We’re not going to leave Ohio.

It was suggested to me that, if we’re so unhappy, we could “just move.” Except that it isn’t an option for our family or other professional firefighters in Ohio. Why? Fire certification is state based. Some states will accept certification in another state, but not all. And it usually requires some additional schooling. Add in the fact that he’d have to compete (civil service test, physical test, followed by interviews) to get in with other firefighters, and it’s not just an easy pick-up-and-move type option. And then there’s the losing of seniority and pension for which he has already worked six years. When FireDad and I started dating, he had already finished his fire training in Ohio. As such, the decision on whether I would move to Ohio or he would move to Pennsylvania was already decided. Ohio it was.

I have learned to love the state of Ohio, though I will always be loyal to Pennsylvania and, more specifically, Pittsburgh. I will never cheer for the Bengals, the Browns, the Blue Jackets, the Reds or the Indians. But I will teach my children the history of Ohio. I will help them learn the geography of their home state. I will work hard to make my now hometown the best version that it can be. I will be active in state politics. I will encourage my children to pay attention to things that affect them when it comes to said politics, whether that’s locally, state wide or nationally. I may not agree with the majority of political viewpoints in my specific area, but I’m pretty sure that’s allowed by law.

But we won’t just up and leave. I know we would survive if it came down to a Worst Case Scenario, but it irks me that people think we can just up and move and make a new life for ourselves in the blink of an eye.

Ohio is home now. We can’t, rather, won’t just leave because some politicians got their way. We’re in it for the long haul. If you don’t like that, well, your decision is up to you. But I’m not simple-minded enough to suggest you leave just to make me happy.

I promise to keep readers, especially my Ohio friends, up-to-date on any political action to repeal if (er, when) it passes the house and is signed by our Governor. Until then, be kind to your neighbors. I always tell my boys that if someone is bullying them to just walk away. In this case, I still suggest walking away — but don’t walk too far. The fight is just beginning.

The Passage of SB 5 Won’t Make Us Leave Ohio is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.

Video via Chasefire.

And another view from inside the march:

Video via mwy1984.

FireDad is somewhere in that group. They marched from Union Local 67‘s hall to the Statehouse yesterday. I so, so wish we could have been there yesterday, but as some kind friends pointed out, I’ve been helping in my own way.

No on SB5!

(Normal Wordless Wednesday should resume next week. I had to chronicle the videos here as this bill is such a part of our life right now.)

Ohio Firefighters March to the Statehouse is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.

I’m proud of you.

I’m normally pretty proud of you, and you give my heart cause to fill with more pride than usual on occasion. But I’m really proud of you today.

I know it’s cold. And I’m guessing your dress shoes that go with your dress uniform aren’t all that warm. And watching the coverage on Facebook, twitter and the blogs about how you were locked out of the statehouse — and likely haven’t made it inside even yet — made me boil with anger. Interesting that they locked protesters out on the cold, snowy, sleety, slushy, nasty day; not last week during the unseasonably warm weather. Interesting indeed.

But know that I am proud of you today.

I am proud of you for standing up for Ohio. For your job. For our family. For doing what you believe in. For standing up for others and what they believe in. For participating in the core of democracy; the right to stand up for what you feel is right… or wrong.

For being you.

I wish I could have been there today, to stand with you in solidarity. But I will be waiting at home when you return. I’ll even make you a hot tea with whiskey to warm you up if you so desire. I’ll stop short at rubbing your cold feet, but I’ll let you wear my Snuggie if you want.

I kid, I kid. We both know the Snuggie is mine.

What I’m trying to say is that you remain my hero.

Be safe. I’ll see you later tonight. Chant a little for me, wouldya?

All my love (and solidarity),
FireMom
NO ON #SB5!

A Letter to My Husband is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.

As LittleBrother waited to go, he watched out the window with anticipation.

And then the train started to move. HOORAY!

BigBrother loved watching the countryside roll, ever-so-slowly, by. I loved watching him watch the countryside roll, every-so-slow, by. I could almost hear his amazement. Well, let me rephrase. I could always hear his amazement when he vocalized it because he is my son, of course, and he is ever-so-loud. But even in the still small moments like this one, captured below, I could hear how amazed he was that he was on a real train. It was a moment I hope never to forget.

As you can see, he was a happy camper.

Then Santa came. I’d like to say that Santa was the highlight. But, well, he wasn’t. Maybe that’s okay. We’ve had one good Santa experience this year. Maybe I was pressing my luck expecting this one to be equally as awesome. From the first picture, you can’t really tell…

… but Santa was scary.

In fact, LittleBrother wasn’t certain of this Santa, seeing as how he looked like he stepped right out of 1970.

But, in the end, they were pleased with the candy cane and went back to being excited about the train ride. I’m glad we took the trip together, as a family, during this hectic time of year. FireDad and I had cold feet due to the air rushing under the train but otherwise we were warm enough. It was just a lovely detour in our otherwise fast-moving, sometimes too hectic schedules.

Even if Santa was scary.

That said, I also shared some happy Christmas memories that involve Ohio on the new, not officially launched, Ohio Moms Blog. I’m the first blogger post on the site so if you could stop by and say hi, especially if you’re an Ohio-an, that would be great.

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[I'm giving away $50 worth of Cheryl&Co brownies over on Stop, Drop & Review. Go read about our awesome day and enter to win a yummy prize pack!]

At Least the Train Was Awesome is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.