I started writing when I was 8. My mom got me a journal where I could rant (prob so I won't be an annoying brat). I stopped writing for 8 years until the pen and then later on the keyboard called on me again. I blog because I like writing and that's just about it. Hope you get inspired though... Bite the apple!
Friday, September 20, 2024
Garage Sale Finds
Thursday, September 19, 2024
Learned to Make Real Mac and Cheese
TBH, we always make ready to cook mac and cheese. I never tried making it with real cheese. A friend brought several pieces of cheese. Another friend explained what they were good for. One was gyuyere cheese which I learned was good for pasta.
I watched a couple of videos to learn how to make mac and cheese. I chose to adapt Chef Tatung's Mac and cheese recipe. He used regular boxed cheese and mentioned you can add other cheeses. I used the food processor to grate the gyuyere cheese and found some leftover mozzarella cheese in the fridge.
It was fairly easy to make and my boys absolutely loved it. Miggy said it tasted like mac and cheese from a restaurant we ate in once. I was so used to regular boxed mac and cheese and Kenny Rogers mac and cheese, it never occurred to me to try making it with real cheese. It mega leveled-up! Now I don't think I'll buy boxed mac and cheese anymore, LOL.
Here's how we made it at home:
Full recipe at: https://recipesformyson.blogspot.com/2024/09/recipes-for-my-son-mac-and-cheese-with.html
#BeKind #StaySafe
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Suddenly Feeling My Age
It's funny how things can change overnight. My skin suddenly became dry and I felt itchy all over. My scalp was dry too. I started having dental issues. I continued to do my daily routines, drank my maintenance meds, but I just generally felt off.
My friends warned me it would come. What I started feeling was definitely outside of my abnormally normal issues. I never had issues that required me to go to a dermatologist. My cardiologist declared I was perimenopausal many years ago. Everything was the same for me, so I just went on and focused on my other medical issues.
Anyway, I couldn't sleep because I felt itchy all over. I did some research and found out that at my age estrogen production starts reducing. Estrogen helps keep your skin moisturized. I know I need to see my OB soon, but while waiting I tried to find ways to keep the symptoms at bay.
Apparently, the usual toiletries you use won't work anymore. I read that regular soap will act like detergent on your skin. The same goes for your shampoo. You need to use soap for sensitive skin. I couldn't find any Neutrogena soap, but found Grandma's Lye Soap (for sensitive skin). I was surprised to find out that Perla now has a bath soap variant. They both have reduced itching. Of course, I slather on Vaseline deep restore lotion after taking a bath. No more itchy itchy!
I'm still trying to figure out what to do with my scalp. I got a bottle of Johnson's baby shampoo and so far that has helped. I have been using a shampoo and conditioner bar the past few months. It used to work well, but now my scalp is drying too. So far Johnson's baby shampoo works better for me.
I'm glad I have friends who have gone through this ahead of me. There's a lot more information available online as well, but having girlfriends helps a lot more :)
#BeKind #StaySafe
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Made a Quilted Gift for My Doctor
My doctors have been caring for me really well. They are all quite new since I moved back home and had to find new doctors. I always observe their clinics to find clues on what I could possibly gift them. I noticed not all my doctors have patient beds where they do physical checks. One did and had a pillow which I thought needed a new case.
I brought a tape measure and asked permission from my doctor if I could measure the pillow. I told her I wanted to make a throw pillow case for it. The last time I made one was for my cardiologist in Singapore. He was so stoked he actually put my work on a frame. It now hangs in his office (haha).
I worked on the quilted throw pillow case between my vaccinations (haha). I wanted to make sure I'd be able to give it to her on my next appointment. I made a fairly easy design, but challenged myself by making small heart accents. That's where I got stuck for awhile. It wasn't perfect, but still looked like hearts (haha). I figured the patients who'd see it won't notice anyway since they'll be busy with the doctor.
I handed it to my doctor and she was happy with the surprise. She immediately asked her assistant to put it on the pillow. Maybe I'll see it next time I come back for my next vaccination :)
Here's how I made the project:
Measurements and how to: https://www.needleadventures.com/2024/09/quilted-throw-pillow-case-for-doctor.html
#BeKind #StaySafe
Monday, September 16, 2024
Flood Proofing Your Home
Sunday, September 15, 2024
Our Eugenia Plant Always have Red Leaves
Saturday, September 14, 2024
Avocado Update: More Roots Plus a Tiny Stem
Friday, September 13, 2024
It's Like Our Second Home Came Nearer to Us
I lived in Singapore for a decade. As a creature of comfort I eventually found a couple of places that became go-to places for me and my boys. One favorite resto we frequented was Old Town. I first tried it in Kuala Lumpur. I always visited it at the airport while waiting for my short flight back to Singapore.
