The badge means nothing if it is misrepresented.
I don’t know how many times a day I travel the city streets or the interstate and have motorists pass me up that have some type of badge on their vehicle’s license plate. There is nothing wrong with that, unless they are misrepresenting the badge they are displaying. I don’t care if they are a firefighter, a police officer, a county deputy, or an OHP officer…….if they are speeding up and down the highway in their own private vehicle and displaying some type of badge, they are misrepresenting the badge and what it stands for. The badge should represent honor, integrity and obeying the law. If they have a badge on their tag, it does not give them the right to exceed the speed limit, nor does it give them the right to drive carelessly.
They should be the ones setting the example on the streets. It really irritates me to see a driver speeding on a street or highway, while displaying a badge on their tag. Personally, I have an Emergency Management specialized tag on my truck and a firefighter’s badge attached to the tag. I display them proudly, but I also know I am setting an example. That’s why I usually drive the speed limit, or maybe 5 over. I signal when changing lanes and I always stay 3-4 car lengths behind vehicles in rush-hour traffic. The badge does not get me any privileges and it should not give anybody else any privileges. It certainly does not give anyone the permission to speed or drive carelessly. If they feel that’s what the badge entitles them too, they need to remove it.
Well, last night I did something that needed to be done and something I had promised my wife for a long time. Since we moved to my MIL’s house over 6 months ago, one side of our garage is packed full of stuff….stuff that had no place to go. Some of the stuff is garage sale stuff and some of the stuff belongs to my sister-in-law. So, after work yesterday, I started working on the garage and started pulling stuff out and putting it in the driveway. I had promised to devote at least an hour on this project because I know what type of person I am and will not stop until the job is complete. Plus, we have a huge storage building in our backyard that is almost empty and ready to be filled up. So, I separated the garage sale stuff from the furniture we had stored and started moving stuff around. Before it was all said and done, I had moved many things to the storage building and the rest of the stuff went back into the garage.
I wore my back belt and my work gloves, but my back and hands were still sore. There were some pieces of furniture that we had decided to sell, so I took pictures of them and will get them posted on Craigslist. One other thing….since Stephen has temporarily (and I stress TEMPORARILY) moved in with us, we got him a clothes rack and dresser set up in the garage with his stuff. Plus, we got him a dirty clothes hamper so he can take care of his own dirty clothes. The only drawback for him is it is extremely cold in the garage, so he will probably need to bring his clothes in the night before, so they will be warm when he puts them on. He is considering moving his bed into the garage and setting up a small space heater, so he can sleep in the garage. He is getting rather tired of sleeping on our couch.
Now, the garage is in lots better shape and there is more room. Eventually (probably in March), we should have enough stuff moved out of the garage to be able to park a vehicle in there (isn’t that what garages are for anyway?). I finally got everything out away and junk thrown away by 8:30 pm. Yes, I spent 4 hours working on the garage and stopped for about 15 minutes to eat dinner. The only casualty I had was a smashed finger. I was shutting the lid to Big Blue and didn’t move my finger fast enough. My middle finger on my right hand got smashed big time in the hinges. After the initial shock and the massive pain that shot through my hand, I looked at my finger and blood was running down my hand. Since I am a really calm person, I just strolled into the house and told Karla I smashed my finger (as blood was now going down my arm). We went to the bathroom, put Peroxide on it, bandaged it up and back to work I went to finish up. I am not letting a smashed finger, or a bloody finger, keep me from finishing up.
By 9 pm, I was in the house on my computer, with my middle finger bandaged up and throbbing like a son-of-a-gun. Fortunately, I also have a high pain tolerance, so I went on with my normal evening activities and went to bed around 10:30 pm. I didn’t sleep well because my back was tired and sore and my finger was still throbbing. I don’t take any type of pain reliever unless I am in lots of pain, so I didn’t take any last night. If I had, I probably would have slept better.
Today has been a good day. The finger is real sore and I am walking slowly, due to a little soreness, but I am just fine. I am also happy to know that I got something accomplished last night that made me happy, made Karla happy and made the rest of the family happy. I am still alive, so it goes to show that hard work doesn’t kill you.
http://www.okcentralreact.org/
CERT Training
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
I love to Help People...
I like to help people, but…….
Yesterday, as I was heading home on I-40 (in rush-hour traffic), I noticed a motorist in the left-hand lane shoulder with a flat tire. He was barely off the road and was standing dangerously close to the interstate. Yes, for a moment I thought about stopping and assisting, but it was way too dangerous for even me. I have a light bar on my roof and I have emergency strobe lights on my cab and in my tail lights, but the situation was still not safe. The same thing happened to me on my way to work yesterday morning. I was north bound on I-44, approaching the I-40 junction and saw a motorist on the right-hand shoulder…again, just barely off the road. If he had opened his door, a car would have easily hit it…that’s how close he was to the interstate. Once again, it was way too dangerous for me to stop, so I didn’t.
Motorists need to know if they have car trouble, or if they get a flat tire, to find a safe place, way off the road, to park. If they have to drive a little ways on a flat tire, it’s better than stopping on the shoulder where there is very little room. If their car stalls on the interstate, they need to try to pull over to the far right-hand lane and, if possible, take the next exit off the interstate. The interstate is not the place you want to be with a flat tire or a stalled car. Even if you are pulled onto the shoulder, many drivers are driving so fast, they don’t have the reaction time they need to slow down quickly. Then, they wind up swerving to avoid hitting another car and next thing you know, they are aimed right at you. All you have to do is watch a video and see how traffic reacts to a stalled vehicle….it ain’t pretty.
One thing I have learned since I have been driving the interstate so much now, is no matter how fast you are driving, some idiot thinks he/she has to drive faster. I normally stay in the far right-hand lane on the interstate and normally cruise at around 65 mph. When traffic is heavy, I stay at least 3-4 car lengths behind the car in front of me in case they decided to stop quickly. I never, ever, weave in and out of traffic and I always use my signal light. Why? Because it is the law and I have REACT signs on the side of my truck, so I have to be the one setting the example for the other drivers. Even though our law enforcement should be setting the examples on the interstates, they aren’t. Many police officers and OHP speed on the interstate because they can get away with it, which is totally wrong. They should be setting the examples for all the drivers.
In other news….
