Finally asleep!!

GRR! Get that lion!!
I can eat you whole!

Such a tough little girl!

Playing in the snow!
Roxy's face...up close!
Chow isn't too happy with this "new puppy" deal!

Roxy trying to share...Fletcher wanted nothing to do with this!

Finally sleeping!
HI! Look at me! I'm so cute!
Baby bum!
Playing with Fletcher's toys!

I smell puppy bum!
What are you looking at?
RUN AWAY!

Trying to get along!
RUN RUN RUN!

I can smell your butt!

PANCAKES!

I am officially a foster mom! I picked up the little girl at noon today and she is such a sweetie! I didn’t want to leave and go back to work, but it’s too early in the game for me to call in sick, or request time off! Besides, I really do love what I’m doing and actually like going to work! Is this what it was suppose to feel like all along? How come no one told me?
Life is too short to not be happy, either in at your job or in your personal life. Daryl and I were talking about this the other day, and despite the continent that currently separates us, we’ve got it pretty good. It seems that so many of our friends are in a rough spot these days…is it something in the water? It’s hard to hear about the trials and tribulations that other’s are going through when you, yourself, are just so gosh darn-it happy! Everyone goes through the ups and downs, that’s normal. But please don’t kid yourself into thinking that everything will be hunky-dory, or that big hurts can be fixed with a simple band-aid. If someone that you love is hurting you (and I don’t mean physically, cause if that were the case I’d sick the Chow on their A*#!) But if this person that you love is causing you emotional pain, and you’ve told them and asked them to stop and they don’t, then just ask yourself if it is worth years of heartache for the “dream” of a “perfect” life. On the flip side, I will quote from a great Canadian song-writer, who hits that nail right on the head…

“nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight”

At this festive time of year, when we are surrounded by family and friends, take a moment to reflect on where you are, how fortunate we all are, and the number of people that love you. It’s pretty amazing what we take for granted on a daily basis.

These are all just TOO cute!

Wizards of Winter!

This is what I am striving for...someday, oh yes, it will be mine!!

Turn UP the volume and ENJOY!!


Wizards Of Winter - video powered by Metacafe

Poor chow...laying in the snow waiting for some love!!!

Chow in the snow...very sad boy, waiting for Santa!
This is Pancake...maybe I WILL get a puppy for Christmas! Isn't she a sweetie! The visitor that was in our back yard this morning!

STILL ALIVE!!

So it has been WAY too long, and I am so sorry for those out there who sent me e-mails and texts asking what the heck I was going on! It took my sister from Oz wondering if I was still alive...so here we go!
Yes, D am still alive, Daryl is alive, Fletcher is alive, and Christmas has puked on our house! I accepted the position in the engineering and development department with the City of the Loops and started work on the 27th of November. I was in Toronto for 5 days visiting with Daryl before I had to start work, and arrived in Vancouver on the 26th to 20cm of snow. The drive home to Kamloops, which normally takes 3 to 3.5 hours took me over 7! Fletcher, in the back seat, was thinking that we were heading to Mexico. Oh no, my dear chow, not to Mexico...to snowy HELL! I met some truckers in Merrit, the arm-pit of BC, and we formed a convoy taking the old highway 5 to the Loops. I've never been on that road before, but have heard that it is quite beautiful. Too bad I couldn't see ANYTHING!! We were driving in white-out conditions the whole way, and I was doing anything I could to follow the lights in front of me. We did make it home, but I was exhausted and vowed never to do anything like that again. But I had a new job to start the next morning! My supervisor wasn't in due to the snow...Gotta love 4x4!
Work has been great, everything is new and exciting, and I'm learning to be political and diplomatic and not to commit to anything when dealing with the public. I've never had a government position before, so this is all new! I have to learn not to talk so much!
Fletcher is very mad these days, as he has had me at home with him for almost 3 months. Now, I leave for work everyday, and he is home alone...poor Chow! He doesn't look at me when I leave, won't come to say goodbye...but goes freaky ballistic when I come home. So, I think he forgets that I was gone all day! Good thing they have short memories!
I decorated the outside of the house for Christmas over the weekend, as it was snowing again, but very mild. I hung the lights, with the neighbours watching me to make sure that I hadn't fallen off the ladder! I would wave to them every once in a while, just to let them know that I was ok. The house looks amazing! Last night I decorated the tree, and hung some decorations around the house, and will start on the mantle tonight. I love Christmas, but it really sucks being alone this time of the year.
Daryl comes home on the 21st for almost 2 weeks, so we are very excited! We are heading to Kelowna for Christmas Eve and Day, and then might head to Vancouver, weather permitting. I won't drive in the snow! As I am now a working girl, I have to be back for the 27th. I can't take vacation days just yet!
I've been keeping the house occupied with four legged friends too. I was puppy sitting last week and over the weekend for Kristen & Stephane, Zara came to spend some time with her auntie and cousin Fletcher! We had so much fun, and I think even Fletcher misses her! This weekend I might be a foster mom for a 5 week old baby that was found by animal control in the Loops, and can't be put in the SPCA cause she is too little. So, a public request went over the system here asking for a home for the weekend. Silly question! Of course I'll do it! She doesn't have a name, but I will call her Pancake!
Then on Sunday, Marci heads off to Mexico for a month, so STELLA will be back in the house, along with her sister, Delilah. Fletcher might not remember STELLA, as she was only a wee kitten the last time she was over. That will be interesting! I've got quite the menagerie going on! It keeps life interesting, that's for sure!
Well, I guess that's it for the updates for now. I'll add photos later, but at least you know we're alive and well!
Happy Holidays to everyone!

