An Update From Trisha

Hi Everyone!

I'm Trish for those that haven't met me, and a reminder for those that haven't seen or heard from me in god knows how long.

I hope you are all ready for the text version of my babble, Suzy is here with me - teaching me 'how to' write a blog (see she had to tell me it was write not use a blog). Pathetic, I know.


So, first off, the biggest thing in my life right now. I'm engaged and possibly getting married this October. That is what I want the most, October I mean, but it depends on the agreement of my parents and Christen's. I have some money but obviously, not enough. They offered to help, so now need to fork it over.


If October happens to fall through, well then it looks to be May 24th, 2008; maybe the long weekend if I do it out of town. Out of town involves the Okanagan and a winery; yep I have a problem, I admit it.


Below you will see, my dress, the wedding dress. That was a fly by the seat of my pants moment. I went to a sale, tried on two dresses and went home with the second one. I love it, I can't wait to wear and this is part of my reason for liking October even more. Chris jokes that I will be wearing it when I pick him up from the airport (that is a story for later). The dress would go nice with the flowers I plan to bring him to celebrate his arrival. Lol.

As you can see from these pictures, my maid of honnor is a little camera happy. I tried to explain to her that this wasn't the wedding day but she doesn't seem to care.


I should probably tell you a bit about me, chris and what has been happening for the past 5 years since PG. Oh god, that was so long ago.


I currently am going to Douglas College and working towards a bachelors in Business Admin. Nothing to do with what I went to UNBC for. I look at UNBC as a life experience in which I learned about myself, others and the world. I had some hard life lessons, but I made it through each one and I believe this has made me a stronger person.


**Okay sappy moment. I wouldn't have made it without my sisters. Even if at times we were the source of one anothers pains we were always supportive. No tears, not yet I swear.**


Back to school, it seems to be taking forever. I have this habit of three courses for the fall, one for winter and two for the summer. Last summer was my first semester off, and this summer will be my second. I hate taking the break because it feels like I will never accomplish anything. Just when I thought I was close to accomplishing something (a diploma) Douglas starts a bachelor's program and now I'm not going to move onto a new school (SFU). I keep telling myself the rewards outweights it all.

In addition to school, I have been working full-time since I left PG for Iron Mountain (records management not the golf course). It is a highlight and pain in my life all at once. Becoming well versed in a career can sometimes be just as frustrating as it is rewarding. For this reason I may be looking for a new career as I want to shed some of the responsibility and learn to relax a bit more. I know it will follow you wherever you go, but one shouldn't let things get to them as much as I do at times. All of this is of course speculation until Chris is home and I can really discuss it with him. At this time he is in China (home in 40 hours) for part of SFU's PDP program. So he is currently not holding a full-time job, and hey if I want that wedding in October, giving up security is not the smartest move. I'll keep you all up to date with my final decision.

Okay, so a bit about chris and I. We met a couple of weeks after my car accident so we had all day, every day for a month and a half to get to know one another. If you ever meet him, he might tell you how I broke-up with him, cause he was too nice. I know he will never let me forget it, not in a bad way though. I figure this will be a butt of a few roasts at our wedding. I should say, once we were apart I spent 72 hours counting down the minutes for when I could talk to him, I guess that was when I knew he was the one I love. Christen is my best friend, he is the one person that no matter how stupid it may sound or how wacky I can be, I can do it in front of him and we will just laugh together.

This Christmas, Chris proposed. I was shocked, I sat there and was like "wow a ring, I like jewelry." I just didn't expect it, he had just gaven his notice for work and was leaving for China in a month. I just didn't think it would happen any time soon. Now Chris is almost home and he is just as excited as I am about planning our wedding.




I figure I am breaking him, that sounds bad but really isn't. He proposed, he said I could get a cat finally, which I have done. Haha! I bought Scotch while Chris was away so this should be an interesting meeting. She is spunky and sweet and makes me laugh constantly. She has also recently decided that if I am not following my schedule of being up at 5:30 she will wake me up, it is not appreciated.

Anyhow, I should reserve the rest of my babbling for another blog, because now I KNOW HOW TO DO IT! Yea!


I promise I will update the blog every once in a while. Should you want to say hi you can reach me at trish.quinney@ironmountain.com or 604-505-4364.

Trish

Adventures in the Wilderness

Alright ladies, settle in with your popcorn and a glass of wine, cuz this is long overdue and I have the distinct feeling it's going to be VERY long-winded.

