Notepad Corner

In the old days the flu season occurs during the cold days of the year, but nowadays the prevalence of its outbreaks is unpredictable due to climate change and extreme weather conditions. According to CDC (Centers for Disease Control) the available flu vaccine was 60% effective, so they further recommended that all people over age 6 months to get the vaccine as this year influenza according to case reports has been becoming severe in nature due to viral strain mutation. Because influenza is a virus, it is a contagious respiratory illness that can easily be transmitted from one person to another. Elders, children and persons with chronic health conditions are at risk. You can get the flu when a person infected with it coughs, sneezes infront of you or near you. The droplets containing their germs can be inhaled by anyone likewise through touching door knobs, elevator buttons and handrails which were touched by the infected person. It can be mild or severe; in some cases it can

Planning a family portrait can be a challenging task. From finding the perfect photographer to deciding on what everyone should wear, there’s a range of important considerations to keep in mind when organising this very special event. Unfortunately, it can also raise the uncomfortable scenario of having to tell people that you can’t have them in the portrait. Whether it’s due to budget constraints, logistics, or other reasons, here are 3 ways to gently let people know that you don’t want them to participate in your family portrait. Explain Your Budget Some people simply underestimate the cost of hiring a professional photographer for your family portrait. Explain that you have budgeted just enough to cover your immediate family, and that any further inclusions would start to increase the cost of having the portrait done.

Ideally, the family would get out of the house at least once a fortnight and have a day out together. Money isn’t always abundant however, and the stress that often comes along with bundling the children into the car, puts a dampener on the day. With enough forward planning, you can create fun memories together, without going grey-haired overnight. Take A Picnic More often than not, restaurants are an awkward and expensive way to get lunch. If the weather is nice enough, take a special picnic for the day. Not only do you not have to worry about where you’re going to find a suitable café, but you don’t have to queue for nosh either. Besides, a few extra snacks never went amiss. Child-Proof The Car Journey Squabbling in the backseat can set even the most Zen parent on edge. Make sure they have enough activities to keep them occupied. If it doesn’t make your little ones feel poorly, give them books to read or drawing to do. Story tapes are always a great way to keep everyone quiet

Although technology has made our lives a lot more convenient and comfortable, it is also sad that many kids these days are too “wired” that they forget to explore the outdoors and have healthy social lives.     To let our children be a couch potato is definitely not healthy, so it is advised for parents to divert their attention by doing other activities in between such as sports, playing outdoors with other kids or enrolling them in summer camps during summertime.  Make a time schedule on when they can use their computer and gaming gadgets so they will also learn how to manage their time for studying, doing their school homework and helping in some house chores. Moreover,bringing them on cool road trips, exploring the beauty of nature such as trekking, or overnight campings can provide family fun and enjoyment. Family getaways that can be also educational not only for the young but for the adult as well. Taking a break from work to spend time with kids would be sac

Family bonding activities are a great way to develop and keep a strong association and relationship with your children. It allows developing rapport within family members thus strengthening ties and intimacy among them. But in this time when parents seem to become too absorbed with too much office work, having quality time with their kids sometimes is a hard thing to achieve. What with all the hectic schedules to follow and a lot of deadlines to meet. However, we need to bear in mind that spending time with children while they are young is critical in their development as youth. It is important that parents watch and guide their children as they grow up because it will make them responsible adolescents later. In my opinion, no matter how busy we are, we should find time to spend quality time with our children. We should not be troubled thinking on how to spend quality time with our family for even simple activities can create a strong tie and connection among family members.