NO MORE DOMESTIC ENGINEER TRAINING!

So what a crazy 10 days it's been. As most everyone knows, I've been perfecting my chores as "domestic engineer" for over 2 months now, and quite frankly, I was getting a little bored with the whole situation. I've applied for positions all over the world, quite literally, as there was an posting for an amazing opportunity back in Russia...and have had more interviews than I can count. I was contacted by head hunters and recruitment agencies and had some positive leads on jobs. As it turns out, this was a test of patience, fortitude and serenity. On Friday I was issued a formal offer of employment with the City of the Loops, a position that I had submitted an application for the day after Daryl and I found ourselves unemployed. This couldn't have come at a better time, or under better circumstances. The job description sounds fantastic, the benefits and salary are extraordinary, and this secures our steps at a long and delightful future in the Loops. We know that Daryl will be back out west soon, once some debts are paid off, and life can continue, back to normal, well, as normal as we have lived thus far!
I wanted to thank everyone who sent thoughts, well-wishes and prayers...someone out there was looking out for us. I will be heading back to Hog-town early this week to spend some time with Daryl before starting work with the City, probably on the 27th. Daryl will be home 3 weeks later, for 2 weeks, for the holidays, and we hope to make the rounds to see most of the family.
I'll attach photos from Hog-town...everyone, have a great weekend and enjoy the Grey Cup! Even though I'm living in BC, I still have to be an Alouettes fan! Maybe next year, if Daryl is still in Toronto, we'll go to the game!

Thank God!!
At least I know I am Canadian!

You are 100% Canuck!

You rock, you are an almighty Canadian through and through. You have proven your worthiness and have won the elite prize of living in a country as awesome as Canada. Yes I know other countries think they are better, but we let them have that cuz we know better than they do, eh?

How Canadian Are You?
Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

HOWDIE!

Thanks to Wanda & Stacy for totally freaking me out about how I talk! Maybe I read the questions too fast...maybe I've been talking to myself and the dog too much!

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The West Your accent is the lowest common denominator of American speech. Unless you're a SoCal surfer, no one thinks you have an accent. And really, you may not even be from the West at all, you could easily be from Florida or one of those big Southern cities like Dallas or Atlanta.
The Midland
Boston
North Central
The Inland North
Philadelphia
The South
The Northeast
What American accent do you have? Take More Quizzes

Check it out...

Enter 50° 0'38.20"N 110° 6'48.32"W in Google Earth. Way cooler than Cydonia Mensae on Mars!!

As super-duper, happy birthday to my sister, Helene, across the great ocean in a land way down-under. I hope you have (or had, cause it's already tomorrow) a fantastic day!

Missing you lots and we can't wait to see you again soon!

