tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25300922155167045952024-03-13T12:17:29.216-05:00I'd Rather Be KnittingMy ramblings about knitting, raising kids and teaching.Alainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08164946445172730495noreply@blogger.comBlogger235125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530092215516704595.post-22097480383408702592011-08-25T11:11:00.001-05:002011-08-25T11:13:54.770-05:00SwapsI have joined a couple swaps on Ravelry - and need to get my packages wrapped up and in the mail today...Since my blog is linked on Ravelry - I hesitate to share photos of the goodies - maybe after they are received...
<br />
<br />Three swaps - three themes - Destash, Red, and International Scarf.
<br />
<br />Lots of fun - would highly recommend.
<br />
<br />That's it for today...
<br />Alainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08164946445172730495noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530092215516704595.post-68235527413601848262011-08-21T13:14:00.003-05:002011-08-21T13:23:57.142-05:00Dish Rag Tag and other ramblings...
<br />I am once again participating in Dishrag Tag. This is my 5th year - and I am so excited.
<br />
<br />This weekend was my 30 year class reunion - we had a great time - old friends and lots of laughter. Hard to believe it has been so long since high school. Some people really changed a lot and others looked just as they did in High School.
<br />
<br />I dyed another skein of yarn on Friday....Didn't turn out a wonderful as the first skein did...but should still be pretty awesome knit up...I am not sure what I will make... This is a picture of the first skein - 3 packages of grape, 3 of black cherry and 3 of breezy blue - all Koolaid.
<br />
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwsdGOOPmTY/TlFMiWqY9zI/AAAAAAAAAtg/elJmerllZAg/s1600/DSC01958.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwsdGOOPmTY/TlFMiWqY9zI/AAAAAAAAAtg/elJmerllZAg/s320/DSC01958.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643375961154582322" border="0" /></a>If you haven't tried - I would highly recommend. Very easy and highly entertaining :)
<br />
<br />Alainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08164946445172730495noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530092215516704595.post-11703611629543554212011-08-15T20:31:00.004-05:002011-08-15T20:39:44.219-05:00It's time to give this poor blog some attentionI have been so busy with facebook and ravelry - that I have abandoned my beloved blog. :(
<br />
<br />Since I have signed up for dishrag tag - again - I think this is my 4th or 5th year...I decided - with respect to my teammates - I will try to keep this up to date.
<br />
<br />Life is busy - busy knitting, busy cleaning, busy getting boys ready for college....and busy getting ready to go back to school myself.
<br />
<br />Stay tuned...I will show you some of the things I have been doing. I dabbled in dying yarn last week.... it was awesome.
<br />
<br />I will post pictures.
<br />
<br />Alainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08164946445172730495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530092215516704595.post-17449745769906904622010-09-04T08:52:00.002-05:002010-09-04T08:59:51.653-05:00I can't believe it is already Labor DayThe summer has flown by. It has been a different summer at my house - I had the pleasure of all four sons living at home, I don't know if that will ever happen again. It was a noisey summer with their comings and goings...quiet as far as I didn't do much of anything. I tried to get some de-cluttering and organizing done - I don't know that I succeeded.<br /><br />Now, Fall is here. Two sons are back in dorms, another is attending college but commuting from home, and the fourth is working full time and saving money by living at home for awhile. School begins on Tuesday. I have high hopes for the upcoming year...new things I want to implement in my classroom and looking forward to the energy that comes from being around young people.<br /><br />I have been knitting. I updated my projects on Ravelry. I hope to throw some pics on here at some point.<br /><br />I was lucky enough to be included in the alternate team for this year's version of Dishrag Tag. (It's been so long since I have blogged, I don't remember how to link anymore...and my notes are in the back room, and I am too lazy to go get them)<br /><br />Cheer on Alter-knits!!Alainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08164946445172730495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530092215516704595.post-25368588040520954292010-08-13T22:28:00.001-05:002010-08-13T22:29:56.518-05:00I might be back.......I can't promise for sure...but...I now have high speed internet and maybe, just maybe, this poor, neglected blog will get some attention...complete with pictures....maybe.Alainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08164946445172730495noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530092215516704595.post-29541327628394231492009-08-28T10:11:00.004-05:002009-08-28T10:16:42.802-05:00Help...I am working on this baby sweater...I have the front, sleeve, back, sleeve, and other front done - now have it all on a circular needle to do the yoke...my problem - all the loose yarn from those 5 individual pieces are getting all tangled up...<br /><br />The <span style="font-weight:bold;">last step</span> in the pattern says to sew the seams...Can I sew them now??? It would eliminate all the loose yarn that is hanging and tangling..<br /><br />..And...If I sew them now...<span style="font-weight:bold;">HOW</span> do I sew them?? Is there a special way of sewing seams, or can I just whip-stitch them together???<br /><br />This is my very first garment...and I don't know how to do this....