I always wanted one of these when I was a kid, but unfortunately they were a bit out of my family’s price range. Plus, they never seemed to run for the relatives and friends that I knew that did have them.
However, this little guy here, is one happy kid and is living my dream!
Big Homie is the car enthusiast in the family and he loves to just sit on my lap and watch car videos (the ones we can watch without crazy music and foul language of course). So lets kick off a new segment on CornerstoneDad designed for you to pull the little car-fan onto your lap, as you watch laps.
So crank up those computer speakers!
Finally, a couple of back-to-back warm and rain-free days allowed me and the boys to get out and throw the baseball around. Now we’ve gone out a few times already this year, but now it’s finally beginning to feel like baseball season.
For nearly 10 years, I played in the typical softball league and then I even decided to see if I still “had it” and play hardball. It was good to face real pitching and play with guys who took the game seriously (too seriously sometimes). Then I broke my hand and was forced to spend the next six months in a cast and a sling. I could not play with my kids the entire summer besides running and I officially retired like Barry Sanders. My wife doubted my retirement like Juanita Jordan, but I’m yet to step on the field again. Why, because I now have my own team to play with. A team that needs me more than any other. Not being able to be a Five-Tool Dad (run, throw, catch, hit, and teach), was too much for me and something I never want to experience again.
I am so impressed with the progress my six and twelve-year old sons have made. The elder has played baseball for six years, but the sport seems to be taking on more meaning for him, especially as he reads through a biography on Willie Mays. Recently, he drew me a picture of us playing ball together and labeled the ball park as the Polo Grounds. Now, there aren’t many kids today who even know who Willie Mays is, let alone what the Polo Grounds represent!
My six-year old, aka Big Homie, is showing the quick hands of an infielder and can throw with a little sizzle as well. This is a 180-degree turn from the boy that was scared of the ball just a year ago and threw like Ricky “Wild Thing” Vaughn. 
That’s one of the greatest parts of being a CornerstoneDad. Being there and assisting our children doing things that let us know they are “growing up”. Sure, mom keeps the teeth, hair from the first cut, and remembers the first step. But dad remembers that first game, keeps that first glove and that first model car.
Right now, I really don’t need “the fellas” to play ball with or other people to do something I enjoy. I can do it with my own boys (and my girls as I was out cruising with my 5 year old daughter the night before) as they can now throw hard and play hard. They are even able to heckle me when I make an error out in the field. Wow, these boys are learning fast. Dad does tend to crank-up his sweet-o-meter quite a bit when the ball comes his way, so the criticism is well deserved I guess.
I’ve also learned that I don’t have to spend all day outside playing with the kids, but if I can continue with starting with just 15 minutes of playing catch, throwing the ball around, or even giving occasional instruction if necessary, the payoff is immediate and appreciated. Just remember CornerstoneDad, 15 minutes is where you start. (See: http://cornerstonedad.com/2010/11/21/just-15-minutes/)
Whenever we leave the park, my 12 year old is always quick to say, “Thank you for taking us dad.” I often respond, “Thank you for going.”
Little does he know, I am the one who is far more appreciative as I have a more finite idea of time than he does. Sons, I thank you, and will do all I can to remain on the field of play as long as I can with you.
How about you CornerstoneDad? What is the spring activity you remember learning/playing with your dad? Are you still able to play with them today? What do you enjoy playing with your children this time of year? I’d love to hear about your experiences.
The weather in my area finally hit a temperature where a person would feel guilty if they were not outside doing something. Many people take this time to actually clean and wash their car as they are good about getting the dirt and salt off during the winter, but a car may run around quite dirty during spring as after all, “Why wash the car since it’s going to rain anyway?”
Now for my family, the kids know the deal. When I go to the coin car wash, wax the van (hey, the minivan needs love too!), or even clay bar the van, they jump out and ask if they can help. Those little hands help indeed, as it often cuts my time in half and when they have done it often enough, they get pretty good at their assigned responsibilities. “Big Homie, knock out the wheels…Boney, get around the edges of the door…”. Ahhh…it’s good to have eager labor.
The boys in my family continue the tradition started by my father: you always need to drive a clean car. We will even wash a rental car. Not because we are trying to make it look like our own, but because we do not want to be seen in a dirty ride! This is yet another lesson that I’m passing on to my children. It teaches them good stewardship of the things they have in their possession, even if they have to give it back to someone else.
I must say, the ultimate is when we wash and clean the car, and jump in to cruise on a Friday or Saturday night. Oh, that’s quality family-time right there!
