What about ....... target practice

The Moose hunt is now only days away.

So I did me a little target practicing.

At 50 yeards......

 

 

 

Day 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 2

 

 

 

At 100 yards.....

 

 

 

Day 1

 

 

 

 

Day 2

 

 

Looks like I might be able to" hit the broad side of a barn" afterall.

 

 

So, after a hour or so of target practicing my next question for Jeff was, When do I get to do it again?

 

 

 

 







What about....Moose hunting

It's almost time........

Moose Hunting

What was I thinking! 

I was thinking 50 is a year of firsts - remember?

So......

I've tried on many guns and picked my favorite.  Just so ya know it was a blind test.  I would close my eyes and Jeff would hand me a rifle and I would pull it up pretending to shoot, look through the scope and decide if it was the perfect fit.  The reason for the blind test is because we (I should say, Jeff) have some "special" guns. 

We have:

My Grampa St. Pierre's 308 Winchester model 100

My father's 308 Winchester model 100

Jason's Ruger 243

A 30-06 742 Woodsmaster

A 7MM Remington Mag

and A Model 70 Winchester



Anyway, that was the reason for the blind test. I knew that if saw the "special" guns and knew it when I picked them up I would pick one - just for sentimental reasons and I really wanted to pick the gun with the perfect fit. Oh, how I wish I had a picture of Jeff's face when I closed my eyes and told him to hand me a gun.

So, after many "fittings" the gun I chose blindly was - drum roll please.........




Jason's Ruger 243. I cried when Jeff told me which one I had picked, but I knew before he told me, I could tell be the teary eyed look on his face when I opened my eyes.. Sorry, didn't mean to make you cry too. But, how cool is that.

The very special Ruger 243 that was bought for Jason right after he was born - mind you, I just found this out.  This was the gun that I always used hunting - the only one that I knew how to load - by myself - and carried in the woods (the very few times I went hunting many years ago), that is until Jason starting hunting and claimed it.  We would have many jokingly (is jokingly even a word, doesn't matter I like it ) conversations about who's gun it was - I wonder if he knew his father bought it for him when he was only days old.  But because he turned out a lefty and it was a right handed bolt action ( man, do I sound all gunny or what! again, don't know if gunny is a word,  doesn't matter I like it) I got to use it - as I said earlier, until Jason realized he could shoot just fine with it.


Now, onto some other important preparations.


I knew I was in trouble when Jeff started picking out "my gear"

I've been fitted for camo coat and flourescent orange

boots, not camo, not cool (if you're a guy), but very stylish for use girl hunters

 

 

And look what else Jeff found stashed away in the hunting gear



 

 

 

 

I know hunting and drinking don't mix, but when my "trophy bull" is down and we return - okay when we head back to camp - I'll be prepared (just like a good boy scout) for my celebratory martini!! or road soda as ........whoops, better stop there.  Again, I might of shared to much here today.......

 

 

 

So, what is it about hunting......yes, I am excited but not really sure what I am more excited about -

 

Watching Jeff's eye's light up when he gets out the guns and tries to explain to me how this should all go down.

 

Planning what we're gonna eat at "hunting camp", how we're gonna cook it, where are we staying...

 

Getting ready for the 6 hour road trip with my mother, daughter and grandson - we'll make a few shopping stops on the way.  I think there's a quilt shop or two along the journey

 

Or putting on the ever stylish outfit I have picked out - camo, flourescent orange and barn boots!!

 

 

Oh, wait,  I forgot........  I'm supposed to shoot a moose........ 



What about.....the baby.....

I just don't know where to begin........

Okay, here goes!

It's a .........boy!

As if you couldn't tell by the outfit!

New birthday forever embedded in my brain ......... July 21

 

Aint he darling!

 

the amount of joy (weight) held in my arms that evening.........7 lbs 15 oz.

7lbs, 15 oz of this.......... just makes ya melt



And, his name...........


Jason

It has taken a little getting used to, but I used his name today........

I smiled,  but that smile was followed by tears.....

Tears of great joy and pride

and

Tears of sadness

I whispered in his little ear this morning, " You've made my heart smile,again.  Thanks Jay"

Jason.... it's a great name





What about.... you can call me......

Pam

Still waiting for grandbaby!

But in the meantime, what should I be called -  Grandmother, Grammie, Gram, Grandma, Nana, Nannie, Meme..........

Help!

None of these seem to fit!

