Category: The Other Half

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Families Are Important

We just came home from an awesome wedding in Moncton, New Brunswick and met up with PB’s extended family – they were a lovely bunch of people.  This year we decided to go because Grammie is no longer with us – and I wished we had gone up to Moncton with her – in another wedding last year.  Little did we know that she was so sick and would have left us so soon.  Seeing PB’s extended family makes me realized more how important it is to be there for the family and know the extended family.   I’ve always thought that we would be taking care of our in-laws when they grow old and need help with their daily care but we didn’t get a chance to do it for grammie – and even though it had been only 5 months since she left – I still cannot believe that she is really gone forever.  So from now on – we will have to take care of grampie and buy all the  home care products  he will need in the future for him.  I’m proud of Grampie because he is holding up so well – he is staying strong and busy.  For those who have a chance to get to spend time and get to know their extended family – don’t take them for granted.

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An Awesome Vacation

This vacation that we took to Moncton was a great bonding time for Chloe and us.  We wanted to make sure that the vacation was about her – and we did try to make most stuff about her.  Chloe had a great time swimming, playing games at Crystal Palace and going to Build-a Bear and build herself a new bear plus we bought lots of clothing for her from The Children’s Place in Moncton.  I’m glad that PB was doing his best to make our vacation a good one.  But I came back with a cold – darn!

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To Magnetic Hill Zoo

We headed to the Magnetic Hill Zoo after having breakfast at the hotel with the extended family.  But alas, we should have dress lightly – it was way too hot but we did managed to walk a good part of the zoo with Chloe.

Like any zoo – there were lots of animals – and chloe wasn’t too fascinated by them to be honest.

Some goats for petting but Chloe didn’t wanna pet them.

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Specially Designed

We specially designed a t-shirt for Chloe a few weeks ago – just to see if it would catch the attention of the people on the street when she is out on a walk or in the park.  But what we really want to do is to make some  custom made shirts  for everyone at the store including myself but mine has to be pretty funny and catchy of course.   Thus far, Chloe loved her specially designed t-shirt – and everyone who she has met on the street commented on it – free publicity for the store of course.

I definitely want PB to get a few – and Gary to have a few too – and since it’s summer – pretty hot around here – just round collared t-shirts would be just fine for now.  For the fall – they probably have to wear those collared ones – but we’ll see how much they cost before deciding on the fall shirts.

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Sisters From Another Mother

We are all Asians but come from different countries but yet – we met in the same place far away from Asia – away from home.  How unique and how mysterious right?  how the universe works and how God has plans for each one of us.  I think it is no short of a miracle that we all met and we all get along so well – on one hand – it must be because we are all Asians and married to Canadians and long for home and a familiar sight.  Migrating is not as fun as people think – it gets really lonely if you don’t have a supportive spouse.  I’m very blessed and lucky – PB had thus far been great with me – he is my support 100%.

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Godma Lynn Is Back

Godma Lynn is back in town for a week – and we already had a BBQ at the lodge with her – and it was really fun for Chloe despite the fact that she didn’t wanna get out of the car because there were dogs at the lodge.  PB finally managed to carry her out of the car and get her into the lodge.   We really had fun yesterday at the lodge – lots of good food and good company and I had brought along my korean friend with me to the lodge and she was happy to meet everyone.

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Father’s Day Without Grammie

Today marks the first Father’s day without Grammie and many more to come.  Sad of course and we wanted to make sure that Grampie wasn’t alone on this day.  So we had a BBQ and the last time we had a BBQ at Grammie and Grampie’s, Grammie was still around and I believed it was last year’s Father’s day.  Sad.  But Grammie isn’t forgotten like Chloe said – she is always around in our heart and she is alive in Heaven according to Chloe – so sweet yet so sad.  I told PB that this summer I wanna create memories for Chloe – and not just concentrate on making money alone.  You cannot make all the money -but you definitely can make memories with Chloe.

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Investing In Our Business

So our new store sign is up and we are pretty happy with it.  After 13 years in business, we figured a new sign is appropriate and after all – we do need a real new sign that shows that we’ve been in business for this long and still going strong.  And like all business, it’s the smart thing to do else the government is going to think that you’ve made so much money and would tax you even more.  And like most  commercial insurance companies  that we’ve come to know, they too advised us to get small business insurance not only for liability purpose but also to use it for a tax write off and of course, like any small businesses like ours – we really need to look into insurance and even if we don’t think we need it – it’s good to explore and invest in our own business.  And yes, we are in this stage where we are pretty comfortable in investing into our own business.

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Business Is Good

When business is good (knock on wood)  and the inventory is plenty already, you kinda think of ways to spend your money back into  the business and we are this way too.  Besides having a new door in the front of the store, we are putting also a screen door at the back.  A new sign in the front of the store and now we are considering a new Retail POS System  as well.  I guess that’s the move one has to take to upgrade the store and keep it up to date and the demands of your customers.  And with a new POS system – I know for sure we can track our inventory better and it’s always a tax write off when it comes to tax time.  While others are complaining that business is no good, we count our blessings that we have good and loyal customers and everyday it seems like more people are knowing our business – so can’t complain.

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Dealing With Grammie’s Death 3 Months

It has been about 3 months since we buried Grammie – and Chloe is doing much better this month than she did the last 2.  This week when we were heading out to visit Grampie – she said to me – that she missed her Grammie – I replied I understand.  I haven’t written much about Grammie’s death because I myself am still trying to come in terms with it.  I still cannot believed that she is gone  and so fast – so unbelievable – she died so fast 2.5 weeks only.   Part of me is saying – WHAT THE HELL!  I don’t always see eye to eye with Grammie but having known and getting involved in her life so intimately for the last 10 years still leaves me feeling rather empty.

PB and Grampie seems to be handling it really well though – maybe it is just me – finding it hard as usual to let go – it’s probably just all in my head – and also there are just so much things that we haven’t spoken nor done together with her.  So much difference during our visits now without Grammie – she is definitely missed.  Now when we visit – we have to make sure we find something for everyone to eat – and we served ourselves – although I’ve only washed dishes once after Grammie died.  But yes, a lot of difference – especially for Chloe – so we all try to do stuff with her – when we visit – so she won’t feel lonely or start missing her Grammie again.