Gone, But not Forgotten and GPS

Put Kristyn on the plane today. She is heading back to work.... In China. Ashley and I had fun today too!

GPS and GeoCaching

We tried to find a GeoCache. We found where the cache was.... but could not find it.... So we are going to try going back tomorrow. Got a GPS for Christmas and am still trying to learn how to use it. It was fun. I load a couple more in the GPS memory and will try them.


Ritt and I are going to try getting out on Saturday... First day of the new year.... Only a couple of days left in the hunting season until next fall.

Kristyn is Ok! Get a Helmet!

Kristyn just returned from the ER. She has a consussion.... She was in the hospital for the first time since she was born!... Pretty amazing for a 23 year old! She is heading back to China on Thursday!... I am going to miss her. But I am very proud of her. She has become a very beautiful young lady ( Dads never brag about their kids!). She is live in a country (China) far from home (Idaho). The Doctor wrote her a prescription for a HELMET!!! Ok all you skiers and snow boarders..... Get and WEAR a HELMET!

Kristyn is in the Hospital

Today was not good. Denise and I woke up this morning both not feeling great. So we decided to stay home and let the "kids" go skiing. Mike, Abby, Kristyn and Ashley went skiing.

Denise and I stayed home and worked around the house. We did take a nice walk with all the labs. We have Buddy, Pastor David's yellow lab, and our three Keely, Paige (both black ) and Belle (Choc). Belle is learning to heal. It is going to take some more work, but she is starting to get the idea.

We were going to start the pizza. When the kids arrived home at 3:45. Kristyn had taken a pretty bad fall. She hit her head pretty hard. She has vomited twice. So we called Lee. Denise, Kristyn and Ashley just left for the emergency room. I am pretty sick today... So I am at home waiting to hear. Abby called and she is heading for the hospital too. I looks like a pretty bad consussion. She was pretty upset. She was starting to get the hang of this boarding thing. I am hoping this shows Ashley that she need to get a helmet. I am sure that it would have helped Krissy. I am praying for her. I probably sure have gone with them but really starting to not feel great... Maybe both of us would be in the hospital.

I Missed?

Today was a good day. Ritt and I and ASHLEY!!!!!! went hunting!... We took the ambush and ran down river to the the mouth. We jumped a drake mallard... But I missed... got a lot of feathers but no bird used the 28 guage..... Only bird we saw. We did try out the new Golden Eye dekes. They worked perfectingly. They will complete unroll themselves and upright themselves too! Easy to put out... Just attach the weight and drop them out of the boat!... Really cool. Amazing....

Spending time with Ashley.
It was great to have Ashley along... We had a great time. I was really glad she came. I have missed being able to spend time with her. Hopefully we will be able to spend some more time with her before she goes back to school. Tomorrow we are going to go skiing as a family. I have had a couple of good days so I am keeping my hopes up that the new meds have began to help. Will keep my fingers crossed.

Home for Christmas!

Well, it has been awhile! This nasty sickness I have has been getting me down. Trying to get past it and on with life!

Ashley arrive home on Friday (December 17th) and the quiet house is a thing of the past! But it is great to have her home. She finished finals... got and 96% in Chem Lab! AWESOME! Pretty darn good for a first semester Freshman at College! I am real proud of her. She is becoming quite the young lady. But she is still busy busy... Pretty amazing kid!

Kristyn arrives from China today... She will be staying with Grammie until tomorrow and then on to Home (here) at 11am tomorrow... It will be great to have her home too! She spent the last week in Thailand with Grammie... She got to ride an elephant! The stories will be great.

Haven't been hunting because of beening sick. But Ritt and I did make the trip over to Steve's Hardware in Nyssa to buy next years license. So we are going to hunt! I am off work for the next couple of weeks... So plan on get out and hunting on the days that I feel good. I seem to have good days and bad days.... Last nite was pretty bad...and 7 on the scale. Trying to be very very careful of what I eat. Chicken and rice seem to be the key... I can eat them.

Belle of the Ball

Notice: New Female has joined the Family!

