Dexter is alive

Hello everyone that is still checking my blog!

I am so sorry that I have been out of touch with my blog. Just weeks after my last posting I was "on the bubble" about coming home from FSJ and so the story goes...

Sunday night I had been out for fight night in FSJ with my buddies and I got home and decided to pack a couple things to bring home with me on my visit that was to happen the next weekend. So I started packing and I didn't really stop...apparently I had made my mind up!

Richard and I drove Weds night through the blizzard and hazardous conditions to be home that night. We made thanks to my awsome driving.

I have been home for a few weeks now and the saga continues. I have had job interviews at Hoolyburn Country Club and Innovative Fitness. I got both jobs and now have to come to pick one. What a pickle hey. Posh country club or prestige fitness club? I have come to the conclusion that which ever I chose I will do great at because it will not be installing water meters!

Here is my dog. And i just want to share our story...

Monday night I came home from the buisness type of job i had that day and so I was dressed as fancy as I am ever and my parents, aaron, and neighbours were out in our ditch scanning through the fallen trees with flash lights. I say what in the hell did you lose? They respond with panic emotion....Dexter, he has been eaten by a coyote? Pardon I ask. Mom says "turn that cell phone off...so dexter was out for his evening waz when all we heard was a bunch of yelping, then silence and now....no dexter"

So I throw on the FSJ steele toe serells to join the search. I grab a flashlight and I jump right in along side my bro who was a wee bit beside himself. We're an emotional family. I figure I can think like a coyote and find Dexter or what is left of him (Rico was looking for the harness he says) right, so through the bushes we go searching hi and low. Aaron and I look through Hi Knoll park...in serells and dress pants? Then this lady sees us, asks us if we are looking for a little blonde dog, i say yes we are, she says I just took him to the vet he was hit by a car.

OMG so my bro my dad and myself get to the vet in 4.5 mins and there he is. Bundled in the blanket shakin away, wearing a mussel (how is that spelled?) on his snout, and looking as gulity as hell. Poor little guy. Exrays showed a mini fracture in his pelvis and because she couldn't see the blatter it had either burst or it was empty. The serious road rash in the pelvic region was pretty severe. So the prognosis is hope he pees (which he did the next day!) and 6wks bed rest. He is wobblin around as we speak...today was better than the other days....if you come over to our house please don't ring the door bell, dog in rehab.

He is lucky to be alive and thats all we could have asked for....Merry Christmas!

They love their snow here

White out conditions up here! The snow has been falling all day and I have had the privelege to be spending the last 10 hours in it!

There are moments of pain and woe to me...like the time I let snow up my pant cuff and in the sock. Or the evidence of 5 dogs who were just let out for a pee and I didn't notice till the track back. The water meter installation under the mobile home...(not joking). Or the snow pile on my poor car floor and every entrance to every building in town. Or the constant trips from a rather low riding honda to all 200 homes i visited today. I have been travelling the marvelous city of fsj in search of duplexes (is it or is it not a duplex is the question...and exactly how many water service lines are you hiding in your basement of renovations and multiple inhabitants? People store underware in the weirdest places) The sky was white, the air was white, the ground was white...it was winterwonderland and people get to live in this all winter all the time up here. I was jealous for a minute (only). No, i'm kidding, it was super beautiful and it makes the cold worth while, seriously! Although my freezing pinkies may not always agree with me...I love it.

You know what else is weird...working since like 7am till now...and having the honda run the entire day...with out a huge amount of gas being used...I went into tim hortons today for the classic 20 min stand in line for my doublebouble and i left my car running. Or when I was at the office for 30 mins...left the car running.

Like I was saying, I was excited to be out and about, me and the honda playing in the snow enjoying the rather less labourous job of surveyer for the day. I even did my hair, applied water proof mascara, and lotioned up the injured paws (yes its true... I am getting man hands...I have those pads forming that only dads shoud have) and I ditched the Carharts for the day to spend some time being normal.

