“280″ What Does it Mean?

I burrowed this from one of Our24YearAgeGap‘s posts because I thought it was something that should be shared. ******************************************************** People complain all the time that Fire/EMS makes too much and do too little but when they need us they complain we took too long. WTF?! Did you know that 85% of people in my career [...]



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"280" What Does it Mean?

I burrowed this from one of Our24YearAgeGap's posts because I thought it was something that should be shared.

 

********************************************************

People complain all the time that Fire/EMS makes too much and do too little but when they need us they complain we took too long. WTF?! Did you know that 85% of people in my career (nation wide) can not afford to live off just one income? Bet you didn’t. That’s why everyone in my career works 2 or more jobs! Meaning they can’t get off work when they need help, nor can they afford the help they need. I’m an example. I’m one statistic, but I won’t become another…not yet anyway.

Do you know what the number above means? Do you know what it stands for? No? Well read below and find out.  

In 2010, while educating firefighters across the United States, I began to notice through stories and reports about the number of firefighters who had taken their lives. I began to collect reports through a confidential reporting system in late 2010 through Counseling Services for FIre Fighters. After much research and effort, I realized this was a much larger issue than I thought, and expanded by starting Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance. I am now collecting this data through FBHA also. This confidential report can be found on the list at the left “ff suicide report” or at www.csff.info under the tab “FF Suicide Report”. The number on the box above are members who were active or retired firefighters who suffered deaths by their own choice. It should not be conceived as one of weakness but one where they might not have believed they had any other options to relieve their pain. FBHA is dedicated to collecting the most accurate numbers regarding FF suicides and then updates this number as information is confirmed. It is also FBHA’s objective to educate all of our brothers and sisters on suicide prevention through our workshop titled “Saving Those Who Save Others” in hopes to limit this number.  

Regards, B/C Jeff Dill Founder of CSFF & FBHA

Note: Number is from information received from suicides ranging from the years 1880-2012. The total is comprised of 269 FF and 11 EMT/P.

Think about that. Just let that sink in when you think about voting for a tax cut for firefighter/paramedics. And that is JUST firefighter/paramedics. What about the police officers? Or that military?? Those numbers are alarming as well. Some things in this country need to change…congress needs to be put on minimum wage in their comfortable little office and give their pay to the people that work every day for their life, health, and safety.

Random Topic Writing Challenge - Social Media

Okay so the word chosen from list today turns out to be Social-Media and we are starting the 5 minute timer.... Now!! What can I say about Social-Media? Well, for starters let's look at the word "Social Media" that implies - Social - correct?! And to be social implies a relationship - correct?! (Read: It's a Relationship Stupid by Robert Caruso from BundlePost). I recently posted on twitter (as well as on my FB page) my disgruntlement of receiving MTs & DMs with nothing more than a website (often using a short URL that tells me absolutely nothing about what said site is about. There's no lead up, no relationship no nothing just Whamm Bamm ------> unknown website ------> Thank You Ma'am (and even that last part is often left out). As you may guess my instantaneous (and often automatic) response to this is Report -----> Block. Don't even take time to view the website.... If you want me to take a look at something #1 establish a relationship with me and #2) give a reason = tell me what site is about and why I ought to take my time peruse said site. I may only be a lowly housewife who spends most all her time tweeting, FBing and blogging but still my time is important to me and I don't want to waste it.

#SituationalAwareness Around #FireStations Important for both sides.

 I drive by this station fairly frequently and every time I do I have to feel sorry for the firefighters there. I think this has to be (I say this tongue-in-cheek as I have not seen every single station) the worse station to have to try to get out of among the Fort Worth Fire Departments. The picture doesn't really show it but coming from the direction opposite the way camera is facing there is a curve (as well as a slight downgrade. Just past the view of the camera is a major intersection. In fact, on one occasion I almost witnessed an accident when one came to abrupt stop for red light (just outside station) and the guy behind slams on brakes, narrowly missing the guy in front. Second guy then proceeds to give first guy dirty look as if to say "Why are you stopping" Let's see... the red light should have been obvious but just in case you were stupid enough to miss that.... HOW ABOUT THE LARGE FIRE ENGINE COMING OUT OF STATION (idiot)... I believe there was another time where one of the engines leaving the station for a call narrowly missed a car that had decided not to heed the warnings of the red light and emerging Fire Truck.

The sad thing is firefighters all over put there lives at risk just trying to get out of the station. I don't have data but no doubt numerous accidents occur right in front of the station which causes delay in getting help to those who need it as now another unit has to be dispatched to the call (As I understand, anytime I rig is involved in even a minor fender bender they are taken off whatever call they were headed to).

There is a reason for those traffic lights outside of the stations... When they turn red it means there's a very good chance a firetruck is about to be heading out on a call. But, you shouldn't just rely on those lights - Sometimes they don't come on at all as was the case that I witnessed once at a Fire Station in Beaverton, OR.

Here's the scenario.... Smaller (rescue) truck pulls out to edge of apron (driveway in front of bay doors) with lights and sirens going. Light isn't working and DOES NOT change to red, therefore traffic just keeps right on going ignoring lights & sirens. Big Daddy (Ladder) truck pulls out to edge of apron.... *EvilGrin* from driver as he blasts air horn... Cars were screeching, no doubt standing on their brakes, trying to stop. Okay some of you will probably think that isn't funny and that the driver shouldn't have done that (perhaps not) but the point is those drivers should have been aware of situation around them. The Rescue truck had sounded it's horn several times in an attempt to get out safely.

