Musings of an Unfinished Woman

Happy Thanksgiving

It’s been a long couple of weeks. A trip to the ER in the middle of the night with Shanna and then a morning in court to settle a traffic violation (a broken tail light)...all within 24 hours. A round of antibiotics, lots of sleep and she's feeling much better. Shanna is in her fourth week of work at UPS. She was sooooo thrilled with her first check. Oh the joy was absolutely priceless...this is her dancing with her check - isn't she cute with her plaid flannel and short haircut. Her second week, reality hit as they started taking out the union (Teamster) initiation dues and fees...and she discovered FICA. She comes running in wanting to know “Who’s FICA and why are they taking my money?” I laughed so hard, I was in tears...welcome to the real world little girl. She works the early shift so gets up at 4 am, but she’s still hasn’t figured out her sleeping schedule...she’s a night owl and usually ends up sleeping during the day and staying up all night.

Four nights later, Shanna ran screaming into our room that Grandma (Russell’s Mom) was trying to call us...my phone was on the charger and Russell’s phone was on silent for some reason. Thankfully, I have a teen whose phone is nearly always on. My father-in-law’s shop was on fire. He and my MIL opened Parkrose Shoe Hospital in 1974 and he’s been in that same location for 36 years. He’s 77 years old and we have wanted him to retire and close or sell the shop but after working 65 years (he quit school when he was 12 because his dad died and he had to help support his Mom and siblings), he doesn’t know how NOT to work. As is his usual custom, he often worked in the middle of the night (no customers or interruptions so he could get his work done). One of his machines sparked and started a fire. After trying to put it out himself, he called for help. Thank God for the Portland Fire and Rescue...they were there within minutes. Dad was not injured and while there was very little “fire damage”, there was considerable smoke damage and the foam they use to put out the fire made a huge mess. There have been so many blessings from this tragedy. The landlord is letting him out of his lease and is assisting us with getting anything out that’s salvageable. Ultimately it is the best thing to have happened...this has forced him to retire. I think the biggest challenge is that Mom and Dad will have to learn to live together, in the same place, 24 hours a day of togetherness should be interesting.

I am so thankful that my unemployment has been extended again. According to Forbes.com, Portland ranks #7 on “America’s Worst Cities for Finding a Job”. Having been unemployed for over 15 months, I can attest to the fact that I have applied for so many jobs that I am more than qualified for and rarely even get a phone interview. The right job will come along in the right time...in the meantime, I am getting some projects done and learning some new computer programs.

As nervous as I was, you would have thought that I had never cooked a dinner before. I'm so thankful for a VERY patient husband who helped me in the kitchen, despite the fact that I was a rather demanding, crabby kitchen companion (when I apologized later, he said after 28 years, he knows exactly what to expect and loves me anyway...definitely a keeper!!!). Everything turned out great and we had a wonderful Thanksgiving. My in-laws came and we were thrilled to welcome Shanna’s marine recruiter and his family to dinner. They brought a 24 pound turkey and her “casserole”, which was a rice and broccoli dish (none of us are broccoli fans), but it was really delicious. I discovered these fabulous 2.5 quart dual crock pots and I am in love with them...combined with Reynolds Crockpot Liners (these are right up there with post-it notes as being totally awesome). I cooked dressing, sweet potatoes, corn and gravy in the four crock pots. The ham cooked in the oven, along with the cornbread. The best thing about these crock pots are you can take them straight to the table and sit them on a potholder (no need to mess up serving bowls) and then when it’s cleanup time, you just take the crock pot liner and throw it away, wipe out the crock pot and TaDa...all done!

Russell is working today and since it’s a UPS holiday, he’s getting paid double time and a half...wow. That will help pay for Christmas. For the first time in years, I didn’t get up in the middle of the night and do the early morning shopping thing. I’m doing lots of research and reading about Fibromyalgia and one of the things I’m learning is that I have to listen to my body. These last few weeks have taken a toll and I knew that I didn’t have the physical strength, energy and sharp mind needed to navigate the insanity of Black Friday. Love that many stores are offering online shopping with the same deals and I don’t have to leave my house!

