How did this happen??? How did this happen???

How did this  happen??  I just can't figure it out.  Who played this joke on me?  How did this  happen?

I'm a young married, just starting our life together.  Everyday is a new adventure.  We laugh, cry, joke, fight, love...the years pass.  How does this happen, we move away from friends and family, start building our life's together in Washoe Valley..far far from Las Vegas.  Only 2 years and then we will move back to our roots in Vegas..how did this happen?  38 years later and our roots are deep in Washoe Valley.  Las Vegas in no longer home..how did this happen?  Our first beautiful child..a daughter came to our home..a short two years later a son...11 months later a daughter..life is so wonderful  family, home..church..could we ask for any more blessing??  Two more sons join our family...more love, more fun, more difficult times, more challenges..Now here I am  turning 60 this week.  Married 42 years.. 5 children, 9 grandchildren the oldest being 18...oh how did this happen?  I blinked!  I blinked and my life went zooming by.  At times I want it all back..the newlywed time, the babies, camping...science projects..but one can't bring it back.. Only remember, look at pictures..I'm 60 surely I'm not really a senior citizen? How did this happen?  I just don't know. No more blinking..

Break The Silence

I was looking on my Facebook page & I found an ad by Wylers with the Teal Ribbon which is the ribbon color of Ovarian Cancer. As I clicked on the ad, I found that September was Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. I followed the link until I came to the NOCC website..ah..very cool I thought.. I then started browsing for events around the USA. I found no NOCC organization in Nevada, sadly, but found one in Sacramento which is only 127 miles from me. They were sponsoring a 5K
walk/run to "Break the Silence of Ovarian Cancer". I checked my calender and realized it was 2 weeks away on Sept. 17th and I didn't have anything planned, so not stopping to even think about it, I signed up..not as an individual, that would be too easy, but as a team. Team Brenda in honor of my sis, Brenda, who is an Ovarian Cancer Warrior. I decided that I could be a team of one, BUT, just maybe I could get others to participate with me. I immediately, emailed my Cousin Valerie in California, a few close friends, and my daughters. Five minutes later I had a Team of 4, then 5..before I knew it we were up to 8.. I decided that we needed a Team shirt so, knowing my Sister Brenda's art talent, I asked ( or told) her to design the artwork..she stayed up all night and the next morning we were ready to go to the printers. And to make our Team Brenda complete, Brenda was able to fly up to join us in our Walk/Run.
What an inspirational day..an upbeat event, honoring the survivors and those that had lost the fight to this disease. Seeing my sis, smiling from ear to ear. Watching as she was selected to get up on stage and open the event.. She was a natural. Seeing other teams honoring their loved ones. Listening to the stories of the survivors, feeling the hurt of those that had lost their loved ones. Watching as the survivors were gathered for a picture and seeing the very young girls, young mothers, grandmothers...all ages that are fighting this silent killer. We walked, laughed and finished the race with my sis in a wheelchair for most...but she crossed the finish line on her feet!
A special thanks to "Team Brenda" members all who traveled to support the cause: Cousins Valerie and Laurie, My Daughters: Nielsine and Amanda, Friends: Donna(whose sister Martha is an Ovarian Cancer Warrior), Cathy and Mary, and of course our Team Leader: Brenda. I love you all! Can't wait for next year..we are already recruiting!

Trees

Years ago there was a dome built to house an artificial environment for a garden. The conditions were perfect. Temperature regulated, perfect amount of light and of course the perfect amount of water to make trees and plants flourish. And flourish it did! The trees and plants grew at an amazing rate. One day as the scientists were checking the garden they noticed that great limbs were breaking off the trees. Why? What would cause this in a perfect environment? As they researched this they discovered that trees develop stress bark from the elements. The howling winds, the snow and ice, even the dry weather. All these things cause stress bark to form on the trees, especially around the limbs. What does this stress bark do? It makes the trees stronger. Able to grow and produce in all conditions. The trees in perfect environment were weakened..the trees left to survive in the elements grew strong, able to withstand the winds of Mother Nature.

Such is our life. We could live in a perfect world, but would be grow strong limbs? I know that the challenges and trials that we face help us to develop stress bark. We grow in character and spirit from the winds and storms of life. We should be thankful for our blessings and our trials. For it is with the trials and how we handle them we become all that we can be.