The flip side to all this is that Drivers of EVs (Emergency Vehicles) must also, always, be aware of the situation around them right from the get go - this means as soon as you pull out of the station bays (in fact even before - as you step into your rig). It would be nice if there was a guarantee that everyone out there is paying attention and giving proper right-of-way to Emergency Vehicles, but the fact of the matter is many don't. It is up to you to do your part in being aware and watching out for the other person who may (very likely) not be paying a bit of attention to the fact that you are trying to get on your way to a call. (I'll give you a few moments of foot-stomping frustration).

The point to all my rambling is that when it comes to driving around Fire Stations (both the main-stream driver & EV driver) - Situational Awareness is important.  Let's all do our part to ensure that the Emergency Vehicle in question gets to the scene safely - with all it's crew.

Blog Hop Photo Prompt Reveal - Home-Made Business

 

Beverly watched from her kitchen window as her son, Jason, headed towards the path that he always gook when waking the families only dog. They had had two dogs but the other had died recently due to Iron Poisoning. Beverly couldn't believe how fast her boy was growing up. He was small for his age, but was big enough now to walk the dog to a nearby park on his own. In the small town in which they lived, where everyone new everyone, Beverly felt comfortable in allowing her son to go there on his own. Normally, Bench (whom Jason had named because he had found him, as a small pup, huddled under a bench one full-moon night) would be allowed off his leash to run once at the park. Bench was very well behaved and always came back with just the slightest whistle. But Beverly had given Jason the rule that unless she (or his father) was with him, Jason was to keep Bench on his leash at all times. As far as Beverly knew Jason had always followed this rule. Beverly continued to watch. Soon dog and boy were out of sight. Beverly went back to making another batch of honey-bread. She had been making bread most all morning to fill orders she had gotten both from local town folks as well as some from neighboring towns. Beverly made her special bread using homemade honey from the families very own bees. She remembered being a bit fearful of dealing with bees at first and had let her husband Brian take care of the bees. Beverly was still a little nervous about getting honey from the combs and preferred to let her husband gather the honey. But she had found that, if needed to, she could do the job. Many of Beverly's neighbors and friends had raved about her Honey-Bread saying that she could easily sell the loaves they were that good. Beverly wasn't so sure at first, but figured she had nothing to loose in giving it a go. The first dozen loaves she had made had sold quickly and there had been orders for even more. Beverly began to think that just maybe something would come out of her love for baking. She knew that the family didn't really need the extra money from selling the loaves as they got by just fine on Brian's income, and even had a little left over at the end of the month for a "fun fund". But they didn't have extra money to put aside for Brian to go to college and she figured the extra money from selling the bread could go into a University Fund for Brian to use for just that when he got older.

Another thought on #SocialMedia Posting

This is something I am constantly struggling with when it comes to posting on the various Social Media Platforms — What to post? How to post (as in how do you write your post)? When to post? How often to post? so on and so forth. Perhaps it is just who i am (aka my [...]



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Another thought on #SocialMedia Posting

This is something I am constantly struggling with when it comes to posting on the various Social Media Platforms --- What to post? How to post (as in how do you write your post)? When to post? How often to post? so on and so forth.

Perhaps it is just who i am (aka my personality), but I am forever second guessing myself as to whether or not I am posting the right kinds of things. Sure I post what I'm gonna post, but then later I wonder are the things I'm posting "biting me in the butt" so to speak? And then there is the question of when do I post? Sure there's programs/applications out there to help analyze the best time of day and you can even opt set up automatic postings to go out at those times.... Except that it only lets you do so many days at a time and to set up scheduled posts on something like hootsuite you have to buy the pro-version.

Personally, I feel like a dismal failure when it comes to Social Media. I've only got a handful of followers on any one platform (and some of those are actually duplicates among different platforms). Any one of my posts only gets maybe a couple likes/shares (at best) on any given platform (again see note about duplicates/duplicity). Kind of makes me wonder Why the hell I even bother.... I mean who the heck is gonna see this stuff anyway - Right?

Back to #WWBH - November 28, 2012

I hope you had a lovely week off from the blog hop. Now we're up and back at it again.

First, take a look at the stories from our Veteran's Day prompt:

Fulfilling A Promise by Leanne Sype
Daddy's Little Girl by Heather
Through A Child's Eyes by Scott Taylor
Angel Kisses by Tena Carr


Thank you to everyone who has participated. If you're interested in submitting some artwork or photography for the prompts, check out the information here.

As for this week's Snapshot Prompt, let's get going. First, the rules:

1) There will be one photo, and five words - both of those elements must be a feature in the brief story you create.
2) There is also a 500 word maximum.
3) You have until the next Wednesday to create your post.
4) When you have finished your post, come back here and link up below and let me (or whoever your blog host is) know in the comments that you have done so!
5) We were going to tell you to not take this too seriously, but reconsidered it because we know full well that asking writers to write something means that they will take it seriously. So, take it seriously, but don't fret/panic/pass out/hyperventilate/lose sleep/run in fear over it.