Belle

2 year old Choc. Lab... She is a sweet heart. A little hyper... She has been raised by herself, so having Kiley and Page (Black labs) to play with is MAJOR fun!...
She loves to retrieve! and will do it for hours if my arm will last!

She is a service dog. (trained to be a companion for a disabled person). She just had her first litter 10 weeks ago. Labradoodles (Standard Poodle with Labrador). VERY VERY cute puppies! and smart.... Going to breed her again and keep one pup. Others will sell for service dogs with money going to the organization... Its kinda like Guide Dogs for the Blind.

I Really think that the cross may have some hunting skills too!... Poodles (Standard size) were originally used for hunting... Time will tell.

Belle's only fault at this point is that she has a very thin coat... Has been an inside dog.. Does not have the double coat of a true Lab... So she has been sleeping beside the bed.... We keep you all posted!

What I can Eat!

So this "sicky" is starting to make a list.

What I can eat:

1. Chicken
2. rice
3. green beans
4. milk
5. bread... toasted
6. Noodles
7. Scrambled Eggs
8. 7-UP (if I dilute it 50-50 with water!)
9. Jello
10. Bananas (only a little bit at a time)
11. Mash Potatoes... no butter!
12. Oatmeal

What I CAN NOT EAT! (so far! I will keep adding to this list!)

1. Anything that has TOMATOES!!!! This includes Pizza, Salsa, etc)
2. Lettuce!
3. Fruit Juices (Orange, Apple, Cranberry...etc)
4. Red Meats!
5. Carrots
6. Celery
7. Beer
8. Wine
9. Mike's Hard Lemonade! (WAS my favorite)
10. Oranges
11. Apples
12. Butter
13. ANYTHING that is fried!
14. Vinegar and Oil Salad (Most salad dressings)
15. Corn chips
16. Tacos!

and the list will go on....

Life Stinks .... At least in the last couple of weeks

So I have not been on for a while. Life has turned for me. I have been feeling pretty rotten for the past couple of weeks. After several trips to the doctor, they have kinda finally figured out what I have. It is called IBS. If you want to know more google IBS and READ. Needless to say, I have been pretty down. It has really put a halt to my hunting this year. I would not wish this condition on any one. The doctors have given me a bunch of drugs... Some have helped others have done nothing except cost me and my insurance company money.

Have missed a ton of work and am really behind. Which doesn't help my stress level at all.

It was great to have Ashley home for Thanksgiving. We got her a new coat... so she could stay warm in Spokane.

Talk to my Mom tonite... She is trying to help with IBS but really hasn't. But at least it was nice to talk with her.

Kristyn and she are going to Thailand and Bejiing for Christmas break but Krissy will be home for Christmas. It will be great to have the whole family at home. Well it is late and I am hoping to go to work in the morning.... if I can get my guts to settle down tonite.

later!

Life Gives Lemons... Make Lemonade!

Sorry have not updated this is awhile. Things have been crazy. Doctors really don't know what is going on with me.... They think it is just stress of the job. Layoffs are happening daily. Really need to trust God and let it happen if it is going to happen. But is really touch. This not feeling good is really cutting into my hunting time too.

Ash is coming home this week. I am excited to see her. It really has been quiet around the house. I live in a big 100+ year on farm house... Now just me, wife and two dogs, two cats, two llamas...Cats and llamas live outside.

Panic attacks seem to come about once every two days or so. Never can tell when it is going to happen. All of a sudden my inside just go nuts... and then I have a couple of hours of pain. Doctor has given me another medicine... #5... to try. Seems to make the pain not last as long...which is a good thing. Have not been able to sleep much in the last couple of days... Seems to be happening in late evening... then I end up being up for the rest of the nite...

Really am thinking about life. Is the big bucks of my current job worth it? Is my health worth it? Going to talk to accountant... What is takes to start my own home business. I really like working with dogs. Have several friends that are leaving their dogs with me for the Thanksgiving weekend. Keep wondering if I just should take that leap of faith and just do it. Praying a lot for direction.

Went to Leavensworth, Washington this past weekend. Had a great time with all the family... except when I was in pain... which was both nites. Bummer. Beautiful place. It is patterned after a German town (Bavaria). Condos were great. Was really cold tho... low 20's at night 30's during the day. Guess Winter has really started to arrive.

