We never did get our flu shots till last year - but this year - we were all quite gung-ho about taking our flu-shots and of course Chloe had her flu-mist - that goes thru’ the nose. She was a wee bit frightened of it initially because she had almost forgotten about it - but after taking the flu mist - she decided it’s not that bad after all. Plus, she met her favorite doctor this visit - Dr Randall - who gave her a hand drawn sticker on a sticky note - like last year - boy! was she tickled. Then we had to get our flu shots - and she didn’t want to look at it - so she went out to play in the hallway where all the medicine carts were lined up in front of the doctor’s consultation room. The girls at the clinic was very nice and let her hope around it - and explained to her what were the medicine carts for and what were in them. We left the clinic after half an hour for we needed to make sure that we didn’t have a bad reaction to the flu shots. Thus far, we feel that the flu shot had been good for us - for we’ve noticed that we don’t get sick as often as we did the previous years. So for now - we will continue taking the flu shots every year. Flu shots are free in Canada.

It’s that time of the year again - I’m getting prepared for the holiday parties and also birthday parties not only for Chloe but for Chloe’s friends too. We have a few friends who were born at about the same time as Chloe - and every year I try my hardest to attend all of them. This year I have no excuse - since we have Gary to help out in the store. And you all know when you attend any holiday parties you want to look your best. So I’ve booked myself for a haircut and hair coloring, a facial and a pedicure - and then I’m also looking at getting some eyelash tinting done. But PB laughed at me - and said I should get some eyelash growth serum first before doing the tint - because my eyelashes are not as long as Chloe’s - so if I want my tinting to stand out - first to grow some more eyelashes. So yes! i’m seriously thinking of the eyelash growth serum - anything to look pretty right.

So PB bought me the Bamboo Capture from Wacom ! woohoo!!! i’m pretty pleased with it - although I haven’t had much time to play with it yet. So why do i need a bamboo capture since I’m not good with drawing - I hear you asking. Well, I can still work on the pictures for my webpages - and re-design templates of my own and when I get the chance I want to learn more about web designing. I have lots of interest in it and I think it’s a great way to make more money online.

I have been quite lucky of late and managed to find some really good antiques right here in our county. This musical box is so unique - I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it - it plays Edelweiss - a song i love very much too. These days - I spend a lot to time buying things for myself - instead of looking out for other people, I learned that I have to make myself happy first - before taking care of others. No matter what others think of you - for it’s not important - what’s most important is myself and my family. So yes! I’ve been spending some money on myself - but of course, I continue to buy things for my friends’ kids too - how can one not love kids right? they are just too cute. But please don’t buy anything for me and Chloe because we really are already very blessed.

While reading a book with Chloe today - about the mouse trying to find the perfect husband - I asked myself if there was ever a perfect partner with anyone? The mouse wanted a strong and brave - and someone who will keep her company always - pretty simple right? and shouldn’t all partnership be simple too. When you fall in love what were you looking for? I think many people fell in love for the wrong reasons - therefore, they never grew old together. I hear you asking about PB and I right about now?

Well, we’ve known each other for 6 yrs before I came to Canada - I don’t know what was PB looking for in a life-partner - but I think I knew exactly what I was. Being the older one - and having had several relationships before PB - I didn’t want to look for just anyone. When we were younger - of course, we looked for the ones who is the most handsome - and as we grew older - we don’t only want the good looking - but the one with a good job. Then we grew much older - and we figured - the good looks can go to hell - as long as he is rich - hahahah!!! now, now - don’t tell me - you didn’t think of that?

Ok then reality set in - and all you wanted was someone true, someone who would look beyond the superficial things, someone who is strong, brave and will be with you always. Now ain’t that mouse clever. One can learn a lot from children and their books eh.

Chloe had a appointment with the specialist last week - and she had all sorts of breathing test done for her - and then of course, she got to see the asthma doctor too. The whole process took about 2.5 hrs - for the asthma doctor took an hour to talk to us. Yup ! you heard me right ! while most doctors here can’t wait to get you out of their office - so that they can see another patient - this doctor was totally different - which took us by surprised. But a pleasant one ! Anyhow - Chloe was taken off her puffer - but she had to be monitored the next time she catch a cold or flu - to see if it was worst. We too hope she is not going to be dependent on the puffer - because PB is till today. I was quite worried when she first had to take the puffer - because Chloe was quite resistant towards it - but after she learned that it wasn’t bad or hard at all - she took it like a champ. But taking steroids is not good for anyone - so we are keeping our fingers crossed that she only had a lung infection the last time.

