whackadoodle coconut

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 ...

wiser is relative.  when I was young I thought I knew all there was to know and no one could tell me otherwise.  that's the prerogative of youth.  now looking back, there was a ton of stuff I didn't know out there or even existed.  there was even more that I didn't know I was capable of.  bravery that came from some dark recess, the true meaning of courage and a personality that is being well received amongst my peers. you know people usually do this kind of reflection in the new year, but really it's more important (I think) to do it when you get older.  you can look back at yourself and see where you've been and what you've become. so here are some of the things that I've learned over the last year- don't take yourself too seriously. things might be bad now, but just think of the experience you'll gain if you live through it. worrying about it doesn't make it better (or worse). know your audience. saying your sorry doesn't mean bl...

not my words, but funny none the less.  this big secret that I have been unable to keep zipped although I have.  only a couple people who were involved knew about the plot.  until now. there are more photos at my cookinator blog.  you can take a looksy over there.  the best part was the excitement on the Tacticool Guys faces when they realized it was an actual cake.  very happy with how it all turned out.  you could take a looksy over there at their facebook page and see what I mean. in the end it started out like this -     And after 20+ ladies and the guys it looked like this -

we are officially knee deep in single digits for my birthday.  and yes this is the second, if not third post about said birthday and I'm really excited for today's super happy fun time.  I swore that I wouldn't post anything about it, so you will just have to wait until tomorrow to see the *potential* explosion of happiness that is about to rain down. I'm excited.  REALLY EXCITED! this is really a hair brained idea that my uber talented friend is helping me with.  thank goodness I have her as such a good friend!

yes that's right.  assuming that nothing disastrous happens over the next two weeks, and all goes as it has for a number of years, I will have defeated mortality for the 35th time. it's birthday time.  I also realized, thanks to facebook's reminder of friends birthdays, out of the small number of my friends I have 6 including me who have birthdays in November and another 2 that are just a couple weeks away in October. I pointed this out to my hubby and he said, don't you know what's 9-10 months ago?  Valentines day. but I said isn't that strange that we're all friends though? either way, it's getting closer and I'm looking forward to new experiences.  after all new experiences are new stories and that's how you know you've really lived.  you have stories to tell those 6 friends that have birthdays in the couple days before and after yours.