purpled sky

Watch your mouth, Mommy!

2009-10-09T11:10:00.000+08:00

We found out that having Xofia watch TV later in the night towards her bedtime contributes to her restlessness during the night. There are nights that she'd sit up in the middle of her sleep and whimper. It's scary. There are also nights that she'd continue popping bubbles or calling TV characters with eyes closed. So we stopped the videos right away. Her nighttime activity must only include

Catastrophies everywhere, is this really happening?

2009-10-03T12:31:00.004+08:00

Luzon has been ravaged with flood courtesy of typhoon Ketsana, the worst the country has seen. I don't have to see the news and scour the internet for information, help is needed everywhere. If you have something extra to spare, please don't hesitate. The universe or the power greater than the universe know how to repay you. And what goes around comes around. We need not experience the flood

I know how to fish!

2009-09-30T22:55:00.001+08:00

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A day at Intosan Water Park

2009-09-22T10:28:00.000+08:00

So we've been wanting to spend time with good friends Pang and Glenn since Glen came back from the US. Thinking of an opportunity of a long weekend, we planned on a day trip to Intosan Water Park in Danao City.The place, though lacking the standard of a starred resort hotel, didn't disappoint. Xofia had a blast with the tiny water fountains, and I swear she could stay there the whole day, she

Rain Barrels for collecting rainwater

2009-09-22T10:22:00.003+08:00

For the longest time, there is not a day without rain. And of course, I am loving it! I don't like the humidity that comes before the rain, I like the rain itself. I especially like the first few drops as they slowly and deliberately wet the earth. I like that smell.As what Barney (yep, the dinosaur) had said, when we're thirsty, we get our water from the sink (or bottle) but the plants and trees

Bills, bills, bills!

2009-09-19T11:31:00.001+08:00

(image from thedigeratilife.com) My whole life is full of bills! Then there's auto-credit that my card company is offering to place all my bills in 1 single bill. Yay, I won't have to wade through bills after bills anymore. But then that's not the issue. Technically, I still have the same number and amount of bills to pay. Imagine this. We don't use running hot and cold water in the house.

Small space bar

2009-09-19T11:17:00.000+08:00

We entertain a lot. Our house, because it's practically right smack at the city, becomes the unofficial gathering place for friends and family. And because we're living in a small townhouse, I need all practical storage solutions that doubles as something else. In connection to entertaining, it's very important to have a bar where guests gather around and socialize. But because my

Don't linger by the doorway

2009-09-15T14:20:00.003+08:00

It’s been months since we were at my mother’s. And because her place is significantly bigger than ours, Xofia naturally had a blast. She kept going the whole day and only crashed at 5PM. Dozed for an hour then egged us to go with her high-pitched “Let’s go, let’s go!”She’s forever fascinated by the presence of animals. Those that she’s only able to see on TV, she can actually see live in her

Xofia enjoying bubbles with Daddy

2009-09-13T15:56:00.002+08:00

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Another hospital stay

2009-09-02T11:48:00.001+08:00

Xofi has had another bout of pneumonia. I don't know why it went there when I am always extra careful whenever she has colds. Then again, I am not always around.When she had colds and cough the other week, I waited until there's fever. Because really, doctors would only give you Salbutamol and I can very well administer that at home. On the third day of her cough, she developed high-grade fever.

Saving space and using planter boxes

2009-09-01T14:54:00.000+08:00

Living in a small townhouse, I don't have as much freedom when it comes to gardening. City lots are expensive, and every square inch counts. But how drab could life be without something green and alive to look at. I turn to planters, of course, for my needs.I love how outdoor planters nowadays come in varied designs, they're as effective as planter and as decorative accents. I'm not sure why, but

Changing nannies again

2009-08-20T11:08:00.000+08:00

The other day, our little household went on a little restructuring. Though we've known this for quite some time now (the nanny was kind enough to let us know beforehand that she intends to leave), it was still full of uncertainty. Sadly, something that's unavoidable.The nanny told us that she wanted to go home. She didn't provide a reason, we didn't demand. Boredom, probably. Boredom is cruel

Need help in Math?

