5 of my kids

The kids got a fish for christmas. Winston was checking it out.



A catnip induced fight. Looks like Thomas has the upper hand so to speak.



Diva #1 Posom



Diva #2 Spaz



The elder man Blackers

PEACE

The Curtain has closed

The stage is dark, the seats are empty. Costumes have been cleaned and props stored. The Curtain has closed on the Newton Community Theater's production of "Scrooge".

The last 11 days have been a whirlwind, 8 shows in 11 days. I was honored to play the part of Mrs. Cratchet. We had been rehearsing 4 days a week since Sept. Sept and Oct I did not have to be at each practice. November was a different story 4 even 5 days a week.

The show included a cast of 61, ages ranging from 6 to 70. It was a great experience to work with so many different people some I have worked with before, most I had not.

To say that the show was good does not even come close to how great of a show it actually was. We performed 8 shows and for all 8 shows, we were getting standing ovations before the last song was done. At first I didn't quite understand why then someone said to me. "You have one lead character, scrooge, however look at the supporting cast..you have people playing supporting character's that have had the leads in shows before." Then it hit me how incredible this show was.

Am I sad that it is over, yes, Am I tired and ready for a break, oh yes. I do not think we could have done another show most of the cast were getting colds and losing their voices.

It is hard to believe that it is almost Christmas. I have not started Christmas shopping, I need to get that done sometime this week. I actually am having a hard time getting motivated to shop.





My stage husband was Gary Kopsa. The question I was most asked was "Are you 2 really married"? The statement I heard the most to me.."I didnt know that you could sing". Surprise! :)Click HERE for more Pictures of the shows. Sorry they uploaded out of order.

I am sad that it is over however it is time to move on. After Christmas I will start my triathlon training again.


CREATING SCROOGE:
I helped make Lonnie who is 39 into a 60 year old looking Mr. Scrooge. It was alot of fun.



Lonnie as Lonnie



Lonnie as Mr. Scrooge

Click Here to see how it was done, I enjoy make up not the kind that makes you pretty but the special effects stuff.

Click Here for Final cast party Pictures. Over look the hair I had a fake bun and to make it work they pretty much plastered my hair with hair products..ickky..:)

It is Monday and I have had a day to reflect and I miss my Cratchet family. I know that I will see them around. I feel like I did after doing the Hy-Vee Tri. I have put in so much time on this project, That now that it is over I am lost. "What do I do now?" I need to just relax and rest up spring is coming..I just got the entry form for BRRR..hard to believe that Brrr is just around the corner.

I wish you all Happy Holiday and Peace on Earth!

PEACE

In Memory

It was a sad day at the Goodman household, I had to have our Sophie put to sleep. She has been fighting a thyroid issue for years. Lately she has not been able to make it to the kitty litter and her back legs were starting to give out.

I do not now for sure how old Sophie was, she showed up the fall of 1996(I think that is the right year) and has been a part of our family since. If I had to guess I would say she was 13-15 years old.

Her nickname was Toto. I will miss Toto but I know that she is in a better place. I told her that where she was going she would be young again and could play with all of the other kitties, like she use to.

This has been A very difficult day for me, I do not like making these decisions, It just breaks my heart. I know there are alot of people who do not understand the bond between humans and animals but believe me it is a very strong bond. I am glad that I had the strength to be talking to her and petting her as she passed away. I have always said, my cats have been good friends to me and I will be with them to the end no matter how hard it is. The other cats knew something was going on, they have not left myside all day and for that I am greatful.

Toto thank you for being there for me, it was a pleasure taking care of you all of these years. I will see you again someday! Love you.

PEACE

Bikers have big hearts...Triathlons are not just for healthy people

When I say that I am a cyclist alot of times I get the "oh you are one of THOSE people". I have not quite figure out what THOSE people do however if that is what a cyclist does then yes I am one of "THOSE" people. I dont think that "NON THOSE PEOPLE" really understand what "THOSE PEOPLE" are all about. Most of them are very caring people. So as I find things in my reading or internet searching. I am going to mention some of "THOSE" people with big hearts.

