Hi Team!
Day 122 already? LOL Did I ever tell you I was 29 twice? I guess numbers are not my thing! LOL I am quite sure I will really be 41 tomorrow though. I was born in 1969, so that makes me 41! It shouldn't be so hard for me to keep it straight. (I blame it on blondeness. I have brown hair now, but until I was about 7 I was blonde and in the summer I have a lot of blonde (and red) highlights).
Well, I just checked on Pete to see what my progress was. According to Pete I walked 502 steps today! No wonder I feel so drained! LOL I was on my feet and busy all day. Pete is just being tricky. (That's my story and I'm sticking to it!) I drank about 3 1quarts today so that was at least a good part of my day. Sleep I definitely bombed on. I was having some computer issues last night when I was also watching Rescue Me and being disgusted and disappointed, and got involved in trying to straighten things out. When I got to a good stopping point it was after midnight. OOPS! >.< So I think in all fairness I would say I got two for three today.
Tomorrow I work from 6:15 to 12:15 and then I am going to the tea shop (where Coach Alex works) to relax. Later, when my husband gets off work, I don't know what we'll do. Maybe I can talk him into the Royal Thai Bistro, one of my favorite restaurants. Or maybe we'll have a family game night. Or maybe both. Or??? Who knows.
Well, I'm VERY tired and I'm going to bed so stay safe and I'll blog at ya'll later!
Hotflash out.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Report From Ladder Company 40 Day 121 (addition)
Hi Team!
I don't know if any of you read my original post for day 121 but I have edited it about 1/2 hour after originally posting it. I had originally talked about watching Rescue Me but I just want to say for the record IT SUCKS! It is rude, crude and pornographic. Do NOT be tempted if that sort of thing is a turn off to you because it is gross! Enough said!
Stay safe.
Hotflash out.
I don't know if any of you read my original post for day 121 but I have edited it about 1/2 hour after originally posting it. I had originally talked about watching Rescue Me but I just want to say for the record IT SUCKS! It is rude, crude and pornographic. Do NOT be tempted if that sort of thing is a turn off to you because it is gross! Enough said!
Stay safe.
Hotflash out.
Report From Ladder Company 40 Day 121(days 118,119, and 120 are hidden)
Hi Team!
Guess what???
For reasons which I will explain in a later post, I have been going over previous posts and discovered something interesting. I have two posts titled day 92, two posts titled day 93 and one post not titled at all! That means that today is really not day 118 but day 121, hence the crazy title to this blog! I guess I really DO need to get more sleep! LOL
Speaking of sleep... I slept fairly well last night but still did not want to get up. I drank my two quarts today, and so far not an ounce more but I'll be up another hour or so, so we'll see. I did not exercise today (Pete logged 3,876 steps), not because I didn't want to, but because I had a smal personal crisis. It seems that I forgot to enter some debit purchases into my check register at Christmas time and it caught up with us. I had to go to the bank and make sure everything was straightened out. I am fortunate enough to have payment protection on my account so they paid the checks out, but charged me four 25 dollar fees. They were really awesome when I went in today though and reversed all the charges. Luckily I had the money in another account to cover the mistakes! God is SO good! Ok, so I am 2 for 3 today. I want to be in bed by 10:00.
Gotta go!
Stay safe.
Hotflash out
Guess what???
For reasons which I will explain in a later post, I have been going over previous posts and discovered something interesting. I have two posts titled day 92, two posts titled day 93 and one post not titled at all! That means that today is really not day 118 but day 121, hence the crazy title to this blog! I guess I really DO need to get more sleep! LOL
Speaking of sleep... I slept fairly well last night but still did not want to get up. I drank my two quarts today, and so far not an ounce more but I'll be up another hour or so, so we'll see. I did not exercise today (Pete logged 3,876 steps), not because I didn't want to, but because I had a smal personal crisis. It seems that I forgot to enter some debit purchases into my check register at Christmas time and it caught up with us. I had to go to the bank and make sure everything was straightened out. I am fortunate enough to have payment protection on my account so they paid the checks out, but charged me four 25 dollar fees. They were really awesome when I went in today though and reversed all the charges. Luckily I had the money in another account to cover the mistakes! God is SO good! Ok, so I am 2 for 3 today. I want to be in bed by 10:00.
