Family Tree

September 3, 2015

Have you traced your family tree?

I personally have not traced my family tree. I've researched family, but I haven't done a tree. (Other than probably as a school project.)

However on my mom's side of the family, it has basically been done for me. We actually just had a reunion where they had most of it mapped out. It's not really far back, but it's something. 

This is my great great grandfather. It was his family at the reunion. (Or, his children's children.)

I've been lucky enough to have a family that takes great care in learning about where they came from. I think it could be researched a little more for the other sides of my family.

Maybe some day I'll look into it. It will probably be important for my children to know.

(My possible children.)

That's it for today.

As always,

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

Prompts from: http://erinisawriter.blogspot.ca/2014/12/updated-prompts.html

Letter Ideas: http://erinisawriter.blogspot.ca/2015/03/challenge-completed.html

Also, check out my ongoing book blog:  Proud Bookworm at: http://bookserinread.blogspot.ca/ 

Blogs I used to write on but not being updated:

http://lifeisgoodandhereisproof.blogspot.ca/

and

http://erinlm.blogspot.ca/

September Prompts: http://www.thesitsgirls.com/writing-tips/writing-prompts-september/

Year long Prompts

7 Minutes of Free Writing

September 2, 2015

Second Prompt is a bit more difficult. Not because I can't free write, but because I have to do it from work at lunch. If I free write with my laptop the way it is without editing, it WILL be unreadable and frustrating.

Also, this is really strange, but when I went to see what the prompt for today was, the prompt I did yesterday was different. Now it says this:

1. Share one goal you want to achieve this month.

2. Free write for 7 minutes – and publish without editing.

So here's my plan, I am going to free write for 7 minutes about what I want to achieve this month. Two in one. I have no idea why my first day was mixed up. 


Okay I'm about to set my timer, and then I'll write for 7 minutes about my month's goal.

As I was about to start writing, I remembered a Groupon I purchased at the beginning of August. I saw a discounted writing course, and I decided to go for it. Other than university, I actually haven't taken many writing courses. Some workshops, but not anything online. I thought the price was too good to pass up, so I bought it.

I, obviously, forgot about it, but I think that will be my goal, once I get my laptop fixed. Before I remembered that I bought it my most important goal (other than to turn 35 with awesomeness) was to work and finish my next edit of my novel. Hopefully, I can do both of these things at once. I'm sure I can. So this month will be about fine tuning my novel, and NEXT month can be about sending it to new publishers. And finding which publishers I want to send it to. One thing at a time though. I have to get back to writing, and I have to get back to reaching my writing goals. I will be blogging, that's a promise I don't plan to break, but getting back to my novel is so important. If I get edits done this month, pick a publisher and send next month, than the month after will be NaNoWriMo, and I can strictly focus on working on something new. Something for myself that I know I can do. I really enjoyed it for the first time last November, and now I know nothing has to stop me. However, although I got 50,000 words, I still need to finish all my novels. Having half started novels really won't help me get anywhere.

So this month, I will check out my new writing course, and use everything I learn to perfect my book. I will do my best to edit and finish my very first novel (again again again.) I also have a couple more people to send it to once it's changed for the last time. 

That's my goal. Write. Like every month... but for serious.


Okay - I'm  not going to read what I wrote because I won't be able to not alter if I do that. As per the instructions, I will press publish. By the way, I know with Free Writing it's frowned upon to fix things while typing, but that's always how I do it, and I'm not sure if I can just let it slide if I KNOW I've made a mistake.

Until tomorrow. Day TWO DONE!

As always,

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

Prompts from: http://erinisawriter.blogspot.ca/2014/12/updated-prompts.html

Letter Ideas: http://erinisawriter.blogspot.ca/2015/03/challenge-completed.html

Also, check out my ongoing book blog:  Proud Bookworm at: http://bookserinread.blogspot.ca/ 

Blogs I used to write on but not being updated:

http://lifeisgoodandhereisproof.blogspot.ca/

and

http://erinlm.blogspot.ca/

September Prompts: http://www.thesitsgirls.com/writing-tips/writing-prompts-september/

Year long Prompts

First Jobs

September 1, 2015

Apparently, I needed a summer long break from blogging. I did not dedicate a lot of time to anything writing related. Should I have? Probably, but it's over now, and I need to focus on writing in this new month (and months to come).

