What I do

I created this blog last week, thinking I would write every day....life, kind of, got in the way! I have been busy, too busy, and now I do not feel very well. This is life! If I don't take care of myself, then I do not have the energy and health to do all that I love to do!
At present, I am working with a variety of things--coaching, pastoring, consulting, programming around race/racism awareness, sewing and altering costumes for dance productions, being a mom and a wife. That gets at most of what I am doing. In the past week, there have been many days of working from too early until too late; leading up to yesterday and today of not feeling very well. I really should take better care of myself!
So, today is the beginning of this phase of taking better care of myself. Each day really is a new phase, and when I am not clear about each day being a new day of starting over, then I may not remember to give new focus to my self care. So, today taking care of myself looks like a warm snuggly blanket and hot cup of tea while sitting in my big green chair.

Let me tell you about some of the things I am doing:
Coaching
I love working with people to live life to the fullest! We work on being who we are and who we are becoming. Everyday, I learn from my coaching clients who are doing amazing work and more fully embracing who they are.
Pastoring
Hillsborough United Church of Christ is a wonderful congregation where individuals are encouraged to be progressive, inclusive, creative, caring and kid-friendly. Those 5 words describe who the congregation is and how we function. We have wonderfully stimulating worship services and conversations. Jay, my husband, and I are the pastors. Experience HUCC at http://www.hucc.org/
Consulting
I work with The Center for Congregational Health, to help congregations live in a more healthy manner. I do this through conflict management and negotiation, strategic planning, leadership development and I work with continuing education in the areas of Church Consultant training and Intentional Interim Training. See more of our work at http://www.healthychurch.org/
Programming for Race and Racism Awareness
I am doing some work with the Justice and Witness Ministries of the UCC at Franklinton Center at Bricks to help individuals and groups with their awareness of race issues and racism. We are planning many wonderful events for 2009--check out our website http://www.franklintoncenter.org/
Sewing and Altering Costumes for Dance Productions
A couple of years ago I offered to help with alterations on costumes for the Walkerdance production of "The Nutcracker". I had been sewing Halloween costumes and dress up clothes for years, so I thought I would enjoy engaging my skill. I love it! I have had a couple of wonderful teachers who have taught and showed me alot. This year, I am coordinating the costuming for Walkerdance!!! This is new and a bit of why I am working too much...but it is FUN! See the costumes (and the dancers) at http://www.walkerdanceballet.com/
Mom and Wife
I have a wonderful family--
Jay, my husband and co-worker, who is wonderfully patient with all of the new things I like to do and he can sew, too;
Abi and Emma, two wonderful daughters, who have gotten me into the fun of costuming, and who remind me to do the things in life that are fun. They are beautiful dancers and very smart and always keep me moving.
Grizz, short for Grizzly, our dog, who is as far from a Grizzly as you can get.