Hi Team!
I have worked very hard today at being active. I got my three miles in with Coach Alex this morning and I was on my feet much of the day as well at work. I am a little behind on my fluids but will catch up by bedtime to 2 1/2 quarts. I got plenty of sleep last night and have felt pretty good most of the day. Yay ME! 3 for three (I promise to finish the fluids so I don't have to report back about that).
I have had a pretty productive day. I discovered I could not get my TB test with my immunizations because they are not open on Saturday and that is the day they would need to check it but I was able to obtain it elsewhere today and will have it checked on Friday. :) Tomorrow I will be the human pin cushion :( The best thing that happened today though, was that I was able to convince the Red Cross to let me into an already OVER capacity Professional Rescuer CPR class for Saturday. I was polite but persistant and even asked what the odds of getting in would be if I just showed up and hoped somebody else didn't. The lady I spoke with, Catherine, took pity on my and spoke with the instructor about the situation I was in and I was allowed in! THANKS CATHERINE!! By Monday, I should have everything I need to go register for the class! With any luck ( or better yet, divine intervention) I will get in.
I have also hit a bump in the road. My recent lack of discipline has caught up with me. I weighed today, finally. I regained 5 pounds! I am back up to 194. This is my first relapse I think and I can beat it but I will have to be on top of things. I have to be careful about emotional eating and remember to watch how much junk I eat. There has been more around the house lately, post holiday stuff so it has been a little challenging. I was at first very discouraged even though I suspected the outcome. But then I remembered some kind words from a Crusty Jake that I posted a while back. I will post them again because they still apply and I find them to be an encouragement.
nwfdcap26-respectdajob wrote:
Having a dream is the same as having a goal. Accepting that it may take some uneven roads, and a few bumps, and maybe even a wrong turn or two are just part of the journey.
I had a dream too. I dreamed it everyday. Conscious and subconscious thought. Day dreams....it was all-consuming. I hit a few snags along the way too. But in the end, what I thought was almost impossible became a lifestyle that I KNEW I wanted, but wasn't sure I would obtain.
Now, sometimes I have to look back at it all to stay grounded, and realize what it took to get here.
You'll do fine. If it was so easy it wouldn't be worth it.
Thanks for the lift, brother! (again!)
I'll blog at you later but stay safe in the mean time!
Hotflash out.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Report From Ladder Company 40 Day 133
Hi Team!
It is good to be back and I have a fresh attitude and I am ready to dig in and climb hard! Last night I slept very well! YAY ME! I drank 2 quarts of herbal tea today and I was very active and on my feet for most of the day. Yay ME! 3 for 3!!
I still haven't heard from the college about registration for the EMT course. I called them today and was shocked at what I discovered. Apparently whomever I spoke to in September, or October, whenever it was that I called them, did not know what they were talking about and misinformed me. I don't know if I ever was on the waitlist or not. Apparently I was supposed to fill out an application for the program already. I don't know how long ago the applications for the spring class became available but if I am not one of the first 27 to complete all the requirements and turn it in, I don't get into the class. *&^$!!!!
The nice lady I spoke to today e-mailed me the application. I need transcripts, (official ones, mailed directly to this college from the other colleges -which takes as long as two weeks) which I expected, but I didn't know I needed them right now! I need a whole mess of immunizations, which insurance won't pay for of course: TB test, MMR, Diptheria/Tetanus, Hep B series (must be started to apply for EMT program), Flu shot, H1N1 shot (note from doc will suffice since I had it, I checked on that) and chicken pox! I have an appointment tentatively scheduled for this thursday at 11:30 (if the doc can get the vaccines in by then) and I will leave there looking like swiss cheese!
As frustrated as I am about the crunch to get this done and be one of the first 27, I have to realize that this was not a suprise to God and trust that all will work out in HIS timing, remembering that his timing is always perfect. I am doing my best to consider that and keep a good attitude. Nonetheless, for you prayer warriors out there, please pray for me to get everything in quickly and get into the program this spring. If I do, I will be hirable by summer and since I don't have a job in the summers with my current employer, that would be especially helpful!
