A Few of My Favorite Things

Its raining here in Ohio today, the kind of steady rain that makes you want to stay in bed and take it easy. It has made me think of some of my favorite things.  You know, those things that feel like they wrap around you, warm your soul and just make life ... better.  I thought I would share them with you just in case you need a reminder of the good things in life.    Here are some of the things that just make me happy. I bet you like some of these things too!

Fireplaces  

Its still summer so a fireplace isn't in order today but oh man, don't you just love watching a crackling fire and relaxing at the end of a long day.   That fire can hypnotize you and make it seem like any concern just melts away.  You know what I'm talking about, right.  

Jackets

I love jackets. Dressy jackets.  Sporty jackets, Long jackets.  Hooded jackets. Rain jackets.  It doesn't matter.  I love 'em all.  They are cute and fashionable, and oh don't I just love that they hide a million flaws.  I mean really, have you ever seen anybody that doesn't look better in a jacket?  I rest my case.  I really need to live in a cooler climate so I can wear jackets every single day.   

Boots 

I have come to the conclusion that it is virtually impossible to have too many pairs of boots.  Its a fact.  I don't have nearly as many pairs as I would like to have, and in fact have my eye on a pair of pretty Lucchese cowgirl boots right now.  That reminds me, when I was a little girl I had a pair of black cowgirl boots with red and white inlays.  Man I felt like I had the world in my hands when I wore those boots.  I bet that is where this boot obsession started!  These pretty things here are going to be mine soon.  Very soon.  I mean they are even named Amberlyn so its like a law that I have to get them, right?  

Coffee Mugs

There is nothing like a good cup of coffee in a good, hearty mug.  I really like the earthy, slightly imperfect stoneware mugs.  Something about those are just more comforting than a regular coffee cup.  Oh, don't get me wrong, I like a pretty delicate cup too, but there's just no replacing the feel of a good solid stoneware mug.  On a cold day you can wrap your hands around a hot mug and suddenly life is just ... better.  

Quilts

Is there anything better than wrapping up in a soft, cozy quilt?  Something about that just makes the worst of days seem bearable. 

Did you know that my grandma Fern Davis used to make the most beautiful quilts?  She had a special talent for putting just the right colors and patterns together to make an extraordinarily beautiful quilt.  People would travel from all over the United States and pay big money for one of her quilts.  Speagle catalogue (is that even a thing anymore?) asked her to make quilts for them.  All of her kids and grandkids were lucky enough to be given at least one of her quilts and I've always been torn as to whether or not to use them.  I do.  I figure I am the last in my family that will truly appreciate them so I do use them.  It reminds me of sitting on the porch swing with her and watching her piece together a quilt.  

Front Porches

When we built our house I insisted on two things.  It had to have a fireplace (it has two) and it had to have a front porch (it also has a back porch).  I do try, not always successfully, to make a few minutes each day when the weather is right to sit out there and take a break.  Get a nice cold glass of lemonade, or a cup of coffee, and just ... be.   And if its raining like it is today its even more peaceful.  What a comforting thing to settle back in a wicker rocker and smell the rain and just watch life go by for a bit.  

Really, Really Good Chocolate

Who doesn't love chocolate?  Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, chocolate with nuts, chocolate malts, chocolate brownies, chocolate covered bacon, hot chocolate...sorry, I got a little carried away there.  If you read my earlier blog about Mr. Geary, then you know where my chocolate addiction began.  I do love just about any chocolate, but here in Ohio we have some extra special chocolate.  If you've had it, you know what I'm talking about. Esther Price chocolates!  Oh my... where to even begin.  They are a delectable treat.  One of the perks of being a pastor's family is that a local funeral home here in town gives a box of these to all of the area ministers for Christmas each year.  Brian has become good friends with that funeral director and one year the annual box of Esther Price chocolates was forgotten. He has been making it up ever since by brining a box every time he sees Brian.  If you haven't tried them, what on earth are you waiting for???  Get you some!  

And my list just wouldn't be complete without DOGS! 

Dogs are truly a blessing to mankind. I was wondering last night as I snuggled with mine, why they love humans? Its easy to see why we love dogs, they are loyal, quirky, funny, warm, and will always, always love you no matter what.  But why on earth do they love us?  Maybe that's what makes them so special  - they don't need a reason to love us, they just do. Isn't that what every single one of us is looking for? 

But I Want To Do It!

I had a lot of fun teaching a CCW class  yesterday.  Well, actually, I didn't teach too much of it. Although I love teaching, and, as strange as it sounds I've come to love standing in front of a classroom full of people, I had two Apprentices assisting yesterday who also love to teach and  wanted to do a part of the class    


As the lead instructor for the class I could have just said,, "that's okay, I've got it",  but I want them to get some time in front of the class too.  Over the years I've learned (sometimes the hard way) that a good leader will make sure that their team is sharp and has everything they need to be as much of an asset to the team as possible .  

Leadership is not about elevating yourself, but about elevating others.  Too, too often I have seen leaders who want to be the visible one, the knowledgeable one, the "superior" one.  That my friends is an example of poor leadership. In fact, I dare say it is not leadership at all.  Its ego.  And ego is a destructive force within a team.

