countrylover

Jialark! skyspectrum = potential stalker

Oda, u seemed so secretive about where you stay. Scared that some of us might come to stalk you middle of the night is it?

My reno budget is also about $10k, gonna do basic stuff like ceramic flooring, kitchen cabinet, windows, ceilings. Intend to DIY other things like feature walls, painting etc. Don't think your grills and curtains are free though. Most likely that your ID has marked up on certain items, so as to factor those in as freebies. We all know how IDs can come up with all sorts of marketing gimmicks.

Thanks for the info! Came in handy since I'm planning to get my hood, hob & oven.

My uncle used to be in air-con installation and the quote is from his personal contact. Didn't ask him about the piping and insulation though. Which would be the right materials to use?

I'm considering getting a Technogas hob, hood and oven. Has anybody used this brand before? Appreciate if you could recommend the model numbers too. Thanks.

I've only been up to the MSCP once. From my memory, it's the rubbery kind of jogging track right? Then don't think will be suitable for blading, cos we need concrete tracks to blade. I've been going to East Coast Park for my weekly blading sessions for the past 2 mths. Learning to blade together with my cousins and sis who are also beginners. Prefer somewhere nearby so don't have to waste the time travelling to East Coast.

Actually I'm also a beginner, still can't blade very well. My hubby is my coach. Problem is for beginners, the track can't be too rough or too smooth, has to be just right. If not, end up fall very easily 屁鼓开花。 Maybe you guys can help to recce a nearby park or track, when I move in after my reno...can meet up for our weekly blading sessions!

I'm doing up my home in the country style and have shortlisted Creations from the Heart for my kitchen cabinet. Quite impressed by the cabinets that they've designed for their clients. Can anyone comment on their workmanship or share some photos you have? They have quoted about $3000+ for plywood cabinets and $4000+ for solid wood cabinets which I find quite reasonable.

I had a quote for Toshiba inverter sys-3 aircon at $2380. Is the quote reasonable?

Anyone of you here into roller blading? Maybe after I move in, can form our own kakis to blade. Any suggestions on where to do this? Actually the MSCP rooftop might be a good place to gather for exercise etc.

Sounds really serious! Wayne, what is it your neighbour has done to you?

Huh? Neighbours downstairs doing reno, hacking?

Just to add my 2 cents worth : Having children is a life-long commitment and there's really no right and wrong here. Everybody has his/her reasons whether to have or not to have kids. It is very important to know what are our priorities in life and the direction that both are heading. We shd never be pressurized into having kids just because relatives or our spouse want us to do so, when we are not mentally prepared. That in itself is also a life progression. I have a good friend who was very insistent not to have kids after marriage. The reason she gave was she wanted to focus on her career and enjoy couplehood. Those were her sentiments more than 10 years ago. Now in her 40s, she regretted her decision, especially when she has gone into another stage of her life where family life matters more to her and everybody else around her was enjoying an enriching family life with children. In fact, she already felt her maternal pangs in her mid 30s and tried very hard to conceive but to no avail. Even spent lots of money on IVF etc but till now, she's still childless. She told me that she's resigned to her fate cos of her selfishness and self-centredness when younger and is now looking to adopt a child. My point of sharing the story is not to pinpoint that it's wrong to not want to have kids but to encourage all ladies out there to conceive when they are young. Cos as we age, many health reasons and complications set in, which might jeopardize our chances of conceiving. I'm a proud mother of two princesses - 8 years and 6 years. As many have shared here, parenting is not an easy task as we face different challenges and problems in every stage of our children's lives. If someone were to ask me if I enjoy being a mother, my answer would be "Yes, tremendously!". I'm a young mother as I married young. Till now, people still don't believe that I'm a mother of two! That put aside, motherhood has "forced" me to mature and learn the importance of responsibilities. It has made me see life from a different perspective. I used to be a very pessimistic person but parenthood has made me more optimistic and realise that life is beautiful afterall. My children make me complete and they are the source of my motivation in life. When I'm stressed and all worn out after a bad day at work, their smiles and hugs are all that's necessary to drive all my worries away! Every parent can vouch to this. There's so much more to expect from my children that's beyond description. I feel that children help to improve the bonding and love between spouses too, cos that's where they start to plan their dreams and move towards that. Every couple probably faces the problem whereby they feel that passion starts to die after a few years of marriage. So in a way, having kids helps to jazz up the marriage, to make them feel that there's something exciting to look forward to. But we should be careful not to fall into the trap of using children to salvage a marriage. That's a definite no-no.

I believe our blocks can see the fireworks? Any idea from which floor?

Yup, I was totally disturbed and annoyed too when I watched the news last night. No matter how grievanced the maid is towards the employers, she has no right to take it out on an innocent baby. Just confront them directly! There is something known as a Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) which is fatal. Happens when angry caregivers or parents shake the baby continuously, for example in a bid to stop him/her crying. Can lead to brain damage, broken bones/ribs and even death! So parents, don't even attempt to swing/throw your young child or baby in the air. Heard that actions such as bouncing a baby sitting on our knees continuously can lead to SBS!

Wow you buay paiseh. Self nominate somemore!

Sigh, it's just gonna get worse! Think LTA gonna install another 30 new ERP gantries or something? Maybe we shd all work together and set up a Tanglin xxx Pte Ltd to work from home, so no need to drive to work le!

If it's about 4K that you mentioned for the kitchen cabinet, then I think it's quite reasonable. Most IDs or carpenters will usually quote between 5k - 8k for a country style cabinet using solid teak or timber wood. Do share with me your photos once it's done. Think I will also try to pop by Anchor Point after CNY. When my parents reno their flat a few years back, their cabinet was also done in the country style. They paid about 5k...but I won't use their carpenter, cos workmanship not very good.

