Christmas is over-and now I'm ready for it. figures. Ah well, it was ok this year...but still miss having Dougie here to plan the holiday festivities and enjoy our crew together. I have beautiful kids and grandkids, smart and funny, fun to be with. Meals and entertaining used to be a routine shared by us both...different chores and tasks were just done. It is really different with just one, but it is what it is. Another change I find is that visiting does not happen easily with just me...again, it's a couple's thing. Life's changes are still not easily accepted. One thing I can do for myself is pick my own present, so this year it is a Tassimo beverage machine. Great coffee for one, but I didn't have enough choice for a group...more shopping!

So, the rest of the holidays will be spent watching our huge TV, watching our blue ray movies and trying to figure out Netflix...Season's Greetings!

Forever - Rascal Flatts [HD][Lyrics]

David Crowder Band - SMS [Shine]

Christmas #2 without Dougie, makes me cry (yep, still cry almost everyday). I want to make things fun for Delaney, but I find I am really missing a balance in my thoughts, and probably my actions. Where is the yes to my no, the white to my black, the joke to my serious thoughts? So lonely for that missing part of self, the Doug to my Deb. Still half of a couple, not a single person yet. I don't like this, not at all.

Did the 30 days of gratitude on F/B, so thought I'd compile them here for future reference.

30 Days of Gratitude

Want to get on board with gratitude? Please join us for 30 Gratitudes in 30 Themes in 30 Days - November 1-30, 2010. Did you know that, according to scientific research, people who focused on appreciation and gratitude were considerably happier, less likely to complain about physical ailments and even more likely to exercise and offer assistance to others? How to Join: Join through 'liking' this page on facebook or registering at www.30DaysofGratitude.org. Bonuses of joining on the website are joining with friends, letting non-facebook family and friends participate, daily or weekly e-mail invites to post as the month goes on, having a profile for all your gratitudes, and other gratitude goodies on the site. Either way - we hope you take this opportunity to see what a little gratitude can do for you life! ~ Take care, The 30 DOG gang

30 days of gratitude-where you live. Well, Dalmeny is a wonderful place for young children. Delaney loves her school, we are close to family and friends, we have a nice house with great neighbours. It is the place for us for right now!

Day 2 of 30 days of gratitude, theme is governing principles. I am grateful for a country where my family receive healthcare, education, opportunity to vote and perhaps make a difference.( But I'm conflicted, I need to blog on this! )

Gratitude-family member day. I cannot choose one person, as I am blessed to have 2 brothers living close by right now. As kids, I was the oldest and only girl, very bossy and superior to my younger brothers. Today, they are fun uncles to Delaney, and great friends and yes, chore-doers for me! Love you guys, thanks for everything!

30 days Gratitude-special nature spot. Not one spot, but several! When I was young, my favourite place was Katepwa Beach. I went there until after Dana was born. Before Doug died, Candle Lake was the place we spent many a great day by the beach, enjoying the North. now I LOVE the East coast shore-thanks to Zach's family for the great intro. sounds of waves, beautiful rocky shore, lobster boats in the bay..lovely!

Day 5, 30 days of Gratitude-Tough Jobs. This take me many places in my thinking, but all of a sudden my PICU nursing life came to me. Taking care of dying kids and their families is a TOUGH job. The layer of emotions doing that for 25 years are a part of me, build me over my parenting years, stay forever.

Gratitude-Nice surprises. I have a couple. The biggest was perhaps being 43 years old, and finding out I was pregnant with baby #3. This was awesome because I actually thought I was dying, I felt so awful. I also had always wanted 3 kids, so heart's desire fulfilled!

30 days of gratitude-Sunday Special. I will take a bit of a break today, and for this I am thankful. The privilege of rest and sleeping in, freedom to worship as I please, money to do a bit of shopping, a comfortable life--I share my gratitude that I live where and as I do.

n Dana Perkins's status.

Deb commented on Janelle Loewen's link.

Deb Shanks

‎30 days of gratitude, Day 8 , Part of your body--interesting for me, one who really dislikes her outer shell. BUT on the inside, I a have heart that breaks and can be healed, a brain that processes information and makes life interesting, a female make-up so I could have kids and be a mom. And so much more...really, these other parts make me who I am, and I do like my inside!

Gratitude-Day 9, Good Friend. I cannot choose one, as I have several lovely friends who regularly phone, email, drop by my home or my office and ask "how are you doing?" and then wait for an answer. Thank you!

Day 10 of the Gratitude days: Aha moment. Well, aha...I can't think of one!

30 Days of Gratitude-Day 11, Those Who ProtectI am grateful for those who protect our homes from destruction, our streets from crime, and our nations from harm. This includes those from the past to the present time. Remember.

30 Days of Gratitude-Heritage

We are Saskatchewan folk, for sure. Open spaces with a view of the sunrise and sunset are beautiful. Being able to identify what crop is growing in the fields we drive by is a part of our prairie upbringing. We know what Potash is. I am grateful to be able to bring up my kids in this part of our country.

‎30 days for gratitude-my home, Day 13.

Many of you know how I have struggled to make a decision whether to stay in my house, or go. None the less, I am grateful for a house that is reasonably nice, big enough for my family, a place for Delaney and me to call home. I have awesome neighbours, D can walk to school...yes, I am grateful for all this.

0 Days of Gratitude-Day 14 Sunday Special

"O how I laugh when I think of my vague indefinite riches. No run on my bank can drain it, for my wealth is not possession but enjoyment. "Henry David Thoreau

Day 15 of 30 Days of Gratitude-A Local Shop-

Dalmeny has a drugstore that has an amazing array of items-if you couldn't find it anywhere else, Doug used to be able to find it at Dalmeny Drugs. My brother started calling it the Doug store, which sticks to this day. Thanks Lorne and Carol...it is awesome to have this service in a small town.

Gratitude Day 17-Mentors.

I am thinking of several mentors who really are role models. 1) My forever BFF, Gloria, my sister in Christ, who was a tireless mom, wife and friend. 2) Karen, neighbour, another super mom and now a super grandma (Gloria's a super grandma, too). 3) Anne, whose organization, hospitality and giving spirit are second to none. Grateful to have you all in my life.

Day 18 of this Gratitude month! Animal connections-So many! We have had some wonderful pets-dogs and cats over the past 35 years, but right now I have my Little Biscuit. She has been a best friend for Delaney, giving cuddles and a warm snuggles, making us a family of 3. But all our pets have been special, so here's to Miki, Ari, Zoomer, Jodi, Gus, Reggie, Gueny, Callie, Gus, Apple Pie (hope that's all of them!)