Guns & Freedom

I was just reading this article sent to me. It is pretty much anti-gun. I figure this is a good topic for discussion. I don't really want to castigate this guy. Among our right to keep and bear arms is that thing called freedom of speech and the press. He is certainly entitled to his opinion. But reading that makes me realize how stupid some people are. I am not a gun fanatic. My husband and his father definitely are. They teach concealed carry classes, hunter safety classes are members of two practical shooting clubs and usually at least once a week they are out at the range or in the 'pits' shooting. I support my husband in this because I have realized the importance of responsible gun ownership and keeping yourself armed and ready.

What the author of the above article doesn't understand is that true gun enthusiasts encourage responsibility, discipline and training when it comes to your firearms. Tom is emphatic about people knowing their gun inside out before carrying. He is also teaching our children from a young age the art of handling a gun. They are learning that they aren't a toy, they are to be respected and how to use them. A couple of other moms can't believe that I 'allow' this. I tell them that they are his kids too, and if they know the responsibility of the gun from an early age, they are less likely to have an accident.

As far as gun control in this country, "my idea of gun control is using both hands" I love that quote. I don't think they anti-gun folk understand that you are in big trouble if you do try to take them away. Law abiding citizens may give them up but criminals don't care about the law anyway so why would they give them up? Then the rest of us are at the mercy of thugs and we can't protect ourselves and our families because a karate chop isn't going to stop a bullet. Some say, "Just call the police." Yea, OK, let me see, an intruder breaks into our home, is threatening us with a weapon, doing God only knows what, and we can just call the police? Not to mention how long will it take to get to wherever you are? I live 10 miles out of town! No thanks, I will call the police to come remove his bullet riddled body from my home. I find great comfort in knowing that Tom and I can protect our family if need be. We aren't chomping at the bit to shoot somebody. That is a last resort for us, but, just try to harm us, you will be sorry.

Nationally, do you understand what it would mean for us as a nation? We would be subject to a tyrannical, socialist government. I believe that knowing that the citizenry of this country are armed, does keep them somewhat at bay. Give them up and you can kiss the rest of your freedoms good-bye. I am dead serious about this. If you value your freedom at all, you will hold on to your weapons.

The article makes references to the shooting at Virginia Tech. He actually said, "What is not a joke is the absurd contention of the NRA gunslingers that if the Virginia Tech students had been armed there would have been far fewer victims." That, my friend, is a bunch of BS. Had even a couple of the students there, been armed, they could have taken out the shooter long before it got to the massive casualty level that it did.

I said this before in another post and I will say it again. We, (Tom and I,) will NEVER give up our guns. We will become outlaws if we have to. "You can have my gun when you pry it from my cold dead hands." Thank you Charlton Heston!

Christmas in the Country.

Wow today it seemed like a lot going on. I got up to my bazaar just in time for the big rush of people that came in from the parade down town and Santa showing up. I had to laugh because I had people from yesterday come back and get more. I was glad I had made more of my sold-outs! Guess, what? They sold out again...hehe. One lady came back three times over the course of the day wondering what I had used to make a certain card cause she was trying to copy them. That is cool. Then she said, "I probably shouldn't have said that!" I told her that I was flattered that she liked my cards enough to want to copy them. I sold a bunch of items and looked up to see Tami and Tia, with their Mom and Tia's kids. For those that don't know, Tami and Tia are some of my best friends and I love them like sisters so it was awesome to have them come up. They came cause they wanted to go to a real craft show, not full of commercial items. There were a few booths that sold those things but about 90% of the booths there are home crafters like myself. We all hung out for awhile and they had to leave. Shortly after, Tom showed up with Chloe. Chloe wanted to come up with me and help me so I told Tom that he could bring her up after lunchtime. He fell in love with a knife that the lady at the booth next to me had. It had a real rattlesnake head on it, made by an old Navajo man. Some of you may have gotten a pic text from me showing it. Even I thought it was really cool. But not cool enough to spend 65 dollars on. If you want me to send you a pic on your cell give me your number and I will.

