An Intriguing Tale Of Being An Owner

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I walked passed the Chinese restaurant today and the garbage bin was full of garbage – and I bet there were lots of compost in the garbage bin because that’s what people do out of convenience.  The town had just invested thousands of dollars on getting poop bags for the people who has dogs and let their dogs poop around town without picking up the poop – so I say – to get some composters and have them around town as well.  Now that would be a great investment – I would certainly throw my compost in these composters just to go green and do the eco way.   I would truly love to see the town do something that make sense to me – and to me if they were to take our taxpayers’ money and invest in these compost bins – it would certainly make me happy because at least they are doing something right for once.

Inspired by a local reporter in this town – I’ve decided that I will also invest on a good beach cruiser with a basket like the one above and some suv bike racks – so that I can ride my bike to work everyday – and then when we pick the kid up from school I can ride home myself for some form of exercise.   On weekends this year, we shall all go to the beach and go biking and keep healthy.  Now the weather is too call but I think I might get some sort of deal if I shop now.

I really do love biking – and I’ve always wanted a cruiser bike but had been too el cheapo to buy a good one – so no more stinging on myself and giving out money this year but first to take care of myself.  I can’t wait to order my cruiser bike from Manser the bike person and of course, need to check out on those bike racks.

No ! we are not getting into the pawn license silly but we are watching the show religiously  not only because it’s fun to see what people sell and what they are worth but because we get to learn a thing or two from these guys on how they do business.  And from them we learned to tell people – ” it’s not because we don’t trust you – we just don’t trust anyone”  and that should be the way to go when it comes to doing business.  But unfortunately, the boss is sometimes too lenient – and still goes out of the way to help people.  As for me – I’ve learned my lesson and never to trust anyone.  2 regulars that I had trusted and told the boss too – didn’t come back and pay us – one was like 10 years ago and the other was like 2 yrs ago.  Yes! Losers!  so whenever I trust anyone – around this town – I always get slapped for trusting them – so I trust no one in this town no more.

It’s that time of the year again  – our oil man just came with his big tanker and industrial rubber hose to fill up our oil tank – before the cold hits us bad.   I like to be prepared because we’ve had a number of very cold days already, in fact this year to save cost on heat bill – we are planning to get 2 infrared portable heater for the store.  We’ve heard good thing about the heater and even though we love our oil man with his rubber hose – we love our money more.  Plus, who doesn’t love some savings right in this economy  – and no ferry coming our way next year.  But the kid loves to watch our oil man fill up the oil tank because he explains to her all about how everything works – from the hose he is using till how his tank works.

So a old restaurant from Tusket moved to town ! yipppeeeE!! more places for us to try out good food!  I’ve always like Marco’s and will definitely be visiting them more often than they were in Tusket.   They are no right in the middle of town but still close enough to venture there for lunch and dinner.

Now that we have Gary who is reliable to help us with the store – we can go for a cheap vacation anytime we want – and we’ve found some really great prices on vacation home we can rent for the long weekend if we plan to go somewhere warmer.  I love that we now can look for vacation rentals by owner because they are definitely a great place to stay when you are traveling with kids and older folks like your in-laws.

Sometime soon – we are heading back to Asia for a visit – and guess what we are going to do with our home – we are also going to rent out our home – to vacationers – like ourselves while we are away – for 3 months long.  What better way than to make money with our home – while we travel Asia – that certainly will cut our cost down when we are on vacation – that way we don’t have to worry about extra accommodation cost.  It’s like breaking even – smart eh!

A spectacular turnout for the downtown Halloween Parade – a lot more than we had expected and some of the entries were pretty good too.  Younger children were mostly the ones in this parade and some adults and not forgetting their dogs.   Great to see the event turned out well – and it was not too, too cold that night.

The other day – a customer came in to sell his ipod – at the same time – he also said to the boss – that he was in his last year of his computer course and is going to be just like him.  I’m guessing he means as successful ? and own his own business?  or making lots of money repairing them and selling them?  Every now and then – far to often in my opinion – we have people coming in to say stuff like that.  Little do they know that running a successful business is not as easy as they think.  Many of these people don’t have no clue as to where to begin to do anything – because learning stuff from books – with no practical experience is like a nurse doing her internship.

If only it was so easy – but like everything in the many years in business – we just nod and wish them good luck.  4 years ago – a disgruntled ex-employer – whose boyfriend also went into a computer course – and of course – he said he was going to put us out of business after he finished his course.  But guess what?  we are still in business – muahahhaha!!

These shopping bags were sent by the supplier for Magic the Gathering – I loved it – because it would give those who are fans of Magic the Gathering something to carry their Magic cards in.  I don’t think the supplier sends it to all stores – only for those who are on core level – so there are some good to being a Core level store for Magic The Gathering.  For those who wants one of these bags – don’t forget to come buy some Magic cards.

The local Y was renovated and it had a re- grand opening last week – on the weekend, unfortunately, we were not in town but it doesn’t mean that we would have gone either.  Usually events like this are for the town councilors and MPs  – so the boss and I rarely attend these things as he is not always into small chats.  He cannot be bothered usually and just wants to go back to the store to make money and work hard.  Lucky for me – he is not a man of many words but a man who does work – muahahah!!

