Potholder Made from Scrap Jeans

It's been over a year since I started sorting my Mom's things. I was so surprised to find a boat-load of craft materials. I thought I was done with it, but I'm still finding beads and scrap fabrics in other boxes. I haven't even started sorting her kitchen items. 

I recently found a bunch of coasters made from scrap Jeans (maong). I remember she started this project back in the 90s. It was her assistant, Grace, who worked on the project with her. She gave us one potholder over a decade ago and we're still using it. It's actually beside our stove right now. We put it in a net and just toss it in the washing machine when it gets dirty. 

Anyway, of course, the bunch I found smelled like it's been hiding since the 90s. I washed it a couple of times and let it dry under the sun for a few days. Gathered it up and thought I'd make a new potholder. It would be nice to use whenever we line up dishes buffet style when we have guests. 

It looks easy to hand-sew together, but it isn't. It took me two days to finish one and I re-developed calluses on my fingers, haha. I made sure to double the stitches to make it sturdy. It was a good project to re-start my sewing hobby. I had been using my sewing time to sort through my Mom's stuff. I had to start sewing again to keep sane. 

I like how it turned out. Maybe I'll make a few more since we need a number of potholders for dishes whenever we have guests. I might prioritize making a new curtain though for the kitchen. I need something that will let more air in since it's been very hot! 

#BeKind #StaySafe

Rest in Peace Pope Francis

I was just scrolling through socmed when I saw a post that Pope Francis just passed away. I wanted to make sure it was true, so I sought out news sites to confirm. We watched the urbi et orbi and his ride around the Vatican last night and I even told Sweetie, he looks like he recovered already. So, seeing the news was a huge shock for me.

In 2018, we had the opportunity to be at Pope Francis' daily blessing at the Vatican. I felt so much love at that time and called up my Mom because I wanted to share the moment with her. I told her then that I wanted to bring her next time we went to Rome. 

I'm so sad, but happy for Pope Francis that he's been called back home. He really showed that we must live life with love and deep faith. Rest in peace Papa Pope. Please send my love to my family and friends up there, especially to your katukayo my Papa Lolo Francisco. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

Not Every Voice Deserve Your Attention

It was wrestler Michelle McCool who said, "Not every voice deserves your attention". Sweetie was watching the WWE Hall of Fame 2025 while I was working on a project, so I was listening while the hall of famers gave their speeches.

I was originally going to write about Fr. Jerry Orbos' feature on Bernadette Sembrano's channel. I picked up a couple of reminders as well from the interview, particularly to "live your mission".

Combining lessons from a wrestler and a priest seems so far-fetched, but the life of Michelle and Fr. Orbos' were both riddled with challenges. They both pushed and come out victorious in their own paths.

The past few years have honestly been very challenging for me especially health-wise. I have not functioned normally since I retired and had a couple of heart episodes. COVID-19 and other issues made things worse and my mitral valve needs a replacement.

I put my head down the past few months to prepare for the challenge. I've also been praying for strength and healing. My doctors wanted me to do surgery last February, but I wasn't ready. I hibernated to stabilize my mind, my heart, my soul and my faith. I purposely reduced the noise around me. As Michelle McCool said, "Not every voice deserves your attention" (especially those who are up to no good).

And I realized, it's time. I'm ready to push forward to live my mission and as Fr. Jerry Orbos said, "Promise sealed with a heart". Just trust in God.

Happy Easter everyone 🙏

#BeKind #StaySafe

Black Saturday 2025

Still observing quiet time for reflection this Holy Week.

Have a blessed day everyone.

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Good Friday 2025

A blessed Good Friday 🙏

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Maundy Thursday

A blessed Maundy Thursday everyone 🙏

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Holy Wednesday 2025

A stillness has started to settle in our neighborhood. A lot of people have probably left for their Holy Week vacation. It's been relatively quiet (thank God the noisy construction people aren't around). I took the opportunity to deal with re-potting some plants. I have a gazillion plants lined up to be re-potted. Majority are my Mom's plants that badly need rescuing. 

Gardening is a lot of work. It calms my mind. It's the best time for me to reflect and think about life. I thought about forgiveness and how things are really a lot better when you're not carrying so much baggage. With forgiveness comes healing. That one I think takes a bit of time. 

I'm also thinking a lot about my health and the next steps I need to take. I've been delaying what I need to do because I need to strengthen my mind and my soul to face it. I'm also hoping I'm just experiencing long COVID. It's been almost a year since I first had it and there are days when I'm just not stable. I just get going because of faith. 

A lot to be thankful for and with the crazy world, you just really need to have faith that everything will be okay. 

Have a blessed Holy Wednesday everyone.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Sunburnt

I stepped out around five in the afternoon to water the plants. It took me longer since I had to water down the rice water Miggy prepared for me. I slathered on Off lotion, but forgot to put sunscreen on. Whoops!

By the time I went back inside, I realized my face and neck were smarting. Sunburn. Ugh. I quickly drank a lot of water and showered. My cheeks are a bit red. Not the kind of Rosy cheeks I want to have.

The cats are also feeling the hot weather. They've been lethargic and prefer to drink a lot than eat. Poor kitties. I've been moving plants so they have more areas to hide from the sun. Some of my plants are getting burnt too, so I'm moving most of them. I'm thinking whether I should install a net to provide more shade. 

Hope and pray the weather doesn't get worse. It was reported today that Los Baños reached 50'C heat index. Yikes!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Tried Niseko Coffee

For today's caffeine fix, we decided to try Niseko Coffee at Alabang Town Center. It was a long walk from where we ate lunch. It's nestled in a nook near the cinema, beside the entrance at the side of the church.

Anyway, we finally tried it today. I know Japanese coffee is good because whenever I'm in Tokyo I couldn't resist drinking more than my usual one cup. I wanted to see whether it would be the same.

It did not disappoint. We loved it. I had a latte, Miggy had flat white, and Sweetie got the signature coffee. Maybe next time I'll try the flat white and hopefully they'll have beans available.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Palm Sunday

Observing Palm Sunday today. 

Let's all spend time this week to reflect and remember the Passion of Christ.

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Unbearable

It was extra hot today, like, unbelievably hot. It was like we were being cooked alive. I just stayed indoors and just ventures out around 5:30 pm to water the plants.

The smaller desert rose plant is thriving though. I water it only once a week. I had to move some plants so they don't get burnt. The Buddha belly plant had some spots on it so I moved it back away from the sun.

Sigh, summer is going to be rough.

#BeKind #StaySafe