March 1... can you believe it?? already and getting HoTtTtT.

Mar 01, 2011

Wow !! I cannot believe that here it is, March 1st. I am starting my 7th month here... that is nearly impossible for my feeble brain to comprehend.

Last night was good, slept well and didn't wake up until 7:30am this morning.

The baby, who is nothing short of a hurricane in disguise, has wreaked his own personal style of disruption this morning, having been given some little goodie to eat has shredded it into more pieces than I can imagine, then tromped thru it back and forth and scattered it all over the floor. Then mommy (Jenny) sweeps it into a pile and leaves the room allowing the little monster to re-invoke the carnage again... she doesn't think and use any common sense that I can see, my biggest gripe with her is that (and this extends to the rest of the family too) is that they are soley reactive in the care and attention of this little epi center of destruction never does it appear or come to their attention to remove the catalist of his modis operandi rather than repair or cleans the remains of it.

Nora has the Doctor appointment with her Gyno today, the annual "dipping of the Swab" into the pool of love... (interesting description I thought). After her appointment, we will go an look at a dresser for her, hopefully something affordable yet serviceable.

I have no plans for today that I can think of, Friday, the kids go with Nora and maybe me also, they have to have their quarterly chest xray (which makes no sense to me because they don't require the same of Nora). I will be going to make a return trip to the US Embassy and check the status of my I-130 submission.

Supposed to hit 90˚ today so it will be a test of my patience I suppose and I pray that God affords me the ability to keep my temper in check and be especially nice to everyone I see as hot weather wreaks havoc on everyone, just to varying degrees. (cute pun eh??).

See you later, we will leave the house about 9:30 according to the mistress of time.

••• I gave Nora her March 1 budget of 5,500p so she was happy having that. Nora and I went to Marilao to the OBGyn and she found that she had 8 patients in front of her so we went to the store that had the dressers and bought one that they wanted 1,499p for and only paid them 1,400p and then I also bought 6 new dinner plates, a serving platter and 6 new glasses... the total of all including lunch was under 2,000p so not too bad. I rode with her in the tri-cab we hired to haul the dresser and us home, she got off at the bus stop to go on into Manila and I came on home and unloaded and washed up the dresser for her. She got home around 3:30, I went and picked her up with Alex's motor. I scrapped my left big toe (he attracts misery more than any other extremity on my body), it is now all red around the wound and I have been putting beta dyne on it... maybe I will need to get anti-biotic to shoo away the little infection that I see.  Tomorrow maybe I will buy Hydrogen Peroxide and use on it also. It is very warm today and will be tonight I believe also.

From denny's iPad... (my demented mind)

Another Monday... 4 days to go and it will conclude the week...

Feb 28, 2011

Well here it is, the final chapter of February, my gosh as I look back it is amazing how little time I spent in my good old United States over the last year or so.

Last night was nice, Nora did the Facebook/Farmville,We Rule, We City, and We Farm thing plus uploaded 3 pictures of me helping a neighbor by changing a tire for them... I was impelled to help the lady with her car because no one else knew how... they kept telling her to drive here or there and have it fixed, took me a total of about 15 minutes to put on her spare and send her on her way with the suggestion to have the air in the spare tire checked.

I think what surprised the local color the most was the fact that I just up and did it rather than stand idly by. I believe that if we take the opportunity to help people spontaineously, we improve their perception of us and also we add a credit or two to the good guy account that is kept in our name in heaven.

Slept well, fresh sheets and pillow cases on the bed along with a little tiny bit cooler weather helped also.

Monday today, tomorrow, Nora has her yearly Pap smear done to that will be another 500p, not quite $12 American dollars.f Try getting that price in America unless you are a welfare baby.

Nothing to pressing today, we will go to Marilao to buy another stool as the one I used to put the ceiling trap door back up in the main house collapsed whilst I was standing on it... plastic feet on wet slippery tile is a grand recipe for disaster... luckily I kept my footing that time...

Kenneth and Joyce will accompany Nora to St. Lukes clinic on Friday for their chest xray.

Well, the day is on the way so I will leave this journal and enjoy the remains of my morning coffee... have a great day.

From denny's iPad...
(my demented mind)

End of the week, Tomorrow is Monday, another week to use up...

Feb 27, 2011

Ah... another Sunday and another week of strife takes it's place in the history books. Yesterday finished well, at 1pm Nora and I headed out to the SM Mall, we first went to the theater and bought tickets for the 4:25 showing of "Drive Dangerously" with Nicholas Cage as the star. It was a surreal movie with the religious good vs evil theme but there was some darn good action and some pretty decent T&A scenes too... Nora liked it. We had bought some snacks for the movie at the Department store and also had gone to ACE and got some Baygone bug spray and some cotton lined rubber gloves for Nora to use.

We stopped at a beauty supply and got her face crème and a tool to use when taking care of cuticles. She also bought an abrasion board to take care of calloused feet (mine to be specific), as hers are soft as a baby's butt.

We stopped in at Pizza hut and bought a family sized pizza that was half Supreme and half sausage cheese. It was good, and we saved 3 pieces for the kids. I had gotten 2 bags of the Cheetos w/jalapeno and one bag of plain crunchy Cheetos to bring home.

We also stopped at the National Bookstore where I bought some magic eraser for work on documents and also some clips for our papers and a package of refrigerator magnets that Nora wanted for papers.

We also went to Watson's drugstore and got some body wash for Nora.

Uncle Edwin gave us the money to pay the power bill that Sara left when they moved out so we will pay that when we pay our power bill, it was about 720p.

Yesterday lightened me about 2,000p but we got some things we needed and we truly had a great day together... we got home about 7:30pm, gave the pizza to the kids then went to our Apt to sleep, after reading a little and chatting some. Good day all in all.

