That rumble starts on the middle of the interstate with 25 minutes left to the commute...
8 cars and 1 semi in front of you to turn off the said interstate...
One red light between you and a toilet...
Yeah, like that.
Reason # 4,372 why my mother is awesome. She will run red lights in order to get you to a bathroom before you shat your pants.
Now THAT is love.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Silence Is Golden
Throughout the years, there have been a few simple gestures that have stuck with me for one reason or another. The one that gets me the most was when there were no words spoken at all... just some improvised sign language.
When there is incliment weather that could or could not lead to tornadoes, we get toned out and spread throughout our response area. One such night, there were no tornadoes, but instead there were microbursts that tipped a massive oak over the road. Since this tree was in the path of our forward travel to our destination, we pulled over and requested fire. As the engine rolled by us, I saw my older brother Rick look out the window and first point at me, then point to his head and then mouth the words "now". Alas, he was telling me to put my helmet on. Why? Because he loves me.
Now this might not be a big deal to most, but Rick is not usually one to show affection or concern. I mean we all KNOW he cares, he just rarely shows it. Very much the introvert. So for him to so openly fill the big brother role was a bit shocking and yet made me cry all at the same time and think, "He loves me. He really, really loves me."
Every time I think about that, I giggle and I am happy.
When there is incliment weather that could or could not lead to tornadoes, we get toned out and spread throughout our response area. One such night, there were no tornadoes, but instead there were microbursts that tipped a massive oak over the road. Since this tree was in the path of our forward travel to our destination, we pulled over and requested fire. As the engine rolled by us, I saw my older brother Rick look out the window and first point at me, then point to his head and then mouth the words "now". Alas, he was telling me to put my helmet on. Why? Because he loves me.
Now this might not be a big deal to most, but Rick is not usually one to show affection or concern. I mean we all KNOW he cares, he just rarely shows it. Very much the introvert. So for him to so openly fill the big brother role was a bit shocking and yet made me cry all at the same time and think, "He loves me. He really, really loves me."
Every time I think about that, I giggle and I am happy.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Stupid Dog. Stupid heart.
Apparently there is someone else who wants to adopt Henri. BUT I already have my heart set on her. $75 adoption fee and $100 deposit that will get refunded as soon as I prove she is spayed. (I would put a large sum of money on the fact that she is already spayed - but that's not the point.) If I want her, then Thursday I need to race home, feed and potty break my dogs, pack them up in the car, drive 45 minutes to the shelter and have an "interaction" with my dogs and Henri. From there they will decide if I can have her or not and I can take her home with me right there if it's a go.
But here's the thing. We already have two dogs, we don't NEED another one! AND someone else wants to take her home and love her.
My brain says let them have her, my heart says no you big dummy...
Choose her... Love her...
Gah! I have some time to think about it, but really, I got FAR too attached to this silly dog in a very short amount of time. And honestly, I feel kind of responsible for her. Ugh.
Edit: Per the Lieutenant, Henri is coming home with us. A gate will be constructed across the driveway and we will have a 100% closed in yard where the dogs can frolic all day. Well, that is IF I pass the Humane Society's Good Dog Owner Test and she gets along with Princess and Brick.
But here's the thing. We already have two dogs, we don't NEED another one! AND someone else wants to take her home and love her.
My brain says let them have her, my heart says no you big dummy...
Choose her... Love her...
Gah! I have some time to think about it, but really, I got FAR too attached to this silly dog in a very short amount of time. And honestly, I feel kind of responsible for her. Ugh.
Edit: Per the Lieutenant, Henri is coming home with us. A gate will be constructed across the driveway and we will have a 100% closed in yard where the dogs can frolic all day. Well, that is IF I pass the Humane Society's Good Dog Owner Test and she gets along with Princess and Brick.
A Conversation...
One that I was a reluctant participant of recently. But first, a bit of background...
This apartment complex is known for it's, well, suspicious activity. A place where you do not touch any surface with a bare hand for fear of what may be residing there. A place where the mold is so thick in the basement, firefighters had to don SCBA when checking for smoke after someone called in a fire alarm. A place where the rent is low and the tennants' standards are even lower. A place where we do not go inside without a police officer in front of us. Basically, it makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.
So, we get toned for man with a lac to the head. As the squad was pulling out, I was still en-route so I was debating how to nicely remind them to call for police. Thankfully, the Lieutenant was three steps ahead of me and inquired whether or not deputies were en-route. His response was "Several on scene."
Since we were the second unit, they already had the patient in the back and were addressing his medical concerns. The other four deputies (besides the one IN the squad) stood outside and drew straws to see who would be taking him in or riding along.
The rest of us were leaning back on the second unit chatting. A *presumably* intoxicated male zig-zagged his way towards us. Now mind you, we are all in turn out gear or at least the pants/boots combo and shirts with the department logo on them.
