A Typical Week

As I said in my earlier post, we seldom have a "typical week" around here.  In ministry, plans can change on a dime so things are always a bit chaotic.  We try to harness that chaos as much as we reasonably can.  Here is what's going on at the moment.

Brian always gets up EARLY (I usually do as well) and spends time in his study.  I spend that time getting my thoughts together and drinking LOTS of coffee, which always me to do that a bit easier. 

Today I'm planning for next week.  The key to our crazy lives is to get ahead as much as we can, and that means planning and organizing.  It typically gets unorganized before its all said and done but I like to think we're a bit ahead of the game if we at least have a plan.

Today I want to go get the grocery shopping done because tomorrow I have a full day of getting rid of the gray in my hair (insert winky face) fixing dinner (biscuits and gravy), and then its the first presentation of the church Christmas musical.  Once I get back from the grocery store I have the remainder of paperwork on my desk to get finished up.  That involves taking the sign-in sheets from our classes and adding that information to the student database and into our email list.  Its time consuming and reading people's writing makes it more so. 

Sunday morning is the Installation Service for the new pastors. I think that's us!    The congregation voted Wednesday evening and frankly I'm still trying to wrap my head around it all.  I fully expected the vote to be in favor of Brian and Dennis, but I did not expect the HUGE number of people who came out to vote.  Driving up the hill to the church I actually had to wait as cars were backed up a bit waiting to turn into the parking lot.  The parking lot of full and there was a Sunday morning crowd there with a line of people waiting to sign in to vote.  That show of support has truly left me in shock and I know both Brian and I are so very appreciative. 

Sunday all of our family will be there.  I wonder if that platform is big enough for all of our crew and all of Dennis and Connie's crew?  That's a lot of people! 

Sunday evening is the second presentation of the Christmas musical at church.  Now it has been our tradition since the boys were little to come home after church and eat frozen pizza.  I think we did that back then because we had two growing (and hungry) boys to feed on a very tight budget.  We would get home and be starving and frozen pizza was both cheap and fast.  After a long day at church, that just seemed to fit the bill.  Today we can afford better but there's just something about it that seems right so we still do frozen pizza on Sunday night.  Come to think of it, that might be the only predictable thing about our weeks.

Normally I go to the grocery store on Monday but this Monday I will be baking 25 dozen cookies.  That's right TWENTY-FIVE DOZEN!  Those will be little take away gifts for the ladies in our TWAW chapter at our party later in the week. 

Tuesday I will probably still be baking cookies and then Wednesday I will go teach an Intro to Handgun class. I'll go in early to do any office work that needs doing before class.  Wednesday will be an "dinner in the truck" night and a "get stuff done" day in the office.

And Thursday there will be about 25 women here for a party!  In December our TWAW chapter does not meet and shoot, we meet and eat, and talk, and hang out with each other.  TWAW is truly a sisterhood and we need that time to chill with each other as much as we need the training and education piece.  Just to make things interesting I also have an appointment with the oral surgeon on Thursday to make sure I'm healing well.  

As I'm typing this I am also on a group text with the guys at work to organize a Meet The Instructor night - and to remind them to get the January/Feb. schedule out. 

I'm also getting emails that will need answering before the day is over.

And I got texts from Brian (he left a few hours ago to do hospital visits and run by the church office).  We have added to our security team at church and have a meeting set up a meeting for the security team to meet and look at some changes that will be coming. 

So that's about it.  Between family, church, work and volunteer activities, we keep running. 

Speaking of which .... I'll see ya later!  

Do You Remember?

Growing up my mom and dad always made the most amazing candy at Christmastime.  There were pecan logs, chocolate fudge with walnuts, peanut butter fudge, divinity, Mexican wedding cakes, and peanut brittle.  It was an event each year that i remember well.  I even remember the pink mixing bowl that she would mix the fudge in and the big spoon with the pink handle that she used to stir the heavenly mixture.  I remember licking the bowl and the spoon as I waited for that first bite.  

