FALIA REVIEWS

Falia's Fall Recipe: French Toast Ghosts

2013-10-28T10:59:00.002-04:00

FRENCH TOAST GHOSTS

French Toast isn't something I normally indulge in since it's such a sugar & carbohydrate combination-overload! That being said, I recently created this little recipe as a fun, sweet treat that seemed fitting for the current time of year. I personally made mine dairy-free (with soymilk in the batter), but feel free to use regular milk, rice milk, or almond milk.

1) Cut ghosts out of bread slices using ghost cookie cutters - You have to push really hard and might want to do it on a plate so you don't scratch your counter (Links to my ghost cookie cutters below!!)

Note: French Toast is normally made with thicker bread (such as Texas Toast), but I used thin bread (1/2" thick) from the grocery store bakery section since it was the only bread I found that had large enough slices for my copper Ghost Cookie Cutter! To help combat the sogginess that often occurs using thin bread, my batter recipe (below) uses less milk than many recipes. I think it came out perfect.

2) Mix batter very well (using a whisk!!) - 8 large eggs, 1 c. milk, 1 tsp. vanilla, and 4 tsp. cinnamon

3) Grease a non-stick pan with cooking spray and pre-heat over medium heat

4) Fully submerge a batch of ghosts into the batter - Let each one soak, but don't let them fall apart

5) Fry each ghost until golden brown on each side, flipping when necessary - My ghosts took approx. 3 minutes per side

6) Sprinkle each ghost with cinnamon & then dust with powdered sugar - Normally I'd avoid the extra sugar, since it's impossible for me to eat French Toast without Michigan Maple Syrup; however, in this case, I made an exception because the white just seemed to suit them...

7) Serve hot with maple syrup!

I don't know about you, but I think French Toast pairs perfectly with eggs and bacon.... and what goes better with Ghost-French Toast than Skull-Eggs & Crossbones-Bacon?

(Sako wanted some)

My Ghost Cookie Cutters (both Made in the USA):

* SMALL CUTTER (Tinplate Steel, 3 5/8" x 3 5/8") (fits small, normal 4x4 bread slices): http://www.americantraditioncookiecutters.com/3021_ghost_cookie_cutter_155.html

* LARGE CUTTER (Copper, 5 5/8" x 3 1/2") (requires very large bread slices): http://www.coppergifts.com/cookie-cutters/pc/Ghost-Cookie-Cutter-Spooky-p1476.htm

My Skull Egg-Mold:

"Funny Side Up" Skull Egg Shaper: http://www.perpetualkid.com/funny-side-up-skull-egg-shaper.aspx

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Common French Toast Mistakes: http://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/common-mistakes/article/the-7-most-common-french-toast-cooking-mistakes

SURVEYS (Please Share) - Concealed Carry Dresses

2013-09-02T14:57:00.003-04:00

Do you have time for a few quick surveys about clothing/dresses?

I'm currently helping a female clothing designer gather some research that will help her better understand the average female conceal-carry consumer (because she is currently designing dresses for concealed carry!)

How cool is that?! Would you like a concealed carry dress that looks like any of these?
If so, PLEASE FILL OUT THE SURVEYS by CLICKING on the 3 LINKS BELOW

PLEASE SHARE these 3 surveys with the gun-loving women that you know. :)

1) Understanding the consumer: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZMLFN2F

2) "Appeal of Dresses" Part 1: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LR8CL6R

3) "Appeal of Dresses" Part 2: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LSZ2VM8

Springfield Armory XD-S (9mm and .45) - SAFETY RECALL

2013-08-29T06:57:00.002-04:00

While S&W recently announced a "Safety Alert" which affected some of their more recent M&P Shield pistols, Springfield Armory has now released a much more dangerous "Safety Recall" on many of their 9mm AND .45acp XD-S pistols.

If you own an XD-S, STOP USING IT IMMEDIATELY!

According to Springfield, "some 3.3 XD-S™ 9mm and .45ACP caliber pistols could experience an unintended discharge during the loading process when the slide is released, or could experience a double-fire when the trigger is pulled once."

Please go here for more information:

http://www.springfieldrecall.com/

Smith & Wesson M&P SHIELD - SAFETY ALERT

2013-08-22T17:28:00.002-04:00

Smith & Wesson has just announced a SAFETY ALERT for their M&P SHIELD pistols. Although they believe that the more recently manufactured M&P Shields MAY be most likely affected, they are asking all M&P Shield owners to inspect their firearms to check for the following condition - The trigger bar pin MAY damage the lower trigger in certain Shields, causing the pistol to potentially discharge if dropped.

STOP using your Shield immediately and head to the following link on Smith & Wesson's website:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category4_750001_750051_791654_-1_757978_757978_image

They have given very clear instructions on how to inspect your M&P Shield to see if the alert applies to your gun.

Although my particular M&P Shield is NOT affected by this alert, it's extremely important to check your own M&P Shield and see whether or not it needs to be serviced.

VIDEO FROM SMITH & WESSON:

"M&P SHIELD Safety Alert and Inspection Prodedure"

INSPECTING YOUR PISTOL:

Your firearm must be inspected to determine whether it exhibits the condition identified in this notice. To determine whether your firearm is affected by this condition, please inspect your firearm as follows:

1. Follow the procedures in your Safety & Instruction Manual to ENSURE THE FIREARM IS UNLOADED; ENSURE THAT THE MUZZLE IS POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION; THE SLIDE IS LOCKED BACK; AND THE MANUAL SAFETY IS ENGAGED.

2. Hold your pistol sideways with the muzzle pointed to the left. Look at the trigger. Note that the trigger is actually two pieces, with a pin in the middle that connects the two halves (Figure 1).

3. Look at Figure 2. Without touching the trigger, identify the plastic tab circled in red in Figure 2.

4. Slowly pull the trigger. The plastic tab encircled in Figure 2 should disappear into the upper trigger section (Figure 3).

5. Slowly release the trigger. The tab should reappear as shown in Figure 2 completely on its own.

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 several times. If the small tab as shown in Figure 2 reappears each time, your pistol does not require repair.

7. If the small tab does not consistently reappear as shown in Figure 2, YOUR PISTOL MUST BE RETURNED FOR SERVICE.

If you are uncomfortable conducting the inspection outlined above, or are unsure whether the condition described in this notice applies to your firearm, please take your firearm to your local M&P Certified Armorer or send your firearm to Smith & Wesson for inspection. M&P Armorers can be found on the Smith & Wesson website under Find a Dealer.

If after inspection it is determined that the condition outlined in this safety alert exists, the firearm must be sent to Smith & Wesson for repair.

Garden Carrots: My Three Favorite Recipes (& Non-GMO Seeds)

2013-08-18T05:26:00.000-04:00

This was the first year in a few years that I was actually able to plant my own garden, so I went all out and planted to my heart's content - tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, beans, peas, lettuce, spinach, kale, zucchini, and CARROTS :)

Although several of my vegetables did fairly well, my carrots were one that grew exceptionally well with very minimal effort. I planted my carrot seeds directly into a raised outdoor garden bed on June 1st (with fairly loose soil), watered them daily for their first month, occasionally thinned them out, and then I pretty much left them alone until I decided to pull some up in mid-August.

I've personally always found carrots to be a pretty easy vegetable to grow since you don't need to start them months ahead of time: You can just plant their seeds directly into the ground a couple of weeks before your last frost (or as soon as the threat of frost is over). Carrots can take 2 to 3 1/2 months (depending on the variety and conditions), so if you're wanting an earlier crop, of course you can start your seeds indoors (or inside your greenhouse) and transplant them outside later. For starting vegetables ahead of time, I've personally used soil-block makers with much success - they're extremely easy to use and they make transplanting simply effortless.

If you're stocking up on plenty of non-GMO seeds for your survival stash (a very good idea!), carrot seeds are great ones to get. They are such a hearty, nutritious vegetable that can be prepared and used in a number of ways, and fresh carrots taste SO much better than frozen or canned (I personally do not like either).

You can always add carrots to your soup or stew, cook them in with your roast and potatoes, or just munch on them raw; however, if you don't normally like carrots, I'd like to share three of my favorite recipes with you. Even if you aren't a very big fan of carrots, I think you really might enjoy one of these variations. My first recipe is a quick, soft side-dish that can compliment any meal, my second recipe will give you a simple, crunchy snack that you can always keep on-hand in your fridge, and my third recipe is a unique, flavorful, & colorful crisp/tender side-dish.

Before any recipe, obviously you need to pick your carrots from the garden, take off the [highly nutritious] stems (save for your salad or green smoothie!), and then clean your carrots well. If you don't already have one, I think it's quite essential to have a nice vegetable brush to help you scrub.

Recipe 1: "SUNNY CARROTS"

I think the name suites them! They look like little circles of sunshine as they cook on the stovetop until soft enough to eat.

COMBINE the following in a small pot and COOK over medium heat until carrots are tender:

2 to 2 1/2 c. carrots (peeled and cut into circles)

1/2 c. water

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. sweet basil

1/8 tsp. dill weed

SERVE hot.

Recipe 2: "PICKLED REFRIGERATOR CARROTS"

I LOVE THESE!!

(no photos since I'm currently out of garlic. I'll post photos here the next time I make them)

* Fill a pint jar halfway with carrot slices or carrot chips

* Add onions if desired (I don't)

* Add HALF of the following ingredients:

1 tsp. dill weed (so.... add 1/2 tsp. for now)

1 Tbl. salt (so.... add 1 1/2 tsp. for now)

1/2 tsp. sugar (so.... add 1/4 tsp. for now)

1 large clove of garlic, sliced (so.... add 1/2 sliced garlic clove for now)

* Fill the rest of the jar with carrot slices or carrot chips

* Add the remaining half of the ingredients (1/2 tsp. dill weed, 1 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. sugar, and 1/2 sliced garlic clove)

* Boil 1/2 c. water and 1/2 c. distilled white vinegar together (your house will smell like vinegar!)

* Pour over carrots

* Put lid on jar. Shake. Let cool at room temperature. (Jar does not need to seal, but it may seal on it's own)

* Refrigerate at least 24 hours before serving

* Store in refrigerator. Will keep for several weeks refrigerated

NOTE: I normally DOUBLE the recipe and use a QUART jar. Doubling the recipe requires enough carrot slices to fill a quart jar, plus a total of : 2 tsp. dill weed, 2 Tbl. salt, 1 tsp. sugar, 2 large cloves of garlic (sliced), 1 c. water, and 1 c. vinegar. Since you split the ingredients, at the halfway point (and again at the end) you only add: 1 tsp. dill weed, 1 Tbl. salt, 1/2 tsp. sugar, and 1 large clove of sliced garlic.

Recipe 3: "CARROT PARSNIP STIR-FRY"

This recipe tastes amazing!

It does take a little time to julienne the carrots & parsnips, but its worth it... You can substitute rutabagas or turnips if parsnips aren't available.

(I will post photos the next time I make it)

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 pounds parsnips, peeled & julienned

1/4 c. butter

2 pounds carrots, julienned

2 Tbl. minced dried onion

DIRECTIONS:

In large skillet, sauté parsnips in butter for 3-4 minutes. Add carrots & onion; cook and stir until vegetables are crisp-tender, about 10-15 minutes. If you want to cook them longer, they are also very good quite well-cooked, almost browned.

NEED SOME HELP GROWING YOUR CARROTS?

Here are a couple links that may help you out:

http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/carrots-growing-guide

and

http://awaytogarden.com/how-to-grow-carrots-with-dr-john-navazio

LEARN MORE ABOUT NON-GMO SEEDS & WHERE TO PURCHASE THEM:

Excellent Non-GMO Seed Suppliers:

1) Seed Savers Exchange - SeedSavers.org
2) Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds - RareSeeds.com
3) Clear Creek Heirloom Seeds - ClearCreekSeeds.com

"How to Keep Monsanto Out of Your Garden" - http://www.smallfootprintfamily.com/where-to-buy-non-gmo-seeds

Sweet Gold Tomatoes

CROSSTAC Lightning Belts & BOLD Slings - Designed for Women!!

2013-08-09T22:36:00.001-04:00

Crosstac Belts & Slings: OD Green,
Neon Pink, Black, Turquoise, Purple

Crosstac is ahead of the game when it comes to creating innovative products based on what's missing from the tactical market - especially when it comes to the ladies who love their gear but want something a little brighter and more feminine. Everything Crosstac makes is 100% Made in the USA at their factory in Montana, and I love that they're creating gear that's fun, useful, and original in design. They also have some of the nicest customer service (and quickest email response times) that I've ever experienced in the firearms industry. They're really a great team of individuals, truly dedicated to helping their customers, so don't hesitate to contact them if you have any questions, concerns, or special requests.

I recently got ahold of a few of their newest products, the Lightning Belt and (matching) Ambi Sling BOLD, so I'm happy to share them with you and give you a closer look. If you didn't think that belts and slings could be both fashionable and tactical, think again. Both of these products were designed with women in mind, so they are offered in a wide range of colors and a slim 1 1/4" width.

CROSSTAC'S "LIGHTNING BELT"

Quick-Release COBRA Buckle

I absolutely love this belt, and it's my favorite new product from Crosstac. I think it will appeal to a great number of women, no matter what their personal style is. I tend to prefer their more casual, low-key colors that won't stand out quite as much, but if you like bright colors or a lot of flair, they've got many fun color combinations to choose from. The Lightning Belt also has some really cool features, and its 1.25" width is very comfortable for a woman to wear all day long.

After personally switching to a sturdy, 1.5" leather gun belt last year, I didn't think I'd ever go back to a 1.25" belt for concealed carry (since my previous 1.25" belt was pretty flimsy) - Surprisingly, this belt has made me change my mind (as long as I get a holster with 1.25" clips so it doesn't flop around). It was constructed with an internal "stiffener" between 2 layers of soft webbing, so the belt feels sturdy while still remaining flexible. It also features a genuine Austrian COBRA buckle, which is my favorite type of buckle because it's so attractive and quick & easy to use. This particular COBRA buckle is just slightly over 1.75" tall, so it goes easily through my belt loops (and it's very easy to temporarily remove the buckle from the webbing if you need to). You can select either black or silver for the buckle - The black COBRA buckle is offered on their Black and OD Green Lightning Belts (for a more tactical look), but I am really drawn to their custom Silver COBRA buckle because its so unique.

It features a hidden money slot
(inside near the back)

As if the Lightning Belt's slender width, flexible stiffener, cool colors, and custom buckle weren't enough, it also has a hidden money slot and a hidden knife pocket that was specifically made for the popular little SOG Micron Knife. Since the hidden money slot is on the inside of the belt, near your back, it won't be easy to access while the belt's on you, but that's why you still carry your wallet :) This is just an excellent way to carry some extra cash on you in case of an emergency.