Hunting....
This being Thanksgiving week... a Lot of things planned... Ash is coming home on Wednesday. Pizza with Dave at his school. Thursday having Dinner with Ritt and Joanne. Friday at our house for Turkey and stuffing with Dave and Karen... Ashley back on the plane to Spokane Sunday afternoon. Hopefully the medicine will kick in my then and I will feel like eating. SO... Hunting might or might not happen... Really going to try and get out...

Good news... I have lost 26 pounds in the 2 months.... Not exactly the best way to loose weight... I would not recommend it.

Got email of encouragement from Donna... Really thinks I need to work for the Y. Going to check it out.

My wonderful loving wife has been really great. Really concerned about me... But like me really doesn't know what to do. She is great. I only wish I would not keep her awake so much at night. I know she needs her sleep. My trashing around really doesn't help. So I get up and go down stairs as not to keep her awake. But after 28 years... I miss not having her beside me... She is my best friend in the world. I sometime wonder how lucky I am that God brought her into my life. She keep telling me.... Give it to God. I really need to listen to her... I love you! My best friend!

Hope you all have a great Turkey day.... I am going too! (positive thinking)

This Week's Random-ness

Well, This has been a week. Finally had a bunch of tests done to see if they could figure out what was up with me!. Everything came out perfect. So now we don't have a clue. Oh well... Starting to feel a bit better. Spend yesterday with Ritt. That was great! He is feeling better and we were able to get out and have some quality time with each other. Weather stinks!... Literally stinks. We have an inversion. So the fog is laying on the ground and the suger beet factory is pumping out its oders... YUCK! Started raining late last nite and so the air is starting to clear. Ritt and I are hoping to go chase birds next Wednesday. The weather is suppose to be clearing and cleaner next week. Ritt really can't be out in the stinky air. His lungs just won't take it. So praying for clean air next week.

Finally the 28 Guage Goes BOOM! and......

Have not been feeling to great this week. But today decided I needed to get out. This afternoon when Ritt called and said "Lets go for a hike!" I said, "Sure!" It was great this was the first time that I was able to go out with Ritt. Ritt on the mend from Cancer. So to be able to get out this him was a great treat! We went to the WMA and met Dan and his two dogs, Jake (10+ years) and Magnum (2+ years) for an afternoon of pheasant hunting. I have not been Pheasant hunting in many years. I like before my girls were born. But the biggest treat was to be out with Ritt. Within the first hour Magnum push up a big rooster. Boom!... Dan dropped it ... Great shot through the trees. We spent the next hour and half walking through heavy cover... But no birds. But it was just great to get out and especially with Ritt. We were making a last pass down along the river. Dan said that Ritt and I looked like Andy and Opie walking down the road. He won't tell us who is who... Good idea. But Magnum put up a nice rooster. My little 28 guage fell into my shoulder.. . and just like thousands of clay birds... The bird was in its position ... the trigger clicked... and the number 6 shot was on its way. At about 30 to 35 yrds, the rooster crumpled and rolled in the air. DEAD!... It landed out in the river. Magnum lauched himself in and retrieved it back to Dan. Ritt was dancing around. Yes! Jimbo! Great shot!... Yaahoo!...

It has been a dream for both of us... To hunt birds this year with my little 28 guage. It means even more since Ritt's cancer. As I have written earlier. I was really waiting for him...So we could get that first "28 bird" together.... and TODAY was the day. Both of us were not feeling 100% yet ... But is was fantastic and we both were very excited. I gave my hunting buddy a great be hug! The next thing is a duck now... But after watching the big rooster fold... A duck should no problem...

But the best thing was RITT WAS HERE TO SEE IT ALL! Thanks be to God!

Its Midnight.... Coming down to Ohio!

National Results

Candidate Electoral States Won Vote % Votes
Bush 249 27 51% 51,876,388
Kerry
221 17 48% 48,224,939

84% Precincts Reporting - Wed Nov 3, 2:05 AM ET 270 Electoral Votes Needed

Nine O'Clock... I am going to bed!

