VEGAS BABY!!!!!

The count down has been on for months and the day finally arrived...We are on our way to Las Vegas for a 4 day weekend and in the Wildhog fashion...it wasn't as smooth as one might think...

Let's see...oh we had a plan...Wednesday, August 12, everyone would met at our house for a little kick off party and to make it easier for everyone in the morning...Kemper, Emma and I would ride to the airport with Monica and Dusty and share the cost of parking. That would have worked out well...but...on Thursday morning as we were loading the truck, Dusty started the truck engine and closed the door...well...wouldn't you know, it locked, all the doors...yep with the engine going...we need to leave in like 10 minutes...so after a few minutes with Kemper and Dusty trying to jimmy the locks, with no luck (man this is a secure truck)...Garlan tried On-Star...
EXPIRED...so with no more time to spare...we left Monica and Dusty at our house with their locked truck with the motor running...to call a wrecker and hope for the best...hopefully they will make the flight.

I was so upset...no one could really know how important it was to me that they make this flight...In the airport, I'm calling Monica every few minute with their status...finally they are on their way...the airport is of course crowded with last minute summer travelers with their kids and grandma in tow... Me, Kemper, Emma, Terri and Garlan are there in plenty of time...we make our way to the gate and wait...I'm watching and hoping Monica and Dusty get there...they gotta get there. The flight boards...we get on...no Monica and Dusty...I see mom board the plane she spots me in the back and nods...they made it!!!! I instantly start to cry...the trip would not be the same without my Mon there.

The flight was good and exciting...Kemper and I were tired...maybe a little stressed...we'd had WAY too much wine the night before...but we are more sure of this trip than we'd ever been...except for if we could pull off our plan...without exposing our dirty little secret that we'd been keeping for so long...we knew it would require a few more small lies before the day was out. Emma has been in on it for some time...she was seated on the plane next to Terri and Garlan...Emma is not very good at keeping secrets...so that was an added level of stress, that she'd slip. I told Kemper about Monica hanging out in our bedroom the night before while I was still shuffling stuff around...and our rings were right there...I finally made her leave the room...leading her to believe I had packed something she couldn't handle seeing, true, but not what she was thinking...30 minutes til we land...oh the anxiety...the plane is descending....wait we are going back up and increasing speed...during the whole flight this guy across the aisle from us had been sick...he got up about 10 minutes into the flight with his barf bag in his hand, went the to restroom never to be seen again...at this point the flight attendants are giving him 30 seconds or they are coming in...we are about to land...finally somehow...and some seat rearranging...he comes out so we can land...so we thought...WE are coming in...wow, we are coming in fast...OMG!!! I have never landed going this fast before...whew...made it...oh look the Ambulance is here to get Pukie McPukerson...
NOT...the runway is lined with Fire truck's and Ambulance's...at last the Pilot comes on and announces that we came in "HOT" because the flaps didn't work. What? We nearly crashed??? The Fire truck's and Ambulance's are there because we could have had a CRASH landing????? Well that would have just been DANDY wouldn't it???!!!! But we didn't, move on...


We get off the plane, Kemper and I wait for Monica and Dusty...Monica was a wreck...it had been a rough morning so far! We took our shuttle to the hotel New York New York Las Vegas...we're starving...let's get checked in and find food. Kemper and I have been depriving ourselves of much food in anticipation of a New York Hotdog. Kemper, Mom and I had hotdogs and the rest of the gang went to the deli...after lunch everyone went to their room to get their luggage and get settled in and we'd meet back up later...There was no time for luggage or settling for Kemper and I...We'd ordered and had shipped to the Hotel, a case of wine from Pahrump Valley Winery with personalized labels saying "Bottled Exclusively in Celebration of Kemper and Kim Modlin August 14, 2009" this was to be placed in everyone's rooms while we were out this afternoon, so we had to pick it up get it bagged and take them back down for delivery. Then...Kemper and I have to tell another lie...Our story...we are going to take a cab to meet one of Kemper's "clients" for a drink, shouldn't take long we'll be back and catch up with everyone...the truth...we are going to get our Marriage Licence, we take a cab there...like 15 minutes away...we get our licence takes like 15 minutes...crap...that didn't really take long enough to have drinks with a client...if we go back now...we'll have to tell more lies...so we hangout on Freemont Street for awhile...get a drink...Kemper gambles $2 and wins $20...we get another drink...do a little shopping Mom buys us all champagne glasses so we can drink our wine in the limo on the way to the winery for the wedding.

