So long 2005 and see ya on the other side

Well a lot has happened during the last few months, weeks, days and even hours of 2005. Time is short an precious to say the least. Sadly over the past few weeks it seems that death has been a recurring theme lately.

Its not that anyone really close to me has passed, but some people I know and or have met have lost those close to them. Recently someone that I met through the motorcycle community lost his life on Christmas day, I met Brett Wade on March 5th at the 2005 Bike Blessing, he was really a great guy and worked at the Cycle Gear in Bedford. He was the one that would help me when I came out to the store. Today they had a memorial ride for him and about 176 bikers showed up to remember him. I only had talked with him a few short times and I've read of other bikers loosing their lives, but Bret was the first person I had met and known some what to have passed away while riding his bike.

Brett was only one of a few like I said and I can only think that it just shows how short life can be and how fast things can change. Last night could have been another example. Around 1:00 am, my wife and I had been awakened by someone ringing the door bell. We had just gone to sleep an hour or so to be awakened by a friend of mine. News at 1:00 am is never good news, well at least for the most part.

As I opened the door he told me that one of my Sister-In-laws girls was in a car accident. He said from what he knows she is ok and has a broke ankle. They had tried calling us, but we did not hear the phones ring and so he came over to wake us up. The youngest girl was still at home and they needed me to go stay with her and let her know all was ok.

The oldest girl had been out at night and was caught up in an act of rode rage. She should not have been out in the first place and was now caought in the attempted act of being assaulted, she was forced into another lane and caused a head on collision with a truck. Luck for all parties, nobody lost their life this night. The man driving along in his truck was suddenly in the middle of a head on collision and it just shows have fast things can change. The people who caused the events of course sped off and seem to have got away with the acts they have caused.

Tonight should be the annual celebration for New Years eve and its an event that normally finds the In-laws and friends over to hang out and have fun. My wife is helping my mother-in-law out for the night and the party never got of the ground. In fact this is the first time in 11 years I will not see my wife at midnight and wish her Happy New Year.

For the most part, things have been great for 2005 and sure some saddness has come recently and I can only look forward to 2006 and the blessings that will come our way. So my last post for 2005 comes to a close and I say so long and see ya on the other side. Please be safe one and all out there and have a Happy New Year to you.

Christmas Eve traditions

Well its the Christmas Eve traditions that I really love the most. At least for me and the past few years, it always comes down to certain events on this very night.

Time to do some last minute shopping for starters, its really the time I like to shop the most I guess. This year I went out the day before Christmas Eve with the family and was it ever crowded. We had to take care of some stuff, but its not exactly the time I would go normally.

Truth is I normally go to shop for just a few people and try and get some stuff done ahead of time. The thing is mainly men are out shopping at this time. Is it because they wait till the last minute, perhaps, but I really think in most cases its just easier for us to get out at that time.

After the shopping is done its time for the Christmas Eve dinner at the In-laws and something I look forward to every year. Great food and lots of fun being with family on this night. Its also the warm up I would say to the final event for the evening. Tonight is the night I watch It's A Wonderful Life, before heading off to bed and waiting on Santa.

Sure it makes it harder on Santa if I don't get right off to bed, but he's normally tied up with other houses and I don't think I keep him waiting to long. My daughter has already laid out the cookies and egg nog for Santa and even put out some carrots for Rudolph and the Gang.

Well its been a busy day for me and I have a movie to start. Merry Christmas to all and have a Happy New Year.

The 20th Annual Big Texas Toy Run

I went on the Big Texas Toy Run for the 2nd year in a row and had a blast. Sure the Cruiser crowd out numbers the Sportbike Riders, but the way I see it, is I'm on two-wheels and helping kids.

This year the crowds moved on two from three locations and all started at 1:00 pm heading towards the Arlington Convention Center. It's really a cool thing to be a part of and great for those pulling over on the sides of the highway to honk and wave as we all move towards Arlington.

Motorcyclists came from Fort Worth & Dallas just like last year and this year they added a route from Grapevine. You can either donate $10 or bring an unwrapped toy to the event. I'm not sure on the total count of bikers, money raised, and toys donated just yet. What I do know is that I plan on continuing to do this run every year. I don't expect to see Sportbikers come close to the number or Cruisers, but I'll continue to ride mine and stand out in the crowd.

I do

It was 11 years ago that I got married and it was the perfect location and time of the year. We both love Christmas time and love old homes. We had looked around at a number of places to have the wedding and stopped after finding Thistle Hill in Fort Worth.

The best part was that during the Christmas time, its all decorated up with flowers and Christmas decorations for that time of the year. We decided that we wanted certain things for our wedding and the location was perfect choice. It was also nice to have the wedding there and the reception at the same location.

The cake was the next big thing and A Taste of Europe was the only choice for us at the time. We had gone to so many wedding shows and the best part was running by to sample some of their cakes. The best cake I had ever tasted at the time and I think a big hit for the reception.

Looking back, I don't think I would have changed a single thing about that special day. Hard to believe its been 11 years, the time just flies by. I still smile when I drive by or have a chance to even take a look inside.

Christmas time...

It will always be known as Christmas time for me and I would say its my favorite time of the year. I don't think I ever thought of it as a celebration of the birth of Christ. Still I've always found it a wonderful time to celebrate, reflect, and give gifts to others.

I grew up watching some of the best shows during this time of year. I would have to say, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and Santa Claus is coming to Town are among my childhood favorites and all time favorites still to this day. Even Freya has taken a liking to the old classic, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.

This is also the time of year that we gather with Edith's side of the family for a weekend get away. We each take a turn in providing a meal and then we spend the day shopping somewhere, and on the last night, we end with the ritual watching of the National Lampoons, Christmas Vacation.

Soon it will be Christmas Eve and that's when we have dinner with Edith's side of the family and in most cases we watch It's a Wonderful Life. No mater what, if we don't see It's a Wonderful Life that night after dinner, then I'll watch it at home before heading off to bed. It use to be a regular showing on all the networks, now that is not the case and for example, NBC showed it last night and we watched some while eating and mainly let it play in the background. It just would not be the same if I did not watch it every Christmas Eve night.

We'll get up early the next morning and Freya will see what Santa Claus has brought her this year. We'll have a little bit of Christmas as well and then rush back to Edith's side for Christmas morning. Its the best time of the year for us and we really look forward to it every year. Merry Christmas to all and have a Happy New Year.