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?

It had been raining a lot here - and for years, we’ve tried all sorts of umbrellas but they don’t work - because PB gets all upset - that the umbrella is just not strong enough for the wind and he claims that it gets blown away. So for years, we haven’t really bought any umbrella except for the few that we’ve had sparingly - that always end up somewhere - like the garbage in the basement. So the other day, I saw some very cheap rain coat from the dollar store and picked one up for her because I saw one of her school friend wearing it. Chloe liked it a lot and it did the trick to shield her away from the water - while walking into school from the car. As for PB - it was so cheap - he didn’t really protest - because to him - little rain is nothing - but he doesn’t know that it’s so irritating to be wet. Yes! he rather get wet than to wear a rain coat.

Snow Day means no school for Chloe - they canceled school as early as 6am this morning. No school doesn’t mean sleeping in for us - because Chloe wakes up as early - so no diff for us truth be told. And i love having her at the store with us - but very quickly she would find out that she would be bored too. By noon - she would be so bored - it would be the worst day in her life - as she would put it - hahahha!! a bit of drama queen would come out soon enough. Unlike in the city - there would be things for Chloe to do - or a library she can go to - or the discovery center - or museum - or even catch a good movie - but here - there is absolutely nothing for her to do - how sad eh. Oh well!

If any of you decides to move to Canada and migrate here permanently - like buying a house and all - there are some things you need to have for winter. Why? winter is wicked in most part in Canada and to survive winter - and make life less miserable for you - these are the two things you have to have. The garage door opener and a car starter for the winter. Why? because you don’t want to be stuck outside while you unload your groceries in the middle of winter and you don’t want to freeze in your car - while you wait for it to warm up or when you are shuffling. We learned this the hard way - and like i said - the garage door open and the car self starter to warm up the car - before you need to put your children into the car - to send them to school early in the morning. Trust me! you will thank me for this info - later.

Every year around this time - the weather is already horrid - but this year - we haven’t seen much snow - in fact there are days I just have my sweater on - and nothing else. So you can imagine how scary I am now - because Winter has just began - and we haven’t seen much of anything as of yet. Plus you and I know that weather doesn’t turn good till about May here. So if it ain’t starting yet - when is it going to end? I’m not complaining and even though today is really cold - it’s still better than getting a snow storm or a blizzard right? the water on the ground had turned to ice over night - but pretty calm still. So I’m keeping my fingers crossed and hope for the best.

We had some snow for this year - and there was enough left this morning - to let Chloe make a small snowman. She couldn’t wait to get into her snow pants and go out and play.

See her snowman? it’s small - but she did like it so much.

Christmas shopping is almost impossible for us - because we own our own business and have a kid - and we have very limited time - so we resort to doing our shopping online. Not only is it convenient - most places like when you buy apple bottom, one can get free shipping! awesome right. How are you making out with your Christmas shopping? like I said - PB always waits to the last minute - as for me - I shop smart - i buy all my friends and families online - that way they will get their presents on time every time. And no hassle with buying online because if it doesn’t fit or for any reason they are not suitable - most places return policy is not only good - they give you a label to ship back to them for free. Super awesome to shop online!

Brrrrr..!! it’s cold out there today! it’s not even the end of November yet and it already feels like the winter! Yes! every year - I don’t know how I survived such horrid weather - it’s so cold that even with the heat on in the entire store - my hands are still cold and I need a little heater below my desk.

And power or oil or even wood is just as expensive - to heat the house or the store - during the winter. Alot of folks cannot afford to heat the house to keep their children warm - and to feed them at the same time. Winter can be harsh and long here in Canada - sometimes we are snowed in for days - sometimes there is no power for days. So if you are thinking of migrating - make sure you can withstand the harsh weather here before you move away fromt he comforts of your home.

Good hotel rates and good weather = to a quick trip up to the city. Yes ! it was last minute decision - but we saw some good hotel rates for downtown halifax - and the weather was not too cold - so we packed and headed up to the city for 2 days and 1 night. Short notice - but I had to get up and get my sushi, sashimi and Asian groceries. Woohoo!!

It’s so cold for the last one week - we had to get oil put into the furnace and fired up the furnace today. Winter seems to be coming too soon this year - so i started reading more on glucosamine chondroitin msm - because I have mild arthritis. I think it is because after having Chloe - I never really did the 30 days confinement since I’m all alone in Canada. I had told PB about the confinement - and I had also told PB’s mother about the food that I needed to eat during the 30 days - but I guess they just don’t practice it. So whenever the weather start changing - cold like now - my bones hurt - not pain - but really sore. The price to pay eh - for migrating to such a cold place. If I could turn the clock back - I would want PB to go to Singapore and migrate there instead after all, my health is just as important as his career right?

Yes! we have to start preparing for winter already - even though officially - winter doesn’t start till December - but sometimes ours start as early as October. One year - when we weren’t expecting it - we had a snowstorm in late October - yes that suxs! big time! so now we are always ahead of time - and this year we are looking at getting the electric fireplace insert replacing our gas log. Why? it’s a lot cleaner that’s for sure - and also we hear it’s a lot cheaper to run the electric fireplace with the insert. I can’t wait to see how it works and see how much savings we are going to get from it - but i’ll be sure to let everyone know. Anyone out there using electric fireplace - you check it out too.

