Thanksgiving day at the fire station can be hit or miss. I've managed to work 3 of the last 4 Thanksgivings. It's all about getting everything cooked before the tones go off. My first Thanksgiving with ACFR, we spent the entire day cooking and prepping, family members came to the station to eat with us. We all gathered around the table, someone blessed the food and no sooner than we said "Amen." the freaking pager goes off. So, we pretty much got to eat our dinner as leftovers. It sucked.
This year, we were more fortunate. We only had to run one call and there was nothing to it. Dinner was delicious, but it's just not the same when it's not your family. The lieutenant had his parents, sister and her husband, his wife and his two sons. The driver had his wife and baby, so that left me and AJ (the other firefighter) flying solo.
Dinner was good, we had fried turkey, roasted potatoes, broccoli casserole, yummy mac and cheese, parkerhouse rolls, stuffing, candied yams (yuk!) and more dessert than you could shake a stick at.
I think it's funny that people are so stuck on eating the same thing for Thanksgiving dinner. I really like finding non-traditional food for Thanksgiving dinner. Since Billy and I both had to work on Thanksgiving, we decided that we would have our own little dinner on Friday. Our first Thanksgiving as a married couple. I roasted to Cornish game hens, with orange balsamic glaze, we made roasted red potatoes, stuffing (OK, some traditional food is necessary) Broccoli with cheese sauce and crescent rolls. It was so yummy and nice for just the two of us.
I have eaten so much in the last three days though, that I think I need to fast for the next week, just to even out. :)
I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving! Gobble, Gobble!!
11/29/2008
11/17/2008
Where does all the time go?
I've found myself in a predicament of never having enough time to do everything I want to or need to do.
Example, I wake up, eat breakfast, then remember that I have errands to run. Get in the car, run errands, come home. Sound simple so far, right? Well, then I look and see the dishwasher needs to be unloaded. I start unloading and then see there are dishes that need to be reloaded. I rinse the dishes, but as I'm doing that, I think, "Oh, there are some tupperware in the fridge that need to be emptied and put in the dishwasher." I go to the fridge open it up and realize that the milk needs to be dumped out because it expired a week ago. I dump the milk out and go to put it in the recycle bin, but the recycle bin is too full, so now I need to bag it up. I get a garbage bag and put the recyclables in it and take it outside. When I get outside I see that there is something that needs to be put back in the shed, I come back inside to get the key to the shed, but there is some papers on the counter below where we hang the keys. I need to put them in the office. I go into the office and file the papers, but see that there is some stuff that needs to be shredded too, so I shred the papers, and now the bin is full and needs to be emptied. I come back into the kitchen to get a garbage back to empty the shredder into, and see that the dishwasher is sitting open and the dishes are still in the sink. Crap! I should mention that this an hour, sometimes more, has elapsed since I decided that I needed to unload the dishwasher. Now, I have gotten nothing done, I'm exhausted and it's time to go to bed. And that is pretty much how a normal day for me goes.
I've tried making lists. Doesn't work out so well for me. I've tried ignoring the chores that need to be done. I can't do that either. So aside from moving away from the mess and starting over, which I know won't work either, because I will just find some other tasks that need to be completed there and end up in the same predicament, I have no clue what to do.
OK, thanks, just wanted to vent that there. Oh wait, the cushions on the couch need to be straightened.
Example, I wake up, eat breakfast, then remember that I have errands to run. Get in the car, run errands, come home. Sound simple so far, right? Well, then I look and see the dishwasher needs to be unloaded. I start unloading and then see there are dishes that need to be reloaded. I rinse the dishes, but as I'm doing that, I think, "Oh, there are some tupperware in the fridge that need to be emptied and put in the dishwasher." I go to the fridge open it up and realize that the milk needs to be dumped out because it expired a week ago. I dump the milk out and go to put it in the recycle bin, but the recycle bin is too full, so now I need to bag it up. I get a garbage bag and put the recyclables in it and take it outside. When I get outside I see that there is something that needs to be put back in the shed, I come back inside to get the key to the shed, but there is some papers on the counter below where we hang the keys. I need to put them in the office. I go into the office and file the papers, but see that there is some stuff that needs to be shredded too, so I shred the papers, and now the bin is full and needs to be emptied. I come back into the kitchen to get a garbage back to empty the shredder into, and see that the dishwasher is sitting open and the dishes are still in the sink. Crap! I should mention that this an hour, sometimes more, has elapsed since I decided that I needed to unload the dishwasher. Now, I have gotten nothing done, I'm exhausted and it's time to go to bed. And that is pretty much how a normal day for me goes.
