Somewhere Over the Rainbow...

rainbow noun, an arc-shaped spectrum of colors seen in the sky, caused by sunlight refracted by raindrops

Father's Day...

We spent Father's Day here...

doing this...

If the trees die, it was Lisa's idea...

tree noun, a large plant with a trunk, branches, and leaves

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day!!
We love you!!

father noun, the male parent

Just another day at the office...

This is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

Chief Earl,

After our multi co evolution this morning we went back to the station and did a couple more evolutions to help prepare C. for tomorrow's promotional. After our first evolution, which involved master streams and hand lines, we had PD show up (about 13:30). Dispatch had gotten a call that there was a main water line rupture with a two story geyser.

Captain S.

N2O

Jason had to go to the dentist today to have a root canal and before he left he asked me what the gas (nitrous oxide) is like. I got a tingly feeling and started breathing deeply just talking about it!! I told him it was the BEST and that he must must must request it! He said he would give it a try. So I waited on the edge of my seat until he returned home...I couldn't even clean or cook or anything because I was so excited to hear about his "first time". When he walked in the door he had a strange look on his face, a mix of confusion and "I think I am going to vomit, please get me a bucket". The first words out of his mouth "you like that stuff, seriously??!!". He said he tried it and after only 2 little minutes he told them to turn it off and never ever ever give it to him again. I am starting to wonder if there may be something wrong with him...how could you not love the gas!!

dental adjective, referring to teeth or dentistry

Sunday's Serenity

Today I bent the truth to be kind, and I have no regret, for I am far surer of what is kind than I am of what is true. ~Robert Brault

kind adjective, 1) nice, good, helpful, willing to please, noun 2) a sort or particular one

Sunday's Serenity

"If you want to make peace, you don't talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies."
Mother Teresa

peace noun, 1) a period of harmony among nations when there is no war 2) a calm ordered condition

Saturday Flair!!

spring noun, 1) a river or pond coming up from the ground 2) a piece of wire twisted into a spiral 3) the season following winter, when plants begin to grow, verb, 4) to jump 5) to come from 6) to grow

Friday Foto Flashback...

The Meadow House

This is the house my Grandma grew up in.
In this picture there are 4 generations of Robinson girls....
Grammy Blanche, my mom Melodie, my sister Lisa, me, and Hannah.

generation noun, 1) the average time interval between the birth of parents and the birth of their offspring

In fourteen hundred ninety two....

Columbus sailed the ocean blue.

or was it...

In fourteen hundred ninety three
Columbus sailed the deep blue sea.

Ethan...aka Columbus...at the "Wax Museum"

Another 3rd grade book report behind us!!!!

museum noun, a building that exhibits a collection of things of interest

One of these things...

When I saw this photo I thought of the Sesame Street song...

One of these things is not like the others,
One of these things just doesn't belong,
Can you tell which thing is not like the others
By the time I finish my song?

Did you guess which thing was not like the others?
Did you guess which thing just doesn't belong?
If you guessed this one is not like the others,
Then you're absolutely...right!

On occasion the folks at Sesame Street would shake things up
and use a different version of the song.

There was this version...

Three of these things belong together
Three of these things are kind of the same
Can you guess which one of these doesn't belong here?
Now it's time to play our game (time to play our game).

but I think my favorite and the most appropriate version for this picture is...

Three of these kids belong together
Three of these kids are kind of the same
But one of these kids is doing his own thing
Now it's time to play our game
It's time to play our game.

different adjective, 1) not alike 2) not the same as the rest, strange 3) separate

Saturday Flair!!

quote verb, to say or write something that has been said before by another person

ehn oh...spells NO!!

I have always had a hard time telling people no. My life is insanely busy based on my inability to utter a word formed by two simple letters. When Jason and I were first married I really had a hard time when it came to saying the above mentioned word. I was always taking on crazy projects, helping wherever needed, and donating Jason when someone needed him. With Jason's crazy schedule and me working full time and having 2 small children our time together was rather limited. Jason found what he thought was a way to help me...he wrote NO on a piece of paper and taped it on the inside of the cupboard door by the phone. When the phone would ring, Jason would open the cupboard and point at the sign. I would always end up saying "yes" and Jason would walk away shaking his head, muttering something about hooked on phonics... I just really enjoy helping others and being needed is always a great boost to the ego and a I forget my own problems when I am busy. I am not neglecting my "stuff" when I tell others yes, I am just adding on to my list of things that need to be done. I do decline my assistance if I really really really can't do what you need but oh it aches to my very core to do so and I try to avoid using the actual "word". So I ask you, at what point can/do you just say no...besides the whole drugs, alcohol, and smoking scene? And does it ever get easier??

