Went to Charleston

I didn't go to Myrtle Beach as planned since no one want to join me, so instead I went to Charleston to see my long time buddy Greg and glad I did. I took hwy 176 all the way which to my surprise was a great way to get down to Charleston, just a couple of stop signs/lights and hardly any traffic. I managed to get in around 230 miles today and spend time with my friend.

Bowling

So we went bowling, first time I have bowled since the day I graduated, May 20 1990

Guitar hero world tour

Somebody got a new tour for their birthday :-)

Bad Ass Bike

Saw this on christmas day. Screams bad ass

Goldwing Trike

Maybe one day :-)

Bolt n 3D

This is my 1st 3d movie

10,000 Miles

Hit it today about 4:30pm 1
K miles in about a week. :-)

Happy Camper

The burgman as been quite the ride. 10k miles and not a mins trouble.

Capone & Pinky

Big Peanut

Roadside Peanut in pelion sc

9000 Miles

finally hit it...cold weather has put a damper on the ride.

Graceland Trip Overview

We had originally planned to take this trip to Memphis at the end of next week, but at the last minute we were given the weekend off work, the one after thanksgiving and I wanted to go ahead and take the trip if at all possible.

It started out with picking my friend George up from the airport, we headed back to the house to drop off his luggage, or at least most of it. So less than an hour after touchdown, we are headed to birmingham, Al to spend the night. I made reservation right before we left so we wouldn't be looking for a room late at night. I thought with the holidays they would be more crowded, but they weren't. Anyway, after waking up Saturday morning, we knew there was the replica statue of liberty a few miles down the road, so we hit that and on to Memphis we went.

I guess we pulled into Graceland right before noon on Saturday, went in, purchased tickets and board the the shuttle to get across the street.

It's one of those things you have to experience to understand. After we purchased the tickets and while waiting on the shuttle, I looked across the street and you cold see the famous wall that goes around Graceland with the super cool double gates. Which by the way you can't actually stand in front of for picture taking, at least during business hours. So after boarding and the super short trip across the street, we were standing right in front of the mansion. Very cool, but not nearly as big as I thought i would have been. They hand you headsets and it's a recorded audio tour with mucho information. It was all decorated in chirstmas. My biggest complaint about the tour is once in the mansion everything is roped off, so you stand in the hallways and look into the rooms. I guess I understand, but this is very disapointing to me as it gets crowded and you really can't see as much as you'd like too. Another thing I noticed on the entire Graceland tour that includes several out buildings and two planes is you cannot see any toilets. You know where they should be, but they are covered with cushion boxes or something, anyway I found it odd, and can only imagine this must be due to the publisty about Elvis and Toilets.

For those that don't know, Graceland was built in 1939 and Elvis puchased it around 1957 when he was 22 years old with the 13 acres for $100,000 what a steal right?

After the Graceland tour we thought about seeing where MLK was shot and going to see the Nathanl Buford statue, but we were all tired and decieded to head back.

I will post all our pictures soon, just wanted to get a few trip details up.

The Lisa Marie

This was a super cool exibit u gotta check out if u ever get the chance.

Rockabilly Grill

Got me a grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich...Elvis fav....

Steps of Graceland

Pretty aint it?

Elvis Grave

shame

Graceland

We made it...

Elvis Birth Home

Sittin on the porch where I'm sure Elvis sat many times. We got the same birthday if any of u didn't know. Jan 8. Next stop GRACELAND.

Birmingham AL

on our way to Graceland, we stopped in Birmingham to see this replica statue. It's early and rainy thus the dark pic.

Repairs

tightening chair legs

Ms. Mae and Capone

Looks whos getting along!

Misty on a Spyder

We had to take the scoot in for service today, so while at the dealership, we just had to let Misty try on the new Spyders. I feel like the luckiest man alive to have such a great girl to share my life with, someone who is interested in similar things, and is there for me. Being into powersports is just icing on the cake :-)

Capone in the Tub

He dont care much for water.

Clean Ms. Mae

After probably her first bath...Smells much better. We had to wait due to her surgery.

Ms. Mae

First night with her new family. She and Capone dont seem to be hitting it off right now, but she is recovering from surgery and Capone is jealous. Will see how it goes after a few weeks. Misty has me on mucinxDM to fight my chest cold, been eating lots of soup. And I sneak a butter cup sometimes without her knowing :-) She says no sugar...Guess she will read this come Monday.. Sorry Dear.

We Adopted a little Girl

After browsing Petfinder.com we found this cute little girl looking for some place to call home. Her profile read as follows.

Approx. 1 year old and 12 pounds. This little girl is adorable. She is super sweet and would love to find a warm lap to call her own. Intake date 10/20/2008

Knowing time was not on our side, Misty called and made arrangements to drive 3 1/2 hrs to go get our new girl. The Cat better watch out, now she gonna have two after her :-)

We looked into names and my first thought was to find out what Capones Wife name was or any of his Mistresses names were. So I believe we are going to name her Ms. Mae which was Al Capones wife's nick name.

If your looking to add a pet to your family, please check local shelters or use the Petfinder.com database and rescue your next family member. Please don't buy pets while thousands die in shelters.

River Front Park

The three of us went to the park for a Sabbath afternoon walk and enjoyed the beautiful weather God provided for all to enjoy.

Is it Broke? *UPDATE*

Misty fell off a tree that had fallen after a bad storm while hiking during her camping trip. Just finished x-rays and the good news is, it's not broke. :-)

Well, that's what we thought for 3 days until the Doctors office called and said the Radiologist found a small fracture. So back to the office, I'll be sure to post a pic when the cast is placed on her arm. Misty had been told to start rehab, and since she works in a rehab center, they were all over her working her arm to heal it. I just hope there wasn't more damaged caused.

