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This is a good reminder of how lucky I am and to be thankful for all that I have, my true love, my family and friends. Bobbie There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, 'If I could only see the world, I will marry you.' One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend. He asked her: "Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?" The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him. Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear for before they were yours, they were mine.' This is how the human brain often works when our status changes. Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations. Life Is a Gift Today before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak. Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat. Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion. Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who went too early to heaven. Before you complain about your children - Think of someone who desires children but they're barren. Before you argue about your dirty house someone didn't clean or sweep -Think of the people who are living in the streets. Before whining about the distance you drive - Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet. And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job. But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another - Remember that not one of us is without sin. And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and think: you're alive and still around to enjoy this wonderful world!

just completed an audit on "HIP POCKET NATIONAL"! bottom line is - - - i have to go back to work, FULL TIME, starting tomorrow! i can't believe life can demand so much money,just to survive! just jt

I have finally created life. Well sort of... maybe.

Granddad! Friday afternoon my daughter gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. It has been a very wonderful weekend. There is nothing like the miracle of birth and a beautiful new life. I wanted to share my joy with all you.......................Ron

Okay, now that I'm all settled in I can get down to business! Let me get the sad news out of the way first. I lost my farm. It was heart wrenching at first cuz I loved that place and it was hard to walk away. I've had the place for almost 5 years and haven't done a thing with it except install a new furnace. Upkeep on a 1924 farmhouse, well lets just say a bulldozer would've been the best option! My neighbor that farms the land surrounding it got the place and for the most part he'll do exactly that with the exception of a couple of buildings. I moved about 22 miles NE of where the farm was, to Barnesville, MN, for a couple of reasons. I signed on with a couple different companies after I left my job in the cities, the last one being in Wahpeton, ND about 12 miles from the farm. I ended my season with them in November but I'm checking into a couple of companies in Fargo, ND. Just haven't quite found that "right" company yet so I'll go back to Wahpeton until I get a call from Fargo. Barnesville puts me closer to Fargo so that helps. Second/main reason I chose B'ville is because this past July I met someone, while on sort of a date mind you, that turned my life around. His name is Jimmy but everyone calls him Crow. The guy literally swept me off my feet. Which by the way have yet to touch the ground! He's been a Godsend through all my struggles, he cherishes me in his life and I've never been this happy. Moving to Barnesville actually became the icing on the cake so to speak so within that sad chapter in my life, it's actually turned out to be for the best. My children (24 & 18) moved to B'ville as well. A feat I never thought I'd be able to accomplish. Being born & raised in the cities and being that young, into the nightlife and all, country life wasn't their bag. At least so I thought. I mentioned it in passing and in less than a month later up they came! My daughter has been here a month and she's loving it. She decided to move for her kids, better upbringing, surroundings, etc. My son just wanted to be close to his Momma! So I've got my kids, my grandkids, my man, what else can I ask for! Oh yeah............ A BIKE THAT RUNS! Did I just start venting a little? Yep, I did. Sorry! My CDI unit went out last year in like July so my riding season was short. Couldn't afford a new part, didn't want to put in a used part to have to buy another one so I waited til tax time to get a new part. Good thing I waited. Initially a new one priced out at around $400. I paid $286 for a new one through Seattle Sports online! 10-15 minute fix and a new battery (she's dead, I mean DEAD!) and she'll be running again. So now that I've put everyone to sleep.... errr.... I mean caught everybody up I'll sign off for now. Thanks for the well wishes and the hang in theres' from a select few, greatly appreciated. Gary? And all the rest of the MN folks? Sorry I missed P-i-t-P. Don't know for sure about this year yet, it'll depend on who I'm working for. Good to know when the lil sheep gets lost, you're always welcomed back into the fold. God bless, Brandi P.S. The attachments are of Jimmy & of my latest Tattoo. Long story short....... I'm into Fairies. Jimmy's nickname is Crow. Folks call me "Crow's Nest" He asked me to protect his heart when we got together. Here's one way of promising that I will. The fairy (me) is in the nest laying over (his) heart to protect it and the crow (Jimmy) is bringing me a rose. :sign isnt that specMushy mushy mushy I know............ Oh yeah, and the bra? Don't even ask!

