Last day of May today here in the Philippines...hard to believe.

May 31, 2011

We went t the mall Yesterday just before lunch... we had Lunch at KFC or rather Nora did. I tried to order what I wanted but it was not offered?? I asked for 4 chicken wings, some fries and a coke zero... odd, they offered me 6 wings but I only wanted 4. I ended up with fries and a coke zero...

We then attended the movie "Pirates of the Carrribean" it was OK, but not up to the standards of it's predecessors...

Nora bought a new belt and did some window shopping and we bought some Cheetos... yes Lollie jalapeño ones too... two bags. We also got two cans of mug root beer, mine is still in the fridge but she drank most of hers.

We had a good time then came home... Kenneth had elected to stay home for what ever reason.

Slept after a rough start...the air seemed so heavy, it was difficult to breath comfortably, even Nora noticed it. After awhile though we did drift off to sleep. We woke about 7:30 this morning. I was up right away and bathed and Nora followed shortly thereafter..

It was/is Memorial Day in America today, I hope everyone enjoyed it and spent it in honor of those who've laid down their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today... Bless them one and all.

From denny's iPad...

Monday... I hope Claudine gets the W-7 stuff this week.

May 30, 2011

Good day yesterday, I bought a couple of books for $2.99 each and have been reading the 'Spinward' series... good plot and characters and the author keeps it moving right along.

We slept well last night, today, actually this morning, Nora wants to register Joyce for school, I argued that we would be leaving next month but she countered with 'Are you Sure?' and I could not positively say that we definetly would leave in June so I told her to go ahead and do it, it doesn't cost anything she says.

Sometime this week, we will go to Manila to the Airport and the Korean Air place and schedule my home flight.

After she returns from school, she wants to go to the market then to the Mall, I just suggested that after she returns from school, we go to the Mall, perhaps have lunch and an movie then stop at the market on the way home...

We will see how that all works out...

Weather seems ok today, no rain last night or any residuals from the Typhoon CheDeng passed thru. I am glad.

Have a great day everyone.

From denny's iPad...

Sunday, and the last one in May...

May 29, 2011

Yesterday was fraught with rain showers most of the day, we stayed home Yesterday, I finished another of the series books that I am currently reading, got hooked on Sci-Fi for awhile and it is an interesting, the imagination of man and woman as they conjure up stories of that may come in the future... oft I wonder if some of their ideas get incorporated in the technologies of today or if it is the other way around... either way, I enjoy it.

Nothing special today, Nora and I may go to the mall, depends greatly on how she feels, at this time, being close to a comfort room is a necessity for her. I keep reminding her, there is a way to eliminate them for good, but she is skeptical...

Slept good, Nora had another dream that I had a girlfriend... she is a very jealous girl, I suppose that it is because so many filipino men get girlfriends on the side and they don't really hide the fact...

I told her I have never had a girlfriend while married...

I told Nora I want to go to Korean Air next week and schedule my return flight to the States... I hope I can get one close to the end of June.

From denny's iPad...

Saturday here, the first Squall from CheDeng came thru... good rainfall little wind.

May 28, 2011

We did go to the Mall for a short time, got a treat at Dairy Queen, Nora did a little food shopping, I bought a pair of Islander thongs, much better for my feet. We decided not to go to a movie yesterday but maybe today (Saturday) or tomorrow.

Came home and finished the laundry, the wind was pretty brisk so the clothes dryed quickly.

Spent most of the afternoon reading and Nora doing some minor cleaning... She had to attack some ants that threatened to overthrow our rule... amazing how a little chemical argument can turn the tide.

Slept good, though Nora is in the midst of her monthly visitor so she experienced some discomfort until she took her midol.

I just finished my coffee 8:38 AM. We just had a squall roll thru, part of the pre or post CheDeng show I am certain of that.

Nothing pressing today so I will just be a bystander...

I really enjoyed talking a little to Lollie and Mr. Ed yesterday, the connection was poor but we still managed to get a little conversation going.

We shall see what this Memorial Day Weekend brings... probably nothing here in the Philippines, but then it is a U.S. holiday...

Bye for now my friends and family...

From denny's iPad...

