LUCKY ME

I thank God every night when I don’t fall into a comatose sleep before saying my prayers for giving me these lovely young women as daughters. They are as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside. With Mother’s Day approaching, I am even more aware of how fortunate I am to have these girls in my life.

Daughter #2 is home from college for the summer. Daughter #1 will be home once school is out in NC. It’s going to be great having them both home again. MHS will be so glad that he doesn’t have to hold up his end of the conversation at the dinner table for a few months.

I’m happy to say that Daugher #2 finished her freshman year at college on the dean’s list. Noleboy did too. I guess they ARE doing more than just playing kissy face at school. Congratulations to them both for a job well done.

Daughter #1 is about to finish her first year teaching. MHS and I are so proud of her but wish she didn’t have to move so far away to start her career. Letting go has never been one of my strong suites.

D2’s dean's list announcement brought back memories of D1’s last semester at the same university. As she was stressed out busy preparing for final exams, she would call me each day with an update. It would go something like this:

Day 1: “Did you send out the graduation announcements yet? I don’t think I’m going to graduate. I’m never going to pass this class.

Day 2: “I think it’s going to be OK. I’m pretty sure I’ll pass but that’s it.”

Day 3: “Don’t send the announcements! I’m definitely NOT going to graduate!”

Day 4: “I feel better about my finals. I think I’ve got it under control and I’ll graduate.”

Day 5: “Did you send the announcements? Don’t! I’m not graduating.”

And on and on until the day she took her finals. And guess what? She not only graduated (which you already know because she is teaching 6th grade social studies) but she made the dean’s list! I wanted to smack her (right after I hugged her).

Me: “How could you have thought you weren’t even going to pass and then end up on the dean’s list!” Silly girl!

Some days there’s just not enough wine in the world!

Once again, congratulations to Daughter #2 for making the dean’s list! You rock!

THE MAKING OF A BIKER CHICK – Cody, Wyoming

Beartooth Inn was the first lodging we came across as we approached Cody. It looked nice and clean and we pulled in to check it out. It was perfect. Just look at the view.

Cody, Wyoming is named for the famous Buffalo Bill Cody. I was anxious to get a butt break explore the museum but we decided it was a little too late when we arrived in Cody and we would have more time to really take it in if we waited until the next day.

Instead, we checked out the Harley store. MHS had to get his t-shirt, you know. I got a great pair of gloves on clearance. I still thank the Harley gods for that great find every time my little fingers are cold. You know what HD stands for? If you said Harley Davidson, you’re wrong. Hundred.Dollars. Yep, you can’t get out of any HD store without being $100 poorer. (That’s not really true but it’s a “joke” that a biker told me on the ferry ride to the statue of liberty after giving me directions to the Manhattan HD store.)

After we got our shopping fix, our bellies were getting a little grumbly. A local recommended a great Mexican restaurant. We got there just before 9pm and they were closing up shop. Note to future travelers: Cody is a great little town but they roll the streets up early. Those cowboys gotta get up early, you know.

Plan B was Wyoming’s Rib and Chop House. This turned out to be a serendipitous change in plans. We had been on the road for about a week and some comfort food was sounding really good to me. I ordered the pot roast and I am still trying to re-create that recipe at home. It was served with a mountain of red potatoes mashed with the skins and the pot roast was shredded and completely encircled the mountain. I have no recollection of what anyone else ordered because I was in love with my plate and had eyes for no other. That and a few beers and I was one happy woman.

The next morning, The Saint and I went on an exciting adventure to the laundrOmat while MHS and the Biker Nazi explored Cody on the bikes. MHS took the camera with him so I have no pictures but it was a very nice laundrOmat. *wink*

I said it before and I’ll say it again: I like people in my pictures but MHS and The Biker Nazi like to photograph their bikes.

This photograph was taken from the parking lot of the hotel. Beyond the mountains in the distance (and a really long ride) lies Yellowstone, our next destination.