Thanks. You must be referring to Forest in Thomson Plaza. They specialise in carpentry work but everything costs a bomb! Have not been to the shop yet but have seen their website at http://www.forestwood.com.sg/. Everything looks so gorgeous but as mentioned, everything premium comes at a price. !! I will be going down to another shop specialising in country kitchen at Anchor Point, which is near our place. My parents place also looks quite country...all thanks to me! When they reno their place a few years back, I convinced my mum that the kitchen must look cosy, so she'll feel more at ease cooking for us! But I won't be going to her carpenter, cos workmanship is not very good. Hey, if you could get some contacts from your parents, it will be much appreciated!

Which unit are you at? My unit is above 20 floor. !! Not cash rich lah, it's more like managing my dreams/expectations vs budget. For this reason, we won't be engaging an ID. Will be getting our own sub-contractors to do the major works, then DIY the rest. There's no turning back for us, cos have already bought the living and bedroom furniture. So die die must stick to my country theme.

I know this is an old thread but just to add my 2 cents worth. My daugher is in CHIJ Kellock Convent, she's in Pri 2 this year. Back then, I was also deciding between RMPS and CHIJ. However, I finally decided on CHIJ as we are Christians...even though CHIJ is a catholic school, not so much like a Christian school. So far, I'm very happy with CHIJ. Teachers and principal are very caring and responsible. My daughter loves school and looks forward to it everyday! However, the principal of 20+ years retired last year and a new principal just came on board. I hope that she would be able to run the school as efficiently as the former one. In fact, I have some friends with daughters in the school and they've always complimented on how good the former principal was. That's also one big reason why I put mine in the school. On the other hand, I have heard other friends with children in RMPS that the standard has dropped after the new principal came on board a few years back. Not sure how true though. Both schools, as far as I know, have a great reputation for producing good students. Reputation aside, I feel that how our children perform in school is largely based on themselves and how parents nurture them to excel. Many parents like to blame everything on the school and teachers when their children don't perform, but fail to analyse what they've not done right! I have total trust in the Singapore's education system and believe that no matter how "neighbourhood" the school is, there is already a culture and system set forth by MOE to educate and nurture students. I just happened to stay within 1km of both schools, hence I was given the liberty of choice. Even if I were to stay in a neighbourhood with no good schools around, I would still have put her in a nearby neighbourhood school without 2nd thoughts. I think all primary schools are about the same, the difference will really come in when they enter into secondary schools. That's when we start to worry whether they will get into bad company when they enter a neighbourhood school etc. I have many friends who sign up as school volunteers or even to the extent of moving to a neighbourhood with good schools. But spare me pls....I really can't be bothered. With regards to the discussion on homosexuality, it's based on both the internal and external environment. I do agree to a certain extent that being constantly exposed to an environment with homosexuals, it might influence young people to conform. Then again, what's most important is the family upbringing and the family/personal values that parents instill in children that play an even important role. They ought to know from young what's right and wrong. As long as family values get strongly rooted in them from young, I don't see any reason why they would be led astray.

Really glad to see that there are some of us here who managed to bf our children for so long! Bfg is wonderful and imho is one of the most enjoyable and memorable moments of motherhood! I bf my elder daughter for 6 mths (had to give up cos of medical reasons ) and my youngest one for 36 mths. Due to my failure to bf my elder one longer, I was very determined to continue as long as possible when it came to my 2nd one. What I can say is, it's such an enriching and memorable experience that I still smile when I recall those precious moments of nurturing and bonding...even though it has been almost three years since she self-weaned. In fact when she gradually self-weaned, I went through a period of depression, cos I why I was being rejected even though I tried very hard to keep her latched on. It's like suddenly a part of me has been ripped off. I think how I was feeling back then sounded really extreme and bazarre but it was the special bonding we share which made me unwilling to let go. I guess we form a very minority group of S'porean mothers who bf. I think probably 95% of my friends do not bf beyond 1 year, some even gave up after a few weeks or months. I get really upset when I see them give up or supplement bm with fm. In fact, I sometimes even scold some of my good friends who give up. I think it's wrong for me to do that cos bfg is really a personal choice but being such a strong advocate of bfg, I just can't help it! As I compare both my girls, I can see a huge difference in their health. My elder one (who was on bm for only 6 mths) gets sick more often and had a few serious ear infections during the 1st 4 years. My younger one on the other hand, is more bubbly and cheerful. Of cos she gets sick too, but she recovers very fast. A flu which my elder one takes 1 week to recover, my younger one probably only took 3 days to recover. For those of you here who are bfg or intending to bf, persevere...persevere...persevere (like what others have already mentioned above). Only by deciding what we want for our children can it lead to a successful bfg journey. Others around us can pass negative or sarcastic comments, but only we know what's best for our children! Enjoy and good luck! to motherhood!

I initially wanted to do laminated flooring too, but many friends and IDs are telling me it's not as easy to maintain as ceramics. For example, if we do not clean off water from its surface properly, the floorings might end up with blotches over time. I have seen some ceramic floor tiles that look exactly like laminates. There's a high possibility that I would go for that instead. Can I check how much did Creations from the Heart quote you for your kitchen cabinet? How many feet is yours?

Haha...you bet! I'm just crazy about a country-style home, cos it's more warm, inviting and cosy. But the reno's not gonna be cheap as there are not many places specialising in country style reno and furnishings in Singapore. Have you moved in already? I'm residing at Blk 91. How about u?