Chalk-Walk!

I've been wanting to check out a "Chalk-Walk" for quite some time now. There just happened to be one going on in Hyde Park, which is this historic district of Tampa. It is very cute, reminds me a lot of the neighborhoods in Denver. I like to be reminded of home <3 It was hot out, its Florida, its always hot out!

I am amazed at how well an artist can transform a canvas, even if its not an actual "canvas" It was a beautiful thing to take in, they had areas for the kiddos to draw on the side walk as well. Well on to the show, here are a few shots I liked!

                  


There was a grey hound rescue too, they looked hot, I snapped a picture of one of the dogs, and then came across a puppy at a vendor tent who was too cute to not play with. He is 10 weeks old and was wearing a Ray's hat. It was almost impossible to get him to wear it right, so he now looks like french puppy, Still adorable

                                     

Get Low...Get Low??

I think it’s time for a new bed frame, I bought a new bed back in November and I am still very pleased with it. In fact, I struggle to get out of it since it is so comfy. It's been named the "Marshmallow Bed" and from that name, who would even want to get out of it?

The bed frame I have is wood and the hinges need to be replaced and it’s not supporting the bed the way I would like it to. So it’s time to upgrade. I've always loved the headboards with the leather padding. They are so elegant! I don't want to pay $600 for a bed frame so I've been looking into my options.

What I am coming across is a bunch of platform beds. It’s like wild fire; they are ALL over the damn place. I don't want to roll out of bed I want to be up a significant amount higher, plus I really love storing my shoes under my bed. I have a mattress and a box spring, platform beds are mattress only! Who likes sleeping that low to the floor? Do you feel more aero dynamic while you're down there? If that is the case I suggest you get a race-car bed, at least that way, you can FEEL like you are getting the whole experience.

TheFriend (from previous blogs) wants one, I don't get it, and he is a big guy. I suppose it likes the look of it, but wouldn't it suck to struggle to get up and physically out of bed? Or is that just me?

Tyler said he could build me a frame for a significant amount less, but I don't know if he'll be able to get the design I want. There is no doubt he's talented with his hands and quite the handy man around his house. He built Heather a beautiful deck. But all of the head boards I like have some intricate design.

I’ve looked on craigslist, I found this really intricate headboard but it’s pricy, and it’s just the head board.  I have also checked online at the furniture stores here and nothing really catches my eye. Checked overstock too, since shipping is $2.95 and I hate to pay shipping on anything. I found a few I like, but they’re brown leather,  I favor black & they’re about the $500 range again. Ugh!!

Tunes!

Side Note: Brooke read Tunes not Tones K?

 I love music, I always have but I think I appreciate it more as I go through different things in my life. I am always open to new things, new styles and I really love when I can relate to the song or it fits that moment in my life. It’s amazing how that happens, the moment you're happy, sad, alone, excited, whatever it is, and the perfect song comes on the radio it just fits, you know?

 I’ve been through a lot and I am not ready to put it out there for the world to read. But I will tell you that I feel I heal sometimes even if it’s just a little bit from a song. Isn't that amazing? Words that are written can touch you so much. Relate to your life, define your best/worst moments and let you have an outlet for whatever you need it for. Sometimes I laugh, sometimes I cry, sometimes I scream the lyrics as loud as I can. It’s all just a part of my heart trying to find a way to heal.

 It really is a big part of who I am. I bought a painting in the beginning of the year while in Vegas. It is four guitars, it is beautiful and it spoke to me. I do not play guitar, although I do have the desire to learn. But I am touched by music and wanted to appreciate this beautiful piece of art in my home. It reminds me that someone out there understands me, my feelings, and my thoughts and expressed themselves through music. That right there is just beautiful to me.

This all came to me tonight, as I was watching my DVR'd One Tree Hill, which I love that show...go ahead and laugh that I watch it, I'll wait. Done? K, they have some great music on it. I always find myself going to the website and checking who it was. Most of the time its people I've never heard of, but I like that one song so I check out the whole album. I don't want to miss out on anything in life, and exploring music is a BIG realm!

I was just telling Brooke today after our work out we need to go to the Dueling Piano bar in Tampa, Howl At The Moon. I went in Orlando a few weeks ago and I love it. There is a place in Denver, Sing Sing, that I just love too. I love live music and there isn't anything better than some good friends, drinks and some great live music.

  I find that now I am a Music junkie, I blame Rebecca & Justin; ever since I went to Texas and was sent home with some 40 gigs of music...it just started the process! My poor little 30 gig iPod is overloaded. Thanks guys!

