ehn oh...spells NO!!

I have always had a hard time telling people no. My life is insanely busy based on my inability to utter a word formed by two simple letters. When Jason and I were first married I really had a hard time when it came to saying the above mentioned word. I was always taking on crazy projects, helping wherever needed, and donating Jason when someone needed him. With Jason's crazy schedule and me working full time and having 2 small children our time together was rather limited. Jason found what he thought was a way to help me...he wrote NO on a piece of paper and taped it on the inside of the cupboard door by the phone. When the phone would ring, Jason would open the cupboard and point at the sign. I would always end up saying "yes" and Jason would walk away shaking his head, muttering something about hooked on phonics... I just really enjoy helping others and being needed is always a great boost to the ego and a I forget my own problems when I am busy. I am not neglecting my "stuff" when I tell others yes, I am just adding on to my list of things that need to be done. I do decline my assistance if I really really really can't do what you need but oh it aches to my very core to do so and I try to avoid using the actual "word". So I ask you, at what point can/do you just say no...besides the whole drugs, alcohol, and smoking scene? And does it ever get easier??

Until the day comes that I can say "no" with ease, this is what you will hear from me...

"My life cannot implement in action the demands of all the people to whom my heart responds"
--Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Much better/easier...don't you think??!!

no adjective 1) not any, adverb, 2) a word we use to answer a question, or indicate disagreement

Just say no to drugs!

drug noun, 1) a substance that changes the body's chemistry, medicine 2) a narcotic

Just another day at the office...

The following is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth...names have been changed.

Chief,
Today, at BC 35 request, station 3 units responded to an "iguana in a tree call". On our arrival, no kidding, there was an iguana in a tree. He was about 30' up. This call was at our city park on 100 N.

The owner of the iguana had been on his way to the pet store to purchase a leash for his pet lizard. On the way he stopped for little free time at the park. As soon as the lizard got the chance he (or she, I can't tell) ran up a tree. The owner had tried to shake the little reptile out of the tree prior to our arrival. No luck.

Of course for this rescue we would in no way put ourselves in danger.

Our first plan of action was to ladder the tree. Although we knew we could not reach the Iguana we hoped to obtain a more advantageous position for shaking the tree. Not familiar with iguana rescue tactics we thought we would try shaking first. FF "Smith" shook many leaves from the tree. This caused the iguana to climb higher into the tree.

The owner of the ophidian suggested that we pull out our chainsaw and cut off the branch that the little guy was on. Now this is a big beautiful tree and cutting this single branch would have put 20% of the tree on the ground and caused much grief to the residents that frequent the park. We did not pull out the chainsaw.

At our wits end, and with agreement from the owner, we pulled out a handline. At this point the reptant was at the very top of the tree. A straight stream with the engine at idle only was not enough to dislodge the Chameleon (who apparently becomes darker as the weather gets colder). About 120 psi and several direct hits (the marksmanship of Swat "Jones" was amazing) finally caused the iguana to fall to the ground.

Once we realized that he did not splatter, and before we could pat ourselves on the back, we found ourselves in a foot race with the little serpentiform. This guy was up on his two hind legs running a 50 yard dash. He beat us to the next tree!!! Luckily his owner was able to knock him off the trunk of the tree before he climbed out of reach.

There we were again, trying to outrun a lizard. This time he was caught. He did not appear to be hurt. Back to the car then off to the store to buy a leash.

The owner thanked us several times for hitting his iguana with a straight stream! "Anytime", what else is there to say?

Not only did we save the little dinosaur from freezing tonight, but apparently the pressure from the nozzle helped him with his skin condition. Yes our little guy would have normally been a $120 iguana, but do to a fungus he was purchased for a mere $20. Now with much of his fungus gone he is worth more. So there should be a dollar gain on the fire report.

Captain "Brown"

lizard noun, a cold blooded reptile with four short legs and a scaly body

All in a day's work...

Jen's day...

Jason's day...

work noun, 1) a job, a form of labor, a duty 2) a deed, an accomplishment, verb, 3) to do a job, to labor, to perform a duty

Monday Memories...on Saturday!!

