OVER-RATED…K, it was beautiful and we LOVED our hotel. The Georgian (will get link up I promise) but the city is way over priced and touristy. I’m so happy we are down at my Aunt’s in Redondo Beach now. Of course it may have to do with the extra company we’ve missed. It’s incredible to have my Aunt and her husband be such great friends with hubby as well. I’m not used to that with my family. lol

We are excited to cook them a big BBQ tomorrow since we’re sure they won’t let us pay for anything as normal. We’ve had a great time by ourselves and done off-the-wall things like riding LA bus system anywhere we wanted to go and actually taking a cab. lol Yeah, things you’d expect people our age to have done by now consideriing where we come from. ROFL

Rescue Tees is my absolute favorite site to order for hubby from. In fact I went over there today and hadn’t been in a few months as I’m trying to watch my spending. Went there of course so I could make this post and now I’ll be buying him some new one’s.

He has a few old one’s I need to toss out, so it’s a good excuse to go shopping!

Rescue Tees has very fast shipping and everything comes in a ton of sizes. I know the sweatshirt hubby bought me from here is never going to wear out. It’s really good quality and the prices are very affordable for such custom designs.

I wish they had an affiliate program for promoting them.

Hubby started off this set with an OT shift. Ok, here’s how long it’s been. He’s not done with the set and for some reason I thought tonight was his last day of the set. Then I started counting days and realized it’s only been 3 days of work and if he took a day of OT, then it couldn’t possibly be done yet. He must have been totally confused when I said to buck up on the long calls today since it’s the last day of the set before vacation. lol

He didn’t get much sleep the first two days he worked in a row and one night was partly his fault. He stayed up watching a movie with the guys and didn’t know it was so late. lol But then the next night was just busy. He came home yesterday and was sick. So it feels like he’s been gone a lot longer because he was sleeping most of yesterday.

We are so excited to get away alone for vacation and this must be the biggest problem. I’m still trying to focus on work and get things in order before leaving. But truly I’m not really caring how many loose ends are left behind when we go. Nothing important is left behind undone. Hubby and I getting away alone is the most important thing. Getting away from our friends for a while that we always invite to go out when we do, getting away from having any schedule to follow, getting away from having to get up and feed the kids or the dogs. No responsibilities at all.

I know this blog is fairly new so there hasn’t been a chance to get to know much about me and how embedded I am in the services now. My good friend is a dispatcher. I have 2 very good friends that are police and they are in the fire service as well. Then I also have some others in my life through personal training that worry me as well because, of course, they are all swat. So they end up in extra situations that many don’t.

I try hard not to worry about everyone in my life in the police and fire, as it will do me no good. I know they are trained at the highest level, they look out for each other and above all, they are not stupid. But horrible people are out there and they are uncontrollable and unreasonable. My friend just told me on Friday about how a shooting went down 6 or 7 years ago with someone that I’m just starting to get to know. Thankfully they were in their swat gear still, but it was completely random and after they had their “guard” down and the event was supposed to be completed, suspect was in custody. The guy had just gotten out of jail and had a vendetta against them. It just brings back that horrible people are out there and we just never know. Thankfully no officers were killed in that event.

I weep for those of you grieving for your loved ones and send my most comforting thoughts to the entire area as you try to work through the loss. I can not even imagine the impact that losing 3 officers will have on this department. Especially veterans of so many years. My sincerest and deepest sympathies to the families of the officers. Extra hugs to your loved one’s. I know I will be sending some extra love to those in my life today in appreciation that they have made it safely through another day.

After chatting with some of the other wives at Fire Wives it has come to my attention how easy we do have it. I’m amazed to hear how many of them aren’t reimbursed for the meals they cook for everyone and get a “catch you later” response. Really? We don’t have that problem. If it is a next time, then it seriously is next time. Or when they cook, hubby won’t pay and they are even.

I know at first it did kind of bother me that we seemed to cook a lot. Not only do I work on what we are eating at home, but now I worry about what the other house has to eat as well. lol But now, I love it. They truly eat so much bad food if I don’t worry about it and make him plan ahead. This way I know that they are getting a healthier meal. Umm, control issues and my personal trainer issues coming out? YEP, SO WHAT?! lol

Our department is paid well. There is no excuse for anyone not coughing up the money immediately. If they didn’t bring their own food, then they KNOW they are chipping in for the meal. No excuse and it’s been learned that if they do use excuses they are full of crap and then no one floats them money anymore and they are on their own for meals. lol The scammers/cheap asses are found out quickly.