See how great things work out in your head...like butter!...right...hang on, this is the Wildhog Blog...

We are back at our hotel...calling around trying to hook up with everyone again...we all connect and meet up with Monica and Dusty who have at some point found this place called "Dick's" and had purchased a 100oz drink for $37 (I think)...oh my...Monica's not much of a drinker...but all in fun!!

We walk around and visit several hotels...just looking, that day we went to the Luxor, Excalibar, Mandalay Bay...just looking...they are all so cool...at the Luxor, Criss Angel has about 100 of his favorite motorcycles on display...so we spent some time looking at those...the boys thought Criss Angel was really just bragging by the time we'd seen so many VERY cool motorcycles...I think they probably were just experiencing some envy.

While walking through one of the hotels Monica is teasing Kemper and I as we pass a Wedding Chapel..."he ya go Kemper...now's your chance"...we just laughed her off...little did she know. By now Monica's voice is getting louder (yep louder) and little more shrill...and she's talking more...(yeah more)...but she's having a blast with her BIG ASS DRINk..."so what happens in Vegas"...nah...never mind...this drink was SUPPOSED to last all day...or at least that's what the toothless wonder bar tender said...but Monica and Dusty have all but finished it in about 4 maybe 5 hours...WE gotta eat!!!

We're wandering around...buffets aren't as popular in Vegas now as they once were...so we're trying to decide what we can all eat...we decide Chinese food...Chin Chin Café in the NY NY Hotel...it was yummy...before we were served, Monica had to give the wait staff a play by play of the events of our day...Kemper and I were excited about everyone going to their room to change clothes or whatever...to go out again in the night life...and knowing that the wine would be in their room and our secret would be out and we could relax a bit...in our room we wait...we wait for someone to call and say "are you serious????" we wait...nothing...finally mom calls and says my wine isn't here...great...so now it's like 8:30...Terri and Garlan have already gone downstairs...I'm calling frantic to the front desk...Kemper is running up and down just trying to find out where the wine is...then is comes back to the room with the wine in the cute little bags with their instructions for in the morning...still...no one knows...I call Monica and they are too drunk to come back out...they are going to bed...they can't go to bed before they know what the plan is for in the morning...

okay...plan B...we'll put the wine in front of their door and ding, dong, ditch them...nothing...they didn't come to the door...do it again...NOTHING...

Finally...I call Monica and say we left you a package by your door, go get the stupid thing...in just a few minutes...Monica is chasing down the hotel hall we can hear her giggle and she catches us at the elevator and says...."ARE YOU SERIOUS???"

Now during all this Terri called Kemper and caught some of his frustration...she didn't know what the hell that was all about...so he was sure he'd upset her and was sick about it...so we'll carry their bottle with us and catch up to the at the Bellagio...when we found them...Kemper apologized to Terri and gave she and Garlan the bag, they read the bag and look at us both and say......."ARE YOU SERIOUS???"...okay...done...not exactly as we planned...but it's out...the plan is in place...

Day 2...really???...just day 2?

Our Wedding Day!!!
Kemper and I are up really early...we need coffee so we are getting dressed and Kemper goes down to get us coffee...no one else is really up and about just yet. While waiting for time for the limo Kemper and I hang out in the casino just killing time. Brad (our driver) calls he will be here at 9:30...cool...it's 9 am now so Kemper and I cash out our machine and go get dressed. We meet everyone outside at about 9:25...the limo is already here...a beautiful white super stretch. This is so cool!!! Everyone is beautifully dressed...just as if they may have suspected there might be such an event.

We load into the Limo, wine in tow. Dusty does the honors of opening a bottle and we all share it...we toast to the day and to great fun and friends.

The trip to the Winery was about an hour or so...we drove through the desert and Red Rock Canyon. Garlan had to use the restroom so Brad stopped at some little biker bar dive...heehee...that was fun for Garlan...ever see PeeWee's Big adventure? We could all imagine Garlan on the bar doing the tequila dance, just trying to escape. It was all good...they let him go.

Oh I forgot to mention that Pahrump is best known for it's chicken ranches...heehee...we learned that from the cabby on our return trip from the marriage license office. I guess...I didn't really tell you much about that experience either...the marriage license office

is a place where you truly understand that there really is someone for everyone. We had been warned that you may have to wait in long lines for hours...it is Vegas...many people have this idea in Vegas...but that wasn't the case for us. We stood in line only a few minutes watching the happy couples in front of us get their paper work so they could make it right in their lives...I'm talking old people...young people...people with no teeth...people who have no mirrors obviously...wild place...funny stuff.

