If I Knew....

You know the saying "If I knew I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself"?  At first I didn't quite get it.  Then when I did get it, I would chuckle.  I don't know if I was scoffing at the notion that I would ever get old or if the idea that I would live long enough to feel that way was too far fetched for me to believe.  Nevertheless, it is no longer ellicits that snide chuckle.
As I approach my fiftieth birthday (you know...the 50, the half-century mark, the starting line for the downhill slide) I am reflecting on my life and what I have accomplished as I have written the book that is me.  When I look back I wonder in amazement that I am still alive.  Oh the things that I did.  I smile when I think of some chapters and cry when I think of other ones.  My heart aches in sorrow for the wrongs I have committed against God and others and rejoices at the pages that list and detail my long list of friendships, loves, and happy adventures that I've been blessed to have.  There are plenty of things that I would change but many that I wouldn't, but isn't that the way with most of us?  I have learned quite a bit but have forgotten most of it and I am forgetting more and more every day.  I figure that by the time I turn fifty-one I won't remember my fiftieth birthday and  if you remember this years party please don't tell me.  I want to be surprised. 

Looking back there are lessons in life I have learned.  I am who I am because of the decisions I have made and the consequences of those decisions.  I try to pass these lessons onto my children but as my daughter says to me each time "Mom I need to find out for myself!!!"  I vaguely remember saying the same thing to my mom.  History truly does repeat itself.

I'd like to list some of the things I have learned so my children can look back and see that I was young once and went through similar experiences. 

#10 Just because someone says they are your friend doesn't make it true.  Many people will come and go in your life.  Some will hurt your or lie and steal from you.  Few will stay.  Many will go.  Don't hang on to the ones that do not have the same values or morals you do and seek those that do.  Cherish the good friends you find and hold on to them.  Sometimes friends are the only thing that get us through to tomorrow.

#9  You are where you are now because of the choices that you made.  When we make decisions we are standing at a "Y" in a road.  Some rows may go to the right and up or to the left and down.  Choose your path carefully because most of the time you cannot turn back.

#8  The only time you will use algebra is when you are trying to balance your checkbook and find a check that isn't recorded.  x=missing check.

#7  Trust your instinct.  Listen to that gut radar that tells you to take a step back.  Some of the worst things have happened in my life because I didn't listen to that little voice in my head that warned me.  We all have the radar but not all of us choose to take advantage of it.

#6  Love yourself.  Appreciate the person that is you.  If you aren't happy you need to find out why and try to change it.  Don't depend on someone else to make you happy because it doesn't work that way.

#5 Life isn't fair. Period!   There isn't a guarantee that promises wealth, health, and happiness.  The only thing that is certain is that none of us will get out of this alive so just enjoy the ride and try to make the world a better place while you are here.

#4  Compromise.  Learn to negotiate.  "My way or the highway" is a surefire way to guarantee loneliness and misery.

#3  Leaving the house with clean underwear doesn't mean you will return unscathed.  It just means if you do get in an accident, the nurses at the hospital will know that you are a good kid and listened to  your momma.

#2  Find someone that you want to spend the rest of your life with.  Love that person more than yourself and cherish the time that you are together.  Treat them how you want to be treated and don't hold them to a higher standard than you hold yourself to.

#1  Love The Lord and have a personal relationship with him.  Talk to him daily and allow him to be the largest part of your life.  Thank him for everything he has blessed you with and all that he has taken from you.  He is raising you to be His child and sometimes throws speed bumps on the road to Heaven.  Be still.  Wait for Him.  He loves you and wants you to be the best person you can be.  Remember He loves you more than you can ever know.  Think about how much you love the person in your life.  Multiply that by infinity.  That is how much you mean to him.  He sent Jesus to the world to be a sacrifice for you and I.  Don't let that be in vain.


I was talking to a friend of mine and was telling her how I didn't think I had accomplished anything in my life.  She looked me dead in the eye and said "Yes you have!!".  She then proceeded to list some of the things that I had done....raised two good kids, was a good wife....  She was right.  I guess I didn't have to be a senator or a doctor to do some good in the world.  I just had to be me.

Smiles and Hugs

I be Jammin'!!!

