Free Summer Family Filmfest

There are free family movies shown at our local cinema every Tuesdays and Wednesday mornings. Check out the article and chedules here at the Antioch Press.

I took the younger kids to the movies. Magu and Selena saw Barnyard (PG) with Y. Syrel. Monica and I saw Charlotte's Web (G).




We navigated through day-campers, filed-trippers, special needs kids in wheelchairs, and moms/teachers passing out large buckets of popcorn to share. Seems like all the frugal moms were there, too!

It was such a fun time for Monica and I. She was free to ask many questions. Our seatmates did not mind that she had to go to the restroom. Crying infants were tolerated. The kids were free to squeal and clap with delight.

It was quite enjoyable for me, too--as the last time I watched Charlotte's Web was in it's original animated version when I was 8.

We then trouped to the nearest Baskin Robbins and availed of their $1 Tuesdays promo--every cone for a dollar versus $2.49.

I say, if we don't have much money, we should make a lot of time to spend with our kids. Great and frugal fun!

Finding God in the BART and in Berkeley

Whenever I have to take BART, I find myself quite excited. First, because I won't run into the usual traffic. Second, I get to catch up with my reading or crochet. And third, because it always seems to turn into a spiritual experience for me.

When we were starting out, I felt so poor until I saw a man in front of me in the BART reading the paper 2 days ago. He probably picked it up in the trash can. So then, God gave me a new perspective.

I have been joined by a couple of knitters and/or crocheters and we compared notes as seat mates until our destinations. And just sitting with kindred spirits for a while is enough to know how similar everyone is.

And many times, the signs around the BART offer me some sort of divine message, it has become fun to look around. I remember i was in doubt about how to bring my caboodle to Lake Tahoe and was resistant about my husband's plans because it was just a big hassle. The BART sign in front of me said, "Give Snow A Chance." We went to Tahoe and the kids saw their first snowfall in what couldn't be a more perfect day.

When I let my imagination go and just look at the view from the BART, many moments of clarity and inspiration have sprung up. I guess just looking out the window is a form of meditation for me--my mind and heart are open to possibilities. . .and they come.

Today, I came from Berkeley and met a friend for our usual intense bonding and validation sessions, very rare and precious in the USA. We explored the place and saw a couple of interesting eateries and bookstores. But most of all, we taught ourselves how to be more positive about life and how we must express this into our thinking and actions.

On the way home via BART, I was reading Joel Osteen's
Your Best Life Now and digested this message: "We receive what we believe."

I felt so full of grace and though it is Sunday, I feel that my day's experience beat Mass--where sometimes we sit absent-mindedly and out of obligation.

I hope you can find and feel God everywhere, too.

Frugal Entrance Furniture

Our patio overlooks a beautiful rose garden. I am pondering on composing a cozy sitting area in the patio. I am still scouring Craigslist.Org for the perfect wicker love seat.

Meanwhile, I found 2 cane chairs ($15 for 2)and 1 rattan side table ($10) to put out on the entrance, to make it look more welcoming. Accessories and a great doormat are next on the list.

Entrance furniture cost: $25.

Frugal Kids' Activities

Summer vacation is here and since I am not one to shuttle my 5 kids from soccer, ballet, Kumon, and karate, I have to be creative about what activities to plan for them.

My eldest 2 boys are in Manila for a vacation. I have to make sure that the younger 3 are reasonably occupied. "Reasonably" means just that. I don't want to overwhelm them with back-to-back activites. They must have time left to do nothing, to get bored, todaydream, make-believe, and activate their imagination.

I remember when I was young, growing up with my cousins in Manila, there were only 4 TV channels, and absolutely no cable or VCR's. We spent out days out playing with sticks, stones, the small fish in the small canal, playing tag, making (and selling) pancakes, riding our bikes, and negotiating endless soccer games,and patintero. We also converted many a parent's bedroom we could into a haunted house, complete with thread-spider webs, pop-up zombies, and howling sound effects--and charged each other 25 cents to get in.

