Bates!

Today was the annual family trip to Bates Nut Farm. We had a great time as usual. We talked a lot about how this year was so different than the other years. The first year it was freezing cold and last year was super windy and the day all the fires started. I am fairly certain I just finished getting all the dirt and hay from last year out of my eyes 3 days ago! About half way through our trip it got mighty hot. So what do we expect next year? Snow?

Much to our surprise there wasn't a huge line of cars waiting to get into the place. There were plenty of people there but it seems the King family and about 14 other stragglers are the only ones that didn't get up at the crack of dawn to pick out the world's best pumpkin. Trust me, I'm not complaining. Whether we get there at opening or 5 minutes before closing, there would be plenty of pumpkins waiting for us.. so why go so early?

I didn't have a hard time picking out a pumpkin this year. I turned around and there it was... practically screaming " pick me! pick me!" and waving its non-existent pumpkin arms in my direction. Slightly flawed on one side but one perfect side just waiting for this years carving creation.

My poor family gracefully put up with my incessent picture taking (with my new Panasonic Lumix camera). How can you resist the Kodak moment when there are wood cut-outs of farmers and their families and a tractor stenciled with "Bates Nut Farm" on the side?

I brought the crowd to a halt and ushered them into perfect picture taking form constantly throughout the day. They may poke fun BUT who was the one that had their battery charged yet forget to actually put it in their camera, bring the camera with yet forget to take it out of the diaper bag or realize that their camera is M.I.A. and is lost somewhere in their home... not I!! ;) The day was full of hay rides, corn/hay mazes,pumpkin hunting, food, and did I mention picture taking?

Brian, Katie, Peyton and I made a quick trip to Rincon CDF station to see Miss Becki after we left bates. Peyton loved her and we met the sweetest little station kitten. Of course all the guys turned to mush when they met Peyton. Then off we went to Jimmy and Jessica's for baking/goodie making and dinner and yes.. more picture taking. The guys took the kids outside and carved pumpkins while the ladies stayed inside to make all sorts of sweets.

Jessica made some yummy Fudge:Maple and Rocky Road along with some sugar cookies (always a family favorite). Katie made cupcakes and I made Apple Cider Donuts and Caramel Corn.

The Apple Cider donuts were a new adventure. The Julian Pie Co. makes the yummiest apple cider donuts. I thought I would be ambitious and try making them myself. The recipe is actually pretty easy and they aren't that hard to cook. We all know I am not the world's most graceful person so working with a whole pot of boiling hot oil was a little nerve racking. I ended up with a couple minor burns on my wrist and finger. Not too shabby for someone with my caliber of grace. However, I did successfully cover myself and Jessica's kitchen in flour and cinnamon-sugar. My dad always used to tell me I dirty ever dish in the kitchen when I cook one thing. Tonight I think I started to believe that. I looked around her kitchen and to my horror.. I had stuff everywhere! I was literally using 3 countertops! Oops! I am just going to use the excuse that I wasn't in my own kitchen, therefore I was a little out of sorts.

The food was great, all the goodies were sugary and super yummy and the company was exceptional as usual. Everything was divided up for each household and we all went on our way. I am super tired now. Who knew baking and searching for a pumpkin could take so much energy out of you?! I love my family though. I am so glad we have started these types of traditions. I look forward to the years to come. Until then I have a pumpkin to carve and many chores to do. But I think for now I am just going to sleep. My carved Pumpkin pics to come soon!

Walking the Line

In one word today was... incredible.

Today I participated in the Susan G. Komen Inland Empire Race for the Cure. Whew! What a title! Aka a Breast Cancer Walk. There were over 10, 000 walkers today. I believe that was the total just for the Team event, not the kids and runners. Either way it was a great turn out.

Becki, a friend of mine through Cal Fire, is the captain of Team Peas. The team is in memory of her Aunt Julie. She asked me if I would like to be part of the team and if I wanted to recruit others from the command center. I asked around and my night shift partner, Ali, decided to join me in the walk. There were no fundraising requirements but I sent out an email just to see what would happen. Much to my amazement, people donated $625 for my walk! My goal was $500. YAY! Team Peas raised close to $3500!! We had 73 people sign up to be on the team.

I left Ramona about 6:45 this morning and met Ali at the Temecula Promenade. The walk started at 9am. It was hard to see the number of people involved until we were about 3/4 of the way done. It was an easy 3 mile walk with a couple small hills. Despite the sea of people charging towards us, Ali and I stopped to take in the moment. We were mid-slope on a small hill and about halfway back in the crowd. All you could see was thousands of people in front and behind us. What a moment! We tried to walk backwards so we could keep looking at things but that ended when we nearly knocked each other over. :) People had signs pinned to them with " in memory of" or " in honor of " or " in celebration of". Some even had as many as 6 signs on them. It is amazing how many people are effected by breast cancer.

