Retirement Partay

At the age of 42. How lucky to retire after 20 years and be 42. Chancho and I attended his partner's husband's retirement party last night. It was a formal affair, which was nice. As Chancho put it "It'll be a nice change of pace for us." Which was very true. We're usually lounging around in our tshirts and shorts watching TV all night. The last time we got fancied up was for my sister's wedding over a year ago. In fact I wore the same dress for her rehearsal dinner to the party last night.
We started out late because Chancho left his wallet in his shorts, didn't transfer the pocket full o' stuff to his suit pants. Then we hit traffic. It was stop and go for about a half hour. We didn't think we'd make it on time with it being an hour away, but with Chancho's quick maneuvers and thinking we found another route and made it there in 45 minutes. It was at Pier 9, which is a beautiful place. There were fountains right in the front and a Cinderella carriage all lit up out front. Perfect for a wedding. In fact there was a bride entering the place as we were walking up. The hostess asked if we were there for the wedding. We joked and said we'll let you know once we see how our party is.
We were the first few people to arrive. There was one other couple there before us. The woman who gave me Foxy was there as well. I showed her a few pictures of Foxy and she got emotional. As more people came the more names and faces came flooding towards me. I did know a good portion of the people from the BBQ. That was very helpful. Then there were the other 35 people I didn't know. And neither did Chancho. We kept the bar busy. There was a happy hour before the reception so we were comfortable there. The place had a separate room for pictures where everything was green. The ceiling, the floor was an awful flowery pattern and the walls were green too. But to make it all worth while there were live plants with a waterfall and a bridge going over it to a gazebo. Everyone kept saying how beautiful it would be for a wedding. Chancho and I looked at one another and said "actually it's quite ugly". At least we were on the same page.
I kept asking Chancho why he wasn't introducing me to more people and he explained to me that there's an unwritten rule about speaking to people that are not in your rank. So another words if he saw a guy who was say a Lt. he wouldn't be able to go up to him and say "hey how are ya?" because he's above him. Unless he works with him everyday and knows him on a first name basis there shouldn't be any contact. So technically he "knew" everyone, but couldn't say hi to them.
The reception started. It was an awkward start as the DJ did an awful job of introducing the retiring officer. He literally just spoke the guys name off of a card and said "Here is P.O. J. He is retiring." He didn't shout it or get the guests involved. It was lame. He didn't even play music. So the guy just walks into the room. Awkwardly as everyone is starring at him. Chancho looks at me and goes "NO. Absolutely not!" Chancho doesn't want a retirement party. This just confirmed it for him.
There were a few speeches made, that weren't well planned or thought out, which made it even more awkward. We were sitting at an all couples table. Chancho knew 3 out of the 4 couples. The one couple he didn't know we made a bet as to who the cop was in the relationship and we both said the woman. Turns out we were right. The man had the "deer in the head lights" look to him. She was grilling me the entire night and had this "Bitch don't mess with me" look. They played Spanish music all night long, which would have been fine, except 70% of the guests were White. No one really danced, but Chancho and I danced to one of his favorite songs. Don't ask me the name of it, but I had fun attempting to swing my hips.
Dinner was announced, buffet style, which was okay. The food wasn't that great. I was expecting something better for the place that we were in, but it did the trick. Soon after dinner we started planning our escape. We settled on the story of me having to get up early for work and we had to drive an hour back. Both statements were false, but it worked out well.

Quote of the Day: "'You can't get stuck on what should have happened. That doesn't help you.'" - Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom
Listening to: "Mine" by Taylor Swift

Because the Angel on my Right Ain't Hanging out with me Tonight

Ohhhhh to have that alone time. I'm not even sure what that is anymore. It got erased from any possible chance once I woke up and saw it raining. Our bike trip has been canceled postponed to a further date to be determined. Instead of going out biking we found ourselves in Ihop. Chancho invited Zack along with us, scratching any and all some quality bonding time that we could have had. Brunch was delicious, as usual. From there we headed over to the post office for me to apply for my passport. (We have plans to go to Toronto for a Yankee game.) The last time I had a passport, I was tiny, like 8 years old. The picture was horrific. I have no idea how my mother let me walk out in public the way I looked. My hair looked knotted, frizzy and like one of those dolls that had been dragged through dirt. Needless to say, I got a MUCH better looking photo this time around. I asked to look at it before I walked away. Yes, I was that girl who needed to have a good photo. I should be able to travel to where ever I want in about 4-6 weeks! I'm hoping to catch up with a couple of old roommates and friends from college as we make our drive to Toronto. We'll be going right through Buffalo so it's a great meeting point for us all. Chancho then volunteered our time to hang out with friends to watch the Yankee game. Chancho also spent today with his family, as they went out to lunch together. I did encourage this, as the last time we left his house, his mother groaned and made a big fuss that he hasn't been home much. I also did agree to giving him up so he could have more time with his mother, so I can't complain about that.
What I can complain about is that there is apparently a gang, that is initiating new members today. Their goal today is to kill one police officer from every precinct. There is a high alert out for them. Which means, more security around the city. Of course, I wouldn't have a problem with this usually, seeing how today is supposed to be Chancho's day off, but because he's addicted to working he got a paid detail. He is working at the Javits Center for the New York International Auto Show. He'll be out there til 11pm tonight. However, he is inside with the Chrysler models, it can't be too bad of a job.  My fingers are crossed for him still though. They arrested about 30 gang members in Times Square the other day who were carrying guns, so they know they're active and out there just waiting to pounce when the time is right.

