Dad is the favorite amongst all of us. My husband has 4 brothers and sisters. Everyone of us has said if anything happened to my MIL, we’d take Dad. It would’ve been a battle had it not worked out as it has.

My FIL is a quiet, unassuming man, who worked hard for a living. He was a general contractor for over 50 years and taught my husband the meaning of doing the job right, the first time. He has a wonderful sense of family and a great sense of humor. His workmanship in even the smallest things are from days gone by. My husband carries that same pride in workmanship with him to this day.

When my husband and I decided to get married, we were stationed in Germany. We had 30 days to come home and get married. We called his parents and they made all of the arrangements. I had spoken to his parents on the phone, but had never met them. After the long flight back to the States and after we had gotten our luggage, we found his parents. My FIL, whom I had never met, opened his arms (literally) and said, “let me welcome my new daughter to the family” and gave me a hug. That meant the world to me and to this day that moment is one of the most special things to happen in my life.

After dinner on Thanksgiving, we were sitting on the couch talking. He leaned over and put his hand over mine and told me how pleased he was that he was with us. He was having a great time. Just about brought me to tears. The best thing we did was have him spend the day with us. I cherish all of it.

He’s a bit more fragile nowadays, more deaf than he used to be, a bit more shaky when he walks (he has the cutest walker with wheels), but still he is “Dad.”

This year I noticed that Christmas had come before Halloween. Are you kidding me? Summer has barely ended and Christmas decorations & trees are already coming out in the stores. Why? I can’t believe people are actually starting to buy this stuff. Just after Halloween, the Christmas commercials started. Oh come on. Give me a break, I haven’t even thought about what I’m buying anyone for Christmas and I don’t like being bombarded with this stuff this early. Puts me off almost immediately. At least we’re not subjected to the Santa riding a razor down a hill twenty times a day anymore!

This morning on the news, they were showing people lining up for Black Friday sales. They started last night — Tuesday. These people are waiting in the flipping freezing cold for 3 days, for what? To be the first at a sale that starts somewhere between 4 and 5 a.m.? ARE THEY NUTS?

I’m not a big shopper. With that said, there is not enough money in this world (seriously, there isn’t) for me to get my butt up and out of bed at 2 or 3 in the morning to hit a sale that starts at 4 or 5 a.m. That’s just crazy. I have friends who make a morning of it — going from store to store and they’re all done shopping by 7 a.m. Nuts.

I’ve had a serious case of the “Bah Humbugs” the past few years. I’m less inclined to decorate the house (actually, I can’t remember the last time I did decorate the house) and my husband and I no longer spend the day looking for a tree to cut down – we buy it ready to go and I miss that. We used to have a great time at the tree farm — we’d spend hours comparing trees and then we’d end up getting the tree we spotted when we first arrived. Cold winter days, hot chocolate, laughter and a muddy mess by the time we got home with our tree that was always too tall. Buying presents and stocking stuffers was a huge deal as well. It was fun trying to guess what was in boxes stashed all over the house, before they went under the tree. That’s what Christmas was about for us. Now, not so much.

I think it’s because of the over-exposure we all have to endure. By the time Christmas really does arrive, it feels like an afterthought, a let-down even. Seriously, we’ve been bombarded for so long, it’s like we’ve had Christmas forever. What’s exciting about that?

Last week the Christmas music started. Shoot me now.

No, I haven’t ditched the husband or the farm, but I have decided to change me. I have decided to go back to school whilst working. I will be completing one degree and moving on to another, all within the next 3 years…and it’s all online! Wheee! I’ve always regretted not finishing my education and since changing jobs last year, I’ve become inspired like never before. Go figure – I’ve had many years to be inspired, but I wasn’t. Never looking a “gift” horse in the mouth, I’m taking this inspiration and running with it.

I have joined a hardcore gym. No foofy stuff for me, this is extreme bootcamp, kickboxing, “kickass” stuff. The stuff I’ve always wanted to do, but no one offered in the town I live in. I’m not looking to lose buckets of weight (don’t have it to lose), I just want to be fit, toned and healthy. I’m not into numbers on a scale or on clothes. It doesn’t matter what the size is, if it doesn’t fit, its useless…period. Besides, the more I workout and move, the longer I will be able to stay upright and mobile. Can’t let the “spondy**” monster win…not yet anyway.

With regards to shooting, I have been challenged by a dear shooting friend to shoot new places and more often. I’m taking her up on that starting next weekend. I actually went out and practiced today for the first time since that disastrous shoot I attended in August. I’ve missed shooting and didn’t realize it until today. We’ve mapped out new places to shoot, which means new friends to make and new clubs to see. I’m so excited.

Call me crazy, looks like alot on my plate, but it will take me through the changes of Fall, through the hibernation of Winter, to the renewal of Spring and on…and I just can’t wait!

(**Spondy is short for ankylosing spondylitis which I have. It’s an autoimmune disease that fuses the bones.)

