St Patrick's Day Parade

Saturday Gary and I rode in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Billings with the Patriot Guard Riders. It was alot of fun and we would like to make this an annual event along with other events we want to make annually.

Early Saturday morning we again loaded the bike onto the trailer. Now that we know how to thread those stupid ratchet straps it was a snap. Again we unloaded at the dealership and left our trailer and truck there. We ate breakfast at the Muzzleloader Cafe, not knowing how long this will be and when we would get a chance to eat again.

Our friends Pat & Sandi Breckenridge were there (former Hardin residents), so we joined them for breakfast. We followed them to the staging area, due to all the construction going on in downtown Billings, they knew the secrets ways to the courthouse parking lot. Many of our biker friends were there so we got to catch up on news. We were invited to a party later on in the day at some other friends house. She gave us the address, but we had no clue where it was, so we just went with some other friends.

The weather was nice for a parade, not too hot and not too cold. The only problem was that the people running the staging for the parade had our group move three times. We ended up being where we first started for lining up the parade. Sure alot of people lined up to watch the parade. Many had their bikes decorated and a bunch wore goofy hats. We bought some green baseball caps to wear. My mission now is to find some St. Patty's decorations for next year. I did post the photos on my picasa site and also on my facebook.

We ate lunch with the group at a nice little Mexican restaurant. They sure weren't ready for us, they were told that about 20 people would be there, when in fact 40 of us showed up. It was very good food and they did work very hard to accomodate us, not to mention working the regular cafe part. The two little waitresses sure were running. Those two young women were amazed at the tip money that was piled up on the tables. After lunch we went back to the dealership to load the bike on the trailer. We were able to leave our rig at friend's house and we rode with them to the party. Good thing, we would have never found the party house on our own. Now that we know where our hosts live, we will find it again.

There were about 22 of us for the St. Patrick's Day feast. She fixed corned beef and cabbage, mashed potatoes, ham, soda bread. Had a variety of desserts. The only requirement was that we had to bring our own drinks. It was a good time. All the guys were playing pool and the women were upstairs chatting about hair extensions, butt cracks and boobs.

We didn't get home until 10:00 that night. Not too bad for only going to be gone for the morning. After all we just went to Billings to ride in the parade.

Patriot Guard Mission

Last Saturday we participated in the Patriot Guard Riders mission in Billings for a young soldier killed in the line of duty.

We had to go to Billings anyway to take the bike for it's annual service. We were hoping that it would be done before we had to do the mission.

Last December, we bought a flat bed trailer for the bike, just for occasions like this, when it's too cold to ride.

Saturday morning arrived and we hooked the trailer up to the pickup without any problems. Gary got ready to ride the bike onto the trailer and he got stuck. Here he was stuck on the ramp. We didn't figure on the pipes hitting the ground. He couldn't go forward or backward. I had to jump into the pickup and drive forward to get him lowered. Once we got on the grass, it was easy to load the bike on the trailer. Not so much on the cement. Now it was time to use our ratchet straps that he bought. Why would we get these out earlier to figure out how they work, no those straps are so easy. Right. The kind we bought come in two sections. All the instructions said was to hook one to the trailer and one to the object then thread through. No problem, only no instructions how we are supposed to thread them. Well we managed to get the bike strapped down.

On the road we went, we made it to Billings in plenty of time to get to the dealership and unload. Again, while unloading the bike got stuck and I had to drive forward. We were so lucky that no employees were watching this fiasco. Got the bike checked in. Some of the guys were giving Gary a bad time about not riding the bike and having me follow. They forget we have to come from Hardin and it was too cold in the morning. It was going to take at least 6 hours for the service to get done.

We were able to drop the trailer at the dealership, they have no problem with that. We went and ate breakfast. Our next stop was going to get the truck washed, but the car washes were so busy that we didn't have time.

We did have time to wander through the home improvement show at the Metra. Got some ideas for the bath and kitchen when we do makeovers in a couple years. Entered a raffle to win a bathroom makeover up to $11,000. Didn't win.

Back to the dealership we went to check on things. They were ahead of schedule and would be done around 2:00. Great, we had a meeting with Parks for tae kwon do at 1:00 and didn't have to be at staging for the Patriot Guard until 3:00.

