What Is It Like? Wife of a Firefighter

Throughout our marriage I've been asked many times what it's like for me to be married to a career firefighter.  Generally my response is "no big deal" or "I'm so glad Todd loves his job" or some quick, easy response.  Most people don't want to hear an hour long response explaining what life is really like.  And I don't say that because it's bad or negative in any way, I say that because, well, it's complicated.  That's what it's like.... it's complicated.

How do I explain that for the birth of our children I had a nagging fear that he may not be there because he might be on shift and busy with a fire or emergency call?  How do I explain that constant nagging fear for his safety throughout the time he's on shift?  How do I explain what it's like to have him at work for 48 hours or 72 hours at a time?  In the reverse, how do I explain what it's like to have him home for two to three straight weeks at a time because he has vacation time off?  How do I explain that having him home for an extended period of time makes him a little stir-crazy and me a little nutty (more nutty)?

Todd loves what he does and has always loved his job, his career, his lifestyle... because it really is a lifestyle.  I love that he loves his career and finds satisfaction in what he does.  For me, I've always been independent enough that I can function well with him gone for two to three days at a time.  With that said, it's certainly not always easy.

Like the time that our young Evan, at two years of age, swallowed his older brother's medication for ADD and was extremely sick from the medication.  Having to rush him to the doctor and monitor him for 24 hours while being Mom to a nine year old, Spencer, and 14 month old, Tori, was not easy.  I really needed Todd home to help but he was in his Recruit training after being newly hired and couldn't leave the training.

Or like the time our oldest son, Spencer, got terribly bit by a German Shepherd dog, mangling his hand at age twelve and having to get him to the emergency room on my own because Todd was in Paramedic school.  Luckily, my parents and sisters were in town for a family gathering and they were able to watch my little Evan and Tori.

How about the time that I was sick with the flu, I mean really sick, and after four days of being sick Todd had to head in to work.  I was not functioning at all and had to beg a sister to come help.  Now Todd could have called in sick to work, of course he has that option, but I really hated to have him take his valuable vacation time for me so I turned to my sister instead.  (He would have taken time off for me but my independent streak is an entire new issue you don't what to hear about.)

As I'm typing all of this, I can't help but think about military families who deal with these issues on a whole other level.  So, please know, I don't share all of this to complain... why am I sharing this?  I'm sharing to give some insight into the life of being a wife to a career firefighter who lives and breathes the life and has a wife who loves him dearly for his dedication.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow

Our family loves the snow.  We really do.  So I guess it's a good thing that we're living in Utah.  One of the pleasures of living in Utah is the wonderful snow and one of the pleasures of living in our small city is the proximity to Sundance Resort, one of our favorite ski resorts.

We spent the day at Sundance recently and, let me tell you, it was a gorgeous day.

It was a beautiful, clear sunny day with temperatures ranging between 8 degrees F and 20 degrees F depending on if you were in the shade or the sun.  And, Yes, that is a beautiful day for all those people who are living in warmer climates.

We all bundle up in layers to stay warm and comfortable and invest in the lovely invention called hand warmers.  Little packets of special stuff, don't know what it is, that you slip in your gloves and it keeps your hands toasty and warm all day.

We then spend the day riding the lifts, enjoying the views, skiing or snowboarding down the mountainside, and repeating it all again until we take a break for lunch.  Enjoy a lunch of steamy chili or a fresh-made sandwich then start the fun all over again at the cozy little resort call Sundance.

Don't you wish you were here?

Easy Scone Recipe

Do you want an easy recipe to make some yummy scones?  I've got just the recipe.  I must include the disclaimer that these are yummy and not necessarily healthy but... they ARE yummy.   We love these scones with peanut butter and jelly or honey or love them with chili covering the scone and adding lettuce, tomato, cheese, olives, sour cream, and salsa all on top to make a great meal.

The great thing about this recipe is you can make a large batch and then save the extra, unused dough in the fridge to use throughout the month.  Give it a try.

Scones for 30 Days

1pint buttermilk, heated to lukewarm
1 Tbsp. dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
3/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
approx. 5 1/2 cups flour

Make this recipe just like you would make a batch of bread.  Put all ingredients, except the flour, in order that they are listed in a large bowl or KitchenAid mixer.  Start mixing and gradually add flour a cup at a time.  If needed, add more than 5 1/2 cups flour until the dough is not sticky.  Knead or mix the dough until it forms a ball.  No need to wait for the bread to rise before using.

Roll out and cut into squares.  Fry in hot oil.  Keep unused dough in covered bowl in the refrigerator.  Keeps up to six weeks.  This recipe makes an estimated 20 to 24 scones depending on how big you make the squares. To reduce the amount of dough, simply halve this recipe.  Enjoy!