This is Stephen’s last week in his apartment….wait…let me rephrase that……he has to have all his stuff out of his apartment by this coming weekend. After 6 months of paying a ridiculously high price for a one-bedroom apartment in NW OKC, his lease is up and he is moving out. The apartments he wants to move in will not be available until March, so he is staying with us and sleeping on the couch until March. He actually “moved” in with us around the first of January because they cut off his electricity. He is giving our new couch a good workout. We really don’t see him that much, except for some evenings. I am normally in bed by 10-10:30 and he is usually not home until after that. Since he had no place to put his excess furniture (which is not much), he is suing our new storage building in the back yard.
http://www.okcentralreact.org/
Yesterday, as I was heading home on I-40 (in rush-hour traffic), I noticed a motorist in the left-hand lane shoulder with a flat tire. He was barely off the road and was standing dangerously close to the interstate. Yes, for a moment I thought about stopping and assisting, but it was way too dangerous for even me. I have a light bar on my roof and I have emergency strobe lights on my cab and in my tail lights, but the situation was still not safe. The same thing happened to me on my way to work yesterday morning. I was north bound on I-44, approaching the I-40 junction and saw a motorist on the right-hand shoulder…again, just barely off the road. If he had opened his door, a car would have easily hit it…that’s how close he was to the interstate. Once again, it was way too dangerous for me to stop, so I didn’t.
Motorists need to know if they have car trouble, or if they get a flat tire, to find a safe place, way off the road, to park. If they have to drive a little ways on a flat tire, it’s better than stopping on the shoulder where there is very little room. If their car stalls on the interstate, they need to try to pull over to the far right-hand lane and, if possible, take the next exit off the interstate. The interstate is not the place you want to be with a flat tire or a stalled car. Even if you are pulled onto the shoulder, many drivers are driving so fast, they don’t have the reaction time they need to slow down quickly. Then, they wind up swerving to avoid hitting another car and next thing you know, they are aimed right at you. All you have to do is watch a video and see how traffic reacts to a stalled vehicle….it ain’t pretty.
One thing I have learned since I have been driving the interstate so much now, is no matter how fast you are driving, some idiot thinks he/she has to drive faster. I normally stay in the far right-hand lane on the interstate and normally cruise at around 65 mph. When traffic is heavy, I stay at least 3-4 car lengths behind the car in front of me in case they decided to stop quickly. I never, ever, weave in and out of traffic and I always use my signal light. Why? Because it is the law and I have REACT signs on the side of my truck, so I have to be the one setting the example for the other drivers. Even though our law enforcement should be setting the examples on the interstates, they aren’t. Many police officers and OHP speed on the interstate because they can get away with it, which is totally wrong. They should be setting the examples for all the drivers.
In other news….
This is Stephen’s last week in his apartment….wait…let me rephrase that……he has to have all his stuff out of his apartment by this coming weekend. After 6 months of paying a ridiculously high price for a one-bedroom apartment in NW OKC, his lease is up and he is moving out. The apartments he wants to move in will not be available until March, so he is staying with us and sleeping on the couch until March. He actually “moved” in with us around the first of January because they cut off his electricity. He is giving our new couch a good workout. We really don’t see him that much, except for some evenings. I am normally in bed by 10-10:30 and he is usually not home until after that. Since he had no place to put his excess furniture (which is not much), he is suing our new storage building in the back yard.
http://www.okcentralreact.org/
Friday, January 21, 2011
No Room For Foul Language in the Work Place
There has been quite a bit of talk around my office concerning those that feel foul language has to be a part of their everyday conversation. Most of the people in my office are pretty tame when it comes to their language, however, we do have a few that I feel really go overboard. It is my own opinion that foul language does not belong in the work place because it can be offensive to others that have to listen to it. Plus, if you are a professional and conduct business on a daily basis, there is no room for foul language because it is not only unprofessional, It is disrespectful and shows lack of a good vocabulary. If the person wants to use it in their daily lives at home, that’s up to them, but please don’t bring it to work with you. I would suggest if you can’t talk without using foul language, don’t talk at all. Some think foul language makes them look big…..but, I have always felt it made a person look very small…and insecure. Sure, every once in a while somebody may slip and say something bad, but to have it come out of your mouth in your everyday language is pathetic.
I had a supervisor this morning tell me when he hears his employees using foul language, he says something to them right away. He also agrees that nobody in the workplace should be subject to someone else’s foul language. What gets me are the supervisors that call themselves Christians, yet they either use foul language constantly themselves, or they don’t say anything to their employees that do. Even my boss has sent out a few memos to our office about some of the language he has been hearing. I don’t use foul language and very, very, seldom do I say a cuss word because there are so many other words to use in the English language without having to cuss. Even when I get my maddest, I don’t cuss….because it does no good anyway. Believe it or not, I have NEVER cussed anybody out because it is not in my character to do so. I can chew anyone out, or yell at them without using foul language.
One other stance I am taking is foul language on Facebook. I have friends that do use foul language and they know I object to it. The thing that bothers me are the ones that feel they have to post foul language in their statuses. For the ones who are my facebook friends and do that, I will either drop them as friends, or I will hide them so I don’t have to read their posts. I hear bad words every day at work (you can’t get away from it) and read it in some emails I get, but I don’t have to be subject to it at home.
Today has been a pretty good day. Since Teddy has been off, I have been working his radio. Sometimes, I get so busy, I can’t keep up with things and other times, I don’t hear from a crew for over thirty minutes. It’s either feast or famine. Right now, crews are working overtime to catch up on all the water leaks we had reported last week during the frigid weather. They are so far behind, all sections are working Saturday and Sunday to play catch up. Because of that, I am working some overtime myself tomorrow….from 8 am – 5 pm. I will be dealing with the water crews only, while John takes care of the rest of dispatch. I am not sure how busy it will be, but at least I won’t have to answer any phones.
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/OCFD_Citizens_Fire_Academy_Alumni_Association/home
http://www.okcentralreact.org/
I had a supervisor this morning tell me when he hears his employees using foul language, he says something to them right away. He also agrees that nobody in the workplace should be subject to someone else’s foul language. What gets me are the supervisors that call themselves Christians, yet they either use foul language constantly themselves, or they don’t say anything to their employees that do. Even my boss has sent out a few memos to our office about some of the language he has been hearing. I don’t use foul language and very, very, seldom do I say a cuss word because there are so many other words to use in the English language without having to cuss. Even when I get my maddest, I don’t cuss….because it does no good anyway. Believe it or not, I have NEVER cussed anybody out because it is not in my character to do so. I can chew anyone out, or yell at them without using foul language.
One other stance I am taking is foul language on Facebook. I have friends that do use foul language and they know I object to it. The thing that bothers me are the ones that feel they have to post foul language in their statuses. For the ones who are my facebook friends and do that, I will either drop them as friends, or I will hide them so I don’t have to read their posts. I hear bad words every day at work (you can’t get away from it) and read it in some emails I get, but I don’t have to be subject to it at home.
Today has been a pretty good day. Since Teddy has been off, I have been working his radio. Sometimes, I get so busy, I can’t keep up with things and other times, I don’t hear from a crew for over thirty minutes. It’s either feast or famine. Right now, crews are working overtime to catch up on all the water leaks we had reported last week during the frigid weather. They are so far behind, all sections are working Saturday and Sunday to play catch up. Because of that, I am working some overtime myself tomorrow….from 8 am – 5 pm. I will be dealing with the water crews only, while John takes care of the rest of dispatch. I am not sure how busy it will be, but at least I won’t have to answer any phones.
