At Home With MrsC

Raising a family, making a home.

Everyday Life

Kicking Off 2019: The Week That Was

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New year, now post. It’s been a while since I’ve had any non-sponsored content here, because, hello busy-ness!

But anyway, I thought that the start of this new year would be as good a time as any to start writing again. So, hello! How are you all? 

Truth: I really planned on starting my year slow. You know, more sleeping in and more naps. I’ve been wanting to spend less time online and on my phone, and instead, be able to read and watch movies with the boys, while eating all the delightful junk food we’d accumulated over the holidays. None of that hit-the-ground-running-new-year-hustle for me.

Our 2019 started out nice and quiet, literally. It was a rainy NYE, so there weren’t that many firecrackers set off in our area. The only sound heard well into the night was the music coming from our next-door neighbor. They like to party. We don’t.

So the boys and I actually went to bed a little after midnight, as we usually do on New Year’s Eve. We slept in, too, as planned, and did nothing but relax at home all day on January 1st. Nougat included. Ang sarap!

Poor MrC had to go back to work on January 2. I (as always) have a million and one things to do at home, but because school doesn’t start until next week, I’ve been stuck on vacation mode, along with The ManChild. So we’ve basically been hanging out at home and at the mall, him with his friends, and me with my mom and sister. Yes, he goes out with his friends now. Can you believe that?

Just when I thought I could get away with dodging all my responsibilities on the first week of the year, work got in the way and I had to go do some important things on the 4th.  But, there is a silver lining. Every time I need to be out of the house for work, my day ends with dinner somewhere with The Husbandry. It’s a little workday ritual that he and I have established over the past few months, and one that we really look forward to. 

Now that I’ve gotten the quiet first week that I wanted, I think I’m ready to get on with things. I already know how busy 2019 is gonna be for us, so I’m really bracing myself for what’s to come. I hate being busy, but you gotta do what you gotta do, right?

How has 2019 been treating you so far?

SAHM I Am

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A lot has changed in the last three weeks. 

First, I finally said goodbye to life in events. I thought about my decision long and hard, and it wasn’t an easy one to make. I’ve been in this industry from the very beginning, working as an intern on my first event in 2004. It’s been really fun and exciting, but also an immensely stress-filled 14 years. I knew for certain, after my last one, that it was time to move on from the world of events. 

 

Officially a #SAHM. (Long post ahead!) . . It has been 5 days since this photo was taken, 5 days since my last event ended, which means I’m 5 days into retirement. Shifting from the #WAHMLife to the #SAHMLife is certainly not easier, nor is it any less busy. Except now, instead of deadlines and clients plus meal plans and laundry piles, I only have the family and the household to deal with. Lakas maka “only”, no? 😂 As if it were really that simple. . . People keep asking me what I’m going to do, now that I’m done with events. The honest answer is nothing. At least for a while. I’m excited to finally be able to focus on being mom, wife, cat mama, and homemaker. First time ito, guys! Ever since we had the manchild, even before graduating college, I’ve been working na. I was never not working! For the first time ever, I’m actually gonna stop. Scary, and I might get super bored, but I’m excited about it.😉 . . PS I love this dress from @smwomanplus. They make THE BEST #plussize clothes. This one’s so comfy! I have survived several 15-hour event days wearing it. It’s easy to dress it up with wedges or heels, and to dress it down with sneakers. Sana I had it in all colors, seriously!🖒 . . #athomewithmrsc #buhayhousewife #earlyretirement #lifedeclutter #stressless #fashionforeverywoman

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We also got a cat! A week before I officially retired, I saw a post on Bianca Elizalde’s IG stories about some kittens she had rescued and was putting up for adoption. That same night, I asked the husbandry if we could take one. To my surprise, he said yes right away. After exchanging a few messages, Bianca and I agreed to meet up one sunny Saturday in Makati. On that day, we welcomed Nougat the House Cat to our family. What a joy it has been having her at home these past few weeks!

