Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 48

Hi Team!

Man am I tired tonight! This week was kind of strange. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday each felt like the day after when it really was. (Mon felt like Tue, etc.) I was really worried about Friday coming and it feeling like Saturday and still having to go to work. Fortunately, by Thursday it felt like Thursday. Today however, was such a busy day that I am completely exhausted.

Pete was good today. He logged 17,559 steps! And I'm feeling it too!
It was a good day but crazy with the Halloween party my boss made me put on for the kids. (I am not a big fan of Halloween). I especially hate having parties of this nature when the kids come to me already on sugar highs from their class parties. In any case, we had the party anyway and I didn't sit more than 10 minutes of my entire shift. I was setting up activities, serving food or cleaning up from the food or activities the entire shift. A very fun time was had by all, however, so it was well worth it.

You might be proud of me today for my bravery. For the party, I dressed up. Of course, as a firefighter. I bought a cheap dollar store fire hat and embellished it with black tape, a halloween ribbon chin strap and a station assignment (8). Then after looking everywhere for black eyeshadow that didn't shimmer, I found some at Walmart. I smeared it all over my face so that it looked like soot. I was supposed to wear a real Lakewood Fire Department badge that one of my kids was given by his father when he was promoted. He had agreed to loan it to me and had permission from his dad, but after having it in his hand to bring to me this morning, he somehow managed to leave it behind when he left home. I wore a homemade badge from our fire prevention week instead. But that isn't the brave part. When I was leaving work tonight, the school that we rent space from for our before and after school program was hosting a Trunk or Treat event. I did not know that the fire department would be attending but when I saw them there I got very brave. In my very silly looking outfit I approached them and asked to have my picture taken with them. I told them my bro is a ff and that I hope to be some day. They laughed at my outfit and offered the two ff's that they deemed to be the most good looking to pose with me. It wasn't until I got the camera home and uploaded my photo that I saw that one of the firefighters had his hands up over me in the photo! Characters! They were very nice and I thanked them. It was a silly thing, but it was not easy for me to do. Here's proof!




I drank LOTS of fluids today and I am not cold today. I don't know what was up yesterday but I am feeling much better! Thanks to those of you who have sent me your well wishes!

Well, I am off to check in with my crusty old jake friends!

Take care, stay safe and I'll write again soon!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 47

Hi Team!

I feel like putting on my hiking boots and jumping up and down on Pete or leaving him under the wheel of the fire truck! Again, his button got pushed and my steps cleared! He is only indicating 1, 495 steps at 10:00 pm at night. I had more than that logged before 9 am this morning!

I did drink enough today. I got to bed an hour ealier than usual last night and I took a two hour nap today!

I hope I am not getting sick. I felt totally exhausted and could not keep my eyes open today. I also could not get warm. My nickname is Hotflash because I am rarely cold! Today I had the heat up to seventy, was fully clothed and had on an especially warm shirt, put on a silk thermal top under my shirt, curled up in my night time comfortor and had a hot daschund in my lap and and my blanket over my head in my recliner chair and could not get warm. I took that nap that way and when I awoke, still cold, I took my temperature. It was 98.0 On my way back to work I bought a pumpkin spice latte. I finally got warm after that. I do NOT have time to get sick, nor am I the slightest bit interested in doing so.

My brother has been telling me to post in a particular forum on the IACOG website. (a social networking site for fire fighters and supporters of fire fighters. It is the PAR forum (personal accountability report). He told me to post my story there and that I would find an outpouring of support. He was SO right. I posted my shortened version of my story there last night and have received something like 24 welcome posts, several pm's and more encouragement than I ever imagined in just 24 hours time. There are firefighters from across the country, Canada and France who have welcomed me. There are rookies to Chief Engineers and everything in between who have welcomed me and sent encouragement. It feels like a close family and they have accepted me into it already. It makes me feel warm all over to be a part of it. Just thought I would share that with all of you.

Well, I must get to bed now.

Stay safe!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 47

Hi Team!

Some days, I could just strangle Pete! If he were a person, I might be a criminal already. Pete claims I have walked 1,484 steps today. At 2:00 pm however, he had logged over 12,000 steps. YAY ME! Sometime between then and now, he got cleared. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!! I guess I need to find a pedometer with a cover over the buttons!

