It's Fabulous February!

 

Hey folks!  Looks like we have another 'catch up' post on our hands!  

Taking up from where the last real post ended....

If you want to see my Halloween display, I made a post over on my other blog about it.   

By the way, this meme is 100.3% true. 

But this was by lunchtime on November 1!  

The back yard was a different story, but we did have it all put away on the 2nd, tho.

Me & the Spouse.  We have teamwork!

So yeah - there was an adventure a few days before Halloween.  My search & rescue team was putting on a demonstration for a state representative lady who was running for Congress and I was on my way out to the camp where we train often.  I was stopped at a red light and...

BAM!

I got slammed into by an 18 year old kid who clearly not seen the red light, nor the 10 or so cars backed up at it - therefore had never even touched the brakes.  I always make sure I stop where I can see the back tires of the car in front of me, so there's a comfortable distance.  That being said - that's my front bumper lying there - after it was yanked off the hitch of the truck I was shoved into.  

Ruby was still driveable so I was able to make it into the parking lot of a diner right there.  The guy I was pushed into got out & looked, said he had no damage and left, but not before I got a picture of his truck & license plate!  I was mainly upset because I'd had her in the shop not a week before and got a new radiator, all 4 rotors turned and one other thing (forgot already!)  The kid who hit me was freaking out, in tears and was basically beside himself.  

Thankfully nobody was hurt.  Namely me!

  

The police made their report and called a tow truck for me. The kid was released from the scene (with minimal damage to his front end) and I was left alone.  I took a bunch of pictures & made a walk-around video, then started taking my search gear & other stuff out of the back so I'd be ready for the Spouse & Tow Truck Guy.  

TTG was really nice.  He pulled into the parking lot, but he had another car on his flatbed.  He had stopped just to make sure I was OK!  He said this (waving dramatically at Ruby) was replaceable, but I was not.  Honestly, I teared up.  He assured me he just had to drop this other car off and he'd be right back to get Ruby.  

While I was waiting again, leaning across my hood and watching the sunset, another car pulled in next to me.  I was mildly annoyed since there was a whole parking lot and they had to park right next to me??  I was going to tell them about the tow truck coming, but the guy rolled his window down and said he was right next to me when I was hit and he couldn't believe I didn't go to the hospital!  I told him I was OK.  He asked if I needed a ride anywhere and since I didn't, he asked if he could go get me some cider & donuts from the place down the street to make me feel better!  That was the sweetest offer!  I thanked him profusely & declined because the Spouse was almost there and I could see the tow truck at the corner. 

The Spouse & I went into the diner for dinner.  The hostess asked if she could get me a drink and I told her what I wanted, she didn't have!  She asked what that was and I said Tequila.  And we all laughed and I explained that it was my mangled car out there being loaded onto the flatbed.  

 

So now... welcome Smokey to the family!

It's hard to tell, but it's dark blue.  

I never knew blind spot detectors on the side mirrors were a thing until I had my rental car.  But now I have them, too!   And the back up camera is pretty cool.   And remote start.  And a button to open & close the back.  And heated seats!

Anyhooo. 

The very next night was the First Responders Truck or Treat event.  

It was cool to think we are considered First Responders!  

I liked walking around (with my skeleton, Chuck) and getting pics of all the police cars, DNR vehicles, first trucks and various other agencies.  And of course - seeing all the costumes!  

The next big thing was Thanksgiving.  We always get together at Sis1's house but for various reasons, there only ended up being 5 of us, so we didn't even have to decorate / set up tables in the basement!  We just sat in the kitchen to eat.  That was a first!

We took the grandkids out into the barn and we soon realized Little Man was not there!

We found him out in the pasture, feeding hay to the horses.  So cute!  

The next event was the City of Lapeer's Parade of Lights. 

We had just gotten our new gear trailer, so we didn't have a chance to get it decorated so we just walked. 

It was a lot of fun.  Of course we parked near the beginning of the parade route, so we had to hike all the way back.  At one point, this guy stepped out in front of Sis and I and said he wanted to thank us of all we do.  It made us wonder if we'd looked for someone for him/his family before...?  Maybe!

Speaking of - we've already had 3 call outs and one assist with another team this year!

Took the grandkids to my VFW to see Santa at Christmastime. 

Little Man turned 3 on January 2.  

He picked out his presents - a lantern that makes cricket/outdoor noises and a cleaning caddy with a squirt bottle, squeegee, sponge, etc. 

Well played, XM!

So it hasn't happened yet, but I will be moving to a new office at work!  The electrician was supposed to be there "mid week" so we were hoping today.  Nope. I've been sitting in dispatch for 22 1/2 years now and my new manager wants her whole team together, so I'm pretty excited to have windows that look outside instead of onto the loading dock.  This pic is to keep OCD people out - the desks are centered on the wall.  The window is NOT centered on the wall!   LOL!