In other news, Cat (Fire Buff Battalion President) e-mailed me today and wants to get together to get my fire department issued Fire Buff ID badge at which point I will officially be designated Canteen 7 (not 6 like I had been told earlier) and be able to run calls when needed. =D Yay ME! We also finally launched the Fire Buff Battalion website. If you are interested in taking a look it is still under construction but the address is: http://www.tacomafirebuff.com/
Now, I am late on this but as promised, it is time to start meeting the team (for those who chose to participate). Team, meet Coach Alex: (Giving me a cheesy smile)
Coach Alex is my very best friend in the whole wide world! Alex is the kind of friend that can kick your butt and still make you smile and say thanks! She will not hesitate to administer a good butt kicking when needed and that is exactly why I chose her as my coach. She is positive and always speaks the truth, even when it is something you might not want to hear (but need to).
Alex and I met at work at a Christian School where she was the playground supervisor and I was a Camp Counselor in the summer. She was determined not to like me because I came across to her as a know it all in a meeting when we first met so she kept to herself mostly. One day, she and the children were out on the playground chasing an escaped rabbit around a small fenced in portion of the playground. The kids were trying to help her catch it but they kept getting excited and running and shouting. None of which are conducive to capturning a scared bunny rabbit. Finally one of the kids said, "Mrs. Hecker, just sneak up on it!" to which she replied, "There's no sneaking in gravel!" Well, the sing song way she said it sounded exactly like Tom Hanks (albeit with a higher toned voice) in the movie "A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN" when he said, "There's no crying in baseball!" and I said that out loud because it struck me as funny.
Alex heard me. She and her husband had recently had a conversation that only 1 per cent (or maybe it was 3, I never can remember) of the population regularly quotes movies. Right then she discovered that we were BOTH members of the one per cent club. We have been inseparable ever since. We have since discovered that we are so much alike it scares our kids (and our husbands). They all say when we are together it is scary because it's like having two moms/wives at once. We laugh so much together that my face often hurts when we spend much time together due to the big smile that attaches itself to me.
There you have it. Coach Alex, you are amazing and I love you!
I'm getting off the computer to get some dinner and get to bed at a reasonable time (at least that is the plan) so stay safe!
Hotflash out.
It is good to be back and I have a fresh attitude and I am ready to dig in and climb hard! Last night I slept very well! YAY ME! I drank 2 quarts of herbal tea today and I was very active and on my feet for most of the day. Yay ME! 3 for 3!!
I still haven't heard from the college about registration for the EMT course. I called them today and was shocked at what I discovered. Apparently whomever I spoke to in September, or October, whenever it was that I called them, did not know what they were talking about and misinformed me. I don't know if I ever was on the waitlist or not. Apparently I was supposed to fill out an application for the program already. I don't know how long ago the applications for the spring class became available but if I am not one of the first 27 to complete all the requirements and turn it in, I don't get into the class. *&^$!!!!
The nice lady I spoke to today e-mailed me the application. I need transcripts, (official ones, mailed directly to this college from the other colleges -which takes as long as two weeks) which I expected, but I didn't know I needed them right now! I need a whole mess of immunizations, which insurance won't pay for of course: TB test, MMR, Diptheria/Tetanus, Hep B series (must be started to apply for EMT program), Flu shot, H1N1 shot (note from doc will suffice since I had it, I checked on that) and chicken pox! I have an appointment tentatively scheduled for this thursday at 11:30 (if the doc can get the vaccines in by then) and I will leave there looking like swiss cheese!
As frustrated as I am about the crunch to get this done and be one of the first 27, I have to realize that this was not a suprise to God and trust that all will work out in HIS timing, remembering that his timing is always perfect. I am doing my best to consider that and keep a good attitude. Nonetheless, for you prayer warriors out there, please pray for me to get everything in quickly and get into the program this spring. If I do, I will be hirable by summer and since I don't have a job in the summers with my current employer, that would be especially helpful!