So, I've waited so long to become I grandmother that I'm thinking I have to have the perfect name.  WRONG, I know it really doesn't matter and I'm hoping that when I hold this baby and nuzzle him/her and smell that sweet baby smell, then I'll know.  I think ya just gotta feel with my heart and stop thinking with my head. 

Okay, so what do I feel like...... 

What about....Baby Jones

\Single digits people, we're in single digits!

9 days (or so) left!!

What about.....a redneck's Disney World!!

Need I say more...... 

 Last weekend we made the trip to the annual Moose Lottery Drawing- Everyone know what I mean?...  You pay money to put your name into a drawing to get a permit to shoot a moose.  Simple, right??

I took this picture thinking I'd hopefully enter the Best of the Beast Photo Contest.  I was hoping Jeff would get a permit, after putting his name in the lottery 25 years I thought it was time.  Wouldn't that be fun.  Maybe a picture of baby Oscah riding his first moose.....or maybe a picture of baby Oscah lasooing a moose.... or....... maybe a picture of baby Oscah napping in the antlers....... or......move on Pam.

This is where it started 

Followed by a little fooling around with my camera and The Jones families.  Three of them were soothing a sweet tooth..........  We see you Carol......

This is the camera man from that show "North Woods Law"  and the place was loaded with "Hollywood Wardens"  You'd have to watch the show to fully understand that phrase.  And, no, I don't get paid to say that, although, maybe I ............  never mind

Mom and Dad - they had the comfy chairs in the back - the rest of us, hard plastic pain in the butt chairs, literally!

Let the festivities begin!!

Wayne gets his name drawn right of the bat!  Interviews followed and then the planning begins.

Oh wait!   An hour later....... MY NAME!

The plans start changing..........

So, why is it- just when you've got the bull by the horns, someone adds a set of horns!  Get it, "bull by the horns"  In case you couldn't guess we both both got bull permits.  

Gotta go,

I've got guns to try on!

Gotta find the perfect fit!

and btw -    Fifty is turning out Fabulous, wouldn't you say?

What about.... the baby

Just two weeks left!!

And she still helps the boys put in the float!!

Let the excitement roll!!!!

What about.....hand me downs

Ain't she a beauty!

As most of you know, Mom, Lindsey and I travel the state of Maine in April on the annual Shop Hop.  We've done this now for 3 years and at the end of every year prizes are handed out according to how many of the shops you visit during the month.  WE VISIT THEM ALL!  from Cape Neddick to Presque Isle - we do all 32 shops!  And in May - we rest!

This $3000 dollar sewing machine is the prize I won this year.  That's the 3 of us picking up the prize!

You could say I carried away the Grand Prize - and you'd be exactly right!

I carried it all the way to Mom's house.

Long story short, I always said if I won I was giving the machine to Mom  - so that's where she  resides( and Mom I think we really need to give her a name, she's red so maybe something a little firey!?!? )

.

And as usual when Mom gets a new machine (Dad, step away from the computer and plug your ears) which she's done a couple of times, her last machine gets handed down to Lindsey, Lindsey latest machine gets handed down to me, and my latest machine will go to the next in line - sorry friends, our family is a little bigger - I've got a sisiter-in-law and a neice that sew.

So, now I want to talk about "hand me downs" but what I really want to say is a HUGE THANK YOU TO THE FABRIC GARDEN and all the people that help run this Shop Hop and donated  prizes making it possible for me to give this to Mom after she's handed down (Dad, plug those ears again) I think we've counted 7 or 8 sewing machines.  Winning and receiving is fun but being able to give like this really is what it's all about - I've learned from example, wouldn't you say?

BTW, this is turning out to be a fantastic 50th year - 50  just rocks people!!

What about....baby

Can you tell I can't wait............

3 weeks left, and counting!

What about....the baby

She's getting close!!!!  She's only weeks away now!

What about...... blackberries

I have a little blackberry patch outside my office window and I think this year might just be the year of the blackberry.......

What about.... tin foil

Ever wonder why tin foil has a smooth side and a shiny side?

Me too.

So...........  drum roll please!


The reason aluminum foil is shiny on one side and dull on the other is rather interesting. Aluminum foil is produced by rolling it between successive steel rollers. Each set of rollers squeezes the foil thinner. The last stage of rolling reduces the foil's thickness to a thousandth of an inch or even thinner. The problem is that such a thin foil is too easy to tear during the last rolling stage. So, for the last stage of rolling, two sheets of foil are placed face to face and passed though the final set of rollers together. Since the steel rollers are highly polished, the foil faces that contact the rollers are also embossed to a highly shiny surface.

