When I was very little, my parents used to talk about the importance of a pension and annuity from the pension back home in Asia. Unlike in Asia, in the West, not every company provide their employee with such a plan, therefore, or should I say especially if you lived in the West, it’s important to know or place for your potential income in the future. My best friends who migrated to USA knows all about the tax sheltered annuity and different kind of annuity and seeing the recent event of another friend going through a divorce, I feel a need to be informed with regards to any potential income I can get when I’m too old to work. They say the earlier you plan, the better it is for both your spouse and your children, so my advise to all Asians who migrated to the West, please look out for yourself and your future as well, do not wait for something to happen in your marriage before scrambling to make ends meet.
A Man’s Thing
A customer at the store had recommended that we get the antimicrobial hand wheels for something that the PB was working on – so when I was out shopping, I thought I would stop in the hardware store and ask them if they had any for me to buy. But of course, I didn’t know what it was and how much it would cost nor where to look for it but I did try. Anyhow, I didn’t find it in the end but PB told me he knows where to get it and told me not to worry about it. I guess stuff like that is a man’s thing eh – so I’m not going to worry about it and let the boss get it and finish up what he was supposed to do months ago.
A 100 Acres Land
The father-in-law has a 100 acres of land and he wants to donate land to charity when he is no longer around – I think that is a very good idea don’t you? But I doubt the rest of the family is going to think the same way. But if that is his will, we have to make sure that it would be carried out. We had asked him if he meant all the 100 acres or just some of his land and his reply is always the same, so I guess he is sober and sane right? I like the idea even though some friends think that we are being too generous because some part of his land are lakeside land and I know he owns an island here too somewhere. But we don’t need the money nor do we have the time to take care of 100 acre of land, so why not do something good in this life right? I’m all for it.
Missing Good Crepes
When the local Farmer’s Market opened its door down on Water Street the first time more than a year ago – the food the impressed us most was the crepe. But it was Chef John with his chefwear and his professionalism with the making of the crepes that impressed us most. It was just too sad that he chose to retire only after a year and today as I stepped into the Farmer’s market, I cannot but helped feeling sad because I do missed his crepes and they were the best I’ve tasted thus far. He was generous in his ingredients and he took his time to make the crepes individually and enjoyed every moment of it. Someone else is in the spot that the creperie was in but I really missed the crepes so much and no one can make crepes as good as Chef John, he is an icon !
The HandyMan
I used to be the handy woman at home when I was back in Asia – because my brothers, sisters and mother depended on me a lot but ever since coming to Canada – I don’t have to do any handy woman stuff because PB does it all. Yes, he is quite handy I have to say, he does all the screwing, repairing and putting storage together or changing the car tires – he even has a leather seat repair kit to repair the leather sofa that we have in the living room at one time. Sometimes, I think I’m so spoilt here because I expect the spouse to do all the heavy lifting for me, I’m almost like the damsel in distress here – hahah! but I like that I don’t have to be the only one at home doing everything. And any woman out there will tell you they loved the handyman spouse – they are so macho to us.
Medication and I
I have no trouble taking medication as you all know – but meds are not cheap in Canada and I’m one of the luckier ones who have insurance that will take care of pretty much half of what I have to pay for in my daily meds. I take a lot of them from medication for diabetes, to high blood pressure and cholesterol as well. Recently, I had to take an anti-depressant because of my anxiety attacks – and that alone cost tons of money. So I’m really grateful to have gotten the insurance – else I would be like half of the town needing to buy their medication cheap online like on this website – http://www.shoppharmacycounter.com/t-Adipex-Medicine.aspx and I don’t blame them for doing that – especially if one of the antibiotics cost like $500 for a prescription. No! I’m so not kidding – a customer of mine had this problem with a sore and it was eating into his flesh – but because he wasn’t insured – he can’t afford to get the meds. It’s scarey especially since he is diabetic like myself. So for those who thinks that medication is free in Canada or that Education is free – it’s not entirely true. To a certain extend they are – but not all.
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.
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.
Camera For Vacations
We are currently making preparations to leave in a few days to Moncton for a wedding. I’m very excited because it’s PB’s cousin getting married and we are all invited for it. I know that traveling time and hotels will cost us a lot but I don’t really care about money right now but more about family.
I’ve many kind of cameras – some bought by myself and others by PB but what i would really like for this trip is to get a canon 7d , unfortunately, I have yet to be able to convince him – maybe the last day of our vacation eh? when they are tired and most vulnerable. If I get a Canon 7d – I would either donate the rest of my cameras away or resale them at the store – that’s why we have the store.
For The Love Of My Daughter
Everyone knows that Chloe is the love of my life and I would give anything to keep her safe and happy. Ever since Grammie passed away, I’ve been thinking alot about my own health as well as PB and a more secure future for Chloe in the event that something does happened to us. No one wants to be sick or get into an accident but if something does happen to me, I want PB to have time away from work to look after Chloe without stressing about money or what to do with the business. I looked into some term life insurance rates to see if I can up my insurance, because as it is – PB already spent too much time at the store and don’t have much time for Chloe but should something happen to me, I would want him to be with Chloe more than he is right now. Losing a loved one is very devastating and this is the one time, I don’t want Chloe to be on her own and the only way PB can have more time for her is to be able to have enough money to hire others to take care of the store.