Color My Way With Words

Today was a calm day. Was up before the sun to give the inside kitties their breakfast, then sleepilly went through morning prayers. Then the routine of feeding the outside kitties and breakfast, then almost immediately into a morning nap. :)

Was woken up by the arrival of the maintenance crew, whom I am having over for a few projects: transferring the TV from my old room into the master bedroom, which means transferring the linen cabinet over to where the TV used to be. Then the bidet in the master bath needs to have its hose replaced. Am looking forward to having entertainment in my room, though I would hope that I don't turn into a hermit. :)

The day was mostly peace and serenity. I printed out the bills that I paid. I'm not that Kondo-fied that I can through away all the billing statements without a care in the world; my compromise is to keep one quarter's worth of statements before shredding them. Because this is the Philippines, after all, and as sure as God made little green apples, one must prepare for possibilities.

Am typing this on the laptop, since I brought it out to print the bills. There's a feeling of contentment to be using the equipment one has bought for the purpose it was intended; especially when everything comes together without glitches.

It's raining now. If this keeps up through the night, there is no question but that everyone in the house will have their first good sleep since summer began. Last night was the first night I didn't have the fans on at maximum power, though I am still in the cotton nighties mode.

June is ending, and with the entrance of July comes the renewal of the Village stickers for the cars. It is a day when that will be the only thing I plan to do. Ever since I enrolled about 99% of the bills in the online payment system, I have been kept well out of the way of temptations of the mall. Which means, however, that I should: a) reduce my food intake since I stopped my main excuse for strollling around the mall
b) set my mind to getting a bicycle
c) use the step machine currently parked in the bedroom

Tomorrow, the cat litter I ordered should arrive. I am having fun with delivery services; I found one that not only delivers delicious mangoes and avocados (freshly harvested before delivery, they tell me), but also fresh veggies. I found a rice delivery service that I wasn't able to try yet, but soon, for sure. I found a supplier of Castile soap, which is love (and an incentive for me to use up the stuff I have been hoarding). The funny thing is, I stumble over these services through Instagram. Who would have thunk?

Though one must do judicious comparison shopping. Sometimes one can spot a similar product on Lazada or Shopee for less.

So I guess this will be it for now. I need to go give kitties their dinner in an hour. Time to fix things up.

Good morning from Manila! Settled down for breakfast after the morning rush; surprised to see @CNNSitRoom take over from @cnntoday; then saw that it's Kavanaugh's confirmation day. Mrmph. My only consolation will be seeing
@Acosta doing the coverage...
7:03 AM

*sigh* so Kavanaugh has been confirmed, hopefully that will be the last of him on TV. @KateBolduan and panel for analysis. (All the ladies are in black or navy. Very elegant, just like a funeral service...)
7:39 AM · Oct 9, 2018

That car crash in New York...what a tragedy.
7:58 AM · Oct 9, 2018

Two of my favorites onscreen at the same time. *cue shameless fangirl moment* @andersoncooper and @Acosta. Add a good cup of coffee, and the tenor of my day has been set.
8:12 AM · Oct 9, 2018

Listening to @AC360 while sorting through papers. This is an ongoing project of epic proportions, and manages to use up my energy pretty fast. Then again, I could just be short on sleep...
8:58 AM · Oct 9, 2018

Threw out a whole bunch of receipts...those that have faded into oblivion because print on thermal paper does that; and lots of cash register tapes.
9:06 AM · Oct 9, 2018

Oh wow...double dose of @andersoncooperand @Acosta because @ChrisCuomo is absent (and I do hope his back is ok). This boost ought to keep me going through another lot of bills...
9:06 AM · Oct 9, 2018

If I don't finish this sorting by the end of the year, I'll have to parallel run a new system come 2019. I've let this sit for too long. Got to chip at it every day I can...
9:09 AM · Oct 9, 2018

I saw the sweetest camera at SM Aura several months ago...it's made by Fujica, and can share photos via Bluetooth, in addition to uploading on the Web. One of my I WAAANT things. Here:

FUJIFILM X-A3
fujifilm.com
9:43 AM · Oct 9, 2018

All right. It is now nearly the middle of October. The weather today is as bright and hot as a summer day, and after putting away the rabbit supplies, i am doing a slow sweat drip...
10:31 AM · Oct 9, 2018

2...Tell me this is *not* climate change, because by this time several years go, i would have been removing a light sweater after effort like that.
10:31 AM · Oct 9, 2018

Nice to see @vausecnn at the news desk again, been missing the afternoon newscasts...bonus points for one of my favorite correspondents opening the hour...*fangirl moment*
12:10 PM · Oct 9, 2018

I mean, there are those on the US side I will always enjoy watching, but...i am a CNNi girl, always will be.
12:28 PM · Oct 9, 2018

*chuckles* that blah blah blah part was a gem...
12:13 PM · Oct 9, 2018

Now here is a hare-brained idea. Your mileage may vary...

