My 3rd WEDDING RING

Five years and six months ago.

The intention was to model the wedding ring.  Here's one more, my left hand around J. Bond's neck.

This morning, J. Bond thought of having a spare wedding ring made.  He thinks that the original blessed rings must forever be kept safe. 

I thought I lost mine in Starbucks a few months after my wedding day. Unlike necklaces, I have a track record of losing rings.  Of course, I panicked and quickly had a 2nd ring made.    I now have 2 which  I rarely wear for fear of losing either once again. Apparently, my careless self left the original  on top of my work desk and re-discovered it on the day the 2nd ring was delivered.

Now, J. Bond is seriously thinking of having a 2nd ring made to serve as spare.  I want another one too, but not as spare. Rather, a ring that would  symbolize our 5 years of bliss, yet with a design that would  magnify our individual character.

J. Bond agrees. 

So here's what I "secretly" desire.

*Lol!
So me and really pretty. 
Yoohoo, J. Bond! 
Details found HERE.

Oh Brian! Oh Bryant!

first, this brIan.

Same time as Prince William and Kate Middleton's engagement brouhaha, another engagement happened along.  More discreet, but transpired amidst the alluring lights of fabulous Las Vegas.  Absolutely an awesome venue for an engagement which I think signifies the couple's endearing decision to GAMBLE on the "forever" life known as marital bliss-ter.  Just kidding! But to think that the sweet  YES came before the question popped, that folks is what I believe gambling is all about.  HaHa!

Back in college, Lilet was declared as the group's "goddess" because of her knack for beauty products and collection of colorful contact lenses.  The world did turn upside down on days she faced us with green or blue sparkling eyes.  A mirror was, and continues to be her bag's primary staple.  So when we both watched Devil's Advocate in the 90s, I just had to bluntly blurt out that this famous line was aimed at her ...

VANITY is my favorite sin.  Hahaha!  Sorry for bringing back the memories, Lilet.  On a serious note, Lilet was my spur-of-the-moment out-of-town buddy when we hit our "tumultuous" 20s.  We paddled our way towards beach resorts without any planning, most especially when heart concerns troubled us.  Our trip to Coral Reef in Cebu was by far our most memorable trip.  It was  there  where we both vowed to leave our "boy" woes behind and wished hard that they be drowned down under the deepest, darkest pit of the sea and be feasted upon by sharks. We haven't returned since then. I'm sure the lost-"boys" are still there. Buried. For life.

Today, the group is celebrating Lilet's engagement to Brian.  Despite the doubts and foolishness thrown her way by us, her so-called real friends, we are genuinely happy for her.  We have long since come to terms with Lilet's manicured eyes.  But I'm sure, the green or blue eyes sparkle a 100 times more these days. 

Hey Brian, are you sure??? There's still time ....

Best wishes to the both of you!

Lilet and I at Tagaytay Highlands, our last out-of-town trip together before she flew to California.

And then, this brYant.

I avoid posting personal comments on By Beaded Story's facebook page.  But when Dad2 recently mentioned about a Christmas shopping spree at Bryant Park with Mom, I could not help but post my wish-to-buy list on facebook.  All I want is another one of this ring anyway ...

Ayayay!  I wish I was shopping in Bryant Park right this moment.  Here are some shots taken 4th quarter of 2009.

Browsed around Bryant Park literally almost everyday.

Taken on the day after I arrived.  Haha!

The Angels of Dad2 and J. Bond.  Cheers!

Now back to reality,  see you at the Alabang Hills Village Bazaar tomorrow.  As I've said in this blog, this bazaar is the final leg for the  year :)  Then, I'm off to celebrate Christmas!

Philippine Tatler envelopes

I'm guilty.  I still use plastic bags when needed.  It does come in handy, most especially on rainy days.  Believe me when I say I try my best to do my share to help save Mother Earth.  I really do.  But today, I wanted and needed A LOT  of plastic bags.  So my collection of reusable bags were deliberately left home as I made my trip to South Supermarket (Alabang) after lunch.

But to my surprise, my groceries were packed in these brown paper bags instead.  The very first time I experienced such in Manila.  Wow!!!