This memory was brought back when I saw Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" on one of my friends blog playlists...I wasn't going to mention names but the memory is so joyful (said with much sarcasm) I must thank her. So to Talya, I send muchas gracias'!!
You are all aware of the non-cooperative body I received to dwell in while on this mortal journey. Six weeks after having Brian I had to have surgery. I have been incredibly blessed with the support of fantastic doctors over my lifetime and I really believe that has made a lot of what I have gone through much more bearable. Well on this particular occasion the head of anesthesia at a major hospital in our area, who is also a family friend of ours, happened to be my anesthesiologist. I was pretty nervous about this procedure, especially now that I had a child to worry about and bless everyone that day who tried to calm my nerves....everyone except this particular anesthesiologist. As they were taking me into the OR he met us out in the hall and said "don't you worry Jen, this is going to be more of a party than anything...we have music, awesome hats (he had on a crazy psychedelic scrub hat), and lots of people to party with". Then as they wheeled my bed through the OR doors I was greeted with Johnny Cash singing Ring of Fire rather loudly. As my friend began the process of knocking me out he too was singing along. The last thing I remember before I went unconscious is Dave's face 12 inches above mine belting out "oh oh oh Ring of Fire". Years later he was again my anesthesiologist for another surgery and I told him if he played Ring of Fire I was leaving...he grinned, knocked me out, and I am positive I heard Johnny Cash crooning away while I slumbered through surgery.

Friends, Family, and Fun!!

Tank of gas.....$21.59
Dinner at Applebees.....$45.61
Parking.....$10.00
(well it would have been if their machines didn't
break down so we didn't have to pay...woohoo)

An evening with the best friends in the entire universe.....PRICELESS

friend noun, a person who knows and likes another

Happy Birthday Joshie!!

birthday noun, the day someone is born

What's up doc??

Here is a glimpse of our lives lately...

Sick kids...

This is what I trip over almost every morning...

Our son the thespian...
Ethan was a Native American in the school Thanksgiving Program...

????????????????
We still wonder if there was a mix up at the hospital...
If not then it is all from Jason's gene pool!!

The queen of the castle!!

glimpse noun, 1) a brief look at something, verb, 2) to get a quick look at something

I gotta go!!

While on our vacation back in September you can imagine how many restroom visits we made with 4 of us being kids and 3 of us being women...you can also imagine the frustration that "man with bladder made of steel" (aka Jason) felt every time he heard "I gotta go pee/poo" (that was the kids, myself and the grammies were much more ladylike in our requests). After visiting approximately 3.4 zillion restrooms I must say, Legoland wins my vote for cutest dang restroom signs in California.


bathroom noun, a room with a toilet and a sink where people wash

To boldly go where no man has gone before...

Last Friday (Dec 5th) I had a ton of errands to run and lucky me, Jason was off for the day to help. We dropped Hannah and Joshie off at grammy's house and began the insanity. Our first stop was at the Orem Employee Credit Union which happens to be downstairs in the Court Building. Jason had to run to his office and so as we parted ways Jason kissed me on the cheek and said enjoy your strip search. As you enter into the court building you are met by security guards and police officers. It's like airport security only usually much faster. On any other visit I have been asked are you going to court, to which I reply that I am going down to the credit union. After knowing that the guards have always sent my purse through the x-ray scanner, me through the metal detector and then send me on my way. Well on this particular day I walked in and said hi to the guard. He said hi and didn't ask where I was going. He took my purse and sent it through the x-ray, sent me through the metal detector and instead of giving my purse right back he proceeded to empty it out one item at a time until all that was left was the popcorn in the bottom, left over from the movie we went to over Thanksgiving break. I figured that they had changed their security procedures and that Jason knew that and that is why he had made the strip search comment. After the purse was emptied and filled back up the guard proceeded to use his metal wand to scan my person. Up to this point we had both been awkwardly quiet and out of sheer discomfort I began rambling on about absolutely nothing. After "wanding" most of me he asked "so, what brings you to court today?" I said that I was actually just going down to the credit union. He looked like he was going to throw up and handed me back my purse and said "I am so sorry, none of this was even necessary". I laughed and told him that I was getting worried that he was going to break out the latex gloves and he turned a very bright shade of red. I commented on his bravery in searching through my purse and that by doing it he had gone where no man had gone before...the poor guy was so embarrassed!! My purse is a complete disaster 99.9% of the time...Jason refuses to search in it for anything...I could tell him there is a $100 in it and he still wouldn't go near it!! You don't believe me....

The popcorn at the bottom of my purse...

The contents of my purse...

Needless to say I will make it VERY clear that I am NOT going to court next time!!

search noun, 1) a careful investigation, a hunt, verb, 2) to look for someone or something