It's also my birthday month, so of course, it's a good month to make changes for the better. Although, I've decided to only take a week for myself, instead of my usual month. I've booked off next week from work, and having a great birthday week for my 35th birthday. I'll still post though. 

I found a website with monthly prompts for the entire year. This is my goal for September. A month of prompts to get me back on track. The link that I'll be using is below. (September Prompts.)

Today's prompt is Labour Day (officially on September 7th). Tell us about your first job:

I'm trying to remember what my first job was. It depends what you consider a first job.

To be honest, this was my most important first job:

Graduating university.

Here are a few other first jobs.

• I helped my dad build bins when I was a kid. I believe he paid us for our work. It was actually pretty hard work, and I'd be impressed if I could still do it today. By bins - I mean grain bins. We put them together over the summer on farms.
• I did work experience as a teenager, but didn't actually get paid because it was through school. I worked at a senior's home following the Activity Director for a semester, and I also worked a semester at a local newspaper in a neighbouring town. It was a fun job, but I don't think they actually edited anything I wrote, so it was full of grammatical mistakes. (Much like my blog.)
• While in Katimavik, I also had jobs that weren't paying, but were experience. In Newfoundland, I worked at a Marine Centre, and helped build a boardwalk, In Ontario I worked at a daycare (learning I didn't want a career in childcare), and in Quebec I worked at a Women's Centre. Which wasn't really a big job. In fact, I can't remember doing a lot of work there.

Newfoundland Work

• After Katimavik, when I joined real life, I worked in Moose Jaw for a year before I went to university. I worked at a place called Community Connections. To be honest, I have no idea what the job was about. She hired youth, and I think the plan was for us to change the community for the better. I don't think we did, but I met my good friend, Nehal, while I 'worked' there. So it was worth it. I also met my first serious boyfriend. We dated for five years, so while the job didn't mean anything, the people I met while working there were pretty great. After the company kind of went out of business I worked at a restaurant. I did not love being a waitress.
• Lastly, the job I actually consider my first job ever was at a grocery store in university. I worked in the deli department for three years while going to school. Most of the people I worked with were university students. I stayed there for a long time. That might be why I consider it my first job. It was the one I stuck to the longest while getting my degree. Most of the time, it was a terrible place to work, but the people were fun.

Those were my first few jobs. I learned a lot about life from them - but probably not as much as I should have. These were all basically jobs before I became an 'adult'. I learned a lot about dealing with customers. And I didn't always love dealing with them.

That's it. Day one: Done!

I'm so glad I didn't flake on my first 'blog all month' day.

As always,

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

Prompts from: http://erinisawriter.blogspot.ca/2014/12/updated-prompts.html

Letter Ideas: http://erinisawriter.blogspot.ca/2015/03/challenge-completed.html

Also, check out my ongoing book blog:  Proud Bookworm at: http://bookserinread.blogspot.ca/ 

Blogs I used to write on but not being updated:

http://lifeisgoodandhereisproof.blogspot.ca/

and

http://erinlm.blogspot.ca/

September Prompts: http://www.thesitsgirls.com/writing-tips/writing-prompts-september/

Year long Prompts

One Entry this Month -oops.

August 26, 2015

This is my one and only post this month.

I have big plans for September to get back to the thing I love. The prompts are below. I will be posting every day.

I guess I just wanted to be outside more than I wanted to be blogging. I took a break, and now it is time to get back to all forms 
of writing.

Unfortunately, my laptop recently took half a swim, and while it is a miracle laptop and restarted after the dry off (and meltdown), the keyboard is not in tip top shape, and all the keys don't do what they are supposed to. I do a lot of deleting extra letters. Makes for a long writing experience. I need to fix my miracle laptop soon. (PS, always back up!!)

For this month's post, I want to talk about my camping trip. We did quite a lot of things in August, but this was the most recent.

