Hiking the Hudson Bay Brigade

Hiking last weekend at Lac Du Bois. The Hudson Bay Brigade trail cuts through the park. Again, I confess my love for the landscape.
Enjoying the weekend. Sunshine and blue sky and time to hang with my girls. Peter is at his office packing for his office move--he has a new office with an amazing view at UBCO.
We went out for supper last night at Joey's with the littlest girls as Mist was still in Vancouver.
Mist returned from Vancouver last night--very tired but having thoroughly enjoyed her social justice conference.
Pip started skating lessons yesterday and she was tres adorable. The rink is round and cute--indoor but with windows and the afternoon sun made the rink sparkle. She was amazing. Got right up and puttered around the ice.
The Tabs has joined battle of the books at school and is busy trying to finish her "for personal enjoyment novels" in her case--American Girl's Mysteries--before she starts the club books.
It is booked and official. We are going to Big White ski resort for three nights over Christmas. We are staying in a ski in/out condo with a hot tub, fireplace , etc.
Must go now and write. I am heavy into editing my novel. I do it off and on all day long. I have to take a break at some point to work on our Witch Grisellda and Peter and I have a date tonight. A think it will be a bike ride along Mission Creek. Miranda and I are mountain biking tomorrow morning in the mountains around here--looking for crystal rocks.
BTW my home gym workout is so killer and so amazing. My body is strong and I am exhausted every morning when I leave 'Zen Studio.' I am a wicked personal trainer. If anyone seriously wants to get in  amazing shape--call me. So far my exercise program, daily diet and wardrobe are running like machines. I have worked hard my whole life to achieve this. I never have to think or worry about any one of these things. I folllow my program--and voila I have an amazing wardrobe, I am in super shape and healthy.

Sand Hill Cranes at Lac Du Bois

After a great Thanksgiving at my parents, we went hiking at my favourite spot: Lac Du Bois. And as luck would have it, there were several sandhill cranes in the park.

Peter and I saw The Social Network last night. A good movie. Great acting. The female roles were pathetic for the most part though. It portrayed what I have been led to believe: no one makes a fortune without sacrificing others. I recently read articles about the founders of facebook Sean Parker (Vanity fair) and Mark Zukerberg (The New Yorker)--interesting characters.

Mistaya is off to Vancouver this afternoon for more ME to WE (social justice group and conference). She's joined the local chapter of the national group too.
Tabs joined school choir. Now she will be singing all week--as she belongs to the Kelowna Community Youth Choir as well.
Pip and I have been enjoying her speech class. She needs more practice with her S and F sounds. She is such a physical kid--always running and jumping. She seriously hurt her leg again--a giant red scrape and purple bruise on her thigh--chasing after the dog. She runs around completely unaware of her surroundings--deep in play--just like a dog. When she gets hurt it's always a huge surprise to her and she doesn't know how or where it happened. My daughter the dog.

Working on my novel as I wait for the UBC gang to respond to my phone calls and emails about a possible date to get together so I can start my research. Frustration for the nation.

Building the most amazing life-size witch from the skeleton up--Grisellda is her name and she is going to be gorgeous. Will post her creation process once she is finished--in time for Halloween. She's going to sit on our balcony railing, watching the children below.

Rock Hounding at Lac Du Bois

Peter  and Fernando. The area was central to the Hudson Bay Fur Brigade Trail over 125 years ago. In fact the trail crosses through Lac Du Bois. Gold mining was big in the area too. Tranquille Creek flows through the valley into the Thompson at Kamloops Lake--we're going to gold pan along the creek one of these weekends. There were many French Canadian Fur traders in the area and thus many place names in the Thompson region of British Columbia are French.

Pockets full of rocks.

What's that I see? Could my Fernando be limping? Oh no, a cacti caught in his paw again!

Following his dad up the hill proved to be a mistake. Fernando stepped on yet another cacti!

Home sweet home. In a past life I must have lived in this environment. I feel so comfortable on the land.

Difficulties building a home gym. Equipment is thousands of dollars. I need a great upper pully to do woodchops. They are one of my favorite exercises. Most pulley systems aren't long enough to do a decent woodchop--nor do they provided the right weights to do the job properly. They are either too light or way too heavy...but I am determined to make it work without sacrificing my fitness level. I found a great spin bike for a great price online. I will order that and then gradually piece together a gym.
Long weekend ahead. Plans pending. I need to read a text for Wednesday's class sometime.
Went out to Joey's with Peter last night after a quick trip to Peachland to check out some used gym equipment. It was nice to stop at Joey's--I hadn't been there in awhile.
Excited that finally Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy are shipping out of Canada. One can buy online in Canadian dollars and shipping is free on orders over $50. I really should get paid for advertising that tidbit. Old Navy makes slim jeans for kids, which are hard to find. The jeans fit Tabs and Mist very well--although perhaps this year the legs will be too short for Mist.