It eventually had a branch in Singapore. It was located near our dentist, so, of course, that's where we would eat after getting our teeth cleaned (haha). My Mom also loved drinking milk tea and liked it a lot. I was happy when we saw a branch opening near our home. We immediately went to try it during its soft opening.
The menu was surprisingly more expansive than the one in Singapore. We were set to do some errands, so just had breakfast (aka merienda) food. The branch certainly got the look of the branches in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, so it brought back some good memories.
Here's a glimpse of Old Town's menu at SM City Bicutan, they basically have food for different times of the day:
They opened a month ago, so operations should be efficient by now. We just tried another newly opened restaurant, but should visit Old Town again soon. Wangfu opened recently too, but I'd be over the moon when Nanyang opens too. How I wish they'd bring Spotlight here too, or at least open a store that sells fabric, sewing and craft materials too.
#BeKind #StaySafe
Thursday, September 12, 2024
Forgot to Mention that Flying Tiger SM Bicutan is Now Open!
I think it's been a month already since Flying Tiger opened a branch at SM Bicutan. I've been there a couple of times and it just slipped my mind to share the news! I think the only week we haven't visited SM Bicutan was when it was raining so bad due to the typhoon. We were cooped up at home the whole week and had to postpone all our appointments.
Anyway, as I happily shared last July, a branch of Flying Tiger was going to open at SM Bicutan. It opened a few weeks ago and I was able to visit it a couple of times since August. The branch is spacious and I think a bit bigger than the one in ATC. It has the same maze-like layout, so it's best to start from the right side.
The store has a lot of knick-knacks, useful desk and kitchen items, and decorative items. Items being sold I think change weekly (or a lot of stuff get sold out fast). I've visited the nearby branch almost every week since it opened and this week they're selling Halloween items already. If you find something you like, better to buy it immediately because it may not be available next time you come back.
Go visit and have some fun!
#BeKind #StaySafe
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Shhh... How I Reduce Noise
Social media has certainly made our world "noisier". I must admit, it was fascinating to be always online. Always on the know. Always connected. If you're not "on", then you'd be behind. It was fun, but it's not healthy to always be in the forefront of things.
After my second PE*, my doctor mandated me to stay offline. Even in ICU I was still getting calls and pings from work. It was an aha moment for my doctors. They realized my personality is what will ultimately bring me peril. So I was mandated to stay offline. That meant no peeking at my emails or social media.
Mind you, it took me months before I started appreciating being offline. I did not realize that I had to do that for my own good. I monitored my online time using my phone and watched my time spent online go down slowly. It was a habit that had to be broken.
I learned a lot from those months I strictly reduced being online. I forced myself to be more productive offline. I re-discovered my passion for quilting, gardening and baking. Movement was still controlled so I had to be creative at home. It was easy to fill up offline time, since I was asleep half the time (recovering from PEs requires serious rest).
Things can get very noisy online nowadays. I don't check my phone when I wake up. I only turn it on after all my routines, eating and drinking my meds. I just take a peek and then move on to do some gardening. Gardening includes playtime with the cats. And this is why lately my posts are done late in the evening, haha.
My doctors were right. It's really in your hands how you manage your stress. I mute when needed. I unfollow when it's too much. I'm at the age when I feel strongly about protecting my space and my peace.
#BeKind #StaySafe
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Perfect Artwork for My Sewing Room
One thing I did not expect to find at the Super Manila Comic Con was an artwork for my sewing room. I've been on the lookout for sewing themed decor/art for my sewing room. The only sewing decor I have is a clock, a few sewing machine figures and thimbles which I collected from my travels.
I was dead tired by the time we reached the section for artists. Top of mind for me was to find a Yoda artwork or figure. Unlike the Singapore Comic Con, all the works were original. What caught my eye was Marius Black's artwork, "Blum". It's a cityscape of Blumentritt and I found the colors fascinating. The booth also had cat artwork and a child playing under a sewing machine.
"My Silly Passenger" is the title of the print made by Guada Ramos Funtilar. I liked the artwork because it reminded me of those days I used to play under my Mama Lola's sewing machine. I even had the same hair cut as the child. She had the same black Singer sewing machine. Of course, I had to get a print for my sewing room.
