bicycle

Last month I went to the Goodwill.
In search of a small round mirror.
One small round mirror.

Instead, I came home with this:

$14.99.

I needed it.
Because the lines are so cute.
It reminds me of the yellow banana seat bike I learned to ride on.

love this action shot...

i look mad in this picture.  i'm not sure why...i was actually really excited.
maybe the speed bump scared me.

When I first got the bike I was SO excited!  Adrenaline rush.
That's what happens at the Goodwill.
And then I don't know what happened?!  I'm embarrassed to admit that this project was my longest...ever.
It sat in pieces in my living room for days weeks:

nice shadow...i am such an awesome photographer.

I took off the grossest handle grips ever.
Imagine a child dipping their hands in maple syrup. 
And jam. 
And lotion.
And then touched the grips.
Every day for a year.
They were so disgusting.

these used to be clear.  sick.

Next I removed all the awesome decals:



I'm really glad they put on like 1600 of them.

And used extra strength super duper glue on them all.

And it left a sticky residue that would never come off.

Ever.

Not even with the aid of these things...:

fail.

fail.

fail.

...which were all suggestions online.

The only thing that worked was sand paper.
Which seems to be a theme with all my projects.
Sand.
Sand.
Sand.

I sanded (did I mention that?!), ordered new hand grips, primed with Kilz, painted with Rustoleum Avacado Green paint, bought a basket and primed/painted it with Krylon Watermelon. 

And then came the problems.

I COULD not get it back together.
I don't know if it was because Beckham got hold of the hardware and spread it all over the house.
Or if it's because I've never put a bike together.
Or if it's because I'm a moron.
Whatever the reason...I had to recruit Dylan and our jack-of-all-trades friend Paul to put it back together.
And it took them 2 hours.
Which actually made me feel better about the fact that I couldn't do it myself.
A big thanks to Dylan and Paul. 
Without them, this bike would be in the landfill.
Or back at the Goodwill, because I donate.  And recycle.

the tires are my favorite part.

I have no idea why it looks like I took these pictures at midnight.
It was totally light outside.

Anyway...
I took her for a spin tonight. 
Love it.
No gears.
Love it.
Pedal breaks.
Love it.
And a basket in front.
Love it.

Did I mentioned I love it?

xo,
tracy