Hi Team!
Poor Coach Alex. She just got back from her trip watching her son graduate. We were going to get together today to walk because although we had both said we would not be meeting this week, we both had forgotten that we each had the day off today. Sadly, about an hour and a half before she was to meet me she texted to say she was SO staying in bed. She had gotten sick!! BOO. NO FUN.
But... I was a good girl!! I went to the mall without her and did two laps inside then one lap outside. That meant I walked 3 1/2 miles today. I SO did not want to do it. And I wanted to quit after the first inside lap. Today, my attire paid off. I looked down at the fire department logo on my shirt and said to myself, I CANNOT QUIT! I WANT THIS. That was when I decided that after my second lap I would walk outside forcing an extra half mile. And I'm glad I did. :)
I have not done as well on the fluids today. I haven't quite made two quarts but I will be sure I do before I go to bed. I really notice now the day after I don't drink enough. And I did sleep plenty last night because I was able to sleep in!! Yay me! By the time I go to bed I will be three for three for the day!
Tuesday:
Today was a great day. I got to sleep in a little because I didn't have to be at work until 9:30. Then the first two hours of my shifts was just giving breaks to the other staff. I didn't have to take responsibility for any problems!!! :)
I drank all of my fluids today (3 quarts) and I got plenty of walking in, even though it wasn't a scheduled day because for this week, all of our child care sites are combined in one place due to Mid Winter Break in the schools. When these breaks occur, I rarely get to sit in a six hour shift. That means I am walking all the time. Somehow it isn't so challenging when I'm doing it for work, but it still burns calories!
That made me three for three again. :)
I'd like to share a memorable part of my day with you. When I arrived at work, my counterpart, another Site Manager said to me, "there is a fire engine on the table for you!" That was a little odd sounding, but upon closer examination I discovered, still in the package, a brand new hotwheels fire engine. On the back it said from (insert whatever random name you like, I can't tell you!). Awwww, what a sweetie! It was from one of my boys. He's in fourth grade and I have had him in my program since he was in kindergarten. When his mom picked him up in the evening I thanked her, knowing that he had gotten his parents to buy it. She told me he likes to play "the Claw" at the store. You know, the game where you put your 50cents in and use a joy stick to sort of control a claw that drops down and tries to grab a prize. They always let him play but when he asked if he could get the fire engine for "Mrs. Hotflash" they told him he had to choose between the fire engine and the claw, and he chose the fire engine!!! What a love! I know I am not supposed to have favorites, but if I did, and of course I don't, he'd be right up at the top of the list! I love my job!
Until next time, stay safe!
Hotflash out.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Report From Ladder Company 40 Days 148 and 149
Hi Team!
Saturday was a very slow day for me. I had a headache most of the day and so did my husband so we really didn’t do a lot. I did sleep in in the morning and therefore got plenty of sleep, and I drank 3 quarts of water and iced tea so I was two for three.
I had planned on walking to make up for not going out specifically on Friday, but that did not happen. L We just didn’t feel up to it. It was a quiet day at home, sleeping, swallowing ibuprofen, drinking tea and water and later, watching movies. Nothing at all exciting.
Sunday
I felt much better! My husband did too. We got up early and went to church. Before service started I had already gotten my first quart down for the day! J After the service we went shopping for groceries. BORING, except we picked out our dinner and we got some walking in. We decided to fix thick pork blade steaks, mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy and asparagus for our Valentines dinner. YUMMY!!!! We couldn’t really afford to go out and we enjoyed our dinner in. Our teenaged son was away at his girlfriend’s house so we had a date at home! J J
We did take the dog on a forty-five minute walk so I made up for my missing walk on Friday! YAY ME! Not only that but we had a good time doing it. We haven’t taken very many walks together (my husband and I) in the last year or so. I would always get winded because he would walk too fast. Today was not like that at all! I kept up and did not get too tired or winded. I really enjoyed it actually.
By bed time I had drank three quarts of water and iced tea so for Sunday I was three for three. WOO HOO!
Nothng else exciting to report.
Stay safe!
Hotflash out.
Saturday was a very slow day for me. I had a headache most of the day and so did my husband so we really didn’t do a lot. I did sleep in in the morning and therefore got plenty of sleep, and I drank 3 quarts of water and iced tea so I was two for three.
I had planned on walking to make up for not going out specifically on Friday, but that did not happen. L We just didn’t feel up to it. It was a quiet day at home, sleeping, swallowing ibuprofen, drinking tea and water and later, watching movies. Nothing at all exciting.
Sunday
I felt much better! My husband did too. We got up early and went to church. Before service started I had already gotten my first quart down for the day! J After the service we went shopping for groceries. BORING, except we picked out our dinner and we got some walking in. We decided to fix thick pork blade steaks, mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy and asparagus for our Valentines dinner. YUMMY!!!! We couldn’t really afford to go out and we enjoyed our dinner in. Our teenaged son was away at his girlfriend’s house so we had a date at home! J J
We did take the dog on a forty-five minute walk so I made up for my missing walk on Friday! YAY ME! Not only that but we had a good time doing it. We haven’t taken very many walks together (my husband and I) in the last year or so. I would always get winded because he would walk too fast. Today was not like that at all! I kept up and did not get too tired or winded. I really enjoyed it actually.
By bed time I had drank three quarts of water and iced tea so for Sunday I was three for three. WOO HOO!
