It all started last year when Alexbear and I got our very first fraud transactions posted on our accounts. They took out some hundred dollars for travel expenses such as Uber, Lyft and plane tickets. We got that fixed fairly quick, the transactions reversed and changed the cards.

Just a month ago, someone tried to take about a grand from Alexbear's account. It was declined and we had to change our card numbers again.

Last week, someone successfully hacked into our eBay and buy pool filters worth $600. We don't have a pool. So we informed the bank, informed Paypal... and over the weekend, the transaction still went through and took out this much from our bank account.
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Now we have to go through a lot of phone calls, and hassle to say the least, to get it all fixed.

It's very disheartening and annoying that people do this. It's no different that personally stealing. While, yes, they don't get to physically assault anyone, they are destroying the lives of so many people. What if we had bills to pay and the money we have is not enough? What if we're people who live by each check? It takes a while to get all the funds back (in fact, the process is still ongoing as we speak). What if we're people who don't have savings to get us through a week? It affects lives, credit scores and a lot more. If it affected any of our bills, then we would have to call them and explain to them the situation. 

I wish these people will actually have the motivation to do the right thing and actually work.

I hate thieves praying on people who worked hard for what they earned.

​Rant over.
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I don't really get sick sick but when I do, it usually gets bad. Well, for the most part I usually get the sniffles here and there, but I don't really get super sick but once a year.

It makes me sad tho... I already wish I have like 48 hours in a day so I have 20 extra hours to do what I love like crafting, sewing and just relaxing. Feeling bad just eats up more of the time I feel like I don't have.
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You see, my Bear needs a lot of TLC. Unfortunately he was also diagnosed with strep a couple of days ago. Makes me so sad to see him all lethargic and quiet. Feels like it's not him!

So for now, I think we just need lots of hugs and snuggles!

Adulting is tough. It is very, very tough. And as I write this, I'm wondering why they still haven't added the word "Adulting" to the dictionary but they already have "Cray-cray" listed down. Then I continue this sentence about five minutes later because I googled the word and found a really cringy article about the term itself - saying that it was sexist and gross. Ok, nothing sexist and gross about it but hey, most website writers need to make money (unlike me, I just write my own silly blog) so all types of traffic is probably welcome.

Anyway, that went off topic easily!

Last Saturday, we finally bought a new car yay!

 It's not the first vehicle we bought together. Two years ago, we bought Alexbear's Kawasaki ZX6r Ninja, then a year later we got his baby truck which is a 1992 Ford Ranger. That's supposed to be our project vehicle - being so old we plan to maintain and keep it. 

Aside from those, we were using his 2006 Pontiac G6 - quite a crappy car. He bought it off his mom before we got married. She maintained it well, knowing her she did her part keeping it pristine. It was in okay shape but it was falling apart. We had to put so much repairs on it and it got expensive.
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First working day of 2018, we blew a tire on the way to work. That wasn't fun considering that it was below freezing all week. So we limped home and was using the truck since. 

With all the problems it has, Alexbear and I decided that it was time to replace the family car with a more reliable one. We shopped around and instantly fell in love with this 2014 Ford Focus. It was a great deal so we decided to finally trade it in and do it.

I swear, that darn car can hear and understand!! We scheduled an appointment with the dealer on Friday afternoon - and the old blue car's battery died. It freaking died!! We ran to O'Reillys to get it checked and welp, it was shot. So we ended up buying a new battery and oh boy, my bank account wasn't too happy because the night before (Thursday) we had the flat tire replaced!

Okay, Saturday - all set! Nope, wrong! This car threw one final tantrum and blew another tire.

Okay, chill and calm down. We drove to the dealership with a donut on the rear end. We figured they probably won't give us anything for the car - but the dealership was great. They were nice and accommodating, surprisingly we still got a decent trade-in amount.

One of the funny things in that car-buying experience was that I was on the other side of the contract signing process. I process contracts in the bank so these papers are all I see all day long. I talk to dealers, explain things and this and that. Those contracts are basically my life (believe it or not, I love it). Being there looking at the backends, and just understanding everything they say felt weird.

In the end, we came home with a good car, and we're pretty happy with it!

I love selling... or rather I love making sales. I like making ads, websites, posting it online and all that stuff. On the other hand, I definitely do not like personal selling. That's the reason I never really got involved in any direct selling stuff because I just don't like having to approach people and try to make them do something. I talk a lot, but I just don't like having to convince someone to buy something. 

With that being said, I have a shop where I sell things and then... there's also the Facebook Market Place. I really like this feature because I can just put it out there that I have some furniture or makeup to destash! Fastest transaction ever was a the free table - gone in one hour!

