Monday, March 28, 2011
Monday, February 1, 2010
Wow! It's been a while...
I guess I can chalk it up to being extremely busy these past 3 1/2 months. It seems like Halloween stumbled upon us, and then we slammed directly into the holidays, running non-stop! We decided to head up to Washington State to spend Thanksgiving with my mom and Paul. It was great seeing everybody. We actually drove up in our car this time. We're used to taking Jim's Dodge diesel, but now that we only have our little dog, Squiggy, we all were able to fit into our little used Pontiac Vibe. I was sooo looking forward to finally fitting in a road trip, so it was nice. We only had a couple days to visit before we had to head back to sunny California.
The day before we left for WA, we attended a memorial "paddle-out" for Rob Gibson, who was the Refugio Jr. Lifeguard Program Coordinator when Cooper and Cannon first started with the program. Rob had left the position as coordinator at Refugio and took over the position as coordinator for SB Campus Point these past few years. He had been battling two forms of liver cancer from my understanding. Anyways, it felt so right to participate and it was a very moving ceremony. Being out there with my boys on our surf boards...well, let's just say it was serene.
So, we spent a few days in Washington, and stopped in Vancouver to see my dearest friend in the world, Gretchen Jensen. She, Troy, Zach, Cheyenne, Cole and Connor (& Doogie) are all doing so well! Their home is absolutely gorgeous, and the kids are all so grown up and beautiful. I just wish they were closer to us. I miss Miss G so much!!! We had such a nice visit~
So then the holidays blew right by. My friend, Christine, and I hit the gym a lot over the holidays and hiked a lot too. Christmas Day was so quiet and the weather was sunny, clear and warm. It's always a little strange to wake up Christmas Day to hot weather. That and missing Moondoggie...it hit me a few times throughout the season...eeeggz! Anyways, we openned up gifts, then I went hiking with Christine and our dogs, then when I returned home, we grilled steaks for dinner. It was almost too quiet, but nice.
Over the Christmas break, the boys and I worked a lot at Zaca Station MX. TransWorld MX people came out to camp. We rode a lot over those two weeks, to the point where on that last day, I was barely making 3-lap motos.
Then came the storms... Surprisingly enough, the track at Zaca did extremely well considering how much rain we received. We did cancel riding for one weekend, but with a little grading, it was epic last weekend. I, however, just simply had a bad ride day. I think I was tired from dancing two nights before. I guess I'm at the age where I need that extra sleep for energy. Christine and I have been doing the P90X workout series and are on day 6 today. Last friday, we did legs, then we each went home to get ready to go dancing with her Uncle Phil and Amy at the Santa Maria Elks. The DJ was fun...thus we danced our legs off......and paid the price the next day; boy, was I sore. It carried into the next day when I rode at Zaca. I hate bad ride days.
Over the holidays, we went to see "The Blind Side" and "It's Complicated"......both are awesome movies. "It's Complicated" was filmed here in Santa Barbara...I cracked up throughout the entire movie.
It's going to be a busy spring starting this weekend. Both boys are taking the American Red Cross Life Guard Training Course over the next two weekends. Then in March, my parents are visiting and Cooper is trying out for Ocean Lifeguard Training at Refugio State Beach. He has to swim 1,000 yards in the ocean in less than 20 min.; and then a Run-Swim-Run try-out. THEN...Cooper has been nominated and enrolled to attend the 2010 National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine this summer. He leaves the day after we all attend my cousin Kyle and his beautiful bride-to-be, Stephanie's, wedding in Bakersfield this summer. Cannon plans on working for Jr. Lifeguards as an assistant again this year, and I will be working for the program as well. It doesn't look like we will be able to play Santa Barbara Water Polo Club this year, though...we're pretty bummed about that, but we have WAY too much on our plate.
So that's the latest with the Creese Dirt Diggers...since October 2009.
We all wish everybody a very happy new year and hope to update our blog more often.
The day before we left for WA, we attended a memorial "paddle-out" for Rob Gibson, who was the Refugio Jr. Lifeguard Program Coordinator when Cooper and Cannon first started with the program. Rob had left the position as coordinator at Refugio and took over the position as coordinator for SB Campus Point these past few years. He had been battling two forms of liver cancer from my understanding. Anyways, it felt so right to participate and it was a very moving ceremony. Being out there with my boys on our surf boards...well, let's just say it was serene.
So, we spent a few days in Washington, and stopped in Vancouver to see my dearest friend in the world, Gretchen Jensen. She, Troy, Zach, Cheyenne, Cole and Connor (& Doogie) are all doing so well! Their home is absolutely gorgeous, and the kids are all so grown up and beautiful. I just wish they were closer to us. I miss Miss G so much!!! We had such a nice visit~
So then the holidays blew right by. My friend, Christine, and I hit the gym a lot over the holidays and hiked a lot too. Christmas Day was so quiet and the weather was sunny, clear and warm. It's always a little strange to wake up Christmas Day to hot weather. That and missing Moondoggie...it hit me a few times throughout the season...eeeggz! Anyways, we openned up gifts, then I went hiking with Christine and our dogs, then when I returned home, we grilled steaks for dinner. It was almost too quiet, but nice.
Over the Christmas break, the boys and I worked a lot at Zaca Station MX. TransWorld MX people came out to camp. We rode a lot over those two weeks, to the point where on that last day, I was barely making 3-lap motos.
Then came the storms... Surprisingly enough, the track at Zaca did extremely well considering how much rain we received. We did cancel riding for one weekend, but with a little grading, it was epic last weekend. I, however, just simply had a bad ride day. I think I was tired from dancing two nights before. I guess I'm at the age where I need that extra sleep for energy. Christine and I have been doing the P90X workout series and are on day 6 today. Last friday, we did legs, then we each went home to get ready to go dancing with her Uncle Phil and Amy at the Santa Maria Elks. The DJ was fun...thus we danced our legs off......and paid the price the next day; boy, was I sore. It carried into the next day when I rode at Zaca. I hate bad ride days.
Over the holidays, we went to see "The Blind Side" and "It's Complicated"......both are awesome movies. "It's Complicated" was filmed here in Santa Barbara...I cracked up throughout the entire movie.
