How To Defend Against A Frontal Choke Hold

I admit I am short. I made a dress recently and had to shorten the pattern 12". The neck to floor length given was 58.75" and I'm 59.5" and I wasn't making a burqua.

So it is important I know how to protect myself if I don't have a frying pan or rolling pin handy.

 

I would think a concurrent kick to the groin would not be a amiss. I haven't tried it on the two legged male members of my family but your locked fingers are very strong and driving them into the soft underside of the chin would be painful.

Remember it is your goal to take the mugger on one on one but to survive. As soon as you are free----RUN like a bear is chasing you and get to a place of safety.

I would like to acnowledge water-n-woods.com and Richard Athony for video and I assume no liability in displaying ths video.

Shoeless

I am from Kentucky and grew up without shoes willingly. I still do. My husband grew up in the Orient. Another shoeless civilization. We don't wear shoes in the house and if the weather is nice I'm shoeless outside much to his chagrin.

Recently I felt the need to remove my shoes during Mass. I quietly slip them off and put them under the empty seat. Socks go in my purse.

I didn't come up with this all by myself but the Lord led me. I have studied the Carmelite religious order (St Theresa of Avila and St Therese of Lisieux) which is discalced or shoeless. Their simplicity attracted me. Not just being shoeless.

Still I was concerned whether it was appropriate to be shoeless in church. I am always recognized as the only woman in the church who wears a chapel veil. I always intend to wear a skirt but don't always make it. Maybe I am crazy.

Then the Lord led me to scripture:

Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the farthest end of the wilderness, and came to the mountain of God, to Horeb. And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush; and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. And Moses said: 'I will turn aside now, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.' And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the midst of the bush, and said: 'Moses, Moses.' And he said: 'Here am I.' And He said, "do not come closer; remove your shoes from your feet for the place where you stand is holy ground." Shemot (Exodus) 3:1-5

I am honoring God by humbling myself. That is my decision and God's direction to me.

The Dress

In our family this is known as the dress. I've been sewing it for probably 3 years. It is for the girl my son took to Senior Prom. He is now a junior in college.

It is green satin with a train and princess seams. It will lace up in the back. The sleeves are trumpet with double trumpets. It weighed at 15 pounds.It is based on Queen Elinor's dress from the Disney movie Brave.

I just wasn't satisfied with it. The sleeves we very tight above the bell. So I did nothing.  Feeling guilty I told her I would finish it this spring.

This this is the current state:

I took the sleeves off and disassembled them into upper and lower (2 pieces).

What to do with the sleeves? 

I researched and thought and thought. Detachable sleeves! Yes. A long tapered but roomy sleeve (I have the fabric) with the trumpets attaching above the elbow. Or a smaller bell attaching at the hem.

Then I have to decide on the lining. Full or bodice only? Cotton or satin type. I'm leaning toward a full lining which means I have to buy more fabric.

I will keep you apprised of the progress and dig out the pictures of the dress BR (before revision).

I will need God's strength to get it done and I know he will give it.

Bella

Protection 2

Remember the best defense is to get away. I've been sewing, actually ripping apart, and I used a seam ripper. Not strong enough to stab an attacker but could be used for eyes or throat. And while escaping or protecting always remember to call upon God and St Michael for help. Happy New Year.

Rose