Anyway, back at the winery...we arrive...it is beautiful...

We are greeted at the limo by Rev. Julie and Trey the Photographer...they need our paper work...we need theirs...eekkk....so at that point I couldn't really say what all happened...I remember next being in the tasting room and signing the marriage license and watching Monica and Terri witness for us. (thanks girls, so much) they bring us our flowers and apologize that the wrong color was picked up...I didn't care, least of my concern...just get me married to this man before he sobers up and runs for the hills. Kemper and I requested to be married in the barrel room...this is a room where all the wine is made, stored and aged. It's a beautiful room, yet more of a work room than the photos appeared, since it was harvest season we even got a little tour before the ceremony began...very cool. The ceremony was beautiful and sweet, I cried of course...I do that a lot...

I married my best friend today...you know it was wonderful and I am glad we got married...but it didn't matter...We always say we've wasted 20 years wandering around aimlessly...little did we know we were looking for each other...Kemper and I, over the last 15 years or so, have crossed paths so many times...while I was working for the HOA's he was treating new homes in the same communities...probably the same day I was in the communities doing my job...like one of those sappy movies...where we just walked by...and everyone else is saying look at him...why don't you see her??? It took us a long time, and some hard roads...we are together now...we finally looked up...So many things make since now, we feel like it was paths we had to take to make the best of the best years of our lives.

After the ceremony and tons of pictures...Kemper and I wanted to treat the gang to lunch at the Winery's Symphony's Restaurant it was yummy...we are pretty sure everyone loved the food they had and the desserts were wonderful!

The trip back to the hotel was fun we had more wine and talked about what we'd do with the rest of our day in Vegas. Tonight Me, Kemper, Emma, Terri and Garlan are going to see Le Reve at the Winn hotel. Wow what a show...like nothing you can imagine...the pictures don't do it justice it was so weird, beautiful and wonderful...a must see while in Vegas.

Day 3...wow I feel good today...rested and ready to enjoy Vegas. Again I have to back up a little...we haven't done much gambling...we've been busy mostly just looking around, walking from place to place and trying to pull off a surprise wedding...but from time to time I would bum a dollar from my mom and slip away to play a little...a dollar at a time I was able to play here and there, not really winning anything but able to keep playing...Friday morning before the limo came I told you we'd cashed out our machines...I had a voucher of $2.70...I stuck it in my purse to play with later. With that in mind...it's Saturday morning and again Kemper and I are the first one's up and out...after we had our coffee I was ready for a drinkie winkie...Kemper and I can relax today and just have fun...I'll have a screw driver and Kemper will have a tequila sunrise (need our vitamin C) we sit down over in a corner at the "Price is Right Games" Kemper pulls out a $5 and I pull out my $2.70 voucher, we start to play...I'm doing okay and get to play plinko...then I get a Showcase Showdown, Kemper gets frustrated that his machine is not giving him any of the fun stuff and wanders away to find another game...a few minutes later Emma shows up...she sits down at the machine next to me and starts to play...I'm still going strong, I think up to about $10 or so now...feeling pretty good about winning...I get another Showcase Showdown...mom's machine is still not letting her play any of the fun stuff...after sometime I am up to $20, cool...them $35....OMG!!! then like $50...go get Kemper...he's gonna croak...by now the whole gang is here watching me play this silly game...I am up to $105 and have decided I'll play back down to $100 and then cashout...and that's what I did...I cashed out and ran to the cashier for my five $20 bills...woohoo...another drink please...we laughed and laughed...if this is the way this day is gonna be, look out, we are gonna have fun!!!

Well it was! This day was a blast...much vodka and tequila induced so some might be vague...but OMG!!! We had fun! Kemper and I went back to our room to get our sunshades...we met up with the rest of the gang at Walgreens just down the road...there we found them either being harassed by a security officer or harassing a security officer...not sure which way it was going or how it got started...they were having fun without us for sure. While getting my sun glasses I also brought with me these silly glasses that make your eyes look blacked out so no one can identify you...we had some fun with these...Emma put them on and this is when she almost (threatened) showed the girls...eeekkk... let's get on down the road...there are better places to hangout than Walgreens in VEGAS!!!

