I Would Walk 100 Miles...

Those of you that follow me on Twitter or who have been following along recently know that for the month of June, my goal was to walk 100 miles.  It was actually Crystal's big idea, and at first I thought she was crazy.  Then I walked 30.94 miles in the first week.  Suddenly, it didn't seem impossible.

In the end, I walked 103.39 miles in the month of June.  I actually reached 100 miles on June 20th, and spent the rest of the month being a total slacker.  As soon as I reached my goal, my motivation was out the window.  I'm not proud of this fact, but it's completely and absolutely true.  Since July is my last full month of summer, the last full month of getting to decide my own schedule, I've decided that in July I will walk an additional 150 miles.  (Which equals out to 4.8 miles a day.)  It's completely doable, as many days in June I walked over six miles between walking outside and doing videos.

I just have to get into the habit of exercising on a regular basis.  That's really my primary goal, the weight loss has definitely been secondary.  In fact, I've only weighed once since school was out, and I don't plan to weigh again until we are back in session in August.  However, I have already had to go buy new pants, so I feel like we're headed in the right direction.  I also have a goal of at least walking a 5K in the near future, which will be a fun thing to mark off my bucket list.

Anyway, I just wanted to give a little update as to where I am and where I'm going.  It's been a great journey so far, but I'm just getting started!

Day 30: What I Love About My Life

I've never been one of those people who was freaked out by getting older.  I skated from my twenties right into my thirties without a second thought.  But, now that I've been at this a bit, I have to say that I really love my thirties so much more than I ever thought I would.  I am so much more confident in who I am and what I believe.  I'm braver with the choices that I make, even if they are things that I know are out of my comfort zone.  I want to live better and do more and I finally get what being content with your circumstances really means.  It's just amazing.

I have a life I love passionately.  Some days, that passion may look like staying out late laughing with friends and sometimes it looks like lying on the couch watching Netflix.  It's all part of the journey, and it all makes me happy.  I feel like for a really long time, I lived by life very desperately.  I wanted things that other people had because I thought they were the things that would make me happy.  Some of those things, like marriage, are still things I would like to do, if the right circumstances came along.  Others, I now see, aren't part of where I am supposed to be, and that has to be okay.  It's weird to have developed this sort of life philosophy because I think I am one of the least navel gazing people I know.  I don't sit around and think about this kind of thing all the time.  But lately, it's just been where my head has been, and I've actually enjoyed the revelations.

Anyway, part of this wonderful life is the people who read this blog.  You, my people, are such a fantastic group, and I have really enjoyed getting to know you.  Especially those of you who came along for the ride on this 30 Day Challenge.  I think we've had a pretty good time, and if nothing else, it's gotten me back into the habit of posting regularly.  And I'm really hoping that's something I can keep up with.  (Still probably won't be every day, but we'll see how it goes.)  Thanks for being you!  You don't know how great it is to have you all for "imaginary" friends.

**No linky today.  You can leave your blog address in the comments, though!**

Day 29: Favorite Show Or Concert

First off, sorry this is going up really late today.  My friend and I went to the late movie last night and I didn't get in until 1:00 AM.  And I'm fast finding out I may not longer be built for nights like that.  (Quick review:  The Heat had a lot of language, but it was very, very funny.)

Anyway, today's about the best concert or show we've seen.  I've been to a ton of concerts and shows.  My first was The Judds and Oak Ridge Boys when I was four.  While I don't remember it clearly, it does still come to be in bits and pieces because it was something I truly loved.  My maternal grandparents would take me to see a show every year when I was younger.  Sometimes a concert, usually a touring company of a Broadway show.  I've even been lucky enough to see several Broadway shows in New York.  So, trying to think of my favorite is difficult because there are a lot of variables.

Recently, my favorite concert was Pentatonix.  They were so good live!  Each member is ridiculously talented and they blend so well.  (Plus, I have a pretty massive crush on Avi and his beautiful, deep bass.)  My favorite concert ever remains James Taylor, whom I also saw with Amber.  Our decision to go as a side trip to our planned vacation to Charleston was one of the best decisions we ever made.  He sang for two wonderful sets, the crowd was so much fun, and it was just the best thing ever to see an artist our dads raised us on.  His voice is still as good as it ever was.

When it comes to theater, my best overall experience was when my friend, Chris, was in The Lion King, and we got to not only see him perform as Simba, but were taken on a backstage tour.  I doubt any experience with the theater is going to top that one for me.  But my favorite show is actually the very traditional Broadway fare of 42nd Street.  It's the tapping.  I can't do it, but I really, really love to watch it!