Today we will go to church and try to figure out where to hang some wire for clothesline... losing the trees that Uncle had taken down has really put a crunch on places to tie wires up.

Have a goodie...

From denny's iPad...
(my demented mind)

Saturday, Mall day and departure day for Uncle and Auntie...

Feb 26, 2011

Sleep was pretty good, last night, about dinner time, Alex came to me and repaid 5,000p of the 6,000p that he owes me, told me that the remaining 1,000p would be paid on Sunday morning...

I woke first this morning, turned on the disco music and proceeded to get dressed. I then went next door and made coffee for us. After a breakfast of egg and toast, Nora wanted to go to Divine to buy for lunch... I don't like going every day and asked her for the 10,000th time why she didn't at least plan for 2 days so we could have a day without going to the market... she never seems to understand my question, I guess I need to figure out a different one to ask her... seems simple to me but baffles her.

Gareth you are a low lying dog and I don't like getting slaughtered... however, that said, I will at some point get you and it will be a blood letting of galactic proportions I assure you !!! ;).

We will go to SM Mall after lunch, after Uncle and Auntie leave for Bicol.

It has been nice seeing them, they are both nice and it gives Nora someone to catch up on the gossip with.

Whilst eating my open faced egg sandwich this morning, the yolk evidently was not cooked thru and I dribble some of the yellow content on my sand colored shorts... looked like either I had a good time with myself or something, I scrapped it off as best I could with my knife and then had Nora scrub it with soap in hopes that the evidence of the error should become not... (don't ya just love that way of speaking??), old English I think.

Maybe we will get to a movie today, that is the plan again and to be thrice thwarted would ensure a dark mood for me. Anyway, we will try.

I just transferred $500 to my visa bill (1,260.00) leaving me an open balance of $760.00 to pay in the next month or so.

Nothing else seems to come to mind, have yourself a dandy day and remember that I am thinking of you and always fondly too.

Bye for now...

From denny's iPad...
(my demented mind)

Friday, thank God, haircut today and I am not sure what else.

Feb 25th, 2011

Well this day was not exciting, but interesting as Uncle had decided he wanted two trees, one half the size of the other removed from here in the front yard. It was interesting to watch as there are no power tools such as chain saw etc available for easy access so the whole process was undertaken with a short machete and a draw saw with rather fine teeth for such a chore.

They started early, right after breakfast and ended up falling the last bit of the trunk about 3 or 4 in the afternoon. It was a pretty tough old tree. We didn't really lose any shade as the sun set opposite of the tree in the yard but it sure did open up the space and the view of the sky...

The money man came from RemitHome so now that is one less worry that I have... Nora wanted some money from her budget but refused to tell me what for so I have not given to her. I am trying thru various means to impress upon her the importance of total honesty in our relationship and money is a tough hill for her to climb for some reason, she is mostly really good, but there are times when she will not tell me what she needs it for and then I balk.

My intention is to get a haircut today, my neck is feeling rather shaggy and Nora mentioned that I need to get a haircut also.

Today is Friday so the end of the week is here and hopefully we will be able to go to a movie this Saturday, having missed the last two. Uncle and Auntie are to return to Bicol Saturday and my assumption is that they will want to get an early start so as to forego driving at night.

From denny's iPad...
(my demented mind)

Thursday, no money but RemitHome says it is coming today or tomorrow...

Feb 24, 2011

Well, today was spent wondering if the money would arrive, nothing of any exciting nature happened here, Nora did the St. Lukes clinic thing and the kids had the day off from school for some reason that I cannot fathom.

It is warm today, but not oppressingly so. a little breeze makes the day more tolerable for sure.

Uncles's cousin (their driver for the trip here from Bicol), was given the task of replacing the rear Universal joint in the jeep's driveshaft... because of poor tool availability and not knowing how to properly disassemble the joint, it ended up an all day job with a trip to the machine shop to have the joint cut out with a torch...

Uncle, Auntie and Kinneg went someplace I don't know where, I wandered around in somwhat of a haze... really nothing of any significance to write about this day...

From denny's iPad... (my demented mind)

Hump again boys... Edwin and Linda are here and life is good...

Feb 23, 2011

Well, yesterday Kenneth went to the doctor because he was having trouble breathing and said that his chest hurt... after returning from the Dr., with a recommendation to see a specialist (cardiologist) in Santa Maria, Nora decided to take him to the hospital in Marilao and have him seen by a Dr. there. After she got home from that, we found that nothing wrong with his heart (bp before was 120/90 which is not bad but that doctor must have also had a business treating horses, cows and other forms of lower life.... idiot).

Kenneth was officially diagnosed with Asthma and medications were prescribed, the total bill to me for this little adventure was 1,500p (actual bill was 1,380p, but I gave her the rest to cover the bus and jeepney fares). Having no health insurance here, if you have a sickly family will quickly put you in the poor house or on the street.

Ate Linda and Uncle Edwin appeared later on, about 4:30pm and that made for some excitement. It is good to see them and they seem in good spirits. Getting their grandson registered in Manila for foreign work is their purpose of being here now. Keggin will be staying here until such time as he is called to work.

Today is Wednesday, I hope that the RemitHome money comes as this is the 4th day. I might try to call or contact the bank later. but the delivery instructions said 1-5 working days and Monday was a holiday in America, being Presidents day.

Not sure what the remainder of today will offer, I do know that Nora will be going maybe into Marilao to purchase the remainder of the prescriptions for Kenneth. And today she WILL go to St. Lukes clinic. As near as she is accurate to the number of days she has missed, she should finish treatment on the 17th of May...

Well, I must close now and visit the relatives, perhaps I will add more as the day progresses... Gareth has a dr. appointment today so don't know when Lollie and I will chat.

Later you goofballs...

From denny's iPad...
(my demented mind)

Tuesday and Uncle and Ate will appear bringing grandson to stay...

