Wow...it’s been awhile since I have posted.

I have started a couple of posts, but never get my thoughts down onto my computer screen.  After my training that I did (and my short review that did not do John justice), I have been thinking alot about what it means when you make the decision to carry a gun.

I think it really and truly hit me what it meant and what I was saying to myself when I decided to start carrying a gun with me on an almost daily basis.  I am saying that I am willing to take the life of another “human”* if they pose a threat to myself or others.  That is a pretty powerful statement to digest.

I am not saying that I did not understand the responsibility I was accepting when I started to wear my handgun, but I don’t believe it really sank in until the training course.  Actually going through the drills and learning how to shoot to kill puts reality into the theory.  (Does that make sense?)

Since my training I have not felt that anything I was going to write about was really up to the seriousness of what I have accepted to do if necessary.  I was not raised to be a doormat, I was taught to fight back and to fight as dirty as I needed to to get away. (Thanks mom and dad!)  I think I just never wanted to think that I would ever NEED to be in a position to defend myself or my loved ones with deadly force.  I now know that I can not keep my head in the sand like an ostrich.

I WILL use deadly force if that is what is needed and I am willing to deal with the consequences afterwards.  

Training this past weekend

Oh my goodness....where do I start?

This weekend was a BLAST!  I got to attend my first true self defense handgun training course!  The only previous training I had received was a 2 ½ to 3 hour course to qualify to get my concealed carry permit.  There was almost two hours of classroom instruction and then about 45 minutes of range time.  The range time consisted of correct hold and hitting your target from 7 yards.  Those I had no issue with since my wonderful DH had already instructed me on that and I had become a regular at that particular range anyways. LOL

This course, taught by the wonderful John Murphy of FPF Training, on the other hand was two days/16 hours long!  The first day consisted of “Safety, Manipulation, and Marksmanship.”  The first 1 ½ was classroom instruction on the basics of safety.  Mr. Murphy stresses safety! (Which all good instructors should!)  The rest of the day was spent learning the correct way to handle and draw our guns.  Then we worked on our shooting and accuracy.  It was a hot day, but it went by way too fast!

Day two started with classroom time, which was a good thing since it was still a tad damp (i.e. swampy) outside. LOL

The classroom time was spent instilling in us the seriousness of what we're doing by deciding to carry a gun.  Real world examples (some rather graphic) of WHY we should carry and what can happen when a gun comes into play.  We also talked about how to handle the “aftermath” of using or even just showing our gun.  I have the words “I am positively asserting my fifth amendment rights” permanently etched into my brain!  This way nothing I say can be twisted into something that I did not mean. (Not that THAT could ever happen!!!! <sarcasm>)

Range time the second day was based on real life situations where you might have to move while drawing and shooting.  How to engage your attacker and also how to decide whether using your gun is appropriate or not.  Sometimes just a verbal response is enough and that it is better to avoid a confrontation, if at all possible, than to deal with a bad situation.

I also got to see AGirl again!  She is now working for Mr. Murphy and that was a wonderful added treat to the training!  Seeing her “in action” is great.  :-)

I came away from the training with a greater level of comfort with my gun, a healthier respect for the responsibility I have taken on by becoming a concealed carry person, and more confidence in myself.

I have also learned that I need to become more comfortable verbalizing myself in the face of an attacker.  I will continue to work on that!

Now to start saving up for the advanced class! <big grin>

Tired, but a wonderful weekend.

First TRUE training this weekend.

I will fill you all in later, I am just too tired to type more than this. LOL

Good night!

Alert, Alert

From 5.11 Tactical:

Don't Forget to Place Your Order by Thursday, May 3rd!

We want to thank you for the overwhelming response and support of the Limited Edition Tactical Duty Kilt from 5.11 Tactical. As mentioned in a previous email, we are going to make a limited run of the kilts. At this time, we would like for you to go ahead and reserve your kilt by placing an order on http://www.511tactical.com/All-Products/Shorts/Tactical-Shorts/Tactical-Duty-Kilt.html. We expect that your kilt(s) will become available for shipping by September 1, 2012. Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate the purchasing of Multicam kilts at this time.

Please note, this is the only time we are going to make the Tactical Duty Kilt. The last day to place an order for your kilt on 511tactical.com is Thursday, May 3, 2012. If you happen to miss this opportunity, we will create a waiting list. All remaining inventory will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Don't miss this opportunity to get the Limited Edition Tactical Duty Kilt from 5.11 Tactical.

Thanks,

5.11 Tactical

Working on my nails....

I am not a big "nails" person.  I am not sure why, but it has never been my thing, but I wanted to use this color that I got.  It's called "Empower."

I like it!


(please don't hold that bad paint job against me. :-) )