People over 30 should be dead

According to today's regulators and bureaucrats, those of us who were kids in the 40's, 50's, 60's, or even maybe the early 70's probably shouldn't have survived. Our baby cribs were covered with bright colored lead-based paint. We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets...and when we rode our bikes, we had no Helmets. (Not to mention the risks we took hitchhiking.) As children, we would ride in cars with no seatbelts or air bags.
Riding in the back of a pickup truck on a warm day was always a special treat.
We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle.

Horrors!

We ate cupcakes, bread and butter, and drank soda pop with sugar in it, but we were never overweight because we were always outside playing.
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle, and no one actually died from this.
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then rode down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes.
After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were backwhen the street lights came on.

No one was able to reach us all day. NO CELL PHONES!!!!! Unthinkable!

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo 64, X-Boxes, no video games at all, no 99 channels on cable, video tape movies, surround sound, personal cell phones,personal computers, or Internet chat rooms. We had friends! We went outside and found them.

We played dodge ball, and sometimes, the ball would really hurt.
We fell out of trees, got cut and broke bones and teeth, and there were no lawsuits from these accidents. They were accidents. No one was to blame but us. Remember accidents?

We had fights and punched each other and got black and blue and learned to get over it. We made up games with sticks and tennis balls and ate worms, and although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes, nor did the worms live inside us forever. We rode bikes or walked to a friend's home and knocked on the door, or rang the bell or just walked in and talked to them.

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Some students weren't as smart as others, so they failed a grade and were held back to repeat the same grade.

Horrors!

Tests were not adjusted for any reason.

Our actions were our own.

Consequences were expected.

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke a law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law. Imagine that!

This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers and problem solvers and inventors, ever. The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all.

People under 30 are WIMPS!

Hallowe'en At The Chapins! Daryl's favourite season is Hallowe'en, and since he is far from home, he felt the urge to decorate someone else's house. The victim...my sister and the family. There are bodies rising from the dead, bats that attack you at the front door, webs to entangle you...all for the sake of candy. What a great day!

Daryl's New Car!!

Lucky guy! He must look like such a stud out there in his shiny new Audi!

I am happy to report that after hours of intense detective work with an outstanding performance by Teresa we found the missing garbage can. I'm going to spray-paint it pink so that it doesn't wind up in the neighbours garage again!
A gorgeous, sunny weekend means walking in the back 40 with the chow while trying to avoid stepping in bear droppings!
I watched my first curling match yesterday as the Strauss Crown of Curling is being held at the Kamloops Curlign Club, with our neighbour Brian participating. I'm thinking that I might take some lessons and learn to curl...without wiping out on the ice and cracking my head open again!
Daryl was at my sister's place yesterday helping my nephews decorate for Hallowe'en. It is Daryl's favourite holiday, and I'm so glad that he has somewhere he can share his talents! I'll post some photos when Nadia sends me some. Daryl also has his new car, and is one happy camper!

MISSING!!

Someone stole my garbage can. Here in the Loops, we had to purchase or rent city approved garbage bins that are easier for the city to collect and empty. We did our duty, we are good tax-paying citizens, and low and behold, someone STOLE OUR GARBAGE CAN!

If anyone has seen a stray bin, please let me know, otherwise next week, I'm stealing the neighbours!

No wonder we love Australia!

Jasper? Is that YOU?

Upsidedown Chow

We don't know why he does this, but daily Fletcher strikes this pose. We call it "UPSIDEDOWN CHOW". Never a dull moment.

We had a busy weekend with a surprise last-minute visit from my parents. It was great to have the unexpected company as I was preparing for my first weekend alone in the house. I actually hand a bunch of plans with friends which were all postponed, but I've got nothing but time!
I have another avid reader of the blog. Daryl keeps hounding me to keep the updates and photos coming, as it is the only way he can see the house, garden, chow and me from Hog-town. So, with his constant persuasion, I hope to keep photos and writings regular.

I would like to introduce you all to Ferdinand, the hot pepper plant. Daryl planted these seeds in June, and low and behold, they all died in the garden when Fletcher decided to sit on them. So, round two were sewn indoors, in a pot, with lots of fertilizer. Unfortunately, Daryl had to leave when his youngin's were but wee blades, and we didn't know which were peppers and which were weeds. I am reluctant to pull any of the growths...I'll leave that task to Daryl. Chow sits on guard for thee. We've had a visit from our healthy black bear for the past few weeks and chow does not like that one bit!

