Day 244

I am grateful for chats on the phone to James, for texts, photos sent to each other and for keeping in contact so often. It all helps with the "missing him terribly".

Day 243

I am grateful to see Tatyana today and spend such a lovely day with her. As well as spend time with Jack and Bec in the city.

Day 242

I am grateful for the lovely surprise parcel I received from my gorgeous friend Jan. She knows me very well. Such a thoughtful gift from such a thoughtful friend.

Day 241

I am grateful for the lovely email I received from Peg this morning. It was the first thing I saw and read when I woke up. It was all about the importance of women and their friendships with each other. Girlfriends hanging out together, bonding and laughing and how important it is including for our health. Then to top it off I got to spend the day with Trees, Helen and Sandi. And it was wonderful!

Day 240

I am grateful for movie nights with my son Jack. Tonight we watched Monsters Inc and then Red Riding Hood with the girl from Mamma Mia in it. It was just what I needed and I love that he knew that.

Day 239

I am grateful for surprise gifts of flowers from my hubby. For beautiful roses!

Day 238

I am grateful for 'me' days. Lots of peace and quiet today - sewing, washing and washing my hair. I did get to listen to my music there for awhile as well. My choice of what I wanted to do today for a change.

Day 237

I am grateful for our firefighters.

Day 236

I am grateful for my Mum - my best friend. I love you so much. You are such a beautiful person, inside and out. You mean the world to me.

Day 235

I am grateful for the wonderful people who spend their lives helping others. These gorgeous necklaces are made from coconut shells and are made in Cebu. Money raised in selling them is going back to Cebu Mission.

Day 234

I am grateful for my Dad. He has always been there for me. A wonderful role model and someone I have always looked up to and aspired to be like. He is without a doubt the best Dad in the world and he still makes me laugh.

Dad wearing his goofy glasses!

I love you so much Dad xx

Day 233

I am grateful Mum and Frank stopped on their way back to Moree to see us today. We had lunch at the Pub Lane Tavern and spent a few hours together which was just lovely. I have been very lucky to see so much of Mum this year.

Day 232

I am grateful for people who make me happy, laugh and smile. Especially strangers! I have a lovely customer at work who always comes up and tells me a joke when he sees me. I have no idea who he is or what his name is but he always makes me laugh with his corny 'dad' jokes. The first time I met him I thought he was going to ask me where something was - couldn't believe it when he just started telling me jokes!

Day 231

I am grateful for drives in the car with my hubby. Whenever he says "I'm going for a drive, do you want to come?" - I'm there!
We found a little bakery on this trip.

Day 230

I am grateful for my family. For being able to catch up and have dinner with Mum, Frank, Brock and Kylie ( and Mike). A lovely dinner at Sitar Indian restaurant in Albion. With all of us living so far apart, these times together are very special.

Day 229

I am grateful for traditions. Like going to the Ekka every year. Eating strawberry ice creams, doing the Adventure Trail, visiting the animal nursery and watching the ring events and fireworks. It's always a wonderful day!

Day 228

I am grateful for gorgeous days like this and beautiful skies like this.

Day 227

I am grateful for the wonderful, fun day I had today. Great fun stitching with the girls, making Christmas puddings and eating them!!! But most of all I enjoyed today - archery fun with Jack. In the back yard, setting up the target and having fun together. I love spending time together like this.

Day 226

I am grateful for parks. For lunch in the park, near the river and all the beautiful trees. For the fresh air, the outdoors and gorgeous weather.

Day 225

I am grateful to see the huge smile on Jacks face and to see him so happy after his first "big" purchase now he's working.

Day 224

I am grateful for delicious, perfect, fresh strawberries.

Day 223

I am grateful for the precious things my Mum has passed down to me. This beautiful ring is her birthstone and is one of the first things she bought when she worked in a jewelery store in Redcliffe. This was one of her first jobs so the ring has to be at least 50 years old. It is still in it's original box. I love it so much.

Day 222

I am grateful for a day out with Jack. For a long drive and happy times together. He did so well today driving in peak hour and through road works!

Day 221

I am grateful to wake up this morning just in time to see Sally Pearson win her gold medal in the hurdles. Also a great day at work with Jack and a lovely lunch - something I haven't had in absolutely ages. French toast and it was delicious.

Day 220

I am grateful to have the time today to work on projects that I am in need of finishing. To stitch with friends and alleviate some stress.

Day 219

I am grateful for some sewing today (between the loads of washing) - lunch and a quick driving lesson with Jack - a long drive to the north side of the city with hubby (trying out the new Airport Link tunnel) - and a wonderful phone call to James in Jindabyne tonight. Now i'm watching Sally Pearson in her hurdles heat at the Olympics, while waiting for Mike who's bringing home some dinner!

Day 218

I am grateful for perfect, cool weather. For being able to sleep today before my next night shift. For the next 2 days off work.

Day 217

I am grateful for sewing machines. I would be lost without mine and the great joy I get from creating on it. This gorgeous old Singer belonged to my Nanna and I have the immense pleasure of looking after it as well as looking at it every day.

Da 216

I am grateful for changes to my hours at work - my new roster. It will take a bit of getting used to- and 11 hours on Fridays starting at 5 am is such a long day. But I think it will be better in the long run. A change is as good as a holiday isn't it?

Day 215

I am grateful for a wonderful day up on Tamborine Mountain with Leona, Gail and Barbara today. Great company, delicious meal at George's Greek restaurant, coffees around the fireplace, finding new shops and art galleries and some wonderful purchases. it was such a lovely day.

Day 214

I am grateful for how much James loved this book and how badly he wanted me to read it and enjoy it as much as he did. And I am!