In other news, Cat (Fire Buff Battalion President) e-mailed me today and wants to get together to get my fire department issued Fire Buff ID badge at which point I will officially be designated Canteen 7 (not 6 like I had been told earlier) and be able to run calls when needed. =D Yay ME! We also finally launched the Fire Buff Battalion website. If you are interested in taking a look it is still under construction but the address is: http://www.tacomafirebuff.com/
Now, I am late on this but as promised, it is time to start meeting the team (for those who chose to participate). Team, meet Coach Alex: (Giving me a cheesy smile)
Coach Alex is my very best friend in the whole wide world! Alex is the kind of friend that can kick your butt and still make you smile and say thanks! She will not hesitate to administer a good butt kicking when needed and that is exactly why I chose her as my coach. She is positive and always speaks the truth, even when it is something you might not want to hear (but need to).
Alex and I met at work at a Christian School where she was the playground supervisor and I was a Camp Counselor in the summer. She was determined not to like me because I came across to her as a know it all in a meeting when we first met so she kept to herself mostly. One day, she and the children were out on the playground chasing an escaped rabbit around a small fenced in portion of the playground. The kids were trying to help her catch it but they kept getting excited and running and shouting. None of which are conducive to capturning a scared bunny rabbit. Finally one of the kids said, "Mrs. Hecker, just sneak up on it!" to which she replied, "There's no sneaking in gravel!" Well, the sing song way she said it sounded exactly like Tom Hanks (albeit with a higher toned voice) in the movie "A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN" when he said, "There's no crying in baseball!" and I said that out loud because it struck me as funny.
Alex heard me. She and her husband had recently had a conversation that only 1 per cent (or maybe it was 3, I never can remember) of the population regularly quotes movies. Right then she discovered that we were BOTH members of the one per cent club. We have been inseparable ever since. We have since discovered that we are so much alike it scares our kids (and our husbands). They all say when we are together it is scary because it's like having two moms/wives at once. We laugh so much together that my face often hurts when we spend much time together due to the big smile that attaches itself to me.
There you have it. Coach Alex, you are amazing and I love you!
I'm getting off the computer to get some dinner and get to bed at a reasonable time (at least that is the plan) so stay safe!
Hotflash out.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Report From Ladder Company 40 Day 128-132
Hi Team.
I'm back. The last week or so has been long and hard, but I am amazed at how much love and support I have received from friends and family, from God, from strangers even. Today I layed my grandpa, George Blue, to rest. He was buried with full military honors and Portland Fire and Rescue attended to pay tribute to a wonderful, compassionate man who loved deeply and shared his love and compassion with all he came into contact with. Grandpa served 30 years in the fire service and never tired of talking about his passion for helping others and of telling great stories about his work. He was a wonderful man, an awesome grandpa and I will miss him very much. Rest in peace Grandpa.
I learned something this week that perhaps deep down I knew all along, but now I have to face. I am an emotional eater. I eat for comfort. And when I am sad I eat anything and everything. I fear I may have a lot undoing to to do. And I didn't drink enough either. And because I wasn't sleeping much, I didn't exercise much either, though I DID make my friday workout with Coach Alex.
I realized, too, that I have not fully gotten back into the swing of things since November when I had the swine flu. I need a swift kick in the axe to get back in the game, and prayers for some strong will power to do what needs to be done, no matter how I feel. I DO want this for myself. I WANT to live this dream and I have been letting life drag me down. It's time to toughen up and buckle down and get to work! The way I see it, I've been climbing this ladder for four months and I've made progress. Now I've misstepped and slid down a few rungs but I'm back and it's up, up, up I go from here.
Thanks so much for your support. You'll never know just how much it means to me.
Stay safe!
Hotflash out.
I'm back. The last week or so has been long and hard, but I am amazed at how much love and support I have received from friends and family, from God, from strangers even. Today I layed my grandpa, George Blue, to rest. He was buried with full military honors and Portland Fire and Rescue attended to pay tribute to a wonderful, compassionate man who loved deeply and shared his love and compassion with all he came into contact with. Grandpa served 30 years in the fire service and never tired of talking about his passion for helping others and of telling great stories about his work. He was a wonderful man, an awesome grandpa and I will miss him very much. Rest in peace Grandpa.
