Replacing our Windows - The Epic Story

In my last post, I wrote about moving furniture about in the house on account of our new nanny. It didn't stop there. I was on a roll! hahahaha I think it's better to make this post into a daily update form so it's easier to read

Jan 21, Wednesday
We bought mattresses for the kids' beds at SM Mall of Asia. We asked my dad to pick us up from there because he's the one with the van hahaha the kids were so excited to see him again :) Oh and I started with the kids' educational plans. I consider it my mom's legacy for my kids.

Jan 22, Thursday
Finally had time to install the curtain rod in the girls' room on the 3rd floor. The sun can get pretty intense in the afternoon so it's really great to have a curtain to give some shade as well as to catch all the dust in the air coming from the street.

I also got an estimate for the windows. We were thinking of upgrading from steel to aluminum since most of the windows were stuck anyway and can't be opened.

Jan 23, Friday
I got another estimate from Sharon and Jowell who used aluminum doors and windows for their internet shop. Their estimate was lower than what I got and can be discounted even further because they already had a working relationship with the owner. So, on the same day, they trooped to the house and started dismantling the windows. They started with the 3rd floor windows of our room. There were two of them in the room. They finished dismantling one and started on the second. At the same time, they were also finishing with the first one, to match the specifications of the window size. At the end of the day, we had one finished window, ready for its replacement and one window that needs to be cemented and fixed, ready for the next day's work.

Jan. 24, Saturday
They came early and started dismantling the second, much like what they did with the first. Finished with cement and they started dismantling the third set of windows on the 2nd floor. I was told that they will be installing the new windows the next day so Patrick and I didn't waste any time. I went to the store to buy paint and Patrick and I started painting after the kids went to sleep. That was around 10PM and we finished painting the room by 3am hahahaha

Jan. 25, Sunday
I was expecting that the replacement windows will be installed for the third floor set of windows but it didn't happen. We waited the whole day. In the end, since I was psyched anyway, I put a 2nd coating of paint on the room. But my clothes cabinet completely and totally broke down! I am finally living off luggage bags for the meantime! LOL

Jan. 26, Monday
I was told that this time the windows will be finished that they'll be able to deliver them and install them. We waited the whole day. I was getting antsy because I could sense that the windows were not finished being assembled for God knows what reason. I felt I was getting the round about. Jowell did bring one set of windows early in the evening but those couldn't be assembled yet. He was supposed to come back with the others but I told him to just bring them over tomorrow so that there'll be more time install.

Jan. 27, Tuesday
I was hoping that early morning they'll be here to finish the job. After all, more than enough time has passed. I was told that the truck that they were going to use broke down (yeah right) I couldn't believe it. I felt like all the excuses that they could come up with, they're bringing them all out. At this point, I was really pissed off. They finally came at 2pm (but I believe they used Jowell's car to bring the windows). They worked on installing them and by 6pm they were done. At last! When they left, we set to work on cleaning up and fixing the remaining furniture.

Jan. 28, Wednesday
Patrick and I were so excited with the new windows, we went to Divisoria to buy roller blinds. Unfortunately, they were still too expensive at P140/sq. ft. - the windows were going to cost us P2300+ each (and we needed three!) So, we settled with buying curtain rods and curtains instead. The curtain rods cost us P235 each, the curtains at P100 each hahaha

It was a good trip to Divisoria, it was the first time that Patrick and I went out together without the kids hahahaha So many clothes (I bought a few), was able to buy Den her Chuck Taylor's (which she had been angling to get since Christmas), Dana new jeans and watches for the kids (including Den) :)

Up to now, we haven't had a chance to put these curtains yet LOL So stay tuned for more updates :)

Job interview update

After that tiring day yesterday, Patrick woke up at 7am coz we needed to get ready for the day. He for his new job offer and me for the interview in the same company.