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease dominated by three symptoms: pain, fatigue and brain fog (fibro-fog) and while it’s not life threatening, it is definitely “lifestyle threatening” (from the book FibroWHYalgia, by Susan Ingebretson). Lots of stress and physical activity causes “flare-ups” which are incredibly painful and while I may look “normal”, my joints and muscles hurt so much that any touch or movement can reduce me to a sobbing, out-of-control mess. Several weeks ago, I attended a Fibro and Chronic Pain Support Group. It was such a relief to talk to others who understand. One of the things that I have confirmed it’s critical to find out how to best recognize and manage my flare-ups. Target has fabulous “Microplush Blankets” and we bought two for the living room...they are big enough to cover me up from the tips of my toes to my nose...and they are sooooo soft. When I’m having a flare-up, the seams on my clothes can be nearly unbearable (I wear my socks and shirts inside out sometimes!), so these blankets are fabulous. The soft light of burning candles, with the delicious smell of apple cinnamon, along with small bouquets of flowers (only $8.99 a bunch at Costco) are both external things that bring me comfort. Soft instrumental music is also soothing (loving my Christmas music right now!). If you or someone you know has fibromyalgia, I would love to hear from you. What have you done to manage? How have you altered your lifestyle and what changes have been most helpful?

Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving...enjoy this weekend.  

 

The ugly side of life

This is not a typical blog post full of flowers and praise for my wonderful world. It’s a dose of reality in all of its ugliness but I feel compelled to be honest. Life isn’t all rainbows and sunflowers. Sometimes it’s hurt feelings, angry words, lies and bad behavior.

I just finished reading a truly fabulous book that I highly recommend. It was written by Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy, titled “In a Heartbeat - Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving”. If you recognize the names, then you’ve probably seen the movie “The Blind Side” which is one of my all-time favorite movies. This book was an absolutely engaging, powerful book on giving, and the power of one. It was not about how much money you have but what you do with what you have – your money, time and talents. Giving and making a difference in the life of just one person can have far-reaching effects. The book also included a lot of the Tuohy’s philosophy on child-rearing, including making your child be involved in giving back, setting strict limits (and being consistent) in allowing TV time, cell phones and all the other electronic distractions that our so much a part of our world.

I finished the book on Friday afternoon and then we had an “incident” over the weekend which made me wish we had followed our parent’s example and that of the Tuohy’s in raising their children to be more giving and aware of others. The biggest mistake we have made with Shanna is over-indulging her. Like many of her generation, she has entitlement issues, due in part to being the last grandchild on both sides of the family and perhaps due in part to being adopted and us wanting to give this wonderful gift from God all that we didn’t have growing up. Both Russell and I grew up in poor families and our parents worked insane hours to put a roof over our head and food on the table. We had very few luxuries or extras growing up, but both of us have really good memories of our childhoods. My Mom didn’t allow us to watch TV…it was “go outside and play”. We both had jobs by the time we were 12…and we’ve worked our entire lives.

Saturday started badly because we both woke with terrible headaches. We have discovered Excedrin for Migraines (we call them magic pills around here), and even those didn’t help our aching heads. While we were eating breakfast, I asked Russell if he had moved my phone since it wasn’t on the table where I left it. Nope he hadn’t seen it. After several hours of looking for my phone (which isn’t the first time it’s been lost in the last couple of months), I was in tears and upset with myself (because I’m having health problems which include fuzzy brain and forgetfulness), only to discover that Shanna “borrowed it” because her phone had died (from not being charged) and she forgot to return it (she thought that she had). By the time the phone was found and returned, I was exhausted from the unrelenting headache and angry that she took my phone without asking. I had one of those sobbing meltdowns that leave you shaky, exhausted and looking all red and blotchy. I didn't want to be a raving lunatic but that's what I ended up feeling like...yes it's only a phone, but it's mine and I wouldn't ever take hers without asking first.

