What We're Going to Do with My Childhood Home

My Mom kept telling me she wanted us to go back to the childhood home. The decision to go back was made on Dad's birthday after she passed away. It was bittersweet and it took me months to start on sunsetting the house. Emptying the house took two long years. 

We took time to really plan what to do with the house. Tito Bert built the house to last, but at some point you really need to redo the electrical and plumbing system. We had the house reviewed by a structural engineer and several architects and engineers. The recommendation was the same for everyone. Demolish the house and build a new one. 

We eventually decided to follow the professional recommendations and started to think about what we wanted in our forever home. The funny thing is our current home is similar to my childhood home. I started a wishlist to detail our goals.

Here are our goals for our future house:

• 
  The house needs to be PWD friendly :) 

• Provide appropriate space for our needs and lifestyle. 

• Proper ventilation to keep heat out and be protected from bad air quality. Assume all rooms will have air conditioning and air filters. We are fine to have a loft for storage. All rooms have air purifiers.

• Preserve Mom’s garden. Ensure structural integrity of garden and where house will be built. Be able to collect rainwater.

• Proper drainage system and keep out flood water. Build house higher than current height from road. 

• Follow property line and ensure security*.

• Solar energy and future proofed

Listing our goals helped communicate what we wanted out of the house. We gave this and our room wishlist to the architects we consulted. It took awhile before we chose one. I'm glad we followed our instincts and chose the one that closely aligned with our values and expectations. 

Next week I'll write about how we finally chose our architect.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Busy Sunday

It was a very busy day today. I spent a lot of time pruning plants in our pocket garden. I'm close to giving up my cherry tomato plants because the leaf miners pests just won't stop, huhu. I might just start new. 

I was also busy working on plans for another project. Spending time on the computer gave me a headache. I'm not used to it anymore and will probably need more green time (gardening) tomorrow to clear my eyes.

During a break, I watched the amazing Britain's Got Talent audition of Matty Juniosa. It goes to show that sometimes your talent can be better appreciated abroad (just like Sofronio Vasquez). I hope Matty wins! 

Happy Sunday everyone!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Should I Collect Pink Plants?

I didn't have that many plants before, but my Mom kept sneaking in some plants in our house. The number exponentially grew when we had to rescue her plants from my childhood home.

My Mom loved flowering (especially orchids) and ornamental plants. Years ago she brought a pot with aglaonema and two other plants. It grew and I eventually repotted them individually. The aglaonema was much more charming when it grew. 

This is where it started back in 2022:

And what it looks like now (there's a few more posts):

The desert rose plants we rescued from Mom's garden have been blooming a lot. So far all are a dark shades of pink (more fuschia).

The bougainvillea cuttings I propagated have been producing dark pink leaves.

I also love this bi-color caladium. They're growing so big and beautiful!

The Calathea plant I bought from a neighbor has pink streaks. It also grew so big!

Let's not forget my beautiful pink Gumamela.

And Mom's Buddha belly plant that produces pinkish Orange flowers consistently.

I have a few more which I got from Ikea and a garden nursery, but I'm still trying to keep them alive, haha.

Should I make a pink plant collection?

#BeKind #StaySafe

Friday at Last!

What a stressful week it's been and I'm so glad it's Friday. I'm still recovering from the medical procedure, but I've been able to water my plants again. In between watering plants, our cats have been very affectionate. 

The week isn't over yet. We still have some things to do and have to find time to do groceries. I haven't been able to cook again, but I have a list of dishes I want to cook. 

One thing I learned this week is to stick to your principles. Don't let anyone push you around just to do shortcuts. 

Happy weekend everyone!

#BeKind #StaySafe 

Fr. Henry Free, CP

Sweetie asked me if there was a Passionist priests whose name was Fr. Henry. I said, "Of course! Fr. Henry Free, CP!" We had been reminiscing about our confirmation and I told him I could still feel Fr. Harry Reusch, CP's light tap on my cheek (and I honestly still remember his cologne). 

Anyway, that was when he asked if there was a Fr. Henry among the Passionist priests. We both grew up under parishes led by Passionist priests. Me in Paranaque and Sweetie in Marikina. Our faith was both nurtured mostly by the same priests. 

I remember Fr. Henry Free, CP. I was a young child when he spent time in our parish. I remember him because he was a very jolly priest and I'd annoy him by collecting Ziggy toys from Tang. He took it with much grace and would laugh out loud whenever I gave him toys or cards with Ziggy on it. 

It's probably more than 4 decades already since I last saw him, but I remember him. I looked him up and he passed away awhile back. I always had in my mind he's just having a new adventure somewhere else. He is with God now and probably happily watching over all of us.

Miss you Fr. Henry a.k.a. Fr. Ziggy. Thank you for bringing joy to my childhood! :)

#BeKind #StaySafe

Biopsy

I'm so bummed I'm unable to do my regular activities today. I had a biopsy yesterday. It went well and I thank the huge team that took care of me yesterday.

It's not my first rodeo. I had two done 5 years ago. The result was benign. I instinctively had a mammogram done when I did my APE a few weeks ago and all my doctors were alarmed when I showed them the results. They all pushed me to immediately have a biopsy done especially since cancer runs in the family.

Resting for now since a little effort makes me dizzy. I miss my cats and my plants. I hope I'll feel better by end of the week.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Zzz

I had to take a break from blogging today to take care of myself.

Will be back tomorrow.

#BeKind #StaySafe