My 1st and 2nd shift fix.....

Here's some exciting news....at least for me anyway.  My pre-Fall break is over and AHOP is cooking breakfast for 1st shift next Saturday, and she...can't...wait!  I sure have missed these guys and I need my 1st and 2nd shift fix.  My break wasn't all that long, but when you factor in the few weeks they were out because of the Democratic National Convention, and then my 3 week break to take care of some big house chores, it feels like forever!

The break was good to get some things done around the house, but it has felt really odd to not have as much interaction with the officers I cook for.  Not to mention my brain feels like it had a vacation too!  No menu planning, no grocery lists, no three packs of bacon to pre-cook on Thursday nights, no setting the table, no 4:30 am Saturday morning alarm clock.

And I haven't forgotten about my 2nd shift officers -- I see three big pans of lasagna in their near future for sometime in mid-October.  We're working on a date now.

I have been blessed with so many wonderful friends since my move to Charlotte.  Two dear and wonderful people have been like parents to me (yes, I’m talking about you Anne & George).  From day one, I knew they were special and I am so blessed to have them in my life.  And now, having these officers in my life to cook for and to worry about, for the first time in 21 years, I feel like I have a family of my own.

I guess you could say these officers "complete me."  They certainly have made my life a better life. ♥

Don't let your cell phone have the last word ....

It's a deadly subject and a good reminder for us all.  I came across two awesome videos regarding texting and driving -- we're all guilty of it -- even if for a nanosecond.   

Don't let your cell phone have the last word ... it can wait!  No text message is worth a life! ♥

A pre-Fall break for AHOP....

To my readers, I'm taking an AHOP break (just through September) to get some pre-Fall chores done around the house (cleaning, pressure washing, gutters, yard work, window washing and, hopefully, a room cleaned out and painted.)  Hiring most of it out, so don't feel too sorry for me.  Just organizing it all can be exhausting though!

It will feel really odd the next two weeks not to be planning meals in my head.  It takes up more space in my brain than you might think.

You may see a sudden stop in blog posts, so I wanted you to know all is well!  Stay tuned, and thanks always for stopping by to see what's new at AHOP!  ♥

Update:  Breakfast and dinners will resume in October for 1st and 2nd shift and I....can't....wait!  

A post-DNC thank you!

So proud of our CMPD and all of the law enforcement officers who came in from around the country to help keep Charlotte safe during the Democratic National Convention (DNC).  They made the City of Charlotte shine last week.  We are honored to have such a great law enforcement team in Charlotte, protecting and serving the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

I wanted to make my officers in the South Division (my area) a special after-DNC surprise in appreciation for all their hard work and long hours.  I haven't made a special candy bar wrapper since Easter, and before that it was Valentine's Day, so I thought now might be a good time.  South, Central and North divisions received my Easter candy bars, so this time I made some for the Steele Creek division, in addition to South, with my thanks for an awesome job last week.  I hope they will enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making them.  Love you guys too!   

I was super nervous about delivering my gift to Steele Creek today.  And as many times as I have stopped by my own division, I still get a knot in my stomach before I go.  It's like everyone is crazy busy, and then here I come -- little ol' me -- with my candy bars, or whatever it happens to be.  So out of my element.       

And here's some surprising news.....I wrapped 108 Hershey candy bars (w/ Almonds) for the South Division and 108 candy bars for Steele Creek.  That's 216 candy bars total and I didn't eat NOT ONE! It's a near miracle.  Wow is all I can say!  

Didn't they turn out cute!!

Click on picture to enlarge

 My pictures didn't turn out very good.