Feb 22, 2011

Today is Tuesday here in Marilao, Monday for you folks in the States. Slept well after an evening that proved quiet and enjoyable... Nora and I chatted quite awhile after going to bed, she sometimes is quite talkative, depending on what is roaming around in her thought locker. (mind).

It was warm when we retired, but this morning, the temps had cooled and it was nice sleeping. The factory had an order being picked up early, I think about 5am or 6. After that, sleep was at best fitful... We got up and moving about 7:30.

Uncle Edwin and Ate Linda and their grandson Kiggen (the son of Lilibeth) are to arrive today, I am not sure what time though as I believe, according to Nora, they are driving the Jeep here. Kiggen will apply for work overseas and live here in this complex until such time as he is accepted for work... that could be upwards of a year according to Nora.

It should prove to be an interesting day. I know that they have no money so if any entertaining were to occur, it would be at my behalf and expense. I don't have any planned though.

I cannot think of anything in particular that is planned for today outside of their arrival. I heard that Uncle plans to build a bedroom back in the factory to facilitate Kiggen living here as all the apartments are taken up. I am so glad I rented the sleeper now.

Today is my daughter, Melissa's 26th birthday... I see in her a certain maturity that is evolving. I see it in her writing and her planning and the way she is conducting her life in general... I hope that the relationship that we have will evolve also. Contrary to what I often say, I do truly love her and want only the very best for her as I do for all my children, those in the States and the new ones here in the Philippines.

I gave Nora her budget last night, it was due her this morning, but she got it yesterday as we were talking about it anyway. She now receives 5,500p per week. I used to give her the entire months budget at once and she would invariably run out of money at about the 22nd day into it. Now she does much better. I have decided that I will be the money person in our family, I've been down the road of letting someone else do all the bill paying and managing of money and damn near lost everything...

It wasn't until Julie left and I was forced to take over the finances that I got everything paid up and reversed my credit rating to one that is outstanding today... I am proud of that and plan to keep it that way too.

Lollie and Gareth got back from Reno, had a wonderful time and learned a lesson about tire chains... they come off the wheel on the outside of the tire (towards you) rather than the inside... but now, they know.

Have a great day everyone...

••• Well, history tends to repeat itself and in the case of Alex Ribaya, it is unrelentingly true... today, he tells me that he cannot repay the 6,000p on Wed and needs to extend that credited amount until Friday... I told him that was OK, but that I have, with the consent of Nora, decided to limit the ceiling of loans to 5,000p and if one of either he or Ana his wife, has borrowed that amount then no further funds are available until the others's debt is paid in full.  I will not allow us to overextend ourselves to appease the lifestyle of Alex and his lovely wife.

From denny's iPad... (my demented mind)

Monday, clear and hot and yet another gone...

Feb 21, 2011

The evening passed nicely, I gave Joyce back her shoes that she had left outside on Friday night... she was worried that she would have to have new ones... maybe a good lesson I told her, remember to do it everyday when you get home and it becomes a habit.

We slept good, talked some of retirement income that Mr. Robert has vs mine and Mr. Lloyd vs mine, I explained to Nora that they retired before I did but at higher rank and therefore they may make more in retirement than I do... I don't care, I make enough to live fairly well so that is all that is important to me. Money is not the driving factor in my life although I enjoy the toys... always the toys.

It was warm when we finally went to sleep, the cool weather I fear is a thing of the past now and the temps that are coming will be quite uncomfortable at least to me..

This being Monday, a new week starts with new adventures I suppose. I must make sure that Maria sent off the tax stuff to Lollie for me... that will end her involvement except for gathering the daily mail.

Nothing of any importance to write so I shall close it off for now...

Oh, Gosh I almost forgot... today (tomorrow there) is Melissa's birthday.

From denny's iPad...
(my demented mind)

Another Sunday... no church this day... it's gonna be hot, hot, hot !!!

Feb 20, 2011

Woke this morning to the racious sounds of Philippines music from the boys in the factory... 6:30 the turn the stupid thing on so loud you can hear it clear to bicol I swear... no consideration for the neighborhood at all, seems to permeate the society here though.

Not sure about church this morning, hard to say what the day will yield as yet. We obviously won't go to the 9am service as it is already 9am.

More to follow I guess...

••• Life is surprising, I just got a note from Maria, informing me that Cecil, Mom's second husband, is at deaths door, thanks to a losing battle of cancer.   I have written to Lollie and Gareth informing them of the same and also setting forth my wishes regarding the execution of the Living will that mother had drawn.  I am sad that he is dying, though I will not miss him, I know that Margaret will to some extent.  I don't trust him so have warned Gareth of the same. It will be interesting to see how Gareth manages this issue and what will be the eventual outcome.

From denny's iPad... (my demented mind)

Sunday again, wonder how many more I will be here?

Feb 19, 2011

Well, we got out of here about 4:00pm, Nora was right on time, I was very proud of her for that.

We got to the mall and went to the theater to buy the tickets for the 6:25 showing and wouldn't you know it, the theater did just like last weekend and the last show had started at 3pm rather than as the advertised times... Oh I was so Pi#$%@# off. We then decided to just wander around, buy some snacks for home and look for a belt for Nora...

during the course of the afternoon we found some little earings that Nora really liked so I bought two pair for her, they are not expensive, but she liked them so I got them for her. We also got Joyce another hair band, I don't know why she keep breaking them maybe cause they are made cheaply and don't cost much.

We got the chips and then decided to go to Jollibee for fries and a drink. Gosh it was so crowded and I really wanted to get out of there. After looking around some more, we stopped at Chow King and had some Halo Halo for dessert. Shortly after that, we decided to go home so on the way out of the Mall, Nora stopped (as she usually does) at "Pan De Manila) a bakery and bought bread and some sweet stuff for the kids.

