Friday, November 16, 2012

Friday Mishmash

What a long week.  Not the best for me, but in the grand scheme of things, nowhere near the worst, either.  I was able to return my beautiful pink Newtons for store credit even though it was a few days beyond the 60-day time-frame for returns (the Newton rep was there and authorized it since my doctor doesn't want me wearing them), and dare I say I'm kind of excited about running tomorrow?  Here's hoping I can let last Sunday go and just enjoy the act of running.

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Last Saturday, we finished the race expo just in time to watch the Veteran's Day parade in downtown San Antonio.  It felt very small town-ish - no small feat considering the population of San Antonio is well over one million - people were hooting and hollering to each other from the floats to the crowds, along with, of course, a lot of "thank-yous" being said to the veterans.  Here's a few shots from the parade:
 
 Betsy Ross - kind of random for a Veteran's Day parade...
Loved the older firetruck with the huge stuffed dalmatian on top.  A girl scout troop dressed up in the theme of Rosie the Riverter from WWII (We Can Do It!) rode on it.
 No idea who this woman was, but what a sweet old car!
 
The Shriners were very entertaining - I don't know how you rate to get to drive the little cars in the parade, but I'm sure that's a highly-coveted job!

One last thing about San Antonio stunned us so much that I had to take a picture:
Under $3.00 a gallon???  We about fell over.  And now I'm going to sound like an old person when I tell you that back the mid-nineties, when we'd only been living in San Antonio for a few years, we regularly paid $.79 a gallon for gas.  We knew enough to appreciate that price, even back then!

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Sit and Knit update:  I'm working on a couple more windmill bags - this is what I call "mindless knitting" because I don't have to think much as I go.  I really want to start on another sweater, but have these, plus a couple of other projects to finish up before I get going with that.
 
 
 
Kip has taken over my knitting spot...and doesn't look very pleased that I bothered him with my picture-taking!

I had my camera in hand after taking the knitting pictures, and Paco begged for a cookie, so I got a shot of him waiting for his treat:
Gimme cookie.  Gimme cookie.  GIMME COOKIE!!!

Have a great weekend!

20 comments:

  1. I have a feeling that just running for fun will give you your confidence back. Sometimes I feel like Paco in the picture with the cookie :-)

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  2. Yep, you did it again: you just made my day by adding that last shot of Paco. Thanks!

    I like it what the US does with Veterans Day. We have one too in Holland but at a very low profile. They deserve a better treatment since they put their life in danger for our safety and freedom.

    I like the pink colors for the windmill bag. I have picked up knitting last weekend again after reading last Friday's post but didn't do anything this week because I'm so freaking tired the past couple of days.

    Glad it's weekend! Enjoy yours my friend!

    Oh and say hi if you see Patrick Dempsey (McDreamy) when he is in Austin for the GP next Sunday :)

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    1. I knew you'd like that shot of Paco!

      Texas has a lot of military bases and really seems to pour on the appreciation for the military/veterans - very good to see.

      Austin is about 90 miles away, but now I'm thinking I need to go there to see your man!!!

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  3. My random comments... Your Texas parade made me think of the tragedy in Midland. This morning I heard about their parade and just can't get it out of my mind - terrible for all involved.

    Lori would love that Rosie the Riveter group.

    Hey Paco, congrats on losing your 1 lb. You are a very good boy - enjoy your cookie.

    Go get 'em tomorrow, Shelley. I hope your run is enjoyable!

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    1. Oh my gosh, I read about the Midland parade tragedy this morning - how horrifying!!! I can't imagine.

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  4. I adore that chevy pickup pulling that float. I love "small town" parades and this one looks like a good one.

    Have a great running week (and knitting, too - love your projects). Let Sunday go.

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    1. I could totally see you driving that Chevy pickup!

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  5. Yep, I clearly remember in the early 90's paying .89 cents a gallon and then when it hit $1 I thought that was crazy!

    I hope you have a good run tomorrow - just make it fun and it will all work out. Hugs!!

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  6. I have to say Newton has some of the best customer service. I like how they take the pressure off the store owners by guaranteeing their own product.

    I got all excited last week because with the points I earn at the grocery store, I got gas for $3.19/gallon. How sad is that?

    Have a GREAT run tomorrow. Just run, have fun. Nothing else.

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    1. Can't say enough good things about Newtons or their customer service, and I'm really sad that the shoes don't seem to be the ones for me.

      We paid $3.18/gallon to fill up the car when we drove TO San Antonio, and I was feeling happy with that price. The $2.99 floored me.

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  7. Awww, man .. the Pink Newtons went back. Boo, I know how much you loved them :( But more importantly: STORE CREDIT! What are you gonna get?? LOL

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    1. I was so relieved to get the credit! Possibilities are endless with shopping there - but I'm going to be patient and see how the Brooks feel before getting another pair.

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  8. Wow, that is amazing that you can take a pair of shoes back after running 11 miles in them! I love the pink windmill bag. I'm going to have to try one of those!

    So are you going to get a different brand of shoes? Or are your old newtons different than the new ones?

    Sophie swooned at Paco's steely eyed determination.

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    1. A lot of running stores will let you return shoes within a short time-frame, even if you've run in them. Newtons have a longer period because they can be tricky to adjust to; I was very grateful that the rep extended the return time-frame.

      I'm going to run in an older pair of Brooks (not many miles on them since I switched to Newtons shortly after I got them) and see how it goes. Not nearly as pretty, nor as fun, but if they let me run without hurting, totally worth it.

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  9. Betsy Ross and cheap gas? Does it get any better?

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  10. Yay for Rosie!! My hero :D

    That is a great parade and I covet the little cars. That would be so cool to go around town in one of those, don't you think.

    An aside here, I love the brick paver roads. They aren't fun to bike on, but they sure look pretty.

    Have a fun (emphasizing the word fun) run tomorrow!

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  11. 2.99!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OH WOW!!! I wish!!!
    Have a great run tomorrow!!

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  12. That is a cute, hometown-feeling parade! I love San Antonio. My brother lived there for close to 10 years, and I always had a great time visiting him there.

    I started driving in 1997, and remember how cool it was when my parents would give me a $20 to fill up the car and I'd have like $10 change to spend on whatever I wanted!

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  13. Ha, great parade photos! Glad you had fun there.

    Silly Paco. Such a sweet face on him. :)

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  14. What a fantastic, colorful parade! Holy crap, that gas is CHEAP!!! Love Kip and Paco shots. Keep 'em coming Shelley. And keep your chin up my friend...brighter weeks will be ahead! Hugs

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