Now I have an easy way of curating all of the awesome fire stuff I come across during my Internet jaunts. I’m so excited. What have I found today? Well…

First of all, can someone crochet this hat for me, pattern found on Etsy. Not really for the boys. For me. #46 please.

Speaking of crocheting, I think someone needs to make a FireFamily set of these firefighter sock monkeys for us.

And I’m ten kinds of sad that FireDad said, no, we cannot have this bed. I am sad.

So, yes, I’m addicted to Pinterest. If you find something firefighter related, be sure to @ me on the site.  Follow me, but beware… I am addicted.

Technology makes that a bit more difficult.

I was behaving yesterday. I had the scanner turned off. We were spending a lovely day at home. I hadn’t talked much to FireDad on the phone but I knew that he had been busy, just as we had been at home. I called at one point but there was no answer. I figured he was busy with some fire station work. After the boys settled down in bed, I sat down to catch up on a bit of Facebooking when I learned from someone at the newspaper that there had been a house fire that day.

Instant panic.

Suddenly the fact that I hadn’t talked to my husband all day became a scary thing, not a normal thing. Was he okay? Were the other firefighters okay? Before my mind had time to go over all of the scary questions, the phone rang. It was FireDad. Instant fear relief. They had just finished washing up the trucks and he had taken his shower which is why he hadn’t answered earlier. All was well at the fire department.

Later I thought about how my calm day had been ruined by technology. I knew to avoid the scanner. Had FireDad told me about the fire when he called that evening, I would have been fine as it was after the fact. But those few minutes in between were not fun. Prior to the immediacy of Facebook and twitter, I wouldn’t have known about the fire without the scanner on (or being at work). Now, of course, I can find out about just about anything, almost instantly.

On the one hand, that’s good. On the other hand, I have gotten used to learning about most fires after the fact. It’s in my nature to be anxious and worry and, as such, I prefer hearing that the fire was big but everyone came out just fine. Should I now avoid Facebook (and even twitter) on FireDad’s shift days? Do I keep the computer turned off when he’s at work? It’s an option, perhaps a valid one.

Today’s fire spouses are now inundated with ways to keep up with their firefighters. While that can be a great thing, I continue to learn that every Internet application can be a double-edged sword. Whatever the case, I am glad that FireDad came home this morning and gave me my normal hug and kiss. Worries instantly alleviated more quickly than the immediacy of twitter… until his next shift day, that is.

Let’s take a look at some recent and/or frequent searches.

1. Firefighter costumes/helmets/homemade/etc. It’s the number one search string in general, actually, that brings people to our humble Internet abode. Our favorite firefighter costume is still the Aeromax one that we reviewed last year. We have it in both black and yellow. As far as homemade costumes go, I will remind you that I’m not crafty. However, I did give some instructions and one of our readers actually accomplished it. Glad I could be of help!

2. Accidentally left gas burner on all night. QUIT GOOGLING. Turn it off. Open a window. Don’t turn on anything else. Get out of your house. QUIT GOOGLING. Call the Fire Department. Google outside from your phone. Out out out.

3. Fire helmet cookies. We actually got our fire truck, hydrant and helmet cookie cutters as a wedding gift with no brand imprinted on them. A quick Google search brings up a few affordable results, including this one from Fancy Flours. That said, I have a new tip to share other than the food coloring issue I shared last time. Roll your cookies thin. Whatever recipe you’re using, if you want your fire truck to look like anything more than a fluffy phallic symbol, roll them very thin. As an added tip: cook them for a minute less. Otherwise? Burnt cookies.

4. Do firefighters make more money when they ____. The rest of the search string was cut off. The answer? Likely not. Okay, okay. I kid. Firefighters may not be the highest paid people in our country but professional firefighters do make money. Most departments pay extra for call outs (you know, the fires that happen while you’re eating Christmas Eve dinner) and extended shifts. It depends on the department. But, in case you were wondering, you’re never going to be a millionaire on firefighting alone.

