Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Jaws of Life... *gasp*
First, let me put it out there that I love Morgan Freeman. I have enjoyed every movie I have watched that he had a role in. I am also very happy to hear that he is going to be okay after his recent car accident, but at the same time, I am dying over the dramatization of the use of the "jaws of life."
I guess I never really understood the fascination with the tool. Maybe it is because I have seen it used more often for popping open mostly undamaged doors. Or perhaps it is because it seems that the cutters do far more to free trapped patients. Maybe it is because whenever I hear jaws I think of the giant, man-eating shark that bid his final adieu when he got the business end of a scuba tank. Or maybe it is because I envision someone holding a shark, it's tail fin settled into the crook of his arm like an oozie, pulling the pelvic fin like a trigger in order to get it to mechanically chomp through the twisted metal surrounding a patient.
Who knows, but I still fall into a fit of giggles whenever the old biddies gasp and regale the tale of the us of the 'jaws of life'.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Assholes and Fishing Gear...
My weekend was filled with both. Saturday night, the Lieutenant and I headed out to visit our local Bass Pro Shops. Instead of busting my brain trying to figure out what gear the Lieutenant would want for his tackle box, I decided that our time would be much better spent if he just picked it out himself. So, being the awesome wife I am, I accompanied him as he browsed the isles and isles of spin-baits, top water lures and stink plastic worms. My patience was rewarded however, as I am now the proud owner of this.
That, my friends, is a Pfleuger, Medium 6.6, IM8 PINK fishing pole.
I do feel slightly guilty as I was not aware of the magnitude of awesome that this pole embodies. I patiently listened as the Lieutenant gushed about its construction and smooth reeling abilities. Apparently, I now have the nicest pole we own. Oh the monster fish I will catch with this bad boy, er girl.
I stole no thunder however, as the Lieutenant picked out a wicked new soft side tackle box and filled our basket with many shiny new lures. Rarely do I see a smile that wide. He was like a kid in a candy store and a pocket full of quarters.
My patience was also rewarded with the purchase of a brand new hat. Now you need to understand the magnitude of me finding a hat the fits my head. I have a head so small, I can wear childrens hats. (Imagine my dilemma with getting a helmet to fit!) So when I put that bad mamba jamba on my noodle, I literally squealed in delight, and subsequently was laughed at by my loving husband. Totally worth it for this...
$300.00 some change later, we headed home with our loot. Both of us grinning from ear to ear. I have to say, he is one lucky man to have a wife as awesome as me.
As for the day on the boat yesterday, it took us about an hour to even get on the lake. All I wanted to do was get into the water to try and cool off but noooooo. The assholes runneth amuck yesterday with their bad dock etiquitte and 18-year old 'it isn't my job' attitudes. I would say that the signs should be enough to help give explicit instructions on launching and general pointers, but then I realized most of them probably can't read. Oh well. We got in the water and were able to cool off. Hell, the Lieutenant even wore shorts for the third time since we have been together, but didn't go in the water. We learned our lesson and will be traveling the extra 45 minutes to the quiet, well hidden lake since driving is better than sitting and getting pissed off at all the half-wits.
In other news, vacation in T-minus 4 days. A week of sun, fish and the Lieutenant in a remote cabin. Need I say more?
The laptop has shipped. It should make it's debut on Wednesday. Eeek!
That, my friends, is a Pfleuger, Medium 6.6, IM8 PINK fishing pole.
I do feel slightly guilty as I was not aware of the magnitude of awesome that this pole embodies. I patiently listened as the Lieutenant gushed about its construction and smooth reeling abilities. Apparently, I now have the nicest pole we own. Oh the monster fish I will catch with this bad boy, er girl.
I stole no thunder however, as the Lieutenant picked out a wicked new soft side tackle box and filled our basket with many shiny new lures. Rarely do I see a smile that wide. He was like a kid in a candy store and a pocket full of quarters.
