The day after Christmas, Chloe had her first dental appointment. She needed a little coaxing to get her onto the dental chair and to lean down. The hygienist was quite ok .. at first.. but then . .i think being too young.. she was at a lost too.. when Chloe started fussing.

i donch know why ppl are so quick to judge my kid.. when they’ve only seen her like 5minutes. The dentist insisted that Chloe will not cooperate enough.. to do the work without putting her to sleep. .or sedation. But it’s entirely up to us.. if we want her to put to sleep or not in the hospital. It does not sit well with PB and I.. but what can you do right..?? if she needs her filling.. she needs it.

Weddings are such joyous occasion and even though we say, it should never be stressful, who are we kidding..?? Never had i been to a wedding that the bride wasn’t stressed up.. and some even worst, didn’t want to get married because she wasn’t getting the right help or the spouse just wouldn’t lift a finger to help .. but that’s another story for another day.

Wedding Planning is all about delegation and getting the right helping hand and of course a comprehensive wedding planning site that has free interactive planning tools, expert advice, a local vendor guide and resources that are just a click away, does makes it alot easier for the bride and the groom. For anyone to say that there is no stress in planning his or her wedding.. well.. you and I know it is not true.. but with some good planning.. it can be a less stressful one.. and an almost enjoyable and memorable one.

This was taken on Christmas eve, before we even got our presents under the tree. This is what you see from customers/friends of the store. All belonging to the brat.. and not inclusive of her grandparents.. Aunt Helena’s.. nor her Godma’s .. or ours. So you can somewhat imagine.. how much gifts she had gotten this Christmas..

Yes..! we did pretty good this year… I’ll have to say.. with the Christmas presents .. and delivering it on time. We bought for everyone that we wanted to buy for.. and they were gifts that were thoughtful.. and not just bought randomly. Plus the best part had to be delivering them on Christmas eve.. and Chloe gotta visit everyone briefly… which was nice.. albeit very late at nite. But I know she had fun.. so that’s all that matters.

He has a very special place in my Chloe’s heart. Chloe even can recognize John and asked for her very special friend.. when she sees John without him. They are only a week apart in birthday.. and we certainly have come a long way .. with this sweet lil’ handsome and clever boy. His name is Dominic. We try and take a picture of both of the kids.. every year.. and i think the only year I missed out was when they were 2 years old. I’ll try and find some. Visit the brat’s blog to see the pictures in a few days.

For the last few days.. customers turned into friends had been dropping in .. in steady streams.. to drop presents for Chloe. Yes.. and for those who couldn’t make it for the birthday party.. they too, drop in with her gifts.

It is quite overwhelming for me.. to be honest.. to receive so much kindness from these ppl for they don’t really have to buy a present for Chloe . .but they did, so they touched my heart. Even Godma Lynn sent an overnite present .. thru’ courier for Chloe’s Christmas. Sometimes.. when one receives so much.. it is time to give back .. to society… and this we have to teach Chloe .. starting this year. The money she saved.. we are taking it out . .and explaining it to her.. that we are donating for a good cause… and will therefore start a new tradition for the brat.

Window all painted up by Keegan. No complains.. no nothing.. didn’t wanna take our money for buying the paint either.. but of course we insisted. Unlike some other ex-employees of ours.. who never would buy anything.. unless we gave them the money.. or specifically tell them .. to pick it up from a certain place, here we have a 17 yrs old.. who takes initiative to do whatever it takes to do the job right. We were in Halifax.. when she did up the window.. besides painting.. she put up all the lights.. and stars.. and other decor. Unlike last year.. we were so unable .. because of Ms Selfish. Business is way better this year.. than last.. and we have had not one problem.. from the present employees.

It is heartwarming to read that 2 students made their teacher’s wish come true. One of the kid is also someone we know.. who is a distant relative of PB by marriage. Kiersten Finlay is the lil’ gal that we know from Arcadia School. She and another friend took the effort to get ahold of hockey legend Ray Bourque to give a call to their teacher, Glenn Bourque who is a huge fan of Ray.

It sure warmed my heart to know that there are good kids around.. despite the fact that we see so many bad ones hanging around our store.. and trying their best to rip us off. It’s kids like Kiersten who make me hesitate to pack up.. and leave for Asia.

I grew up watching chinese movies where they teach their sons to get the woman pregnant, so the sons can do whatever they want. Tonite.. suddenly .. revelation came ..!! why..?? because PB was going to a buddy’s place to play his new game.. something to do with that Guitar Heroes.