 

This is #NougatTheHouseCat. We adopted her exactly a week ago after she was rescued by @biancaelizalde. In the 7 days that we’ve had her, she’s proven to be the most perfect little kitty for our family and our home. . . In the mornings, she greets us with loud meows, both out of excitement and obvious annoyance at having been left alone for several hours while we slept. She enjoys being around people, and easily warms up to house guests. She eats and drinks a lot. And I mean A LOT. As in ManChild levels. She 💩s a lot, too. 😂 . . She’s super playful, and loves crumpled paper balls, ribbons and strings, and her mouse toy that already looks chewed to death after only a few days. She’s also super lambing, likes to sleep on our laps, chests and tummies, and allows me to smother her with hugs. I’ve always wanted a lap cat. Now I have one. And I love her so much. . . This little kitty brings so much joy to our home. We are so lucky to be her family. 💕 . . #catsofinstagram #instacat #catstagram #rescuecat #rescuepet #petstagram #petsofinstagram #adoptdontshop #puspinlove #catsofmanila 📸@rachelle_lauren

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Then, summer ended, and school began. Right on cue, rainy season rolled in. Along with it came a typhoon and the first class suspension of the school year, only four days after school started. The no-school day fell in between a Sunday and a holiday, too, which meant an instant 4-day weekend for us. Ang galing, diba?

No longer a baby talaga.

Side kwento: The Man Child (formerly known as Little MrC) is now in Junior High. He’s also an active member of his school rondalla, complete with practice schedules, workshops and performances. It’s gonna be a busy year for him, which means it will be a busy year for me. I’m not complaining, after all I wanted this kind of life. It’s really nice to see my son interacting with kids outside his batch, and enjoying being part of a new group in school. My siblings and I had a lot of fun participating in extracurricular activities when we were students, and I’m glad that this is something my son gets to do, too. 

Tomorrow, if the weather permits (and it looks like it will), the boys go back to school and work, and things go back to normal over here. This is a new normal for me, staying at home, spending time with Nougat, and prioritizing housework above everything else. I feel just as tired as before, but 100% less stressed, which is great. I feel happier and a lot more fulfilled, too, even though I’m mostly just washing things throughout the day (like dishes and clothes, and cat butt). I’m totally loving this life! (Well, so far. LOL.)

 

What have you been up to lately?

This Summer’s Movie List

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Summer days in our home are slow, quiet, and free-flowing. We aren’t the type of family who goes out of town a lot (though, I have to admit, that would be fun). We don’t eat out often. We aren’t mall rats. And we don’t go out to see movies unless they are films that we really, really want to see.

 

We are homebodies, all of us, and we enjoy the unstructured way that we choose to let days pass when the kiddo is on school break. MrC, of course, goes off to work every day, but on weekends when he’s home, he picks up the same slow summer state that the kid and I get to enjoy on most days.

One of our regular activities is movie time in the afternoon. In past summers, I tried to turn this into a daily thing, but it actually became too difficult to think of a new movie for us to watch every day. So I’ve learned to let go, and instead, I’ve turned this into a come-what-may activity just like the others. So far, we’ve really been enjoying our occasional lazy afternoon in front of the TV.

We love our slow summer days

Now that the kiddo is older, it’s becoming easier to choose movies. He’s open to watching anything I put on, which really great. I’ve been able to make him see old favorites from when we were about his age. We’ve also enjoyed newer films that we haven’t seen before, together as a family. With snacks, of course. Always with snacks. 

So, just like before, I thought I’d share which movies made it to our summer watch list this year. And I will keep adding until to this summer is over. Do you see any of your favorites?

