Thanks for all the warm wishes...
I am still sore - actually more so today than all week - ibuprofen (my new best friend)
Hopefully, that will be my one and only accident for my lifetime :)
On to other news...No school on Wednesday - due to the extreme cold here - the wind chill factor was down to 50 to 60 degrees below zero - that is seriously, nothing to mess around with. The principal called Tuesday night to let me know we had closed for Wednesday - which was nice - then I didn't have to set my alarm just to find out I could sleep in....I spent the day knitting...made some cookies - Tollhouse! Can't beat a good chocolate chip cookie....watched a couple movies...wouldn't recommend License to Wed with Robin Williams...not good at all -
I finished my dishcloths for the Defeat the Winter Doldrums Swap. I am so enjoying getting to know my partner. I just want to tell her who I am - we have so much in common - I think this is the best match for me that I've had...(swap wise)
And - how's this for a lead-in...I am going to join Longing For Spring Swap. I think this will be a fun swap to be a part of. It's all about Spring - and boy am I into that!!! Amy is hostess. She is limiting the number to only 40 participants...Go over and check it out -
Tomorrow is Friday!!!! Jeans and sweatshirt day at school!!! yay! I don't wear jeans to work except on Fridays - I really try to dress professionally on a regular, daily bais - but - this week - I am SO ready for jeans and a sweatshirt!
..and...my favorite band is playing at the best dance hall in the area - so, Sweetie and I will go do some "butt shaking"..it's all good!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
My world momentarily upside down...
{{{{{insert picture of upside down vehicle}}}}}
Yup...I rolled my blazer last night....
I was coming home last night around 7:30. The interstate was bone dry - I turned onto our county road - and within a 1/4 of a mile - I hit ice - going around 45-50 mph.
I fishtailed back and forth - tried to gain control - headed for a neighbor's yard...hit the snow..and rolled it right over...
Strange sensation, rolling a vehicle...almost seems to happen in slow motion....
As the blazer came to a stop...the sound of breaking glass tinkling around me...the darkness of a country road...the strangeness of hanging upside down by a seatbelt...the chaos of everything in the vehicle being scattered around your person....couldn't find my cell phone....gas...don't vehicles upside down explode?...shut off the ignition...blowing the horn...nobody is coming....snow up to the windows...unbelt the seatbelt....should go out the window....blowing horn....have to put keys back in ignition...power windows....window down? up?...crawl out on my butt....dress pants...dress shoes...snow up to my knees.....
It was all so disorientating....
I am okay - sore...but okay...
Tow truck came...flipped over and towed it away....
At this point...I know for sure I need a new windshield, two new side mirrors, a dent on the hood and the roof was creased...but...I am okay.
Unfortunately - I have no pictures to share....
Yup...I rolled my blazer last night....
I was coming home last night around 7:30. The interstate was bone dry - I turned onto our county road - and within a 1/4 of a mile - I hit ice - going around 45-50 mph.
I fishtailed back and forth - tried to gain control - headed for a neighbor's yard...hit the snow..and rolled it right over...
Strange sensation, rolling a vehicle...almost seems to happen in slow motion....
As the blazer came to a stop...the sound of breaking glass tinkling around me...the darkness of a country road...the strangeness of hanging upside down by a seatbelt...the chaos of everything in the vehicle being scattered around your person....couldn't find my cell phone....gas...don't vehicles upside down explode?...shut off the ignition...blowing the horn...nobody is coming....snow up to the windows...unbelt the seatbelt....should go out the window....blowing horn....have to put keys back in ignition...power windows....window down? up?...crawl out on my butt....dress pants...dress shoes...snow up to my knees.....
It was all so disorientating....
I am okay - sore...but okay...
Tow truck came...flipped over and towed it away....
At this point...I know for sure I need a new windshield, two new side mirrors, a dent on the hood and the roof was creased...but...I am okay.
Unfortunately - I have no pictures to share....
Sunday, January 27, 2008
I've been tagged!
I'm it!!