Again, the walk was only 3 miles so Ali and I finished in under an hour. We walked at a leisurely pace and had great conversation the whole time... Not only with eachother but random people we met along the way. It is nearly impossible to keep the team together so we met up back at the team table and had lunch after the race. It was a nice time to meet people and just hang out.

Next year my goal is to get my whole family and a bunch of my friends involved. I was even thinking about doing some fundraising throughout the year like selling blankets i've made, etc. We will see what happens. In the end I am so glad I did the walk. It was definitely a life changing experience! Here's a few pictures from today.. more to come later!

Ali & I Ali, Me, Becki, Baby Jacob, Jackie Me & jackie

Team Shirt Our Yummy Cake

I'm not sure how many teams were signed up but there were definitely some creative names. My personal favorite was "Dancers for Healthy Hooters". Others were things along the lines of "Team Ta-Ta's", "Breast Friends" "Tata Sisterhood". Every team had their own creative t-shirt. I think I particularly liked the dancers 1) because it made me giggle, 2) it was all high school students. Honestly, how many of us were aware of such things like breast cancer in high school? Ali and I ended up walking next to "Dancers for Healthy Hooters" for atleast half of the walk. They were so fun and full of energy. They had cheers and did little "sound off" things. Good times! I think it energized everyone around them even more. Along the walk route there were people cheering us on. They had a group of people on the sideline just to give us high-fives and keep us going. One lady towards the end was saying " come on! you can do it! only 1/2 a mile to go". The walk went by fast! When I heard her yell that I assumed we were only half way but we were so close to the end. The announcer at the end was announcing team names, in memory of names, in celebration of names etc as we passed the finish line. "Team Peas everyone! You made it.." Wow.. I am getting goosebumps all over again. Ali and I both have to work tonight so we will be sporting our Team Peas Cal Fire shirts all night. I can't wait for next year!

How YOU doin?

I have always felt that it is important for me as a dispatcher to meet people out in the field, go to training exercises and on ride alongs. It gives me a good understanding of what they go through on a daily basis.

Yesterday some of the South County stations were having an I-Zone drill. It focuses on structure protection during a wildland fire. They pick out 5-7 homes in their area and "respond" to them (with the homeowners consent). The engines pulled up to a home, pull hose, charge it with water and scout out good and bad points about the homes brush clearance and access routes. I had the honor of riding on E3363. I have been on man ride outs but they have always been on a Type 1 engine (like what you would see in Ramona, Valley Center and Deer Springs). This particular engine is a 4 wheel drive brush engine.

First of all the engine is gigantic and I was sure I would need a ladder just to get into the back. I was with 3 fire fighters and an Engineer. We went down roads with pot holes big enough to eat my car, brush 5-10 high on both sides of the road (imagine driving down that when its on fire!) uneven, large drop offs on either side...Yikes! You definitely feel every bump. We all had our seatbelts on but we were still getting bounced around quite a bit.

On one particular road we hit a part of the road that was uneven and we all got tossed to the right. What happens when you start flying to one side? Naturally you try to grab onto something. Unfortunately for the firefighter sitting next to me.. it was him. The engine lurched and my hand grabbed his knee. We stabilize and I patted his knee as a "sorry". In which he replies "How YOU doin?"... oh dear.. Now he's done it. I turned bright red. I know I matched the color of the engine we were riding in.

How I love thee

OH season of fall.. how I love thee! The colors, pumpkins, falling leaves, brisk evenings, warm days, clear skies and baking. Lots and lots and lots of baking!

This time of year is what memories are made of. The annual "Bates Nut Farm" family trip is scheduled for a mere 6 days before Halloween. I can't wait! The number of attendees to Bates is a close second to the that of a place such as Disneyland. Or atleast it feels like it. The one thing that gets me at just about every place except Disneyland is the parking. It is a free for all. After working at Disneyland for a couple of years I was efficient in many things and probably slightly brainwashed. But honestly.. Disneyland can park 60 cars a minute. You can't beat that people! I am contantly reminded of this efficiency when I am sitting in a line of cars waiting for a parking space at the beloved Pumpkin Patch. But then it happens... You step out of your car, breathe in the..uh..fresh.. Valley Center air, get a wiff of hay and farm animals and all the frustration from the parking nightmare has started to melt away(or it could be the 90 degree heat that's making you melt but thats besides the point). Then you see them... Like an orange beacon on a hill with angels singing in the background...The pumpkins.