The snow falls, lands in one place and does not melt. Driving is fun because it's not slushy and yucky like at home. This is like real snow, that I don't think it's leaving until April/may. There is no going around it, or avoiding it. Work doesnt stop for the day. I can't call the proffessor and tell them I can't make the "unsafe" drive out to my exam...My neighbour told me that places only shut down when the minus 45-48 weather arrives! I said pardon? oh ok.

I drove all day and tried on various occasions to amuse myself by going too fast around corners. It wasn't that wild but I'm sure by the end of my stay here I will be pro at the stunt driving.

The radio stations are rather bizzare up here and I can't decide if I enjoy them or not. I dont think they even know "who" they are. We have one country station on the AM which dishes out seriously old school twangytwangy stuff among the new enjoyable stuff. The others are mixes and constantly toss loops into my day. Sometimes its oldies. Sometimes it Nelly and tim mcgraw...then to vanilla ice..then to rod stewart...some diana Crawl...and then Nickeldback. Songs from the past that weren't even hits. I guess variety = spice of life.

They have adds that you wouldn't hear down from where I come from. Obituaries? They announce the obituaries on air. When ever a commercial break is on, the death is announced along with the funeral time, the family members still alive, the time of death and of course place of residence.

Next is the auction announcements. The time and place first and then they list of the featured items. And by which bull? (registered name only) Hosted by which auctioneer? I heard they are a good time where the randomest purchases happen. I'll let you know if I check one out. The next one if for livestock, unfortunately this is not up my ally ....and yet I'm prepared to bring home any sickly/abused horse I come accross.

Classifieds are also game. Yesterday driving home I had the chance to; trade an x-box or x-box games for lizzards that are about to hatch, purchase a new electric guitar (excellent condition), purchase a bulldog/shitsu pup (with all the shots), take piano lessons or trade something for a 4x4 quad...used but of obviously in excellent condition. You just call in and leave the message, add a contact number and they play it. I wonder if they do personal adds?

Working the last shift at the pub for a while tonight...I wonder how well I'm going to dry the rinsed out ash trays tonight. I may rebel and refuse to touch them. Probabley won't though cause confrontation ain't my specialty. I'll end up just doing them all.

I hope you're all doing well, and as always, all the best!

Love "too tired to proof read the thing" Chief

The ING New York City Marathon Nov. 5th 2006

Congratulations Erin Thompson! I had a phone call about 9 or 10 months ago. It was Erin. She was on the computer again just sufin the net minding her own buisness. I said what are you up to lady? She said "Just checking out the New York Marathon website...and I paid $7 via visa attempting to sign up for the race this Nov 5th. But you know, because of the lottery system they have to use due to the mass amount of entries they recieve, it's such a fat chance I'm getting an entry, so I just paid $7 for the chance....whatever....kinda to say I tried to apply....Its just funny.

A month later she recieved the confirmation...she was selected to run the ING New York City marathon! Oh my god! So she, from the learn to run club, had 6 month to prep for this marathon! Sooo exciting. She has been running like a mad woman out in Toronto, running in halfs and puttin away serious milage! And now, in 8 days she will be running along side Lance Armstrong (you have to catch him Erin!) and Dean Karnazes to complete her first marathon!

I am just so proud of her! She has been doing full time stuides (dental hyg), experiencing a variety of things Toronto and area has to offer, and training for her marathon! How emotional will this day be? She plans to carry; ipod, gps, disposable camera, water pack, and yes...her cell phone! Give her a call Sunday morning...she'll be running for about about 4hrs!

till then....

Good Friday!

Thankgoodness once again that it is Friday! I am getting so destracted up here that it really isn't funny. I have been spending time on email and, even though halloween hasn't passed, all I have been doing is talking Christmas!

I'm coming home on Dec 20th, early in the evening and will head back up here Jan. 2nd. Thats 2 glorious weeks at home PTL!

So far, my ladies from good ol HD Stafford Secondary school are all getting together on the 23rd at Erin Harrison's house! This will be so great to see all the long lost friends from the glory days of high school. It seems everyone will be in town this Christmas...Sel from Manitoba, Char from Whitehorse, Thompson from Toronto...

