Weeeeener Weeeeener!

Friday found me in Houston at the SPE Sporting Clays shoot.

It was hot.

It was muggy.

I was in hormonal woman meltdown mode.

Until this girl, my friend Jenaya, won this...

Yup.  AND a $500 gift card.  She had a very, very, very good day!

And, I had a good day, as well.  I shot an 81/100.  Not bad for picking up my shotgun for the first time in almost a year.  While melting.

I was happy.

To top it all off, my coworker Chesney ordered us these cute pink shooting shirts - we were the only all-woman team at the shoot.  Jenaya, Chesney, Joy and Janie! We had a great time!

Bring it, shooting season!  We got this!

Cleaning Up and Cleaning Out....Part 2 - Custom Fit Hearing Protection, V.3 (or 4. Or 5. Or Heck, Who Knows?)

So, y’all know, by now, I spent part of last weekend cleaning, ditching, packing, giving away and mailing unwanted goods.

I last shot my shotgun at the AADE DFW Sporting Clay Shoot at the Dallas Gun Club in August.    I love going there, it’s a good shoot, and the custom fit hearing protection people are always there, ready and willing to take your hard-earned $$$ and fill your ears full of funky colored wax (you get to choose your colors) and create, just for you, your own special version of custom-fit hearing protection.

Best thing since Blue Bell Cookies N Cream Ice Cream, I’m telling you.

I think I might have ordered my 6th pair, overall, this year.

Pair 1 & 2, probably 10 years ago.  Pair 1, with baffles, for shooting/hunting.  Pair 2, no baffles, for high noise frac jobs.

The only problem with  having multiple pairs is when your son can wear the EXACT same pair of custom fit hearing protection.  They tend to disappear if y'all are on a mom/son shooting date/excursion.  (Oh, Mom.  I wore them by mistake to the team roping that night.)  (What?)

So, back down to Pair 1, muy pronto.

Next year, at a shoot, I ordered another set.  Then, later that year, one side fell off the keeper string while hunting.  Or, heck, you make up the story. I'll believe it, I promise.

Anyway, somehow I again ended up with ONE pair.  And at the AADE DFW shoot this year, post shooting our rotation, we were running around.  Went to Bass Pro.  Because, you know, we don't have one of them thair fancy stores here in the West of Texas.  Got back out to the range.  All of a sudden, I’d lost 1/2 my hearing protection.  I felt like a bad fishing trip...you know, like when you pull that beautiful taut line out of the water and...there's nothing on that hook?  Yeah.   Me.

So, I trucked over to the trailer, and did the “Please, please, pack my ears full of that cute purple and pink wax, and I’d like a purple string, please sir.  I’ll pay you to do that.”

Followed by 7 minutes of looking stupid, sitting in a chair, trying to figure out if everyone around you is talking TO you, or ABOUT you, or really doesn’t even give a flip that you’re sitting there looking super goofy.

All this story to preface another.  Lordy.

So.  Back to the closet, this weekend,  the one closet where years of purses are stacked to the max.  One of my helpers says, “You gonna attack those purses?  Because I won’t go buy one if you have one I like that you no longer want.”  Or some wheedling whining hopeful remark like that.

So, I give her a look, and dove in.

I go through each purse.  I dig out money, dental floss (unused), combs, Jane Iredale lip gloss (now that, people saved me some bucks!), and of all things, a set of custom fit hearing protection.  Just rolled up, not in its special little case, just sitting in a purse.  In the zipper part.  You know, for protection.

ChaCHING!!!!

So excited!

They look relatively new, too!

So, now, in this fall of 2013, I’m ahead 3.5 pairs.

Don’t even ask.

I’m HAPPY, people.  Happy! Happy! Happy!

Huh?

What did you say?

Changes in Temperature - Hormonal or No?

I dread one sporting clay shoot per year.  And I leave tomorrow to go shoot in it.  It's the DFW American Association of Drilling Engineers sporting clay shoot at the beautiful Dallas Gun Club.  Shooting?  FUN.  Usually.  

But people...it's August.  There are a lot of trees.  And no breeze.  

And I am a hormonal woman.  Just saying.

This comment on a business email sent earlier today to a Pennsylvania client, and penned by moi, sums it all up.

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. 

Work and Fun In The OilPatch of the Marcellus Shale

Just returned from a great trip to the wonderful P of A...I love that state!