I'll get to watch the sun rise!!

...and trucks go by.

This past weekend I drove to Kalamzoo for the Dept of Michigan VFW's Mid Winter Conference.  I probably would have enjoyed it more if it actually applied to me!  The training offered was for higher-up officers.  I technically am an officer at my post, but it's one of those very minor, "empty" titles.  I have never done anything in that capacity.  However, somehow I did get suckered into being the chairperson for all of our programs that deal with kids.  

excuse the derpy face & 14 chins!

Patriot's Pen is a written essay for middle school aged kids on a topic the VFW chose and the Voice of Democracy is for high school kids and they have to do a speech on the chosen topic.  Saturday night was the awards banquet for the kids who had won in their district around the state - they were now competing against each other.  The winning high schooler got a $6000 scholarship and an all expense paid trip to DC to compete at the National level. Pretty exciting!  The boy who won was literally shaking when he went up to the podium to accept his prize but he calmed down to do his speech for everyone. 

I was sort of nervous driving 3 1/2 hours to get there because it was snowing off & on, but spending 2 nights alone in a hotel was excellent!  I'd wished I brought a bottle of wine with me, tho. 

We were supposed to get another snow storm Saturday night so I thought it would be dicey on my way home, but the snow went south of my route and it only took 2 1/2 hours to get home. 

Saw this magazine in a Walgreens in Kalamazoo - took me back to middle school!

I had Duran Duran posters all over my room.  I also enjoyed watching them on New Year's Eve in Times Square.

So anyway, that's about all that's been going on around here.  

I have SAR training all weekend so that'll be fun!

Peace Out.

My Kingdom for a Horse!

I'm excited to write about my latest adventure!

So a little background.  I have never owned a horse but I was raised around them.  When I was a toddler, my dad did some electrical work for his sister who had a farm and she gave him a Morgan colt as payment.  My oldest sister owned this horse until he crossed the Rainbow Bridge in 1995.  He was in his mid 20s.  Which meant I spent a LOT of time with him, since she often took me to the barn with her.  Sis1 and Nibbs taught me a lot.  She has always had at least one horse since. 

Growing up, sticks and fences were always imaginary horses, I filled notebooks with sketches.  I read every horse book I could find at the library. I had horse collectibles from all over the place. When I was in high school, I decided I was going to raise & train horses, marry a 90 year old millionaire and never have kids (you see how well that turned out!)  I even planned on going to a college in Ohio that had an equestrian program, I had been accepted there and everything!

Then I saw a Navy recruiter in the hallway at school and that changed the course of my life. 

Me just after graduation, with hair already cut for bootcamp, with the neighbor's horse.  

 Anyhooo.  

Many moons went by.  In February 2018, a friend told Sis1 about the Sheriff's department starting up a search & rescue team and she was interested.  She asked if I wanted to go with her to the informational meeting, for moral support.  I live in a neighboring county but thought it would be interesting.  My ears definitely perked up when the Lt in charge said they would even consider applicants from neighboring counties if they met all the criteria and passed the background check.  I figured I would apply, the worst they could do is tell me no!

Needless to say, that's how Sis1 and I joined the Lapeer County SAR team.  As we were filling out our applications, there was a page for the mounted team.  Sis1 at the time had 2 horses - she leaned over and asked which one I wanted to use!   She had just acquired Remington, so I figured she would want to use him, so I said I'd take Kisses. 

at our first event in the public.

Kisses is a 19 year old Arab/Saddlebred mare

Time went on and the mounted division never really developed much.  It started out with a lot of people, but as they realized how much non-horsey training was actually required to be on the SAR team, they dropped out.  Sis1 and I stuck around.  We had the horses, but no horse trailer.  That was a problem for us, since we couldn't really get anywhere for training.  Then one day, I got a message from our director telling me that I'd been nominated to be the mounted division team lead.  I thought that was hilarious, since out of the few of us left, I was the only one without my own horse!  I didn't seriously think about it until I talked with Sis1.  Things looked up for a while, since we did purchase a trailer but Kisses developed issues with her front legs.  She's feeling much better now but I personally will never ride her again.  I always felt like I was too big for her, even tho she's tall - she's dainty.   As she's getting older, her Arab is showing more. 

Sis1 currently has 3 horses.  Kisses - now a pasture puff, Ghost - a former race horse and Scout - a 4 year old Quarter horse she got from one of the guys on the SAR team.  Ghost is a bit too much horse for what she really wants.  She wants a quiet, mellow horse that she can just get on and enjoy the ride.  Scout fits that bill nicely.  Ghost is a nice horse, and very pretty, but he needs a lot of time & attention & basically something to do.   

