So, now, I am forced to address the Christmas Issue. I used to love the holiday when I was younger. My ex and I made big deals out of surprising each other with gifts (ok, he used to surprise me with cool stuff but hate what I gave him, but it was still fun.) I had parents to buy for and spend time with, and my sisters and nephews. I still visit the latter, which is nice, but the rituals of Christmas have dissolved and as my health has declined I appreciate a good sleep in more than anything else. Sad, really. I hate shopping now and avoid crowded places (and all the flu and cold germs that inhabit them. Could knock me out for weeks.) Add to it the first anniversary of my cousin’s death, and this year holds no great promise of joy. I hope there is some universal equation of happiness and my neutral/lagging state allows someone else to have a better holiday. If only!
Waiting until school break to have my PFAFF embroidery machine looked at. My aspirations to be an English Textile Artist are on hold as long as the machine lies dormant and non-functional. I think I am three modules behind in the coursework at this point. Lots of work to do. I am focusing on the series I am embellishing by hand right now instead, and truly enjoying it. That is more important, anyway. I love the challenge of making a design work even when it feels like it won’t. This week’s piece had a very plain background and was mostly shades of purple and green. Making the design work relied on adding more colors, but it has do be done in a subtle way. It is coming along, and am happy to at least be on the bead step after lots of stitching. Metallic embroidery floss is pretty but is hard to work with as it frays easily and is relatively stiff.
Off to work where the kids will certainly illustrate the theory that “The week before the week before a holiday break is worse than the week before a holiday break.” Kids are a popping with all sorts of behaviors. Which also makes it feel like Christmas is on the way. Cheers.