This incident was a wakeup call to Russell and I that she’s now an adult…and we need to start treating her like one. She’s had a fabulous summer with a trip to southern California, lots of overnights with friends, lazy afternoons at the river, dinners out, etc…and now her graduation money is gone. The reality is that being an adult is hard work and oftentimes really sucks. If you have a small child, I highly recommend the following two books: “Parenting with Love and Logic” and “In a Heartbeat”. Don’t over-indulge your child. Let them earn and work for things they really want – it will mean more to them. Russell and I are both hard-working people with very strong work ethics but somehow we didn’t model that well enough for our child (or maybe it’s lying dormant and will come to light when she gets a job). Show your children how to be responsible and provide them with the example of giving to others.

The book by the Tuohy’s was a powerful, thought-provoking book which has given me a lot to think about (the mistakes we made with Shanna) and my own attitude about giving. The Tuohy’s call it the “power of cheerful giving” and they model it after the lessons from Jesus. I want to be a cheerful giver, to make a difference in the lives of others, to find my purpose in life…so that’s my wish and my prayer. A quote that I love from the book is: “Everyone has a blind side, but a loving heart always sees a path toward true charity”. God, please open my eyes and heart to what you want me to see.

So there you have it…a tale from the dark side of our lives. Back to flowers and other fabulous things tomorrow. 

 

Middle of the Week Musings

Hello hello...the calendar says it's August 4 but it's 62 degrees right now and I'm FREEZING! I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a fan of really hot weather but really...this is the middle of summer and I'm huddling under a blanket. Seems wrong!

My wonderful in-laws, Charlotte and Subby, along with Alvina (Charlotte's sister) are leaving on Friday morning and driving to Bismarck, North Dakota, which is where my husband was born. That's where most of their extended family lives. The last time they went back (in 2006), it was just Shanna and my mother-in-law and they flew. From here to Bismarck is 1,300 miles and they are driving a small motor home. They are also taking their two dogs. They are hoping to make it back there in three to four days. Russell and I took a small road trip up to Washington in April and over a week's time, drove about 800 miles - that was more than enough road trip for me. I'm a big fan of flying and unless I had a lot of time and money, wouldn't dream of driving half way across America (fortunately, Russell and I have agree that we are not motor home people).

This photo is of my in-laws. They will celebrate 56 years of marriage this month. They are so cute together and I'm so very blessed to have them in my life. Because I love my in-laws and we don't want them to spend a fortune, we are taking their cat, Charlie. To board him would cost $17.50 per day! This is a huge deal because I'm allergic to cats and it's no secret to those who know me that I'm not an animal person. Charlie will be in the basement with Shanna - she's looking forward to having another pet...me, I'm just praying that everyone remembers to keep the door shut so he doesn't come upstairs. I enjoy animals from afar, like to take pictures of them, but don't want to deal with the mess, smell, hair, poop, etc. that comes with owning an animal. (Please note that I'm not in any way slamming those of you who love pets). Yes, we have two bunnies and they are more than enough for me. Below is a picture of one of them - Dopey, who like his Disney namesake, is really sweet but not the brightest bulb. Dopey was a cooperative subject for one of my class photo assignments a couple of weeks ago...isn't he adorable!

 
My life group has taken a break for a few months, but we're getting together tonight for dinner and a walk...it'll be wonderful to catch up, laugh, talk and pray together. I'm looking forward to resuming our weekly get-togethers in the fall. Russell is going over to his parents house to wash their motor home in preparation for the big trip.

