DATE	SUBJECT          (Previous Archive: Oct-Dec'03) Return to FamilySaid Archives
4/30	Tonya, I am an artist/wildland firefighter who has painted several wildland fire paintings over the last couple of years. I’ve had many friends encourage me to make prints of my work to sell, but being only a hobby of mine, I have not had time to look into the possibilities or to set up a website yet. If you’d be interested in seeing the paintings I have finished, Ab can give you my contact info and I can email you some photos of them. I’d also recommend James Reed and Monte Dolack…they do great work. Good luck! KH
4/27	Hello everyone! Things have been wild around the farm since the last post. We've had 2 more foals born, plus 9 labrador puppies. My mare is getting much closer to her due date, just a little over a month to go. I am getting nervous! There was a big fire here a little while ago, my FF got to go on it. Of course, it was the one day that I was able to go to visit him. The phone rang at midnight....it was his supervisor calling to tell him to be at the fire at 8 with the ATV, and of course, the fire was 2 hours away. Kind of shot that trip! Nerd>>> I'm so excited to hear of your horsey history, if you ever wander out to VA you should come and ride with us. Domestication isn't really that bad ::::wink:::: it has its perks! Poet>>> Hang in there! I'm glad to hear that you're recovering! Your FF sounds like a real jewel! As for the artwork...ANYTHING! All he wants is something to do with wild fires, in theory, that seems easy. I've not found that to be the case. Tonya
4/27	Hey everyone! I thought I'd finally shake off the cobwebs and come out of hibernation. Looks like people are starting to get active again. Tonya - You asked about artists who paint wildland fire. James Reed is an artist/wildland firefighter. His art incorporates wildfire and wildlife. His paintings tend to show a humorous and light side to wildland firefighting. His website is www.jamesreedimages.com   Also, Monte Dolack has done a couple of prints. You can purchase those at SupplyCache. They're website is linked in the Classifieds. They also carry a couple of James Reed's prints. Congrats on the new foal! FireWife - Three weeks is not a very long time to get ready for a move like that! Take care of yourself and the new little one, along with the rest of your family. Hope you like Montana! Nerd - Another one bites the dust! Take care all, Heli
4/27	Poet- Do you take requests for designing stuffed animals? If so I have one I lost when I was a kid (raccoon).  I always wanted to find a similar one and never have. I'll pay whatever you ask :-) I hope you feel better soon. I spent last season sick and if you ever need a place to vent, Ab can send  you my contact info. And yes- bald is beautiful. All my best to everyone, BLMgirl
4/25	Hey everyone... Glad to see people starting to trickle in. I keep checking and slowly there are names and posts popping up!!  Well we are moving!! We found out a couple of days ago. The only problem I see is that we are moving in 3 weeks so that isn't alot of time to do things. Plus once we get there we will be in a hotel till we find a place. So my stress level is shot!! We are moving to Dillon, Montana. I think this is around Heligroupie but she isn't around yet to ask. Is anyone out that way!! I have alot of phone calls to make on Monday in order to get this paper work done to move. All I know is they had better have a moving company here to move us!!  Nerd.... The domestication doesn't sound bad... A house and pets!! I would just love the house!!  Poet... glad to hear you are doing better!!  Hope to talk soon... FireWife Congrats on the new position. We'll hold yer hand on the move. You must take your computer down last as you get ready to leave and get your computer set up first in the new location so you can give us the blow-by-blow. Ab.
4/24	Hi All! Nerd - Domesticated? I'll start taking bets. <G> Tonya - What exactly is your FF looking for? Maybe you can put in a request describing exactly what he is looking for through familysaid and see what some of us can come up with. Fire Moma - glad to hear from you. Was wondering if you fell off the board for a bit there. Ab's - Could I get a look at that foal, too? Fire Wife - congrats on the upcoming little one. You should put in a request for any near by Family Said members to help you either pack or move in. AH - Welcome to the family! My FF might even start posting soon. He became interested in what I had been doing all last fireseason, and is very impressed with this forum. Oh, he said to say thank you to all of you for all the help and support you gave me! We both know it helped. As for me, I am doing OK. I am tired, but recovering nicely. Looks like I will be on disability through November, so I am trying to get my sewing business going again (I make and design stuffed animals), as well as dabbling in painting. I am on call at work, so still have some income coming in. My FF has been at my side ever since this came about, and has been WONDERFUL. I think I like this guy. Understatement, right? Anyhow, I will keep checking in on Sunday nights to see who is at the chat, and will be checking the board every couple of days. Good luck on the upcoming fireseason all, and be careful out there! "Poet" I'm sending a pic of the foal. Ab.
