Thanks, Mini2Na! I spent a while looking at all the photos of the tailpipes, which I probably wouldn't have done without your post. Better to be informed going in! I think I'll go ahead and get them refitted. I'm a "big picture" person (not super detail-oriented unless I REALLY have to be) so I don't think the change will bug me much at all!

 

I hope everyone had a safe and happy New Year's celebration. 2009 is going to be a GREAT YEAR!!!

It has snowed again. Not much, but it is covering our area. It is beautiful.

 

Spokane finished December with 61.5 inches of snow, far eclipsing the previous one-month record of 56.9 inches set in January 1950. Snowfall records in the area have been kept since 1893.

Oh, and to start off the New Year we had an additional 6 inches last night! More is schedueled for the near future, but in the mean time we should be dropping into the - (negative) Temps tonight to help freeze everything solid!

I wonder if I could get a snow plow mounted on the front? Yah know the ones they have for Quads, should fit just about right!

 

We've been hearing about Spokane! Hope the roads clear a bit for the new arrival. Take care.

A question: What organization or Google search should I enter to find some sort of "low impact" (both cost and wear) driving event in the Portland area? I'd love to do something with cones in a parking lot if that type of event still exists. I used to compete in my stock Bugeye back in the day.

 

Go here:
http://www.autoxclub.org/web/curentw...ts_other1e.htm

Links to All the Oregon clubs!

I race in Spokane and Tri Cities, the Tri Cities club (Sand and Sage Sports Car Club) is www.ssscc.org

You'll love it!!!

PS: The type of event your referring to is called Autocross and/or Solo or Solo II

 

We were in the Walley Mart parking lot (we ALWAYS park in BFE), hubby was waiting for me to get out, as I was getting out he said "UH OH!!", then I knew something was wrong and he knew I'd be upset.

Well to my surprise I'm not as upset as I thought I would be when I got my 1st Ding!! I DIDN'T do it and I know Hubby DIDN'T do it, I always park as far away from civilization as possible, so it is a bit of a mystery. Nothing identifiable to say, hey, that must have been what happened.

It is easily fixable, just have to find the right PDR guy. No broken paint just a long (1") narrow dent in the lower left corner of the Driver's Door.

So anyone got any ideas about who to call?? I will be calling my Dealer tomorrow as well and see who they can recomend.

 

I'm sooooo sorry. I have a scratch on Frodo so nothing is going to fix that short of a paint job.

I did have GREAT results from Nu Way Body and Fender in Portland. 503 232-7237. It was with my wife's larger mistake with Frodo, but with the care they gave him (and her) I bet they would do a good job.

 

Mini2na I remember talking about that incident while you were at our house. I didn't know that that is who you took Frodo to, we drive by them every morning on our way to work, maybe I will have to make an early appointment with them and see what they say. Thanks for the info.

I'm sure a PDR guy could fix it as well, there are some specs that I have to check out first, before I call them. I will keep you updated.

 

Isn't there a paintless dent repair in the area. Hubby said that those are your best option before going to a auto body (much cheaper too) - he doesn't know any to recommend though. Sorry.

 

Bummer! I've touched up so many little chips in Scoop's bonnet, and she is a 2-foot beauty! Any closer, and if you know where to look, you can tell, but really, even from a foot away, nothing stands out. I guess the little issues are like wrinkles???

Mini2Na. . . how on earth could you even tell the difference between the tailpipes? I truly don't see the difference at all! (Which is why I'll NEVER be able to make my living with painting or woodwork or anything that requires a good eye! )

 

I don't think they look much different either. They just sit further back and I like the look of them sticking out.

I think you analogy of Scoop getting wrikles is funny.

 

I noticed that we slipped to to the 3 page in 1st gear... didn't want us to become part of the archives... I know I haven't been doing my part.

It's good to catch up and see everyone is doing well.

Bluebelle just threw a CEL this AM. They tell me it's nothing to be alarmed about but to make sure she doesn't start driving different. She is at about 32k and has what I would describe as freckles I know I need to get out the little paint bottle a take a lesson from Scoopmama.

I took a look at some of the race websites that iNetMANN referred to. Wow does that look like fun!! There are some video's on the hillclimber site that can really get your blood going! 2009 plans... Mini2NA... anyone?

I'm glad all of you northern folk survived the storms so far. Sounds like your babies got to play a little.

A little before Christmas my son and I headed south to deliver older son's car for his return from Kuait. We ended up about an hour too late to make it over the Siskyou pass coming back (chains required). We tried to go across to the coast at Redding but had to turn back. We ended up going south and across to the coast at Willits. Coming up the coast we had to divert further west on another wonderful windy road (20 and 1 through Fort Bragg) before coming up a snowy 101. I would highly recommend the coast route - but in the summer!

I hope all school... work...taxes... self-employment... etc are going well for you all

 

Taxes, taxes, taxes. That is all my life has consisted of lately. Payroll taxes, B&O taxes, Quarterly reports, estimated payments, w-2s... (I don't even wish to address those - Friday will just go down in history as a dreadful day.)

Where is spring when I need it? Flowers, 70 degree weather, sunshine.....I could use a dose of that right about now. I guess that I will just drink some wine and daydream of spring.

Kermit's boot is forever a dirty nightmare. Even a drive thru carwash doesn't help much. I don't think he cares though. He is a trooper. A trooper with a great many paint chips on his bonnet. I need to talk to the spouse about that one. Repairs probably won't occur until spring though, as he is swamped at work of late. Might be the inclimate weather. I need sunshine!!! (and warmth.) Hawaii sounds really nice right now.

 

Well Gang...Molly just passed the 10,000 mile mark and has her Yearly Oil Change scheduled for April 17. She will also be getting British Flag Side Scuttles for her 1st Birthday!! I can't believe it's almost here...I don't want my Baby to grow up!!