I've tried making lists. Doesn't work out so well for me. I've tried ignoring the chores that need to be done. I can't do that either. So aside from moving away from the mess and starting over, which I know won't work either, because I will just find some other tasks that need to be completed there and end up in the same predicament, I have no clue what to do.
OK, thanks, just wanted to vent that there. Oh wait, the cushions on the couch need to be straightened.
11/15/2008
Some pics from the shower.
I know this is a little late (two weeks!), but I wanted to share some pictures from the shower.
Here are some of the people who made it. That's Gabby grinning for the camera, Amanda sending a text, Kristi and Kayla next to her. Mrs. Griffin and my cousin are chatting in the back.
Liz had this box set up and passed out sheets of paper to everyone. They had to write down words of wisdom and advice for how to keep your marriage alive and happy. Some of the responses were sweet, some serious, and a few were funny! It was a great idea and everyone had a good laugh.
Emiliano's was a fantastic (that's my new word) place for a shower. They set us up with this HUGE table and we decorated it with wedding bells and wedding confetti. Liz finished the table off with some red rose petals that matched the napkins perfectly. The appetizers were chips and salsa and hummus with pita chips. YUM!
Here are some of the people who made it. That's Gabby grinning for the camera, Amanda sending a text, Kristi and Kayla next to her. Mrs. Griffin and my cousin are chatting in the back.
Liz had this box set up and passed out sheets of paper to everyone. They had to write down words of wisdom and advice for how to keep your marriage alive and happy. Some of the responses were sweet, some serious, and a few were funny! It was a great idea and everyone had a good laugh.
Emiliano's was a fantastic (that's my new word) place for a shower. They set us up with this HUGE table and we decorated it with wedding bells and wedding confetti. Liz finished the table off with some red rose petals that matched the napkins perfectly. The appetizers were chips and salsa and hummus with pita chips. YUM!
This is my favorite picture from the shower. This is me with my friend Paula. She is a Driver/Operator with the city and absolutely the coolest
chick I know. However, I have NEVER seen her in a skirt. Usually, we see eachother and it's navy slacks and navy t-shirt. She looked absoutely stunning and it was very sweet of her to come all the way from Orlando to join me in my celebration. (We look HOT!)
11/13/2008
Promotions and Testing
I should mention that our department has been testing for the Rescue Lieutenant position. For those who aren't familiar. The person who is in charge on the ambulance and ultimately in charge of all patient care is the Rescue Lt. For me, this would be a promotion with a HUGE raise, like a $10,000 raise. (Yes, that is ten thousand dollars)
Since, I was unsuccessful in passing the driver/operator test, and this was the next test that I was eligible for, naturally, I would test for it. Do I really want to be a Rescue Lt? Well, the money would be great, but there is a TON of responsibility and paperwork, and I'm not quite sure that I am ready for that.
So, three steps in the testing process. Step one - written exam. This consisted of 125 question multiple choice, 15 EKG strip recognition, and 20 question drug exam. An 80% is required on each section to pass, and you have to pass all three sections. So, three days after my marathon, I sit for the written exam. I got an 85% on the multiple choice, 100% on the strip recognition, and 80% on the drugs. (I really need to review my drugs!) Pretty good job, for not even reviewing any of the material.
Step two - practical exam. Again three sections; Medical scenario, trauma scenario, and pediatric scenario. Now, this is where I started to stress. Scenarios are killer - no pun intended. I went into the medical scenario which turned out to be a cardiac arrest. Not so bad, except I'm not allowed to touch the patient. I have to direct my two paramedics and one EMT to do everything. And I mean everything! Pretty difficult when you are used to doing stuff for yourself in paramedic school. I felt medium confident that I managed the scene well and my patient survived.
