My Beautiful Bike

Treker

I am THRILLED to announce my newest family member:
Navigator 2.0
MSRP $429.99 *

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Endless Comfort
The Trek Navigator Line is designed to give you the most upright and solid ride around. Trek has literally raised the bar on comfort by giving you a higher hand position that results in a more stable and controlled ride. Mix that with a cushy saddle, wide smooth-rolling tires, and a plush suspension fork and you have found answer to all of your comfort bike dreams.
~I def needed a new bike as my sweet Raleigh is nearing her 10th Birthday and the wear and tear is becoming obvious and difficult for her rider. My seat wouldn't stay raised I was constantly hitting my knees on the handle bars. The seat would spin and not stay in the straight forward position. Only SOME of the gears would change.... she was just old so I have happily upgraded thanks to my husband's permission and Christmas Bonus!--- Thanks Rick at Service Solutions! I guess it's only fair as I bought him a 50" tv with my Christmas Bonus! I can't wait to ride now! Hence the first picture is my beloved new Jersey that I got on Christmas Eve and like a lil kid have washed and worn EVERY day since (today is day 4 in a row!) and my new best buddy!
~~Pictures Pending

I HATE SMOKING: If easily offended please do not read

This blog is NOT meant to intentionally insult anyone or even to point fingers at anyone... but smoking has got on my last nerve so I must complain!

Smoking just kills me... I completely HATE smoking... the smell, the cost, addicttion, the health effects... anything a smoker may LIKE about smoking I despise!

In addition it gets on my ever last nerver for these poor lil kidlets to always be smelling like smoke. My goodness just cuz you enjoy destroying YOUR organs at least have some decency not to slowly kill your kids! All these babies with breathing issues: pnemonia, bronchitis, asthma- you name it and yet there is there momma puff'n away as she takes them to day care and there is their daddy puffn away at the dinner table. HELLLOOOO when will you wake up? Why do you insist on endanger your kids... then you are sad and scared and worried when they get real sick and have to go to the hospital.... you make no sence to me!

Not just ciggerettes either. How clueless can you possible be smoking OTHER illegal substances in front your kids... and we wonder why we are raising criminals?

I took my kidlets out to eat on Monday as Santa was coming to our fav restaurant. Unfortunately he had left 30 minutes before we got there. But the NONsmoking side was just FILLED with smoke. It was crazily rediculous. My kids are super rarely EVER around smoke... maybe briefly when we hang with their godparents and briefly if they are near my mom's friend Jan.The smoke was getting to me but stupid me didn't realize it was getting to my son til he starts coughing and gagging and ended up throwing up... PERFECTLY healthy until put in this environment and he was perfectly healthy afterwards... It drives me crazy how parents day after day can put their kids in that type of environment in their own house, which is suppose to be a safe haven but is truel lingering with killers...

Know what else kills me? People who whine and cry about being broke, can't afford food or oil or Christmas or whatever the day may bring.... yet low and behold fear not they CAN afford their cartyon of cigs!

Christmas Eve

So I worked 5-3 on Christmas Eve- not too bad ya know! The mail was at home when I got off work.... AND My MS 150 Biking Jersey I have been waiting on since the first week of September had arrived and I KNEW that was my absolute FAV Christmas gift!! I got to go to the Christmas Eve service with my kids- Anthony who slept the WHOLE way through and Jayna who got to be part of the "Children's Choir". Afterwards we went to Mom's house and had light snakcs of every variety and exchanged gifts. The entertaing parts were Joe's Tinkerbell steering wheel cover, Hello Kitty keychain and Sports Illustrated Swim suit calendar. Then Mark flashed himself in the eye with a light keychain and that was great. Dad seemed to like his WVU picture we got him. Marko got the gifts the kids had bought for him at school. Anthony was VERY proud of his picking a screwdriver set of 2 and don't know why but got Marko a flame thrower LOL... We don't smoke or grill so maybe she is hinting she's ready for fireworks? I am assuming it will be "donated" to BK to light the broiler!
After we finished up there we headed home where the kids got in their new PJs and robes and prepared Santa his goodies. Each kid gave Santa 2 cookies I had made Tuesday and a cup of Mountain Dew- Santa's beverage of choice! Getting the kids to sleep-- not so easy and I KNOW we shoed Anthony off the X-Box 3-4 times!!! At 6:30 my alarm went off to set up the kids things for Santa and Ant was on the game again! Off to bed we put him again and I set up their gifts from Santa and back to bed til almost 10am!! Sleep is wonderful!
~~Pictures coming SOON~~