This week's photo:

This week's words:

iron

moon

university

bee

bench

Okay, so have at it. And a quick reminder to get your stories in by 8pm EST Tuesday night to qualify for this month's ad contest. :D

The Big Picture - All those different #SocialMedia Platforms

Just a little thought that had popped into mind in terms of Social Media Platforms. With so many different platforms out there and so many different ways for people to share and "like" it really becomes difficult to get a good picture of just how well you are doing. Personally I have a twitter account, FB account, Google+ account - as well as this blog and sister blog on Blogger (basically copies of blogs here - just a different platform for people who use that instead of this). Ohh yeah and lots not forget my Instagram account. I post on all the different platforms that I use (though I don't necessarily always get everything on every platform). To get a picture of how a specific post may have done basically requires to look at all the different platforms I'm using and see who shared/liked. The problem with this is that it is time consuming (and that's just one one post - can you imagine looking at every post?). Even getting a full picture of your "followers" can be a bit difficult (though not as much so as individual posts). In my case I don't have many followers so to go through and count up my over all followers would probably not be all that difficult (if I ever really wanted to take the time to do so), but for those with many followers it would be a bit more challenging to go through and look for duplicities (where one person is following on several platforms).

Sure there are several platforms (though I don't really know much about them) that supposedly combine everything together to give you a picture or idea of how your doing both on an individual post level as well as on a general - over all - level. ; But, it seems to me, that they don't always necessarily show everything.

So there you have my thoughts on that. Sorry to say, I am no expert when it comes to Social Media and Social Media Platforms. If you want to look at some "expert" blogs Here are some to peruse:

BundlePost
GunnarSpeaks
B2SocialMedia
Social Media Dudes

Daily Prompt: Race the Clock - (Tweenagers)

It says I'm suppose to set a ten minute timer and then start writing - So, Here Goes..... Ten minutes -

What can I write in ten minutes??? Well if I could pick a single topic perhaps a lot perhaps not. One minute and I still don't have anything solid in mind. Do I write on Fire/EMS stuff (my biggest interest)? Do I write on the fun with having a tweenager (something I had to deal with today)? What?

Well since the tweenager thing is at the forefront of what I've had to deal with lately... We'll go with that one. (And here I am 5 minutes in - 8 minutes to go. (less now)

 I've noticed the past few days that my son has been wanting to sleep a lot (of course staying up late doesn't help, but even when he goes to bed at a half-way decent hour he wants to sleep more and more (haven't noticed the accompanying "eat everything in sight" to growing). In addition he's also been more moody lately and waking up from sleep with outbursts (you know the typical "NO ONE loves me" and the "I wish you weren't here/weren't alive", etc etc etc. He's also been showing some aggression (within normal limits) as well as wanting to posture (I think that's the right term - where he wants to show dominance by his posturing (trying to bring himself up to full height and tower over me). Yep we're into some fun (aka rocky roads) ahead.... And guess what?! The fun is just beginning Teenagerhood is right around the corner. Well okay got a couple years before he becomes age-wise, but somehow I don't think hormones and all that ask about the actual age - Not like there's a magical button that says ohhh ok he turned 13 today time to turn on the switch. So what's in the days to come is anyone's guess. I'm sure those of you with now teenagers or older could give me some insight of what's to come (though I can probably take some guesses) and certainly insight is good and helpful.... But, even then, each child is different. So I guess me and him (my son) will be on this new road together struggling to figure it out.

#Thanksgiving Casserole- #Recipe

I had hoped to take some pictures as we made this so I could include pictures in my post. Instead I’ll use the pictures I have of the components and explain each step – Not that there’s all that much to this simple recipe. So just what is Thanksgiving Casserole? It’s the components of items [...]



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I had hoped to take some pictures as we made this so I could include pictures in my post. Instead I'll use the pictures I have of the components and explain each step - Not that there's all that much to this simple recipe. So just what is Thanksgiving Casserole? It's the components of items that you would expect to see on a Thanksgiving table and then wonder what to do with the leftovers when everything is said and done.

 Start with the Sweet Potatoes:

Remove the marshmallows (or marshmallow cream) from the top and mash the potatoes (kind of like your making mashed potatoes). 

Next shred the left over turkey:


(We infused ours with cranberry juice - obtained from the making of our cranberry-orangesauce/relish earlier)

 

Place shredded turkey over the mashed sweet potatoes (we only used turkey in this layer, but suppose you could add onions or whatever).

Next, cover the Turkey with Cranberry Sauce (In our case it was Cranberry-Orange)


 Last, add the dressing to the top


 

This is what it looks like in the pan after it's done cooking:

Unfortunately all you can see is the dressing on top. The Cooking by the way was done in a 350 degree oven until warm. If all your components were cooked correctly at Thanksgiving Dinner then there's no reason to worry here about cooking everything the proper amount of time as all your really doing is reheating already cooked foods.

And here it is on the plate ready to be served.

(I have to apologize as this did not come out of the pan as neatly as I hoped - A piece of the bottom came apart. That and the picture was too close-up.)

Random Topic Writing Challenge – Parenting

Seems like…. Scratch that…. I HAVE been doing a terrible job on doing my Random Topic Writing Challenges every day. Heck the month of November is almost over and I’ve only managed to do – what – 10 of them (11 if you count the intro). Seems like every time I get the good intentions [...]



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Random Topic Writing Challenge - Parenting

Seems like.... Scratch that.... I HAVE been doing a terrible job on doing my Random Topic Writing Challenges every day. Heck the month of November is almost over and I've only managed to do - what - 10 of them (11 if you count the intro). Seems like every time I get the good intentions of following through on a challenge I seriously fail, but I won't get into all that.... On with the show.... I mean blog....