Life is about dealing with changes and challenges, and Shanna is really struggling to find her place and figure out what to do with her life. Some kids are really blessed to have a clear vision or goal of their future and seem to have their lives mapped out for them. Shanna isn't one of them (Russell and I weren't either). She has always been interested in law enforcement and is thinking seriously about enrolling in the Criminal Justice program at Mt Hood Community College. We applied for financial aid but didn't qualify for any grants, and she didn't apply for any scholarships. She struggles with academics and fears that she can't do it. She is job hunting, but jobs in Oregon are scarce (we have one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation) and she has no experience. Of course, like many kids her age, she wants the nice car, the apartment, good furniture, etc. What she hasn't yet learned, is that most of us started out with really crappy cars (my first one was an orange Vega) and we furnished our first apartment with garage sale and Goodwill finds. Like most kids her age, she's glued to her phone...this is one of the few photos I've gotten of her recently where she hasn't hidden her face.

Happy Wednesday!

The Differences Between Us

She's my daughter, but looking us, you would never know it. Besides the obvious differences between us…I’m white, she’s black…she’s ultra thin and I’m not…she is a social butterfly, always on the go with scads of friends and I’m a homebody with a few good friends. I love photography and she never takes photos. I’m organized, almost obsessively clean and neat, and she’s not at all. I cry at Hallmark commercials and patriotic songs and she laughs at me when I cry for sentimental reasons. The two of us together is like dynamite and a match...light it up and anything can happen. Thank God that Russell is so calm and easy-going...he's a good balance for (or between) Shanna and I, although she thinks we're hopelessly old-fashioned and boring (her expressions are priceless)!

There is no one on the face of this earth who can push my buttons faster than she can. She has made me feel the gamut of emotions and has caused me more sleepless nights and anxiety-filled moments than anyone else. I have spent hours in prayer, cried till my chest hurt, cheered till my voice was gone and had so many moments of joy and laughter that my mouth hurt from smiling. She has wounded me more than any other person, has made me more proud than anyone ever has and has angered me to the point where I felt out of control. One of the quotes that I read years ago and didn’t really understand until I was a parent was “Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart walking around outside your body.”

Shanna and her friends have been talking for months about taking a road trip to California. No real plans or dates…depending on the moment and who was mad at who, the plan has included anywhere from four to eight friends. Shanna called me yesterday afternoon at 3 pm and said they had worked it out and were planning to leave that night at around 8 pm. It would be Shanna and three friends. The person driving has a nice (reliable) car and they thought they would be gone until Friday or Saturday. One of them has a relative who works at Disneyland and could get them two day passes. So of course, the organized me immediately starts making mental lists and the Mom me starts asking all the questions…who is going, does everyone have enough money, where are you staying, blah, blah, blah. Shanna didn’t even get home last night until almost 9 pm (so obviously they missed the 8 pm departure time). So there I am with my list…do you have Tylenol, sunscreen, band aids, extra shoes, directions, cell phone charger, etc. Yeah Mom, I’ve got it covered. At 11:40 last night, the four of them left. Of course, I went outside, did my “Mom talk”…don’t use your cell phone and drive at the same time, pull over if you get tired, keep the car locked, don’t talk to strangers, please take some pictures for me”…and off they went, all talking at once, music blasting, so excited they were giddy. I would never in a million years have dreamed of taking off on a road trip when I was 18 and even now, at age 50, am a planner and can’t fathom just jumping in the car and leaving without a plan, reservations and map-quested directions.

Parenting is a balancing act…it’s such a hard thing to let her make her own decisions and mistakes. We are in a new phase of parenting and are trying to figure out reasonable rules, curfews and home responsibilities; to know when to step in and help her make decisions and when to let go. No one will ever describe Shanna as being organized, efficient and practical and no one will ever say that I'm spontaneous, free-spirited or adventurous. I want to take a page from Shanna’s life and be more like her and yes, I wish she was a little more like me…but she’s not. And really, I can’t imagine my Shanna girl being any different than she is.

