Dumpster Fire

Had a little excitement on Sunday evening. Around 9:30pm or so, I was helping Erik take the trash out. Well, as we were walking up to the big, green dumpster I noticed something was unusual..... There was something on fire in the dumpster! Erik bolted upstairs to get his phone and his fire extenguisher. He tried to put it out while I called the fire department, but right then, it went from a smoldering potential-problem into a big, ugly problem. Erik and I backed far away as the dumpster quickly caught on fire...... (my heart was pounding)...... Then, a tree that stood over the dumpster caught on fire and it was just like in the movies! I heard a swoosh sound and then a "ssssssssssssssssst" crackle, as the pine-needles burned. I was nervous and excited all at the same time.

Finally, the fire truck showed up and quickly put it all out....... no one was hurt and it was not believed to be foul play. Probably just some ignorant fool who threw their cigarette butt in the dumpster paying no mind to what just may be in there.

Never had to call 911 before that...... I was kinda proud of myself. I stayed calm and listened as best I could. Anyways, after the fire was out Erik and I just went back up to his apartment - no one seemed to interested in asking us any questions, so we just went back upstairs. No harm done, but still rather invigorating :-)

I'm Back

The amount of free time I've had lately and the desire to write here have not been able to co-exist lately, but here I am :-)

I just got home from a co-workers house - she's moving to Tulsa, OK and I've been helping her pack up her things. It felt nice to help someone out.... people have been SO helpful and wonderful to me lately, I needed to return the kindness. In cleaning out her office she found some old business cards with a quote written on them - I found thought-provoking and thought I'd share.

"Excellence is the result of

Caring more than others think is wise

Risking more than others think is safe

Dreaming more than others think is practical and

Expecting more than others think is possible"

I will certainly miss her. Oh, her name is Rhonda and she's a blessing to have in my life (she reminds me of my mother a lot - from their placemats to their clothes pins to their choice in books - she and my mom had a lot in common). Speaking of my mother, I had a dream about her the other night. She was waving at me from a red car as she drove by a bench I was sitting on. She was smiling that beautiful smile and letting her hair down. I love those dreams..... I always feel good when I wake up. Some nights there are awful dreams that I wake from feeling anxious and sad. I usually just take a few deep breaths and maybe turn on the tv or something until I can fall back asleep. I must say that even though there are good days and awful days, I've never felt more alive that I do now. I feel EACH moment that passes and worry about wasting it. Life is so very precious and for the first time ever, I'm realizing just how much I have left to do in this world. I will carry on my mom's legacy - I'm not exactly sure how yet, but the determination is there. I miss my mother dearly and I'm just beginning this whole process, but I'll tell you one thing..... you really find out just how much your friends and family care for you in a time like this. I have been overwhelmed with support and kindness shown to me in the last few weeks...... I thank God for each of those people every day......

Phew! I wasn't expecting to write that much! I'm going to be late for dinner with Shannon so I must go :-)