I think this guy had FUN!!!

Here are the effects that hundreds of miles on a bike and too many beers will have on ya! Thanks for the picture dude!!! He's passed out under the tire of a semi...I hope the driver looked before he/she pulled away!!!

The Sturgis of Bicycle Riding...Ragbrai 2007

Friday, July 27th thousands of bicycle riders ascended on the town of Dyersville, Iowa. And since I'm always on the search for a fun time and the fact that my sister and her husband live there I trekked up to Northeast Iowa to see the action. Margo and I got up early and went down to where the bicycle riders were entering the town and welcomed them with Morning greetings...clapping and cheers. It was fun to see all the different people come through the tunnel that the volunteers from Dyersville had created. During the evening we went down and partied with the riders on their final night and had a great time. I did keep thinking the entire time though that I wished that the bicycles were motorcycles and that I was actually in Sturgis, South Dakota partying with all my fellow bikers!

21 Shrines

For the longest time this Catholic Chick...meaning me...thought that Shrines to Mary were called Novenas. WRONG! I did a little research and the Novena is actually the prayer or prayers that you say during a 9 day period of time or something like that. OK so funny story...my sister and her husband live in a very Catholic community in northeast Iowa. One weekend I was visiting them and we were driving around. We started counting Shrines to Mary...one, two, five, ten...the three of us were laughing and marveling at all the different shrines...twelve, fifteen...it got to the point were we had to find just one more...we were shooting for 20 and would yell out loud when we would see another one. Kind of scary that 3 grown people were finding thrills in doing this on a Saturday night. Well before we returned to their home we had counted 21. I would have to say Tim and Margo live in a very Blessed Neighborhood with 21 Shrines to Mary watching over them.

Bike Down to I-Town

Kristen(left)Stephanie(right)
Me(above) with the Street Glide aka Zippy Pickle!:)

Kristen, Brent, Dan, & I traveled down to the best bike night in Iowa on Friday! It was awesome to hang with Kristen,Brent, and Dan. Great Ride and Great Friends. Beers and Fun! Love I-Town!!!! Can't wait til the next one!!

Jasmine Cain - The Inside

I listened to the most incredible female artist that I've heard in sometime. Jasmine Cain's album The Inside is incredible. Holy Shit...the entire album is awesome. The song that got me the most was November. It was so haunting and brought tears to my eyes. The other song that really got me was Sweet Euphoria. Jasmine is from South Dakota so naturally she will be in Sturgis for the big rally. Check out her myspace page for the dates and times. www.myspace.com/jasminecain

How do you like me now?

This is probably silly but whenever I post my picture I always get that song from Toby Keith in my head...How do you like me now? This year was my 20 yr class reunion and I kind of failed to attend even though I was so going to. I think I look pretty damn great for 38 yrs old! Yep that's right...I'm 38 yrs old and damn proud of it. And this 38 yr old chick is going to be an Auntie! My sister Margo and her husband Tim are going to have a new baby in March!!! I'm so darn excited. I think baby Ketels will be a girl and she will drag race cars and ride motorcycles. And if a little boy is born he will drag race cars and ride motorcycles. LOL :)~ Boy or Girl doesn't matter as long as he or she is healthy. So anyway...Congrats Margo and Tim! I bet LaRue has already been to Von Maur and bought up some baby rack bargins. LOL!

Share the Road!

I have a plea to Cage drivers...SHARE THE ROAD!!!!(for those of you that read my blog and are not motorcycle riders or passengers and don't know the biker speak...Cage = Car,Truck,Van,etc.) Don't drive right on top of us when you are behind us. Don't try to share our lane with us. If we meet on a two way street and you have to wait on the other side before you can pass by the cars on your side then wait...you don't try to go when a car goes by, don't you usually wait until they are past so you don't hit each other?? YES!!! HELL YES YOU DO!!!! Don't think you can out run a motorcycle by turning in front of us...we are coming at you faster then you think. I realize we are sometimes difficult to see but you also need to look around...don't just look in your mirrors...turn and look in your blindspots too. It could save a life!

113th Cavalry leaves Camp Dodge, Johnston

Troop A, 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry is based at Camp Dodge, Johnston and performs reconnaissance and surveillance missions to assist commanders in planning and executing combat operations, the release said. The unit was last deployed for peacekeeping operations in Kosovo from September 2003 to September 2004. - KCCI.com

The 113th left for Camp Shelby, Mississippi before their deployment to Iraq. May your guardian angels watch over you during your deployment to Iraq.

God Bless America and God Bless Our Troops! Keep them in your hearts always. Without their selfless acts we would not have the freedom we so take for granted. Freedom isn't free! Don't ever forget it!!

Best Bike Night in Iowa!!!!

Ok...I'm voting this the best bike night in Iowa! The third Friday night of each month bikers from all over Central Iowa show up in Indianola, IA for the best bike night! If you love live music, beer, good eats, 1000+ motorcycles, and good looking biker men then this is the bike night for you. Oh geesh I forgot...for the guys there are good looking biker women too. Hope to see ya'll on June 15th!