BK CHRISTMAS PARTY 2008

We had our annual reward party at work for selling at least 2 scholarships (2600) in fry coupon books. We sold 5 scholarships worth-- more than ANY store in the company and I think we DOUBLED our closest selliong store!!! We were very proud of ourselves and I was super proud of my guys!! So they get a $200 party from our owner John and I give them an additional $100 in stuff for the party. I think they all had a complete blast!

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MY VIP Son

At school, Anthony's class does a "star student of the week" type program, but it's called "VIP" or Very Important Preschooler. They get to bring home a Class Teddy Bear, write a page on Bear's week, taking a picture with bear, be the line leader at school, the prayer leader, the one who chooses who goes first for bathroom breaks, washing hands getting lunch, etc and Mommy got to go eat lunch with him one day for school.
Bear joined us on 12/12 and had a very fun and busy week with us. He went with Tony, Jayna, Gramma, Poppy and Uncle Mark to Virginia Christmas Spectacular.

On Saturday Bear got visit Santa Clause with Tony and got to ride the train at the mall.


Then he got to go skating with Tony, Mommy and Jayna to our cousin Skylar's 5th birthday at Funquest. Bear got to skate, play arcade games, play laser tag, play in the "play quest" area and even eat pizza and icecream cake













~the picture of Sky opening a gift is her opening her High School Musical and Hannah Montana Barbies from us and I thought the facial expression was just PRICELESS!
On Sunday Bear got to go two birthday parties with us and then stayed with Grandma while Mommy and DaddY went out to eat for their 5th Wedding Anniversary at Koto's: YUMMMMMY!!
Tabi's 4th Birthday


Our Anniversary Dinner, notice the heart shaped rice in our honor turned into a smilie face!



I even dressed up- that never happens!
Then on Monday Bear got to go to Chic Fil A with us and we got to see the Cow dressed as Santa... after that he had a more low key week but Tony was completely THRILLED to have Bear for a week!




The VIP Bulletin Board Featured TONY and then here is his classes patchwork quilt. Tony's is the VERY under decorated red one!

and the winner is.... ME!!!!

That is right ladies and gents I actually won an award- which to me and my boring life that is some rather BIG stuff!~ Out of 30 plus stores, I was one of 7 stores that got an award for 2008 Operational Excellence! In the 5 years I have been with Bk only 2x has ANY Lynchburg store won one of theses awards... so not only was it a first for me it is also a Lynchburg rarity!! In 04 my current store (I didn't get there til 05) won a "penny pincher" award but then again when I got to this store the employees didn't even have uniforms! Then the other Lychburg store won "most improved" I have been told once or twice in my like not to necissarily to consider an award like that a compliment LOL... anyhow we won the KING award.... for taking the things we learn from BK and bringing it back to our store and making it what we live by daily.... hard to explain but I was still very pleased. All 7 of us are pictured with our owner, John Newcomb- the older guy in the right hand top corner.
The other pic is of all our employees of the year. I have been superbly impressed by my employee of the year. He had a serious accident this past winter and broke his neck. When he was able in June he returned to work, working 4,5,6 or even 7 days a week if I needed him. He has been our dayshift KING. Chuck is the black guy attempting to hide in the back row, near the middle

Melody Makers

Anthony and Jyana each had a 30 minute musical performance at their schools, and then also had caroling on main street when unfortunately my camera's batteries died! Here is what I got- not too bad!

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I'm Famous....

I was "interviewed" for the News today, how neat is that?

http://www.wset.com/news/stories/1208/577950_video.html?ref=newsstory
Yeah so it was only 3 seconds but still neat! The last time I was interviewed was in 11th grade for a Stop the Violence program with FCCLA

Christmas Countdown....

