I'd Rather Be Knitting

Swaps

2011-08-25T11:11:00.001-05:00

I 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...

Three swaps - three themes - Destash, Red, and International Scarf.

Lots of fun - would highly recommend.

That's it for today...

Dish Rag Tag and other ramblings...

2011-08-21T13:14:00.003-05:00

I am once again participating in Dishrag Tag. This is my 5th year - and I am so excited.

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.

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.

If you haven't tried - I would highly recommend. Very easy and highly entertaining :)

It's time to give this poor blog some attention

2011-08-15T20:31:00.004-05:00

I have been so busy with facebook and ravelry - that I have abandoned my beloved blog. :(

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.

Life is busy - busy knitting, busy cleaning, busy getting boys ready for college....and busy getting ready to go back to school myself.

Stay tuned...I will show you some of the things I have been doing. I dabbled in dying yarn last week.... it was awesome.

I will post pictures.

I can't believe it is already Labor Day

2010-09-04T08:52:00.002-05:00

The 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.

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.

I have been knitting. I updated my projects on Ravelry. I hope to throw some pics on here at some point.

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)

Cheer on Alter-knits!!

I might be back....

2010-08-13T22:28:00.001-05:00

...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.

Help...

2009-08-28T10:11:00.004-05:00

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...

The last step 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..

..And...If I sew them now...HOW do I sew them?? Is there a special way of sewing seams, or can I just whip-stitch them together???

This is my very first garment...and I don't know how to do this....

I need HELP from all you experienced, crafty, knowledgeable ladies.....

No title needed...

2009-08-27T13:20:00.002-05:00

I really don't have much to say.

Andy arrived safely - haven't heard anything other than that from him.

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...

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.

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.

I hate the fact I have dial up and it takes forever to post pics - blogs are so much more interesting with pics.....

Mom musings...

2009-08-23T20:52:00.004-05:00

This is so not about knitting...it's about the mom thing.

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.

Andy goes to college also at Winona State - however..he is leaving on Tuesday morning for a years study abroad program in Tokyo Japan...

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...

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?

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....

How does one let go?

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...

...and a year will pass by quickly..and my son will return...a changed young man.

Right???!!

It will be all good...it doesn't feel like it right now..... :(

Knitting news

2009-08-04T11:36:00.003-05:00

I am 3/4 of the way done on the baby sweater I am diligently working on...

I have the front, back, other front, one sleeve and almost done with the second sleeve...

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...

Been knitting dishcloths like crazy.

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...

What do you think?

Dishrag Tag 2009

2009-08-01T11:02:00.000-05:00

Registration open today at noon....I hope I don't miss it.....

Pictures

2009-07-02T14:48:00.004-05:00

My four boys - I love this picture....

...and a picture of me with them....

...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?

I hope to take some pics of my knitting...stay tuned....

Here I am

2009-07-01T12:10:00.002-05:00

I'm here...If any of my friends are still checking my blog....

Life has been busy - The end of the school year - Chris' High School graduation - Moving Jeremy and Andy into different living arrangements -

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...

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....

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....

It's all about dishcloths

2009-03-09T20:01:00.002-05:00

I 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...

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?

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....

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....

I can't believe it is already March...

2009-03-04T20:17:00.002-06:00

The days are flying by..

We are at midquarter for 3rd quarter - which means - very soon it will be 4th quarter - and then summer break....

I have been at work most evenings until about 6:00...makes for a really long day and not much relaxation or knitting time....

I really need to get to a library and upload a bunch of my finished projects. Darn dial up.

Happy New Year!!!!

2009-01-17T10:33:00.002-06:00

Nope...didn't fall off the face of the earth...Still here.

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!

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.

Needless to say - it was short-lived..A week ago Monday...the well stopped again.

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....

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I discovered facebook. I am listed as Alaina Privette. Come check me out there for pictures and stuff.

Well, enough for now - hope to be more regular at posting.

It's the HOliday Season...

2008-11-30T21:35:00.002-06:00

I can't believe how very fast the time has flown by...and my poor neglected blog...

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours...

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.

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!

I had also hoped to put up the tree today...well, that didn't happen either.

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....

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!!!

Again, not my normal read...but was okay.

Can you believe there is less than a month till Christmas???

OH MY GOD! The presents to be bought, the cards, the cookies, the tree.......gotta go........

Not much new here...

2008-11-16T17:31:00.002-06:00

Seems like the days are flying by...then the weeks...

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?

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....

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.

I want life to slow down and I don't know how to make that happen.

I have been spoiled....

2008-10-16T12:20:00.007-05:00

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 Jill. Everything was wrapped in orange and yellow....It made me smile opening it up.

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...

...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....

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???)

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!

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...

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...

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!!!

...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!!!

Nathan is the center...the one getting ready to "snap" the ball...That's my baby....

...and here is Chris in pepband...this picture was taken a couple weeks ago during one of our gorgeous evenings.

Usually football watching involves large, bulky clothing, wool socks and mittens...(last night was one of those evenings...40 degrees with a wind)

Hope all is well in your world....

My poor neglected blog...

2008-10-04T15:57:00.002-05:00

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.

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}}}

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...

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...

I even thought I would show you some pictures of my awesome Smart Board...just hasn't happened...

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.

I hope to have time soon.

oops I did it again...

2008-09-21T15:07:00.002-05:00

Don't cha just hate that song????!!!!

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....

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...

The top 100 songs of 1981

2008-09-20T10:04:00.003-05:00

I found this on Anita's blog. Imagine my surprise when I clicked on the link and it brought me right back to Minnesota!!!

I know I just posted a list of 100 books...well, here is another listing of the top 100 songs from 1981.

The rules:

A.) Go to Music Outfitters

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

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)

1. Bette Davis Eyes, Kim Carnes
2. Endless Love, Diana Ross and Lionel Richie
3. Lady, Kenny Rogers
4. (Just Like) Starting Over, John Lennon
5. Jessie's Girl, Rick Springfield
6. Celebration, Kool and The Gang
7. Kiss On My List, Daryl Hall and John Oates
8. I Love A Rainy Night, Eddie Rabbitt
9. 9 To 5, Dolly Parton
10. Keep On Loving You, REO Speedwagon
11. Theme From "Greatest American Hero", Joey Scarbury
12. Morning Train (Nine To Five), Sheena Easton
13. Being With You, Smokey Robinson
14. Queen Of Hearts, Juice Newton
15. Rapture, Blondie
16. A Woman Needs Love, Ray Parker Jr. and Raydio
17. The Tide Is High, Blondie
18. Just The Two Of Us, Grover Washington Jr.
19. Slow Hand, Pointer Sisters
20. I Love You, Climax Blues Band
21. Woman, John Lennon
22. Sukiyaki, A Taste Of Honey
23. The Winner Takes It All, Abba
24. Medley, Stars On 45
25. Angel Of The Morning, Juice Newton
26. Love On The Rocks, Neil Diamond
27. Every Woman In The World, Air Supply
28. The One That You Love, Air Supply
29. Guilty, Barbra Streisand and Barry Gibb
30. The Best Of Times, Styx
31. Elvira, Oak Ridge Boys
32. Take It On The Run, REO Speedwagon
33. No Gettin' Over Me, Ronnie Milsap
34. Living Outside Myself, Gino Vannelli
35. Woman In Love, Barbra Streisand
36. Boy From New York City, Manhattan Transfer
37. Urgent, Foreigner
38. Passion, Rod Stewart
39. Lady (You Bring Me Up), Commodores
40. Crying, Don Mclean
41. Hearts, Marty Balin
42. It's My Turn, Diana Ross
43. You Make My Dreams, Daryl Hall and John Oates
44. I Don't Need You, Kenny Rogers
45. How 'Bout Us, Champaign
46. Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Pat Benatar
47. The Breakup Song, Greg Kihn Band
48. Time, Alan Parsons Project
49. Hungry Heart, Bruce Springsteen
50. Sweetheart, Franke and The Knockouts
51. Someone's Knockin', Terri Gibbs
52. More Than I Can Say, Leo Sayer
53. Together, Tierra
54. Too Much Time On My Hands, Styx
55. What Are We Doin' In Love, Dottie West
56. Who's Crying Now, Journey
57. De Do Do Do, De Da Da, Police
58. This Little Girl, Gary U.S. Bonds
59. Stop Draggin' My Heart Around, Stevie Nicks With Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
60. Giving It Up For Your Love, Delbert McClinton
61. A Little In Love, Cliff Richard
62. America, Neil Diamond
63. Ain't Even Done With The Night, John Cougar
64. Arthur's Theme, Christopher Cross
65. Another One Bites The Dust, Queen
66. Games People Play, Alan Parsons Project
67. I Can't Stand It, Eric Clapton
68. While You See A Chance, Steve Winwood
69. Master Blaster, Stevie Wonder
70. Hello Again, Neil Diamond
71. Don't Stand So Close To Me, Police
72. Hey Nineteen, Steely Dan
73. I Ain't Gonna Stand For It, Stevie Wonder
74. All Those Years Ago, George Harrison
75. Step By Step, Eddie Rabbitt
76. The Stroke, Billy Squier
77. Feels So Right, Alabama
78. Sweet Baby, Stanley Clarke and George Duke
79. Same Old Lang Syne, Dan Fogelberg
80. Cool Love, Pablo Cruise
81. Hold On Tight, ELO
82. It's Now Or Never, John Schneider
83. Treat Me Right, Pat Benatar
84. Winning, Santana
85. What Kind Of Fool, Barbra Streisand and Barry Gibb
86. Watching The Wheels, John Lennon
87. Tell It Like It Is, Heart
88. Smoky Mountain Rain, Ronnie Milsap
89. I Made It Through The Rain, Barry Manilow
90. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin', Daryl Hall and John Oates
91. Suddenly, Olivia Newton-John and Cliff Richard
92. For Your Eyes Only, Sheena Easton
93. The Beach Boys Medley, Beach Boys
94. Whip It, Devo
95. Modern Girl, Sheena Easton
96. Really Wanna Know You, Gary Wright
97. Seven Year Ache, Rosanne Cash
98. I'm Coming Out, Diana Ross
99. Miss Sun, Boz Scaggs
100. Time Is Time, Andy Gibb

Ohh...the memories......

