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.

Good Girls Go to Heaven, Harley Girls Go Everywhere!

Plane tickets to and from Vegas - $250
Hotel Room in Vegas - $79
Riding down the Vegas Strip on a Harley - Priceless!!!!

I had lots of fun in Las Vegas. The Karaoke bar at the Tropicana was fun. Karla and Mitzi were Hilarious! My stomach is still hurting from laughing so hard. And of course I had to go out to the Harley Dealership and buy a couple of things. Every trip that I take I have to go to the local Harley Dealership. The one in Vegas was huge. The best night of the entire trip was the night that we met Sherry and Carlos. They were sitting on the patio at the HD Cafe. Mitzi and Karla started talking to them while I was inside looking at shirts. Well because of them I got a ride down the Vegas Strip from Carlos. He was the nicest guy and his woman Sherry was very cool for letting him do that. I can't thank them enough.

I love Las Vegas and can't wait to go back again. It's ever changing and never a dull trip! Plus the Margaritas at Margaritaville are the best I've ever tasted.

Super Bowl Sunday and Other Thoughts

It's Super Bowl Sunday! GO COLTS!!!

I'm really excited, Mitzi, Karla & I leave for Vegas on Wednesday. It's finally almost here. It's going to be great leaving this bitter cold weather for the mid 60's. I would have to say Winter is my least favorite season. It's alright at first but then it just drags on. I start thinking about riding and I get anxious for spring to arrive. I know it's only a few months away, I'm just ready for it now!

I've stayed true to my resolution of getting in shape this year. I just have to keep going and I will.

This year is my 20 year High School class reunion. Wow, where does the time go? If I knew than what I know now I would have looked at life a little differently. But hey Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda, right? I was a wild teenager and didn't really care to much about school. I was a boy crazy girl. But with all that said I've made more out of myself than I ever thought I would. I think it's shocking to my folks too because man did I put them through some times. One thing that I did get from my Father was his good work ethic. I don't think that man missed hardly a day of work at good ole John Deere the entire time he worked for them. My folks gave my sister and me a really good life and I'm so thankful for that. There are so many kids that don't have all the things that I did growing up. Another thing that is shocking to me is that I've actually become a pretty good driver. I did some major damage to my Camaro a couple times during HS and my Dad always teased that my real dad was really Richard Petty. My folks also took us on great trips around the USA the entire time we were growing up. Pretty damn lucky is all I have to say.

So I wonder who is going to be the Democratic and Republican candidates for President? The thing that worries me most is what is going to happen with the War in Iraq. I want our troops to come home but I also think that Iraq isn't ready or may never be ready to run their country on their own. I fear if the US Military leaves there we will have to deal with more terror threats and that a dictator like Saddam Hussein will take over again. Sitting here in my home in the Midwest I tend to forget how much we are hated around the world. I take so many things for granted. Today a reporter was interviewing a retired Military Commander and he said that at the end of each day we need to take a moment to think about the Men and Women serving our country around the world and give a prayer of thanks for what they do. I think of the Toby Keith song American Soldier...they are doing their job, protecting us, dying for us...what a sacrifice and what a total love for ones country. It gets me right in the heart when I think about it that way.

The geese keep flying over by the hundreds. They are beautiful when in flight. I love watching them in their V formation. Hearing their honking gives me a sense of calm. I love it when they fly over the house around dusk each night. It makes me wonder where they go each day. The seem to be flying toward Saylorville Lake. Maybe they land somewhere by Camp Dodge. Maybe someday I should follow them and find out. :)

Almost Super Bowl time. Prince is performing during 1/2 time. Love Prince...it will be interesting to hear if he sings any old songs. He said that after his last tour he was only going to sing new stuff. I found my Prince Shrine the other day when going through a box of stuff. I remember sitting in my room with candles lit, listening to Purple Rain, Controversy, and Dirty Mind. He was amazing to me. I finally got to see him in concert the last time he came through Ames. I went with Margo(my sister). It was amazing. So amazing that I couldn't help but cry.

Well...pregame time. GO COLTS!!!

Thoughts to end 2006 with...

I'm sitting here on a cold and snowy New Year's Eve sipping a glass of champagne and thinking about a few things that I need to blog about before the end of the old year and the start of a wonderful 2007.(which will be a year of change and a year of personal growth for me. At least those are my goals!!)

I'm again saddened by the number of soldiers lost in Iraq. The death count is now at 3,000. God Bless our Troops! Let's win this thing so that they can come home!

Drew Tate...go back to Texas! It's not fair to bash Iowa just because you didn't have an awesome season. You should feel proud that you got to come to our great state and play for the Hawkeyes!!

I think it's time for Dick Clark to pass the torch officially to Ryan Seacrest. I want to remember you from the American Bandstand Days.

To Brett Favre...you are one of the greats. No matter what you decide I love ya and I'm not even a Cheese Head.

To Billy Lane...although I'm disappointed in your judgement I still think you are one of the most talented Chopper Builders.

