Annie get your gun . . .

Time to learn skill #2 for 2013!  As mentioned in previous blogs I have challenged you all to learn five new things this year.  It's great for mental health as well as just for fun!  I easily got my card certification in CPR.  Check #1 - - -

This past weekend when sister Tami and her family were staying with us - we decided it was time to learn skill #2 - - - Both Tami and I had chosen this as a goal for the year - and that was to learn how to identify a gun - know what ammo it needs - know how to load it - know how to shoot it - - and hit a target - - and be safe.

The day started after coffee and breakfast and Clay Dave Mitch (Gun Safety Instructors) gathered in the back room where the Henningsen and Erwin guns were laid out on the bed - including two pistols and a revolver.  Class was "in session".

Guns of choice were:  22 rifle, 12 gauge shot gun and a 20 gauge shot gun, 22 revolver pistol, 45 semi-automatic pistol and a 32 semi-automatic pistol.  Oh and a single shot 12 gauge.

Rifles shoot bullets which are measured in calibers.  Named rifles because there are "riflings" inside the barrel that spins the bullet.  Rifles shoot farther than shot guns.

Shot guns shoot shells, measured by gauge. Shells don't travel as far. 20 gauge shells are always yellow - - - 12 gauge can be other colors. We learned how important it is to make sure you don't put the wrong shell in the wrong gun. Tami and I quickly decided that OUR 20 gauge shot guns should have yellow stickers on them. Doesn't that make sense??

Full metal jacket . . . is not JUST a movie I hear . . . I learned to tell the difference between a full metal jacket bullet and a hollow point bullet. Hollow point bullets are put together in a way that they mushroom out when they hit, and as Mitch declared, "they can FSU". :)

Up to this point, I felt pretty good . . . but then came single action and double action, pump action and semi-automatic - - - double barrel and side by side - over and under - - - well - I was ready to do some shooting by this time . . .

We loaded up and headed to the Jewell Gun Club - and what a great time we had - Sister and I took turns with the guns - The 22 rifle was nice. I could hit things. Beer cans and butter dishes beware! 20 gauge was fun to load and shoot - - - 12 gauge was a little more power than I was ready for . . . and I have the bruise to prove it :) The 22 revolver made me feel like a real cowgirl - smokin' gun and all - - - the fancier pistols actually scared me - - -

The best thing about learning something new is when it turns out to be really fun! I can see myself getting a little bit hooked on some target shooting. Shooting an animal really doesn't interest me - unless they are attacking me or mine . . .

Thank you to my nephew Mitch and my brother-in-law David and especially to hubs, Clay. They were very patient and kind with me. I can now cross this off of my list of 5 things to learn in 2013, but it certainly won't be the last time I head out to shoot this year. I'm also very thankful that our kids were raised to respect and handle guns - I can see now that I missed out on some fun when the family went off to hunt - - - but I also think it was a special "dad time" for them both.

Blessings found in full metal jackets and those other things I can't remember . . . oh yes . . . hollow points . . . :) and mostly . . . time with family.

                                                   A penny for your thoughts Dave!

And oh yes we had to use the first aid kit twice - but I won't embarrass anybody here by telling who!

I have a very strict gun control policy: if there's a gun around, I want to be in control of it.

Clint Eastwood

To knit or knot???

Late Breaking News!!

I have decided on the 5th and final new thing I will learn in the year 2013.  If you remember from my original blog post I challenged any of my readers to try to learn some new things.  It is great for the mind and it is proving to be fun!

My list is as such:

Become card certified in CPR - and I am official now - CHECK

Want to learn to load and shoot a gun. When it warms up!

Want to learn algebra I.  When my daughter is on summer break!

Going to do the electric slide!    Anytime I can get my daughter/nieces to teach me!

And . . .

Lastly I will learn to knit!  This is the blog post that got me thinking - I used to knit and I liked it - and I love those dish cloths!

Now to find a fellow-knitter!!

CPR

Today is the day I accomplish 1 of the 5 things I am going to learn in 2013!

At the hospital I work at we are required each year to do competency testing.  It's a general review of hospital policy, crisis plan, infection control, privacy and security issues, etc. and we are also required to take a CPR class.  We have the chance to become card certified by taking a little more in depth class and passing a test.

Card Certified!!

CPR saves lives and we can all be prepared to do what we can if we are ever in that situation.  I'd like to encourage everyone to contact your local hospital, EMS, or your own personal doctor and take a class on performing CPR.  Check the American Heart Association web site for information and for training videos as well.  

Check out this You Tube video about a new procedure called "Hands-Only" CPR.

A hunting I will go . . .