So, what do you think? Is the new XOG that much better, or just a bit different? Does anyone have one? All I know is what I read on the forum. It has less battery life and some issues to resolve. But plugged in to 12v, shouldn't matter, right? Steve

Just wondering what sights can be trusted for oem parts purchases other than dealer sites. I have a KZ 550 i'm trying to bring back to life.

A little history about this on Feb 17 1983 I married Margaret and was sentenced to 25 to life well today is 25 years of her putting up with me. Well I guess its Life for me but who am I to complain? Happy Anniversary Margaret:bighug: Jeff

My father passed away peacefully on Wed morning with all of his immediate family by his side. He truly was a good man. One I was proud to have as my father. Throughout my life he was always there to help, encourage and even criticise both my brother and I. He lived a very full life of 83 years of which 62 were while married to my mother. He retired from the Lexington KY police dept with 29 years of service. Fortunately he was able to enjoy retirement for 25 years. Attached is his photo taken in about 1974. He will be missed. Dennis

40 Tips for an Exceptional, Healthy & Powerful Life in 2008! 1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant. 2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. 3. Record your late night shows and get more sleep. 4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, "My purpose is to ____ today." 5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy. 6. Watch more movies, play more games and read more books than you did in 2007. 7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, tai chi, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives. 8. Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6. 9. Dream more while you are awake. 10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants. 11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts . 12. Try to make at least three people smile each day. 13. Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life . 14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment. 15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime. 16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid. 17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away. 18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. 19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. 20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does . 21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. 22. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present. 23. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about . 24. Burn the candles, use the nice bed sheets, Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special. 25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you. 26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?" 27. Forgive everyone for everything. 28. What other people think of you is none of your business . 29. Time heals almost everything. Give time. 30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. So stop complaining about the weather, the job, the bills, etc. etc. 31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch. 32. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. 33. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. 34. The best is yet to come. 35. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. 36. Do the right thing! 37. Call your family often. 38. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: " I am thankful for ___." Today I accomplished ____. 39. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed. 40. Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pace. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride. Have a fantastic 2008!

It's January 6th, 75 degrees and the wife & I just got back from a 150 mile ride. Life is Good...

Well, George the Christmas tree is outside and the ornaments packed away. My daughter named the tree, her first live tree. Always had fakes because the ex hated the needles and claimed to be allergic. The first things on the tree were new ornaments purchased by daughter, Maggie, and I. We each picked out an ornament that seemed to best represent ourselves. Daughter - a penguin. Maggie-an angel. Myself - I simply hung a certain pewter bell. It represented to me the start of a new chapter in my life. So, thanks to all of you here for being a part of it. JB P.S. - last nights VR chat was a blast. We now have candles for guests that are both unique and aromatic!!

i've only been riding for 10 years ,which is little time compare to a lot of you, but it seems biker's have a different slant on everyday life. not to get to deep during the holiday,but everyday seem to be christmas for us. merry christmas to all

Why am I sad at Christmas? It's one of the few times we stop our busy day to day and take a look around the neighborhood. A aging couple the man continues to work. He draws social security now but made some mistakes in life and has no pension or retirement fund. With house payments and other bills he must work to help out. His wife just retired at 60 and has a small retirement check. Social security is 2 years away. She has pressing needs at home a elderly mother to care for and a 9 year old grand daughter to raise.Her first retirement check after they deduct her monthly health insurance premiums leaves only $37.00 for the month.These are some of the lucky ones there doing better then many. My wife comes home and tells the story of a young working mother who says. I'm not putting up a christmas tree this year. I have no spare money to buy my little girl anything and if I don't put up a tree maybe she won't notice it's christmas. She doesn't know it but her little girl will have christmas gifts this year. As I drive up the road to work I notice many run down mobile homes. No underpinning, exposed water lines,and a big vent pipe sticking out a hole in the side with an old wood burner fired up.It happens every year with winter coming on. Some cold night they will bank the fire to heavy or plug in some electric heaters to help and the next morning there is nothing left but ashes. Yes several will stop take a look around there community and give to some needy families this christmas.I often think that christmas is the only time of year many children get anything at all. Giving this time of year is all good and well but the fact remains. Give a needy family a dollar this month and next month they will stilll have a need. Teach them some skills and maybe they can improve there quality of life. After christmas it's back to our day to day and the world turns.

