Mental Ride-A-Long

Cory Writing...

Let me essplain the title of this blog. I responded to a pretty serious call the other night and after the incident I thought it would be neat to blog about my thoughts while responding to the call and while on the call. So you are going on a Ride-A-Long through my brain.

Here is the disclaimer.... If you don't want to know the thoughts I have when I am on a very serious call then don't read any further because this could scare you...

The call was for a drunk subject acting strange and waving a gun around. The person calling was the girlfriend of the subject and she fled the house to a nearby neighbors house. She was calling from the neighbors house, so she couldn't tell us what the subject was doing. That was everything we had to go on.

My thoughts while responding to the call. The first thought I had was this could get ugly and I hope I get down there before they approach the house, so I can be involved.

My second thought was about the fellow Law Enforcement Officer's that were tragically killed in the line of duty on a similar call in Pennsylvania. (story link http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30043893/). I read the stories of fallen officers, so I can learn and improve my tactics. The only thing I can do to honor the sacrifice other officers make is to learn from their incidents and not become a victim myself.

I finally arrived at the location where we decided to meet to formulate a plan of attack. We strategically planned our approach, so we wouldn't become victims. We all got into our vehicles and approached the scene.

We arrived on the scene and spoke to the girlfriend and got enough information to try and make contact with the individual. We set up around the house and I made sure I continually reminded myself to stay behind cover because he was supposedly armed with a rifle. We were able to talk the guy out of the house and the incident was safely resolved without incident. It was a very successful conclusion.

Shortly after the incident I ran into my Sgt and we talked about the incident. He said to me his first thought when the call came out was about the officer's in Pennsylvania because the call was eerily similar. I told him I had the same exactly thought. Interesting.

I hope you enjoyed experiencing this call through my thoughts. Let me know what you think.

Earth Day 2009

April writing...

So tomorrow is Earth Day and I bet you are sitting there just asking yourself, "What can I do to make our Earth a greener, happier place to be?

Well...I have come across a few ideas to help you and your family celebrate Earth Day 2009. Have fun and be sure to let me know what special things you did!!

Creative Ideas:

• Cereal Box Magazine Holder
• Eggshell Planters
• Tin-Can Herb Garden
• Compost Bin
• Plant a Tree
  

Simple Ways to Go Green:

• Save water by decreasing your shower time -- or rather take a bath, which uses less water than a shower.

• Get in the habit of brushing your teeth with the water off, and encourage your children to do so, as well.

• Recycle – junk mail, cell phones, paper products, plastic bags, and more.

• Forget the electric or gas dryer, and hang dry your clothing.

• Opt for direct deposit, online banking, and paperless statements to reduce your paper usage.

• Try your hand at composting (planting scraps from fruits, veggies, and coffee grounds outside), which will help create better soil and less landfill waste.

• Don’t purchase disposable water bottles, but rather use recyclable (and refillable) beverage containers that you can fill with filtered water.

• Unplug all of your appliances when you leave the house to save energy (and prevent a fire hazard).

• Save stained or ill-fitting clothing to use for dusting and cleaning.

• Use rechargeable batteries -- Duracell now has a line of pre-charged rechargeable batteries! DONATE!!

• Purchase used items from thrift stores, garage sales, flea markets, and more.

• Buy groceries in bulk, as it reduces packaging and the number of trips you take to the grocer. Purchase a membership to a wholesale club, such as Costco or BJ’s.

• If possible, buy items that use less packaging.

• Purchase locally produced food at farmer’s markets and even road-side stands. Purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, instead of jarred, canned, or frozen.

My plan for Earth Day (well let's refer to it as Earth Week, as Wednesday itself is far too busy for add any other activities)...is to pick up a compost bin from our local Recycling Center and possibly purchase my Weeping Cherry Tree. That checks off two Earth Day creative activities for us! What are your Earth Day ideas?

Top 5 Tuesdays

April writing...

This week's Top 5 Tuesday prompt is:

What are your Top 5 Favorite Smells?

5. Lilac Bushes
4. Ground Beef cooking
3. Snuggle Fabric Softener
2. Clean Baby
1. Cory's Cologne

What are yours?

Never Forget Columbine.

Cory Writing...

Today is the Ten Year anniversary of the Columbine High School Shooting.

The Columbine High School massacre occurred on Tuesday, April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School in Columbine in unincorporated Jefferson County, Colorado, United States, near Denver and Littleton. Two students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, embarked on a massacre, killing 12 students and a teacher, as well as wounding 23 others, before committing suicide. It is the fourth-deadliest school massacre in United States history, after the 1927 Bath School disaster, 2007 Virginia Tech massacre and the 1966 University of Texas massacre, and the deadliest for an American high school. (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

As we remember this horrible tragedy I wanted to provide you a link which catches you up on some of the surviving victims. Look where they are now......

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090419/ap_on_re_us/columbine_s_survivors

This was a horrible tragedy, but as a police department it has changed a lot of the things we do and what we are prepared for.

Monday Moan

Cory Writing....

