Just when you think everything is going right, the rug gets pulled off your feet again. Hahaha.

I woke up with a toothache! Aaaargh, I hate toothaches.

I am not scared of any medical procedure, I can stomach gory, painful and bloody, or if it wasn't me, I can still stare and bear -- well, as long as these don't involve a dental chair!!! *hmmm rhyming*

Actually, this has been an off and on thing that I've been trying , and I mean, TRYING (!) my darnest to keep at bay with double/triple-brushing, mouthwash-chugging, obsessive-flossing and tequila-shooting. I was just joking (about the flossing har har!). I need to go back to Dr. M*****y but I don't like him. To rub salt to the injury, it does feel like a highway robbery everytime we see the bill, which of course we need to deal with all throughout the year and over as usually, the procedure costs an arm and a leg, and a HEAD!

I'm thinking, is it our dental plan that sucks or are we just real crazy-cavity people who end up always needing a drill and patch here and there. Should we shift to Ameriplan like my hubby's co-worker? I really should look into this. Our plan right now seems good enough but who knows, Ameriplan, which is an alternative to insurance, may be the answer to our dental woes. I believe that the bill is what adds to my dental phobia too. But looking back, I've never been fond of them. I've been through braces twice, some whitening (which reminds me, I need it again because of my coffee habit -- which-is-history-now-so-it-will-hopefully-last-longer-this-time, because I've just been rehabilitated from coffee and have been caffeine-free for two months now and counting and I'm not complaining...yadadada.....dddddaaaaaaaaaaaa) ...and lots of drilling, wisdom-tooth pulling and the whole nine yards. Not exactly the best feelings in the world.

Though I must admit that I owe my smile now to my two orthodontists. So, I can't complain! I need to take care of my teeth before they start committing suicide and start jumping off my gums.

I need to kick my arse and call for an appointment.

N-O-W!

And I didn't mean the x-rated ones!!!

I was just mulling on some things that only adults get concerned about. Or let me rephrase. I've been thinking about so many different things that I wish I don't have to deal with, or I definitely won't be dealing with had time stood still with my age frozen at 10.

Stressors come with age. (I didn't say "stress" because I know we can still choose which elements can get the better of us, and which ones we can let go of). But yes, stressORS come with age.

Back in highschool, we only worried about puppy love, crushes, school activities, friends and grades. We thought that stage was really trying. Fast forward 20 years later, here comes the real explosives -- building a family, raising kids ("lives" for that matter), keeping our jobs, household management, worying about finances and bills like home loans, car loans, student loans, and every other loan that you made in the past to bring you toward the future; some health issues, family entanglements, assets, liabilities... It's a mangled mess sometimes, if you ask me.

But come to think of it, that's really how it is for all of us.

Thankfully, I'm keeping my head above the water. And we're surviving, yes! Living life to the fullest too, if I may add.

But honestly, do you ever wish sometimes, that you were a kid again too?

I do.

My hubby is the car expert but I'm helping him shop around for a car to give my stepdaughter soon. She's turning 17 and is a senior and will be off to college next year. As early as now (or is it kind of late?), we're checking out different options to help her get her first car. We are thinking of something simple for now, you know, something that won't hurt under the ding and brunt of a teenager's nouveau driving skills.

We've so far considered a kia sorento or a toyota yaris, or are they too fancy? I'm not sure. I don't really know much about cars. I'm due for an upgrade myself, but I don't really care as long as mine runs and brings me to my destination safely.

Maybe a porsche 911 carrera? Not for the teenager, but the "ty-ager" wifey. *in my dreams*

We've discussed this with her other set of loving parents. Our main goal right now is to be able to find a starter car. Hubby says, maybe a used one will do for now -- upgrade later.

It doesn't matter, as long as we can afford it. And everyone's happy.

For a change, hubby and I stayed home all day today. This, I must tell you, happens only once in a blue moon. We decided to take it slow three years ago and after a thousand or so days, we're finally achieving the goal. Hahaha. It's about time. We've been running on emergency mode for a long time, and all the steady adrenaline rush has started to wear me out lately, but I'll spare you the gory details.

I'm glad we stayed home, watched or rather surfed though shows on Direct TV, napped as we pleased, ate, filed (the neat freak in me had to scratch that nagging itch emanating from the home office), hubby installed a new flourescent lamp in the garage, I folded some laundry (catching up*pat on the back!*)...

Life is good.

