Floatin’ down the river

I got to spend my Memorial Day with friend’s at their riverside house. Let me just say, it’s gorgeous. Gor-geous!!

We had so much stinking fun. All their kids had a blast. They brought out the boat and we all got to ride up and down the river. The adults weren’t crazy enough…ok, even the kids weren’t crazy enough to get in the water. It’s freezing.

The river is ‘created’ by all the snow that melts off the Sierra mountains so it’s ice cold.
You can see the mountains waaay off in the distance. Those big things bring us aaaaall this water. brrrrr


I could live here…

When it was time for all the girls to get in, the boat wouldn’t start so the guys literally had to paddle us down the river to the truck where we jumped the boat.

Picture a man knee deep in water holding jumper cables that are also in the water and hooking them up to a running truck. All us girls were cringing. But it started right up and we promptly took off down the river. Only a guy would think nothing of that.

Everyone was hoping to bounce the boat on waves to help the girl who’s 9 months pregnant go into labor. Didn’t work though unfortunately.

It was tough being there without G-man. Being around all those couples who I can see love each other all so much and love hanging out together made me miss him so much it was hard being the only non couple person there. But despite it, I was a wonderful time with wonderful friends.

How did you all get to spend Memorial Day? Did you go to the cemetery to place flags on the gravestones? Remember someone you know who lost their lives serving the country? BBQ with friends and family? I’d love to know.

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I’m thankful for 15

Monday Monday, how do you do? I’m oddly saying that to people… ‘how do you do?’ Weird, right? Sometimes out of the blue I’ll start saying random sentences and have a hard time stopping. Any way…

Sorry I’ve been a little absent on all your blogs, the end of last week was so hectic and then the weekend was 100% rest. I put myself on a bit of a computer break and it was so nice ‘getting away’ from it. It’s Monday now, so, new week of nothing. I have SO many pictures from my week that I’m “editing”, ok, like I know how to edit pictures, but I’m learning PSE9 and having fun watching my pictures change and can’t wait to show you them.

I’m thankful for safe travels to everywhere I went. Los Angeles, Northridge, Santa Maria, Paso Robles and home. Still recovering.

I’m thankful for my kind friends who let me stay with them for each trip. I felt like I was overstaying but neither of them showed it.

I’m thankful for being able to witness my friend’s accomplishment Wednesday.


I’m thankful for getting squeezed in to see Dr. P. Thursday, although it left me frustrated and annoyed. But I did what was necessary for my retirement and I’m thankful it’s done.

I’m thankful for finally being able to wear a pair of ballet flats that I haven’t been able to since the surgery last year. I was rejoicing over this small ability.

I’m thankful for fun friends who put up with me wanting to learn photography.
here’s a snipit of my mini faux-to shoot.



I’m thankful for everything right now. It’s so easy for me to focus on all the negative that happens in my days that I quickly forget all the wonderful moments. I really want to remind myself of the great moments in my days to remain happier.

I’m thankful for my love who’s committed himself to serve this country to the end and to all who’ve given their lives to protect us as we’re safely in our homes.


Proverbs 12:1
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid.

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Catchy flavor

Today is all about having fun with my friend on her birthday weekend and wine tasting that begins at 1pm with a hoard of people!!

The last time we had wine, was way too much fun. Can’t wait to do it again today. Have an awesomely awesome Friday everyone. And roll that awesomeness over into the weekend while you’re at it, why don’t you.

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And the winner is…ME!

I’m a winner of a couple things actually and I. feel. special!!

First, I’m the winner of knowing I’ll be having surgery again.

Yep, the dr. I went to on Tuesday said a whole bunch of stuff but in summery:
My nerve endings (where they were cut off) are firing neurons all over the place hitting everything around them, which is causing me so much pain and the sure fire way to fix them is by having surgery again.

