Day 43

There's a homeless man who hangs out on Randolph Street. I see him almost every day on my way to and/or from work. He almost always greets me with a smile and asks how my day was. Yesterday, he said he wasn't doing too well. He mentioned that someone told him about a place he could stay but he needed $18. He had told me this a week or so ago but I didn't have any cash on me. Yesterday I did so I gave him $5.

Today, he waited for me to walk by and gave me a thumbs up as soon as he saw me. He said he got in to the place last night so he'll have a place to stay for a few months. He thanked me for the money: "It's all because of you."

Today, I'm thankful that I trusted my gut about this guy and helped him out. And, I'm really thankful he has a place to stay, a warm bed to sleep in.

Day 42

Today I'm thankful that I got out for a run, even though it was pretty chilly. Natallie was willing so off we went. I'm lucky to have a runner-friend as willing to go out in the cold as I am...and one who runs essentially the same pace as me!

I'm also super thankful that my husband cooked me dinner. Thanks, hunny!

Day 41

I'm thankful for a relaxing evening with nothing on the to do list. Ahh! Now if I could just get my saved articles list down to zero (from 242!)...

Day 40

Today I'm thankful for a relaxing but productive day. John and I worked out together this morning, we cheered on the Badgers to a victory over Michigan State, I ran with Natallie, and I cleaned out my inbox of any emails needing attention. Plus, it was sunny...that's always something to be thankful for (especially during the Chicago winter)!

Day 39

Today I'm thankful for a beautiful snowfall. My walk home was so enjoyable...mesmerizing, really!

I wish I could have taken a better photo!

Day 38

Today I'm thankful for a relatively "easy" day at work. The students I saw weren't super complicated. Security didn't walk anybody over. I actually had time to figure out what supplies we need and ordered them. I also had time to register for the American College Health Association (ACHA) Annual Meeting. Can't wait to go to San Antonio!

Day 37

Today I'm thankful that there are other caring people in this world. This morning a 20-something guy stopped me in the park to ask if I could call someone because he was worried about a guy sitting on a park bench who looked cold. I walk through the park every day and knew the guy he was referring to. I assured him that this guy was there almost every day and that I was pretty sure he had somewhere warm to go, if necessary.

Then, I walked by a security guard and relayed the story to him. His response: "Oh, Mike? Don't worry. We keep an eye on him and get him in where it's warm if he needs it." Thank you, caring guy. And thank you, security guard.

Day 36

I'm thankful that I got to run tonight...and that my husband made me dinner!

Day 35

I'm thankful for my job. After having dinner with three fairy recent nursing graduates, I do not miss floor nursing...not much, at least. I'm thankful to have a job that I only have to spend 40 hours a week at, where I get an hour lunch break almost every day, and where I can use the bathroom when I need to.

I'm also thankful for these three former students and now friends. Thanks for inviting me to dinner!

Day 34

I'm thankful that I was able to talk to my grandma today. It's amazing how just chatting for 10 minutes can make both of our days better. Keep working hard in rehab, Grandma! You'll be up walking again soon!

Day 33

Today I'm thankful for a fun and productive day. I worked out with John and Keith and then we went out for brunch. Then I (finally) put away all the Christmas decorations and dusted the entire apartment. Then we made the food for our little Super Bowl party and relaxed while watching the game. Natallie joined us for the game too. Great day!

Day 32

Today I'm thankful that I can just enjoy the snow and don't have to worry about shoveling it or driving in it. It was fun to run in the snow this afternoon!

