An exciting adventure!

We spent the cold morning hunting duck. Sounds vicious huh? We got up early and arrived at the pond before the sun came up. Trevor and Jake set out the decoys and got us ready for the blood bath that was about to begin. Just kidding. We saw about 7 fly in, I was the first to shoot, I missed. Jake joined in, he missed. We fired about 5 or 6 rounds at 7 birds and they all got away. They were the lucky ones. Maybe 7 more flew in, we all stood up shooting up a storm, 3 down ducks, victory! A couple hours later and we only had downed one more duck. So we decided to try our luck over at the creek a couple miles away. We piled in my truck and headed off.
Now to set this up, I have had a bit of bad luck with seeing deer out in these parts. I have been out to the deer blind several times in the past couple months and not seen a thing. However Trevor has seen Bucks ranging in size from time to time all over the place. So we decided that I should start bringing my rifle out on the duck hunts just in case we see a buck wander into view. Our first morning, I brought the gun, but left it in the truck and saw a big buck right in front of us. This time I brought it but didn't see any deer at the pond. Well, on our way over to the creek Trevor spotted a deer feeding off in the field while he was riding on the tailgate. We stopped and got out. I tried to get my rifle out and kept falling over and acting very clumsy due to excitement. The deer just kept standing and staring at us. I could see antlers but could not see what they were till I looked through my scope, "a spike"!! I said, and handed Trevor my rifle. He looked and said he sure is you can shoot him if you want. I said I sure do. I took aim on the base of his head so I could hit him in the neck, it was about 200 yards or so we think, and squeezed the trigger.



The video was recorded with a cell phone. I was not aware it was being recorded until after the shot. That it why it is a little fuzzy. I am grateful our friend got the shot and everyones excitement, it helps put things into perspective.
The shot was pretty far, we don't know how far. There was some doubt I could make the shot, only because shots like this, I think are not common here. Anyway, I put my scope on 9 and aimed at his jaw. Afterwards we found it had dropped about 6 inches or so. When I shot him he dropped to the ground, as you can hear from the video. a few minutes passed as we cheered and got ready to go get him. He began to struggle and started lifting his head up like he was trying to stand up. I took aim again from the truck but because he was lying down I wasn't sure where to aim. So we headed over and he got up and ran toward, and tried to jump a fence. He smacked into it a couple times before making it over but his back legs were caught. I took a knee, still a ways away and trembling with excitement,"click", no round. I loaded one and missed. I loaded another and proceeded toward him. By this time he was standing on his front two legs looking around with one leg caught in the fence. Without getting too close to spook him too much more I aimed again and shot the last shot.
The reason I shot such a young buck is because in this particular area the regulation states that you must shoot only spikes and mature bucks having an inside spread of 13 inches or greater. Our season ends Jan. 4 and I am running out of time. This opportunity came along and I took it. I have heard people say that spike meat tastes better, some say there is no difference however. But I am completely satisfied with my first deer.

kwithmith twee!!

Getting ready for our Christmas tree adventure.
This was our first stop. We did not realize how pricey trees had become.
Bobbie was quite fond of this one. She stayed this way while I looked around at all the other trees. Just kidding, she drug it around with her.
People were standing in line at Lowe's to have their tree cut, then wrapped in mesh. What in the world for. It takes like thirty seconds to cut it yourself and if you get it wrapped you have to fuss with getting that crap off once you make the 10 minute drive home. Makes no sense. Nice garage eh?
Here is Bubbs getting decorations out. And you'll notice this is one of our MANY living room alterations. We spent over an hour moving our couches and piano around trying to figure out how to fit our tree in there. We finally took the love seat out.
Energy rations for festive activities. Mint chocolate, dark-mint chocolate, peanut-butter chocolate cups, and peanut M&Ms. We washed this all down with some homemade hot coco.
The Tree.
It's been awhile since I handled lights. Bobbie left me unsupervised for just a minute this is what happened.
She straightened me out.
The finished product. Magnificent!