Only THIS TIME the difference will be, he (the new Dr., Dr. W.) will be tucking those nerve endings into the muscle so the neurons will have a place to go. (something Dr. P. DID NOT do)

You’d think I’d be hanging my head saying, no, please no more surgery. But seriously, I’m looking forward to it. Weird, right? I know it’ll suck. I hate not being able to move, being in the amount of pain I’ll be in for however long, but I truly believe it will be SO different from my other surgeries.

When Dr. W. came in the room, he apologized for making me wait so long. (it was literally 3 minutes). He said he took so long because he was reading my entire history I brought in for him and he felt like he knew me before even meeting me. (I like to be detailed, what can I say)

Though he’s sure Dr. P. did his ‘job’ he doesn’t think Dr. P. did the final step of tucking the nerves into the muscle and instead just left them there ‘hanging.’ AND ALL the injections Dr. P. was doing only made the nerves more angry and stronger which is why I’ve been in so much pain for so long. Injections that Dr. P swore were the trick to fix.

I’m a little frustrated at this. Maybe Dr. P. really believed they would work, even AFTER all the times I told him they made things worse, but at what point do you LISTEN to your patient and set aside the $$ you see in your eyes and stop doing something that’s CLEARLY not working, and not suggest more more more?!?!

Any way, I’m to call the office to schedule the surgery date for both feet. I have to figure out how much it’ll cost first…see if I can reactivate my insurance beforehand or if it’s ‘cheap’ enough to pay the full amount out of pocket. We’ll see.

Thanks for all your prayers with this. I really appreciate all your concern!

Now for the other thing I won. I won a giveaway!! Hip hip hooray. I love that.

Over at sidewalkready I entered for an Africa picture she took, and I won!! I can’t wait to get it. It’s my first giveaway I’ve won. It really made my day.
Isn’t it pretty!? It’s so vibrant, I can’t wait to find a place to hang it. (hopefully she doesn’t mind me borrowing the picture to show you)
via

Well today I’m heading to my next friend’s house for her birthday party. She’s turning the big 2-9 this weekend and we’re having a slumber party at her place tonight then wine tasting tomorrow where I finally get to meet her boyfriend! Big deal over here! Can’t wait to show you all the pictures from both nights! Should be a blast. Us and wine = way too much fun.

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Have you ever had a friend

This is my special post of my sweet dear friend who’s done a whole heck of a lot since living in the US.

When I first moved to LA in 2002, she was my new co worker and quickly became my one and only friend. Born and raised in Germany she moved here in 2001 to live with her hubby, whom she met on the beaches of Spain. how neat would that be?

When I started working with her, we realized really quick how boring our job was and how much time we had on our hands, so we agreed that she would teach me German and I would help her with her English.

Company Christmas party

Even though I moved away 8 months later we remained close friends and went on ‘girl’ vacations together. One year was Santa Barbara, staying in Fess Parker DoubleTree Resort right on the beach. If any of you ever go, make sure you stay there with a beachfront room. It’s amazing!



Another year we went to Palm Springs.


But there’s a couple things that were extra special that we got to do together. Like when she became an American citizen in 2006. She asked me if I’d like to go and I knew I didn’t want to miss it.

Let me tell you, if you ever have the opportunity to witness thousands of people swearing in to become American citizens, you have to do it. It’s an amazing sight. People who actually appreciate the meaning of citizenship, who actually go through all the steps and headaches of becoming a citizen and want nothing more than to be a citizen of the United States, it’s a moving sight to see.




The other is getting to see her graduate from college. This girl has gone to college for years. Many years…and she’s finished. She asked if I’d like to go since no one else could and again, I couldn’t pass it up. I don’t know anyone else who’s worked so hard on getting her education. With marriage, a job, a new baby, she never let up but kept going until she was done and 8 years later she graduates with honors.

I’m honored to have been there. I cheered…people around me laughed (my voice cracked mid scream). It was fun though and cold…outdoor ceremonies are great in theory.

I’ve loved having her as a friend and loved even more that I got to experience these milestones in her life. She’s always so sweet, giving me Feigling and feeding me chocolate whenever I want. One thing I enjoy the most is teaching her new words and sayings. I just taught her “ticked pink” the other night. She was literally 'tickled pink’ herself for having learned this term and can’t wait to use it.