As a kind-of makeup "enthusiast" or whatever you call that - one of the things that I destash a little often is makeup. I used to be so against the idea because I wanted to keep some makeup. A year into it, the makeup piled up and there are some that I just never used. It felt bad because either I didn't really like them or that I just never really used them. So to the Market Place it goes!
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You know one of the things I really dislike? People who can't keep their word.

I'm a person that's really easy to deal with. I have a lot of consideration especially given a situation that can be tough, I have no problems giving some exceptions regarding prices, pickup times, etc. With that being said, I really, really hate people who stand others off.

I haven't sold in the Market Place for long - probably just around three months. In that three months I've been stood off twice! One girl decided to not show up at the meeting place. She ignored my messages and calls, and just vanished in thin air. The second time was a couple of days ago when this other girl decided to make me hold the items, then not show up.

I know... I know... Alexbear already warned me and told me to be more firm. First pickup offer, no reservations - because of things like this. Lesson harshly learned.

Overall, it's not much of a big deal. There were a lot of other people waiting for me to inform them that the items were not picked up because they will take it. When the girl didn't show up, the others got it. What bothers me is the lack of respect and integrity.
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If ever you decide to make someone hold an item for you and then realize that you no longer want it - say it.

Change the times, haggle the price if you want, tell me that you're backing out - that's perfectly fine! But to not say anything can be really a hassle. I'm quite a busy person, I have to schedule the things I do. It's the same reason this blog isn't updated everyday.

People have things to do in life, please be very mindful. Your word takes their time. On those occasions that people didn't show up, we had to reschedule our agendas, or cancel some plans - so we can be there for you. Mind you, even the free things I post to give away, we still make time for you.

So please, always be considerate and mindful. Keep your word. Learn to say something.

Rant over ^_^
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 January 1st, 2018 - the first day of a brand new year. Technically, it's just another day but it gives us the chance to mentally reset things and try to start new, try to do something differently.

We went to a couple of stores including Menards. All Christmas decor was on sale so we got a bigger Christmas tree (yay!). Totally unplanned but we did talk about it a couple of times. Consider that it is 50% off, it was really hard to pass the deal. We got a small tree this year because we know they will be on sale after the season anyway. So finally, we got the big snowy Fir tree which was really nice! Now I have an small extra tree that I can put elsewhere around the house next year. My dad in law asked why, well Alexbear sure knows the answer... "Because she's her!" Yep, Christmas is me.

On the way home, we dropped by Harbor Freight with me hoping to find some sculpting tools. I didn't find what I actually need and I'm probably going to get them in Joann or Hobby Lobby instead. Then we went to WG&R, which was just next door. Who would've thought that this is such a dangerous place to be?

While walking across the parking lot to WG&R in 2°F (-16°C) in two sweaters, I warned Alexbear that we were not going to "accidentally" buy a bed on our way out. You see, we've been talking about getting a new mattress because the one he is currently using is already quite worn out. I said, well if we're going to replace the mattress might as well get a bigger bed because Hans is taking up a lot of space.
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And it's like half of the bed...​

​Of course I suggested that we get a king bed. I mean come on, if we're going to spend on it might as well get a good one. Afterall, a bed is an investment. You sleep on it almost every night, unless, of course, if you are always on the road. Your sleep affects your actual life from your back's posture to your actual rest and health. Overall, sleep is a sacred thing! Being alive three decades now, I value the importance of this beautiful thing called sleep.

We started looking around and omg, I never thought I would say this but I just love furniture shopping. Actually - I love building furniture, I love refinishing furniture.

Oh... I just love furniture in general.

We started looking at the prices, and I started estimating how much we'll probably spend. After walking around, we saw a bunch of really nice ones. The store was also having a New Year sale with 20% off including items already on sale (except this thing they call "Power Buy").​

I love the classic, rustic feel. I didn't like the shiny ones, but wood is just beautiful. I used to wonder why my mom and aunt were so into wood stuff and I never thought I would love it too! I used to be more modern, but I don't know - wood is elegant and beautiful.

Then we started checking out the mattresses. I almost had a heart attack, I never thought mattresses here were really expensive! Well, they're also nicely made relative to what we can buy back home. We had a lot of "affordable" options back in PH but they're also not the best quality - usually mattresses that you would like to replace after two years or so.

The sales guy checked up on us. I like his style, he didn't follow us around nor was he intrusive. I think he noticed how Alexbear and I liked our privacy. Then he just put it out there ​that he can do the Early Bird special that was 25% - which was until like 1pm. It was already about 5pm so... ah ok, he is doing his sales pitch. Not bad, well played.
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The worst question to ask if you don't want to accidentally buy anything?

"Do you offer financing?"

I know they do, that's where we bought our couch. So, of course he said, yes.. but this time they offer it up to 20 months with no interest.