About Me

Well I grew up in a small town (still live there too) in southwestern Pennsylvania. I married right out of high school but divorced a couple years after. Several years later, I met a wonderful person online, and after a whirlwind courtship, I ended up marrying him. Not only has he given me a new reason for living, he has given me outstanding in-laws, and a beautiful daughter. I truly am blessed. I began my career in healthcare right out of high school by working part time in a rest home. From there I got my certification and moved on to work in a Nursing Home. I did that for a while and began to pursue my dream of becoming an EMT. After about a year of schooling, I finally passed my boards, and in 1997 joined Nemacolin Fire Department as part of their Emergency Response Team. I continued to work in the nursing home, but felt that I was needed in a different kind of environment. In July of 1999 I left the nursing home and went to work on the Cancer Unit of a local hospital. During that time, I had also joined the Fire Department, this time as a firefighter and EMT. While working at the hospital, I decided to further my education and attend Penn State's Paramedic class. A decision which has since changed my life and yet also might not have happened. About halfway through the course, I started having doubts if I was "medic material" and had seriously considered dropping out. However, my husband urged me forward, and gave me the strength and courage to finish the course, which I am glad and proud to say that I did. Oh yeah...about my husband. Its true that we did meet on the internet in a chat room. Both of us being from different states (me, PA obviously and he being from New Jersey), he decided to travel 350-some odd miles to meet me. We dated long distance for about 6 months and he made the decision to move here to be with me and spend the rest of his life with me. That was in 2000. We married in March 2002. In July of 2002, I had to have knee surgery and went on leave from the hospital to recuperate but decided that I didnt want to go back to work. I wanted to stay home and be there for my son who was 8 at the time. In January 2003 I found out I was going to have another child and in September, my daughter was born. That pretty much sums it up to where we are today.

All in a days work

This is me. This is who I am.

In gear

This is a fairly recent picture of me in my gear. Though I am not wearing my airpack and mask, you get the idea. Its quite heavy and hot in here, as you might imagine. I have to apologize for the blurriness, as the batteries in the camera were about dead. I hope to have some nicer ones taken a little later.