Okay here is were my story gets a little sad...We all had cameras...and we were all taking pictures of everything...the same things...I suggested we not all have the same pics of everything...I eat those words now...I lost the photos on my camera...but thank God, Garlan, Emma and Monica took lots...so I can make this work. Besides...pictures don't do it justice...the rest of this day...can not be explained in words or photos...I will try...but most of it...you just really had to be there...Thank you so much Terri and Garlan, Monica and Dusty and Emma for your picture contributions, they really made it so much easier to write a blog...and thank God we had a professional at the wedding...watch my facebook for those I will post some when we get them.

Keep in mind now this is Saturday...the rules in Vegas are different on Saturday than just any other day of the week. While walking from Walgreens, to I guess we were going to Bally's to get our tickets for tonight's show Jubilee, there are these guys and girls handing out these cards...like trading cards if you will, they don't speak when handling out these cards...they just slap the cards and click their tongue and teeth, if you take one then they all just start pushing them into your hands, by the time you are past them you have a huge stack of these cards...if you've never been you don't know what they are and you just take them...and then you realize you have a handful of cards with naked girls on them...PROSTITUTES!!!! For an instant the Southern Baptist in you comes out...well today we all took them...Monica decided she could do this...OMG!!!! Funniest thing you have ever seen, Monica just so happened to have on an white eyelet skirt and her hair up in a messy bun this day...so she looked a bit like a little missionary...yet she stopped on the sidewalk and started handing out these cards to the passer bys...clicking and slapping right along with the best of them...at one point some young men were giving her tips on how to do it properly...we all stood back and watched laughing like crazy...OMG!!! priceless, it ended with Monica handing her stack of cards to the young man leaving him to carry on her legacy, he hesitantly took on the roll. Keep in mind this is like 10:30 am...gonna be a long day...

We get our tickets for the show and decide we'll ride the shuttle to the Rio and have some lunch...sounds like a good plan...we'll get another drink while we wait for the shuttle...it's hot outside...oh the shuttles already here...suck down your drink!!! Oh dear...

At the Rio we are ultra silly at this point and need to eat...we go to the restauraunt and get a table...and of course order drinks!!! Kemper decides he needs to use the men's room...when he comes back, he hands me a $30 voucher from the slot machine...he just put a dollar in the machine outside the men's room on his way back to the table...cool, paid for our lunch! After our meal...all the girls went to the ladies room...we each took a dollar...I without knowing put my dollar in the same machine as Kemper had...I put my dollar in...and was kinda looking around to see if the other girls were having any luck and mine stopped...I hit cash out and let out a laugh and squeal...it was so funny when I won...we were all screaming and laughing and this old greasy guy walked up and says...I though ya'll won big...we were like "WE DID!!!" I brought back to the table a voucher for $47...heehee...

So now the Rio was our place to be for the next few hours and a fifth of vodka...heehee...Terri decided that her luck lies in her new boobs so she rubs the machine with them. We all won and lost...Dusty won $88 at one point...Kemper another $75 the rest of us just $10 here and $5 there...nothing we could really bring home ya know, but we had a blast!!!

Back to Bally's Shuttle...on the shuttle Dusty had the whole bus clapping to the beat of the music playing...it was so cool...like something that only happens to fun people on TV...it was great!!!

We visited the Ventian Hotel and Terri, Garlan, Kemper and I rode the gondola...it was fun and sweet, the boat guy was funny and could really sing nice...

Not really sure where this is from...but I am pretty sure the Rock is saying...

"Get off me bitch!" heehee...

Tonight we go to Jubilee...the last true Showgirl Show existing...you know, this is the one where the girls are topless throughout much of the show...okay here's one for the boys...We get our tickets for a table...never having gone to this I wasn't sure what that mean't...well it mean't that you are right up next to the stage and we were center stage. Our table was for 8 and there was 5 of us...hoping no one else would show up...our table guest arrived...wow...couldn't have pegged this one if we tried...3 little tiny Asian men...hum...this could be bad...Well it wasn't bad...the show is kind of hokey...but great and I'm glad we went to see it...but I'm thinking our table mates had something else in mind...not sure really what they might have thought they were gonna see...as I said before we are right at the stage...we can see everything up close and personal...this ain't Sunday School class...we laughed so hard at our Asian friends...they seemed to be afraid of feathers...there are a lot of feathers and molting head pieces...you know, bird flu...and the artifical smoke...I'm sure they thought they were begin gassed...and they are kinda jumpy and spent much of the evening covering their mouths and waving feathers and fumes away from their faces...well anyway...really one of those times where ya had to be there.

