Squeak! New Car!

Well, I've had my Kia for almost 5 years now, but I haven't driven it for over 2 weeks! I was having some issues with a soft clutch peddle, so I replaced the clutch master and slave cylinder.... still broken. I know what's wrong with it but I swear I won't bore anyone with the details. I don't have the time or want to put any more money into this car. It is not the car I wanted and I was pushed into buying it in the first place. I made the best of it over the years, painting it pink and all but it was time for a new car. This time I got what I wanted dammit! 

On Sunday Chris and I went out to look at a few cars that I found online. One was a white '97 VW Cabrio. When we got there, there were giant gashes in the top and the interior was shit. None of those issues were listed in the ad. Shade. The 2nd one was a dark green '98 VW Jetta. The whole thing was shit, the photo in the ad looked really nice and had the VW logo on the grill. The logo was missing when we got there. Whatevs. The last car we went to look at was a black '99 VW Cabrio. It was listed as "in great shape, with a new vinyl top." This was the car I wanted. I really wanted a GTI, but something similar to a Rabbit was golden. (I wish I still had my '81 Rabbit. pout, pout). The car drives nicely, and there are little to no cosmetic issues. The interior is leather.... a bit ripped up but nothing a can't cover with a seat cover. Besides, the seats are what my sister and I call "sweaty-butt seats." Plus, since it's a convertible they get really hot in the sun. Ouch. I burned my fanny today! The front power windows need new motors, good thing I came in under my budget.

In case you can't tell I am SO excited. I feel like I'm shedding one more awful memory of my ex and finally getting back into a car I like. One problem. This car is an automatic. Do you know the last time I drove an automatic? I can't remember. Years. So yep, there is already a hole stomped in the floor where the clutch peddle should be. Whoops!

Happy Labor Day

Well! I haven't been around here lately... The fall semester started 2 weeks ago, combine that with work and I am one busy girl. Once I find my groove I'm sure I will be back. I'm waiting for cupcakes to cool so I had a minute to stop in and say 'hi.' I honestly hope no one is reading this right now (unless you are international). I hope you all are at bar-b-ques with besties and enjoying a few adult beverages. That's where I'm headed once I get these carrot-whiskey cupcakes frosted!

Long time, no see...

It has been exactly one week since I've posted, wow. I'm using my break between classes wisely, don't fret. I've been doing some reading, crocheting, relaxing, biking and working. Mostly biking to work. I have been keeping up with the "photo a day August break challenge," but I just haven't posted any of them (obviously, haha) Anyhoo, Have a great weekend everyone!

Fill in the Blanks Monday

1.   My go to outfit for a dress-up occasion like a wedding is a pretty neutral/pastel colored dress.

2.  This week has been...well since it is only Monday, easy. Last week wasn't too bad either. I finished the summer term.

3.  When it's dinnertime and I'm feeling lazy I'll usually eat Jimmy Johns, Chipotle or Pei Wei. Not gonna lie.

4.  My favorite pair of shoes is my hot pink and black Saucony running shoes. They're going on 8 years old and I will cry the day I have to throw them away.

5.  A random item that I own that is completely unnecessary, but that I could never part with is a ring that my mother gave me. It is unnecessary because we don't have a relationship, and like our relationship, the ring is broken in half. I just can't bring myself to throw away jewelry, especially gold and diamonds of any size! 

6.  My favorite person is my sister. She is good for a laugh, a cry, advice and always answers the phone.

7.  If I were going to write my own blank it would say what is your favorite photo of yourself? (Everyone would answer with that photo.)

Prompts by Laura

Day 5: totally wearing pj's

So, today I spent quite a bit of time staring at the computer screen trying to figure out what the hell to write for my final Shakespeare paper. I did wear pj's for most of the day. Chris and I went out to dinner so of course I changed. It was the first meal we had together in a few days, so I wanted to look nice. when we got home I slipped back into sweats but left the top because I am lazy.
5Aug11-- August Break 2011 (I originally typed 2001)

Day 4

Well, day 4 of August Break... I took my shirt off without taking a photo first. 2 reasons: 1) I was too tired by the time I got home from school to remember 2) It was a yellow polo and an olive green cami... too embarrassing-ly preppy to show the internet.

I wore this shirt combination for our last group performance for my Shakespeare class. I played several different characters in our mini production of Hamlet. As Bernardo I simply popped the collar. As Laertes I added a khaki blazer and I wore it just plain for my part as Polonius. When it came time to play Gertrude I removed the polo and wore just the cami with trashy leopard bra straps peaking out. I added a pearl necklace and a peacock fascinator for my hair. Our costumes were kinda "preppy" (think Clueless).

 

August break: day 3

Today was my first day at work, this was my top! I wore a brown cami under a short sleeve henley. The henley has light grey-yellow stripes.

