Thankful Thursday, Fire Edition

(There might be a few of these Fire Editions of Thankful Thursday.)

Seven G, I want to thank you for your presence of mind, your great driving and your immediate response.  I can tell you are still a fire fighter at heart, though you no longer serve your community in this way.  I know we laugh and joke about you bringing a fire extinguisher with you when you and Tammy-Lee responded to my screaming phone call, but that simple act of bringing the fire extinguisher means more to me than you will ever know.  (And I can’t tell you that in person, cuz I’m afraid it will make us both cry.)

I am thankful for the super quick response time of our local fire department.  SIX MINUTES and there was a fire truck on scene.  I am thankful for their dedicated service to our community.  I am thankful that they looked after my husband (and their fellow fire fighter) who would not leave the scene until they left as a team.  I am thankful that no one entered the house; thankful that there was no reason for them to have to enter, because we were all safe by the time they arrived.

I am thankful for insurance!

I am thankful for our neighbor, Shawna, who has allowed us to rent her home.  Her house is right next door to our property.  We will be able to watch the process of taking away and rebuilding our house.  This is a familiar neighborhood for my children and my dog.  The neighbors are used to use being here, with kids running all over.

Tammy-Lee, I am thankful for your organizational skills and your love.  I could not have made it through those first few hours without you by my side.  You didn’t even let me finish talking when I called, screaming that my house was burning down, and you were on your way.

I am thankful for God’s timing in every step…from the older girls coming home late from their activity, to Kenny and Terry being stopped at the end of my driveway as we were running, many of us shoeless, to safety.

I am thankful for the use of Klassen’s trailer and shop.  The many donations that came pouring in needed a place to be while we figured out where we would live, while we sorted through them.  The sorting of donations was a daunting task for me that would have taken me years to get through on my own.  I am especially thankful for Reagan and Juanita who spent hours helping me sort and haul items!

There is no way I can thank everyone who helped in the last few weeks.  The numbers are in the hundreds I’m sure!


Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Random Facts about the Fire

The fire department had a 6 minute response time.

The departments that responded included: Cherhill, Sangudo, Blue Ridge, Mayerthorpe.

Within 10-15 minutes of my call to 911 a fire fighter was breaking a window.

The first fire fighter in had a heat gun to read the temperature.  The first and only attempt to enter (as far as I know) the temperature read 800+ degree.  No fire fighters entered the building.

They saved both sheds (one was a tarp shed) that were only feet from the house.

Mayerthorpe Fire Department returned to their fire hall at 10:30ish the next morning.  They were on scene for about 13 hours.

The outside temperature that night was between -25 to -28 C.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

The Story of the House Fire

I know everyone has been wondering, so here is what happened.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012 started out to be a pretty fun and normal day.  The older girls were looking forward to their best friend, Micah, visiting for the day, and an overnight.  Their friend arrived and the fun started.  All three girls were attending Beautiful Unique Girl at our church later that evening.  It was a pyjama party with nail painting and a chocolate fondue!!!  I expected them home around 8:30PM but their ride was late and they didn't arrive home until shortly after 9:00PM.

In all the excitement of them coming home, we were doing many things and no one was settling down for bed.  Micah came home with a sprained ankle, so I took care of that with an essential oil (I forget which one, but I think it was Panaway).

Suddenly, I heard what I thought was my home alarm system going off.  As I went to check it out, Marrissa (with Wyatt) came up the stairs saying there was a fire in the laundry.  I was thinking, “Yeah right,” but at the same time I could still hear that beeping sound that ended up being the smoke detector downstairs.  When I got to the bottom of the stairs, and turned the corner to the washing machine, I saw flames as high as the top of the washer.

I started screaming for the children to get out, get out now.  I bolted up the stairs.  The kids listened so well.  No one stopped for shoes; they just went out onto the deck.  I ran to my desk to grab the phone to call 911.  At the same time, I ran up my bedroom stairs to get Matthias from his bed.  I had 911 on one phone and Jason’s cell phone dialed from my cell.  Jason never did get my call; he never heard it ring.