4/22	Hey all; I’ve kind of been out of the loop for a few weeks, but it seems like the family front is gearing up pretty well for the coming season. My crew goes on the board May 1, which is kind of hard to think about with snow coming down outside my window. Tonya, FireWife, congrats on the babies (human and equine)! Tonya, I rode and trained jumpers, hunters, and dressage horses for nine years…there’re actually more horsey fire people out there than you might realize. My BF is currently trying to seduce me into gettin’ domesticated or some such by dangling the prospect of nice little house with a couple of ponies out back, maybe a big dawg or two…(ahhhhh! Wait! I’m the crazy footloose feral firefighter chick! I can’t be thinking this way! Tied down? Domesticated? No! A fate worse than death! But…ponies…big dawgs…uh oh…). Sigh. Maybe I’ll just get claustrophobic and make a run for Mexico. Not at all a reflection on my Bf, who’s wonderful, just that…eeeh, I don’t know. Just a little too soon, I think. Nerd on the Fireline
4/15	Tonya, I'm here love...taking care of children and fallers is pretty much a full time job. If you try to  buy fire art from Mr. Karnahan in person, he's pretty dashing....make sure he doesn't make  you pay a premium price! ; ) Fire Momma
4/15	Do any of you guys know where to find wildland fire paintings or of any particular artists that  you like? I only know of 2 people who paint them, our very own Artista and Patrick Karnahan.  My FF is on an art hunt. Tonya
4/13	Hey everyone! Things have been wild around here. I've been foalwatching for my vet, her mare delivered a huge, healthy colt this morning at 3:43. He is truly beautiful! As soon as I get them downloaded, I'll try to get one out for you guys to see. Thanks so much for all of the compliments on my little Bentley. I'm impressed Ab, you're the first person I've ever met talking about fire that was horse-savvy. Grin! I just found out last night that my FF is going to go out west again this year for fires. He promised me that since he just started his new job that he wouldn't go this year. I guess promises are meant to be broken. Has anyone heard an update on Sammi or Poet, and the recovering Abby? Hopefully everything is working out for you guys, if you're out there to read this! Also, Fire Momma, if you're out there, I miss you! Hopefully you can join us soon. FireWife, I'm so happy that you've got the little one named already! Couldn't have picked a better middle name, it's mine too! AH, its good to have you around. It's nice to know the way a FF thinks about his other half. Tonya I'm doing quite well, thanks. Ab.
4/12	anyone remember the Rancho Cucamonga fires? well it was almost a yr ago and I was at my moms today and fire dep was having a fire safety thing so I went to see what it was about and I got to talk to some other FF girlfriends, and the RC fire dep put me in touch with some people in wa. well just though ya'll would wanna know about that.. SMZ
4/11	Getting jealous hearing about these guys heading out and starting out the new season. I guess my time will eventually come. I hope all your love ones stay safe and have a great fire season. i'm more than glad to put my two cents in thanks for welcoming me to the group. AH
4/10	Abs... I would like to see the foal if you still have the pic... Thanks... Hey everyone!! I am glad to see people coming out of their holes for the summer!! I missed talking. Are we all ready for another season?? I am kinda... HAHA My FF has already been out burning and pulling OT on the weekends... We are also trying to move. He has had to interviews already and one was for a job he really wants. It is back with the FS and he is excited...  If you didn't already know we are also expanding our family again!! This new little girl is due June 14th... Her name is Madyson Rose. so this will make for a very busy fire season with moving, a new baby and fires in general. Anyway I will keep checking in on Sundays and hopefully we can all get together soon and chat!!  AH it is nice to have a man around. SMZ welcome to the family!! Talk to everyone later!! FireWife Congrats in advance on the new addition to your family. Look for the foal pic in you inbox. Ab.
