Husband is always telling me that I snore. What? No, I don't. HE snores. Not all the time, but there are nights a good swift kick (OK, I really just politely shake him) gets him to roll over and cease that dreadful noise that has kept me awake.
Yesterday was a long day. Woke up about 5:30 AM, went to work, went to husband's Awards Ceremony Dinner and finally crawled into bed about 11:30 PM. Worn out. Exhausted.
Slept great! I think I was actually asleep before my head hit the pillow.
As I'm walking out the door for work this AM (before my kids/hubby are out of bed), I notice a missed call on my phone. Weird. It was from husband. At 1:08 AM. And, there's a voicemail. Wait, I was in bed with my husband right next to me at 1:08 AM?!?!?
Check the voicemail, and dear, sweet, adoring husband had called me and left me a voicemail of my snoring that was keeping him awake at 1:08 AM. Nice.
Paybacks are a bitch, buddy!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Daddy's Mini Me
If my son doesn't grow up and become a cop, I will be completely shocked. You see, he so wants to be just like daddy. He loves to play cops and anything to do surrounding cops. I can't count the number of cop-related toys we have at our house. Thankfully, the dollar store carries all that stuff for, yeah, a dollar! I can't count the number of toy guns, handcuffs and badges we own.
When our son was three, his Christmas gift was his very own squad car. Yes, he has a squad car. It was my husband's brain child. He starting thinking about it and talking to people. We ended up buying one of those motorized Mustangs, hubby painted it black and white, had the guy who builds their department squads trick it out with lights (red and blue flashing in the back, white flashing in the front/mirrors - no siren, thank god) and decaled it with police logos. Yep, the kid has a squad car. Now, of course, you are able to buy one at the store already a police car, but three years ago, it was pretty cool. And, it still is pretty cool. Both my kids still ride around and play with it.
It's hysterical when he goes to play cops. He gets his duty belt (yes, husband made one for him out of an old duty belt of his), loads it up complete with plastic gun, radio, handcuffs and mag light and out the door he flies to fight crime (aka the other boys in the neighborhood) and many times he takes his stuffed dog (his K9) out with him to ride in the seat next to him (or sometimes it's his sister who becomes the K9; and no, it's not torture, she loves to be the K9 - that's a whole other story!). Dear son is quite talented as he has mastered the art of the police siren that sounds so real, sometimes you have to do a double take. So, out he goes, jumps in his car and starts wailing like a siren.
He also LOVES to dress up. I finally came to the realization that is a direct reflection of him wanting to be like daddy. You see, when hubby goes to work, he dresses all nice in his uniform and puts on his work books. My son's favorite thing to wear (if he knows we're going out somewhere) is nice pants, button down shirt (which he buttons all the way to the top; I know, I know, we try and he pitches a fit if he doesn't have ALL the buttons buttoned), shirt tucked in (again, I know, we do our best) and boots. Just like when daddy goes to work.
I'm fine with his fascination of daddy and think it's incredibly adorable of his desire to be just like dad. But, as a mother, I dread the day he may actually become a cop. I can handle husband being a cop. He's a damn good one and loves it! But, being a cop has its downsides in terms of the horrific sides of human nature that they deal with on a daily basis and the toll that does take on them. Things I want to protect my children from, not have them exposed to.
I know my son will be wonderful at anything he does and I will support whatever decisions he makes in life. But, for now, I'm OK with him just pretending to be a cop.
When our son was three, his Christmas gift was his very own squad car. Yes, he has a squad car. It was my husband's brain child. He starting thinking about it and talking to people. We ended up buying one of those motorized Mustangs, hubby painted it black and white, had the guy who builds their department squads trick it out with lights (red and blue flashing in the back, white flashing in the front/mirrors - no siren, thank god) and decaled it with police logos. Yep, the kid has a squad car. Now, of course, you are able to buy one at the store already a police car, but three years ago, it was pretty cool. And, it still is pretty cool. Both my kids still ride around and play with it.