Gotta go!
Stay safe.
Hotflash out
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Report From Ladder Company 40 Day 117
Hi Team!
I'm still in kind of a melancholy funk, but it feels a little less gripping. Your encouragement has helped quite a bit. I still hadn't found Pete this morning so I have no steps to report but I did drink my water and herbal tea today, 2 quarts and a little more but I didn't keep track of it. I did sleep well last night and did not feel the urge to crash today as I have been. That makes me 2 for 2 (since I can't really count 3 without the means to do so). Good news though. A few minutes ago I found Pete!! He was hiding under a box of tissues on my desk next to the computer. Funny thing is, I asked my son if he had seen Pete and he told me exactly where to find him. And he say's I put the tissues there after asking him to get them for me a few days ago. I have NO recollection of that. That of course does not mean it didn't go down that way, but I am not claiming what I do not remember! :)
I still have not made it to mom's to weigh in. I'm sorry about that. I will try to get that done by the end of the weekend if not sooner. I really keep meaning to do it but some of my work stuff has had me a bit distracted. For example, with the theme, "underground railroad" what kind of art projects (3) does one come up with for k-2nd graders? Not only do I have to come up with these projects but I have to make them so my boss can have examples. In two days of racking my brains I have thought of "some kind of lanterns" and making the little and big dippers (paint on paper with marshmallow "stars" in the constellations and glitter on the North Star.) Pretty lame, huh? None of the themed websites offer any help for crafts for that theme. I do not teach school, I teach a recreational and social skill building program aka before and afterschool child care program. Education has to be through play and discussion during play. Reading and writing are not activities that the kids generally choose to do after school. And I am supposed to provide fun things to do.
I like the teaching part, when I teach kids to solve problems and deal with differences effectively my job ROCKS! When I teach kids to express how they feel with words instead of fists my job is amazing. When I help a parent figure out how to resolve her child's social issues at school, home, and soccer practice, I feel great! When I get a kid who can't seem to make or keep friends and watch him or her blossom into a social butterfly with lots of friends and new found confidence, I can't believe I get paid to be a part of it. When I teach parents how to discipline with love and logic and not be door mats and not be mean to their kids I know that I have made a difference and I love doing it. When I have to spend hours looking for some craft project tha will thrill my boss to fit a theme I think is stupid ( for our purposes anyway) and had no say in choosing the themes to begin with, I want to slam my head in a door a few hundred times. Sometimes I just get overwhelmed and frustrated when I have to put so much into something and I don't like the outcome myself. It isn't that I'm planning things that the kids won't enjoy on purpose, it's just that sometimes I cannot find the resources to find something that will be fun AND make the boss happy because the theme doesn't lend itself to it. And then my finished product doesn't make me happy either. OK, rant over! I just needed to vent. Sorry.
On a positive note, I get to work out with Coach Alex tomorrow, my birthday is Friday and I have a Fire Buff Battalion meeting on Saturday. Lots coming up! =)
Until next blog, stay safe!
Hotflash out.
I'm still in kind of a melancholy funk, but it feels a little less gripping. Your encouragement has helped quite a bit. I still hadn't found Pete this morning so I have no steps to report but I did drink my water and herbal tea today, 2 quarts and a little more but I didn't keep track of it. I did sleep well last night and did not feel the urge to crash today as I have been. That makes me 2 for 2 (since I can't really count 3 without the means to do so). Good news though. A few minutes ago I found Pete!! He was hiding under a box of tissues on my desk next to the computer. Funny thing is, I asked my son if he had seen Pete and he told me exactly where to find him. And he say's I put the tissues there after asking him to get them for me a few days ago. I have NO recollection of that. That of course does not mean it didn't go down that way, but I am not claiming what I do not remember! :)
I still have not made it to mom's to weigh in. I'm sorry about that. I will try to get that done by the end of the weekend if not sooner. I really keep meaning to do it but some of my work stuff has had me a bit distracted. For example, with the theme, "underground railroad" what kind of art projects (3) does one come up with for k-2nd graders? Not only do I have to come up with these projects but I have to make them so my boss can have examples. In two days of racking my brains I have thought of "some kind of lanterns" and making the little and big dippers (paint on paper with marshmallow "stars" in the constellations and glitter on the North Star.) Pretty lame, huh? None of the themed websites offer any help for crafts for that theme. I do not teach school, I teach a recreational and social skill building program aka before and afterschool child care program. Education has to be through play and discussion during play. Reading and writing are not activities that the kids generally choose to do after school. And I am supposed to provide fun things to do.
