and so it begins... 12:53 PM

They warned us it was going to snow. They are usually wrong. But today it went from rain to hail to snow in a matter of 30 minutes. The sky turned white and the heavens opened up. Crazy.

It piled up super fast and then the calls started coming in. (I was at work, probably should have mentioned that.) Ususally it's a slow day to be assigned on the Engine. But when things freeze all bets are off. We started by running a million calls for "wires down". The older side of our city has all their cable/phone/electricity wires up on poles instead of underground like most of us are used to.

When the wet snow caked on the wires they sagged over the roadways. And the cable lines, which were held to the houses by staples and thin wire, separated from the houses. So people called 911. Because we are the power and cable company? Sure. Why not. We tied them up around whatever was near, threw a piece of caution tape on them and moved on. Luckily I found the above moment of Zen.

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAN ONLY FIX FIRES AND MEDICAL EMERGENCIES. That should be a PSA.

We got dispatched for a fire in a neighboring jurisdiction. The "fire" was no fire at all. One engine and a battalion chief SUV slid down the hill and got stuck in a ditch trying to get there. We made our way back to the station through this. Traffic. Cars were everywhere. That's a another thing people called 911 for "my car is stuck". Yeah. Call a tow company. People's commutes took 5-9 hours. It made me thankful to know I had a 72 hour kit with food and water in the car. Remind me to add TP to the kit.

With all the calls in the perilous weather I never felt worried about our being out on the road. Mike was driving; he is a good chauffeur. Did I mention that we were so busy that we didn't get dinner until 10pm. Around 9pm I was hypoglycemic and grumpy and there was no end in sight. So when we did get to the station for two minutes I ran to a) the bathroom and b) grabbed the bag of dried mangoes out of my work 72 hour kit. They saved us. It was a long night but we got to bed around 1am. And so the season of blizzards begins...

green hills 6:34 PM

This is what the hills of Northern California look like in the winter.
I did not photoshop this at all (except to crop it).
I love them.

disney treasures 1:09 PM

As I am cleaning and purging while moving rooms, I am coming across lots of great things - most of which I can identify as trash vs. treasure. But these, these have me confused. They were slowly but surely collected from Burger king I have a set of eight. I have been saving them for 10+ years. They have a facebook page, you can buy these collectibles new on eBay for upwards of 4 dollars each! Tell me to throw them away. I can't do it. They are awesome.

addendum:
Tamarin says they are probably made of carcinogenic plastic. I should throw them away.

thanksgiving s'more pie 11:23 PM

Hello Smore Pie. I saw this pie on a website the other week and new I had to try it this thanksgiving because who doesn't like smores?!? That was a rhetorical question. If you answered it with "me" then we can no longer be friends. Sorry.

The recipe originated from Gourmet on Epicurious, I modified it slightly:

Graham Cracker Crust:

• 1 graham cracker crust, baked and cooled completely

Chocolate Cream filling:

• 7 ounces milk chocolate chips
  *I used Hershey because, duh, it's a s'more*
  
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 large egg, at room temperature for 30 minutes

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Put chocolate in a large bowl. Bring cream just to a boil in a 1- to 1 1/2-quart heavy saucepan, then pour hot cream over chocolate. Let stand 1 minute, then gently whisk until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Gently whisk in egg and a pinch of salt until combined and pour into graham cracker crumb crust (crust will be about half full).

Cover edge of pie with a pie shield or foil and bake until filling is softly set and trembles slightly in center when gently shaken, about 25 minutes. Cool pie to room temperature on a rack (filling will firm as it cools), about 1 hour.

Marshmallow topping:

• 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin (from a 1/4-ounce package)
  *I would use more gelatin next time to make it a thicker mallow*
  
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• Vegetable oil for greasing

Sprinkle gelatin over 1/4 cup cold water in a large deep heatproof bowl and let stand until softened, about 1 minute.

Stir together sugar, corn syrup, a pinch of salt, and remaining 1/4 cup water in cleaned 1- to 1 1/4-quart heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil over moderate heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved, then boil until thermometer registers 260°F, about 6 minutes. *I did not have a thermometer so I just guessed and took it off after about 8 minutes.*

Begin beating water and gelatin mixture with an electric mixer at medium speed, then carefully pour in hot syrup in a slow stream, beating (avoid beaters and side of bowl). When all of syrup is added, increase speed to high and continue beating until mixture is tripled in volume and very thick, about 5 minutes. Add vanilla and beat until combined, then immediately spoon topping onto center of pie filling; it will slowly spread to cover top of pie. Chill, uncovered, 1 hour, then cover loosely with lightly oiled plastic wrap (oiled side down) and chill 3 hours more. *I don't know if you need to cover it. I did once but not the second time and it kept just fine.*

Brown topping:

Preheat broiler. Transfer pie to a baking sheet. Cover edge of pie with pie shield or foil and broil 3 to 4 inches from heat, rotating pie as necessary, until marshmallow topping is golden brown, about 3 minutes. Cool pie on a rack 10 minutes.

