Family Portrait

Just chillaxing with my children.

Life is grand.

All We Ever Wanted

As adults, all we ever wanted to see for the younger generation is to be happy. We try. Hard. We provide them with plenty of love, faith, hope, affection, play, safety nets, education, good manners, teach them how to say … Continue reading →

Family Portrait

  What is a family? Typically, a standard family consists of mom, dad and child. Some would number their family as 1.5 or 2.5 which I do not understand where the point 5 comes from. Others would prefer to have … Continue reading →

Where is Thelma?

Finding Thelma is just like looking for Waldo. She is all over the map and too tiny to see. Tiny is an understatement. She could be standing in front of me and not see her within my eye level. I … Continue reading →

I can’t do the math.

I have to ask the QOTD on my Facebook.  “Who’s birthday is it today?” I am having a senior moment. Thank goodness, someone in my family has more memory than I do. My oldest sibling Myrna is turning a year … Continue reading →

Tag, You’re It!

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Meanwhile, in Canada, a bulletin board:  Parents, tag you’re it! Love Teachers. We have a teacher in our family, and she is coming home for the summer. Warning: Parents, aunties, uncles, and cousins, watch out, our lovely teacher is coming … Continue reading →

In The World But Not Of It

It’s magnificent to see a salmon run. A sacred journey when they return to where they were born to spawn a new generation. Salmon is a keystone species. Keystone species are those who have an extremely high impact on a … Continue reading →

Finale

In North America, Christmas is short-lived ending on Boxing Day. But our family, Christmas does not end until the arrival of Three Kings. That is a Filipino tradition that we must have learned under the tutelage of Spanish. When it … Continue reading →

The thing is we never stop growing

Thing 1 is showing me “Look Miss Pretty, I’m a big boy now.” Jimmy is so proud that he wears real clothes, no more of those one-size-fits-all mummy looking designer stuff that he was bundled up. He outgrew them all. … Continue reading →

The Gift

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Just looking at Layla sleeping gives everyone in my family this blissful feeling …. best gift christmas gift ever, the gift of life.

Elegance

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Vision of elegance after giving birth at 1215 AM on December 11, 2017 to an 8 pounder baby girl, sister of Jimmy.

I love my baby butt.

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Such a lovely room of the baby. A serene place just to look at all the decoration and will pacify the mind of a crying baby wanting to suckle the breast for milk and feel the bosom of the mother. … Continue reading →

Anytime. Every time.

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i thank You God for most this amazing day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything which is natural which is infinite which is yes (i who have died am … Continue reading →

On Bathing

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Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all … Continue reading →

For the future generation

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Joshua came into her dream. In a grocery store, I was trying to reach a 2 litter Dr. Pepper from the top shelf. A hand came from behind me and said “I gotcha mum”. It was Josh. He told me … Continue reading →

A Certain Smile

Joshua Edward Spackman Siglos

Do you smile to tempt a lover, Mona Lisa?
Or is this your way to hide a broken heart?
Many dreams have been brought to your doorstep
They just lie there and they die there

Last night, my family and I were looking at Josh’s photo and I said, he has that certain smile. A Mona Lisa’s smile.

Is his smile happy or sad? I would like to think that his smile is unequivocally happy. It’s not rocket science. Being surrounded by his family loving him to bits and unconditionally, of course, he is happy.

Even his eyes, the eyes will follow us no matter where we are in the room. A gaze that will make you wonder, what is he thinking? Again, happy or crappy thoughts? His thought is brilliant, a gifted mind.

We wish he is here with us to ask him: Hey Josh, what do you think of your photo? What is the meaning of your smile?

The answer will remain a mystery, more mysterious than Mona Lisa.

Josh Siglos died at a young age of 31 on April 28, 2017.

