We Rode The Dragon's Tale

I'm sitting at the Tapoco Lodge Resort in Robbinsville, NC on top of the Smokey Mountains.
It is beautiful here. Today we rode in on Storm Cloud. We had rain gear, but it poured down on us. Then, we rode the "dragon's tail." (The rain had stopped.) It's an 11 mile ride through the Smokies - and there are 312 hair-pin currrvessss. IT WAS AWESOME! This is one trip that I will never forget. We are having so much fun. We are with a great group of folks from all over. Some from Nebraska, some from Quincy, Illinois, some from Indiana, and of course some from Arkansas. I'll keep ya'll posted when I can.

Tomorrow we hit Asheville, NC. We are going to the Biltmore Estate. Then back to Tennessee.

I gotta go now. Love ya'll.
M

HOG's in Arkansas

(Photos above: Tim's Ultra Glide Classic, Terry's Screaming Eagle, Mike's Road King, Tim, Mike and Terry at the Roadside Park)

Arkansas is probably one of THE BEST place's to own a HARLEY. The roads are twisty and winding; the scenic routes are awesome and just about every weekend you can find a place where everyone is meeting and riding.

We have met so many new friends since we got our Harley. Every weekend there's a ride planned; from long rides to Eureka Springs or even Oklahoma, to short trips to the roadside park on Highway 10.

The Hog Diner is another spot you can usually find the crowd. Thursday night's there's a live band. There are HOG rally's, Poker Runs and Fund Raisers - like the Toy's For Tots Ride every year.

Everyone should ride. There's nothing like it. It's so free and fun.

So the next time you see a group of bikes going by wave at me.

I would like everyone to meet Rosie Faye, she's my newest baby.

I was coming home from buying groceries, just before Christmas last year, and there she was. She's a golden retriever and so loving.

As I rounded the bend on Garrison Road, I saw her dart right in front of a car. I thought she was going to get run over. It was raining and she was wet. I had my car full of supplies and really didn't need a new dog. I almost kept going. But she looked so sad and afraid. Her tail between her legs. I had to stop.

Our neighbors had three golden retrievers and I thought that surely she had got out of their fence and got too far from home. So I loaded her stinky self up.

When I got home I noticed the neighbor had their three dogs and thought "Oh No!, now what can I do." Tim was going to hit the roof.

When he got home, he immediately put her out of the gate - telling her to go home... I told him what happened and he grudgingly allowed her to stay - as long as I notified the local stores in the area that we were looking for her owner. I did that, but no one inquired back. SOOO....

Now I have a new addition to my family. She went in heat last month so we had her spade. After spending money on her, Tim has realized that She Ain't Going Nowhere.

I'm Back!

Well, everywhere I go and everyone I see has been asking me, "Why don't you blog anymore?"

It's just that I have been so busy lately. I got a different job at LA and learning the ropes is taking a lot time. I am really enjoying the process, but it really takes a lot out of me. Plus, we now have the big SALE coming up on April 28th.

Tim's doing great. He's really been using his new shop. He just finished a job yesterday, restoring the seats of a 1930 something Mercedes. He and his riding buddies are planning a long distance ride at the end of this month.

I had my annual vacation in Eureka two weekends ago. It was so great. We stayed at the New Orleans Hotel on Spring Street. Shopped like crazy. We had our massage at Cat's Suchness Spa and went to the Cresent's New Moon Spa for pedicures. It was fabulous!

Well, back to work for me.... I promise to keep up with my blogs as much as I can.

Love, M.

A New Family Tradition

Every month my daddy’s family gets together at some local restaurant. This is becoming a tradition that I love.

We all get together to choose who gets to setup and choose the restaurant for which ever month. We’ve been to many local buffets throughout Central Arkansas. Some of my favorites are: Cadron Creek, Fire Mountain, Golden Coral, and (my favorite so far J) La Palapya.

Not everyone comes every time and sometime we see some that hardly ever go. It’s still so nice to be able to see those who do come, to catch up with all the news. Not just Family comes either; sometimes friends of the Family show up too.

I’ll start posting the date and location (if I get the memo in time) here on my blog. If you’re reading this, then yes, you are invited to come and share good fellowship too. Usually, you'll find us in the private dining room; if they have them.

This month, we’ll all gather at Brown’s Country Restaurant in Benton on the 20th (tomorrow), at 1:00 p.m. We’d love to see you there too.

Love, M

2007 – It will be a good year.

What determines a “good year?” You hear many people say, “1955 or 1926 or 1936 – A very good year.” I wasn’t here then so I’m not sure what made those years “a good year.”

This month, I celebrated (for lack of a better word) my 47th birthday. I can say; “I’ve had many ‘good years’ and several really ‘bad years.’” But you know that saying: “That, which does not kill you, only makes you stronger.” So because of my ‘bad years,’ I’ve become a really tough mama.

I am determined to make 2007 a VERY GOOD YEAR! It has started out so well.

I have a lot of love in my life from my husband, my family and friends.

I got a new dog (picture to be posted soon.) Rosie Faye; (named after my other sister-in law.) She’s a beautiful golden retriever that I rescued. It just so happens that I got her at Christmas, so ‘Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.’

I got a new job and a new office. It was a lateral move; I switched positions with the shipping lead. She is now over the picking department and I have responsibilities to the value add, manifest and LTL departments. It will be very challenging, yet rewarding when I learn more about them.

I started back my yoga – which is awesome. Artistic Expressions has started Yoga and Pilates. I’ve signed up for yoga – which I’ve always loved. Jenny, the instructor, is a wonderful lady and knows a lot about Yoga. It is such a relaxing and spiritual exercise. It helps keep my stress level down.

So all in all, I’m really looking forward to this Good Year…2007.