Okay, that's enough for me.  Make sure to link up!  Only one day left of the Challenge!

Day 28: The Purse Game

I like big purses.  Always have.  Which means that I tend to pick up lots of extra things that may or may not be normal for a purse.  If you looked into my LuLu purse at the moment, you might find:

• My Nook
• The plug-in charger for said Nook
• My wallet (which is full of goodness only knows what)
• A cell phone car charger that my SIL gave me
• Two wine corks from the last winery adventure
• Random cash and receipts strewn throughout
• Two pair of sunglasses
• A can koozie
• A notebook
• Random ink pens 
• A travel hairspray
• A hairbrush
• My cell phone (if on the move)
• Mini-lotion

I think that's about it.  During the summer, I don't keep much makeup in my purse because I'm always afraid I will leave my purse in the car and it will melt everywhere.  Even so, all of this would not win me the purse game among my friends.  

What do you keep in your purse?

Day 27: My Pet

Delilah remains the world's worst roommate.  I mean, a roommate who jumps onto your sternum in the middle of the night and routinely pukes on your carpet?   Not exactly what everyone's looking for.  And she hates company, specifically my sister, which is mostly hilarious.  She freaks out for no reason.  She's scared of the passing traffic and barks at birds outside.  She hates when I sing or play music, and despises my cell phone.  She knocks things off the counter on purpose and steals my hairbands.

But she is my kitty and I love her anyway.  At least most of the time.

Wednesday Hodgepodge - 6/26

If you are looking for today's 30 Day Challenge, just scroll down!  It's already posted, as well.

1. Summertime is a season of reunions, weddings, and other family celebrations and gatherings...are any of the above on your calendar in the next two months?

I actually don't have any of those things in my plans for the next couple of months . As I've mentioned, the next big family wedding isn't until March.  I've had summers that seemed like wall-to-wall weddings, but 2013 doesn't appear to be one of them.

2. June is National Iced Tea Month...are you an iced tea drinker? If so, how do you like yours (sweet, flavored, etc)? 

I live just far enough south that sweet tea is a staple.  I love it with all of my heart, but have really been trying to drink more water and less tea/soda.

3. When were you last nervous?  Looking back, was the 'event' actually nerve-worthy?

I'm socially awkward and a bit of a control freak, so I'm nervous in most unfamiliar social situations over which I have little control.  It's an awesome trait to have, trust me.  And typically, after the fact, I see that there wasn't really anything to be nervous about.  But that's way after the fact, usually.

4. The bristle toothbrush was invented in China on June 26, 1498...not sure how that date was pinned down so precisely but, on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being sick to your stomach and 1 being not at all, how nervous do you feel when you're headed to the dentist?  Do you see your dentist twice a year?

I don't always see my dentist twice a year, but I, oddly enough, don't have anxiety about going to the dentist.  I never really did.  I think it probably has something to do with a fact that I don't really have sensitive teeth.  Though I've had fillings before, I never even needed Novocaine until I had teeth pulled for braces in my teens.  

5. What's making news in your town this week?

My high school PE teacher recently passed away at a relatively young age.  That's been pretty big news.  

6. Curtains, drapes, blinds...your window treatment of choice? Are there any bare windows in your house? Is that by choice or because you haven't gotten around to covering them? 

My house has a lot of windows.  Most have sheers or curtains.  A few have blinds.  The ones that are completely uncovered are by choice.  Part of my plans for my enclosed porch include new window treatments of some sort.

7. Summertime is officially here (in the Northern hemisphere anyway)...what one song is a must-have on your summer playlist?

Oh, Joyce!  You know how hard it is for me to just pick one song!  I'm going to try to play along, though.  Recently, I've really been enjoying is "Next To Me" by Emeli Sande.  I love her voice, the beat, everything. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.  

My summer break is almost halfway over.  And while that certainly makes me a little sad, I'm excited to think of all the potential adventures to come.  You just never know what might come your way!

Day 26: Plans For The Weekend Ahead

The beauty of my summer is that all the days sort of blend together in a haze.  Weekends feel a lot like weekdays.  That said, I don't often have special plans like I might during the school year.  However, this weekend, I've got plans for a cookout with friends.  It's been on the books for a while and I'm looking forward to a chance to visit with some friends that I don't get to spend much time with.

Other than that, I don't really have any plans.  I haven't been over to my parents' in a while, so I might head over there on Sunday.  Thankfully, it's supposed to be cooler this weekend than it has been.  I just can't deal with the high nineties and 100% humidity.  I don't like to sweat when I'm getting dressed.  I don't think that's too much to ask for.

Anyway, that's my weekend.  How about yours?