Farewell Fare Well

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My posts are coming very far between.

I think of you my blog friends.

I feel like I kept you hanging. Thank you for hanging around though.

It has been a crazy schedule and let me share to you how crazy it is, here.

My holidays are planned already, 24/27.

I need to refocus. I need to inventory my life.

I am sorry that I need to say farewell to this refuge and to you my blog friends.

I started blogging when I decided that I needed to move on from a very painful season of my life.

Thank you for coming to my life one by one. Thank you for lifting me up, for understanding, and yes, for loving me just as I am.

I have moved on but that is not to say that I no longer hurt each time there are triggers to remind me.

But thank God, He is always there to comfort me.

And now I am moving on, again.

Shall we take one last look of how the spoons were bent?

arrrgghhhh

aaahhhhhh

uuuhhhhh

easy huh! 🙂 🙂 🙂 😦

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The benders have grown now. Look what happened to them after three years — so fast.

They continue to bloom wonderfully. Thank God.

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Got to create memories together with them.

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Blend into the colors of their lives.

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So this is it. Farewell to bended spoon. No, it won’t evolve to bent spoon. I liked it that way, when some still appreciates despite the imperfection.

Farewell bended spoon.

Fare well my friends. Bloom.

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Fare well. Fare well. Fare well.

Bloom. Bloom. Bloom.

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The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. – Isaiah 35:1-2

🙂

DIY: Pallet Party Backdrop

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This is the easiest DIY, ever!

The pallet was used for my daughter’s birthday Sweets Corner — just 10 DIY steps.

First, you need a pallet — of course!

Good if you can buy at bargain price.

Better if given to you free.

Best if someone sent you goodies — in a pallet crate!

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Second, lean it on the wall — that easy!

Between 1st and 2nd, remove the parts you do not want — like boards and nails.

Use hammer please!

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Third, add table and chairs.

Mine were vintage and junky!

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Fourth, add on other props lying around the home.

A frame,  2-tier holder, and a vintage carousel horse are good for me.

Hammer not included! I used it for the nails where I hanged the frame.

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Fifth, make pompoms and hang them.

You will love the pallet for making it so easy to tie the pompoms.

But you have to decide beforehand how many pompoms you need — because making them can be addicting!

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Sixth, add flowers.

No need to buy vases when you have empty beverage bottles.

Notice the trimmings? Those are pompoms scraps.

No need to throw them yet. Just scatter them on the table — because you are the boss!

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Seventh, add more flowers!

Horse charming got to offer some flowers to the Princess.

And look after her crown while still sleeping — shhh this is a surprise party that the Princess wanted us to prepare.

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Eighth, don’t forget the sweets.

Because the pallet backdrop is for Sweets Corner!

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Ninth, show off the pallet backdrop.

Be sure that it is in the back 🙂

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Tenth, add the sweetest.

Count the fingers — except those that form the binocular to see you.

The sweetest Princess turned six!

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Now back to the pallet. I do not see its life ending yet.

As is, I have some more things to hang and change them as frequent as I like without worrying on nail holes.

I could paint it. Distressed it. Remove the paint. Paint it again. Whatever.

How about you, what would you do with it? Aside from throw it 🙂

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Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. – Proverbs 15:30

🙂

Hungry To See? Hear!

 

Hungry to see my blog friend’s daily poem.

Yes, Debbie used to post daily poem from her daily Bible readings.

It blessed me.

Some of her poems made it to the walls of our room, my office and friends inbox.

Captured over images of moments enjoyed with my family.

They are special to me.

It speaks to me.

Like these…

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Poem from Deb’s Blog – Nov. 13, 2010.
Photo by bendedspoon.

Daily baths only cleanse me physically.

I need more than that.

I need God.

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Poem from Deb’s Blog – Jan. 31, 2011.
Photo by bendedspoon.

If I see no beauty, I see no God.

I got to see God.

Beauty follows.

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Poem from Deb’s Blog – Dec. 23, 2010.
Photo by bendedspoon.

When something is wrong, sometimes my heart doesn’t feel right.

I seek Him.

He who makes my heart right.