It's going to be a busy spring starting this weekend. Both boys are taking the American Red Cross Life Guard Training Course over the next two weekends. Then in March, my parents are visiting and Cooper is trying out for Ocean Lifeguard Training at Refugio State Beach. He has to swim 1,000 yards in the ocean in less than 20 min.; and then a Run-Swim-Run try-out. THEN...Cooper has been nominated and enrolled to attend the 2010 National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine this summer. He leaves the day after we all attend my cousin Kyle and his beautiful bride-to-be, Stephanie's, wedding in Bakersfield this summer. Cannon plans on working for Jr. Lifeguards as an assistant again this year, and I will be working for the program as well. It doesn't look like we will be able to play Santa Barbara Water Polo Club this year, though...we're pretty bummed about that, but we have WAY too much on our plate.
So that's the latest with the Creese Dirt Diggers...since October 2009.
We all wish everybody a very happy new year and hope to update our blog more often.
Pray for those in Haiti...those beautiful, precious children...it's heart-wrenching. God Bless them!!!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Moondoggie meets General Sherman
Moondoggie rode up to see General Sherman in the Sequoia's, riding on my lap in my Jeep...all to discover dogs were not allowed in the park area. He was so well-behaved that people thought he was a working dog. We never led on for them to think it; we just wanted to quickly take a family picture. He didn't bother anybody and nobody seemed to mind. I loved that about him. Simply put...one good, good dog.
When we meet again...
There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth. It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors. Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge, there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass.
When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water, and warm spring weather. Those old and frail animals are young again. Those who have been maimed are made whole again. They play all day with each other.
But there is only one thing missing. They are not with their special person who loved them on earth. So each day, they run and play until the day comes when one suddenly stops playing and looks up.
The nose twitches, the ears are up, the eyes are staring, and this one suddenly runs from the group.
You have been seen...and when you and your special friend meet, you take him in your arms and embrace. Your face is kissed again and again and again and you look once more into the eyes of your trusting pet. Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.
When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water, and warm spring weather. Those old and frail animals are young again. Those who have been maimed are made whole again. They play all day with each other.
But there is only one thing missing. They are not with their special person who loved them on earth. So each day, they run and play until the day comes when one suddenly stops playing and looks up.
The nose twitches, the ears are up, the eyes are staring, and this one suddenly runs from the group.
You have been seen...and when you and your special friend meet, you take him in your arms and embrace. Your face is kissed again and again and again and you look once more into the eyes of your trusting pet. Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.
May the Moon always shine bright~
Hi All~
With the heaviest heart ever, I sadly share that our beautiful, most beloved Moondoggie has passed on to golden fields. It hurts so terribly. I miss my friend SO much. He was always there for me with a big paw on my shoulder. Everyone loved the Moon. Often you would find him riding shotgun in my Jeep, holding hands with me (well..I'd hold his paw in my left hand) while be-boppin' to the beach. He was my fitness partner and sidekick, my beach buddy, hiking buddy, swim buddy. We actually swam out a ways together once, off the shore along the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway,) and came across a couple dolphins out about 100 yards. Moondoggie brought each of us our Christmas presents from under the tree, too.
I know his huge heart just didn't have much strength, so I actually hoped he would go in his sleep like he did....just didn't think it would be so soon. In a way I sort of prepared myself, as you can read in my earlier blog entry; however, I wasn't prepared for life without him. I shared my breakfast with him (his share being a nibble.) I couldn't eat a banana or biscotti without giving him the last end piece. And then there's popcorn.....I literally had to make a little extra or else he'd be in my face while watching a movie. The one thing that brings me to smile is that I actually took the time to make scrambled eggs (his favorite) for breakfast for the boys and I, and shared some with him and the Shizzle before heading off to work at Refugio State Beach which is where I was when Jim called me to come home and told me of my feared news.
Moondoggie died while taking his morning nap. I asked Jim to go back to work and attend the meeting he was scheduled to attend. (He wanted to get out of it, but I knew it was hard on him to do what I had to do.) So by myself, I said my goodbyes, cried my eyes out, then with the help of a nice neighbor, I took him to where I had to take him thinking the whole way he should be riding shotgun in my Jeep instead of lying in the back of my truck. The rest....well I guess I can only say now that he's healthy and happy and not suffering from deteriorating health...which is truly such a blessing.
So the next time you experience a moon-lit night, if you knew him, please look up and think of my Moondoggie. If you didn't know my Moon, just think of the best friend you've ever had...who loved you so much, unconditionally,...accepted you for who you truly are, not matter what mood you were in, ...one who was always there to greet you with so much love and energy you thought would burst, ....reflect on that friend and know that was who my Moondoggie was to me.
Smile at the Moon for me...
Monday, June 8, 2009
Wow! It's been a while....
Wow! These past couple months have had me running! We've been running races at Zaca, attending Cooper's swim meets for Cabrillo, and getting things ready for summer. I have absolutely no idea where the time went since April.
The one thing I have managed to do is lose the 10 lbs I gained over the last 2 years. My goal is to get that last 5 lbs. down. I've never had to track what I eat, but decided to give it a try. It really made me tighten the mindless munching between meals and that's all it took. Thank God! I feel so much better. I highly recommend using the Spark People website for nutritional tracking. It worked for me. I only use it to track my fitness and nutrition. The website is HUGE and is designed for many motivational purposes. I'm a KISS person (keep it simple stupid) so it's working for me. the other cool thing I found on this site is the recipe calculator. When i make something really good and healthy, I can get the nutritional info. calculated. It's so cool.
Well, we just finished the last of our "Road to Mammoth" races. I was approached by a girl who was a little into herself for her first race. I'm not a super competitive person, but if one get's super cocky, then I get a little blood pumping extra in my veins. This girl asked what I race, "...women's big bikes?" I told her I race 40+ Novice with my guy friends, as no women ever show up, and if one does, they usually stick us on the track with the 85cc riders. (The guys are all in their 40's and up and some are experts, so it makes the race much more fun and exciting.) She said she's only 22 (mind you I'm 44...tomorrow.) I told her nobody would protest if she wanted to race with us....so she did. Then she added she's only been riding for 2 months, "....but I'm good." Deep inside I was like, "bring it on."
Well...she was pretty good for her first race and being on the bike for only 2 months; however, I got her on the first moto. I'm sure it helped that I'm much more familiar with the track. Second moto, however, after the first two laps I made the mistake of taking an outside line on a turn before a jump. She got me on the inside. I gassed my biked as I tried to pass her on certain lines I knew I could take her on. I tried to pass her on a couple lines, but this big guy we lapped kept getting in my way. Finally, I got her on the inside of another turn and gassed the heck out of my throttle. I got a distance away from her, but kept rockin' to the finish. Our track is 1 1/4 miles long...and there was a point where I was holding on so tight I could feel the bike getting away from me. I beat her...then we hung out for a while and agreed that she did an awesome job for her first race, and that I wasn't too bad for an old lady twice her age. I admitted she'll be getting me sooner or later, but not without a fight, then I handed her a 2nd place trophy (even though we were in a race with 6 other guys.) We laughed and the guys I work with told me that we had one of the best battles of the day. I have so many "brothers" there....'twas a good day!!!