Nothng else exciting to report.
Stay safe!
Hotflash out.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Report From Ladder Company 40 Days 146 and 147
Hi Team!
Not much to report for thursday or friday.
Thursday I drank 3 quarts of weak iced tea. :) I was active throughout the day, though I was extremely tired. My dog kept me awake all night jumping up on me then getting down, then up then down, etc. I wanted to tie her long nose in a knot!! So, thanks to her I can only say I got 2 out of three. Nothing exciting to report though. Sorry.
Friday
THANK GOODNESS IT IS FRIDAY and I have a 3 Day weekend!!!!! I drank lots of fluids today, I lost count after 2 quarts. My assistant handed me fluids occasionally and I also had a water bottle that was next to me most of the day. I did not get to go for my walk today due to some work I had to do to prepare for mid-winter break (which means our kids are out of school but we combine our 4 programs and provide care ALL DAY). I did not sit down for more than 20 minutes after 1 pm and I was pretty active prior to that. I am sure that I got an equivalent workout in. And last night I slept like a baby! = D
I think I can fairly call it a three out of three day.
I have nothing else to report today either. But you should see the cutest picture ever! (My brother sent the pic to me.)
Gabriella wants to be a firefighter! Sweet!
Stay safe!
Hotflash out.
Not much to report for thursday or friday.
Thursday I drank 3 quarts of weak iced tea. :) I was active throughout the day, though I was extremely tired. My dog kept me awake all night jumping up on me then getting down, then up then down, etc. I wanted to tie her long nose in a knot!! So, thanks to her I can only say I got 2 out of three. Nothing exciting to report though. Sorry.
Friday
THANK GOODNESS IT IS FRIDAY and I have a 3 Day weekend!!!!! I drank lots of fluids today, I lost count after 2 quarts. My assistant handed me fluids occasionally and I also had a water bottle that was next to me most of the day. I did not get to go for my walk today due to some work I had to do to prepare for mid-winter break (which means our kids are out of school but we combine our 4 programs and provide care ALL DAY). I did not sit down for more than 20 minutes after 1 pm and I was pretty active prior to that. I am sure that I got an equivalent workout in. And last night I slept like a baby! = D
I think I can fairly call it a three out of three day.
I have nothing else to report today either. But you should see the cutest picture ever! (My brother sent the pic to me.)
Gabriella wants to be a firefighter! Sweet!
Stay safe!
Hotflash out.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Report From Ladder Company 40 Day 144 and 145
Hi Team!
Tuesday was a good day. I kept very busy today, sitting very little at work. I drank plenty of fluids, about 3 quarts, and I slept great the night before. Three for three! Woo Hoo. The best part of the day though is the fire news!
On the playground at work today was a man with his son playing basketball. He was wearing a sweatshirt with a worn off maltese cross on the chest. One of my boys, a firefighter's son, asked him, "Are you a firefighter?" I heard him answer affirmatively and I stepped in closer. I recognized him from the fire department award ceremonies. I struck up a conversation with him and discovered he is a medic at 4's. I told him I recognized him from the ceremonies and told him I was the newest member of the fire buffs. He told me he had great respect for us and really appreciated it when he sees us at two in the morning. I told him it was an honor to serve but that I had not yet had the privilege to so. We chatted while he coached his son on technique and I supervised the kids on the playground, and then he had to go to pick up his other kid. He said he hoped to see me around. Sadly, I either didn't get or don't remember his name. But I remember the face!
After work I was doing well and had gotten into bed by 9:15. 9:15!! I was very proud of myself for that one. Anyway, I was having this great dream. My family and I were at some sort of block party. There was a guy riding around on a motorcycle and he had been drinking. He dumped it but he got up and was walking around. Somebody called the fire department and they came out. Before they got there, the guy that dumped the bike was smoking and he tried to pick the bike up, dropped it, and dropped his cigarette. He tried to stomp it out but as I watched him struggle with trying to get to it, the bike blew up. (remember it was a dream!) Now it is mass chaos. We're all ducking and covering waiting for flying debris to land, people are screaming, it's pretty hairy. The fire department rolls in and gets to work right away. Once I realize that I am safe and not hurt, I start looking around me. There are people with cuts and burns, but I notice that my husband has melted plastic and burns on his left shoulder. He is too excited to realize that he is hurt but I noticed so I start to drag him along with me over to the firefighters. As I am pulling him through the crowd I start to think, "this is ridiculous. I'm a trained professional! What kind of EMT am I anyway?" (yep-still dreaming) so I decide I am going to treat his injuries myself. All of a sudden I hear this strange series of beeps. I open my eyes and realize that my fire phone is beeping. Before I can react, Cat's voice comes on with something like "Attention all fire buffs. We have a working fire at blah blah blah address. All fire buffs responding please report." Well, I shook off the cobwebs and fumbled with the phone. I hadn't actually used the push to talk feature before and it was kind of awkward but I reported that I was planning on responding and asked her to please text me the address as I had not gotten it written down fast enough. She said she would and I started running around the house trying to find something warm enough for the chilly night and good boots to wear. (I sleep in a recliner chair because it hurts me to lay in our bed so I was in the living room). I barged into the bedroom looking for my boots, much to the chagrin of my husband who had just gone to sleep after getting home past 10 pm. I said, " I need my boots. I've got a fire." He said, "It's late. You have to work." I told him they would let me leave when I had to go to work. He just shook his head then told me to be careful and rolled over. I got out of there, got dressed and headed to the car. Right then the text with the address came in. I hit the navigator control on my phone and nothing happened. Then it asked me if I wanted to install it. AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!
