Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 10

Hi Team!

Today was a great day for me. Just a regular day in the scheme of climbing the ladder but all in all I had a really good day.

I did not get enough sleep last night. I just had a hard time sleeping and then had bad dreams. That is okay because God is able!

I drank lots of fluids today (at least lots for me). At least a quart and a half of water, iced tea and juice.

I am not at all sore from my work out yesterday, which surprises me because I was SO tired last night. But I did push the fluids in the evening so maybe that helped.

Today was not a walking day but I still put in 6980 steps, some of them deliberately! I am looking forward to my walk with Coach Alex tomorrow morning, and to my benefit walk through Point Defiance Park on Saturday, rain or shine!

Well, not much more to report. Thanks for reading, praying and encouraging.

Oh, I discovered that I mis-recalled (Is that a word? You get my drift!) the name of the book that inspired my blog heading. It was actually called "Report From Engine Company 82" still by Dennis Smith. Just a correction in case any one was interested. Not really important to the blog except for the sake of being accurate.

Stay Safe!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 9

Hi Team!

Are you there? It is me, Hotflash!

Today has been a pretty good day for me and I am TIRED!! I was a good girl and went for my walk today with Coach Alex. Her pedometer was working and we determined that our walk route is just barely over 3 miles. And we've been completing it in 50-55 minutes! Not bad at all! Monday we started throwing in some stair climbing along with the walk. We use the outside steps to the former Nordstrom's Entrance at the Tacoma Mall. Today my goal was five times up and down them, but I pushed hard and completed 10! YAY ME! Oops, I did that in front of, er, along side of Coach Alex. She'll never let me slack to less than that now! What have I done??!! LOL

I replaced my defective replacement pedometer today. I have not had time to program it to my stride, weight, etc. (that's what teenagers are for, anyway) but I did program in the time and it does count steps for me. From the time I got dressed this morning until now, 8:26 pm, I walked 14,238
steps! Awesome!

I got about 6 hours of sleep last night so I can still make improvements there. (God is Able!)

I haven't had enough water today, but Coach Alex has reminded me that I won't be so sore or have the calf cramps I have had when walking if I DO drink my water. I have had about 20-24 oz of juice at work and I have a 20 ounce glass of water that I am working on right now.

I met briefly with the PE teacher at school today and he and I are going to schedule a meeting soon to discuss ideas for building upper body strength at home.

I finally started my list of things I want to change in my life! So far it has on it:

Changes:

I want to lose 51 pounds
I want to sleep more
I want to drink more water
I want to pray more
I want to be in The Word, daily
I want to build lean flexible muscles
I want to go to school and get EMT certified
I want to procrastinate less
I want to exercise daily
I want to change my self talk from "I can't" to God is Able!
I want to remember and state that "God Is Able" everytime I think of an excuse not to succeed and everytime I experience and recognize a failure.

I will continue to add to this list as the ideas come to me. I know I had other ideas already that are not on this list yet, and I don't remember what they are at the moment. I also have a few things that I could put on the list but prefer to leave private! (but only a few!)

Coach ALex and I originally planned to walk twice this week (Tue and Thur) but THur didn't work for her so we switched to Mon and Wed. Since we did that, we have decided to go ahead and walk Fri as well. Then Saturday is my walk to raise funds for ultrasound machines and technical training for crisis pregnancy centers. I am pleased to be getting lots of exercise this week.

ANother bit of good news is this: I met a female firefighter on a fanfiction web site (where amature writers post their stories) and told her about my goals. She has not joined this blog but she is encouraging me through Facebook. That makes her our newest team member! Thanks Angy!

Well, that is all folks. I am feeling encouraged by today's successes.

Until next time, Stay safe!

Hotflash out

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 8

Hi Team!

Here I am again. I am still determined but it has been a challenging last several days. Lots going on to keep me busy. I still have not gotten my list made. Aaaarrrgggghhhhhh!!! Please keep nagging!

I didn't get time to exchange my pedometer today but the part that does seem to be working is the actual step counter. IF it was accurate, I walked 5,545 steps today, plus at least another 500 that I didn't have the pedometer attached to me for. But for all practical purposes I will count just the 5,545.

I ate reasonably but did not drink my water. Grrrrrrr.

Tomorrow is a day of running. I have my regular shifts to work, my hour walk, plus I have to go in two hours early for the afternoon shift. I think I should have plenty of stepping in for the day. WIth any luck I will be able to exchange the pedometer on Friday. It seems to count steps but the heart rate monitor fluctuates both up and down without my finger on the sensor! (anywhere from 54-98 beats per minute. Hmmmmmmmmm!) Also the alarm on the clock part doesn't seem to work.

Oh, I hate to admit it, but I haven't even attempted the push ups yet. I forgot last night. OOps! 100% honesty is my policy so as embarrassing as it sometimes is, I am telling all. I'll try to do better.