Or use a cooking torch if you are fancy like that.

Or use a torch-like butane lighter if you are ghetto like us. *Please note the care taken to burn a smiley face and the word Hi in ours.*

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

VA Beach 11:14 AM

Thursday Sept. 9th

I had not been to the beach all summer. Travesty. I was going to say some bad words but this sign made me think twice about that. Miriam decided to play hookie from work and we headed south to Virginia beach.

We picked up Beth on the way too. She had just finished a 12 hour night shift so the beach was just what she needed. Let me tell you about all the great things we did at the beach: laid in the sun, slept, read books, turned over, laid in the sun, read books, played in the waves, took a walk along the beach, laid in the sun, slept, read books, turned over, you get the gist...

Afterward we headed over to a local restaurant, Chick's, on the recommendation of a friend. We were fortunate to get there right at sunset. Their fresh seafood was delicious. We ate crab dip and I had some yummy fish taco's. It was a great day an I was able to get in a much needed helping of vitamin D.

silent tree 9:24 PM

Saturday, September 18th

Outside our cabin at the ward retreat this weekend silently sat one lone little tree. Dwarfed by his big brothers but protected by the light. I just thought it was a cool picture.

Multi-Alarm Fire 10:42 AM

Thursday, September 23rd

A call went out for a house fire in the city next to ours. Sidenote: Something to note is that just because someone calls in reporting a house on fire, doesn't actually mean that it is. In fact, usually it isn't. Our Engine went on the call, myself and two other coworkers were back at the firehouse manning the Medic. A second alarm was struck as the units dispatched were responding to the house, apparently the chief responding could see a plume of smoke from where he was.

The boys and I walked outside to see if we could see it from our place and sure enough - we could see a tower of smoke billowing in the distance. The city called over and asked if we could staff our Quint (ladder truck). We told the Deputy Chief and showed him the tower of smoke, he though about it, and thought about it, and then told us to take our stuff off the Medic and take the Quint.

As we arrived on scene there were clogged streets everywhere. We had to park further away than we should have and hike into the scene. It was so hot that day. As we walked towards the scene, I decided to snap some pictures with the iPhone 4 and hope they turned out. Apparently they did.

Once we passed the apparatus it looked like ghost town. The street was empty except for a few firefighters and large wall of smoke. Time seemed to move slowly as I tried to look through the smoke to the unknown behind it. It was really eerie, and while it was nothing like 9/11, I for a second I could only imagine what those rescuers walking the empty streets towards the wall of smoke towards the unknown felt like.

Then a gust of wind came and revealed the burning structures behind the wall of smoke. There was fire everywhere. We knew that several houses were on fire and everyone was ordered to stay out of the houses and just fight the fire defensively. "Surround and drown" is the saying. We protected the neighboring houses and put out the burning ones from the outside.

This meant that three ladder trucks were up flowing water from their towers. And hoses were on the ground surrounding the houses. We were assigned to a hose. It was boring. Basically you sit there holding the hose and dumping copious amounts of water on the structure. Yes, while we were doing that I pulled out the phone again and snapped this picture (right side) of my co-worker holding the line. Also note how wet he is. It was like being in a torrential downpour over there.

As we headed to rehab after our assignment was done, our boots squished with all the water that had run down into them. And did I mention how hot it was? We had our vitals checked, drank a bunch of Gatorade and told the man in-charge we were ready to go back in. Luckily the fire was out soon thereafter and we just helped with cleanup.

two pictures merged - click to enlarge

At the end, this was the final damage. Three houses destroyed: two burnt to the ground and one completely gutted. Five houses damaged: the heat from the houses melted the plastic siding of neighboring houses to reveal the particle board underneath. If the fire department hadn't gotten there in time to protect them, those five houses would have held to the same fate as the two neighboring houses of the initial fire house.

The heat melted the stop off of the sign.
For video go here: Statter911.com

Q&A:

Q: Was anyone hurt in this fire?
A: No people were hurt in this fire. A neighbor noticed the smoke and got his family and the family on the other side of the house on fire out before it spread to their houses. The fire spread fast. Some animals of one of the neighbors were killed.

Q: What started the fire started?
A: A cigarette. The home owner put it out in a planter on his deck. It was out, or so he thought. It smoldered, started a little fire in the mulch, and grew from there.