The Lightning Belt sells for 64.99 and you also have the option of purchasing a SOG Micron from Crosstac, with your belt, for an additional 16.99. The SOG Micron is available in either silver or black, and the silver version has a standard blade, whereas the black version has a tanto blade. If you haven't seen the SOG Micron before, I think it's just adorable - It's only 1/8" thick, barely 5/8" wide, 1 7/8" long while folded, and 3 3/8" long overall. With a blade that's barely 1.5" long, it's definitely not a self-defense knife by any means; It's just a great little blade to have inside your belt in case you need it.

Another pocket (inside near the front)
can conceal a tiny SOG Micron Knife

* Solid Belt Colors: Purple, Turquoise, Neon Pink, OD Green, and Black

* Optional "Energy Arrow" Contrast Stitching (5.00 extra):

Green (on purple belts)
Black (on OD green belts)
Purple (on OD green belts)
Red (on turquoise or black belts), and
Storm Grey (on purple, turquoise, neon pink, or black belts)

To see all of their different Lightning Belt color combinations CLICK HERE!

Their Lightning Belt is offered from 26" to 56" lengths, and sizing instructions can be found on the same Crosstac page that has more information about the belt:

http://www.crosstac.com/product/lightning-belt

In my opinion, the hard part isn't deciding whether or not to get a Lightning Belt; it's deciding what color to get ... That's why I have two different colors (and am dreaming of a 3rd!): I've got the "Pink (solid color) with Custom Silver COBRA buckle" and also the "Black with Storm Grey Energy Arrows and Custom Silver COBRA buckle" (both of which I will be showing in a future YouTube video, so keep an eye out for that!!). I also LOVE the OD Green with Black Energy Arrows and Black COBRA buckle, so I hope to get that one someday too, although the last thing I probably need is another belt.

CROSSTAC'S "AMBI SLING BOLD"

The Crosstac Ambi Sling BOLD is available in:
Neon Pink (shown), Purple (shown), & Turquoise

Since this product was also designed for women, it's no surprise that it comes in the same vivid colors (purple, turquoise, and neon pink) that match their Lightning Belts. It is also made of the same 1 1/4" nylon webbing, so if you want a sling to perfectly match your Crosstac belt, they've made it super easy to color coordinate.

One of the great features of this sling is that it quickly converts from a 2-point sling to a single-point sling, and there are actually 2 different ways you can convert to single point.

If you want to use it as a 2-point sling, just connect the buckle end to the rear of your rifle and the bungee end to the front of your rifle. From there, when you unhook your sling's front HK Hook or QD Connector from your rifle and go to convert to single-point, there are 2 different places you can attach it (with the buckle in between).

For single-point:

1) If you attach the front connector (on the bungee part) to the D-ring (or female QD connector) that's on the side of the buckle closest to you, then when you release the buckle, the rifle will drop away while the sling stays on your body:

When connected like this, the rifle will drop away
(but the sling will stay on your body) when you release the buckle

2) If you attach it to the D-ring (or female QD connector) on the other side of the buckle, then when you release the buckle, the rifle and sling will both drop away from your body:

When connected like this, the rifle and sling will both drop away
when you release the buckle

Crosstac also did a nice video explanation on their product page: http://www.crosstac.com/product/ambi-sling-bold

The Crosstac Ambi Sling has a "limited bungee" feature which is really nice when you are using this as a 2-point sling. The bungee maxes out at 6-inches, and in a 2-point configuration, it gives you a little extra support and stability while shooting. This sling was actually designed to be worn over your left shoulder, with your right arm through the sling, and the bungee (in single-point) or strap (in 2-point) up near the left side of your neck. I found it fairly uncomfortable to have the bungee on my collarbone like that (since I mainly shoot using single-point), but when worn in my usual single-point manner (left arm through, sling over my right shoulder, bungee underneath my left arm), I found it to work a lot better for me personally. I just wanted to mention that because people do wear their slings differently, and also some people shoot mainly in single-point while others shoot mainly in 2-point. This sling is very versatile and ambidextrous, and it can be worn on either shoulder (although one way may feel more comfortable to you than the other). No matter which way you wear it, the buckle-end always snaps into (or hooks onto) the rear of your rifle, and the bungee part always connects either to the front of your rifle (for 2-point) or onto one of the sling's connection points next to the buckle (for single-point).

Crosstac Ambi Sling BOLD: Purple with QD Connectors

The overall construction of this sling feels very durable and well made, and there are a few different options you can choose between. For sizing, they offer "Regular" (upper body sizes S-XL) or "Long" (upper body size larger than XL). For attachments, they offer HK Hooks or QD Connectors (for an extra $10). If you choose HK Hooks, you get an HK Hook on each end. If you order QD Connectors, you get a QD Connector on each end. If you're like me, and need one of each, they are more than willing to help you out and make you the exact sling that you need. Just send them a message via their contact page! My particular rifle is set up with a Noveske QD End Plate on the rear of the rifle and a Magpul RSA Sling Mount on the top of my rail, so my rifle is set up for a sling with a QD connector on the rear and an HK Hook (or Magpul MS3 clip) on the front. Depending on the types of sling mounts you have on your rifle, you might choose the standard HK Hooks or QD Connectors, or you might need to ask them to make you a sling with a an HK Hook on one end and a QD on the other.

Crosstac does also offer several easy-to-install sling mounts, in case your rifle still needs a way to attach a sling (or you just want to change your setup). For connecting to the bayonet lug on your front sight post (and not using any space on your rail), they've created a unique Front Sight Picatinny Tri-Rail (with 2 HK Hook and 2 QD sling attachments) or a Front Sight Picatinny Rail (with 1 HK Hook attachment). For the rear of your rifle, they've also created a couple clamp-on mounts for your buffer tube (for either a QD or HK Hook sling attachment). If you don't have a bayonet lug, or you're just looking for a smaller, inexpensive QD sling mount for the front of your rifle, another option to check out is the Magpul RSA QD Sling Mount (which is the QD version of the RSA Mount I have on my AR-15).

Since I'm not a huge fan of either purple or turquoise (and pink was only a prototype when I started testing these slings), I've been trying out a neon green prototype on my AR-15. For informational purposes, I've take a photo of that sling to show what their "HK Hook version" looks like (but they don't offer that color for sale, and the stitching on it is a little different since it was only made for a color test):

TOP: Ambi Sling BOLD - Purple, with QD Connectors
BOTTOM: Prototype Neon Green, with HK Hooks
(Like the Neon Green? Let them know! They love feedback and maybe they'll offer it someday)

If you like the design of the "Ambi Sling BOLD," but you aren't a fan of their BOLD colors, you're in luck! They do offer the exact same sling in some non-bold versions as well (Black, OD Green, or Coyote Brown, with either HK Hooks or QD Connectors). Other than its bold colors, Crosstac's "Ambi Sling BOLD" is the same as their "Ambi Sling" and "Ambi Sling QD." If you are interested in this sling but aren't a fan of the bungee, then check out their "Ambi Sling Solid" instead.

Black Crosstac "Ambi Sling QD"

Overall, I prefer my Magpul MS3 QD sling because I like its original hardware, and I'm not a big fan of a bungee on my sling (since I mainly shoot using single-point). That being said, this is an exceptionally well-made sling, it works especially well for 2-point, and each shooter's style, technique, and preferences are all a little different, so it's nice that there are a lot of different options out there for slings. Since these Crosstac BOLD slings do also come in particularly fun colors for us women, I might still pick one up in neon pink at some point to match my neon pink Lightning Belt.

The Ambi Sling BOLD (or regular Ambi Sling) is 39.99 with HK Hooks and 49.99 with QD Connectors. For more information on their belts, slings, and other high quality products (all 100% Made in the USA), go to http://www.crosstac.com.

FINAL NOTE: Crosstac has generously provided a PURPLE Ambi Sling BOLD with QD Connectors and also a BLACK Ambi Sling (also with QD Connectors), BOTH TO GIVE AWAY TO 2 OF MY YOUTUBE VIEWERS OR FACEBOOK FRIENDS!! So a big thanks to Crosstac, and please stay tuned for my future YouTube video where I will be giving a closer look at Crosstac's LIGHTNING BELTS and also giving away both of these Crosstac AMBI SLINGS:

My Crosstac "Lightning Belt" Video:

CC Purses & Quick Look @ "Concealed Chic" CC Purses on Etsy

2013-07-30T08:41:00.001-04:00

Should you carry your gun in a purse?

That depends. Are you a responsible gun owner? Are you usually aware of who is nearby? Do you tend to go anywhere where you want to set down your purse for awhile?

If a woman makes the decision to put a loaded firearm into a purse or bag that can be easily removed from her body, set down, or stolen, it's extremely important for her to be aware of her surroundings and make sure that no one has access to her purse.

I can't answer those questions for anyone other than myself, but I usually find a way to make my outfit work with an IWB holster because on-body carry is so much more secure. That being said, purse carry is SO convenient for a woman (especially in the summer), that I do occasionally carry my firearm inside a purse when concealed carry is just way too much of a struggle with what I want to wear. If it's 90 degrees outside, I want to wear a fitted tank top and shorts, and I want to run to the store with something larger than a .380, the positives associated with purse carry make it a very appealing option.

Pros:

You can carry a purse with an outfit where no other CC option seems to work.
You aren't limited to a small gun (you can carry a full-size gun in a purse).
Multiple firearms will fit (which is nice if you bought a new gun and don't have a holster yet).
It's a method that allows you to carry a backup gun (if you are carrying on-body as well).

Cons:

Someone could steal your purse (and then they'd have your gun too).
You can't set your purse down anywhere or let anyone have access to it.

Now, I'm a responsible gun owner and I try to keep my head on a 360 degree swivel as much as possible. I know who is around me, I am always in control of my firearm no matter what carry method I choose for the day, and I know exactly where I'm going to be before I go there. I am ok with carrying my gun in a purse on occasion as long as I never set it down and I practice drawing from it frequently enough that I feel confident that I can draw from it quickly.

For anyone who decides to carry their gun in a purse, I highly recommend using an actual gun purse that has a secure, dedicated holster pocket with an attached internal holster (so your holster won't come out with your gun). Only your gun should go inside the holster pocket, and your gun should be inside a holster that protects your trigger from any sort of accidental discharge and also allows you to get a consistent grip every time you draw the gun. You don't want to just toss your gun into a purse filled with clutter (even if it's inside some type of holster that's loose in your purse) because if you need to draw it in an emergency, you'll probably grab it at some weird angle, pull it out with your holster still attached, or even worse, not be able to find it in your purse at all!

Although purse carry has never been my main method for concealed carry, my daily purse for the past several years has been a gun purse. If you're going to carry a purse anyway, why not have one with a dedicated holster and holster pocket (just in case purse carry is the only holster method you have that will work in a certain situation)?

Many of you are already familiar with my Raven Bag (GTM-099) from Gun Tote'n Mamas (shown in my previous Youtube video), which I LOVE and has been my daily purse for over 2 1/2 years... but I recently got a new gun purse that I'd like to share with you because I think it's just incredible. I will be doing a full video review on it later, giving a lot more details on the design and features, (video shown below!), but here I just want to give you a quick look in case you are currently in the market for a unique, high quality concealed carry purse that is a bit larger (and much more spacious) than the small Raven Bag I showed (and had been using) previously.

This fun, one-of-a-kind purse was handmade by Julie, of "Concealed Chic" on Etsy, and the quality and attention to detail are exceptional. Trust me when I say that this purse is quite possibly one of the most well thought-out concealed carry purses on the market. You probably wouldn't think that so much trial and error could go into something as simple as a purse that has a pocket for gun, but the small, special details that Julie has put into her design are so essential to the flawless use of this purse as a concealed carry method. The holster pocket is ambidextrous, with a zipper on each side, and drawing from the holster pocket (and the holster) feels smooth & natural. The wide straps make the purse feel very comfortable on your shoulder, and it's sturdy and doesn't sag, even with a heavy, full-sized gun. She includes two matching holsters of different sizes to choose from, and between the two, they will accommodate pretty much any sized gun (that's larger than a tiny .380). My Ruger LCR, Ruger SP101 w/ 3" barrel, M&P Shield, and M&P Compact 9mm all fit great in the smaller of the two holsters included.

All of her concealed carry purses have the exact same construction and pocket layout, but she uses a lot of different fabrics. Her fabric patterns range from fun & funky to more casual & classy, and the ones she has for sale tend to change as she sells one purse and makes another. Priced at $165, you get what you pay for. Many concealed carry purses are more expensive and don't have nearly the attention to detail. Concealed Carry Purses from Concealed Chic are extremely unique, durable, well-designed, hand-made in the USA, spacious enough for the lady who likes to carry a lot with her, and each purse takes Julie over 8 hours to make. I'll get into more of the purse specifics in my later video, but in the meantime, take a look at Concealed Chic if you've been looking for something more fun than the regular concealed carry bags on the market. If you find a pattern you like, I can guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ConcealedChic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Concealed-Chic/585789701443556

** ADDED LATER: Additional Design Info and Excellent Things to Consider (from Julie, owner & creator of Concealed Chic Purses):

"Falia, I noticed you had a couple comments about the article/purse on your site and wanted to answer some of the questions you and your reader(s) had or may have.

Regarding the cross body purse style...this particular purse design would not work well for a cross body strap due to the shape of the top bag band, but I know the cross body style is very popular and I have had several requests for a cross body purse design. My hope is that I will have a cross body design available early fall (September or October).

As for the cable reinforced strap...I know there are some CC purses with this feature and I did consider this early in my design, along with the locking zipper feature also available on many CC purses. I gave both of these features a lot of thought and consideration, including discussions and input from some law enforcement, firearms instructors and other women before making my decision. In the end I decided not to include these features and here's why.

A cable reinforced "slash resistant" strap at first thought seems like a good idea. It made me feel that I would somehow be "safer", but after some serious thought I now believe it could actually be more dangerous. If a thief is in close proximity and has a knife trying to slash your strap expecting it to release the purse as they take off running and it doesn't release, my thought is now I'm going to the ground and potentially in ground level brawl with someone that has a knife in their hand. No thank you! Now I don't want them to have my wallet or my gun either, but my preference is to not get hurt in this scenario. If you're lucky maybe the thief would feel defeated and just run off if the strap didn't release, but I'm not willing to take that chance myself. I don't know the statistics on how often "slash & grab" crimes actually occur and I'm sure it does happen. While thieves can be very stupid they also don't like to work very hard at their chosen profession and are likely to target ladies that are distracted and not holding on to their purse. I just try to be aware of my surroundings and tend to keep my hand on my purse strap whenever I can. Also I carry my purse on my left shoulder and if I am with someone else I always try to walk to their right, so my purse is between us and therefore less of a potential target.

