Today I come home from work and prepared to go out to a EuroCar gathering. I find Mike standing outside, gazing lovingly at Churchill. Without words being spoken, we know tonight will be the last time Church goes somewhere "whole". Within the next hour, off would come his M7 Strut Tower Brace and be installed on another MINI.

To divert Mike's attention, I ask him what happened in the Owner's Lounge today. "No change". :impatient Already knowing the answer I ask, "did you call MINIUSA"? He responds, "ya"

I ask, "Did you talk to DeeDee"? He says, "No, she didn't answer, but I spoke to Doug ....andhesaidthatmyMINIwouldbestartedonFridayandbe donearoundTuesday, *breath* thatbecauseitisloadedittakesawhilelongertobuild". LOL I say, "are you a little bit excited honey". "ohhhhh yessssssss", he replies

We head off to meet other MINI peeps at the EuroCar gathering. There he found a DS/B JCW-kitted R56. The drooling commenced immediately. I think he wanted to do unspeakable things to that poor MINI. He was under it, over it, in it...all at once! I offered its owner one of my MF towels in return for his patience while Mike slobbered all over his car. Like any great MINI owner, he simply said, "it's ok, no problem...I totally understand..."

Another day behind us....one day closer to Mike's birthing of a new MINI. He's certainly experiencing the pangs of "labor". If this is as close as I can get to him understanding the anxiety, stress, and pain of childbirth, then I'll take it.

 

this de-moding is just a step to to get to the BIG prize .... TUUURRRRBBBOOOOOO !!!!!!!! ..

Besides .. tomorrow its my turn ..

G-night... get some sleep.. Please..

 

No way man!

BTW I still havn't told Tigs our secret

 

 

fine...

BBCooper and I are so much alike that we and those who know us often joke about sharing a brain...

we finish one anothers sentences, have the same ideas at the same time, heck we even start humming wierd obscure songs at the same time while working on MINIs....

Anyway... we both had the thought today that...

When I take delivery of my new R56 I will put down the cancer stix for good and quit smoking.

 

If I'd known all I would have to do as Domestic CFO is purchase an R56 to get you to this point....I'd have forced you to order one loooooooooong ago!

WTG, baby!

This whole shared-brain thing is creeping me out. Does Blair know everything about me that's in your brain? OMG, have I intellectually had sex with Blair? Does Blair know that I'm a bad girl, with a durdy mind?

 

Aye, I hope you can stick to it. I stopped five years ago after 18 years. Just think of all the money you'll be saving that you'll now be able to invest into your Mini!. Congrats, I hope you can stick with it.

 

Well I am not saying...
But WOW !!! ..

 

Now THAT is some exciting news!!!

 

Oh look I got a GOLD STAR!!! wOOt!!!

lol batgirlwildcat

 

Today's installment:

Mike continued to hit the "refresh" key in the OL all day long. No updates. C'mon MINIUSA - you hold the emotional balance of my domecile in your hot little hands! :impatient

Fearing a restraining order, Mike didn't call MINIUSA today. I think he was giving DeeDee and Doug a break from his insecent "where's my MINI" hounding. But - tomorrow - game on!

Tonight was a tough one. We took a big part of Churchill's personality off - the aero bumper, M7 lower, mid, and upper grills, and the M7 splitter. Fortunately, all those parts found their way on to Church's twin brother - an '04 Indy Blue/W MCS, owned by Blair; appropriately named "Mr MCS2U".

There were a few moments of unplanned silence, some hugs, and a couple of tears as we re-lived the nights in the garage when Church was given his aggressive personality. It's hard to find the words to adequately express the emotion of moving into the era of the R56. Regardless of the incredibly loaded specs on the yet-to-be-born R56, Churchill and the amazing lifestyle he brought into our life is something we will cherish forever.

Church's face on Mr MCS2U looks terrific...and Blair was visibly happy about the transformation, but being sensitive to his best friend's emotional instability, was careful not to do a happy dance when all the work was completed. Good showing Blair! , but you can't fool me Mr MCS2U looks incredible!

It's comforting to know that pieces of Church will live on in our friend's MINIs, forever reminders of the past, while we all look forward to the future.

Now, MINIUSA and all the employees on the production line need to get crackin', because we need some happy news - like a VIN, ASAP!

 

Hey.....big thumbs-up to Mike for pledging to quit smoking! HOORAY!

 

Well here is my update for tonight..

Mike, Wendy, & I got together to further down-stock Church... We revisited the many great memories of the mods we have done together. There were some laughs and yes a few tears when we reflected on our great friendship that was sparked by this "little car" called Church...

Mike, I know it was tough to remove a major part of Church's character.. We had many a great nights building him up to the cool MINI he is.. Mike & Wendy, I want you to know I am very happy and proud to have a part of Church to keep with me & my MINI. You two have become great friends both on and off the "track". And for that I am truly thankful.

Mike, I know this rough time but it is just that - a brief transition to the next chapter in the story about our MINIs.. A story that I am sure we will still be telling each other about when the only thing they will let us race is our walkers.. ...

Hang in there bud.. Your new prize MINI will be here soon enough ... and then we can start writing the next chapter together...

Good night,
Blair

 

Good friends are hard to find! That was really nice

 

Well, good luck on the website being useful. It said my car was still awaiting transport 3 weeks after I had it.

 

LOL Yeah OL seems to be a bit slow... 8:01 AM... Time to call 866-ASK-MINI again...

 

Indeed...and Blair's the best. In fact, everyone from West Coast MINI has been awesome. The phone rings regularly...peeps calling to check on Mike and the progress of the R56. They know how tough this is. Our MINI-family is incredibly awesome.



Be nice, baby. Remember, the folks on the phone aren't the actual production line staff. Though you might encourage them to pick up some tools and get out there to help move this along a little faster.

 

The cells have divided and are starting to take the shape of my BOY!!!

Got word from ASK MINI that he started Production at 8:10:41 yesterday!!! And I got the VIN.....

/happydance!!!

 

ah yes, the "I got my VIN" dance...the first of the many "ordered my MINI" dances!

Congrats and good luck on the smoking thing ...I've managed to get through 14 months so far.

 

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT! Some cheerful news! Congratulations on the birth of your new baby, Mike!

 

So, BBCooper has his parts on the MINI, how about some pictures of this transition... How about it Tig? BBCooper? It would be like watching a rebirth or a cloning.

Mike has his VIN and now will get a little bit of sleep (we hope).

Now the real tracking can begin.

It is great to see the SD MINI community hangs together.

Plus reading this is jus plain fun.

 

I have so happy for you and to be part of the family going through the waiting period. I'm also thrilled to have part of Churchill "1" on my MINI. I will wear it well.....Sandy

 

Heya Sandy!!

Everyone... Black Beauty got the first mod to come off Church... my M7 STB. Fortunately it's Black so it matches her Black Beauty (truly a fitting name for her MINI) so welcome to the Mike's emotional rollie coastie thread!! lol

 

Hey Old81.... is Collaci's closed there in Louisville!?! I was trying to find someone coming to MITM to bring some spagetthi up for Tig and I because she's never been and I grew up out there

 

Hiya, Sandyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

The STB looked terrific on Black Beauty. What a nice color match to the rest of the black and chrome on her!

I'm glad you came into the thread to join us. The more emotional support Mike gets the better.