Shotgun Instructor: Another thing I never thought I'd be called!

As outrageous as it might sound, earlier today I became a certified Shotgun Instructor.    wow.

Hubbie became a certified Muzzleloader Instructor.    (And he's really into the whole Flint Lock thing.)

We spent the entire weekend taking classes and shooting with many other people from all over the state (and one from Iowa) becoming certified in different disciplines of the 4-H Shooting Sports and Wildlife program.  To give you an idea of just how big the Shooting Sports, 4-H program is here, in our county alone, there are seven, SEVEN! certified Shotgun Instructors, four Muzzleload Instructors, many, many Rifle and handgun peeps, Air gun/BB, Archery and then there is the Wildlife program!  Last year at the State Shoot, there were about 900 kids.

Our Senior Wildlife Bowl team won the regional competition a few weeks ago, and they are going to the State Wildlife Bowl this upcoming weekend.  I'm so proud of them-and not just because my dd is on the team!  They work really, really hard.  (In case you don't know what a Wildlife Bowl is, it's like the game show Jeopardy, but all the questions are about stuff the DNR would know.  It really is amazing how much stuff these kids know!

So.  It hasn't even been one whole year since our entire family started shooting.  If you had asked me if shooting and firearms would ever be a part of my life, I probably would have laughed myself silly.  And I certainly would have never thought there would be a firearm vault in my pottery studio!!  Toto....I don't think we're in Kansas anymore.

I'm planning on getting my Conceal/Carry permit this summer.  (Not that I'll ever conceal/carry, but I do feel very strongly that the right to do that is important enough that I'll spend the time and money to have myself counted amongst those of the same mindset.)  

Like I always say......Never judge a book by it's cover :-)

Next:

I'll be grading High School Algebra tests for three weeks in May........

Only a moment ago.....or FIVE years! Gasp!

I am going on a job interview this afternoon.  In preparing for the "experience" I gathered up all the pertinent information about my recent past and realized that I haven't formally applied for a job in *gasp* five years!
How in the world has it been that long?!  It's one of those "it-feels-like-both-five-minutes-ago/that-was-an-eternity-ago" moments!

It's not that big of a deal.  It's for a temp job grading tests.  (Drats!  Testing!  That's something I probably should have been doing with my kids!  JK ;-)  I think as a 9 year veteran of Homeschooling, I just might be qualified in all the important ways, such as, reading virtually illegible handwriting and grasping what they really meant in the three words they completed the essay in....and other such vital test grading skills.  (I'm secretly a little excited that I may be able to pass the algebra test and grade math tests!  We'll see.)

N has to have surgery.  Tonsils have to come out.
R has resurfaced as the sweet girl I knew was still in there.  (even if only for a moment.)
L is doing SO well in Learning RX.  I can't say enough about that program.
C has lost over 55 lbs!  I'm so jealous!
I finished the Olympic Sweater!!  Go check it out on my Ravelry page!  (I'm energyfree247)

TTFN,
Karen

Just one of the many virtues of Really Yummy Fiber!

Llama.  Yes, yummy, soft, elegant, smooshy Llama.  Such a fabulous distraction!

It's a tattoo.  (I'm finally getting around to installing a zipper ;-)

My feeble mind

Today I go to the Neurologist to see if the many hours of physical therapy have indeed aided in the healing of my damaged neck muscles (from the concussion in Dec.) I still have a couple of major knots, but one day they will move into their own homes ;-)

Raising a 14 year old girl is an oxymoron of gargantuan proportions! It's more like taking a herd of kittens on a white river rafting adventure. Followed by base jumping. Followed by an habanero pepper eating contest. Followed by skydiving. While wearing an eye patch. With one hand tied behind your back. Hopping on one foot. On broken glass. And making sure all the kittens survive. Unharmed. Mostly.

Redhead started "Brain Therapy" this past week. She likes it, and I think it has the potential to literally change her life. Funny, but I have the sneaky suspicion that I'm going to feel suddenly wealthy when all these little buggers are making their own money and not spending ours :-) I hope I live that long!

I guess I'm mostly concerned about BHB. He's being quiet. Too quiet. I've been on this playground long enough to know that chaotic noise is chaotic, but good. Quiet--that's where the false sense of serenity can sneak up on you and wallop you into next week!

Hubbie has lost over 50 pounds now!! Woot Woo! He's lookin' fine! He's also feeling really good. That's nice for a change.

On my knees, breathing in and out........

