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Monday, September 30, 2013

Chuck the Truck Fix Me Up

In honor of Chuck's big day passing smog, [I hope] I wanted to write yet another fun post about my truck. Mainly, the quirky things I love / the things I want to fix!


This is Chuck the Truck. 


I love the 5 pt. harness seatbelts when we're offroading, but I want to install regular seatbelts, too. No one knows how to put them on! 



I love that my truck has poles in it. And that he's been gifted with koozies from Gibson. 


I need a new horn! The wires look like this because one time in 2010, while I was at work someone came in and told me truck had been honking for the past hour. When I took the horn part off, smoke came out at me!


So we don't hit our head, there are pool noodles on the poles! But these noodles are old and flaking off in people's hair. Easy fix!


I love that my truck can go into 4 wheel drive!! 


Clutch Start Cancel was my lifesaver in high school. I would go out and warm it up, without having to jump all the way into it. 


These are my speakers. Conveniently located between my two seats, never installed. Obviously, I want to install a real radio system.


For the first few years of Chuck in my possession, he was without a radio. My grandpa hotwired this to the speakers and ziptied it. We're ghetto like that. 


Stick shift! And my little baby 4WD stick shift. 


That damn parking break. I need to get this fixed, ever since he rolled down a hill and hit another car in 2010 while I was babysitting.


I need a new key! This one is so warn that it will fall out while I'm offroading. 


I love my upside down Toyota sign!


Ram bar. The better to hit you with? That's what this kid in high school thought. Uh, no, this is better for duning.


The very first thing I fixed on my truck was replacing the head lights as a teen. I left the monkey wrench on top of the battery and short-circuited my truck on the way to the desert. Oops! 



Don't forget to check out my guest blog over at The World View from Two Teenage Girls.

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Sunday, September 29, 2013

Weekly What

Just stopping by for a second Sunday in a row to say Hey!

This morning I'm hanging out with 2 Teenage Girls, go check them out and tell me what you think of my guest post! 

Today's the last day for the giveaway I'm participating in with Just Jacq, go enter!

I also saw this idea from Dreams and Colour [who got the idea from someone else], about doing a post recap on the weekend. Maybe it will motivate me to write every day! :)

Monday: I wrote about my CHOC Walk and asked for donations to help the Children's Hospital of Orange                 County.
Tuesday: I mentioned Just Jacq and the giveaway I'm participating in
Wednesday: I fessed up to my wedding freak out. Thanks for all of the positive support!!
Thursday: I gave you a taste of fall in Southern California.
Friday: I wrote a letter to all of the little kids who are growing up too fast!

And, for some fun pictures! Here's my Saturday Insta-Recap a day late!

I live at Sbux during my lunch hour

90's Child LOVE

One of my favorite pictures of us :)

Pretending it's fall in SoCal

Happy Sunday! We're heading out soon to watch some FOOTBALL and check out a wedding venue. Cross those fingers :)

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P.S. The Buckeyes are 17-0 :) undefeated

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Friday, September 27, 2013

Dear Littles, Why are you so big?

Dear Littles,
Why are you so big? When did you get old enough to have Instagram and cell phones?
Do you even remember that you made me call you Tiger instead of your real name? To be frank, I'm surprised Little Man still lets me use that nickname. You were so jealous that he had a nickname and you didn't.  
Wasn't it just yesterday that we were playing in the park? You, Tiger, threw a dirt clod at your cousin's head and there was secretly a rock inside of it. I don't think you knew that because you felt so bad. Then you fell asleep while you were on time out. You were just so little! Remember how Little Man had me carry him back from the park? With his head down because it was bleeding, but I didn't want him to know. 
Remember the time we baked cupcakes at my house, Little Man? You'd always insist on it after that. Cupcakes and Spongebob and sometimes you liked to take photos for me for my photo class. Remember the letters you used to write me when I went away to college? The one time you were mad at me for putting a letter to your mom in the same envelope? You wouldn't answer my calls for a week.  Now you're going to Cotillion? You're such a good big brother now. I just love to see you and it makes my heart so happy whenever you tell me you miss me. 

Hey, Miss Waitlin, remember how you and your brother used to make me "drop" you on the couch every five minutes? Remember when you wanted chocolate milk SO BAD that you ate the chocolate powder by itself. I haven't seen you in so long, and you're such a big kid now! But I still remember all of those weekends you'd spend at my house while your dad was in Vegas making the big bucks in the World Poker Tour. I remember all of the beer pong parties and Halloweens when you'd clutch my hand, determined to only stay with me.  
How in the world did you all get so big? High school? Middle school? I feel like I haven't changed or  grown that much [but I know I have]. There you guys are - growing up and becoming magnificent adolescents.  
Don't change who you are, remember that. Whenever you need a reminder, you can always call me :) 
The other day one of my littles - that I babysat from age 4, added me on Instagram. She's in high school now. How does this happen? I might be having another midlife crisis. How has it already been 7 years since high school graduation? AHHH!