Ok. I push the button to install it. It tells me that I need to go into tools and settings and change something but it didn't tell me quite where in there to look and it wasn't in the list. I had to click on something else first. That took me a while to figure out and I am thinking to myself that valuable minutes are being wasted. I finally figure it out and get it installed and then try to get navigator to work with the voice command feature so I can do it while I drive. No luck. Cat radios me and tells me the fire is out, it is all overhaul now but buffs are still responding. I tell her I am still on my way. Navigator is not working for me. I am not saying the right words and I don't know what the right words are. (rolls eyes, a lot!!) I give up and head the direction I think the address is in. I am not sure where the street is that I need to get to but I have a pretty good idea. About the time I pull onto the main street Cat radios me telling me the chief wants to know my 20. I tell her I am just turning onto fill in the blank street. She gives me directions and I head to the fire. Only problem is that when I get close, the street she tells me to turn on she says to turn east. I do. I can't find any flashing lights, police cars, fire engines or anything. I can smell smoke in the air but there isn't even much hanging around. I drive around a few blocks then radio Cat. She gives me directions again but this time says turn left instead of saying go east. Ah now I get it. Left is west!! Sigh. Nobody's perfect, not me, not Cat!
Finally I see police cars almost blocking the intersection and I pull out my fire department ID badge, roll down my window and stop to flash it at them. "I'm with the buffs," I say. The officer rolls his eyes at me and waves me through. (Grin!) I park behind the farthest back engine, as I had been instructed, put on my orange coat, lock my car and head to the canteen vehicle. In this case, it is Cat and Bob's personal vehicle. Cool. Cat and I have a good laugh about the comedy of errors it took to get me there. No worries, they are set up and ready. We chat, watch the scene, Bob stops a car from trying to come through explaining that they CANNOT drive over the 5" supply line across the road.
Presently firefighters start meandering over a few at a time to have something to drink and a cookie or two. One of them checks carefully to see what kind of cookies they are and when he confirms they are chocolate chip, he helps himself. Cat gives him a bunch of crap for being picky, good naturedly, of course.
A little later I see a familiar face. It is Will, from 8's. I brought him cookies on Saturday. Well they were for all the guys, but he's the one I talked to. The one my husband told that he wasn't that involved with the buffs, YET! =) Will said, "It's nice to see you again, Karen." He remembered my name. :)
We were there about an hour before engines started rolling out and then the chief excused us. I got home at 12:01. I was too keyed up to sleep. My mind wouldn't slow down. Suddenly it hit me why the navigator wasn't working on my phone. It wasn't my phone I was using. It was the fire phone. (blushes with embarrassment) I installed it on the fire phone. Now I owe the club ten dollars. SIGH. I lay there in the dark, praying for sleep to come easily and for the amount of sleep I got to be three times more restful so that I would be fully awake and refreshed when I got up at 4:30. I still was awake a half hour later so I practiced deep breathing. Sleep finally came. I awoke energetic but I was tired most of the day. Still, it was worth it!
Wednesday,
Before I got ready for work today I e-mailed Cat to tell her of my silly mistake in all the "excitement" last night and warn her that I owed the club ten dollars. (more blushing from embarrassment.) After my morning shift though, I was a good girl! I went walking without Coach Alex today ( remember she is unavailable the rest of the week). I also drank about 2 1/2 quarts today. I didn't get much sleep but that was because duty called. I had gone to bed early so I am counting myself 3 for three! YAY ME!!!
Now, however, it is way later than I would like and I am going to bed. IF I don't get a nap tomorrow, I will only be able to claim at best, 2 of three. Sigh.
Stay safe everyone!
Hotflash out.
Tuesday was a good day. I kept very busy today, sitting very little at work. I drank plenty of fluids, about 3 quarts, and I slept great the night before. Three for three! Woo Hoo. The best part of the day though is the fire news!
On the playground at work today was a man with his son playing basketball. He was wearing a sweatshirt with a worn off maltese cross on the chest. One of my boys, a firefighter's son, asked him, "Are you a firefighter?" I heard him answer affirmatively and I stepped in closer. I recognized him from the fire department award ceremonies. I struck up a conversation with him and discovered he is a medic at 4's. I told him I recognized him from the ceremonies and told him I was the newest member of the fire buffs. He told me he had great respect for us and really appreciated it when he sees us at two in the morning. I told him it was an honor to serve but that I had not yet had the privilege to so. We chatted while he coached his son on technique and I supervised the kids on the playground, and then he had to go to pick up his other kid. He said he hoped to see me around. Sadly, I either didn't get or don't remember his name. But I remember the face!
