Choot Like A Girl

I love small town truck stops.

You never know what you're going to see there.

I saw this t-shirt, and it made me smile.

Heck, it made me wanna go shoot my shotgun.  I'm a little behind this year, anyway.

Love the smell of shotgun smoke!

Baby Announcements Rock

My friend had a great idea for a baby announcement.  

I can honestly say this is one of the cutest things I've worked on in a while.

Mommy had been practicing with her, all I had to do was take the pictures!

I love it!

Quack Quack Ducks Ducks SeCURRRRity!

Friday night, a bunch of us planned to go to the Anjelah Johnson comedy show at the Wagner Noel.

We were to meet at Clear Springs Cafe at 5:45 pm. 

First, I had to get all my ducks in a row*.  I had 10.  My brother had 6.  Between us, we had bought 16 tickets to the show, in order to take customers. Eight, and eight.  Due to last minute changes, we were scrambling to fill the tickets, and so I ended up with more ducks!

I called Clear Springs earlier in the day to make a reservation for 16 people. 

Guess what?  Clear Springs? They don’t take reservations.

I utilized my wheedling, crying, snot-slinging skills and voila!  Okay, Janie, SHUT UP!  "We’ll save you a table, it shouldn't be a problem at all."

Heading out, I decided to call the restaurant to tell them I was running late.  You know, being a good planner, and all.  I know plans sometimes run amok, and didn't want them to suffer.

“Ma’am?  Are you telling me you have a take out order?"

Me:  "Pardon me?"

I go through it all again.

"Well, ma'am, I hate to inform you, but we don’t take reservations.”

Mild Janie freak out.

I talk them back into reserving me the table, tell them I’ll be there in minutes, and hang up the phone.

Then I realize...I’ve miscounted.  I call back, take the number to 12, because two couples are meeting us at the venue. I call Clear Springs and move it to 12. Then I count again, and somehow get back to 16.  I have another brain wave.  I call back.  Clear Springs?  Well, now, they’re saints.  They readjust the table.

ThatManILove is sitting in the passenger seat of my truck, slowly shaking his head and rolling his eyes...yeah.  I see you, TMIL.

And then, about three minutes later, I get this text.   From my brother, Scott, who has beat me to the restaurant, and is waiting on all his ducks...and obviously, mine, too.

Just so you know, this is how that picture really looked.  And there were, seriously, 50+ people standing in the foyer looking at this table like freaking vultures and throwing bad heebiejeebievoodoocrap at Scott.  I swear, I could hear the theme from Jason as I walked through that mumbling mass of humanity.

So, we go sit down.  And then I start counting again.  My brain calms and kicks back into gear. And I truly remember, 4 of the ducks are meeting us at the venue.  Scott tells me 2 more ducks are meeting us at the venue.  And while we're counting our little webbed feet, another duck calls and cancels.

Thank God the waitress is standing right there.

And voila!  We make her the queen of the hour by taking our table down to ~10. 

She's smiling.

And the hostess is smiling.

The crowd of ~50 starts breathing again.

And about that time, our ducks start walking in.

The karma flow turns to a happy pink and orange and blue and green.  And that really really cool color of indigo-y violet.  You know.

Okay, I just made that up.  I have no freakin' idea what I'm talking about.  Does karma even have a color?

But the place got happy.  All us ducks were in a row and snaggin' down some onion rings and quacking away.

I wrote all this to say...I love my brother's sense of humor.  

I think God put us together as bro and sis for a purpose...and as soon as I figure that out, I'll let ya know.  Anyway, I love you, Scott!  Hope we get to hang out like this for years to come!

And Anjelah?  She made us laugh so hard, I cried.  She is one funny chica.

SeCURRRRRRRity!

*Euphemism for getting your proverbial stuff together

Lonesome Dove Western Bistro...or Curses, Foiled Again

Last night, I had a client dinner date at Lonesome Dove Bistro.

