Happy New Year!!!

An Inspirational Thought, Motivational Thought -
Happpy New Year
by Catherine Pulsifer

H appiness depends upon your outlook on life.
A ttitude is just as important as ability.
P assion find yours this year!
P ositive thoughts make everything easier.
Y ou are unique, with special gifts, use them.

N ew beginnings with a new year.
E nthusiasm a true secret of success.
W ishes may they turn into goals.

Y ears go by to quickly, enjoy them.
E nergy may you have lots of it.
A ppreciation of life, don't take it for granted.
R elax take the time to relax in this coming year.

Well...

Yep, I've not made the time to really update this the last month.. SORRY!!!
I just thought I would stop in today and say, come the first of the year, I'm going to keep up on updates.
So much has gone on since Thanksgiving, I cant even begin to update it all... We've gone out and partied with lots of friends, had a great time, each time.... Christmas was great... We went to see Marley & Me that evening.. Great movie! We've welcomed home Josh and had a great time partying with him and all the family. My birthday weekend was fun, had a great time spending it with Scott... New Years Eve we are spending with our friends Matt, Stephanie and Chris... I'm thankful for the great year we've had this year and happy for all the times we got to spend with friends. So I guess its more important to spend time with them, then updating this!
Happy New Years everyone!!!! I hope the new year brings great things for everyone!

Catch up...

Okay, I'll probably have to do a couple of blog updates, since so much has gone on.
I guess I'll start with the oldest events. I don't know if my mind can get that far back, but I'll try. And everyone wonders why I take so many pictures, its because I cant remember what I did yesterday! UGH.. that's another post though. Okay. so where am I.... I guess I'll start with our trip to Charlotte over Thanksgiving. The weather up to Thanksgiving here in Cleveland had just been UGH! So, we leave for Charlotte early Thursday morning. We get into town and wow, the weather was perfect. It was 65 degrees and I realize I could live here and not miss the cold of Cleveland. Thanksgiving night, we decided since it was probably the only chance we would have, we headed down to Whisky River (Dale Jrs. Bar in downtown Charlotte). Great bar. I just felt bad for the ton of workers that came in on Thanksgiving night to work and they had all of about 15 customers. I actually finally got to taste the Sweet Tea Vodka that I had been hearing so much about. FireFly. The stuff is AWESOME... Mix it with some lemonade and your in trouble!!! I hope we make it back there some day! After that we were crazy... we headed off to Concord Mills for the opening at Midnight to shop (who leaves a great bar to go shopping at midnight, but ME!) The place was PACKED. We walked around stopped at a couple of stores and headed back to the room.. Just wasn't much out there I needed.
It felt great to sleep in on Black Friday though.... Friday morning, we woke up, stopped at a couple of stores to see what I could come up with on deals... Didn't do to bad. Stopped at the track for their annual blow out sale. Kind of funny, I didnt feel my normal frenzy of wanting to buy all the deals. We did pick up a couple of GREAT deals at the Michael Waltrip trailer. Didnt take the car on the track, like we used to do. We then headed out to my MOST favorite Winery in the world. Richard Childress Winery. We picked up my bi-annual case of wine... Another packed place. It was good to see them doing so good. We've gone in there before and its been dead. So its great to see it working out so well for Richard. No matter what wines I find in life, I will always have a special place for Childress Wine.
Saturday we woke up, knowing we were headed back to Cleveland, so there really was no rush. We got on the highway and were headed towards Statesville, when I start trying to find Benny Parsons winery on GPS and the Internet on my phone. I'm so glad we made the effort to find it. Okay, when they say its off the beaten path, they aren't lying, at all! We got lost twice even following their directions and ignoring GPS. I haven't meeet much a bunch of people that was so nice in a very long time. Terry is a great women and its obvious why Benny married her. For her to pick up where he left off with 'his' little project. WOW... They've put the winery tasting and museum in her walk out basement. The staff was the best bunch of employees/ friends I have come across in a very long time! I honestly, can't wait to go back, I don't care how far out of the way it is.
Oh, yeah, if you ever want to buy liquor in North Carolina, Don't... its expensive... we ended up making a run down to South Carolina before we left and picked up plenty of sweet tea vodka to last me till our next trip! And a few other fun things to try. like Absinthe... We will see how that goes, or if I just keep it for looks!
Well.. that's one weekend down.. tons of other stuff to talk about!

I dont know what to say...

I have a lot to talk about.. Everything from our great trip to Charlotte and North Carolina over Thanksgiving weekend, to Christmas, to Job cut backs, To the loss of my CEO at Medical Mutual today. Unfortunately, I am not in the mood to talk about much of anything. Kent Clapp, the CEO of Medical Mutual charted a flight back and crashed in the rain forest of Puerto Rico. Him, his fiancee, and the pilot were lost. I'm not in much of a mood to talk about anything. Its bringing back a lot of memories of Clayton's crash that was not that long ago. And Kent was just a great person to head up our company. He will be missed, but most of all, I hope the team of people he spent 11 years building will carry on, everything he believed in.
So, when I am up to it, I will post about everything. Including the great Christmas party I have with a great bunch of friends I have. I'll even try to post the picture I have from my 10 year service awards with Kent. But right now, Wine just seems to be the best option, while cooking for the party tomorrow.
Please, pray for Kent family and Tracy's and most of all the pilots.
What a year! I just pray god have a lot better things in store for us. But, I sometimes waver!

Just a little vent.....