I have been tagged by Alana. Here is what I have to do....
List 7 Random Facts about Me
Here are the rules, and they must be posted to your blog.
Link to the person’s blog who tagged you (see above).
List seven random and/or weird facts about yourself.
Tag seven random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
Let each person know that they have been tagged by posting a comment on their blog and also so they can look at your blog and not tag the same people all over again!
1. I am half Hawaiian. I have never been to Hawaii. My biological Dad lives on the island of Maui. My mom met him when she was in the Navy.
2. I love to eat Lutefisk and pickled herring.
3. I have four boys - the probability of having four children of the same sex is 1:16 or 6%...
4. I have been in a relationship for the last 8 and a half years, engaged for the last 5 years, and have no wedding date set....don't ask....
5. I know how to drive an excavator, a bulldozer, a backhoe, and a tractor. I've worked the last 8 summers for my "sweetheart" contractor and have learned to do most everything construction-wise. I could build you a house, well, almost....
6. I cry at weddings, TV shows (can't make it through a single Little House on the Prairie episode), church hymns, baptisms, even the school song....My children think it is hysterically funny....
7. I faint easily. Not good for a "country" girl...let's just leave it at that...
Okay, that was hard...Now, I think this is going to be harder...I have to "tag" seven more people...
1. Megan
2. Shelly
3. Becky
4. Jodie
5. Ksee
6. Cass
7. Sharon
I have been tagged by Alana. Here is what I have to do....
List 7 Random Facts about Me
Here are the rules, and they must be posted to your blog.
Link to the person’s blog who tagged you (see above).
List seven random and/or weird facts about yourself.
Tag seven random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
Let each person know that they have been tagged by posting a comment on their blog and also so they can look at your blog and not tag the same people all over again!
1. I am half Hawaiian. I have never been to Hawaii. My biological Dad lives on the island of Maui. My mom met him when she was in the Navy.
2. I love to eat Lutefisk and pickled herring.
3. I have four boys - the probability of having four children of the same sex is 1:16 or 6%...
4. I have been in a relationship for the last 8 and a half years, engaged for the last 5 years, and have no wedding date set....don't ask....
5. I know how to drive an excavator, a bulldozer, a backhoe, and a tractor. I've worked the last 8 summers for my "sweetheart" contractor and have learned to do most everything construction-wise. I could build you a house, well, almost....
6. I cry at weddings, TV shows (can't make it through a single Little House on the Prairie episode), church hymns, baptisms, even the school song....My children think it is hysterically funny....
7. I faint easily. Not good for a "country" girl...let's just leave it at that...
Okay, that was hard...Now, I think this is going to be harder...I have to "tag" seven more people...
1. Megan
2. Shelly
3. Becky
4. Jodie
5. Ksee
6. Cass
7. Sharon
Defeat the Winter Doldrums -- Topic #2
There are many people who ADORE receiving hand-knit or crochet items; but there are just as many who have no appreciation whatever of how much love, work, and time goes into a hand-made item. Share a story of a hand-made gift you gave to someone and how it worked out - good, bad, or ugly!
During my years of being married (15+) - we had very little money. I was always "making" gifts for my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law. As many of you know, homemade gifts come from the heart, and mine truly did...They would always be seemingly appreciative of the item at the time of opening gifts...but I would never see the object again...One item in particular comes to mind. I had taken a class on making the padded, cloth photo albums. I had found material that I thought matched her living room, worked diligently on the project - put some pictures of her grandchildren inside - gave it to her with lots of love and pride..and never saw it again.
On the other hand, my own Gramma loves and appreciates every single thing I have ever gifted her. I recently made her three dishcloths. She was thrilled...but refused to use them as dishcloths...because they were too pretty....instead she has them laying around almost like doilies...too funny.
During my years of being married (15+) - we had very little money. I was always "making" gifts for my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law. As many of you know, homemade gifts come from the heart, and mine truly did...They would always be seemingly appreciative of the item at the time of opening gifts...but I would never see the object again...One item in particular comes to mind. I had taken a class on making the padded, cloth photo albums. I had found material that I thought matched her living room, worked diligently on the project - put some pictures of her grandchildren inside - gave it to her with lots of love and pride..and never saw it again.
