About Erica...

Shut Up and RACE

Every time I hear Rhianna's Shut Up and Drive, I feel like climbing in a racecar.
Only in my version, I change the words:

Shut up and Race

If you're looking for a driver who is qualified
So if you think I'm not the one, step up to the line
I'm a finetuned supersonic speed machine
With a heavy foot and an NHRA dream

So if you need me let me know, know, know
Come on now what you're waiting for, for, for
My engine's ready to explode, explode, explode
So line me up and watch me go, go, go, go

[chorus:]
Shiftin straight through the gears, if you know what I mean
Got a ride that's faster than you've ever seen
Can you handle the power, can you cut a good light
If ya can't baby boy, then I'll be outta sight
'Cause I'm zero to two hundred in six point six-nine
You Wanna Race Me?
Shut up and drive, drive, drive, drive
Shut up and drive, drive, drive, drive

I got class wit a parachute in the back
Got all the boost and a whole lotta time on the track
You talk like you can handle what's under my hood
You keep saying that you will, boy I wish you would

So if you feel me let me know, know, know
Come on and what you're waiting for, for, for
My engine is ready to explode, explode, explode
So line me up and watch me go, go, go, go

[chorus:]
Getcha where you wanna go, if you know what I mean
Got a ride that's faster than you've ever seen
Can you handle the power, can you cut a good light
If ya can't baby boy, then I'll be outta sight
'Cause I'm zero to two hundred in six point six-nine
You Wanna Race Me?
Shut up and drive, drive, drive, drive
Shut up and drive, drive, drive, drive

Cause your chevy ain't got what I've got
Get it get it, don't stop, it's a hole shot
Ain't a ferrari, uh-oh boy, I'm sorry
Ain't no need to worry, so step aside
And ride, ride, ride, ride, ride, ride, ride, ride...

So if you feel me let me know, know, know
Come on now and what you're waiting for, for, for
My engine is ready to explode, explode, explode
So start me up and watch me go, go, go, go

[chorus:]
Getcha where you wanna go, if you know what I mean
Got a ride that's faster than you've ever seen
Can you handle the power, can you cut a good light
If ya can't baby boy, then I'll be outta sight
'Cause I'm zero to two hundred in six point six-nine
You Wanna Race Me?

Shut up and drive, drive, drive, drive
Shut up and drive, drive, drive, drive
Shut up and drive, drive, drive
Shut up and drive, drive, drive
Drive, drive, drive, drive, drive....

Maybe the Horsepower & Heels gals and I should redo the music video! haha

Any video gurus out there up for producing it?

Sneak Peek: Body Shop

Labels: In the Shop

A Car Update! Shiny new Heads!

We're getting closer.....

And I'm getting really excited!



My A460 Trick Flow cylinder heads are done now, thanks to Chuck Ford and the guys over at CFH. They took the bare castings, worked their magic, and assembled them for me, so they're all ready to head over to Mr. Moody to put on the new Horsepower & Heels bullet... a stronger, more powerful engine program than the last outing.

The car is currently over at Johnston Bikes and Body Works getting prepped and painted by David Johnston. He's an incredibly talented painter, and had the tough chore of sorting out all the body work that had to be done to the car around the turbos, etc. Not an easy task for sure!

Once its done there, its final assembly time and then down to the PRI show to represent for Brisk USA! I'm so happy things are FINALLY coming together! I think 2009 will be an exciting year for Horsepower & Heels! New engine program, new look.... back with some attitude this time! Its been a long time coming, and hopefully it will prove worth the wait to all that have followed in the past 2 years wondering if I'd EVER race again.

Also, as a big thank you for Chuck Ford, I'll be building his new website... so look for http://www.cfhcylinderheadsandcomponents.com/ coming soon!

About Debbie...

Veterans Keep Me Grounded

You know, I never realized how patriotic I really am.  I mean, I always stop what I am doing and stand with my hand on my chest for the national anthem when I am at the track or a footlball game. I get chills when I hear a great voice sing our countries song, I admit.  I always try to stay informed on  the war and the basic political issues of the week, but I never realized that some of the most moving and inspirational memories I have are related somehow to soldiers or veterans. Here's another one.

As I stood in the security line at JAX airport very early Saturday morning to make my way to Nashville there were about 60 or so older gentlemen in wheel chairs wearing yellow wind breakers waiting in a security line(just for them).  I thought wow, that's odd - must be a Shriners convention or some senior citizen group travelling somewhere. I thought - that's nice and continued to suck down my Starbucks before the guy made me trash it. 

About 5 minutes later and when I was about the 3rd person away from the guy who scribbles on your boarding pass, gives you that glaring dirty look and then sends you on to the next herding line,  A younger woman in her 30's loudly blurts out "Excuse me ladies and gentlemen, I would like you to take notice and give a round of applause to our WWII veterans who are on their way to Alaska for a reunion cruise".

