Every little girl needs a dollhouse don`t you think? I think so ! and when we saw one up in the city - that we feel that we can justify - we went back to MicMac Mall to get it for Chloe. She was a happy girl even though she was very sick but I guess I wanted to get it for Chloe because I didn’t have stuff like that when I was a kid and I sure envied my friends when they talked about their huge dollhouse. Deprived of a lot of stuff when I was a kid, I want to make sure that mine gets a reasonable amount of stuff but I wouldn’t go overboard on any toys for Chloe and what other people do with their kids is none of my business. To each their own - and more power to those who buys expensive toys for theirs, it is not for me to judge. But having said that Chloe’s grampie will be paying for Chloe’s dollhouse so I’m buying him some Padron cigars that he likes for being so generous.

This weekend is Grandparents’ Day - although some may argue that it’s a way commercial business make you buy more gifts and spend money - I think it is important to acknowledge Grandparents who played a very important part in your child’s life. After all, Grandparents are the next closest relative besides the parents right? and even though grandparents don’t look for gratitude - I think it’s important to show Grandparents how much we appreciate their help, love and gifts they pour onto your kids. While I had gotten my mom gifts at Shari’s Berries - for grandparents’ day - we are going to order some cheese and flowers. So for those who are not aware that Grandparents’ day is this weekend - you still have time to order your gifts now - it doesn’t need to be a whole bunch of gifts - just chocolates, cheese or flowers are very nice gestures to show you appreciate them.

So we all know that I’m the adventurous one - and PB - well - he is PB - he doesn’t change and you young gals out there who think that they can change their men - forget it! they never change - you just go with the flow if you want the relationship to work (lesson #1 to #100). Anyhow lets come back to me being the adventurous one (blowing my own trumpet again) - but when the best friends said that they wanted to go see the blue grass festival this summer - I was all for it. They were bringing their families in their motor home aka RV and I wanted to do it too - after all, how can one go wrong with so many friends on the road together right? But being the paranoid one - I also want PB to check out on the 5th wheel warranty for our trailer - since we don’t have an RV - we thought we should borrow the trailer from PB’s uncle - who goes camping all the time. But I wanted to make sure that we were covered on the road - you never know what might happen right? so yes - as soon as we find out more about our trailer’s warranty - I think we are all set to go. Very excited that we don’t need to actually drive the RV but bring our SUV and the trailer along - that’s way easier. Blue grass festival here we come!

Happy Easter everyone ! This is Chloe getting ready to go to church for the Easter hunt and then headed over to Grammie’s and Grampie’s for another hunt and then supper there. Every year’s Easter is much more enjoyable for Chloe now that she understand the hunting of the easter eggs - but this year - she knows that Easter Bunny wasn’t gonna bring her any toys but chocolates and candies because she admitted that she has got too much toys. The dress is from her Kai Mah Lina - from Singapore and this is the first time she is wearing it. Her grampie said she was all dressed up fancy today - hahah!!

Time has really flown - she is still our baby but yet look at her - she is all grown up - it seems only yesterday that she was still a toddler learning how to walk. She is as naughty as ever - and so whiny - she would win the contest for the Whiniest child hands down. But she is also adorable, cute and most times very funny - we count our blessings every day - and Easter today - also reminds us of all the blessings we’ve received indirectly because of Chloe. All we wished for Chloe is to be healthy, happy and honest.

PB’s dad had called me up on Chinese New Year’s day - to wish me “Gong Hei Fatt Choy” - so i explained to him that I was awaiting for his “ang pow” and told him that if he didn’t have a red packet - he can find something red and put money in it. So when Chloe came home from Grampie’s place that day - I received a Canadian “ang pow” - hahahah!! That was really nice of him - even though his “ang pow” looked funny - hahahah!! but it’s the thought behind it eh.

Poor Chloe so bored on a Sunday and wanting to visit her grandparents but can’t because her grammie went for a holiday with her dancing friends. Last week, she couldn’t go because Grammie went for a movie and had a some kind of a benefit. Yes! grammie is very busy! Chloe said to me - but grammie is busy in the summer - and now it’s the winter - when will she not be busy? The only reason why I send Chloe to her grandparents is because she loves spending time with them - she bakes and plays and reads with them - and also do craft work. Of course, during the winter - she can go sledding - and she was so looking forward to it - this winter. Poor Chloe! So bored! I told her if we go back to Singapore - at least Kai Mah will spend Sundays with her - hahahhaha!!