My job with Jr. Lifeguards starts this week so I'll be busier than ever. Plus a couple guys and I are hosting a Father's Day Ride Weekend Campout at Zaca over the 20th & 21st. Busy! Time to tet the motorhome ready.
Until next time....have a wonderful summer!
The one thing I have managed to do is lose the 10 lbs I gained over the last 2 years. My goal is to get that last 5 lbs. down. I've never had to track what I eat, but decided to give it a try. It really made me tighten the mindless munching between meals and that's all it took. Thank God! I feel so much better. I highly recommend using the Spark People website for nutritional tracking. It worked for me. I only use it to track my fitness and nutrition. The website is HUGE and is designed for many motivational purposes. I'm a KISS person (keep it simple stupid) so it's working for me. the other cool thing I found on this site is the recipe calculator. When i make something really good and healthy, I can get the nutritional info. calculated. It's so cool.
Well, we just finished the last of our "Road to Mammoth" races. I was approached by a girl who was a little into herself for her first race. I'm not a super competitive person, but if one get's super cocky, then I get a little blood pumping extra in my veins. This girl asked what I race, "...women's big bikes?" I told her I race 40+ Novice with my guy friends, as no women ever show up, and if one does, they usually stick us on the track with the 85cc riders. (The guys are all in their 40's and up and some are experts, so it makes the race much more fun and exciting.) She said she's only 22 (mind you I'm 44...tomorrow.) I told her nobody would protest if she wanted to race with us....so she did. Then she added she's only been riding for 2 months, "....but I'm good." Deep inside I was like, "bring it on."
Well...she was pretty good for her first race and being on the bike for only 2 months; however, I got her on the first moto. I'm sure it helped that I'm much more familiar with the track. Second moto, however, after the first two laps I made the mistake of taking an outside line on a turn before a jump. She got me on the inside. I gassed my biked as I tried to pass her on certain lines I knew I could take her on. I tried to pass her on a couple lines, but this big guy we lapped kept getting in my way. Finally, I got her on the inside of another turn and gassed the heck out of my throttle. I got a distance away from her, but kept rockin' to the finish. Our track is 1 1/4 miles long...and there was a point where I was holding on so tight I could feel the bike getting away from me. I beat her...then we hung out for a while and agreed that she did an awesome job for her first race, and that I wasn't too bad for an old lady twice her age. I admitted she'll be getting me sooner or later, but not without a fight, then I handed her a 2nd place trophy (even though we were in a race with 6 other guys.) We laughed and the guys I work with told me that we had one of the best battles of the day. I have so many "brothers" there....'twas a good day!!!
My job with Jr. Lifeguards starts this week so I'll be busier than ever. Plus a couple guys and I are hosting a Father's Day Ride Weekend Campout at Zaca over the 20th & 21st. Busy! Time to tet the motorhome ready.
Until next time....have a wonderful summer!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Fun Day riding at the Stevens' track
Wow! What a dream. Walking out the front door of a beautiful brand new farm house that looks over a motocross track. Behind the house, and beyond the track stands a newly built red barn w/a stable that's housing two sheep and is soon to be the home of a thoroughbred horse for their daughter. Beautiful green meadows and hills surround....it must be a dream.
Actually it IS a dream...that's come true for our friends John and Sonja Stevens, and their three kids: Jacob, Josh and Sara Joy. They built this beautiful farm house while living in their motor home and it's all paid off. This house is spread out so nicely and there's lots of room for each kid, all of whom I informed that I'm now going to move in with them and become their big sister. Just kidding. We enjoyed teasing...
Today the Stevens' invited us and a few other families out to ride their track. While the boys mastered the track quickly, I too found myself to ride extremely well. It was windy and gusts would push our bikes off to the side...just made it more exciting...so I didn't do all the jumps I wanted for fear of doing something stupid. However, I anticipate the next time we're invited out so I can hammer everything. Riding at Zaca has truly made me a better rider (and the boys as well.)
Tomorrow the boys and I are working and riding at Zaca, then we're heading with our surfboards to Refugio State Beach to participate in a "paddle-out" memorial for Lindsay Rose, whom I mentioned in my last post. I recently learned that another Jr. Lifeguard pulled Lindsay out of the water and performed lifesaving skills on Lindsay. I must say this represents the true quality of our program. This girl knew exactly what to do, and being that Lindsay was her best friend, that had to make it so much harder for her. I highly admire this Jr. Lifeguard and pray for her as she grieves the loss of her friend. May she be comforted in knowing that she did everything right for her friend.
Yesterday I had a mole removed off my tummy. (My doctor's daughter also was a Jr. Lifeguard and was friends with Lindsay.) He saw this mole and told me he had 3 malignant melanomas this week....eeeks! I'm so bad. I'm trying to not think about it until I get the results in a few days. eeeeks, though.
Oh well....looks like we're stuck with this awful wind for the rest of the day. I hate the wind! It makes people all freaky-like, especially dirt bikers!
Here's to a good day for you...until we blog again!
Actually it IS a dream...that's come true for our friends John and Sonja Stevens, and their three kids: Jacob, Josh and Sara Joy. They built this beautiful farm house while living in their motor home and it's all paid off. This house is spread out so nicely and there's lots of room for each kid, all of whom I informed that I'm now going to move in with them and become their big sister. Just kidding. We enjoyed teasing...
Today the Stevens' invited us and a few other families out to ride their track. While the boys mastered the track quickly, I too found myself to ride extremely well. It was windy and gusts would push our bikes off to the side...just made it more exciting...so I didn't do all the jumps I wanted for fear of doing something stupid. However, I anticipate the next time we're invited out so I can hammer everything. Riding at Zaca has truly made me a better rider (and the boys as well.)
Tomorrow the boys and I are working and riding at Zaca, then we're heading with our surfboards to Refugio State Beach to participate in a "paddle-out" memorial for Lindsay Rose, whom I mentioned in my last post. I recently learned that another Jr. Lifeguard pulled Lindsay out of the water and performed lifesaving skills on Lindsay. I must say this represents the true quality of our program. This girl knew exactly what to do, and being that Lindsay was her best friend, that had to make it so much harder for her. I highly admire this Jr. Lifeguard and pray for her as she grieves the loss of her friend. May she be comforted in knowing that she did everything right for her friend.
