Okay so we had DC home for little over a week. Spent time with him in ABQ. Took Rhy to the Rio Grande Zoo. Nice Trip - we have never been. DC went when he was younger so it was a neat trip for him to show us around. We opted to take the trip to ABQ for the Zoo trip only. No side trips to the mall or any other shopping. It was Rhys day! She didnt get a summer vacation trip so this was IT!
Let me tell you. She had a blast. She fed a giraffe, lorikeets, and ducks. She watched in amazement as the zoo keeper flung fish at the polar bears and sea lions. She shouted with delight as sea lions swam inches awaw from her while viewing them in an underground window. WOW!
Glad she enjoyed herself. We rode on the train that travels through the zoo grounds. My favorites part of the day was picnicking with my lil family inside the zoo park. Yippee!
So we were able to spend quality time with DC knowing he would become available again on Friday. Sure glad he chose not to work on Sat because by 8pm that evening he was called with yet another resourse order, UGH! - double UGH!
So off he went this morning at 5:30am to Denton, Texas. Where he and the remaining Navajo Hotshot crew will stage until the Hurricane hits on Weds. At which time, they will travel to where their needed to cut away trees from the fallin' debris. Stay safe guys!
Any one getting married SOON!?
I had a dream that one of you called to tell me your were tying the knot! Hmm...who could it be!
So take care and you all are in our prayers.
8/31/08
8/26/08
what makes your tummy tickle these days???
Hi all! I wonder sometimes if any one ever checks in to read my blogs. I know that Ms. Toni does cuz she always leaves me a message - that is when I need some talkin' to.
So I finally have a break from Soccer and the Preschool. I decided to schedule one of the two practice sessions this week and labor day off. We resume practice the weds after labor day and then a game the week of Labor Day. Preschool is going well and Rhy wants to go every day now, not just M/W/F. I dont know if she'll handle it very well, gettin' up early every day. I know it'll be a challenge for me - that is getting ready every morning as if I was going to work. Hmm! Maybe I should get the practice. Seeing as we'll be doing it in exactly one year (Kindergarten). I have a question, is kindergarten all day (8hrs) or is that a half day thing too? What do most people do with their children in kindergarten when they need to work? Im sure not all of America is staying home with their children until their off to college - wouldnt that make us moms happy! But honestly, is it common knowledge for all employers to excuse their employees for an hour when schools out to drop them off at a sitters. Only to return to work after?
Or should I look for a job that requires DC to drop the lil one off at school in the morning while I go to work at 7:00am, putting in 8 hrs by 3pm. In order to pickup the little girl from school. Boy how do people do it in BLue collar society. We know the white collar peeps have nannys and au pairs to care for their offspring. But us? what an ordeal. And what about the people that leave their kids in day care for 12 to 16 hrs a day and pay almost $1000.00 a month for child care! Whewee!
So on to other news.
Lets see is there any other news other than what goes on with Rhy! OMG! I've turned into my worst nightmare. YUck!
So we decided to take Rhy on her Summer Break Vacation - hahahah. We're already into the next school year and we havent had a vacation yet! Poor child.
So I figured something close and not outlandish... a trip to ABQ. Visit the aquarium, zoo, ride the trains and have a picnic. We planned on camping somewhere east of ABQ but Im not too crazy bout camping in unknown territory! We want to take Rhy camping because she will not let up on the nagging. A tent, camp fires, sleeping bags, stars, etc etc. She thinks its so wonderful - wait till were out there and shes scared out of her wits. Then she'll think twice 'bout camping! lol
Not much else to report on. Havent had time to stamp or even sit at my new craft table. I have been doing double duty as a mother and father. Now DC's home - I have time to actually sit in bed at night and watch ATLEAST 30 minutes of the boob tube. My backyard looks disgraceful. The pantry is a disaster. The garage looks like we just moved in! I need to do major cleaning and organizing before we begin the Fall Holidays. Soooooo looking forward to halloween. Not so much Turkey day. Thanksgiving is soo boring to me these days. The only reason I ever like Turkey day was to pig out - I dont do that any more and the most I can eat of any of that terrible high calorie food is a qtr cup of each dish - not including the turkey. So not so fun anymore. Besides Im the only one cooking and its soo much work. So I would prefer to eat steak or seafood on turkey day. Doesnt matter to me. But then there is Christmas - I love the ambience of the entire month. Not the gifts but the colors, the treats, the music, the singing, the decorations, the lights, all of it. ILOVE IT ALL!
So I have twenty or so pounds before I hit my goal and its the hardest twenty yet! Harder than the first 44 pounds I lost. UGh! Hard work trying to resist junk food. Its not healthy for me but if I only eat small portions it doesnt hurt right? Just kidding I know its bad all together. The off set is if I eat it - I have to drink almost 5 gallons of water to flush it from my system - NOT FUN! So I would rather put it off and slurp down a low carb chocolate slim fast or a low carb strawberry yogurt cup! OR better yet.... slice of turkey, fat free cheese with low carb bread slices and super HOt red chili!!!! Yummo!
So I finally have a break from Soccer and the Preschool. I decided to schedule one of the two practice sessions this week and labor day off. We resume practice the weds after labor day and then a game the week of Labor Day. Preschool is going well and Rhy wants to go every day now, not just M/W/F. I dont know if she'll handle it very well, gettin' up early every day. I know it'll be a challenge for me - that is getting ready every morning as if I was going to work. Hmm! Maybe I should get the practice. Seeing as we'll be doing it in exactly one year (Kindergarten). I have a question, is kindergarten all day (8hrs) or is that a half day thing too? What do most people do with their children in kindergarten when they need to work? Im sure not all of America is staying home with their children until their off to college - wouldnt that make us moms happy! But honestly, is it common knowledge for all employers to excuse their employees for an hour when schools out to drop them off at a sitters. Only to return to work after?