So I saw a psychologist about my anxiety attacks - which I haven’t had for a long time now - but my family doctor figures I should talk to someone - and maybe - they can teach me methods to control my anxiety attacks - besides the medication I am taking. For those who are wondering - I had asked for treatment and medication on my own - because I pride myself as being able to identify a problem and try to nip its bud from the beginning. I didn’t want my anxiety attacks to affect chloe mostly because I had it bad the last time I experienced it.

Anyhow, at the back of my mind - I know exactly what the problem is - and all these years - I’ve been pushing it at the back of my mind. I’m able to identify the problem and I cannot ask PB to change for me - because I have in the past - so this time I’m going to change for myself and learn to take even greater care of myself first. I shall strive to have the “tidak apa” attitude from now on - and only do things that will first take care of myself. You cannot hope for others to help you - you have to change - only you can change yourself - to help with your health situation. So there - I realized that - and hope it isn’t too late. And yes - I missed home and my friends back home - the familiarity - the food - so I will strive to go home soon for a long visit. Wait for me Singapore!

It’s March break now and Chloe has just left to visit her grammie on her own and to spend a day at Grammie’s. This is the first time she is going to Grammie’s on her own and before she left - she was not feeling good - as per usual but when she arrived at Grammie’s she didn’t even remembered that she wasn’t feeling good.. hahahahah!!! So it gives PB a chance to go do some stuff like look for cheap car insurance, which we had been putting off for the longest time.

How time flies eh..!! chloe is already 6 yrs old.. and going to her grammie’s on her own when once upon a time - she wouldn’t go there on her own nor anywhere else. It’s wonderful that she is spending time there .. not because we wanna pawn her off to her grandparents but moreso - we want to foster independence in her plus we know for sure - that she is safe at her grammie’s and aunt helena’s. Now we know for sure that summer is gonna to be fun for Chloe .. woohoo..!!!

Yesterday.. the local mall had a mega sale till midnite..!!! and we did get a wee bit excited too.. because we had thought they were gonna be like the ones in US. But darn sad man..!! the sale was the most pathetic sale i had ever come across.. and boy.. !!! was that announcement over the specials annoying..!!!! they didn’t even have any promotional products to give away.. plus.. they even short changed our bonus points, that we had to fix up the next day. Sad..!! if they can’t get their act together.. I’ll say not to have any MegaSale..!! so disappointing..!!

Remember the mini graduation Chloe had earlier this month in the “Ready, Set, Go” program..?? by Parents Place. Yes.. that’s the one. Well. .grammie and grampie did come for the graduation albeit late.. thus missing the graduation.. muahahhaha!!! I know grammie was mad with grampie. .muahahahah!!! But at least Grampie came out from the truck .. and played with the brat. She how amused she was.. yes.. she is an easily pleased kid.

This is the first time this summer.. that the brat is out on the beach with Grammie. Port Maitland Beach is very beautiful.. and not so crowded. I remembered the first time chloe was at the beach when she was like 2.5 yrs old.. and she refused to go on the sand at all. She has come a long way. Now she loves the sand. .but needed abit of coaxing from Grammie to go into the waters. I was never closed to my grandparents like Chloe is now and I want to make sure that my in laws are in her life.. because i know how much i had yearned for mine. That is why . .i always call my in laws up.. to let them know if the brat was sick or just about anything. My in laws prolly think i’m crazy by now.. but oh well.. that’s my way of wanting them in the brat’s life.

Playing with water.

Warming up to the idea of playing in the water after a few mins.

Awfully friendly .. and already making friends with the ppl on the beach.

So what is the art of a good marriage or union.. ?? we all know that in any relationship.. it is an uphill task. Having a wedding ceremony. .and a reception . .and for those from home.. a huge wedding dinner. .in the fanciest restaurant.. is just the beginning. .and not the end of all the hoo - haas with your life together.

I don’t professed to be an expert .. or a old timer.. but i think a good combination of having a spouse and the in-laws who don’t get all agitated or upset with little stuff.. may be the key to a good union. PB and the in-laws. .they don’t sweat the smart stuff.. on top of everything.. they don’t interfere. The man is not tied to his mother’s apron strings .. that is a plus too. Plus, he doesn’t get all worked up.. when i am.. so we are never in the same fight at the same time.

What is your deal with a good marriage/union..?? pray tell.

