Do You Ever Wonder

Biker Santa .... My Brother .... My Hero

2010-12-15T18:51:00.000-08:00

Today, December 16th is the anniversary of my Brother's tragic death. A useless senseless act by a motorist that took Steve's life when he was 45 years old.

My hero is my brother, Steven Carroll Harrell ( 1954 - 1999).

Steven was riding his Harley, dressed as Santa, on his way to be Biker Santa at the Christmas Party for the Special Education students at Volunteer High School in Church Hill, Tennessee on December 16, 1999 when he was tragically run over and killed by an inattentive motorist. My Brother Steven was BIKER SANTA - Steven was known and loved as Biker Santa to the Tri Cities Region in Tennessee. He was Santa on a Harley for many years, to many Charities, it was his passion.

The Motorcycle clubs in East Tennessee now ride an annual memorial ride "The Steve Harrell Toy Ride", continuing the work Steve loved. A few years ago I took my Mom to run errands, a very typical and routine trip to the Wal-Mart during the Holiday Season. We walked across the threshold of the entrance, I retrieved a shopping cart from the corral and as I turned, there he was.

A huge bear of a man, he stands about 6'9" tall , Blue Jean Overalls, a worn Black leather jacket, a mountain man beard and carrying an impossibly large bag of toys. A man who always seems uncomfortable around lots of people. My eyes were drawn to his worn leather jacket where there shining like a beacon was a black and white patch in a row of about 6 patches above a larger patch. The larger patch at the bottom read "NEVER FORGOTTEN", the smaller patch, one of the 6, that seemed to grow before my eyes read "BIG STEVE". It is a memorial patch and this man was my brother's friend, his comrade.

I quickly looked to my Mom, and automatically reached for her to offer what support there was in my trembling hand, her eyes were glued on this big gruff looking biker, with a heart of gold, she looked at him with tears brimming, about to spill down her cheeks. He nodded at her and she at him .... and then he was gone with his large bag of toys. Destined to be given out to boys and girls soon by Biker Santa.

My hero is my brother, Steven Carroll Harrell ( 1954 - 1999)..

Steven was:

a Marine (Vietnam Era Veteran),

a Son - First Born son of our Mom and Dad,

a Husband - Married to his wife in 1975 and still happily married (24+ years) at the time of his death,

a Father - to his only child, a son who celebrated his 21st birthday 4 days before his Dad's death,

a Brother - oldest brother of 5 siblings,

an Uncle - to 4 Nephews and 3 neices at the time of his death, with the addition of 1 Great Nephew born in 2004 named Steven, and a new Great Niece born yesterday.

a successful professional who retired early from the corporate world to follow his heart and give back to his community as

a Police Officer (Mt. Carmel, TN) and a photographer.

Many lives were changed in an instant on that cold December day.

My parents lost their beloved son.

My sister-in-law lost her loving husband and best friend.

My nephew, who was just becoming a man, lost his father and mentor.

I lost my best friend, my older brother, my hero.

My younger sisters and brother lost their older brother.

My sons lost their loving uncle and father figure, as I am a single Mom.

My nieces and nephews lost their uncle.

The town of Mt. Carmel, TN lost a loyal civil servant in blue.

The children of the region lost their beloved 'Biker Santa'.

The Motorcyclist lost their friend and comrade 'Big Steve'.

The Marine Corps lost one of their finest one of ' The Few - The Proud'.

The world lost a great humanitarian, generous philanthropist and a wonderful person.

Semper Fi Steve ~ I love you and miss you every day I breathe.

Always your loving sister, Kimberley

Lake Home for sale at Auction in Nashville, Tennessee

2010-03-05T10:28:00.000-08:00

We are moving off the lake and auctioning our lakefront home.

Click here for Auction Info

4Br/3Ba 3,792+ Sq Ft on almost 2 Acres of lake front property. Old Hickory Lake, in Beautiful Hendersonville (The city by the lake).

Beautiful Gunite 38' x 18' Inground Salt Water Swimming Pool.

Great Kitchen with Granite counter tops and gas stove and stainless appliances. Beautiful hardwood floors and an amazing Master Suite with Walk In Closet, Dressing Room, and huge bathroom with Whirlpool tub for 2 and separate shower.

Beautiful 34'x10' Covered Boat Dock

also selling personal property ... ExMark zero radius Lawn Mower, EX Go Workhorse Custom Golf Cart, Antiques and furniture.