It was a tradition carried on when my own kids were growing up.  It just didn't feel like Christmas if we didn't have the homemade candy that had been a part of every Christmas I could remember. 

Its hard for me to pick a favorite.  It would have to be a toss up between the pecan logs and the fudge.  Hey, I bet you could use fudge to make pecan logs!   Now there''s a thought!

Did your family have a favorite Christmas candy tradition?  Do you still carry it on? 

Merry Christmas! 

A Non-Typical Week

I was thinking about posting what a typical week looks like at our house, but then it occurred to me that we don't have too many typical weeks. 

 In fact, this week, is anything but typical.

This morning I woke up around 5:30 and snuggled with the dogs a bit before climbing out from under the covers.  Once up, I showered and let my hair dry as I worked on multiple marketing email campaigns for 88 Tactical, did some Facebook work for the church, for 88 Tactical, and for TWAW.  That took most of the morning, then it was on to doing a bit more decorating for Christmas. 

Next Thursday our TWAW chapter is having a Christmas party at my house so I want it to look like I made an attempt.  Besides, I just LOVE Christmas!  Don't you?   The season just feels ... different.  We're a bit more focused on giving.  We're thinking about family and friends, the folks who are truly important to us.  There is music that brings back memories of days gone by, and then of course, there is food! 

Sorry, I got a little distracted there.  Christmas does that to me.  

Next up today I will go to work and do some office work, check class numbers, print flyers, and then teach an Intro to Handgun class. 

Tomorrow morning I head back to the dentist for the second part of the dental procedure to do an implant.  Earlier this year I was eating a piece of beef jerky and broke my tooth off below the gum-line... so... i now have several months of procedures to get through before I have a tooth again.  I'm actually knida looking forward to laying on the couch for a couple of days and doing nothing at all though..  Is it bad when you look forward to having a piece of metal screwed into your jawbone just so you can chill for a while?  I'm thinking that's probably bad.  

Speaking of different, Wednesday will be truly different.  Brian has served as the Associate Pastor of our church for 32 years.  Wednesday evening the congregation will be voting on whether to accept him as the Senior Pastor and Dennis as the Associate Pastor....or not.  I'm sure it will all go in our favor - I mean if they don't know us and trust us by now then I'm not sure what to think.  It can still be a little bit ... different... when you know people are voting on whether to keep you around or not though.  I've contemplated whether I should start organizing all the stuff around here just in case we have to pack up and move. 


Friday night we have the basketball game of a very special 5 year old to attend.  I can't even tell you how much fun that is, and how impressed I am that these little ones are as good as they are.  Gosh, when I was quite a bit older, in middle school, I attempted to dribble a basketball down the court in gym class. It would have gone well I'm sure except that i stepped on the ball, twisted my knee and looked like a complete dork in front of my classmates. 

Assuming all goes in our favor Wednesday night, there will be an Instillation Service on Sunday morning.  THAT will be really different.  Brian has been in ministry for nearly 40 years, has served in 4 churches as either Associate Pastor or Senior Pastor and we have never had an Instillation Service before.  Now that is definitely different. 

I hope your week is a good one!  

The Good Stuff!

I hope your Thanksgiving was a good one.  I know so many people are struggling this year. Its the first Thanksgiving without someone dear to them at the table and that just always stinks.  We've been there too and I can tell you that you never stop missing them, whatever the reason for their absence.  

Our day was perfect....  Well, almost.  

The food was just okay.  I'm not a great cook.  Most of my cooking is experimental at best but somehow we made it work.  The good stuff though is not about the food at all. Its about who is there to share it with you.

We were blessed to have everyone here and a brand new first Thanksgiving for the newest grandchild.  That makes it perfect.

Here is how our day went.

I was up at 5am to make homemade hot cocoa and monkey bread and to get that turkey all ready to go into the oven.  It wasn't too long after getting the monkey bread out of the oven that I heard the sounds of three kids jumping around in their room upstairs.  Cody, Allison, and the kids had come in the night before and met us at church and then spent the night.

