Rambling - several topics

I have had things buzzing through my head I've wanted to share, so I'll do that today, several (mini) topics in one post!

AM I BECOMING MY MOTHER?
I have always admired my mother! :) But I always kind of felt like we only had a few things in common. But lately it's hit me over and over again how I feel like I'm becoming more like her, and it's a good thing! I sewed the dresses for the girls. I'm enjoying my crocheting. I don't sit down to watch tv without something in my hands. I enjoy cooking for my family (when I have time). I almost fell asleep watching TV the other day (OK, that was embarrassing! I'm not proud of that one.) Then I made some dresses to sell.
I have vivid memories of my mom making Cabbage Patch kid clothes to sell. They were so incredible. They put my dresses to shame. But it really hit me how much we have in common. And I am very proud of it! :)

THE JOY OF BEING ALLOWED TO HELP
I really believe things work out like they should, like God intends them to. I had a great example of that yesterday. It was a rough afternoon with H. After a long tantrum, and a talk about whether handcuffs hurt, and "I don't understand why" her parents hurt her... we headed off to church, and I was pretty mentally exhausted.

I really enjoy our Wednesday nights at church. Someone else makes dinner, we hang out with friends, we talk... it's very nice. Then later there are classes for kids and adults. Even though the rest of my family is participating in one way or another, I've chosen to sit out this semester. I bring my crochet bag and sit in a quiet corner for a whole hour! It's wonderful. Sometimes I feel a little guilty - after all, if I'm not in a class, I should probably be helping with the kids or in the kitchen. Well, last night I knew I'd feel no guilt. I felt like I'd made my contribution to the church and society by being warden, controller, and counsellor to H, while keeping the others active in their chores and homework. I was really looking forward to my guilt free hour. But then...

Our children's ministry director asked me at dinner if I could help her teach H&Z's class. The other teacher had a family emergency (think 911!) and they were short a teacher. I agreed to do it, but asked her to let me know if someone else was willing instead. I was pleasantly surprised when she found someone. So I settled into my crochet corner and relaxed.

But a half hour later I realized I had her keys to the supply closet. I decided I needed to return them asap or I'd take them home with me. I went to the class and passed her the keys. On the way back to my corner I ran into the other teacher and her daughter. To make a long story short, I was able to take her daughter to McD's for supper and back to church to meet her aunt, so the other teacher could go back to the hospital. It felt so good to help.

We've been helped by so many people, especially over the past few years. And I often feel stretched too thin to be of much help to anyone else. I could see on the teacher's face that she was hesitant to "burden" me. But it was a privilege to help, and I'm so glad she accepted my offer. And if I'd taught the class, or stayed in my crochet corner, I wouldn't have been there to help. Thank you, God.

MY DRESSES
Well, while T's parents were here I was able to make six dresses. Two went to Indiana for my nieces. Two will soon be mailed to Wisconsin for my other nieces (hi, K!!!) and two were dresses ordered by G's preschool teacher for her two daughters!!! And she paid me (well) for them. It was a really good feeling. Yesterday she said she'd had several people ask her if I take orders! It's a really nice feeling to know that people like the things I'm making. But I did decide I wouldn't do anymore before Halloween. I think I will do a batch of Christmas dresses, though. I'll actually need to start buying supplies soon, I think. I'm putting it off until next week, at least.

I enjoy making the dresses, but they suck away my free time. I'd really rather finish in one sitting, rather than an hour or two one day, and the next, and the NEXT. (I just can't abandon my crochet that long!) So I need to give some thought and prayer to how much sewing I want to do, and how much of my personal time I want to give up!

MY SWEATER & ANTIDEPRESSANTS
This past weekend I had to rip out over half of the work I'd done on my sweater - that was about a quarter of the sweater itself. I'd made a really dumb mistake one day and just kept going from there. There was no way to salvage it, but to rip it out and start again from the point I'd gone wrong. So I spent an hour ripping and untangling and rewinding. Ugh. But afterward I was surprised at how mellow I was about it, and I wondered if that was an antidepressant thing. I was disappointed - very disappointed. But not frustrated with myself. Not stomping around angry at everyone. I wish I could take credit for that, but I think it might be the drugs. ;) But, really, from my point of view, that's just one more reason why the drugs were a good decision on my part. I just really want to get back to being able to handle that kind of stuff without them.

Well, that's more than enough rambling. I've put down the things that were on my mind, now back to the laundry, so I can crochet without guilt! :)