One of "THOSE" is Robbie, Oakley Rob, RVS he has many names. I have known Rob a long time. I met him through Bill. His Nickname at the time was Baby Burf..make your own joke there.

What really caught my attention was this year when I was e-mailing him about some glasses and he said that he was doing the Hy Vee Tri as a team. I though great, however It was not just a three man team it was a 4 man team. The way I understand is Rob has a friend that has Noonan's disease, and he wanted to do a Triathlon. So Robbie and 2 other friends. Said ok we will do this tri with you. So they set up a team. I know the swimmer was Greg Allen. Greg is acutally from Pella and 3 years ahead of me in school. The runner was Rich Newkirk.

How I got to thinking about this again was I was talking to Rob at a cross race and asked him if they were going to do more tri's. He said that they told his friend that they would do 1 to 2 tri's a year. Hy Vee was not just a one time deal. I was looking thru the Hy Vee pics and came across the ones below..



They say that a picture is worth a 1000 words. Look at his face, it is pure joy.



Alot of times I will get into the oh woest me mind set, then I see pics like the ones above and realize how lucky I am. To Be healthy and to know people like Rob.

PEACE.

Change Is Good

As you can see I have changed the look of my blog. I decided that for 2009 I am going simple. You cannot get more simple than black and white. I thought that I would let the posts and pictures add the color. I have also changed the title of the Blog. I have so many sayings that inspire me, so look for different ones added to the title every month or so. I hope that you enjoy the changes. Continue to stop by and see what it going on in my life...

PEACE

Bah Humbug

Yes I am back at the Newton Communit Theater in the production of Scrooge the musical. I got the part of Mrs. Cratchit and Yes, I even get to sing. Ok it is a duet but It is singing. There are a few directors that I will audition for Wanda and Tim being two of them. Bill kind of pushed me in that direction. He said that I have been training so hard that I need to do something else to just kind of get a break. I will still exercise and do winter maintance however not really start to push it again until after the first of the year.

I am excited about this part, It has been almost two years since I did No No Nannette, we did a read through tonight it went very well. I know it will be a great show. So if you like theater and want to see a great christmas production. Come on over to Newton the first part of December and see Scrooge the musical.

PEACE...Bah Humbug :)

Inspector

Bill and I are about done installing our new P-fit Pella windows. In July we got 7 new Pella windows to fit into existing frames. They went in so easy we decided to finish the rest of the house. But as you know you always have to have an inspector check things out to make sure that you did things right.

Below are a couple of pictures of our inspector...a trusting lad I was the only thing keeping him from falling out of a two story window.





Got to love them....PEACE

Thomas and Winston

I caught Thomas and Winston being ...well Thomas and Winston





Thomas



Winston

PEACE

Difference a year makes...

I posted this a year ago...

Thomas and Winston are 10 weeks old today. They are a joy to have around and would love to keep them, however I am still looking for a loving home to take both of them. I will not split them up now they take such good care of each other.




Thomas and Winston are a NOW a year and 10 weeks old....





Bill took these pictures, for some reason they like sleeping on the trash can...silly boys! They are by Handsome boys and are still taking good care of each other.

June 22nd will be here soon

The tri that I have been training so hard for will be here in 14 day. Read how my training has been going....

Dan and Julies Biking Adventure

Read about my Friday bike ride on the Racoon River Trail

Weddings bring families together

My cousin Debbie got married today in Pella. It was kind of an unusual wedding, we were all suppose to wear western attire. Ok if that is what they want. I wore a lite blue cotton skirt with a peasant blouse and sandles. There were cowboy hats, string ties, jeans, skirts, boots if it was western it was there. What a fun time. It was a short and sweet wedding but what was fun was catching up the the cousins. We do not get together often enough and when we do it is just talk talk talk. It was a nice way to spend a saturday afternoon.