Until next time,

STAY SAFE!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 7

Hello Team. It's me again. (Imagine that!)

I don't have a ton to report today as I still don't have a working pedometer, but I am working on it. I actually went and purchased one today that does everything my other one did but also has a light and can take my pulse. It was on sale for one third of its usual price! Unfortunately, this particular pedometer seems to be defective. I shall return it tomorrow and exchange it for another. SIGH

On a positive note: Coach Alex and I had our one hour walk at the mall this morning. It was a beautiful morning so we chose to walk the outer perimeter instead of walking indoors. We even made several trips up and down the steps at the old Nordstrom's entrance to add a little more to our workout. I think I must have picked up my pace from the last few walks because I was a little out of breath this time. It was harder to talk and walk. I also found that my calves were burning half way through the walk today. Nothing else hurt though. And I didn't start out sore either. :D

Never EVER have I truly enjoyed exercise for exercise's sake. But I have to tell you, I kind of missed it over the weekend! YAY ME! I think that is a positive note! Alex tells me that if I keep up a regular routine, I will become addicted to it. I cannot even fathom being addicted to exercise! How cool would that be?

I got about 6 and 1/2 hours in bed last night. (sadly I did not sleep that well, however). I did not drink nearly enough fluids. I have an hour to an hour and a half to get some more in me. I had better get to work.

This is the one week mark. I'm still determined. I'll admit I have had some doubt filled moments, but that is why I am making this so public.

I am feeling quite frustrated that I cannot afford school. I do NOT want to take out loans because with Brian's ongoing medical bills, it is very hard for us to make ends meet as it is without them. But I am very eager to get started. Maybe I will feel better if I begin to research what, where and how much. At least then I will feel like I am doing something.

One last thing before I go for the night: I still have not found/made the time to make my list of things I want/need to change in my lifestyle. I don't know if I am secretly avoiding it or what. SO team... Time to start nagging me. (please).

Thanks. Until next time... Stay safe.

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 6

Hi Team!

At last report I was mourning the untimely death by suicide of my pedometer. It seems one of my team members has graciously offered to replace mine. THANKS DADDY! Tomorrow I will go compare and price pedometers so that I can once again post stats and have something visual to measure my success with.

Today was a pretty good, though uneventful day. (Sunday IS a day of rest!)After Saturday, I needed a rest! I did get about 6 1/2 hours of sleep last night. Better than some nights, but still shooting for a minimum of 7 1/2. I didn't get much exercise today. I spent most of my day researching for my lesson plans for work. Tomorrow I will be walking for an hour with Coach Alex. YAY ME!

I have been very good about my eating habits today. I had a small brownie for breakfast, with coffee. (I had saved it from yesterday instead of gobbling it when I had the chance.) I had a reasonable lunch and a reasonable dinner, not even going back for seconds! And I am satisfied. I could be doing better about drinking water though. I haven't had any today, now that I think about it. I shall get myself a glass of water when I finish here.

Right after I get my water I am going to attempt a few push-ups. It will be a site I am sure. I am not even sure I can do girly push-ups. I will need upper body strength to reach my goal so I have to try. (please note the red, embarrassed face)

Nothing else to report. Thanks for following along and for cheering me on. I love you all!

Hotflash out.

Flashpointz -First Fire Buff Battalion Meeting

Hi everyone!

Today was the long anticipated Fire Buff Battalion Meeting. Some of you know I was first planning to attend one of these meetings in August but was unable to attend when a family situation occurred. I was saddened by the situation, but I was also very disappointed about missing this meeting.

"I could read your disappointment in your e-mail," said Cat Urbon, the current president of the Fire Buff Battalion as she gave me a big hug. She shared this with me after our meeting tonight. It wasn't what I wrote that she read. It was the tone that came across. I never wear my heart on my sleeves. Never! Just ask anyone who really knows me.

Speaking of the meeting:

When I arrived there were about 8 people there. Ralph Decker, long time member (I think even charter member) arrived right behind me. Ralph is the club secretary and Tacoma Fire Department Historian. He has written a few books. One of which is titled, "100 Years of Firefighting In the City of Destiny Tacoma Washington" (Co-written with Clyde Talbot, who apparently received first billing for it). Ralph is the one who researched my brother's fire engine and determined that it started out its firefighting career in Tacoma as Engine 17, transfering to 9's in the mid seventies and finishing out its career with 10's.) After that it was a reserve rig and later sold to another fire district, and then another, before heading off to a short series of private ownerships. (That info should be lined out in my brother's blog the Engine 17 Project.)

Watch it, I follow rabbit trails! Getting back to the meeting, after I arrived a few more came in for a total of 14 or 15 in attendance. (I cannot remember which).