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Poem from Deb’s Blog – Jan. 14, 2011.
Photo by bendedspoon.

I heard words that crushed me, lingered long within.

I heard words that lifted me, temporary high.

I heard His Word, love assured.

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Whatever your circumstance right now, I believe there is a Simple Poem, Simple Faith in Deb’s Blog that will speak to you.

That will speak to you.

He will speak to you.

He will speak.

He will.

God.

If today we hear.

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‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ – Jeremiah 33:3

🙂

Bittersweet

Knee-deep.

Waist-deep.

Chest-deep.

That’s how high the flood in some areas in the city due to tropical storm Maring (international name – Trami). Classes were suspended but since it’s not signal number 3, the working masses still need to go to their respective offices – if we can.

I can’t. The garage is flooded. Outside it’s flooded.

I can’t float in the flood. I can’t swim through the flood. I can’t fly over the flood.

I can only work at home.

Bittersweet. Not because I am working at home – I am used to it, working — beyond my working hours.

Bittersweet. Us, here, experiencing several storms in a year – the one before this, Labuyo (Utor), visited us just last week. I won’t talk about bitterness — just bittersweet. Because these storms oftentimes bring out the best in us.

We continuously learn how to rebuild.

We continuously hold on to the One who can calm the storms.

Bittersweet — I remember I have this book title by Shauna Niequist . And the first thing that I read was ‘on crying in the bathroom’ because I did cried in the bathroom. Not once, nor twice. Too many times – because it’s less messy to cry in the bathroom!

I can relate in most of the entries, not only because I too had a miscarriage, but because I know how bittersweet taste — and I know you do too.

So many bittersweet thoughts for the day and one of them is — my blog friends. I haven’t been a good friend for a long time. I was not able to visit them as much and when I did, some are no longer writing actively as well.

I know. I know. Our priorities do change as the need arises. We sometimes need to give up something in order to focus on to another thing. Bittersweet.

And like Shauna I also ask for help — to the One who truly knows my heart.

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‘on crying in the bathroom’ by Shauna Niequist

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Yes, I would like to believe that too even though the storm outside is not leaving today.

Even though there is a storm inside.

Heart-deep.

Wish-deep.

Knee-dip.

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‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” – Revelation 21:4

🙂

Thinking About It

It’s good to be home.

To slow down.

To linger longer…

With the meals

With affection

With gratefulness.

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My sweet daughter planted the mongo seeds and so some smiles sprouted.

My 10 year old boy is so elated with his medal. He has been thinking about it two weeks ago and now he did have it.

Last week he placed it in the corner of the tv so everyone can see it — on a weekend.

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Then the morning after that, he hung it to Thor so he can see it – before he goes to sleep.

Now he moved it on the cross in the dining table so everyone can see it – every day!

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Oh yes, the giant clam shell.

It’s not a real one and I’m glad it is not.

I would like to think that the real big ones are still in the depths of the seas.

Clam beds for the mermaids maybe — could they be real?

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Photo from Google and not the real thing.

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Oh yes, the giant clam shell.

I bought it for my hubby, for his future fishing cottage.

It’s only P1,200.00 ($27 – 26” x 18”) compared to on line price of $148 at smaller size of 22” x 13”.

For now, I’ll accommodate it.

But I suspect that he knew all along that I want it too.

Well, to give and to receive. Or shall we say sharing?

Oh, there’s our fishing cottage!

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The the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” – Habakkuk 2:2-3

🙂

Future Market at Escolta, Manila

There is a growing appreciation for handmade goodies, crafters and artists all throughout the world. I, for one, am a fan because I know there is much love woven on each piece.

Last June 15, I was able to check the Future Market in First United Building — thanks to the local organizer 98B COLLABoratory! Thanks for the fun-filled day! I was glad to interact with crafters and artists — couldn’t do that in malls with mass produced items. And so I am day dreaming to be part of Future Market — not only as buyer but as seller as well!

It was cool checking the cool stuff created by the cool crafters and artists. Yes, too much coolness – and warmth too with the pre-loved and vintage items!