Chloe was so cute at the booth. I don't know why but it seems like I attracted all of the husbands to hang out at mine. They all told the same story, "My wife made me come here, and if I stay here long enough, maybe I won't have to shell out all my money." I would laugh and say, "Sucking the manhood right after you huh?" And they would say, "YES!". Chloe got fed up with this and finally said to one guy, "Are you going to buy my mommies beautiful cards or not?" He couldn't resist my daughters charm and proceeded to purchase some items.

Eric Dodge was there. He is a local country singer with a few Cd's out. He was trying to sell his Christmas music when I told his buddy that I would rather have a regular music CD. While I enjoy some Christmas music, too much and I will start shooting at people from my roof. Eric then came over to my booth and handed me two Cd's. His latest album and his Christmas one. Two very good Cd's for ten bucks! SWEET! Here is a shameless plug. If you haven't heard him, you should. He truly is talented. You can check out his music at www.ericdodge.com . I love to support local music, and he is one I definitely have no problem supporting. And who knows, maybe he will become hugely famous one day and I can say, "I knew him when..."

Manning the booth, talking to forlorn husbands and helping people get their creative juices going was a lot of fun for me. I really enjoyed it. Near the end of the day came the fun part. A lot of us start trading with each other. At the end of my trading I managed to acquire a Minnesota Vikings Kleenex box, a 20 oz vanilla candle, 7 wax blocks for my Scentsy warmer, 4 Tupperware kid cups w/lids, 2 pillows, a bracelet for Chloe, a hair bow for Chloe and some bread. Oh and an invitation to the bar...took a rain check on that one. How cool is that? I mentally added up what I had traded to get these things and it came to about ten dollars in supplies to make what I did. So I feel very accomplished hehe.

There was one moment of uncomfortable. Last year about this time a dog ran into the front fender of my minivan. I had always suspected that I new whose dog it was, but Tom insisted that it wasn't theirs. Well I am friends with the lady of that house and she came by and said hi. I don't know why, it was like I was possessed and I couldn't stop myself from saying, "I think I killed your dog last year!" I told her what had happened and she confirmed that yes it was their dog. I apologized all over the place and told her that we did go back to make sure that it was dead and not suffering. She was so understanding and said, "These things happen, and to tell you the truth I am glad to know that at least you didn't just leave him there suffering, that you made sure he was dead, it wasn't your fault he shouldn't have been out!" And now, I feel so relieved.

All in all, it was a fun day. Although it was snowing hard on the way home. I was OK but the 6 million cars from California and Nevada sure weren't. They hog the road, drive like turtles and seem to slam on their brakes. I understand being cautious and all but that is so stinkin' annoying! They are going to cause more accidents that way.

So there, I completed my once a day for a week blog. I will continue to post but I can't promise daily anymore. Hopefully frequently tho.

Black Friday is complete madness

Today I started the craft show in Parowan. I had a good time and sold a bunch while seeing some friends I haven't seen in a while. My only complaint is that it was COLD! Tom had to drive up because I forgot something I needed. His buddy was there and the two of them started in on the, "have to come rescue the wife cause she didn't check to make sure everything is there," bit. His wife is a friend of mine and a crafter too and for the moment we took it. Just wait, we will get back at em. Then they sat at my booth and talked guns. I finally kicked them out cause it was becoming a gathering for guys to discuss their weapons. As interesting as it was, it didn't mesh well with the ideals of Stampin' Up! and paper crafts.

There was a lady that I am familiar with selling antiques and refurbished old western style items in the booth next to mine. I don't know where it came from but she kept coming up to me and talking about Obama. I just let her talk for most of the day. But it was getting annoying. She is overall a nice woman, but I finally had to say something when she started in about Obama being a Muslim and wanting to swear on the Koran. I knew what she was getting at but said, "So?" She stared at me with astonishment. She said, "What do you mean 'so?'" I said, "Last time I checked freedom of Religion was still in the Constitution." "So you are OK with him being a Muslim?" I said, "First of all, he attends a Christian Church, Second, I could care less if he really IS a Muslim. I have taken an Islamic Studies class and all you ever hear about are the radicals. Most Muslims are not that way." That shut her up. FINALLY! She did keep talking to me, but mostly about generic things such as what we have been up to over the year, how we spent the Holidays, etc. Other than that, it was a fun day. Problem is that there is a candle booth across from mine. I have to keep reminding myself I am there to make money, not spend it!

