Goals for 2008 and what happened.

[RobertN]

I am not sure, but Ian was about 9 or 10 when he was in 4H. I'd have to look it up... He has not been involved in 4H for a couple years, although he has earned the shotgun shooting merit badge in Scouts a few months ago, and is also working on archery and rifle shooting merit badges.

Hi Robert,

I never thought about that. I have always heard that you should never try to teach your kids to drive yourself because you get too personally involved. I taught Steph how to shoot, but to be honest, she's a natural and a much better shot then I am. At least at targets, she still gets buck fever and has to work through that, but when she calms down, she's deadly.

What age do they start them out at? Peyton is 8, but Alissa is 11. I'd prefer they both go together, but will have to look into it and see if something like that even exists. I'll go to the shooting range and see if they have anything. I've never actually been there since we just shoot on our land, but this is Texas and most people have a gun of some kind here.

Thanks for the suggestion,
Eddie

 

[RobertN]

I'd have to look it up...

Texas 4H shooting program:
Texas 4-H Shooting Sports
c. Juniors - All shooting sports members whose 4-H age is 9 (or 8 years of age and in 3rd grade) or 10 years of age

National 4H shooting site:
National 4-H Shooting Sports

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Eddie,

As long as you made an honest attempt, which you did, then it is not a failure. Completion doesn't always mean success. What if you completed everything on the list except for spending time with your kids? Would it have been closer to a success? I think not. What if you completed everything on the list but it was all done half-arsed? Still not a success. I think you're on the right track which is all that matters. I think you keep the same goals for 2009 and don't get discouraged or call anything a failure. Most of your projects are documented here and I haven't seen a failure yet. I don't think you could fail if you tried. Your business is busy while many other contractors out there are starving. If 2008 wasn't a success for you, then I don't know what a success is.

My dad was a small arms instructor in the army and he taught me how to shoot. Basically, he handed me the gun, after some safety training of course, and told me to shoot. He made some minor corrections then let me go. I also teach my daughter and other kids self defense. One thing I learned with my kid is the same that my dad did with me, you can't be as tough on them as other kids. Just let them go, they will learn. Give them some pointers and encouragement and stay positive. Don't tell them, "don't do that." Instead, try, "that way was okay, but try it this way."

Andy

 

[coffeeman]

Hi Coffeeman,

The goals for 2008 were pretty much a total failure in that I didn't get a single one finished, other then goofing off with the kids.

I'm not going to set goals for the year. While it was fun to see what I could accomplish, it's also kind of meaningless in the big picture of building the RV Park. Today I know what I have to do towards that main goal, but there are also allot of things that I'd like to get done. The storage shed is high on that list as is finishing off the dirt removal and grading of the pasture. I have 30 RV Pads that I'm working on right now with thousands of yards of dirt on them that I need to grade. I have to get my sewage lift station cleared and graded, plus get the path for it cleared to the highway where the water district can connect it to their manhole. I want to build a floating dock on Lake Marabou, as well as a bridge over the spillway and a gazebo on the peninsula. I have allot of clearing to do on for all my roads, and over a hundred pads to build for my RV Sites, Cabins and Tent Sites. I have to build up pads for three laundry mats, one huge meeting hall, my store, car wash and then there is the storage units. Each of them need a pad and the land needs to be graded out there for drainage. The list goes on and on....

Thanks to everyone who asked about the goals, it didn't happen, but it was still a great year!!!!!!!!!!

Eddie

Hi Eddie

Not setting targets would be a failure. I have gone long periods of time whthout doing much daily planning. If I have a good list it's easier to get back on track and I know I operate better when I plan my weeks and months. As times change goals can be added or taken off the list. Goals are flexable and change sometime within a minute, day or month. What's important is keeping your eye on the ball.

Looks like you have a lot to do. In addition; sounds like you know where you want to go. Think of this; when you sit down to eat an elephant you still have to eat it one bite at a time. My dad used to tell me, " When your in business for yourself, your never done." Those of us who work for themselves know this well. However, you have to reserve time just for you and family. That time makes the regular job easier to do.

Happy New Year, Good Luck and Health....Coffeeman

 

[jinman]

Here's another Texas 4-H site.

Shooting Sites

Also, you can check into NRA sanctioned ranges in your area. Some of these have free youth programs that supply both guns and ammo for youth at no charge.

 

[RobertN]

Here's another Texas 4-H site.

Shooting Sites

Also, you can check into NRA sanctioned ranges in your area. Some of these have free youth programs that supply both guns and ammo for youth at no charge.

The range that used to support 4H here, had a number of very nice target rifles donated by members and Friends of NRA. I think 4H got free cartridges... They shot free on the range. I think non 4H youth cost $2. I always brought and donated some 22lr to the group.

The same range did have a separate monthly youth program. It is not very well advertised nor attended, because it is not advertised.

the other range in our area, about 45+ minutes away, also has a youth shoot. We have not been to it. I believe they will supply everything, for a minimal charge.

 

[Sigarms]

Hi Coffeeman,

The goals for 2008 were pretty much a total failure in that I didn't get a single one finished, other then goofing off with the kids.

I think you know you have your priorities straight because you got done what mattered most. Your wife is a lucky woman.

 

[Marlowe]

If anything I've noticed that projects always take longer than I think they will. My one big project for the last few years is building the new house. I started this project thinking that things would move along much quicker than they have. Without fail every single step has proved a challenge and I have come to the realization that if I hope to get eight things done in a day, I've had a good day when I get four things done. I'm now in my fourth year. I have just wrapped up two weeks off from work and I hoped to get the plumbing finished and to put the posts on the porches. Plumbing is a much more tedious project than I anticipated but I got it done and today installed four of the twelve needed posts on the porch. As everything else, even the posts proved to be more time consuming than I could have imagined. Putting them in place isn't so bad, but those code required fasteners are a pain. I have so much metal in this house now I'm more concerned of it rusting than rotting. My wife, the eternal optimist when it comes to me finishing this house, has again announced that this is the year we will be in the new house. I sure do hope she's right this year. My other goals all involve quality time with the family. I try to get in some of that every day, and unfortunately, that takes much less time than I'd like.

 

[RobS]

I hope you're not feeling bad for yourself Eddie, I'm impressed in that you took the time to write the goals and now reflect on them. Even more impressive is how public you made it all.

What you haven't shared yet in this thread is all the OTHER stuff you got done this year that may have interfered with your written goals.

You remind me of my brother-in-law. He is very driven and organized. We walked together the past three mornings while together for Christmas and we always share ideas for improving ourselves and our situations.

So, what are the 2009 goals?

 

[EddieWalker]

2009 goals are to finish my deer blind, Finish grading my pasture and getting it planted in bermuda grass. I want to swap out my old hot tub for the new one, which means taking out a wall and redoing the electrical. I want to build my storage shed and then my gazebo. Basically my 2008 goals are still in place, I just hope to get them done this year.

Eddie