Dead Eye

For a number of reasons, I am currently contemplating the purchase of a firearm.
I went to an indoor shooting range at lunch today with two guys from work to actually see what firing a gun would feel like. And also to try a couple different guns out so I'd be able to make an informed decision. I found out two things:

1. I liked it.

2. I'm a pretty good shot.


There's a cluster of holes in about the "1:30" area of the target in the second black ring that were from the .22.
I shot that one pretty consistantly high.
Then I tried the .357 with .38 shells. That's the cluster of green tinged holes in the middle.
It had a really nice sight on the top, so was a bit easier to aim.



Any suggestions as to a suitable choice for me are welcome. I'm going to exercise my 2nd amendment rights while I still can.

Score!

Our local scrapbook store is relocating. They have to be out of their old place by tomorrow. I was there last week when everything in the back room was 75% off. Let me tell you, that was nothing!

The deal today was anything left in the store that you could fit into a shopping basket (flush with the top) for a set price.

Here's what I got...

The best deals were the Making Memories date stamp I've actually been coveting, the girls each picked out an 8 x 8 album, a couple more mini albums and chip board albums for me, and then tons of embellishments and BLING!

Emily and I figured out the retail value of everything after we got home.

$551.80. Pre-tax.

I spent $40!!

It's going to be a crafty Christmas!

Intimidation

I was at the mall yesterday and came to a realization. I cannot bring myself to cross the threshold of a Hollister store. Is it because I know none of the clothes will fit me? I don’t think that’s it. Maybe I’m afraid that the skinny little girls that work there will be looking at me and judging me. “She’s not thinking that will fit her, is she?” Not that I’d buy anything there for myself anyway, but I’d shop for Katie. She can wear anything. And it would be obvious that the size 2 I’m looking at is a gift. Right?

But I can’t do it.

Does this look inviting to you?

Happy Gotcha Day!

It was three years ago today that Zhu Jian Xia became Maggie Jian Xia Berridge.

The memories are even more vivid for me because a family from the dance studio just came home with their new daughter, who is about the same age Maggie was. Every time I see her, I think "Wow, did Maggie look that shell shocked?". But to see Maggie now, you'd never guess how difficult those first few months were.

Here's a few reminders of the special day.

This next one's a family favorite...

And to prove she eventually got over it, here's a recent photo...

We love you, Maggie!

Identity Issues

Maggie is aware of, and often bothered by, the fact that she looks different than most of the people in our community. She routinely laments her shiny, straight, dark hair, her beautiful dark skin, her non-existent eyelashes and her little, flat-ish nose, all the things that we think make her beautiful. If it were up to her, she’d be Barbie.

We were at a party this weekend where Maggie was playing with Katie’s two cousins, who are Japanese. Martha witnessed this exchange in the kitchen as they ran through.

Maggie: “So we’re the same, right?”
N and L look at each other, then at Maggie, shrug shoulders and respond “Yeah”
Maggie again says : “We’re the same?”
N and L say “Yeah”

And off they run.

Wii -ner

Thanks to all of you who contributed to the 08-09 Dance Fund for the wii giveaway.
In order for those that do not get chosen to have time to procure Christmas gifts – we gave it away today. There were 11 different contributors, all with numbers from 24-50.
I went to a trusty online random number generator to select the winner


With 5 of the 11 contributors as witnesses, the ‘Get Numbers’ button was pushed…

And the winner is…..

Tim Laird!!

Thanks again to all who participated.

Star Girl

Emily is currently reading Star Girl by Jerry Spinelli in her English class.

The novel recounts the junior year of a boy named Leo at Mica Area High School, when a new student, "Stargirl" Caraway, sends the school, which up until that point had nothing unusual about it, into an uproar. Her unusual antics include wearing kimonos, Indian buckskin, 1920s flapper dresses and pioneer dresses to school. She carries her pet rat, Cinnamon, around with her in a bag with a life-size sunflower painted on it. During every class periods she puts a table cloth and a vase with a daisy in it on her desk. When it rains, instead of running inside like the other students, she runs outside to dance. She strums a ukulele during lunch every day and sings "Happy Birthday" to kids she has never met. She cheers for everyone at football games, including the opposing team.

At conferences last night, I was told by the English teacher that Emily is their Star Girl.

I couldn’t be prouder.