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.

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.

Report From Ladder Company 40 Day 138 and 139

Hi Team!

Sorry, I have been really busy lately and it is hard to find time to blog.  I don't even feel like doing it now but know that I cannot let it get any further away from me if it is to be an effective tool.

Sunday was a day of being VERY SORE!!  Lots of water, lots of rest, ice and ibuprofin.  Long island iced teas might have worked better, or at least might have made me feel like they were working better, but alas, I did not tryi them to find out. =(

I have bruises on my knees and on my butt.  Both the left and right sides are bruised.  The muscles in my legs, butt, arms and neck are also killing me.  My hands hurt from having to squeeze that mask so tightly onto the face of that dummy.  I'm glad the masks seal better on real people than they do in this situation.  Seriously, I knew this would be work but I had no idea how intense of a workout I would get in that class!  I have an awful lot of work to do!!!

I drank about 2 quarts of fluid and got lots of rest.  I slept fairly well saturday night and I napped on Sunday.  Considering the workout I had on Saturday and the fact that Sunday is a day of rest, I can fairly give myself a 3 for 3.

Monday

I had my fluids, herbal tea... lots of it... all day.  I slept VERY well because I couldn't stay awake if my life depended on it!!  And as you will read below, I am definitely 3 for 3 today!!!

Today I learned what it felt to be a pinball!  Go here, go there, back over there, no over here, no that way, come back...!!!  That is what it was like at the college today when I went to apply for the EMT program.  And to think that I had called Coach Alex to tell her I would miss our workout because it was way more important to me to apply for the EMT program and be one of the first 27 to successfully do so.  I GOT my workout, and then some.  I would bet I got more of a workout than I would have otherwise.  I forgot what a wealth of misinformation and miscommunication community college could be!  It took a lot of walking, a little talking, a lot of smiling and appreciating that everyone meant well and a lot of patience, but I am officially enrolled to the college and my application to the EMT program has been accepted.  I start class the end of March!  : D  =)  : >  = >   : )  = D

I had planned to write with a lot more details of today, but I am very tired.  Sorry about that.  I think you can read that I am very happy and excited though.  And thankful for all of the prayers that have been offered on my behalf and all of the obstacles that God has cleared for me and the encouragement, etc. etc.

One more fun thing for the day.  I took cookies (orange vanilla ones, of course) and a card to Station 8 tonight.  I met Will, the firefighter who answered the door.  He invited us in the lobby of the station and we chatted for about 10 minutes.  He has a deep respect and appreciation for the Buffs, and I shared that I (and also the rest of the buffs) also have a deep appreciation for the ones out there doing the job of saving lives and property.  He was humble, as most firefighters are and downplayed it.  He engaged my hubby in conversation some too and my hubby said something that surprised me.  Will said that he looked forward to seeing us on the canteen unit.  As I started to say that my husband wasn't really into the whole gig he was just along for the ride with me, my hubby said, "I haven't gotten that far into it... yet."   YET!!!    He said, "YET"!!!   Maybe someday?  =)  That would be SO cool to share this with him!!

I'm going to bed.   

Stay safe!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 Day 136 and 137

Hi Team!

Sorry I did not post yesterday.  I had a very busy day and then went out with friends last night so I did not get a chance to post.  Yesterday was a good day.  I met Coach Alex and we had our workout-walk.  We only did 2 instead of 3 miles because we both had so much else to do for the day but it was a good workout anyway.   I drank 3 quarts of fluid as well.  And I slept very well the night before so I was three for three for Friday, Jan 29th.  YAY ME!  

I met with the Fire Buff Battalion president, Cat and her husband Bob so that they could take me to the fire department to get my ID badge made.  When we went to 9's, where they do that, nobody was home.  Darned fire department chooses to be busy when we are available for a visit!!  LOL   Well, while we talked about where we would go to wait for them, she asked me if I had gotten the fire call the night before.  I had not.  We discovered that my fire phone had serious problems.  Actually all 8 of the Battalion's fire phones were having problems.  Mine, like the other seven, was going off at 3 am for no reason with a busy signal.  When the phone was closed, even when it was on the charger.  Nothing would shut the busy signal off except to completely shut down the phone, wait a few seconds and restart it.  Weird stuff, I tell you.  We took my phone back to Verizon, along with Cat's and she let them know in no uncertain terms how unhappy she was with our service.  The Battalion has had 8 phones for six months and the longest that we have gone without having to go into Verizon to get something fixed was about 4 weeks!  Cat kept stressing to them, we work with the FIRE DEPARTMENT, we NEED our phones to do what they are supposed to do so that we can RESPOND to fire calls.  I think the phones are fixed now.  At least, I HOPE they are!  While Verizon fiddled with our phones, we went to lunch.  After lunch we got our phones and headed back to 9's to see if we could get that ID badge.  We were in luck, they just rolled in ahead of us.  The door was still up when we got there.