I like the teaching part, when I teach kids to solve problems and deal with differences effectively my job ROCKS! When I teach kids to express how they feel with words instead of fists my job is amazing. When I help a parent figure out how to resolve her child's social issues at school, home, and soccer practice, I feel great! When I get a kid who can't seem to make or keep friends and watch him or her blossom into a social butterfly with lots of friends and new found confidence, I can't believe I get paid to be a part of it. When I teach parents how to discipline with love and logic and not be door mats and not be mean to their kids I know that I have made a difference and I love doing it. When I have to spend hours looking for some craft project tha will thrill my boss to fit a theme I think is stupid ( for our purposes anyway) and had no say in choosing the themes to begin with, I want to slam my head in a door a few hundred times. Sometimes I just get overwhelmed and frustrated when I have to put so much into something and I don't like the outcome myself. It isn't that I'm planning things that the kids won't enjoy on purpose, it's just that sometimes I cannot find the resources to find something that will be fun AND make the boss happy because the theme doesn't lend itself to it. And then my finished product doesn't make me happy either. OK, rant over! I just needed to vent. Sorry.
On a positive note, I get to work out with Coach Alex tomorrow, my birthday is Friday and I have a Fire Buff Battalion meeting on Saturday. Lots coming up! =)
Until next blog, stay safe!
Hotflash out.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Report From Ladder Company 40 Days 115 and 116
Hi Team!
OOoops! I kinda forgot to post yesterday didn't I? Sorry. I'm a little embarrassed about that one. I really took yesterday (Sunday) off! I was so tired from the rest of the weekend and I am still up and down with something... I'm not quite sure what! I can report that I slept enough (8 hours) which is highly unusual for me. And I drank plenty of fluids 3 quarts or better. I just didn't exercise but Sunday is a day of rest so I am not counting that against myself. That really is all I have to report for Sunday. Oh, except for the fun part. That's the part when Gigaherz texted me with the following message: ... Everyone loved the cookies. Send more! LOL I LOVED it! I'm really glad the guys enjoyed them. I had a great time visiting!
OK, now for today, Monday. I had a terrible time getting out of bed this morning. I went to work and then, even though my strongest desire was to go to bed, I went to meet Coach Alex. While I was waiting she texted me that she would be late due to "personal issues" which I won't go into detail about. I asked her if she'd rather skip and promised I'd walk anyway but she said she'd still come. She is SO cool! We walked even though neither of us particularly felt great. Then my awesome friends really encouraged me when they saw my updated status' on facebook that said, "back to the grindstone" and "I'm fixing to start my walk even though I feel like going to bed" or words to that effect. Thanks ladies for continuing to encourage me! You are all so awesome! I have the best team of supporters and friends a ff/paramedic wannabe could ever ask for.
I am still concerned about depression trying to sneak back in to my life. I am having fun so I don't think I am truly depressed. I never had fun no matter what when I was really depressed. But at the same time, the dreary darkness of our overcast days is really affecting me. I can definitely feel that and I am craving light! For all you prayer warriors out there, THIS is what I need prayer about. I do NOT want to be depressed again and I do NOT want to go back on medication for it. I know this is a seasonal issue and that it is very common in the northwest. IF that is what is making me feel so icky, please pray it will all go away. And if that is NOT what is making me feel so icky, please pray that whatever IS causing it would go away. Thanks.
Let's see, I got enough sleep last night, I drank about 2 1/2 quarts of fluids today, but still feel like I need more and I walked today, though Pete seems to have been misplaced since Saturday night. Hopefully I will find him soon and hopefully he will be well rested and ready to work hard when I do. That makes today 3 for 3 for me. YAY ME!
I know I said I was going to start featuring team members here starting today, but I am putting that off for at least a day or two or three. Sorry. Some things came up and I don't have time right now. But I will do it soon. I promise.
