July 30, 2012

Homemade Play Dough

Last year I bought Play-Doh Cars 2 Mold N Go for my son, the box includes four free play-doh and of course it didn’t last long. I know that I can easily buy play-doh but I find it expensive so yesterday, I’ve made homemade playdough. Too bad, I only have one food color.  I got my recipe here "Musings from a stay at home mom".

Ingredients

1 cup flour
1 cup water
2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/3 cup salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
food coloring

Instructions
Mix together all the ingredients, except the food coloring, in a 2-quart saucepan. Cook over low/medium heat, stirring. Once it begins to thicken, add the food coloring. Continue stirring until the mixture is much thicker and begins to gather around the spoon. Remove the dough onto wax paper or a plate to cool.
Read: DIY Homemade Play Dough

It supposed to be strawberry red but I don’t know why it looks pink or light purple but still, my son was happy with his play dough. Lighting McQueen is back!



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July 27, 2012

Lunch at Greenwich

I mentioned before that I’m not fond of Greenwich pizza but I love their lasagna. My husband adores their pizza so when I won P1,042 worth of Gift Certificate last May, he was ecstatic to avail the free meals so whenever we are in the mall and hungry, he always asks if I still have GC. We had free lunch, dinner and merienda because of my GC. We just add drinks and frozen choco cup for my son.

We availed 6 Spaghetti Garlic Stix, 


1 Greenwich Barkada Special Overload

 and 1 Greenwich Barkada Ultimate Hawaiian Overload.


July 12, 2011
We had a quick snack at Greenwich while waiting for my hubby’s pants to be altered. I am not really a fan of John Lloyd’s pizza, I mean Greenwich pizza but I really like their lasagna. I always order this whenever we eat here so I still haven’t tried their overload pizza.  We ordered lasagna, chicken and softdrinks combo for P159 and pizza, spaghetti and softdrinks combo for P59.



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July 26, 2012

Lemon Crinkle Cookies

I can’t remember the last time I’ve made a cookie, I guess it’s been 4 or 5 years ago when I first tried to make a chocolate crinkle and I can’t even remember the taste. hehe! So yesterday, I’ve pushed myself to bake a cookie, I saw the recipe in Pinterest and one pinner said it is award winning recipe so I pinned and tried it. I checked the ingredients just to make sure I have everything in my pantry and I checked the procedures and it looks so easy.


In less than 30 minutes I have lemon crinkle cookies. I haven’t tasted any lemon crinkle cookies and this was my first time to taste it and I liked it. It is soft, not overly sweet, and I can really taste the lemon. I accepted the fact that my son and husband will not like it because they didn’t like my calamansi cupcake but I was wrong, they love my lemon crinkle cookies.


I’ve got the recipe in LDS Living

Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Makes 2-3 dozen

Ingredients:
½ cups butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1 whole egg
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
¼ teaspoons salt
¼ teaspoons baking powder
⅛ teaspoons baking soda
1-½ cup all-purpose flour
½ cups powdered sugar

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease light colored baking sheets with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Whip in vanilla, egg, lemon zest, and juice. Scrape sides and mix again. Stir in all dry ingredients slowly until just combined, excluding the powdered sugar. Scrape sides of bowl and mix again briefly. Pour powdered sugar onto a large plate. Roll a heaping teaspoon of dough into a ball and roll in powdered sugar. Place on baking sheet and repeat with remaining dough.

Bake for 9-11 minutes or until bottoms begin to barely brown and cookies look matte {not melty or shiny}. Remove from oven and cool cookies about 3 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.
*If using a non-stick darker baking tray, reduce baking time by about 2 minutes.
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July 24, 2012

No-Bake Blueberry Cheesecake

We’re having an outdoor home improvement for the last several days that is why I have no time to blog but I hope they will finish it tomorrow. Since hubby wasn’t home to supervise it, my son is the one who supervise everything. I don’t know why he is so interested monitoring them, maybe he wants to be an architect or civil engineer. But kids will always be kids, so he played with the sand and gravel.