On the other hand, my own Gramma loves and appreciates every single thing I have ever gifted her. I recently made her three dishcloths. She was thrilled...but refused to use them as dishcloths...because they were too pretty....instead she has them laying around almost like doilies...too funny.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Yarn or cleaning?
It's Saturday...
I should be cleaning my house in preparation for Chris' Confirmation in a couple weeks....but am I? Oh No... the yarn is calling my name...can you hear it?
Come....Come...Alaina....
So, I am off to spend money. I finished another pair of slippers - just need to felt them. I need to buy some more slipper yarn. The store in Duluth has twice the selection and $2 cheaper per skein of Lamb's Pride...than the LYS (10 miles away)
I also need to find some yarn to send my Swap partner for the Defeat the Winter Doldrums Dishcloth Swap. I started one of the dishcloths I am going to send her - I always send two - one "theme-oriented" and one "functional". I should have pictures of finished one soon....(the whole uploading pictures at home vs school problem)
The State One-Act Play sub-section Competition is also in Duluth today for the section involving the Duluth Schools. In the past, Nathan has competed in the One-Act here at Barnum. He actually lettered in Drama as an 8th grader. He has a natural ability and usually has the audience in the palm of his hand. This year he decided to manage the boys basketball team instead of doing drama. I was disappointed...all of his friends are in basketball...and it is so about friends when you are 15/16 years old. (and rightly so)
Anyways, I digress...the One Act competition...each of the schools are listed anonymously in the program, they are given 15 minutes to set up and then exactly 35 minutes to perform their play in front of an audience and a panel of judges. The winners are announced at the end of the day and the 1st place play goes on to compete at the state level in early February.
I love going to the competition. It's free and you get to sit and watch an entire day of one-act plays. I am so self-conscious, I would never, ever be able to get up in front of an audience and act. (I know, I stand in front and teach...that's different.) I am in awe of all involved...from the props to the actors/actresses.
So, today, along with the yarn adventure, I think Nathan and I might check out the one-act competition. Ought to be fun....
I should be cleaning my house in preparation for Chris' Confirmation in a couple weeks....but am I? Oh No... the yarn is calling my name...can you hear it?
Come....Come...Alaina....
So, I am off to spend money. I finished another pair of slippers - just need to felt them. I need to buy some more slipper yarn. The store in Duluth has twice the selection and $2 cheaper per skein of Lamb's Pride...than the LYS (10 miles away)
I also need to find some yarn to send my Swap partner for the Defeat the Winter Doldrums Dishcloth Swap. I started one of the dishcloths I am going to send her - I always send two - one "theme-oriented" and one "functional". I should have pictures of finished one soon....(the whole uploading pictures at home vs school problem)
The State One-Act Play sub-section Competition is also in Duluth today for the section involving the Duluth Schools. In the past, Nathan has competed in the One-Act here at Barnum. He actually lettered in Drama as an 8th grader. He has a natural ability and usually has the audience in the palm of his hand. This year he decided to manage the boys basketball team instead of doing drama. I was disappointed...all of his friends are in basketball...and it is so about friends when you are 15/16 years old. (and rightly so)
Anyways, I digress...the One Act competition...each of the schools are listed anonymously in the program, they are given 15 minutes to set up and then exactly 35 minutes to perform their play in front of an audience and a panel of judges. The winners are announced at the end of the day and the 1st place play goes on to compete at the state level in early February.
I love going to the competition. It's free and you get to sit and watch an entire day of one-act plays. I am so self-conscious, I would never, ever be able to get up in front of an audience and act. (I know, I stand in front and teach...that's different.) I am in awe of all involved...from the props to the actors/actresses.
So, today, along with the yarn adventure, I think Nathan and I might check out the one-act competition. Ought to be fun....
