The Value of Making Things

Oh. My. Goodness! Where has the time gone? I am done with college. I can hardly believe it. I graduated last Saturday with two degrees, B.S. in Media Arts & Communications and B.S. in Theatre Arts. Done and done!

I worked hard for those two degrees and I focused so much. I spent days and nights doing homework, going to meetings and traveling to and from school. When I was not doing school work I was working. So now I am kind of lost. That is the problem with us overachieving types. We work so hard that we put life on hold. Enjoying yourself? Hah! Relaxing? What's that!? Reading for pleasure? Simply the thought of it is too much to handle.

Now, I am done with school and I don't start work until August. I have to find new and enjoyable ways of spending my time. I had a few projects that I had been wanting to do for a while now. Honestly, I have just been wanting to make things for the longest time. Writing papers, analyzing essays and reading long textbooks wore me out. So this week I rediscovered my love for making things. To take the time to simply do something, not rush through, is really challenging. I want to incorporate this more into my daily practice.

Here is what I made this week...

A table that I have had for several years was in desperate need of painting. I finally purchased the supplies.

I bought these pillows at Ikea three years ago. I decided to sew new covers for them.

I am making my own flavored vodka using blueberries, strawberries and lemon peel.

I had been working on this dress off and on since last fall. It is finally finished.

More blogs to come. I promise.

CCosner

Pink Ribbons

I would like to add this to my list of soon-to-be-watched documentaries.

What if a campaign that seems so good on the outside is really just hypocrisy?

La Grande

Someday, yes, I will miss this place. So deep in my bones it has become and even if I want to shed it; I doubt it will let me rest in peace.


"La Grande", by Laura Gibson
Read the story at NPR

New Years Resolutions...almost a month later

Weird. Time passes so fast once school gets started. The first term always goes by quickly but once January hits I start slowing down a bit. This year is different though. This year I am working a part-time job and doing school full-time. On top of that I am starting to get ready for the second half of 2012, when I graduate, move, and begin a different kind of life.   

I look back over the past year and think how far I have come with lifestyle choices. I have been amazingly blessed with opportunity to pursue simple things I enjoy like baking and canning. I am thankful for the internet and the bloggers around the world that I learn from everyday. With all that I have learned I am excited for another year of blogging and eco-living.

This year I want to:

1) Ditch the rest of my bad personal care products and switch to more body-friendly and earth-friendly options.
2) Keep cooking at home!
3) Continue to clear away "stuff" from my life both physical or physiological.
4) Have more designated "me" time where I can sew, do yoga, or read. I don't actively make time for these things.
5) Continue my sometimes neurotic tendencies of saving electricity, not wasting things, not making garbage.
6) Really grow a garden this year. For reals.

I am really excited by what is to come this year. Of course I will write as often as I can.

:)  CCosner