Well, I am not doing so well at keeping up my blog, am I? Its been a busy few days. I think things are just going to get busier through the fall. It will be good though. Lots of great things lay ahead. Rich and Tina's wedding, hopefully lots of motorcycling, camping, and just enjoying life in general. Dennis taught last weekend and weather wasn't so good, rained Friday through Monday. Last night was a little chilly for some. Dennis was teaching again, so I went ahead and met up with the GWRRA as they were just eating out in Altoona. Tonight, we are meeting up at TR's sportsbar in Clive for their pork chop dinner. Great food, reasonable, and tons of funship! We never seem to leave there without having first stuffed ourselves and laughed till our sides hurt. That is what it is all about! Enjoying life.

Dennis has guard this weekend, so if we ride, it would have to be in the evenings. We might ride a little tonight before TR's will depend on wind, they say it is going to be bad today. If you have ever ridden a motorcycle in the wind, you know what I am talking about.

With him at guard I better get back in the groove again, cleaning the house and scrapbooking. Can I get it all done, heck yes...he teaches thursday night, so that would be a good time to clean. Saturday morning there is a meeting with one of the groups, will do that, come home and have some lemonade or sweet tea and scrappppppp

I will also work on uploading pictures to both my blog and facebook.

April 20, 2010

Ok, I borrowed this from Kerri, who got it from Kim who got it from Jo...lol...Thanks Ladies
A-Age: 53 OLD
B-Bed size: Queen
C-Chore you hate: doing dishes! Yes, no dishwasher in my house but my hands
D-Dog's name: Max and Mabel
E-Essential food/item: bacon(at home use turkey bacon so that is better at least)
F-Favorite color: Purple
G-Gold or silver: Gold
H-Height: 5'6"
I-I am: wishing I could get back on the weight loss kick at least I haven't gained
J-Job: Mom, working as a secretary in a school
K-Kids: 2 Sons, Rich 29 and Mike 24
L-Living arrangements: House with significant other and 2 dogs, 2 cats and 24 year old when home from college
M-Mom's name: Bonnie
N-Nickname: don't really have one
O-Overnight hospital stay: Having my kids, having galbladder surgery
P-Pet peeve: deceiving two faced people
Q-Quote from a movie: I can't think of any :(
R-Right or left handed: Right
S-Siblings: Older brother who I never see, his choice :(
T-Time you wake up: M-F about 5:45, weekends around 7ish
U-Unique thing about your car: that it has a wrecked front driver fender that my son said he would help get fixed when I bought it from him. LOL
V-Vegetable(s) you hate: cooked spinach, asparagus (sp)
W-Ways you run late: the dogs not wanting to come back in before I leave in the AM
X-Xrays you've had: lots after motorcycle accident, head and neck , hand, just lots!
Y-Yummy food you make: lasagna, pasta salad - my way, potato pepper cheese soup,
Z-Zoo favorite: I LOVE Animals, so many, but I really do love the lions tigers and bears oh my!

Finally Blogging

Well, here it is April 19, 2010 and I don't believe I have posted since February 2009. Ok, time to make a change here. This was one of my goals for 2010, along with getting some scrapbooking done, learning some things on the digital camera, making cards, doing a cross stitch project, etc. I have managed 53 pages, and it feels really good, need to get back to work and try to get more done. I have made a few cards and want to do more, that is about as far as I have got.

This past weekend was a wonderful weekend, we were able to get on the motorcycle for our first trip of the year. We did about 600 miles, we went to a rally in Weston, Missouri with lots of friends. Several went down on Friday night, 11 of us, more came in on Saturday morning. The motel we had was wonderful, he had all of us in one wing, and we had doors to the outside for our close to the door bike parking, and they had hall doors, of which we seemed to keep them open and were back and forth room to room. We had tons of food, and lots of stories. We also did some planning for the coming year. Its gonna be wonderful! The weather this spring has made for some good riding and for that we are thankful.

Dennis and I now have a certificate to go to a beautiful Victorian Bed and Breakfast in Weston and I personally hope we can use it in the fall or winter. Great way to get away for a bit. The area is really beautiful and lots to see and do.

Last Fall my little 'shitzu/yorkie' was diagnosed with Kidney Failure. I am pleased to say, she is reacting to treatment very well. I didn't really expect to still have her, but she is our baby. Dennis had both dogs groomed while we were gone this weekend, and they were at the Doggie Daycare. She came home with two cute things in her ears that almost look like little flowers. Max came home looking so old with his gray showing through, but he is feeling better with those mats and long fur gone! He had a cute doggie scarf on, and he enjoys those, somestimes we find him just carring it in his mouth, while attached to his neck. Silly boy!

