Yeh! Friday

I wasn't able to attend pulmo rehab again. I was a bit feverish when I woke up. Rested more and remembered that I needed to pick up something at the barangay hall. Quickly ate, drank meds and Sweetie accompanied me to the barangay hall.

Since we were already out, I asked Sweetie if we could buy some bread. We ended up at the main entryway to our area. It's easier to park there, plus there's a couple of food stalls available in the area.

Well, aside from buying bread we ended up getting rice meals at Binalot. It's been a long time since I had some bongga longganisa. Sweetie got his favorite tapa walastik and Miggy had Vivo tocino. I still remember when Binalot had a contest to name their food and I suggested bongga longganisa (haha). Binalot also saw us through our first month as a newlywed since we were still learning how to cook.

I noticed the group of stalls next to Binalot, Potato Corner, Henlin and Infinitea. I told Sweetie we should get some fries to surprise Miggy. Oh boy, it's really been a long time since I had Potato Corner. I made a dent on the pasalubong on the way home! Haha!

And that's today's adventure. I have to keep moving while I can. Which reminds me I need to clean my spirometer. My doctor required me to use it hourly. Gasp!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Ugh, Slight Fever

Ugh, whatever's bugging me is trying to get me again. I just rested, watered the plants and hung out with the cats. Sweetie took my temp and I have slight fever again. I can't afford to be sick. Grrrr.

Anyway, here's Meredith and Anakin today. They were super sweethearts and waited patiently for their wet food.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Got a New Chair for My Sewing Area for Free!

I have been working on organizing my sewing area. Sweetie and I switched corners a few months ago. It made more sense for him to sit beside our toy collection. I, on the other hand, needed better lighting for my sewing/quilting projects.

I identified my needs and realized it would be better to have an L-shaped desk. After moving around some stuff I managed to fit in another table. Now I have additional space for ironing and measuring fabric. It also doubles as space for a printer when I scan photos.

What would make the "expanded" space better is a chair with wheels. I noticed quilters across the world use office chairs with wheels. I had one, but it broke. I had the leg changed, but it broke again! Gaaaaah! I've been using a nice monoblock chair for over a year now and was thinking whether I should buy a replacement.

Well, I didn't need to buy one because I got it for free from a purchase the boys did. They didn't want a chair, so I said I'll use it. It's all black, but I will jazz it up so it won't look like an office chair. What do you think?

#BeKind #StaySafe

Bye Bye Pablo

We were surprised to find Pablo the Danio at the bottom of the tank last night. We don't know what happened, but being the smallest we think it was attacked by one of the bigger Danio fish.

Sigh :(

#BeKind #StaySafe

The Nile is Not Just a River in Egypt: My Asthma Journey

"The Nile is not just a River in Egypt," is what my allergologist, Dr. Canlas, told me over 15 years ago after he informed me of the results of my allergy test.

I had to see an allergologist because I was suffering from severe asthma after a nasty bout of pneumonia. It took me awhile before I understood what Dr. Canlas told me. "The Nile" meant denial. He was telling me that the first step to healing is acceptance. I was able to renew my tolerance for chicken, chocolate and even Coca-Cola. The doctor explained I was always allergic to it, but my immune system went down after having pneumonia. 

I just took meds, didn't do immunotherapy and just kept eating chicken and chocolate by bits. Eventually, my tolerance returned. Unfortunately, I never regained tolerance for crab, but can eat a few pieces of shrimp.

I urged Sweetie to see an allergologist. I noticed he has been having frequent asthma attacks. He got it after COVID-19. I was baffled and worried since asthma can lead to other things. He did his allergy test today and the main trigger for his asthma attacks is dust. We have been beside two house construction in the past 3+ years and that's the leading cause for the dust (you can see it easily on my plants).

As Dr. Canlas advised me, I also reminded Sweetie of the quote he told me, "The Nile is not just a River in Egypt."

Acceptance is key. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

Unstable

Happy Sunday everyone. I experienced aFib last night so I've just been resting today. I did step out for awhile to get some sunshine and saw the Kalachuchi (desert rose) blooming more flowers. They do last longer than gumamela (hibiscus), so that makes me happy. 

Hope you all had a restful weekend.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Getting to Know My Mama Lola

As the youngest in my generation, I only got to spend time with my Mama Lola (grandma) whenever she lived with us. Half the time she was in the US and oftentimes in Naga City. I did get to spend time with her since she had her own bedroom in our home. 

I would spend time in her bedroom in the afternoons. I didn't like sleeping in the afternoons, but she made it mandatory before I could play with her helpers. Eventually, she taught me how to use her sewing machine and that's what I remember most about her. I loved her sewing kit and that was eventually passed on to me. Her sewing machine is also with me now. 

A lot of my relatives say I'm a lot like my Mama Lola. I inherited her quirks. I've been scanning old photos my Mom left and today I scanned a lot of my Mama Lola's photos. Some of them were when she was much younger. I discovered a lot about her and I now understand why my relatives say I'm a lot like her.

I always thought it was only my Mom who was part of the CWL (Catholic Women's League). Apparently, my Mama Lola was active in it too. I found some photos where she was inducted as an officer. I always thought she was always just home since she was always just home while I was growing up. My Mom was active in the community, Mama Lola probably encouraged her and my Dad. The bug eventually found me. 

My Mom probably organized my Mama Lola's photos after she passed a way. She had a lot and some even had notes on them. One funny polaroid photo of her in winter clothes said she bundled up but ended up buying food for herself because Tito Butch probably forgot they were supposed to meet. That's so much like my Mama Lola. She never forgets anything and I'm the same, hehe. 

I'm sure I'll discover more about my Mama Lola, Mom, Dad and all my titos and titas who have gone up to heaven. What I like best is seeing their photos when they were much younger. I still have boxes upon boxes of albums to scan. I'll try to scan at least once a week. Let's see where this goes :)

Miss you Mama Lola.

#BeKind #StaySafe