Yesterday I had a mole removed off my tummy. (My doctor's daughter also was a Jr. Lifeguard and was friends with Lindsay.) He saw this mole and told me he had 3 malignant melanomas this week....eeeks! I'm so bad. I'm trying to not think about it until I get the results in a few days. eeeeks, though.
Oh well....looks like we're stuck with this awful wind for the rest of the day. I hate the wind! It makes people all freaky-like, especially dirt bikers!
Here's to a good day for you...until we blog again!
Monday, April 13, 2009
We need some humor...
I haven't posted too much lately, but thought I'd put a couple videos on to throw some humor at you.
It's been a week of some extremely sad news for a couple of our Jr. Lifeguard families and friends. The news of the sudden loss of one family's mother of three, and then the loss of one of our young and talented Jr. Lifeguards in a surfing accident just had me a bit overwhelmed with humbleness and sadness. Our 2009 Jr. Lifeguard season is about to begin, but there will be some heavy hearts as we head into this year's JG season. I pray for those families and their friends, as it will take a lifetime of healing to come to terms and heal with their losses. May God bless and heal them...
I was sent these two videos recently, and they brought me a pretty good laugh. If anyone knows me, I love a super good joke and, although it seems these emails caught me at a bad time, I found that they brought a bout of laughter to my thoughts and started my journey out of the funk I've been in for these past couple days...
I shall spread the sunshine.....enjoy!
It's been a week of some extremely sad news for a couple of our Jr. Lifeguard families and friends. The news of the sudden loss of one family's mother of three, and then the loss of one of our young and talented Jr. Lifeguards in a surfing accident just had me a bit overwhelmed with humbleness and sadness. Our 2009 Jr. Lifeguard season is about to begin, but there will be some heavy hearts as we head into this year's JG season. I pray for those families and their friends, as it will take a lifetime of healing to come to terms and heal with their losses. May God bless and heal them...
I was sent these two videos recently, and they brought me a pretty good laugh. If anyone knows me, I love a super good joke and, although it seems these emails caught me at a bad time, I found that they brought a bout of laughter to my thoughts and started my journey out of the funk I've been in for these past couple days...
I shall spread the sunshine.....enjoy!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
My Moondoggie...
For those who may have met our beloved lab, Moondoggie, it would be extremely hard to argue that he is about the sweetest, loving pooch if ever one exists. I bought Moon w/some cash that was left over after my dad passed away. It was one of those bittersweet checks that came to me a year after his passing, that pretty much closed all that was in litigation for my brother and I. I had decided to find a lab that was similar to our lab, Champ, whom I purchased for my dad for Christmas one year.
Well, Moondoggie, was the one out of the litter who didn't want to go anywhere but hide in the garage. He had this face and head that resembled, if you remember, Ivan the Gorilla who was held captive in South Tacoma's B&I. Like most kids I grew up with, I would stand and stare at Ivan in awe, but yet felt so very sorry for him....(glad he's in a good zoo now.)
Anyways, Moondoggie is a wonderful black lab, with such a human spirit. The memories I have of us hiking and running the Mission trails and beaches, and driving to California with our beagle, T-Bone, from Colorado. Moon would always sit up in the front seat and we'd hold "hand/paw." Just a huge mush pup. He'd let you do just about anything from dressing him up to riding in a wheelbarrel. The one thing he used to love was running on Dr. Huss's motocross track. That dog wouldn't quit....until one day, about 4 years ago, when he couldn't move the next day after having fun on the track.
Well, Moondoggie is almost 11 yrs. old now. It seems like he's been aging faster and faster to the point where I had to make the decision not to take him hiking at the Mission any more...it literally kills me. It was just too much on his back legs. He's been doing good, but it tears me up that we can't be that "Moon & Me...everywhere I go, he goes" team anymore. Now we're at taking slow walks around the block....which seems to make him out of breath anymore.
Then the other night, he started whimpering and tried to get up on his back legs, but also was having trouble walking on his front leg. I've been told by the vet, too, that his heart was weak and thready. What can I do? The walking thing tears me up enough, but now it sounds like there's nothing I can do about his fate with such a weak heart. Jim and I gave him a good massage and an anti-inflammatory called DermaMaxx. A half-tab dose yesterday and today, plus a day of resting in the sun from our living room window, we allowed him to rest as we went riding at Huss's track close by for a couple hours. When we got home, lo and behold, he was a bit better. Talk about relief.
We've owned quite a few dogs, most of them beagles, and T-Bone was the closest one to us. T-Bone passed in his sleep, which is the way it should be. However, Moondoggie is so human....just the down days of his ups and downs are killer for me. I know he's aging at a faster rate than our other dogs, and I know when one decides to become a pet owner, you set yourself up for these times as well, but I can't imagine life without my Moon. A few of my friends have recently gone through this and I've always been there to support them. I guess I'm afraid that my turn may be coming up sooner than I'm ready for. I guess we just take it one day at a time in hopes when his time comes, it's the right time for him. sigh* I bellieve this girl who most people think of as pretty strong, just might not be strong enough for this. If the time comes to have to make the "decision" I will make it, and will be there right with him....I'm just hoping I won't have to and that God does. I'll be prepared to do it, though, if and when he gets to that point of suffering. It's just afterwards, I dunno how I'll be able to handle it. I'm sure Squiggy will help me a lot. I've sort of prepared the boys....and I'm sure they'll be my rock as well. Moondoggie knows my every emotion and gives that attentive look as if to say, "I'm here for you." I talk in Italian slang to him....cracks Jim up. But the other night when he wasn't feeling good, I talked in that lingo to him and got a little happy wag out of his tail. A true one of unconditional love, my Moondoggie. sigh*
Sorry for the depressing blog.....again....sigh*, but that's been on my mind for the past few days. I'll be sure to add in the "Moon Report" with hopefully good news on my future blogs. In the meantime, please say a prayer for my Moondoggie.....and little one for me too. thanks so much~
Monday, March 16, 2009
Thar's gold in that thar crude!!!
GOLD. OIL. Hmmm...given those two words, one would probably think they've struck it rich. ha ha...sigh. Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day.....boy did we find the wrong pot(s) o' gold!!!!
Yesterday at Zaca, Cooper was out riding when his bike completely seized. Not a good thing, especially on a brand new bike that had just had a top end built ($$$.) Luckily, our son, Cooper, is one of brains and stopped immediately, hauling the bike back to my truck. It was a solemn ride home from the track that day. Plus, Cannon crashed and ended up looking like The Swamp Thing...all covered in mud and his bike, I guess flew a couple 360's. Every nook and cranny in his bike was stuffed with clay; but the look on his face as he described watching his bike fly away from him...well, let's just say he lost all color in his face for a moment. Of course, the most important thing is that both my boys are fine.....just hugely hurt pride and worry about how they're going to tell their dad when they get home, as we all knew Cooper's bike was going to be pretty pricey.