Those that know me, know when I eat right and follow a plan they way it should be followed, I follow it without fail. So when people say things like Weight Watchers didn't work for me or Atkins is all about eating cheeseburgers, I get defensive! Maybe a little to much. So yesterday someone made both of those comments. If I remember correctly, when I did Atkins 5 years ago, I never touched a cheeseburger, piece of pork bacon, whatever. I followed the book, from the first two weeks to everything that should be followed. Just got to a point, where it was to restrictive traveling as much as I do. So I just went back to eating WHATEVER. But this poor girl, I jumped down her throat. I know I shouldn't have. But I hate it when people think they are following a plan and they aren't. So then later on someone asked the points of something on Weight Watchers and that they weren't following WW because they didn't want to be told what to eat, but they were just wondering what the points were. When I follow WW, like last year, or I am trying to do again, I eat what I want. WW is about learning correct portion size and learning whats important. I never didn't eat what I want. I built it into my day, if it meant my daily points, my weekly points or I had to work out a bit more to pay back those point. SIMPLE as that! I remember splurging at Sonic, special dinners, whatever. I just wish people would figure out if they want to follow a plan, learn what the plan is all about that's all....

Anyway... the winter is upon us here in Cleveland. (Did we even really get a summer, really????) My yard is covered in snow and I hate it. I hate the fact that I hate going out when it gets cold. I become a hermit for months. I sleep, eat and not much else. Scott said last night unless I am officially diagnosed with SAD, he wasn't taking me for a weekend in Arizona in Jan or Feb. MMMM... wonder what the doctor would say.... LOL... I'll probably just hold off for Utah in May. I just have to get past this and deal with it. I live in Cleveland, I have to move on with my life and do things. I cant let this get to me!!!!!!

Sorry....

I just haven't made the time to get out here and write whats been going on. I've been to 'busy' playing on facebook. Yeah, now I am a gamer over there. That needs to stop.
Not much has gone on really...
We went out with Kristie and Lenny to the winery for dinner one night. Had a really nice time with them and Logan is getting SO BIG!
We went to the benefit concert at House of Blues for Josh. Mark Wills,Burning Vegas and American Rockstar all played. Burning Vegas totally rocks and I can't wait to see another one of their shows. Mark Wills, great country singer. American Rockstar, wasn't bad, just didn't get me like Burning Vegas did. I won two CD's (Mark Wills & Darryl Worley) and a bunch of Brigton Jewelry. All the proceeds went to Holly and Thea.
This past Saturday we went to a fundraiser with Diana, her brother Ronnie & his wife Kim, & Diane, her husband. It was for Ronnie & Kim's son Jason for his traveling baseball team he is on. We had a great time. I didn't win anything, but still had fun with friends! Walking into the place, there was a women standing outside, that I just knew who it was when I saw her. I hadn't seen her in years. Thinking back, its probably been at least 10 years. It was Anita, who was in my wedding. I think the last time we saw her was her wedding to Tom. She has two kids now, seems happy. I just wish we would have had more time to catch up and chat, but Tom is one of the coaches, so she was running around helping. But it was good to see her.
Thanksgiving we are going to Charlotte for a couple of days. Really just to get some Dinner at Lancasters. I cant even say its for Barbecue pork, because mine is better. It's their hushpuppies! It will be worth the trip and it will be fun. Its been a couple of years since we made it down to Charlotte for Thanksgiving.
Thats all I got for now!
Oh and what 45 days till Christmas??????heeee...

Facebook and old classmates.

I've been thinking about this post since last week. I first have to start off by thanking another blogger and former classmate. If I would have never found Darren Carter's blog. I wouldnt be sitting here today writing this. We all graduated from Bedford High School 20 years ago this year. As fate would have it I have missed every reunion. I have always had other plans (or was that god working AGAIN!). The first one > 5 year. I was getting married that weekend. 10 year, we had plans to take a trip on the same weekend. This year when I got notice for the reunion, I realized it was the same weekend that we would be in Mid-Ohio racing motorcycles. I don't think I am ever going to make it to a reunion. Truthfully, I wasn't real sure I ever wanted to go to a reunion. Honestly, I am glad I made it out of Bedford High School in one piece and actually did something with my life. Long story short, 8Th grade ended bad at Heskett. 9Th grade started worse with the loss of one of my dearest friends 1 month into school. After that, I didn't much care anymore and I didn't care for 4 years. I remember plenty of teachers trying to set me in the right direction. I remember lots of friends trying to get me to care. I didn't. I just wanted to get through school and get away from it. There was NOTHING fun about school and being here. I know now a lot of it I made so much harder on myself, then really needed to be. I know I didn't keep the friends I should have kept, heck even most of the people I thought were my friends at graduation, we have lost touch with.

Anyway, about the time Scott's cousin got married in June, I was just getting interested in face book. At that point, I think I had only seen one person in the last 10 years that I graduated with and that was Deann Hegidus (some time in March or April of this year~ again god at work here) So I knew I wouldn't be looking for very many classmates on facebook. I just didn't feel like I connected with a lot of people from high school. And the ones I wondered what happened to, I know they wouldn't be out there. I think Deann was one of my first friend requests. In the mean time. Michelle Grecko left me a message on classmates.com, off I went looking for her too. Okay, long short getting longer here... Jump ahead to August sometime. I was searching blogs from the Cleveland area one day and happened on Darren's, just as he was posting info about pictures from the reunion. Wow.. I couldn't believe it. I don't remember if I left him a comment on his blog or facebook, but I added him as a friend. I started looking for other people we went to school with. I've been kind of shy about requesting friends with some people. I just don't know who remembers me and who doesn't. I've connected with about 16. Some I have talked to more then others. Some I've even shared a drink with recently.

