Grogu is Home!

After six long weeks at the vet, Grogu is home! His wound was deep and long, so it took a long time to heal.

He meowed like crazy from the vet and during the drive home. He quieted down once we released him in the backyard. He took tentative steps first and smelled everything. His twin, Mando Laura, watched him from behind the palm tree. 

Miggy followed Grogu around to make sure he'd adjust properly. Luckily, the whole pawmily welcomed him back with open arms. He slept in his usual space. We were afraid he might run away since he's still an outdoor cat, but after a short trip outside he soon came back.

We noticed that Grogu is more affectionate now. He was exposed to more people while at the vet, so we're getting extra leg rubs from him and Anakin all day. 

I'm really happy he's home now! There's still a small part of his wound that's still healing, but it's more manageable now. We'll bust out the cat condo soon!

#BeKind #StaySafe

My Favorite Fabric Pencil!

I have tried a lot of fabric pencils. I used to travel a lot and I'd usually visit a craft store. I was always on the lookout for better fabric pencils. That quest kinda ended when I found this pencil in a store in Ginza, Japan (Yuzawaya). 

I was curious because the fabric pencil was a mechanical pencil (called Sewline). It was quite expensive, so I removed some fabric from my cart so I could try it. It's the best fabric pencil ever!!! I immediately fell in love with it when I tried it as soon as I got home. Lines were always straight and the pencil would glide smoothly on the fabric (especially when you have sandpaper to stabilize the fabric). 

Here's a demo:

The pencil came with refills, but I was eventually shocked when I needed to buy new ones. The refills are expensive too! I have other white fabric pencils, but they usually break easily and I'm not really happy with big fat lines. I just buy white refills to save.

I ran out of refills recently, so I checked where I could buy. I was surprised to see a new variant of the pencil. It's a trio pencil which includes white, black and pink. I've had my Sewline pencil for 8 years now and thought I'd indulge and try this new one. I also misplaced my original white pencil, so this would be a replacement. 

And just like before, I immediately fell in love with it. The pink pen is quite interesting and I might buy a refill when I run out. 

Finding joy in little things :)

#BeKind #StaySafe 

Cat Themed Stuff at Papemelroti!

I've been due to visit Papemelroti for a few months now. I missed visiting it the last time we went to Glorietta last January (mall visit limited to sections). Finally, got to visit the other day and was happily surprised to find cat themed stuff!

I honestly didn't need anything, but I always end up buying something at Papemelroti. My haul included a cute Rizal postage stamp clock, a cat theme coaster, a couple of postcards and a memo pad. I controlled myself because I recently found a bunch of Papemelroti pads and notebooks I bought through the years. They were in my old room in my childhood home. They all look like I just bought them since I had kept them in boxes. I'll use them for my endless lists!

Anyway, I was happy to see a lot of cat-themed stuff. They probably have had it, I just didn't have cats before. My cat themed stuff has been limited to Hello Kitty, so I'm now on the lookout for useful cat items. Here's a few I saw:

When I woke up from my nap, I saw the Papemelroti post on Threads mention that they have a branch at Alabang Town Center. I was actually checking the day before we went to Glorietta where their branches in the south are. There's one in SM Sucat, but we rarely go there. Ahh, I'm so happy they have a branch at ATC. We just need to figure out where the actual location is (supposed to be 2nd floor of the activity center). Since we missed doing groceries, we'll probably go sometime this week! 

#BeKind #StaySafe

Glorietta Food Choices After a Gazillion Years

I honestly don't remember the last time I visited Food Choices in Glorietta. We only go to a small area when we visit Glorietta since I easily get tired. We were looking for a place to eat and ended up at Food Choices. 

I was a bit confused because it looked so different! A lot of the stalls I used to frequent are gone too and I didn't see where World Chicken moved (will have to go back). I used to eat at Food Choices frequently with my colleagues back when I was a fresh grad. It was always full, but we'd always find a table magically. 

My work location eventually changed, but we'd still go there as a family. There was a time we would hear mass at Landmark on Sundays and we'd head there for lunch. Well, our circumstances changed and we were gone for 10 years. Last time we probably got to visit was way before the pandemic. 

So seeing the changes was a bit of a shock. I always thought it was still the same (haha). It seemed smaller and the restos have changed. I'll go look for World Chicken next time (Google Maps says it's still around) and maybe try the Malaysian food (they have mee goreng!). 

We were supposed to do groceries at Landmark, but because we got distracted I ended up using up all my energy (half was used for a doctor's appointment). We decided to go home and I slept the rest of the day (haha). #signsofaging

#BeKind #StaySafe

My Generous Philodendrons

I nicknamed the philodendron Ate Rose gave me, "Jack". I was surprised it could grow so tall. The stalk she gave me two years ago have multiplied. I trimmed it a couple of times. Re-potted it and have given a couple as gifts. 

Look how tall it is again :)

I cut a few and planted the stalks beside some bamboo in our backyard. I hope the big leaves will dissuade our cats from using the plant box as their litter (they have proper litter boxes!). I placed one of the stalks beside our compost bin. It will get a lot of nutrients from the compost juice that goes directly to the soil. I haven't had to water it the past week since it's been raining. 