I also think the locking zipper features give the user a false sense of security. Again at first thought I felt this would be safer, thinking then I could put my purse down if I lock my gun inside, right? Uh, no...still not a good idea! First of all little kids are very clever, they somehow seem to get into things you would never think possible. And the keys for these locking zippers are very simple universal keys...the same key unlocks every zipper out there. If I have my loaded gun in my purse I make sure I am in control of it at all times...lock or no lock. The other problem with these locks is the potential to lock the zipper(s) and realize you forgot to unlock it at a time you needed to access it in an emergency. Drawing from a purse already takes a little longer than a hip holster, you don't want to have to find your key first."

RE: Comment Below About Locking Zippers (email I received later from Julie, owner of Concealed Chic): "I saw the comment from "No Kidding" regarding the locking zipper, which is a scenario I also had not thought of. However, I wasn't sure about the legality of using a purse with a locking zipper in this scenario. I did some checking and asked my husband to post the question to police and lawyers via AR15 forum he is a monitor for. Sounds like the law and interpretation of the law may vary state to state, so a general statement that this is OK or not OK is really hard to make. I personally would recommend that any woman who chooses to use the locking zipper feature on a purse in this capacity educate themselves the best they can about the law and requirements for any state(s) they will be traveling. Even then we are still subject to how those laws are interpreted by a judge or jury, but hopefully we make better decisions for ourselves the more information we are "armed" with. I'll let you read the conversation from the forum (see link below) and decide if you want to add any additional comments to your website."

http://www.ar15armory.com/forums/topic/139558-question-for-the-police-and-lawyers-on-here/

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Thank you Julie!! I appreciate your husband posting this question to the forum and giving me the additional info to add to my post. I agree - It's extremely important to know your local laws! In a situation like this, I personally think that a lot of it may still depend on the particular cop you get pulled over by. Even if it is legal to lock your gun inside your purse, the cop may not know that, and you could still be hassled and dragged in. It may be legal and ok for your gun to be in a locked box underneath your backseat (or in your trunk if you have one), but a cop may not be ok with it in a locked purse. Even if it is legal, again, I do think you could still get hassled about it or end up in legal trouble (depending on the cop). Just my personal thoughts.

My Video Review:

Two Pieces of Advice & What I'd Carry

2013-07-20T01:54:00.001-04:00

2 questions I received via email:

1.) "With all your experiences so far, in terms of firearms, gear, and prepping, what is a little bit of knowledge or advice that you would give to someone?"

Here about two pieces of advice that I think are equally important....

First piece of advice: Try to stay as healthy as you can by eating right, building strength, and keeping fit.

Just a small amount of change and consistency in terms of diet, cardio, and strength training can go a long way in giving you a much better chance of survival in any sort of economic crisis, natural disaster, sickness outbreak, or societal collapse. If your immune system is strong, you'll be better able to resist infection & fight off illness, and an overall improvement in health & fitness can make you feel more alert and allow you to concentrate better, walk further, run faster, hike longer, carry more weight in your pack, and even maneuver your firearms better (and handle them for a longer duration of time). Sure, it's easier said than done to "lose weight and get fit", but it's extremely important for both you and your family (who needs you around as long as possible). The main thing is to come up with a plan (and a goal) and become determined & motivated enough to stick with it. I personally believe that staying healthy is the single, most important thing you can do to give yourself a fighting chance in this crazy world that's full of uncertainties. Some great changes you can make include: drink more water, eat less (more frequently) (as opposed to fewer, huge meals), use the stairs, park at the back of the lot so you walk further, eat more real food (nuts, fruits, whole grains, fish, etc.) and fewer packaged products containing sugar and white flour, stay away from artificial sweeteners (your body doesn't know what to do with things that are chemically altered), do pushups and sit-ups more often, quit drinking, quit smoking, exercise more, and eat more vegetables (especially greens). There has to be at least one vegetable you like, right? My personal favorites are broccoli, peas, beans, zucchini, carrots, red peppers, spinach, kale, lettuce and tomato, so that's what is growing in my garden right now. These photos are from a couple weeks ago. YUM. Good luck on your own goals & health plan. I still need to make some changes to mine as well.

Second piece of advice: In terms of preparing for disasters and times of crisis, START YESTERDAY.

In other words, hopefully you've already started stocking up on the essential items you use on a regular basis and don't think you can live without for very long. If you haven't, then start today, and get a little more prepared every single day hereafter. It's extremely important to be prepared for unexpected disasters - even if it's more likely that your unexpected disaster might be loss of income, vehicle trouble, or power outage as opposed to a zombie attack or earthquake. You just never know when the world might go lights out, with no communication. It doesn't take much for the Internet to be shut down or for our cellphones to turn into useless bricks. It also doesn't take much for everyone to panic and drain the fuel tanks at the gas station or empty the shelves at the supermarket. As shown with the current availability of ammunition, it really doesn't take much for the demand to overwhelm the supply and leave us with whatever we already have in our safe or our stockpile... When panic buying like that starts to happen, most people don't even realize what's happening until it's too late. You need to stay ahead of the storm and be ready for whatever might happen tomorrow.

Our survival depends on things such as food, water, shelter, and warmth, so it's important to have those things (or the ability to make those things) in case of an emergency. Our health & comfort are also dependent upon various personal hygiene and household items such as dental floss, soap, toilet paper, medical supplies, and laundry detergent. If you can, it's best to learn some simple skills that will help you to keep living comfortably even if you run out of supplies (such as making your own laundry detergent & soap or purifying water); but if you don't have the time or energy for that, you should at least stock up on enough necessities to hold you over for awhile in case something happens.

Stocking up on food and supplies can get a bit expensive (and overwhelming when you first make a list of what you need), but it's not too bad if you start small, just picking up a few extra things here and there. Fill up an extra can of gas next time you fuel up your vehicle. Every time you go to the store, throw in an extra item or two - a blanket, box of band-aids, tube of toothpaste, extra package of TP, pack of lighters, batteries, a bag of votive candles, a bundle of firewood, an axe, a few cans of food, or anything like that. Just a little at a time will add up to a great sense of security and peace of mind for you and your family over time.
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2.) "Also, what would you carry on you if you found yourself constrained to just one (or two) things?"

I'll have to sort of cheat on this, because to me, one or two things means whatever I can carry with me while still having my hands free to do whatever I need to do.

I would carry........ A BACKPACK - a lightweight backpack (aka: go-bag or bug-out-bag) that's full of small, useful gear. My pack would contain essential things to help me stay nourished, hydrated, warm, dry, comfortable, and clean.

In my backpack would be such things as:

cellphone, knife, spare M&P magazine (for the M&P9C in my waistband), flint/steel firestarter, 2 lighters, trick-light birthday candles, water purification tablets, water bottle, headlamp, my AAA flashlight and a few spare AAA batteries, small poncho, tiny home-made fishing kit & sewing kit (each inside a little film canister), unwaxed dental floss, wallet (containing cash, ID, passport card, & carry permit), prepaid calling card (yes, for a payphone), tiny USB flash drive (with important scanned documents, photos, & information on it), hand-crank radio, pair of nail clippers, tweezers, small mirror, toothbrush, small pack towel, small roll of duct tape, write-in-the rain notepad & pen, large black trash bag & small space blanket, pair of socks, small bottle of Campsuds liquid soap, mosquito headnet, titanium spork, esbit pocket stove & esbit fuel tablets, a folded piece of aluminum foil, my titanium Snow Peak Trek 700 mug, my Leatherman Juice S2, my Leatherman Style-CS mini keychain, some paracord, a box of contact lenses & tiny bottle of saline, pair of glasses, and a small medical kit (with basic essentials, including moleskin in case I'm on foot). I might also include my travel hammock (it doesn't take up much space & it's very lightweight, but it's the largest item in this list). For food I would probably toss in a jar of peanut butter, a few granola bars, a bunch of green tea packets, some Werther's Originals, and some oatmeal packets. Lastly, if I could handle just a little more weight in the pack, I'd toss in my 22 revolver and small box of 22 ammo.

For more ideas of what to put into a go-bag, check out my previous post: http://www.faliaphotography.com/2010/12/bug-out-bags-survival-kits-general-info.html

What would you carry with you if you were just constrained to one or two things?

Proper 3-Dot Sight Picture & Alignment for Handguns

2013-07-15T08:58:00.004-04:00

It's very important to have a proper sight picture & proper sight alignment before firing your handgun at your target. You should also train with all your firearms in both light and dark environments so you don't panic under stress in a situation you aren't ready for, such as shooting in the dark and suddenly being unable to find your sights.

This post applies to common 3-dot sights. There are a lot of other sight options out there that require different sight pictures, such as Heinie Straight Eight Sights, which have 2 dots, or XS Sights, which have a front dot and a V notch in the rear.

There are also different ways to position your sights onto your target (depending on what you prefer or whether or not your pistol sights can be adjusted), but this is the sight picture style I train with: by centering the top of my sights into the center of the target.

For target shooting, I focus my eyes on the front sight - This leaves my front sight clear and in-focus, while my rear sight becomes slightly blurred and out-of-focus. For fast, defensive shooting, I instead focus my eyes on the target - This leaves my target in-focus, while my sights are slightly out-of-focus (but the 3 dots are lined up on target).

While slow target shooting for accuracy, sometimes I will close one eye. For quick, defensive shooting, I always practice shooting with both eyes open.

Some people focus on their sights and target differently, but this is what works for me.

IN DAYLIGHT:

Line up the front sight post in the middle of the notch in the rear sight. Keep the top of the front sight post level with the top of the rear sight, while keeping an equal gap of daylight on each side of the front sight post.

IN DARKNESS, with NIGHT SIGHTS:

While shooting in the dark with night sights, you will not be able to see lights gaps on the sides of your front sight post very well, if at all. In this case, line up the glowing dots on your night sights so they are all level across the target before firing.

IN DARKNESS, with PISTOL LIGHT:

While shooting with a light attached to your pistol, you won't be able to see the dots on your sights well, so you have to get the same sight picture without the dots. Line up the front sight post in the middle of the notch in the rear sight (just like you would in daylight). Keep your sights level across the top, while keeping an equal gap of light on each side of the front sight post.

Night sights are extremely important for low light shooting and are a great investment. You should also have a light attached to your pistol (if possible) or have a hand held light for low light situations so you can identify your target.

Regardless of whether or not you have night sights or a pistol light, you should train and be able to shoot in low-light situations in case you ever have to.

Note - There are many options for handgun sights. Some will have a larger gap (on each side of the front sight when lined up with the rear sight), some will have a smaller gap, and some will have hardly any at all. Not all 3-dot sight alignments will look exactly like these photos.

All 3 of these images were taken out of my videos on the following videos on the SIG 1911 Extreme & the SIG 1911 Spartan:

My Thoughts & Tips on Training Pups - for Home, Defense, & The Great Outdoors

2013-07-09T12:15:00.001-04:00

If you've seen any of my Youtube videos or are a friend of mine on Facebook, you've probably already seen Tika & Sako at least once or twice. These little black lab sisters were 2 bouncy, sleepy little fur balls when I first got them at 7 weeks old, but they are quickly turning into the sweet, smart, protectors that I was hoping they would become. Yes, they were named after Finnish rifles (and rifle manufacturer) - But no surprise there, with my Scandinavian heritage and obvious passion for firearms. Now that they're 9 months old, I'm wishing I'd had a little more time to soak in more of their puppy cuteness... but I guess it's ok that they're growing up since I've sure had my work cut out for me with training them (and learning how to train them) when they were very young - especially since these are the first dogs I've ever had.

Now I think it's safe to say that many people who love firearms & the great outdoors also love dogs as well. I say this because dogs can be excellent companions, wonderful hunting partners, and perfect alarms for home defense! If an intruder is on the prowl outside your home, your dog's barking might scare them away OR at least give you a heads-up to have your firearm out & ready to protect & defend. One of my personal goals is to eventually bird hunt with Tika & Sako (yes, training for that starts when they're very young....), but I mainly got them because I wanted 2 guard dogs that could work together & keep a few extra eyes (and ears) out at home.

I get asked a lot of questions regarding how I've been training these girls to act so well behaved, so I'm writing this post to share some tips with you that have worked for me so far ... Mind you, I'm no expert, and I've had my share of puppy ups and downs. So if you are a dog professional, or you have some tips of your own, go ahead and share them below. I'm just here to give you a few of my own thoughts and basic learning experiences with raising Tika & Sako so far.

My first tip: Start training dogs when they are just young puppies - anytime after 7 weeks old, but as early as possible. Ever heard of the phrase "You can't teach an old dog new tricks?" It's much easier to teach behaviors and commands when a dog is young and learning everything for the first time, than it is to change the way a dog has already been behaving the same way for a long time.

Second, I recommend the book "Water Dog," by Richard Wolters - It's definitely an older book for training Labrador Retrievers, but it was recommended to me by someone who has had the best trained labs I've ever met. There is also a DVD version that's worth watching (It is based on Richard Wolter's book, and has similar, yet slightly different/updated information) - It is titled "Water Dog," by Charles Jurney. I have both versions, and I think it's nice to have both since the book gives more detailed training information for commands, but it's also helpful to actually see the visual training techniques shown in the DVD version. I don't use all of the training methods in this book or DVD, but I do use certain aspects, along with some other training tips I've read about and come up with on my own.

Third: Spend as much time as you can with your puppies during their first year - especially during their first 2-6 months of age. Play with them a lot, and also dedicate a lot of time to training (in short sessions, so they don't lose interest) and be prepared for a lot of repetition!

Fourth: Most command training really isn't very hard - Puppies want to please you, so just show them what you want them to do and then praise them for it! They will want to repeat the things that make you happy. Don't be too hard on puppies with punishment when they are young - Praise is so much better! Praise them a lot, every time they do something good. Praise them when they are being quiet and playing with their toys. Praise them whenever you show them the correct thing to do. Let them know whenever they are bad by saying no - and then show them what they should be doing instead.

Those are just some general tips, but here are some more specific questions I've been asked:

1) "How did you get them to stop chewing on everything?"

