Spymama @ Mamakshop

When I was in the market, I like to stop by the dry provision that sells biscuits in large tins. When you see something you like, you get him to weigh it according to the weight or amount you want to purchase. While browzing at the endless variations, I saw this that made me so excited and happy! It was the type of biscuits that I used to eat when I was in Primary school. The old days, it was shaped into a triangle and inside, sometimes you get to find a little coin all wrapped up in newspaper (olden days hygiene - no one bat an eyelid). Those biscuits were sold for about 5 cents each and if you find a 10 cents inside, you’ld be jumping for joy! Although these are the earliest traits of ‘gambling’ it is really something that I enjoyed tremendously. It was bonus to me of course.

So when I saw this in the market, I asked the man to give me about $2.00 worth of biscuits. But to my disappointment, they had no coins wrapped up in newspaper anymore… Should I be disappointed or should I wake up now? Did someone just burst my bubble?

Spypapa came home last night and told me about his friend who was suddenly plagued by pain in his joints and muscles. We got worried for him because he is only in his early forties and having that in this age sounds frightening. To be healthy is important as we age because with all the money in the world, it sucks when you are ill or immobilized.

Spypapa said that the symptoms his friend encounters is probably rhemeutism. I tried to google and suddenly I find myself looking at other similar symptoms.  A strange word, fibromyalgia came up. What was scary was the description: - “Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points — places on your body where slight pressure causes pain.” And you know what is scary, it says that after numerous tests, the doctor cannot find anything specifically wrong with us…

Spypapa is going to the pharmacy to get himself more supplies of glucosamine tablets and Spymama wants to get calcium supplements now.

So, remember, Health is Wealth. Take good care of yourself.

I read about those who dabbled in the share market got themselves burnt when the market crashed recently. Some of those who did so had place their money into high risk products and lost some money. Those who put all their nest egg in one baskets also had their retirement money wiped out in days.

For now, I still believe that the best way to have a safety net for retirement is basically to save a little monthly and not be too greedy by making a quick and fast buck. Savings, fixed deposit accounts and insurance policies are ways that I will only go for. At least we are guaranteed of our principal amount when they are matured. Remember when getting term life insurance quotes, write down your queries on paper for anything you are unsure of. Your insurance agent will be more than willing to answer them.

Spymama loves to eat Salmon. Especially when it is bought fresh and grilled over a pan. Sedap! That was what Spymama did yesterday when there was fresh salmon cuts for sale at the wet market. It was a hot day indeed and I didn’t feel like cooking a lot. So I bought a fresh fillet of Salmon, took it home to give it a good rinse and marinate it with just salt, ground pepper, a little bit of Italian herbs and squeezed some ginger juice on it. Left it in the chiller for about half and hour.

When I was hungry enough, I just heat up the pan, added some margarine (butter is nice but burns easily) and place the salmon in, skin side down first. I covered the pan a little to prevent oil splats. When the salmon is cooked almost all the way to the top layer (the top layer is not totally cooked yet tho), I turn it to grill on the other side. That means the skin part of the salmon is just nice and crispy!

Serve it with lemon if you like but I don’t because I already had ginger juice in it. I just added some mixed vegetable, squeeze some Heinz Salad dressing and it was good to go (into my tummy, of course!)

So, there you are, help yourself to my virtual meal. Grilled Salmon with Ginger Juice. ‘burp’

End of the year parties are fun. Many of my friends love to organize parties of some theme. It is fun dressing up. Halloween is also days away and I remember years ago when I would attend these parties and drinking lots of Bloody Marys. This year, I have been invited to a retro party. I love retros! Love the colours, the music and all the bright colours too. I am now in the midst of hunting for a large retro hairdo and if possible, shop for replica watches that is of that era. Funky shirts with sharp collars are also great for retro. How about stylised shapes. I am just too excited. Platform shoes will definitely make me look taller since I am rather short!

