Day 243

Today I'm thankful that Conor and Lisa took time out of their long weekend visiting Conor's family to spend some time with us. We watched the Badger game last night, the guys stayed up super late playing video games, and then we got brunch this morning. It was so fun to spend time with them again. Yet another reason the Twin Cities is moving up on our list of where to live next!

Day 242*

Yesterday I was thankful for a solo run. I had signed up for a free "shake out" run hosted by one of the local running stores as part of the Magnificent Mile Chicago Women's Half Marathon but I got a late start. By the time I got near the store, the group had already started out. They were still walking while I had already run 2 miles and was ready to go. I walked at the back of the pack for awhile before deciding that I really needed to finish the run solo. It was a great 6 miles, ending with a "magic mile" at an 8:09 pace.

Day 241*

Yesterday I was thankful to have made it through the first week with all students on campus (and my first 5 day week of August) in one piece. And, to top it off, I had dinner with Christie and Linda. The delicious food and wonderful conversation were much-needed. Thanks, ladies!

Day 240

Today I'm thankful that Megan and I made it through a busy day without having to stay too late after work. I'm also super thankful that John and I didn't have any plans tonight!

Day 239

Today I'm thankful for yoga. (I think I'm thankful for yoga every Wednesday.) I always feel so much more relaxed afterwards. It was definitely needed tonight!

Day 238

Today I'm thankful I had one of those "I love my job" kind of days instead of the "I'm going to quit my job" kind of day I had yesterday. Thank goodness!

Day 237

Today I'm thankful for my scholars and my husband. I had a rough day at work but working with my scholars on their college applications directly after work helped diffuse my frustration. Then, when I got home, John made supper and let me vent a little more.

It's like SmartBrief is speaking directly to me.

"Don't be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.”

~John D. Rockefeller, American industrialist (via SmartBrief) 

I think I know what the good is (my current job) but I'm not sure what the great is. I guess that's what makes it scary.

Day 236

Today I'm thankful I was able to sleep in this morning. It was wonderful to not have to wake up to my alarm clock.

Day 235

Today I'm thankful for an awesome cohort of Chicago Scholars and a great co-mentor. We had a very engaging workshop this morning, one of the best I've attended in my three years of involvement with the organization.

Day 234

Today I'm thankful that I have an awesome running buddy who wasn't the least bit upset that I overslept for our run this morning. She finally realized that I was almost 20 minutes late and had the doorman call me. I had actually woken up a few minutes before and tried to text and call her but she didn't have her phone. It was good to get a run in this morning even if it did mean getting up early (though not as early as I should have gotten up) on my day off.

Day 233

Today I'm thankful for a relatively slow day at work as far as patients were concerned so that I had time to do all the other stuff that was piling up on my to do list!

Day 232

Today I'm super thankful for yoga. I really needed it after work today!

Day 231

Today I'm thankful that Natallie and I got in a good 3 mile recovery run. I'm already starting to get stressed at work with the beginning of the new school year and really needed that run tonight!

Day 230*

Yesterday I was thankful for a relaxing evening in Millennium Park for the Broadway in Chicago summer concert with John. It was a little stressful at first as I arrived later than expected after my rapid pick up order at Panera was 30 minutes late and John had to come up to the gates to escort me in. But, once we found our picnic blanket and settled in, it was quite relaxing. Thanks, Broadway in Chicago. And thanks, John, for going over early and getting us a good spot!

Day 229

Today I'm thankful that Natallie and I had a successful 20 mile training run. The last few miles were tough but we did it!

Day 228

Today I'm thankful that I was able to have brunch with Jess, Vibha, and Anit before Jess leaves for New Zealand as part of her Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching grant. It was so good to see all three of you! Jess, I'm so proud of you and can't wait to hear all about your experience!

Day 227

Today I'm thankful it's Friday!

Day 226

Today I'm thankful for a random weekday off of work. It was so nice to workout with John, get the laundry done, and clean up the apartment a little.