On a sad note, Cat, the Fire Buff Battalion president is dealing with the loss of her sister as of earlier this afternoon. Please keep Cat in your prayers too. She and her sister were very close and at least Cat knows what Shirley wanted as far as a memorial and such goes. And Cat knows that Shirley isn't suffering any more, but that does not diminish the pain of the loss of a loved one and she needs all the prayers and lifting up she can get. Thanks.
Ok, now it's off to bed at an almost reasonable hour!
Stay safe!
Hotflash out.
OOoops! I kinda forgot to post yesterday didn't I? Sorry. I'm a little embarrassed about that one. I really took yesterday (Sunday) off! I was so tired from the rest of the weekend and I am still up and down with something... I'm not quite sure what! I can report that I slept enough (8 hours) which is highly unusual for me. And I drank plenty of fluids 3 quarts or better. I just didn't exercise but Sunday is a day of rest so I am not counting that against myself. That really is all I have to report for Sunday. Oh, except for the fun part. That's the part when Gigaherz texted me with the following message: ... Everyone loved the cookies. Send more! LOL I LOVED it! I'm really glad the guys enjoyed them. I had a great time visiting!
OK, now for today, Monday. I had a terrible time getting out of bed this morning. I went to work and then, even though my strongest desire was to go to bed, I went to meet Coach Alex. While I was waiting she texted me that she would be late due to "personal issues" which I won't go into detail about. I asked her if she'd rather skip and promised I'd walk anyway but she said she'd still come. She is SO cool! We walked even though neither of us particularly felt great. Then my awesome friends really encouraged me when they saw my updated status' on facebook that said, "back to the grindstone" and "I'm fixing to start my walk even though I feel like going to bed" or words to that effect. Thanks ladies for continuing to encourage me! You are all so awesome! I have the best team of supporters and friends a ff/paramedic wannabe could ever ask for.
I am still concerned about depression trying to sneak back in to my life. I am having fun so I don't think I am truly depressed. I never had fun no matter what when I was really depressed. But at the same time, the dreary darkness of our overcast days is really affecting me. I can definitely feel that and I am craving light! For all you prayer warriors out there, THIS is what I need prayer about. I do NOT want to be depressed again and I do NOT want to go back on medication for it. I know this is a seasonal issue and that it is very common in the northwest. IF that is what is making me feel so icky, please pray it will all go away. And if that is NOT what is making me feel so icky, please pray that whatever IS causing it would go away. Thanks.
Let's see, I got enough sleep last night, I drank about 2 1/2 quarts of fluids today, but still feel like I need more and I walked today, though Pete seems to have been misplaced since Saturday night. Hopefully I will find him soon and hopefully he will be well rested and ready to work hard when I do. That makes today 3 for 3 for me. YAY ME!
I know I said I was going to start featuring team members here starting today, but I am putting that off for at least a day or two or three. Sorry. Some things came up and I don't have time right now. But I will do it soon. I promise.
On a sad note, Cat, the Fire Buff Battalion president is dealing with the loss of her sister as of earlier this afternoon. Please keep Cat in your prayers too. She and her sister were very close and at least Cat knows what Shirley wanted as far as a memorial and such goes. And Cat knows that Shirley isn't suffering any more, but that does not diminish the pain of the loss of a loved one and she needs all the prayers and lifting up she can get. Thanks.
Ok, now it's off to bed at an almost reasonable hour!
Stay safe!
Hotflash out.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Report From Ladder Company 40 Day 114
Hi Team!
Today was an awesome, albeit LONG day!! I got up at about 20 to 6 this morning (that was really sleeping in compared to a work day!) and I have been busy all day up until right now! It is 11:25 pm.
Ladder report first. I slept very well even if it was a short period and it probably wasn’t any shorter than a normal day, lately any way. I’m taking 1 for that. I drank plenty of fluids, in fact I have been unable to slow down on that. I have been fighting headaches and a feeling of thirst. I know what that means, but I am denying it. I am NOT getting sick! That is 2. I can’t claim 3 but it’s not from laziness. I just was too busy. My day of scoring the quiz meet had me sitting from 8 am to 4 pm with a few stretch breaks and a lunch break. Then it was 4 hours of driving to get home! Not much room for exercise there. I’ll happily settle for the 2 for 3!