Friday again... laundry today

May 27, 2011

Quiet last night, evidently it rained while we had dinner. I went to the sleeper after dinner and read then Nora came. She played her games and I read a little more, we went to sleep about 10pm.

It was warmer last night but not too hot, sleep came easily and there were no disruptions to speak of... The roosters woke us early this morning and we rolled out about 7am... laundry will be done today, but if the rains come I wonder where we will put all the clothes??

Nothing special planned for today, perhaps a trip to Divine for food but that would be about it... today is Friday... tomorrow we might go to the Mall and see a movie.

From denny's iPad...

Marilao and a nice Thursday morning... life could always be worse!!

May 26, 2011

Well life should resume some degree of normallacy starting today... yesterday was full but very rewarding to me as the forms needed by Claudine are on the way to her... it was a little more expensive than I thought but not terrible considering International travel and all... she should get everything by next week... I received a confirmation email that she is expecting them.

Got a short msg from Lollie as well, all is well there so I hope to chat with her today.

We changed out the bedding yesterday afternoon so with the cooler weather and clean bedding, we both seemed to sleep quite nicely.

We will go to SM Mall today, I have no special thing to do there but Nora will be replenishing some supplies here in the house... she shopped at Divine market yesterday for some items but the stuff we get at SM is not available in the local market place.

The next week or two should prove to be interesting what with the newest Typhoon tearing up the coastline... likely we will experience some local flooding and winds.

Catch ya all later... have a dandy !!

From denny's iPad...

Document from My Writing Nook: May 25, 2011

May 25, 2011

Well, last night about 8:40pm we left Fathers home and headed for the bus terminal in Daet to catch the 9:30pm SuperLiner AC bus that would take us back to Manila. We boarded and had the first 3 seats which seemed to work pretty well for me.

We arrived in Manila around 5:45 or so then took a cab to the SanTran station and got another bus out to Marilao then a tricycle home.

After we bathed and such, Nora and I headed back to Manila and were going to go to the DFA to get certified/norarized copies of the birth cirtificates for her and the children... On the way to the DFA, we stopped at a copy certification booth and determined that we really did not need to go to DFA because all that was asked for to accompany the W-7 forms was a certified copy of the passports or a notarized copy... this lady provided the certified copy (no less than by an attorney with raised seal and all), it cost me for 3 certified copies about 1,200p and saved us probably a day and a half... Not a bad bargain in my estimation.

After getting the documents, we went to LBC and had them sent by courier to Thrifty Tax Service in Lebanon which will allow Claudine to complete my 2010 taxes and send a copy of them to L & G who will inturn courier them back to me where we can then send them by "Doc2Go" a courier service used by the Embassy here in the Philippines.

We then stopped at Jollibee for some fries for me and chicken dinner for Nora. She is hunting for a reason for things to go wrong with the process again... I wish she were more optomistic. From there, we took a Jeepster to the SanTran station and luckily got front row seats in an AC bus... we just got home and it's 2:03 PM.

Tomorrow we will get back to normal... I promise :)

From denny's iPad...

Document from My Writing Nook: May 24, 2011

May 24, 2011

Sleep, with the aid of the AC was ok... the last night we shall have spent here in Basud, tonight we leave on the SuperLiner bus for Manila/Marilao. Tomorrow will be Wednesday and we shall spend much of it at the Manila DFA getting the certified copies of the passports to send with the W-7 forms to Claudine for the 2010 taxes.

We are going back to Daet this morning sometime and I will reprint the W-7 form as the entered information printed out in blue ink (a light blue) and I am sure that they want it in black... plus I need to re-do Nora's because the information is from her old passport. Other than that, it should be a slow day.

This day used to hold significance for me, actually it did for 27 years but that all ended in 2006. I am happier where I am in my life now thank God.

From denny's iPad...

Document from My Writing Nook: May 23, 2011

May 23, 2011

Happy Birthday Kenneth... 17 today.

My gosh, time sure seems to fly, my compelling thought is a hope that he is still only 17 when he reaches the USA.

Sleep was fair, of course, Nora and I sleep in a single bed and compared to sleeping in my bed at home it is like laying on a 2x4. Oh well, at some point in the future I should be home with a new bed partner and children to tax my patience... and of course provide smiles to me for the rest of my days... You know, my goal is to live to 100 so I have a ripe old future in front of me... Hope to see you then.