All Hallows Eve Dishcloth Swap - Topic #1

2008-09-20T08:27:00.004-05:00

I found this cool list on Rhea W. blog for the first assignment on All Hallows Eve Dishcloth Swap. What would your list look like?

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.)

*Look at the list and bold those we have read.
*Italicize those we intend to read.
*Underline the books we LOVE. (I don't know how to underline...so I am going to color blue the books I love...

Share this list in your blog, too, if you like.

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34 Emma - Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38 Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 Dune - Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas in French
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones's Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte's Web - EB White
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery in French
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Ronald Dahl
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo in French

I only have 26 that I have read...I need to read more...What does your list look like?

2008-09-17T10:00:00.002-05:00

"Thanks Mom for reading those 'baby' books so we didn't turn out 'messed up'."
~Nathan age 16

Hurry...

2008-09-07T18:34:00.003-05:00

Registration is open until Friday the 12th for All Hallows Eve Dishcloth Exchange....the sequel to Summer Dishcloth Swap.

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....

Are you still here? What are you waiting for...shoo!

All Hallows Eve Dishcloth Exchange Questionaire

2008-09-07T18:27:00.004-05:00

Knitting Yarn
1. Do you knit or crochet? For how long? 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.

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? 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...

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? 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...

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. I really love both the feather and fan pattern and the waffle stitch pattern.

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? 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"

Petting Yarn
6. What are your favorite yarns to work with? Any you hate or are allergic to? 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...

7. What colors do you like to use in projects? Any we'd never catch on your needles? 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.

8. Any cottons you'd like to try you can't find by you, or just haven't gotten around to getting? nope...

Halloween, Fall, and General Stuff
9. Do you like to use bar soap or shower gel more? What kinds of scents do you love? What kind do you hate? I use shower gel. I like clean scents, don't like roses...like just about everything else...

10. What's more 'Halloweeny' - Ghosts, Pumpkins, or Witches? pumpkins

11. What's your favorite Treat to get? Sweet or Salty? Anything you're allergic to or just hate? Definitely sweet...and has to be dark...dark chocolate!!! (Although I have been known to consume large quantities of just about anything sweet)

12. What was your favorite Halloween Costume as a kid? As an adult?? 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.

13. Are you on Ravelry? What's your ID? I am "alaina" on Ravelry. I haven't done anything on there in ages...my poor neglected Ravelry...Le Sigh.

14. Anything else you'd like to be sure your pal knows? no, I am pretty easy to please....

It was a short summer...

2008-09-01T22:39:00.004-05:00

...and now it is over....

As I sit and type...I really should be heading for bed...the alarm will be going off way too early...although I got a taste of early last week...we were required to be there Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday...I was also there on Friday....I am ready...at least my room is ready...lol

I had surgery on August 22....Click here if you want the details...I faced being "put out" for the first time in my life...was a little scarey...but, it all went well and I am recovering...Was a much better alternative to a hysterectomy. If you have questions...I am open to discussion - but wasn't sure this was the place to do that...so, email me.

I spent most of the summer dealing with the medical business leading up to the decision to have the procedure done....seems like the summer really went by fast.

On a lighter note...I spent Saturday night with three very close friends of mine...two of which are experiencing "empty nest" syndrome...so, we had a "sleep over"...literally...It was a lot of fun...lots of laughter and chocolate.

What would we do without good friends to share our life with? They are the ones who lift us up when life hits hard, celebrate with us when life is good, and know when to just listen and hug. Thank God for good friends. They have truly been a blessing in my life over the years.

I did finish my scarf - pictures to come this week...I hope.

First day of school tomorrow- Chris' "last" first day.... the start of his senior year....we had his grad pics taken on Friday...another story for another day....

It's here and gone...

2008-08-18T15:39:00.010-05:00

Dishrag Tag update.....

Here is my time line for the morning:

Patiently pacing, waiting for the mail truck.....

12:10 mail arrived...Yipeeeee!! I saw him put a box in the mailbox...I run down to the end of the driveway...(that's no easy feat when you're my age ~~and overweight according to Wii Fit~~)

I ~~ripped open~~ gently opened the box.

Check out the goodies Emily sent...chocolate...I promptly ate most of them....and a recipe for Brown Sugar muffins and a set of measuring spoons...I can hardly wait to try the recipe out...it sounds nummy...

12:20 started knitting...I used size 7 needles (the pattern calls for size 6) I tend to knit tight...I ended up with about a 8 and 1/2 inch square cloth.

2:10 finished knitting (and weave in the ends...hate that part)...Printed off label, packed box (realized my children have used up all the packing tape...used scotch tape to seal the box...hope it holds) and drove to nearest "big" town....

3:10 dropped off at post office

I am not going to show you pictures of my finished dishcloth or the goodies I sent to Janice until she gets the package...I don't want to spoil the surprise...

Go Ragtag Racers!!!

Is it just me...

2008-08-16T10:23:00.002-05:00

...or do you have the same problem...I need to FINISH a project.

I was asked recently at the LYS what was on my needles...here is what I discovered:

1. slippers (need to finish second one)

2. beanie for Katie (pattern is a bugger...really need to concentrate)

3. socks on two circs for me (love the yarn, not going fast enough on two circs to hold my attention...maybe should just convert to dpns?)

4. Fair isle hat (need to finish the crown)

5. Pay it Forward gift

6. Felted bag (can't find the pattern...)

7. Felted blowfish for Katie (again, not sure where the pattern is or where I am on the pattern...)

8. "Plain Vanilla Pullover" (started last summer...mucked up the decreasing for the neckline and never went back to it)

9. stripped tubular scarf (I am actually working on that one...)

10. New pair of Socks (I just cast on a new pair of socks this week after my visit to LYS in city of my Math Academy....while sitting in the hotel)

11. New Sweater (I am swatching to check gauge on my new cardigan pattern/yarn)

That's crazy!!!!

I need to finish something!

...and...did I mention I need a new pair of mittens for football season? or the numerous dishcloths that I have on needles, just because they are quick and mindless knits!!!

I really need to pull it all together...be a little self-disciplined....show a little self-control....or not...

I wanted to show pictures...maybe I will get a chance on Monday to go to the library and upload pics...so much quicker than dealing with my dial-up...

Let the games begin...

2008-08-15T08:52:00.002-05:00

Dishrag Tag has begun!

Go Ragtag Racers!!!(Team #4)

The box is on its way to me from Emily in Alabama....maybe it will arrive on Monday? maybe Tuesday?

Check out the picture Emily has posted as she is packing the boxes...the woman is amazing...Big round of applause for all of her organization and hard work!!!

Dishrag tag

2008-08-12T20:13:00.002-05:00

Yeah!!! Teams have been assigned...and all the fun starts this Friday...and did I mention I have the honor of being a team captain??!!! How cool is that???

I am currently at a three day "Math and Science Academy" sponsored by the State of MN....sitting in a hotel...with WIRELESS!!! Yeah!!!

Did I mention I bought myself a new (cheap) laptop computer...and in order to qualify for the 24 months, 0% financing...

I needed to spend an additional $130...so, I also bought a turntable that converts my old vinyl to computer (mp23) format...my vinyl can then be burnt to a CD or put on my i-pod. How cool is that? Stay tuned for details on quality.

"It's a contest!" or "What's your number?"

2008-08-09T11:02:00.004-05:00

Emily is having a contest. Go check it out....she's giving away something cool and it's pretty painless....

Here is an excerpt from her:

Here’s the text from the front page of Divvs:

Our primary service is the Divvs Rating. We analyze your connections to other people across all the social networks you share with us, do some Complicated Math, and come up with a simple number that represents how connected you are.

It’s perfect for Craigslist or web forums where you want to keep your personal details private, but want to prove you’re a real person, with real friends. You can share your rating anywhere you can add a link to an image, and you do it without disclosing anything personal.

Think credit score, but social not monetary. Sign up for fun and to help test the system.

Divvs is kinda cool...tracks the number of social connections you have somehow...and there is math involved...(everything cool has math in it...isn't there math everywhere??)

My rating is a (pitiful) 30.

Check it out and give me a shout out as to your rating...maybe mine will go up ;)

WOW....

2008-08-08T23:17:00.002-05:00

...Did you watch the opening ceremonies?

Spectacular...awesome...precision...breath-taking...and I could go on...

I am so impressed.

...when the people popped out of the boxes (the wind scene)....My jaw dropped to the floor...I couldn't believe it!

(I had thought it was cool and probably all automated by a computer program, boy, was I wrong)

I planned on knitting...but, I couldn't keep my eyes off the ceremonies...so, no knitting...

Where does that kind of planning come from? To have that extreme of a vision and to have the talent and the money to make it a reality...wow!

Hats off to China for an awe-inspiring show...

Whiskers on Wednesday...

2008-08-07T16:42:00.001-05:00

It wasn't me!

I was just laying here licking myself and the yarn unrolled itself....Honest!

Enough pictures...I'm out of here!

This, that and the other thing....

2008-08-03T14:27:00.029-05:00

Lots of stuff to talk about....

First off family news...Andy has been home for the past week...It's been awesome having him around. We did a day about town, ate at the local Chinese Buffet and played some miniature golf...I ended up in last place. Go figure.....

We went to "town" today to buy groceries to send back with him and of course to fill up his car with gas for the long trek home.

(Gas is actually going down...We paid $3.55 a gallon and used a 5 cent/gallon coupon...so actually paid $3.50/gallon...YEAH!!!)

Nathan is back from Bible Camp. He seemed to have a wonderful time and the weather was wonderful all week long. I wonder how long the two suitcases full of dirty laundry are going to be sitting in my living room? I've asked three times for them to be moved....

Have you looked at my counter? ONLY thirty days until the first day of school...and even less until the workshop days begin....sob. sob. sob.