Now for the fun parts! After the meet, I stopped at the Soutwestern Polk County Rural Fire District main fire station, just outside of Dallas, Oregon to meet a friend who goes by the name of Gigaherz and tour his fire station. He was SO friendly and nice and gave us the grand tour. We got to see in the compartments of all the trucks and he explained everything to us in some detail. It was cool to note that their rigs had front mount pump panels, something I’ve never seen before. We got to climb into the trucks and see how the air tanks fit into the seats so that firefighters can strap them on on the way to calls and arrive ready to go. It looked kind of tricky but he said with a little practice it becomes easier, of course. My husband was with me so he got to see a lot of stuff he hadn’t seen before and asked some questions that I knew the answers to but he didn’t. He seemed to take some genuine interest in it all, which was way cool for me. I learned some things and I had a wonderful time.
Southwestern Polk County Rural Fire Protection District Main Fire Station, Ricreall, Oregon
Gigaherz told us about a large picture of a little girl that was hanging in the fire station. The girl's name was Sabrina Harustak. Apparently, before Gigaherz joined the department, this little girl had a terminal illness. The fire department rallied to help her out and made her an honorary firefighter, gave her and her friends rides in the fire engine and generally took her under their wings. She has since passed away, sadly, but her name is in the roster of official fire fighters in their district and she is listed on their firefighter’s memorial statue and placque in front of their station. I think that is just absolutely awesome! There was also one firefighter, a young guy, who died unexpectedly in his sleep from some kind of a seizure. His dad is still a captain for the department. He is included in this memorial and his picture still hangs with the rest of the active duty firefighters inside the station. Nobody wants to take it down. That tugged at my heart a little. What a sad thing to have happen and I know it must be hard for his dad, especially. The young man was given a firefighter's funeral. His name was Brian Rocha.
Firefighter's Memorial Statue The little girl I mentioned has her name inscribed here, as does the young firefighter who died in his sleep.
I enjoyed seeing their trophies from competitions they have participated in (like cart races propelled by firehoses!) and their “wall of shame” commemorating mistakes that they give the “perpetrators” a hard time for and use as a teaching tool. ( for example, memorialized was what remained of a shattered helmet that had been left in a compartment of a truck, but the compartment hadn’t been closed properly and the helmet had fallen out and been smashed to bits.)
He shared with me some of his experiences in learning the ropes as a firefighter and a rookie mistake, and talked about the terrifying feeling of being inside a fire (I believe it was a training burn) in some of his earliest experiences. He told me a few tips for being more organized with one’s gear to save time and be more prepared and he showed us some of the personal equipment he has purchased for use in firefighting like his LED helmet light and his Houdini tool (seatbelt cutter, glass punch, etc) that he particularly likes over other similar tools. He showed us a patch collection from other departments that he or others have visited and traded patches with.
I didn’t have a patch to give him, though I would have brought him one if I had access to one from our local department, but I gave him one of the "Brother's Town" Fire and Rescue mugs that I got from my brother. I wanted to do something nice and show my appreciation for his time. He gave me a patch from his department. =D I of course gave him the cookies I baked for his station. He took a few and left most for the rest of the guys, much as I thought he probably would have.
I especially appreciated that he took the time to offer advice about how to fit in with the guys and gain acceptance when I do get more involved and closer to my dream. Advice about developing a thick skin, being able to take the jokes, course language and general roughness of hanging out with firemen and being willing to learn and WORK. Things I have read about and only experienced small bits of while hanging around as a civilian and heard of from my brother. He was very encouraging though, and I really appreciated it.
Before leaving, he talked about meeting up again sometime, perhaps in my brother’s neck of the woods and all going to lunch or dinner together, (his wife included too =D). I would love to do that! Before we left he gave us some driving instructions and tips to help us get home more easily. They were very helpful tips that we would not have had a clue about. He told us to call him if we had any problems and about how far he could go to help if we did need anything. And then he contacted me by text as we traveled to check on us. What a sweetheart! We kept in touch during our trip home and when I let him know we made it safely, he reiterated that he would like to get together again.
Dave "Gigaherz" Fox and Me
Really, this was a perfect day!
Stay safe!
Hotflash out.
Today was an awesome, albeit LONG day!! I got up at about 20 to 6 this morning (that was really sleeping in compared to a work day!) and I have been busy all day up until right now! It is 11:25 pm.
