The New Kennel

First Beethoven was going to fly 2 days before us. Now, it appears he is going with us. So for him to fit onboard with us we need a kennel. This is a smooth ride man. It can be carried by two people. What? What you mean 2 people? Whose going to take care of Oliver then? Ooopps! I guess we’ll need 8 hands for this job or alot of prayer. Ok, so how are we doing it? We have luggage, oliver in a wheelchair, and beethoven. Smart move! We thrive on this adventure folks and we are ready. WE ARE???? Did I mention the top of the kennel can be removed for that convertible effect? Well, it can and we are also going to supe it up with a massive water bottle. Oh, the joys of being a dog. I’ll be singing “who let the dog out, wooff, wooffff”. Yeah, lots of woofs if we have problems. At least Beethoven will be smiling. He got all his shots, vaccinations and permits so wish us luck we have a bundle to do.

Th new Kennel

First Beethoven was going to fly 2 days before us. Now, it appears he is going with us. So for him to fit onboard with us we need a kennel. This is a smooth ride man. It can be carried by two people. What? What you mean 2 people? Whose going to take care of Oliver then? Ooopps! I guess we’ll need 8 hands for this job or alot of prayer. Ok, so how are we doing it? We have luggage, oliver in a wheelchair, and beethoven. Smart move! We thrive on this adventure folks and we are ready. WE ARE???? Did I mention the top of the kennel can be removed for that convertible effect? Well, it can and we are also going to supe it up with a massive water bottle. Oh, the joys of being a dog. I’ll be singing “who let the dog out, wooff, wooffff”. Yeah, lots of woofs if we have problems. At least Beethoven will be smiling. He got all his shots, vaccinations and permits so wish us luck we have a bundle to do.

The toes and tumeric – part II

In part one I spoke about the benefits of using tumeric to save your liver. But actually, I wanted to talk about O’s. toes, I just didn’t have the pictures to all to the story. So here we are.

For many years O. has been using the standing board to exercise and allign his spine. When he uses the board he wears specially fitted boots that were made for him almost 8 years ago. I think these boots have now served its purpose and its days are numbered cause the result is above. The boots have caused so much pain that both “big toes” have been damaged. This has not only caused pain for him but also a fever and I’m sure lots of headaches. It has taken 3 months for the toes to heal and as of August 13 it still hasn’t fallen off but through the grace of God we are praying that it won’t bring anymore distress to him. Please pray for him. It might seem small fry to some of you but this is a serious issue for him. I hope you understand. We all have ten toes and sometimes we tend to neglect them. So be careful where you put those “things” next time.

Catch our stories most days. And if you have missed an episode just head on down to our blog. All “breaking news” items are archived to the blog. So read it, rate it, comment on it. Its “garbaroli world”.

The Rubbish before the cleanup

Isn’t it remarkable how hangers always come into the thick of things. First, there was one and then all of a sudden there are millions – plastic, wooden, wired. They say you can gauge a peron’s style by the kind of hangers they hold in their closets. Well, not in my case. I just buy the cheapest there is and voila – put your clothes on and hang. I say, don’t pay attention to style cause I have none. At my age style takes a back seat to convenience. Maybe that’s why I like seven-eleven. Ah, what an asian thing! Yep, an African in Manila kind of thing. It took them two days to create this mess and another two days to wrap it up. Everything is done on the fly and they pack to accommodate. They’ll pack anything and around anything. Take that closs of hammock. Can you recognize it in the picture below? Wow, you can. Then you must have good eyes.

Anyway folks all is not lost. Lets hope they put it on the container safely. Ah, that means I’ll have to recreate that special atmosphere again.

The Last Dental check-up

Last Saturday was the last dental check-up for O. The verdict: all is well in cavity country. Oliver has been serviced, cherished, and loved by the same dentist (Dr. Navalus – that’s her on the right)for about 4 years now. A great professional, one with a nack for kids and providing service with a smile. O. has had the whole gambit of dental works and even the occasional tooth fairy has dropped by to give a helping hand. Why should O. get it? Well, for one, it keeps all germs out and any bad teeth will create bacteria and that doesn’t help with digestion either. But hey, who am I to speak – I’ve had 16 fillings done on me already (not Da Vinci vineers) but real mercury-looking fillings. Even though those things are a thing of the past, I don’t think those Da Vinci’s are the solution either. Dr. Navalus suggests that you take a look at those people who had their vineers done after 18 months and then you can see what they look like. Wanna try? Only if looks could kill.