Or should I look for a job that requires DC to drop the lil one off at school in the morning while I go to work at 7:00am, putting in 8 hrs by 3pm. In order to pickup the little girl from school. Boy how do people do it in BLue collar society. We know the white collar peeps have nannys and au pairs to care for their offspring. But us? what an ordeal. And what about the people that leave their kids in day care for 12 to 16 hrs a day and pay almost $1000.00 a month for child care! Whewee!
So on to other news.
Lets see is there any other news other than what goes on with Rhy! OMG! I've turned into my worst nightmare. YUck!
So we decided to take Rhy on her Summer Break Vacation - hahahah. We're already into the next school year and we havent had a vacation yet! Poor child.
So I figured something close and not outlandish... a trip to ABQ. Visit the aquarium, zoo, ride the trains and have a picnic. We planned on camping somewhere east of ABQ but Im not too crazy bout camping in unknown territory! We want to take Rhy camping because she will not let up on the nagging. A tent, camp fires, sleeping bags, stars, etc etc. She thinks its so wonderful - wait till were out there and shes scared out of her wits. Then she'll think twice 'bout camping! lol
Not much else to report on. Havent had time to stamp or even sit at my new craft table. I have been doing double duty as a mother and father. Now DC's home - I have time to actually sit in bed at night and watch ATLEAST 30 minutes of the boob tube. My backyard looks disgraceful. The pantry is a disaster. The garage looks like we just moved in! I need to do major cleaning and organizing before we begin the Fall Holidays. Soooooo looking forward to halloween. Not so much Turkey day. Thanksgiving is soo boring to me these days. The only reason I ever like Turkey day was to pig out - I dont do that any more and the most I can eat of any of that terrible high calorie food is a qtr cup of each dish - not including the turkey. So not so fun anymore. Besides Im the only one cooking and its soo much work. So I would prefer to eat steak or seafood on turkey day. Doesnt matter to me. But then there is Christmas - I love the ambience of the entire month. Not the gifts but the colors, the treats, the music, the singing, the decorations, the lights, all of it. ILOVE IT ALL!
So I have twenty or so pounds before I hit my goal and its the hardest twenty yet! Harder than the first 44 pounds I lost. UGh! Hard work trying to resist junk food. Its not healthy for me but if I only eat small portions it doesnt hurt right? Just kidding I know its bad all together. The off set is if I eat it - I have to drink almost 5 gallons of water to flush it from my system - NOT FUN! So I would rather put it off and slurp down a low carb chocolate slim fast or a low carb strawberry yogurt cup! OR better yet.... slice of turkey, fat free cheese with low carb bread slices and super HOt red chili!!!! Yummo!
8/15/08
Why do people talk back to one another?
I just love that I found this new blog page at wildlandfirefighterwives.blogspot.com!
Below is a copy of a blog posted today on this woman's yearning to hear her hubbies voice!
When our husbands are out on assignment they have limited time to phone home to chat. Sometimes their cellphones have no signal due to the rough terrain and high mtn peaks. Everyonce in a while the fire camp has satellite phones the guys use to call home. So imagine two or three satellite phones to a group of 100 to 200 hotshots. They only get 4 to 5 mins each. If that at all. Most of the guys are sooo tired they dont wanna bother with the long line, so they skip the phone and head to their tent.
I know DC, at times, forgets the showers so he can get more shut eye in his sleeping bag.
Every blog entry Ive read at the above mentioned site could have been written by ME! Thats how true and close to home this womans life is to mine. Only exception, she has dogs and I have a four year old daughter.
FYI: second soccer game tonight and it was great! Starting the soccer program off from nothing was very tiresome and mind grueling. If you know me I stress about every little detail. I am on our team's second newletter, I held a parent mtg, required team management officers. etc etc etc. Usually I provide water only in the water cooler but today I thought it be nice to supply thw kids with gatorade. I also bought two huge bags of oranges, cut and bagged them. My stress is limited so far because I finally have parents committed to bringing snacks on different days. I have been stuck with snack duty for the past two weeks and Im soo finished. Dont have snack duty again until the last week of soccer. Oct 1 thru 4th. Yea! I think DC was getting tired of spending money.
The league requires we have soccer practice once a week with one game at the end of the week. Most of the parents wanted more practice and voted we add another practice time. SOOO that leaves me with two days of practice---so exhausted and one game per week. UGH!
All in all, its been the most fun Ive had in the past few yrs outside of the house. Better than stampin up events. So cant complain that much. Except that it wears me out tremendously, esp. with the heat. Im sweating out there and getting alot of exercise, so by 3rd qtr My blood sugar levels are REAL low and I need some food. If I dont get something in my system I get shacky, sweating more, dizzy, etc. So thats why I added the gatorade and oranges. Healthy for me too. They both have just the right amount of carbs that it gives me enough pick me up to last till we travel home for dinner. Thank heaven.
Preschool Board meetings are constant. Rhyans the trouble child at school. Not a good thing for me. Trying not to let the embarrasment get to me. If I do thats when I take it out on her more.
So trying very hard to keep my anger level down. Today she screamed and kicked all the way home (14 miles). Exhausted and worn out from crying she could barely talk when we walked in the door. This time I ignored her hoping to take the advice from "experts" on tv. It made me feel horrible. I cried all the way home too. Im at a real loss with this child. I dont know what to do anymore short of slapping her crazy. I know I dont want to go there!