The fall brings lots of rain here and rain boots is a must for everyone - especially the kids. Lucky for me - Chloe loves wearing her rain boots - in fact if she could wear it everyday - she would. It was wet this morning from yesterday’s rain - but because today is photo day for school - she was really torn in between wearing a pretty shoe and her rain boots. As you can see - she chose her rain boots instead - the wind was also cold this morning - so she had her gloves on as well. I guess rain is better than snow - I’ll take the rain anytime - just no hurricane please.

Well, the fall is here - the weather is getting colder in this small little town and Chloe had been in school for almost 3 weeks now. She settled into school this year - a lot quicker than we expected. In fact, this year - we see more changes in my little princess - no more teddy at school and no more sippy cup and no more fussing about school.

While Chloe is settling into school - we all got sick last week - and with no help at the store - and Chloe’s grammie couldn’t take her on Saturdays - it was definitely hard on us - but as usual - we survived and feel a lot better now. I also took a bad fall at the store last week - while playing with Chloe - because I didn’t wanna leave her to play on her own for too long. So because of the fall - I couldn’t do very much - knees with rug burn and the entire hand from shoulder to wrist all bruised and unable to do much either - but we survived the week.

The store had been busy - and people are already shopping for Christmas - and us - we are making the most of our new routines and new school year but most importantly - we continue to focus on our health and and my fitness routine. Also, I’ve come to a new resolution and will think first for myself and Chloe before any other things - from this day on - I will strive to do one thing - and that is to bring Chloe and myself home to visit family and friends. Soon everyone - soon - I will be able to travel - on my own with Chloe and go home for a much needed break.

Every year we are hit by some kind of hurricane - and for the last few days - warnings had been going on non-stop warning on the radio. So everyone here is speculating if it will hit us. At the morning’s forecast from the Canadian Hurricane Center - it is said to be Cat 3 for Hurricane Earl and likely to affect Atlantic Canada this weekend and we are in Atlantic Canada - for those who do not know by now.

Am I worried? Nahhh!!! we are at the lower part of Atlantic Canada and even if we do get hit - the impact will probably be very little. We will lose the power and some trees will fall down and some rain will come - but I cannot foresee us being hit big time. We survived all sorts of weather here for the last 10 yrs - i think I will survive this one. But if you don’t see me online this weekend - you will know why eh.

While someone I know is not having much success with his job search, we had our tires changed to winter tire this afternoon. The tire shop was darn busy - there was no short of work there. Yes..! they were darn expensive.. close to $700 for the 4 winter tires after taxes.. but not much one can do.. especially if you don’t know what winter is gonna be like from year to year.

We had to change it .. because the all seasons one that we’ve just put new this year - was skidding so back during the last snowfall a few days ago, i was really afraid. Plus, we are heading to the city for my eye doctor’s appt in the New Year - more so must make sure the tires are somewhat good ones. So .. i feel safe tonite.. when we were on the road. Bring it on Winter..!!!

It was a chilly day today.. and it almost seems like winter is heading our way.. even though it is only September. Sometimes it seems like we don’t even get advance notice that winter is on it’s way! It is not like Old Man Winter passes out business cards! We were out in the mall getting some groceries.. and i was only wearing a light sweater. Many years ago.. you would see me wearing in layers .. of clothes.. but today.. the light sweater was alright .. and i didn’t feel a need for more. Things do change.. and even when i didn’t think i would get use to the cold.. well, guess what..?? i am getting used to it. But donch get me wrong.. because i still donch like the cold weather. But then and now.. yes.. things has changed.

I had PB’s tuxedo out for the hospital gala’s - a huge event here in our small town. As small business owners… and just about anyone living here, we feel that it is very important.. that we are involved in charitable work. But at the end of March.. yesterday ..we had snow on the ground.. !!!!!! *slap forehead* .. ! when is the warm coming..?? I promised myself to write this down.. so i know.. and wouldn’t hope too much for the sun.. and warm next year. The weather is crazy here.. one day warm.. and one day snow.. or raining. Suxs big time..!

I said many times.. and i’m saying it again — had i known that the weather here is so erratic .. i would never have come here at all. Yesterday we had freezing rain.. and today .. it was gusting winds.. up to 100km/hr .. and wind warnings. If you don’t know by now.. the cables for power and any kind of cables.. are all hanging up on poles .. like Singapore when we were in the 70s. Unlike Singapore’s government .. they didn’t advance at all.. and have them underground instead. So everytime, the weather turns bad.. i am fearful that we might lose heat and light. And no.. we do not have a wood furnace or a wood stove.. that i regret. If we are gonna continue living here.. i’m gonna have to consider putting one in .. which means.. another couple thousand of dollars… *sigh* ..!!! I HATE THE WEATHER HERE..!!! ok.. drama over.. move along now.

As you can see we ushered the new year with a white out here in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Everything and everywhere is on a standstill right now. As at 5.13pm.. we haven’t lost power yet. .and we are darn keeping our fingers .. and toes crossed.

We hear that it is gonna last for another day or two. Bummer…!!! Before Chloe was born.. we have had such weather before but i think that was in February. We really didn’t expect it to be this bad.. because every year we escaped it.. but i guess we can’t be that lucky every year eh. Visibility is zero right now.. and we have been stuck in the house since yesterday evening.. and crashing at Phil’s place.. or ppl dropping in last nite.. did not happen.. as you can imagine why.

PS : These pictures are taken right outside our house.