This article posted by Consumer Reports offers some tips on how to take care of that investment (or two) that’s sitting in your driveway.
Don’t… wait for a layer of crud to accumulate before washing. Dead bugs, bird droppings, and chemicals from the atmosphere all leach acids that can strip away wax and eventually eat into your car’s paint. If left too long, they can cause damage that requires sanding and repainting the area to correct.
Do… wash off dead bugs, bird droppings, and tree-sap mist as soon as possible. Other than this, a weekly car wash will keep the finish in its best shape. In addition, if you live in an area that suffers from acid rain, rinse your vehicle off after a period of rainy weather. Otherwise, acidic chemicals in the rainwater will be left on the surface after the droplets have evaporated, leaving a mark that can permanently mar the paint.
Don’t… use household cleaning agents like hand soap, dishwashing detergent, or glass cleaner on the paint. These aren’t formulated for use on a car’s paint and may strip off the protective wax.
Do… use a dedicated car-wash product, which is milder and specifically designed for use on automotive paint. Apply the suds with a large, soft natural sponge or a lamb’s-wool mitt. See our car wax report for tips and advice on all types of waxes.
Grease, rubber, and road-tar deposits picked up from the road often accumulate around the wheel wells and along the lower edge of the body. These can be stubborn to remove and may require a stronger product, such as a bug-and-tar remover. Use a soft, nonabrasive cloth to remove these deposits, as they can quickly blacken your sponge.
Use a separate sponge to clean the wheels and tires, which may be coated with sand, brake dust, and other debris that could mar the car’s finish. Mild soap and water may work here; if not, a dedicated wheel cleaner may be required. Be sure the cleaner is compatible with the type of finish (paint, clear-coat, chrome, etc.) used on the wheels. A strong formula intended for mag wheels, for instance, can damage the clear coat that’s used on the wheels that come on today’s cars. To be on the safe side, choose a cleaner that’s labeled as safe for use on all wheels.
Don’t… wash your car when the body is hot, such as immediately after driving it or after it has been parked in direct sunlight for awhile. Heat speeds the drying of soap and water, making washing more difficult and increasing the chances that spots or deposits will form.
Don’t move the sponge in circles. This can create light, but noticeable scratches called swirl marks. Instead, move the sponge lengthwise across the hood and other body panels. And don’t continue using a sponge that’s dropped on the ground without thoroughly rinsing it out. The sponge can pick up dirt particles that can scratch the paint.
Do… rinse all surfaces thoroughly with water before you begin washing to remove loose dirt and debris that could cause scratching. Once you begin, concentrate on one section at a time, washing and rinsing each area completely before moving on to the next one. This ensures that you have plenty of time to rinse before the soap dries. Start at the top, and then work your way around the car.
Work the car-wash solution into a lather with plenty of suds that provide lots of lubrication on the paint surface. And rinse the sponge often. Using a separate bucket to rinse the sponge keeps dirt from getting mixed into the sudsy wash water.
When rinsing, use a hose without a nozzle and let the water flow over the car from top to bottom. This creates a sheeting action that helps minimize pooling of water.
Don’t… let the car air dry, and don’t expect a drive around the block to do an effective job. Either will leave watermarks, which in areas with hard water are the minerals left after evaporation. In addition, don’t use an abrasive towel or other material that can leave hairline scratches in the paint.
Do… use a chamois (natural or synthetic) or soft terry towels. If you choose towels, you may need several. It’s best to blot the water up instead of dragging the towel or chamois over the paint. The drying process can be speeded up by using a soft squeegee to remove most of the water on the body, but be sure the rubber is pliable and that it doesn’t pick up bits of dirt that can cause scratches.
Video of how to wash your car:
Source: Youtube
Sometimes us CornerstoneDads have a way of making the past sound much more glorious than it actually was. Or is it just that when we are young, we tend to make myths out of the stories our dads told us as a child.
I’m not sure which it was for me, I just know that I have always considered muscle cars to be the baddest beasts on the street. Only recently did I have to concede that cars these days do almost everything better than the cars of yesteryear. Now before you send me hate mail, notice that I ALMOST!
So CornerstoneDads, what do you think? Is there a particular car that you just idolize because your pops had one and that was the first car you remember going fast in? How does it compare to what’s in your driveway today?
Because my dad raised us to hold Mopar muscle in the highest regard, the video below (check out the link) absolutely breaks my heart. Edmunds InsideLine tested the ’69 General Lee against the 2011 Charger R/T.