She’s a dear friend that I know I’ll have for many more years to come and I’m thankful to have her in my life.

Hab Dich lieb meine freundin
Tschuess

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The day the music died

No music died in the making of this post. I like the Beatles. That is all.

My Dr.’s appointment is today and unfortunately my OTHER Dr.’s appointment with Dr. P (my original Dr.) is hopefully some time later in the week, although it’s scheduled for June. Why am I seeing him you may ask?

My retirement company called Thursday to inform me they need a more current evaluation from my Dr. in order for them to continue the reviewing process. Apparently September is old for them to make their determination. (I stopped going after September when I realized Dr. P. had no where to go with my treatments but was determined to ruin my feet more by even more invasive injections. Read: sedating me in order to inject me because they were that painful and invasive.)

They won’t accept the Dr. I’m seeing's evaluation and said it has to be by my treating physician. SO with that being said I have to go back to the guy. I’m not sure if it’ll be awkward or not. Our very last conversation was a 25 minute long phone call where we disagreed and he was thinking I wanted him to ‘alter the medical records.’

For the record (ha. ha. no pun intended) I DID NOT want him to alter anything, just wanted him to give me an actual answer where he was too scared to do.

So this should be fun. By fun I mean, making me walk barefoot on a slanted cobblestoned street with little pebbles sprinkled all over it.

Yeah, real fun.
I need some of these…


But I do what I’m told to do…I want this reviewing process to be done so I can actually resume my life. Though adjusting to a ‘normal’ work schedule, I think, will be tough when I do…and weird. I haven’t done ‘normal’ in 6+ years.

I was told they are ‘sort of’ at the mid way point in the reviewing process. Sort of.

Can we all acknowledge it’s May!? That means 4 months have gone by. 4 months on what should be a 6-9 month process and they’re “sort of half way through.” hhmmmm my optimism with this being done quicker is wavering.

Oh well, I’ll just keep trekking along. I’ll give you an update on what this Dr. says today. It’s at 9am. Praying it’s something different. Anything different.

via

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I’m thankful for 14

Hello All. I wished good sunny warm weather on everyone over the weekend and since my wishes ALWAYS come true, I know you all had it. ha!

Any way, I really do hope you all did though. I’m here in sunny Los Angeles visiting my friend who graduates from college today. It’s her honors ceremony today and her big time official graduation on Wednesday. Busy busy this week.


I’m thankful for getting here safely. I’m not the most fond of the drive. Going over the grapevine (for all you who know about ‘the grapevine’) is one of the most lousy moments in driving, so I’m happy to be here safe and sound.

I’m thankful for the sweet old man who stopped me while I was working out last week to tell me he admired my tenacity and athleticism. I thought it was the nicest thing ever. I repaid the compliment since he’s out there every day walking 4 miles around the track.

I’m thankful for getting healthy. Working out every day last week was a challenge but I felt good all day long and loved that!

I’m thankful for my Mom and Dad. I kinda blanked last Monday in my post, but making up for it today. It was their birthday last Monday. Yep, I said “their.” My Dad is about 5 hours older than my mom, neat huh? I’m so thankful for them. I’m so happy I’m their favorite child. (no really, I am…huh Mom?!)

I’m thankful for my friend loaning me “Tangled.” It’s the cutest movie of all time. I kept telling her ‘my kid was bugging me about it and wouldn’t leave me alone until she saw it so please please please loan it to me.’ (as we all know I have no kids)

I’m thankful for finishing my list of problems for the Dr. I’m seeing tomorrow. I put them in bullets and when I was done it was almost an entire page long…single spaced. Let’s hope he doesn’t think I’m crazy.

I think if I can force myself to stop…I have this weird deal about stopping on road trips, but if I stop, there’s an absolutely beautiful lake just off of the grapevine that I may take pictures of and show you. It’s so gorgeous. I go off the road at least 4 times looking at it while driving.