<br /><br />I need HELP from all you experienced, crafty, knowledgeable ladies.....Alainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08164946445172730495noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530092215516704595.post-64458334901734540932009-08-27T13:20:00.002-05:002009-08-27T13:27:32.115-05:00No title needed...I really don't have much to say.<br /><br />Andy arrived safely - haven't heard anything other than that from him.<br /><br />I start back at school next Tuesday...I can't believe the summer is almost gone. I have way more to do than the time to do it...I really should go into work/school today and get some things organized...<br /><br />I am still working on the baby sweater - and knitting dishcloths. I really would like to join a sock club and maybe that would motivate me to finish and/or start a pair of socks...Will have to see - time wise. <br /><br />I can hardly wait for DRT to start. I believe the boxes are mailed out pretty soon...I should go look for sure. I think it is later this year than previous years. I remember being home when the box arrived...I will be in school this year - won't be as quick turn around time - but still will be exciting - once it starts.<br /><br />I hate the fact I have dial up and it takes forever to post pics - blogs are so much more interesting with pics.....Alainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08164946445172730495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530092215516704595.post-32850805035901778442009-08-23T20:52:00.004-05:002009-08-23T21:16:31.299-05:00Mom musings...This is so not about knitting...it's about the mom thing.<br /><br />If you follow me regularly, you know that I have four boys, ages 17 to 24...Jeremy is at UM - Morris (4 hours away), Chris just started at Winona State (4 hours, different direction), Nathan is a senior...but, Andy is my musings today. <br /><br />Andy goes to college also at Winona State - however..he is leaving on Tuesday morning for a years study abroad program in Tokyo Japan...<br /><br />Over the years...I have brought the boys to their respective colleges - I have shed tears - remembering the little boys they once were - and very, very proud of the young men they have turned into - shedding tears as I let go and left for home without them - knowing that I was letting go of them - but they were within reach - a short 4 hours away - I usually visited once in October -and of course, they come home for Thanksgiving, then a longer time home over Christmas - the Spring is broken up with Spring break 0- and before you know it - they are back for the summer - and my house seems complete again...<br /><br />I don't know how to let go of a child as he goes away for an entire year - a year full of holidays, birthdays, family gatherings, and just the everyday life events...How do I do this?<br /><br />Don't get me wrong, I am so excited for this opportunity that he has to follow his dreams...I am trying very hard to keep a positive front because I know he is struggling with some of the very issues - he wants to go - but struggles with the sacrifices involved....<br /><br />How does one let go?<br /><br />I know it is going to be really hard on Tuesday morning as I watch him walk through the gates, after the final hugs...but,....I know that I will be okay and he will be also...<br /><br />...and a year will pass by quickly..and my son will return...a changed young man.<br /><br />Right???!!<br /><br />It will be all good...it doesn't feel like it right now..... :(Alainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08164946445172730495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530092215516704595.post-65776142129611122402009-08-04T11:36:00.003-05:002009-08-04T11:39:37.173-05:00Knitting newsI am 3/4 of the way done on the baby sweater I am diligently working on...<br /><br />I have the front, back, other front, one sleeve and almost done with the second sleeve...<br /><br />Then, I put them all together on a circular and make the yoke - while decreasing for the neckline - I haven't done this before and the directions seem a little confusing...I am hoping they will become clearer as I approach that step...I should post some pics...<br /><br />Been knitting dishcloths like crazy.<br /><br />Andy needs to bring gifts with for his host family to Japan...Would it be weird to send a couple hand knit dishcloths??? I don't want to insult anyone...<br /><br />What do you think?Alainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08164946445172730495noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530092215516704595.post-88856751218839797282009-08-01T11:02:00.000-05:002009-08-01T11:04:31.351-05:00Dishrag Tag 2009Registration open today at noon....I hope I don't miss it.....Alainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08164946445172730495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530092215516704595.post-49187900029809548692009-07-02T14:48:00.004-05:002009-07-02T15:13:10.973-05:00PicturesMy four boys - I love this picture....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jjB3Edxz7vU/Sk0TYPlM5eI/AAAAAAAAAtE/QRYFeOR11Uw/s1600-h/P6050272.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jjB3Edxz7vU/Sk0TYPlM5eI/AAAAAAAAAtE/QRYFeOR11Uw/s320/P6050272.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353956839233742306" /></a><br /><br />...and a picture of me with them....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jjB3Edxz7vU/Sk0QxSkI8CI/AAAAAAAAAs8/quNQ933Xdbw/s1600-h/P6050275.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jjB3Edxz7vU/Sk0QxSkI8CI/AAAAAAAAAs8/quNQ933Xdbw/s320/P6050275.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353953970996441122" /></a><br /><br />...anyone know if Cass of "shutupim counting" is still in blog land - I tried to find her blog - and I have not been able to get to her....thoughts?