And because he loves to supervise, I have no choice but to stay with him. He usually watches them at the front door or window so for the last several days, I’ve made banana cupcake, steamed puto with cheese and no-bake blueberry cheesecake to keep myself busy. I’ve been meaning to make my own blueberry cheesecake ever since I’ve tasted Calea Blueberry Cheesecake and I was so delighted with the result and my husband like it too. I swear, this is so easy to make.


I got the recipe from My Mom Friday site. 
NO-BAKE BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE

Crust:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup (approx. 100g) softened butter
1 teaspoon lemon juice and grated rind (optional)

Cheesecake filling:
1 cup (1 brick) cream cheese
1 cup (1 brick) all purpose cream
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons liquid milk
1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin (1 sachet of Knox)
1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)

Topping:
1 can Comstock Blueberry pie filling

To prepare crust:
Mix all dry ingredients and add butter to bind. Mash well.
*Crust mixture should be close to texture of moist sand; add a bit more butter if too dry.
Transfer and press evenly on bottom of ungreased springform pan (or any pie dish you prefer).
Place in the freezer to harden crust while you make the filling.

To prepare filling:
Using a mixer, whip chilled cream with 2 tablespoon sugar until stiff. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, gradually mix remaining sugar into softened cream cheese. Beat until fluffy and set aside.
In a small sauce pan, combine milk and gelatine powder. Heat until completely dissolved (don't boil, use a wire whisk while heating to remove lumps). Remove from heat, pour and beat into cream cheese mixture.
Fold in cheese mixture to the whipped cream and beat on medium to high.
Add lemon juice if you want some zest in your cream filling.

To assemble:
Bring out pan from freezer and pour in the cheesecake filling. Spread evenly with spatula and tap pan lightly to set and release some air bubbles.
Cover pan and chill for a few hours.
Top with blueberry pie filling or fruit compote before serving.

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July 17, 2012

Flowers

I always say that I’m not fond of flowers maybe because I know that flowers are not cheap so I rather receive food or other stuff than flowers. Don’t get me wrong! I do appreciate flowers but I’m not the type of girl who loves to receive flowers on every special occasion. My son loves to give me flowers from our mini garden. I do appreciate the thoughtfulness but I always tell him, do not pick our flowers.


Although flowers are expensive, there are occasions that I bought some flowers and one example is our wedding day. I’m so clueless when it comes to flower arrangement, pricing and flower shop so I ask for some referrals. Most of the people I know referred us to Dangwa and I did not have any regret because I loved my bouquet. They just ask me for my motif, flowers that I like, how many bouquets do I need and when and where the delivery date is. You can save more if you know how to arrange flowers but since I have no idea about flower arrangement and I don’t want to stress myself on that stuff, we just get a package.

 In the Philippines we have Dangwa but if you live in Colorado, there is Amore Fiori Florist Denver who provides flowers on any occasion and event. You can read their about/ flowers in Denver page to know more about this shop. 
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July 09, 2012

My First Run?

I admit that I don’t really have a healthy lifestyle because I’m a meat eater and I’m too lazy to workout. I mentioned before that my diet is called “bukas na” diet but God knows that I’m trying my best to have a healthy lifestyle. Little by little I’m improving my eating habits and I hope I could lessen my meat and sugar intake.

Yesterday, my husband dragged me to join his weekend run. I told him “if my son will wake up, I will join him” and I was shocked because my son woke up so I have no choice but to join them. We left at 5:30AM and went to the nearest cemetery. #creepy.


Finally, after 5 years I was able to use this rubber shoes. It was a gift that was sitting in our shoe rack for five years.



It was my first run ever but not really because most of the time I just walk while my son was biking. More than 3km of walkathon and no sweat at all. I was happy because it is a good start of my healthy living.


After our morning run, we went to the market.  


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July 08, 2012

Stylish and Comfortable Vacation to Italy

One of the most famous destinations for your vacation with your family members or friends is the stylish, rich country of Europe, Italy. The irresistible experience of food, culture and natural structure actually makes Italy a preferred destination for the most unforgettable vacations with your dear ones staying in the comfortable villas.

