Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tipping the Scale
A bit of a victory.. I am now down 17 lbs. My goal is 50 but I have set no time frame for myself. I have just enjoyed working out and I eat somewhat better. I can't say I have turned into a health freak but I definitely watch what I eat now. Im not sure you can look at me and see a difference. I look at myself in the mirror and I wonder about that. However one of the tests is better fitting clothes right? My favorite jeans used to be snug and now they are loose! Yay! Even my work pants are fitting better. I definitely have a long way to go. My first goal is to be back to the weight I was at brian and katie's wedding. Before their wedding I had lost about 10lbs but I got so busy that I slacked and gained it all back.. plus about 9 extra pounds. I am 2 pounds away from being back at that weight. I try not to get discouraged when I step on the scale and I dont see a lower number. I started the serious "Im going to do this" weight loss thing in april. So.. 4 months.. 17lbs.. not too shabby. I rather take my time losing it. Slower weight loss also helps you keep off the weight. I need to get back to the gym though. I havent been in a couple weeks. I have been walking though. Anything helps. Here's to losing more weight, getting in shape and finally having a better self esteem!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
And the fun keeps going and going...
I won't lie.. I soaked up my 5 days off! It was like a mini vacation after a lot of work. Ashley and I went to Denny's for some fabulous french toast that we had talked about all night. I said a quick goodbye to Brian before he went out of county then I started my "weekend" with sleep.. lots of sleep. A good 12 hrs Wednesday Night. Thursday was spent running errands and splurging on some things that I have been wanting.
First item on the list.. new face wash. Back in the Day Jess and I frequented Origins,a skin care product store in North County Fair. Over time we both strayed due to being somewhat thrifty and finding it difficult to pay $25 for a small thing of face wash. I walked in the store and the aroma of cleanliness filled my nostrils. The sales person asked if she could help me and a relunctantly accepted her offer. I am generally the independent type and I find things on my own. The hardest part was sheepishly telling her that I once used their products but started using more inexpensive stuff. She took the time to show the products and didn't push anything on me. By the time she was done I had 4 new products and couldn't wait to run home and wash my face. I was tempted to ditch the rest of my errands to go home and lather up. Yet I still had to go buy new shampoo/conditioner. After making that second purchase I was on cloud 9! I love new cleaning/skin care products!
The fun didn't stop with pretty toes and game night. Saturday was the Burn Institute Fire Expo/Burn Run at Qualcom Stadium. I got there around 930am and the set up was well under way. I was in charge of the "Ping Pong" kidddie game. We had a kiddie pool full of floating glass bowls. You had to try to get the ping pong ball to land in the glass bowls. Easy enough right? NOPE!! Of course, all of us adults had to "test" our games before the event started and we all failed this game.. miserably! The kids had fun doing it. I figured I would end up in that said pool at some point during the day. I was surrounded by ropes, tables, caution tape... aka.. things to trip over. By some miracle I did not fall into the pool!! It was a close call when Justen came running up behind me with Jimmy saying "Justen push Auntie in the pool".
Left: The Burn Run including fire apparatus from all over SD County
First item on the list.. new face wash. Back in the Day Jess and I frequented Origins,a skin care product store in North County Fair. Over time we both strayed due to being somewhat thrifty and finding it difficult to pay $25 for a small thing of face wash. I walked in the store and the aroma of cleanliness filled my nostrils. The sales person asked if she could help me and a relunctantly accepted her offer. I am generally the independent type and I find things on my own. The hardest part was sheepishly telling her that I once used their products but started using more inexpensive stuff. She took the time to show the products and didn't push anything on me. By the time she was done I had 4 new products and couldn't wait to run home and wash my face. I was tempted to ditch the rest of my errands to go home and lather up. Yet I still had to go buy new shampoo/conditioner. After making that second purchase I was on cloud 9! I love new cleaning/skin care products!
