Creativity MIA

One thing (of many) that depression steals is creativity.  I enjoy various creative outlets like knitting, crocheting, sewing, scrapbooking, and photography.  But when my depression flares up, I have little interest or energy to work on projects, even when part of my self really wants to. So instead of posting pictures of all the amazing things I have made lately, because I haven't, I thought I'd show some ideas of what I would like to make:

 Vintage Sheet Quilt

I've been collecting some vintage sheets and pillow cases from garage sales, thrift stores, (and my parent's house!) for a while now. This would be my first quilt; should be fairly easy because it's just squares, no complicated pattern.

Knit Leaf Cravat Scarf

More of these cute knit dish clothes (I've already made one and I really like how the pattern turns out)

Christmas Tree Ornaments

Knitted Pears

I'm also 4 years behind on my scrapbooks! I've had my supplies out on the dining room table for a few weeks now, and work on it as my brain will allow, which isn't often.  Some day I'll get caught up.

I continue to have some good days and some bad days; but hoping that I'll feel well more consistently as August is gone and we approach fall. I love fall! Perfect time for taking lots of pictures!

(I'm having problems with new layouts with blogger, I don't know why some of my descriptions are not lining up correctly - they look okay when I'm typing them - but I'm not going to figure that out right now!)

1959 magazine

Another great find at a garage sale to add to my collection of old books, cookbooks, and magazines.

Take a little peak into a woman's life in 1959 from a McCall's magazine.

An electric range with a pull-out oven, for easier cleaning. That sounds like a great idea!

Japanese-inspired clothing patterns

"Let's Eat a Real Breakfast" article. A doctor recommends eating a full, well-balanced breakfast to prevent hypoglycemia, mid-morning fatigue, dizziness, and fainting. He suggests that protein be included instead of common breakfasts of just toast, juice, and coffee.  (still good advice today.)  I certainly hope that the photo included shows a wide range of breakfast choices, not just one breakfast!

Hmmm . . . now that's an interesting-looking dinner!

"A Wonderful Way to Live" - McCall's 1959 Idea House

Our house was built in 1960. Some scary similarities, like paneling that we painted over, and bathroom tile although ours is a more neutral color palette, thank goodness.  That tile is still in good shape (what kind of amazing mortar and grout did they use back then?), it's going to take some elbow grease when we rip it out someday!

August Woes

I'm not exactly sure why, but the past few summers my chronic health issues have flared up by mid-July and on into August. Summer is not my favorite season (Spring and Fall come first) in general because I don't like the heat. But it seems that summer doesn't agree with my mind and body too.

I try not to be discouraged, but it's difficult to struggle through my days instead of really enjoying them, especially when I have children to take care of.  Mornings are worse. Some days are better are others. But much of the time I don't have the mental or physical energy to do what I would like to do.

My summer goals of exercising and organizing have become dust in the wind. I do what I can when I can on better days (or even better hours). But I've had to let go of my weekly plans so that I don't have unrealistic expectations of myself, and then end up feeling like I've failed. 

This too shall pass. By September sometime, I usually start feeling better. Wonder if it has anything to do with lunar cycles and seasons? I've heard such theories.

Among others, 2 Corinthians has many verses that I hold on to during such times.
2 Corinthians 4:8-10 is a favorite passage:

 "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body."

Paul had a thorn in his flesh that he asked God three times to remove.

But each time, God replied, 

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor. 12:9)

Learning to be content in weakness is difficult. But God is faithful; and if we're open and seek Him, it's IN times of weakness that we meet God in a more personal way and develop deeper character.