Bye for now, maybe more later...

A rain storm passed thru, while all the Filipino guys were setting at a wooden table out in the yard by the chicken coop drinking a low grade brandy... amazing how fast they can move when threatened with a deluge of a downpour... I was not with them, drinking, at this time anyway, causes me too much pain...

We went to bed early and most of the afternoon I just read my books. Nora did go to Daet and bought a cake and ice cream for Kenneth though. It was good.

From denny's iPad...

Document from My Writing Nook: May 22, 2011

May 22, 2011

Today is Sunday, Nora and LiliBeth will be going to Daet this afternoon to shop a little I suppose, she offered for me to go but I gracefully declined and told her to make it a girls day out

I am reading and taking life easy, it is now 10:39 AM . More may follow...

We went to Daet, to the supermarket at the Central Plaza mall and after buying stuff for spaghetti, Nora and I parted, she went to downtown market to buy ground beef and a few other items and I went to Hotpots where I was surprised to see Maria and her daughter. We chatted some and I found that they had brought the Jeepster to town to have yet some more work done on it, evidently something yet to do with the braking system that they have spent much money on already...

I was able to finish updating my iPhone apps and it was not too long and Maria left for a bit and Nora showed up again. We went inside Hotpot to get a drink and Maria and her daughter came back so we all got to chat a little bit... she told me (Maria) that Wayne had called her and wanted to come into town so I suppose they were going to meet up soon. It was shortly after that that Nora and I left to come back home to Basud.

The rest of the afternoon I read and she preparred the Spaghetti for dinner... it was good... Tomorrow is Kenneth's 17th birthday so that is nice for him, we will go to Daet and buy him a cake and ice cream (seems the traditional way to celebrate a birthday here also... no gifts though I might give him some money.

Well that is enough for this day... have a great day!!!

From denny's iPad...

Document from My Writing Nook: May 21, 2011

May 21, 2011

Foot is feeling good now, decided that we would go to Daet and check our email and I would buy some new slippers that would stay on my feet.

Alex had asked if we wanted to join the family and go to the Ocean and frolic in the salt water, we declined and let them all go.

We left the house about 10:30 and went to Superliner where I purchased tickets to Marilao for Kenneth, Nora and myself. We will leave Basud on the eveing bus Tuesday.

We went to the internet cafe that we had used so often while I was here in Basud last year. I managed to print out the W-7 forms and the documentation that states we need certified or Notarized copies of Nora and the kids Passports. After that, she went to the supermarket to buy some items and then we returned to the mall and I bought some slippers that I liked.

After that, we went to Chow King for Halo Halo and she had some long jeans shortened and hemmed for Joyce to wear., she had to wait a couple hours for them to get done so I took a tri-cab back to Central mall and sat outside the 'HotPot' restaurant where they offer free WiFi and updated the apps on my iPhone.

When she arrived, we went inside the restaurant and had a quick bite then caught a tri-cab home.

The rest of the afternoon and evening was spent quietly (as quietly as it ever is in a house built for 4 people currently housing a minimum of 11. Interesting life here I can tell you that much...

We slept pretty well, at least I didn't have to deal with Nora's roving legs and fish flops...

From denny's iPad...

Document from My Writing Nook: May 20, 2011

May 20, 2011

Nora bought me some medication for the Gout, pain is subsiding nicely.

But I still stayed home and did nothing but read.

From denny's iPad...

Document from My Writing Nook: May 19, 2011

May 19, 2011

Gout has me bedridden... reading a lot.

From denny's iPad...

Document from My Writing Nook: May 18, 2011

May 18, 2011

River day. We had a great time... there will be pictures.

From denny's iPad...

Document from My Writing Nook: May 17, 2011

May 17, 2011

Well Tuesday for the most part proved to be an exercise in futility... we left the house early and took the bus to Angele city and then spent several hours locating the "Jim Boyd" foundation... nothing short of a rat infested hole in the wall run by a scabby guy about 65 or 70 years old who told us that he would only help us if he did our taxes also... What a total asshole.

