Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
I'll Be Your Guest Blogger This Evening
Though normally Shea is completely uninterested in my job (Shea: "not true"), with my recent Presidential Protection Detail assignment I've suddenly risen to "guest blogger" status. I figured I'd better strike while the iron's hot and launch my blogging career.
Back in the summer of 2008 Utah Department of Public Safety received an invitation to send a group of State Troopers to participate in the 2009 Inauguration festivities. A request was sent out to see how many officers might be interested and apparently, to DPS Administration's surprise, they received a large response. I've never been told how the selection was made, but somehow the list of applicants was narrowed down to 40 and for some reason I made the cut.
Over the months of November and December there was a series of frantic and confusing meetings and finally on the morning of January 18th at 1:45 am I dragged my giant suitcase out the door and headed for for Washington DC.
We had to arrive at the Salt Lake airport several hours prior to our flight because we were flying armed and the TSA needed us to write our names and various combinations of numbers many times on many forms to assure that we did not intend to hijack any planes. After flying on a "plane" that bore a striking resemblance to an irrigation pipe containing too many old car seats, I arrived at Reagan International Airport in Washington DC.
Our group was met at the airport by a Lieutenant from DC Metro Police who would act as our liaison. This guy was cool! He was a cop but he may as well have been in the mafia. He had the hook-up for everything in that city and I wish we would have had the time to take advantage of his connections. (He actually tried to get us inside the White House on the day of the inauguration.) We also had our own bus and bus driver, who was himself a bit of a wild man. He tore through the crowded streets of DC like he was driving an indestructible Mini Cooper. I saw many frightened DC motorists and pedestrians and passengers.
On Monday the 19th our group went into the city to a briefing at American University. We were addressed by the Mayor of Washington DC, The Chief of Police, and the Special Agent in Charge of the Secret Service, before being sworn in as Special Deputy US Marshals. There were over 4,000 police officers from all over the country there and there was a great feeling of brotherhood and pride.
After we left the briefing our driver and liaison broke many laws (both of man and of time and space) to get us downtown to the Law Enforcement Memorial then back to our hotel in Virginia. (Think car chase in "Bullit" only with a bus instead of a Mustang) We had to get back to our hotel early because we had to be up and going a 2:00 am the next morning.
In the middle of the night on the 20th I stumbled out of bed, struggled into my uniform, and climbed aboard the magic bus. We rushed through traffic and security into the city only to sit on the bus for more than an hour while the logistics of getting us on post were sorted out. Finally around 5:00 am we marched through the streets of Washington to 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, where we would stand for the next 12 to 16 hours.
We were about a half mile from the National Mall and could hear the roar of the crowd even without the assistance to the loudspeakers that broadcast the inauguration ceremonies. We were also one block away from the White House, which gave our liaison the opportunity to put his skills into action. He arranged for our group to be escorted through the Secret Service security and barricades to have our picture taken behind the White House. From what I understand, on the day of the inauguration, this has never been allowed before. Once we finished our photo shoot we went back to our post where we stood facing the crowd making sure no one did anything crazy until about 7:00 pm that evening.
Thankfully, no one did do anything crazy, I was able to see President Obama's car and Vice-President Biden as they passed, I saw a lot of incredible historic landmarks, and was proud to be a part of what I believe was a very important moment in our nation's history. And, despite thinking I was dying of hypothermia a couple times, I had a really great time and would do it again in a second.
Back in the summer of 2008 Utah Department of Public Safety received an invitation to send a group of State Troopers to participate in the 2009 Inauguration festivities. A request was sent out to see how many officers might be interested and apparently, to DPS Administration's surprise, they received a large response. I've never been told how the selection was made, but somehow the list of applicants was narrowed down to 40 and for some reason I made the cut.
Over the months of November and December there was a series of frantic and confusing meetings and finally on the morning of January 18th at 1:45 am I dragged my giant suitcase out the door and headed for for Washington DC.
We had to arrive at the Salt Lake airport several hours prior to our flight because we were flying armed and the TSA needed us to write our names and various combinations of numbers many times on many forms to assure that we did not intend to hijack any planes. After flying on a "plane" that bore a striking resemblance to an irrigation pipe containing too many old car seats, I arrived at Reagan International Airport in Washington DC.