He got a call from Summit Media about a possible opening as a Staff Writer for Top Gear Philippines (Digital edition). He has submitted and published articles for Top Gear both for F1 primers previously but he really wanted a more permanent position. When this opening came up, he went ahead and applied without even telling the EIC that he applied. He was surprised when he was supposed to interview Patrick because Patrick didn't tell him that he even applied to the magazine. Patrick wanted to get in on his own merit. But in the end, Patrick was still offered the job so that was good! Congrats!

While he was there, he was asked if he knew other writers who would be willing to apply because there were some openings for their other online magazine positions. He mentioned me and he was told to just ask me to forward my resume to them. Which I did because at least this was a job opportunity that's being handed to me on a silver platter :) And what timing because this happened at the same time that my Dad brought with him our new Nanny for the kids!

Anyway, to cut a long story short, we both got scheduled today, Monday and we went, but with me having a lot of reservations because this will be the first time we're both leaving the house together without the kids. And yeah, Dylan was crying his lungs out all morning. Den was telling me about it through phone. They went to SaveMore (the local supermarket) to stop Dylan from crying, which he did, but when he returned to the house, he kept asking for his "mama" LOL

He was so happy when he saw us arriving in the taxi cab after our time with Summit Media was done. Now, I just have to wait for the evaluation from the EIC regarding my resume. Keeping my fingers crossed :)

I wish I had my old body back! LOL

Moving furniture from the 2nd floor to the 3rd floor, doing the laundry and basically keeping the kids in line have really tired me out. Not just me but everyone in the household. You have to understand that we have to do these chores simultaneously, not to mention cooking lunch too ! :)

Because we have a new Nanny, she will be occupying Den's room on the 2nd floor while Den will move to the bigger room on the 3rd floor with the kids. Patrick and I will be moving from that big room to a room that used to serve as the storage (but was historically my room when my mom and brother still lived here). Can you imagine this daunting task? hahaha

First, we tried to sort out the junk from the stuff that we're keeping. There were boxes and boxes of old VHS tapes, cassette tapes, old school books, old bags and just a bunch of your regular "trash" LOL After sorting, we cleaned the room, moved our bed, my cabinet (which ended up getting broken too (oh man!) and some other stuff. Then we had to move Den's cabinet and bed (the other half of a bunk bed) from the 2nd floor to the 3rd floor. I almost fell down the stairs when I couldn't hold on to the weight of the cabinet and I could feel it falling on me. In the end, we had to call on Den's help, whew!

Next, we assembled Bing's cabinet/closet. At least that one was easy to do hahaha Finished that in no time!

There was still a lot of stuff left in the hallway, but we've managed to send a lot of it to the trash. Fortunately there were garbage trucks that pass by at night and we managed to bring those out immediately. We were so tired, we ended up just ordering for delivery from Jollibee one of the local fast food chains.

In the end, I couldn't sleep until 2:30AM!! And then, when I did manage to catch a few zzz's, Dana came into the room to wake me up because she wanted to stay in the room too. I just went back to her room and we shared her bed :)

Needed to sleep for the job interview the next day.

Going shopping in Cubao!

It's the first time that we're going out for the New Year. This time it's with Bing our Nanny. We're going to the Araneta Center in Cubao to look for a cabinet/closet for her room. Also, it was my intention to look for some office clothes for my job interview with Summit Media on Monday.

We first had lunch at the Gateway Food Express where Den and I ordered a big bowl of Mongolian barbecue while Patrick and the rest of the gang had steaks at House of Mini's. We then went to check out Shopwise first because they usually have a great selection of houseware and furniture at a very affordable price. Unfortunately, we didn't find what we needed this time. What we did find was a Body Slender exercise machine which I've been eyeing since I saw it on an infommercial LOL It was on sale for P2700 (which I bargained down to P2600 and that also included pink 0.5kg dumbells, a CD and a special floor mat). We then went to SM where we found a cabinet that's just the right size and the right price.

