Ben is Pinned, Sworn in and ready to go

Today, January 10th, 2012 Ben was Pinned and sworn in as a Fire Fighter for Ventura City Fire. It was an exciting day ok stressful. Ben was a bundle of crabby ass nerves in anticipation of his pinning, but again we survived. We went to City Hall at 3:00 pm upon entering this building you can't help but be in awe. All the floors and Wainscoting are marble the architecture of this building is amazing. The wood work is what looks like dark mahogany from floor to ceiling, there is gorgeous stain glass in the recessed ceilings. I am not doing this building justice, it is close to 100 years old and is full of beauty and of course character. Once I was able to take my attention off this building and focus on the ceremony that was getting ready to take place I was impressed with the number of people who attended and the obvious friendships that existed. The Fire Chief was as friendly and down to earth as everyone else. The Battalion Chief who got Ben through the academy has to have been one of the friendliest and sincere people I have had the pleasure of meeting. This ceremony was full of camaraderie no pomp and circumstance. When it was over people went out of their way to make you feel welcome. We met a lot of truly nice people that we look forward to getting to know and to hopefully build some lasting relationships. Ben is chomping at the bit to start riding his motor bike with these guys and I am looking forward to working with the women's auxiliary and getting to know Captain Smiths wife, she is a neat lady. I love our new city.

The New Year

We finally completed our move from Temecula to Ventura on January 31st. It was a rough few days but we all survived. Me and Ben did not kill each other, it came close but we made it. The kids were all a great help and had their moments as well, but we could not have done it without them. While packing out and cleaning the old place I noticed how out of sorts I must have been this past year. Its funny how while living the day to day you really don't pay attention and just go through the motions sure you have the occasional wtf but then you get up the next day and pick up where you left off. We are making the conscious effort not to fall back into that mess.

We celebrated the coming of the new year in down town Ventura, our new city. Today, January 1st 2012 started with a great nights sleep, excellent breakfast at a restaurant called Pete's, great choice. We then attempted to peruse a furniture store for our future house, but it was closed. We then went over to the local farmers market and they were closed. We then went to plan C which was to look at Jeeps. Since I was in my mid 20's I have wanted a black Jeep Wrangler. Ben actually went B day shopping for me last week which involved Jeeps. He told me that he wanted to surprise me but after seeing them and test driving them he said I needed to make sure this is what I wanted and which model. Yep it's still what I wanted. We left there today with a 2012 Black Jeep Wrangler. I love it, she is just what I wanted. It's funny it does not have power windows or locks, heated seats or auto lights. You don't realize how spoiled you are until your norm is brought back to reality. I'm pretty sure I am going to kill my battery by leaving the lights on and I really hope I don't forget to lock my doors when I have something in there worth stealing. My Jeep, even though new feels like it belongs in this new life of ours and our goal of a simple life. As much as I loved my Cadillac pit just really seemed out of place.

I am so excited to start a new year in a new town with new goals and aspirations. Happy New Years everyone