4/7	AH, and everyone, it is nice to hear this from a guy (not that ya'll here are no help)... hey congrats on your wedding... I hope all things go well with you and your wife to be...well I don’t have much time to write tonight I have class early and its already 11:23 and I have a paper do... write to ya'll later very cute foal SMZ
4/6	Hey Ab, I’d like to see the pic of Tonya’s foal too! Congrats, Tonya. AH, SMZ… Yeah, this will be my boyfriend’s first season as a firefighter’s other half. I’m not sure he really understands what it’s going to take, but he’s a responder too, so he should be adaptable. SMZ…I dunno, girl. I guess I just really can’t say enough about getting your support structure in place before the season really kicks off. Your guy’s mother is a great start, but other crew girlfriends/wives, who’ve maybe been doing this for a while, could be incredibly valuable. AH, it’s cool that you’re here. We don’t hear from the guys nearly enough.  Nerd on the Fireline
4/6	I asked Ab to send me a picture of Tonya's new foal.  Wow, Tonya. What a beauty! Montana Mom Cute with long legs, an appaloosa, eh? Nice job! Ab.
4/5	SMZ, Like the others said, it gets easier each time your significant other goes out on a fire. This is my third season in fire and i'm getting ready to head out for six months away from my fiancé. Even though she's not with me during the season, it's always great to know i have somebody that's a hundred percent behind me and she's always a phone call away for the tough days. Congratulations on the wedding, i'm getting married december 4th. AH
4/4	Hey everybody! I hope this post catches you all in good spirits. We've had so much going on around here these past few weeks that I haven't been able to check in. Last week was a great one. We had a new foal born on 3/31 at about 3 AM. Needless to say I was quite frazzled as he was 20 days past due and it was his mother's first pregnancy. But he came with no trouble. We named him Bentley. I'll send the pic of him to Abs...just in case anyone wants to see him. This is my last weekend of peace with my FF. My mom is going in Thursday to have a hysterectomy. Now I'm going to have to stay there to take care of her. I'm sure I'll be threatening to kill her in no time! Poet...I'm so sorry to hear that you're having a rough time. You just hang in there though. We're all here for you, we can make it through fire season without "our" Poet. Sammi and Ab, the same goes for you two. Just keep hanging in there! SMZ...have no fear about the fighting. It is spring time, my friends and I have decided that that is the season for fighting! Too much time being cooped up when the weather is "supposed" to be pretty. Keep in mind a great quote. "This, too, shall pass." Bambi....Hey girl. Tell Hoss that Wacker says hi. Tonya Tonya sent a pic of the new foal. Email Ab if you want to see it. Ab.
4/4	nerd on the fireline yes I made it clear to him I don't like it when he tells me things like he tells me, no I don’t think he realized what he was doing to me till after our big talk about it and me crying... he did stopped telling me he may not be coming back home, I know he may not come home but I don't want that on my mind always... I have not yet talked to anyone in his fire crew, I do talk to his mom (that helps) but when I go back I plan to get more involved. even if he did tell me he doesn't want me to be all ooorah about his job...  thank you for your help... SMZ
4/3	Hey, everybody! Looks like everybody’s finally coming out of hibernation (smile)…we were expecting this weekend to be the weekend when everything popped, but than it rained all last night, and we have snow at the higher altitudes again, so it looks like we got bought another week’s grace period. I sympathize with your sister getting itchy, Robbie…I’ve been spending a whole lot of time sharpening tools. Poet and Sammi…big hugs to both you ladies, and I hope you get well soon. SMZ…I’m still trying to wrap my mind around this: You’ve made it clear to your FF that you don’t like it when he scares you, that you understand the realities but you don’t need the horror stories or the “I may not come backs”, and he’s still trying to scare you? Does he not realize he’s doing it? Next question: have you talked to any other wives/girlfriends of guys on your FF’s crew? Is this a crew culture thing? Nerd on the Fireline
4/3	Hello all. Been a bit since I wrote in. As some of you have heard, I am dealing with some medical  issues. *sigh* It was a bit of a surprise, but I am adjusting. ( bald is beautiful, right? ) My firefighter came home from his winter job early to be with me, and has been here for  over a month. This is the longest we have been together, and it has been wonderful for  both of us. He is getting ready for fireseason, and it is interesting seeing the preparation  and effort these brave souls go through to get ready both physically and mentally. Not much else to say right now, just hope all of you are doing well and enjoying time with  your loved ones. I have been checking on and off on Sunday nights to see if anyone had been stopping in  to chat, but it seems to be quite empty. Perhaps this Sunday some of you might want to  stop in and say hi? I usually am on 9pm central time <7PM Pacific and remember daylight  savings changes on Sunday>. Take care, God Bless! Poet I have been thinking about you Poet and hoping for the best for you and for Sammi. You two should know we really love you. Abby.
