Sunday Notes

Yesterday we went to Station 80's Open House. It's an annual event that the entire community is invited to. There are safety demonstrations-Brian gave one on stove fires and Christmas tree fires-and tours, lots of pieces of apparatus to see, just alot of things to do. It was so much fun. There were engines there from each station in Ramona, as well as CHP and Sheriff vehicles. Mercy Air was there as well, along with USFS Helitack and CalFire's own Copter 10. What a show!

The whole family showed up-well, Brian & Shannon were already there. Brian was on duty of course, and Shannon was manning the Burn Institutes's table, filled with all kinds of useful information, as well as a 'spin the wheel' game for kids to play and test their knowledge. Every kid walked away with a treasure piece of candy...no child left behind there! Brian gave a guided tour to a group of Cub Scouts. They're so little, and yet they were completely mesmerized by the information Brian was giving them, and they asked lots of questions. Their attention was totally on what they were doing, and I was SO impressed that kids that young were that focused.

I actually learned something too-do NOT put ice on a burn-apparently it helps the skin continue to burn. Cold water is best. Wow, who knew? Back when I was growing up, we always used ointments, butter, oil, whatever. BAD idea, although we didn't know it then. Thx Shannon!

A couple of the stations got calls, so of course they had to respond. One call was a possible vegetation in Julian, so both the USFS Helitack Copter and CalFire's Copter 10 prepared to leave. Mind you, they are in the field, next to the station. A big field...all weeds, chopped down of course, but when you get 2 helicopters in the same field with their rotors going, well, everything flies, and I do mean EVERYTHING. Weeds, dust, dirt, and whatever else may be on the ground is now airborne...hold on to your small children! LOL...thank goodness the vegetation fired turned out to be a false alarm, so both copters came on back to the station...again kicking up everything not bolted to the ground. So much for my freshly washed hair!

Today my thoughts & prayers are with my daughter Shannon, as she participates in the Susan G Komen Walk For The Cure Breast Cancer Walk in Temecula. She's been preparing for this event for months, and has dedicated her walk to her friend Chris, a former CalFire Captain and breast cancer survivor. I've never met Chris, but she's been such an inspiration and role model to Shannon, so my prayer is not only for a complete recovery for Chris, but that Shannon is blessed beyond measure during this walk. She has raised over $600 herself, and I just couldn't be prouder of her. She's been working alot of OT lately, and she's tired, so I pray for strength and stamina for her today, and in the coming days. She has to come home today and get some rest for work tonight. She'll be fine.

Next Saturday is our family trip to Bates Nut Farm. I am SO excited! I've been monitoring the weather in Valley Center, and long range forecast says around 80 degrees next Sat. Perfect! Now if we can avoid a santa ana, it'll be a perfect day...whoo-hoo!

Blessings~