Moving on to the pediatric scenario-my patient was an 18 month old who had a seizure. I should mention that children scare the H-E-double hockey sticks out of me. I put her on some Oxygen, started an IV, and gave her some sugar. She starts seizing! Here is where I am grateful that I reviewed my drugs, I had to give her some Versed, an anti-seizure medication. Pediatric doses are a bitch to remember, because they are all weight-based, not like adults where you can give 1mg or 1g and be done. Push the Versed and she stops seizing. Whew, that was a close one!
Last scenario was a trauma; Motor vehicle crash with two patients. Patient one - hole in his head, brains showing, agonal respirations; he gets a black tag. Take out the phone book and scratch his name out. Patient two -he was messed up. He had abrasions on his face, a sucking chest wound, open fracture to the left arm and an amputated left foot. I managed well with only one other person to help me. We dressed the sucking chest wound, bagged his foot, put a tourniquet on his stump, backboarded him and tried to get the hell out of there. Then he starts acting agitated and his vitals start going to crap, so I listen to lung sounds and he needs to have his chest decompressed. This means, big needle into the chest cavity to release trapped air in the pleural space. I find the second intercostal space, drop the needle in and get the rush of air I am looking for. His vitals come back to normal-ish and the scenario is over.
Whew! My pits were sweating like a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. The final thing was I had to write a report for the cardiac arrest scenario and then I was free to leave. Free to spend the rest of the day wondering if I passed and second guessing myself is more like it.
So, fast forward to this afternoon. I get the phone call that I have been waiting for. The chief calls me and says, "Bad news. You didn't pass." It turns out I missed a critical point on the pediatric scenario. As I mentioned earlier, children scare the hell out of me, so I'm not surprised that this is the one that I missed on. Chief did mention that he was proud of me for testing.
I'm happy it's over, and I know there will be more chances to test in the future. I'm happy being a firefighter/paramedic. PS - I'm the only FF/PM female in our department. The other girls are Rescue Lts or Drivers. We do have one other female FF, but she's still an EMT.
I enjoy my job. Each testing gives me more experience and lets me see where I am strong and where I am weak.
Since, I was unsuccessful in passing the driver/operator test, and this was the next test that I was eligible for, naturally, I would test for it. Do I really want to be a Rescue Lt? Well, the money would be great, but there is a TON of responsibility and paperwork, and I'm not quite sure that I am ready for that.
So, three steps in the testing process. Step one - written exam. This consisted of 125 question multiple choice, 15 EKG strip recognition, and 20 question drug exam. An 80% is required on each section to pass, and you have to pass all three sections. So, three days after my marathon, I sit for the written exam. I got an 85% on the multiple choice, 100% on the strip recognition, and 80% on the drugs. (I really need to review my drugs!) Pretty good job, for not even reviewing any of the material.
Step two - practical exam. Again three sections; Medical scenario, trauma scenario, and pediatric scenario. Now, this is where I started to stress. Scenarios are killer - no pun intended. I went into the medical scenario which turned out to be a cardiac arrest. Not so bad, except I'm not allowed to touch the patient. I have to direct my two paramedics and one EMT to do everything. And I mean everything! Pretty difficult when you are used to doing stuff for yourself in paramedic school. I felt medium confident that I managed the scene well and my patient survived.
Moving on to the pediatric scenario-my patient was an 18 month old who had a seizure. I should mention that children scare the H-E-double hockey sticks out of me. I put her on some Oxygen, started an IV, and gave her some sugar. She starts seizing! Here is where I am grateful that I reviewed my drugs, I had to give her some Versed, an anti-seizure medication. Pediatric doses are a bitch to remember, because they are all weight-based, not like adults where you can give 1mg or 1g and be done. Push the Versed and she stops seizing. Whew, that was a close one!
Last scenario was a trauma; Motor vehicle crash with two patients. Patient one - hole in his head, brains showing, agonal respirations; he gets a black tag. Take out the phone book and scratch his name out. Patient two -he was messed up. He had abrasions on his face, a sucking chest wound, open fracture to the left arm and an amputated left foot. I managed well with only one other person to help me. We dressed the sucking chest wound, bagged his foot, put a tourniquet on his stump, backboarded him and tried to get the hell out of there. Then he starts acting agitated and his vitals start going to crap, so I listen to lung sounds and he needs to have his chest decompressed. This means, big needle into the chest cavity to release trapped air in the pleural space. I find the second intercostal space, drop the needle in and get the rush of air I am looking for. His vitals come back to normal-ish and the scenario is over.
