new to me blogs

Raising Knights
Sweet Southern Comfort
Time Out For Mom
Altogether Heather
Missing My Love (Her husband was honored this year durinng National Police Week)
Case Jackets

Do you have a police-related blog that you want the world to know about? Let me know. I would love to read/add it.

**Updated**
A Thin Blue Line
The Rhoton Family
The Curse of Curves. In Minneapolis.

the Cop Mustache

Yowza! image from here (and just so you know they are currently out of stock)

In honor of Mustache May, I thought I would revisit the whole cop mustache thing. Just over two years ago, I did a poll to see how many of you (male cops-not ladies however relevant that might be) had mustaches. The general consensus from many of the commenters was that they don't see a lot of mustaches on cops. From my observations, it seems that the men in their 20s and 30s don't generally have a stache. It is more likely to be sported on officers in their 40s or older. Also, as many have pointed out, because of some department's grooming standards, a mustache may be the only facial hair an officer is permitted to grow.

I was also pleased to find that I'm not the only one that wonders about cops and mustaches. I found these hilarious questions and people's answers online asked at yahoo! answers. You can see those examples here, and here.

When I did the poll before, there were only a handful of readers. I thought now we might have some better results seeing how there are 238 readers that are supposedly LEO affiliated. So I ask the question: Do you know any cops that sport the "cop mustache"? If you are a cop, do you have a mustache? (Of course, if you are a PW or SO you can answer for your man). The poll is located at the top of the sidebar.

swat: the same but different

image from here

We were lying in bed in the middle of the day while our two boys were playing downstairs. We had plans shortly before picking up our daughter at school. It's his day off. When his cell phone went off, somehow I knew that it would be swat related. I don't know how. I just did. I felt three things. One: A pang of sadness deep down inside because I HATE it when he gets called in on his day off. Two: Excitement for him because it was his first call out. Three:  Dread. It reminded me of his first night out and how I felt. I rarely feel fear and worry when it comes to HF on duty, but when it's something he hasn't done yet (or I haven't done vicariously through him...) then I worry. The fear takes over and I let the "what if's" rule my mind for a moment. Do you do that? Do you imagine the worst? Do you imagine what he'll be doing "right this second" and do you imagine getting a call from someone else? I do. But just for a moment. I don't like to, but that's that. And then somehow, by the grace of God, I am enveloped in a cocoon of peace. I feel strong and confident and that everything will be okay.

I watched him dress in his swat gear. He had everything at home. He looked like a warrior ready for battle. He looked super hot, but that wasn't the most important thought in my mind at the time, strangely enough. He was focused and serious. He got a few other calls. I wished I could ask questions. I wished he could tell me where he was going and what it was for, but that would have to wait. He has been told not to tell anyone anything until the situation is over. It kills me not to know. The boys come to the living room and watch him in awe as he quietly gathers his things. He kisses us all on the head, gives me an extra kiss on the lips, says, "I love you guys", and he walks out the door. I hear the car literally speed off.

The hours go by. There's no way I'm calling him or texting him. I will wait for him to do that. I no longer feel that desperate itch to communicate while he's on duty, but this is different. It's the same, yet different. I finally get a text:

"Love you and the kids".

What is this supposed to mean?! I'm picturing him in a WWI trench being bombed from overhead and it's his last call. I know. Very dramatic. But just for a moment. He doesn't usually send random texts like that. Something heavy must've been on his mind as he had a moment to send me that message. I keep it in my phone even though I'm an avid text message deleter.

It is late at night and I am still awake. I cannot sleep. I will probably wait up for him unless sleep overtakes me. I finally fall asleep. I toss and turn. My neck aches from my inability to relax. My jaw aches from clenching my teeth in my sleep. I have nightmares. As far as I can remember, it's the first time I have a nightmare related to HF's job. Some of my nightmares tonight are silly- like me taking my daughter to school in my underwear without a care, while the majority involve HF getting hurt. I toss and turn some more. I never hear him come home. When I wake up in the morning, he is in bed next to me. I have no idea when he got home. I will let him sleep in. As for myself, I had about 4 hours of sleep. Not enough.

There's a little bit of blood on his uniform. Argh! I'll ask him about it later.

