Hello 38 and Hello Kawasaki!

I celebrated my 38th birthday over the weekend.  And this is what is back in my driveway and runs (thanks to the Big White Guy and my son).

This is really a big deal.  I mean really!

A few years back when I had decided that I wanted to learn to ride myself, and the Big White Guy needed a restoration project, it made it's first appearance in our backyard for my birthday.  At that time it didn't run.  It had sat for awhile and needed some TLC.  We've been working on it here and there over the last few years.  It's been a great project for us to work on together and full of great leaning opportunities for me.  I learned how to pull carbs and tear them down with this. :)

Me getting my hands dirty.  :)

The BWG working his magic.

It's a 1981 Kawasaki CSR 305.  Here's the part of the story that gets really really good.  It was bought brand new in 1983 during a "Sunshine Sale" by the Big White Guy's dad and sister.  Back then motorcycle companies were over manufacturing and there were literally crates of bikes that were a couple years old just sitting around waiting for their new homes.  This one in particular has stayed in the family so there's a lot of sentimental value to it.  My father in law, sister in law, and the BWG (I'm so tired of typing out Big White Guy, from here on out that's what I'm referring to him as, the BWG) rode this.  I haven't heard all the stories yet, but enough to know the BWG rode it quite a bit while helping his dad farm.  Yes, our bikes get used to farm.  Even the Harley's have been out as service and farm bikes.  :)

This last year I did have the opportunity to take the Rider's Edge Course through Harley Davidson.  Up to that point I had only ever rode my son's little 90 that had no clutch.  So today, here I sit, fully endorsed and still needing lots of road practice, (and let's face it folks, just because you have an endorsement doesn't mean you can ride), staring at my new/old ride as I type this post. This is what year 38 is going to bring for me.  One more thing to scratch off my bucket list and one more adventure.

Even though I didn't ever get the chance to meet my father in law, I do know how very loved he was.  Makes me feel a special that the family is allowing me to be a part of this.  I look forward to being able to practice on this, and to the hours of quality time it will continue to bring to my family and I.  Cuz that's where the really good stuff is.

I have to send out a great big THANK YOU to the BWG and my son for working so hard last week to get it running for my birthday.  There's still some work to be done on it and a few adjustments to make but damn it, I can ride!  :)

So so SPOILED!!! My New Ride!!!

I want to thank everyone who reached out yesterday with the "Happy Birthday" wishes. Everyone honestly made it the best day I could have ever asked for. Thank all of you!!! I have the best family and friends on the planet. I'm sure of it!

I apologize for the terrible picture here. I'm not to crafty with my cell camera just yet. LOL. But I was too excited not to share. Darren surprised me with a new ride last night! This bike was purchased brand new back in 1984 by his Dad and his sister. It's a 1981 Kawasaki CSR and has been hiding out for a few years. Not anymore. We're fixing it up and I'm going to learn how to ride a motorcycle!!! I cannot even begin to tell you what an honor it is for me to learn on this bike. So I have to really express my gratitude to Darren, Greg, Michelle, and everyone who participated in this. Thank all of you for sharing something so meaningful with me. I've already told Darren we have to keep it forever. :) Not only because he and his family have so many memories on it, but because it's just a really really cool bike. And I can honestly say that it means more to me than if I'd have seen a brand new Harley role up in the driveway. I even got a bit teary, then yelled at Darren and Greg for making me cry on my birthday. :)

The guys have already told me I get to help fix it up. Which also is going to be amazing! I've been dying to learn and honestly can't wait to get a little greasy.

So...as it turns out. 35 started off with a bang! And another new chapter of my life begins. I have a little secret I've been sitting on, that hopefully I will be able to share in the next week or two. It's gonna be one hell of a ride! And I can't wait to see how the adventure plays out.

Happy Birthday, I mean Mid Life Crisis, to Me

Happy Birthday, I mean Mid Life Crisis, to Me. I say this with the utmost sarcasm. Over the last few weeks I have joked that once my 35th birthday arrived, I could officially have a mid-life crisis. I guess you could call it that if you really need to define it for yourself. I call it something more like, finding that little girl who loved life again.

I tend to get VERY sentimental around my birthday. Reflecting on the previous years, how my life has changed, how much I have changed, and how much closer I am to reaching goals I've set for myself. And for the first time in YEARS I have been very excited for a birthday.

Looking at this picture, it's hard to believe that is really me. That there was a time I was so little and new. If you look closely, you may see the tape on my head covering the first of many wounds I would sport in this life. I came into this world wounded and no doubt will leave it the same way. But along with the wounds and scars the last 35 years have brought me, I have also found a great amount of love and healing. Especially in the last few.

Watering the garden a few days ago and Darren says to me, "wow, you must have played in the mud a lot when you were a kid." Well, yes I did. I was the Queen of the Mud Pie. And while so many of my childhood memories are much less than stellar, there are a few in there I'd like to hang on to. Like that one. Making mud pies just for the sake of playing in the mud. And I am pleased to announce that my life has come full circle, and I'm back to playing in the mud just for the sake of it.

So while it may be strange to most of you, that at 35 I've developed a huge crush on Nikki Sixx, an insatiable passion for motorcycles, unearthed my desire to be an artist, started wearing hats and bandanas, picked up a few new tattoos, am in love and live with a man everyone thought I should NOT be with, occasionally wear my boots with my capri jeans, watch Oddities with my kids every chance I get, and scream to the top of my lungs to Linkin Park driving in my car with my 13 year old son...it's not strange to me at all. It feels good! It feels like making mud pies. And living life...just because I can!!!