I did drink plenty of fluids today and I enjoyed my walk/work out with Coach Alex. (She is so awesome!) I didn't get enough sleep last night, but that is mostly due to sudden viruses taking over the computer and I had to work on getting them off of my computer. I am happy to report my computer is clean. (I think the problem is that my son has to use a jump drive between home and school and it cannot be avoided.) I have to run scans all the time even with McAfee that I pay for and whatever program it is that qwest uses. In any case, I am in the clear for now.

I am going to go to bed now because I really need the sleep. Thanks for reading. YOu all rock!

Stay Safe!

Hotflash out!

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 46

Hi Team!

Today has been a good day. Pete logged 7,089 steps in the parts of the day that he wasn't hanging from his yarn tether not counting my steps.

I drank my fluids (2 quarts) and I even handled the morning without caffeine even though I went to bed too late! Yay me!

I dioscovered that TFD does not train civilians as EMT's at all. And they won't be holding EMT classes for their own until the second half of 2010, but they were very nice, courteous and pleasant to email back and forth with.

My bro says that the smaller depts. in the area would be more likely to be of help to me. THey need so many bodies to fill a class and the income from an outsider would help with their budgets, etc. I'm thinking East Pierce Fire and Rescue or University Place, maybe even Central Pierce.

I found a great blog, it's called Hydrant Girl and her Firefighter. She has some great pictures posted there. One is really cute. Hydrant Girl has finished school and is a firefighter, but not a career firefighter yet. It is her hope and dream to become one. Firefighter is a career firefighter. Hydrant Girl tells great stories and posts great pictures. One of my favorites is of her in her wedding dress... and bunker pants! Another great picture there is of a ladder truck, ladder extended, fire fighter on ladder, sillhouetted against a background of a giant explosion of flame! It's COOL! ...er... HOT! (Thanks Hydrant Girl for encouraging me! You are yet another of my heroes!)

Well, I have to go to bed, so...

STAY SAFE!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 45

Hi Team!

Woops! How did THAT happen???

It is nearly 11:00 @_@

This will be short because I have to go to bed.

Pete say's I walked 11,457 steps today. I drank my two quarts of water and I slept pretty well last night. I had a good day.

Jamie mentioned that the fire department might allow a civilian to attend their EMT classes for a fee to offset their costs and so I inquired of TFD today. I sent an email to Melinda Walter, the PIO. I have not heard back yet.

Thanks for all the encouragement from all of you. YOu ROCK!

Oh, and Coach Alex found me another theme song: Unbreakable, by Fireflight.

Song: Unbreakable
Artist: Fireflight
Licensed by: Sony Music Entertainment

Lyrics:

Where are the people that accused me?
The ones who beat me down and bruised me
They hide just out of sight
Can't face me in the light
They'll return but I'll be stronger

God, I want to dream again
Take me where I've where I've never been
I want to go there
This time I'm not scared
Now I am unbreakable, it's unmistakable
No one can touch me
Nothing can stop me

Sometimes it's hard to just keep going
But faith is moving without knowing
Can I trust what I can't see
To reach my destiny
I want to take control but I know better

God, I want to dream again
Take me where I've never been
I want to go there
This time I'm not scared
Now I am unbreakable, it's unmistakable
No one can touch me
Nothing can stop me

Forget the fear it's just a crutch
That tries to hold you back
And turn your dreams to dust
All you need to do is just trust

God, I want to dream again (I want to dream again)
Take me where I've never been
I want to go there (I want to go there)
This time I'm not scared
Now I am unbreakable, it's unmistakable (I am unbreakable)
No one can touch me
Nothing can stop me.


Although I felt discouraged by life as a teenager and even by those well meaning people around me who love me, I have a dream now that I am going to chase. I believe that GOD IS ABLE and if HE wants me to do this, NOTHING CAN STOP ME!

Thanks to all of you for believing in me.

Please stay safe!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 44

Hi Team!

I'm posting early hoping to get to bed at a decent time.

Today I drank my two quarts of fluid and I had a day of rest. I only logged 2,334 steps on Pete, but I did go to sunday school, church services and quiz practice so that involved a lot of sitting. I slept pretty well for the few hours I got last night. I woke up around 4:30 when my family was getting ready to leave for a day of hunting. I couldn't go back to sleep and I had been up late so I was pretty gosh darned tired today and had a hard time staying awake at church.