 The country enjoys the geological borders with the most attractive and historically known nations like Slovenia, France, Austria and wonderful Switzerland. Italy is like a peninsula located in the middle of the Mediterranean bordered by the Ionian Sea with the Tyrrhenian, Sardinian and the Ligurian Sea on the west and encircled by the Adriatic Sea on the East.
The natural scenery of Italy offers you a varied choice of enjoying the green mountains which include the Alps and Apennines range along with the energizing experience of the fabulous islands, such as Sardinia and Sicily on the western and southern coast, the two most remarkable islands that are actually part of this country.
Italy's climate offers you the chance to take pleasure of the tan on the sandy beaches under the dazzling sun in warm summers. Travelers prefer the magnificence of the villas and a good stylish vacation to Italy by visiting famous fashion shows, museums, resorts, pubs, and nightclubs. Sardinia is the most famous destinations for travelers, pertaining to its revelation of the magnificent crystal clear sea, where tourists can explore fabulous apartments and impressive cottages for rent.
Europe is recognized for its diversified beauty, and Italy is particularly known to have the most stunning lakes. If you are an outdoor enthusiast then it can be the ideal location for your vacation at self-catering apartments, enjoying the fabulous open-air water sports or investigative days discovering the local area. One of such destinations is Umbria, recognized for its mountainous landscape, best for hiking, chosen by many families for their holiday destination. Umbria is also considered as a place for a stylish vacation to Italy by many tourists.
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July 04, 2012

Baked Shrimp

One of my favorite seafood is shrimp and it is always in my menu if my husband would be out for a business trip for obvious reason, it so easy to cook. My favorite recipe is buttered garlic shrimp but for a change, I tried baked shrimp last week. My husband liked this better than buttered garlic shrimp.



I got the recipe in Pinterest.

1.     Melt a stick of butter in the pan.
2.     Slice one lemon and layer it on top of the butter.
3.     Put down fresh shrimp and then sprinkle one pack of dried Italian seasoning.
4.     Put in the oven and bake at 350 Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.

Next time I’ll add salt and dash of cayenne pepper.

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June 29, 2012

Keep Costs Low With These 3 Online Services

The challenge for business owners today, especially for small businesses and startups, is to maintain efficiency in their business while keeping costs low. Despite the various efficiency tools available in the marketplace, cost can be a barrier. But using a few simple online tools may be just what you need to give your business that extra boost while maintaining costs at a reasonable level.

1. PickyDomains.com

Who needs expensive branding agencies when you can rely on the power of crowdsourcing? This is exactly what PickyDomains.com is all about. A service provider for companies looking for names that stand out – particularly true for startups who aren't that well-established yet – PickyDomains has a base of at least 50,000 contributors, each ready to contribute to a pool of ideas that business owners can utilize for their naming needs.

It's fairly simple. Just register as a client, pay a downpayment of $50 for a company name - $75 if you're looking for an excellent company slogan – and provide the site with a list of your desired naming specifications. It's risk-free as clients can get a full refund if none of the suggestions fit what they want. This is a good service to consider not only for its low cost but also because a business name that is unique and stands out in a crowd is most likely to generate potential customers than a business name that disappears in the background.

2. Bitrix24.com

Keeping an efficient workspace and workflow can be quite a challenge. CRMs and company intranets typically do the job by integrating the different elements of your business or workspace while maintaining free-flowing communications between employees. Still, a service of this size and scale can cost a lot.

With Bitrix24.com, you can have the benefits of a CRM and company intranet while getting it practically free or at a relatively low price. With numerous functionality such as a free calendar, free activity planner, free messaging and free real-time streaming, you can be sure you virtually have almost all the tools you need in order to run your business smoothly, even from the comfort of your own desk. For small companies with a maximum of 12 persons, the service is free whereas an upgrade to unlimited users only costs a meager $99 a month – a good investment especially if you're looking to expand your business.