My Aunt Marlena on the Left and my mom on the right



Cousin Brenda, Kristi married to cousin Danny and me



Cousin Brenda, Cousin Debbie, me and cousin Danny

Iowa's Midsummer Bike Dream...By Phillip Ross

I am notorious for clipping out articles that catch my attention and in the Readers Digest from I think 1984 there was an article called Iowa's Midsummer Bike Dream..By Phillip Ross. I found it very interesting so I am going to reprint it here for you. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did...PEACE

Iowa's Midsummer Bike Dream...By Phillip Ross

I am leaning against my bike under a shade tree in front of a farmhouse in northeastern Iowa. It is late July 1983, the temperature is above 90, and I'm exhausted. My odometer says I've put in 70 miles of back roads since morning. My body says I'm hurting all over. The map says I have 35 miles to go.

A few feet away an endless stream of bikers is passing, 7000 in all. Watching them, I ask myself, What am I, a city boy who gave up two wheelers 30 years ago, doing in this thing called Ragbrai?

Ragbrai is an acronym for the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, the largest event of it's kind in the world. It is a 500 mile week-long trek that began 11 years ago when two writers from the Des Moines Register set out on a lark to prove that their state wasn't flat. As they filed stories each night, other bikers joined them en route. In the years since , more than 50,000 people from all 50 states and as far away as Australia have come along for the ride, and many make it an annual pilgrimage.

Why am I among them? In New York City, I had asked friends who are native Iowans what is so special about Ragbrai. When one of them said, "Ragbrai is like seeing a Norman Rockwell painting come alive," I was hooked. I mailed my application to the Register, together with $12.50 to have my luggage trucked along the route. Then I laid out $300 for a bike and flew to the Hawkeye State...

Saturday, July 23rd, 1983

I get a ride from Des Moines west to Onawa, the staging p;oint for this year's ride. On the outskirts of this town of 3283, a sign greets up: You'll like us. We are friendly. Cars, buses and vans, all laden with bicycles mounted upside down, are converging on a campground spreading around the Ragbrai information booth.

Hundreds of bikers head out of town for the ritualistic dip of their rear wheels in the muddy Missouri River, the state's western border with Nebraska. I look for the first of the families I have arranged to stay with by writing to local chambers of commerce. My host is Chuck Orsini, co-chairman of the Onawa Ragbrai Committee. Chuck tells me that ha and none co-workers have spent 200 hours each planning for this day since Onawa was notified of its selection to be a host town nearly six months ago. (Communities vie to be part of a route that changes from year to year)

Sunday July 24th, 1983

By 5:30 a.m. hosts of bikers are standing in line for the two dollar pancakes and sausage breakfast that Chuck's crew has been preparing since two o'clock. I begin to pedal at six. There is a slight drizzle, welcome relief from the heat. As far as the eye can see, front or back, there are bikers. They are riding two and three abreast, moving like alien creatures into the early Dawn. As we pedal into hill country past mile after mile of corn and soybean fields, the only sounds are of birds chirping and gears shifting.

We have 62 miles to go this day to Harlan. With only a third of it gone, I am ready to concede that not all Iowa is flat. My thighs are aching from the hills. At Soldier, I stop for coffee and hear that among the bikers who will become legends on this tour are two Hawkeyes riding a tandem. The man in front, 32 year old Herbie Althaus, has no legs and pedals with artificial limbs. The man in back, 36 year old Pat McLuen, is blind. i have seen another much talked of biker, Henry Braafhart. he has gray hair, and the back of his T-shirt reads "82 and Good as New."