The morning was spent getting food in the oven at the appropriate times, and welcoming Logan, Kati, Emma, Larkin, Kati's mom, and my mom,  navigating kids running through the house and swooning over Larkin.    The poor kid was passed around so much we probably wore her out, and yes, her Papa Brian and I fought over her a time or two.  

Meeting their cousin for the first time

At dinner it was fun to read portions of the family tablecloth.  If you don't know about the family tablecloth, well .... its priceless and you should run right out today and get yourself a white tablecloth and start this tradition next Thanksgiving.  Every year, everyone at the table writes what they are thankful for and dates it.  The little ones trace their hand and have their parents write what they are thankful for.  Its sweet, and hilarious.  We started this tradition the last Thanksgiving my dad was with us and I am SOOO glad we did.  

Larkin getting her hand traced onto the family tablecloth
(She was not happy about it)

This was one of my favorite moments.  Kati wanted their "First Thanksgiving" family picture taken.  Emma was posing with a big smile all ready for the picture, when Larkin spit up all over her from her daddy's arms above.  The photos tell the story of how that went.  And yes, this truly is the good stuff.

From our family to yours!
We love you!

That Face

Don't let that face fool you.  He is pure orneriness! 

Today he ate the generator!  Well, part of it anyway. 

Yesterday it was the rug in my office.

The night before that he kept me up till one in the morning wandering the house looking for trouble. 

And at some point he ate yet another of my socks. 

With all the running to and from places of late, he has been crated too much and now he's paying us back. 

 Goodness I hope life settles down soon for all of our sakes.  

In the meantime, its a good thing he's cute!

Its A Blur

We have an inside joke in our family.  When things get crazy we say, "its a blur".  It is a reference to a family vacation we took when the boys were little.  We boarded a train and went around the country seeing as much of the country as we could.  And yes, it was a blur.  

Our lives have definitely been a blur the past few weeks.  I've lost track of what day it is more than a few times.  There have been sleepless nights and long, long, long days.  

Our Senior Pastor passed away a couple of weeks ago.  To say that is a major blow would be an understatement.  He has been the pastor of the church for 47 years, my pastor for 43, and my husband's work partner for 32 years.  The loss personally and professionally is enormous and has thrown our lives into upheaval. 

The day of his funeral, Brian also attended the wedding of a young couple in our church, then we came home and were eating a late dinner when we got the call that our daughter-in-law was in labor.  For a while there we thought we were going to have a funeral, a wedding, and a birth all in the same day.  But it turned out to be a false alarm - that day.  The next day it was the real deal and our fifth grandchild, Larkin Elizabeth came into this world.  She is absolutely the most beautiful baby I've seen since

our last grandchild was born and we are in love. 

Larkin has gotten off to a rough start.  She is healthy, but she is jaundice, which has meant time in the NICU, getting discharged, and then going back to the NICU again.  As I am writing this, she is home but her levels are back up so tomorrow she may be headed back to the hospital again.  I am sure she will be fine, but I'm not so sure about the rest of us.  

And my best friend's mother passed away rather suddenly in the middle of the night a couple of days ago.  Today we had her funeral.  Her mom was a sweet lady and such a character (like her daughter).  She will be missed. 

I have been so proud of our church family.  They have truly pulled together and supported one another and been their amazing selves.  Not only are they there to provide whatever is needed to our Senior Pastor's family and the family of my friend, but they have been there for each other in ways that can not be counted.  They are like that all the time, but it seems more so lately.  

Life's Like That

Its been a while since I've blogged here.  Life has been, well ... life.  After all the traveling it was time to catch up on work and then, you know, stuff just seems to happen. 

