Passion vs Obsession

It's a Jeep Thing!

We -- Jeep owners -- say it all the time. Some people say we are obsessed, but I would disagree. We are just very passionate about our Jeeps.

Passion vs. Obsession - Is there a difference?  Yes. But it's a fine line.

And where is that line? Well that's debatable. 

I like to think passion inspires creation and happiness. Passion is a strong liking for an activity or something else. When you are passionate about an activity the enjoyment you feel about it is evident in how you carry yourself. 

Obsession impacts you and those around you in a negative and harmful way. Obsession is when you are constantly preoccupied with an activity or something else.








Writing about this topic I did a little research on OCD and obsession. I would like to officially make it clear --  I am not OCD.  OCD is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder -- an anxiety disorder. The person has intrusive thoughts that produce uneasiness, apprehension, fear, or worry. There are repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing the associated anxiety.

OCD is a description some of my friends and family give me. Okay -- not some all of them. Well, I would like to clear the air. I am not OCD! Yes, I have a really, really neat and clean house. I like to make lists and everything has a place. I'm a very organized person. But I don't do these things out of anxiety. I really enjoy organizing and things being were they belong. It make me happy. Some might say obsessive.


Well, I don't think I'm either - well, maybe a little obsessive. I like to call it passionate. I'm passionate about organization. Just like I'm passionate about my Jeep and my blog. I'm just really passionate about things I like and enjoy!

   


Note:  Sometimes I read my posts to my husband before I post them. So I just read this blog post to him and he laughed. I asked why. He said, "You are obsessed about not being obsessed." So maybe... I'm passionately obsessed about certain things. 

Are you passionate about something? Do your friends think your obsessed? Share your thoughts!


                -- Simple Living! -- Enjoying Life! -- The Jeep Momma Way --

First time Off Road!

This is the day my Jeep Life morphed from daily driver to weekend warrior. #JeepAddiction I have sure come a long way.

100th Post!!!

Happy Anniversary Jeep!

Today is my 100th post! As I write this I also realize that one year ago today my husband gave me the best gift any wife could get! It's the 1st Anniversary of the day I got my Jeep. How fitting that this 100th post on my 1st anniversary is about my 1st off roading experience. Hmmm... Put those numbers together and you get 1-1-1. Interesting.



Sunday morning I got up early and hit the road for a three hour drive to Pennsylvania. I was headed to Rausch Creek Adventures for my own personal, one on one, off road, driving instruction. I was looking forward to learning more about my Jeep and her fantastic features. I was finally going to get out on the trails and learn how to drive off road.

When I pulled into the parking lot of Rausch Creek it was like I stepped into the world of testosterone. There were gigantic trucks with trailers, rock crawlers, and super modified Jeeps filling up the gravel lot. It was a little intimidating driving in with my teeny, tiny stock Wrangler Unlimited. As I stepped out of my Jeep I entered into a sea of mostly men. I held my head high and marched up to the office like I knew what I was doing. Ha! 



My nerves on edge and my tummy filled with anxious butterflies, I walked up to the window to check in. My instructor Kyle was there to greet me. He was warm and very welcoming. He set my nerves at ease. I was looking forward to getting out on the trails. We got started right away. I was so pumped when I finally engaged 4 wheel low! I drove a few circles in the dirt lot so I could get the feel of the differences in my Jeep before we headed out for the trails. 







Kyle is a well educated and seasoned professional trainer. He is knowledgeable about the capabilities of my Jeep. He explained them in terms I understood. Plus, it helped that I was an experienced driver in the snow and ice.  

When I hit the first incline I was a anxious about tipping over. But then when I saw this picture -- it put it all in perspective. It wasn't as bad as it felt. It sure felt a lot steeper inside the Jeep.






Kyle took me and my Jeep through wash outs, up and down hills, through the mud and over rocks. I didn't even damage my Jeep at all. I did hear some clanks and bangs -- only four -- so I think I did pretty good.

One of the coolest things Kyle taught me was about my Hill Descent Control button. Okay, so I knew I had it, and what it was for. But Oh... My... Goodness... -- I didn't really understand until I pushed the button and put it to use. Knight Rider look out... My Jeep will give Kit a run for his money. I was so amazed at what my Jeep did down the hill without my help! Let's just say if you want to find out I suggest you get your own Jeep! 

Kyle took me straight through the center of a pond! Which was quite a scary feeling knowing that if I sink my Jeep she's a goner. My Jeep is my mommy vehicle. I take her to the grocery store, pick the kids up at school, and take her on our family vacations. Plus I still have many, many months of car payments left.  





Another feature on my Jeep I truly didn't understand until I used it, the manual automatic transmission. HA! who knew I didn't need a clutch. The best thing for Kyle was not having to explain the basics of a manual transmission to me. I grew up driving a manual transmission WITH A CLUTCH. So using this feature was second nature to me. I didn't even need to think about using it I just did it.    