I am feeling more and more like pushing myself to reach for the highest dreams. Even my mom is encouraging me to go all the way for it now. Once I finish EMT school, work for a year, obtain paramedic courses and become a paramedic I want to go through the fire academy. We'll see if I am still saying that when the time comes, but if I'm gonna live the dream I should do it all the way! If I don't try I will never know!

Short and sweet so I can finish up other things before bed!

Stay safe!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 43

Hi Team!

I conked out before posting yesterday (Saturday) so here I am bright and early to catch up.

Day 43 was a good day. I slept very well with 7 1/2 hours of sleep time. I drank almost 3 quarts of fluids and Pete tells me I walked 14,211 steps.
I would say all in all that was a good day, don't you think so?!

Today I also attended the Fall Fun Days, sponsored by the University Place Fire Department. THis is an event they do annually for kids. While I didn't have any kids to take with me, I did manage to find a few to go with. My assistant's roommate has two kids and we took them. And I didn't "dork" out with an attack of the shy's! I carried on almost a 10 minute conversation with a firefighter about their ladder truck and the new trucks Tacoma is getting. Thanks to the Firebuffs, I knew something about what I was talking about! I was able to tell the firefighter things he didn't know and the conversation was easy. YAY ME!

Well, that's about all I have for now. Thanks to all of you who continue to support me in this dream! The support I have been getting from all of you has been amazing! I am SO blessed.

Until later,

Stay SAFE!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 42

Hi Team!

Today I called Tacoma Community College to find out more about the EMT class. It seems that it is never offered summer quarter. The classes are currently 5:30-9:30 pm T and TH with several saturdays thrown in. I work until 6 pm. Arrrgghhh! (did I just hear a pirate?!) I now have to figure out how to convince my boss what a good thing it would be to let me off an hour early, two nights a week so I can go to class. "oh Cindy, I need to get off an hour early two nights a week for the next quarter so that I can go learn how to work somewhere else!" I don't think that is going to fly. If anyone has any great ideas on how to approach her, let me know. I am signed up to be called to register for the class starting in April. THe class starting in January is already full. When they call me I have to register early on the day they give me or the class will be full. They take call back lists, but do not create waiting lists. It is simply first come, first served once they call to let you know the registration has begun. If I don't get in in April, I will have to wait until September. All you prayer warriors out there, please pray the doors would be opened for me, Lord willing.

The closer this is coming to reality, the more excited I am feeling. I can hardly wait to get into classes. I am amazed at how much support I have received from my childcare families and from firefighters and emergency personnel I've "bumped into" for lack of better description, on the internet.

Moving on...

Tomorrow is Fall Fun Days, sponsored by the University Place Fire Department. Thankfully, I know someone with kids who is interested in going. Noni, my assistant at work, has a roommate with several small children so we will be taking them. It should be fun. Hopefully I will not be shy tomorrow.

Today Pete only recorded 8,606 steps. I know Pete is lying today, because it was a walk day for me and I usually clock that much before 10:00 on those days. Today, I discovered many times when Pete had detached from my waistband and was only hanging on by the yarn tether I made for him to prevent for him the same fate that my other pedometer suffered. Onfortunately, hanging from a tether does not give Pete the same counting ability he would other wise have. So anyway, I know I walked a lot this month. Thank you so very much to all of my supporters.

I drank my fluids, without much problem today.

Stay safe,

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 41

Hi Team!

This will be short and sweet.

I only walked 6971 steps today in Pete's humble opinion. Oh well, guess we'll go with that.

I only drank about a quart and a half of fluides to day. OOPS!

I spent money today that I really didn't want to. :( Had to buy smaller bras! :D

I'm fixing to go to bed here soon YAY ME!


Th... TH... That's all folks!

Stay safe!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 40

Hi Team!

Today was an interesting day. I started out by shutting my alarm off, sitting up and falling back asleep. That was at 4:25 this morning. At 5:05 my husband said, "It's after 5!" and woke me up. So in 20 minutes I got ready for work and scrambled out the door to pick up my co-worker. When I got to her house, nobody came out. I waited a few minutes past the usual time and then knocked on the door. No answer. I repeated and got the same result, twice more. I called her home and cell phone from my cell phone and left messages. I went to work. She showed up just before "show time." Seems she shut her alarm off and went back to sleep too!