Last week, I started pulling out old pictures. Anyone that knows me present day, I have a serious issue with taking pictures. I can go to a motorcycle race and click off 2000 good pictures. I went on my honeymoon and took 30 rolls of film (before digital, that was a pricey honeymoon) So of course 95% of my photos are sorted and in boxes waiting to be scrapbooked. Well I guess if I didn't travel so much, I would have time to do that, I digress. I pulled out the three OLD boxes of pictures and started pulling out photos. Scott started scanning. Here I pulled out pictures from Heskett. Some of Scott's pictures when we just started dating and he was still at Bedford and I was already working a full time job. I pulled out picture of my cousins through the years, just so many pictures and so many fun memories. So I started by posting some of my family pictures late Thursday. Wow, talk about feedback and response. Amazing.
Last night, I posted some more from School and tagged the people I was friends with on facebook. (I still have a ton more pictures of more people not yet on facebook, maybe someday, those will get scanned too). Feedback almost immediately. People couldn't believe I still had photos and they wanted them burned. No such luck there. I now have digital proof! Its been fun talking with everyone and seeing how some people remember more then I did about what class it was. Its been great to hear that. I wish I had more pictures of school and I know somewhere in my parents house, there is probably still pictures!
Now to the point of this whole post.... When Scott and I were scanning the photos, I came across my senior proofs. Hey anyone notice, I am not in the yearbook for my senior year. Yeah, I planned it that way, thanks! I asked him what he thought of me back then. He said I always looked like a was a bitch and to look at some of my senior proofs, I came off with that unapproachable look. Did I really? Was I that unhappy and that bad? Wow....Amazing what time does now, doesn't it? I think life is way too short now and I don't let what I used to think about people still rule on what I think of them today. We are all so much different now. Maybe there are reasons I haven't talked to some of the 'friends' and why I do talk to people from high school that I never did before. I do know one thing. I wont miss the next reunion or get together! I can only think god has a plan in all of this and it just amazes me sometimes how he works. I try not to question it and most times I've learned to just go with the flow and let everything happen the way he has planned it.
So to sum this rambling up! Thanks Darren, had it not been for you I might not have ever connected back up with old school/classmates.
And Darren, if you happen upon this, no you aren't old because you are searching out talk radio. I'm doing it to. I know Scott does it too. Age is all a state of mind!

You Are a Champagne Woman

A true mystery, no one can quite figure you out... That is, until you start drinking. Then you tend to let loose. You're fun to drink with, but it definitely takes you a few drinks to loosen up. You prefer to date a man who likes the finer things in life... like a five star dinner with that champagne.

What Kind of Drinking Woman Are You?

You Are A Martini

You are the kind of drinker who appreciates a nice hard drink. And for you, only quality alcohol. You don't waste your time on the cheap stuff. Obviously, you're usually found with a martini in your hand. But sometimes you mix it up with a gin and tonic. And you'd never, ever consider one of those flavored martinis. They're hardly a drink!

What Alcoholic Drink Are You?

Facebook & My Day off...

Why is it.. Its my day off, a great fall day, weather a little crappy because its raining, but still typical fall day.. Excited about going to a new winery tonight with Scott for a great Hungarian feast. I spent the better part of the morning, doing what I do best.. Shop. It wasn't fun clothes or accessory shopping, but still fun anyways. I get home, and I see that my cousin Roger is now on Facebook too. Anyone that knows me, knows I am hooked on that damn site! between playing with the motorcycles on there and finding people. I don't do much else anymore on the net. Heck I rarely read any of my scrapbooking sites because I am wasting time on facebook. Anyway. Today is the day, I try and catch up with some of the blogs I read, some of the message boards, etc. I see Roger is now on facebook.. so what do I do.. I go through my terabyte of pictures that I have taken in the past what 5 years? and start uploading more racing pictures. (and reliving some of those great events!) So now its 3 1/2 hours later and I haven't done a thing. I need to get dressed for dinner, throw in a load of laundry, do some dishes... and a bunch of other stuff. NONE of its going to get done, because I want to load more pictures! Between the fun times, I have had with my cousins racing and going out with my friends around town, I could be posting pictures till next week! Anyway.. That's all I got! I worked overtime last weekend, we checked out the new bar downtown and finally had a quiet relaxing weekend. Now I'm ready to be on the run again and travel. I wish Scott didn't have to work Saturday, or I think I'd consider a trip to Charlotte for dinner. (good thing he is working!)

What type of Wine I am....

You Are Pinot Gris

More hip than most, you spot trends before they even really get started. If something is new and unique, you know about it... and you've probably tried it. You have a good number of projects, interests, and relationships - but they are all fleeting. The world is so appealing and diverse, you can't help but seek variety. Deep down you are: A true flirt Your partying style: Exclusive. You only party with people you've personally selected. Your company is enjoyed best with: A big bowl of pasta

What Kind of Wine Are You?

What my birthday says about me???

Your Birthdate: December 13

You're dominant and powerful. You always need to be in charge. While others respect your competence, you can be a bit of a dictator. Hard working and serious, you never let yourself down. You are exact and accurate - and you expect others to be the same way. Your strength: You always get the job done Your weakness: You're a perfectionist to a fault Your power color: Gray Your power symbol: Checkmark Your power month: April

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

The Book of Lies By Brad Meltzer

I remember I hated doing book reports in School 20+ years hasnt changed that. But again, I came across a great book!

I'm copying the inside jacket of the book, but it sums up a great book, which I had NO idea would have scenes in Cleveland. That made my day.

In Chapter Four of the Bible, Cain kills Abel. It is the world's most famous murder. But the Bible is silent about one key detail: the weapon Cain used to kill his brother. That weapon is still lost to history.

In 1932, Mitchell Siegel was killed by three gunshots to his chest. While mourning, his son dreamed of a bulletproof man and created the world's greatest hero: Superman. And like Cain's murder weapon, the gun used in this unsolved murder has never been found.

Until now.

Today in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Cal Harper comes face-to-face with his family's greatest secret: his long-lost father, who's been shot with a gun that traces back to Mitchell Siegel's 1932 murder. But before Cal can ask a single question, he and his father are attacked by a ruthless killer tattooed with the anicent markings of Cain. And so begins the chase for the world's first murder weapon.

What does Cain, history's greatest villain, have to do with Superman, the world's greatest hero? And what do two murders, committed thousands of years apart, have in common? This is the mystery at the heart of Brad Meltzer's riveting and utterly intriguing new thriller.

