CHANGING CLOTHES

Hello from still North of the boarder,

Sorry it's been so long since I posted. As you can imagine, things are very busy here. The good news is that we are almost finished. Two very dear friends of ours, who are hugely responsible for our "jump and build wings on the way down" spirit, came and bought almost everything in our home. We had our final garage sale last weekend and then took everything that was left to Goodwill. The Expedition and the Harley sold within days of each other. Gods time. One would think as many times as I have experienced that, I would not question it so much. My nature is not one of trust. I am learning. My trust has been more of the educational variety rather than blind faith. My growth, I pray continues.

It seems as though the world is starting to slow its spin. Things are coming more into focus. I am listening Sherries' voice more. I see the beauty in her face as she awakens to a new day. Our neighborhood has more squirrels in it than I remember. I hear more children playing than I did before. Are there more? The things that occur in our friends lives mean more to me now. A hippie friend of mine says that "we must die to self". Maybe that's what is happening. Or maybe if I think that.....it's not. That was hard to think about.

My Dive master training is almost complete. I have had the great benefit and pleasure to "buddy" with another candidate from the program. Her name is Jimmie and I could not have made it with out her. I suspect we will be life long friends. I have read that the bonds of ones' family are not necessarily that of blood. Rather it is of mutual respect, joy and genuine concern for the others well being, that create your family. That rarely do the members of ones family grow up under the same roof. I'm not sure of the last part, but the sentiment of the thought I believe is correct. I have had the opportunity to work with great instructors, students and our Course Director is truly amazing. My plan is to return to Dallas next spring and complete the instructor course. The training I have received could not have been better. I am usually led to where I need to be if I will simply listen. I am working on that.

We leave Dallas in two short weeks. July 20Th is our "changing clothes" date. We need to make a commitment to you. Where ever we are, who ever we are with, and who ever we become...... we will always keep you with us. All of you.... you all have impacted our lives in ways you can not imagine or ways we can not understand. We are works in progress and it will take all of you, and those to come, to paint the picture. We are going to do our part. We will show up and try to do what He/She/ It would have us do. The rest is up to the universe.

We are going to some friends house today and celebrate our country and each other. I truly wish you all Love and Peace.

Dennis

LESSONS

Good Morning to the Universe,

I thought I would provide you an update from the mighty metropolis of Mesquite, Texas (a.k.a. Cozumel Norte). Things are progressing with our adventure but of course not as quickly as I had hoped. We still need to liquidate a few of the big ticket items like the Expedition and the Harley. I know the Creator has a buyer on the way, but once again I was not consulted about the timeline. We are learning so much about what real faith means. I'm not talking about the "things" that occupy so much of our time. It seems as if there are lessons around every corner. I'm not sure if it is because there are more lessons or if I see them better now that I'm not engulfed in all the negativity that has surrounded us for the past few years. I wish I had better words to describe that, but then that would be giving power to it again. I find myself focusing on the beauty and Love of the world more now. There is still some turmoil left however. Living that way for so long is not an easy thing to break, but it is happening. I read something this weekend that helped me very much. I'm supposed to "leap from the cliff, and build wings on the way down." I like that.

The motorcycle rally was a blast. It was our 7th year to attend this one. There were bikes and people everywhere. We met some new friends and reconnected with some old ones. One one the people we connected with is an artist from Austin. We were drawn to his work and his spirit. We were instant lifelong friends. His work is truly amazing. It turns out he is opening a gallery in Playa de Carmen. The Universe knows what it's doing huh? There is and will be more to this story and we are looking forward to those chapters.

There are very few pictures I can post from this trip. You can't really imagine whats it's like when 50,000 bikers come together.

Ours is in there somewhere. This is just one small area. Amazing. I really enjoy this lifestyle and will miss it very much. Its weird but somehow I have a feeling that we will return. For now however, on to new things and new adventures.

A friend of mine likes to ask this question, "When is the last time you did something for the first time?"

What is your answer?

Peace,

Dennis

CC RIDER

Whats up Y'all,

Things are moving along here. Time is really doing strange things. In many ways everyday seems like three. July 20th seems as if it will never come. The more freedom that comes, the more this life doesn't fit. On the other hand, we still have much to do and no time to get it done. I refuse to take this so seriously that we can't enjoy this part too, but the clock is ticking. Steven Hawking would be interested in this time dilemma.