Q: How did the fire department let three houses get destroyed?
A: By the time the first in units got there, it was already engulfing most of the three houses. The fire spread really quickly for three reasons:
1- Houses are constructed with light-weight combustible material. The outside of the house is covered with plastic siding (easily melts and turns into gas to feed the fire). Under that is chip board or particle board which is large sawdust held together by glue, both of which melt and create more fuel for the fire. Note that glues and plastics make hotter fires than wood.
2- New houses are being built too close together. These were only 10 feet apart at places, 16 feet apart maximum. It was easy for the heat to reach the combustible outer layer of the neighboring houses. Also note it warped and in some cases melted the plastic siding of the houses across the street.
3- High winds helped fuel the fire, contributed to spread and made it harder for us to get under control.

Q: Would residential sprinkler systems have prevented this?
A: No, in my opinion. The research that I have read residential sprinkler systems only help control the fire if it starts inside the home, not in the attic. The fire started on the outside deck, spread up the siding where the smoke and heat trapped in the attic and made a nice little home there. By the time it would have banked down and caused the residential sprinklers to go off, it would have been too late for this houses. Residential sprinklers don't put out the fire, they just suppress it. More on that here.

Q: Is it important for me to teach my kids fire safety like having a plan to get out of the house? And have a meeting spot outside away from the house? And get a firebox for important documents?
A: Yes, yes and yes. Because fire is no respecter of persons. It can happen to any neighborhood, any type of housing, any race, religion, age, it doesn't care. You never think it could happen to you, but it can. Be safe. Fire safety week 2010 stuff here. Family fire safety stuff here.

Blue Angels 3:00 PM

David arranged for the Blue Angels to come to Idaho Falls* to keep us entertained between the wedding and reception. So after a delicious family lunch at the Olive Garden (yum) the Adairs and I headed to a park to watch the show.

Ella had a photoshoot at the park. I loved how animated Nate was to get her laughing and I love how excited she got watching him. I mean, look at that picture - she was ecstatic!

Tamarin was excited too, so much that she jumped for joy. We decided to each marry a Blue Angels pilot, then we could go for rides in their planes. Plus, what a hot job is that?! And Ashlynn can marry one of their little brothers.

*The Blue Angels were there for a Pioneer Day Air Show. David did not actually bring them in.

David & Bobbiejane's Wedding 1:00 PM

*** Remember you can see these pictures full size by clicking on them. ***

Saturday Morning David woke up all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. He showered, shaved, threw some gel in his hair, the specially made tie on his neck and he was ready to go get married.

David and Bobbie were married for time and for all of eternity in the Idaho Falls, LDS temple. The sealing was lovely and I barely cried at all. When they exited the temple as husband and wife the two of them radiated joy, they were smiles ear to ear.
Sidenote: Who love's David's gray suit? I do. I love it. And Bobbies dress was so classic and beautiful. She is gorgeous.

It was great to have so much family up in Idaho Falls. I was surprised and impressed with our extended family, for so may of them coming so far and to such a random place. It really showed how much everyone cared and reaffirmed that when you marry into our "family", it is not just the immediate family - it is the whole clan.

It was also fun having some little kiddos around for entertainment. In case you don't know them well... top left: Ella, Annie & Nate's (with Grandma Gail) top right: Bryce, Cathi & Vince's (with Grandpa Bob) bottom left: Noah, Kaylee & Jarom's (with Jarom) bottom right: Elijah, also Kaylee & Jarom's (playing hug-o-war with Bryce).

This is Bobbiejane's family. They are from eastern Washington state. Bobbie has four sisters and no brothers. All the sisters but Brooke (the youngest, far right) are married. They are actually a pretty cool family, Bobbie's parents seem like really nice in-laws to inherit.

This is David's family. Duh. I would tell you how cool they are, but you already know. Everyone but Vince (Cathi's husband) came to the wedding. I am now the lone un-wed child. Lonely, maybe, but it has its perks (see: Europe post coming soon). Luckily, like I said, our "family" includes extended family - so I am not actually alone, I still have Tamarin.

A couple more family pictures. Me & the Siblings. Newlyweds & Grandma. I knew Grandma was short, but I never realized how short until that day.

Here's the clan. We missed Troy & Shawn (on missions at the time), Cami, Ryan, Vince, the Iversons and the Bradley's. They were there in our hearts and thoughts. Also note in the picture: Bryce and Uncle David. They are buddies.

Well friends, this concludes part one of the wedding post.
Stay tuned for part two tomorrow...

p.s. Because I have seen it butchered multiple times, here is a PSA for Bobbie. Her first given name is "Bobbiejane". One name, not a first and middle name respectively. No capital on the "J" when they are merged. Bobbiejane. Yes, you can call her Bobbie for short. No, you cannot caller her BJ. Yes, you can call her Edna.

