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When the neighborhood where we used to live became too much for us, we decided to sell our house and move somewhere else. It was not an easy decision since we grew up in that place, it was also the place where my parents spent their childhood. But the new neighbors brought a lot of issues with them that our peace of mind kept being threatened daily. We did everything to prevent us leaving that house we loved so much but it became a priority for us to keep our sanities intact so we left.

It took us quite a while before we were able to find a buyer. We pushed back on the idea, thought of getting a custom home builder to turn our old house into a sound-proof one. Just a day or two after talking about it, we were back to finding a buyer. When we finally found one, it took us less than a month to find a rental. We moved out of our old house and moved into the rental in a week’s time.

There are a number of concerned relatives who told us to find a new permanent home because we are wasting our money in rental payments. I refused to believe that. You know what we are paying for in this rental home we have been living in for the past few years? Peace of mind. Tranquility. Security. Accessibility.

It had been years that we tolerated the noise and nightly ruckus of our previous neighbors. We had enough of those, especially now that we have two kids, nephews, with us. The rental payments are nothing since it translated to our freedom! That is the best thing that our move brought us. We were free from all those issues that made our blood boil almost daily back then. We were wasting so much money going out whenever we could. We would frequent the malls. For those of us working nine to fives, we would stay as late as we could so as to avoid going home early. We would feel guilty leaving our Dad at home, taking care of the house and the dogs. It was such a mess back then! No amount of cajoling, demands, and everything in between worked with our neighbors. In the end, we surrendered and it was the best thing that we decided on and did.

The rental home we moved into? It was an old three-storey house located in a busy street. It is by a big road. Old floor boards, big windows, a tiny kitchen, and two rooms. Not enough space but the rent is reasonable and the neighbors are peaceful and quiet like us. It is so tranquil that most of the time we feel like just lounging and doing nothing. Netflix and reading with lots of eating in between are the best in this house! We can come and go as we like. We can even have deliveries at night without the need to walk past neighbors chitchatting at their doors and looking at us like we were gluttons for eating late at night.

Ah, freedom.

There really is no price for it. And rentals, it can be assets, too. Just like ours.

Being a plant mom is the “in” thing these days. Maybe in this part of the world but I have seen in Instagram that a lot of people in different parts of the world have become certified “plant parents”!

I believe it is the need for a healthier environment, one that you can easily control through the placement of plants that help clean the air inside the house. We have seen homeowners remove popcorn ceiling to make sure that they are not breathing fibers in the air which can eventually cause lung diseases.

But that is not enough anymore for most homeowners, most especially those with kids or sick family members at home. A cleaner air is much needed nowadays considering the amount of air pollution that we get when we go out, or even when we open our doors and windows. That is one of the reasons why many individuals are now buying plants to put inside their homes. That is also the very reason why I have become a ‘plant mom’.

So, what is a plant mom, anyway? It is a woman who owns a variety of plants and takes care of it personally. It is very similar to being a pet mom except the things you take care of don’t move or make sounds.

The first plant that was given to me was a snake plant. It is scientifically called Dracaena trifasciata which originated from West Africa. This type of plant is so easy to care for. You need a large pot, or a planter box like what we have at home. Very little sunlight and water needed for this plant. You just put it in a corner and let it be. After just a few weeks, you will notice small growths in between its leaves. You can easily replant those growths and it will start to breathe and grow on its own. No fuss plant. It is the best one I own.

Another plant that I am proud to call my baby is the spider plant or Chlorophytum comosum. I have them planted in plant boxes outside the windows of the house. It purifies the air inside the home while absorbing carbon monoxide and other bad elements in the air. It is also edible so it is safe for kids and pets.

There are a number of succulents and small plants that I also own, given by a friend. And a lot more given to my Dad before he passed away. One other reason why it is really cool to have plants at home? It is soothing to both the eyes and the soul.

Some individuals buy plants to show off that they have more than enough to shell out for pricey plants. I do not like those people. My reason for bringing plants, bought or given, inside our home is for the sole reason of purifying the air we breathe most especially for my nephews. But, hey, if you have the money to part with, then, why not flaunt it. It is your choice, anyway.

Rainy season in this part of the world comes around late June up to early October. There are rain showers even in months which are supposed to be sunny and clear skies. Being prepared for the rainy days is a priority in this part of the world, especially when your house is situated in low-lying areas which are prone to flooding.

The residential area where our house is located is not prone to flooding but every year we prepare a checklist of what we need to do and get repair or maintenance professionals for. Here are the parts of the house that we check annually to make sure it is in good shape and condition.

Roof – Clean off whatever trash that got stuck on the roof as those stuff will cause deterioration fast. Make sure there is nothing that holds water like a dent or a broken shingle. Water that gets stuck on the roof will make it rust and rot.

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Inspect the flashing just to make sure that it is still in good condition, solid, and not deteriorating already. Get the sealant ready should there is be need. Scrub and make sure it is clean. Also, make sure there are no loose shingles. Again, if there is a need, replace. The gutter is another very important part of the roof. Clean, secure any holes, if there is any, and make sure that the water is flowing freely down the pipes.

Windows – Dish soap with warm water is the best cleaning agent for windows. I have read that when I did a research on how best to clean windows. Not when the sunlight is at its peak, and do not use power hose when washing it.

Remember that windows control the temperature inside the house depending on how you use it. If there really is a need to, get windows winnipeg experts to check your windows. They might need to be replaced and you want the experts to install good and long-lasting windows for you.

Pipes and Drain – This is actually being done every quarter in our house. We make sure there are no leaks in the pipes and water flow freely. The drains we make sure are not clogged and there are no trash in it.

We remind each other at home to not throw away any greasy items in the drain. Also, to always pick up balls of hair that gets stuck in bathroom drains. We already use a drain guard but it is still best to pick up strands of hair that get stuck in it.

These are just the basic parts of the house that we check annually to make sure we are ready for the rainy season. We schedule an earlier check so that when the rains start falling earlier than expected, we will not panic whether the roof over our heads will hold or it will start leaking like crazy.