We have a bear.

It won't stay out of our garbage. He/she took down our bird feeder, which was hanging from the eves. I was impressed that he/she didn't break it, just gently licked out all the sunflower seeds. I had three bags of misc. seeds sitting by the garage. The bags were found in the middle of the yard....ripped apart...and I can only find two of them...he/she must have taken one home for later.

We have Chris' motion camera in the front yard hoping to catch him/her in the act...so far...no luck.

Potential problem coming soon...my apple trees are "loaded". I can see broken branches in my future as this bear acquires a taste for my sweet apples. I have had a problem with that in the past. Any home remedies for keeping bears away?

I have been knitting.

The lady that does my hair is due to give birth any minute. I decided to knit her up a small pair of baby booties. On one of the previous posts, I talked about my attempt at a pair of baby booties. They ended up looking way too big...so, I compensated...or shall I say..."over-compensated"...the second attempt turned out to fit a preemie...third time was the charm....and....she was thrilled with the gift.

My good friend Linda and I went to Yarn Harbor, my LYS. And, I got sucked in again.

(Yarn + free pattern + finished object = Alaina has to buy)

Did I have any intention of knitting a scarf this summer? Heck no!! But, here I am...

I have probably finished this thing three times if you count the number of times I have ripped it completely out and started over. How hard can it be? It's a tube scarf! The pattern called for 50 stitches. I cast on 50 and decided that it looked way too small. So, in my infinite wisdom (stupidity), I decided 100 stitches would be a good number.

Well, almost went through a whole skein when I decided it would take way too much yarn...ripped that out...not before I actually calculated gauge and did some math...decided that 80 stitches would be a better number....(Don't ask me why...just believe me...80 seemed like a good idea at the time....)

Nope...still too much yarn....didn't rip it out...thought I should leave it intact in case I change my mind....

So, I cast of 50 stitches and have made it this far....

...and the kicker...I don't even know if I will wear this...I just thought it was cool.....

The Carlton County Fair is coming...I thought I would be all prepared and maybe enter a few items or some framed pictures....It doesn't look like that is going to happen...or...if it does...it will be photography and not knitting...

I thought this picture would look great framed in my dining area...

...and this one in my bathroom...

...or maybe this one....

....as long as I was enlarging and matting and framing...why not enter?

Speaking of knitting...I was talking to one of the helpful ladies at LYS and she asked what I had on my needles...I started rattling off items and I came up with about ten unfinished items...(not counting the Pay it Forward gifts)...SHAME on ME!!!

I need to get responsible and finish a few things...Can you say ADD???!!!

Ohhhh, look at that pretty yarn over there....

I just got home from seeing Mamma Mia. I loved it!! I am a huge ABBA fan....naturally, I loved the music...and I am a sucker for musicals.

I highly recommend seeing it if you haven't already.

Dishrag tag

2008-07-28T17:51:00.002-05:00

Emily is once again hosting Dishrag Tag.

Registration opens on Friday, August 1st.

If you missed out on the fun last summer....make sure you don't miss out this summer!

I'm still here.

2008-07-20T14:12:00.001-05:00

Just wanted y'all to know I am still here....

Life has been too busy lately. (and the summer is going by too quickly)

I did go yarn shopping. I have been knitting. I hope to post pictures soon....

Stay tuned....

Weight loss and other "heavy" issues...

2008-07-13T11:12:00.002-05:00

I have always struggled with my self-image and my weight.

When I got divorced, 9 years ago, the weight came off. I felt wonderful and for the first time in my life, felt comfortable in my own body. It was a great feeling.

I vowed to keep the weight off. Well, it has slowly crept back into my life. The last two years or so has seen me slowly gain 25 pounds.

I tried making small adjustments in my eating habits and/or exercise (or lack of it) to halt the onset of poundage...but, to no avail. I even quit drinking pop, in the past, that move alone was good for 15 pounds, not this time.

I questioned the doctor at my last visit. Seems once you hit your mid-forties, your metabolism slows down, thus making it even harder to lose those extra pounds. (Yes, he tested my thyroid)

As a result of the extra pounds (and a family history) I am now dealing with high blood pressure. Something I was really trying to avoid. I had hoped I could avoid medication by keeping my weight down. No such luck.

As you may remember, I bought Wii Fit this summer to get myself and my boys active in a fun, motivating manner. Well, it worked for about a month. But, my weight didn't go down. So, I lost interest.

I realized the other evening, as I was trying to fit my butt in a pair of jeans, that my "school" wardrobe isn't going to fit me, unless I take action. And, as you can see by my counter on top, school is fast approaching.

Long story short...(Love ya Beck!)....I was reading Megan's blog and she recommends SparkPeople.

Here is what Megan says about the site:

....There are a few things I really like about it. First, it is 100% free. Second, it's not trying to sell anything. I NEVER send a patient to a web site that is trying to sell them vitamins or miracle powdered drinks or anything else. I think all "education" on those sites is suspect at that point.

The biggest thing I think I like about it though is that the site encompasses so much. Not only can you track your weight loss, your daily calorie intake (it does most of the work for you, you just plug in what you ate), and your daily exercise but the site is big on motivation. There are tons of "SparkTeams" that you can join (much like the groups on Ravelry), there are message boards to ask questions and connect to people with your same interests or in your same area (there IS a knitter's group!), and there are SparkPoints.

You earn points for logging on, tracking your food intake, your exercise, drinking 8 glasses of water daily, basically most of what you do on/with the web site earns you points. The points go towards trophies which are displayed on your main log in page...

So, I created a profile for myself....I am "alaina.p" on SparkPeople.

I liked what I saw. The site is going to be very helpful, if I make the effort to use it. One of the things I liked...I struggle with planning healthy meals. The site gives me a weekly menu that I can adapt.

I don't know if this is the answer or not, but I think it's worth a try...

Let me know what you think and if you want to join me on this walk.

camping and such

2008-07-10T09:33:00.006-05:00

I have been MIA for the last three days.

I decided to go camping.

I didn't go far...less than three miles.

The weather was gorgeous...yes, we do have sunny, warm days in Minnesota.

Here are a couple pictures...

We watched, admired, and listened to the loons....they are so beautiful...there is nothing like the sound of loons calling to each other early in the morning...

Chris showed off his diving expertise on the raft....such awesome form....ohh...to be young again...

The lake is spring fed and over 22 feet deep at the raft....

We sat around the campfire...we made s-mores and had a great time....

Life is good.

Wow...

2008-07-06T10:10:00.018-05:00

I walked to the mailbox expecting just the normal pile of junk mail and bills ...and lo and behold...a package!!! For me!!! I was totally not expecting a package...and...what a great package it is!!!

Everything was "wrapped" in a little bag with a bright blue bow...So cute.

(The bright sunshine kinda wiped out the colors...)

Jessi/Bubblesknits was my spoiler for the Keepin' Cool in Summer Dishcloth Swap.

She went above and beyond the call of duty...What a thoughtful package....I absolutely loved everything in it...it felt as if I had shopped for myself...Gather round and look at all of the awesome stuff she sent my way....

This sock yarn is from Sophie's Toes the color is "Garden Party". What a great color choice for a summer swap! I can hardly wait to cast on a pair of socks with it. What a great choice! Thank you Jessi.

Jessi also included two skeins of cotton yarn. One "peaches & Cream" in a color that I have not seen before and a skein of Knit Picks "Cotlin", which I have never used. I am looking forward to checking that out...(thanks for the tip Jessi of using smaller needles)

Other goodies...a set of flowery/summery notecards with a matching magnetic "to do list" (looks great on my refrigerator), a hand cream, a whole bag of Crystal Light drink mixes (see picture below) to keep me cool, a miniature body bar, and a set of "designer" handkerchiefs...they have an "A" on them....(How did you know I cry a lot? LOL)...She also included a "sock blocker" keyring, complete with yarn to knit up the little sock...(see first picture) I can't wait to make it.

and...this awesome little cuddly sheep. Isn't he absolutely adorable?? And he is as fluffy in real life as he looks...makes me smile everytime I look at him. His name is "Woolsy"

She also knit me not one...but...two beautiful dishcloths....One in a light tan

...and the other in a light green...very, very nice...

She also sent me this very, very awesome sock bag from Gypsyknits. I LOVE it!!! I can hardly wait to go "public" with my awesome bag. It is absolutely adorable...with little Knitting chickens on it...

(I know it is sideways...sorry)

And...last but not least...the chocolate...(and a picture of the Crystal light mixes that I mentioned above)...Jessi was worried that the chocolate may have melted..well, it did...but, that didn't stop me from enjoying it...

Picture this...I am in the kitchen, literally licking the chocolate out of the little containers...Nathan comes into the room, stops and exclaims, with this horrified look on his face..."Mom, you have chocolate all over your face!" Sorry...no pictures.

It was awesome!

Thank you Jessi for a great package. I know how hard it is to shop for someone else, but, you really nailed it! I love everything!

{{{BIG HUGS}}}

This and That...

2008-07-05T18:20:00.008-05:00

We spent the first part of the week at a Wisconsin Dells water park. (A mere five hour drive with two teenagers...need I say more?)

Andy and Katie met us there...which was awesome...we don't get to see enough of them...

It was tons of fun...I do not do "dry" rides...I have this insane fear of falling and I get sick...but...I will do water rides...

However....Chris convinced me to go with him on one of the rides...we had to sit in a big tube...and go down a huge chute....all twisty-turny...then...looked like we were going to fall off of a cliff...and we went straight down...

I closed my eyes and screamed the entire way down......won't be doing that one again.

I did, however, enjoy all the other rides I went on....my favorite being the lazy river...got myself sun burnt...again....

Here is Chris in the lazy river...trying to avoid Mom taking his picture...

Happy 4th of July.....

We spent the day at Bayfront Park in Duluth...which is right on Lake Superior....Listened to our favorite band....and of course, enjoyed the fireworks....weather was nice...music was good...fireworks were awesome...and it only took us one hour to leave the parking lot afterwards...

