Saturday, November 15, 2008

Saturday Bargain-Hunting

I didn't run today. I did a three-hour spin instead, but I still feel like I cheated. I know it was the right thing to do, but that doesn't mean I like it. I spent all last week fighting borderline bronchitis symptoms and I'm still not 100%. I can exercise, but I knew this morning's temps in the low 40s and strong winds blowing dust around would lead to a setback and another week of reduced workouts and general grumpiness. Spinning this morning in my studio was the right thing to do, but I felt like a slacker. I second-guess myself at times like this, trying to determine if I've really got an excuse or if I'm just looking for one.

Today was a great day for cheap finds! On our way to lunch, Dan and I came across an estate sale. It was pretty picked over, but Dan got a floor lamp for $10 that he will take to his office, and I got a red glass plate for $5 and found some antique books and two first-edition WWII accounts for $1 apiece. My favorite find was a 1929 Spanish book. It's an informational book about Mexico, written in Spanish for students of the language. I also picked up some second edition Zane Gray novels (at $1 apiece) in good condition that I'll give to my mom for Christmas.

Then after lunch I heard back from a woman I had contacted via Craigslist, who had a sewing machine for sale. I went and picked it up-- a Singer FM-17 Fashion Mate, clean, in good running order, for $25. Tonight I got online and found a manual for it so I'll know how to thread the darn thing. I learned how to use a sewing machine when I was a kid, but I've never had one of my own, so this is exciting for me. I have a lot of projects that never get finished because of the tedium of doing everything by hand.

So in all, it was a good day. I'll try to run tomorrow afternoon during my usual spin time, when the temps are supposed to be in the 60s. And I'm signed up to bring macaroni and cheese to my department's Thanksgiving lunch next week, so guess what I'll be cooking again soon? I hope some of my readers have had a chance to try last week's recipe, and I'm looking forward to seeing what my co-workers think of it.

9 comments:

RG said...

Such a quandry! Duty vs. responsibility. Rationalizing vs. reality!

Yur the ones says to us - "listen to your body" ... sounds like you did the right thing.

I know lots of people with rather new sewing machines .. e.g. newer than when they were kids! Pretty amazing things! I wonder if the manual cost more than the machine!

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

The manual was almost as much as the machine - $15 after all was said and done. But I still wouldn't have found a new sewing machine for $40 so I'm not complaining. If I find myself using it a lot, I'll buy a new one, but I often take on new projects on a whim, then lose interest rather quickly. It's best I not invest a lot of money until I'm sure it'll be worth it.

the Bag Lady said...

Good for you for finding such a great buy on a sewing machine! Post a picture of it, would you?

I was looking at a sales flyer from Canadian Tire (they sell all kinds of home products as well as automotive and, of course, tires) and they have a sewing machine on sale for around 65.00. I was thinking it would be nice to have a second machine - when I get into marathon sewing, I hate having to change thread every time I turn around.....if I had a second machine, I could have them threaded with different colours...

OMG, I'm such a freak!

Have fun with your new machine, and if you ever need any advice, ask me. I'm full of it. Advice, I mean.
Okay, I'm stopping now.

Thomma Lyn said...

You did the right thing, spinning instead of running. Take good care, my friend, and feel better soon.

That's cool you got a sewing machine! I'm ashamed to admit this, but I have the sewing machine that my Gram had used for years, and I have yet to learn to use it. Gram showed me some things on it when I was just a little kid, but of course, I don't remember any of it. One of these days...! :-D

MaoMao said...

Hi there, Auntie Bunnygirl! I'm glad yur takin care of yurself. I wouldn't want you to get sicker and hock up a hairball or nothin! When Brainball hadded bronkitus last year he hocked up a hairball the size of the good year blimp. (Momma sez it wuzzen't related to the bronkitus, but I don't beleeve her.)

hehe, like Pix, I sometimes lick watur outta the bathtubbie! I love playin with watur, too. I like gettin inna sink and pullin out the drain stop! It's FUN!

Cadbury and Pix will be glad you gotted a sewin mashine. Now you can make em lots and lots of klothesies!

Kittyhugs and purrs from MaoMao!

Glenna said...

Doesn't sound like making up excuses to me when you contemplate bronchial stuff and dusty/windy and then spin three hours. Wow!

I have a sewing machine also, which I'm looking forward to getting out when the semester ends. I need to replace my bedroom drapes, which I never liked and which Pink has munched on so that now they're kind of bunny lace drapes along the bottom. What are you planning to make/do?

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

Glenna, my sewing projects right now are clothes-related. I follow the doings on the Wardrobe Refashion blog and although I do some of my own alterations, I'll be able to take on more ambitious ones now that I have a sewing machine. I've also always wanted to make a quilt, although that may be too time-consuming for what I'm currently able to do.

d. moll, l.ac. said...

I got an old Singer years ago at a garage sale for $35 (it had a manual) and love it, it may not be able to go backwards and do fancy stitches, but it has been perfectly serviceable making everything from curtains to sweater rabbit puppets.....Take care of your lungs !
Hi to Cadbury from his Spotted friends...

Michele said...

I have a sewing maching---in a box in the closet with all the other stuff I haven't used since last winter. :-) You've inspired me to get it out and make a start on the little pile of mending that built up over the summer. Thank you!