My Monday Moan this week is about stupid parents. I backed an officer up this weekend on a suicidal subject call. We arrived on scene and handled the case, which wasn't a big deal, but there was a friend over and she was 15. The parents of the suicidal subject didn't know this girl was over and told her to get out. Naturally this girl got her stuff and left the residence and started walking down the street.

I talked to her and found out she lived in Pasadena. She was about 45 minutes to an hour drive away from her home. I tried to call her house, but there was no answer, so I had an officer go by the house and knock on the door, still no answer. I had the girl get in the car and drove her to her house. By this time it is 7:00 in the morning and I knock on the door for about 10 -15 minutes and can't get dad to come to the door. We open the garage door, but the door to the inside is locked. What is wrong with this picture that I can't get her parent to answer the phone or the door. This girl is 15 my goodness. This reiterates the fact you should have to have a license to have kids.

What is your moan this week?

Project 365 - Week 1

April writing...

So last Sunday, April 12th I started Project 365. Here's our first week!! I'm loving it so far!!

Day 1 - April 12th, 2009 Easter Sunday...we had a friend offer to take our picture, which worked out well cause I had totally forgotten that it was our first day...I would have missed out!

Day 2 - April 13, 2009 Dinner with TT and Mr. B...I got to meet up with two of my favorite people...Terri and Bennet...we had pizza hut, got caught up and had a blast. What a charmer he is!

Day 3 - April 14th, 2009 Trip to the Dentist...I had a horrible toothache for about two weeks...of course wouldn't you know it...it basically healed itself by the time my appointment came, and they saw nothing wrong.

Day 4 - April 15th, 2009 Wednesday at the Chick...every Wednesday night after VERB the Leaders and sometime some students hop over to enjoy a meal at Chick-fil-a. It has been a great tradition, going on over a year now!

Day 5 - April 16th, 2009 The Stubborn Dog Collar...Pickle had never seem phased by our electric fence. Neighbors have found him in their yard at least twice. So we had to bump him up to the big boy collar, with more shocks and surprises. He didn't know what was coming.

Day 6 - April 17th, 2009 Date Night...it seemed like it had been a while since we had done something that we labeled a 'date' and not just hanging out like we normally do. Cory was a doll and took me to a beautiful Nursery in Davidsonville called Homestead Gardens. He knows how much I love to garden so I got to walk around and see so many great things...thanks baby!

Day 7 - April 18th, 2009...The Front Planter...it has seen more design fails since we have moved in than I like to admit...but I am starting to get it to the point that I love it alot. I can't wait to see it grow and flourish by mid-summer!

Well, that ends Week 1 of Project 365. Won't you join in the fun? See you next week with 7 more days in picture form!

so he says, "guess where I just found Olive?"

April writing...

I get an instant message from the Husby saying..."you will never guess where I found Olive." Immediately I think...in the mud somewhere...because she loves the mud. But no...it was better than that. She is def. a girl...sunbathing with the best of them.

I mean seriously, don't we always look for the BEST spot around to soak up the rays?

too funny!

She is a hot mess.

...let us know you were here!

April & Cory writing...

We would love to know you have dropped by! Leave us a comment!!!

Aren't they the cutest?

April writing...

They are just too much. It was such a beautiful sunny day out yesterday I had to break out the camera. Of course...they are terds and usually run away when said camera comes out. However, I did manage to break off some good shots before they darted off...

I absolutely love the last one...Pickle's eyes are closed...he almost looks like he is laughing. Truth be told...with the last few pictures, I wanted them to sit next to each other...the only way I could keep them there there was to bribe them with chips...and I still couldn't get them right next to each other! :)

My Husband Rocks Friday

April writing...

My Husby rocks because he loves spending time with me. Cory truly is my best friend...it feels great to hear him say, "I can't wait to spend the evening with you." It's such a simple statement...but to know that even a quiet Friday night, not spending any money can be a blast because we are together.

I love you...and I can't wait to have a blast with you tonight... :)

Simple Pleasure Thursday

Cory Writing...

My simple pleasure is easy this week. The sun is my simple pleasure. It feels like it hasn't been out in about a month. Now if we can get it to put some heat out it will be a double simple pleasure week.

What is your simple pleasure?

Wordless Wednesday

April writing...

"Fine then! I was just trying to snuggle." Pickles thoughts when Olive snubs him during nap time.

I would like to introduce you to...

April writing...

my new fishy friend...

He has been swimming around my desk now for over a month or so. He is a delightful little betta with a fiery side when he's hungry.

...I didn't know this till today...but he LOVES having his picture taken. Seriously, I pulled out the camera...and he swam around, flashing his beautiful self to me all over the bowl!

So bloggy friends...meet Mr. Lovely...Mr. Lovely...meet my bloggy friends.

p.s. - If you notice that my post titles and sidebar titles are missing...I am doing some work to the look of the blog and having a few hiccups. Hopefully the problem will be fixed by days end!! All better now :)

Top 5 Tuesdays

April writing...

Today's prompt (just cause I am hungry...haahaa)

What are your TOP 5 Breakfast Foods? (Britt, you should love this one!)

5. Ham and Cheese Omelet
4. Pop-Tarts (Brown Sugar Cinnamon or Fudge)
3. Peanut Butter Toast with Honey
2. Waffles
1. Pancakes, Eggs and Toast (with grape jelly on the toast and mixed with the eggs.)

