Thursday, October 29

Law Enforcement Misconceptions

Growing up in a law enforcement family, I remember Daddy telling stories of calls he had been on and the crazy, stupid folks he came in contact with.  He used to say if he pulled a female over, she was getting a ticket.  I guess his point was he obviously had a lawful reason for pulling her in the first place.  Also, he didn't want there to be any question why he didn't give a woman a ticket (ie because she was crying or had big boobs).
I also remember Carlene getting aggravated when people made jokes about cops and doughnuts (I personally can't stand that one) or the you-only-pulled-me-over-to-meet-your-quota response.  With The Pope's help, I wanted to try and clear up and hopefully explain some of these common misconceptions.

Real life is not like CSI: Miami.
Not every surface at a crime scene is good for lifting fingerprints.  Additionally, if there is an obvious shoe print, they might just take a picture instead of lifting it with a big sheet of tape.  Actual CSI units will not solve your crime in an hour.  They also don't necessarily drive Hummers or wear shades.

Police work is not all gun fights and police chases.
The majority of calls are more mundane; disciplining someone's teenager or quieting a neighbors dog.  There is also lots and lots of paperwork to be done.  *But don't forget, a LEO puts on body armor before heading to work.

The officer was not wearing his hat when he wrote me a ticket so it doesn't count.
Yeah right.  Next time trying not breaking the law.  (It also doesn't void the ticket if you tear it up or if the officer writes something incorrect on the ticket.)

Quotas.
There is no such thing as law enforcement quotas.  Officers can write as many tickets as they want.

Miranda rights.
An officer does not have to mirandize you unless you're in custody AND the officer is asking you questions.  Just because the officer put you in handcuffs doesn't mean he/she has to read you your rights.

Wednesday, October 28

Wordless Wednesday

What could be easier than posting a picture on your blog?  That maybe why it has become so popular for bloggers to use Wednesdays as a break from writing and instead just displaying a picture.  Here is my first Wordless Wednesday.


Tuesday, October 27

My Recent Obsession

I love cooking and I obviously love food.  Well since we got rid of cable at our house we have been watching lots of hulu.  The Pope and I discovered Hell's Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares and GORDON RAMSAY!
Hell's Kitchen is a reality show about average, everyday chefs that compete to be the head chef of one of Gordon Ramsay's four star restaurants.  The first few episodes made me pretty anxious.  Chef Ramsay screams at the naive chefs, throws things, and drop lots of f bombs.  Of course that's what makes the show so appealing!  After watching one complete season of Hell's Kitchen, you realize Gordon is a not a super jerk but a good man that just pushes people to be better chefs.
In Kitchen Nightmares, Chef Ramsay visits real restaurants and helps redesign the menus and decor.  He also closely inspects the entire kitchen (this part usually gets pretty gross).  Ramsay screams and cusses at the owners, managers, chefs until they realize there are changes that need to be made in order for their restaurants to succeed.


Check out a little drama from season 2 of Hell's Kitchen.  Both shows have full episodes available for viewing on hulu.

Sunday, October 25

Etsy Sunday

This week I wanted to focus on Halloween items from Etsy.  Just look at all the great things I found!

Medusa earrings
Spider web umbrella
Hair, hair bow
Los Novios handbag

Sunday, October 18

Etsy Sunday

Here are this week's Etsy finds:
Rustic serving trio
Burlap tote
Aluminum spice rack
Shower art















Check back next week for my favorite handmade Halloween items.

Saturday, October 17

My Dream Homes

The Pope and I have been married now for a year and a half.  Of course we've talked about cars we would like to buy, how many children we hope to have, even pets we hope to own.  One topic that always comes up is houses.  We could talk forever about how I would layout my kitchen or how he would setup his "man room."  And just like all young couples, we love to just drive and point out our favorite homes to one another.  So here is a list of my favorite, add 'em to my wishlist, homes.

1. farmhouse















2.  Charleston row home
















3.  arts and craft













4.  beach house





















5.  southern plantation

Thursday, October 15

Baby Names

I was browsing Etsy, my new favorite pastime, and I ran across this post.  Of course it caught my attention because The Pope is a sheriff's deputy.  At first I misunderstood and thought the woman was asking for her son's name to be placed on the belt buckle instead of Sheriff.  NO, her son's name is Sheriff.  Seriously?!
What is it with baby names in the last few years?  Everyone has named their son Liam, and celebrities have gone crazy with their children's names.

