Marilyn’s 30BY30 Challenge Part 1

It was about August of last year that it really hit me that I’d be turning 30 this year! Wow, 30? Already? But it feels like I just celebrated 20 last week. Then I began to wonder. What does one do when they turn 30? Does it mean I have to trade in my high heels for supportive flats? Am I no longer allowed to wear low cut shirts or tight fitting jeans? Do they automatically send me my membership card to the mom jeans club? This is my first time being 30; do they send you an instruction manual?

Once I calmed down and realized that nothing was really going to change I began to contemplate how I would handle such a monumental birthday. Should I have a big blow out party? Cut off all my hair and dye it blond? Get a tattoo? Slow down, it’s too early for a midlife crisis. How about I do something challenging that would make me a better person?

At the time I was already in the midst of a weight loss mission but didn’t really have a goal that I was working towards. So I thought, ‘I’m going to loose 30 pounds for my 30th birthday!’ Not only would I be healthier, I’d overcome a huge challenge. Before starting my weight loss I was the kind of girl who ate ice cream sundaes for lunch and cupcakes two at a time but couldn’t figure out why I was gaining so much weight. Food was a crutch for me and something I used to curb anxiety and stress. If I kept up my old eating habits I would have easily topped 250 pounds by my 40th birthday. For someone whose father died in his 30’s from a heart attack I should have known better.

This challenge proved to me more successful that I thought. Not only did I get my husband eating better and exercising (he’s lost 70 pounds), but I met my goal by April 2010. 7 months early! I remember standing on the scale celebrating my success but then thinking, ‘Now what?’ Getting that high from stepping on the scale every week and seeing my success was addictive and I wanted something else to do. So I sat down and created 2 more lists of goals for me to work towards before my 30th birthday in November.

The first is I WILL DONATE 30 HOURS TO A NON-PROFIT. I’ve always loved volunteering and hope that this will give me the chance to experience some new non-profits in my community. There are a couple of rules. 1) I can only donate a max of 5 hours per charity; 2) It has to be a 501(c) 3; 3) I can’t do something that I’m getting paid for; and, 4) it can’t be for the American Heart Association. So if anyone knows of volunteer opportunities out there send them my way!!

(You didn’t think I was going to share it all with you in one post? Come back tomorrow for part 2 of my 30by30 challenge.)

What I've been up to...

So it's been almost 6 months since my last post and there has been a lot happening in the Davidson household. Those of you who know me know that I love to tell stories through pictures so I will spread my catch-up through several posts.

• I lost my job this past October. I worked for a non-profit that unfortunately felt the strain of our wonderful economy. But I'm happy to say that after 4 months of searching I found a job that I LOVE! We'll get there I promise.
  
• Our beloved Poppy Troy passed away after battling cancer. We miss him sooo much.
• Jenica moved to Florida. I still can't bring myself to read a note she left me because I cry every time I think about it.
• My friend Kate is having a baby! 
• My baby sister is moving to California :( Boo
• My older sister is moving to Tulsa. 
• We finally got rid of that nasty tree in our front yard. I'm sure it doesn't sound like a big deal to you but it was to us.
• Myles started a new job!!!!!

First, let's back up a few months. This past December Myles and I traveled to NYC with Myles' parents for some R&R and a little Christmas shopping.

Macy's!!!!!! I wanted to skip through the store like a little kid but I didn't want to embarrass Cindy.

Alexander Hamilton's grave outside of Trinity church. This is the church in National Treasure and also where the firefighters slept during the 911 recovery efforts.

This is the front of the New York stock exchange.

In this picture I'm grabbing the bull by the horns but my husband chose to cut me out. Apparently he doesn't get my humor.

Me, Cindy, and Marc on the Statue of Liberty ferry. It was cold!!!! This was also shortly after Myles broke the boat. He he.

Radio City Music Hall the night we went to see the Rockettes.

It was cold and rainy but so worth it. 

This was also the night we heard the little boy yell "Put me down you a*#hole!" to his dad. We laughed about it for a month.

Myles and I in front of the Rockefeller Christmas tree. 

He really was excited, but there were a million people there and our shoes were filling up with freezing cold water.

Rockefeller Christmas tree. It was cold and rainy but I think it made the tree look so pretty.

This tree was in the hallway of Radio City Music Hall and was made of thousands of Swarovski crystals. If it would have fit in  my purse I would have stolen it. 

View of NYC from the ferry.

Statue of Liberty at sunset. This picture is just amazing.

Lady Liberty....you are beautiful!

New York, New York!

In case you didn't know (or you haven't been following me on Twitter) Myles and I visited the Big Apple last week with our good friends Katie and TJ.  I wanted to tell you all about it but instead of boring you with a lot to read I am going to tell our story in pictures!  Now there are about 400 of them (don't worry I won't show them all to you) so it might take a few entries for me to tell the whole story.

Me and Katie!

The Perry's and the Davidson's at dinner.  The food was amazing!  I wish I could have another one of those salads.

We kept telling TJ that they were too small but he insisted that they would fit.

Breakfast at Tiffany's!  (In case there was any doubt in your mind now you KNOW I'm a dork.)

The pickle at Carnegie Deli.  Still not sure why they have a giant pickle but the waitress there was awesome and so was the food.

Times Square at night.  I tried to put this with the others but can't figure it out.

The 3 photos above were taken on the Brooklyn Bridge.  My favorite is the one with the American flag.  And of course I had to stop at the spot were they filmed a scene for the Sex and the City movie and act out the Scene from Saturday Night Fever with John Travolta.  I'm a nerd!

This is in central park with a view of the skyline.  Next time I am there I HAVE to rent a row boat.  It looked so romantic.

We are in New York for 20 minutes and Myles gets in a fight with Rocky. :)  What am I going to do with him?

This was a clock in the middle of Times Square and every once and awhile an American and a National MLB player would come out.  They would pull something from their pockets and we never figured out what it was.  Honestly it looked like a screw driver.

Times Square during the day.  This was Myles' first time in the Big City and I love seeing the reaction of first timers when they see Times Square.  (Personally I think it's MUCH better at night)

We went inside a church across from the WTC site and inside was a huge banner from firefighters and police officers from Oklahoma.  I can't tell you how much I filled with pride at the site of this!  We truly live in the greatest state in the entire world!!!

That is all for now.  Please check back for more!