Last year, Clint and I only got to go camping once. It was about this time last year, and it poured rain most of the trip. We managed to go fishing, but it was still chilly out.

Last year's trip. August 23

Luckily this year, we did go camping in BC, and the weather was lovely in July.

The weather was 35 or more all week. (July, 2014)

This past weekend, we were meeting some friends at a Saskatchewan camp ground. The weather was not going to be nice. Friday and Saturday were cold and rainy. We went anyway because we are running out of camping days for the summer. 

This was also our first camping trip with our puppy, Drogo.

I worked on Friday, and while at work, I heard news about a classmate. I didn't get a lot of details, but he had taken his life. He and his family moved out of my hometown around grade 10. I hadn't seen him in years until this year when I ran into him at a concert. We quickly caught up on life while waiting in a beer line up. He seemed happy. He was there with his wife. He told me about his four boys. I was happy to see him, and happy to hear his life was good. 

I can't imagine how his family is feeling right now, and it's such a sad situation. I'm not sure why he made the decision he did, but I hope his loved ones have all the support they need. 

This has nothing to do with the camping trip. I was feeling sad about this classmate who I had lost touch with. I was feeling heavy hearted as we left to go camping. I don't know a lot about it, and it's not my story to tell, but I felt incredible sadness for whatever pain he was in, and for his family. 

The rest of my camping story is not focused on this, so it might seem like this post has no direction. I'm just sharing it because it was a part of my weekend. Things like that really get to me. I'm not usually sad by a celebrity or far off animal that has died, but when it's somebody I once knew, or a family I know, it is a lot harder. I know there are many people who are hurting, and I wish they didn't have to. His funeral was last week. I didn't go, but my thoughts were on his family. 

I guess it's another of those moments where you live life to the fullest because you never know what will happen. Also important to continue donating to mental health in Saskatchewan.

And so ... we went camping in the rain.

It was a long trip to the campground. It turns out Drogo gets car sick. He puked three times on our way up. We pulled over twice to clean up. 

This was right before his first incident.

It hadn't quite started raining yet by the time we arrived. Our campsite was right across from our friends, so we set up the tent and then went to visit with them. (We used their firepit to make supper). 

The lake was close (but cold).

We sat and relaxed for a bit and watched the lightening. I decided to try and take a picture of the lightening, which I've never done before. I took many pictures of a black sky before I FINALLY got one. My fingers were too cold to continue taking pictures. 

It's the one from the start of the post. I like it. The lightening was lighting up the entire sky.

 When we headed to bed, we settled Drogo into the tent with us for his first tenting experience. It rained, thundered, and there was lightening and wind all night long. None of us slept very well, and Drogo was up super early.

We were cheerful. 

Rain rain and more rain.

We spent the day sitting outside of our friend's trailer under their tarp, and staying dry. It rained until about 2, and was chilly all through the day.  The games were fun as was the company, so the day was good even with the rain. We ate a lot of food.

Finally, the rain let up, and we were able to leave our hide out for a walk.

Drogo would NOT go near the water, even if I was in it.

We relaxed by the fire at night, and I got some nice shots of Clint fishing, and of the sunset.

These were taken the same time, from different angles.

My favourite sky is a Saskatchewan sky.

I don't have photos of this next part, but after we headed to bed, we tried to warm up in our cold tent. At about 3am, I couldn't take it anymore. I was freezing cold, and not warming up. I grabbed some warmer pants, and then headed out of the tent to run to the bathrooms. I was not in a good mood.

As I turned around to look back at the tent, I got a glimpse of the sky. Northern Lights were lighting up the sky. It's the first time I've seen them in years, and it was gorgeous. I ran to the bathroom, and when I came back, I got Drogo and Clint to come out and stare at the sky with me.

The sky was literally dancing with light and colours. It took my breath away. I had forgotten what they looked like. I don't see things like this in the city anymore. My perspective on the night changed. Life changes ALL the time, and I am lucky enough to have what I have, with a dog and and a man who are willing to get out of bed at 3am - even though I was grumpy to them before getting out of the tent - to watch the dancing lights in the sky.

I felt at peace with myself, and with my life.

I wish everybody could feel that.

