How do you know you love your spouse?

So how do you know that you love your spouse? For everyone I guess it's different. For me, it comes down to the following:

1. The best part of the day is when we go to bed at night and I wrap my arms around her.
2. A close second is coming home to her, or when she comes home to me.
3. Waking up next to her in the mornings
4. I can't stand when I'm not around her
5. Sitting next to her on the couch even if we are doing nothing
6. Either laying my head on her lap watching TV or when she lays her head on mine.
7. Seeing the smile in her eyes when she looks at me
8. The way I get those butterflies in my stomach when I look at her
9. Making dinner with her (or any meal)
10. Holding her hand when out in public
11. Holding her hand when we are in the car
12. The way that she lays her head on my shoulder when I'm driving
13. The way that she touches me
14. The way that she kisses me (no matter how big or little the kiss is)
15. Wanting to get up off the couch just to get her something when she says "don't worry, I'll get it in a minute
16. The way that she starts to make me something to eat when I go to the kitchen and say "I'm in the mood for something" as I'm looking for something
17. The way that I can't imagine my life without her
18. Wanting to do anything for her that she wants
19. Wanting to see her happy and smiling
20. The way she would do anything that I want
21. The way I feel when I say I Love You!
22. And most importantly, the way she makes me feel when she says she loves me...

Any others that you can think of?

I have found that it's the little things in life, and in a relationship, that matter the most. Don't let something, or someone, ever get in the way of your relationship with your spouse. Stand by them and they will stand by you. Don't take them for granted, because if you do, they will not be around much longer.

The three most powerful words a person can say in a relationship are "I LOVE YOU." Don't assume that they know it therefore you stop saying it. Tell them. Show them. Love them...

Do you know what a Leader is?

Ever wonder what a leader really is? The easy answer is "the person that's in charge" or "the boss" although sometimes this is farther from the truth.

Dictionary.com defines a leader as follow:

lead·er

 [lee-der] Show IPA

noun

1. a person or thing that leads.

2. a guiding or directing head, as of an army, movement, or political group.

3. Music .

a. a conductor or director, as of an orchestra, band, or chorus.

b. the player at the head of the first violins in an orchestra, the principal cornetist in a band, or the principal soprano in a chorus, to whom any incidental solos are usually assigned.

4. a featured article of trade, especially one offered at a low price to attract customers. Compare loss leader.

5. Journalism .

a. leading article ( def. 1 ) .

b. Also called leading article. British . the principal editorial in a newspaper.

Sounds good, doesn't it? At some point we have all had a "leader" that had no right to be in the position that they are in. They could not lead a pack of hungry lions to a zebra carcass if it was 20 feet away. Yet you have some people that will lead you to the ends of the Earth and back and are not in "the" leadership position.

So, what makes a great leader? Depending on who you ask, or where you look, the answers that you get are varied. One common theme seems to be that they are willing to listen to the people that they work with and help them achieve the success that they want through the goals that they have set for themselves.

A leader should:

• Take the time to find out how the person is doing and ask what they can do to help the them do their job better. 
• Get to know who they work with. 
• Get to know at least 3 things about that person that may not be work related. Ask them "What do you want me to know about yourself?"
• Check in with them regularly and see if they need help.
• Be sincere when doing these things. If you fake sincerity, they will know it and you will not achieve the results that you want. IT WILL BACKFIRE!

When a leader truly cares about the people that work with them, they will find that those that "follow" will do so because they want to, not because they have to. A leader will be there for them no matter what. The leader will show them a loyalty that is insurmountable not because of expectations, but because of the desire that comes from deep within them. A true leader will sometimes make the hardest decisions that will affect the "employee" but will explain why the decision was made and not just throw out "Because I'm the boss and I said so." A true leader will have "employees" that will volunteer for the worst assignment possible with a smile on their face because they know the job has to be done. A true leader will get down and dirty with them at the same time so that they never forget where they came from. 

Then again, this is just my opinion....what do you think?

Where were you?

I left the house around 8:00am to get the materials for a Fire Safety class that I was scheduled to teach at the Southeast State Correctional Facility. When I arrived at the facility, the officer at the gate asked "Did you hear?" I looked at him and said "Hear what?" His reply was one that I will never forget: "A plane just crashed into the World Trade Center!"

