Last year, I decided that in order to continue with my Facebook account, things needed to change. I was constantly getting frustrated with FB as a sounding board for gripes, constant negativity making my day just that little bit more drab and other peoples' posts being just plain dreary. So I decided to spread a little positivity by posting each day something for which I was grateful. It was often difficult, finding the silver lining in what actually ended up being a pretty shit day sometimes, but I managed it and I think I'm a better person in 2014 for it. I broke my ankle in mid January and was about ready to pack it all in but I stuck it out and as my other half stated, it most likely actually got me through it. I posted on the day of a family member's passing & their subsequent funeral, I posted on days where I struggled to get out of bed or function, I posted on days where I was tired, stressed, highly strung and emotional. And I made the full 365 days. So I thought I'd post them all here. :)
365 Days of Gratitude
1. My beautiful friends S.R. and C.T. for never failing to make me laugh, even when I'm down
2. Beautiful Australian sunshine
3. English Breakfast Tea in my huge mug
4. Music repairers for fixing my clarinet
5. Cooler weather today making my cat a much happier chappy!
6. Freshly ground coffee
7. Belly laughs with my friends and making my partner laugh at farts. :)
8. My wonderful mature-age student who reminds me every time I see him of the joy of playing music. You're never too old to start learning.
9. To live in the Hills - so beautiful.
10. Modern medicine fixing my face.
11. The unconditional love from pets
12. My wonderful skating coaches for reminding me why I took up skating in the first place.
13. Not having a hangover today for the early morning walk. A personal best time, good chat with friends and invigorating rain. What more could you want?!
14. Anti-inflammatories and heat packs!
15. Spring cleaning ruthlessness making way for better memories and getting rid of old ones. I am spring cleaning my soul as well as the house.