Day 4...gotta go home...Kemper and I have to get a half a case of wine home so we spend the morning packing and taping up or precious wine...we decide we'll just check it as baggage at the airport and pray it makes it. While we are sitting in the airport Kemper, myself , Dusty and Monica are wishing we had one more day...there is still so much to see and do...Emma agrees she'd stay too...Kemper makes a couple of attemps to get us bumped, but no luck...we had to go. Our fight going home was much better than our flight in, no problems...well, that we knew of anyway...we arrive home safely and jump on the shuttles to our cars...Monica and Dusty, remember, they had to park in the airport parking otherwise they wouldn't have made the flight. We are on the shuttle (with some of the Dynamo players) and I get a text from Monica that their truck won't start and needs a jump...we get off the shuttle and Garlan seems to have left his cell phone in the airport someplace...we get in our car, head North and hope these are the worst things that happen to us all. We had a great time in Vegas, Kemper and I are married...all is good. Oh and our wine made it!!!!

LET'S GO AGAIN!!!!

(Keep your eye on the blog...I'm sure I've forgotten something and will have new pictures to add)

WHAT'S NEXT????? RALLY!!!! http://www.lonestarrally.com/

Gruene or Bust

March 27, 2009
After an exhausting week, Friday was finally here, Wildhog and I were going to get to run away to Gruene Texas. We were meeting old friends Brent and Brenda there...so the race was on...the plan, leave at least an hour a head of them. They planned to leave about 9 or earlier...that was all we had to go by...so we were up and at-em' by 7am, the morning was crazy foggy so we gave it some time to clear while we finished putting the bags on the bike and getting everything ready to go. Some time while we were in the garage my phone must have rung...I had a message from Brenda at 8:30 they were on the road...they were carriage riders...so "crap" we gotta get outta here. Still warm and foggy we geared up in all our leathers and took off, knowing there's not much chance of beating them there now. The ride was nice, cautious conditions but not too chilly...we stopped in Bellville to have some breakfast at Newman’s Bakery and breakfast we had, if you've never been there it's definitely a must try...they have it all...and I think if you go there enough, you can have your own mug on the shelf with your name on it. After filling up on eggs, potatoes, grits and toast we took off for a few more miles.
The weather still not exactly nice...still really cloudy and threatening rain but still not at work! So we're happy. Every once in awhile we'd see a break in the clouds and hope the sun might come out but nope....next thing ya know more clouds...darker clouds.
Spring time is such a fun time to ride...the life growing is so entertaining...so many babies...goats, horses, calves...donkeys...baby donkeys are so cute...but baby goats are my favorite...thinking of getting one for the backyard. The wildflowers were beautiful...lots and lots of bluebonnets. By the time we got to Industry TX the rain was coming...we took cover at a little gas station...just a few seconds behind us a couple more bikes. While it rain we visited with Jan and his posse of girls...why is that? Why do the guys always have a posse of girls? Anyway, along the way Kemper met a friend...I'm pretty sure we'll hear from Jan again soon. Didn't realize how soon, every time we stopped they came rolling in behind us.
Still a little chilly, we're all hoping for the sun...Wildhog and I are ready to come out of our jackets...but still too cold. Finally, by Bastrop we have full sun...wooohooo!!!! We all stop at a gas station and come out of our jackets and change into short sleeve.
At last, we arrive in New Braunsfeld...Brent and Brenda are already there. We are checking in and they meet us at the front desk. Man it was good to see them, it's been a long time. They were part of my life before Wildhog...the first thing ever that made me realize there was life before Wildhog. So I introduced them all hoping this would be a good fit...didn't really doubt it...Kemper is so much like me...but I wasn't sure...was I the same me as they remembered? Would they be disappointed in this me...welp...two days to figure it out...
So after some short chats just to get caught up, we decide to get to the plan...first stop RITAs!!!
We got to Los Cucos...whattaya know...happy hour! $1.50 Margaritas...bring ‘em two at a time Señor!

That's where everything kinda started sliding...let me see if I can recall the events after that... humm...beer...pool...beer...rest...beer...bras...beer...blue pool table...beer...lesbian conversation...beer...liquor store...beer...must leave this area...beer...dog...beer...leave the beer. Yep...there it is. Thank God we rode in the truck with them...the bike ride to the hotel would have been NO fun.
Day two...where's my stuff???? Yeah I have your jacket...do you have my camera???? Has anyone seen my sunglasses??? Besure to rinse BEFORE getting out of the shower, Brent! Sleeping. meet up with you later...I need food!
Gruene Hall tonight. Casey Donahew Band http://www.caseydonahewband.com/ Wildhog and I got kind of a late start to the day...needed a little recovery time. We met everyone back in Gruene and walked around shopping a while and drinking LOTS of water. While the rest of the group went back to the hotel to rest we stuck around town just doing our own thing...lucky we did, we saw a real pirate...for real...well in his own mind...but quite brave of him to dress the part. Oh and not only do bears $#!% in the woods...we saw a construction worker go for it! After lots of walking and looking at all the neat stuff and places to stay on future trips we went to eat at the the Gruene River Grill http://www.gruenerivergrill.com/, we had the Shrimp Won Tons and then the Pan Seared Redfish...oh my, yummy!