CNN Philippines
@cnnphilippines
Roque on proposal to make Senate President, not the Vice President as the President’s successor: We leave it so far to Congress (link: http://cnn.ph/2RAZnwX) cnn.ph/2RAZnwX
P12:35 PM · Oct 9, 2018

Munching on some comfort food: buttered Sunflower brand crackers, and Coke. Yum!
1:46 PM · Oct 9, 2018

Well. I never thought I'd ever see a hot pink/fuschia tie over a plaid shirt on TV. Though Vince Cellini pulls it off rather well.Yup, i am a very conservative as to style, that's clear.
2:57 PM · Oct 9, 2018

Dress code on the US side appears to be towards gray and black since this morning. Hm! @klustout was a beauty in her outfit this afternoon by contrast...
6:24 PM · Oct 9, 2018

Oh. Oh my. @JohnBerman is off to cover the new hurricane. Please God not to be as drenched as with the last hurricane...
6:24 PM · Oct 9, 2018

Update from @NicRobertsonCNN on the case of the missing correspondent. He's become quite the Silver Fox now.
6:37 PM · Oct 9, 2018

@klustout I *loved* that last feature on News Stream! The first time Ma and I were in HK, around 1980, we went poking through an area like that, and ended up with curtains (!!) for the house. Two sets. For USD 200 @_@ Good times!
8:48 PM · Oct 9, 2018

Hm...after spending most of my time on Twitter and Instagram, I think I am going to back away from Facebook. I'll keep cross posting there, but unless I have something really long, I don't think I'll use it as a main platform...
9:14 PM · Oct 9, 2018

Nikki Haley has gone and resigned? Well if that doesn't best all...gain a new SC judge, and lose a UN Ambassador. Whoa.
@jimsciutto @PoppyHarlowCNN good morning to you over there!
10:10 PM · Oct 9, 2018

Love the way @NicRobertsonCNN bounced from the Kashoggi story to the breaking news about Nikki Haley. And woot! Here's @RichardRothCNN to weigh in on what's going on. So glad I'm still up...
10:27 PM · Oct 9, 2018

At least if she's leaving by year end, she'll have time to fully brief the incoming, rather than drop the ball in the replacement's lap.
11:06 PM · Oct 9, 2018

On a total non sequitur, i can't with those lemon yellow chairs. Mrmph!
11:12 PM · Oct 9, 2018

Wonder who's flying out to Iowa with Trump?
11:18 PM · Oct 9, 2018

Well, my sleep schedule is shot. My TV has made the case for moving into the master bedroom.
11:22 PM · Oct 9, 2018

So this is what the morning drive looks like...but i'll need to hit the sack in a little bit. All the resource people are coming out of the woodwork.
11:34 PM · Oct 9, 2018

Mrmph. I think I'll wait for the summary after the fact. I don't think I can make it through this speech.
9:47 PM
***

Sen Grassley is on the TV. Looks like the mud slinging -er, the speeches on Kavanaugh's hearing- have begun. *sigh* just cut to the chase and be done with it.
9:41 PM
***

Nice to have caught @McKenzieCNN reporting on the new Nobel Peace Prize winners.
5:28 PM
***

And one of the headline stories in the US is one about alleged sexual assault...

@CNN
JUST IN: The Nobel Peace Prize for 2018 has been won by Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad, leading figures in the movement to end sexual violence as a weapon of war (link: https://cnn.it/2O4GFj8) cnn.it/2O4GFj8
5:12 PM · Oct 5, 2018
***

Well then, 3 loads of laundry drying. Tomorrow maybe two more, and deal with a couple of bills. I need a couple of SD cards, maybe three. Sunday is church and ramble around the mall.  Life's good.
4:29 PM
***

Midday status: 2 loads of laundry done, 1 in the machine;
1 laptop restored to running order;
1 tablet reconfigured;
1 mug of coffee down. 
Back to the salt mines...
1:31 PM
***

Hm. I think i have found the right configuration for my old, now bare bones tablets.  I love it when a plan comes together...
12:31 PM
***

All my favorite correspondents are showing up:
@mchancecnn and @MattRiversCNN within minutes of each other. The earthquake aftermath is so sad...@GeorgeHowellCNN
12:25 PM
***

So...the laptop is updating. Am looking at the stuff on the table and wondering what to do next.
*sees the laundry bins*
*checks the sky*
OK,  right, then. Might was well get at it...
10:15 AM
***

