Christmas almost here...

Well, time has been flying by, and it's December already! Christmas is my favourite time of year, and Mark and I were very excited to decorate our new home for the first time. 

I have a feeling that I'm going to take after my Mom when it comes to Christmas. She loved the holidays and had so many decorations that my sister and I always said that it looked like Santa threw up in their house. Dad was busy putting out all those decorations in Calgary last week. He actually counted the number of decorations (not counting the tree and ornaments) he put out... there are 108! Seriously - she was obsessed! Mom will be right there with us when we celebrate Christmas this year.

Check out some of our holiday decor - we didn't take pictures of everything:

Family room - cozy corner by the fireplace

Living room - our beautiful tree!

Very Thankful...

Day 30 - October 11, 2011

Note: Oops... I wrote this a few days ago and thought I had posted it, but I guess I forgot to click on publish post.

1. I am thankful for love.

2. I am thankful for laughter.

3. I am thankful for loyalty.

4. I am thankful for my desire to self improve.

5. More than anything, I am thankful for family.

Challenging myself to be thankful for 30 days has not been easy, but it has been important. There have been a lot of things going on in my life and the lives of my loved ones this month. While it would be easy for me to feel sad, stressed and overwhelmed by life, this blog was a good way for me to keep perspective. I have many things in my life that I am thankful for. It is now crystal clear to me that the people who I love are what I am most thankful for. I know this will never change. 

Thanks for putting up with this little experiment. I'll continue to be thankful every day, but won't be blogging about it in list form anymore.

Love to you all!

Giving Thanks

Day 29 - October 10, 2011

On this Thanksgiving day, I am thankful again for some of the most important people in my life:

1. My husband.

2. My parents - both here on earth and in my heart forever

3. My sister.

4. My nieces and nephews (related and not): Lois, Matthew, Rebecca, Emily, Oliver, Simon, Eleanor

5. My inlaws: Bertie and Barbara, David and Phyllis, Heather and Phillip

Day 28 - October 9, 2011

1. I am thankful for the time we got to spend with family today.

2. I am thankful that I got to play with and cuddle little Alec today (7 months old and adorable).

3. I am thankful for yummy appetizers that our company seemed to enjoy.

4. I am thankful that Mark and I got to go on a walk. 6:30 pm and it was still over 20 degrees!

5. I am thankful for my inner strength (and am working to improve on it every day).

Day 27 - October 8, 2011

1. I am thankful that on this day three years ago, I plucked up enough courage to go out a meet a cute guy from Northern Ireland I had come across on Lavalife. That guy is now my wonderful husband!

2. I am thankful that Mark understands how silly anniversaries are important to me.

3. I am thankful for a three year met-iversary date with my husband. Yummy dinner at Sotto Sotto and tickets to Cirque's Totem. Amazing!

4. I am thankful that Mark likes gardening, because it's not really my thing.

5. I am thankful that Dad and Tara had a nice day today.

Day 26 - October 7, 2011

1. I am thankful that it is Friday and a long weekend is about to begin.

2. I am thankful that Mark got home from work at a decent time.

3. I am thankful for a wee lie in this morning after a very long day yesterday.

4. I am thankful when I get to run errands with Mark - it's so much more fun that doing them on my own.

5. I am thankful for a husband who lets me close my eyes and cover my ears during the stressful parts in TV shows/movies and tells me when it's 'safe' to look again.

Pre Thanksgiving Thanks

Day 25 - October 6, 2011 

1. I am thankful that I live in a country that allows it's citizens the right to vote. Working the Ontario provincial election today.

2. I am thankful that I downloaded Ellen Degeneres' new book on my e-reader. It was a slow day at the polls and I read it cover to cover.

3. I am thankful that the guy I had to work with/sit next to for 14 hours today was nice!

4. I am very thankful that I got to come home to my fabulous husband after a very long day working.

5. I am thankful for bbm. It is nice to keep in touch with people so easily.

Day 24 - October 5, 2011

1. I am thankful that I have learned to realize what makes me grumpy.

2. I am thankful for the one thing that is cheaper in Ontario then Alberta - groceries.

3. I am thankful for 0% fat greek yogurt - so yummy.

4. I am thankful for green grapes. Can you tell I got groceries today?

5. I am thankful that I found some of Mom's recipes when I was in Calgary. I'm looking forward to trying some of them out soon.

