Teri Parris Ford's Blog

2024 Mazda CX-90 3.3T PR

Here's why I got what I got-- way more information than anyone is looking for!

I spent the summer of 2023 researching what car I would buy to replace my Yukon. I loved my Yukon and only had to ditch it because it needed over 3K of work done. While I would have loved to have replaced it with a new one, spending 70K+ for another huge SUV was tough. I had only saved $50K. Jim kept asking me why did I need such a big car!? I wanted the cargo space (I was used to 131 cubic feet)& towing capabilities but I wanted better gas mileage (ideally I wanted a hybrid car). I did look at new GMC's and was a bit surprised to find how low the gas mileage was-- not much better than what mine was driving at-- about 16 mpg. I loved being able to sleep in my car when on road trips, so looking at how flat back seats lay was a big deal. I loved the Subaru Outback (a smaller SUV with only 75 cubic feet of cargo space but lay perfectly flat which was rare) but it actually had the same trunk space as their larger mid-sized SUV Ascent. We looked at Toyotas but they had up to 3 year waiting lists in Rochester. Jim loved the Highlander. While we both loved the Toyota Sequoia and Nissan's Armada, they were even more expensive than the Yukon and with not as much cargo space. I had to take notes to keep everything straight.

I ruled out the large SUV's because of cost, mileage and the reality that I did not actually need all that space or towing power. I ruled out small SUV's because I still wanted the ability to tow a trailer comfortably-- 5K min. So of the medium SUV's to choose from we narrowed it down to the Toyota Highlander and Mazda's new CX-90, which were pretty similar. Mazda uses Toyota's hybrid technology but the CX-90 turbo is more powerful and has a higher towing capability. Toyota has more cubit feet of space but I did not like the bubble look of the car and the dealer seemed un-motivated to sell us a car that could take years to come in if we ordered exactly what we wanted. Toyota sales people have never seemed like they needed my business, not that I need a red carpet rolled out, but it sure is nice. Mazda promised us a car in 3 months (which they did not deliver on- it ended up being 4) and gave us loyalty credit since Jim had a Mazda as well as veterans credit.

My 2024 MAZDA CX-90 gives me only 75.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the 2nd and 3rd rows folded which is how I typically keep my cars since I rarely have others in the car with me. I'm giving up A LOT of cargo space which is the biggest con. My turbo premium model has 2nd row captains seats, so I can fit 7 total but again, I will rarely be carting people, mostly stuff. The biggest pro>> hybrid technology gas mileage with a turbo charged 6 cylinder engine and 5K of towing. The panoramic glass moon/sun roof is pretty spectacular, leather seats and butt warmers are a plus too. I'm jumping into a ton luxury perks-- hands-free back liftgate, 2 driver's seat memory settings for Jim & me, car-play, garage door opener on the rear-view mirror, Bose stereo system, satellite radio, traffic-sign recognition with windshield projection and lots of parking sensors. All that in my price range!!? 

As of writing this up, I have driven my new car a whooping 9 miles. I'll have to add an update in few months, after a road trip to Virginia to visit Jessi :)

Happy 50th to my shoes!

50 years ago today the first Vans store opened in California. I grew up knowing Vans were cool, I was not but I wore then anyway. Now every time I'm in California, I look for Vans on sale at Vans Stores. I've gotten them as low as $5 for a pair. I few years ago I had a pair made with custom colors because it was something I always wanted to do. I wore them out. I have to add sole inserts for extra support which make them perfect. I'll probably die in a pair. 

Today started wet but ended with some sunshine. It was a fairly productive day. I've got several students out on an early spring break. I'm eager for my own spring break that starts when Monika gets here tomorrow night!

Slippery When Wet

I let Monika sleep today. She had a fever late last night and gave her a night time medicine that I knew would keep her asleep. There's something going around and I don't want it. I slept in a bit myself but still had time to walk Balt this morning. It was 28 degrees, foggy but comfortable compared to earlier temps. Our afterschool walk was even warmer but wet-- 37 with rain falling onto icy walkways. I slipped and slided quite a bit but it was a great workout not only walking but trying to make sure I didn't fall. We stayed out for nearly an hour and a half in the wet, enjoying the "heat!"