Another feature on my Jeep is the traction control. I can't even begin to explain it, but I know it when I feel it. Again natural instincts just kick in, and you know what and how to maneuver your Jeep. My first time was a little shaky, but I made it through. It will just take some more practice, but first hand experience is the only way to learn. 

I am by no means ready for some of the bigger rockier trails, but someday maybe. Right now, I will savor the great day I had. I look forward to heading out again real soon. There is one more class I would like to take before venturing out on my own. Once I do that the time will come to figure out what to do with my Jeep. Will I want bigger tires? A lift? It's all about the lifestyle I want to lead with my Jeep. My thoughts are turning more of daily driver - Weekend Warrior. But how Warrior will I need to go. The only way to find out is to get out there and experience the ride! And no day is complete unless you can come home with a dirty Jeep!

    -- Simple Living! -- Enjoying Life! -- The Jeep Momma Way --

Detox Plan

Would you put gas or oil with added chemicals not good for your Jeep into your Jeep? NO Way! Not Me! We all take real special care of our Jeeps so we should take real special care of our bodies too!

I'm looking forward to the long hot days of summer hanging out at the pool or the beach. But that means breaking out the summer swim wear. YIKES! Are you ready to try yours on? I will be in just over a week. But first I'm going to do is a 7 day Natural Body Detox. Who wants to join me?






A body detox is beneficial to our health. Toxins build up in our system and we look puffier and feel tired and icky. As we get older our organs have to work a lot harder to expel the toxins. Our bodies were once capable of doing this without our help. Bbut now -- every once in a while it's a good thing to help it along.  So starting Monday I will begin my 7 day Natural Detox.

It's not going to be one of those drink this yucky green stuff and hang out in your bathroom for days. But a simple natural meal plan. It will also help kick start my weight loss again. Sometimes your body needs that little kick to get started again after reaching a plateau.

I always like switching things up as it makes life more interesting so I don't always follow the same plan.

            -- Simple Living! -- Enjoying Life! -- The Jeep Momma Way --
   

Countdown to My First Off Road Trip Begins!

Looking for Advice from Fellow Jeepers!!!

Well the countdown to my Warrior Dash mudrun is over. I had a blast crawlin on the rocky trails and running the thick muddy paths in the woods. Knowing how much fun it is to crawl on the rocks and get muddy I can't deny that joy for my Jeep. So I scheduled an Off Road private driving instruction trip to Rausch Creek in Pennsylvania for this weekend. 










That countdown begins for my Jeep --Three days until we hit the trails. Just like before my mudrun I am growing nervous by the day. I have never been off road unless you count the back gravel roads of Minnesota and North Dakota as a teen. Or the snow laden roads during the brutal cold winters up North.







So I'm looking to all my Jeep friends out their in the world wide web for some advice and tips for my first time Off the Asphalt. My Jeep is a stock Jeep -- Wrangler Unlimited -- just a pup wanting to hang with the Big Dogs! So any advice you'd like to share I'm listening.



             -- Simple Living! -- Enjoying Life! --
                  -- The Jeep Momma Way --

Zipper Pulls - Getting Topless

Getting Topless 

is Simple & Easy Now!

One of the many reasons I love my Jeep is the abilty to feel the sunshine on my skin and the wind in my face. This is possible because I can take the top down. 









It's a very simple process to pull the top back and take the windows off. It's pretty much a one person job. But you can't always keep the top down as it may rain or the weather gets too cold. That means zipping back up those windows.

Zipping up (and down) the window was a very difficult part of the process for me. My fingers weren't quite strong enough to grasp the little zipper handle and pull up and around. 

But now I have discovered a very useful tool that has made taking down and zipping up my windows a snap.

Zipper ties!!! I used to spend several frustrating minutes in the driveway trying to get my windows zipped back on.  These zipper ties have made it a simple, easy process. Now I don't struggle trying to zip up the back window anymore.

Some folks say oh you can make those pretty easy. Well not me I'm not very crafty in that way. So I reached out to a fellow Jeeper who makes them and bought a set of four. Now taking down and putting up my windows is fast and easy. 

I bought four Top-Zip Zipper pulls from Ken Johnson owner of Top-Zip Paracord Products for Jeep Wranglers. You can check him out @JeepJKguy on Twitter or send him an email
z3roady@gmail.com    


            -- Simple Living! -- Enjoying Life! --
                  -- The Jeep Momma Way --


   

Bucket List: Warrior Dash Completed

The countdown to the Warrior Dash is over.

Warrior Dash Countdown 

Now I contemplate the amazing day I had and reflect on what it meant to me.