So today I’m praying for her safety and hoping she has the time of her life. One thing we do have in common is that we are Disney fanatics and deep inside, I’m wishing I could throw caution to the wind and take off for a fun trip with just a moments notice. Maybe I’ll make a list about that. Have a good time Shanna girl and remember to take some hat pictures...a family tradition on all our vacations!

Feeling Lucky and Blessed

Sometimes, life is just perfect. This weekend was a great example. Friday night was the Michael Buble concert with Shanna and my wonderful MIL (isn't she cute). Saturday night, Russell and I went to see Ten Grands, which is a wonderful fund raiser here in Portland which benefits music programs in local schools, offers music scholarships, etc. Ten incredible masters of the piano, including one of my favorites, David Lantz. A fabulous concert and a date with my sweetie. Easter was low key for us as none of us felt very well…so it was just chilling on the couch watching movies (I think I could watch Blind Side at least a dozen more times).

Hoping to have more time for scrapbooking (seriously, I spent more time at school and doing homework than working a full-time job!!). A funny thing happened last night...one of my favorite blog authors that I read on a regular basis has a weekly giveaway on her blog and I rarely enter because I never think I'm going to win or it's something I'm not interested in...but I entered this week and guess what...she picked my name!!! How fun is that! http://www.aliedwards.com/2010/04/and-th.html

Russell has his own route now (right out by my old job ironically!) and Shanna and I got to meet him for a few minutes last week between appointments. Her comment..."he really does work for UPS and drives a really big truck!!' It does make you wonder how kids think...where did she think he went everyday! I think she's one of those who needs to see it to believe it.

Shanna has a busy week ahead. Regional band contest on Thursday followed by the State Thespian Conference. Shanna will be doing mime (she does a hilarious scene where she is an older black woman with a walker) and then she's doing an improv scene. I couldn't do that in a million years, but she has a gift for making people laugh...so here's hoping she gets some great scores in both competitions and has a good time. Happy Monday...hoping our rain and wind will let up soon so we can have a few more days of spring.

 

Good stuff...

Lots of good stuff to share. I am a huge Michael Buble fan…love his music. When I found out he was coming to Portland with his Crazy Love tour, I decided to get tickets for Charlotte, my mother-in-law, Shanna and I (how often do three generations love the same music!). The concert was last night and all can say is WOW! Fabulous and the opening act, Naturally 7 was really awesome (an acapella group who sings and become the music instruments – it’s hard to explain…but you can do a search for them on the Internet). Michael is an awesome artist and sounds as good in person as he does on his CDs…a fun night although Shanna was a little turd because I wouldn’t let her text during the concert (what is it with teens and their texting? Put the phone down for a few hours and engage in real life activity).

 

Well spring break is over and once again, my life is changing in unexpected ways. My first round of unemployment ran out this last week. My plan has been to continue going to school full-time unless the perfect job came along. While I expected that my unemployment would be extended, I didn’t want to just assume that it would, so I updated my resume and posted it on several job search engines on Monday, March 15. Much to my surprise, I got a call from a national company with franchises all over the US on Wednesday morning (two days after I posted my resume), had a phone interview on Thursday, March 18 and then interviewed with the local franchise owner the following Tuesday. My in-person interview lasted 2 hours. Couldn't believe how long we talked. The job would be ideal...it is about 4 miles from home in a in a fabulous community (nice walking paths, little shops, etc.). I have never “negotiated” for a job, but I decided that if this was meant to be, that the owner would be willing to compromise on some of my requests. We compromised on the pay with a promise of bonus based on sales. So…I’m starting my new job on Monday, April 5. I’ve never worked in an office this small…just me and the owner with a couple of outside sales people. I will be running the office. It will be nice to be bringing home a salary. While I’ve enjoyed school, I would rather be working, although I will continue to take a couple of online courses. I didn't look for this job…it came to me out of nowhere, so once again, this is another unexpected "meant to be" designed by God. .

