whackadoodle coconut

Early morning day two at the range. This past weekend John and I traveled to Orange County to participate in the NRA’s Personal Protection Outside of the Home course.  In OC they are passing permits out like candy, unlike SB County.  This course satisfies the training requirement for a CCW permit.  Needless to say, it doesn't do us a lot of good to take the class and not receive the “reward” or the permit.  However, more training is just that. Big city range. We were shooting in the bay on the far end.  The two day course (max 16 hours) was incredibly valuable.  I have trained with TJ Johnston previously, but John had not.  This was his first class with TJ and his first formal training opportunity (after our basics class last year).  As he said in the “was the course what you expected” portion of the class, all I told him was that it would be challenging and you would have to work for it.  All true.  Even in my case, h...

take a looksy at the list. 1.  35 and my second round in braces. it's just as "awesome" as the first time. minutes after the ortho visit. 2.  being a leader is harder than it sounds.  but frankly it's just as fun as you'd think if you were one of "those" people. not really a "leader" picture, but how do you really photograph that? 3.  happiness is a lot of things.  but I'm sure that it's none of those things you see on pinterest.  really. 4.  dying to spin on that wheel over there (pointing).  funny thing, I saw a post on facebook of the company and there was the man who made my wheel sitting right there. hubby asks, "who is that?"  I said "I think he's the guy to made my wheel" (picking up my wheel and turning it over) "see?  there's his name on the bottom." it's like the earth just opened up and revealed a tiny pot of gold. yup, right there on the bottom. #176 5.  ...

I don't know if this is true, but I think if you asked people who know me, not just know of me, but really know me what I do best.  I think they would say that I was a good teacher.  there's an old adage that says "those who can't do teach".  in a lot of ways this is true.  it's a cop out for a lot of people who really can't do.  they end up teaching, because they can't cut it in the "real world".  and then there are those who teach and teach well.  they enjoy it, spreading knowledge and encouraging others to seek out new information and expand their minds.  not the drug fueled expansion, but actually rejuvenate brain cells. this is what I actually love.  the skill of teaching others.  I like it. I think I'm good at it.  oh yeah and there's another line, if I have to tell people that I am then I'm probably not.  this one is probably true.  even though I'm telling you right now. anyhow, I am going to some training in th...

we had an amazing club meeting this week on Monday.  five ladies showed up and we had people shooting and laughing and having (what looked like) a really good time for the entire hour and half.  I have taken some suggestions for games and topic training.  stuff that everyone should be able to do and know.  it will be good and important. I added the photos we took the night of and posted them online.  I didn't get a chance to shoot or a shot to shoot, however you want to look at it so I returned the next day to do some practice.  I am always trying to evaluate my progress and set better goals for improvement. here's what I found out.  back when I first picked up a pistol in august last year I had shots all over the place.  no doubt the bad guy will drop, but I needed to be better.  I wanted to be better.  in the meantime, we stocked up on lead and I took to practicing twice a week.  once on my own and once with my hubby. tak...

and there should be.  that's why I was convinced, against my initial reclusive instinct, that there really should be.  what's that?  a ladies only shooting club.  there's one in Bakersfield, one in just about every big city around the nation.  but, not here.  not within 100 miles. after all there are only three ranges and one outdoor public range in the area.  and that IS within 100 miles. thus a founding of the Central Coast Ladies Shooting Club was born ?  no, not born. incepted. developed. founded? maybe, proposed and then followed through. there was a lot of interest and it seems to be spreading like wildfire of women who are interested in joining.  that's a good thing.  it's a really good thing.  word of mouth.  everyone uses it like it's the most effective way to spread news...I mean gossip.  in this case, it's news.  news that is welcomed, desired, and needed. yesterday was our first meeting and with...