Then, Dec 29th UCFV alumini ladies are comin over for a catch-up. I sent out the invitation to Sandy but we haven't heard back yet. Again, another night of priceless catching up!

Installing water meters has become a love hate relationship. I "strongly dislike" my job yet I "strongly agree" with the paycheck. Such is life. I hope to be home, and have the project done by the first week of April. I can hold out till then.

After this project I will be preparing for the trip of a lifetime! My sister and Colin are getting married in Mexico this May. We leave May 6th and will be there for a week! I have never been to an all-inclusive thing in Mexico so I'm pumped. Anyone want to come? You are all invited!

I recently (yesterday morning) wrote the exam for the RCMP. I actually was suppose to write it the night before but I read the sign wrong and ended up in a different room...long story but the recruiting officer was amazing. She offered to stay the next day with me at the FSJ detachment so i could write the exam, by myself in the polytest room. Way to make an impression ey....so I did and 4 hours later I was done the exam/personality quiz. We'll see how that went in about 4 weeks. If it is meant to be, I will hopefully pass all the stages and possibley be a cop? I am learning fast that having a career you believe in surpasses the higher paying jobs. I just want to be spending time with a career that I can put a little heart/soul into and work with some people who have the same ambitions and integrity. Not just for the money. Coming to a town close to you...Chief in the RCMP Musical Ride! That would be money.

I also quit the job at the pub. As funny as the ash trays are, the second hand smoke was not.

Next weekend I get to go on a "small vacation". Columbia Bible College is coming to Prince George to play UNBC. YAAAAA! That means that Clav, Jamie, Cassi, Ange, and Sam, will be in PG Friday and Saturday! If I do not have any appoinments that day I'm headin out on the 5 hr drive south to spend the QT with them. So excited to see you guys!

Love Chief

a taste of FSJ

Here is my "livable for the below average" space. yikes! So I bought a shelving unit for my private room to neccesitate with: coffee maker - toaster oven - mini george foreman (key!) - microwave - mini fridge - dishes/utensils - water jugs - canned anything - cable - tv/dvd - anything a one bedroom apartment needs (other than plumbing)that is below $18 from wal-mart. I am set up! No longer use this downstairs "get together area" with my roomies. No need. I am an island up here and I love it.


My neighbour who I met the day of the virtual tour production (and havent seen since...) She was upset with me. "Don't be take'n pictures of these homes from the outside! The outside don't do them justice! The insides that matters ey...mine is beautiful through them doors..." I told her I believed her and that I would take her word for it. Couldn't flip the picture for you but you also can't see her missing teeth on the bottom rack that I was going for...you get the idea. Back to the virtual tour....ps the bike is her lawn ornament.




Major difference from city to colony. They all drive huge vehicles. Here is how I do against the local traffic.


My "driveway" or garage if you please. Consider it is gravel and pretty much one big pot hole. The pot holes in/out of my "home" are big enough to lose a small dog in after a rain fall if the dog can't swim. Dangling the honda through rutts/holes has become a regular driving hazard. And, my car is always this dirty.


More to come on the FSJ virtual tour soon...I just dont have time right now. I got people to meet, and meters to install!

Ciao!

Congratulations Cassi and Joel!

For those of you who have not heard:

Casandra Phelps (aka Cassi Born) and her husband Joel Phelps are going to be having their first baby!

Congratulations you 2 lovers!

The baby is due to be born in June...and I can not wait to meet the mini cassi/joel cause it may be the cutest baby ever!

Cassi and Joel have recently settled into their new apartment in Abbotsford and will be spending some time spiffying up their new nursery!

PTL!

shut the fffff....front door right now

Ok so I was just checking out other bloggs when I stumbled apon some serious information that we can not take lightly.

According to Brent Day himself...and now that Kailsha Reid knows (who may possibley be in training already - the girl is passionate!)....apparently those who only played the 4 years in college and thought their glory days were over! It's a lie!

We can go back to the college league and play one more year because they are now also 5 years of elligibility. Accoding to Day. Let me know if you know other deets.