Parenting.... One of those jobs that you never know if it's a job well done until your child is all grown up and on their own. You do your best and hope you've done right. Hope that you didn't screw up somewhere along the lines; Hope that something you did or didn't do didn't screw your child up somehow; Hope that you raised your child (now adult) to make good and proper choices and to do the right thing. It is job w/ no pay and lots of frustration, but just as many rewards. You wonder how many times you'll say "This hurts me more than you" or "I do this cause I love you".... But, then there are those little moments where your child wants to hug & cuddle. Parenting doesn't come with a manual, there are no right answers - you just go through each day hoping your doing the right thing. I once asked my father (though I have no idea why now).... How do you know if you've raised your child right his answer was "You don't till there on their own = #TRUTH

Heart You A Latte: Ultimate Coffee Brownies

ReBlog

Heart You A Latte: Ultimate Coffee Brownies: 1 pound (4 sticks) butter 1 16 oz. bag of dark chocolate chips 1 12 oz bag of semi sweet chocolate chips 6 oz. unsweetened chocola...

Daily Prompt: "Last Blog"

If this were to be my last blog what would I write.... Well to start with I'd want to say thank you to all the people who have followed me and thank you for the friendly comments and encouragement; I'd want to say that it has been fun (and a pleasure) to follow the blogs that I've been following and to learn new things along the way. Further I'd want to wish everyone the best in life for health and happiness (okay well maybe happiness is a relative thing - we can't always have everything we want in life). I would want to remind everyone to Stay Safe and to remember our Firefighters, Paramedics, Police Officers, and Soldiers (not just one day in the year, but all days) and to remember all that they have (and continue) to do for us. I guess that is the main stuff that I would want to write if this were to be my last blog. Well that and to ask for people to read the rest of my blogs to see what little tidbits they might glean from my hodge-podge of thoughts and opinions. Blessings to all and Stay Safe :-)

"I was fed up." - Daily Prompt: Connect the Dots

The Daily Prompt, for yesterday, from "The Daily Post" was to take the 3rd full sentence from page 82 of the nearest book and work it into a post. The closest book is the one I'm reading which is Paramadic: On the Front Lines of Medicine by Peter Canning. How easy would it be for Firefighters to do something rash when faced with frustrating events and just say "I was Fed Up" Just getting to the scene can be filled with knuckle biting frustration (heck getting out of the station can be an ordeal. At least 2 different times I've witnessed near accidents in front of a station as trucks were pulling out (and that's ones that happened when I happened to be there), then on the way to the scene they have to deal with idiotic drivers who don't understand the concept of get-out-of-the-way (Case in point is this blog I wrote: Stupid Shit #3... Move Over for Emergency Vehicles about a driver who didn't move out of the way of an Emergency Vehicle and instead stopped right in front of it for a red light. Not to mention that the cars that do move out of the way can go in just about any direction to do so so the driver of EV has to stay alert and on his/her toes. Once on scene, they somehow have to get a line hooked up - not so easy when people decide to park there cars in front of the hydrant ("just for a couple minutes" mind you). If everyday citizens are involved (say at a hotel, residential, or apartment fire) they may very well have to deal with panicky people, running up to them crying & screaming, demanding immediate action while there still donning gear and doing size-up. And now the FUN begins.... Time to get down & dirty in putting out the fire. For the firefighters assigned this could mean entering into a hot, smoke-filled room with visibility of ohhh say hand 2 inches from your face. And did I forget to mention the gear they have on to protect from fire makes them even more hot & sweaty, The mask to give them oxygen to breath while in there plasters to their face. They emerge from the building covered with soot, sweat dripping down there face & neck as if they just got caught in a rain shower, gasping for air..... Makes you wonder why they don't get "fed up" more often. But they continue to do their job Saving Properties, Saving Lives. They don't see themselves as heroes, just "Doing my Job Ma'am" To all the firefighters out there I say THANK YOU and to all the rest I say Give em a break, don't make their job harder than it already is. When they're lights & sirens = move safely out of their way, Don't park in front of hydrants (even for a second), Let them do their job on scene (it may seem to be taking time, but not as long as you think & they can do a whole lot more if they staysafe themselves)

Random Topic Writing Challenge - #Love

Okay, here's Random Topic Blog #2 (as promised) :-) This time the word I picked from my stash is Love... so let's set that timer.... Done.... and Go.....

LOVE..... Is it really ever possible to really and truly know what love is?? No doubt we've all (well most all anyway) have been the hapless victims of the proverbial schoolgirl/boy crush.. Quite a fitting term don't you think considering that often times youend up getting just that "CRUSHED". But eventually you go beyond that "He's cute" crush and start to think in terms of something more sustantial and lasting.... Maybe even that big M word. Eventually you meet THE ONE - Mr/Mrs. Perfect and you think for sure this is FOREVER or at least you hope, and if your lucky it is (not so lucky on my end...... But in the end I did I end up marrying.... Just not the original one I had thought I would.... Don't you just love when life throughs curve balls at you :-P I'm by no means an expert on love and I can't say that I have the perfect marriage or the ability to advise on how a marriage should be (heck we have enough of our own ups & downs around here) but I will say that love isn't always as you plan it and it's not always perfect or rose colored glasses. Love is sometimes/oftentimes (?) the willingness to stay together despite bumpy roads.

