Category: Useful Links 101

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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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Doing Good Unto Others

This year with the store doing so much better and with our health all good, we figured we should give back to society and do more charitable work.  We have given more time locally to do charitable work and also given out more stuff from the store whenever someone approached us.  Recently, we have given something expensive and donated money to a local cause that we felt was neglected by the government and we are raising funds for this group.   Many years ago, I’ve heard about a  car donation service  and what it does for people from different countries.  PB and I had discussed about doing a bigger donation at the end of this year – besides giving to Haiti as Haiti had been the town’s main priority for years.   Hopefully, we are able to give back more with the more we make but we want to do it as low key as possible, that way people won’t be jealous that we are making money enough to give away.  You never know how people think and I guess there are the odd people around – who would try to do you harm when all you want to do is to do good unto others.  So lesson learned, we want to continue donating but quietly.

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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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Keeping A Overly Active Kid Happy


So how do you keep an active kid happy when she is stuck indoors? Not very easy – I have to tell you – but it’s not impossible if you have a Tom Kuhn yoyo ! it’s an old time favorite of mine and I thought Chloe how to do a few tricks that I know with my yoyo – and she was at first quite frustrated but when she learned how to do it finally  – she was quite pleased with herself.  I used to spend hours every day learning tricks with my yo yo and then we would compete with the neighbor’s kid and watch what they can do with it.  Unfortunately, we didn’t have such a good yoyo – like Chloe has – we couldn’t afford it then, so Chloe is really lucky to be able to get whatever she wants – but she is on the move all the time and if a yoyo can keep her happy and occupied for a bit – i’m all for it.

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Entertaining Your Kid’s Friends

Chloe loved to have her friends over not only for playing but for eating as well.  She wants them to share their meal with them – and I guess it’s time to get another set of dining table for the kids when the come visit.   We went shopping at a furniture store in town and Chloe picked out a few rustic dining room tables  that she liked.  I liked this one best because they are the size for both kids and adults.   Made of cedar wood – they looked very nice at the other end of the dining room where the kids can have their food on their own while we continue to entertain their parents.  I think its perfect setting.  Of course, Chloe has other ideas since our basement is being renovated and all she wants is to move everything into the basement.

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Cigar For Everyone

Chloe’s cousin, May  just had a baby boy and chloe asked me where’s  the cigar for everyone?  because I had told her in our culture, we give cigars to everyone when we have a boy – as boys are a celebrated baby back home.  May’s baby is a beautiful baby – so maybe we should get her some fuente cigars  to pass around when we she comes home to visit everyone with her baby after she is rested and able to travel.  May lives in Toronto with her husband – and yes, she will be back this summer with her baby and we are looking forward to seeing her baby and her.   I bet some friends and family here would be delighted to get some cigars from the new daddy.

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For The Anime Fans

I guess we are not the only ones who are anime fans because a friend’s son and some of our store’s customers are asking for anime as well.  I know of someone who uses the vlc download  to watch their anime shows everyday and cannot do without it.   Currently, we are watching the Legend of Korra dubbed in English of course and loving it. I haven’t tried the VLC media player myself but I hear it’s more stable and the quality of the picture is supposed to be better, plus it supports Blu Ray version as well  – so I’m going to recommend this to my girlfriend’s son who is a diehard fan for anime.  Calling all anime fans out there – check it out and let me know eh.

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Flabby Arms

 I’ve been trying so hard to get my arms and legs toned up – get some muscles but no matter what I do – my flabby arms is still showing !  So I read some axis-ht reviews  to see if there is anything I can take – to help me with toning up my muscles and what are the side effects.   Afterall, one needs to know clearly before taking anything right?   I guess if a supplement can help with toning my flabby arms – I’m willing to try it.  I also do toning up with weights and push ups – so I’m really looking forward to a more toned up arms and legs.  Wish me luck now.

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Cool Welding Helmet For Brother-In-Law

If you’ve met my brother-in-law, Richard – you will find that he and PB are 2 totally different people.  While PB loves his games and computer – Richard loves his outdoors and being rugged.  We haven’t really bought anything good for Richard for the longest time because we never really know what he wants – for he does have everything and he doesn’t really need a lot except for outdoor stuff.  So when I saw this cool welding helmet from miller welders  and remembered how he likes to work on his trucks and 4 wheelers – I figured this would be a cool gift to get him for his birthday that is just round the corner.  I rather get him something he would like and would use than some useless thing – so PB and I would share in buying him this welding helmet and I know he would loved it.

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The Hospital Foundation

This year the local hospital celebrates its 100th year in operation and even though a lot of people complained about the wait time to see a doctor in the emergency unit and the lack of family doctor in this area, I was told that we have the best regional hospital in the county.  But having said all the above – I also know how hard it is not to be able to get medical attention immediately when you need it – like when you are having a migraine.  I know people think that migraine is not a big deal but I’m suffering from one as I am typing, so it’s not as easy as popping a pill but I’ve read about this migraine plastic surgery  that not only help relief your migraine but make you look prettier.   A simple procedure – that I’m going to talk to my family doctor about as soon as I can get in to see her – and see what she thinks about it.  And yes, the hospital foundation is raising money again for the hospital and had asked us to participate in the celebration.  But first of all, let me take care of this migraine – and then we can talk more about raising funds.