It's hysterical when he goes to play cops. He gets his duty belt (yes, husband made one for him out of an old duty belt of his), loads it up complete with plastic gun, radio, handcuffs and mag light and out the door he flies to fight crime (aka the other boys in the neighborhood) and many times he takes his stuffed dog (his K9) out with him to ride in the seat next to him (or sometimes it's his sister who becomes the K9; and no, it's not torture, she loves to be the K9 - that's a whole other story!). Dear son is quite talented as he has mastered the art of the police siren that sounds so real, sometimes you have to do a double take. So, out he goes, jumps in his car and starts wailing like a siren.
He also LOVES to dress up. I finally came to the realization that is a direct reflection of him wanting to be like daddy. You see, when hubby goes to work, he dresses all nice in his uniform and puts on his work books. My son's favorite thing to wear (if he knows we're going out somewhere) is nice pants, button down shirt (which he buttons all the way to the top; I know, I know, we try and he pitches a fit if he doesn't have ALL the buttons buttoned), shirt tucked in (again, I know, we do our best) and boots. Just like when daddy goes to work.
I'm fine with his fascination of daddy and think it's incredibly adorable of his desire to be just like dad. But, as a mother, I dread the day he may actually become a cop. I can handle husband being a cop. He's a damn good one and loves it! But, being a cop has its downsides in terms of the horrific sides of human nature that they deal with on a daily basis and the toll that does take on them. Things I want to protect my children from, not have them exposed to.
I know my son will be wonderful at anything he does and I will support whatever decisions he makes in life. But, for now, I'm OK with him just pretending to be a cop.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Being Thirty (something)
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." - Ferris Bueller
Who knew that Ferris Bueller could sum up life in two lines (from one of the greatest movies of the 80s)? It's so true. One minute I was sixteen, in high school, enjoying all life had to offer and the next thing I know, I'm (gasp) mid-thirties! Where the hell did my life go?
Yes, my life has pretty much turned out how I thought it would. Married. Check. Kids. Check. House. Check. Cars. Check. Boat (not necessarily something I thought I would have, but I do). Check. Now what? The next big birthday I will celebrate will be 40. What happened to the days when you couldn't wait to turn 13, 16, 18, 21! I mean, big things happened on those birthdays. I'm a teenager! I can drive! I'm an adult, I can vote (OK, not really something that I got overly excited about, but it's what happens when you turn 18)! And the BEST birthday year, turning 21 - I can (legally) get into a bar and drink myself into oblivion!!!! After that, what's there to look forward to except responsibilities, getting wrinkles and the ability to put on weight in the blink of an eye but take six months to take off those last five pounds!
Yes, I've learned a hell of a lot. Mainly that I'm old. I work in the advertising industry with a bunch of babies - and not babies in the sense of "boo-hoo" but babies in the sense of, I just got out of college and this is my first job! Ummm...I graduated high school the year you were born. Did you know that in college, checking email was not just a matter of whipping out my cell phone but a matter of trudging to the computer lab, to the special computer area and waiting in line until one of the email computers became available? Yes, there were certain computers we had to use. You were screwed if you were trying to sneak in quickly between classes, because it was never quick.
You see, the thing about being thirty something is that you now have the life experiences to know what you are talking about. For example, your parents were right 95% of the time. I've turned into my parents. I hear myself telling my kids some of the exact same things I heard as a kid (and I laugh). I now know why my mother always tells me to drive safely (even today). I have a good ten years before my first born is of driving age and I shudder at the thought of my baby behind the wheel of a car. And don't get me started thinking about dating - nope, they are both going to be shut in their rooms and not be able to interact with the opposite sex, EVER.
We grow up way too fast. I guess in another 15 years, I'll be wishing to be thirty (something) again!
Who knew that Ferris Bueller could sum up life in two lines (from one of the greatest movies of the 80s)? It's so true. One minute I was sixteen, in high school, enjoying all life had to offer and the next thing I know, I'm (gasp) mid-thirties! Where the hell did my life go?