So when we got home, Jim looked at his bike, drained the oil, and...what looked good for a moment, turned out to be really baaad. His oil filter and the oil draining out had gold-ish metal flakes throughout it. I guess some flake-age in the oil can be normal, but after I ran in to Google it, I knew it wasn't good, so I called our awesome mechanic, J.C. Meynet who happens to have time this week to work on it. Talk about lucky! J.C. is not only an awesome dirtbike racer, knowledgeable mechanic, and talented photographer, but he also races his Subaru for Harmon Motors all around the nation and wins. He's been on various ESPN shows. Like their dad, J.C.'s boys are extremely talented at pretty much everything.
(A couple years ago, my bike broke during a race and I rode it in 1st gear to get off the track--Big no no. The problem was the countershaft bearing--$12 part; however, my riding it back instead of pushing it off the track literally cost me $1300, as the grinding of the bearing ripped up the guts of my left crank case. Nobody listened to me when I was having trouble shifting it....it was "all in your [my] head." Yeah...rrrright.)
Anyways, this a.m. I went hiking, then dropped the pooches off to the groomers (the Shizzle smelled literally like sh#t as he rolled in something in the yard;) then hauled Coop's bike to our mechanic JC Meynet. He took it apart....yeah...it's going to be pricey, but not what I thought it would be. So be it...we have to order parts tomorrow and hope they're not backordered so we can have it ready for this weekend's "Road to Mammoth Round 1" race at Zaca. We'll be working and racing there all weekend.
THEN....Cannon started worrying a bit. I guess he's been having trouble with his kickstarter. He described it to Cooper and it sounded like something we'd better check out. Yep...upon draining his oil, he had signs of gold-ish metal flakes present. Oh no...not another one.!! As I write this blog entry, Jim and Cannon are in Santa Ynez at J.C.'s, taking apart his bike next to Cooper's bike. KA-CHING!!! Yes...it's a school night, but the homework is done; the A's are kept up pretty good; and he wasn't going to sleep anyways. We'll see what happens.
We quickly came to realize that we need to perform weekly oil changes now that the boys have stepped it up so much. We're all supposed to race this weekend; but it could happen that we'll just work it and pay off our parts. I'll still race, if I don't get too busy. I think I'll do an oil change first....
On a good note....Cooper was the only freshman to get picked up for CIF Varsity Swimming. The kid is up at 5 a.m. to lift weights and swims after school until 4 p.m. Totally proud of all he's doing between A's in Honors classes, Cabrillo High School Swim & Water Polo Teams, racing, and working for Zaca and Jr. Lifeguards. Ya think he could fit in any more? Oh yeah....he's got his permit now too. Funny thing...after this weekend he admitted to me that he was too tired to drive today. Now the real worrying begins!
Have a good week, everybody!
Yesterday at Zaca, Cooper was out riding when his bike completely seized. Not a good thing, especially on a brand new bike that had just had a top end built ($$$.) Luckily, our son, Cooper, is one of brains and stopped immediately, hauling the bike back to my truck. It was a solemn ride home from the track that day. Plus, Cannon crashed and ended up looking like The Swamp Thing...all covered in mud and his bike, I guess flew a couple 360's. Every nook and cranny in his bike was stuffed with clay; but the look on his face as he described watching his bike fly away from him...well, let's just say he lost all color in his face for a moment. Of course, the most important thing is that both my boys are fine.....just hugely hurt pride and worry about how they're going to tell their dad when they get home, as we all knew Cooper's bike was going to be pretty pricey.
So when we got home, Jim looked at his bike, drained the oil, and...what looked good for a moment, turned out to be really baaad. His oil filter and the oil draining out had gold-ish metal flakes throughout it. I guess some flake-age in the oil can be normal, but after I ran in to Google it, I knew it wasn't good, so I called our awesome mechanic, J.C. Meynet who happens to have time this week to work on it. Talk about lucky! J.C. is not only an awesome dirtbike racer, knowledgeable mechanic, and talented photographer, but he also races his Subaru for Harmon Motors all around the nation and wins. He's been on various ESPN shows. Like their dad, J.C.'s boys are extremely talented at pretty much everything.
(A couple years ago, my bike broke during a race and I rode it in 1st gear to get off the track--Big no no. The problem was the countershaft bearing--$12 part; however, my riding it back instead of pushing it off the track literally cost me $1300, as the grinding of the bearing ripped up the guts of my left crank case. Nobody listened to me when I was having trouble shifting it....it was "all in your [my] head." Yeah...rrrright.)
Anyways, this a.m. I went hiking, then dropped the pooches off to the groomers (the Shizzle smelled literally like sh#t as he rolled in something in the yard;) then hauled Coop's bike to our mechanic JC Meynet. He took it apart....yeah...it's going to be pricey, but not what I thought it would be. So be it...we have to order parts tomorrow and hope they're not backordered so we can have it ready for this weekend's "Road to Mammoth Round 1" race at Zaca. We'll be working and racing there all weekend.
THEN....Cannon started worrying a bit. I guess he's been having trouble with his kickstarter. He described it to Cooper and it sounded like something we'd better check out. Yep...upon draining his oil, he had signs of gold-ish metal flakes present. Oh no...not another one.!! As I write this blog entry, Jim and Cannon are in Santa Ynez at J.C.'s, taking apart his bike next to Cooper's bike. KA-CHING!!! Yes...it's a school night, but the homework is done; the A's are kept up pretty good; and he wasn't going to sleep anyways. We'll see what happens.
We quickly came to realize that we need to perform weekly oil changes now that the boys have stepped it up so much. We're all supposed to race this weekend; but it could happen that we'll just work it and pay off our parts. I'll still race, if I don't get too busy. I think I'll do an oil change first....
On a good note....Cooper was the only freshman to get picked up for CIF Varsity Swimming. The kid is up at 5 a.m. to lift weights and swims after school until 4 p.m. Totally proud of all he's doing between A's in Honors classes, Cabrillo High School Swim & Water Polo Teams, racing, and working for Zaca and Jr. Lifeguards. Ya think he could fit in any more? Oh yeah....he's got his permit now too. Funny thing...after this weekend he admitted to me that he was too tired to drive today. Now the real worrying begins!
Have a good week, everybody!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Proud of their Mom...