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/OCFD_Citizens_Fire_Academy_Alumni_Association/home
http://www.okcentralreact.org/
Thursday, January 20, 2011
REACT team To be re-activated this evening
I made it through hump day with a breeze.
The week has actually gone by rather quickly for me, which I am thankful for. After working until 11 pm on Monday and then until 8 pm on Tuesday, I am ready to spend an evening at home.
All this week, the weather forecasters have said that we were in for a Winter weather storm today. As with any Winter weather we receive, it’s anybody’s guess on how bad it will actually be until it hits. We were informed last night that most of the freezing rain and sleet would come overnight while we were sleeping and the snow would hit during rush-hour traffic. So, with that information, I went to the store last night to purchase some items in preparation for today’s weather. I was up at 5:30 this morning and left the house at 6:00 am. I had very thick ice on my windshield, so I allowed my truck to warm up for about 15 minutes. Even when I left, some of the ice was still on my window. Our REACT team went into level one status last night at 8 pm, in order to get prepared for this morning.
As I drove to work, I did notice the streets were very slick and hazardous. When my truck was stopped, I would send a text message to our REACT EOC and let them know my location and the street condition. I took it very slow (around 35 mph) and stayed in the right-hand lane, while many motorists drove fast past me. I can’t imagine how people can be so stupid to drive so fast on slick and icy roads. That’s one reason I try to stay in the right-hand lane. At least I have a shoulder to drive on if someone next to me decides to drive like a maniac and have a wreck. Yes, I had maniacs passing me up.
Once I got to work, I watched some TV to see how road conditions were across the state. There were accidents reported all over the City and most of them were caused by stupid people driving way too fast. I always wish that these idiots that drive too fast will have an accident that only involves their vehicle. It would serve them right. Many of the storm trackers from channel 9 were out on the streets this morning and showing us video of all the stupid people that were driving too fast and having accidents. I had no problem getting to work because I drove very carefully and watched out for the other drivers. I did text a few of my reports to our REACT EOC and to my Facebook page.
This evening was suppose to be our monthly CFAAA meeting, however, with the road conditions as bad as they were this morning and the probability of the streets freezing up again tonight, I cancelled the meeting. Plus, I knew there would be very few people there if the streets were bad. If I want a good crowd at a monthly meeting, the weather has to be perfect. It’s that way because many of our members are older and don’t like to get out and drive in the evening. I think I made the right decision….plus, I have had so much going on, I haven’t had sufficient time to get an agenda together.
This evening, our REACT team will probably be activated again because of slick roads, so I will be out and about during rush-hour and afterwards to assist other motorists.
http://www.okcentralreact.org/
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/OCFD_Citizens_Fire_Academy_Alumni_Association/home
The week has actually gone by rather quickly for me, which I am thankful for. After working until 11 pm on Monday and then until 8 pm on Tuesday, I am ready to spend an evening at home.
All this week, the weather forecasters have said that we were in for a Winter weather storm today. As with any Winter weather we receive, it’s anybody’s guess on how bad it will actually be until it hits. We were informed last night that most of the freezing rain and sleet would come overnight while we were sleeping and the snow would hit during rush-hour traffic. So, with that information, I went to the store last night to purchase some items in preparation for today’s weather. I was up at 5:30 this morning and left the house at 6:00 am. I had very thick ice on my windshield, so I allowed my truck to warm up for about 15 minutes. Even when I left, some of the ice was still on my window. Our REACT team went into level one status last night at 8 pm, in order to get prepared for this morning.
As I drove to work, I did notice the streets were very slick and hazardous. When my truck was stopped, I would send a text message to our REACT EOC and let them know my location and the street condition. I took it very slow (around 35 mph) and stayed in the right-hand lane, while many motorists drove fast past me. I can’t imagine how people can be so stupid to drive so fast on slick and icy roads. That’s one reason I try to stay in the right-hand lane. At least I have a shoulder to drive on if someone next to me decides to drive like a maniac and have a wreck. Yes, I had maniacs passing me up.
Once I got to work, I watched some TV to see how road conditions were across the state. There were accidents reported all over the City and most of them were caused by stupid people driving way too fast. I always wish that these idiots that drive too fast will have an accident that only involves their vehicle. It would serve them right. Many of the storm trackers from channel 9 were out on the streets this morning and showing us video of all the stupid people that were driving too fast and having accidents. I had no problem getting to work because I drove very carefully and watched out for the other drivers. I did text a few of my reports to our REACT EOC and to my Facebook page.
This evening was suppose to be our monthly CFAAA meeting, however, with the road conditions as bad as they were this morning and the probability of the streets freezing up again tonight, I cancelled the meeting. Plus, I knew there would be very few people there if the streets were bad. If I want a good crowd at a monthly meeting, the weather has to be perfect. It’s that way because many of our members are older and don’t like to get out and drive in the evening. I think I made the right decision….plus, I have had so much going on, I haven’t had sufficient time to get an agenda together.
This evening, our REACT team will probably be activated again because of slick roads, so I will be out and about during rush-hour and afterwards to assist other motorists.
http://www.okcentralreact.org/
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/OCFD_Citizens_Fire_Academy_Alumni_Association/home
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The Day After....
For some people, yesterday was a holiday….it was Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The City was closed for the holiday, but as usual, our office was open. No matter the weather, what holiday it is, or what day it is, we never close….we are here 24/7. I spent yesterday cleaning a portion of my garage out and assisting one of our teenagers in moving some stuff from here house to another house. I then went to work from 3 pm – 11 pm and man was I busy. Ever since we had the frigid temperatures last week, water meters and water mains have been springing leaks…..some small, some big. For several days, all we worked were high priority water leaks, however, the smaller ones continued coming in. We got way behind. The weekend arrived and there were still many leaks reported to us that we still had not checked yet. Because of that, we received a ton of phone calls from residents that were upset because the leak they had called in had not been checked yet. All we could do was tell them we were shorthanded and we were trying to get the leaks checked as soon as we can. We are hoping by the end of today that all the leaks that have been reported to us will have been checked.
My weekend was very relaxing and uneventful, so there really isn’t much to write about…however, for the first time in a long time, I got to witness a wreck on the interstate on Saturday. I did stop to assist…and here is the report I submitted to our REACT Board of Directors.
At 11:45 am, I was northbound, in the right-hand lane on I-44, approaching the SW. 44th exit, when I saw a vehicle do a complete spin around about 4 cars ahead of me. After the car spun around, it slammed hood first into the concrete wall in the left-hand lane. The vehicles behind me were hitting there brakes and swerving, trying to miss all the stopped traffic. I almost got rear-ended twice and almost got side swiped.