The quest for the best pumpkin has started. I always try to stay involved and watch the kids search for their most favorite pumpkin but my own excitement is a constant distraction. The search can be tough. Too big, too small, doesnt have a good side for carving, eww that one has a hole and is rotting, stem is too short, stem breaks in your hand.. The supply of pumpkins at Bates seems endless so you are bound to find your perfect pumpkin. Then you get to hack into the thing and scoop out the gooey insides. I love that part! It is fun to see what the kids carve into the pumkpin. Sprinkle a little cinnamon or nutmeg in the bottom of the pumpkin (makes it smell like pumpkin pie), stick a tealight in it and you are ready!

Besides all the pumpkin fun, there's the baking. Each year the King ladies and some friends get together for Christmas Cookie/Candy baking. We talked last year about incorprating cookie making into all large holiday events. For halloween I decided to make homemade Caramel Corn. I did a trial run last night and all I can say is " YUMMY!!". And it is super easy to make! I purchased a lot of milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate and peanut butter chips the other day. They were on sale for $1 at albertsons. I haven't decided if I am going to make simple chocolate chip cookies or a special new recipe for my special on sale chocolate chips. I feel as though something special needs to be done with them because the sale was so amazing. Its not like I couldnt do both.. I definitely have enough to go around!

To tie everything together and making the day absolutely perfect, you must have The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and Garfield's Halloween Adventure playing in the background. I love Linus' annual pilgrimage to the pumpkin patch at Halloween to wait for the Great Pumpkin. “...Tonight the Great Pumpkin will rise out of the pumpkin patch. He flies through the air and brings toys to all the children of the world.”

Although his friends think he is crazy.. they still tag along and wait. One by one they leave except for faithful little Sally. Until she realized she was sitting in a pumpkin patch with a "blockhead" and missed out on all the trick-or-treat'ing. Her rampage makes me giggle everytime.

And who doesn't love the lazy lasagna eating cat that likes to torment his owner, John, and BFF Odie? The infamous " candy candy candy candy" line constantly comes to my mind as I walk in the grocery store and see boxes upon boxes of halloween candy. I've seen the movie a hundred times but my nerves are still on edge when they start to encounter "real" ghosts and goblins. In the end Odie saves the day and all is happy. You just can't beat this kind of entertainment!

Between now and the day we go to the pumpkin patch there is a lot going on. Burn Institute volunteer work @ the Open house at Ramona Station 80 (Oct 18th), The Breast Cancer walk (Im up to $520 in donations.. woohoo!), friends coming into town at various times throughout the month, birthday parties and of course work. The month is jam-packed but I wouldnt have it any other way. I love this time of year!!!!

Auntie, Tee Tee, Nah nah, Nannon

Sometimes I wonder if I will ever be a mom. I feel like I am getting older and the posibility is getting smaller. It is a sad thought but the raw truth all at the same time. When I start to get down I look around and see what I have and how blessed I really am. Being an Aunt is by far one of the best feelings in the world! Even if I never have kids of my own.. I have 3 nephews and 2 nieces(and thats just the beginning) that I love with all of my heart. I know I just confused a couple of you with the numbers.. Jack and Noah LaTour are included in the count. :)

I look at my oldest niece, Alissa, and I am blown away at how tall she is and how old she is getting! While trying to teach her to call me auntie when she was little, she developed the name "tee tee" for me. Strange at first but it has grown on me and I love it. I still try to hold her like a baby. She doubles over in laughter and says " tee tee Im not a baby anymore". Maybe not but you will always be my "bear". Her knowledge about horses is amazing. I have real, meaningful conversations with her now. What happened to the little kid that used to watch Arthur, Drangon Tales, Teletubbies and Zaboomafoo while sitting on my lap? I even taught her how to play patty-cake.

Justen is a ball of energy and always coming running full force towards me to give me a hug. I always brace for impact and expect to be knocked off my feet. He is, after all, getting bigger not smaller. We sometimes color or play catch with the ball. I make it a point to ask him silly questions just to make him laugh. I missed out on a lot of his toddler days when I lived in orange county. He had the best smile as a chubby little baby! Peek-a-boo was our favorite game to play. Since he is a little old for that we stick to things like soccer. Rarely do we get to play but it is always a blast when we get the chance.

Peyton dubbed me her favorite aunt by spitting up on me every time I was in uniform. Katie would immediately reply " wow, she hasn't spit up in a long time"...thanks Katie. Apparently the dark blue pants and t-shirt were an inspriation for her. not to mention the various times she spit up on me while I was wearing shorts. There's just nothing like warm fresh baby vomit running down your leg. Strangely, I wouldn't change any of those moments for anything in the world. Her other 5 aunts may disagree about me being her favorite though. I tried teaching her to say "auntie" the other night. She gave me her grumpy face then started giggling. I also have a knack for putting this child to sleep. When in doubt, hand her over to Auntie Shannon. Someone once told me babies fall asleep on me so easily because I have a gentle spirit. I kinda like that thought. She's just about 9 months old. Where has the time gone? I feel like it was yesterday that I was running through the hospital parking lot trying to make it in time for her birth! She's so much fun. I get her laughing when I put on music and start dancing with her or singing to her.

