bluephin

browns plains, Queensland, AUSTRALIA


Joined May 7th 2008

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Preparing for a wedding requires a lot of time management, planning and careful thinking. Your thoughts and ideas should always be organized and very much ahead of you.

One of the main things that has to be considered when planning a wedding is deciding on a wedding date. Couples base their wedding date on several varied factors. Some couples would choose a special or memorable event for them as a couple. Others would choose a date that is simply suitable for them like saying “let’s get married six months from now (the date you said yes to his marriage proposal).” A few couples would also time their wedding to the date when their venue of choice would be available or their relatives (who may be coming from overseas) would be able to travel and join them for the occasion.

Then again, as you stare at that calendar and choose the best date for your wedding why not ponder on this list of “not-so-appropriate-wedding-d ates”.

• New Year’s Day – Your guests might have something more “important” to be at rather than saving the date for your wedding. Most family circles hold their reunions around this time.

• Christmas – Not only would venue rates shoot up to very costly extent but everybody would want to spend their Christmas Day (or Christmas Eve) enjoying the season for what it is.

• Election Day – Nothing personal, really. It’s just that it might be a bit of a very busy day, generally. People would be setting a certain time of the day aside to cast their votes and would want to worry less about trying to get to your wedding in time. In addition, the whole city (or country) would be a total chaos at around this time.

• Halloween – You wouldn’t want any guest showing up at your wedding dressed up at somebody scary (or out of the ordinary), would you? That is, unless, you would intentionally use Halloween as your wedding theme.

• September 11 – This date is like a very unlucky day for the whole world (not just the United States) and scheduling your wedding date on a day that is considered by many as unlucky may not seem right.

• Thanksgiving – This is basically a family day. It doesn’t seem proper to lock your guests in your reception when they should be seating at the dining table at home with their family and cutting the turkey that mom made.

• Major Sporting event days (like Superbowl, NRL, AFL finals) – Although not everybody is a sporting fan, some of your guests might be somewhere else rather than witnessing your wedding. In addition, you wouldn’t want to share your groom half-there-half-not-there with his thoughts wandering off to the finals thinking who won (if your groom is a sporting fan).

• Religious observance dates – These are the likes of Easter Sunday, Good Friday, Shawwal, and Rosh Hashanah among others. Dates like this are blackout dates for religious fanatics and it would be advisable to respect that aspect of their belief.

• Independence Day or any Days of Remembrance – Each country has its own foundation day or days of remembrance. Try not to coincide your wedding with these dates for a simple reason – people would rather be somewhere else rather than sitting on a chair watching you say your vows or eating at your wedding’s reception. Dates like these are usually a national holiday and families have a tendency to plan something to spend family time together.

• Valentine’s Day (unless you are willing to spend more) – Although many couples pick this date out for their wedding, it could be something to re-consider especially if you have a limited budget. Not only would flowers cost too much around this season but venues would also have high-time high rates as restaurant reservations and venues are in-demand for functions and romantic dinners.

• April Fool’s Day – People might think twice and take your invitation (and your wedding vows) as a big joke.

• Mother’s Day or Father’s Day – Like Valentine’s Day, flowers would not be cheap during this time and reservation rates in restaurants and venues would be at its peak.

• A Weekend with a Friday the 13th - It’s more of superstitious-based but it would hurt to be careful and avoid this unlucky date.

• Prom Season – Flowers, venues and transportation hire would be too expensive at this time of the year, so it would be wise to avoid this date when choosing your wedding date.

This list is just a suggestion, however. So it would still be up to the couple to take the final say according to their priorities and budget.
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What my Kids have Taught me as a Parent

September 4th 2008 05:17
Parent-children relationship is a teach and learn, give and take bond. Parents teach, children learn and vice versa.

What parents teach their kids is something that is a common knowledge to everybody. But what is that kids teach their parents?

Personally, my children taught me:

Patience

Actually, not just plain patience but patience beyond unreasonable reason (if that makes any sense). I, for example, know how very patient a person I am. However, when I had kids my patience was tested to the extreme! Up until now, those little “monsters” are still testing my patience. Sometimes, they’re winning as I throw my hands up in the air and surrender while pondering what I had done wrong in raising them. Other times, I win, as they sit still in one place only their eyeballs moving, following my every movements.

I reckon, dealing with kids needs a whole bunch of patience. That is a fact that I have known all along. But now that I have my own, that is when I started to realize (and appreciate) how patient my own mother has been (and is always).

Understand beyond words

Most adults, especially if they were not raised with heaps of small children around them, are more adept to written or verbal (comprehendible) communication. Having kids, especially at this early age when they have their own ways of communicating with people around them parents have to be a whiz to understand what they want and need.