today, i was delighted, to see my children, and grand children! however, i was JUST as happy , to see them all go home , at the end of the day! what a madhouse!!!!! does anyone else, understand why some lower life forms "eat their young"???? lol just jt

I know lots of us have young children in our lives, be they our children, nieces or nephews, grandchildren. So I've been looking around at alternative places to get toys. I found this really interesting site. The toys are all American made. Lots of old stuff too that I'm sure plenty will remember. Here's the link. http://www.fatbraintoys.com/index.cfm After watching the news today with the latest recall on toys that can kill kids or put them in a coma, I was really upset. Christmas is on it's way and what do you get for the children in your life. Luckily some of the old board games are still available as well out there. Hope this helps anyone looking for a safe toy for that child in your life (no matter how old they may be) Margaret

I put the commanders on the bike, Is this my bike what a difference. I got some foam grips off Ebay one is missing the Venture logo end cap dose any one have one from and old pair they changed out, let me know she would look better with both chrome end caps. I put engine Gard's on the bike to she is slowly coming back to life. Thanks, Dale

I know some of you have this. Interested, but leary. 3 hours of battery power just doesn't make sense to me. What do you do about the short battery life? Do you carry spares? Is there a way to hard wire it to the bike? Thanks in advance.

My Heart Still Weeps Caddy, It's been almost 5 months since you left me And My heart still weeps for you every single day. I know you're in better hands But I miss you in every way. God has called you home earlier than I expected, And the emptiness that is left in my heart Seems as I've been rejected. I thank him for the years that we had But as each day goes by, I seem to ask more questions Even though I shouldn't ask why. I guess it is somewhat human nature Not knowing what life will bring, To ask such selfish questions Trying to reduce the sting. You were a wonderful wife And spoiled me to the max, I'll never begin to forget you As I'm stating just the facts. As I continue life without you And struggle to keep from going insane, You'll never be forgotten And I'm glad you're no longer in pain. They say time will heal But I guess it must take years, Because there are not many days That I don't wipe some tears. I guess that is a type of healing Even though it sounds so weak, I just wish we had another chance That we could hug and speak. You've touched so many lives As you were here on earth, And it saddens me so much That you missed our latest grandchild's birth. I am doing my best To fill MeMe's shoes, And our wonderful grandchildren help me smile When I'm feeling the blues. No one can take your place As a grandmother, mother, or wife, Watch over me, my darling As I try to continue my life. I thank God for giving me The strength to carry on, And you as my Guardian Angel I will never be alone. Family, friends, and VentureRiders Have helped me thru when things were dim, I wish you could've met this group As you would've loved all of them. I know we will see each other again And until that time is at hand, God is carrying me in his arms So there is only one set of footprints in the sand. We, on earth, must keep our faith As life is only a temporary thing, And if our faith is strong enough We will hear the Angels sing!!

What's the average battery life on these bikes? My 05 Midnight's battery has already given up the ghost. Only has 16K on the odometer too. Anyone know if the warranty covers them? I've already bought and installed another one due to the fact we're having our first group ride tomorrow, plus the fact that we're having low-mid 70* temps and lots of sunshine both weekend days. No way was I going to be sitting home. I've got a 01 Suzuki Volusia that still has original battery in it with 20 k on the clock. Larry

I thank you all my friends on Venturerider.org. I sit here totally numb right now, I have just lost the love of my life. Debbie passed away during the night. It was totally unexpected. I don't know what to do. I have family with me and that helps, but the loss is already so bad I can't imagine it getting worse. Many of you knew her and she was glad to know you as friends, a couple that deserve special mention are Cinderella, Jane (Boo's wife), Sweet Nothing and Linda Predock. Even if she didn't always keep in touch, she had a special place in her heart for you. I'm sure there are others but I'm kind of spacey right now. I may not respond here but know that I will be harvesting the love and care that you send our way in this time of sadness. Thanks for being here for her and me.

