Pellet Fan
All Things Considered => General Discussion--Non food Related => Topic started by: jdmessner on December 31, 2017, 01:44:07 AM
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2017 has been kind of a crazy year for me, a year with many ups and downs that I never could have predicted. Probably the biggest change has been my eating habits. I’ve gone from a health crisis to a healthier way of eating and living. I've learned to eat to live, rather than live to eat.
One of the highlights of the year was when someone asked me out of the blue if I was interested in a pellet grill. I had no idea what I was getting into. He took my offer of $100 for his old Traeger. It started me on a new journey that led to a better understanding of not just how to cook, but the importance of the process that leads to the end result.
While I’m not one for making resolutions, I do plan to continue the path I have started. I hope this will include new and creative ways to cook and serve a variety of foods. The ultimate goal is to bring people together for good food and fellowship. Thanks to each of you for the contributions and advice that has been given. You’ve helped make 2017 a great year and I am looking forward to what the New Year may bring!!
What stood out for you in 2017? Any hopes, dreams, or resolutions for 2018?
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I quit smoking cigars in 2017. In 2018, I hope I can learn to manage my weight better, but to be honest, I do not think my mind is there yet.
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I quit smoking cigars in 2017. In 2018, I hope I can learn to manage my weight better, but to be honest, I do not think my mind is there yet.
Im with you on your second point. I feel the same way about wish to but not yet desire to want to.
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I quit smoking cigars in 2017.
Why? How many were you smoking?
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5 a day...
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Very nice jdmessner! -very nice..
2017 -was good for the most part except for a health issue.
2018 - Not sure what to expect other than very cold weather. I'll try and concentrate on being more thoughtful of others..It's a small world and life is precious.
Happy New Year
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2017 went way to fast.
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Well, hope this response is not too much of a downer.
In mid-2017, I stopped being a service dog puppy raiser for SDWR because I learned that they were placing unqualified/temperamentally unfit/unhealthy dogs with folks and charging $25,00 for those animals. The worse part is some people got a good dog that did as it was suppose to, (my second puppy Dexter fits in this category) but dozens and dozens did not. So some folks will stick up for them and that is why the organization is so evil in my mind. The owner knows this, but continues because he is making money hand over fist and doesn't care. So, for the rest of 2017, I worked with a small group of folks to shut him down. There are things going on the local, state and fed level, but government agencies are slow in going after frauds.
So, in 2018, I am hoping for more success in shutting this organization down. We are also working with a state legislator to pass legislation regarding running a service dog agency (boy, have I learned a lot about what a qualify agency looks like, I was so naive!). We want to stop folks from being harmed and taken in the future. And I have my application in with a bona fide agency to become a puppy raiser again. If all goes well and I pass all their requirements, I may have a new puppy in late spring/early summer.
So I am looking forward to a productive and successful 2018!!!! ;D
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Thats to bad about the first outfit, i hope you kick the legal xxxx out of them. I dont think i would want to be on the wrong side of you when youre in lawyer mode. I truly hope there is a special place in xxxx for people like that. Im glad you found a good group to try again with.
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That is a special kind of sick if you can prey on folks who are trusting you with help for them and their life.
I agree with Grillinglen, I know I would not have any interest in trying to defend the indefensible against you. I truly hope you have success in getting them what they deserve and in putting your time and talent to good with another organization.
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In mid-2017, I stopped being a service dog puppy raiser for SDWR because I learned that they were placing unqualified/temperamentally unfit/unhealthy dogs with folks and charging $25,00 for those animals. The worse part is some people got a good dog that did as it was suppose to, (my second puppy Dexter fits in this category) but dozens and dozens did not. So some folks will stick up for them and that is why the organization is so evil in my mind. The owner knows this, but continues because he is making money hand over fist and doesn't care. So, for the rest of 2017, I worked with a small group of folks to shut him down. There are things going on the local, state and fed level, but government agencies are slow in going after frauds.
So, in 2018, I am hoping for more success in shutting this organization down. We are also working with a state legislator to pass legislation regarding running a service dog agency (boy, have I learned a lot about what a qualify agency looks like, I was so naive!). We want to stop folks from being harmed and taken in the future. And I have my application in with a bona fide agency to become a puppy raiser again. If all goes well and I pass all their requirements, I may have a new puppy in late spring/early summer.