So I ignored the situation - different from what I usually do. I usually yell back at her and threaten up and down. Then talk over her head about what she should be doing. Hasnt seemed to work. If anything its aggravated the situation thus far. I thought I was being a good parent. I stay home - Im attentive to her. What more? I ask what am I doing wrong. So please Lord help me.
I will have to tell you all later what exactly happened and what I did.
The other day, weds, to be exact when she vamped out on me at the soccer field. I asked her why she was doing this and acting in such a manner, she replied, I miss daddy!
I thought okay thats it! I counted and he had been gone for 17 days so far. ugh! Tomorrow is his 14th day and then he gets demobed. THEN, we have to wait for three more days for them to drive home. Thats how long its gonna take them - I just know it. Wish it was sooner - but what can you do, right?
So more will have to be typed later. Its 11:19pm and I need to get her to bed. Shes in bed but I know shes waiting for me to lay by her to fall asleep. That was another of my concerns with her devilish attitude lately. Sleep habits. So as of last night I decided I would get her in the bath by 7pm and in bed for readin by 8pm and light out at 8:30pm. Right now and as of two years ago, the routine has been - bath atleast by 8 / 9pm , then books and lights out by 10pm. But now school starts at 830am. Last year the school started at 9am. So big changed we have to make.
I have to get her up atleast by 7am, to eat (such a slow eater and picky) teeth brushed, dressed and a few cartoons (to make her happy) and out the door by 8am. Takes 15 minutes to drive to school. So hoping to get her signed in and saying goodbye by 8:35am. This week was the first week back to school and we signed in all week at 9:15am. Ugh!
Everyday is such a struggle with her. My entire day revolves around waking her up, feeding her lunch, giving her milk (so she doesnt turn into a demon), napped, evg activity (tap dance/ballet/tumbling/soccer/music class - which ever we may be enrolled in that week), bath, milk and complete tired REM!!!! I have to time to do anything grown up related. In between all this I have to strategically plan out all the activities so things run smoothly. If not, well, lets just hope that day gets to THAT point. But when it does ... oh man..... rhy and I can dook it out pretty well. Ugh! So tired of fightin' with this lil' girl. I sure miss my sweet lil' girl. Where did she go and will I get her back?!?!?
Posted 8/15/08 by wildlandfirefighterwives.blogspot.com
4 minutes left
Okay, I can remember when my father (retired CDF Captain) would call home from a fire camp phone with only a certain amount of time to talk. Not much time, when you have a lot to talk about. Well, thankfully we have advanced into a new era where we can talk to our husbands on cell phones for unlimited time. My husband is currently on a fire where his crew has been "spiked out" and I haven't talked to him since last Friday evening, late and for a brief time since he was tired. So I have not had any phone calls and am anxiously awaiting his call at any moment. Yesterday afternoon I had a meeting for work, so I took my cell phone knowing that if he called I could step out and talk to him. My phone recieved a few calls from my friends, which I ignored. However, two numbers showed up and I didn't recognize the area code, so I ignored them, too. (If you remember due to the house flood we are still at my parents home) When I got home, my mom said "Did you get to talk to him? He called here twice and also tried your cell phone. She told him that I would be bummed since I missed his call. I was in fact sad when I heard he called and I ignored the call. He had called me from a phone in fire camp, since cell coverage was zero there. That explains the area code phone call I recieved. So I carried my cell phone closely yesterday afternoon in hopes that he'd call again. My mom said he told her he was headed back out to spike camp and didn't know when he'd be able to call back. I had to hold on to hope!! As the hours went by, it was obvious that he wasn't going to call. Last night around 10:45 mom's house phone rang. I jumped up and ran to where her phone was, it was him!! They had come back into camp to restock on supplies so they could head out again today. While we were chatting, he told me "we only have 4 minutes left" because I'm on a fire camp phone. Now that brought some old memories back!! We hurried and talked quickly. He asked me "well anything else" um as quickly as I could think, nothing popped in my mind. So with a "well see you later and I love you" we hung up. (We never say "good-bye" because that sounds so permanent, we only say "see you later") As I layed in bed, happy to hear his voice I did remember something important I needed to ask him. Oh well, I guess I will have to wait for the next 10 minute phone call, when that will be I don't know.
Below is a copy of a blog posted today on this woman's yearning to hear her hubbies voice!
When our husbands are out on assignment they have limited time to phone home to chat. Sometimes their cellphones have no signal due to the rough terrain and high mtn peaks. Everyonce in a while the fire camp has satellite phones the guys use to call home. So imagine two or three satellite phones to a group of 100 to 200 hotshots. They only get 4 to 5 mins each. If that at all. Most of the guys are sooo tired they dont wanna bother with the long line, so they skip the phone and head to their tent.
I know DC, at times, forgets the showers so he can get more shut eye in his sleeping bag.
Every blog entry Ive read at the above mentioned site could have been written by ME! Thats how true and close to home this womans life is to mine. Only exception, she has dogs and I have a four year old daughter.
FYI: second soccer game tonight and it was great! Starting the soccer program off from nothing was very tiresome and mind grueling. If you know me I stress about every little detail. I am on our team's second newletter, I held a parent mtg, required team management officers. etc etc etc. Usually I provide water only in the water cooler but today I thought it be nice to supply thw kids with gatorade. I also bought two huge bags of oranges, cut and bagged them. My stress is limited so far because I finally have parents committed to bringing snacks on different days. I have been stuck with snack duty for the past two weeks and Im soo finished. Dont have snack duty again until the last week of soccer. Oct 1 thru 4th. Yea! I think DC was getting tired of spending money.