After that, back to the room to get changed for Gruene Hall.
Hummm...never heard of Casey Donahew...why?...cause I'm over 16...that seemed to be the only people that had...and that came out to see him...besides all of us...YUK! Yeah...since still not a fan of beer yet today Wildhog and I ordered wine...and of course with all the kids running around doing some kind of mating dance I ran the risk of spilling mine when some hormone raged boy ran me over...never said "excuse me", or "I'm sorry", nothing...quite sure he didn't even realize he'd done it. Well, I had a plan...next time he came flitting by I'd trip him...so I waited...the wait was short and I saw my chance coming...yep...I stuck my foot out and tripped him. Well, lesson learned,when I come up with such a master fail safe plan I should tell Kemper...cause as soon as the kid went down Kemper was calling him to come here, he was gonna tell him like it is for running into people...oh man I'm gonna get this kid killed now...so sure enough before I could tell Kemper that I TRIPPED HIM...he was already reading him his rights. So after all the blood left the kids face...he apologized and went away never to be seen again...heehee, oh well, sorry kid...nah.
Anyway, we all left there shortly and went to another bar that I'd never been to before...well, I guess I had...I was told I had been there just the night before...not sure if it was the one that had the Blue pool table...the bras...or the dog...still not sure. Since Wildhog and I were on the bike we called it a night and went back to the room.
Sunday...the most beautiful weather for the trip...Yuk! we have to go home...we went to breakfast with Brent and Brenda, said our goodbyes and went our separate ways. They told me they loved Kemper and that I act like myself again. Not sure if that's good thing or a bad thing...but which ever...no matter what...I am a better person for having known them all...and much happier person having Kemper in my life.

The ride home was amazing...Wildhog took a couple of wrong turns but it didn't bother us...you know, getting lost on the motorcycle on a beautiful spring day is better than a day at work anytime!!

Until next time....THE ROAD GOES ON FOREVER AND THE PARTY NEVER ENDS..........

New Tattoos!!!

On Saturday December 8, 2008...Wildhog, myself and Wildhog's sis Terri went to get new tattoos at Superchango in The Woodlands http://superchangotattoo.com/wp/

Kemper got this one...

Claddagh is a reinvention of the popular icon of Irish heritage as both a friendship and wedding ring. The design consists of two clasped hands holding a crowned heart, symbolizing love, friendship and loyality.Kemper added three roses, one for each of our kids.

This was Terri's first Tatt...now her motto is "go big or go home"...the look on her face her says "GO HOME" to me...maybe that's just me...?

Terri...has a memory of Arizona...but mostly her tattoo symbolizes a new journey in life...so she chose a Phoenix. A phoenix is a mythical bird with a tail of beautiful gold and red plumage (or purple and blue, by some sources. It has a 600-800 year life-cycle, and near the end the phoenix builds itself a nest of cinnamon twigs that it then ignites; both nest and bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes, from which a new, young phoenix or phoenix egg arises, reborn anew to live again. The new phoenix is destined to live as long as its old self. In some stories, the new phoenix embalms the ashes of its old self in an egg made of myrrh and deposits it in the Egyptian city of Heliopolis (sun city in Greek). The bird was also said to regenerate when hurt or wounded by a foe, thus being almost immortal and invincible — it is also said that it can heal a person with a tear from its eyes and make them temporarily immune to death; It is a symbol of fire and divinity.

And me...Kemper's lips on my shoulder...enough said.