 

Commitment Issues

I think I have commitment issues. How funny is that statement? I can’t even commit to admitting I have commitment issues?

I don’t mean relationships, I don’t seem to have a problem committing to the wrong men at all and I am a pro at that  I have however backed off from dating for the time being so I can actually focus on what it is I want. That being said, if something comes up such as it does in life, I’ll roll with it from there. I know what I want in the long-run, but I’m not in a rush to get there.
I have an issue committing to a career, a life style adjustment, goals, routines, ECT. Clearly, it must be fear, right? I mean, why else are people afraid to commit? I feel like I can’t finish anything I start to do!

I don’t know what I want to do with my life; I am now 26 and feel like I should have a clue. I do not! I want to make a difference in people’s life, or at least at this point that is what I want. I want some sort of satisfaction out of a career. I’ve thought about being a police officer, but when it comes down to it, I just don’t think I am tough enough for that. No matter what I do, it requires me to go back to school. Which I’ve put off for the last eight years because I didn’t want to waste time and money since I didn’t have any idea what I wanted to go for.

With all I’ve been through I’ve always considered being a nurse. I worry that I will be desensitized to people and emotion after time. They deal with so much in the course of their careers; I don’t want to have that take a toll on the person I am. I do however want to make a difference and help people; it might be a way for me to heal a little bit more. Again, I am just not sure. It’s at least a two year commitment to schooling so I want to make SURE that this is what I want to do.

I’d like to actually start something and finish it, whatever it might be, even if it’s just something simple. I don’t know if I just get bored or if I get too busy starting other new things that the previous things get swept under the rug.
I have a lot of books that I’ve wanted to read and I keep putting them on the shelf. They aren’t going to read themselves, right? There are several I need to read, for my own well being on how to cope with the things I am going through. Or the ones that make me believe in love stories, or photography books to expand my knowledge to become a better photographer. Reading more is definitely on my list of things to do and complete.

I want to be happy in life, love & whatever else I do. I don’t feel happy. I am not happy with certain aspects of myself and I really need to commit to making a change. I would love to eat healthier and get back in shape. I feel like if I changed that aspect of myself I would be happier. I think about it all the time, I start changing my lifestyle and before I know it I am back at square one.

I know I am the only one that can make any self-improvements and it starts with me. That being said, Brooke and I have vowed to start an intense workout routine. There is a gym by her place that has a great personal trainer, he’s very cost efficient and is there six days a week. I want to feel better; I want to look better, for myself. Of course I was told “If someone loves you, they love you the way you are” and while I agree, I’m not sure I love me. I love the person I am, but I don’t love how I look.

So, back on track….We are starting tonight. I want to try to make it six days a week for at least two months. I know I can’t commit to that right away with my issues. I am going to commit to it one week at a time. I like the feeling I get from working out, the issue is the next day when I am sore I give my body too much “recovery time” and end up not going back. Or I don’t see the results soon enough. I don’t have the issue putting in the work, I just like the instant satisfaction. Which of course you don’t get right away with working out! I figured if Brooke and I have each other it will be easier to have someone else motivate me as well.

Hell, I might even start another blog on my progress! I’m going to try to work out my life, one commitment issue at a time. Work out here I come 

The Frightmare Update!

Which is what I've named the Lightning, Friend of mine called it the "Frightning" since he thinks its fast. I call it a Nightmare since it is, and together you get "Frightmare" If it’s not one thing with this damn truck it is another. It's been down now for a month or so, I need ANOTHER new intercooler pump since my new one (replaced in January) is now shot.

Ugh, the "idea" of having a 600+ rwhp truck is far more satisfying than actually having a 600+ rwhp truck.

I missed a race day that I pre-paid for since the truck isn't cooling which in turn is taking the timing out of my truck. For you non-car related people that is bad news and can lead to bad things, including a blown motor. I really don't want to sink money into a motor so I have to baby it.

I ordered a new pump 4/5 and it is still back ordered, I need to cancel the order and order it from another company who has it in stock so I can at least enjoy my Frightmare a little bit. I ordered a marine-style pump since it flows more water to the heat exchanger.

The bad news is that when I took it to the shop in January they told me they replaced all the lines from the reservoir in the truck bed to the heat exchanger. Yea, not so much, they replaced it to the pump and the rest is all old tubing. This is causing problems too since its looping and running through old hoses. The other issue is the reservoir holds less than a gallon of water, and if it drops below maybe two inches in the tank, I will get air in my system which is causing the pump to fail. Since this truck was built a few years back, the technology and everything has changed, there are now better reservoir tanks, or modded fuel cells to hold more water. There are better hose options & pump options.

