Rainy Monday. Post-Thanksgiving Post. 26 November 2018. SAD.

Matryoshka Bodies and Heads

Yesterday was a hard day. Spent way too much time crying because it was Mom's birthday and I miss her so very much. Every day.

Add to that the fact that I'm one of the six percent of Americans who suffer from S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder) according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Mine kicks off emotionally mid-September and runs through February/March. September is Sister's birth AND death days. October's gray skies flow into November - Mom's birth month - and December: Mom's death month. Being alone for the holidays doesn't help.

During the Winter, I try to get outside as much as possible to get a little exposure to natural vitamin D. Of course, diet is supplemented with a double dose of D. Some say taking Vitamin D doesn't help with this type of depression, but it sure seems to help me. If I could, I would try to get some time in the tanning booth for good measure.

Have added St. John's Wort to the list of daily supplements. It's supposed to support emotional health. Hey - will try anything once. So far not much has changed.

Winter's rough on my back, hips, neck and foot as well. The cold and damp seems to seep right into my bones. Will be glad to see Spring again.

Being single means that Thanksgiving was quiet in this household. Regardless, a huge meal was cooked. Roast pork loin instead of turkey, candied sweet potatoes, chestnut stuffing, baked white potatoes, pumpkin pie with cool whip, corn. Leftovers were eaten during the course of the week and divided up into freezer TV dinners.

Was going to make either rolls or bread but figured there was already way too much carbohydrates for one person to consume. Plus, the Sourdough Starter I've been feeding smelled like it had gone past it's peak (think stale beer), so it was tossed and a new batch is on the cupboard fermenting. Am still learning the ins-and-outs of working with the starter. Don't know what I'd do without the internet as a research tool.

Spoke with Auntie and Daughter and Son on Thanksgiving day. Was happy to hear from them all and to share a little laughter.

Matryoshka Lining

Decided to try to shave some time off production of the Matryoshka ornaments.  Spent some time cutting felt for more. They may not look like much, but they take a lot of work. Felt has to be cut for the body, face and hair. Then two layers of low loft quilt batting gets cut for each. Not to mention the embroidery and beading. I will put the hanging threads on them all at once.

Anyway... enough sets were cut to make forty-eight ornaments.

In case you're wondering, the batting gives them a bit of shape and a more finished look than simply allowing the wool felt to lie flat.

Sometimes, the hardest part is deciding what color floss or beads or sequins or ribbon to use. So many possibilities.

The assembly line is working out pretty well. Still, with physical limitations, it's hard to make very many per day. Am striving (struggling) to reach a goal of three per day.

Scroll to the next page to see the few that are ready.

Snowy Sunday. 11 November 2018

This is a brooch made for my little cousin, Carlie for her third birthday (coming up real soon).

The broken tooth turned mentioned in the last post turned out to be a nightmare (kinda-sorta). Couldn't get into the dentist until Tuesday. Unfortunately, while trying to repair the tooth a nerve was exposed and a choice was made to pull the tooth rather than go through a root canal.

By Thursday, I was experiencing fever/chills, nausea and dizziness. Not good. Based on past dental experience, my mind was whispering "sepsis". After trying to get in to see my Primary Care Physician and a failed attempt at tele-medicine, I made the trip to the ER where the usual pokes and prods were tolerated. The worst part (for me) was not being able to get warm.  Four hours and several vials of blood for testing, the diagnosis was Stomach Flu.

Needless to say, the following week was total down time as the fever ranged from 97 degrees to 102 degrees. No fun at all.

Thank goodness THAT is over.

Pulled out the felt and made a couple ornaments. Not sure how many I'll make. Simply happy to be able to do something besides lie on the couch and try to get warm/cold.

Here's hoping y'all stay healthy all Winter, dear Reader.

Blessed be.