The Little Camry that Could - A Memoir

Mrs. Lewin has inspired me to jot down some fun memories about another car I used to have: Imogene, the little Camry that could. I wouldn't mind having another one like her. She was the sort of car that was before cars were all computerized, so if something broke on her, you could just sort of fix it yourself.

Well one bright sunny day, Mrs. Lewin and I set out for Washington. We drove down the windy road of Lookout Mountain, under all the lovely green shade of a Tennessee summer, and before we got to the bottom, the car died. Not a good sign before a 48-hour drive. I vaguely remember someone helping us fix it- Dr. Mehne perhaps? - and we set out once again. We were almost to Nashville when right there on the freeway, little Imogene decided to stop. She froze right up and we pulled over to the side. We waited and watched for a while for Steve and Dan Henry, knowing that since they were such gentlemen they would be behind us, but lo and behold they never showed up. A nice highway patrolman did though, and didn't even give us a ticket. :)

Blah blah blah, we ended up in a motel overnight in Murfreesboro, not even two hours away from dear old Covenant College. How frustrating was that. A nice hickish tow-truck man was very kind to us and offered to let us stay at his house but we are women of the 90s and so we freaked out and said no way. But the best encouragement came when who should knock at our motel room door, scaring the crap out of us, but our dear old Zach Cheney. We were never so glad to see him in our lives. (At least I wasn't.) ;) We finally caught up to Steve at Dan Henry's house in Colorado where we slept all day before setting out again for home.

Here is the lovely song that got us through that wicked trip:

"Roll on, Columbia, roll on
Roll on, Columbia, roll on
Your power is turning our darkness to dawn
So roll on, Columbia, roll on.

Green Douglas firs where the waters cut through
Down her wild mountains and canyons she flew
Canadian Northwest to the oceans so blue
Roll on Columbia, roll on

Other great rivers add power to you
Yakima, Snake, and the Klickitat, too
Sandy Willamette and Hood River too
So roll on, Columbia, roll on

Tom Jefferson's vision would not let him rest
An empire he saw in the Pacific Northwest
Sent Lewis and Clark and they did the rest
So roll on, Columbia, roll on

It's there on your banks that we fought many a fight
Sheridan's boys in the blockhouse that night
They saw us in death but never in flight
So roll on Columbia, roll on

At Bonneville now there are ships in the locks
The waters have risen and cleared all the rocks
Shiploads of plenty will steam past the docks
So roll on, Columbia, roll on

And on up the river is Grand Coulee Dam
The mightiest thing ever built by a man
To run the great factories and water the land
So roll on, Columbia, roll on

These mighty men labored by day and by night
Matching their strength 'gainst the river's wild flight
Through rapids and falls, they won the hard fight
So roll on, Columbia, roll on!"

R.I.P.

Our car, our beautiful car, is dead. She never even really had a name... too new to have character, too old to be cool...

It all started on Saturday as we were driving up to Orange County for the wedding of this guy from church. Ken was supposed to be an usher, and that morning we realized we had forgotten to get them a present, so we left with plenty of time to spare. However, while cruising up the 5 in San Clemente, the poor car just froze right up. Fortunately, we were going downhill and an exit was conveniently nearby. We coasted almost to a Mobil station. Ken got out and pushed the rest of the way.

You might be thinking - well since your car had almost 200K miles on it, you probably have AAA or a cell phone or both. Nope. Neither. We both felt really retarded (Ken felt especially bad) because we knew neither of our Dads would ever have let that happen.

[Can I just interject here, not to be bitter or anything - that I have not been in an accident since I was nearly killed that one time. Just for the record for all those lovely people who think I am a bad driver. I was. In the 90s. This is a whole new decade - a whole new century, in fact. So you don't have to let me drive your car, but please do not talk to me about it. Thanks.]

