The Murphys have moved to a wonderful antique cape in the mountains. (More about that cape later.)

Anyway - Mr. Murphy, having quit his job due to the move, had been hanging around the house doing alot of nothing for 6 weeks.

This had a tendency to grate on the nerves of Mrs. Murphy, who left the home at 5 am and returned at between 5 pm and 6 pm, having spent at least 3 hours commuting to a job in the next state.

One day, when her nerves were completely frazzled, she suggested he go write letters to old ladies, join the volunteer fire department in town - WHATEVER!!!! JUST DO SOMETHING!

So Mr. Murphy joined the fire department. He also got a job, which was helpful (except it was on an opposite shift). But it was the fire department, and his joining it, that caused this to be written.

Along with joining of�the fire department came an entire new family. Mrs. Murphy had heard about this with police, but didn't realize it was true in the fire service as well.

Mrs. Murphy, being civic minded, offered her services to the department for typing meeting minutes, etc. Then one day, a member suggested she join, because she's a nurse. This was an interesting proposal, so she called the chief.

She was informed that if you're on the fire department (fire is not separated from medical/rescue calls in this town), you're ON the fire department and expected to function as a firefighter as well as a medical responder.

Hhhhmmmmm

Hubby thinks this is hysterical. Child thinks it's "awesome" "are you gunna do it, Mama?????"

So off hubby and Mrs. Murphy went to the drill so she could speak to the chief in person and check things out.

The first thing the chief says to her is, "My GOD you are a LITTLE one, aren't you?" (Hubby breaks into gales of laughter.)

Now, this particular drill was the annual boat drill. And hubby was in serious danger of being tossed in the lake.

But while Mrs. Murphy was seriously contemplating her revenge on hubby, another member of the dept. arrived.

On a motorcycle.

Bunker gear (complete with helmet) bunjie-corded to the back of the motorcycle. And proceeds to tell the chief of his trials and tribulations to make the drill on time, using inventive invectives to highlight the horrors he'd endured to arrive on time.

Chief:(at the top of his lungs) Watch your language! �There's a LADY present.

At this point, hubby needs a depends or�he's going to have to get into the water by himself to rinse his jeans. The newcomer looks down and, taking off his hat, formally apologizes.

The drill went well, and the Murphys went home to discuss the situation.

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