Join WonderWomanKim on Blog Talk Radio

2010-03-03T16:59:00.000-08:00

The U R Awe-sum Team

2010-01-18T19:19:00.000-08:00

Sisters

2010-01-08T14:00:00.001-08:00

I am thinking of my sisters today ..... my 2 biological sisters, my 2 sisters-in-law, and my soul sister (Kimberly).

The word/title Sister evokes so many thoughts, memories and joys.

My youngest Sister once gave me a plaque that says "You Are My Sister, My Forever Friend"
I have cherished that plaque of white porcelain with pretty pink roses, it hangs, still to this moment, in my dressing room.

Sisters .... the 2 people in this world who probably know me and my heart better than any other on this Earth.

Those are my biological sisters ... born from the same parents as me and grew up with shared lives. I am the oldest of the 3 and always feel protective towards my sisters.

I also have a soul sister ... a sister by choice, one who was not born to my parents and did not grow up in a shared environment ... but sister's none the less with shared thoughts, passions, loves and lives.

An Amazing display of how we Southern Girls feel about defending our baby sisters, by Ms Julia Sugarbaker, when a young woman made a snarky, degrading comment about her sister Suzzane .... I give you Ms Julia Sugarbaker, Southern Woman Extraordinaire:

Julia: Excuse me, aren't you Marjorie Leigh Winnick, the current Miss Georgia World?
Marjorie: Why, yes I am.
Julia: I'm Julia Sugarbaker, Suzanne Sugarbaker's sister. I couldn't help over hearing part of your conversation.
Marjorie: Well, I'm sorry. I didn't know anyone was here.
Julia: Yes, and I gather from your comments there are a couple of other things you don't know, Marjorie. For example, you probably didn't know that Suzanne was the only contestant in Georgia pageant history to sweep every category except congeniality, and that is not something the women in my family aspire to anyway. Or that when she walked down the runway in her swimsuit, five contestants quit on the spot. Or that when she emerged from the isolation booth to answer the question, "What would you do to prevent war?" she spoke so eloquently of patriotism, battlefields and diamond tiaras, grown men wept. And you probably didn't know, Marjorie, that Suzanne was not just any Miss Georgia, she was the Miss Georgia. She didn't twirl just a baton, that baton was on fire. And when she threw that baton into the air, it flew higher, further, faster than any baton has ever flown before, hitting a transformer and showering the darkened arena with sparks! And when it finally did come down, Marjorie, my sister caught that baton, and 12,000 people jumped to their feet for sixteen and one-half minutes of uninterrupted thunderous ovation, as flames illuminated her tear-stained face! And that, Marjorie - just so you will know - and your children will someday know - is the night the lights went out in Georgia!

Have a WONDER-FUL Day !!

2009-09-10T13:24:00.001-07:00

Hello to all who pass by and read this. This was a beautiful day and a WONDER-FUL afternoon !

I simply love when the sky is that shade of blue that crayola calls 'Cornflower'. I also love it when the sun rays are filtered through the clouds. It is just glorious !!

Hope you all had a WONDER-FUL afternoon too !

Volleyball Season On !!

2009-09-08T11:35:00.000-07:00

I am Running Wide Open ... The NCAA Women's Volleyball season is now in full swing... I am somewhere in the Southeastern United States every evening officiating a Volleyball Match, Tournaments on most weekends !!

It is great fun !!! The athletes are certainly working hard and enjoying themselves ... it is great to be a part of it all !!!

I am enjoying driving thru the mountains or to the Coast in Charleston equally... I am having a blast !!

Proud to be .... One of the "Principal People"

2009-09-03T19:34:00.000-07:00

My Heritage ~ Proud to be Cherokee

2009-08-26T20:48:00.000-07:00

My Heritage ~ Dr. Kimberley D. Harrell, D.D. (aka Mikala White Wolf)

A Track & Field Story about a High Jumper's Olympic Dreams

2009-06-25T10:25:00.000-07:00

Hi all who venture this way !!

I received a request to tell a Track & Field story from a friend....So I will share with ya'll a story about my Track and Field past !!

It was 1983 and I was a young Marine -- Proudly serving my country and just married to a handsome stud of a Marine. He made my heart go pitter patter then. Life was good.

Track season rolls around and I am sent to Camp Pendelton, California to train and compete on the US Marine Corps All Marine Track & Field Team and the United States All Interservice Track & Field Team. It was an outstanding track season, I met and competed with Jackie Joyner (before she added the Kersee) and Florence Griffith (before she added the Joyner). I was jumping high and running fast and enjoying life !!

