Throwback Thursday: When We Came Back Home

Four years ago during the pandemic, Sweetie and I went back home. I just remembered because Google Photos reminded me about it. All I remember is we were very tired since we had to pack up everything in our place and we were still packing until a few hours before our flight. I don't remember what I ate in the plane since I fell asleep even before we took off, haha. 

Our quarantine stay was cut short. We just rested and the only highlight of the stay was watching Gabby's wedding online. I cried as soon as I got home because I finally got to hug Miggy. We didn't see him for almost two years and just communicated online. 

NAIA 3

For the next week we were home, we ordered everything we missed. There was still a lockdown back then, but things were easing up. As soon as we completed another five days at home without any illness, we went to see my Mom. It was a very happy reunion, since we could only communicate with her via her landline. 

Going home during the pandemic was very hard and costly. I'd do it all over again since being with family is important. My doctors were very worried and sent me home with months worth of medication to make sure I'd be okay. I only went to see a doctor when my meds finally ran out. 

Here's our vlog when we went back home :)

#BeKind #StaySafe

Nutrition

Miggy started his wellness and nutrition journey last month. All of us are overdue for a lifestyle change since we're not getting any younger, plus prevention is better than finding a cure for issues.

One of the key things we need to work on is with what we eat. It was our first time to work with a nutritionist and dietician. We originally thought we'd re-enroll with our meal plans. We tried for two days, but it had different effects on each of us.

The dietician had a very different view on meal plans. She said, it's best for those who don't have time to prepare their food. She advised it's still better to prepare your own food since you know exactly what's going into it.  

We studied closely the plan and food options to see what we can prepare at home. We researched recipes to see what's easy to do at home. We also planned the transition to healthier food since TBH Miggy and I don't really eat that much veggies. 

It's been two weeks since we started and we're feeling more energetic. I've also been involving the boys more when we cook. This way I could survive and also teach Miggy how to cook. 

Let's see where the changes we'll be doing brings us :)

#BeKind #StaySafe

Quilting on the Go

I gave up on the crochet project last week. Sorry na. I got so impatient and moved onto a quilt project I've been eyeing to do. 

Since the design is too small for machine sewing, I decided to do it whenever Miggy has a scheduled exercise session. I couldn't find my "airplane sewing kit," so I just used an old card case. I used to do this a lot when I was traveling for work. It attracted a lot of aunties on the plane and they would excitedly ask me what I was making. Haha.

I also revived an old jewelry display board I used when I was into bead making. I tore off the old felt paper cover and used the leftover felt fabric from the vintage case I refurbished a few months ago. It's been useful to layout the small fabric pieces on it. It helps me from making mistakes. 

Hope to finish the project soon!

#BeKind #StaySafe

It Got so Gnarly, Goodbye Bamboo

To be honest, I already wanted to change the bamboo back in 2022. It took several tries to find the right team to do it. 

I pushed to do it this time because I was alarmed when I saw a snake skin on my neighbor's car. I messaged our architect and he immediately referred us to a landscaper.

The whole process from inspection, to buying plants, removing the bamboo and planting took four days across two weeks. We told Mang Henry that we wanted something easy to manage. He suggested a tropical resort feels look. 

I let him choose the plants, but had some switched since I didn't want any plants related to tobacco plants. We also added two trees to the plan. I'm amazed with how fast they worked on clearing and planting everything. 

Ahh, I'm so happy we finally did this landscape project. It's my belated birthday gift for myself. We just need to make sure the newly planted plants and trees adjust well!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Remembering

It's All Souls Day today. The day to remember our departed loved ones. It's been only two years since I lost my Mom, 14 years since Dad left for heaven. In between that I lost almost all of my titos and titas. 

I buried myself in work when my Dad passed away. I went back to work immediately and told myself he wouldn't want me to dwell on losing him. I didn't have that excuse when Mom passed away. 

I faced grief in silence while facing issues with my health. Mom was my rock. She'd always tell me I can handle any challenge. What helped me was rescuing her plants and sorting through the belongings she left. 

Grief turned into remembering my parents, titos and titas fondly as I went through my Mom's things. It was hard, but I felt my Mom's love as I saw what she kept for me. She even marked some things she wanted me to keep. 

It's not easy being an orphan. I realized though, Mom prepared me all my life to be independent. To be strong and face life with deep faith. I know they are all watching us from above.

Have a blessed day everyone.

Patron Saints of Gardeners

My Mom had a lot of religious figures. Most of them were Crucifixes, Santo Nino, Mama Mary and some saints. She had a grotto in her garden before and it made me wonder if there's a saint for gardeners and plants. Since it's All Saints day today, I thought I'd do some research about it. I can also start praying to them to help me take care of the plants my Mom left. 

St. Fiacre of Breuil's name comes up as the patron saint of gardeners, florists and taxi drivers. He was an Irish monk who moved to France where he established a hermitage. His garden was famous and he was a known herbalist who helped heal with herbs and prayers.  

For farmers and rural communities, there's St. Isidore and St. Maria de la Cabeza. St. Ansovinus is known as the patron saint for agriculture and protection of crops. St. Kateri Tekakwitha is an indigenous woman who converted to Catholicism and became the patron saint for ecology. One saint most of us know is St. Francis of Assisi. He's the patron saint of the environment and animals. 

Now I know who to pray to, for help when it comes to my garden/plants. I will also pray to St. Francis of Assisi to protect our beloved cats. 

A Blessed All Saints Day!

#BeKind #StaySafe

What Happened in October (2025)

I'm glad I made it this far recording at least a second everyday on my One Second Everyday account. October has been our most productive month this year. It was good we started it by having buffet breakfast in a hotel. It was my belated birthday celebration :)

I've been a bit more mobile this month and having a wheelchair really helps getting around. It's added cardio for the boys (haha). I stretch my knee often when we're out since it still hurts. I start PT next month, but Miggy has started his wellness and nutrition journey. It's the reason why we've been out more often. 

Since I want our home to look more accommodating, we spent a lot of time this month organizing. We got help from Ally Canita and her team. They helped us finish the rest of the boxes from my childhood home. It was a good decision to do that, since we're now ready to decorate for Christmas! Hooray! 

We also got help from a landscaper, Manong Henry, to clean up our front yard. The bamboo trees got so gnarly and I was afraid snakes might start living in it. What pushed me to get help was seeing a very long snake skin on our neighbor's car. It probably shed on the car while we were all asleep! The landscape project is my gold birthday gift for myself. Ahh, seeing pretty plants make me happy. 

Here's my 1sec video for October:

In between all the activity we rested and calmed down with our cats. They calmed down when August (now Gus) and Little Grey moved out. I'm really glad we were able to find the best fur parents for them. I guess the orange energy they had was too much for us and the tabby brood. Things are back to normal and I plan to bust out the new cat tower for them this weekend.

Happy end of October and Happy Halloween!

If you're bored and want to be scared, you may want to read some scary stories here -

https://moonlesstales.blogspot.com/

#BeKind #StaySafe