Puppies like to chew everything when they are little, so my girls learned the word "no" early on. I made sure to puppy-proof my upstairs by using baby gates and keeping everything out of puppy reach, but they still wanted to chew baseboards, carpet, each other, etc..... So every time they were chewing on something they weren't supposed to be, I would raise my voice and sternly say "no." Sometimes I would smack the floor in front of them to let them know I was mad, and then I would give them an appropriate toy to chew on instead (and praise them to let them know that chewing on the toy was a good thing). I definitely used praise more than punishment, but if they were ever really bad, I leashed them to a stationary object (towel bar or chair) and ignored them for a little while. It was hard, because puppies don't like being ignored (and it's hard to ignore your sweet little puppies!) - But once I let them free, they were usually quite apologetic and wanted to cuddle.

2) "How did you get them to not bite eachother?"

Puppies will also bite you (or each other) when their playing, until you teach them not to. They don't understand that their teeth are sharp, so when Tika & Sako would bite, I would say "no biting" and gently push their lip against their tooth so they could see that it causes pain. I would then give them a toy to chew on instead. In the same way, they also learned the word "easy," to keep them from biting my hand when I was giving them a treat or food.

3) "What are their favorite toys and treats?"

Starmark (not so) "Everlasting Treat Ball"

For dog toys, go ahead and call me an overprotective mother, but I'm really particular with what ones they get, and I don't leave toys in their kennel at night or whenever I'm not around... They don't get anything with parts they can chew off and they don't get any toys with fuzzy stuff they can pull off and eat. I also don't particularly like giving them anything that squeaks... They loved chewing on puppy nylabones when they were younger (which I stopped giving to them once they became more aggressive chewers)... and they still love Kong toys, orange "Chuckit!" Balls, and West Paw Zogoflex toys. Tika specifically loves the "West Paw Tux," and Sako & her both are obsessed with their Nylabone Puppy Teething Rings. I try to only buy toys that are basically indestructible and will last a long time... especially for Tika, who can be a very destructive chewer. I do want to add that the medium sized "Starmark Everlasting Fun Ball" was really not "everlasting" at ALL in Tika's case. She had it ripped apart in a matter of hours. So now I'm using the large size of that ball for playing fetch ONLY, and they do love it for that. Oh, they also have a favorite multicam toy that matches their multicam collars, but sadly the company that made it for me has discontinued all their dog toys. Such a bummer because I would have bought a 2nd one.

In terms of treats, I only give them items that are corn, soy and wheat-free. They love occasional peanut butter, hard-boiled eggs, and banana, orange or apple slices (don't give dogs the seeds!)... and for some reason Tika & Sako don't get tired of ice cubes. Ice cubes are one of their favorite things to crunch on, and they've been great for me as training rewards since they don't upset their stomachs at all. One viewer recommended frozen carrots to me as a great frozen treat for teething puppies (good idea!), and another idea I came across for teething puppies was to freeze wet washcloths for them to chew on. I thought that worked ok, but they thawed out a bit too quick for me. By the way, DON'T give your dogs grapes, avocado, chocolate, onions, garlic, nutmeg, raisins, prunes, macadamia nuts, or raw eggs! All bad.

4) "How did you potty train them to ring a bell on the doorknob to go outside?"

They actually picked that up really quick, and if I remember correctly, they were already learning to jump at the bell during the first week I had them. The main thing was paying them CONSTANT ATTENTION & watching them at all times & being able to catch them whenever they would squat or start to pee on the floor. I kept them in the kitchen at first, on tile floor, and I would run over & grab them in the middle of it, say "no," pick them up, and rush them to the door. I'd ask if they have to go out, then ring the bell & lift them up towards the bell, and then I'd take them outside to go to the bathroom. Sometimes they would finish going to the bathroom outside, but if they had already completely gone on the floor, the door/bell/outside routine still gave them the correct idea of where they were supposed to go next time. If I wasn't fast enough to catch them in the act, I would point to what they did on the floor and say "no." Then I still carried them to the door and repeated the same process: Ask if they had to go out, ring the bell, lift them up to the bell, and take them outside. It took a lot of daily repetition (and patience), but within a few days they were headed towards the door and attempting to jump at the bell.

Since I had two of them to potty train at the same time, it also helped me to write down what times they were each going #1 and #2 - Then I had an easier time keeping track of when they might have to go during the day. I've always fed them at the same time in the morning and the same time at night, so that also helps them go to the bathroom at roughly the same times each day (even though those times continually change as they are getting bigger).

The hardest part of potty training, in my opinion, was getting them to the point where they could stay in their kennels all night without having to go outside. I had to sleep in the living room next to their kennels for quite a while because they could only make it a few hours without going to the bathroom. And trust me - if they accidentally go to the bathroom in their kennel, it's bad for more reasons than one! Of course it's messy, but they can start learning bad habits - I also read that some dogs (disgustingly enough) might even have the tendency to hide what they've done by eating it (since they know it's bad), and that in itself would have several terrible consequences. By the way, "Simple Solution" is a potty training miracle for your carpets (otherwise your pups might have a tendency to keep going to the bathroom in the same spot on your floors). I've gone through quite a bit of Simple Solution and it works GREAT.

5) "How did you get them to come, sit, and lie down? Are you teaching them any other commands?"

Again, there are a lot of good training techniques and tips for basic commands in the "Water Dog" book listed above or various other Labrador Retriever training books. I personally did a lot of repetition, showing them what I wanted them to do when I said each command. I would also spend a lot of time on each command separately, and I would give them a piece of dog food (along with praise) whenever they did it right. For "sit" I'd say "sit" and then push their bottom down to the floor. Then I would say "good girl" and give them a piece of dog food. For "lie down," I did basically the same thing (over and over again). I'd say "lie down," while I pushed them all the way to the floor. Then I would say "good girl" and give them a piece of dog food. "Come" was also taught using a little piece of dog food - so they always wanted to come to me whenever I said it.. At first they might have actually thought "Come" meant "Food" - But after awhile I gradually switched to using a praise ("good girl") and a Starmark dog clicker instead of giving food (using both food & the clicker at the same time, and then eventually just the clicker). For other commands, so far they've learned "easy," "give," "drop it," "go get it," "stay," "up," "down," "kennel," and "heel" (among other various commands and miscellaneous words such as food, ball, deck.....). Also, while training them with verbal commands, I often used silent commands (hand signals) at the same time... so now, for instance, I can raise one finger and they'll sit... and if I make my hand flat, they'll lie down. They've also been trained to not eat out of their food dish until they have the go-ahead hand signal (even when they are side by side, and one gets the signal before the other). They are very good girls, and it's definitely best to teach them these things when they're young since they don't know any other way yet (only what we teach them).

6) "They look so healthy & have such shiny coats. What do you feed them?"

Everyone has their own opinion of what you should feed your dogs, so I'll answer this question, but I'd prefer not to get into a debate about what's best. There are benefits and risks to a "raw diet," as well as many different brands of dog food. I have personally chosen to feed Tika & Sako a dry Large Breed Puppy food that is Corn-Free, Soy-Free, and Wheat-Free. I've tried a few different brands, but the one they like right now is "Fromm Family." I also make sure they get a lot of water (including water added to their dry food) and occasionally give them apple (no seeds!), orange, or banana slices.... or chicken or hard-boiled egg (if I'm cooking either one).

7) "How are you training them to be guard dogs?"

I don't like listening to barking dogs (does anyone?) and I don't want my dogs to bark at the people who I tell them are ok, but I DO want them to be cautious of strangers and to bark if there is stranger-danger. I don't know about for most dogs, but it seems instinctual for Tika & Sako to want to protect their home territory. After so many months, I'm happy to say that Sako just started barking on her own whenever she heard something outside... and then Tika started following her lead. Of course I don't want them to bark at everything, so I have been teaching them "Quiet," by saying "Quiet" while firmly holding their muzzle closed with my hand, BUT when they are REALLY concerned about something they hear (or if the doorbell rings), boy do they go crazy! Their barks make them sound much bigger than they are, and I actually encourage them to bark by saying "Who is that?" and looking out the window (whenever someone comes to the door or pulls in the driveway).

8) "Have they gone shooting with you? How do they handle the sound of gunshots?"

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to take them shooting with me yet, and I'm unable to shoot at my house... So, just as shown in the photo above, I'm getting Tika & Sako used to guns at home, by shooting an awesomely accurate Daisy BB Gun that's probably 20 years old and still going strong. BB guns are super fun for VERY cheap target practice, plinking at home, and also getting your dogs a little more used to firearms. I also have a Walther CO2 pellet pistol as another option for getting them used to guns in the backyard, and cap guns OR airsoft guns are other good choices (as long as airsoft BBs aren't laying all around for your dogs to eat). I don't have an airsoft gun now, but I'd like to get one for some shooting practice in my living room - I used to shoot an airsoft gun in my living room years ago, and it worked great to tape a target to the front of a cardboard box so that all the little plastic airsoft BBs would get caught inside the box. It made for very easy cleanup and a lot of fun. Once I actually get them out shooting with me, I'm going to start by shooting suppressed firearms, to get them used to a little more noise - then 22 calibers - and finally I'll slowly let them get more comfortable with the sounds of higher calibers.

Hope you all found this interesting! If you have any training tips of your own, please leave them in the comments below.

SAKO

TIKA

Tika & Sako on YouTube:

* Meet Tika & Sako (My Black Lab Puppies!!) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_M30iyNN9Ys&feature=share&list=PL716AF4827CED5FD9

* My Black Lab Puppies (12 to 16 weeks old) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mGS3bEmsNA&feature=share&list=PL716AF4827CED5FD9

* Happy Easter! (from me & my girls) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kswxprzee70&feature=share&list=PL716AF4827CED5FD9

* Tika & Sako - More Puppy Footage - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vtcs-xVlcsY&list=PL716AF4827CED5FD9&index=15

* Tika & Sako - My Black Labs at 10 Months Old - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSaDgQ3MgRo&list=PL716AF4827CED5FD9&index=16

Happy Independence Day! (& WeaponStickers.com Giveaway)

2013-07-04T04:14:00.002-04:00

Today commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Thank you John Hancock, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and so many others for your perseverance and love for our country, and for fighting for our US Independence from British rule!

Even though I haven't seen it in probably 15 years, I used to watch the 1972 musical "1776" with my family every year on the 4th. Now that I'm older, instead I celebrate the 4th by remembering (our forefathers, signers of the Declaration of Independence, and those who fought in the Revolutionary War) and also just being thankful for the freedoms that we have because of the many individuals who have stood up for them. Our United States freedom did not come easily back in the 1700s - and we will continually be fighting to preserve many of the freedoms that we have today. Instead of lighting off the traditional fireworks or sparklers, I'd personally like to make my 4th a range day and fire off some shots to celebrate. How do you celebrate the 4th?

Speaking of freedom, firearms, and our forefathers, www.WeaponStickers.com, (my favorite sticker site!) is having an Independence Day Giveaway ~ Shop online on their site before Midnight on July 7th and get 4 free stickers added to your order! If you haven't been to their site before, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. And if you have been to their site before, now's a great time to make a return visit :) Happy 4th to you all!

http://www.weaponstickers.com

Why I Carry My Gun At Home

2013-06-30T20:47:00.001-04:00

I've often been asked the question "Why do you carry a gun (on your body) even when you're at home?" Well, this is why. Even though the odds may be very low that someone will break into your home, it can and does happen, just like it did to this poor woman, in a horrible attack caught on a nanny camera.

I carry my gun with me 95% of the time while I'm away from home, but a gun is on my body or within my reach 100% of the time while I'm at home - If someone breaks in, you've only got SECONDS to act. So if this ever happens to me, I want to be able to make the absolute most of those few seconds.

Sure, it's not that easy to carry a gun in your pajamas, but it's still possible if you want to. Some Remora Holsters, for example, don't have a clip, but they still stay in place quite well in your waistband if your elastic isn't super loose. The Betty Holster, from Looper Law Enforcement, is another IWB option that doesn't require a belt since the clip is super heavy duty. You could also try wearing something like a pair of UnderTech Concealed Carry Compression Shorts - either by themselves (if you're home alone with the curtains shut...) OR underneath your pj pants, skirt, or regular shorts. Or the Flashbang Bra Holster is yet another option that works well for some women.

One great thing about carrying at home is that you may not even need to keep your gun concealed IF your residence is private enough or you are careful enough to make sure that no-one can see in through your windows. (There are a lot of Peeping Toms out there!) Just thread on a belt with your favorite OWB (outside-the-waistband) holster and you're good to go! You could also wear a shoulder holster or something like a Smart Carry or Pistol Wear Holster (over top of your clothing) without worrying about having to put on a cover garment.

What if someone rings the doorbell while you're open carrying? You have several options to choose from - You could (1) not open your door at all, (2) remove your visible holster and go to the door unarmed, or (3) open the door with your firearm remaining visible. I don't personally like ANY of those options, so here's what I do: (4) I remove the visible holster but still take my gun with me to the door.

It's usually just the mailman or the UPS driver that rings my doorbell (so I answer the door 95% of the time someone is there!), but every single time I open my door, I make sure that my gun is either inside my waistband or right next to the door (but out of sight). I don't even let the mailman know that I'm armed since I'm very cautious about allowing anyone to see that my home contains any firearms what-so-ever.

Still don't want to carry at home, either open carry or concealed? I don't blame you - My residence is quite private, so I usually carry at home using an OWB holster. But even if I'm not carrying on-body, I still always have a gun within reach, even when I'm in the shower. I'd rather have my gun and never need it, than need it and not have it.

Since I don't have any kids yet (aside from Tika & Sako), one thing I did was strategically place several "gun coasters" (neoprene pot holders) around my home for easy little resting places for my daily pistol of choice (usually my M&P9c). They look nice and protect my guns from un-necessary wear, so my trusty M&P has no problem following me around the house. My pistol can easily keep me company no matter what room I'm in, even if I decide not to carry on-body.

Now even though these gun-coasters work great for me, I'm not saying that you should leave guns laying around your house - ESPECIALLY if you have children, you leave your doors unlocked, you leave your curtains open, you have visitors coming and going, etc. You need to be safe, smart, and secure in all ways that you handle and store your firearms. If you live on a ground level where it's possible for someone to see into your home OR if you leave your curtains open during the day or night, then you would not want to be open carrying or carelessly laying firearms around the house. Sure, if a potential intruder saw that you had a gun, it might keep them from breaking in... But more than likely, it could also do the opposite, by making your house a prime target for theft if someone wants to steal your guns. It could also allow someone who's casing your house to see that you're armed and know exactly where your guns are kept - and then they could plan around that information, potentially leading to a more violent or lethal attack.