Holy Flippin Cow!!!

So I decided to take a break and go for a walk. I need to work off them turkey calories and get some fresh air. I took Tova up by a field and let him just take me wherever. He was guiding me along a fence just a few feet off the road. I got a text from someone and I had stopped to reply. I had just finished my text when right into my ear I hear a "MOO!" So close I could feel its breath! I think I leaped about 7 and a half feet in the air, not sure didn't measure, and yelled a few choice statements, "Holy #$%! WHAT THE #$)(*????" In my scramble to escape this horrid monster trying to get me, I managed to trip over the leash and land square on my butt. It is dark out here in the country with no street lights, but the moon was out and I had landed facing this stupid animal. Hello Black Angus! I sat there staring at him thinking, "You are about to become hamburger!" When I hear footsteps running behind me. I glance back to find two guys running up asking if I am OK. They had been out on the porch smoking and heard my angry, vulgar tirade. Turns out I somewhat knew one of them, that only makes it worse! I grumbled that yea I was OK, and they asked me what happened. I hesitantly told them. Looked up at them and saw that biting of the lip that you do when you are trying so hard not to break out in hysterical laughter. They help me up and I finally said, "Oh for crying out loud just laugh already!" And they obliged. I just said, "Nice seeing you again Josh, I am going home!" Through their laughter they asked me if I wanted a ride home. Oh what sweet gentlemen. But I said "NO THANKS!" I then came straight home. I told my ever loving husband what had happened. To which, he said, "Oh man and I missed it! Think you could do it again?" Ass hole. Now he is in the other room laughing still, telling my kids, "Go up to Mom, and say MOO! in her ear..." So much love.

So how was your Thanksgiving? Other than my encounter with the over grown pot roast, mine was just as I like it. Uneventful. We went to my in-laws and had dinner with a lot of our nieces and nephews, (and great-nieces and great-nephews, yea I am a great-aunt already to a bunch of kids.) I love the idea behind Thanksgiving. Get together with people you love and have a good meal. Watch some football and drink some beer. It isn't too commercial. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy Christmas, especially now that I am a Mom and the magic your kids bring with it is wonderful. But I have to say Thanksgiving is my favorite. Even tho I seem to have bad luck around this holiday. Loved ones dying and me managing to cut my finger tip off. Tomorrow I have my craft show, and I am looking forward to it. If you are in the area of Parowan, come stop by and say hi! Here is my newest creation.

And to end this Thanksgiving day post, I will say thanks to God for all of the wonderful people out there who have touched my life. I am truly blessed to have such a great family and wonderful friends, LOVE YOU ALL! Now excuse me while I go ice my hiney.....

College Daze

Ever since I took that glance at my transcript from college, I have been thinking A LOT about my college career. It seems so long ago, but then again, it doesn't. College came easy for me. It was a lot of fun too. Well the activities outside of the classroom were fun. Too much fun. I can't believe some of the things I did....corn silk joints anyone? :) Classes were mind numbing and seemed to take forever to complete. I have no desire to go back. I can't count how many times I have been asked if I am going to go back to get my masters degree. I always follow it up with an emphatic NO!!!! This is the truth, I have nightmares about college. The idea of going back makes me somewhat ill. I have dreams where I am either failing, missing class, missing assignments or whatever and wake up in a panic wondering where I put that 20 page term paper on Karl Marx. Then I glance at that degree on my piano, remember and an overwhelming feeling of relief comes over me. Until these dreams go away, I have no desire to re-enter the world of University student life. I am content that I have a BS (BS, that always makes me laugh.) I had the opportunity to use that degree when I recently applied for a job. I wondered if it would ever have leverage for a position and I learned quickly that it did. It was for a part time position at my kids' school in the literacy center. I didn't get the job, but that is OK, I was just prideful that They had interviewed 6 people out of over 200 applicants. I talked to the principal while waiting for school to get out. I didn't bring it up but he did. He said that the final decision was between me and the lady who got the job. I thought that was pretty cool. Turns out the final decision was made because her degree was in education. I felt good that I had unknowingly been quite a contender for it.

