Part 1 (of 2) reports relating to the Ford BlogHer** event

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Ever since my dad gave a speech to hundreds of people about women drivers* years before I could legally drive, I have been determined to be a good driver. For many years, I was a bit too caught up in the notion and took myself too seriously. I even called myself a “serious driver” — whatever that means.

Over the years, I’ve rid myself of that old baggage and tried to lighten up when driving, but I am still fascinated and dazzled by outstanding, high quality automobiles. In other words, I’m still basically a car nut. Always have been, really.

My hometown was filled with car fanatics. In fact, when I was growing up, kids took pride in their abilities to identify cars by the sound of the engine or the taillights or other identifying characteristics. I could easily tell you which car was a Ford, Chevy, or Chrysler (we only played this game with domestic vehicles) by the style of the car, though I never mastered the art of engine identification.

Later in life, particularly after becoming a mom, my perspective changed somewhat. These days, I don’t spend much time identifying cars while sitting in traffic but I am certainly at a point in my life when I sometimes spend (what feels like) a majority of my day driving the kids and their friends to various activities and events.  So the quality of my car contributes to my quality of life.  You know what I mean?

If I enjoy my car and the time I spend in it, I’m likely to have a lot more fun with my kids (and be a more pleasant person).  If I’m driving a high quality automobile, chances are good that I’m going to enjoy (better still, love) the car. So the higher the quality of the car, the greater the enjoyment factor. And to take that one step further, the happier the mom then, naturally, the happier the family. Ah yes, so the happiness of my family all comes back to the quality of the car I’m driving.

Really?  Continue reading →