Thursday, January 24, 2008
-26 degrees
That is what my car thermometer read as I drove into work this morning. I tried to take a picture...but, the road was too bumpy....
My house thermometer read -19...I thought that was cold enough....
I live in the country...as I drive pass other country homes...I saw elementary age children standing outside in -20+ weather. What are their parents thinking? It bothered me all the way in this morning....
When I had small children (elementary age) - I would either wait at the end of the driveway in a warm car... or the kids would watch from the house and run down when they saw the bus at the edge of the yard. Not a perfect solution, but a solution....
How long does it take exposed skin to freeze in -20 degree weather?
I haven't even mentioned the "wind chill" factor - that was suppose to be down to minus 35/40....
Maybe some of the area schools could have looked at a two hour late start. Let the temperature "warm" up to zero.
Where does the safety of our students come into this equation? (staff?)
My house thermometer read -19...I thought that was cold enough....
I live in the country...as I drive pass other country homes...I saw elementary age children standing outside in -20+ weather. What are their parents thinking? It bothered me all the way in this morning....
When I had small children (elementary age) - I would either wait at the end of the driveway in a warm car... or the kids would watch from the house and run down when they saw the bus at the edge of the yard. Not a perfect solution, but a solution....
How long does it take exposed skin to freeze in -20 degree weather?
I haven't even mentioned the "wind chill" factor - that was suppose to be down to minus 35/40....
Maybe some of the area schools could have looked at a two hour late start. Let the temperature "warm" up to zero.
Where does the safety of our students come into this equation? (staff?)
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Just some housekeeping...
First off - I failed to mention the pattern for the clogs...
I used Fiber Trends Felt Clogs. I bought my pattern this summer at a yarn store up the shore of Lake Superior. I forget the name. I think you can order online...
The pattern initially looked "scary" but I tamed it with a highlighter.
The body of the slipper repeats - so, I highlighted when I actually had to "count" and "pay attention" to increases or decreases, then I moved my post it note down to that row.
The slippers are knit using a double strand of Lamb's Pride worsted weight. The soles are double thick. You start with the sole and then move onto the body color. After completing the body, you go back and knit a second sole which you then Knit/attach to the slipper.
The women's size, which I made for myself (and never posted a picture of) used two skeins of the sole color and one skein of the body color. The boys' size used two skeins of the body color and three of the sole color - with yarn left over. I am going to try a woman's size, using all of the left over yarn from the boys'.
I also made a pair of mittens for Andy's girlfriend during the knitting frenzy. I used Andean Alpaca Regal yarn. He brought them back to college with him before I thought of getting a picture.... He said, "They fit as if they were made for her." DOH!!!
I am thinking of joining the The Year Long Gift Along as suggested to me by Mandy.
Sounds like a good idea to organize yourself for the coming year. Go check it out....
It's the end of the semester and I should be sitting at the table grading papers and writing lesson plans for Tuesday...but...am just not motivated in that direction....
It was minus 20 this morning when I got up and looked outside...the Sunday paper is still in the mailbox - at the end of the driveway...the boys are at their dad's which means I will have to brave the cold to go get it....me thinks it may stay there awhile longer....Am thinking it's a good day for stew in the crock pot....minimal effort and comfort food....
I used Fiber Trends Felt Clogs. I bought my pattern this summer at a yarn store up the shore of Lake Superior. I forget the name. I think you can order online...
The pattern initially looked "scary" but I tamed it with a highlighter.
The body of the slipper repeats - so, I highlighted when I actually had to "count" and "pay attention" to increases or decreases, then I moved my post it note down to that row.
The slippers are knit using a double strand of Lamb's Pride worsted weight. The soles are double thick. You start with the sole and then move onto the body color. After completing the body, you go back and knit a second sole which you then Knit/attach to the slipper.
The women's size, which I made for myself (and never posted a picture of) used two skeins of the sole color and one skein of the body color. The boys' size used two skeins of the body color and three of the sole color - with yarn left over. I am going to try a woman's size, using all of the left over yarn from the boys'.