2009-08-20T10:50:00.002+08:00

I didn't know why I took up Psychology in college. All I remember thinking was I wanted to do something fun, and Psychology looks like an interesting subject to immerse yourself with for four years. I did not remember taking into consideration how I hated (and still do) math. But looking at it in hindsight, I'm pretty sure math had so much to do with that decision.Oh yes, I memorized the

No. 2 finished in the chair

2009-08-04T21:06:00.004+08:00

One week after we started potty training, Xofi pooped in her chair! Yay! But not quite ;) she actually started in her nappy, then she shouted "poo-poop!" Her nanny then hurriedly ushered her to the chair, and she completed the "job" there. Good enough for me, really. I'd like to see it as a mini-milestone. There is such a thing, right?Then today nothing happened. She sits at the chair and that's

Thinking of going back to school

2009-08-04T18:38:00.001+08:00

Most of the best times I've experienced in this life I experienced while in school. High school was great and fun and college was so much more. By and by I’d reminisce and wish I was still in school today. Well of course, I should also be younger :PIt was amazing, how, my whole life, I've never been to a private school. My parents sure saved up on me. I went to a state college in high school,

I forgot to pay?!?!

2009-08-03T16:54:00.000+08:00

I feel so utterly, utterly helpless.I was confused beyond reason why my card was declined for the last week I used it. Good thing I always carry cash specifically for times like these.I thought maybe the card is damaged in some way. I sometimes knowingly put the card and cellphone together in one pouch, that's why.And because I know no other way why my card is declined when I am still way way

Save up and camp

2009-08-02T09:30:00.004+08:00

Routine bores me. That is something I need to work on. Unlike the husband who feels secured on routine, I'd go crazy if I can't do something different in a week. We usually pepper our routine with travels just to appease me. Sometimes I'd vehemently demand it. "Please for my sanity," is my usual speech to the husband.With the rising cost, we have to watch our expenses. And this includes cutting

Potty training miserably failed at week 1

2009-08-02T08:39:00.004+08:00

Last week Monday, we started potty training. It was a morning filled with howls and screams and clinging on to Mommy. The whole day, Xofia didn't poop. I wondered if it was the introduction of the potty chair that made her not want to poop.Now, Xofia, when constipating is not a site you'd want to see. She'd double over, recoil while crying "mommy, daddy, boo-booooo!" I know her, she doesn't cry

The house needs repairs!

2009-07-27T13:23:00.001+08:00

The upstairs common bathroom has started to leak out. My BIL, who's an engineer suggested we re-tile and fix the sealing around the bathroom. Admittedly, I am a bit wary that the whole house will one day collapse because we haven't been keeping with the repairs faithfully. At least we already bought bathroom tiles, in rustic pink floral patterns (which now makes me doubt the choice), grout and

Xofia is 2 and all I'm thinking is this

2009-07-24T15:07:00.000+08:00

I watched as Xofia, now 2, wiggles away around the living room while singing along Blues Clues theme.I wondered what I was doing, what I was capable of, when I were her age. Surely, I wasn't singing along to some TV character, we didn't have one.Probably, I was out in the backyard, early in the morning, to join my Lola in the garden. I remember relishing the moment over a mound of pulled grass by

That unforgettable scent

2009-07-08T14:59:00.003+08:00

I seldom shop these days, even window shopping. Last weekend we did, and all we got was for Xofia, none for us. Being most of the time online anyway, I realized there's more bargain to be found in the Internet than anywhere else. I find tools for comparing prizes nifty. (Stop me before I talk how numerically-challenged my brain is). And being bargain sucker that I am, or maybe just cash-strapped

I wish for a balloon twister

2009-07-03T17:54:00.005+08:00

So, Xofia will turn two in a few days. You must be thinking I got myself so busy planning for her party. While I wanted so much to give her the best party in the world, the current economic condition and our savings account disagree.I tried pushing for the jumper rental, complete with colorful balloons, pinata, pabitin, popcorn stand, balloon twister, what-not. Sadly, I always go back to the

A good way to save money is to stay home

2009-06-07T13:39:00.006+08:00

I very recently mapped out the family expenses against our fixed income. The result won't give us much for a fixed monthly savings. I guess it's time to forget about getting a new car, like seriously. Anyway, as long as the old one is still running, there's no real need. Help me convince my husband that our old Gallant is a real neat car ;)Then there's the problem of personal insurance policies.

Don't mess with Xofia's heart, you hear?

2009-05-19T21:43:00.003+08:00

It's been more than a week since Xofia's transcath ASD closure procedure. She's back to normal even before now, she was back to her old silly self the moment we came home that Saturday. And me? I could never be any happier. Totally broke, but perfectly happy, nothing could really affect me, even with my no-carb diet.It's a wonder how, this being, this person who entered my life a little over a

Our Journey on Transcath ASD Closure

2009-05-10T13:39:00.006+08:00

Dr. Kelly, a blessing in the guise of toxic goiterDr. Raquel "Kelly" Pasimio introduced us to Amplatzer. Before we met her, all I could ever think of was how I could let my daughter undergo open heart surgery. I was frustrated. I had no other option. My only hope was that the surgery would not be needed until she's older.About the same time we learned of Xofia's congenital heart anomaly, my