LIPS Ride

Saturday, October 11, 2008
Kemper and I...well first let me just say we took the day off from work so we could get our chores done and got into the vodka pretty early while decorating our bike for the Halloween season...Boney on the back and Skull on the front...we started out from our house at about 8:30am...so hoping we'd get to wear our leathers...but you guessed it...too warm...yuck, we've had chilly mornings all week and this morning was warm again...so we decided to just pack our Rum Punch and leave the leathers at home...stupid...yeah about 30 minutes down the road I was freezing...but I managed, the sun was warm in places...you can bet the leathers are on the bike now...I won't take 'em off until about July next year.
We met Monica and Dusty at their house and rode to Crazy Frogs Saloon, that's where the ride starts. They wait until we are there to tell us Bennett won't be there for an hour and a half...so we eat and sit around visit Ross and Rhonda from the Rally last year...it was good to see them. Speaking of Rally...IKE took care of that this year...it was still advertising that it would go on as planned even though Galveston is destroyed...but last week they announced that it would rescheduled for December 12th. Not good for any of us. So I guess we'll miss it this year. Anne's house did okay some damage of course...but it will be fine, still no power in that area, a month later.
By now we are getting pretty antsy to ride so we go to Bennett’s work and wait for him. I wasn't long and we took off. First stop the Thirsty Parrott. Okay the way this ride works is that we have these poker chips we show each time we go into the bar and the give use tickets good for door prizes at the end...we please keep in mind that I'd had a lot of vodka the night before...not feeling so hot by now...and when we waked in the Thirsty Parrott these chicks sitting at he door were dressed as Pirates and screamed Arrgggg, come in matey...several times if I recall...okay enough already...well then I could tell I was getting edgy...maybe I needed a MIDOL or something...so I have some on the bike...so I go out to get them...I walk back through the door and you guessed it...all the Pirate Shenanigans again...by now I'm ready to pop this girl in the mouth...I go to Kemper he has a beer waiting for me and I can't get the freaking pills out of the #*&king child proof wrapper...now I'm making Pirate grunts and noises...I tell Kemper I want my camera but if I walk past the girls again I'm gonna smack ‘em. He gets the camera for me...here are some pics.
We're off again...next stop Harley and Horses...we had fun here...I was badged an Official Ass Kisser...duh. Knew that. Kemper brought his smuggled Cuban Cigars to share with Dusty and Bennett...so we got a table to ourselves... Dusty made a snide remark to Monica while looking at her through his bad eye...something to the effect she didn't look too bad. So Monica sat giving Dusty the stink eye for the rest of the time there anyway.
On to the next place...Cypress Saloon...we get to eat our $25 dollar sandwich there we are all starving...we hang out there until all the drawings are done Monica had to leave to go to her volunteer thing Angie met us there to pick her up. She also had bough tickets for the drawing to be held later...so we had to wait around to see if she won anything...she didn't. But I think I did find my mom's next husband...
Well the four of us aren't really ready to give it up yet so we decide we'll go out to the Farm and Ranch club to hang out while Monica works. So on the way they Bennett is crazy tired and many beers and on one little tiny $25 sandwich, not to mention the girls in the cars are very distracting to Bennett as this time. So he's having a bit of trouble remembering to put his bike in first gear at the MANY stop lights...we laugh lots on the ride there. Once at the Farm and Ranch club Monica advises us NOT to come in it's boring...so the boys drink rum punch in the parking lot...Dusty is wanting to ride to Galveston at 6 pm and it's gonna get cold...and you know who....didn't pack leathers...so before that got outta hand (meaning he could have talked Kemper into it) Kemper and I decided to go home before the sun went any lower...it was a long day...but a really fun day...any day is good day to hang out with them...

Up to Date...