Well, I had one scheduled, anyway.

My client’s wife fell ill, and we had to cancel, which I did through Open Table.  (Reservations and cancellations are super easy through that site!)

I ran errands, threw down  a little thirty minute shopping trip(girl in the city, you know) and then came back to the hotel to work on a presentation for another client.

And then, I clicked on The Lonesome Dove site to look at the menu.

Holy doves will coo.

That's it.  I'm going to go, even if I have to trip some unsuspecting soul on the street and take them with me.

Work Business, Shooting Business

It's hard enough for a desert girly to shoot where there are trees.  Compound it with hard driving rain, in the beautiful state of Pennsylvania?  And then try to add vendor business?

Not a good combination.  I'm glad Franklin has a good sense of humor.  And pardon my picture - can you tell I'm DRENCHED?

That's my shooting buddy Daniel in the background.  I always shoot with he, his dad Tommy, and John when I'm at the Appalachian Blast.  Fun stuff!

PS - Guys can look good no matter the weather.  Not. Fair. 

This One Cracked Me Up

I've recently changed jobs.  And in doing so, received several emails of congratulations and good wishes from within my industry.  

I thought this one deserved publishing.  Nick is one of my former co-workers, congratulating me on my new job.  I laughed so hard!  Thanks, Nick-man.

(Yes, my new boss has a jet.  And several sweet race cars.  And the US standing mile record.)

Who Are You Going To Be When You Grow Up?

Today was an interesting day.

I set up a lunch to affect introductions between a young lady I’d never met, and a friend, who had once been a lobbyist in D.C.

And then, I watched.  It was a very informative lunch, one where the more experienced woman gave advice to the younger, less experienced young lady.  And we came up with a strategy to help her, and to afford more introductions on her behalf.

The young lady listened, took mental notes, and immediately did all we asked of her. Her resume needs a little tweaking, and I think we need to have another meeting…but, I think she’ll go far, once she finds her way.  She wasn't shy, she wasn't cocky, she just asked all the right questions, and listened to the answers.  I think she'll turn out to be a hard worker, and one with integrity and character.  It's who she's designed to be.

It’s fun to be a part of the connection, a gathering of the right people, that eventually helps form a path to a career.  Most of us have benefited from help such as was given today. 

I'm appreciative of the help that has been given to me.

Contest, Schmontest - What The Heck Is Janie Talking About?

Okay.

Nobody bit on the contest blurb.

I didn’t elaborate.

But...

ThatManILove and I are going somewhere.

For a vacay.  A much needed one.

I’ve had contests in the past, you know.

And people had lots of fun, and some received fun things.

One of my favorite contests - Some people went to see James Taylor at Tanglewood, in Lenox, Massachusetts.  You know who you are.  (I only knew one winner personally - now, I feel like I know them all!)  If I remember correctly, there were three or four couples.  

Some people received wine.   (And, I know, Kara, you’re still waiting on yours...but you put the requirement in that I had to bring it personally!)

Some people received t-shirts...from multiple states.

Some people received airline tickets.

One sweet blogging friend received some cool made in Texas wine glasses.  Heck, I’d never even met her.  And then?  We surprised her...by attending her wedding.  In Mississippi.  And meeting two other bloggers (one of which was the groom!) in the process.  

All that to say...by reading my blog, you’re getting a little taste of our Vida Loca…sporadic as the posting may seem.  I really really am still here…when I can be.

By reading this blog, you’re visiting Casa De Crazy....the House of Chaos...you never know what’s gonna happen, but it’s never boring.

And first person to guess the right answer will win something from there.  And if, by chance, you already know where we’re headed to, please exclude yourself from the contest, okay?

My next posting, I’ll give at least one hint.

Mebbe.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Last Friday found me at the Bustin’ Clay for United Way, which benefits United Way of Midland, Texas.

