#33 - Fire a gun at a shooting range and #15 - Home cooked meal (12/143)

#33 - This weekend I had my first real gun-shooting experience!  I did try paintball back in Nov 2007 and once in HS I shot a BB gun and managed to hit my target (I really have no clue how I hit the can hanging from the tree...I couldn't hold the gun steady!).    So Sunday after a movie with the girls I headed out to Red's Indoor Range with Doug.  There was no way I was going there by myself and I needed a teacher.     As I emerged from the car the first thing I heard were gun shots.  Many people have told me it's loud at a shooting range so I was somewhat prepared.  We get inside, I sign my life away and next thing I  know I'm staring at my target.  A thin piece of paper that I'm supposed to hit!?!  It's a little hard to hear Doug explain to me the 9mm (a Ruger P89, 9mm, 115 grain ballistic point) through the ear muffs but I watch as he loads it and shows me how to hold the gun.  Now it's my turn...I almost say "I need to practice first" when I realized that was what I was there to do!  Silly girl.  So I take my Charlie's Angels stance, aim, breathe....breathe...and FIRE!  Geez!  I knew the gun would kick but I wasn't prepared for it.  At least I hit my target.  I fired off a few more rounds, Doug was nice enough to load the gun for me since I was still taking it all in and extremely nervous...I was even sweating a little (and when I say a little I mean a lot!).  All in all I think I did pretty good.  Apparently I had mostly kill shots.  GO ME!

After the 9mm we move over to a 243 rifle (a Remington 243, 100 grain hollow point with a Leupold 3x9 scope).  We walk through how to handle the rifle, stance, etc and I'm up again.  This time the target is further out and I'm using a scope.  I have the butt of the rifle up against my shoulder as instructed and FIRE!  Good grief!  I think after every shot I took I managed to have some exclamation:  Geez, good grief, oh my, sh*t, etc.  I think I took about 8-10 shots before calling it a day.  I managed to hit the target every time, even got a few dead center.  

Woooo.....I'm hard core.    God bless Texas.

#15 - After the gun range I came home and made broccoli cheese soup and had a salad.  Then I kicked back, watched some TV and enjoyed a few Girl Scout Cookies.

   

#15 - Cook a home meal weekly (11/143)

On Superbowl Sunday I decided that I needed to go grocery shopping and made a huge list.  Lately my fridge has looked like that of a bachelors....EMPTY!   I planned out 5 different meals for the week...maybe I'm being a little overzealous...but I was in a cooking mood.    After 1.5 hours at the store I finally was able to check out of HEB and head home and unpack.  It's so nice to open the fridge and see fresh food, fruit, milk, etc just ready and waiting to be devoured. 

Tuesday night I made meatloaf and mashed potatoes along with salad & tomatoes and fresh bread.  I also opened a bottle of Riesling to complete the meal.   There's just something about comfort food that's.....comforting.  ;-)

Next up....either Sunday Football Chili or Broccoli and Cheese soup (from scratch).

I've been tagged!

Monica has tagged me!

Share 6 random things about yourself. And then tag at least 6 other people. Since all my friends have already been tagged I'm skipping that part.

1.   I break out in hives when snow touches my skin...apparently I'm allergic to the cold (last time this happened was when I was a child though...).  Its true!  Ask my mom.

2. Recently a friend clued me in on the fact that I love shoes and am always noticing peoples shoes. I've also been trying to build up my own collection over the past couple of years.

3.  I love to eat herring in wine sauce.  Yummy!

4.  I randomly break out in song and dance moves (yes, I'm unique like that)    Ask my cube mates at work about my humming skills.  I've even been caught dancing when there's no music playing (guess the music is in my head).

5. Ever since I was 4yrs old I've had 'timelines' for accomplishing things (when to tie my shoelaces, take off training wheels, etc...).  Though I think I have finally broken this habit and realized that things will happen when they are meant to happen.  You can't force it.

6. I love jumping on trampolines.

#43 - Make new friends outside of my normal circles (IP)

I have a very close group of girlfriends whom I've known forever.  We have always taken the effort to spend time with each other.  Over the past couple years, however, I've made some amazing, interesting and fun new friends.  You never know when you'll run into someone who can make a difference in your life.  People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.  Even though I'm marking this off my list, extending my circle of friends is a daily practice.

Here's a shout out to a few of them!
Emily
Brandy
Monica
Jennifer W
Tina
Amanda V
Jennifer B
Tammy
Erika
Nate
Doug
Ephraim
Brent
JK & Travis
Keith (who I've known for about 5 yrs or so but wanted to add as well)

#44 & #45 - working out and weight management

Gold stars all around!  I'm doing really well on working out 3x's a week.  In fact this week I kicked it into high gear!  Not to mention I'm below my [private] weight.  Woohoo!  Work it girl! :D

Mon - Cardio step
Wed - Cardio step and softball game
Thurs - Ran 3.1 miles
Fri - Dancing
Sat - Mardi Gras 5K race

#25 - Join a co-ed sports team

A few weeks ago an old co-worker of mine asked me to sub on his softball team since they were short on girls.  I played two games as a sub and was picked up to play on a different team as a regular for next season.  This past Wednesday was the start of the new season.  The team I'm on calls themselves the Dirty Martini's and we're sponsored by Merkaba.  Now the first game I had subbed in I played very well (I had some awesome hits)...the 2nd game I played I pulled my leg muscles and couldn't run and was stuck at catcher...so for the new season I was determined to stretch and warm up and have some fun!  Unfortunately it was just not my night!    I struck out 2 or 3 times (very embarrassing) and misjudged a ball hit to right field, but at least I didn't pull any muscles.  I think before the next game I should visit the batting cages and practice.  Apparently I wasn't the only one having issues with the pitcher, guess it was a bad night for everyone.  Perhaps softball is not my sport and I should stick with volleyball.  :-P

#15 - Cook at least one home meal(s) a week (10/143)

This past Tuesday I decided to have a GNI (girls night in) at my new home.  As hostess I prepared the main entree, cheesy jambalaya!  It's a healthy meal to boot.    The girls arrived around 6:30pm and I gave everyone a tour of the house.  The great thing about GNI is that everyone contributes!  Amanda brought bread, Jenn brought a tomato mozzarella and basil appetizer as well as salad, Jenn B brought a chickpea salad and Brandy, Charlotte and Renee brought the desserts.  What a wonderful spread of delicious foods and a variety of wines to savor.  It was a fun evening and the company was excellent.  We'll have to do it again!  Maybe I can turn this into #103 on my list.