Taking a car ride out to Chloe’s grampie’s or anywhere in the country, we’ve noticed that there are quite a number of dead zones - where we cannot call out or receive calls. So whenever we need to leave the store and head out to the country - we sometimes worry about not being able to receive calls from the store. Paranoia I guess - but the store needs to know that they can reach us anytime - so we went out to our favorite store at the mall to get a cellular booster , that is said to be able to improve the signal on any vehicle. We did find one at the mall - and for $39 - I think it’s a good investment - so no more dead zones for us when we are in the car. That should make PB happy and the store happy as well - for I know PB don’t like to be in a dead zone at all.

So we were up in the city a few weeks ago - and had seen all these guitars for sale - and Chloe had asked for one as well - but she already has one - that her ex-babysitter’s father bought for her one year for Christmas. Once in a while she would strum on it and try to make music out of it - but refuses to go for lessons to learn how to play the guitar for real. So I told her that when she decides that she really wants to learn guitar or learn to play it for real - and not for the fun and strumming it and making noises - we will get her a proper guitar for the guitars that we saw on sale weren’t cheap at all. Like we all know that kids can’t really decide on what they really want for now - and unless she is learning how to play classical guitar - I doubt she can play the guitar without the nylon strings - the other type of strings are just too hard on the fingers even for me. I’m all for music lessons - but knowing the brat of mine - she would probably give up after a few lessons - so for now - we’ll just have to play by ear.

Feel liberated yet? if you haven’t - well - there is something not so right with you. You must have some self-esteem problems? since you can’t seems to feel happy for other people. Everyone has bragging rights and if you don’t like mine - that’s your problem.

Marrying PB is the best thing I’ve done in my entire life - well besides having Chloe and having a great 2 great Godmas for Chloe. Why? because he never expect me to behave in a certain way nor talk differently, in our many years together - since I’ve been to Canada and before, he has never asked me to change my behavior, nor the way I talk or the way I walk or the way I wear my clothes - not a thing. He accepts me for who I am - maybe we all should learn to accept our spouse and not try and change them - me included. So for those of you - who don’t like the way I talk - or act - I don’t need your approval - Blah!

So we invested in a little cottage by the lake in Pembrooke - and this is our little getaway during the weekends - we just loved going there with our little bass boat and while PB and Chloe do their water sport thing, I just lazed around the sun and get a tan. But because Pembrooke is out of town, our cell phone signal isn’t the strongest but have no fear for in Canada - they have cell booster antenna that you can get from your local store in the mall - not expensive at all - and with that you will never have to miss a call. Although we say we are going there to relax, you all know that we need to keep our cellphone ready and available because of the store, so yes! thank God for gadgets like the cell phone booster else I doubt PB would want to buy this little cottage out in Pembrooke. The cottage was cheap and it has lots of potential, come spring next year, we are putting up a sunscreen porch and inviting friends over for more BBQ. woohoo!

Someone very wise told me a month ago - that if I didn’t like something, change it. Life is too short - live life to your fullest - do things you love and don’t waste time over-analyzing and I took his advice. My life is here in Canada - there is no going back and there is no way - I’m going to take care of others before my own family. Once that was settled, I knew exactly what I had to do. And I also learned that everyone have their bragging rights and if you don’t like it - then I can choose not to listen and walk away - the same for those who don’t like to hear me.

Yes! I’m very blessed! I’ve got a good spouse and an awesome and funny daughter, I haven’t “really” worked since I came to Canada and I loved what i do online - and I’ve good advertisers who look out for me and my friends often. My health is getting better everyday and I’m spending time with Chloe and able to do things with her more than I did before. Plus, we have good business acumen and do not have to worry about our daily expenses. What more can I asked for right?

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.

Chloe is currently in Grade 2 and besides her school friends - we also make sure she has friend from other schools. And since she is taking up so many extra-curricular classes, it is inevitable to be asked out for play dates and vice versa. But my play dates usually involves the mommies as well - that way moms can get together and eat, chat and drink - and most importantly relax. Thank God for electric grills , because we can grill just about anything for everyone. So everyone brings whatever they want to feed their kids and just throw it onto the grills I have and it’s that easy. I make lots of ice lemon tea and lemonade for the kids - and for us mommies - I add in a bit of my special liquor - like the cranberry ones that I bought locally from Lunenburg. My play dates are always a hit - because we have the trampoline - the swings and those big inflated castles for the kids to bounce and slide.

