Take Time Tuesday - Winter Edition

I've been slammed with work the past month and a half. Absolutely slammed. (Obviously this is a big reason that I've been quiet on the blog front for so long, too.) This is the first week since December that I've had the opportunity to take a proverbial deep breath in the office. Woooooo!!!

With that, there is no better way to get back onto the blogging wagon than to link up with Katie's Take Time Tuesday.

What am I feeling grateful for right now? Let me count thy ways.

The Chicago winter has been brutal this year. Again. I won't kid you that it's been tough. All of my friends who reside in warmer climates think I'm crazy for living here. However, despite all of Chicago's challenges and it's famously harsh temperatures, I am grateful to live in such an amazing city. I am very proud to call it my home.

Even in the dead of the winter, the city still shines with an ethereal glow
Source

I've been focused more than ever these days on trying to enjoy all the great things that the city has to offer. Yes, even in the wintertime. =)

Recent haunts? Food-coma-inducing adventures during Chicago Restaurant Week and beyond. Ice skating amidst the glittering backdrop of the city skyline. Taking advantage of free admission to several of the museums. Exploring the neighborhoods with a more observant eye on the locals living life and going about their days. Creating an ever-lengthening list of local businesses that I want to check out. Using the extensive Chicago Public Library system. Finding volunteer opportunities for local causes.

There are so many things to see and do. And just wait until the weather gets warmer!

On that note, I am extremely grateful that the month of March is nearly upon us. This means that the worst of the winter should be behind us now. The days are already starting to get noticeably longer and I'm embracing the return of the sun and some blue skies.

I am getting pumped for the many upcoming events that denote the start of spring. Not that I have Irishness on the brain, but the first examples that come to mind are St. Patrick's Day and my first-ever Shamrock Shuffle. ("Top of the marnin' to ya!")

Also, I'll be running the Rock N Roll Washington DC Half Marathon in less than three weeks! I am really excited for the whole weekend and getting to catch up with friends and family out there. My winter training has been going better than expected, too, so I am feeling well-prepared for the race. I can't wait to see scenery like this:

Hey, Mr. Prez! How's it going?

Back on the local front, I continue to be grateful for the wonderful company that I work for. Special mention to the company fitness center - all of its resources and programs are absolutely top notch. Our fitness staff is actually hosting a free indoor triathlon for all employees next month! (We don't have a swimming pool, so we'll be subbing the swimming with the rowing machines. Very clever, eh?) It has been a vague consideration of mine to someday do a triathlon. Therefore, I am grateful for the opportunity to do a simulated attempt right in my own office building.

Do contestants get disqualified for using two hands while ironing, perhaps?

Despite being so busy at work, I am grateful for still being able to get enough sleep almost every night. It seems that more people are chronically sleep-deprived than not. Personally, I can barely function while sleep deprived. I have a tough time imagining how people can operate sleep-deprived for extended periods. I am thankful that my schedule is balanced enough that I don't have to skimp on getting enough rest.

Finally, I am borrowing this from Katie's post, but I am thankful for Girl Scout Cookies! I ordered some Thin Mints and they arrived this week. It's both a good and a bad thing that these cookies aren't available on a year-round basis, LOL.

Speaking of Girl Scout Cookies, I simply cannot close out today's posting without mentioning this INSANELY adorable Blackhawks video:

(On a tangent to the Iron Man competition picture above, my favorite part of this Hawks video is the ironing scene. ;-) )

Would love to hear what you are grateful for these days! Happy Tuesday to all!!!