Went to the meeting with Parks, told them we had to leave by 2:30 for a funeral. We got out of there around 2:15, got to the dealership picked up the bike. They were so nice and washed it for us that it was nice and shiny for the mission.

Got all of our stuff on and made our way to the Wal-Mart in the Heights. There were about 50 of us there for the mission. Saw all of our friends. I took a bunch of photos. The normal photographer forgot her camera at home, so she asked me to fill in for her. I sent my photos to the state person and they are supposed to post them on the website. Anyway I did my part.

This was just a memorial service for this young soldier. His funeral was actually in South Carolina where he was stationed at and where his wife is from. He grew up in Billings. Apparently there were some hard feelings between his parents and his wife on where he was going to be buried.

After the mission was over, back to the dealership to load up and head for home. It was 6:00 by the time we left Billings, so was a good thing we trailered the bike, got too dark to ride home. Got home and unloaded the bike off the trailer. Gary had some 2X4's at the house and we used those. Gave just enough clearance for the pipes.

Jennifer's Birthday

Again I am behind. We celebrated Jennifer's birthday on Feb. 28. Hard to believe that she is 22 now.

Nothing special, we took her out to dinner at her choice of restaurant, came home had some ice cream cake. She likes ice cream cakes from Dairy Queen. Mmom was here to help celebrate.

She chose Applebee's, which really wasn't a surprise at all. That is her favorite restaurant and she always orders the chicken fajita rollup. This year she ordered a birthday drink.

Jennifer had a strawberry daiquiri, Mmom and I had perfect margaritas and Gary had a beer. We ate a wonderful meal and then drove home for some birthday cake. It was all good.

I am taking Jennifer out to a movie, but we are waiting until one she wants to see comes on. So far that is still on hold.

Here are photos of her with her birthday drink and her cake. I wanted to get her something with an Irish theme and this was the closest I could come to.

Mardi Gras

Sunday the HOG chapter celebrated Fat Tuesday. I know it was a bit late, but better late then never. It was also the 20th anniversary of the Beartooth HOG Chapter.

Our meeting was held at Bones Brewery and we had free food. There were around 50 people there, free food really brings them in. We could dress up for Mardi Gras if we wanted, but the only thing I have is mardi gras beads, so I wore them. I even got two new strings of beads at the party.

We held our usual meeting, which was pretty short. Just talked about the riding season and some of the new things they want to do. Like an overnight camping trip. We will get the official cards with the dates and places of the riding meetings next month. March will be our last indoor meeting until October.

We then got to eat. The food was good, but I will not make a good Cajun woman. We had gumbo, jumbalaya and crawfish. I took just a little bit of everything. I only took one fish. We had a choice of hot or cold fish. I took hot figured it would be better. All I know about eating crawfish is to snap them in half and somehow you are supposed to suck out the insides. I didn't do any sucking, that just didn't work out. I just tore mine up and dug out the little meat with my fingers. I won't go out of my way eating crawfish. I at least tried it. Gary wouldn't. The gumbo was spicy. Not very hot, but it did have a kick to it. Good thing I had my beer to drink it all down. That I can do, drink the beer like a good Cajun woman. For dessert we had crepes and they were sure tasty.

After eating we were divided into groups of four for a little trivia game. The team we were on came in dead last. Part of the problem was that the person with the noise maker wouldn't wait until the whole question was read. Some of the answers were multiple choice. Also the emcee had selective hearing with the noise makers. Not all of them were very loud. We did get credit for answering four questions right. This is where I got my two new strings. The winning team go their pick of prizes. There were t-shirts, magnets, coffee mugs and shot glasses.

It was all in fun. I had sewed on our blood drive patches on our vests the night before and then Gary got his MDA run patch that he participated in over Labor Day. I didn't get one because I was in Ireland, which is ok. Just what I need, more patches to sew.

We had a real good time. Nothing better than getting together with our good biker friends, eating good food and drinking beer.

Being a trashy biker is not all that bad.

Valentines Day Weekend

I know I am behind, but what is new.

What a busy week I had, nothing but meetings all week at work, it got to the point where I forgot what meeting I was in.

Last weekend I had three days off due to President's Day on Monday. Friday Gary took me out for Valentines Day. We ended up spending the night in Billings as we stayed out too late to drive home. It is so nice to be able to just not come home and worry about kids.