Some photos of the chow...and how he is dealing with the "missing". We don't say Daryl's name...makes Chow sad :( Chow in the garden...just looking. He fell asleep on the grass, all curled up with leaves falling on him. It was so pathetic!
You would think this would be stinky! Between my shoes and Daryl's sandals...that is one happy chow!

I have ordered a land line, to help save the cell phone bill. I will be sending out the number via e-mail, but if I forget someone, please drop me a note and I'll be sure to send it on. Have a wonderful day!

Well, I'm back in the Loops. I had no idea that fall had set in so hard! It was freezing in the house when I came home! Thank God I know how to build a fire! Fletcher wouldn't eat his supper, or his breakfast this morning, I think he misses his dad...but he did eat a cookie, so maybe he's faking. With him, who knows!
I have a meeting at 3pm today with a prospective employer, so fingers crossed, I'll be busy soon.
The house is so quite, and big. I haven't been alone like this in so long...I miss Daryl :(

Today, I leave Toronto and head back to Vancouver, then up to the Loops. I'm so confused, my head is spinning, I don't know which way I'm going. Daryl is all set up in his new place, and the people are so nice, they promised that they would take good care of him, and I do believe them! He's got a rental car while he finds one to buy, somthing that he will probably just run to the ground, there are so many cheep cars out here we didn't know where to start! My only constraint was that he could not purchase a Ferrari!
I'm glad that Fletcher is waiting for me in Vancouver, because I just could not imagine going into an empty house. I guess the chow will have to put up with my snuggles as I try to stay warm at night! Poor dog!
Nadia has invited Daryl up to the new cottage for Thanksgiving, and I'm glad that he'll be with family, even though it is my crazy family! He'll be given lots of left-overs, which is great.
I have another call back with a prospective employer when I return to the Loops on Tuesday, so that will be good. I need to find something to keep me busy!
Thanks everyone for your notes and calls with all the support! It means so much to me, knowing that you understand what I'm feeling and going through. It has to be so much harder for Daryl, a new city, new place to live, new friends...at least I have the house, and the Chow.

Greetings from Hogtown

So much for being diligent with the updates! Daryl and I are in Toronto getting him settled with his new job. What? Yes, sad but true...he will be staying in the east while I return to the west this Thanksgiving weekend and back to the Loops...at least I will have the Chow. The position will be great for Daryl who needed a confidence booster after all that transpired with PCL, and the money was just too good to pass up. With our crazy lifestyle of the past few years, thebanks will be very pleased with this! We found a nice little furnished apartment in a house in a great Italian community, so hopefully the Nona will adopt and feed my poor pumpkin! I can't think about leaving and coming home to the big house, alone. Life isn't suppose to be like this. My heart is breaking a little more every day.
Hopefully, the job prospects will come through for me as well, so that my mind will be occupied with new adventures out west. We know that life in the future will happen in the Loops, and we just love our home too much to leave it, so we will rough through this next while and be stronger for it. Does it sound convincing? I'm trying hard!
While in Toronto it's been great visiting with my sister and nephews and I hope to catch up with some old friends too. At least I know Daryl will have family around as well, if he needs a home cooked meal every once in a while!

Life Does a 360...

What a week it has been. I apologize to everyone for not updating in a while, but life has thrown a curveball at us. Last Wednesday, PCL decided that Daryl and I "aren't a good fit" and we were both let go. Yes, on the same day. I was devastated. Daryl was really pissed. I thought about how we wouldn't be able to keep the house, the cars, the truck, that our life was just done. I didn't know what we were going to do. But we are surrounded with family and friends who have come out with guns-a-blazing to lend emotional and financial support. We can't thank you all enough for your kind words and advice in this very tough time.

Saturday saw the turning of a new leaf for me, as I turned 30. A surprise party at the house organized by Daryl and my parents was just what I needed to get my mind off "life" and see what an amazing support group I have all around. Another huge thank-you to everyone who came out and shared a laugh or two...or more!