Warrior Dash Prep

I woke up Saturday morning a bundle of nerves afraid of racing by myself -- worried that me -- a 40 eh-hem something year old woman -- wouldn't be able to handle some of the obstacles. But I just kept telling myself I couldn't quit no matter what. For me to run and finish this race by myself was something I needed to do for me.

Most all the participants in the race were part of a team or at least had a partner. But for me it was "Team Me, Myself and I". I knew if I could run and finish the race by myself I could do just about anything I set out to do. It was something I needed to remind myself of -- to bring back the inner independence I had lost somewhere along the way.

I was excited to share my experience with all my friends so I was periodically updating my social media accounts. Knowing I had support in the virtual world was a huge motivator, as well. 




The race course tested my endurance and perseverance. The first mile was a run into the woods on a trail of extremely steep hills. It seemed like they would never end. I wasn't about to give up and start walking like the other racers. Even though my run turned to a slow jog I kept pushing through. Ever so slowly the trail turned into the muddiest, muckiest trail I have ever been on. Trudging through the one foot thick muddy, mucky trail for the next mile was another test of my strength. There were lots of complaints on the trail but for me it was actually a quite fun -- it was an adventure. As I ran through the mud I kept thinking about all the soliders who have gone to hell and back. I figured if they can do what they did I can make this little itty bitty mud mile -- piece of cake.

The true test was the last mile. A mile of many obstacles most dealing with heights. One of my fears and an item on my Bucket List - to take that fear head on. I will always be afraid of heights but now I know I can overcome the fear mentally. There were several climbing walls to climb up and over. But the one obstacle that was the worse was the four inch beam across a ravine about 25 feet in the air. NO net and only two ropes to hold onto as I crossed. I just took a deep breath and forged on through. I didn't stop to think I just did. 

As I crawled through the last obstacle of mud I was excited that I was near the end but sad that the race was almost over. You could say my limits were tested and this race showed me I can endure so much more. I had such a amazing time I've signed myself up for another race - Down & Dirty. Some day my hope is to run the Tough Mudder a 10K obstacle course. That one will definately test the limits of my mind and body.



Until then -- here's a snipet of my race thanks to my husband who tried out my new camera lens for the first time. Looks like it works pretty good.   

Bucket List: Warrior Dash Countdown

My theme for this week seems to be lists. I'm working on several of them right now. Actually - I would say I am the Queen of Lists -- grocery list, to do lists, Honey-do list and the list goes on. But this week I have started three new lists.

First, my Bucket List, which is a continually growing list. It will be a list I will never complete because I'll constantly be adding to it. I also have my 'Jeep Needs' list which I will seek out advice for later once I take my off roadin' driving lessons. But, right now the most important list is my Checklist for the Warrior Dash. I started checking things off the other day and will continue up until the race.




It takes a lot to get ready for a road race. I have only run one. That was last November. But the Warrior Dash isn't your typical road race. I will be running AND crawling in mud, treading through water, jumping over fire and climbing walls. 

I have kept up my running --three miles three times a week and I lift weights at the gym three times a week. But I will need a little bit more prep for this race. So, I went searching online for tips from former runners. Then, I made a checklist. I will spend the week checking items off the list.  






First -- 

Weight Lifting Gloves - It will help me when using the rope to climb up and over the wall. I went to Dick's on Sunday and bought a pair. Of course I had to have the purple ones - my favorite color. They also had extra leather in the grip which hopefully will help when pulling myself up. I will have to carry them in a plastic bag to keep them dry and mud-free.





Running clothes -  I had to go out and buy some new ones. Everyone said do NOT wear loose fitting clothes -- for two reasons. One is you don't want your clothes getting caught on the barbwire or other obstacles. Second, you don't want your clothes collecting extra mud and weighing you down when you run or are crawling. I also went with dry-fit since I most likely will be getting wet. I couldn't decide on the color shirt so I bought two. I think I will go with the orange so my family can see me better from the spectator area.

Once I bought the new clothes I had to try them out to make sure they wouldn't bother me when I ran. I did that today. It felt good to finally run in shorts. I just hope that it's warm enough on Saturday. I normally don't run on Mondays as it's my weight lifting day but I also wanted to see how fast I could run a mile. Woot Woot! I ran a mile under 9 minutes. Pretty good. But not good enough to qualify myself for the World Championship Warrior Dash in October in Northern California.  Oh well... My goal is to finish the race and to at least attempt each obstacle.







Some other things I read I will need.
garbage bags - duct tape - baby wipes - towels - cheap sunglasses - old shoes - extra clothes. 

So along with continuing to stick to my normal workout and eating routine I will start collecting those items. Plus hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Which starts today!

-- Simple Living! -- Enjoying Life! -- The Jeep Momma Way --