Had it been a few years ago, before i had my lil’ brat.. i would have been really pissy. that PB was leaving me all alone at home, but for the 2nd time this month.. when PB left.. i didn’t feel a thing..! why..? because i have my daughter.. and not having my lil’ brat with me.. would disturb me really bad.. other than that.. things donch really upset me no more. You see what i mean.. about our scheming forefathers..?? muahahaha!!

One thing we are very thankful for .. with Chloe is ..even when she is sick, she is still pretty cheerful.. and in fact would turn around.. and comfort us. She would say things like.. “I feel better already . . Mom.. but there is only jelly in my nose…”. I think what she hates most is not being able to breathe properly when she sleeps.. other than that.. she is a real trooper.

Yup.. ! “ang moh” no “pantang” one..! Here i am reading the local paper - Vanguard.. and time and again.. am really amused that right at the last few pages.. where they have announcements.. they put stuff like a marriage announcement .. right next to a death anniversary..!

If hor.. in Asia..!! die lor.. ppl back home would say.. “choi, choi” .. lor..!! Ang Moh . .in a way is good lah.. when someone passes away.. got no frightening.. “tok tok chiang” one.. not scary at all. When i was a kid hor.. Wah lau..!! very scary to see funerals. Now.. everything very serene.. no worries.. no nightmares…!

You know.. when your baby is sick.. we all feel so guilty. Because of the kid’s suffering.. whether it is just a cold.. or a cough.. or anything… we as parents.. sure donch like seeing that.

I think I lucked in .. on PB .. who is very hands on.. with Chloe’s illness. He is the one who does all the medication .. and buying it.. or coaxing the brat .. to take her medication. Seriously, i think PB has come a long way.. with the brat. I think my in-laws are really proud of him. Well.. i am..!

Yes.. loads..!! PB did everything.. from decorating to cleaning.. to cooking to entertaining the guests for the brat’s party.. because i am having an ulcer in my tongue. So being in so much pain.. i really wasn’t up to anything. But he not only did all the above.. he cleaned up after the guests left.. and fed chloe.. and bath her. And wash dishes too..!! wah ..!! really put me to shame leh.. hahhahaha!! But yup.. loads of brownie points for the man..!

Mr Choo was very nice.. and came by to give chloe her birthday present… even though he can’t make it for tomorrow. But he thought that the brat was having her party today. Muahahahha!!

The funniest.. at about 2.50pm.. customer turned into friend.. Brian Lewis.. came into the store.. thinking that the brat’s party was today too. .and had taken the day off .. just because. Oh my..!!! that’s too bad..

PB quickly check to see if I had written the date wrongly.. muahhaha !! Luckily I didn’t.. Poor Brian..!!

Weekends are usually time where i catch up on all my blog hoping and reading .. and getting in touch with friends.. and replying to emails. But this weekend.. i know we are gonna be too busy for the regular stuff.. so everything will resume .. after Monday.. and next weekend.. is gonna keep us busy for last minute shopping for Christmas presents. So if i donch leave any comments.. it doesn’t mean i didn’t visit.. but prolly visited .. but had to run and do more stuff for the party. Have a good one everyone..!

Chloe was one happy kiddo today… coz’ Gary came to visit.. even though he already did .. yesterday.. but we weren’t in. So happy was Chloe.. to have someone to play with.. that she didn’t want to let Gary go. You know.. the brat has no whelm giving hugs to Gary.. but needed to be coaxed to give hugs to some others.

Double happiness for the brat.. since Santa came to visit too.. at the store.. and said.. he was coming again tomorrow. Gave her candies and all. .and she was thrilled.

We do have a Seaworld back home in Singapore.. and even as an adult.. and each time we do go there, it’s a totally awesome experience. But you all know that I’m not living in Asia anymore. .and since I am in Canada, the nearest of anything remotely so awesome has to be in Orlando Florida, Seaworld Adventure Park.

Yes, we do planned to go because if you are a parent, you want your child to experience the magic of not only Disney but those of the sea creatures. For many of us here in Canada, we do try to bring our kids to Disney at least once in his/her lifetime but for some kids, they are more blessed like one of our customer, Sherry, who brings her son to Florida for a few times now over the years. Sea World Tickets are the ones that she reserved every trip, for her kid loved the dolphins. Even though bitten by one accidentally, they are still going next year during the March break.