Well, enough for now, I am not sure if I will go to Church with Nora or not, but maybe so... I might add more later...

Lollie, if you read this, I hope your trip to Reno was safe and you enjoyed the show... I hope to get some mail or a message from you today. or tomorrow, if you have WiFi that is.

I got to chat a little bit with Julie Slife, her and Paul went to Sisters today, that should have been a nice ride for them and especially for Paul.

OK, enough for now... see ya !!!

From denny's iPad...
(my demented mind)

TGIF, my Meds arrived (1/2 order... thanks Walmart !!!)

Feb 18, 2011

Last night was good, I went to the apt about 8pm and Nora came about 10pm after her soap. We chatted a few minutes then off to sleep although it was a little warmer last night...

Yesterday afternoon, the postman delivered a notice that a package was waiting for me in the Marilao post office. This morning, Nora and I went to get it, no postage due and no customs problems... After shopping at the market for meat, we went back home.

I opened the package and a couple of things were odd, firstly, Walmart in their inevitable wisdom managed to only send me 1/2 of the 6 month perscription that I had coming (I had arranged all this before I left the States mind you) also, the report that Maria brought me from Wells fargo was individual statements for the prior 12 months for both overall activity and my checking account... I had given to Wells Fargo a letter prior to leaving that specified that I wanted a letter on bank letterhead, 1 page to summarize my deposit activity for the previous year... so I get charged $24.00 for a 1/2 inch high bunch of stuff I did not ask for... How is it that people can read a letter so specific as was mine and still be unable to accomplish the task... No wonder the United States is behind in education and obviously really lacking in any degree of common sense at all... dumb asses !!!

Nothing special today, I will check later to see what is playing at the SM Mall theaters... Hopefully something we will enjoy. My money from RemitHome is on the way and will likely be delivered this afternoon so I need to decline Alex's offer for me to go to the Asian market at the shell station this afternoon.

Well, humanity has once again lived up to what little expectations I have for it... If we don't learn how to think and comprehend what we see and hear, we shall continue the downward spiral that I see us on now... Sherlock Holmes demonstrated a unique ability to OBSERVE LIFE something we all could take a lesson from...

Have a great day and God bless and HELP us all !!

••• The guy from RemitHome didn't show today, likely he will be here tomorrow at some time.  Alex approached me for another loan, this time for 6,000p and until next Wednesday Feb 23rd.  I am developing a pretty lousy feeling about loaning Alex money to run his business and make money on mine... it cost me to get the money over here and to loan it to him so he can keep his business going while he keeps his own money to party with and go all over the place and play with his frineds is beginning to leave a really nasty taste in my mouth.  That coupled with the fact that he and his entire family are using my internet connection and sucking up all the bandwidth so that when Nora or I or the kids want to log on it is nearly impossible for us to connect because there is no bandwidth left. I am going to talk to Nora about those issues tonight when she comes to the apt.  I don't expect her to lean in my favor, because it is not her nature I guess.  But I need to do something about how I feel and I am thinking that I will need to address the issue in a sane and calm manner to Alex and see what can be done...  The original loans that I made to him were basically to bail him out of a hard spot and little did I realize that he had his own money until after I continually saw him partying and spending money with his JCW friends and such... just doesn't make me feel happy at all. Anyway, closing it up for the day... have a goodie.

From denny's iPad... (my demented mind)

Thursday and identity changes and warm weather... what a mix

Feb 17, 2011

Great nights sleep, 'cept Nora is a cover hog and she sleeps in the style of the catipillar, she makes a little cacoon for herself.

Yesterday ended quietly, Nora and I created another Yahoo account for her as she has decided not to use Litku23 for awhile, maybe permanently or maybe just a whim... either way, her new one is now NStanley1971 so add her to your address books if you wish and Yahoo Messenger and perhaps FaceBook too.

We had the Nora version of goulash last night, I didn't like it nearly as well, she used a combination of Penne pasta and elbow pasta with a mix from shilling called 'Beef and Mushroom'... sorta resembled a taco mix I guess without the heat. She did though put some hot peppers in my portion which livened things up a bit.

We retired at about 10:30 and both slept well.

Today is Thursday, thankfully tomorrow will be the end of the week and we will make a trip to the mall on Saturday, I will see what is playing at the theater and maybe we will attend a movie.

Today Alex is to repay me the 3,000p he borrowed and also I need to send Maria Lollie and Gareth's address so she can mail my tax documents to them and then they can forward them to me here in Marilao.

Today will be warm, between 85 and 90˚. Yesterday was not too bad, about 83˚.

Nora is talking about maybe leaving FaceBook alone as it really doesn't need to be changed at all, she is not receiving crank mail or any threats or anything like that so there is no logical reason to change it.

We are having coffee and soon will have toast also.

Have a great day...

••• Alex repaid the 3,000p and I fired off a letter to Maria, asking her to mail all the tax documents to Lollie, I gave her the names of the organizations that should be sending me documents and also the address of Lollie and sent a copy of the email to Lollie and Nora. I just gave Nora 1,000p to pay for the two bra's she ordered from Avon... I don't mind helping her that way at all...  I have given her 2,000p above her budget this month.

From denny's iPad... (my demented mind)

Hump day... 'nuff said !!!

Feb 16, 2011

Quiet nite, I went to the apt. about 7:45pm and read some of the story I am following on the iPad, another of the Jack London series... great stories of the far North and also central california.

Nora came over about 8:30 and we chatted, she took her bath and then came to bed where she did the iPhone thing and then about 10:30 it was lights out for the both of us...

Sleep was good as it was a little cooler and there was no noise to keep us awake... even the dogs were quiet.

Hump day today, my gosh I wonder how many of those I have seen pass since coming here to the Philippines.

Nothing planned, I've notified Maria that no medication has arrived yet and also to gather the tax papers for Melissa to pickup... but, I may just have Maria send them to Lollie and Gareth for me.