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Waiting for Spring

I'm waiting for Spring. Officially it has been spring for over a week. But right now it feels more like winter. Snow, Wind, Snow... I know that spring will come as it does every year in the foothills of the Sierras. We will have some warm days soon and then just when we think it is really spring, a hard freeze and more snow.

But I'm ready to be warm. To see the new leaves and blossoms. I'm ready for the rebirth of my corner of the world.

I suppose that is how I feel about my life right now. The economic times are so difficult. Wondering how our business will survive.   I know it is a test of faith. I know we still have each other and the rest is just stuff, but it is still difficult to work through.

Yes I know Spring is coming...hurry..Please hurry.

So Long 2010...Welcome 2011!

2010 is almost in the history books..I am thinking back over the last year. The highs and the lows. The joyful times and the unhappy times. Remembering last year as I left my sister in the hospital on New Years Eve to return home to Reno. Her ovarian cancer had returned and she was recovering from surgery. Remembering my daughter-in-law miscarrying and my youngest son serving a 6 month sentence for drugs..yes the 1st of 2010 was not the best of times. But then came my 40th anniversary on Feb.14th..wow how time has flown bye. Then a trip to Disneyland with 3 of my children and 6 of my grand kids! Great Times! And from Disneyland I flew to Vegas to hop in the car with my youngest sister Nell on our adventure to Phoenix to take care of our sister Brenda as she recovered from more surgery at the Mayo Clinic. What a time we had. Laughing, crying. talking, listening, hugging, eating, crafting and just having such special sister time together. As sisters we have always been close, but now we are even closer. The 3 Amiga's!

Then there was my nieces wedding in April and my parents 60th anniversary party the next day. Spending more quality time with my sisters, brother, parents, and nieces, nephews and spouses. Good Times! Summer brought another anniversary party, this time for the motorcycle women's group that I am an officer in. Great times with fellow riders from all over the western US and Canada. Special time with the Twisted Sisters from Oklahoma. Sad times as my middle son and his little family moved to Washington. Happy times when my youngest son moved back home and has done so well. Sad times when my youngest daughters marriage fell apart. Good times when she and her sons were able to move back home. Great times when John and I took our 4 oldest grand kids camping with us in Oregon. Overwhelming times when John was called to be Bishop of our Church. Blessed times when all our children, grandchildren, my parents and sisters and brother-in-law were all with us when John was sustained and set apart. Great news when my daughter-in-law was pregnant again with a healthy pregnancy. Sad times when my sisters cancer returned again after Christmas. Seems as if we have come full circle. I know that every year has ups and downs. We must have trials to appreciate the blessings that we have. May I remember to count each blessing and know that the challenges are for my good also. Goodbye 2010..Welcome 2011! Will remember to find joy in the journey. Life is for living! Happy New Year.

Changing Seasons

Autumn is here. Leaves are now orange, yellow , crimson, and brown. Evenings require a sweater and socks. Frost kisses the last of my summer flowers. A new season. And here I am looking at the new season in my life. Children are grown. Grandchildren are abundant. My husband was just called to be Bishop in our Ward ( We are Mormon). We felt the spirit telling us this was going to happen, but, we were sure that as with the changing of summer to fall, we were past that season. Bishops are younger now. My husband is grandpa and I'm grandma to 8 grandchildren. But Heavenly Father knows what is needed, and at this time he showed his sense of humor and called John as Bishop. I know he will be a wonderful Bishop, he loves the Lord, he loves the ward members and the kids love him! He is very much humbled by this as am I.
But then I think, what a nontraditional Bishop and Bishops Wife. We are both converts to the church. We have a business that is spiraling down, our children, as good and loving as they are, have, for the most part, become inactive. John builds hot rods, we ride harleys. We also love the Lord and will serve him. Season change.. and so must we. Life is full. I am blessed

Oklahoma Sisters!