We had to try several times to get my picture done.  Digital cameras can be touchy and we had a tough time in the station finding the right lighting and background to make a decent picture.  At one point they asked me to stand in front of a beige door.  I was about to when I looked at the plate on the door.  Just above my head would have been the words, "Battalion Chief".  I laughed and suggested that perhaps that wasn't the best spot to take my picture. =D   They took me in the day room and suggested I sit in one of the recliner chairs.  They are huge, I am not.  I said to them that I might get swallowed up in the chair.  I had visions of me looking like a miniature person sitting on the furniture in a giant's living room.  They decided that didn't look very good either.  Eventually I got my picture taken in front of a white cabinet they found in one of the rooms.  The firefighter who took the picture then inputted (is that even a word?) my picture and my information into the computer.  A few more clicks of the mouse and voila!  I now have an official Tacoma Fire Department ID badge with a darned good picture (W. Spencer did a great job) which is amazing because I don't generally photograph all that well.  Now I can officially respond to fire calls!!  YAY!!!!
Basically, that made me week!

And then there was today!

I got up and got ready to go this morning feeling a little nervous and a little excited at the same time.  In order to apply for the EMT program at the college, I had to take CPR for the Professional Rescuer from either the Red Cross or the American Heart Association.  As I mentioned before, (I think) I sweet talked my way into the class for today.

The class was an all day INTENSE training.  CPR, Rescue Breathing and AED training for professionals is more intense and involved than the basic classes are.  It was a fun, hard, intense, challenging and exciting class to take.  I have to say that I am physically exhausted far beyond any level of exhaustion I have had in a very long time.   I was definitely the oldest participant in the class.  One of the instructors was older than me.  She had been a paramedic locally for quite a while and then an injury forced her to quit.  She then taught with the Red Cross for 17 years and recently took the EMT program again.  She has decided to become a Physician's Assistant.  We bonded instantly because we both decided to follow our dreams late in life!  Anyway, I was telling you about her because, when we started doing practicals, she suggested I get some padding for my knees.  She singled me out.  Not because she was trying to discriminate, she just felt some sympathy or empathy because I have old knees!  She would not take no for an answer and she found me some decent padding.  It's funny though because it was never placed in the right position to be any help no matter what I did.  Medical emergencies are not particulary predictable.  LOL  It was okay with me though because I really did NOT want any special considerations.  In fact, she told us if our wrists hurt we could take it easy, etc.  I told her I would not modify any thing I was expected to do because I would not be able to in real life situations.  She liked that.  She said to remember that in real life situations I would not feel the pain as much, and might not notice it at all even, until everything was done and over with.  Adrenaline has a way of doing that.  She seemed to like that I would not whimp out.    I definitely felt good about it too.  And it showed me a little of what I need to do to prepare for this kind of career too.

Now I am legally considered a "professional" emergency responder.  I am legally obligated to respond to any medical emergency I come upon, 24/7/365 (and sometimes 366) unless someone more qualified is on scene.  That is a huge responsibility.  One that is at the same time a little scary and empowering.  I am qualified to make a difference.  I have a lot more training and experience to get in order to reach my dreams, but this was a good start today and I am proud of my accomplishment and excited to be one step higher on my ladder.  And WOW... am I ever tired!!!

Next step:  Monday morning I will take my information and my money to the college and apply for the EMT program.  I heard from one of the other students in my class that there are 10 applicants so far.  That leaves just 17 spaces.  I hope he and I get two of them.  He still needs the immunizations.

I'll keep you posted.  In the mean time, stay safe.

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 Day 135

Hi Team!

