A group of us have started playing paintball,more frequently, since the sweltering,summer heat has has toned down a bit. We meet each Saturday for a quick breakfast at Mickey D's, then its off to battle. We all run around like we are 18 again, and have a rapid realization that we are fat and out of shape. Its quite funny to be honest, at the end of the first game, we all meet by the cars a-huffin' and a-puffin' like we are a bunch of 80-year old, chain smokers. Its good for us though. It's actually quite therapeutic, a chance to be in the fresh air of the outdoors, where we can act like little kids playing "guns" when we were young.
But now, a paint-filled, projectile, traveling at 220 feet per second, can give you nice little welt, that will stick with you anywhere from an hour to a week. Some of the less-forgiving places that I have been shot are...in the top of the head, in the back of the neck, back of thigh, on the knuckle and right in the throat. But the one that takes the cake was when my friend Jesse and I were sneaking toward where the opposing team was posted up in the barn.
As we slowly started making our way toward the doorway, Jesse pointed out a 4-5 foot long bull snake, sitting in the weeds. We teased it for awhile and managed to get it right-pissed off, then both of our eyes widened as we simultaneously came up with the worlds best plan. We would grab the snake by its tail and lob it through the window of the open barn where the enemy was taking cover. We didn't expect it to really flush them out but possibly create a few laughs, because, come-on...who really throws a snake through the window, in the middle of a gun battle? When we finally got the snake by its tail, Jesse provided me with cover as we giggled our way toward the barn on tip-toes. Me, trying to keep my attention on both the snake and my surroundings, just happen to glance into the bushes at the wrong time. Just then, I felt a sharp sting at the base of my thumb that was holding the snake. That son-of-a-B just bit me, I thought, so i instantly dropped him. One hundredth of a second later I heard paintballs whizzing past our heads as Jesse returned fire on the barn. We were both so amused with ourselves that we had neglected to see Collin draw aim on us from the doorway. The first of his shots hit me right in the thumb, causing me to think the snake had reached up and bit me. Since shots below the elbows and knees don't count for a kill shot, we quickly dove into the bushes gun-a-blazin'. We managed to return enough fire to hunker down our assassinator. As we stormed toward the outer walls of the barn we managed to reach down and grab the snake, and then toss it toward the doorway, still laughing at ourselves. Well, the snake didn't flush them out, we didn't even get it all the way to the door but it was a great plan on paper, and WE sure though we were funny. Collin retrieved the snake after the game and took it home for his girls to check out. All-in-all, paintball is really fun, weather it is 10 against 10 or a mere 2 on 2, we always have a great time.
Well, it's been six weeks now and Jackie and I constantly ask each other what we ever did before Gage was born. For our first Thanksgiving with him, we all went to Grandpa and Grandma Terry's for a very good dinner. He also finally got to meet a few of his new Aunts and Uncles. The day after, Mom went shopping and Dad had to go into work :( Grandpa and Grandma Blackburn were very excited to tend him until I got off of work. We have had a few sleepless nights but Gage is so much fun. He has started to clear up a bit from his baby zits but is now loosing his cute, newborn hair! It is so funny, he looks like a little old man who is bald on top. I shaved my hair on Thursday and could 
not resist cutting it to match my cute, balding little boy. He is eating well and starting to fill out, getting that cute baby fat. His eyes are a dark brown in the center and vivid blue around the edge. We both think they will probably end up brown. He is smiling more now and makes some funny, spontaneous noises. He can spend hours just looking around the room and taking everything in. 
THE BATTLE IS ON!!! We both constantly stare at him and repeat MA,MA or DA,DA, trying to train him for the day when he incoherently jabbers a reference to one of us. I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED (Cuz I'm sure it will be DA,DA) 
Well, November is gone and so is the nice, cool, fall weather. It still has not been blistering cold but I realized today, that I have not started my motorcycle since before Halloween. I feared that my poor, seven year old battery would not have enough juice to start it, but to my surprise, it started with the first crank. I think this is the longest span that I have not ridden it. Even in the dead of winter I try and take it for a quick spin when the roads are dry. I don't know weather to blame it on the cold temperature or the fact that we have a constant source of entertainment since Gage was born. Either way, the bike can wait till later. I am anxiously awaiting a snowy Christmas season.
