Do YOU really need a BIG HOUSE?? Think about it..

Do u really need to buy a BIG house?? Think about it..

First of all u need to look around you to understand what u really need..

If u see your things lying around at every corner of a house, u might need x-tra storage. However that doesn't mean that u need extra sqft..

And if ur children are messing up everywhere.. U might think of a bunk bed.. Instead of more rooms, sleep at the top and do their things below.. One room could fit 2/3 bunk beds..

And your friends and relative love to hang out at ur place, u think u need another room for guest.. Or u might as well think of getting a sofabed instead of the solidwood settee and convert ur study room/hall into the room for the guest..

U have to know something, if u are a messy person, u might need to change ur attitude first because getting a bigger house will only end up into you making a BIGGER mess.. Trust me!

Think curtains, dividers, 2 in 1 ottoman/boxes.. Inflatable beds/ foldable chairs and table.. These are the solutions..

Bigger house means bigger expenses.. More electricity, air cond everywhere, more time for cleaning and bigger house cost more! And a lot more stuff to buy just to fill into the extra spaces.

Think compact living.. U could get ur ideas from IKEA.. They are the leaders for compact interior.. Get books on compact living.. And learn to live simply but more efficient..

Nevertheless if u have the cash to splurge on big houses, by all means, go get it.. :)

Cheers everyone and happy new year!!

P/S: Make it ur new year resolution to live simply and more efficient!!
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device via Vodafone-Celcom Mobile.

BBQ Whole lamb set
Comes with
2 sauce - Black pepper
Mint sauce
Wild mushroom soup
Fresh green salad
Fresh Garlic bread

Serves 80 pax
plate, bowl n cutleries provided
Location to roast is up to you..
Normal Lamb RM900
Lamb for Akikah is RM1300

Price valid for Klang Valley up to Shah Alam area only.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device via Vodafone-Celcom Mobile.

painting rules that could never be ignored

I have been working like a horse for 2 weeks now. Last weekend was the most hectic. I have to attend weddings (2 weddings and blew my calori intake for the day!) and i started working quite late..around 8pm finished up painting the house at 5am covering aproximately 1000sq ft of surface area (walls and ceilings) and i did the painting alone, my hands are all swollen because i did not put on the glove (i was in dilemma.. to wear or not to wear!). Fellas, due to that i decided to share some important painting rules that you might have already knew.. but this is my version..

1. surface preparation!!!! if you don't want to do  triple work, please pay attention to this very very important rule!! make sure the surface is dry, no chalk residue, and please brush it prior to the painting. make sure you treat all cracks, leaks, holes with suitable cure (sealant/putty filler) .. if you are on tight budget, if you have fungi  on your ceiling due to leaking roof, do not changed it.. emulsion paint might not solve this problem, but spray paint (that comes in the can) could.. heres how:
i. clean the surface by removing all fungi with a brush
ii. sandpaper the surface
iii. smear cement filler (leave for a day unti it really dries)
iv. paint with emulsion let it dry for an hour
v. spray the ceiling with spray paint
vi. repaint with emulsion..
you will get a better looking ceiling!!

2. please get the expensive brush and rollers that is made from sheepskin (doesn't matter if you could get cheap rollers and brush as long as they are GOOD QUALITY stuff) you will be very happy to see the end result!
3. please cover the floor area with something.. old newspaper or whatever that could prevent the paint from spilling or dripping/splashing onto your floor. i FORGOT the newspaper and i have to clean the floor with paint thinner (its a solvent), the paint is easily removed but i feel that my backbone is gone after vigorous scrubbing.. no doubt i could see myself very clearly on the floor..
4. please put on a GLOVE.. if you have delicate hands like mine.. a cloth glove is better than the rubber glove, so ur hands are able to breathe.. :) my hands are all swollen after 2 days of vigourous painting job and i only put on the glove for the first 30 minutes. Its uncomfortable yes. but now it is even more unbearable. hands hurts!!
5. please put on goggles!!safety goggles!! the paint splashes into my eyes accidentally (i was wearing goggles but the goggles still have gaps near the temple - to maintain the sense of style) later i changed into the big ugly snorkeling like goggles  and my eyes are safe! nobody is watching anyway!!
6. always starts painting with the ceiling!!!
7. tape every corners and borders with the paper tape!!! it is tedious but you will LOVE what you see later rather than being frustrated seeing paint smearing everywhere!
8. start painting the corners and borders with a 4inches wide paintbrush after you tape it! it will make your rolling experience less troublesome.
9. interval between 1st coat and 2nd coat is 1 hour.. (if you have forever you could leave for a day)paint one layer and leave it, go to sleep or something , and paint the second layer after an hour.. you wont waste your time retouching! i know you couldnt wait but it does pays off.. trust me!!
10. paint the door frame and window frames LAST! do tape the corners and borders!!
11. DO SAVE at least half a litre of paint.. (of every colour have used for retoucing purpose!!) you will regret when you simply puposely used the remaining paint exessively in order to finish it quickly.. yeah that was eaxctly what i did and i regret it because i need to get another can of paint to retouch some area when everything is done.. DO save at least in a small peanut butter jar.. some store doesnt sell a 1litre paint in every colour that you buy in 7 litres..
12. paint with a buddy.. when u paint a alone a 1 hour job could dragged into the entire night because you have to do everything on your own.. and its tedious.. that is why professional painters are highly paid!
13. use an appropriate ladder. high enough to reach the ceiling. EVERY HOUSEHOLD should have a ladder.. make sure its alluminium and in my case i invested RM300 for a folding ladder that i could just transport by the car anywhere i wanted to bring it.. :) a good buy but i wish i bought a higher ladder instead! (or maybe scaffold is a better buy i guess??)

Well, these are at least the important things that i could recall while doing the painting.. do give yourself enough rest time.. :) because i have stiff neck for a few days after a whole day of painting the ceiling.. do plan your work properly.. decide which colour goes where.. we want to do it quickly and efficiently..because painting is a very messy job and we need a systematic method of doing it.. :)