Wow, I've got some serious catching up to do! Christmas as come and gone, well not quite gone, but its now New Years Eve. We had a good Christmas, the weather has been great. Ryan got his Wii and that has been a constant source of family entertainment. Its practically a workout though! I think I threw my shoulder out on the first serve I made in tennis. And boxing, what a workout! We've had a lot of fun with it so far though.
I got a couple of things for my bike which I have installed. I got a chrome windshield bar (?) thingy, the air temp and oil pressure gauges, and a heated jacket liner. Got those intstalled and they all work. I've taken 3 or 4 rides over the break and the jacket works nicely so far although it hasn't been "truly" tested if you know what I mean.
Tomorrow is the brass monkey ride. An annual Jan 1 ride with (hoped for) frigid temperatures so we can test everyone's mettle. Ride starts at 10:30, we'll need to leave here about 9:30 so it may be a bit chilly. Its supposed to get down to 29 tonight so by the time we leave it should have warmed up just above freezing.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
Christmas Party
We had our Christmas Party on Saturday night, and a good time was had by all. Its always a lot of fun, the food was very good as was the band. Lots of dancing all night long. This years announcements didn't seem as cumbersome as last year, maybe cause I know everyone that much better, and also the facility was better, not sure how that could make a difference with regards to the proceedings but it may have.
The Big Texas Toy Run was Sunday. We had plans, I certainly would have liked to have gone, but we knew all along that timing was going to be an issue as we would have to drive all the way back to Mckinney from Denton, then back down to Grapevine. The temperature may have helped in our decision a bit as well as it was 28F with heavy frost when we got up. And obviously we did not get up too early!
Instead we took advantage of the time at home to clean out (part) of the storage unit and garage. We redesigned the office and Marc's room both to great improvements.
The Big Texas Toy Run was Sunday. We had plans, I certainly would have liked to have gone, but we knew all along that timing was going to be an issue as we would have to drive all the way back to Mckinney from Denton, then back down to Grapevine. The temperature may have helped in our decision a bit as well as it was 28F with heavy frost when we got up. And obviously we did not get up too early!
Instead we took advantage of the time at home to clean out (part) of the storage unit and garage. We redesigned the office and Marc's room both to great improvements.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Chapter Charity Ride
This past weekend it was time for our Chapter "toy" run. The dealership and our chapter support the Cumberland Presbyterian Childrens Home in Denton. http://www.cpch.org/home/
The dealership had an angel tree for the home, and all of the angels were quickly snapped up. It was pretty amazing what these kids wanted, essentials. Our angel was for a young girl, I forget whether she was 15 or 17. We didn't know her story at the time but she wanted sheets, a hair dryer a couple of other things and the only remotely frivilous item was a lava lamp. We also got her a storage case, a blanket and a sock full of personal items.
Saturday was a pretty full day, in addition to the run, it was the annual activities meeting where ride suggestions were solicited. Darlene, currently in transition to her new role as LOH officer (Congrats Honey!) had a couple of suggestions. I had one, a scavenger hunt, so now I guess I really have to start thinking about it. Several good rides were suggested, including the regular annual rides (Wildflower, PTP, Fall Leaf, etc) It looks like it will be another very full year.
We then had a couple of hours to kill till the run, we wrapped a few presents at the dealer table, accepting dontations for Cumberland. Must still be too far till Christmas as there wasn't a lot of wrapping happening.
This was our second run for Cumberland. Last year was primarily chapter members and was a good run, well this year was phenomonal. I believe we had 76 or so bikes, a lot of our chapter, but an awesome turnout of non-chapter riders. Several of us acted as roadblocks (?) along the way, but we also had official escorts, several police officers and vehicles assisting with roadblocks as well as a fire truck at the beginning and end of the parade. Mini-T was great again as Santa. First in line and waving the whole way. He looked more comfortable this year, he certainly stayed in costume for a lot longer this year!
Oh yeah, about the home. Our angel was an orphaned child, actually she was there with her brother, and maybe her sister(?). Not sure if it was her sister or cousin. Fortunatley her Grandfather is close and volunteers at the home so there is lots of love there for her. Another heartbreak was the family who just arrived recently. This was after the angel tree was completed so everyone scrambled to assist this family. Apparently a family of abuse and violence, the mother finally left with her 8 children. These kids have not had a christmas present for 4 years. It was very touching and emotional for all, children getting clothes that they could truly call their own, shoes that fit. And that was typical for all the kids.
The home is a great organization and we have developed a very solid relationship with them. They truly appreciate our support and welcome us wholeheartedly.
On the way home we collected 2 more ABCs. I don't know if we will be able to get to 56 or not, we are about 3 shy, but they are counties and its a good 3-4 hour ride to capture those, we just don't have that much time to give between now and the end of the year. That's alright though, we will have 46+ so will get the awards we really wanted.
