Thursday, December 17, 2009

Florida Vacations - What To Do?

Well another year has come and gone and it's time for our annual trip to Florida. Last year we took a break from our annual drive to Florida and went to Branson, MO. instead which turned out to be a wonderful trip also. We've been to the Orlando area twice before now and both of those times we did the Disney routine and loved every bit of it, but since we have now been to all of the parks twice, we want to do something else this time around.

So what to do? Well, the main thing we aim to do this time around is golf! We are both "not so good" golfers but hugely enjoy playing it. As 18 handicappers, we aren't setting the PGA tour on fire (not that I care since Tiger Woods ruined my thoughts about him) but good enough to keep the ball generally on the course and have some fun doing it! The Orlando area has many great golf courses around and we intend on trying a few of them out, like Bay Hill and Reunion Resort.

Other things on the ole "bucket list" is Universal Studios and Sea World. We can't wait to check them out as we have not been to either park before but have heard good things about them. Other than that, the main goal is simply to enjoy the sunshine for a week or so and I'm sure that can provided at least for a portion of our trip.

Since we no longer have any pets to speak of since all of our kids grew up and moved out on their own (no the kids weren't pets, but we didn't replace the cat and dog after they passed), the only thing we have to worry about while we are gone is our chickens. We have a family member who will coming by daily to keep the chicken coop and the chickens cared for and all we have to do is pay them in eggs!

So off to sunny Florida we go! If you haven't been and live in a northern area of the US like we do, it's a great way to break up the winter doldrums for a short time.

You won't regret it.

Monday, November 16, 2009

So You Want To Be A Chicken Farmer?


So you want to be a chicken farmer? So where to start? I have built a number of do-it-yourself (DIY) projects in the past (enclosed trailer, water gardens, etc.) so I am no stranger to these types of projects but I have to admit this one I knew was going to be a bigger one than I was used to.

There is a lot of research that goes into something like this and it shouldn't be entered into lightly. I know chickens aren't exactly at the top of the food chain but they are living creatures and if you are venturing into doing this you need to keep in mind that their care will be important and shouldn't be taken lightly.

I would recommend that you do some serious research into what is involved with building a chicken coop as well as what is involved with their care. It does take time and effort and whether you are deciding to raise chickens as a source of food or for their eggs, both will require some dedication on your part to properly take care of them. There are also costs involved beyond the coop itself as they must be fed and cared for as well.

Some things to keep in mind when venturing into this process are your local ordinances on keeping chickens. Many a person has started into this project only to find that it was illegal in their area to keep chickens. You don't want to make a big investment, only to find that you aren't allowed to have chickens in your neighborhood.

Feed for your chickens can usually be found at one of the many local farm supply chains. They also will carry your bedding supplies depending on the method you choose for your chicken coop. I am in the process of adding all this and more to my main website in a section DIY Chicken Coops and when completed, it will chronicle the entire process from beginning to end will hopefully help you make informed decisions on becoming a chicken farmer.


Monday, August 03, 2009

100 lb. weight loss God's way...

Everyone who wants to lose weight fights the same doubts and fears. My journey over the past year and a half to lose 100 lbs. was a gradual one and I couldn't have done it alone.




Learn more at www.onepoundago.com/blog under the one pound weight loss catergory.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

My Weight Loss Journey - 90 lbs. Lost And Counting

I have been on a journey to improve my health for a little over a year now. In January of 2008 I was told that I was diabetic, I was already on multiple medications for high cholesterol and blood pressure, and I weighed 275 lbs. at 5' 10". Not a good combination for a guy who had carotid artery surgery and bypass to my left arm at the age of 37 (now 47).

I finally got off my butt and decided to do something about it and you can too. I lost a lot of weight and worked on getting myself healthy again and I didn't really do anything special to do it. The secret isn't found in any bottle of pills, weight loss fad, or magic diet. It's found in you! The secret is in you and has always been in you.

You can read about my whole weight loss journey on my blog at www.onepoundago.com/blog/ and learn the secret for yourself. I promise that if you choose to do so, it will cost you nothing except being over weight and ill. I'm not saying that other methods don't work because they do but I am saying that using the one pound weight loss method I used and developed worked for me.

Just start at the beginning of my blog and you'll follow on my journey through about 9 months of the last year and discover the the secret to a healthier and happier new you today. I'm living proof and in fact I'm ready to go on my morning run as soon as I finish this post, which I couldn't even think about doing just over a year ago. Now I run 3 -4 miles a day and I am looking forward to trying a 10K this spring.

To the left you see where I was a few years ago and I was even heavier this time last year.

Leave the obese, fat, and unhealthy you behind just "One Pound Ago". Join me...

Sunday, January 04, 2009

Ham Radio Hats - Get Your New Call Sign Hats Here

If you are a ham radio operator and don't already have your very own ham radio hat, now's the time to get one. At Astrid's Embroidery, we are ham radio operators and know what the ham radio operator wants on a hat. We offer a number of options starting from simply having your call sign on the front of the hat, to adding your name, location, ARRL logo, and even text on the back of the hat too!

We care about our customers and we pride ourselves on fast turn around great quality. Most of the orders we receive, we ship out the very next day and are received by our customers within 3 days via priority mail. Don't take our word for it though. You can check our reviews here and see for yourself what our previous customers have to say about us.

Whether you are a newer ham, "old timer and Elmer", or maybe just upgraded and changed your call sign, we can provide what you are looking for in your next ham radio hat to wear to that next ham fest or local club meeting. Be proud of who you are and show it off to everyone with a new embroidered ham radio call sign hat from Astrid's Embroidery. Come see us today!

http://www.astridsembroidery.com