Seraphina Rose Elizabeth: Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner
Bronx Mogli:  Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz
Shiloh and Maddox:  Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt
Sparrow James Midnight and Harlow Winer Kate:  Nicole Richie
Spec Wildhorse:  John Mellencamp
Sage Moonblood:  Sylvester Stallone

Personally I prefer old Southern names like Jackson, Caroline, Nathan, Isabelle.  I especially like last names for boys like Anderson, Jones, Davis, and Thompson.

Sunday, October 11

Etsy Sunday

After spending the last hour on Etsy looking around and being inspired, I have decided to make Sunday's Etsy Day. Every Sunday I will post my favorites for that week.  I hope this will encourage you to browse Etsy and support recycling and handmade goods.  Please share your favorite finds!

silver tiered candy dish
white enamel bucket
vintage pot rack
green kitchen scale

Thursday, October 8

Tree Stepping Stones


How amazing is this garden path!  I found it on Readymade, my new favorite website.  I would love to try this idea in a future garden.

Wednesday, October 7

Herbed Potato Soup

Growing up, Paw would make potato soup for me when I was sick.  Well The Pope found this recipe online and has made it for me several times.

2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
2 cups water
1 large onion, chopped
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 cups milk

Place potatoes and water in a large saucepan; cook over medium heat until tender. Meanwhile, in another saucepan, saute onion and butter until tender. Stir in the flour, salt, thyme, rosemary, and pepper. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Add potatoes with cooking liquid; heat through.

Sunday, October 4

Mom's Words to Live By

Growing up, Carlene used lots of clichés to help teach me things.  I've always wanted to write them down in one place and share them with others.  Isn't that what a blog is for?

1.  Don't write it down if you don't want it known.
I learned this the hard way in eighth grade when I wrote a note in class about this cute boy next to me.  The teacher saw me writing a note and read it out loud to the class.

2.  Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear.
Although it is completely true, I have grown up to be skeptical of everything I hear now because of this.  Just because it's printed in a newspaper, on TV, or in an email doesn't mean it's true.  And for goodness sakes, use Snopes.

3.  If someone lies they will also cheat and steal.  If they will lie about something small they will lie about something big, too.
Carlene hates liars.

4.  Nobody ever told you life was gonna be fair.
This was always the reply to me saying, "that's not fair!"

5.  Don't date anyone from work.  When it goes bad, it goes really bad.
This also includes borrowing money or doing business with friends.

6.  Be nice to your sister; she's the only one you'll ever have.
Mantha and I are the only two, we're seven years apart.

7.  Rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
I am constantly quoting this one; just good sense in lots of situations.

Saturday, October 3

Pacey or Dawson?

My favorite TV show of all time is Dawson's Creek.  I was the same age as the characters when the show aired originally.  Every Wednesday night, after church, I raced home to catch the latest of the love triangle....Pacey, Joey, and Dawson.  Pacey, of course, will always be my favorite.  Dawson is completely fickle and acts like a girl.

Who is your favorite?

Friday, October 2

I Hate Entitlement

I work at a pharmacy, and I have to tell people all day long that there are no refills left on their prescription (this means we had to fax their doctor for more refills).  Very rarely do I come across someone who actually recognizes there are no refills on their medication.  Usually I get the, "well I wish I would have known" response.
FYI:  there is a countdown of refills on every bottle of meds you get.

When did the world, Americans, become so entitled?  What happened that made people stop taking responsibility for themselves and blaming everyone else for their problems?
Unfortunately, I think the US government is only perpetuating this feeling of entitlement....."you can pay for your cell phone but you can't pay for your house?  we'll take care of that for you,"  "you can pay for satellite TV but you can't buy groceries for your children?  we can do that for you!"
What will it take for people to stop blaming others for their poor life decisions?  Looks like it's only going to get worse before it gets better.

Don't sit in your crap and complain 'cause you smell!  Stand up and do something about it.