As I sit here and write this I am listening to the news of more sad happenings in our world, more mass murder in a place of worship, more hate, more violence ... and the song of a bird outside of my window who is completely oblivious to the turmoil.   A pot of chicken is simmering on the stove that will eventually become a pot of chicken and noodles that I will drop off to a friend. 

And we are waiting.

We are waiting for a birth, and a death.  Our pastor is at death's door this morning and our daughter-in-law is expecting to give birth to our granddaughter any day now.  

Its a typical day.  While grocery shopping early this morning I got a call from Brian saying that his day just got more complicated.   He is due to have the stitches taken out of his hand, he has two people at the hospitals to check on, and of course, to get back to our pastor's family and be there with them as much as possible .... and now his car is full of smoke.  It broke down this morning so he will have to get it to a shop, get a rental car, and pick up where he left off. 

Life is like that. 

We all take time to address those unpredictable and uncontrollable things that pop up, and then we pick up where we left off and keep moving forward.  And hopefully we try to find some good in the journey.

Tell Me the Story

Have you ever seen the show of the FOX News channel called OBJECTIFIED?   Its pretty interesting.  Its based on the idea that the objects we choose to keep in our homes have not only have some meaning to us but they explain the experiences that have shaped who we are. Of course on the show, celebrities are interviewed, but I’m thinking we all have such objects in our homes.  I know for a fact that I do. 

 Since I’ve recently moved my home office to a different room, I’ve handled each of these objects and thought it would be fun to share them with you.  

Lets start with the objects on my desk (besides the obvious stack of "stuff" that I need to go through and file away. 

"Blue B" is no longer blue, but a well-worn gray, teddy b ear that I had as an infant.  His fabric is worn thin, his eyes have long since fallen out, and he is almost unrecognizable as a "bear" at all.  I've literally had him my whole life.  I'm told that when I was a baby I was really sick and throughout that illness I held tight to that bear.  He has seen me through some bad times and he's still here to see me through whatever the future holds.  

Next to Blue B sits my dad's wallet.  I'm not sure how I ended up with it, but some time after he passed, I acquired it.  Maybe its fitting that a daughter ends up with her dad's wallet since I'm sure he reached into it many, many times to take care of my needs and most of my wants.  Inside the wallet were the things he held most dear - pictures of his great grand-kids.  

Next to that is a piece of wood.  Its not just any piece of wood though.  Its a piece of a swing that used to sit on our patio.  When my husband and I married, we were poor.  Really poor. I mean we lived in an old trailer in a run down trailer park that was inhabited by Gypsies.  Just before our wedding I took Brian to the farm store to show him a beautiful swing that I thought was the coolest swing I had ever seen.  I knew we couldn't afford it, and I wasn't asking for it, but I did want him to see how cool it was.   The night of our rehearsal dinner he surprised me and gave me the swing for a wedding gift.  It lasted almost 26 years and when we had to get rid of it, we kept a portion of it.  There are various teeth prints from several of the dogs we have had over the years.  

Next to that is a small, plastic piggy bank.  That came from a little girl on the Reservation.  For years I led mission teams to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.  Pine Ridge is the poorest place in the U.S.   The median income there is just $3500 a year ... in America.  One year we took up an offering.  I had debated  that and wasn't sure if we should but decided that even the poorest among us can be a blessing to those who are living in even worse circumstances.  One little girl put her entire piggy bank, all of the money she had, into the offering.  I kept the little bank as a reminder to be a good giver and as a testament to the little girl who taught us all about generosity.  

Next to that is a small figurine that an old friend gave to me.  On it is inscribed the passage from Calvin Coolidge "Press On".   "Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."

On the top of my desk sits several other items.  A sign that read's Be Brave and the scripture Jeremiah 29:11.  Unlike the other items, I have not had this one for long.  I bought it last year to remind myself to be brave and not quit.  After being offered a position with an elite training organization and working alongside some of the most skilled trainers in the country, I struggled.  Oh I was happy. I was thrilled.  I was honored.  And I was terrified!   One of the hardest things I've ever done was to stay there, feeling like an impostor but trying my best to do well and not reflect badly upon them.  