After work I was doing well and had gotten into bed by 9:15. 9:15!! I was very proud of myself for that one. Anyway, I was having this great dream. My family and I were at some sort of block party. There was a guy riding around on a motorcycle and he had been drinking. He dumped it but he got up and was walking around. Somebody called the fire department and they came out. Before they got there, the guy that dumped the bike was smoking and he tried to pick the bike up, dropped it, and dropped his cigarette. He tried to stomp it out but as I watched him struggle with trying to get to it, the bike blew up. (remember it was a dream!) Now it is mass chaos. We're all ducking and covering waiting for flying debris to land, people are screaming, it's pretty hairy. The fire department rolls in and gets to work right away. Once I realize that I am safe and not hurt, I start looking around me. There are people with cuts and burns, but I notice that my husband has melted plastic and burns on his left shoulder. He is too excited to realize that he is hurt but I noticed so I start to drag him along with me over to the firefighters. As I am pulling him through the crowd I start to think, "this is ridiculous. I'm a trained professional! What kind of EMT am I anyway?" (yep-still dreaming) so I decide I am going to treat his injuries myself. All of a sudden I hear this strange series of beeps. I open my eyes and realize that my fire phone is beeping. Before I can react, Cat's voice comes on with something like "Attention all fire buffs. We have a working fire at blah blah blah address. All fire buffs responding please report." Well, I shook off the cobwebs and fumbled with the phone. I hadn't actually used the push to talk feature before and it was kind of awkward but I reported that I was planning on responding and asked her to please text me the address as I had not gotten it written down fast enough. She said she would and I started running around the house trying to find something warm enough for the chilly night and good boots to wear. (I sleep in a recliner chair because it hurts me to lay in our bed so I was in the living room). I barged into the bedroom looking for my boots, much to the chagrin of my husband who had just gone to sleep after getting home past 10 pm. I said, " I need my boots. I've got a fire." He said, "It's late. You have to work." I told him they would let me leave when I had to go to work. He just shook his head then told me to be careful and rolled over. I got out of there, got dressed and headed to the car. Right then the text with the address came in. I hit the navigator control on my phone and nothing happened. Then it asked me if I wanted to install it. AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!
Ok. I push the button to install it. It tells me that I need to go into tools and settings and change something but it didn't tell me quite where in there to look and it wasn't in the list. I had to click on something else first. That took me a while to figure out and I am thinking to myself that valuable minutes are being wasted. I finally figure it out and get it installed and then try to get navigator to work with the voice command feature so I can do it while I drive. No luck. Cat radios me and tells me the fire is out, it is all overhaul now but buffs are still responding. I tell her I am still on my way. Navigator is not working for me. I am not saying the right words and I don't know what the right words are. (rolls eyes, a lot!!) I give up and head the direction I think the address is in. I am not sure where the street is that I need to get to but I have a pretty good idea. About the time I pull onto the main street Cat radios me telling me the chief wants to know my 20. I tell her I am just turning onto fill in the blank street. She gives me directions and I head to the fire. Only problem is that when I get close, the street she tells me to turn on she says to turn east. I do. I can't find any flashing lights, police cars, fire engines or anything. I can smell smoke in the air but there isn't even much hanging around. I drive around a few blocks then radio Cat. She gives me directions again but this time says turn left instead of saying go east. Ah now I get it. Left is west!! Sigh. Nobody's perfect, not me, not Cat!
Finally I see police cars almost blocking the intersection and I pull out my fire department ID badge, roll down my window and stop to flash it at them. "I'm with the buffs," I say. The officer rolls his eyes at me and waves me through. (Grin!) I park behind the farthest back engine, as I had been instructed, put on my orange coat, lock my car and head to the canteen vehicle. In this case, it is Cat and Bob's personal vehicle. Cool. Cat and I have a good laugh about the comedy of errors it took to get me there. No worries, they are set up and ready. We chat, watch the scene, Bob stops a car from trying to come through explaining that they CANNOT drive over the 5" supply line across the road.
Presently firefighters start meandering over a few at a time to have something to drink and a cookie or two. One of them checks carefully to see what kind of cookies they are and when he confirms they are chocolate chip, he helps himself. Cat gives him a bunch of crap for being picky, good naturedly, of course.
A little later I see a familiar face. It is Will, from 8's. I brought him cookies on Saturday. Well they were for all the guys, but he's the one I talked to. The one my husband told that he wasn't that involved with the buffs, YET! =) Will said, "It's nice to see you again, Karen." He remembered my name. :)
We were there about an hour before engines started rolling out and then the chief excused us. I got home at 12:01. I was too keyed up to sleep. My mind wouldn't slow down. Suddenly it hit me why the navigator wasn't working on my phone. It wasn't my phone I was using. It was the fire phone. (blushes with embarrassment) I installed it on the fire phone. Now I owe the club ten dollars. SIGH. I lay there in the dark, praying for sleep to come easily and for the amount of sleep I got to be three times more restful so that I would be fully awake and refreshed when I got up at 4:30. I still was awake a half hour later so I practiced deep breathing. Sleep finally came. I awoke energetic but I was tired most of the day. Still, it was worth it!
Wednesday,
Before I got ready for work today I e-mailed Cat to tell her of my silly mistake in all the "excitement" last night and warn her that I owed the club ten dollars. (more blushing from embarrassment.) After my morning shift though, I was a good girl! I went walking without Coach Alex today ( remember she is unavailable the rest of the week). I also drank about 2 1/2 quarts today. I didn't get much sleep but that was because duty called. I had gone to bed early so I am counting myself 3 for three! YAY ME!!!
Now, however, it is way later than I would like and I am going to bed. IF I don't get a nap tomorrow, I will only be able to claim at best, 2 of three. Sigh.