We went back to bed to warm up after that.

We headed home in the sunshine the next day. Snuggle time with the car sick pup.

It's been a good summer. This weekend was just one example. Always with the Gratitude.

Also, here was the start of my blogging tonight:

Best distraction ever.

I'll be back to crazy blogger mode tomorrow. 


As always,

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

Prompts from: http://erinisawriter.blogspot.ca/2014/12/updated-prompts.html

Letter Ideas: http://erinisawriter.blogspot.ca/2015/03/challenge-completed.html

Also, check out my ongoing book blog:  Proud Bookworm at: http://bookserinread.blogspot.ca/ 

Blogs I used to write on but not being updated:

http://lifeisgoodandhereisproof.blogspot.ca/

and

http://erinlm.blogspot.ca/

September Prompts: http://www.thesitsgirls.com/writing-tips/writing-prompts-september/

Year long Prompts

Before I Die

Wednesday July 22, 2015

At the end of June, things kept popping up on my social media about an Art Exhibit in the city by the river. I had yet to see it, but thought it sounded intriguing. 


Today, I was walking to the Farmer's Market along the river, and as I walked underneath one of the bridges in my City of Bridges, I finally saw where it was.

They've painted the wall of the bridge black, and left chalk for people to write what they want Before They Die. 

The responses are a mix of inspirational, thoughtless, motivated, rude, humorous and full of hope. It really depends which ones you read. 

On the way back from my lunch time Farmer's Market trip, I wrote mine. It took me a while to decide what to say. The slots were almost full. 

There are so many things I want to do before I die. The truth is: I don't know when I'm going to die. I have TONS of plans and goals, and things I want, but will I get them?

The only thing I can say for sure is I want to be grateful for it all. Grateful to myself for living the fullest and happiest life I can. I may not get everything accomplished, but I want to die proud of myself for trying.

It's a unique idea. (I think). And if you ignore the ones about stealing souls and such, it's actually pretty beautiful. It's an anonymous way to share your dreams. Mine isn't anonymous because I'm writing it here, but it's just one of the many under the bridge. 

I simply wrote: Be Grateful. I'm already grateful. I want it to continue.

It did get me thinking. I have a lot I want to do. I have a lot more I want to be grateful for. Here are some things I want to do before I die:

• Laugh Everyday
• Have a kid... or not - but be happy with my decision.
• Love with all my heart.
• Publish my book
• Maybe write and publish more books.
• Write a blog I can be proud of.
• Visit friends and family, and stay in touch.
• Travel.
• Don't stress.
• Be happy with what I've got. 
• Get married - or don't.  I'm already living with the love of my life. I'm already the luckiest girl in the world.
• Read everything I can.
• Be kind.

That's it. I think I can do most of those without a problem. However, things may happen. Or it might not. I can't mark my success because of that.

Side note: the walk to the Farmer's Market is already full of beauty. Here are some other pictures I took while walking. Grateful comes easily when I see this everyday. 

That's my post for today.

Have a great Wednesday.

As always,

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

Prompts from: http://erinisawriter.blogspot.ca/2014/12/updated-prompts.html

Letter Ideas: http://erinisawriter.blogspot.ca/2015/03/challenge-completed.html

Also, check out my ongoing book blog:  Proud Bookworm at: http://bookserinread.blogspot.ca/ 

Blogs I used to write on but not being updated:

http://lifeisgoodandhereisproof.blogspot.ca/

and

http://erinlm.blogspot.ca/

My Job

July 20, 2015

Somebody who once worked in the same field as me, told me that they couldn't wait to get out of it because they felt like it took away their creative writing ideas. They felt like it took away the 'spark' for writing.

I'm talking day job. Not night time writing/blogging job. (It's not a job yet, just something I love and should do more.)

I am ridiculously lucky that I am the opposite. I know what this person means. I completely understand those feelings, but luckily, in the last few years, it's had the opposite effect on me.

I'm sure I've mentioned my job before, but before I go on with this post, I'll describe it again. I write commercials. I write scripts for 15, 30 or 60 second spots to air on the radio. I deal a lot with sales people, other Creative writers and radio people, and the clients I write for. 

