I did get a call to Jarid after we talked, Mini2na. He said that they have ordered another part. He didn't know much more than that as Ann had to leave on account of the flooding. Glad you got home OK. Kimberely and I aborted due to the weather and she thought she might have house-guests due to the storm. I'm really glad I decided to stay in the hotel where the class is held... nice and cozy here.

The phones are still out at home but I did get a call to my dad who said the river was behaving itself so far..

I plan to stop by the dealership tomorrow after the class so hopefully will have more word then... my - this MINI is consuming too much of my time... and not in a good way

And Mini2na my attitude is definitely helped by having a suitable replacement vehicle. When I picked it up on Saturday I did tell Jarid I expected he would be loaning me his GP! He laughed and said he was saving me from searching one out after driving his...

 

It sounds as though they are taking very good care of you at your dealership! That's one good thing at least!

Reading your Pac NW posts reminds me of the 9 months we lived there. Mid '90's. There was a tremendous snow storm, then the temp rose just enough to dump rain on top of the snow. Roofs collapsed, no electricity. Road closures. . .the whole thing. My in-laws were visiting and decided then and there that they would not be moving from So Cal!

We had 50s yesterday, 60s today, and should be in the mid-80s tomorrow before crashing down into the 50s again with rain. Fun week!

Sooo. . .
What is your favorite thing about Christmas, Kwanza, Chanukah, Ramadan. . . whatever you are in the midst of right now?

My absolute favorite part of this month are all the lights. I could drive and walk through neighborhoods for hours just looking. . .

 

Aah the lights - yes those are lovely - and the occasional snow (this time of the year I do miss Lake Tahoe) - but what I like most is the food. It is my favorite baked goods (homemade shortbread cookies!), sweet nibblies, rich stews, turkeys and all trimmings therein. All of the gluttony reminds me that I really need to workout more by January. Eggnog. Pumpkin anything. I haven't had breakfast you, can you tell? I like the music too. I love this time of the year.

 

I like the kids! The joy that shows in their eyes and faces is absolutely delightful. My kids are getting beyond the innocent stage, but every day I get to see 540 (fairly) innocent faces. Now that I think about it.... It's not just the holidays, that's one of my favorite parts of my life.

Happy Holidays.

 

The little darlings! Your post just brought back a memory of 3 years ago, when I was showing a film about the Maya to my students. According to the Maya calendar, the current cycle of time will end Dec 21, 2012. My thoughts were along the lines of. . ."Wow, 10 more years! Wonder what will reallly happen?" My 7th graders groaned: "That's just 4 days before Christmas! What a rip!" Apparently the end of the world would be ok AFTER Christmas!

The PNW was on OUR news today. The rains and floods sound terrible. I hope everyone up there is ok, and the loved ones safe and MINIs dry and happy! Take care!

 

and the 'pea' was gas!

It appears that the problem was some gas that had water or dirt in it. They finally got her running yesterday - but couldn't find anything wrong. I went ahead and decided to take her home and so far so good. I guess I shouldn't be too surprised since I consider myself a bit of a beer snob!

I got the gas at the same place I always do... filled up that morning and drove less than a mile to the office. After sitting all day she initially was fine when I backed her out and then she died...

When I stopped by the station this morning and talked to my friend that works there - she lovingly patted BlueBelle and said I should take her to the Chevron (this is a 76 station) Soooo be warned .... the dealership said they had some problems with gas from another 76 station in the Portland area.

So not only do we have to buy the most expensive gas on the menu - we're now searching for a specific brewery!

 

Groan . I don't get gas from 76 as a rule, but Shell is awfully expensive also. You haven't heard anything bad about them I hope.

 

I've alternated between Shell and Arco. With the debit charge on Arco and the credit card rewards, Shell is worth it if it is less than .06 more. I can continue to make this choice because I have had NO problems, but it worries me. Arco is not highly thought of. I really hope this is issue with Bluebell. Just changing gas stations is an EASY fix.

It is hard to believe that I-5 is down between Seattle and Portland. What a pain. Things are getting back to normal hear, but my exit off the free is jammed up because people are rerouting themselves because a bridge in town has had it's supports possibly compromised by an overflowing creek.

 

I've been told that Chevron, Shell and Texaco are the good guys and use the same additive... 76 is bad and ARCO is worse (funny how it happens to follow the pricing ) I am cautiously optimistic that this is the last of my big problems... just seems odd for it to happen ...

What they told me was the better additive was good for the injectors or some such thing over time and as a side benefit made for better gas? In my town the Shell is usually the same as 76 and Chevron about .02 more (no ARCO to temp me)

Sorry for all your traffic problems... I know it can be a real pain. We had a huge slide that closed one of the roads to the coast. I think it will mean more traffic will be rerouted over our road... I may see more cars than deer going home tonight !

 

Hi everyone! it's my first time posting here! The Bean was ordered the second week of July and we were in production week 31, so strand caught my eye! It's nice to know babies that were born when Bean was!!

Bean is happy to be home and he just got a new pair of shoes! Snow shoes to be exact! We live in Colorado so he's looking forward to zipping through the snow. He also already has his letter written to Santa claus (yes, he is trying to say that he was a good boy, but I have a feeling that it's not so much being good as it is he just hasn't been caught at anything yet!)