I worked alongside a team of great people most of Thursday, and from daylight to dusk Friday, to host  a fun, productive shoot.  We raised close to $200K, which is our biggest take yet.  It was so much fun seeing everyone.  Our town is one of those that makes raising money fun.  We give away lots of good stuff.  

And sometimes, ya know, it’s just your day to win.  And win, I did.

A Sig Sauer 1911 .45 caliber pistol.

Now, I’ve just got to learn how to shoot it!!

I won another gun, as well, but donated it back, and it ended up going to a young man that had just returned from serving our country in Afghanistan.  Before the gun drawing, we had asked him to stand up and be recognized, and he received a standing ovation.  Beautiful.

Of everyone that was there, our young veteran deserved to win.  I'm glad he did.

Let's go shoot some targets, compadre!  I gotta figure this gun out!

It's never boring around here!!

Janie's Got a Gun...Concealed Carry Certification - Sound Off!

We took our Concealed Handgun Certification class yesterday.  It was fun, but man, it was a hot day - I think the high was 111 degrees.

Though we own pistols, I had never before shot a pistol.   Can you believe that?  The shotgunner I am, yet I’d never shot a pistol?  Craziness.  I've been missing out, I can tell you that!

I have a Kimber .45 caliber auto, and ThatManILove has a Beretta .40 caliber auto.  He thought that it would be better for me to shoot the Beretta, since I’d not shot before.  It was definitely a lighter gun!

We all met at the Stripes convenience store at Loop 250 and Big Spring St.  My brother and sister-in-law joined the class, as well as some of our friends.  It was a great group.  Our instructor was Dennis Morris, and he is an awesome, entertaining instructor.  

The class was very informative, and they helped each of us with our guns, teaching us gun safety along the way.

Then, we started shooting.  We each had targets, and we lined up in a straight line, fifteen yards from our targets.  It was a little nerve-wracking, but fun, as well.

And I realized within my first five shots...I don’t know how to aim.  I shoot my shotgun with both eyes open, which is a huge plus in sporting clays.  I don’t use the bead on the end of my shotgun.  If your shotgun is mounted correctly, you will basically shoot where you look, and with a little practice, you’ll hit your clay targets.

Isaac Urias was assisting Mr. Morris with the class, and will soon have his instructor’s license.  I told Isaac what I thought was going on, and he helped me.  He told me I could try to aim with both eyes open, but I found it easier to shut my left eye.  My shooting improved immensely once I adjusted to aiming.  Isaac was very good and helped me with the little things, like changing out the clip with my left hand so my right hand never leaves the pistol, etc.  He’s going to be a great instructor.

Finally, we were ready for the range qualification test.  Requirements are that you fire a total of 50 rounds at a B-27 target, scoring at least 175/250, shooting 20 rounds from the 3 yard line, 20 rounds from the 7 yard line, and 10 rounds from the 15 yard line.  I scored a respectable 244/250, so I was very pleased.  ThatManILove, who says he can’t shoot, scored a 248/250!

Afterwards, we broke for lunch, and then went for our classroom portion of the test.  I learned so much!  I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

 We're going to go shooting this week, to become even more familiar with our weapons - the instructors encouraged us to practice, practice, practice.  

 I'm often alone, in different towns and places, and thought this might be a perfect solution for protection purposes.  Today, however, I’m warring with the responsibilities of carrying a concealed weapon, and all that carrying entails.

What about you?  Have you ever thought about carrying a gun for protection?  I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Reds and Rods (3, That Is) - Fishing the Kenai For Reds - Part 5 of the "North, to Alaska!" Series

Rod and Steve on the Kenai River

I met Rod in February at our company's executive leadership meeting in San Antonio.  I had heard he was the man to know in Alaska.  Rod told me he'd "hook" us up, just to give him the dates and he would introduce us to people in the know regarding fishing, accommodations, etc.