In any case, this will be a short posting unless something of greater interest developes...

From denny's iPad...
(my demented mind)

Tuesday, cooler and remnants of the rain storm are all over...

Feb 15, 2011

Well, we are on the bottom side of the month now, it is all a downhill slide from here into the mouth of March... my how time flies...

Yesterday went it's own way with unhampered speed, nothing noteable occurred, the baby was in a particularly assinine mood and seemd to cry at the slightest whim so I made myself scarce as quickly and discretely as possible. I cannot actually tell you why it is so annoying to me, perhaps the tone of the cry or maybe the ultimate 'sameness' of it... likely it has something to do with the fact that there was no earthly reason that an adult could precieve as to his reason for being such a little shit.

Today he is busy being a normal 1 year old boy, into everything under the son and acting cute so that is misgivings of yesterday can be quicky put aside and only the 'cuteness' of today remembered.

I made Nora put her iPhone away about 10pm or so... I think, outside of the visit by Aunty red, she slept well, it was cooler after the rain (which compelled me to move the bed from under the leaking section of the ceiling). But the night went well and now, as of this writing, I am drinking morning coffee and watching the routines of the morning take place. Home sweet Home how I miss thee... but it will eventually happen that I find myself in my own home once again and if the Lord wills it so, my new family will be there with me also.

Enough for now, perhaps we will have something to eat this morning... I know we still have no butter so pancakes will likely be the order of the day.

Later critters...

••• I gave Nora her budget, I increased it to 5,500p per week, not enough probably, but it all helps I guess... An example of why I keep the budget info in this journal and why I keep the journal period is that Alex asked when we paid the water bill to Ana and I had to find out, it was Feb 11th.  Alex had asked that the money be paid to him, but I forgot and paid her...

Alex came to me just now and needed to re-borrow 3,000p to be paid back Feb 17, 2011 (Thursday).

From denny's iPad... (my demented mind)

"Valentines Day" Love someone, it feels good !!!

Feb 14, 2011

"HAPPY VALENTINES DAY"

We rose at 7:45am, coffee is present and the pen flows, a hug and best wishes from my wife and smiles and the same from the children... a great way to start any day and I should hope you all have a similar experience...

Yesterday concluded much as any other, dinner, Nora doing dishes (last night she really scrubbed down the kitchen area because of the accumulation of oil film that permeates the area due to the cooking conditions. Then she finally came over to the sleeper room about 9:50 after watching a TV show with the kids. We chatted, she has a friend in Taiwan who is married to a Taiwanese and keeping a filipino boy friend (her childs father)... Nora and I share a disdain for people who do things like that... we are for monogonomous relationships, we don't share or keep outside boy/girl friends.

She told me that she didn't put her phone down till 11:45 last night and then didn't fall asleep till about 1am... She will have a long day.

Today is a blue sky and I am pretty certain that it will hit 90˚ today if not a shade higher...

Yesterday afternoon I sent a link to a page for a do it yourself tax program to Claudine to get her opinion... I may use that to file my taxes here in the Philippines this year... the program is free or you can buy a deluxe model for only $17.95 which would be a bargain.

Nora and I shopped a little after going to church yesterday afternoon but wouldn't you believe it, nothing for breakfast today... weird... I will have to educate her on the virtues of planning a weeklong menu so that shopping becomes less of a daily chore. Odd, Mom shopped that way and Lollie and Gareth for all the food they have in their home, still have to hit the grocery store almost every day for something...

Well, that is it for the day I guess.

Enjoy your day, be nice to each other and those you chance to encounter this very special and love filled day... God be with you always and protect you always.

••• Things are never as one hopes, it is 4:29 PM and Alex came to borrow yet another 1,000p.  I don't know how life must be to constantly live on the borrow of someone else, to never ever have a reserve.  I have put myself in a much more secure environment than that and I will never allow myself to drop to that level again (I hope).

From denny's iPad... (my demented mind)

Sunday... perhaps an "English" mass will be exciting... different for sure!!

Feb 13, 2011

Well, although I had wonderful plans for yesterday as a pre-valentines day for Nora, traffic and other things seemingly beyond my control caused a fly in the ointment once again... We got caught in a construction project which delayed our arrival at SM Mall by about 1/2 hour and we also left the house later than I had anticipated plus the movie started an hour earlier than I had hoped... (the last show of the day too !!!). Anyway, we did manage to have dinner and I was able to buy a big chocolate heart for Nora and packages of valentine candy for both girls and one for Kenneth...

The remainder of the day was not actually exciting, rather typical of an afternoon. The evening was OK, we slept good but Nora woke once complaining of mosquitoes, I didn't see any but then it was dark so why would I??

Woke at about 7am this morning, today is also laundry day so there was little water with which to take a bath, but I managed... I convinced Nora to go to the afternoon service at church, as it is in English so I wanted to give it a try, the mass will be at 3:30pm

Lollie, sorry we were unable to hook up yesterday, the weather between you and I makes such a difference on the connection quality, yesterday I kept getting the echo feedback and of course we were gone in the morning and afternoon so that was our prime time. I am so happy that it works great for you and Gareth, He will really like that feature I think and so will you if he is shopping by himself and wants to show you a picture of something he is about to make a purchase of...

Well, dry toast and ham for breakfast, there were no eggs and Nora and I both forgot for the 3rd time to buy butter or jelly/jam. She has peanut butter but it is not Jif and I don't like oil (this is the old fashioned type).

I would love to sit outside and type this journal, but the flies are so abundant and obsessive about landing on you and walking around on the landscape of our body that I cannot stand it. I have to go inside to escape them... Ah, the comforts of home, how I miss thee...

Maybe later I will write more or maybe not.

Have a wonderful day and may God shed his blessings abundantly upon each of you...