Here are the few that I captured with my phone…

What immediately came to mind was ‘gates to hell’ — Dan Brown’s reference to Manila in his novel Inferno. And I laughed for so many reasons, including thoughts about Dan Brown 🙂

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The artist is a retiree from the corporate world — and so I bought two for my two girlfriends.

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Button magnets by cool ladies — and so I bought ten for my crafty daughter.

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Still from the cool ladies — we have live spider though at home.

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Handy cloth bags — I bought one not only to contain my purchases for the day; not only because I know it’s not easy to sit all day waiting for a customer but because…

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it’s a happy picture 🙂

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Art in the map — I bought the one with ‘imagine’  on the hat because I like the old map, the ink, and the word!

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Cool robotins from UVLA but I didn’t bring one home with me — my boys only say cooooool for Ironman and Transformers.

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This tray is what I took from UVLA — aside from the bits of rust I gave in for ‘Raindrops on roses…’ and other simple things.

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There were collector’s items such as old magazines, old coins…

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old bottles…

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vintage radio and I’m not sure what…

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Vintage books — I bought Jose Rizal (His Exile) copyright 1958 for Php20.00 (half dollar). And bought too Huling Hudhud with interesting photos and poems written in Filipino.

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And there were pre-loved books and these two at Php49.00 and Php99.00 were good reasons enough to bring home. And to share some nuggets (not the mc nuggets because Michael Pollan won’t like it):

“It’s not food if it arrived through the window of your car.” – from Food Rules.

“The wearer best knows where the shoe pinches.” – from The Quotable Walker.

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Framed black and white photos of everything Manila. I was tempted to buy the photo of City Hall’s clock because I passed by it every day of my college years going to Intramuros but instead decided to take the shot myself — getting personal.

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Hey Kessy (seller of washi tapes) was there but unfortunately the ‘tape measure’ print I’m looking for is not available — it should be my little surprise for my fashionista daughter who tries her hand on sewing machine.

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And so I bought this spiked cloth bag for my daughter. How each cone was formed, stitched, and attached to the bag is awesome — I know it is awesome because my daughter shrieked when she saw it!

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Cool spiked bags in different colors by Clint of W.O.R.M.S. – Wearing One Really Makes Sense.

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Artwheel has sculptures and accessories made of wires. The yoga man came home with me — he can do sun salutation and other poses because he is wired to do so 🙂

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Wrecked shorts — no need to bring one home. My daughter has wrecked more than enough. I think it’s about time that she sells too 🙂

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The best part of the day was when I joined this group by Project Manila and made something of my own to be part of…

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this labyrinth. It was good. Walking around here. Connecting to oneself. Even for a few moments.

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You are perfect! Believe me, perfect does not necessarily equate to flawless 🙂

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She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. – Proverbs 31:13

🙂

Dear Hubby, You Are Not The Best Father

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Sure you were present when the kiddos were born

Sure you changed their diapers without complaining

Sure you assembled lego altogether

Sure you cooked the best kare kare for them

Sure you brought them to pet stores

Sure you taught the boys how to handle worms

Sure you solved the kiddos techie problems

Sure you applied kiddos with sunblock

Sure you carried them on your shoulders

Sure you can drive 12 hours straight for a road trip

Sure you showed them what redeemed is

But still you are not the best Father!

Sure you know that we love you lots, right?

And the best Father loves you right, lots!

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Happy Father’s Day with love love love love…!

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As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; – Psalm 103:13

🙂

Zoom Out

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And so the camera was stolen

And the aquarium fishes died

And the mugs were broken

And my right arm is in pain

But I won’t zoom out those things.

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Today is holiday in here – our 115^th Independence Day

I’m free from office work and be with the kiddos

I’m free to prepare their meals

I’m free to savor the moments at home

And I will zoom out these things.

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Pork in wild ginger. Yum!

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Sweet potato fries. Yum!

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Banana. Yum!

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Sunburst mirror. Not edible! 🙂

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Now I am looking at the big picture

I am just glad for all that I have

That I can live in this moment

Here right now

Celebrating!

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Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. – Psalm 47:1

🙂

I Am The Best Mom!