After buying that, we went around the ladies' section to look for clothes. Naturally, after giving birth I've gained some pounds (from 100 pounds to 130 pounds!) I went from size S to size XL!! I couldn't believe that the clothes they have available don't fit well on me. I needed to try on size XL!!! I refuse to believe that I'm an XL!!! boohoohoo I was getting teary-eyed in the fitting room because it's frustrating looking for clothes that look good on you. I think that they're either cost cutting and scrimping on the cloth or the sizes are really small!!! I ended buying a black, silk blouse which Den assured me looked good enough and will look better if I lost a few more pounds. I wanted to buy a pair of decent pants but I can't even bring them up over my hips hahahhaha Time to really lose weight! LOL

From SM, we went back to Shopwise for grocery shopping. There were some great bargains though.. Like a 6-seater dining table set for roughly P4,500. A computer table/desk for less than P1,000. I wanted to buy that desk for Dana but we still have to fix the house hahaha

All in all it was a good day despite that crying jag in the fitting room.. I'm such a drama queen ! LOL Tomorrow is going to be a tiring day because we're moving furniture about woohoo!!

We have a babysitter! :)

Ever since the kids were born, it's just us in the house - Patrick, myself, Den and the kids. We've managed fine enough and the kids are really brilliant (if I do say so myself hehe) and behaved. We've survived being able to handle them and learning how to be parents. We're still on that road seeing as you never stop learning how to manage your kids no matter how old they become hahahaha

The point is, we've always done it by ourselves. Our parents don't live with us. We can only call them for advice and Patrick's dad and my Dad were the only ones who were able to visit. It's tough raising kids on your own as so many stay-at-home moms can attest to. You really need to have all the energy to last you through the day. Add to it, the demand of also having to write so that there will be additional income for the family.

Can you believe that last Tuesday was the first time that Patrick was able to go see a movie by himself?! Yes, the last he watched in the theater was The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King!! hahaha yes it's true!! Dana was not yet born at that time. We watched it together, wait, so technically all three of us went together hahahaha

Patrick and I haven't gone anywhere that's just the two of us. We always had the kids with us when we went out. Either I took Dana and Dylan was left with him or it's usually him who's going out for errands and I stayed home with the kids. If I do go out, it's usually with Den and we have to hurry back because Patrick's not used to dealing with the kids LOL

Anyway, we decided to get a babysitter because Dana will be starting school and I needed someone to help me around the house. It will also be the perfect time for me to go back to work (assuming I get hired LOL). Because you know, once the kids go to school, you need a never-ending supply of money to get you through all that ! LOL

So I asked my dad's help if he knew anyone willing to work with us. And two days ago I got a call from him that the babysitter has arrived from his hometown in Calayan. Imagine my shock! Where will we put her? hahaha She will be a live-in babysitter/helper around the house and we didn't have a place to put her in! The house was a mess hahaha but we figured it's just a small setback that we can easily overcome. Yesterday she arrived and the room was a bit prepared. We did need to buy her a new cabinet and it looks like the house will be having a few repairs coz Patrick and I are moving to our own room too. Den's room on the 2nd floor will be for the babysitter and she in turn will be moving in with the kids in what's our room now. whew! major renovations needed!

We're all still adjusting and it's fun :) Hope we're going to get along great! :) but it looks like the kids like her and they're bonding yesterday. I can't believe the kids weren't looking for me for a full 2 hours last night.. That was a surprise! LOL

Paypon Family Day Out

It's kinda refreshing to see "Paypon Family" on my blog. My Dad, sister and I live in very separate areas so it's not often that we get to spend a day together. I think I can consider this a milestone in our lives as this has indeed been a rare occurrence and there are a lot of firsts that you'll read about in this post. :)

It's a Friday and Den has no school on account of the Feast of the Black Nazarene that was participated in by probably thousands, even millions of people. Click on this link if you want to view a video of the procession. It's courtesy of GMANews.TV (thanks!)