I've been in this business for a few years. It's what I went into right out of Broadcasting school. I had a short break while I tried out being a radio sales person - but I preferred the Creative Writing. It was possibly the stint as an Account Executive (sales) that made me truly appreciate the Creative Writing job.

I don't see myself changing jobs or companies in the foreseeable future. I have fun writing the commercials (for the most part), and it makes me appreciate the fact that I can go home and write WHAT I WANT. Yes, I spend a lot of time putting a lot of information into a 30 second script, but it doesn't steal my creativity.

Being able to go home and write (or write on my lunch break) helps me enjoy my job. I sometimes feel bad that I didn't choose a career that helps people, and hopefully that's what my evening writing can someday be. 

(Or else I could volunteer).

Now that I think about it, I've never really felt like my Creativity was getting smushed, it really was the lack of helping others. I see my friends doing amazing things for others, and I wish I had more of that. I don't get a lot of that in my job, and that's not an insult to what I do for a living, it's just the truth. It's a fact. I don't get to help people, and I'd like to use my writing to do that. (That being said, the company I work for do a lot of volunteering, and sponsoring of events, and I have been lucky enough to be included in them).

I would not go so far as to say that my current writing is inspiring. I try my hardest, but I'd say most of my posts are just me rambling. I think my book is good (someday, it will be great), and it is emotional, but I don't know if it will help people, and I don't think I'd call it inspiring. 

That's not to say I won't get there. I just have to live more life. Experience more. Learn more. Write more. 

I have a lot of work to do to complete my writing goals, and writing this post makes me realise I'm not even close to where I want to be. (I HAVE TO WRITE!)

However, I am grateful I have a job full of great co-workers, that allows me to use my creativity in ads. I'm grateful that I don't leave this job sick of writing. If anything, I feel like my writing truly started after I started working with this company. I wouldn't give all the credit (or even most of it) to my job because a lot in my life had changed as well, but I'm incredibly lucky to still love writing. I'm glad that after a day of writing scripts, I can still use personal writing for stress relief, or to get my thoughts out, or to write or edit a book.

This wasn't one of the posts I've had started. However, it is a writing blog, and this is specifically about my love for writing. No matter what kind it is. I have been thinking about it for a while, and am finally getting around to putting words on 'paper'. 

Now, I need to get back at my novel editing, or none of what I just wrote will matter.

Thanks for reading. 

Some inspiration from one of my best friends about 17 years ago. She inspires me, and others, every day. I still have this around.

As always,

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

Prompts from: http://erinisawriter.blogspot.ca/2014/12/updated-prompts.html

Letter Ideas: http://erinisawriter.blogspot.ca/2015/03/challenge-completed.html

Also, check out my ongoing book blog:  Proud Bookworm at: http://bookserinread.blogspot.ca/ 

Blogs I used to write on but not being updated:

http://lifeisgoodandhereisproof.blogspot.ca/

and

http://erinlm.blogspot.ca/

New promises and new goals.

July 15, 2015

I have so many blog posts started that I have to finish, it's getting absolutely ridiculous. SO, instead of working on one of them, I'm starting a whole new one.

I have a lot of things I want to do that are rolling around in my brain. I need to get some of them on paper/blog so I can figure out a goal plan.

If I don't write it down, I'll never know exactly which ones are most important (because I have so many things I want to accomplish.)  I will write some goals/plans in this post, and hopefully it will help me to see what I need to work on the most. Some of these things, I've already started on.

I spend a lot of time dreaming and thinking about what I want for my future. I learned a long time ago, that dreams won't come true without help from me. Without work from me. I've never been an 'everything happens for a reason' kind of girl. I'm more of a 'things happen because you made them happen' kind of girl.

I get distracted occasionally. I am sometimes quite comfortable being lazy. That probably sounds bad, but it's the truth. I enjoy binge watching shows. I enjoy sleeping in. I enjoy sitting in the sun. I enjoy doing absolutely nothing with Clint and Drogo the Rottie. More about him here. 

However, I am hoping to enjoy my lazy times, and still do a lot with my life. 

