Guns & the Single Mom

It would seem that the time has come for me to purchase a gun- or two.

It is an idea I have played with off & on for several years, but times seem to be getting tougher... or rougher... or maybe it is just people are reacting to uncertain times. It is hard to say.

We used to have a pistol before the children came along. Their dad decided it was safer to get rid of it about the time ds came along. Not that we worried about not being able to teach the children to respect guns, just because if you have them locked away, guns aren't much good in cases of emergency.

Fast forward from the late 1990's to now... boy, have times changed in the last 10+ years.

There are so many people out of work and scraping by. There are so many teens (and adults) thinking they are entitled to what other people work & pay for. There are so many strung out on drugs and really don't mean harm, but are just looking for their next fix.

And then there is me... a single mom living with 3 teenagers... two home grown & one borrowed. We don't live in the ritzy part of town, but we don't live in the worst sections either... we're somewhere in the middle. We don't have much, but over the years we have accumulated this and that.

A couple of weeks ago the two new bicycles the boys received as Christmas presents were stolen right off the front porch- just before dark. Thankfully, they were recovered the very next day by an astute detective, but the thought that went through my mind was, "yes, he/they stole the bikes... but at least that is all they took."

That particular evening the only ones home were myself (laid up in bed with a broken ankle) and the youngest child, 13 year old boy. What if the thief had wanted to kick in the front door & physically harm one or both of us? There's not much I could have done.

Then there is tonight's latest wrinkle. While sitting here propped up in bed, browsing blogs and seeing what friends are up to online, I heard a noise on the front porch. Within a few minutes, the oldest son (17) steps in the bedroom and asks if I heard a noise in the back yard around the utility trailer. He goes out to investigate and finds nothing. But, while coming back up the driveway from the shed, before stepping into the light from the front porch, he sees someone run out from the other side of the house and cross the road- dressed all in black. He waits and watches them stop across the road and look back towards the house, but their features are obscured by a hoodie jacket. Then the mystery person turns and continues running off into the woods.

The police were called again. Cursory search is made of the yard and nothing appears to be missing. The boys will have to completely straighten up the yard tomorrow, just to be on the safe side and so everything can be accounted for (not to mention it is something they should've already done- we won't go there).

I'm one of those people who respects guns, but doesn't own their own. I am comfortable around guns, even though I rarely handle them. I have no problem having them in my home... and I am determined to rectify our safety issues in the immediate future.

And so I will begin my search for the right gun for me and our household. I am leaning towards a good, old-fashioned double barreled shot gun... the sound of the pump should stop most folks in their tracks. I am also thinking about getting a pistol. Something small and easy to handle... but can get the job done.

Luckily, I have a nephew who recently left the Marine Corps. He has been suggesting to us all that we need at least one gun in the house. I will get in touch with him because I know he knows guns and can help me get the best gun for my needs and for my wallet. Not that you can really put a price on safety or protecting your family.

Then will come teaching all of us how to properly care for & use whatever guns I get. I'm a fair shot with a shotgun- shooting skeet, but practice will be necessary. My daughter has never really handled a gun, so she will need to learn from scratch. Both of the boys are familiar with shotguns, rifles and some pistols- between hunting and going to the shooting range. But, even with that, they will need practice.

I will start the process in the morning. For my own peace of mind and for our protection. That times are changing is undeniable... and a passel of children and a herd of cats aren't going to keep the evil from our door.... but I will do what I must.

So goes the motto... hope for the best, and prepare for the worst. Preparation is the key in this instance... and as the only adult in the household, it is up to me to be the right example of responsibility and a model of preparing for the next thing that comes along. Particularly if it is for the goal of keeping us all safe.

Quick sand

That's what it feels like right now. I want to make some changes, but I do so like things the way they are. Everyone says that change is slow, but I suppose sometimes it is much better to change quickly & be done with it rather than over-think & agonize. Then again, on the flip side, how long is change supposed to take?

We moved into this house nearly 3 years ago... and we're still unpacking. Granted, this old house isn't exactly "user" friendly for folks wanting modern amenities. No air conditioning (by choice, but still) is a major turn-off to most. However, since in the past few weeks of recuperating from my ankle surgery, we all finally seem motivated to pull the house together. I always knew it would get done eventually, just never dreamed it would take this long.

Overall, I can say I am loving life after 40. Last year was probably one of my best years yet, life gets better with age... especially for females. There is one wrinkle though. My hair is beginning to have more noticeable strands of gray. Now, this is something I always thought I would be able to deal with. That aging gracefully would be something I could handle without enhancements. Unfortunately, I'm not sure I will be able to follow through. I've never colored my hair~ or even permed it. I like my hair color, its an interesting mixture of tones & highlights and I doubt I will find it in a bottle.

Another change that the new year has wrought is dealing with my daughter's sudden shift from tomboy to wearing make-up. Now I'm not opposed to make-up. At 16 she is more than old enough to learn the proper way to put it on & take care of her face. I hate to see her get caught up in the whole cosmetic world. But, I know she's finding herself. Learning her own style, figuring out what works for her. She has wonderful naturally curly/wavy hair... which as a teen I would have killed for considering the HOURS spent rolling & curling my own hair, only to have the curls fall out 5 minutes after brushing it out. Oh, the damage I have contributed to the ozone with the amount of Aqua Net hairspray I have doused on my hair while hoping & praying it would hold. All to no avail.

So, just as the song says "... time marches on..." the adventure is not nearly over.

Off & running.... again...

Gah... its been a year (minus one day) since the last time I blogged here... I'm not sure why I keep abandoning my blog. Though I'm sure, given the opportunity I could come up with a long list of excuses...

So, the question now is this: do I continue this blog or do I scrap it once & for all and start completely fresh? When I started this blog so many years ago, it was to be used as a reflection of my thoughts... which is still in line with what I want to use it for now.

But what if I want to add some of the bells & whistles that are associated with blogs now? Though my posts will reflect where I am now, will it flow if someone chances to go back & read the older posts? And, at the end of the day does it really matter?

I suppose I will ponder that decision for a bit. I'm considering refocusing the purpose of my blog. I have an inkling of an idea to use my blog as a chronicle of the journey I hope to embark on this year.

My goals for 2011 primarily center around managing my severe procrastination habit. Hopefully, by getting that under control, it will trickle down- or out- to help organize & manage other parts of my world.

Perhaps, it will fit together- since it is all essentially the pieces of me- and most days I fit together fairly well.... as long as you don't look for the cracks...