As I was reading and catching up on the endless amount of your blog posts I need to read, I finally realized that I needed to pop out my own blog post for the day.  See… I have a problem.  When holidays or vacation time hit, I’m probably one of the worst bloggers about staying up to date with blogging.  On the one hand – I think that’s great!  During those times I choose to live in the moment, enjoy time with family and friends, experience life and take a little “technology break” I guess you could say.  On the other hand – I miss out on what’s going on in blog land, I feel behind on my blog, I get too lazy to re-cap half the things I do because I take forever to re-cap them and I’m sure my blog readership suffers because I don’t put as much effort into blogging.

I just read this post from Life of Bon on Why Blogs Suck and I’d have to agree with just about all of it!  Check it out!

I have a dreaded to-do list for today:
Unpack
Create BHB Matches (Sorry, I also fall behind on responsibilities during vacay!)
Create a Media Kit in preparation for Blog Elevated
Decide on what/where to print my business cards for the blog
Laundry (bleh!)
Clean my room
Apply for at least 5 jobs
Write this blog posts and hopefully a few others
Decide on Sponsorship
Grocery Shopping

I really need to complete all of that by 5:30ish.  At that time, I’ll be embarking on a wonderful bike ride with Kathryn and it will more than likely be the highlight of my day!  I went on a bike ride last week and had to stop for some of these views.  The water was peaceful, the weather was windy and comfortable.  It was perfect alone time!

I went to Atlanta for the weekend with Nick and stayed with my Aunt and Uncle.  It was a wonderful trip and I look forward to re-capping that this week!  Who doesn’t love a 3 day weekend?  Well, if you don’t… you are cray-cray! I can’t wait to share some of my great finds from the weekend – one of which almost had me pee-ing my pants!

My half-marathon training is going pretty well!  I did miss my long-run this weekend (seriously… vacations throw me off something terrible, I just get lazy!)  I’m back in the saddle though as of yesterday with a short and easy 2 mile run and my x-training today.  Seriously… 66 days left!! We have to book our hotel like super soon!  Then again… I really need to find a job like super soon…. sooo….

Yeah, the job search.  Still hate it.  I may possibly get to start a part time job that can turn into a full time job this week and that’ll be really helpful in the financial department.  I’m getting a little depressed sometimes because I spend a lot of time at home by myself.  I will have a post soon though talking about how I’m fighting that depression and things I’m doing to keep my spirits lifted!  It’s still a huge struggle though.  It takes a lot of effort to not lay in bed all day, watching tv, while working on my laptop.

How was your Labor Day Weekend?  Did you do anything exciting?
Any tips on fighting depression during frustrating/tough situations?  I’d love to add your tip and blog info into my post!
Are you training for any big races soon?  How is your training?

Dear kid,

I’m starting to worry about future generations.  Yes, I’m not much older than you… 24 to be exact and I consider myself young (as do most everyone else).  Kids these days though, somethings wrong with them.  I think parents are starting to lack the type of discipline I grew up with.  My parents taught me how to be modest, polite, respectful.  I learned yes ma’am and no sir rather early.  I called adults Mrs. or Mr. and for the most part, I still do.  I think parents expect to be their kids best friend and therefore choose to not demand respect or modesty.  They think that courtesy is over rated and skimpy tube tops fly for proper dress.

Of course, Miley was talked about in large proportions after the VMA’s… no surprise after that ridiculous disgusting unbelievable show (Side note to Miley: child… get that tongue back in your gross mouth!).  Is that how kids are being raised these days?  Well sure… that’s hollywood for you and that lifestyle does crazy things to people, but that doesn’t discredit the fact that I see young girls (10 years old or so) wearing heavy makeup and dressing sluttier and sluttier, kids who are calling their parents by their first names instead of mom and dad, kids getting pregnant at ages that seem younger and younger each year!

Although I’m starting to worry more and more about future generations, in all reality, there isn’t much I can do except raise my kids properly and pray that others do the same.  You kid, you are a good apple.  I was approaching you and your two buddies.  You were all wearing black and the sun was just about set – sure, I may have had a tiny bit of judgement in my mind, but as a good southern runner does, I tossed my hand up to acknowledge you and wave.  Not going to lie… I expected you to do one of the following due your pre-judged hoodlum looking status: 1. ignore me all together, 2. say something stupid or slanderous, or 3. whisper about me once we passed each other.  Serves me right for judging you (which, might I just add as a side note… something I strongly struggle with in life)

Neither of the above things happened though…. Instead, you said, “You’re almost there!”

Wow… encouragement!  From a kid… probably 15 or 16.  I must say, I was somewhat shocked.  I was also extremely thankful and blessed by your words.  They were three short words, but they were powerful!  I wish I could have huffed more than an exhausted “Thanks!” your way because kid… ideally I would have shook your hand and thanked you properly.  I was almost there and you gave me the added endurance I needed to continue on.  You gave me hope in the future.  True hope that all kids are not lost, true hope that some kids are still being raised right.  So to you kid… I say THANKS!  I also say Sorry!  Sorry for pre-judging you before we actually had the chance to interact.

Instead of me feeling like this at the end

I felt like this

Sincerely,

The runner

I was debating on what to write about today and then I ran into Ashley’s post – The Best of Summer and thought it was a great idea to share some of my favorite moments from this past summer! Thanks Ash for an easy topic for the day!
(Another great reason to have such fab blog friends, you give/take from each other without fear of them getting upset with you!)

Although Summer isn’t completely over, we’re starting to get a whiff of fall each morning as the temps get lower and lower.  I wish my summer had been a little more exciting, but I still came away with some great memories and here are my favorites.

I enjoyed so much juicing this past summer!  It was refreshing, the perfect snack, and made me feel incredibly healthy!

Wedding festivities for my sweet friend Jamey!  From the wedding showers to the bachellorette party to the actual shin dig!

My triathlon!  I felt so accomplished after this race!

Roller skating!  I hadn’t roller skated in years and this was a definite jump back into my childhood.

4th of July weekend – perfect time grilling out with Nick and making berry shortcakes! Delicious and relaxing!

JROTC Training Camp where I got possibly the fastest mile ever!  I spent time with my old friend Caroline and got in the most amazing morning workouts!

What are some of your favorite summer memories for the year!?