It was another very uneventful school day for me. I know that other teachers in the building are dealing with insurance claims for wet and ruined supplies, but not me. My classes are warm and comfortable, filled with content students as eager for the weekend I am. Student Government met today to prep for January's only backyard meeting of the month. The Philippine fund raising t-shirts are in and the kids did a quick photo shoot -- they look great! Monika did the design for these and I thought it was impressive work.

Erika came in after school to work on a new (used) torch I purchased for her. She can create larger pendants now. It will be exciting to see her demo for my students with this. She ertainly enjoys creating. 

My book, A Short Guide to a Long Life (David B. Agus) came in today so after my walk with Balt, I drank some juice I made last night for dinner and sat to read the book. I got through the whole book in about 2 hours. It's a very quick read with the majority of information offered up in 65 to do and not to do's. I found myself saying, "check, check, check" to much of what was being noted. #14 Get an annual flu shot- check. #22 Take baby aspirin- check. #29 Smile- check #31 Be positive- check. #49 Get a dog- check. #59 Don't wear stilettos- check. There were a few things I said check to not realizing I was doing good-- #21 Take statins- check. #34 Don't forget your teeth and feet- check and I can thank my mom for that. Hopefully I have passed on the same good hygene to my girls.

So here are the items I need to work on; #5 Eat real food. That means nothing with a label. #13 Maintain a healthy weight. Each pound lost is a 4 pound reduction load off my feet and knees. #17 Heat up the heart rate 15 minutes everyday. I have to start jog/walking Balt inorder to jack up my heart rate above 50% of resting.  #57 Avoid sunburns. Ouch. It's an injury that lies hidden deep inside that can manifest years later. Let's hope I don't have to pay too much.

The items that I wasn't happy to see? #37 Eat more than 3 serving of cold water fish a week. Yuck. I don't like fish. I can do tuna, but I'm not sure I want to. #54 Avoid detoxes. Okay, I'm all for staying away from the scary stuff and crazy regimes, but I think a fast is good for you. I was suprised he never mentioned evacuating the bowels-- the best detox that should happen everyday. And of course, #60 Avoid juicing-- he calls it processed food. Really! He calls for junking the new juicer and eating the whole food. 

After reading the book I decided it was time to get back into my CSA in order to eat more than 5 servings of vegetables a day (#38). I see  #13 (maintaining a healthy weight) as a priority at my age. Lots of folks tell me I'm not fat, but I know I'm at least about 20 pounds over reasonable and 40 over ideal.  Really number's 5, 13, & 17 all going hand in hand but getting my heart rate up is going to be my target.

Nine? Really?

I've been waking up early with Balt but not making time to work out, using illness as my big excuse. This morning it was raining so our walk was cut short. Balt got me up at 4:30am this morning and it was 53 degrees, the high of the day. It got colder from there. Once at work, it was toasty warm. My classroom continues to be too warm. I finished grading my metals classes projects and finished prepping screens during my lunch.

During my prep Monika and I went to a new dentist. I didn't have any problems with my old dentist, I just hated driving out to Fitchburg for appointments. When I mentioned wanting a closer dentist Geof recommended a dentist a block away from the school and boy, was it big change. More than just convenience, I traded in an ol' practice for new procedures, the latest technology, luxurious comforts and a green office (solar panels on the ceiling). I was offered a hot lavender neck wrap while my teeth were being examined and given digital x-rays which I got to look at. Photos were taken of my old cavities and those were also shone to me. I was offered to watch tv or listen to music while my teeth were cleaned with a sonic water tool rather than scraped at with metal tools. I chose to close my eyes and relax. A laser cavity locator was used on areas that were stained just to make sure they weren't just stains. And much to my chagrin a few stains were cavities. I have NINE total. 3 of them are old silver cavities that need to be refilled. None of them are "bad" or painful but they need to be taken care of and I'm a bit taken back. While I completely enjoyed my new dental experience, I was taken back by how many cavaties I have. On the up side, I have very healthy gums. 

I got back to school late because of the extensive exam I had. I parked next to my class and rushed in to find my students at work. Within a few minutes of getting to class a horse passed by my open door (because my room is so hot, I prop the doors open). Two police horses were passing by the school and all the kids ran out to say hello. It was a really fun way to end the day. Balt and I went for a nice walk and I made dinner and a fire and got to work on my computer on some school work. 