Friday was all about being a girl. Starting the day off with my BFF. Watching yet ANOTHER episode of the Bachelorette. She's so smart! I didn't even know it was going to be on but she captured it on DVR! Have I mentioned how fantastic that invention is? Seriously! We had very yummy iced Coffee, Girl Talk, Wendy's for lunch and topping it all off by getting our toenails done. There's nothing quite like sitting in a massage chair next to your best bud and chatting about the latest Celebrity Gossip we were reading in the magazines. She's one in a million I tell ya! Shortly after that I was off to Katie's for a girls game night. If you think you are a smart person.. play Mad Gab... it will make you sound/feel stupid but it is the funniest game. We had a ton of snackies and even more laughter! The best part was listening to Summer as she was trying to say the words on the card. She always sounded like she had some kind of accent. I thought I was going to pee my pants for sure!
The fun didn't stop with pretty toes and game night. Saturday was the Burn Institute Fire Expo/Burn Run at Qualcom Stadium. I got there around 930am and the set up was well under way. I was in charge of the "Ping Pong" kidddie game. We had a kiddie pool full of floating glass bowls. You had to try to get the ping pong ball to land in the glass bowls. Easy enough right? NOPE!! Of course, all of us adults had to "test" our games before the event started and we all failed this game.. miserably! The kids had fun doing it. I figured I would end up in that said pool at some point during the day. I was surrounded by ropes, tables, caution tape... aka.. things to trip over. By some miracle I did not fall into the pool!! It was a close call when Justen came running up behind me with Jimmy saying "Justen push Auntie in the pool".
Left: The Burn Run including fire apparatus from all over SD CountyRight: Dispatchers from US Forest Service and Me from Cal Fire at our Booths.
Not only where there a ton of booths and things to see but also the Firefighter Challenge. Staci and I were walking around the back of the challenge when she suddenly lost the ability to speak. I look at her and say "Staci, what is wrong with you. Finish what you were saying". Then I followed where her eyes were looking. Behind us was the rest area for the firefighter challenge. It just so happened to be the place where the worn out firefighters took off there sweaty shirts in an attempt to cool down. Of course they kept their turnout pants on. I too was speechless other than a quiet WOW that slipped out of my mouth. Quick.. someone call 911.. I think my heart stopped.. oh wait I AM 911... Staci.. grab the firefighters.. tell them I need mouth to mouth :) just kidding. I didn't say that. (But you better believe I thought it).
My amazing weekend was topped off by seeing Phantom of the Opera at the San Diego Civic with Ashley and her family. In a word.. amazing! When Phantom began to sing I got chills. His voice was absolutely incredible!!!! I laughed at Ashley and her mom and they passed around Kleenex before the show. I asked if they expected to cry and they said they cry at everything. I giggled and settled in my chair as the lights dimmed and the ever-so-familiar Overture began. Come the end of the show I was so wrapped up in the story and atmosphere that I had started crying. With a simple glance and smile, Ash handed me a kleenex. haha.. guess i should have kept my mouth shut about crying. We ended our evening by cruising a few streets in downtown and ended up at Extraordinary Desserts. (Not the one where someone got shot..that one is in hillcrest). I have never seen so many yummy treats in one room. I opted for the Chocolate Coffee Cake. SOO good but so rich. I didn't even finish half of it. It was the perfect way to end a wonderful weekend. I am fully rested and back to the daily grind of work.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
TGIF
It is finally here.. my "friday". Day 24 of work. The last week and a half has held little sleep. My body decided 3 or 4 hrs of sleep is enough. NO ITS NOT! Everyone is asking me what I am going to do on my days off. Really, I have nothing planned except a good nights sleep on Wednesday night.
Work has been a little crazy lately. Keeps things interesting though. Besides the lack of sleep, I really have no room to complain. Thankfully I get to come home everyday. I have to hand it to my brothers and sisters in the field. They are troopers and have been working 24/7 for weeks on end.