White roses and gloves

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They look so handsome wearing suit and tie to serve their mom, Lorena. Lorena’s three sons wore a rose boutonniere and white gloves as pallbearers to bring her casket to the church, then back to the funeral parlor for the … Continue reading →

Mother and Son

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Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone, Silence the pianos and with muffled drum Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.  ~ W H Auden Did your mom give … Continue reading →

Love of a son

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Losing a mother is a pain that cannot be described in words. It is impossible to move on from the memory of losing the woman who sacrificed happiness in her own life so that you could have a better one. … Continue reading →

The Gift of Prayer

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We have just finished our third night of prayer for our dearly beloved, Lorena when her sister’s mother-in-law followed Lorena’s footsteps. Now, we have to remember the mother-in-law in our prayers as well. Tonight will be the sixth evening that is extra … Continue reading →

Respectful Woman – a Superhero

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  I suppose for a child, adult seems to be larger than life and that’s how my nephew, Carlos, drew his mom. Tall, colorful clothing with beautiful red smiling lips. As for the arms, I don’t know why they turned … Continue reading →

It’s a wrap!

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Cats have the ability to bounce back as if nothing ever bad happened to them especially when it comes to wrapping papers, bows and newspapers. It’s pretty hard to keep them away and start preparing the presents for Christmas. One … Continue reading →

The Perfect Card

Looking for a perfect card that will match the person’s personality can be a challenge especially for my sister who never ever change. She epitomizes the word sameness. That is, the same hair style for all those years.

She wears her hair on a bun!

Her hair is naturally long and black. Lucky person, no white hair for a 70-year-old. Unlike me, my hair is arctic white. I must have received all the white genes in our family.

As for a birthday card, we found the perfect image of her.

I kid you not, when we were younger, we ‘teased’ her hair to create a beehive.

Happy Birthday, sister.

Cardiac Delight is Not on the Menu

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Once you’ve tried our traditional Filipino food, that’s it! You are hooked and you’ll be dreaming of it and not white Christmas. Allow me to show you what’s was on my plate in one of our festivals. This makes me … Continue reading →

The …t9ers Celebration

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It started with an invitation for dinner at a Chinese restaurant, then another invitation for breakfast the following day. And then… At my age, my diet is becoming simpler, mostly boiled, broiled or baked. Also late night dinners are iffy … Continue reading →

Do animals go to heaven?

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“If my dear pet can’t be with me, then I can’t be there.” Source: Franciscan Media Image: CIA de foto.

Please ask me.

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My family used to have a habit of asking me why am I still single. Being asked so much, I learned to be creative with my responses to these inquisition. Now, it’s rare they question my status. Rare

We are more alike than unalike

Skip the cherry.

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My niece is a professional baker. She found a prodigy, little Jimmie, to take over her profession. Got to start them young, you know. Cupcake is Jimmie’s all time favorite with icing and M&M’s on top. Jimmie’s main instruction was … Continue reading →

Don’t Look Up!

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Going out for dinner, ordering ethnic food that we were brave enough to order and try to eat what we ordered. NOT! Look Up

Family Portrait

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Partners

Word of the day

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The word for the day is ideate in Miriam-Webster dictionary. Looking at the word, breaking it down to syllables and think about it to form what it means in my head first is the game I play without jumping into the meaning. I … Continue reading →

The Problem of Belonging: Being a Catholic in a Big Family

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We are a family of 13 and we are Catholic. I happen to be the tenth in line and drop in the bucket in Catholic community. As a younger sister, the rule is to listen to your elders. be respectful and … Continue reading →

Then and Now

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To keep the younger generations interested what was ‘Then’, we hanged our dirty laundry for show and tell. Now, they are so tickled to see what was then. Good times, good times. https://dailypost.wordpress.com/photo-challenges/now

The happiest table at home

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It is a gradual change of transition as we waited patiently with anticipation when the happiest table in our house is redecorated. The decoration then was pumpkin, Chinese lantern flowers and golden maple leaves on Thanksgiving Day. Now the table … Continue reading →

The only way to celebrate.

