Didn't do much yesterday other than put up my Christmas decorations (yes, I know, but when you have the schedule I do, you do it early or not at all). I'll try to take a picture of my little fake tree and post it.

I've begun the felted bag for the AAUW gift. Round and round in lamb's pride brown. Boring. I have to do it while watching the tube or reading.

And I'm beginning to look at my projects, which I've put aside for baby hats and felted gift bags and prayer shawls, and I feel sort of sad. Oh, I don't mind making things for other people, and I love the reception the gifts get. But it makes me sad to leave things unfinished. I'm telling myself that over Thanksgiving break I can work on my many stalled items (Song of Hiawatha shawl, anyone?) but that seems so far off right now. (And yes, I know, it's just over a week. But this is going to be another long one).

I want to be selfish for a change - only make things for myself. Only cook for myself. Come home in the evenings and stay there. Not be the Trouble Tree for my students and friends.

I'm wondering if my current spate of problems (vulture, heating system, then a toilet problem on Friday) and my current spate of interpersonal conflicts (someone thought I was supposed to do something that was not my job, issues over the committeework, the whole mess with the youth group [which doesn't seem to be that big of a mess after all; the person who commented negatively Wednesday night was talking about how 'important' the program was Sunday morning]) are all signs that I need to withdraw a little, step back, take a little time for myself if possible.

they say things come in threes. Well, I've had three of both. So maybe I'm due for some smooth sailing for a while now.

Whilst out shopping (mostly for gifts; in addition to the family and friend presents a couple of groups I belong to collect toys for Toys for Tots and items for women in a local women's shelter), I wound up buying myself eight balls of Patons "Mosaic" in the purple ("marble") colorway. For a simple at-home shawl or poncho, I told the checker (they always want to KNOW what you're going to do with stuff. If I know, I'm happy to oblige but I often don't know - it's just that I like it).

When I'll get to it, I don't know. But I love the color, I like the yarn, and I cherish the idea of having some kind of special garment (other than my bathrobe) that I can put on to symbolize that I am in for the night and my time is my own.

When I'll get to making it is another matter....