Shopping at Wilcon Depot for Home Needs

Last Friday, we went to Wilcon Depot to buy a couple of needs for our plumbing system. I'm actually glad that the master plumber, Manong Roy, installed a filter system for our water tank. With frequent water interruptions by Maynilad, we see how much dirt is accumulated monthly on the filter. This helps clean the water that goes into our water tank. Having a filter helps keep your tank clean and you avoid the cost of having a water tank cleaned (at least PhP6,000 per service). 

Anyway, we just buy the replacement filter at Wilcon Depot. The same filter is much more expensive at Ace Hardware. Usually, Sweetie buys it, but this time he allowed me to go with him since the branch is fully air-conditioned (last time I went to a similar store I got heat exhaustion). We also went because we needed to replace a part for our toilet. 

We went around after getting what we needed and I was enthralled with the many items they carry. I've been making a list for our future house and took note of the cost of construction materials. It was overwhelming, but a good place to see different kinds of materials. We were also pleasantly surprised to find bigger cat crates (haha). The ones at malls are quite expensive and smaller, so it was good to know you can get bigger crates at Wilcon Depot. 

The staff were also very helpful. They were more knowledgeable than mall based hardware stores and that's a good thing since they helped us find the right part for the toilet we needed (which thankfully got fixed the same day by a plumber). 

I'd like to go back soon to see what else they have so we can plan things better. I'll probably go earlier in the day or later in the afternoon. The blast of hot air when you step out isn't good for you. 

*I've also looked around online for home items, but prefer to know and hold the actual materials before purchasing anything. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

Andre the Giant

Yesterday, we watched the WWE Hall of Fame where they honored Andre the Giant for his contributions for wrestling. To be honest, I only found out that Andre the Giant was a wrestler when Sweetie and I got married! 

I knew Andre the Giant from the film, The Princess Bride. He was one of my favorite characters as a kind, gentle giant. He changed my view of giants from the scary The Hulk. Growing up, I always thought giants were scary, but Andre the Giant who was initially looked mean on the film was actually a gentle person. 

It's been decades since I watched The Princess Bride and my memories are fuzzy about the story, but I remember the characters, including Wallace Shawn who eventually played Dr. John Sturgis in Young Sheldon. The Princess Bride is part of my childhood core memory. 

Going back to Andre the Giant, it was an eye opener to see clips of him wrestling. It was amazing to discover another side of him. He sadly passed away only when he was 46 years old. Despite that he was a legend and left a mark in history. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

The Thrill of Propagation

I enjoy plants more when I grow them from seed or from cuttings. I can just easily buy, but it's more challenging to sow seeds and watch a cutting thrive.

Growing cuttings is really challenging. My Mom told me it's easy. Just stick it in soil and it'll grow. My Mom had a very green thumb. I'm still a work in progress.

A few weeks ago, I embarked on my fourth or fifth cycle of propagating my Mom's bougainvillea collection. As far as I know, she never bought bougies. She exchanged cuttings with neighbors. 

After a few cycles, I think I'm finally getting better at it. Let the cutting drink water with liquid rooting hormone overnight. The next day rub the bottom with aloe vera and wrap it with her leaf, then stick in soil mixed with chicken manure and perlite. Let it slip water from the bottom and leave it in an area with indirect light. I covered it with a bottle with holes for a week and then removed the bottle cap. 

Water everyday and I found out by chance that watering with rice water and orange peels help give it a nutrition boost. Just make sure to dilute it. I only remove the bottles when the leaves are bigger already. 

And the reward comes when you continue to care for it. Prune every so often and feed it with complete fertilizer. It will produce flowers even when it's in a small pot. I haven't repotted any of the bougies I propagated. I'll wait until they outgrow the pot, besides I still have some of those Mom propagated. I'll re-pot those first.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Brain Fry

We stepped out this morning for some errands. Boy, it was HOT! I brought my neck fan to help cool me down while going around.

We first went to a garden nursery to get some supplies. The area where plants were displayed felt cool. They had just watered the plants, so I guess that helped cool down the temperature. The net overhead also kept the sun's harsh rays out. Maybe we should do that for our whole house?

After leaving the garden nursery, we got some breakfast and then went to a hardware to buy some items for our home. Good thing the depot had airconditioning so it was bearable. The last time I went to one I melted! Luckily, we decided to go another way and missed the heavy traffic due to a fire. Soon enough we were home.

I'll probably hibernate until the rainy season comes.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Six Years Ago We Moved

Six years ago we moved to our last home in Singapore. Things were getting stricter back then and we got lucky because the lockdown happened right after we moved. 

I didn't know then that it would be our last stop in Singapore. It was a different experience since from our second floor apartment, we moved 20 floors up! 

It certainly helped to have a balcony. We got fresh air and managed to get some sun when we stepped out to hang laundry. It was a smaller space, but it was good to experience living on a higher floor. I don't think I'll experience it again.

The move was hard to do, but we managed to pull it off. We had to since our old apartment seriously needed attention and I felt I was getting sick in the place already. I would probably have gone crazy if we got stuck in the old apartment during the pandemic. 

Just a good memory to remember. There's always something exciting when you move to a new place.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Changing What I Eat

My recent annual physical exam didn't have good results. My doctor didn't scold me for being at the ceiling of what's normal, but I know it's time for me to change my diet so I don't overboard especially with cholesterol and blood sugar.

The summary report suggested I avoid eating meat, including chicken, and to eat more veggies. For over a week now I have been eating fish everyday and I'm keeping a diary of vegetables I eat everyday.

It's been an eye opening experience since I've been finding new dishes to try. I also rounded up my seafood recipes I've made through the years. My next grocery run will include more seafood in the list. 

It's been a week and the most noticeable change is I'm able to sleep faster. My doctor said the body aches and cramps I'm experiencing is due to the heat and humidity. I just need to be better hydrated and stay out of the sun (gardening time has also moved to a later time).

I lost about a kilo already, but I'm not counting that as a permanent change. I'll consider it as weight loss if it stays for another week.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Made a Bag for a Friend

When I heard my Malaysian friend was visiting, I immediately thought about replacing the bag I made for her years ago. It was one of my earlier projects and was hand sewn. It wasn't too sturdy.

I had only a few days to make it, so I made a small all-around bag which she can use as a lunch bag or shopping bag. I worked on it for a few nights and the coffee beans we got for them fit perfectly. 

I like making stuff for dear friends. I hope this bag lasts!

#BeKind #StaySafe