It’s time for nite nite!

I carry weapons. I believe in the 2nd amendment – in case you aren’t familiar:

A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

I believe that it is my right to bear arms and to protect myself and my family. I believe in the right to strap on Sally and go wherever I want.

Sally! Smith & Wesson .38 Special – J Frame – Air-weight Revolver. LOVE HER! We have a bond.

I also have a toy that I carry called Macey! (Get it? MACEy??)

Many people ask me why I feed the need to carry firearms and other weapons. Why do you need so much protection Lynne?

Let me tell you why…

In 1996 on a clear Sunday morning on Memorial Day Weekend, I went outside at about 9AM to take the top off of my Chevy (GEO) Tracker so that I could take my kids and my best friend (roommate at the time) to the beach. My 8 year old daughter stood inside of our fenced in front yard to watch me.

I had my back turned to the street and a cop car races by. Then another. I turned but didn’t see anything going on so I went back to my business.

That’s when it happened…

A man came up and asked me what time it was. While I looked at my watch – he came up, got behind me and held me by my throat and stabbed me with a screw driver. More than once – they called it a random act of violence.

I got sideways and kicked him in the side of the knee. He retaliated by slinging me to the ground. He then got on top of me and smashed my head into the street and busted it open. As I lay dazed – he broke my face.

All in front of a little girl who was screaming “He’s killing my mommy!”

The neighbors ran out and chased him away. My roommate ran out – my daughter was in shock. So much blood.

The Dayton Police said I was a victim of a random act of violence – although they had been going around the block looking for him since he had already stabbed 2 other men on the next street over. They drove right past me while I was getting my car ready and didn’t bother to tell me that it wasn’t safe, that I shouldn’t be outside. That since the weapon was used on multiple people I would spend years worrying and years getting tested for infectious diseases. Years that I should have been free.

Now – I dare someone to jump me – b/c I got a bullet for them. Period. Oh I also carry a 26′ baton. Steel. Nice.

The scars have healed physically, but my daughter will never be the same. I was never the same. We NEED protection and that’s what the Bill of Rights gives us – a way to protect ourselves.

I haven’t told strangers about this – and this is the first time I have ever blogged about it. But it’s time and it has been almost therapeutic.

Thanks for listening —- love one another!

Here’s a little peek of my Instagram pics! You can follow me at Followgram.me!

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I recently came back from Okeechobee, Florida.

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#1: It’s almost 10 am and I still have my jammies and eye mask on.
#2: I stayed up until midnight and am still sleepy
#3: It’s raining. I could snuggle in bed for the rest of the day
#4: I don’t want to do homework
#5: I am all alone – kids in school – Dad and hubs at work – no one would even know!

Do you ever have them days when you would rather load up some movies and stay in bed all day? How about on a Tuesday?

If that is so – then I am a lucky girl! Don’t get me wrong, there were a number of things that could have gotten us down, but with Dan by my side, I can weather any storm! Here is a year in review:

1. I lost my job after 12 years
2. I took a loss on my house just to get rid of it
3. Dan lost 2 of his biggest customers due to the economy
4. We lost 2 cats
5. We had no medical insurance and I had some heart problems and hospital stays
6. We couldn’t afford Sky’s piano lessons
7. We couldn’t afford a lot of things
8. I moved away from my home town and my friends and had to adjust (not fun, that one)
9. My mom took off and went to Florida and this was my first holiday season without her
10. My dad spent 6 months in the jailhouse (turned out to be the best thing for him!)

I think that if that is worst of it – I am a lucky girl! Yes, there have been months when it has been hard, but we made it through together, as a team and we are one heck of a team!

I’ve heard it said that the first year of marriage is the hardest – and I hope that is true because I think we’ve had a very successful year! Marrying Dan is the best decision I ever made and I cannot image my life without him. My girls were uprooted and sent to new schools but they love it here, and they love their step-dad. My father got out of the clink and came to live with us and is now employed, sober and happy. I moved my brother into Dad’s house and got him off of skid row. My oldest daughter and grand daughter have a nice home and a happy life.

Who could ask for anything more?

Love one another.

I am not being compensated for this review and I am not involved with Serta at all, but I have to share this!

We bought this mattress at Sam’s Club and it is the most wonderful thing I have ever slept on. It is firm when you first lay on it – but you can lay in any position and it forms to you and is super comfortable! Memory foam always makes you hot – but the 2″ of gel on top of this mattress is awesome!

I can’t say enough good things here!

It’s hard to believe that 2011 is almost over – it went by way too fast! This has been a year of changes, challenges and accomplishments for my whole household for sure! I am not going to make any resolutions this year but I will create my goals. I am not resolving myself to make major changes or commit to challenges that I will grow tired of and forget about, instead I am going to write down 5 goals I want to reach in 2012. I think maybe it will be a living list – if I reach one goal earlier than imagined, maybe I will add a new one! I’m going to have to think about this for a little longer, but tomorrow is the last day of the year so I don’t have much time! What are your 2012 goals?

2012 will launch with our new custom illustrations!

Here is a sneak peek!