I also made a pair of mittens for Andy's girlfriend during the knitting frenzy. I used Andean Alpaca Regal yarn. He brought them back to college with him before I thought of getting a picture.... He said, "They fit as if they were made for her." DOH!!!
I am thinking of joining the The Year Long Gift Along as suggested to me by Mandy.
Sounds like a good idea to organize yourself for the coming year. Go check it out....
It's the end of the semester and I should be sitting at the table grading papers and writing lesson plans for Tuesday...but...am just not motivated in that direction....
It was minus 20 this morning when I got up and looked outside...the Sunday paper is still in the mailbox - at the end of the driveway...the boys are at their dad's which means I will have to brave the cold to go get it....me thinks it may stay there awhile longer....Am thinking it's a good day for stew in the crock pot....minimal effort and comfort food....
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Finally...finished Christmas pictures...
Thus, begins the story...along about the beginning of December, I got a hair-brain idea to make each of my boys a pair of felted slippers....
What the Hell was I thinking??? (pardon my French)
I knit like a mad woman....every available moment...spent knitting slippers...I dreamt about slippers...it was an obsession...and not small slippers....VERY, VERY Large slippers...we are talking size 13 feet here...across the board!
I did not complete all slippers before Christmas...I wrapped up what was done and spent the week following...again...knitting like a mad woman....hardly stopping to cook meals...
At last...all done knitting...now an entire evening of tidying things up....tucking in - good God! What a lot of ends!
Here's me...looking very un-glamorous and a little pudgy (Christmas cookies, perhaps? See previous paragraph) with the bundle of completed slippers on my way to the washer.
TAH-DAH!!!! Finished slippers.......
I am happy to report that two pairs went back to college with said sons and two more pairs are used nightly here.
And if the slipper saga wasn't enough...Have I mentioned how I thrive on stress? I decided along about the same time to make each of the boys a tied fleece throw.
Again...didn't happen before Christmas, so material was wrapped up and We tied them after Christmas - We spent the time together on the floor...tying blankets...
The pictures are of our third "helper" - What is it with cats? Don't cha just love them?
"Helping" tie Jeremy's maroon and gold blanket.....
Making sure Andy goes back to college with a little cat hair to remember home by....
Next year.... someone slap me if I tell you I have an idea...in December...promise?
What the Hell was I thinking??? (pardon my French)
I knit like a mad woman....every available moment...spent knitting slippers...I dreamt about slippers...it was an obsession...and not small slippers....VERY, VERY Large slippers...we are talking size 13 feet here...across the board!
I did not complete all slippers before Christmas...I wrapped up what was done and spent the week following...again...knitting like a mad woman....hardly stopping to cook meals...
At last...all done knitting...now an entire evening of tidying things up....tucking in - good God! What a lot of ends!
Here's me...looking very un-glamorous and a little pudgy (Christmas cookies, perhaps? See previous paragraph) with the bundle of completed slippers on my way to the washer.
TAH-DAH!!!! Finished slippers.......
I am happy to report that two pairs went back to college with said sons and two more pairs are used nightly here.
And if the slipper saga wasn't enough...Have I mentioned how I thrive on stress? I decided along about the same time to make each of the boys a tied fleece throw.
Again...didn't happen before Christmas, so material was wrapped up and We tied them after Christmas - We spent the time together on the floor...tying blankets...
The pictures are of our third "helper" - What is it with cats? Don't cha just love them?
"Helping" tie Jeremy's maroon and gold blanket.....
Making sure Andy goes back to college with a little cat hair to remember home by....
Next year.... someone slap me if I tell you I have an idea...in December...promise?
Defeat the Winter Doldrums Topic #1
Weekly Topic: Dishrag. Dishcloth. Face cloth. I've seen folks get all fired up in forums when someone refers to their knit or crochet creation as a dishrag, as that's somehow offensive to them! When you're working on yours, what do you call them? Also, is there a difference between a dishrag and a dishcloth? How bout a facecloth? Are they all really the same thing?