 

After four years as a UPS “cut” driver (which means that he called in every morning to find out if he worked, and if so, what route he would be working), Russell got his own route! Another huge blessing from the Lord. He really loves the route…regular hours (and paychecks)! Last week (while I was on spring break) Russell kept mentioning that his eye was hurting, burning, etc. Well he finally called in sick and went to the doctor. He scratched his cornea somehow, so he was off work for three days, which was nice as it allowed us to have some time together.

 

Shanna’s prom is tonight so I’ll post pictures soon…in the meantime, Happy Easter. Thank you Lord for this wonderful reminder of the miracle of Jesus death and resurrection.

Busy Weekend...Baby Elephant Update

Our weekend flew past and I'm not feeling as rested as I'd like to start a busy new week. We were up at the crack of dawn to get Shanna to her first Drivers Education class...being held at Mt Hood Community College which is about 12 miles from our house. It's a fairly large campus so we left early to make sure we could find the correct room and not be late (that's one of my big pet peeves - I HATE being late to anything). There wasn't any Saturday morning traffic (I'm assuming everyone was sleeping), we got there, easily found the classroom and had nearly 25 minutes to spare...which didn't make Shanna too happy. It was actually funny to sit outside the classroom and watch all these teens walk up with their parents. Every teen walked up with a phone and/or Ipod in one hand (hello...who do they know whose awake and wants to talk at that time of day?), slumped over, backpack slung over their shoulders with that "I can't believe you're making me do this" look on their face...If you're a parent, you've been the recipient of that look.We left, did errands and came back for the hour parent orientation. Fortunately, Shanna really likes the instructor so she wasn't as hostile about the class after wards.

Earlier in the week, we bought a year long membership to the Oregon Zoo, mostly because of the new baby elephant. We told Shanna and my mother-in-law that we would take them on Saturday afternoon... not knowing that Saturday was the World Animal Festival. And then, on the front page of the Oregonian was a picture of Sam, the baby elephant with his Mom, Rose Tu, inviting the public to come and see him. Add to that a beautiful fall day...80 degrees and you have what seemed half of Portland there. The parking lot was full so we had to ride a "shuttle bus" to the zoo. Russell and I waited in the baby elephant line while Shanna and my wonderful Mother-in-Law, Charlotte, wandered around.

It was well worth the wait...oh my goodness...what a cute elephant. They let him and his mom, outside right before it was our turn so he was in fine form, running, trotting, sliding and trying to get into the pool.

I'll definitely have enough photos to do a mini-scrapbook of this little fellow. Is he not the cutest thing you've seen in quite some time...

Teenagers, Dates and Driving

If you are a parent, particularly a parent of a 16 year old (girl), then you know that most of the time the world revolves around them (just ask them) and we, as parents, are placed on this earth to provide food, shelter, clothing, money and rides...this isn't my favorite phase of life (when I was 16 and now, living with a 16 year old). Let me say though, that despite the "at home" attitude, Shanna is an awesome kid - we are told this by anyone who doesn't live with us...teachers, the parents of her friends, the youth leaders, other kids, etc. She is really tuned into other people (just not us) and sticking up for the "underdog"...that's always been one of her very best qualities...she's always had a tender heart...so with these reports, I know we've done a good job of raising her. With that said, it doesn't seem like she's very "tuned in" to us...until we are ready to have some couple time and go on a date.

I just signed her up for drivers education, although with her 32 hours behind the wheel, she's convinced that she is ready to get her drivers license and knows everything there is to know about driving...I think not. The only drivers course available for a reasonable price within a reasonable driving distance is on Saturday mornings from 9 to noon. Let me tell you, signing her up for that time slot just about killed me. Saturday mornings are sleep-in days for all three of us and we're rarely out of bed before 9:30 or 10...but for the next ten weeks it's up early on Saturdays...yuck. We go to church on Sundays so can't sleep in that day...I'm already crabby just thinking about it...anyway...I digress. Russell and I are thinking that might be a good time for a date...but really, where does one go on a date on a Saturday morning at 9 am...especially since it will be rainy here again soon!

