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DMAG
02-02-2006, 09:43 PM
Written by iRock

Oh yeah this is going in the blog. It is just overwhelming. I really was never disappointed to lose because it was always one of my friends that won but I am realizing this really is an incredible honor. Thanks so much to the friends I have who are always quick with the kind words and support. Thanks to the guys that created this site, what luck to have found it, you always continue to keep it a nice place to be. Thanks to the sponsor, Josh and High Horse, the honor is enough but a prize is always nice as well.

So here's some background. I grew up in a tiny rural community in Washington state, where I was the youngest of four siblings. 2 girls, 2 boys. My parents had a family grocery store/gas station. The best thing they ever did is never told us girls we couldn’t do anything the boys could do. My love of wheels started early. This is Mom and me and even at that age my siblings were taking me for rides on that go-cart. I finally go big enough to ride it myself and when I was older they let me get my own mini-bike. 2 whole horsepower! My gosh!

http://www.lxforums.com/images/LXOM/irock/0.jpg

My first Mopar was a 1965 Belvedere when I got out of high school in 1977 that I just loved. I used to do burn outs every time I left work at my dad’s store. He always got a kick out of it. I had to help my dad work on it some and I am OK with leaving the monkey-wrenching to my husband, Rick nowadays. I always hoped to have another one but we just have given up on having a muscle car until these Magnums came along. He has always had Chevys. He keeps saying, "Do you realize this is my first Dodge?". This is our 3rd brand new vehicle in 25 years of marriage, both previous Chevy SUVs. Rick called me at work the day he saw the very first commercial for a Magnum and told me he saw a wagon I was going to love. We fell in love with the looks but thought they were out of our price range and was afraid of the fuel consumption. We were going to get a Lexus R330. Looked closer at the Magnum and we knew this would be our next car. Rick said that we would have to just drive it on weekends and special occasions. I said, “No way, I am driving it every chance I get.” We had resisted sitting in one but finally we test drove one. It was all over. 3 days later we haggled with our local dealer. I told Rick to pick the color as long as it was a variable of gray. Finally I took a deposit in to get the ball rolling. The dealer said not only did they have us in the order bank, but the order was already placed on the 16th of March. 2006 R/T RWD Gotta have a Hemi. Magnesium Pearl, no roof rack but a sunroof. No GPA. U-Connect. Built on 4/22/05 and shipped out on 4/24/05. We first saw it May 9th after the dealer was closed. I got teary eyes it was beautiful. We picked it up May 10th.

Rick and I have been married 25 years, since 1980. We have been through sickness, health, poorer and richer. We have lived up to the vows. We have ran a business together for 15 years and then got real jobs. I was able to go from office manager in a family business to graphic design which I really love. Rick works with Mega Machines at an open pit mine. People at work asked me "Is that your husband's car?" Heck no it's all mine! Rick always had muscle cars when he was younger and he is thrilled, too. He really gave it a work out during the test drive and was very impressed. He kept saying this is the coolest car we have ever owned.

At first I was scared of the beast, especially the first time I tried to pass and I felt like the thrust was going to pull the steering wheel right out of my hands. Now I am most comfortable in it and think up all kinds of reasons to run errands. After driving SUVs I love the way you can swoop sideways and run on the freeway when you need to get around the left lane Louies. The comments and looks you get are quite fun too including the woman who stalked me to stop me and tell me how much she loved my car and the young teenager giving me the thumbs up. I can truly say owning this car has enriched our lives and stirred old feelings in us that we never thought we would have for a vehicle. It is like being teenagers again. I am also getting the mod bug and slowly convincing Rick.

The camaraderie here has been immeasurable including the kindness shown to us and the fun. Not to mention the sheer knowledge here is invaluable. Thanks to all the ladies and gentleman, it’s been a hell of a year and the next one looks even sweeter. I’m not going to mention favorites because it would be all of you but I feel I have been blessed by knowing you and sharing highs and lows. My goal this year is getting to meet face to face and see the cars! It was such a thrill to finally meet Mike and have someone to sit with me during a difficult time when Rick had his back surgery. Picture this - Seattle 2006, sitting in a hospital waiting room worried about your mate, look out the window, all the nondescript vehicles when all of a sudden here comes a red Charger gleaming under the night lights. I go out and throw my pack in the back, jump in and there he is Mike aka Butweet - finally a face to face meet with an LX friend. A quick hello hug and we are off to dinner. Thanks to Kathy for a loaner husband for dinner while mine was in the shop, I wish you had come along. It was like having a family member sit with me and reassure me my husband would survive and sure enough it turned out fine.