We hope that you all have a great Christmas holiday! Don't forget to leave cookies out and let your MINI stay up to watch for santa!

 

Basically the Techron in the better fuels keeps the injectors much cleaner than regular gas. This also cuts down on valve deposits.

 

Thanks, so it is back to the Shell for me I guess. I'm already springing for the premium, so might as well add a few more cents to the already exorbitant cost.

Welcome scribbledpaper! I didn't expect to get a new member to the family so late in the game. But just a minute here.... I thought my MINI was Santa Claus. I was going to leave out some synthetic oil and a new filter for his visit this year.

 

Well of course a week 31 family member is joining us now! That's what the holidays are all about! Welcome, Scribbledpaper

What ship was Bean on this summer? We had an emotional time here trying to track the mostly elusive Tagus!

After working with the car industry for a while, hubby won't buy anything other than Chevron. And if the tanker is in the lot, he won't buy that day. . .too much sludge. JUST when I think I'm married to an obsessive worry-wort, he turns out to be right! Happens all the time!

Minicounter, I hope you are buying stock in Evian water for BlueBelle's radiator and car washes, and treating her as she deserves now that you know you are driving a bona fide blue-blooded member of royalty!

I need an exhausted emoticon. The red one just isn't cutting it for me this week! Grades were due last night. District office called a meeting, so off I went, and had to go back to school later. Ah well.

 

I have no idea what boat Bean was on... I didn't get this website until the day that I picked him up so I had no idea that people were tracking boats and all that. All I thought that there was to track was the darn website. I'm kind of disapointed there! I feel like I missed out on a big part of the experience. I asked my MA if she could track back and let me know that information, but I haven't heard from her. I am doing a baby book for Bean so it would be nice to know those kinds of things!!

I sure am in love with Bean though. Some of my friends at work think that I smother him too much and that I go to far when I wipe his nose and give him a little scratchin luv before heading inside. I don't think that Bean minds though. We enjoy each other though!

 

Oh fun! New friends! Welcome 'scribbledpaper' and Bean. (Adorable child in red, white, and blue!)

Now I am in a fuel frenzy. I always shopped around for the cheapest premium around (is that an oxymoron?) I usually bought Safeway or Costco gas. I guess I am back to Shell. That is what my hubby uses. You don't want to know the magnitude of his monthly gas bill - driving 100 miles a day at 18 miles to the gallon. I love my Kermie, I love my Kermie.....

On an entirely new note - who has Christmas shopping done yet? I am waiting patiently for the Oregon kicker check to commence 'real' shopping.

 

I was hoping that COSTCO gas was good. Does anyone know what distributer they get theirs from? Jarid??

So, I'm outside FM this morning at 6:50 just to check to see if they got in any Wii consoles. I can get by without this present, but it would be a nice family surprise for all.

Kimberely, I get the Oregon kicker check too??? I pay into their tax system as I cross the border, but didn't realize I got the kicker when it was granted. I have mixed feelings about it though. I think excess should go to a rainy day fund or to education. We are trying to educate kids on a shoestring in OR.

 

They cancelled the kicker for businesses but individuals (to include WA residents that pay into their tax system) will get kicker checks. They should be mailed out relatively soon.

 

Just so happens when I was up there I heard a talk from the OR person. She said the first batch of kickers will go out 12/15. That is generally for people who filed by 8/15 - the others will come later. The businesses affected are only C corporations. Small businesses that pay their tax on an individual return will get their refund through that system. The amount should be 18.6% of your tax liability before credits!

Welcome 'scribbledpaper' and Bean. I hope you find out your history. My BlueBelle is actually a week 32er that almost made the Tagus but ended up waiting almost 2 weeks for the next ship (Boheme) Do you know when your Bean arrived in CA?

 

Found this at answers.com

Costco is able to keep its gas prices so low because we don’t acquire our gas from just one source. We purchase gasoline from many sources (BP, 76, Arco to name a few) – wherever we can get it cheapest at that time. This way, we can pass the savings on to you.”

Seeing this....I would pass. They buy the cheapest gas possible..

 

I have no idea at all! Too bad that Bean didn't come with a Bill of Lading!! Then maybe I could go backwards. I never did hear back from my MA so I guess i'll try emailing her again. I'd like to reconstruct his past. Poor Bean, he's feeling a bit dejected like he's a boy with no past!

 

[quote=Mini2na;1907912]I was hoping that COSTCO gas was good. quote]

Just went yesterday after school. Did you know they have pancake batter that comes out of a whipped cream type can? You shake, and aim down, and it comes out relatively slowly? Had to get it, since I have pancake addicts at home. It's not bad. . . and it's organic! What'll people think of next?

I'd whine about the rain keeping me from a fun drive with Scoop today, but don't think I'd get much sympathy from ya'll!

 

Nope.

But it does seem relatively clear today, just cold.

 

I just thought I would share this shot of my girls helping us find a Christmas Tree.

 

They are adorable!! I used to have a pug, but she passed away just before Christmas two years ago. I have an english bulldog and a yorkie. This year for my christmas card I put my pug, Arizona, on Bailey's (my english bulldog) heart. Bailey and Arizona were best buds for a lot of years!

 

Adding to the adorable photos. . .

Jack at home and after visiting Santa Claus!!