Flash floods in Cache Creek

Well now, what can you say when you have been in a community that suffered  through a “natural disaster” except it SUCKED!!!

The quote that has been tossed around by those in the apparent know about how to deal with such things is that we, of Cache Creek need to adjust and accept the “new normal”. 

That’s just fantastic, you can take the “new normal” and dispose of it off yonder on Campbell Hill for all I care!  The new normal...a political correct way of saying sorry about your loss, now deal with it... sucks!

 Well thanks, we are accepting it and dealing with it!  This little village has pulled together with such character, stamina and get ‘er done mentality that it makes me so proud to call this community my HOME.  For better or worse this is where I want to be. 

Friends that I have known for just a couple of years and some for just a few weeks have lost so much.  No amount of money small or great can replace memories, and items that have sentimental value.  There is no getting over that kind of loss.  There is also the loss of trust.  Trust in solid earth, roads that don’t cave in, water that does not take everything away and homes that don’t fall apart.  That trust was severely broken.  Then when things seem to be at their worst you get word from your insurance company whom you have paid premiums to for years, decades etc that due to this being an “act of God” your home you have worked so hard to manage, protect and care for is not covered.  Act of God!  Like God would say hey, Cache Creek take this!  Seriously?  It was a triple threat storm that leashed its forces on this desert community.   Severe thunder/hail storms crashing over a very dry area combined with hail the size of marbles and more precipitation following in a 2-3 hour period then we get in months!  God is definitely not to blame (I am sure everyone has their own beliefs, however; in my little opinion sometimes things just happen!)

So, here we are a month later.  Clean up is still happening around the community.  The one thing I have witnessed about this amazing, caring community is that no one wants help until their neighbour has been helped first!  People that have lost the most were out helping others dig out their belongings.  Friends who were already busy volunteering and helping in the community stepped up even further to provide emergency services, clean up, shelter, clothing and care to those who needed it more. 


Disaster and crisis can bring out the best in others and the worst.  Fortunately, I have witnessed firsthand a lot of the best.  Neighbours helping neighbours, and strangers dropping everything to travel many kilometers to help those in need.  Companies and corporations have been giving funds to a community in despair.  Residents with very little giving what they can to help others.  Families, and friends working tirelessly to help restore loved ones homes to the best that they can.  Citizens extending a helping hand any way they can.  Cache Creek you are an amazing, and caring community.


I have been through a lot of personal tragedy and drama in my life but I have never been through this kind of emotional, physical and spiritual testing as I have in going through and seeing others try to cope with the outcome of this natural disaster.  Not one person in this whole entire community was unaffected in one way or another.  Yes, this too will pass.  Homes will be rebuilt, gardens will be dug out and replaced, roads rebuilt, parks restored and we will carry on, but the memory of going through such a terrifying ordeal will live on.  Thunderstorms, rain, and hail will never be or feel the same...




However; the show must go on so....


Donations are still being collected to help those who suffered extensive losses to their homes and properties to be able to rebuild and recover. 
Please see http://www.cachecreekvillage.com/ for the online fundraiser. 


Also check out http://cacheaid.com/ a very cool event featuring Tribute bands on July 3rd (ABBA & Fleetwood Mac) and July 4th (Guns&Roses, Aerosmith & ACDC). 

I would like to personally thank the Cache Creek Volunteer Fire Department, RCMP, ESS crew, The Cache Creek Council & Mayor Ranta, the countless volunteers, friends, businesses and residents who stepped up, came forward and did their best to help those of this incredible community!  You are all what makes this community home and for that I thank you!  J

No longer stuck!

It is now the end of February.  This is the time when New Years Resolutions are either firmly set and are a concrete foundation or have become mud.  Mud?  Yes, mud.  Mud causes you to slip, slide and get completely stuck!  Remember as a child jumping in your new rubber boots in the mud and having your feet firmly planted. As you wiggled back and forth to loosen the grip it only bonded you more to the point you could feel your body teetering.  You put your hands out to give you more balance oh, just about lost it there...splat.  Covered head to toe in cold, wet, dirty brown residue you stood up, if could on your own and thought now how do I get out of this.  One word...MOOOOMMMMM! (well maybe it was DAAAADDDD!) 