When it comes to birthday, we do not wait for anyone to remember our birthdays. We make sure that everyone knows it. This is a Filipino tradition. Traditionally speaking, we throw our own party, invite as many people as we … Continue reading →

Mission on the Hills and Valleys

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The beauty of the space nourished by temperate climate is what makes this place conducive to live permanently or a travel destination to enjoy the many amenities of the Okanagan Valley. From the balcony, I could see the Mission Hill … Continue reading →

Half and Half Makes Two

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Arithmetically, two halves make one. But when it comes to relationships, one has to be a whole person before uniting as one. This is a photo of a newly wed. This is a photo of a married couple renewing their … Continue reading →

I can sing a rainbow

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Look Miss Pretty, me and my GG (gorgeous grandma) are beautiful colourful flowers, said baby Jimmy as I took photos of them under the Holy Garden. And what colour are you as a boy? I asked. Blue, I am blue. Blue … Continue reading →

Breaking News

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Every day, I receive at least three e-mail breaking news alert from New York Times. This kind of news means a broken world. I simply read the headline and carry on with my simple life. But when different breaking news … Continue reading →

Proud Moments

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Red, white and blue Stars over you Mama said Papa said You will make it through. So proud that he finished his degree carrying his newborn son on the podium and holding his diploma. “Enveloped” with pride? Who wouldn’t be?

Never let your Mother’s name fade away.

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Mother and Father are two of the most important people in our lives. Together they fell in love, married, procreate and gave us this life we have. They raised us to the best of their abilities hoping that one day … Continue reading →

In Praise of Mother: A Legacy of a Selfless Person

I really do not know much about Mother. My siblings have asked her numerous times to write her story. If she can’t write maybe, she can record her memoir. They gave her a recorder. Thinking that she might do it, … Continue reading →

Because We Are Girls

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Because we are girls Father wants us to stay home Because we are girls Mother wants us to be free Because we are girls Father does not want us to go to school Because we are girls Mother wants us to … Continue reading →

The Promise I made to Myself

When it comes to children, I try to keep the quiet promises I made to myself and not let them know. I promised that I will post this video and today is the day. A Charlie Brown Christmas music played … Continue reading →

Twinkle Toes

Little Jimmy came running up to me with a big hug, kisses and excitedly said:

“Look Miss Pretty, twinkle toes!”

He was so proud showing off his dinosaurs slippers.

In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Twinkle.”

The Wild One

AC does not want me to think that he is still playing with stuff animal as I mentioned in this post.  So he sent me more evidence that this is what he does in his one and wild precious life in Thailand.

To prove his point that he is not the baby but the Tiger. Note the long line up on the right of the monk. Many are experiencing this one and wild precious life.

Here kitty, kitty, kitty: BREAKFAST!

…. Tell me,

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… Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one and wild precious life? ~ Mary Oliver Asking AC a serious question is difficult. It’s hard to get a straight answer from him. The question is what … Continue reading →

A life for life

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Listening to my elders sharing their war stories fascinates me. Not that I enjoy knowing the gory details but understanding how they came to live a full life after the war. My Uncle “Tito Jess” is the best story-teller, ever. … Continue reading →

Some things are meant to be

Let’s pretend we’re riding on a kite. Let’s imagine we’re flying through the air! We’ll ascend until we’re out of sight. Light as paper, we’ll soar! Let’s be wild, up high above the sand, feel the wind, the world at … Continue reading →

Bleeding Hearts

“Three midgets walk into the Guinness Book of Records building …” The first line of the joke lit up his face with a smile. That’s all he can do for he couldn’t move much any of his muscles. It was … Continue reading →

Dreams do come true.

Thanksgiving celebration feels like Christmas and Easter to me. It’s the sharing, giving and gratitude. Where I came from, Philippines, it’s not part of a tradition since every day is Thanksgiving Day.  Now that we are in Canada, we embrace … Continue reading →

I can’t read signs. I ask.

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Curiosity is in my nature. I wonder most of the times what my nephews and nieces are up to than their parents.  They are no longer children that I used to take on a field trips; they are now young … Continue reading →

Draw me something

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“I want to be a paleontologist.” “A paleonto what?” “I love dinosaurs and I want to take care of them.” “Well, you love Barney, Bamm-Bamm and Dino in Flintstones.  That’s only cartoons; besides dinosaurs are extinct. There are no more … Continue reading →

Rose Garden

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“At last you’ve left and gone to the invisible: How marvellous the way you Quit this world. You ruffled your feathers and, Breaking free of your cage, You took to the air, bound for Your soul’s world… A love-sick nightingale … Continue reading →

The apple of my eyes

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Such a pretty face, such a pretty smile, the apple of my eyes: Michael. He had me wrap around his little fingers; fingers as we played the song “inky winky spider went up the water-spout” When I baby sat him … Continue reading →