Tomorrow, we'll probably just play it by ear too. After church, we'll most likely go around and buy stuff that we already need (like toothpaste and rice) and go on practicing living a stress-free weekend. I am pretty sure this is going to be short-lived again since we're pretty much booked again for the next three weekends of November.

Next weekend, we'll be going to Reno for a gunshow. I love gunshows! They made some marketing changes lately and started putting up booths that lure the wives--jewelry, accessories and those thingamajingies. Hubby just realized one problem though. He had forgotten that it was going to be Pacquiao fight weekend and that he had previously committed with some friends that we'll be watching with them. Uh-oh. If you're going to ask me, I'll forego the gunshow. Manny Pacquiao has really grown into me through the years and I can't miss that fight. But as a good wifey, I will go where hubby goes...though I hope and pray that there will be Direct Satellite TV where he goes so I can watch the fight. Well, Pacquiao is an international sensation so I guess one can view the match anywhere (Direct TV in California rocks!)

The weekend after that, we're throwing a baby shower for my sister. We've finally set a date, but I'm lagging on the Evites. Uh-oh, stress alert!!!

And then Thanksgiving! We're hosting this year again. That would be fun!

Busy aren't we? Now you know why I'm loving my Saturday today!!!

I got word from my cousin today that a family reunion is in the offing. My folks are visiting, and so are hers...ALTOGETHER! And since my mom and her dad are siblings, they contacted another sib who resides in PA and he has considered going westcoast-bound to join us as well. Extended family (relatives by affinity who are not condidered outsiders anymore following a strong bonding with them from a trip to Italy back in 2006) are coming too. So, yippy!

One person I look forward to seeing, aside from my folks, of course, is my cousin Ivy -- who I spent wonderful summers with in our childhood. She's a doctor now, happily married with two lovely and intelligent kids. It's always a joy to share moments with her and catch up where we left off. A good way to cure the sore spot of homesickness in my heart, don't you think. I wouldn't consider it homesickness per se though, but perhaps some kind of longing for the past -- more than "home" or "place" but I guess past = home, so it's the same thing.

Another one is Mitch, a family friend (my cousin-in-law's sister), who is a breast cancer survivor. The doctor discovered her condition around the same time I thought I had found a lump on my right breast, launching me into a loop of worry, anxiety and fear. Thank God mine was a false alarm, and merely scarred tissue from a previous surgery. It was benign, but nonetheless nervewracking considering my family history of breast cancer. It was enough to send me into fits of paranoia, especially since they called me back to mammogram for a retake (because of a suspicion). Mitch who is the same age as me, is considered cancer-free at this point, still in her always positive and vivacious spirit, travelling the world and still looking as hot as ever (thank God for breast implants !) It's always a joy to be around her, and have her rub off some of that positive energy to eveyrone. What an inspiration!

So there. These are some of the things I'm looking forward to.

I then ask myself...am I worth seeing too?

I just realized that greed, sloth and ignorance -- all of these put together in some human beings (add a dash of tattletales), can be one of the most ridiculously entertaining and laughable phenomena ever to occur in the history of mankind. Bless these hearts! I can't wait to sit back, relax and watch the circus. *popcorn, please!*

I'm trying to find my peace at this very moment. As if I haven't been too stressed out yet, some twist of events threw more stressors at me. Well, not to me directly but consider me affected because it concerns my poor hubby. When will all these ever stop? *sigh*

First, his mom my MIL passed then came estate and will issues, and drama queens abound. Being only an in-law, I would always choose to be on the sidelines, supporting my spouse but not totally meddling nor putting my neck on the chopping board. But what do you know, some people are just in such bad taste trying to reel me in. I promised myself that I won't stoop down to their level. So here I am, blogging and dreaming one day that hubby and I pull through. One day, despite being stripped of what may be rightfully his, or being caused stress and pain that were totally uncalled for, we will still find ourselves well, and abundant enough and I didn't mean just gold and riches, but pureness of heart, strength and wisdom, peace, strong ties and so much joy, so much more than what the witches in our lives can ever come up with. Wealth (what do you know...Gold coins , gold boullions hahaha *wishful thinking*) and nice things are welcome too of course --especially since hubby is looking for a good investment for what his parents had left for him, but my point is...PEACE ultimately counts the most.

Right now, I hope and pray that all the drama ends soon. I can't stand losing another strand of hair on petty stuff.

Which reminds me, I had a pretty haircut last weekend. I managed to have my lengths chopped off. 'll post photos soon.

Ohm....

Ohm.....

Ohm......