My Favorite Rubber Stamps

Sweetie and I have a collection of rubber stamps. Actually, Sweetie owns the majority of it and I only bought the Papemelroti Christmas rubber stamp set and a Frixion stamp set.

I love the Frixion stamp set. I got it in Tokyo before the pandemic and I used it sparingly. It was only when it started raining last July that I started using it everyday. I started tracking the weather when the habagat started going crazy. It helped me realize we had rain everyday for 3 straight weeks.

I got the set in a shop in Ginza. It's actually just about 2 inches each with a small icon. You also don't need stamp ink since it's self-inking. I had about ten and I added a few more, so I can stamp more "occasions" and activities.

The Frixion stamp set works perfectly well with the small Starbucks planner I got last Christmas. The planner is the smallest I've ever had and TBH you can barely read what I write everyday. Think size 8 font to list what I ate and did everyday, haha. The stamps help give it a bit more color.

I'm hoping to find one stamp to represent gardening. I think that's the only thing I lack from the set :)

#BeKind #StaySafe

An Almost Empty Shell

If you passed by in front of our house, you won't think it was being demolished. The front area stayed intact for a long time. The roof was left untouched also to provide shade for the team. 

It was possible to do that because we chose to make the house a bit smaller and have at least 2 meters of easement. This allowed the team to dig a new foundation without removing the old one. It helped keep minimal work disruptions. 

It was still surreal to see the house in shambles. There was no longer a trace of what it was and what every corner contributed to my core memories. I lived in it for over 30 years and I could easily imagine what each nook and corner looked like. 

It took a while for me to grasp that my childhood home is almost gone. At least the demolition wasn't too drastic. It gave me time to process losing the physical house. Anyway, the memories will always be in my mind and heart. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

Community

My parents were very active in our parish when I was growing up. Most of the visitors at home were our neighbors. They'd have meetings and parties often. It was the community I grew up in and that's where I learned that you can do a lot of good when you volunteer. 

The biggest project my parents were involved in was helping build our parish church. A lot of the meetings happened at home and I remember the huge fundraising activity they organized. I was always in tow since I think I was one of the youngest children in the group. 

I posted the photo above on my page and Tito Henry commented on it. He said that my Dad made them proud to be part of the community. Yes, my parents always welcomed people to help in any way they can. I saw my Mom's multitude of lists for ticket selling, donations, and lists of groups. 

As much as I'm an introvert, I also joined some groups in our parish and they are still my friends until today. As introverted as I am, I actually built communities as part of my job. The communities were volunteer groups to help others learn and most are still around even though I retired. The secret was growing up within a tight community. 

I tried doing some volunteer work a few months ago, but alas, my body is just too messed up and I'm unable to commit. Stress always brings me down, so I apologized and pulled out. I tend to do things whole-heartedly, but I need to focus on my health. Maybe someday I can be more productive and helpful. 

Have a blessed Sunday everyone!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Wow! Sili!

Surprisingly, our peppers have been producing a lot of fruit! Sweetie has been harvesting bell peppers weekly and a lot more sili!

I gave the plants a generous amount of urea and chicken manure mid-August and then left Miggy to water them as needed. I guess the rain gave it additional nutrients because it produced a lot of peppers. 

I also like to thank Mr. Bee and friend. They've been actively helping the plants pollinate. I'm due to add nutrients to the plants this weekend and I hope I can give my oulmo therapist a bag of sili again next month!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Unwell, Again

I was unstable today and it was probably triggered by interrupted sleep. I just rested all day and didn't get to visit our cats, huhu.

Here's the horiatiki Sweetie prepared yesterday --

Here's how you can make it:

https://youtu.be/nwKXimtQURc?si=RG3R0XA4cihhTSU3

#BeKind #StaySafe

Throwback Thursday: Beach Time with Dad

My Mom told me they started to being me to out of town trips when I was still a baby. No wonder I'm so used to traveling. For many years, we'd head to Pasacao and Naga City especially during summer.

I was scanning photos again today and found a photo of me and Dad at the beach. I took his slippers and he was running after me. I actually kind of remember that day. It's one of my core happy memories.

Going to the beach always calms me down. I have many happy childhood memories there. I haven't gone for awhile now, so hopefully next year maybe?

#BeKind #StaySafe

Not Feeling Well

My body is fighting something, probably germs since my temperature is a bit elevated.

Resting for now.

#BeKind #StaySafe