Anyway, my dad, Den, Dylan, Dana and I went to the bank to get Dad's last share from my mom's insurance. He's going to use it to buy a car that Joel, Sharon's husband, was able to find. It was a second hand 1998 Toyota LiteAce and he bought it for P150K. Not bad, considering it's all powered and no major problems. Sharon, Joel and their baby Sofia fetched us from the bank and we all went straight to the car dealer. There, Daddy saw for the first time the car that will finally be his. It was only a few days after Sharon was able to buy her own car, a second hand Toyota Corona EX Saloon. Going to my dad's house from the dealer, Sharon, Den, Dana and Dylan went to ride in the new van. They were scared at first because it has been some time since my Dad last drove a car. He had a few misses, making Joel and me hiss in nervousness because we were following him, probably because he was still getting used to the bulk of a van. But, in fairness, he was still okay on the road :)


A milestone for me, is getting to meet our dad's mistress/now wife for the first time in my life. I think that it's about time, being the New Year and all, and since my mom has passed away. I didn't really know what to expect. I've met my half-brothers when we were in Calayan last summer. So, that wasn't so bad. But Ida treated us well enough and she and Dana were busy chatting like old friends. Dylan was afraid of their dog though :) She was surprised when she was told that Daddy brought home a new car. She couldn't believe it and I guess she didn't expect it. She served us lunch and it was a pretty okay meeting :)

After that, on to Sharon's house. It was only a short distance away from where my Dad lives and it was also the first time for me, Dana and Dylan to visit. Den already spent Christmas with them one time so she's already been there. It was a good day for us, catching up on what's happening with each other's families. Getting to see the new baby Sofia and seeing how my nephews have grown. Jianne just turned 12 and Justine will be 11 this year. The kids had a great time playing with each other. We also went to the market to buy tinapa (smoked fish) and it was so cheap it was unbelieveable! hahaha

We waited for the rush hour to be over before we headed home. Joel wants us to buy a car of our own so we can all travel out of town for the summer. I said we'll see :) He said, he'll look for a good high-end, but low-cost and low maintenance one for us :) I'm sure he will hahaha

I think it was a good start to the year. To be with family and to enjoy each other's company even for a day. These days are precious especially when you think about how fast someone can disappear from your lives and you not having a chance to show them or tell them how much you care about them.

Looking forward to summer, I think :)

A year in the life: 2008

I beg your indulgence as I would like to do a recap of my life in 2008. It’s a good way for me to look back and see what I’ve done, what I’ve accomplished (if any!) and maybe laugh on the few highlights along the way. I think it’s my way of assessing how 2009 should unfold, don’t you think??

January – Aside from New Year celebrations, we’ve just been focusing on Den’s 3rd Quarterly exams and preparing for her class retreat that’s scheduled for this month. One of my grandfather’s brother, Lolo Boboy, the one I’m very close to, also died from a heart attack on Christmas day and then he ended up in a coma for about a week until the family decided to end his suffering.

February – is a BAD month for me and my family. My mother died on Feb. 7, 2008 after being hit by a Toyota Tacoma while crossing the street in San Diego, California. I got denied a US Visa at the Embassy which made me feel so bad and furious. She was buried on Feb. 25, the same day as my sister’s birthday.

March – Hectic Month because of Den’s graduation from High School (March 28) and the birthday of my two kids, Dana turning 4 and Dylan turning 2. My mom was supposed to come home for this but she didn’t make it. We just took the kids to the Mall and had some food prepared at the house.

April – Summer time. Relatives from the Paypon side had a reunion and we all went to visit the family’s hometown in Calayan Island, Cagayan at the northernmost tip of the Philippines and spent about 10 days there. It was an adventure, having to spend 12-14 hours on a bus and another 10 hours on a boat (going back was 6 hours only) to get there. It was the first time for my kids to be there. We had a blast!

May – It’s a poignant time because of my mom’s birthday. She would have been 61 years old. We were also busy with enrollment procedures for Den for her college education.

