Finding a Way

With an ankle still painful from my tumbles, I was a bit worried about keeping up my exercises.  For several weeks, I walk in place during commercials.  Especially during Biggest Loser, it's quite the inspiration.  But with this pain?  Walking in place, even on my carpet?  Not fun.  I'd tried shadow-boxing a couple weeks ago and liked it, so I kept doing that.  And then, I got an idea!  I laid on my back and kicked!  Kicking my legs up, then adding in my arms as well, and fending off some rather puzzled but enthusiastic canines, there's a workout.  By the end of the commercial break, I was definitely breathing hard.  I kept going with my arms for a while into the show, though.  No pressure on the wonky ankles, but I'm still burning calories.

I think once I do start walking again, it's probably going to be nicer weather outside.  I'm gonna try walking with the luggage on my back.  Sure, I won't have it on for my whole trip, but I might as well get used to it. Either the luggage, or walking the dogs.  Then it's an arm workout as well as the legs!  They're a curious pair, and there's lots of neighborhood dogs to greet.

Oh, I found my coat!  It was under a stack of folded laundry.  I also found the disc drive, on the desk where it is supposed to be.  Sneaky thing.  And if I don't find all the parts of the passport application by next week, I'll just go get another form and more pictures.  Ugh, a waste of money, but I don't want to run out of time on that piece of the puzzle.  Also on the Find-It list is the HiyaHiya knit pouch I recently got.  I put a low-priority project in it, and now I'm not sure where I put it.  But it'd be a fabulous bag to have on the trip.  Not too big, soft-sided, nice little handle, and enough room for a one-skein project and some tools.  It's more like a little purse than a project bag.  HiyaHiya makes such beautiful cases for their needle sets and stuff!

See, nice brocade.  This is the needle case.  I've also got two needle sets, one small and the other large-gauge.  Yes, possibly this is only interesting to knitters, but think about it this way... it's like having a great set of tools for whatever your hobby is.  The best running sneakers, an awesome socket set, a bicycle you love.  Having the right tool makes a hobby (or a job, too, really) more enjoyable, the result better quality.  HiyaHiyas are maybe not The Best, but they're quite good.  And I've got Addi's, too, which are possibly the best.  I'm not sure, sometimes I like the HH's more.  In one of my older cases, I've even still got the old aluminum straight needles that I learned on.  Sometimes, they just feel right to use.

Thinking of tools reminds me of a screwdriver I got as a freebie with some other stuff.  It's short with a nice grippy handle, and the tip looked like it was interchangeable, but I never found any other tips for it.  I thought, well, it's still a decent Phillips-head, so I'll toss it in the whatnot drawer.  Recently, I was playing with it, just something in my hands while I waited for something to cook... the end came off.  There are six lovely interchangy tips!  Little Mr. Screwdriver gets promoted to the good tool drawer!

If you're reading this, and you can think of a tool you love to use in your hobbies or work, tell me about it!