Sunday, September 20, 2009

It is time to let her go...

We knew this day would come, but we had hoped it would not come for a few more years. I guess the terrible winters and salty roads were just too much for her. When Kris took our 1989 Toyota Camry in to the mechanic to get inspected we were told there was just too much needed to be done to save her. So, it is with heavy hearts we put the old champ to rest. It was actually getting to have quite a few funny quirks about it. The a/c stopped working. The heater turns on, but never really warmed up the car until he got to work 20 minutes later. The interior light doesn't turn on for about 5 minutes after you switch it on. If a rock bounced up and hit the bottom of the car, it would hurt your foot. A year ago the passenger side front door stopped opening. So, if you wanted to give anyone a ride they had to sit in the back or climb in through the window. The kids thought it was great, but one of Kris attendings who attempted it did not find it so humorous. (He got a little high centered) Then about a month ago 3 of the 4 doors stopped opening too. Including the driver's door. Poor Kris had to climb in and out the window every time he got in the car. He was lucky it has not been too rainy here so he was able to leave the window down, otherwise he had to try to squeeze in the back and up to the front. It was usually not much more than a hassle, but some times was very embarrassing. Like the day he parked next to the guy with a Porsche. Of course the guy came to his car the same time as Kris. Kris tried to kill some time waiting to climb in the window until the guy was gone, but he was taking too long. When Kris stared climbing in the guy made some funny comments and said, "That is is cool, it is like Duke's of Hazard". Yeah, it was funny the first time someone said that comment not so funny after the 112th time.

We do need to give another huge THANK YOU to the Koch family for providing us with this car before they left for their residency. We do not know how we could have been able to afford to pay for a car all these years. It was a champ, hardly needing any work until recently--it was a huge blessing to our family. You guys are the best!

Kris and the Champ! Oh I also forgot to mention that the gas tank was impossible to open. In the 4 years we had the car I was never once able to open it to get gas for Kris. You had to pry it open with something. I tried but after chipping away lots of pieces of rusted car I usually gave up.

Kris was not always very graceful at climbing in the window. He had to go through some trial and error to figure out the best entry system.

Here he goes, he got very smooth at the whole process. One day he had to stop at the kids school to do something and when he got out of the car he noticed a teacher watching him and laughing. He joked with her and continued inside. When he came back out she had a few other teachers with her and she started laughing and told them all to watch him get in his car. There is nothing like 4 teachers pointing and laughing at you.


In he goes!

Watch out Bo and Luke Duke, here comes Dr. West!!!

12 comments:

Lewis Family said...

Thanks for the laughs! Nothing like a good sense of humor to get you through. Kris just made some great memories for his kids... 10 years from now they will be cracking up reminiscing about watching their dad climb through the window of the car. And they will admire him for valuing his family and his education over material things...

Shane's car is sporting some duct tape right now and it's getting to the point of no return but at least he doesn't have to do the Dukes of Hazard maneuver just yet. Kris should drive the kids up to school one last time and slide across the hood of the car before climbing in. Might as well go out with a bang!

The Bunker Family said...

That is so funny! We've all had one of those cars. Sorry that you're going to have to let it go!

Molly Koch said...

i am glad it was worth the $1. after we gave it to you we always worried that what worked amazing for us... would turn into a lemon. I am glad it took a few years. and troy and i were just laughing the other day about how the good old cam-dog had made it to 20 years. guess after a few good decades it is time to rest.
some of our best memories are driving it from utah to DC when we were married for 2 weeks and headed to med school. and it got us all through med school.
troy just told me the other day that when we leave here in june we can again only ship one car- so he has already promised our 1998 subaru to a family in our ward for again... $1.
I just laughed. I love that guy. he is so good at bargaining. :)

Julia said...

HILARIOUS!!! Spencer always said his car was the second worst car in the resident parking lot. Thanks for giving him the honor of having the worst car for our last year (assuming the inspection goes well next week). :)

N. Tipps said...

That is priceless! Thanks for sharing that story!

Carolyn said...

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss in your family...

Or maybe not! That was hilarious and I loved the pictures! Bob's S-10 was almost to that state when I told him (with the help of my brother who was chief mechanic) that it was time to let it go.

Katie and the boys said...

I was laughing so hard at Kris. that is so funny. I bet he was so happy to get a new car. Where's the pictures of the new one?

Aimee said...

I love any story worthy of entertaining future grandchildren. This one certainly counts!

MindyMindy said...

lol. Love the post!
R.I.P old car!

Heidi said...

That is the coolest post, Jamie! I sure miss you guys. how are you feeling? When is the baby due again?

Cianne said...

Some great memories in that car! I am going to miss her. What a sad story to hear the her doors stopped working. Nothing like the moderate climate of NY to go without AC and heating. Won't be long and Kris will be shaking his head at some poor resident as he shimmies into his car while sitting in his new Porsche. Keep up the good work because I'm going to need a loan.

Love you guys,
Jordan

Estelle said...

Those pictures are HILARIOUS!