While I have a moment to myself in the morning, I scour the news. I feel fairly certain that I know what he was up to all night based on what I'm reading, but I know he won't say anything. At least not for a week or two. I test him anyway. When he wakes up, I ask him if it had anything to do with "such and such". He smiles, but says, "I can't talk about it." That's all right. I love my honorable and "by the book" officer. I'm just glad he is home safe and sound. He will tell me when he is allowed to. No hurry

First call out.  A success. And I will probably feel more relaxed next time.

fuzz funnies

Luke (5 years old) seeing HF in uniform: "Dad, why are you dressed up like a policeman? That's what policemen wear. Are you a policeman? Is that your police car? Nah. That's not a police car. Police cars are supposed to be black and white. That one is blue and white."
HF: "Uh, yeah. I'm a real policeman." 

They've only had this discussion a million times or more...

On Friday, HF had another eye surgery. Same as this, but on his right eye this time. This time they knocked him out for the surgery. I took the kids over to a friend's so that I could be there kid-less when he woke up. When he was waking up, he was laughing a little bit, and then he quickly got stressed. He wanted to know where he was and if he had been shot. He asked the nurses a few times where his gun was and if he had been shot. Then he kept repeating his name and number and agency, and asked them to call his sergeant. Ha!

This time the recovery has been a night and day difference. He is resting a lot and has some pain, but no double vision and nausea! He is now able to have lasik, which is his next goal. My goal has been to get a van. We finally did yesterday! We went with the Honda Odyssey. I am already planning our first road trip. Any road trip tips? We have not had much success in the past.

I Got My Motorcycle Endorsement (by HF)

image found here thanks to Mrs. Fuzz

A few weekends ago, after selling a ton of gear I didn't need anymore, I attended a Harley Davidson Riders Edge course.  This class is kind of like drivers ed for motorcycles.  This new rider course was great.  The instructors were excellent and the facilities were perfect for what we were learning.  The course lasted four days with two days being spent in the classroom and two on the range riding.  By the end of the course everyone in the class was riding with confidence.  We all passed our in house driving tests and after the class it was off to get my motorcycle endorsement.  Because the Riders Edge, New Rider course is a Motorcycle Safety Foundation class, I received an MSF certification card, which allowed me to waive the driving test at the DMV.

A week later, after selling more stuff on ebay, I bought a bike.  I am now the proud owner of a Suzuki Intruder 800.  I have begun riding to work and around town and I don't know how I ever traveled on anything else.  If you are interested in learning how to ride a motorcycle, I highly recommend the Riders Edge course at your local Harley Davidson shop or another Motorcycle Safety Foundation course in an area near you.

Mrs. Fuzz: And I would like to add that I am responsible for this dream made into a reality. I am the one that made him sell a bunch of his crap stuff to get the bike, pay for his class, and get a snazzy leather jacket, boots, and a helmet. I had no idea he had enough junk to pay for it all, but it keeps on coming out of the woodwork! Jokes aside, I really wanted him to get a bike, I don't have any scared issues with him riding, and I can't wait to ride behind him! It's also a more economical way for him to get to work than driving a car.

two years on the job

This cake is crazy! HF's graduation cake. You can walk down memory lane with me here.

I have neglected my blogging duties for quite some time now haven't I. There have been a couple of milestones. HF had his 2 year anniversary of becoming a police officer. Can you believe it's been 2 years?! We also celebrated our 9 year anniversary on May 4th.

Here is some of what HF has accomplished in two years:

• He's a R.A.D. basic instructor.
• He completed our state's  Peace Officers Standards and Training Instructor Program, which enables him to become a POST certified instructor for our state.
• He became First responder, First aid, Adult-child-infant CPR certified through both the American Heart Association and the Red Cross, and went through an EMT basic program.
• He successfully completed the Department of Homeland Security's online NIMS and ICS program.
• He graduated from the Center for Domestic Preparedness' COBRA program.
• He became a member of the SWAT Team.
• He completed a Multijursidictional Counterdrug Task Force Training on Inverviews and Body Language Techniques
• He completed the Verbal Judo course
• I must also add that he is now a biker! HF recently bought a motorcycle (a Suzuki Intruder 800) and has been gallivanting across the land. I've always loved a guy on a bike. Especially one with just a t-shirt and no protection and some cool shades, but remember HF is the safety first and rule keeper guy so he is leathered up and helmeted, and as you might guess I am not allowed to ride behind him (there's even a little seat for moi!) for 6 months or until he's comfortable! I guess I should appreciate his level headedness and all, but I've got my fantasies.
• Oh, and also he's less jumpy and hyper and I guess obvious is the word I'm looking for. He is much more relaxed and confident and calm. Read: No more personal bodyguard standing with his back to me as I get in the car, eyes darting in all directions. I mean, he's always been protective, but now he is much less intense about it all.