Today, we live near a community pool and my kids like to swim a lot. We have new pet parakeets that they tend to. The rest of the day is spent playing house, playing doctor, investigating the garden, or soaking in the tub, with their water toys.

Cost: $0.



But on days when I have to broaden their horizons, I take them to free library activities. Last week, there was an Audio Book Presentation, where the kids did activities while listening to a book.

Cost: $0.

After the Library, we browsed a thrift store. They got 1 cute toy each.


Cost: $2.

I found that I had time in the week-end, and after taking them to the grocery, we made some sugar cookies. They tasted good but I overcooked them. The time spent mixing and cookie-cutting, though, was bonding time worth more than ballet lessons.




My husband bought this frozen banana kit and made some treats with the girls, too.



And although clean-up was a challenge, these are precious times. . .

Filipino Heritage Day

A double celebration for the Pinoys in the East County. June 12 is not only our Independence Day, but it was also proclaimed to be the first Filipino Heritage Day by Anitoch Mayor Don Frietas.

True to form, the Pinoys celebrated with song, dance and food. East County Idol Winner Neyshia Go and GMA-7' s Jolina Magdangal sang for their kabayans. Consul General Rowena Sanchez and Filipinas magazine's editor Greg Macabenta also graced the show, along with local Senator Tom Torlakson from Antioch.



The festivities were officially opened with a ribbon-cutting at the Lynn House Gallery, where "Buhay Pinoy"--a cultural exhibit of Filipino artifacts and snippets of rural life, put together by curator Cynthia Ruehlig, with the help of gracious Filipino community members who lent their Filipiniana items.



Senator Torlakson siad, "This is a fantastic exhibit. The Filipino influence is getting bigger and more positive in the community. They bring a rich culture and great tradition of art, music, and food."






United Filipino Americans in Antioch Association (UFAAA) and other Filipino groups came together and shared an afternoon of culture and entertainment.

"There are about 40,000 Filipinos in Contra Costa County," said Rod Talavera, UFAAA founder (right), shown here with Greg Macabenta, Rudy Fernandez, and Pistang Pinoy show director, Maila Gumila.

Fat Spiritual Wallets

Of course, we cannot live without money. But, I sure don't want to live just to earn money. In fact, when financial problems crop up (often!), I remind myself about the wise thing that I have learned: Money is the least in the ladder of problems.

Because I work part-time and freelance, I find that, though the funds may be low sometimes, I am wealthy in another way: I have the privilege of having my own TIME. This way, I feel even wealthier than if I worked full-time, get lost in the rat race, and add more money to our budget.

With flexi-time, I think I am able to save money, too. I am able shuttle my kids to and from school--and never miss opportunities to be with them when I'm needed, make sure they do they homework (and they have supplies for it). I was approached by my son's classmate's mom, who asked to bring her son home, too--for a fee. I am able to take my time in the grocery, choosing the best price for the product. I am now able to give small gifts (unlike 2 years ago, when I couldn't afford to send gifts to anyone). It's a matter of being creative about purchasing. Did you know you can buy most supplies for half the price when you buy in bulk?

I also save on not buying books and magazines as I have time to read them for free in the library. If I tallied what I read and learned today, the 4 business magazines I read would have cost about $20.

Today, I learned about Women's Trust.Org, about an entrepreneur who microlends to Africa. I also read about
The 4-Hour Workweek author, Timothey Ferriss who runs a thriving business so efficently, be abandoned being busy for being productive. He has time to set a world tango record, pursue his passion for martial arts, and learn surfing in Brazil.

So I took a precious and needed short vacation with my cousins in Napa because I could. The time I spent re-charging my batteries by just being is priceless--more than any amount of dollars I can ever earn. To have time to hook up with my cousins, get to know them better, heal and re-connect, will pay off in ways that I cannot imagine.

My friend C and I discussed the importance of time at this point in our lives and reminded each other not to sell out our simple lifestyle to the complications of full-time. I am more talented in working with a tight budget than spinning around a dizzying and full schedule.