The rest of the day went by in a blurr. Between trying to teach a class and watching the news, I don't remember much more. The only thing that I remember is getting home, hugging my wife and holding on to my daughters and not wanting to let them go.

Where were you?

You want decadence?

So I got up this morning thinking to myself that I wanted something great to eat tonight for dinner. I couldn't figure what I wanted. I started looking around the kitchen to see what was available. I'm the kind of person that when it comes down to cooking, I just go with it. A little of this, a little of that and pray that it comes out OK.

After doing a quick recon of my available ingredients, I saw that I had all the makings for one of my favorite dishes (No idea what to call it except damn good even if it's not good for you...according to some people)

Here's what you need:

• Potatoes (cubed to your desired size)
• Bacon (as much as you want, or as little...sissy)
• Italian Seasoning (to taste)
• Salt/Pepper to taste
• Garlic (either fresh or minced, your choice)
• Either Chicken or Pork Chops in either chunks or strips..your choice (works great either one...or both!)
• Olive Oil
• BUTTER! (at least 3/4 cup, but preferably 1 cup)

This is what you do:

1. Slice the bacon into small pieces. Cook over medium heat in a skillet until brown n cruchy...not burnt!
2. Once bacon is done, remove from the skillet and let it drain a little. DO NOT remove the bacon fat from the skillet! Are you nuts???????
3. Toss in the chicken or pork  into the skillet with the bacon grease and brown on both sides until almost completely cooked. Remove from skillet and set off to the side with the bacon.
4. Put the potatoes (still uncooked) in the skillet with all that delicious bacon fat!
5. Add the butter, Olive Oil (just a small drizzle), salt/pepper (to taste), garlic(the more the better, but its up to you) and Italian Seasoning (to taste) in with the potatoes. Cover  the skillet and turn heat down to medium low. Allow to cook for approximately 12-15 minutes mixing occasionally or until potatoes are almost fork tender.
6. Add in the bacon and the chicken/pork and continue to simmer until potatoes are done and crispy.

Once it's done, just serve and enjoy!

Try it out and let me know what you think!!!

To do or not to do, that is the question!

Ever wonder why some people can get things done while others just talk about doing them? Too many people can talk the talk, but when it comes down to actually doing something, they tend to shy away from it. Whatever their motivation is, or lack there of, when the rubber meets the road they refuse to do what they need to. "Too much hard work", "Not enough time", "It's too hot", "This is the way that we have always done it!" and so on...

For crying out loud, get those panties out of the knot that they are in and do something! We complain that we don't have enough money to buy equipment that we need, not want, in order to keep us safe (lets say discounted kevlar tactical gloves - $25-$75 depending on what type/style) but then go out and spend over $80 in one day (going out to eat, buying a CD/DVD, doing other things). Worse thing is that they sit back and complain that they are entitled to have whatever they want without having to work for it.

Last time that I checked, the only thing that I am entitled to is a paycheck for the work that I have done. Some people only have 3 speeds: Slower than a molasses IV drip, catatonic and dead. They are the same ones that will complain when someone does what they are supposed to do. They should be ashamed of themselves and not be a hater when someone actually wants to work and their true self comes out...

What do you think?

Are you ready?

Do you know what September is?? No, not the month after August and before October (ok, yeah you're right...but not this time), but its the half-way point during hurricane season. Remember, June 1 - Nov 30 (OK smart aleck....September 15 is the 1/2 mark...you satisfied???)

Do we know for sure that we are not going to get hit with one? Nope! But not all of us are prepared for it either. What supplies do we need to have at hand?

Let's go with the basics:

• Canned food
  
• Bottled water
• First Aid kits
• Emergency Evacuation Plan/Route (hopefully we do't need it though)
• Supplies and food for our pets
• Solar chargers for cellphones and other electronics
• Containers for collecting water
• Anything else that you think that you may need! (Make-up does not count ladies!)

Get together with family members and see if they need any help. Same thing with neighbors. Some of us don't have the luxury to be home during this time due to our professions (yep, we still work in the law enforcement community during these times) so any help that we get from others is ALWAYS greatly appreciated and returned in kind.

We always hope that we don't get hit with one. Just look at the devastation that Irene just left, but we need to make sure that we are ready for anything. Make sure that YOU are!