I know I've kind of been MIA from alumnae activity in the last year or so, but life has been going full steam ahead and has kept both hands full at all times!!

Last June Ron and I were officially wed in Victoria. A small wedding at my dad's home and I have to say it was a great party. Ron made the food himself, and we kept it simple: beer and wine and hors d'oeuvres and a three piece jazz band. Successful as many weddings can be, we sent a few new couplings home together by the end of the night, and only lost one person to find him passed out on the front lawn an hour later. All and all, it was a great night and I want to do it again!!

Starting January 2006 I began taking business management at Camosun College while working full time at a busy downtown spa as a skin therapist. In Sept of last year I started school full time, while also working full time to give myself a feeling of accomplishment. While I've been busy with work and school, Ron has finished his BBA (bachelors degree in business admin).


Now comes the fun part. When Ron and I first met, we worked at a resort in Clayoquot Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island, north of Tofino. Since then, Ron has done consulting work for them from time to time and has kept in close contact. This year they gave us an offer we couldn't refuse, allowing us both to use our education and skill base to its potential!


Ron started in January of this year as General Manager of Clayoquot Wilderness Resort. I had the happy privelege of staying behind to pack up and move out of our apartment in Victoria. Can I tell you now just how much I loathe moving!!! But once that was finished at the end of February, I was able to join Ron in the middle of nowhere. Before I get ahead of myself, I guess I should explain the location a little bit. CWR is located 18 nautical miles north of Tofino in the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve and is only accessible by boat or float plane. While it is still part of Vancouver Island, there are no roads that lead here, and is in the middle of the lush temperate rainforest, home to more animal life than a tropical rainforest. I could tell you stories about bears for hours!! No to mention the cougars and wolves and eagles.. oh my! It is really wild up here, but don't get me wrong, while we're technically "roughing it" we still have all the luxuries of home. Feel free to take a look at the website when you get a chance for more explanation: www.wildretreat.com.


Now I get to tell you about me and my pride and joy. No, not a baby, but it sure feels like one!!! Until this year, the resort has only provided massage treatments... not anymore. I've been hired on to develop and manage the Healing Grounds, a full service spa here at the resort. I have the amazing opportunity to build it quite literally from the ground up. There isn't anything about it on the website yet, because they've just started to build it, and I've only just finished the service menu an business plan. However, I may have to bore you all with a few pictures of the construction's beginnings.




^This is the walkway to the platform it will be built on.

This is the view from the structure on a cloudy day.>

These are the logs they're using!!!

I don't think I've ever been so excited about something I've created! Or rather, created something I've been so excited about.


I also want to share with you exactly what I see when I'm up here. I have no words to describe it, and as usual the photos don't do it justice either, but with the pictures and a little imagination, I hope you can feel what I do when I'm here.









Thanks Sue, for encouraging me to finally take the time to sit down and fill everyone in on what I've been doing with my time.

Starting a new career move

Okay...I know I'm so random with my job/career decisions. But I think this time it's for real and I'm so so so excited about this new move!
I'm taking the Doula Labour Support program at Douglas College. Doulas are supportive and experienced women who help the mom through the labour process. Doulas "mother the mother". I will also have the opportunity to take a post-partum Doula course, a Childbirth Educator course and and Breastfeeding Educator course if I want to pursue this further and build up my credentials :)
I've already started a draft of my website and thought up some neat things on how to run my business. I'm really excited that this is something I'm going to be able to do part-time or more full-time after I'm done having all my kids and they are older.
I've been interested in the idea of Doulaing for a while, but wanted to be a mom first, as I thought it would be more appropriate, and I've really enjoyed this whole process of trying to concieve, pregnancy, labour and birth - and especially mommyhood! I've really loved reading everything I can, and you could say I'm a "birth junkie" HAHA.
Anyways, thought I'd let you all know about this new endevor in my life, and if you ever need a Doula..... *wink*

My First Try

Hello, It me Keri W
What's been happening with me. Well I graduate in May with my B.Sc. in Psychology and am working at a halfway house here in Prince George. I work the crappy shifts there because I'm the new kid on the block, so I don't have much of a life. I have been with the same guy (Fred) since 1998, with no plans to marry anytime soon (his mother is the monster-in-law that I never want to be around and she hates me). So I live with Fred here in Prince George, and we have no children (with no plans on having any). I have included pictures of Fred, Digger and Max, I looked for picture of me but don't have any in which I am sober, so will have to work on this, sorry.