Does anyone know what the shelf life of a tire should be? In other words should a tire still be sold if it has sat on a shelf for over 3or4 yrs? How long before they start to dry rot?

This is a very lengthy article I have copied here, but it really makes a valid point about how we dress or dont dress for a ride on a motorcycle.............So, grab a tall cold drink and read on.................... Extreme Roadrash: Cause, Effect, and Lesson Learned Published: October 4, 2006 By: Brittany Morrow A while back, the Speedfreak staff was cruising the internet, when we came upon a photograph. A pretty blonde girl in a topless photo. But wait…what’s more? The pretty girl is covered in road rash. Speedfreak went on the search to find out the story of this girl, how it happened, what’s rumors and what’s truth. With some searching of the internet, we were able to track down our girl, and Speedfreak had the chance to sit down and find out the true story of how a strong soul bounces back from near death. ONE YEAR HAS PASSED http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/pim/el/spc_eee1.gifIt’s hard to look in the mirror and think that my scars are already anentire year old. Touching my stomach and rib cage, I can’t imagine looking this way and feeling this pain for the rest of my life. I still feel as if at any moment I will wake up from this terrible dream and be comfortable in my own skin once again. Knowing that it’s real, that there is nothing I can do to change it, I am remindedof my mistakes every minute of everyday. I am also reminded how lucky I am to be alive as I close my eyes and remember why I still feel pain after an entire year of healing. Imagining that if I hadnot survived the accident, I wouldn’t have anything to touch at all, I smile when my fingers run over a thick layer of scar tissue in place of my once soft skin. I know my life has a purpose, and I strive everyday to live up to the task that has been placed at my feet. THE ACCIDENT It was a beautiful Sunday morning even through my blurred vision. I was on the back of my friend Shaun’s GSXR 750 and was excited to be on a sport bike, even if it was as a passenger, after a long streak of no riding whatsoever. I had shed my prescription glasses for a pair of sunglasses, my cowboy hat for an oversized helmet, and quickly thrown on a pair of capri jeans, tennis shoes, and a sweatshirt over my bikini. I thought nothing of the fact that I had practically no protection against the asphalt if anything were to happen. I figured that we couldn’t get into a wreck, it simply wouldn’t happen to me. It’s amazing how fast life came at me that day. Approaching mile marker seven on highway 550, I noticed that I had to start fighting the wind to stay behind Shaun without pulling on him too much. I placed my hands on the gas tank and pushed myself into him as much as possible without crowding him. As we came around to the right and went down the hill, we kept accelerating. I was scared, but thought I could handle the force of the wind as it suddenly picked up much more than in the moments before. I started to slide back on the seat and felt the cool air fill the small space between my chest and Shaun’s back. I felt a rush of wind hit my face like a brick and our bodies separated in an instant; my visor had come completely open. The force pulled on my face and helmet so hard that it sent my head up and backwards, ripping my entire body off the back seat with it. I remember thinking that if I grabbed Sean’s t-shirt I would pull him down with me, but it was already too late to try and grab a hold of him. I was only in the air for a spilt second, but an eternity of thoughts ran through my mind. I had no idea what excessive speed I was about to hit the ground at or the damage it would do to my body, I just thought about how my life had led to that point. I remembered the basics of surviving a fall from a horse without injury, which I had done a few times in the previous year, and simply let myself go. I knew there was nothing else I could do. When I hit the ground, it was as if every breath I had ever taken rushed out of me http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/pim/el/spc_eee1.gifin an instant. I could feel every inch of my body hitting the road; tumbling, sliding and grinding into the unforgiving surface. In my helmet, which seemed so small and yet completely empty, I could hear my whimpers as I fought to breath and my prayer to God as I gave into the asphault. In a matter of seconds, I had come to the conclusion that I was going to die, and I was ok with it. I knew this was far worse than anything I had ever gone through and I was convinced I would not live to see the next day. My eyes were closed as I finished my 522 foot tumble down highway 550. I never lost consciousness, but I remember wishing that I had. At first I couldn’t feel anything. A few moments passed before anyone was at my side, and I had the chance to try and move myself. Immediately, I could tell that I had lost my left shoe as my toes were