Getting OLD

Okay, so, what's happened the last two weeks??? Kristie and Lennys wedding reception was the 27th of Sept. We had a really nice time. They both have great families and great friends. Logan gets bigger every time we see him. Lenny and I managed to get Scott a bit drunk for a little while.. LOL.. Kristie and Lenny both look truly happy to be married.
Last weekend, a bunch of friends from work came to my side of town. We had a great time... Just about everyone GOT seriously DRUNK, but we had a blast. I cant even really begin to tell you how much fun we had. It wouldnt do it justice. Pictures dont even do it justice right now!
Looks like the year is finally starting to slow down for us and we can actually relax this fall... I really like that idea!
Thoughts are we are going to go to Utah next year for vacation for the World Superbike Race. Good thing its right around our normal vacation anyway.
But while I am here...
Just wanted to post some thoughts

10. Buffets always seem like a good idea > they aren't.

9. Taking 2600 pictures seems great when you are doing it. Sorting them, not so much fun

8. Always make sure your batteries are charged for the P&S camera. It makes parties so much easier for my drunk photo taking (you know, like drunk texting)

7. Thankfully, all my friends, drunk are all still GREAT FUNNY friends even if they sometimes annoy me sober!

6. Buying 6 quarts of your favorite apple, seemed like a good idea at the time.

5. I love to see Scott get drunk, he's just down right FUNNY. Put him with Dave and I'm cracking ribs laughing.

4. I love facebook. I love finding classmates. I cant believe its been 20 years!

3. I miss my family in the south! I wish there was more time to tavel to see them!

2. I am so VERY thankful for the friends I have and I spent Saturday night with. Thank you, Diana, Jojo, Jen, Joanne, Michelle, Sherry, Kathy, Dave & respective SO's, you guys are all awesome and I cant thank you enough for coming to my side of town to party!

1. Scott asks quite often, when we are going to wake up and realize we are mature and have grown up? I think it just depends on the situation. We both just still know how to have a good time. Maybe a little to often, but always with dear friends and that I am thankful!

Wow... 23 days.. Sorry..

Well, a lot has gone on since my last post, which I didn't have time for then.... Still don't seem to have much time to devote to this, sorry guys!
The Weekend of the 6th, Scott, Traci and I went out to Geneva and that area to hit up some wineries.. guess, what, just happened to be Thunder on the Strip too, LOTS of bikes. Traci and I had fun trying a bunch of wines and finding ones we really liked!
The 11th, we left for Indy and MOTOGP... they were calling for RAIN all weekend, so I was nervous about that. Thursday we got there, it was beautiful and we had a great time. Friday it just POURED.. it was just miserable and WET. But still MotoGP bikes were on the track and that itself was COOL! Wow, those bikes rock. Saturday, was just beautiful, the weather perfect, the bikes great. Wow, did they sound AWESOME at full speed on a dry track. Sunday, we woke up to no rain, but it was in the forecast. They managed to get practices off, the Red Bull Rookies Cup Race off, the 125 CC Race off.. but it started raining, so the 250 was delayed till after the big race, since they are showing that live in network TV *(except in stupid Cleveland). The rain had let up, but the winds had picked up, but about lap 17, the winds were just horrible. Let me tell you first, that our seats, yeah they were awesome, and awesome high and the stairs we had to take, even if you aren't afraid of heights, you will be even without the wind or rains after walking up these stairs. Anyway... They finally called the race at lap 20. Nicky led in the beginning and was looking the like Nicky we all have grown to love, but Rossi took over the lead and never looked back. I do have to say Indy has getting traffic out of the track down to a science and I couldn't be more impressed! It was really a great weekend, I don't care how much rain, I was around some of the most powerful bikes I have ever seen in my life. I only took appox 2600 pictures, still sorting, down to about 2100 and a lot to go. I honestly really had a good time watching the races there and learned a lot about the track, I hope I can talk Scott into going next year!
So we headed home.. got to about Dayton, decided Dinner was a great idea, so we planned on stopping at our favorite O'charley's in Columbus... Got off the exit. because Scott is used to me driving, he didn't realize that there were lights out, so we almost blew the intersection. Every almost every place had lost power.... O'charleys was still open, 20 minute wait.. fine, we were all HUNGRY and from talking with the other diners, a lot of people had lost power. Oh did I mention that this rain and wind, was thanks to Hurricane IKE. Hello, we are in OHIO... whats that about. Anyway.. ate, headed home... Noticed most of the exits were DARK the whole way home. Never thought it would be an issue at home... Yeah, I guess I was wrong, we got home to NO POWER!!!! lovely. You know when we finally got it back??? Wednesday. Three days of the generators, running my contents of our deep freezer to the ice cream stand for storage, and just plain a sucky time. I guess I should be thankful that it wasn't longer. Once again, I realized we have WAY too much frozen food for two people! LOL...I'm not even going to promise to not stock up.
So last week, we wanted to go to the Hot Air Balloon Fest in Ravenna, but really had nothing else planned. We were looking forward to relaxing. We got a lot of house stuff done and a lot of cleaning done that hasn't been done in a while, it was great, we didn't make it to see the hot air balloons, but we did make it to Sonic that finally opened in Streetsboro... YEAH!!!! the place is still crazy busy, but they are running it perfect !!!
Scott left Monday morning for a business trip and was expected to be home Tuesday night, he was... I guess this is the new normal. He leaves Thursday for a day trip to Hillard, Ohio. I don't have a problem with the travel, I just hope he is getting used to it! This weekend is Lenny & Kristi's reception, Scott gets to dress in another tux and I get to take the pictures!
Here's a couple of pictures to leave you with from the last couple of weeks!

The end of Summer....

We had a great weekend this weekend.. Just real quick, we went to Lenny & Kristis for a picnic on Saturday. Sunday we went downtown to see the tall ships and the air show. Yesterday I just totally vegged out and got ready for work today.
I'll post more later and some pictures... Just thought I'd say yep.. still alive... Happy all the shows are starting back up.. means I wont get much else done.. LOL!