In my free time I like to go camping at a few lakes around here with Fred and our friends from high school. In my world I have friends from high school, university and my previous life as a bar hound ( or as I like to say my functioning alcoholic days). When I decided to go back to university I had little contact with other women and felt that I needed to find a place where I could build friendships with women who were not only smart but also had plans for their lives that did not rely on men, I met Catherine (my Big Sister) and she talked about all the fun she was having with the sorority and the next year I pledged and joined up with a great group of girls who didn't think it was weird that I was to way older than them and still wanted to hang out with me, which was great.

I have a dog named Digger and a fish named Max. Digger is the sweetest dog out there but according to Lonnie he just wants to eat her, I just tell it because she smells like another dog or perhaps he sees her as a tasty treat. These pictures show you how cute and harmless my puppy is (yes Lonnie I know he is almost 2 years old). My fish Max is about 10 years old and does not like people.

I hope that this gives you a small insight into my world, I hope to keep in better touch with all of you and get to know you better. Unfortunately I am not able to attend the retreat because it is the weekend before Convacation and do have time to go to Vancouver and get back here to clean up my house before my parents come for the week. I hope you all have a great time and get to meet some of the new girls who want to become part of this group.
Take care, Keri

Happy Easter!

Hello Everyone! I haven't posted for a while 'cause I feel nothing really significant is going on. But here's what I'm up to. Still teaching at the Montessori school, losing kids like flies though. Not because of me, they all love me, but it seems like Morgan Creek is just a transition area and everybody keeps moving away. Makes our enrollment for next year iffy, which totally affects me because my boss won't hire me an assistant if we don't have enough kids. Ugh! This makes my job totally stressful and makes me wonder if I should be pursuing a job at a different school. There are days where the kids are awesome and I'm so excited about their learning and others where nothing goes right and I wonder what the hell am I doing. I will let you know what happens with that.

Good news is, it's tax time and Shane and I are doing awesome! Of course, ask me at the end of June if it's the same story, but wow, could we finally have figured out how to survive tax season without a major blowup? :) Also exciting is that my parents are taking Shane and I to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands this summer. Yippee!

Still no babies in the immediate future for Shane and I. We will be expanding our roles as Auntie and Uncle this year as my niece Isabelle will become a big sister any day now and my sister in Williams Lake is due in September. I'm so excited!

That's me. So let's see some more posts up here!

Hello everyone!

Hello there everyone,
Here is an update finally!
Well, good news, ok news, and bad news. All way around things are new.
First off, the biggest thing ~ my RCMP application has been rejected. After all this time, the many years of waiting, and of course the ten million hoops to jump through it is done. At least now, I can decide on how to proceed with things.
My application was rejected due to vision requirements. I do have 20/20 vision in both eyes, because of the laser eye sugery I had a couple of years ago. My depth perception and color is fine, but my binnocular vision is not 100% ~ it is just slightly off. The difference is so slight that the average every day person would not detect it. I had to go see two specialists, get some reports wrtitten, and despite the approval from specialists, opthalmologists and my optomoetrist, I am not permitted to proceed as I may be a potential threat in the future due to the vision problems I had prior to surgery.
That sucks, BUT, I am trying to remain positive and continue on with my job and life in general.
I am on full time with the Ministry of Forests and Range, and am working in both Stewardship and Tenures. I am working on a program called FREP (Forest and Range Evaluation Program) and am working on a pilot project with the province with our district and two First Nations within our district. Of course my band (Ulkatcho) and the Tsilqotin nations. I am working on a pilot project that will monitor the protection and conservation of First Nations Cultural and Heritage Values. Of course I love this project, and it is so me. I just returned from the Queen Charlottes and Haida Gwaii, as the Haida First Nation are involved in this program. How nice it was to go there, I cannot tell you how beautiful the people and the lands are. I feel as though I can make a difference in my job, and that really helps. So, work is going ok. I am as well planning to write the test to become a RFT for job opporunities, although I do not see MOFR as my life long career. It is a start. The dream is still to work with First Nations peoples in some capacity, and to of course travel utlizing my degree.
Guy wise, well in July Barry and I split up. Some of you know that. To make a long story short he was a lying cheating **&^%%. SO, now, as of October, I have been dating a guy I used to date when I was a teenager. And (please do not lafugh) he was one of the cowboys from my past. (I still however believe cowboys are dumb..and really can't believe that we are dating even now..) Bruce was a bull rider. He works in the bush, operating a processor. And, he has two small but very cute children from his previous marriage. They are four and six. Much like me, he went through the same things I did. So, we were being each others friend for quite some time, understanding our broken hearts. We are doing great, although I am trying to not be so gun shy. His little kids, Faith and Jace, are sure cute. They remind me what it is like to be a kid again. So, in the guy department, some hardships, but doing ok. It sure is nice to be with someone who is so nice and caring, and someone who makes me feel good. Understandably, I am very wary at being hurt again, but I know he would not do that to me. We are having fun doing many things together. He makes the stay in Alexis Creek more enjoyable that is for sure!
Family, family is good. Cora is going to be 12 this month. I can't beleive it. She is so big, such a good big sister to little Sky, who is now 7 months old. AND, sister is pregnant again. Not planned, but she is doing ok, and of course we are all so very happy. One more niece or nephew is just what I need! I will send pictures.
I read the emails the other day. I miss everyone, but recieved some emails from everyone. I miss you to Suzan, glad to hear you are doing so well. Of course you are! You are one of the smartest and most focused people I know! Sarah, your little girl is so beautful and so precious, same to you Lisa! How cute your little girl is too. Gina, what a handsome little guy. I miss you Mel B, give Pam heck for not keeping in touch with me! Send some wedding pictures my way!
Well, I should get going. I hope all is well with all of you.
Know that I miss you all and love you all very much.
Take care, and I will talk soon.
My work email is: Cheryl.A.Gilbert@gov.bc.ca
Love Me