burning on the hot road. My right foot felt http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/pim/el/spc_eee1.gifstiff, completely unmovable, and I thought it was probably broken. I noticed that my knees were uncovered when the little pieces of what I thought were gravel scraped against my skin, only to find out later that they were my actual kneecaps grinding against the pavement below them. My right arm was trapped underneath me and my shoulder felt hot. My left pinky was the most noticeable pain in those first few minutes, a throbbing and stabbing pain, as it bled profusely right in front of my face. I could smell my blood as it pooled beneath me on the road. By the time the ambulance came and rolled me onto my back, removed my helmet, and called the helicopter, I felt as if I had been cooking on the street for hours. Every nerve ending in my body was on fire; tingling, scorching, and burning. I had not gone into shock, and the adrenaline had worn off almost instantly. Not being able to move was the worst of it. I wanted to pull my arm out from underneath me. I wanted to get off that hot road. I wanted the sun to stop shining so brightly on my naked back. I wanted everything to just go away. But it didn’t. The people who sat on that road with me and came to my rescue saved my life. I wanted to die, but they wouldn’t let me give up, they wouldn’t let me close my eyes and go to sleep. The helicopter ride was fast. The morphine had kicked in just around the time we landed at the hospital, and the rest is somewhat of a blur. I remember hearing a doctor saying I had lost my entire left breast. I remember another asking me if my family had been called. A third doctor asked if she could take pictures of my wounds for documentation. When it came time to clean off my skin, the doctors decided that a surgical debreedment of the dead tissue was necessary, along with invasive repair to my pinky, right big toe, and left side from hip to armpit. I don’t even remember being put under, and the rest is lost in the six hour surgery that followed. THE HOSPITAL I woke up wrapped like a mummy. I was on my back in an air bed, in a room I had never seen. Did I dream that Shaun had come and held my hand? Why were my parents here? I didn’t know what was going on, so I tried to sit up. Then I felt the intense pain on my back, my side, my shins, my feet, my thigh, my hip, my forearms, my wrists, my shoulder, my fingertips, my ribcage, my stomach, and my chest. It all came at me in one large rush, and I knew exactly where I was and remembered what had happened. I spent the next three weeks waking up to the exact same confusion, rush of pain, and realization of my surroundings. My condition never seemed to change for the better, no matter how many times I went through the process of attempting to sleep it off. The worst part about the pain was that it never completely subsided unless I was sleeping, and I had nightmares of the accident every time I slept. I couldn’t escape what had happened to me. On the rare good days, my Dad would brush my hair for hours; it was the only thing that helped me forget what I was going through. http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/pim/el/spc_eee1.gifMy road rash was so severe that my skin was not going to grow back on its own.I had lost too much surface area for the doctors to simply suture me together and send me home. After the blood loss had been controlled, the skin loss needed to be addressed. I was to receive full thickness skin grafts. Literally, the doctors had only 2 places on my body to harvest healthy skin. My thighs were the only two places that had not received any abrasions. In order to help my open wounds heal, the doctors had to cut off a thick layer of healthy skin from my thighs and place it over my burns, surgically stapling the new skin in place. This was the only way to “fix” me, and I didn’t even have enough skin to graft all of my wounds at once. The doctors had to choose which areas to graft first, and which ones would have to wait. Wound vac: a slang medical term that will give me goose bumps for the rest of my life. When a patient receives a skin graft, a suction cup is placed over the completed surgery in order to increase blood flow from under the new skin. These devices are called wound vacuums, and they ensure that the burn tissue does not die, but rather joins with the new skin to create a layer of dermis where none would have grown without the graft surgery. It feels like a leech, a constant sucking on the most painful abrasion you’ve had in your entire life. Multiply your worst skinned knee as a kid by 50, add it to 55 percent of your body, and then let someone suck on it with a handheld vacuum for 24 hours a day; only then will you know what it is to experience a wound vacuum on a fresh skin graft. Each graft received a dose of the painful sucking and after three weeks I was free from the noisy machines. The only thing worse than the wound vacuums were the dressing changes. Even thinking about the pain today