On a happier note, the Yankees are doing alright. CC gave up his first hit of the game in the bottom of the 8th. Almost a no hitter, so close, but yet so far. At least he'll get a win!

Listening to: "Animals" by Nickelback
Quote of the Day:  "Love withers with predictability, its very essence is surprise & amazement" - Buscaglia

What a poopie day

Remember how I had thought that it was going to be an okay day? I was wrong. It only got worse from 9am on. Buster woke up at 9 and was in a cheerful mood. The dog on the other hand decided it would be terrific to follow me back inside after being put out to use the potty. She had diarrhea and let it flow all over the living room carpet! It was squirting out as she walked from the living room and on in to the dining room. I did one of those "What are you doing?! Oh crap! Crap! Crap! Stoppppp!" type scenarios with my arms raised and flailing about thinking that would stop her from, what she obviously could not control. I was out of my mind. I mean, how do you stop an ill/handicapped dog from releasing herself? Of course she went to go lay back down for the rest of the day after that incident, but left me with a huge mess to clean. They had run out of paper towels so I couldn't clean it with that and I wasn't sure where to find the dog towels, so there I stood with the spot remover just spraying like crazy. My gag reflex was being tested good today. I had to walk away a few times to take a breather and recoup. Thank goodness Buster was down for his nap at this time, otherwise, who knows what I would have done.

Then it was Buster's time. His diaper exploded. And I mean exploded. He did his usually poop face and I just figured, quick and easy change and back to playing. Nope. It couldn't be that easy. He too, had diarrhea and it squished out of his diaper and all over. It covered his back and coated his onesie. It was another huge mess. I managed to get him all cleaned up and ready to go. It happened 2 more times...

If I have to see any more poop...

In the middle of all of that, I received a text from Chancho saying that an officer was shot today. 3 times in the stomach. He responded to an EDP who locked himself inside his house and then let loose firing his gun. As of now, he's in critical condition. Chancho, thankfully, has not been sent out, yet, like many other officers. My thoughts are prayers are with all officers and their families tonight. Please stay safe out there!

Police Shift

I thought I'd share this cool website, courtesy of my cousin, PoliceShift. She started this business on her own after attending school. It is a place for active off-duty officers and retired officers to go to sign up for extra shifts. My uncle is a retired police officer and has been participating in this and he is very happy with the shifts that he has been able to pick up. I figured that if anyone has the need to pick up extra shifts this would be a good way to find them. You just register (free) and fill out a bunch of general information and then you're contacted. Chancho has just signed up. You can pick the amount of money that you want to get paid in general and then in some instances the merchant that contacts you will ask you to pick your price as well. If anyone in your area needs security and is signed up you have a greater chance of being called. Give it a look, see if it's something your PO would be interestd in.

A New Beginning

As a first, I would like to begin with a preview of what I hope to accomplish in creating this blog. This is a 2nd blog for me, but the 1st in which I hope to actually continue. I want to write about things, that the people in my life do not usually understand, as they are not in a similar situation as me. As well as sharing some pictures here and there when I see fit.
I date a cop. One who has fulfilled my every hopes and dreams of someone whom I'd want to be with. However, the catch to the great find, is that he is a cop. Not to knock down the great job that he does, because he is an excellent officer, yet it does add a new dimension to a relationship that I'm not sure everyone understands. So I intend to take those frustrations out here in hopes that someone will be able to try and clarify or at least relate to what I am going through. If anything this will help me when I feel like a friend can't help. I am new to the police life, (only a year in) learning day by day what comes with this lifestyle and I find that it helps to have a criminal justice degree. It definitely gives me some background and some familiar ground to go off of when he speaks in "cop lingo".
I feel as though I have tons to write about in this first post, but I will end it here in that in a rare occurrence Chancho (as I'll refer to the cop I date) is home during daylight hours and I must take advantage of this!