Hinaing ni Pining

Comings and goings

Oh dear, I got distracted again. First, I haven't done my LP entry this week, I haven't done my rounds (reading blogs)  because I is very buzy . My brother-in-law and his wife HRH was with us for a few days  that even a glimpse of this blog is an impossibility, plus the fact that they hugged this PC for 2 days... and no, no, I'm not complaining as they're guests and we only see them about twice a year. I just hope they don't get into the habit of letting us know they're coming in only  3 days notice, and I'll be quite happy. They  caught us unaware, that everything my daily activities has to be rescheduled adjusted.  And imagine, TH has to pick them up from the airport at 12:30 in the morning (flight delays), and they didn't get in til 2; what a nuisance shame!  Saying that, it's nice to hear that they've been to places like Rome, Paris, Turkey, Mexico... or maybe not!  Anyway, they left this morning, I'm sure having a nice time strolling around the city of London, exploring galleries, and spending their hard earned cash...and no I'm not jealous -- at all.

I'm not sure if that the above is worth posting but I really haven't much to tell you about ;that or I won't be blogging at all, to be honest (and that's how boring and monotonous my life is). So, I suppose I have to tell you I'll be away for 2 weeks for a much needed R&R ... well, not really, will just visit the parents- in-law in the Emerald Isle. We won't be driving this time because it works out cheaper to fly plus it's only a 45 minute flight compared to some 7 hours of driving and 2 hours ferry ride (which can be a pain). I'm not looking forward to flying as I've been saying time and time again, especially when you read stories like this. We'll be up as early as 4 in the a. m. to catch an 8 oclock flight. Such as the joy(s) of flying with a budget airline!

I hope to be back (in one piece) blogging in a fortnight, so for now... cheerio!

gas, food, and lodging

Okay, so, this post is not exactly about the film, although I have seen it once and thought it was great and highly recommended. I'm not gonna tell you that it is one of the most unusual and complex film I've seen,  because tonight Matthew, I'm gonna be whining all over again...

Gas.  Three months ago we saw our gas bill rise by more than 40% (if my calculation is right). It amounted to £216,  which is too much considering we weren't here for almost the whole month of February (in fact one good reason why we have to go that month is  that so we could save a bit on our heating bill, since it's the coldest month of the year). It usually amounts to a maximum of £175 in the winter billing, so, if we didn't go away that month, the bill could have gone up by £300+, I reckon. So, what happened there? It's not just inflation; these gas suppliers are like vultures that prey over helpless victims and pounce on every opportunity.  Is there a short supply of gas as well? Apparently yes, according to the bbc . And then the headline yesterday said, "families face 66% rise in gas bills- to more than 1,000 a year". Old story. And to rub salt in the wound, you read a story like this... what a flamin' cheek indeed! And don't get me started with the cost of petrol... real good thing I'm not a driver, or even if I am, that car is going nowhere!

Food & whatnots. The past weeks, our weekly shop has gone up by 15% (if not more) and it's not that we're eating a lot more nor are we making unnecessary purchases. We thought this can't go on, there must be some ways we can beat the system. So now, supermarket "value", or "economy" brands are regulars on my shopping bag; I even found myself shopping in an establishment I don't usually go , but now I have to visit regularly because it's considerably cheaper. Places like the 99p shop; or the pile it high and sell it cheap- shop. Like this morning, I was able to buy about 10 heads of garlic for a pound --would you Adam and Eve it! So what if it was produced in China ( sod the carbon footprint!),  it tasted exactly like the ones I buy in Tesco, only cheaper. And when it comes to clothes shopping, we would usually buy the supermarket brand of clothing.  I'm also a  frequent visitor of Harrod's...er, that's the charity shops for you and me; and there's no shame in it. In fact, if one happens to pass by the Oxfam shop in Hampstead North London, one might be able to grab a D&G jumper worn by Ewan Mcgregor or Sienna Miller... well, maybe. And one last thing, I've got a tip. If you happen to suffer from excessive dry skin (like me) and at the same time have strong craving for chocolate (like me), why not try Palmer's cocoa butter lotion. It softens and moisturizes the skin and because it smells of chocolate, that craving was no more. If only I discovered it earlier on: maybe I'd be few pounds (if not stones) lighter now...  

Lodging.  At the moment, house prices are on the slump, interest have gone up and if this goes on for long, boy, are we in deep shit trouble!  Our mortgage is fixed for 4 more years, so we're safe for now. In the mean time we can only pray we don't go into recession, but deliver us from negative equity.

Amen.

Luntian

# 16

Ang hirap sa tema ngayong linggong ito ay napakaraming larawan ang pwedeng isali, pero sa lahat nang aking peekchur na may luntiang tema, ito ang aking peborit.  Pinili kong ilahok ang litratong ito sapagkat hindi lamang ang mansanas ay masarap kainin,  mabuti rin ito sa kalusugan, at higit sa lahat kapakipakinabang.

 

Ang punong ito ay nasa likurang hardin ng aming bahay, marahil tinanim nang  nakaraang may-ari sapagkat hindi ako ang nagtanim nito. Sa aking pananaliksik sa tinternet, nadiskubre ko na ito ay kabilang sa "cox variety".   Tuwing summer, marami rami ring bunga ito, kaya hindi na kami bumibili sa tindahan.  Mapapansin na hindi pa gaanong hinog ang mansanas na ito, sigurado kung ito'y titikman ay tiyak na mapakla. Kadalasan, mauunahan kami ng ibon, kaya kung tama na ang laki at kung medyo mapula na ang kabuuan, pwede na itong kainin o kaya gawing apple pie,  apple crumble (ang aking paborito), o apple cake.  

Sana'y nagustuhan niyo ang aking presenteyshen... yun lang.