I learned something this week that perhaps deep down I knew all along, but now I have to face. I am an emotional eater. I eat for comfort. And when I am sad I eat anything and everything. I fear I may have a lot undoing to to do. And I didn't drink enough either. And because I wasn't sleeping much, I didn't exercise much either, though I DID make my friday workout with Coach Alex.
I realized, too, that I have not fully gotten back into the swing of things since November when I had the swine flu. I need a swift kick in the axe to get back in the game, and prayers for some strong will power to do what needs to be done, no matter how I feel. I DO want this for myself. I WANT to live this dream and I have been letting life drag me down. It's time to toughen up and buckle down and get to work! The way I see it, I've been climbing this ladder for four months and I've made progress. Now I've misstepped and slid down a few rungs but I'm back and it's up, up, up I go from here.
Thanks so much for your support. You'll never know just how much it means to me.
Stay safe!
Hotflash out.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Report From Ladder Company 40 Day 127
Hi Team.
I just want to start by thanking you all for the tremendous support you have been and continue to be during this hard time I am going through. I cannot say enough how much I appreciate the outpouring of love and support. I am SO blessed.
Today was a little better day. I was a zombie for the better part of the day because I had only about 2 1/2 hour sleep. I drank 2 1/2 quarts of water and tea today and I was very active at work! That makes me 3 for 3! I guess I had better figure out how to sleep under stress or I'll never make it as a paramedic! Today was an extra long day at work so after the first few hours I was really wide awake and doing much better than the beginning of the shift. When one works with kids it is kind of a sink or swim kind of deal. Either I had to pull some strength out of my pocket and get it together or I'd have been eaten alive! I chose not to get eaten!
My assistant (the rock of my staff) was out and will be all week because her grandmother is very ill. My substitute is a wonderfully nice person but pretty much useless. She takes no initiative and when given directions and asked if she needs clarification or assistance with anything she says no. She talks as though she understands what is expected and then does nothing! I'd almost rather be a staff person short and over the legal ratio of staff/kids than have to deal with that. The kids are always rowdy and squirrelly when they get out of school early so that can be challenging and today was no exception. On top of it, one of my 4th grade boys really slammed his thumb in the door (heavy metal school doors). He had a small cut or puncture, hard to tell which, on the outer thumb next to the thumbnail and it stubbornly bled. I applied pressure for about two minutes and checked it but it didn't stop. It finally took about 10 minutes of pressure and elevation to stop it. It wasn't a lot of blood but it didn't want to stop. He got upset and started to get nauseated and a stomach ache, pale and generally not looking so hot about the time I got the bleeding stopped and a bandage on his thumb so I took him inside and had him lie down, elevated his feet, kept him warm, I got an ice pack for his thumb and I talked to him as I monitored him for the next 10 minutes. While I dealt with the minor medical emergency my childcare program fell apart and my teacher and the sub did not communicate or effectively handle the 28 kids that were there. Now the teacher is a good teacher and works wonderfully well with me ordinarily, but she was trying to deal with the group with the sub as her back up and nothing was happening. I could see it all falling apart but I could not leave the inured boy. It was very frustrating.
After monitoring the boy for 10 minutes he seemed to be doing better. His color was back, he was talking and animated but still not his usual self and he insisted that his stomach still really hurt and he felt like he would be sick. At this point I managed to get the staff to get all the kids inside from the playground so we were all in the cafeteria. I had the injured boy away from the group and mostly out of site of the kids. He was visible enough that I could monitor him while assisting my staff in getting control of the group again, which I did. Within the next 10 minutes, my injured boy was smiling most of the time he was talking and he was telling me about his dad's previous injuries of having impaled his arm with some part of a broken bicycle one time. I figured this kid would be okay now. Somehow during all of this I had called my boss to inform her of the situation and called the kids' parents. Sadly, mom's work phone went straight to voicemail and the home phone and dad's cell phone, (which were supposed to be emergency back up numbers) gave me a recording of having been disconnected! It was another 40 minutes before his mom called me back and I filled her in. I let her speak to him and it was decided that his dad would come and get him and they would go home. By the time he got picked up he was complaining to dad that he wanted to stay and have a corn dog for snack! It was a very long day!
