This project has been one of my favorites I’ve ever done, and I tend to take on a lot! I will definitely be doing this again next year. And can you believe it’s December already? Our tree is up, our stockings are hanging over the fireplace, Christmas music is on, and it’s time to put away the short sleeves and bring out the sweaters. I hope you all have a fabulous first weekend of the last month of the year.

Day 22

When we chose our apartment, a big deciding factor was having stores and places of interest within walking distance, and boy did we luck out. We have a bakery, an indoor swimming pool, two grocery stores, a library, the post office, two thrift stores, a fabulous Japanese restaurant, three parks, and a lake! I cherish each and every one.

Day 23

This may seem like a silly thing to be grateful for, especially after all the other more serious photos I’ve shared, but it’s never silly to be grateful for something and when you live in a one bedroom apartment with three cats it suddenly doesn’t seem so silly!

This is hands down, the best cat litter we’ve ever tried. It changed our lives! There’s hardly any dust, there’s no smell, and it clumps perfectly, leaving the rest of the litter untouched. Thank you, Dr. Elsey!

Day 24

Sara 28/11/2002 It’s too bad we don’t live closer. I’d love to have you over. I know you already had yours and all that good stuff, but MASHED POTATOES.
Tom 28/11/2002 Yeah, but I don’t think we celebrate as much as you do. And that would be really nice.
Sara 28/11/2002 We will! One of these days you’ll have to come visit so you can experience the craziness of an American Thanksgiving!
Tom 28/11/2002 Okay, but only as long as I can help in the kitchen.
Sara 28/11/2002 Maybe when we’re older and living on our own and stuff.
Tom 28/11/2002 And you could come and live in Toronto so we’d be really close. ^_^
Sara 28/11/2002 That would be so much fun! Would you really consider coming? Even if I didn’t live in Toronto?
Tom 28/11/2002 You know I would.
Sara 28/11/2002 Well then, it’s settled. When we’re living on our own you’re coming over for dinner, I’ve decided.
Tom 28/11/2002 I’m pretty sure it was more of a mutual decision!
Sara 28/11/2002 Well, I’m just making it official.
Tom 28/11/2002 Well for that we should need a blood oath.
Sara 28/11/2002 FINE.
Tom 28/11/2002 FINE!
Sara 28/11/2002 Seriously though, I really hope that it happens one day.
Tom 28/11/2002 Me too.
Sara 28/11/2002 Ack! I have to go. Dinner and all. ^___^ POTATOES
Happy Thanksgiving!
Tom 28/11/2002 Happy Thanksgiving, Sara

Day 25

I’m thankful for this blog. Without an outlet for my ramblings I would’ve gone crazy a long time ago. I’m thankful for every comment, every visit, every email, and all the support I receive about and through it. Without it, I wouldn’t have friends I have today. Without it, I probably wouldn’t even have heard about this project. I love “blogging”, even though it took me several years to warm up to the term. I’m thankful that I can share my every day life with friends, and that friends share theirs with me.

Day 26

Tom’s family welcomed me with open arms. They gave me a place to live, helped me stay in this country, and supported Tom and I from the very first moment we told them our crazy plan. I honestly feel they are my parents too, and since I know it is not uncommon to have friction with one’s in-laws, I am so so grateful that is not the case with Tom and me.

Day 27

Before I moved here, I lived in a fairly small town, which was a huge town compared to where I lived before that. That town that had one streetlight. When giving directions people called it, “The Light”. (I’m totally serious.)

Adjusting to city life was a huge change (and challenge) for me, and while Tom and I both talk about moving further out so we can relax and enjoy the countryside, and I know that is where we’ll end up someday, I try to remind myself that my time here is short. And that while I can’t enjoy the crickets at night, I can enjoy the lights. I can enjoy the variety. I’m sure that when we do move back, there will be things I will miss, so I will soak them up now and appreciate them while I have the chance.

Day 28

I’m grateful for projects and how they push me to keep active, but I think this year I pushed myself to the max (Spurred, the Gratitude project, and National Novel Writing Month at the same time was extreme.) and I am looking forward to the projects finishing, one by one.

I’m looking forward to resting next year. I’ve been feeling so rushed about my images and so burned out on creativity. This is two years in a row I’ve done a 365 days project. I’m beat!

But I’m so grateful for the friends I’ve made, the photos I’ve taken and loved, which I otherwise would not have, and for the fact that I’m 50,000 words into a fantasy story I never thought I’d ever write.

(To inspire myself along during the rough parts of NaNo, I made a desktop wallpaper for inspiration.)

Day 29

I could write novels about how grateful I am for Tom. I know I’ve said this before, but when for the first year (okay, two) after I moved to Canada I would often break down in tears because I almost wasn’t brave enough to follow my heart. So we’d be doing something fun and suddenly I’d think about how different my life would be without him. And then I’d start crying because I’m so unbelievably grateful that I did take a chance, even though it was terrifying to leave my family and my small town and pretty much all I knew for the last seven years. To sell all my belongings and take only a trunk load of things to another country. It was worth it. Every second of every minute. Entirely worth it.

Day 30

This is my family. I am grateful.