Whew! My pits were sweating like a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. The final thing was I had to write a report for the cardiac arrest scenario and then I was free to leave. Free to spend the rest of the day wondering if I passed and second guessing myself is more like it.
So, fast forward to this afternoon. I get the phone call that I have been waiting for. The chief calls me and says, "Bad news. You didn't pass." It turns out I missed a critical point on the pediatric scenario. As I mentioned earlier, children scare the hell out of me, so I'm not surprised that this is the one that I missed on. Chief did mention that he was proud of me for testing.
I'm happy it's over, and I know there will be more chances to test in the future. I'm happy being a firefighter/paramedic. PS - I'm the only FF/PM female in our department. The other girls are Rescue Lts or Drivers. We do have one other female FF, but she's still an EMT.
I enjoy my job. Each testing gives me more experience and lets me see where I am strong and where I am weak.
I hope pregnancy isn't contaigious!
Finally, I've been having issues with this site and unable to post.
That being said, Saturday I went to a baby shower. It was for a girl whose husband works with Billy. Apparently, when you get married, you get invited to baby showers and such. I think it's a ploy to get you to become one of them - the pregnant woman.
I show up and really the only person I knew was the expectant mother. Oh wait, did I mention that 3 of the 4 other guests were also pregnant? Yes, it seems that pregnant women stick together and they were trying to suck me into their baby world!
There was one other girl there when I arrived, but she was sitting on the couch and I couldn't really tell that she was prego. Then a second girl arrived and after a minute or two, I figured out that she was also "with child" So, we are all sitting there and girl #1 mentions her shower that was held recently and that is when it dawns on me that she is pregnant as well. The last girl shows up and, yeah, you guessed it! PREGGERS!! I felt like a cat that stumbled into a dog pound. I was seriously out of place.
Did you know that pregnant women have their own language? They ooh and ahh at onesies and binkies. They talk about cocoa butter and sonograms. They praise the man who invented the epidural. If anything being invited to that party, sealed the deal that I NEVER want to have children. Not never, like I never want to get married, but then did anyway. Never as in, no way in hell, forget it Jack!! They don't make bunker gear in maternity sizes. I have no time for it, much less do I want to put my body through that pain and misery. So much do we not want to have children that my husband, dear sweet man, went to the doctor and got the "snip-snip" and I am on birth control.
God bless the women who have babies, but honey, it ain't for me!!
That being said, Saturday I went to a baby shower. It was for a girl whose husband works with Billy. Apparently, when you get married, you get invited to baby showers and such. I think it's a ploy to get you to become one of them - the pregnant woman.
I show up and really the only person I knew was the expectant mother. Oh wait, did I mention that 3 of the 4 other guests were also pregnant? Yes, it seems that pregnant women stick together and they were trying to suck me into their baby world!
There was one other girl there when I arrived, but she was sitting on the couch and I couldn't really tell that she was prego. Then a second girl arrived and after a minute or two, I figured out that she was also "with child" So, we are all sitting there and girl #1 mentions her shower that was held recently and that is when it dawns on me that she is pregnant as well. The last girl shows up and, yeah, you guessed it! PREGGERS!! I felt like a cat that stumbled into a dog pound. I was seriously out of place.
Did you know that pregnant women have their own language? They ooh and ahh at onesies and binkies. They talk about cocoa butter and sonograms. They praise the man who invented the epidural. If anything being invited to that party, sealed the deal that I NEVER want to have children. Not never, like I never want to get married, but then did anyway. Never as in, no way in hell, forget it Jack!! They don't make bunker gear in maternity sizes. I have no time for it, much less do I want to put my body through that pain and misery. So much do we not want to have children that my husband, dear sweet man, went to the doctor and got the "snip-snip" and I am on birth control.
God bless the women who have babies, but honey, it ain't for me!!
11/04/2008
Newest Addition to our Family
It's a Girl!!