Sometimes when we get stuck we need help.  A strong loving hand to reach down and pull us up by the boot straps, wipe us off, and send us out into the world again.


New Years Resolutions are just like that.  Every year I make a list of goals that I write down in a Journal.  I feel good about doing this.  Whoo hoo, I think to myself good for you for writing that down!  Do I look at it again?  Yes, I do.  A year later as I repeat the process.  Pretty hard to get any results this way!


This year has been different.  I wrote down my goals, and then did something about it!  Fitness and losing weight are always at the top of the list.  I set up a plan and started following it.  I was doing alright but then the end of  January was coming along and I was needing further motivation.  Enter Coach Vicky Trill and the 40 day challenge!  Every week Vicky lists a challenge to follow for the next 7 days.  It is simple and straight forward, however, life happens.  Temptations come along.


It is so easy just to think no one will know if...  The thing is I know!  I have come to realize that if I want to see results I need to develop good habits and have supportive friends.  Vegetables, fruits and nuts are my best buddies.  I have eliminated my old friends sugar, white flour products, and deep fried snacks for these new friends that are beneficial and make me look great! 


I have great people friends too!  Some friends enjoy hiking and geocaching.  Others enjoy going to the gym.   We laugh, sweat and encourage one another.  Fitness is now fun!  We share recipes, tips, dreams, parenting skills and goals as we stretch, hike, run or lift weights.  I am very thankful for great friends.


A number of years ago in a different life I was in great shape.  I biked 24km, ran 2 miles daily, alone.  I did everything alone.  I was fit but not happy. 


Now, I am getting fit again, and I am thrilled!  I have a great support team at home, at work and at the gym.  Coach Trill has been amazing!  I have slimmed down and have gotten much stronger.  My goal is to continue and to participate in my first triathlon this fall.  I hope to do all 3 parts, however, I have a lot of work to do.  My swimming skills are needing some work.  Currently, I swim like I need to be rescued and resuscitated! 


My goals are now obtainable simply because I did not just write it down but I did something about it.  I know that when I wake up in the morning I chose how the day will be.  I prepare by making a plan for the day, for fitness, nutrition, family, friends and my career.  When I do this each day my long term goals are not so overwhelming.  Day by day I get closer to reaching them. 


So, it is the end of February and I have reached some of my goals already.  I am excited about reaching the rest of them this year.  Fitness again is a daily part of my life.  I am no longer stuck in the mud thanks to great friends and a wonderful Coach! 

Geocaching in Gold Country

These boots....

A couple of weeks ago I was scrolling through my Facebook wall when a contest popped up from Get Out There Magazine @ https://www.facebook.com/GetOutThere.  Now, I can be pretty cynical at times when it comes to anything online because it seems these contests are usually a way to get your profile information via Facebook, Twitter etc, but I thought like, and share I can do that.  No further invasion of my privacy was needed.  Cool.  The next day I got an email from Get Out There Magazine saying congratulations you won!  Wow!  I actually won!  Thank you to Get Out There and Merrell!  I was pretty impressed to say the least.  I won a winter jacket and hiking boots from Merrell.  Nice!  Of course the first thing I did was post on Facebook about my win.  Friends liked my status, and commented about how suiting it was that I should win hiking boots.  I love hiking.  This year I did 5 pretty interesting hikes around BC.  I love the views and feeling the fresh air on my face and the sun shining down as I challenge myself to go further and higher up. 

So, today I set out to break in the new boots which were delivered within a week of receiving the email.  It was -4 sunny and what better way to burn off some calories consumed over Christmas.  The boots I have to say are amazing!  I could not afford to purchase a pair of boots of this quality at this time. The grips are solid and definitely dig into the crusty layer of snow.  Although I was planning for my first hike in these new boots to be something "epic" it a great walk on a beautiful day.  I did 7km in the sunshine and enjoyed the quietness of the morning.  Letting my mind drift away as I listened to various Rock on the iPod I thoroughly enjoyed my stroll up the hill.  The view from the top is always beautiful no matter what season it is.  As I headed down and back toward home I dreamt of future hikes that I plan on doing in 2014.  So, new Merrell's I have plans for you.  We will do some peaks in Lillooet and possibly further north.  We will hike local trails and who knows maybe create a few of our own! 

Ready to go?