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*Side note about this photo*  I love this picture!  I did not take it.  Its a picture of my son leading Emma around on a pony.  I love it because its a great picture of the dad that Logan has become. I love it too because it takes me back to my childhood and to my uncle Shirley's house.  My uncle had horses and from as far back as I can remember,  this was a familiar sight.  It seems he always had one of us up on a horse and was leading us around the yard.  I loved every minute of that and count those memories as some of the best of my childhood.  When my boys were little, we took a trip back "home"and before I knew it, he had them up on  horses and was leading them around the yard.  Some things never change, and I"m glad they don't. 

Being An Apprentice

I was torn as to whether to post this on this page or on the Firearms Training page, but since this is more of a personal take on things, I thought it should go here. If your really just not that in to guns, you can move on, or stick around and you might be surprised that this is not about guns in the least.

My life as an Apprentice with 88 Tactical of Ohio began in late 2016.  I remember well the shock I felt when Phil asked if I wanted to work for him.  "Uhhhh... yeah .... is that a real question?"    Honestly, I had no idea that working for 88 Tactical was even a remote option.  There are a lot of people who would LOVE to work for 88 Tactical.   Its a sweet, sweet job.  But many of those people are not aware of the process and what it takes.  I thought I would outline that process here, at least as I understand it. 

Once you are selected as an Apprentice, and I do think you are selected.  Those who come and ask to be, usually don't make the cut.  This is an elite training organization and it basically comes down to this - if they want you, they will come and find you.   

But once you are selected, you will be given your blue patch and then, your responsibilities begin.  88 Tactical operates on a color patch system much like that of Martial Arts. 

Apprentice - Blue Patch

Instructor - Green Patch

Lead Instructor - Tan Patch

Senior Instructor - Black Patch





As an Apprentice you are to put in a minimum of 100 hours of volunteer time.  The best way to do that is to SHOW UP.  Show up and sit in on as many of the classes as you can.  Yes, you may take the classes free of charge (and you should) but show up to work as well. And here is a hint - show up often!

• Show Up Early.  See what the Instructor needs and make sure they have it.   See what they need for the classroom and get it for them.  Find out what they need on the range and set up the targets accordingly.  Go glue the targets to the backers and when the range becomes available, set up the range according to the Instructor's needs.
  
  
• Sit in and Listen.  Your job as an Apprentice is to listen and learn.  Learn how the classes run.  Learn the material.  Learn the range protocols.  Even if you are familiar with firearms and shooting - and even if you are already an Instructor with a different organization - listen and learn.  The training philosophy behind 88 Tactical is a bit different than you might find other places.  Everything we do is behaviorally based.  That means that we study human behavior and see how people really respond when something bad happens and then base the training off of that.  Its actually a science.  As an Apprentice you may offer assistance to a student but NEVER interrupt an Instructor.  It is generally a good practice to offer suggestions.  Even as an Instructor who is assisting another instructor in teaching, I let them lead.  I do not try to teach their class for them.  Its THEIR class.  I really believe it is important to know your place. Just having a title doesn't mean that you should take over if someone else is leading. 
  
  
• Stay Late.  After the class is over, it is your job to clean up.  Take the targets down and put them in their proper place.  Return any rental guns to the range counter (flagged) and sweep up all brass and place it in the buckets.  Sweep up paper and place in the trash.  Make sure the range is at least as good and preferably  better than you found it.
  
  
• Follow Up.  Follow up with the Instructor to make sure everything is done according to their liking.  We often do a debrief.  This is a good time to ask any questions about anything you saw that you had questions about.

You will do all of this for a minimum of a year.  My first year, and even to this day, I show up and do whatever I see that needs to be done.  If the trash needs taken out, take it out.  If the office needs to be cleaned, clean it.  If the old targets need to be torn off of the backers and thrown away, do it.  I'm not always sure of myself.  I mainly do stuff and hope its okay.  If its not, you'll find out, and trust me on this, the world will not come crashing down if you do something wrong.  Of course, that attitude led to a completely other job of doing the Administrative and Marketing component of the business.  Something I am not really trained for but ... I'm learning.

Being an Apprentice does not mean that you will ever be an Instructor.  You may be.  It really depends on you.  I could write out a list of dos and don'ts but really, if you need that list, you are probably not one that would be selected in the first place.  Once Phil has determined that you are right for 88 Tactical, then you will be awarded the Green Patch and made an Instructor.  No time for a big head here.  You are still here to serve.  In fact, there is probably one thing that will destroy all hope of being a part of 88 Tactical - arrogance.  If you are arrogant, or a show off, or in any way there to draw attention to yourself, you are probably not going to fly with us.

In December of 2017 I received my Green Patch.  The blue one is still my favorite.  Its my favorite because it signifies that I was selected.  Astonishingly, gratefully, selected. 

Things Worth The Money: Keens

A few years ago I was suffering some wicked plantar fasciitis, which, if you have experienced it, is just awful.  I tend to describe it as walking on shards of glass.  Being famously stubborn, I put off going to the doctor until it was bad.  Really bad.  Long boring story short - I did everything the doctor recommended and went through all of the treatment recommendations outside of surgery ... and ... nothing.  It still hurt every time I took a step.

