Do 43 things i've never done before!

Purchased 6 less than week old chicks yesterday. I think they are 2 Rhode Island Reds, 2 Leghorns, and 2 Partridge Cochins. I would like to have a little control over what my family eats and I have heard the taste of “real” eggs are amazing and that store bought eggs are taste wise a poor substitute. Hens are also supposed to be nice pets. I have done a bit of research and I think I am ready for this new adventure. But, I will appreciate any advice or interesting tales about your own experiences with back yard poultry. And I will try to keep you updated on how this goes. Peace.

Kinda killed 2 birds with one stone on this one. My lovely daughter won tickets to the 2011 75th Cotton Bowl on January 7th. Which featured the Texas A&M Aggies against the LSU Tigers. LSU beat the Aggies 41-24. The game was loud and very exciting. The Aggies 12th man is a great advantage for them, however LSU (w/2 national titles in the last 6 years)was a far superior team.
The halftime show was great, both schools put on wonderful and exciting 10 minute exercises. However, my favorite routine was from the Kilgore Rangerettes, which apparently have performed at all Cotton Bowl half time shows. They wear a classic red, white and blue western style uniform. They are from a east Texas school called Kilgore College.
Cowboys stadium is an amazing place. I think it will be home to many outstanding historic memories over the years. Of course, next month will be SuperBowl XLV.

My father-in-law passed away at the end of August. He lost his battle with cancer and other maladies of the fragile human body that take their toll after riding this big blue rock for 78 years. He had worked on “The Water Ball” for about 4 years while suffering through the indignities of growing old.
I have completed his 621 page book and am excited and pleased with his grand story. The full title “The Water Ball – a story of faith and enduring love”.
The story is about two young people who grow up in Brooklyn, New York, in the 1960’s. The young man joins the US Air Force and while in the pursuit to find his calling he decides that it is best to give his girl her freedom to get on with her life… This ends up being a tragic mistake for both of them… He moves to the English countryside, goes to seminary and becomes a vicar of the Church of England, reenlists in the USAF reserves gets assigned to a tour in Vietnam, becomes an unlikely war hero, while trying to get the love of his life back.
Mr. Butler throws in expert views on CoE and the Roman Catholic Church. He artfully explains the reasons behind the importance of traditional rituals like Communion and each person taking responsibility for their spiritual needs. While seamlessly blending colorful characters into his story without this book becoming a sappy love story or boring tome on religion. The love story is R rated (he even had his son-in-law blushing a time or two): ) and he puts you in the heat of battle during an incredible scene of the Vietnam war.
The book is currently available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and from his publisher Xlibris. I encourage all readers to read this book… and if you do please share your experience with me.

My brother showed me a photo of a bee hive that suddenly popped up in our parents plum tree. He asked me what kind of spray they should use to remove them… I didn’t freak but asked if they would let me take care of it. I called the county extension office and told them about the bees and we were concerned they might be africanized (killer bees)or simply even aggravated honeybees could cause problems for my elderly parents. She said they had a list of beekeepers that would be happy to identify and either eliminate or harvest the bees. At little or no cost. Most beekeepers are having problems retaining their bee supply and are usually very anxious to collect lost or stray honeybees. Within 3 hours of calling the county extension office my parents had contacted the beekeeper, he came to the house and harvested about 95 to 98% of the bees. Hopefully, people who read this will pass along to friends and family to learn about your local county extension office and see what they may be able to do for you. And by all means “give bees a chance”. sorry bout that. : )

No, not wander (sounds dangerous), wonder in a Texas snowstorm… The amazing stillness and beauty of our recent snow episode in the Fort Worth/dallas area was a moment that i will never forget. I have been in snowstorms and blizzards in other parts of the country and have personally never experienced the same awe struck feeling this event gave me. As the snow fell there was no wind, it was barely below freezing, and the snowflakes were large and billowy. For many who dread the coming of winter and it’s eventual slushy snow fest that several feet of snow brings, will scoff at me and my 12.5 inches. But, for me that one night in Texas will always be my private little peek into Heaven.

The best part, it was for my oldest daughter!!! How proud and lucky I am to have a child who works and studies hard and keeps her eye on her responsibilities and future, without being distracted by others and situations that would slow her growth and wreck her potential.
It was a wonderful celebration with 144 new inductees. They had a nice procession and a bunch of speeches. Really a great pat on the back and celebration for all the students, family, and friends.
By the way this is the type of entry I thought I would fill this goal with. Hopefully, as my health improves and I increase my exercise this indeed will be the type of positive accomplishments and adventures I hope to share. Peace.

Well, the ER doc was wrong, after living with severe pain for a couple of days I scheduled an appointment with a cardiologist, and to make a long story short he strongly suggested I elect to have a Cardiac Catherization (sp?). It is a good thing I did. I had an artery on the right Ventricle that was 99% blocked and needed three stints. That was on Friday. I went home Saturday morning and on Tuesday, I am back at work with a lot more energy and stamina. Here’s to more walks in the woods, picnics by the lake, and more time with the ones I love. Peace.

This entry is not what I anticipated on when I thought of things to fulfill this goal. But, after spending the previous night with rather severe chest pain I was prodded by my family to go to the Hospital.. The good news is that I did not have a cardiac event, the bad news is I separated the cartilidge between my rib cage and sternum. Yes, it hurts.. The Doc says the symptoms would be similar and near the area for a heart attack so it was good that I came in. Anyway, with some pain killers to help, he said it would take 1 to 2 weeks to heal. I am hoping my next entry will return to the spirit of what this goal is intended. This entry however, will always remind me that LIFE IS GOOD!!! and that the alternative is not so good.

I saw this on Georgina47’s list and thought this was a great goal to encourage us 43 thingers to keep reaching for new ideas and new goals. I can only imagine what wonders and exciting opportunities are in store for me as I work on this list. Peace.