June – School season. We had our Internet connection upgraded to DSL. Even though it’s the slowest speed for DSL (it’s what we can afford), it was still a great leap from dial-up haha I’ve also started freelance writing to add to the family income.

July – I’ve been looking for ways to augment the family income and I found that blogging is one way to do that. I’ve just had my blog approved for a sponsorship website, where you write about products and they pay you for it. It’s something cool :) Oh! and I also got an article published in The BIG C magazine entitled, “Finding the right words to say to the cancer patient”.

August – I lost a tooth! In July, I was suffering horribly from such a painful tooth that my whole face was swollen from it. I finally got it removed!! Haha and I can’t tell you what a relief that was! Oh and it’s Den’s 17th birthday too.

September – There’s a new addition to the family, my niece Sofia Jasmine, born on the 4th. It was also Lance’s 2nd birthday and the Tadeos had a little get-together in Marikina. Chance for the kids to play together and the grown-ups to catch up on things :)

October – Stevie and Toni gave birth to their 2nd child, Hannah Sofia. It was my 36th Birthday (wow, time flies haha).

November – Patrick and I celebrated our 14 years of togetherness hahaha. Undas (Day of the Dead) was hard because now there’s someone I’m personally mourning. A visit to Patrick’s mom’s grave was like a substitute for visiting my mom and that’s where I ended up crying my heart out.

December – is a full month. We took the kids to see the Dinos Alive in Manila exhibit. We were able to buy a new TV, DVD Player and a 5.1 Theater system. We treated ourselves to TGIFriday’s, Hooters, and Don Henrico’s (on separate occasions, ok?). We thought it was a good end to the year. But alas, bad news came at its wake. Patrick’s Dad collapsed, had a heart attack and ended up in a coma on Christmas day, just like my Lolo Boboy a year earlier. He died on New Year’s eve. Things will never be the same way again.

Another Tragedy

Did you ever have that feeling that when something goes right, you think what's the catch? or if something is too good to be true, there's something bad that's going to happen to balance that effect? Well, I should have sensed it coming. We were just having too much fun last December that the bad thing should have been inevitable.

Christmas evening here in Manila, we received a call from Patrick's Dad and Tita Flor. We had a great time chatting and they were even able to talk with Dana and Dylan which was a great thing. Dana was telling them about the gifts she received and about seeing the Dinosaurs in Dinos Alive. It was a nice conversation.

The next day, Patrick received a call from a distraught Tita Flor that Dad collapsed and was taken to the hospital. It didn't look good. Later on, we found out that Dad flatlined and was revived a number of times until he lapsed into a coma. Further testing showed that he had kidney damage and a previous diagnosis of emphysema, which was probably what caused the heart attack when he was having trouble getting oxygen. The climate in Sacramento wasn't good too because it was too cold for him making it even more difficult to breathe.

The doctors said that they'll do further testing on the 3rd day because from their experience, comatose patients usually recover after three days. They'll have to see if there's still brain function and if he can survive without the life support machine. So, the waiting began.

It's tough being here in Manila, when all that is happening is a million miles away in another country. You wish to be there for your Dad but you can't. All you can do is hope and pray that he makes it.

On the third day, December 31, we found out that he no longer has any brain function and that his kidneys are damaged and may get worse if he survives. If he is taken off the life support machine, he won't survive. The family decided to end his suffering with much regret and loss. It's even more difficult for Patrick because his mom also suffered the same fate, having a stroke and ending up being in a coma. She did die on her own, sparing the family from ending her life.

The New Year doesn't look too good from this perspective. We need to find a way to bring him home. Finances are tight so cremation looks like a better alternative. It's just that they won't be able to see him for the last time. Hopefully, Stevie has better luck getting a US Visa so he can go there and personally bring their Dad home.

We're going to miss Dad. Dana and Dylan lost a loving grandfather. Patrick calls himself an orphan now. The only consolation I guess is that their mom and dad are now together. I can't even begin to imagine how Tita Flor must be feeling now. I pray that she has more strength to deal with what comes after.