At the halfway point, the heavens open up. I haven't packed rain gear, and for ten miles struggle against head winds.I arrived soaking wet in Panama, a town of 300, where several hundred bikers have taken refuge in a grove of trees. Sitting in a car under one of these trees is John Dressel, his gravelly voice booming over a microphone "Welcome to Panama. Free beer and lemonade. Polish sausages one dollar." John is a retired farmer, and as I dry off at his side he tells me that he has bad feet and that his mike comes from being civil defense director, "which entails watching for tornado's and some other things that I cannot recall right now."

The rain stops. The hills continue. I see young racers riding one behind the other, wheels almost touching, to cut down the wind resistance. I see the dawdlers who are content to enjoy the scenery. There are the oddities: a group in war paint, a women carrying a dachshund in her rear basket, a few who are pedaling odd contraptions that do not look much like bicycles. The Oettings, Mike and Elena, are hauling there two young children in a buggy attached to the rear of Mike's bike. When I comment that pulling two kids 50 miles would not be my idea of a fun family vacation, he smiles. "Fun is not what we are looking for," he says "Adventure is."

Monday, July 25th, 1983

This is Ragbrai's shortest day, 46 miles to Guthrie Center, and it takes only a few miles to figure out why. Hills, hills, hills.

I chug along side a white haired women who tells me she's 73 and is slow pedaling up the hills but enjoys coming down them. I wish her well and pick up my pace. Coasting down another hill, I hear a loud "Whoopee!" I turn my head just in time to watch her whiz past.

Soon I spot a farmer sitting on his front lawn. "Nice to see you," I say. "You betcha" he answers. " How far to Kimballton?" I ask. " Two and a half hills up the road," he says.

Kimballton is a Danish town, lined with Danish and American flags. As in all the other villages en route, Kimballton's people have pulled out the stops for us bikers. The hot item on their menu is aebleskiver-sugary Danish pancakes- and there are long lines waiting to try them. A resident tells me about Kimballton's monthly dances, attended by people of all ages. I tell her I cannot imagine my two teenage daughters going to a dance with their father back in New York. "I guess things are a little different here,: she replies.

That afternoon, I ride for five miles atop along ridge under billowy clouds. The ridge is known as the "M and M" because water on it's western side flows to the Missouri and on it eastern side to the Mississippi. In every direction there are views of patchwork fields with farmhouses and barns, each separate, each complete, each producing. It is all quietly exhilarating, and I try to store up on it, as thought it were energy, for the hills.

I arrive in Guthrie Center exhausted. There are lines for food, cold showers and chemical toilets. I buy a soft drink from three 12 year old girls raising funds for the Valley reamers 4-H club.They say they are very excited about having us here. I ask Why. "Because Guthrie Center is usually boring," Julie Schoonover says. "Dull," Julie Donovan adds. "Dead, " chimes in Teresa McCool.

When I ask where else they'd like to live, they exchanger glances and say that, well, maybe Guthrie Center is as good a place as any.

Tuesday, July 26th, 1983

Up and at 'em at 5:30. Mist hangs low over a field of soybeans. But outside of town the road rises, and the early-morning sun is hitting the spokes of the wheels...flash,flash,flash... as hundreds of bikes ascend as if to heaven.

I share this breathtaking scene with two 23 year old women, Lori Salus and her friend Kate Lounsberry, both from Oregon. They rather matter of fact tell me that they began biking six weeks ago in Oregon, timed their trip to hook up with Ragbrai, and will continue on at week's end to Michigan.

The hills suddenly end and we are in the Iowas I have been eagerly looking forward to...flat as she goes. On the way to Ames, we hit a stretch of four lane highway where we are brushed by the draft from passing trucks. a jarring reminder of how much Ragbrai depends on the practically car-less secondary roads we mostly use.

A few miles onto country roads again, and I come to Bouton, population 130. I hitch my steed outside the air conditioned oasis of Friendship Hall of the Christ Lutheran Church. Inside there's a counter overflowing with homemade cakes, pies, sandwiches. I stoke up for for 70 cents.