The weekend was one full of happiness and accomplishments. Yeah...I mean in the dirt again.
You see...since my knee injury in 2002, I've stepped back a lot on jumping. I still jump, but I've developed that, "What if I land wrong and it hurts..." fear, as I've done that many times. So, instead of focusing on jumping, I've turned to work on speed and turns....and the wonderful excitement of making the best of ruts.
All this turned resulted in my minor (yet huge for me) accomplishment of holding a guy off at the Doc's the other day (saturday.) I entered the track and he came up behind me. I worked hard to keep him from passing me, and just when he'd catch up to me mid-bike, I'd shoot off this jump and take my space back. Now this jump is one that I had been working on for quite a while. It's really a nothing jump, but I almost went over the bars on it once....thus, that fear hit. Well, this time, I was so determined to stay in front that I didn't even consider my fear on that jump. Not that he couldn't have passed me on the double-double section...which surprised me...I just pinned the hell out of my throttle and stayed in front. Yeah...definitely a good moment for me, especially when it meant getting rid of that "fear." I feel I can start stepping it up some more now.
THEN...the next day (Sunday/yesterday) I rode at Zaca. I feel a lot faster at the Doc's after riding so much at Zaca with its advanced terrain and obstacles, as well as length. I don't jump and clear hardly anything at Zaca.....UNTIL NOW.
At the end of the day my wonderful sons approached me and told me to get on my bike and that they were taking me to the top of the track. They said I was "going to hit the 'double-double' up there, and that I wasn't going home until I did it." OKAY...They appeared to have more than enough faith in me to accomplish this, so I got on my bike, started her up and followed them up to the top.
First, Cannon had me watch him do it over and over a couple times, then Cooper actually cased it on purpose to show me that this double won't do anything if you case it. I don't know what came over me, but I rolled the first one, then pinned it over the second double. What a rush! The landing is a on pretty cool down-hill. After that, I just went right in and pinned it over the first double, then pinned over the second. A blast! Loved that feeling of rhythm and air! Then I looked back and the boys were strongly holding two thumbs up. My boys took charge and both discussed how they were going to get me over these two doubles...respecting each other's theory and as a result...I DID IT!!!
Yes...it was a great weekend!! Awesome time with my boys.
Racing is in the works again. We're working with Ed and Keith, assisting them with four races this spring. It's going to be bigger than the last two we held, with more sponsors. The boys and I are so excited. Again, the guys at Zaca: Ed, Keith, Ian and P.J. are so good to us....we're so happy to be soinvolved and help them out.
G-day!
(in memory of Paul Harvey--I listened to him when I was stuck in my hole of an office in MInot AFB, ND. Just learned he passed away this weekend. The old men in my office would have his talk show on in the a.m.....I just always used to wait for his "This Paul Harvey....good day" and then the radio would play MY music. His story was interesting..)
You see...since my knee injury in 2002, I've stepped back a lot on jumping. I still jump, but I've developed that, "What if I land wrong and it hurts..." fear, as I've done that many times. So, instead of focusing on jumping, I've turned to work on speed and turns....and the wonderful excitement of making the best of ruts.
All this turned resulted in my minor (yet huge for me) accomplishment of holding a guy off at the Doc's the other day (saturday.) I entered the track and he came up behind me. I worked hard to keep him from passing me, and just when he'd catch up to me mid-bike, I'd shoot off this jump and take my space back. Now this jump is one that I had been working on for quite a while. It's really a nothing jump, but I almost went over the bars on it once....thus, that fear hit. Well, this time, I was so determined to stay in front that I didn't even consider my fear on that jump. Not that he couldn't have passed me on the double-double section...which surprised me...I just pinned the hell out of my throttle and stayed in front. Yeah...definitely a good moment for me, especially when it meant getting rid of that "fear." I feel I can start stepping it up some more now.
THEN...the next day (Sunday/yesterday) I rode at Zaca. I feel a lot faster at the Doc's after riding so much at Zaca with its advanced terrain and obstacles, as well as length. I don't jump and clear hardly anything at Zaca.....UNTIL NOW.
At the end of the day my wonderful sons approached me and told me to get on my bike and that they were taking me to the top of the track. They said I was "going to hit the 'double-double' up there, and that I wasn't going home until I did it." OKAY...They appeared to have more than enough faith in me to accomplish this, so I got on my bike, started her up and followed them up to the top.
First, Cannon had me watch him do it over and over a couple times, then Cooper actually cased it on purpose to show me that this double won't do anything if you case it. I don't know what came over me, but I rolled the first one, then pinned it over the second double. What a rush! The landing is a on pretty cool down-hill. After that, I just went right in and pinned it over the first double, then pinned over the second. A blast! Loved that feeling of rhythm and air! Then I looked back and the boys were strongly holding two thumbs up. My boys took charge and both discussed how they were going to get me over these two doubles...respecting each other's theory and as a result...I DID IT!!!
Yes...it was a great weekend!! Awesome time with my boys.
Racing is in the works again. We're working with Ed and Keith, assisting them with four races this spring. It's going to be bigger than the last two we held, with more sponsors. The boys and I are so excited. Again, the guys at Zaca: Ed, Keith, Ian and P.J. are so good to us....we're so happy to be soinvolved and help them out.
G-day!
(in memory of Paul Harvey--I listened to him when I was stuck in my hole of an office in MInot AFB, ND. Just learned he passed away this weekend. The old men in my office would have his talk show on in the a.m.....I just always used to wait for his "This Paul Harvey....good day" and then the radio would play MY music. His story was interesting..)
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Howlin' Byroon & The Creese Bros.
I guess I ought to mention that the boys actually do more than ride/race dirtbikes and participate/work for Refugio Jr. Lifeguards.
For the past few years Cooper has been taking guitar lessons from the wonderful and talented Brian Cole (aka Howlin' Byroon.) Cannon has been taking drum lessons from Brian's son, Samuel. The Cole-Martin Family are a family of various musical talents. With H. Byroon's inspiration and teaching, Cooper has developed an amazing talent on guitar, and Cannon has developed some pretty impressive skills on the skins guided by Samuel. The boys have played together for Brian's student "Showcases" at various venues in Lompoc. Unfortunately, I was unable to videotape those performances. However, they recently appeared last friday night at Southside Coffee Shop's "Open Mic Night" and I remembered to bring the video camera!
After Cooper and Cannon finished their set with H. Byroon, Cannon came off the drums and was replaced by Samuel. Cooper remained up on stage to jam some blues. Needless to say, we were in awe at how Cooper can just play off Byroon's rhythm, unrehearsed, and jam the solo's he put out.
