Target Practice = Couple Bonding time!
The day is so laid-back that even with people coming over, Chris and I found some time this afternoon to visit the shooting range. I don't think I've done that since before B was born --- so roughly 5+ years! all in all - I did pretty well, I think! I shot my .22 handgun and Chris' .45 and .40. I hate the .40. It kicks like a mofo and the grip is just too big for my little hand but I absolutely love my .22. It is totally a blast to shoot. Considering how long it's been since I've shot ANYTHING - I was pretty pleased with my accuracy. I'm no pro, but I did alright. *catty alert!* way better than the pink clad vision that was shooting next to me who could barely hit the paper!
I really enjoy target practice. Always have. When we were kids, we had a little .22 that we used to take to the lake. Back in the day, our end of the lake was remarkably quiet and empty - especially in the spring and fall. We would set up soda can pyramids and take turns laying down in the grass to knock them over. I have such a specific and vivid recollection of putting that little bullet right through the center of the "O" in Mountain Dew. It was sheer joy to have something that I was arguably as good at as my brother that we could do together. These days, I enjoy target practice for much the same reason - it's a rare something that my husband and I can do together that, again, I can arguably keep up with him in the inherent talent category. I like that it makes me feel really well-rounded - it isn't something that I think most people would expect of me. And I really like the swagger that I feel afterwards! I'm not above that!
"Resolutions"
I fight the idea of "resolutions" and yet I have so many. I'm looking for this blog, among other things, to be a way for me to create some sort of accountability for my current goals. So - here are a few, in no particular order:
- Last year, I set a goal of Chris & I having one date night per month with each of us taking a turn planning the date. We did OK at this though we weren't 100% consistent. I think that this is utterly, completely crucial to us continuing to build a better and better relationship and I'm determined to maintain this as an ongoing goal!
- Keep Running! I still can't believe that I'm running at all much less that I'm enjoying it as much as I am! I am really excited about running another Ragnar this year and I have made the Fargo Half-Marathon my distance goal for the year. I'm not quite ready to train for a full marathon at this point. I just can't see myself making the time for the training commitment.
- Cook and eat at home MUCH more often! I'm guilty of really, really enjoying paying someone else to bring me food! But it is very, very expensive and since we generally live our lives paycheck to paycheck - it really isn't very smart! And I do actually love cooking most of the time so if I just wrap my head around it, this should be easy. We will still eat out now and again - but I am making it a mission that these are "special occasions" and they will be savored!
- Drink more water and less diet coke. I am really very unhappy with the way that my body feels when I don't have a diet coke every day. It's really frightening and very sad. I will admit to being a diet coke addict and this does NOT make me happy. I certainly do not like being dependent on something so ridiculous. Gonna fix it!
- Sew more. I'm not sure what direction this is going to take. I made the girls' Halloween costumes this past year and loved the way it felt to have them parading around in (if I do say so myself) gorgeous costumes that I made. But in our little house - if I'm going to sew - i pretty much have to haul everything out...sew...and then stash it all back. It's a royal pain in the ass, frankly. So I need to think about revamping the table full of crap in our bedroom that was intended as my sewing space. I have a quilt for my nephew to finish (poor kid will be 3 soon and it started as a baby quilt). I have a bazillion burp cloths cut out and ready to put together that I want to start using as doula gifts. And - I have B.E.Inspired that I really, really want to do something with (I will dedicate a post to this soon)
- Finish my doula certification. I'm shocked at how long it is taking to get my certification out of the way. I really and truly thought that I would be done with all the paperwork at this point and I'm still incredibly far away from the finish line. I WILL FINISH!
- Spend more planned, focused time with the girls. I don't know exactly what this means - but I want to be more deliberate about the time that I spend with them. not always - but at least several times a week if not once a day. This may mean sitting down and really focusing on playing a game with them. It may mean putting together a legitimate craft for us to do together. It may mean baking together (which they love).
- And last, but not least, EVERYONE's goal at this time of year - to lose some more weight. Back on Weight Watchers I go - and I'm going to be really honest about my weight here - why hide it? I have no pride left and it will help keep me on target to have people knowing precisely where I'm at!