Tag... I was tagged, so here is mine!

A Attached or Single? well, I'm attached to my laptop, tilt, my friends and family. but seriously.... Attached, very 15+ wonderful years!

B. Best Friend? Well honestly, its what I am doing at the moment which friend fits that doing. But mostly, its Scott, who basically is willing to stick around me and put up with me ALL the time!

C. Cake or pie? Cake.. No frosting either, please! And if Mom made it, I'm not sharing!

D. Day of choice? Wednesday of course, its my 'day off'

E. Essential item? Wow... has to be a "thing"? My Camera.

F. Favorite color? Red or Yellow....

G. Gummy bears or worms? doesn't matter as long as I get the pineapple ones

H. Hometown? That's up for debate, but I guess Bedford.

I. Favorite indulgence? Wow, I guess wine... nope, I'll drink the 2 buck chuck... heck I prefer that... indulgence... I don't know that I have one. Do I?

J. January or July? well that depends on the weather we are having, but usually July, there is some kind of racing going on then, that I can enjoy!

K. Kids? Wasn't in our cards, love them, but just never happened.

L. Life isn’t complete without? love, music, family, good food and wine, and laughter - lots of laughter!

M. Marriage date? May 21st!!!!!!

N. Number of brothers and sisters? none :(

O. Oranges or Apples? BOTH

P. Phobias? Creepy looking bugs

Q. Quotes? there isnt enough space here to tell you how many quotes I love... but my favorite this week is > The World is a book and those who don't travel are only reading one page.

R. Reasons to smile? The fact, that after 15 years, I am still on my honeymoon. That we both enjoying doing a lot of the same things, we love to vacation together

S. Season of choice? i like them all for different reasons. i really get excited for the next season, whatever it may be.

T. Tag 5 people: not even sure who is reading this, but Lynn, Diana, & Scott & any one who is glad the holiday weekend is upon us, even if it marks the end of SUMMER

U. Unknown fact about me? I think I'm pretty much an open book.. So I don't think there is much unknown about me

V. Vegetable? home grown heirloom tomatoes

W. Worst habit? being lazy

X. X-ray or Ultrasound? x-ray... just because

Y. Your favorite food? at this point in my life, it seems to be EVERYTHING

Z. Zodiac sign? Sagittarius

Well... it is what it is...

So today, Scott headed off on what is kind of his first service call. Him and Chris went to Tallmadge last week and that was a very quick trip. Today, they were off to Erie, PA. Its now almost 7 PM and I haven't heard from him, so I am going to assume they are still working on the robot. (how cool is that, you get play with and repair robots... as a kid growing up.. Robots were just becoming real, so I am sure lots of geeks in our time, dreamed of playing with Robots....) Anyway.. back to my thoughts. It feels weird for him to not be home or to know when to expect him. But its a quiet evening here and I kind of like that.

I cant believe this is the last week of "summer". The kids went back to school today. It just all went by way to quick. I didn't get done what I wanted to get done and there is really so much more planned for the fall months.

Scott's mom had her Knee Replacement Surgery yesterday... It went well (as I expected!) she'll be running laps around all of us here soon. She will be happy that she had it done.

This past weekend, we really didn't do a whole heck of a lot. Friday night, we just kind of relaxed and watched a movie. Saturday, we got up, did some running around. Hit the Geauga Farmers Market. But since I had just cleaned out moms garden of tomatoes & eggplants and picked up corn from the Twinsburg Farmers Market the night before. We really didn't need much. So we headed over to Joeys in Chargin Falls for lunch, we both ordered different pizzas. I wasn't in the mood for your typical red sauce, pepperoni/sausage pizza... I get so tired of that! I ordered one with artichokes, tomatoes, chicken and a white garlic sauce. Actually the crust was the best part of their pizza.. it wasn't overly thick and it wasn't a thin crust, just perfect and real. It looked like it was made in grandmas oven, that was the best!
After that, Scott decided he wanted to reread The Little Prince, so we started a hunt for it. I remember my Aunt Elaine giving me that book and I remember how much I loved it (what ever happened to that book). Anyway, after two off the wall book stores we weren't having much luck... so I'll probably just get it on the net.

We decided we were going to go see the Matinee of Death Race. Its a remake of a movie with Sylvester Stallone & David Carradine. The only thing in this remake that even resembled the original, is the names of two of the cast (Frankenstein & Joe). If you go to see it, just don't expect a remake and its not a bad movie then. Its not one of my top 10 movies or even the top 25, but its worth a peak... The best part was the previews, looks like Paul Walker and Vin Diesel are coming back with another Fast & Furious. I don't care how bad it is... Paul Walker is in it. I am there! There was another preview, but since I am horrible with movies, its escaping me right now.
Saturday evening we jumped on the bike for a little evening ride. Started out going to Hudson for Coffee at Starbucks. Not quite sure why I ordered two talls for us. It was still hot out and we couldn't take them with us... DUMB!!! after there we headed the long way to downtown. By long way, I mean, we headed to Peninsula, Bath, Breaksville and then to the East 9Th Street Pier and headed back home, It was a nice 70 mile trip out for the evening.
All & all the weekend was what weekends should be for us. But they don't come around to often, with so much other stuff going on.
This weekend, I have high hopes for doing a lot of things. I hope we get to take the bike down to the Barn in Smithville for dinner.. Saturday I hope we make it out to see Logan, Stuff around the house that needs to be done. I hope we get to visit some other friends too, but we will see. Honestly, I wish we had the time and & money to make the trip to Birmingham for the weekend, just to see everyone and say hey!
But that will have to be saved for another day!

