New Again

Another one of my favorite things to do is to take old, worn out things and fix them up or make them into something new. And I love antiques, especially if they are sentimental. Anyway, a few months ago my Aunt Diane gave my an old wheeled plow that was my great grandfather's. I was very excited to get it. It was not in the best shape, the handles were mostly rotten but the metal part was still in pretty good shape, just a little rusty. So I finally got around to fixing it up the past couple days. I didn't know if I was going to find any new handles for it since it is old, and thought I might have to make them myself, but I happened across some at the farmers co-op the other day. I don't know that I will use it as a plow but I think it will look really good as decoration in my big flower bed when I get it in. Here are some pics.

Before

After

Recycling

In continuing our effort to waste less and conserve energy, we have started recycling. As you can imagine, we don't have a city sponsored recycling program as far out as we live (we used to have it provided when we lived in town). But Fayetteville has a very large recycling facility and recycling pick-up is included with the trash service. Well, they also have a drop-off site where you can take your recyclables and drop them off. They recycle aluminum cans, steel cans, cardboard, plastic bottles, newspaper, magazines, chipboard, glass, and printer paper. So we have started sorting out our trash that is recyclable and take it to the drop off site. It has drastically reduced our waste. Click here for some fun facts about recycling,they are very interesting. For instance, 75% of our trash can be recycled and recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours. Anyway, we encourage all of you to start recycling, it isn't hard.

Throwback Thursday - Basketball

This throwback Thursday won't feature pictures from quite as far back as previous ones. These are from Junior High; Margo and I both played basketball. I was a Bearcat (M-E-N-A, Mena, Mena All the Way) and Margo was a Warrior. I think the Bearcat would have won that battle. I think Margo has changed a lot since her picture but I don't think I have really changed much, I still look the same. Maybe that is why I am told on a daily basis that I look like I am 12. Be sure and notice my huge muscles.

Good Times

This past week and weekend we had some friends come and stay with us. Walt and Annie came on Tuesday and Dylan and Molly came on Thursday and they all left this morning. They were here raising monetary support because both couples are doing missionary work overseas and need money to live on. Walt and Annie are moving to Germany and going to do missions in Greater Europe (which includes northern Africa and western Asia) and Dylan and Molly are moving to India to work in a children's home. Anyway, we had a really good time while they were here, they are some of our favorite people to hang out with and it was nice to get to spend a lot of quality time with them. We got a little crazy at times. Here is a pic.


We made a few videos while they were here, this is one of Annie shooting a couple of my shotguns.



If any of you are looking for missionaries to support and give to, these two couples are amazing and are doing really good things so you should consider supporting them.

Throwback Thursday - Brothers and Sisters

Back by popular demand. I had multiple requests for the return of Throwback Thursday, it is not that I ever quit, sometimes I just don't get a chance to post. I do have a life you know. I also had a suggestion from a good friend (Josh A.) that we should have more themed days. He suggested White Trash Wednesday. I think just about everyday is white trash day for me though. Maybe one of these Wednesday's I will post something. Anyway, here are some pictures of us with our siblings.

Margo and Chris



Me, Christy, and Zack, riding Dad (and he's got hair!)


Be sure and check out the Throwback Thursday video of the day.

If you build it, they will come

I built it, so now you need to come.



The Farm of Hale 9 Hole Disc Golf Course, unofficially named The Chains of Hale Disc Golf Course, unless a better name is suggested.

Goats, Goats, Everywhere Goats

Our herd is growing. My parents are going on vacation for the next month or so and they have goats and no one to take care of them. So, instead of getting rid of them or paying someone to come take care of them, my dad picked out his 10 best and brought them to my house and then sold the rest that he had. That means that I now have 20 goats on our property until they get back from vacation. I am not sure how many goats our property would support on the long term but I think having this many goats will be good for us for a month or so. It will help my goats catch up with all the weeds and underbrush and really get my place cleaned up nice. I feel like I should get a robe and a long staff and just go out there and stand next to them. That sounds like a funny idea, maybe I will go do that.


The only robe I had, was Margo's yellow bathrobe.

Family Reunion

Over the 3 day weekend, we had a family reunion. It was Margo's dad's family and they have a reunion every year at Petit Jean State Park. It was a pretty good time, the best thing was just being able to get away and relax. We stayed in the lodge on top of the mountain. Margo and I got to do a little hiking while we were there. The trails and views are really great at Petit Jean, probably some of the best in Arkansas, I recommend checking it out. There is a really cool water fall, Cedar Falls, that you can hike to, it wasn't as great this year because it hasn't been raining much. Here are a couple pics for you but I highly recommend clicking here to see even more.