Until the day comes that I can say "no" with ease, this is what you will hear from me...

"My life cannot implement in action the demands of all the people to whom my heart responds"
--Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Much better/easier...don't you think??!!

no adjective 1) not any, adverb, 2) a word we use to answer a question, or indicate disagreement

Just say no to drugs!

drug noun, 1) a substance that changes the body's chemistry, medicine 2) a narcotic

Just another day at the office...

The following is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth...names have been changed.

Chief,
Today, at BC 35 request, station 3 units responded to an "iguana in a tree call". On our arrival, no kidding, there was an iguana in a tree. He was about 30' up. This call was at our city park on 100 N.

The owner of the iguana had been on his way to the pet store to purchase a leash for his pet lizard. On the way he stopped for little free time at the park. As soon as the lizard got the chance he (or she, I can't tell) ran up a tree. The owner had tried to shake the little reptile out of the tree prior to our arrival. No luck.

Of course for this rescue we would in no way put ourselves in danger.

Our first plan of action was to ladder the tree. Although we knew we could not reach the Iguana we hoped to obtain a more advantageous position for shaking the tree. Not familiar with iguana rescue tactics we thought we would try shaking first. FF "Smith" shook many leaves from the tree. This caused the iguana to climb higher into the tree.

The owner of the ophidian suggested that we pull out our chainsaw and cut off the branch that the little guy was on. Now this is a big beautiful tree and cutting this single branch would have put 20% of the tree on the ground and caused much grief to the residents that frequent the park. We did not pull out the chainsaw.

At our wits end, and with agreement from the owner, we pulled out a handline. At this point the reptant was at the very top of the tree. A straight stream with the engine at idle only was not enough to dislodge the Chameleon (who apparently becomes darker as the weather gets colder). About 120 psi and several direct hits (the marksmanship of Swat "Jones" was amazing) finally caused the iguana to fall to the ground.

Once we realized that he did not splatter, and before we could pat ourselves on the back, we found ourselves in a foot race with the little serpentiform. This guy was up on his two hind legs running a 50 yard dash. He beat us to the next tree!!! Luckily his owner was able to knock him off the trunk of the tree before he climbed out of reach.

There we were again, trying to outrun a lizard. This time he was caught. He did not appear to be hurt. Back to the car then off to the store to buy a leash.

The owner thanked us several times for hitting his iguana with a straight stream! "Anytime", what else is there to say?

Not only did we save the little dinosaur from freezing tonight, but apparently the pressure from the nozzle helped him with his skin condition. Yes our little guy would have normally been a $120 iguana, but do to a fungus he was purchased for a mere $20. Now with much of his fungus gone he is worth more. So there should be a dollar gain on the fire report.

Captain "Brown"

lizard noun, a cold blooded reptile with four short legs and a scaly body

All in a day's work...

Jen's day...

Jason's day...

work noun, 1) a job, a form of labor, a duty 2) a deed, an accomplishment, verb, 3) to do a job, to labor, to perform a duty

Monday Memories...on Saturday!!

This memory was brought back when I saw Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" on one of my friends blog playlists...I wasn't going to mention names but the memory is so joyful (said with much sarcasm) I must thank her. So to Talya, I send muchas gracias'!!
You are all aware of the non-cooperative body I received to dwell in while on this mortal journey. Six weeks after having Brian I had to have surgery. I have been incredibly blessed with the support of fantastic doctors over my lifetime and I really believe that has made a lot of what I have gone through much more bearable. Well on this particular occasion the head of anesthesia at a major hospital in our area, who is also a family friend of ours, happened to be my anesthesiologist. I was pretty nervous about this procedure, especially now that I had a child to worry about and bless everyone that day who tried to calm my nerves....everyone except this particular anesthesiologist. As they were taking me into the OR he met us out in the hall and said "don't you worry Jen, this is going to be more of a party than anything...we have music, awesome hats (he had on a crazy psychedelic scrub hat), and lots of people to party with". Then as they wheeled my bed through the OR doors I was greeted with Johnny Cash singing Ring of Fire rather loudly. As my friend began the process of knocking me out he too was singing along. The last thing I remember before I went unconscious is Dave's face 12 inches above mine belting out "oh oh oh Ring of Fire". Years later he was again my anesthesiologist for another surgery and I told him if he played Ring of Fire I was leaving...he grinned, knocked me out, and I am positive I heard Johnny Cash crooning away while I slumbered through surgery.