<br /><br />I hope to take some pics of my knitting...stay tuned....Alainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08164946445172730495noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530092215516704595.post-75827694304871231382009-07-01T12:10:00.002-05:002009-07-01T13:14:50.988-05:00Here I amI'm here...If any of my friends are still checking my blog....<br /><br />Life has been busy - The end of the school year - Chris' High School graduation - Moving Jeremy and Andy into different living arrangements - <br /><br />I have been knitting - I started a baby sweater - I have so far completed the back, left, and right front and am working on one sleeve. The top is apparently then knit all as one piece. I am definitely learning as I go - making choices that I hope will turn out to be right as pieces fall into place...I hope to get a picture up...<br /><br />I have also been knitting the round dishcloths - I really am having fun with them - problem is - I don't like to sew up the seams - so, consequently, I have a pile of 15 of them - all needing the seam to be sewed....<br /><br />I hope to post more often and get some pictures up - I think of some of you often and am sad that you are no longer a part of my life and hope to revive the friendships that I have let fall along the wayside....Alainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08164946445172730495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530092215516704595.post-89748537319707764672009-03-09T20:01:00.002-05:002009-03-09T20:05:03.907-05:00It's all about dishclothsI am hooked on a new dishcloth pattern - it's awesome - and round...I have no pictures - darn dial up...just a tease of things to come...<br /><br />I am 3/4ths of the way done with the prayer shawl I am currently working on. I am not sure where I can donate it to when I get done with it...ideas anyone?<br /><br />Still haven't finished any of the three pairs of socks I have on my needles...note to self - should really work on the socks....<br /><br />I need an entire day at the library to upload pictures and play with my ravelry account - so many people have asked me if I am on - I am but have not done much with it - sooo little time....Alainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08164946445172730495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530092215516704595.post-65149324145964643342009-03-04T20:17:00.002-06:002009-03-04T20:22:00.301-06:00I can't believe it is already March...The days are flying by..<br /><br />We are at midquarter for 3rd quarter - which means - very soon it will be 4th quarter - and then summer break....<br /><br />I have been at work most evenings until about 6:00...makes for a really long day and not much relaxation or knitting time....<br /><br />I really need to get to a library and upload a bunch of my finished projects. Darn dial up.Alainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08164946445172730495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530092215516704595.post-44496130908508272992009-01-17T10:33:00.002-06:002009-01-17T10:51:13.297-06:00Happy New Year!!!!Nope...didn't fall off the face of the earth...Still here.<br /><br />Hope your Christmas was blessed with family, health and good friends. Mine was. Jeremy and Andy were both home for the holidays. I got a little choked up at Christmas Eve service as I looked down the pew at my family of grown young men. Thoughts of Christmas' past and little boy excitement and wonder....Although, I don't think they ever out grow the Christmas excitement!<br /><br />We lost water the week before Christmas - We replaced the pump, pulled the entire well, replaced all of the steel pipes and all the mysterious stuff that goes back in the hole. Still no water....So, I took drastic measures...I blessed the entire business with holy water before church...We came home from church and tried to prime it one more time....and...IT PRIMED!!! Our personal Christmas miracle.<br /><br />Needless to say - it was short-lived..A week ago Monday...the well stopped again.<br /><br />We don't know what to do...at this point, it looks like we will have to drill a new well - which we can't do until April - due to the frozen ground....<br /><br />It is already the end of first semester. The year has been a good one - very busy but a good one. I have a smartboard in my room which allows me to save all my notes and post them on my school web page - so kids can view and print them. Which is wonderful, but it takes time to put the notes for 3 different classes and then to post each day to my webpage...again...good stuff.<br /><br />Speaking of school - we had two bomb threats this pass week. One Tuesday - we evacuated and returned to the school when the school was cleared. Messed up the day...And again on Wednesday - this time we just evacuated and had parents come pick up students and closed for the day. A 53 year old mom of one of our students was arrested and in custody for the two day incidents. I really hope she gets the help she needs and her daughter is cared for during this difficult time.<br /><br />And then...if the week wasn't messed up enough...we had a "weather"day on Thursday...With the windchill - the temperatures were around 45 below...Way too cold for man or beast. <br /><br />I have been knitting. I finished a hat for Katie. I think she likes it. I will post a picture. I started a pair of mittens for myself. I am working on a hat for Jeremy. and the gadzillion other projects that I have started and not finished.