Stay safe everyone!
Hotflash out.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Report From Ladder Company 40 Days 144 and 145
Hi Team!
Let's see, Sunday was a typical day of rest. I got plenty of sleep last night. YAY ME!! I didn't get a whole lot of exercise in but wasn't lazy either and I drank two quarts today. I know that is my minimum goal but at least I made it. 3 for 3 today =)
This morning when I was getting ready for church there were a lot of sirens that continued for a long time so I knew it must be a pretty substantial fire. We didn't get a call to respond but it did make the news. Check it out. It happened less than two miles from my house!
http://www.kirotv.com/news/22493858/detail.html
I found out that CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams) training is available this spring during the month of March. It is taught by our local fire department. The classes are based on the model developed by FEMA and teach citizens how to help each other in the first few hours after a disaster until emergency responders are able to get there to render professional help. (we all know that in a huge disaster, a few hours could be a lot longer!) Students will gain hands-on skills such as how to put out small fires, render first aid in a disaster situation, and perform light search and rescue. There are six classes and one day of practical exercises. Many cities across the country provide CERT training and in our city it is provided to us free of charge unlike some other places.
I will be in CERT classes starting the second week of March, every tuesday and thursday from 6:30-9:00 pm and will finish up on Saturday the 27th. Then I will start EMT school on Monday the 29th! I am very excited to be able to participate in CERT and even more excited that my husband signed up to do it too!
That's all for Sunday.
Monday:
Today was an awesome day. I met Coach Alex and we had our morning walk. I really enjoy walking with Alex because we both talk too much and it makes the time pass quickly. Before we know it, we've completed our hour/3 miles and it's time to go! It's going to be tough the next week and a half or so. Coach Alex and Johnny Boy leave for California on Wednesday so I won't have her to kick my butt if I don't walk on Wed and Fri. In addition, my work schedule is crazy the week of the 15-19th so I won't be meeting her to walk that week either. BEFORE you all decide to collectively kick my butt about that... (because you are all so awesome that way) I am still planning on walking. I will just have to be motivated to do it without my Coach. But that's the beauty of blogging... built in accountability!
I drank 3 quarts today. YAY ME! I also slept well last night so I am three for three again. WOO HOO!
Well, that's it for today, team! Thanks for the support. You are all AWESOME!!
Stay safe.
Hotflash out.
Let's see, Sunday was a typical day of rest. I got plenty of sleep last night. YAY ME!! I didn't get a whole lot of exercise in but wasn't lazy either and I drank two quarts today. I know that is my minimum goal but at least I made it. 3 for 3 today =)
This morning when I was getting ready for church there were a lot of sirens that continued for a long time so I knew it must be a pretty substantial fire. We didn't get a call to respond but it did make the news. Check it out. It happened less than two miles from my house!
http://www.kirotv.com/news/22493858/detail.html
I found out that CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams) training is available this spring during the month of March. It is taught by our local fire department. The classes are based on the model developed by FEMA and teach citizens how to help each other in the first few hours after a disaster until emergency responders are able to get there to render professional help. (we all know that in a huge disaster, a few hours could be a lot longer!) Students will gain hands-on skills such as how to put out small fires, render first aid in a disaster situation, and perform light search and rescue. There are six classes and one day of practical exercises. Many cities across the country provide CERT training and in our city it is provided to us free of charge unlike some other places.
I will be in CERT classes starting the second week of March, every tuesday and thursday from 6:30-9:00 pm and will finish up on Saturday the 27th. Then I will start EMT school on Monday the 29th! I am very excited to be able to participate in CERT and even more excited that my husband signed up to do it too!
That's all for Sunday.
Monday:
Today was an awesome day. I met Coach Alex and we had our morning walk. I really enjoy walking with Alex because we both talk too much and it makes the time pass quickly. Before we know it, we've completed our hour/3 miles and it's time to go! It's going to be tough the next week and a half or so. Coach Alex and Johnny Boy leave for California on Wednesday so I won't have her to kick my butt if I don't walk on Wed and Fri. In addition, my work schedule is crazy the week of the 15-19th so I won't be meeting her to walk that week either. BEFORE you all decide to collectively kick my butt about that... (because you are all so awesome that way) I am still planning on walking. I will just have to be motivated to do it without my Coach. But that's the beauty of blogging... built in accountability!
I drank 3 quarts today. YAY ME! I also slept well last night so I am three for three again. WOO HOO!
Well, that's it for today, team! Thanks for the support. You are all AWESOME!!
Stay safe.
Hotflash out.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Report From Ladder Company 40 Day 142 and 143
Hi Team!
Here is another two day report. I am just finding it hard to find time to blog lately. I have tried to spend less time on the computer lately and get other things done, so that is part of it.
Friday was a very busy day for me. I had my morning shift, then my walk with Coach Alex, then home for a short stint, then a meeting for work, then my afternoon shift and finally a 4 hour extended program we call Parent's Night Out until 10pm. That's why I didn't blog friday!
Coach Alex was funny. She sent me a text friday morning that said,
"so. how are we doin? am i getting out of bed to showr or am i rolling back over to sleep?"
(admittedly it has been a crazy week with me getting my exercise on the college campus monday and getting to the mall to walk on wednesday and promptly tossing my cookies instead, but i thought about it this morning before the text about how I did not want to go but by golly I was going come hell or highwater)
So I texted back:
"Get your tushie out of bed!"
