Oh definitely!

Hey chicks! Hi really, really sorry that I've been MIA for a month! Hi and welcome to SBD Sass!

I see the last time I communicated, our dear dog Tasha had died and we were one week away from our road trip to Chilli, OH. And I was so devastated by Tasha's death that I didn't think I cared about the upcoming trip. Well we had a blast at Chilli, met up with old friends and made tons of new friends, and won a Gold Rush spot ($300 value!) for next year!

Our friend in OH made a big float (kinda like a huge picnic table; seats on both sides, big flat top with two stripper poles ) and brought it; and we entered the Float Competition; we had the theme "a night at the Rodeo" and us chicks wore bandana tops, chaps, or shorts, cowboy hats, and we made sashes (like beauty queen sashes) with our hometowns printed on it, to show how far some of us came; then we were slowly driven around the grounds, across the Bandstands; then back through the crowds, dancing, throwing beads and little bottles of tequila; then learned we tied for first place

We were so lucky to have so many friends who live relatively close there, that they were the ones to bring all the support stuff, and we had our little pull-behind trailer loaded with sleeping stuff and my costumes and make-up

The road trip there was great; we traveled with our two friends who live near us. We did about 400 miles each day, so two days to get there. The way back was HARD...we were SO partied out from the weekend, then to pack up and saddle up..that first day of traveling home we only made it to Erie PA; less than 200 miles.

So that meant the next day was gonna be a hard push, 550 miles, but we did it. The last 60 miles, frankly, were so hard. Night was falling, I was seeing things that weren't even there out of the corners of my eyes...but was so scared of deer and moose..I was never so happy to pull into our driveway, then back to work the next day...but then we started planning for our Chilli '09 trip

here's a group shot. We're standing on the float, I'm on top row, third in from left (cowboy hat and bikini top) and my DH is second row, third in from left (big guy, black T)

Mostly everyone is from Ohio; then there's us four Vermonters; a couple from MA; a couple from Kentucky; a guy from W. Virginia; and three guys from CT.



Okay, back to real life I have slacked on exercising and eating well, but that all changes next week when my beloved summer job ends, and I go back to the yucky deli/convenience store winter job. But that means my schedule will allow me to exercise in the morning here, and I can get back to cooking my South Beach food, yay

okay. I hope this doesn't offend...but this is me, on the pole, and my friend is giving me some cash

Well I have been MIA the last week as well, but back now again

Sass I always wore cheap boots never wanted to spend much on boots. I finally broke down this summer and bought a pair of Harley Davidson Riding boots and love them, they are mid-calf, very light, actually extremely light in weight, they don't make my feet sweat at all and in the rain have kept my tootsie warm and dry. So the $100 was well spent
And yes that would be my NEW motorcycle that is being a pill and not wanting to start in our cold weather. Didn't want to start again yesterday but I think tomorrow I am going to go get a new battery to see if that will help even though it is suppose to be a new battery already. All I know is Sunday we are suppose to get to 70 degrees and I plan on riding.

Oh and ya take a picture of you with your new jacket. One thing they always say is to make sure that when you have it on to put your arms straight out in front of you and the cuff should be to the end of wrist, because when you are riding your motorcycle your arms will be stretched out in front of you.

Jill- how was bikertoberfest?

Holly- your picture just tells all and how much fun you had!!! And don't take this the wrong way but you sure do look good in your picture bikini top and all, I am really trying to get my mid section to look like that before we go to Cancun Feb 3rd so that I will feel comfortable wearing a bikini top.....
Trip home didn't sound like much fun but thats usually how it is when you party hardy!!! I really hate riding in the dark this time of year as well way to many deer and other creatures as well!!! Oh to bad that you have to go back to your winter job I remember you talking about it this spring and not liking it to well but I guess gotta do what we gotta do to keep taking our vacations and having fun toys.

Well hope everyone has a great weekend!

Hey Holly still looking good, and it sure doesn't offend me, your group sounds like you all have a great time and live life which is exactly what our group does when we go out on motorcycle trips like that.

Good Morning All!!! We another cold and rainy day here. Went out for supper last night had mexican so I was hoping to get up this morning for a walk and then do my normal walk later today as usual. If the rain lets up I am outta here. I did have the chips, salsa, and the all so yummy white cheese before dinner itself. I do have a few days before actual weigh in so I will just have to work extra hard. Talk to everyone later

good afternoon chicks, we had our first hard frost this morning. It's been pretty darned cold, the coldest day I rode in to work the thermometer showed 32, but there wasn't ice or frost on the bike that morning. This morning evrything was white with frost, so it was the cage for sure.

The last day of my summer job is tomorrow; today I brought home a huge armload of cookbooks, and that's only half of them all. I've already done two big boxes of other baking-related stuff that I bring there in May, and bring home in October.

I think I already am feeling the not-good effects of not exercising consistantly! my right knee is kinda weak, and I definitely am loosing the tummy tone. Gotta use it or lose it (muscles) for sure.

I hear that Gov. Palin is going to be on Saturday Night Live tonight! I swear, when I see clips of her now, I don't know if it's her or Tina Fey's impression!

Reda, sorry about the cold and rainy...and I surely hope the bike issues get taken care of, so you can ride when it's almost 70 degrees!

