Ramblin' Man... Highway to Hell... Long and Winding Road... Wanted Dead or Alive...

The fish look fabulous on the CSE (coolest shelf ever). Like living wall art. Now that the lights are here, they look especially artsy. I always enjoy watching them and this means they are fulfilling their duties as pretty fish. I really can't get enough of this shelf. We need to put more things on it but we don't want to just start putting stuff on it. We want to be selective. For now, the fish and the two tiny money trees (that were presented to us at his birthday - I get presents on his birthday, how cool is that?? - by his mom's BFF) are on it. The money trees are going to be placed in a southwest (southeast? I forget) corner of the house (for prosperity) once more bad ass shelves are built. But for now they look killer on the CSE so they shall remain.

A new healthier life style has been started here in Scottsdale AZ. I have been swimming every day and the first day I was a total flunk stopping after 15 measly minutes. I am now up to 30 minutes and I have been using our pool since it is still warm enough to do so. It's not large enough to really get into it but it does the job. Provided it isn't shaded yet, I can stand it. Once the shade settles it is far to chilly. I guess there is a rumor floating around that our pool is supposed to be heated? The "pool man" is going to be questioned and if the pool is indeed heated I can swim in it all winter without issue. How sweet is that? The pool down the street is far longer and only $2 per visit but it also means driving and dealing with other people - something I abhor - so being able to swim at home really takes the cake.

Speaking of cake... Something that isn't so sweet but is decidedly awesome is that Mr. F is a certified nutritionist. This man refuses to cease to amaze me. Calories are being counted and diets are consisting of nothing but healthy goodness in our bodies. Mr. F thought I should blog some of the meals we have prepared and since I want nothing but his happiness I could do nothing but agree wholeheartedly. So get your mouths ready to drool. Last night we had candied acorn squash for desert. Delish!!!

This weekend kicked ass! Mr. F, his dad and I went on a little day trip on the motorcycles now that Mr. F's bike is finally fixed! YAY! It ruled. His dad is the coolest guy ever. So cool that I have started referring to him as Mr. Cool. I kid you not. I am psyched he went with us. The whole ride was very pretty. We stayed the night in Cottonwood (way cute little town) at a little motel called The View. As expected, the view was everything it should be. The next morning we ate breakfast in Jerome (man do I love that place!!) and then headed over to Prescott (by way of Mingus Mountain) to check out the craft fair they were having for Octoberfest. It was an excellent time. The only thing that ended up not having a great time was my crotch area. The seat on Mr. F's bike is absurdly small and round. Since the bike rumbles it ended up feeling like my crotch and inner thighs were being punched rapidly. Not cool. Not cool at all. I am either going to make little pillows to go inside my pants (no joke) or we are going to see what can be done with the seat so that I might be able to ride long distances without all my little friends paying the price. We ended up trading bikes with his dad in the end and my privates got some well deserved cushioning and rest. We also resembled super-heroes on the Bat Mobile. His dad rented a 2008 Harley Davidson Nightrod for the trip to see if he'd like it enough to own it and it belongs in some comic book movie. I guess Mr. F's bike is something. It's a 2002 Titan Gecko. Ooooo huh? Yeah, I don't know either but it's super shiny, very loud and other people that *do* know what it is think it's great. Whatever, I am a passenger... and I ride and ride. Do you have any idea how hard it is for me to be quiet for all this time on the back of a bike? It's tough. Just because I stop talking on the outside doesn't mean the clammer ends. No no. It just keeps on going in my head. I end up getting all these songs running through my head and it's rather funny (or crazy, your choice). They're mostly songs that go along with riding like that "looking for adventure... or whatever comes our way!!". Cracks me up. You know what all this amounts to don't you?? I am a full blown biker bitch now. I even have chaps and a leather jacket. The real question is how many older women can purse their lips at me when I am in my gear. It's a huge amount. Smiling at them only helps a little. I am so obviously the fringe of society. I don't feel like fringe though, I feel kind of cool. Bad ass I'll kick your ass because I'm wearing leather but not to look cool cool. I'm like those ride or die chicks you hear about in rap songs. I think we should start riding for charities. I mean, what's the point of being an outcast if you don't give back a little right? There is a toy run coming up and we might join it. It's going to be in Cottonwood so it'll be cold (elevation and all that). This of course gives me a reason to make more hats and scarves! I almost lost my hat this ride so I am going to need a better more reliable one. So does Mr. F. I might make him one that matches his bike! Shut up! How awesome am I as a GF? Of course mine is going to be so girly and SO FUN. Probably pinks and glitter stuff and such. Nothing goes better with leather than a pink, fluffy, sparkly hat and matching scarf (this will be blogged!). I don't want to look like a butch dyke after all and with the short hair? I even find myself checking out hot babes when I am in my garb and away from the guys. Nah, just kidding, that never happens.

Oh yeah, btw, while at the craft fair we were looking around realizing we could easily make some extra cash with our talent of making things. So who knows, maybe we'll have our own booth next time. I would have to drive the truck up as it would be full of our oh so handmade items and this would mean the James could go. He had to sit this one out as he's lousy at sitting on the handle bars of the bike. One of the girls I work with let him stay at her place and it sounds like he had a blast and was on his best behavior. Good boy! I am contemplating getting him a little buddy so when he is here alone he won't be alone. And if someone watches him, he'll have backup. I don't want a large dog. I'm thinking 20 pounds or less. A little terrier would be sweet. I am not going to go looking for this dog though... if one comes along, I'll take it. I'm freaking Mr. F out with my need for pets and he's not so keen on the little dog idea as he wants a large one but I see him meeting the little guy and loving him. Besides, this is my idea... how opposed could he possibly be? Exactly. There is also the fact that I would be less of a basket-case when leaving Jim at the house. That is always a winner.

Here's a little something interesting for you... I thought it was interesting anyway. It also confirms my thought that the Smithsonian gets anything and everything that is really great. WHY am I not there?? Blah blah blah... farm equipment just went up a notch in my book...



This incredible machine was built as a collaborative effort between the Robert M. Trammell Music Conservatory and the Sharon Wick School of Engineering at the University of Iowa . Amazingly, 97% of the machines components came from John Deere Industries and Irrigation Equipment of Bancroft Iowa , yes farm equipment!

It took the team a combined 13,029 hours of set-up, alignment, calibration, and tuning before filming this video but as you can see it was WELL worth the effort.

It is now on display in the Matthew Gerhard Alumni Hall at the University and is already slated to be donated to the Smithsonian.

Well, so long then... if we end up doing the toy run you know I am bringing my camera!