So anyway, we called Buzzy and she came down and got us, and Ken arranged to have the car towed to a local auto shop, which it was, and then they called us later to tell us the problem was the engine (great!). To fix would cost $2-3K. yikestabubba as moisie used to say. So now we are thinking new car (new to us, that is). We are getting lots of advice from people and our own strong opinions are coming out. MINE (since this is MY blog, YO) is that I don't believe in buying new cars, since like Mealtime says, they decrease by like $5K when you drive them off the lot, plus I don't believe in car payments. I also don't believe in American cars. So basically I vote for buying a Toyota or Honda that's a couple years old with 50-75K miles on it (ideally). However - great ideas like that cost like $10K. ANYWAY.

In case you were curious, we made it to the wedding when the flower girl was walking down the aisle. Pretty awesome. Unless you are supposed to be an usher. Don't worry though - someone else was wearing a black suit and fit right in. It was kind of a low key wedding. I thought I wouldn't care about my car so much but I felt kind of disturbed the whole day. And I have been feeling that way since. I really hate mooching rides off people. REALLY. It is one of the most annoying feelings ever. No one has acted like we were really putting them out, but I still feel bad. Everyone has been really nice.

Tonight was Bethy's thesis defense and she kicked butt. Larry and Nancy are here to see her graduate. We are having a huge party on Saturday. The Ericksons are coming on Friday. Tomorrow and the next day are the board meetings. I am looking forward to memorial day and then Eagle Crest so I can relax, and go on a bike ride so I don't get fat.

I've been thinking I need to take preventative measures against adult onset diabetes. I know I don't look fat (thank you) but I have a lot of body fat (muffin top, which is really bad for you), plus it's in my family. I need to try to eat more fruits, veggies and whole grains. But to really do that successfully, I need to quit my job. So I guess I'll keep eating Panda Express for now, and put Laurel's Kitchen back on the shelf. :( To legitimately stay home, I would have to have some kids anyway. Right? You can't just stay home and be a housekeeper. Unless you're Aunt Jamesina from Anne of... hmmm... Anne goes to College? What was that one called? Anne of Windy Poplars? Remember Aunt Jamesina who stayed with Anne and Philippa and kept house for them?

AHHHHHHHHHHHH. I haven't been by myself in like 3 months! It feels SOOO GOOOOOD!

Ken's sermons

For your listening pleasure.

The Adventurous Type

After figuring out that I'm the adventurous type who is always antsy to go new places and try new stuff, I am wondering: Are you the adventurous type too? Or are you comfortable and content where you are?

Speaking of content... that's probably the biggest downside to wanting to go on adventures all the time... it can stem from being discontent.

St. Patty's day

Is anyone else wearing orange today to celebrate their Protestant-ness? Or is it just me?

Tonight we're celebrating with corned beef and cabbage. Yum.

Ready to be Weirded Out?

For those of you who remember this church before it became a Tim-Keller-carbon-copy, check this out.

Especially interesting is the "History" tab under "Identity & Mission." If you are a Hitchman, you'll find it interesting, I am sure.

Nurl

These are from some 2004 Alma Heights thing. So cute.

Darling

OPC HIGH SCHOOL WINTER CAMP 2006

Here is our cute little OPC High School Winter Camp staff team. L-R: Phil Nakhla, Rev. Roger Wagner, Bill Parkinson, Dave Crum, Ken, Jane Crum, me, Susan Winslow, Linda Pasarilla, and Sami & Kevin Brandon.



Notes of interest and fame:
- Yep, Phil Nakhla is one of the famous Nakhlas from Calvary OPC in La Mirada.

- Roger Wagner is the famous pastor of Bayside OPC in Chula Vista (San Diego).

- Bill Parkinson's fake Ugg Boots are actually from Costco. Aren't they awesome? He is from an OPC in Torrance that used to be pentecostal but became Reformed over the course of many years. He brought like 20 kids with him!

- Dave & Jane Crum are from Tijuana and are missionaries sent out by the So. Cal Presbytery of the OPC. Before becoming a missionary, Dave played McGivor (sp?) on TV, I am told. Just kidding. But seriously. Dave was the camp director, and Jane cooked awesome food for us all weekend.

- Susan Winslow is just completely awesome. She thinks she might be too old to be a counselor. But the high school girls think she is really great. They love to hear about how she met Dave. The Winslows are from Westminster OPC (formerly Garden Grove) and Dave Winslow is Pam Majauskas's brother.