Having fun with Grammie is what the lil’ brat does best on Sundays. She would asked.. is it Sunday today..?? and when we say it is… her reply..?? “Are we going to Grammie’s house today..??” Yes.. she had been quite attached to Grammie since young.. but i also noticed a change recently.. and that is she is more willing to hug Grampie too.. and not just goodbye hugs.

For those of you .. who are not aware of this… my MIL came to stay with Chloe when i was hospitalized twice. During the emergency operation .. she came despite the fact that she had her garden to tend to .. and my FIL to help. For that i am eternally grateful.. because i wouldn’t trust Chloe with anyone else. And of course, to my FIL too.. for not getting upset that my MIL had to stay so long. I could not have asked for a better set of in-laws.

Grammie came to visit this week.. and got keegan to bring the brat to Toots for a treat.. while keegan wanted some drinks. Of course, given a choice.. the brat would just choose any kind of treat. .and she chose this one.. and of course given a choice.. she would wanna eat all. But nope.. we let her eat half of it only.

What happened to the other half..?? we had meant to give it to her later in the day.. when she is done her lunch.. but daddy used the printer machine without seeing what was on it.. and it fell on the floor.. so poor Chloe.. no more treats. Luckily by then.. she had forgotten all about it. Thank God..!! else you know what was gonna happened right..?

I was telling PB today.. that i have a very simple philosophy of life and it’s only one. Very simple.. very easy to remember.. and everything else pale in comparison. Can you guess what it is..?? Share with me.. what is your ultimate philosophy in life with me eh. For my one and only philosophy in my life is “nothing else is more important than my daughter”. As soon as we get home from work.. we take care of her first.. and nothing else matters. Groceries can wait.. eating for ourselves can also wait. First to take care of her needs and wants.. and the rest can come. So what is your most important philosophy in your life right now..?

First batch of strawberries from Grampie’s garden.. is for Chloe of course. Look at how big they are..!! awesome..!! Of course, Chloe is real happy.. and she was eating alot of it… and peas too. Grampie does grow the best peas in town. As for me.. i’m too heavy hearted to eat anything… or enjoy them. Tomorrow.. or rather in a few hours.. i’ll be going into the hospital for a major surgery. Of course, the doctors are going to do their best.. but you and I know.. there are risked. i wrote a letter to chloe on her blog.. just in case *touch wood*. But I’m gonna be really strong.. and i’m gonna be alright for this cutie pie.

I asked my father-in-law what he would like for Father’s Day.. and he said.. some ambition. Now donch we all wished for some ambition now. Anyone got some ambition to sell me.. to give to my father-in-law…?? Yes.. my father in law can be funny sometimes. I think he is a great guy.. and a great father to PB .. and a great grandfather.. to my brat. But what i admired most about my in-laws.. is they still called each other “hon” .. not something we see too often .. in the Asian community. Well.. not in my very chinese family anyways. What about your family..?? are they affectionate.. till now..?? or are they like old fashioned..??

My father in law came on MSN to chat with me last nite.. and told me.. that he had a treat for me. Guess what it is..?? Yes.. !! lobsters..! since it was the end of the season.. therefore he bought some.. at $5 a pound.. not bad considering the supermarket sells them for more.. and not so fresh as this. But I think my father in law bought those lobsters because of Godma Lynn who is in town..!! she loves lobsters too..! but it was really nice for my FIL to think of me.

PS : We didn’t get to visit my in-laws or Godma Lynn.. because the brat just wouldn’t cooperate.. and by the time we were ready to leave.. Godma Lynn was heading out to the lodge. Just too bad..!

Yes.. we were talking about corn.. because the ones we had bought .. wasn’t good at all. And PB had said.. that i always said .. that the corns were bitter.. and rolled his eyes. Then my MIL came to my rescue and said.. no, she had heard about me saying corns were sweet somtimes. In which I replied .. that they were corns from their garden.

In which my mother-in-law replied.. “that’s because of all the pig shit in the fields… Muahhahaha!! so yes.. they fed me shit.. !! all these years.. and din’t tell me.

Yes.. I got more baby bok choi today.. from my father-in-law. Pictures to follow .. but this time.. i brought the whole bucket home.. so that it would grow a little more.. before i chop them down.. and stir fry them with oyster sauce, garlic .. and some fried shallot. I can’t wait for more baby bok choi.. maybe once there is more.. i can fry them up. .and eat them with my in-laws.. so they can see how sweet the baby bok choi is. It really taste alot different from the ones.. we can get in Halifax. This is not scrawny.. but fat and juicy.