January 12, 2014

It’s Not the Size of the Dog in the Fight

These words have never been truer, especially at this moment in time.

Let me introduce you to my brother, Gabriel, or as some of us call him, Gabe.

Gabe is my younger brother. 11 years age difference between he and I. Gabriel was born with a type of dwarfism known as Cartilage Hair Hypoplasia. From the time he came into the world, he’s been a fighter. He had no choice but to be, and he’s darn good at it.

His journey with dwarfism and the bumps in the road he’s encountered in his 22 years is a story in itself, however, that is not what I am writing about tonight.

Gabriel is currently in Critical Care ICU.

Needless to say, it has been a rough weekend for Gabe, my mom, step-dad and family.

Unfortunately, the road has just begun.

Gabriel was first diagnosed with Influenza A last Tuesday, January 7th. By Wednesday, pneumonia was added to the list and he was admitted to the hospital for observation and care. By Thursday, he was doing better and was released.

It is unbelievable how quickly an illness can take over ones body, because within hours of his release, Gabriel found himself back in the ER struggling for breath.

BiPAP wasn’t working for him. He fought it tooth and nail. Fatigue and panic were setting in and the decision to intubate him was made. The combination of all of this landed him in the ambulance, Omaha bound.

I arrived at the Med Center shortly after Gabriel on Friday afternoon. It was like a war zone with the Doctors, nurses, fellows, etc.

The Doctor explained Gabriel’s condition in the most forward fashion I have encountered. Blunt. Frank. To the point.

To me, the information was overwhelming but refreshing.

To Dave, overwhelming but welcomed.

To Mom, overwhelming and shocking.

I can’t imagine a parent’s feeling of helplessness. It hurts to see my mom and step-dad so concerned and overwhelmed.

But, they are maintaining.

Together, they are strong.

In basic terms, Gabriel is very very sick. The doctor likened his condition to a bomb having gone off in his lungs.

But, he is also in very very good hands.

Gabriel is on high oxygen support with the ventilator as he is unable to adequately breathe on his own. The Doctor explained on Saturday that he expects Gabriel to be intubated for multiple days due to the severity of his illness and the effect it has had on his lungs. At the time, Gabe was alert and understood what the doctor was saying.

As of today, they have him heavily medicated and sedated as he was using too much oxygen while awake. Gabriel’s lungs are also too stiff from the fluid build-up, which makes it hard for him to inflate his lungs by himself. Doctors are pressurizing his lungs with nitrogen to assist him. This procedure poses a slight issue in that they are unable to follow normal formula’s due to Gabe’s unique size, but they are closely monitoring him. We also have to limit people in and out of the room in addition to keeping noise levels down. When noise levels are up and conversations are happening around him, his oxygen levels begin fluctuating. The doctor wants him still, not agitated and resting.

Today, the doctor also said the healing process could take multiple weeks.

Gabe is in for the long haul and he’s fighting.

So, we wait. We think positive. We pray.

Keep my brother in your thoughts and prayers. The outpouring of love that he and my parents have received already has been astounding.

On behalf of my family, we thank you.

Keep the prayers coming.

December 30, 2013

The Making of the Biker B!tch Crew

Allow me to introduce you to some of the coolest chicks you will ever meet.

2013 Biker B!tch Crew

Some of these girls I have known for years while others only for a short time, but what I can tell you about this particular group is that we share a unique and special bond that only female bikers can truly understand.

Let me take you through the making of this pretty fantastic group.

Background

Fall 2004 I bought my first Harley.

Summer 2005 I started riding with a crew I had only met a couple of times (including my now bestie, Sara). They welcomed me with open arms, and I am eternally thankful for that being a new rider at the time. Sara and I quickly became close friends. She is one sassy lady with the kindest, most caring heart. Sara and I have been by each others side through some pretty major life events and I am forever thankful for her friendship.

Summer of 2006 Sara and I officially formed the Biker B!tch Crew…. or Duo I guess we should have called it at the time.

Even with just the two of us, we knew we were on to something pretty great. 🙂

Sara and I: Summer 2006

Each year we started to recruit a few more girls to our Crew.

There is something pretty darn awesome about being a woman in control of your own bike.

Sara’s sister, Liz, joined us next. Liz cracks me up with her sense of humor and say it like it is personality. You know where you stand with these two sisters and I love that about the both of them. Good people. Good hearts.

Sara, Me, Liz

Then came Tammy; Sara and Liz’s step-sister. Tammy actually bought my Harley-Davidson Sportster which was fun for me to see it passed on to another kick ass chick! Loads of fun the four of us gals had that summer, let me tell you.

Soon after Tammy joined us, my friend Heidi came aboard. Heidi and I met in 2006 when we both started working for the same company. We bonded and survived that nightmare of a job, quickly became great friends and a few years later I had the privilege of helping her search for her first Harley.