5. Is firefighting boring? No! Stories usually start out like, “So, there I was, flames shooting 30 feet in the air.” I mean, our sons want to be firefighters, not a freelance writer who moonlights as a photographer. To them, firefighters are the be all and end all of everything that is awesome. Yes, there’s down time as a firefighter. Yes, you have to clean trucks, wash floors and respond to false alarms. But anyone who considers running into a burning building to be a boring action likely has a strong death wish. Plus, there’s the added bonus of the uniform hotness. See below.

Whatever the reason you’ve landed here, I’m glad you have! Feel free to subscribe to the blog, leave a comment on a recent post or ask a question either in the comments on this post or via the contact form. I have a new firefighter book review (for kids) coming up in the near future along with a review of some “firefighter hot” snacks. Fun!

Dee of Life in Our Shoes messaged me shortly after I pressed the activate button and said, “I love your header! The characters look so much like you guys!” Then she proceeded to ask where I found a family that looked so much like me, FireDad, BigBrother and LittleBrother. I then explained that I found an amazing artist, Adina of Adina Illustrations. She hand draws her images. Let me reiterate that, folks: that’s a hand-drawn caricature of my family up there, you guys. It’s us. But cooler. And maybe less noisy. Awesome.

Working with Adina was a wonderful experience. I followed her on twitter, sent her an email of my many (many) desires for a header and crossed my fingers that she would be able to do it all. And she did it all. And more. I mean, we look like us. I’m even wearing green! FireDad’s turnout gear is yellow. My eyes even look like my eyes. It took about two weeks. She sent me the file. I paid her. And then I went about remodeling the blog using the new (and popular) WordPress theme Suffusion. By the way, Adina only charges $55 for her header work. You might want to get in on that before she realizes she’s under-charging and hikes that price.

I’m glad to have a new look to the blog, especially one that so fits us as a family. If you see any kinks in the next few days, please either let me know (via the contact form or Twitter) or ignore them. As an example, my No-Ad pages (for compensated reviews or giveaways per the BlogHer Ad Network agreement) are currently without a sidebar at all. I’m using the Single Post Template plugin but it’s giving me fits with this WordPress theme. I also need to do a little work on my sidebars. If you also have any functionality ideas (move the RSS button, remove/add/change something), please feel free to let me know!

Let me know what you think of the new look. Unless you hate it. Then take it up with the designers of the header or theme. Okay? Swell!

If you like the meme, feel free to do one yourself and leave a link in the comments or tweet it with the #momspotting hashtag. Or don’t do it. No pressure, I promise.

1.       Which expensive electronic device do you most often let your older children abuse or your baby drool on?

Our family desktop. Now, to be fair, it was purchased (just recently) with the knowledge that it would be used by the kids. But sometimes I do cringe when I walk in the room and they’re actively touching the computer screen with their grubby little fingers. What? They’re my kids. I can call their fingers grubby if I want to! I researched pretty darn hard and well (we went with HP… again) and feel kind of secure that they won’t totally trash it to smithereens. We do have rules. Of course, we also have a rule that they should use their inside voices. That works well. Not.

But he looks cute, doesn’t he?

Also? I now have the smallest computer screen (on my laptop) in the whole family.

2.       How many take-out restaurant numbers do you have programmed into your phone?

Two. Both are local pizza joints. Why only pizza? That’s the only take-out in our area. Welcome to Small Town, Ohio. Do I get bonus points for also having the library programmed in? I do? Sweet.

3.       How many hours of television do you so totally not let your kids watch a week?

I really hate this question. I don’t really know a daily, in-and-out total. I pay attention to what they watch. I make sure we’re doing other things. I observe their cues and schedule No-TV Days when they are needed. But do they watch more than the recommended none for LittleBrother’s age and two hours for BigBrother’s age? Yes and mostly. Don’t judge me. The Bible says not to. (Name the comedian.)