Resolutions update #1

In order to help hold myself accountable for my resolutions this year, I'm going to blog about them at the beginning of each month. Here goes update #1:

1. Keep exercising. I've done fairly well with exercising this month, especially if you count downhill skiing (which I do). We went on two ski trips, one to Idaho and one to northern Wisconsin, for a total of 5 full days of skiing. I ran 3 times for a total of 9.79 miles. This should go up as the weather gets better...Chicago has had a nasty January! I also "ran" on the elliptical once and strength trained with John twice. I keep track of my workouts on dailymile but am also adding them to my calendar so they're easier to see over the long term.
2. Eat more vegetables. Hmm...this one is much harder to quantify. Maybe I should start keeping track of daily vegetable servings...though I'm not sure I'm ready to actually see that. This is a work in progress!
3. Enjoy the moment. Absolutely! Resolution #6 helps with this. Also, John is applying for new jobs but hasn't heard about any of them yet so we're not sure what the future will bring. This makes it easier for me to enjoy what's happening now and not think too much about the future.
4. Make a baby. Not yet. Still trying!
5. Read for pleasure. I think I read for at least 15 minutes all but five days this month. That's pretty awesome! I finished the book I started in the beginning of 2013, Kushiel's Chosen by Jacqueline Carey, which is the second book of a longer series called Kushiel's Legacy. I really enjoy these books and John says the fourth, fifth, and sixth books are the best. Then, I read Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham (from Gilmore Girls and Parenthood). This book was definitely a change of pace from what I had been reading so it took me a little while to get into it. But, by the end, I didn't want to be finished! A second book is in the works...yay! Finally, I started A Memory of Light by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, the 14th and final book in the Wheel of Time series. It's been a long time since I read the 13th book so it took me a little while to get back into this series but now that I'm a few chapters in, I'm hooked!
6. Give thanks every day. I'm doing really well with this (as you know if you've been reading my almost daily posts). There have been a few days where I've forgotten or been unable to post so I mark those titles with an asterisk. Writing these out every day really help me to realize how lucky I am.
7. Explore (more of) Chicago. We haven't really ventured out of our comfort zone neighborhood-wise yet this year but we have tried a few new bars and restaurants. Hopefully as it warms up we'll get out exploring a bit more!

Day 31

Thank goodness it's Friday!

Day 30

Today I'm thankful for a few things:

1. I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to try out a new, adorable coffee shop called Cafe Mustache in Logan Square. I had about a half hour to kill before meeting two former coworkers for dinner. I took that time to thoroughly enjoy my chai latte and catch up on Twitter. It was heavenly.
2. I'm thankful for the delicious dinner I had with Linda and Christie. It's always great to catch up with them. The two of them really help me put life in perspective.
3. I'm thankful that I randomly caught the Luftwerk light show on the outside of the Chicago Cultural Center on my way home from dinner. I just stood on the sidewalk and enjoyed it. A few minutes well spent!
4. And, I'm super thankful for a rather balmy 30+ degree day. It was quite windy but warm!

Day 29*

I'm thankful for a relatively easy day at work, especially since I was by myself since my coworker had to stay home with a sick child. I actually enjoy days by myself every now and then...just so they don't happen too often!

Day 28

Today I'm thankful for a 5 hour work day due to the cold which gave me time to sleep an extra hour, workout with my husband, and spend a little extra time in the shower.

Day 27

Today I'm thankful that I have the proper clothing to wear in this freezing cold weather, polar vortex #2. It's supposed to get as low as -12 degrees F tonight! I wore my ski jacket and snow pants to work today. I may have looked ridiculous but I was reasonably warm.

Day 26

Today I'm thankful that it warmed up enough for me to get outside for a run. My short 3 mile run helped me clear my head and put me in a good mood for the rest of the day. Now we're gearing up for polar vortex #2. Definitely not looking forward to walking to and from work in negative temperatures and even colder wind chills. Brr!

Day 25*

We got home late last night after spending time with "old" college friends so I didn't get a chance to post. Anyway, I'm super thankful for my college friends, who are really more of my best high school friend's college friends but who have accepted me as one of their own. It was great to see everyone again last night. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time!

I'm also thankful that my husband came along with me. He was the only guy in the group but held his own just fine. He surprises me sometimes, in the best ways!