He dang sure did do everything he promised, and more!  We have had such a good time.  Between Rod and his Denise, and Ron & Denise Maddox of Eagle Head Cabins, we couldn’t have asked for a better vacation.  They pretty much slam-dunked the best concierge service we’ve ever had.  And that’s saying a lot, because we are no strangers to five star hotels.

Rod, setting up our rods.

Rod and Denise came and joined us one afternoon at the cabins, bringing their drift boat and equipment.  Rod and ThatManILove grilled supper - Rod grilled salmon he had caught that afternoon, and TMIL grilled tenderloin. Delectable!  It was amazing, and Ron and Denise, the Eagle Head Cabins proprietors, joined us for supper, along with Anna, another coworker of Rod’s and mine.  We had so much fun!  Rod and Denise stayed in one of the cabins, and we were up and about at 4:00 a.m. the next morning. Waders, rain gear, lunches packed, ready to go...and off we went, to the Kenai River to fish for reds.

Denise, up on the steep bank!

ThatManILove with his first red.

I was a little hesitant, since I bunged up my left knee (I broke my right knee in the 90’s) but put a brace on it and roped up.

We floated down the Kenai to Rod and Denise’s favorite fishing hole, dropped anchor, and he and Denise began to teach us how to fish for reds.

Now, every day, we learned a different technique - one for halibut, one for King Salmon, and now, this technique for reds.  We were all in the water - I, up to my waist.  The scenery and the river were absolutely beautiful.  The sun would come out, then go back into the clouds, then back out again.  It was a very peaceful, beautiful place.

Starbucks, baby.  A great fishing tool.

I could feel the cold, but knew I wasn’t wet - I had on waders!  It was cool.  Until I heard this:  “Oh, s***!”  I looked to my right, and ThatManILove had this look on his face.  I only wondered what had happened for a minute - because he confessed to Rod. 

“I broke your rod!” he said.  Rod laughed, gave him another one, and put him back to fishing.  He had snagged his rod, grabbed it higher than the reel, and put undue pressure on it trying to wiggle it loose.  Rod told him the rods had lifetime warranties, that it happened all the time.

I quickly (well, that’s my story, anyway) caught on to the casting, reeling in, recasting, getting unsnagged (I mastered that one without breaking any rods!).  I worked at it for about an hour, and then, I realized I was really cold.  

The bank was steep, and due to that knee brace, ThatManILove had to  help me get up the bank.  I was almost all the way up when I slipped...and promptly slid down the bank, on my stomach, right back into the water. Go ahead - you can laugh - I did! I didn’t fall, though, landed on my feet, but I was done with that cold water. I rigged it down, right then and there.

I finally made it into the boat, and couldn’t feel my toes.  I was so cold, but after an hour or so, I started warming up.

Rod, Denise and ThatManILove started catching fish.  Rod let me bring some of them in, it was so much fun!  That “whiiiiirrrrrrr” of the line going out when that fish would run, then the fun of bringing them into the net that Rod was holding.  My new favorite sound.   Oh, my gosh.  You have to try it!!

There is nothing prettier than an angler bringing in a fish, especially if that fish tries to run or fights.  It’s absolutely beautiful, that intricate dance of the angler and the fish.


I've decided that Rod is just as much an expert teacher as he is an expert fisherman.  He spent just as much time helping us and training us as he did fishing, himself.  I hope your first experience fishing is with someone as patient and caring as are Rod and Denise.  They truly want to help you learn to fish, and want you to love the sport as much as they!

Denise got into the boat, and I filmed and took photos.  We had the best time visiting and learning about each other and our families.  Every once in a while, I would shift positions trying to get my knee more comfortable.  I would say, “I feel water running down my leg.”

TMIL:  “Honey, you’re just cold.  I promise, you’re not wet.”

About that time?  He fell.  Those big rocks are s.l.i.c.k., and with the current running fast, it’s easy to lose your balance.  

Immediately, he knew water had come into his waders.  And that water?  Is about 40 degrees.  COLD.  Real COLD.