If you are a licensed (& trained) concealed carry permit holder, of course it's important for you to carry your gun with you in public, with so many unfamiliar people around - But I do think it's especially important to keep your gun nearby when you are in your own home. You NEVER know when the unexpected might happen, and I especially want to protect the place most dear to me, where my family sleeps. I always keep my doors locked, and I don't leave my pistol unattended. If for some reason my nearest gun coaster is empty, seeing that is a great visual reminder that I accidentally left my pistol in another room so I need to go and retrieve it. If you ever hear a strange sound or think you saw something that makes you pause, don't second guess yourself. Always be on your guard and arm yourself. Don't assume that you didn't hear or see anything. Always trust your gut and stay alert.

Regardless of whether or not you personally decide to carry a gun with you in your own home, one thing is for certain. If someone breaks into my home like they did in this video, they're going to regret their decision.

"Falia Reviews" UPDATE!!

2013-06-28T22:13:00.001-04:00

I'm currently in the process of re-vamping this site. I will be posting on it much more frequently, and will be giving additional information here regarding items in my YouTube videos. I will also be reviewing gear not shown in videos, and posting tips, concealed carry info, and more. Please bookmark this site and keep checking back!!

SHOT Show 2012 - Looper "Pin-Up" Holsters & Gun Tote'n Mamas Gun Purses

2012-01-25T19:59:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone!

I just attended my first SHOT Show (Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade Show) at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada... It was alot of fun and alot of walking, but I'm finally home and I've got a bad case of the flu. Time for lots of rest of my part.

The Looper Law Enforcement and Gun Tote'n Mamas booths really caught my eye since they showed several new women's products coming out in 2012. Gun Tote'n Mamas carries a full line of Concealed Carry purses and Looper Law Enforcement offers the Flashbang Bra Holster & also a full PIN-UP Holster Collection. I already reviewed one Gun Tote'n Mamas purse on my YouTube channel (GTM-99 Raven Bag), and I will also be reviewing several holsters from Lisa Loopers Pin-Up Collection.

Lisa Looper, of Flashbang Holsters:

Gun Tote'n Mamas Gun Purses:

Painted sky ceiling in the Venetian Hotel:

A gun that caught my eye! The SIG 1911 Spartan:

Wishing You All a Very Merry Christmas!! (& My Tactical Stocking)

2011-12-25T15:36:00.001-05:00

Traveling from Florida to Pennsylvania & the 2011 NRA Convention

2011-05-01T22:32:00.004-04:00

I did run into some pretty crazy, windy, severe thunderstorm weather after heading north out of Florida, but I am thankful I missed the tornados and made it safely as far north as I have. My current location is near Cleveland, Ohio, and I spoke too soon in my last post regarding my van running so smoothly. I did get alot of miles in before a breakdown, but my van started overheating yesterday (Saturday), shortly after leaving Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.... So now my van has been towed and parked at a repair shop for a day and a half now, waiting for them to open Monday morning. Hopefully they can help me out... My coolant overflow tank located behind the license plate filled up to the top with coolant - for some reason it got forced out of the lines and won't suck back in or cycle thru. Perhaps a bad thermostat? Or maybe my fan isn't running? I REALLY hope it isn't a head gasket problem. Either way, AAA saved the day yet again. They towed me 70 miles and will reimburse me for lodging and food for upto 72 hours following the breakdown. So really, I'm feeling pretty blessed right now. I'm in a cozy hotel which AAA's "Trip Interruption Protection" service will pay for, and I've got a hot shower, a poofy white bed with 5 fluffy pillows, tv channels galore, a refrigerator, wifi, exercise room access, continental breakfast, a pool/hot-tub to use, and nowhere that I need to be! I'm not used to such luxurious living. lol. I am so completely relaxed right now.

After leaving Jacksonville Florida last week Thursday, I then spent a couple days on Amelia Island - there was alot of metal-detecting fun to be had there. I also did a bit of horseback riding on the beach at Amelia Island State Park, which was a lot of fun too, although my horse didn't particularly like to listen to my directions. Apparently I wasn't rough enough with the reins. Horseback riding is something I really haven't done that much of yet, but I sure would love to. Horses just make me feel good, although I will admit, I'm a bit intimidated by them. They are obviously just so much bigger than me. Anyhow, from Amelia Island I headed north up thru Georgia, and man did Georgia smell nice. I drove thru Georgia at night with the windows down, and every breath I took was just saturated with the thick scent of beautiful wildflowers. I was amazed at how fresh and floral the night-time air smelled there. Since it was dark, I couldn't see whether or not there were actually flowers everywhere, but I'm assuming that Georgia must just be speckled with them. I took very deep inhales and really appreciated the state's overwhelming scent of flowers. I spent the night at a rest area near Thomson, GA, and the next day headed north up through South Carolina, right along the Georgia border.

There were some really cool little towns along that western SC side, and alot of very scenic pull-offs along Hwy 81. The Calhoun Falls area is particularly memorable to me because I took the time to check out the Richard B. Russell Dam, went on a long hike thru Calhoun Falls State Park, and did a bit of swimming in a very warm portion of Russell Lake. It really was a great day that I spent checking out Calhoun Falls, and I had never even heard of that town until I drove thru it and pulled off the highway to check out some signs. My route north was from looking at an atlas and saying, "hmm, that way looks like it would be scenic and fun." :) I had absolutely zero cell phone reception all along that western edge of South Carolina, but that was ok. I had an atlas and a camera, and I had no one that I needed to call.

After South Carolina came North Carolina, where I just happened to be on an AMAZINGLY cool road. If you are ever in western North Carolina, take Hwy 28/64 from Highlands to Franklin, and then keep going all the way to Sylva on 23/441, right towards the Great Smokies. It was mountainous and beautiful throughout the Nantahala National Forest. I pulled off and hiked up "Sunset Rock" in Highlands, NC, and the view was breathtaking... and then I happened to drive by several big waterfalls, one of which I drove behind. It was so cool. It was getting dark upon my arrival into Sylva, NC, so I spent the night parked at Walmart, where I had my very first run-in with the cops. Like I ALWAYS do, I had called Walmart before parking there, just to verify that they DID in-fact allow overnight parking. And they said yes, I could park alongside the lot, so I really did not think I would be hasselled... I never have before, and I've parked in Walmart lots very very very many times. But for being woken up by alot of pounding and various flashlights being shined into all of my windows, the incident was actually pretty funny.... I was half asleep and naked, so I opened my small, screened slider window in a daze and said something like "I'm not dressed, could I just throw on some clothes really quick?" I threw on a shirt and shorts, opened the slider door, and all I could see were lights. I immediately said, "Walmart said I could park here overnight for one night, I'm just on my way back up to Michigan..." They asked me a couple questions like where I was coming from, what I did there, yadda yadda, and then of course they asked to see my drivers license. Half asleep, I grabbed my wallet and pulled out my Visa, which I've been so used to doing everywhere I go, and proceeded to hand it to him. He said "Mam, we don't accept Mastercard." It was hilarious! I can't believe the cop cracked a joke. I laughed and then actually gave him my license, and eventually he came back and told me that he just wanted to make sure I wasn't a wanted felon or whatever, and also to sleep well. :)

From there, my next few days were spent in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park... I got a backcountry camping permit to stay overnight in the park, and did a bit of driving, hiking, and exploring. The Great Smokies and their blue haze just takes my breath away every time I see them. It was extremely foggy on my first drive thru, from Cherokee NC to Gatlinburg TN, but on my 2nd drive back up into the park, the views were alot more scenic.

The van did surprisingly well up thru the mountains, back and forth, about 3 times or so. Sure, I only went about 25 mph, but there were alot of pull-offs to let people pass me, and I was then able to take a lot of photos.

At one point, I even pulled off and took a shower inside my van, using Smoky Mountain river water (mixed with heated river water from my butane stove), a solar shower, and an inflatable 4-foot kiddie pool. I hung up a towel on a tension curtain-rod between my two front seats for privacy, and got all cleaned up, right alongside the road. Refreshing!!

When finally heading out of the Smokies, it was extremely windy .... a tree blew over, blocking all traffic on 441 (the only main highway thru the Great Smoky Mountains), but luckily a guy had a chainsaw in the back of his truck, and also there were a lot of guys willing to get out of their vehicles to help carry the tree out of the road. After exiting the park, back on the North Carolina side, I decided to spend a little bit of time on the Blue Ridge Parkway, for some more scenic vistas. The only problems were, my van seemed to be going even slower, and I was in the middle of a huge black cloud. After turning on the radio, I learned that a tornado had been sighted somewhere nearby, wherever the radio station was located. It was raining and obviously just not the best parkway driving day, so I got off around Waynesville, headed thru Asheville, and drove over to Morganton, NC to swim a little bit at their aquatic center. I had been there once in the past and knew that I liked it there for a quick swim and a shower, so that is where I went. I then headed more east over to Winston/Salem, where then started north towards Virginia. Passing "Pilot Mountain" in North Carolina on the way up 52 sure was incredible to see. I didn't even know it existed, but it really looked like a huge castle in the sky.

Driving thru Virginia and West Virginia normally would have been quite beautiful... I'm sure because I've been there before and just loved them! But this time, there was nearly zero visibility. It was dark, windy, and raining so extremely hard that my windshield wipers couldn't even keep up. Absolutely terrible driving weather. Ended up finally stopping to sleep in a Walmart lot near Logan, Ohio.

Yesterday, before breaking down, I thankfully made it to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for the NRA 2011 Annual Meetings & Exhibits, and it was SO MUCH FUN. It was free for NRA members to enter the exhibit, and I spent the entire day checking out different booths, picking up free swag (gun keychains, pins, magazines, stickers, patches), and meeting some incredible individuals! I met and got my photo taken with: Mark Craighead & Trent (both of Crossbreed Holsters), Hickok45 & his son John (popular Youtubers), Julie Goloski Golob (incredible professional shooter), and Jim Scoutten (of Shooting USA). I also saw R. Lee Ermey (aka Gunny) at the Glock booth and Ted Nugent. :-)

Mark & Trent (of Crossbreed Holsters) are SO GREAT! Two of the nicest guys you could ever meet:

Julie Golob was also incredibly nice. One of the sweetest, and best shooting ladies out there!!

Have you heard of Hickok45 and his son (and camera man) John? If not, check them out on YouTube.

R. Lee Ermey - The line to get his autograph was endless. So I just took a photo.

So glad I made it to Pittsburgh before my breakdown. Now I just need to get my van fixed.

Sightseeing in Florida (in my VW Van)

2011-04-21T18:15:00.003-04:00

It doesn't feel like I just typed that last post yesterday morning. While traveling, it is almost like I'm not even part of the world anymore. Days blur together and I hardly think about anything other than my present moment at any given time. If only we never ever had to work. Life could be a permanent vacation. Someday I will figure out how to financially support permanent fun, but for now I will just enjoy my highly fulfilling and essential days of new experiences, until I need to go clean some more houses back up north. My busy summer cleaning tourist-season awaits me, come June - September.

After washing my load of laundry yesterday in Brandon, Florida, I believe it was, I spent several hours back at Lithia Springs Park, sunbathing next to a tiny toad who was cooling off down in the sand, floating on my back around the crystal clear spring, and snorkeling around with lots and lots of fish. It was so relaxing I could have stayed there forever. But, it is hard for me to stay in one place for long (unless I'm working), so I only swam until 2:00 and then headed northeast across the state, thru Orlando, and ended up in Daytona Beach. The last time I was in Daytona Beach it was because I was having van trouble and getting a AAA tow from Ormond Beach to New Smyrna Beach. It seems like I got towed right thru Daytona during the middle of bike week, or perhaps it was right as it was starting. On this Florida trip, however, I have had no van trouble what-so-ever. :-) Knock on wood! My van is finally giving me plenty of love back, after years of me pouring so much love into her. So this time, instead of being towed, I purposely headed to Daytona, popped a few dollars worth of quarters into a parking meter, and spent several hours metal detecting on the beach and just enjoying the cooler evening hours. I really like the feel of Daytona Beach - very laid back atmosphere, extremely soft sand, and a very nice, welcoming beach area. I ate some mahi-mahi, rice, and steamed broccoli at the Big Kahuna Bar & Grill off Atlantic Boulevard/A1A, and also took a ferris wheel ride to catch a spectacular night-time lit-up view of Daytona.

Sometimes I wonder if people realize that you can have an amazing trip without pouring money into hotel rooms, expensive paid parking lots, and super-duper dining reservations. My time spent at Daytona Beach was extremely relaxing and well worth every bit of pocket change that I put into that meter. I feel like I got a steal! Once it got dark around 9pm, I just hopped into my van and drove up to St. Augustine, Florida, where I spent the night at a Flying J truckstop, next to two other obvious travelers in their little RVs.

Today I'm in Jacksonville, Florida, and I'm pretty darn hot. Going to have to get a shower soon, probably tomorrow. The Lithia Springs campground had nice bathhouses, so that is where I showered last, early yesterday morning. Today I basically drove around Jacksonville and stopped at several thrift stores, trying to find myself a new article of clothing. I ended up with a pair of striped pants and a nice red, sleeveless top. I really didn't buy much today, but I definitely enjoyed browsing thru air-conditioned stores. And I also really enjoyed dinner at Qdoba - I love their naked taco salad and chicken quesadilla. I could probably eat there every single day.... and although I wore sunscreen throughout the week, I got quite a bit of a sunburn on the tops of my shoulders, so I've really tried to stay completely OUT of the sun today.

Florida Isn't Flat!! (more exploring with my VW)

2011-04-20T09:14:00.001-04:00

I really thought Florida was totally flat until Monday, when I first set foot in the Torreya State Park area (between Panama City and Tallahassee). Hiking along the nearby 3.75 mile "Garden of Eden Trail" was amazing - I really did not feel like I was in Florida. Across a sandhill, through a slope forest, across ravines, and through an upland mixed forest that resembled middle earth, with a cherry on top: a breathtaking scenic bluff overlooking the Apalachicola River. Want to work up a bit of a sweat and actually hike in the sunshine state? I highly recommend seeking out the "Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve."

Near the top of the overlook, a giant lizard lives inside the hole in the middle of this crazy tree. If I were a lizard, I would live in this tree, too - It had an amazing view of the river.

Covered in bug repellent and sweat, next was Torreya State Park itself, where I hiked some lower trails down near water-level of the Apalachicola River. Although only a few miles down the road, the trails were totally different. That area resembled more swamp and jungle. It was pretty darn cool. I felt like a jungle explorer. Big slimy looking algae bubbles were everywhere on the water... little schools of fish were hanging out along the bank, and there was a lot of buzzing, chirping, and tweeting to be heard in all directions.

And yet another trail in Torreya State Park led on to the Weeping Ridge waterfall - A beautiful spot with some incredibly amazing tree growth...

So to any of those like myself, who also believed Florida to be flat - See it with your own eyes at both the Garden of Eden Trail and Torreya State Park.

