Don't forget to vote!!

Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign that read "Vote Obama, I need the money." I laughed.
Once in the restaurant my server had on a "Obama 08" tie, again I laughed as he had given away his political preference--just imagine the coincidence.
When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need--the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.
I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I 've decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was grateful.
At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient needed money more.
I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application.

I am so happy for Greg now that he is working in a place that truly embraces his beliefs in what a police officer can do for their community. The value based program made the local news when Terrell PD recently adopted it.

Posted on October 24, 2008 in Highland Village Weekly
HVPD Receives International Community Policing Award
The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) has selected the Highland Village Police Department to receive a major international award for its community policing efforts with its innovative Value Based Policing.

On November 12, 2008, Police Chief Ed O'Bara will receive the 2008 Community Policing Award at the annual IACP Conference in San Diego, CA. HVPD's Value Based Policing will be featured at the conference in a community-policing workshop for other law enforcement professionals.

The Highland Village Police Department's "Value Based Policing" is an innovative, easily adaptable and cost effective way to focus daily performance of Patrol Officers on activities that fully support and strengthen the policing expectations of our community. One of the greatest benefit of the model is that it fully focuses patrol attention on the prevention of crime and encourages officers to actively seek and engage in opportunities that involve positive interactions with citizens.

Not So Productive

I am recovering from something and still don't feel well.
It could have been my reunion celebration last weekend ('cause you know I am SO out of practice).
Maybe its the insane Texas weather. I cannot decide if I should wear shorts or sweaters. Okay I admit it - it is rare that I wear shorts anymore. What happened to the concept of SEASONS?
I made taco soup and cornbread with green chiles and cheddar cheese - I AM READY FOR WINTER. I am even willing to skip Fall since Texas just doesn't 'get it'!
I have now missed out on three weeks of couponing. I did manage to get my newspapers today. I hope to get back into the swing of things this week.

20 YEARS???

Well this was the weekend. My 20th high school reunion. I have to admit it was more fun than I expected. It was so awesome to reconnect with people I haven't seen in MANY years. I am sad to say that there were many I had forgotten. Immediately upon seeing them though some of the memories came back. There were a few instances where I forgot things and was reminded only because someone else remembered. There were specific people that I really wanted to see and I got to see the majority of them.

It was so nice to hear how wonderful you've aged, how great you look, how sweet you are, how fond you were thought of, over and over again. That happens so rarely and to continuely hear it I just kept thinking, 'man, I could do this reunion thing again.' Most amazing to me because I came in the middle of my junior year and the whole time I was there I was dating someone that had already graduated so I didn't spend a lot of time socializing with my class. I worked with many of them at the local Pizza Hut or ran into them at parties.

It was refreshing to see that the class as a whole looked fantastic. I have to admit I think that we all looked great. We have matured, gained a few pounds a few gray hairs a few wrinkles.

There were several other observations that I made:

• BIG hair, that 80s hair was a big topic. We all had it. Looking at the old yearbooks we almost all had the same exact hairstyle. Big, long, permed hair. The more product the better.


• The FFA clubs are overlooked. I think those guys have turned out to be some of the most handsome. Apparently, I was distracted by the jocks and bad boys and didn't notice the farmers...whew!


• Those that were into the party scene pretty heavy either have worn themselves out with the same behavior or were out of shape in the partying activities. One guy that should have such a high tolerence due to MUCH experience was so wiped out he was trying to talk but the words just weren't making sense.

In true THS '88 form Friday night was spent at a local bar owned by none other than one of my fellow '88 graduates. The Cunningham twins operate My Brothers' Place in Troy, IL.

Saturday evening there was a dinner and dancing at a hotel in Fairview Heights. I have to say that the dinner was really nice and the entertainment was great. We had a DJ that provided lots of great 80s music. There was even karoke which wasn't around when we were growing up. There were a few alcohol challenged individuals that gave it a shot. They throughly entertained us all.

To prove maturity there were some great examples of responsiblity. There were several couples that although they didn't live far, planned ahead and just stayed the night there at the hotel.

Almost Nostalgic

I went to two gas stations today that were selling fuel for $1.85/gallon (no typo here). Unfortunately, they were completely sold out.

I don't guess the news cast where I heard about it let everyone else in on the secret.

I did end up paying $2.88/gallon which still isn't so bad considering the near $4.00 prices lately.

A Good Day

I got new tires and an oil change.

Greg got to instruct kids on scooter safety today and he had a ball!

I finished Maggie's shadowbox from our trip to Chicago.

I witnessed my friend Heather's torture during a pedicure via phone...OMG!

My Mo cat is a Mama's boy and I LOVE it!

The 20-year reunion uniforms came today and they look great.

Today I sent Gregory off to start on his second retirement.

We laughed about this picture because it is almost as symbolic as the one his mother took the first day of school on the steps outside of his kindergarten classroom. I love that photo, because he is just so cute with his brown lunch sack in his hand.

I can't believe it either

Yep, its been 20 years and I'll be going to STL for my reunion. After much thought about what to wear, I've finally settled on an 80's appropriate fashion item and to date one of my favorite pieces of clothing...thank God for tshirts!

Wonderful news

Greg will start his new job on Monday. Here is another example of what a great police officer does:

One Highland Village Police Officer received a surprise during the ceremony when it was announced that the two law enforcement offices in the new building (Children’s Advocacy Center of Denton County) will be named in honor of her. Leal said an anonymous donor gave $20,000 in honor of Corporal April Roppollo. “We thought it would be fitting to give the two law enforcement offices for her. Corporal Roppollo is a volunteer with the Center and gives of her time when she is not on duty. She is also constantly talking to people in Highland Village and the surrounding area about the Center. She is very passionate about our cause. She has been able to raise money for the Center, when not on duty, that has helped us to provide direct services to the kids. She was instrumental in soliciting donations for a Bicycle Race competition that took place this past year with several law enforcement agencies participating in Highland Village.”

Nite Nite

Why am I just now noticing that I get a headache when I don't have enough sleep.

My date with (~~)n%dl

Greg and I do go out frequently, but I must admit that it is rare that we do anything that feels remotely like a date. On Wednesday we went to the zoo and rode the mini train through Trinity Park. The weather was beautiful! It was an enjoyable, slow-paced, laid back day.

I think I enjoyed the meer cats the most...they are just plain CUTE!!

We did see some monkeys 'doin' it'. Watching the mom's with little ones quickly divert the kiddos attention was much more entertaining.

Alligators like dead rabbits, in case you were wondering.