The US Marine Corps published an article about my track and field exploits in the HQMC Hotline (the newsletter for Marines) and the article title was WONDER WOMAN MARINE ! (now you all know the real secret of where my ID really came from). The title came from a track meet we had between the USMC and the USN (Navy)...I won 5 individual events (High Jump, 100m Hurdles, 100m, 200m, 400m ) and ran anchor leg on 3 winning relay teams ( 4 x 100 , 4 x 200 and 4 x 400 relay).

Here is a picture I dug out of a memory box.

During that season I jumped high enough to make the Olympic 'A' qualifing standard. Which all but guarantees me a spot on the 1984 Olympic team. The season is great and then my newly wed handsome husband was sent on a deployment to Japan for 6 months. Track season ended and I was sent back to my Permanent duty station to be a regular Marine again! The year marches on and training continues.

Then Wooo Hooo it is 1984.. the Olympic year !! My handsome Marine comes home from Japan in late January and the Marine Corps sports unit at HQMC, Washington DC notifies me that they have contacted the USOC and if I should win a medal at the Olympics they are going to possibly allow me to wear my uniform for the medal ceremony and the Marine Corps will use it for future recruiting tape. It is all exciting.

The Marine Corps is going to send me to Camp Pendleton to train and prepare for the 1984 season and hopefully the Olympics which will be held in Los Angeles. I get permission to travel home, for a 4 day weekend, to visit my Mom and Dad before leaving. I get sick on the road trip home....I am a very health conscious person and rarely get sick...so, off to the Doctor I go.

After some tests, my Doctor, who has taken care of my since I stop seeing my Pediatrician walks into the room with this big smile on his face !! I sit there with my Mom and my Husband, thinking why is he smiling when something is wrong with me and track season is just on the horizon. He says, well Kimberley, good news...your not sick your pregnant !! I think Oh My Gosh -- I look at my husband, I look at my Mom and I am so happy inside. Then it occurs to me....OMG....The Olympics....I'll be 6.5 months pregnant when they happen...OMG....OMG...what will I do !!

So, I missed the 1984 Olympics that year and gave birth to a beautiful Baby Boy in October 1984...That handsome young man who many of you know as "Jarrod" and whose picture is posted on an earlier blog post of mine. He is my Gold Medal !!

Someday, I'll tell you the story of his friends in middle school finding out this story ...but that will wait for another day !!

Kimberley (aka Wonder Woman Kim)

For Today, Listen

2009-06-24T14:47:00.000-07:00

Some advice for all those who wander thru my Blog!

Pay attention to someone else's story for today. Instead of listening to formulate your next comment, clear your mind for this one. You'll hear an important message or lesson that applies to your life now.

Truly Listening is a great compliment to pay others.

Do you find that you sometimes listen only to formulate your next comment? Many people do!

For this day .... pay attention to that and truly listen to someone. You'll be amazed at the impact you can have when you just listen.

For this day, Do Not Fear.
For this day, Do Not Worry.
For this day, Do Not Anger.
For this day, Listen.
For this day, Smile.

Wondering about Star Trek

2009-05-28T18:02:00.000-07:00

Growing up I loved .... loved .... loved Star Trek, the series. I was a true blue "Trekkie", skinny Tom Boy, Nerdy, Trekkie, these are all words that could accurately describe me in my formative years.

I waited each week in anticipation for a new show. Reveling in the action and adventures out there in 'space, the final frontier'. I never thought of the special effects as 'cheesy' ... I always thought all the gadgets were 'cool'.

I once went to a Star Trek Convention, the ultimate for any true Trekkie. It was marvelous, I loved it all. I met and received the autograph of George Takei (Mr. Sulu), it was thrilling.

I can complete the Vulcan Hand Salute with both hands proficiently, Live Long & Prosper. The other night I was excited to attend the New Star Trek movie ...... amazing, I love it ...... as I left the theater and as I contemplate this blog one question that is overwhelmingly on my mind and frequently on my lips ..... Uhura and Spock ?? Who Knew ??

Live Long and Prosper!@!

Missing In Action

2008-03-17T12:23:00.000-07:00

I have been missing in action on my blog and terribly neglectful.

I just want to let you all know that I am well and will resume regular posting of blog topic posts after Easter.

Have a wonderful Holiday.

WonderWomanKim

My Hero ~ My Brother ~ Biker Santa

2007-12-11T10:46:00.000-08:00

I intended to post this post on Monday .... something happened today that made me know today is the day .....

I took my Mom to run errands today, a very typical and routine trip to the Wal-Mart. We walked across the threshold of the entrance, I retreived a shopping cart from the corral and as I turned, there he was.