"Heeyyysss... yous guysss neighborsss orr ss-ss-ssommpin?"
"No, we are from the fire department. We are here in case the ambulance needs any help."
"Sssoo, whensdidyas move interhere?"
"Oh we didn't. We just got here. We don't live here."
"Ohhh *grmpleumpf and a sway for good measure*. Does yousss know dat girl... I changeded hers diaperssss whens shess a beebee."
"Um, I'm not sure who you are talking about."
"oohhss... whatsssername... Erinnnnn."
"Yes, she is on the department."
"Sssshhesss, hotttt" *drool*
"Uh... cool."
"Wee'sss juss outss here drinkinnnnshit. Didnnnnn't mean nooos harmsss you knowss? I aint a baddd dude."
"No one is saying you are. We are just here to tend to your friend over there."
"ISss hes gonnaa, um, um, die?"
"No. Not today."
"Cannn I havesss, ushhhh, her phones?"
"Uh, if you mean Erin, no. You can't. You will have to get that from her yourself. I think it would be best if you headed back inside. We will be leaving shortly to take your friend to the hosptial."
"Disssis bulllsheet. You's just donna wanna help meee caussssse I'mma drunkkk."
"Do you need rescue? Because we can take you to the hospital if you need us to."
"Nooo, isss jusss tessting ya."
He went on and on and on but finally zig-zagged and stumbled his way back to the building but the Lieutenant put himself between me and the other EMT and the crazy drunk guy for good measure. He was very patient and kind (reminds me of why I married him - cue the awwww's and gagging). Anywho, the buddy ended up in custody and it turned out to be an uneventful evening after that.
But you can't help but giggle at all the eyes peering around corners and curtains pulled just *thismuch* to the side so a curious eye can peek out and spy. We decided that EMS is actually a spectator sport. I wonder if we could get into the olympics.
This apartment complex is known for it's, well, suspicious activity. A place where you do not touch any surface with a bare hand for fear of what may be residing there. A place where the mold is so thick in the basement, firefighters had to don SCBA when checking for smoke after someone called in a fire alarm. A place where the rent is low and the tennants' standards are even lower. A place where we do not go inside without a police officer in front of us. Basically, it makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.
So, we get toned for man with a lac to the head. As the squad was pulling out, I was still en-route so I was debating how to nicely remind them to call for police. Thankfully, the Lieutenant was three steps ahead of me and inquired whether or not deputies were en-route. His response was "Several on scene."
Since we were the second unit, they already had the patient in the back and were addressing his medical concerns. The other four deputies (besides the one IN the squad) stood outside and drew straws to see who would be taking him in or riding along.
The rest of us were leaning back on the second unit chatting. A *presumably* intoxicated male zig-zagged his way towards us. Now mind you, we are all in turn out gear or at least the pants/boots combo and shirts with the department logo on them.
"Heeyyysss... yous guysss neighborsss orr ss-ss-ssommpin?"
"No, we are from the fire department. We are here in case the ambulance needs any help."
"Sssoo, whensdidyas move interhere?"
"Oh we didn't. We just got here. We don't live here."
"Ohhh *grmpleumpf and a sway for good measure*. Does yousss know dat girl... I changeded hers diaperssss whens shess a beebee."
"Um, I'm not sure who you are talking about."
"oohhss... whatsssername... Erinnnnn."
"Yes, she is on the department."
"Sssshhesss, hotttt" *drool*
"Uh... cool."
"Wee'sss juss outss here drinkinnnnshit. Didnnnnn't mean nooos harmsss you knowss? I aint a baddd dude."
"No one is saying you are. We are just here to tend to your friend over there."
"ISss hes gonnaa, um, um, die?"
"No. Not today."
"Cannn I havesss, ushhhh, her phones?"
"Uh, if you mean Erin, no. You can't. You will have to get that from her yourself. I think it would be best if you headed back inside. We will be leaving shortly to take your friend to the hosptial."
"Disssis bulllsheet. You's just donna wanna help meee caussssse I'mma drunkkk."
"Do you need rescue? Because we can take you to the hospital if you need us to."
"Nooo, isss jusss tessting ya."
He went on and on and on but finally zig-zagged and stumbled his way back to the building but the Lieutenant put himself between me and the other EMT and the crazy drunk guy for good measure. He was very patient and kind (reminds me of why I married him - cue the awwww's and gagging). Anywho, the buddy ended up in custody and it turned out to be an uneventful evening after that.
But you can't help but giggle at all the eyes peering around corners and curtains pulled just *thismuch* to the side so a curious eye can peek out and spy. We decided that EMS is actually a spectator sport. I wonder if we could get into the olympics.
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