Ladder report first. I slept very well even if it was a short period and it probably wasn’t any shorter than a normal day, lately any way. I’m taking 1 for that. I drank plenty of fluids, in fact I have been unable to slow down on that. I have been fighting headaches and a feeling of thirst. I know what that means, but I am denying it. I am NOT getting sick! That is 2. I can’t claim 3 but it’s not from laziness. I just was too busy. My day of scoring the quiz meet had me sitting from 8 am to 4 pm with a few stretch breaks and a lunch break. Then it was 4 hours of driving to get home! Not much room for exercise there. I’ll happily settle for the 2 for 3!
Now for the fun parts! After the meet, I stopped at the Soutwestern Polk County Rural Fire District main fire station, just outside of Dallas, Oregon to meet a friend who goes by the name of Gigaherz and tour his fire station. He was SO friendly and nice and gave us the grand tour. We got to see in the compartments of all the trucks and he explained everything to us in some detail. It was cool to note that their rigs had front mount pump panels, something I’ve never seen before. We got to climb into the trucks and see how the air tanks fit into the seats so that firefighters can strap them on on the way to calls and arrive ready to go. It looked kind of tricky but he said with a little practice it becomes easier, of course. My husband was with me so he got to see a lot of stuff he hadn’t seen before and asked some questions that I knew the answers to but he didn’t. He seemed to take some genuine interest in it all, which was way cool for me. I learned some things and I had a wonderful time.
Southwestern Polk County Rural Fire Protection District Main Fire Station, Ricreall, Oregon
Gigaherz told us about a large picture of a little girl that was hanging in the fire station. The girl's name was Sabrina Harustak. Apparently, before Gigaherz joined the department, this little girl had a terminal illness. The fire department rallied to help her out and made her an honorary firefighter, gave her and her friends rides in the fire engine and generally took her under their wings. She has since passed away, sadly, but her name is in the roster of official fire fighters in their district and she is listed on their firefighter’s memorial statue and placque in front of their station. I think that is just absolutely awesome! There was also one firefighter, a young guy, who died unexpectedly in his sleep from some kind of a seizure. His dad is still a captain for the department. He is included in this memorial and his picture still hangs with the rest of the active duty firefighters inside the station. Nobody wants to take it down. That tugged at my heart a little. What a sad thing to have happen and I know it must be hard for his dad, especially. The young man was given a firefighter's funeral. His name was Brian Rocha.
Firefighter's Memorial Statue The little girl I mentioned has her name inscribed here, as does the young firefighter who died in his sleep.
I enjoyed seeing their trophies from competitions they have participated in (like cart races propelled by firehoses!) and their “wall of shame” commemorating mistakes that they give the “perpetrators” a hard time for and use as a teaching tool. ( for example, memorialized was what remained of a shattered helmet that had been left in a compartment of a truck, but the compartment hadn’t been closed properly and the helmet had fallen out and been smashed to bits.)
He shared with me some of his experiences in learning the ropes as a firefighter and a rookie mistake, and talked about the terrifying feeling of being inside a fire (I believe it was a training burn) in some of his earliest experiences. He told me a few tips for being more organized with one’s gear to save time and be more prepared and he showed us some of the personal equipment he has purchased for use in firefighting like his LED helmet light and his Houdini tool (seatbelt cutter, glass punch, etc) that he particularly likes over other similar tools. He showed us a patch collection from other departments that he or others have visited and traded patches with.
I didn’t have a patch to give him, though I would have brought him one if I had access to one from our local department, but I gave him one of the "Brother's Town" Fire and Rescue mugs that I got from my brother. I wanted to do something nice and show my appreciation for his time. He gave me a patch from his department. =D I of course gave him the cookies I baked for his station. He took a few and left most for the rest of the guys, much as I thought he probably would have.
I especially appreciated that he took the time to offer advice about how to fit in with the guys and gain acceptance when I do get more involved and closer to my dream. Advice about developing a thick skin, being able to take the jokes, course language and general roughness of hanging out with firemen and being willing to learn and WORK. Things I have read about and only experienced small bits of while hanging around as a civilian and heard of from my brother. He was very encouraging though, and I really appreciated it.