A huge bear of a man, he stood about 6'9" tall , Blue Jean Overalls, a worn Black leather jacket, a mountain man beard and carrying an impossibly large bag of toys. A man who always seems uncomfortable around lots of people. My eyes were drawn to his worn leather jacket where there shining like a beacon was a black and white patch in a row of about 6 patches above a larger patch. The larger patch at the bottom read "NEVER FORGOTTEN" ..... the smaller patch, one of the 6, that seemed to grow before my eyes read "BIG STEVE" ..... The patch is a memorial patch and this man was my brother's friend, his comrade .... I quickly looked to my Mom, and automatically reached for her to offer what support there was in my trembling hand .... her eyes were glued on this big gruff looking biker, with a heart of gold, she looked at him with tears brimming, about to spill down her cheeks .... he nodded at her and she at him .... and then he was gone with his large bag of toys .... destined to be given out to boys and girls soon by Biker Santa.

My hero is my brother, Steven Carroll Harrell ( 1954 - 1999).

Steven was:

a Marine (Vietnam Era Veteran),

a Son - First Born son of our Mom and Dad,

a Husband - Married to his wife in 1975 and still happily married (24+ years) at the time of his death,

a Father - to his only child, a son who celebrated his 21st birthday 4 days before his Dad's death,

a Brother - oldest brother of 5 siblings,

an Uncle - to 4 Nephews and 3 neices at the time of his death, with the addition of 1 Great Nephew born in 2004 named Steven,

a successfull professional who retired early from the corporate world to follow his heart and give back to his community as

a Police Officer (Mt. Carmel, TN) and a photographer.

and he was Biker Santa - Steven was known and loved as Biker Santa to the Tri Cities Tennessee Region. He was Santa on a Harley for many years to many Charities, it was his passion.

Steven was riding his Harley, dressed as Santa, on his way to be Biker Santa at the Christmas Party for the Special Education students at Volunteer High School in Church Hill, Tennessee on December 16, 1999 when he was tragically run over and killed by an inattentive motorist.

Many lives were changed in an instant on that day.

My parents lost their beloved son.

My sister-in-law lost her loving husband and best friend.

My nephew, who was just becoming a man, lost his father and mentor.

I lost my best friend, my older brother, my hero.

My younger sisters and brother lost their older brother.

My sons lost their loving uncle and father figure, as I was at that time, and am, a single Mom.

My nieces and nephews lost their uncle.

The town of Mt. Carmel, TN lost a loyal civil servant in blue.

The children of the region lost their beloved 'Biker Santa'.

The Motorcyclist lost their friend and comrade 'Big Steve'.

The Marine Corps lost one of their finest one of ' The Few - The Proud'.

The world lost a great humanitarian, generous philanthropist and a wonderful person.

Semper Fi Steve ~ I love you and miss you every day I breathe.

Always your loving sister, Kimberley

A beautiful morning

2007-12-07T06:03:00.000-08:00

What a beautiful morning !

It is such a beautiful morning here in the mountains of East Tennessee, this morning I went for a run through my neighborhood, it is a glorious day.

I am so thankful to my web designer Tina ...... if you want a website, she is wonderful.

My Josie O Products site is taking shape and will be 'online' and totally operational very soon.

Take a peek and let me know what you think .....JosieOProducts.com

I am thrilled with it and can hardly wait for the 'launch'.

Have a beautiful day and REMEMBER to SMILE at someone today, you never know what your smile may mean to another.

Kimberley

Sisters, A Reflection

2007-12-04T07:25:00.000-08:00

Good Morning to all who wander thru my Blog !!!

This morning's reflection is Sisters ....

Sisters ...... I have 2 ...... Sisters (Biological) ..... and .... 1 .... Sister (Soul)

The word/title Sister evokes so many thoughts, memories and joys.

My youngest Sister once gave me a plaque that says "You Are My Sister, My Forever Friend"
I have cherished that plaque of white porcealin with pretty pink roses, it hangs, still to this moment, in my dressing room.

Sisters .... the people in this world who probably know me and my heart better than any other on this Earth.

Those are my biological sisters ... born from the same parents as me and grew up with shared lives. I am the oldest of the 3 and always feel protective towards my sisters.

I also have a soul sister ... a sister by choice, one who is not born to my parents and did not grow up in a shared environment ... but sister's none the less with shared thoughts, passions, loves and lives.

An Amazing display of how we Southern Girls feel about defending our baby sisters, by Ms Julia Sugarbaker, when a young woman made a snarky, degrading comment about her sister Suzzane .... I give you Ms Julia Sugarbaker, Southern Woman Extraordinaire:

Julia: Excuse me, aren't you Marjorie Leigh Winnick, the current Miss Georgia World?