I headed towards the shoulder to keep from getting hit and then turned on all my emergency lights, stuck my hand out the window to stop traffic and then drove over to the wrecked car. I grabbed my cell phone and ran over to the wrecked car. The elderly lady didn't appear to have any injuries, but she was pretty well shook up. I stepped back to my truck, got my reflective vest and called OHP while directing traffic. I advised the OHP dispatcher that I was a member of Central Oklahoma REACT and gave her my location and requested OHP, EMSA and fire. I explained to her I was directing traffic and checking on the victim.
To my surprise, I looked over to the right shoulder and saw another damaged car. I had not realized there were two cars involved. I stopped traffic once again and went to check on that driver. She was a young lady and she was crying, but no apparent injuries. I advised both ladies to stay in their vehicles in case they were injured and didn't know it. I went back across the interstate and directed traffic. EMSA arrived at 11:55 am. I filled them in on the accident victims and proceeded to direct traffic again.
At around 12:00 pm, and OHP trooper arrived on the scene and pulled in behind me. I walked over to his car and was about to give him the details of the accident and let him know who I was, when he told me to leave. Once again I tried to tell him about the accident and he told me to get in my truck and leave.
I had promised the younger lady that I would check on her again, but while I was in my truck getting things arranged in my front seat, the trooper once again approached me and told me to leave immediately. He stepped out on the interstate and stopped traffic so I could leave. I left the scene at 12:10 pm.
My weekend was very relaxing and uneventful, so there really isn’t much to write about…however, for the first time in a long time, I got to witness a wreck on the interstate on Saturday. I did stop to assist…and here is the report I submitted to our REACT Board of Directors.
At 11:45 am, I was northbound, in the right-hand lane on I-44, approaching the SW. 44th exit, when I saw a vehicle do a complete spin around about 4 cars ahead of me. After the car spun around, it slammed hood first into the concrete wall in the left-hand lane. The vehicles behind me were hitting there brakes and swerving, trying to miss all the stopped traffic. I almost got rear-ended twice and almost got side swiped.
I headed towards the shoulder to keep from getting hit and then turned on all my emergency lights, stuck my hand out the window to stop traffic and then drove over to the wrecked car. I grabbed my cell phone and ran over to the wrecked car. The elderly lady didn't appear to have any injuries, but she was pretty well shook up. I stepped back to my truck, got my reflective vest and called OHP while directing traffic. I advised the OHP dispatcher that I was a member of Central Oklahoma REACT and gave her my location and requested OHP, EMSA and fire. I explained to her I was directing traffic and checking on the victim.
To my surprise, I looked over to the right shoulder and saw another damaged car. I had not realized there were two cars involved. I stopped traffic once again and went to check on that driver. She was a young lady and she was crying, but no apparent injuries. I advised both ladies to stay in their vehicles in case they were injured and didn't know it. I went back across the interstate and directed traffic. EMSA arrived at 11:55 am. I filled them in on the accident victims and proceeded to direct traffic again.
At around 12:00 pm, and OHP trooper arrived on the scene and pulled in behind me. I walked over to his car and was about to give him the details of the accident and let him know who I was, when he told me to leave. Once again I tried to tell him about the accident and he told me to get in my truck and leave.
I had promised the younger lady that I would check on her again, but while I was in my truck getting things arranged in my front seat, the trooper once again approached me and told me to leave immediately. He stepped out on the interstate and stopped traffic so I could leave. I left the scene at 12:10 pm.
After I assisted in the accident, I headed over to around SE.29 & Bryant. That was the location where the funeral was being held for the three children that perished in a fire a couple of weeks ago in Del City. Rumors spread quickly that a group from a church in another state would be protesting at the funeral. This is the same group that protests at the funerals for service men and women that are killed in combat. They are not welcome anywhere they go. We were concerned they would be at this funeral to demonstrate, so several members of my REACT team members arrived to be on standby in case the group showed up. We had already informed Del City police we would be there to assist them in any way.
Fortunately, the group did not show up, so everything went very well. Our team did not actually attend the funeral, but we stayed outside in standby mode in case we were needed. After the funeral, they had the graveside service, which was next door to the funeral home…so no procession was needed. When they headed to the graveside service, the REACT team left.
Today is a busy day, but all of our personnel are actually here. Our mid-shift dispatcher is leaving at 4 pm, so I volunteered to stay until 8 pm tonight.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
I'm Tired!
It has been a frigidly cold week in OKC. Because of the frigid weather conditions, we have been extremely busy at work. Since Monday, we have had over 30 water main breaks…and that doesn’t count the number of emergency turn-offs we have had. Residents in OKC were warned well in advance about this frigid weather coming in, yet many did not heed the warnings. They did not leave their faucets dripping and did not take precautions, so many of them either had their water pipes burst, or their house lines froze. I am just glad we moved to a house where we really have no water concerns because the pipes and the house are very well insulated. At the other house, we always had to keep the faucets dripping to keep our lines from freezing.
Other than the freezing temperatures, this has not been a very exciting week. I spent Monday evening at the house, Tuesday evening at a REACT meeting and Wednesday evening was church. After our REACT meeting Tuesday evening, I drove up to NW.122 and MacArthur and helped some of my co-workers with traffic control on a big water main break. Other than that, there has not been much of anything going on.
Last evening, our new part-time youth pastor officially started. I have been earnestly prating for some help in the student ministry and God has answered my prayers. Not only do we now have a part-time youth pastor, but we have his girlfriend’s help as well. He and she will both be with us on Wednesday evenings, Sunday mornings and Sunday evenings. This will take lots of stress and planning off of me, even though I will still be a vital part of organizing and planning student activities. Things are starting to look up, but
I STILL NEED A VACATION!
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/OCFD_Citizens_Fire_Academy_Alumni_Association/home
Other than the freezing temperatures, this has not been a very exciting week. I spent Monday evening at the house, Tuesday evening at a REACT meeting and Wednesday evening was church. After our REACT meeting Tuesday evening, I drove up to NW.122 and MacArthur and helped some of my co-workers with traffic control on a big water main break. Other than that, there has not been much of anything going on.
Last evening, our new part-time youth pastor officially started. I have been earnestly prating for some help in the student ministry and God has answered my prayers. Not only do we now have a part-time youth pastor, but we have his girlfriend’s help as well. He and she will both be with us on Wednesday evenings, Sunday mornings and Sunday evenings. This will take lots of stress and planning off of me, even though I will still be a vital part of organizing and planning student activities. Things are starting to look up, but
I STILL NEED A VACATION!
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/OCFD_Citizens_Fire_Academy_Alumni_Association/home
Monday, January 10, 2011
Winter Driving Safety Tips
Well we are seeing our first glimpse of messy winter weather. With the threat of snow and potential freezing rain, conditions could be right for slick roads, especially late at night and the early morning hours.
Please keep the following tips in mind:
Driving
1. Do not use cruise control. You should be in full control of your vehicle at all times.
2. Always drive at speeds that correspond with the road conditions, traffic, and road visibility you have.
3. Lengthen your following distance behind the vehicle in front of you.
Stopping distance on icy roads is much greater than that of stopping on dry roads.