I remember a conversation with my statistics professor once. He told me that I play the "dumb blond" act well. At first I was offended. He realized what I was thinking and quickly said, "no! no! I mean, you act like you are this ditzy blond who couldn't make it. I thought you wouldn't be able to handle this class, but you are managing to grasp it and consistently coming in the top of the curve! You play the dumb blond, but you definitely aren't!" OK, I guess that is better. Yea the class was quite difficult, for some, but stress and competitive environments always have driven me. But try as I may, I couldn't beat that damn brainiac that I kept coming in second to! At the end of this conversation he proceeded to ask me if I wanted to meet him in Mesquite so he could apply the statistics I am learning to craps. I politely declined and got the hell out of there.

I am very glad that I finished my bachelors. It was my goal. I could care less what my degree was in, as long as I got one. It is quite cool to tell people that I have a BS *snort!* Some people are surprised by that. "You have a degree? Really?" As their eyes get wide. Now my children can't seem to understand the point of college. Dylan thinks that I should be designing video games. "Mom, you went to that grown-up school, where they teach people that, so why can't you make a game for the PlayStation? It shouldn't take that long!" I just tell him that if he works hard, he can go to college and make the video games himself. He seems happy with that.

I also think about how hard I worked to get thru school. I worked two jobs during the summer and every weekend to pay for it. Yea my folks helped me, but only when I had paid everything I could. My summers were get up and go to work at 6 am making pies. I would work there til about two in the afternoon, go home shower and go to work at Rite-Aid at three until 9:30. Go home, and of course as a young gal, I wanted to have fun, so out with my friends doing God only knows what until the wee hours of the morning, home for 3-4 hours of sleep and then start over again. I don't' think I could do that now. I just remember waking up for my first job thinking....what the hell was I thinking, I am staying in tonight, I don't care who comes over! But then, I was out at the sand dunes, at a party or whatever it is I used to do. Some things I don't think I will ever tell hehe!

K so there is my blog for today. I am trying to write at least once a day for a week so that I can get into a habit of consistently writing here. Now I am off to make some pies for turkey day tomorrow. I know shocking ain't it that I am making pies? And some more projects. Here are two more that I make, they are my most popular sellers.

Chloeism for today...

Chloe starts yelling and I ask her what is wrong cause she is holding her foot. She proceeds to angrily yell....."THE PIANO RAN INTO MY FOOT!!!"

Politics

I was looking at my University transcript and have realized that I was only a few credits short of completing a minor in Political Science. Basically cause I was completely fascinated with a Poly Sci professor. I took almost all of his classes. Michael Stathis. He is one of the most brilliant professors I ever met. Bet you didn't know I had such a training in the political world did you? HEHE. I figure for once I am going to lay it all out there for everyone. The tender issue of politics. I want to get a few of my views on the world out there. I hope that you will all tell me what you agree with and what you don't. Please remember tho, this is MY blog. I don't mind heated discussion and debate but lets remember a little thing called respect. I will respect you, please do the same.

Lets start with Mr. Barrack Hussein Obama. (yes I actually wrote his middle name, *looks for the black helicopters*). I will say it now, I did NOT vote for him. Before anybody gets into an uproar about that, let me explain. I don't put a lot of stock in the Presidential election. I am more concerned with who we send to Congress, Senate and State/local office. Being that I am in Utah, it is a given that the electoral vote will go to the Republicans. So, when I go to the voting booth, I vote for who I believe is going to lose. Simply so I can bitch about it. I knew Obama would win, so I voted for McCain. That is all there is to it. If I thought McCain would have won, I would have voted for Obama. That being said, I was really thrilled that I saw a black man (albeit half black) elected in my lifetime. Never in a million years did I think it would happen. And for the second time in my life I got to see a woman run for Vice President. I watched Obama's inauguration and was thrilled that I got to see it. It was a major mile-stone historical moment for our country. It was awesome. Now, more than a year after the election, I am still waiting to be inspired by him. I feel that he is riding the coattails of that historical election rather than actually doing something. I am supportive of him, and wish him all the best but he won a Nobel Peace Prize? For what? Really for me it seems like a big mess. I am hopeful that he can take the bull by the horns and make a real difference....a good one. But, I am still waiting.