The dealership had an angel tree for the home, and all of the angels were quickly snapped up. It was pretty amazing what these kids wanted, essentials. Our angel was for a young girl, I forget whether she was 15 or 17. We didn't know her story at the time but she wanted sheets, a hair dryer a couple of other things and the only remotely frivilous item was a lava lamp. We also got her a storage case, a blanket and a sock full of personal items.
Saturday was a pretty full day, in addition to the run, it was the annual activities meeting where ride suggestions were solicited. Darlene, currently in transition to her new role as LOH officer (Congrats Honey!) had a couple of suggestions. I had one, a scavenger hunt, so now I guess I really have to start thinking about it. Several good rides were suggested, including the regular annual rides (Wildflower, PTP, Fall Leaf, etc) It looks like it will be another very full year.
We then had a couple of hours to kill till the run, we wrapped a few presents at the dealer table, accepting dontations for Cumberland. Must still be too far till Christmas as there wasn't a lot of wrapping happening.
This was our second run for Cumberland. Last year was primarily chapter members and was a good run, well this year was phenomonal. I believe we had 76 or so bikes, a lot of our chapter, but an awesome turnout of non-chapter riders. Several of us acted as roadblocks (?) along the way, but we also had official escorts, several police officers and vehicles assisting with roadblocks as well as a fire truck at the beginning and end of the parade. Mini-T was great again as Santa. First in line and waving the whole way. He looked more comfortable this year, he certainly stayed in costume for a lot longer this year!
Oh yeah, about the home. Our angel was an orphaned child, actually she was there with her brother, and maybe her sister(?). Not sure if it was her sister or cousin. Fortunatley her Grandfather is close and volunteers at the home so there is lots of love there for her. Another heartbreak was the family who just arrived recently. This was after the angel tree was completed so everyone scrambled to assist this family. Apparently a family of abuse and violence, the mother finally left with her 8 children. These kids have not had a christmas present for 4 years. It was very touching and emotional for all, children getting clothes that they could truly call their own, shoes that fit. And that was typical for all the kids.
The home is a great organization and we have developed a very solid relationship with them. They truly appreciate our support and welcome us wholeheartedly.
On the way home we collected 2 more ABCs. I don't know if we will be able to get to 56 or not, we are about 3 shy, but they are counties and its a good 3-4 hour ride to capture those, we just don't have that much time to give between now and the end of the year. That's alright though, we will have 46+ so will get the awards we really wanted.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Christmas Lights
This weekend was a busy weekend. The boys went to Sky Ranch for the weekend like they have been doing every year and we went to watch Don Pliler's band. A lot of folks turned up and and one point it got really smokey.
Saturday was the Lewisville Toy Run. The weather was questionable and on the way to the dealership we actually had some light rain but it held off for the run. Pretty good turn out, numbers estimated as high as 1300 bikes but I don't think there was that many. I have started reducing my estimates after being so wrong so many times!
A lot of folks did the Lone Star Challenge this past year. We (well mainly Darlene) are doing the posters for the Christmas Party. You get awarded for either 5 or all 10 points. Well we have over 50 members who have completed at least 5, in fact there were very few who only did 5. If you think of that, in order to get all the points, at a minimum you would have had to have ridden over 2000 miles. So lets say 50 did all 10 points, that is over 100,000 miles towards our club goal of 2 million miles.
Sunday was another full day getting ready for Christmas at home. We started out the day wrapping presents and after the boys got home we put the lights outside. It was a beautiful day, then around 4:00 it started getting quite cold. This am was the coldest morning so far, 34F. I was thinking about riding this am, actually this week, but wimped out today. Hopefully the rest of the week if not at least part of it.
Saturday was the Lewisville Toy Run. The weather was questionable and on the way to the dealership we actually had some light rain but it held off for the run. Pretty good turn out, numbers estimated as high as 1300 bikes but I don't think there was that many. I have started reducing my estimates after being so wrong so many times!
A lot of folks did the Lone Star Challenge this past year. We (well mainly Darlene) are doing the posters for the Christmas Party. You get awarded for either 5 or all 10 points. Well we have over 50 members who have completed at least 5, in fact there were very few who only did 5. If you think of that, in order to get all the points, at a minimum you would have had to have ridden over 2000 miles. So lets say 50 did all 10 points, that is over 100,000 miles towards our club goal of 2 million miles.
Sunday was another full day getting ready for Christmas at home. We started out the day wrapping presents and after the boys got home we put the lights outside. It was a beautiful day, then around 4:00 it started getting quite cold. This am was the coldest morning so far, 34F. I was thinking about riding this am, actually this week, but wimped out today. Hopefully the rest of the week if not at least part of it.
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