Big Barn Harley Davidson

Ok...so they sold and changed the name of the Harley Dealership in Des Moines. Granted the building was constructed to look like a big huge barn but that didn't mean the new owners needed to take it so literally. Over night it went from Zook's to Big Barn Harley Davidson. They could have at least made the name more fun and called it like Hawg Farm Harley Davidson...Big Barn??...Come on.

Remember Our Fallen Heroes

Please pause for a few moments this weekend to remember Our Nation's Fallen Heroes and the sacrifice they gave for our freedom.

Virginia Tech

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in this horrible tragedy. And this is probably very cold to say but I hope that the gunman is enjoying his after life in hell!

Blessing of the Bikes

I've always heard about it but have never had a chance to go, so I was so happy that I finally was able to make it to the Blessing of the Bikes Saturday! I'd say there were about 200+ bikes at Zook's HD. I love being around all my fellow bikers. It's such a great feeling to be in the company of like minded people. If you've never been to the Blessing of the Bikes before you have to go. It made me feel so good asking God to watch over us while we travel the open roads this summer and fall. We need all the prayers we can get everytime we leave our house and go on a journey. Ride hard but Ride Safe this summer and fall. And first and foremost, having a wonderful time doing it!

Poor Imus!

Ok...so the guy made a mistake. Hasn't everyone?? I guess the media must have got bored with the death of Anna Nicole and decided to pick on him instead. Yes...what he said was something he shouldn't have but are we even sure that he knew what a Ho was? Or was it more about the Nappy comment? My father in law had no clue and he's around the same age as Imus. I have decided to be done with all media, with the exception of my beloved internet.(giggles) I think I'm going to watch the local news and that's about it. I'm tired of all the stuff that the media tries to influence us with. I think it has poisoned our society.

The thing I don't understand is that both of the companies that fired him...did they even take into consideration the good he did for others in our country. I mean seriously people...he helped kids with cancer and our soldiers coming home from the war. I sure hope even with what has happened to him he continues the good he has done. I have a feeling he will.

FINALLY!

We finally got the Zippy Pickle out today and took her for a long spin! I'm so glad I wasn't Ms. Tough Chick today...I was so happy I decided to wear my leathers...it was still a little chilly with the wind. It sure felt good though. I love riding...it's just such a spiritual experience for me. Makes me feel one with the world. Lots of people knock Iowa but there are some awesome country roads out there with great twisties. And now that Spring is finally going to happen it's going to begin to look so beautiful once again!

Happy Spring and Happy Riding to all Motorcycle Enthusiasts out there!

I knew I was asking for trouble...

I belong to an artist challenge group even though I'm really not a real artist. Our last project was to create a mask. Well if you know me you know that I'm very All American and I support our military! My mask was red, white, and blue and I had a star coming out of the mouth of the mask that said Support Our Troops. I shared my mask with the group and gave my little speech of why I created it. After I was finished I was attacked about my beliefs about the war and our country. I guess I should have expected it but it blows my mind how many people just don't get it. And it really blows my mind how artists say they are so open minded but yet if you do not have the same views that they do you are suddenly ignored. After my experience last night I'm thinking of discontinuing my attendance of these events. I'm never one to judge someones opinion on something. I'm open minded to their beliefs and thoughts. I guess I expected more from these people. They all tend to forget how lucky they have it for being able to do as they wish each and every day of their lives. And who knows what this war is really about...maybe it's about oil, maybe it's about stopping terror, maybe it's just GB being a bully...I don't know...I just know that without our military watching over our country and other countries we would not be able to live the way we TAKE FOR GRANTED each and every day of our lives.

Saturday Evening Thoughts...

Wow...we had one huge winter storm here in Iowa. March sure did come in like a lion and I'm more than ready now for spring! I keep dreaming about the wind in my hair and long rides on the motorcycle.

I was out at Zook's HD a couple weeks back and sat on the coolest Sporty I've ever seen. The 2007 Sportster XL 1200N is one cool looking bike. It's the perfect size for a shorty like me. It would look really awesome in black with the HD Skull package of accessories.

Caught an interview on Imus in the Morning with Bob and Lee Woodruff. Bob Woodruff is the ABC Anchor who survived an attack while covering the war in Iraq. Bob and Lee wrote a book about his recovery and what it has been like for him and his family dealing with his brain injury. I have to say that Lee Woodruff is one of the most amazing women I've ever heard interviewed. She has turned this experience with her husband into something positive by helping wives of injured American Soldiers deal with what they are going through. She's an amazing woman!