I'm happy I got it and regret I didn't buy Marius Black's Blum print. They both gave us their business card, so I could just probably order online or go to an event they'll attend. In the meantime, I need to find a nice frame for the print I got. Also, need to figure out where to hang it :)
#BeKind #StaySafe
Monday, September 9, 2024
Cat Patrol and Gumamela Flowers
We had a busy afternoon today. It's always good to spend a few hours outside. We were not able to do it everyday now because of the rain. I puttered around the garden and gave some sundried coffee grinds to the gumamela plants. I was surprised to see another flower today. It looked a bit forlorn, but still very beautiful. I probably need to move them to bigger pots and make sure to provide fertilizer consistently.
Of course, the afternoon won't be complete without spending time with the cats. They are quite a handful now and we try to give each one of the equal playtime. Meredith has been picky with food again, so we've been giving her broth. Brimsley's the same, she doesn't eat every so often. The vet said to bring them in if they become inactive. So far all our cats are active, so we're just observing for now.
Pikachu took over cat patrol today. She was so cute hanging out on the wall. She would look left to right as if looking for intruders, haha. She's one of our most vocal cats and always meows whenever we're around. Truly a cutey.
Happy Monday everyone!
#BeKind #StaySafe
Sunday, September 8, 2024
Family Day
Saturday, September 7, 2024
At the Super Manila Comic Con
Friday, September 6, 2024
Conked Out After Pulmo Rehab
I managed to sleep better the past two nights. There was some disturbance in the force the past two weeks and I had very dismal sleep. I researched for home remedies and it worked even though I have not been able to do my usual gardening exercise.
I had a hard time during pulmo rehab last week. I didn't have much rest, plus my tonsils were still inflamed. My therapist said I looked much better today. I told him I was able to sleep and I've been consistent with moisturizing.
I volunteered to use my heavier dumb bells today since I couldn't feel anything from the 1 pound set. I was good the first two exercises, but started to feel the difference by the third exercise. I had back pain too, so I thought it would help. I managed to finish the session with the heavier dumbbells. I finished strong with wall push-ups.
I was exhausted when we finished and I forced myself to finish my lunch before conking out, haha. I was out once my head hit the pillow on the sofa. I napped for two hours and I'm now gathering some strength to visit the cats. I can't let a day pass without visiting them. They will surely help heal me from today's session.
#BeKind #StaySafe
Thursday, September 5, 2024
What I was Up to 20 Years Ago
It just crossed my mind that 2004 was already 20 years ago. My life was so different back then and in my mind I thought it was going to be the same for the rest of my life. I thought it would be my last job and my personal life would be the same. The only thing permanent in life is change.
It's nice to look back at where you are in the past because it can be a clue on how to move forward. Here are tidbits on what my life was back in 2004. I didn't have a blog yet back then, but I already had a digicam and I still have my photos!
I was still working for the Yellow Pages
Miggy was just 10 years old back then
I hung out a lot with my colleagues
and choirmates/neighbors
Me and my best friend tried to incubate a company. We ended up going to Banaue for it.
Mom and Dad still loved going on road trips
And I had a pet fish, Oscar the oscar
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Ageing
While I'm far from being 65 years old (the age when one starts old age), my body was declared to be 70 years old when I was in my mid-30s. Well, more my heart and not my whole body. It was "reset" when I had heart surgery over 10 years ago. Since then my body has gone through a lot of trauma the past few years.
My beautiful Meredith and Me |
I am due for a TEE. My cardiologist wants to see the structure of my heart since it's been 11.5 years since I had surgery. My mitral valve has been leaking again for the past few years, so we need to make sure my heart is healthy. My lungs are another matter, but we're keeping the healthy parts healthier through pulmo rehab.
I came across a couple of books on ageing at the Big Bad Wolf event. I got a couple of books which could help me prepare better. I have friends who are the same age as me. We go through life body stages almost at the same time. It's comforting to know I am not alone in what I'm going through. There are things though which is unique for me (OHS, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension etc. etc.). That's what I have to be prepared for since even those who have the same medical conditions like me go through it differently.
Sometimes I feel God made me go through things in advance. I had Miggy early. I reached the peak of my career earlier. I had OHS younger than usual. I retired early. Everything is fast forward. God only gives you trials that you can bear. That's what I keep reminding myself. So, I'm excited to read the books I just bought. Maybe it will be me a perspective that will help improve my quality of living.
#BeKind #StaySafe