Now of course it could be our shift, I’m not sure about the others. But our shift all hangs out together a lot. I think there are 25 or 30 on our shift and I know we’ve hung out with most of them many times. So if I find out they aren’t holding up their end of the food bargain I call them out when I see them next. It’s one of the good things about growing up being one of the guys. I’m not afraid to harrass the heck out of you for being an idiot. Be it at the bar, the BBQ or at the station when I stop by. lol You won’t do it again after I get done putting you in your place in front of everyone.

Again, that’s only for those that deserve it and I have only had to do it a couple of times. That is what big sisters are for right?

IT’S MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY!

So many reasons why. I love the color green, been my favorite color forever. My family and another family used to get together every St. Patty’s day when I was growing up and try to make the whole meal green. As much as possible. OH MY, can you picture it? Do you want to picture it? LOL Some of the things we laughed over and ate were amazing. Great memories.

Hmm, another reason that’s even bigger? Oh, well, Momma here be a wee bit Irish. I’m full blown American Mutt, but the top notes are Irish and Native. lol I celebrate everything with a shot of whiskey. Life, death, weddings, waking up today. Everything goes more smoothly with a great shot of great whiskey. Or on some days with a great shot with great friends, of horrible whiskey. lol Whatever the case may be Is the Irish in me the reason I have the ability to hang with all the guys in our life? Maybe, have no idea if it has to do with how I’ve become the woman I am and how I can deal with everything all of them go through and help pull them out of any funks.

But the top reason I love St. Patty’s Day?

It’s the anniversary of hubby and my first date. 19 years ago we officially went out. I can still remember my best friends Mom saying we argued like an old married couple. The banter back and forth hasn’t changed much since that first date, we are still full of sarcasm and rib each other daily. lol

I’m Irish and proud. Toast to ye whether ye be Irish or nah God knows I will have a toast to every one of you tomorrow.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all my brothers and sisters out there!

A special kind of woman; a cut above the rest, that’s A FIREFIGHTER’S WIFE, rating her among the best.

How many good byes are shouted, without a fond embrace, as duty steals her man, for the danger he must face.

How many meals are ruined… or tender moments disturbed, by the wail of a distant signal, sparking loyalty answered.

It’s a devil of a job, for an angel like this, who… for the love of her man, must forsake that kiss.

She can run a garden tractor; even paint a room in need, how she can stretch a dollar is a miracle indeed.

She is mother, lover, chauffer and nurse, a living symbol of: “for better for worse.”

Rich is the man, reaping his rewards in life, who chose to be the other half of A FIREFIGHTER’S WIFE.

~Unknown Author~

This site has something for everyone. Literally. Shop for hubby, you, the kids. Clothes, mugs, usb flash drives, flasks, clocks, the sky is the limit. Then after you choose your product you totally customize it with the image you want and any writing on it.

The prices are super affordable and with how many of the things are usable items, you can shop for all the firemen in your life. Start buying those Christmas presents early and stocking them up now. Everyone can get a flask for Christmas when it’s only $18.99. I know I’m going to tell hubby about them so he can start purchasing them now and be ahead of the game by December!

Personalized Fire Dept Gifts

Through these eyes I have seen the miracle of birth and also the tragedies of death.

Through these eyes I have seen the path of destruction that a fire leaves behind. And also the rebuilding of the damage it has caused.

Through these eyes I have seen the crumbled metal of a car accident and also the untouched body that sometimes comes walking out.

Through these eyes I have seen the sadness of loved ones that helplessly stand by watching. And also the excitement when a rescue is successful and no one gets hurt.

Through these eyes I have helped victims that I know and also ones that I have never seen before, while sometimes risking my own safety.

Through these eyes I have seen a new life come into the world and a few hours later, one taken away.

Through these eyes I have seen unprovoked attacks on innocent people and the look of evil in the eyes of the attacker. Through these eyes I have seen a mother praying for her Childs life and also a family relieved that the fight for life was finally over.

Through these eyes I have seen the fear in another Firefighters eyes when the ceiling above them collapses and also the relief when the fire was finally out.

Through these eyes I have seen The fear in a Rookie’s eyes when the building in front of him was just a ball of flames and the pride in his eyes when the fire was knocked down.

Through these eyes I have seen fellow Firefighters joke around after a bad call just to get through it and also fellow Firefighters cry because they had just witnessed something no human being should have to see.

Through these eyes I have seen the heartache and sadness in a human being, and also the pride and relief after a call goes well.

Through these eyes I have seen Firefighters run into a situation that everyone else was running out of.

Through these eyes I have seen a victim start to fade away and then be brought back, and also ones that never had a chance.

I’m not quite sure why, but my eyes were made by god to see awful things yet sometimes see miracles that everyone only dreams of seeing. So whatever his plan may be, I am very proud of what I do and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

By: Jennifer Blake