4.       Do you think people who say “we don’t watch television” at playdates but really mean “we just watch DVDs” are lying liars from Liarville?

Maybe. We do prefer DVD’s to television simply because of my background in working for television news. Commercials are evil. They are. You can argue it with me but the truth is that they are made with your/my child in mind and they do, in fact, want our kids to say, “Oh-em-gee, Mommy! I haftahavethatRIGHTNOW!” That said, DVD’s do count in screen time so those who think they’re not letting their kids watch “television” by going that route are slightly delusional. Or Lying McLiarpants from McLiarville.

5.       How many miles have you driven with your child and not one device of electronic entertainment in a single car trip?

Seven. It should have been six but have you ever driven two small children, by yourself? A bathroom break takes eons. Also, if the radio counts, then I’m out. And? I won’t be doing that again. That was silly.

6.       What’s your record for calls to the pediatrician or Ask-a-Nurse in a single day?

Three. To be fair, the first and second were because I accidentally hung up on the nurse when I hit a button with my chin. The third was to inform her that, yes, he did puke again. All over me. And that we would be coming in. With my laundry.

7.       What’s the sexiest thing your husband/partner could text you after a hard day?

Your wine is waiting. Or, your wine is waiting and the kids are asleep. Or, your wine is waiting and the kids are asleep and I bought us a hot tub and installed it while you were out and, you know, you look really sexy in that bathing suit of yours; I’ll be waiting. That said, the last option doesn’t fit in a text message so I can safely say that’s never going to happen.

8.       What’s your favorite iPad joke?

The iPad is not a joke. It is beautiful. Gorgeous. And luxurious. But, no, advertising, even in the form of press releases, has no affect on us, does it?

9.       What’s the dumbest parenting tool, gear, gadget or device you ever bought?

A potty with a foam seat ring. You know what happens with a foam seat ring? IT SOAKS UP THE URINE. Do you know what that smells like after a week or two? Also, add in the stroller that came with the “travel system” that we purchased for our first son (BigBrother). Not only was it too big and poorly made but we almost never used the thing.

10.   How many years will it take for your child to become more tech-savvy than you?

Have you met BigBrother? He’s working on it. It may be his life goal. Or, wait. His life goal right now is to be a Space Ranger. If he accomplishes that, I would say he’s more tech-savvy than me/us by far. That said, I’m pretty on top of things. I don’t want to think about having to ask them to fix my computer/TV/hover-craft. I’m the Mommy, dang it.

I encourage my readers not only to follow the #momspotting hashtag and join in the conversation but to visit the Family Connections forum. We’ve been having great conversations on everything from Facebook to how we can possibly have time to blog/tweet/etc if we’re actively parenting to making our marriages better… online. I have really enjoyed the give and take of information, ideas and laughter. You should join in. (Also, if you’re touched by adoption, stop in the adoption forum where I’ve been spear-heading some discussion.)

I’m working on this project through the end of March. If you have anything you’d like me to broach either on twitter or the Family Connections forum regarding technology and parenting, drop me a comment, email or tweet.

While waiting for my husband to arrive home, I sat down and both tweeted and posted on Facebook about my grandfather’s sudden death. While people have come under fire for tweeting at a time of tragedy, it was the only thing left that made sense for me to do at the time. I was two hours from my family, waiting for my biggest support person to arrive home and I was absolutely hysterical. I needed to reach out to someone, to anyone.

I’m so glad that I did.