My new boss flew us up in his jet, we were super busy with appointments and sales calls, which I LOVE! Thursday afternoon,  I attended the National Board meeting for the American Association of Drilling Engineers.

This meeting was, wonderfully, followed the next day by the AADE Appalachian “Blast”, the Appalachian AADE’s sporting clay tourney benefiting the Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital.  We did have a blast.  The tourney was held at Hunting Hills Gun Range in Hunting Hills, Pennsylvania.  Beautiful.

It was the first time I ever shot sporting clays in hard, pouring rain.  Vendors manned stations, and cooked all sorts of good food: bacon-wrapped quail, jambalaya, bacon-wrapped scallops, pulled pork deep fried egg rolls, and much more.  I have mentioned that the drilling group likes to eat, haven't I?  Well, we do!

The shoot was really fun, even with all the rain!  I shot at 9 am, and by 6 p.m. when we arrived at our friends’ house, I was still soaking wet.  

I learn something on every trip.  Here are my discoveries from this one:

• If you’re traveling in a private jet, it pays to have superb pilots.  Especially when they’re trying to land between two huge thunderstorms, and the tower gives them clearance on a runway where another plane is trying to take off.  Thanks, y’all - good eye!  You’re amazing!
• If you have to travel on business, having good friends in the area makes your trip super sweet.  My friends John and Suzan are amazing.  It was so fun to hang with them, and I learned to play the domino game “Shoot The Moon”.  I didn’t do too badly at it, either! Love y'all. And tell Patches the kitty that the Wonderdogs went ballistic because she had been in my suitcase, haha!
• I got to see my good friends Tommy, Deb, and Daniel.  I think of them, and start to giggle.  We had some really funny stuff happen.  Another story, another day!  Love you guys.
• If you decide to buy ammo in Pennsylvania, especially if you’re buying for multiple people, plan ahead and locate your ammo dealer in that area.  Because you might have to buy multiple boxes instead of flats of ammo...and that’s IF they have any in stock.
• If you're going to a shooting tourney and there's a good chance of rain, take (1) another change of clothes and (2) don't bother to fix your hair. Just wear a ball cap. You'll come out ahead and get 30 minutes extra sleep.
• I only shot a 70/100.  I need to practice more.  Of course, I could always blame it on the trees.
• If you’re traveling with your shotgun, be sure to take cleaning cloths, a cleaning snake, gun oil, etc.  I was woefully unprepared to properly clean my gun and protect it post shoot.  Hey, don’t be hating...I’m a desert chick.  It doesn’t rain out here, people. I clean my gun when I get home.  (Not this time!)
• Corporate jets are the Way.To.Travel.  Yesterday morning, wheels up at 8:30 a.m. EST, home by 10:30 am CST.  Smooth, beautiful flight, great company...it was awesome.  Did I mention I didn’t even have to pack my shotgun in a travel case?  Suhweeeeet.  Thanks, Bossman!

I love Pennsylvania...it is so very beautiful.  And I LOVE the people, especially my compadres in the Oilfield. I cannot wait to go back.

What Cold Front?

We’ve just walked in the door from our DFW Trip.

I was so excited to go...I’d heard there was a cold front, and that it was going to rain.  (Okay, I’m easily amused.)

This trip is an annual one, to shoot at the DFW American Association of Drilling Engineers Sporting Clay Shoot, held at the Dallas Gun Club.  

The Dallas Gun Club is a prestigious club.  It’s beautiful.  Their facilities are beautiful.  Their range is beautiful.  And it’s smackdab in the middle of town, though in a pasture at I35 and SH 121 around Lewisville.   Horses are in the neighboring fields.  It’s crazy that it’s a minute to the highway and to the mall.  But that’s how it is in Texas!

For once, we are scheduled to shoot at 8 a.m. on Friday morning.  We usually shoot at 1:00 p.m. - in the absolute heat of the day.  And you know? It’s humid in Dallas.

And I?  Am a desert dweller.  Certainly not used to humidity.

Last year, it was 108 degrees when we shot.  I seriously nearly had a heat stroke.

I was so looking forward to a summer “cold front” in the Metroplex!

But...it didn’t happen.

We were all sweating by 8:05 a.m.

And somehow, we ended up on the professional calcutta course, which was a joke with our team.  We gave up, laughed, and tried...hard.  And we had fun.  Really.

I didn’t win a gun.  I didn’t win a trip.  I won...bluetooth headphones.  Which I promptly gave away.