Enjoy the rest of your Monday’s.

via

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Let’s all set a goal, shall we?

Last week I yelled at myself. I wasn’t being the most fair, but yelled none the less. Does anyone else yell at themselves? Be honest.

I workout inconsistently. A day here, a day there and I think it shows. Mainly in the hipple region. (what? you don’t call it the ‘hipple region’?) Ok, the hips and thighs area.

That’s my problem area and we’ve never gotten along. So even though all last week I was gone watching crazy puppies, I was still upset with myself for not being in the tip top shape that I believe I should be in.

total side note: my body building friend/personal trainer informed me years ago, in her opinion, that I had B.I.D. Body Image Disorder. What I see is not what others see. Well duh, of course we all see ourselves in the icky mirror on occasion.

Any way, I know what I look like yet I prefer to be a lot more toned. Hence the ‘goal setting.’ I have no excuse to not work out…beyond the feet of course. I have plenty of time in my day that at any part of it I could go out and get ‘er done, but I opt for 1st in the morning because otherwise I’ll never do it. I know me.

So, I’ve set a goal (and a plan) for myself beginning this week:
M-W-F I’ll wake up and go to the high school track and do my workout. Then come home and do a legs video (to speed up the toning process, the track workout isn’t showing me results fast enough).

T-TH-S I do the P90X Ab Ripper X DVD plus a bunch of push ups and dips.

I’ve worked out every day this week and feel great about it! My ultimate goal is to pretty much look like these ladies. seriously. (let’s all note how much I don’t like Jillian Michaels, but I can’t deny she’s in phenomenal shape)


My main focus are my legs, they have the most work to do. My arms could be more toned and abs I want to maintain.

So I’m putting it out there. To keep me accountable to workout and get toned. My goal is to maintain the healthiest fittest body I can for the remainder of my days, and I’ve seriously starting as of Monday…I’m not getting any younger (as I get told regularly) and you know what they all say. Once you hit 30 your body does this weird change and when once you could bounce back you can’t anymore.

Well Baby, I’m going to make sure I don’t need to “bounce back!”

If anyone wants to join me with their goals, you’re more than welcome. Feel free to tell me them in the comments and we can keep each other accountable. Don’t not want to put it out there. It’s just time for me to stop dilly dallying.


I hope every single one of you awesome ladies have a fabulous weekend. My life gets crazy as of Sunday so I’m going to soak up today and Saturday as best as I can before it all begins.

Images via pinterest 1.here 2.here 3.here 4.here 5.here

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College girls are mean

Ok, so maybe not really mean, but when they think of ways to ‘initiate new freshman’ (I guess all freshman are new…any way) into the dorm hall they really think of some crazy stuff.

the computers that managed to erase 7 of my 12 pages final paper for Psychology

Take my hall for instance. It was appropriately named, “Circus Hall”. I didn’t ask to go in this hall, didn’t even know it existed, but in I went. First door on the left in fact.

(ok, so apparently it was the 2nd door. 1st is a closet. Please let’s not comment on what appears to be big hair, it’s a shadow, uh..promise.)

Circus Hall had a reputation for being…can you guess? Crazy. Good guess! However, as it always seems to be with me, the year I move in, everything goes blah, and the hall is not what it once was. I think it’s me…seriously.

Anyhoo, after a month or so goes by the RA gets the idea, unbeknownst to me and the other freshman, that they want to ‘welcome’ us into the hall.

Fast forward to a night like any other.

As I’m lying in bed my roommate gets up and says she has to use the bathroom and goes down the hall. (the whole hall shared the bathrooms. awesome). A few minutes goes by when there’s a knock at the door. I jump down from the bunk and swing open the door. The hall is pitch black and all of a sudden, out of the darkness, someone grabs my arm and yanks me out into the hall.