The story of "Bob"

Life took an unexpected turn...Wait! Now that's a stupid way to begin! Since when does life ever take an "expected" turn?!! A turn is not a usually perceived as a good thing. "In a turn of events..." "In an unexpected turn...." Turning a phrase is good. Turning a corner can be good. Turning over a new leaf is good. (What happens to the old one?) But an unexpected turn....almost always bad.

A tumor of still unknown origin and undetermined length of residence was discovered in my Mothers abdomen. Now, to my knowledge, the only aliens ever to take up residence in her abdomen to date, are me and my two sisters. After numerous visits to a wide variety of medical professionals, my sisters and I have combined our considerable opinions and determined that the tumor is, in fact, our long lost brother--complete with red hair and bucked teeth. His name is Bob.

Bob, or rather the name Bob, has a long and checkered past in the our household. It all began with a children's song, in which all of this one persons' pets are named Bob. True to the nature of children, it was decided--nea--dogmatically insisted upon--that all of our pets in the future would be named "Bob". First there was the fish named Bob. I think he was here almost two weeks before he met his untimely death. Then there was the hamster named Bob. He was here two days when his dead body was exchanged at the petstore for Bob II. He was burried within a month. Then there was the parakeet, Bob. We were hesitant to name him/her Bob, but the course was already in motion. Bob the parakeet lasted for a few short months before he joined the rank and file of unfortunate, yet beloved pets named Bob. Given the historical significance (and short lives) of all creatures named Bob in our household, we vowed to not burden any further innocent animals with that name.

And then came Rachel's Migranes. She named them Bob in hopes they would follow the same short lives that their namesakes had lived. The migranes quit. Then there were the kidney stones Rachel birthed. She named them all Bob. They fought to stick around, but were ultimately relegated to a watery grave with the proper pomp and ceremony. And now Mom's tumor. This one is a big Bob. He simply has to go. Red hair, bucked teeth and all.

Karen

Exposed-What a Season

Well, I'm going to find it so I can quote it word for word, but there is a verse in the Bible which says God's word never goes out void. Today, Chris and I took a very big step and "out-ed" ourselves. We did an interview with our Pastor which will air on Sunday during Church. About the mess this past several months has been.

We both knew that God was going to use what we were going through. We just knew. But this is the first time it will go "public" in a big way. I have no idea what to expect as far as responses from people go. I'm sure there will be some that will tell us, as we say in the south "bless our hearts!" and then do their level best to stay away from us so as to not catch anything. Them I'm not concerned about. My prayer, and Chris', is that our willingness to be open, transparent, vulnerable--oh so vulnerable, will allow someone else who is hurting to have the courage to step out and ask for help. If even one person can take some comfort in the knowlege that they are not alone, it will all be worth it. Honestly, I've told Chris and the pastor that we may never personally be aware of the impact it may have, and that's ok, because our job is to be obedient and allow God to use this for His service and His glory.

Neither one of us feel like this is the only time we will be called on with regard to this very issue. I don't know what is in store for us. I don't know lot's of things right now. The thing I do know, beyond any doubt, beyond any question, is that God is God, and He is faithful and He is righteous and He has the final word. My job is just to be obedient.

Right now, I feel the unmistakable call of God on my life to "Be Still". I don't know why, but I do know where it comes from, and like I said the other day, I've been on this playground long enough to know when to just shut up and say, "Yes Lord. Whatever You say." Now is such a time. Whatever lesson He has for me right now, requires that I be still so I can hear His voice. I don't like being still! It drives me batty! And I'm trying to maintain a decent attitude about it, but it's SO HARD!! I know obedience will develop character. The grown up in me knows thats a good thing. So I'm letting go of a lot of stuff right now. I'm getting still. All I can say is "Watch out world! This is bound to be good!" What a season this is turning out to be!

Karen

New Day

Well, today is a new day. A fresh start. Turning a new leaf. Starting over. Beginning anew. What other euphamisms can I conjure up? We're going to be officially bankrupt at 3:30pm today. What does one wear to meet with the Court's trustee? Probably not a fur stole, huh? Or diamonds.

It's going to be a monumental event, but nothing is going to change for quite awhile. Weird. And not a place I ever thought, even in my wildest imagination, that I would ever be. But here I am.

I really wanted to note my feelings today, but I'm rather numb. Unemotional. I don't know if it's suspended animation, or just that the feelings have already been processed. Time will tell. And so will I....when it tells :-)

Karen