Ferfs 2012 – What the Year Looked Like

Posted on January 6, 2013 by theFerf

Here it is, my obligatory year in review. With as bad as my memory is, I require myself to at least once per year document the cool things I can remember that happened over the course of the year… and this was definitely a year of ups and downs. It’s always hard to believe as I try to remember all the things I do in a year how blessed me and my family are, and how lucky we are to have so many great friends and experiences. Thank you 2012, here we come 2013!

Life Moments

Remembering my grandmother, who died in early 2012 from cancer. So happy to have been able to see her for the months leading up to her passing.
Mourning the loss of our 10 year old golden retriever, Cason. He was the only constant in our family, sad to see him go.
The happiness of 11 years of marriage. Every August I cant help but think of how lucky I am to have met someone so perfect for me at such a young age.
The pure joy of learning of our first child. Coming in March, our little boy has been hands down the most exciting thing we have ever planned for.
A trip to Memphis with friends, Dave & Sherry. We probably would not have made it there without your prodding.
A trip to Mexico with family. A week, unplugged, with loved ones. Always worth it.
Spending time on the mountain (Monteagle). It’s awesome to learn who your greatest friends are, and to be able to do cool things with them.

Personal

Brewing beer with Rob, Matt and Jeff. We’re not the best, but we make amazingly drinkable beer.
Finding companies to start to mentor, and to continue to mentor.
Backing cool projects on Kickstarter that range from underwear, to gadgets, to food and a book. More great companies.
Another amazing year at the Jumpstart Foundry. The 2012 companies truly amazed me.
Being part of the wedding of my good friends Matt & Rachel.

Work

The tremendous execution of Checkd.in. We built so many cool campaigns, its hard to mention them all: Taylor Swift, Pink, Kenny Chesney, Dunkin Donuts, Less Conf, Pitbull and so many more. The team is just crushing it.
The explosive growth of Change Healthcare. The stats are still unpublished, but before this year is over – peoples minds will be blown.
The launching of Curious

Fitness

Fangtastic 5k with John Wyckoff and family
The warrior dash complete, and highly recommended. Drink beer, costumes, live music and giant turkey legs.
Ran the 200 mile Ragnar with team CHC. It’s amazing what you learn about people and their desires to succeed when you spend that much time in a van with them. This was a great experience, hope I can do it again one day.
Bought my new Cervelo R3. Decided if I was going to commit, I needed to commit.
Trained 700 miles (small, but moving). My hopes is to do so much more in 2013

I’m sure I have left out soo many moments, but this is what my memory (and facebook, and flickr) remind me to write about. I can only hope that 2013 is more impressive than 2012 in every category. To those I know, much love – lets go get it!

Big Ol’ Fat Cason – Thanks for the Memories

Posted on October 3, 2012 by theFerf

From October 2001 to October 2012, Cason lived a good life. At 11 years old and more than 120 pounds, he was the only thing that stayed constant in Amy and my life from the day we got him. While we moved from city to city and coast to coast, charging through new adventures and startups, Cason followed along happily at our side. I’m glad he died at home, without pain, and with family. The photos tell a lot of stories, but if you spent any time with him, you know all you need to already :)

Some of my favorite Cason moments:

He used to spill your beer just so he could help you clean it up
He has eaten: a pound of reeces cups, a pound of chocolate chip cookies, a stick of batter, fiberglass insulation and the orange netting bag that your oranges come in – just to name a few
He has chewed holes through both drywall and a mattress, just to see what was on the other side
He loved being covered in towels – a towel was actually his favorite toy
Cason is “kill me dog” (just google it)
and so much more.

11 years is 1/3 of my life and as long as I have been married to my wife. It will be hard to get over, but his memories will of course be with us forever. He was loyal, loving and part of our family. But most of all, he was a great friend.

Goal Achieved: Living With Chickens

Posted on August 5, 2012May 8, 2020 by theFerf

For those who do not know me well, allow me to start with this: I have a list. This list is full of all the goals, large and small, that I want to achieve. Some are things like learning martial arts, or playing blues harp, or riding my motorcycle on a long road trip. Some are things like raise chickens, live off my own garden and make the world a better place – you just never know what’s going to be on the list. The idea is this: when something gets to the top of the list, you do it (or you put significant effort into figuring it out). Today we can mark “raise chickens” off the list.

Last month, on July 4th, we brought home our four little ladies (ages 10-16 weeks). Their names (from left to right): Cluck Norris (a cinnamon queen), Chicken Tetrazzini (a Salmon Faverolle), Nugget (a Welsummer) and Hen-rietta (an Americauna). Having had them a month, I can officially say they are growing to be a big part of our family. They are very low maintenance and will start producing eggs in about 8 weeks.

A few details for those of you who are interested (this is the significant effort part):

We got the ladies from an awesome bird lady at Poultry Hollow
We built the chicken coop from scratch (pictures)
We bought the necessities from Tractor Supply Store
We feed them DuMor Layer Pellets
Read the Nashville chicken ordinance/rules
Get your Nashville chicken permit ($25)

Above: Our chicken coop at about 90% complete.

Amy and I are proud to be among the few city dwellers in Nashville to have our permit and be raising chickens near downtown. Soon we will be getting upwards of 4 eggs per day to go along with the fresh veggies from the garden. It’s been fun to have friends and family over to teach them about our chickens, and raising chickens in general. Im sure this is just the first part of our chicken story, but… another list item, completed!

Barbara Wright: 1938 – 2012

Posted on May 9, 2012August 5, 2012 by theFerf

Barbara Marie (Wright) Southworth, 73, died at 2:54 p.m. Sunday, April 22, 2012 in Tennessee surrounded by her family.

She was born Dec. 4, 1938 in Monticello to John and Edith (Widner) Wright. On Aug. 29, 1953, in Royal Center, she married Joseph Edward Southworth; he preceded her in death. She and the love of her life were devoted to their two daughters. As the families grew, so did their love. Barbara treasured life and her friends. She was very close with the entire family of Jim Maxson Sr. who were considered part of her immediate family.

Barbara was a lifelong resident of Monticello. She retired from White County Memorial Hospital in 2002 where she worked for 21 years as a Dietary Aide and later Assistant Director of Foods and Nutrition. She always enjoyed both her co-workers and the patients she cared for.

Barbara believed that all people are good in their own right and treated them so. She never met a stranger. Through the years, “Coffee’s on!” and “You’re on!” were poetic as everyone was welcomed into her home, and if you lingered, the games came out. She enjoyed traveling and camping and in later years, arts and crafts.

Barbara had a strong belief in God and His plan for her life. Nearing the end, she was excited she would be joined with her husband and forever be in God’s presence.

Chris McIntyre

Husband. Father. Entrepreneur. Mentor. Builder.