Next to that is a basket.  The basket was hand made for me by a lady in our church in Louisiana.  It has special meaning because of the lady who made it, and because it is beautiful as she was.  

There is also a framed certificate from when I completed the NRA Instructor training.  I had never, ever set out to be a firearms instructor, but God leads in some pretty interesting ways and I've learned to just follow as best as I can.  Its been quite a trip. 

In the corner of my office is a curio cabinet.  A long time ago it was for sale in my aunt and uncle's hardware store in my hometown.  My aunt gave it to me early when I was married for just a short time.  Inside are my wedding bouquet, the pillow the ring bearer carried in our wedding, and the topper that sat on our wedding cake.  There is a pewter cup engraved with our oldest son's name that was given to us when he was born.  There are tea pots too. Some that were given to me by a sweet older lady who

attended our church and has since passed on.  One that I purchased in Romania when I was there on a mission trip, two pieces from a small tea set I had as a child, and one tea pot made by my youngest son when he was in elementary school.  That one may just be my favorite. 

You may see a nativity set in there too. Its there simply because I don't know where else to put it. 

And finally there is my chair and side table. 

The chair we have had for years.  It used to be blue but several years ago I asked my mom and dad to reupholster it.  They did.  I"m pretty sure it was a labor of love because it was not an easy task.  Its held up well ... and both Cooper and Gunner like to think its their chair. 

On the side table (which is really a stool) sits an old phone.  When I was a child my dad owned a men's clothing store in our hometown and we lived in the apartment above it.  The backroom was filled with antiques, among which was this old phone.  

Above the chair are old photos of my dad when he was a little boy and his father.  These are people who survived some tough times yet they never complained.  I like to think they helped to make me who I am.  I like to think that maybe I can learn from their example.

As I write this it strikes me that I have a lot of "stuff" in this small room.  I guess that means I've been around for a while.  I wonder what will happen to all this stuff when I'm gone?  Maybe one of my kids will read this and realize the value of the old stuff in mom's office. 

Love is All You Need

Greater love has no one than this:
 to lay down one’s life for one’s friends

Sometimes people don't get me.  I bet they don't get you either, huh?  

And you know what?  That's okay.  Not everyone will.  In fact, if everyone did understand us, I'd be worried about us. 

It can be a little sad though, when we feel we have something of value to offer and some just do not and will not hear us.

I feel that way a lot.  I think some people see me as different than they are because I am a firearms instructor, when in fact, I'm not all that different.  

And because of my job I've met hundreds of people who just don't fit the image some have in their mind of a 'gun owner". 

The people I have met are people who go to church.  They are involved in non-profit organizations that assist those in need.  
They go out of their way to do kind things for others.   They support charity. They foster unwanted animals. They go on mission trips to impoverished nations.   They foster homeless children.  They do a thousand caring  things for others that no one ever hears about.  They are good people. 

Because what people do not "get" is that we do the "gun thing" because we love others.  We simply could not live with ourselves if the unthinkable occured and we were in a position to do nothing.  You "get" that, right?

" Let all that you do be done with love."

1 Corinthians 16:14 New King James Version (NKJV)

Fear Not

I am sad and troubled today. I am sad because so many seems shocked by the murder of the young lady just a few short miles from where I live. Why would you be shocked? Evil does exist in our world. We know that, right?

I know its easy to ignore the fact that evil really does exist and walks among us, because (thankfully) we encounter it so rarely.

Almost every time something like this occurs we are reminded... and we are alarmed. I begin to see posts advocating the use of pepper spray, or worse, wasp spray. I see post about putting your keys beside your bed so you can hit the panic button and scare away the bad guy. And that makes me sad too beause those folks have no clue what violence looks like or how ill prepared they are to meet it.

I'm sad too because I've had people accuse me of promoting fear because I want people to be truly able to defend themseleves against a violent attacker. They tell me that such things are far to "negative" to dwell on.

