New Year's "Jeep" Resolutions

Every year millions of people make New Year's Resolutions, and every year millions of people fail. That is why I don't make New Year's Resolutions. It wasn't until about two years ago that I did begin my Bucket List.

Then this past August I created my 50 Before 50 List. These are goals I set for myself to work towards to help me better handle turning 50 this coming August. As we grow and change as people, so do our goals, which is why every so often we need to re-evaluate our goals. I recently did just that... 12/15/2015 Blog Post

With goals in the fore-front of my mind and New Years approaching I find myself now setting goals for my Jeep. So here is my New Year's "Jeep" Resolution List. Psst.... It's really a Bucket List for my Jeep. I am looking forward to the research and being able to converse with other Jeepers on this plan. 

• Better undercarriage fortification of my evap canister 
• Better undercarriage fortification of my diff covers 
• Create a plan for my lift and tires
• Create a savings plan for my lift and tires
• Complete Trail #11 at Rausch Creek for the Jeep Badge of Honor Program 

I would like to try the other two Badge of Honor Trails at

Rausch Creek, but they are red and black. It is possible I could do Crawlers Ridge. 

Kyle at Rausch Creek says “It is very challenging with out a good spotter.  You will be slamming down hard on the undercarriage and dragging the sides bad.  When I take a stock vehicle through it is a lot of stacking, spotting, and patience.”

We will see how brave (or stupid) I become in 2016.

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

Jeep Momma Purple

As you all know purple is my favorite color. It is the color of my favorite football team, the Minnesota Vikings. It is also the color of some accents on my Jeep. So any chance I get to promote my favorite color -- Purple -- I will. 






  
Well, the folks at JeepsNeeds.com have decided to add another color to their selection of colors for their new off-road product the DLA. They are going to call it Jeep Momma Purple to thank me for my help with the design of this product. 

When Chris and I first met up so he could demonstrate how the DLA worked, we tried using the d-ring on my Jeep. Well… it didn’t work. So they took it back to the drawing board and made some small modifications. The issue was my Warn D-ring was too wide, so they widened the opening of the DLA. They also made the holes for the pin just slightly bigger to account for some possible casting issues with the hi lifts. 

DLA Design Interview

I am thrilled to have the color purple added in my name and feel honored to have played a small role in the design of this cool product. 

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

Hi-Lift Technique

While I was hanging out with Chris from JeepsNeeds.com he was demonstrating the DLA for me, I learned some cool little tricks for lifting my Jeep. The DLA is JeepsNeeds new device that makes lifting your Jeep with a hi lift jack much safer.

DLA Demonstration and Exclusive Jeep Talk Show interview

One of those cool little tricks he showed me was how to "Lift and Shift". This lift technique comes in handy if you get your vehicle high centered out on the trails. Check out this video on how to Lift and Shift your vehicle. 

"Lift and Shift"

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

DLA Review

JeepsNeeds.com has come out with a new product for the off-road community that makes using a Hi-lift jack much safer out on the trails. 

It is called a D-Lift Adaptor. The DLA is designed for the D-rings to slide into the adapter and lock into place with the capture hook. This will lock the Hi-lift jack to the Jeep. 

It also has a 2 inch diameter grooved poly-carbonate top piece to provide the operator with more flexibility to lift from other lift points on the vehicle.

The DLA is a solidly built product, made with a single piece of steel, cold rolled and bent into shape. And the top is a non-marring poly-carbonate surface. It weighs a little under 5  pounds. 

I have only used it once myself, but found it simple and easy to use. Attaching the DLA to the D-ring on my aftermarket bumper on my Jeep was quite easy and took very little time. 



I have seen it demo’d three times and it lives up to the claims. You can head over to The Jeep Momma You Tube channel for a demonstration on how the DLA works.

DLA Demo Video & Exclusive Jeep Momma Interview

I did find removing the pin that locks the DLA to the Hi-Lift to be difficult, but this is due to the weakness I have in my hands due to mild arthritis.

I will say I have always taken my vehicles to the shop to get any work done, even change a tire. So to use a Hi-lift jack for me is a scary thought. I have never used one before because of all the warnings about the dangers. The first time I used one was when Chris from JeepsNeeds demo’d the DLA for me.



Then it was my turn and I attached the Hi-lift jack to my Rubicon with the DLA and started jacking up my Jeep.

Jeep Momma lifts her Jeep with the DLA

As you can see I don’t have a whole lot of upper body strength. It was very difficult for me to lift the Wrangler and I needed to put my whole body into it. Without the DLA I am not sure how successful I would have been. I would give this product 5 stars and with safety in mind, the price of $160 shouldn’t be an issue.  