Anyway, enough said, back to Oli’s story. It seems that all the dental work has really paid off (so kids, listen to mom and go to the dentist before you turn into dracula) I highly recommend Dr. Navalus if you are visiting Manila. No, she didn’t pay me for this plug. She is American licensed for all those concerned expats out there, great with kids, and has fingers that don’t hurt or tools that comfort the gums. What more does Oli need? Oh, and a caring heart. Oh, just one more thing. If you wanted to know what PVS was on Oli’s t-shirt, it means Persistant Vegitative State and …. On the front it says: PVS is a myth … and on the back it says: aren’t you awake. To order this cool t-shirt contact us and we will send you one

Anyway, some parting shots. An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Well, that’s what my mother used to say! Cheers. Come back tomorrow for another exciting story from the “garbaroli adventure” tales.

On the Move

This was the scene moments before the packers came in and tidied up the place. Or should I rather say made the place even more untidy. There was a hurry and a scurry but eventually we got all the items out into the living and dining room area so they could pack. The whole event took 3 days and they said they needed another day to do the master’s bedroom. Anyway, they can do that on the last day! It was definitely eventful with something like 10 guys dressed in uniform packing here and there to accomplish the mission. Everything from the gigantic cross to the couch and sofa were covered in Tiger Lane box ware. I call it that because that’s how they do it. Now the house is barren and bare.

Await the follow-on photos of how it looks in “boxes”

Day 3

We are expecting the arrival of queen B. later today and hopefully some good news. Weather has been choppy here with intermittent storm showers. O. and I are chilling out here in the nest. The best part of it all is that we are mellow yellow. Made a banana split for breakfast and a great cucumber concoction. I say one point for the health freaks out there.

B. has left the Beehive

The queen bee has left the hive to search for fertile soil. This is the latest report we were given by queen bee. She landed safely and is doing well. It seems that pollination season is not quite in yet but their could be rumors of favorable  days ahead. What am I talking about? Well, B. has decided to scope out the scene in our new destination and she has given good reviews so far. 

The next step would be to view some hives in the area and see if it would be suitable for this swarm. So well will get back to you as soon as something is on the horizon. Meanwhile, she is sorely missed at home where O. only woke up at 9:30 this morning. He usually wakes up at 6 am. However, he sprung into action as soon as he tasted G.’s great breakfast treat – strawberries and banana split.

Currently, we are waiting further instructions from queen bee before we can move on. So we are just going to hang tight and mellow with some honey. Cheers to all.

The Before Life

Just when you thought all was well on the eastern front, out comes the living from the dead. As reported in my previous blog, there was a storm that hit manila. It seemed people have found new ways of transporting themselves in rough terrain. It seems in this photo below that its better to occupy your coffin before you die and if you don’t die then use it as a boat. So order your special edition wooden coffin today and get a discount before you die.

Storms hit Manila

 

Breaking News: Storms hit Manila

This is the normal view from our apartment. You can see the Manila Golf Course and in the background is the skyline of Makati City. Beautiful during the day, magestic at night. But as winds from the east swept in Saturday night, the gorgeous views of this neighborhood changed into shades of grey. The last typhoon to hit us was a month or so ago and the devastation it brought cost peoples lives.

One can clearly see in the photo above that visibility was down to a minimum. The city was in darkness and in some locations there were power outages and reports of accidents. B. was out attending church at San Antonio. We were not expecting it but it came with a roaring thunder. I guess it was reported, in the media, that a tropical storm would come. We were just caught up in the packing and lost track of the “worldly” news.

The rain lashed at the windows like, uh well, like you know what. The droplets started to glaze on the glass like icing sugar and as we (O. and me) sipped “Re Live” we wondered whether this was for keeps and how long it would last. Its rainy season here so we could accept this. Ah, the thrill of sipping drinks we really can’t swallow but this is the same juice thats provided to a shelter that O. supported while we lived here. He even has a well (a real one, with sinking water tub on rope) named after him.

It gives sustagen to those kids who aren’t fed a meal a day and life to the future of those in need.

Oh gosh, what happened to that story about the storm. Mmmm …… it just passed and its time to move on. Heading for Taiwan. Watch out folks there in Taipei. Wear your yellow rain coats the next time you step on your Sanyang 50cc scooter (a plug for my buddy who works at Sanyang HQ)- man those things rock (Dio was my favorite back in the day – I crashed it on my first go).