I read a blog entry during the last swap where the writer was all fired up about the usage of dishclothes vs. dishcloths. She actually wrote a whole paragraph about how awful it was that some people spelled it (wrong) with the "e" included.....
My thoughts..."GET A LIFE" I am sorry - but...it's a dishrag. Don't we have more important things in our lives to worry about?
In answer to the topic...I use both terms interchangeably...Is one term more "politically correct" than the other? Leave it to me to inadvertently say the wrong thing.....
I read a blog entry during the last swap where the writer was all fired up about the usage of dishclothes vs. dishcloths. She actually wrote a whole paragraph about how awful it was that some people spelled it (wrong) with the "e" included.....
My thoughts..."GET A LIFE" I am sorry - but...it's a dishrag. Don't we have more important things in our lives to worry about?
In answer to the topic...I use both terms interchangeably...Is one term more "politically correct" than the other? Leave it to me to inadvertently say the wrong thing.....
Friday, January 18, 2008
A Minnesota Winter
Doesn't it look peaceful? It's suppose to get to 35 below tonight with the wind chill factor....
Me thinks I'll be staying in......
Just a side note....this is the view from my living room window into my front yard...how awesome is that?
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Men....
We set off on an adventure today to look at a house about 90+ minutes away...He is considering buying it for a rental or possibly a retreat for the family...
I don't know about you - but, my weekends are usually planned out in my mind around Wednesday...I work all week - so Saturday is the day to get the laundry done, the groceries bought, the house...well...house cleaning depends on whether I think anyone is coming in the near future...but, I digress....You get the picture...Packed...that's what my weekends seem to be...packed
I thought this particular weekend might be a good time to put the Christmas decorations away...yup...go ahead and look at the calendar - it is January 12th...I know....
Oh, about 10:00 Thursday night, He springs this little trip on me...I know how He operates - we are talking an all day adventure...
OKAY...we haven't had much alone time..."sounds fun" I say...
As we leave the house, get on the freeway...I mention do you have the key to the house? (This house is in the family, niece's and for sale)... He laughs, as though what a stupid question...decides he does not have it...We BACK UP the on-ramp...I tend to pull out a brown paper sack and put it over my head when He pulls this stuff.
We go back to the house...he comes out with 3 individual keys..."I think it is one of these" He says.
As anal as I am...when said key was given to me, I would have put it on it's own little ring and attached an identifying label...HE THINKS IT IS ONE OF THESE????
We drive for almost two hours...as we near the town...I ask if he has the address of said house. He again looks at me with THAT look....Of, course he has the address, what kind of idiot do I think he is?
He digs around in his pockets...ends up calling brother to get address...
We find house, of course driveway is not shoveled and we have no boots...trudge through knee deep snow to get to the front door...and....wait for it.....NONE of the f-ing keys fit!!!!
Did I mention I wanted to spend the day putting away Christmas?
He's very lucky I didn't kill him.
I don't know about you - but, my weekends are usually planned out in my mind around Wednesday...I work all week - so Saturday is the day to get the laundry done, the groceries bought, the house...well...house cleaning depends on whether I think anyone is coming in the near future...but, I digress....You get the picture...Packed...that's what my weekends seem to be...packed
I thought this particular weekend might be a good time to put the Christmas decorations away...yup...go ahead and look at the calendar - it is January 12th...I know....
Oh, about 10:00 Thursday night, He springs this little trip on me...I know how He operates - we are talking an all day adventure...
OKAY...we haven't had much alone time..."sounds fun" I say...
As we leave the house, get on the freeway...I mention do you have the key to the house? (This house is in the family, niece's and for sale)... He laughs, as though what a stupid question...decides he does not have it...We BACK UP the on-ramp...I tend to pull out a brown paper sack and put it over my head when He pulls this stuff.
We go back to the house...he comes out with 3 individual keys..."I think it is one of these" He says.
As anal as I am...when said key was given to me, I would have put it on it's own little ring and attached an identifying label...HE THINKS IT IS ONE OF THESE????