While speaking with 911, I was trying to herd 6 screaming children (they were terribly upset because their dog bolted and they didn’t want the dog catcher to get him!) out the front door, off the deck and to safety.  I had Matty in my arms and I scooped up Rayna too because she wouldn’t walk.  Apparently Kristyn gave Micah a piggy back ride as far as she could.

We stopped in the driveway to collect everyone together and re-adjust my load.  I lost the 911 operator there, so I dropped the cordless phone.  Marrissa scooped it up and carried it with her.  As I turned to lead the children down the lane, creating a plan of where I would take them, I saw Jason’s co-worker and her husband stopped at the intersection.  I started screaming her name and that my house was on fire.  She got right out and we shoved all the kids and me into the car.  They took us to safety.

Once we had all the children inside where it was warm, they handed me a jacket and sent me back to the scene of the fire.  I called to my dog that was racing around, scared and confused, but he wouldn't come to me.  I called Tammy-Lee’s home and started crying and sobbing that my house was on fire.  She didn’t even let me finish was I was saying.  She said, “I’m on my way,” and hung up on me.  I didn’t realize it and kept on talking!

The fire trucks were there by then, and people started coming.  I remember the first person I knew who arrived – Donovan – I lost it.  I clung to him and cried.  Then suddenly I realized Micah’s family didn’t know what was going on.  I had to call her parents.  Turns out they’d already been called and were coming to get her!

Somewhere in there Seven (Tammy-Lee’s DH) showed up on the corner where I was and said that Tammy-Lee was with the kids and we’d be going to their home.  So I headed there too.  I didn’t figure there was anything else I could do; Jason was on scene with the rest of the department.  I figured he could answer any questions or if he couldn’t he knew how to get in touch with me so that I could answer them.

We belted every kid in that we could and then went to see if we could catch the dog.  Chelsey and Donovan were already working on that task.  They had him on a leash and he jumped right into the van.  The children were so happy.  It wasn’t long after that we headed for “home”, leaving Seven at the scene to watch the fire with other spectators.

After this point, it’s kind of a daze.  I remember asking for a change of clothes, taking a shower, and talking to the RCMP on the phone.  I remember Reagan coming to pick up Micah and staying with me while Tammy-Lee went to pick up Seven.  Somehow my kids got put to bed.  I remember not wanting to go to bed.  I remember being so very, very cold and unable to get warm.  I remember getting a few texts from J and having to call an insurance agent early in the morning.

I’ll share more another time, as this has gotten plenty long already.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

A Book Review–Fire Men by Gary Ryman

Book web site

Book Facebook

Author’s Facebook

Publisher: Tribute Books website and Facebook and Twitter

About the book:

Having served over thirty years in fire departments across three states, Gary R. Ryman brings a unique perspective to the firefighting experience. The son and father of firefighters, Ryman ignites the fire, smoke, blood and fear spanning three generations of the "family business." He recounts his early days in upstate New York learning from his father, the department fire chief. He describes the blazes he battled with a career and volunteer crew in the crowded suburbs of Washington, D.C. He examines the mentoring relationship established with his son as they respond to the calls of a volunteer department in rural Pennsylvania. Overall, Ryman shares both the personal and professional turning points that define a firefighting career.

Author’s Bio:

Gary R. Ryman is the second of three generations of firefighters. He has a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science from the University of Maryland and has been employed as a fire protection engineer for over twenty-five years. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in American History. Ryman is married with two children. His oldest son makes up the third generation of firefighters in his family, which makes him feel both old and young at the same time.

My Thoughts:

My husband has been a volunteer fire fighter for 7 or 8 of the last 10 years, on two different fire departments.  He also worked oilfield safety as a fire-watch fire fighter.  When Tribute Books approached me about doing a review of this book, I couldn’t wait to get my paws on the book!

I have loved every story, felt emotions along with the fire men, felt his mother’s anxiety as she waited to hear word on this or that situation.  I found myself coming to a better understanding of what my husband experiences when he goes out on these calls, when he experiences these injuries.  My husband is not open about feelings and experiences.  Part of this could be to spare me stress and worry, and partly just to cope with the job itself.  I understand better his love for the job, his adrenaline rush when the pager tones and the let down of that rush when he arrives home, safe.