Our group was met at the airport by a Lieutenant from DC Metro Police who would act as our liaison. This guy was cool! He was a cop but he may as well have been in the mafia. He had the hook-up for everything in that city and I wish we would have had the time to take advantage of his connections. (He actually tried to get us inside the White House on the day of the inauguration.) We also had our own bus and bus driver, who was himself a bit of a wild man. He tore through the crowded streets of DC like he was driving an indestructible Mini Cooper. I saw many frightened DC motorists and pedestrians and passengers.
On Monday the 19th our group went into the city to a briefing at American University. We were addressed by the Mayor of Washington DC, The Chief of Police, and the Special Agent in Charge of the Secret Service, before being sworn in as Special Deputy US Marshals. There were over 4,000 police officers from all over the country there and there was a great feeling of brotherhood and pride.
After we left the briefing our driver and liaison broke many laws (both of man and of time and space) to get us downtown to the Law Enforcement Memorial then back to our hotel in Virginia. (Think car chase in "Bullit" only with a bus instead of a Mustang) We had to get back to our hotel early because we had to be up and going a 2:00 am the next morning.
In the middle of the night on the 20th I stumbled out of bed, struggled into my uniform, and climbed aboard the magic bus. We rushed through traffic and security into the city only to sit on the bus for more than an hour while the logistics of getting us on post were sorted out. Finally around 5:00 am we marched through the streets of Washington to 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, where we would stand for the next 12 to 16 hours.
We were about a half mile from the National Mall and could hear the roar of the crowd even without the assistance to the loudspeakers that broadcast the inauguration ceremonies. We were also one block away from the White House, which gave our liaison the opportunity to put his skills into action. He arranged for our group to be escorted through the Secret Service security and barricades to have our picture taken behind the White House. From what I understand, on the day of the inauguration, this has never been allowed before. Once we finished our photo shoot we went back to our post where we stood facing the crowd making sure no one did anything crazy until about 7:00 pm that evening.
Thankfully, no one did do anything crazy, I was able to see President Obama's car and Vice-President Biden as they passed, I saw a lot of incredible historic landmarks, and was proud to be a part of what I believe was a very important moment in our nation's history. And, despite thinking I was dying of hypothermia a couple times, I had a really great time and would do it again in a second.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Kids cost money
Just a tip for those who haven't had children yet, they tend to cost you money. I took the girls to the dentist this week and each had a cavity which I'm not too worked up about. Hanna is the problem with her wonky teeth. I can't even remember all the things the dentist showed me on her x-rays but what it comes down to is, she has problems that are going to cost us. It got me thinking about what people like her did before decent dental care. Did they just walk around with teeth sticking out all over the place? I guess it would be like living in England. (ha)
Ryan got back from D.C. Wednesday night and he brought us all t-shirts. He bought himself some presidential peppermints.
When I googled them I found that someone was trying to sell some on Ebay for $65. Maybe he should have bought a box of them? I did advise him not to open them.
Ryan went to Hanna and Grace's classrooms yesterday and talked to them about the inauguration and being a police officer. Both classes seemed to be really interested. Hanna told us about a conversation she had at school after Ryan came. She acted all annoyed by it but I think she was proud.
Kid: "Hanna your dad is awesome!"
Hanna: "How do you know? You're not even in my class."
Kid: "The whole school knows!"
Other than that, it's been a pretty uneventful week but a good one. Wait! I had a mental breakdown about the "summer house" stove but Angela intervened and all is well. I've been doing a good job at sticking to my eating and exercise plan. Not so good about my "being nice" resolution but I'm still working on it. If people weren't such idiots it would be a lot easier. I'm just going to throw something out there... If you are in a group of women who are all larger than you, do not go on about how little you are or how much you don't weigh. They do not want to hear it. If you are losing weight mysteriously, do not tell someone who is in charge of a work weight loss challenge, "What if I'm need to gain weight?" No one wants to hear this. We feel bad enough about ourselves and you rubbing your minuscule weight or mysterious weight loss in our faces does not help. Okay rant over.