..and one last shot of the fireworks...

Hope your holiday was as awesome as mine was....

Whiskers on Wednesday

2008-07-05T17:39:00.003-05:00

Wherever I go...she follows...I don't even know where she is when I leave a room, but, she will show up where I am...and of course, when she shows up in whatever room I am in...she acts all nonchalant....like it's a coincidence that I am in the same room as the room she happens to be in...

I find it touching...she just wants to be in the same room as me...

Heck...my children try to avoid being in the same room as me...lol...guess that's why I have a cat.....

Knitting progress...

2008-06-30T17:05:00.007-05:00

Well, I didn't finish it...but I did make a lot of progress on it...I am now decreasing for the top...The colors aren't showing up as nicely as they could...I'll post a better picture when its done.

I knit one of the dishcloths for my Keepin' Cool Swap Pal...I wasn't excited about how it turned out...I think it turned out too big...don't know if I will redo it or give it to her as it is...I will post pics after she gets it....

Silly dog...

2008-06-30T16:46:00.003-05:00

At my house, all you need to do is mention the word "ride" to get Max all excited...and I mean excited...bouncing up and down...howling/crying...he is SO there...

Well, I was bringing Nathan to work yesterday...and Nathan was driving...so I guess, technically...Nathan was bringing himself to work and I was riding along...anyways, I digress...

Max is in the backseat with his snout and most of his head hanging out the window...Suddenly, the window is going up and his head is being caught...At the same time, Nathan and I yell at each other to stop rolling up the window....

Neither one of us is rolling up the window...Max is doing it to himself...power windows...he's standing on the "up" button with his paw....He got his head out in time...

Silly dog.....

Another chapter....

2008-06-29T02:19:00.002-05:00

This summer has been different for me...

Jeremy and Andy are off at their respective "college" homes, working through the summer, stock-piling money and taking summer classes....I miss having them in my daily life. A phone call every few days just doesn't do justice...I miss hearing about the mundane details of their daily lives...

Chris and Nathan are both working this summer...

More often than not, I find myself alone in the house...it's an unfamiliar feeling that is becoming more and more familiar...and I don't think I am ready.

In the past, our summers were so very active...filled to the brim with Little League games, riding bikes to the bookmobile, visits to the local library, miniature golf, camping, swimming lessons, golf practice, and later golf itself...

We spent our days together...eating lunch (hot dogs wrapped with biscuit dough)...having "siesta" time...everybody in their rooms to either read or nap...great opportunity for reading for the older ones and quiet time for the younger ones...during the very hottest part of the day...

I miss my boys.

News from up North

2008-06-27T10:49:00.006-05:00

It has been a really busy week...

I've been doctoring most of the week...nasty migraines...don't know if we have "solved" the problem or not...time will tell...no migraine today (knock on wood) Lately I have been going to bed and waking up with one...sucks.

Was down to school yesterday...gave blood for the blood drive...it was my 16th donation...got the "two gallon" pin...yeah!!! The young lady did a nice job with the needle...I have no bruising today...

I then met with the representative with the new curriculum we are ordering (pending board approval, of course)...My intention was to work in my room on lesson plans, as long as I was down there...well, my room looks like a disaster zone...they are painting it...

On knitting news...since I was in Duluth doctoring, I stopped at the LYS looking for yarn to send to my Swap partner...well, found her yarn...but HAD to buy something for myself...I've said this before...if there is a sample AND a free pattern attached (with yarn purchase) they suck me in every time!!!

I left the store with a hat pattern and yarn to match. Now, I had absolutely no intention of knitting a hat this week or this summer...and of course, I immediately had to cast on....can you say ADD???? Oh look at that pretty thing over there.....

I think I have a new "favorite" dishcloth pattern. I am really liking this...

Isn't it pretty? It is a Waffle Knit Dishcloth. I found it here. I am not sure how I got to Deb's blog...but...I found it and I like it...it's easy and quick and I like the texture.

One last thing before I go...

This was on my window the other night....It is the largest moth I have ever seen...the wing span was a good 4 inches across....I have no idea what kind of moth it is...the markings were really cool.

No big plans for the weekend...probably go listen to music and do some dancing tonight and tomorrow...I think we have one last graduation party to attend on Sunday. Hope your weekend is a good one...

Hopefully, I will have pics of my finished hat on Monday to share...

Keepin' Cool in Summer - Topic #3

2008-06-27T10:33:00.002-05:00

Well now that Summer has OFFICIALLY begun.. what do you do to beat the heat? A nice tall glass of lemonade? Frozen Coffee? A dip in the pool? What's your favorite way to keep cool this summer as things heat up?

My favorite way to stay cool is to go to the lake. Pack up the boys, the knitting, and some snacks, along with a bottle of water...and head to the lake. If the local lake isn't an option...I head for Duluth...it's always cooler by the big lake (Lake Superior)

I don't have a favorite summer beverage. I am trying to stay away from pop/soda. I tend to drink a lot of flavored water...and seem to be on a "Crystal Light" kick....I must have about 6 different "flavors" currently open in the cupboard....

Just another Monday...

2008-06-23T23:57:00.007-05:00

Here is a the only picture Nathan would allow me to post of our day at the water park.

Here is a picture of what a Minnesota water park looks like. This is a beautiful park...lots of picnic area...water slides and go carts... and an alpine slide...good times...

As you know, we live in Minnesota...in the country...we have wood ticks...more specifically...we have deer ticks...deer ticks carry Lyme disease.

Nathan had a deer tick on him last Thursday...I tried to remove it as I remove all wood ticks...with a tweezer....( do not touch wood ticks!!!)...Well, deer ticks are very small...the tweezer pinched the tick right in half, leaving the head of the tick embedded in my son...he was not happy (the son, not the tick, although the tick probably wasn't happy either)

We went to the doctor's office today to have the head of the tick removed.

Doctor put him on antibiotics and now we have to wait and see if Lyme disease develops....

Incidentally, the preferred method of removing a deer tick (according to doctor) is to rub gently over the tick with a cotton ball soaked in dish soap. After about 15 minutes, the tick should back out...

Wouldn't work for me...I would be hysterical by that time...can not stand wood ticks!!!

That was my day...how was yours?

Keepin' Cool in Summer Topic #2

2008-06-19T23:11:00.002-05:00

Share with us how you know that summer has truly 'arrived', or something that signifies the start of Summer in your world.

In my world...summer arrives at 3:10 on the last day of school....Ahhh...the joys of being a teacher.....

Seriously though, summer truly arrives with the smell of the first freshly cut lawn....the buzz of the mosquitoes...the smell of burgers on the grill....the lilacs are blooming....the lake is warm enough to swim in.....

It's a contest....

2008-06-19T22:46:00.002-05:00

...Come check out Whiskers on Wednesday....You don't have to be a cat lover...(although it helps)...spread the word...registration is still open....

It was a grand day.....

2008-06-19T15:32:00.003-05:00

The weather was beautiful...the crowds were light...no lines to stand in...it was an absolutely gorgeous day...the boys had a wonderful time....

I sat in the sun listening to my ipod and I spent the entire day knitting...

...as a result...I have this funky "knitter's" tan/burn...the picture truly doesn't do it justice...

Check out my funky "triangles"...isn't that nice???!!!

I did manage to complete (except for kitchener stitch) an entire baby bootie/sock...

I used size four needles and kinda guessed at the pattern...resulting in a sock that turned out a little larger than I had pictured...a kinda "funky" deformed, club footed, large baby...yeah...that's who I planned it for...I guess I'll make a second one to match...

I am really anxious to start a pair of socks with one of these skeins of sock yarn...isn't it pretty...I think the one on the right is my favorite...

Is it wrong to cast on two or more pairs of socks at the same time? Seriously?

...And here is my Whiskers on Wednesday Picture....

Isn't she just adorable? Attitude....

Check this out....

2008-06-17T18:10:00.005-05:00

While I was out and about today...I stopped at the LYS..and she had knit up a set of baby socks/booties...cute as a button...and unbelievably soft...well...I just had to buy a skein... she gave me the rough pattern she had made up..thought I should do some searching...see if I could find a pattern....

I found THIS...every sock knitter's dream....594 sock patterns....

I am bringing 5 teenage boys to a water park tomorrow...since we cannot all fit in a car...I am driving the motor home...it's about a 90 minute drive one way....I of course, have no intention of putting a swimsuit on...so plan on spending the day sitting in my camper or in the sun......knitting....

Pics to come....

They are all idiots....

2008-06-13T13:08:00.003-05:00

..They are all idiots...

Yesterday, I dealt with idiots all day long....

My day started with ME calling my credit card company looking for a pay-off amount....Yes, I was going to give them money....After two hours and three different phone calls.....I decided that they are all idiots...How tough can it be? (I never did get an answer)

Then...a salesperson called from a card that I have paid off, have no intention of ever using again, and don't even know where it is (physically)....I tried to assure the young lady that I did not need whatever service she was trying to sell/give me...and I explained all of the above...I have no intention of reactivating said card...and I gave her the reasons why...She just wouldn't give up....I finally told her - go head send me the materials and I will throw them away myself....

all idiots....

Then....I notice my phone is not working...I walk next door and check with my mother...her phone isn't working either...together...we walk to two other neighbors...nope, not working either...

I decide to call QWEST on my cell phone to report the outage...side note...some company is burying underground fiber optic cable all along our rural road....might have something to do with the phone outage...

The person answering the phone tells me that she will send a repairman out to check my "box"...if the problem isn't with my "box"...the phone company will charge me $85 for the service call...

I assure her that it isn't my "box" that is the problem...ALL of the neighbors are without phone service...her response..."That has not been confirmed"...Are you kidding me???? I just told you!!! ... And... I know it's not my "box" because they are burying cable long the road...again...her response..."that has not been confirmed"...

Idiots...they are all idiots!

Whiskers on Wednesday

2008-06-12T07:10:00.003-05:00

I found this on Anita's blog.