We got Anthony and Jayna a Christmas countdown CHOCOLATE calandar... both were tastily happy:-)
Then just wanted to share a pic with Grandma and her babies

First Gift of the Christmas Season!

Aunt Missy sent Jayna and Anthony their first Christmas Gifts of the season and they were quite pleased!!
Anthony got a remote control Dragon adn Jayna got a Sweet Secrets mini doll that "hides" in her lipstick container!

Christmas Cards

Well I know I am a slacker but Thursday I FINALLY got all my Christmas cards off in the mail!! Way to go ME!



December 2008

Dear Friends and Family,

It is already that time of year, for me to sit down and type our annual Christmas letter. I can definitely say this has been “One Happenin’ Year”! We have tried many new adventures, and even took some chances and now hold dear many new accomplishments!

Last November Marko started doing technical work on his own, almost like his own business. He has been thrilled doing work he loves and even being able to work a decent schedule most days! He has frequently worried about what to do IF work dries up, but so far nothing we see shows any signs of drying up! Then in September he was contacted by an employer who is having him do similar work- even better pay and even more hours. So now he is working by contract but still basically for himself. He is considered a “preferred provider” in both organizations he has worked through. His exciting personal non-work accomplishment would be his concealed gun permit. Oh brother is he ever happy with that!

Nothing special with me work wise. I celebrated my 5th year working at Burger King in management and I celebrated my 3rd year as the main manager, RGM. My big accomplishment for the year most friends have already heard of, but Dad and I did the MS150 bike ride to help raise money for the MS society. We rode from Lewisburg, WV to Snowshoe, about 150 miles. We not only met our minimal money needed but surpassed our goal of doubling the minimum by $44! We registered for MS 2009 as well and will soon start our training regiment! As we do every year at BK, I attended a manager’s conference, except this year I was given the pleasure of being the co-pilot which was lots of fun even landing in Hershey, PA right close to John McCain and Sarah Palin’s planes when they were doing talks on Oct 30 and 31.

Anthony Robert turned either 4 or 1 on Leap Day February 29, 2008 with a Kangaroo themed party at a bounce house! He successfully “passed” his 3 year old class at school and had to leave behind his awesome teacher and is now in the four year old class… also known as Pre-K!! His current love is video games and WOW is he good. He frequently beats Daddy on the Xbox and Mommy on the Wii and gets super excited! The kids got a trampoline this winter/spring and have enjoyed hours of non stop jumping and are yet to allow any amount of hot, cold, rain or snow prohibit their jumping. Anthony can even do a full flip in the air! He completed his second year of soccer with the YMCA and scored the most goals of anyone on his team!

Jayna Olivia, what should I mention about our little fashion diva? She had her 3rd Birthday on April 20th, 2008 at the huge indoor playground at church completely themed as Flip Flops because Jayna has a true love and obsession for them! She even got some as a gift and stopped open presents just to try them on. Jayna has her own fashion sense and loves to play dress up, wear Mommy’s make up, and even lets mommy practice her new hobby- hair styles. Jayna started her first year of preschool and loves it. She also did soccer, and we’ll just state that we won’t waste our time or money with that again. We plan on starting Gymnastics after Christmas, much more her style. Jayna loves playing babies, and house make believe with her kitchen and heels and purses. She too enjoys the trampoline and is always asking Mommy to come and jump! She talks non stop and is full of life and energy.

And our huge accomplishment, for the first time ever…. We have NO house guests!!! It is just our family! We have enjoyed the previous 5 years with my best friend and her husband, Marko’s brother Derek, my brother Zac, Marko’s brother Ray, My sister Karlee and various pets belonging to the people who stayed with us living with us, but I must say I LOVE having my OWN house, with my OWN 4 bedrooms and my OWN space! This month we are celebrating our 5th Wedding Anniversary. So many things have changed in 5 years, and yet some thing have remained the same! I can say We have so much to be thankful for and we have been so richly blessed. You turn on the news and realize just how much you truly have during what is a very difficult economic time for so many others. We have watched too many friends and family and newborns of friends die this year and just in that we know we are blessed.

I hope your family has a joyous holiday season and remember to be thankful for the many blessings in which you have been given. Have a safe and happy year to come!