After rolling, the resulting sheets are separated from each other. The surfaces of each foil that had faced each other are matte in texture, since they had only been squeezes against each other, and not the polished rollers.



just thought you ought to know!

What about.... I've been busy

But I hope I'm back!!

 (found this post this morning and thought I share.... getting lost in blogger land brought me this find)

It's been a busy winter, here's a few pictures so you can see for yourself......

Some time spent with my little miss Sweet Checks!

My Polar Dip

Some weekends ice fishing!

Celebrating another 50th birthday, Happy Birthday, Gussy.  Welcome to my decade!

And another 50th birthday - check out her necklace.  Happy Birthday, Lynda.  Welcome.

A little more time with the Sweet One!

A trip to Jewettville North - caught this moose scurrying off - I take it he didn't like my new bright red camera.

 And, a little shopping for our baby Oscah. 

In case you can't see it, he's ready for the Moose Hunt 2012

I know, I know, Oscah might be a girl in which case, this should still fit!

So,

What About...... time and toast

I know it's been awhile since I've been here.  But what happened to blogger???  They changed a few things, okay way more than a few things..... I can barely find my way around.  I could say that's why it's been so long.... Yeah, I think I'll go with that!!  

I promise to find my way around and not get lost again. (wink, wink)


What I really want to do was tell you about my breakfast.  Some of you may understand this - but I HAD TOAST WITH PEANUT BUTTER THIS MORNING! AND IT WAS SO GOOD!  (It's been 3 years since I've had bread  -  everything has had to be gluten-free, and if  you've ever tasted some of that stuff, you'll know why this is so FREAKIN' exciting!)

I think I've finally found a gluten-free bread that I can  - actually I love!  It's a whole new world this morning.  I think there's thunderstorms outside, but all I see if sunshine right now.

So, what is it about food from your childhood   - when it's taken away and you finally get it back (I LOVE TOAST WITH PEANUT BUTTER - would it be wrong if I had it for lunch too.?)  you take that bite and re-visit everytime you sat at the table and you're mother handed it to you - I can smell coffee brewing, I can hear the news playing in the background, I can see my mother in her nightgown and those slippers and I can even see my little brother Jimmy running around........... - gotta go get ready for school......

Oh wait, I'm back now. 

But I am planning my lunch and dinner and meals for the rest of the week - in case you wondering, yes, they all involve toast.

What about....???

What about..... this file I keep on my computer? It is a file I have labeled "daily inspirations", it has quotes and sayings that I started keeping way back in 2000. I was never sure why I kept these but I have decided that I'm gonna share. I'll post them on days when my creative writing dial doesn't turn up all the way to high.

Some of these will be funny, some insightful, others will be motivating while some will bring tears to your eyes. I will take them from the file as they are - in no special order.

So with that...........

Next on the list -

I'm looking forward to looking back on all this.

What about..... this weather!

Guess where I had my coffee this morning..........That's right,

ON THE DOCK!  Ice is out - as of last night.  So the first part of the dock went in this morning!

Don't ya love the reflections!

So, what is it about that first Spring morning having coffee on the dock watching the dogs look at the water, look back at us, look at the water, look back at us......  I think Piper wanted to try out her swimming legs again, and Winnie, well, she disappeared as soon as she saw the camera - as usual -   Anyway, it makes everything feel new again.  Time to get out the flip-flops and......... 

Gotta go,  Jeff put the rest of the dock in this afternoon and ya know what that means............Yes, you do...........c'mon, you know.............. Right!    Martini's on the Dock!!  Happy Spring!



What about...... another first!

It's official and I can now say it..........

I'm gonna be a grandmother!!!!

Ain't that a slap in the 50 year old face!    Oscah, as we so loving refer to it (doesn't Oscah sound better than It?  see, it works) should be arriving on-stage in July  (July 20th if you want to be a little more precise).  He'll be on stage but, oh baby, I'll be the one doing the baby dance!

We'll soon be placing our bets - mine is July 15th and he'll probably weight 8 lbs. 4 oz. but my dream last night says 9 lbs. 3 oz.

I'm am excited, in case you couldn't tell.  There are some many things about this that are exciting....

My baby is having her first baby and all the things she will get to experience.  I've all ready told her, "sleep now! cause now you can"

The sweet baby smell - I said sweet smell
The sour baby smell - Ya know what that one is.
Baby noises - all those noises, even the crying is a joy to hear. (ask me about that one later, say, August)
Watching a sleeping baby - is there anything better.
Rocking baby to sleep.
The clapping and cheering for life's little accomplishments like, burping and, well, ya know, the other end noise, smiling, rolling over, sitting up............