4/3	thank you all for the support... he went on 3 fires today I don't worry anymore about him... I love him and I know he loves me... what's hard is being away from him, Ill get over it... I really can't stand that I waited all day for him to come home for him to say he is going out with friends... anyway we will be getting married this Christmas. IM so Happy about that...we have looked at many apts, houses etc and he will tell me how fast they will burn up so we can't live in them... grrr very annoying... we have been fighting more then we should, but I think that is because I had to back home for the last of my school and we are 2 states away for 6 months... he is sad but to be honest IM use to it... just one of those bumps in the road... anyway as much as I would really like to sit here and blab all my probs here, I need to go write him an Email and go see if the marines are doing their jobs... SMZ
4/2	Hi Southern Lovin', good to hear from you.  Seems everyone but Nerd has been away from the board for the winter season.  Things are starting to pop in the southwest. There were fires back east earlier.  Seems a long way away.  My sister is starting to make those "getting ready for the fire season" motions. She'll  get more and more antsy, has every year. Then she'll be gone for a while. Can't wait to hear what folks have been up to. In due time, I expect. Sammi, if you're reading. We love you. You too Poet. Ya'll hang in there. Cheers, Robbie
4/2	Hi Everybody! Sorry I haven't been on line in a long time. I have training before the fire season, if that's possible since fire season has started in region 2. We have a 3500 acre fire in Northern CO. that has burned 1 home and has been strange in that it seems to grow at night. We are at April 1 when we should still be talking about skiing not fires, seems like 2002 all over again. Welcome to SMZ, I hope that this site can help you during the fire season. I just want you to know that you just have to have faith in the people that your boyfriend is working with. I have a daughter and a son plus a boyfriend who all fight fires. Being a dispatcher and in the same fire family I worry about them but I trust not only their judgment out on the fireline but their fellow firefighters. I know in my daughter's case the guys that work with her treat her like their sister and would not let anything happen to her and she has their back also. I usually hear about accidents or fatalities before the news has reached the outside world and it is never easy. That is why I take my job so serious in that whoever is working on the forest fighting fires is my number one priority. They come first no matter what and I try to make them feel safe. Your firefighter will be okay but he needs to know that you are okay in order for him to do his job safely so if this site and the wonderful people here can keep you with happy thoughts this fire season by all means keep the emails coming. Taz Girl: Hope everything is working good. Keep in touch! I would love to meet you in person if you make it up to region 2 you have my email. Hope everybody is doing fine and I will try to be better in writing in. Southern Loving
3/22	Nerd on the Fireline seems like you have a fun job... I'm still going to school to be a chef (yet my FF doesn't worry if I get a really bad burn) he is a really good man and I waited a very long time for him... I love him with all my heart that is why I went to a site like this to better understand what's going on and if its ok ya know... I went out and got all I can on what a FF does and what I should be doing to support him and so far its going great... like I said I had no worries on the last fire he was on it was great...well thanks for everything... you are a real help... SMZ
3/22	SMZ; This board is here for support…and trust me you’ll see a lot more of the ladies on as soon as the season starts heating up and more and more of the FF are gone. It’s funny…I was a Hotshot’s girlfriend for three years, and now I’m a FF myself, and my boyfriend is a cop. Both of us know that when one or the other of us goes out, there’s the possibility of bad things happening, but the back edge of that is that we need to trust in each other’s training and common sense…he puts on his armor and I put on my Nomex, and we both worry…but not too much. It has to do with respect, and understanding, and the fact that we have enough training in common to understand what the other one does, and enough common commitment to know why we do it. As far being happy that there was a fire…I’m an EMT too, and I love it when that page goes off, even though I know it means somebody’s hurting. I don’t think that makes me a sadist or a bad person…I just like what I do. If you don’t in this business, you’re heading for burnout. Nerd on the Fireline
3/20	hey all, just want to let ya'll know that my FF went out on a fire today and I was more than  ok with it... im so excited about this... Im so glad I found this site its been alot of help... don't get me wrong Im not happy there was a fire but well Im sure ya'll know what  I mean... SMZ
3/16	Nerd on the Fireline yes I have sat down and talked to my FF... he tells me that he tells me these things because his friend left a wife and she never really understood... I just look at it like this: "who really does understand when someone they love doesnt come back? I have been trying to do all I can to get to know more about firefighting ... you know when I was dating a firefighter when I was 19, things didn't scare me as much as they have just recently ... guess love will do that to you... Im not so uptight about things anymore. he has his job that he loves and Im very proud of him... I will talk to my family and friends and ask for support.. I have his moms 100%. she is a great women and is there for me when I need her ...  thank you so much... is it ok if I keep writing if I have questions and just need too??? SMZ Feel free to write in. Ab.