Today I came home to a Court Subpeona stuck in my door. I wasn't sure what it was until I called the DA's office. My ex neighbors got into a fight a few months ago and I took the girl into my apartment to keep her "safe". Turns out she was the one who beat up the guy. Now I have to be a witness for the trial. Fantastic! Good thing I have watched plenty of "Law & Order SVU" and "Without a Trace" to get me ready for this "trial". I better not have to take off work. Thats not cool.
This weekend is the Fire Expo/Burn Run at Qualcomm Stadium. I am so excited to go and check everything out. I will be helping out at a booth for the burn institute part of the day and a Cal Fire booth for another part of the day. If you have time, check it out! There is a ton of stuff to do and it is free to get in! I am sure they have a bunch of vendors that are selling things. Plus there will be a ton of food and a firefighter challenge. All proceeds go to the San Diego Burn Institute. Then Sunday I am going to Phantom of the Opera! I can't wait. I have a bit of catching up to do.. Julie and Jeremy's visit and Ashley's birthday at work. More to come. but first.. sleep..
Work has been a little crazy lately. Keeps things interesting though. Besides the lack of sleep, I really have no room to complain. Thankfully I get to come home everyday. I have to hand it to my brothers and sisters in the field. They are troopers and have been working 24/7 for weeks on end.
Today I came home to a Court Subpeona stuck in my door. I wasn't sure what it was until I called the DA's office. My ex neighbors got into a fight a few months ago and I took the girl into my apartment to keep her "safe". Turns out she was the one who beat up the guy. Now I have to be a witness for the trial. Fantastic! Good thing I have watched plenty of "Law & Order SVU" and "Without a Trace" to get me ready for this "trial". I better not have to take off work. Thats not cool.
This weekend is the Fire Expo/Burn Run at Qualcomm Stadium. I am so excited to go and check everything out. I will be helping out at a booth for the burn institute part of the day and a Cal Fire booth for another part of the day. If you have time, check it out! There is a ton of stuff to do and it is free to get in! I am sure they have a bunch of vendors that are selling things. Plus there will be a ton of food and a firefighter challenge. All proceeds go to the San Diego Burn Institute. Then Sunday I am going to Phantom of the Opera! I can't wait. I have a bit of catching up to do.. Julie and Jeremy's visit and Ashley's birthday at work. More to come. but first.. sleep..
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Groundhog Day
I think most of us that work for Cal Fire feel as though we are living in the movie "Groundhog Day". This is Day 18 straight for me. Before that I had a day off here and a day off there. Most have had no days off at all.
The alarm goes off, hopefully not to the upbeat Sunny and Cher tune of "I've got you Babe", you roll over and turn it off and think "here we go again". You get up, shower and put on that all too familiar blue uniform and get back to the daily grind. Word on the street is that this "days off cancelled" will continue until atleast August 1st. Gee, thanks for the good news.
My saving grace is my new partner at night. Until recently, the night shifters were by themselves in the command center. Well, not totally alone.. the US Forest Service dispatcher is there also. Thankfully on Mondays and Tuesdays I worked with my buddy Ashley and we always have a fun time. Starting last week we added another element of fun to Mon/Tues.. her name is Ali. She is fantastic! Ali, Ashley and I have non-stop fun when we work together. That is until things started going bump in the night...
A few nights ago we had the lights turned super low and we were all at our own consoles, doing our own thing. The radio was quiet and we had no calls going. Then we heard it.. something in the hallway. Maybe something getting bumped into or knocked over. I was leaning back in my chair and couldn't see the other two. I assumed one of them had gone down to the bathroom and bumped into the wall because the lights were off in the hallway. So, I stand up.. low and behold.. ashley and ali are STILL at their own consoles. UH... did anyone else here that? They both said yes and that they thought it was one of us. Can we say creepy????!!! We keep the lights on in the hallway now.