The response that I got was overwhelming (in a good way). Soon the reply tweets, direct messages, Facebook replies, e-mails and phone calls started coming. I still haven’t managed to reply to every single message that came in during the course of a very, very long week of intense grieving. I plan to but it’s been slow going. I received messages from others who had endured similar losses in the recent past. I received sympathy cards. In my snail mailbox. I received a box of Valentine cards (Toy Story, of course) from a friend who wanted to help me “check something off my to-do list,” as her card read. And I received real, physical help from someone I met during another tragic Internet gathering who helped me fix an error with my grandfather’s obituary when it ran without the photo and then showed up at my grandfather’s calling hours on his lunch break. These people reached out to me in my time of need just like my “real life,” just-down-the-road friends who picked up my mail and bought me a coat. Do you know why?

These people on the Internet aren’t just strangers on the other side of a keyboard. They’re friends.

I get frustrated when people dismiss friendships or relationships that were formed via keyboard. The fact that some of these friends sent apology emails, feeling guilty for not being able to attend services, lets me know that we’re more than just anonymous people hiding behind screens. Over the years, through blogs and forums and, yes, even twitter, lasting friendships have been formed. People care about one another. In the midst of this sudden and excruciating loss, I have been comforted by the fact that so many people care about the well-being of my family. Online and off, my family has been touched this week by the outpouring of love. I should make a small aside to say that my friends who live both in Ohio and Pennsylvania were also equally amazing during this very difficult time. Again, I have been so touched and so amazed by the support offered by so many loving individuals.

I’m still not “okay” with this sudden loss. I am still mostly heartbroken, still prone to tears at random moments when he crosses my mind in a memory. I appreciate this space here on the Internet where I can talk about him as I need to, when I can tweet about missing him, and not be reproached for grieving improperly. I am thankful for those who continue to reach out, to ask after my grandmother and to offer support. My grandfather was a loyal man and the loyalty that has been shown to me by my friends, near and far, is something that honors his legacy.

Good job, Internet. Good job. And, mostly, thank you. So very much.

I’ve taken the pink off the site as it is no longer Breast Cancer Awareness Month. November is Adoption Awareness Month which I’m sure I’ll write about elsewhere. Our header features Thanksgiving celebration images. It’s also National Novel Writing Month (of which I will not be participating in this year, thankyouverymuch). Thankfully, it’s also NaBloPoMo which I may or may not succeed in finishing. I did find two desktop backgrounds that I liked this month but, sadly, they each only offered room for one picture. Despite having some great solo-pics of the boys this month, minus their costume pictures, I don’t have a great one of them both. So while my desktop is pretty the photo itself is rather boring. Oh well!

Here’s the one I chose. (And this is another great option which includes an iPhone background that I think I’ll use.)

Considering our busy schedule and the fact that I start my new job tomorrow, I’m sure November will be a very hectic month. Here’s hoping that we remember to stay thankful day in and day out. (Even if we do seem to have some respiratory malady up in here. Ugh.)

I chose this desktop from Design by Dani. It’s bright and colorful but still Halloween-esque. It fits exactly what I was looking for this month. The only problem is that I don’t know which picture I should use. Take a look.

Do I go with the boys in their fall initial pumpkin shirts? (From this Etsy store at a great price.)

Or do I go with the boys in their Aeromax firefighter costumes (review next week) in a cute picture taken after the fire?

Dilemma indeed. I currently have the one with the fall shirts sitting on the desktop but I just want to keep switching back and forth between the two. I love my two little firefighters as well! Such a hard decision. Let me know which one you think I should use for the month in the comments!

I saw a few other nice October digital scrapbooking desktop wallpapers out there in my search. This one at Digital Scrap Cafe was light and lovely. And this one by Traci Reed’s Team Blog, while without a calendar, was definitely adorable. (Plus I have a love of ones that allow for three pictures so I can have one of each child and either a nature shot or one of them together.)

I leave you with this lovely October quote.

“Bittersweet October. The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter.” – Carol Bishop Hipps

So true. Enjoy your beautiful October.

