A hobby

Today in Sunday School Carol Beth and I were discussing last weekend since we weren't at church. I told her about the motorcycle and she asked, "Why did he want a motorcycle?" After thinking about it for a week, I decided, not only did it help with our car situation, it is Stephen's "hobby."

Stephen is not an avid sports fan. He doesn't go to football, basketball, or soccer games. He likes to hunt, and if we lived closer to his parents he might do it more often. But, he's not really into that either. He likes to sail, but we moved to far away from the Bay. Golf is not is game either. He didn't really have a hobby. Now that he has a motorcycle, he has an outlet other than watching re-runs of movies on the TBS or USA channels. I'm happy he's having fun.

Last night was my friend, Wendy's birthday party. We met her and her friends in Rice Village for dinner and we took the bike. It was my first time to ride more than 100 yards. It was a little sacry at first and I prayed the biggest prayer I've ever prayed in my life! I got used to it though and towards the end, enjoyed it. It still makes me nervous though. We need to get a backrest so I don't feel like I might fly off! It was a bit chilly, but really not bad.

This afternoon is gorgeous and so Stephen and one of our neighbors (whose trailor we borrowed to get the bike home) went riding this afternoon. I'm glad that Stephen now has something that he enjoys doing and has a "Boy"-friend to hang out with. He needed an outlet with all the work he has been doing the past 4 years.

It finally happened...

Stephen now has a motorcycyle. Here's the story.

Two years ago he convinced me to let him take a motorcycle class at the Harley Dealership. Knowing we would not be able to afford to buy a bike, I thought this would cure his itch. It didn't. So this fall the deal was if he finished the Houston Marathon, he could get a used bike. That's what everyone has recommended anyway, since you will lay your first bike down at some point. After training for a month or so. Stephen pulled something in his calf and the running stopped. The marathon came and went. I thought it was over. Little did I know, Stephen had other ideas.

He got on craigslist and looked for someone who was interested in bartering services and goods. He found a guy in Houston that owned a furniture store who wanted dentistry. Stephen contacted him and said, "I don't need furniture, but I am looking for a motorcycle." This guy made it happen. He traded someone else furniture for a motorcycle and then dentistry for the bike.

We went to Dallas today to pick it up. It is a Yamaha Roadliner 2006, but it is brand new. We picked it up from a dealership who I guess never sold this bike 2 years ago.

So, this will now be Stephen's main transportation to and from work. The Saturn in now 11 years old and falling apart. It no longer has a side right mirror and the transmission is shot. The Expedition has over 100,000 miles on it now. So, the eventual plan is to park the Expedition for a while, and trade the Saturn in for a a smaller more fuel efficient car for me and the kids.

Please keep Stephen in your prayers. He is a careful driver and not a risk taker, it's the other people on the road that I am worried about!