Wow...A lot has happened since the last entry...where to start...
I guess to keep from boring everyone...I'll tell you about IKE.
Man...I've never been through anything like this before in my life...I've been in this area a long time, but have been fortunate to not have experienced a bad Hurricane until now. Now keep in mind we are 100 miles from the coast.
BUGGING OUT - Thursday, Sept 11. Everyone was leaving town, securing their property, etc...traffic was already really bad with people trying to evacuate from the coastline...so in the slacker fashion that we are...Kemper and I went home too. We went to the grocery store which was already striped of everything...then after an hour and a half we made to the liquor store near our house and bought vodka...the big bottle! While in the liquor store many where there buying the hurricane provisions...as leaving I announced over my shoulder to some other ladies in the store "Happy Hurricane!". They giggled and said "Same to ya!" Little did I know I'd eat those words.
Anyway, Kemper and I got home I made soup to have for our hurricane guest (Kemper's sister and brother in-law, two kids and a dog planned to evacuate to our house from Clear Lake.) We started drinking...that's kinda all I remember about that day...and Friday...oh well Terri, Garland, the kids and the dog arrived sometime after noon. Soon after they got there Kemper and I went to mom's to help her secure her place and the patio items at Joann and Bill's place...
Back at home...with the TV on with nothing but hurricane coverage...remembering that we have 3 tubs of frozen Margarita in the freezer we are drinking still and playing games...watching TV...eating...oh I have to tell about Cory...Kemper's nephew...he's funny...The guys went to the grocery to get snacks...and brought back several half gallons of ice cream...that was Cory's hurricane food...while sitting around waiting on the storm, eating ice cream...Cory said "the TV guy just said not to scare you or anything but...if you are still in Galveston you should leave or face certain death”...Cory said "I think that's pretty scary"...he's a funny kid, cracks me up...
Later that evening Mom and Kevin came over and we played Rummicub...I got it now Garland!!!! Ready when you are!
Alright, skipping ahead to 2 am Saturday morning...all hell is breaking loose...by now we have no power and the wind and rain are pounding us...we were all up and down all night just watching portions of the fence come down...I'm scared by now...but if this is as bad as it gets it's fine...Kemper tells me at one point we are in the eye and have about an hour before the other side hits...we go back to bed and get up to more pouring rain...OMG! the rain...no power...no water...I cook breakfast. (that's what I do when I'm nervous)
The street is flooded, our front yard is flooded, the back yard is flooded, the water is about 8 feet from our back patio...we sit in the garage just watching it rain...the ice cream is melting so I think they ate ice cream a couple more times...in the garage...I cut up some cheese and set out crackers.
As time passes...the water is about an inch from coming onto the back patio and Garland is in the garage with a broom sweeping water out of the garage...this is not good...no end in sight...the rain just keeps coming...this is when Kemper decides something has to happen...the water is gonna get in the house. He and Garland go to the back yard and started knocking down portions of the fence that didn't go in the storm...at this point Kemper is in water above his knees in our back yard...I'm scared now, the neighbors are going to shelter and we have minnows swimming in our garage...I can't stand the thought of our house being ruined...I made a veggie tray...the neighbor comes over secures our side gate open to allow the water to run out and Kemper and Garland have broken down the back fence so the water could flow out within about and hour or so the water was receding...thank God and Kemper and Garland...now the rain is slowing quite a bit...Still no power, water or cell phone service but we are okay...Terri and Garland are wanting to go home...they are terribly worried about the condition of their house...so early afternoon they loaded up and took off back to Clear Lake, we were scared for them but totally understood them wanting to get home and assess their own damages...It's over...Kemper and I are rattled but okay...I wanted to go check on mom and Kevin...the damage between our house and mom's was sickening...so many huge trees down...so much debris. They are fine...mom's fence even stayed in place. I was good just to put my eyes on them! We didn't stay long we didn't want to get caught after dark. so back home we go to bed really early since we have no power and we are exhausted. Thank God this is over...
What??? the Lightening and the Thunder???? Why??? Yep another storm coming through more rain...NO MORE RAIN!!!! Needless to say...We all (Me, Kemper and Rhed) slept in the closet...I can't take it anymore.
Sunday, we wake up it's over, really it's over now...the air is cool and the sun may try to come out today...wow...it's over. Still with no power or water...we stike out to see if we can see the kids for a few minutes…they are with friends in a heavily hit area…we don’t get to see them but the nightbor says they are fine…just out sight seeing…after that we sit in the garage and drink...eating everything we can in the freezers cooking all sorts of crazy stuff...mom and Kevin come over we sit in the garage and play Rummicub for the next few days, going out from time to time to look for ice and water...oh...and the pigs...we have pigs now, 6 pigs...so we cleaned out the freezer and feed the pigs for a whole week...Kemper fed them bacon...they were fun...kept my mind off the fact that this could last for a while and the hummingbirds...we had more hummingbirds that week than I've had all season...so that was my bright star...the ray of hope I needed. Wednesday mom went back to work...Thursday I went back to work... Kemper had no power till Monday. Mom got power back on Friday...after 1week without power or water Kemper and I move into Joann and Bill's house down the street from mom...it was nice to live a few doors down from her for a while...thank God for Joann and Bill's kindness. Kemper and I got power back on at our house 14 days after IKE and water 20days after IKE was safe to drink again.
Whew! Needless to say...we are having some work done to our back yard...had some drainage issues for sure. Still have pigs....they aren't as welcome as before...they have torn our yard up pretty bad and have wallowed the hole out even more that the storm did...now they are just nasty things in my yard...BUT the ray of happiness still remains just in watching Kemper chase them around and throw rocks at them...heehee...it's funny...makes my smile to write about it!