And, this is where the years get a little blurry and I have no photos.

Sad affair, but we won’t dwell. The best is yet to come!

Fast forward to 2010.

Heidi, Sara, Tammy, Jordan and Liz

The photos above were taken at Heron Bay in Louisville, NE. Fun little dive bar on the river. Highly recommend for a summer pit stop. Don’t expect fanciness. It is definitely a dive.

Liz, Sara, me, Heidi, Tammy – Chrome Lounge, Omaha, NE

Bottoms Up, Ladies!

2011 Biker Bitch Ride we added my girl, Tyree. Tyree and I met in ’07, a year after I moved to Omaha, and she quickly became one of my closest friends and confidants. We have some pretty wild things in common that helped us bond in just a few short weeks. Tyree didn’t have a Harley when I first met her, but she invested a few years after. I also had the privilege of joining Tyree while she made her first Harley purchase! So much fun.

I can’t help feeling like a proud momma when my friends purchase new bikes!

In true B Ride fashion, it rained the day of our 2011 ride. It always seems to rain on us, but usually passes through pretty quickly.

NOT. THAT. YEAR.

Seriously….

We were poured on. But, we didn’t let it damper our spirits. Nor were we going to be called fair weather riders, so off we went!

Me, Tyree, Liz, Heidi and Sara

Shiddle-E Dee – Clarinda, IA

Essex, IA. We started a tradition of chalking the tables in 2011. 😉

2012 we added CB, Lara and Kayla to our crew.

CB is an old friend/step-mother figure of Sara and Liz and is such a caring and kind woman.

Kayla is one of my very best friends since our High School Days. She and I were often up to no good, but we have some of the best memories together and I am forever thankful that we have remained besties in our adult years. The shenanigans just don’t stop, especially since her husband and mine are inseparable. They honestly should just move in together and Kayla and I could just pay them a visit every now and then. 🙂

Lara is one of Kayla’s close friends and is an absolute ball of fun. I love this woman’s humor, compassion and zest for life.

Never truer words.

The day of our 2012 Ride a few of the gals were just meeting each other for the first time. I was the only one that knew all of them, a couple of the others knew all but maybe one or two and then there were a couple other gals that didn’t know but only one. By an hour or two into the day it was as if we had known each other for years.

This is the kind of friendship that can’t be explained. I can say it until I am blue in the face, but there really is something about bonding over two wheels. We share the danger, the excitement, the adrenaline and the enhanced sense of caution. We look out for one another, we never leave someone behind, we encourage, poke fun and genuinely care for each other.

But don’t let all that fool ya…. We are often up to no good. 🙂

Bottom Right – Clockwise – Kayla, Me, CB, Sara, Lara, Heidi, Liz and Tyree

No shame in saying it how it is…. 😉

For the record, it did rain that day. Why would you think any different?

2013- 8th Annual B!tch Ride

Our largest group yet! We added three new ones this year!

Regeana- Tyree and I met her at the Holstein’s 2013 All Women’s Run about a month prior to the Bitch Run. She showed up to the run by herself in hopes of meeting a few other ladies to ride with. We started chatting her up at the first bar stop and we have shared the open road with her ever since. Regeana has two kids and a husband overseas. She is a rockstar of a woman.

Ashley – a friend of my husband’s who I reached out to and invited her on the B!tch Run spur of the moment. Remember that talk about building fast friendships on 2 wheels? Ashley didn’t know a single one of us until this day. I was even just meeting her for the first time! So glad she stepped out of her comfort zone and joined us. She is an absolute sweetheart and we all loved her from the get-go.

And Katina, didn’t know anyone but me (she grew up with my husband), but the gals literally took her under their wings within minutes. Katina is such a quiet, sweet soul with a sneaky side to her (um, she just up and moved to Colorado for goodness sakes). Thankful Katina was able to join our rowdy bunch and didn’t run away thinking we were all too crazy.

I am blessed to know such strong, kick ass, beautiful, fun loving women that I can call dear friends.

Heidi, Regeana, Me, Kayla, Sara, Katina, Tyree, Liz, Ashley, Lara

Our first stop on the 8th Annual B!tch Ride landed us in Macedonia, IA for lunch. Our second stop (above) landed us in Griswold. And this is where we remained for longer than anticipated due to…… you’ve got it…

Rain.

That’s ok though. We had more then enough fun while stranded.

Our attempt at recreating our 2012 hand in pocket photo.

Can we say, FAIL?

Stop 3- Red Oak, IA

Stop 4 and 5 – Essex, IA (chalk table) and Imogene, IA for none other then Little Beer Shots.

So. Good.

So. Lethal.

You’ve been warned.

Case In Point – You may end up in a kiddie pool….

Tyree and Yours Truly

And that my friends, is the History of the Biker B!tch Crew.