When you have three women in one room there will always be girl-talk. Laughing, crying, embaressment.. it has all happened in the last couple weeks. There are multiple radios in the command center and you have to be careful where you put your feet and hands because you can key up the Mic w/ the foot pedal or mouse. So there we are.. chitty chatting. Ali is telling us a pretty personal but funny story when someone says on the radio "what did you just say?". We froze.. Ali and I both jump up and check the radios. Were we transmitting on an open Mic? How many people heard that story and how much of it? Thankfully we have a "play back" button and we used it. No personal info went out over the air. Just another coinsidence! Whew!
An open Mic has only happened to me one time. That blasted foot pedal is so touchy! I was working with Beth and she happens to know my ex sister-in-law Cindie. Beth was telling me how Cindie called her sister Liz. I was saying how dumb it was and something along the lines of "my skanky ex sister in law" came out of my mouth. Then the phone rang. It was another agency.. "Hey Monte Vista, you have an open Mic on Fire CC".... oops...
The alarm goes off, hopefully not to the upbeat Sunny and Cher tune of "I've got you Babe", you roll over and turn it off and think "here we go again". You get up, shower and put on that all too familiar blue uniform and get back to the daily grind. Word on the street is that this "days off cancelled" will continue until atleast August 1st. Gee, thanks for the good news.
My saving grace is my new partner at night. Until recently, the night shifters were by themselves in the command center. Well, not totally alone.. the US Forest Service dispatcher is there also. Thankfully on Mondays and Tuesdays I worked with my buddy Ashley and we always have a fun time. Starting last week we added another element of fun to Mon/Tues.. her name is Ali. She is fantastic! Ali, Ashley and I have non-stop fun when we work together. That is until things started going bump in the night...
A few nights ago we had the lights turned super low and we were all at our own consoles, doing our own thing. The radio was quiet and we had no calls going. Then we heard it.. something in the hallway. Maybe something getting bumped into or knocked over. I was leaning back in my chair and couldn't see the other two. I assumed one of them had gone down to the bathroom and bumped into the wall because the lights were off in the hallway. So, I stand up.. low and behold.. ashley and ali are STILL at their own consoles. UH... did anyone else here that? They both said yes and that they thought it was one of us. Can we say creepy????!!! We keep the lights on in the hallway now.
When you have three women in one room there will always be girl-talk. Laughing, crying, embaressment.. it has all happened in the last couple weeks. There are multiple radios in the command center and you have to be careful where you put your feet and hands because you can key up the Mic w/ the foot pedal or mouse. So there we are.. chitty chatting. Ali is telling us a pretty personal but funny story when someone says on the radio "what did you just say?". We froze.. Ali and I both jump up and check the radios. Were we transmitting on an open Mic? How many people heard that story and how much of it? Thankfully we have a "play back" button and we used it. No personal info went out over the air. Just another coinsidence! Whew!
An open Mic has only happened to me one time. That blasted foot pedal is so touchy! I was working with Beth and she happens to know my ex sister-in-law Cindie. Beth was telling me how Cindie called her sister Liz. I was saying how dumb it was and something along the lines of "my skanky ex sister in law" came out of my mouth. Then the phone rang. It was another agency.. "Hey Monte Vista, you have an open Mic on Fire CC".... oops...
Monday, July 7, 2008
Time Flies
How in the world is 4th of July weekend over? I basically missed the whole thing. The family kind of split up and did their own thing this year. I atleast got to see Brian, Katie and Peyton for a few minutes before heading to work.
Cousins Julie, Jeremy and little Hannah flew in on the 4th and I have yet to see them. They met up with Brian and his fam, Jimmy and his fam and her sister and her fam to watch fireworks in Temecula. I, of course, was working. I didn't get to see one firework this year.. sad.. Thats the best part!
I can't complain too much though. Work was super busy so it made the night fly by. We had our typical "smoke checks" because people just can't get it through their head that fireworks are ILLEGAL. People are so dumb! They freak out at the mere smell of smoke yet they go out and buy illegal fireworks to play with. Can we say fire hazard? We had a search and rescue operation, child birth and traffic collision w/ extrication.. never a dull moment at the Command Center! Times that by the last 3 nights.. whew!
