Details, details

Here it is! I picked it up today after work. It's a 2013 Mazda CX-5. They're brand spanking new this year. I accidentally discovered them just the other day while looking online for cars. I was very pleasantly surprised at all it had to offer, which was everything I was looking for. And it was right at my price range too. So I went to a local Mazda dealer and took one for a ride. It was literally just taken off the truck when I got there. It had 2 miles on it and dead bugs were still stuck to the side mirrors from the trip. 

As soon as I drove it, I knew I had to have it. (Unfortunately, I think the sales guy could read my mind, so it was a bit more difficult to negotiate!) It is indeed a manual transmission. For those who know me, know I love my stick shifts! It's a 6-speed. It also just happens to get 35 mpg. I know! That's crazy. But it's true. It has the best fuel economy of any SUV in North America! (I read that somewhere.) It was also named "Top Safety Pick" by the Insurance Institute for Highway safety.

So that's it! I'm looking forward to many years and many fun road trips with our new vehicle!

And the winner is...

Mazda CX-5

Decision, decisions

We're in the market for a new vehicle. The Vibe has been an excellent car. I'm in the 6th year of owning the Vibe. And for those who know me probably know that's the longest I've ever owned a car! I'm looking for something just a smidge bigger, but with comparable gas mileage.

I have had my eye on the new Hyundai Tuscon since they did their re-design in 2011. I just like the way it looks. Then the Kia Sportage followed in its footsteps this year with a new design. Then I noticed the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. It's new and fun also. As is the Chevy Equinox. So I've narrowed down my choices to these 4. I've test driven 2 of them. (The Kia and the Chevy) So far, I prefer the Kia. (I think Eric did too.) But I'm looking forward to driving the Mitsubishi and the Hyundai. I think I'd be happy with any of these... it might just depend on who wants to give us the better deal!

Is anyone familiar with any of these vehicles? Or know of any that are similar that I haven't thought of yet? I'm looking for a small SUV, with gas mileage over 30 mpg and a price under or around $20k.

Another Brick in the Wall

Last evening, Eric and I went to a "Brit Floyd" concert at the Landmark Theatre. Who is Brit Floyd? Well, Brit Floyd is the "World's Greatest Pink Floyd Tribute Band" of course!  We got the tickets through WCNY. PBS had a Brit Floyd concert on this month. And interestingly enough, the lead singer of Brit Floyd is from Syracuse, and Eric got shoot an interview with him a few weeks ago.

I wasn't a huge Pink Floyd fan growing up, but I certainly knew a lot of their songs. I know that the words "We don't need no education", really got my attention and may or may not have been my motto in the 6th grade.

I didn't necessarily know what "Comfortably Numb" was all about back then, but I do remember the song.

If you had told me that "Pink Floyd" was actually there and not some tribute band called "Brit Floyd", I probably would not have been able to tell the difference. Except I might have questioned why the band members were so young. But they sure sounded like Pink Floyd. And the light show was quite spectacular.

It was an interesting evening. Another event that I was happy to have experienced. But I'm not necessarily sure I'd want to experience it again. Especially with the guy behind us who thought he could out-sing the band.

I do love going to events at the Landmark Theatre. It's such a majestic place and holds so much history.

I just love the architecture. They recently had a major renovation. I'm glad that a place with such history will be around for a long time to come. I look forward to visiting the Theatre again. Hopefully soon.

The Buckeye State

Eric was out of town a few days this week. He had to travel to Ohio for work. It was certainly nice weather for a road trip!

 This was his room at the Holiday Inn Express in Alliance, OH.

And this was his view from the bed...

They had dinner at the Texas Road House their first night in town.

This is what was left of his BBQ ribs. They must have been really good.



And here's his partner in crime, Dave. They at least got to enjoy a couple of giant beers on their business trip!

They were shooting a video for Volcanic Heater. I'd love to tell you what they do or who they are, but I'm really not sure...