Once home for the evening I discoveredt that My grandpa's service will be on Monday so I will be taking the train Saturday to the station nearest my brother and will stay with him for the weekend. My husband will drive down on Monday, attend the services and bring us both home. I also found out, however, that my sister, whom I haven't seen in probably 10 years, will be coming from Nebraska and staying with my mom for a week -a mile from my home. I am so excited and happy that I will get to see her. My mom is happy that she will have all her children in one place for the first time in decades!
As I said, I am doing a bit better for now. I'll try to keep current here as much as possible.
Stay safe.
Hotflash out.
I just want to start by thanking you all for the tremendous support you have been and continue to be during this hard time I am going through. I cannot say enough how much I appreciate the outpouring of love and support. I am SO blessed.
Today was a little better day. I was a zombie for the better part of the day because I had only about 2 1/2 hour sleep. I drank 2 1/2 quarts of water and tea today and I was very active at work! That makes me 3 for 3! I guess I had better figure out how to sleep under stress or I'll never make it as a paramedic! Today was an extra long day at work so after the first few hours I was really wide awake and doing much better than the beginning of the shift. When one works with kids it is kind of a sink or swim kind of deal. Either I had to pull some strength out of my pocket and get it together or I'd have been eaten alive! I chose not to get eaten!
My assistant (the rock of my staff) was out and will be all week because her grandmother is very ill. My substitute is a wonderfully nice person but pretty much useless. She takes no initiative and when given directions and asked if she needs clarification or assistance with anything she says no. She talks as though she understands what is expected and then does nothing! I'd almost rather be a staff person short and over the legal ratio of staff/kids than have to deal with that. The kids are always rowdy and squirrelly when they get out of school early so that can be challenging and today was no exception. On top of it, one of my 4th grade boys really slammed his thumb in the door (heavy metal school doors). He had a small cut or puncture, hard to tell which, on the outer thumb next to the thumbnail and it stubbornly bled. I applied pressure for about two minutes and checked it but it didn't stop. It finally took about 10 minutes of pressure and elevation to stop it. It wasn't a lot of blood but it didn't want to stop. He got upset and started to get nauseated and a stomach ache, pale and generally not looking so hot about the time I got the bleeding stopped and a bandage on his thumb so I took him inside and had him lie down, elevated his feet, kept him warm, I got an ice pack for his thumb and I talked to him as I monitored him for the next 10 minutes. While I dealt with the minor medical emergency my childcare program fell apart and my teacher and the sub did not communicate or effectively handle the 28 kids that were there. Now the teacher is a good teacher and works wonderfully well with me ordinarily, but she was trying to deal with the group with the sub as her back up and nothing was happening. I could see it all falling apart but I could not leave the inured boy. It was very frustrating.
After monitoring the boy for 10 minutes he seemed to be doing better. His color was back, he was talking and animated but still not his usual self and he insisted that his stomach still really hurt and he felt like he would be sick. At this point I managed to get the staff to get all the kids inside from the playground so we were all in the cafeteria. I had the injured boy away from the group and mostly out of site of the kids. He was visible enough that I could monitor him while assisting my staff in getting control of the group again, which I did. Within the next 10 minutes, my injured boy was smiling most of the time he was talking and he was telling me about his dad's previous injuries of having impaled his arm with some part of a broken bicycle one time. I figured this kid would be okay now. Somehow during all of this I had called my boss to inform her of the situation and called the kids' parents. Sadly, mom's work phone went straight to voicemail and the home phone and dad's cell phone, (which were supposed to be emergency back up numbers) gave me a recording of having been disconnected! It was another 40 minutes before his mom called me back and I filled her in. I let her speak to him and it was decided that his dad would come and get him and they would go home. By the time he got picked up he was complaining to dad that he wanted to stay and have a corn dog for snack! It was a very long day!