Since time is wealth, it is also worth sharing. Giving back is one luxury when you have time. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, only about 28.8% of the United States civilian non-institutional population, age 16 or over, volunteers any of their time to helping others. If you donate just one hour per week you will be in the top 15%!

And just for thought, I would like to share images of other people that are also wealthy with their time. To be able to stop and smell the roses, turn your hobby into a business, and to notice the small treasures in life make their spiritual wallet truly fat.


Brentwood resident Karen Berg of Re-doux Furniture re0finishes outdated and used furniture into vintage or funky pieces. She charges $30 an hour for her work. Way to go!


Antioch resident Nana-Dictta Graves is an artist from Ghana, Africa who has become renowned in the USA for using everyday materials like candy wrappers, seeds, rice, even lint, to create her meticulous mosaics.


Winnie Kubick from Brentwood turned her talent for hand-sewing into a business. She makes custom hand-made baby blankets and beddings.

I hope you can discern the things that matter to you, and plan your schedule around them. . .

Changing the Cost of Fashion

(photo from oprah.com)

I caught Oprah's show today and I must say it is one of my favorites. Fab Without A Fortune is a collection of stories of people who are effecting change in our shopping culture. Sarah Jessica Parker's manifesto said it all, "It is wrong to spend more than your grocery bill for a sweater." She will launch her Bitten line of casual wear on June 7. Check out her pretty collections--each less than $20--even for a sweater, coats, flats, and espadrilles here.

Meanwhile, NBA superstar New York Knicks point guard Stephon Marbury sees a problem with expensive sneakers. High-priced athletic shoes worn by basketball's biggest names are status symbols for many consumers. But because of their price tags, kids wearing them can become the targets of robbers who want to make a profit from the expensive kicks. A boy in the Bronx was stabbed for his branded sneakers.

So Marbury manufactured his own line of sneakers/rubber shoes--making sure that people could enjoy quality sneakers without paying top dollar. Head-on with hundred-dollar Nike, Reeboks, and Adidas shoes, is the $14.98 a pair Starbury brand.

Stephon understands what it's like growing up and not being able to afford expensive sneakers. "My mother always said, 'That's grocery money.'" he says. "So for me, allowing kids now to be able to go to the store and spend their money on sneakers and to be able to buy it themselves, it's a movement. We've created something that everyone across the world is benefiting from."

Through the release of Starburys, Stephon says he wanted to create change by eliminating the view of sneakers as a fashion statement. "It's moving people in the right direction, and we say it's revolutionary," he says. "It's changed their lives."

How wonderful that the tipping points have changed. Fashion is an expression of self. It should leave you room to live without giving up on anything, without guilty feelings, without keeping up with the so-called Joneses. How wonderful that we can be fashionable yet frugal, when these two adjectives couldn't get along earlier.

Bitten and Starbury products will be available in Steve & Barry's stores nationwide. Find out more at www.starbury.com.

If you can't afford a salon haircut. . . .

If you can't afford a salon haircut, learn how to cut your own hair.

I used to watch intently when the hairstylist used to cut my hair in Manila. I experimented on my sides and successfully layered my hair the way I want it. My mom, who always looking to shape her fine, curly, and short hair, was my most willing model. With my trusty pair of scissors, thinning scissors and combs, I set out to shape her hair.

From an awkward and dated short style, I thinned out the ends to grace her nape and left the top long so she can poof it to look thicker.

And voila. . . my professional results:




A more modern version of her short hair, with long and thin layers below.
This hairstyle can be styled in 5 minutes and when accessorized with the right earrings can take her to any occasion with confidence.

The State of my Hands

There was a time when my hands were nice. Many people told me I was lucky to have long fingers, long nail beds. There was a time when I had a manicure and foot scrub every week. My nails were buffed and uniformly filed. I could look at model nails in the magazines and be very happy comparing my own. Those were the times when choosing nail polish colors was the biggest problem.