The next thing I noticed is that I left Pete behind again this morning. CRAP! On a work out day, too. I called the handsome hubby but he was going a different direction than usual this morning so he couldn't bring it to me. Well that meant three and a half hours of up and moving around not being tallied. SIGH

I wasn't about to walk my route without Pete so I hurried home to get him after work before meeting Coach Alex. Coach Alex was happily getting out of her truck when I pulled up to the meeting place. She did a little Snoopy dance and sang, "I beat you! I beat you!" over and over. THen she made me promise to tell everyone. Of course I beat her by over 20 minutes every time (except today) but that doesn't seem to matter. :D

Oh well.

Pete logged 10,242 steps after my first 3 1/2 hours of walking around today! Yay me!

I forgot my water bottle at home both this morning and afternoon today so I did not get more than about a quart of fluids in me today. :( I have just had one of "those" days today. Check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lSliucgygc&feature=player_detailpage

Then you'll know how I am feeling today! At least there's a new day tomorrow! (Lord willing and the creek don't rise!)

Until such time,

Stay safe!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 40

Hi Team!

Auuuuuugggghhh! Where does the time go??? It is very late and I should be in bed so this will be another short blog.

I forgot to put Pete into commission this morning so I went to work with out him. I put him in service about 10:00 am instead of 4:45 am so his results are not really accurate. He only recorded 4,516 steps. Oh well. Maybe he needed the rest.

I drank my two quarts of fluids today as usual.

I am getting more and more comfortable with stairs. Most of the time now I can go up or down without feeling like I need to use the handrail. This is great because not only does it mean my knees are getting stronger, but I am also not having to get as many flu bugs on my hands! I work in a school so those rails are heavily used and we all know how well children wash their hands. (Heck, adults aren't much better, often times.)

Well, that's all folks. I'm heading to bed!

Stay safe!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 39

Hi Team!

Right to the point today:

Pete recorded 14,903 steps today. YAY ME!! I am doing well on most days. the weekends, not so much. I tend to be on the lazy side and also have a lot of engagements that have me sitting on weekends.

I drank only about a quart today :( but I can do better tomorrow. I wasn't thirsty most of the day, but I sure am tonight.

On a really positive note, I weighed myself on the scale I originally was going from to begin with. I started this climb up the ladder at 201 lbs. On day 28 I weighed 204 :( My mom told me to not give up and that most of what I had lost had been replaced by muscle. I lost 12+ inches and was VERY happy about that. BUt today I bravely stepped back on to the original scale and I am now at 196! YAY ME!!!!lots of weight loss


Well, I've gotta go and catch some zzzzzzzzzz'z and I hope you all hve a great time.

Well, I'm literally falling asleep here so I will let you go with just this message above. Stay Safe!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 38

Hi Team!

Today is Sunday, my day of rest! (Good thing I worked so hard on Friday!)

I only logged 2,522 steps with Pete today. I guess that is about par for a sunday, for me.

I had my two quarts of fluids today, mostly water, even. Yay me! I did not sleep nearly enough last night and I am heading for too late of a night now. Hopefully the novelty of high speed internet will wear off soon.

Tomorrow is a walk day so I will have some work put in by next blog.

That's really all I have to report right now.

Thanks for your continued support and encouragement. I love you guys so much!

Stay safe!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 37

Hi Team!

OOOPS! I Forgot to post yesterday! Here it is, late.

I was so excited about FINALLY having high speed internet, that I did nothing but watch YouTube and catch up on a few games on facebook that I had given up on with dial up. I never knew there were so many cool firefighting related videos on YouTube! My favorite is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI8xL_yp8fk Click on the link or cut and paste into your browser. It is awesome!

Anyway, I forgot to put Pete on the waist band yesterday so I don't have a step count for the day. Suffice it to say it was minimal. I've already admitted I spent the day on YouTube!

I did eat moderately, and I drank a good 3 or more quarts of fluids yesterday! I attended my second Fire Buff Battalion meeting too. I'll tell you about it later in another Flashpointz blog.

That's about it. Sorry it was short!

Stay Safe!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 36

Hi Team!

I am TIIIIIRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But OH so SATISfied!

Today Pete logged 21,191 steps!! 12,000 of them were before noon and I took Pete off for a little over an hour in the middle of the day today.