Chloe just finished her summer day camp on Friday and we spent a little time together for the entire day on Friday - I asked her about summer camp if she had fun - and if she had gotten herself some good friends - in which she replied that she did have some good friends - but some kids were mean and nasty. And some only wanted candies from her - before they would let her play. So I thought about it - and tried to think what it was like when I was a kid and how I handled being friends with people back then.

Was I a popular kid when I was young ? I was - in fact - I’m like the red indian - when I grew older - I’m always at the center of attention - because I speak the loudest and played the hardest - I wanted to excel in everything and anything. I remembered one year in my secondary school days - I was the best speaker for the LDDs debate team. I headed the team - and I was the school editor for a school paper one year. But i also realized that after my secondary school I didn’t come ahead with too many “best friends” because I didn’t really cared too much about what other people thought about me - I like to do things the way I liked.

But of course, as I grew older and at 46 now - I also have no time for nonsense when it comes to friendship. It takes a long time for me to call you my friend - you have to earn it - and to me - no one is indispensable - friends come and go - but the true friends - you don’t need a lot. True friendship don’t need flattery words - a good friend is one who will tell you the truth and look out for you. So I told Chloe not to sweat the small stuff - good friends are those - you can lean on always - and yes - I want her to be good to her friends - be sympathetic, be kind and be gracious - but never be a doormat to anyone. And most importantly, one have to love oneself first before you can have true friends.

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.

Chloe will be going back into school in a few days - and that means the summer holiday is ending for her soon. Unfortunately, PB hasn’t planned anything at all the entire summer *sigh*. Why am I not surprised? I realised today there are 2 things I cannot depend on during summer - #1 - is for PB to plan for us a holiday or a good time and #2 - my plans for Chloe to bond with her grandparents during the summer - these 2 things never seems to work at all. Am I upset ? A little. Am I disappointed? Very! The cold weather will be setting in really soon - and to go anywhere - would just means you have to keep that sweater on - and sometimes be in the rain. So even if we do go to the city in September or October - I wouldn’t enjoy it as much as during the summer. And again this summer - no Clement’s park or the zoo *sigh*. Oh well! what can I do right? wait till i burst and go crazy I guess. Tis’ my life!

So Hurricane Irene is coming our way - everyone in the East Coast was warned and told to be prepared. We don’t know what is going to come this way - it’s a hit and miss around here but everyone is busy putting away their patio furniture and swing set - and anything that is left out in the yard. We are very lucky because we have a wooden swing set that is nailed deep down into the ground - and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. So each time we have high wind or bad weather - the only thing that doesn’t need moving around is the wooden swing set. We bring in the trampoline, the patio set, the cloth hangers and even the mosquito net comes right down. I hope we won’t get a lot of wind and rain - because it can get nasty - so are you prepared for Hurricane Irene?

So you found a Canadian boyfriend and he gave you the ring - and proposed - so you want to get married in Canada? or should you get married in your home country and then do it all over again in Canada? Or is it legal to get married in your home country and not bother when you come back to Canada - since you are thinking of moving to Canada with him some time right? Well, of course, if he decided to move to your home country - now that would be a different story and of course you wouldn’t be reading this right?

Well, whatever you decide - you will have to think of what you are going to do first - for immigration purpose. Getting married in your hometown - doesn’t automatically make you a Canadian resident or a Canadian citizen as far as I know - in fact - getting married away from Canada - may post a little more complicated than you think when trying to migrate to Canada. From my experience - I strongly suggest - you come to Canada first as a tourist - apply for a marriage license here - get married here and then do your immigration from here - while you have a tourist status. Usually, Canadian immigration will grant you a 6 months visitor pass - and that is enough to get your application going. But my experience is only my own - my 2 cents - so don’t hold it against me - if yours work out differently. Good luck!

Chloe wasn’t a happy camper when she first had to use the puffer - in fact, she was so scared - she covered her mouth - her nose - and make us count 1 to 10 for like a few times and still she wouldn’t use the puffer. She was crying so bad - that her dad got so mad with her - he threw the puffer away. Yes ! such JOY! I wasn’t too impressed with PB of course - but I didn’t say anything - because Chloe was hyperventilating by that time. Well, she did finally use the puffer that night and got better every day. In fact, she got so good at it - she put the puffer and the aerochamber together now and use it herself - without any help.

She’s an expert now - yes! children can get scared of strange things - but they are but children right? so if your child needs the puffer - please have a little bit of patience - don’t be like PB please - *slap forehead* you should have seen how scared chloe was when PB got mad. Adults gotta know that when we get angry - our children get really scared - some may not act that way - but deep inside they are - every child wants their parents approval. Didn’t you want your parent’s approval too when you were kids?