Wednesday, July 27th, 1983

The less said about this day the better. I am up at five, and everything inside me rebels against biking 71 miles today. I pedal slowly out of town, cursing Ragbrai, Iowa and myself. Half a day later. I lie down to nap. Ants crawling over y legs motivate me to move on. I feel a surge of strength and pedal furiously for 15 miles. When I stop for lemonade, I am filled with self congratulations. Then I overhear several bikers talking about how easy the last stretch was because we had a tail wind. So much for my inner resources.

I am picked up at day's end by my friends the Coursons and Lynners. They take me to their lakeside cottage, were everyone has helped prepare a potluck dinner.

Thursday, July 28th, 1983

A welcome break. To get an overview of Ragbrai, I ride the "sag wagon" a van and trailer that moves up and down the road picking up bikes and bikers who have broken down. The volunteer driver is Kay Reasoner, a legal secretary from Des Moines.

We begin our ride at 9:30 a.m. and, within an hour, have our full complement of 16 riders. These include a family of four with bad colds, plus two teenagers with knee problems. All enter the van silently, with a sense of defeat that is not reduced by the good natured boos and shouts of "Never!" that the sag wagon draws when it passes bikers.

Kay fills me in on a nursing mother whose husband was riding with the baby. The two became separated, feeding time arrived, and bikers began passing word of the problem until the parents were reunited. A different kind of reunion story Kay tells me is about a "same time next year" couple who make the bike ride their annual tryst.

Friday, July 29th, 1983

This is the big one, 105 miles from Grundy Center to Manchester. I am up at five and raring to go. My sense of purpose lasts until I step outside. It is raining steadily. I begin riding with the enthusiasm of someone on the way to an IRS audit.

A mile or two out, the rain stops, and the day emerges cool and cloudy, ideal biking weather. Energy surges as I move through countryside aromatic with alfalfa and clover. I stop at Brandon's Koffee Kup Kafe, where the curtains are checkered red and while, and along one wall are photographs of every high school graduating class since 1920. Some of the pictures have only six faces. I order homemade muffins, bacon and eggs, all of which taste like they are supposed to.

By 11, I'm slowing down. I stop at the 68 mile marker for a rest. I know I must be getting tired because I check my odometer when I get off the bike and check it again when I leave, to see if, by some miracle, it has advanced.

As I leave one rest stop, I hear the shrill screams of hogs. A farmer is using an electric prod to move his fattened crop up a ramp into a big semi, which he tells me will deliver them to the slaughterhouse.

I am feeling grim for the next ten miles. But as I enter dairy country, where cows live linger, my outlook improves. Later, when my odometer reads 92, I swell with pride.

Coming down the homestretch, I begin to see this week as a metaphor. We are all different and all ultimately alone. Yet we are making the journey together, reflections off the same prism. I am getting maudlin about my fellow riders and the hospitable people along the way when suddenly I hit Manchester. It is 4:20, the odometer says 104, and I feel the warm glow I felt coming home from the Army.

Saturday, July 30th, 1983

It's a measly 59 miles to Dubuque and departure. At the food stands outside Dyersville's St. Francis Xavier Church, bikers are downing bratwurst and corn even though it's only 8:30a.m. A band is playing polka music, and several riders begin to dance.

In Dubuque, there is a breakup celebration overlooking the Mississippi. Front wheels are dipped in the river to symbolize the crossing of one of the few states bordered by two great rivers. Beer is consumed in great quantities, and a stand to set up for farewell speeches.

Flying east over Illinois, I look out he window, back at Iowa and the week that was. Images float past me, of doors being opened to strangers, of physical endurance, of a landscape that lies right out there, direct and guileless, like the people who inhabit it.

Before I left New York, I had wondered out loud to a friend what it was that I , who have experienced the excitement of both coasts, was looking for on the back roads of Iowa. "Perhaps," she said, "to see if the center holds" And now I am coming back to tell her that it does.

