Hi.
Why waste time?
It’s Thursday, so let’s get our grateful on!
(Oh, you’re new? You have no idea what I’m talking about? I know, it’s tough to figure out. On Thursdays, we celebrate Thankful Things Thursday. It’s a special time when we all share the things we appreciate, whether large — being healthy and having families and stuff — or small, such as the recent consumption of a delicious cupcake. Now you’re caught up. Go time.)

I’m thankful Tyler is healthy, even though he’s so teeny tiny! I had a hunch Ryan and Michaela would become parents before her due date because they are very prompt people. Early is on time, and on time is late. (Rules to live by, people.) When Ryan told me Tyler was only 4 pounds, 15 ounces, I was worried about all his tiny little body parts. But he’s all good! And he’s cute as heck.




Brian and I are going up to Boston on Saturday to meet the little human and I am so excited. I’ve been forcing my mom and brother to text me pictures constantly. That was all going great until this morning, when I dropped my phone face-down on the sidewalk and the entire screen shattered. I’m really really psyched about having to put money I don’t exactly have toward a new, unnecessary phone. Psyched, I say!
Sorry. I got angry. Here’s another cute Tyler photo to calm us all down:




That’s better.
I’m thankful for puppies!!! My friend Lauren got a Vizsla and her name is Parker. I got to play with her on Tuesday and she was really really excited at first, but then she got all tuckered out and fell asleep on my lap.




Actually, she didn’t fall asleep on my lap.
She fell asleep somewhere else, and then I demanded that she be carefully placed on my lap. Now we are best friends.




OK, one more puppy photo. The theme of today is “adorable things that are alive.”




I’m thankful for my sweet new shoes. They are adorable, though they are not alive. I got some cool new kicks at yesterday’s #fitblognyc event and I’m psyched about them. More on the event another time. I have a lot to say about it since it was the first time I attended a blog-themed conference. But for now, let’s stick to the great stuff: the shoes.




They’re Reeboks, they’re squishy, and they’re all cloud-like to walk around in. I do not, however, recommend them for spinning. The soles are way too soft and by the end of the class I took last night, my feet were killing me. But they’re fun, right?
I’m thankful I can run again. And I’m trying to be smart about it! For real. This morning, Brian was like, “Are you going to the gym?” and I was like, “Yeah,” and then he was like, “Cool,” and I was like, “Yeah. I’m trying not to run too much,” and then he was like, “That’s smart.”
He called me smart.




That almost never happens.
I ran on Tuesday, which we’ve already discussed, and I ran again yesterday — five miles with Kelly, hovering around a 9-minute pace (which is probably quicker than I would have done on my own, so thanks Kelly!).
My new shoes are making a huge difference, I can already tell. I’m still doing all the things I was doing before I could run again: foam rolling, icing my shins after workouts and before bed, and attempting to stretch more (I still suck at this). I don’t want to fall into a pattern of injury-recover-injury-recover. That would suck. So yes, like Brian said and you should all repeat to me daily, I’m being wicked smart.
I’m thankful for giant chocolate chip cookies.




Thank you, coworkers! I ate most of it and was pissed I had to share.
I’m thankful for spinning. During those two weeks when I couldn’t run, spinning is what kept me sane and sweaty. I’ve always loved it as a supplement to my running — yay cross training! get on board! — but when I was without running, spinning filled that void better than any other workout. You get the loud music, the dark room, the sweat flying off your body and onto the guy next to you (no? that’s just me?) and the motivation of being in a pack of fellow riders. It’s fun. Last night I took my favorite Crunch class — and dragged first-timer Kristan with me! — and then I managed to wake up this morning for another class. Crunch may not be able to compare to Central Park, but it comes kind of close when I need it to.
I’m thankful I’ll actually get to see my mom on Mother’s Day. The holiday always falls right in between my birthday and hers, yet for some reason we’re never actually together on this oh-so-special day. This year, since Bump became Tyler, I’ll be making the trip up north and I’ll get to celebrate with two moms: mine and now Michaela! I’m a little pissed because I bought Michaela this really adorable card I found that says, “Happy Mother’s Day, Mom-to-Be,” and it’s all pastel-colored and wonderful…but now I’ll have to get creative with it. Dang it.
Anyway, looking forward to a day with the moms!




I’m thankful that in the midst of an exceptionally busy and stressful — argh, excitingly busy — spring, I know I have so many people to talk to, lean on and, if needed, ask for help. My world feels a little out of control right now and some days I feel like I’m helplessly sinking. It helps to know I have good friends and a wonderful family on my side.
To wrap this up: one final puppy photo. I know, I was really deep and insightful today.