Once home for the evening I discoveredt that My grandpa's service will be on Monday so I will be taking the train Saturday to the station nearest my brother and will stay with him for the weekend. My husband will drive down on Monday, attend the services and bring us both home. I also found out, however, that my sister, whom I haven't seen in probably 10 years, will be coming from Nebraska and staying with my mom for a week -a mile from my home. I am so excited and happy that I will get to see her. My mom is happy that she will have all her children in one place for the first time in decades!
As I said, I am doing a bit better for now. I'll try to keep current here as much as possible.
Stay safe.
Hotflash out.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Report From Ladder Company 40 Day 126
Hi Team.
Simple report is all I have the energy for. I am not really sleeping but I have remembered to drink my fluids. I was busy today and therefore pretty active so I guess that is 2 for three. Just functioning at minimal levels today. Sorry this post is such a downer. I'll climb back out of this hole after I've had a few days to deal with things. Thanks for caring.
Stay safe.
Hotflash out.
Simple report is all I have the energy for. I am not really sleeping but I have remembered to drink my fluids. I was busy today and therefore pretty active so I guess that is 2 for three. Just functioning at minimal levels today. Sorry this post is such a downer. I'll climb back out of this hole after I've had a few days to deal with things. Thanks for caring.
Stay safe.
Hotflash out.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Report From Ladder Company 40 Day 125
Hi Team.
Sorry no exclamation point, it has been a rough day. It started out well. Coach Alex and I did get our walk, our butts have officially fallen off! (Well, we can wish, can't we?) We got to walk outside today! YAY US!! I SO needed the sunshine and fresh air, it was great! Sadly we had one small casualty though. Coach's hubby, John joined us today and was rudely attacked by the curb which threw him to the ground, banging up his knee pretty well. (OUCH!) Kinda takes the reward out of walking, doesn't it? :( We got him seated inside the mall with his knee elevated and rounded up a bag of ice for it as he insisted we continue our walk. He seems to be moving around okay for now. I bet tomorrow's gonna be pretty tough though. Say a prayer for him, please.
Before I forget, I got plenty of sleep last night and I have had about 2 1/2 quarts of fluids today so I am 3 for three.
It got a little rougher after that. My stomach decided to revolt and I have been dealing wtih digestive issues all day. Good thing I did not have to work today and could stay close to the necessary facilities. I spent some time writing my "fan fiction" story which was good because I haven't written for a couple of weeks. I had really bad writer's block. I was glad to post another chapter. And I discovered that my friend (that I met through the writing web site I go to) finally joined facebook so I can keep up with her a little better and she can see all my pictures now! YAY! She has been a tremendous encouragement on this journey but does not have regular internet access and therefore does not follow this blog. She still ROCKS though!
It got even rougher this evening. I was sitting at the computer getting ready to post my chapter when I got a text. It was my brother's facebook status. This is what it said:
"(my brother's name) lost his last grandfather today."
I was shocked and dumbfounded and horrified to read it. Then I was angry to have read it. THen I lost it and cried like a baby. Then I called my mom because I didn't want her to find out from facebook. Upon calling her I found out that she had called my brother and told him. Not me. She said she knew I came home from work late so she hadn't called me yet but was about to. It was 7:23 when I talked to her. I get home around 7 so that made sense. Except I didn't work today. And finding out from a text really sucked! I am not mad at anyone, it was not intentional, it just happened and it really sucks. I know my bro will be horrified when he finds out that I found out that way and I hope he will not think that I took it personally. I hope he will not kick himself because he really thought I already knew. While talking to my mom I made sure that she would call my sister in Omaha and I called our other sister in Portland and made sure her grown daughter knew too so that they would not find out through facebook.
I am deeply saddened by the loss of Grandpa. He is the one I spoke of in an earlier post, the one I saw two weeks ago. I never imagined he would go now. I thought he was doing surprisingly well and had a few more years left in him. I am thankful to have seen him and to have at least said goodbye, even if I didn't realize it was for good. God is amazing and faithful and so loving. Yesterday at church, a young woman came up to me and said, "Last night I could not sleep even though I was really tired. I prayed and God told me to pray for you so I prayed that he would lift you up and show himself to be very real to you." (My tears just started flowing again). He loves me so much he had me lifted in prayer before the news came! That ais so special and so overwhelming!