So, what is it about being called a grandmother tha,t well, almost makes my heart skip a beat - oh-  that's my heart doing the baby dance!!!

What about......50

A little update on the 50th year of firsts!!

As I said earlier I have turned 50  and I want this year to be a year of first things - things I've never done before - push myself outside the box - a little.

I started a little early and already have a few under my belt - damn belt's tight, yet another thing to conquer in the 50th year - get that belt a little less snug.  Anyway, my list so far....

For the first time I.....

Went to a smoke shop and was taken into the back room - and bought a cigar - not for me  -  I said pus myself outside the box a little not enter a new box!

Went to listen to a band and was given a shot from a stranger for "helping push in her chair" and I drank it!  Don't worry I watch them pour it, I was standing next to the bartender - of course! Where else would one stand?

And, I went for a swim on New Years Day.  Okay, it was more like wadding and splashing, but that was the biggest hole we could get in the ice.  Just so ya' know, my son-in-law (now that still sounds funny,  I should say, Flippah)  went ice fishing that morning!

The us New Year's day!  Not sure if this was before or after!

So, what is it about pushing that envelope or stepping outside the box of one's personal self that opens up doors, builds self esteem, and makes me feel like I could conquer anything.......I feel like wearing big girl panties all the time!!  I promise I'll purchase more than 1 pair and wash often...........But, will they start wearing thin if I wear them all the time????

What about....???

What about..... this file I keep on my computer? It is a file I have labeled "daily inspirations", it has quotes and sayings that I started keeping way back in 2000. I was never sure why I kept these but I have decided that I'm gonna share. I'll post them on days when my creative writing dial doesn't turn up all the way to high.

Some of these will be funny, some insightful, others will be motivating while some will bring tears to your eyes. I will take them from the file as they are - in no special order.

So with that...........

Next on the list -

Courage is fear holding on a minute longer.

What about..... a new year

First, let's talk about this old year - 2011

Was it everthing I expected as I started looking into 2011 ?

Let's see.......

January -  I turned 49.  That's it, just 49 - started planning the 50th YEAR.
                 I also vowed to never diet again.  I may change my eating habits, but I
                 will not use that four-lettered "D" word again!
                 Hauled out the lawn chairs and put them out on the ice so I could see
                 the sunsets, also figured out that if I made a martini and set it in the
                 snow beside the lawn chair - it stays cold.
                 Hummmm.....January, not turning out to bad........

February - Wedding planning - When, where, how and in case you're quessing -
                  we know the who!
                   Our baby turned 25 - how the h.....  did that happen!

March - I was the first person in the pond - let's just say, it was wet!
              Funny part was, it wasn't even that cold.
              Hey! Wasn't I suppose to get a trophy or something?
               Our Jason would be 27 this month - thinking of him is easy,
              we do it every day - missing him is the heartache that never goes away
                (sorry folks, but it is his birthday month!)

April - dock in, boat in.  Which means - sunsets on the dock or an evening booze cruise......

             Oh crap! and more wedding planning.  And, I started running, okay,
             jogging, all right,  exercising....  anyway,  I got off the couch!
              And...... we visited 34 Quilt shops in 30 days!! 

May - yardwork, house cleaning, swimming, sunsets on the dock,
           more running, more wedding planning.
           Won my first NASCAR bet!

June - Pretty much wedding planning........
            Oh wait!  You may address me as the Queen, or Madame President......ROAR!


July - That's right. Wedding

and an Anniversary......

A trip nawth......

August -  We rested - to hot to do anything else - have I mentioned I hate August.

September -  Jeff's 50th birthday!  A couple rings from the cannons and
                     we're "ringing" in his 50th year - or is it his 51st year?



October -  Bird hunting,

           Another Shop Hop - 9 fabric stores in 2 days.........

And a moose hunt.......

November -  Deer hunting season and Thanksgiving


December -  Christmas shopping and Christmas - that pretty much takes up the whole month!


So, what is it about looking back on the last year that makes your tummy tingle with excitement for the new year.

What I know 2012 will bring to me -
    
                    
                      My 50th birthday - and remember,   50 is fabulous!
                      A year of excitement - after all I am starting it with a polar
                      dip and have promised myself that 50 is the year if firsts
                      More time with family and friends
                     
What else will 2012 bring me that will make my heart jump with joy?  

I can't wait to see........                    

Put on your seatbelts people, it's gonna be a bumpy rideeeeeeeeeeeee...............