I have blogger friends that I’ve been fortunate to find (or I’ve been found by them) that once in a while will ask their followers to read another persons blog or click on a website. I do, I read, I may comment back to the original blogger. I never leave comments on other peoples blogs that I’m pointed to – they don’t know me, I’m not a regular follower, it’s not comfortable most of the times. Today I left a comment. Today I reached out to someone I don’t know, a perfect stranger, because the pain she was feeling touched me deeply. I haven’t walked in her shoes, I am not in the straits she has found herself in, yet I reached out to her. I offered comfort and anything else I could, because I felt she needed it.

Her voice broke my heart and me, a stranger, wanted nothing more than to provide some sort of comfort to her – someone I don’t know, will most likely never know except through her writings.

All day I have wondered why I have done this — strayed from my comfortable existence, my life that is so predictable (well, as predictable as things can be nowadays). I have read other peoples writings, I have laughed, I have been touched, but I have never put myself out there in such a way. I offered myself in a way I have done for family and friends, never for a stranger. Not like this. I am confused, yet grateful. At times today I wanted to cry about this person. I’m really not sure why I feel this way. All I know is that I do and that I will keep my word and provide comfort and help to this person. She really has no idea of the impact she made on my life today. There is a reason for how I’m feeling. I can’t put my finger on it, not yet. I hope I hear the answer.

Thank you Supa.

I’m farsighted – I can see quite the distance. On the other hand, ask me to look at something close up and I’ll ask you to hold it in the next county so I can see it. After all, my arms are only so long! I wear glasses for reading and computer use only. I don’t wear distance glasses…yet.

So, I had to get my eyes checked today – but it was not your typical exam. I’ve been having strange happenings the past month in one eye. Having a history of a serious eye condition, I was concerned. Off to the eye doctor I go. Of course the first thing he says is I have to dilate your eyes to see what’s going on. Oh joy. One thing I dislike is dilated eyes. I hate the way it feels. I especially dislike wearing sunglasses indoors. Really, you’d think I was “all that,” decked out in fancy shades. Well, I’m not. I apologized to every person I saw after the appointment whilst running errands – just had my eyes dilated, pardon the sunglasses.

The exam was fine (thank goodness), nothing but allergies and eye migraines. Eye drops and a trip to see my regular doctor was what I was told. Works for me…and then he dropped the next bomb – “next appointment ‘we’ll need to consider” correcting your distance. Seems it’s a bit shorter than when you were here last (that would be January 2009).” ARE YOU KIDDING ME? So unfair really. My eyes are elderly and I’m not…really, it’s a cruel joke

Ok, I’ll admit it; I buy fashion/beauty magazines. I buy them because I want to know what’s new and exciting in the world and how can I incorporate some of the things I see into my everyday life. I’m a realist. I’m 5’4 and rather small in stature. Not quite petite in size (I’m too long waisted), but pretty small. I’m not overweight, I’m not itsy-bitsy. I’m me. Being small in size automatically precludes me from being model material – in any form. I have long hair, beautiful eyes and lips and I could use a butt lift (thanks to genetics, I have no butt!). I work out and eat right and just like everyone I know, I’m not thrilled with a few body parts (see butt above).

Seriously though, for the most part, I’m fine with how I look, but wish I dressed a bit better. I don’t have a desire to look like the people who are modeling the clothes in the magazines I read. I’m actually looking at the outfits (or the separates) to see if a) it’s suitable for me and my lifestyle, b) cost effective (not a gazillaire here), and c) to make sure it’s not too trendy. I don’t do mega-trendy items. I find they are the things that don’t last and then you’re stuck with it when it’s no longer “the thing to have.” So, the other day at the grocery, I came across a magazine that I wanted. It was actually perfect for what I wanted – large issue with something for everyone.

So, I get the magazine home and open it – imagine my surprise when a piece of paper fell out. Not the usual umpteen subscription cards, but an actual folded piece of paper. Well, I opened it and was really shocked and quite frankly, insulted. Someone has a serious self-esteem issue and decided to push that onto whoever purchased this particular magazine.

This is what it said (and I quote):

“The whole purpose of “beauty,” fashion, and celebrity magazines
is to make you feel ugly, inadequate, and bored – (not my emphasis either) –

So you will spend all your money on the products in their ads
trying to be beautiful, exciting and interesting.

Think it will work? (It does for them. They make a killing off selling ads. And their advertisers make a killing off selling to you).

You can make your life more attractive, exciting and interesting…. (but not by buying or reading these magazines).”

Uh, excuse me, but I’m not stupid enough to think that whatever I purchase will make me a more interesting or exciting person and I truly resent being told that I am stupid. My self-esteem and ego are exactly where they should be – I’m just fine thank you very much.