<br /><br />I am determined to lose weight this Spring. My doctor put me on high blood pressure pills last June - and I have gained 35 pounds since then. I don't fit in any of my clothes...not to mention what it's done to my self image. I am weaning myself off the pills - feel better already. I have energy again and motivation. <br /><br />We are in Winona at a hotel (yeah for high speed) visiting Andy and Katie. We are going to LaCrosse shopping today and celebrating Andy's 21st birthday, which was last week. Should be a fun day.<br /><br />I discovered facebook. I am listed as Alaina Privette. Come check me out there for pictures and stuff.<br /><br />Well, enough for now - hope to be more regular at posting.Alainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08164946445172730495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530092215516704595.post-82445090499175085292008-11-30T21:35:00.002-06:002008-11-30T21:45:51.104-06:00It's the HOliday Season...I can't believe how very fast the time has flown by...and my poor neglected blog...<br /><br />Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours...<br /><br />My boys journeyed to their father's house...so, I spent a quiet day with my sweetie, my Gramma and my sister...we ate turkey and bunches of other stuff...then we played cards...It was a quiet, satisfying way to spend the holiday.<br /><br />I had hoped to get my Christmas cards out in the mail on Monday...doesn't look like it is going to happen...shamme because I've had them for about a month...it's a shame that no one else will know how very "organized" I am this year. ha!<br /><br />I had also hoped to put up the tree today...well, that didn't happen either.<br /><br />I spent a really lazy day on Friday...Andy brought home with him all four books in the Twilight Series...I know that's not what they are called..and either you know what I am talking about, or you don't....<br /><br />Anyway...my students have been reading these and the movie just opened...so I thought I would give it a try...well, not my usual reading material...but, kept my attention...I started the first book on Wednesday night...made a complete Thanksgiving dinner and entertained...and finished the last (fourth) book on Saturday morning...whew!!!<br /><br />Again, not my normal read...but was okay.<br /><br />Can you believe there is less than a month till Christmas???<br /><br />OH MY GOD! The presents to be bought, the cards, the cookies, the tree.......gotta go........Alainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08164946445172730495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530092215516704595.post-45420838392697536082008-11-16T17:31:00.002-06:002008-11-16T17:37:30.027-06:00Not much new here...Seems like the days are flying by...then the weeks...<br /><br />It's already the end of first quarter and into second quarter...Halloween is past and Thanksgiving is looming....with Christmas peeking around the corner....Where has the time gone? <br /><br />It seems like life is so very busy...every night either correcting papers late, lesson planning or meetings...if not school busy-ness...then other activities....<br /><br />I have been knitting mindless items..dishcloths mainly...I really want to finish some of the gad-zillion projects I have started...just doesn't grab my interest or they take too much concentration for my fried brain.<br /><br />I want life to slow down and I don't know how to make that happen.Alainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08164946445172730495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530092215516704595.post-64433053073941198502008-10-16T12:20:00.007-05:002008-10-16T13:16:08.136-05:00I have been spoiled....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jjB3Edxz7vU/SPd4Qx4C6zI/AAAAAAAAAgc/3iIL0ImLoVM/s1600-h/2008_1016march200057.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jjB3Edxz7vU/SPd4Qx4C6zI/AAAAAAAAAgc/3iIL0ImLoVM/s320/2008_1016march200057.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257803319639993138" /></a><br /><br />I came home after a long day of conferences, crabby parents, and hormonal teenagers...to find a wonderful surprise.... a package on my table....Inside the package was this wonderful package put together by <a href="http://jglsjourneys.blogspot.com/">Jill</a>. Everything was wrapped in orange and yellow....It made me smile opening it up. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jjB3Edxz7vU/SPd6GRqCvvI/AAAAAAAAAgk/Kw6l7QOHxwM/s1600-h/2008_1016march200061.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jjB3Edxz7vU/SPd6GRqCvvI/AAAAAAAAAgk/Kw6l7QOHxwM/s320/2008_1016march200061.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257805338215890674" /></a><br /><br />A great Halloween dish containing chocolate(lots of chocolate!) and a "Trick or Treat" sign that will decorate my desk at school... a really cute Halloween towel that will dress up my kitchen...or maybe the bathroom...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jjB3Edxz7vU/SPd6GjZkCPI/AAAAAAAAAgs/tMHgi8ZQ5eY/s1600-h/2008_1016march200062.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jjB3Edxz7vU/SPd6GjZkCPI/AAAAAAAAAgs/tMHgi8ZQ5eY/s320/2008_1016march200062.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257805342978607346" /></a><br /><br />...and...did I mention yarn...She went way over board...two skeins of a Autumn, dusty orange, tweedy sock yarn...and...a skein of a fingering weight, beautifully colored sock yarn....it is all gorgeous...and I can hardly wait to cast some socks on....<br /><br />I always include a postcard when I send off my package...but, Jill used the postcard to actually send her warm wishes...which I thought was a great idea...(and why hadn't I thought of that before???)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jjB3Edxz7vU/SPd6G8Mgu9I/AAAAAAAAAg0/OgoXhNxWaUU/s1600-h/2008_1016march200063.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jjB3Edxz7vU/SPd6G8Mgu9I/AAAAAAAAAg0/OgoXhNxWaUU/s320/2008_1016march200063.