You Can Go Your Own Way.

I found this awesome quote painting on Pintrest and fell in love with it.

I got a small fraction of my mom's artistic talent so I thought that I could totally do this myself.

Here's how it went:

First, I bought an antique map of North America on Esty for like $10 and then got a "floating" frame at Hobby Lobby because I didn't feel like spending the money to get a custom cut mat and frame for the odd sized map.

And because I didn't want a black frame I spray painted it silver...wishing now that I would have gone with gold but whatever.

 

Next, I painted the map. I marked the letters in pencil and painted away.

I like it! Going on the wall as soon as I figure out which blank wall deserves it most.

BOOYA! New Car!

Yes, you all already know. I sold my poor old Jetty and bought myself a little big Jeep. But I'm going to post and rant about it anyway. As you all know...if you know me well...if I get an idea in my mind, watch the F out. Seriously. I can't be stopped. Sometimes that's good, somethings...not good. In this case, it's both? I spent a significant amount of money like (SNAP) that but my beloved Jetta was so in need of retiring that she basically kept me trapped in a 1 mile radius of our apartment if Collin was out of town. Not cool. Something had to be done.

Done.

I've been researching cars/trucks/suv's online for quite a while now but every time it seems to get serious I back out...hmmm. This past weekend I found a really nice Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (the 4-door version...duh...for all my children) for sale in the Springs. I was kinda sold from the start.

And if you've heard the Kia story you know I absolutely CANNOT go to a car dealership alone. Long story short: decided to test drive Kia SUV after one of many Jetta malfunctioning-episodes, salesman crunched those #s and brought back a monthly payment I couldn't afford, I told him so, he came back like ooooooh $5 cheaper, and I was like "well, OK", Collin becomes master-girlfriend-protector and saves my ass by not allowing me to 1) buy a car I didn't really want, 2) spend money I wasn't comfortable spending on a car I didn't really want....etc etc etc...get it? Point is...that was a long story long and I really meant to say that Collin always covers my butt and stands up for me when salesmen make me think I'm stealing their cars. Whew.

This time, I stood up for myself quite well I must say, with some help from Collin...as in helping me to get more than double the initial offer for my trade-in. You'd think I'd be good at bargaining seeing as I'm the spawn of Roslyn the negotiator; no-go on that gene.

Collin was not liking the salesman and wanted to walk out but I was set on this Jeep. We finally talked him into a price I was comfortable with and that was that. My dad's advice: he loved it but thought I should 'sleep on it' but I didn't take it and just bought it. Surprise! I didn't take advice, what do ya know! But I woke up this morning knowing it was the right choice!

I'm super excited about it...almost as excited as Collin.

Yup, top down today. We regretted that decision while sitting in the dead-stopped traffic while literally Crockpotting to death in the 96 degree weather. After sweating profusely and nearly becoming delirious we managed to pull off the road, put the top back on, and turn the AC on...

Amateur mistake.

I also cut off another Jeep driver. I'm sure that's bad Jeep karma. I don't get the "it's a Jeep thing" just yet and I'm sure those people who do can tell that I don't. Whatevs.

But I look darn cute in that honkin' rig of mine, cuter than Collin too.

We are loving it already and it's only been a day! Oh, the adventures we have planned... Can't wait!

Pics from Idaho

Collin just got back from Idaho on Saturday from a little fishing trip with his dad. He sent me pictures everyday and it looks like they had a great time! Their first stop was in Jackson Wyoming and then the next day onto Idaho.

He said it was a great trip but he's glad to be home. He even got me a t-shirt, woo!!

CO River

The lost float trip pictures...

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Our raft mascot

and then I started drinking Tecate...got on a floatie...

Tried to pee in the water without getting in the water...and fell in the water...ruining my tecate...

Rescue crew

The end.

4th of July | Eleven Mile Canyon

Yesterday we went out to Eleven Mile Canyon for some hiking and fishing. Collin was raring to go but I needed at least a few hours of sleep after work. I slept for three hours and then we were on our way.

That excited look of his

Unfortunately, it was super cloudy when we got there and ruined my plans of getting some more sun.

Collin was happy fishing so I walked up the river with him for a little, walked around and took some pictures...

    

There were a few spots where the fire singed the trees.

...then my exhaustion set in and I had to lay down. We went to a different area of the river and Collin kept fishing while I snoozed in the back of the truck.

On our way home we stopped in Woodland Park at Beriwerks Brewery for a beer and a snack. When we got home Collin cooked up a yummy steak dinner and I made dessert.

It definitely did not feel like the 4th of July...no cookout, fireworks, or family...but we still had fun and made the best of it!

Tonight we're heading up to Denver for dinner with Allison, Acey, Julia, and Collin's dad!

I hope everyone had a happy, fun filled 4th yesterday!

Rafting the Colorado

This weekend, Collin and I headed north to Summit County to camp and raft the Colorado River with a bunch of friends. I took a quick power nap after work on Friday morning while Collin packed up the truck and then we took off for the mountains. Surprisingly, I wasn't tired and didn't sleep the entire trip.

Of course, we had to pick up some beer, food, and kids shoes for me on the way.

When we got there we set up camp and my lack of sleep began to set in as we waited for everyone else to show up. I crashed in the tent while Collin checked out the area.

I took some beeeeeautiful pictures, if I do say so myself.

We had a hell of a night enjoying the beautiful weather and our weekend off! The next day we rented a raft and basically floated down the river because there were no rapids; we drank and laughed until our faces hurt and had an awesome time. Because my camera and phone are NOT waterproof I didn't get any pictures of our rafting trip.

Here is how much fun Collin had:

Haha! Wow, he kills me.

We camped that night and stopped for a little float session on the way home. I actually got a picture of that.

We had a great time as we always do. I'm making up for it by working four 12's this week...ugh! Now I get the meaning of 'what a difference a day makes.'

Have a great week and a great 4th of July! We will be celebrating WITHOUT fireworks this year!