This book is a must read for anyone wanting to understand what our fire fighters and their families experience in their day to day lives.  It’s not just for fire wives or fire parents.  Fire wives already get it a little bit, but for any fire wives (past or present) reading, this book will give you a deeper insight, that your fire fighter may not give you. 

I know our department (probably many other departments out there do) has a number of women fire fighters as well.  This book is from a man’s perspective (three generations of fire men); I’d love to have input from my own gender on how this job affects them, too, in comparison to the men we know.

 

Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review though I did purchased a copy for my own library.  All opinions are mine.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

A Fireman’s Life–a poem

A Fireman's Life

A fireman's life is one big surprise,
Usually he laughs, sometimes he cries.
There's always stress, toil and strife,
Hoping he's good enough to save just one life.
His wife understands, when he misses dinner,
If he runs out of church, don't think he's a sinner.

Answering a call, is tops on his list,
Regretting each one he's ever missed.
He tries and tries, but can't make us see,
The happiest men, still work for free.
Jumping from bed, fighting the cold,
Knowing what to do, without being told.

He rushes to the station, jumps on a truck.
Depending on skill, never on luck.
Putting his life on the line, for an unknown friend,
Hoping and praying, it won't be the end.
"The Bravest Men in the World", the title is fitting,
They all do their best, never come close to quitting.

Next time you see them, all their lights blinking,
Take just a minute, to think what they're thinking.
It's a hard job, so show them you care,
And help them out, with a little prayer.

-- Daniel S. Driscoll. --

 

from: http://www.thefireflyer.com/poems.asp

Elements - Fire

Elements – Fire

The element of fire
Constructive, destructive
The bright light of fire
The slight of fire
The all consuming fire
Does not exist
In its natural form
Exists by consuming
Another form
It transforms from one
Form to another form
Fuels our passion
Leaves everything ashen
Duels the darkness
Heaves on compassion
Fire, constructively destructive
Fire, destructively constructive
Fire, living death
Fire, dying life

Anand Dixit

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Found this today. . . .

You Know You’re A Firefighter When

1. You can tell what type of fire it is by the smell of smoke 10 miles away.
2. You have ever had a heated debate over the color of fire trucks.
3. You have ever spent 10 min trying to force open a door only to have someone come along and open it by turning the handle.
4. You have ever slept in a hose bed.
5. You’ve ever clung to the air horn chord for dear life because the driver is insane.
6. You have ever said, “She’s hot tonight” and not been talking about a girl.
7. You have ever had “yoda ears.”
8. You have ever smoked and there wasn’t a cigarette in sight.
9. You have ever stomped out a fire with your boots because you couldn’t wait for water.
10. Your kids are afraid to get into water fights with you.
11. You have ever uttered the words, “I can break the door if you need me to Cap,” before actually testing to see if it is locked.
12. If you have more toy fire trucks than your kids do.
13. You run towards a dangerous situation and not away from it.
14. You have ever been dressed from head to foot in rubber and it was not a sexual experience.
15. Your idea of ventilation is done with a chainsaw and not a Bag-Valve-Mask.
16. You take great joy in smashing the windows of a car parked in a fire zone or in front of a hydrant.
17. You take pride in the fact that you haven’t washed your gear in years.
18. All the shirts you own say you are a firefighter.
19. The smell of a fire excites you more than s-x does.
20. A great stop has nothing to do with a moving vehicle.
21. You roll around in anything that just burned to make your new gear look old.
22. You have ever juggled hot coals with your gloves.

I found this list at http://firefighterwife.com . She’s a hoot and a little ‘racy’, you’ve been warned.

 

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

If I had an anonymous blog…

. . . . hey, wait . . . . I do have an anonymous blog.  Well, it is almost anonymous.  I have one person who reads; she keeps me accountable so I don’t go too nutso over there.