This video starts out with the boys playing VanHalen/the Kink's "Girl, You Really Got Me" and the Clash's "Should I Stay Or Should I Go;" then it goes into Cooper bluezing it up w/Byroon and Samuel.
(Please excuse my lack of videotaping skills...I'm determined to get a better camera soon and learn to keep the camera steady....just might wanna grab the Dramamine...then sit back and enjoy the next 12 minutes.)
Check it out~ (yeah, we're purty proud.)
Oh by the way, earlier that day Cooper received his driver's permit. Where did the time go? Now the real reality hits...our baby is growing up!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Here's to our family in Pittsburgh! Way To Go Steelers!!!
What a good day it was yesterday! Every day here is a good day, but this post brings me to say it was an extremely good day in Pittsburgh (well...really it happened in Tampa.) To our family out in the Steel City, we couldn't be happier for you.
Now, we really don't have time to watch much t.v. or follow football, except for high school. We haven't had t.v. hooked up for 9 years; however, we're able to watch it in our motor home for events such as the Super Bowl.
Our perfect day yesterday started with my hiking with Pam at 5:30 a.m., then boys and I packed and headed to work and ride @ Zaca (...the track was perfect!) Then we finished up some work and came home just in time to watch the half-time show with BRUCE! Jim had BBQ'ed a tri-tip and made sandwiches for us to eat as we gathered in RV coach to enjoy the second half of the game. We really got into the game...what a comeback for Pittsburgh! The Steelers brought on such heartfelt grit in the last few minutes of that game. We are so happy for Pittsburgh becoming the first 6-time Super Bowl Champions and want our family to know we're celebrating with them on the Central Coast!
Now, we really don't have time to watch much t.v. or follow football, except for high school. We haven't had t.v. hooked up for 9 years; however, we're able to watch it in our motor home for events such as the Super Bowl.
Our perfect day yesterday started with my hiking with Pam at 5:30 a.m., then boys and I packed and headed to work and ride @ Zaca (...the track was perfect!) Then we finished up some work and came home just in time to watch the half-time show with BRUCE! Jim had BBQ'ed a tri-tip and made sandwiches for us to eat as we gathered in RV coach to enjoy the second half of the game. We really got into the game...what a comeback for Pittsburgh! The Steelers brought on such heartfelt grit in the last few minutes of that game. We are so happy for Pittsburgh becoming the first 6-time Super Bowl Champions and want our family to know we're celebrating with them on the Central Coast!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Bruce is comin'~!!
Click on this and enjoy the music & video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rGFfO5fUvE
Those of you might not know just how big a fan of Springsteen I am. I first saw Bruce with my Uncle Keith back in 1985 for his "Born in the U.S.A." tour. Awesome show~
My DJ buddy, the ever-so-talented Jennifer G., and I took a road trip to see him perform in Anaheim last spring; and with any luck, we'll score tickets again for his tour this spring.
A favorite kind of day is running around in my Jeep on a hot day with the top off and the Boss pounding on my crappy little stereo. (I call it crappy as last summer it literally "crapped out" on me down in Santa Barbara and practically fried my cd....hate it when that happens!) Yep...on a day like that you'll likely hear "Rosalita" and "Badlands" in the distance and know I'm not too far away. I'm really more into his old stuff with the E-Street Band, but am anxious to hear his new album.
Click and check out the Boss at his best~~oh yeah!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rGFfO5fUvE
Those of you might not know just how big a fan of Springsteen I am. I first saw Bruce with my Uncle Keith back in 1985 for his "Born in the U.S.A." tour. Awesome show~
My DJ buddy, the ever-so-talented Jennifer G., and I took a road trip to see him perform in Anaheim last spring; and with any luck, we'll score tickets again for his tour this spring.
A favorite kind of day is running around in my Jeep on a hot day with the top off and the Boss pounding on my crappy little stereo. (I call it crappy as last summer it literally "crapped out" on me down in Santa Barbara and practically fried my cd....hate it when that happens!) Yep...on a day like that you'll likely hear "Rosalita" and "Badlands" in the distance and know I'm not too far away. I'm really more into his old stuff with the E-Street Band, but am anxious to hear his new album.
Click and check out the Boss at his best~~oh yeah!
*VanHalen Asteroids*
I just received this from my classic rock DJ buddy, Jennifer....it's a hoot!
(HOWEVER--to those of you who might get offended by a certain word, please excuse the name of the link at the very top of the game's link. I guess they couldn't think of anything more intelligent to call it, [hint: the link contains the F-word at the very top of the tab] so be sure to click at your discretion, or better yet...don't look at the name of the link at the very top. That's the only BAD part...other than that, the game is funny & clean. Have fun & get Sammy [he never belonged, anyway!] Enjoy!)
Here's the link:
http://shitbagz.com/gameZ/assteroidZDDEbeta
Keep playing until the flying saucer comes out!
(HOWEVER--to those of you who might get offended by a certain word, please excuse the name of the link at the very top of the game's link. I guess they couldn't think of anything more intelligent to call it, [hint: the link contains the F-word at the very top of the tab] so be sure to click at your discretion, or better yet...don't look at the name of the link at the very top. That's the only BAD part...other than that, the game is funny & clean. Have fun & get Sammy [he never belonged, anyway!] Enjoy!)
Here's the link:
http://shitbagz.com/gameZ/assteroidZDDEbeta
Keep playing until the flying saucer comes out!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The man I'm growing young with....
Always camera shy...Jim, here, is my rock. He's probably the most giving and selfless person I've ever known. Jim is a success in everything he does and he's one heck of an awesome dad. The boys definitely get their scholastic talents from him. I'm a lucky girl!
The Aquabats
Cooper on Halloween.
The Aquabats are probably most comparable to the B-52's of our day. (thank God he likes the B-52'!) Anyways, this is our handsome, intelligent Cooper. Gotta love the kid!
Meet our precious little Lulabelle...
Cannon at Halloween...
Wearing this, he rode his unicycle all over Lompoc trick-or-treating with his buddies...
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Refugio Jr. Lifeguards
Thank God for zinc oxide! Cannon, here, is the poster boy for the stuff. (He's had his share of bacon nose.)Living in this area, whether your surfin' or turfin', sometimes calls for extreme skin care measures. Zinc oxide has come a long way from the fishy, oily butt ointment manufacturers (which we do use in times of desperation.) Now you can get it without the fishy smell and in all sorts of fun colors. The kids end up looking like face painted warriors running up and down the beach, but if it prevents a fried nose....bring it on!
