This past week went by in a flash. Every day I was busy with something and then I would be busy again with something else. Writing lectures, keeping m kids in line, getting to know new colleagues. My head feels like it is spinning.
It also rained a lot this week. Finally. The main street outside of my apartment complex offered up a spectacular flash flood, that I watched from the safety of high ground. Texans in their big trucks would go roaring through it all creating waves. What is with Texans and the big trucks? Everyone here has a large truck, but so many people don't use them because they need them (like for instance if they work construction or if they are gardeners.) I have been watching the trucks a lot lately I think because I am considering getting a small truck myself and have been struggling with this dilemma. I like to drive a small car because well, it seems like a waste of gas to drive a big one, but I will soon be doing a lot of research on Native American reservations in the remote parts of the Southwest... and in many of those places you need a truck that can handle unpaved, tough roads. A small car would get torn up. My friend S and I discussed this the other day- she offered a compromise-get a small car new and a small truck used. Hmmm...so I am thinking of this- I am looking at buying a Honda fit (an itty-bitty little car) new and maybe buying a beater truck used. Something that I can get for a few thousand that is reliable, and that I can use only when i need it for my research on the rez. (So I could drive my little car the rest of the time.) At the same time this seems extravagant to me- to have two vehicles for one person. My mom told me to just buy a small SUV- a compromise position, but I don't want an SUV. Oh groan. Any advice? (And the Subaru option is not ideal. Too expensive and they don't get great mileage.)
Anyway onto knitting. Or lack thereof.
The sock is Hedera from Knitty. You cannot really see the pattern thanks to the sock yarn, but I think I am gonna keep going with it. The JoJoland Harmony is the start of the Bridgewater shawl from the Jared Flood pattern book. Its lots of garter stitch for the middle and will take forever but it is my phone knitting (when I am chatting on the phone.)
Meanwhile I want a sweater project and I went through the stash and hemmed and hawed over everything. I have a few options, but I am leaning towards this one:
The little textured short-sleeved cardigan if from Berrocco family knits booklet. I have the right amount of Comfort and I thought that this being Texas (where it is still in the mid 80s despite a rainstorm) this might work. I dunno- what do you think?
(And thanks to everyone who send me good wishes upon the completion of the PhD. Many thanks!)
Have you thought about a Toyota RAV4? Yes, it's a small SUV but my 1999 with a stick shift still gets 30+ mpg even with 165K on the engine. What ever you get, you will need to have tinted windows for the back for summer in Texas.
Posted by: Susie B | September 13, 2009 at 01:14 PM
Well there is one other thing to consider with having two vehicles, you'll have to have insurance of some sort on both and that's an added cost. I'm sure you thought about that.
Now having more then one vehicle isn't necessarily an extravagance. I actually think in some cases its a good idea. When one car is in the shop, etc. We have 3 vehicles for 2 people.
I think your idea of vehicles are good ones, should you decide on a two-vehicle idea.
Posted by: Rebekah | September 23, 2009 at 12:31 PM