Wow! Molly looks beautiful! I think the 4th picture is my favorite. . . her white bonnet stripes, the gleam of sun off the chrome grille. . . just gorgeous!

Isn't it funny how MINIs can look awfully smug?


Minicounter. . . have you decided if you are coming south next week? Let me know; I'd love to finally meet in person, and Scoop and Bluebelle have some catching up to do since BB got kicked off the Tagus!

 

Scoopmama - last day with kids and staff is today! Will miss the constant interaction with kids each day, but not the rest. It's time.

RJ - Molly looks great! I've never used clay before. What is it used for and is it hard to do a good job. Do you use any other products or machines to get that "salon" look?

MiniCounter - So glad that Bluebell is getting what she deserves. I can't wait to hear how she moves and sounds.

Pictures will soon be up of my remodel project. The caulking and nail hole filling happened last night. I should be able to get the final touchup painting done by the weekend.

Did you see the posts from the 08 Week 23 group. They have over 1500 posts. I looked at it yesterday for a minute and saw that 5 of them were logged on at the same time in the middle of the day. No wonder they've got so many posts. The question is.... Can they keep it going AFTER their babies arrive?

Have great days people. My head with emerge from below the water after today. I have a feeling I am going to love it!

 

Older son is promoting into high school, and the ceremony is today. It's sort of funny. . . 8th grade ceremony. Some parents rent limos etc. for the "big event!" I figure I'll wait on that until a wedding! In the meantime, a nice lunch out today with grandparents and some computer/movie time!

 

Kermit got a bath on Saturday before going to Hood River. Of course, his boot is already filthy, but what else is new?

Kermit has decided that he needs bling. Bonnet stripes maybe? I was looking at some shelby stripes in carbon weave.......maybe some tinted windows (assuming the sun comes out to play and stay awhile)....still looking at a stubby antenna.....or maybe a RCassidy shift ****.....this could be an expensive summer.

 

Hmmm. Carbon weave looks SO awesome! I'm always lured over to the MINIs that have it! What about. . . Carbon weave bonnet strips that lead to. . . wait. . . Carbon weave side mirror caps, and for balance, a carbon weave boot bar replacing the chrome in the back. Kermie would be rather tricked out! (I LOVE spending other people's money!!!)

The only problem with a Cassidy **** is you won't want to look at the road anymore. His stuff is GORGEOUS!!! And with Kermie's interior. . . wow.

I think a stubby antennae is cute! I like the longer one right now on Scoop, but for the froggie theme, stubby is good!

My birthday is next month, and my dearest, darling hubby printed out pages of Outmotoring goodies for Scoop and me! What a guy! The deal was, I negotiated to save about 400 bucks off my son's braces, and it all goes to Scoop!!! So I can start shopping soon!

 

Kimberely, bling Kermie out! He deserves it. I love the Shelby stripes. I like them to contine onto the boot too. Frodo is asking to have the factory stripes on his boot.

Carbon fiber is beautiful and should stand on the BRG. If "REAL" carbon fiber accessories are not in the budget, I bet that the company that wrapped Bluebell's chrome has CF wraps for the scoop, mirrors and boot handle.

I got my stubby from Alta. I got a great deal ($10) at the Grand Opening, but it was for the R53. I finally took it back with MiniCounter the other day and traded it out. I'll probably switch it out for the stock one for long trips, but I love the look and reception is OK within my normal driving circuit.

Kids are gone for the summer and staff will be too soon. I will begin to put these past two years behind me and focus on the other 30 wonderful years doing what I LOVED to do.... teaching and learning with kids and teachers.

Lydia is now a senior. Little Abby as sophmore. They grow up quick! That means I'm getting old quick too! I have made a pact with myself and decided that I'm still not going to grow up!

 

I think I saw some carbon fiber at Artistic Creations as well... Very nice... I need to spend someone else's money!

So - Mini2na I think I've found the solution to our crummy speaker problem! Every since I picked Blubelle up I haven't had the stereo on ! Love that deep throaty sound ... the sound of her breathing ... and the distinctive sound when the turbo wakes up. It's like a whole new car to discover...

When I arrived this morning to drop her off at the immaculate garage the mechanic showed me his tricked out Mustang and discussed some of his other projects and racing that he did.(All helping to confirm that he is a car lover and knows how to take care of them) When I picked up BlueBelle, he said what a fun little car I had and asked how I liked it (ops her) ... then again before I left he said that he gets to drive a lot of cars but mine was really FUN to drive! (I forgot to check the odometer )

As to 'go fast' I noticed some difference but I have been a little careful as my tires are in pretty bad shape (she gets new shoes tomorrow). I will report more later.