The next thing I know, I’m struggling with at least 6 girls as they’re grabbing my arms and legs, pinning me as best they can. I hear the sound of giggles and duct tape as one grabs my arm in an attempt to join it with the other. I fight with all I have, but by the end, they succeeded in taping my wrists and ankles together. They hoist me up and begin carrying me down the stairs out into the night.

As we round the corner of the building, I see a large group of students anxiously waiting for the “main event.” I get plopped onto a bench and securely duct taped down as I see another fellow freshman, with her fate already sealed like mine.

They make a little speech and begin to rain down every condiment known to man over my head and body along with flour and eventually eggs. Throwing, cracking, smashing them as if I were the frying pan.







Half way through the eggs, I manage to pry my hand out of the tape and begin throwing them back at the girls, creating a miniature food fight, much to the delight of the crowd.

Once they completely depleted their supply, they set me free. Walking me slowly into the night to the gym locker room so I could wash off.

The next morning I was presented with the ugliest mustard yellow shirt that said, ‘I survived Circus Hall Initiation’, and I wore it with pride that day.

It happened that we were the only 2 to get initiated. What planned to be 6 more, never came about, yet all the other freshman walked the halls afraid of when their time might come.

Circus Hall
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Have you ever

Happy hump day my friends!

Have you ever toured the Dallas Cowboy Stadium?
- Yes, while G-man and I were driving across country, (is it cross or across?? Someone fill me in here) we stopped in Dallas and decided to walk on in. Not sure if they still are, but the tickets were extremely cheap and the tour was great. They took us on the turf too.

My attempt at self portrait w/the stadium. fail


Thanks to my love for helping me out.



Darn slouching. I need someone to smack me every time my shoulders roll forward.


Have you ever been asked by a teenager selling newspapers at your front door, if ‘your parents were home’, and you were 25?
- Yes, I thank the creams I was using, keeping my skin so youthful! I held back a laugh and said, “no, they aren’t.” She left.

Have you ever worn a mini skirt to a job interview?
- Yes, can I say I was 18 and didn’t have anything ‘professional’ to wear!? But can I also say, I got the job?! Yes, a man interviewed me. Yes, I got hired because my interview skills were that awesome. (I’m shaking my head no)

Have you ever had a bacon grease burn like this before?
- Yes, never think you can make bacon, coffee and a full breakfast at your first ever yard sale where the crazies show up at 6:45am to shop, thus leaving you frantic, confused and now burned to the 2nd degree.
I never felt any pain at all. I’m thinking the adrenaline had something to do with that.

See you tomorrow. =)

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Bloglovin...I guess

Not sure exactly what I'm doing but I'm going to give Bloglovin a shot to test it out...see how it goes. Learn what it really is. Join me in this little adventure.

I'm scared...and confused...but too curious to not do it. Pin It Now!

It’s cool to procrastinate

I may have said the title like Billy Madison, only as we all know, he says it’s cool to ___ something else…anyone? anyone? Someone has to know what he really said. Anyone??

OK, I’ll trust someone will say it and move on to my point. I’m procrastinating. You may ask, Emily, how can that be? You have all day every day to yourself to complete all and every task and yet you procrastinate?

Seriously, guys?! Can you ease back a bit?? I’m only human….and *cough* lazy *cough cough*

My Dr.’s appointment is in approximately 7 days and I have yet to sit down and write out all the details of my feet. I’ve had 3 weeks to do this.

This is the BIG appointment in Los Angeles that could possibly be the cure all for my feet. Remember, Jennifer Grey gave me her Doctor’s name?

Well, I’m having a hard time being excited about this appt. I’m bordering on the pessimist side while G-man is beyond the optimist.

I feel really bad every time I think about it. He is 100% sure this Dr. will fix my feet. He says so every time. He’s confident the Dr. will know just how to make everything all better. Even if it means more surgery. It’s the sweetest thing ever, hearing his hope. I’ve been leaning on his hope and praying for an inkling of hope myself.

I know this Dr. will poke and prod me. Ask ALL the same questions. Want to take all the same tests and ugh! I’m not looking forward to it. Poopy attitude I know.