4. If your vehicle begins to fishtail, turn in the direction of the skid and keep your foot off the brake. (If the rear of your vehicle veers to the right, turn your steering wheel the same direction.) 5. During the winter months always keep your vehicle full of fuel
Braking
1. If the emergency does not require you to slam on the brake as hard as possible (it shouldn’t since you should be driving defensively), squeeze braking along with declutching (for manual shift) or shifting into neutral (for automatic transmission) will do the job.
2. If you do not have anti-lock breaks, use the heel to toe method. Keep your heel on the floor and use your toes to press the break firmly just short of locking up the breaks. Release and press again repeatedly until the vehicle stops.
3. If you do have anti-lock breaks, also use the heel to toe method but do not remove your foot from the break. You will hear and feel a noise and vibrations. This means the anti-lock breaking system is working.
Recognize Danger Areas
1. Bridges and over passes freeze more quickly than regular roadways. Use extra caution while driving and be aware of “black ice”. Black Ice is when the road appears dry but is covered in a thin layer of ice and is usually a little darker and is very slick.
2. Slow down before each intersection. Make sure to look for oncoming cars and after a complete stop, pull away slowly to prevent the wheels from sliding and/or getting stuck.
3. Slow down before going into any turns on the straight part of the road not during the turn. Take your foot off the break and do not accelerate.
Walk Like a Penguin
Sidewalks and parking lots tend to get slick too, avoid slick spots and take short steps like a penguin to help maintain your balance and reduce your chances for a fall.
When entering buildings with tile or other type of slick flooring surface watch your step, especially if your feet are wet.
www.okcentralreact.org
Please keep the following tips in mind:
Driving
1. Do not use cruise control. You should be in full control of your vehicle at all times.
2. Always drive at speeds that correspond with the road conditions, traffic, and road visibility you have.
3. Lengthen your following distance behind the vehicle in front of you.
Stopping distance on icy roads is much greater than that of stopping on dry roads.
4. If your vehicle begins to fishtail, turn in the direction of the skid and keep your foot off the brake. (If the rear of your vehicle veers to the right, turn your steering wheel the same direction.) 5. During the winter months always keep your vehicle full of fuel
Braking
1. If the emergency does not require you to slam on the brake as hard as possible (it shouldn’t since you should be driving defensively), squeeze braking along with declutching (for manual shift) or shifting into neutral (for automatic transmission) will do the job.
2. If you do not have anti-lock breaks, use the heel to toe method. Keep your heel on the floor and use your toes to press the break firmly just short of locking up the breaks. Release and press again repeatedly until the vehicle stops.
3. If you do have anti-lock breaks, also use the heel to toe method but do not remove your foot from the break. You will hear and feel a noise and vibrations. This means the anti-lock breaking system is working.
Recognize Danger Areas
1. Bridges and over passes freeze more quickly than regular roadways. Use extra caution while driving and be aware of “black ice”. Black Ice is when the road appears dry but is covered in a thin layer of ice and is usually a little darker and is very slick.
2. Slow down before each intersection. Make sure to look for oncoming cars and after a complete stop, pull away slowly to prevent the wheels from sliding and/or getting stuck.
3. Slow down before going into any turns on the straight part of the road not during the turn. Take your foot off the break and do not accelerate.
Walk Like a Penguin
Sidewalks and parking lots tend to get slick too, avoid slick spots and take short steps like a penguin to help maintain your balance and reduce your chances for a fall.
When entering buildings with tile or other type of slick flooring surface watch your step, especially if your feet are wet.
www.okcentralreact.org
Friday, January 7, 2011
FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s Friday and I have been without my truck for three days now. I dropped it off at the transmission place early Wednesday morning to have the transmission repaired. They called me this morning and told me it was ready to go and that it runs “fabulous.” Of course, after paying $1,467.00 for a new transmission, it better run fabulous. I am just glad it is finally repaired. It is a good running pickup, so I felt the repair was worth it. I have had friends pick me up for work this week and take me home. I am so appreciative of my friends. I will admit, though, it was tough going without transportation for three days. This afternoon, Gayla is picking me up from work and taking me to the transmission place to pick up my truck.
One thing our REACT Board is working on is the way members conduct themselves when they are representing our REACT team. Take the Internet for example…..even though the Internet is a place for many of us to discuss and share our opinions, we still have to watch what we post….whether it be on a personal blog (like this one) or whether it be on Facebook. Even though we do have freedom of speech, as long as we are representing REACT, we still have to watch our words. One thing I have completely gotten away from on Facebook is politics. There are so many different idea and views about our government, it’s a dangerous subject to talk about. We have to stay away from the negative and post the positive. I am still strong about sharing my faith, but that’s a positive, so I don’t worry about that. Another thing we all have to stay away from is cussing on Facebook. That’s one area I have never had a problem with, but a few of our members do.
The thing is, I have many friends on Facebook that are meteorologists, storm chasers, Red Cross volunteers and members of the media. As a REACT volunteer, I must act professional in what I post and stay away from controversial and negative subjects. I know that not everyone believes the way I do and many will disagree with me on certain topics, so I have to present myself in a way that I don’t offend somebody by something I post. I am normally pretty good about that, though. I am a very friendly person with a good and positive attitude, so I have no problem being professional.
Today is a high fire danger day. The winds are strong, the humidity is low and the temps are very mild….all that together spells out grass fires. Once I am off work and finally have my truck, I will be available to activate as a REACT member at a moment’s notice. Plus, we have some very severe Winter weather coming in our state in the next day or so. We will possibly have some freezing precipitation, including some snow. Most of the reports I have read show us only getting about ½ “ to maybe an inch of snow. Last night, at our Board meeting, several of our REACT team members were saying we could get as much as 3-6” of snow, but I doubt we will see that much. Either way, we have been put on alert and on stand-by status in case we do get some bad weather.
I really don’t have much planned this weekend, except for maybe moving stuff from our storage facility to my new storage building. We also need to work on cleaning the house, especially since Stephen is staying with us until he can find another apartment.
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/OCFD_Citizens_Fire_Academy_Alumni_Association/home
http://www.okcentralreact.org/
One thing our REACT Board is working on is the way members conduct themselves when they are representing our REACT team. Take the Internet for example…..even though the Internet is a place for many of us to discuss and share our opinions, we still have to watch what we post….whether it be on a personal blog (like this one) or whether it be on Facebook. Even though we do have freedom of speech, as long as we are representing REACT, we still have to watch our words. One thing I have completely gotten away from on Facebook is politics. There are so many different idea and views about our government, it’s a dangerous subject to talk about. We have to stay away from the negative and post the positive. I am still strong about sharing my faith, but that’s a positive, so I don’t worry about that. Another thing we all have to stay away from is cussing on Facebook. That’s one area I have never had a problem with, but a few of our members do.
