2016 Top 10 Photos

As 2016 comes to an end, it's time look back and remember all the great moments I had. So here are my top 10 most favorite photos from the year. Okay... If you are counting, it's 13 photos. I just can't help it. I love all my Jeep photos.  

My Top 10 Moments in 2016

Here are my Top 10 Highlights from 2016. I am looking forward to experiencing more awesome adventures in 2017. Happy New Year to all my Jeep friends! 

Lifting My Jeep & Adding 35" Tires

Turning 50

Seeing Def Leppard & Styx on My 50th Birthday

Camping with My Family & My Sisters and Their Family at Cedar Point

My Annual Sister/Niece Trip to Massachusetts & Maine

Completing my 

50 before 50 List

Entering Back into the Work Force with a Full-time Job 

Getting my 4th, 5th 

& 6th Tattoos

Wheeling in my

 Lifted Jeep

Making new Jeep Friends! 

Snow Wheeling

I wonder how different it is to wheel in the snow on the trails, than it is to drive on the roads in that white stuff? I grew up driving in the snow in North Dakota. Winter driving offers a set of unique challenges. Driving on the icy, snow filled streets is a lot different then wheeling in the snow out on the trails. Or is it? 

I have only been on the trails in the snow one time. It was bitterly cold, and the snow was hard packed and icy. Will the same driving rules work on the trails that do on the road?

Here's what I know. I would love to hear your snow wheeling advice.  

First, like anytime you wheel make sure you have your recovery gear, but an additional item that will come in handy is a shovel. It can help dig out the snow around your tires, axles and frame when you are pushing the snow not getting anywhere. You will want to dress appropriately, and always be prepared.

One of the most important techniques in snow wheeling is being able to “read” the snow. This takes practice. There are so many different types of snow. Soft, wet snow in the sun is quite different than hard, cold snow that is found in the shadows of trees. 




Understanding and anticipating these different consistencies is important. Wet, heavy snow is often the easiest to get on top of, while dry snow can be more difficult. If you have to go back the way you came, wheeling back over your tracks could be a totally different experience.

Don’t Spin- When you feel resistance in the snow, your natural reaction may be to power forward. Often times this just results in digging holes. If you spin too much, your tires can melt the top layer of snow. When this water re-freezes, it turns into ice and can literally halt you in your tracks. 



Instead, ease off the throttle.  If necessary, back up about a foot before trying to continue forward.  Try different lines to the right or left of where you got stuck in order to find a way around the problem spot.

Make certain that your radiator does not become clogged with snow, which can limit air flow through the radiator and the engine bay.



Locking Differentials are a benefit on any terrain, but

none more so than snow. When you get to the deep snow, the lockers can be engaged and keep both wheels turning at the same speed. This will aid in keeping the tires from spinning. In my Rubicon I push my axle lock button to engage my front and rears. This will only work when I am in 4 low, and traveling 10 mph or less. Generally you don't want to be using your lockers when you need to make turns as both the wheels will be spinning at the same speed.

Please share with me your wheeling in the snow advice!

Sitting in the Nosebleeds

Last Friday my husband took me to go see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert. I asked him where our seats were, he said the 400's. I didn't put two and two together until we stepped out into the arena.  

There was no turning back.  I didn't think I would make it up to our seats - IN THE NOSEBLEED SECTION. I was carrying my coat under my arm with a glass of wine in my hand. I had one hand on the handrail as I walked slowly up the skinny stairs near the top of the arena. 


At one point I dropped my coat and set my glass of wine on the stairs. It was every man for himself. I needed to use both hands to hold onto the handrail. Yes, I was that scared I was going to leave my wine. 

But I sucked it up, grabbed my coat and threw it to my chair. I picked up my wine and slowly (crawling) made my way to the top. Thank goodness we arrived early so not many saw my fear. We were about ten seats from the top. 

When I finally reached my seat I guzzled the two glasses of wine thinking I would relax. All that did was make me have to pee. It was only the second song of the concert when I realized drinking down the wine was a bad idea. 