Marjorie: Why, yes I am.

Julia: I'm Julia Sugarbaker, Suzanne Sugarbaker's sister. I couldn't help over hearing part of your conversation.

Marjorie: Well, I'm sorry. I didn't know anyone was here.

Julia: Yes, and I gather from your comments there are a couple of other things you don't know, Marjorie. For example, you probably didn't know that Suzanne was the only contestant in Georgia pageant history to sweep every category except congeniality, and that is not something the women in my family aspire to anyway. Or that when she walked down the runway in her swimsuit, five contestants quit on the spot. Or that when she emerged from the isolation booth to answer the question, "What would you do to prevent war?" she spoke so eloquently of patriotism, battlefields and diamond tiaras, grown men wept. And you probably didn't know, Marjorie, that Suzanne was not just any Miss Georgia, she was the Miss Georgia. She didn't twirl just a baton, that baton was on fire. And when she threw that baton into the air, it flew higher, further, faster than any baton has ever flown before, hitting a transformer and showering the darkened arena with sparks! And when it finally did come down, Marjorie, my sister caught that baton, and 12,000 people jumped to their feet for sixteen and one-half minutes of uninterrupted thunderous ovation, as flames illuminated her tear-stained face! And that, Marjorie - just so you will know - and your children will someday know - is the night the lights went out in Georgia!

Friendship

2007-11-20T10:28:00.001-08:00

Good Morning to all who wander thru my Blog !

I had a marvelous dinner last night with a dear friend .... He traveled 2 hours, one way, just to spend a few hours with me.

Kimberley

Which caused me to stop and reflect on what FRIENDSHIP is. As I practiced my Yoga routine this morning I thought of FRIENDSHIP and all the goodness and joy true FRIENDSHIP brings into my life.

And I do, Cherish You !

I am blessed to have some very wonderful friends in Real Life and in my Cyber Life as well.

You are Real to Me!

Today, I am grateful for my Friends and I am grateful for the unselfish love and support they freely offer.

To all my Friends ~ You are appreciated ..... I LOVE YOU DEARLY.

SEMPER FIDELIS,

Kimberley (aka WonderWomanKim)

On to the NAIA Volleyball National Championships

2007-11-18T06:24:00.001-08:00

Hello to all who wander thru my blog !!

It has been a marvelous weekend .... I was selected to officiate at one of the NAIA Women's Regional Volleyball Championships this weekend.

There are 14 Regions across the country ~ Each Regional Champion earns the right to go on to the NAIA National Championships.

It was a wonderful competition ~ The player's all played just as they should as "Champions of Character" (The Motto of NAIA Athletics).

There was a team that just would not quit, no matter how far down they got in a match, they never gave up ..... They were the #5 seed in the tournament, out of 6 teams.

In the first round, the upset the #3 seeded team to advance to the Semi-Final match .... in the Semi-Final match they faced the #1 seeded team in the Tournament (the favorite to advance to the National Tournament) they were down 2 games to 0 ..... (they play best 3 out of 5) .... they did not quit, the came back to win games 3, 4 & 5 to win the match !

Then on to the Finals !! ~ They met the #2 seeded team for the Final Championship Match and the chance to go to the Nationals !! Both teams played with heart and determination ... In the end .... the #5 seed team won ..... they are on their way to Nationals!

It was wonderful to be a part of it all .... I am so fortunate, I love with a great passion what I do .... and I am privileged to have the opportunity to see these young student athletes compete.

I LOVE LIFE !! LIFE IS GOOD !!

I hope ya'll had a wonderful Saturday too and My wish for you is a beautiful Sunday !!

REMEMBER TO SMILE !

Kimberley (aka WonderWomanKim)

NAIA Regional Volleyball Championships

2007-11-17T17:41:00.000-08:00

Good Morning to all who wander thru my Blog !

I am on the road this morning ~

I have been selected as one of the officials for the The NAIA Regional Championships !

Not too very far from home ... that is a wonderful thing !!

It will be a day filled with Great Volleyball ..... 4 teams competeting for the opportunity to go to the National Championships !!

It will be a wonderful day ........ It is an honor to be one of the officials selected ...... it shall be my pleasure to be a part of it all!!

I hope ya'll have a wonderful day and weekend !!

REMEMBER TO SMILE ~

Kimberley (aka WonderWomanKim)

Happy Birthday Marine

2007-11-10T21:17:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL THE MARINES who wander thru my Blog.

SEMPER FI !!

Your service is appreciated !!

Thanks to all the Devil Dogs and Jarheads out there !!

Kimberley (aka WonderWomanKim)