1. Fire Trucks by Ernest Properties. Keep your littlest firefighters amused for at least fifteen minutes (while simultaneously turning all heads if you happen to be in public) with this free iPhone app. It’s quite simple to function. Upon loading the app, a picture of a fire truck loads. By pressing the four corners of the photo, a different fire siren sound loads. An air horn and various sirens make it a rather noisy app but fun for little fingers. Pressing anywhere on the photo provides the noisy fun but the corners have their own separate sound. Adult firefighters who have reviewed the app complain that it doesn’t sound like a fire truck or that it needs other pictures instead of just the one. The truth is, if you’re an adult, this app really wasn’t intended to keep you entertained for hours. The name of the app, however, is misleading as with only one picture, the trucks are not plural. All the same, it is a great “we have 15 minutes until we get where we’re going and we need something to occupy the kids but we’ve already played I Spy 2059906 times” app. Plus: sirens! Woo!

2. Fire Truck Lite by EleganSoft Inc. If you like those little plastic puzzles where you move around the pieces to eventually show the intended picture, this app is for you. The easy level is really quite easy. The medium level is quite easy to handle. But when they say hard, they mean hard. The pieces are made to look like wood which is a unique twist on an electronic game. The point of the game is to get the big square piece with the fire truck to the bottom, middle location. To do so you move the other pieces that contain a car, a truck or a bus around and around and around to achieve that goal. When you succeed, the fire truck sprays water (which is also made to look like wood which is kind of… different) and you’re given an encouraging, hero-type message like, “You put out the fire! You’re a hero!” This free app also has a full, paid version ($0.99) but I’m cheap. (Also, you may not be able to see but that picture tells you that I have made 89 moves with 9 hints on a hard puzzle. I’m not too proud to tell you that hard really does mean hard.)

3. Emergency Radio Lite by EdgeRift, Inc. If you’re a fire family, you know what a scanner is. For those of you not attached to fire (or police) service, you might not know that a scanner lets you listen to emergency calls and the communication between various members of the police or fire service. We have one in our living room that allows me to find out where FireDad is on scene. This particular app is a lite version allowing you to listen to six channels. They include: Chicago Fire, Denver Police-Fire-EMS, Hawaii Police, Miami-Dad Fire-Search-Rescue, New Orleans Fire and San Jose Police & Fire. To be fair, the full version of this app was one I almost considered downloading until I learned that my county is not supported. (On any of the available scanner apps, not just this one.) There are some complaints that Denver’s channel has streaming issues but my guess would be that’s more about the host of the channel and not the app itself. My favorite part of the app is that it lists the codes. I now know that 11-26 in Chicago means that they have located an abandoned bicycle. Interesting. (I’m currently sitting here and listening to Chicago and I’m just really amused with myself.) The full version is currently on sale for $0.99. (Sure, cheap, but useless if it doesn’t include your city/county.)

There are some firefighter related games and a few other useful apps (not free) that I have not yet downloaded though I plan to in the near future. I will let you know about them as I get to them. If you have a firefighter related app or know of one that you think I should include on the blog, please leave a comment below. Your opinions on the above reviewed apps would also greatly help those considering downloading one or more!

But it’s September! I love September!

I decided I didn’t want an overly “fall” desktop (though this one is gorgeous). (Though, as an aside, I’ll be decorating for fall probably this weekend. Not Halloween. Just fall. More on that later.) And I didn’t want a school one either (though this one is adorable). And, remember, I like to customize with pictures, so this beautiful verse and these ones made to remember 9/11 weren’t what I was looking for either. Finally I happened upon this gem by Connie Prince. I think it turned out well.

Picture brought to you by BigBrother’s preschool orientation last week and a LittleBrother who had to get his picture taken, too. Love it. Love them!

Here’s hoping that your September is bright and beautiful. Here’s a quote to inspire you on toward that end:

“And the days dwindle down to a precious few, September, November – And these few precious days I’d spend with you, These golden days I’d spend with you.” – Maxwell Anderson

Enjoy.

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[Tune in later today for a very important safety tip. It could save your family in the event of a fire.]