Designing a room for a new addition to the family is a fun and exciting home-based adventure, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. Follow these 7 simple steps and you’ll find the whole process a cinch. Safety First You want to be able to rest soundly knowing that your baby is free from danger and out of harm’s way while resting or playing in his/her room. Make sure there are no sharp edges and that your child cannot get outside or climb near a window. Make sure there’s nothing the baby can pull down on top of him or her, and no way that your baby can fall from any height. It’s a good idea not to have the room too close to stairs and if there is a door that accesses the outdoors or a balcony, ensure it is lockable and not able to be opened by a big brother or sister while playing. Make sure any materials such as paints, wallpaper, varnish etc is non-toxic. It’s also important that the baby’s room is close to your own, so you can hear any disruptions and access it quic

Divorce is never easy or straightforward and one of the most complicated issues is often the financial arrangements that have to be made. photo credits: freedigitalphotos.net Getting divorced is likely to be a stressful and emotional time so it's important to get an expert to give you honest and independent advice. Ideally, you will be able to sort out the financial settlement without going to court, which can be expensive as well as adding to the stress of the divorce. It is also likely to lead to more acrimony.

More often than not, choosing the perfect vacation for a summer vacation can be difficult, especially if you have a family. While there are some vacation destinations that may be considered “family-friendly,” not all are. As a parent, you may be wondering how you can find the perfect summer vacation destination for your family. Well, beaches always hold much promise to people of all ages. Orlando is one place teeming with beautiful beaches. If you try to ask a travel agency offering flights to Orlando , they would tell you that it’s one great place to visit. Ski patrol training camp photo credits: disneyworld.disney.go.com

When you’ve got great pressures on your time, as all moms do, it’s important to be able to escape for a few moments whenever you can get them, and since you have to keep an eye on things at home, you probably won’t be able to leave the house. There are plenty of fun things to do which can give you a much needed break from daily life; I like to read a book, watch a movie (although I rarely make it through a whole one in a single sitting these days), watch some TV or go on the internet. 

There are plenty of fun things you can do with your family, but some things are just for adults. That’s the way they’re meant to be, and that’s the way they should stay. Every now and then (as often as possible in fact) it’s great to get away from the rest of your loved ones and spend some quality time with your partner, or even on your own. photo credits: istockphoto.com 

Being a mom is a 24/7 job. A mother referred to as the light of the house has a lot of duties and responsibilities to deal with and attend to. To keep a spic and span home while taking care of the children is not an easy task, not to mention that we are also the family accountant as we keep the family budget under control by making a monthly financial plan. I do make a list of allthe expected expenses such as utility bills, weekly groceries, gas expenses and more. I need to bring the family spending under control in order to make both ends meet and to save something for the rainy days.

Perhaps you are faced with caring for an elderly parent, someone who is recovering from surgery or even a sick child – these are the sorts of situations which can be made easier with the proper equipment such as a comfortable foam or feather mattress pad or a special bolster pillow. When someone needs to be in bed for any length of time, anything you can do to make it more comfortable is appreciated by the patient and the caregiver. Things like using the bathroom and bathing are equally important and need to be made as effortless as possible.

photo credits: caronchiro.com When a member of my family got injured from a workplace accident there were many factors I had to consider. In my case these were health risks, high cost of medications and otherfinancial burdens such as household bills. Accidents are never planned and can occur at the most unexpected times. Such mishaps may occur and vary depending on the nature of your job. For corporate offices it may be caused by trips or slips, while industrial misfortunes can be caused by falls or lifting accidents. In my case it was a slip in an industrial warehouse that saw my better injure himself. Workplace injuries may or may not be severe but still can have distressing effect on the worker and their family especially when the injury is serious. The injure d worker may need time off which disrupts the earning capacity. In most cases an injured employee is only entitled to statutory sick pay . The long days of not working will surely cripple the family inco

My Dad and Mom were very happy and pleased that we have four graduates in the family this year. Me and my three other sisters simultaneously have one of our kids who recently received a recognition of achievement for the school year 2011-2012.   I, being the eldest among my siblings had my youngest son Yahmir finished the elementary course. Yahmir Mayores Blanca - Grade VI While, my youngest twin sisters both have their eldest daughters graduated from High School. Rochelle Mayores Ramos - High School Bea Mayores Alzona - High School And the biggest achiever is my niece who completed her Bachelor of Science in Office Administration with flying colors being a Cumlaude. She is the daughter of my second eldest sibling. Regie Mayores Idago - BS Office Administration Four graduates, four proud moments and pride for our family that indeed calls for a family celebration.  To my three nieces and son, Congratulations! May you continue to fl

