Gifted Guides

Even in her young teens, my daughter , Arrow #3, had an eye for colour. When I go shopping I often take her with me, when I can. 

My Hubby is another - he will tell me if an outfit is "young" enough. How cool is that.

Well, recently Arrow #3 informed me that I have many spots in the house that are picture-worthy. This was something I hadn't noticed till she started posting and sharing. 

During the recent lockdowns, one activity with I did was painting our house. This involved using a colour which I initially didn't like (note to self :- Hubby chose you, so don't sweat it when he chooses a colour like this!) 

The end result is amazing, dreamy, but strong green-blue walls I can use for background adjustments during conference calls. Also for good photographs. Like this one.

I am glad for the suggestions and observations from gifted-eyed family...

PS They aren't the only ones! 

Dumpling Delight

"Let's go eat dumplings for dinner," Arrow #1 said.

"I know the best place, " he said.

Well now, we have all heard that before. The best this and the best that. But best can be very relative.

That was on my mind as Hubby and I were led to a somewhat dimly lit alley, in between the back of two rows of shoptlots. The tables are simple foldable ones, and the chairs are easily stackable, portable ones.

Hmmm on arrival, there were so many customers, I began to change my mind. Maybe he was right...

Dumplings was the first item ordered. The rest were the supplements. When it arrived, looking like this... Frankly, I had second thoughts. They didn't exactly looked appetising!

 

I gingerly picked one up with my chopsticks, and bit into it.

Wow, were my tastebuds pleasantly surprised! The minced pork was nicely chopped but not too fine, so you can still savour the texture. The flavour was full as the mixture spices blended so well I didn't need to add anything more to it. I like mine "unadulterated" and without sauce or dips so this was right up my street. The flour skin was not too thick, but didn't fall apart too much either. Served in the simple way, it didn't cost an arm or leg either!

I am glad I was persuaded to go and try! And more importantly, as Hubby said, our Arrows would have good taste if we brought them up right. Hahahaha! I like his reasoning!

Thankful!

It was two years ago when she told me about the pain.

I recall the shock upon discovery of the lump. What's more the size of it. I needed effort to keep a straight face and stay calm. 

Things moved swiftly and in less than a week, she is in the hospital, awaiting surgery to remove what we hope is large but benign lump. 

Two years ago she went in to the operating theatre. Two years ago when she came out, I sensed the person was different.  It was as if she changed. And so she did. For the better.

So thankful to the Lord for the way things worked out. Hallelujah!

Does She Know?

Foster son was home for a week. The week went by so quickly.

Before you knew it, he was due to fly off. He said his "Good bye be a good girl" and then got in the car to head for the airport. 

I came home and saw this. 

Do you think she understood?

Unexpected Trip

It wasn't that long ago that I had made a trip across the South China Sea. I wasn't expecting to make another so soon. 

But conversations via text messages stirred something within me. I felt my first Arrow needed me and so I caught a flight. 

I arrived just in time to hear the results of his blood tests. He had dengue fever and was about to be admitted. Thankfully, the results were borderline high enough to be allowed to go home. 

So I travel back with him to nurse him. 

This was such what I envisaged - that he would not be admitted but that I would nurse him at his apartment. Somehow it felt the right thing to do. 

And so it was. The story continues....

Celebration with Curry!

It's a very belated birthday celebration so we decide to go to a slightly up market place. 

At the end of the day however, some of us still order the local fare Haha!

I have to say that this was yummilicious!

Review and Remove

So it's time to go visit the doctor. I am an expert now as to where to park! 

It's not a long wait but the place was crowded. We have to sit elsewhere. It seems like the extended family of one patient has occupied the whole waiting area. We sit in the foyer.

Finally they leave and we go in. 

The good doctor is kind and gentle. He has better nursing technique than some nurses I have seen! So glad!

She has the green light to go for her camp. Wow!

Eventful Week

She said there was a problem, and upon checking I concurred. We saw a few doctors and the next thing we knew, she was scheduled for surgery. Somehow it felt right too.

So after prayer and much prayer, we went to the hospital at the appointed time. There, whilst the operation took longer than expected, things were nonetheless smooth. 

She was discharged into my care the same day, despite having a small drain in situ. Thankful that I was able to care for her, it made good mother-daughter bonding time....

Parents never expect to see their children in hospital. So thankful for the peace of the Lord that passes all understanding.

Daddy's Girl

He had been away for a few days. Prior to that, he had gone away for a few days too.

So when he came back, he was bearing gifts. Simple things. He didn't have to buy them. But it was enough to show us that he had thought about us. 

Chocolates for me - yes my weakness.

And this little box of goodies for Arrow #3. A hotel room gift actually. But it was just right for her. She just fell in love with the box even before she opened to view the contents. 

What a Dad she has! What a Hubby I have. Thankful!

Chuckles

She was just lying in bed and going through her mail. Then she moved on to the postings. She was getting ready for bed.

Suddenly burst into laughter. Peals of laughter. 

She glanced at me, noting my bemused look and gasped, "I'll send it to you"

I received the link in seconds and clicked away.