We drive for almost two hours...as we near the town...I ask if he has the address of said house. He again looks at me with THAT look....Of, course he has the address, what kind of idiot do I think he is?
He digs around in his pockets...ends up calling brother to get address...
We find house, of course driveway is not shoveled and we have no boots...trudge through knee deep snow to get to the front door...and....wait for it.....NONE of the f-ing keys fit!!!!
Did I mention I wanted to spend the day putting away Christmas?
He's very lucky I didn't kill him.
Friday, January 11, 2008
On a personal note
I just haven't had much to say lately.
I have been busy with all those lesson plans for school - still doing 4 preps of senior high math - it is getting better - starting to get into the rhythm of it - My God!!!! There is only 4 days left in 2nd quarter....
I did knit up four pairs of felted slippers for the boys for Christmas. Unfortunately, I am unable to load pictures form home. Every single time I try, I get the error message...currently dis-connected from blogger. or some such message. It is so frustrating, and it also leaves my only option to post pictures at school...Well, when I am already staying until 5:00 to get classwork done...who wants to start fooling around with blogging? At that point, I just want to get home and start supper...so, I struggle with not having pictures.
Not much new going on around here. My college boys were home for the holidays and now back to their worlds. We removed the two extra chairs from around the kitchen table. I miss them. I wish sometimes I had a "do-over" and could zap back to those hectic years when they were all so small. My energy was concentrated on caring for babies and trying to save a failing marriage, and trying to find money to pay bills, and just trying to make it all work.... I know some of you have been there - maybe still are there....I want a "do-over" for my kids sake.
Sorry this turned into kinda a bummer post...maybe it is the reason I haven't been posting much lately, I don't know...I struggle to stay positive in my life. I know that is a much healthier place to be. It is just so hard changing a lifetime of thoughts.....but, I am trying.
So, let's end this on a positive note: I have four young men who love me, I have a good man who also loves me and takes care of me, I have good friends who care about me, I have a job, I have a house, I can put food on my table, and we are all blessed with good health. I believe life is good.
If you are still here, thanks for listening....
I have been busy with all those lesson plans for school - still doing 4 preps of senior high math - it is getting better - starting to get into the rhythm of it - My God!!!! There is only 4 days left in 2nd quarter....
I did knit up four pairs of felted slippers for the boys for Christmas. Unfortunately, I am unable to load pictures form home. Every single time I try, I get the error message...currently dis-connected from blogger. or some such message. It is so frustrating, and it also leaves my only option to post pictures at school...Well, when I am already staying until 5:00 to get classwork done...who wants to start fooling around with blogging? At that point, I just want to get home and start supper...so, I struggle with not having pictures.
Not much new going on around here. My college boys were home for the holidays and now back to their worlds. We removed the two extra chairs from around the kitchen table. I miss them. I wish sometimes I had a "do-over" and could zap back to those hectic years when they were all so small. My energy was concentrated on caring for babies and trying to save a failing marriage, and trying to find money to pay bills, and just trying to make it all work.... I know some of you have been there - maybe still are there....I want a "do-over" for my kids sake.
Sorry this turned into kinda a bummer post...maybe it is the reason I haven't been posting much lately, I don't know...I struggle to stay positive in my life. I know that is a much healthier place to be. It is just so hard changing a lifetime of thoughts.....but, I am trying.
So, let's end this on a positive note: I have four young men who love me, I have a good man who also loves me and takes care of me, I have good friends who care about me, I have a job, I have a house, I can put food on my table, and we are all blessed with good health. I believe life is good.
If you are still here, thanks for listening....
Defeat the Winter Doldrums Questionaire
1. Do you knit, crochet, or do both?
I initially learned to crochet years ago from my grandmother...now days, I do much more knitting than crocheting. I have really gotten into knitting in the last 2-3 years.
2. What types of needles do you enjoy using for making dishcloths?
I use a cheap set of metal straight, convenient because, I don't use that set for anything other than dishcloths. When I get sick of the current project, it's sometimes necessary to "finish" something, so , I make a dishcloth.