One day she mentioned something in passing about me getting my own horse.  I didn't even catch what she'd said until later!  So we talked about it and of course I had a chat with the Spouse about it.  He thought it made sense!  She plans to find a nice new home for Ghost, then I will seriously start looking.  Sis1 recommended a rescue and I see the benefit since they all seem to spend a lot of time rehabbing the horses they acquire and make sure they're sound & healthy before going thru a lot of trouble to make sure they go to a good home.  In fact one I was looking at wanted descriptions/pictures of the barn, fence, outdoor shelter, the current horses, and asked a lot of questions including the vet & farrier!   I have no problem with any of that.

So I'm likely going to go the draft horse route. They're stout and usually very calm.  We haven't had much use for horses on the SAR team, there's really only been twice that they were called for.  But they come in handy for public events.  Ideally I'd like one that's half draft, but all of what I'm seeing are the real deal.    

Belgian horse image grabbed from Google

They're also very tall.  The height of a horse is measured in hands (or 4 inches) at the withers or that bump at the bottom of the mane. One I was looking at was 17 hands tall.  Basically its back was as tall as me and I'm sure really wide, too.   That may be a wee bit too big!  Although I'd love to ride on something that big once. 

Anyhoo.  That's my back story on the latest adventure I'm embarking upon.  It's not just a mid-life crisis to make the little girl I used to be happy.  It's for a legit reason - and one that I'm excited to begin!

I'M STILL AROUND !!!

 

Oh wow.  It's been FOREVER!  Grab a cup of coffee & let's jump in.

I have to dust off the ol' blog here. 

 Holy crap!  It's been over 6 months since I've last posted! 

So this will be cliffnotes for now. 

Look how adorable this is - My mom chatting with one of her great-grandsons on Mother's Day!

The end of May / beginning of June I went on another road trip, first to Cincinnati to pick up my "sister-from-another-mister" who I was stationed with while on my first boat in the Navy.  Then we drove down to Houston to meet up with sister #3 and spent a week with her.  We spent Memorial Day at the National Cemetery in Houston and found a couple really cool veterans memorials around town.  Then we drove up to Dallas (3+ hours) to see Kenny Chesney in concert.  

AT&T Stadium in the back

Kenny was on Saturday night, we didn't get back to the hotel until like 6am and we had to be checked out of the hotel at 11am Sunday to head home.  Sis #2 and I made it to Nashville when her car decided to break down.  So we had to leave her car at the shop there and rent a car to get home.  Oh - and she took her dogs with her and one day they'd gotten into a fight and her old pug was hurt pretty bad.  Once we got our rental, we had to find an emergency vet for him and they had to end up euthanizing him.  I'll just throw this out there that this is the second time I've been in / near Nashville and it's been a disaster.

So I got home around 5:30am Tuesday after driving thru the night in pouring rain & construction and got a 2 hours nap or so and went into work.  And then that night, I was starting classes for my SARTECH I certification.  

That was actually pretty fun.  I definitely earned that certification!  There were 4 of us being certified - for Search & Rescue Technician / Field Team Leader.  We had 3 classes that week, 3 classes that next week with both class work and hands-on learning, then we had 2 written tests.  The last challenge was the night-navigation course.  We were given 3 maps of varying degrees of accuracy - like a handdrawn one you'd get showing a trail system, etc- of (thankfully) a camp that we have trained at a lot and 6 sets of coordinates.  We had to plot where the coordinates were and then go find them!  There were PVC pipes wrapped in reflective tape in various places, each marked with a number or letter, so we had to write down what was at each of our points.  We started as soon as the sun went down around 9:30pm.  I finished up around 1:30am and that included going back out with one of the other guys to find a point that I'd gotten wrong.  That's a lot of walking around out in the woods alone! 

 July 8 was mine & the Spouse's 16th anniversary.  We went and got our annual his & hers pedicures. But we didn't really go anywhere until after Labor Day.  Then the Spawn was causing drama and we wasted vacation days to stay home for a couple days, then did a day-trip up around the thumb of Michigan.  

Lake Huron

Then came Halloween - I started setting up my cemetery the last weekend in September. 

 October 1 I volunteered at the Motor City Haunt Club's Haunted Garage Sale.  I had to be there crazy early, but I also got the opportunity to shop before the doors opened to the public!

I helped the vendor carry this in from his trailer, and not long after, carried it back out to my car!

October 8/9 was K9One's Halloween Camp. They're another local search & rescue team.  Always a lot of fun!  There's always an underlying story, this time 6 kids were playing with a Ouija board and summoned a voodoo priestess from the dead.  So we had a bunch of games and challenges based on the story and we end up having to organize a search Saturday night and a big one Sunday morning. 

Pat, the lady in charge, asked me if 2 skeletons could come play for the weekend.  Then she asked if they had names and Hawaiian shirts?  

Meet Don the Ho and Todd (named after the cleaning guy at work).  They showed up in various places all weekend.  
  
I got my lawn mowed by Super Heroes!

I'm gonna wrap this up for right now and get part 2 done!  Obviously it'll be shorter since it'll only cover October & November!

See ya soon!