In Manila, a complete manicure-pedicure service cost P100 pesos ($2)--and the manicurist came to the house. In the salon, it cost more, maybe $10 (for feet and hands, too). In the States, it is expensive, maybe because I am still converting. I scouted around and the cheapest manicure rate is $8 in a small nail salon, operated by Vietnamese. I have been tempted to have a manicure since I got here 2 years ago. But look, 2 years without a professional manicure turns your nails into a sad and gnarly picture:




Two of my fingernails are chipped from the middle of the nail bed and I am waiting for it to grow out so I can trim them without cutting my flesh. I felt a sadness at how nails and my hands look. In fact, I feel like crying. They look like they have aged and gone through severe chores, maybe just like all immigrant hands. Last summer, I made a mistake of wearing sandals when my toenails weren't polished. When people glanced at my feet, I winced and curled them in tightly. I also look at my hair--which I cut myself (at least in front). I notice 90% of my days are ponytail days and the grays are certainly showing. My hair needs a good cut and a good professional coloring.

My friend in NJ said she cried the first time she had a manicure in the States. I think it is because she felt her self-worth here again, when our tendency is to forget. A immigrants, we just concentrate on working and earning and fighting home-sickness. She has not gone without one since and she promises, it's worth it--to see your nails polished, to get a good haircut, and to have your hair colored at the salon.

The state of my hands and hair reflect my life. I tend to forget about looking nice, and when I remember, I don't have time nor the motivation to do it. My SF friend reminded me that looking nice is a gift that we must not take for granted. He said that we should use all the gifts we were given--inner and outer gifts--and not be afraid of our light.

I have a tendency to not want to shine, to blend in the background, to not call attention to physical appearances, rather I put a premium on kindness or generosity. With the children, I tend to put myself even last. I have to examine those values and see if it's time to change.

I must get my grays colored. . .

Home-Made, Hand-Made BREAD!

Making bread has been a challenge for me. I almost gave up when I tried this simple recipe for whole wheat bread. I don't even have a bread-making machine so I always knead by hand. I tried to use as little flour as possible when kneading this batch.

At last, success!! Check out the yummy results:





The nice thing about making bread is how the house smells. Bread aromatherapy seems to make the kids calmer, the house homier. It just smells of good memories and fun thoughts. I even made an extra loaf to give away. My mom said the bread was soft and had a mediterranean taste to it. My friends delighted at the half-loaf: "Oh, it really looks like bread!" turning it upside down in disbelief--half-looking for proof that I didn't pick it up at an artisan bakery.

When you eat home-made bread, meticulously sliced, with even just butter or jam, you will wonder how you could have eaten the commercial bread from the grocery. Now I know why they call processed food junk. There's hardly anything in the commercial bread. Home-made bread is bursting with cracked whole-wheat and a nutty taste. You know every ingredient there is in it, and it does not include presevatives, dyes, or chemicals you can't pronounce.

You can almost feel and smell the fiber, in a good, wholesome way. The texture is rougher and the color is darker than any whole wheat loaf I've known. Plus, it came out of your oven a couple of hours ago. I don't know of anyone who makes bread at home, but I will continue to bake my own bread and maybe share with the community.





If you want to make your own, check out the recipe
Mother Earth News. You will need to set aside time and muscle to do it, though. There's something about watching the dough rise and then punching it down. It is simply satisfying to watch the dough rise through the oven. Eating something you made or something you grew is just twice the joy. I find that slicing the bread into 1/4" slices, with ham and mayo was delightful. But the bread was so hefty, just PB and J made for a treat!

Holding on to flexi-time schedule

(photo by jbonnet of flickr.com)

When we migrated to the U.S., I started with no other job but to tend to the house and the kids, watching my garden grow. I liked this simple schedule but finances were too tight to hold on to this lifestyle. So I applied for a freelance writing job with the local paper and after many weeks of waiting and following-up (almost giving up!), my first article got printed in the The Antioch Press. I am paid per article so it took about a year to get myself stable in that set-up. There were times I would run to the driveway early in the morning to fetch the paper and nothing was printed, therefore I had no pay, therefore the grocery budget shrunk and there was not going to be new clothes and toys for the kids. I toyed with applying for a full-time job then. But I truly did not want to trade in my precious flexi-time schedule for more money. So I applied for a home-based online research job for a grant-writing coach and author Dalya Massachi. This job paid me per hour. But remember, home-based is the key word and priority.