3. JetRadar.com

In today's fast-paced environment, it's essential to get things done in the least possible time – and that includes travel. Air travel is one of the fastest and most reliable modes of transportation over long distances. But with the competition in the air travel industry resulting in airlines keeping their deals and promos exclusive to their own corporate websites, travel deals and other related information may be hard to find on price-comparison websites.

With JetRadar.com, you can cut the time spent on searching for the best ticket prices significantly. JetRadar.com provides data from 728 airlines and hundreds of flight and ticketing sites, readily available to the public in a single site. This can open up a bulk of time in your schedule and allow for more productivity, and perhaps even leisure.

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Breakfast Omelet Muffin

I mentioned in my other blog that I’ve been trying to make muffin tray meals, I tried meatloaf muffins before and I was so happy with the result so last weekend I tried breakfast muffin omelet. I used bacon, mushroom and bell pepper instead of Italian sausage and broccoli.



This is another easy recipe that you can prepare for breakfast and school snacks. Next time I will add cheese.  


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June 27, 2012

5 Things You Want to Do Before You Get Old

Honestly, I have so many things that I want to do before I get old but here are the five things that I really want to accomplish.


1. I want to learn how to sew. 

I can do some basic stitches just enough to fix clothes, mend a torn seam and sew a button or sequin on fabric. But I want to improve my sewing skills and make my own clothes, bed sheets, pillowcases, and curtains.

I remember when I was in high school one of our projects is to make a blouse and short but I don’t know how to sew. My classmates told me that their moms made their project but my mom was not with me so I went to my “suking mananahi”, I gave her my design, blouse and skort (skirt in front/short at the back). The finished product was so good and it is very obvious that I did not make my project so my teacher just gave me 85. Hehe!


2. I want to learn how to swim and dive.

We love to go to the beach and pool but I’m not an expert swimmer so I always rely on lifevest. I told you before that I did not learn anything from my P.E. swimming class, blame it to the rainy season. But I hope someday, I can swim and dive like a pro.

3. I want to learn how to drive.

We bought our first family car last 2007 when we found out that I was pregnant. I promised myself that I will enroll in driving school after I gave birth but it didn’t happen. We sold the first car then our second car and now we’re using the new one and I still don’t know how to drive. I’m still scared. Hehe!

4. I want to have my own business 

Now that I’m a full-time mom for four years, I don’t know if I can still go back to the corporate world so I want to have my own business but until now I’m still clueless on which business I want to pursue.

5. RTW (Round the World) 

I mentioned before that when I was young, I want to be a flight attendant because I want to travel and see the world. Tourism is one of my choices when I was applying for college but I did not pursue it. I accepted the fact that I cannot be a flight attendant, blame it to my height. If money is not an issue, I would love to travel around the world but if there is no budget I can travel around the Philippines. 
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June 22, 2012

Hassleback Potato


I’ve been pinning for the last few weeks and I’m enjoying this activity because I discover a lot of interesting sites.  I keep on pinning those recipes that I like to try and Hasselback Potato is one of them It looks fancy but the truth is, it is so easy to make. All ingredients are available in your pantry and you can also use different seasoning according to your taste. I’m so happy with the result and now I’m searching for cream or dipping recipe. Click here for the recipe. 

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Family Friendly Short Haul Summer Escapes

Finding time to spend as a family can be challenging depending on pressures from work and restrictive school timetables. When you book your summer holiday abroad, whether you opt for cheap holidays to Cyprus or all inclusive holidays to Tunisia, be sure to secure the best deal and save money to spend on your precious time together.


When considering traveling abroad, it is essential to factor in what is important for you and your family. If you are globetrotting with tots and young children, flight times and climates can be a big influence on your destination. Those with older children and teenagers will benefit from ensuring there is enough to keep active minds occupied at your chosen destination.

Although the Balearic Islands – with a travel time of just over two hours and manageable summer climes – are excellent for young families, short haul destinations stretch as far and wide as Tunisia, Turkey, and Cyprus. The longest short haul destination is Egypt, a great option for sun lovers with teenagers that can withstand the breathtaking heats.