Things are looking good for me.  I still don't know if I will get into my EMT class or not, but I am looking at all the things that have happened this week and thinking, God really loves me!  First, I took the intitiative to call about the waitlist and found out that everything was a mess.  Second, I scrambled and located the vaccines I needed. Third I located and obtained my TB test. Fourth, I convinced the Red Cross to allow me into an already over crowded class to get my CPR for the Professional Rescuer class taken care of by Saturday so that I can then apply to the EMT program on Monday.  God continues to clear obstacles as he has all along this journey.  If He wants me in the class this time around, I will be there.  If not, it can only be because he has better plans for me.  How can I lose?

I want to thank all of you again for the prayers, encouragement and openness you have shared with me or offered up on my behalf.  I am feeling much more positive, even though I have stumbled a bit.  I feel like today, I could move mountains!

Speaking of today... I have had two quarts of fluids, I slept very well last night and I have had an active day, though it was not an exercise day.  I am three for three.  =D

I also went and got my shots today =(  Both of my arms are sore.  I feel like swiss cheese!  I'm full of holes!  The nurse was amazing.  I barely felt the needle pokes.  Unfortunately, the vaccines that were injected were not so subtle.  They burned and smarted!  But I did not kick the nurse.  I didn't cry or yell even, though for one of them I did say, "Ow, ow ow!"  Before I left, I told her I was glad she had poked me today!  (That brought a laugh, let me tell you!)  Tomorrow I get the TB test site checked and mail my transcript requests.

The first BIG step in reaching my dream is so close I can almost taste it!  Almost.

And I did something fun today too.  I colored my hair for the first time in 25 years.  No more silver bangs peeking out when I'm not looking for them.  I lightened up my hair a few shades from a medium brown to Golden Light Brown which on me is sort of coppery brown.  I have natural red hilights and the red is much more prominent now.  I like it though.  My husband noticed and complimented me almost right away when he saw me.  I didn't warn him I was going to do this.  I was surprised he liked it so much.  He is the type to give his honest opinion so it is really cool that he complimented me on it.  =)  I'll try to post a pic soon.

Stay safe!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 Day 134

Hi Team!

I have worked very hard today at being active.  I got my three miles in with Coach Alex this morning and I was on my feet much of the day as well at work.  I am a little behind on my fluids but will catch up by bedtime to 2 1/2 quarts.  I got plenty of sleep last night and have felt pretty good most of the day.  Yay ME! 3 for three (I promise to finish the fluids so I don't have to report back about that).

I have had a pretty productive day.  I discovered I could not get my TB test with my immunizations because they are not open on Saturday and that is the day they would need to check it but I was able to obtain it elsewhere today and will have it checked on Friday.  :)   Tomorrow I will be the human pin cushion :(  The best thing that happened today though, was that I was able to convince the Red Cross to let me into an already OVER capacity Professional Rescuer CPR class for Saturday.  I was polite but persistant and even asked what the odds of getting in would be if I just showed up and hoped somebody else didn't.  The lady I spoke with, Catherine, took pity on my and spoke with the instructor about the situation I was in and I was allowed in!  THANKS CATHERINE!!  By Monday, I should have everything I need to go register for the class!  With any luck ( or better yet, divine intervention) I will get in. 

I have also hit a bump in the road.  My recent lack of discipline has caught up with me.  I weighed today, finally.  I regained 5 pounds!  I am back up to 194.  This is my first relapse I think and I can beat it but I will have to be on top of things.  I have to be careful about emotional eating and remember to watch how much junk I eat.  There has been more around the house lately, post holiday stuff so it has been a little challenging.  I was at first very discouraged even though I suspected the outcome.  But then I remembered some kind words from a Crusty Jake that I posted a while back.  I will post them again because they still apply and I find them to be an encouragement. 

nwfdcap26-respectdajob wrote:


Having a dream is the same as having a goal. Accepting that it may take some uneven roads, and a few bumps, and maybe even a wrong turn or two are just part of the journey.


I had a dream too. I dreamed it everyday. Conscious and subconscious thought. Day dreams....it was all-consuming. I hit a few snags along the way too. But in the end, what I thought was almost impossible became a lifestyle that I KNEW I wanted, but wasn't sure I would obtain.