Ski Weekend!

Hello Ladies...

I just wanted to let you all know about the Winter Getaway a few of us went on. Every year I try to do a long weekend getaway with friends or family in the winter. And this year since I am dating a new guy (Scott, he is great) who is also a skier, I really wanted to give him a chance to meet more of my friends, and for us to hit the slops together. Big White was the mountain of choice. So, I spread the word and Mel, Dom & Ron (Dom's wonderful husband) were all interested. I also ended up inviting two of my close friends from high school and we went away for a winter wonderland weekend.

It was great, we had perfect weather... the snowflakes were massive and just beautiful to watch from the Hot Tub on our deck. We also had several amazing meals as we all took turns cooking for each other. I swear I gained 5 pounds that weekend. Laugh! It was also great to spend some time away from the city with a few of my sisters. I really appreciated a weekend of personal time to catch up with Mel and Dom. They are both doing so well and are just amazing women. Thanks for such a great weekend girls.

This is something I am thinking of planning for next year again, and it would be great if others were interested. A few of the other Vancouver girls have showed interest in coming next year. However, this is not just a Sorority thing so husbands, boyfriends and kids could all be incorporated in to the trip. Let me know if you are interested and I will contact you next year if everything works out and I am able to plan another ski weekend.

Looking forward to the retreat this year in May!

Hugs & Kisses

~Suzy~

Pictures

Well apparently I didn't actually add the pictures to the first post so here they are!
Gina

A Little Update

Hi Ladies!
I just wanted to drop a little update from PG. I am working part time from home and I have started babysitting so that I can stay home with Marshall when my Maternity leave is over. Marshall is starting to pull himself around the house and to pull himself up on everything, so needless to say I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off to try to avoid him destroying my house! I should in theory lose 10 pounds fast, seeing as I am getting a fairly regular cardio workout now! I am loving being at home with Marshall and though I have always loved being a mom, I am really just starting to feel like I am doing a good job, which is funny because just as I feel like I am confident with what I'm doing and how I'm doing it I'm going to have to go back to work (ain't life ironic). So that's where the babysitting decision came from. Other than that not too much new is happening. My husband got a promotion at his job and is now doing sales which means he is home a little more which is nice. I myself am still brainstorming like crazy to figure out exactly what I want to do for a career when I'm ready to go back to work full-time. I got my degree right when Marshall was born, so I hadn't made any decisions as to what career I could use with my English degree and what I wanted to do that would make me happy, so that quest continues. Hopefully I can find a job that I can love and really pour my heart into....so that is my plan for now. Also I've started going to the gym so I am really liking actually getting out and doing something for myself. I included some recent pics of Marshall, he is almost 9 months old now. I hope everyone is doing well and that I get to see you all at the retreat in May!
Lots of love and hugs from the cold north (it's snowing again today!)
Your sister
Gina

My Punim is getting big!