Brent also volunteered to be our prof if we come back and play for Langara. What a riot. Or maybe Amber, Cass, Sam, and Ang could be our coaches at CBC? Just pondering.....

Tribute to the homeowner

It was -8 overnight and it snowed Sunday and Monday. This is fine! I love snow. I like scrapping it off the windshield at 530am on my way to the gym. I don't mind taking my time walking to and fro places so I don't fall on my face. I don't mind these things cause I like snow. I love the crunching noises it makes. This snow is crispy type and not slushy. I can't wait for dog sledding and snow golf. There are also sled drag races down in Taylor. I found out where to rent skidoes and I have ice fishing on my list of things to do before I leave.

But I don't like it when we have to install a meter underneath a mobile home in the snow. Especially one that had a sewer expode 2 years ago. After this explosion the homeowner layered lime over it to cover the smell. Apparently highly toxic. Picture: Winter jackets, toques, 1 mobile home, 2 installers, shiat, lime and one incomplete.

This is the worst case scenario. Our boss doesn't expect us to deal with this so it gets to be funny rather than painful. So no we didn't roll around in it.

But he does expect us to deal with most every homeowner. The word "homeowner" for me officially mixes up a bunch of crazy emotions like never before. (Josh I understand). Weird how life experiences affect you forever...The word homeowner may give me the creeps till I pass away. The homeowner (who ever it may be) is the enemy. We maybe dealing with a special "breed" up here but come on....

I have not had one homeowner who hasn't had to apologized for one of the following (based on real events not my imagination):

1. not knowing where there rather vital main shutoff is (if u dont know, find out - you have one, honest)

2. not even knowing how the water magically gets into their home.(water line people!)

3. not cleaning up before we came (sure lady, your lunch is still on your shirt and it's 5pm, I'm sure you were just about to clean your 32 yr old son's room...) this I might add is only one example! I'm going to do my best to describe - Husband's/son's excavating buisness, one large dirty shop. Door to the shop enters into the kitchen. Door enters the tv room/office from the kitchen. THE most disgusting bathroom I have ever witnessed enters from the kitchen(which is where my meter lays - was under the garbage pile - not garbage can ok, free flowing garbage pile) The floor of either one of these 4 rooms looked the same. I almost barffed on her old meter and told her to change it out. But you know me...she apologizes for the "mess" and I say "sure sure no problem..." She honestly thought it was just a mess...it's unsanitary and I don't understand how her body has become imunned to this.

4. not removing what ever it is that is rotting in their house (today - the mom "oh that smell you are complaining about? Yes, that must be my dog's breath, he is old and his teeth are decaying. What?)

5. discarding of dead cat carcasses (poor homeowner lost his cat and Gui had to break him the news that there was a kitty lying on his main shutoff....akward!)

6. fully understanding the harmfull effects of lime while smoldering sewage under your home -

7. doing home renos - using a garden hose as their new water line or building a wall with just a handle sticking out of drywall.

8. having the windows and doors all closed after smoking a pak of cigs (not joking..it seems everyone smokes up here...oh, how about the guy "ohhhh that appoinn't is today?....haha...shit...sure, come on in". Me, my 2 weiner dogs, and 4 cats were just getting high in my living room but I'm going to pretend there isn't a cloud of weed in this 2 room house and let the water lady in.

9. not showing to the appointment

10. not knowing if their valve works...therefore in case of an emergency line break they will be in full control and have a complete understanding how to not let water damage take down their entire home.

Who does that? The homeowner.

Long Beach Pictures......

Ashley and my kayak experience...

The Wickaninnish Inn

Our black bear buddy


Your Alonzo Family

Back Home Again

First, Happy Thanksgiving you turkeys!

I'm home again! It was a most fabulous day...waking up Friday morning (oct 6) to roll out of bed to change out water meters, looking forward to 3 nights in a row at the road side pub rather than the cozy comforts of home during thanksgiving.

So I'm at the Treaty 8 building changing their meter when my boss gives me a ring...He says the good news: The plane I was catching tonight...didn't work out and so I'm leaving today to drive home for the weekend and will be driving back Tuesday morning. I said pardon? I called the pub and within the hour I was going to be home sooner than Christmas! What a rush.