I don’t blog there very often any more.  I wanted a place where I didn’t feel the need to censor myself to the same degree as I feel I need to do here at Just Our Thoughts.  If I’m angry at my husband or a friend is driving me mad, I won’t post about that here.  So why do I feel the need to post such things on a blog?  Well, I look at blogging a lot the same as journaling, or Dear Diary.  I vent best with the written / typed word.  Once my venting is over, I can usually continue on with life as normal.

 

But you know what’s cool?  Since starting that anonymous blog I have been learning to vent to a friend with my verbal words or  to the person involved.  I rarely blog at that anonymous address anymore.  I love to see growth in myself.  And this is growth I didn’t see until writing this post.

 

Some might be wondering why I feel the need to censor my own thoughts on my own blog.  After all it is mine to do with as I wish.  Why not let it all out?  Well, the reason is relationships.  My husband holds an important position (in my mind at least) in our community.  I do not want to tarnish his relationships or mine in the community by coming unglued on my blog.  (I know I have some local readers.)  Sometimes there is confidentiality issues that dictates what I can and can’t share.  Sometimes I don’t want to offend or hurt my family (I know my mom reads my blog).  I am learning how to share things discreetly but I find it difficult so often I choose not to blog about a specific situation or topic rather than blab!  I try really hard to stay away from gossip in real life and I want to do the same on my blog.

 

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

My Heart is Sad

 

There is so much going on in my world.  So much hurt and pain and sadness.  No, it’s not in my life specifically, but in the lives of my friends and my family.  My heart aches for them.  On Sunday, my status message on Facebook was: Crying.

 

At the time I posted that status, I was in tears and it only got worse from there.  My mom called because of my status message, wanting to know why, so I shared with her what was going on and she proceeded to confirm more sad news with me.

 

I’ve been thinking about the last six to eight months and all the painful things that have happened in the lives around me.

• New Year’s Day a mom of two young girls from was hurt very very badly in a horse related incident
• got a phone call Sunday about a somewhat unexpected death of a family member of one of the fire fire department families.
• threat of job loss and job loss in our church family
• one fire fighter was in a serious accident resulting in broke legs
• another fire fighter family had a death – vehicle collision
• a serious collision involving some teen boys from our church that Jason responded to as a fire dept. member
• a church member’s mother lost her battle with cancer during the holidays
• and that’s just the things I can mention and not listing all the various illnesses and reports of cancer and deaths in  the extended community.

There are a couple of thoughts I have:

1. God has continued to protect our family in all areas and we have not personally experienced any serious loss or hardship this year.
2. I am sure that God is preparing and refining the believers in my community.  HE plans or already is using us for greatness – for HIS glory!  I hate that the refining process hurts so much.
3. I pray that God continues to use HIS people in the community to bring more souls to a right relationship with HIM.  I pray that we get away from religion and strive for relationship.

And I cry for those in the midst of pain and turmoil.

 

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

A poem about my life.

Although I did not write this poem, I could have, if I were (felt I were) talented in the area of writing poetry; I do appreciate the fire fighter or his wife who did write this poem.  These verses describe my life and on occasion my existence.  My husband is a full time fire fighter.  He has an important job; it is a hard job - physically, mentally and emotionally, not only for him but for those of us he leaves behind when "the pager makes it's beeping noise".

Back Home Again

The pager makes it’s beeping noise
The scanner comes to life.
You see excitement on his face
As he goes off to fight.

Regardless what you’re doing
Or whatever the current plan.
All you hear is “later hun”
As he gets those keys in hand.

You say a little prayer
That God will keep him safe.
That with all the pride and bravery
No one will make a mistake.

You know those men are Brothers,
And fiercely will protect,
The lives of each other and others–
They will truly give their best.

You and your family,
Are both loyal and true.
You keep each other company,
Waiting for him to return to you.

And when that front door opens,
With “Honey, I’m home” again,
You thank the lord he’s back home ok,
Your brave and strong fireman.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Thankful Thursday - Our Local Fire Department

I am thankful that the oil field work has slowed down enough that my husband can fight real fires, where he's needed here in town.  He's out on another call this morning.  That man LOVES FIRE!!!  He may not have wanted to leave the house just yet this morning, but that didn't stop him from calling to me, "I NEED UNDERWEAR!  Where are my clothes?!?!?!"  Thankfully they were in HIS basket close by and he was out the door in no time flat.

