All smiles!

Isn't it great when life gives you an unexpected break??

Birds chirping, blue sky, warm weather... haven't packed a damn thing yet... but feelin' so good! Especially because I don't have to forfeit my chance for that full time job I thought I was leaving behind! It will be waiting for me when I return from Montana (if I return, of course)!!!!

I called the guy back and told him my situation and he was all excited for me and said he spoke to the city manager and arranged things so that I can take the agility test and interview when I return... and they were going to fill 3 spots, but instead they will fill 2 and keep that last spot open until October! He said he was impressed with my credentials (I stifled a laugh at that - my credentials are good if you're looking for a one-woman circus act!) and said I'm one of the top people on the list. I don't think you can imagine how unexpected and funny this all seems to me. Maybe it's cuz I'm a chic and they wanna "diversify", because I don't know how I did so well on a test about installing sewer pipes, water valves, paving, and construction.

"When installing a sewer pipe, do you place it: A. upgrade with the bell up B. downgrade with the bell up C. upgrade with the bell down D. downgrade with braces..."

Is the answer Jesus? (sorry, just a quote from Slap Shot)

In the meantime, I've had the phone stuck to my ear all afternoon trying to locate some fire boots. Yeah, Michigan has a lot of demand for wildland firefighter boots (sarcasm). I mean, I can get a pair when I get there but it's gonna suck because they won't be broken in - which I heard is hell on your feet.

Yesterday, my old pals Steve and Chuck went out for a brew at the Post Bar - Going Away Party #1. Then Saturday Jeff is throwing me Going Away Party #2. Heh heh. Always count on Jeff to celebrate and keep everyone drunk as a skunk and poor as a pauper!

The best part is that when I come back in a mere 2-3 months, we can celebrate all over again - "Welcome Home!" We all know that's why I really move - the parties. ;)

In the meantime, Steve put down an offer on a house near MSU - this thing is sweet! It needs a little work but it's got a huge wraparound porch and a nice yard that I would gladly be "contracted" to fix up for him!

(The map shows where I will be - in the middle of BFE! Yeah!!!)

landscaping

Just some photos of the flowers I planted earlier in the season. Stupid rabbits keep eating my coreopsis and pansies! And my Artemesia got HUGE! 

roll with it

I'm all excited and nervous about this whole "moving to Montana" thing, but it's gonna be fun, right??

Until everything you've been told has been contradicted in the direction you didn't want it to go. (Furrows eyebrows)

See, it might not have been so bad if I had known certain things from the get-go, but this sudden big change has got me more worried than excited. Example: Don't get my own bedroom, one phone-line for 8 people, and the only option for internet access is that one phone line. I was under the impression I had my own room, plus internet and cable if I want. I can cope, it's just way under-par from what I was expecting!

Those are just a few things. But I am stubborn and still moving! Adapt to the unexpected!

But it gets better. I took this test for a city job the other day, I was one of 50 people and the ONLY FEMALE. Yeah, it's a labor job and most of the guys were much older and tougher than me. Find out today - I was one of 6 to be invited to the next step - agility test! And they are filling 3 spots!

The catch - I'll be in Montana when they are doing the test. There's probably no way I can come back for it.

I begged and pleaded - as professionally as possible - if there was any way to take the test before I left, or when I get back, or some other time, but I have to call back later when they discuss it. Sigh. I'd hate to think I am missing an opportunity to do full-time work that I can actually tolerate at the expense of a seasonal whim - but I've wanted to do fire for so long that I know myself, and know I have to entertain this whim or it will never go away! And who knows, maybe I'll love fire and make it my career. In any case, I was having doubts about going but my instincts say "LEAVE!!!!"

burn

I'm hanging out, watching a show on National Geographic about smokejumpers and the tragic Storm King Mountain fire - the one in 1994 in Colorado that burned over 14 firefighters. Needless to say, it reminds me that in one week I will be taking a risk. The book, Fire on the Mountain by John N. Maclean, is an honoring and emotional recount of what happened and I highly recommend it!

Yeah, I think I'll sit in the air conditioning and watch fire on tv for right now. It's hot and sticky outside, and I need to recover from the wedding yesterday. ;) I'll write about that later. Maybe.

Go West!

Taken from California Interagency Hotshots

See this photo? That's gonna be me in about two week. ;)

Yep, I got the job in Montana at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge! I'm gonna be a wildland firefighter on an engine crew!

Assuming I pass the physical and drug test, I will once again be packing my life into the back of a little green hatchback and driving halfway across the country. Hopefully I'll be able to dial-up AOL and keep this thing updated, but I'm nervous and excited to finally try my hand as a firefighter. Sure it's intimidating to think that I will be standing on the front lines of a dangerous and physically intense job, with only a hose and water to defend myself, but I'm thrilled!

Tentative start date is the 21st so everybody I have two weeks to party with y'all!

For fun and excitement, here are some more links and photos of fire stuff. ;)

  
Both from Wildlandfire.com