Jalopnik has often commented on Popemobiles, but now they have a roundup of them.
So far my favorite comment has been:
“Even with the power of the Pope's prayer he wasn't able to keep a Fiat running.” – Maxxofor
Riding in Papal Style
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<del>Loosing</del> Losing it
So when I graduated from high school (1999) I weighed 175lbs. By the start of my second year of college I was up to 205lbs. The combination of college inactivity, high speed internet, and all you can eat dorm food was not good for me. I eventually got up to 210-215lbs.
In 2005 I dipped below the 200lbs mark, so Bridgit broke from being a vegetarian and had a BLT. For a long time I wavered in the 200-205 range. The other day we got a scale and to my surprise I was at 189lbs (fully loaded with phone, wallet, knife, multi-tool, keys, etc). Last night I got on the scale without all that stuff and I was right at 185lbs.
To get down to 200 I used the “say no to thirds” diet, and was able to loose 10 lbs fairly quickly. I have been eating that way since (most of the time) and it seems to be working.
Woot!
Poop goes in the Potty
We have been potty training for a couple weeks now and things are going well, He usually has no more then and couple accidents a day and sleeps in a diaper at night. He really doesn't like going poop in the potty, and when he does he freaks out and wants it out of his potty.
Things Eli is currently afraid of:
Things Eli is has no fear of :
I remember my brother, Jon, being terrified of ET. Speaking of that ET star Drew Barrymore has been wandering around our neighborhood. She is directing a movie that is being filmed at a nearby house. The past few weekends out streets have been packed with trucks trailers. Eli is pleased.
Dinner Conversation
Tonight at dinner (of which Eli ate very little) he spilled water on his shirt and freaked out so I took the shirt off. A short while later he announced: “three belly buttons” and pointed at his nipples and belly button.
Words I'll miss
Eli has been talking up a storm lately, often quite clearly. This great improvement in speech means we have to say goodbye to some cute words.
No more canpakes (pancakes), Gammy (Grammy), or pedos (torpedos, the kind you throw in the pool).
Elijah has also decided we get to say goodbye to diapers except at naptime & overnight. That's a pretty awesome goodbye.
Savin' The Planet
Well, last night we used the drier for the second time this summer. Heading back to school means that we have to have full days worth of diapers to send to daycare. That means that often we don't have the flexibility of waiting for diapers to dry on the line. Clothes can still spend time on the line.
Also I filled up the Vibe today and after doing the math the tank did a hair over 35mpg. About 100 of the ~380 miles on the tank was with a canoe on the car.
Other Cars
Dean pointed out to me the new VW diesels are coming out soon. A month or so ago that was my car obsession for the week. Awesome mileage, good space, rack for canoes and gobs of torque. I want one to run B99 through.
And after reading this post at Edmunds maybe that Lotus Elise might be the next car.
what to drive
Last week we wandered down to Depot Town for the cruise. It is always fun to see what cars are there. There are the usuals, but then there are some new wheels. Earlier this year there were a pair of Lotus, an Elise and a Exige. This time we saw some more Euro-power. There was a Ferrari 308 and a Porsche Speedster (it may have been a kit car). There was also a nice guy from Ohio who let Eli sit in his Corvair.
I have been getting nervous about not fitting into the Vibe anymore and have been excited by mulling various cars over in my head. Canoe carrying is key, if I can't put a roof rack on a car that is an instant write off. Canoes also make it necessary to fit paddles (long) and PFDs (big and bulky) which is fine when that is all we are doing. On a road trip with 2 kids now that will get hairy, so I am looking at maybe getting a roof box.
Here are some of the cars that I like or at least think I will like:
GM Lambda Platform
This platform is a year or so old. I am really looking at the upcoming Chevy Traverse. It will be the first to get a Direct Ignition engine which boosts power and fuel economy. It should also be the cheapest of the platform. Seats 7 or8, gets decent mileage, good cargo capacity. So far there isn't a Lambda that has a good roof rack solution, sure I could tow, but that is a whole other hassle.
Cadillac CTS Wagon
This car is so hot it hurts. Might be a little pricy, but it looks amazing. The best part: rear or all wheel drive and a manual transmission.
Pontiac G8
A rebadged Holden from down under this car is amazing. I have been wanting to test drive one, but afraid to because I might not be able to sleep again. A RWD, big sedan. The only thing that would be better would be the wagon version, which GM has stupidly decided not to bring to the US. It has a big back seat and plenty of room for the kids. So far no roof rack option. The good news is that this car rocks. It apparently drives like, and can compete with a BMW 5 series.
Chevy Malibu
Good car, cheap. Good fuel economy with the new 4banger- 6 speed auto option. Everyone says it is a good car.
Saturn Astra
A rebadged Opel Astra. This is a great looking car. I don't think it will fit us, but my mom should get one, or it might make a good Vibe replacement.
New Blog
Bridgit has mentioned a few times that she would like to blog about food, so tonight we are launching the Cook Family Food Blog.
Mission
So Bridgit has mentioned to me a few times that she want's a blog dedicated to food. I like food, so I am indulging her.
I think that we are going to basically blog about the food we eat and the food we want to eat. Maybe even some food we don't want to eat.