Seriously, I am so thankful for our fire department family.  I've said it over and over and I'll keep saying it.  They are a wonderful group of people.  This week the chiefs are at a training in the US.  Just so happens that assistant chief's anniversary falls this week.  He had the dept members that were available go and deliver flowers to his wife at work!  And J jumped at the chance to do something like that for this couple!  It's so fun.

I can't wait for the fire ban to be off so we can start our spring/summer/fall backyard campfires.  So many weekends we run on almost no sleep because we are at campfires Friday and Saturday nights until midnight or later.  All of us.  The kids crash on lawn chairs or strollers or couches or they are running wild just like the adults.  This warmer season is when we really get to know the other men, women, spouses and children.  It's when we do the bonding as a fire fighter extended family.  This summer two of our members are marrying each other!  J is in the wedding party.  I can't wait!

I'm thankful today!


Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

So I Missed It Again, But . . . .

I'm TOTALLY okay with that. Missed what you ask??? Survivor. :(

But

I had a such a good evening. We went Christmas shopping; J got a job; we went out for supper with friends; we picked up a pay cheque. WAIT A MINUTE! J got a job!!!! J got a job. WOW!

Okay, maybe I'm overreacting and I try to tell myself that I'm not excited but I AM! I AM EXCITED!

It's good job. Here's some of what I wrote to some of my facebook friends about it:

We were in Wal-Mart and he got a phone call. It's for a safety company. He gets to be a fire fighter in the oil field! He gets to sit in bunker gear all day every day. They work long days. The pay is double what we've been getting through benefits. It was crazy. They called him (and we just happened to be in town for supper with Seven and Tammy-Lee and doing Christmas shopping).

They've never met him, never seen him before. They hired him over the phone on the recommendation of another local fire fighter. Before we went to eat he went to get fitted for gear and fill in paperwork. So so exciting. I haven't seen him this happy in a long time.

We had to be up soooooo early!!!!!! I had to be up at 5:30 to get him out of here with lunch and coffee so he could be at work by 7. That's such a turn around for us. We're used to sleeping until 9 or later!

It's supposed to be long hours. They get paid a day rate. Kinda different. Oh and he won't always get to come home each night. Some of these "day raters" are 2 weeks in, 2 weeks out. Or 2 in / 1 out. Very very very different for us. We've never done that before; a requirement for a job was that he'd be home every night. So it will be a HUGE change for us.

Oh and we are assuming BENEFITS! (READ = NEW GLASSES, no more duct tape!!!!)

I'm so close to tears. I don't wanna get excited and have it fall through again, like the concrete and the law enforcement. But it seems like they are desperate for workers in this field. So hopefully it will last.

Anyway, we are praising God for this provision and His timing. It's always perfect, isn't it?


Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Photo Wednesday

All the fire fighters' kids got "fire bling".
They are so excited to have shirts just like Daddy!

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Fireman's Ball 2009

J and I decided to take ballroom dancing lessons this year and October 24th was one of the reasons. I can't believe we almost didn't dance the whole evening! My parents and youngest brother joined us for the dinner portion and waited around to see us dance at least one dance. Well the one dance we did before they left to relieve our babysitter was not any of the dances that we learned.

Well, the DJ came by our table wondering how to get the 3 couples sitting there out on the dance floor. We were all being pretty lovey-dovey and not getting out there even during the slow songs. So it came up and got out that two of the couple (J and I included) were taking ballroom dancing. And we let her know which dances. So she played one song for each dance - the ChaCha and the Rhumba. J almost refused to go out because there were not many who were ballroom dancers; most were dancing the two-step. But I convinced him by saying that he couldn't make MM & DL (the other ballroom dancing class members) dance out there by themselves! lol It took a little bit, but we got in the groove and it didn't feel like everyone was watching us. It was so much fun!!!