The league requires we have soccer practice once a week with one game at the end of the week. Most of the parents wanted more practice and voted we add another practice time. SOOO that leaves me with two days of practice---so exhausted and one game per week. UGH!
All in all, its been the most fun Ive had in the past few yrs outside of the house. Better than stampin up events. So cant complain that much. Except that it wears me out tremendously, esp. with the heat. Im sweating out there and getting alot of exercise, so by 3rd qtr My blood sugar levels are REAL low and I need some food. If I dont get something in my system I get shacky, sweating more, dizzy, etc. So thats why I added the gatorade and oranges. Healthy for me too. They both have just the right amount of carbs that it gives me enough pick me up to last till we travel home for dinner. Thank heaven.
Preschool Board meetings are constant. Rhyans the trouble child at school. Not a good thing for me. Trying not to let the embarrasment get to me. If I do thats when I take it out on her more.
So trying very hard to keep my anger level down. Today she screamed and kicked all the way home (14 miles). Exhausted and worn out from crying she could barely talk when we walked in the door. This time I ignored her hoping to take the advice from "experts" on tv. It made me feel horrible. I cried all the way home too. Im at a real loss with this child. I dont know what to do anymore short of slapping her crazy. I know I dont want to go there!
So I ignored the situation - different from what I usually do. I usually yell back at her and threaten up and down. Then talk over her head about what she should be doing. Hasnt seemed to work. If anything its aggravated the situation thus far. I thought I was being a good parent. I stay home - Im attentive to her. What more? I ask what am I doing wrong. So please Lord help me.
I will have to tell you all later what exactly happened and what I did.
The other day, weds, to be exact when she vamped out on me at the soccer field. I asked her why she was doing this and acting in such a manner, she replied, I miss daddy!
I thought okay thats it! I counted and he had been gone for 17 days so far. ugh! Tomorrow is his 14th day and then he gets demobed. THEN, we have to wait for three more days for them to drive home. Thats how long its gonna take them - I just know it. Wish it was sooner - but what can you do, right?
So more will have to be typed later. Its 11:19pm and I need to get her to bed. Shes in bed but I know shes waiting for me to lay by her to fall asleep. That was another of my concerns with her devilish attitude lately. Sleep habits. So as of last night I decided I would get her in the bath by 7pm and in bed for readin by 8pm and light out at 8:30pm. Right now and as of two years ago, the routine has been - bath atleast by 8 / 9pm , then books and lights out by 10pm. But now school starts at 830am. Last year the school started at 9am. So big changed we have to make.
I have to get her up atleast by 7am, to eat (such a slow eater and picky) teeth brushed, dressed and a few cartoons (to make her happy) and out the door by 8am. Takes 15 minutes to drive to school. So hoping to get her signed in and saying goodbye by 8:35am. This week was the first week back to school and we signed in all week at 9:15am. Ugh!
Everyday is such a struggle with her. My entire day revolves around waking her up, feeding her lunch, giving her milk (so she doesnt turn into a demon), napped, evg activity (tap dance/ballet/tumbling/soccer/music class - which ever we may be enrolled in that week), bath, milk and complete tired REM!!!! I have to time to do anything grown up related. In between all this I have to strategically plan out all the activities so things run smoothly. If not, well, lets just hope that day gets to THAT point. But when it does ... oh man..... rhy and I can dook it out pretty well. Ugh! So tired of fightin' with this lil' girl. I sure miss my sweet lil' girl. Where did she go and will I get her back?!?!?
Posted 8/15/08 by wildlandfirefighterwives.blogspot.com
4 minutes left
Okay, I can remember when my father (retired CDF Captain) would call home from a fire camp phone with only a certain amount of time to talk. Not much time, when you have a lot to talk about. Well, thankfully we have advanced into a new era where we can talk to our husbands on cell phones for unlimited time. My husband is currently on a fire where his crew has been "spiked out" and I haven't talked to him since last Friday evening, late and for a brief time since he was tired. So I have not had any phone calls and am anxiously awaiting his call at any moment. Yesterday afternoon I had a meeting for work, so I took my cell phone knowing that if he called I could step out and talk to him. My phone recieved a few calls from my friends, which I ignored. However, two numbers showed up and I didn't recognize the area code, so I ignored them, too. (If you remember due to the house flood we are still at my parents home) When I got home, my mom said "Did you get to talk to him? He called here twice and also tried your cell phone. She told him that I would be bummed since I missed his call. I was in fact sad when I heard he called and I ignored the call. He had called me from a phone in fire camp, since cell coverage was zero there. That explains the area code phone call I recieved. So I carried my cell phone closely yesterday afternoon in hopes that he'd call again. My mom said he told her he was headed back out to spike camp and didn't know when he'd be able to call back. I had to hold on to hope!! As the hours went by, it was obvious that he wasn't going to call. Last night around 10:45 mom's house phone rang. I jumped up and ran to where her phone was, it was him!! They had come back into camp to restock on supplies so they could head out again today. While we were chatting, he told me "we only have 4 minutes left" because I'm on a fire camp phone. Now that brought some old memories back!! We hurried and talked quickly. He asked me "well anything else" um as quickly as I could think, nothing popped in my mind. So with a "well see you later and I love you" we hung up. (We never say "good-bye" because that sounds so permanent, we only say "see you later") As I layed in bed, happy to hear his voice I did remember something important I needed to ask him. Oh well, I guess I will have to wait for the next 10 minute phone call, when that will be I don't know.
8/10/08
DC left Bear Wallow Fire, Arrived at Another
What a beautiful sight, the back drop that it - you're not too bad either hunny!