We left there and headed to Clark DFA where the great abundance of bad news just re-manifested itself in larger proportions... they would not certify the passports for me and said only DFA in Manila would or could do that. I stopped at the Immigration division in Clark and they were of little or no use at all... Needless to say the stress levels were of Galactic proportions and Nora and I were not nice to each other.

We took the bus back to Manila and then Marilao. After getting home, we hurriedly packed, all of us, for the Basud trip and then headed downtown to the Superliner terminal... I bought tickets for everyone to the tune of over 2,800p (565p) for each of the five of us, baby rode for free. We rode on coach 409 which has suspension made of brick and mortar. Every bump or line was felt as a bone jarring experience and that continued for over 8 hours. The AC in the bus was so cold that ice crystals formed on the window frames... Lovely trip and not the first of it's kind that I have made.

We arrived in Daet and the highlight of the day was that Alex was there to pick us up in the van they had rented... nice trip to the house... We didn't get much chance to relax, went right away out to San Felepe to Wayne and Marias house for about 1 hour then back to Basud... We left the house at about 2:30 to go to the beach resort where the wedding was taking place at (supposedly 4pm). It was very warm and humid, here I am in tank top under a white shirt and dark slacks, socks and dress shoes... Had to stay that way till the wedding got under way about 5:30pm... I managed to drink one light beer and suffered Gout the next 3 days on account of it... I knew better too.

The wedding went off well, it was a small ceremony held right on the sand on the beach, I was the main sponser and Uncle edwin the 2nd sponser and then there were other sponsers for the veil, the rope and the treasure... (look up Filipino weddings for an explanation). After the wedding and the reception (meal) Maria wanted us to stick around but I had to tell her that we were just plain out of fuel and needed to go home and get some rest... she was disappointed but that is what happened.

We finally got home after a torturous ride in Uncle's jeep which has the same suspension as the bus, which considering the condition of the road has shortened my stature by about 2".

I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.

From denny's iPad...

Saturday, Sunday and Monday posting... sorry guys, I got busy and had a lot on our minds...

May 14 15 & 16, 2011

Saturday we went to the mall, Nora followed me in the afternoon, I left early to go to the internet cafe and print some information.

We saw the movie "Priest", don't waste your money...

Well Sunday was laundry day, nothing special about the day, we just stayed home and enjoyed the tropical bake.

It was budget day or Payday as Nora calls it so I gave her 7,000p

We slept pretty good last night, even though the majority of the day was spent talking about the problems that could possibly face the visa process, the taxes, the discrepency in Jimmys middle name and Nora's Taipei police clearance that she is worried might be out dated... I don't think that will be a problem as she has not left the country since obtaining it but then she has a good point as we don't know what the consular might want. Either way, we can get an affidavit about Jimmies middle name issue and if necessary can order yet another Taipei police clearance if need be... the worst that will happen is that it will push her departure date further away.

Nora left early today, she is taking the request for the marriage license and Death certificate to the NSO in Pasig which is quite a distance... then she is going to call the outfit about the ITIN numbers and after that check the bus schedule for trips to Angele city for tomorrow. So much stress, I see it in her face and eyes and it drives me crazy, Hopefully the things we will provide the consular will suffice and we can move forward.

Have a great day, Lollie I have tried to call you several times today starting about 5pm your time yet no answer from you.

From denny's iPad...

Friday the "13th"... boy did it ever live up to is's history today...

May 13 & 14, 2011

Thursday passed pretty normally, nothing special outside of my going to the Mall and printing out some more papers... Nora got home about 5pm, dinner etc... nothing special

Friday monring, we got up at 4am to get ready for the trip to the US Embassy and the Visa interview for the kids... Unfortunately, the Visa's were not granted as they still want a current tax year return which I need to provide and they also want couriered copies from the NSO of both Jimmy's death certificate and Jimmy and Nora's marriage license. Those two are easy, the taxes are a serious burden to me. I am investigating the ITIN numbers, we would have to go to Angelie city to get them applied for then it takes a long time to get them.

Anyway, after the let down, we went and had lunch then to St. Lukes clinic and then the market then home... it was a depressing day all in all and we went to bed with no smile on our faces...