Random Topic Writing Challenge - #Police

I know I've been seriously slacking on this (Okay Okay for penance I'll do two "Random Topic" Blogs tonight. The first up is Police About to set the 5 minute Timer.... Go.

What first comes to mind is the fun I have in following @ArlingtonPD for their #Tweetalongs. @DallasPD has been doing some tweetalong type stuff (though not quite to level of ArlingtonPd) and, from information I've gotten @FortWorthPD is also suppose to be joinging the Tweetalong Song :-P   Even more important than all that though is the fact that these guys are Heroes often times putting themselves into grave danger. You wouldn't think that a routine traffic stop could turn dangerously deadly in seconds.... Think again. So yeah next time you want to mouth off and give a load of crap.... Consider the crap these guys put up with each and every day.... Do they need or deserve yours???? As the common vernacular of the day goes "HELLS to the NO!!!!" (yeah I don't completely understand the phraseology either). GIVE EM A BREAK

Cool!! Another Award - "The Addictive Blog"

The "Addictive Blog" Award!

My writing is so sporadic and so "all over the place" that it is an amazement to me that anyone would even want to stay long enough to peruse my 'jottings' (though it is always my hope that peope will). I greatly appreciate the nomination from Our 24 Year Gap - And since there's no rule saying not too, I'm just gonna HAVE TO put her down as a nomination (and guesss what I'd do it anyway - regarldless of rules :-P ) Ohhh yeah, About them rules:

Thank the person awarding you; Share a little about why you blog and how the journey started; Paste the blog award on your page; Nominate 10 other bloggers you feel deserve the award. Pretty darn simple huh ;-)

The question of how my journey into blogging got started is one I don't even know how to answer. to be honest I can't even tell you when i began to blog (unless I were to take the time to find it somewhere in WordPress, which I'm not taking the time to do right now - SORRY Folks). As to why I blog, well that's a little (but not by much) easier. I blog to share with others thoughts and ideas that come (pop) into my mind. My main area of interest has to do with stuff related to the Emergency Services/ First Responders (aka Firefighters, Paramedic/EMTs, Police Officers), but I enjoy jotting (aka blogging) other thoughts & ideas as well. You might even find a tidbit here and there relating to Social aspects (including Social Media) and writing. As I say in my twitter bio some of my posts are serious, some are funny, some are off-the-wall. Sometimes I'm sharing (what I think is) an important message, Sometimes I'm trying to make you laugh or cry, sometimes I just want you to stop and think! You never know what will pop into my mind and thus unto my blog. Ten Nominees/Blogs to Share

1. Our 24 Year Gap
2. Chasing Revery
3. The World Of My Imagination
4. Writings and Ruminations
5. Social Graphics
6. The Happy Medic
7. MotorCop
8. ProstheticMedic
9. Firefighter/Paramedic Stories
10. Jodi Ambrose's Blog

 

Nominated for Liebster Award - I'm Honored!!

I have to apologize head of time for some of the layout problems in this blog. When I previewed it I noticed there were extra spaces between some lines, but when I went back in to edit there was no way for me to remove those extra lines without everything getting put to close together. I know I took the lazy way out, bu I just decided to say screw it and post "AS IS" Especially because I really needed/wanted to get this posted!!   I want to THANK Our24YearGap for nominating me for this award! Take a second and head on over to her blo0g and check it out (but don't forget to come back here).

Seems there are rules, Policies and Procedures with every and anything (or is that any and everything). Anywhoo... Here they are:

• When one receives the award, one posts 11 random facts about oneself and answers the 11 questions asked by the person who nominated you.
• Pass the award onto 11 other blogs (while making sure one notifies the blogger that one nominated them!)
• One writes up 11 NEW questions directed towards YOUR nominees.
• One is not allowed to nominate the blog who nominated one’s own blog!
• One pastes the award picture into ones blog. (You can google the image, there are plenty of them!)

11 Random Facts About Me:

1. I was born and raised along the Oregon Coast and Willamette Valley areas).
2. Me and my husband moved to Texas in 2007.
3. I consider Firefighters, Paramedics, Police, Rescue Workers, Soldiers to be amongst the TRUE HEROES.
4. When I was about 5 or 6 years old my aunt was going to read me "Wizard of Oz" for a bedtime story..... I took the book and read it to her.
5. I use to entertain myself as a child making up stories in my mind (Time-Outs to my room, even sitting on bed, were worthless - I could spend hours making up stories).
6. I had (undiagnosed) problems with hyperactivity as a child, but could spend hours sitting their watching planes at an airport.
7. Most mornings I'll have 2 cups of coffee to start my day.
8. I had my one and only son when I was 30 years old (just like my Mother-In-Law
9. I've had 2 step-mothers in my life. The last one was after I was married
10. My biological mother died when I was 5 years old
11. I don't even fit the height requirement for "Petite" clothes. Petite clothes are designed for at least 5'3" (or maybe it's 5'1").... I'm only 4'9" or 4'10" (don't remember for sure at this time).