if you have been following cookinator , you'll know that I've been trying some new things for dinner lately and they have turned out really good.  so this week that we're summing up, I've just been on a roll. busted out a ton of chores and I'm ready to relax for the day and get a little fun stuff in before the afternoon activities start.  I've spun a little and visited the range a little and ate some candy. that's yesterday's target.  still not totally satisfied with it since there were 3 that were off target.  but in the end the bulls eye didn't elude me this time.  that's progress and improvement.  I could tell the difference between my shots and where they were landing when I focused on the sight and not the target.  and that is a huge difference, then wondering why it wasn't going where I wanted it to. I also promised to take a photo of splitting cards and unfortunately all I have is the aftermath -

there's only one more actual day before Christmas and I thought I'd just drop you a note and share the Christmas greetings we have already had the pleasure of this year before a short holiday break through the start of the new year. first, I'm still working on something for my brother and since I still have a way to go, it probably won't be there in time to open on Christmas day, but it's winter where he lives so there is still time to use said gift.  not too worried there.  I'll have to get on it today to get it finished to mail. second, there has been a high level of gift giving already around our house.  as you might have figured we each purchased a new gun for Christmas.  not a "surprise", since in CA we have to fill out paperwork to get ownership of said firearms and then wait 10 days to take them home.  as you might imagine there isn't much surprise there.  however, the guys at the shop did a number on the gift giving and a super surprise...

it wasn't anything like that at all.  funny, but nothing like it at all.  this last weekend we head south to Santa Barbara to meet the nice people at Ear Inc. who create instamold ear protection.  the company is based in Colorado and the couple that we met up with are from Idaho by way of Santa Barbara.  lucky that they were in town for a while and could take some time to do a sale. it takes about a couple of hours from start to finish.  you can get just about every color combination imaginable. or mix of colors.  there's also two styles to choose from.  an instant mold (impression) of your ear and a lab fit from an impression of your ear.  we opted to get one of each to try them out and see which one we like better. pricing is reasonable, when you can spend anywhere from $15 to hundreds for good ear protection, $65/$75 for ears isn't bad.  the higher price is for a mix of colors.  the lab ones are $110, but you can't take those with...

well last night was the final exam for my shooting class and I fell short of my goal. of course I wanted two things, 1. to win and 2. get ten bullseyes. didn't happen. I am not upset, I did a good job, but I did learn a few things. Practice. duh right? I don't think I need to elaborate. Respect the firearm. it's a .22, not a big deal, but it takes the same level of respect as a .45. Finally, you can't predict how it will work out. you can't muscle your opponents into submission, there isn't a right or wrong answer and you can't control the environment you find yourself in.

...and I already have my present.  well, not exactly.  I do, but I don't.  (this is a normal phrase if you know me)  it was on order and it came in yesterday and I was excited to go visit it and shoot a box worth.  I just gave it away.  not that you didn't already know.  it's an M1 Garand.  totally legit I know, right. took it for a little test drive and here's what transpired. learned a few things along the way. 1.  height above bore . this is the space between the sights and the bore of the rifle.  at short distances, your shot will be off (based on the sights) since the accuracy is meant for longer distances.  so you have to adjust. 2.  I will need to practice loading .  had a hell of a time "trying".  I say trying because I didn't actually succeed getting it loaded myself....much to the laughter of the peanut gallery.  (love you sweetheart!)  especially when this weekend there was a woman at the...

you might not know this about me, but I like to shoot.  I haven't mentioned it before, because I don't know how everyone feels about it.  it can be a touchy subject for some and others might have a strong opinion that is opposite of mine.  that's okay.  I don't mind if you disagree.  my husband and I are both really new at this and have only been shooting for about 4 months, maybe 4 1/2.  that isn't a long time.  it took me longer to learn how to cook, create this blog with some coherency and get it up and running online. but commentary aside, I've been wanting to share this with you for a little bit, because the more I shoot, the stronger I feel about the stereotypes that are out there and the misconceptions that people believe due to low or no information.  especially women. that's a lot of firepower in this pic.  but, I can hold my own with the guys.  that's a good feeling to take away from the experience.  same gun, same ...