I was cleaning out the kitchen cupboards last week. I want to enjoy my end year relaxing so I start my spring cleaning early. End of the year is also usually busy with many festive back to back as well as preparation for the kids’ books and uniforms before they start school.

So when I open a cupboard where my detergents and bottles of toilet and sink cleaners are, I notice that the box of my detergent was slightly damp. Oh dear. I look at the top part of the cupboard and notice that somewhere at the top is a leak probably coming from the kitchen faucets or pipes since this space is located below my double sink.

I think I got to get the plumber to come take a look and see if he can tighten something for me.

Did anyone notice that the weather has been terribly hazy lately? I don’t think it is my eyes clouding away. I woke up and I was coughing so bad. I’ve got an allergic reaction to dusts and smoke so when the weather is not cleared, my throat gets itchy, dry and my eyes starts to water.

Can you believe that October month is coming to an end! I thought this year moved pretty fast. It sort of zoomed past me since the beginning of the month. In two months time 2009 will be on our calendar year. Gosh. Are we suppose to receive some new calendars soon? I need to get one now. Guess the retail shops are really budgetting now. Previously, my insurance agent, bank tellers all hand out calendars so readily in October. Now, its all quiet.

Nothing beats an afternoon with a good cup of black coffee with sugar. Oh and I forgot to mention that it has got to be taken with fried dough fritters of course. Dip it in coffee and enjoy the crispy and hot fritters. This is a diet that Spymama had been addicted to for the past 2 weeks.

In the morning at the market, I’d patronize this shop that sells these dough fritters, commonly known in the local dialect as ‘Yew Char Koay’ and also buy some “butterfly fritters’. Butterfly fritters are a little sweet and has some sesame seeds on it and they are my children’s favourite snack for breakfast.

Because of my regular patronage at the fritter stall, even the elderly man who sells it is now my friend. And somedays when I get my fritters later than usual, i notice that he will throw in an extra fritter for me although I only order 3.  And he refuse to take any money for the extras. I think for all the fritters that I am gorging, I need to look into getting some of those diet stuff like Phentermine or similar.

Anyway, before the year is up (2 more months to 2009), I want to kick start my resolution of doing a little more exercise such as briskwalking or play a sports twice weekly.

Although the price of fuel has gone down, other goods that had increased since had remain high. Taxis even charge an additional 30 cents fuel since the high fuel charges and I wondered now that fuel prices had gone down, why are the charges still there. Public transportation also increased just a little but it is only fair as it had remained justifiably low for many years.

Now that the prices in general is so high,  a few young couples that I know are thinking of putting off having kids. They are worried that the high cost of milk products and disposable diapers when added up could take up a large part of their salary. They need time to work out their expenses to make sure it is enough to cover mortgage, utility bills and transportation. On top of that they also give a little bit to their aging parents.

My marketing expenses have also gone up although I cut down mostly the frills. I certainly hope the economy improves as soon as possible for the benefit of all of us.

I met my neighbour’s kid few days ago. He was tall, extremely tall for his age and was squeaking.. well actually he is about 15 and I believe now is his puberty stage? I do not have sons nor brothers so I don’t really know the real puberty age. But seeing him shot up in a year and weird voice, I assumed he must be in the stage where the boys turned to men? I MEANT THE VOICE, so don’t you go think about anything else!

Anyway, this morning his mom and I had a casual chat. When I brought up the son’s sudden height, she shook her head in disbelief. In weight, she thinks he is too thin and scrawny that people are beginning to think she don’t feed her son! Poor mom. Well, I don’t know much about boys at puberty stage so all I can console her is that perhaps his body is still adjusting so not to worry about weight issue till he is perhaps 16 or 17? What do I know, right? I surfed the net this morning and found articles how one can put on weight (gasp!) such as use big eating utensils (lolol), eat nutrient dense foods, live your life around food, and of course the super fast way like taking mass tabs. So, for those who are worried about “weightlessness” there are options! But I’m sure one needs to check with the doctors for advise before consumption of anything first.

And for those totally opposite… it’s hard work indeed.