She responded with,
"ooo so viscious! are you sure your not the coach?"
Well, today I guess I was. Coach and I had a good walk and our own private body guard was there to keep us safe! LOL ( CoachAlex knows what I'm talking about and so does Johnny Boy who has made a complete recovery from his recent attack by a mutant killer curb.)
I was so surprised on our walk today. It is the first week in February, right? Look at what Coach and I saw outside the mall:
Not only did I get my walk in, but I drank 3 1/2 quarts (yes 3 not 2) of fluids and I slept very well over night so I am 3 for 3! Yay me!
Saturday:
Today was kind of a lazy day. I slept in for the first time in a while which was really nice. I spent some of my day cleaning up my computer, deleting junk and making more space on it. I did some studying and I spent some time cleaning out the kitchen. We are in need of weeding out the entire house and we have both agreed that the kitchen is where we will start and I did that while my husband hauled off brush today.
So I have had my sleep and I've been reasonably active for a weekend but I have not had much to drink today. I know better than to not just keep something near me but I haven't taken the time to do that today. I have maxed at about 1 1/2 quarts today so I can only qualify as 2 for 3. Sigh.
Here is the pic I promised several days ago. I do not photograph well but here it goes anyway. I wish I could send you my Fire Department ID pic instead but it isn't something I have access to other than the ID badge itself. =(
Before:
After:
*I don't know what caused the line to go across the top of the pic. :(
I like the new hair color though it was weird the first few days when I looked in the mirror. My hair was similar to the new color every summer when I was a kid. Late in the summer it would be hilighted with blonde as well giving it a reddish gold shimmer.
Okay, well, it off to bed soon so stay safe!
Hotflash out.
Here is another two day report. I am just finding it hard to find time to blog lately. I have tried to spend less time on the computer lately and get other things done, so that is part of it.
Friday was a very busy day for me. I had my morning shift, then my walk with Coach Alex, then home for a short stint, then a meeting for work, then my afternoon shift and finally a 4 hour extended program we call Parent's Night Out until 10pm. That's why I didn't blog friday!
Coach Alex was funny. She sent me a text friday morning that said,
"so. how are we doin? am i getting out of bed to showr or am i rolling back over to sleep?"
(admittedly it has been a crazy week with me getting my exercise on the college campus monday and getting to the mall to walk on wednesday and promptly tossing my cookies instead, but i thought about it this morning before the text about how I did not want to go but by golly I was going come hell or highwater)
So I texted back:
"Get your tushie out of bed!"
She responded with,
"ooo so viscious! are you sure your not the coach?"
Well, today I guess I was. Coach and I had a good walk and our own private body guard was there to keep us safe! LOL ( CoachAlex knows what I'm talking about and so does Johnny Boy who has made a complete recovery from his recent attack by a mutant killer curb.)
I was so surprised on our walk today. It is the first week in February, right? Look at what Coach and I saw outside the mall:
Not only did I get my walk in, but I drank 3 1/2 quarts (yes 3 not 2) of fluids and I slept very well over night so I am 3 for 3! Yay me!
Saturday:
Today was kind of a lazy day. I slept in for the first time in a while which was really nice. I spent some of my day cleaning up my computer, deleting junk and making more space on it. I did some studying and I spent some time cleaning out the kitchen. We are in need of weeding out the entire house and we have both agreed that the kitchen is where we will start and I did that while my husband hauled off brush today.
So I have had my sleep and I've been reasonably active for a weekend but I have not had much to drink today. I know better than to not just keep something near me but I haven't taken the time to do that today. I have maxed at about 1 1/2 quarts today so I can only qualify as 2 for 3. Sigh.
Here is the pic I promised several days ago. I do not photograph well but here it goes anyway. I wish I could send you my Fire Department ID pic instead but it isn't something I have access to other than the ID badge itself. =(
Before:
After:
*I don't know what caused the line to go across the top of the pic. :(
I like the new hair color though it was weird the first few days when I looked in the mirror. My hair was similar to the new color every summer when I was a kid. Late in the summer it would be hilighted with blonde as well giving it a reddish gold shimmer.
Okay, well, it off to bed soon so stay safe!
Hotflash out.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Report From Ladder Company 40 Day 140 and 141
Hi Team!
Sorry I have been making a lot of double posts lately. It's not that I don't want to blog, I am just choosing to go to bed a little ealier and have been very busy during the day, for the most part.
Tuesday, Not much to report. I drank barely two quarts (but that was the minimum goal, right?) and I slept very well. It was not an exercise day but I kept busy and active. Thats 3 for 3. Nothing exciting to report for the day.
Wednesday: Well, I did well on sleep. I went to bed early Tuesday night and got an extra hour. YAY ME! I drank lots of fluids, probably closer to 3 quarts. I did NOT get my workout with Coach Alex. I did make an attempt, but I decided tossing cookies was workout enough. :( I woke up tuesday morning with a sore throat and by the time I was ready for work my stomach was churning. I went to work and after my shift I drove to the mall to meet Coach Alex. I figured I would at least try to do my walk. I barely got parked when the cookies were tossed and I called Coach to tell her I was not walking. I went home and went to bed. I woke up at noon, had some yogurt to put something on my stomach and drank some tea. Then I went to work. (No subs available... staff/child ratios to keep) I did okay the rest of the day.
