Happy Blog-iversary to Me!

It's hard getting a good shot of yourself with your iPhone. So I decided instead of picking one, I would collage-it-up. And yes I do realize that it is October 24th, not December 24th - Remember that party we planned? Yeah... besides I think the lights add a perfect festive touch. I'm trying to see how long a caption can be... are you still reading?? Anyways - HAPPY BLOG-IVERSARY! Let's celebrate ;-)

Exactly one year ago today I got this beautiful blog up and running complete with my first post! I have such a feeling of accomplishment from keeping up this habit of writing for a full year. When I stop to think about it, I believe this is the first time I've ever consistently stuck with something that was completely born of my own internal motivation. For example exercise - sure, I've been in REALLY good shape before - but I was always involved in highly structured competitive sports - since graduating from college my exercise routine has been spotty and completely inconsistent (that's changing though, I can feel it!) 

So, who knew? I'm so close to actually calling myself a WRITER (although philosopher may be more accurate, but perhaps they go hand-in-hand?) Ha! I think I've mentioned before but I just have to say it again - I have always considered myself a READER and never a WRITER. I only wrote throughout my school years because it was required of me. Was it the coerced nature of the writing then that made me resist it? Who knows. But now I stay up late and get up early willingly to write because it feels great!


I'm really excited to celebrate by doing some new things here on Together Walking. First of all I finally took a leap and invested in my own domain name (my blog-iversary gift to myself!), so no more "weebly" in my address - you can now go directly to togetherwalking.com
Also I've created a facebook page for sharing blog posts and as a place to inspire myself and others. 


But what I am most excited about is that I am going to be doing a series of give-aways over the next couple of months. I have been lucky enough to "win" quite a few blog give-aways the past few years (a potty and book, homeopathic remedies, and admission to a writing e-course - not bad!) and I feel like it's time for me to return the favor! So I'm going to give away one of my favorite things - books. Some are new copies and many are my personal copies that I'm ready to part with, but they are all books that have had a huge positive impact on my life.

My first give-away starts this week and is dedicated to my friend Scott Wischmeyer for giving me the push to start this blog a year ago. I was actually just thinking of "reviving" my other blog but through a series of comments on FB (also known as the modern day "conversation" ;-) he inspired me to start a whole new kind of blog - the kind where I actually write what I think and share my experiences. 


To thank Scott and to celebrate, I'm giving away a book that I bought through his blog Our Tiny Earth, by clicking on his affiliate link Chelsea Green Publishing (find the link on his about page). The book I'm giving away is called "Journey for the Planet: A Kid's Five Week Adventure to Create an Earth-friendly Life". You can click here for a review, description, and peek inside. Scott is a huge inspiration to me in an area that we are growing a lot. (And by growing, I mean we have a long way to go!) Sustainability and living in an earth-friendly way are topics that are really important to me and I know that there are so many ways that I can do better. I also adore his focus on community and feel like that is where the two of us really share a common message.


I love watching Marisol learn about earth-friendly living because she really embraces it all and *wants* to protect the earth and all its creatures and treasures. I know we are going to learn a lot from this book (I bought us a copy too!) It seemed like the perfect choice because it is for kids (my passion) and it is a cause that is near to my heart. 


To get your name in the random drawing for this book leave me a comment here. To get your name in the drawing two more times, "like" my Facebook page, share it and let me know you did in your comment!


Thanks to everyone for your energy... and for reading, commenting, and supporting me as I follow this strange, new urge... to write and live out loud.


EDIT: Kathy is our winner! This give-away is over but make sure to check back for more!