I showed this to my friends and they had the same reaction – all were insulted and wanted to know who this person was to tell us how we feel when purchasing these types of magazines. We’re all intelligent, educated women. My dearest friend is the “fashion” plate of the bunch of us, but doesn’t push any of it on us. In fact, I seek out her advice all the time and she gives it…because I asked. She’s from the City, I’m from the Country – what do I know about fashion?

I can’t believe someone went to the trouble of typing this up, cutting sheets of paper in half and stuck this in magazines. I can’t believe someone is so insecure about how THEY might feel that THEY have to push that insecurity on someone else. What if a young lady had seen it – who might already have esteem issues, how about someone recovering from an eating disorder? Seriously, what kind of damage would this note present to someone who’s vulnerable? Shame on people who have to push their self issues and problems on others.

Now, had this topic been raised in conversation, it could have been discussed intelligently and without creating umbrage. Nope, it was done in secrecy and was done to make the reader of the magazine feel bad. Double whammy.

To all who feel like the quote above: Shame on you – either discuss it openly or don’t discuss at all. What you did was cowardly. My self esteem is just fine – how’s yours?

If you looked at the songs on my IPod, you might be surprised at the diversity. I run the gamut of classical, classic rock (naturally), hip hop, rap, alternative, jazz, pop, etc. I even have a piece of opera (one piece only, mind you) that just gives me chills when I hear it. I have music that moves me to tears, music that makes me smile and music that makes me think. I have songs that bring back such vivid memories of a time when I partied like crazy, became responsible and just plain grew up. Some of the songs are so autobiographical that you’d think the artist had personally written about my life.

Music defines me like nothing else. I cannot go a day without it. I play guitar, sing and at one time (in another life, far far away) was studying to be a classical pianist. I am passionate about music, period.

I have found in the age of IPod the greatest gift though. I can hear a song that moves me in some way – type in a few of the lyrics (if I’m paying attention) into Google and voila! I get the name of the song and the artist. I then download it to my IPod and play the hell out of it! That happened last night. I heard an incredible song and had to have it. I had tuned in to the last part of Grey’s Anatomy last night and heard this song. It struck some kind of cord in me that I started writing the words down so I could find it. I went to the TV station site hoping I’d find it…everything but. I typed the words into Google and got a different song. Frustrated, I kept at it and I’m so glad I did. There are times when I just have to have that certain song that I’ve heard that reverberates in my head, heart or soul. I had to have this piece of music last night, period.

I found this incredible song “A Storm is going to Come” by an artist I had not heard before. Piers Faccini has such wonderful inflection and soul in his voice. The lyrics are right on and the melody is beautiful. Wow. It’s been played a gazillion times on my IPod already (not to mention the multiple playings of YouTube!).

The ironic thing though, I saw the original airing of GA in April – how did I miss this song then???

I’m now looking to find more music by Piers (thank you YouTube)… his music strikes something in me that I need right now and I couldn’t be happier.

Music has meaning – it can transport you to new heights, lift your soul or mood, it can soothe you or make you cry, and it can bring meaning to an otherwise dreary day. This song is bringing something to my life today and I’m thrilled.

So what happens when you are in control and the targets are out of control? Targets that are spinning, that show too much face, come out parallel to the traphouse (totally illegal by the way); you would think that club management would fix things, correct? Normally, they would – they’d jump right on it. After all, we shooters are their income. Word of mouth is a powerful tool. Set a good target, treat the shooters like you care, they’ll come back anytime and bring their friends. Set a bad target, treat the shooters like you don’t care, they’ll tell everyone they know not to bother.

So, I’m shooting at a local club that I haven’t been to in about 5 years. I quit shooting there because of the stupid club politics – it’s a beautiful club and they always threw good targets. Until today.

Now, I take responsibility when I’m shooting poorly (or even really bad). I can live with the score I end up as I “earned” it – good or bad…when it’s under my control…and there are days I should’ve stayed home, the scores were so bad.

Today – it was out of everyone’s control, but the management of the club. The targets were so bad, the scores were much lower than usual – even the top shooters were shooting low scores. Did club/shoot management do anything – nope. They just went blithely on their way. It took the owner of another club who was there shooting to fix a few things. Problem is the damage is/was done. For the first time that I can remember, I actually pulled out of the remaining 2 events after the first event. Yes, it was that bad.

There is a huge crowd of us that will never go back. That’s a shame since clubs all across the country are closing, whether from lack of funds, shooters, outside influences, bad service to the shooters, whatever. We can’t afford to lose clubs nowadays.

It boils down to customer service – that’s in their control. You always want your customers to happy. When they’re happy, they will tell everyone about what a great experience they had. When they’re not, they will tell everyone about what a lousy experience they had. Funny how that works – it seems the bad stuff goes around a lot faster than the good stuff.

Like I said – word of mouth is a powerful tool. I will be spreading the word that this club is no longer worth shooting at…what a shame. The targets and attitude of this club was out of my control. Fixing the problem in a timely matter, was in their control.