At competitions, we tend to be stocked with the stuff and offer it to any kid from any beach that looks like they're going to be sizzling at day's end.
Refugio Jr. Lifequard Program
California State Jr. Lifequard Program is an awesome summer program for kids to come together and learn water safety skills. The program is also offered in different states. Kids compete in competitions at regional, state and national levels. Cooper has been working as an "assistant" with our program at Refugio State Beach. I work as an administrative assistant to our program manager. It's a season job and it's a blast.
Rain, rain, don't go away!
Yea! We are finally getting wet here in the Central Coast! Unfortunately, today's riding at the Doc's was cancelled due to the wet weather, but boy do we need the rain.
The Doc and his wife have this beautiful track on 20 acres, on which every Saturday they invite families to enjoy. We've been riding out there practically every weekend for the past nine years. There we've watched our boys grow from their little Yamaha PeeWee 50 all the way up to this year's purchase of Cooper's new Honda CRF250F and Cannon's Honda CRF150F (he still has some growing to do.) Now they're "tail-whipping" and "scrubbing" over our heads!
Zaca Station, the other track we work/ride at, is the place that really needs the rain. It's vastly larger than the Doc's track so it takes a lot more time to prep. The only water available to it appears to be via truck. The Doc has a unique watering system he developed at his place (a true masterpiece in it's self.) But the guys at Zaca work real hard to prep the track for every ride day. Running all that equipment (water truck & tractors) is truly back-breaking as one can imagine. Watching them spend hours on end rocking up and down the ripped up straights and jumps makes your back ache for them. One learns to appreciate what goes into running a track by realizing all the work Ed & the Zaca guys do, as well as the Doc, before letting us ride.
Check out www.zacastationmx.com to see the place. On this website there's a cool new video that will give any MX-ers an idea of just how fun this track is....(and, hence, how appreciative we are to have the opportunity to work there.) Once in a while we are visited by a pro rider or two: Nathan Woods, Ivan Tedescoe, a few stunt guys...another fun perk!
Sorry for this boring post.....just a rainy day here in Central Coast, and I don't know what to do with myself. I'm so used to being on the run from 5:30 a.m. to bedtime on the weekends. This is a first, where I don't have to be anywhere at any certain time. Hmmm...think I'll go give the Shizzle a bath! That oughta bring some excitement around here!!!
PS--By the way, we do way more than just ride dirt bikes. In fact, my job with the Refugio Jr. Lifeguard Program is getting ready to test for this summer's participants and we're adding 3 weeks of Surf Camp this spring. Looks like my work is going to be cut out for me....but where else can one work in a lifeguard headquarters tower with a 270-degree ocean view and run errands on and around the beach. The pay os good and I get to be there working with my boys. (Cooper also works for the program.)
LIFE IS GOOD!!!
The Doc and his wife have this beautiful track on 20 acres, on which every Saturday they invite families to enjoy. We've been riding out there practically every weekend for the past nine years. There we've watched our boys grow from their little Yamaha PeeWee 50 all the way up to this year's purchase of Cooper's new Honda CRF250F and Cannon's Honda CRF150F (he still has some growing to do.) Now they're "tail-whipping" and "scrubbing" over our heads!
Zaca Station, the other track we work/ride at, is the place that really needs the rain. It's vastly larger than the Doc's track so it takes a lot more time to prep. The only water available to it appears to be via truck. The Doc has a unique watering system he developed at his place (a true masterpiece in it's self.) But the guys at Zaca work real hard to prep the track for every ride day. Running all that equipment (water truck & tractors) is truly back-breaking as one can imagine. Watching them spend hours on end rocking up and down the ripped up straights and jumps makes your back ache for them. One learns to appreciate what goes into running a track by realizing all the work Ed & the Zaca guys do, as well as the Doc, before letting us ride.
Check out www.zacastationmx.com to see the place. On this website there's a cool new video that will give any MX-ers an idea of just how fun this track is....(and, hence, how appreciative we are to have the opportunity to work there.) Once in a while we are visited by a pro rider or two: Nathan Woods, Ivan Tedescoe, a few stunt guys...another fun perk!
Sorry for this boring post.....just a rainy day here in Central Coast, and I don't know what to do with myself. I'm so used to being on the run from 5:30 a.m. to bedtime on the weekends. This is a first, where I don't have to be anywhere at any certain time. Hmmm...think I'll go give the Shizzle a bath! That oughta bring some excitement around here!!!
PS--By the way, we do way more than just ride dirt bikes. In fact, my job with the Refugio Jr. Lifeguard Program is getting ready to test for this summer's participants and we're adding 3 weeks of Surf Camp this spring. Looks like my work is going to be cut out for me....but where else can one work in a lifeguard headquarters tower with a 270-degree ocean view and run errands on and around the beach. The pay os good and I get to be there working with my boys. (Cooper also works for the program.)
LIFE IS GOOD!!!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Let me introduce our most loved furry family members: Moondoggie, our 12 y/o black lab; and Squiggy "the Shizzle," our little 2 y/o lhasa-desertToto-whatzit rescue creature. (His poor mama died giving birth.) Moondoggie is absolutely the sweetest dog you'll ever meet (hardly a soul would disagree.) ......and then there's the Shizz.... Well, let's just say he's as spoiled rotten as he is adorable....(many people would agree to that, too.) Such a cute little cuss!!!
Both love to ride in the motorhome and truck (inside the cab only;) and both love our nearby beach and going "racing." They are such good buddies and bring a lot of joy to our lives.
Howdy from we Creese's!!!
As you can tell, we're a family of dirt bikers. This was taken up on a ridge at Hollister Hills last November.
Cannon #171 and Cooper #731 are both on Honda-Yamaha of Lompoc's race team; however, our local race organization shut down last year but we're hopeful some racing will be in the works this spring at Zaca. Cooper works the gate at Zaca Station MX track on the weekends. Cannon and I both do work out there too. Where else can one get paid and work doing what you absolutely love? Since working there, both boys have stepped up their riding immensely. Cooper's now "scrubbing and whipping" over the large plateaus at the track, and Cannon has accomplished nearly every jump. It's amazing to see how much they've improved.
Jim #9 is the most loving and awesome husband, as well as one devoted dad...constantly supporting our family sport. He's an awesome rider with this ultra-smooth style when riding and jumping out at the Doc's.
As for me? I just do the best I can to hang with the big dogs. I race 40+ Amateur and am usually up at the gates with all men. I also race Women's 25+ when we can get enough women together. I've given up racing with the young girls...they're a little too gnarly for this gal. I have a blast and love the adrenaline at the gates!
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