My patience was also rewarded with the purchase of a brand new hat. Now you need to understand the magnitude of me finding a hat the fits my head. I have a head so small, I can wear childrens hats. (Imagine my dilemma with getting a helmet to fit!) So when I put that bad mamba jamba on my noodle, I literally squealed in delight, and subsequently was laughed at by my loving husband. Totally worth it for this...
$300.00 some change later, we headed home with our loot. Both of us grinning from ear to ear. I have to say, he is one lucky man to have a wife as awesome as me.
As for the day on the boat yesterday, it took us about an hour to even get on the lake. All I wanted to do was get into the water to try and cool off but noooooo. The assholes runneth amuck yesterday with their bad dock etiquitte and 18-year old 'it isn't my job' attitudes. I would say that the signs should be enough to help give explicit instructions on launching and general pointers, but then I realized most of them probably can't read. Oh well. We got in the water and were able to cool off. Hell, the Lieutenant even wore shorts for the third time since we have been together, but didn't go in the water. We learned our lesson and will be traveling the extra 45 minutes to the quiet, well hidden lake since driving is better than sitting and getting pissed off at all the half-wits.
In other news, vacation in T-minus 4 days. A week of sun, fish and the Lieutenant in a remote cabin. Need I say more?
The laptop has shipped. It should make it's debut on Wednesday. Eeek!
NSR: Week 7 - Toehead
Check out NSR for more "kids" related stories. Mine doesn't have much to do with being an EMT, but about the little boy I will never see grow up.
The drive to the mall was slow and painful. My old truck just didn't have the oompf it once did when it came to the air conditioner. If the heat wasn't bad enough, my raw nerves were going to finish me off. I hadn't seen T-bird in almost 6 months. It seemed to go that way since his visits solely depended my schedule and when I had time to pick him up and care for him while he was with us. I had rearranged the next few weeks and secured childcare for the times I couldn't be with him.
As I pulled into the parking lot, I could feel the hot acid coming up my throat. I was so nervous, I hadn't been able to eat any breakfast. I barely choked down a dry piece of toast and a sip or two of coffee. This was the time when I really started to worry. What if he didn't remember me? What if he doesn't want to come with this time? What if his poor three year old mind can't handle being away from his mother for a whole month? Choking back the doubt, I locked my truck and made my way through the heat to the mall's food court. I looked around, knowing I wouldn't be able to miss that white-blond head of hair. I started to panic again, thinking she had changed her mind and hadn't shown up. And then there he was. Quietly sitting at the table slowly munching his chicken nuggets after they had been dipped in honey. Immediately, my heart melted and I had to fight back the tears. He had to remember, he learned how to dunk his nuggets from me.
Slowly I came up to the table and said hello. Tracy stood and awkwardly hugged me. The pleasantries passed between us, even if they were forced and neither really meant it. It was just a way to cut the tension. I smiled at T and asked him how his nuggets were. He shyly smiled back and reached for more fries. I quickly ate my lunch next to him, chatting non-stop the whole time, desperately trying to win him over again before we left. After we had eaten, I gathered his suitcase and his car seat and his mom hugged him goodbye. I took his little hand and he bravely let me lead him outside. We stopped right before the doors to turn and wave one last time.
The ride home started off quiet despite the radio playing in the background. Hoping he would remember, I started singing the silly songs I had taught him during his last visit. It didn't take long before he was laughing and clapping for me to do it again. My heart soared.
When we arrived home, he was more than ecstatic to see his new room. Decorated with cars and Bob the Builder, he didn't know what he liked best. There were new toys to play with and plenty of exploring to do. I left him in his room to play while I started dinner. Shortly after, I felt a tug at my shirt and a little voice asked, "Can I help?" I pulled a chair in from the dining room and I showed him how to crack and egg. He did great, even if we did have to dig for a couple pieces of shell. Then it came time to knead the biscuit dough. He was in heaven and covered in flour from head to toe. He picked green beans to go with ourdinosaur chicken and asked if we had ice cream for dessert because his daddy loves ice cream. My heart would melt all over again, every time those big blue eyes stared up at me, filled with love and admiration.