Scott wonders why I tell him he needs his own blog

So of course. I've been at work almost 3 hours when I received this email from Scott. I thought it was just the best. and daily I tell him with his writing he really needs to a blog of his own! This is of course also why I love him so! Another thing. His Katana is now called Staypuff. The bike just got a new tire and it was a Michelin tire. So when we were at Mid-Ohio he asked the Michelin tire guys if they had any stickers. So now the Michelin man is on the front of the bike. (cute...lol)

Staypuff's first adventure

I left the house and the skies were blue and just a few puffy clouds.
I get gas and head to 271. I notice that smell you get after was washing
the car, or water drying on pavement. I as I get closer to Chagrin road,
i can see dark patches and light patches of gray on the roads. It had
just rained. As I approach Mayfiled, i see everybody going southbound
with their lights on and black skies ahead. So at this point, i can
either turn around
and avoid what appears to be rain or just keep going. I continue on.
As I
round the curve to rte 2, the sky is totally black, but so far no rain.
I exit and I am at about 20 vehicles from the light. Still no rain. just
as I roll into the parking lot, it starts to sprinkle.
I thank the powers that be for safe passage.
Note to self, I suppose isolated showers means isolated showers, check
weather before leaving.

This past weekend

Had a great time at Twandas & Pats party.. it was nice to see a lot of people I haven't seen in a long time!
Here is a picture with three of my dearest friends.. yeah, tell me whats wrong with this picture... I am the drinker of the group and there is not a drink to be found in my hands!!!!! Anyway...
Just thought I'd get this picture out there. Its sure to get under Lynn's skin!!! LOL.
After that party we headed out to Northfield to meet up with Melissa and Danny to chat for a bit.
Sunday Scott went for a bit of a motorcycle ride with Dave and Steve. I stayed back and did some running around and to return some clothes to the store (don't know why, I came home with like 7 more items). Worked on some overtime... its crunch time for MotoGP... I'm hoping to get 30 hours of overtime in this pay period. That will give me a NICE chunk of change to take to Indy with us.
Looks like our trip to Charlotte & Rockingham has been cancelled. They cancelled the race. Now we are just seeing what can be done about the airline tickets and trying to figure that out. At this point, I would be happy if Bobby could get a refund and we just wont go anywhere that weekend...If not, it would be great if we used the tickets for a quick little jaunt out to Sedona. *(yeah I'm dreaming, I'm a rock star.. that wont happen.) But if we have to use them and cant get down to Birmingham to race with the boys, maybe we can hit Cape Coral to see the Cira Family or maybe to Savannah...

Some pics of the kids

Just thought I'd post a couple pictures of the kids... not much going on.. I worked a bit of overtime this morning, came home, wasnt feeling the feast or the car show... so I am doing laundry, waiting to take a shower, to then head to Twanda's house....

Johnny & June.... Heidi Newfield

Yep... after 15+ years married to Scott... I still love him like I did the first time I realized I love him. Every day is like the first day of marriage.
And when I heard this song, it just so made me realize how much I love him and how perfect we fit together. We have grown up together and I couldnt imagine life without him. He's always there for me and I know I dont thank him enough! He always induldges me and my whims of travel and shopping..... I LOVE YOU Scott!!!!!!!

Oh there's something 'bout a man in black,
Makes me want to buy a cadillac,
Throw the top back,
And roll down to Jackson town,
I wanna be there on the stage with you,
You and I could be the next rage to,
Hear the crowd roar,
Make 'em want more,
Kick the footlights out,

I wanna love like Johnny and June,
Rings of fire burnin' with you,
I wanna walk the line,
Walk the line,
'Till the end of time,
I wanna love,
Love ya that much,
Cash it all in,
Give it all up,
When you're gone,
I wanna go too,
Like Johnny and June,

I wanna hold you baby right or wrong,
Build a world around a country song,
Pray a sweet prayer,
Follow you there,
Down in history,

I wanna love like Johnny and June,
Rings of fire burnin' with you,
I wanna walk the line,
Walk the line,
'Till the end of time,
I wanna love,
Love ya that much,
Cash it all in,
Give it all up,
When you're gone,
I wanna go too,
Like Johnny and June,

Like Johnny and June,
More than life itself,
No-one else,
This endless promise,
They don't make love like that anymore,
Is that too much to be askin' for,

I wanna love like Johnny and June,
Rings of fire burnin' with you,
I wanna walk the line,
Walk the line,
'Till the end of time,
I wanna love,
Love ya that much,
Cash it all in,
Give it all up,
When you're gone,
I wanna go too,
Like Johnny and June,

Like Johnny and June,
And when we're gone,
There'll be no tears to cry,
Only memories of our lives,
They'll remember, remember,
A love like that

Nothing this week....

Okay, so I have to work tomorrow (Wed). I switched days since I have a follow up apt for my teeth on Thurs. I'm already crabby at the thought of waking up tomorrow and actually moving my butt into work at 5:30. Even if I do have the next day off! I've warned the co-workers, expect me to be in a wonderful mood! I'm sitting here playing with working on overtime.... playing with my face book account and just generally dreaming of the next couple of trips and adventures we have coming up...