I was such a good wannabe today. My walk started out in light, occasional rain showers. By half way through the second half of my walk, it was pouring. And I still had to do 12 sets of steps. Which I did, while getting soaked to the bone! And praise God, I didn't have any knee issues today at all and that was while being brave and not using the handrail. Yay ME, and God is ABLE and GOOD!

I got to bed a little earlier last night, only about an hour earlier than I have been so I still need towork on that, but it was better for me. And I slept very well last night.

I drank my usual two quarts of fluids today.

Last but not least tonight...

Tonight I earned one fifth of the money I still need to come up with for school. My company puts on a Parent's Night Out program where a few of the staff stay until 10:00 at night to do special activities with the kids and provide them with dinner so the parents can have a night out. The staff who work the shift get to split the 15.00 per head fee. Tonight I made just over 100.00 for school!! The last two hours of the evening were the toughest. I just kept reminding myself, "EMT school, EMT school..." and that made it more bearable. I wish it was up to me how often I can host these events! I'd do it once a month and start saving up for paramedic school too!

Well, I am very tired and not into writing blogs tonight. So, for now...
STAY SAFE!!!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 35

Hi Team!

Today was a much better day than yesterday. I started a women's group at Coach Alex's church today called Warrior Women, and it is about not giving up, among other things. Just what the BIG doctor ordered! It was a real pick me up today. Also, I found my firehat earring in the parking lot of my company's main office. YAY ME!! I am still not feeling that well and I have been EXTREMELY tired today as I did not sleep well last night. But I am plugging at it anyway.

Pete logged 9,675 steps today, and that total was taken a full two hours + earlier than when I usually check it. I guess I did all right today! I have also drank my two quarts of fluids today. I intend to try and get more sleep tonight. And that is why I checked Pete's tally early.

I still have a few things to do, but hopefully I will be in bed soon!

Thanks for the support. You are all awesome!

Talk to you soon... STAY SAFE!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 34

Hi Team.

No exclamation point today. Not everything, but many things that Could go wrong today DID. I woke up feeling crappy. I went to my morning shift and developed a migraine headache. TOday school was out early so with that combination I skipped my workout and slept. Back at school, the weather was terrible. I had the University Place Fire Department coming out for fire safety talks and a chance for the kids to explore the fire engine. Yay. IN the pouring down rain. One of my firehat earrings broke and got lost. One of my staff called in sick. Pete only recored 53 steps. (apparently his reset button got pushed). Not the best day I have ever had.

On a positive note, when we were about to take the kids out to explore the fire engine they got a call and had to leave, but the call got cancelled and they pulled right back in before they even got their lights and siren on; the rain let up during the exploration of the fire engine but was coming down in buckets before and after; One of the firefighters who came out was the step mother of one of my kids, and that was unexpected today; One of my parents works for SNAPPLE and gave me four bottles of Nantucket Nectars, in different flavors just because; and while looking for something else in my car I found my North Pole Fire Department hat, that I forgot I even had. God is GOOD. He keeps reminding me of this.

I don't know how many steps I really walked to day but I do know that I took extra steps on purpose, pacing during a movie we showed the kids, walking the kids back and forth to the fire engine, parking at the far end of the lot, and so on.

I drank about 2 quarts today. I should have drank even more! I'm thirsty tonight. I am not getting sick. I am not getting sick. I am not getting sick...

It is an hour earlier than I have been getting to bed and I am getting done here and going to bed now.

Thanks for continuing to stick with me. You are the best team a Wannabe could have!

Stay Safe!!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 33

Hi Team!!

I am extra happy today, that is why the extra ! in Hi Team!!

Pete counted 9525 steps today, and it wasn't even a day of purposely walking! YAY ME!!! :D

I drank 2 1/2 quarts today, easily so that is great too.

My biggest weakness is wrapping things up early enough to get a good night's sleep. Please keep praying for me on that. It's tough being a night owl trapped in an early bird's body! (or vice versa, whatever!)

I would just like to officially announce that the end of the tunnel is in sight, at least a little. I have secured half of the funding needed to pay for my EMT classes from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous. I would like to say a big thank you to that person. Believing in my dream is the biggest encouragement anyone could give me and I feel so blessed to have friends, family and even relative strangers being SO supportive of me. I have received encouragement from firefighters I have never met on firefighter nation (similar to facebook) and on a fan fiction story site, and firefighters whose paths have crossed mine in public. To ALL of you, THANK YOU!

