Stick with me please!

When I started this blog I’d really hoped to write more, possibly even every day. But it’s hard, and almost impossible, I’m just being real ya’ll. I think of things I’d like to write about, I even write them down, but it’s still hard. Most of the time when ideas for posts are going through my head, I am driving, either to work or from work so it’s difficult to actually turn that into anything. I am writing to you now from my desk at work at 2:37am though it will be at least 8am before this posts and before any of you read it. As I go on, I hope to find more time, make more time, to sit down and actually do some writing. About many things, my opinions, my thoughts, my life on the mountain, my recipes, my business, my work, my personal life…..all the various things that I enjoy reading blogs about.

But if I’m being honest, it’s hard to do any writing when my days are full from working, sleeping, taking care of my home or spending quality time with my husband and kids. The job that I do is both mentally and physically exhausting. It’s a job that I both love and hate at the same time. It’s a job that I always longed to do, that I know I am good at, but that will suck the life right out of you if you aren’t careful. It’s a job that I know I probably won’t be able to do long term if I want my mental health to stay intact.

Right now I’m on in the middle of my 3 day weekend, I’m on call Monday so it could turn into a 4 day weekend. I know that doesn’t sound like much ,but those are 12 hours shifts, meaning 36 hours in those 3 days…when most folks work an average of 40 over their 5 day work week. And more often than not in this profession we are working overtime to cover shortages, illnesses or vacations so many are working multiples days in a row for 12 hours shifts. It’s something that unless you’ve worked 12 hours shifts on a routine basis, I just don’t think you can fully understand. Physically exhausting.

As I sat here tonight I learned that a police officer had been shot in our state while on a traffic stop. I have not yet heard what his condition is, or if the suspect has been apprehended. This is something that is happening entirely too often. It puts your already on edge nerves, over the edge and makes you even more on alert. It’s not something I ever want to have happen on my watch. With each traffic stop, disorder, assist citizen call my ears and my mind have to be sharp. When my officers aren’t marked out on any calls, my ears and my mind have to be sharp. It’s something that unless you have sat in our seat and done, I just don’t think you can fully understand. Mentally exhausting.

I have an amazing support system, my husband stands fully behind me, even when he’s not so happy to be away from me. My kids also understand my schedule and know we have to make sacrifices. Without them I couldn’t do this at all. I’ve been in this field for four years now, and it’s wearing me down, but I’m so thankful to know that I have them behind me and they are proud of me no matter what. I am struggling, but I survive each day with Jesus, my family and my plexus products; without any of the three I wouldn’t have the strength, energy or willpower. So I hope you will stick with me, I want to write more, I want to be an encouragement to you, I want to share with you and in time I hope I will.