Yes, my life has pretty much turned out how I thought it would. Married. Check. Kids. Check. House. Check. Cars. Check. Boat (not necessarily something I thought I would have, but I do). Check. Now what? The next big birthday I will celebrate will be 40. What happened to the days when you couldn't wait to turn 13, 16, 18, 21! I mean, big things happened on those birthdays. I'm a teenager! I can drive! I'm an adult, I can vote (OK, not really something that I got overly excited about, but it's what happens when you turn 18)! And the BEST birthday year, turning 21 - I can (legally) get into a bar and drink myself into oblivion!!!! After that, what's there to look forward to except responsibilities, getting wrinkles and the ability to put on weight in the blink of an eye but take six months to take off those last five pounds!
Yes, I've learned a hell of a lot. Mainly that I'm old. I work in the advertising industry with a bunch of babies - and not babies in the sense of "boo-hoo" but babies in the sense of, I just got out of college and this is my first job! Ummm...I graduated high school the year you were born. Did you know that in college, checking email was not just a matter of whipping out my cell phone but a matter of trudging to the computer lab, to the special computer area and waiting in line until one of the email computers became available? Yes, there were certain computers we had to use. You were screwed if you were trying to sneak in quickly between classes, because it was never quick.
You see, the thing about being thirty something is that you now have the life experiences to know what you are talking about. For example, your parents were right 95% of the time. I've turned into my parents. I hear myself telling my kids some of the exact same things I heard as a kid (and I laugh). I now know why my mother always tells me to drive safely (even today). I have a good ten years before my first born is of driving age and I shudder at the thought of my baby behind the wheel of a car. And don't get me started thinking about dating - nope, they are both going to be shut in their rooms and not be able to interact with the opposite sex, EVER.
We grow up way too fast. I guess in another 15 years, I'll be wishing to be thirty (something) again!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
The Wal-Mart Break-Up
Seriously, this is a true story that happened a few months back because you really cannot make this shit up! There is a reason an entire website is devoted to peopleofwalmart.com - and if you've never visited the site prepare to laugh your ass off!
What is it about Wally World (aka Wal-Mart) that brings out the crazies? When you're having a bad day, just take a trip to Wally World and guarantee you will walk out feeling so much better about yourself. A neighbor of mine visits Wally World on Friday nights as a recreational activity just to people watch and oh yes, he's seen quite a bit.
On this particular trip, I was just milling the jam packed (why is that???) aisles searching for nothing in particular. I decided to swing through electronics and look at the Wii and Nintendo DS games. This is where it got really interesting. As I'm minding my business walking through, I notice a couple in deep conversation. In the gaming aisle. The kids were standing there playing the display Xbox or Wii console and there they were talking to each other somewhat quietly. The body language told me I wanted to hear what was going on.
So, I'm milling, passing by "pretending" to be looking at the games near them. And, he's breaking up with her. In the middle of Wal-Mart. She's trying desparately not to let the waterworks begin and he's stating "I can't do this anymore. It's not working. I'm moving out." She's got the look of complete shock. Well, I'd be shocked too if a leisurely weekend trip to Wally World ended in the demise of my relationship in the gaming aisle!
I fought the desparate urge to whip out my phone, take a picture and post to facebook with the caption "Wal-Mart break up." I so wanted to stay and hear more of this conversation and see where it would go. But, I'm afraid it may have become obvious that my little ears were enjoying this conversation by the way I stood staring at the same games. I left electronics and preceded to check out smiling, thinking, did that really just happen? Yes, yes it did.
What is it about Wally World (aka Wal-Mart) that brings out the crazies? When you're having a bad day, just take a trip to Wally World and guarantee you will walk out feeling so much better about yourself. A neighbor of mine visits Wally World on Friday nights as a recreational activity just to people watch and oh yes, he's seen quite a bit.