I have taken numerous "what political party best suits you" quizzes. I can say that I am definitely a middle of the road person. I can agree with both sides of the aisle. They keep coming up "libertarian" and "constitution." Not that I really want to be boxed in as a conservative or a liberal, I like to think for myself and take each issue individually. So I have decided to take a few issues and show you how it is that I can be so unaffiliated, as my voter registration card says.....

Abortion - I am a right to lifer. With the exception of medical issues and rape, there is no excuse to kill an unborn child. You make your choice when you lay down and have sex, you run the risk of getting pregnant. Deal with it. Until it can be 100% proven that the embryo/fetus is unable to feel anything, and that it isn't a person with a soul already, I will not change my mind.

Gun Control - We have the right to keep and bear arms. As they say, only law abiding citizens will give up their weapons. You think the thugs and criminals of the world will give them up? NOT! If government takes away our guns, we are susceptible to a tyrannical government who will not give a damn about our rights. Furthermore, I know for Tom and I, as Charlton Heston said you will get my gun when you pry them from my "cold dead hands."

Gay Marriage - I could care less if gays want to marry or not. We are supposed to be a free nation so why is it that two people of the same sex can't marry? What consenting adults do is none of my business, or the governments. Yes I am a Christian, and my beliefs say that homosexual behavior isn't right. But those are MY beliefs, and what right do I have to force that on someone else? It isn't hurting me, and frankly I don't believe that it is a one way ticket to Hell. God loves us ALL, and Jesus has saved us ALL. We all have our faults.

Death Penalty - I am for the most part against it. I do think it has its place in society but as a rare option. Too many times there are too many questions about the guilt or innocence of a person. We are too quick to be out for blood. There are in fact a few times where there is no doubt about the evil nature of a person. Timothy McVeigh comes to mind. People like him are who the death penalty is perfect for. Yet I think, life in prison would be even more harsh than being put to sleep. I would rather die than spend the next 50 years in a 10x10 concrete room with other violent human beings having to deal with the fear and brutality of the prison population. But that is just me.

So there are a few of my ideas, I am sure there are going to be plenty more. If you haven't done so and are at all interested in the history of our nation, I would invite you to watch the "John Adams" series that HBO put out. It is a raw look into what the Founding Fathers went thru and dealt with in the creation of a new nation from the view point of Adams.

I do want to say that I am proud of my country and I love our military both Veterans and current Active Duty. I come from a long line of military men and I am proud of all of them. And as the saying goes "If you can't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them!"

Tattoo you

I have always wanted a tattoo. Really. My only thing is that I have a psycho fear of needles. The only time I ever welcomed a shot was epidurals. I don't know why, it isn't the pain involved, it is just the idea of a needle injecting in me ewww. Now I have the opportunity to get a really nice looking one. And I can't believe I actually am chomping at the bit to do it. My cousin, Brei, has a tattoo that is flesh town and it is a fancy letter "f" standing for faith, family, friends an fidelity. I have seen it and it is nice. Our cousin, Abbie has decided that she would like to get the same one. Abbies Mother, Lori, suggested that it might be cool if the girl Herrud cousins all had the same one. We will be going up to Idaho for Brei's wedding and could have it done by the same artist in January. I have pretty much decided that I would like to do it. My problem is.....funding. We aren't rich, we aren't poor. We are an average middle class family trying to get by in the world. Right after the holidays with 4 kids, is kinda hard to come by extra money. We shall see.

If you haven't noticed, I have added a few more card designs. Thank you for the emails and such telling me which ones you like and want to copy. I am flattered! I am looking forward to the show. It is always fun. This craft fair is the only one I do since I a merely a hobby demonstrator.