To Harley Davidson...I'm still waiting for my free 2007 Dyna Low Rider. Ok you didn't promise me one but a girl can dream that one will magically appear in her garage can't she?

To my Family and Friends....I love all of you and can't wait to make memories with you in 2007.(Mitzi and Karla...Vegas is only a little over a month away!!!) (Dan...Sturgis 2007???)

To Sasha Mullins...your book Bikerlady Living and Riding Free is awesome. Thank you!!

Let's start celebrating people's lives other than Stars. I'm so over Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie that I could scream!! And why are the stars going over seas to adopt children when there are so many here in the USA that need homes? I'm all for helping children in 3rd world countries but we need to help the children who are homeless in the United States first.

We need to boycott any awards show that celebrates stars. Why do we have them put so high on a pedestal? Their job is to entertain us. That's it...bottom line! We need to have awards shows for our Troops, our Police Officers and Firemen and women...for people who make a difference helping people, such as Teachers and Social Workers.

To Jessica Simpson...I even know the words to 9 to 5.

Ok...I think I'm getting tipsy. I better close. Thank you to everyone who touched my life in 2006. Here is to a great 2007!! Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!

Whatever you decide...

We Love You, Brett Favre!!

Harley's Angel

My Friend Kathy made me this ornament last year for Christmas. I totally love it. Love the Harley's Angel banner. That would make a good TV show...Chicks on bikes fighting crime and Willie G could be the voice inside the little box. And Bosley...who could play Bosley?? Dave Perewitz or maybe Paul Sr.

Happy Holidays

I'm a little late sending out Holiday Wishes. I hope everyone is enjoying the Holiday Season and that Santa was very good to you.

Sam Elliott

Don't ask me why but I had to put a couple pictures in my blog of Sam Elliott! My friend Kristen and I compare bikers to Sam Elliott all the time. They are either Sam Elliott in Mask bikers or Sam Elliott in Roadhouse bikers. I know...wacky but fun! One thing is true, he is one HOT older man and a pretty decent actor too!

Harley Girl's Sunday Morning Reflections

Well it's Sunday morning and I'm sitting here with my cup of joe, trying to decide what I'm going to do with my day. I need to finish Christmas shopping for my nephews and neice. This is a wild fact about me, I hate to shop! The only places that I ever enjoy just spending long amounts of time at are the Harley Dealerships.

This time of year is so busy. I had 2 parties and 1 studio tour event to attend last week. Made me tired. My friend LaRassa is an amazing artist. The building that her studio is in had an open studio night. I went and hung out, drank a little, and watched people with our friend Katherine. Then the 3 of us went down to Centro for pizza and cocktails. What a great restaurant. Our waitress was awesome. I love it when I go somewhere and enjoy the entire experience. It just makes it all worthwhile. Katherine and her husband Larry are leaving us the end of the week to move to NC. I'm really going to miss them. What a great couple of people!!

Last night we went to see our friends Mitzi and Todd. Mitzi asked me if I want to go with her and a friend to Vegas in February. I'm in!! I love Vegas. I'm a night owl so it's the perfect place for me. Always open...always something going on. I hope we can go down to Freemont Street to Hogs and Heifers. It's this biker bar in old Vegas that I've heard about. Can you tell my idea of fun usually revolves around something motorcycle related. Harley Shop, biker bars...ha ha!

Ok...well...better get going. It's already after 9. Need to get as much out of the day as possible. I feel like lately I live for the weekend just so I can chill out a little bit. I don't know why, when you are a kid, that you want to grow up so damn fast. If anyone wants to give me a billion dollars so that I can just chill and have fun, that would be an amazing Christmas present!! I keep thinking that I'm going to make a cardboard sign and stand down on Merle Hay and I -80 with the homeless guys, that says, "I work over 40 hours a week. I want a new Harley but I still can't afford it. Help a sister out!" LMAO....I haven't done it yet...pride gets in the way with that. And I think those homeless guys might try to beat me up. They have a pretty good gig going on at that corner.

If anyone actually reads this...LMAO...Have a great Sunday and a great rest of the month. Happy Holidays and God Bless America and our Troops!

Freedom Isn't Free

I watched the flag pass by one day,
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
And then he stood at ease.

I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.

I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil
How many mothers' tears?

How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.

I heard the sound of Taps one night,
When everything was still,
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.

I wondered just how many times
That Taps had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had draped a coffin.
Of a brother or a friend.

I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.

I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.

Enjoy Your Freedom & God Bless Our Troops

Skull Bike

Is this the coolest bike you've ever seen or what? 

Treat everyone with kindness

The holidays can really be a hectic time and a little stressful. People get all freaked out and forget how to be courteous to one another. Try to make a conscious effort this holiday season to treat each other with kindness and respect. Take a little time to do something nice for other people instead of treating others with disrespect. We all have so much to be thankful for and we just sort of take it all for granted. We need to put a little respect and kindness back into this world because it's become so fast paced and all about me me me!

Happy Holidays!