I get this question a lot. Because I believe they see it on my face and the way I talk about my Magnum, people say all the time, “You just love that car, don’t you?” Yep, Gawd I love this car! It's a passion. Nothing relieves that tension like the feel of the throttle and sound of that roar and the feel of that thrust. It is truly intoxicating. I can only liken it to the thrill you feel when you meet a new love. And there’s nothing better than sharing it with people who feel the same. So sorry for going long with this but as the people around me know, don’t get her talking about that car. Mere thanks isn’t enough to show my gratitude for this award but it’ll have to do. And good luck next time to my fellow contestants every one of you deserves a turn here. I don’t drive fast I fly low. My name is Shelli and I live every day with Magnumitis. Life is good.

http://www.lxforums.com/images/LXOM/irock/1.jpg

http://www.lxforums.com/images/LXOM/irock/2.jpg

http://www.lxforums.com/images/LXOM/irock/3.jpg

done
02-02-2006, 09:52 PM
Bout time you got it, way to go.

Jaak
02-02-2006, 09:54 PM
Yeah, everything you said...

It's not just a car. And this isn't just a forum.

Congrats again Shel, great read, and a great LXOM!

Pheobus
02-02-2006, 10:16 PM
Congrats again. Very good write-up.

magnumdude
02-02-2006, 10:49 PM
You deserve it Shel. Nice write up....now you HAVE to go the march meet! I want to shake your hand. And yes, I'll also share a hotel room with you!! LOL

fnkychkn
02-02-2006, 11:03 PM
great write up Shelli. a good read as always. you keep this forum smiling :) with your wit and charm. on this day, you are most deserving. well done. :thumbs_u:

HEMIwoman
02-02-2006, 11:06 PM
Well said Shel...very well said.

Again, my congrats.

Hugs,
Sue

Hazman
02-02-2006, 11:16 PM
Congrats Shelli your the best !!!!
http://home.comcast.net/%7Ehazmag/IrockCrown.gif

Dupie24
02-03-2006, 12:23 AM
Congratulations, your posts always give us a fresh insight, kindess, humor. Thanks Shelli :)
You gotta make the March meet! It's gonna be huge and you can meet all of us at one place! Plus you get to drive on a long road trip in your Magnum! Now how can you beat that? :racing:

Cucamonga Red RT
02-03-2006, 12:41 AM
Congrats Irock...you Rock!

northeastern08
02-03-2006, 01:26 AM
Again...Congrats and well deserved iRock

BUTWEET
02-03-2006, 01:48 AM
What to say....what to say? You know I'm both proud and happy for you. Rick obviously knows what a good catch you are. (He's kept you around all these years.) We too, know what a wonderful addition you are to our LX family. You are very deserving of the award. Congratulations Shelli.
Meeting and spending the evening together, was all my pleasure. Maybe next time, our better halves can join us! Kathy says "you're welcome," for the loaner husband. She doesn't want to hog a good thing!

iRock
02-03-2006, 02:03 AM
Thanks again man I'm going to miss that meet down south.

BUTWEET
02-03-2006, 02:14 AM
Don't make me start a "Rally iRock to California thread." I will you know. :wink:

iRock
02-03-2006, 03:07 AM
You wouldn't!

BrilliantBlackHemi
02-03-2006, 05:36 AM
Wow, congrats on the win Shelli. :rock:

I love the line "Thanks to Kathy for a loaner husband for dinner while mine was in the shop.." that was great and got me laughing. What a nice story and I hope Rick is well now.

Can we start the "fling with Butweet" rumors now? :lol:

Grelf
02-03-2006, 09:34 AM
Congrats! Rockin car!

COLORADOMAGNUM
02-03-2006, 11:14 AM
Congrats Shelli...You do rock!!! You definietly deserve the recognition. Nice car and a nice gal. Give Rick a high-five for me. - Walt

fogey
02-03-2006, 12:13 PM
Well deserved. Congradulations Shelli !!!!!

iRock
02-03-2006, 12:36 PM
Thanks everyone you know it's you guys that put me here, not me. And now it's in the blog.
:thumbs_u: :blah: :mrgreen: :huddle:

Rev.Hammer
02-03-2006, 01:22 PM
Shelli, you really do deserve this and I am thrilled for you!! The write-up was perfect and made me realize just how much I love mine!!
You are one awesome lady!
CONGRATS!!