As I mentioned in my previous post I am challenging us all to learn something new in 2013!  I have committed to try and learn 5 new things this year!  I have already had two people sign up to join me!  Tami my sister is working right now on her list of five and will be reporting in at her own blog, Just One More Thing this year.  So be watching her blog!  My friend Rebecca quickly jumped at the idea and showed me her list of five tonight.  Crocheting, speed reading, firing a gun, and a couple of more personal ideas finished out her list.  Good luck ladies!

As promised I am ready to share my ideas - but alas, I still am holding out on #5 - I knew four things right away that I wanted to revisit, refresh, and just plain try for the first time!  I have listed them below and the answer to the big question . . . WHY??

How to shoot a gun . . .  I have thought about this for quite some time.  I was not raised around guns being the oldest of 3 girls, but my husband was always good to teach our two kids to respect guns and went to gun safety classes with both of them, took them hunting, target shooting, etc.    I stayed behind and really had no interest.  So why now?  Just have felt like it would be best to know the basics since we have several guns in our home.  In this world of such craziness - I also think about protecting myself - and although I don't anticipate ever really needing to - it just seems like a good thing to learn.  So Annie get your gun . . .

4 week algebra I course . . . This one will make my daughter laugh or cry I'm not sure which.   Casey is a math major and teaches high school and college math classes.  All I ask for is a 2-4 week brief introductory course to Algebra I - - - I think she could easily accommodate me on this endeavor next summer when she has a little down time???  She is working on her Master's Degree in Math - so not sure she has much down time - - - I chose this because it bothers me that I struggle with math now - I never was any good at it - how did I ever raise a math major I don't know - - - but I want to try a shot at math again!

Card Certified CPR  . . .This one is easy peasy - I work at a hospital and am required to take a brief CPR course each year - - - I can also choose to become card certified and I can do that on the clock even!  I think everyone should know it!!

The "Electric Slide" . . .Oh yeh - and this one sounds like the most fun!!!  At my daughters wedding I watched all the ladies do the Electric Slide - looked like great fun!!!  Now that I'm becoming more active with exercise, golfing, etc. I think I'll give dancing a try!  So as soon as I can round up my daughters, granddaughters, nieces, and sisters, we will be sliiiidddiing away!

Keep following along as I share the experiences - I'm sure there is bound to be some!  And let me know if you decide to join us in this challenge!   What will you learn this year?

Learn Something New!

Formal education will make you a living;

self-education will make you a fortune.

 

Do you like a good challenge?  I love the reading challenges I have found in blog world.  I love the Pin-It Do-It challenges that are new to me also!  My sister and I have weight loss/exercise challenges for each other now and then - a fun way to stay motivated.  So . . . I thought . . . It's a New Year and I'll be 54 soon . . . and 54 is not too old to learn something new!!  Right??   So here it is . . .

 

I challenge anyone who is reading to LEARN SOMETHING NEW in 2013!  Let's learn 5 new things this year.  Several ideas have come to me lately and I will be sharing them all this weekend.  I still need some time to compile my list.  The rules are this . . . there are none.  Pick five things, big or small, that you have always wanted to be able to do. Maybe it is something that you need to learn to help you with your job or with your life, but also, just think of some things you want to learn for simple fun! 

 

Where did I come up with this hair-brain scheme you ask?  I think it comes from always being afraid to do things in my life.  I'm the girl who cried in the second grade and didn't want to go to school because it was the "play day" at school and we had to run races.  I wore a dress for heaven's sake?? I have never put a worm on a fishing pole. I detassled corn for one day mind you.  I can't dive.  I can't water ski.  Have been afraid of big dogs until well you know Roy. 

 

Then things began to change - I learned that I can drive in six lanes of traffic going too fast.  I learned that I can have a blow out on the interstate and protect myself and my granddaughter from any further harm.  I can raise a big dog, feed and water him, pet him, hug him, and even - walk him. I can ride a bike!   I can manage/supervise 8 women and most days do it without chaos and blood shed.  I can pack up my entire house so it can be moved down the road.  I can hit a golf ball and I can hike in the Rocky Mountains.

 

This is why I think things have changed - I believe that in my 20's - 40's I was raising my family and keeping up with them - - - I was a great spectator in their lives - - - the way it should be for a mom!!  Loved every minute!   Now in the 40's and 50's I have more time to myself.   I have to entertain myself I guess :). 

Always walk through life as if you have something new to learn and you will.

  ~Vernon Howard

So - please join me in this challenge - there is a lot out there to learn and experience.  Something little or big you have been wanting to do?  Some skill you used to have but has faded away with time??

 

Brain storm away - and check back with me this weekend as I lay out my plan for the five new things I will learn this year!   Please consider joining in on the fun!   

 

 

You CAN teach an OLD DOG new tricks!!

 

Blessings in learning new things!