David's BYU-I Graduation 11:07 PM

"I am so tired of ponytails." - Tamarin
"If I pull up your blog and see that ponytail picture one more time..." - Kerry

I am SORRY.

I will be posting David's graduation/wedding and then Europe pictures ASAP. Until then all of you non-facebook folks can click on the hyperlinks above for pictures.


The morning of David's Graduation was spent setting up for his wedding. One of the horticulture labs was taken over by boxes and boxes of David's beautiful flowers and...

...yummy yummy cakes. Mom baked the cakes in Utah and transported them up to Rexburg. There, in the flower lab, she mixed up batches frosting and filled and frosted the cakes. She let me help.

We took a break for lunch at a favorite of the Rexburg bunch - Craigo's Pizza. Bryce was really fun on this trip, he took no time at all to warm up to me. He is the cutest little curly-hared kid ever.

That evening David graduated from BYU-Idaho. There were two ceremonies, the second of which was held in this pretty chapel.

David graduated with a BS in Horticulture. He makes the count four out of four kids to graduate college.

Nice job bud! You are awesome.

It was so fun that we all got to be out there for David's graduation. It was actually my first time being in Rexburg. I loved hanging out with the family and enjoying each others company.

independence day 11:52 PM

.

Happy Birthday America!!!

Today we had a bunch of friends over for a BBQ. We like BBQ's. On the menu: sliders (Ashley has been obsessing about them since she heard about Tamarin's b-day) topped with your choice of cheeses, bacon, grilled pineapple, grilled peppers, carmelized onions and the usual. Friends brought a million slides and delicious desserts and we all just hung out and enjoyed eachother's company. It was a great group of friends, we are very lucky to have them.

reward if found 9:37 AM

Two years (to the day) after these sunglasses inspired my first blog post, I have officially lost my prescription Oakley's. I cannot find them. They are not in my car, they are not at work, they are not in my bag. I even took drastic measures and cleaned my room (pick your jaw up off the ground, lets not get dramatic here, it's only like 80% clean - I still have one corner to finish) hoping to find them. No dice. I am afraid I have to officially declare them lost. I am offering a reward if you can find them. I miss them. And I am sure that they miss my face. :(

painted sky 2 11:44 PM

The sky was so pretty tonight driving home from a dinner. I wandered into the HOV lane and ended up in DC to enjoy the memorials.

firefighter 2 DONE 3:16 PM

After rocking the written test on the 19th, our class did less than stellar during the live burns. For live burns, the cement burn building (above) get strategically filled with wood palates and hay and set on fire for us to go in and put out. Oh, and the put life size/weight greased up dummies in there for us to pull out.

I was a nervous wreck. I hate live burns. When you are going to a real fire, you only have 5-10 minutes to get nervous and then you just do it. And if you don't do it book-perfectly then no one yells at you. As long as you put the fire out and stay safe, you are good to go. But at training burns, they yell at you when you do not do it the book way. Which is right and I understand why, I just hate it.

My stomach was churning so much that morning that I almost vomited and I may or may not have been on the brink of tears when I saw a girl friend of mine who happened to be teaching there. I don't handle being nervous very well. Or overwhelmed. I am doomed.

The burn building is pretty cool, it is a different set up on each side and it all melds together with a maze of rooms and stairs in the middle. We did three sets of burns before stopping, deploying different hose lines and throwing different ladders. My group did well with the exception of throwing ladders, but apparently there were a lot of mistakes made and instead of passing us, we were sentenced to two weeks of remediation on ladders and hose.

They were hard weeks, throwing ladders for a week and deploying hose lines into the building for a week. All of this was done in full turnout gear with SCBA on in 90-100 degree heat and 90% humidity. Those two weeks of remediation finished today, thank goodness, and we all passed. Yay!

"lavender" gloves 3:07 PM

I found lavender gloves in the ER today. I was so excited. The normal gloves are gray. Gray and boring. These are fun! Although I was sad that they did not smell like lavender. I just wanted a hint of the smell. I mean, don't put little sprigs of lavender on the box if they are not going to smell like it.

marine barracks evening parade 11:27 PM

Susan got tickets for the Evening Parade at the Marine Barracks today. The barracks in DC are the oldest Post of the Marines, established in 1801. In the "parade" the President's Marine Band and the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps played. They were impressive with their ability to march and play. The highlight of the night was the Silent Drill Platoon. These men marched in perfect formation weilding rifles with fixed bayonets. Their precision moves were so in sync that every tap of a hand and every step of a foot yielded a thundering effect. It was a beautiful thing to watch. As were the men in uniform.