Christmas isn't quite done yet

To: Mom, who needs a little winter snow along with her homemade bread ;-)

Erbs or Herbs

I feel that this may be another one of those Tomato, Tomaato conversations, alas we are not here to discuss how to pronounce said Herbs. If you would like further imput please consult My Fair Lady. That's all I have to say...

I wanted to post the pictures I promised you off all the books WOT got me for Christmas, so that I could learn how to keep her fit and beautimous forever!

I think I'm getting squeemish...

There are really a whole handful of things that I could write about, dang my procrastinating self. I actually would like to take some pictures and post about the box of books my mother gave me for Christmas, and after that I will be accepting applications for someone to build me another bookshelf seeing as she seemed to have forgotten that I already own too many books. That said - maybe that can be my plan for tomorrow - a massive blogathon!!!!!!!

Here's where you cringe and remind yourself not to check back here for another six months. It's okay, I understand.

On a more pressing note.

I am signing myself up for a Wilderness Medicine Institute course. What? Might you ask. Yes, I know it sounds odd, but since my parents see fit to only drag us through the wilderness on family vacations I thought knowing some serious EMT type first aid training might come in handy. The course looks amazing; in depth, but amazing. There is just one area where I am feeling the palpitations starting. Please, continue to read...

"...risks may include, among other things: Strenuous physical activity; slipping and falling; pinches, scrapes, twists and jolts; sprains, strains, broken bones; collision with fixed or movable objects; weather conditions; falling objects; water hazards; exhaustion; exposure to temperature and weather extremes which could cause hypothermia, hyperthermia (heat related illnesses), heat exhaustion, sunburn, dehydration; and exposure to potentially dangerous wild animals, insect bites, and hazardous plant life; rope burns; being struck by rock fall or other objects dislodged or thrown from above; equipment failure; and improper lifting or carrying;
my own physical condition, and the physical exertion associated with this activity; the condition of roads, terrain, or highways and accidents connected with their use; other participants’ and/or my own negligence; and emotional stress."

Oh that? I'm not afraid!!...Well, maybe a little. It gets better I assure you.

"Physical activities include running (ah I hope you me a fast walk?), hiking, repetitive lifting and carrying. Certain activities will require travel by foot and other means, over unimproved roads, hiking trails and rugged off-trail terrain including downed timber, river crossings,snow, ice, steep slopes, slippery rocks and other features. These travel risks include falling, drowning (like in love?), becoming lost (well, that's nothing new)and others usually associated with such travel, including environmental risks.Environmental risks and hazards include flowing, deep and cold water (I think I'd only do it if it was non-flowing deep and cold water); insects, snakes, animals; falling and rolling rock;lightning, falling timber, and unpredictable forces of nature, including weather which may change to extreme conditions without notice. Possible injuries and illnesses include hypothermia, frostbite, sunburn, heatstroke, dehydration, and other mild or serious conditions..."

All this for a family vacation? Sheesh! ;-) Last but not least:

"...unwelcome touching while acting the role of patient in a
scenario; and emotional distress in response to training scenarios..."

Haha to think I could inflict emotional distress as I lay bleeding on some rock (fake blood of course). I'm just saying, I may be a new kind of me after March 11th...Stay tuned for the next installment entitled - Wanted: To Get In Shape Before March, So I Don't Look Stupid In Front Of A Bunch Of EMTs.

Merry Christmas to All!

I'm rather uninspired to write something long and drawn out today, but I wanted to say a quick Merry Christmas to you all, before my weekend of work.

I hope that whether you get to be home and with family or not, that your holiday is a blessed one. Find some ways to be with the ones you love, and to remember the greatest gift of all.

One of my favorite memories about Christmas was that dad would read the Christmas story to us. We would go to Christmas Eve service, and then once we were home we'd settle in with glasses of egg nog, and listen to dad as he read. We weren't serious often, hehe but when we were it was special.

