Some major decisions made...

After much frustration applying for loans and being turned down because they don't accept the kind of collateral I have to offer - (primarily www.beltdrivebetty.com)
And applying for grants or trying to incorporate, I have decided to make our BDB Club a full fledged Mutual Benefits Society - non registered.

All of the businesses listed in our on line directory will be being called over the coming weeks and months ahead and if they choose not to work with us, their business information removed from our phone book. It's time to treat what I do more like a business than a non profit, since certain government agencies do not recognize what we do for motorcycling...

We provide huge benefits to our member businesses and the riders of our community - so if your business is listed and you haven't joined our association, we will be contacting you!
Joining is easy - just email me! (bdbetty@gmail.com)

Ride like everyone around you is blind and please show some respect with your throttle hand...

Belt Drive Betty

Riding Safely....

When was the last time you had a refresher course on riding?

When was the last time you and your buddies stopped to have a beer and it turned in to 3 or 4 and you still got on your bike and rode home?

When was the last time you rode a little too swiftly and had a scare?

We all have lapses in judgment - we are human and therefore not perfect.

I ask these questions because of all of the deaths and accidents I see in the news feeds daily right now.

Riding a motorcycle is so many things, exhilarating, refreshing, mind clearing and DANGEROUS.

Taking extra risks like riding too fast or drinking and riding is just plain old unwise, we know it and yet...

When was the last time you told someone you thought their behaviour on their bike was unacceptable to you and gave the community a black eye?

When was the last time you told someone that you didn't want them to loose their license and you phoned for a cab for them or wrestled their keys from them?

When was the last time you looked down at your speedo and decided you needed to slow down?

I ask these questions because thinking and riding is the most important thing you can do, for you, your friends and your community.

Part of motorcycle awareness is awareness from the rider - awareness of their own vulnerability. Riding is dangerous, please don't add to the risk factor, I for one want you around...

Please ride like everyone around you is blind and please be respectful with your throttle hand.

Belt Drive Betty

The May long is over, what's with the white stuff????

OK - I am done this week's paper, I have gotten caught up on quite a bit of paper work etc and was hoping to get in a wee bit of a brain clearer today, but no, that's not to be because I woke up to another dump of snow!

We got about an inch of the lovely white stuff today.

This is disgusting - Mother Nature - are you listening?

I WANT TO RIDE some...please quite snowing all over us in the north - enough is enough already...

I gotta run, hubby has an appointment for an EEG today...

If you are lucky enough to live where you can ride...PLEASE, ride with respect and like everyone around you is blind...

Belt Drive Betty

Happy to be alive

In spite of the challenge ahead of us, both Mark and I are happy to be alive. Yes it's been rough, but it has also shown us how many people care deeply about my husband and have offered their love and support.

It is truly at times like these that you realize who your true friends are!

I am not hanging up my riding gear or boots but the old schedule needs to be revised until we know where this bout of his MS will bottom out at.

If it means I miss an event of two, so be it. He is my priority right now.

I thank my community for stepping up to help me out a bit so that we can keep the news and event information happening.

I do need some additional help - I need some people who want to do sales. You won't get rich but you will earn enough to buy some great bling for the bike or some extra fuel. The other perks are attending events and the riding!

I also need some one in the GP region for office admin. Lori leaves at the end of June and I need some time to train someone...
Strong data base knowledge, strong typing and computer skills are a must.

Today is composing day and I am looking forward to reading all of the submissions as I put the jigsaw puzzle I call a newspaper together!

If you are lucky enough to be riding, PLEASE, ride like everyone around you is blind.

Belt Drive Betty

Getting by and getting on with it....

Well my sweet husband has had the last of his steroid treatments and he agreed to give Mila a try!

The high Omega 3 in Mila should prove very beneficial to him and will hopefully help him the way it is helping me! He's feeling positive and we have all of the requisite tests scheduled - all except for the neurologist, but that should be done on Tuesday.

It's been 7 1/2 years since the first attack and at the time there was no definitive diagnosis, just a we are 90% sure it's MS. If he has another attack, we should be able to pin it down - well I hope so, because if it is MS, he'll need some specialized drugs to keep it at bay and hopefully slow it's progression down.

Anyone who knows my wonderful husband knows him to be a kind, giving, dedicated man...he's that and more! I want to thank all of my Facebook friends for their well wishes and prayers, every last one of them is special and appreciated.
I love and bless all of you!

If you are lucky enough to be riding today, please, Ride like everyone around you is blind....PS - I personally think mother nature is being particularly rotten and I intend to have a severe chat with her...think that'll help any?

Where the heck is spring?

Belt Drive Betty

The end of a road trip - some hard news

I finally arrived home last night - as I pulled into the driveway it was with such happiness - I was so grateful for a great sales trip, grateful to be home, anxious to see my husband.

My daughter's car was out front and hubby was gone for his massage appointment.

I walked in to the house and my daughter says "Hi mom, glad you are home safe and sound...I have good news and bad news - what do you want first..."

"Bad news" I said...

"Mark's MS has flared up and he didn't want to tell you while you were away"

I swallowed hard - "OK, and the good news?"

"He caught on early to the warning signs, is already getting steroid treatment which is starting to work, has appointments for an MRI and with a neurologist"

Oh boy - that was a wake up call and a half.

I love my husband with all of my heart and here I have been working until I drop every day and not giving him as much time and love as he deserves - it is truly time for me to re-evaluate what I am doing and finding the help I need to get some balance in my life...

It's been 7 years since his last flare up and we were thinking that the doctors were wrong about it being MS as there has never been a definitive diagnosis - they said they couldn't give one until he had another flare up..well, we have it now.

I am in need of an admin assistant, a financial partner and some sales staff that really want to produce results. I need to find some balance between paying the bills from the bike show fiasco, the newspaper and web site and spending time with my husband. I can't do this by myself anymore. My husband needs to be a priority.

I am putting this out there with the hope that someone out there might be someone interested in partnering with me...

I am looking for all of the positives in this situation - I know they are there, it's been a bit hard to absorb everything...

My riding season will need to be revised until we know how things are going to go for hubby, he has to be my priority now - and in retrospect, he should have been more of a priority all along. He is my rock - my most staunch supporter and the best thing that has ever happened to me.

This is a wake up call for me - you never know in life what will happen and you really need to love your spouse - take time with them, be with them because you never know when things will go south.

HELP - please - if you know anyone who might be interested in any avenue to work with me and continue growing what we have here - send them my way - I really need a team...

Ride like everyone around you is blind...stay safe.
Belt Drive Betty

On the way home

I have a big day ahead as I continue on my trek home.

Stops in Kamloops, Jasper...

The weather sucks!

Cold, raining and in GP snow -the middle of May and snow - what is Mother Nature trying to do to us???

Oh well.

I hope everyone has a great day and I will chat with you tomorrow.

Ride like everyone around you is blind.

Belt Drive Betty