Not much new on the home front, just trying to get through Winter...and Kimberely Hawaii does sound good!! No 'real' trips planned for this year, but next year Hubby and I are planning a trip to Yellowstone to celebrate our 10th Anniversary.

Gotta' replace our printer this weekend so we can print out our Happy Tax Return stuff...looks like Hubby wants to e-File this year...anyone else done that?? I'm not into giving the IRS anymore info. than what they have already.

Enjoy your Weekends and remember spring is less than 2 months away!!

 

Happy birthday to Molly.... yes the kids grow up soooo fast.

Now... RJ ... the stories I could tell you about e-filing!

I have done several hundred returns every year for many years now.... At first there were many problems. Probably about 10 years ago now I had the dubious 'privilege' of touring the service center at Ogden UT. It is like a manufacturing plant ! About three quarters of the way through the tour they brought us to the computer room where the electronic returns would start their process. I decided then that to file without a human touching the return would probably be a good thing. And yes the first rule with the IRS is to tell them what they already know...

As to weather - I find I'm almost happier when its raining because I don't have to feel guilty about having such a filthy child!

 

It is good to hear from almost everyone. I've just returned from a visit to the midwest to help my mom get ready for a move to a living arrangement that will be easier for her. It is time to put away the household chores for a more relaxed lifestyle. It is scary for her, but I think she will like it. She is still driving OK, but I don't think I'd put her behind the wheel of Frodo.

Snow again yestereday. They said that we've had 22" at the airport this season. We've had WAY more just 10 miles north. The Gorge is an amazing weather director.

I got my quarterly taxes in at the beginning of the month. Now I need to start with my first federal tax return with my business on it. My fingers are crossed that it is not too hard. I have kept good records. I even have them backed up twice!

My daughter turns 18 today. Tonight I will let her drive Frodo for the first time. Again, my fingers are crossed. My other daughter turned 16 last week and she is making rumblings about wanting to drive now. I'll be going out with her in the Ranger to get her used to the manual transmission. She has to pass her test in the truck before she gets her license.

Good to hear everyone is doing well. Be safe.

 

Hi All! I feel like a stranger checking in here. Scoop is definitely the baby of the bunch with ALMOST 5,000 miles!

Last night we did canyon trip to Temecula and back before the next rainstorm hit, and I realized that I have a slight issue! When I'm in the canyon, and the only car on the road (oh twisty joy of joys!!!), I want the high beams ON unless there is an oncoming car. I can pull the left hand lever toward me to turn on the high beams, but as soon as I release the lever, the car goes right back to low beams. I read the manual, and was not enlightened. Can any of you put in plain English how to keep the high beams on without holding the lever the entire time?

Hope the rain/sleet/snow isn't too awful up there. I know with tax time, Molly and Kimberely are busy, right? Hubby and I have 4 days off in a row together for the President's weekend, which is really nice! (Especially with both kids at Grandma's!)

So, Mini2na- did Frodo survive your daughter's drive? Did you? Nerves of steel, that's what! My older son is almost 15, and I swear there is no way he is anywhere near driving a lethal machine!

 

Scoopmama

Glad you had any opportunity to let Scoop stretch her legs Since BlueBelle gets to spend most of her night driving with the 'highs' on I can tell you if you want them to stay on you push the lever out away from you and it will stay. It's kind of awkward at first since it seems to be a stretch for my hand but you get used to it.

It looks like BlueBelle is going to take a solo trip on the big flat truck next week to get her CEL problem looked at. Since I'm almost at the end of the 36k it's probably a good thing to get all these things checked out. When the light goes on the turbo doesn't work which I guess is a 'defense' mechanism to keep her from hurting herself when she's sick...

I hope you all have a good weekend

 

Thanks, Minicounter!!!! I'll try that with the wand next time.

I hope Bluebelle enjoys her adventure, and gets all fixed up!

 

Twisty road sounds like Ortega Hwy. Always fun! 5K miles?! Kermit is over 20K!!! You need to motor more.

 

I thought it was...to apply the High Beams you push the stalk away from you, it should stay in position and the High Beams remain on until you move the stalk to the neutral position again??

 

Next Thursday I will be celebrating a Birthday and the 1 Year Anniversary of Ordering our Dear Little Molly!!

Time has flown by, I remember how excited with anticipation I was when everything started falling into place and Molly began her Journey from England to the US and taking Delivery...now that will be a celebration. April 17th Molly will be adorned with British Flag Side Scuttles to Celebrate Her 1st Birthday!!

Enjoy your weekend everyone!!

 

Yes, the push away will make it stay on...

Scoopmama - also if you want to use the driving lights they will only work with the high beam on. You turn on the switch and then when the highs go on you have extra light. What I like about mine is that the regular lights are the upgraded ones and while they are very bight they have a definite line at the top where they stop. With the driving lights on you get additional light to the side and top that will catch those deer eyes standing on the side of the road ready to pounce

RJKimbel I have a birthday next week as well but on Wed. It's a big one
Molly will look very striking with her colors

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!!! Well my B-Day will be a 'big' one to me, but I'm told that it's really nothing...I've got a few more years before the BIG one hits, but it still feels like...GETTING OLD!! My Mom being only 19Years and 5Months older than I am is pretty funny. My Brother however is ONLY 11Months Older than I am. MY Daughter will be 23 in July. That's how I look at things, it's all RELATIVE!!

My Mantra is "By the time I'm 66 (My Mom's age in September), I'll still be Beautiful, by the time I'm 93 (My Grandmother's Age, Feb. 5) My Body will be SHOT TO HELL!!!"

 

Almost forgot...I ordered/received the "LightInSight" Lens...I will install it later today and report back on how it works!! Has anyone else tried this??