Munchies & A Lil' Bit Of Everything

All my kids joined the church choir as soon as they turned 13, this year my youngest who is in junior high also asked to join the choir and like her brother she wanted to play the  guitar and sing in the choir.   The spouse and I of course had no problem with it because we’ve always encouraged our kids to do what they think fits them well but my youngest also plays the piano and the organ, so I wanted to know why she wouldn’t play the piano or the organ for the church choir instead.  Her answer?  pretty simple – she thinks she would look so cool playing the guitar instead and she wants to improve her skills in playing the guitar.

My youngest don’t have a formal training with the guitar, she learned it from her oldest brother who currently is in college and in the city and other times I think she depended on the internet for other guitar techniques.  She learned to tune the guitar from the internet and all my kids buys most of their guitar picks and strings online too since we don’t have a music shop in town.   I’m pretty impressed when my kids play their musical instruments  together during family gatherings and weddings and when they were younger, we used to make them play for relatives and friends who visits from away. Friends and family members would be so impressed they always encouraged us to do more with their musical talent but unlike Asian parents, I tend to be pretty lax with music.  I’ve always felt that music should be enjoyed and not forced upon and I’m happy that all my kids loved music.

So coming back to the church choir and her guitar playing for the choir, I’ve been told that there were already several boys playing the guitar for the choir and that she was welcome to play the same instrument but they would prefer that she plays the back up organ instead.  Now how do you tell the kid that?  when she was pretty enthusiastic about playing the guitar?  Well, I had to do what every parents would do – the truth, so I talked to my 13 years old and she wasn’t happy at all – that’s for sure but encouraged her to bring her guitar for church camps and for sunday school and volunteer to play for the sunday school instead if she preferred.  So it was a happy ending for my 13 years old because tomorrow, she will be playing her guitar for the sunday school.

I’ve been in Canada for so long – this must be the mildest winter ever.  We didn’t have a lot of snow like other places around Nova Scotia and I’m not complaining at all.   In fact, I’m hoping that it will continue to be spring weather right up to it is ready to change to Spring weather now that would be perfect.  We did get freezing rain and slushy the other day but not bad, bad weather, if you know what I mean.

While my youngest wants some snow – so that she can go sledding with her friends and classmates – we hope not.  We hate to disappoint her but who wants them all stuck at home with no school due to bad weather right?

Sunday nights are game nights for the entire family, there will be no cleaning, no cooking and no laundry, just gaming night for the entire family – a chance for us to get together and do something together.   This had been going on for a year now and the reason why is because I decided that we all have got to be in the same room at least once a day doing the same thing and enjoying each others company – in another word – bonding.  It’s an attempt on my part to stay close together and since the spouse is very much into gaming when he is in town, I made the kids get into gaming so that they cannot complained that their dad don’t spend enough time with them.  Currently, their favorite is the call of duty modern warfare 3 xbox 360 game and even though it’s a mature game – my kids are aware that this is just a game and not to be acted upon in real life.

So what about the cleaning, laundry and cooking that day – well, my housework is done on a weekday and so is the laundry, as for the food – we order a pizza or some Chinese take out on the weekends since the kids eat in every day during weekdays.  So does the kids enjoy gaming on the xbox 360 with their dad, yes – very much and even though they mostly don’t win, they do enjoy gaming with their dad and that’s the best part of it.

Well, sometimes! because online friends can turn scary on you.  Can you have real friendship with your online friends?  I truly don’t think so – I think online friendships are pretty platonic as far as I am concern.  I had this online friend who would complain about just anyone who was doing better than she was and would try to sabotage them.  At first I trusted her opinion and even followed her blindly and dislike the people she dislike. Little did I know that the online friend had a secret agenda.  And of course, I had another online friend who seems quite an honest person but I was wrong, she kept writing to me asking me to loan her money.  Not that I don’t have any money to loan her and not that I cannot afford to lose the money but boy! the hounding for money every couple of weeks for a year can get quite scary.   So for those who have online friends, I strongly suggest you stay platonic as long as you can – you never know what the other person is thinking on the other end of the computer – for all you know that person may have horns and you can’t see it coz’ you are just online friends.

Yes! the party is finally over and it’s time to call our favorite carpet cleaning apex nc for a good clean up to start the new year.  I prefer to get the professionals to clean my carpet after a huge party because they do a really good job and they are affordable too, I find carpet cleaning on your own is too time consuming and you need to have the right weather to dry up your carpet if you don’t have the equipment to do it.  But with a professional carpet cleaning service they  have the huge heater to dry up your carpet after cleaning up – therefore, you won’t be left with wet carpet which in my mom’s opinion can get one sick if they are not dried properly.

I’m exhausted after hosting a christmas dinner with the family and then a new year’s party for the spouse and his friends – so I’m glad we have a carpet cleanign pro to come help us with the carpet cleaning else I won’t know where to begin with the cleaning.  Time to get back to the daily routine after the carpet cleaning and putting away all the party stuff.

2011 is almost coming to an end and I asked myself if I’ve made good for the year?  or did I make any new endings for 2011.   Well, the spouse made more money than he did last year and saving more too – better planning with money but I still feel that he is spending too much on games and toys that he doesn’t need at all.

I’m still trying to hold on to my past – and that’s not good at all – I really have to learn to let go and forgive myself but I dared to change this year and let go of some worthless friendship in my life.  I also learned to take care of my own first but I still got a long way to go – to try and take more care of myself.   I want to learn to enjoy my life a bit more and not think all the time of making money and paying bills and saving for rainy days.   Making new endings is my new year resolution for 2012 – what is yours?