OMG HOLLY~~~~~~~~~~~~~~YOU LOOK AMAZING, CHICK!!!!! And no offense taken here...your pics are awesome and I love seeing you having so much fun and looking soooooooooo dam good! Sorry your beloved summer job is over....I know how much you hate the winter one. But just concentrate on keeping that bikini top looking great with your South Beach and exercises!!

We did get to Daytona BikeToberFest and it was pretty good! Some of the same ol' same ol', but still loads of fun and the weather was incredible....80 and no humidity! Perfect! We also took a side trip to St. Augustine, one of my all-time favorite places...and there were almost as many bikers there! Had a great time and wonderful rides with wonderful people. Now it's time to prepare for two 13 hour shifts Monday and Tuesday. ICK!

Hey Reda, did ya get your bike started and were ya able to ride today???? I actually got to wear my leather jacket this morning 'cuz it was 55 when we started out, but was 75 by noon, so pretty nice!

Sass....where's that pic of you in your new jacket?????

I'm getting back on track with my eating now....have been baaad for tooooo long! The best news of all for me is
I'm going to Wyoming to see Daughter and Grans!!! Yep....leaving November 17...back on the 23rd. Her husband works in the oil fields and is home a week, then out a week. I'm going on the out week and my HH is staying home....so it will be just us girls and the kids. It's the week before Thanksgiving, so we're gonna decorate the Christmas tree together and do some shopping. Won't it be so much fun with my 4 and 6 year old grans! OMG....I just can't WAIT!!!

No new jacket and let me tell you why. My trainer/friend told me not to buy that or a helmet until I'm absolutely sure I want to ride. I have pictures!! I have pictures!! I'm going to upload them tonight and I'll post the link!!!

Awesome!!!!

OK my pics are on my Spark Page located here http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage.asp?id=BLACKANDI . You have to click on Go To My Spark Gallery on the left.

And yep, I fell and busted my behind and the Ducati did suffer some damage. It had to do with the throttle and the clutch. Ooops. I'll write out my story in my Spark Blog...ha!

Good morning chicks!

Sass, I checked out your Sparks page, and those pics are great!! I love the one of you riding, approaching the camera! That Ducati is hot. You're OK after your fall? bruised much? I hope your friend was cool about the little scrape-age on the Duc!

A jacket and helmet are big investments, I guess your friend/trainer is right about being sure of your commitment to riding before making the buys.

Today I get back to regular exercise and South Beach basics, because my new schedule will allow for it. I'm actually looking forward to it. I need that feeling of being in control of at least one aspect of my life But boy oh boy, it's scary to actually see the muscle tone that fades when you don't work out!! and at my age, I need to commit to regular exercise for health.

Today is sunny, and predicted high of 57, before the clouds move in, so I must make the time to get out on the bike for a while. Soon I'll have to make arrangements for the final oil change of the season booooo!

have a great day

Sass- awesome pictures of you riding for your first time! It is so cool
I will tell you it is good to wait but if you like riding the other day even after having a little mishap and you got back on the bike I bet you are going to love riding!!!! But are you okay and all?
So where is it that you are going for vacation in May next year, happen to see your post on your sparks page?

Holly what kind of exercise is it that you do? Just curious...
Well I did get to ride on Sunday actually went for alittle over 300 mile ride. When we left it was like 48 degrees and when we came home it was like 62 degrees but the sun was shining so it was really nice out. Just got the toy hauler winterized today and will probably pull the bikes in this week for storage so that we can open up one of the garage stalls the other 2 stalls have race cars in them so the boys can work on them through the winter months. During the winter I only get the motocycle out when the weather hits at least 60 because it is really cold here so 60 on a motorcycle feels like 40 degrees.

Jill your trip is coming up quickly and it brings smiles to my face just reading how excited you are about going to see your daughter and grankids.

Well hope everyones Monday went well... Have a good night all

I'm good. Every muscle in my body hurts from riding, but it's all good. I think I love riding. I just have to learn how to change gears and use the back break AND maintain the throttle when turning and leaning.

Oh I'm going on a cruise in early May to the western Caribbean and I am totally psyched about it. I need to be able to get into a bikini w/o covering up from embarrassment.

Good morning chicks! I went out to lunch with two girlfriends yesterday...they both ride, but they decided to drive in one girl's truck...whereas I stubbornly geared up to ride It was overcast and 45 degrees, but I had enough layers to keep warm. And it warmed up to almost 50 with a little sun while we were out, so that was good!

Reda, I do videos/dvd's at home. I have a big collection from Gilad, a Karen Voigt, a Kelly Roberts; and some yard sale buys that are a little dated but still fine (Denise Austin)

I try to do a combination of cardio and then strength training. I have hand held weights; one pound; 3.5 pounds; five pounds; ten; and the scary bigger ones that belong to the boys Some days I'll just choose cardio (like step) some days I'll do a video that does both cardio and strength; some days just strength; some days nothin

With my new schedule (working from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm) I can get up early, 5:30-ish; and start my day with coffee and the computer; then I wait for husband to leave for work at 7:45 and then I do my exercise; then I'll cook my South Beachy type breakfast/lunch; pack the lunch portion for work; then off to work.

It makes me feel SO good to know I've got my exercise done for the day, and my food fixed.