This was written almost 25 years ago. alot about RAGBRAI has changed yet alot has remained the same...Perhaps the center does still hold...PEACE

The Image they really want to send...

I have certain sites on the internet that i go to, to keep up with what is going on. One of the sites is the Punk Rock Racing site. They had pictures from their training in Indiana. One caught my eye.


-Image from Punk Rock Cycling site

Ok I looked at the bottle trying to give them the benefit of the doubt. Maybe it was a New fangled water bottle or pop bottle, I just couldnt buy that. It looks like a wine bottle to me. If that was the only thing it wouldnt be so bad however if you look closer she is driving.

Every bikers worst nightmare are drunk drivers. Here you have a "biker" who is drinking while driving. Is that the kind of image the Punk Rockers want to send. I think that people forget that there are very easily influenced children, teenagers and adults out there who think wow if it is ok for them, then I can do it to.

If you want to be in the public eye think before you do, there are people watching.

These are my own opinions not my husbands or anyones elses if you dont like them come to me, as a biker I am entitled to my opinion when it comes to biker image and safety.

PEACE

What a nice day!

What a great day to take off. I am trying to use up my 2007 vacation and decided to take today off. I know that it is early in the season but I was itching to get some yard work done. So I proceeded outside with my clippers and trimmed my grasses. I didnt get this done last fall. So I did some clipping, drug the brush to the burn pile and found a couple of rakes that we had use last fall. We never did get them put away because the next day the snow started. I learned a lesson with one of these rakes last fall. Before I tell you the story I will see if you can figure out which one I used.



Can you tell? See if this helps...



Lesson learned...do NOT use a plastic rake when taking care of a burning fire...It will melt. I thought that i would help by adding some more leaves to the fire but you have to spread out the existing ashes first...yah right. I just started to laugh...Bill wanted to know what was so funny, I tried to hide it from him, however it is hard to hide a rake. He basically rolled his eyes , shook his head then started to laugh. What else could he do. I think that I will just leave it by the fire pit as a conversation piece...

It was a nice day today...hope that you could enjoy it...

PEACE!

Buying Condoms.

It has been a long time since I have had to go and buy some condoms. Way back then they were just called "Trojans" came in one size and style. My roommates and I would laugh over the colored ones.

The other day I went on a condom buying trip. I just stood staring at the selection that is now available.

You can get ribbed, bumped, sensitive, Extra Large-isnt that what every male says they need. You can get them in different lengths, this might cause an issue if you dont know exactly how LONG your partner is, does this mean you have to buy a multi pack in length and size...hmmm let me see you look like a std medium...They have warming condons for those times you cannot get her warmed up enough yourself. There are lubed, non lubed and my favorite flavored. Who in their right mind wants to suck on a piece of latex. I dont care if it is tropical banana. They have scented so that you dont smell the condom..Isnt that what most high school and college boys want, for OTHER high school and college boys to be able to tell that yes you did get lucky. You can get Extra Strength what you have not had sex in such a long time you are afraid you will blow the top off. You can even get Pleasure shaped condoms. They look like something went really wrong at the condom factory. I finally selected a variety pack, sensitive, ribbed, flavored and normal. I would hate to give the person only one choice. If you need a good laugh go and check out the condom aisle, you just might learn something.

PEACE.

In Memory

1990 - 2008

My Charlie passed away today, he was 17 years old. I found him when I got home from work. I had a feeling that something was wrong. It looks like he may of had a heart attack. He and I had a good 17 years together. There were good times and bad times but we made it through. There was many a time he was my comfort. I think God was waiting to take Charlie, He had to make sure that there was a replacement or two.

Godspeed Charlie, I will miss you, Thank you for all you did for me. I love you!



Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

peace

Some of my favorite things,

Wow it has almost been a month since I have posted. I need to catch up.I thought that I would mention some of my favorite thing or products that I use.

