Thursday, January 19, 2012

Texting With Gloves

Yes, I am one of those people who brings my smart phone along to the treestand. It helps keep me occupied when sitting in the stand for hours at a time when I'm not seeing any deer. 


Michael makes fun of me. "How are you supposed to see any deer when you're texting?" He always asks. He just likes picking on me, because he also texts while in the treestand and in the blind. Just turn the phone on silent and keep your eyes and ears open for deer and you're perfectly fine.


In the warm weather I would usually run my phone dead unless I charged it before I went hunting; but thats what going on the internet (facebook) does to my blackberry: kills it.  


Yesterday my friend Carol and I went out hunting. It was about 25 degrees and breezy and we froze our little butts off (though we did see 8 deer, and had them at 70 yards, too far for the bow but hopefully Friday they'll come in closer when we're there again). 


We both came across a problem: since it was so cold it was pretty much impossible to text without taking our gloves off. Mike was texting me and asking if we were seeing anything, and the second I took my gloves off to answer his text, my fingers froze. They didn't just get cold, they FROZE. I couldn't feel my fingers and could barely move them. I guess I got a little to used to hunting in 40 degree weather all through December and January. I was so cold my eyeballs hurt and my lungs felt like they were going to freeze everytime I took a breath.


When I was 15 I went hunting in 15 degree weather, forgot my gloves, and got frostbite in my fingers so I can no longer feel my fingertips. I no longer forget my gloves. Ever. 


Huddled inside the little treehouse that was attached to the raised deck we were hunting in, I told Carol "I wish I could text with gloves on."


So this afternoon I googled "texting gloves" and hundreds of of websites/pictures popped up. Gloves in every color, every kind of material, knitted gloves, leather gloves, gloves with plastic circles on the fingertips so you can TEXT WITH GLOVES.


Really, its brilliant.


I wonder if there's a place locally that sells them.


I think every hunter who brings their phone to the woods should own a pair!!!





Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Painted Turkey Feathers

My latest hobby is painting turkey feathers. I've never been a huge fan of painting so I can't say I do it because I like too...I mostly do it because it looks so awesome when its finished, and also I can sell them and make some extra cash (which is always good).

I painted a few for Andy Ross and his girlfriend, and also sold a few for NWTF banquet raffles. If anyone is interested in buying one, please contact me  :)









Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Is It Turkey Season Yet???

So, it certainly doesn't seem like January at the time being. As I sit here typing its nearly 60 degrees out, the sun is starting to make its way through the clouds and hopefully dry up some of the puddles in our driveway. I went out to my truck this morning and sank into mud up to my ankles. Thank goodness for cowgirl boots. Needless to say I haven't been hunting much.

Last week was the ATA show, which was held in Columbus this year. I'd never been before so I was pretty darn excited to go. Mike and I both helped set up the Maximum Archery booth for Andy Ross, and also worked the booth all three days of the show. And even helped take it down. Andy wasn't around much so it was Mike and I and Andy's editor Adam.

I got to meet a ton of people at the show, and I got to shoot the new Ross single cam women's bow. Unfortunately the one I wanted to shoot was a left handed bow, and the only other one was nearly 60 lbs draw weight. Fortunately with a little help I managed to pull the bow back. The thing I love the most about it is that once you have it drawn back, it's like holding air. Once you release, you barely feel it. If it was set at 50 lbs it would have been perfect.

I had a ton of fun, but by the end of the last day my feet hurt and I was plain old ready to go home.  To sleep in my own bed. And sit in a real chair. Though it was worth it to be at the show.

Back to matters of importance, I was supposed to go hunting today with my friend Carol, but we canceled due to rain, wind, and the fact that she got called in to work. So, we postponed until tomorrow. I'm hoping a cold front will come in and get the deer moving.  Carol has never shot a deer, and I certainly wouldn't mind shooting a deer either. I'm going to bring the video camera in hopes of getting it all on film.

I think that my desire to deer hunt has pretty much disappeared. The bucks are shedding their antlers already, and I'm really starting to wish it was spring. I'm excited for turkey season. This year will pretty much be the same as last year; Mike and I are headed to Florida first for our Osceolas, then to Kansas and Nebraskas for Rios and Merriams. Except hopefully this year we'll actually shoot some.

Last year part of our problem was that since Michael was hunting with a bow and me with a gun, I always waited to see if the bird would come in close enough for a bow shot instead of trying to shoot it myself. This year I'm not going to be so nice I think. This year I want to KILL something. It's been 3 years since I've shot a turkey, I need this dry spell to be over with.

Then, after turkey season comes our trip to Africa...which is even more exciting. I've never even been out of the country before, so this should be quite the experience.

2012 here I come!!!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

While My Boyfriend Sleeps

This morning I decided I wanted to go out. Besides the fact that I was tired of being stuck in the house, it had turned freezing cold and snowed...and I needed a little pick me up. What better way to do that then go out and have some fun???


My boyfriend has been working the night shift all week so every night he leaves at 5, comes back at 7:30 in the morning, and goes straight to bed and sleeps most of the day. Repeat as necessary. I really miss him and I get lonely, but we need to save up some money for our hunting trips. Alas, it's time for me to take matters into my own  hands. 


I dropped Cheyanne off at the bus stop and went back to the house where Mike was already sleeping (I could hear him snoring).  I tiptoed around straightening up the house and starting supper in the crockpot, careful not to wake him...I hadn't told him I was going...let the fun begin!!!


First, I put lotion on, all over my whole body. Then I decided to do my hair and couldn't decide how to do it. I could do braids but it was too cold...so I decided to just brush it and leave it as it was.


Next: makeup. I've never been much for makeup...except when I go out. Across my forehead and cheekbones, down to my chin. A little mascara today...I even put on some lip shine to keep my lips from getting chapped.


Hair, makeup, now clothes. Clothes are fairly easy, I don't have all that many to choose from some it only took a few minutes to narrow down my choices. Of course weather is always a factor. 


Hmmm...which scent should I spray on??? Oh yes I had left that in my truck and would put it on later. 


Now I was starting to get excited!!! I'd been watching some videos lately that really were making me want to go out and get something...I was jealous of the other girls in the videos, why should they get to do that and I couldn't??? It was good motivation to get my butt in gear and get going. 


Boots: CHECK. Clothes: CHECK. Makeup: CHECK. Hair: CHECK.


Some people like to go out nights, others like the afternoons. I've always like the mornings; you never really know what you will see or what will happen, or when you will get lucky. 


I decided to try my usual hot spots, but I didn't see anything to bring home, or even just sit and watch. Discouraging is what this was turning out to be. 


After 2 hours I gave up. I was cold and a little disappointed and hungry. Thought it had been fun. Maybe I'll go out tomorrow. 


And it would be nice if when I go out tomorrow I'll be able to actually SEE a deer and SHOOT a deer and BRING IT BACK!!!!