Awesome Girlfriends, Crazy Shenanigans, Lots of Laughs, Forever Memories.

December 29, 2013

Christmas Recap, Money Giving Idea & A Rolo Cookie Recipe

Hi All! I hope you had a very Merry Christmas with family and friends. We had a whirlwind of Christmas Celebrations, but loved every single one of them.

Money Giving Idea!

Clint wanted to give his nephews cash for Christmas. What kid doesn’t enjoy receiving money, right?

We taped each bill together, placed them in a wrapped container, attached the last bill to a bow with directions to pull carefully.

I was so excited to see their faces as they pulled the string of money out!

Christmas Eve Celebrations

Our first celebration on Christmas Eve was with Clint’s mom, step-dad, siblings and nephews. Debbie always cooks SO MUCH FOOD and it is always so very good. Unfortunately, I wasn’t feeling real well that day, so I didn’t get to enjoy the yummies. 😦 However, it was still a great day being with family.

And, the boys faces, say it all with their gifts:

Good luck getting through that maze:

What a fun first Christmas Celebration!

Our Second Christmas Eve Celebration was with my dad’s side of the family. I enjoyed chatting with my grandpa, aunt and uncle and cousins. Always a good time with them. 🙂

My Gr’pa and I

My Cousin Megan and I

Totally wasn’t feeling very well and the pictures definitely show that. So much for thinking I was doing a good job of hiding it! Yeesh!

After our Christmas Eve celebrations we headed back to the city so that we could be home on Christmas morning with Kyle! We do a LOT of driving during the holidays. We racked up a total of three trips to Clarinda, IA and back in four days.

Oh hello crappy gas mileage!

Christmas Morning:

Kyle and his pile. It should be noted that some of those were also from his grandparents. He was unable to make the Christmas Eve dinner due to his work schedule.

Who remembers High School retail hours? Thank goodness those days are behind me!

Fake smiles anyone? At least they obliged. 🙂

The aftermath. Even Champ was exhausted!

Clint spoiled me ROTTEN! I mean, seriously. A Kitchen Aid Mixer and the Yamaha keyboard I had been wanting. This thing is legit! Super excited to play again. 🙂 I have a piano in Clarinda at my dad’s house, however, who wants to haul that thing around? No thanks. He can keep it as a clothes hanger.

After we finished our Christmas Day Celebrations at our house, we headed back to Clarinda to spend the afternoon with my mom, step-dad, Bro and Gr’ma.

Mom had a delicious spread of snack foods, lasagna soup, desserts and of course champagne and beer.

We snacked, sipped, opened gifts and shared a lot of laughs. It was a perfect Christmas Day afternoon.

Paige. My mom’s baby.

My Bro, Gabe and his lifeline.

Clint and Gabe

My mom and step-dad. They have the coolest back porch. My mom has a knack for decorating. It’s like a little cottage setting back there. So cute.

Yours Truly

I am going to leave you with a Rolo Cookie Recipe that I again, only make once a year (like my Caramel Chex Mix), but these cookies only go to my Uncle Craig. Well, they are made with the intent of just going to him, but my grandpa, aunt and cousins seem to always anticipate their arrival as well. 😉 I found this recipe originally on SixSisters.com. Those chicks are my recipe heroes.

Enjoy!

1. Unwrap Rolo’s and Mix together cake mix, oil and eggs.

2. Wrap dough around one Rolo

3. Bake for 7-8 minutes at 350

4. Sprinkle with powdered sugar

Enjoy!

December 23, 2013

Merry Christmas to You From Me: Caramel Chex Recipe!

Wishing you and yours a Very Merry Christmas!

My gift to you is the recipe for my most requested treat, Caramel Chex! I only make it one time a year for a very specific reason: It’s ridiculously addicting. Consider yourself warned.

Step 1: Preheat oven to 325*. In a saucepan, heat sugar, Karo Syrup and butter over medium heat until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved. On a prepared (large) baking sheet spread out cereal, nuts and coconut.

*I have found 350 temp is perfect in an electric oven, but 325 works best in a gas oven.

Step 2: Pour caramel mixture over cereal mix. Coat cereal mixture well. Try not to drool.

Step 3: Stir well, place in oven for 24 minutes, stirring every eight minutes to assure every cereal bit gets equally coated.

Step 4: After the 24 minute baking time spread mixture out on lightly greased parchment paper making sure to create an even layer. Feel free to leave some small clumps for extra gooey pieces after it cools.

Step 5: Try to keep your significant other out of it. It’s dangerously good.

Step 6: Store as desired. I typically place mine in either snack size bags, decorated with cute ribbon, or in zip lock bags for ease of access. I always add M&M’s when bagging up. Note: as the Chex settles it will stick together, creating clumps, so keeping it stored in baggies allows you to gently massage the chex mix to break it up.