Whiskers on Wednesdays....

Whiskers on Wednesday a site dedicated to bragging about your kitty. What a great idea!

Anytime I can brag about my spoiled brat and post pics...I am all in!

So, even though I am a day late....and some of you have already met...Meet Squeekers...the residing Queen of our house.....

This and That...

2008-06-12T05:39:00.011-05:00

This arrived in my mailbox the other day...isn't it pretty? The picture does not do it justice...it is the prettiest shades of greens and browns...all my favorite colors...Megan ordered it for me from Mandy's etsy shop. I won a contest that Megan was hosting....Big Thank you to Megan! I love it and can't wait to knit something pretty with it.

It's cold and it's raining....seems like that is all the weather we have had this summer...

We went to watch Rock-A-Billy Revue at the local outdoor concert series....It was so cold...honest to God, you could see your breath...it was only 41 degrees out....at least it wasn't raining for about a two hour period....reminded me of football season.

My plants are all water-logged...Thank God we aren't dealing with the flooding issues that are prevalent around the area. We are lucky enough to have really sandy soil...

I haven't even thought about camping...it's been too cold...I went into the camper a couple days ago and thought...boy, do I need to get out here and do the "Spring cleaning" - but that is as far as that went...

Enough whining...on the Fitness front...I am proud to say I have been doing my 60+ minutes on Wii Fit every single morning. My body was very, very sore for about 4 days..it has gotten better. My BMI has gone down...a couple pounds also....nothing to get too excited about...but, I figure if I keep it up all summer...it has to be good....

As you go through the program, you "unlock" more "activities" the more you do. For example, the basic comes with a "step activity" that has you stepping off and on the Wii Board in time to the music...I have since unlocked an "advanced" step activity...well, I am so uncoordinated...to the point to tripping over my own two feet....rhythm...I have none. I am kicking when they are stepping, and clapping a half beat after the group...at least I am moving.

On the knitting front...Here are my finished "Fixation" socks. I gifted them to my "bestest" friend for her birthday...I hope she enjoys wearing them as much as I enjoyed making them for her....

I also just finished the third dishcloth to a set of three for my sister. I am working on my next pair of socks...anxious to start a new pair with the lovely yarn I ordered....but, am trying to resist the temptation...I just want to see how the stripes are going to play out.....and of course, the feel of the yarn....

If I could upload pics faster...I could show you the lovely goodies I ordered....I may have to make a trip to my local library and see if I can upload more pics...With the price of gas ($3.87/gal) - I can't afford to drive to work(school) just for the sake up posting some pics....It takes me about 8 minutes to upload one picture...and then that isn't a promise that it will upload...many, many times...I wait 10+ minutes just to be booted off of blogger....ahh, the trials and tribulations of country living.

I went grocery shopping yesterday...ventured out in the rain...needed to get out of the house and of course, the boys were complaining about no food....I saved $93.00 with coupons....how awesome is that? I still wrote a check for $217...but..... saved $93....I was pretty proud of myself...and now we have food...I have found that it is more expensive to eat "healthy". It is no wonder our society is on the overweight side...people can't afford "healthy" choices.

Keepin' Cool in Summer Swap - Topic #1

2008-06-09T19:22:00.003-05:00

Make a post on your own blog sharing YOUR favorite pattern(s) with us! Don't have a favorite site? That's fine! Show us a photo of one of the cloths you have made and really loved, even if it was just a made up pattern!

I have found a lot of my patterns at Knitting Pattern Central. Go check it out...she has some awesome patterns and most are free....

My current "favorite" pattern is the Feather and Fan Dishcloth. I like the texture of the finished dishcloth. The pattern whips up pretty fast - it's just a repeat of the four rows....I like that I don't have to think...but there is enough change to keep my attention...

If only I had high speed internet....I could post pics....but blogger keeps dumping me off while I am trying to upload....

OH!!! I don't know if you are lucky enough to have a Michaels in your area or not...but they are running 10 balls for $10 on the "Sugar 'n Cream" by Lily.

That's ONE DOLLAR a piece!!!! I bought bunches!!!

I would also like to take this opportunity to say a Hello to my Swap Partner! Thanks for contacting me .....I look forward to getting to know you.

I am going to get fit...

2008-06-07T16:53:00.004-05:00

...and I might die in the process....

We called all over to find a Wii...Best Buy had just received a shipment and had 12 on hand....we rushed and got dressed, drove the 40+ minutes to Duluth....They still had a couple left...as we checked out...every person around us that was checking out...was buying a Wii.

Now...to find a Wii Fit. Again, called everywhere...literally 20+ phone calls....checked out every "gaming" store in the mall area...anyone we remotely thought might have it....Went into K-Mart...first store clerk told us they were sold out...second clerk overheard and said they had just received a shipment of three that had been unloaded from the truck less than five minutes ago.....

So...TAH-DAH!!!! By the luck of I don't know what...we have a Wii Fit.

I am determined to make this part of my morning routine...I got up this morning and did every single yoga exercise, every single stretching/body building, and all of the aerobics...I even ran...

OMG!!!

I was panting, hyperventilating, sweating profusely....thought I was going to die...

I didn't realize I was THAT out of shape....

Stay tuned for updates...and send oxygen....

Summer vacation

2008-06-05T13:02:00.001-05:00

....ahhh...it's begun...Today is my first full un-committed day....and...I just got dressed! It feels pretty darn good.

The last teacher day was Tuesday. I left right after school to go visit Andy and his new apartment, a mere four hour drive....His apartment is great, nice new building, 4 bedroom.....

I had a chance to try Wii Fit while we were down there. I am now on a mission to buy it. Of course, it is not available anywhere....and...for those of you who may not know what it is...its a game that consists of a platform you stand on...it measures your weight and BMI. From that information, it gives you a test (in my case, standing on one foot for about 30 seconds) and then calculates your "fitness" age.....I am proud to say...mine was 6 years younger than my actual age....

It has yoga, stretching, body building, and other "games" to help you get your heartbeat up and get fit. Once you create a profile, you can track your progress and your weight.

I do have pictures to post, but my camera is currently MIA.

Not many plans for the summer...I do want to get a bunch of cleaning done...and painting...maybe some camping...for sure some knitting...watch some Oprah....

It's all good.

Keepin' Cool in Summer Dishcloth Exchange Questionaire

2008-05-31T18:36:00.002-05:00

1. Do you Knit or Crochet? For how long? I know how to do both. My current obsession is knitting. I have been knitting now for about 2 years.

2. Do you enjoy using metal, wooden, or some other kind of needle\hook? I love the feel of wooden needles. Unfortunately, most of my needles are metal...

3. What are your favorite types of yarn? Any you just can't stand? I have bought enough sock yarn to keep me in socks for the rest of my lifetime...I can't seem to help myself...I love sock yarn. I don't like novelty yarns...

4. When it comes to cotton, are there any brands you'd love to try and haven't? I have only used "Sugar and Cream"

5. When you make Dishcloths, do you use them yourself, or tend to give them as gifts? Both, I love making dishcloths...instant gratification, simple, easy to take along, mindless knitting....consequently, I tend to accumulate them...so I usually throw a couple in for bridal showers, birthdays, etc...

6. Do you have a favorite color? Any that you dislike? I like earthy colors and bright colors....I don't like orange...but everything else is fair game.

7. What color(s) (if any!) are your kitchen and bath decorated in? Kitchen is greens and bathroom is tans...

8. What are your favorite scents around the house? I like cool melon, lilac, vanilla, citrus...

9. What is your very favorite thing about summer? My favorite part of summer is being home and enjoying the sunshine. Spending time with the boys, knitting, camping, gardening...and....did I mention...not working....

10. What is your least favorite thing about summer? The mosquitos.

11. Do you use soap or body wash in the shower? I use body wash in the shower.

12. What scents do you enjoy in the bath? My favorite is cucumber melon.

13. What is your favorite dishcloth pattern? I don't know that I have a favorite. I make a lot of ripple, fan/wave pattern cloths.

14. What sort of treats do you enjoy? Sweet or Salty? Oh, probably sweet...chocolate is top of my list...if it's dark chocolate, that's even better....

15. Imagine today is one of the hottest days of the year - what do you do to keep cool? Or are you one of those folks who loves the hot weather? I love the hot weather. I would pack some flavored water, my knitting and head for the nearest lake...

16. What sorts of hobbies do you enjoy besides knitting or crocheting? I belong to a stamping club. We meet once a month and make cards. I should own stock in "Stampin' Up". I have way more sets than I would ever admit to...Almost tops my yarn stash....I also dabble in scrap booking. I use to read a lot, not so much anymore...seems like I knit instead...I also like to dabble in photography. I love taking pictures.

17. Do you collect anything (besides yarn!) no

18. Are you on Ravelry? If so, share your ID! I haven't been on in ages, but, I am "alaina" on Ravelry. Maybe this summer I will have time to play with Ravelry more....

19. Do you have any allergies? I can't stand cigarette smoke...

20. Do you have any pets? One cat, whose house we live in and a dog who torments her.

In my world...

2008-05-25T09:14:00.002-05:00

I won!!!

I entered Megan's contest....and I won!!! How cool is that? I never win...never.

School news: The end is in sight...we are going down the home stretch...the light is shining brightly....the teachers are dancing in the hallways.....

Graduation was Friday night. For the first time, the administration requested that all teacher's attend. It was the coolest thing. The school board members marched in first, followed by the entire teaching faculty, then the graduates. It touched me deeply that I was a part of "this team" that was responsible for these young adults to be graduating today and moving on to the adult world. (I've had them in class since they were 9th graders....)

After the ceremony, we marched out behind the graduates...we went through a receiving line and was able to congratulate..handshake/hug each graduate...something that hasn't happened in the past. It was great having that opportunity to speak to each one. Many tears...and that was just me...okay...the graduates shed a few also. It was a heart touching evening.

Family news: Summer jobs are in full swing!!! I have an Ace Hardware sales person, a local restaurant dishwasher/cook trainee, and a Dairy Queen counter person. Hopefully, in the very near future, I will also have a K-mart associate.