DC's humbled sleeping qtrs!Well DC is on another fire after leaving Bear Wallow. He's smack dab in the middle of
Big Foot Country. Have I ever mentioned to you all the website for Bigfoot research, www.bfro.net is a fun resource to read everyones "real" encounters with the hairy creature.
Try it out, I find it entertaining. Reminds me of ghost stories around the campfire.
So had my first Board meeting with teh preschool and it was fairly painless. Much work needs to be done. *sigh* Tell you one thing I wont be serving on another Board anytime soon.
Soccer we were creamed! But I'd Like to think the kids had fun. The best part...as soon as last qtr was over the kids ran to me asking for their snack. I usually have healthy snacks like granola or fruit. But yesterday I decided to treat them good considering their morale may be low from their parents yelling at them. So I bought Hostess Cream filled Chocolate Cupcakes. They LOVED IT! The team we played ... the lil one is awake now and cranky. hard for me to type with one hand ... talk with you all later. have a wonderful day and enjoy life! Tell someone today how you much you appreciate them. Its makes a huge difference in their lives.
8/8/08
busy times lately
DC with drip torch burning out a slope.
Bigfoot lookin' pretty. My goodness! I dont remember the last time I was ever this busy and had to worry about someone else but myself. The last time I can remember .... I was in school and no child to fuss over. Now, I run myself crazy with errands and community work and my lil' companion has to drag along behind. Poor kid!
But this week I have my aunt nana here visiting and helping me out with Rhy. Thats been a great relief esp. with this heat and humidity we've been getting. UGH!
So here are a few pictures of DC in Yreka, California on the BEar Wallow fire. With six days on this fire - they were demobbed today. I think as of now the crew is in a nice cozy hotel room somewhere in Yreka. He phoned and said he was finally eating a Whopper from Burger King and fries had never tasted sooooo yummy!!! lol
Enjoy pictures and wish my team and I good luck on our first game tomorrow morning at 8AM!
8/1/08
Blogging from New computer!
Hi guys. I dont have photos for you because Im blogging on DC's hp PC. I love this thing! its super fast - way faster than my laptop. I can surf at lightning speed!!!!
So want to touch base with you on DC's current assignment. The Wyoming call was cancelled and reassigned days later to the Yreka, CA area in Siskiyou County in Northern Cali. The crew drove all the way, stopping over in Las Vegas for a night. Then they stopped at the Cabela's Store in Reno for supplies! *wink wink* As of this evening they are RON (resting over night) in Susanville, CA. I told DC that Ken Shamrock lives there, FYI: population density is 13,000. Way less than Holbrook, Arizona. I had no clue who K, Shamrock was - but knowing my hubby - instantly he replies- uh yea! he a UFC fighter not to mention a WWE wrestler. Doh! Yea? like Im gonna know that. BTW I got that tidbit from wikipedia online. LOL
So my first practice with the 4 and 5 yr olds went absolutely chaotic. They didnt listen for nothin'. They were completely out of it. Running all over the field, chasing the ball well past the boundaries. At one pt I just stood there watching to see how far they would go. By the time I caught up to them - yelling all the while to stop - two to three minutes had passed and I was outta breathe. LOL So Ive been doing my hmwork this week. I spent most of my evening at the soccer complex watching other U6 coaches corral their preschoolers. Hrs later and many bug bites later I think I have a plan. Maybe tomorrow at openfield jamboree I can pick up more pointers.
Practice on MOndays - my temporary asst coach (DC) has gone wilderness hicking in Cali and Im ALL Alone to face yet another energy draining soccer practice! Ugh! Funny thing did I tell you guys that the first practice on july 28th I was saved by the rain. During coaches training we were told to have practice atleast 60 mins.
As practice went on - I continued to eyeball my watch. Praying 3/4 of the hr had already passed. On half past, I began to struggle and panic on activities because quickly I was losing them. At this pt they had stopped listening to me. THEN! a huge cloud burst poured down on us with strong wind gusts. I helplessly stumbled toward my bags and at the top of my lungs yelled out, "PRACTICE OVER!" throwing my neatly arranged and crafted gift bags full of treats to the team members - hoping they'd like me even if I was a terrible coach - just because Im the coach that gives'em junk food! Awhaw! Thats the way to their hearts.
When preparing the treat bags I found a similarity to the movie,"A League of Their Own" with tom Hanks. DC said something about holy cow! treats. Their there to play soccer not eat treats. then he so cleverly said, "Treats - theres no TREATS in soccer"! HAh. Hah. HAh. Ur so funny hunny.
So alot has been ongoing and if any of you havent received a return call from me I apologize. Ive been super busy and tired with all this weeks errands. Trying to change your name after being married isnt so easy. before getting married - if you ever have a chance to get one of those packages that contains forms on changing your name- TAKE IT! Its usually a small fee for the package but its a great resource to start with. Wish I hadnt been so cheap. Had I sent all the info away in one packet - I would have this headache. I need finger prints for the School District. trying to make a professional resume - for which ive never done!!! Trying to ask people for references. By the way! Guys I need references for my applications so if I ask please help me out. PLEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Preschool registration - what a headache. Wish someone told me to think about these things at 2.5 yr old. ALL the schools in the town are FULL and now we have to Pay AGAIN for private preschool. Ugh!