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257805349634751442" /></a><br /><br />Her two dishcloths are absolutely adorable....my pictures don't do them justice...sneak on over to Jill's blog and look at her pictures...much better and clearer than mine are...The orange cloth is a pumpkin and the white cloth is a ghost. How very fun! Thank you Jill!<br /><br />The little stichmarker is an orange pumpkin. I tried to take a close up picture of it...it is adorable...but that was the final straw for my camera batteries...<br /><br />She also included a jar of body wash cream that smells awesome...I am anxious to give it a try...I had never seen anything like it...<br /><br />Thank you Jill. You obviously spent a lot of time picking things out and it shows. I love it all and you did a great job with the Halloween theme!!!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jjB3Edxz7vU/SPd4QHcJevI/AAAAAAAAAgM/0hkT5zsP0Ow/s1600-h/2008_1016march200011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jjB3Edxz7vU/SPd4QHcJevI/AAAAAAAAAgM/0hkT5zsP0Ow/s320/2008_1016march200011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257803308248693490" /></a><br /><br />...other news in my world....It's football season...actually the end of football season...Last night we played the number one team in our section...who were undefeated...and we won!!! <br /><br />Nathan is the center...the one getting ready to "snap" the ball...That's my baby....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jjB3Edxz7vU/SPd4Qs0AN_I/AAAAAAAAAgU/vNDNFtn_rPU/s1600-h/2008_1016march200024.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jjB3Edxz7vU/SPd4Qs0AN_I/AAAAAAAAAgU/vNDNFtn_rPU/s320/2008_1016march200024.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257803318280861682" /></a><br /><br />...and here is Chris in pepband...this picture was taken a couple weeks ago during one of our gorgeous evenings. <br /><br />Usually football watching involves large, bulky clothing, wool socks and mittens...(last night was one of those evenings...40 degrees with a wind) <br /><br />Hope all is well in your world....Alainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08164946445172730495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530092215516704595.post-51261447630195601172008-10-04T15:57:00.002-05:002008-10-04T16:17:38.047-05:00My poor neglected blog...Life is just too busy these days...it's too busy to knit...it's too busy to read my favorite blogs...and it's too busy to post.<br /><br />I have great posts, complete with pictures all in my head...brilliant conversations...catchy titles...tantalizing pictures...funny tidbits...all in my head....ahh {{{sigh}}}<br /><br />I have been at work most nights until 5:30/6:00...coming home...making supper...grading tests and crawling exhausted into bed...it has to get better...really...it has to...I can't take this pace much longer...<br /><br />The new curriculum combined with the new Smart board in my room means many hours of preparation....Giving out an assignment each day for every student means I have 100 pieces of paper each day to deal with...yes, I am whining...<br /><br />I even thought I would show you some pictures of my awesome Smart Board...just hasn't happened...<br /><br />In Dishrag Tag news...one of our team mates went MIA...so we needed a replacement box sent out...that's a bummer...(yes, I am a child of the 70s...bummer...love that word) We were in the running...now we are struggling to just plain finish. I want to be positive and say I hope the person isn't having a personal crisis which explains the MIA...or did she just decide to quit playing...I don't know...either way...it's a bummer.<br /><br />I hope to have time soon.Alainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08164946445172730495noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530092215516704595.post-16650428124069163492008-09-21T15:07:00.002-05:002008-09-21T15:11:07.736-05:00oops I did it again...Don't cha just hate that song????!!!!<br /><br />But, it is an appropriate title for this entry...I stopped at my LYS yesterday...saw a finished head band and of course, promptly bought the pattern, yarn and circs....<br /><br />Never mind I still have 10 projects on my needles that need to be finished...never mind that I should be grading papers, doing laundry or cleaning house...oh no...I have a new challenge in my knitting basket...taunting me...just calling my name...I am weak....pics to come...no, not of the dirty laundry, dishes piled or dust bunnies...Alainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08164946445172730495noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530092215516704595.post-65494609065313122492008-09-20T10:04:00.003-05:002008-09-20T10:15:17.753-05:00The top 100 songs of 1981I found this on <a href="http://yarndemonadventures.blogspot.com/">Anita's</a> blog. Imagine my surprise when I clicked on the link and it brought me right back to Minnesota!!!<br /><br />I know I just posted a list of 100 books...well, here is another listing of the top 100 songs from 1981.<br /><br />The rules:<br /><br />A.) Go to <a href="http://www.musicoutfitters.com/index.htm">Music Outfitters</a><br /><br />B.) Enter the year you graduated from high school in the search function and get the list of 100 most popular songs of that year<br /><br />C.) Bold the songs you like, strike through the ones you hate and underline or italicize your favorite. Do nothing to the ones you don’t remember (or don’t care about)<br /><br />1. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Bette Davis Eyes, Kim Carnes</span><br />2. Endless Love, Diana Ross and Lionel Richie<br />3. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Lady, Kenny Rogers</span><br />4. (Just Like) Starting Over, John Lennon<br />5. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Jessie's Girl, Rick Springfield</span><br />6. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Celebration, Kool and The Gang</span><br />7. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Kiss On My List, Daryl Hall and John Oates</span><br />8. <span style="font-weight:bold;">I Love A Rainy Night, Eddie Rabbitt</span><br />9. 9<span style="font-weight:bold;"> To 5, Dolly Parton</span><br />10. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Keep On Loving You, REO Speedwagon</span></span><br />11. Theme From "Greatest American Hero", Joey Scarbury<br />12. Morning Train (Nine To Five), Sheena Easton<br />13. Being With You, Smokey Robinson<br />14. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Queen Of Hearts, Juice Newton</span><br />15. Rapture, Blondie<br />16. A Woman Needs Love, Ray Parker Jr. and Raydio<br />17. <span style="font-weight:bold;">The Tide Is High, Blondie</span><br />18. Just The Two Of Us, Grover Washington Jr.<br />19. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Slow Hand, Pointer Sisters</span><br />20. I Love You, Climax Blues Band<br />21. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Woman, John Lennon</span><br />22. Sukiyaki, A Taste Of Honey<br />23. <span style="font-weight:bold;">The Winner Takes It All, Abba</span><br />24. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Medley, Stars On 45</span><br />25. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Angel Of The Morning, Juice Newton</span><br />26. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Love On The Rocks, Neil Diamond</span><br />27. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Every Woman In The World, Air Supply</span><br />28. <span style="font-weight:bold;">The One That You Love, Air Supply</span><br />29. Guilty, Barbra Streisand and Barry Gibb<br />30. <span style="font-weight:bold;">The Best Of Times, Styx</span><br />31. Elvira, Oak Ridge Boys<br />32. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Take It On The Run, REO Speedwagon</span><br />33. No Gettin' Over Me, Ronnie Milsap<br />34. Living Outside Myself, Gino Vannelli<br />35. Woman In Love, Barbra Streisand<br />36. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Boy From New York City, Manhattan Transfer</span><br />37. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Urgent, Foreigner</span><br />38. Passion, Rod Stewart<br />39. Lady (You Bring Me Up), Commodores<br />40. Crying, Don Mclean<br />41. Hearts, Marty Balin<br />42. It's My Turn, Diana Ross<br />43. You Make My Dreams, Daryl Hall and John Oates<br />44. I Don't Need You, Kenny Rogers<br />45. How 'Bout Us, Champaign<br />46. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Pat Benatar</span><br />47. The Breakup Song, Greg Kihn Band<br />48. Time, Alan Parsons Project<br />49. Hungry Heart, Bruce Springsteen<br />50. Sweetheart, Franke and The Knockouts<br />51. Someone's Knockin', Terri Gibbs<br />52. More Than I Can Say, Leo Sayer<br />53. Together, Tierra<br />54. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Too Much Time On My Hands, Styx</span><br />55. What Are We Doin' In Love, Dottie West<br />56. Who's Crying Now, Journey<br />57. De Do Do Do, De Da Da, Police<br />58. This Little Girl, Gary U.S. Bonds<br />59. Stop Draggin' My Heart Around, Stevie Nicks With Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers<br />60. Giving It Up For Your Love, Delbert McClinton<br />61. A Little In Love, Cliff Richard<br />62. America, Neil Diamond<br />63. Ain't Even Done With The Night, John Cougar<br />64. Arthur's Theme, Christopher Cross<br />65. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Another One Bites The Dust, Queen</span><br />66. Games People Play, Alan Parsons Project<br />67. I Can't Stand It, Eric Clapton<br />68. While You See A Chance, Steve Winwood<br />69. Master Blaster, Stevie Wonder<br />70. Hello Again, Neil Diamond<br />71. Don't Stand So Close To Me, Police<br />72. Hey Nineteen, Steely Dan<br />73. I Ain't Gonna Stand For It, Stevie Wonder<br />74. All Those Years Ago, George Harrison<br />75. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Step By Step, Eddie Rabbitt</span><br />76. The Stroke, Billy Squier<br />77. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Feels So Right, Alabama</span><br />78. Sweet Baby, Stanley Clarke and George Duke<br />79. Same Old Lang Syne, Dan Fogelberg<br />80. Cool Love, Pablo Cruise<br />81. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Hold On Tight, ELO</span><br />82. It's Now Or Never, John Schneider<br />83. Treat Me Right, Pat Benatar<br />84. Winning, Santana<br />85. What Kind Of Fool, Barbra Streisand and Barry Gibb<br />86. Watching The Wheels, John Lennon<br />87. Tell It Like It Is, Heart<br />88. Smoky Mountain Rain, Ronnie Milsap<br />89. I Made It Through The Rain, Barry Manilow<br />90. <span style="font-weight:bold;">You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin', Daryl Hall and John Oates</span><br />91. Suddenly, Olivia Newton-John and Cliff Richard<br />92. <span style="font-weight:bold;">For Your Eyes Only, Sheena Easton</span><br />93. The Beach Boys Medley, Beach Boys<br />94. Whip It, Devo<br />95. Modern Girl, Sheena Easton<br />96. Really Wanna Know You, Gary Wright<br />97. Seven Year Ache, Rosanne Cash<br />98. I'm Coming Out, Diana Ross<br />99. Miss Sun, Boz Scaggs<br />100. Time Is Time, Andy Gibb<br /><br />Ohh...the memories......Alainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08164946445172730495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530092215516704595.post-43724647647154396612008-09-20T08:27:00.004-05:002008-09-20T09:08:17.162-05:00All Hallows Eve Dishcloth Swap - Topic #1I found this cool list on <a href="http://thepaisleymoon.blogspot.com/">Rhea W.