After a full day of hiking, I drove down to Chiefland, Florida, and spent the night at another beloved Walmart. They informed me that overnight parking was allowed near the Garden area. In the morning, made some tea and headed on down to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, at the recommendation of others :)

After a couple hour drive to the south, Tuesday was mostly spent enjoying the warm weather with a Weeki Wachee Springs riverboat ride and several mermaid shows! lol. I've never seen anything like it in my entire life, and I must say, I enjoyed it immensely. The mermaid shows were in an underwater theatre, and the mermaids were just incredible to me. To be able to do what they do, underwater, with the occasional use of air tubes to breathe... it blew my mind. Not to mention, it was incredibly beautiful and relaxing to watch.

I will definitely be going back to Weeki Wachee in the future, hopefully taking someone with me that has never been there before.

Gotta run! Laundry is done. I've been at a laundromat near Lithia Springs all morning. Gonna grab my laundry and head back to Lithia Spring Park, where I spent the night last night, to do some more snorkeling and fish chasing. Looks like another beautiful Florida day. So glad to be missing the snowstorm in the north right now!

Tennessee, Alabama, Shooting Guns, and Geocaching

2011-04-16T22:56:00.002-04:00

The title pretty much sums up my day today :)

Woke up in a sunny Walmart parking lot on a beautiful Fayetteville, Tennessee morning. Headed south into Alabama, found a geocache alongside the highway, and spent a gloriously fun two hours shooting guns at Larry's Pistol & Pawn near Huntsville, Alabama. Only ten bucks for range time. No cost to try different guns, just had to buy the ammo I wanted to shoot. I shot the Springfield EMP (1911 style 9mm) for the first time! I'd been wanting to shoot that gun forever - and let me tell you, you can sure tell it is a $1,000+ gun. It is amazingly accurate and a pure pleasure to shoot. I had a blast. Also shot a Ruger Mark III (semi-auto 22) and several Glocks (9mm & 40), although the Springfield EMP was the highlight of my day. lol. Then just spent the entire day driving south through Alabama on scenic highway 31S, enjoying the trees & greenery. Pretty much reminded me of Michigan, only warmer. Stopped several times to find some geocaches, and currently outside a McDonalds near Mobile, using their wifi inside the van. Going to head out now and find a place to park for the evening. It's been a long day of driving thru Alabama.

VW Road Trip Briefs - MI, IN, KY, TN

2011-04-15T22:53:00.002-04:00

On iPhone, tedious one finger typing... No wifi around. Will update better when on regular computer in a few days.

Yesterday - Took I-69 South out of MI. Drove thru Indianapolis, Indiana, then onto 65 South. Was snowing in MI when I left, but no snow in Indiana. Pretty purple flowering trees and warmer air already. Drove straight to the southern Indiana border. Slept at busy rest area near cop car. Very safe lot. Bad headache, fell asleep early at 10pm.

Today (Friday) - over Ohio river early, into Louisville Kentucky. I love the Ohio River. And I adore Kentucky.... So green, always makes me feel so good. Want to eventually spend a good month driving around Kentucky. To Mammoth Cave this morning. Arrived at 11am MI time but was actually 10am in Kentucky. Gained an hour, yay for Central time zone. Got cheap hot shower at Mammoth Cave National Park (2.00 shower token at camp store). Took "New Entrance" cave tour for twelve bucks. Very very cool. 280 step descent into the cave on an over one-million dollar staircase. At one point lights were turned out and I was in COMPLETE darkness for possibly the first time in my life. Can I live in the cave please? Lol. So peaceful. Beautiful rock formations. Perfect temperature. Although I did see lots of big creepy crawly critters. Sent a few postcards, then back on 65 South... Detoured myself east, for fun, over to Glasgow, then south, onto 31E/231. Soooooooo beautiful. Loved the area, very scenic.. Rolling lush green hills, twisty unique roads, rivers, lakes.. Thru Scottsville then on into Tennessee. LOVE Tennessee too. Kept heading south on 231 south, east of Nashville. Very cool town square area in Lebanon. Thunderstorm hit, so stopped in Murfreesboro and geocached a little in the rain. Got utterly soaked, but the rain was warm, and the air smelled good. Wet clothes are now hanging all over inside my van. Headed more south on 231, incredibly scenic between Shelbyville and Fayetteville (TN). I can't describe how much I love the rolling green hills and water in KY/TN. Spending the night in Tennessee and on thru Alabama in the morning :)

Found a geocache in every state gone thru so far - they are especially common at rest areas.

Going to heat up water now on my portable butane stove for tea and read a book by the light of my Petzl headlamp. Night night

Bug-Out-Bags & Survival Kits - General Info & Links

2010-12-12T21:29:00.033-05:00

As a female who is constantly trying to become more prepared, let me try and give you my personal take on survival kits & bug-out-bags. I will eventually do a post that tells the exact contents of what I keep in my own bug-out-bag, EDC bag, vehicle kit, and mini-survival tin, but not quite yet. I want to start off with some basic survival kit acronyms, considerations, and links to get you started thinking about your own kit.

When you do your own Internet searches on bug-out-bags & survival kits for the first time, you may start out a little confused & overwhelmed - and rightfully so. There are many lists of survival kit essentials and suggestions, along with many different terms for basically the same stuff:

BOB - Bug Out Bag, Bail Out Bag, Bug Out Box
GO Bag
GOOD Bag - "Get Out Of Dodge" Bag
72-hr Kit
Ditch Kit
PERK - Personal Emergency Relocation Kit
EDC - Every Day Carry
GHB - Get Home Bag
Mini Survival Kit, Survival Tin, Pocket Tin
Survival Kit
INCH Bag - "I'm Never Coming Home" Bag
BOV - Bug Out Vehicle
BOL - Bug Out Location
Vehicle Kit, Car Kit, Car BOB

So many different names, sizes, types, abbreviations, uses, and contents, and yet the concepts are all basically the same - To help aid in one's comfort and survival, should some sort of un-forseen emergency occur.

Being prepared, or having a survival mindset, can range from simply having some extra items on hand at home (blankets, batteries, ammo, soap, food) or having a small bag of emergency supplies in your trunk, to creating a full-blown "bug-out-bag" backpack-kit that you can grab and take with you at a moment's notice.

Everyone has differerent needs, different locations, different belongings, and different opinions, so everyone's survival kit is going to be different! There is no *PERFECT* bug-out-bag, although there are some essential survival categories that should be considered when making one, including: shelter, food/water, warmth (fire & clothing), light, first-aid, communication/signaling, personal protection, and navigation.

BOB, BOV, & BOL

Bug-Out "Bags, Vehicles, & Locations"

A "bug-out-bag" (BOB) is generally a bare-minimum, 3-day emergency bag. You put one together in order to make it from point A to point B (perhaps on-foot, in a worst case scenario) and survive for at least seventy-two hours. It is meant to go along with (complement) your seperate EDC items and your mini-survival-kit.

Why might you need to have a BOB in your home?
A number of reasons! - house fire, family emergency, natural disaster (flood, hurricane, earthquake), nuclear fallout, zombie invasion...

Why might you need to have an emergency kit in your vehicle?
What if - your vehicle runs out of gas out in the middle of nowhere where there is no cellphone reception, you're stranded in a blizzard and need to survive inside your vehicle for an indefinite amount of time, roads are blocked due to a natural disaster & you need to abandon your vehicle/head out on foot, your vehicle breaks down and you can't make it home, or you are just stuck in bottle-neck traffic for several hours due to an extreme accident.

Plan to have some sort of bug-out-bag/emergency kit with you NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE. This may mean having a 3-day BOB packed and ready-to-go inside your home, while ALSO having an emergency kit packed inside your vehicle. Having just one 72-hour ULTIMATE BOB that you take with you everywhere is probably not that feasible - it may be too big for EDC (every day carry), and if you do take it with you everywhere you go, you will probably want to leave it inside your vehicle at times, which may not be good in extreme heat OR extreme cold (depending on what's inside your bag). I left my complete BOB in my van all last summer and candles melted, batteries lost their charge, food quality was potentially diminished, etc. Same goes for the wintertime - Now that it is below freezing outside, I have taken everything out of my vehicle that may freeze or be negatively affected (water, stove fuel (butane/denatured alcohol), batteries, first-aid supplies). Instead, I keep those items in a smaller EDC bag that I grab every-time I head-out in my vehicle. Getting stranded somewhere up here in the winter is not only likely, but very possible. I have run out of gas and been stranded along-side the road in the middle of a blizzard before, so I have no doubt that it could happen again.

When making your own bug-out-bag & emergency kits, consider both your potential location when an emergency may strike and also where you physically plan to keep your kit. Perhaps play devil's advocate and try making up your own worst-case scenarios - They can help you to become better prepared and aid you in making a more realistic kit OR they can help to test how prepared you currently are.

Ask yourself a variety of questions:

* Where are you most of the time, and is your survival kit with you there?
If it isn't with you, why isn't it? Is it too bulky? Do you not want to leave certain items inside your cold or hot vehicle?

* Are you going to keep your BOB at home, in your vehicle, or both?
Perhaps you will decide to have several survival bags: a smaller EDC bag, a seperate vehicle kit, and an additional (bigger) BOB at home.

* Is your home BOB ready to grab & go? Or are there some items you plan to grab or throw in at the last minute? (handgun, cell-phone, more comfortable hiking boots, long underwear you want to actually put on before you head out, etc.) Have those items nearby or have them written down on a list that is next to your BOB.

* Where do you plan to bug-out to?
Will you be "bugging-in" (staying home OR trying to get home), because that is where your preps/supplies are? Or will you be heading to an alternate location (survival retreat, relative's house, etc.)? Even if you plan to use your home as your survival retreat (and don't plan to leave your home in an emergency situation), you should still consider keeping a packed BOB in your home that you can quickly grab to head to your BOV or an alternate BOL in case you must leave your home (nuclear fallout, natural disaster, etc).

* Is your family prepared to bug-out without you? Does your family have an agreed upon BOL and back-up BOL in case you are not with them when an emergency strikes? Does your family know how to use all their gear in case you become seperated?

* Most likely, you will be able to drive in a bug-out-scenario, but what if you aren't? Do you only have a plastic tote in your trunk, or do you have a backpack with you as well, so you can easily leave your vehicle and head out on-foot? Your vehicle may run out of gas, roads may be blocked, or, depending on the emergency, you may be staying off the roads for the sake of not being seen.

* What items would you really need to get you from point A to point B?

As for the general term "Survival Kit," I've often heard people use it to refer to their 72-hr "bug-out-bag," their smaller "vehicle kit" OR their tiny pocket-suvival-tin. Wikipedia considers a "Survival Kit" to be a more long-term kit, containing items & tools that can be used to provide for all of our basic needs: shelter against the elements, food/water, warmth, first-aid, signaling/communication device, etc. Personally, though, I cover all-those bases in my 72-hour bag, so I'm still not totally sure how (or if) it truly differs from a BOB

Also, instead of packing a 72-hour pack, some people instead pack an "INCH" Bag ("I'm Never Coming Home" bag) - In other words, some people decide to pack their BOB like they are never coming home, while others only pack their BOB with some simple essentials to get them back home, to their BOL, or to their BOV. Some people don't find it realistic to carry everything they need on their back, while others like to plan for those worst-case scenarios. It all comes down to a matter of preference.

My BOB personally falls more in the middle of a 72-hr pack and an INCH bag, and I tend to keep it indoors, wherever I spend the most time. On top of my BOB, I also have a vehicle kit in my trunk, an EDC pack that comes & goes from my vehicle with me (items that should not be exposed to extreme cold or heat), and a mini survival tin in my purse.

More of my own random thoughts on Bug-Out-Bag considerations:

* You might make a BOB and let it sit for MONTHS (or years!) without going thru it - Don't let that happen! Go through it every once in awhile - Check all of your supplies and re-evaluate what you need periodically, because situations may have changed (medications, summer vs. winter items, etc.). Be sure to rotate your food rations and check expiration dates on food & medical supplies. Pay attention to how you are storing your BOB (hot/cold location), and make sure none of your items have melted or frozen. Spare batteries might now be dead, candles may have melted, medical supplies may have frozen. Do your backup clothes still fit comfortably? If you've gained or lost weight since you packed your BOB, you don't want your emergency clothes to be uncomfortable on a potential 3-day trek on-foot.

* Do you know how to use all your gear (cookstove, water-filter, tent, etc.)? If you are another female, and your husband or boyfriend helped you to get your BOB together, make sure that you are personally familiar with everything in your kit, just in case he is not around when you need to bug-out. If your spouse/partner knows how to start a fire, use your new gear, or set-up camp using paracord & a tarp, BUT you don't, that is NO GOOD.

* Have you field tested all of your gear? Don't just buy survival items for your BOB and stick them in your bag without opening them or giving them a trial run. Is your sleep system warm enough? Really go out camping (in each season) and test your entire setup. Maybe you didn't realize that you need a sleeping pad between your body and the cold ground, or maybe you forgot about the possibility of a thunderstorm & your gear or sleeping bag gets soaked! Perhaps a field-test will remind you to consider items such as a goretex sleeping bag bivy, poncho, pack cover, or packable rainjacket. On your trial-run camping trip, maybe you will realize that you forgot something major, but small, such as a flashlight, lighter, paracord, extra pair of socks, or a knife. Maybe you even forgot your sleeping bag, because it is filled with goose-down & you don't want to leave it compressed inside your BOB. I actually had the unique opportunity to stay in a Yurt in the middle of the woods, in the middle of winter last year, for about 5 days. All I took with me was my BOB, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that I had everything I needed. :) It feels so good when you get it right.

* Really consider HOW your BOB is packed/organized. You don't want something poking you in the back when you walk, and you want certain items to be easily accessible (water, first aid kit, cellphone, knife). In the wintertime, I personally choose to keep my comfortable hiking boots and long-underwear OUTSIDE my pack, so I can quickly throw them on before I grab my bag and go. In a blizzard it makes more sense to stay indoors, but IF for some unknown reason I must bug-out into a blizzard (to hypothetically get to a relative's house that is 3 days away), and I'm going to be on-foot, where am I going to be able to stop and put on my long-undies? There might be people around (urban setting), and it would also be freezing cold outside - the least useful place for my long underwear at that point would be the bottom of my pack.