As parents, we all love our kids. There is only one person i know who doesn’t .. and it is a very sad thing.. to be associated with such a person. The love we have for our own kids, are just beyond words.

A few days ago, i was cooking and PB was playing with the brat.. so as to keep her occupied.. and let me cook in peace. PB had carried the brat on his shoulder .. and while they were giggling.. she hit her head onto the passageway to the bedroom. The bump was loud.. and we were so shocked.. because the brat played pretend dead.. and poor PB .. you can see he was panicking so bad..! Both PB and I .. panicked so bad.. we almost cried..! till we saw that she was ok.

Yes.. as parents .. we know we love our brat so much.. that we cannot think of anything that we would do to hurt her.. or any kids. So it is just beyond me.. how some parents we know.. personally, can ignore and totally not acknowledge their own blood. Men or women who refuses to be responsible for their kids.. they produce, shouldn’t even be given a chance to re-produce.

As parents, it can be a tough job. We lead by example. You will be surprised how much our kids pick after us.. and what we do ..or what they turn out to be.. is actually what we make them out to be. Have a habit of using vulgar words..?? well you can be sure.. that your kids will pick it right up. You think you very “garang” .. and “fighting cock” type..?? Well.. you know what..?? your kids are gonna grow up ..just like you .. trying to be “garang” too.. because all they are doing is learning from the best .. YOU..!!

If you are constantly shouting at your kids.. remember .. they will soon learn to shout back at you..! My MIL said.. the apple never falls far from the tree. So if you see a well-behaved kid.. most likely, her parents are this way too. So if you want tough/gangterish kids.. go right ahead.. and put your feet on the chair.. like a trishaw puller and swear like a whore.

Christmas decor at the mall.. but not in Yarmouth, this was taken in the city. .when we were up there a few weeks ago. I’ll have to disappoint all of you . .. and let you know that our malls ain’t that pretty. Bummer eh..??

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Yes.. .the drama queen in action..! she wasn’t mad or anything.. just wanted to show off .. her drama queen skill. This was taken in Digby.. a few weeks ago.. when we were heading up to the city. As you can see .. we bought food for her..but she did eat a small piece of ham here.. and that was it.

Once a month, I get to stay home with my brat.. for the whole day .. till PB comes home from work. Is it a day off..?? nah.. it’s that time of the month again.. so it’s best that i stay home.. so that i donch panic.. and get myself all stained with blood in front of the customer.. and PB have to rush home and get me extra pants. Sometimes i can leak more than once. Yup…! but the pros of course.. i get to be in a cozy house instead of a semi-warm store.. and my brat gets to eat well. And most importantly.. PB gets a break.. from the brat for the whole day.

I talked about my Christmas Tradition here. So this is what i bought .. to add on to our Christmas Tradition. This year… i wanted something pink.. because they remind me of someone..! and I’m always tickled pink.. when i read what she had to write. You’ve gotta wonder .. why people can be so full of themselves. Nope… i can tell you she is no “guru” …. but just a wannabe. An nope.. it’s not gonna happen either.. unless she has got the balls.. to write them out in English.

We can’t get lotus roots here in Yarmouth. But when I do.. i try my best to get some. Since the lotus roots donch last a long time, i can’t buy alot of it. I donch have dried oysters.. or dried scallops.. so i do what i do best.. and use what i can find. Lotus Root soup with red dates and wolfberries.. and stewing pork. Slow cook for 4 hrs.. and drink. For those who can get all the ingredients.. back home.. everytime you drink some soup.. count your blessings.. because i get to drink it maybe once every 6 months.

We try to hit Swiss Chalet at least once.. when we are up .. in Halifax. PB is big on Swiss Chalet.. and since he is so good.. and all driving me up there.. and letting me eat whatever i want.. i’ve gotta be nice too right..?? and let him eat something he likes. There there.. you see it folk.. a quarter chicken is what he always order.. and same here. Swiss Chalet is cheap.. but it’s not as good as they had it many years ago.. anymore… mixed vegies.. just some cauliflowers.. and broccoli that he hates.

We usually donch go for dessert when we do eat out, but since we were up in the city. .and the brat didn’t wanna eat alot, we decided to order the Swiss Alps Chocolate Layer Cake. A mountain of layered chocolate cake with genuine fudge icing, served with real whipped cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce. This was from Swiss Chalet.. .any Canadian city will have a Swiss Chalet.

