I Believe in Santa!

I'm not ashamed to admit that I still believe in Santa. There was a brief point in my life when I didn't and tried to throw a wrench in my sister's belief of Santa. What a mean older sister I was telling her that Santa was a fake and I remember doing everything I could after that to correct my wrong. I mean really, what's the harm in believing in a cute old bearded jolly man in a red suit. It brings warmth and great memories remembering waking up Christmas morning to all kinds of great presents that Santa had left for us. Santa brings joy and smiles to me when I see him. I also feel that there is a little Santa in others and they are sent out by him to spread joy and smiles during Christmas and all the year through. Life in America has been a little challenged these days and we are all struggling to make ends meet. Even with that, you can still let your inner Santa come through by helping those less fortunate then you. And I think I say this every year, slow down a little and enjoy the season. Be kind to others and it will come back to you. And whatever you do, always believe in Santa, he's out there watching to see if you are being naughty or nice.

Merry Christmas!

ABATE Toy Ride

All summer long I've planned on going to certain motorcycle events and because something has come up I haven't been able to. Well, Sunday was the ABATE Toy Ride and I kept telling Dan...we are doing this...don't make plans...no one is stopping us from going to this. My wish came true and we were able to go! YAY! Dan shined up the Glide and we headed over to meet Monique and RJ...our new riding buddies! They have actually been our friends for a few years but it wasn't until recently that RJ and Monique crossed over to the wild side. I say this because they've always been bikers...just bikers on bicycles. And instead of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally they are used to going on RAGBRAI. Which, if you have ever gone on this 7 day bicycle ride across Iowa, it sometimes is wilder then Sturgis.

It was a beautiful day for a ride on Sunday. After picking up Monique and RJ we made our way to I - 235 and headed east to the Capital. Because of my shear excitement about being able to go on this toy ride I got us there plenty early so we road around a little while and then headed back to the parking lot that is east of the Capital. As you can tell we were still pretty early.


I love Rat Bikes and this one was one of the coolest I saw on Sunday. Thanks to the nice biker that told me I could post it. I'm bad...I forgot to get his name but he did say he enters "Bone Rattler" in Rat Bike shows.



As the time goes by more and more people begin showing up. I decide to walk around and get some pictures and chat it up with some people that I know.



Yes...there is a Santa and Mrs. Claus. And Mrs. Claus wears leather chaps, with fringe. COOL!


I even ran into a reindeer and an elf.

You see so many cool things when you just walk around and look. I was like a kid in a big parking lot candy store. One fun find after another.






This is one of my favorite pictures that I took on Sunday. I want this to be me. I want to always be a cool biker chick until I can't swing my leg over that scoot anymore. You go Biker Momma!

And this is in no way making fun of the Iowa State Patrol but the photo cracks me up a little. These two Iowa State Patrol walking among a whole lotta bikers! Do you see the humor? Come on...you have to see the humor!

I mean, check out all the people that showed up for this event.

I know you are all wondering if we actually went on a ride. Yes we did! At one o'clock on the money the parking lot of steel horses sprung to life as people got in line to ride out of the Capital parking lot and down SE 14th Street. I had no idea what to expect but boy was I in for an amazing surprise!






SE 14th Street had a Des Moines police officer at every intersection so that we could blow through every red light. I know Dan was loving it because he has this red light bad karma thing that follows him so I know he was like, yes...yes...yes! I had chill bumps the entire ride. There were people along the way that were waving and honking. It was the coolest feeling and it was all in the name of helping kids! What better way to spend your Sunday afternoon...riding and donating a toy so that a little child can have a brighter Christmas. Awesome!

I'm really glad that Monique and RJ joined us for this event. I know we all really enjoyed it. The riding season is drawing to an end here in Iowa but I know there will be many more weekends of fun ahead of us!


Happy Riding! IHG :)

Random Stuff

It's January 12th, 2008. Have you broken your resolutions yet? My biggest resolution besides getting back to the gym is to treat everyone with respect and kindness. I don't think it's fair to judge someone until you get to know them...at that point you can decide if you want them in your life or would rather not go there with them. I've met some really awesome people through the years by living that way. I have such a variety of friends that I'm never bored! LOL

We spent Christmas Day in Dyersville with my sister and her husband and the families. Since we live in South/Central Iowa we usually have warmer weather then Northeast Iowa. Wow did they get the snow this year. I took a couple pictures of some cool snow drifts in front of my sister's place. It's snow art!





Dyersville doesn't just have the Field of Dreams. It also has the Basilica and this amazing shrine to Mary and Jesus just randomly on the end of a street. Tim, Margo, Dan, and I went driving around looking at Christmas lights on Christmas Eve. I took a picture of the Shrine. It's very beautiful. If you drive around on the country roads in this part of NE Iowa you will see these Shrines on the edge of the road. It kind of makes the saying "Is this Heaven? No it's Iowa!" really make you feel like you are in God's Country. People knock Iowa all the time but honestly it's a great state. I will admit that there is a lot of corn during the summer and empty sad looking fields in the winter but the borders on the East and West sides of the state are amazing. Rolling hills and breathtaking views. And a great place to ride your motorcycle!



Last weekend we had some pretty nice weather for January. It got up in the 40's so Dan just couldn't stop himself. He was on the Zippy Pickle in a flash and took her for a scoot. I was a little jealous because I was going to go run an errand but I figured I'd let him have his time and enjoy the moment. I can only imagine the feeling of being on the open road alone with just your thoughts and the wind in your face. It must be amazing for sure! Someday it will be me and I won't have to ride b#$@h anymore.





Hope you are all having a great New Year and that you are enjoying each and every moment. One really cool thing...I've been nominated for a Blogger Award by the Biker Chick that writes Biker Chick News! I've put a link so that you can all check out her great blog! Thanks again to everyone that follows my blog! I've met some great people because of it and have read some great blogs that they've created. I think it's great how close knit the biker community is. I feel most at peace when I'm with a group of bikers. I always try to be myself and bikers take you for who you are. Have a fabulous weekend!!!

:) IHG