April Random Riding

April is here, and by this time we have ridden quite a bit.

But not this year.

Seems it has been rather cool, and if it isn't cold, it is raining.

I am so thankful for the rain, so I won't complain.

We have taken a few little spins along the way.

Lynn, Keith, Carla and Larry took a ride one Saturday to Okarche, OK. for chicken.

We didn't go, because as much as we would like to do it, it is just not on my husbands list of food he needs to eat.

Have to keep his heart and arteries in good shape!!!! 

I had text Lynn and they ended up coming by the house after they finished eating.

We talked about riding to Chickasha with them and stop at the Dairy Queen.

A plan is born, and as we make our way down Rt. 66.

I get a text from Diana asking what are we up to.

I suggest they meet up with us and make the ride.

They are going to join us in El Reno and make the little ride as well.

Love it when these impromptu's end up being so much fun.

We didn't have to wait very long, as Diana & Chris showed up very quickly.

The little time we spent waiting, Lynn was able to get on her IPhone and order a leather jacket

for her rock "Star".

"Lizzy" has one, and we have decided all our new rocks need to sport a leather jacket.

Yes, we are a bit crazy, but isn't that what life is all about.

The laughter!!!! 

Our ride to Chickasha, OK. was a nice 

The weather was perfect.

Diana & I didn't get any ice cream at the DQ but Chuck & Chris did.

By this time of day, I wasn't thinking about dessert, I was thinking FOOD!!!

We say our goodbyes to our Duncan friends, and we part our ways.

They head south, and we point the bikes to the north.

The sunset was very nice this evening, and I was able to get a good pic.

As we ride, the hot topic was where are we going to eat.

I suggested a place in Mustang, OK.

Thought that was where we were heading, but when we didn't make the appropriate turn, I didn't pipe in and ask.

Only when we got to El Reno, and Chuck ask me where this restaurant was at, is when I realize that we must have had one of those "Failure to communicate" moments.  :) 

You know the ones...the ones that Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus.

No harm, no fowl, we just adjust and find another place to eat.

We head to Lucky Star Casino.

It is just north of El Reno...so not that far.

We eat our food, and enjoy talking with Diana & Chris.

Can you believe, we didn't even put any money in the machines.

Heck, our luck, this could have been the night we win big!!!  

Or not...but we will never know!

It has cooled off quite a bit, and we get our jackets on for the ride home.

Chuck informs me that his jacket of choice tonight was a bit breezy on the sides.

Seems it is his electric jacket, and it has some side areas for breathing.

I ended up putting my arms around his waste area to keep the breeze down a bit.

One of those loving things we Women from Venus do ever so often.  (ROFL)

I will end this post the way I do most of them, but I truly enjoyed our little impromptu ride and dinner.

We are really blessed to have such a great group of people we call our friends.

You are all very special, and I am thankful for each and everyone one of you....and you know who you are.  :) 

Christmas 2014

Ok, you can stop hustling and bustling because it is here.
As fast as it comes it is gone.
Christmas, the one day a year that those who believe stop and chill with their loved ones.
At least that's the way it is suppose to go, but this year we had a little kink in the plan.
Poor Chuck came down sick Christmas Eve.
He went downhill fast.

I was having troubles finding any clinics open, but our son found one right off the bat.
I got Chuck in the car and off we went.
It was a little after 2pm when we got there.
No parking spaces in the lot, this is not a good sign.
Entering into to waiting room, I am thinking oh no!
Wall to wall coughing people.
This whole "clinic" idea was my idea because the flu is really rampant here in Oklahoma, but had no idea how busy this place would be.

We get checked in and papers filled out and now we wait.
Little by little the waiting room starts to clear a bit.

Finally about 4 pm he gets to go back to a room.
He emerges about 4:30.
No flu!!
Bad respiratory infection.
We have a prescription for a z pack.




Back home I get Chuck all tucked in and I make my way to pick up mom and dad.

I drive our little group to Norman to have our traditional Christmas Eve with the kids and grands.

