Our First Home

After our wedding, Sweetie and I moved to an apartment we rented from Mom's friend. It was several streets away from my childhood home.

The first few weeks were really memorable and we had a number of mishaps. Our newly installed washing machine broke down within days. It gave a loud bang which made our neighbors nervous. Then there was the smoking sink due to liquid Sosa. And many other issues.

At that time, I only knew how to fry. We'd have fried rice, omelette and Spam or hotdog. We'd usually buy Baliwag for real good. That's what we did when Mom's party leftovers ran out. I finally learned how to cook only when we shifted to an  electric stove (there's no learning when you're scared of fire).

It's been 16 years and I still hold these memories close to my heart. It was where our family started and grew through the years. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

2026 Health and Wellness Goals

Having chronic conditions is hard. The baseline is to stay stable, not pick up any germs, and not get hospitalized. I missed my last session of physiotherapy because I woke up very dizzy on the 27th. I'll complete it this week, get my report and then see my Ortho doctor again. 

There are a couple of things I want to work on for this year, especially since I need to prepare for the replacement of my mitral valve. I had ten years to prepare last time I had heart surgery. I've managed to delay it for a year (thanks to my knee and ankle), but it's imminent. 

Anyway, aside from the baseline, I'd like to increase my stamina, increase my oximeter level, reduce weight and eat healthy. One thing the dietician of my boys said is it's better to eat home-cooked meals. It's better also than ordering prepared healthy meals. It's important to know what's going on your food and you can control the ingredients. 

I did notice the difference the past three weeks. During Christmas and New Year, I tried to cook more. I had less bloating and it was easier on my tummy. It has probably helped reduce some of the red flags on my blood markers. The thing is I need to have better stamina so I can cook more. 

Physiotherapy helped me to move more. My knee and ankle are a bit better, so I've been able to do more gardening (sometimes 150 minutes in a day!). I once had a day where I did gardening and cooked. I was half dead though the next day, so I need to temper things. My physiotherapist also said I should still take it easy since I still experience pain when I do too much. 

In summary, here's what I want to do for the year:

• be more than stable
• increase stamina
• increase oximeter levels (will go back to pulmo rehab after I complete my PT)
• move more and get more sunlight
• reduce weight and eat right 
• survive heart surgery and be rolling by my birthday or Christmas (depending on when it happens)

Have a healthy new Year everyone!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Create in 2026

Life got in the way last year and I only got to work on creative projects sparingly. There were times I had to really squeeze in time to keep my sanity. I know now that I need to set time to be more productive in my craft. 

I made a long to-do list during the pandemic. I have not made a dent on it. For this year, I'd like to learn new skills in quilting, try new patterns and develop my style. My Mom had her own style and I can recognize what she's made. There's still a lot left from her unfinished projects, so I'll try to integrate some into my current projects. 

Here's what I want to make this year:

• 
  a quilt blanket for Miggy
• new curtains
• bench covers
• teal colored throw pillow covers
• a Yoda wall decor
• a Christmas wall decor (a wreath or parol)
• everyday items: new bag, card case, power bank case
• Christmas tree skirt
• complete the chair covers

And will add as I see fit :)

#BeKind #StaySafe

Home Goals

On Mondays I usually write about home improvements we do. It's a never ending process when you're a homeowner. It's usually a question of letting things be until it rots or fix things as soon as it's needed. 

We've listed a couple of things that need care and repair for our home. There are some things we delayed to this year, since it still works and doesn't need immediate attention. There are some things that need to be fixed immediately for safety. 

Here's what we need to do in the coming months:

1. Repairs

- garage faucet

- sewage is still blocked (neighbor should get it fixed)

- top of front wall (the cats keep scratching it)

- bed reinforcement

2. Cleaning

- gutters

- annual furniture cleaning

- paintings (by batch)

3. Painting 

- front gate

- Front wall

4. Install/replace

- garage light

- dead solar lights

- mailbox

- outdoor stairs 

5. On-time payments 

- fire insurance

- homeowners fees

- RPT

- utility bills

I really want to enjoy our home this year by not doing any major repairs. We nailed our roof issue finally last year, so I'd really want to enjoy, fix the house, decorate and focus on other fun things.

#BeKind #StaySafe

2025's Lessons

2025 was a year of healing for me. My inner child finally healed from many years of pain.

I prayed for healing for many years. Well, I learned a lot last year and that's what helped me heal. 

Here's a few things 2025 taught me:

1. I learned from reading that the only one who can heal your inner child is yourself. Let your older self talk to your younger self to let go.

2. A heart that can't forgive won't heal.

3. Protect your peace. Sometimes the best thing to do is to just step away.

4. Red flags are real. Don't be too trusting.

5. Old friendships can be re-ignited. Sometimes life just gets in the way and you eventually go back to where you were at the right time.

Life was never meant to be complicated, live simply.

#BeKind #StaySafe

My 2026 Garden Goals

The prices of vegetables are crazy nowadays. We're lucky we are able to buy affordable lettuce from a neighbor, but other must haves like onion, carrots and bell pepper are really expensive.

I was ecstatic when we were able to harvest a couple of bell peppers. We were able to use it for our cooking needs. It reminded me why I'm spending time in the garden.

So, for this year I'd like to work on getting more produce from our garden. I'll just focus on a few vegetables that we regularly use. I already saved seeds from the bell peppers I used during the holidays. I'm also letting roots grow from garlic and onions. Then I'll show some seeds of greens and carrots this weekend.

This time I'll be armed with the lessons I learned the past few years. I think I know how to control pests now and how to properly nourish the plants. I just need to find spaces where the plants can get better sunlight and humidity.

Wish me luck!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Made Atsara

I quickly looked at what I could do with the papaya we harvested from our tree. There were two and one was still green. We also got two small bell peppers and have a number of ginger in pots. I did a quick search and found out that I could actually make atsara from our harvest. 

I liked Chef Tatung's recipe since you actually cook the atsara. The other recipes I watched only poured boiling vinegar on the veggies. I figured the result would be tastier if I cooked the veggies together. The recipe was also on one of the first Simpol cookbooks, so I got to work last weekend.

Using the food processor was really helpful. I'm a klutz when it comes to using knives. I just cut the veggies and fed them to the food processor. Preparing everything took longer because I took videos, haha. It was easy to make and I'm glad I had everything on hand. Maybe next time I'll make more when we have a bigger harvest and I'll share it with friends. 

Full recipe: https://recipesformyson.blogspot.com/2026/01/recipes-for-my-son-homemade-atsara.html

Here's how I made it:

#BeKind #StaySafe