Okay, this weekend... Twandas Party and the Feast down in Little Italy. Lynn was planning on spending the night, so we could have Scott as our DD from Twandas. I have to get with her to see if that is still the plan, if so it will be like old times, we haven't done that in 10 years, when she spent the night after the work dinner for our 10 years there. We also hope to hook up with Danny and Melissa at some point this weekend. Oh yeah, maybe a car wash or hair cut on Sunday for the fundraiser.
Next weekend we have to Motorcycle Runs, I would like to do, both for animals, one in Joshs honor, the other to help with rescue/pets.
The 25th Scott's mom is having knee replacement surgery.
We leave the following Friday morning for racing in Rockingham with Roger and Bobby. I'm not so sure it was wise to tell him to get us the 5:30 am flight. What time does that mean I have to wake up and leave? UGH! That should be a great weekend. Both Roger & Bobby plan on racing both the Road Race Car and the Circle Track Cars. Should be a busy and fun filled two days with them.
I hope we get back in time on Sunday or at least Monday to make it down to the Air Show, we've gone to Edgewater the last 2 years to watch the big boys fly and this year is the Blue Angels which is the same as 2006, but I never tire of watching them fly.
Anyway.... Sept starts off pretty quiet, but we will be getting ready to go to MotoGP in Indy the weekend of September 11th. This is the trip I have been waiting for all year!~!
After that we have Lenny & Kristi's Wedding Reception & a bunch of other parties... We hope to hit Charlotte Thanksgiving Weekend, but that's not for sure yet.
So I guess thats it for tonight... let me finish this overtime and chill out before I hit bed for WORK tomorrow... UGH... Still working on sorting and getting all the pictures from Mid Ohio figured out..I'm down to 1702 pictures. I need to be more selective!!! Maybe Thursday!
Oh yeah, Scott plays softball after work tomorrow.. I hope the team can pull it together.... So different then the IT team was, although the games over there is best left there

Wisdom Teeth...

Yep, after 38 years, my lower wisdom teeth FINALLY had to come out... Yep, I'm a baby, they werent impacted, but I got general anes.... The one on the left, the root was hooked around the bone, so it hurts a little now, 9 hours later.. still feel weird from the anes.... My mouth just doesnt feel right... cant sleep.... restless on the couch.. I'm only so much for TV and Movies..... I'm just craving good real food!!!! I had Corky & Lennys Matzo Ball soup this evening.. but I still want something.... more food!!! but I am afraid of eating... I dont want to take the drugs they gave me, it doesnt hurt that bad.. I just want COFFEE.. .I couldnt have coffee this morning.. I missed that the most! Okay, Scott said it wasnt wise to pain meds blog (is that worse then Drunk Texting or Calling?).... so I am out of here, before he returns with my ice cream and milkshake! (great guy!!!!)

And just a side note to everyone that works downtown or lives downtown, they'll understand this... why do people in cars feel they have the right away when you are crossing the street??? one of these days, I am seriously going to lose it and kick one of the cars of just stop in the middle of the street and ask them what their problem is, or if they ever took a driving class???

Back from Mid-Ohio

Sunburned yep first day
Hungover just a little bit
Tired more then I cared to admit

We had a great time. I took over 2000 pictures. Still trashing the bad ones, down to about 1800. ( A little obbessive, yeah). Got to see plenty of the riders and of course, Scott got to see plenty of girlfriend/grid girls. We made it on TV and didnt know it. We were talking behind Ben Spies when Greg White interviewed him. Our friend Joe was on tv too, but he was dressed as PIMP at the evening festivies at the camp gounds. It was a fun fun weekend.. Mat won both Superbike races, Aaron Yates won Superstock, Joshua Hayes won Formula Extreme, Ben Bostrom won the Supersport, and Hayden Gillim won the Red Bull Rookies Cup race... So we have a pretty quiet weekend this weekend. Friday, I get my wisdom teeth pulled. Hopefully Saturday, I will feel well enough for Dannys party, otherwise, it will just be a quiet weekend this weekend. I'll post more later. Have a house to clean after being gone all weekend!

AMA Weekend at Mid-Ohio

And were off.... Tomorrow morning that is, for Mid-Ohio for the AMA Superbike weekend. I'm basically excited!! It will be a party fest as long as we dont get rain this go around!
This also leaves us with 5.5 weeks till MOTOGP!
So, I'll catch up with everyone when I return, sunburned, hungover and just plain tired...
Take care all...

Oh yeah, side note.

Fundraiser for the Miktarian Family

Sunday August 17th
The Ohio Academy - Paul Mitchell Partner School
10735 Ravenna Road
Twinsburg
10 AM to 2 PM

$5 haircuts
$5 manicures
$5 car wash

No appointments-all walk-in/cash only

Josh, Motorcycles, Parties and just a full weekend.

I've been thinking about this post since Saturday after the Motorcycle Ride for Josh Miktarian. I've been trying to put all my thoughts together in my head that I want to say here. Well 3 days later, they are all still a big mix of things and I just want to get it out.

This was my first ride of the year. I don't know why I had not been on the bike before this, I just hadn't. The whole ride just tore my heart out! Start from the beginning. We met up with some of Scott's friends for the ride up at Perry's shop. We all went to Southeast Harley together. They are a great bunch of guys he works with. This go around I met Mitch (again), Dave was there, Marty, Scott and Franky. We got to Southeast about 9:40. It was already packed for a start time of 11AM. So we just kind of hung out, walked around, took lots of pictures and talked a lot. About 10:40 we headed back to the bike just to be ready. Southeast was packed, they had started lining bikes in the street because there was so many. We left promptly at 11. To make a long ride short, the outpouring of people was amazing. The police and fire departments amazing. I can tell you its a good thing I didn't drive, I wouldn't have been able to see most of the ride, through the tears. It was about a 50 mile ride, past Maple Heights, Bedford Heights, Oakwood, Glenwillow, Solon, Chargin Falls, Russell, Bainbridge, Aurora and Twinsburg PDs. We arrived at Twinsburg High School to more people.
Come to find out there was close to 2,000 bikes. The largest ride ever to leave Southeast! We got off the bikes and headed over for some water. In line, I couldn't believe my eyes!!!!! It was Mr Danny Woodrum! It was so good to see him and he looked truly happy. I met his wife Melissa and her father and I think step mom, who we had actually talked to while waiting for the ride to start! He's one of the few people I wondered how he was and that I missed talking to from the old gang. We all stood up front for the presentation. I'm on channel 5's web site (don't go look, please!) Everyone did a beautiful job talking and saying what they had to say. The day raised over $32,000 for Holly and Thea!!!!! Yeah for the motorcycles!
Anyway, my thoughts on why Josh is gone... wow after reading The Art of Racing in the Rain. He's done doing what he was sent to earth for.... He lead a very busy life and that's why, his time was short here and he had a lot to do. And he did do a lot. He touched a lot of lives, and that will be remembered forever. I can only hope Holly and Thea can find peace at some point. I know its hard and its easy to question everything.