So around our building we try to plant flowers and plants to beautify the store – but we don’t seems to be getting the right fertilizer because the flowers just don’t grow the way we want them to.  A customer told us about a composter that she used to grow her vegetables as well as her garlic and stuff – one day she even brought me some.   I don’t know if I would be successful growing my own flower plot and garden at the back of the store or not – but I could definitely use a composter at home for the spouse’s father had always wanted me to grow raspberries and other things and I loved growing my own herbs and cucumbers and peas.  So this compost bins are pretty easy to use I heard – and we are definitely checking it out.  If we can make the earth a better place to live in and eat healthy – why not right?

свети георги

I used to travel a lot for work – and one of the best company I worked for was a foreign company in Spain.  Ours was a representative office in Asia – in charge of the Asia – Pacific region – and Australia – and with so much traveling done – not only by myself – but all the other people in our office – from Sales Managers to Engineers – a good  medical air evacuation plan was necessary for the entire staff – well except the office staff.   So when my ex-boss called this week and asked if I would like to join him in another office – he is now with an American firm – I asked him to send over the terms & contract.  I’m really tempted – because the terms were great – and I did see a medical air evacuation plan – so this company must be a good one.   But I know I can’t go – having a kid and a store – so I passed on another name for the position.  Maybe – in the future – I might get another good offer eh.

A few days ago – we thought that there was a good chance of us moving to another location – but after seeing the place for myself – and meeting the owner of the building – we decided not to – because really the retail space is enough but there is no basement for storage at all.  So instead of moving – we are going to spend some money on revamping our current store – to make it a little more conducive to work in and looking better.  This year marks our 12 years in business and definitely no easy feat – but I have to say that the boss did some great job with coming this far.  I look forward to seeing this place look nicer and most importantly securing our goods.

So we had the summer parade – as per every year – and like usual – the kid and I would get our chair out – and watch the Parade.  This picture was captured by the local paper – and we are in it – woohoo!  You can see tiny me and the kid – me in pink t-shirt and the kid the shape of her head – hahah!! cheap thrill for the day.

And of course – the MLA was also in the parade – I don’t know what he is dressed up as ?  at first I thought it was a pirate – then I decided that it’s not – but it’s some kind of costume alright?  George Washington?

Yes! that’s me when it comes to managing the store – so that the spouse will always take the lead in the business front – and i never go against him in front of customers.  But lately, I have been feeling like he is taking it for granted.  Why? because he cares nothing about how everyone else’s feel when there is customers and friends except himself and how he feels.  Sometimes I feel like smacking him or shouting back – but I’ve kept my cool thus far – because in business – you want to keep a united front right?  you don’t want others to see that you are fighting but this has to stop – if he doesn’t respect me – he can do it on his own.

So it’s like the 3rd week that the Farmer’s Market moved downtown and from what I saw today – I would say it’s a big success.  You see it was raining since morning and the downtown Farmer’s was still sold out of a few things by the time we were there.  So the person who said he won’t go downtown had to eat his own words – because guess what – he was campaigning for people to sign on his petition and the town councils said nope – we want it downtown and there it is downtown and more vibrant than I’ve ever seen.  But the Farmer’s Market in downtown – is very good looking right now – with showcases and all for their food – you’ve gotta love it.  If you haven’t been downtown to the Farmer’s Market – what are you waiting for?

So I finally broke down and bought a money tree for our store.  Technically, it should be the landlord of the store -giving it away to their tenants – to wish them more business – so that they can pay their rent.  I had told my landlord’s assistant – but of course, he didn’t do nothing at all for years now.  Oh well, I figured – he thinks he was going to lose out – by giving me a $9.99 money tree -  which actually isn’t because I had to give him a “ang pow” for it when he does present this to me on my Chinese New Year.  So anyhow, I bought the money tree – in hope it will continue to bring more money to the store and less luck for the landlord and the assistant.  Too bad for them lah!  we took all their money and luck.

Local sport store having a try out event with their New Balance Tech Rep – who will be in town with this all new 890 – said to be lightest in its class for the everyday runner.  I wonder if they are good for walking as well.  I read about the best post workout supplement and wished they too would bring that in for a try out event for the nephew – who is into body building but I guess that would be for the local gym to do.  Maybe, the local gym would do the same for the town people who are trying to get healthy this summer eh.   There are so many products out there and if they had this try out event – it would be great – because then we will know if they are good to buy – without making the owners pay a lot to get stuff in.  Good business sense too – and promotion you would think.  If only our supplier could do the same for us to – try out computers or games – now that would be awesome right?

Someone came in today at the store and offered to work for us for free – in exchange for a computer.  But first we needed to get him set up for a computer and then he would work for us for free.  MUAHAHAHAHA!!  yes! it was too funny.  First of all, we weren’t even think of hiring and if we did hire – we wouldn’t give someone a computer first and then he can come work it off – how stupid did he think we were?  Plus to work for us – we really have to trust you – before one can – so working for us free – isn’t really the proposal is it?  it would be crazy if we gave you a computer for free and then expect you to come to work.  NO WAY BUDDY!  young fellas are too funny eh.

While I used to work in the hotel and had to either stand a lot or walk around the hotel inspecting hotels a lot – I didn’t have to worry too much about my weight.  But lately, it is not the same for me – I know I am putting on weight and also my hips and my thighs are getting huge like an elephant.  I read the  oxyelite pro reviews that a customer at our store had shown me the other day and am dying to try it out but I’ve to check with my family doctor to make sure that they are no side effects since I do have high blood pressure and am a diabetic but other than that – I really want to lose my excess weight and try to look fit this summer.   Who likes to come into a store with a fat woman right?