Gas Prices

Hard to believe it took less than $90 to fill up the Hemi.

Out for a Ride

Yesterday Rick, Carlos, Jr. and myself took a ride down to Aiken State Park so I could check if I would have cell phone coverage then over to Aiken city. I rode about 180 miles putting my burgman over 8600 miles. Good day for a ride, weather was cloudy and no chance of rain.

Like throwin away Money

After smoking my 2nd cig this morning, I knew I'd have to get rid of these things, so I was gonna give them away, but didnt want the quilt, so I tore the remainder 18 cigs up and threw them in the trash. I gotta beat this..... Me being strong.....

I feel horrible

I figure if I was gonna boast that I was quitting, that I better post when I failed. After buying a pack of smokes this morning, it took me almost an hour before I actually smoked. First the store didn't have matches, and I really didn't want to purchase a lighter. I also have no intention of picking up this bad habit again either. I just felt so compelled to smoke that I just had to do it. Sorta get it out of my system type thing. Anyone that knows me knows, that if I want something bad enough, I will do anything to get what it is that I want. I had to track someone down that had a lighter, when I returned the lighter, I said, don't let me borrow it again. The bad part now is, I got 19 more cigs that I just paid $3 for. At becomeanex.org it says, do not bum a smoke, make yourself go buy them. I guess thats so it makes it harder for you. I don't believe that, because like I said, now I have 19 more.

Every morning I read a daily devotional HERE and even though I have had this urge to smoke for a while now, and after reading the devotional this morning, I knew what I needed to do, if you read the devotional TODAY you will know what I mean, the link changes everyday so I will post what I am referring too, (what i needed to do).

"Battling alone, we are powerless. The enemy is much too strong. His temptations are overpowering. The living Christ offers to do for us what we could never do for ourselves. He offers us His power, His strength. As we open our hearts to Him He will deliver us from the chains of sin that bind us. In Christ, through Christ, by Christ, with Christ, we are truly set free. He is our almighty Deliverer."

Somehow after reading this I failed to ask Christ for help. Once again, I wanted to sufice this urge and therefore refused to ask for help. I now will ask Christ to help me though this as I can not do this on my own. I only wish I would have asked for help earlier this morning.

For the record, I immediately felt light headed and my hands went numb. Why people smoke beats me.

I ask for all that follow my blog to pray for me as I continue my struggle.

Couldn't Resist

Today the temtation was too great. It's been around 5 weeks since I Quit, and the urge is still as strong now as it was the day after I quit.

My Girl

"It's a wonderful life"

Gangster

he'll gitcha!

Being Bad....

After weeks of hardly having an appetite, now I can't seem to stop eating. Y'all see the Mountain Dew? Guess it's not all bad, it's all I could do not to get a pack of smokes while I was at the store.

BTW: This is the start of Book 2, titled "It's all good"

The END

That's All Folks

8000 Miles

I did turn 8000 miles this past Saturday, went cruisin for the sole purpose of turnin 8k. I rode a little over 250 miles to reach 8K.

Birthday Boy

Capone is two today, took him for two long walks today, guess it wore him out pretty good..

Smokey Mountain

Adding one more thing to the I Quit list, this time it is tobacco. Been smoking or using some sort of tobacco product since I was about 13 years old. So for 23 years I've been hooked. I was doing some research a few weeks ago and found this product while looking for how to quit. So I placed my order and in a few days they came in the mail. Since the first pouch hit my mouth I haven't had any tobacco products since. Is it a cure all? Probably not, but I figure that I really do want to quit this time and that's all you really need. I have tried to quit in the past, but always missed smoking or whatever and would just give in because I wanted to smoke. Anyway this is a nice flavor none tobacco none nicotine pouch, that I am using to help me quit. Whats in it? peppermint, menthol, chocolate, corncoffee, xylitol, and cayenneppepper. There is probably more but that's what they tell you on the can. It's FDA Approved and and is considered a safe product. If my efforts fail or come close, I will rush to the store to get the patches or gum or some other product. But for now, It's going good. I have been walking for several weeks and even ran a little to boost the heart rate and feel good. I look forward to a healthier happier ME !
YAY!



So far this year I have quit the following:

Mountain Dew (Drank for 25+ years)

Tobacco Nicotine (used for 23 years)

Java Chillers (Enjoyed for several months)

Alcohol (Drank for 20 years) Sometimes Socially sometimes on the floor puking.

Philharmonic

A couple weeks ago Misty and myself took in the local symphony and had a great time. The music was simply awesome but we both agreed that the second song of the first set was missing something. Anyway, if u like live music, be sure to check out your local philharmonic, cheap upper balcony seats were only $12.

South Carolina Railroad Museum

In an effort to keep myself busy, I rode up here to Winnsboro and happend by this Museum. They are closed but I wouldnt have went in anyway. Just Somewhere to stop and take a break from riding.

Me and Capone

Just the cutest dog

7000 Miles

Well, finally made it. I could have drove around the block friday on the way home and tripped it, but figured I would ride over the weekend, but it just didnt work out. Anyway, hit 7000 miles this morning on the way to work, just wasn't a good place to pull over to take the pic.

Snake again

another pic of the snake

Red Belly Water Snake

Saw this about .2 miles into the 1st Trail. We couldn't resist aggravating the snake for a few mins so we could get this pic. We walked bout none stop for two hours.

Congaree Park

Out with Misty and Capone for an afternoon in the park. Been cooped in the house all day.

The Whole Store

Since Capone tends to break the squeakers in the toys, we bought out the store so we'd have backups :-D

Giraffe

This one is known as Goldie, the favorite of the three tiny jungle toys.

Elephant

This one is a nice change, it's an elephant.

Blue

One of many of Capone's toyz. This one is Hippo named Blue.