Oh yes! If in doubt, ask my kiddos!

My kiddos regularly say I am the best mom.
I know I am not but still I accept with deep thanks their love for me – it’s God’s gift.
I know it is the adult me and other adults who say I am not the best mom, or them not the best mom, or them not the best person.

But my kiddos know better. They appreciate who I am and not look for who I am not compared to others; they appreciate what I can do and not look for what I do imperfectly compared to others; they appreciate my love and not look for another mom.

The more they appreciate me regardless of the condition we are in, the more I feel their overflowing love. The more thankful and happier I am!

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My kiddos always find me something that they know I will like — for sure!

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We adults have a lot to learn from the kids.

– No comparing. Appreciate the person who loves you.
– The best doesn’t mean perfect.
– No need to focus on imperfection, love instead.
– There can be a billion bests. It only needs people who are grateful enough.

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The best brick vase! The best dried flower! The best stick!

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Happy mother’s day to the best mom — YOU ARE THE BEST MOM!

If in doubt, be kiddolike.

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“Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?” – Matthew 21:16

🙂

Sea, Sand, Surf, Stones, Sculpture, Shake and Suman – See Baler!

Oh yes! The whole family had fun on the road trip to Baler, the provincial capital of Aurora Province!

After four hour drive, we reached our first destination, the 500-year-old-or-so Banyan tree which is locally known as Balete tree or Millennium tree. Around 50 adult people, arms outreached, are needed to cover the diameter of the tree. I cannot distinguish the trunk from the roots but because of the hollow it created, it’s amazing for the whole family to be ‘inside’ the tree and for the boys to attempt to climb even for a few feet only. The vine served as a good swing too!

 

And now I will mention this. We could not have enjoyed Baler because on the expressway we had a near miss accident involving a trailer truck. Good thing my hubby was alert, he avoided collision by steering instead to the center island where we hit bamboo fences for a growing tree. Surprisingly, Pearl (our car) is okay – no scratches. We were all shocked and shaken – shocked and shaken.

And so when we reached Bahia de Baler Garden Resort and served with buko (young coconut) shake, I remember how shaken we were earlier. I am simply thankful to God for leading us safe and happy to see my family together.

Oh yes, the buko shake was good – and so the glass bottles!

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Cool! The other good things in Baler!

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Dicasalarin Cove. Breathtaking! Breathtaking! We held our breath on the way to the cove. The road is narrow, winding, and steep. If not for the breathtaking view we would have forgotten to exhale!

The place is breathtaking! I haven’t mentioned that yet, right? As the place is secluded, the paradise is ours!

I love Dicasalarin Cove! I love Baler! Because I found the biggest heart rock so far! A good family souvenir for Baler Road Trip!

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Sabang Beach. It’s the beach front of Bahia de Baler Restaurant (built between Bahia de Baler Garden Resort and the beach). Fronting Pacific Ocean, Sabang Beach is one of the surfers favorite where the waves could be really huge especially when the northeast monsoon wind blows. The place is now very special to me just because I watched my kiddos surf, surf, surf!

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Digisit Beach. We love the place! Why? Because there are stones and boulders – my daughter and I love stones and boulders! Because there are tiny fishes – my boys (of course that includes my hubby) love fishes! Because the sunset is breathtaking – we (including the group of photographers) all love it!

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Falls, falls, falls. True. Along the road there are a number of mini falls amidst the lush greens!

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Tromba Marina Sculpture. A reminder of the people who run to Point Baja Hill (now known as Ermita Hill) hoping to be saved from the tsunami of December 27, 1735. The catastrophic tsunami is said to wipe the old Baler town in an hour. Heart breaking.

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Ermita Hill. There are around 300 steps to the top of the hill where the Miraculous Cross stand. Leg breaking – for me but not for my kiddos! And not for the seven families who were saved from the wrath of the Tsunami on December 27, 1735.

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Museo de Baler. It’s hard to miss it with the sculptured mural. The museum housed significant traces of Baler’s history. There are Chinese porcelain from the Galleon Trade, old reports…

The museum also relive the Siege of Baler thus the paintings of the siege participants – both Spaniards and Filipinos.