So this new keyboard is ticking me off - Im not familiar with it and I keep deleting my paragraphs. getting sick of retyping what I just did. I will blog again later. FYI: stampin up is having their 20 yr anniversary convention in salt lake as you read. Boo hoo! Wish I could have gone but the fee for guests was $400. WTH!!! yea like Im gonna blow that on rubber stamps..... oh wait I did and more while demonstrating stampin up as a demo. Doh! take care my peeps. Holla! LOL too funny just wanted to do that. *still laughing*
So want to touch base with you on DC's current assignment. The Wyoming call was cancelled and reassigned days later to the Yreka, CA area in Siskiyou County in Northern Cali. The crew drove all the way, stopping over in Las Vegas for a night. Then they stopped at the Cabela's Store in Reno for supplies! *wink wink* As of this evening they are RON (resting over night) in Susanville, CA. I told DC that Ken Shamrock lives there, FYI: population density is 13,000. Way less than Holbrook, Arizona. I had no clue who K, Shamrock was - but knowing my hubby - instantly he replies- uh yea! he a UFC fighter not to mention a WWE wrestler. Doh! Yea? like Im gonna know that. BTW I got that tidbit from wikipedia online. LOL
So my first practice with the 4 and 5 yr olds went absolutely chaotic. They didnt listen for nothin'. They were completely out of it. Running all over the field, chasing the ball well past the boundaries. At one pt I just stood there watching to see how far they would go. By the time I caught up to them - yelling all the while to stop - two to three minutes had passed and I was outta breathe. LOL So Ive been doing my hmwork this week. I spent most of my evening at the soccer complex watching other U6 coaches corral their preschoolers. Hrs later and many bug bites later I think I have a plan. Maybe tomorrow at openfield jamboree I can pick up more pointers.
Practice on MOndays - my temporary asst coach (DC) has gone wilderness hicking in Cali and Im ALL Alone to face yet another energy draining soccer practice! Ugh! Funny thing did I tell you guys that the first practice on july 28th I was saved by the rain. During coaches training we were told to have practice atleast 60 mins.
As practice went on - I continued to eyeball my watch. Praying 3/4 of the hr had already passed. On half past, I began to struggle and panic on activities because quickly I was losing them. At this pt they had stopped listening to me. THEN! a huge cloud burst poured down on us with strong wind gusts. I helplessly stumbled toward my bags and at the top of my lungs yelled out, "PRACTICE OVER!" throwing my neatly arranged and crafted gift bags full of treats to the team members - hoping they'd like me even if I was a terrible coach - just because Im the coach that gives'em junk food! Awhaw! Thats the way to their hearts.
When preparing the treat bags I found a similarity to the movie,"A League of Their Own" with tom Hanks. DC said something about holy cow! treats. Their there to play soccer not eat treats. then he so cleverly said, "Treats - theres no TREATS in soccer"! HAh. Hah. HAh. Ur so funny hunny.
So alot has been ongoing and if any of you havent received a return call from me I apologize. Ive been super busy and tired with all this weeks errands. Trying to change your name after being married isnt so easy. before getting married - if you ever have a chance to get one of those packages that contains forms on changing your name- TAKE IT! Its usually a small fee for the package but its a great resource to start with. Wish I hadnt been so cheap. Had I sent all the info away in one packet - I would have this headache. I need finger prints for the School District. trying to make a professional resume - for which ive never done!!! Trying to ask people for references. By the way! Guys I need references for my applications so if I ask please help me out. PLEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Preschool registration - what a headache. Wish someone told me to think about these things at 2.5 yr old. ALL the schools in the town are FULL and now we have to Pay AGAIN for private preschool. Ugh!
So this new keyboard is ticking me off - Im not familiar with it and I keep deleting my paragraphs. getting sick of retyping what I just did. I will blog again later. FYI: stampin up is having their 20 yr anniversary convention in salt lake as you read. Boo hoo! Wish I could have gone but the fee for guests was $400. WTH!!! yea like Im gonna blow that on rubber stamps..... oh wait I did and more while demonstrating stampin up as a demo. Doh! take care my peeps. Holla! LOL too funny just wanted to do that. *still laughing*
7/29/08
where have you been???
Im sure thats what all of you have been thinking. Sorry I havent been blogging. I have been extremely busy with Rhy and DC. We're swimming, reading lots of books, crafting, trying to stay on top of my homeschool curriculum, etc , etc. Since you last heard of me I have been attending School District Training for the 2008 -2009 school year, organizing my soccer team (yes Im the coach of the Turney Silvers U6 team), organizing the preschool board member files for 08-09 year, taking three showers a day (sooo tiresome), visiting with my hubby (he returned on weds, July23rd), and more - more - more.So I have pulled together a resume for the university temporary pool, the substitute teaching, medical technician (B.S. req.), and a few other places. My only problem: what to do with the little one! I may have to place her in a different school (allday preK prgm) at which time I will have to resign my position as school board president. boohoo! Considering I really like the teacher and the kids we've come to know.Im taking three showers a day because, once when I wake, then another after swim, then another after my exercise class. Boy Im ready to rub my skin off!So DC is off to another fire in Wyoming tomorrow! We had him for seven days and while eating dinner - the phone rang. Without picking up the phone, we looked at each other instantly knowing what it meant. Yep! We had to finish our evening out and rush home to pack his fire bags! Boo hoo! We pray for his safe return from Wyoming.On a side note my auntie N lost her husband last week. May the Lord bless her heart to heal quickly. I know she'll need time but I want to say NAna I love you and we will be here for you.Please try to be patient with Auntie GP, she means well, and the two of you need to get along better. Please.In the midst of this all I have turned 31 years old. Yuck! On a brighter side my nephew MTG has turned 11years old. Yea! M. Happy Birthday kid. I love you and wish only the best for you. I will make you a card and send it out when I buy a stamp. Dont hold your breathe. LOLFYI my cousin L, in Texas, I still have your Christmas present and Easter gift from '06 and '08. I'll get that to you just as soon as I can find my old address book. :o) Love you all and wish you many blessings. Life is short and make the most of everyday.