* Also consider the colors of your visible BOB items (pack, sleeping gear, tarp, pack cover, poncho, clothes) & how well they blend in for your area (rural natural location or busy downtown urban city location). You may or may not want to be seen, depending on the situation. I personally believe that most likely, if I have to bug-out, I will not want to be seen, so my BOB is planned around blending in & not standing out. Nothing in my BOB screams "Over Here! I'm a visible target!" I go for olive greens, browns, camo, and earth tones. As much as I like camo, though, I don't choose to have ALL camo stuff, because in a bug-out-situation, I'd rather appear to be a harmless "civilian backpacker" rather than potential military. Also, depending on the bug-out scenario, you MAY want someone to be able to find you, so you should plan accordingly. Perhaps have a bright red/orange bandana in your BOB (along with your camo one), and maybe throw in a bright pack cover or a brightly lit roll of electrical-type tape.

* Are you strong enough to physically carry your prepared pack on a 3-day trek? Take your BOB on a test hike! Make it a fun family outing. If your BOB is uncomfortably heavy, you'd be better off lightening your load than hauling more than you can handle. You may decide to substitute some lighter items and take out unnecessary items. You may even decide you need a different sized pack altogether, because your torso length makes that particular bag incredibly uncomfortable. To save on weight and space, really consider packing items with multiple uses, such as a bandana or a camo poncho (used as a raincoat, pack cover, tent, or sleeping bag bivy).

* When you pick the actual pack to carry all your items in, make sure it is the correct size for your torso length and comfortable enough for you to carry for a long distance. Also make sure the color of your BOB pack is pretty natural/neutral. I tried out the military Medium Alice pack ("All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment") for awhile, because it is a very inexpensive, commonly available, popular BOB choice, but it just does NOT work for my body size. I tried adjusting it in every possible manner and tried various amounts of weight inside the pack (I even had help!), but it was a no-go on the Alice Pack for me. Also consider the cubic-volume size capacity for your pack. Something like 1500 cu. will probably be too small for your BOB, and something like 4000 cu. is probably too much! 2500 cu. is a very common BOB size, but, again, needs vary from person to person. For my 72-hr winter BOB, I currently use a women's North Face Crestone 60 backpacking pack, which has a 60 liter capacity (or approx. 3650 cu.). It is very spacious and very comfortable. I bought it back several years ago when it came in a dark "crocodile" green color. I also bought a very lightweight, packable green "silicone rain cover" to go over it when it rains.

* What you put in your BOB really depends on where you live and what season it is. For example, In January, someone in Key West or Naples, Florida will consider some different BOB contents than someone living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Likewise, someone living in downtown Chicago will pack/prepare differently than someone who lives far out in the wilderness... Bag content considerations that vary by season & location may include: dust mask, eye protection, heavy duty gortex winter boots, comfortable hiking shoes, a high-caliber handgun for wild-animal protection, mosquito netting, sunblock, or sunglasses.

* There are many little decisions to make when choosing BOB items, depending on the weight of the pack you want to carry (& are able to), what gear you already own (& how much money you want to spend), and personal preference. There are many different options and variations of the following:

water and/or purification methods (canteen or Nalgene of actual water, water filter with ceramic element, Steripen UV purifier, iodine tablets, clorox bleach, eyedropper, & sealable baggie, pot, fuel, & lightweight stove for boiling water, etc.)

sleep setups (tent, tent footprint/rainfly, sleeping bag, poncho, tarp, goretex bivy, hammock, Thermarest inflatable sleeping pad, military closed-cell sleeping mat, space blanket, etc.)

food options (fishing/hunting gear, MREs, Mainstay Emergency Food Ration Bars, Datrex food bars, snack items, a portable stove with fuel and food items that can be cooked, etc.)

staying dry (spare clothes, raincoat, pack cover, poncho, tarp, etc.)

fire-starting (waterproof matches, lighter, fresnal lens, flint & steel, Ultimate Survival Technologies "Sparkie" or "Wetfire tinder," cotton balls rubbed with vaseline & stored in a film canister, votive candle, birthday candles, heavy-duty foil for windscreen, etc.)

cutting wood for shelter or fire (hatchet, folding saw, wire-saw, machete, etc.)

* There are so many items to consider, and every person will be different on what they want! For instance, you could easily get by without a portable backpacking stove or a home-made alcohol stove if you only pack Mainstay Emergency Food Bars, BUT I've got a compact backpacking cookset, I prefer to boil water as my water purification method, snow could easily be melted for drinking water in the winter-time, and I would personally find a cup of green tea to be quite calming and warming in a cold, stressful, bug-out situation. So for me, a little penny alcohol stove (and homemade coat-hanger pot stand) is part of my BOB. Someone else may just choose to have basic fire-starting tools. To each his own! There is much to consider. :-)

* Very basic BOB content ideas to consider and get you started!! --

Backpack that blends in with nature
fixed blade knife
smaller folding-blade knife
spork
multi-tool
flashlight (crank, shake, led flashlight or headlamp with spare batteries)
crank radio
100' of 550 paracord
sleep setup (not bright colors)
food, MREs, snacks, or Mainstay/Datrex Food-Ration bars
water & way to purify more
complete medical kit (I will be doing an ENTIRE post about this)
vitamins
IOSAT - potassium iodide
backup clothes, socks, shoes
hat, gloves
fire-starting supplies
compass
rag or washcloth
packtowel
small bottle of campsuds
money ($100 per day, in small bills)
ID, passport
USB flashdrive that contains scans of important documents & family photos
bandana
whistle
rain-gear
cookset, stove, fuel, pot-scrubbie
binoculars
gun, ammo, gun-cleaning supplies (bore-snake & small bottle of cleaner/lube)
paper & pen (Rite-in-the-Rain all-weather pen & paper)
space blanket
folding saw or axe
barter items
mini sewing kit (dental floss, needles, safety pins)
folding shovel
toilet paper
ETC.

POCKET SURVIVAL TINS & MINI SURVIVAL KITS

"Survival Tins," "Mini Survival Kits," and "Pocket Survival Tins" are intended for the EDC (every day carry) of small, useful survival items that are the hardest to improvise in an emergency, but are crucial to your survival. They are often made with Altoids containers or film canisters, they can be carried in a purse, glovebox, or pocket, and they can contain a wide VARIETY of items. Although very small, they can contain any of the following useful items that help with:

fire-starting (warmth, light, & signaling) - waterproof matches, lighter, fresnal lens, heavy-duty foil for windscreen, birthday candle, etc.

obtaining food & purifying water - fish hooks, lead balls, & fishing line (or dental floss), snare wire, water-purification/Iodine tablets, Clorox-bleach in a sealed straw, small sealable container for holding water (such as a "breast milk bag" or a tiny ziplock), bullion, tea bag, piece of hard candy/glucose tablet, etc.

first aid - bandaid/butterfly-closure, alcohol prep pad, antiseptic packet, sewing needle, Ibuprofen in a sealed straw (melt ends shut with lighter), etc.

navigation - mini button-compass

shelter - mini wire saw (for cutting)

other - whistle, mirror, small flashlight, knife, tweezers, safety pin, duct-tape, information card (perhaps with fishing knot info), etc.

More info on mini survival tins:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini_survival_kits

http://www.equipped.com/prsnlkit.htm

http://www.donrearic.com/survivalkit.html

VERY HELPFUL Bug-Out-Bag LINKS:

WIKI "Bug-Out-Bag" - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bug-out_bag
WIKI "Survival Kit" - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survival_kit

BOB Item List: http://civiliandefenseforce.com/bugoutbagitemlist.html
NeilStrauss.com BOB contents: http://www.neilstrauss.com/fliesian/bugout.html
Rural Revolution BOB list: http://www.rural-revolution.com/2010/12/bug-out-bags.html
The Big List: http://www.survival-center.com/dl-list/dl1-toc.htm
Photos of Your BOB: http://thesurvivalpodcast.com/forum/index.php?topic=1508.0
The Bug-Out-Bag PDF: http://tomsebooks.com/BugoutBag.pdf
2012 Supplies BOB List: http://www.2012supplies.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=1788

TheBugOutGuy.com List: http://www.thebugoutguy.com/bugoutbagAM.htm
Economic Collapse Survival 72-hr kit: http://www.economiccollapsesurvival.com/bug-out-bag/
Survival News Online BOB info: http://www.survivalnewsonline.com/2010/03/16/survival-plan-2-bugout-bag/

TheSurvivalMom.com:
72-Hr Kit - http://thesurvivalmom.com/2010/03/28/dont-leave-home-without-it-the-vehicle-72-hour-kit/

SecurityWhip.com BOB info: http://www.securitywhip.com/2010/08/06/bug-out-bag/

DefensiveCarry "What's in your BOB?": http://www.defensivecarry.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?115192-What-s-in-your-Bug-Out-Bag

One guy's vehicle kit/get home bag- http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=12849
One guy's INCH bag: http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread452126/pg1

Backpacking/Hiking survival essentials: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Essentials

Survival Checklist: http://www.survivalgearsource.com/SurvivalInformation/SurvivalChecklist/tabid/115/Default.aspx

ZombieSquad BOB info: http://zombiehunters.org/zss/?p=15
ZombieSquad BOB additional info: http://zombiehunters.org/wiki/index.php/BOB
ZombieSquad "Preparing Your BOB" PDF: http://zombiehunters.org/flyer/ZS-bob-trifold.pdf

Recommended BOB list: http://www.survivalistssite.com/~canuck/downloads/bob_list.pdf

INCH bags: http://www.warriortalk.com/showthread.php?58399-I.N.C.H.-Kits-(I-m.Never.Coming.Home.)...whats-in-yours-or-what-would-be-in-yours

GO Bag ideas: http://www.tennesseepreppersnetwork.com/2009/09/guest-post-good-bag-how-to-ideas.html

72-hr kit ideas: http://www.tennesseepreppersnetwork.com/2009/01/baby-steps-72-hour-kit.html

Family Survival Blog BOB essentials: http://familysurvivalblog.com/bug-out-bags/
Prepper e-book: http://www.prepperbook.com/
SurvivalCache.com (7 Types of Gear to have in your BOB): http://survivalcache.com/bug-out-bag/

The Art of the BOB: http://www.survival-spot.com/survival-blog/the-art-of-the-bug-out-bag/
Survival Gear & BOBs: http://offgridsurvival.com/survival-gear-bugoutbags/

knol Bugging Out! : http://knol.google.com/k/bug-out-bag-bob#

GearPatrol.com Ultimate Survival Kit: http://gearpatrol.com/blog/2009/05/04/bug-out-bag-aka-ultimate-survival-kit/2/

Bug-Out-Bag Quest Blog: http://bugoutbagquest.blogspot.com/:
One Man's Bug-Out Bag: http://bugoutbagquest.blogspot.com/2010/12/one-mans-bug-out-bag.html

Crusader BOB Contents: http://gundoctor.wordpress.com/personal-preparedness/bug-out-gag-contents/

Several BOB lists: http://civiliandefenseforce.com/training.html

Build Your Own BOB PDF: http://web.comporium.net/~klj2324/BOB-SurvivalKit.pdf

Ezine BOB Checklist: http://ezinearticles.com/?Bug-Out-Bag-Checklist---Make-Sure-You-Have-All-the-Bug-Out-Bag-Essentials!&id=4023102

Survival Magazine Ultimate BOB List: http://survivormagazine.blogspot.com/2008/01/ultimate-bob-bug-out-bag.html

34 BOB Essentials: http://frugaldad.com/2010/02/10/bug-out-bag-essentials/
Fundamentals of a BOB: http://hideawayoutdoors.com/archives/195

thesurvivalistblog.net:
BOB gun selection: http://www.thesurvivalistblog.net/survival-guns/selecting-guns-for-bug-out-bag/
BOB item list: http://www.thesurvivalistblog.net/uncategorized/bug-out-bag/
Home Survival Kit: http://www.thesurvivalistblog.net/uncategorized/basic-survival-gear/
101 Barter Items: http://www.thesurvivalistblog.net/uncategorized/list-101barter-items/
Thoughts on BOBs & supplies: http://www.thesurvivalistblog.net/this-n-that/guest-post-thoughts-on-bug-out-bags-and/

BugOutSurvival.com:
Bug-Out Locations: http://www.bugoutsurvival.com/2009/12/bol-bug-out-location.html

BOB Checklist: http://www.bugoutsurvival.com/2008/08/sample-bug-out-bag-checklist.html

Q&A about Guns and Concealed Carry for Women

2010-09-21T20:37:00.010-04:00

Jeanette over at www.gunholsters.com/blog asked me if I would participate in a quick Q&A "Interview," on her site, so I said absolutely!

You clean houses for a living. Do you carry on the job?

Sometimes - It depends on the season (summer or winter), and also whether or not I will be cleaning the house alone or not. If someone is home while I'm cleaning, I usually lock my gun in my vehicle since I don't want to advertise to my clients that I carry a gun, and it really becomes much more visible when I am crouching and bending alot. If I know I will be cleaning at a house alone, I do tend to wear my IWB holster. I also carry more while cleaning in the winter, since in the summer I wear shorts alot, and I haven't figured out a good shorts method of carry yet. It gets HOT cleaning in the summer, especially if people don't have air conditioning in their home. I would REALLY like to carry more in the summer months, so I'm soon going to try out a few different options.

How did you become interested in firearms and holsters?

I guess I first became interested in firearms because some of my guy friends were really into guns, and they made me kind of curious. I didn't know ANYTHING about guns at first. I didn't know that a 12 gauge was a shotgun, I didn't know the difference between slugs or buckshot, or even what different size calibers there were for handguns... I remember when I first got online and starting researching the basics... I googled the difference between types of ammo (wadcutters, full-metal jacket, jacketed hollow points, etc) and also the actual definition of a handgun, pistol, revolver, and semi-automatic! I had no clue. The more I started learning, the more my curiosity turned into a feeling of necessity, like I needed to learn about guns & how to shoot in case of an emergency! I felt ignorant about guns and instead wanted to be an informed American citizen who could responsibly exercise her 2nd Ammendment right to keep and bear firearms. After I had learned a lot (from online research and also my male friends), I felt such an urgency to take a CCW training course and get my concealed carry weapon permit (while it was still legal to do so), because that right could get taken away from us at any time. Then after getting my CPL, I realized that there wasn't much info online for women, helping with concealed carry options & such, so that is what has compelled me to now share what I've learned (about guns that I prefer and different holsters) with other women! More men carry guns than women, but I believe that women are the ones who need to carry the most...

Why do you think women are afraid of guns?