Happy Thursday!
DO YOUR PART: What are you thankful for today? Boy bands? (Yes.) The ability to run? That PR you successfully snagged this weekend? Your mom? Your own puppy? The puppy you’re planning to give to me? (Yes.) Tell me now.
46 Responses
Sometimes I complain about where I live. It’s small. It was never meant for 2 adults, a dog and five cats. But it’s what we’ve got. And it’s ours. I’ve got a place in the world, and inside are all my favorite things. Every single one of them. How could I not be thankful for that.
THANK YOU for taking me to spin and forcing me to get over my fear of both bikes and group workout classes. The highlight of my life was getting a shout out from Matt. Can’t wait to do it again!
I’m dying from the photos of Tyler and that puppy. Too much cuteness for a Friday morning.
awww little Tyler is such a teeny little peanut! He is so adorable. As is the puppy. AND, as is your hair in that braid. I meant to tell you that during our run, but I blame the early hour for forgetting.
Have a great weekend with that little guy!
Depending on how old your phone is they might just replace it for free. Make an appointment at the genius bar at apple and see what they’ll do for you. I shattered my screen during the first year and they gave me a new one.
your nephew is so cute! Don’t worry he will grow up way too fast
Puppies AND babies?! You win this week, Ali. You win.
I’m thankful for my job. This was one of those weeks where I am so, so happy I became a teacher. It’s a good, happy feeling.
I am thankful I finally got to meet you in person yesterday!!! Wheee! I am also thankful that tomorrow is Friday
I love puppies! what big paws he has! It was great seeing you yesterday!
You must have known I needed pictures of babies, cupcakes, and Vizsla puppies today!
I’m wicked grateful for the pizza I’m about to demolish with a group of good friends, and I’m also pretty grateful for the funny little dog that’s currently curled up & snoozing next to me. Life’s pretty good.
I am also thankful for spinning, which I re-realize every time I go, even though it’s not running. I am also thankful for the song “Bye, Bye, Bye” which really randomly came on the radio yesterday when I happened to be listening. And, I’m thankful that despite some scary events taking place, I am still in good health after my marathon on Sunday.
I’d be a lot more thankful if I could dognap that adorable little Parker and play/cuddle all day!!! But more realistically, I’m thankful I got to marry my best friend and running partner last weekend (yes, a Cinco de Mayo wedding was an amazing idea), and that we’re leaving for our honeymoon next week! Sooo excited for a vacation!!!!
Congrats on becoming an Aunt!
I love viszla’s! They’re awesome! I dropped my iPhone a couple weeks ago & shattered the screen! I was sick when I had to fork over money for a new phone.
Can’t wait to hear about #fitblogNYC and I love the shoes! Cute pink soles! I to am thankful for puppies, and my pets. My silly cats and my horse. I’m also thankful for my mom. Not just because its Mother’s day soon, but because she is awesome!
That cookie looks amazing. I’m very jealous. Today I’m thankful for peanut butter and banana bagels. They’ve made my breakfast better for the past weekish. Also, my nephew calls my dad Pop Pop, perhaps a slightly better version of Big Papi??
I am also thankful for spinning! And frosted sugar cookies. And great costume designers!
I’m thankful I had foot surgery today! A stupid cold threatened to make me have to postpone BUT in a minor miracle it was completely gone this morning! I am having to give up running for six months to get bunions (no cute nickname for those bad boys….) fixed. I have had them forever and they hurt and I can’t wear cute shoes and they throw off my stride. Last year I was in an injury-recovery cycle with hip bursitis and ITBS. Got fed up and decided that making my feet fixed might help. I’ll be reading your blog while I am in bed rest for two weeks trying to be “wicked smart” about my recovery. So, while it’s not a hobby I would recommend for everyone, I am thankful I finally got the guts to take on this challenge! I am also thankful of my triathlete swim skills since I can get in the pool in a few weeks with a cast cover on. Lastly, I am thankful for motion sickness patches and Zofram. I am feeling way better than I expected after surgery!
I am so, so, SO thankful that chocolate milk has been deemed an appropriate (not to mention beneficial!) recovery beverage!!
now I want a chocolate chip cookie….
i am thankful for my trainer. without him i am sure it would have taken much longer to lose the 30 lbs i am currently at ( as of today eek!)
I am thankful for the first time in forever i LIKE the way i look in my bathing suit. yippee
I am thankful that I have tomorrow off and I get to cheer on my boyfriend in his first ever 5k this weekend!