I don't tell you this for sympathy.  I tell you this because I found something that worked like nothing else did!  Shoes!!  GOOD shoes! 

Now I'm sure there are many other options out there that would also be amazing, but this is my story and so I'm going to tell you about my shoes. 

The first pair I bought were Keens H2O Newport.  They were SOOO comfortable and made walking pleasurable again.  I wore them until they looked like something the cat had dragged in.  I still wear them. I shouldn't, but I do because they are just so comfortable.  And besides, they're dark blue so who's gong to notice how worn out they are, right? 






I have since bought other Keen Shoes.  A few more.  The Targhee are great but my favorites are the Voyager.  I have bought two pairs of those.  Again I wore the first pair mostly out and then Cooper finished them off. 














A pair of Keens will run you around $100 (more or less depending on where you find them).   And they are worth every single penny!   

Imagine how excited I was to find these H20s made of hemp!  

Narrowing My Focus

Sometimes you have to step back and make some tough decisions. 

I've been debating this for a while but yesterday I stepped down as the Regional Trainer for Ohio and Kentucky chapters of TWAW. 

I have been so very humbled to have been among some of the amazing women who were selected to serve in this new and important program. And I am incredibly grateful to those of you who put your name and reputation behind me and recommended me for the position. As I went through the interview process and saw the names of some of the other women who were in the running, it was humbling to be among them. Honestly, I wasn't sure I belonged in that group of impressive women but its nice to know that someone else thought so. 

It was a tough decision because its such an important role. The Regional Trainers will be responsible for overseeing the training of the leaders and instructors in their region. In short, they will be training the trainers. 

I'm still kind of amazed that I was given that opportunity and it means more than I can say, but I don't feel that I can give it the attention and time that I would need to invest to be able to do my best. I will still be serving as the State Leader and doing my best to lead the North Cincinnati Chapter.

I'm grateful to have this amazing life.  

Small Business Spotlight: Smart Solutions Fitness

As much as I possibly can, I really like to support small, local businesses.  They are the heart and soul of our community and often have higher quality goods and services than the bigger chains offer.

One such local business is Smart Solutions Fitness located at 1188 Pyramid Hill Boulevard, Hamilton, OH.  Smart Solutions is owned and operated by Julie Lindbloom.  Julie is an Athletic Trainer and can help you with general fitness, strengthening exercises, and can even help with recovery from an injury.

I went to Julie last year after a knee surgery and I can highly recommend her!  She is patient, encouraging, and gives you just enough of a challenge to get you to where you want to be.

Some of the services she offers are:

Personal Training

Just $40/session
One-on-one personal training session includes movement assessment, body composition, and implementation of workout program customized to your body's needs and stated goals.

TRX Classes

10 classes for $100

Whole body and core no matter what you do with TRX make it as easy or as hard as is appropriate to your skill level. TRX is very effective for conditioning and strengthening.



Not only is Julie a professional in her approach to fitness, but I have had the pleasure of knowing her for a few years and can tell you that she is honest, hardworking, dependable, and completely trustworthy.  She is good people!

Check her out at the Smart Solutions Fitness Facebook page

The Times They Are A Changin'

Its such a strange time. I've not posted about it because 1, its not for me to say. I don't like to post other people's business. And 2. its not about me. Not even a little bit. Often on post like this people will be kind and supportive and offer comforting sentiments and that is nice but its not about me. Not at all.

Many of you are aware that our Senior Pastor has been suffering failing health for a long, long time. By all appearances, he is now in the home stretch. It is unlikely that he will be back at church.

That brings about changes. Lots of changes. None of which are unexpected or have not been prepared for, as least as much as you can prepare for something like that.

Today my husband brought a message about "how to prepare for the final goodbye". Obviously it related to our congregation but I like to think that the message would be applied to others ho are also facing the loss of a loved one too. . Did I mention Howard has been the pastor there for decades. He was my pastor when I moved here when I was 14 years old. That gives you an idea of the depth of loss the congregation is experiencing.

It was a strange service today. Completely unknown to us and unplanned for was the presence of several who had attended our church years ago. The District pastor was also there - something I don't recall ever occurring in the 30+ years that we have been here. Strange. God planned? They had absolutely no way of knowing what the service would be today or even who would be bringing the message.

Church feels "different" now too. I feel us coming together and being closer, more kind, and more gentle than we have been in a while. I hope Howard feels that too. I'm almost certain that he does. People who rarely speak to me have offered hugs.

Is it stressful? Yes, but maybe not in the way you might think... it has been stressful, and unpredictable, and uncertain for a long, long, long time. Sometimes it has felt like the stress would eat us alive - but that is how we have learned to engage life for the past 15 years or so. Just to take things as they come. Trust God. Know that whatever happens, it will be ok because for most of that time there was no way to know what would happen in the next hour or week or month. Its really like that for all of us but it was just a little more apparent to us. So we will continue on as we have. When you get mad, be mad, and then move on. When sadness hits, feel it, and then get up and carry on. And never, ever stop laughing. We are all going to be just fine.