Time to get some things off of my chest...

<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">OK brothers and sisters of the family Wind...</span></span></i><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am getting frustrated at the lack of participation on our web site.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">H<i>ow the heck else am I supposed to deliver what you want if you don't talk to me???</i></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I know what I want as a rider, but you are not going to tell me that I am so good at this - that I am giving you everything you want to see and read. All of the tools that you need.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Tell me - please and please don't just blow smoke...tell me what's on your mind.</span><br /> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What do you want?</span></i><br /> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What do you like on our site, what don't you like on our site?</span></i><br /> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What do you want more of? Less of?</span></i><br /> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What makes your blood boil and your heart sing?</span></i><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">TALK TO ME!</span><br /> <i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Belt Drive Betty</span></b></i>

Time to get some things off of my chest...

Belt Drive 0 1:37 AM

OK brothers and sisters of the family Wind... I am getting frustrated at the lack of participation on our web site. How the heck else am I supposed to deliver what you want if you don't talk to me??? I know what I want as a rider, but you are not goi… Read more »

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Back home and feeling very grateful...

<i><span style="color: #e69138;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Every time I come home after a trip I feel grateful, but this time, I feel even more grateful! I am so fortunate, lucky and blessed and I KNOW IT!</span></span></i><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Illona's life celebration was beautiful, poignant and as classy as the lady herself.</span></i><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After the celebration, I dropped my mom off and stopped to visit a good friend in St Albert. I was deeply glad I had as my friend has been going through a rough patch and we have not had the opportunity to see each other or even speak to each other a whole ton in a while. After being at Illona's funeral the need to reconnect with friends was sooo strong. The visit was everything I needed and I think it was for my friend too.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I got home finally and unloaded my car, got caught up on phone calls and emails. One of the phone calls I returned was from the gal who will be my new admin assistant. Lori is leaving us for the summer to spend time with the love of her life and I really needed to find some one. I had put it out to the universe that I needed someone to take care of things and Kathy Floyd answered the call!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">She starts her training today and I am so deeply, humbly grateful to the universe for bringing her to me!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After I got "caught up"(a term I use loosely) my wonderful husband came home from work and we spent some time catching up.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's amazing how good hugs from the one you love feel - especially when you've been without them for a while.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">While I was gone, the new paint protection for my saddlebags and tank was installed on my bike by ShadeAll here in GP - this 3M stuff is phenomenal for protecting your paint! My new rear tire is being installed on the rim - Northgate Honda is taking care of that for me, which means my motorcycle will be 100% ready for the road today!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">How many of you are ready for the road? While at my friend's house in St Albert, I was deeply touched to find out that they attributed my diatribes on getting your bike into your favorite shop or dealership early to get your machines ready with the fact that both of their motorcycles are ready to hit the streets if ever spring and riding season decides to arrive!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Getting in to your shop early does two things. It keeps the shop busy which means the doors stay open AND, it means you are ready to ride the minute Mother Nature decides to quit her hissy fits!</span><br /> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></i> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you are riding, PLEASE remember, the roads are in less than perfect condition, there are many dangers out there, so ride like everyone around you is blind and can't see you and ride defensively - you are important and special - NEVER forget that.</span></i><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Belt Drive Betty</span></b></i>

Back home and feeling very grateful...

Belt Drive 0 7:21 AM

Every time I come home after a trip I feel grateful, but this time, I feel even more grateful! I am so fortunate, lucky and blessed and I KNOW IT! Illona's life celebration was beautiful, poignant and as classy as the lady herself. After the celebrat… Read more »

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A life celebration

<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Today is the life celebration for my friend Illona who passed after a short battle with Cancer.</span></span></i><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After a few rough days emotionally I am ready to say goodbye today.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Illona was in my life for a very long time. Since I was 10 years old...I have a ton of fond memories and they will sustain me.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am sure that everyone who has lost someone they love knows what I mean.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I plan on being home tonight, I desperately want some hugs from my hubby and look forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Please - ride like everyone around you is blind - stay safe because you ARE Important...</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Belt Drive Betty</span></b></i>

A life celebration

Belt Drive 1 9:25 AM

Today is the life celebration for my friend Illona who passed after a short battle with Cancer. After a few rough days emotionally I am ready to say goodbye today. Illona was in my life for a very long time. Since I was 10 years old...I have a ton of… Read more »