And in that spirit...let's #backthatazzup to something old school...from my middle school days...that I sang at karaoke this week



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Thursday, September 26, 2013

Fall Time in California

I’m not going to lie. I’m excited for “fall” things. The pumpkin spice lattes, boots and scarves, flannels, leggings and riding season.

My phone makes me look pasty! 


Usually, I’m the girl who chases the warm weather, holding on to every last bit of summer.



Last summer, I never wanted it to end. Summer camp was one of the best experiences of my life. This year, I spent my summer working a real job…and then two or three more other jobs.

Sitting in a hot office all day with a cranky a/c unit is not my idea of summer. Thus, I’d really like it to be fall now.

I want it to be okay to be drinking hot coffee in the middle of the day. I want it to be okay that I’m wearing leggings and boots right now [fyi, it’s not okay. I’m hot.]

But here in So Cal fall is synonymous with fire season so it is hot, hot, hot. I’m pretending it’s fall today though since it is a high of 73.

Fire season is horrible. Basically the whole month of October everything burns. It starts earlier, in August, in Central California. We don’t get too much of it until around now. I’m sure all of you heard about last month’s Yosemite fire. I have friends who were on it for the whole thing. Iman wants to be a fire fighter. I try to be more excited than freak out.

On top of all of that, there is an arsonist on the loose in LA. Wtf. A person of interest has been picked up, but still. Last night someone set 6 trash can fires on Ventura Blvd in Sherman Oaks. One of those spread to two buildings!!

I’m deathly afraid of fire,guys. Especially trashcan fires. My house caught on fire because of a trashcan fire in Ohio. It sucks. So fire season sucks extra. Plus, it’s delaying my fall fun! We don’t get leaves falling off the trees here, so drinking pumpkin flavored things are all I got! But the iced pumpkin latte is not my favorite.

ALTHOUGH, I am super excited for Starbucks’ new drink the Chocolate Chai Tea Latte. Uhm hi, this tastes like spiced chocolate milk and I am in love.

I don’t even like chocolate milk, but I like this. I have to refrain from getting it every day. It’s that good.
Originally, I thought this post would be about how excited I am for fall. I guess instead, I let my jealousy show that you all are starting to experience it!

  • I’m thankful for the firefighters that work round the clock during fire season.
  • I’m thankful for the rain that eventually comes in November.
  • I’m thankful for my beautiful California weather – even though the Santa Anas are evil and start fires and give me sinus infections.

What is your favorite thing about fall?



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Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Wedding Wednesday Freakout

I've been meaning to put it out there. To own up and let you all know and ask for advice because I sorely need it.

I had my big wedding breakdown about a week and a half ago and now, with 6 months until our wedding date, I don't have a wedding venue.

Yep, cancelled that thing. Nope, I don't have another venue in mind. We're probably not going to get the deposit back...and let's just say it was a hefty deposit.

I'll rewind for a second.

Remember when I said I worked out my budget? Well, I had. But then a series of things happened. Like, Iman's car is on its last legs and will need to be replaced before the wedding. We also both didn't get the raises we thought we would get early enough. I also cut down my hours at my second job because I was just exhausted and unhappy.

All of that combined left us with a situation. We could have the wedding we were planning, if we wanted to spend a couple of years after  our wedding paying it off. Like most people, that's not something we really want to do. We've been doing all we can to get out of debt lately, it doesn't make sense to throw ourselves back in.

Especially when we want to buy a house or condo. But of course, it was up to me to say this. I know that Iman will do anything that I want. He will take me to Vegas tomorrow if that's what I wanted. But I'm the one who wanted the big wedding.

Then I realized, "Yes, I want a big wedding. But that doesn't have to mean a fancy wedding." Yeah, I know what you're saying. Fancy is what most weddings are. I've never been the fancy type. Give me my family and friends and some grub and I am the happiest girl in the world.

It came down to this:

I want to have my daddy walk me down the aisle to my best friend.
I want the people I love to witness and celebrate my best friend and share our promises to each other.
I want to capture the look on his face while we say those vows. 
That's it. That's all that matters to me. The dress is important because of the love my mom is putting into it, and the love of the two moms who purchased important pieces of it.

So my question to you, my lovely friends who probably do not live in California, do you know somewhere for us to get married?

We cut the guest list as low as we could - 150 - and our wedding is in 6 months. A backyard wedding would be wonderful...if I knew someone with a big enough backyard. My aunt has offered, but we all think it might be a tight squeeze.

Our venue budget is around $3k.

Or of course if you want to let me know how not  crazy I am and how normal it is for people to have freak outs and how we are making the smarter decision by saving money, I'd be eternally grateful. Everyone's saying it...but the support is always welcome!!

Chits and Giggles


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Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Just Another Fun Giveaway!