Laptop update: looks like I have to toss two distros that I was keeping as spares. Remembered I have some images I could burn. And a whole lot of USB drives whose contents I need to check. So it looks like I will be married to the laptop today.
9:30 AM
***

Coffee is done. Time to go back to tweaking my laptop.
8:42 AM
***

@andersoncooper is doing his usual excellent job keeping everybody honest; his first panel had me bristling a little at the only man in it. I really cannot stand people who talk over other people, or interrupt them. Arrr.
8:41 AM
***

Earlier, before @AC360 started, managed to catch @MattRiversCNN
report from Indonesia. Those poor people. It's as bad as the Yolanda/Haiyan aftermath, and we, thankfully, were spared a tsunami. But not the bureaucratic infighting, heaven help us.
8:41 AM
***

Saw one of my favorite correspondents reporting, which was nice.  Balanced out my wonder at why Kavanaugh wrote that op-ed.
8:41 AM
***

So the morning rush is over, and I am enjoying a leisurely cup of coffee while watching the new developments in the Kavanaugh case.
8:41 AM
***

Good morning world, Mabuhay ftom Manila, where the weather looks to be shaping up for a good day. Time to tumble out of bed and set my room to rights...have a good one!
6:27 AM

Have earned the right to a good long nap...managed to restart my laptop while staying with @rosemaryCNN throughout her new marathon.  Had to backup files yesterday, wipe the drive today and reinstall. Now upgrading the software. Yes!
2:44 PM
***

Late breakfast, lazy day. Got my coffee, got my @AC360
and the promise of @CuomoPrimeTime and @CNNTonight later.  Perfect for recovering from a class reunion...
8:24 AM
***

@holmescnn @AmaraCNN there's going to be a lot of earnest discussions in Washington right now for those affected, to be sure.
7:43 AM

Am starting to feel concerned about the CNN team in Palu, Indonesia. They haven't yet got relievers for the live shots, looks like. I know they can switch back to the studio if they need rest, but still...@RobynCurnowCNN
10:07 PM

Seems my belated efforts at skin care are bearing fruit. My elbows, knees, and feet are feeling better.
7:10 PM

Later, need to pick up papaya for Dad.
4:28 PM

Currently chilling -figuratively and literally- at Starbucks Marketplace Rustan's, at the Fort. The new traffic scheme added more time to my drive than I wanted, but I've got the routing down now. Just needs practice.
4:25 PM

After lunch, i have to buzz off to Mercury to get one of my medicines, maybe pick up some fruit. Good excuse to visit Marketplace Rustan's. Where there is a Starbucks! *glee*
12:19 PM

Ok. So far i have managed to tidy my tocador, rearrange one side of the room, got the washing machine to self clean, started one load of wash.
12:19 PM

Prevailing suit color of the day appears to be black, dark charcoal gray, navy blue. Must be getting cool in the States...
10:25 AM

Oooh, nice panel...@JohnAvlon, Margaret Hoover, Phil Mudd. *settles down to listen*
10:22 AM

It's been a good day. Got off to a good start and had things organized for a leisurely departure for the hospital this morning. It was time for my visit to the endocrinologist to check on my diabetes, a visit that was rescheduled because I missed the appointment last week. Turns out that he was more than pleased with my blood extraction results; blood sugar showed up as close to normal for my condition as it's ever been, and my HbAC1 dropped from where it was last time.  So it seems the insulin variant he prescribed for me is working. It helps that I have been a very good girl and never missed my med or my insulin between the two appointments. Go me!

While waiting I checked on my Instagram, and smiled over some new entries. Sorted out any number of people that were wanting to be friends; sorry, but I'm not going to add you if your stats show that you look like a spam account. It's either hide or block, depending if you give me the heebie-jeebies.  Added some new people, based on whether they are followed by those I know.

Checked on the Twitter and Facebook accounts as well. Everything appears to be flourishing. The burning issues of today are Trump's address to the UNGA, which was something, any way you look at it; the Kavanaugh confirmation hearing, which is a gift that keeps on giving, what with four accusations already in; the Rosenstein will-he-won't-he-be fired; Senator Trillanes' arrest and release on bail, and the many many *many* complications attendant thereto; the usual shenanigans.  I honestly don't see what anyone would need with a telenovela after following the news for any length of time...

Which reminds me that I should catch up on my reading. *side-eyes all the paperbacks and free e-books languishing for lack of attention* *sighs* I'll get around to it.  Maybe by next year I can managed at least one book a month? That would be interesting, given how you could barely get my nose out of a book, back in the day.

This tablet with keyboard combination is a lovely thing, btw. One of the best iterations that Samsung has come up with.  My next ambition is to someday get the next size up from the model that I have now, which could work with my new printer and thus replace my old laptop?  We'll have to see how that works out. But I love the way this works.