16. My musical ability which brings me great joy (even if it is interrupted by urges to throw my instrument!)
17. My partner for support, encouragement and understanding in the midst of morale deflation.
18. The lovely nurses at the hospital/short waiting time in E.D. (the day I broke my ankle, needing surgery)
19. My health professional friends, nurses and doctors - you are all wonderful
20. My wonderful friends and very kind messages of support.
21. Oxycodone and to be home at last!
22. Health and I'm trying not to wallow in self pity
23. My wonderful mum and my partner's wonderful mum for cheering me up today.
24. Random acts of kindness helping me out at the Tour Down Under
25. To have feeling back in my foot after 6 hours in ED last night
26. To live in a country full of great opportunity! Happy Australia Day!
27. To my sister for total unselfishness helping out Mum in need
28. To have time to catch up on a good book, forced rest allowing me to do things I don't have time for usually.
29. My cat's company, not having left my side for days and also to a lovely friend for visiting me.
30. To have worked out how to get from kitchen to couch with a cup of tea!
31. My work colleagues for taking on my work, even though they're very busy and for their understanding.
32. My lovely friend J.B. for lovely lunch and a chat.
33. Nice people at the ice rink making me feel so welcome.
34. First full night's sleep in over 2 weeks
35. To have been offered a WOMAD volunteer spot that suits my schedule and leg issues!
36. Painkillers, rest and tea. Begone lurgee!
37. A.E.: Spider Retrieval and Removal Service
38. To have cool wounds to Show and Tell!
39. To be back at work with so many nice people helping me out.
40. Band all day rehearsal - very satisfying to hear it all come together.
41. J.B. for hosting sectional tonight and being so tolerant of missing Downton Abbey to entertain me afterwards
42. A rest after a long and productive day.
43. J.D. for being so patient and understanding with my inconsistency. Best student ever!
44. My friend D.E. for driving 40km out of his way to drive me home!
45. Person who dropped out of my practicals so I could get a good timetable.
46. To live in SA during this Arts-heavy Feb/March. We are so lucky!
47. To live in a house that doesn't need air con in summer
48. To NOT be playing with the band in this heat right now! Such troopers!
49. To be able to deal with patience with people who test me on a daily basis.
50. Drums! And Drum Line. Such fun!
51. Health Direct in the early hours of the morning
52. To have found textbooks cheaply online.
53. To have lost weight on these damn crutches! 5kg gone!
54. The lovely owner of the ice rink for giving me the chance to give an 'orphaned cappuccino' a good home.
55. My nan who at 87 makes me giggle (mostly unintentionally) and is as feisty as anything
56. Good customer service - an employee helping me out when I fell outside restaurant
57. To have not done any lasting damage to foot after said fall.
58. John William's scores covered by melodica - great for a laugh!
59. To uni course coordinators for adapting my pracs to cover my time on crutches. Big weight off shoulders
60. To have some much needed rest before all hell breaks loose at uni on Monday
61. That the online portion of my courses are up and running so I could get organised
62. The lovely A.C. for fetching me lunch today.
63. To kind people who helped me out at uni, including tutor who followed me around with a stool, bless her.
64. My lecturer for cheering me up with her hilarious 'play school' cross with 'infomercial about lubricant' lecture.
65. A lot of little things today - opportunity to run quintet for first time; quality time with my partner; Earth Wind and Fire (brilliant band with hilarious fashion) and finally being able to maneuvre in shower for first time.
66. To have been out on the lawns when the fire alarms went off in the building.
67. WOMAD. Best festival ever.
68. Kind lady who gave me her chair on the viewing platform.
69. For downtime under a tree outside stage 1 with coffee, good book and good company
70. To live in a city with lovely parks and gardens. Sitting under Morton Bay Fig that has shaded a 50m area.
71. I can watch lectures online. Completely done in after WOMAD. Jelly arms!
72. That dropping my clarinet on the floor only resulted in a bent key and not anything worse
73. I had the day to catch up on work. Already behind and it's only week 2
74. Opportunity to be involved in so many great projects this year. Now, to work out a way to fit study in that doesn't involve procrastination and subsequent meltdown!
75. Quality time with my partner at Mt Lofty Summit and realised how lucky we are to live in a city that has a skyline unspoiled by pollution. Clear sky, twinkling lights and peace and quiet.
76. Veterinarians. I'm glad I wasn't the one trying to get a tablet down my cat's throat (cue Mr Grumpy Pants!).
77. Classroom music teachers. Sat in room with Year 9 band today and I have nothing but admiration for how they manage to cope with the excessive noise. Bloody miracle workers - my ears were ringing after 20min.
78. To be on crutches and not able to participate in body fat measurements in class. Glad I didn't have to advertise that in front of class!
79. To everyone who offers me support every day, whether it be writing nice things on my wall or giving me chocolate when I'm stressed. It may be small to you but it means bucketloads to me.
80. To be inside on this blustery day. Don't fancy being Dorothy today.
81. My friend S.R. for helping sort accommodation and car for Perth.
82. To the supporters of SA bands going to Nationals
83. My friends for hanging out after concert, keeping me company while I waited for trumpet sectional to finish.
84. Anti-histamines - suffering from hayfever like crazy!
85. Cramming for last 30min before my test. It paid off as most of test was stuff I had learned in the hallway!
86. Sticky rollers to get cat hair off my clean clothes in my suitcase!
87. Virgin Australia cabin crew for being so helpful to me!
88. To be a bandie today on the first day of Nationals competition
89. To play in such a great band today on Contest day 2
90. To be travelling with a fantastic group of people.
91. To be able to perform with all of the awesome clarinet ensembles on day four of contest
92. To be moving to a beautiful riverside apartment in Perth. Gorgeous.
93. For the wonderful views from our apartment balcony, overlooking the Swan River and Perth CBD
94. Wildlife conservationalists/zoologists for protecting amazing animals and helping save them from extinction
95. That I have the weekend to study. Sooo behind! So much for taking textbook with me to Perth
96. Some community organisations promoting equality, fairness & recognising the spirit of activity they promote.
97. I've had time (a& better balance) to clean up. It's amazing what a tidier house can do for your emotional wellbeing.
98. People who donate their organs to those who need them and their bodies to science. Today's prac was fascinating.
99. To bloke who works in coffee booth at uni. Hand delivered coffee to my table every day, rather than watch me struggle to carry one, makes me happy. Cannot stress enough the importance of good customer service
100. For my stomach fat (who woulda thunk it?!). When I fell down the steps in the house today, it provided ample padding to break my fall. Have a sore belly now but at least it wasn't a broken face or wrist!
101. To be off crutches!
102. Amazingly therapeutic peace and quiet in the office - all music staff and majority of music students away on camp and just little ol' me left behind.
103. For holidays. Classic movies on, choc mousse, giant cup of tea and contented cat asleep on lap....
104. For my ability to bullshit my way through a really hard flute part!
105. To have my partner home. Even copious amounts of tea & cheesy 90s movies on VHS didn't make up for it!
106. Musical theatre. Watching YouTube videos of Oliver Tompsett and Caissie Levy has made my day (although Oli could sing in a toilet paper commercial and I would still love him!). I wish my life was a musical.