Over time, and perhaps because as a mother my kids literally came from me (was a part of me and would always be a part of me), I have learned to understand their way of communicating with me, telling me what they want and even with me knowing what they want just with the type of cry they do, their body language, and the glitter of their eyes. I think it’s actually a mom thing (and most certainly, and not to be discarded, also a dad thing especially if they are hands-on dads like my hubby).

The real meaning of unconditional love

I, for example, have known and believed all my life that there is such a thing as unconditional love and that it is needed for a fruitful, lasting and productive relationship. Nevertheless, I have never known this kind of unconditional love until I became a parent – a mother.

Each child is absolutely unique (even if they were conceived from the same parent, once connected from the same blood cord, housed in the same womb for nine months, breast fed from the same bosom, etc.). I love A1 for his sweetness, his funny antics, his laugh, his playfulness and his warm-hearted nature. He’s not perfect though, he could be naughty, a cry-baby, too attached to his favourite stuffs, wakes me up at night to ask for milk, needy (at times). But I still love him to bits!

A2 is in no way a carbon copy of his brother. He could be sweet if he wants to, laughs and smiles easily, eats everything and anything, independent, adventurous and fearless. Even if he cries and shrieks irritatingly, knows what he wants and he wants them fast, looks at me and walks away when I tell him not to do something, goes back to doing something that he shouldn’t after I tell me not to, my heart still melts when he smiles and says “mama”.

I have, in my mind, picture of an ideal (if not perfect) child that I want to raise and how I would do it. But it really seems that we can’t particularly dictate everything. As a mother I could only do guidance and provide unconditional love – which I am doing. Believe me, I adore my kids to pieces even if there are times that I am ready to retreat to my bedroom and let them do whatever they want to do.

Giving up and taking care of one’s self

Ever since I had kids, I rarely have a descent amount of good night sleep. Why? Because they cry in the middle of the night wanting their bottle of milk or sometimes just wants to be cuddled. For awhile, I try to let go of the idea of having enough sleep just to tend to their needs.

However, not forgetting that I also have to take care of myself so I could take care of them, I try to get some naps and rest when they are on their best behaviour. In addition (and as a means of making up for the lost sleep) I tried to eat and munch as much as I can. No way would an unhealthy parent (a mother in this case) be able to look after her kids and the entire family. I try not to skip meals as I do when I was still single (especially if I’m in front of the computer). I know that if I am very physically then I could look after my kids with all my strength and to the best of my ability.

Appreciation and understanding of what our own parents are

One of the most important things that each parent learns from their own kids is to appreciate and understand their own parents. As the saying goes, “you would understand how it is to be a parent until you become one,” and it’s true. Not until you physically put yourself in your parent’s shoes that you would know the hardships, sacrifices and love they have done for you.

This, therefore, proves true that in life each individual learns from another regardless of their age, status in life or gender.
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Other than Vera Wang, another Wedding Gown designer whose name is making waves is Monique Lhuillier. This Philippine-raised designer has created wedding gowns for the likes of Britney Spears, Pink, Emilie de Ravin (of Lost), Natalie Imbruglia, Ali Landry, and Christine Baumgartner (when she was wed to Kevin Costner).


Among her works, here are a few that would fit different kind of brides.




These gowns are perfect for conservative brides. Showing less skin with the full sleeves or the shrug-like shoulder covers. The lace details and full skirt also gives the bride a very feminine look and feel.



The lace details and mini-train makes this gown a feminine item. The off-shoulder design shows more of the skin. Very appropriate for brides who wants to exude a sexy bridal image.



Another sexy gown, this lace-based, sleeveless design and the plunging neckline shows more skin for the brides who are not afraid to show it all (well, not all really). The gown looks fragile because of the lace, but it would sure be light-weight and easy to carry as it sort of just drops to the floor.



Want to feel (and look) like a lady? Well, this wedding gown would just suit you to a "T". A personal favorite, the full, layered skirt would make you feel and look like you are floating. In addition, the details on the bodice just clearly spells femininity and fragility.

Photos from www.moniquelhuillier.com

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Photo courtesy of cuporobots.com


Kids love weekends. Not only because mom and dad are not working and would be at home all day, but also because they could play all day to their heart’s content. They can run around outside under the sun. Play at the park. Do sports


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Weddings are not always as traditional as how they used to be. Gone were the times when a Hindu woman is married to a Hindu man or a Christian woman is married to a Christian man. Now, mixed marriages are not taboo anymore. They are as widely accepted as having a child out of wedlock or divorce.

However, there would always be the debate on whose culture or religion or tradition would be followed for the wedding ceremony and all the wedding brouhahas. Most men would argue that it should be the man’s culture or tradition that should be followed because he’s the man and the woman should (ideally, after the marriage) be under his house (or so it says). Nevertheless, not all women now are as succumbing as they used to and would of course oftentimes argue that either their culture be followed or meet halfway in between (meaning having a non-traditional wedding


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I have been looking around the internet for noteable wedding gown designers and found a familiar name crop up - no less than Vera Wang herself.