I have to wrap it up now. The bed is calling me. "Karen... Karen..."
Did you hear it? "KAREN... KAREN..." Oh, it's getting louder. I'd better go!

Until later... Stay safe!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 32

Hi Team!

I had a good day as far as walking goes. Pete recored 11,280 steps. I only drank about a quart and a half of fluids today though. And I didn't get much sleep at all last night. That is why today's blog is short, sweet, to the point and probably quite boring. I'm going to bed! YAY ME!

Until later, Stay safe!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 31

Hi Team!

It has been another lazy Sunday. I like Sundays!

Pete logged only 2215 steps today. I don't mind. I like having a day of rest.

My fluid intake today was down for the first time in a while. I probably only drank about a quart of fluids today. I will probably regret that tomorrow. We shall see.

I don't really have much to report today. I am getting ready for bed. Oh, and I'm also looking forward to Saturday, the 17th for the next Fire Buff Battalion meeting. I can hardly wait.

Until tomorrow when I write again, Stay Safe!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 31

Hi Team!

Today has been a really terrific day, mostly.

Coach Alex and I made up for missing yesterday's walk by meeting this morning to walk instead. Our usual route has been somewhat modified. It seems the mall is now under construction and our path of the perimeter has been blocked. We now have to go around a huge section of parking lot. This is not really so much of a problem, it actually adds distance. The real problem (at least for a brief moment) is the fact that they have blocked access to the steps we have been using for climbing. HOwever, on our walk around the perimeter, detour included, I noticed that just a short distance out of our way there are two sets of steps leading up to Toys R Us, on the side of their building. There are only 9 steps to a flight there, where as the former Nordstrom's entrance had ten (two sets of five with a small landing inbetween sets). The nine steps all in one shot seem to be comparable, until I started climbing them. The individual steps were higher and the stairways were steeper. After 4 trips up and down I commented that I would probably make 6 and move on. At first, Coach Alex didn't encourage me. Neither did she discourage me.
But then she stopped talking and looked at me, after a moment I said, "What?" She gave me a hard time BRIEFLY and then I had to kick my own a.. and keep myself going, finishing 12 sets. YAY ME!!!

Pete says my total step count was 9,256. I am pleased enough with that count. Still hoping to reach 10,000 daily on regular days that are not exercise days.

I drank about 2 quarts today, a tad bit over that really. I am happy enough with that.

The rough part of the day was that today was the TFD's open house events. I attended the one at station 11. Unfortunately, all the people with kids of their own i had planned to go with changed their minds for various reasons. Coach Alex offered to go with me so that I wouldn't have to go alone. I hate to go with out kids to fire department things because I don't want to be seen as a fireman groupie. WHile I admit I DO like to look at firemen, that isn't the primary draw. I grin wider and more easily at shiny fire engines than firemen. Alex and I showed up and I spoke to two firefighters who were manning the goodie table. I asked for a plastic firehat because the custodian at the school I work in, knowing I am "into" the fire department and would be attending the event asked me to pick one up if I could for his grandson. His grandson wants to be a firefighter for halloween and mom made him a nice set of turnout gear but he needed a hat. Nobody was going to be able to make it to the open houses to get one. The firefighters kindly gave me a hat and made sure I got a stick on badge as well. Then they said to just take a whole goodie bag. I then inquired as to weather or not they had a pen with the TFD logo on it, explaining that I was starting to collect fire department pens. They didn't have one, just some cool pencils which they offered me. I was very impressed though that one of the firefighters took his personal pen out of his pocket and examined it to see if it might fit the bill. It was a nice pen! I do believe he would have given it to me if it had had the logo. FIrefighters are such NICE people. Oh, yeah, I said there was a rough part to this. Ok, well, I'm getting there already. I had planned and hoped to speak with the paramedics at the station about the process of becoming a paramedic and the process of becoming one for the fire department, specifically. Unfortunately today was one of those days when I got an attack of the shy's. I couldn't bring myself to do it. Alex asked me which ones were the paramedics and all I could do was say, "well, how should I know? I don't hang out here or anything. I just drive by every day." I felt very awkward haning around there and finally I gave up and left. AUUUUUGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!! Why do I DO that sometimes? Firefighters are nice, not scary. There were both male and female firefighters there so it wasn't that kind of an issue. In fact I have noticed when I drive by the station and see them out with the rigs, more often than not that at least one of the paramedics on shift is a woman. I just don't get what makes me feel so self conscious, silly, awkward and shy! How will I ever get past that? Pray for me, please! God is able.

