Friday, June 29, 2007
Fulfilled & Complete
It took FOUR weeks, but we finally made it into the city (New York City). I feel whole again!! Pictures later...
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Fallen Firefighters
Bryce Donovan has (in my mind) recently earned himself the title "Sabrina's favorite columnist" and I'm sure he's tickled pink! He is very funny and has filled a void in my life since Dave Barry retired. His columns usually make me laugh but this one made me feel something deeper, a sadness tinged with gratefulness. It's about the firefighters who died last week fighting a fire in South Carolina. I hope everyone gets a chance to read it:
http://web.charleston.net/news/2007/jun/21/real_american_heroes/
Real American heroes
By Bryce Donovan (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Thursday, June 21, 2007
The nine courageous men who died Monday will not be forgotten
Sometimes it's easy to forget how lucky we are.
Most of us will get up in the morning, put on our clothes and go to work. Not once will we ever think about the possibility of not coming home. The possibility of not ever seeing our friends or family again. But when you're a firefighter, you know that any given day on the job could be your last.
On Tuesday, when I learned about the nine men who died heroically fighting the blaze at Sofa Super Store in West Ashley, I couldn't help but feel sad — and, to be perfectly honest, lucky.
Lucky in the way most people are ashamed to admit they feel after tragedy. That guilt-ridden sort of "thank God it wasn't me or any of my loved ones" way. But that wasn't the only reason. I also felt lucky because I was one of the privileged few who got to spend time with some of the men who went into that burning building Monday night to save the lives of complete strangers.
Every boy's dream
Over the years, I've gotten to do a lot of cool things for this job. Jump out of airplanes. Drive race cars. Fly helicopters. Heck, I even got to carry the Olympic torch once. But for one day in November 2002, with the tragedy of Sept. 11 still fresh in everyone's mind, I was granted access to do the one thing every little boy dreams of: I got to be a firefighter.
For more than three hours, I trained under the watchful eye of Battalion Chief Ricky Shriver. Everything about that guy screams firefighter. He's got the moustache, the leathery skin and the caring eyes that betray the tough-guy facade.
During my day as a probationary firefighter, Shriver walked me though firefighting basics: putting out small gas fires, performing tight-quarters rescues and even participating in a real live burn in the training facility's five-story building. In other words, for one day, I got to do what Shriver and other real firefighters do all the time.
Trial by fire
Most people have no idea what it's like to be close to, much less in the center of, a real fire.
At 50 feet away, your eyes begin to water. At 25 feet, your uniform starts to smolder. And inside 15 feet, you make a promise to yourself that you'll never skip another Sunday of church again.
Inside a burning building, smoke surrounds you. Visibility is minimal. And the ominous sounds of a structure fighting heat and gravity are haunting.
During our live burn exercise, we were told that somewhere on the bottom two floors were two "victims" — a parent and a child. It was up to us to rescue them. As I walked in the door, an air tank strapped to my back and protective helmet pulled down low, I felt the rush of heat first, then the rush of knowing I had the ability to save the day. It was right at that moment that I got it. I understood why firefighters do this. To help others.
But in less than 15 minutes, everything changed. My air canister ran out, I panicked and right there at the bottom of the stairs, I cried for Shriver like a toddler lost in a mall. In less than five seconds, he had me out the door. Outside, I tore off my face mask and dropped to the ground, gasping for fresh air.
Meanwhile, inside the burning building, left to fend for himself and the two victims, was my partner.
True heroes
It takes a special kind of person to be a firefighter. You have to be strong. Tough. Fearless. But, above all, giving. Because on any given day, you could be asked to give your life in exchange for someone else's.
I can't even begin to imagine what was going through the minds of those men Monday night when the roof started to collapse on them. And I'm not going to pretend like I do. But the one thing I do know is that all those men — Capt. William "Billy" Hutchinson, Capt. Mike Benke, Capt. Louis Mulkey, engineer Mark Kelsey, engineer Bradford "Brad" Baity, assistant engineer Michael "Frenchie" French, firefighter James "Earl" Allen Drayton, firefighter Brandon Thompson and firefighter Melvin Champaign — died heroically doing a job that they loved, saving people they didn't know.
Today, when we go home to our loved ones, we should take a moment to think about the ultimate sacrifice these men made.
And to remember just how lucky we are to have people like them looking out for us.
Bryce Donovan is a features columnist for The Post and Courier. Reach him at 937-5938 or bdonovan@postandcourier.com.
Thank you, Bryce, for letting me share this with my friends!
http://web.charleston.net/news/2007/jun/21/real_american_heroes/
Real American heroes
By Bryce Donovan (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Thursday, June 21, 2007
The nine courageous men who died Monday will not be forgotten
Sometimes it's easy to forget how lucky we are.