The thing is, I have many friends on Facebook that are meteorologists, storm chasers, Red Cross volunteers and members of the media. As a REACT volunteer, I must act professional in what I post and stay away from controversial and negative subjects. I know that not everyone believes the way I do and many will disagree with me on certain topics, so I have to present myself in a way that I don’t offend somebody by something I post. I am normally pretty good about that, though. I am a very friendly person with a good and positive attitude, so I have no problem being professional.
Today is a high fire danger day. The winds are strong, the humidity is low and the temps are very mild….all that together spells out grass fires. Once I am off work and finally have my truck, I will be available to activate as a REACT member at a moment’s notice. Plus, we have some very severe Winter weather coming in our state in the next day or so. We will possibly have some freezing precipitation, including some snow. Most of the reports I have read show us only getting about ½ “ to maybe an inch of snow. Last night, at our Board meeting, several of our REACT team members were saying we could get as much as 3-6” of snow, but I doubt we will see that much. Either way, we have been put on alert and on stand-by status in case we do get some bad weather.
I really don’t have much planned this weekend, except for maybe moving stuff from our storage facility to my new storage building. We also need to work on cleaning the house, especially since Stephen is staying with us until he can find another apartment.
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/OCFD_Citizens_Fire_Academy_Alumni_Association/home
http://www.okcentralreact.org/
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Avoid Frozen Pipes
Avoid Freezing Pipes
Following The Steps......
Taking the steps below before freezing temperatures arrive can help you avoid frozen pipes.
Seal cracks.
Caulk around doorframes and windows and around pipes where they enter the house to reduce incoming cold.
Wrap all pipes in unheated areas. Pipes in unheated areas such as the crawl space under the house, attic, garage and unheated basement should be wrapped to prevent freezing. Use insulating tape and wrap it over the entire length of exposed pipe. You can also use flexible molded pipe sleeves. Cover all valves, pipe fittings, etc. with insulating tape or fiberglass. We do not recommend electric heat tape for insulating water lines.
Protect outdoor pipes and faucets. In some homes, the outside faucet has its own shut-off in the basement in addition to the shut-off valve for the entire house. If you have a separate valve for outside faucets, close the valve, remove hoses, and drain the faucet. If you do not have a separate valve, wrap the outside faucets (hose bibs) in newspapers or rags covered with plastic.
Drain in-ground sprinklers. Check the manufacturer's instructions for the best way to do this.
Open cupboard doors in the kitchen and bathrooms. Water lines supplying these rooms are frequently on outside walls. Any air leaks in siding or insulation can cause these pipes to freeze. Leaving the doors open when the temperature is below freezing allows them to get more heat.
Let faucets farthest from the street or at the end of the system drip in below-freezing weather. This will add to your bill, but the amount will be nothing compared to the inconvenience and cost if the meter or pipes freeze.
Turn off all your water and drain your system if you are leaving for a long time. Turn off the main shut-off valve, then turn on all faucets, sinks tubs, showers, etc. and flush the toilets. Turn off the water heater. Then go back to the main shut-off valve and remove the plug so it can drain completely. Leaving your furnace on a low setting while you are gone helps, but it may not prevent freezing.
What should you do if a water pipe freezes?
You should make sure it never happens again! When the water freezes, it tries to expand inside the pipe. It pushes against the sides of the pipe, as well as any nearby valves, seams and faucets. The freezing action of the water is more than capable of rupturing any pipe.
Unfortunately, a water pipe may freeze even if you have taken precautions. Perhaps you lost electrical power for several hours, the temperature inside your house fell and the pipes froze. Or maybe you left on vacation, turned down the heat and weren't expecting an early blizzard. Or perhaps your heat tape quit working, and you didn't find out until you discovered none of the faucets worked.
Whatever the cause, it's important that you thaw out your pipe for two reasons:
1. You almost certainly need the water.
2. You should be at home when the pipe thaws, just in case the pipe and/or joint is ruptured.
Bear in mind that a frozen pipe doesn't leak - the water is ice. You'll discover you have a leak only after the ice melts. If you're not home, a ruptured pipe can cause a great deal of damage.
Here are some methods to thaw out frozen pipes:
CAUTION!: Before you try any of these methods, first open the faucet the frozen pipe supplies. The steam you create while heating the pipe can burst the pipe if it doesn't have an escape.
Method #1: Use electric heat tape on the pipe, and wait for it to thaw out. This is a good method to use because it slowly thaws the pipe, which means it reduces wear and tear on the pipe itself.
CAUTION!: Remember to use only heat tape certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory for use with mobile homes. Be careful never to wrap the heat tape back over itself. This could cause the heat tape to overheat and start a fire.
Method #2: Wrap the pipe with several layers of cloth or toweling and pour hot water over the cloth / toweling. Repeat several times until the pipe is unfrozen.
Method #3: Direct a heat lamp on the pipe itself. Place the lamp at least a foot away from the pipe. Cover adjacent areas with a layer of aluminum foil so the heat does not scorch these materials. Make sure the heat lamp is on dry ground. Even better, plug it into a ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlet.
CAUTION!: Do not use any direct heating method if the frozen pipe is next to a gas pipe! Call a professional for help.
Method #4: Hold a hand-operated hair dryer to the pipe, and slowly move up and down the length of the frozen section. Make sure you are standing on dry ground. Because you are working this close to water, plug the dryer into a GFCI protected outlet.
You will know the pipe is thawed out when water starts to trickle out of the open faucet. Let the water run for a while to completely clear the pipe. Then, close the faucet and check for leaks.
CAUTION!: Do not use a propane torch to thaw out frozen pipes. Do not use a propane torch even if it has a fire spreader attachment. This is not only a fire hazard, bit it's also a quick way to destroy your plastic plumbing pipes.
Following The Steps......
Taking the steps below before freezing temperatures arrive can help you avoid frozen pipes.
Seal cracks.
Caulk around doorframes and windows and around pipes where they enter the house to reduce incoming cold.
Wrap all pipes in unheated areas. Pipes in unheated areas such as the crawl space under the house, attic, garage and unheated basement should be wrapped to prevent freezing. Use insulating tape and wrap it over the entire length of exposed pipe. You can also use flexible molded pipe sleeves. Cover all valves, pipe fittings, etc. with insulating tape or fiberglass. We do not recommend electric heat tape for insulating water lines.
Protect outdoor pipes and faucets. In some homes, the outside faucet has its own shut-off in the basement in addition to the shut-off valve for the entire house. If you have a separate valve for outside faucets, close the valve, remove hoses, and drain the faucet. If you do not have a separate valve, wrap the outside faucets (hose bibs) in newspapers or rags covered with plastic.
Drain in-ground sprinklers. Check the manufacturer's instructions for the best way to do this.