You know, I immediately turned around to take another look and realized that they were a group of about 150 not 60 but I only noticed the ones in the wheel chairs.  At that moment, everyone ofcourse started to clap and cheer.  As, did I.  The weird thing was I couldn't help but getting choked up.  And, I am talking really choked up.  My eyes started tearing and I couldn't help getting terribly emotional.  I felt like I just wanted to run up to each and every one of them and give them a big hug and thank them. And, it reminded me that this isn't the first time I have been in such a situation and every time before this one I recalled getting just as emotional.  As I am writing this I am getting a little choked up.  What a sissy, I guess I am.   

Anyway, so there I was, awe struck in a way.  I was so proud to have seen them there and felt honored that I was one of the dozens of normal everyday people that were able to cheer and clap just to let them know how honored I was to applaude them and how even though they fought, came home and started a life post WWII that has since gone on longer than mine, I am still inspired by them. 

I couldn't help but think of them the entire trip to Nashville.  Because, I on the other hand, spent 4 days pissed off and miserable because it would not stop raining.  30 inches of rain in two days. Didn't get the yard work done, didn't want to go to the grocery store, complained I was getting cabin fever.  The kids were driving me crazy because they were couped up.  I was miserable because of some dumb low pressure system that dumped a bunch a rain on my area.  I was praying it would at least be sunny in Bowling Green.  I jokingly told Erica on the phone if it is cloudy when you pick me up from Nashville airport I am going to flip. 

How whimpy and complacent and spoiled we all are.  Can you imagine being a soldier in WWII, I thought to myself.  I felt like a jerk.  What a brat, I am.  God, it made me feel so petty and weak. I asked myself, was I actually complaining and being non productive from rain. How about bullets flying at you.  Or, Mustard Gas like in WWI, how about worn shoes in nasty cold weather, frost bite, fatigue, gee fighting to stay alive, even...  Wow, I was embarrased of myself.  Whining about a little bit of flood damage and some rain.

Yeah, my heroes have always been our soldiers.  Days like Saturday reminded me of why.  It's amazing how they can keep us grounded and push us to be stronger and strive to be better people from what they sacrificed for us so long ago.  I wish I could tell them all that.  We really do remember.  And, we really are thankful. I hope they know that inside their aging hearts. 

God bless our troops.  All of them.

To Be or Not to Be

When my son was in 4th grade he came in from riding his bike one Saturday afternoon and asked me what a MILF was.  It  took me a few minutes to jog my memory as to where I had heard that before and when it finally popped into my head, OH! That's American Pie, the movie... I was mortified.  I quickly blurted out.  I have no idea turned, and ran into the laundry room to hide my embarrasment behind the dryer door until I could regain my composure.  After all, what the hell was I supposed to say. 

So now the kid is in High School and his school mates in the lunch room asked him if his Mom is a Jaguar Cheerleader, yesterday. Is it cool to be the "hot" Mom or not? At this point I am thinking, not. 

Seems that my high schooler's friends have started to make him feel uncomfortable.  Which, makes me uncomfortable.  He's going through enough adjustment being a ninth grader this year.  He doesn't need anything else to make him feel like he doesn't fit in.  It's hard enough coming here from Miami and being half latin.  Don't get me wrong, I love where I reside.  I call it my very own Mayberry.  But, you know being from Miami and moving to suburban Jacksonville isn't always easy when it comes to fitting in.  So, now we are both screwed.  The soccer Moms will have nothing to do with me (which I don't mind) because I don't fit the mold here.  Thank God.  But, my high schooler's friends mothers don't want me around their kids because I am not 25 pounds overweight and dress like I shopped the sales rack at Talbots.  I don't let my hair turn grey 4 inches from my roots before I run to the nearest CVS, and I wear make up when I go out somewhere nice.  I care about my appearance and I feel I work at "staying attractive" for my husband.  So, I guess the other Moms don't want me around their kids or husbands, for that matter because the husbands are dumb enough to make comments like.  Wow, she's really nice.  (We all know what that means)  Or, She seems so down to earth.  Or, the death sentence statement.  She always looks so nice or even better "so put toghether". DONE.... I am done!, totally screwed. To top it all off, I drive a lowered car not a mini van or an Expedition.  So, I have been ostracized  from the "Soccer Mom" scene.  Seriously, I am a member of the PTO and when I sign up for volunteer work or purchases for the school, noone, I mean NO ONE ever calls me.  I've even called them and they kindly say in their sweet as pie, southern drawl.  Oh, no honey it's quite all right.  Mary Sue already baked those 200 cup cakes by herself.  Whatever!  I guess I should start answering okay fine, but your son Bobby says he likes my cup cakes better.  )ha- ha - ha - lol!)  I know that was just wrong... Funny, but wrong. 

My poor son.  I guess this will be another life lesson that helps build character.  I am sure one day he will look back and be proud.  

Damn it, MAN!

Here are some photos of the whole mission to get them in my yard. Man, I was so proud of my trees. I guess that is what happens for trying to bring Miami to Me. These trees were imported from Miami. I wanted tropical landscape (as best as I could get) that would make it through the colder winters here and they swore to me Sable Palms would do great. Uh huh? Well now they're dead.