I’m thankful there’s a retake exam scheduled in June for the horribly horrible (yes, it was that bad) exam I wrote today!
I’m thankful no one talked to me at the gym this morning because I totally forgot to brush my teeth
I am thankful for the sunshine this week in Seattle – FINALLY!! I am even more thankful for yummy pho soup!!! Happy Thursday!
Babies and puppies! This is the ultimate cute post!
I am thankful for being able to run even a little bit while coming back from my injury. I missed it!
If you have an iPhone you can just get your screen replaced instead of having to buy a while new phone. This is probably true for other phones too but I’m not sure.
I’m super thankful my work has a tiny gym in the basement…couldn’t make it to the CrossFit box this morning, so I did a modified version of today’s WOD by myself!
I’m also thankful I get to see my daddy today…I’m gonna watch him teach art to high school kids. He’s super clever and very funny, and this year’s class throws his jokes right back at him.
Also…YOU ARE WICKED SMART. Keep up the chill approach and enjoy the “excitingly busy.”
I love puppies! Glad you are able to run again:) I am thankful for my family, sweet pups, and the sun shining outside. It doesn’t happen very often here in Seattle:)
Omg that puppy is so cute. I love Vislas! If you like puppies you should chekc out my blog. I am constantly posting pics of my awesome GoldenDoodle puppy, Sawyer. He rocks! I’m glad you are back running, and yay for training smart!
I’m thankful Parker made your post! My puppy is FAMOUS! Also, come play with her again. Hey Katie…if you’re reading, you come back too and bring more cupcakes.
I’m thankful that I have rellies visiting and we’re going to Sonoma today to ‘taste’ some wine!!!
Viszla’s are such cool dogs.
Anyway, thankful that I am running a race in CP this weekend, and it doesn’t conflict with 4000 family obligations.
I am thankful that I have friends that I can lean on and I’m thankful for Trader Joe’s almond cocoa butter.
Tyler and Parker are tooooo cute! They both made me smile. 🙂 I am thankful for sunny, summer days.
Yes! Let the nephew pics begin! My brother’s father-in-law wants Baby Elliot to call him by his first name, Mark… not grandpa, not papa, not pa, nothing. How totally BIZARRE is that? F-I-L then turned to my dad and asked what my dad wanted the babe to call him and my dad was like “uh… Elliot can call me Grandpa Heisler.” Ha.
And I am thankful that I have free doughnut coupon from Dukin Donuts. Imma go get a Boston Cream doughnut here in a little bit. I am a picture of health, I know.
I’m thankful that I got to learn the fine art of Afro Boxing with you yesterday 🙂 Its a skill I will surely be using as my next party trick.
Have a great trip this weekend Lady!
I am coming all the way to NY to steal that puppy! Shh…don’t tell your friend 🙂
Congratulations! Your nephew is ADORABLE.
Congrats on the new addition to your family!
I’m thankful that I get to see my cousin’s daughter this weekend for her 2nd birthday! Ahhh! She’s no longer a little tiny thing. I’m also thankful that tomorrow is Friday and that the rainy weather we’ve been having all week in Boston is FINALLY going away! Woo! Also thankful that I’m going to see my Chiro next week. My hips are barking!
In high school whenever someone was late to choir, the director would say “to be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, to be late is to sin, never sin!” and then make the whole choir repeat it. people used to hate it. I loved it, because in true type A(my) fashion, I was early…..
anywaysssss…. I’m thankful for all of the leftover pasta at the office yesterday that I got to take home for dinner last night. I’m thankful that the HR manager made a special trip to magnolia to help us all chill out. I’m thankful for google reader.
I am thankful for the sunny day that will finally allow me to get a hill workout it…yes you read that right, I am thankful for a hill workout! WHAT!? 😉
Oh my gosh that puppy is to die for! I love how it just finds your lap so comfortable. I am thankful for my family as well!
I am thankful for that puppy (and my puppies), my 26 minute PRing just Sub-4 marathon this weekend at the NJ Marathon(!), and for a training plan that produced a good race and a fast recovery. I’m definitely sticking to the same plan next time! I love the thankful posts BTW.
I’m thankful I’m back in NYC. Traveling for work is only cool when you go to places like London. Atlanta? Specifically, ONLY the inside of an Atlanta hotel? BOO. NO. So I’m thankful I’m back!
I am thankful for my fast, effortless 8 miler yesterday. Those shoes are pretty!
I’m thankful for meeting so many great people yesterday! and for the ridiculous swag from the event. I love your thankful post – it’s amazing how many things we have to be thankful for when we just take a minute to write it down. I have an ongoing gratitude list in my iPhone and I add to it everyday.