We stayed at the C'mon Inn, had a swimming pool and five hot tubs. There is a huge courtyard with a pond filled with fish, a waterfall and a bridge. Very nice atmosphere. There are four hot tubs around the pond, the other hot tub is in the same room as the pool. We soaked in the warm waters Friday night and Saturday morning.

For dinner we wanted to eat where we've never been before so we ate at Old Chicago. We shared a pizza, this was a typical sports bar type of place. You mostly get pizza, pasta and burgers. The pizza was good. They also have all these different beers from different brewerys. We were not in the mood to try something different. After dinner we then went gambling.

In Montana the only games to play are poker and keno. Very boring after our trip to Wendover. Anyway we played poker and I won $52 on a machine, cashed out with $64.30. Between the two of us play, we came out ahead $4. 30. Not to mention that our beer was free.

In the morning we just relaxed at the motel, didn't have to check out until noon so we took advantage of that. For the price we paid for the room we were going to use their tubs and such. There is a breakfast at the motel and you eat around the courtyard. Very nice.

Just wished the weather was nice, it had started to snow that morning. We had signed up at the Harley dealership to donate blood for bikers. For doing this we got a patch and a coupon for 20% off in store items that day. We were worried about me being able to donate because I am anemic and also that I had traveled out of the country.

I was barely able to donate blood. The first time she checked me for my iron count I was too low, but she took it a second time and I just barely made it, so she let me donate. That was good because it was my idea to donate and I knew for sure that if I wasn't able to, I would never hear the end of it.

We got our patches, you know bikers will do anything for patches. With our coupons I bought another new shirt and Gary got a new wallet. It had snowed all day pretty hard in Billings, so our trip home was very slow going. Roads were very icy. Saw many slide offs on the way home. At the same token, there were many more idiot drivers thinking that the roads were bare and dry.

Monday Jennifer and I both had it off, so up to Billings we went for shopping. We left after lunch and had a great time. We both bought a pair of the Sketchers shape up shoes. I had wanted to get a pair anyway. I have a friend who has them and she swears by them. She thought they would be a great shoe for someone who is on their feet all day. We tried them on and really liked them. Jen was able to get her pair that day, but mine are being shipped to me. None of the stores in the mall had the shoe I wanted in my size. They had other colors, just not the one I wanted. With the price I was paying for these shoes, I didn't want to just settle.

Jennifer wore her shoes to work, but for her they are not going to work. She says that the floors are too greasy and she was sliding around. Not enough grip on the soles for her. She says they were comfortable to wear. I am waiting patiently for mine to arrive.

Published Again

Got news that my photo of the Muckross House is being used on the web site. You can check it out at www.schmap.killarney/sights_museum. Find the link for Muckross House and I am in there under Pat.





This is such exciting news for me, I can now honestly say that I am a published photographer. Who knew. Here is the photo that they used.

Super Bowl Weekend

Last weekend was the second best holiday compared to Thanksgiving with food. Every year we plan a buffet to lay out and this year we had hot wings, chips and dip, and a bunch of other goodie snacks.

Saturday we were invited to some of our friends for a spaghetti dinner. The dinner started at 4:00 and I had a meeting with Parks at 1:00 so it would all work out. My meeting with Parks was great and we were out of there by 3:00. That gave us plenty of time to get from the west end of Billings to the Heights.

We found their house without any problems. However, the side streets in Billings are not any better than the side streets in Hardin, good thing we took the pickup. We had a great time with the dinner, there were two other couples there besides us and our hosts. She made stuffed mushrooms for an appetizer and they were sure good. I got the recipe and made some for our Super Bowl food fest. We had a great time with our friends, they are biker friends and we were all lamenting on how bad the weather is and we can't get the bikes out for rides. This time last year we were able to ride around town on our bikes.

Super Bowl Sunday arrived. Nothing to do in the morning but just wait, so I did my normal Sunday morning routine. Once I got home, then it was time to start cooking and making the house smell good. Watched all the pre-game hoopla then settled down to watch a good game.

In our hearts we really wanted the Saints to win mainly because they have never won the championship title ever, but our heads said the the Colts would win. Imagine our surprise and delight when the Saints did win and what a great game we were able to watch. Once of the best Super Bowls in a long time.

Gary will be going through football withdrawals, but soon we will have March Madness. Football will start again in just 7 more months with pre-season. Not to mention he will be able to watch the draft in April.