I have a saying, and I'm only half kidding, "Time to change the oil, time for a new car!" First off, I hate to deal with car trouble. Hate it, hate it, hate it. It's a man's job in my opinion, and my dad dealt with it the right way, he bought a new one. So, you ask, how is that fulfilling your Christian purpose? Um, I witness to car salesman? Okay, not really. In fact, I am a pretty good dealer now, so I think I'm probably not a witness at all, actually. But I get a great deal -- which makes me a better steward. Except for the fact that I don't really need a new car. But that's just splitting hairs, isn't it? A deal's a deal!
Anyway, I admitted to my new pastor that I have a car fetish. He was appalled, shocked, gave me the Christian guilt thing (which doesn't really work on me, I was raised Catholic) and I stood there, shamefaced, and wishing I could slink off in a leather-appointed foreign make. I miss Silicon Valley, where such a fetish is not only overlooked, it's appreciated. My old pastor understood me. He appreciated a 645i or a passing Lexus 450 with the awe that is what every car lover posseses. He understood the Boxter is the girl Porsche.
This is one thing that's hard about living here. People don't get the car thing -- it's a mere vehicle to get you from Point A to Point B -- hopefully with lots of tow capacity. I'm living without a phone. I'm living with no neighbors on ACREAGE. I left the beloved city, but I will not. I repeat, I will not give up my car aspirations. It is everything I am. And it is not a contentment issue. I could live in a smaller house, I could have fewer vacations, but I will not drive an average vehicle. I am Kristin. Hear me roar!!
Oh, that's a picture of the new rug I got. Isn't it gorgeous? Silk and wool. Okay, so I'm not exactly suffering out here, but a little drama is good for the soul.
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17 Comments:
Kristin--Question! I need a 7 passenger something that looks yummy, is not a big van or huge SUV, has all the bells and whistles, and can tow a small boat. I was going to try Edmunds.com, but figured you'd know better than anyone.
HELP!
Oooh, I just saw that Mercedes parked down by the beach last weekend. Pressed my nose against the glass and everything :-) Pretty small, but oh so fine inside.
Thanks for the advice. I'm trying to buck the SUV/Van system (I've got a clunker of a van at the moment.) But me thinks I'll need to "ride" out the big vehicle wave a few more years--kids are still young at 7, 11 and 14. Thanks for dreaming with me though--hahaha.
i like the new rug muchly.
and do you wanna buy ME a new car??
Nothing like being a good steward with the Lord's money.
My father worked for Ford until retirement. So we always had Fords bought new. I've always thought that people in the auto industry need jobs so they can be good stewards. This was brought home to me when I chaperoned a music festival last year. Someone thought I shouldn't have bought an air mattress, after all that money could have been given to feed hungry children. I wondered why the air mattress workers weren't supposed to buy food then.
Hey Kristin,
I so love new cars! Last year my husband deployed to the Middle East. He wanted to leave me in a small town with my 5 year old Mercedes SUV. The closest dealer was 60 miles away. Naturally I said 'NO WAY!' and got to buy a new car.
I wanted a mini-van, but settled for a nice sedan. I insisted on navigation and XM. What a blessing that has been now that we live in DC! I had never seen so many one-way streets and crazy roundabouts until we moved here. My beloved navigation has kept me from straying too far from my course and can find me the closest Chiptole! What more could I want! Well, actually, I noticed that the new model has both naviagation and the flip-down DVD screen. I'm not ready to spring that on my husband just yet!
Julie
Did I ever mention we had a car show a few years back at our church? A lot of the guys have rice rockets, souped up Japanese cars, they absolutely love. For all the money they put into those things, most of them could have paid for their college educations instead of letting mom and dad do it. LOL Or certainly they could have bought a higher end car.
I think it's funny when they start talking spoilers and exhaust systems and other things girls aren't supposed to know about. They stereotype me as a "brain" who has no interest or knowledge of cars which is not true. I love cars and usually can figure out what they are saying, although I know nothing compared to my car crazy sister.
I love SUVs and hope to get a "girlie" one in the future, Navigators and such are just too big for me. But it has to have a 6 cylinder, 4 just doesn't cut it. Those poor things just strain to go sometimes. It really does need more power under the hood than these car makers are putting in. :)
Kristin...I like this rug ten times better. And on the car thing, I want a little baby blue BMW conv. Always have. Sigh.
I do like the rug. Unfortunately, not much of a car buff here. I love my mini-van and ocassionally get to drive DH's little red Mazda sports car. Other than that, I think most cars look alike.
Loving that rug. Looks great with the furniture.
Cars. . . I tried to buck the minivan 8 years ago. Just didn't happen. I was glad to give up my "van of fire" (yes, it actually caught on fire due to a transmission problem) for my then new Dodge Grand Caravan.
News Flash--Kristin, you thought I needed an SUV for towing, but guess what I just saw? A mini-cooper towing a 16' catamaran. Almost spilled my latte laughing so hard.
LOL - I'm with you, Kristen! Although I'm perfectly content with my Grand Marquis (1999 and only 60K on it) my fantasy is a little convertible: Mercedes, Mustang - who cares as long as the top comes down. ;)
I remember last year in Nashville, watching Debbie Clopton pull out of the parking lot in her convertible. I decided right then and there I needed one! LOL Now if I could only be as adorable as she is ... sigh.
Love the new rug, it is a much softer look. Very exquisite.
We have a Nissan Quest, it is our only vehicle. I never thought I'd be into a mini van, but the heated seats, navagation system, 6 disc cd changer and flip down screen for the built in dvd player are wonderful!
Nothing like the heated seats on a hot day or during "that time" when my back is sore. Plus, it truly is the only time in my life that I've had a hot butt! ROFL
As the wife of a former car salesman, I can appreciate people who like to have new cars all the time. (And no, he wasn't one of the creepy ones with gold chains and slick hair!)
Because of his former job, there was a time when we were jetting around in cool new cars, trucks, and SUVs. Now we have a big, fat Lincoln Towncar. Of course he insists on speeding so no one will think we belong to a retirement community.
anyone who has ever read your books is aware of your car fetish. when my husband mentioned getting a 645i one day, for his next car, i had ONLY heard of it because of a mention somewhere in my kristin billerbeck library!
Dang, gorgeous rug!
This is something Kristin will appreciate--I had to figure out what my 30-something single, hip Asian man in Silicon Valley would drive, and so I asked a friend of mine, who gave me three lists of cars, separated by income. Now is that spiffy or what???
Camy
All the cool people in Seattle drive Prius.
My husband drives a Silverado pickup and I got a green 1999 Sebring convertible with a nice leather interior and a six change cd player for Christmas.
I want the new hard top Pontiac convertible.
On a separate note, I thought it was kind of interesting that the person who wants to point being a good steward of God's resources...didn't want to sign their name! hmmmmmmm
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