2011|11|30

 I snuck this photo of Cory from outside the window at his work.  He's hard at it late this evening, like most nights of the week.  

He amazes me in many ways (I don't tell him enough), mostly with his confidence that everything is going to work out with this HUGE gamble we've taken on with the lumberyard.  I am so grateful to have him to calm me down on almost a daily basis and remind me that everything is going to be OK.  I shouldn't be so hard on him at times, he's doing a great job at everything and holding it all together for our family.  I'm thankful for all he does for us!

2011|11|18

Stephanie made this adorable Christmas window at work...love it!

2011|11|14

At work after school with Mom.

2011|10|30

For our last day in Montreal, Cory finished up at the Chalifour show and I strolled around Old Montreal with my Starbucks for the morning.  It was relaxing to walk around the city and be inspired by all that I saw.  Cory accomplished alot for the lumberyard on the trip and I know it was nice for him to get away.  I'm very thankful for having the opportunity to accompany him and looking forward to coming back next year.  We were very excited to get home and see the kiddos...miss them.

2011|10|29

Today we had a full day at the Chalifour show.  Made many contacts, decided on the point-of-sale system for the store and received lots of great help from suppliers on merchandising shelves.  So after we were all finished with business, it was time for some touring around.

We discovered the Notre-Dame Basilica Church just down the street, toured some shops, and enjoyed walking the cobblestone streets.  This area is a photographers dream (everyone told me I need to go to Quebec City next if I was impressed with Montreal).

We had a nice dinner together, just the two of us, which seems really special these days when we seldom get a date night.  I can't even remember the name of the restaurant, but it was quaint, trendy with great food & wine.  Our waiter treated us to a glass of Spanish sherry...it topped off a great evening!

2011|10|28

We jetted to Montreal for the lumberyard to attend the annual Chalifour Show.  My parents were so sweet to look after our three kiddos while we were away.  We had an amazing trip!

We arrived, attended some meetings and then went sight seeing in Old Montreal.  We loved the feel of the city, maybe because we slowed down enough to enjoy it with being away from work, but there was just something we both loved about Montreal.  Around every corner was a wine & sushi bar, art everywhere, the architecture was gorgeous and we had no trouble talking to the french locals (I brought my Grade 8 French/English dictionary just incase).

This evening we stumbled upon Toque Restaurant for a late dinner.  Being tourists, we didn't realize we need a reservation...I think the maitre d' felt sorry for us anglophones and found us a table for two.  It was a delightful evening ended with a stroll back to our hotel.

What a month...August 2011

Wow...August was a blur!

Some major changes in our family's lives this month.  With the amalgamating of the two lumberyards, Cory working full time at the lumberyard, I working full time at the liquor store AND us both carrying on our other careers in the meantime, not to mention family life...there was alot of adjusting for the 5 of us in August.  Thank goodness for our nanny Kelsey who kept things going on the homefront as we sorted things out at work.  We went from a staff of 6 to a staff of 16 and had 5 people down in one week (3 quit and 2 sick/injured).  I definitely asked myself 'why are we doing this' several times and just kept thinking...it's going to get better.

I'm glad it's over, I'm glad we survived...we're so lucky to have each other and hopefully we'll look back one day and think fondly about our accomplishments.

2011|8|16

I'm at home to enjoy the kiddos for a week!  I have been missing them (and my old life) like crazy since we've taken over these local businesses 2 months ago.  Last week I came to the realization I was overwhelmed, so this break is definitely needed.
On a walk today with the kids, we stopped to admire this very full apple tree.

2011|8|1

This is probably the BIGGEST news of our year...we have amalgamated the two lumberyards in Oxbow under our ownership.  The new location for Oxbow Building Supplies will be here, the former Smith's  Lumber Yards location...just on the West side of town on the South side of Highway #18.  We are very proud and excited about this new business for our family.  Lots of hard work and sacrifice ahead, we look forward to serving the community in this new way.

 Today was the day we received keys for this location, we went for a tour of the new building.  Lots & lots of building/home products.  Cory will be stationed here and I will remain at the liquor store, just down the road.  This big change is overwhelming and exciting all at the same time...we are so thankful for the awesome support we've received from the former owners, family, friends and the community!

2011|7|15

Today we jetted off for the first time away from our new store for the weekend...we're heading to Saskatoon for Cory's Grandma's 80th birthday celebration and stayed overnight in a Regina hotel for the night.  

On the way out of town, we received the call letting us know we were approved for financing to purchase the assets of the other lumberyard in Oxbow.  We are proud to have completed this deal in a short amount of time, which we began working on just a few days before we took over the first lumberyard.  Excited to be able to amalgamate the two lumberyards into one in the new location (which means Starr Liquor & Wine can grow in it's own store).  Exciting times!!

It was so nice to see Cory SMILE tonight as he played with the kids at the hotel pool.  You could see he was less stressed with the news we received today.  So proud to have him by my side as we embark on yet another adventure in this small town...we couldn't do it without one another!

Before & After at the Store

The last few weeks at the new store have been a big undertaking.  We jumped right in and began with re-organization of the liquor inventory.  I was glad I took some before photos to show what a difference a bit of shelving and categorizing made...feel so much better to have a space for everything.

 We modified the layout of the storage room...instead of having to walk all the way around to the back room when a shipment arrives, we opened up the wall and allowed for a quicker traffic flow.  We even think we might open up the back room up for customers to shop in!!

Our New Venture

Today we began a new ADVENTURE!  

After living in Oxbow for three years we have grown to love this place, we know it's a place we'd like to raise our family and make our home.  We love it here!

A few months ago, a new venture came our way and we began the process of purchasing the local Lumberyard AND Liquor Store...that's right folks...lumber & liquor!!  We are proud to become the new owners of this store which has been around since 1954.  We are very excited about what's ahead for us and hope you'll stay tuned for the ride.

Here's a look at our first day!

My big statement in the front window explaining we're closed for two days.

Cory & Lian working in the office.

Amber & Walter inputting stock into the new point-of-sale system.

Renos on the first day...Alan priming the back stock room before shelving goes in.

Our three children on this memorable day...hoping to involve them in the business for years to come.

Proud new store owners...so excited about what is to come!