</a> blog for the first assignment on <a href="http://dishclothexchange.blogspot.com/">All Hallows Eve Dishcloth Swap</a>. What would your list look like?<br /><br />The Big Read is an National Endowment for the Arts program designed to encourage community reading initiatives and of their top 100 books, they estimate the average adult has read only six.)<br /><br />*Look at the list and bold those we have read.<br />*Italicize those we intend to read.<br />*Underline the books we LOVE. (I don't know how to underline...so I am going to color blue the books I love...<br /><br />Share this list in your blog, too, if you like.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 204, 204);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">2 </span>The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien</span><br />3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte<br />4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6 The Bible</span><br />7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell</span><br />9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman<br />10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 204, 204);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">11</span> Little Women - Louisa M Alcott</span><br />12 Tess of the D'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy<br />13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller<br />14 Complete Works of Shakespeare<br />15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">16</span> The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien</span><br />17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks<br />18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger<br />19 The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger<br />20 Middlemarch - George Eliot<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell</span><br />22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald<br />23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens<br />24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy<br />25 The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams<br />26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh<br />27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame</span><br />31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">33 <span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 255);">Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis</span></span><br />34 Emma - Jane Austen<br />35 Persuasion - Jane Austen<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">36 <span style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);">The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis</span></span><br />37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini<br />38 Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres<br />39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne</span><br />41 Animal Farm - George Orwell<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown</span><br />43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez<br />44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving<br />45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery</span><br />47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy<br />48 The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood<br />49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding<br />50 Atonement - Ian McEwan<br />51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel<br />52 Dune - Frank Herbert<br />53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons<br />54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen<br />55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth<br />56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens</span><br />58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley<br />59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon<br />60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez<br />61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck<br />62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov<br />63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt<br />64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold<br />65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas in French<br />66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac<br />67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy<br />68 Bridget Jones's Diary - Helen Fielding<br />69 Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie<br />70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville<br />71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">72 Dracula - Bram Stoker</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett</span><br />74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson<br />75 Ulysses - James Joyce<br />76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath<br />77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome<br />78 Germinal - Emile Zola<br />79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray<br />80 Possession - AS Byatt<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens</span><br />82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker</span><br />84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro<br />85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert<br />86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">87 <span style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);">Charlotte's Web - EB White</span></span><br />88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle</span><br />90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton<br />91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad<br />92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery in French<br />93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">94 <span style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);">Watership Down - Richard Adams</span></span><br />95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole<br />96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute<br />97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas<br />98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Ronald Dahl</span><br />100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo in French<br /><br />I only have 26 that I have read...I need to read more...What does your list look like?Alainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08164946445172730495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530092215516704595.post-1030695712116256482008-09-17T10:00:00.002-05:002008-09-17T10:01:07.856-05:00"Thanks Mom for reading those 'baby' books so we didn't turn out 'messed up'."<br /> ~Nathan age 16Alainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08164946445172730495noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530092215516704595.post-63729533359120977602008-09-07T18:34:00.003-05:002008-09-07T18:39:04.966-05:00Hurry...Registration is open until Friday the 12th for <a href="http://dishclothexchange.blogspot.com/">All Hallows Eve Dishcloth Exchange</a>....the sequel to Summer Dishcloth Swap.<br /><br />It is always such great fun getting to know your partner and having someone stalk your blog, as well...and of course, the great package....<br /><br />Are you still here? What are you waiting for...shoo!Alainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08164946445172730495noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530092215516704595.post-13290828695198293742008-09-07T18:27:00.004-05:002008-09-16T14:09:20.353-05:00All Hallows Eve Dishcloth Exchange Questionaire<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Knitting Yarn <br />1. Do you knit or crochet? For how long? </span> I have been "seriously knitting for about 3 years. I learned to crochet a long time ago from my Gramma...I don't do much crocheting anymore.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">2. What sort of needles or hooks do you enjoy using the most? Are there some you've been dying to try out and haven't?</span> I love bamboo needles. Most of my collection is metal, due to the fact I have picked them up cheaply...I am slowly adding bamboo to my collection. There aren't any that I am dying to try out...<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">3. What kind of projects do you most enjoy? Small things you can take with you, or big complex ones that are just gorgeous when they're done?</span> I need gratification. I have not knit anything big and complex, yet. I just don't think it will ever happen...I like socks, little projects, and of course, dishcloths...<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">4. List one pattern for a dishcloth that you love to make, or just tell us about one you've made or received that you loved.</span> I really love both the feather and fan pattern and the waffle stitch pattern.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">5. What are your 'must have' notions? Are there any notions you need or can never have enough of? Any that might make you cry if you owned more?</span> I don't use a lot of notions...I am always looking for a little scissors...seems like it is always..."in my other bag"<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Petting Yarn</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">6. What are your favorite yarns to work with? Any you hate or are allergic to?</span> I like soft and squishy...I like soft and warm...I do use wool a lot...have tried bamboo for socks...don't like acrylic or novelty yarns...<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">7. What colors do you like to use in projects? Any we'd never catch on your needles?</span> I think I am generally a earthy person...greens, browns, reds, warm colors...although I have used bright and fun also. I can't think of a color that I wouldn't try at least once.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">8. Any cottons you'd like to try you can't find by you, or just haven't gotten around to getting?</span> nope...<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Halloween, Fall, and General Stuff</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">9. Do you like to use bar soap or shower gel more? What kinds of scents do you love? What kind do you hate?</span> I use shower gel. I like clean scents, don't like roses...like just about everything else...<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">10. What's more 'Halloweeny' - Ghosts, Pumpkins, or Witches?</span> pumpkins<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">11. What's your favorite Treat to get? Sweet or Salty? Anything you're allergic to or just hate?</span> Definitely sweet...and has to be dark...dark chocolate!!! (Although I have been known to consume large quantities of just about anything sweet)<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">12. What was your favorite Halloween Costume as a kid? As an adult??</span> I don't remember any favorites as a child...as an adult...I showed up to work one Halloween looking 9 months pregnant...that was pretty funny.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">13. Are you on Ravelry? What's your ID?</span> I am "alaina" on Ravelry. I haven't done anything on there in ages...my poor neglected Ravelry...Le Sigh.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">14. Anything else you'd like to be sure your pal knows?</span> no, I am pretty easy to please....Alainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08164946445172730495noreply@blogger.com2