Hi All,

Well, as Natalie pointed out, I havnt completely updated my website....life as a new mommy sure doesnt give you much time anymore ;)

I just added the birth pics...and I have a *ton* more to post.....oiy, it's going to take me a while!

Robyn is growing like a weed and is now 4 months old. She weighs almost 15 lbs and we've started giving her cereals. She LOVES it!! She laps it up like a little kitten.
I'm having an amazing time being a mommy and every day she amazes me with some new thing she's learned. She's recently found her voice...and now she chatters away all day long, it's so CUTE!! I think she amuses herself with this newfound talent, haha...because she'll start "talking" and then she'll laugh at herself. AAAwwwww...seriously, I couldnt be happeir right now, every day I'm just beaming because she makes me so happy!

Natalie Bought Her Dream Home In Calgary!!

Hi Girls!

It's been a while since we have had new news, so I took it upon myself to update you all about me. I have been successfully selling and buying real estate for the past 5 years and finally got a chance to buy a home that I LOVE and have no intention of ever leaving. I know what you guys are thinking... that I will move as soon as I can make a profit on it, but seriously... it's gorgeous and also has room for an addition on the back if I need more space. It's 910 Sq. Feet and sits near a ridge. Small bungalow that I paid $441,000 for! It's a steal, even though to some of you it sounds expensive as you have more reasonable housing prices. It's Inner City, so it's a walk to downtown and all the trendy shops, etc. Great location and a fabulous view. It's also only 2 blocks away from my boyfriend's house too. I have included some pics of what it looks like and the only changes that I in tend to do is paint as I am not a fan of grey. Probably paint it cream like all my other houses as it matches all my stuff better and painting is cheaper than furniture! I take possession in July, so that gives me a bit of time to finish my reno on my current house and sell it prior to the summer. Should keep me busy until then!

I hope that you are all happy and healthy, and please keep in touch.

Love, Nat

PS- Sarah... update your website so that I can see the photos from the birth!

Holiday Greetings!

Happy Holidays to everyone! It has been a busy Fall in Smithers, we've had snow since mid October and it dipped down to -30 in November. Sarah is crawling now and standing up on anything she can pull herself up on. I've really got to keep a close eye on her now, but she's got such a funny personality, a real character! Even though you think it can't get any better, Motherhood just gets more enjoyable all the time.

Hope the Holidays are bright for you all,

Love Lisa, Clint and Sarah

Poker and baby!

Susan hosted a poker night at her house this past friday night. Even though she claimed she doesnt play, she cleaned up and won the pot :p

It was also the first time Susan, Shannon and Carrie met little Robyn!

Natalie is moving again!

Hi Girls,

I sold my house (again) and am moving into my other one. I will be listing that one for sale in February, so I may move again soon. My new address is 31 Woodmont Crescent SW, Calgary, AB, T2W 4N2. I move in 3 weeks! Eek! I need to get packing. Bye for now! "Natalie the Renovating Realtor!"

Baby Robyn

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to drop off some new pics of Robyn.
Mommyhood is wonderful, and although the lack of sleep is definitely something to get used to - it's all SO WORTH IT! :D

Congrats to Sarah!

I just wanted to congratulate Sarah and Kurt on thier beautiful new baby girl. May the best be on it's way. Miss you both.

Natalie

Hello Everyone!

Hi Ladies,
I just wanted to say hi and let you know what is new with me. So I am alumni now and I'm pretty excited about it. I've really missed being a part of the active group, and this is a nice way to keep the sorority in my life without having to leave the house! I have a little boy who is 4 months old (his birthday was May 24th) named Marshall Easton Alexander Kiteley, so getting out and mingling can sometimes be a challenge (Sarah you'll understand soon!) But he's great and I'm really loving being a mom, and I'm enjoying being at home with him. As well I'm all graduated from UNBC which is awesome, I'm really glad I got my degree out of the way before Marshall came along. I had him on the Wednesday afternoon and I went to grad on the Friday morning, it was the longest day ever! But I'm really glad I got to cross the stage. Other than that I'm mostly just hanging out with my baby, selling avon, and trying to get involved in some things that get me out of the house. I put in a couple pictures of Marshall, me and my husband Matt so you guys can see them. Anyways I just wanted to say hi and that I hope I get to know you all better! I hope everyone is doing well.

Your sister Gina