And yes, there was President Manuel L. Quezon. And the kiddos have the chance to mano (Filipino gesture of respect).

They have to give respect especially that they clung to his Presidential car! The car was built by General Motors of America and arrived in the Philippines on November 4, 1937. It was turned over in 1938 to General Douglas MacArthur and was used all throughout his duty in the Philippines.

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Dinadiawan Beach. It has a beautiful shoreline that I have to wake up at 4:30 AM to catch the beautiful changing color of the view before full daylight. To catch it we need to stay in another resort — the Dinadiawan Beach Resort.

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There’s more to love in Baler. The mountains, lush greenery…

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And yes the suman (sticky rice roll wrapped in palm leaf)! Suman is real good that I forgot to take picture. Believe me we’re not hungry but we got to taste it — sorry if we can’t help but eat them all!

Thank you so much Baler — till we meet again!

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Thank you soooooooooooooooooooo much Lord for your awesomeness!

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You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you. – Nehemiah 9:6

🙂

Gotcha!

I love this day. And yesterday. And the day before yesterday.

I had breakfast with my hubby – home made daing na bangus (dried milkfish).

Fresh from yesterday’s catch from Aling Nene’s Pond in Valenzuela.

My angler boys made another trip to the pond sans the girls. Could they be challenged from our earlier visit where our one and only take home fish is caught by the mom (that’s me!)?

Here are the photos of the fishing trip 2 days ago and yes, let’s define ‘caught’ later on.

Here’s the first catch of the day! The fish is not big enough to take home so back to the water. And the triumphant smile goes to my heart!

Here’s the 2^nd catch of the day! The fish is not big enough to take home so again back to the water. And the happy smile goes to my heart!

Here’s the 3^rd catch of the day! The fish is too small to take home so again back to the water. And yes, the grateful smile goes to my heart! Finally, he caught one after several fishes got away from the hook.

Here’s the big catch of the day! Just big enough to take home for sinigang 🙂

And yes, I caught it and here’s how:

1. The boys have been convincing me to fish instead of roaming around and so I agreed.
2. My son put the mashed flour bait in the hook and cast it to the direction I pointed.
3. I held the rod, occasionally looking at the floater, while I read a home magazine.
4. Then I felt something is pulling my rod and so I screamed. I screamed!
5. The boys saved me from the struggling fish!

It’s obvious I caught the fish, right?

Hurray for the girls!

And so the next day – that was yesterday, the boys were determined to beat the record. And they succeeded with 18 take home fishes! They were so excited that they forgot to take photos but it’s alright, I’m enjoying the daing na bangus. Not even the vinegar can stop me from smiling sweetly 🙂

There is so much to thank for…

Love.

Fun.

Togetherness.

And hey, don’t be disappointed with the small fish catch because there are large ones meant for the seasoned angler — 10 kilos and above.

As for the family, the priority is to catch smiles and we did!

Now going? Aling Nene has cottages on the side.

And in the middle — go rafting!

And yes, you can fish without renting a cottage.

Enjoy the day!

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Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?

– Luke 11:11

🙂

Hubby And I Crossed The Line

Once upon a time, there was a line between hubby and me.

Line of destructive priorities.

Line of selfishness.

Line of pride.

Line of shame.

Line of hatred. Yes. Yes. Yes.

There was a cross.

I saw the cross differently back then.

And so I wanted to run away from it.

After all it was heavy and left me bleeding inside.

But I wasn’t able to go far. It was painful to walk away wounded and bleeding.

I needed a healer.

And then I saw the cross anew

It stitched my wounds.

It helped me cross the line of surrender.

It brought me to the Healer.

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Drawn To The Cross
by L. Mirabueno

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I had the painting commissioned. I want to be reminded when I was drawn to the cross and not away from it. That there is no point in running away because love is all it is. It is not just cupid’s love but the love of the Father and the Son for mankind — for us sinners.

Jesus saved us on the cross. It is not a lovely sight knowing that the Father is grieving but — He loves us.