15 years or more ago, my grandpa died. He was revived miraculously but he remembered being dead. He told us he went to hell and that he hadn't even believed in hell before that. He said he went there and it was awful and he was frightened. I do not know if Grandpa ever gave his life to the Lord after that, but I pray that he did. He was a good, loving and compassionate man and I hope that he gets to spend eternity with our Lord and that I will see him again. Not knowing is hard, but I have to trust that God will not let me think about that and worry about it because it is too late to change it now. I talked to Grandpa a few times about God and being saved but I just don't know what he finally decided. I just hope he is in the big firehouse in the sky shooting the breeze with the firemen and family that have gone before him.
Please forgive me if the next week or so is sporadic as far as posting goes. I will try to be on it because it is good for me but I don't know what this week holds and how strong I will be. I am too sad right now to think about anything more than the moment I am in.
Thanks for all the support you all have been to me and that I know you will continue to be. I feel blessed to have such good friends. Take care and stay safe.
Hotflash out.
Sorry no exclamation point, it has been a rough day. It started out well. Coach Alex and I did get our walk, our butts have officially fallen off! (Well, we can wish, can't we?) We got to walk outside today! YAY US!! I SO needed the sunshine and fresh air, it was great! Sadly we had one small casualty though. Coach's hubby, John joined us today and was rudely attacked by the curb which threw him to the ground, banging up his knee pretty well. (OUCH!) Kinda takes the reward out of walking, doesn't it? :( We got him seated inside the mall with his knee elevated and rounded up a bag of ice for it as he insisted we continue our walk. He seems to be moving around okay for now. I bet tomorrow's gonna be pretty tough though. Say a prayer for him, please.
Before I forget, I got plenty of sleep last night and I have had about 2 1/2 quarts of fluids today so I am 3 for three.
It got a little rougher after that. My stomach decided to revolt and I have been dealing wtih digestive issues all day. Good thing I did not have to work today and could stay close to the necessary facilities. I spent some time writing my "fan fiction" story which was good because I haven't written for a couple of weeks. I had really bad writer's block. I was glad to post another chapter. And I discovered that my friend (that I met through the writing web site I go to) finally joined facebook so I can keep up with her a little better and she can see all my pictures now! YAY! She has been a tremendous encouragement on this journey but does not have regular internet access and therefore does not follow this blog. She still ROCKS though!
It got even rougher this evening. I was sitting at the computer getting ready to post my chapter when I got a text. It was my brother's facebook status. This is what it said:
"(my brother's name) lost his last grandfather today."
I was shocked and dumbfounded and horrified to read it. Then I was angry to have read it. THen I lost it and cried like a baby. Then I called my mom because I didn't want her to find out from facebook. Upon calling her I found out that she had called my brother and told him. Not me. She said she knew I came home from work late so she hadn't called me yet but was about to. It was 7:23 when I talked to her. I get home around 7 so that made sense. Except I didn't work today. And finding out from a text really sucked! I am not mad at anyone, it was not intentional, it just happened and it really sucks. I know my bro will be horrified when he finds out that I found out that way and I hope he will not think that I took it personally. I hope he will not kick himself because he really thought I already knew. While talking to my mom I made sure that she would call my sister in Omaha and I called our other sister in Portland and made sure her grown daughter knew too so that they would not find out through facebook.
I am deeply saddened by the loss of Grandpa. He is the one I spoke of in an earlier post, the one I saw two weeks ago. I never imagined he would go now. I thought he was doing surprisingly well and had a few more years left in him. I am thankful to have seen him and to have at least said goodbye, even if I didn't realize it was for good. God is amazing and faithful and so loving. Yesterday at church, a young woman came up to me and said, "Last night I could not sleep even though I was really tired. I prayed and God told me to pray for you so I prayed that he would lift you up and show himself to be very real to you." (My tears just started flowing again). He loves me so much he had me lifted in prayer before the news came! That ais so special and so overwhelming!