Facial Products: Elemis I first learned about Elemis on one of our cruises. I have always taken care of my skin however it keeps changing with the weather and age. I have very rosy skin which tends to be sensitive. I use Chamomile Cleanser, with the day and night moisturising cream. They are a little pricey However my thinking on skin care is I only have one skin I need to take care of it.

Lotions: I have tried all kinds of lotions, In the summer I have to use a light lotion and in the winter more of a body butter. I have very itchy skin and swimming and exercising does not help. I have found a great product that seems to make my skin soft and non itchy. Before I tell you the product I will say I found it on sale and decided to give it a try. It is Avalon Organic Baby products ok you can stop laughing hysterically. I was reading the label and it said to protect the skin making is smooth and soft. Well I want smooth soft skin. So I bought the lotion and tear free shampoo and body wash. Really like the stuff. I have replaced my Dove soap with this. my skin feels smooth and soft just like a babys butt...ok maybe not quite that soft. If you want to pamper yourself try Watkins Lemon cream shea butter this butter has a wonderful lemon smell. You can find it at Walmart at least in Newton.

ToothPaste: Tom's of Maine I use the orange-mango.

Shampoo: I tend to rotate my shampoos. I do not have a favorite which seems kind of strange. I have wavy/curly hair which tends to be dry so I look for a moisturising shampoo. Sometimes I will heat up a little bit of olive oil, massage it into my hair and scalp let it soak in for about 1/2 hour. Then shampoo it out. This leaves the hair nice and soft.

Favorite Scent: Lavander and Rosmary,I grow both of these. They say if you take a drop or two of Lavander oil ,add water then spritz your sheets and pillows you will get a better nights sleep. I am planning on trying this once I find some pure lavander.

Well that is all for now I hope that you enjoyed seeing some of my favorite things.

PEACE

Brrrr

Yep BRRRR was yesterday, nice day for riding. My friend Julie and I rode together. As usual the wind was in our face on the way to Rippey and at our backs on the way to Perry. After the ride we went and got a nice big bowl of chili and Julie won a crocheted hat. Kyle, Julie's husband, asked if she really "won" after taking a look at the hat. What do men know about style. Julie's bike had an issue it would shift from the big gear in front to the granny gear, missing the middle gear, so we made a stop at Irwin's on the way home and dropped off both bikes. Julie's to get a tune up and mine so Bill could take it home. I needed to go bra shopping and didn't want it sitting in the parking lot. Now Bra shopping is a whole different story all together.

It was a great Saturday, very fun and actually relaxing. The pic below was taken by the Des Moines Register.



L to R
Kyle S, Taylor W, Julie G, Julie S, and Troy T. Waiting for the Brr Ride to start.

Time for a Change

I have decided this year to change the blog up a bit. It will still be what is going on in Bill and my life however I am going to throw in stuff that I feel is important to live everyday the best that I can. I am an avid reader, I am always looking for interesting articles to read. I do not follow the mainstream, I look for unique.

Here are a few things that I believe when it comes to well being.

1. There is a time for holistic medicine and a time for western medicine.
2. Accupuncture works.
3. Massages are a preventive medicine
4. Exercising is a great thing
5. You need to take care of your skin. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.
6. Water is God's liquor. Drink alot of it.
7. pop and/or soda is deadly stop drinking it.
8. read food labels
9. naps are good so is laughing.
10. Dont always follow the crowd, you are missing so much by not doing your own thing.

I hope that you enjoy the change.

PEACE

A True Hero

To my way of thinking there are very few true heros left today and last week a very modest true hero passed away at the age of 88. Sir Edmund Hillary. The first man to ever climb Everest. What makes Sir Hillary a hero is not that he was the first man to climb Everest it was what he did after. He tried to help third world countries better themselves. Napal being one of his favorites. Actually there is not a picture of him on top of Everest because he was behind the camera not in front of it. There are not many selfless "heros" left. Sir Edmund Hillary was one of them.

Duffy cartoon

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