house. I close my eyes and imagine the perfect living room. 

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My living room has to have large windows offering a great view of the outdoors. I love natural lighting and to have plush furniture off-white color is just perfect. The circular design of the living room set makes for good conversation moments with family and friends. Love the marble flooring and the fixtures that give subdued lighting at night. Dream on!

Then I move on to my most visited place in the house - the kitchen. I would love to have my appliances built in, to avoid clutter and to make everything look more organized. Have I told you how much I love wood? How I wish I could have a kitchen like this!

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Lately, I have seen unique designs for family rooms. I love those sunken couch designs, however, with my husband's balance and mobility issues, I don't think that would work for him. Now, if I owned a house, of course, I'd love to have a media and entertainment room. I'd most probably have it in the basement. This is where me and my family will enjoy countless hours of movie nights with lots and lots of popcorn. My husband and my boys can also enjoy watching their favorite sports on a huge TV. I'd make sure there are surround speakers for a more realistic and pleasurable experience. No movies or sports games to watch? No problem. I'll just sit there and listen to my favorite music.

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My husband and I are both bookworms so we have to have a place in the house where we can sit in comfort with a good book in hand. I'll have a library! As long as the dream is alive, I'll keeping dreaming!

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Isn't this lovely? Wood parquet floors, wooden bookshelves. brick wall, cozy couch, and scented candles! Truly a book lover's paradise. 

What if we had to babysit for the grandchildren? We would need a place in the house where they can do as they please - play with toys, draw, paint, read books or watch cartoons. A kids' playroom would be nice to have. Something just like this:

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I'd throw in a daybed or some bean bags. Kids need to rest too!

So now comes the time in my dream that I have to rest. What would our master's bedroom look like? I hope I do not sound too redundant, but of course, my preferences would be natural light, large windows, earth tones, and wood. A large bed, chairs, a desk, and walk in closets too! 

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Of course, there would be two other bedrooms, one for each of our sons. There will also be two spacious bedrooms, for my two daughters who are now married and have families of their own. I know they'd love to come and visit and they are more than welcome every time. I'll have two more spare bedrooms for relatives or guests who would want to stay overnight.

Oh my goodness! In my dream, I am the owner of a huge 7 bedroom house with a pool, patio, tree house, zen garden and koi pond! I have a huge properly surrounded by evergreens and fruit bearing trees. I have a well maintained front lawn and a three car garage where my dream vehicle is parked. My very very own Ford F150 Raptor 2016 Edition!

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I know there is no chance for me to have any of these, however, it just felt nice to be able to imagine how it is to live a life of luxury. 

Now the rain has stopped. Maybe now I can go for a walk and get back to reality.