Jesus saved us on the cross. He took our shame and He is not ashamed — He loves us.

And where is my hubby in all of these?

In the title! 🙂

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You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. – Romans 5:6

🙂

Dear Hubby

Dear Hubby,

Last year you asked me if I wanted an ipad and I said no because I have a laptop already. But still you bought me one because you knew I will like it.

And true enough I liked it! It’s handy and I can use it while lying in bed. That is if I’m not yet off to dreamland the moment my back touched the bed.

This year you asked me if I wanted an iPhone or Note 2 and I said no because the phone you gave me still works. But still you gave me one because you knew I will like it.

And true enough I liked it! It’s handy and helped me in my current project. I was able to sketch-erase-sketch an organizational chart, among others.

And so I realized that as much as it is important that you should know what your wifey like — like a vintage aqua Volkswagen van (wink wink) it is also important for me to appreciate the gift you feel is important.

Of course I do appreciate them all my techie hubby! I love how you knew I needed something which I didn’t ask for because I am a DIY-junky-vintagey wifey!

And so for your birthday we are giving you something which you might not want but trust me you will love this because…we do!

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Boys Fishing
by L. Mirabueno

Believe me this is priceless because you will remember the times the boys gone fishing with you. Yes, I know they’re quiet in the painting unlike in real life where they scared the fish off so you won’t catch anything! But then, it can still come true one of these days, lol!

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Believe me this is priceless because one day you will remember how your artsy daughters stayed late to finish painting this just for you!

So love it, love it because we love you, love you!

Love,

wifey

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P.S. Your birthday wish for wisdom and prayer of thankfulness to God is a gift itself.

And yes, the greatest gift is already given to us. Not every one may want Him but God the Father knew that we all need Him.

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There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. – 1Corinthians 12:4-6

🙂

Art In The Park 2013

Another artsy bonding time!

Last Saturday the kiddos and I were in Jaime Velasquez Park, Salcedo Village for the Art In The Park 2013.

My eldest daughter and I were excited on the event. She’s excited enough to invite her two best friends with us. And I am excited too that I reminded myself of the policy, “No buying until I sleep over it for at least a fortnight.”

And so that meant NO BUYING because the event is only for one day! And so that meant bringing in extra towel lest I drool over the inspiring lovely fantastic artsy creations of the artists!

True enough I started to drool on the first booth. Woot! Woot! There was a mosaic owl mirror which could be a whimsical addition to my wall mirrors. But sorry it wasn’t the fortnight yet. Owleave you then, bye.

We haven’t gone far when I drooled again on the potters’ area. I wantttt Joey de Castro’s jumbo cup and saucer! I wanttt Mia Casal’s clay necklace and ring! I wantttt Jon and Tessy Pettyjohn’s tea set! But sorry it wasn’t the fortnight yet. Huhuhu — stop claying you’re a big girl now, okay?

Do I have to mention that the towel was quite wet already when my heart gone giddy yap giddy yap? No, I don’t think there’s a need to mention the wet towel but I have to mention that I shrieked for the horse taka – the same time my youngest shrieked for the rag doll! But sorry it wasn’t the fortnight yet. Poor baby but she knew she’ll have it one of these days – we will make one.

And so you asked, “Where are the photos of these drool worthy things?”

And I replied, “Sorry I was busy wiping.”

But here are some of the photos of other lovely creations.

No, he is not my kiddos’ granddad. He is Pete Jimenez, the artist whose sculptures was wow worthy. Wow worthy enough that we had seen SOLD SOLD SOLD on empty platforms!

Here’s one of his creations for the women. The cheapest ‘Her Mess’ bag but as of our stay it wasn’t sold yet. Could it be snatched by a bag lover should its title was ‘Her Miss’?

My misses – the ones I haven’t bought? But there will be Art In The Park next year — and it’s more than a fortnight by then!

Thank you so much to the Art In The Park organizers and artists — it was another memorable bonding time for the family!

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He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers. – Exodus 35:35

🙂

Will You?

Will you understand me?

It’s okay if you don’t — at all times.

Because I do not understand myself as well — at all times.