7/19/08
Basin Complex Fire Blew up!
DC said alot of the crew members are getting sick from poison oak.Poor guys! They cant wait to get home. We keep praying DC stays safe and healthy.
Recently I found a blospot called "wildland firefighters' wives" and I love it.I have a connection with these women. They feel and experience all the same things
I go through with FF hubbies. Its piece of mind reading these ladies blog entries.
Sometimes they make me laugh and sometimes they make me cry. Drop in on the site to the left and give it a read. You'll get a better idea of what my everyday is like. seriously I could have written all the entries myself. :-)
SUNDAY - Day 14 has arrived - thank heaven.
More Pictures from DC's samsung. I love that we can get photos from him while on assignment.
Makes us feel better, just like were there with him.
Helps us with missing him - we dont get as sad. We get homesick for DC something fierce!
We didnt hear from DC for two days - getting worried - he finally called yesterday evening, whew!
He said that the past weeks nightshifts have been uneventful.
Then the firestorm blew in!! These are some pictures he sent via Verizon airways. Enjoy!
7/17/08
random pictures of Basin Complex Fire
Dozers, a hotshots best friend!!
Picture of the hotshots on the fire line. Clearing to prevent flames from jumping up the slope.
Crews lined up on Hwy 1
Platte Canyon Fire Crew from CO doing mop up.
Crews lined up on Hwy 1
Platte Canyon Fire Crew from CO doing mop up.Update on Basin Complex Fire
Map as of July 16th. Two fires combines and continues to burn.
I think this is the biggest fire DC has been assigned to. His 14the day is coming up, which means he will have two days of mandatory rest. But the fire is only 65% contained. There are approx. 15 Hotshot crews from AZ and NM on this fire. I dont think any of them will travel home for their R&R. I have a feeling he'll stay in Cali and be placed back at the Basin Fire. boo hoo!
Which means he'll be out there for another 2 weeks following R&R. 
Dont know if I mentioned DC moved to the Basin Complex Fire in Cali.
This is a map of the fire on July 6th. Red indicates what has burned.
DC and his crew with their buggies, an engine, and the excursion.
DC is lucky he doesnt have to travel in the buggies. He gets to lounge in the excursion.
What a buzzard! Hard work my foot! j/k
Rhyan and Mommy!
A current picture of me and my little girl. She was very insistent on holding those silk flowers.
7/15/08
Babysitter needed!!!
Sometimes I forget she's still a little munchkin. I see her as a big girl that can make it on her own. She doesnt need me to feed her with a spoon, she doesnt need my help going potty or wiping her bottom. She dresses herself, takes her own showers, etc etc.
With this as her daily routine - I have more free time. But I forget shes still my little four yr old baby. Im always reminded when she rambling nonsense in the back seat of the jeep. She will sing crazy songs, cry when I discipline her too harshly, and I forget she cant keep up with mommy.
I wore this little one out today with all my errands and I did it last week too, on Monday. Poor kid, shes on the go with me all day long. Little food, only water, no treats, no games, no television, in and out of the car for hours throughout town. Its days like this I wish I had a babysitter.
I called a lady today about watching Rhy but no reply. Guess she doesnt wanna watch our lil girl.
For the past two wks Rhy has been singing "I Am A CHild of God".
(I was gonna go on about this topic but its 10:38pm and she needs to get to bed. She went to bed at 12am last night and I woke her up at 8:30am this morning. No nap all day long. So I better get off the computer, brush her teeth and put her to bed. By the way. We left the house today at 10:30am for Preschool rdg time at the library , ran errands, watched a matinee, made appts, grocery shopped, and made it home at 9:15pm. Ate dinner at 9:30pm. Too much for this little kid. Nothing for mommy. But this is what happens when DC is out of town. ) talk with you all later!!!!
With this as her daily routine - I have more free time. But I forget shes still my little four yr old baby. Im always reminded when she rambling nonsense in the back seat of the jeep. She will sing crazy songs, cry when I discipline her too harshly, and I forget she cant keep up with mommy.
I wore this little one out today with all my errands and I did it last week too, on Monday. Poor kid, shes on the go with me all day long. Little food, only water, no treats, no games, no television, in and out of the car for hours throughout town. Its days like this I wish I had a babysitter.
I called a lady today about watching Rhy but no reply. Guess she doesnt wanna watch our lil girl.
For the past two wks Rhy has been singing "I Am A CHild of God".
(I was gonna go on about this topic but its 10:38pm and she needs to get to bed. She went to bed at 12am last night and I woke her up at 8:30am this morning. No nap all day long. So I better get off the computer, brush her teeth and put her to bed. By the way. We left the house today at 10:30am for Preschool rdg time at the library , ran errands, watched a matinee, made appts, grocery shopped, and made it home at 9:15pm. Ate dinner at 9:30pm. Too much for this little kid. Nothing for mommy. But this is what happens when DC is out of town. ) talk with you all later!!!!
7/12/08
Demobbed and Sightseeing???Hey Buddy get to the next FIRE!!! j/k
Taking in the fresh Pacific Coast air at Pismo Beach. (Hope I spelled it right?)
Rhyan has been anticipating her trip to the West Coastand the Pacific Ocean. Too bad daddies there without
her. The kid bugs us constantly for a drive to the
Beach. She cant wait to make sandcastles
and pick up sea shells.
DC sent Rhy a text and said this lil crab princess told himtell his little Princess she says, "HELLO from the Pacific Coast".
Too adorabl!!!