MHS is scouting for lodging.

Halt, thief! Who is that masked man trying to steal Bill’s rifle?

It was hot! Be kind and try to ignore that I’m posting a picture of me in shorts. ACK!

That’s BN and MHS on the other side of those rifles.

The Firearms Museum was really cool. So many guns, so little time.

The Biker Nazi and The Saint stop to make a memory.

Two Grumpy Bears

The Saint dared me to climb up on this horseless saddle. I can’t resist a dare. We’re lucky we didn’t get thrown out. This was before they confiscated my water bottle. (Nice helmet hair, huh?)

See how the men are patiently waiting for us to conclude our horse-less ride? Wait, is that the BN’s foot I see tapping?

Aren’t you glad we don’t get our mail like this anymore?

MHS is completely oblivious to the fact that he’s about to get an antler in the arse.

We had a great time in Cody and I would love to go back one day.

Coming soon to a blog near you: The Making of a Biker Chick – Yellowstone National Park. Buffalo and elk and bears! Oh my!

***Note***

Links to earlier “Making of a Biker Chick” posts are listed on my sidebar.

I’D LIKE TO THANK THE ACADEMY

It is awards season in Bloggyville. I am flattered and honored to accept some really cool awards from some really cool bloggers.

The first award comes from Pseudo at Pseudonymous High School Teacher. I met Pseudo early on in my blogging experience. Since those first comments back and forth, we have developed a friendship that I cherish. But besides being a friend, Pseudo is an amazing woman who lives in paradise with her husband and two wonderful children. She is a breast cancer survivor and an amazing writer. She continues to inspire, entertain and engage me with every post. She is also an English teacher which gives me hope for our future. With teachers like Pseudo at the helm of our childrens’ education, we can’t go wrong.

Pseudo has awarded me the Noblesse Oblige award. I’m not sure what Pseudo was thinking when she included me with the other blogs that she awarded this honor but I think wine might have been involved. I am humbled and a bit overwhelmed.

This award like all other awards comes with instructions and rules. They are as follows:

The recipient of this award is recognized for the following:
1) The Blogger manifests exemplary attitude, respecting the nuances that pervades amongst different cultures and beliefs.
2) The Blog contents inspire; strives to encourage, and offers solutions.
3) There is a clear purpose at the Blog; one that fosters a better understanding on Social, Political, Economic, the Arts, Culture, Sciences, and Beliefs. I slipped thru the cracks on this one. I’m not really sure what the clear purpose of this blog is so if someone else knows, please email me. But shhhhh, don’t tell Pseudo.
4) The Blog is refreshing and creative.
5) The Blogger promotes friendship and positive thinking.

The Blogger who receives this award will need to perform the following steps:
1) Create a Post with a mention and link to the person who presented the Noblesse Oblige Award.
2) The Award Conditions must be displayed at the Post.
3) Write a short article about what the Blog has thus far achieved – preferably citing one or more older posts to support. I’m really sorry but I can’t think of a thing this blog has accomplished. Hmmmmm? Nope, I got nothin’.
4) The Blogger must present the Noblesse Oblige Award in concurrence with the Award conditions.
5) Blogger must display the Award at any location at the Blog.

There are many blogs that I think deserve this award. Some have already received it from Psuedo or others. Others still prefer not to participate in the award process. With that in mind, I would like to pass along this award to the following bloggers.

Janie at Midlife Slices – Janie doesn’t really like to participate in these awards but I will give it anyway. (You don’t have to follow-thru, Janie) I just couldn’t let this one go by without saying what an amazing blogger, friend and woman Janie is. She speaks her mind and is true to herself and everyone else in her life. Janie inspires me and has taught me so much. (Some bad habits along with the good ones *wink*)

Jan of Jan’s Sushi Bar-Jan will astound you with you her wit and wisdom. I would read Jan’s blog just for the recipes but she is so much more. Jan is who I want to be when I grow up. (Which is sad because she is younger than I am)

Fancy of Nothing Fancy-Fancy thinks she is nothing fancy but in fact she is quite fancy. She is drop-dead gorgeous, a fashionista and can tell a love story like nobody’s business. And she kissed Luke Duke.