Sometimes I go crazy. Sometimes crazier.

What I don’t understand is I sometimes prefer the crazier me.

Maybe my Creator prefers the same too. Who knows.

He knows.

Will you marry me?

It’s okay if you don’t — I’m married already.

That is not actually a question. It’s the topic in today’s Sunday service.

Well maybe it’s a question.

The important foundations of marriage were discussed — 5 C’s.

Covenant. Communication. Chemistry. Character. Christ.

I would say that if you only take Christ — He is the strongest foundation there is.

Will you?

I take this question with me.

Will you now do that chairs stacked in the garage? Is that my conscience whispering?

Got to move then! And so out the messy chairs — red leather seats torn and removed.

 

 

These chairs have been repainted and reupholstered twice. That’s a different story.

What I’ll share today is I need to do this fast because my conscience might not make me sleep. Lol!

And so no more reupholstering. I just grabbed the spray paint, brush, and poster paints.

And quickly here it is.

 

 

Just like that. It’s done!

Oh the other chair? It has a different question of course.

I will post it next time because I have yet to decide if I’ll include a marriage story with it. Lol!

 

 

Will you please share what’s your “WILL YOU?”

No you may not direct the question to me.

You want to ask God, “Will you…?”?

Go ahead please.

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 ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ – Jeremiah 33:3

🙂

 

Will you please  join me in the fab furni party here?

Miss Mustard Seed Furniture Feature Friday

Jennifer Rizzo Fabulously Creative Friday

Redoux Link Party

Linked

Between sipping tea and shelling pistachios for breakfast I watched my cute daughter draw. It is a good day, a very good day, a very God day.

I just had a very full and tiring week at work and I see the next coming 18 months that way. I am afraid not of the loads of work but of the time I could be further missing my kiddos. We hardly began the focused works on the overhaul of systems and processes brought by the transition to our new company when I was identified as the potential weakest link in our team because I had pushed through with the holiday vacations with my family. They scheduled meetings on later part of 2012 and first week of 2013 but I declined. I appreciated I was chosen to be part of the team but it doesn’t mean I am giving up my most valuable team, my family.

I have assessed how I did in all the teams I was involved and holy mama I was strong! And I know that the very person who made the forecast was not able to realize his projects on time. Armed with that fact, I offered that they may take me out of the team because I was never ever a yes person. I believe in firm NO — NO to pulling down.

That is the reason why I only had tea and pistachios for breakfast this weekend — otherwise, I’ll have a heap of everything in the table, lol! But it felt good to slowly sip the tea and play with pistachio shells. It is very good to watch my daughter draw while she smiles to me from time to time. It is very good to smile for what God has for me.

 

 

It is a very God day! He reminded me once more that I am loved and I am on His team — linked strongly!

Yes, I am still on the working team.

Yes, I am the missing link — missing you!

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The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.

– Habakkuk 3:19

🙂

Billboards As Breathing Spaces

BUY, PICK, LUST!

Every day I am confronted in the road by screaming billboards. Reminding me that I have yet to own the latest in fashion and technology; that I have yet to achieve the silkiest skin and society’s dream body; that their cake is chocolatier and the chicken is crispier.

It made me breathe less or shall I say that my breathing is heavier, harder  — “Chocolate cake or dream body? Latest in fashion or crispy chicken?” It’s hard to satisfy advertisers at the same time — more so if you are not at all interested but somehow compelled to want it.

I dream of regular road travels that will leave me breathless of nature’s beauty and abundance. And today I want to thank Artist Stephen Glassman for his dream of putting a crack in the urban skyline and allow us to take a breath despite the traffic.

Urban Air will transform existing old urban billboards to breathing spaces with suspended bamboo gardens.

 

To make this come true at least $100,000.00 pledges is needed — and then the project will be funded. Please check the team behind the project in their  KickStarter page.

I can’t wait to see similar project here in the Philippines.

I can’t wait to see a whispering billboard reminding me to BREATHE, PRAISE, LOVE.

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Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. – Psalm 150:6

🙂

Super Storm

waves by Sandy — yahoo news Oct 27, 2012

 

To those who are affected by super storm Sandy, my prayers are with you.