Thank you note from a boy in Grace's class. Ryan in front of the White House.
Ryan got back from D.C. Wednesday night and he brought us all t-shirts. He bought himself some presidential peppermints.
When I googled them I found that someone was trying to sell some on Ebay for $65. Maybe he should have bought a box of them? I did advise him not to open them.
Ryan went to Hanna and Grace's classrooms yesterday and talked to them about the inauguration and being a police officer. Both classes seemed to be really interested. Hanna told us about a conversation she had at school after Ryan came. She acted all annoyed by it but I think she was proud.
Kid: "Hanna your dad is awesome!"
Hanna: "How do you know? You're not even in my class."
Kid: "The whole school knows!"
Other than that, it's been a pretty uneventful week but a good one. Wait! I had a mental breakdown about the "summer house" stove but Angela intervened and all is well. I've been doing a good job at sticking to my eating and exercise plan. Not so good about my "being nice" resolution but I'm still working on it. If people weren't such idiots it would be a lot easier. I'm just going to throw something out there... If you are in a group of women who are all larger than you, do not go on about how little you are or how much you don't weigh. They do not want to hear it. If you are losing weight mysteriously, do not tell someone who is in charge of a work weight loss challenge, "What if I'm need to gain weight?" No one wants to hear this. We feel bad enough about ourselves and you rubbing your minuscule weight or mysterious weight loss in our faces does not help. Okay rant over.
Thank you note from a boy in Grace's class. Ryan in front of the White House.
Monday, January 19, 2009
It's hit the fan
It's Evie's due date tomorrow. I hadn't really thought about it much but after having an emotional breakdown today about the crappiness of the new stove in the "summer house", I realized that something had to be triggering it. There is also the combination of PMS, Ryan gone for the inauguration (which is cool) and no one buying our current house. Yep, there is a lot going on and I'm cracking up. I'm trying to have faith and put good vibes out there but it's getting really hard to keep this going. Our house will be done next week and we still own this house. Ryan and I are both public servants so you can guess that we don't have enough money to own two homes. Our home builder is being very generous and have told us they will hold the house until we can purchase it but I just want this to be over. I'm tired of keeping my house spotless because maybe, just maybe, someone will come look at it. My house isn't normally dirty but hell, I'd like to leave the house on a rushed morning without worry about my bathtub being spotless. We have been living like this since June! It's taking a toll on all of us. I know my life isn't horrible and I have many things to be thankful for but at the moment I need to vent about this.
People keep having babies which reminds me that I couldn't have the one I wanted. I certainly live in the wrong state if I don't want to be reminded of my loss. It's seeing my kids interacting with friend's babies or getting excited when they hear someone is pregnant. I now think I grieve more for them. She would have been two had she been born full term and I miss her. It's worse that her due date is in the dead of winter because I'm usually dealing with some winter-induced depression about now. The combination isn't good.
Ryan left early Sunday morning to fly to D.C. where he will be security for the inauguration. I've talked to him a few times and it's rushed but he is having a great time. He told me he should be right in front of the White House on the parade route tomorrow. So see if you can pick him out. He'll be in his full Trooper uniform with the Smokey the Bear hat. One thing that has been upsetting both of is the negative Obama talk he is surrounded by. I guess cops in general are Republicans (stereotype that might be correct) because Ryan has heard nothing positive said about him from other cops. I asked Ryan if he spoke up when he hear them talking and he said he didn't. He told me he thought only his friend Kevin there knew he was a democrat. I texted back "secret democrat" and it made me laugh. Maybe there are other "secret democrat" cops in his midst that are all too scared to speak up.
I've lost a few pounds since I got back from my holiday of decadence. I've been working hard at eating and exercise and it's paying off little by little. I have to put a plug in for my new Nike + iPod that Monti and Becky gave me for Christmas. I used it on the treadmill tonight and it kept me running for 38 minutes when I normally can do like, none on the treadmill. I'm an outside runner. Kristin and I are going to run a 10K this summer and my Nike + iPod is going to train me. Technology!
