Good Morning MINI family!

I hope everyone has a wonderful motoring weekend.

 

Hey Kimberely! My opinion about the Sport button in bad weather. I think you should go with the setting that makes you feel the most comfortable with Kermit. The situation I would consider not going into Sport would be icy weather. The tighter throttle response of Sport could cause the wheels to spin easier. But.. you could learn to control him in either mode, so go with what you are used to. I have found that I like the normal mode for most of my driving and then when I get that grin.... I push Sport.

 

Hi all! Had a great MINI week! Tuesday went to my Son's soccer game on the coast - about 300 mile rt on twisties and the weather was great for most of it! Really got to try out the paddle shifter on the turns! I'm loving it

Thursday we got to go to Brookings which is about 500 miles rt to the coast on the twisties. Beautiful day down but the drive back was horrid - huge storm with limbs down and rain so hard you couldn't see and dark to boot. We made it back ok (although another in our group had a slight collision with a sign) All I could think about was the thread I read earlier that morning about someone who ruined their engine by driving through standing water .

Today I got to go to a small high school with our MINI group to parade the homecoming princesses around at half time for an 8 man football game Of course it didn't rain too bad until the time came for the girls to stand outside in their formal dresses It was a great time. One of the members put up some picture here http://www.umpquamini.com/index.htm

Here is a picture of us going around the muddy track in the rain

Hope you all are having a great weekend!

 

I loved the pics! It sounded like you guys had a blast.

 

Great pics, but where are the princesses? Nice looking bunch of Mini's!

 

Great pics! Thanks for sharing.

Yesterday went to a chili cook-off for a large local club (I've known 2 members for 20 years-his is the red MCS in my signature). Met some really nice folks, and had a great time looking at all the cars. Forgot my camera. . .D'oh!

There was a 70-mile drive planned around the canyons between the sea and the wineries of Fallbrook. Fun, twisty, fast roads! Co-piloted for my friend since mine is still low on miles and needs her oil dealt with before I really let loose! So I got the best of both worlds. . .the chance to enjoy nice scenery and being in a MINI. The fact that he's a AutoX winner a few times just added to the excitement! Never thought I'd get an ab workout just going for a drive!

Perfect day yesterday. High '70's, clear and slightly breezy Today the Santa Ana winds are ferocious. . .branches snapping, DRY air, massive headache. . . so I'm really happy yesterday was such an awesome playday with my car!

Has anyone felt this while driving? It's almost like dancing - weaving around turns, being one with the little car. Kind of a zen experience!

 

Oh, surely I'm NOT the first one awake here! That never happens

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend with their babies.

We've got fires here like you wouldn't believe. Right now they're about 10 miles away. Winds are 20-30 MPH, and some of the gusts are 70-80. Big rigs have been ordered off the roads. Tucked passports and cash in my purse just in case. All should be ok, but it's scary to see the skys dark red and smoky all around. I'm figuring a few more absences today, since some of our kids are bussed from areas where people have been evacuated.

These are the times I REALLY miss WA!

 

Fires! You, Scoop, and family stay safe. We have been watching them on the tube. I didn't realize that you were so close. You will be in my thoughts.

As to the Fallbrook wineries, I am not as familiar with them as with the ones in Temecula. I love Mt. Palomar Winery and Callaway Winery out on Rancho California Road. (reflecting) I remember when that town was called Rancho California....but then, I age myself.

 

My thoughts are with you and those around you too. I guess the rains (not here today) are not too bad.

I got to wash Frodo yesterday. He should stay pretty clean until Thursday when there is be a bit of rain again.

Have a wonderful week.

 

Hope things improve, have been following the news. Skeeter and I are treking down to Octane Guys shop in Placentia. Leaving here on Wednesday about 2am for a 9am detailing appointment, and looks like it will be about about 90 degrees in that area.
Let me know if you can get away, our Minis could say hi.

 

Scoopmama I hope things are still ok for you down there. We are certainly keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. Yes - we pay for the green here with our rainy days - but it sure makes sunny ones like today special.

Well... friends I was hoping to post tonight to say "guess what silly thing I did last night to cause my baby to refuse to start?" but I can't She left today on a big flat trailer for a 3+ hour trip to Portland to the hospital. I guess we were having too much fun... or maybe she didn't like the name we finally picked out for her.. At any case after such a fun week and adding an evening with family members going for test drives, giving her a nice bath and finally taking my 92 year young grandma for a drive (she got to go her age...) All appeared well and then she just wouldn't start. Tried all the tricks I could glean from this forum and a call to Amy the service advisor at Rasmussen to no avail...

So now I'm driving a 'MINI appreciation" vehicle (read gutless boat of a rental car) and will hear from them tomorrow as to the diagnosis. So even though it's a sunny day - I'll take a rainy one WITH my MINI any day!

 

Thank you for all your kind thoughts! MINI love is being felt all the way down here!!

Going to try and sleep-went for a hike up our hill a few minutes ago. Looks pretty scary.

Minicounter- I'm SURE that your baby will be just fine soon. I'm so glad the homecoming girls got to enjoy her this weekend. I think you might have a tempermental prima donna- one week of being the center of attention, and the car needs a spa retreat!