Linda at Crone and Bear It-Linda never fails to make me laugh out loud. I love her sense of humor and her sarcasm. You never know what you’ll read at this blog but rest assured you will leave it glad that you came.

Mona at Wsprsweetly of Cottages-Mona’s eye for decorating is reason enough to stop by this blog. But it’s when she gives you that rare glimpse into her life that her words really come alive. Dig thru her archives and you will see what I mean.

Tricia at Shout – I don’t even know how to express the respect and awe I have for this writer. Just go there and you’ll see what I mean.

If you aren’t already reading these blogs, check them out. You won’t be disappointed.

Last week, I was notified by Jan of Jan’s Sushi Bar that she had bestowed her very own Sushi award upon me.

A Sushi Grade Blog! Gosh, Jan! I’m blushing. I am so honored to be given this award and to be included in the list of Charter Members.

A Sushi Grade Blog is a cut above other blogs that are canned and turned into salad or casseroles. A Sushi Grade Blog is fresh, lively and of superior quality. It is rare, has character and is of good taste.

Oh, and it’s packed full of heart healthy Omega 3 oils.

And since it seems there must be rules for awards, here they are:

1. Grab this nifty little graphic and display it proudly on your site

2. Choose 5 blogs of superior quality and list them, along with why the are A Sushi Grade Blog

3. Link to them, announcing their award

4. Leave them a comment letting them know they’ve been given an award

5. Link back to the blog that awarded you

Oh, and somewhere in all of this, list these rules (which, if I must say, are pretty standard).

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you my picks for the Sushi Grade Award:

It’s Only a Movie – I was first struck by Erin’s honesty but it’s her heart that keeps me coming back. I just love her. If you don’t already, you will too.

Fragrant Liar - The adventures of Miss America give me my cute fix but this writer is full of so much more. Yep, that’s right. I said she’s full of it. And I love it.

SnowWhite and the 76 Dwarfs – She’s young, fresh, funny and she loves sushi. Nuff said.

Jane at Gaston Studio - I am fairly new to Jane’s blog but it was love at first sight. She is a master story teller who has led a very interesting life and bit by bit is telling us all about it.

Midlife JobHunter – I quickly became a huge fan of this blogger and her way with words. Join her as she reinvents herself with a new job and whatever else lies beyond the horizon.

I was also given two awards in the last few weeks that I have already received. I’m not going to pass on these awards as I already have but I wanted to thank the givers just the same.

Thank you, Pseudo, for the Friendship Award. I am honored to consider you my friend.

A big thanks to Midlife Mama for the Zombie Chicken Award. I sure hope I’m not risking the wrath of the Zombie Chickens by not passing this one along again. EEK!

I highly recommend every blog linked here. If you aren’t already reading them, you don’t know what you’re missing.

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

Lazy Sunday mornings. I love ‘em. I’ve told you several times about how I’m exercising, watching what I eat and trying to lose weight to look fabulous at my upcoming class reunion because I want to be the healthiest SMB I can be. I lost 3 lbs this week. Yay! To celebrate, I had a bagel. That might not sound like much of a celebration to you not to mention it’s a great way to gain back the lost lbs but for me, it’s a little slice of heaven with a schmear. It’s not just the bagel and the cream cheese but the process that gives me such a sense of happiness and contentment. It goes something like this.

I awaken to a sunny day with the man I love still snoring like a freight train at my side. I am immediately conscious of the fact that our nest is no longer empty as Daughter #2 is home from college for the summer. I remember that D2 mentioned there are no good bagel places in her college town. My Harley Stud opens his eyes and I say, “ Maybe I should ride the Harley into town for bagels.” He smiles. This of course is my subtle way of suggesting that he should ride into town for bagels as I don’t really ride the Harley.