 Now. Here is some of what I have accomplished as a police wife in the past two years:

• I don't even flinch when I drive past or am parked next to a police car.
• I'm not shocked by anything
• I don't notice every little thing that HF is doing that is new to me or unusual. If I do notice it, I don't care.
• I still consider myself a rookie police wife because there is much to be seen or learned or dealt with.
• I can now roll with the punches. I still hate graves, but I can adjust to any schedule that HF finds himself on with finesse. I like that word finesse.
• I can sing Destiny Chid's Independent Woman and mean it (except he is my sugar daddy). I really have become an independent woman. I still need him and want him though. And I still need him to rescue me from our children on ocassion. . .
• I know which seat HF is going to choose to sit at when we go out, or which side to be on when we are walking so he can access his gun if needs be. This is done without much thought!
• I have learned to question later. If at all.
• I realize that even though the newness of LEO life that I blogged about so much in the beginning has worn off, it was an important process for me to go through as I learned to make sense of everything and transition into what would become our "new normal". I smile as I reflect on the early days and my inexperience and lack of full comprehension. But that beginning is so exciting and bizarre and mind opening and more, that blogging the journey helped me process that mixture of emotions (fear, excitement, pride, worry, etc.) and loneliness. I needed to know that others could relate and also tell me that it was normal (or not normal) and what to expect  in 5, 10, 20, or 30 years ahead.
• I also know that we won't ever have a steady pattern for the rest of his career even though in a way, it is a steady pattern or rhythm in way. Does this make sense?
• The importance of Dave Ramsey or other budget/debt elimination coaching

Some things I still need to work on:

• Technology. I still have a bad habit of not keeping my cell phone on or near me. This is a bad one!
• I still say things ocassionally like, "It's not a big deal!" or "Does that really matter though?" to his reasons for doing things (usually safety related).
• I need to stop reading the news! Especially the comment section where people who don't have any idea say all kinds of crazy stuff about cops.
• I need to not care or take so personally what friends/family say about cops in general.
• I still haven't taken care of that expired license thing...

National Police Week 2011 :: May 15-21

image from here

It's National Police Week! We get a whole official week to honor and remember fallen officers nationwide. I think it's also a good time to show the officers in our lives and in our communities our support. Of course for those of us in this world, we don't limit ourselves to one week. It's a constant part of our lives.

I posted this last year, but for those of you who may have never heard of police week before (I hadn't until HF became a cop) this is the gist of what it's all about (found here):

Each May during National Police Week the nation pauses to recognize the service and sacrifice of U.S. law enforcement. Established in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy and a joint resolution of Congress, National Police Week pays special tribute to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. Ceremonies are held in Washington, DC, and in communities across the country.

Most events take place in Washington DC, but many other cities and communities hold their own memorials and events. Here are some helpful websites with Police Week news:

The NLEO Memorial Fund

Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S)

National Police Week 2011

Officer Down Memorial Page

Wives Behind the Badge

I would love to hear if/how you all commemorate National Police Week. Do you go to any of the vigils or programs in DC? Do you do something in your own community? Do you plan activities with your children/families? Let me know. Later this week, I will share what we did. 

not something you hear everyday

My thoughtful sister emailed this to me. It's an essay on leadership written by a 5th grader from Colorado. It melted my cold, dead heart. Oh, who am I kidding. I got all choked up watching Prince William marry Kate last week. That was completely unexpected. Anyway, a little positive something for you to enjoy!

Leadership

I have many leaders that are in my community, but there is one leader that I like and it’s the Police Officer. Police officers are very brave because they help people who have emergencies. Police officers protect the United States. They are responsible of themselves. Police officers have dangerous jobs. They have dangerous jobs because they can get rid of the bad people near your house. Police officers are very nice and loving. They have great courage and passion. They always respect each other. Police officers believe in themselves. Police officers have weapons to protect themselves from danger. Police officers are great leaders because they have honesty and respect. Police officers are great leaders in the United States.