Let's hear it!

Cute Story

Cory Writing....

My wife emailed my this story and I thought it was cute.

From a dog person:
An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard. I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was well taken care of. He calmly came over to me, I gave him a few pats on his head; he then followed me into my house, slowly walked down the hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep.An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out. The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard, walked inside and resumed his spot in the hall and again slept for about an hour. This continued off and on for several weeks. Curious I pinned a note to his collar: 'I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful sweet dog is and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.'The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar: 'He lives in a home with 6 children, 2 under the age of 3 - he's trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow?'

Project 365 - Day One

April writing...

I am officially jumping on the bandwagon. I wanted to do this when I first started reading about it on some of my favorite blogs back in January...but it scared me...I was intimidated. But here I am...with more push from closer friends like TT and Britt starting up...I figured...better late than never!

So here we are with DAY ONE...April 12th, 2009...Easter Sunday. Here's to 364 more pictures!!

Monday Moan

Cory Writing....

My Monday Moan today is about my job. I really hate the fact that I don't get to celebrate holidays like everyone else. I have to always check my work schedule and then we plan around that. Yesterday would have been a great day to spend with the families, but I was only able to go to lunch with my parents and April. Then off to the house I went to rest up to go to work, while April went to her parents house. The good thing is I have family that understands and is willing to plan around my schedule.

What is your Monday Moan this weeK?

Simple Pleasure Thursday

Cory Writing...

I realize that it is actually Friday, but I am a little behind because I have been on vacation. My simple pleasure this week is being able to spend a day doing exactly what I wanted to do. That entailed playing Mafia Wars, and Wii. What a nice time.

What is your simple pleasure this weed?

Are you ready to print wirelessly???

April writing...

I CERTAINLY AM!!!

Head over to Southern Hospitality's Blog to enter to WIN a Wireless HP Photosmart C6380 All-in-One!!!!

...mixed emotions.

April writing...

I just talked with my Nurse, Casey. She's a doll. Unfortunately for her, she handed me another big box of questions...questions that I will have to be patient with before I get my answers.

Let me get you caught up with our Infertility struggle...many of you know what's going on, but for those of you who don't. Here's the skinny.

Cory and I have been trying for a little over 3 years to conceive. We have tried it naturally, we have done three rounds of Clomid/naturally, 2 rounds of injections with one round with and IUI (Intra-Uterine Insementation) and one round naturally. The medicine rounds were all completed between March 08-November 08. Then we took a break for the holidays, for our sanity, etc.

During that time, I decided to find another RE (Reproductive Endocrinologist) office to work with. One that would at least be closer to work, one where I wouldn't have to pay for parking, one where I would feel more cared for, more important...less like a number on thier charts.

We found Shady Grove...and we LOVE them. My doctor is amazing...she really took her time with us, answering all our questions, going over my history, even making sure Cory was really included in the process. We had to take a couple of steps backwards...she wanted to re-do some tests that I had already had done, like the HSG, more bloodwork and more ultrasounds. Originally I had my first HSG done back on 06...towards the beginning of this process. Dr. Brilliant (my regular GYN) performed this horrid procedure and thought that my Fallopian Tubes may be blocked. So we then had an HHP done. That's basically a procedure where they go do a Laproscopy to go in an determine if I am blocked and if there are any other abnormalities. There were no blockages, only a few cysts on my ovaries, that were resected. All was well.

Well, with this HSG (done on Monday, 4/6) they couldn't see my tubes at all. The dye that they inject wouldn't even go near the tubes, ha! I mean...she tried everything...pushing more dye, having me roll back and forth on the table...nothing. She said either I was "blocked" or my "tubes were too constricted, since they are muscles...I might be too tense." Also, she saw what looked like some polyps on the inner-outside edge of my Uterus. We knew after talking with our Doctor initially that if my tubes were blocked that more than likely we were looking at IVF as our next option. The Doc that did my HSG said I would hear from Dr. Timmerock (my Shady Grove doc) this week.

Today I got a call from Casey, our Nurse. She informed us that Dr. Timmerock did see what were possibly polyps in my Uterus, so she wants us to do a Hystosonogram. That will take a closer look to find out what they polyps are...and how they may impact us. Then we will have a follow up appt with her to discuss the next steps.

I feel...bummed...relieved...scared...curious...confused...ehhhh.

To be honest, Cory and I are a little weary of the idea of IVF...mainly because we aren't completely educated on it. We have concerns about the idea that there may be extra embryos...and WHAT do we do with them...we can't just toss them...they are little lives.

I dunno. We are just going to do alot of praying, research and get our questions answered by the professionals. I know God has the end in mind, he is in control of this situation. We just need to let Him to his thing...trust in Him and believe that one day soon, we will have our little one.

So there you have it...you are all caught up. What are your thoughts? Have you had any friends go through the IVF process...? What is a Christian perspective on what to do with the leftover embryos? Storage fees may be too expensive. If you have no thoughts...please just keep us in your prayers...those are always greatly appreciated!