One nice thing about traveling around to different motorcycle events is meeting great women from all corners of the country and all walks of life that share a commen interest in motorcycles. I have met many great women..but have a special bond with my Oklahoma Twisted Sisters. maybe its the name of their chapter..but really it is just a wonderful group of women that have become my special friends. I met them lasat year when I was in Kansas City, MO, trying to drum up support for Summer Nationals to be held here. I was alone at he event, tyring to be a lot more out going than I usually am with a group of strangers..and there they were...The Twisted Sisters. We hit it off and a wonderful friendship began. Two of the members Hopper and Sprout visited me last year. Then this last week 7 of the chapter members came up for a visit and to attend our Anniversary Party for my chapter. So much fun having them here. Sharing food, fun, conversation, and riding. Was glad that they were able to ride up to Lake Tahoe with me. Such a great time. I miss them.. I'm hoping that I can ride out to see them sometime in the future. Good Times.

Party On!

I have been working for almost a year on my motorcycle groups 10th anniversary party. It came off this last weekend with very few hitches! Wonderful weather for the most part for all our events and rides. "All That Glitters". I think everyone had a great time. I know I was very much exhausted when Monday came around. Now...what will we do next?

Revolving Door

Revolving Door...Boomerang Kids..never an empty nest. After 40 years of marriage who would have thought that we still have a houseful of kids?? As I count the number living under and around my roof it is a little overwhelming..even for me. Kids have fallen on hard times with economy and are moving in and out. Middle daughter, husband, and two kids have taken up residence in the apartment off of our house. Youngest son just moved back home, Middle son, his wife and baby will be moving into the travel trailer for three weeks while he recovers from knee surgery and they ready themselves to move to Washington. My oldest daughter and her family were here for about 1 year and a half and just recently moved into their new place. Revolving door...some ask how many are here..and I always answer.."Depends on the day". I'm grateful that we are able to help...but I also wonder what it would be like to have our long awaited alone time. Oh Well...keeps us young! Never a dull moment here at the compound..

60th Wedding Anniversary

April 28th was my parents 60th Anniversary. What a wonderful example of love they have been to all that know them. What fun it was to honor them with a Popcorn Party! Mom and Dad love simple things. No big fuss, no going out to dinner, or to a show, or a cruise..just a family gathering of their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Dinner of Lasagna and Salad. Then the popcorn party! Yes as kids growing up our favorite thing was watching "Saturday Night At The Movies" and having a big bowl of popcorn on the knitted blanket in the middle of our living room. And for an extra special treat we would have Shasta Soda! In honor of our favorite things, we had blankets on the floor of the cultural hall at the church, with popcorn and soda. We had skits...all 4 of us kids are hams...and watched old home movies! My grandson wondered why there wasn't any sound...yep, old home movies..50's and 60's 8mm. Wonderful memories then and now. Thanks Mom and Dad for the love you have shown to all of us, and the example of love you are.

Oregon or Bust!!

There are certain events that have to happen every year..Christmas, Valentines Day, Birthdays, Anniversary, Easter, Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving and our Camping Trip to Oregon. Should be a National Holiday..equal to Labor Day..truly There hasn't been more than 5 summers in the last 43 years that didn't include a camping trip to the Oregon Coast..namely Harris Beach Campground..and there has been a year or two when we managed to squeeze in two trips to Harris Beach in one summer.. I started this tradition when I was about 14 years old..my parents decided to take a vacation..wow..we really didn't know what that was at the time but as kids we knew it was going to be great..somehow we ended up in Brookings Oregon (from Las Vegas) and decided this was heaven to a family of desert rats. We met our Aunts, Uncles and Cousins there..then we brought our spouses and children.. Now we have our children, their spouses and our grandchildren. They all can't wait to make the pilgrimage each summer. We had a short trip this year..only three nights, but we made it. We picked blackberries, made jam, watched the sunset, had a crab and seafood boil, walked on the beach...did it all. The summer is complete now! Life is good!

Oklahoma Friends!

Had a wonderful surprise visit from two of my new adopted WITW chapter friends! Hopper and Sprout were on an amazing journey from Oklahoma to Alaska via National Parks. It was such a treat having them stop by and visit for two nights. We are truly kindred spirits and it was as if we had been friends all our lives. Much laughing and visiting until late into the night. It is very quiet at the Compound now that they have continued on their journey. I'm wishing that I could have followed them. Can't wait until we are able to connect again. Life is so full of wonderful opportunities for amazing friendships. I'm so glad that I was able to make the trip to Kansas City and meet the Twisted Sisters from Oklahoma. Coolest chapter..right up there with ours! One can not have too many sister friends! You go girls!