I looked

And I laughed aloud too.

My daughter and I have fun in a strange interactive way sometimes. 

About Time

Arrow #3 had been using hand-me-down furniture for years. Uncomplainingly too, bless her. 

Finally the wardrobe fell apart. Well, almost literally. The doors wont go back on anymore. Repairs are futile. 

So Hubby and I went shopping. And boy, did we shop! This delivery came a few days later!

Almost all the contents were for us. We decided to get a bedroom suite that was going fairly cheaply and divide up the pieces into the different rooms. Most of the other bedrooms had second hand furniture too!

All in all, it was quite an exciting day! Couple that with my re-arranging Arrow#3's room to her delight,  I think it has been a good few days!

The Littl' 'Un

We finally got around to getting Arrow #3 a smartphone. Touch screen no less. A simple model. Slightly smaller than mine. Suits her well because her hands are even smaller than my small hands!

Now she can whatsapp her friends and family for free - when there is wifi around. Cuts her cost down. At least that is the plan!

It can also update calendar entries so we can keep in touch! Now that's a high tech family for you!

On the other hand however, it can be a source of distraction. That has to be checked.

So the littl' 'un will find Big Mmmmommmma checking on her phone periodically. That's part of being in this family.....

A Special Moment

She comes from a background of singing in church.

Her mother travels with her.

She seems to be pretty, sweet, and talented.

She is Pixie Lott.

Up until recently I had not heard of her before. But Arrow #3 had. After some quick research we decided it was all right and so we went ahead to get her and her good friend some passes.

And what a time they had! So did we! I hope this will be one of the Memory-Making Moments.... !

Snip Snip

After months of procrastination, we did it.

Following months of competing on length, we chopped it.

Subsequent to much deliberation and heart-searching, yea, even taking a poll (by Arrow #3) we did it! 

Off more than half went! Snipped off in one afternoon. Two hours and we were out the door with new - old looks. New for her - super nice and easy to manage. Old for me - easy to handle and a welcome back change.

Growing Up

Another stage in Arrow #3's life. She is learning to care for her parents more. She decided that since I wasn't feeling so well, she would cook!

These were her attempts. I am grateful!

But I guess I ought to increase her repertoire of dishes.....!

Voila!

First a layer of white. The original walls were purplish. This meant that it took a while to get a good even layer of white.

Then masking tape had to be placed. Accurately.

After that, the chosen colour, in this case, pink, is painted on.

Finally when that is dried, the extra touch is put in.

A moustache on the bathroom door (reminds her of Dad she says). More difficult to apply are some swirls above the door adjoining our room. I have to help her with these. Some Scripture verses and important thoughts near the foot of the bed completes the final touch.

All in all, it is a good few days' project. Interacting, imparting, sharing, struggling, learning, understanding, observing, working alongside each other for a mutual goal. More than one goal achieved in the end.

In Quick Succession

It was all very short notice. First Arrow #1 came back from finishing his second year studies. Then he received an offer to complete his studies in the UK. Next thing you knew, he was at the airport and off!
Then Arrow #2 came back from being posted in Switzerland for his internship. He was home for 2 weeks. A good time indeed.
But the time flew by quick and he was off back to Singapore!
And now we are back to just one Arrow at home....

Memories....

There I was, standing in front of the mirror. I was preparing to go out for dinner. I had my entire outfit picked out, down to the accessories. Hubby of course was ready to go anytime!

Then problem arose - I could not find my clutch bags - the black one, which was with my white one, and which was together with my cream one.

That cream one. It's special. Because it’s from Mom.

As a little girl, I would watch her get ready for dinner and I would wait not-so-patiently for the moment when she brought this special bag out. How I loved this bag. It came along with wisps of perfume caressing the nostrils, with makeup and special softness which enhanced a glow on Mom's face for the evening. I would wait for that chance when she would pass me the bag to "take care for her". Then I would gently, almost revererently, finger the beads, caress the workmanship, and admire the entire craftsmanship. Those were special moments.

It was a truly special moment when on one visit home my Mom handed this symbol-of-many-delightful-memories to me and told me it was mine. It's faded. A number of beads are missing. The faded cloth is showing in parts. But it was mine. As was all the memories. I am so, so thankful, even to today.

Yes, I found my bags, all three of them.

But the other two will never be as special as this one….

Thanks Mom

Dance!

There's something liberating with dance. The wide swing of the arms, the graceful arcing of one's lower limbs, the tilt of the head, the angle of one's body, synchronized with others.... Visual delight but such freedom by the dancer.

Which is why when Arrow #3 wanted to dance in this event, we were all for it.
The 10th Anniversary of the church.

Time Flies

It's amazing how time flies. In a twinkling of an eye, Christmas is over. The New Year is fast approaching.
The entire year has gone by super fast.

I don't even have time to do a short writeup of thanksgiving Haha!

But am so glad that the whole family is back together. Here's a rare shot of us all.... together with my parents. It's been an incredibly full year. With much to thank God for......