Oh, and the response I got from MM when I first walked in!!!! Oh. My. Goodness. He was quite shocked. Well, when I got to thinking about it, most of these fire fighters only ever see me in my "mommy-wear" - jeans and long-sleeved t-shirts / sweaters. So then I started paying attention to others and their reactions. You know, I was dressed very modestly and quite pretty (even had a new to me dress!). Well, everyone seemed impressed with my appearance, especially my hubby! Now maybe that's conceited to say, but it felt good to be noticed. I did put in effort and it was worth it. I wasn't out there looking for others to notice me; that wasn't my purpose in dressing as I did. I dressed to impress my dh, and go to a function in honor of him and the work he does in our community and our county.


I was sad that my guy didn't win any awards. He does work hard for the fire fighters and is with them often. The only one that I thought he might get was Fire Fighter of the Year. However that award went to MM. The other big award (J didn't qualify) was Rookie of the Year and that went to DL. I'm so glad that if J couldn't win, that they did; they deserve the awards, too.

The supper was great. Ham and roast beef with all the fixings with fruit and cheesecake for dessert!

The music was incredible and the DJ so so much fun! She was back from last year by popular demand; J and I have met her outside of her job and she's a HOOT! My parents had so much fun watching her! Benita Pederson owns and operates ALL FIRED UP DJ & KARAOKE SERVICES. (I couldn't find a link to her website - maybe she doesn't have one - so that's a link to her Facebook page.)

I stayed out way too late and drank a little. I came home very exhausted 4 hours earlier than my dh who was the designated driver (using our bus). I went straight to bed and slept for as long as I could in the morning.

Now, that's over. Time to start planning the Fire Fighter's Christmas Party (for the families of the fire fighters).


Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Another Thanksgiving Long Weekend Is Upon Us

Remember this post from a year ago? Fast forward 12 months and you can picture what we did this weekend. However, this year it is a lot cooler! There is even snow on the ground this year. I'll try to post some pictures.

Last year J participated in Heroes in the Sky by sleeping on the roof of a restaurant. You can see photos here. That was in September. As you can see from the pictures it's quite warm. The two who slept on the roof Friday night were dressed much warmer! They are in full bunker gear - head to toe, from what I understand. It got to a low of -6C or about 21 or 22F. If the reporters for our paper showed up, I'll post pics when the paper comes out with them.

On Sunday we had thanksgiving dinner with my brother and his girlfriend. We had a nice day.


Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

The coming week and some thoughts

I am looking forward to this next week. I can't say that has been the case for a number of weeks now.

Today (Sunday) we went to church, followed by lunch with friends and then both couples went (kidless) to Financial Peace University class. Our babysitter was left with 8 children to look after. The age range was 10, 8, 7, 4, 3, 2.5, 1.5 and 1. Being the middle of the afternoon, a number of the little ones slept and the older three or four entertained each other. They had a busy and fun afternoon.

Monday morning has the children and I volunteering at one of the local seniors homes; we get to play ball with them. Then K has choir in the afternoon.

Tuesday is a free day. J potentially has some part time, potentially full time work starting this day. We'll know more after the first couple of days.

Wednesday is the day we like to go to the library. At the library we will look at books and use the computers. The kids love it because each of them has access at the same time!!!! Later that evening, babysitter (from now on referred to as B) will come so that J and I can go to our dance class! I. Can't. Wait!!! It is going to be so fun. I hope. I'm a little nervous being that I've never done anything like it before. I hope we catch on quickly.

October 1st is Thursday! The month of September gone for another year! In the morning we have Tumble Tots, which is an indoor play time in a gym-like room with riding toys and other large toys that most families don't have at home. My older two are little older than that age range this Tumble Tots is for, but if they get bored I will be sure to have brought some sit down school work for them to do! In the afternoon, the big girls have dance. They had their first class last week and they loved it! I hope they continue to love it.

Friday is another "empty" day. Not sure it will stay empty, but so far it has nothing written on it.

The first weekend of October has Fire Etc. training for my DH. He will be gone both Saturday and Sunday.

I don't know why I'm so hopeful and looking forward to the week, but I think it might be because we are getting back into the rhythm of things for the winter. It's still nice enough that we can get outside a little bit, but the day to day activities are coming into full swing. I like the routine of things.



