One of the challenges of having to work at home is the fact that children are around me all the time. The main room has 1 PC and a laptop, and I sometimes have to use the PC as it is connected to the internet. Sometimes, my son, who is three years old and my youngest daughter who is one, likes to play with the keyboard whenever I am not around to ward them off.

Boy, was I glad to find this from LifeHacker! Crazy Little Finger is a nifty program for Windows XP. It ables you to lock all the keys on the keyboard, except for the ones you need to use to exit the program. I love the fact that whenever certain keys are pressed, the PC will emit animal sounds and the screen will display a goat or a cow. Not only that, you can add your own images and music. Neat huh?

It rained the entire weekend. The torrential rains made my internet connection impossibly slower than ever. Not only that, I missed an interview for freelance work because of the unavailable connection. Darn. Lost opportunity, that’s what it is.

I am still planning my antenna that hopefully would be long enough to get that elusive Smart Bro-ken juice. I have checked our local telecommunication company here in the boondocks and they said they did not have the infrastructure for DSL. There goes my plan for a Bayantel DSL.

Strangely, the town close to my small barangay is offering Globe Broadband. But all the bad Globe reviews is scaring the shit out of me. I seem to have very limited choice. The only available connection here is Smart and Smart has already turned down my place because they claim they cannot get enough signal… I really hated to hear and accept that because a few feet from my house is another Smart Bro subscriber. The only difference is that their house has a second storey and their tower is so high. They actually offer internet use in their place for 15/hour and I was so darn envious of the speed. It was fast. I have a cousin whose house is 10 minutes away from my house and they said that there simply is no connection every Sunday somehow. Ano yon? Scheduled ang downtime?

Anyway, I am currently planning on building my own tower. I am consulting Smart with this para sigurado. I am also seeking the help of my aunt who has the people who can help me make this tower a reality. I have waited for 6 months for another broadband deal to come in the boondocks. Nada. After 6 long months, I am still on dial up…

My good friend Emma and family invited my children and myself to the beach to celebrate the New Year. It was fun and the children loved the day spent at the beach. I contributed and bought fresh fish for grilling. The day went and by with me hearing my children’s laughter.

Twas a good day to begin the year…

Lets just say what in your bag can quickly tell anyone what kind of person you are. My bag has always so many things inside. Think about this. I am a mother, so expect children-related items in my bag, blogger, so expect a small notebook, phone, and yes a camera inside my bag for quick documentation, and a woman, so I have spare pantyliners, lipgloss and small perfume tucked inside my bag. THAT among other things.

Here are the things I never leave the house without:

1) spare bottle and milk- for my youngest baby Ia. I carry one spare bottle whenever we are out of the house. This is handy so I do not have to breastfeed in public (huh!).

2) JJ Wipes- very handy!

3) Hand Sanitizer- for obvious reasons. This is very handy for me as I am always traveling or walking around with children. Hand washing is very important especially children.

4) extra nappy- another one for baby Ia.

5) cloth wipes (lampin)- for wiping, etc…

6) household keys

7) wallet with my debit cards and some cash

emergency pouch with asthma and allergy medications- life saving medications for myself and my children.

What about you? What is considered as necessary in your bag?