Waffle's Information

Waffle started Kindergarten this year. She catches the bus at noon and has to be accompanied by a parent. She's picked-up, by a parent, at the corner when school is finished and gets off the bus with 7 or 8 other kids.  It's safe because either Blue or I are always there for her and when she leaves us she is with the bus driver and other children.

On the first day of school all of the Kindergarten kids were given big buttons to wear on their backpacks. The button is bright yellow and very noticeable. On the button is all of Waffle's important information; her name, where she catches the bus, her bus # and the name of her school.

Blue has been thinking about speaking to the principle about this. He sees this as a serious risk, freely giving out our daughters name and information to anyone who walks past her. We teach her not to talk to strangers, but the truth is, Waffle would run up to a creepy looking man in a dark van and ask him to push her on the swings before thinking twice. She's just that kind of kid. It makes it harder when that individual might know her name and street and school from the button on her backpack. The button has fallen off a number of times so I've just stopped putting it back on and will continue to leave it off until told otherwise.

I can see why the school asks the kids to wear the buttons and since she's always with a parent I do think that everything will be fine. I don't live in fear of my kid being snatched. But every year there are 30+ little kids being given these buttons with their information on it.

What are your thoughts on this? As a police officer, or the wife of one, where do you stand on having a child's information on display for the world to see?

Saturday

It's lovely having a quiet Saturday afternoon.

Blue is sleeping, Mozart is playing in the background, The Boy is working on some math, Waffle is working on writing her letters and I just finished organizing/cleaning a bookshelf.

I need to enjoy these moments while Baby Blue is still in my tummy.

Only two more months until we are a family of five.

Oblivious

Posted by: Blue

Last night, on a fatal motor vehicle collision, we had to shut-down one of the biggest streets in the city going West-bound right in the middle of rush-hour.

On at least 5 separate occasions, pedestrians and cyclists crossed the bright yellow police and fire tape "DO NOT CROSS" lines, ending-up in the middle of a crime scene.

There were also countless vehicles who tried to sneak-by the road flares, officers in bright reflective vests and cruiser cars with lights flashing to enter the working scene.

On top of that, the only two witnesses to the crash refused to wait and provide statements.  One of them said "Dude, I just want to get a hamburger and go home."  They both had outside wants and cautions for drug tafficking.

There is nothing more frustrating than trying to reason with people who have no common sense whatsoever.

Shield Country

Dreams.

Blue has action packed dreams about being in officer involved shootings.

I have action packed dreams about buy one get one boxes of block margarine.

Escalation

Posted by: Blue

Tonight we had a Domestic Assault arrest.

He had punched her repeatedly in the face and then choked her.  We were called because a neighbour heard her begging him to stop.  Her screams got quieter as she got closer to passing-out.

When we arrested him, he kept asking if she would be okay.  I said: "I think she'll be fine if she never sees you again".

Upon reviewing his record, it came to light that this was the fifth time he had been arrested for assaulting her.

She declined to provide a formal statement each time, including tonight.  Each time the charges were dropped.  Each time she went back to him 'cause he said "sorry".

Maybe he'll kill her next time.

We can solve the crime.  Not the life.

On the Home Front

Posted by: Blue

As I have posted before, I have a second life as a finishing carpenter and cabinet maker/installer.  It was one of my previous careers.

We bought a "fixer-upper" house.  Here is a list of the things that I have done to it so far:

• Tore-out kitchen, re-designed it, built a new kitchen, installed it
• Tore-out 3 walls (lath and plaster), re-designed main floor layout (including re-routing ducts) 
• Re-painted every square inch of wall and ceiling
• Replaced all of the flooring on the first and second floors and stairs, including sub-floor on second floor
• Re-cased all doors and windows, repainted the same
• Painted the exterior (minus trim)
• New door for kid's room
• Walk-in closet addition to master bedroom, including manufacturing built-in cabinets and shoe shelves
• Built-in pantry cabinet closets for kids' room
• Built and upholstered 2 chairs
• Built office desk
• Milled and replaced all of the railings on second floor
• New curtain rods and curtains on most windows
• Multiple electrical upgrades
• Crown moulding in the dining room and living room
• Re-drywalled the dining room and living room

This is what is left to do:

• Remove all sod, re-grade front and back yards, replace sidewalks and front steps, re-sod
• Replace front chain-link fence with hedge and wrought iron gate
• Scrape and paint all exterior trim
• Baseboards
• Replace kitchen flooring (again) as I tore the vinyl with the fridge pushing it in (stupid rookie move)
• Replace stairs into basement and all of the flooring on them
• Re-drywall the back entrance
• Replace much of the flooring in the basement
• Finish the spare bedroom in the basement
• Touch-up all paint
• Hardware for a few of the cabinets
• Knock-down shed and garage, build mega-garage with shop
• New parking pad
• Repair and replace parts of the back fence, repaint entire fence
• Take out current flower beds and re-design, re-plant
• Clean gutters
• Trim pine trees
• Tear-out both bathrooms and replace tub, shower, sinks, possibly toilets and rough plumbing
• Install exhaust fan in main bath
• Build medicine cabinet and shelves for bathroom with mirror
• Build entertainment unit for rec room
• Install false stringers for stairs
• Sell this stupid, stupid house and buy one that some other schmuck has already finished

Out of all of these things, the only thing I have not done myself (or plan to do myself), is the carpet for the two bedrooms.

Most weeks, heading back to "work" at the station means I get a bit of a break.