Last month I was chillaxin' in my easy chair and trying to crochet a dishcloth (that's a story full of frustration, gnashing of  teeth, and finally, surrender which I will post about at a later date).  I had the television on The Food Network and was watching someone make something that looked good but looked more difficult than popping it in the microwave for four minutes, so I didn't get my paper and pencil to copy the recipe. 
Then "The Pioneer Woman" came on and she was canning strawberry jam!  Strawberry jam!!!  She had several children helping her with the smashing and smooshing while she was smiling and telling me how easy it is.  Buy lots of sugar and strawberries, a little pectoral something or was it pectin...anyway, it was just that easy!  I sat up in my chair and thought to myself "I am going to can strawberry jam!!!"  It was like that moment in "Gone with the Wind" when Scarlett says "As God as my witness, I will never be hungry again!!!"  I was energized. 
I didn't know quite where to start so I thought I would start with trying to locate some child labor.  Well, apparently the government frowns on small children being used for things like smooshing strawberries because none of the temporary agencies I called had any for sale or rent.  I could get a recent parolee, but no children.  What???  I am sorry but I really want to get them when they are fresh before they start they career of petty theft and drunken larceny.   
This means I will be the one smooshing and smashing then. Not real thrilled with that but I am pumped about getting new kitchen equipment - a pressure cooker/canner!  I have no idea what a pressure cooker does besides cook strawberry jam but I guess I will be finding out.  Now that I am on this canning kick I decided to drag my hubby along with me.  He has never been as excited about gardening as I am when I talk him into doing it, but he did have a little pep in his step when I told him he could fix the tiller that had been sitting in the same place on our land for three years.  Every year I would tell my husband that I wanted to start a garden (read:  I want you to do all the labor intensive tilling, plowing, planting, weeding, watering, weeding, snake killing and I will cook it!).  For three years he was able to put me off, but I was not to be denied this year!  I had a plan!!! 
We got the tiller fixed and started making a list of the veggies we wanted to plant.  He picked okra and that's okay.  I have to let him think he is a valued contributor to this project and more that just servant labor.  After he gets the garden tilled, we will see if he can locate those okra seeds he bought....hmmmmm where did those darn things go?

Sisters In Spirit Motorcycle Association

I returned yesterday from the Sisters in Spirit 2011 rally.  What a large time!  They prove that you can have a rippin' good time without the aid of booze or drugs.  I promise!  People probably thought we were on something but honestly we weren't.  Might have been the lack of oxygen from all the laughing or just the heat....who knew Stillwater was built right on the edge of Hell.  :)

SIS is a wonderful organization dedicated to supporting and promoting women in motorcycling.  The founder, Linda Blankenship, is a pistol on wheels and no bigger than a minute.  Her family has a long history in motorcycling, racing and leisure, and she will share with anyone who asks.  A great lady.

What can I say about my sisters?  We come from all walks of life.  And just like our motorcycles, we come in all sizes, shapes and decor and have a wonderful time when we get together.  We are a noisy, enthusiastic, large than life, extroverted group of women who just want to enjoy this ride of life we are on and be with other women who share our love for those two wheeled money pits.  (Anyone who has a bike knows about the money).  What really sold me was the way the members truly and genuinely care about each other and are there for each other through thick and thin, sickness and in health....you get the idea.  When you meet a new sister from another chapter, you know that you have met a kindred spirit.

The above is not to say that there aren't some women who join then find they aren't SIS material.  Those women that don't fit in usually leave sooner rather than later.  Some women (or their husbands) aren't comfortable with the no alcohol policy.  Some have problems with the fact that we require a certain level of decorum from our members.  I am not talking being prim and proper.  (To be perfectly honest there are times when the conversation topics head south with amazing speed.)    I am talking about how the member treats other members and the image they put out to the public.  Example, wearing a SIS shirt, loudly dropping the "F" bomb, and threatening to kick a cagers butt is NOT an image we want to put out there.  True story.  (She is no longer a member.)

If you have a motorcycle and want to meet other lady motorcyclists, I don't believe you will find another women's motorcycle organization that is as loving, supportive, and fun as this one.  If you want more information, drop me a line or go to www.sisriders.com  .

Ride Safe.

I gotta be me.....

Hi.  My name is Caren.  I am new to the blogging thing and thought I would give it a try 'cuz there just isn't enough room in the Facebook status box.  I apologize in advance if my views offend you.  I won't sugarcoat what I say here, because, hey, it's my blog.  If I end of on a terrorist watch list... Oh well, it's a friggin' blog for goodness sakes!  I don't mind opposing views but I do mind hate mail so if you don't agree, don't be mean.  Leave a comment but be nice about it.  :)   I can't promise to be nice all the time but I promise to be as honest.  I don't promise to be politically correct either.   Some things in life are so unPC don't you think? I will rant or rave but it is just my opinion and all opinions are like buttholes - everybody has been married to one....or at least works with one. 

Thanks for joining me on the ride!  Please remain seated and keep your arms and your legs inside the blog at all times.....Let's GO!!!!!!!!!!!!
Smiles to you...