I have a facebook account. I'm a little addicted to it even. I play Farmtown, and post pictures of my daughter. I chat with my mom (who lives several states away) and other friends/family members.
There is one steadfast rule I have for facebook. I do not EVER post anything about my husband's job (or mine, for that matter). No posts about how many people he arrested last night, or funny stories from training class. No pictures of him in uniform.
I know several officers who have had a problem with facebook. One officer in our state was fired after having a picture of himself holding a beer & pointing his gun at a friend's head! So, although I think facebook is fun, I also think those using it need a little guidance sometimes.
One of my husband's co-workers has a wife who does not understand the word "discretion." She posts about the hours he works, the people he arrests, cases he is involved in, etc. She posts about how sexy he looks in uniform and the extra income he gets from working DUI patrols. She goes a little overboard. And she has a lot of facebook friends who have history with our agency.
So, a commanding officer tells the officer that his wife needs to tone it down. He is told that she is hurting his career and she needs to restrain from posting things about the agency. He is a pretty no-nonsense guy, so he goes home and tells her she is not allowed to post about the agency or his job anymore and he tells her why. She immediately responds by lashing out (on facebook) at the "judgemental people" who are causing her "problems." In other words, her husbands boss!
I can't even fathom taking that approach! I keep this blog anonymous because I don't want to reflect badly on my husband. I never speak ill about the agency in public, because you never know who is listening.
I know we have had numerous discussions about whether or not all wives are able to handle being a police officer's wife. This incident is starting to sway my opinion that not everyone can handle it. What do you think?
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Happiness is Over-rated!
I hear so many parents say "I just want my child to be happy" or "I'll do anything to make my child happy." A lot of parents are hung up on happiness. They will buy anything, do anything, drive themselves crazy driving to this practice & that, let their child stay up all hours, eat whatever they want. They do this in the name of happiness.
I don't think it's my job to make my daughter happy. I think it's my responsibility to teach her to be respectful of others, to live a life of service, to work hard, to earn her rewards, to take satisfaction in a job well done, to be compassionate & understanding, to sacrifice for her family. I want to teach her to lose gracefully, and to win even more gracefullly. I want my daughter to know how to solve problems and seek answers. I want her to fall on her face a few times so she knows how to pick herself back up. It is my job to teach my daughter the rules of life, and to ensure that she knows the rules do apply to her. I want her to understand consequences and to accept them as a part of life.
All this is not to say that my child isn't loved or even spoiled. I buy her toys and clothes all the time. We cuddle every night and read books together. I have a list of places I want to take her, and things I want our family to do together. She gets a lot of attention from my husband & I, and our extended family.
But I don't think it's my job to make her happy. I think if I teach her everything else she needs to know about life, she will be able to make herself happy. I am not going to discard everything in the name of happiness. I see so many teenagers that don't know how to handle disappointment. They have no social graces, they don't understand rules, money management, consequences, or respect. It makes me sad to think that their parents didn't want to take the time or effort to teach them about life. And the happy childhood these parents were so focused on will disappear quickly as these teenagers become adults and are faced with job losses, minimal paychecks, debt, and rejection. What happens then? There is no easy way out from the stresses of adult life.
I don't want my daughter to end up like that. So I will put happiness on the back-burner to make sure she is well-rounded and prepared for the things life will throw at her. And I bet that I will be very "happy" with the results. And I bet my daughter will too.
I don't think it's my job to make my daughter happy. I think it's my responsibility to teach her to be respectful of others, to live a life of service, to work hard, to earn her rewards, to take satisfaction in a job well done, to be compassionate & understanding, to sacrifice for her family. I want to teach her to lose gracefully, and to win even more gracefullly. I want my daughter to know how to solve problems and seek answers. I want her to fall on her face a few times so she knows how to pick herself back up. It is my job to teach my daughter the rules of life, and to ensure that she knows the rules do apply to her. I want her to understand consequences and to accept them as a part of life.
All this is not to say that my child isn't loved or even spoiled. I buy her toys and clothes all the time. We cuddle every night and read books together. I have a list of places I want to take her, and things I want our family to do together. She gets a lot of attention from my husband & I, and our extended family.
But I don't think it's my job to make her happy. I think if I teach her everything else she needs to know about life, she will be able to make herself happy. I am not going to discard everything in the name of happiness. I see so many teenagers that don't know how to handle disappointment. They have no social graces, they don't understand rules, money management, consequences, or respect. It makes me sad to think that their parents didn't want to take the time or effort to teach them about life. And the happy childhood these parents were so focused on will disappear quickly as these teenagers become adults and are faced with job losses, minimal paychecks, debt, and rejection. What happens then? There is no easy way out from the stresses of adult life.