On a happy note, this week is full of connecting and reconnecting. Yesterday started it all off. My college roommate, Valerie, and her hubby came down to San Diego for lunch. We met in carlsbad at Claim Jumper. Good food and even better company. It has been 3 1/2 yrs since we have seen eachother. We stayed at Claim Jumper for a little over 3 hrs talking. It was great! I love them so much. We agreed that we can't wait so long to hang out!
Today I get to meet baby Hannah. I am so excited! The little stinker foiled my plans by coming 6 weeks early. I was supposed to go to northern Cali to visit Julie and Jeremy in hopes of being there for her birth. Surprise Surprise auntie shannon.. im coming into the world early whether you want me to or not! It will be wonderful to see Julie and Jeremy after so long as well.
And finally, I get to go to Heartland Fire Dispatch and meet my friend Nikki face to face. For almost 2 yrs now we have talked back and forth while at work. She is a sweetheart and we are always joking around. It is fun meeting dispatchers from other agencies. I heard her birthday is this wednesday so I am going to stop by tuesday with a little cake for her. I'm stoked to finally be meeting her.
One more thing.. tonight is the night.. the Bachelorette finale'!!!! Who will she choose? Jason or Jesse? I really don't know. Both are wonderful guys. Jess LaTour and I have a "small" obsession with the show and text constantly while watching it.. discussing it as though DeAnna were a close personal friend and we have some input on her decision. I seriously can't wait! Until then, I am going to get some sleep. Tonight is shift 16 of 24. Only 8 to go!.. whew. I am looking forward to sleeping 12 hrs the night of the 16th(first day off)! Hope everyone had a wonderful fourth.
Cousins Julie, Jeremy and little Hannah flew in on the 4th and I have yet to see them. They met up with Brian and his fam, Jimmy and his fam and her sister and her fam to watch fireworks in Temecula. I, of course, was working. I didn't get to see one firework this year.. sad.. Thats the best part!
I can't complain too much though. Work was super busy so it made the night fly by. We had our typical "smoke checks" because people just can't get it through their head that fireworks are ILLEGAL. People are so dumb! They freak out at the mere smell of smoke yet they go out and buy illegal fireworks to play with. Can we say fire hazard? We had a search and rescue operation, child birth and traffic collision w/ extrication.. never a dull moment at the Command Center! Times that by the last 3 nights.. whew!
On a happy note, this week is full of connecting and reconnecting. Yesterday started it all off. My college roommate, Valerie, and her hubby came down to San Diego for lunch. We met in carlsbad at Claim Jumper. Good food and even better company. It has been 3 1/2 yrs since we have seen eachother. We stayed at Claim Jumper for a little over 3 hrs talking. It was great! I love them so much. We agreed that we can't wait so long to hang out!
Today I get to meet baby Hannah. I am so excited! The little stinker foiled my plans by coming 6 weeks early. I was supposed to go to northern Cali to visit Julie and Jeremy in hopes of being there for her birth. Surprise Surprise auntie shannon.. im coming into the world early whether you want me to or not! It will be wonderful to see Julie and Jeremy after so long as well.
And finally, I get to go to Heartland Fire Dispatch and meet my friend Nikki face to face. For almost 2 yrs now we have talked back and forth while at work. She is a sweetheart and we are always joking around. It is fun meeting dispatchers from other agencies. I heard her birthday is this wednesday so I am going to stop by tuesday with a little cake for her. I'm stoked to finally be meeting her.
One more thing.. tonight is the night.. the Bachelorette finale'!!!! Who will she choose? Jason or Jesse? I really don't know. Both are wonderful guys. Jess LaTour and I have a "small" obsession with the show and text constantly while watching it.. discussing it as though DeAnna were a close personal friend and we have some input on her decision. I seriously can't wait! Until then, I am going to get some sleep. Tonight is shift 16 of 24. Only 8 to go!.. whew. I am looking forward to sleeping 12 hrs the night of the 16th(first day off)! Hope everyone had a wonderful fourth.
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