makes me sick to my stomach. In the areas the doctors were not able to graft within the first three weeks: my back, chest, rib cage, side, and stomach, they did daily dressing changes to make sure the wounds we being kept clean. My bandages acted as my skin where the graft surgery had not yet taken place. Every time the doctors changed my dressings, it was as if they were ripping off my skin. The oxygen hitting the open burns was enough to make me scream. Cleaning the wounds with water would send me into a rage. It is safe to say I would have rather been lying on that road again than go through a daily dressing change. This lasted the entire two months I spent in the hospital. Physical therapy, as motivating as it was supposed to be, was just as painful as anyone can imagine. Struggling to sit up in bed, hold myself up without help, and lay back down without hurting the open burns on my back proved itself to be a daunting task. Attempting to stretch my skin, which was tough and thick as leather, once the grafts were slightly healed, made me wince and fear that I would lose all motion in my wrists. I remember getting dizzy just from trying to stand up, blacking out and throwing up from a wheelchair ride down the hall, and crying at night because I couldn’t get up to go to the bathroom on my own. All the abilities I took for granted in my everyday life had come back to haunt me, to teach me a lesson on why I should be thankful for every second I am breathing. Everyday I would dread the moment the doctors came into my room. Whether they were coming to do a conscious sedation for my daily dressing change, whisk me off to another surgery, or put me through physical therapy, my attitude worsened everyday towards the people who were trying to save my skin. It drove me to act bitter towards the people who cared about me the most; my parents were there every day and I know it must have been difficult for them to put up with me. The pain I went through pushed me into a deep depression, but I refused to be put on medication for anything of that nature. I was taking 20 pills with breakfast and dinner every day, I didn’t need to add to that number. I was asked several times if I wanted to talk to a psychologist about the accident, talk about the nightmares my nurses always reported me having at night, but I denied the willing listener. In short, I made sure I paid for my mistakes dearly, not only physically, but emotionally as well, and everyone around me could see the old Brittany fading away. After my final skin graft surgery on November 16th, I woke up feeling as if my back had been completely replaced. The noticeable difference between the open wound and the grafted burn was enough to lift my spirits. I was able to lay comfortably for the first time in two months. I knew the time had come for me to get out of thehospital and start the real healing: returning to my normal life. I had to beg my doctors to let me go home. I couldn’t stand the thought of returning to a physical rehabilitation hospital. With fresh donor sites on my left thigh and a throbbing pain worse than most I had felt, I walked down the hall on the fifth floor three days after surgery so I could go home. I cried with relief when they signed my release paperwork. GOING HOME I walked slowly into my house for the first time in over two months. The smell alone was enough to make me smile, as Thanksgiving dinner was being prepared for the next day. The warm air, the sound of my dog yelping at my return, the http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/pim/el/spc_eee1.gifsoftness of my own bed sheets, and the glow of real sunlight pouring in through the bedroom windows gave me the most comfort I had experienced since the accident, and compared to the hospital, it was heaven. I was not on my own by any means; my Mom had to help me shower and give me my blood thinning shots twice a day in my stomach. Walking from my bedroom to the kitchen made me break a sweat, as my muscles had not been used in two months. I still had open wounds, was using a personal walker built for full body support to move around, and couldn’t even dress myself, but I felt a happiness that seemed almost unfamiliar. Coming home was the best thing that could have happened to me. The doctors gave me a month before I would be walking without the walker, but I threw it in the back of my closet after the third day. I ditched my bandages after a week and started wearing jeans ten days later. I was determined to feel normal again, or at last appear normal to the unknowing passerby. I began driving after only two weeks out of the hospital and started living my life as if I had never fallen off that motorcycle. My friends and family could see how quickly I was becoming myself again. I truly believe being around such wonderful support helped me heal as quickly as I did. I was still attending physical therapy, but was improving at speeds that amazed even my own doctors. I was walking up stairs without a second thought and riding the stationary bike