Most of us will get up in the morning, put on our clothes and go to work. Not once will we ever think about the possibility of not coming home. The possibility of not ever seeing our friends or family again. But when you're a firefighter, you know that any given day on the job could be your last.
On Tuesday, when I learned about the nine men who died heroically fighting the blaze at Sofa Super Store in West Ashley, I couldn't help but feel sad — and, to be perfectly honest, lucky.
Lucky in the way most people are ashamed to admit they feel after tragedy. That guilt-ridden sort of "thank God it wasn't me or any of my loved ones" way. But that wasn't the only reason. I also felt lucky because I was one of the privileged few who got to spend time with some of the men who went into that burning building Monday night to save the lives of complete strangers.
Every boy's dream
Over the years, I've gotten to do a lot of cool things for this job. Jump out of airplanes. Drive race cars. Fly helicopters. Heck, I even got to carry the Olympic torch once. But for one day in November 2002, with the tragedy of Sept. 11 still fresh in everyone's mind, I was granted access to do the one thing every little boy dreams of: I got to be a firefighter.
For more than three hours, I trained under the watchful eye of Battalion Chief Ricky Shriver. Everything about that guy screams firefighter. He's got the moustache, the leathery skin and the caring eyes that betray the tough-guy facade.
During my day as a probationary firefighter, Shriver walked me though firefighting basics: putting out small gas fires, performing tight-quarters rescues and even participating in a real live burn in the training facility's five-story building. In other words, for one day, I got to do what Shriver and other real firefighters do all the time.
Trial by fire
Most people have no idea what it's like to be close to, much less in the center of, a real fire.
At 50 feet away, your eyes begin to water. At 25 feet, your uniform starts to smolder. And inside 15 feet, you make a promise to yourself that you'll never skip another Sunday of church again.
Inside a burning building, smoke surrounds you. Visibility is minimal. And the ominous sounds of a structure fighting heat and gravity are haunting.
During our live burn exercise, we were told that somewhere on the bottom two floors were two "victims" — a parent and a child. It was up to us to rescue them. As I walked in the door, an air tank strapped to my back and protective helmet pulled down low, I felt the rush of heat first, then the rush of knowing I had the ability to save the day. It was right at that moment that I got it. I understood why firefighters do this. To help others.
But in less than 15 minutes, everything changed. My air canister ran out, I panicked and right there at the bottom of the stairs, I cried for Shriver like a toddler lost in a mall. In less than five seconds, he had me out the door. Outside, I tore off my face mask and dropped to the ground, gasping for fresh air.
Meanwhile, inside the burning building, left to fend for himself and the two victims, was my partner.
True heroes
It takes a special kind of person to be a firefighter. You have to be strong. Tough. Fearless. But, above all, giving. Because on any given day, you could be asked to give your life in exchange for someone else's.
I can't even begin to imagine what was going through the minds of those men Monday night when the roof started to collapse on them. And I'm not going to pretend like I do. But the one thing I do know is that all those men — Capt. William "Billy" Hutchinson, Capt. Mike Benke, Capt. Louis Mulkey, engineer Mark Kelsey, engineer Bradford "Brad" Baity, assistant engineer Michael "Frenchie" French, firefighter James "Earl" Allen Drayton, firefighter Brandon Thompson and firefighter Melvin Champaign — died heroically doing a job that they loved, saving people they didn't know.
Today, when we go home to our loved ones, we should take a moment to think about the ultimate sacrifice these men made.
And to remember just how lucky we are to have people like them looking out for us.
Bryce Donovan is a features columnist for The Post and Courier. Reach him at 937-5938 or bdonovan@postandcourier.com.
Thank you, Bryce, for letting me share this with my friends!
Thursday, June 21, 2007
16 oz. Single Shot Sugar-Free Hazelnut
I miss my mochas! I had no idea how much I would miss the simple act of stopping in at JT Brown's and getting a cup of coffee. I miss Lynn and Kerry and even Lou! The people here at Starbucks don't care about Van, or my dog, or how the principal is treating me...they can't even make a decent mocha, as far as I can tell!
I truly have the best of both worlds in my life. I am here in the 'big city' enjoying the things that I can not access from home in Alaska and I get to go back to my 'small town' life where my friends and acquaintances really care how my day is going.
I will go home in 3 weeks and my first stop will be Lynn's store where I can sit on the stool and kibitz with her and my neighbors...and get a fabulous mocha!!
I truly have the best of both worlds in my life. I am here in the 'big city' enjoying the things that I can not access from home in Alaska and I get to go back to my 'small town' life where my friends and acquaintances really care how my day is going.
I will go home in 3 weeks and my first stop will be Lynn's store where I can sit on the stool and kibitz with her and my neighbors...and get a fabulous mocha!!
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
What a Strange Bird!