On this particular trip, I was just milling the jam packed (why is that???) aisles searching for nothing in particular. I decided to swing through electronics and look at the Wii and Nintendo DS games. This is where it got really interesting. As I'm minding my business walking through, I notice a couple in deep conversation. In the gaming aisle. The kids were standing there playing the display Xbox or Wii console and there they were talking to each other somewhat quietly. The body language told me I wanted to hear what was going on.
So, I'm milling, passing by "pretending" to be looking at the games near them. And, he's breaking up with her. In the middle of Wal-Mart. She's trying desparately not to let the waterworks begin and he's stating "I can't do this anymore. It's not working. I'm moving out." She's got the look of complete shock. Well, I'd be shocked too if a leisurely weekend trip to Wally World ended in the demise of my relationship in the gaming aisle!
I fought the desparate urge to whip out my phone, take a picture and post to facebook with the caption "Wal-Mart break up." I so wanted to stay and hear more of this conversation and see where it would go. But, I'm afraid it may have become obvious that my little ears were enjoying this conversation by the way I stood staring at the same games. I left electronics and preceded to check out smiling, thinking, did that really just happen? Yes, yes it did.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Like Ships Passing in the Night
Those of us married to LEO's know all too well the meaning of life existing like ships passing in the night. Especially for those of us who work outside the home and our significant other works third shift. The five days that hubby works, I get home from work just in time for him to walk out the door to start his. We give each other a quick kiss and I'm off to break up whatever fight is brewing between the kids or to start dinner and he's off starting his shift. Of course, I'm home on weekends. But, if he is working, he's sleeping for most of the morning and I'm guilty of once he's finished with his beauty sleep, I get out of the house to run my errands, sans kids.
And, that is our life. It's something we accept as a family and have come to live with. Is it ideal? Hell no! There's a reason the divorce rate is upwards of 80% for those married to LEO's. This is definitely not a pity party because as challenging as it is, I've come to accept that this is the way it is and we make the most of it. It's also the only life I've ever really known so I don't feel cheated or that it's unfair.
The most difficult part is having a family life that is different than everyone else. My husband misses out on a lot and it's hard on him. He (and we) have do without dinner as a whole family most nights, the kids' extracurricular activities, weekends, etc. There's also the holiday's we spend alone without him as he is out protecting our community and serving the public. There's a lot of bad press out there against LEO's and that's unfortunate because to be a LEO means they sacrifice so much more than the average person can even fathom. And they do it because they love what they are doing, if they didn't, they wouldn't be in the profession.
As a police wife, I admire and respect all that my husband does on a daily basis. The things he sees and deals with on a regular basis would probably have me curled up in the fetal position in bed, rocking back and forth, sucking my thumb. So, here's a shout out to all the women behind the badge! We are a strong, courageous bunch of women. Don't ever forget that!
And, that is our life. It's something we accept as a family and have come to live with. Is it ideal? Hell no! There's a reason the divorce rate is upwards of 80% for those married to LEO's. This is definitely not a pity party because as challenging as it is, I've come to accept that this is the way it is and we make the most of it. It's also the only life I've ever really known so I don't feel cheated or that it's unfair.
The most difficult part is having a family life that is different than everyone else. My husband misses out on a lot and it's hard on him. He (and we) have do without dinner as a whole family most nights, the kids' extracurricular activities, weekends, etc. There's also the holiday's we spend alone without him as he is out protecting our community and serving the public. There's a lot of bad press out there against LEO's and that's unfortunate because to be a LEO means they sacrifice so much more than the average person can even fathom. And they do it because they love what they are doing, if they didn't, they wouldn't be in the profession.
As a police wife, I admire and respect all that my husband does on a daily basis. The things he sees and deals with on a regular basis would probably have me curled up in the fetal position in bed, rocking back and forth, sucking my thumb. So, here's a shout out to all the women behind the badge! We are a strong, courageous bunch of women. Don't ever forget that!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