Love Always,

The Sykes Family

Marko, Bethany, Anthony, and Jayna


Feel free to visit our family blog through out the year with heards of pictures and updates:

http://bethanysykes.blogspot.com

Santa Clause is Coming to Town~

We went to visit Santa, but to get Jayna Bells to cooperate, I had to be in the photo... 3rd year running where an "adultish" fam member had to be in the photo- but it still turned out rather well!

In Our Memories, Mitch Simmons

imikimi - Customize Your World

In Our Memories, Mitch Simmons

Another sad story that has touched my life. A good friend of mine whom I've known for years and been very close to... his best friend's step brother died in an accidental shooting. It truly is a heart breaking tragedy. Sadly his younger brother Guy shot him in the chest as his younger sister looked on. I can't imagine this family's pain but they are def in my thoughts.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here is the news article
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Teen remembered for willingness to help others
Staunton River High School senior Mitchell Simmons died after an accidental shooting.

By Amanda Codispoti
981-3334

Counselors were on hand Tuesday at Staunton River High School, where students and staff were grieving the death of a 17-year-old boy who on Monday was accidentally shot at his home.

School spokesman Ryan Edwards confirmed that the student was senior Mitchell Simmons.

The Moneta teen was shot in the chest with a rifle at his home in the 3800 block of Saunders Grove Drive just before 5:30 p.m., said Maj. Ricky Gardner with the Bedford County Sheriff's Office.

Gardner said the victim and his 14-year-old brother were looking at the rifle when it fired. The younger brother had been holding the rifle.

"It was just an accident," Gardner said Tuesday. "There's no reason for us to believe it was anything other than an accident."

His parents were on their way home from work when the shooting happened, Gardner said.

Mitchell was flown to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, where he died.

The Simmons family did not want to be interviewed Tuesday. The sheriff's office is not releasing the names of the juveniles involved.

Neighbors said Mitchell Simmons was always willing to help them.

Just a few weeks ago, next-door neighbor Elizabeth Stevens called Mitchell, asking if he could help her husband bring in firewood.

"I'll be there in a minute," she remembered him saying.

Stevens said Mitchell was interested in enrolling at Virginia Military Institute and wanted to go into the military, following in the footsteps of his older brother.

Stevens' son, Glenn Stevens, also lives nearby and said Mitchell had helped him with yardwork.

"It's a real tragedy, and I really hate that it's happened," Glenn Stevens said. "He was a wonderful kid."

Simmons played on the high school's baseball team, and his younger brother is a freshman at the school, Edwards said.

"This is a horrible situation for that family, and anyone who came in contact with that child," he said.

Simmons' death is the second to hit the high school this year. In October, Tiffany S. LaPrade, a junior, was killed in a three-vehicle wreck while driving to school.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gone Muddin'

So my darling husband unintentionally went muddin' this weekend. When I came home from work on Saturday we was around back cabling for his new tv and such. He had the van at the back door with all his tools and such. I decided to take a nap due to lack of sleep in WV plus opening that morning. When I woke up hubs was napping too. Then he realized it was raining- not good...
We went around back to move the van out of the yard, but it was already too late. He was STUCK! After 30 minutes of attempts we called it a day. Unfortunately for us it rained heavy ALL day on Sunday and the van only got MORE stuck even with the gravel I bought at Home Depot that day... it did very little good. At 9:00pm we knew it was hopeless and after hubs senselessly punching the van a few more times and using unkind words we called the tow truck people. On the phone we were quoted $75... oh well insurance company would pick up $45 of it... a $30 lesson in life ya know. Unfortunately once they pulled us out the mud at about 10:00pm they told us it was $125!!!! Talk about one very pricey lesson learned. We will be paving the drive way all the way back come sping!! And until then NOOOOO pulling around back for ANYthing!