SeadooSandi
02-03-2006, 02:22 PM
Beautiful write-up! Again congrats and winning LXOM for the ladies on this forum.

BUTWEET
02-03-2006, 02:25 PM
I might! Muhahahahaha!!!You wouldn't!

E8502
02-03-2006, 04:16 PM
:)

Well deserved LXOM!

Aikidoka
02-03-2006, 10:44 PM
Great write up Shelli. Hope you do get to meet all the people that love having you as one of our family. Just wish you were on the East Coast so I could be one of them.

bipto
02-03-2006, 10:49 PM
Hey look! It's Evil Knievel! :lol:

LOL - great write-up! May your 15 minutes pass enjoyably slowly... :wink:

Ozzie
02-03-2006, 11:05 PM
Beautiful. 'Nuf said.

Northern Rider
02-03-2006, 11:24 PM
To Shelli (with Magnumitis)

You Rock! :rock::racing:


keep the rubber side down, kid . . .

iRock
02-03-2006, 11:33 PM
Hey look! It's Evil Knievel! :lol:

LOL - great write-up! May your 15 minutes pass enjoyably slowly... :wink:
No that's Evil Shenievel to you.

Dodger
02-03-2006, 11:36 PM
Thanks for sharing. Always enjoy what you bring to the forum. Congrats and well deserved. Take a Bow...


iRock - u rock

cadzilla74
02-04-2006, 02:03 AM
Great write-up Shelli. Now don't get too full of yerself, we needed someone besides Bipto that looks good in a bikini for the calendar! Hope Rick is feeling better. I always look forward to your posts, many have made me laugh out loud. Don't ever lose that joy of living, glad your Magnum rekindled it in you the way mine did for me. I was nodding silent approval of every word in your write-up about the Magnum. And you made the right color-choice too. Congratulations on LXOM.

And to the other nominees, well done! This was a close one!

LowGo
02-05-2006, 02:50 AM
Congratulations, Irock. A well deserved honor and a great writeup. I only wish I hadn't missed the voting!

Hopefully we can both make it to a PNW meeting this year. It would be great to meet in person.

Netsrac
02-05-2006, 11:39 AM
Great write up Shelli,

You have always had something good to say in my threads whether I was asking a question, telling a joke or just jabbering.

I'm happy to see you in this role of LXOM

thewagon
02-05-2006, 01:00 PM
Congratulations to a very well deserving muscle car lover and a great wife to your husband Rick. You two are blessed

Cam
02-05-2006, 01:27 PM
Congrats, you have earned it.:beerchug:

iRock
02-05-2006, 11:35 PM
Holey moley, MyMaggieMae I was beginning to think you were never coming back. What a pleasant surprise. It would be great to have a meet when the weather gets better.
And thanks everyone again for the kind words usually you have to be dead to hear comments like that. :wink:
I love you all man! :huddle:

BUTWEET
02-05-2006, 11:38 PM
Jeez Loise. What iRock said. It's really great to see you back. Sorry your job is draggin you down. Tell the boss you need more time for your (LX)family.Holey moley, MyMaggieMae I was beginning to think you were never coming back. What a pleasant surprise. It would be great to have a meet when the weather gets better.

Res18cuE
02-05-2006, 11:43 PM
Great write up Shel! It's always good to learn about someone who contributes so much. Well deserved!!!

Meister
02-05-2006, 11:59 PM
Great write-up - great lady. :thumbs_u:

Well deserved, iRock. Congrats! :)

iRock
02-06-2006, 12:37 AM
Thanks Jim glad to see you here.

bipto
02-06-2006, 01:17 AM
So where's you pic on the portal page? Nothin' agaisnt our friend Hazman, but he aint quite the looker that you are, Shel... :roll: :wink:

iRock
02-06-2006, 01:27 AM
Is too. Says welcome back iRock. Can't you see it? :wink:

Meister
02-06-2006, 07:30 AM
Thanks Jim glad to see you here.

:wink:

magnitude
02-06-2006, 10:13 PM
Congratulations iRock, well deserved.