From denny's iPad...
(my demented mind)

Saturday, perhaps a movie and dinner at SM... either way it is good.

Feb 12, 2011

Well the evening went well, Uncle had his 60th birthday (he is relative of Father), I bought him a magnum fifth of light Brandy and a package of (ugh!!!) cigarettes. I went back to the factory and had a couple of beers with the little party but eventually Nora told me that I should stay with her so I chose to do just that and let the boys and Uncle party on by themselves...

I went to the sleeper apt. and shortly after Nora came over... we listened to music, chatted a bit and generally were quite happy with the day and eveing events. I changed the orientation of our pillows so that now our heads are down at the end of the bed that occupied our feet which makes the fan blow air down from our heads towards our feet which has the added advantage of moving any foul air that might be lurking about to our feet rather than up our noses... Funny, Nora thought that was a great idea ;)...

She did tell me that there is some Filipino custom regarding sleeping with your feet towards the door?? I have never heard of it, but do remember that many believe that the cardinal reference of your body in repose can affect your health... preferred direction is to lie oriented North and South as opposed to East and West. This, if I remember comes from some Egyptian thinking.

This morning Nora wants to go to Marilao for some shopping and then this afternoon we will go to SM Mall for a movie and dinner and I will return the sprayer that I got at ACE hardware as defective.

The kids are still asleep, well I could clarify that and say were asleep, and Kenneth still is.

The baby is standing in the doorway leading outside and taking a leisurly piss... Life here is uncomplicated, at least for babies. It is the allowing of things like that to happen that bother me, my slippers covered with baby pee which is pretty nasty smelling first thing in the morning... I just don't know where her mind is located sometimes... Perhaps I over-react, maybe not, but baby pee on my shoes doesn't bring a smile to my face in the morning...

Well that event is passed so we move on and hopefully the day will resolve itself in a total immersion in happiness, at least that is my goal.

Have a wonderful day, I will probably write a little more after we return from Marilao.

From denny's iPad...
(my demented mind)

Friday, ham for breakfast and another weekend...

Feb 11, 2011

The remainder of the day yesterday was good, We had to go to Divine in the afternoon to buy some stuff for Joyce to take on her field trip to the Museum today. Had dinner then the nightly routines...

We slept pretty good, although, I must investigate the causes of excessive flatulence and see if the vegetables that Nora uses is contributing to the problem... I have, being a Stanley, had my share of excessive gas, Laugh Lollie, but I know you do too, you just hide it and are sneaky in letting it go. Anyway, I will google that and see what I can find out.

Today is thank God, Friday. Nothing special that I am aware of is going on today, tomorrow we shall go to SM Mall and I would like to go to the new Yogi Bear movie as it is playing this weekend... Nora says she doesn't like animated films but I think she will go with me.

This morning, she awoke at 4:30am to the meowing of Joyce at the window... she then went and prepared Joyces breakfast and packed her lunch fot the day.

Nora just brought out a bowl with water in the bottom and a jar of peanut butter sitting in it... the water keeps the ants away... amazing place this ant haven I am living in.

Well so much for the events of the moment, Oh, I paid the water bill to Ana, 200p yesterday. We didn't have small bills in the budget envelope so I paid it out of my money and the budget will pay me back.

Later friends.

••• Nora got some rent money to send to Ate Linda in small bills so she gave me change for a 1,000 bill and I was able to recoup my 200p that I paid the water bill with.

Alex just borrowed 3,000p from me to be paid back tomorrow...

From denny's iPad... (my demented mind)

Success !!!! Happiness flows today, the I-130 is filed !!!

Feb 10, 2011

Last night, Nora slept lousy, about 3:00am, she got up to use the CR and then couldn't go back to sleep which led her to cuddle up to me and then spaz out with leg jerks and whinning about not being able to sleep... needless to say my nights sleep suffered also... trying to be totally compassionate to someone when you've been jousted from a most rewarding sleep is nearly impossible or at least I found it to be so. I did hold my tongue, with both hands mind you as I reminded her that I had been snoozing peacefully until her spazmodic attack on my body... To little avail did my words go, she continued to snuggle closer and spaz out even more... eventually she did sleep, though I am not sure whether she just passed out or actually settled down and drifted off peacefully.

I got up at 5:00am, the alarm was set for 5:30, but how can you get back to where you were in 1/2 hour??... I took a bath and dressed then Nora got up at 5:30 and proceeded to make coffee and get bathed and dressed for the trip to the US Embassy... I double checked to make certain that I had all the appropriate paperwork, my wallet etc...

We left the house promptly at 6:30am (one of the few times she actually has made it on time), hooked up to a Jeepney and caught a bus that was nearly empty for the ride to Manila where we took a cab to the Embassy.

We were at the DHS window at about 8:30am, half hour early and they looked at all the paperwork I submitted, sent us to make copies of several documents then the American guy that I saw before reviewed everything and found that I was missing pages 5 and 6 of the divorce decree for Julie and I... I frantically searched my sactchel and managed to find them misplaced and gave them to him... He made copies of what he needed and I said 3 Hail Mary's and Whoooopie and he said that we could file the I-130 app there in Manila... I took the paperwork and went to the cashier and gave her my Visa card which she gladly abused horribly then returned the bloodied and ragged card to me... I left that window $1,260.00 lighter in my wallet and went back to the DHS window and turned everything in...

The Gent there (a helluva nice filipino guy) told me that it would be between 3-6 months and they would notify me by mail when it was finished... The American guy told me that I should not have to file an I-129F form... we will see what the Dept of State says when the I-130 is approved (God willing it will be).

From there, we went to Jollibee and had a little lunch or late breakfast and then walked over to St. Lukes clinic for Nora to take her meds and on the way bought 3 pirate CD's to watch at home. We then caught a Jeepney to the bus terminal where we boarded an AC equipped bus (also empty so seating was great) and headed home...

