by Penny on December 9, 2009
When Ryan was just a baby, I would dream of the day that he calls me mummy. When he did first call me, it was Mama. I was already on cloud nine that my baby started calling me. But then again, I preferred to be called mummy and over time, with some adjustment on his part, I eventually was called the sweetest thing in the world – mummy.
Now that Ryan is 2 years old and is a great conversationalist (at least to me!), he knows many more words and I’m now known to him as mummy, mum, mother. He likes to tease me sometimes with mum and usually wakes me up with mother. I have no idea why.
But lately he’s given me a new term of endearment. To me, it will be the best endearment I’ve ever gotten in my life. Maybe it’s because of how he says it, the tone that he calls me by.
He calls me his Princess! And he says it all so gently and lovingly that no matter what he did that made me angry with him, it all goes away the second he looks at me and says “Princess…”
How can my heart not melt? This is something that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life as a mother.
by Penny on December 8, 2009
We’re brought up in a culture where sending parents to homes is something we shouldn’t even think about. We live with them for as long as we want without having to pay rent and food to be placed on the table, so it is only filial and right for us to in turn take care of them when they are in their golden years. Don’t you agree this is what our upbringing is about?
However, we shouldn’t also be too quick to judge others who do send their parents to homes. Most times, we frown upon people who do this because we wouldn’t do the same to our parents nor do we want our kids to treat us that way.
But I’ve come to know people who think that their parents are better off in homes where they have proper care and people to look after them as compared to a life living with children who are away at work from dawn to dusk. Especially so when the parents have a medical condition that needs constant care.
Someone I know living in the USA was sharing with me how she had been doing some research on senior care arizona because she was thinking in a year or two, she won’t be able to support and care for her parent if the medical condition she has worsens. She is really planning in advance for this to happen, but who’s to judge her action? She’s doing it out of love and care and she truly feels that her parent will be in better care this way.
I didn’t ask if she talked and discussed this with her parent and whether there was a mutual consent, because I didn’t want to pry in case this was all her idea. I didn’t want to make her feel bad if this is what she has already decided on doing.
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by Penny on December 8, 2009
I am so glad that I was ever introduced to the great man that is Jim Rohn. I only heard and got to know about this man this year. And all too soon, this man has left the world. This wonderful person who is able to sincerely inspire and share his ideas with thousands and thousands of people around the world.
Jim Rohn will definitely be missed by fans all around the world. His work and words will never be forgotten. He has lived a truly legendary life.
If the name Jim Rohn doesn’t ring a bell to you, you can read all about him and the tribute to the late Mr. Jim Rohn here.
Jim, thank you for your hard work in helping us achieve what we want in life. I will always keep your simple yet effective advise on working hard to heart – Start a little earlier, work a little harder, stay a little later.
You have been more than extraordinary!
by Penny on December 6, 2009
Having a child at home does change things a lot. From the time we first has Ryan in our lives, things pretty much changed 360 degrees for us. But the changes have been good and some are even quite fun. One of the latest change we’ve adopted is to have a Disney-inspired Christmas tree.
For some years now we’ve not put up a Christmas tree. Mostly because we’re lazy and practicality has taken over. But now that Ryan understands a little about what Christmas is, and expects to see Santa come around and how beautiful Christmas trees are, we decided to put up some decorative stuff just for him.
So off we went to choose a tree and some pieces to put on the tree. We thought of getting him involved in the process of putting up the tree and decorations. But he just picked up some decorative balls to play and left us to put up the tree ourselves! Quite a lot of work put in to make this little fellow happy. But we are happy doing it.
So what does our tree look like? Very Disney-inspired. I guess that’s me to blame for wanting to please him and getting items with Winnie The Pooh and Tigger on them. How do you like these decorative pieces?
Pretty little stuff for a kid, I must say. Well we’re quite happy with the tree too I admit. It’s nice to have it up after missing one for some years 
Do you put up any trees at home for Christmas? If not, you might want to try it for the fun and lights it gives to your home. You won’t regret it when you see how much your little one will enjoy and appreciate it too. It does require a bit of work to put it up and not to mention to take it down later, but I think it’s worth it. It might also help you lose a bit of weight without having to take things like adipex diet pills! 
If you are not up for putting up Christmas trees, there are plenty of other festivities coming up and they present plenty of opportunities to decorate the home together to make it warmer, not to mention to make it a prettier home too. Up for it, anyone?
by Penny on November 29, 2009
I’ve never smoked in my life and happy with that. I’m also glad that we don’t hang around people who do. I personally feel that being a second hand smoker causes us more harm than the person who smokes directly. Reason being we’re inhaling as second hand smokers whilst the person who smokes exhales.
I take all precaution to keep Ryan away from smokers. If we do pass by some places where there are people smoking, we would quickly make our way away from there. We definitely would not subject ourselves to places that are smokers friendly, that’s for sure.
We are extremely aware of being around smokers and therefore avoid them at all cost. Some parents are more tolerant and are alright when seated near to smokers at restaurants and they don’t really mind. Perhaps they don’t realise that the second hand smoke is getting to them and their children.
Not only do we avoid smokers in public places, I also personally do not do smokers any favours. In the past when I used to travel quite a bit, friends would ask if I can help to buy them discount cigars in certain countries or to buy them duty free cigarettes at the airports. I’ve always disappointed them with a NO answer. I don’t advocate them to smoke so I don’t want to help them by providing the health hazards.
How strong a stance do you take on when it comes to smoking? Are you tolerant and think that a little second hand smoke is not too bad or are you quite paranoid like me?
by Penny on November 26, 2009
Have you ever wondered why the flight attendants give instructions for you to put on your safety vests and oxygen masks before you put them on for your children? The logic is that once you are taken care of, you will then be better able to take care of your dependents.
While I find this to be quite true, I sometimes wonder, when in a state of panic and where time is of the essence, what is your natural instinct like? Wouldn’t you think first of the safety of your children and do things to help them first?
I was listening to some motivational speakers talk about living life the smarter way, taking proper care of yourself and your family and he too repeated this. We should take good care of ourselves before we’re able to take care of the ones in our care. Do we all realise that? Not everyone, I think.
I used to think that my flesh and blood is more important than me, therefore taking care of Ryan becomes my first priority. But now I’ve learned to start with myself first.
So if you have not already realised this as a parent, give this some thought and start to take better care of yourself in terms of being in excellent health so that you are always fit and ready to do whatever necessarily to protect your family.