I am surely not a Mopar Fiat fan today, but I think we all have to admit that the cars of our youth and our parents youth, just can’t hang with the pavement peelers (if you turn off the traction control) out now. No offense to my dad’s ’68 383ci. Plymouth Road Runner and ’74 318ci Dodge Charger. Give me $30, 000 to lay down (must remain debt-free of course), and I’d still choose one of the cars he used to own before I’d even attempt to recapture my youth with a ’88 Ford Mustang LX 5.0L.
Which is your favorite?
http://www.insideline.com/dodge/charger/2011/2011-dodge-charger-rt-vs-the-general-lee.html
What was hot?
What was cold?
You decide and let me know as below are all of the vehicles that were so special, the manufacturers held press conferences to tell us all about them…or at least about themselves.
Launch: Camaro ZL1 version
Specs:
– LSA supercharged 6.2L V8 engine
– estimated 550 hp / 550 lb-ft. of torque
– high-strength hypereutectic pistons
– Eaton supercharger
– six-speed Tremec TR6060 manual transmission
– new exhaust (first used on the Vette)
– fastest Camaro ever offered by Chevrolet and most technically advanced Camaro ever
– planned launch: beginning of 2012
– Key competitor: Ford’s Shelby GT500
Launch: Limited edition Camaro SS Convertible
– Replica of 1969 pace model
– Only making 500.
Launch: Genesis Sedan 5.0 R-Spec
Wait, is this the same company that made some of the cheapest looking cars just a few years ago?
– 5.0L Tau V8 with DI
– Most powerful Hyundai engine yet at 429hp, 11.5:1 compression
– D-CVVT variable valve timing
– Estimated fuel economy is 16 city and 25 highway
– “unique R-Spec transmission”…Hyundai’s own 8-speed
– DI added to Lambda 3.8L bumping HP up to 333 (this should really help the Coupe!)
– 3 engines now available for the sedan: 5.0L V8, 4.6L V8, and 3.8L V6
– 5.0L / 8 spd. powertrain will also be standard in the Equus
Launch: Veloster Rally Car
Why do I feel like I need a video game controller in my hand when I look at this car?
– The only news here is that Hyundai appears to be using this vehicle to go up against Mitsubishi’s Lancer and Subaru’s Impreza. In other words, this is the “boy-racer” model in the line-up. While the company is commercially touting the fuel efficiency of its vehicles, there is obviously money in the budget to focus on vehicle performance as well.
Launch: New 2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI
– 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine
– 200 horsepower and 207 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,700 rpm
– Expected to deliver 31 mpg highway with the manual and 32 mpg highway with the DSG® automatic.
It was interesting that VW spent more time talking about social networking and the popularity of its recent Darth Vader Super Bowl ad than it did the vehicle.
Launch: 2012 TL
I had the same look on my face that I have when my wife comes home after getting her hair done. Do I say I see the difference when I really don't?
– “newly refined”
– received 6-speed automatic transmission.
Launch: “Man Van” Grand Caravan
I think most CornerstoneDads would add a little more flare to their minivan if it's going to be considered their "man van"
– 3.6L Pentastar V6 and 6-speed transmission
– 283 hp and 260 lb.-ft. of torque.
The outside of the van did not look much different, but the interior is supposed to be a “man cave” with its all black color. What do you call a minivan with the most horsepower and torque in its class and an R/T badge? A minivan.
Launch: Durango R/T
– 5.7L HEMI producing 360 hp / 390 lb.-ft. of torque
– Best in class 7,400 lb. towing capability
Launch: Charger SRT8
Whether 2012, or 1972, the new Charger SRT8 fits in with no problem with its size and power
– 6.4L HEMI with 468hp and 465 lb.-ft. or torque
– Improvement of 15% for the city and 25% for the highway compared to the 6.1L in the 2010 model
Launch: Tradesman 1500
– Standard 5.7L HEMI (390hp/407lb.-ft.)
– Five-speed transmission
– Highway fuel economy rated at 20 mpg
– Pricing starting at $22,780
Launch: 3500 HD
– turbo diesel engine and emits no diesel exhaust fluid, reducing cleaning time; 800 lb.-ft. of torque
– Maximum tow rating of 22,700 pounds
Since Ford decided to talk about nothing but using social media to launch the new Explorer and other vehicles in the future, I just decided to post the shot of their best vehicle at the show. Like any good reporter, if there’s no news, you just make some up.
Oh how I can't wait for the drag strips to re-open!
A friend of mine with a Fox body Mustang once told me before a race, I'd hose my grandmother!
Furious Fathering 