Stuck in the middle.

Since I joined the fire department I have been able to remain friends with a core group of firefighter wives.  The four of us sit together at gala's, go to the movies together and often converse together on facebook.  They respect that I love being on the fire side of things and they accept me as a fireman's wife as well.  This has never been an issue until recently. 

Every month or so the firefighter wives get together for an evening of gabbing, venting and laughing.  Since this months event was hosted by one of of our four they insisted that I come.  The only reason I hesitated was because it was on a training night and I hate to miss training.  Firefighting is my second job and it is important to stay on top of training.  Somehow though I took the bait and went to hang out with the ladies. 

Unfortunately I was still on call and when someone at the hall keyed the mic and my pager echoed it all eyes turned to me.  When they started talking about chief and his military style I felt some women look at me and wonder what I would say.  When they started relenting about the pagers going off and how they were left wide eyed and awake with the forgotten pager by their bed side, my mind went to us jumping into the truck all realizing that non of us brought our pagers.  Then they talked about the upcoming spousal event that I am not invited to because I am now a firefighter.  There were moments where I felt I didn't belong.  Moments when I wanted to go the hall and dive into training. There were also moments where I was glad to have a good laugh and get to know some amazing women. 

As my mind was filled with mixed thoughts I began to assess this group.  There were 8 of us.  8 women all living separate lives, filled with separate responsibilities and separate fears.  Not everyone knew that one of those women was watching the clock countdown to today when she will learn if she is FINALLY pregnant or not.  Not everyone knew that another women was dreading today as she would be getting one of her breasts removed.  Many could not relate to the stay at home mom who was dreading jury duty as it would take her away from her kids and probably no one knew how special it meant that they all showed up in support of the honored host.  To be honest I hope no one knew that I felt a little out of my element that once used to feel so familiar.

Blaine knew though, how torn I felt about this entire evening.  I think that was why him and another buddy decided to crash our "girls only night" by walking in as Fire Men arriving for entertainment.  My heart filled with Joy when I saw him in the ever so familiar suit.  The suit of protection. The suit of comfort.  The suit I chose not to wear that evening.

In the end I ended up missing a great night of hose training which I really needed to learn but I also learned a lot about some very special ladies and I also learned that it is tough being stuck in the middle.

Common Cents

Yes I know, I spelt sense wrong.  :) For some reason the kids in our family have a problem with the simple term "Common Sense."  Almost every time I come home from work I know exactly where the kids have been.  Granola bar wrappers here, half eaten apples there, boots left by the door, jackets flung on the floor.  Then there is the obvious things like an un flushed toilet, or a bowl left on the table.  Just the simple things in life that if they were taken care of they could make my day so much easier.

The other day I came up with the best idea.  Like any kid our kids love the idea of money and being able to spend it on great things that they want.  We haven't ever really done the allowance thing but somewhere in the back of my mind I boiled up this great idea and so far it is working wonders.

They are called Common Cents jars.  Every Friday we divide $20.00 worth of quarters between three jars, one for each kid.  Throughout the week they get daily reminders about Common Cents.  After the first reminder if they don't fix the picture we take a quarter away and place it into our jar.  After all, we have to have the common sense to take care of our kids and teach them simple life lessons. :)

Well, it has been almost a week now and boy is it working nicely.  No more tantrums no more "I don't want to do the dishes."  In fact it has turned into quite the fun game for some.  All I have to do is say "Common Cents!!" and we will often hear back "Oh Yah! With a small giggle to follow."  The best part is when they go around reminding each other.

One kid is learning common cents the hard way while the others are catching on quite quickly and I am happy to say that my house is still looking quite tidy.

Mr. Rogers

Today I decided to take my bike to work, which is now a much more enjoyable ride since it is now half of the distance I used to go before we moved.  I can now get home, have some lunch and relax rather than turn right back around and head back to work.  During my ride there was a moment when Mr. Rogers invaded my happy spot in my brain. I may have just aged myself admitting to the fact that yes I was around when Mr. Rogers was on t.v.  For those of you who don't know, Mr. Rogers wore a grey sweater and would come into his house, put on his shoes and begin to tie them up as he sang ..."It's a beautiful day in the neighbourhood .... a beautiful day, a beautiful day, won't you be my neighbour."  This was the point where I could take no more and I would turn it to Mr. Dress up or some other G rated kid show. :) 

Today is just that though.  As I rode my bike home for lunch I saw three familiar kids walking their brand new puppy (the cutest thing ever I might add).  Coaxing it to walk as the littlest one ran up ahead and giggled.  There was a group from the daycare enjoying the park, a man going for a jog and then of course me, huffing and puffing up the hill.  I couldn't help but think of Mr. Rogers and his annoying beautiful day song.  :)