Grateful.

Y'all.  Less than a month until my birthday.  Let's just start with that. 

So, I said I would actually blog something of substance soon....I guess it's that time.

This week is Thanksgiving.  Can you believe that?  We are already there....shocking how quickly this year has gone by.

I have so much to be grateful for.  I really do.  My life is not at all where I thought it would be...I've had so many ideas of where I would be around this age...I am not really anywhere near any of them.  But things are still ok.  And because I feel so lucky that even if life isn't what I expected, it's still pretty fabulous...I would like to give thanks.  Here.  On my blog.  For the things I am so very grateful for:

I have amazing friends and family.  You all mean the world to me.  Like...you are seriously good people.  Seriously, seriously good.

I have the sweetest little dog on the face of the earth - and another little doggie up in Doggie Heaven watching over me.  (boy, do I miss him.)  I have the privilege of taking this sweet little pup to work with me basically anytime I want.  And she is so freaking well-behaved, I don't know how I got so fortunate.

I live in an adorable little studio in the best neighborhood in New York City.  I'm minutes from my absolute favorite spin classes.  There are about a bajillion amazing restaurants within walking distance.  The parks, the parks, the parks.  And...the streets themselves...are just adorable. 

I'm so darn grateful for SoulCycle - I wish I could afford to do it every single day.  It makes me happy.  And really, what exercise ACTUALLY does that?  Like legit you want to do it all the time?  I'm sorry, but nothing.  Nothing else is like that.

Ok, maybe dance sometimes. 

But truly, for me, nothing else kicks my butt and makes me smile at the same time like SoulCycle does.

I am grateful for my body.  I'm grateful that it lets me run and cycle and dance and stretch and sing and skip and laugh and oh-so-much-more every single day.  I'm grateful it lets me train for the half marathon I will run in February.  I'm grateful for its ability to adapt. 

I'm grateful for heytell.  Cause it's freaking hilarious.  Please, friends, connect with me on heytell.  It makes my day to be able to send stupid messages to people so quickly.

I'm grateful for vacations.  For the ones I've gone on this year and the ones coming up.

I'm grateful for the chocolate chip scones at the Lincoln Square Farmers Market.  And suncrisp apples.

I'm grateful my coworkers like my baking.

I'm grateful for Brandy, who does my hair, for literally letting me walk in EVERY time and say "I don't know what I want to do, I just want to change it" and she does her magic and I always love it.

I'm grateful for the Steelers for giving me something to cheer about and believe in.  Though you made me a little sad last night.  But regardless, nobody else gets me to yell at my TV like you do, my little bumblebees.

I'm grateful for Spotify.  For letting me listen to all the Christmas music I want.  I'm grateful to the Feinberg (and Feinberg-Rowe) children for introducing me to Spotify. 

I'm grateful for L.A. Burdick having a location in New York City.  Holy crap. 

I'm grateful for Christmas decorations - and for my ability to convince myself that it's all actually there to celebrate my birth instead of Jesus.

I'm grateful for people at work who make me laugh.  I'm grateful for an assistant who knows what he's doing.

I'm grateful for manicures and pedicures.  They make me feel instantly prettier.

I'm grateful for New Yorkers and their amazing bravery and resilience in the face of disaster.  And for caring for others when times get rough.  It amazes me how strangers can quickly become friends in the face of a crisis.

I'm grateful for snow.  And sunshine.  And crisp autumn air. 

That is just a sampling of what I am grateful for this year.  There is so much more that I'm sure I could add to this list, but you probably want to stop reading now, right?

Oh, did I mention that I'm grateful for you reading my blog?  And humoring me and my crazy thoughts?  Yeah, I'm totes grateful for that.

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all.

Day 328: On my mantle.

Day 328: On my mantle., a photo by lalasappy on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Had 2 vases I didn't know what to do with. Put one inside the other and made it art on my mantle. :)

Day 322: This is the only counter space I have in my apartment. Thankgoodness it's enough to hold my dish rack.

Day 322: This is the only counter space I have in my apartment. Thank goodness it's enough to hold my dish rack., a photo by lalasappy on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
I underestimated how much counter space I use. Turns out, this isn't enough. Oh well, I now chop things at the kitchen table.

Day 307: Adding the finishing touches to the new bed!

Day 306: Adding the finishing touches to the new bed!, a photo by lalasappy on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
My pillows that I found on Etsy. :) I think they're super awesome.

Day 305: My unfinished corner?? Finished!

Day 304: My unfinished corner?? Finished!, a photo by lalasappy on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Seriously, the apartment is almost complete! I'm so close to having this place completely livable. It's taken me over a week, but I am proud of it!

Day 304: Scout approves of our new comforter. Yay Pottery Barn!

Day 303: Scout approves of our new comforter. Yay Pottery Barn!, a photo by lalasappy on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
My apartment is finally starting to look like it's lived in! And not just a storage closet. :)

PS:  I can't believe I referred to it as our comforter….like this also belongs to my dogs?  They wish…

Ok, I wish….I wish it wasn't true.  But it is.  It belongs to all of us.

Day 302: The unfinished corner of my apartment...

Day 302: The unfinished corner of my apartment..., a photo by lalasappy on Flickr.

Day 242: Laundry, laundry everywhere....

Day 242: Laundry, laundry everywhere...., a photo by lalasappy on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
I should do laundry more often.

Day 238: Diet Pepsi, Haagen-Daz, and Instant Streaming Netflix on Wii

Day 238: Diet Pepsi, Haagen-Daz, and Instant Streaming Netflix on Wii, a photo by lalasappy on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
An indulgent but nice evening at home.

Day 218: The GW Bridge was peeking out at me...so bright tonight!

Day 218: The GW Bridge was peeking out at me...so bright tonight!, a photo by lalasappy on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
They lit that sucker up good and bright!

Day 165: Family Fun watching the Steeler Game

Day 165: Family Fun watching the Steeler Game, a photo by lalasappy on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
At a fundraiser for ...ok, I don't remember what it was for...a Children's Hospital or something... It was a great way to watch the game though! We bid on Chinese Auction items and I won a Cake Pop themed basket! HOW APPROPRIATE IS THAT?! Seriously! It was perfection. Everyone made fun of me because when they called my number, I jumped up and down and screamed in excitement. The lady at the table next to us apparently said "Does she know what she won?" cause apparently she didn't feel it was nearly as exciting as I did. Whatevs, lady. You have no idea the joy this brings me.

Day 164: Tucked into my childhood bed

Day 164: Tucked into my childhood bed, a photo by lalasappy on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
It's quite comfy. The sheets are totally the same sheets I had in High School. Don't worry - they've been washed.

Day 163: Sitting by the fire!

Day 162: Sitting by the fire! #warmth, a photo by lalasappy on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
One of my favorite things about Mom's house is sitting by the fireplace. It goes through from the family room to the living room. Which I think is so super cool. Either side is cozy!

Back in my homeland. The land of Heinz. Hello Pittsburgh. :)

Back in my homeland. The land of Heinz. Hello Pittsburgh. :), a photo by lalasappy on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
This isn't a photo of the day, but I can't resist sharing. :)