The meeting was interesting. THe usual treasurer's report, aceeptance of last meetings minutes, etc. Lots of silly barbing of one another and bantering back and forth. (Really fun!) They discussed proposed changes to the bylaws regarding adding corporate memberships or sponsorships. They were not able to vote on this due to lack of timely notice to members, but they will vote on it next meeting. I was a little disappointed because I have a strong contact with someone with Snapple and I really am excited about possible procuring a donation for the club. The Snapple Rep sounded excited about it too. Oh well, unless the rep gets hit by a bus (which I SINCERELY hope does NOT happen) this can wait.

There was discussion about when and where to hold the Fire Buff Battalion Christmas party. Apparently the last two years they have held it at one of my very favorite restaraunts (which shall remain nameless here) but last time were not very satisfied so they will not be holding it there this year. :( It is looking like they will be choosing either Joseppi's (Not a bad choice) or The Hub (who's menu looked great, but it is downtown and parking is, well, you know.)

Tonight was also the night that officers are nominated, but not being a member yet I could neither nominate or be nominated! :( But there is always next year!! :D

Another item discussed was a firehouse cookbook. The club had created a contest for the firefighters to encourage submission of recipes for the cook book. Some categories only recieved one entry, but they received something like 85 recipes in all. The cookbook committee is currently going over them to determine winners in each category from A shift, B shift, C shift and D shift. The biggest part of the discussion was about what the prizes would be and I won't mention any of the plans or ideas here because you never know who might see it. There were a few other mundane items discussed as well that I won't bore anyone with.

Bob and Cat (husband of president and president of club) attended the Northwest Expo at the fire training academy as victims for emergency response trainees. (not official description but you get the point). The moulage (make-up to make the victims look truly injured) was excellent and very realistic. They brought back pictures that were very impressive.

Bob and Cat also passed around pictures of the new Engine 10 that Tacoma is about to put in service. They e-mailed pictures this last week but technology is running faster than my computer and my internet service. It would have taken 45 minutes to download ONE picture so I was not able to. I was happy to see hard copies! This new Engine has more bells and whistles than I've ever seen on a piece of emergency apparatus. ANd talk about shiny!!!! IT is so shiny that you can see images in the paint like it was a mirror, in the pictures. In one picture you see the photographers feet reflected in the chrome! HA HA I wish I could share the pictures with you, the readers of this blog. She is one sweet rig! Tacoma also has a new ladder company arriving any day to replace Ladder 2, but the hard copies of the pictures were not available tonight. Again, I could download them, but 45 minutes is a long time!

All in all I had a great time at the meeting. Bob Urbon especially made me feel welcome and I am grateful for that. I know none of you believe it, but I AM shy and felt a little nervous. He puts one at ease though. THANKS BOB! Cat forgot to bring the application for me to join and the background check so that will be put off another month. Even if she hadn't forgotten it I couldn't officially join yet so no big deal. (that's what I keep telling myself anyway, but I am disappointed!) Ralph thought he might have one in his car but he didn't. All he had was a copy of the bylaws. He actually handed me two copies by mistake. I told him I only needed one and he read my mind. Before I could add something about "even though I DO have TWO eyes", he said to me, "well, one for each eye!" He said it as fast as I thought it. I think I will fit in just fine here! He told me he would make sure an application was available at the next meeting. I offered to e-mail him a reminder and he said that would be a great help, so I WILL.

Ifyou've ever watched firefighting shows (such as Emergency!) on television when the firemen are hanging out in the day room, bantering back and forth and drinking coffee, you have a pretty good idea of what this meeting was like only, we were all adults with out ratings or the FCC involved so the subject matter was often more adult oriented. It really was a lot of fun! I had a great time and the two and a half hours passed by all too quickly. I'm really looking forward to next month's meeting.

Take care all, and Stay SAFE!

Hotflash

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 5

Hello Team!

Today was another bust, but I am trying not to be discouraged. It seems that the pedometer never recovered from it's sudden leap the other day. It had a delayed reaction, but definitely was successful in its suicide attempt! SIGH

I know I didn't get that much walking in today though. In fact, probably less than a normal day, due to the quiz meet and fire buff battalion meeting. At the quiz meet I was a score keeper so I spent most of my time planted on my fanny pushing a pencil. The fire buff battalion meeting in the evening was another 2 1/2 hours of sitting.

I won't be able to purchase a new pedometer until after payday on the 15th, most likely, so there won't be much here in the way of daily stats until after that.

On a positive note, I DID get 7 hours of sleep last night! (but I still dozed during an "officials" meeting at the quiz meet. (ho hum!)

I just realized that I have not completed my list of things I want to change in my lifestyle yet, so perhaps I will get that completed tomorrow.

Thanks to those of you who have chosen to subscribe to this blog in support of my efforts. Thanks for the comments in my e-mail and on my facebook acct. Your encouragements really make a difference and I appreciate you very much for taking the time to help me with this.

God bless you all and please, STAY SAFE!

Hotflash out,