One of the things I miss terribly in Alaska is squirrels. This one obviously thinks he's a bird and, therefore, entitled to eat out of the bird feeder on my Mom's deck! He actually chased a dove away before he started snacking.
How far can he lean without falling?! 
I love this picture. I can hear him saying, "What are you lookin' at?! 
How far can he lean without falling?! 
I love this picture. I can hear him saying, "What are you lookin' at?! 
Monday, June 18, 2007
Happy Anniversary!
This is what we looked like 14 years ago when we got married (this picture was taken at Van's brother's wedding...we actually got married in jeans!). I can't believe so much time has passed, it certainly doesn't seem like it's been 14 years. Well, not to me anyway!
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
The Garden State!
Most people associate New Jersey with the Turnpike and the Parkway, but there's a reason it's called the garden state! People take great pride in their flowers around here...my Mommy included!! Here are just a few pictures to show you the range of colors we see every day here:
Monday, June 11, 2007
The Best Ophthalmologist, Ever!
Savana had her check-up with Dr. Engel http://uceyecenter.com/ who happens to be the best darned eye doctor in the world, not to mention that he is one of the nicest men I have ever met! She has been going to him since she was 3 years old, she was just a baby when she first started sitting in this chair! We found out that she will have to have surgery on her eye next summer but she's not the least bit scared...she's my hero!
Brynna also had her eyes checked and we found out she is a tiny bit near-sighted, just like her mom! She doesn't need glasses yet, but we're hoping soon. She will be cute as a button in glasses. Plus, she thinks she'll look even smarter...my little nerd!!
Brynna also had her eyes checked and we found out she is a tiny bit near-sighted, just like her mom! She doesn't need glasses yet, but we're hoping soon. She will be cute as a button in glasses. Plus, she thinks she'll look even smarter...my little nerd!!
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Torturing My Husband!
Yummy, yummy, yummy!!
For those of you who don't know, this is a Mongolian Barbecue place called J P Lee's. It is fantastic! When Savana was little, she used to call it "where the mans cook it" (there are usually two chefs manning the grill, hence the plural use of the word!). We actually still call it that, but not in public!
For those of you who don't know, this is a Mongolian Barbecue place called J P Lee's. It is fantastic! When Savana was little, she used to call it "where the mans cook it" (there are usually two chefs manning the grill, hence the plural use of the word!). We actually still call it that, but not in public!
Friday, June 08, 2007
Want Some Lunch, Daddy?!
Hi, Daddy!
Guess where we are? (For those of you who are not Van, we're in Princeton!)
Hey, Daddy!
Guess where we're having lunch?! (This is our absolute favorite sandwich shop ANYWHERE!!)
Okay Daddy,
We'll stop torturing you! Here's a hint about lunch...
Van, I can't tell you how much it breaks my heart that I am not able to share this hot pastrami sandwich with you! I love you, but I gotta go eat now... :)
Guess where we are? (For those of you who are not Van, we're in Princeton!)
Hey, Daddy!Guess where we're having lunch?! (This is our absolute favorite sandwich shop ANYWHERE!!)
Okay Daddy,We'll stop torturing you! Here's a hint about lunch...
Van, I can't tell you how much it breaks my heart that I am not able to share this hot pastrami sandwich with you! I love you, but I gotta go eat now... :)Thursday, June 07, 2007
Welcome Home
Home is a relative term. When I am in Alaska, I am home. When I am in New Jersey, I am home. I'm sure that if I ever manage to work my way back to Westerville, Ohio (where I grew up), I would feel at home.Today, I am home in Jersey! This is where my parents & sisters are. This is where my favorite foods (with the exception of fresh Alaskan sea food!) are. This is where I see familiar street signs, roads, and buildings and memories (happy & sad) are forced to the front of the line!
Today I am happy because I am home!
(Plus, I have the other half of my hot pastrami from lunch yesterday waiting in the refrigerator to be my breakfast...life is good!)
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Excellent Paint Job
Check out the fancy airplane that took us from Ketchikan to Seattle! If this doesn't bring in more fishermen, nothing will...
Well, the girls and I have completed our trip and we landed, safe and sound, on the opposite side of the country from where we started. Yay, New Jersey!! We got off the plane and it was warm and muggy...our hair started curling (even more!) almost immediately. My Mom and Vanessa met us at the closest point allowable and it was all I could do to contain my shouts of joy. Okay, I didn't contain my shouts of joy. I was yelling, "I can see my Mommy!" as soon as I saw the balloons! Thank goodness she was the only one with balloons, that could have been embarassing! We got the luggage and my Daddy was waiting out front with the car. My sense of 'being home' was now complete!
I was a little scared of seeing my parents for the first time in two years, afraid they would look older or different, but they both look absolutely wonderful and exactly the same!
Thank you, Van, for being so supportive of my trip home...I feel recharged already!
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