What they fail to see is that it is quite the opposite. The more prepared you are to confront a violent attacker, the less afraid you are. You have a confidence that you have a fighting chance because you invested some time and money into doing what you can to prepare yourself to protect those you love.

I've even had people respond to me by being a little bit afraid of me. They don't say so, but I do sense it. And t hat is sad too because I'm the least likely perosn to cause them harm. I am simply a reminder to them that evil exists - and they don't want to think about that.

And I have had peope tell me that they are going to rely on me to protect them because they belive that I will. Honestly, I find that sad too ... and incredibly selfish that they would ask me to put my own life at risk to save them becuase they will not take responsibility for their own safety. What if I am killed trying to protect them. Are they ok with that? Really? What if I am not killed but injuired. I'm going to be out medical bills to recover. Have they considered that? Do they realize that even if I do respond and even if I do prevail that I will spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in court costs? Do they know their attaker can sue me in civil court for my actions even if those actions were found to be completely justified? I may lose my home and all that I own. Why would I do that for someone who will not do what they need to do for themselves?

I'm reminded of C.S. Lewis when he was told that fairy tales are too scary for children because they induce fear. People want to shield children from the reality of evil in the world. But kids know that evil exists. Lewis responded, “Since it is so likely that they will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage. . . Let there be wicked kings and beheadings, battles and dungeons, giants and dragons, and let villains be soundly killed at the end of the book”

If C.S. Lewis thought children should be equipped to deal with the subject of evil, why would we as adults continue to pretend it does not exist? Why would we not prepare to meet it should it ever visit us? And why on earth would we condemn those who try to help us be prepared?

Things You Should Buy: Vertx Guardian Shirt

Oh yes.  I did it.  I was waiting for the women's line to come out but I just couldn't wait any longer and decided that girls  can wear the Vertx Guardian shirts too!  So I bought one.  

And ... I'm in love.  

These shirts are made for concealed carry but I can think of so many other things they could be used for.  They would be great for those traveling on mission trips.  Let me tell you why.

Some of the key features of the Guardian shirts are that they have the Vapor Core 37.5 Active Particle Technology that helps your body maintain its core temperature and manage the moisture so you can perform at your peak by being comfortable throughout the day.  That's a fancy way of saying they  keep you cool and help you stay dry, and help to control odor.  How is that not nice?  

They would be great for travel because they are wrinkle resistant.  The no roll collar helps maintain a clean consistent look.  And the buttons are actually snaps which makes for easy fast access of any gear you may be carrying.  

For those buying for concealed carry, the shirt has a half-shirt undershirt.  That means that the soft, lightweight undershirt tucks into your pants while the outer shirt rides over your waist.  That keeps the firearm from rubbing uncomfortably against your skin.  And yet, there is no tell-tale sign of an  undershirt at the neckline. 

Is it comfortable?  Oh my, is it ever!  The shirt has a soft, almost silky feel to it that glides easily with you as you move.  Its very lightweight and easy to wear. At no point do you feel the bulk you might assume comes with a shirt with these features.  I find it to be more comfortable than my favorite t-shirt. 


So where do you get one of these and how much does it cost?  You can buy directly online from Vertx or if you are in the Cincinnati area, Premier Shooting and Training Center in West Chester carries them in stock.  They do come in other colors, I just prefer the black one.  Expect to pay about $50 - $60 depending on where you get it.  Its one of those things that are made well and will last a really long time so its worth every penny.

I'm not great at selfie body shots, but here is a  poor one. I hope it gives you an idea of what the shirt looks like.  Please kindly disregard the dirty bathtub. 

By the way, I am not employeed by Vertx or asked to recommend them. I just do it because they are a great local company that makes superior products.  Check out their bags too.  They have some backpacks that blow the competition away.  

