C’mon, sit down and share a cup of tea with me. I’m nursing a cold and I’d like some company. Just answer the five questions below and we can start our conversation.
1. Now, would you like chamomile, jasmine, Earl Grey or English Breakfast? I’m having myself a cup of green tea with lemon. Would you like some of this?
2. How’s your health? This year has not been good for mine. I’d get sick at least once every quarter. I got the chills Sunday afternoon, and when I fell asleep watching “The Office” I knew I was really sick. Who falls asleep watching that show? Only a sick, sick woman. I’m much better now, but still have a sore throat and a bad cold. I’m trying not to talk much, because when I do, it hurts AND I have to repeat what I say since nobody understands me. So thank goodness for the written word. I hope you’re in better shape than I am.
3. Have you done your Christmas shopping yet? I haven’t even started! Sunday was supposed to be my shopping day but then I got the chills. The shopping spirit was willing but the shopping legs were weak. Oh well. I bet you’ve wrapped up all your presents too haven’t you? Lucky, lucky. I haven’t even started on a list.
4. How are you dealing with the economic crunch this Christmas? Times are hard. Really hard. I can really feel the crunch and it hurts. I haven’t thought of any Christmas presents yet, and this is part of the reason. How do you deal with it? Any tips?
5. What Christmas tradition are you carrying through this year? I LOVE traditions. One tradition we have is spending Christmas Eve at my maternal grandparents’ home, then Christmas Day with my in-laws. Must-haves during Noche Buena: chestnuts, my Mom’s piano-playing, opening of the gifts come midnight, Christmas ham, my sister’s fruit salad (shoutout to Patti!), our family raffle. That’s something I look forward to every year. I really pray that it doesn’t change this year.
Here’s to your good health, everyone. Cheers, cheers. I’m on to my 2nd cup of tea now. Would you like another one too?
Hi! I'm Toni Tiu,
and I've been blogging at
at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.
daphne
December 16, 2008 at 12:18 pm (15 years ago)1. A cup of jasmine tea please thanks Toni =)
2. Thankfully, I’ve been pretty healthy this year. Except for a case of the sniffles a month after I got married. But with the TLC of my hubby I was nursed back to good health.
3. I’m a Scrooge and make a very bad Ninang. I don’t shop for gifts this Yuletide season. I’m more of a birthday gift giver.
4. I usually give Gift Certificates. I believe that the recipient is in a better position to know what her heart desires. I know that people say that giving GCs is a lazy gift but I hate the thought that my gift isn’t appreciated and eventually it would be gathering dust in the closet.
5. The norm is to hear midnight mass on Christmas eve which nowadays is at 10PM. Then we have noche buena with hearty conversations then sleep. On Christmas day we make pasyal to admire the decorated streets and the well lighted up malls.
I hope you feel better soon in time for the festivities next week. Happy Holidays to you and your family! =)
daphnes last blog post..Great Gift Ideas
pinayhekmi
December 16, 2008 at 3:24 pm (15 years ago)1. I usually drink jasmine so I’ll have a cup of chamomile this time for a change.
2. My health’s great. I’m always really lucky with this. Even my allergies haven’t been bad since moving to San Diego. (Knock on wood).
3. I have actually only a few more goodies things to buy. Bulk’s done. After a bumpy start hubby and i got ours started today (dec. 15).
4. We’re never extravagant on our gifts and we’ve always kept our list short. I think we’re still under $250 so far for 13 people. Not bad eh?
5. None
. The tree’s up and all so I am happy about that. I can’t wait to start my family’s own traditions. Everything’s in transition right now so now isn’t the time to start.
Oh, could i have my refill now please? thanks! Make the next batch a cup of hot cocoa!
pinayhekmis last blog post..Dressing Up After Mommyhood
blue rose
December 16, 2008 at 5:08 pm (15 years ago)1. oh i’m not a tea drinker here. i am a coffee addict. hehehe
2. just like you my health has not been good. i think thrice akong tinamaan ng flu at naghawa sa lahat ng kasama sa bahay. really bad!
3. nope! i am not going to shop this christmas coz my money/bonus is reserve for my younger brother’s wedding next year and other for the improvement of our soon-to-be-new home.
4. sobrang pagtitipid! yon lang basic needs ang aking binibili.
5. none. tulog lang. hehehe
get well soon toni.
blue roses last blog post..What are you thankful for this year (2008)?
giselle
December 16, 2008 at 9:24 pm (15 years ago)Hi Toni. Hope you’re feeling a little better now
1. I’m not a tea drinker, more like hot cocoa…
2. On the whole, I’ve been okay this year. It’s my kids who have missed quite a number of school days
this past year. Luckily, nothing serious. Just last week, my son was sick and now my daughter might
miss her preschool Christmas program because she has fever.
3. I try to shop for presents all year round, whenever there’s a sale. I keep a list in my wallet so
whenever I spot a bargain, I know if I can give it as a gift to someone. But that doesn’t mean that I’m
done for this year. Just a few more presents to find, hopefully by this weekend.
4. Moratorium on unnecessary expenses. Just the basics.
5. After dinner on Christmas Eve, we gather around the tree, sing Christmas carols and retell the story
of Christ’s birth. With all the commercialism about, I want my children to remember the true reason for
Christmas.
Get well soon, Toni. And have a very Merry Christmas!
ibyang
December 17, 2008 at 7:39 am (15 years ago)ayan, i’m really having green tea while reading/answering your entry:
1. green tea for me please.
2. i’ve only had one major flu this year…so i guess i’ve been generally healthy all year. i think i have to thank the flu vaccine i took this year and regular trips to the doctor.
3. I’m halfway thru my christmas shopping. i only need to buy gifts for cousins and workmates…and for the husband pa pala hehe. i’m taking the day off on friday so I can have more time for shopping.
4. i allot money for christmas gifts (i have what i call a Gift Fund wherein the money is used for buying christmas and birthday pressies) and i look for bargains at the shops. tips for the economic crunch: save, save and save and living simply. husband and i are also avoiding paying credit.
5. this is our first christmas together as a married couple so we’re starting our own traditions: spending dinner on the 24th at my relative’s place, go home before midnight as husband and i would like to celebrate christmas at our new home, we’ll be having our first christmas dinner, then exchange gifts, after that we’ll call our parents in the phils. i will preparing a little feast as well
hope you feel better soon toni! mwah!
ibyangs last blog post..5 Questions From Pia
Em Dy
December 17, 2008 at 1:36 pm (15 years ago)Of the four you mentioned, I like chamomile and jasmine. But if you have peppermint, I’m taking that instead.
Lately, I was sick with fever and cough and I don’t think I’m fully recovered yet but already well enough to blog and bloghop.
I’m mostly done with my shopping and have started distributing. But there are some gifts yet left to prepare.
I never go beyond budget even if the person I’m giving the gift to seems drawn to expensive presents. I give what I can afford. It’s the thought that counts naman, di ba?
Our Christmas tradition is praying the rosary then Christmas even dinner after which we open presents.
Hope you feel better soon!
Em Dys last blog post..The Day the Earth Stood Still
Kay
December 18, 2008 at 6:15 am (15 years ago)1. I prefer coffee over tea.
2. Health wise – much better.
3. No Xmas shopping yet.
4. Tiangge and bazaar’s.
5. Being together as a family. I am now separated so I am back in my Mom’s house and will be spending Xmas with them.
Kays last blog post..the lord is my shepherd; I shall not want