  1. Murder on the Orient Express (2017) – Rated PG-13, suitable for age 13+
  2. The Lego Batman Movie (2017) – Rated PG, suitable for age 7+
  3. The Dark Tower (2017) – Rated PG-13, suitable for age 14+
  4. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul (2017) – Rated PG, suitable for age 8+
  5. Nacho Libre (2006) – Rated PG, suitable for age 11+
  6. Scott Pilgrim vs the World (2010) – Rated PG-13, suitable for age 14+
  7. The Little Rascals (1994) – Rated PG, suitable for age 8+
  8. Ready Player One (2018) – Rated PG-13, suitable for age 12+ (We caught this on in the theater!) 
  9. King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017) – Rated PG-13, suitable for age 14+
  10. The Lego Ninjago Movie (2017) – Rated PG, suitable for age 6+
  11. Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets – (2017) – Rated PG-13, suitable for age 11+

In case you’re interested, here are our movie lists from the past summers:

  • 2016 – Mostly cartoons! The kiddo was 10 that year.
  • 2017 – Lots of old favorites, like The Ghostbusters and Back to the Future

So, what else should we try to watch this summer?

January in 8 Photos

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Raise your hands if, like me, you woke up and wondered where the heck January went. Guys, grabe, February na! Parang ang bilis, right? 

The first month of 2018 may have been quick, but it sure was awesome. Here are a few snippets from the month that was.

One of several changes happening at home this year is an intentional (but gradual) shift towards less waste. We have a serious garbage issue here in Manila, and I really feel that every small effort counts. I’ll be writing more about this transition to less waste living over the next few months. You can also check out my IG feed and stories to see the little day to day things I do to produce less waste at home.

For now, here’s a look at the current state of our freezer. Eventually, I hope to eliminate plastic bags and disposable packaging in there completely. While I’m still unable to do that, I wash, dry, and cut up the plastic bags and use them to stuff eco bricks instead. 

 

#coffeeoftheday

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On the subject of change, I’m also making some to my daily and weekly routines this year. Time management has never been a strength of mine but I know that it’s time I get the whole “sticking to a schedule” thing figured out. Also, I really need to set aside more me-time and time with people that matter. This is me, stopping to smell the roses, guys!

This January brunch with my mommy buddies (and Nino and Rman) almost happened without me. But I forced the issue, and my schedule, and I made it. I was super duper late, but I made it. God knows I needed all the laughed-so-hard-we-cried moments we shared that day. I am so much better at life after get-togethers like this one.

Bacon. After a really long time, we had bacon for brunch at home. I don’t usually buy bacon because it’s so, so bad for you. But this one is a little bit better (or at least, I’d like to believe that it is) because it’s organic, nitrite-free, and preservative-free. In case you wanna try this better-bacon, I bought it from Earth Origins Marketplace + Cafe in Westgate Alabang.

And finally, the perfect segue from Jan to Feb. I picked up a beautiful early-Valentine’s event invite from my Mothers Who Brunch friends a few days ago, and right now it’s sitting by the phone in my living room. I love how it adds color to this little corner of my home.

Thing is, though, if you look across from here to the other side of the living room, you’ll see that my Christmas tree is still up, complete with unopened and undelivered holiday gifts, plus an assortment of things we brought home this past month. Clutter central! Oh well. That’s real life for you!

So that was January.

I can’t deny that I’m excited for February because it’s my birth month. As far as I’m concerned, in February, I am the queen and no one can tell me otherwise. 

In my world, February is one big party. There is always cake. Sometimes more than one. There’s time spent with family and friends, with food, fun and laughter. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me this month! And I can’t wait to share it all with you guys, too.

How was your January?

My 2018 Reading Challenge

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Fact: I write better when I read more. Reading also helps me relax and unwind, especially after long days spent in front of the computer. I’ve found that I sleep better, too, when I choose to read before bed instead of watching TV or playing games on my phone.  Generally, I’m better when I read. And so it’s kinda odd that I stopped.

I used to read a lot when I was younger. I would read all the time, actually. Even in the shower. With the water running. I mastered the art of the one-handed bath when I was 12. I know, it sounds gross, but I promise I was always clean. See, I wasn’t kidding, I was always reading. Then came motherhood, and adulting, and work, and life. I had to make time for everything else. In doing so I lost time for my books, and in effect I lost time for myself.