Scoopmama - I looks like I will not be coming down that way until September now. Gives us a little more time to plan.

We are going to Sacramento this weekend to pick up my son's car. While we are down there we are hoping to catch a NASCAR race in Sonoma. Any of you been to one of those? Hubby watches it all the time and the timing is just right for our trip down. I hope it works out...

 

MiniCounter: great solution to the speaker issue.

Never been to a NASCAR event, but hear they are quite a spectacle. I am more into the SCCA races or anything that has tight turns.

I'm glad you like the sound. The HP improvements will be minor, we've got a great cars to begin with. Does Bluebell growl now? You can hear the turbo spool up too during normal driving? I can't wait to hear it.

We've got a nice couple of days coming up. It should be a great commute and maybe a windows open evening drive.

 

Last half day of work. This work that is. The weather seems to have turned. Frodo is waiting. I'm ready for this next step.... I think!

I'm still stuck on the right name for my contracting business, but everything else seems to be aligning for an August start.

The family is heading back Monday to Ohio/Michigan (my Wonder Years) to see my Mom and sibs. We may take a side trip to Chicago for a couple of days and of course Cedar Point is a must.

Hope all is well. Motor On.

 

Ride Millennium for me!!! That's my favorite!!!!

 

Hey Mini2na- I'll race you out of work. . . I've got about 1 hour of work left to close my room! Wheee!


I signed up for the LA MINI meet this Thurs-Sun in Irvine. . . only about 5 miles from where I live! It should be a blast!

Happy Motoring, all!

 

aaaaannnnnddd. . . . DONE! Woo-hoo! Summer has started for me! Drinkie time!

 

Congratulations to Our "Retiree" on both your Retirement and your new endeavor, and Our "Summer Frolicker"!! Mini2na we may be looking you up once your Business gets off the ground. I have a Code question I'd like to ask you. Remodeling projects are also in our future, though they are a ways out yet. We will definitely be giving you a call then as well. Nice to see our Summer has FINALLY begun, though we don't have any driving trips at the moment planned. We did just get our landscaping spruced up with a Spring Cleanup!! I can enjoy my back yard again!!
Happy Motoring to All!!

 

So RJ, tell me about clay, what you use with it and where you get it. I'm clueless about it.

 

Well, retiree, I'm not RJ but I can tell you what clay did to my Saturn a few years ago! Old car - 10 years old this year. Clay (high grade from an auto store) and a lubricant like our quick detail spray takes off all kinds of stuff that just a wash won't do. My old car just glistened and felt like silk!

There's a "baggie test" you can do. Put a baggie over your finger and gently rub Frodo. If you feel little gritty bumps, you can clay.

Wash Frodo first, then spray the QD and then rub the clay gently. Wash again. I would do small sections at a time. Then take pix!!!

 

Sorry Mini2na I forgot to reply to your question earlier.
Clay is as it sounds "Clay"...it is used on the paint to remover water spots and other contaminents that you may not be able to see.

The best way to test if you need to clay your baby is to get a "clear" sandwich bags, no ripples or dimples and with it on your hand go over every inch of your car. The spots that need to be clayed will be rough or you may have visible water spots.

I would suggest you look at www.griotsgarage.com which I bought my clay from or www.detailersparadise.com where I got my lubricant "Glide" which must always be used under the clay as you work. More info. can also be found in the Detailing 101 Forum. I

'm no expert and that Forum helped me alot.

I first used clay when I was detailing my Husband's Chevy S-10 Blazer before we sold it to buy Molly. He had some pretty bad Hard Water Deposits, I did not get them all off, but it was a huge improvement.

I'll be happy to answer more questions if I can.

 

I know Scoopmama you are Our "Summer Frolicker"!!

 

Frolicking sounds fun - but I have to work (it's endless- no summer vacation ). Alas, I will live vicariously!! 90 degree weekend coming up - and the spouse is going to be in Southern California (I hear that you will be having comperable weather there!) Just me, Kermit, and the pugs. What to do?! A wee roadtrip might be in order!! But to where? I will work on this!!!

 

Thanks clay ladies. I did the baggy trick right after I washed it and WOW do I need to clay. Little bumps all over. They are tiny, but it is easy to feel them with the plastic. I went to Detailing 101 and learned alot. While there and some retail sites and I was intrigued by the Porter Cable random orbital polisher. Anyone have one of those? And to think I only washing my MINI. He deserves soooo much better.

I am shedding the stress of the job quickly. It feels good. We leave for vacation on Monday. I can remember a year ago waiting for Frodo to arrive. I will miss driving him for 2 weeks. Yikes!