- Linda came and helped Jane cook! She is from the OPC in Costa Mesa.

- The Brandons are from Faith OPC in Long Beach. Kevin can solve a Rubix cube in 45 seconds. He is like the 125th best Rubix-cube solver in the world. Sami is a teacher and a co-worker of Buzzy's at the Christian school at Westminster OPC. She went to Biola and knows Jessica Jamison!

* Just a little FYI... my team, "My Way or the Highway to Hell," came in 2nd for skits. We were awesome though... we won first place for costumes. We had a Wizard of Oz theme and I was the cowardly lion. My costume was seriously awesome. Tabitha (from HARVEST, Represent) won best actress for her performance as Glinda the Good Princess, and Daniel won Best Line for his little soliloquy as the Scarecrow. I personally thought all of our team was great. We seriously were Oscar material.

Three Things

OK. I am posting. Finally! You probably thought I was dead.

Three things:

1. I bought beer today and WAS NOT CARDED. What in the world? Was it my matronly outfit? The glasses? The grey hair? grrrrrrrrrr. I am never wearing that outfit again.

2. We are all moved in to the Avocado House!! It is so great and quiet and fun and huge. The view of the city lights from up on top of the hill is AMAZING! If anyone wants to come visit, there are 6 places for you to sleep (counting the weird long and wide cupboard if you want to pretend you're Fernando from Catacombs)

3. If you have nothing to eat except pantry items, try this: just make some pasta with white sauce (melt 2 T. butter in a saucepan, then stir in salt, pepper and 2 T. flour until bubbly, then stir in 1 c. milk and boil and stir for one minute. I added some basil to make a pretend creamy-pesto sauce).

To make it seem more real, throw in a vegetable. I found a red pepper and cut it up and threw it in. It was gourmet! mwa! (kiss)

Christians and Big Families

This post by a mom with 5 kids is an interesting commentary on a 2-kid max culture.

An avocado recipe from Ang

I haven't tried this yet but it sounds so good!

Grilled Avocados

1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lime juice
2 large ripe avocados, halved, seeded, and peeled
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 cup bottled picante sauce
1 oz Monterey Jack or farmer cheese (shredded or crumbled 1/4 cup)
Snipped fresh cilantro
Salad greens (optional)
Sour Cream (optional)

1. Stir together olive oil and lime juice. Brush avocados all over with olive oil mixture. Sprinkle cut sides of avocados with salt.
2. For a charcoal grill, grill avocado halves, cut side down, on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals for 5 minutes or until browned. Turn avocado halves, cut side up. Fill centers of avocado halves with the 1/4 cup picante sauce and shredded cheese. Cover grill and grill about 5 minutes more or until cheese begins to melt.
3. Remove avocados from grill. Sprinkle tops of avocado halves with snipped cilantro. If desired, serve on bed of salad greens with picante sauce and sour cream.

Witsius

We're reading Herman Witsius's "Economy of the Divine Covenants" for our Wednesday night Bible Study. It's fun. It's pretty hard, and there are some little kids there who have to try to sit still (although it's hard for them, especially since it's at their house and they have a foosball table in their livingroom). These little kids are particularly cute and funny.

This week we're studying Chapter 2: Of the contracting parties in the Covenant of Works. If you want to check it out, click here.

Pizza Dough

I used to always go to the pizza dough in a bag from Trader Joe's for $1. But now I do this... it's really pretty easy.

1 pkg yeast (2 1/4 tsp)
1 1/4 c. water (120-130 degrees)
1/2 tsp. salt
2 T. olive oil
3 3/4 c. flour
Herbs (optional): a few dashes each of dried basil, rosemary (crunched up) and oregano

Dissolve the yeast in water in a big bowl. Let it hang out for a few minutes and get bubbly. Add salt and olive oil; stir well. Add flour and herbs; mix to combine. Let rise for a few hours.