For several years my book collection sat neglected, tucked away in drawers in my old room. Then, weeks ago my mom went on a mad cleaning spree because my sister was coming home from New York, and would be needing that old room in the Alabang house. Whatever stuff the boys and I left there had to be pulled out. And so, my books finally came home with me. 

Seeing them all felt like reuniting with a bunch of old friends. There were some still wrapped in plastic, unopened and unread. Some, I had actually forgotten that I had. Other books remained unfinished over the years, abandoned for one reason or another. And then there were the old favorites – Angela’s Ashes, Interview With The Vampire, The Green Mile, The Godfather, and others that I would love to read again. 

So this year, I’m challenging myself to read more. I owe it to those books that I spent all that money on (and those that my dad and MrC spent on, too!) And, more importantly, I owe it to me. I owe it to myself to make time to read because I know that I’ll be better off if I do. The mere thought of it excites me. Seriously, my idea of me-time is an afternoon on the couch with a good book, a cup of coffee, and a plate of cookies. Oras lang ang puhunan, guys. All I need to do is make time for it, and make time I shall. 

24 books is the goal this year. So far, these are the ones I’ve finished:

  1. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty (My second favorite so far this year!)
  2. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami 
  3. Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
  4. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
  5. Heartburn by Nora Ephron
  6. Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman
  7. Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
  8. The Client by John Grisham
  9. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
  10. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
  11. I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
  12. Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell (My favorite so far this year!)
  13. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

I am currently reading The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I can’t believe I’ve never read this before!

I initially thought of posting reviews of the books I read this year, but I don’t think I’m gonna end up doing that anymore. Unless you guys want me to? Let me know!

The Year That Was – 2017 Edition!

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Hi, everybody! Happy New Year! I can’t believe that 2018 is actually here!

I don’t know about you guys, but I always see the start of a new year as an exciting time. I, personally, look forward to filling in loved ones’ birthdays and important dates in a new planner every January. I love the whole idea that we have another 365 days to fill with milestones and memories.

The first few days of a new year is also a great time to look back on the year that’s just passed. And what an amazing one 2017 was for me and my family.

January began with a double dose of happiness on the Cuyugan side – Lola Bandel (aka MrC’s mom, nicknamed Lola Bandel by the kiddo) was home, and the family welcomed brand-new baby Luna. 

As for my de Castro family, we got treated to a double dose of happiness in January, too. The first was a surprise visit from one of my favorite cousins, Bolito. He was here for only a few weeks, visiting from Australia, and I love that our  home was one of his stops during his trip. Then, we celebrated the 91st birthday of our Tita Glo, the last living sibling of my Loli. She has no kids of her own, and so we all sorta belong to her in a way, my cousins and I.

February is always special because it’s my birth month. My sister-in-law was in town, and there was lots of family time, friend time, and food time. All the things I love! Lol.

One memorable super blooper from March was the day I got locked in our downstairs bathroom. It took about an hour, and my best friend’s dad bringing a locksmith over to get me out. 

My father-in-law arrived in Manila at the end of that month, too. He was the last of our Cuyugan Balikbayan series of house guests for the year.

In April, we celebrated Little MrC’s birthday with his cousins at home. I love that we were able to do this! It reminded me of all the fun at-home birthday parties my siblings and I had when we were little. This year, I think we’re gonna take all the kids out to see a movie. There are a lot of nice ones coming up, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that one of them will be showing on this boy’s birthday week.

 

Cousins are the best! #LittleMrC11th

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The boys and I got to go to the beach for a day in May, yay! I think it’s great that Batangas is only a couple of hours away, and we can drive down there whenever we want to. This was a nice end to a long summer, and a great way to celebrate MrC’s birthday.

It was back to school time for the kiddo in June, and MrC moved to a new company. Meanwhile, I got surprised with an unexpected work trip to El Nido. It’s been years since I was there last, and it was nice exploring the newly developed areas in Lio. I had a monster eczema attack, though, so I was really uncomfortable the whole time! Hassle lang.

July and August were nice and quiet, a welcome change from the eventful first half of the year.