I have mixed emotions on summer jobs...I think it builds character and responsibility on one hand, but on the other, you are only young once....

Knitting news: I need to take pictures. I am to the point of turning heels for my latest pair of socks. I finished the cascade fixation pair....and I ordered new sock yarn....pictures...coming soon...promise.

I spent yesterday buying plants...so, am spending today planting...although at this point, it is looking pretty cloudy and cold outside...I may have to stay inside and knit.

Hope your Memorial Day weekend is a great one!

Keepin' Cool in Summer Dishcloth Exchange

2008-05-25T08:49:00.003-05:00

The summer dishcloth exchange is back!!! Yeah!!!

Keepin' Cool in Summer Dishcloth Exchange registration opens Wednesday, May 28th.

Big thank you to Anne for hosting.

I have had so much fun in the numerous (three or four) Exchanges/Swaps that I have done....and fun on both sides of the swap...meaning...so much fun getting to know the person I am spoiling and the wonderful comments and emails from the people who have spoiled me...

The actual package is just the frosting on the cake(...and just for the record...it's a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting!)

I highly recommend joining...see ya over there....

Prom 2008

2008-05-02T15:37:00.004-05:00

Every man should know how to tie his own necktie......and...my boys will know how to....

I don't remember slapping myself in the face while tying a necktie...however, Nathan manages to do it every time...funniest thing you've ever seen.....

I would be lying if I told you this was a picture of their first attempt...

After all of the practice tying...we were finally ready to do it with the real thing...Nathan was suppose to wear a beautiful blue tie to match his date's dress...however, the vest was too small and the necktie looked ackward without the vest holding it all together...so, he went back to the generic bowtie.

Don't they look absolutely handsome? And grown up? (sniff! sniff! where is my kleenex?)

Mom and Chris

Mom and Nathan

(Just for the record...I am 5'8")

Their dates were beautiful...we survived post prom...slept for most of Sunday....only got an inch or so of snow.....

It's all good.

Spring Dishcloth exchange?

2008-04-28T21:27:00.001-05:00

Am I missing the boat or what? (Wouldn't be the first time nor the last...)

My link to the Defeat the Winter Doldrums exchange no longer works....

If my memory serves me...one of the last posts mentioned a summer exchange with sign ups starting the first of May....

Anyone?????

Enough already...

2008-04-25T21:49:00.003-05:00

It is prom weekend...I have two young men attending...they are going to look "spiffy"...and we are suppose to be getting 2-5 inches of...wait for it....SNOW!!!!!!

Have I mentioned how sick I am of Winter??????

Pictures of my two handsome dudes...coming soon...with their parkas and snow boots....

This and that from my world....

2008-04-20T08:50:00.022-05:00

Not much knitting news.....

I have been plugging away on the beanie for Katie...it's taking a long time...fingering weight and size 4 circs...hard to believe this is about 10 hours of knitting pictured...the pattern alternates between 2 purls, 3 knits one round, then 3 purls, 2 knits the next round...and so on...it's a eight round pattern...I keep losing my place...then...have to go back and rip out to maintain the pattern....auugghhh!!!

I should be done with my Cascade Fixation socks probably this afternoon...will post pictures of them once I get them off my needles...I am decreasing for the toe...and...of course doing both socks at the same time...so, they will both be ready to go...yea! No going back to do the second sock.

Spring is coming to Minnesota! The snow has pretty much melted. All that is left is a couple of stray, dirty piles sitting around. One of the problems with late Spring snowstorms...the ground has started to thaw...so, when we plowed the driveway...we ended up with lots of rocks and dirt pushed onto the lawn...I have lots of heavy duty raking awaiting me.

It has been dreary, drizzly, and cold this weekend. I wish it would either downpour and clean everything up or be sunny so I can get outside and start cleaning up the yard...

We did have our first outside hot tub session of the season last night...It was nice...the steam from the hot tub...the slight drizzle cooling off your upper body...unfortunately...the sky was cloudy...no stars or moon...the outside temperature was only about 40 degrees...a bit chilly the run from the tub to the house....it was a nice way to spend a Saturday night....

Squeakers...my constant companion when I am on the computer...I am always being serenaded by her purring....

Nathan performed in the play Fools by Neil Simon. He is the center actor in the picture. If you are familiar with the piece, he played the doctor. It is a comedy and he was hysterical in his part. I was laughing so hard at times that I had tears. I so admire his ability to make people laugh and make it seem so effortless.... I could never in a million years perform in front of people....he did a very nice job...I do have a couple short video clips of the funniest parts...but have no clue as to if or how I could post them....

On the school front...we have been administering the state mandated tests all week. Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs for short) Every grade except for the seniors have been tested this week. The 7th and 8th graders are being tested again in Math next week....Each test is a four hour long test...Reading, Math, and Written Language...Science is coming in May...

I have mixed opinions on these tests...because the test results are not linked to graduation, many of the students don't give their best effort on the tests...which then make them a useless tool in evaluating the quality of our district...did I mention the school's total passing percentages (not individual scores) are published in all the area newspapers...

We are into our 4th week of third quarter...woo hoo!!! I haven't officially counted the days remaining but I do know there is only five more Mondays that I have to drag my butt out of bed for :) Once I get pass Monday...the rest of the week is a breeze. They did hire a new secondary math teacher...he will be doing the Geometry (which I hate) and the upper level math. I will teach junior high...Pre-Algebra, Algebra and 10th grade Algebra II. It is all good.

On a dare...

2008-04-12T09:25:00.005-05:00

Barefoot and in shorts...down to the mailbox and back...

What was the payoff? $0.85!

Ready...Set...SNOW!!!

2008-04-11T10:25:00.009-05:00

We are under a blizzard warning effective until 8:00 pm Saturday.

Here is my front yard at 7:00 pm Thursday night....except for the big pile left over from plowing the driveway...the snow was gone.....

...and my front yard at 7:00 am Friday, a mere 12 hours later...

It is expected that we will be getting between 16 and 20 inches of snow before this is over.

The wind is gusting up to 55 mph...we listened to the wind howl all night long...our Direct TV (the dish) is off...of the three local channels...two are off the air...many people have no power due to trees/branches heavy with snow falling on lines. Our power has flashed off twice this morning...(I probably shouldn't be on the computer)

All of the area schools are closed. All three colleges in Duluth/Superior have closed. The buses have been pulled off of Duluth streets, the mall is closed, all government offices have closed, no mail service...the state patrol has advised absolutely no travel...knowing that we deal with snow on a regular basis...you know it has to be nasty when everything shuts down...

I stepped outside briefly to brush the snow off of the feeder. The spring birds were frantically trying to get pass the snow and get to the seed. The snow is heavy and very, very wet. It's going to be a mess to clean up...

I think I will spend the day in my pajamas...doing a couple lesson plans...make some chocolate goodies...drink some coffee and maybe knit...or do some scrapbooking....

I'll post more pictures when it is all over.....

Wish I was back in Mexico....

It's about time...

2008-04-06T10:46:00.022-05:00

Puerto Vallarta was wonderful!!!

I celebrated my 45th birthday (My God!! When did I get so old?) at Bubba Gumps Shrimp. The shrimp was awesome, the atmosphere fun....Here I am on the famous bench with the suitcase and the box of chocolates.

"Momma says, Life is like a box of chocolates, You never know what you're going to get."

On each table there are two license plates...one says "Run Forrest Run" (green) and the other..."Stop Forrest Stop" (red)...the waitress had told us to display the red one if we needed anything. We decided we wanted to add to our order...so, I casually flipped over to the red plate. Suddenly a guy yells, "STOP FORREST STOP!!!!" Everyone in the place freezes and three waiters run to our table and ask what we need...Ummmm...can you say...embarrassed?

I spent most of the week poolside knitting while He was snoozing. (Please ignore the fact that I was obviously having a bad hair day. I also had multiple tan/burn lines going on at that point in my week.)

I almost finished the pair of Cascade Fixation socks on circular needles. They have been on my needles since before I got into the whole felted slipper kick. I was done with the cuff previous to the trip. Poolside, I turned both heels and knit most of the foot on both of them. I have about an inch to go and then the decrease /shaping for the toe. It feels good to be that close to finishing them and of course, having them both done at the same time.

Our studio overlooked the Pacific ocean, thus we saw some incredible sunsets...

A pirate's ship ran each night with a show and dinner. We didn't go on it..but, it showed up in most of my sunset pictures...and I took a lot of sunset pictures....

Here is one more sunset picture...I told you I was a little obsessed with sunset pics...

We walked downtown one day to the Boardwalk...lots of really cool statues.

We also saw some really cool sand sculptures. One talented artist sculpted the entire Last Supper. It was larger than life. My pictures don't do it justice...unbelievable.

The ocean was so blue...actually everything seemed so bright and uplifting. I will never get use to the feeling of smallness that I get when I stand in the ocean....

Here is a picture of the kitty that hung around the resort. I decided it didn't speak English...It didn't respond to "kitty" at all...Funny cat...it tolerated being petted...didn't purr and acted as though you weren't even there...

What do you call a kitty in Spanish?

One more picture for your viewing pleasure....enough said.....

This picture from our balcony shows my entire Mexico experience...feet up, relaxing...enjoying the sunsets....

Upon returning to the Frozen Tundra....

(You think I am kidding? It was below 20 degrees when we got home...I wanted to get back on any plane that was heading south...)

I had two packages waiting for me...

The first package was from Cleary. She spoiled me with two skeins of yarn, some great homemade, quilted coasters...I love them, a couple really cool little dishcloths (I can't decide if they are knitted or crocheted), and some end protectors for circular needles, which I had not seen around here. Thank you Cleary for a great package.