So I am looking forward to a productive and successful 2018!!!! ;D
Service dogs are amazing animals. A little over a year ago I visited the headquarters and training school for Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester Hills, MI. They just completely renovated their facility and do some incredable things for the visually impaired. In a couple of weeks I am scheduled to take a group to tour Paws With a Cause, near Grand Rapids, MI. They do great work for people with a variety of disablities. It takes a lot of time, effort, and money to train each dog. It is too bad when people use agencies to take advantage of others for their own gain. Keep the faith! I hope you are able to become a puppy raiser again. Best of luck in the New Year.
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Good on ya Kristin! Taking advantage of the vulnerable is deplorable.
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Kristin let us know when you have succeeded.
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What stood out for me in 2017?
Well, my wife and I were both diagnosed with cancer within a few weeks of each other.
Mine was a fairly aggressive prostate cancer diagnosis and her cancer was a very large malignant tumor with her
right kidney.
We have both had our cancer surgeries and it is now in our past.
We want to thank all of the members for their serious support and prayers.
We hope to continue to battle any reoccurrence of these issues in 2018.
Also very significant in 2017 was the sudden disappearance of pelletheads.com following the death of Larry Hill.
This was right at the time the Pelletfan.com was receiving its birth.
And the remainder of the year brought over 600 followers to the membership rolls.
Way to go!!
I'd love to see this forum continue to grow in 2018 with a increase in high quality members.
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Well, hope this response is not too much of a downer.
In mid-2017, I stopped being a service dog puppy raiser for SDWR because I learned that they were placing unqualified/temperamentally unfit/unhealthy dogs with folks and charging $25,00 for those animals. The worse part is some people got a good dog that did as it was suppose to, (my second puppy Dexter fits in this category) but dozens and dozens did not. So some folks will stick up for them and that is why the organization is so evil in my mind. The owner knows this, but continues because he is making money hand over fist and doesn't care. So, for the rest of 2017, I worked with a small group of folks to shut him down. There are things going on the local, state and fed level, but government agencies are slow in going after frauds.
So, in 2018, I am hoping for more success in shutting this organization down. We are also working with a state legislator to pass legislation regarding running a service dog agency (boy, have I learned a lot about what a qualify agency looks like, I was so naive!). We want to stop folks from being harmed and taken in the future. And I have my application in with a bona fide agency to become a puppy raiser again. If all goes well and I pass all their requirements, I may have a new puppy in late spring/early summer.
So I am looking forward to a productive and successful 2018!!!! ;D
That is sad news and just shows how someone in need is taken advantage of..Thank you for your caring nature and endeavours to make things right.
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What Stood Out for 2017: Besides one of our best years ever on the BBQ Circuit, it would have to be representing DAV (Disabled American Veterans) at the World Food Championships.
For 2018: Hope to return for a 3rd year to WFC, make "Feed the Troops" Fairchild AFB even bigger, Appear as Elf Chef once again for Spokane Fantasy Flight and just do something good for those who are less fortunate...
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2017 was blur in time for me. All of it just smushes together in my mind.
2018 . . . I haven't got far enough in my thinking to consider what I want to accomplish, yet.
Kristin, you and others on this forum who have such inner strength and conviction are to be admired. Keep fighting the good fight!
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5 a day...
Never heard of someone smoking that many. Good for you.
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5 a day...
Never heard of someone smoking that many. Good for you.
I agree. Start exercising. A little at first and then increase it. It's amazing how much it helps you feel. I try to work outside as much as I can just to keep active, but I don't mind doing it inside either.
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My Step son is a single parent of a 10 year old Daughter & an 8 Year old Son. They were living in a 2 bedroom upstairs apt in a 8 plex building. Diane & I were able to put enough money together to but them an affordable 3 bedroom home with a attached one car garage & Central air. Behind the home is an strip of abandon RR property Then down a short hill to the Wisconsin river. You could say its riverfront property without paying the taxes!! Along the whole length of the property is a sidewalk where a person could fish, Launch a canoe, Kayak, Read a book ETC. Just a little piece of paradise in the middle of the city.
Trouble is..... The City wants to tear down the whole block to widen the road to a 2 lane bridge that's going to remain 2 lanes for another 35 years according to the Wisconsin DOT. They could accomplish their goals by taking a few feet off each side of the road. Yet they want to take it ALL off my side of the road. Use the eminent domain law to take our homes. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that this is a big land grab & an attack on the homes of the Working Poor, Minorities, Seniors & Veterans living on this block. Take the bock out & they have a nice chunk of riverfront property to develop into high end condos, riverfront wharf, whatever.