Financial Peace University. This is our second time through the course. This year we are going as leaders, but I think we're more backup in case Seven and Tammy-Lee can't be there. And I'm totally okay with that. :) They led the course last year and did such a great job! We learned a lot. I expect to learn a lot this year too!

This week we did the first lesson called Super Saving. Something that I picked up from the lesson was that J and I might not be hitting "it" as hard as we could be. We are kinda of the mindset that we are living in an emergency and therefore we need to keep at just our four walls. However, when there is money at the end of the month, like this month, we need to re-think and re-budget so that we are putting more in an emergency fund and on our debts. We've been using our emergency fund as more of a sinking fund and in my opinion we need to redefine that and change it. We need to focus on an emergency fund, and start a sinking fund for things later. Something dh and I need to discuss more.



Television. The shows I are looking forward to this week are Dexter (premieres tonight); Lie To Me & CSI: MIAMI on Monday; the 2 NCIS', Mentalist on Tuesday; on Wednesday I like Criminal Mind. Thursday is SURVIVOR NIGHT!!! And CSI and Fringe and Bones. On Frieday is Numb3rs. I watch most of these programs (or rather listen to) from my desk while J watches them. The ones I always leave my desk for are Survivor, Dexter and CSI: Miami.

So, I hope you have a good week. I plan to!

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

International Firefighter's Day

"The role of a firefighter in today's society - be it urban, rural, natural environment, volunteer, career, industrial, defence force, aviation, motor sport, or other is one of dedication, commitment and sacrifice - no matter what country we reside and work in. In the fire service we fight together against one common enemy - fire - no matter what country we come from, what uniform we wear or what language we speak."
Lt JJ Edmondson, 1999 ; IFFD.

Thank you, firefighting men and women, for all that you do for your communities and the people you serve. You are a special breed of people.

And especially to the fire fighters fighting the grass fires here in my area. As I type this late Sunday night / early Monday morning, I know many departments are very tired from fighting all day and another department (my dh's) just got called out to yet another! Thank you for keeping us safe.

May 3 - 4th, 2009 - There are 7 departments in our county. Of those seven, six have been called out at least once in the last 12 hours. And if this one that our department is currently headed to is any size, then the 7th will be called too!

I have to say that behind every excellent fire fighter is a supportive spouse (if that fire fighter is married). And so, to all those other spouses out there, I salute you as well. Thank you for the support you give your fire fighter. Without you, they could not do the job they are called to do.

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My dh sleeps a lot. And he sleeps hard. Every Sunday morning especially, but any morning that we have to go somewhere before 10, it is a chore to get him out of bed. He is NOT a morning person. He loves to sleep in until almost noon and stay up until the early morning hours each night. Usually it takes me an hour of reminders to get him moving. That's just the way he is; I've accepted that. However, the MOMENT that pager sounds, even before the dispatcher starts to speak, when he hears that link up tone, he is sitting upright and starting to dress. He is often (almost always) the first fire fighter that the hall, dressed and waiting for instruction. He LOVES his job as a fire fighter. Nothing gets him out of bed faster than the fire pager. And I'm glad!

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"International Firefighters' Day is observed each year on 4th May. On this date you are invited to remember the past firefighters who have died while serving our community or dedicated their lives to protecting the safety of us all. At the same time, we can show our support and appreciation to the firefighters world wide who continue to protect us so well throughout the year."




Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Warning!!!

If the cord on your crock pot cracks or breaks, do not keep using it! Thankfully, we were all home and were able to unplug the pot from the wall. I don't even want to think about what could have been. I knew better; I should never have kept using this small appliance!

God Answers Even the Little Things in Our Hearts

Last night I had quite a time figuring out what Baby R's problem was and we didn't really get any sleep until after 3AM. Thankfully, my day didn't really start until 9ish, but I was draggin' and I could feel my frustration and anger beginning to rise and boil inside me. I didn't wanna lash out at anyone. It wasn't their fault I didn't get any sleep. So I chatted with a friend via IM but that wasn't keeping me calm either. I thought I would call a friend or a sitter to come over, but lunch happened and then clean up. And my emotions were still building. I called for naptime and ran into resistance. More pressure rising! Finally got the littlest 3 almost settled and was about to lie down with Baby R. And there was a strong knock on the door. UGH! was my first thought. And then I saw who it was!!! My dear friend, T-L!