The 11 questions I have to answer from the person that nominated me:

1. Why did you start blogging?

I'm not entirely sure what made me begin to start blogging. It started out as a way to just "jot" down thoughts and maybe play around w/ story ideas (though I haven't done as much w/ this latter) thus the name jottings and writings)

2. Are you where you want to be in life?

To be honest not really though I have no real regrets. I have no grandiose visions of prestige but sometimes I wish I could do something more with my life than just being a mother and wife (both of which I feel as if I fail at miserably at times). There are things that I have achieved in the past (nothing major mind you) that I regret not keeping up with.

3. What is your favorite thing about life?

I guess my favorite thing about life right now is being on twitter and sharing info with others about Fire/EMS as well as Social Media and some (but not much) on Writing. that and the volunteer work I (try) to do for the DFW Alerts Network

4. Do you have an animal you love and that loves you unconditionally?

Don't have any pets at the moment as it would require a pet deposit (not to mention all the rules and crap to go along) that we can afford. The last pet I had was a completely (and I do mean completely - toe to tail) black cat we had named Leilah (which is Hebrew for night). We had basically adopted her straight off the street in about 1998 and she pretty much attached herself to me. When we moved to Texas in 2007 we ended up leaving her behind.

5. What is/are your favorite book(s)?

What I have to pick my favorites?? I like all sorts of books so picking a favorite (or even just a couple) is damn near impossible. I have to admit I enjoy reading romance stories, but I also enjoy reading books related to Fire EMS Police Rescue (that kinda thing).

6. Can you recommend a book I should read or a movie I should watch?

Right now I'm in the process of reading a book called "Paramedic: On the Front Lines of Medicine" by Peter Canning. It's an excellent book so far :-)

7. Do you know any firefighters/paramedics/EMTs out there? Other than myself of course. What’s their story?

Personally? No. I have met quite a few on twitter though (or at least I have to assume they're telling the truth - benefit of the doubt kinda thing - Pretty good chance that at least some are). I have had the opportunity to talk to one Firefighter Captain Allen with the Fort Worth Fire Department who has an AMAZING story: Blog Talk Radio - Swingman with Alex Allred & Captain Marshal Allen (The blog that the previous link takes you too is a small volunteer organization of which I am an Reporter/Admin - I guess you'd call it).

8. Describe yourself to me in 3 words. Would your friends agree with that?

• Talkative, yet shy (Talk too much and too fast when nervous)
• Friendly (most of the time)
• Withdrawn

And yes I think my friends would agree (or pretty sure they would)

9. When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I think the first thing I remember wanting to do was to work with kids who were going to be going into surgery. Helping them to be more comfortable and not be so afraid. Later I wanted to get my EMT license, which I did end up doing (but didn't stay current - and never did work as an EMT).

10. What is your favorite time of the year?

SPRING - Not too hot not too cold nice & sunny

11. Tell me a secret, one you have never told anyone.

Hmmmm a secret I've never told anyone before..... Hmmm well the only one I can really think of (thought it's not ACTUALLY a "never told" secret is that I struggle with being frustrated and depressed (not at the level of clinical depression or nothing) about the way my life has turned out. Sometimes I feel like I haven't accomplished anything worthwhile and I feel like I'm a failure as a mom and as a wife. I feel as if my husband and son don't really need me around.

Blogs I follow and want to share:

Coffee Break Contemplations GunnarSpeaks Social Graphics (AKA Fondalo Funnies) Chasing Revery The World of My Imagination Firefighter/Paramedic Stories It's Not My Emergency Writings and Ruminations Jodi Ambrose's Blog Chester Maynes It's Rhymetime okkk I'm gonna break the rules and go one more :-P Its a Disaster

11 Questions for my Nominees to Answer:

1. Describe your most favorite child hood memory?
2. Describe an event that took place involving someone elderly (like the age of your grandparents or older - In fact it could be your grandparents)
3. Tell about a teacher who inspired you (names don't have to be included)
4. What was your most favorite subject in school? What did you excel in? (that may be 2 separate answers)
5. What is your most favorite past-time?
6. What is your favorite quote and (if possible) by whom?
7. Who are your HEROES (general answers are okay - doesn't have to be a specific person)?
8. Tell about an experience that involved A Firefighter, Paramedic, Police Officer (or similar)
9. Describe a disaster that affected you (we're talking something major like a natural diaster or something major - things like your favorite clothing article being unavailable for wear or not finding the perfect prom dress, etc DOES NOT count).
10. Do you use Social Media Platforms (Twitter, FaceBook, Google, Instagram, FourSquare, etc)? If so How? and Why? What is your purpose for using them?
11. How do you unwind and de-stress?

Good luck! And don’t forget to add me to your award page so I get to see your questions! - {Not entirely sure how your suppose to do this one.... I guess send me a comment on one of my blogposts (that's what I'm gonna do)}.

#WordoftheDay Story - Week Two - Culpable by Association

Again, I missed a couple days....  Stupid Phone - LOL

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In <strong>hindsight</strong> Charley knew that he should have steered clear of the <strong>motley</strong> group of wayward boys, but he had so badly wanted to fit in somewhere.  His home life was terrible.  His dad had hit the road years ago and his mom was always to busy entertaining and living the high-life to even pay attention to him (or his two younger sisters for that matter.

For the longest time, Charley had been very <strong>astute</strong> to the fact that his sisters well-being was his responsibility.  It's wasn't as if there mother was showing any concern to their breaking curfew and being out all hours of the night.  He knew he needed to set an example, but the hassle of being his sisters' keeper, and trying to be the parent, became a <strong>tribulation</strong> he was finding hard to handle.

