Grab a Cup for the June Ultimate Coffee Date!

Ultimate-Coffee-Date-Badge-e1416682466503I can’t believe it has already been a month since the last Ultimate Coffee Date link up! Another year is flying by. I‘m linking up again with Coco @ Running with Perseverance, Lynda @ Fitness Mom Wine Country, & Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner for the fifth “Ultimate Coffee Date” of 2015. What is the Ultimate Coffee Date? Imagine we are having coffee together… this post is what I would tell you. So grab a cup and “listen” and then tell me what is going on with you in the comments, please!

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May Highlights

If we were having coffee together… I would tell you that May had some ups and downs for me. Among the “ups,” the fun trips to Miami (where I was on our last coffee date) and NYC/Brooklyn with the Husband for the Brooklyn Half Marathon (where our friend Emily had a great first half ever!) and for Kath’s birthday. Among the “downs,” some work trials and tribulations and bloggy blues. The work issues are “resolved-ish.” At the end of May, my blog traffic and interactions fell off and I just started to lose confidence in what I was posting. What was I doing? Was I wasting my time? Have I “jumped the shark”? I commissioned a survey to help improve my blog (one day left to weigh in!) And, I started changing a few things. For the summer, at least, I am planning to post less days per week (and to skip if life gets in the way) and I am revamping “Friday Finds” for the most part. More to come on that and other changes. Stay tuned.

podcasts

If we were having coffee together… I would tell you that I listened to a few amazing podcasts recently. I loved the third episode of Gimlet Media’s new The Mystery Show called “The Belt Buckle” which was surprisingly touching and captivating. I mentioned the anniversary special from Death, Sex and Money on Friday. Since this was the first anniversary, they asked people to call in to say where they were a year ago and what had changed for them. I love this idea. On Friday, I talked running. Otherwise, one year ago at this time, I was looking for a new job. I almost took a job that was not the one I was later offered and started soon after. I was working freelance, blogging and running. I was also convinced to run an ultra marathon (something that I said I would NEVER do). So, never say never! I would then ask you, what were you doing last year at this time?

now and nyc mama

If we were having coffee together… I would tell you that I won an unbelievable prize from Michele at NYC Running Mama and NOW Foods. NOW Foods hosted a blogger summit and gave each blogger huge swag bags. Then, they allowed them to host giveaways for their readers. One reader got the same amazing swag. I won Michele’s! I am super excited about the all natural, organic, GMO beauty products and foods. I don’t use most of the sports products, so those are up for grabs to local friends. Who (in Chicago) wants to try NOW Sports proteins and vitamins??

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If we were having coffee together… I would tell you that I can’t believe that I am running a marathon in less than 2 weeks. I am feeling a bit unprepared, but I know I can do it. Mind over matter – right? I have to remind myself “whether you think you can or you think you think you can’t, you’re right.” I think I can! Grandma’s Marathon has been on my bucket list for years and I have lots of friends going so it should be super fun! I also am going to work the expo on Friday for Janji so I am excited to do that, too!

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Live vicariously via Instagram!

If we were having coffee together… I would tell you that The Husband and I are going to meet our friend who is traveling around the world for 2 years in Columbia in August for an extra long weekend! You should follow her Instagram and live vicariously through her like we do. Booking this 6 day get away lifted my spirits so much. Travel, I love you! Then I would ask you, do you have any fun trips coming up!

What would you tell me if we were having coffee together? Pick up your cup and dish in the comments.

PS. Don’t forget my great giveaways!