The grands are so excited to open presents.

Cash has gotten the hang of it this year and he is even able to find the presents with his name on them.

Wrapping paper and boxes are flying as the little ones dive into their presents.

Smiles are abundant as they light up at each and every present they open.

As much fun as it is, it's just not right not to have Pops here!

As quickly as it began the excitement calms and everyone including the adults check out everyone's gifts they received.

I think the Christmas Eve boxes that I fixed for our kids and grands were a hit.

They all got new PJ's and a few other things to make their night special. 

The grands liked their movies we got them.

Elf and Despicable Me 2 were hits.

Our son loved his peppermint schnapps to put in his hot chocolate.

Our daughter in law liked the individual stack glasses of wife.

See, big kids can have Christmas Eve boxes as well!

This certainly isn't what I had pictured for the evening but it was really nice to spend it with most of the family.

Just hate that the matriarch wasn't able to be here.

Due to Pops being sick our Christmas Day was uneventful.

I never even got out of my PJ's. 

Was a very quiet day, and I really didn't do much at all.

I am thankful that we have family to spend Christmas with.

I am thankful that we are healthy, even though we have a little set back.

I am thankful that we have had a very good year.

Life is good, and I thank God everyday for my wonderful life, family and friends.  

Merry Christmas to everyone and hope it is a joyous holiday for you and your family.

Moles do Christmas in Oklahoma 2014

Yes, it's that time again....time to adorn your ugly Christmas sweater and make your way to the Christmas party.

We have a group that rides together and makes up the gang that goes on our wonderful rides every year.
My husband named us the "Moles of Silence".....Yes he did...many years ago!
We even get to have our own "Mole" name...can you imagine...  :)








Not sure if any of you have ever googled the word "Mole", but you can imagine what you get.
Everything from a mole on your face to an ugly little creature that lives under the ground.
I have found out that Canada likes Moles...they even have a National Mole Day...Look it up...no kidding!

We boast to be the little ugly ones under ground....LOL
Amazingly, the talk of moles is always a great ice breaker for the new people that come and join us for dinner and sometimes ride.

Enough about the Moles, on to the Moles Christmas Party.

This year our group as so many others have done this year, had an Ugly Christmas Sweater theme.

It was so much fun seeing everyone arrive adorning their sweaters.






































The food they brought wasn't half bad either.

We had enough food for the whole neighborhood.



Doreen brought an array of liquor and we mixed up several batches of her Grinch Cocktail.

It was quite a hit with everyone that consumed some.












I had ordered a cake from Raspberries & Creme.
This is the cake that I won on the radio station give away.
I was so excited to win something.
I was the 9th caller to call in for November birthdays!!!

The cake was divine, and so very pretty!















































We didn't do the usual Dirty Santa this year.
Instead, we opted to pool our money that we would have spent on something that no one would ever use, and help a family with their children.

Diana found a family in nearby Piedmont, and our plan is to go on Monday and purchase the gifts that the 5 children have asked for.

We really do have a very special group of giving friends in this little group of Moles.
So very lucky to call them "friends".
Thanks to all who donated.

Merry Christmas Mole style.  :)

Christmas Texas Style 2014

Our family decided to take a little trip to Texas.
Where in Texas you ask?
We are going to the Gaylord Texan Resort for a night to partake in "Ice".
The grand kids are at the perfect age to really enjoy Christmas, and what better place to enjoy it!












Our first stop on our little trip was Bedre Chocolate Factory on our way down I-40.
Was a first for the kids.
They even got samples of chocolate covered potato chips....Yum!








We make our way to Grapevine Texas as we have plans to eat at the Rainforest Cafe.
The grand kids love this place.
My mom and step-dad seemed to enjoy it as well.
Chuck reminded our son of a trip we took there many many years ago.
Same place and so much fun for everyone.