To finish with a positive note: a nice lady from church approached me at a special event I went to today. She said, "Karen I bought you something."
This is an older, retired woman who is trying to help support her daughter and her family and who is on a fixed income. She presented me with a beautiful skirt. It is a 1x size. WHen I started all this I wore a 2x and sometimes they were tight. I tried this on to see if I can wear it to church on SUnday. It fits! It is even a bit on the loose side! (I will have it taken in if need be later.) What an encouragement from my friend Sharon. What a blessing.

Okay, to bed now. Way overdue.

Stay Safe!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 30

Hi Team!

I almost forgot to blog! OOOPS!!

Today was an interesting day. Because there was no school in University Place today, my job was an all day job rather than the usual split. I was fortunate enough to have the opening shift. SWEET! 6:15-12:15, then off! The down side, I didn't get my walk in today. (But Coach Alex and I are instead meeting at 9:00am on Saturday to walk.

Despite not intentionally exercising PETE recorded 9886 steps today. YAY ME!!

I have had about 2 quarts of fluids today, mostly water even!

I'm very tired and over due for bed so I'll write at you all more another time.

Stay Safe!!!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 29

Hi Team!

Today has been a great day. It was beautiful out and I am feeling pretty darn good about the loss of inches I recorded yesterday. And Coach Alex left me a great, encouraging comment on my blog, that was especially nice. Thanks, Chicky.

Today Pete documented 10,136 steps! YAY ME! It wasn't even an "exercise day." Tomorrow is supposed to be but I have to work and then I have other commitments, so we will see what happens.

I drank right around two quarts today so I'm still on track there.

I still need to get more sleep. I am not very disciplined in this department at all! (I'm sure nobody has noticed that, though!) Speaking of which, I should be doing that now so "Hasta luego y...."

Stay Safe!

Hotflash out!

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 28

Hi Team!

Well today is the day, day 28. I've officially been climbing this ladder for 4 weeks. First thing is first though.

Today Pete recorded 8,833 steps before 11:00 a.m. At that time I changed my clothes and accidently left Pete behind so I have no idea how much I did after that. SIGH

I drank about 2 quarts today so that isn't really news anymore.

OKAY, I know some of you are waiting for this so here it is.

First, I did not lose ANY weight, I actually gained 3 lbs. 0_0

However, this is what I found when I took my measurements:

Day 2 Day 28

Chest 39" Chest 38"
Bust 48" Bust 45"
Waist 48.5" Waist 44.25"
Hips 54" Hips 52"
Upper arm 14" Upper arm 14"
Thigh 25" Thigh 23 "

I've lost 12.25 inches!!! YAY ME!!

I hope that on Day 56 I will show improvements from today's results.

Well, I have to go to sleep now.

Stay Safe!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 27

Hi Team!

Today Pete say's I walked 5,924 steps. I'm still trying to figure out how to bring that number up during the course of my day.

I drank about 70 ounces today. YAY ME! I am so happy that it is becoming a habit. I cannot say the same about exercise yet, but I wish I could. Next week I am going to try and increase the stairs on my walks from 12 sets to 15. That might be too soon, but I'm going to try. I figure that when 30 is a piece of cake, I will start wearing a backpack or something.

Tomorrow is the day I officially weigh in and re-take my measurements. I am a little nervous about it. I am not sure why. I guess I am afraid I will be disappointed but no matter what, I shouldn't be. Already I am feeling better and have more energy. My clothes are fitting better. My son said I look healthier and seem to be more energetic and upbeat. Really I have nothing to complain about!

Well, I am off to bed. I have about 6 hours until I have to get up. I guess I still need to figure that one out, huh?

Remember to test your smoke detectors and STAY SAFE!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 26

Hi Team!

This will be a short post. It is late and I need to sleep.

Today Pete recorded 12, 649 steps. I'm doing great on walk days but still need to consistantly hit 8,000 on the off days.

I drank two and a half quarts today. YAY ME. It is starting to be come a habit to drink. I don't have to think about it much any more.

I only got about 5 hours to sleep. If I get off now, I will have about 6 1/2 hours before I have to get up. Needless to say, that IS the plan.