Thanksgiving

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We had a lovely Thanksgiving. Marko and I both worked on Wednesday so mom took Jayna, Mark and Joe and they stayed at Zac's. While Dad took Tony and Karlee and stayed at Nana and Poppy's. I was told they got in about 6pm. We on the other hand did not arrive until 11:30pm. Thanksgiving morning we got to re-meet the new generation of cousins. Averi Isabelle and Lauren Gail were only 8 months old the last time we saw each other. They are now like Jayna, 3.5 years old and the cutest smartest lil identical twins ever! We had a blast playing our day away. Mom, Jayna and the gang arrived about 11:30am. Lunch was delicious and our gathering barely left any leftovers!! We enjoyed veggie soup for supper that night. As well we made Black Friday plans. Jake, the twins dad wanted a 50" big screen tv so Marko and I agreed to go save one for them! Marko and Jake talked the night away about their buisnesses and their future career dreams. Marko and I finally got Jayna to sleep about 1am!! We had to be up by 2... but I slept until 2:08 so we were a little later than planned, but we got to WalMart about 2:30am! There was a guy and gal already there awaiting their big screen. They had 4. Marko and I had agreed the night before that if we could only get one it would be for Jake, Vicki and the girls but if we could get two I would allow him to use my vacation check to buy his dream: a big screen! By 3am the final bigscreen had been claimed. Tehn the couple we were with earlier plotted that one of us should be on each side so Liz and I waited on one side while Marko and Brandon were on the other. It was obvious come 3:30 it was getting busy, the crowd was growing and it was time for reinforcements! So at 3:45am I called Jake. Jake and Izzy went to pick up Manda and they all got to Walmart a little after 4am. We again plotted. Jake would grab his tv as he's nice n big n strong, Marko would grab his, I would grab a 40" tv for Izzy, Izzy would get the Barbie jeep for the girls, Amanda would get the computer then Izzy would go for some cameras. It worked like a dream! We all got exactly what we wanted. While we waited for Izzy to get her stuff in electronics with Amanda Jake and Marko waited with our already 3 carts of stuff up front. I ran to get some small things: robe and pj set for Jayna, nerf gun set for my nephews and tony, a vacuum, and a Hannah Montana barbie and clogs for Jayna! Everyone left with what they wanted minus a dvd or two that had been on the list. We were done loaded by 6am! Izzy treated us to breakfast at Shoney's all you can eat Buffet! By 7am we were back home and back into bed. Jayna allowed me to sleep until 9:30 and then we were up and playing for the day. I let Marko sleep in exchange that I could sleep on the way home while he would drive!
MY BIG ACCOMPLISHMENT: I convinced Uncle King to do the MS 150 ride with Dad and I next September!!
We left Friday afternoon. Once we were home Marko immediately unpacked his tv! Then we headed to Walmart for a stand for it. A bit pricey but we got a nice one and I got Tony a pj and robe set.
It was a great Holiday!! Not to mention in 6 years together this was our first big splurge. Sure we bought a house and a van together (ok so we are still paying on it!) but the tv wasn't needed plus we paid it all in cash!! No credit debt for our splurge!!

Born an Angel, Ma'Khi Antonio

One of my fellow managers gave birth to an angel, Ma'Khi Antonio Hayes at 33 weeks. He was born still, yet amazingly perfect and beautiful. Please keep Jasmine and the baby's dad Maurice in your thoughts and prayers, as well as Jas's mom Jill (she is a fellow BK RGM). It's a heartbreaking story and no real answers, just a million questions.
A Letter to Mommy
Dear Mommy,
Before we said our first hello,
the time had already passed.
For when you held me in your arms,
I had gone to heaven to rest.

I felt angelic tears down my cheeks,
and I watched you as you weeped.
I wish I could of changed it all,
Your tears touched my soul so deep.

But mommy when you are sad,
Please be assured I know.
For death cannot take away your love,
it will only continue to grow.

Time and distance cannot erase,
a love and a bond so deep.
There is no bond that can compare,
and in your heart I'll keep.

When you are feeling far away,
and missing me so much.
Close your eyes and feel my wings,
their soft and gentle touch.

Or at night as you sleep,
I will join you in a dream.
You will see me standing close to you,
and we'll be lost within my wings.

So my dear Mommy,
as you go from day to day.
Find comfort in the knowledge,
I am never that far away.

Angel Whispers
Lori

In God's hand he rests, born stil 11/21/08