The Magic Bullet

I contemplated an elaborate April's Fools post but decided against it. There were plenty of pranks on line today and I even caught one on the news this morning about humans being able to communicate with gorillas. I decided not to spend the extra energy on it. I had so much to do that I ended up not having the energy or time to deal with.

I started the morning trying out my new "magic bullet" blender that I got at Costco as a personal Easter gift for $40. I decided to have a protein shake for breakfast every day this month. I thought about only drinking shakes and smoothies all month until about 2pm when I was so hungry I made myself a turkey sandwich. So now my diet is "shakes, smoothies, salad, soup and sandwiches" for 30 days. I think that will be very doable--I might even gain weight on it. My no sugar diet has helped to keep me from sweets, but I've replaced the calories in my diet with other carbs. Either way, I'm hoping this blender breakfast will help.

I took Balt to the vet this morning and he's got to lose weight too. Last year my vet told me to get him lose 6 pounds and one year later, he's gained 8 pounds. So now we need to lose 15lbs! Jessi asked me to get him a harness so she could take him running. I'm going to try to take him for 1/2 hour walks in the morning from now on and she is going to try to talk him for a run after school. When I lessen his food, he tends to wake me up early early in morning hungry and whine for an early dinner, but I assume, like people, he'll get used to less if I just keep it up. Once it gets warmer, it will get easier, I hope, for both of us.

It's an Electrolux!

My wonderful husband purchased a new washing machine for me that was delivered today. I considered trying to fix the Maytag I had broken but the Maytag store went out of business and the model we had is not made anymore, not to mention the fact that it had began to rust all over (which isn't supposed to happen). I did a bit of research and found the cheapest front loading machine in Madison was made by Samsung and sold at the Brother's Main. It only had a 1 year warranty and only one place in Wisconsin to get parts which may take several weeks. Having had to call the Maytag man twice on our other one, we were sold on a machine that would not be as much trouble. Electrolux is the world’s largest producer of powered appliances for kitchen and cleaning AND it's Swedish! I got a 10 year warranty and it's so much bigger! I'm already almost done with all the laundry and I only did a couple loads at lunch and a few this evening. 

So other than the excitement of a new washing machine, not a lot happened today. I did go back to work after walking Balt after school to start hanging the gallery show that is supposed to open on Thursday. I only got 1/2 way through and I'm not sure how great it looks. I did some grading and a bit of clean up since I'll have a sub for 2 days. I got home after nine and contined with laundry and did a bit of packing. I'll be up early with Jessi to finish up.

Buy a Spartan Card Please.

Today was the last Monday the girls could sleep in until Labor Day. This evening was form turn in and tomorrow practice starts. Both Jessi and Monika need to sell these Spartan Cards ($20) as an athletic fund raiser. It's a huge booster for the school and the only thing the girls sell all year. Discounts include free chips at Pancheros, free soda at Taco Bell and $2 off pizza at Papa Murphy's. It's actually not a bad deal, but I only need one. Jessi's freshman year, I bought 10 and gave some of them away as gifts. If you would like to help us out and purchase one (or four)-- PLEASE email me!

After Balt's walk, I went into work to get some paperwork going. I had to finish the parent newsletter and work on a t-shirt design. I took Monika to get new tennis shoes and Jessi had to work. Erika worked on some financial aid paper work with her dad and then went to work. It was one of those days to get stuff done.

Refreshing

I've given myself the month of July to not do a whole lot. I walk Balt, give rides, get food and go to the pool everyday. It's hard not to feel like I'm doing something wrong, like I need to do more. Today after Balt's walk, I worked on the school's parent newsletter then took Jessi to get her eyes checked. I took Monika to tennis and then made my way to the pool. It was a perfect 89 degrees with lots of clouds for periodic shade (nice when reading). I picked up a Starbuck's Cool Lime Refresher, my new favorite drink. It's made with green coffee, which a recent study found a significant correlation between the consumption of green coffee and weight loss, so of course I'm all over it. Monika planned a small dinner party this evening so I helped with some clean up and then volunteered to pick up pizzas. Luckily Erika was working, so I popped in to get dinner to go. I took Balt for a third walk after eating pizza and then settled in my room to let the kids enjoy a movie downstairs in peace. I'm trying to avoid the ice cream.