Oh hey! Do you know Just Jacq?

She's a pretty sweet lady and I'm excited to be included in her giveaway this week! Enter below, and read all about the others hosting the giveaway. Don't forget to check out their totally awesome blogs! :) Isn't that what makes blogging so fun? I just love all of the Warrior Queens I've been meeting!

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And now for a giveaway! This month I asked for people willing to be my guinea pigs as I figure out how I want to handle my sponsors. I am so happy to have so many beautiful ladies on my sidebar and I'm sad I couldn't fit everyone in this month! Three of the sponsors are joining me in a giveaway this month.
 

To enter, just use the rafflecopter below! Entries will be verified. a Rafflecopter giveaway


Happy Tuesday! Tune in tomorrow to hear about my totally awesome wedding...freakout.

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Monday, September 23, 2013

CHOC Walk 2013

I know we all aren't excited it's Monday. But let's make it a great week!! And here's one way of starting off your week great...

Let me tell you about this wonderful walk that I'm doing next month!! I do it every year that I can. Last year I had to miss it because my job was solely on the weekends, so I couldn't ask for days off.

In Orange County there is an amazing children's hospital. I really cannot say how happy I am that we have such an amazing children's hospital in our vicinity. It is called the Children's Hosiptal of Orange County or CHOC.

Every year they do a fundraiser walk at Disneyland in the super duper early hours of a Sunday. You walk throughout both Disneyland and California Adventure and along the way there are all of these facts about CHOC. And there are all of these survivor stories and I spend the whole time crying and smiling because of all of the amazingness.

I know you're probably wondering why it is a hospital that is so close to my heart. I mentioned recently that my cousin had cancer as a child and passed away. He did die cancer-free though! That boy was my shining light and the sunshine in my life. After finding out he had cancer at the age of 2, he was announced cancer free (on television!). He had a couple of bone marrow transplants and other surgeries. He had Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. He even survived a couple of bouts of graft vs. host. He was a fighter.

All of his cancer treatment was done at CHOC. His at-home nurses came from CHOC. His family stayed at the Ronald McDonald house several times to be closer to him while he was in the hospital. I don't think I could ever express my gratitude to the nurses and doctors at CHOC. They were amazing.

Every year that we walk, we do it in honor of Gregory and all of the other children that CHOC has helped. We've tried to start a Team Sunshine, but never have the time to dedicate to running a team. This year I decided to join the Anaheim Ducks Diehards team.

The Ducks were Gregory's favorite hockey team. Occasionally, the Ducks players will visit the patients at CHOC and they happened to fall in love with Gregory - who happened to be wearing his mom's King's jersey that day. After that, Gregory got to go to a couple of games and sit on the ice. Players came to his house and he was on the news a couple of more times.

I love watching these videos and hearing him laugh. :)




My foot tattoo is an ambigram, it says Sunshine one way and Gregory the other




I painted this, and then got it tattooed on me :)


If you would like to donate, here is my profile!

Happy Monday!
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Sunday, September 22, 2013

Sunday Night Hangs

Helllooooo! Anyone out there?

I know I kind of went a little bit missing in the last week. You'll find out why on Wednesday...don't be too anxious though - it's not something horrible!

My weekend was pretty fun and crazy. Now I'm sitting at Coffee Bean letting the blogging juices flow.



 I'm attempting to do that whole type all of my blogs on the weekend thing. This will be post #3 I've written for the week. You're so proud!

I wanted to share my super cool and awesome weekend recap.

This pretty momma had her 2nd beautiful girl yesterday morning! TBT to pre-kids :)

Rockin my new Eagles Jersey at JT Schmid's to watch the game

I love me some Sand Sports Super Show Glamis Babes. #girlsridetoo
Yesterday I spent the day at the Sand Sports Super Show. It's the most awesome sand toy show and means it's officially the beginning of riding season. It's finally cooling down! I got super awesome news that I can actually register my 2 wheeler without having to pay back registration from the years that the old owner didn't have it registered. YAY! We also have enough quads again. My brother and I grew out of our kid quads so we've been short for the past few years. My dad had given me his and we sold mine so we only had 2 quads for the 3 of us. Then we added Iman! But last year my dad bought my brother a new quad, and my dad just got himself a new quad. I can always ride the kid quad because I'm so little...oooor learn to ride my 2 wheeler!

I got to see a lot of old friends that I haven't seen in a year or two. Even a couple I hadn't seen in 6 or  so! I was so excited and now I cannot wait for the season to begin! Dad got me some cool new swag from Damzl, too. We also got some new riding gloves and riding socks. Woo! Of course my gear is all pink..

Pink quad, pink helmet, pink jersey and now PINK GLOVES
 I was supposed to volunteer today, too. I had a headache when I woke up so we stayed home and we got $15 massages.

Today we said "see you later" to our favorite sushi chef. 6 months in Thailand!


Have a great week!
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