And All the Rest of the Days

And here we are, the end of November already!  I can't believe how fast the month has flown.  It's been so wonderful to just stop each day and remember why i am so lucky, one thing/person at a time.  Rounding it out....

Day 28- I am so thankful for my wonderful family.  My moms side, my extended family, my husbands family, my "like a family" family....I routinely am surrounded by such wonderful people that love me unconditionally.  How amazing is that?  I know we routinely take for granted our families...but I just think they are all so awesome, and I am blessed to have every single one of them in my life.  It was Rob's first Turkey day today, and even though we had a grumpy baby for the better part of the meal, everyone lent a hand to the frazzled new parents and supported us.  Next year will be easier...and I can remind the kid for the next 18 years how he was on his first Thanksgiving.  Mwahahahaha.

Day 29 - I'm super thankful that it's Black Friday...and I cyber shop.  Greg and I ventured out tonight (because Rob has an AWESOME godmom who babysat!) and we just laughed at the remains of the carnage that was target.  I picked up a few things at 5PM, not 5AM, and we had a nice relaxing thai dinner.  Perfect black Friday.  Oh yeah, and we got our tree with the little guy!  Pictures soon...right now we're rockin out the reindeer booties GG got him.  The holiday fashion show ensues.....

30 - Old friends!  I was able to attend the baby shower of my college roommate today, and got to see one of my old best friends from college (that I've known since I was 6!)  It was crazy to see how our lives have turned out and how much we've changed...and not changed.  New friends are awesome, but there's just something great about catching up with an old friend that's seen you grown your whole life.  And introducing your baby, too!!

And with that, November is over.  Let us bring the thankful attitude throughout the year....and get ready for the best season ever!

Days 26 and 27: Baby its cold outside!

Well, here we are, Thanksgiving week!  I used to actually hate this holiday - it always seemed more about the food and Christmas shopping than what it should be about....giving thanks for what we have.  Well, in the last few years, I've gotten engaged and found out I was having my kiddo on Thanksgiving week...so i think that's probably some higher power nudging me toward the true meaning of the holiday.  I'll take it!  I've also had a great time with this blog series....it's funny, we grumble everyday about silly things, but never take the time to really it back and say thanks for what we have.  And I really have so much to be thankful for.  In 27 days, it's never taken more more than 30 seconds to think of my "thankful for the day".  I actually feel like I forgot some important things....might be that I continue this one past November in my own private reflection :-)

Day 26 - I am thankful for snow!  Yep, I know.  Don't write me off, please.  As long as I'm not out on

treacherous roads, it is so beautiful.  We were supposed to get a "big storm" this week - we did get about a foot of snow, but the roads look clear ahead for the holiday, so it's all good.  Snow reminds me of when I was a kid and we had snowball fights, built snowmen, went sledding and just had fun!  It also sets the season up nicely post Thursday for my favoritedest holiday ever....but that's not till Friday :-)

Day 27 - With that said, I am also a fan of my winter and crappy weather amenities - my treadmill and trainer.  I had a speedwork session on tap for today (yep, we'll talk about my crazy race plans soon!), and rather than slog it out on our mile loop in the snow, the treadmill was my friend.  I realize that's a 180 from last year, but with a kiddo...I am so thankful to be able t hop on and off the 'mill and get a great workout in even if I can't make it outside!!

Almost Turkey time....I'm headed out to my aunt's house tomorrow for the big day....tonight I will be making roasted sweet taters and an apple cake.  What's on your menu for tomorrow?

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Day 25: Random Acts of Kindness

It may be wavering, but faith in (people)kind is still there.  Sometimes I wonder about the goodwill of people, but then they surprise me.  Today I am thankful for all of the random acts of kindness that I experience in my life.  Lately I've been lucky to be a part of a facebook community of Rochester Pass it On, where one can post "In search of" Items or Items "I have" to pass along.  In the past few weeks, I've been lucky enough to both give and receive a decent amount of baby items....passing

along formula checks and outgrown clothes, and receiving a shopping cart cover, snowsuit, and "learn to button/tie/snap etc" doll for Ro-Bear.  What's even better is that these members look out for each other, remembering community needs and tagging each other in posts or helping to transport items....if someone has something to give two of in Macedon but someone only needs one and works in the city, they pickup both and the second person that wants it can pick up in the city. 
I always like to believe the best of people...and this community reaffirms it.  Just a small example of the random kind acts...tis the season and it's so awesome to see it happening! 

Days 22-24......Whatta weekend!

Ahh, this weekend can be summer up with my thankfulness "statuses"...

Day 22:  I am thankful for tough workouts.  They tear me down and build me back up again.  Recently, Greg bought an X Box ( I dont know which kind...the cool new one I guess), and it has acces to a zillion cool workout videos, including the 10 minute solutions, Jillian Michaels and P90X series.  Well, if you didn't know, I am a total workout junkie, so instead of starting out with something lame, like Shred 1, I decided to test out Insanity, from the beach body workouts.  OMFG.  Aside from some weird yoga session for 5 minutes mid workout, it kicked my tail with plyos for 35 minutes.  Hurts so good.  I already feel my runs getting faster.  Love gasping for breath stupid hard workouts.  They make me appreciate my body and everything it can do!

