Everybody’s Talking Sewing

So I realized I had to start seriously looking for a car when the transmission in my 1993 Sable went bonkers.

You know, rev’s REAL HIGH and refuses to downshift. (shudder). Bad. Very very bad. Stupid Ford transmissions.

I did more research and figured it was between a Toyota Yaris and a Honda Fit. Both came in hatchback (have to think about the sewing and quilt shows) and get excellent mileage - 36MPG.

I looked at a few over the holiday weekend…. filled out online credit apps for both… and did the Internet request thingy.

The Honda folks (even though I contacted them first) were not exactly responsive shall we say; the Toyota dealer was on the ball. Emails asking specifics, giving me options, calls with what they have in stock (and some additional discounts).

When I asked about the credit check the Toyota contact told me - “You can get whatever you want”! I wanted to ask her who was going to pay for it then…. sigh.

I went to the Toyota folks just down the road yesterday afternoon to look at one seriously. You know how it’s all in the timing? Well, my transmission literally went as I was pulling into the parking lot - I sort of coasted into a parking place. No pressure here. AAAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH.

“Why yes, it’s the quietest car I’ve ever owned” she says to the sales person who’s looking at her funny.

4.5 hours later I was back home… with a brand spanking new Yaris. It was, of course, was more then I wanted to spent after taxes and all those other interesting things were added on - I’m trying to explain to the fur-kids about cutting back on those little expenses, like good cat litter. My only hope is to either strike it rich, inherit a lot of money, or find a gazillon shops that want lots and lots of my patterns! It’s going to be (gulp) a tad bit rough - but hey, the Sable was 15 years old, had 170K miles on it AND was flooded out 2 years ago.

The Yaris is an awfully cute little bug. And yes, another red car for those of you that know me! Every single car I’ve ever bought for myself has been red. My brother emailed me asking if I have to wind it up everyday - the ingrate.

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To be perfectly honest, what I really wanted was a full day at a spa. You know, massages, wraps, facials, a glass or two of champagne - to be PAMPERED! And I don’t think I know one woman that would disagree with that sentiment.

But the sorry truth is that simply isn’t going to happen anytime in the near future…. sooooo moving right along….

Slight detour first: does everyone know about WOOT? Their tagline is One Deal - One Day. And at random times, they have WOOT Offs - even better pricing on stuff still in the warehouse. When it’s sold out, the next item comes up. And if that’s not enough, shipping is always only $5. I adore these guys.

So the week before Thanksgiving a WOOT Off came up; I’d checked on it throughout the day to see what was being offered. And that is how I got my Christmas present.

It’s a ROOMBA. $99. It was a fully guaranteed refurb and came with: the Roomba, a charging station, separate adapter plug-in - in case you didn’t want to use the charging station, two ‘Invisible Walls’, and a remote control that also allows you to program your cleaning times. Oh and they included an extra HEPA filter, long-life rechargeable battery and cleaning tool for your Roomba.

I’m in love. Wanna see my new toy in action? Click here.

Yes I realize I’ve lost it completely, but you have no idea how much I appreciate this little wonder. I have a two-story home, three furry children, several small businesses, no time, and that stupid Fibro that slows me down.

My regular vacuum in a decent one, upright with attachments; it’s also heavy and hard to lug up and down the stairs. Which means of course, that I’m not going to do it very often. Ummm at all.

I’ve been running this little gem for 3 weeks now. It does the downstairs Friday morning, the office and studio that afternoon, and the rest of the house on Saturday.

And it cleans - I’m impressed. No it’s not perfect, but I’m smiling every time I look at it!

Ecceles hides; Molly watches only from a safe distance; Leo originally ran when it headed for him, now he just steps out of the way and follows it. I swear nothing fazes that cat. Nothing.

I must sound like a one-woman advertising campaign for the Roomba folks - iRobot - but, you know when you find something you really, really like … you just have to TELL people about it!

Now if I could find something that would paint automatically…..

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