Buy this for $29 at Apple Store or any sporting goods store. If you don't have the Nike shoe (like me because I'm a Mizuno freak) buy a little adaptor pouch that velcros on your shoe.
People keep having babies which reminds me that I couldn't have the one I wanted. I certainly live in the wrong state if I don't want to be reminded of my loss. It's seeing my kids interacting with friend's babies or getting excited when they hear someone is pregnant. I now think I grieve more for them. She would have been two had she been born full term and I miss her. It's worse that her due date is in the dead of winter because I'm usually dealing with some winter-induced depression about now. The combination isn't good.
Ryan left early Sunday morning to fly to D.C. where he will be security for the inauguration. I've talked to him a few times and it's rushed but he is having a great time. He told me he should be right in front of the White House on the parade route tomorrow. So see if you can pick him out. He'll be in his full Trooper uniform with the Smokey the Bear hat. One thing that has been upsetting both of is the negative Obama talk he is surrounded by. I guess cops in general are Republicans (stereotype that might be correct) because Ryan has heard nothing positive said about him from other cops. I asked Ryan if he spoke up when he hear them talking and he said he didn't. He told me he thought only his friend Kevin there knew he was a democrat. I texted back "secret democrat" and it made me laugh. Maybe there are other "secret democrat" cops in his midst that are all too scared to speak up.
I've lost a few pounds since I got back from my holiday of decadence. I've been working hard at eating and exercise and it's paying off little by little. I have to put a plug in for my new Nike + iPod that Monti and Becky gave me for Christmas. I used it on the treadmill tonight and it kept me running for 38 minutes when I normally can do like, none on the treadmill. I'm an outside runner. Kristin and I are going to run a 10K this summer and my Nike + iPod is going to train me. Technology!
Buy this for $29 at Apple Store or any sporting goods store. If you don't have the Nike shoe (like me because I'm a Mizuno freak) buy a little adaptor pouch that velcros on your shoe.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Meh. I said, M-E-H.
Meh kind of sums up my week which is why the blog was not happening. I had a stupid thing at work that stressed me out (got it taken care of) and then there is the usual trying-to-sell-house stress. On top of that, Ryan had to work a gang related homicide pretty much non-stop since Friday. Oh and then there are all the people that annoy me and suck my energy by trying not to punch them in the face when they give me the eye roll. Not doing so well on my resolution of trying to be nice. Please tell me there are people in your lives that just bug the living crap out of you. I can't be the only one right? I don't think I am that big of a social deviant.
I was buoyed up by the girl's SEPs (parent teacher interviews) this week. Grace is doing great and since they don't get a report card, I just go by what her teacher tells me. The one thing she really needs to work on is handwriting but don't most geniuses have poor handwriting, like the Unabomber? Hanna is also doing very well and because they do take standardized tests and are graded I am able to have tangible evidence of her genius. She is reading at a 13th grade level and Mensa has been courting her. No, that isn't true but she is doing very well.
Now on to the Cocomotion. Amanda gave me a Cocomotion for Christmas a couple of years back and I LOVES it. I wasn't really a hot chocolate person until I started making it this way. There is something about the ease of it. How it heats and stirs it for me, leaving a frothy top. It makes the kids happy and that's what I'm all about because I'm the bestest mom ever. Get yourself one! You'll thank me.
Hat Update
I received a phone call from my mom yesterday telling me that she was looking out the window and saw a little bit of beige in the snow. It was Hanna's winter hat she lost when we were there. Happy day! Now I can stop taking the Xanax. Thanks Mom.
Weekly house picture:
I was buoyed up by the girl's SEPs (parent teacher interviews) this week. Grace is doing great and since they don't get a report card, I just go by what her teacher tells me. The one thing she really needs to work on is handwriting but don't most geniuses have poor handwriting, like the Unabomber? Hanna is also doing very well and because they do take standardized tests and are graded I am able to have tangible evidence of her genius. She is reading at a 13th grade level and Mensa has been courting her. No, that isn't true but she is doing very well.
