25 years ago today I stood next to the love of my life and said “I do.” He was, and still is, my best friend, my lover, my everything. He is amazing, and I am one lucky girl. I love you baby – here’s to the next 25!

We did the First Annual Possum Kingdom Toy Run on Sunday and in spite of the weather, we had a great turnout! We all met at Fuel and even managed to have kickstands up pretty close to on time! It was cold and I was a little worried that the turnout would suffer, but bikers are a tough group and dedicated to making sure kids everywhere have a Christmas! We stopped at Woody’s in Mineral Wells to pick up a couple more bikes and then rolled on into Possum Kingdom with 26 bikes and a whole pile of toys! Last stop was BonitaVille on Possum Kingdom Lake. This place is fairly new and only has beer and wine, but I think it will make the list of places to stop when we are in the area, as they have a nice outside patio area. They also have a little pen outside that has 3 prairie dogs in it, so make sure you stop and see them – soo cute. The signs posted warn that they bite, and they do, but the owner says it isn’t hard. LOL!

On a related note, the heated vests we got from our daughters are amazing! I wore a short-sleeved shirt, the vest and my leather jacket and was nice and roasty, toasty warm while the temp was right around 40 degrees.  I tried not to smirk when people were starting to layer up: shirt, long-sleeved shirt, sweatshirt, vest, and then jacket. Installation was simple – two connections to the battery terminals and then just plug in when you get on the bike. Not even a full minute before you feel the heat, so even on short rides they would be great. Highly recommend these! Thanks girls! Till next time….

I know what I want for Christmas… I want to be the one that always finds the perfect gift for everyone on the list. You know what I mean. When the package is opened, eyes light up, huge grins emerge and squeals of joy happen. I want to be the person that floats through the mall in fabulous high heels and appropriate seasonal outfit, perfect hair and makeup, with my packages all floating beside me, perfectly wrapped and ready to deliver. I want to be that person.

But that isn’t me. My hair is usually a mess because I have worked up a sweat running from one end of the mall to the other. My feet have blisters, even though I am wearing my comfy flip flops. My jacket is tied around my waist because I’m too hot wearing it. My arms ache from carrying my purse and the couple of things I have actually managed to purchase, and my stomach is growling because I have been there all effing day. I have a headache from hearing little kids throwing fits in the stores and if one more person asks me to stop and try their hair straightener, I’m going to scream. The truth is I really don’t like shopping. I get frustrated when I can’t find the perfect thing, so I often end up leaving the stores disgusted. Have you met OCD me? Just sayin… 

How do you get the perfect gift for a fabulous husband? Wonderful mother? Precious kids? Adorable grandbabies? Great friends? A new belt for the man who shows me how much he loves me every single day and has been by my side for 25 years? Really? A robe for my mother? The woman that has loved me my whole life and made huge sacrifices for me? How about for my sister? The most fabulous sister? Oh, yeah… That’s right. We don’t even buy for each other – mutual decision – because we already spend several fortunes on Christmas.

I love the season, I really do. I love the Toy Runs, the food drives, the coat drives, the Angel Trees, the come-out-and-help-those-less-fortunate-than-you-are events. It is amazing to see the results of caring people doing their part to make a difference. So, I look forward to those events and get down on my knees to thank the Lord for all my blessings.

Then I call my daughter and tell her she has to come help me shop for everyone. Otherwise, I’d just be giving cash!

Tomorrow is my sister’s birthday. Since she is two years younger than I am, I think that puts her at about 23. 

What an amazingly lucky woman I am to have her in my life. She loves unconditionally. She really is funny, even though she thinks I don’t get that about her. She has never met a stranger. She is a fabulous mother, sister, daughter, aunt, wife, Nana and friend.

She rescues small furry creatures and is unafraid of big scaly ones. She rights wrongs in this big ol’ crazy world and stands up for others when they can’t stand up for themselves. She is my hero, and when I grow up I wanna be just like her.

Love you sooo much Sis!

I’ll meet you at the swim-up bar for a Drink of the Day! Here’s to you!

Little snippets of catching up:

1. Love deeply and know that we are not guaranteed tomorrow.

2. Angels are among us and watching over us from above.

3. Freedom isn’t free – the cost is written on the wall.

4. Pinterest is so much more addicting than anything I have been addicted to before – and the list is long.

5. Siri is my husband’s new mistress.

6. Birthdays are not for sissies!

7. Oftentimes you have to look for the silver lining, but it is worth the effort.

8. Clay is going down!

9. 40 days until Christmas – are you kidding me right now?!?!

10. Distance makes the heart grow fonder. Calling bullshit on that one.