We arrive at the Gaylord Texan around 3 pm.
Plans are to make the "Ice" exhibit around 4pm.
Our plans make a slight change due to an unforeseen delay.
Our son changed the "Ice" exhibit to Sunday at 10am, so all is good!
We shake off the delay & proceed to have some fun at the resort.
The grand kids got to see Gingy's Gingerbread cookies and decorate them.
They even got to visit Gingy!





























We were able to walk around the resort and see all the beautiful Christmas decorations.
I don't think I have ever seen a more interesting Gingerbread house....so detailed!




We make the photo op areas, and of course the grand kids loved being the models for the pictures.













Of course Chuck couldn't miss the opportunity to get his picture taken with the Longhorn.
You know how he is....Texan through and through!

It has been a very busy and fun filled day, and my mom & step dad are back in their rooms at 8pm.











Sunday

We are at the entrance of "Ice" around 9:30am.
There is a line forming, and we have camped out at the front.
They open the doors at 10 and we are off.
Once in the exhibit, we get to put on the famous Blue Parkas.
Our sweet little grandson had the biggest ole coat on, and we had noticed there was actually a smaller size.
Heather got out of line and exchanged for a more appropriate size.







We stand in line to get our pictures taken with the parka's on.
Looks like a bunch of "Smurf" walking around.
You can't tell who anyone is because we are all bundled up.









Upon entering the exhibit you feel the rush of 9 degree air hit you like a wall of ice.
This is truly a man made wonder.
Each ice block that is used ( 2 million blocks to be exact) weighs 400 lbs. before they begin to work on them.
There is a group of 40 something Chinese sculptures that make there way here and create this marvel.
The ice is so flawless it is often compared to Waterford Crystal.

You can read more about "ICE" here.

Chuck got a few pics of the kids sliding on the ice.
It was so cold, you didn't want to take your hands out to even get the camera out of your pocket!


















The Nativity was absolutely breath taking.














Before you knew it, we are at the end of the exhibit.
I have to say, the warm air really felt nice.

They have a little shop set up at the end, and of course we had a little retail therapy to conduct.
The grands got to pick out an ornament, and Heather got a really cute metal sign.

We meet back up with my parents, and Anthony gets in line to do the snow tubing with the kids.
The lines were really pretty long, but they move pretty quickly.
Before you know it the kids are sliding down the snow packed lanes in their tubes.
Grandson has no fear, and I think he could probably have done this all day.

All good things must come to an end, and so we bid the Gaylord Texan goodbye, and make our way to the cars.
The parking garage was as busy as the line to get into "Ice", but we made it out and are on our way to get some lunch.


Chuck had seen that "Hard Eight" BBQ had a location very close, so we make our way there.

I was really amazed at how much it looks just like the one in Stephensville, TX that we always eat at.
The food and the experience to get the food was just the same.
I think the kids enjoyed the relaxed eating experience...and oh, the food was awesome!

Time to head back towards Oklahoma, but we had to make a stop at "Sprinkles".
What is a trip to Texas without cupcakes!
This is our daughter in laws favorite place, so we had to make sure and experience it as well.

After the cupcakes are picked up we make our way to Ikea...
Can you believe this is a first for me.
Never have been there...get all the emails and all, but nothing in person.
Let me say, it is BIG!
Great time there and got a few treasures we couldn't live without.

Back in the cars and pointing them Northbound.
We make our way back to Oklahoma.
Home sweet home.....and so many memories were made this weekend.
Oh how I love our family!

Beau-coup Blessings

Seems like the last two months of the year are very busy and eventful for our family.
We not only share Thanksgiving with each other, but there are 3 of us girls that have birthdays as well.
I am the first one on November 29th.
My mother has hers on November 30th.
Our daughter-in-law has one on December 3rd,
I really feel bad for our guys because they are so close to Christmas, and they get hit hard....all at once.  LOL

Thanksgiving was a windy and some what cool day, but we were able to get outside and take our annual picture.
I have always loved to get a family picture when we are all together.

We have an extra couple of kiddo's this year.
Maycee & Kylee  (great grands of Mother & Louie) got to come and spend the way with us.
It was so much fun to listen to all the laughter as they played together.