 

To Victoria BC, of course!!!! Nice drive up the coast, some ferry pictures of Kermie and puggies, and maybe a walk in those gorgeous gardens! How "British" is the Empress? Do they allow dogs for tea?

Just so you aren't too jealous, our house needs all the work that doesn't happen from Sept. to June. Most of summer for us is like that long weekend where LOTS of chores happen! But tonight is the start of the 4-day MINI MEET WEST, so I'm excited about that!

Mini2na- you aren't loading the whole family and luggage in Frodo? Probably a good thing! Have a blast!

 

Summer Frolicker checking in with Day 1 report of Mini Meet West (that over the last 35 years has met in Seattle, Portland, etc. . . it's NOT just a California "thing!")

The movie: The Italian Job starring Michael Caine, Noel Coward and Benny Hill, to mention just a few. To hear the audience groan out loud as the Minis get dumped out of the bus and go crashing down the Alps was quite an experience. The classics are so cute!!!! My 8 year old is taller than they are!

Today: AutoX- my first, a Funkhana with a Hollywood theme, and kid stuff. There's a tech talk tonight I'll go to, about high performance mods. Doubt I'll do any, but who knows!?

Enjoy your gorgeous weather this weekend!

 

I want to Auto-X.

Listen to a new exhaust when you are around other MINIs. Tell me how you like the sound.

 

Not only does she have a deeper voice... she now has new softer shoes! She sounds and feels like a different car (that seems so stark maybe I should say ride or ...) The tires are certainly softer and the ride smoother. I'm still getting used to the difference in the corners...

Auto -X sounds like sooo much fun! When we were watching the NASCAR races in Sonoma (it's a 12-turn road course not a circle track) all I could think of was how much fun it would be to do that course in BlueBelle!

Mini2na - I hope you have a great time. Check out the articles in the first two "magazines" under NAM alliance program (on this website). They have some great info on detailing by one of the gurus. I talked to this Richard when we were in Las Vegas about fixing some of the deeper scratches I have. He was giving hour and half-hour long one-on-one sessions on detailing while we were there. I would have loved to taken one - but alas BlueBelle was using that time for her blackout completion.

Kimberely - I hope you get in some fun motoring. I seem to remember that Mini2na found a fun route near you all.

RJ - I hope that your treatments are giving you relief so you can enjoy your time with Molly...

Happy sun and motoring all!!

 

Hi all! I think I've recovered from the Mini Meet!

AutoX was more of a blast than I'd imagined. Some new friends got some fun pictures of Scoop careening around cones through really tight turns- looks fun, but felt REALLY thrilling! Growly engines, squealing tires. . . My arms are still a bit sore. I got 2nd place for time for my class of car!!! Princess decided that AutoX is worth a few cone scuffs!

The funkhana was a riot. My 8-year-old was my co-pilot, and had to guide me part way as I was blindfolded. He was great! Winning time. . . 5 minutes. Our time. . . 15!

The banquet went on until 12:30 am Sunday, and I left it up to my cheerful co-pilot if we would get up 6 hours later for a breakfast run. We did, and had a lovely drive up the coast to a diner.

Goodies for Scoop: License plate magnetic grille badge holder with badge.
UK valve covers. Black Wow. Convex mirrors that fit into the MINI mirrors and new oil.

Here are some pics of the meet if you have time/inclination to see what parts were like. You should go if it is hosted up your way!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/2729177...th/2626229550/

Minicounter-So is BlueBelle enjoying her new persona? What type of tires did you get? Does the Alta Air intake make a big difference?

RJ-How's summer? feeling ok?

Kimberely- golf? pugs? Kermie? having fun?

Mini2Na- trip stories??

I found a really cool thread for a route 66 roadtrip some folks did from New Jersey to CA. Ninja Goes West. It was like taking a little vacation just to read the posts and see the pictures!

 

Scoopmama it looks like you had tons of fun. I haven't been to any Mini events yet - not with driving involved anyway. Our weekends are always so busy....... or lazy. Kermie is filthy and will definitely get a bath this weekend; the weather should be nice.

Fireworks are legal in Washington - it has sounded like a firing range / war zone for the last several nights. My poor little Maryann has been beside herself and has been on drugs that don't help all too much. My spouse is looking forward to the 4th; I am dreading it. It will be five to six hours of constant fireworks (small and large) going off all around my house. I am always afraid that someone is going to set the neighborhood on fire. The block party will be fun until the noises begin. Then I will be off to console a poor little pug that will be quaking in a corner and piddling herself. The other one sleeps right through it.