Las Vegas is a great place for Christmas even with kids – as I typed my friend in Los Angeles is heading out there today bringing her kids and her nephew and nieces there.  The hotel they are staying in has pool gates and most holiday homes in Las Vegas also have pool fence  – so that parents need not worry about toddlers heading to the pool by themselves and dropping in them accidentally.  Therefore, pool fence las vegas must be a pretty busy company because they do the pool gates and fences for lots of family with children.

I would loved to head to Las Vegas with my kids too – although they are not toddlers – but we had no trouble bringing them there when they were younger because Las Vegas has become quite family oriented and not just about casinos.  So if you are thinking of visiting Vegas for a holiday – don’t worry about not having things your children can do because there are plenty and most holiday rentals have their pool fence up.  Plenty of shops too in Vegas – and plenty of eateries.

So you’ve just passed your online boating exam from BoaterExam.com, and you’re ready for your first boating adventure. The first item on your checklist is safety gear for you and the family. As you may have noticed during your search, all that prep material has taken a rather dry approach to safety equipment.

We’re here to tell you however, that it doesn’t have to be so drab. In fact, numerous options not only meet safety standards but also add a dash of style. Think Jacques Cousteau meets Jean Paul Gauthier… Well, sort of..

Life Jackets & Vests

Image Source: Inhabitat

The number one piece of safety equipment is a personal flotation device (PFD), also referred to as life jacket or life vest. A PFD has to be worn at all times on the boat, but it doesn’t have to be the fashion and comfort problem you’d expect it to be. In fact, today’s high-end PFDs are quite lightweight and flexible, and they come in wide range of style options such as the inflatable belt life jacket (pictured above) designed by Kathleen Westerhout and Dana Ramler. Discreet and sleek, it can even pass off as a regular accessory.

Dress Layered

Image Source: Jem Jigs

Safety always comes first and that means dressing appropriately. Now, that’s sometimes easier said than done. A warm day can suddenly feel quite cold out on the high seas. So the trick is to layer. You can arrive in shorts and a t-shirt, but have something more substantial available in your bag. Also, choose clothing that does not hold water, and have a spare outfit on hand.

Waterproof Bags

Image Source: Overboard

In order to keep those extra clothes dry, you’ll need a waterproof bag. Sport-oriented knapsacks and duffle bags are both good choices, and since you’ll be carrying these on your person to and from the boat, there is a style opportunity! Also, your main bag is a good option to hold most of the personal items you bring.

Waterproof Fanny Packs

Image Source: Coast International

For the small items, the waterproof fanny pack is very useful, and it’s an opportunity to add a splash of colour to your ensemble. You certainly don’t want to bring a purse or something similar on board, so the oft-ridiculed fanny pack is a great choice to store all those small items you want to have accessible.

Boat Shoes

Image Source: Shop my fun sales

Shoes are a crucial aspect of any stylish ensemble, but they are also a very important practical choice. Boat shoes are the most popular option, but many sneakers are often solid choices as well. They key is to choose a shoe that is non-slip and waterproof or at least water-resistant. It’s not a bad idea to have a second pair on hand, and don’t choose anything easily detached from your foot, such as flip-flops.

Hat & Sunglasses

Image Source: Zennioptical

Last but not least, don’t underestimate the value of a good hat and a strong pair of sunglasses. If you’ve never been, you might be surprised at just how bright it can get out on the open water. Without a good pair of sunglasses, you might just find it impossible to get comfortable. As for a hat, baseball caps are solid options, but why not try an extravagant sun hat which will give your face and shoulders more protection.

After all, it can mean the difference between a great day and a too long day that leaves you feeling drained.

So I learned that there is a re-franchise opportunity in town – after receiving a flyer at home about it.  Tempted as I might be – do I really want to fork out $60K from my own pocket and be tied down to a business – I asked myself?  If I was a lot younger – I’m sure I would love to take up the challenge.  Now if I was in United States – I can also look at credit card factoring for small business venture – for they do help young entrepreneurs with realizing their dreams.

I talked to the spouse about it – and he too think that when we are a little older after he has retired – it might be a good opportunity to look for a franchise like the meat shop.  Especially for someone who travels as much as he does – he doubt he can just sit home and do nothing.   Looking at the stimulus funding available – it’s very tempting, for one can get up to as much as $250K – now that would be nice.  A lot of money to think about – but I think if you had some money to back you up on a new venture – you will have more freedom to hire and expand your inventory quickly.  Something to seriously think about in a few years down the road.

Like I’ve mentioned earlier this year – I was doing a bit of traveling with the spouse – since the kids are all grown up and the in-laws were willing to keep an eye on them while we are gone.  So a few weeks ago, I went along with the spouse on a business trip – and most of his trips are either sales meeting or conventions.  And even though I do get to stay in the hotel for free, we still have to pay for my airfare and other expenses that I personally incurred.  Plus I also help him set up his Trade show booth if it was required in the event where the exhibition hall is very busy and we don’t have an assistant to help him out.  So for those who thinks that traveling with my spouse is all fun – hah! now you see I need to help out wherever and whenever I can.

Not only do I have to entertain his co-workers or clients with him – I sometimes need to stand in if someone got sick during an exhibition to look after the booth for them.  But having said all the above – I do enjoy it because I get to interact with some of the most intelligent people around and I get to mingle with adults.  So for those out there who have just been invited to travel with your spouse, be prepared to do some extra work – but I’m sure you won’t mind especially if you can visit a totally new place and explore a new country right?