Recent pictures

Just two people madly in love cuddling on the couch.
This is at the Fair we went to a few weeks ago with Bobbie's sister. That is little Ethan she is holding. isn't he cute?
Here is Bryan and Bobbie in the petting zoo at the Fair.

Here is Lydia riding a pony, Ethan's sister.

Random thought...

The other day I was sitting in the deer blind. It was a little chilly out side, I was waiting for the sun to come up. I could hear the crunching sound of deer eating the corn provided for them to eat. I prefer my corn steamed. As it just started to get light I saw a deer jump over the fence into my field of view. Big bucks always come from that direction so I got really excited. I could not tell if it was a buck or not but it spooked the does that were there eating. They hung around as it made it's way over to a scrape. With the orange and blue sunrise behind him I could see he had some antlers but I could not yet tell how big he was. The area I am hunting has a regulation of 13 inches or bigger or a spike. Regardless, this was the first one I had seen since opening day when my bro in law Jake shot his, it's on their blog, a nice 8 pointer. As it got lighter I pointed my rifle at him to look through my scope, a 4 point, dang! About an 8-10 inch spread. I watched him for maybe an hour and a half or two and checked to see if he was big enough a couple more times as it got lighter. He eventually left and I saw nothing else. I have seen nothing but does since.

Shame on us

Bobbie and Bryan can not make it out to Utah for the Christmas holiday. We had hoped it would be possible but work will not allow it this year. We shall surely miss seeing everybody together. It has been too long since our last visit. We shall also miss being there for the fresh cinnamon rolls, and hot coco, and all the football our physical bodies can possibly handle. We hope to make a trip some time after though, just don't know when.

A 'Forward' I had to Post

The Dog's Diary

8:00 am - Dog Food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Dinner! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!


The Cat's Diary

Day 983 of my captivity.
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.
They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed
hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the
rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to
keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt
to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a
mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this
would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates my
capabilities. However, they merely made condescending comments about
what a 'good little hunter' I am. Evil People!!

Day 984 of my captivity.
There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was
placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I
could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my
confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this
means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Day 985 of my captivity.
Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my
tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this
again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs. I am convinced that the
other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special
privileges. He is regularly released, and seems to be more than willing
to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird must be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards
regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have
arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe.
For now......

New Brian Regan DVD

Bobbie and I watched this on TV the other night and wondered if he had a new DVD out. Sure enough the very show we watched was the new one of his. On Amazon it was only $11 or $12. We watched it again and laughed just as hard.

I just learned the word "mine" too

Say 'ello to my li'l frien'.
Remington 700 .30-06 SPS and a 3-9x40 Nikon Pro Staff scope. I purchased this beauty at Cabela's during a special promotion they had this past week.

Update

For those of you who don't know, Bobbie and I have found a home finally. We will be moving in this week. It is a nice duplex in Nolanville. Also, Bobbie was hired at Scott & White Hospital in Temple. I have enrolled in Central Texas College in the AS Criminal Justice program. I am looking for a part-time job also. More to follow...

My Latest Purchase

I bought this outfit at Academy Sports in Temple. Mossy oak, 100% cotton and oh so comfortable. The day I bought them I wore them around the house the rest of the evening. They are so comfy!
P.S. I stepped in a rotten pomegranate before this picture. Over to my left they have have a tree growing. I had just put a fresh pair of clean socks on after a refreshing shower too.

Some of our friends

These are two geckos that "hang out" on our bathroom window each night. Sometimes there is only one, sometimes two, but every night we see them eating moths or ants or other tasty little delights.

My newest purchase!

The beautiful Remington 870. The first day Bobbie and I were here my Bro in law Jake asked me if I had a shotgun, my sad reply was no. He informed me that Dove season had just begun and that he shot his limit the first day he went out. I got all excited and began comparing prices. I went out on my first hunt and did pretty well. I shot about 6 but only could find 2. I learned that that is somewhat normal. Next time I hope to bring home more.

Finally!