He’s tough, though, he kept fishing.  They fished and they fished until they had their limits.  It was awesome.

We had such a good time, laughing, telling stories, cheering the anglers on - it was yet another amazing moment in our lives.

ThatManILove decided he was really cold, yet all the while, he was telling me “you’re not wet, Janie - you’re just cold.”

We got to the dock, loaded up the boat, and went to get our vehicles.  I stripped out of those waders, and was wet up to my waist. My clothes were simply soaked.  I had been wet for hours.  Evidently, my waders had a leak.  I knew it, but was willing to be wrong!

Everybody felt so bad, and I think they decided I was a toughie, going through all that cold for the hours I did!  But you, my faithful readers, know I’m no quitter!

ThatManILove and Rod went into Soldotna to drop off our catch for processing, and Denise and I ran back to the cabin so I could change.  Ran is a relative term.  At one point, I looked down, and I was going almost 80mph.  I told Denise, “Whoa.  I better slow down!  I’m so cold, I was driving like I was in Texas.”

About that time, I looked back, and saw an Alaskan State Trooper coming up behind me, lights flashing.  

Hopeful, I pulled over...”Maybe he’s going to pass me!”

Heck, no!  I’m now the lucky recipient of an Alaskan Calling Card -  thank God he reduced the ticket a little bit - over a certain (55) amount, the fines double!  So, I’ll be calling the Kenai judge tomorrow and begging for deferred adjudication or defensive driving - don’t want that bad boy on my record.

We got to the cabin, changed clothes, and met the guys in Soldotna for supper.  We also drove to view Rod and Denise’s beautiful lakefront lot they had purchased on Brown’s Lake.  I’m so excited for them.  It's absolutely breathtaking.  

And blessed? ThatManILove and I are so very blessed for that 10 minute introduction Rod and I had in San Antonio - I think ThatManILove and I have gained some new lifetime friends.

So, if you ever get the chance to go fish the Kenai for reds, do so!  It’s worth every minute.  The scenery is beautiful, and the fish - they’re yummy!

Oh, yeah - I forgot to tell you one thing.  ThatManILove ended up breaking yet another rod on this same day.  Rod was so gracious, laughing again, telling TMIL not to worry about it.  I, however, changed TMIL’s name from Salmon Steve to Destructo Steve!


You know the drill - it’s never boring around here!


Rod and Denise - thank you so much for giving your time and resources to ensure we had a great time in your beautiful state.  Thanks for introducing us to Ron and Denise and Anna.  We've truly been blessed by all of you.


Gentle readers - get thyself to Alaska!!  You will so love it there!  And yes...as much as this Texan hates to admit it - Alaska is BIGGER!

Fish ON!

Catching Up

I’ve not posted because I’ve been in a sales conference most of the week.

Not that things haven’t happened, they have.

So here’s a random posting just to catch y’all up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It’s muggy here in San Antonio.

I am a hormonal, menopausal woman.

Heat and hormonal, menopausal women do not mix.

If you don’t believe me, get yo’ butt down here and watch me in action.

If ThatManILove even sees a trace of a bead of sweat above my lip, he tries to attack me...says, “Oh, honey, c’mere, I just gotta have a hug right now.”

He thinks it’s hilarious.  When he starts walking towards me and I’m in the throes of a hot flash, I swear my head rotates on my neck just like Reagan’s did in “The Exorcist.”

And still he persists.

He is pretty funny!

Did I say it’s muggy in San Antonio?

But at night, the weather has been lovely.  We’ve had some visitors while we’re here, and have met with some friends for dinner.

So far, a great time...and at the sales conference, I’ve met tons of my co-workers, which is also a great thing!

I’ll post some of the fun stuff in the next couple of days.

Happy trails ‘til then!

Anybody have a swimming pool filled with ice cubes?  If so, I'm in.  But I'm wearing my swimsuit.