Giveaway at Scenic Glory!

Would you like to win these?

If so, then take the Scenic route on over to Lindsay's glorious blog and enter for your chance to win! While you're there, check out the other giveaways as well.

These earrings are handmade-- by me!

My feathers are cruelty-free and the leather on this pair has been thrifted.

For more earrings like these, check out my shop.

Only 2 more...

...classes of Shakespeare summer camp to go! I can't wait to start my new job tomorrow either. Here we go with day 2 of the August Break 2011!

2Aug11

Wooooo! August Break!

I decided last minute to participate in the August Break 2011! August really is kind of a break for me. Kind of. I only have a week of class at the beginning and a week at the end. The time in between is usually for cleaning the house and getting sloshed before noon. That's where the "Woooo!" part comes in haha. This August break I will be starting my spankin' new job! Well, only a little new. I used to work for this company before and I am STOKED to be back!

I think each day in August I will post a photo of the shirt I'm wearing. I'm not much of an "outfit post" fan, but this might be fun to open up my mind a little more. Stay tuned for the rest of the month!

1Aug11

Fill in the Blanks Monday

1.   My favorite color is Pink!

2.  My travel destination of choice is somewhere new. I'd love to explore England, mostly for the literary world's hot spots.

3.  My favorite  food is chocolatecheesesushi

4.  My happy place is anywhere it is warm, cozy and I have access to tea or a glass of wine. I guess the answer is home.

5.  My favorite saying is "Here kitty, kitty, kitty!" I love my cats. I say the same thing when I call for my ferrets, I did it even before I had the cats.

6.  My dirty little secret is that "I don't have a dirty little secret." Isn't the point of a secret not to tell? Why broadcast something like that over the internet? 

7.  Something friends might say about me is that I am such a recluse! I need not be afraid to hang out more.

Prompts by Laura

Animal Kingdom: part 2

Here are some of the animal photos from last week's trip to Animal Kingdom, enjoy!

Hippos!

The tigers were so lazy, but it was hot outside.

The poor guy on the left was antler-ing (like teething, but when you grow antlers instead. There's probably an actual name for it.) It looks really painful.

I love otters.

I love this mural. It's giant! Maybe sometime I'll video it.

How cute are these faces? BFForLife.

Looks like Chris spotted the Meerkats! (RIP Flower)

Be sure to check out part 1 and the instagram post!

Healthy eating: week 3

A few days ago I saw a preview for Mary J. Blige's episode of Behind The Music. In the preview she said, "I'm not perfect, but what I am is a work in progress." That really stuck out to me and I thought I'd share it.

I'd like to say that I have a positive self-image but I don't. Thinking of my self as a work in progress does make it easier to not beat the tar out of myself every second of the day. Everyday I'm getting closer to my goal size and I need to stop hoping it will all happen over night. I'm not trying to lose a food baby here, I'm trying to reverse months of horrible eating habits!

So for this week I don't have any yummy smoothie recipes, fun ways to cut up carrots or even a single alternative way to do crunches. All I have to give you my friend is a few words of encouragement.
No one ever stays the same, we change and grown and evolve into whomever we are supposed to be at any given moment in our life. Who you are right now is who you need to be and in 5 minutes you will be 5 minutes older and wiser and ready to take on the next 5 minutes.

So, take a breathe (do it, breathe) and remember that you are changing and always making some sort of progress. How you think, eat and behave determines whether you make progress for the better or are regressing back into bad habits!

Fill in the Blanks Monday

1. One of my happiest moments ever was AIT graduation day (2003). I had finally finished all the initial training the army had to throw at me. I made it!


2. Summer is wedding season and weddings are not quite my cup of tea. I'm the girl that ducks into the bathroom to sob when the bouquet is tossed. I tear up at movie weddings and the fact that I feel like I'm going to be a cat/ferret lady for the rest of my life doesn't help either


3. This summer has been stinkin' hot! 


4. My summer food of choice has been yogurt. It should've been Taco Bus though. (I see dinner in my crystal ball right now)


5. My summer uniform has been Shorts, tanks, tees, my Blowfish shoes and Keds.


6. If I could spend the entire summer in one location I would choose St. Pete, Florida. I live in a vacation destination....why leave?


7. My summer anthem is everything Motion City Soundtrack.

Prompts by Lauren

Animal Kingdom: part 1 (photo heavy)

Alright! These are some of the pictures I took at Animal Kingdom on Wednesday. I am definitely splitting these up into a few posts. I have another post coming of just animals. Real live animals! 

Pretty, huh? I just realized that I always take more pictures in India than I do in Africa. I will try to do the opposite next time! I guess Disney makes up for a lack of Africa and India at Epcot by devoting a whole park to them at Animal Kingdom. Epcot has a very small outpost for Africa and no India! Anyhoo, stay tuned for part 2!