It has been a tumultuous week. Early last Tuesday morning I woke up in considerable pain, having apparently re-irritated my perpetually sore right trapezius. Finally fed up, I went to my (A-hole) doctor, explaining that I've had chronic problems with my shoulder for FOUR YEARS and want to fix it, WITHOUT drugs. He did try to give me drugs (it doesn't really hurt that much after the first day! Why do I need to be on more medication?!), but finally gave me the proverbial Golden Ticket: physical therapy referral. I've gone twice now (my therapist is this cute guy from New Jersey), and I think it's helping already--but I did spend two rehearsals on the sidelines. I sang yesterday for the first time in almost a week...that's the main issue with the shoulder problems, of course. I'm really in a time crunch here with auditions coming up--I can't afford to take a week off singing right now! Maybe the week after Christmas, you know?

We're also having some serious car problems. My precious, precious car, all 190,000 miles of her, is leaking oil pretty heavily. I noticed the problem just over a week ago--and since it had been only three weeks since my last oil change I was quick to blame the lube place. They checked it out and didn't see any problems. Friday night we noticed it was down another two quarts, so we dropped the car off at our usual auto shop over the weekend. They called me this morning and said there were two significant leaks, and that fixing it would cost $675. Though it runs fine, the car is fourteen years old and has very high mileage; the trade-in value is not much higher than that. I called my father, and he was dubious about the diagnosis, so we'll be bringing the car to him this weekend. Plus he doesn't think we shouldn't drive it, so long as we check (and top off) the oil every time we stop. Should I take the car for my lesson Thursday, 200 miles round-trip? I need to ask about that... And we may end up renting a car to take to Cathy's wedding, just in case. Meanwhile, now we really need a new car. (Mark sometimes tends to over-deliberate over major purchases, then make really quick decisions when things get dire. So guess who's taking the reins here?) We're getting organized, and will be making some moves within a few days. Car payment, blech.

But here! Good news! I got the package from my Knit One Tea Two Swap pal.


Earl Grey green tea, chai, a few herbal teabags, teabag tongs (how fancy, since I usually use my fingers--gauche), empty teabags (fun! now I can blend), pumpkin and peach butter (we are fans of the fruit butters), lovely soft mohair, and some really yummy-smelling homemade sachets. Thank you so much! Unfortunately I don't know who you are, other than that you're from Pennsylvania. Please identify yourself (if possible) so I can properly thank you.

And in other happier news, someone here had a birthday.


Posing with some Finger Lakes wine, a book he's wanted for a long time, and some bay rum-scented stuff from Etsy. (Etsy is becoming a dangerous place for me.)

Must get back to the car-purchase planning. I'm also woefully behind in answering emails; I promise I will get cracking on that.