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!

Merry Christmas

Yet another wonderful Christmas for the Glassford family.  All the family gathered around the tree early Christmas morning to see what Santa had delivered the night before.  (I can hear the kids groaning as I type this.... "geez Mom, we know there's no Santa".)

Christmas morning and the entire day is one of my most favorite days of the year.  It means spending all day together in our pj's playing games and eating lots of yummy food.  The sad exception this year is that we missed having our grown-up Spencer and his wife with us; they spent the holiday with Ashley's family this year.  We missed them both!

In keeping with tradition, we all rummage through our stockings first to see what yummy treats and little odds and ends have been stuffed inside.

We then go for the presents but usually take things a little slow by opening our presents one at a time.  This allows for me, the official picture taker, to take plenty of pictures along the way. 

It was fun this year to actually surprise both Evan and Tori with a few presents.  They typically know what they are getting because they enjoy spoiling their Christmas surprise by snooping around the house but this year I was able to keep a few things a secret.  Tori was happily surprised with a camera, something she had been asking for since I don't know when.... a long time.

She also got the guitar that she just had to have... it was a matter of life or death.... very dramatic stuff.

Evan got a nice surprise by getting the paintball gun this year, along with all the many required things that come along with a paintball gun.  Required things like a protective face mask and protective clothing... those paintballs really sting. 

Our fat, lazy, lovable cat got the gift of wrapping paper and ribbon, he was in heaven.

We have been blessed with yet another wonderful Christmas.... our family is truly blessed.  Not only have we been blessed with gifts under the tree but we have been blessed with each other, our health, our jobs, our love for each other, and best of all.... having the knowledge of the our Savior and Heavenly Father through our membership with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Do You Believe?

Merry Christmas from the Glassford family.  We wish you all a wonderful Christmas season.  May we always remember why we celebrate Christmas.... to celebrate and focus on the birth of Christ, our Savior and the Son of God. 

Wife of a Firefighter

Have I ever shared that my handsome husband is a firefighter?  I'm a firefighter's wife.  Have I explained to you, dear readers, what it's like having your loved one gone for 48 hours at a job that has the potential of danger and harm for every emergency call?  Have I explained that he loves what he does and that he feels disappointment if he misses the opportunity to respond to a blazing fire?

The city that he works for is not a large city, which means he doesn't have many opportunities to actually fight a "good fire" ... those are his words, not mine.... but he got the opportunity early Friday morning.  He was called bright and early to a blazing fire of a local church building, a building that is rich in history for our county, a building that saddened many of us to see it destroyed. 

While I know that my dear husband would make every effort to be safety conscious during his working days and his commanding officers will make every effort to also be extremely aware of safety, I can't help but worry every time he goes to work.  It's a worry that lingers in the back of my mind.  It's a worry that makes me very grateful to have him home safely after every shift ends.

He was able to take some great pictures while at the fire this last week.  While the picture above is courtesy of the local news station, a great picture of the blazing fire, this next picture was taken while he was busy at work.  This is his viewpoint from the bottom of the ladder truck.

As I mentioned, he loves what he does so when he got the call to a "good fire" he was looking forward to the opportunity to put his firefighting skills to use.  His first 24 hours on the job fighting this blaze was a great day at work for him; however, after 24 hours out in the freezing cold and very little sleep he started his next 24 hours not as thrilled to do the job.  It was a very tough couple days for him.  I'm grateful to the caring, kind businesses in our community that provided warm food for him and his crew.  And very, very grateful to have him home safely again.

I'm grateful for the brave men, including my husband, who are willing to risk their lives to keep us safe.  Love my husband dearly and pray always that he'll be safe.  I wouldn't change him for the world and grateful for who he is and his brave heart.

Almond Roca - A Tasty Kitchen Recipe

Looking for a yummy recipe for the holidays?  I've found it.... the perfect recipe for your holiday treats.  Easy to make and yummy to eat.  It's a recipe for Almond Roca - no need to buy that pink can of treats every again.  This recipe tastes just like the store bought, golden-wrapped treats.  I found this recipe at Tasty Kitchen.  Love this website.

Almond Roca

• 4 sticks Butter
• 2 cups Sugar (rounded)
• 4 Tablespoons Water
• 2 cups Almonds, Chopped
• 1 cup Chocolate Chips
• ½ cups Almonds, Finely Chopped, For Sprinkling

Combine the first 3 ingredients and cook on high, stirring constantly through 3 stages:
1. Runny
2. “Cheesy”—it will look like melted white cheese
3. Runny and smooth, caramel brown color
Make sure you have the fan on your stove going, cause you’ll probably set off the smoke alarm towards the end.
When it is runny, smooth and caramel brown in color, remove it from the heat and add the almonds. Stir until combined and pour the mixture onto greased cookie sheets. Spread it into an even layer. It will harden as it cools.
While it is still warm, sprinkle chocolate chips on top and let them melt enough to get soft. Spread the chocolate in an even layer across the candy. While the chocolate is still “wet,” sprinkle the finely chopped almonds on top.
At this point, while it is still warm and soft, you can score the candy with a butter knife to make it break evenly, or just let it harden and break it into rustic pieces.  Store in airtight containers.