I recently bought a shirt, that is basically perfect for me. It will be my shirt to wear when I need inspiration (or to write). 

 I need to revisit my goals, revise my goals, and add new ones constantly to keep myself on task.

I want to get my book published. I want to get in shape. I want to live my life and love my life. I need goals to do these.

New/Old Goals to work on:

Exercise Daily:

I used to walk to work. That was a half hour walk, and although it wasn't a lot of exercise, it helped. Unfortunately, I've moved farther way, and it isn't possible to walk anymore. I still walk about ten minutes from where I park to get to work, but it really isn't a lot. I'm feeling VERY out of shape lately, and it's starting to show. So exercise and watching what I eat is first on my list of goals. 

I just purchased an elliptical so I am VERY motivated to use it. I'd love to get in better shape, and work on my 'trouble' areas, but also, I HATE wasting money, so that in itself is motivation. I bought it new and on sale, but it was still more money than I'd usually spend.

Either way, this is going to help me get back into shape. I've got it facing our television, so I can binge watch Netflix AND exercise. I'm starting out pretty slow, but I'll get better. 

Pay off debts:

I've actually already started this one. It's very exciting! I've paid off my biggest student loan. It's a huge relief, and saves me quite a bit in my monthly repayment - which hopefully means more money for savings. I usually find summer to be more of a spending season, so I probably need to be a bit better about that part of it as well. Either way, I have one more tiny student loan to pay off, my credit card (that one is easy, I don't ever go over a certain amount), and my Lasik eye surgery to pay off. Now that I have the big loan off my monthly payments, I feel a lot more confident that I'll get the rest paid off. (PS, I graduated from university in 2004, so this has been a long time coming.)

  

READ READ READ READ READ READ

I love reading, and sometimes it breaks my heart when I realise I've been doing anything but reading. I have SO MANY books on my list to read, and I've been slacking a lot. I'm also reading a book a friend wrote (unpublished), and that one is first on my list. It's really good, but because I'm reading it on my phone, I sometimes forget about using it. (I haven't gone to the e-readers yet!).  I've been reading it everyday for the past few days though, so I'm going to be done that one soon. I need to read everyday. I also have to read the one by a friend a second time so I can make comments as I read. 

I have a lot of other books on my list as well, but I can start on those later. (By start, I also mean finish a few. I have three books going right now). 

Reading is the easiest thing in life for me. It's also the thing that motivates me the most to do what I love. Just like anything else, I can't lose that. Being a book worm is one of my favourite things.

WRITE WRITE WRITE WRITE WRITE WRITE WRITE

You HAD to have known this one was coming. I have to write in so many different ways.

• I need to blog weekly, if not twice to three times a week. I have to finish all those posts I started with good intentions. This includes my book blog, but I can't blog about books until I read them.
• I need to edit my novel for the 5th time. I think the 5th time. This will include going through the actual hard copy of it with the notes provided by the author who evaluated it. Once I'm done the hard copy, I'll revise as much as I need for the next edit. Then I have to do the overall grammar editing. (Or find somebody to do it for me.)
• I need to work on Jenna's story. That's the next one. I've ignored her for too long. Her story has gone in many different directions in my head, but I haven't written it much on paper. There's only one way to see what actually happens next - write. 
• I need to write in my journal. Poor thing. I always forget about it.

I need to do all of these (except for the paying off of debts) every day. It will make the evening go by a little to quickly, but it will be worth it. It will also mean less lazy Netflix watching. That's never a bad thing.  I do need to save time for my Drogo. I miss him all day, and enjoy spending time with Clint and Drogo when I get home.

That's it. Next post will be one of the many I've had waiting to finish.

Happy Wednesday. 

As always,

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

Prompts from: http://erinisawriter.blogspot.ca/2014/12/updated-prompts.html

Letter Ideas: http://erinisawriter.blogspot.ca/2015/03/challenge-completed.html

Also, check out my ongoing book blog:  Proud Bookworm at: http://bookserinread.blogspot.ca/ 

Blogs I used to write on but not being updated:

http://lifeisgoodandhereisproof.blogspot.ca/

and

http://erinlm.blogspot.ca/