The second package was from Lisa. She spoiled me with some awesome sock yarn, a set of number 3 double pointed needles, (which I didn't have), some awesome note cards, a freshly harvested sponge (how cool is that?), a springy themed glass, a garden gnome, two beautiful, very delicate stitch markers made from fresh-water pearls, three packets of seeds to plant, and a whole bag of black jelly beans, which happens to be my very favorite goody at Easter time...Thank you Lisa for being such an awesome Angel!!!!

Just for the record, I did bring two sets of needles on the plane with me and nobody questioned it...Seem kinda weird that I can bring sharp, pointed objects on the plane, but not a 12 ounce bottle of water.

I worked on the felted Blowfish on the way down using size 10 wooden double pointed. I have the body almost done....

On the way back, I worked on the beanie for Katie. I used size 5 circular needles. Made good process, the yarn is fingering weight...so, It doesn't look like I spent 5 hours knitting....

I will post pictures of all projects when I get a chance.

It's been a long week. Gramma is home from the hospital, doing well....One night of conferences done, one to go. The fourth quarter is soundly under way. I now have my house somewhat back to clean....the snow is almost gone....my back is almost done peeling...it's all good.

I survived...

2008-04-02T22:05:00.002-05:00

I survived Mexico...It has been a crazy week...Gramma is in the hospital, end of the quarter at school, conferences...kids activities...and you should see what my house looks like!!!!

I promise to update soon as I catch my breath....Saturday???

Miss you all....

Help...

2008-03-20T15:28:00.002-05:00

I found out yesterday that I am leaving for Mexico on Saturday for Spring Break and my 45th birthday!!!!!

I need to know from all you experienced worldly travelers....Can I bring knitting needles on the airplane???

I would hate to waste the five hour flight....

HELP!!!

Caution...long post ahead....

2008-03-05T16:29:00.022-06:00

First off...I want to publicly apologize to Jennifer for not getting this post up sooner...she did an absolutely awesome job of "spoiling" me...I got her package last Saturday....I have no excuse other than it has been one of those weeks....

Jennifer did an incredible job of spoiling me in this swap...We exchanged long emails on a semi-regular basis...she sent me e-cards...I really got to know her and it made the swap a lot of fun...She kept me guessing the entire time...~~stinker~~...she made me think she was in the U.S...when she was actually in Canada...I didn't even catch it when she made reference to "claiming" value on the package when she mailed it...I am clueless, sometimes...

Come closer...look at all the goodies she spoiled me with....

She knit me not one...but...TWO dishcloths and crocheted me another ONE...How awesome is that...and...she used the dishcloths as wrapping paper..how smart is that????

She knit me a variegated one...the colors are beautiful and I love the pattern...the picture doesn't truly do it justice...the other one she knit is of a deer head, using the soft brown cotton yarn...I tried and tried to get a picture that showed the design...just wasn't happening....

The crocheted one is awesome - it has a unique pattern and the texture is really cool...again...the picture does not do it justice...

...and...this next item truly shows the thought that Jennifer put into this package just for me...anyone who knows me, knows I have a very soft heart....get emotional occasionally, okay, maybe a little more than occasionally...anyways... Jennifer crocheted this little klennex holder (complete with kleenex) for my purse...How thoughtful is that? Tissue anyone?

...and she sent me a set of stitch markers, sized for sock needles...I have made numerous sets of larger markers that I have given away - but none so tiny and none that I have kept for myself....I am thrilled...

..and speaking of socks...she sent this awesome skein of sock yarn...funny story....as you may or may not remember, Last Saturday, I went to the cities to pick Andy up for his spring break....on our way home, we stopped at numerous yarn stores in the cities...details to follow...anyways...I had this very same skein of yarn in my hand at one of the stores and put it down...thinking... well, when finances are a little better, I would pick it up someday for myself...this very skein.....How did she know????

I can hardly wait to start a new pair of socks...am thinking I should finish the pair I already have on my needles...

Here's a shot of the whole box...you can kinda see the brown dishcloth in the background...she also included a set of needle protectors in the shape of little socks...you can see them peeking out...the soap she included is lavender, smells awesome and is made in Canada about an hour from where she lives... the chocolate bar is ..well...lets just say...its gone...and it was awesome...

Thank you Jennifer!!! {{{hugs}}}

As I stated above, I did go to the cities on Saturday to pick up Andy...we explored five different yarn stores...and had a wonderful time...he even introduced me to Caribou Coffee...can you believe I have never been in a Caribou Coffee???? It was awesome!

I found Andy to be a perfect companion in yarn stores...he really appreciated the colors and softness of the different yarns...It was large fun....

I ended up buying yarn to make two projects for his girlfriend (Katie) and one project for him, along with a couple projects for me...

Let me show you...

It's a felted Blow fish...

Isn't it absolutely adorable? Don't you just want to smile? Andy and I decided that Katie needs one of these...doesn't everyone???

After a lengthy discussion on yarn color and complementary yarn color...we decided on this combination...

I also bought this yarn as a close second choice...may need to make up a second one...depending on how quick and easy the first one knits up...

Then, I found this yarn at a different store...decided it would make an awesome pair of socks for me...picked it up...was wandering around...decided I needed to go to the washroom...handed the sock yarn off to Andy...left him...came back and he had my sock yarn.... and this yarn...

It's Cherry Tree Hill (100% merino fingering weight)

There was a beret/beanie knit up...free pattern included with purchase...and Andy decided that Katie needed a new hat...but...we got to the cashier and they were out of copies of the hat pattern...I have searched around Ravelry and have not found the hat...it's called "Happy Feet" put out by Plymouth Yarns...I did find a similar pattern that uses worsted weight and am trying to figure out how to adapt it to fingering weight...any suggestions? I know I have to cast on more and use smaller needles...stay tuned to this channel for updates on that one....

Andy also decided he needed a "dice bag" for...well...his...dice...funny, how that works....

Anyways...he found a small drawstring bag made out of some very expensive yarn at one of the stores...I picked up a skein of suede yarn (can it be called yarn if it's suede?) and I am going to use Mandy's Candy Bag pattern to try and duplicate the bag he saw...again...stay tuned....

I did buy this beautiful yarn for myself...it is so soft. There was a scarf and hat made up using it. I am such a sucker for finished objects...most of the yarn I buy spontaneously is connected to a finished object in the store...I have no imagination to be original and figure it out for myself...

Anyways...I bought the pattern...the pattern calls for four skeins of yarn to make an eight foot scarf - decided I didn't need an eight foot scarf - so I bought just three skeinds...am anxious to get started...

I also bought two skeins of Lamb's Pride bulky weight to make mittens with...one in the same soft green color - and the other in a Grey/tweedy color...of all the mittens I have made and given away...I have none for myself...of course...it's going to be Spring here soon...I hope....

That was my Saturday in a nutshell...the week went downhill from there...

Monday night we got the dreaded 1:00 a.m. phone call...His sister had what they thought was a heart attack. Later we found out it was either a brain aneurysm or a blood clot - She was pronounced brain dead Tuesday morning...

Tuesday night we ran Andy back to the cities and home again all after school...still waiting word on His sister....

Wednesday evening was a combination of students staying late after school...confirmation class with Nathan...and lesson plans....still waiting word on His sister....

Thursday evening was a workshop after school for two hours (learned a lot...time well spent) and then my monthly Stamping Club...and...still waiting word on His sister....

She finally passed away Friday morning.....She lives on the other end of the state...so we will be leaving after I go to the dentist Monday....visitation on Monday and funeral on Tuesday....

...oh...did I mention I completely busted off my front bottom tooth on a piece of soft red licorice...that was last night...

I told you it has been a rough week....

A hint of things to come...

2008-03-02T14:36:00.002-06:00

Defeat the Winter Doldrums package arrived.....yarn shopping......lost in the cities...does 35w northbound even exist anymore....

I promise to post tomorrow from school...pictures.....

Since you asked....

2008-02-28T20:21:00.002-06:00

The yellow dishcloth is made using the Feather and Fan Dishcloth pattern. It is one of my favorite patterns...

As you know from previous posts...Andy was bringing the new girlfriend home from college for the weekend...I neglected to address that part of my weekend...

Let me assure you - She was as perfect as the rest of the weekend...She seemed to be a part of our family from the very start of the weekend...She fit right in - I even shared a bathroom with her as we did our "womanly" things before church....It was awesome having another female in the house and someone I felt so comfortable with....and...she will be welcomed back with open arms....

We are going to pick up Andy in the cities this weekend since it is his spring break. I contacted Shelly to give me some hints on some yarn stores to stalk...she came through with a whole list!!! I am hoping to stop by the one where she will be teaching and maybe meet her :) Stay tuned to this station to view the goods...hee hee

What the.....

2008-02-27T17:52:00.007-06:00

..this was the view as I pulled into the driveway after running errands on Saturday morning....

...and ...we did have unseasonably warm weather...as evidence by the letter jacket laying on top of the roof...it was about 30 degrees out....

I picked up some self-striping cotton on Friday night - found a Ben Franklin store 20 minutes south of the school that I didn't know about....The picture is not doing the colors justice...the stripes of blue, combined with the ripples and waves remind me of water dancing....

Here is a belated picture of the two discloths I sent off to my Defeat the Winter Doldrums Partner. The snowflake on the blue one isn't showing up very well - It looked kinda cool...and I really like the ripple/fan pattern....

Check this out...

2008-02-24T21:00:00.002-06:00

This is pretty cool... free radio on the internet

...and what is so cool about this site? Well...

...register using your email account...start by selecting an artist or a song.... and it plays similar music...all day long...until you tell it to stop...

The site gives you the option of streamlining your play list by saying either you really like or don't like a song or artist...

How cool is that?

Now, I know some of you are thinking...why bother when I can just listen to my personal i-pod type thingy...well, I don't have one of those - so this gives me a chance to listen to only the music I want to hear and commercial free....

It's right up there next to sliced bread in my world...really.

It was a good weekend...

2008-02-22T15:41:00.006-06:00

...it all fell into place...doesn't it always?

The confirmation service was beautiful - The musicians were awesome....~~I cried through most of it~~....started with Amy Grant's Thy Word...gets me every time....