Cheap holidays to Cyprus are bargain child-friendly breaks. The island’s year-round sunshine and 53 blue flag beaches make it a superb spot for a summer sojourn. While younger children can safely build castles in the safe shores at Limassol, older children will love the many waterparks and watersports available on the island.

While all-inclusive packages can seem like a more expensive option, they offer the assurance of three full meals every day, snacks, local and soft drinks and some activities. Tally up the cost of dining on half board or self-catering and you may find that splurging on an all-inclusive will save your spends and guarantee unlimited ice-cream for the kids!

However and wherever you choose to travel, book your break online for the very best holiday deals this summer.
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June 18, 2012

Viaje Del Sol: Lake Pandin and Lake Yambo

If you’ve been reading this blog for quite some time now, you know that I’ve been meaning to visit Lake Pandin since last year. Yesterday, I visited my grandmother and fortunately she has no plan to go to supermarket so I informed my husband to text Ate Siony to ask for directions so we can visit Lake Pandin. But no one replied, so I told him to call the number and he said I gave him the wrong number. I checked his phone and told him that he texted and called the wrong number. #sayang oras. We called Ate Siony and asked how to get to Lake Pandin and off we went. We left Victoria, Laguna at 2:20PM and we reached Lake Pandin at 3:30PM including the 15-20 minutes trekking.


Finally, I was able to visit Lake Pandin.





We visited Lake Yambu too, about 3 minutes of trekking. It is not advisable to senior citizens and kids but since we want to check the other side, my husband carried my son. =)


Lake Yambu
When we went back to our raft, they gave us fresh buko juice. But if you want to avail their food package, you have to call them in advance. (grilled tilapia, shrimp, fern salad and banana).


Whether you are a good swimmer or not, you have to wear lifevest if you want to swim. Surprisingly, my son did not want to swim and he only stayed for two minutes. The place where we stayed is “75 feet deep” and other part of the lake is 180 feet deep. We left around 5PM. #bitin



If you want to unwind and relax, this is the best place for you. We will definitely go back again and avail food package.


Lake Pandin Rates and Contact

P180 per head
P180 food package per head

My son (3 yrs old) is free of charge.

Contact: 0929-9789565 Ate Siony

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June 11, 2012

He is No Longer a Baby…


Time flies so fast and today was Ethan’s first day of school. After 3 years and 8 months, he’s now an official schoolboy, whether I like it or not he’s no longer a baby. How I wish I could stop the time so he will always be my baby but I know I can’t and I just have to accept the fact that time has come that I have to let him go. I have to allow him to spread his wings and fly, see the world, meet new people, learn new skills and discover things on his own.


It was a bittersweet memory, I’m sad because I know that he will have new friends when we used to be his only friend (me and hubby) #jealous. I know that he will be more independent when he used to ask for my help with everything #feellessneeded. I’m scared because I won’t be able to see him for 2 hours and 30 minutes, I can’t be there to defend him from bully kids and I can’t be there to comfort him. #paranoidmom. Maybe this is the reason why I’m not yet ready for school because I’m not yet ready for this moment.

But despite my drama moments, I’m still happy and excited for him, this is now a new chapter in his life and I’m just here to support and guide him. No matter what happens, I will always be proud of him and I will be here and there all the time. Even though he’s no longer a baby, he will always be my baby.



First Day of School

He started school this morning,
And he seemed so very small.
As I walked there beside him
In the Kindergarten hall.

And as he took his place beside
the others in the class,
I realized how all too soon
Those first few years can pass.

Remembering, I saw him as
He first learned how to walk.
The words that we alone made out
When he began to talk.

This little boy so much absorbed
In learning how to write.
It seems as though he must have grown
To boyhood overnight.

My eyes were blurred by hastily
I brushed the tears away
Lest by some word or sign of mine
I mar his first big day.

Oh how I longed to stay with him
And keep him by the hand
To lead him through the places
That he couldn’t understand.