And to end on a funny note, Dylan recently saw Chloe in the "nude" after gagging cause he saw a girl naked, he looked at Tom and said, "Dad, her pee is inside out." Gotta love eight year olds!

wth?!?!?

I am sitting here watching the Broncos get their asses handed to them. Again. Doesn't really matter cause I am a true fan. It is still very painful to watch them go from a 6-0 winning streak to now losing 4 games in a row. I catch so much hell from people, but that is ok, I can take it. My second team is the Vikings who are doing much better. If I need to pin my hopes on a superbowl game, they are apparently my only chance. I am just waiting for the onslaught of texts, emails and posts that are surely coming my way giving me a ton of grief. Some people are surprised that I like the Vikings. It is nostalgic for me. My Grandfather was from Minnesota and I remember him telling me that he liked them. He even showed me a Vikings jacket. I have always in secret cheered for them, I have decided that it was dumb to hide it and while Broncos will ALWAYS be my number one, I have no shame showing my purple side. Back to the Broncos, I have grown up in a family of fanatics. Anyone that knows me and my family will not be surprised by this. We even buried my Uncle Jeff in a Broncos jersey. (and a Broncos Bad Call Brick). I had a John Elway poster on my wall and we have enough Bronco stuff to open a souvenier shop. I still love them, and I want to get my hands on a Eddie Royal jersey, just haven't been able to buy one....yet.

Yesterday was the two year "death"iversary of Jeff. I am not sad like I was. I still miss him a ton, but my memories bring a smile to my face. He was a hard headed ornery guy, with a heart of gold. We had a great relationship especially after I got married and had a family. I just wish he would pull some strings up there and do something about these Broncos!!!!!

And to end this post, I am going to start showing off some of my card work. I have been busy making projects, mostly cards for a craft show in parowan. I sell a lot, and I do enjoy it. So here are a few of my projects. If you would like to know what I used to make something, let me know and I will give you the "recipe" as we call it.

HAPPYHAPPYHAPPY!

I now weigh less than I did before I got prego with Chloe....yahoo! (This is to offset that overly depressing earlier post!)

Confusion

It is fall, and I both love and hate this time of year. I love the changing colors, the crispness in the air and the 'smell' that comes with it. I hate the funk I seem to get in. I don't know why, but this time of year I get so sad and depressed. I have all but decided that it is time for me to go see a shrink. I keep thinking about my Grandma Gerry, and how she must have felt this way a lot. She was a hard woman to love sometimes, and I now understand why she was so bitter. This sucks. Panic/anxiety attacks are quite awful. Every morning I wake up with dread and no desire to do anything. I force myself out of bed, and that can take a half an hour! Yet as my day goes on, I get better. By the time late afternoon/evening rolls around I am back to that same girl that laughs a lot and lovin' life. I have meds that work, however I do not want to be that lady that is over medicated and out of touch with reality cause she just can't deal with life. UGH.

If you are reading this, I don't want a pity party. I really would rather you all just told me to 'get over it' or say something to make me laugh. I hate it when people feel sorry for me. So why am I writing this out there for all of the world to read? Because I want to get it out there, I know that writing about it is good for me.

I am busy preparing for an upcoming craft show in Parowan. It is a small one but a good one. If you are in the Parowan area the weekend after Thanksgiving, come by and say hi! I am making mostly cards. I had a lady call me from Las Vegas the other day wanting to make sure I was going to be there cause she loved my work. That was a great feeling. She also wanted to know where the location of my booth would be, to make sure she would find me. I was quite proud. There are a few people that come back to me every year but to have someone actually call and say she was coming just to buy my cards is sweet! I am surprised that I sell a LOT of them to young men. They want cards to impress wives, girlfriends and moms. That always makes me laugh. I also represent Stampin' Up! so people will occasionally order product from me. I make a little extra money and get out into the public for a couple of days. My fall therapy...;).

A funny note, I recently asked the question on my facebook page, what four words would you say to me if we woke up in jail together? I got over 25 responses! It is hilarious what people wrote. If you have a facebook page you ought to try it. I got a HUGE laugh out of it.