Small Business Spotlight: Troy's Cafe

This locally owned restaurant is a truly one of my favorites   Located at 4877 Smith Rd. in West Chester, Ohio you will find a welcoming little café offering a variety of fresh food choices at reasonable prices in an easy atmosphere.    That is a fancy way of me telling you that I absolutely love Troy’s Cafe!  The service is always friendly and the food has never disappointed.  And if you are closer to downtonw Mason, OH, they have a location there too that offers the same great food.

I am a sandwich person but my husband raves about their salads.  And I have it on good authority that the mac and cheese is to die for.   I have never had anything there that was not fresh, delicious, and made just the way I wanted it.  I was just there today and had this tasty burger (and yes, I ate the whole thing). 

One thing you don’t want to miss out on are the chips with the “secret sauce”.  They are homemade, crisp, just the right amount of seasoning.   I mean does anybody not like chips?? 

Troy’s also offers catering.  I have used them to cater an annual business event and the lunch was fantastic. One attendee asked if we could have the same food at next year’s event because everyone loved it and it fed a large number of people.   In fact, you may be surprised to find that their summertime business meeting special was less expensive than many other places.

As wonderful as your meal will be, leave room for dessert.  Troy’s offers some really special pies.  Have you heard about Troy’s Mom’s Pies?   Troy’s mom, Bonnie launched her own pie business through Troy’s Café.  They are an old family recipe and they are delicious.  But that’s not all there is to say about the pie.   Troy’s mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and fought a brave battle to beat the disease.  She wanted to do something for all the other women who battle breast cancer so there is a special PINK PIE those who have fought or are fighting the disease.  10% of all sales from that pie are donated to breast cancer research.    And now you know!

So next time you are looking for a great place for lunch or dinner, stop in and visit Troy’s Café and enjoy a great meal.. and don’t forget the pie!

Man, I Feel Like a Woman

One of the ladies I am extremely proud of

It’s been a crazy busy week at work.   For those who wonder what exactly it is that I do at 88 Tactual, welcome to my world. I sometimes wonder too.  

I do a little bit of everything.  I am an instructor and teach most of the handgun classes.  I also help to schedule classes, make sure the other instructors have what they need (not required,  I’m just like that), do the marketing, take care of the social media/email, and keep track of our students training by entering in their information in our database so we have a record of who has taken what class.  I also work with images to create marketing materials.  And I work pretty closely with the boss to make sure things keep running as smoothly as possible.   

I am not quite sure how I ended up doing any of the above. I never applied for a job or even so much as inquired.   And its not like I was bored.   I actually had a very busy life running  my own CCW classes, other handgun classes, leading the local chapter of The Well Armed Woman Shooting Chaptes, running my own non-profit organization,  leading mission teams, and of course keeping up with the housework, cooking, and being a grandparent to some amazing kiddos. 

Women are like that.  We can do a lot.  Sometimes we kid ourselves into thinking we can do everything at the same time.  We can not do everything all at the same times, but close.  Very close. 

This week I think I’ve been in overdrive.  Monday and Tuesday I worked all day organizing all of our files and entering all those names into the database.  Monday and Tuesday evenings I assisted on the range for our Tactical Monday/Tuesday classes.  Wednesday was all day office work at home, then running out of stuff and running errands to get more stuff and then continuing on with the office work.   Fortunately I can do the bulk of this work at home so it’s a bit easier to watch the dogs and make sure Cooper is not eating the house and making sure dinner gets on the table.  

Why yes, I do teach men too

Tonight I will be the lead on the Ladies Only Skill Builder. I’m looking forward to it.  They will be learning the skills of moving and shooting.  I absolutely love to teach, and I especially love to teach women. 

I  love seeing women who have come to value themselves enough to believe that they are worth defending.  

I feel like every time they show up for a class it’s a statement of their self-worth.   And every time they struggle to learn is a testament to their bravery and courage.  These women don’t allow the opinions of others to dissuade them.  They plow on, knowing that they are doing the best thing for themselves and those they love.   It makes me just want to stand and cheer for them.  What a lot of people don’t realize is that its about so much more than guns. 