Now, sometimes I have to look back at it all to stay grounded, and realize what it took to get here.
You'll do fine. If it was so easy it wouldn't be worth it.
Thanks for the lift, brother! (again!)

I'll blog at you later but stay safe in the mean time!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 Day 133

Hi Team!

It is good to be back and I have a fresh attitude and I am ready to dig in and climb hard!  Last night I slept very well!  YAY ME!    I drank 2 quarts of herbal tea today and I was very active and on my feet for most of the day.  Yay ME!  3 for 3!!

I still haven't heard from the college about registration for the EMT course.  I called them today and was shocked at what I discovered.  Apparently whomever I spoke to in September, or October, whenever it was that I called them, did not know what they were talking about and misinformed me.  I don't know if I ever was on the waitlist or not.  Apparently I was supposed to fill out an application for the program already.  I don't know how long ago the applications for the spring class became available but if I am not one of the first 27 to complete all the requirements and turn it in, I don't get into the class.  *&^$!!!!

The nice lady I spoke to today e-mailed me the application.  I need transcripts, (official ones, mailed directly to this college from the other colleges -which takes as long as two weeks) which I expected, but I didn't know I needed them right now!  I need a whole mess of immunizations, which insurance won't pay for of course: TB test, MMR, Diptheria/Tetanus, Hep B series (must be started to apply for EMT program), Flu shot, H1N1 shot (note from doc will suffice since I had it, I checked on that) and chicken pox!  I have an appointment tentatively scheduled for this thursday at 11:30 (if the doc can get the vaccines in by then) and I will leave there looking like swiss cheese!

As frustrated as I am about the crunch to get this done and be one of the first 27, I have to realize that this was not a suprise to God and trust that all will work out in HIS timing, remembering that his timing is always perfect.  I am doing my best to consider that and keep a good attitude.  Nonetheless, for you prayer warriors out there, please pray for me to get everything in quickly and get into the program this spring.  If I do, I will be hirable by summer and since I don't have a job in the summers with my current employer, that would be especially helpful!

In other news, Cat (Fire Buff Battalion President) e-mailed me today and wants to get together to get my fire department issued Fire Buff ID badge at which point I will officially be designated Canteen 7 (not  6 like I had been told earlier) and be able to run calls when needed.  =D   Yay ME!  We also finally launched the Fire Buff Battalion website.  If you are interested in taking a look it is still under construction but the address is:  http://www.tacomafirebuff.com/

Now, I am late on this but as promised, it is time to start meeting the team (for those who chose to participate).  Team, meet Coach Alex:  (Giving me a cheesy smile)


Coach Alex is my very best friend in the whole wide world!  Alex is the kind of friend that can kick your butt and still make you smile and say thanks!  She will not hesitate to administer a good butt kicking when needed and that is exactly why I chose her as my coach.  She is positive and always speaks the truth, even when it is something you might not want to hear (but need to). 

Alex and I met at work at a Christian School where she was the playground supervisor and I was a Camp Counselor in the summer.  She was determined not to like me because I came across to her as a know it all in a meeting when we first met so she kept to herself mostly.  One day, she and the children were out on the playground chasing an escaped rabbit around a small fenced in portion of the playground.  The kids were trying to help her catch it but they kept getting excited and running and shouting.  None of which are conducive to capturning a scared bunny rabbit.  Finally one of the kids said, "Mrs. Hecker, just sneak up on it!" to which she replied, "There's no sneaking in gravel!"   Well, the sing song way she said it sounded exactly like Tom Hanks (albeit with a higher toned voice)  in the movie "A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN" when he said, "There's no crying in baseball!"  and I said that out loud because it struck me as funny.

Alex heard me.  She and her husband had recently had a conversation that only 1 per cent (or maybe it was 3, I never can remember) of the population regularly quotes movies.  Right then she discovered that we were BOTH members of the one per cent club.  We have been inseparable ever since.  We have since discovered that we are so much alike it scares our kids (and our husbands).  They all say when we are together it is scary because it's like having two moms/wives at once.  We laugh so much together that my face often hurts when we spend much time together due to the big smile that attaches itself to me. 

There you have it.  Coach Alex, you are amazing and I love you!

I'm getting off the computer to get some dinner and get to bed at a reasonable time (at least that is the plan) so stay safe!

Hotflash out.