Crushing Nature!!!!!

This is me crushing nature! Joelle took this picture. On the left, see nature. Calm and serene, the creek burbles along. On the right, see me. Yelling and with my fist rasied, I'm fording the river (you're not getting your hands on my oxen!) See the close-up below.

So this picture was taken out in Rappahanock County. Marisa's father owns a place out there, and the driveway options are the quaint little bridge (which Joelle is standing on), or the river (which I am violating.) We went out there to do some camping in White Oak Canyon. It was pretty badass and we had a great time!

Otherwise, things are going well. We close on the house on Tuesday (the 30th). I finally put some pictures up. You can view them at www.webshots.com/user/ferrgot then just click on the folder called "Home." We have tentatively scheduled the move for the weekend of October 11th. Any volunteers would be greatly appreciated, and beerly awarded!

I'm anxiously awaiting the beginning of the academy. October 14th is fast approaching and I'm ready. I've been getting my ass kciked at PT twice a week, but I'm getting better. And we've been told that the PT that we're doing now is harder than that we'll be doing in the Academy. So hopefully I can get used to these workouts and be good to go.

Anyway, I'm off. Let me know if you are willing to help with the move. And be ready for, hopefully, an end of October house warming extravaganza!

Bored

I'm bored. I'm so bored. Help me!

So I've begun the "work" phase of my pre-hire time. I was told that I would be assigned to the academy. So I, and the other pre-hire, reported to the academy on Monday. It was a good time; we helped out as role players in very realistic scenarios for officers.

At the end of the day, though, we were told that we were being transferred. The academy already has six cadets assigned to help, so we were just spare bodies.

The Sgt. Told us that we were being sent to the crime scene unit. They just moved into a new building and need help getting organized.

The problem is, now that we're here, there really isn't much to do. We spent the morning cleaning some machines, labeling drawers, and moving furniture. But now here we sit, with two hours left on our shift, with nothing to do.

The Lt. Said he had nothing for us, then left for the day. Now don't get me wrong, I'll accept a paycheck this large to do nothing. I'm just getting antsy.

We do, however, have physical training in the morning. I had physical training on Tuesday and it kicked my ass. I'm still hurting. The trainer told us, though, that he works us harder than the academy does. So hopefully I'll get used to his training, then be able to do well later.

I'm going to go wander around and try and find ANYTHING to do.

Holy Crap!

So we lost out on the last house too. It's the way it goes. Someone is always bound to grab up something when the price is too good to be true.

Well now that someone is us. We found another house, and we're locking up the contract today. We put down an offer, including $2,000 in earnest money. The damn back countered, but they changed nothing except to ask for $2,500 in earnest money. I guess they feel like they have to counter anything. So we're passing on another $500.

The house is amazing. I don't have pictures right now, but I'll post some later. It looks like the house hunt may finally be over.

More to follow...

Been awhile...

...but I've been busy!!!!!!

So here's the haps. We didn't get the house that we put an offer on. It had some mold in the basement and the bank didn't want to take a gamble because FHA (our loan program) can get very stickler-ish about mold. They took an offer that came with a conventional mortgage.

We have, however, found a MUCH better house. We put an offer on it on Monday, and it looks like we might have a better shot at this one. I really hope that we get it, it is PERFECT for us!!!!! I was actually feeling woozy while walking through it b/c it was so great. Hopefully we'll hear something on Wednesday. Keep those fingers crossed!

I'm in my second week of employment with FFX. I can't believe it finally came true! I've been doing ride alongs in some of the eight district stations. I have two left, then I report to the Academy where I will be working as a go-fer. Then our academy actually starts on October 14th. I can't freakin' wait!!!!!

Now, as much as I hate to do it, I have to tell you how I got myself locked into some ironclad irony. September 2 was my first day of work with the county. Well, on my way to work that morning, I was pulled over by a Prince William Officer for speeding as I was leaving my neighborhood.

That's right, folks. After 7 years with a clean driving record, I went and got myself a moving violation on my way to my first day of work for a police department. How much of a dumbass can I really be? So I, of course, had to report the ticket to my Lt. I'm suffering my consequences, but it's still almost funny how I manage to step on my own d*** no matter where I go. ;)

Anyway, I think it's time to go to sleep. I've been on the evening shift (1:30pm - 1:00am) the past two days, but tonight I start midnights (7:30pm - 7:00am). In an effort to prepare myself, I have been trying to stay awake so I can fall asleep closer to morning time. I think I'm finally losing that battle. :) I did spend the last two years on midnights, though, and happily so. Hopefully it won't be too hard to rotate back in. For two nights, that is. Then, on Friday, after getting off at 0700, I have to sit in on boring "Welcome to the County" orientation from 0830 - 1200. Now that's going to be a laugh!

Okay, I've reached the point of rambling, so I'm out. I'll just close by saying, Yes, Jon, there is room for you at whatever house we wind up in. Right at the foot of the bed. LOL

¡Adiós!