And then in September, the husbandry and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary.  With food. Obviously.

I also ended the month with another surprise trip, this time to Davao. I’m really happy about this because I got to spend time with friends and relatives I hadn’t seen in a long time.

 

When in Wildflour. #notglutenfree #carbs #sorrynotsorry

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I couldn’t leave Davao yesterday without making time to see friends and family. 💕 Typically, I request for the earliest possible flight home when I have to work out of town, but this time I decided to take a day for myself instead. I’m happy I did. It was so nice catching up with everyone. I’m glad I got to spend time with my aunts and cousins who live on the other end of the Philippines. Last time I saw them was nearly 10 years ago, I think. Spending time with relatives, even just for a few hours, really gives me a warm, fuzzy, happy feeling. It’s so important to me that I get to do this, and that i get to know them. Sana, next time around, can go with my family in tow naman. 💚 I also love that I got to try a new, chic restaurant for lunch. Bon Apetit’s grilled tuna steak is 👌👌👌. It was so nice hanging out with old work friends, reminiscing, and making chismis. I’m glad for friends like these, na even though we don’t see each other often, we just pick up where we left off each time we do. Minsan talaga, taking just a few hours to do our own thing can be such a sanity saver for busy moms. And spending time with people who matter makes the experience extra sweet. Thank goodness for husbandries who understand that need, and pick us up pa when we’re good and done. And for grandparents who take our kids, too, so we don’t have to worry while we enjoy our me-time. Hastag blessed nga naman! Now, after all that, I’m so happy to be home. Tired but happy. Heart is full. Back to regular programming. Good morning! #kwentooftheday #damingsinabi #thismomlife #momlife #ohanameansfamily #freindsarefamilytoo #toomanyhashtags #whenindavao

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October came, and the family got together to cheer for daddy in his first-ever Historic Mini Racers race. He did as well as could be, for a beginner, but more importantly he had an awesome time. I’m glad we were there to see it.

And then there was Halloween, which is always a fun occasion at my mom’s house.

In November, I got a flat tire for the first time. I didn’t know how to change a tire (I still don’t) and I was lucky that a kind trike driver helped me find a guy to change the tire.

On the upside, I got to start the holidays early with my Mothers Who Brunch friends, too. Plus I won a Severin Mr. Twister Spiralizer at the event. Lucky duck!

 

Oh my gosh this car. This car. We have been through so much together. My first accident (I was rear-ended by a texting mom. Lightly lang naman.) My first stupid self-accident (I hit the gate and wall of our garage. Remember that giant dent+scratch @mommanmanila @manila.gent? Hahaha!) And then that one time when the transmission failed on me and I had to drive home with acceleration/deceleration issues. Nadiskargahan narin pala ako ng battery once, in our garage. And I found out when I was about to take the kiddo to school. And now my first flat. Thank God we were inside the village already and not crazy Alabang Zapote. Thank God I have so many relatives who live close by (thank you for the help Ate @margsflorendo!) And thank God for the manong trike driver who took my “Please manong hanap ka ng makaka change ng gulong ko. Please please please?” damsel in distress act (which really wasn’t an act haha I didn’t learn anything in automotive class) seriously, and came through with a guy with a jack and a tire iron that he picked up from who knows where. I am now eating ice cream in my kitchen. Ayoko na umalis. Ever. That is all. #kwentooftheday #ihatedriving #driversweetmother #adulting

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Big winners at the Mothers Who Brunch event!

December came and all the festivities began. In the middle of it all, on Christmas Eve, our cat of 20 years, Sasha, passed away. It was sad, but I’m also glad that she’s no longer in pain.

We ended the month, and the year with Baby Luna’s first birthday party, and finally with a family dinner to welcome 2018.

Now that I look back on it, I realize just how full my 2017 was. It’s the kind of happy, fulfilling full, though, and not the rushed, busy, hectic type. I’m glad that we chose to spend our time the way we did last year, ups and downs included. 

Here’s looking ahead to a spectacular 2018.