When the boys began to speak in terms of breaking and entering, Charley knew he'd be <strong>culpable</strong> by association and new he had to get out of the group fast.

Blog Hop Photo Prompt Reveal - It was good while it lasted

Yeahhh looks like I've actually got this one done on time LOL

 

Angela put the key into the ignition and started up the Dodge Dakota. There had been a time when she didn't think she and her husband would ever get a new vehicle. The old vehicle had been giving them all sorts of trouble as part after part began to go bad. Unfortunately they just didn't have the money to get something newer and get rid of the old parasite.

Her twins, Samantha and Samuel, sat in the back of the extended cab each sucking on a lollipop they had gotten at their friend's birthday party. Angela hoped that the lollipops would keep them quiet, for a little while anyway....

"Leave my prize bag alone before I beat the tar outta you"..... No such luck.....

"Ha you wouldn't hit a girl," Samantha retaliated. "You wouldn't have the courage. Besides Daddy'll get you good if you were to hit a girl"

"Your such a daddy's girl" Samuel spat, "Go figure"

"All right you two, that's enough. I want you both to be quiet." Angela interrupted the brewing argument

"But Mo...."

"I said SILENCE"

For the rest of the ride home the twins stayed quiet. Both exiting the truck without saying a word after they pulled up in front of their house.

"Make sure you pick up your wrappers" Angela reminded them, "And don't forget your prize bags"

"Hey that's mine...." Angela heard one of them cry out.

"Oh well it was good while it lasted." she thought to herself

#TurkeyFryers Use Them Safely and Have a SAFE fun ThanksGiving

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and with that is of-course the cooking of turkey. For those of you braving the prospect of cooking your turkey delicacy in a turkey fryer, make sure you read those directions first - and more importantly, make sure you FOLLOW THEM!!! Let's not make firefighters job more difficult than it already is with stupidity. FRY SAFELY!!!

1. Turkey Frying should be done outside, well away from buildings and ANYTHING Flammable ( no matter how slight)!
2. Make sure there are no (or possible of any) children playing in the area - Continue monitoring as turkey cooks.
3. Speaking of monitoring, Always keep a close eye on your turkey as it cooks - Don't just walk away!
4. Before starting the frying process, make sure your bird is well thawed with ice removed
5. Ice chunks into a hot fryer aren't a good combo
6. Turkey should be lowered slowly and carefully into the pot.... Make sure the heat is lowered before you do this.

Watch these Turkey Frying Safety videos on Turkey Frying Safety Eat, Fry, Love w/ William Shattner A Real Turkey Fryer Fire

In the above videos all portrayals of fire were done under closely monitored & supervised situations with actual firefighters and firefighter eqiupment on hand.... In the case of an actual Turkey Fryer Fire you won't have this benefit (unless you happen to be a (or next door to a) Fire Station.

Remember Everyone to Have a Safe & Fun Holiday Season: Have A Safe and Happy Holiday Season Some Rules for a Safe Holiday Season

#Firefighters – So Much with So Little. #DonateMexicali

Can you imagine going to a fire and not having (or not having enough of) the proper gear to gain entry. Heading into a fire without having SCBA gear? These were just a couple of the things that the Mexicali Fire Department was without (or in very low) supply of, putting the firefighters there at [...]



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#Firefighters - So Much with So Little. #DonateMexicali

Can you imagine going to a fire and not having (or not having enough of) the proper gear to gain entry. Heading into a fire without having SCBA gear? These were just a couple of the things that the Mexicali Fire Department was without (or in very low) supply of, putting the firefighters there at extreme risk at every fire. Thanks to "Donate Mexicali" A large amount of gear was donated to the Fire Department. Having old (but still passable in terms of safety standards) may not sound like much if your a large department with the ability to keep your equipment in good working order and replace as needed. But when you have nothing --- Even the older stuff can be a godsend. According to David Furtado (of thebattalion.tv - @the_battalion on twitter / TheBattalionSeries on FB) "Donate Mexicali was a huge success"

Read more about how the project went at Donate Mexicali

But it doesn't end here.... There are many departments around the world that are doing a dangerous job and trying to save lives and property without the benefit of proper equipment (sometimes none at all). Let's continue to help out these departments as they help their communities. Please, share this (tweet it, Facebook post it, Press it, Blog it, eMail it.... However you want to get it out) and let's continue to help these departments that give so much with so little. And while your at it make sure to bookmark thebattalion.tv and stay tuned for their upcoming new series of webisodes starting in December.

Stupid Shit #8... Make sure to remove hot pads from the oven

As you can see, I renamed the category this kind of stuff is in to "Stupid Shit - Not To Do" I probably should have posted this last night as that's when it happened, but I got a little distracted and involved in other things.... Truth of the matter is I just never got around to it... So what's this "Stupid Shit" I'm referring too?..... Yesterday evening I was busy cooking dinner.... Steak, Potatoes, Green Beans I had just checked on the food and had closed everything up and walked away to deal with other things while dinner finished cooking. Much to my surprise Smoke started pouring from stove. My instant thought was that something was too close to the side wall of the oven or had fallen down unto the elements at the buttom... Opening the door I saw flames (just small ones so don't worry)... This is what the culprit was:

Apparently I had, inadvertently, dropped the hot pad into the oven without realizing it - Could have sworn that I had placed thing next to the stove. Pretty stupid huh?? Well atleast it was only a small fire and dinner didn't get ruined. Moral: ALWAYS make sure that hot-pads (and any other cloth like, flammable, material is removed from a hot oven before closing the oven door. If not you might end up with this.