107. For music. Any music. No matter what mood I'm in - good, bad, indifferent, there is always something to listen to or play that will make my heart soar.
108. That my little car held out to get me home at 1am last night, even though it died on me 5 times between a friend's house and my own (plus a couple of times on the way to her house!).
109. Portable heaters! Is anyone else as bloody freezing as I am? It's like a morgue in this house!
110. My dear friend A.T., one of the most genuine, good hearted, unjudgemental people that I know. Always great to spend time with and always makes me laugh *hugs*
111. To catch up with old friends for brunch. Really don't see them enough!
112. My boss for doing my staff band horn parts for me.
113. Replacement gas bottles for the loungeroom fire. Let there be heat!
114. To work with some freakishly talented people! Support community theatre!
115. To our brave servicemen and women for making the supreme sacrifice for our country. Lest we forget.
116. To have the opportunity to play in an amazing show.
117. To still have both my grandmothers. They are both wonderful and I love them very much
118. Distinction for mid semester exam!! I'm grateful to my partner for helping me study!
119. To have had a childhood free of Public Liability concerns, OH&S and people suing each other for everything. I am pleased I got to experience playgrounds like Monash playground and Puzzle Park.
120. Test this afternoon is only about 4% of overall mark. My brain hurts!
121. The usual post rehearsal maccas crew for the endless supply of funny Youtube videos.
122. My newly arrived costumes for both cabarets fit - pretty much!
123. Windex. Really large hairy spider on toilet cistern and my expert spider removalist away! The guy from my Big Fat Greek Wedding was right! Fixes everything!
124. Cancer Council for all the work they do in helping to eradicate the insidious disease. Relay for Life is such a great event, supporting a worthy cause.
125. Multiple Choice. Despite not knowing ANYTHING in last week's test and expecting "0", I still managed to get 5/10!
126. To have been woken up by cats whinging for food at 11am. Otherwise, who knows how late I would have slept past my 6.30am alarm. Missed my prac and got to work 2 hours later than I'd planned!
127. Karma! Apparently I accidentally sent 40 copies of the same email to a particular online company in reply to their condescending email telling me my credit card had bounced when it hadn't.
128. Disney. Decorating for this cabaret is going to be so much fun and allows me to paint which makes me happy!
129. For a warm evening in the Hills, meaning I didn't have 10 layers on in the pit!
130. My friend S.J. for his generosity in helping me out all the time with a smile.
131. Mother Nature decided to hold off on the rain until today so that my partner's sister wedding was as she wanted it
132. To D.E. for helping me out by driving most of the way to Adelaide so I could rest.
133. CFS for their work getting the fire under control. Was a little too close to my home for my liking and I was worried for friends who live in the area. The CFS do great work! Bet they were pleased for the rain!
134. Liquid ambers in the Adelaide Hills. I don't care that they drop leaves. They are beautiful and it makes me happy.
135. It wasn't raining when I drove so I could roll windows down. My car smells like a fart died and left its carcass behind.
136. For painting. Relaxing and therapeutic which is exactly what I need right now.
137. There are people on Eurovision willing to rap in spacesuits for our enjoyment! You made my night, Montenegro!
138. My partner for painting records for me and moreso, for being patient when I accidentally knocked them off the stand they were drying on and ruined his paint job!
139. Mum for agreeing to look after the cats twice in one week, even though it's such a long drive for her
140. To have down time after a big and somewhat overwhelming day, even if said down time was after 9pm.
141. Gorgeous sunny day in Melbourne. Pity I can't say the same for Radelaide
142. To lovely K.M. for helping me out with some cabaret tasks when I started to struggle after this tough week. There are some very kind people in the world and a lot of them are at my work.
143. Buttery crumpets on a cold night. Total comfort food and great when you're sick
144. To the few who stuck around after the fire alarms went off at concert and helped pack up after they gave us all clear!
145. To my family who came to quiz night with me last night.
146. My team of concert organising helpers for being awesome!
147. The ticket inspector on the bus who was lenient on me when I realised that the incompetent driver from the previous bus I was on had given me a child's ticket, despite paying more than that. Narrowly avoided a fine!
148. Inner strength to get through crap and I WILL get through it. I have made some tough decisions in these past few weeks, some of which have made me sad and left me doubting whether I have made the right ones.
149. Opportunities to play all the time, regardless of the monetary reward (and many don't have one or have very little), although of course, getting paid is always a bonus. I have no time for 'professional musicians' whining about their jobs.