Open cupboard doors in the kitchen and bathrooms. Water lines supplying these rooms are frequently on outside walls. Any air leaks in siding or insulation can cause these pipes to freeze. Leaving the doors open when the temperature is below freezing allows them to get more heat.
Let faucets farthest from the street or at the end of the system drip in below-freezing weather. This will add to your bill, but the amount will be nothing compared to the inconvenience and cost if the meter or pipes freeze.
Turn off all your water and drain your system if you are leaving for a long time. Turn off the main shut-off valve, then turn on all faucets, sinks tubs, showers, etc. and flush the toilets. Turn off the water heater. Then go back to the main shut-off valve and remove the plug so it can drain completely. Leaving your furnace on a low setting while you are gone helps, but it may not prevent freezing.
What should you do if a water pipe freezes?
You should make sure it never happens again! When the water freezes, it tries to expand inside the pipe. It pushes against the sides of the pipe, as well as any nearby valves, seams and faucets. The freezing action of the water is more than capable of rupturing any pipe.
Unfortunately, a water pipe may freeze even if you have taken precautions. Perhaps you lost electrical power for several hours, the temperature inside your house fell and the pipes froze. Or maybe you left on vacation, turned down the heat and weren't expecting an early blizzard. Or perhaps your heat tape quit working, and you didn't find out until you discovered none of the faucets worked.
Whatever the cause, it's important that you thaw out your pipe for two reasons:
1. You almost certainly need the water.
2. You should be at home when the pipe thaws, just in case the pipe and/or joint is ruptured.
Bear in mind that a frozen pipe doesn't leak - the water is ice. You'll discover you have a leak only after the ice melts. If you're not home, a ruptured pipe can cause a great deal of damage.
Here are some methods to thaw out frozen pipes:
CAUTION!: Before you try any of these methods, first open the faucet the frozen pipe supplies. The steam you create while heating the pipe can burst the pipe if it doesn't have an escape.
Method #1: Use electric heat tape on the pipe, and wait for it to thaw out. This is a good method to use because it slowly thaws the pipe, which means it reduces wear and tear on the pipe itself.
CAUTION!: Remember to use only heat tape certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory for use with mobile homes. Be careful never to wrap the heat tape back over itself. This could cause the heat tape to overheat and start a fire.
Method #2: Wrap the pipe with several layers of cloth or toweling and pour hot water over the cloth / toweling. Repeat several times until the pipe is unfrozen.
Method #3: Direct a heat lamp on the pipe itself. Place the lamp at least a foot away from the pipe. Cover adjacent areas with a layer of aluminum foil so the heat does not scorch these materials. Make sure the heat lamp is on dry ground. Even better, plug it into a ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlet.
CAUTION!: Do not use any direct heating method if the frozen pipe is next to a gas pipe! Call a professional for help.
Method #4: Hold a hand-operated hair dryer to the pipe, and slowly move up and down the length of the frozen section. Make sure you are standing on dry ground. Because you are working this close to water, plug the dryer into a GFCI protected outlet.
You will know the pipe is thawed out when water starts to trickle out of the open faucet. Let the water run for a while to completely clear the pipe. Then, close the faucet and check for leaks.
CAUTION!: Do not use a propane torch to thaw out frozen pipes. Do not use a propane torch even if it has a fire spreader attachment. This is not only a fire hazard, bit it's also a quick way to destroy your plastic plumbing pipes.
The "Bad News" Week
Well, this week has turned into a nightmare. Yesterday turned out to be the day of bad news.
About a month ago, we took out a loan on our new house. Even though the house was paid for and my mother-in-law wanted us to have her house once she passed away, we still needed to split the worth of the house with my sister-in-law. So, we took out a loan, in order to give my SIL her part of the settlement. During the application process, we assumed that the mortgage company would include the house insurance with the mortgage payment like they normally do. We found out yesterday that they did not include it in the house payment, so now we are having to pay homeowners insurance out of our pocket, in addition to our mortgage payment. Once we have made our payments this year, next year the insurance will be included in the mortgage payment. Either way, it’s a slap in the face for us.
As many people know now, Karla had two accidents close to the end of last year. In the first one, she injured her foot and the doctor said it was a bad bruise. She continued on and proceeded to have another wreck, which caused her to re-injure her foot. For some time it has been bothering her, so she went back to the doctor and he referred her to a foot doctor (I’m sure there is a fancier name for it). He determined that her foot was fractured. Yesterday she went to see the foot doctor again and he put her in a walking boot. She has to wear the walking boot all the time, except when she is driving or sleeping, for the next 4 weeks. If, in four weeks, there is no change and the foot is still fractured, she will require surgery. We pray the foot boot does the job.
One more bit of bad news. For the last month or so, I had noticed that my gears weren’t shifting properly in my truck. Back in December, 2004, my transmission went out on my truck. It had 80,000 miles on it. I bought the truck used, so whoever had it before I did, did lots of towing and didn’t do it right. Because of that, they fried just about every part of the transmission. Well, yesterday, I went by the place that repaired it 6 years ago. Now the truck has 160,000 miles on it. While talking to the mechanic, he advised me there had been a few defects in the transmissions for the S-10 pickups, so it was inevitable for the transmission to go out. Sure enough, after the mechanic test drove it, he informed me it would not go into 4th gear. When I asked him how soon I needed to get it repaired, he told me the sooner I get it in to be repaired, the cheaper it would be. The truck is paid for and in good condition, so I figured it made more sense to have it repaired for $1,200.00 than to buy another one. So, this morning, I dropped my truck off at the transmission place. The truck was still running and changing gears, so the transmission was not completely out. I am hoping it costs less than the $1,200.00 I was quoted. I am also hoping to have it out by Friday. The mechanic told me it would be ready by then. So, it looks like I will be bumming rides for the next couple of days until I get my truck repaired.
This morning, after I got to work, I blew my nose….and it started bleeding. It’s been many years since I have had a nosebleed. It is so dry and so hot in the office, I am sure that’s what triggered it.
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/OCFD_Citizens_Fire_Academy_Alumni_Association/home
About a month ago, we took out a loan on our new house. Even though the house was paid for and my mother-in-law wanted us to have her house once she passed away, we still needed to split the worth of the house with my sister-in-law. So, we took out a loan, in order to give my SIL her part of the settlement. During the application process, we assumed that the mortgage company would include the house insurance with the mortgage payment like they normally do. We found out yesterday that they did not include it in the house payment, so now we are having to pay homeowners insurance out of our pocket, in addition to our mortgage payment. Once we have made our payments this year, next year the insurance will be included in the mortgage payment. Either way, it’s a slap in the face for us.