The concert had a fabulous light show with lasers, lights and fireworks. However, I didn't fully get to enjoy it as the flashing of the lights seemed to make my fear of heights worsen. 







Plus the fact we were sitting in a section where everyone kept getting in and out of there seats. It was really quite annoying. Many didn't even wait for a song to be completed when they decided to get up.  





After trying to hold off heading down those skinny stairs so I could use the bathroom, I could not hold on any longer. So I took a deep breath and barreled through my fear. I told my husband if I didn't come back don't send out the National Guard. I said, "Just stay and enjoy the show." I would met him at the wine concession stand. 

But the Jeeper in me wasn't going to let a little fear of heights (okay a big fear) ruin my night, nor my husbands. I headed back up and fought back my fear. I figured I better get used to it if I ever want to wheel in Moab. 

Stocking Stuffer Gift Ideas #12

Seat Gap Organizer

A perfect organizer - a place to put your cellphone or that extra change.

$21 for two 

Other Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Tail Light Cover

Mechanix Work Gloves 

Gear Plate Cover

Easy Screw, Top Tool™ 
use the Coupon Code: JeepMomma
Get 15% off

Ace Engineering Jacket 

Jeep Socks

DFO Hammocks

Magnetic Finger Tool

Door Handle Inserts

Shifter Knob

Knit Jeep Beanie Hat  

Top 5 Jeep Wrangler Interior Musts

Rugged Ridge Floor Mats

Floor mats cover your carpet protecting it from mud, water & debris. When they get dirty, remove them and spray them off. Perfect for the Jeep Mom, Off-roader, and Wrangler owners who live in the snowbelt.   

Car Seat Side Pocket

Do you get tired of your phone dropping between the seat and the center console? I constantly lose my stuff to the SEAT GAP. This Gap filler will prevent items from dropping under your seat. More storage for your phone, tissue, eyeglass, and more. I LOVE MINE!!!

Molle Tailgate Panel 

This Tailgate Panel is a perfect solution for your trunk storage. Keeps items organized and easily accessible. 
 





Grab Handles



A must have for any type of off-roader. Even if your Jeep is just your daily driver this is a nice accessory to have. 




Interior Accents

Everyone likes to be unique. The Wrangler is the perfect vehicle to make your own. There are so many aftermarket accessories out there. Color is one way to give your Jeep it's uniqueness. Adding a splash of purple to my air vents was a great way to make my interior mine.  

Stocking Stuffer Gift Idea #11

Tail Light Cover 

These retail for $75. 

If you google tail light cover you can find many more designs.

Other Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Mechanix Work Gloves 

Gear Plate Cover

Easy Screw, Top Tool™ 
use the Coupon Code: JeepMomma
Get 15% off

Ace Engineering Jacket 

Jeep Socks

DFO Hammocks

Magnetic Finger Tool

Door Handle Inserts

Shifter Knob

Knit Jeep Beanie Hat  

My Purple Jeep

Uniqueness is part of my attraction to the Jeep Wrangler. There are so many different modifications a person can make to their Jeep to give it that special uniqueness. 

Adding color is one easy and sometimes inexpensive way to do just that. 



Purple is my accent color of choice. Yes, I am a Minnesota Vikings fan, but I have loved the color purple since I can remember. Even as a little girl, I preferred purple over pink any day.





I have added the color to the exterior of my Jeep.
and just recently the interior. Using spray paint I "purplized" my air vents and door accents. 

During my search for stocking stuffer ideas I came across another cool idea. The gear plate cover. I could not find it in the color purple. 



Luckily, I stocked up on my purple spray paint. 

This was a super easy project with no drilling or tools needed. Three Easy Steps! First, I spray painted two coats of Sumptuous purple on the gear plate cover.

After letting it dry over night, I peeled the back paper off the gear plate.

Then I lined it up with the gear panel and pressed down. 







A very easy and simple way to give my Wrangler some accent color. I found the gear plate cover on Amazon for $10.  

#PurplePower

#PurplePride