Divide dough in half (this recipe makes dough for 2 pizzas, or even 3 if you really stretch it). Put some olive oil on your pizza pan (about the size of a half-dollar) and spread it around using the dough. Spread the dough out on the pizza pan using your fingers. Top with your favorite toppings and bake at 450 for 10 minutes or until golden brown.

**You can also use this dough to make calzones, foccacia bread or breadsticks.

Mrs. Travis's Pumpkin Bars

Mrs. Travis is the guidance counselor at Alma Heights Christian Academy. This is a Sunset magazine recipe from 1967 that she passed on to Ken.

1/2 c. butter (1 stick)
1 c. packed brown sugar
1 egg
3/4 c. canned pumpkin
1 1/2 c. unsifted flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. each ginger, allspice and baking soda
1/2 c. dates or raisins
1/2 c. chopped walnuts
Orange Glaze (recipe to follow)

Cream butter and sugar together. Add egg and pumpkin and beat well (it will look curdled). Blend the flour with the spices and soda and add to the creamed mixture. Add the dates/raisins and nuts; mix until well blended.

Spread evenly in a greased 11x16 pan. Bake at 350 until it begins to pull away from the sides (about 16-18 minutes). Spread with orange glaze. Cool and cut evenly into bars or squares to serve. Makes about 2 dozen.

Orange Glaze:
Blend 1 cup powdered sugar with 3 Tablespoons orange juice concentrate.

(Note to self and rest of world: I think I must have used a 9x13 pan because I don't have an 11x16 pan! You might have to bake it a little longer though..)

Brilliant Pita Sandwiches

1/2 cucumber, peeled & chopped
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
10-15 kalamata olives, finely chopped
6 basil leaves, finely chopped
6 mint leaves, finely chopped
1/2 c. plain yogurt
juice of 1/2 lemon
4 oz. (1/2 c.) feta cheese, crumbled

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Offer with pitas, lettuce and avocado. This mixture fills 4 half-pitas. (2 servings)

Mom's Granola

I hope you all know that I never compliment myself, but my friends say I make brilliant food. But I must confess... sometimes I hate Martha. So here's a recipe from MY MOM, the ultimate un-Martha. (Love her!!!)

LOW-FAT GRANOLA
8 c. oats
3/4 c. honey
1/4 c. olive oil
dried fruits - raisins, apples, dates, berries and/or cranberries
chopped nuts (Mom says go easy on these - they add lots of fat!)

Spread the oats evenly on a cookie sheet. Bake at 300 until lightly toasted. Meanwhile combine honey and olive oil (no need to mix) and warm in microwave or toaster oven (if you are boycotting microwaves like I am).

Dump oats into large bowl. Mix with fruits and nuts. Drizzle honey-oil mixture over oat mixture and stir to combine. Enjoy warm (yummy!) or store in a cool dry place for later use.

(Note: this morning I just used up all the oats I had. Poor Ken was probably tired of oatmeal anyway. I didn't measure it but it covered the cookie sheet about an inch thick with oats. Then I halved the amount of honey and oil - I did 1/2 c. honey and 1/8 c. oil... which now that I think about it is not exactly halving. Oh well.)

Hurricane

With hurricanes and all, I have ceased to blog about stupid stuff.

For an inside view on the hurricane damage, check out this PCA blogger's pictures.

3 what-thes in a row

Peter G reminded me so kindly that I had two what-thes in a row, so I think I'll make it three.

On Tuesday night, Ken and I were dining at the Macaron-eye Grill (it's not that good). The family at the table next to us apparently experienced very slow service, so they demanded that their waitress get her manager. He came; they complained; he apologized. They didn't think it was a good-enough apology, though; they demanded to see HIS manager.

My question is: what the heck did they want? A free drink? They sure were loud. Ken and I just opened our eyes really wide and tried not to laugh too loudly. But my question is this, folks: In America, if you think you deserve better, do you just yell until you get it?

W H A T T H E ! !

Marriage Seminar Needed

I think we need a marriage class at WSC. Ken just came in my office to get a Listerine strip after finishing off a Snickers bar, the last of which he was chewing. He also used my trash can to throw away the wrapper.

WHAT THE?