This was Dave in a giant tube of some sort. He was setting up a camera inside the tube.

Their second night in Alliance, they went to Applebee's for dinner.

And enjoyed more giant beers.

Then they went out for Ice Cream after dinner. I think Dave has now officially been on more dates with my husband than I have!

Being Irish, Visitors and The Lost City

Happy (late) St. Patrick's Day! We had a nice low-key day here. But we were sure to wear our Green.

Laura and Kelly came for a visit during the day so their parents could go to another Home Show. And guess what they brought with them?! Nooks! It looks like someone was paying attention to the blog post that suggested Santa bring them Nooks. Well, a very generous "Santa" came early for two very deserving and excited girls. And just so "Santa" knows, they LOVE them!!

They spent most of their time here playing on their Nooks. We downloaded a new game while they were here called "The Lost City." And it kept their attention the entire day. And it will probably continue to keep them busy for a long time to come! Laura was a good big sister, helping Kelly get through some of the difficult parts of the game.

Kelly got comfy with her Nook.

As did Laura. I think this was the most relaxing day we've had here in awhile!

"The Lost City" is the game we were playing. If you have a Nook or an iPad or any other device that uses Apps, get this App!! It's so much fun, for all ages. There's also another game by the same developers called "The Secret of Grisly Manor", which is a little easier, but still a lot of fun. And the games are only 99 cents each. Where else can you buy that much fun for only 99 cents?!

Big Deal

Just had to share the great deal we got on our cruise. Yes, that's a credit of $750. Why, you ask? Because for the last 6 years I have been using a Carnival Sea Miles credit card and have accumulated 75,000 "Sea Miles". And now we finally get to reap the rewards. Sometimes it really pays to use a credit card! (And yes, in case you were wondering or worried, I do pay off my credit card balance every month...)

Shamrock Run 2012

Alex took a little bit of time off between indoor and outdoor track.  But didn't really stop running totally. He's been working out a little bit to stay in shape. And today he wanted to run the 4 Mile Shamrock Run. It's up at Tipperary Hill in Syracuse, which is a predominately Irish neighborhood. And when I say "up", I mean UP. There are some hills up there! So that 4-mile run is quite a challenge.

This is Janice McKenna and Peter Coleman. I do freelance work for Janice. She's the owner of Warne-McKenna Advertising Agency in Syracuse. She also happens to live down the street from Coleman's Irish Pub. Which is coincidentally owned by Peter Coleman. Who was the Grand Marshal of the Shamrock Run this year.

This is Peter with Congressman Dan Maffei and his wife. Well, former Congressman Maffei who is running for Congress again.

And this is me with the Grand Marshal of the Shamrock Run, doing a fun little self-portrait. He was a very sweet man, who I kind of think was flirting with me! (Oh and notice the Congressman over the shoulder of Peter, I thought that was a hoot!)

And this (the woman in the red coat) is the Mayor of Syracuse, Stephanie Minor. All the big-wigs were in attendance today!

And this is the start of the Shamrock Run. There were over 3100 runners! It was HUGE! (I put a green arrow over Alex's head so you could find him)

This is Alex at the 3-mile mark.

And here he is crossing the finish line. He finished the 4-mile run in 25:16. And in 55th place (Out of over 3100 runners.)

I think the green leotard man was rather pleased with himself for doing so well in the race! The look on Alex's face is priceless.

To see the final results, click here.

Here's a photo from Fleet Feet. It gives you a better feeling of how big the race was. Alex is kind of in the middle of the photo. Green shirt, orange shoes.

For the Love of Aldi

It's true. I am an Aldi addict. So much so, I've started a(nother) blog! Eric is even excited about this one and is going to help. We've been having fun thinking up blog posts that we're going to do. The blog will be about Aldi products, recipes using only Aldi products and reviews of various Aldi products. We already have 2 posts done! Check us out here.

Booked!

And setting sail on July 2nd out of Boston. Can't wait!!