A Silly Rhyme

"What to do What to do?  At least I don't have the flu"
She said,  on a whim to her husband Jim
As she clothes to wear she sought though there was not

#WordoftheDay Weekly Story - Week Three - Warehouse Arson

Sandra  Looked around at the <strong>bedlam</strong> at the scene.  Another fire had ripped through one of the local warehouses, this time  during business hours, leaving it in ruins.  In fact, there had been a <strong>disproportionate</strong> number of warehouse fires in the city lately.  This had made the third in as many months.  The good news, with this particular fire, was that there had not been any fatalities.  Most of the workers had been on their lunch break.  Only a few people had been in the building when blaze erupted and, most all had gotten out with out any major injuries.   The bad part was that people were already milling around trying to <strong>maraud</strong> what was left. If order wasn't maintained valuable evidence as to the origination of the fire could very well be lost.

As an investigator, Sandra's job was to determine the cause of the fire  and whether it was accidental or arson.  Looking through the pile of rubble, Sandra tried to find something, anything, that would give her a clue as to how this fire had started but it all seemed <strong>nugatory</strong>.  The fire had been so  intense that any evidence that might have been left behind had, most likely, been burned away.  Painstakingly she continued to sift through piles of ash &amp; soot.  After hours of searching she found the remains of carelessly thrown cigarette into a waste bin.  The cigarette could explain the fire, but Sandra wasn't convinced that a lit cigarette was the culprit.  After all, how could a single cigarette cause such a devastating fire?  There had to be something more something she wasn't seeing.

The warehouse had been well known for storing some original, and very valuable, art work.  There had been rumors that some counterfeits were being sold in the black market.  Sting operations had shut down much of the counterfeit operations, but still a couple remained. One of the biggest, and most well known, counterfeit organizations was still in operation.  Police were having difficulty in shutting down this particular organization, but they were having some luck tightening the noose, so to speak, and because of the other sting operations there was beginning to be a <strong>disparity</strong> between the supply of counterfeit product and those interested in dealing in counterfeit sales.

The argument that the fire could have been deliberately set by one of the members of the organization to to remove the originals from the picture was <strong>cogent</strong>.  The difficulty now was in finding the evidence to prove that the fire wasn't accidental but rather arson.

#VeteransDay Blog Hop Photo Prompt Reveal - Angel Kisses

"Daddy your looking awfully peaked." Little Angelica said to her father, Lt. Jack Ramone, her little face wrinkling with obvious concern as they made their way down the hospital corridor. "You need to go back to your bed and rest." Angelica insisted. For only being four years old, Angelica was extremely bright and perceptive.

"Peaked? Where did you learn such a big word?" Jack asked. For a four year old, Angelica was extremely bright "My Aunt Cindy." Angelica replied. "She was always saying that I looked 'peaked', so I asked her what it meant and she told me it means that I look sickly and tired" "But I don't look like that anymore, do I Daddy" "No Sweetheart, you don't" Jack was thankful that his sister had agreed to take Angelica after his wife Bethany (Angelica's mother) had died in a terrible car accident just before he had called up for active duty. Jack and Bethany had made the mutual decision that if anything was to ever happen to Bethany and Jack found himself unable to care for Angelica that guardianship would be given to his sister Cindy. Cindy and Bethany had gotten on well together right from the start and had formed a strong bond. Being out in the country with her cousins and the livestock had done Angelica a world of good. Each time Jack had seen Angelica via an online link, each time Cindy sent a new picture he could see that she was looking healthier and healthier. His plan, after finishing his call of duty, was to get a place in the country - Maybe even on the river so he could use hydroelectric electricity. His job in the military had been in finding and harnessing various forms of energy and he had had no doubt that he could use that knowledge in his own place. That is he hadn't had any doubt before a terrible accident had left him badly injured with the possibility that he might not work again. The accident had taken place at a geothermal plant where Jack had been stationed. Everything had happened so fast that he'd barely had time to comprehend what was going on as the proverbial 'shit hit the fan' Without thinking Jack had immediately acted to ensure the safety of the others in his group making sure that everyone had gotten out safely. He was just moments away from safety himself when an explosion had ripped through the building. Something had fallen hitting him across his lower back. The last thing that Jack remembered was one of the other guys pulling him to safety. Doctors hadn't given Jack much hope that he'd ever walk again. He didn't know how he was ever going to be a father to little Angelica. The dream of having a place of their own in the country now seemed an impossibility.... "Come on Daddy," Angelica said, interrupting Jack's thoughts, "I'll help you" "Allright sweetie" Jack responded, we'll head back Angelica helped her father push his wheelchair back to his room, her red tap dance shoes clinking on the linoleum as the fairy wings of her favorite costume flapped behind her. "You know your my little angel girl, don't you?" Jack said as they rolled into his room. "Yes Daddy" Angelica responded as she climbed into his lap for his kiss.

Random Topic Writing Challenge – Trains

I absolutely can’t believe it’s been 4 days since I wrote a Random Topic Writing Challenge Blog… It just doesn’t seem possible. I do have at least somewhat of an excuse for a couple of those days….. On Saturday I attended 2 separate events and wrote a blog on them that took me into late [...]



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