3/16	Ooh, SMZ…lousy position. Have you tried sitting down with your FF, and just telling him straight out, “I love you, I don’t mind you being gone, but it makes me a basket case when you tell me all the time that you might not be coming back.”? SMZ, the reality is, the vast majority of firefighters DO come back, every time. It’s not like the military, where there’s a concept of “acceptable” losses. Granted, it’s a dangerous job, but hey, inner-city pizza delivery is worse. In a way, it looks worse in than it is the firefighter community because we’re so tight…we all mourn together, which makes every death more immediate, even though there really are very few of them. Short answer: your feelings are totally normal, but it doesn’t sound like your FF is helping a whole lot.  My solution is two-fold: first, a little bit of firefighter re-education, starting with the above conversation…firefighter wives are like army wives, we’re really trained to support our man. This is important, yeah, but it’s also important to get it through your man’s head that the folks at home need some support too. It really goes both ways. Which comes to my second point…educate yourself. Hang out in your FF’s dispatch, maybe take a few classes, read this site, learn all you can about wildland firefighting…and it probably won’t scare you nearly as much. Oh, and listen to FireMomma, and Sammi, and Abby. They’ve got far more experience in the domestic management of firefighters than I. Good luck, Nerd on the Fireline
3/16	hey all i just have a few questions... im about to marry a firefighter that has been out on a few fires while weve been dating.  him being gone i can handle, but what i cant is how he tells me all the time he may not come home one day... i guess he is trying to prepare me for the worse but Im from a big military family, so im used to the man being gone all the time... I really love this man with all my heart but he is really breaking my heart by telling me these things. it was just 3 days ago he went out on a brush fire and I was filled with so much anxiety, and was so worried he would not come home that i made myself so sick. I was ok with my ex being in Iraq and this made me so sick ... what can I do??? are these feelings normal??? should i do what i have done in the past "suck it up and not worry"??? please help me thank you so much SMZ
3/9	Another recipe for the collection... HOBO BISCUTS by: Bambi My FF and I love to go camping and my favorite thing is making Hobo biscuts. Children love this as well as adults. Ingredients: A straight stick as big around as your mans thumb---(remove the bark on one end) Pillsbury can biscuts---(their the right size) Campfire---(hot coals for roasting) Fixins ingredients: Jellies, butter, peanut butter, apple butter, molasses, honey. Use you imagination. Hint: get squeezeable containers because it is easier to put it in the hobo biscut. I prefer strawberry jelly and my FF prefers peanut butter. Directions: 1) Build a nice camp fire for roasting. 2) Clean off one end of the stick. Trust me the straighter the better. 3) Take your hobo biscut dough and wrap it (evenly) around the bottom of the stick that you cleaned off making sure to make a bowl with your dough. Leave no holes in the  bottom. 4) Hold your hobo biscut over the coals to bake them. 5) When you roast your dough and it is done, carefully remove it from the stick.  CAUTION: the hobo biscut will be hot so do not burn yourself in the process. 6) Add your fixins in the hole and enjoy.