I think that is why it disturbs me so greatly when I pick up on a vibe, overhear a comment, or see women being treated or talked about with disrespect on a range.  It used to make me really angry, and truth be told, it still does, but I've come to feel sorry for the poor fool who holds those opinions.  He has no idea what he is missing out on. Women are amazing.  And they know, they always know who respects them and who doesn't.  Another reason I feel sorry for those poor fools. A woman who values herself and knows you don't is not a creature to look down upon.  

Things Worth The Money: Lucchese Boots!

Sometimes I'm smart and learn things because somebody tells me something and I actually listen. Other times I have to learn the hard way. 

I have learned the hard way that you really do get what you pay for.  There is a huge difference between price and value and sometimes value comes with a higher price tag.

I am telling you this because I don't want you to faint and fall down and hurt yourself when you see the price tag on these boots.

I've already told you how much I love boots.  They are one of my very favorite things in life, but it was only recently that I purchased good boots.  

Oh I have boots.  I have a bunch of them.  And I like them.  They are cute.  And they didn't cost me a whole lot.  And... they pretty much kill my feet.

It began with an internet search. I was searching the World Wide Web looking for love.  I was actually searching the World Wide Web looking for some pretty cowgirl boots when I came across a pair that had my name on them. I mean they literally had my name on them.  They are made by Lucchase and called Amberlyn (my middle name is Lynn).  Well that settled it.  It was like a sign or something.  These boots were obviously meant for me!
.  

And then I checked the price!   They were about 5 times what I normally pay for footwear.  Needless to say all of those  hopes were dashed to smitherines..  But my sweet hubby told me that I work hard and that  I needed to do something nice for myself and suggested I go ahead and buy them.  I do love that man.  But not just because he lets me buy boots.  


So off I went to Liberty Western in Lebanon and ordered a pair,  Now, I have to tell you that the moment I slipped my foot inside of one of these babies I knew it was going to be something special.  I knew they were pretty but I had no idea that they would feel soooooo good on my feet.  I'm not kidding when I say they are like wearing house slippers.  They are a little more flashy than what I usually wear but I figure at my age, the more attention I can draw to my boots and away from other things, the better.  

Normaly its suggested that you wear them for short periods of time at first to break them in,but I would have none of that.  I wore them all day the first day I had them and at the end of the day my feet did not hurt for the first time in a long, long time!  


These boots are handcrafted and are of superior quality.  Yes, you do get what you pay for.  I wish I had learned a little earlier in life that buying good quality footwear will pay for itself in the long run. 

If taken care of, these boots will last a lifetime.  To me, that is value.  And my aching feet are no longer aching.  And that makes them worth every.... single ....penny.  

Favorite Places: Young's Jersey Dairy

Have you been to Young's Jersey Dairy in Yellow Springs, OH?  You really should go!  Young's is a real working dairy farm with a LOT of attractions for families.  

They also make their own ice cream and cheese, which you can eat at the restaurant that is located there.   Its a great place to take the family for all kinds of fun ... and cuteness.  I mean, how adorable is this girl? 

 And the cheese curds .. .. oh my .... don't leave without getting an order. Don't worry, there will be a line, but it moves pretty fast and they are sooo worth the wait.

There are activities for kids of all ages, such as mini golf, batting cages, a petting zoo where you can feed the animals (bring lots of quarters for the corn).  There is a cute barrel ride around the farm for the little ones as well as a kiddie coral where they can play in the bounce house or ride on farm toys. 

They also have special events scattered throughout the year. You can pick your own pumpkin, work your way through a corn maze, or go on a hayride in the fall.   You might find a vintage truck show, or wool gathering in late summer.   There is a gift shop and lots of places to just sit and take it easy and do some people watching which always proves to be entertaining.

All of that is worth the trip, but lets be honest,. I really just go for the cheese curds.