And something closely kin to fear
Was mingled with my pride.
I knew he would no longer be
A baby by my side.

But he must have his chance to live,
To work his problems out,
The privilege to grow and learn
What life is all about?

And I must share my little boy
With friends and work and play;
He’s not a baby anymore –
He’s in Kindergarten today

I've read this poem here, I just edited she, her, little girl etc. 

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June 08, 2012

Recipe using Crispy Fry Breading Mix

For the last few months, my husband has been requesting a breaded pork chop. The request was not granted not because I don’t want to cook it because I always remember my first try. I seasoned the pork chop with salt, dipped it in egg wash, coated with flour, and fried it. It was unsuccessful. I dislike the result so I don’t want to try it anymore.

But when I saw the instant breading mix in our pantry, I promised myself that I will cook breaded pork chop but as always I forgot about it. Hehe! So just this week, I put the breading mix in our fridge to remind me that I will cook a breaded pork chop, finally, I made it.


This was my first time using breading mix; I can’t even remember when I bought this. This mix is for chicken but I used it with pork and potato. Yes, you’ve read it right! Potato. I always love mojo’s of Shakey’s so I always fry potato at home though the taste and appearance are not the same. Check my first try here.  But now, I was glad because I have a better version of DIY mojo’s.


Wash the potato, slice, coat with breading mix, and fry it.


I used the same procedure with the pork chop. Finally, the result was successful and my son liked it too. From now on, I will include breading mix in my grocery list. 

Whenever I want to cook fish fillet I always buy cream dory a.k.a pangasius or white cobbler. I love this fish because it is so easy to cook but my husband dislikes it because for him it is tasteless. Whenever I cook this, I always use the FEB procedure (flour + egg + breadcrumbs). Even I seasoned my fish with salt, pepper, and garlic powder it is still tasteless for my husband.

Update: November 20, 2012

Fried Cream Dory Recipe

Last month, I tried using an instant breading mix and my husband liked it. He said “masarap ha, ano ginawa mo?” For the first time, he liked my fried cream dory + lemon butter sauce. (melted butter + lemon juice + salt + pepper)



If you’re wondering which breading mix I used….it’s no other than Crispy Fry. This breading mix is not only for chicken, but I also this for potato, porkchop and fish. It is true to his word, food is crispier and tastier. 


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June 07, 2012

4 Tips in Finding a Home

You may all agree with me when I say that June is considered a wedding month. I do not know the true reason why couples choose June as their wedding date, all I know is flowers are cheaper during this month. Well, aside from wedding preparation, most couples are also busy finding their dream home. Like I’ve said in my old post, it is not easy to find your dream home. There are few factors that you need to consider aside from your budget.


1. Location 

 Location is very important; you have to choose your house depending on your workplace and lifestyle. Do you want to live in rural or urban? We live outside the city but my husband's office is just 45 minutes to 1 hour away from our home via SLEX. We did not consider living in the city because we don’t like traffic but now we’re thinking if we have made the right decision because the toll fee is P158 one way only compared to P74 when we bought the house. That is an everyday burden for my hubby. 

2. Type of Home 

 Do you want a single home, condominiums, or townhouse? We do not like condominiums because there is an additional payment for parking space and you do not own the lot.

3.  Number of Stories 

 Do you prefer bungalow, two stories, loft-type, or split levels? We experienced the Typhoon Milenyo flood and it is really hard to save our furniture and appliances because we live in a bungalow so we chose two stories house. I believe that we now live in a free flood area so I’m praying that we will not experience any flood.

4.  Interior Specifications 

 How many rooms, bathrooms, and extra space you want? We dislike big houses because it is difficult to maintain and clean them. =)

Those are my tips for finding your home base on my experience. If you are still having a hard time looking for your home, do not hesitate to contact real estate agents. They are the ones who will assist you in all the tripping, paper works, and other documents. You can search the internet and you will be surprised that there is an automated homefinder. If you live in Colorado, there are real estate agents in Denver that you can call for help. 
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