3/2	Fire season is rolling with a vengance here. We aren't having big fires, but there have been a lot of little ones (less than 10 acres). Yesterday, a loblolly plantation caught fire. It burned about 40 acres before the tractor could get a line around it, needless to say, my chat with my FF lasted about 10 minutes last night. Most of the fires here this time of year are caused by people throwing out coals from the wood stove thinking they are cold or people burning brush piles. There are relatively few started by lightning out here. I am worried that this one may be a busy year, the ground is dangerously dry already.... Well, I can't wait till next week. Its gonna be spring break, I'm going up to spend the week with my FF. But of course I'm taking my dog for company, he is probably going to be out on fires the whole time anyway... :(  hugs to everyone..... Abby and Sammi...hope you all are healed up soon, its gonna be time to stay up with the message board soon to keep up with the fires.  Tonya
2/29	Well hello everyone. I haven't checked in in a while, but thought I would because I had a couple of reminders about chat and some others things.  Fire season began this weekend here in S. Indiana with a bang. Our FMO is leaving for a new position next week and we had celebrations and send offs planned for him on both Friday and Saturday nights. Well with 15% humidity and beautiful weather we had fires both days. We still had our get togethers, but we all were a little late.  This will be my first full fire season. My ff is a full time biologist and is mostly called out to fires locally and then in late summer to the west. I said to him yesterday-"so fire season basically has two months off-December and January" "Yup" he said. He's also been off to training this winter too.  So I'm ready for fire season with the support of family said! Thanks for being here and best wishes to everyone as we get geared up! (I'm keeping his pants and socks washed and by the door 24/7). Hoosier
2/29	hello everyone....haven't talked to you all in a while.  Today is hectic around here. It seems like the whole county is on fire. We get one nice day, very unusually nice day (its 70 degrees in central virginia) and the whole county thinks that it is a great day to burn, even though the 4pm burn ban is in effect. I am listening to the radio. My FF got the call at about 12:30 to respond, since that call, he has gone to 3 other fires, and they just called him to a 4th. He is the Forest Warden, its ruined my day so far so I'm hoping that he is writing all of the idiots up! there are 3 other department of forestry employees out there, and they are all running like crazy. Two barns have been destroyed on two seperate fires, and the one he is responding to is a hay bale that started the hay field on fire, that in turn caught a barn and tractor shed on fire....and now it is running toward the woods. Then to top it off, the road that is the only way to that fire is blocked partially because some guy wrecked his motorcycle in the road and one of the engines found him just laying in the road. I am beginning to be a big fan of rain! I used to love sunny days, but this is getting ridiculous, yesterday he was called out on two fires and didn't write anyone up. LOL, I don't mind if he lets them off during the week, but the only time I get to drive up here is on the weekends, and when people have fires and take him away from the 2 days a week that I get to see him.....I want them to pay! Anyhow, sorry for venting on you guys....but you all know the fire world. Last night we had just got in the truck to go to the grocery store, a fire call came through, so he let me out at the end of the road and took off to respond..... I do actually have some good news...I may get to dress up as Smokey Bear (for all of you out of staters....Smokey is the fire prevention mascot for the Dept. of Forestry) in one of the local parades and ride around in the back of his DOF truck! Also, I'm going to see Kenny Chesney again....can't get much better than that :) Talk to you all soon, Tonya
2/29	Hi Ab's I found a product that might be of interest to other family's and friends of firefighters. I am not sure how to let them know abut it, or if it is even appropriate for this type of forum. It is a portable Cell phone charger. It is viewable at www.sidewindercharger.com. It only weights a few ounces, and is about the size of a half deck of cards. I have tried it with my cell phone and it works great! "poet"
2/18	Hello All! It was so nice to talk to at least a few of you last Sunday night. I think at the height of the chat 5 of us made it there. We ended up starting after 9PM central time. I hope we can have more of us there next weekend. Since it has been requested, here is another poem: ********* Love will keep us together Though time keeps us apart. Remember to keep me with you Safe and warm in the depths of your heart. "Poet" 02-04-04