150. iPod shuffle function. Today's offerings on the way home: Toto, Ace of Base, Michel Camilo, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Lea DeLaria, Florence & the Machine, Smash cast and The Wiz soundtrack! Definitely smiling more now.
151. My car has managed to travel the 45min home without overheating, considering the amount of coolant that is leaking!
152. Our music teachers. The future of music and theatre in our state is safe in the hands of people like M.D.
153. D.E. for fetching a flute for me for rehearsal, even though it made him late to the rehearsal
154. J.W. who is always thinking of how he can help and do fantastic things for others. Your hard work getting noticed!
155. The decision I made not long ago was a hard one but I can already feel the weight of stress lifting from my shoulders
156. Less to do at work so that I could catch up on little things like making the surface of my desk viewable!
157. Caught up a bit on concert preparation with the help of C.T and D.E. Bit of a full on day but we're on track now!
158. To catch up with old friends, some of whom I see very little these days. Some of them I've known for 15 years, some for 20, and can still remember the day we met. Makes me feel really old but at least my memory hasn't gone!
159. My partner who surprised me with Kristin Chenoweth tickets. What a sweetie! Didn't have the heart to say I'd kinda guessed a few hours earlier...until the lovely G.S. showed up and gave the game away!
160. Band members who gave up their time this weekend to help construct props for the concert! Thanks guys! Every bit of help is definitely not going unnoticed!
161. A sleep in - this house hunting stuff is taking up a lot of weekend!
162. IKEA. Managed to get the bare bones of the table centrepieces dirt cheap & worked out a way of decorating them that won't take 100 hours to do! They are going to look great when they're finished.
163. My student cancelled today (not that I'm happy he's sick, mind you) but I had been wondering how I was going to fit his lesson in this arvo. Problem solvered!
164. To have had help to finish painting for the first time in 7 weeks. If I never see another paintbrush...
165. For an evening in front of the fire, not spending money which currently burns a whole in my pocket!
166. Community bands bringing great music to the community. More people should take the time to check out the great work these organisations do.
167. Rehearsal finished early as I got so much more done!
168. Good brakes & tyre grip when the idiot cyclist riding in the centre of the road & not in the designated cycle lane decided to nearly fall off as I was overtaking him. Nearly a candidate for the Darwin awards?
169. L.T for lending C.T & I a hand today. Both of us are feeling more de-stressed now!
170. Great news! We got the house!
171 Today amidst some stresses and a rather hectic weekend, for new possibilities, a nice change of scenery, some challenges & positive changes.
172. I had the evening to get organised as I had the decorations finished and ready to go before 12am on the evening before an event for the first time ever!
173. To everyone who gave up their Sat arvo to help Jim and I set up. To those who were there first thing and didn't go home, those fetched me dinner etc. S.B., S.R., D.E., A.E., L.W., And to C.T. for being the most amazing friend ever!
174. Opportunity for an early night. I'm so tired, I can hardly keep my eyes open! Is 6pm too early for an adult to go to bed?
175. P & S for driving for 90 minutes to pick up a digital piano for us.
176. Things have finally slowed down at work. For the first time in a term, I felt like a weight is lifted from my shoulders.
177. My car got me home with all the things going wrong during the 45 min drive! Time for a new set of wheels methinks.
178. To have worked with K.C. for so long in band. Your contribution to our band has been enormous, we have all learned so much from you and you will be sorely missed, mate.
179. ENTIRE weekend off! You have no idea how excited I am about this! Now to prepare for this concert that is in just over a week! Maybe shouldn't have left an 45min long recital until the last minute again!
180. Date night with my partner - probably the last we'll be able to afford for a while!
181. Window shopping therapy (Shopping therapy without the monetary outlay!)
182. R.H. for his consideration in not making us orch. dorks stay longer at rehearsal, given the time it ACTUALLY finished!
183. iPod when I unfortunately got the theatre at stupid o'clock. Killed a lot of time! Note: I am NOT grateful to R.H. for cutting all my cues in the Dict 1-12 sequence. Boooo! Unloved!
184. Lovely sunshine outside which made the 2.5 hour travel time to work this morning a bit more tolerable
185. Got through opening night unscathed! Only a few shitty flute moments and an inordinate amount of 'mood smoke' in the orchestra pit.