3. What types of cotton do you enjoy using for making dishcloths? Is there any that you've been wanting to try?
I usually use "Sugar n Cream" or "Peaches n Cream" I wouldn't want to put much money into the yarn to create a dishcloth.(sorry, I am cheap, maybe thrifty is a better word.
4. What color(s) are your kitchen and bath decorated in (if any)?
My kitchen has a lot of greens in it - kinda pale, sage green , not the lighter minty green. I am in the process, soon, I hope, of redoing the bathroom - looking at rose colors..
5. What are your favorite colors for yarns? Least favorite?
I tend to prefer the earthy tones more so than neon, artificial tones.
6. Do you like Winter, or do you count the days until it ends?
I really, really, positively dislike winter. I hate being cold. I hate having my travel restricted by the weather. The only good thing about winter is the down time to sit under a blanket and knit your evenings away......
7. What's your favorite way to brighten your day when you're down in the dumps?
When I am down, I need a good friend, lots of chocolate, maybe some Kleenex....I tend to get sucked down really easily and struggle to come out...
8. What is your favorite treat to indulge in and when your down in the dumps?
Did I mention chocolate?
9. Do you drink coffee? Tea? Cocoa?
I drink coffee in the morning, heavily sedated with Irish Cream creamer. I am not much of a tea drinker. I haven't found a tea that I really, really like....I do enjoy a hot cup of cocoa occasionally, topped with whip cream...probably not as often as I could...
10. If you could take a vacation starting tomorrow and go anywhere for one week and money were no object, where would you go and what would you do?
I would take my family to Hawaii to visit my biological father, whom my children have never met.
11. Do you have any allergies or aversions your pal should be aware of?
I can not stand the smell of cigarette smoke. Other than that...I have no allergies, at least not to yarn.
I initially learned to crochet years ago from my grandmother...now days, I do much more knitting than crocheting. I have really gotten into knitting in the last 2-3 years.
2. What types of needles do you enjoy using for making dishcloths?
I use a cheap set of metal straight, convenient because, I don't use that set for anything other than dishcloths. When I get sick of the current project, it's sometimes necessary to "finish" something, so , I make a dishcloth.
3. What types of cotton do you enjoy using for making dishcloths? Is there any that you've been wanting to try?
I usually use "Sugar n Cream" or "Peaches n Cream" I wouldn't want to put much money into the yarn to create a dishcloth.(sorry, I am cheap, maybe thrifty is a better word.
4. What color(s) are your kitchen and bath decorated in (if any)?
My kitchen has a lot of greens in it - kinda pale, sage green , not the lighter minty green. I am in the process, soon, I hope, of redoing the bathroom - looking at rose colors..
5. What are your favorite colors for yarns? Least favorite?
I tend to prefer the earthy tones more so than neon, artificial tones.
6. Do you like Winter, or do you count the days until it ends?
I really, really, positively dislike winter. I hate being cold. I hate having my travel restricted by the weather. The only good thing about winter is the down time to sit under a blanket and knit your evenings away......
7. What's your favorite way to brighten your day when you're down in the dumps?
When I am down, I need a good friend, lots of chocolate, maybe some Kleenex....I tend to get sucked down really easily and struggle to come out...
8. What is your favorite treat to indulge in and when your down in the dumps?
Did I mention chocolate?
9. Do you drink coffee? Tea? Cocoa?
I drink coffee in the morning, heavily sedated with Irish Cream creamer. I am not much of a tea drinker. I haven't found a tea that I really, really like....I do enjoy a hot cup of cocoa occasionally, topped with whip cream...probably not as often as I could...
10. If you could take a vacation starting tomorrow and go anywhere for one week and money were no object, where would you go and what would you do?
I would take my family to Hawaii to visit my biological father, whom my children have never met.
11. Do you have any allergies or aversions your pal should be aware of?
I can not stand the smell of cigarette smoke. Other than that...I have no allergies, at least not to yarn.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Defeat the Winter Doldrums
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