The laptop's original keyboard has bit the dust, so now it's working perfectly fine with an external keyboard. it runs the old printer/scanner just fine. I'll have to double-check if it has a fax function. If so, then maybe I can hook it up to the phone lines, after figuring out the plugs and the sockets. Then voila! New fax. *grin*

It's raining! Well, it did, for all of five minutes...it's on stop-start mode. I think I've covered most of the events of the day, so I'll close here. Twitter list for posting later tonight...

Something tells me that i am going to be spending this day as relaxed as possible. Yesterday wore me out...8:49 AM

I now reek of wintergreen oil aka Efficasent Oil. Some folks cannot abide the stuff, but I find it soothing about now, when my aches are kicking in. Will slather on some more after a nap this afternoon.  9:14 AM

Watching my morning triumvirate recap the events of UNGA week to date. There isn't enough Tylenol for the headaches.  9:19 AM

OMG. I finally got to see one of my favorite correspondents doing more than stand ups at the White House lawn. *fans self* Thank you @donlemon @Acosta! (Will try to be good now...)  10:19 AM

Oh gosh, but I am getting sleepy. Will see if i can catch Ms Rosemary for one go-round, then crash.  10:32 AM

I would have thought an investigation would have been opened for a position that carries so much weight. It's tenure for life! Clarence Thomas went through it and now sits on the Court, why shouldn't Kavanaugh? @donlemon  10:44 AM

Hm. Looks like imma going to be doing dome thinkjng aloud in my journal later..10:47 AM

*thunder rumbles*
*looks at darkening sky*
*snuggles into rocking chair*  1:44 PM

Waiting with bated breath for @rosemaryCNN to get her turn at the anchor desk!  2:00 PM

Afternoon shower time in Manila. With sound effects...3:18 PM

Well, my evening can be considered made. Ms Erica Hill looks like a welcome ray of sunshine next to @JohnBerman  6:04 PM

Note to self: watch that CNN special on Saturday, 5pm HKG, about the tug-of-war between the White House and the Press Corps. Looks to be interesting.  6:39 PM

Morning! Sun is rising, and I am rocking out to "Build Me Up Buttercup" before the official start to my day...and it's the remix version! Good times...6:24 AM

oh my lord, I hope Tiger does well tomorrow...7:34 AM

Landmark Chapel now, waiting for Mass to start. I heard the organist playing some of myfavorite songs, I do hope those are for this Mass...the choir is lovely...10:30 AM

Choir now singing "Dios Ang Pagibig"...they have a beautiful line up. Going offline now...15 mins before Mass begins.   10:43 AM

Got myself a nice hamburger lunch at the Glorietta food court after Mass. The priest was a bit of a comedian, especially that part in his homily about how, when you talk to people, they nod their heads but in reality they're zoned out...1:43 PM

..."like Catholics during the homily..." Cue round of appreciative laughter from the faithful, followed by louder laughter when Father said, "Present company excepted! Not referring to you!"

Nice one, Father...1:43 PM

Seems like I have gotten back into the habit of going to Mass. It feels right. Ma raised me in the shadow of the Church and her own deep faith (which sometimes set her at odds with the priests), and hopefully my days as the prodigal daughter of the faith are ending.  1:54 PM

I suppose it's only right. I am Christmas-born, after all, and was raised to believe that was something special. Hard to explain in a food court.  But if I know anything for sure, it is that the love of God has been my strength and shield, joy and consolation...1:54 PM

...all my life; together with the protection of the Blessed Virgin. Ok, sermon over.

Back to posts about cats, food, and everyday life.

Love ya all...1:54 PM

Just finished breakfast on a sunny Saturday weekend. Have set out a few things to do, so as not to be a lazy git...especially since I have my godson's first birthday party to attend later. Tomorrow there's church.  8:15 AM


We've just discovered that one of the garage gate hinges has come undone. Finances being as they are, we'll just have to nurse the gate until I have the budget to fix it. Maybe by end-October if things work out.  8:15 AM


Meantime, I've got a cup of nice coffee to soothe my feelings. Have reviewed my social media...(doesn't that make me sound like a media influencer, haha)...and my Instagram is suddenly a magnet.  8:15 AM


Some accounts are interesting, and I've followed a couple. Some...no, thank you. Really. But overall, the accounts willing to follow me are on the up and up. Life has a little more sunshine as a result.  8:15 AM

Water bill arrived. Will have to pay that tomorrow. Storage unit arrived, that's for Monday, together with depositing all the loose change in the piggy bank. Hey, every little bit helps...10:52 AM