Tharkun- Speaking of spa days. . . aren't you about 400 miles away??? What a trip! OCD???? Since I have to teach, not sure I could get away for a MINI meet on Wed, unless it's in the later afternoon. I'll bet some other MINI folks will definitely be able to give you a great welcome! If possible, I'll try!

'Nite all!

 

The thought crossed my mind... I always said I was glad we had boys because I didn't deal well with the whiny moody girl thing very well

But what you're dealing with puts it in perspective. We live on the river and have been through floods... lost our house when I was a kid. Not fun but the one good thing is how people come together for support. I hope you got some sleep and we'll keep the MINI love and thoughts flowing!

 

Made the trip down a few weeks ago to Disneyland, 362 miles from here. We had thought about going down to DL for halloween, but changed plans, and now it appears that was a good choice.
Have re-scheduled the appointment with Richard, hope you and family are safe and well.

 

Continue to write when you have the chance Scoopmama. We ALL want to make sure you are OK. Stay safe!

 

Yes, let us know. I heard that the Santa Anas are starting to die down today. Let's hope that they can get a handle on this soon.

 

Ok Mini family... I have quite the dilema here... I ride a Harley, and when I pass another motorcycle (especially another Harley) we wave and acknowledge each other. My wife is ok with this. When I got my Mini, she says to me, "I hope you're not going to wave at other Mini's like you do when you're on your motorcycle." I said nothing at the time and let it pass.

Fast forward to today.

I was driving my Mini with my wife today and as we exited the freeway, I pulled up behind another Mini. As I came to a stop the Mini driver ahead of me waved (my wife did not see this). I waved back (my wife saw this). She says, "you did NOT just wave at that guy!" I replied, "he waved first!" She replied, "Oh my God that is so gay! Do not do that again with me in the car."

Now I ask you... is this not just grounds for divorce???? I think it is. I mean...I really love my wife...but THIS... this is just not right. Please share your thoughts...

Sincerely,

Confused and alone (and possibly gay) in Phoenix

 

Hi all!

Thank you for all your kind thoughts- very cheering and heartwarming!

My neighbor summed it up pretty well: This whole thing is so unpredictable. Which direction will the winds blow? Which canyon will the fire travel up (or down)? Etc. Today the students were edgy and just plain antsy! I don't think the teachers were much better. We're all sleep deprived, and trying to see if we need help or can offer help! One student just moved back into his house, and less than 6 hours later, played host to a family who were evacuated from a local canyon!

I'll try to post a picture or two. But don't hold your breath. . .The panama canal memories return with a vengeance!

 

Good to hear all is well, from the pics does not look like a fun place to be right now. Thanks for checking in so we know you are doing okay, will still be hoping things improve for all in SoCal really soon.

 

Perhaps your wife just doesn't need to ride in the MINI anymore. Sure sounds like she doesn't appreciate the "MINI family" friendliness doctrine. IF my spouse had uttered the same (he wouldn't dare!) then he would walk home. As it is, due to his lack of understand before I took delivery, he isn't allowed to drive Kermit. ('Course now he wants one of his own!)

 

Scoopmama - good to hear from you. I know you need to stay strong for your students - praying for rest and special energy for you. Take care and keep us informed as you can.

Lil A - I agree with Kimberely that maybe the MINI riding privileges should be suspended for your wife. MINIUSA should publish a manual for proper spouse-of-MINI-owner's behavior. I would be concerned though that they would make a 'get-your-own' suggestion!

 

Good Morning!

I feel like a kid- school cancelled for air quality. Yay! I remember those snow days when I was a kid

Just sitting tight today and trying to clean house a bit. Ash is everywhere! Winds are unpredictable, so one minute we hear the fires are 50% contained and not to worry. Two hours later they are 30% contained and heading our way. Ick.

Lil A~ I suggest therapy and a used Pinto for the other half. That way she can learn to accept the fact that straight men do wave. . .it's a MINI thing, AND she won't have to worry about anyone waving at her as she sits behind the wheel of a Pinto!

 

Good advice all. Maybe I'll keep her awhile longer and give therapy a chance. In the mean time... I will be coming to San Diego on 11/1. I will probably be available the evening of 11/2 Scoopmama if you wanted to take a drive. My question is, do they make a hepa mask for the Mini? I'm worried about Zorro breathing in all that ash. Let me know if you want to plan a Mini-meet and we can exchange phone numbers to plan it...

 

It has been a full day of staff goal setting and observations. I am staying until 9:30 for the PTO Bingo Night. I have a pile of discipline referrals on my desk, and MY WIFE HAS FRODO!!! I have come to understand that driving my MINI has become a part of my routine that decompresses me after a day at work, especially a long hard one.

My beautiful wife supported my dream car purchase. She went with me to test drive and pick out options. She anticipated his arrival. She even accepted my entry into the dark world of this chat room forum. She is a part of Frodo's life, but still I feel a bit put-off by her asking to take my baby to work on Friday's.

I sound a bit like the kids I work with all day. I must act like an adult here. I love my wife more than my car!

Thank you for listening to my craziness. It looks like a beautiful fall weekend in the Northwest. Here's to the fall colors and the open road. Enjoy yourselves my MINI friends.

 

Have fun with Bingo Night.

I don't know how you let the spousal borrow Frodo. I would be beside myself without Kermit within a stone's throw. I am so possessive. I even park far away from stores so no one will get near him (no dings !!!) Love me, love my MINI. He is a good vice IMO.