The drive home started at 5pm Friday afternoon from FSJ Tim Hortons. Trace and I were off...13 hours later we arrived in Hope! The drive was amazing...full moon, not a cloud in the sky, a goofy moose walking through a field of hay, and no CD player, only local radio stations...Did I mention that I did not sleep a minute on the trip home because chatting with the driver was a bit more vital that letting him drift to sleep. I was doing a jig as we stopped for gas in Abby. I couldn't believe that I was home again. Ashley picked me up at 232nd st and before I knew it I was in Dexter's arms again!

I slept 7am-9am. Waking up was glorious! I had an alumini game to live through and a night of fun ahead of me. Ashley, Olivia and I went to the mall...ran into the cutest family ever - The Harrisons - Jordon Erin Cyrus and Matux. Nice treat.

I met up with Jamie, Suzie, and Estee for lunch at Milestones in Abby kinda to talk strategy for the alumini game @ 6. It was more like discussing how not to hyperventilate on the court after a couple transitions. After a California salad and pumpkin spice latte we headed to the guy's game @ 4.

The boys, like always gave UCFV a good battle loosing by 2. Some of my favorite alumini were missing but Mr. Peterson was there (as in Brad Peterson who is a full out teacher in PoCo, teaching middle school now!) We on the other hand - in classic fashion - lost by like 30+. We competed for the first quarter and then...you know. Out of shape or something. Come on!! There was only 7 of us...me, Estee, Jamie, Kalisha, Suzie, Dawnie, and Laura. And today my body is still hurting.

After the sing-along in the shower, off to Blueridge we went. The night didn't stop there. I travelled to Roosters meeting up with Connie and Matt who were celebrating Matt's bday HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATTY...the softest cowboy hat I have ever felt up. It was nice to meet your friends Matty.

Also Big B, Peaches, Wells, Sandy, Jody and company were causing a rucus at the roosters. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Wells! What a riot. Wells knows how to celebrate a birthday thats for sure and shots are never not happening with these guys. You have to drink too much on your birthday Aaron.

Roosters hardly ever lets a girl down...

Next day, after little sleep I met up with Jamie Born at ABC family resturaunt for a good ol Farmer's breakfast. A trip to every shop in Langley I was home to see Diane and Rico who had just returned from a wedding in Oliver.

Today I am just hanging out at home with the family. Besides, this is the first time in a long time I have a date for thanksgiving dinner. (The last one was some guy from Australia!) My brother and his new girlfriend Shelby, Ashley and Colin,...me and Kalisha! Love it. Atleast my date is bringing gelatto.

I leave again tomorrow morning to drive another 13 hours home. We plan to leave at like 6am but Trace is always atleast 2 hours late. In 24 hours I will be in Prince George driving throught the pass the The Great Northern place only few venture out to. Can't wait!

I wish again I could have spent more time with ya'll! I love being home.

The New Noske

Look at this little munchkin...Congratulations Natilee and Jason Noske! August 3rd Carson Noske was born. Basketball player or soccer player is the question. Thought UCFV alumini would enjoy seeing Natty's kid.

Tanya and Justin in Switzerland

Just got an email from Tanya Campbell! She is in Switzerland visiting THE Justin Kelly. Justin is the imported superstar on a pro-hockey team in Olten, Switzerland! Here they are in both Olten and Luzerne Switzerland. What a fabulous couple...so ya, in Switzerland! She is only there a week and a few - most likely not enough time.





If you speak Switerlandish you can read about his team at: http://www.ehco.ch/index.php?site=home
And here is the ugly mug of the Olten's greatest imports of all time

Ladies!

Before I left on my little tour de FSJ:

Thompson was home from Toronto after her first months of school to become a dental hygenist. We are out at Whiteclife park in WestVan...Erin is training hard for the New York Marathon coming up this Nov! Such an accomplishment since "learning to run"!

Me Tan and Kalisha hanging out at Alouette Lake on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

Connie, and Erin at McDonalds with the kids...