My First Refashion

I needed a new challenge.  When I am window-shopping for champagne-priced clothes on a beer-budget, I tell myself, "I could make that for less."  For years, I have been talking about how I'm going to make things instead of buy.

I found this at my favorite Goodwill:

A little matronly for my taste. And of course,

too looooonnnnngggggg!

. . . and the netting had to go!

(B said that was his favorite part, but

I just couldn't leave it!)

Snipety Snip!

Whirrrrrrrrr!

My first refashion.  What do you think?

  

Winter Wonder-Lust

Brrrrrrr!!!!

It feels a lot like this:

Carriage Ride Anyone?

Which makes me wish I had one of these:

Some lovelies that make me grateful for Winter:

Do I run or ski in these?  I will love them anyway!

Bright Blue Beloved

Homemade Pom Scarf

Yummy Collar Scarf

Grey Goodness

Cashmere Mittens

Can't wait to go here in only a few weeks! Here we come, Geneva!



Practice Detachment

Some days are harder than others.  Some days, you walk into the minefield of a Monday with a great perspective - and choose not to let the volatility of others' actions affect you - because you realize where your effort is best utilized.  Sometimes, it's about YOU.

As our consciousness rises, our perspective becomes more and more impersonal.  What does that mean?

It means we are increasingly able to view our lives and the rest of the world with detachment.  This does not mean we are cold and uncaring.  Rather, we are self-contained. We have well-defined boundaries and we are able to think and act objectively, clearly and responsibly.

When we have learned detachment, we do not get hooked into the thoughts and feelings of others.  We are not easily upset or manipulated.  We may feel compassion for others but this does not cloud our ability to choose how we think, feel and behave.  We also do not need others to behave in any particular way.

“Until we take how we see ourselves (and how we see others) into account, we will be unable to understand how others see and feel about themselves and their world.  Unaware, we will project our intentions on their behavior and call ourselves objective.” ~ Stephen Covey

Let Go

“If you let go a little, you will have a little peace. If you let go a lot, you will have a lot of peace.” - Ajahn Chah

 

Went to "the farm" on Sunday.  After a weekend of work, work, work, I gave myself a break from it all and spent time with my favorite little friend, G. I love this little gal.  I love her warm hugs and her sense of humor (which she gets from her mom).  She calls herself a "little puppy," mostly because her best friends are dogs, chickens, ducks, cats, and mules.  How awesome.

But G wasn't in much of a mood to play.  Being two years old, she is still sorting out her emotions, and deciding how she wants to react when the world gives her lemons.

Haven't we all been there?  What I loved about watching G is realizing that when we were two years old, it was okay to let our emotions run free.  Go get it out, run around the yard, yelling at the trees until you feel better.  Sounds like a good idea to me.

I find that I have spent most of life masking emotions that need to just be acknowledged, discussed, accepted, and then ultimately - let go.  I can't very well run around and scream at the trees on any given day, but I can certainly explore my feelings.  There is no good to shutting down how you feel.  Feel your feelings. That's why they are called feelings.  Embrace your anger, and let it go.  Embrace the sadness, and let it go.  Don't forget to embrace your happiness, too.

So here's the clencher you've been waiting for: the two year old teaches the twenty-something what she's been struggling with for many years.  But it's true!  And if yelling at the tree makes you feel better, go for it. I was laughing my butt off at G, but it must have worked, because the rest of the day was like a walk in the park:

       

G's little sister, peeking through!

And, we made some friends along the way:

Cam the Ram? Is that you?

An emu? In your backyard? Well, okay. . .

For more ideas on how to let go, check out 40 Ways to Let

at Tiny Buddha. 

Embrace messy hair

This fun print made me think about embracing what we have been given in life.  Curly hair, fine hair, thick, and no hair - we battle each day against what we were born with.

Slumping into my bathroom this morning, I realized it was Friday, and did a little happy dance.  I shortly came to the conclusion that I shouldn’t wish time away and be happy only on Fridays . . . or Saturdays . . . but on all days. 

New rule:  each morning, wake up and say 3 things to be thankful for. 

My late friend, Liberty, used to write a pen pal every day about things she was thankful for, and did that until the day she passed.  I will never forget learning about this at her memorial, as it suited her grasp on life for the short while she was here.

Okay, ready? Go:

1.   Thankful for a healthy mind and body.

2.   Thankful for a wonderful and rejuvenating holiday vacation.

3.   Thankful for supportive friends and family.

Be thankful.  Let your hair get crazy sometimes.  It's okay.



11 Goals in 2011

Happy 2011!

Open your eyes!

Writing down goals helps to visualize the possibilities of our dreams.  If you write down your goals, you are more likely to complete them.  I have a list of  goals that I'd like to share with you.  What are your goals?

1.  Graduate Thunderbird School of Global Management

(Opening dinner and my first T-bird student picture)

2. Learn to play “Stairway to Heaven” on the guitar


(Funny how most of my jokes become reality)

3. Complete three races (triathlons or running)

(I think this was my second triathlon)

 4. Take a yoga seminar

(Natarajasana on the rim)

5. Hike a 14er

(This may mean you, Colorado!)

6. Plan our trip to India

(Can't wait!!!)

7. Take a new style of dance class

(Need some better form here)

8. Go on an unplanned road trip without a destination

(B and me)

9. Make and actually mail out Holiday cards

(Twice, count it, twice - I have made Holiday cards and not sent them out. Get it together, Keefer!)

10. Start lead climbing outdoors

(This is not me)

11. Go kayaking at least once

(Get it)

So my goals are a bit lofty.  I have 361 days left.  Any takers?

As a side note, I'd like to keep up my blog, and better my writing.  Yes, by 2012, you might be reading a better blog (hopefully it is mine).

What's old is new again

Refurbished desks, your grandmother's necklace, 80's leggings.  It's all coming back.  I love re-using old clothes, old decorations, and turning them into something new.  One of my new favorite websites is Refashionista, where old ugly clothes from Goodwill transform into cute cocktail dresses for less than 5 bucks and a sewing machine.

Last Sunday, I went and checked out antique stores in Cottonwood with a few girlfriends.  Treasures we did find.