2/13	Hey everyone!! I can't wait to talk on Sunday. I am sorry I wasn't here this week  but we went for an ultrasound. Yes we are pregnant again!! I will tell about later.  I hope everyone gets to come on Sunday. FireWife
2/13	Congratulations, Aly! Nerd on the Fireline
2/12	Hey all, I want to thank Mellie for her kind words and notes on everyone. I hadn’t visited the site since I got off my last fire assignment in Oct. of 2003. Me and my SJ (former smokejumper, now) are now living the life of respectability and decorum, and neither of us have plans to return to the fire service next summer. I think it got to be too much for both of us. I didn’t like always being away from him, and I think he might have gotten a little spooked last year (although he’d never admit it.) In big, big, BIG news he proposed over Christmas and we’re getting married next fall! Right now we’re living in Tennessee. I got a job working for FedEx in Memphis, which I’m super happy with, and he’s looking for a way to utilize his international relations degree … I’m trying to convince him to go to law school. Anyway, everything is going great, though I know we’ll miss fire once it starts up here. It’ll be our first fire season not in the west, but we’re both really happy. Who knows? Maybe it’ll be too much for us and we’ll run away to be with firefighters again. I doubt it though, we’re both ready to settle down. Good luck to everyone, and thanks for the thoughts. --aly
2/12	Hello everyone! I'm sorry to have been out of touch for so long. My FF is still enjoying his new job! The state has great benefits and lots of days off. The only downfall is that during fire season he cannot leave his county, which is 2.5 hours away from home. Fire season begins on Sunday (2-15) and will run till April 30th. Looks like I'll be on the road a lot. I'm not sure if I can make the chat this Sunday night, but I will try my best! Taz Girl, I am sorry to hear that you will be leaving roller derby. I will miss all of the good stories, but congratulations none the less. Poet...your latest poem is sounding great! I can't wait to hear more. Bambi, we will have to get together again soon. We've set it as a goal to get down to camp with you guys this summer. Sammi, I'm terribly sorry to hear of your friend's son. Hope things get easier for you soon. And Fire Momma-if you're still out there. Thanks again for all of the wisdom and direction that you shared last year, I promise to be a little more prepared this year! Tonya Abs-Thanks for all that you do for us! Would you please note that I have a new email address... You're welcome, so noted. And I doubt that TazGirl's good stories will dry up, probably just shift topic. We hope. <chuckle> Ab.
2/6	Ooh, shucks. Sunday isn’t going to work for me, but please say hello to  anybody who shows for me. I’m going skiing with the boys (my first time  ever on skis…wish me luck!) Nerd on the Fireline
2/6	Hey Poet How's it going girl? Chat on Sunday eve sounds great. I'll be there! Heli
2/6	Hello again, all. How does this Sunday night for a chat sound to all of you. Is 8PM central time ok? I'll be there. Poet That's 6PM pacific time, may be a bit early for some. Do you want someone to send out an email alerting the regular crowd? Ab.
2/2	Hey everyone... I am here !! I have been checking in regularly but figured everyone was busy with their FF's. I am anxious to get back to talking to everyone. Taz... congrats on the moving in and getting him closer to you!! Sounds wonderful. My husband is looking for a new job also. We want to get out of OR and he wants out of the BLM. I am also thinking about doing some emergency dispatching. I might be taking a couple classes if there is room so I can but don't know anything about the job. Can't wait to start the talking again. Is anyone else's FF back to work already?? Mine went back a week ago and they are doing some burning in the snow!! Poet I can be here on Sundays if you want to talk. And if anyone else wants to come along. Just let me know when is good for you. FireWife
1/30	It has been a while since I wrote.......waaaay too long really. I just wanted every one to know that I have not forgot yall. Poet I miss reading your all your wonderful poems. You are truely talented. My FF has been home a while now and we've been very busy going here and there. My FF has joined up with a previous band and that is kept us on the go lately among other things. I miss you all, but I had not had time to read any much less write. All the recipes look tempting and yummy. My mom makes a mean fudge and you can freeze it. It is a big hit here on the east coast. Anyone who is interested let Ab know and he can give you my email. Well, everybody take care and hope I can visit again soon. Bambi
