Hey gang,

I haven’t had much excitement going on lately, so I’ve been having trouble thinking of what to write about. We have most of the month of October off and that has been pretty convenient for me. I have been taking the time to clean up from the storm and catch up on bills and fan mail as well as some work around the house. Last month put me behind on that type of stuff because we were on the road for nearly four weeks straight. But now the season is winding down and there is only two races left for the bikes. I can’t believe how fast this year has gone by. Speaking of how fast time goes by, I have my 20-year class reunion this weekend. I hate to admit that it has been that long but, what the heck, age is only a number, right? I surely don’t feel like I’ve been out of high school for that long.

It’s hard to believe that I have been in this sport for 12 years already. I remember when George and I started racing together, he asked me how long I thought I would race. I told him for five years. I don’t know what I was thinking … Five years went by in what felt like five months. Just like the saying goes,Time flies with you are having fun!

It was my grandmother's 86th birthday on October 7. My mom, Aunt Faye, and I went over to her house with lunch and a birthday cake for her. It was a great day. I wonder what she thinks about how fast her 86 years has passed. I think a lot about the things that she has seen. Things like, rotary dialed phones and sharing a phone line with her neighbors to cell phones that you can surf the net and watch movies on. My grandmother does not drive. Never has. I can’t even imagine that. Especially not me! I am so independent and controlling, I would go crazy if I couldn’t drive myself where I want to go. I do want you to know that although she does not drive, she DOES still mow her own yard. If you ever had the pleasure of meeting her, she would tell you that right away. I can hear her now,...."Ah am 86 years old and ah still cut mah own grass, yeah!” That’s right, she has a Cajun accent and I love her very much!!

Well since I don’t have much to tell you about, I figured I would take this time to tell you guys about a few more of my favorite things. I wrote about some of them in an earlier blog so I figured I would write part two in this one. A new passion of mine (thanks to Seth) is aquariums. Right now, I have a 75- gallon planted discus tank (fresh water) and a 30-gallon reef tank (salt water). Seth does a fantastic job keeping them up so all I have to do is feed the fish and enjoy the view. He has me so hooked on them that I have decided to do some remodeling at home to have a 300-gallon reef tank built into my living room wall which will be viewable from the kitchen wall as well. A two-sided view. It’s going to be awesome!!

Electronics … I love electronics! The more bells and whistles the electronic device has, the better it is to me. I think I’ve mentioned it before but I love it enough to mention it again.

My animals. My mom calls me “Elly May Clampett”  -- you know, the character on The Beverly Hillbillies, the one with all the pets -- because I love animals so muchMy animals are spoiled, too. My ducks, Willie and Nelson, are so spoiled that they come running when they see me driving down the driveway. They also come to my front door and make A LOT of noise for me to come outside when they want food.

Sexy cars! I think the sexiest car ever is “Eleanor” in Gone in 60 Seconds. The next sexiest car is “Bumble Bee” on Transformers. I want one SOOO BAD!!!! 

 A few more of my very favorite things are: The Army’s 82nd Airborne Division Chorus, scary movies, riding in a boat, a crackling fire, the sound of a waterfall, coming home to sleep in my own bed, fireworks, eating cereal late at night. and Wal-Mart!

Well there you go. A little more about who I am. I hope that my blogs have given you a better understanding of the what’s really inside my helmet. Until next time, my friends …

A quick and easy Jambalaya from a box.

Don’t know if this is available for you guys but it's called Zatarain’s New Orleans-style Jambalaya mix. It is in a red and white box. Prepare the jambalaya just as the box says except for a couple additions. I like to add a small can of tomato sauce, an extra cup of rice, about a cup and a half to two cups more water, depending on how well you like your rice cooked. Some garlic powder, salt, pepper and Tony Chachere’s Cajun seasoning to taste. The meat that I choose to add is Manda Beef Smoked Sausage and Chicken. The best chicken to use for this is the already baked chicken that you can get at your grocery store. Just debone and add it to the mix.

Bon Appetite, y'all!!