Vera Wang has been a popular choice among Holywood celebrities to do their wedding gowns. Some of Vera Wang's famous works are bridal gowns of Jennifer Lopez, Sharon Stone, Jessica Simpson, Mariah Carey, among many others


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If you ever decided to have a Coffee-lovers themed wedding, here are a few table centrepiece ideas that you can use.

A BOWL OF COFFEE GOODNESS
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How to Choose a Photographer

August 20th 2008 10:07
In a wedding, after all the hassles of preparation, the high spirits of the actual event and the honeymoon thereafter only one thing would remind you of the moment – the photographs. Not many couples realize that if there is one thing about the wedding that they should be investing on, it should be the photographer and the photos. Of all the wedding factors, only the photos would stay with you through years and remind you of the moment. Your children and grandchildren would know only of the wedding through the photos.

It is therefore wise to spend a bit more on wedding photo packages and choose a photographer well


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How to Save Money on Your Wedding

August 19th 2008 09:06
It is always a challenge among soon-to-be-wed couples to plan their wedding budget and save up on it. With rising prices amidst us, having the wedding of your dreams seem just that – a dream!

However, there are ways on how to save up and have a wedding that is within your means and still lives up to your wedding dream expectations


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Are you about to get married? Still thinking of an appropriate wedding color scheme? Do you and your partner love coffee?

Coffee? What does that got to do with weddings? Simple. If you both love coffee and you are in the dark of what color scheme or theme to use, why not make your wedding coffee-inspired


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Recent Comments

Comment by bluephin
on Sick Toddlers

August 4th 2008 08:25
Thanks for the feedback kittzy07.

It's true that drinks like gatorade or powerade could help as this has got electrolytes and carbohydrates which are both necessary to supplement their diet while they are sick. Pedialyte, however, is an option that we couldn't do for my eldest. It would be vomit all over again as soon as he gets a taste of it.

Kids...

Comment by bluephin
on Healthy Computer Viewing for Kids

July 27th 2008 00:14
Thanks for the comment Dianna.

It's true adults are also guilty of this kind of behaviour. The difference is, they are big enough to be responsible for their actions... and kids, well they lack the awareness and if they also lack the supervision of knowing and concerned parents they are likely candidates for early eye conditions.

It's a case of common sense more than anything. Ignorance is never going to be an excuse.

Comment by bluephin
on How to Choose Your Wedding Color

July 24th 2008 21:53
Using 2 to 4 different colors is not bad. But it has to be made sure that the colors don't clash. It's good when couples try to experiment to come out of the box and think of something that others haven't done before.

Comment by bluephin
on Save Your Kids from Having a Sedentary Lifestyle

July 24th 2008 04:21
Great knowing that my ideas would be useful to more than just li'l ol' me.

You're right there Jo, these tips really applies for more than just kids.

And I'm glad that besides me and my husband, somebody else agrees that even kids should be given their own share of chores, Mrs M.

Thanks for the comment, ladies.

Comment by bluephin
on Alternatives to the Traditional Wedding Cake

July 22nd 2008 11:38
You're right there TimmyH. Couples are now very experimental when it comes to their wedding. Nothing wrong with being traditional, but it is sometimes nice to do something different that your guests will remember.

Comment by bluephin
on Simple Joy

July 13th 2008 08:24
hi terrorbull1

you sure are right there! when everything else becomes expensive a trip to the park would always be there to save our backs from kids who want to have fun...

Comment by bluephin
on Bananas are Heaven Sent

July 6th 2008 08:57
Give her some time... My eldest wouldn't eat banana when he was under 1 year old. Just before he turns 2, he could finish one banana in one sitting. Turns out, he outgrew his dislike to it. Now, even my 1 yr old loves bananas.

Comment by bluephin
on Girl or Boy

June 18th 2008 05:25
yeah... according to my research pH level does affect it, as well as timing and all those factors. i guess it's really more than one factor at a time that dictates what will form inside our womb.

Is there really no guaranteed methodology?

Well, we're still not decided if we want another one. But I really really want a girl the next time (if there will be a next time)

thanks for the tip, kitzzy07

Comment by bluephin
on Tongue-Tied

May 28th 2008 05:04
hope you enjoy reading my blogs... also, you can check out some of my articles at Really Long Link I;ve also got some parenting articles (and stories) in their among many others).

Comment by bluephin
on Big Brother

May 28th 2008 04:40
thanks for reading my blog... it's really funny when you watch kids. bringing up 2 of them with just a few months apart really is hard work. but with their simple antics it could really blow you head off...