Gee Whiz-Floating on Air

Check out this Ford commercial from 1950.

I especially noted the colorful instrument panel in black and white! 100 horsepower V8! Gosh!

It is awfully pretty though....

Spring Break-We'll Get Even: 10 Area Day-Cations

Here we are at the end of March. We have passed Daylight Savings Time. We have passed the Vernal Equinox. We still have temperatures in the teens and twenties, and mountains of rotting, gray snow everywhere. I'm quite sure all Wisconsinites will join me in saying, "Go home Winter; You're Drunk!"

This week, my kids are out of school for what is laughingly referred to as Spring Break. Son and Daughter-in-Law and their kids are temporarily displaced because their apartment flooded. My 20-year-old's lease is up on his apartment and his new place isn't ready yet.

This means nine humans and three dogs--three generations--of Cabin Fever under one roof. Thank goodness for my job! 50 hours of escape from the chaos...and a paycheck.

Not to worry; we will get even. At the first sign of green you will hear cries of "Road Trip!" coming from the Mitchell/Carroll household.

For my sanity and for yours I have a link to Ten Great Day Trips Around Milwaukee. Thanks to www.midwestweekends.com.

Give me a tank of gas and a State Park Sticker and we are outta here! ...At least for the day!

Closed Doors and Open Windows

Good Morning Gentle Reader,

After an absolutely delightful 979 days at Lakeland Automotive in Sheboygan, it was time for a change. I learned a lot about myself and everything I know about the car business in those 979 days. I worked with some wonderful people whom I will miss. I'm grateful for the experience I gained.

Alas, all good things come to an end.

Lakeland Automotive is a great place to work and really, if your looking for a Toyota, Honda, Subaru or Scion, I would recommend going there.

Where God closes a door, He always opens a window. Luckily, both door and window were open for me at the same time. It's really, really nice to have choices...just sayin'.

As of this morning I'm putting my Internet Diva skills to work for Schmit Bros. in Saukville. I'm grateful to my new boss for this new opportunity! Everybody has been welcoming and just really lovely to me! I have audiobooks from Mead Public Library for the commute.

For those of you not familiar with this charming dealership, it has been part of the community for 100 years! It is one of the oldest Ford dealerships in the country. It is also one of the oldest dealerships still run by the same family. There is much to be said for stability and longevity!

So if you find yourself in need of a vehicle from the Ford or Chrysler groups, I'm still Your Car Gal.

I'm eager to see what the next 979 days will bring!

New Year's Resolutions--Here We Go Again!

The new year is always a time of reflection and re-evaluation. Every year, I brainstorm a list of weaknesses I want to work on to improve my time on Earth. This year, I had a list of 23 things. Some of them have to wait  until a little later in the year--like planting a garden. Some of them (fitness and finances) are the same %#@$ things I've been battling for...ever! So far I've been successful at abstaining from caffeine and artificial sweeteners. Also daily devotionals are going well, so far. Yes, I know it's only the 5th.

Melanie Haiken at Forbes.com wrote 5 New Year's Resolutions You Won't Keep--And 5 You Will. She offers some sound advice on how to set yourself up for success at these common commitments:

• Going on a diet
• Quitting smoking
• Getting more exercise
• Lose 20 lbs
• Giving up a habit like nail biting, hair twirling, etc.

The following list is long overdue. Curtis Silver at Wired.com gives us 10 New Year's Resolutions for Everyone Else.

He includes such much-needed gems as "not speaking in text" and "showering daily". This means you! (No, not you...you're fine, I meant you!!)

What resolutions have you made? How is it going so far? Comment below!

Recipe Just for Kicks--Polar Express Hot Chocolate

Recipe Just for Kicks--Polar Express Hot Chocolate

We've all gotten used to cocoa that comes from powder and hot water. This is what hot chocolate is supposed to be! I intend to be sipping on this while presents are opened. I have shamelessly stolen this from Honey and Fitz off of Pinterest, but if you keep scrolling you'll get to the original poster's link, so it's all good. Polar Express Hot Chocolate (aka the BEST hot chocolate you've ever tasted) Recipe: --1.5 cups of heavy cream --1 can of sweetened condensed milk (14 oz) --2 cups of bittersweet chocolate chips --6 cups of milk --1 tsp vanilla extract In a large pot over low heat, combine all of the above ingredients.  Stir regularly for 30-40 minutes until chocolate is fully melted and incorporated with other ingredients.   If you're making this for a party, you could add all of the above ingredients to a crockpot a few hours before guests arrive.  Provide a ladle and mugs and let them serve themselves.    Read more: http://honeyandfitz.blogspot.com/2011/12/polar-express-hot-chocolate-recipe-aka.html#ixzz2EDJx84ET There is even a recipe for homemade marshmallows! Who knew you could do that?

Movie of the Month--Hydraulics

 I love hokey old black and white movies. Hokey old instructional videos of cutting edge technology are a hoot! Ever wonder how your hydraulic brakes work? Wonder no more! This 1936 instructional video from Chevrolet explains it! 

Hot Dog! 0-60 in 20 seconds!

Safety First--What Is This Eyesight Thing?

Automotive engineers are relentless in their quest for a crash-proof car that will keep you and your babies safe. Eyesight from Subaru is the latest innovation in crash prevention and avoidance.

This is how it works. It's pretty amazing!!