Day 23 - October 4, 2011

1. I am thankful for an afternoon of shopping. I had some success and got a few new things for fall/winter.

2. Sometimes, I am thankful for having dinner alone. Nothing wrong with a Lean Cuisine every once in a while.

3. I am thankful for sunblock, though I don't know if Mark knows what it is. Seriously. He got sunburn at a golf tournament today - in October!

4. I am thankful that we still (even though it's Fall) have beautiful green grass and amazing roses.

5. I am thankful for photographs. 

Day 22 - October 3, 2011

1. I am thankful that the convenience store at the end of the block has finally re-opened. It will be especially nice in the middle of winter.

2. I am thankful for the upcoming long weekend - lots of time to spend with my husband!

3. I am thankful for disposable toilet scrubbers. I hate cleaning toilets, but those things make it easier.

4. I am thankful for my husband making dinner again tonight! Boy, am I spoiled.

5. I am thankful for the conversation I had with Tara tonight. Sisters are a great thing!

So Thankful...

Day 21 - October 2, 2011 

1. I am thankful that I got to meet some of the people who Mark works with every day. I always like the opportunity to put faces with names.

2. I am thankful that Mark and I are going to Northern Ireland in less than three weeks to visit the Annetts.

3. I am thankful for leftovers - an entire weekend without cooking!

4. I am thankful for Tim Horton's french vanilla cappuccino.

5. I am thankful for our home that keeps us dry and warm when it's cold outside (and cool when it's hot outside).

Day 20 - October 1, 2011

1. I am thankful that I have survived the last year. One year ago was my Mom's funeral - a day that changed my life forever.

2. I am thankful for all of the friends and family members who sponsored Mark and I in the Kidney Foundation Gift of Life Walk!

3. I am thankful that the sun came out for the Kidney walk. It was a cold start this morning, but in the end it was a beautiful day!

4. I am thankful for bubble baths. 

5. I am thankful for the delicious salmon soup that Mark made for dinner. Yummy!

Day 19 - September 30, 2011

1. I am thankful for having a day at home to catch up on the million things that I've been putting off.

2. I am thankful for the beautiful autumn colours here in Ontario.

3. I am thankful for email. Honestly, one of the best things ever invented.

4. I am thankful for a date night with my husband. Dinner and a movie - so lovely.

5. I am thankful that I finally figured out how to work the iron on transfer paper that I bought. We now have t-shirts for tomorrow's kidney walk.

Another Day of Catch Up

Day 18 - September 29, 2011

1. I am thankful that I only had to stuff envelopes for four hours today.

2. I am thankful that we have the right to vote - and I exercised it in an advanced poll today. My first Ontario provincial election.

3. I am thankful for the first full evening I've had alone with my husband in almost two weeks!

4. I am thankful for Grey's Anatomy. 

5. I am thankful for the person I worked with today. It was so nice to meet a fellow Calgarian and talk about home for a few hours!

Day 17 - September 28, 2011

1. I am thankful for the time Mark and I spent with our friends, the Dymonds, last night and today.

2. I am thankful for the yummy fruit tray in our fridge.

3. I am thankful that I got to go to my fitness class again tonight. 

4. I am thankful for my very flexible (sometimes non-existent) job.

5. I am thankful for Modern Family. One word - hilarious!

Day 16 - September 27, 2011

1. I am thankful that my husband cleaned the bathrooms while I was in Calgary.

2. I am thankful that my husband cleaned the baseboards while I was in Calgary.

3. I am thankful that my husband vacuumed while I was in Calgary.

4. I am thankful that my husband went grocery shopping while I was in Calgary.

5. I am thankful that my husband did the yard work while I was in Calgary.

Day 15 - September 26, 2011

 

1. I am thankful that my flight back to Toronto was only delayed by about 45 minutes.

2. I am thankful that my husband was waiting for me at the airport. 

3. I am thankful for the 407 - a wonderful toll road that allows us to get around the GTA without having to deal with crazy traffic.

4. I am thankful for being back in my own bed.

5. I am thankful for the hilarious BBC show 'Come Fly With Me' - something fun to watch on my flight.

Day 14 - September 25, 2011

Today marks the one year anniversary of my Mom's passing. Today I will be thankful for one thing - being Suzanne Pallay's daughter. She was the most amazing Mom and I miss her every single day.

