{Better You Challenge Series}

Last weeks challenge was to try to slow down a bit and not wish away the days waiting for better ones to come along. I challenged you to live in the moment and appreciate each day as it comes for what it is.

I think last week was the perfect week for me to do this challenge. I started my 11 day vacation on Thursday and left for a girls weekend with my BFF on Friday afternoon. So I had the temptation to wish away all the days before those things that I was looking forward to. It was hard, I admit, because I was super excited. But I had to keep reminding myself that I needed to soak up as much time with my son and husband as I could because I was going to be away from them for 2.5 days {first time ever}. I do feel like I spent more time slowing down than I have been. First challenge was a success. Now to keep at it.

How did you do last week? I want to know. 

This weeks challenge is to try something out of your comfort zone. It is really easy to stick to your comfort zone and back away when something scares you. But you never learn anything new about your self until you take a risk, and just do it. 

{Sunshine Sunday}

This weekend was so great. 

On Friday, I took the train down to Charlottesville, VA to stay with my best friend, Katherine, and her boyfriend. It was my first train ride, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was nice not having to drive, and worry about entertaining a toddler in the back seat. My train was delayed a little, but I didn't mind much. I met a few nice people to talk to who helped the ride go a little faster, and I spent the rest of the 5 hour ride reading my book, and researching stuff for Hoot & Bumble.

**

On Saturday, we all went to The Adventure Park At Sandy River Retreat, a zip lining and tree top adventure park. I wouldn't call myself scared of heights, but it was definitely out of my comfort zone. I was very impressed with the staff and how the park is run. Their equipment is top of the line and easy to use, and I felt very safe using it. 

I did the short green course first with Katherine, and Chris. There was a tight rope type obstacle that we had to walk across {while about 30 feet up in the air}. I didn't like it, but I got through it, and eventually got to the zip line. That was a lot of fun to fly through the trees. 

On the next course we tried, I got through most of an obstacle before losing my balance and having to pull myself to the end of it. I took a few steps on to the next obstacle and decided I was done. At that point, I was completely freaking out inside, and almost in tears. I was even shaking. On the outside I knew I was safe, and wanted to do it. On the inside, I just couldn't make myself go on any farther. I asked one of the employees monitoring my area to come rescue me {she had a key that allowed my zip line clips to go backwards}. She did, and I slowly walked back down to the platform, and back down to solid ground. It felt great to have my feet on the ground again. 

During the rest of the trip, I stood on the ground, and took pictures of Katherine and Chris as they did the rest of the courses. & to be honest, that was perfectly fine with me. 

Overall, I would recommend this park to anyone who likes a little adventure, or someone looking to trying something new. It really was such a great, positive atmosphere. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. You can tell they all love their jobs. For the 3 hours you get to play for it is definitely worth the money.

As a result of this adventure I learned a little more about myself. It's something that will always stick with me, and for that I am truly thankful, and grateful that I tried something new.

**

The rest of the weekend we did a little shopping, hung out with a few drinks, and visited the pool for a few minutes before a storm. I drove back to Delaware with Katherine last night, and I was so excited to see my husband, and son. It was good to get away, but always nice to be home as well. 

I hope it's not too long before we get to do another girls weekend :)

Thanks for reading, and catching up. What did you do this weekend?

a little reminiscing + reader poll

//Let me get this out. I love summer. I love the sunshine, the warm summer nights, and sitting by the pool watching the kids play. I love the cool drinks, and wearing less bulky clothes. I love the colors, and the thunderstorms. Oh, how I especially love the thunderstorms.

//I was and still am lucky enough to have the childhood and lifetime friend everyone dreams about. {More about that for another post}. My best friend,. Katherine {who lived across the street from me almost my entire life} had a porch on the front of her house. Over the last 20 years we have spent countless hours sitting, playing, talking, and dreaming together on that front porch. But we especially loved the essence of The Porch during summer thunderstorms. I can still feel the misty breeze coming to kiss my skin as we sat on that old front porch and told stories, while eating saltine crackers, and watching the storms pass. Sometimes her mom would sit with us, and tell us stories of her past, and her family in Greece.

//These times on The Porch are some of my favorite childhood memories. These memories that I hold close to my heart are like scenes from books I have read, except they are real, and house deep feelings that are mine to hold onto forever. They are what has shaped me into the woman I am today.

//Now that Katherine and I are "grown-ups", we still flock to The Porch whenever we have the chance. Katherine is temporarily living a few hundred miles away from {me}, but when she comes Home, we love to reminisce on that porch. If we are lucky, a storm will pass through to make our time together even more special. One day I hope our children will love and appreciate all that porch holds in its old wooden supports, and maybe they will even have a porch of their own to cherish as we will always cherish our porch that has given us so much.

*This is an actual picture of Our Porch*

//As I work on getting my online shop organized and stocked, I want to ask my readers for some input. In the comment section below, please let me know what your favorite summer color combo is. What colors would you love to see in a zip bag, wristlet, or other Hoot & Bumble product? I want to know what you like!

xxxx
Elizabeth