php+the_content_limit pulling the wrong content?!

[Rebecca Diamond]

I'm working on a site for someone, otherwise I'd post the URL here. But here's my code, pretty standard:

       <div class="thumb">
                        <h2><?php the_title(); ?>         </h2>

                                <?php $recent = new WP_Query("cat=1&showposts=1"); while($recent->have_posts()) : $recent->the_post();?>
                                 [img]<?php viva('feature2',''); ?>[/img]


                                <?php the_content_limit(100, ""); ?>

                                <div style="border-bottom:1px dotted #C0C0C0; margin-bottom:10px; padding:0px 0px 10px 0px; clear:both;"></div>

                                <?php endwhile; ?>

                        </div>

You'll notice I have the Viva Thumbs installed (love that plugin). However, the front page where this is feeding in features the correct permalink, but the content it pulls is always from one post beneath it! So the three instances of this I have on the home page are offset by one on the content, but not on the titles. Am I missing something obvious and straightforward and will feel dumb for asking?
Probably...but it's driving me nuts! Help appreciated...