A terrific day, I am happy and satisfied and now the only thing I am waiting for is my medication... I still need to find out if I can file my taxes here in Manila though.

Have a wonderful day and a better evening and thanks for stopping by...

~ denny

From denny's iPad...
(my demented mind)

Wednesday, the hump day and the day before I flie the I-130

Feb 09, 2011

Quiet night, slept pretty good.

Today at this moment, baby denny and Nora are in the sleeper apt with me doing exercises to a most obnoxious CD. The beat is good though, seems to get your blood flowing or perhaps boiling I am not sure yet. God it is amazing the things that little boy can find to get into that he needs to stay out of... I must have been a holy terror when I was his age... seems I remember Grandma Gangle whooping my ass on many occasions with a willow switch for getting into her things.

Today I will put together the package of documents that I need to take to the Embassy tomorrow when I file the I-130 forms. I think I have it all so that should not be a problem. The thing I miss the most is having my computer so that I can fill out the forms and then print them... I have to manually fill them all out by hand now.

We need to be at the US Embassy by 9am tomorrow morning so will leave the house here at 6:30am. It will lighten my wallet this time by the amount of $1,260.00.

The only thing that bothers me is that I already paid $455 for the I-129F (processing for the fiancé visa), now that we are married it is a different process and more expensive for some reason.

I am going to have breakfast now, I will post more later today perhaps.

From denny's iPad...
(my demented mind)

Tuesday, getting closer now... also budget day.

Feb 08, 2011

Yesterday afternoon and evening were nice, a little warm, but even then, I spent most of the evening visiting with the boys from the back and Alex's father in law and Uncle.. I drank a couple of San Miguel beers and bought them a bottle of brandy, cost me 100p. No big deal and we had a great time.

Nora and I went to bed about 9pm or so and chatted a little and then off to sleep we went, the boys knocked off the party at about 10pm so that was nice of them... I had conversation with Lollie yesterday and that was good as usual. She is going to be my intermediary on the tax thing I guess.

Sleep was pretty good, but I had to make several trips to the comfort room to combat the opposite situation that you face Gareth... but it all came out well so that is good...

This morning, we woke before 7am with Joyce meowing at the door about needing something, I believe it was a ruler... what amazes me is that she couldn't have asked for that last night before we retired...

I was talking to Lollie and Nora needed to go to the market so I cut Lollie short and to the market we went... we are back home now and I wanted to catch up this journal and then have some coffee and after that call Lollie back again.

I think that my taxes are going to once again present me with a problem... I may file this year and not claim Nora and the kids and then possibly ammend next years claims.

More later.

From denny's iPad...
(my demented mind)

Monday... sorta blah, nothing seems interesting right now.

Feb 07, 2011

Last night, I gave Nora 1,000p and cab fare for Uncle to go and pay our electric bill.

It was warm, sleeping was OK, but not like when it is cooler.

Nothing special really after church, hung out with the family and watched the neighbor put brakes on his Jeepney... and I think of the tool I have at home... How they manage here is beyond me but somehow they do, reminds me of the ingenuity of our early forefathers... do with what you have and make do with what is missing.

It is overcast this morning, we are up at 7:00am.

Ana and Alex are tentatively to pay me today, that would enrichen my coffers by 7,500p, which would make me happy... Today, Lollie is going to try to call Melissa to let her know I've written her an email with some instructions regarding my taxes... I don't know why Melissa doesn't write me at all, I guess she hates me. Or, at the very least has very little feeling for her dear old daddy... Her loss.

I revealed a secret to Nora last night that I've never told anyone and only one other person in the world knows it besides Nora and I.

I am not in a very journalistic mood right now so hopefully this is not the end of todays entry, just for now.

••• Well, Nora is off to St. Lukes clinic and I am here looking at the new stuff that is available thru the App store... I have chosen to download two apps, one is "City Maps HD" and the other is "Weather HD" which is probably the nicest weather program I have ever seen.  It is only .99 cents and has replace my generic Apple weather program.  The other one, City Maps HD, allows you to download any of over 2,400 maps to keep on your iDevice, for the times when internet connectability is not good... I like it, I have Manila, Corvallis and Portland on mine right now. It has started to rain here so Jenny had to pull the wash she had hanging out to dry off the line, it is not a hard rain, but enough to keep the clothes wet. This morning, I nailed the black turkey a good one, made him limp for a little while.  I wouldn't bother him if he would not attack the motorcycles.  I would hate to get bitten by him. Alex borrowed my slingshot to wreak havoc on a brown dog that had stolen his slippers from the porch and deposited them on a gooey trash heap... Alex was not happy... ( I on the other hand, was happy to comply with his request !!! ) I bought Nora some Avon Skin so Soft lotion, she likes it and it costs me 230p for a bottle ($5.35) so a little over $10 bucks.

From denny's iPad... (my demented mind)

Sunday, church and and God knows what else...

Feb 06, 2011

Yesterday turned into a little bit more than I planned, financially speaking, a little over 2,000p spent, 600p on the girls hair and my foot care, (I also had Nora's feet done). Joyce's hair though is absolutely beautiful and Nora's is looking a lot healthier and will be great in a few more treatments... she chose not to have the hot oil treatment this time though.

From the salon, we came back home and had some lunch and after that, about 1:30 we left to go to the SM Mall where I bought a transformer and some bygone bug spray for both outside the apartment and some you can safely use inside. I also bought a pump sprayer to use with the external bygone. We stopped in at Jollibee's to have some french fries and a sundae.

On the way out of the mall, we stopped at "Pan de Manila" a bakery in the mall and Nora got some bread and also some rolls for the kids (sweet ones of course). From there, we caught a Jeepster and made the sojourn back to Divine and took a tricycle home.

The remainder of the afternoon was spent doing mundane house things and listening to music on the cube.

