Defensive Tactics

One of Ottumwa's police officers teaches a law enforcement class at our local community college. One night a year, the class focuses on defensive tactics. David was asked to be a guest instructor for the course and I asked if I could come along (I wanted to see him in action, both in the teaching role and seeing him spar with the students). I was able to record David sparring with a female student. The students were instructed to block David’s right hook and then punch him. David was instructed to continuously punch the student during the scenario (because most fights don't end with just one punch).

I took the opportunity to test my fighting skills against David and his fellow officer Caleb. It was fun, but I’m bruised (let’s just say the “pads” they wore were not very soft lol)

After each of the students had a chance to “take on” both officers, the second portion of the class focused on scenario training. Thankfully I’m not shy, because I was pulled out of the audience and used as an actress in the scenarios. In total, David, Caleb and I acted out about 25 scenarios and two students at a time would be cops that were called to the scene. The student “cops” did not know what they were walking into, beyond the brief description “dispatch” gave to them. David, Caleb and I would cooperate if the officers did well in commanding the situation. However, if the officers did not take control of the situation or acted too aggressive, we would not be compliant.

The scenarios we acted out ranged from noise complaints; to domestic assaults; to a wanted murderer; and public intoxication. I had a great time playing up my characters and David impressed my socks off during the “recaps.” After each scenario, he would ask the student “cops” what they did correctly and incorrectly. After they answered, David would teach the class the proper procedure/strategy behind handling the “call” in a safer, more effective manner.

David was remarkable in his talent for explaining how to handle the “call” in the proper way and why. He also held the students’ attention and really had command over the room. I was so proud!

Caleb, David and I had a great time helping with the class-- Even though we all let bruised and sore haha. 

A Case of the Mondays

A couple of Mondays ago I had a “true Monday,” meaning that nothing went smoothly all day. I forgot my laptop in my car, which I realized after I got into my office, it started raining outside when I returned to the parking lot to get my laptop, my computer glitched, I spilled coffee, the list goes on and on. When I came home for the evening, I was exhausted and really ready for my Monday to be over. I walked in the house (apparently with a very worn out expression on my face) and then I saw my husband standing in the dining room. We had bought flowers, set the table, lit candles and grilled us a world-class dinner.

David said that the best part of my reaction was watching my worn-out expression quickly shift to one of joy. It meant so much to me that he had been thoughtful and sweet—but it was also awesome that I didn’t have to cook! With the day I had, I probably would have mistaken salt for sugar! :) 

Replacing our Marriage Vows

When I was growing up, one of my favorite things to play was Barbies. My favorite aspect of playing Barbies was, of course, weddings! I only had one Ken and one MC Hammer doll that was Ken-sized (MC Hammer had on gold parachute pants and a gold vest and had his own boom box!). Due to my limited supply of men, Barbie and Ken got divorced a lot, so I could put on another wedding with a different Barbie. For the divorce, I would do reversed wedding vows, “Do you Ken stop taking Barbie to be your awfully wedded wife?” And yes, I thought the words to wedding vows were awfully and not lawfully (haha!).

Fast forward to my adult life. When David and I were planning the wedding, I asked him if it would be okay to say non-traditional wedding vows. With all of the Barbie weddings I officiated, I thought that the “traditional vows” wouldn’t hold as much significance to me. Together, David and I found vows we loved. One of my dear friends (and talented artist) Rachel Cobler painted our vows for us (photo below).

We hung the painted vows above our stairs that lead from the main floor to our basement. When we hung them, we knew it was a temporary spot because David had a special plan for that location. Before we met, David went on a hunting trip in Ohio with several of his buddies. On the trip, David shot a ram that he had taxidermied. The taxidermy process took much longer than expected, so he just got it back this spring.

Now our wedding vows are in our bedroom and our spot above the stairs feature our new friend, Walter.