whackadoodle coconut

right.  they always say they are preshrunk until you wash them and then they shrink.  in weird ways.  not because you weren't careful, but because they weren't really preshrunk.  you can always tell too.  the shirt fits perfect, or it has a strange sizing, or they say they are and you can't believe what the tag says. [insert women's sizing and the obsession you all have with that stinkin' number].  I really don't care as long as it fits.  of course I'd prefer to have the smallest number, but that isn't reality. remnants of a shirt gone bye bye there was very little remaining that didn't get tested on since my machine went on the fritz just as I was starting the sleeves so here was my hubby's pre shrunk shirt, that could fit me except it didn't shrink in all the right places, so it looked really weird.  it also had the inability to fit right over a long sleeve shirt that just made me look even weirder.  so here's the crazy id...

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 -

while the rest of the world is suffering from the "polar vortex" as the media calls it, here in California we are sunny and warm.   a lovely 55 degrees F.   yes, we are really that warm and cozy during January.   so to celebrate I picked a basketful of lemons from the tree outside and made lemonade.   finally I used my basket just as I mean to with yummy pickin's, not yarn. in knitting news, I worked up a hat for my brother to thank him for his Christmas present.   it's a funny story.   I sent it and they were in Arizona for the new year so they didn't get it until this past weekend.   he messages me and said that it's too big and doesn't fit right.   he wants to know if he can shrink it some in a hot bath.   I said I didn't think it would work, but how could it hurt?   then I see he posts a picture of him "wearing" the hat.   it's in quotes because I immediately see the problem.   he has it on upside down.   I ...

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...