1/25	Hello Taz, Nerd and Robbie, I'm here too. I check the site once or twice a week now-a-days. Still with my Firefighter. He's out traveling, but we keep in touch with cell phones. I am still writing poetry, sewing and doing the 9-5 thingy. Going to leave the snowy cold midwest for a few days in WARM Florida soon, so looking forward to that. Whoo hoo! (it's nice to have relatives in warm places) Here is my latest bit of poetry... I know a man I shall not name. He seeks not Glory, Fortune or Fame. He's just a man, humble-brave Who works hard, our way of life to save. Take care all! Oh, if anyone is ever on Sunday nights, I am interested in a chat... Poet
1/23	Hey Taz! Yeah…it looks like I’m the only one around. I’m really glad to hear you and your FF are doing well, and planning for the future. I’m ramping up training and signing up for classes pending the summer season. Talk to FireChica about the dispatch gig…I think she’s dispatching this summer. Me, I’m just being a groundpounder. This winter has been very interesting; lots of EMS, lots of structure fire. I’m looking forward to fire season, though…I kind of miss my crewmates (who have scattered to do ski patrol, or snowmaking, or just gone back to the ‘real world’). Don’t tell them I said that, though. We had a multi-company structure fire a week or so ago, and a whole bunch of us were there…it was like a family reunion. Lots of smacks on the back, lots of hugs, lots of “You’re coming back, right?” “Hell yeah! Wouldn’t let you guys have all the fun without me!”. So it sounds like everybody who finished off last season is coming back. In other news, I guess I’ve got to stop gunning for Sammi’s son…I went and acquired myself a police officer. I’ll spare you the gory details, but Chica can attest that I’m making a goofy fool of myself. Nerd on the Fireline
1/23	Hi Taz Girl, I'm here but don't know much about dispatching. It's nice to see your post and get  your updated story. Glad things are going well. Nerd is on theysaid sometimes. Maybe she'll check in. Robbie
1/21	Hey gang! How is everyone? I haven't posted in ages. I swore I wouldn't fall off the wagon after fire season and just look what I did. I was pretty stressed for a while between Thanksgiving and Christmas and didn't feel much like posting. But I'm back!  I have been poking around looking for a job on a new crew for my FF. I am so excited he's going to switch crews, since that will make him closer. We are devising a new plan to move to Colorado and I'm pretty excited about that. No more Texas summer for me! Not this one anyway. The hardest part will be moving away from my brother and from roller derby. But I've done it before and I suppose I can do it again, right? I can't stay here just based on that. This town just doesn't have much else to offer me right now. It's time for a change. My FF and I are going to get our own place and I can at least see him every 14 days. It will still be a real adjustment, but nothing compared to five months! And I will be busy anyway because I'm going to take some summer comm. college courses. My plan is to try and get my teaching license, via an alternative program where I can teach while acquiring it. I'm pretty excited about it. It might not happen as quickly as I want it to, but that's alright. I might even look into dispatching this summer since there is a dispatching office in the town where we'll be. Sammi, I'm so sorry to hear about your friend's son. I can't imagine. Did you enjoy the holidays with your wily bunch? They sure sound like fun. Has anyone heard from FireMomma? I have not seen her post in ages. We were going to see each other here in October b/c she had that conference, but it got cancelled. Bummer... Is anyone ever chatting on Firechat at all? I would love to catch up with everyone. Hi Nerd. Sorry you had to work on a holiday, but at least it was slow right? My FF and I went to Mazatlan for New Years and I got to meet all of his family finally. It was sooo much fun. We took a 26-hour bus down there! I didn't want to leave. Hope everyone is doing well. Take care, Taz Girl
1/3	I would like to dedicate this poem in the memory of my friends Jeff Allen and Shane Heath who passed away on the Cramer Fire in July. I will always remember and never forget... In Loving Memory of Jeff and Shane by Jill A. You never said that you were leaving, You never said goodbye, then God took you home, In the blink of an eye. Every morning when I wake, It is your face that I see, I cannot put into words, What you have always meant to me. The memories we made, the sorrows that we shared, I wish that you could have known how much I truly cared. Every song, every stranger on the street… In everything I see, I see you. I miss your laugh and I miss your smile. You are, and always will be my friend, I will never forget, and to my love, There is no end. In everything beautiful, I see you, Everything beautiful…is why I miss you…