The whole day did a 180 degree turn. My kids were super excited. All the whines went out the door as she came in. I sighed and sunk into a chair. She listened to all their questions and looked at everything they wanted to show her. (W showed her all the diapers and pull ups and the blocks and his shirts!) She got CJ to put on the tea kettle and set us up with some tea. We folded laundry and she challenged them to get the toy area cleaned up in 5 minutes. And they beat the clock. We visited and ate some more lunch.

Then J came home sooner than expected! WOOHOO! He was looking at the Canadian Tire flyer and realized that if we didn't go today we'd miss the sale. So T-L kept all five and J went to pick up T-L's daughter to come play too. J and I went to town, got some items at CT, grabbed KFC and Tim Horton's! I'm home and refreshed.

I walk to the basement where I hear voices. T-L has done all my dishes! I was about 2 days behind! I have no dishwasher and my goal for March is to have the dishes done each night. Thre days in and I was 2 days behind! Thanks, T-L!

Now J has been called to a structure fire, everyone is in bed. I've got The Light playing on the tv and the lights are lowered. I'm about to set the baby down and tidy up, in peace.

God is good! He answers, sometimes, even before we ask.

My Man aka J or DH

First, he is a husband and a father. He has always said to me, "I didn't get married to be single." We do everything we can together. We don't go off to ladies' retreats or mens' seminars. I don't go on vacation without him and he doesn't take a job that requires him to be away from home overnight. We love to be together. We love to work side by side. We are partners always.

He provides for us first and often puts his wants and sometimes his needs aside for us. One thing, that kinda drives me crazy even while it makes me admire him more, is that he waits until the kids and I have dished up our meals. Why? So that we get full first. He waits in case I didn't make enough supper. He wants us full of supper, because if it comes down to it, he can make or find something else to eat.

He protects us. He insists on locked doors and an alarm system. He doesn't want just anyone walking in on us when I'm busy with something and he's not here to protect! And because of the way he sleeps (very very deeply and a slow wake-up time) the alarm system is an added protection. He wants the sick babies or children close to our room at night, so I can tend to them quickly and we can listen to their breathing.

He plays with us. Not in the typical way, but rather he makes work fun. Gardening is such a joy to him that the kids love to be with him and help him every step of the way. (Okay, weeding the garden is never fun, but everything else.) He encourages the children to explore their talents and adventures. He loves to hear their stories and to listen to what we do each day.

J is a fire fighter. For him, that his is ministry and service to his community. This is the job he loves the most. If it would pay enough to sustain us, he would do it full time. The fire pager is the only thing that gets him out of bed in record time. He can be in a deep sleep and be dressed and out the door in less than 2 minutes. The fire hall is not far away, either. He has one of the fastest response times, often being the first one to the hall.

He is a loyal and supportive; he likes to help the underdog. If you treat my man right, he will stick with you and serve you and help you through thick and thin. If you treat him poorly . . . he will fight for his rights and for the rights of others. This could be in a work situation or just a friend. He loves to learn the law and help those in authority measure up.

He loves to have fun and make life easy for those he loves. There was many a night when I was pregnant with our last baby when the air was so hot and he knew I didn't want to cook and he didn't want to cook. He would come home from work and say, "Get the kids dressed and lets go out for supper. I know you are too tired and don't need to cook. Let's bath the kids now so that when we get back, they can just go to bed." WOW! What a blessing to me! There's been talk of hired help (not in the near future, but one day). If a small appliance will make my job easier, and we can afford it, we purchase it. If something is working for me and yet I want to change it, he reminds me that it's working, so why change it. Laughter is a big part of our life. He loves to poke and tease the kids and takes the poking and teasing back from them too.

Happy Birthday, My Love!