The grand kids are growing, and each year you can really see the changes when looking back at previous years pictures.




The kids wanted to shop "Black Friday" so Pops and I opted to keep the grands and let them fight the crowds.
I think fun was had by all...I know we had a great time with our little ones.

Black Friday was a bit interesting for Chuck and I.
He had been having issues with his IPhone 6 from the get go.
Seems it just would decide to get HOT....and I mean HOT!!!!!
We had discussed it, and I got online and made an appointment with the Genius Bar at the one and only Apple Store we have in Oklahoma City.
Oh yes, and it is in the "Mall", you know the "Mall" that everyone is going to be at today!

I drove  and used my built in woman's strategy to by-pass a lot of mall traffic.
You know that strategy I am talking about...we use it every day!!
I really was surprised but my plan worked.
We were there before we knew it.
Of course parking was a little more challenging, but we didn't mind walking, so instead of hovering around the lot, we opted to go out to the outer lots and park.

We actually had time to kill before our Genius Bar appointment, so I wanted to look at this shoe store and see what Ugg boots they might have in my size.
Never owned a pair at this point in my life, but my sweet husband bought me a pair right then and there.
I was so excited, I put them on and wore them out of the store....just like a kid!!!!
Happy Birthday to me!

Back at the Apple store the genius we got said we had some corrupt files, and wiped the phone and re-installed from the backup.
OK, so we will try this.
Little did we know, we would make another trip back to the same mall a little later in the evening.
Yep, the genius thing didn't work.

During dinner Chuck noticed that his phone was getting hot again.
I got on my phone and looked to see if we could make another appointment at Apple.
We could get in at 8:30, and so the appointment was made.
Traffic getting to the mall was not bad again!!!
Really, this is Black Friday....where are all the shoppers....maybe they are asleep!!!!!!!

Back in the Apple store we speak to a new Genius...and he says he needs to totally wipe the phone, and set up as a new phone.
The backup copy has corruption in it...so lets do it.
Within 30 minutes, we are on our way out of the mall, and now we will just have to see how the phone acts.
I can not believe we have been to the mall twice on Black Friday, and survived!

Saturday, November 29th....My Birthday!
I had mentioned to Chuck that I would love to drive to Duncan, OK. and shop at a few of their clothing stores.
I know, you think...you live in the big city.
Why would you want to go to the small town of Duncan?
I have fallen in love with one shop there, and I follow them on Facebook, and I had seen a few things that I thought my wardrobe needed!

Our friends Lynn & Keith live there, and I had mentioned to her over dinner the night before that we might come their way.
She told me to let her know, so that is just what I did.

As we got close to Duncan, I text Lynn to see where we were going to meet, and she informed we they were on the outskirts of town getting tires on a trailer, so we just stopped there, and picked her up so we girls could get our "retail therapy" on!

I will insert here that Chuck's phone is working GREAT!!!!
His battery is staying cool, and isn't crashing any longer!!!!!

Chuck chauffeurs Lynn & I to downtown Duncan, and parks almost in front of the store.
Prairie Rose is such a cute place to shop, and the ladies there are awesome.
Lynn & I both "score"....imagine that!
Next we walk to Sumac Trading Co.
Oh my, this is a cute place as well.
Keith has joined Chuck, so they can hang around and tease us about our shopping expedition.
Yep, "score" again!
All this shopping is making us hungry, so we walk to the new "Boomerang" burger place, but decide that they are just way to busy for us to wait.
Lynn says that there is a little place called "Tasty's" not too far from here, so we get in the vehicles and drive there.
The place is very tiny, and just a bar area and only one table with four chairs are the only places to sit.
We belly up to the bar area, and order our burgers.
I have to say, mine was really very good....greasy and good...you know the type.
The fries were great as well.
Sure was a nice change from "Turkey"....lol
I have to say it was "my" day, and I really enjoyed it.
Thanks to all that participated.  :)





OK, so Sunday is my mom's birthday...Yes, we celebrate together, so today we will meet the kids and grand kids for lunch.
Remember, Heather's birthday is next week, so we do a two-fer!!!