Before long MHS is distracted by a technical difficulty with the television in the bedroom and I realize that my subtle suggestion might have been too subtle. If I want bagels, I’m going to have to go get them myself as he is now swearing like a drunken sailor at the satellite receiver totally consumed with the task at hand.

I rise, stretch and go through the necessities which include making a pot of Sunday coffee aka Paula Deen’s Savannah Seduction. With thermos in hand, I grab my sunglasses, visor and hairclip and I’m out the door. I put the top down on my convertible (my version of a Harley) and tune into a favorite CD. Along the way, I pass joggers, horseback riders, bikers and dog walkers. I am aware that I’m a lucky girl just to experience this glorious day.

I sing as I go and this makes me really happy. Passersby………..not so much. I am blasting the Eagles, Lynard Skynard and the Dixie Chicks.

I arrive at my destination and dance and twirl my way into the bagel shop (OK, that’s a lie but the thought did cross my mind) and am once again pleased as punch to find that they still observe the old-fashioned baker’s dozen rule. I am only slightly annoyed when the young girl behind the counter feels it necessary to explain to me that two 1/2 lbs of cream cheese are really 1 lb.

Was it the blonde hair or that new wrinkle in my brow that makes me look like a confused boxer that made her feel like she had to explain?

I arrived home to find all the electronics in working order, world peace restored and the smiling faces of my family (minus my darling Daughter #1 who is partying in Charlotte.)God’s in His heaven and all’s right with the world. (today)

Amen.

***Note***

I “borrowed” the pictures in this post from the internet. The bagel picture at the top is from Ess-a-Bagel in Manhattan. I’ve been to Ess-a-Bagel and here’s a little Smart Mouth tip should you be fortunate enough to go there.

Don’t ask for your bagel to be toasted. After they look at you like you have two heads, they will (rather rudely) inform you that their bagels are warm and fresh from the oven and do not require toasting. Oh and it is my considered opinion that bagels just taste better when served by a surly New Yorker behind the counter. Our local Brooklyn-based bagel shop recently changed hands. The new people lack the “tude” and it completely changes the experience. But I still can’t resist an everything bagel toasted with a schmear of cream cheese. *sigh*

WHEN PIGS FLY

Pig germs that is.

*****This just in*****

I said you would all know more about this than I do and of course, you did. I've been left a comment by a new blogging friend who is currently under quarantine for the Swine flu. For news from the front lines, please read Crib Notes.

As a member of the medical community, I was bombarded yesterday with emails from hospitals, the health department, etc. regarding the swine flu.

I did a little research because I had visitors all day in my office and while I couldn’t get any real work done, I could entertain them with my opinions on the topic of the day: the swine flu and what I found is that in the US, swine flu symptoms don’t appear to be any worse than the seasonal influenza with which we are all acquainted.

My research which included the Center for Disease Control’s website tells me that an average of 36,000 people die each year in the United States from the flu. (Please pardon my laziness about linking but I’m sure you all know how to google) I was a little shocked by this number.

By contrast, we have 91 confirmed cases of the swine flu as of yesterday in the US. They are raising our Pandemic threat level, closing schools, and pharmacies are selling out of masks and anti-bacterial sanitizer. All this and the endless reports from the talking heads leaves me with one question. (or maybe a few more)

Why are we making such a fuss over the swine flu if it’s really no different than our average seasonal influenza? We don’t track that flu. We don’t panic each year at flu season. Is there something about the swine flu that we’re not being told? (I have a co-worker who has a conspiracy theory but then again, she’s a little over the top about these things) Either there is a missing link here or the CDC is just using this opportunity to practice for a bio-chemical warfare threat and getting the rest of us caught up in a frenzy in the process.

Any thoughts? Do you know something I don’t know? Well, of course you do.