But - I did get to schmooze with friends, customers, and meet some new people, which makes it all worthwhile.

Last night, we all went to Daddy Jack’s to eat crab legs and down some chowder.  I love that restaurant. 

Gotta go run the dogs to the park - they are way too wired!  More later!

Here's A Shoot, There's a Shoot, Everywhere a Shoot, Shoot

Have you ever looked ahead on your calendar, and your heart clenched?

That’s what my heart's been doing, every time I look at my calendar this week.

I’m a salesperson.  In the oilfield.  And being a woman, I’m good at planning events.  So, on top of my real job, I find myself helping on the industry event scene.  I do a certain amount for my employer, and then a certain amount for various non-profits.  And then, on top of that, I take customers to said events.  My brother swears I can shoot a shotgun while giving an interview to a TV station, and still break my targets.  I think he exaggerates a bit. (Possibly to make up for the fact I can still beat him.  Shooting, that is.)

My brother, Scott.  I love him! We have a lot of fun at all these events!

Here’s a short look forward for me.  Most of this is for my employer.  And on top of that, I serve as an officer in the American Association of Drilling Engineers (AADE), and we try to make a lot of the AADE chapter events. 

July 18 - 27 - Helping design invites for our Oct 3-5 New Mexico Oil and Gas events, getting them in the mail, coordinating the updating of our customer lists, planning for the Oct 17-19 Permian Basin Oil Show and Customer Party, and planning our Customer Appreciation Shoot in September AND calling on customers and putting out fires! I should probably drink…starting now.  At midnight…no.

July 28th - Midland - Oilman’s Shoot - taking customers shooting in one of the largest sporting clay events in Texas - huge fun - but it’s HOT here...

Aug 2-4 - Ruidoso - taking customers on a weekend golf outing and helping plan spouse’s events (I think there are 20 of us going?)

Aug 10 - Pittsburgh, PA - Sales calls, meetings, and taking customers shooting in the AADE Shoot

Aug 17 - Dallas, Tx - Sales calls, and taking customers shooting in the AADE shoot

Aug 24 - Denver, Co - AADE National Board Meeting (and taking customers shooting in the AADE shoot)  (And I’m really supposed to be in Midland that week, helping put on the Bustin’ Clay for United Way shoot...guess I’d better tell them I have a conflict)

I’m going to stop there.  I am starting to hyperventilate, seeing it all down on paper.  And I had better start cleaning my shotguns, because mine is dirty, and then, other people will want to borrow our extra guns.  Gotta make sure everything is up to speed!

Yours truly.  Yes, I am color coordinated.  I can't help it.

Eeeeeeeeek.

Got stress much?

Southwest Airlines, you’d best be ready.  Your A-Lister is heading to the check-in counter!

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!!

Shoot Like a Girl (aka Don't Be A Drama Queen)

Scanning the online news today, I saw the headline "How To Live Longer" on msnbc.com.

One of the topics was “Don’t Be A Drama Queen” and you’ll live longer.

Who writes this stuff?

The article had some great points, though, for couples...

Fight fair.

Women’s hearts suffer when they hear or make hostile comments.

Men’s hearts reacted badly when confronted with domineering words.

Please note the article did not define a Drama Queen to be male or female.  (And baby, I’ve seen both!  Remember, I hang out a little bit with golfers, shooters, AND team ropers.  Whinier people I’ve never seen - but I won’t go there.)

Well, okay then.  I’ll make you a deal, honey darlin’, ThatManILove.  I won’t tell you what to do if you don’t get hostile.  Bueno?

Agreed? Truce-amundo?

If we can’t agree, then let’s agree to repair to the ol’ shooting range.  Our shotguns are of the same quality and caliber (even though I did win my Beretta Teknys, give it to you, then beg for it back.)  But I’m NOT an indian giver - and you were so sweet to let me have it that day I shot 89/100.  Notice, I ran right to the gunsmith and he cut the stock down for a custom fit - for me!  Have I told you lately that I love you?  But, I digress.  Back to the case in point.

When and if we disagree, let’s just take it to the sporting clay range.  Let’s work it out there.  Okay?  Then, you’ll be dominated without hostile words, and you’ll live longer.  Just pure-d talent will prevail.  And we’ll both take our aggression out on those little clay targets.

In other words, rope up, cowboy, and shoot like a girl.  Your girl!

Love, me.