Soon, my editors Rick and Dave started to notice me (I think specially after my photos got more vivid. Thanks to my Canon Rebel!) and started not only to print me more, but to actually assign me to more frequent stories. Now, I have an average of 3-4 articles a week--printed. And just about the same time, I found my bearings with the research job, learning deeper Excel and gathering data learning about non-profit organizations, and gaining more hours a week.

Just when I felt my financial contributions to the house budget was already substantial and I gained, at the least, more grocery-buying freedom, (I even afforded a carpet for the living room), my husband was laid-off. . . .

Mom, is It Christmas?

"Mom, is it Christmas?" my youngest shrieked as she opened presents from Manila. My husband had just arrived from a one-month exploratory business trip. But for Filipinos, our culture dictates that you make "padala" or send a gift back. And judging from the number of presents my husband had for us, I can declare that we do have many generous friends and relatives.



We reveled in knock-off bags, cotton blouses and t-shirts--and accessories galore. There were beaded bracelets, polymer rings, bangles, brass necklaces--showcasing the creative prowess of the Pinoy. Some of them I was tasked to sell.



My friends also sent my kids toys, dolls, DVD's. Some have sent (through my son last December) the girls pretty t-shirts that they love to wear. And those Filipino sweets and snacks. Yum! My favorite was the Blue Kitchen Palillos Joe--pie crust strips with sugar merinue on top. My tita sent us Excellent Ham, dripping with honey. Too bad, it stained some of the girls' pictures.




My husband was able to rummage through our things in Manila. He brought me some of my old shoes that I am surprised I had because they were name-branded. It's been a long time since I have seen those. And he brought my favorite red denim rose bag.

He also had my favorite watch restored. It was quoted to be repaired for $200 but he got it done in Manila for $20! He gave it to me 15 years ago. We have taken it scuba-diving and mountain climbing. I think I will wear it all this lifetime. He also got me a vintage watch. After wearing my $7 watch from Walmart (which I kinda like in fairness), having my husband arrive home safely, and all the opening of presents and finding things you like--it sure feels like Christmas.



And to my friends and relatives, any many thanks for your generosity and thoughtfulness--and giving us an extra Christmas Day!

Good things happen in small spaces

Personally, I prefer a small home. Too much space overwhelms me--maybe because space breeds clutter, and houses things that I tend to keep but don't need. I feel I can keep a small space pretty and cozy and today, I found a couple of kindred souls.

Check out Tiny Homes, Big Ideas in Oprah.com. And though a little too extreme (even for me), Jay Shafer, founder of the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company, says living small is a luxury—and when he says living small, he means it. Jay's entire house is only 96 square feet! "It's the smallest house we've ever seen," Oprah says.

I think I can live in Jack Sammis's home. Check him out in his barely 7-foot wide Virginia flat, which Ripley's calls the narrowest home in America. It has a full-size bedroom and bathroom and lots of storage. The best part, though, is the garden. He can have 1 or 2 guests.

Designer Nate Berkus learned to prioritize after his most challenging make-over--a 250-foot Manhattan apartment. He utilized every inch of space to be functional. "I mean, how much space do we really need?" he says.

Speaking of Nate, check out his own 550-sq ft. New York City apartment make-over here.



I am so inspired at what you can do with small spaces. It sure beats a regular house with lots of space but with an unusable garage filled with things you don't even know about. You can't have guests over when your living room is filled with clutter and you technically have no storage space too, if your closets are busting out with clothes you haven't worn in years, and your dressers brimming with expired lotions and makeup.

My goal towards retirement is to keep downsizing and tossing away what I don't need instead of growing them into clutter. It feels freer, and the energy feels more positive. New things also have a way of coming into your life when your house is organized and clear.