Day 23:  I am thankful for unexpected pleasures.  We were expecting a visit today from Grandpa and GG....we were not expecting to get kicked out of the house for a few hours to have a Rae and Greg dinner.  Awesome.  While we love our Ro-Bear to pieces, sometimes Mommy Daddy time is super important.  Double bonus when we didn't see it coming - so appreciated!!


Day 24:  I am thankful for snow!  Even though it's not Christmas in my mind until Friday's kick off, we got some pretty Christmas snow today in Gananda.  What to do?  Take the kiddo out for his first experience with the stuff!  We made now angels, "walked" in the snow, tasted it, and just played for a little bit.  It is so awesome to experience the world through my little man's eyes...everything is so new and fresh. 

Basically a great weekend - and a wonderful holiday filled week ahead! 

Day 21: Life's Tough - Get Fit

Short N Sweet......
Day 21 -  3 days a week, I escape during my lunch break to blow off steam.  I am so lucky not only to have a gym a mere 5 minute walk from my work, but one of the coolest gyms ever.  It has everything I need - great classes, a weight room, high quality treadmills, a lap pool, and fun noon classes.  The people are great, I have some awesome triathlete and noon class friends, and the owners are just awesome.  It sounds "Cheers" ish, but everyone really does know your name.  And what you are training for.  And about your family.  C'mon, how awesome is that?  And when the owners not only care enough to keep up with your goals and kiddo, but send along a little baby jammy set to congratulate you...thats another family.  Affordable, close proximity, and a getting in a good sweat sesh (or pool sesh!) on my crazy schedule?  Winning.  And I am so grateful to have it right there!

Days 18-20 - A Look at my life

Yikes, 3 days backed up?  So sorry.  I guess I'm on the policy of gratitude in lumps....nevertheless, this is a really important week for me.  So I need to stop, take a minute, and thank my lucky stars for my life. Again.  Funny how the world seems to be a much better place when you take that 60 seconds to realize how good you really have it, isn't it?

Day 18 - I am thankful for the beautiful place I live.  I know people love to hate on New York, but it really has everything you need for scenery - the finger lakes, Niagara Falls, the city, the Adirondacks.  How could you ask for more?  I had to go to Binghamton for work today, and the Southern Tier was just gorgeous...sunshiney, some color on the trees, and some beautiful little lakes for scenery.  Just gorgeous.   How often do we really stop to appreciate our surroundings?  Not often enough!

Day 19 - I am thankful for unexpected miracles.  One year ago today, I found out I was having my perfect little man (well, baby...we didn't know it was a boy till d-day!).  After trying for a kiddo for about 10 months (which I know is NOTHING, but it seemed like it at the time!)  seeing those double stripes just made my world.  And now into being a mom for 4 months....I know without a doubt that miracles exist, because being a mom is the best thing I could have asked for.  I love my little man to bits, and am so lucky to have such a wonderful little family on Sunrise Dr :-)

Day 20 - I am thankful for new opportunities.  My program at work is currently working with a publicity firm, and as a result, Ive done tapings for WXXI and Channel 10 (Sunday morning at 7am!!), and an interview with the D and C (coming out next week).  Ill be interviewing with channel 13 next week (think they can get Rachel Glaser to do it?).  Its really cool and terrifying to be the face of our program, but I am so lucky to be able to have the opportunity to new and exciting things in my job.  C'mon, same ole same ole?  Boring.  Life is too exciting to not try new things!!

So tell me...whats on your gratitude list lately?  Spill!

Days 16-17- Weekend Love

In case you're stepping in (Looking at you, Uncle Alan!) mid way - Novembers blogs are dedicated to things I am thankful in my life :-)  On Days 16-17....


Day 16 - I am thankful for my friends in my life, old and new.  It sucks being a grown up - I miss seeing my friends as much as I did before my life got so crazy.  I'm lucky enough to have some really great friends - both the new ones and the ones that have been around since I was a teenager or a little kid.  I got to see one of my awesome friends yesterday...Jen, one of my bridesmaids, came by fir dinner and chats and to see the little guy.  Man, did I miss her!  So to the friends that I see once in a blue moon or every day...I love you guys.  I wouldn't be the same without you!  Whether its running races together, playing cards, gossiping, chatting on the phone, or catching up over ultimate vanilla cake and peanut butter mousse pie (bonus points to Jen...), I love you all!!


Day 17 - I am thankful for PJs on the weekends.  It's 6pm, and I'm still in my PJs.  Even though I was productive with chores today, it's been one of those days.  Everyone in my family feels a bit "off"....just a weird day.  So we called off the workouts (no long run here), made soup (recipe coming.....I played with Butternut squash!), and just kinda made it through the day (Yes, Tylenol was involved, and yes, I blame my insane amount of sugar consumed last night....which I wouldn't trade for the world :-P).  Hey, but even though it was a foggy day...I am so thankful to be able to have those.  Sometimes you just need jammies, a football game and homemade soup, ya know?

How was your weekend?  I'm not sure I feel ready to tackle the week ahead (I have trips to both Utica and Binghamton, AND an interview with channel 10, yikes!)  but I see a nice DD coffee (compliments of the birthday club!) in my future, so it's all good :-)