with ease. It still hurt to do normal things, even bending my knees to sit in a chair would send pain up my legs, but I learned to ignore it all. I was so used to the way my skin ached, including the itching and burning I would feel every second, that it was as if I never really felt it anymore. My mind had blocked it out and unless I stopped to notice it, the sensitivity and uncomfortable nature of the healing skin grafts wasn’t even in my thoughts. The morning my hair started to fall out I knew something was wrong. I had been out of the hospital for an entire month but the medication I was taking had just started to leave my system. The combination of chemicals that had kept me alive and comfortable in the hospital was now killing the living cells in my scalp and face. After a week of pulling chunks of my own hair out and watching my eyelashes and eyebrows fall to my cheeks, I felt like a cancer patient taking chemotherapy. I cut my long blonde hair short to try and save as much of it as I could, but it never stopped. You could see through the few thin strands left all the way to my scalp and I even had a couple completely bald spots. I finally had had enough and decided to simply shave my head and get it over with. I cried as the rest of my hair hit the bathroom floor that night. After everything I had suffered as a direct result of the fall: 55 percent body coverage of third degree burns, severed tendons in my left pinky finger, a severely dislocated right big toe, and a large amount of blood loss; what really slowed the healing process was what I experienced in the hospital. Indirect results of the accident due to a prolonged hospital stay: pneumonia, urinary tract infection, pseudomonas infection, blood infection, a blood clot in my left leg, yeast infections, anemia, 3 blood transfusions with 1 adverse reaction, 8 surgeries, 31 conscious sedations, countless skin debreedments, and undiagnosed PTSD and depression. With these things in mind, the loss of my hair seemed minimal at most. My hair would grow back. I was alive, and thankful for that everyday. I knew that what I had gone through would give me the strength to survive anything else God had planned for me in the future. As long as I could walk, talk, and breathe, I was always happy to be on this earth and would never take the blessings in my life for granted again. RETURNING TO RIDING http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/pim/el/spc_eee1.gifMy heart felt heaving knowing something I loved so much had almost cost me my life. I knew the mistakes I had made and the consequences I never wanted to face again. I couldn’t imagine not riding because it was one of my few joys. I knew I would never again ride without my gear. Even on a hot day and a short trip, my helmet would always be on my head and I would make sure it was functioning properly. I was back on a motorcycle as a passenger a few times before I was rid of the fear I felt. Once I was able to go highway speeds, I knew I was ready and able to ride again. I wanted to feel the freedom that comes with being alone on the machine and rolling on the throttle, putting the rest of the world on hold. I bought my 2006 Yamaha R6s on June 22nd from a local dealer. With help from a very close friend, I was reminded of the basics of riding every morning for a couple of weeks in free lessons that were tailored to my needs as a rider. I was taught the importance of knowing that while on a motorcycle, literally anything can happen at any time. Riding prepared for the worst possibilities will always protect you from injury in even the smallest wreck. I know I never want to feel the way I did in the hospital again, and anything I can do to keep that from happening, I will do every time I get on a bike. I learned some new skills in that first month back on the road, but I also learned some important things about myself as well. I learned how strong I really am, especially after returning to the sport that changed my life after almost claiming it. THE FINAL OUTCOME My road rash will take several years to completely heal and will never look or feel normal again. I have conquered the only fear that kept me from riding and I will never put myself in the same position to receive such injuries as I have lived through this past year. I stress the importance of wearing full gear to each and every person I ride with, talk to, or even who happens to read my story. I believe that my experiences are a lesson to every type of rider or passenger. I would never wish the pain I felt and still feel today upon anyone in this world. It is completely avoidable with a few extra layers, and I can’t say it enough: it is undeniably worth it to gear up. Everything I have gone through this past year will not be in vain if my testimony is enough to save someone’s skin.

Just said good by to my faithful friend today. Digger my greyhound whom I rescued just over 8 yrs ago when his racing career came to an end. Life is a bit sad at the moment. Went for a blast over the hills to clear the head.