As many people know now, Karla had two accidents close to the end of last year. In the first one, she injured her foot and the doctor said it was a bad bruise. She continued on and proceeded to have another wreck, which caused her to re-injure her foot. For some time it has been bothering her, so she went back to the doctor and he referred her to a foot doctor (I’m sure there is a fancier name for it). He determined that her foot was fractured. Yesterday she went to see the foot doctor again and he put her in a walking boot. She has to wear the walking boot all the time, except when she is driving or sleeping, for the next 4 weeks. If, in four weeks, there is no change and the foot is still fractured, she will require surgery. We pray the foot boot does the job.
One more bit of bad news. For the last month or so, I had noticed that my gears weren’t shifting properly in my truck. Back in December, 2004, my transmission went out on my truck. It had 80,000 miles on it. I bought the truck used, so whoever had it before I did, did lots of towing and didn’t do it right. Because of that, they fried just about every part of the transmission. Well, yesterday, I went by the place that repaired it 6 years ago. Now the truck has 160,000 miles on it. While talking to the mechanic, he advised me there had been a few defects in the transmissions for the S-10 pickups, so it was inevitable for the transmission to go out. Sure enough, after the mechanic test drove it, he informed me it would not go into 4th gear. When I asked him how soon I needed to get it repaired, he told me the sooner I get it in to be repaired, the cheaper it would be. The truck is paid for and in good condition, so I figured it made more sense to have it repaired for $1,200.00 than to buy another one. So, this morning, I dropped my truck off at the transmission place. The truck was still running and changing gears, so the transmission was not completely out. I am hoping it costs less than the $1,200.00 I was quoted. I am also hoping to have it out by Friday. The mechanic told me it would be ready by then. So, it looks like I will be bumming rides for the next couple of days until I get my truck repaired.
This morning, after I got to work, I blew my nose….and it started bleeding. It’s been many years since I have had a nosebleed. It is so dry and so hot in the office, I am sure that’s what triggered it.
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/OCFD_Citizens_Fire_Academy_Alumni_Association/home
Monday, January 3, 2011
Happy New Year!!!
It’s a new year!
I had a nice, restful, weekend and got lots of rest, watched lots of football and got lots of chores done around the house. Last Friday, I was off due to the New Year’s holiday, so I met some of my REACT team members at OZ Saferooms office and we installed a full light bar on my truck. Finally, after a year and a half of being on the REACT team, I get a permanent light bar of my own, hard wired into my truck’s electrical system. It was a dream come true. We spent most of the day installing the light bar, so for the rest of New Year’s Eve, I stayed home with Karla. We didn’t usher the new year in because we were asleep……Early Saturday morning, Karla and I were both up….me working on bills and she was taking down Christmas decorations. Mom’s birthday was New Year’s Day, but since she and dad were in south Texas, Karla and I gave her a call and sang happy birthday to her.
Lots of things to think about in this new year. I am now the treasurer for the Central Oklahoma REACT team 6023 and I am the president, once again, for the CFAAA. I am looking forward to these roles this year. One thing that our REACT team was going to do this year, was start a group on the side, called “Spotter’s for Christ.” We would take our REACT vehicles to different churches and speak to the students about storm chasing and about their relationship with Christ. Unfortunately, at this time, I am the only one that is actively attending church….the others don’t attend church and some of their language is bad. You can’t have a ministry with a group of men whose goal is to share the Lord with others, yet they aren’t active in any church and they have a problem controlling their language. They are good guys with big hearts, but I don’t believe we are ready to start any kind of ministry at this time. So, after speaking with the vice-president of REACT, it was decided to put “Spotter’s for Christ,” on the back burner indefinitely.
One thing that was a topic of discussion on Facebook over the weekend, was the fact that some people cuss way too much when they post their status. I agree there is no reason for cussing or profanity on Facebook , but unfortunately, some people disagreed and feel it’s a free country and that they can express themselves however they want to. Yes, you can express yourself freely, until your language gets offensive. I have deleted friends off my Facebook page because of their continuous cussing. I will not put up with it. All cussing does is show immaturity, unintelligence and lack of a vocabulary. I do understand those that cuss when they get hurt or mad….and it slips out…but those that continually use it as part of their language are ones I consider illiterate. As a matter of fact, cussing shows disrespect and unprofessionalism. That’s one reason why the REACT Board of Directors are coming down hard on our team members that continually feel they have to cuss in order to get their point across. We are professional volunteers, so we should act professional and talk in a professional manner.
This year, I am looking at making a difference in my community and my church. I love to volunteer and I love to be where the action is.
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/OCFD_Citizens_Fire_Academy_Alumni_Association/home
I had a nice, restful, weekend and got lots of rest, watched lots of football and got lots of chores done around the house. Last Friday, I was off due to the New Year’s holiday, so I met some of my REACT team members at OZ Saferooms office and we installed a full light bar on my truck. Finally, after a year and a half of being on the REACT team, I get a permanent light bar of my own, hard wired into my truck’s electrical system. It was a dream come true. We spent most of the day installing the light bar, so for the rest of New Year’s Eve, I stayed home with Karla. We didn’t usher the new year in because we were asleep……Early Saturday morning, Karla and I were both up….me working on bills and she was taking down Christmas decorations. Mom’s birthday was New Year’s Day, but since she and dad were in south Texas, Karla and I gave her a call and sang happy birthday to her.
Lots of things to think about in this new year. I am now the treasurer for the Central Oklahoma REACT team 6023 and I am the president, once again, for the CFAAA. I am looking forward to these roles this year. One thing that our REACT team was going to do this year, was start a group on the side, called “Spotter’s for Christ.” We would take our REACT vehicles to different churches and speak to the students about storm chasing and about their relationship with Christ. Unfortunately, at this time, I am the only one that is actively attending church….the others don’t attend church and some of their language is bad. You can’t have a ministry with a group of men whose goal is to share the Lord with others, yet they aren’t active in any church and they have a problem controlling their language. They are good guys with big hearts, but I don’t believe we are ready to start any kind of ministry at this time. So, after speaking with the vice-president of REACT, it was decided to put “Spotter’s for Christ,” on the back burner indefinitely.
One thing that was a topic of discussion on Facebook over the weekend, was the fact that some people cuss way too much when they post their status. I agree there is no reason for cussing or profanity on Facebook , but unfortunately, some people disagreed and feel it’s a free country and that they can express themselves however they want to. Yes, you can express yourself freely, until your language gets offensive. I have deleted friends off my Facebook page because of their continuous cussing. I will not put up with it. All cussing does is show immaturity, unintelligence and lack of a vocabulary. I do understand those that cuss when they get hurt or mad….and it slips out…but those that continually use it as part of their language are ones I consider illiterate. As a matter of fact, cussing shows disrespect and unprofessionalism. That’s one reason why the REACT Board of Directors are coming down hard on our team members that continually feel they have to cuss in order to get their point across. We are professional volunteers, so we should act professional and talk in a professional manner.
This year, I am looking at making a difference in my community and my church. I love to volunteer and I love to be where the action is.
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/OCFD_Citizens_Fire_Academy_Alumni_Association/home
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