We hardly ever go out on a week night date...Russell rarely gets home from work before 7 and with "peak" coming up soon (that's UPS talk for 12 hour days), it will be later...by the time Friday night rolls around, we are both so exhausted we are usually couch potatoes catching up on our TV shows. Ever since my year of Hep C Treatment, I don't have the endurance or stamina that I used to have...so our dates are usually on Saturdays. We're in a rut of going to the same place all the time...so I'm looking for ideas and fun things to do on a date.

Any thoughts...what are some of the fun things you've done with your sweetie? Nothing that would cost a ton of money...we just paid for drivers education!

Quote of the Day

Whether you know it or not…you are already there…you are the beauty…the power…the wisdom…the passion…the knowledge…the fire…the calm…the heart and the soul. You are the star of your being…all you have to do is let yourself shine.

I look at this photo of my Shanna girl...not a girl at all, but a young woman, ready for the prom (May 2008). When we adopted her (she was seven weeks old when we picked her up in Louisville, Kentucky), I had this vision of what I thought my child would be...she's absolutely nothing like my vision...and yet I can't imagine her being anything but what she is...she's not a "girly-girl" at all and seems not to be aware of how attractive she is. She's funny, sure of herself, passionate about being a Christ-follower and so steadfast in her beliefs - what more could a Mom want. I know that she can be or do anything she sets her heart on. It's a bittersweet time as she grows up and pulls away, so I treasure the rare times when the little girl in her still asks for her Mom - like she did last week when she didn't feel good and wanted to cuddle together on the couch. Keep your light shining girl...you have a bright future. I'm so thankful that God blessed us with you...so thankful that your birthmother entrusted us with the incredible gift of this wonderful child.

Sharp Shooting

Growing up, I was fortunate to be part of a close-knit extended family with lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins. We got together at every opportunity for holidays and just family gatherings. Shanna, our daughter, is an only child and of my three brothers, only one has children and they live in Oklahoma. Russell’s three brothers have a total of three children but they are either much younger or older, so Shanna doesn’t really have the close relationship with cousins that we did growing up. However, she has a fabulous relationship with two of my three brothers, Curtis and Craig, which make up for the missing cousins. If you’re familiar with Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Larry the Cable Guy, then you have an idea of my brothers. They are blue-collar, rough around the edges, big, loud guys and they love Shanna to pieces. Russell and I aren’t much for camping, fishing, etc. but fortunately my brothers are big outdoorsmen and they have made it their mission to make sure that Shanna is a well-rounded girl, and in all actuality, she’s more like them than me. She knows how to camp (and I’m talking backwoods camping with no modern amenities), fish (including bait her own hook) and shoot.

Let me state here that we (Russell and I) are not gun people, but I’m not against guns…they’re just not my thing. However, Shanna has wanted to be a cop since she was a little girl…and she’d be a good one. She has such a strong sense of right and wrong, sticking up for the wounded and the underdog and is not afraid to intervene in a fight. With our blessing, my brothers have taught Shanna everything about shooting (they have both taken classes and have gun permits and practice safe gun  handling)…gun safety, how to properly hold, shoot and care for a variety of firing arms. They have taken her for target practice for years and they’ve told me how good she is…well the proof is now on paper.

Curtis and his wife Jennifer, took Shanna with them to the Oregon State Fair last weekend and one of the exhibits was the Oregon Rifle Association. Shanna got in line to shoot (she was the only female in line). When it came her turn, the guy said “well, let me show you how to hold the gun…blah, blah, blah”. Shanna said, “No thank you, I know how to shoot, although it’s been a year.”…and she proceeds to shoot what you see below. After the ORA guy picked his jaw up from the ground, he offered her his card and told her he would love to have her on the state junior shooting team! Shanna was so proud of her shooting skill…not one that most girls have but hey…she’s not a normal teenage girl (she hates the mall and shopping!). That's my girl!!