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

Jeeps Needs is providing a DLA for this review and the help of the design of the D-Lift Adaptor. No additional compensation received. All opinions are my own. 

Jeep Momma Scoop

I am so thankful to my neighbor, fellow blogger and BFF -- A Parent in America. Jessica suggested, back when I bought my first Jeep, to start a blog. I love it! Blogging has turned out to be my passion in so many ways which also includes my Jeep and off roading as they are all intertwined. 

Because of my blog, I have joined several social media sites to help promote my blog. Through those sites I have met several fellow Jeepers from all over the world.








It is such a great community to be part of with folks who understand the love and joy the Jeep can bring to you.   

My blog has opened up so many doors to some really awesome opportunities like joining the podcast The Jeep Talk Show. I have a blast every Thursday night with Tony and Josh as we record our weekly podcast. 

It is through the Jeep Talk Show that I met Chris from JeepsNeeds. I met up with Chris for an interview and demonstration of a new product called the DLA. The DLA, D-lift Adaptor, is a device that will connect your hi lift jack to the Jeep to make it so much safer to jack up your Jeep.

The first demonstration didn't go to well. We were using my Warn D-ring I received from Jeep when I traded my Sahara for my 2015 Rubicon.

Chris took the DLA back to the guys at JeepsNeeds and they did a few modifications to the product. During my second interview with Chris here is what he had to say about our first meet up.  Click here for the sound bite 

The second interview and demonstration was a huge success. On this Thursday's live recording of the Jeep Talk Show podcast I will be sharing with Tony and Josh my interview and experience with the DLA. DON'T MISS IT! 
go to JeepTalkShow.com at 11pm Eastern time this Thursday for the live recording of the podcast. You can even join me in the chat room.
Then Friday I will be posting the longer version of the interview and demonstration on my You Tube Channel.

It is so fulfilling for me to be a part of so many amazing Jeep experiences whether directly or indirectly. Being able to "scoop" all other news groups and bloggers with the exclusive interview and demonstration with Chris from JeepsNeeds was a great feeling. And then to indirectly help make this great product even greater is awesome. 

There have been so many cool things I have been a part of like the many, many off-roading trips, one of my favorites being able to drive the Clayton Off Road Jeep.

Then my chance to be part of one of the first to try out another new great product the Griffin the steering attenuator by Steer Smarts.

Jeep Momma Blog Post

April 30, 2015 

I could go one and on and share all the great memories. I am so blessed to have finally found my passion in my Jeep. I love off-roading, inter-acting with all my online friends, joining Tony and Josh every week, and now getting my hands back into my love for news by interviewing and editing stories. 

Tomorrow I plan on reviewing the D-Link Adaptor by JeepsNeeds. 

                                 - Simple Living! -

                                                            - Enjoying Life! - 
                                                    - The Jeep Momma Way -

50 Before 50 Updated

From time to time it is important to sit down and re-evaluate your goals. They can be your fitness goals, career goals, financial goals or your achievement goals. So that is what I did with my 50 Before 50 list. 

After discovering the Jeep Badge of Honor app I decided to change four of the items on my list. This is a really cool app where I can earn trail badges to add to my Jeep. Once I complete the pre-determined trails across the US Jeep will send me badges to attach to my Jeep. 

Three of those trails are at Rausch Creek Off Road Park where I go wheelin'.  Hopefully soon I will hit the trails and earn the badges for Trail 11 and the Crawler Ridge trail. 

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

M.O.R.E. Skid Plate Install

When I first bought my #Jeep Wrangler, I didn't know where to start with the modifications. Many wise Jeepers told me I should start with recovery. So my first modification was a new front bumper, and the necessary recovery tools.


I also needed to take into consideration how I was going to use my Jeep. Once I figured that out, I was able to make the right choices for me. My Jeep is my daily driver AND I take her off-roading at Rausch Creek. 

At Rausch Creek Off Road park my wheelin' has been on the mild green trails. Recently, I have stepped it up by hitting the blue trails which are more difficult and rockier than the green trails. 





I all ready have some pretty tough rock sliders on my Jeep. They have come in real handy, and have saved my Jeep several times out on the trails. At one minute 50 seconds into this video you can hear the sliders at work.

Sounds of Jeep Momma Wheelin' at Rausch Creek 

Now that I am upping my off-road game, I need to protect my 2015 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. Underneath my Jeep she has all stock parts which include the skids for the gas tank, transfer case and evap canister. 