Now on to the Cocomotion. Amanda gave me a Cocomotion for Christmas a couple of years back and I LOVES it. I wasn't really a hot chocolate person until I started making it this way. There is something about the ease of it. How it heats and stirs it for me, leaving a frothy top. It makes the kids happy and that's what I'm all about because I'm the bestest mom ever. Get yourself one! You'll thank me.
Hat Update
I received a phone call from my mom yesterday telling me that she was looking out the window and saw a little bit of beige in the snow. It was Hanna's winter hat she lost when we were there. Happy day! Now I can stop taking the Xanax. Thanks Mom.
Weekly house picture:
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
That's a freebie
Our church ward split the Sunday we were driving home from Canada and I'm very pleased with the results. I don't want to get into it here but I was very happy our new ward came with a new bishop. When I heard about the change from Karen I thought, "That's a freebie." Speaking of church, I went with my mom in Magrath and in Relief Society they have a "good news minute" where the women can tell about something good that has happened to them. My mom raised her hand and her good news was that her entire family was home for Christmas. Then an obnoxious neighbor lady raised her hand and said, "She only has two children! All my children (she has six) except so and so were home with us." I wanted to jump across the isle and rip her tongue out but I was able to resist by telling myself, "She's an idiot."
I have returned to exercise with a renewed vigor after gaining what will remain an unnamed number of pounds over the holiday. Apparently sitting in a chair and eating multiple bags of dill pickle chips for two weeks will cause you to gain weight. I thought I was told this wouldn't happen but Grace isn't always right. I'm back doing spin three times a week with Shar (Grace's school teacher also) and have started going to the school gym two mornings a week to do circuit training with a few other neighborhood women. I was doing this last year but they failed to tell me it had started up again after the summer break. I could take this badly but I'm chalking it up to people being super self-involved and am letting it go. This morning was my first morning back and I was hoping for more weight training and less cardio, since I get enough cardio from spin class. It's free and it's exercise so I'm not going to complain...too much. So yeah, this is the year of Shea. The year I'm finally going to be 100% happy with my body. The year I'm going to get over my food issues and be able to have an ounce of willpower. I think being 35 won't seem so horrible if I feel like I am somewhat "hot" for my age. "She's 35? I can't believe it! I hope I look like that when I'm 35." That kind of thing.
My parents gave me a clock when I was home that they had laying around. I like the clock and think it will look good in my "summer house" entry way but it has the loudest ticking sound ever. I feel like I'm the narrator in Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart". The first night we got home I had it in our bedroom and I told Ryan, "This has to go!" I then put it out in the hall and the next day moved it into the living room by the top of the stairs as I was intending to store it in the basement. That evening I could hear it ticking while watching TV so I moved it to the bottom of the stairs. Tonight I was in the living room after everyone had gone to bed and I start to hear the ticking again. "That's it clock!" I put it in the basement and shut the door. If I can still hear it ticking, I'm going to start thinking I've murdered an old man with a "vulture eye" and hid him in my floor.
The "summer house" is moving along at an alarming speed. While I try to tell my brain that, "It's all going to work out." My brain tells me back "YOU ARE SCREWED, SISTER!" I hate brain. Ryan took pictures on his way home from work Monday and we are both getting excited about the prospect of living in this home. I'm starting to grasp that we are moving away from Santaquin and it's sad. I have some great friends here, I love the school and my connections there and I love having Nana next door. Change is good though and I'm pretty good at keeping relationships going. Still I'm not going to be able to pop over to Karen's and have her put tags back on clothes I want to return with her magic gun. That might have to be spirited away when I move.
They found E.T. in our house! No, it has a tent over it so they can stucco in this weather.
A three car garage so Ryan can have a home for his scooter.
The great room/kitchen.