But that puts me 2 for 3. Or maybe 2.5 for effort.
I did post on the Crusty Jakes on Monday that I had been elected secretary of the fire buff battalion and had been issued my coat and phone. I posted a picture of me in the coat and mentioned that I probably won't be issused bunker pants and boots for a very long time as the city budget is in the tank. I checked the thread Tuesday and a chief from Detroit posted in my thread that he might be able to scrounge me a pair of boots and pants! OMG! That BLEW me away!!!! This man knows my background, somewhat. He has a business in audio visual technology/advertising and is hiring ff's police and ems people to work for him all over the country. (EASY work, GOOD pay, works well with ff's rotating schedules and requires no financial commitment from you to get into the job: if you want to know more about it ask me! He's still hiring!) He hired me so he knows I'm a wannabe and that I want to go to school etc. Even so, I was so surprised and tickled by his offer! The "guys" on the Crusty Jakes are SO supportive. I LOVE them!!! I am posting a cut and paste of the thread I started there so you can see why.
The title of the post is: A FEW BABY STEPS FORWARD
I wrote:
Hi! I just wanted to share my recent successes.
I was recently elected Secretary of our local Fire Buff Battalion and issued a FD ID badge and Fire Buff Battalion phone so that I can now respond to fire calls and serve with the canteen unit. I got my coat but due to budget issues may not get my boots and bunker pants for a LONG time.
So.... I'll get wet. Sigh.
Even better though...
Yesterday I was accepted into the EMT program at my local community college. (I finished all the pre-requisites over the weekend). I start class in late March. I suspect most will be half my age in the class. I wish I had done this 25 years ago, but I'm not letting anything stop me now!
ROOKIELZ Wrote:
And the chant starts.
"Go Flash Go!"
Every step no matter how small is another step closer. If you want this bad enough, nothing will stop in your way.
And as for the age of the others in your class?
So?
You have kids. They probably are in the process of putting you through as many hair raising experiences as they can. It actually helps in the long run. You've done vomit, diarrhea, sleepless nights, organizing, multi tasking. You know a yell of frustration from one of true pain without even being in the same room.
You've got the upper hand here, IMHO.
Now, go gettum Flash!
cjminick390 wrote:
Sounds like you are off to a great start.
Ladder8 wrote:
Go Flash!
depchief135 wrote:
Very nice!
capfiremedic wrote:
Canteen....
Never seen one. We aren't that well thought of until called, then it's "What the hell took you so long?"
Good deal though, study and learn well. You'll do fine.
(Note: I wrote Cap back and told him I thought well of him!)
Chief54 wrote:
Hey flash! Maybe I can scrounge up some bunkers and boots. What size boots? I have your address from your application so if I can get them I can ship them to you.
Also I'll be in Seattle just before I do the Firehouse World Expo in San Diego on 3-1-10 or just after, to work on a display for Microsoft and to find out if FF can build and install them. how far are you from Seattle?
I wrote:
OMG! That is a very nice offer! Might be a tough one to fill. I wear a women's size 6, (Mens 41/2 ) shoe. Don't know what the correlation is to boot sizes because I've never owned a pair! As far as how far am I from Seattle? Not very! I am 1- 1 1/2 hours away (to the south) depending on traffic. It would be great to meet you in person either way! You have my cell number if you want to call me.
fireball wrote:
i'm very happy for you.congrats.
MikeWard wrote:
Congrats on the gear.
You will do fine in the EMT course.
kjohn23 wrote:
comgrats
Dalmatian90 wrote:
Nice.
nwfdcapt26-respctdajob wrote:
You're only too old when you're dead! Never let age hold you back. Often it's only the condition to what you aged to, and not the the age you've reached.
Scrappy wrote:
I'm the oldest in my paramedic class by 6 years. I'm nearly as old as one of hte instructors! Age means nothing..in fact, most of the 'older' EMT students I know do better than the young kids, and are better EMTs. As for boots, I had to buy my own because I take the same size and my dept didn't have them. It's a write off on your taxes...
(Note: Not as a volunteer with the fire buffs it isn't. Sigh)
drkblram wrote:
Scrappy, just thinking about it, in my EMT-B class. we lost almost 1/2 the class. The VAST majority were "college age" kids. The adults (use 24+ for this situation) had maybe a 10% drop out rate.
I wrote:
Thanks guys for all the encouragement. I am definitely not dead yet!
And another thing I have on my side is that I know what it is like to have let my dreams go. The youngin's have no idea how hard that can make life.
I'm not letting go again!
So, now you can see why I hang out there! They know who I am and what I am up to and they allow me to be a part of their family. I keep telling you I am very blessed and this is just more evidence of it.
THANKS BRO FOR SENDING ME THERE!!!
Stay safe!
Hotflash out.
Sorry I have been making a lot of double posts lately. It's not that I don't want to blog, I am just choosing to go to bed a little ealier and have been very busy during the day, for the most part.
Tuesday, Not much to report. I drank barely two quarts (but that was the minimum goal, right?) and I slept very well. It was not an exercise day but I kept busy and active. Thats 3 for 3. Nothing exciting to report for the day.