Day 224 and 225*

Day 224 - I was thankful for an evening out with John's cousin Brigitte and John. They invited us as guests to the Chicago Architecture Foundation Burnham Society Annual Meeting aboard one of the river cruise boats. It was interesting to hear more about the work of the Chicago Architecture Foundation. We capped off the evening with dinner at Sweetwater.

Day 225 - I was thankful to be able to meet Tom, Linda, Ryan, and Chelsea Clark at the Brewers-Cubs game at Wrigley Field. The Brewers lost but we still had a great time!

Day 223

Today I'm thankful for a relatively easy Monday at work and a hot, sweaty 5 mile run with Natallie this evening.

Day 218-222*

Day 218 - I was thankful for yoga. It was an awesome class.

Day 219 - I was thankful for an evening without any plans.

Day 220 - I was thankful for a fun evening with my hubby at the Brewers game. The Brewers came back from a 3-2 deficit to win 9-3! It was one of the most exciting games I've ever been to!

Day 221 - I was thankful to celebrate our anniversary by celebrating the wedding of one of my closest cousins. It was great to see so many of my aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Spindler cousins and their families

Day 222 - I was thankful to be able to stop in and see Jamine, Brandon, and the boys, even if it was a quick visit.

Day 217

Today I'm thankful that Natallie and I ran together after over two weeks apart. It was good to have my running buddy back even if our run was shorter and slower than usual!

Resolutions update #6

1. Keep exercising. I ran 9 times for a total of 62.59 miles in July. I also did strength training once and yoga twice. While John and I were on vacation we snorkeled and swam a lot, hiked 5 miles, stand up paddleboarded, and kayaked. (We also sat around a lot.)
   
2. Eat more veggies. I still haven't started tracking how many servings of veggies I eat per day but I did download an app...I just haven't figured out how to use it yet! I'm thinking I might be better off just using a handwritten journal...
3. Enjoy the moment. Still trying!
4. Make a baby. Still trying on this one too! I really thought this was the month because I felt weird toward the end of our trip and after we got home...but it wasn't. :-(
5. Read for pleasure. I read SO much on vacation! I finished Kushiel's Avatar, read at least 12 Sports Illustrated magazines, and started Kushiel's Scion.
6. Give thanks every day. I took a little hiatus from posting these during vacation but I thought about what I was thankful for a lot. This month I was especially thankful for being able to go on vacation to an absolutely amazing location.
   
7. Explore (more of) Chicago. Hmm...I can't think of anything new that we did in Chicago in July...oh well!

Day 216

Today I'm thankful for a relatively uneventful first day back to work after vacation.

Days 214-215

Yesterday I was thankful for my husband. It wasn't necessarily anything he did, but spending time with Keith and the new girl he's seeing made me super thankful for him. It's good to have little reminders of how lucky I am, even if everything isn't perfect all the time.

Today I'm thankful I got out for a run, even though it wasn't as far as I wanted to go. It did a whole lot for improving my mood!

Days 212-213

Yesterday I was thankful for a whole day at home to catch up on emails, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. The only other productive thing we did was buy groceries. It was much needed day of rest after 24 hours of travel.

Today I'm thankful to be involved with the Chicago Scholars organization. I volunteered at the First Look Career Conference for college students this morning and was able to sit in on the luncheon part. I've met so many amazing Chicagoans through this organization!

Days 202-211*

I'm not going to do individual posts for each of these days. Every one of these days I was thankful to be on vacation in a stunningly beautiful location with my (mostly) wonderful husband. On our third day, I was especially thankful that our lost suitcase arrived (though I handled it pretty well until then if I do say so myself). I was also thankful for safe travels and fun adventures.

Days 199-201*

Day 199 - I was thankful for getting a pedicure. It felt so good, especially the foot massage!

Day 200 - I was thankful for a great morning workshop with my Chicago Scholars.

Day 201 - I was thankful to get in my 17 mile training run with Natallie before flying to Tahiti!