I was worried in the thought that some might not be used to storms and its effect thus might be greatly devastated. But then I realized that we are all humans equipped with coping mechanism by no less than our Mighty Creator. Yes, that’s only how far we can go alone, coping — getting by. But living with life (there’s living like dead, right?) is only possible with God.

I myself have been through so many storms since I was conceived up to now — be it life’s storms that hits like nothing else or the powerful wind and rain that hit Philippines 20 times a year on the average.

Looking back, I realized how much I appreciated storms when I was a little girl. After candle lit nights due to power outage I would excitedly go out and appreciate the brighter surroundings — brighter because some trees fell or branches were broken. I would go around picking fallen fruits and coconuts and was so excited when I found a turtle! I was aware that there was damage but my young eyes were appreciative of the clean up.

When I got older, especially when I became a mom, it was different. There were worries on possible shortage of food or drowning in the flood. There were worries on severance of relationships and drowning in despair.

There is worry until there is trust in the Lord. Until I talk with the Lord. Until I connect with the Lord.

As human, there is only so much that I can do. The more I worry of what I cannot do, the more I am not able to do what I can do — like entrusting my worries to the Lord.

I am worried about you — and I am entrusting you to the Lord who can carry us through storms and give the warmest comfort.

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He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. – Psalm 107:29

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India’s 50,000 Missing Children

I miss you all too!

And yes from time to time I pause and think of you and pray for you my dear blog friends.

The heart strings were not cut. They were turned into lovely friendship bows.

The times that were used to be spent online were added to more hugs, kisses, sharing stories, crafting, smiling, walking around, counting blessings, and smelling the armpits of my kiddos.

It was all good. Soooo good. Very very very good.

It is such a blessing to be a mom. Just one kid brings so much joy. And I have four!

And today I read that around 50,000 children go missing yearly in India. That is 14 children missing everyday — infinite heartaches each second.

(Photos from the News)

The kids are missing due to human trafficking. And this surely is not happening in India alone. We have our own numbers in our own backyard. It makes my heart ache as a mom and as human. What happened to our own kind, the adults? What happened to their hearts?

I pray that each one will hear God’s word. And feel God’s heart. Then feel their own. And know that God is in the heart business. He cleans, He restores, He makes new, and He loves.

Let us all give tight hugs, real tight hugs to all the children of the world.

Let us whisper that they are loved so much by God. Some might not believe it, like most of us do at some point in our lives, but still let us whisper. One day that whisper will be heard — loud and clear.

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All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. – Isaiah 54:13

 

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Phony Checklist

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Image Credit: Google.com, Kim Riding A Horse

For Bluebell Books Twitter Club Short Story Week 25

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CHECKLIST:

Wedding Ring – For 10 fingers

Wedding Gown – Vera Wow

Groom – Willing

Menu – Hmp fries

Cake – sweet six footer

Transportation – Cardash

Marriage Certificate – Tearable

Pen – With eraser

Priest – Keeping up

Guest List – You’re not invited!

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Kim        : That’s the final 95^th page of our wedding checklist!

Willing   : Are you sure you haven’t forgotten anything — your shoes?

Kim        : It’s on the 27^th page — shoes by Gossipy Shoenotti!

Willing   : What a memory! You won’t forget me, right? — wink

Kim        : I have you in my mind. Our marriage will be a success! – wink wink

 

Most of us have checklists in life to ensure that we have everything in place; that the outcome would be as planned.

Checklist for a perfect wedding – CHECK!

Checklist for a happy family – CHECK!

Checklist for a safe trip – CHECK!

Checklist for immediate promotion – CHECK!

Checklist for a gold medal – CHECK!

Reviewed the wedding checklist 100 times. All efforts made to save the family. Car checked prior to road trip. Dedicated work for the promotion. Intensive training for the gold.

We are ready. We are equipped.

But the victory belongs to the Lord. Everything depends on Him.

Got to trust Him. Not the checklist.

His idea of victory might be very different from ours.

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The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.

– Proverbs 21:31

🙂