Wednesday: Well, I did well on sleep. I went to bed early Tuesday night and got an extra hour. YAY ME! I drank lots of fluids, probably closer to 3 quarts. I did NOT get my workout with Coach Alex. I did make an attempt, but I decided tossing cookies was workout enough. :( I woke up tuesday morning with a sore throat and by the time I was ready for work my stomach was churning. I went to work and after my shift I drove to the mall to meet Coach Alex. I figured I would at least try to do my walk. I barely got parked when the cookies were tossed and I called Coach to tell her I was not walking. I went home and went to bed. I woke up at noon, had some yogurt to put something on my stomach and drank some tea. Then I went to work. (No subs available... staff/child ratios to keep) I did okay the rest of the day.
But that puts me 2 for 3. Or maybe 2.5 for effort.
I did post on the Crusty Jakes on Monday that I had been elected secretary of the fire buff battalion and had been issued my coat and phone. I posted a picture of me in the coat and mentioned that I probably won't be issused bunker pants and boots for a very long time as the city budget is in the tank. I checked the thread Tuesday and a chief from Detroit posted in my thread that he might be able to scrounge me a pair of boots and pants! OMG! That BLEW me away!!!! This man knows my background, somewhat. He has a business in audio visual technology/advertising and is hiring ff's police and ems people to work for him all over the country. (EASY work, GOOD pay, works well with ff's rotating schedules and requires no financial commitment from you to get into the job: if you want to know more about it ask me! He's still hiring!) He hired me so he knows I'm a wannabe and that I want to go to school etc. Even so, I was so surprised and tickled by his offer! The "guys" on the Crusty Jakes are SO supportive. I LOVE them!!! I am posting a cut and paste of the thread I started there so you can see why.
The title of the post is: A FEW BABY STEPS FORWARD
I wrote:
Hi! I just wanted to share my recent successes.
I was recently elected Secretary of our local Fire Buff Battalion and issued a FD ID badge and Fire Buff Battalion phone so that I can now respond to fire calls and serve with the canteen unit. I got my coat but due to budget issues may not get my boots and bunker pants for a LONG time.
So.... I'll get wet. Sigh.
Even better though...
Yesterday I was accepted into the EMT program at my local community college. (I finished all the pre-requisites over the weekend). I start class in late March. I suspect most will be half my age in the class. I wish I had done this 25 years ago, but I'm not letting anything stop me now!
ROOKIELZ Wrote:
And the chant starts.
"Go Flash Go!"
Every step no matter how small is another step closer. If you want this bad enough, nothing will stop in your way.
And as for the age of the others in your class?
So?
You have kids. They probably are in the process of putting you through as many hair raising experiences as they can. It actually helps in the long run. You've done vomit, diarrhea, sleepless nights, organizing, multi tasking. You know a yell of frustration from one of true pain without even being in the same room.
You've got the upper hand here, IMHO.
Now, go gettum Flash!
cjminick390 wrote:
Sounds like you are off to a great start.
Ladder8 wrote:
Go Flash!
depchief135 wrote:
Very nice!
capfiremedic wrote:
Canteen....
Never seen one. We aren't that well thought of until called, then it's "What the hell took you so long?"
Good deal though, study and learn well. You'll do fine.
(Note: I wrote Cap back and told him I thought well of him!)
Chief54 wrote:
Hey flash! Maybe I can scrounge up some bunkers and boots. What size boots? I have your address from your application so if I can get them I can ship them to you.
Also I'll be in Seattle just before I do the Firehouse World Expo in San Diego on 3-1-10 or just after, to work on a display for Microsoft and to find out if FF can build and install them. how far are you from Seattle?
I wrote:
OMG! That is a very nice offer! Might be a tough one to fill. I wear a women's size 6, (Mens 41/2 ) shoe. Don't know what the correlation is to boot sizes because I've never owned a pair! As far as how far am I from Seattle? Not very! I am 1- 1 1/2 hours away (to the south) depending on traffic. It would be great to meet you in person either way! You have my cell number if you want to call me.
fireball wrote:
i'm very happy for you.congrats.
MikeWard wrote:
Congrats on the gear.
You will do fine in the EMT course.
kjohn23 wrote:
comgrats
Dalmatian90 wrote:
Nice.
nwfdcapt26-respctdajob wrote:
You're only too old when you're dead! Never let age hold you back. Often it's only the condition to what you aged to, and not the the age you've reached.
Scrappy wrote:
I'm the oldest in my paramedic class by 6 years. I'm nearly as old as one of hte instructors! Age means nothing..in fact, most of the 'older' EMT students I know do better than the young kids, and are better EMTs. As for boots, I had to buy my own because I take the same size and my dept didn't have them. It's a write off on your taxes...
(Note: Not as a volunteer with the fire buffs it isn't. Sigh)
drkblram wrote:
Scrappy, just thinking about it, in my EMT-B class. we lost almost 1/2 the class. The VAST majority were "college age" kids. The adults (use 24+ for this situation) had maybe a 10% drop out rate.
I wrote:
Thanks guys for all the encouragement. I am definitely not dead yet!
And another thing I have on my side is that I know what it is like to have let my dreams go. The youngin's have no idea how hard that can make life.
I'm not letting go again!
So, now you can see why I hang out there! They know who I am and what I am up to and they allow me to be a part of their family. I keep telling you I am very blessed and this is just more evidence of it.
THANKS BRO FOR SENDING ME THERE!!!
Stay safe!
Hotflash out.
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