Before leaving, he talked about meeting up again sometime, perhaps in my brother’s neck of the woods and all going to lunch or dinner together, (his wife included too =D). I would love to do that! Before we left he gave us some driving instructions and tips to help us get home more easily. They were very helpful tips that we would not have had a clue about. He told us to call him if we had any problems and about how far he could go to help if we did need anything. And then he contacted me by text as we traveled to check on us. What a sweetheart! We kept in touch during our trip home and when I let him know we made it safely, he reiterated that he would like to get together again.
Dave "Gigaherz" Fox and Me
Really, this was a perfect day!
Stay safe!
Hotflash out.
Report From Ladder Company 40 Day 113
Hi Team!
I have absolutely no idea how many steps I took today because Pete reset himself several times. In any case, I was sitting in the car for 5 hours of my day (counting going from home to work, work to home, home to church and church to Dallas, Oregon). Then I sat down to dinner and then sat through almost 3 hours of scorekeeping. I would have to say I did NOT get much physical exercise today.
Fluids were not readily accessible most of the day for me, but I seem to have made up for it while scorekeeping. I drank pretty much the entire 2 quart pitcher of water that was on the official’s table. That combined with sporadic fluids through out the day probably put me at close to 3 ½ quarts! Amazing, and still I feel thirsty! I hope that doesn’t mean what it usually means.
Unfortunately, I can’t say that I slept much either. I kind of got sucked into a really good story that one of my friends is writing and I couldn’t stop reading. At 11:30 I realized I had to be up in 5 hours and I went to bed! Oops! I guess that makes me only 1 for 3 this time. Amazingly, I didn’t fall asleep in the car during all that traveling either.
Remember in my last post I said I had made cookies? Well, I baked them anyway. They were pre-mixed, pre-measured cookies that I bought from a fund raiser. I had baked and packaged up a bunch for my Crusty Jake friend, Gigaherz, but this morning I ate one of the leftovers and it was AWFUL! I threw the sugar cookie/M&M’s cookies away entirely. Bravely I sampled the oatmeal raisin cookies. They were not great. But I figured that most firemen would at least eat them so I didn’t toss them. =( I had more in the freezer and I baked them -the m&m's ones came out a little better with less bake time, but not great still.) It just so happens that another Crusty Jake friend, Superchef, posted a cookie recipe last night that I happened to read and they looked easy to make. On the way home from work this morning I stopped at the store and picked up a couple of ingredients I needed for them. I mixed the dough, following Superchef’s instructions then I tasted it and thought it a bit bland so I embellished a teeny bit. It made a big difference!
The cookies smelled scrumptious as they baked. When I finally got to try one, I knew Superchef had posted a winner! Vanilla (or White Chocolate) Orange Cookies! DROOL!! OMG! I thought they were amazing. I packaged some up for Gigaherz and another package for “my guys” at station 10- the busiest house in our state. (Remember I claim the entire fire department, hence the “my guys”) On the way out of town, I stopped by 10’s to deliver their treat. Not surprisingly, but sadly, the barn was empty. I left the cookies in the newspaper tube with a note on the door for when they return. My guys don’t really know me yet, so I hope they will brave enough to eat them! I did call my friend, Joe, who works in the department and left a message asking him to give 10’s a call if he could and vouch for me. Of course he wasn’t in and I had to leave a message. And now I have asked him for a favor and it involved cookies so I am obligated to bring him some too, soon. :D
Here’s the recipe for you, my team mates, should you want to try these fantastic cookies:
Crusty Jake Orange Vanilla Chip Cookies By: Superchef
2 1/4 cups unbleached all purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 Tbsp grated orange zest
1 cup vanilla chips*
*you can also use white chocolate chunks/chips
preheat oven to 350F.
In large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and salt. set aside.
In large bowl, cream butter with sugars until smooth, about 3 minutes. Add egg and mix well. Add flour mixture and beat thoroughly. Stir in orange zest and chips. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheet. leave several inches between cookies for expansion. Bake 10-12 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool on sheet for 1 minute then remove to rack to cool completely.
makes about 2-3 dozen cookies
*MY SECRET IS TO ADD ABOUT 1 TABLESPOON OF (THAWED) FROZEN ORANGE JUICE CONCENTRATE TO THE DOUGH, WHEN YOU MIX IN THE EGG.