So after leaving there, we were coming across the bridge and these huge raindrops starts to drop. I was still carrying my camera so I was hoping we would make it home in time. We did... Even though, we didn't know Josh, I'd like to think that he was watching out for us to get home in time.

Jumped in the shower to get ready for Lynn's party! We had a great time visiting with people that we don't get to visit with very often! It was so good to see, Pam, Sue, Jeanine & Joe, Traci, Lynn, Twanda, Mary Jo & Denny, Michele, Karen & John, Marilyn, Neil & Jackie, everyone... We left there about 11 since we had to get up the next morning for Mid Ohio and the Vintage Days.

Can I tell you 4 am on a Sunday comes around QUICK... but we got up and actually went to Vintage days at Mid-Ohio, Perry came with us. Poor Scott we get up early and all and the bike he wants to test, isn't there! I felt so bad! but we had a good day, saw lots of bikes and some good racing, getting us ready for this weekend!

Tomorrow (Wednesday) I finally have a dental appt for the tooth that broke, oh before we went to Birmingham in APRIL... yeah, it hurts now! wish me luck, I just love the dentist!

I'm not including pictures this time, because I just don't know which ones to pick... maybe tomorrow, I'll decide!

The Art of Racing in the Rain

I have to tell ya, I finished reading this book last week. Its by Garth Stein. Its written as if a dog is telling the story. The dogs name is Enzo. Danny, the caretaker is a race car driver. I wont give the whole story away here, because I think everyone needs to read this book. I borrowed it from the library and it will be one I purchase because it was so good. This is probably one of the best books I read in quite a few years. You don't have to be a racing fan or a dog lover to enjoy what this book tells. It teaches you so much about life in general, about love, about losses, winning, the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Now, I am not usual one to like them making books into movies, but I sure hope this is one that makes it there! I also hope Garth can find it in him to write a story from a cats perspective.

Another weekend.....

Well, Friday night our friend Dave from Jefferson came into town for a night of partying... Yep..Check, that happened. Went to dinner at Mavis Winkles, then headed out to Avon to party it up with Diana, Joanne, Jen, Jojo, Dave & Scott... It was my night to drive... Long Island Iced Teas were 2.50... I have a great husband.. He got to drink one beer before becoming the DD for the night... We had a great time... I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. Jojo will be missed.. She is returning to Kananas... BOO for Diana.. After leaving there, we headed to Depompi's for a night cap... Walking distance, so everyone can drink.. YEAH!!! Hard night of drinking.. I'm glad we don't do that every weekend.. but we are still doing it to often...

Saturday we headed out to the camper. Yeah about that, we aren't outdoorsy people... Bugs, Spiders, hot weather, and a toad living under the steps. I'd just rather be home with my kitties!

Hopefully this week we will make it out to see Baby Rustic.

This coming weekend is another full one... Actually most of the weekends coming up are! This weekend.. Friday night I hope we get out to see the new X-Files movie. Saturday is the Motorcycle ride for Joshua Miktarian

99.5 WGAR - Real Life, Set To Music. Then we have our annual friends picnic, this year will be at Lynn Kelbachs house. Sunday we hope to get up bright and early and make a trip down to Mid-Ohio for the Vintage Days. We will see how this all pans out.. Wish me luck.

Lenny & Kristi finally have a baby!!!

Kristi finally had her baby, 17 hours of labor later,
Logan Anthony made his appearance!!! Yeah!
Baby and mom are doing well!

We are going camping this weekend.. that's all I got right now!

Yep.. Jumping into the world of blogging!

Okay, so I've had this blog for over a year. Never did a thing with it! Anyway.. everyone managed to talk me into Facebook, so I guess, I'm out there.. I really get out there! Now that I am doing yearly photo books, I figured instead of writing everything down in a calendar, what a better way to preserve the memories, before they hit the photo books. So since we are into the second half of the year and now my new book for the remainder of the year, what a better time to start!
7/3 So we will start with Scott and I both took off July 3rd. We went to the Vatican Splendors at the WRHS and had lunch in little Italy. The Vatican Splendors, well, if we didn't have a B1G1 admission, I would have been disappointed. I had no real expectations when I went, but I really expected more 'pomp and circumstance' It was a lot of paintings, some of the popes items and really that was it. It was cool for what it was, but I would not have spent 40.00 for both of us to go. Oh we started off the day at breakfast at Chicago Deli in SOLON... YEAH.... Lunch was at Mamma Santa's for lunch.. Wow, I think everyone took the day off, they were still packed at 1:30 in the afternoon for a lunch rush.. The service was slow and she knew it.. She apologized... but the pizza was great!!!! Then we headed over to Presti's for dessert. Scott has this love affair going with this peanut butter / chocolate fudge brownie from there.. it is awesome! After browsing some of the galleries (which I know once again, I could spend a fortune if I had it), we headed to the Clevelander to meet up with my friends from work... Yeah, lets just leave that part of the evening at that and say July 4th was a day spent in recovery! Great friends!!!
7/5 So then Saturday, we headed to the Subway tours, that the Cuyahoga County Engineers open three times a year. Talk about COOL!!! We then headed over to Schorchers for lunch and met up with his friend from work Nick... cool guy!
So thats how we spend our long weekend, that went to quick!
And of course ate to much! Life has gotten out of control this year, and today 7/7/08, I've decided to take my life back and take off the 20 pounds I put on since the first of the year and get back on track! I did so well last year!!!!

We are still waiting on Lenny & Kristi and that baby that is in NO HURRY to come!

Some notes to remember when putting my next book together... I have to include the words to the song by Group 1 Crew!