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<p width="100%" align="center"><embed pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer" src="http://www.yourminis.com/Dir/GetContainer.api?uri=yourminis/yourminis/mini:countdown" wmode="transparent" width="210" height="430" FlashVars="dstring=05%2F09%2F09qQq9qQqhttp%253A%252F%252Fi295%252Ephotobucket%252Ecom%252Falbums%252Fmm150%252FWWRCONGA%252F2%252520CONGA%252520II%25252009%252F5%252520Logos%252Fconga2%252EjpgqQqhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww%252Edev%252Epinkribbonconga%252Eorg%252FqQq0&mininame=countdown&uri=yourminis%2Fyourminis%2Fmini%3Acountdown&swfurl=%2Fwidget%5Fcountdown%2Eswf&width=200&xwidth=210&height=420&xheight=430&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowScriptAccess="always"></embed><br /><a title="For more widgets please visit www.yourminis.com" href="http://www.yourminis.com/index_minis.aspx?embeddedmini" target="_blank"><img alt="For more widgets please visit www.yourminis.com" border="0" src="http://www.yourminis.com/images/poweredby.png"/></a></p>

Belt Drive 0 6:20 AM

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A mixed bag....

<span style="color: #e69138;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A very dear friend of mine passed away on Friday just before midnight. She had cancer and lost the fight. On some levels I feel relief for her that her suffering is over, I feel sadness because it's going to be a while before I get to hear that laugh or see that smile again...</span></span></i></span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Death is really a celebration of life. A time to remember all of the joy and happiness you shared with someone. Grief is an emotion that is tough to explain and I feel it right now but I also feel an extreme joy...Illona Swan was a very special woman in my life and yes I will miss her deeply. I am however deeply grateful for the time I spent with her, the things she brought in to my life that one can't really measure like love, friendship and caring.</span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have had a good weekend in spite of the news of Illona's passing. I believe she is in a better place - one that is pain free and where she will be with other family and friends who have gone on before her. We will miss her here on this earth and we who loved her are all richer and better people for having known her.</span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My trip home is being delayed so that I can be with family and friends to celebrate her life on Wednesday...</span></span><br /> <i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></i> <i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ride like all around you are blind and can't see you, stay safe - You are important you know!</span></span></i><br /> <i><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></i> <i><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Belt Drive Betty</span></span></b></i>

A mixed bag....

Belt Drive 0 4:53 AM

A very dear friend of mine passed away on Friday just before midnight. She had cancer and lost the fight. On some levels I feel relief for her that her suffering is over, I feel sadness because it's going to be a while before I get to hear that laugh… Read more »

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Toon Town and Cyclemania

<i><span style="color: #e69138;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I haven't been to Saskatoon in years and other than the fact that the roads are even worse than I remember I am having a really wonderful time.</span></span></i><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am staying with one of our advertisers, Ani from BlackJack Classic and Vintage Hawgs.</span></i><br /> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The hospitality of people in the Canadian Heartland hasn't changed. Open, warmhearted...yup, just as I remember.</span></i><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Saskatchewan only has about 7,500 riders in the province, that said, the show is a decent size and has a fair amount to offer the rider.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The boys from the SIR are here and I finally got to meet some of the gals from the Women in the Wind - the Bridge City Thunder Chapter - what a great bunch of women!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The local HOG chapter is also on hand and they have the coolest display in the place!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I got a chance to see Peter from Thunder City in Regina as they are here with all of the offerings of their shop.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Boutique of Leathers and Grizzly Leather are also here with their latest offerings.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Dean & Sylvia from Raw Power in Regina are also here. As I said - I love the shows, every one is like "Old Home Week"!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ink alley is a busy and popular spot - every tattoo shop I saw was busy with guns a buzzing.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As I said, I am enjoying myself. It's great to get out of your own town and see what others do!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm heading for the shower and getting ready for day two...</span></i><br /> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Until tomorrow, ride like everyone around you is blind and can't see you - stay safe.</span></i><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Belt Drive Betty</span></b></i>

Toon Town and Cyclemania

Belt Drive 0 7:40 AM

I haven't been to Saskatoon in years and other than the fact that the roads are even worse than I remember I am having a really wonderful time. I am staying with one of our advertisers, Ani from BlackJack Classic and Vintage Hawgs. The hospitality of… Read more »

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