The Best Burrito in town

After running my errands, I was walking to my car when a woman who pointed Taqueria Numero Uno out to her friend, saying, "They have the best burritos in town!" I tried it out for myself for lunch--and the woman was right!

The regular Carne Asada whole burrito (that I can't seem to ever finish by myself) measures about 8 inches long and about 4 inches wide, filled with marinated grilled and chopped steak, tomatoes, onion, cilantro, refried or whole beans, salsa, guacamole, sour cream and rice, in wholesale quantities, on a soft flour tortilla, all for $4.29. The steak is soft and full of flavor, the beas are tender but not mushy. Sometimes I like it with rice, no beans. On the side is their very own red or green hot sauce (not for novices!) I like this taqueria because of their lovely raspberry iced-tea (not to mention their exotic beer collection) to quench the edge away.

My husband and I like to sneak the burrito into the movies. When we have to share, we get the large burrito for $6.25--our dinner for 2. Somehow, these burritos taste better in the dark! We have tried the Carnitas (grilled shredded pork, like lechon kawali) and we still have to try the Pollo Asado (grilled chicken). I am loyal to the Carne Asada so I don't know when that will ever be. I don't think I will get around to the tacos (corn tortillas) and tostadas (deep fried flour tortillas)in the menu.

Lunchtime teems with Latino construction workers with paint on their overalls, along with the ladies who lunch. There are never any tourists here, only locals and Latinos at that. Dinnertime and week-ends coax the couples and families in.

Frugal Furniture Art

Well, what do you know? I thought I wouldn't have the time to paint anything. But I realized that the crazier my schedule is, the more I find time to "escape" and paint something. This is a $5 chair I bought from Salvation Army many months ago. It was a plain wooden chair.



After sanding and priming it, I painted it turquoise to match my batik-inspired Asian elephant.





I was ready to purchase a quart of paint for about $7 but when I looked at the "OOPS" section, where paint mixes were made in error, I found a turquoise shade that was very close to what I needed and bought the can for $1 (my favorite price!).



So the cost of the whole chair is $6. But working on it has given me invaluable solitude, peace and clarity of mind.

Chair: $6
Peace: priceless
And as the ad goes, "And for everything else, there's Master Card."

To Receive Graciously

One major part of starting over and migrating is the humility to accept gifts that I know I cannot reciprocate. When you are starting over, every gift is meaningful. Gifts given to us seem always bigger, more expensive. It takes a lot to accept that my Christmas gifts are simple, and not expensive.

Relatives and friends gave us hand-me downs for the kids that we really needed, specially for the winter. My mom and aunt gave me barely used pretty sweaters, jeans, coats. Generous grandparents and godparents gave the kids toys that we could never buy for them. My Chanel cousins showered us with the highest-end lipsticks and make-up gifts.

My friend gave me cash for my birthday. This is the first time anyone gave me cash (aside from my parents) for my birthday. Her husband thought it would offend me. But my friend reminded him of how deep our friendship was. There was a time in Manila that my friend was in financial stress. And there was time when she had poor, without a nice coat, in NYC herself. So she gives me money to buy myself a coat. I held the money in my hands and cried.

Out of joy, because my friend remembered my birthday, out of relief that I will retire my 10-year old coat, out of humility that I needed help to buy my own coat.

My husband needed a place to stay in LA and crashed with my cousins. We are a close-knit family and my cousins are like my brothers and sisters. I reminded him to bring something as a gift and he brought hopia and pastillas. He stayed with my cousins for 2 nights and when he returned home, my cousin sent my kids gifts: posters, new girly knap-sacks (which I knew she had to go out and buy as she had no daughters), and an Obaji skin-care kit for me!



I called my cousin and told her she didn't have to send those gifts as my husband crashed at her place and that was a big enough gift already. And she insisted that the kids enjoy the gifts

My friend, N and I discussed receiving gifts here in America, from cousins and friends that have hurdled the "starting over" phase. They now own their homes, their second homes, their many cars, and are in no way as financially tight as we are. (I suspect, though, that they went through worse times than I did. And I am thinking, where was I when they were struggling?)