The Caribbean, as you may already know, is much more than just miles and miles of snow white sand beaches (although it certainly is that as well). Unless you’ve got a sizeable bank account and a good amount of time on your hands, however, it can be difficult to visit more than a handful of islands during one vacation. We’ve put together guide so you can better decide which of the many Caribbean islands can help you achieve your vacation goals (or lack thereof). Relaxation So you want to put your sunglasses on, put your feet up and place a fruity drink in your hand. You’ve certainly selected the right region for your travel. Here are some islands that might meet your need for sun and cat naps: Aruba : If you’ve got a bit of cash stashed away and are looking for a place that understands luxury, Aruba could be a great bet for you. The island has gorgeous beaches and a bounty of package tour options. Antigua : Looking to hit the resort and not think about the

This diamond and birthstone pendant is what I’ve been saving for and would like to buy as mothers day presents for my beloved mom.  I want to stay forever near her heart for her to feel how much I love her. To remind her that I am always at her side any day and anytime she needs me. diamond and birthstone pendant Motherhood is a tough yet very rewarding 24/7 job.  I salute my mom for her unconditional love and being so patient, uncomplaining and ever loving all these years despite of the sacrifices and life’s hardships in rearing us. I value everything she taught me, now that I am also a mother I see to it that I teach and pass on to my children the good values I learned from her. I would not be what I am now if not because of her. Giving out material things may not compensate the incomparable job she did but I strongly believe mothers deserve the best gift that would last for a lifetime.

Planning for a family bonding this weekend? Bring your kids in a fun-filled, family friendly day on Sunday, December 4, 2011 at TOMS Give Fair, Trinoma Park in Quezon City. Enjoy pleasurable activities, join the fun to win special prizes too!  Definitely, you and your kids will love the enjoyable event. At the same time you can do some Holiday shopping at the first-ever TOMS Pop-Store in the country and, treat yourself to all the wonderful activities TOMS has lined up for you to enjoy a fun-filled family friendly day. It's their way of saying thank you and getting everyone into the Holiday Giving Spirit. Give Joy, Give TOMS.  See you there!

In the recent oil price increase trending to be weekly, it is not surprising that people will think twice in buying a new vehicle. We need to take into consideration of its primal usage, is it really a need or just a luxury? Oil plays a very important role in running a country’s economy and not only on a family’s budget. Economic recession causes slowdown in economic activity which results to rising unemployment rate, high priced commodities, and bankruptcies.  Using alternative oil sources like bio fuel, made of biological products and bakken oil shale , oil coming from a sedimentary rock unit could help the government in the reduction of oil imports. If we could produce additional oil, it will generally help in the increasing oil demand in the country. Production on our own will mean more people will be employed, more money to improve the nation’s economy.  Having a family vehicle is really very convenient, as we can hold and budget our own time in terms of traveling. We could mak

I am not good in writing poems but I tried hard to compose one especially dedicated to my husband. He is someone whom I felt a deeper connection than anyone else. A connection which is so strong that I’ve been so drawn to him in a way I have never experienced before. My perfect partner, my lover, my confidante, my soulmate! An Ode of Love Though we’re ages apart, you were destined to be my sweetheart. Forever You'll Stay In My Heart, wishing and praying we’ll never be apart. You bring sense of peace and calmness, for having you around brings so much happiness. You came to my rescue and brought out the best in me, we fit naturally and it feels like it is meant to be. Life may not always be perfect, but we manage to get through every aspect. Joined hands in parenting, business and pleasure, We can easily get a lot done by working together You love me even when loving me is hard to do, when I’m grouchy, irritable or very hardheaded to talk to. You love me in good and bad time

Disagreements, misunderstandings, and opposition arise in every marriage or should I say at least in most marriages.  Here are some tips on how to lessen such conflicts: Work toward prompt resolution and do not let the conflict linger.   As much as possible do not sleep at night without resolving your issues. Avoid harsh words that may irritate or hurt your partner’s feeling.  It will surely aggravate the situation. Let bygones be bygones.  A fight over the past should not be brought out in each conflict.  Forget it.