After dinner and his bath, it was time for bed. I asked him what story he wanted to read even though I knew which one it would be. I sent in his dad to read his bedtime story but he refused to go to sleep until I had tucked him in. There is nothing that will fill you with more joy, than the request of your love as final stamp on the day.
Every night was more of the same. Play time with cars, long walks in the yard, dinner at the end of the day. For weeks we sang, we laughed and played. It was our own little piece of heaven here on Earth.
The worst part of his visits were when I had to take him back home. No matter how much he missed his mom, he always hugged me before he left. I loved that little boy. Even though he was not my child, I held him when he cried, I soothed him when he was sad, laughed with him when he was happy and loved him as if he was my own.
The hardest decision I ever had to make, was to leave. I knew I would miss him and that a part of me would never be whole. Little did I know how big of a piece of my heart I would leave behind.
The drive to the mall was slow and painful. My old truck just didn't have the oompf it once did when it came to the air conditioner. If the heat wasn't bad enough, my raw nerves were going to finish me off. I hadn't seen T-bird in almost 6 months. It seemed to go that way since his visits solely depended my schedule and when I had time to pick him up and care for him while he was with us. I had rearranged the next few weeks and secured childcare for the times I couldn't be with him.
As I pulled into the parking lot, I could feel the hot acid coming up my throat. I was so nervous, I hadn't been able to eat any breakfast. I barely choked down a dry piece of toast and a sip or two of coffee. This was the time when I really started to worry. What if he didn't remember me? What if he doesn't want to come with this time? What if his poor three year old mind can't handle being away from his mother for a whole month? Choking back the doubt, I locked my truck and made my way through the heat to the mall's food court. I looked around, knowing I wouldn't be able to miss that white-blond head of hair. I started to panic again, thinking she had changed her mind and hadn't shown up. And then there he was. Quietly sitting at the table slowly munching his chicken nuggets after they had been dipped in honey. Immediately, my heart melted and I had to fight back the tears. He had to remember, he learned how to dunk his nuggets from me.
Slowly I came up to the table and said hello. Tracy stood and awkwardly hugged me. The pleasantries passed between us, even if they were forced and neither really meant it. It was just a way to cut the tension. I smiled at T and asked him how his nuggets were. He shyly smiled back and reached for more fries. I quickly ate my lunch next to him, chatting non-stop the whole time, desperately trying to win him over again before we left. After we had eaten, I gathered his suitcase and his car seat and his mom hugged him goodbye. I took his little hand and he bravely let me lead him outside. We stopped right before the doors to turn and wave one last time.
The ride home started off quiet despite the radio playing in the background. Hoping he would remember, I started singing the silly songs I had taught him during his last visit. It didn't take long before he was laughing and clapping for me to do it again. My heart soared.
When we arrived home, he was more than ecstatic to see his new room. Decorated with cars and Bob the Builder, he didn't know what he liked best. There were new toys to play with and plenty of exploring to do. I left him in his room to play while I started dinner. Shortly after, I felt a tug at my shirt and a little voice asked, "Can I help?" I pulled a chair in from the dining room and I showed him how to crack and egg. He did great, even if we did have to dig for a couple pieces of shell. Then it came time to knead the biscuit dough. He was in heaven and covered in flour from head to toe. He picked green beans to go with our
After dinner and his bath, it was time for bed. I asked him what story he wanted to read even though I knew which one it would be. I sent in his dad to read his bedtime story but he refused to go to sleep until I had tucked him in. There is nothing that will fill you with more joy, than the request of your love as final stamp on the day.
Every night was more of the same. Play time with cars, long walks in the yard, dinner at the end of the day. For weeks we sang, we laughed and played. It was our own little piece of heaven here on Earth.
The worst part of his visits were when I had to take him back home. No matter how much he missed his mom, he always hugged me before he left. I loved that little boy. Even though he was not my child, I held him when he cried, I soothed him when he was sad, laughed with him when he was happy and loved him as if he was my own.
The hardest decision I ever had to make, was to leave. I knew I would miss him and that a part of me would never be whole. Little did I know how big of a piece of my heart I would leave behind.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)