Halloween Bash

Last night I participated in the Shout House Jackass-O-Lantern Contest. I was forwarded an email from a friend. I signed up to wear a pumpkin head from 7pm-1am and get free drinks the whole time. They told me to show up at 6:30 to get prepped. No one else showed up until 7. We didn't start until almost 8. I had first pick of a "head". Everyone said I had the best one because it had the large opening for drinking. When there was one and half hours left they had us switch heads. Everyone was eyeballing mine. I ended up getting one that I could barely drink through and I had to sit with it resting on my chest for the rest of the night because it was so heavy. The guy that took mine quit shortly after. I was so mad, that was a great pumpkin. It rested perfectly on my back and forehead. My new one rested on my shoulders, head, and chest. Thank God for a large chest. I made it to midnight and thought-I could actually do this! Looking at the other guys left, one kept asking me how I was doing as if to syke me out or something. Then they asked us to come up to the stage. They had us dance off in groups and then the audience voted on who was best. I wish I could find video of it. I owned it! The crowd went crazy. I was the only girl up there-representin :) In the end they had two $100 gift cards to Shout House. There were two winners-I was one.

The S word

Yes I realize what it is and what the date is...but it was still kind of pretty.

Welcome Brianna Leigh

Jodi and Brian gave me the opportunity to witness the birth of their second child, Brianna Leigh. I was so honored that they let me stay. I didn't think I wanted to see much. I started by standing in the corner between the monitors and bathroom. The nurses kept going in the bathroom for things so I ended up moving to the other side by Jodi's mom. After a while of getting glimpses of "the action", I was desensitized and moved to right behind the doctor. It didn't even phase me at this point what I was looking at, it was all about what was happening. No play by play or details on that. I'll just show you some photos that I took...after Brianna arrived :)

Brianna Leigh Youngman
8lbs 11.2 oz 21 in

ok...what is that? OH I KNOW...

BABY!! MINE.

First being held by Dad and Mom.

Mooo 2

Mom: I don't know what you mean by that. When you enter a cow in the fair you have to sign a paper saying you will kill it to make sure you don't enter it again.

Now I'm sad.

Mooo

My mom sent me an email today.

(Mom) Hi Carrie, I am buying a half of a quarter of a cow. I am sure it will not fit in my freezer. Can you help me out?
Polly will be getting some huge cow bones! I need some freezer room, unless you want to buy the other half.

(Me) So how much does 1/8 of a cow cost? I think we have freezer room.

(Mom) She doesn't know until the butcher is done. It was a state fair cow, and it ate clover. The tongue and liver are free. So are the bones free. hamburger comes 1 1/2 LBS. She said it is comparable to what the stores sell it for.

The State Fair Cows will never look the same to me again.

Citizen Police Academy

My first night of "training". The Chief did an introduction and then Lt. Mark Bruley went over training and requirements. Lt. Bruley was a very interesting guy and has been in a lot of different areas of the department. Currently he is in charge of all the training of newbies. He also works on SWAT. So the requirements of a police officer:

Minimum of 2 year AS degree - check. I have an AS in Criminal Justice
Go through 9 month Skills Program - I could do that.
Take POST board test - possible.
Apply to a city that is hiring - no one is hiring.
Ex of applying to Brooklyn Park-written test, pass/fail; personality essay/stress test; physical fitness test; interview process/background check. This all takes around 10 months.
If hired, see psychologist and have medical screening. If both docs say you are ok you move onto a 5-6 week Academy that is similar to Skills Program but much harder.

I am quite happy with my job now and have a new appreciation for how my cousins got to where they are. I know I have congratulated them, but I really think what they do is awesome and wish I had the determination to get there. Great job John, Cory and Chad!

This class meets every Tuesday from 6:30-9. Some of the topics they will cover:
9/8-Police Training Overview
9/15-Use of Force
9/22-Patrol and CSO
9/29-Special Operations and City Attorney
10/6-Investigations and Gangs
10/13-Crime Analysis and Drug Investigations
10/20-Firearms/Shooting Simulator and Squad Car Tour/Crime Prevention
10/27-Evidence Processing and Detention Center
11/3-SWAT and Canine
11/10-Round table wrap up with Chief.

I am looking forward to getting info on the other departments within the police. It's possible with my degree that I may still qualify for a different position...that doesn't involve a physical fitness test.

Guilty

I have been having the worst week of work and it is only Wednesday. All I wanted to do when I got home was veg out. The dads came over to work on the deck again. I feel so guilty not being out there. It's our deck, but all I'm doing if I am out there is stand around. In the beginning and last week I was actually helpful because I was holding up beams, ripping up boards, or drilling in screws. Now they are a two man team and the rest of us stand around thinking we should be doing something but really just getting in the way. If Jon stays inside when they come over its a big deal that he isn't helping. Why isn't it a deal for me to be helping? I love the progress of the deck and am very thankful for everything they are doing, but I am also hoping it will be done soon. I think the more people that are there to help the faster it will get done, not true.