In support of the conservation of Mother Earth, I was told that Wednesdays are non-plastic bag days.  A great enviromental move of South Supermarket regardless of the known fact that Filipino consumers are  much accustomed to using plastic bags.  Thus, I was given a choice between a big box or brown paper bag.  Of course, I chose the latter knowing that I may convert these later on into something else.   Here's more, the "angel" security guard who helped load my groceries into the trunk of my car shared information that  plastic bags will no longer be available in South Supermarket by January 2011 as mandated by the local government of Muntinlupa.  GREAT!!!

On my end, I am not totally plastic-free yet.  But I've been doing these little recycling efforts for Mother Earth...

These boxes made from recycled materials like pizza boxes, old directories are used as packaging for my Tala bead necklaces.  I have talked about these boxes HERE.  But lately, I've been cooking up something else since I'm so much in the mood to organize and declutter.

A collection of Philippine Tatler (plus Yes! and Preview) magazines torn page by page and converted into these envelopes ...

My paper preference goes to Philippine Tatler for its thickness. 

 How it looks inside ...

These envelopes will be used as packaging for my bead cloth necklaces instead of the usual pouch during the December 10-12, 2010 bazaar at Alabang Hills Village.  Each envelope looks slim, chic and may even be used as a gift packaging.  All that needs to be done is to tie a ribbon around it :)

A must mention ... next photo are two envelopes which show the home of Manny Pacquiao in Los Angeles taken from YES magazine :)

Addressed to my two friends/ex-office colleagues, AC and Grace, who are often seen in  Tatler, WELL...I have turned your feature(s) into "smaller" envelopes for rings.   Hahaha!!! 

To By Beaded Story patrons, the regular pouch still exists, but now sold at Php10/piece. 

Or perhaps, it's time that you also make a change for Mother Earth's sake :)

As seen thru a RED RING

I'm a confused nut.  When J. Bond hits the trail, my heart pumps wild!  Ergo, I pray HARD! 

But when J. Bond .....

and B=RAVE dude friend .....

..... hit the driving range, I face BOREDOM!  There you go, my "bold" statement on golf.  

Except for last Saturday's session, there was no backing off since I already needed to settle a looooooong overdue IOweU with B=RAVE Dude friend for the recycled packaging he has been supplying me with.  Plus to mention the fact that I needed to order more for the WOODROSE FAMILY BAZAAR I am gearing up for.  The latest boxes entail a separate blog since the look have absolutely progressed.   Beautiful is all I can say.  In fact, I've kept a lot some for my own personal use.  Click HERE to see its origins.

Back to golf. Obviously, I faced boredom.  But I was ready to watch, be involved and be entertained this time.  

Madam Imelda and the screaming RED ring.

Step 1:  Peep through the hole.  J. Bond gets ready for the shot.

Step 2:  Full shot.  See the difference. 

If not, see the "club" marker on the ground.

Step 3:  J. Bond hits the ball.  No idea where it landed???

Step 4:  The "goof" golf power pose!!!

Who am I kidding?  I'm bored!!!

Therapy Day

THE SIGN --  Coffee grounds splattered everywhere.  The brewer erupted this morning.  I (yes me) brewed coffee with no water!!!

The sign for a much needed break.  So I PAUSED the "fast" play button and headed straight to my therapy.

Here I am strolling slow along the aisle of my stress buster getaway.  Love this place. Just a kilometer away from my place.  No hustle and bustle...wide alleys lined up with goods from floor to ceiling...fresh-er  produce...exclusive finds.  The best part is the no worry parking :)

Went straight to the nuts section to check-out macadamia nuts.  Hola!  New stocks have arrived.  But WHOA!  A bag costs P1,200 ($22)!!!  Goodness.  I bought the exact same brand and size for $10 from my US trip last year.  Ugh!  Such a frustrating feeling.  The thing that you long for is right in front of you, yet by having it will just lead you to a whirlpool of guilt.  Husband decided on my behalf over the phone. 

Remember? I was there for a therapy.

Then, cans of my favorite CHEESE BALLS came to sight.  I was ecstatic.  The last can was gobbled by "pac-ME" 3 days ago.  I placed 2 cans in my cart ... and deliberated again! I adore Cheese balls and these are absolutely way cheaper than macadamia nuts.  But the beading stops when I eat cheese balls.  Not a good thing to do.  It is the eating that must stop and not the beading.  Ergo, I returned the cans and moved away.

Two finds, yet I still feel the same.  I was there for therapy and not to ponder on each find I see.

How about these next two? 