Any way, I have no choice but to sit down and type out all my symptoms, dates of procedures and treatments, and I loathe the thought of it. Even more so when I can’t figure out how to describe my pain.

The thing I’ll have the toughest time doing is keeping my previous Dr. out of this new appt. I need to go in neutral and I’m having a hard time coming up with my 'game plan.’ Do I think he damaged my feet in surgery, yes. Do I think he did it on purpose, no. But whatever he did…or didn’t do is the reason why I’m in this position. I don’t resent him for this, so we’re clear. I’m griping though, I know. I’m sorry.

So please, if you think about it, I could really use some prayer. I know God has His hand in this and I’m trusting in Him with the outcome. With that said, I could use hope and a positive attitude over it all. And to go into it open minded…and I guess not afraid of what he’ll say. Even if he says more surgery to correct everything.

Okay, that’s a lot to pray for but it would mean a lot.

*thanks everyone for your comments on my pictures yesterday. You guys are the best! Pin It Now!

I’m thankful for 13

Was it a nice recovering weekend for everyone? Have we all survived the blogger incident okay? There were a lot of ladies very upset.

Hopefully you’re all refreshed and raring to go this Monday morning. I watched the puppies over the weekend again. The last time to be sure. Especially since there were only 6 (not the normal 7) and by the end of this week, the puppies will be no more. They all go to their new homes. They grow up so fast! *sniff sniff*

I’m thankful for Windows Live Writer. If you have a PC, and you have Windows Live Writer, it will change the way you blog forever. Thanks to Jenni who introduced it to me. I now no longer post through blogger but through WLW. It’s the best, especially since it saves all my posts outside of blogger.

I’m thankful for blogger going down. (I know, weird) However, it allowed me all those extra hours in my day that I squander away devote to reading blogs, to clean my apartment thoroughly.

I’m thankful for the enjoyment I get from reading my bible daily.

I’m thankful my sister and mom live so close since I accidentally mailed them each other’s Mother’s Day gifts. I still don’t know how I mixed them up.

I’m thankful for being able to travel as much as I have over the past year of not being able to work. I never would have seen all the wonderful places I have, if I hadn’t had the surgery and it ruin my feet. (I’m keeping positive as best I can here.)

I’m thankful for you taking a moment to tell me if you like these 2 pictures, and being completely honest about it since lying doesn’t make me get better. If the 1st one is too bright for the eyes. The 2nd one is blah. If they both are subpar. You get the gist.





By the way, this is where I’ve been staying while watching the puppies. It’s gorgeous.

Philippians 4:12-13 
I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

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I’m a foodie. You didn’t know?

I guess I’ll be realistic. I’m not a foodie in the least. But I’m pretending because I grow my own basil. (could you envision me puffing my chest out on that line?)

Another dose of reality. Every basil plant up until this point, I’ve ever had, has died. Regardless what I do for it. The difference with this one? It started out with seeds. Let’s not discuss the fact that it almost died too. The mean sun was scorching it and the mean Emily wasn’t giving it enough water to fight the mean sun.

We prevailed though! I want to give a hearty shout out to Target for the $1 basil seeds w/adorable planter. If it wasn’t for you, awesome Target, I never would have fresh basil. *sniff sniff*

Aren’t those 3 baby basil leaves the cutest thing EVER?!!?


I had to enjoy the fruits of my labor. It' was very tedious going out into my garden over the mountains of lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers, just to be able to pick these 3 precious basil leaves for my caprese salad.


Or…I walked into my 2nd bedroom and snapped them off from my window sill. *ahem* any way. The point is! I grew my basil and it was delectable.
See?? It was just a baby.


As you can see I had to make due with dried for the remaining part of the salad. The sacrifices I make!


I also made myself this absolutely delicious chicken dish from the amazing Gina @ Skinny Taste. Her recipes are amazing, healthy and they show all the nutrition amounts. I really was blown away by this chicken. It was so easy to do. She says to grill it but I don’t have a grill so I just did it in a skillet. Worked great!