 

Trente!

It had been a long, crazy day and my work day was still not finished when I popped into Starbucks at 7:30pm for something to make me feel a little happier. I stared up at the menu board and saw the new "trente" size for the first time only in the iced teas, so I ordered a trente passion iced tea with glee. The barrista had to go into the back to get the cups-- was I the first to order that big bad boy!? Oh, I know it tastes the same as a vente, but it last so much longer! It made me happier. Going back to work to finish up some paperwork-- including my sub notes for tomorrow-- didn't seem so bad and Joe was there, so I wasn't even alone. 

 

3 Showers and Vegan Shoes

I took three showers today. One in the morning before work, one at lunch after swimming and the third after my yoga class, after school. I ran out of work today to get to an inner fire flow class that begins in child's pose. I heard the instructor begin to talk but I wasn't really listening and then at some point I realized that had I lost consciousness. I woke up to find the class had begun, everyone was up in mountain pose and I had no idea if I had fallen asleep for 1 minute or 10.

I promised Monika that I would take her and her friend Homecoming dance dress shopping. We went to Macy's. I let the girls run off so that I could try on a pair of shoes. I had seen the shoes a couple of weeks ago and kept thinking about them. Jim gave me some money for my birthday and told me I could buy myself a pair of shoes so I did!

I love the shoes. They are called J-41's. The sales clerk said she had two pair, so I asked her if they might stretch since they fit me perfectly. She informed me that the shoes were VEGAN! So they will not stretch as they are all man made, animal friendly, waterproof, odor free and completely recycled --made by Jeep! Yes, Chrysler's JEEP. My feet will be wearing toe and heal bumpers made from recycled Jeep bumpers! I think that's cool. J-41 is the footwear of choice for individuals on-the-move. They practically have my name on them.

Ruby slippers!

Every year Monika gets new cleats.  It's a big deal to her.  Her cleats are an asset to her soccer playing abilty.  She typically wants Puma's in part because Jim wore Puma's as a kid.  Once she got Nike's because I liked them and she said it was a mistake.  We found these fancy Puma's with red laces and she fell instantly in love with them.  She doesn't look at prices (I do).  The gold ones were nearly half the price of the red, but she said they were gross.  Too bad for me.

I had until noon today!

I turned in the paper work for the CARS program before leaving for California with the hope of getting one of the stripped down models of the Versa sometime soon.  I got an email from my sales guy, Clay, that Nissan would no longer take cash for clunkers after noon today, so I had to come in and buy something or forget about it.  Clay looked all over the mid-west for my car-- manual, blue, stripped and cheap.  He could not find a ONE.  He said the government program had everyone hording.  Cars were not being necessarily sold, but "spoken for" because the sale was not an immediate one.  Okay, so what were my choices?  I could take anyone on the lot and there was not a blue one to choose from.  My dad did not want me to get a black car, because it gets so hot and looks so dirty but it was the cheapest one they had.  White is pretty, but the interior is light tan-  I had visions of chocolate skid marks on the seat and people asking me, "ooh, what's that?"  The black interior was dark charcoal; I could smear chocolate, spill coffee and draw with a sharpie marker and no one would really see it.  In Wisconsin, every car color is dirty in the winter and the heat issue is only a problem maybe one or two months out of the year, if that.  My dad is thinking with his California mindset.  I'm not paying an extra couple of hundred dollars for silver when I don't even like silver.  Why are these decisions so hard for me?  Anyway, I picked the black one and signed the papers.  I still don't get the car... not yet because there's more paperwork to do.  As much as I LOVE Obama for giving me $4500, I'm not sure it's that big a fix.  It wasn't enough to get our country into deeper debt, he wanted me to get in deeper too.

How to double your phone bill...

My old iPhone was fine but a bit slow at times and I just wanted a new one.  I wanted Monika to have a phone because I was tired of calling her friends when wanting to contact her.  She only wanted a iPhone she said.  Jessi also wanted a new phone with a full keyboard for texting so.... I got a new iPhone ($30 mo.) and gave Monika my old one but she needed a new number ($10 mo.) then Jessi got Monika's new phone that came cheap or free with her number.  Only Jessi did not pick a cheap or free phone.  Now that Jessi has her full keyboard she will be texting more as will Moni and I so I added unlimited texting for the family ($30 mo.).  Pow! My phone bill next month will almost double, BUT my daughters are so happy.  Funny how spending lots of money on them does that.