Sorry, I took so long to show you all my Christmas tree this year. In fact, this year it was put up real early .. before 1st December. And you wouldn’t guess who did up my tree.. while I was in the store… hahahhaha!! i came home surprised one cold winter nite.. and the Christmas tree was up and going with lights and all. My almost 4 yrs old brat.. and her babysitter.. put the tree to surprise me.. And they did a pretty good job too. Wat you think..??

Many people collect movies.. and where would our business be, if they don’t. We own a video store in town, if you must know. However, having said that, I never watch a movie more than once, but the spouse, loves to watch them over and over again. And his logic was .. he might have missed something when he first watched it.. so he was watching again. So you can see why we do have a collection at home. All his movies.. and never mine. But I also know of some customers.. who have huge collection of movies.. and sometimes, they forget what they bought and what they haven’t.

For folks like them and the ardent movie fan, a Personal Video Database is the best softare that was ever invented. A program that is easy to use, and helps you keep track of your movie collection, plus helps your family pick out movies that you want to watch that evening. This program is like none other that is out in the market, tried and tested and boasted by real customers about how feasible it is to use.

Not only does this program have a easy to use interface, it is relatively easy to navigate because it is not cluttered like some others. Entering new movies are easy, all you need to do is to type out the movie title or its UPC code and you get a movie description and picture immediately. You can choose from the many databases, that All My Movies uses and information provided is correct and accurate. Importing your movies from a spreadsheet is easy as this program does support it and absolutely no stress whatsoever. Editing the details of many movies at one go using their mass plugin is a very using editing tool.

With all the above, they also provide great customer service and support. Expect questions to be answered and helpful suggestions ready for you. Easy to download, at just $34.95 and if you are currently using another competitor’s software and changing over, you get an additional 25% discount for the switch over. Great Christmas/birthday/graduation gift for just about anyone who loves their movies.

Alot of my friends and blogger friends .. knows that for every birthday.. my MIL makes the birthday cake. And this year .. it is of course no difference.. for PB. This is the birthday cake that my MIL made for PB .. without the recipe.. because i had her recipe.. muahahhaahha!! The “ang mohs” are great bakers .. i’ll have to say. You all know that my FIL makes the best chocolate and peanut fudge right..?? I wished i can send some to all of you to try. But i guess . .only Vien will be able to try it.. because she is the nearest to me..

Last weekend.. when we visited my in-laws.. PB was saying since Helena.. is not in town.. but somewhere in Mexico vacationing with Godma Lynn, he supposed the living room is gonna be cold. Usually Aunt Helena would built a fire when she knows that the brat is coming.

Well.. guess what..?? Last Sunday.. my FIL had 2 fires going .. 1 in the kitchen.. and 1 in the living room of Aunt Helena’s.. because he said.. we always head out to Helena’s as soon as we visit.. muahhahahaha!!! How thoughtful is that..?? i gotta snooze.. in Aunt Helena’s last Sunday.

If you know Canada.. you will understand.. the need to keep warm .. especially when you have a lil’ brat running around.. and of course you cannot ask of the brat to stay only in one room for hours.

We had bought a french door about a few weeks ago, our this year’s renovation plan.. to keep the heat in the family room.. so we donch have to pay exorbitant prices for heat. After buying the french door.. we couldn’t find a carpenter who was available. Now you would think being winter.. carpenters would be killing for some sort of jobs.. but nope.. not in this town.

Finally got a call this afternoon for one.. and he is going to help us fix up the french door tomorrow..! no more cold TVB nites.. anymore..!! woohoo..!!!

We brought back some mee pok and fish cake.. to make our own “kon low” noodles. The brat loves the noodles.. but refuses to eat the fish cake. If you donch know by now.. we donch have fish cakes nor mee pok here. So i was trying to stock up .. when i was in the city last week.. but the asian grocery store didn’t have alot to offer either.. ! what a bummer..!! The mee pok was great.. and i still have some left. So Barb.. this is what I brought back.

Changes will quickly be implemented for those adopting a child, whether in China or anywheres else in the world. After December 22, 2007, foreign-born persons adopted by a Canadian citizen before February 15, 1977 who wish to apply for citizenship must first obtain permanent resident status in Canada and then apply for citizenship. Quite troublesome, if you asked me.. this 2 step procedure for the parents.