I completely overdid it on this meal. Ate it all and I made the horrible mistake of looking at my full self in the mirror afterward.

People, don’t ever do that. I WARN YOU!

With the image of my overfed self in your brains, …cause frankly I have no where to go from there…I’ll leave you to have a most wonderful and fabulous weekend doing whatever it is you do. Pin It Now!

Shut it down

It’s been almost 2 weeks since G-man left and I’ve gone through a gamut of emotions.

It got me thinking if what I do when alone is the same as what others do, to cope. Shut down the heart, so to speak.

I’ve caught a couple other blogs where a wife can’t even sleep in their room while her husband is gone, so she sleeps in the guest room. Another keeps herself really busy to not think about him not being there.

I’m not exactly like them since; I’m not married, don’t share the same room and certainly don’t have enough to do in my day to make myself busy, but I do block things out. I get in my mind numbing routine that keeps all “G-man” thoughts out, because the moment they creep in I get down, lonely, sad and pouty.

I can’t stand to be around that girl. And if I can’t stand her, I know others can’t either. Sometimes, there’s nothing I can do about it. It takes over and sometimes I’ll let it, but for the most part I don’t like to dwell on memories. It’s just too painful.

Does anyone else do this when their loved ones go away for a long period of time?

Does anyone have any other ideas than ‘shutting down’ emotions? Sometimes I think it’s too harsh and cold to do. And as G-man said to me the other morning, I’ve been acting “disgruntled.” ((which is a product of my shut down))

If I can “conquer” this lava from the 70’s, I figure I can conquer this too.

Not the greatest picture, I know. But I thought it a little symbolic.
Ideas, comments, suggestions, advice…all welcomed and appreciated. Pin It Now!

Have you ever

Today’s my last day with the doggies…and cat. Well, sorta. I agreed to go back over the weekend while she’s out. But this ends my week with them. It’s bittersweet.

Have you ever rode a 4 wheeler to and from school for 2 weeks straight?
- Yes, does this make me a hick? I did live on a farm miles from town. I was 14 and my parents drove my sister cross country to college so my brother rode his dirt bike and I got the 4 wheeler. And for the record: it’s 4 wheeler, not quad!

Have you ever almost passed out while shooting a shotgun?
- Yes, I was in a 2 weeks weapons training and we had fired nearly 100 shotgun rounds and I had a major celebration the night before that might have involved some ‘dehydrating beverages’ and missed breakfast. So add together the beverages, skipped breakfast, heavy emotions and pressure to shoot accurately in a line of men (can we say, only female?) that it all caught up to me.

I had to turn, get another’s attention telling him he had to take the gun before I dropped. He grabbed it quickly and they led me to a rock to sit and gave me water. They said I looked like death. –gee thanks.

I went to the restroom since my body wasn’t happy (er, sorry for the tmi) and took my time in there. I kept my ears in, from the noise of the gunfire and didn’t realize they were banging on the bathroom door to see if I was ok. Once I heard, I said I’d be out in a few. As I step out, I’m met by the fire captains/paramedics wanting to check my vitals. They feared I had passed out in the bathroom and were about to break down the door (since I wasn’t responding)…can you imagine??? Me sitting there as they barge in? I would have been mortified!

What tops it all off, they announced over the ENTIRE institutional radio, read: 500 officers and higher + all the non custody; that “We have an Officer down at the range. We need medical attention.” That just made me even more embarrassed.


this is my baby, Remington 870 pump action shotgun. It’s best if you steer clear of my home.

Have you ever had to say Orthochlorbenzalmalononitrile, Hexachloroethane, Chloroacetophenone and Oleoresin Capsicum and know what each one means and how it effects a body?
- Yes, All but HC are gasses that will absolutely make you miserable when exposed. And when I say miserable, I mean you’re physically, mentally and emotionally tortured. Some believe they’ll actually die. And yes, I’ve been fully exposed multiple times to each and every one of them…maybe that’s why I’m a little off. hhmmm

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