My new favorite reality tv show is Real Housewives of Orange County. My favorite house wife is Vicky, probably because she's actually a Midwest Gal who moved to the OC and she is just so fun. It's just fun watching these women and their glamorous lifestyles. I do really think that Lauri wouldn't have gone after George if it wasn't for the fact that he lavishes her in expensive gifts. He looks like a regular joe made it rich. But hopefully I'm incorrect and she's not that shallow. And hats off to Jo for moving to LA and living her life for herself. Anyway...love the show.

Don't forget to say a prayer for our Soldiers in Iraq and all over the world!

What No Power??!!

This morning at 7:15 am the power went out. You truly do not know how much you rely on electricity always being there until this happens. You would have thought the world had come to an end! At about noon the silence was just too much and we had to go to Border's for a break from the deafening silence of the townhouse. Thank goodness it's back on and as you see the Internet is working too so I'm able to blog this horrible event. I'm kidding about it being horrible. Now my parent's on the other hand are still without power in NE Iowa. Hopefully they will get that back very soon!

I also have a plea to everyone out there. DO NOT WATCH THE OSCARS TONIGHT!!!! I talked to my sister this afternoon and she reminded me that they were on tonight. I said to her that I was boycotting all award shows and she said "WHY?" I gave her my explanation and she told her husband. He is wishing that my sister was joining in on my boycott. Sadly she will not be. Sorry Tim!

Ice, Wind, and Snow OH MY!

Wow...this is one yucky day. I'm ready for spring, oh so ready! I have had a chance to read today. I bought "4 Blondes" for 4.99 at Borders. It's by Candace Bushnell, writer of "Sex and the City". It really is a great book. Almost finished with it, which is amazing because I usually take forever to finish a book.

Last night I watched "Jarhead". I had wanted to see this in the theater but never made it there. It was a very good movie. I'm a sucker for a good depiction film about any war though. I remembered sitting at home in Cedar Falls watching the beginning of Desert Storm. I was sitting at the kitchen table at my parent's home...I had a candle sitting next to me and lit it and said a prayer for our Troops. I remember watching it everyday. My sister and I attended a support march for the soldiers that were called to duty from Waterloo. My family sent a care package to a young soldier named Thad Smolinski. I wrote him and another guy named Rowdy...or something like that. After the war I never heard from them again so hopefully they survived. I'm sure they did. I still have the letters somewhere.

I've been doing this insane workout called, "Fighting Fit, Fighting Fat". Wow...I feel like I'm back in Jr. High in Mr. Schultz's gym class. He was a Marine Drill Instructor turned Jr. High PE teacher. I was always scared of him. He was a major hard ass guy. I was just looking at the Peet Jr. High website and it looks like old Mr. Hardass retired but Mrs. Bolger is still there.

Gosh, I sure hope the power doesn't go out. It just doesn't stop raining. Actually maybe it is sleeting now. And the wind is blowing like crazy. Glad this weather keeps happening on the weekend because I'd had to fight my way to and from work. I have no problem driving but some people just don't do well in this stuff.

So Vilsack dropped out of the Presidential race. Go figure...go on Leno, drop out of the race. He says it was because of money but I have a feeling it's more about, NO ONE KNEW WHO HE WAS!!! I really like Rudy Giuliani even if he is a Republican. I think he handled 9-11 very well. He kept New York City going even after that horrible day. He did good things for the city of New York even before 9-11. While in office crime in NYC decreased, he cut taxes, turned NYC from being in the red to being in the black, welfare reform, improved education, made New Yorkers want to remain in NYC since a poll noted that 59% were ready to leave the city, and he also began an agency to protect the children of NYC. Anyway...I like him and if he's the nominee I will vote for him in 2008.

Hmmmmmmmmm...well...I think I'll get back to my book. I'm interested in seeing what happens to Princess Cecelia next. She's so insane! LOL

Say a prayer tonight for our Men and Women in Iraq.

My Boycott is on...

I am boycotting all awards shows and I think it is good that I am. My blood would have boiled last night watching the Dixie Chicks win. I used to be a huge fan of theirs and they do have every right to voice their opinion about how they feel. I just think that even though everyone has different views on the war that we all need to put those aside and support our Troops. Maybe the Chicks do but I haven't seen any evidence of that. If you have some please leave a comment so that I can find the articles.

The reason for my boycott is because I'm tired of all of the celebrities being put on a pedestal. They have created these award shows to pat themselves on the backs in front of the world. It's kind of sick if you think about it. They are such pre-madonnas showing off their gowns and tuxes. Maybe I'm the only one that feels this way but I kind of doubt it. As in a previous post I stated that we should have award shows for our Troops and Civil Servants instead. Why do we make celebrities so important? Some of their lives are so scandalous and we actually celebrate them?? It blows my mind. Don't get me wrong, I love watching a good movie or listening to good music but I don't see why they need to parade across a stage in front of the world to receive an award. Anyway...I could go on and on about this forever and it probably won't ever change. I just don't have to waste my evening partaking in it. It really has no value to enhance my life. I'd rather read a good book and expand my mind a little bit that way.