Hopefully I can resolve this in a timely fashion, I am trying to.

From denny's iPad...

Thursday... Tomorrow is the big day...

May 12, 2011

I have to say, last night was just plain miserable to sleep, the humidity crept up to near 100% early in the evening and stayed there most of the night... talk about living in a damp sponge...

Perspective would be soaking an old dirty heavy quilt in warm stagnant water and then crawling under it anc covering your head... imagine if you can, the problems encountered in taking in a full breath of air, even dirty air. Very uncomfortable and I certainly did not enjoy it. Nora felt the same way so it was not an isolated incident.

We finally did manage to sleep, I think that there is a time in which exhaustion takes precedence and the body just basically gives up the fight and succumbs to weariness. I yearn for my home...

This morning, Nora and I went into Marilao so she could do some food shopping. We were back home by about 9:45am so now she will be preparing for lunch and her typical departure time of about 12:15pm.

Tomorrow morning will be an early riser, we will need to leave the house by about 5am to be at the US Embassy by 6:30am for the kids interviews. Today I will be going back to the SM Mall to print out the latest bank statement and cover page so that I can present the most current picture to the Consular at the interviews.

Nora had an unpleasant experience at the market with one of the vendor ladies, I wasn't there so didn't see what happened but suffice it to say that my little volcano was near the eruption stage... I bought her a doughnut and she calmed down a little... Sad that people in a position of service should have such attitudes... I always prided myself in being a very cordial customer service person when I worked in those positions...

I had a talk with Kenneth and explained to him how I was feeling about our relationship and what I hoped would happen regarding it in the future... he listened well and smiled when I finished and we shook hands etc. yada yada yada... hope it works out well.

Anyhew, have yourselves a dandy day and I will chat with you a little later on...

From denny's iPad...

Last 'Hump Day' at St. Luke for Nora I hope...

May 11, 2011

Yesterday was nice, when Nora got home from St. Lukes clinic, we went and put some fuel in the Motor of Alex and then went to Divine market to buy some Lumpia wrappers, of course there were other food items purchased also.

Back home, Nora prepared for dinner which we had about 6:45pm.

I was going to watch the movie "The Rite" with Anthony Hopkins, but the pirated versions sound was very low so I gave it up and came back to the sleeper room and read some more of my novels on the iPad.

This morning, Wednesday, we awoke or rather I should say that I awoke about 6am and then a little later roused Nora... she had not slept well, said she was dreaming of her Mother and sisters. She wanted to sleep but I had other plans for her.

After breakfast, she wanted to go make some Xerox copies of the forms from the NSO (the originals). We did that and now she is going thru the folders again...

It is hard to believe that by this time Friday the kids should have their Visas. I hope there is no problems. If there are any it will be about the I-864 regarding my taxes. I hope that the other paperwork I have provided will clear up any questions. The amount I put for household income is after taxes so it is not a true reflection of the income gross which is actually over 30k.

Lollie, the pictures you took were such a vast improvement on others that you sent in the past... it is amazing how just a little instruction can improve the end results... I was really impressed with the Macro shot of the red flower.

Have a great day, this is as they say, "Hump Day"...

From denny's iPad...

Tuesday... of the last week of treatment...

May 10, 2011

Well here we are in the 2nd day of the last week of Nora's year long treatment DOT. It has been a long time in coming.

Yesterday went well as I wrote, after Nora got back home and dinner had been accomplished, I went to the sleeper apt and bathed and then read while waiting for Nora to arrive...

She played her games on the iPad and checked the latest happenings on FB then we went to sleep... my gosh it was nice, so cool and refreshed feeling after the rains. We both slept well and didn't get out of bed until after 8:00am.

Finishing up breakfast now, eggs and toast sandwich and some coffee. Already did the meds so I am good for the day I think...

Last night, my glasses came apart on one side and the lens fell out so now I need to go to an eye glasses place and see if they will put them back together again... I have needed a new pair for over 4 years now, I suppose that will be a priority for me when we get back to the States amongst other things that I have neglected.

I am going back to the other apt. and see if I can reach Lollie this morning.

Have a great day everyone.

From denny's iPad...