At one point, I looked down the pew to see my four boys, now almost grown young men, my parents, my ex husband and his wife, his parents, his brother and his family....It just touched me that after so many years of hating...we are finally able to co-enjoy our children's accomplishments....that's huge. I cried.

Here I am with my four "little" boys....Note: I am 5'8".....

Here they are, left to right Nathan, (15), Jeremy (22), Chris (17), and Andy (20)...Aren't they handsome young men?

...and Chris with the Bishop....

It was all good....

I felted the purse that I finished knitting...It turned out okay - I ran it though the wash cycle twice, hoping to get it a little thicker than how it ended up...but, no luck...again, not as excited about the yarn as I was...

I do like the colors - but am concerned that the handle is really going to stretch out with the weight of items inside...will have to see...

On second thought...

2008-02-19T17:13:00.003-06:00

A couple posts back...I was contemplating making a sweater using Boku yarn...I went to my LYS and bought one skein - included with purchase was a free pattern for a small felted purse. I thought I would check out this yarn before I spend $75+ to make a sweater with it.....

The verdict: nope.

I did however, finish the small purse pattern. I have not taken the time yet to felt it...

I changed the pattern just a bit...the pattern says to knit for 16 inches, reserving enough yarn to make the second handle...well, how do you calculate how much yarn you need to make the second handle? I used the other end of the skein and started a second handle. I then knit across both pieces and then purl back across both pieces...thus, they are of identical length and I used up all of the yarn...I used a three needle cast off to create the bottom seam....

I thought the yarn was too light for a sweater. It also tended to fray and unravel while I was sewing up the side seams...I just didn't get excited about the yarn....

I promise to show pics of the finished purse.....

So...back to the drawing board...looking for a simple cardigan....help!

Defeat the Winter Doldrums

2008-02-19T13:39:00.002-06:00

Weekly Topic #5

If money were no object, and the day was just perfect - not to hot, not too cold, sun shining, slight breeze - how would you spend a perfect day out that had been given to you in the middle of a cold and blustery winter?

Ohh...I know it would be at a beach...either one of our awesome lakes here in Minnesota or enjoying the sands of the Gulf of Mexico....All of my boys would be there...a couple friends....some who are now very far away (TNteacher)...and some who are still close....there would be sunshine, laughter, knitting, chocolate, swimming, good food, and comfy chairs....all smushed together into one awesome day.....

I am a spoiled woman.....

2008-02-15T10:34:00.004-06:00

He showed up in my classroom yesterday at lunch time...bearing lunch and roses...

How absolutely awesome is that!!!!!

Tonight is the night...boys are coming home, along with the new girlfriend...I can hardly wait...

Those of you who have children away know exactly what I am talking about....

Lots of pictures coming soon....promise....

Happy Friday!!!!!

Still trying to clean house....

2008-02-10T09:01:00.000-06:00

...off task - that's what I am...definitely off-task...

Chris is being confirmed next weekend...which means everyone is coming to the house...including the ex-husband, new wife, ex-in laws...and Andy is bringing his new girlfriend home with him from college...AUUGGHHHHH!

Breathe....

I am not totally concerned about all of the "ex"s...they were a part of my life for 15 plus years... they know me...and it's not like I am a total slob...I am just not a perfectionist when it comes to my house - it is lived in.

It's the new girlfriend that has me freaking out....I have met her - I think she is a wonderful girl and she compliments Andy very well - I want to make a good impression - I want her to feel welcome in my home.....

I am trying to clean my "craft room"/"computer room" ~~/"I don't know where to put it so throw it in here and shut the door room"~~. It is taking me forever. Every little item has to be looked at and pondered.....

It's going to be awesome when it's done and organized...but...right now...it's getting me down.....

It's still cold here - bitterly cold.

I am thinking about a different cardigan than the previous post - I'll post a picture when I have time - right now...I should be cleaning....off task....

...definitely...off-task....

Defeat the Winter Doldrums

2008-02-09T10:50:00.000-06:00

Weekly topic #4

"Defeat the Winter Doldrums" for some of us we get the doldrums and others don't.

For the ones who get doldrums what helps you get rid of them?

For the ones who don't get the doldrums, what helps you keep them away?

January and February seems to just drag by...the weather is cold...the days are short...(although getting longer)...no days off from school....

When I am down - I eat...chocolate seems to help......Might be why my backside needs a "wide load" sign by Spring :)

I know I don't get enough exercise...I am seriously trying to figure out how to fit some exercise into my life. I also realize that once you start exercising, you gain more energy and it becomes easier - I struggle now just to find the energy to start....

Defeat the Winter Doldrums

2008-02-06T15:39:00.000-06:00

Topic of The Week #3

Post a picture of your stash and your notions....

My stash.... OMG!!! I think I need to buy more...I hardly have any.....I was very surprised to see how small my stash has become...for a while, it seemed like I bought cotton every time I went to either Michaels or Wal-mart....

I need to have stash available when I get the urge......although, I may never run out of yellow, blue or the ugly variegated pink...what was I thinking??????

I usually use my short #8 metal straight needles. I have another pair...but they are too long - they hit the side of the rocker....

I snoop around the internet for most of my patterns. I do have these three books that I have used a couple times. I have a three-ring binder with all of my patterns in sheet protectors - that is truly my "source" for most of my dishcloths....

It's Pajama Day...

2008-02-06T10:20:00.000-06:00

Ahh - the perks of being a teacher :)

{{{{{Momentarily forget about the chaos of the rest of Snow Week}}}}}

Along with the robe, I have on pajama bottoms and my felted slippers that I made myself...

Modeling with me is one of my bestest friends...Becky...

What I am doing instead of cleaning house....

2008-02-02T15:34:00.000-06:00

I am looking at ordering this sweater from Patternworks.

Am thinking about this yarn...bottom left corner...forest

(I couldn't figure out how to just grab one square of the color...)

Anyone knit with Boku before?

I like the pattern in general - am not real crazy about the tie string closure - would probably eliminate that and add a couple buttons...I dunno - also - am not sure what the garter stitch edging will look like....

And...I still have my blue nightmare that should be finished sometime...

I have been looking for a simple casual cardigan to make - that can be worn with jeans....

Longing For Spring Swap

2008-02-02T13:04:00.000-06:00

1. Do you knit or crochet? How long have you been at your craft?

I learned to crochet as a child from my Gramma - don't we all learn from Gramma? I picked up knitting in the last 3 years or so..a little obsessed with knitting....

2. What are your favorite yarns/fibers? What are your least favorite yarns/fibers?

I like yarn to be soft - I am not into novelty yarns - Don't really know a lot about yarn - due to being somewhat of a newbie at knitting...

3. What are your favorite colors? What are your least favorite colors?

Probably earth tones - greens...reds - subtle shades - rich tones - blues - not much into neon, artificial colors...

4. What ‘warm weather’ project are you looking forward to making this year?

I would really like to make more socks - and would like to try a cardigan - which isn't really a "warm-weather" project

5. What are you favorite scents? Least favorite?

I like light fresh scents...clean linen - scents that remind you of the outdoors...don't like heavy scents or peaches.

6. What is your favorite flower?

My favorite flower...hmmm.. am not sure - I love the scent of lilacs in the Spring...or the first Lily of the Valley that show up in the flower bed. I enjoy the colors of mums in the Autumn...I don't know that I have a favorite.

7. What are you favorite spring time hobbies/activities?

Being able to get out and walk - being able to walk around the yard and check for buds on the apple trees, lilacs along the back of the yard...checking to see if my "hens and chicks" survived the winter...shooting some baskets with my boys....

8. Do you have a garden? If you do, tell us a little about it. Do you like to plant flowers or vegetables?

I have a couple flower gardens that I would love to give more attention to than I seem to have time to...I generally just plant some tomato plants and green beans as far as a vegetable garden...I am in a hollow of sorts - surrounded by large hills - thus I get very little direct sunshine.

9. What are your favorite sweets?

Dark chocolate...chocolate and caramel....Easter brings black jelly beans and I absolutely love black jelly beans...

10. Do you collect anything?

Does knitting needles, patterns or yarn count? I seem to buy them whether I need them or not?

12. Do you have any allergies?

Maybe allergic to house cleaning - although it has not been confirmed - would have to participate in said activity to verify an allergic reaction...

13. Do you have any pets?

We live in my cat's house - don't all cat owners? She allows us to share her space...I also have a dog - cute Max...who tries daily to torment my poor cat :)

Update...

2008-01-31T20:37:00.001-06:00

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!

My world momentarily upside down...

2008-01-29T16:00:00.000-06:00

{{{{{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....

I've been tagged!

2008-01-27T13:39:00.000-06:00

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

Defeat the Winter Doldrums -- Topic #2

2008-01-27T13:08:00.000-06:00

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.

Yarn or cleaning?

2008-01-26T08:18:00.000-06:00

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....

Get naked...

2008-01-24T21:05:00.000-06:00

and go visit Cass she's hosting a contest to celebrate post #444.

-26 degrees

2008-01-24T15:51:00.000-06:00

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?)

Contest

2008-01-20T11:24:00.000-06:00

Go over and check out Random Contest.

Beware...MATH ahead......

Just some housekeeping...

2008-01-20T09:45:00.000-06:00

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....

Finally...finished Christmas pictures...

2008-01-19T13:44:00.000-06:00

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?

Defeat the Winter Doldrums Topic #1

2008-01-19T13:27:00.000-06:00

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.....

A Minnesota Winter

2008-01-18T17:58:00.001-06:00

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?

Men....

2008-01-12T18:46:00.000-06:00

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.

On a personal note

2008-01-11T22:51:00.000-06:00

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....

Defeat the Winter Doldrums Questionaire

2008-01-11T22:16:00.000-06:00

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.

Defeat the Winter Doldrums

2008-01-06T14:26:00.000-06:00

Registration opens this Friday, January 11th for the latest dishcloth swap. You can check it out and register here.

Big thanks to Holly and Anne for all their hard work in making these swaps wonderful fun.