Well the vote goes on...

Bush 51% 199 Elec. College Votes
Kerry 48% 188 Elec. College Votes

It is going to come down to Florida and Ohio... Both of which are having voter faud issues. It is going to take weeks to sort this mess out!...

I am going to bed.... Wednesday.. My day off....See Ritt and have a quiet day! Yea..

night night

First Results

It's a tie!

Great!..... Like I said... We will not know for week!... Looks like Nader is taking enough votes from each to be trouble.

More later tonite

Enjoy!

P.S. Think I will go bird hunting this evening.... better idea

Tuesday - 2 Vote OR NOT 2 VoTe!

Well, today is the day. What a mess. Really have no clue who to vote for. Really don't like Kerry's stand on guns... But not really excited about Bush. Seems to be the story this year. Even the election polesters are saying it is dead even. So... here is my prediction...

1st. We will not know the REAL outcome for weeks!
2nd. One will win the populus vote... But will not win the Electorial College Vote!
3rd. Four more years of the same old thing...

I wish we would put have some election reform. Campaigning is only allowed 6 weeks before the election! Then the election and its all done!

Also interesting to see what percentage of people vote... Some say over 70% that would be amazing..

Talked to Ash last nite... She got her Mashed Potatoes and brownies.. She is happy. She also helped me with photos... www.photobucket.com.... I was able to upload photos. Yea.

Big doings at work... Time will tell...looks like layouts are in the works AGAIN....

Well... as the saying says...." Vote and Vote Offen!" We'll see how the election goes tonite...
Bet a lot of people are renting movies for tonight... Nothing but election results on the TV!

This is me at work!
Thanks Ash!

Mondays R the PITS

I hate Mondays... It means I have to go to work... No hunting today. I have a new boat tho... and maybe Ritt and I will be able to go out on Wednesday and try it out. I only work on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Until January then I go back to working 5 days a week. Going to try to find out how to get to the island tonight. The Simplot guys broke the bridge AGAIN! so can't get there the normal way. I will try to take some pictures of the bridge too... what a mess... Oh well.

Think Ash is mad at me... I found her blog.

Opening day

Opening day
Originally uploaded by idahobirdhunter.

As you can see.... Ritt was in the hospital on opening day.

But Jim, Ritt and Bill.... all made it and opening day to remember.

Bill and I arrived at 7:30 am in full camo with duck calls "quacking" down the hall to his room and decoys for his bed... The nurses knew the crazies had arrived!

The smile on Ritt's face was.... "Priceless"

"You two are crazy!"

Great Opening Day... No Ducks but a great SMILE!

Saturday Hunting Report

Just got the word!....

Bill and Gus floated the river from above the islands at Adrian to the boat ramp.

Teal and Mallards were dive bombing them! They were almost able to get a limit each... Bill is saying that Gus needs to be a little more patience.... Shooting at them to far out.

Talked to Ritt... Still pretty sick.. But is making plans for Wednesday. I am have my fingers crossed. I have really been holding off hunting, cause I want to start my year with my buddy. My prayer is that this will not be the last year we will hunt together. But we really will not know until the do the PET scan in late November. But his spirits are up...

Last year my goal was to get a Woodie...and have it mounted. (Got three at with two shoots...should be done later this month...I am excited to see them)

This years goal is to shoot a duck with my 28 guage.... But Ritt has to be there to witness it.... He and I have been talking about it since the end of the season last year... and all through his cancer treatment.

Hunting Reports

Oct 30.
Hunting has been slow in Idaho. I have been hunting the Snake River around Adrian, Ore, Ducks are just starting to arrive. My hunting partner Ritt is doing better. You see Ritt has terminal Cancer. This will be our last season together mostly likely. But we are still hoping with radiation and chemo that we might see a few more season... but only time will tell.

So our hunting days are number... Please help me make the best of these days. Send us your reports..... I am especially look for a goose hunting place.... Ritt has never hunted Geese and would like to have at least one good Goose hunt.

Thanks!

Hope to hear from you soon!

Welcome

Welcome to my blog... How's your Hunting in Idaho doing... Let me know