moving is hard work

After 5 years with Squarespace, it's time for me to move blog hosts. I just can't justify paying for blog hosting (it's US$8/mo. at Squarespace) when there are so many free options out there. I hate to leave behind 5 years worth of posts, comments, book reviews & photo albums, but US$8/mo. is $96 + conversion, and that's a whole lotta lattes.

While free is free, Blogger does not have my FAVOURITE feature - the book list. So, maybe sometimes I'll just have to post reviews mixed in with my regular posts. What I really liked about the booklist is that it automatically searched for & linked to the book on Amazon, and then included a thumbnail of the book cover.

So I am working on importing my old blog here. The old posts will be text only, but at least I feel like I'm not abandoning 5 years worth of history. Not sure what to do about all the images, photos, links, book reviews, etc.

So here I am. Getting a feel for the new neighbourhood. And feeling ever increasingly like moving sucks. Even when it's only an e-move.

Living Strong

I was looking yesterday for a calorie tracker that I could embed in this blog, and instead came across a site that I believe will become one of the ey supports in my structure for fulfillment: Lance Armstrong's LiveStrong.com

I have found keeping a food journal and getting related to the reality of what I'm eating really helpful in the past - how can you know what to change if you don't know what's so? But this site goes far beyond just counting calories, fat, sugar & protein.

There are dares (fun!). There's community using forums, blogs, notes and social networking. There are video and articles (many of which make me think there really is a demand for talented writers out there!).

It's been fun, and interesting, and helpful, to see what I really eat (especially in the world of sugars!) and to see how much room there is to feed myself well and how even a little bit of exercise will make a difference.

Wanna see what I've been doing? You can check it out here: http://www.livestrong.com/profile/scwink/

Discover and Support What BB1 Wants

My lovely oldest son is at a key transition. He's 19, working, living at home, and wondering what's next. He may know what he wants, but I'm not really clear. And since I don't know what he's creating I am not sure how to support him.

So, here's how I'm going to get clear:

• spend one-on-one time and ASK Josh what he wants

Really, I can't be sure what actions there are beyond that, so I'm going to have to start there and see what develops. :)

Love the One I'm With

I created exactly what I wanted inside the Fall 2008 Introduction Leaders Program: A relationship unlike anything I've ever experienced before. Cowboy is loving, generous, fun, funny, open, communicative and adventurous. And then sometimes I forget that he's everything I said I wanted and then some.

Some actions that will keep the spark alive:

• use my committed listener to clear when I'm on it
• let Cowboy know every day what he means to me
• listen to Cowboy about what matters TO HIM, not what I want for us
• create a family weekend get-away
• surprise Cowboy with an get-away adventure for 2

Return to Teaching

I used to teach Academic Writing and Business Communications at Camosun College and Royal Roads University. I miss teaching. It's a true self-expression for me, and it is only a bit of past that has kept me out of the classroom. I'm committed to getting back in there!

The journey to the front of the class includes:

• cleaning up with the Associate Dean of Arts & Sciences at Camosun
• cleaning up with the FoM Communication coordinator @ RRU
• calling the Chair of English at Camosun
• researching various appropriate courses (e.g. Adult Ed, Continuing Ed)
• develop SCW Ink courses to offer via community organizations