A quick peek into our clean kitchen we left behind.
A view of all our belongings stuffed into our expensive U-Haul. It all fit quite nicely.
This is our first flat tire married. We were all packed, all cleaned, and all signed out of Post when this little piece of happiness happened to us. We had spent long hours already cleaning and packing and just wanted to rest. We were on our way over to our good friend's house, the Sunday before we left, when all of a sudden we hear this thud-thud-thud-thud... "I said pull over, flat tire!" We both got out and were shocked at what we saw. I couldn't get it out without pliers because it, as you can see, is still S shaped. How this sneaky little devil got in our tire, I don't know, but it sure put us back about 2 or 3 minutes. I bought one of those tire plug kits at Wallie-World and fixed it in a jiff. No peanut butter involved.

Answers

I have told some that once I am out, I am out for good. But I have found out that if at one of those 18 month intervals they see me "fit for duty", I have the option of going back in and reenlisting. I will never be required to serve anymore though.

Bobbie and I have decided to wait on the THP for a little while due to the 6 months of Academy. They told me that it is very much like "Boot Camp" and we are worried that if I were to injure my back during that time it would be bad. I have found out that the Texas Department of Criminal Justice is hiring Correctional Officers. I am applying for that. That is a little more low key and should get me in the door.

We are going to move!

Well, we finally have received an answer from the Med Board people. They are giving me a temporary retirement due to the seizures. I will be reevaluated in 18 months. At that point they can either lessen the percentage rating, leave it the same, raise it, or take it away. So due to this, our gaol is to be moved to Texas by the 19th of Aug.

Dang Hulking Muscles!

So today I decided to do a little fishing out at the Steam Plant. No it's not just a big ugly Plant that produces steam, well, I mean it is, and does. But they don't contain the steam, package it, and distribute it or anything. I think it's one of those nuclear waste, cooling facilities...that might explain the giant catfish that come out of the water there. Anyhoo, It's a known fact that fishing is great out there for cats and I had never been. So today I took the 45 min drive through the country out to the river. As I pulled into the parking lot I didn't know where to begin, so I sat in the truck for a moment. I turned off the ignition, placed the keys on the console, grabbed my wallet and phone, and opened the door. As I stepped out, I put my phone and wallet in my pockets, locked the doors, and closed my door, all before I realized my keys were sitting comfortably on the console. Now, having done this 10 or 12 times before I had no fear. Although in the past, my door didn't close all the way due to a worn-out hinge. But I had recently replaced the hinges, now I began to worry. After a couple of frustrating failures I discovered that the windows on the extended cab could be pulled open slightly. I anxiously grabbed a hanger, and a piece of 1x2 lumber. I wedged the wood in the window and tried getting the hanger in but it was too short. So I tried to remove the wood to open the window more and POW!! The window shattered all over the place. Talk about pissed off. Using the hanger now was no problem though. I fished for the next couple hours. I think it was too hot, I only got a couple bites. $120 new installed, $100 if I do it myself. I will be putting it in tomorrow morning.

Manly Men or Romantic Shmoopshy Poopshy's?

The other day I heard on the radio a game for women to play for a small prize. If they were to be chosen they would then be connected to their husband's cell phone, or work phone, or wherever he was to be reached. During this three-way phone call we the listeners, and the radio station could hear the conversation, unbeknownst to the husband. Her objective was to get her husband to talk to her in the cute, baby talk that I quote, "all of us husbands do".
So, Bobbie and I were talking about this very topic just a few moments ago and decided to see who else does this. Please, do share.

Check out this web site I found.
http://www.kimstamps.com/poop.html

Another beauty

Bobbie and I went fishing again and caught this little fella. Bobbie just made fun of me for posting "another" fish picture. Hey, what can I say? I like Fish!

Washington DC

I took a little trip to Washington DC this week. The Army sent me out to Walter Reed Medical Center for my back. While there I rented a car and took a look around. The one day I spent seeing the National Mall as they call it, I failed to see the White House. I was under the impression that it was located where the US Capitol is located. By the time I made it to the Capitol building I had realized that I might get my car towed. So I hurried back only to realize that I could have parked there all night if I wanted to. The Army is sending me back sometime soon and I am surely going to see it then.