Sunday, November 24, 2013

Introducing Timothy Andrew


Timothy Andrew is our latest grandson, a gift from heaven.  He looks like his grandpapas, I think.  His two brothers were all excited as they introduced him to us when hubby and I visited them in the hospital.  We are sure he will grow up smart and God fearing like them.
We welcome you, Timothy Andrew!
Lolo and I love you and we can't wait to hold you!

Thursday, November 21, 2013

My Kitchen Guests



I have loyal guests in my kitchen: a lion, a tiger and a fish!
They have been giving me company every time I cook, do my computer games, read the newspaper, cut my nails,  clean  pots and pans which is a never ending chore , and many more.
These friends were given to me by friends who knew my weaknesses and strengths. They have collected dust and grease through the years,  two decades to be exact,  but I still adore them!

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

We Will Survive


I couldn't sleep last night.
There were so many questions in my mind about the last disaster that hit a place in my homeland.
This picture (from google images) answers them all.
We will survive.
We will join our hands together and we will do that.
Mabuhay, Pilipinas!

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

MY TIA PARING !



This is my, Tia Paring.  She is pretty, isn't she?

According to Rose Kennedy: "Life isn't a matter of milestones but of moments."

If I can only put into words those moments I spent with my Tia Paring my milestones will fill a book!

To mention some:

She sewed my dress for my first piano recital .. a white organdy dress with flowing  layered skirt.  I can not forget those times she would come home during her break from work just to show me how to do the lazy daisy stitches on each layer. We chose the maroon color and  I felt  like a princess as I sat before the piano that morning with that skirt covering the whole piano bench!  I was 9!

Then, one day, I discovered a secret!  I often wondered how she always had money for everything.  One day somebody came, crying.  They talked.  Then she went to a  cabinet, took something from inside, gave it to the neighbor who thanked her so profusely I thought my Tia's hand would be broken. That's when I discovered that in that mysterious cabinet she kept a box for her loose change so she could have something to give to those who come  to her unexpectedly.  No wonder her house was always full of people on Christmas day.

Like many parents of her generation, she never demonstrated her affection publicly or privately, but  I know that she loved me and my older sister very much.  She was the one who showed me how to "take care" of myself when I first had my "monthly visitor".  I was coming home from school when I noticed her by the door.  That was unusual.  As I entered,  she whispered to me to go to the bathroom and there she talked to me about that girly thing.  That's when I learned that she had been checking the clothes I took off every morning.  Oh, and I can't imagine how many of my underwears she had hand washed for me.

On my mom's side, I have another name: Minda.   That's one thing I will miss the most. I will never hear her call me by that name anymore.

Monday, November 18, 2013

YouTube isn't kidding....


A cousin posted a paper snowflake on facebook and I thought: 
 "How did she do that?" 
So I went to YouTube and voila!!!!  my very own snowflake!
Only,  I had to use hospital tape 'cuz 
I found out I was
out of glue!!!

Pomegranate - A healthy snack



The last time I visited my hairdresser
she gave me a plump 
pomegranate.
Hubby thought of slicing
it for our morning 
snack today.
Crunchy, juicy and 
nutritious!

Wednesday, November 06, 2013

Meet Ron Kneale - The Piano Tuner



Grandson #1 was complaining about the keys on the piano.  "Grannie, these keys don't make any sound that is why I can not practice today."

"Just pretend they do.  Come on, practice your piece or else Ms. Jian will be disappointed."

So early Saturday morning I started looking for a piano tuner.  There was someone who lives just a few blocks from our place.  Great.  But to make sure, I googled his name.  Ah, he has a website and  customers can e-mail him.  So I did informing him of my problems with the piano.  I was surprised to get an answer the following morning, Sunday!
Early Monday I gave him a call.  His wife answered,  (he mentioned her on his website.) and placed me for an afternoon appt. for Thursday. Fine with me.  Then Late Monday, I received another call that he could accommodate me Tuesday morning instead. Even better.

In the course of our introduction/conversation he asked if I was from the Philippines.  I said "Yes, I am. How did you guess?"

He is a military son and his childhood is spent in several countries where there are American bases. They were in the Philippines when he was about 5 and 6 years old.  He talked about his vivid pleasant memories of my motherland!  He mentioned that he still can cook pancit, and that he loves lumpia.  He even remembers his calamansi lemonades.

Before he left, I gave him some calamansi fruit.

Thank you, Ron Kneale!!!