I know it’s a minor thing, and could be way worse; the shop has gotten wind that I am upset and called to see how they could rectify the issue. I haven't called them back since I am still waiting on parts and had company in town for the last two weeks. I'm a sitting suck until I can at least get my hands on a pump. I do need to call the shop and express my concerns since I don't feel I got what I paid for.

I paid to have my gauges put in, truck to be tuned, new fuel pumps (2) new hoses & new intercooler pump. My gauges weren’t installed correctly, I am missing a boost sensor, and my fuel pressure isn't reading correctly. The power wasn't run to the gauge so it wasn't even reading fuel pressure. I am replacing another pump due to several reasons, but I am upset the hoses weren’t replaced from the heat exchanger back to the pump! Grrrrr.

I just have no desire to to anything to it right now, I ordered new black grilles for it, I haven't put them in yet since it has other issues.

This thing better run like a champ for a long time, or it needs to find itself a new home!

I find it funny I tag this as "I Wanna Go Fast" because I do, but apparently the "Frightmare" has other intentions!

Roses are Yellow & Pink!

Like you didn't know that! But-what you didn't know is these aren't any roses! They are roses on my new shoes!! Please excuse the photo quality-they were shot with my blackberry!

I love stilettos, LOVE them, unfortunately I hate walking in them. I wish they were more comfortable for me but they're not :( That being said, I do love wedges, which is just what I came across at Sears last week.

I know what you're thinking...Sears? Really? YES!!! I was sold on the Yellow ones, I don't think I have enough "Bold" accessories in my wardrobe. I just bought a cute navy summer dress and I thought these yellow shoes would pair perfectly with the outfit. I was a little unsure of the rose accent on them, but it is a take-it or leave-it feature since its stuck on the shoe! Believe me, I checked to see if it could be removed. No-go!

I tried them on, they were cute and I adored them. But, what kinda woman would I be without consenting others? Haha, I shot a picture text to Hubby, Kendra & Brooke. Hubby loves any high-heel I pick out, so he was in. Kendra wanted a pair for herself, so she was in & Brooke thought they were hot. Heather who was with me at the time liked them but wasn't sold on the rose, and couldn't picture them with an outfit.

The best part? They were only $15, I couldn't pass that up! I got them in Yellow & Pink, they had a Black, but it wasn't in my size, of course. They're not too bad to wear out either! Went out to dinner with Heather & Tyler for dinner and wore the outfit so she could get a feel for it, she loved the look!

Now to find an outfit to rock the pink ones with, hmmmmm...

Take a Ride on the Wild Side

Seems like everyone has one these days, or just bought one (Becca&Justin) I'm not complaining since I get to pal around in them, what is there to complain about? Today was one of those days I was able to let my hair down, crank up the music and laugh as loud as I wanted to while Brooke and I took her "lil red" out for a spin around Tampa. We of course took it for a spin up to Gainesville yesterday too, I apparently got a little too much sun, but it was worth the ride. We rode "topless" (with the top down) all the way up there. On the way back it was WAY TOO HOT to do it again, so we caved and put on the air, made for a much cooler ride!

I've had several friends over the years who have owned convertibles, and I have enjoyed them. But, I find living here I enjoy them more than I have previously. Granted there are days where it is just TOO humid to even walk outside, let alone roll around town with the top down. On the days where it’s bearable, it’s worth it. Well, minus the sun burn that can/will happen.

It’s like something magical. I'll never forget a picture message I got from a very dear friend of mine on his way to California for a trip. The picture was of the sky, all you could see was stars and he said "Wish you were here." While I never had the feeling he did on that night, I could only imagine how beautiful it was. I had that same feeling a few weeks ago coming back from Orlando in Heather's Mustang 'vert, I just happened to look up at the sky and I had that "magical" feeling he told me about. That text flashed back in my mind, and we're talking a text from almost four years ago. It’s amazing what the mind chooses to hold on to :) I told him about it and he told me "now you finally understand, it is something magical" he was right. In that moment it was just breath-taking. I love being caught up in those moments, where nothing matters, I try to savor all of them!

I've never considered myself a convertible-gal, I always considered myself a coupe-gal. I like things that match and I didn't care much for a Grey Mustang with a Black Top (at the time) But, after having several friends here have them, I've learned to appreciate the wilder side to convertibles. I would love to own one at some point in my life. The wild hair blowing in the wind, loud music, all of the attention that goes with owning one....it’s all a part of the experience. But for now, I am a convertible-loving-gal who is confined to a beautiful coupe :)