Well, probably because they don't know much about them and aren't familiar with them. Guns can be extremely loud. The recoil can be shocking if you aren't prepared for it. Many guys pressure their wives/girlfriends to shoot, and then shooting seems more scary & forced instead of being a desire to learn to shoot. Guns are powerful weapons that can kill people, and that can be something to fear! The thing is, guns don't kill people. People kill people. Saying that guns kill people is like saying that matches commit arson. A gun is a tool that can be used to harm, but it is also a tool that can be used to protect. Once a woman is taught the proper way to handle a gun and check to see if it is unloaded, I think she loses alot of the fear that she had previously. With knowledge of gun use, my fear turned more into a respect for the gun. (the fundamental National Rife Association rules for safe gun handling: Always point the gun pointed in safe direction, Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot, and Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use) Also, even if a woman isn't necessarily AFRAID of guns, I just don't think women are naturally interested in guns because guns tend to be more a "guy thing." Not many girls round up their girl friends and say, hey, lets go out shooting! Even when I get together with my girl friends, we tend to go shopping or pamper ourselves with foot soaks and facial masks. I think if a woman doesn't have a male friend who is interested in guns, it can be hard for her to get interested in guns on her own. It sure does help to have someone who can teach you about firearms and let you shoot some of their guns to start out. Hopefully more women start to recognize that guns are not something to fear, and a higher rate of gun ownership leads to a safer society. A quote comes to mind by Robert Heinlein - "An armed society is a polite society." If you are a beginner shooter, however, just remember to start out with a small caliber (22) and work your way up from there as you get more comfortable and want to practice with more power. You don't want to start out with a caliber that might be too powerful for you (45), because that might cause you to develop a bad flinching habit.

Why is concealed carry important to you?

Concealed carry is important to me because I value my life and the lives of others. I want to be able to defend myself, my friends, my family, and even strangers, if I ever need to. Hopefully I will never have to use my gun, but I would rather carry it and never need it, than need it and not have it. This question reminds me of something I just read in my American Rifleman magazine - "When seconds count, the police are only minutes away." I do not want to put my life in the hands of police. I want to always be ready and prepared for the worst, and I want others to be prepared too.

What is your ideal carry outfit?

As of today: Teva Mush flip flops, comfy American Eagle jeans, black leather belt, IWB Crossbreed Supertuck holster, a tanktop, and a zip-up hoodie over top. I am all about comfort and relaxation. :-)

What do you have to say to those who have commented on your videos, objectifying you rather than seeing your videos as informative?

You know, it really does get extremely tiring and frustrating for me. There really are alot of perverts out there who comment, along with the many sexist men who don't even believe that women should carry guns. I've gotten some EXTREMELY vulgar comments and it makes me sick, sad, and angry, all at the same time! The main reason I have started making gun-related videos is to help other women who want to conceal carry, but struggle with similar wardrobe problems, so that they feel more comfortable in their ability to carry their firearm with them. Believe me, if I could make some of my videos available to only women, I would! It sure would save me a lot of headache. That is just not feasible, however, and I feel that this is a topic that the Internet (and society) is lacking in regards to providing helpful female information. Women's clothes, for the most part, are completely dysfunctional/impractical when it comes to concealing a gun. Our clothes are cute, yes, but our pockets are all extremely tiny! Flattering pants are fitted, leaving not much room to hide a gun, and often our pants are lacking belt-loops. Skinny jeans are back in style, dresses & skirts pose a challenge, and what about in the summer? Many girls like shorts & tanktops and don't want to look frumpy and out-of-place, especially for the sole purpose of carrying a gun that will probably (hopefully) never get used. Obviously men are going to find my videos on Youtube, and many of them will gawk, stare, hit replay, or make lewd and sexist remarks. As much as I would love to whack those guys over the head with a frying pan to knock some sense into them, I will just continue to bite my tongue and hit "delete." As hard as they can be to ignore, I know it's not even worth it to give them my time of day. The 2nd ammendment applies to BOTH men and women, and it is important to recognize that there are alot of challenges that us women face in the world of concealed carry. Thankfully, I do get enough positive feedback (from both men and women) that I know my videos are helping some other people out there, and that is what makes it worthwhile for me to leave them up on Youtube. Maybe if more women started posting concealed-carry videos, then more men would accept the fact that women and guns do mix.

Concealed Carry Holsters & Outfits for Women

2010-09-17T17:41:00.008-04:00

I just spent a couple days straight sitting in front of my computer (and borrowing a mirror) so I could finally upload a new video to YouTube. Woo-hoo! My eyes are fried, my butt is sore from sitting, and I could use some fresh air, but it was well worth it. I'd been meaning to do that for 6 months.... In addition to making a new video, I have also re-done my other holster video. If you watched it the first time, please check it out again, as it has changed a bit. It is now 3 minutes longer.

Concealed Carry Holsters & Outfits for Women:

Crossbreed Supertuck IWB Holster Video:

MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) Basic Rider Course - I Passed!!

2010-08-10T00:29:00.012-04:00

I passed!!! Not with flying colors, but I passed none-the-less. I now have my motorcycle endorsement and am legal to ride, on the road, by myself. You can bet I am just ITCHING to buy a motorcycle and am keeping my eye out on Craigslist... I really want a bike, but I still need lots and lots and lots of practice. I mean, really, how good can I be after only 8 hours of riding?

I will try to share a little bit about the MSF Course I took this past weekend, but I am having trouble typing b/c I am wearing a brace on my right wrist. I sprained it today helping someone move a heavy hide-a-bed couch. THANKFULLY it happened the day after my riding test. I doubt I could have passed the course with a sprained wrist. I barely passed as it was, simply b/c I have performance issues when people watch me. I did way better on the practice rounds than I did on the final, one-shot attempts. Darn nerves.

The MSF Basic Rider Course was a 3-day class and cost only $25.00. It teaches you how to ride a motorcycle, starting from square one, and they have them all over the country. The only previous riding experience I had was maybe 3 hours on a little 90cc dirtbike, so I was extremely nervous, and I seriously considered dropping out of the class even though I had pre-registered... but ultimately (thankfully), my fear was shadowed a bit by my strong desire to ride, and I became more and more excited to learn as the class weekend got closer.

Day 1: Friday, 5pm - 9pm (classroom)

The first day of the course was in the evening, and it was all classroom learning. I felt immediately relieved because out of the 20 students, about 75% were females! Everyone got a copy of the MSF Basic Rider Handbook, and the class was split into 3 learning/discussion groups. Each group got to pick a name, so some chick in my group named us the "Speed Demonettes." lol. For the next 4 hours, we proceeded to read thru the Rider handbook, watch some videos, and answer a list of 126 study questions. The topics included: types of motorcyces, accepting risk, protective gear, pre-ride inspection, routine maintenance, motorcycle controls, range rules & hand signals, street strategies, common riding situations, braking, swerving, etc... It was information overload, and we went thru it all pretty fast... After only 4 hours, my brain felt fried. The instructor then split the class into 2 riding groups for the next 2 days (10 students per riding class). My group was supposed to meet bright and early at the airport parking lot at 8am... We were supposed to arrive 25 min early, and if we were late, we would be kicked-out of the class.

Day 2: Saturday, 8am-10am (riding), 12:30-2:30 (riding), and 4:30-6pm (classroom)

It was a beautiful sunny morning, but my nerves were defintely present when I pulled into the airport parking lot and got suited up. We were instructed to wear long sleeves, long pants, full-fingered gloves, eye protection, a DOT approved helmet, and over-the-ankle boots. Most of the girls in my group were also beginners, but my stomach felt a little nauseous while we were all standing around waiting for the riding to begin. We were able to choose our own motorcycle out of about 10 different ones (dual sports, cruisers, and standard street motorcycles, mostly 250s), so I selected a standard Suzuki TU250X.

It was such a new motorcycle that it didn't have a fuel valve or a choke, which made things easier for me I suppose. I picked it because it had a very low seat height (30.5 inches), I liked the burgundy/red color, and it just looked pretty darn slick. We all mounted our bikes, and man, 310 + pounds of weight felt like alot to have directly underneath me. The weight of the bike was pretty intimidating since I weigh about 115.

Before starting the bikes, the 2 riding instructors had us find all the controls, and then we walked the bikes like 1/4 mile out to the airport riding area. It was a good workout for my hips, I could feel the burn! Then we finally started the bikes (side stand up, fuel valve to ON if you had one, turned the ignition key to ON, put it in Neutral, engine shut-off switch to ON, held in the clutch, and pushed the electric start button). We put them into 1st gear right away and spent a while just using the clutch in the friction zone to walk the bikes back and forth & then speed-walk them across the parking lot. Within minutes we were already riding back and forth across the lot, and then we were riding around in a single file line. It was a very fast paced class, but I will say that the Instructors were VERY nice and VERY good at explaining what to do. I only stalled my motorcycle twice on the first day :) One instructor said that the most stalls in a row (during one of his classes) was 37! Yikes. I would've been beyond embarrassed.

We did a lot of practicing in our 4 hours of ride time on Saturday. We were doing quick stops, weaving in and out of cones (just pressing on the handlebars, not actually turning them), going around curves (slow before the curve, look where you want to go, press the handlebar in the direction you want to go, roll on the throttle) and also physically turning the handlebars to maneuver thru slow-speed off-set cones. Overall I did pretty good on day one. I got complimented on my quick stops and was used as a positive example for my head turns for looking thru the curves. It was a day of extreme concentration... the most mentally exhausting day I had experienced in a very very long time (perhaps ever). It was fun, challenging, scary, and exhilerating, all at the same time.

After the Saturday practice rididng, we all met back in the classroom to take the 50 question multiple choice test, based around the 126 study questions we had gone thru on Friday. It was a very easy test. I got 100%, along with almost everyone else in the class. The hardest part was still yet to come.

Day 3: Sunday, 8am-10am (riding), 12:30-2:30 (riding), 2:30-2:45pm (riding test)

It was raining when we all showed up to ride Sunday morning, so we all had rain jackets on and our face shields down. (The previous day I wore my face shield up, with sunglasses) We were all pretty nervous about the wet pavement. I wish we would have started out slow and done a bit of refreshing what we had learned the previous day, but nope, we just got on the motorcycles and immediately started weaving in and out of cones. I did good on the weave, but I was really rusty on the sharp corners. I must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed, because I kept stalling the motorcycle and was doing worse than I had the previous day. It was frustrating, and I was losing any confidence that I had built up on Saturday. Plus, they were giving us harder things to do. We had to use clutch control in the friction zone to do a figure-eight (two immediate U-turns) inside a tiny box, stop quickly in a curve (straightening our motorcycle upright first in the curve), drive over 2x4s (rolling on the throttle quickly and rising off the seat) to simulate obstacles in the road, different narrow and wide cornering maneuvers, sudden swerving (quickly getting into 2nd gear and then the instructor would quickly point left or right at the last minute), stopping as quickly as possible (I had one front tire skid! oops), and various other exercises...

For the final riding test, there were 4 parts, and everybody went one at a time (with everyone else watching):

1. Double U-turn in tiny box (figure-eight) (very slow, using clutch control)
2. High-speed swerve (timed, to make sure you were going fast enough before swerving)
3. Quick stop (getting up into 2nd gear quickly, passing thru 2 cones, and stopping using both brakes and downshifting to 1st gear as fast as possible) (timed and within a certain number of feet)
4. Cornering exercise (getting up into 2nd gear quickly, going around a curve, accelerating, slowing down before entering the next curve, looking thru the curve, pressing the handlebars in the direction of the curve, and rolling on the throttle thru the entire curve without hitting any cones or crossing any lines)

Scoring - You got points for anything you did wrong. Points = bad. You could get a maximum of 15 points and still pass, but if you got 16 points you would fail. You got points for things like not going the correct speed, going out of boundary lines, putting your feet down, stallling, failure to turn your head, failure to upshift or downshift, failure to stop quick enough, etc. Points could add up quickly... The only automatic failures were to either lay-down your bike OR to do something dangerous. We could only do each exercise one time for the final evaluation.

How did I do?

1. two U-turns in the tiny box. Although I did pretty darn perfect in practice (one guy who had been riding since 1983 was worried I would do it better than him on the test!), I BOMBED it on the test. I have performance issues with people watching me, and my clutch hand cramped up in the middle of it. I quickly released the clutch while I had the throttle up and lurched right out of the box and put my feet down. I will just call the whole exercise ugly. I got 8 points right off the bat. Not a good way to start the test. Surprisingly, I calmed down a bit. Doing so bad at first made me basically say F*ck it. I laughed at the fact that I did so bad and shrugged it off. I honestly knew I could do better, but one attempt was one attempt. Moving on.

2. High-speed swerve. The swerve actually took place directly after coming out of the messed-up figure-eight. After pulling out of the U-turn box, I had to quickly get into 2nd gear, speed up, swerve right between some cones (press right, then press left), and stop using both brakes & downshift at the same time. I did it perfectly even though I was still flustered from the figure-eight. Zero points gained on that.

3. Quick-stop. This was frustrating b/c I did this 95% perfect every time in practice. I have no idea why I stopped a foot too-far during the testing. Probably my nerves. 2 points gained for a not-fast-enough stop.

4. Cornering exercise. Although I turned my head properly, shifted properly, didn't go out of bounds, and I didn't run over any cones, I got 5 points for not going fast enough in the curve. That was honestly a surprise to me b/c I thought I was going fast enough. And isn't going too slow better than going too fast anyway?

Regardless, I got a total of 15 points. SO close to the border between pass and fail. I was relieved to pass, but also really hard on myself at first for being so close to failing until I realized a couple things..

1. I did way better in practice than I did on the test, and yet I still passed.

2. How often will I be doing a tiny figure-eight on a motorcycle in real life? A U-turn, yes, but a little figure eight withoug putting my feet down? Probably not a whole lot. The people in the class who had been riding for YEARS had trouble doing it. Plus, if I had done the figure-eight as decent as I had in practice, I would have only had 7 points total instead of 15.

3. I was a beginner rider! How good was I seriously supposed to be after only 8 hours of ride time?

I honestly am still having a hard time believing that I took this course, did all this stuff on a motorcycle, and passed. My entire class passed! (well, except one girl who was extremely timid and just couldn't get the hang of it).

It feels like a whirl-wind that I am so happy/proud to have accomplished. I just know that I need to get a motorcycle soon so that I don't forget what I've learned. Taking this class was well worth all the stress, fear, and nervousness, and I would recommend it to anyone. I think these courses are pretty much exactly the same all over the country, you just look for them at http://www.msf-usa.org/.

I have fully discovered that there is nothing like being on a motorcycle, and there is this new excitement erupting within me. I even met a girl in the class who I really meshed well with, so we programmed eachother into our phones as "biker buddy." I don't know quite how it is possible, but somehow I feel like a new person. More free from fear, capable of doing anything that I really put my heart and mind into.

Pics of my Westfalia

2010-07-25T19:00:00.000-04:00

Oh how I loved living in my Westy!

It could get messy easily, but I did my best to keep everything in it's place:

When I wanted an upstairs and a breakfast nook, I just popped the top and turned my seats...