Pics of My Ride

First "bike" Ride

Today, for the very first time, I went on a REAL motorcycle ride. About 25 miles worth that was not confined to my subdivison or a high school parking lot. Some of it was actually on a 4 lane highway!

I feel like I did ok. My husband rode behind me to offer interferance should it be needed and as well to watch how I handled and if I needed any pointers. My max speed was between 50-53 but for me that was fast!!!! I was not expecting the wind factor so I kept it mostly around 45. Thats when I decided I should probably head back home for town roads since the speed limit for the highway I ended up on was 55 and most people exceed that. I did not want to be a hinderance or a statistic.

I had two instances that tested my reflexes. One was a squirrel who ran out in front of me. In my SUV I would usually swerve or slow so as not to risk hurting the squirrel. On the bike I figured better him than me and kept going (he got out of the way just in the nick of time). The second instance was when a truck turned in front of me into his driveway. He practically stopped right in front of me so he could get his mail!! The only thing I did wrong there was not downshift when I slowed and I should have. Lesson learned I hope.

Oh, and its 82 and sunny and GORGEOUS today!! So - YEA!!! And yeh, it was a blast.

I've been off the wagon. Not dieting; not bike riding; drinking wine a little too often. Have not gained much of the weight back; no where near my goal. Winter ruined things with dark setting early and cold weather. Then the in-laws came for their annual visit. Real hard to stay on the wagon when they have goodies all throughout the kitchen. Will power lasts only so long.

Now its time to get back on the wagon. Its like starting all over again. So far I've started my diet this time around 4 times. Tomorrow I am going for 5.

Keep your fingers crossed for me............

Update on My Boss

So she finally got a second opinion. GREAT NEWS - the cancer has NOT spread to her throat. They believe it is isolated in her breasts. As well, they claim she is Stage 3(b) (daring even to hope a high 2) and NOT Stage 4.

Chemo wrecks her. Her hair started falling out so she shaved the rest and bought a wig. It actually looks very close to her real hair. I can't imagine what it takes to get up everyday and go through the daily routine so many take for granted. I am not convinced that I would have her determination or courage.

She believes God is her reason. Her reason for the cancer as well as her reason for beating it. I don't know what I believe; I just know that she is an inspiration for hope and courage and faith.

Wow - long time gone

WOW its been a long time since I have posted. So much has been going on in my life. Its so easy to get caught up in the daily grind and before you know it, valuable time has passed that you can never get back. Time that we take for granted yet suffer not one regret until something bad happens and stops you dead in your tracks.

Like it did with my boss.

My boss joined us this past October when she was transferred here by her husbands work. She's a yankee born and bred - well, damn yankee since she unpacked and decided to stay :-)

It took awhile for all of us to come to a comfortable working relationship together. There we lots of changes at work and her coming aboard was the catalyst. But we did come to a comfortable working point, and I found myself really liking her personality and the positivity she brought to the table.

In a matter of weeks she went from being reasonably healthy to having stage 4 breast cancer. And in the week of tests they performed, it was discovered the cancer had spread to her throat.

She is 42. She has a 5 year old son; a 10 year old daughter; and a 14 year old son. Needless to say, she is devastated.

It hit me hard for some reason. I find myself crying alot if I dwell on it too much; the cruelty of life's irony. I can't begin to imagine what she must be feeling, or how she manages the strength to smile and attempt to maintain some level of normalcy in her everyday life. How she manages to hold it together in a feeble attempt to help her kids from falling apart when she herself must be silently going mad........

She told me the doctors think that with chemo and surgery, she could expect another year; no guarantees. The kids will watch their mother, being slowly devastated by chemo; she will have to live, waiting for the inevitable and fearing every step of the way. It breaks my heart.

Statistically, there is a 20% survival rate for stage 4 breast cancer; best case senario for that 20% is 5 years. Ususally much less. But miracles happen. And the will to survive can conquer the unconquerable.

I know it sounds cliche but where there is life, there is hope. And I have hope.....

MSF Course

I got a motorcycle. Have never ridden one in my life. But one day, after my better half decided he didn't want me riding bitch on his anymore, suggested I learn and see if I wanted to get my own.

So I signed up for the MSF Course. It's a motorcycle safety class that is offered nationwide. Some are free; some charge a fee. They teach you the basics of bike safety and handling. Excellent for a new rider.

Its a 2 & 1/2 day course. The first 1/2 day is spent in the "classroom" studying motorcycle safety and handling. The next two days are spent actually riding. They supply the bikes, helmets, etc. It's usually held in a large parking lot. For me it was at a college parking lot in Columbia SC. They use cones and markers to lay out various "obstacle" courses. They start you out from the most basic of how to start the bike and how to mount/dismount. Then they progress to how to make the bike actually mobile. Throw in turning; stopping; swerving; and variations of all the afore mentioned. At the end of the two days there is a written test and a "road" test (held in the same parking lot) to test your learned knowledge and "skills". As long as you don't have a dink for an instructor or just plain suck at riding, you pass.

Passing means you get a certificate; basically stating that you are safe to attempt road riding. It also entitles you to a discount on insurance with most companies. Although for me, it was a whooping $10 annual discount (Statefarm just LOVES its clients). Wooo-hooo...

BUTTTT - I passed and I got a bike!!! YEA!!!

A little humor for the new year

My life: why me???

A remodeled kitchen; a new deck; and now, french doors. All great modifications to an otherwise humdrum home but oh boy does working with my spouse one on one spell potential divorce. We work so badly with one another. He is stubborn and I am pig headed and together it just spells arguements. I must say though things are turning out rather nicely. This is before and after pics of our once ugly but now really sweet deck. Kithcen pics and french doors will be posted next.