Coach Alex, if you convert these to gluten free, please let me sample them! You do amazing work!
The rest of you, if you try these, let me know what you think of them so I can give your compliments to Superchef!
All right. It is late (as it always is after a quiz meet) and I am tired. I’m going to bed!
Stay safe.
Hotflash out.
I have absolutely no idea how many steps I took today because Pete reset himself several times. In any case, I was sitting in the car for 5 hours of my day (counting going from home to work, work to home, home to church and church to Dallas, Oregon). Then I sat down to dinner and then sat through almost 3 hours of scorekeeping. I would have to say I did NOT get much physical exercise today.
Fluids were not readily accessible most of the day for me, but I seem to have made up for it while scorekeeping. I drank pretty much the entire 2 quart pitcher of water that was on the official’s table. That combined with sporadic fluids through out the day probably put me at close to 3 ½ quarts! Amazing, and still I feel thirsty! I hope that doesn’t mean what it usually means.
Unfortunately, I can’t say that I slept much either. I kind of got sucked into a really good story that one of my friends is writing and I couldn’t stop reading. At 11:30 I realized I had to be up in 5 hours and I went to bed! Oops! I guess that makes me only 1 for 3 this time. Amazingly, I didn’t fall asleep in the car during all that traveling either.
Remember in my last post I said I had made cookies? Well, I baked them anyway. They were pre-mixed, pre-measured cookies that I bought from a fund raiser. I had baked and packaged up a bunch for my Crusty Jake friend, Gigaherz, but this morning I ate one of the leftovers and it was AWFUL! I threw the sugar cookie/M&M’s cookies away entirely. Bravely I sampled the oatmeal raisin cookies. They were not great. But I figured that most firemen would at least eat them so I didn’t toss them. =( I had more in the freezer and I baked them -the m&m's ones came out a little better with less bake time, but not great still.) It just so happens that another Crusty Jake friend, Superchef, posted a cookie recipe last night that I happened to read and they looked easy to make. On the way home from work this morning I stopped at the store and picked up a couple of ingredients I needed for them. I mixed the dough, following Superchef’s instructions then I tasted it and thought it a bit bland so I embellished a teeny bit. It made a big difference!
The cookies smelled scrumptious as they baked. When I finally got to try one, I knew Superchef had posted a winner! Vanilla (or White Chocolate) Orange Cookies! DROOL!! OMG! I thought they were amazing. I packaged some up for Gigaherz and another package for “my guys” at station 10- the busiest house in our state. (Remember I claim the entire fire department, hence the “my guys”) On the way out of town, I stopped by 10’s to deliver their treat. Not surprisingly, but sadly, the barn was empty. I left the cookies in the newspaper tube with a note on the door for when they return. My guys don’t really know me yet, so I hope they will brave enough to eat them! I did call my friend, Joe, who works in the department and left a message asking him to give 10’s a call if he could and vouch for me. Of course he wasn’t in and I had to leave a message. And now I have asked him for a favor and it involved cookies so I am obligated to bring him some too, soon. :D
Here’s the recipe for you, my team mates, should you want to try these fantastic cookies:
Crusty Jake Orange Vanilla Chip Cookies By: Superchef
2 1/4 cups unbleached all purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 Tbsp grated orange zest
1 cup vanilla chips*
*you can also use white chocolate chunks/chips
preheat oven to 350F.
In large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and salt. set aside.
In large bowl, cream butter with sugars until smooth, about 3 minutes. Add egg and mix well. Add flour mixture and beat thoroughly. Stir in orange zest and chips. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheet. leave several inches between cookies for expansion. Bake 10-12 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool on sheet for 1 minute then remove to rack to cool completely.
makes about 2-3 dozen cookies
*MY SECRET IS TO ADD ABOUT 1 TABLESPOON OF (THAWED) FROZEN ORANGE JUICE CONCENTRATE TO THE DOUGH, WHEN YOU MIX IN THE EGG.
Coach Alex, if you convert these to gluten free, please let me sample them! You do amazing work!
The rest of you, if you try these, let me know what you think of them so I can give your compliments to Superchef!
All right. It is late (as it always is after a quiz meet) and I am tired. I’m going to bed!
Stay safe.
Hotflash out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)