Looking forward to Rich and Tina's wedding coming soon, in July! WOW! I can't wait. Its going to be so much fun!

Well, Nothing much more for now, I will get busy and upload some pictures of things we have done.

Have I Ever

Got this from Kim's and Kerri's blog...Thanks!

Have You Ever....
1. Started your own blog? Yes, but I don't seem to do a good job on updates
2. Slept under the stars? Yup
3. Played in a band? Yup in Elementary, Junior and High School
4. Visited Hawaii? Sadly, no
5. Watched a meteor shower? Yes
6. Given more than you can afford to charity? yes
7. Been to Disneyland/world (both)? to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain? in a car
9. Held a praying mantis? Don't think so
10. Sang a solo? nope, not me
11. Bungee jumped? not with this back
12. Visited Paris? I wish
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea? Not at sea, but at lake
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch? yes
15. Adopted a child someday in one form or another? Ummm, well, there are many that call me Mom, friends of my sons
16. Had food poisoning? Yes
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty? Haven't seen it :(
18. Grown your own vegetables? YES
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France? No
20. Slept on an overnight train? No
21. Had a pillow fight? yes!
22. Hitch hiked? Nope
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill? Mental Health Days
24. Built a snow fort? yup
25. Held a lamb? nope
26. Gone skinny dipping? Nope
27. Run a Marathon?Nope
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice?nope
29. Seen a total eclipse?yes
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset?Yes
31. Hit a home run?nope
32. Been on a cruise?Nope
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person? YES
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors? nope
35. Seen an Amish community? Yes
36. Taught yourself a new language? Nope unless piglatin counts. LOL
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied? nope
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person?Nope
39. Gone rock climbing?Nope
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David? Nope
41. Sung karaoke ? Yup as a duet
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt? Yes
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant? nope
44. Visited Africa?Nope
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight? yes
46. Been transported in an ambulance? yes
47. Had your portrait painted? Yes
48. Gone deep sea fishing?Nope
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person? Nope
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris? Nope
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling? Nope
52. Kissed in the rain? yup
53. Played in the mud? yup
54. Gone to a drive-in theater? Yup
55. Been in a movie? nope
56. Visited the Great Wall of China? Nope
57. Started a business? Nope
58. Taken a martial arts class? Nope
59. Visited Russia? Nope
60. Served at a soup kitchen? Nope
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies? Yup
62. Gone whale watching? Nope
63. Got flowers for no reason? Yup
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma? Yup
65. Gone sky diving? Nope
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp? Nope
67. Bounced a check - would have bounced if not for overdraft protection? Yup
68. Flown in a helicopter? Nope
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy? Yup
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial? Nope
71. Eaten Caviar? Nope
72. Pieced a quilt? started one
73. Stood in Times Square? Nope
74. Toured the Everglades? Nope
75. Been fired from a job? Replaced by a computer count?
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London? Nope
77. Broken a bone? Yup
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle? Yup
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person? Yup
80. Published a book? Nope
81. Visited the Vatican? Nope
82. Bought a brand new car? Nope
83. Walked in Jerusalem? Nope
84. Had your picture in the newspaper? Nope
85. Read the entire Bible? Nope
86. Visited the White House? Nope
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating? Nope
88. Had chickenpox? Yup
89. Saved someone’s life if only for a short time? Yes
90. Sat on a jury? Nope
91. Met someone famous? Yes
93. Lost a loved one? Yes
94. Had a baby? Yes
95. Seen the Alamo in person? No
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake? No, seen it though
97. Been involved in a law suit? Yes
98. Owned a cell phone? Yes
99. Been stung by a bee? yes

Its a New Year 2009

Well, I wrote a post last night and thought I posted it, but I didn't, I didn't hit publish. Then I was frustrated and decided it was time for bed.

Tonight I decided maybe I would try again and hopefully will remember to publish.

2008 flew by. It is almost unbelievable how quick it came and went. Am I the only one to feel that way? I don't think so. Thinking back of 2008, I know there were ups and downs, however, each thing we encounter makes us what we become. Sometimes we think it is really bad, however, it does make us better in the end, I think.