Two thoughts came to mind.  First, SQUEEZE the marshmallows.  I DID.  A split moment of relief.  Second, will this fit inside the Easter Eggs I bought for the Pharmacy?  A little party-hunt the team thought of to celebrate Easter.  Nah!  The mallow is bigger than the egg.  The bag almost made its way to my cart.

Wow!!!  The last time I had a Ring Pop was when I was still this small.  I wished in January that MMs were beads.  Today, I wish that  rings turn into Pops!  A new flavorful twist to something usual.  Love the idea of making normal AB-normal :)

Two hours of therapy and nothing.  By nothing, I mean fancy and colorful.  In other words, useless!

Perhaps this is just what I needed . . .  NOTHING! 

But don't worry, I brought home something . . .

February 12, 2010 PRECIOUS TREASURES 1

I kept my promise. Went on a quest for rings day after sabotaging a hundred peso bill yesterday.  But instead of finding rings, I found these . . .

PRECIOUS TREASURES fom LOLA

Lola's lockets

I remember the days when summer vacations were spent in her school.  She taught Literature and directed school plays.  I usually sat in her class and pretended that I was her student. 

When I got bored, she gave me hamburger stubs which I claimed from the school canteen. Those hamburgers were really good.  After, I would roam around the school, hang-out with co-teachers and chat with her students.  When there was nothing else to do and Lola was still in class, I swept the floor of the faculty room.  Lol! 

Moving forward . . .I met with a lady in her 50s a few years ago regarding her wood craft business. As I was about to introduce myself, she claimed that she knew me. She introduced herself as Lola's student and said I was that kid who roamed aimlessly in Lola's school.

Lola's pill box and Perfume cap

She introduced to me the world of Bayanihan.  Watched me in my swimming classes.  Sat beside me at the school gate while waiting for Driver Aunt to pick us up.

Lola's earrings and medallions

In the afternoons, she listened to her records played in a phonograph with her eyes closed.  This explains my love for songs of yesteryears. 

In the evenings, we spent watching TV shows together.  Lola on her favorite chair, while I on the floor.  I still practice this floor habit to this day, most especially when I bead. 

Lola's necklace

On Sundays, Lola cooked lovely dinners and served strawberry, raspberry or grape flavored jello for dessert.  My brother and I absolutely delighted our hearts and bellies on each jello bite.

Lola's pin and Stone pendant. 

The background image is a bookmark I had since grade school.

She was ahead of her times.  Ladies wore long, She wore it short. She spoke her mind when everyone else hid. Her heart was tough while others cried. 

A few of Lola's cross collection.

I miss her.  There are moments when I think of her.  I still see her school especially on days when I visit Quiapo.  

But when I want her near me, I find comfort. These precious treasures were handed down to me two years ago. . .

Lola's rings.  The ring on the left was her wedding ring.

The background images are from this novel

A book given by Lola to my Aunt.  This book now belongs to me.

Little Women was the last play Lola directed in school.

This is it for today.  There are a few more precious treasures from other folks that I was able to unearth.  Will share these with you very soon . . .

P.S.  I think everyday should be a quest day to divert my hands from sabotaging beads or hundered peso bills.

February 10, 2009 I am the lord of my Rings

Have you ever read this epic tale?  Or have you ever had the chance to watch its movie version?

thank you http://www.nerdfighters.ning.com/

I DID.

Lord of the Rings, in my own terms, is an epic tale which revolves around a ring.  With its beauty,  also came a mystical evil power.  Characters became obsessed and were  ruled by the ring.  

Well . . . I think this is how I become with my rings :)

I have been out on a quest for rings for 3 years now.  I have been collecting bunches of rings but rarely wear them.  The truth is, it is the color of these rings that made me start my collection.  Colors inspire me.

2008 Rings

2008 Rings

my Ring Bearer models my 2008 Rings

2009 Rings

2009 Rings

my 2009 wedding anniversary ring :)

Photo taken under a tree at Chapel on the Hill.

2010 Rings

2010 Rings

2010 Peacock Rings

my 2010 wedding anniversary ring :)

Photo taken on the same spot . . . under a tree at Chapel on the Hill.

There are still a lot of rings hidden somewhere in my storage boxes.  I definitely have to schedule a "quest" day to gather all these.

But unlike the characters in  Lord of the Rings, I am not ruled by my rings. 

I end up selling them :)