"BIG WINTER COAT SALE!"

The insanity of that sign is that it was here in Singapore. Singapore - where it is 90 degrees year round! Ok, so they say they do this because people travel to other countries. People travel year round to other countries - not just in the winter. We live on the equator - but either south or north of us you can almost always find a cold place. If they were selling for that reason, wouldn't they sell all year long? It is always cold somewhere, right?

While we were out for our Sunday stroll, we found this guy:

This is a Chinese money frog. The money frogs are Chinese mythical creatures. The three-legged frogs, also known as Chan Chu which means "frog" or "toad", are an ancient and popular Chinese symbol for prosperity. They are said to be the bearer of good fortune, which is why you always see them bringing two strings of coins tied behind their back and holding a lucky Ching Dynasty gold coin in their mouth. According to Feng Shui lore, Money Frogs are believed to drive away evil, protect wealth, and increase income. The king money frog is usually depicted sitting on a bed of coins and gold ingots which add to the wealth symbolism which the frog itself already has.

According to the tradition, when there is full moon it appears near the houses in which good news of increased wealth or monetary gain will be soon received. The good news most of the time would refer to monetary incomes in general and bring wealth related auspicious information.

Feng Shui Masters believe that Money Frogs go out in the afternoon to collect money and return at night with lots of money sticking on their feet. Treat them like frogs and not deities, therefore they can be placed on the floor or low. They can also be placed under chairs, tables and sofas or any other isolated places. If they are placed too high, they might be afraid to jump down and go out to look for money. Never keep or place a Money Frog in the bedroom, kitchen, bathroom or on a toilet.

For prosperity in business, Money Frogs should be placed in a wealth corner (the furthest back left corner of a room or building), near a cash register, shop/store reception area, treasurer’s desk and safe, or any part of the premises which deals with money and customers.

For prosperity at home, Money Frogs are traditionally placed in the corners of the living or family rooms to enhance wealth Chi of the household. They are generally placed diagonally across from the entrance to a room and some inward facing, but never facing straight out of the door because it is believed they will leave and never return. The corner of a room is known to be the focal point where Chi, or positive energy gathers and is traditionally believed to be “wealth luck” of the household. To invite constant cash flow and double the income of homes, you may put two Money Frogs on each side of the entrance inside your premise with their heads looking in and not out.

This little guy is out in the middle of a large field, near nothing. I saw another one last year, but I still have not figured out the connection to it being in the field - it is not near a house. However, I need to check to see if it is a full moon. Hmmm, but I wonder why out in a field?

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And finally, last night our spouses group with the company held a wine and cheese gathering. Everyone that came was asked to bring a bottle of wine from our country. We have no idea about "good" wine so we trusted someone at the store and purchased Earnest and Julio Gallo wine... haha, probably not a great one, but we had no idea... and it was closest to our son's home. We would have rather brought Ravenswood wine because we actually do like that. It is not sold here in Singapore :-(

Anyway, since everyone brought wine from different countries, here are the countries wines we were able to sample (may be a few more, but this is what I remember):

New Zealand

France

USA

Argentina

Georgia (the country - not the state)

Australia

Peru (?)

Scottish Beer

What a great selection of wines - and the people and conversations, of course, were wonderful. I always have such a grand time when I am with them. It was great finally meeting the spouses of the girls I love so much. We truly had a great time.

Steph just told me that there is a hurricane in the Gulf. Ugh. She is leaving in 8 days to come here - like she doesn't have enough stress. Now she has to worry about our house, her house, her hubby that is offshore, packing and now a hurricane! Please say lots of prayers it dies and there is nothing left but a breeze. We are too far away to help :-(

Tonight is the weekly grill. The guys seem to look forward to the home-made food we make on Sunday evenings for them. I love seeing their faces when they find out what is served, and I love the flowers they bring when they come. Thankfully, they have brought no huge batches of lilies, just orchids and roses. Oh, darn... life is tough.

Don't forget to check out the big winter coat sales going on around the island! I think I am going to pass though - maybe even pass out from thinking of this in Singapore. Gosh just the mere thought of owning a coat here makes me want to melt.

Off to wipe the brow... lol...