Even this year, when we can't be together we've still found ways to enjoy the holidays as a family. I got a call last night from the parents as they were doing one of our family traditions of driving to see all the neighborhood Christmas lights. Normally as we drive we think of all the Christmas song we can, and attempt to sing them. Dad sings off key on purpose, and mom harmonizes...even amidst dad's racket ;-). Usually the sis and I would just end up rolling in laughter in the back of the van. We even make up words to the songs to fit our jokes. Such was the case last night. I got the full description of lights as they drove, and we even had some carol singing over the phone. It was so fun!!!

That said - Merry Christmas!!! Thank you for being a part of this blog for another year. May Jesus bless you, keep you, and bring you closer to him this next year!

I'm walking through a white Christmas...

This is Torque's first snowfall! When I opened the door initially he was completely unsure if he should go out in the stuff, but after that it was pure joy. He LOVED it, and so did I.

All this joy and love however, came after the beginning of my night...

Heading home from work at 1930 (military time obviously) there was already a lot of snow on the ground, and it was still coming down. I wasn't worried about the highway drive, but I figured that I could have some trouble on the hills close to home. It turns out my fears were well grounded. Aside from the general icy conditions, the real issue came when I fell in line behind 3 other cars a a stop sign. Unfortunately there is a hill on the other side of the stop, and there were cars in all the lanes having trouble.


When it was our turn to try (after waiting forever) we didn't even get up the hill when we started spinning our tires. Long story short, I ended up pulling the car partially off the road; knowing it might get hit, so that I could hike the mile home and decide what to do. Poor Torque had to pee, and I had to get some better clothes on.

The walk home in thin scrub pants, with snow up around my ankles was not the most pleasant experience. I trudged through the heavy snow on the side of the road, and when the road was empty we (there were others doing the same) walked on the road. Thank you Jesus that mom had always taught us to make sure you at least have in your car clothes that would be helpful if your car broke down. That morning I had specifically put a scarf and my heaving gloves in the car...they turned out to be very helpful...



Once I got home I let the dog out, changed into my
snow pants, boots, and head gear, and prepared to trek back the mile to my car. AAA although helpful had a delay until 3am to get someone out to help, I decided to try it myself.

My little backpack had my craftsman flashlight, camera, wallet, and extra scarf. I had Torque's leash in my left hand, and my container of salt in the other. By this point it's almost 10:30.

The hike back while more tiring because I was carrying a load, was at least warmer!


The walk was so pretty. Snow everywhere, and that winter quiet when the world is insulated by the falling flakes. I wish I had had a better camera to capture some of the sights, but oh well - just know it's all in my head!

When we got back to the car most of the chaos had stopped. Most people had just left their vehicles. This was good because I had more space to work. I took me a bit of maneuvering slowly, but I got in a good position at the bottom of the hill and tried. No luck. A guy and his girlfriend were very nice and offered me a ride if I couldn't get up the hill, but I was determined. I will fess up that after about the 20th try I DID say a cuss word...but if it's consolation I hadn't really eaten much since 12 that afternoon, had walked 2 miles, and had worked a 14 hour day. That said my next words were asking Jesus and his angels to please melt the ice enough so I could get up the hill. I backed up pretty far to see if I could get a rolling start, salted in front of the car to try and get some traction, down shifted and started up the hill. The salt was helpful, and I think worth while to keep in the car.

Once I got moving I tried to slowly avoid the major ice patches, and not stop. Foot by blessed foot I crept up the hill. I can not tell you how excited I was! I was a long slippery mile to the neighborhood and the safety of my garage, but I finally made it! It was 11:30.

I was tired, cold, and excited. I had a horrid tension headache, and by legs were red from walking home the first time, but I didn't care. I got Torque some chew stuff me some Ibuprofen, and fell into bed.

Sorry for the long story, but I think it was a good one. It just goes to show, with a little resolve, common sense, and creativity you can break out of the normal box we live in and make hot chocolate out of cocoa.

Vinny - king of the hill

Please bare in mind when judging my appearance that it WAS 24 degrees out, felt like 18, we'd been hiking for over 1.5 hours, my nose would not stop running, and I think my lungs stopped working about an hour earlier. All that said don't you think I look great? Haha. Vinny is one of Julia's dogs, and he loves to jump into my arms. That however, was not good enough today, he wanted top lookout position. It was so hilarious - he sat there for about 5 minutes before deciding to go play with the other dogs.