Mother is a young 86 this year.
She is in pretty much excellent health.
I really am blessed to have her all these years.




We make it to Norman to eat at Rudy's before noon.
Barbecue today...chasing all that turkey away for sure.

Enjoyed the visit with the kids....and after we eat, it is time to head back to Yukon.
Been a very busy last few days, and it is time to wind down a bit.

That is what our last week in November consisted of.
Lots of family time!
Now you know why I have beau-coup blessings.
Hope you have the same.

Bikes Blues & BBQ 2014 (Day 4)

I failed to mention where the Whooooo came from.
Well, our new friends Bonnie and Curtis aka Clyde...seems as we were riding through Siloam Springs, he pulls up on his bike and lets out this big ole WHOOOOOO....not once, not twice...but multiple times.
Yes, everyone was looking....and not really sure why he did it other than he was having a good time.

Bonnie and Curtis (Clyde)

Doesn't take too much to amuse this group....and as soon as we made it to the hotel Thursday...we all started doing the now famous Whoooo.....all of us.....Like I said, we are very easily amused!












Now back to our ride.
We aren't in a big hurry this morning, and it is over cast and a bit cool as we pull out from the hotel a little after 10am.
Chuck wants to ride a different road and bypass Siloam Springs....whooooo!!!!!
It was a very nice bypass, and kept us from all the stop and go traffic.
The ride is going well, until Diana comes over the mike and says we have no one behind us.
Where did they go????
They were just there.
I start to text Lynn and she has already sent me a comment.
Seems Doreen's bag was working its way off, so they had to stop and put more supports on it.
So glad that was all that was wrong.
Man, sure makes your heart skip a beat when you don't see anyone behind you.

I was also told in the text that Doreen would appreciate a potty break.
We are just a mile from an exit, so that is easy to do.
Bladders are empty and the bag is secured again...so we head on towards Tulsa.




Lunch is at Mexicali's in Tulsa.
We are able to sit outside and enjoy the cool breeze.

OK...so all the fun is over now...time to get home.

The clouds were beautiful today

We do make one more stop at the midway to say our goodbyes.

Hugs are given and everyone is instructed to text when they get home safely!

Oh what fun we have had this weekend!!!
Plans are already being made to make sure we get the same hotel for BB&B 2015..
Can't wait  :)

Mileage: 840...glorious Ginger miles!!!

Doreen and Allen's "rocks"  

Carla's rock...but where is Larry's??!!  

Lynn and Keith's "rocks"

Bikes Blues & BBQ 2014 (Day 3)

Yesterday while we rode the train the conductor gentlemen was telling us about the ride to Devil's Den.
As far as I know, none of this group had been there.
Allen is going to lead us to Devils Den today.
The weather is perfect, so lets do some riding.

















Our leader gets us to Devils Den without any u-turns.
We stop at the visitors area to make a potty break.
As we are standing there talking, Doreen and Allen see a couple that they know.
















Another couple had ridden up with them, and as I looked around, I noticed it was Carolyn and Mark Scoggin's.
Our last trip with them ended with some unhappy people, and they were one of them, and we hadn't spoken since we rode to Canada a couple of years ago.
Carolyn and I go way back...all the way back to high school.
Me being the person I am...(ROFL) decided to go over and say hello.
They were just standing there very awkward, so what the heck.
We had a nice little visit, and lots of small talk was made.





As Carolyn and I stood there, this huge oak leaf drifted down between us.
I was so taken by it, I took the oak leaf.
I will take it home and mod podge it and save it.
Some of the most simple things mean so much, but really the leaf was beautiful, and since we are officially into Fall now, what a perfect gift from nature to remember this trip.