Day 13 - September 24, 2011

1. I am so thankful for the time I got to spend today with the Vander Werfs. They all bring a smile to my face and remind me that friends can be family.

2. I am thankful for the yummy lunch that Tara bought for me.

3. I am thankful that my Dad has the Vander Werf kids in his life. He is always at his happiest when spending time with Oliver and Simon.

4. I am thankful for the nice long phone call I had with Mark today.

5. I am thankful for still being able to wear flip flops in September. My feet are claustrophobic and like the freedom!

Thankful in Calgary

Okay, this post is a big catch up! I've been in Calgary since Saturday, and haven't had time to blog. So - here's a week's worth of thankfulness...

Day 12 - September 23, 2011

1. I am thankful for the time Dad, Tara and I spent with our dear friend Loraine today. It was so nice to see her again!

2. I am thankful for the awesome boots I bought today. 25% off plus only 5% tax (instead of 13% in Ontario).

3. I am thankful for the beautiful summer weather we had today, despite the calendar showing the start of autumn.

4. I am thankful that the dinner I cooked for Dad and Tara tasted okay!

5. I am thankful for the beautiful blue Alberta sky - it just doesn't look the same in Ontario.

Day 11 - September 22, 2011

1. I am thankful for my amazing friend Shareen and her three beautiful kids. I had so much fun hanging out with them. I love being a "yellow haired" auntie.

2. I am thankful for the yummy Vietnamese food we had for dinner. It was nice to not cook :)

3. I am thankful for getting to shop with my best shopping sidekick - Tara.

4. I am thankful that Air Canada didn't strike and my hubby was able to get home from Brussels okay. Can't wait to taste the chocolates he got for me!

5. I am thankful for a quiet night with Dad, spent watching X Factor and wondering why people with no talent feel the need to embarrass themselves in front of millions of people.

Day 10 - September 21, 2011

1. I am thankful for my super fantastic hair dresser and friend, Donna. Seriously, she's so good that I travel across the country for a cut and highlight!

2. I am thankful for the time I spent with my university friends tonight. Five strong ladies helping each other through some pretty crappy stuff.

3. I am thankful that my Dad still lives in the house I grew up in. It's so nice to visit and walk down memory lane.

4. I am thankful for rent a wreck. While my rental car wasn't the prettiest, it got me where I needed to go, on the cheap.

5. I am thankful when a restaurant has healthy but delicious things on their menu.

Day 9 - September 20, 2011

1. I am very thankful to be in Calgary with my Dad today. Today would have been Mom and Dad's 37th Anniversary.

2. I am thankful that Mom's headstone (and sod) has finally been placed at the cemetery.

3. I am thankful for Peter's Drive In. Yummy lunch.

4. I am thankful for contact lenses. I went to the eye doctor today. Man, am I blind!

5. I am thankful that my Dad is a fast shopper. He needed new winter clothes. 30 minutes at the Bay and we were done.

Day 8 - September 19, 2011

1. I am thankful that I had no cavities at my dental appointment today.

2. I am thankful that Dad drove me to the dentist, so I wouldn't have to parallel park. I so can't parallel park!

3. I am thankful for the time I spent with my friend Kim today. I'm so excited that she's going to be a Mommy soon!

4. I am thankful for cheesecake. Now, if only it was calorie-free.

5. I am thankful for thinking to pack lots of layers. It's cold here in the morning!

Day 7 - September 18, 2011

1. I am thankful for McInnis and Holloway funeral homes. Today I attended the opening of the plaque and tree area in Fish Creek park where my Mom will be forever memorialized. Beautiful.

2. I am thankful for mashed potatoes. They are definitely a good comfort food.

3. I am thankful that Mark made it to Europe safe and sound.

4. I am thankful for my husband's obsession with aeroplan points. Can you say cheap flights to Calgary?

5. I am thankful for traveling to a destination with only a two hour time change.

Day 6 - September 17, 2011

1. Today I am thankful that I am going to Calgary for 9 days!

2. I am thankful for seat back television/movies on airplanes.

3. I am thankful for my noise cancelling headphones. Heaven!

4. I am thankful for flights that leave and arrive on time.

5. I am thankful for getting to see my Dad and sister again :)