We are taking a bit of time off this weekend. We have attended the Republic of Texas Bike Rally in Austin for the last 7 years. This will be the last one before we sell our Harley. Selling the scooter is one of the truly hard things about our journey. This rally is always "off the hook". 70,000 motorcycles will invade our state capital. The ground will tremble. Bikes and babes everywhere. We leave tomorrow and will return on Sunday. 4 1/2 days when I get to be a guy. Sherrie makes leather look really good. I will post a report complete with pictures when we return. Well..... at least the pictures that would be appropriate. You can email me later if you want to see the others. Better go for now.

Thanks for listening and remember......Argue for you limitations, and they are yours.

Peace,

Dennis

Hello all,

Yesterday was a big day in our lives. Our business was officially sold and its assets were moved. Wow !!!! Freedom. Don't get me wrong. I very much enjoyed the business. It was my baby and our salvation for many years. Its funny though...... I didn't realize how heavy that chain was until it was removed. Quite often I am in a prison of my own making and do not know it. I have a patch on my motorcycle vest that sums it up. "What a long strange trip it has been".

We are now in full push mode. I am going to be working as a consultant for one of my clients until July 17th. I am in the middle of more Dive training, Sherrie is packing up the few material possessions we will be keeping, and selling the rest. It s a big job. I have worked all my life for the "things" we have and thought that was hard. I now think it is tougher to get rid of everything. I'm always backwards. Getting to look at our lives this way really puts things in perspective. Its not the things in my life that are important. My wife, our family, our friends, the little blue haired lady at the end of our street, these are the things I've been reflecting on. Have I made a difference in their lives? Are my clients better for having hired our firm? I guess I'm asking the same questions most people would ask. I do not wish to be overly dramatic. I have a tendency to do that, but this really does feel like I'm "changing clothes". I often find my thoughts drifting to the island. I find it hard to not let the life to come, overshadow life now. Now is where peace is. Now is where you are. I need to be now. Too philosophical? Probably.....but I warned you.

Grab something and give it a big kiss.

Peace,

Dennis

In the Begining

Hello everybody,

Sherrie and I thought we would document our journey from one lifestyle to another. It is more for ourselves but we hope you enjoy some of our adventures. I will endeavor to be entertaining, but I will warn you now that you will read all about this journey. You will read about our hopes, our fears, our mistakes and our successes, our ups and our downs. You will read mindless ramblings from those days that do not go so well. I will write of ecstatic joy and I intend to be as raw as appropriateness will allow. Grammar will be hit and miss and I do not guarantee you will always follow the workings of my mind. God knows I don't. What I will guarantee is that what you will get is us (me). I will try and write most everyday. No guarantees on that. I will inject parts of our story from the past. These will not always be flattering to us. I'm only as sick as my secrets. I will not reveal things that would harm other people or things simply for shock value. That serves no purpose except to feed my ego. I 'm trying to deflate that as much as possible. If you enjoy this blog, that will please us. If not, I hope it does not offend you and would simply invite you not to read it. I guess that is enough of the disclaimer so I should get started.

Brief background.

Sherrie and I have been together since 1994. We have been married twice in 3 weddings. That's right. It doesn't make sense huh? We married in 95.... divorced in 2000..... moved back in together in 2000...... remarried in 2003 in two ceremonies..... one in Dallas for our families and "our" wedding in Cozumel... on the beach....at sunset... with our chosen family. During the ceremony a rainbow appeared as we were facing out to sea. Amazing. I love my wife. She is the best part of me and I would be nothing without her. We have owned our own successful business for the past several years and that has been a real challenge. I would not have wanted to miss it. All good thing must end. We have made a life choice that leads us here..... to this page...... now.... with you.

We are moving to Cozumel Mexico to swim with fishes. The universe has lined up and we said yes. I will write more about that later. For now.... none of this would be possible without our God, the help and support of out families, our friends and from "my partner in crime", Tony Anshutz. He heard the call and helped me to hear mine. Thank you my friend.

I suppose I will end this post for now. There are many things to do before I go to bed. I trust you all are well and you are with someone you love.

Peace,

Dennis