Introducing - Pumpkin Patten
She (we think, she's a girl) is the cutest little thing ever! My friend Liz's daughter, Kayla, found her in a box on the side of the road in her neighborhood Halloween night. Since she is orange and found on Halloween, she get's the name Pumpkin.
Liz told me about her and when I stopped by her house to see the kittie, I couldn't believe how friendly she was. She climbed right up on my lap and started purring. I thought, "She knows her mommy."
Bringing her home to meet the boys, was a bit of a different story. Chip was not happy with this little stranger. He avoided her, but since she is so curious and friendly she wanted to play. I was shocked that Chip didn't like her. He hissed and ran and hid under the bed. It was kind of funny because he is about 3 times her size.
I gave Chip about 3 days to warm up to her. Pumpkin made herself right at home. She sprawled out on the kitchen floor, almost daring those boys to come mess with her. That first night, she climbed up in the bed with us and snuggled up next to me. Chip was pretty pissed as that is his spot.
Yesterday, when I was getting ready for work, they were chasing eachother all over the house. It was so cute, I guess Chip likes her. The two of them playing together is a sight to see! Especially when she chases him into the bedroom. She's so tiny!
So the Kat Woman - The Crazy Cat Lady strikes again.
*sigh* I need a bigger house!
Introducing - Pumpkin Patten
She (we think, she's a girl) is the cutest little thing ever! My friend Liz's daughter, Kayla, found her in a box on the side of the road in her neighborhood Halloween night. Since she is orange and found on Halloween, she get's the name Pumpkin.
Liz told me about her and when I stopped by her house to see the kittie, I couldn't believe how friendly she was. She climbed right up on my lap and started purring. I thought, "She knows her mommy."
Bringing her home to meet the boys, was a bit of a different story. Chip was not happy with this little stranger. He avoided her, but since she is so curious and friendly she wanted to play. I was shocked that Chip didn't like her. He hissed and ran and hid under the bed. It was kind of funny because he is about 3 times her size.
I gave Chip about 3 days to warm up to her. Pumpkin made herself right at home. She sprawled out on the kitchen floor, almost daring those boys to come mess with her. That first night, she climbed up in the bed with us and snuggled up next to me. Chip was pretty pissed as that is his spot.
Yesterday, when I was getting ready for work, they were chasing eachother all over the house. It was so cute, I guess Chip likes her. The two of them playing together is a sight to see! Especially when she chases him into the bedroom. She's so tiny!
So the Kat Woman - The Crazy Cat Lady strikes again.
*sigh* I need a bigger house!
11/01/2008
I had a shower and I didn't even have to get wet!
Today was my bridal shower. About 20 of my girlfriends and family members had lunch at Emiliano's in downtown Gainesville. It was so much fun! Liz and I arrived early and decorated the tables. As everyone trickled in, it was fun introducing everyone to each other. A few of the girls that I work with came, my english teacher from high school, my friend Amy and her mom, who also does my hair. My sister and her friend Stacey, and my cousin, Michelle and my Aunts Eileen and Cathy. The Amandas and the Kristis were out in force. Sangria and chips and salsa held us over until we ordered lunch.
One of the fun things that we did was everyone was given a sheet of paper and they had to write advice for the newleyweds. Some were funny, some were sweet, but every one of them was very good advice. Even Kayla, Liz's daughter had some good advice, and she's only 11!
It made me feel special to have so many friends there to celebrate with. Liz did an awesome job putting everything together. I loved seeing family members that I haven't seen in a while. It was so nice to have everyone chatting and meeting eachother. I had such a great time! Hopefully, I will get some of the pictures that people took, so I can post them for all to see.
I am exhausted, but happy!
Love and kisses,
Kristina
One of the fun things that we did was everyone was given a sheet of paper and they had to write advice for the newleyweds. Some were funny, some were sweet, but every one of them was very good advice. Even Kayla, Liz's daughter had some good advice, and she's only 11!
It made me feel special to have so many friends there to celebrate with. Liz did an awesome job putting everything together. I loved seeing family members that I haven't seen in a while. It was so nice to have everyone chatting and meeting eachother. I had such a great time! Hopefully, I will get some of the pictures that people took, so I can post them for all to see.
I am exhausted, but happy!
Love and kisses,
Kristina
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