The best trip ever...

Well, after 6 incredible days of hunting the woods of East Texas, the boar hunters have returned to frozen Illinois. The ride down was less than spectacular. We left last Friday night to try and beat the winter storm blowing in. The storm had other plans, however. The 17-hour drive was stretched to 23.5 hours due to a maximum speed of 35mph on the interstate all the way to St. Louis! Once we arrived, we could not have asked for better weather-upper 70's and sunny every day! We thought we were going to get slammed by the huge storm system on the way home yesterday, but we drove behind it the whole way.



Our goal this year was to beat the record of 36 confirmed hog kills. We hunted HARD every day and were out until 2am two nights in a row trying to get as many pigs as possible. Despite two opportunities where a herd of pigs got up in front of us, jammed guns prevented the record from being broken (i know it sounds like an excuse, but i have the video to prove it!). We ended up with 35 pigs, 5 of which were killed with a spear (also on video).



On the last day, we were hunting "the island," which has historically produced some very large boars. When we were about 200 yards from the end of the island, a herd of approximately 20 of the long-haired beasts got up in front of my uncle and ran right at me. My dad, my uncle, and I opened up on them. I picked out the first pig and fired. It dropped from view behind a small rise along the creek. Then my gun jammed. Then the herd turned and ran right through me. I had a stampeding rapid pack of tusked demons run past me within 5 yards. When the smoke and dust cleared, 3 enormous pigs lay on the ground around me. My dad shot two trophy boars and I shot a sow that was the biggest any of the guys had ever seen. We couldn't even drag the 400-500 pounder. I'm sure Bri was excited to hear I'll now have a monster wild boar to hang on the wall!



It was an incredible trip that I will never forget! The DVD will be done in a month or so if anyone wants to see it!

It's that time again!

In 14 hours I will be departing the frigid winter of Illinois for balmy Texas in hopes of sending a herd of wild hogs to their maker. If I have internet access while I'm there, I will upload some photos along the way. Last year we bagged 34 of the nasty beasts. Can we break the record of 37 in one week?! You betcha!

my life as an EHS...

So...
It's been a crazy past 1.5 weeks. Bri is now out of the hospital and feeling much better. She was diagnosed with Crohn's, but has adjusted well because she is amazing. Now if she can only get home from Chicago with all of this crazy, blizzardy, weather.
In the midst of all this, I started my new job at the health department. So far it has been fun. There is a lot of variety to the job, so it will be hard to get bored. That also means I have a TON to learn (which is also good). A lot of it is learned by going out with other Environmental Health Specialists and observing what they do. I've accompanied them on several food inspections, a couple of home inspections, and some septic system samplings (not as bad as it sounds-just dipping a cup into the water that flows out of the tank after being treated). Traveling to the different locations really breaks up the day, so it's usually over before I know it. It really beats sitting behind a desk for 8 hours, staring at the clock! My co-workers are fun and very helpful. I can't wait to get out on my own (maybe in a few months)!

bri update

Friends,
Bri is now feeling better and will most likely be released tomorrow if she keeps improving. She has been diagnosed with Crohn's disease and is coping very well. She's a strong girl and will adapt. Thank you for all of your prayers and support!

note:

when you ask someone to pick up their relative at "the airport" and "the airport" you are referring to is not the airport in the city you live in, you must inform them that "the airport" you are referring to is 180 miles away. because when the generous person who volunteers to pick up your mother has set aside 45 minutes for the trip and is informed that they are to make a 6 hour trip to O'Hare and back instead of Peoria Int'l while on their way out the door, they will not be happy. they will be pissed. very pissed.

thanks,
the management

Bri needs our prayers. She has been sick since last Monday with abdominal pains and all the stuff that accompany them. Tuesday night we went to the ER, where they diagnosed her with gastroenteritis, which basically could be anything that makes you nauseous. They have her a couple prescriptions for the pain and nausea, but it didn't do anything to treat her symptoms. Sunday night she went back to the ER because the pain was so extreme. They admitted her and she has been there ever since. After several tests, including a CAT scan, she still has been given no definite answers. The doctors think she may have Crohn's disease. Please pray that this is not the case, as it is a chronic and painful illness with no cure. Please pray that her pain subsides and to give her physicians wisdom.


For those that have been wondering, the new job is going well-much more exciting and interesting than claims.

Reflection.

10.5 months.

744 claims.





Broken teeth, foreign objects, food poisoning, slips, trips, falls, lacerations, car
accidents, storms, falling debris, coffee spills, torn pants, raw chicken, flies, worms, and cockroaches, mouse legs, chicken feet, rat brains, and human feces. I'll stop there.

I am not going to miss any of it!

While this job has been stressful, frustrating, and sometime infuriating, I've learned some important lessons here:

1. I've learned that people are extremely grateful when you extend a helping hand or lessen a financial burden, even when you don't necessarily owe them.
2. I've learned that you can't change someone else, only the way you respond to them.

4 hours until I graduate from this chapter of my life!