I have returned to exercise with a renewed vigor after gaining what will remain an unnamed number of pounds over the holiday. Apparently sitting in a chair and eating multiple bags of dill pickle chips for two weeks will cause you to gain weight. I thought I was told this wouldn't happen but Grace isn't always right. I'm back doing spin three times a week with Shar (Grace's school teacher also) and have started going to the school gym two mornings a week to do circuit training with a few other neighborhood women. I was doing this last year but they failed to tell me it had started up again after the summer break. I could take this badly but I'm chalking it up to people being super self-involved and am letting it go. This morning was my first morning back and I was hoping for more weight training and less cardio, since I get enough cardio from spin class. It's free and it's exercise so I'm not going to complain...too much. So yeah, this is the year of Shea. The year I'm finally going to be 100% happy with my body. The year I'm going to get over my food issues and be able to have an ounce of willpower. I think being 35 won't seem so horrible if I feel like I am somewhat "hot" for my age. "She's 35? I can't believe it! I hope I look like that when I'm 35." That kind of thing.
My parents gave me a clock when I was home that they had laying around. I like the clock and think it will look good in my "summer house" entry way but it has the loudest ticking sound ever. I feel like I'm the narrator in Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart". The first night we got home I had it in our bedroom and I told Ryan, "This has to go!" I then put it out in the hall and the next day moved it into the living room by the top of the stairs as I was intending to store it in the basement. That evening I could hear it ticking while watching TV so I moved it to the bottom of the stairs. Tonight I was in the living room after everyone had gone to bed and I start to hear the ticking again. "That's it clock!" I put it in the basement and shut the door. If I can still hear it ticking, I'm going to start thinking I've murdered an old man with a "vulture eye" and hid him in my floor.
The "summer house" is moving along at an alarming speed. While I try to tell my brain that, "It's all going to work out." My brain tells me back "YOU ARE SCREWED, SISTER!" I hate brain. Ryan took pictures on his way home from work Monday and we are both getting excited about the prospect of living in this home. I'm starting to grasp that we are moving away from Santaquin and it's sad. I have some great friends here, I love the school and my connections there and I love having Nana next door. Change is good though and I'm pretty good at keeping relationships going. Still I'm not going to be able to pop over to Karen's and have her put tags back on clothes I want to return with her magic gun. That might have to be spirited away when I move.
They found E.T. in our house! No, it has a tent over it so they can stucco in this weather.
A three car garage so Ryan can have a home for his scooter.
The great room/kitchen.
Monday, January 05, 2009
Van Fleet/Toly 100% Natural Good Time Family Band
The whole family. So prolific!
We are back now after a, thankfully, uneventful trip home from Canada. It was a great two weeks spent with my parents and my brother's family. We had a lot of fun times that are just too numerous to mention. Ryan and I spent a lot of our days watching the entire Arrested Development series on DVD. It reaffirmed my love for this series. Next Halloween we are all dressing up as Bluths. I didn't take pictures of Christmas day because I got a new camera for Christmas and it was yet to be unwrapped. I'm sure you can picture it in your minds... the frenzied present opening and happy kids. Here are a few photos from the trip. (remember mom, you can click on the pictures to make them bigger)
Here is the whole family minus Ryan who is taking the picture, hanging out in my parents kitchen. I'm making Cocomotion!
On Boxing Day, Monti and Becky had a little party at their new house. We played a wicked game of Catch Phrase Music Edition with Rick and Dar.
Hanging out by the wood burning stove with Cobalt at Monti's house. I heart Cobalt.
It snowed a lot so we were outside quite a bit sledding in my parent's yard. It's pretty awesome that they have a hill big enough in their yard that we can use to sled on. Just kick the kids outside and there is instant fun. Becky wanted to build an igloo and one day the snow was perfect for it. She got out the saw and started working. We got a little done before it got too cold.
That's a mighty fine igloo you're building.
Hanna with Betsey, because she is the only one in the family except for my mom, that will tolerate this cat.
Grace showing that she is capable of growing an adult tooth. Praise be!
Ah, the shame of Karaoke. It's so fun too! We spend New Year's Eve at Rick and Dar's playing "Sing Star". I think this is Monti and I singing "Total Eclipse of the Heart"
Hiphopapotamous or Rhymenocerous? Only the "rap hand" knows.
I took this photo as we were leaving my parent's house. This was after we had to jump start our car with Monti's car that we had to maneuver out of a huge drift. One of many in my parent's driveway. Ryan and I were saying some not so nice words.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
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