Then there's two little boys who stole my heart the moment they were born. Jack and Noah.. my BFFs kids. They get so excited when Auntie Shannon comes over to play. A few weeks ago Jack actually called me Auntie Shannon. I was blown away and super excited all at the same time. I took the boys outside yesterday so they could run around a little. Noah has this new Thomas bouncy ball and he was all about playing with it. I kept reminding him to be careful and not let it roll down the embankment. I tossed him the ball and where did it go??? .. Down the embankment. Way to go Auntie! Noah and I stood next to the patio and watched in horror as Thomas bounced all the way down the hill, over rocks, through the weeds, across busy Hwy 78 and into the abyss that lay across the street. As the ball rolled and bounced across the Highway, I imagined a car driving by right at that moment, hitting the ball and exploding it into a million rubbery pieces. All while I stand there with my favorite 4 yr old as he simply says "Thomas" over and over. Talk about heartbreaking! We stopped on the side of the road before we went to get pizza. I sheepishly admitted to making the ball go down the hill, got out of the car and made my way across the street. I was once again a hero when I returned Thomas to Noah. Jack likes to tickle me so I pretend to ignore him then jump up, grab him and start tickling him. His deep belly laughs make me laugh even harder. He thought it was hilarious to chase my feet with his dump truck while we were outside. I was hopping around like I was doing some funky chicken dance. Then he had to melt my heart by grabbing a blanket and snuggling up to me just before bedtime.

I may be goofy around my nieces and nephews but I know they love me for it. Im sure I will be known as "Crazy Auntie Shannon" when I am old. I can't wait to meet the LaTour's newest baby whe she is born in December. And I am super excited about Jimmy/Jessica and Brian/Katie having more kids in a couple years. At this rate I will be throwing baby showers for the next 4 yrs or so.. That's nothing new. I have thrown a baby shower for someone every year for the past 3 yrs.. I love it! So.. I may not have kids of my own yet but I certainly don't lack the joy of having little ones around.

What Happens When...

What happens when 911 needs 911? It is a constant running joke in the command center. The funny thing was, 911 actually needed 911 last week when the command center started filling with smoke. Just in case you were wondering... that's a bad thing.. for numerous reasons. Our dispatchers called the local dispatch agency and had them send someone over. There is also a fire station on the same compound as the command center. Those two engines headed to the command center to check things out. Turns out part if the air conditioning unit was burning out. This left us with a smelly/smokey room and no air conditioning for 3 days. Good times.

What happens when you are sitting in bed reading and the power goes out? Sleep? nah.. you do what every other person in my complex did.. jump up, grab some type of light source and head outside to investigate.

Here I was minding my own business, reading, thinking to myself I needed to go to sleep because I could barely keep my eyes open when I heard an explosion and everything went black. The lights came on briefly then there was a second explosion and things went black again. The explosions sounded close so I hopped out of bed, tripped on my cell phone cord, kicked the laundry basket I hadn't moved and fumbled my way to the living room. I was thinking I had a flashlight somwhere but I couldnt, for the life of me, remember where. I found my candle lighter and lit almost every candle in my apartment. I grabbed my shoes and a candle and headed outside. Leslie(one of our night dispatchers) kept me updated on events via text message. Even the part where the units from Station 80 couldnt get the equiptment out of the building because the electricity was out there too. OOPS! They had to manually open the bay door.. probably in the dark or very dim light. Long story short, a vehicle slammed into a power pole near Ramona and H streets.

A disheaveled bedroom, pounding heart and stubbed toe later, I decided I was no longer sleepy. What are you supposed to do when it is pitch black in your home? Sleep I guess but I was wide awake after the explosions. I ended up laying here for a while thinking. Then finally came to the conclusion... I need to buy some flashlights! Oh and FYI.. just watched a show I recorded last night.. of course the power went out 10 min before it was over so it didn't record the last 10 min!! Bummer! I was hoping my DVR would work a miracle and record the rest of it.

Oh yah.. also thought about how christmas is just about 3 months away.. CRAZY! I have gotten a jump on things though. I have half of the stocking stuffers bought and gifts completed for 2 people. I decided to write a list and keep track of what I have bought for who. I always try to start shopping early but I lose track of what I have gotten. Not this year though! I can't wait for Christmas! 85 days to go!