Night came, Jenny and Alyssa (Alex's daughter) went to town and when she got back I noticed that Jenny had gotten her hair cut and now is sporting bangs, my gosh, how styles change.

Sleep was good for the most part, I only had to get the dogs once and it was a direct hit so no further peeps from them.

I am enjoying my morning coffee right now, the laundry lady is in the midst of getting the wash taken care of and Nora is probably making sure that breakfast (whatever it might be) is in the process of making an appearance. We will go to church today.

I close for now...

From denny's iPad...
(my demented mind)

Saturday morning... Haircut anyone?? Joyce will and a Pedicure for me.

Feb 05, 2011

Saturday morning, I plan for us to leave here for the new spa that opened at about 8:30, I want to get a pedicure and maybe Nora will finally get the hot oil treatment on her hair... Ana told us about this place yesterday, it is their grand opening sale... most everything is 50% off.

A guy with a banana cart just came thru, Nora managed to pass on that then another vendor on a bicycle driven cart came with clothes hangers, straw brooms and rag mops and clothspins for sale, we evaded that trap too.

Nora tells me now that Joyce wants to get her hair cut this morning so that is another thing. Her hair is quite long and probably she does need it cut, I can imagine what the ends look like. She, meaning Nora, is such a funny person, her actions and what not keep me in laughter most every day. But she is one little package I can tell you and her fuse is short at times, makes me glad she isn't any bigger.

Well, I suppose I should get ready, 8:30 is fast approaching and I know that I will have to drive the others to be ready on time (good luck says me).

bye for now.

From denny's iPad...
(my demented mind)

TGIF, the time now is moving right along...

Feb 04, 2011

Yesterday ended with Alex coming home about 4pm and then going to another JCI meeting (where drinking seems the order of the day)... Nora had a hard time sleeping last night until after about 1:30am. I saw Alex come home about 1:15am. Life is about choices we make, decisions come from those choices which could be argued are one and the same, but often times, one begets the other or at least forces it to the fore front. I slept good except for the times that Nora woke me to tell me she couldn't sleep... go figure.

This morning is cool, but the temp is supposed to hit 86˚ so it promises to be a warm day, the comfort of which will greatly be determined by the humidity level.

Joyce is now 8:29 AM almost ready to go to school, she had some homework last night as yesterday was a holiday for the school children.

Nora has yet to get the text from Philips to see of the adapter is in or not... funny, you would think things like that would be readily available.

I have no plans for today with the possible exception of looking at the I-130 to make certain that all is in order for my Feb 10th visit to the Embassy. I did find that there is an organization (Acceptance Agency) in Angeles City that will accept the filing of a W-7 form to obtain an ITIN number for Nora for Federal tax purposes. I will contact them today if I can.

Breakfast will likely be ready soon so I will close out for not and likely add to this post a little later.

From denny's iPad...
(my demented mind)

Waiting for my Sister to call... I wonder if she will get distracted again???

Feb 03, 2011

The day yesterday finished with me going to the internet cafe here in Divine and then on to Marilao, I went to the St. Michaels hospital, no Alex there so asked if there was another close by, Nazarrene Hospital is just next door to SM Mall so I went there... he was on the second floor in the 'San Francisco' room... we visited for about 40 minutes and then I went to the mall and got some french fries and a diet coke. I then bought some Cheeto's and chocolate candy for the kids and went home...

We slept well, but before going to bed, Nora lectured me about going out on my own when she is not with me... she worries about me and what could happen to me, I appreciate that, but am unused to having someone actually care... it is a nice change.

Today is Lorilee's birthday according to Nora, I will have to drop her a quick line in Facebook to congratulate her.

I have an appointment for 9am on the 10th of Feb at the Embassy, I will submit the I-130 for Nora and the kids then. That will lighten my bank account a little for sure. Got notice that a payment has been made to AMEX so next week I will pay that off (TV and DVD player) will be all paid for.

Nora will call philips today and see if the adapter is in or not... I am just so surprised that they don't manufacture a dual power range setup like Apple does for it's chargers, etc... I guess Canada is still in the 19th century.

Leann, thanks for the lovely note, and yes, all is proceeding at it's own pace, not with out cost mind you both emotional and financial, but then all things have a price, don't they?? I have read a little of your wanderings... the "Peacock" is notorious on Craigslist rants and raves, but then the opinion givers may be savory at best, who really knows... bottom line is if you have fun going there and enjoy yourself then I say go for it kiddo... life is too short to always say I 'could have or would have all the time'.

From denny's iPad...
(my demented mind)

Humpin and pumpin... the day is mid week and plain jane... Have a dandy day.

Feb 02, 2011

Ah, here it is... "Hump Day", yet the middle of another tedious week of trials and errors... the night passed peacefully 'cept for a couple of dogs that I had to convince to leave our immediate area with their barking ways... funny how a little pebble in the side is reason enough for them to find a better (albiet safer) place to howl...

The weather was cool and sleeping was good even if I might say at times, with the fan blowing upon us, perhaps a little too cool.

Nothing special is planned for today although, Nora just suggested that we might do an advance celebration of her upcomming (April) birthday... I told her she should sing the 'rain song' about her birthday, you know, the one that goes "rain rain go away, come on back another day... only substitute birthday for rain...

I was up earlier than Nora, at 6:40 and got my dipper bath done and then came to the big apt to make coffee for us. Kenneth is washing a shirt for school. The baby has been pretty good and the medicine seems to be making him feel better now.

We found out last night that Alex had been admitted to the hospital in Marilao with BP of 190/130. He knows he has high blood pressure but is extremely lax in taking medication, drinks like a fish and smokes and no exercise... I've told him that he is a prime candidate for a heart attack if he doesn't change his ways and he is only 38 years old...

I will add to this day if such is required...

From denny's iPad...
(my demented mind)