We get back on our bikes and continue to ride the beautiful curvy mountain roads.
The conductor didn't steer us wrong, that is for sure!
Chuck & I are next to last bike, as we had been since we started out today.
Lynn and Keith are going to exit the group and make their way back to Dickson Street and we will catch up with them later.
After Lynn and Keith leave the group, Chuck and I are enjoying being at the back of the group!
It continues for quite a while, until we hit the so called fork in the road.
Allen isn't sure if we should go left or right, as we are heading to War Eagle Mills.
Chuck pulls it up on Lupi, or wonderful GPS and looks like we are lead bike again.







As we make our way to War Eagle, we travel some roads we haven't been on before.
The road to War Eagle I was familiar with, but was amazed at all the homes that have been built since we last traveled it.






We cross the newly re-done bridge into the War Eagle Mill, and I was pleasantly surprised that is wasn't totally packed with bikers.
There was actually room to park....and what is this....the volunteer fire dept. is cooking food!
What a great idea that was...a picnic at War Eagle.
The people serving the food were so friendly and wanted to make sure we saw the "homemade" cinnamon rolls they had for sale.
We got our food and found a nice couple of tables, and we sat and ate!
Carla and Diana got turkey legs...and Carla tells us this is a "first" for her.












We gobbled our food down so we could have dessert!
Yummy is all I can say  :)

War Eagle Mill

After we eat, everyone goes their own direction, and Diana and I go into the Mill.
The pottery is really cool, and I had to purchase a couple of soup bowls for my mom and dad.
I will probably wish I had bought some for myself....but hey, I can come back, right!!!!!
I would love to come to their big art festival they have in a couple of weeks, but I have always heard it is soooo big and congested down here.
Just one of those things that sounds good, until you really decide to do it.





Time to head towards Dickson Street and meet up with Lynn and Keith.
The ride back was just as good as earlier.
Love these roads!

Getting closer to the festivity, the traffic starts getting more congested.
We make a slight detour to save ourselves from sitting in traffic.....it was only a block early, but it sure did make a difference in the waiting time.
I have been in contact with Lynn, and we park in the church parking lot just as we did last night.
They are sitting in the shade on Dickson Street, and we make our way to them.
Front and center is all I can say.

Diana and I getting ready for the parade  :) 

We make it there with just about 45 minutes to spare...spare for what you ask....
The Parade!!!!










Yep...perfect timing...and we get to do some people watching while we are at it.
Next year, we really need to plan on being in the parade...I think the girls could all wear mask and throw out candy....now that could be fun!
The parade is over, and our little group wants to head back to the hotel and think about dinner.












As we walk, we talk about just ordering in something for dinner and have them deliver!!!
Sounds like a plan.

Back at the hotel, I write down their food of choice, and call in the order.
We are told it will be about an hour and a half before we get it.
Perfect...we can sit and chill for awhile.
Back down at the dining room, we arrange table to accommodate our group.
Keith even entertained us with a movie....he had been filming with his Go-Pro, so it was a treat to watch.

Food was delivered by the nicest guy, that we actually saw come back 2 more times that evening  delivering for other people.
It was so nice to be able to sit and laugh and talk about our adventures.
Diana had bought some really cool worry rocks while at the Mill, and she gave each of us girls one.
The had "friend" etched into them.
Such a sweet thing for her to do....I love it!

My leaf with our "special" rocks 

It didn't take Chuck very long to come up with a token for the guys....you see there is a cute small flower arrangement on the tables, and there are pebbles in the containers instead of water.
Yep, you guessed it...he pours out one of the containers and gives the guys each a pebble.
We all got a big laugh out of this, because I think there is someone in the group that is absolutely going to have no idea tomorrow why he has a pebble in his pocket of his shorts  :)








I asked my question that I always ask..."What was the best part of the trip"....and everyone gave us their thought on it.
All I can say is that this is a really "special" group of friends and we really do enjoy everyones company.
Thanks to everyone that participated, and so glad to be able to call you "friends".

Time to go to bed, for tomorrow we ride home!
Goodnight!

Group Pic at Devil's Den