Sunday was a day of rest and recovery as we had a picnic lunch on the beach down on the river. It was the first time my parents were on the boat, and I think that they really enjoyed themselves and saw how much we love having the boat.
I’ve had a few interviews and dropped my resume off with prospective employers, so everyone please keep your fingers crossed for us!

I promise to be more diligent with the updates, and keep everyone posted as to how we are all doing “in the Loops”

Chow...now known as

BLOG DOG!

Fletcher is so smart that he knows ducks need water! I am a proud mama!

Hi. I was roaming through cyber space and came across this really cool site...Still alot to see and do, but this is a pretty good start, considering I'm still NOT 30 YET!!!

Sheri & Mike

Let Sleeping Chows Lie...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARINE!

It's a day late for us, 2 for those down-under, and half an hour past the hour in Newfoundland, but I wanted to wish my niece, Karine, a very Happy 18th Birthday! We were thinking of you on the 3rd, as we celebrated Daryl's birthday, hoping that you were having as much fun as we were! We miss you tonnes, and hope to see you soon!
Karine is in her final year of high-school and just had her formal. I think she is absolutely stunning! When Daryl and I were down-under in December/January, we were fortunate enough to meet her boyfriend Beau. Congratulations! And good luck with your exams! Planning on any trips around the world like your mom and sister did? You will always have a home in the Loops!

Last Summer Long Weekend!
Our amazing long weekend started off with a bang! Actually, a paff followed by some scraping noises as we drove down the highway, towing the boat, and only one wheel on the boat trailer! It seems that 30 year old lug nuts have a tendency to wear...right through the hub! Fortunately, we were only 20 minutes from town when this all started! So, back to Ukrainian Tire for two new wheels and rims for the trailer! It was 10pm by the time we got to Kelowna and went right to bed!

Saturday was a very busy day! Daryl, nephew Blake and a cousin went out wakeboarding on the lake, while Twyla and I hit the farmer's market. I bought so many wonderful things, seeing as Daryl wasn't there to say no! Twyla bought me a beautiful jar for my home-made salad dressing with gorgeous sunflowers painted on the side. Such a nice early Birthday present! The afternoon was a medley of getting all dolled up for our good friends Sheri & Mike's wedding. The ceremony and reception was held at the Harvest Golf Club in Kelowna, with the most beautiful views of the valley and lake beyond. The day was hot and sunny, and we were all happy to meander into the air conditioned building following the very intimate outdoor ceremony.

Sunday was a madhouse! We rushed around in the early morning visiting Shannon and family and their new home. They are in the midst of a complete internal renovation...they are brave soldiers! Shannon shared the fruits of her land, as we have a bag full of grapes for our trip to Blind Bay on the Shuswap. We met up with our neighbours for some more fun on the water by day, and eating & drinking by the campfire by night. It was Daryl's birthday so there was ice cream cake all 'round! A HUGE thank you to Ken & Carla, Natasha & Nathaniel & grand-ma for bringing that all the way from Kamloops for this celebration!

Monday saw more boating, eating & recovering! Daryl wanted to be up at 6am for an early morning pull, and Brian, Daryl and I made it out on the lake, but the boat wasn't cooperating that early. I guess it needed some more coffee! I learnt to play crib (count to 15 and 31!), was taught some new campfire songs, and found out that trying to make a pyramid with Daryl on a 3 person tube, moving at 30 mph in figure-eights is harder than first expected!

Needless to say, Fletcher is once again, exhausted!

Photos to follow...

I Bet the Mozzies Don't Faint!!!

Blood...It's In You To Give

So, Daryl convinced me, finally, to be a brave toaster and give blood. There was a clinic today in the Loops and we made our appointments and arrived on time, went through the routines and answered all their questions like good little soldiers. I was lying on the bed with my life juice being sucked out of me and WHAMO...fainted. When I came back around there were nurses and volunteers all around me, trying to get me to drink and eat these sugar candies and putting cold towels all over me. But where was Daryl you might ask? Lying in the next bed, finishing off his donation, laughing at me! How supportive! The nurses and volunteers told him that he had to baby and pamper me for the next while as I recover...I might milk this one for a while! The people at the Canadian Blood Services were amazing, and yes, I will be keeping my next appointment in 56 days!