Puppies Puppies

I suppose I'm a Springer Grandmother now..no not a springer soft tail motorcycle but English Springer Spaniel puppies. Our Sage gave birth to 9..yes count them 9 springer spaniel puppies on July 23rd. Black and White, Liver and White, Black Tri's and even one Liver Tri. We have a lot of dogs right now! But it's a howling good time at the Joyful Zoo! Mother Sage and Daddy Brush are proud parents of this bunch of puppies!

Biker Grandma Gang

On Saturday, July 18th, I was able to ride with 14 of my fellow biker girlfriends to Jamestown via Sonora Pass. Great ride, enough switch backs to keep us all on our toes...and on our bikes. What we didn't take into account was the heat...I was thinking 10,000 ft..cool air...what I didn't think of was coming down off the 10,000 ft..cool air..into record heat. How fast one can become dehydrated and close to heat stroke. We managed to get lost in Sonora, ended up in a residential area. One of our riders, got off her bike at a stop sign and said "I'm Done!!!" With that 13 other riders were blocking the intersection, while every car in Sonora was backed up and suffering from road rage..We eventually moved all the bikes on either side of the rode...while frightened neighborhood residents looked on...as we took off our helmets the residents breathed a sigh of relief.."This is not a biker gang...it's a bunch of grandmas that are totally harmless." They brought us our water and lemonade and we eventually crawled back on our bikes and found our destination less than 5 minutes from where we were. It was a great ride and we are still laughing.

New Baby Boy

Timothy Brayden (now is that a good Irish name or what??) made his appearance July 5th. He weighed in at 7 lbs 15.9 0z (that would be 8 lbs on my scale) 20 inches long. Dad, Mom, and Brayden are all doing marvelous. New life, more to love, all is good in our corner of the world.

Stork Is Circling!

Stork is circling! Newest grandbaby is due any day! Another boy, this time to my son Timothy and his sweet wife Allison. Can't wait to meet the newest addition to the family. With Timothy Brayden the grandkid count is 9! Boys are ahead 6 to 3 girls. Working on that football team! Another pup club member for grandma to take to football games..WooWho!

Kansas City....here I am!

I volunteered to be the spokesman...or should I say spokeswoman...or maybe it's spokesperson...have to be politically correct, for our chapter of Women in the Wind (a women's motorcycle group) to host our yearly summer meeting in Reno. The Khrome Cowgirls of Kansas City has put on an outstanding event. I've met some awesome new friends and I love the Twisted Sisters of Tulsa..they have truly welcomed me into there group. Well back to the reason I was in Kansas City...the summer nationals in 2010..had a dvd and fliers and a nice little spiel about Reno..but alas..defeat again.. summer nationals will be in New York.. I'm thinking we need to host an invitation only event....being a party animal is very exhausting..but so much fun. Will post pictures soon!

New Paint

New Paint for my birthday!! Perfect present...my olive green bike now has pink pin striping and pink roses...hot pink..and I no longer have a red helmet..the stuffed olive is gone! Yippee!! I'm no longer an embarrassment to Harley riders all over the world!!..trust me it is hot!!

Joyfuls Pups

Here are two happy Wolf Pack Pups! Had a great trip to Missouri with my Husband(Who took a break from his travel boycott) and two of my grandsons. It was a wet, hot, humid trip but all in all we had a great adventure. We made it to a Cardinals/Cubs game. Visited the Arch. Got stuck in the tram in the Arch. Took in a couple of Museums, seen the Clydesdale's and the major reason for the trip....The Wolf Pack vs Missouri Game. It was an ugly loss but had a great time with the pups. On our trip home I asked them what they liked best in St. Louis...their answer PILLOW FIGHTING with grandpa....and SWIMMING and having a WATER FIGHT with grandpa.. So glad that grandpa made the trip! Kind of feels like when kids are small and they get all those great Christmas gifts and what do they like to play with the best?? yep..the box! Great memories and that's what it's all about!

Stork Makes A Visit

The Stork dropped a beautiful baby boy off to my daughter and her husband. Richard Nathanial joined the family at 7:47 pm on August 26th ( his official due date). Little Nate weighed in at 6lbs 4oz, with a ton of black hair. Looks a lot like his mom and big brother Alex. Grand babies are the greatest. New life, new hope..all is well in our little corner of the universe!