Since we cannot give lavishly yet, we have to receive graciously. My friend said he felt worse when people gave him because it reminded him of how poor he was. (I don't!) Then he realized that the giving had nothing to do with him but had everything to do with the giver. Giving teaches the giver empathy. He has been there and he feels your "poorness." To allow the giver to give you in full glory is something we are both learning now.

"Simon helped Jesus carry the cross," said N. Jesus didn't have to let Simon help but he did. And now, all of Simon's descendants live good lives, according to the Bible. And we realized that the giving is also a gift for the giver, as his giving sets out a cycle of receiving more abundance.

Our conclusion? Be humble and gracious enough to receive. Be humble but not humiliated. B gracious and appreciative and don't think of reciprocating the gift. Don't say "Don't give me gifts anymore" as you are depriving them the glory to give. For then, you give the giver a sense of pride and allow good karma to fall upon him.

And when we can, we should always give, and it doesn't have to have a price tag on it. I specially like homemade gifts. My cousin said she sent me the gifts because I visited her son in the hospital after his surgery in San Francisco. And then she said something so wise: "Ate M, don't worry about my gifts, they are just bought with money."

I am so touched that she remembered that day when I got lost in the Muni on the way to the hospital, walked 2 whole uphill avenues, was under dressed for the weather, and thought I would be mugged!

Give, give, give and you shall receive. Receive with grace and think of the giver fondly. Your good wishes will actually do him well.

On the Go with Toes and Broken Glass

I think I may have found someone busier than me. I met Annette Day at my daughter's free preschool program. Miss Annette is Monica's art teacher. I liked her at once because she reminded me of two of my best friends, M and J, all at once--with the short, pixie-cut stylish hair and hip outfits. Chatting one day, she said she set up Toes On The Go--her pedicure service, geared for anyone but mostly seniors. Her mom succumbed to cancer last year and she then been exposed to many seniors.

Divorced and orphaned by her mom in the same year, she tended to her 2 kids, did her pedicures, taught at the YMCA, does mosaic tables for the cafe downtown, and is part of the Brentwood Arts Commission. It's a wonder I pinned her down twice for an interview and pictorial.

"Everyone loves a pedicure," she said. "Everyone loves the reflexology with tons of lotion. And all those hot shades can really lift up your mood. I also like working with seniors, they are so wise and generous."

It's been almost 2 years since I had a proper manicure/pedicure, which I had almost weekly in Manila. And why not at $5 for both hands and feet? (versus Annette's $26 for the feet only!)

I ache for trim toenails and neat cuticles. And I salivate at the thought of a foot massage. At least, Annette's toes look nice all the time--zebra stripes, rhinestones, hot pink, polka-dots:



And I am here, taking a sneaky ceative break, blogging, while inputing data in an Excel sheeeeeet. . .

And then Annette is off to art classes with the tots. They have learned painting, colors, messing up, glitter, clay, and cutting and pasting--all in fun. Then she goes home and paints her kitchen cupboards red and her wall trims blue. Then she works on her mosaic--mirrors, tables, countertops.

"When you are artistic, it will eventually find a way out of you," she says. "I love, love, love mosaic."



What a privilege to be creative most of the time. Julia Cameron of the Artist's Way said that you are closest to your God when you are creating.

No matter how busy we are, Annette is a reminder that we must pursue our creative selves, otherwise we are not as full, not as deep, and maybe, not as happy.

I remember my cousins who wanted to be architects, or my son who wants to sing and act. May their creativity remain blessed.

Between my 2 jobs and my 5 kids, creativity takes a definite back seat. I am very worried that I have not crocheted in a week and that I have to grab my pints of paint from Home Depot soon. I am worried because I don't like to lose balance--I don't want too much work, too much money, with no time for play or for the small things. I guess that is why I have stayed away from a career or from a full-time job. And that's why maybe I may never be super rich. . .

My shelved projects await--I want to finish a chair into turquoise blue to match my turquoise elephant found at Target for $9.



Hope to get to it and post it soon!