Los Padres Nat'l Forest still burns But DC has moved on...
Check out DC - is he posing? Hey mister where's your modesty?! LOL
Pretty neat - all these pictures were taken with
his little samsung phone.
So as DC and his crew packed up for a long day on the mtn. They were notified of a reassignment. So off they went after the long paper work of "demobbing" 'em to the East Basin Complex. Havent done my homework so I havent the clue?
So here are a few pictures from yesterdays events on the mtn.
7/9/08
Day Three of GAP FIRE Assignment
I think I already posted this one but if not this is from Yesterday when the fire was running up the slope.
Crazy how fire works. It has a mind of its own.
Lunch Break for the crew. At first I thought, Gee whata easy job. All they do is sit around! Only Picking on you hunny.
Im sure this is time well spent.
When DC sent me this pic. the subject line read: HOTSHOT COUNTRY CONT. BRUSH.Pretty outrageous. Does that look like a flame in the background??
Can you see the Fire line that the crew dug on top the ridge.
To the left of the fireline on the left slope you can see
the red retardant dropped by the aircraft.
Can you see the Fire line that the crew dug on top the ridge.To the left of the fireline on the left slope you can see
the red retardant dropped by the aircraft.
See the Hotshot behind the tree.
Because the fire can run up the slope, a preventative
measure taken was to dig this line.
The goal of the fireline is preventing the fire from going any further than the ridge.
Hopefully the line will create a burnout. If not, the fire would continue
down the ridge and into the canyon and make another run.
I havent checked the inciweb site (www.inciweb.org) in awhile.
I dont what % contained the fire is. Usually when the fire is at 90% contained -
a type 2 Incident Command Team will take over.
The type 1 IC Teams (currently working the Gap Fire) as well as the Hotshots
are all reserved for extreme fires and initial attack (IA). Initial attack means just that - they
are on scene first and get the fire under control. As soon as containment reaches 80 to 90%
and the threat of the fire blowing up is minimal - the fire assignment gets handed over to
a Type 2 or Type 3 IC Team for Clean-up. So when that happens, DC either gets reassigned to
another crucial fire or is sent home. Very rare but sometimes they clean up and go sit (Staged) in
an area where summer thunderstorms are expected. And they wait. Wait for a fire call.
Usually Lighting fires in the high mtns. Hope you learned someting today.
Its fun being able to tell someone everything Ive picked up from my hubby and the internet.
So NOW, maybe no one will have to ask what DC does for a living.
I'll just refer 'em to my blogspot.
7/7/08
Last Picture! burn in THAT area a success
So the crew successfully burned out that fire but remember that doesnt mean the GAP Fire is extinguished. This only shows a small portion of the larger fire that they stopped from running away and making a new fire. So the main body of the Gap Fire in the Los Padres Nat'l Forest could still be burning very hot. Pretty neat to find out how all this works. Now I have educated you all on a few points of wildland firefighting. Lets join the Hotshots! Good money but a dirty job. Come on ladies... Imagine how many Jimmy Choo's you could buy with one fire paycheck - or Coach handbags. Spark your interest, uh huh?!?!?! 
Gap Fire Santa Barbara, CA 2008
As you can see in some of the early evg pictures - in the foreground there's a cleared area. This is a dozer line (fireline made by tractor). Very bottom picture is the fire making its way toward the line. [third from top] the fire at its peak and closest to the crew. The next post is the last picture taken 7 minutes after and you can see the fire burns out. More pix from Gap Fire - Santa Barbara, CA
The crew is positioned in the path of the fire. Soon the fire will creep over the mtn. The crew is digging a fireline and
back burning. The goal is to reduce the amt of fuel (brush) in the path of the fire so the fire has no fuel to continue to burn.
You all may already know this but those of you (like myself) that dont - I am trying to explain in layman terms. A back burn is when you use fire to combat fire. The crew used drip torches (exactly what it means - fire drips from a gasoline container) to set little ground fires to burn in the direction of the oncoming fire. Meanwhile they will usually use tractors and such to dig a fireline. A fireline is a path dug by hand with shovels (4 feet wide) or tractor (roads width). It exposes dirt and rids the area of fuel (brush, weeds, trees- anything that'll burn). Cool huh? took me two yrs to finally understand all this info.
Gap Fire Assignment 2008 Santa Barbara CA
Plane dropping fire retardant from the air.
Hi all I thought it would be neat to post something about DC and what my everyday life is like during the hot summer months. For the past four or five yrs this is what has occupied our lives during fire season. DC can be out on assignment for up to 14 days, in which he has to take 2 days of mandatory rest. Sometimes they get to come home for those two days - sometimes they rest near the fire in a motel. After the two rest days are up they go back on assignment for another 14 days. This happened to us last year. That was real difficult! DC was away from home for one month fighting wildland fires. I dont know how the wives and companions of those overseas handle the absence of their loved ones. My hubby is still here in the U.S. but the second round of 14 days out Im a wreck and crying my self to sleep. I think the hardest was when DC was posted on a Mtn top in California or Southern AZ - His phone died/no reception (one of the two). I didnt hear from him for 3 days. I nearly had a cow. Then finally he used a satellite phone and called. What a relief. So with that mistake behind us - we make sure we have battery powered phone chargers now. We have atleast four. One in each car and one for each of his firepacks.
So here are a few pictures he sent to me via cellphone on the fireline in Santa Barbara. Pretty neat huh? I didnt know I could fwd the pix from my cell to my email address. Dont know how much the phone bill will be but Im sure its worth it. Especially to see the look on his face when he finds out I have posted him and his info on my blog!! Love you hunny.
Enjoy the pictures guys.
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