2008 started with my really over weight, not able to hardly walk into work due to arthritus and fibermyalgia. I had pnemonia and was off work for several weeks. Like I said, even the bad helps us...when I went to the dr for hte pnemonia my dr was out so I had to see another one in the clinic. What a blessing she was! She got me over the pnemonia and then said, girl, we are gonna figure something out for you. She believed me when I told her about my pain. She understood, she had been there. Instead of telling me I was a person who was non-compliant as far as directions from my doctor, she understood why I wouldn't take Vicaden! Oh thank you! She sent me to another doctor for the arthritus and fibermyalgia and my ankle dr sent me to a different dr for it. They really figured out what was wrong in all areas. THen my family dr said, now..get massages! People...my life was saved! Truly. I can now walk a pretty good distance, I can go in a store and get back to my car and not feel like I can't take the pain. It is the most wonderful feeling to be able to clean some in my own home, something I Haven't been able to do.

With this new life I have also been able to lose 62 pounds to date. I plan to loose more and my goal was actually 60 by Christmas. I MADE MY GOAL! Many thanks to friends and family who support me through everything. I can't thank you enough. My son asked me one day, Mom, what made you finally work on things again? I told him, first I had a dr to listen and the lesson there is, never give up, if you don't hear that they are going to find help, go to another one. After than, my massage therapist won't give up on me and listened to me. She understands that I must do these things because I want to live many many more years to enjoy and experience my two sons and their lives and what they will accomplish. Nothing can be better! My son was really pleased and everytime they know I have lost a few more pounds they celebrate with me. Thank you Rich and Mike! Dennis helps me in his own way. He is pleased and happy and helps me. He even admitted that when we go out and he is supposed to give me 1/2 of the meal, that he has only been giving me 1/4 to 1/3. Thats ok. I am full and satisfied so I really don't need the rest!

I am really looking forward to all the new things that we can do in 2009. My health will continue to improve and I can enjoy what God has put on this earth for me to enjoy. I savor every breathe. When I drive to work on cool crisp mornings and see the sun peaking through, I know I have been given a new life.

Now I need to get busy and scrapbook!

One of the Greatest Christmas Joys

I must say that today I got to experience one of the greatest Christmas Joys. The gift of giving to those who would not have Christmas otherwise. Our favorite motorcycle group sponsored a family for Christmas. Dennis and I, and the Green's went with the worker to deliver Christmas. We sponsored a family of 7 and we had three huge tubs of gifts to haul up 2 flights of stairs and they decided to open them in front of us. They also allowed us to take pictures. One of our members gave a beautiful Porcelain doll for the 4 year old little girl. If you could have seen her eyes, when she opened that doll, ohh my! So many times a 4 year old doesn't appreciate something of this nature, but she handled it like it would break. Her eyes were so big, it was unexplainable. She hugged this baby, and carefully placed her in a special place on the couch. She opened her other things and loved each one, she kept telling us thank you and she took her colors and colorbooks and sat down and colored, staying inside the lines. Oh my, she did a beautiful job! Every member loved things, the babies loved the things we got them, by their smiles and trying to play with them and going towards the toys. The adults kept saying Thank You with so much meaning, it was like...just saying Thank you, it was from their heart. To see these people and how much they appreciated everything we took to them, was truly a great gift of Christmas to me. It will definately be something I am sure we will continue to do. Isn't that part of the meaning of the season?

I am so thankful I can give things to my family and we are not in their position. We cut back this year, and we feel very good about those gifts we are giving, even with the cutting back. We are really looking forward to the "time" together and the sharing between us this year. I feel so fortunate.

Its Winter

Well, you can definately tell it is winter in Iowa. Ice and snow. Dennis had to plow last night, poor guy was up and off to work by 11 pm and then to regular job by 4 AM and hopefully will be home by 3-4 today. The guy needs sleep. We didn't go to the Honda Riders Dinner last night because he found out how early he would have to get up and so decided he needed sleep. Said he almost fell asleep driving to Panora. YIKES! Hate to think about that.

My week is most awesome, as of now, I have lost 55 pounds. I am so happy. I wanted 5 more by Christmas, but that probably is not going to happen, however, it will happen in time. Just the fact the weight is still coming off is the best.

I am not looking forward to the 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice that we are to expect tomorrow. That is just uncalled for, guess we need a long talk with the weather man. Snow, I suppose, cold I supposed, no ice...

I am thinking I am actually going to get to bake something this year for Christmas. I hope so, I miss doing that.

I am so thankful, however, for having all the seasons we get to enjoy in Iowa. I wish they were not so severe sometimes, but the change in seasons is usually pretty and I have a part of me that does enjoy them. I don't think I would want to be somewhere that doesn't have a change at all. I miss riding the motorcycle in the winter, however, if we just didn't have all this ice and some of the snow we still could ride! LOL

Well, tonight will make the Christmas Cards and hopefully finish cleaning up our office/scrapbooking room.