It was already dark when we got back last night. I had to employ FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY to illuminate you about the fourth team to achieve Dish Rag Tag Glory:

X-Treme Rag Taggers!

This team worked hard for Dish Rag Tag Glory: unexpected events called a knitter away from her post after the box was already in-route (her husband sent the box along unopened – it made it’s way back later for her leg of the race), another knitter walked two miles while on vacation to keep the box moving. Same day turn-arounds, frantic emails and an awful lot of team work earned this spot in the standings. Congratulations, X-treme Rag Taggers, I am in complete awe that you triumphed over adversity to land in the top 5. Team Captain Jo Anne, you must be so proud!

I am also in awe that the Post Office will still use a Flat Rate Box as a Flat Rate Box after it is covered in a half inch thickness of packing tape. That’s the original box in there – with a little flow chart of knitters written on the outside! And on the inside…

I made yet another tactical error: I opened the box as soon as there was enough light for pictures. This happened to be at breakfast.

If Ellie is there, I have to share. Luckily there is plenty to share!

I believe my exact words were, “How did they manage to get all of this in there?” First things first, Amanda made me a wonderful dish rag.

The variegated yarns are very very pretty.

Amanda also included two sets of DPNs (great sizes for sleeves and toys and any other little thing I can come up with), I used the bat ribbon that tied it all up to embellish Ellie’s hair clip and some Really Amazing Scissors.

They even have a sleeve so they won’t poke through your knitting bag!

I love their beautiful ‘don’t loose it in your bag’ hanger! Not pictured are the matching stitch markers – Ellie had them. They are pink AND they make fairy sparkles in the sun. I think we’ll hang them in the window (temporarily) a la Pollyanna this afternoon.

The thing Ellie holding in the back ground is a tape measure (Michael: Is that really from Fox? Did Wen send that?)! It’s attached to a row counter – Wen makes awesome stitch markers – I think I’m going to have to fight for it. But I’ll let Ellie measure the cats first.

That is clearly MY NAME on the card. Ellie can only read the ‘E’.

There are also post cards or greeting cards from the whole team! Oooh, and a caffeinated pick-me-up from Kara (who knew Starbucks comes in convenient little pouches?)! Such a treat! I can’t tell you all how much I (we) appreciate such a fun package, such an incredible finish and such forgiveness for it taking so long to write this post! Revel, X-treme Rag Taggers! Revel in your Dish Rag Tag Glory!

Revenge of Dish Rag Tag Final Standings
Doggone Dishrag Addicts 10/15/2010
Five Alarm Fire 10/18/2010
Faster Than Ewe 10/19/2010
X-treme Rag Taggers 10/20/2010

The third team to achieve Dish Rag Tag Glory is

Faster Than Ewe

Why yes, the box DOES say “me first!” As you know, position in the mailbox (first in = first delivered) determines placement in the final standings. Lesley wasn’t taking any chances that history would repeat itself when she wrote that on there!

The baby monitor was not in the box. I’m keeping tabs on nap.

Faster Than Ewe has made a spectacular finish with a barn red dish rag from Lesley, stitch markers (for ME) and purple to start next years race. But that’s not all!

Cupcake calendar! You know how we love to bake.

And the flowers and butterfly are tatted, yes? I have no idea how to tat. I know there is a needle involved and some teeny tiny thread. These are impossibly delicate and sweet and I will find something brilliant to do with them!

There’s even a treat for Ellie!

SPIDER BAG

She’s going to love it – it’ll be packed full of tiny toys about 15 minutes after she gets up! And we’ll read the post card fifty times while she’s filling the bag, Tammie. M&Ms are her favorites (she eats the reds first as they are close to pink – I love a girl who can prioritize). I get the orange if she is feeling generous.

Looking back at all the pictures, I’m a little stunned at how much was packed into that box…

Thank you so much! And HUGE congratulations to Faster Than Ewe and Team Captain Shawn for achieving Dish Rag Tag Glory!

The second box to finish the race and earn Dish Rag Tag Glory belongs to

Five Alarm Fire (take my word for it)

Another original box finishes the race! And what a great finish too. Team Captain Donna must be thrilled! The final Five Alarm Dish Rag was knit by my across-the-bay neighbor, LaTina!

Peach, blue and point protectors! Watermelon gum made everything smell delicious.

There is also a treat for Ellie:

Shiny fishy stickers!

She will be so excited when she gets up from her nap. That is assuming that her nap happens, there is a lot of noise in there from someone who is supposed to be asleep. *mah grinds her teeth*

Congratulations, Five Alarm Fire! An excellent showing in an excellent race! Help yourselves to chocolate.

Prizes will be in the mail next week: there are two more boxes headed home!

Revenge of Dish Rag Tag Final Standings
Doggone Dishrag Addicts 10/15/2010
Five Alarm Fire 10/18/2010