There is also a cross member bar near the engine. However that is not enough to protect the oil pan and transmission. So I purchased the M.O.R.E. Oil Pan and Transmission skid plate. 

I was so excited to install this beast mode piece of armor 
myself, but unfortunately for the past 3 months I have had moderate back pain. The doc told me to not lift or aggravate my back. 

BUMMER! That meant I couldn't install my skid plate. GOOD NEWS! A friend's husband is a vehicle fixer upper junkie.

I drove my Jeep over to their house one Saturday, and we got to work. Actually my back pain was a blessing in disguise. I am not sure I would have been able to install the skid myself.


First, we removed my banged up, scraped up cross member bar.

Then, it was on to the armor install. This is where I would have had difficulty. I don't have power tools, but Dirk (my friend's husband) WOW! he has every tool imaginable! 







Then we needed to loosen the motor mount bolts. This was the toughest part of the whole install. They are hard to get at, and they are very tough to loosen. Fortunately, he had an impact drill. 

I panicked a little when we had trouble with one of the bolts. The thread was messed up a little. But Dirk to the rescue, no problem, he broke out his bolt re-threader kit and WAH-LAH -- good to go. 

Once that was fixed it was time to drill one hole, then insert in all the bolts and tighten. But wait... One of the bolts was a little too long, so we had to cut some off. Dirk to the rescue again! We just needed to shorten one of the bolts and WAH-LAH -- good to go! 

With the right tools and muscle power, this install is pretty simple and easy. Now my Jeep is ready for some more difficult trails at Rausch Creek. I cannot wait to head up the mountain near Tremont, Pennsylvania! 







If you bought or decide to buy this beefy skid plate check out the install video on You Tube and here is the paper instruction guide for the M.O.R.E Oil Pan/Tranny Skid Plate


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

50 Before 50: #6 & #46 Check

My #50before50 list helps me deal with my upcoming birthday in August. My list reminds me that I am only as old as I feel, and I certainly don't feel 50. Well... sometimes I feel old when my body aches, but in my head I still feel young!  

This past month I checked off #6 -- Karaoke Night. I helped my friend celebrate her birthday with a night of karaoke at her party. This is always a fun time, and I plan on doing it again.  

#46 on my list is to lose 10 pounds. This was quite easy this time because of my back pain I hardly ate. So I will have to up this to try and lose another 10. 

Eight months to go until the big five Oh and I have 35 more to check off my list.  

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

50 Before 50: #15 & #23 Checked

Just because I am a mom, and a mom getting ready to turn 50 doesn't mean my "party" days are over. I can still go out and enjoy my time with my girlfriends. Sadly, I will admit, I didn't make that kind of time when I first became a mom over 16 years ago, which is why I decided to add the "getaway" to my 50 before 50 list. 

There should be a healthy balance of giving your time to your family and making time for yourself to re-energize. This not only applies to moms, but dads too. Fortunately, it is never to late to make time for yourself, and do the things you enjoy. 

That is just what I did - took some time for myself to re-energize. Three of my busy mom friends and I headed to downtown DC #StayDC for a short weekend getaway. We checked into the Washington Marriot at Metro Center, uncorked a bottle of champagne, and our 24 hours of fun began.   

While we waited for our table at Tico DC we decided to head over to The Gibson. This cool yet sophisticated speakeasy style bar and lounge is cleverly hidden just like in the Prohibition Era. 











I went for the "Domesticated Me", quite fitting for the evening. It is a wine spritzer with white wine Cocchi Rosa, Yellow Chartreuse, and orange bitters, not your typical drink, but quite tasty -- fruitiness with a balance of sour and bitter.  

Once dinner was complete it was time to work off those calories. We headed to Cafe Saint-Ex for a night of real dancing. The last time I hit a dance floor was -- well...let's just say it was way before my mom days began. The DJ began spinning tunes they called "Oldies" -- songs I grew up listening too.  

We finally had enough of a work out on the dance floor and headed back upstairs to sit back and relax for one more cocktail. A very surreal moment as I sat and watched all the patrons drinking and chatting realizing how much time has gone by and that life is too short to sit around and wait for it to happen.

The next morning after sleeping in until 8am we headed downstairs to the hotel's restaurant for some much needed breakfast omelets, my all-time favorite.

What a great 24 hours with some great friends.  Definitely not a one time outing. There will be plenty more to come as I realized sitting at the Cafe Saint-Ex drinking my glass of red wine that life goes by way to fast to sit around letting it go by.

Jeep Momma's 50 Before 50 list -- Check #23 Girl's Overnight Trip & #15 Go Dancing. 

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