Homemade & Personal | National Police Week 2015

This years National Police Week fell May 10-16. Thousands gather in DC and pay homage to the fallen Kevlar clad heroes at the National Police memorial. Festivities go on all week, including a candlelight vigil that I imagine is an experience like none other. One day, we will make it there to celebrate and honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. For more info, check out www.policeweek.org

This year, I did what I could to make sure my LEO and his platoon knew, beyond all the negativity in the media, beyond all the hatred from common citizens, beyond just sheer ignorance, how much they are truly appreciated and needed. I'm took to Pinterest and found some super cute ideas and gave them my own spin. 

When my son and I went to roll call with my basket full of goodies, it was like Christmas morning for these officers, as I was told no one has ever done anything for them (for this week of honor or for Christmas). It was rewarding to see and hear how proud my LEO was to show me off with my basket full of goodies, and to see the officers faces light up and to be told how much they all appreciated the gifts.

I started off with black bags, and used a permanent double sided glue tape to put blue ribbon lines on the bags. The blue satiny ribbon really popped on the black bags. I then wrote in the officers code and last name on the bags.

My favorite was the pocket, one decade rosaries I made for them. I managed to find a tiny Catholic store close to where I live and she had the crucifixes and St Michael medallions I needed. This is the one project my boyfriend helped me with, and without his help, I may not have completed them. I included the St Michaels prayer for police officers and a small homemade badge with thanks for their service.

Not to toot my own horn, but I LOVE the rosaries! And the badges. In fact, I plan on making more in bulk to keep handy to hand out throughout the year instead of just once a year!

Next, I bought a ton of donuts, and rebagged them with a note saying "Donut you know we appreciate you 2015"... Yea, see what I did there?

I also, last minute, decided to make magnets out of the officers last name initial. 

Other things included in the bags: 

Blue & black coins (for their raise, or lack thereof)

A slim jim

A whoopee cushion

Hand sanitizer

A fake moustache

Tissues

A squirt gun

Gum

A pen

A bouncy ball

Powerade 

I included silly things to give the guys something to take the edge off, something to make them smile. It's a thankless job... a stressful, thankless job.

And it's important to me that they know how much they are lovedand supported.

For LEO and family support, here are a few sites:

Wivesbehindthebadge.org/about-us/testimonials 

Policewives.org

Behindthebadgefoundation.org/support/law-enforcement-family-network

And two books I love:

Bullets in the Washing Machine

I Love a Cop

Homemade | Police Thin Blue Line Ornaments

Christmas has come and passed, along with NYE, so I finally  have a chance to sit down and blog this!

These were the Christmas gifts to my boyfriends platoon this year. I had a blast making them, even though it was extremely tedious and time consuming. I think taping them and waiting for the paint to dry was the most nerve wracking! 

But the officers LOVED them, and for that very reason I am very proud of them, and myself. 

Once painting was done, I filled them with fake snow and a handfulll of .22 bullets. 

I'm already planning next years gift, and I'm hoping to get an earlier start! 

💙tlee

Personal | hashtags and other sorts

I completely skipped an entire month of blogging. Although the excuse is legit, I don't like excuses.

I recently (late August) got a new job. I went from accounting/bookkeeping to... Ready for it? 911 communications officer. I have been in training pretty much since day one, which let me just throw it out there, is stressful. I was released on the phones Monday Oct 27th. So until I begin police radio training, which will probably take place in a few weeks, I've been able to catch up on some projects. 

We have periods of downtime during the 12-hour midnight shift, so I'm using that downtime wisely, between reviewing work related stuff and getting my projects out of the way (such as this beauty)...

And since starting this job, I'm home during the day, which is a totally new experience for me. Between catching up on sleep I've also managed to work on some of my "at home" projects. 

Here are a few I've been able to accomplish...

I bedazzled some acorns (super cute)

We carved some pumpkins

I made my sons werewolf Halloween costume

I made some cute and warm ear warmers 

I made a tiny hippo

I painted pumpkins 

I created a Halloween wreath out of ribbons

I made a baseball leather key ring for my sons fall ball baseball coach

I started to play with Christmas gift ideas for my boyfriends platoon

Needless to say I've been busy..

I also just opened up my new (and always improving) Etsy store:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/fiveohlove

Right now I just have a few things listed but will add upon that once I see an interest. 

Also, if you are on Instagram, look for the following hashtags to find either of my pages and follow me...

#craftingadhd

#loveyourpopo

#firefliesandsweettea

And that's about it for now. I'll probably be doing another DIY project with coconut oil and essential oils for a Christmas gift giveaway and/or the sugar scrubs. I might also be doing one for the gifts I end up making for my LEO's platoon for Christmas. Last year it was an Officers Survival Kit, which I think ill do again this year along with a nice ornament, but we'll see.

For now, goodnight and good morning.

 <3tlee