Hard drive failure

Comp USA went out of business here in Madison so I am forced to shop at Best Buy again. I stopped shopping there many years back when they failed to honor a warranty on a sterio I purchased. Okay, I dropped it but I bought the warranty because that is exactly how I break things normally (occasionally I accidentally run them over too)-- Best Buy claimed I abused it and sent me away for nearly 10 years. Last month I purchased a portable 250g hard drive for a digital mural I am working on. I wanted to be able to take all of my files from home to work. I backed up all of my music and photos, too. Well, I dropped my new hard drive on my way to work yesterday and it broke.  Best Buy was very nice about replacing my broken product this time. I didn't say anything about dropping it; I've learned to keep my mouth shut.

the e~rope

My brother invented a stretching rope for himself a while back and after many requests for ropes from those who see him using it, he has decided to market the e~rope!  He asked me for a simple illustration and I threw this together today in less than 20 minutes.  It needs some work-- maybe lots.  Jessi says the person just needs to be thinner. It will be interesting to see how much it evolves from this first rough draft.  I am also interested to see how my brother will create this business from scratch.  He used his Bush stimulus money to buy a ton of rope.  He cuts and knots it during his free time.  Together with his wife, Val, they are beginning the marketing and packaging stage.  Their hope is to make it on QVC to sell $40,000 worth.  I will keep you posted.

(Product)Red

The iPod shuffle went on sale earlier this week for $49, so I finally got one.  The MP3 player I now have is kind of broken (the play button doesn't like to work which makes using it quite difficult).  I went on line to order mine, and I got in in RED.  I think the Product Red campaign is a great way for me to donate a little money to a good cause without really spending more money.  I wanted to get the iPod anyway, so why not get the red one?  After looking at the (RED) website, I alson found some very cute converse shoes, I want to get too!

Not just a cup of coffee

I started my morning with a latte at 9am and ended it with a cup of decaf at 9pm, both at Starbucks.  I met Jim this morning before my having to go into work. I bought him a mocha (his favorite) and we talked about our week ahead.  I went into to work this morning to get some grading started and burned a CD of work for me tobring home and finish grading on MLK day because the school will be shut down for the holiday.  Jim began working security this weekend again.  He said it was like he had never left for Afgahnistan.  I know that feeling!  I spent my evening cleaning, scrubbing floors and doing laundry. Monika and I popped in on Jim this evening during his break to spead a little time with him.  I know some people think Starbucks is just overpriced coffee, but it is so much more.  It's a rendezvous... part of a relationship, a place to connect.

Good Advise

My cousin, Martha emailed some folk remedies to help me kick my cold and I have to say I am feeling so much better that I have to share them; apple cider vinegar and hydrogen peroxide.  EarthClinic, the website Martha referred me to, offered great advise and good instrustructions.  I drink 2 Tb. of ACV with a glass of water in the evening and in the morning.  I have been gargling wtih HP 2x a day as well as pouring in my ears and nose to cut the infection off.  It's all really gross but I can tell the difference-  I woke up this morning phlem-free!  I think I am going to keep up with ACV because apparently it also breaks down fat and is widely used to lose weight!  Count me in.

Migun

Geof told me about the migun bed for his back (he hurt his back last weekend).  There is an official branch just around the corner from the school, been there for two years!  You get to use the bed for free there or take one home for $3700.  It's designed to provide a full thermal-massage treatment from head-to-toe using heat and jade-massage-heads to stimulate blood flow, muscle relaxation, pain relief and the release of pollutants trapped in the musculature. It is wonderful!  When I told Jim about it, he said he thought it was an asian restaurant.  Today afterschool I tried the migun bed and it was delightful, invigorating and tiring all at the same time.  I was left thirsty and a little sore, but feeling quite nice.  I think Geof has gone everyday since discovering it (and may go everyday until he finally gets his wife to let him buy one).  I will try to keep my visits to a weekly event at most.  Luckily for me I don't have the space or the money to even harbor any notions of purchasing one.