Mod list please...:mrgreen:

iRock
02-06-2006, 10:57 PM
Thanks Magnitude, not much yet.
Installed
Gas shocks for hood
License plate frames
Apple computer sticker

Not installed yet
Stickers from Rev Hammer
Decal from Netsrac on it's way
Chrome engine dress up kit - in box waiting for Rick to get better to install

planned not purchased yet
CAI
Windshield sunscreen
Silver star bulbs

Waffling on exhaust system

bipto
02-06-2006, 11:27 PM
Thanks Magnitude, not much yet.
Installed
Gas shocks for hood
License plate frames
Apple computer sticker

Not installed yet
Stickers from Rev Hammer
Decal from Netsrac on it's way
Chrome engine dress up kit - in box waiting for Rick to get better to install

planned not purchased yet
CAI
Windshield sunscreen
Silver star bulbs

Waffling on exhaust system
No no no! Please - don't do the Silverstar mod! I had 'em in mine for 6 weeks until the first one blue (err... I mean "blew"). After taking a beating on the forums at the hands of Old Navy and desquirrel, I broke down and ordered a set of HIR's (can't remember the vendor at the moment). Soooo much better than the Silverstars...

iRock
02-06-2006, 11:55 PM
Are these for the park lights?

MikeEast
02-07-2006, 12:24 AM
Nope - replace all 4 big bulbs with the HIR's, the best hundred something bucks you ever spent. A very noticable difference - and no one seems to complain coming the other way either.

Mike

magnitude
02-07-2006, 02:56 PM
What CAI/(possible)exahaust you going with? I'm on the fence with them as well.

I let the wife (finally) drive the Magnum over the weekend and without my influence, stated that the suspension is too soft. OMG, MY wife giving me the green light to mod the suspension? Someone please pinch me. So that'll be next.
Thanks Magnitude, not much yet.

Installed
Gas shocks for hood
License plate frames
Apple computer sticker

Not installed yet
Stickers from Rev Hammer
Decal from Netsrac on it's way
Chrome engine dress up kit - in box waiting for Rick to get better to install

planned not purchased yet
CAI
Windshield sunscreen
Silver star bulbs

Waffling on exhaust system

bipto
02-07-2006, 03:32 PM
Are these for the park lights?
Nope - talking about Hi's & Lo's. I actually do still have the SilverStar marker bulbs - they're not bad...

Seriously though, check these out. If it ever gets dark up there in Seattle, these things will come in really handy!

http://www.lxforums.com/board/showthread.php?t=13685

Obviously the GB has long gone by, but there's more than enough great info there to chew on.

iRock
02-07-2006, 11:39 PM
Thanks I was just talking the park lights that are orange now.I like the all silver look for the daytime. These headlights that came stock are so much better than our old Blazer I hadn't given a thought to changing them.

iRock
02-07-2006, 11:46 PM
What CAI/(possible)exahaust you going with? I'm on the fence with them as well.

I let the wife (finally) drive the Magnum over the weekend and without my influence, stated that the suspension is too soft. OMG, MY wife giving me the green light to mod the suspension? Someone please pinch me. So that'll be next.

I am looking at the fine selection at High Horse. I am going to apply my prize towards a CAI. Watch for a thread from me on this subject.

iRock
02-08-2006, 12:35 AM
Thanks Magnitude, not much yet.
Installed
Gas shocks for hood
License plate frames
Apple computer sticker

Not installed yet
Stickers from Rev Hammer
Decal from Netsrac on it's way
Chrome engine dress up kit - in box waiting for Rick to get better to install

planned not purchased yet
CAI
Windshield sunscreen
Silver star bulbs

Waffling on exhaust system

And how could I forget - I want painted brake calipers but I'm really going to have to work on Rick to get those. That stock reddish-orange. Rick thinks it would clash with the green but I think it would be fine.

Jaak
02-08-2006, 06:43 AM
Uh oh, looks like you're turning into a mod Queen!

Dano
02-11-2006, 01:24 PM
Dunno how I missed this but I'd like to wish you a belated congrats Shel , you deserve it.

iRock
02-11-2006, 01:27 PM
Thanks again Dano and everyone.

KGBPro
02-16-2006, 01:32 PM
Happy Bday IROCK!!!!!

hemiwagn
02-19-2006, 12:35 AM
Belated congrats iRock. This forum is the better for your being here. And take this from a camaro guy: I'm glad you ain't no IROC.

Reppr
02-25-2006, 11:49 AM
Me too, Shel. Congrats from Gig Harbor. It's great to see you win it, finally.

iRock
02-25-2006, 01:59 PM
Thanks guys!

iRock
02-25-2006, 02:06 PM
Thanks guys!