I have to cut a few more and maybe give it away to our neighbors again (hehe). It's easy to care for and just keeps giving! :)

#BeKind #StaySafe

My Yummiest Potato Salad to Date

It's been awhile since I made potato salad at home. I "learned" it from Mom. She gave me a list of ingredients and told me to just "mix it up". The list did not include measurements (as usual), so I have been winging it.

Found some potatoes in the fridge. I planned to make afritada, but the other ingredients weren't fresh anymore. Potatoes last longer, so I popped everything in a pot and boiled it. Sweetie helped peel and dice it. I took care of slicing the other veggies. 

I mixed all the ingredients in a bowl, then added the diced potatoes. Added a bit more mayo and put it in the fridge. I forgot to try it before storing it, so I was really surprised how good it was when we had it for dinner. Yum! Yum! Yum! It tasted like Dayrit's/Makati Supermart Coffee Shop's potato salad (I usually get these when I'm lazy to make). Of course, it reminded me of the potato salad we'd usually have during family reunions. 

Here's how I made it:

Recipe here: https://recipesformyson.blogspot.com/2025/06/recipes-for-my-son-moms-potato-salad.html

Let me know if you try making it based on what I have figured out how to make a proper 80s potato salad. :)

#BeKind #StaySafe

Throwback Thursday: Care Bear Stare!

Look what I found while sorting stuff. My Care Bare sticker book! I think I was in 4th grade when this came out. I remember saving my allowance so I could buy stickers! And sometimes (when lucky), I'd be able to convince Mom or Dad to buy some for me at National Bookstore. 

I wasn't able to complete the book. I missed just a few and I guess I just gave up since it would eat up my allowance. I loved the textured stickers the best. I don't think I had any other Care Bear items, so I got myself a stuffed toy a few years ago while traveling. It was an indulgence, but it made my inner child happy (haha). 

I'm actually surprised the sticker book survived. I thought it was washed away already during Typhoon Ondoy. Together with it were my high school newspapers. I placed them inside a plastic folder. The plastic folder did a good job. It bore the wear and tear of time and temperature.

Great find! It reminded me how simple life was back then. I've been trying to remember those  days before the harsh world infiltrated my being (weh drama!). With so many things going on nowadays, finding childhood things that made me happy gives me joy.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Wellness Wednesday: Turning a Corner

I'm happy to share that my mind and soul is in a better place now. The past six months has been horrendous for me mentally. There's a lot of things that contributed to falling back into the ugly pit. I had a hard time sleeping, I was unproductive, I couldn't be pushed to do anything and, most of all, I didn't want to see anybody else except my boys. 

I've been in this place before and the biggest contributing factor was bad health and being overworked. I got help and bid goodbye to my doctor just before we went home. He warned me that the change may be too much and I could just holler if I needed him. I thought I didn't since there were times I was okay. I usually equate that I'm fine when I'm productive. 

And it's clearer to me now what sets me off. It's mostly my health. I thought about reaching out to my doctor, but I told myself I needed to respond to this challenge. If I'm able to win the challenge, I'd be able to change how I react whenever I have an issue. I prayed and slowly ramped up my activities.

One night I prayed and told the negative vibe to leave me. I woke up early and was surprised when I felt lighter. I felt like my old self and that week I was able to return to my weekly pulmo rehab. I was shaky and had asthma, but I was able to push through and finish the session. I was also able to complete some paperwork that had been waiting to be done. I also resumed sorting stuff. 

I turned the corner with prayer and continued to do activities that help me cope. I realized I'll be able to move forward only by moving on and doing what needs to be done. It's easier for me to create programs, run events, develop solutions, but I fail miserably at staying put and being happy. My goal is to make more happy memories with my boys and that's what I'll focus on. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

Unboxed New Sewing Gadget!

I've thought about getting a bobbin winder for a couple of years now. I didn't since I've been able to make do with my sewing machine. It came to a point the bobbin would defeat me and run out of thread. I finally decided to get a bobbin winder a few weeks ago. I got it via Amazon. 

I ordered a Singer-branded bobbin winder. I figured it should work well since they make sewing machines (haha). Mom and Mama Lola only used Singer or Brother sewing machines and I didn't want to overthink getting a bobbin winder. I might push back again if I did research, besides it's not that expensive. 

The order arrived quickly and I excitedly opened the package. True to form I didn't read the instructions before trying it out (hahaha). I used batteries instead of plugging the gadget just to be sure I don't fry it accidentally (Sweetie said it should work). I don't like plugging stuff, so I used batteries. It worked, but the red button doesn't effectively turn off. I had to remove the battery for the winding to stop. 

Here's my unboxing video:

After reading the instructions, I was able to properly thread a bobbin. It just took 20 seconds! Woohoo! I was really happy about it. I was able to use it when my bobbin run out of thread while I was sewing (defeated again!). The big difference was I didn't have to remove the thread and redo the needle routine. Yay! 

I should have gotten myself a bobbin winder a long time ago. The problem is I take so long deciding whether I should get a gadget or not. It takes years (I have not replaced my GoPro Hero 3+, so you can just imagine how long I dilly-dally).