15 years or more ago, my grandpa died. He was revived miraculously but he remembered being dead. He told us he went to hell and that he hadn't even believed in hell before that. He said he went there and it was awful and he was frightened. I do not know if Grandpa ever gave his life to the Lord after that, but I pray that he did. He was a good, loving and compassionate man and I hope that he gets to spend eternity with our Lord and that I will see him again. Not knowing is hard, but I have to trust that God will not let me think about that and worry about it because it is too late to change it now. I talked to Grandpa a few times about God and being saved but I just don't know what he finally decided. I just hope he is in the big firehouse in the sky shooting the breeze with the firemen and family that have gone before him.
Please forgive me if the next week or so is sporadic as far as posting goes. I will try to be on it because it is good for me but I don't know what this week holds and how strong I will be. I am too sad right now to think about anything more than the moment I am in.
Thanks for all the support you all have been to me and that I know you will continue to be. I feel blessed to have such good friends. Take care and stay safe.
Hotflash out.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Report From Ladder Company 40 Day 123 and 124
Hi Team!
Sorry I did not post on Saturday. I spent most of my computer time trying to get some pictures uploaded. I was having problems.
Saturday was a good day. I slept about 9 hours and then had a nap later in the day for about 2 1/2 hours. YAY ME!
I drank all my required fluids (about 3 quarts) but did not get a lot of exercise. I still don't have a new pedometer and it will be at least a couple of weeks, most likely, before I do. Again, if anyone knows where I can find an ankle mount pedometer, please tell me. I know they have them for medical research purposes but I don't know if they are available to the general public or if they are affordable. Pete took quite a beating on my hip though. (RIP, Pete!)
Saturday night was my monthly TPC Fire Buff Battalion meeting. I always look forward to our meetings. I was voted in as club secretary! YAY ME!! I also was issued my official membership card, a fire coat with liner and an official club fire phone!
I'm official!
Me in my fire coat.
A close up of our patch (this one is giant sized on my back)
I can't run fire calls yet though. I have to wait until I get my official ID badge from the fire department. I'm so close I can smell the smoke!
Sunday was a typical day of rest. I have had my fluids, only 2 quarts, but that qualifies. I had plenty of sleep but I didn't do much else. 2 for 3 for friday and for saturday is all I can claim. Tomorrow should be better though. I am meeting Coach Alex in the morning and we are going to walk our butts off! =D
Until next blog, stay safe!
Please, say a prayer for the victims and for the rescuers in Haiti. That was so cool seeing the Haitians singing praises to God despite their hardships! We could learn from that.
Hotflash out.
Sorry I did not post on Saturday. I spent most of my computer time trying to get some pictures uploaded. I was having problems.
Saturday was a good day. I slept about 9 hours and then had a nap later in the day for about 2 1/2 hours. YAY ME!
I drank all my required fluids (about 3 quarts) but did not get a lot of exercise. I still don't have a new pedometer and it will be at least a couple of weeks, most likely, before I do. Again, if anyone knows where I can find an ankle mount pedometer, please tell me. I know they have them for medical research purposes but I don't know if they are available to the general public or if they are affordable. Pete took quite a beating on my hip though. (RIP, Pete!)
Saturday night was my monthly TPC Fire Buff Battalion meeting. I always look forward to our meetings. I was voted in as club secretary! YAY ME!! I also was issued my official membership card, a fire coat with liner and an official club fire phone!
I'm official!
Me in my fire coat.
A close up of our patch (this one is giant sized on my back)
I can't run fire calls yet though. I have to wait until I get my official ID badge from the fire department. I'm so close I can smell the smoke!
Sunday was a typical day of rest. I have had my fluids, only 2 quarts, but that qualifies. I had plenty of sleep but I didn't do much else. 2 for 3 for friday and for saturday is all I can claim. Tomorrow should be better though. I am meeting Coach Alex in the morning and we are going to walk our butts off! =D
Until next blog, stay safe!
Please, say a prayer for the victims and for the rescuers in Haiti. That was so cool seeing the Haitians singing praises to God despite their hardships! We could learn from that.
Hotflash out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)