Just Keep Swimming

Today I went swimming for the first time since before the surgery.  I swam a whole 100 meters, but I figure little steps to start up again.

My goal is to swim at least twice a week, walk at least three times a week, and bike at least once a week.  I am hoping that at the least I can keep my joints lubricated, and maybe even feel good too.

Trucktruck Go Boom

(I did try to blog last night from my ipad since R was playing a game on our computer, but the ipad was glitching on this site)

So, a few weeks ago, I get stuck with our 1995 Toyota 4Runner when I have to go to Cleburne.  Generally Ray drives it to work because I go more miles in a day than he does and the truck gets something like 12 miles to the gallon.  I noticed that the truck was vibrating when I went above 50mph.  I thought, 'Well, THAT's new'.  so I tell R and blah blah blah, he adds transmission fluid? and that seems to calm it down for a couple of days.

On Tuesday, I went to my knitting group and he went to class. He came home and was all, 'Gah, the truck is gonna splode!!!'.  So the boys and I take him to work yesterday morning and I call my mechanic-He has been my mechanic since I was a teen and he is fair and good (David at D&H Auto Repair in Arlington if you need someone).  David says, 'Welp, usually when a car vibrates like that its the tires but I can't tell till I look at it.  Bring it in tomorrow.' so I say okay, hang up, and call Ray.

I tell Ray what David had said and we decide to take it up to our tire guy in town so we can see if that is what the problem is and save a trip to Arlington.  I get a call on the way home from tap class from R asking me to pick him up at the tire place.  Because sure enough one of the tires IS bald on one side.  But That's Not All!  The CV joints are in really bad shape and the Universal Joints are not even there anymore.  I think there was something about the drive shaft?  Apparently, it was a miracle that nothing had gone kablooie or that our engine hadn't just fallen out in the middle of the road.  R, understandably, didn't feel safe taking it on a 30 minute interstate trip to Arlington.  So, the guy at our tire shop has hired a mechanic to fix bigger trouble and he is gonna get it so that we don't risk dropping our transmission in the middle of the road.  But, from what I can tell, there is more work than that that needs to be done.

::SIGH::  I KNOW, logically, that having a cash car is cheaper since you only have to pay repairs and not a bunch of interest on a car payment each month, but this is hard!  I feel like we wouldn't keep having mechanical problems if we could afford a car payment every month.  We pay less on getting the truck fixed in a year than we would pay for a down payment, monthly payments, and higher insurance each year.

But, I am not gonna lie.  Sometimes I want something shiny and less than 5 years old.

October Phat Fiber Box, A Coupon, and A Give Away

This months theme for the Phat Fiber Box is 'Brewing up a Storm'.  Again, not one that gets my fires going, but I was inspired none the less.  That is one of the things that I like about participating in Phat Fiber-I am pushed artistically to do things and be inspired by things that I wouldn't otherwise think about.

This month I dyed 2 yarns on my Silky Sock base-80% Merino/20% Silk 2 Ply and man, is it a lovely yarn.  it has such a lovely sheen to it.  And I like that it is not super wash, so it will hold a 'block' for people that want to do do true lace work with it.

                                                              Dark and Stormy......

Sunshine on My Shoulder.........

And I also sent in some Spooky Witch bags.....

I had to take my photos this month with my phone because I am pretty sure O has absconded with the camera to make 'movies' with it.  So, I think it is in their room.

Here's a super secret coupon for the 3 people that read my blog....

Use PhatOctoberBlog to receive 25% off your order of $30 or more at Brazen Stitchery. This coupon expires at the end of October.

Also, if you do not feel up to shopping right now, this is your opportunity to WINA BAG!

Comment on this blog post by October 20 and a randomly drawn commenter will receive a small project bag made out of the above witchy materiel.  Good luck and may the odds be ever in your favor.

My Hair is Dirty

So, I got out in public with the family and I am wearing an older Plaza Theatre Shirt that has a bleach spot on it and some comfy but plain drawstring shorts.
 
I looked in the mirror before we left and noted that my hair needed a wash and told myself that I would probably see someone I know because I was looking so rough.

Sure enough, within 5 minutes of arriving I am spotted by a friend of mine.

But that's not all!  Because of my Cheaper By the Dozen shirt, I am recognized by a 'fan' who wants to know when next I will be on stage and then chats with me for a few minutes.

If I had left my house looking clean and fresh, I would have seen no body I know.

Spokktacular!

Well, I am finally getting around to putting my Halloween items up in the shop.  It's a bit later than i wanted it to be but dang if that ear infection didn't knock me on my butt for a couple of weeks.

Here is Fred O Lantern-a orange and black self striping on silver sparkle 2 ply sock yarn...

 I love these bright green bats!

Spooky and fun ombre jack o lantern faces-how fun!

And what says Halloween that witches on broomsticks?

Ants in my Pants

Last night I was vegging on the couch, wanting to go to bed but needing to tie up yarn to dye today, so I got up to go to the bedroom and see if Ray wanted to chat with me while I worked.  On my way down the hall, I felt something on the back of my arm and brushed it off.

Then, noting that Ray was asleep, I came back out to the living room and plopped on the couch intending to look up a show on Netflix to watch while I worked.  Then, as I was looking at my screen, an ant crawled onto it.  I smooshed it and jumped up.  There were ants all over my smaller couch.  So I hollered for ray to help me find the Orange Guard and I commenced to spraying and smooshing the ants to non existence.

Just another fun Friday night in Texas.

Me Oh My Oh Pumpkin Pie Oh

Pumpkin pie is not my favorite pie.

My home made pecan pie is my favorite.

Or Melissa's chocolate pie.

But, you see, pumpkin IS good.  And It's even better in Blizzard form from DQ.  Oh, man, I saw on the sign that it was their 'blizzard of the month' this month and it is on my list of gotta haves!