I am not your Mother

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There were many games we played, many songs I sang to lull you to sleep, ate gallons of ice cream and told the same stories over and over.  We tickled each other, tricked one another to a pretend cry spell, … Continue reading →

Everyone is a teacher

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Johnnie, my nephew, was asked to do an informal speech for the graduates.  It’s remarkable to hear what he shared with his classmates and being in a private Catholic school, everything is faith centered. “The amount of good because of … Continue reading →

Farewell to the Graduates

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I am living my life vicariously from looking at the photos of the graduates this year in my family.  When I graduated, I have vague memories of it.  I think I skipped the graduation for reason unknown.  It must be … Continue reading →

Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)

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Do you like to touch or do you like to be touch? Some people cannot help but touch.  That’s just the way they were born.  It just happened that we have one sweet person in our family that loves to … Continue reading →

The Art of Selfie: Call me Miss Pretty.

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On a beautiful autumn day, one cannot help but feel good and pretty inside.  Taking photos of the most colourful neighbourhood, a few people had the same idea as me.  It was amusing to watch some of them taking a … Continue reading →

Lost

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What do you mean lost?  I asked my baby brother. I was asking for one of his photographs so I can zero on him.  He studied photography and entered some of his pictures and won an award. In 1987, he … Continue reading →

Tenth Month of the Year

The month of October is big in our family, too many birthday celebrations.  By the end of the month, there goes my savings.  Mother and Father must have been so busy just after Christmas and New Year’s.  Did I count the gestational months correctly?  Nine months of incubation, right?

The first three consecutive days of October 1-2-3 followed by October 10, 17, 28, 30 are the days of birth.  I know I’ve missed some dates.

To top this, Canada celebrates Thanksgiving Day the second Monday of October the same as USofA.  Thank goodness, we abolished adult birthday celebrations and gift giving except for children.

We celebrate Thanksgiving Day instead to be thankful for the gift of family.  There is just too much love going around, can’t get enough of it, not to mention food.

This year there will be an extra celebration because my niece will be graduating from University.  

Celebration might be postponed at the later part of month due to absences of a few people going on vacations.

Married siblings are doing the Love boat style, cruising, and home away from home.  We just waved goodbye to them recently.  The three stooges, nephews of the same age who grew up closely, will be visiting the Philippines to meet older cousin. And I will be away to do the annual pilgrimage walking the earth for 15 days. 

Time for another foot spa.

Foot Spa

There will be plenty of stories to go around when we meet on Thanksgiving Day whatever date will that be. 

We are Easter People

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This year will be extra special in celebrating Easter.  Not only that we are celebrating the real sense of Jesus’ resurrection; we, my family that is, will be celebrating our Mother’s 13th year of her death anniversary.  And it falls on Easter!

Being a Catholic, we are Easter People.  We celebrate death filled with hope that we will be resurrected and finally be where we are supposed to be; with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit; and with all the Saints and choirs of Angels.

Sister #5 asked me to write something about Mother.  As much as I want to, Sister #2 mentioned that she wants to write about her journey and Mother.  With that thought in mind, I declined because I don’t want to steal my sister’s thunder.

Instead, I compiled some pictures and memorabilia that I can find for the family to look at.  This is a good place for safekeeping for now because my notes are all over the place and I tend to throw or give away pictures.  Maybe, just maybe, I will gradually write something about this.

My readers, I wish you ALL a Blessed Easter and here are some of the ways of the Easter People.  If you are not a Catholic, replace the last item according to your belief system.

•        Cling to the people who love you
•        Remember who you are
•        Don’t wait for the other shoe to drop
•        Bring joy to the world
•        Breathe in the Holy Spirit

 

Related Article:

• How can we be Easter People

My water bag broke…

Sleep, I need sleep.  I crawled into bed after a long night of celebrating Sister #2’s birthday.  It was December 14.  Crawled into bed and knocked out cold and went into dream world.  I could hear a phone ringing.  Is … Continue reading →

To Err is Human (35)

What do I know?  Not much.  Actually, much to my chagrin, I am kind of beating myself up a thousand lashes of wet noodles and at the same time, hitting my chest, and murmuring: Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa.  Yesterday was a … Continue reading →