The Next Day

Reed sent me an email from the fire department. It said:

"One of our crews would like to head out to the structure today, before the tear down if it is possible. If so can you shoot me an email that this would be ok." ..."Great, I will have Station 6’s crew out there around 9:30….Thank you again for the opportunity."

Since we had an easy day, Miss A and I headed over to the property.

At one point there were three fire engines.

The fire crew had a race to see who could create an opening fastest with the windows {practicing when the door is not available to get inside}. They also used different tools {no chainsaws, only pickaxes, sledge hammers, axes and other hand tools} It was interesting to see the way the fire crew opened the areas.

Three other windows

Cutting Ventilation holes in the roof. They find the truss and cut a rectangle saddling the truss with a chainsaw. Then they use their axe/pickaxe to push or pull it down or up. They use ladders, pick axes and a pole with a fork or claw-like end to give themselves footing and to keep their balance while cutting.

The lieutenants had a race to see who could get inside first.

This one won.

How about a little transparency?!?!?

A Little Fun at our Rental House

Last week, we had a little old paint that we needed to use. Ms A and I went over to the rental house and played a little Tic-Tac-Toe. We painted smiley faces, wrote names and at the end, Ms A dipped her hands in the paint and put hand and fingerprints ALL OVER THE PLACE! She had a GREAT time.

Today as we left church, we went to check on our rental property.
This is what we saw when we drove up to our property! We have been waiting to have the firemen come to the rental house and do some trainings. They had a couple of rookies who needed practical experience. We had a great time watching them tear our rental house to pieces.

This is Mike the fireman. He explained to us what the rookies were doing and why. Mike was great with Ms A and explained so much at her level.

The first crew cut four ventilation holes in the roof to release heat and vent the smoke.

Some smoke coming out the back.
Entering the house.

The rookies had a race to see who could "escape" out of the house fastest. They did this training to practice in the scenario that all the normal exits {windows and doors} were unavailable. They each picked a place and went to town pounding on the exterior wall.

Here is a picture of the siding becoming loose

Peeking through the siding.

He found his way OUT!

The two holes they exited.

The interior view of their escapes.

One of the things the rookies practiced was to go into the house, find a smoke bomb, extinguish it and then ventilate the house. One of the ways to ventilate the house is to used the water hose to break out the windows. We were on the opposite side of the house, but still saw the smoke and then the water coming out of the house.

They also had a race breaking into the house. The front door was pretty easy, a strong kick and it popped open. The back two doors were a little more work. They each took a door and broke it down. The whole in the second door was a wood panel. When we walked through after the firemen did their trainings, all but one of the doors were broken off their hinges.

Tuesday is demo day with the excavator...
can't wait to see this house come down!!!

Intel Party

Reed's job had a family get together at the local county fairgrounds. They brought in a few water slides and bouncy houses. Ms A had a BLAST! She wasn't too sure about the high water slide, but the slip and slide was her favorite. I think she went on it at least twenty times.

Berry Salad

I found this delicious salad and dressing via. I threw in some raspberries as well, YUMMMM!

Can I tell you how easy and DELICIOUS it was?!?!?

We loved every little bite!!!

Happy Fourth of July!!

This morning Ms A enjoyed her first parade as a spectator. Our neighbor invited us to join her and her family to watch the parade. We cheered and clapped for the military and the marching bands. We has a wonderful time. Thank you Amy for the invite and enjoyable morning.

Later some other friends invited us over for a delicious barbeque and fireworks. We had a wonderful time chatting with friends, eating the amazing food and watching fireworks. Ms A had a little mishap with a sparkler, but after some love from mom and burn medicine from Rebecca, THANK YOU, she was back in the game having fun!

Playing with a sparkler.
Ms A has declared that the Fourth of July is her favorite holiday, along with Easter. She was grinning and cheering most of the evening.

Blanket Buddies.
Ms A and Mr L got a little chilly as the evening progressed, I grabbed a blanket and they snuggled in for the FABULOUS firework show!!

Dessert...I ***LOVE*** my trifle dish and the Triple Berry Trifle (layers of strawberries, raspberries and blueberries with angel food cake, cheesecake pudding and grated white chocolate) was a perfect addition to my dish.


Thank you Rebecca and Paul for the wonderful evening!!

Newest Creations

My dear friend brought over some beautiful hydrangeas after a rough week. They cheered up me up after my week long self pity party. Thanks L!!!

The flowers were a perfect springboard for this card:

Since I had my stamps out and some creative juices flowing, I played a little more and came up with these. My card stash needed to be replenished as well. :)



Ms A usually asks if I'm making any cards for her with hope in her eyes. This little card had a pretty dress in her favorite color with sparkles... perfect!!!