So my hope for 2018 is to hang on to this piece of paradise in our city. I don't know if I could find another as nice for the money. Believe me We looked long & hard.
So the fight continues. The City Council is so incompetent & is in debt past their ears. We have an attorney from another City retained if need be. They could easily accomplish their goals without harming the neighborhood.
In the BBQ world in 2017 I came to the conclusion that one pit is to small & one is to big. (They are in my signature) So The JB is up for sale! Liking what I see in the Louisiana CS450. Need something to get me fired More fired up into BBQing again!
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I quit smoking cigars in 2017. In 2018, I hope I can learn to manage my weight better, but to be honest, I do not think my mind is there yet.
For your weight loss, go for the Paleolithic diet or the Adkins (same idea) diet. It works. Only real contraindication is impaired renal function which limits the amount of protein you can handle. But if your not in that category, then go for it. You will lose fat weight. Note; this is not an ad or professional advice. You might want to ask your doctor if it is ok. Bon apetit.
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5 a day...
I think I smoked 5 in a day once. Now I smoke maybe 1 every week or two. Same with drinking. Mostly only partake when I am golfing or hanging with friends.
2017 was an interesting year for me. It was great work wise, not so great at home or health wise. I weigh the most I ever have and take more pills for blood pressure, cholesterol, anxiety/depression, acid re-flux than I care to. I am glad 2017 is over and am looking forward to 2018. I am taking control of my life. I think I am finally ready to be serious about my health and nutrition. Hoping to lose about 60-80lbs this year. I went on my first walk last night and it felt great! I have a consultation with a nutritionist tomorrow.
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5 a day...
I think I smoked 5 in a day once. Now I smoke maybe 1 every week or two. Same with drinking. Mostly only partake when I am golfing or hanging with friends.
2017 was an interesting year for me. It was great work wise, not so great at home or health wise. I weigh the most I ever have and take more pills for blood pressure, cholesterol, anxiety/depression, acid re-flux than I care to. I am glad 2017 is over and am looking forward to 2018. I am taking control of my life. I think I am finally ready to be serious about my health and nutrition. Hoping to lose about 60-80lbs this year. I went on my first walk last night and it felt great! I have a consultation with a nutritionist tomorrow.
Good on you! Sounds like you're motivated to make a lasting change.
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I heard from Service Dogs of Virginia tonight. They start a new training class for puppy raisers on Feb 6. We will have 4 or 5 classes plus a home inspection and then they will decide if I am qualified to become a puppy raiser for them. So one step of the journey accomplished! More to come.
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I heard from Service Dogs of Virginia tonight. They start a new training class for puppy raisers on Feb 6. We will have 4 or 5 classes plus a home inspection and then they will decide if I am qualified to become a puppy raiser for them. So one step of the journey accomplished! More to come.
Hope it all works out. We couldn't do that. I'd have no problem with letting them go, but the wife and girls...
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I heard from Service Dogs of Virginia tonight. They start a new training class for puppy raisers on Feb 6. We will have 4 or 5 classes plus a home inspection and then they will decide if I am qualified to become a puppy raiser for them. So one step of the journey accomplished! More to come.
Please keep us posted! Do they take into account your past experience at all?
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I heard from Service Dogs of Virginia tonight. They start a new training class for puppy raisers on Feb 6. We will have 4 or 5 classes plus a home inspection and then they will decide if I am qualified to become a puppy raiser for them. So one step of the journey accomplished! More to come.
I have a lot of respect for the job you are setting out to do. Yesterday I toured a service dog training center for an organization that sounds similar to the one you are thinking about joining. It is called "Paws With a Cause". Their main headquarters are just south of Grand Rapids, MI.
They train dogs for the hearing impaired, people with physical disabilities, seizure detection, and now have dogs that work with autistic children. Last year they trained and sent out over 200 dogs nationwide. They have service dogs in 35 states. There are hundreds of volunteers that assist in puppy training. I was surprised to find out they are working with six prisons in the state and have prisoners training the dogs.
Good luck with the interview process and all that goes with it!
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Michael -- they have not asked about prior experience, so I think they probably only care about whether you can raise as they wish a puppy to be raise.
jdmessner -- prison programs are popular. There use to be a show on Animal Planet called "Cell Dogs" which showed various prison programs which were raising service puppies.