I don't want my daughter to end up like that. So I will put happiness on the back-burner to make sure she is well-rounded and prepared for the things life will throw at her. And I bet that I will be very "happy" with the results. And I bet my daughter will too.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Honest Scrap
Yay! My first award!! I'd like to thank the Academy....and of course TM!
Seriously though, here are some random things about me.
1. I cannot clean a toilet without puking. I can't even listen to it being cleaned. I think they are gross! I make my husband do that chore.
2. I LOVE sour candy. Sour gummy worms, Warheads, Tear-jearkers, Sweet-tarts, basically anything sour. I also love to eat lemons & grapefruit.
3. I watch LOST. I may be the only person left, but I will watch it until the end. I have to have a conclusion!!!
4. I am training to run a mini-marathon in May. I am not a runner. I am not skinny or in shape. I am terrified!
5. I buy my daughter way too many clothes. I love for her to look cute. As a result, we have the entire winter line from Children's Place. It is the best store EVER!
6. I don't have a lot of female friends. I share this trait with Meadowlark, I think. Most of the women I know are catty, superficial, and obnoxious. Except for you all of course :)
7. The lady I share an office with is slowly going senile. I am the only one who notices. She's 70. She needs to retire, but won't.
8. I have a hard time remembering birthdays. I never remember until it's too late. I need a calendar.
9. I do not like outdoorsy stuff (sorry Mrs. Fuzz). I'm not a fan of weather (any kind really), bugs, heat, cold, etc.
10. I wish I remembered to put on lipstick every day. But I'm not that girl who's got it all together!
Thanks for the award. I'm going to pass it on to the following blogs: (I could only come up with 5...I think the rest of you have already had the award!)
The Dispatcher and Her Officer
Life While Handcuffed to a Lawman
911 This Better Be Good
A Christian Cop's Wife
Simply Dori
Sorry if there are any repeats!!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
New Recipe
My stepmom gave me this recipe for a tex-mex cheeseball. I love it so much, I had to share it!
You'll need:
3 pkgs cream cheese, softened (just enough to stir)
1 pkg taco seasoning (any brand, whatever your favorite is)
1/2 finely diced green pepper and/or onion (experiment a little!)
Some mexican blend shredded cheese (to coat the outside of the cheeseball)
Mix the cream cheese, taco seasoning and diced peppers/onions in a medium bowl. I found it worked best to use a spoon first, then my hands to get it all mixed up well. Shape into a ball. Refridgerate for at least 2 hours (or until firm). Serve with Ritz crackers. Enjoy!!
You'll need:
3 pkgs cream cheese, softened (just enough to stir)
1 pkg taco seasoning (any brand, whatever your favorite is)
1/2 finely diced green pepper and/or onion (experiment a little!)
Some mexican blend shredded cheese (to coat the outside of the cheeseball)
Mix the cream cheese, taco seasoning and diced peppers/onions in a medium bowl. I found it worked best to use a spoon first, then my hands to get it all mixed up well. Shape into a ball. Refridgerate for at least 2 hours (or until firm). Serve with Ritz crackers. Enjoy!!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Peace & Quiet
My little girl spent the night at my parent's last night. My husband works a 6am to 2pm shift. So, right now, I have the house to myself!!! I can't remember the last time this happened.
It's so QUIET.....The only sound I can hear is the furnace kicking on. I love my family dearly, but it is awesome to have a few hours of alone time every now and then. I had planned on cleaning the bathroom & doing the dishes this morning, but I think I'll put that off for a little bit!
I love that my husband is home every evening, but I also miss that "me" time I used to get when he worked the afternoon or midnight shifts. Now, I find myself staying up very late after he goes to bed to spend some time alone. I think everyone needs that time to just be by themselves and not have to think about anything, or take care of anyone.
How do you carve some alone time out of your busy day? Do you have a hobby? Is there a room in your house just for you? Is there a regular time that everyone else is gone?
It's so QUIET.....The only sound I can hear is the furnace kicking on. I love my family dearly, but it is awesome to have a few hours of alone time every now and then. I had planned on cleaning the bathroom & doing the dishes this morning, but I think I'll put that off for a little bit!
I love that my husband is home every evening, but I also miss that "me" time I used to get when he worked the afternoon or midnight shifts. Now, I find myself staying up very late after he goes to bed to spend some time alone. I think everyone needs that time to just be by themselves and not have to think about anything, or take care of anyone.
How do you carve some alone time out of your busy day? Do you have a hobby? Is there a room in your house just for you? Is there a regular time that everyone else is gone?
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