Before I go, I would like to send out a special thank you to Coach Alex. Although she was feeling under the weather today, she still got up and got out to come walk with me and encourage me. Alex, you're the best friend ever!

Be sure and check with your local fire departments this week for any open houses and special events. This is national fire prevention week. For anyone who wants to make my day, I am collecting pens with fire department logos! hint hint. :D

Thanks for reading and for encouraging me.

Stay safe!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 25

Hi Team!

Well, I told you yesterday Sunday is a day of rest and it has been :D
Yay ME! LOL

Pete say's I walked 2911 steps today. That is because most of the day was spent sleeping or writing at the computer. I love weekends because it is SO much easier to find time to sleep! I got a good eight hours last night and actually woke up on my own, without an alarm clock.

I've done very well with my fluids today. I have had about 72 ounces. YAY ME.

Well, Only three more days and it will be time to take an official weigh in. I will also be taking my measurements to see any progress there.

I have been unable to figure out why I was not getting comments left on this blog. Since I started investigating this problem I have not recieved a single comment. Please let me know via e-mail if you leave a comment so I will know if I am missing any. Your comments are encouraging to me and help me to stay motivated. Thanks.

Nothing much else to report so, until later, Stay safe!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Days 23 and 24

Hi Team!

Wow, I have been on a flat run! (Not literally according to Pete, but I sure have been busy!)

Friday, (day 23) I left for work bright and early, worked the morning shift, went to the mall for my walking workout, went home for a shower and headed back to work to take care of a few errands, then on to my afternoon shift. I got off work an hour early and then it was off to the quiz meet. I did not get home until well after 10 pm at night. I had left for work at 5:20 that morning. LONG DAY!

On Friday, I still got in 12, 232 steps. YAY ME! I also drank nearly 3 quarts of fluids!!!!

I had very little sleep the night before, (approx 5 hours) but that isn't a surprise if you've been reading this blog. On Saturday, I got up feeling refreshed after my 7 hours of sleep which I had awakened from before an alarm went off. I had slept well! I got ready and then headed off to a quiz meet, day two. I got home a little before 5:00 pm. Scorekeeping is tough work requiring attention to detail, concentration and a large healthy sense of humor. I never leave a quiz meet with out a huge headache and today was no exception so I took it easy for a while when I got home. Then my neighbor wanted me to take her on some errands and I did. Then I let her stay here a while because my house is warm and hers isn't. Now, here I am, tired, relaxed and ready for bed, home alone. Oh, did I mention that my son is at his friend's house and my husband is away working all weekend?

I don't have much to report statistically today. The Pete's buttons kept getting pushed so I don't have an accurage step count. I drank at least two quarts of fluids today, but stopped keeping track. ANd as I mentioned above, I got at least 7 hours of sleep last night! Yay me, God IS able.

Tomorrow is a day of rest, and I intend to.

Until later, stay safe!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 22

Hi Team!

I hope the rain hasn't gotten any of you down. I am kind of liking it, but I am not looking forward to my walk tomorrow because if it is icky out I will be walking inside the mall instead of outside. I like the outside better.

Well, according to Pete I walked 7,269 steps today. That is 357 calories! Yay me!!

I did a good job on my fluids today, about 60 ounces. :D

As I warned yesterday, the sleep level was not so good. (Only 4 1/2 hours down time) Today I will do better.

I have a quiz meet (Bible quizzing) that I am score keeping for this weekend so if I don't post my friday posting on time, don't be alarmed. I will catch it up by saturday evening or make one "two day" post.

My boss has officially decided I am obsessed with my fire department "stuff". I could have told her that!! I admit it freely. I broke down and ordered something I have been wanting. In the next week or so I should have a ball cap with the maltese cross on it and the words "Fire Department". I usually wear a ball cap when I have to be out in the rain. (Such as supervising recess or going for walks.) I might as well wear one that makes me smile!

I am a little apprehensive about walking tomorrow after all the trouble I had yesterday. I am praying I don't have the numbness in my feet again. That was really unpleasant. I want to walk with confidence. God is Able and therefore, I will not worry. (at least I'm trying not to).

One week until I weigh in and take measurements. We'll see what kind of progress I've made.

Thanks for reading and for supporting my dreams. I love you all.

Until next time, stay safe!

Hotflash out.