186. A sleep in, given I'm going to sleep these days around 4am!
187. Good food and good company.
188. Mum for bringing around empty boxes.
189. A good rehearsal for tomorrow. I am feeling significantly less apprehensive now - phew!
190. A.E., D.E. and S.J. for coming to watch me today. Your support means a lot to me xoxo
191. E.K. for supplying yummy chocolate Beethoven heads!
192. The stage door park that I got tonight. It pays to get to the theatre 2 hrs early.
193. The amazing experience that this show is offering right now. Plenty of playing challenges, meeting (or re-connecting with) some lovely people across the cast, crew and our little orchestra family, and the unbeatable experience of playing in a history-making production for SA community theatre.
194. To those who are appreciative when you help them out. Not asking for gushing and accolades for helping them when you are not obligated to but simply the absence of rudeness!
195. A full day to pack. Starting to get overwhelmed by the amount that needs to be done. But exciting, nonetheless.
196. That I have moved so many times in the last 8 years and hardly had the opportunity to hoard anything.
197. A nice long sleep in. Will make up for the upcoming ten days of craziness!
198. David Thornton, a person in the world who is willing to lend their time, experience and supreme knowledge to developing the skills of young musicians, even the ones who have only begun, not just tertiary level.
199. For an hour's nap in the car before the show! 20 or so brass kids plus no sleep = a little taxing.
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201. The fantastic orchestra for the belly laughs between shows.
202. Mum for coming over to help us pack! Love you lots and lots! xxxxx D
203. A job I like a lot! I have bombarded today with statuses from teachers whinging about going back to work. Well, I had a great day at work and enjoyed being back, even if I'm still driving for an hour to get there.
204. Sugar and caffeine. Could hardly keep my eyes open. Ugh, for this week to be over!
205. Crazy Hat theme day in the pit. I'm convinced that my Giraffe Hat of Courage made me play better.
206. Fleecy pajamas on orchestra Pajama Day. It was freezing in the 'pit' but I was snuggly warm!
207. 'Underpants on the Outside' day in the pit. After spilling entire contents of multiple cups of coffee on the driver's seat of my car, a poorly cat requiring a trip to the vet & hurting my back moving house, it totally cheered me up.
208. Cattery lady who graciously tolerated my cat's grumpiness. One very unhappy cat after being poked & prodded by vet, injections, eyedrops, moving trucks, being put in a cat box for 2 hrs and then sent to cattery for night.
209. Mum and D.E. for helping us unpack and move heavy things.
210. 10min drive home from work as opposed to 1 hour. Woo hoo!
211. To not have to be anywhere or do anything! What a novelty!
212. To be back at band. It felt like forever since I'd been there and I enjoyed it a lot.
213. Sunshine and a nice cup of tea.
214. That the unenviable task of moving house has resulted in me uncovering a whole heap of things I thought I'd lost.
215. The magical properties of bubble wrap! When wrapped around my ankle in my skate, I was able to do a 2 foot spin, turns, waltz jump, crossovers and footwork for the first time in over 6 months! One happy girl right here!
216. A lovely but brief visit from my partner's parents to our new abode. It was nice on a sunny Sunday morning. And of course, my lovely mum in the afternoon who kindly helped us move some things and unpack a bit more. xx
217. To have moved to an area where the council takes pride in making sure everything is tidy, neat, friendly and welcoming. Had a lovely (but unfortunately short) walk around the park & surrounding streets in the late afternoon.
218. My sis for hand-me-downs! Bless you and your 'shopping problem'.
219. A cupboard now full of food. The prospect of eating rice with soy sauce was too looming a reality for a while there!
220. Trashy TV and some alone time when I'm feeling bleugh.
221. Rest, quiet and lemon & ginger tea after feeling bloody rotten all day.
222. To the coaches for all their encouragement in skating. I'm feeling increasingly frustrated by my inability to do what I used to but their enthusiasm and support is helping a lot.
223. A catch up with a dear friend for coffee. xx
224. To have time to complete my paintings. They are finally on the walls! Woo hoo! Feeling very proud of myself!
225. Glorious sunshine & a good book and a nice deck on which to enjoy both (and procrastinate learning my solo)
226. Patience, especially in the presence of people who test it.
227. To my sister for coming to visit me, bearing cake & biscuits.
228. For lovely company for dinner.
229. To spend time with old friends.
230. Clarinet music to listen to. Sometimes I need a reminder why I still play.
231. Freshly ground coffee. Which I can't have at home because I smashed plunger.
232. Wheatbags on a sore stomach!
233. S.J. for being an easygoing person with whom to play music.
234. A night home with my partner since we had hardly seen each other in 3 days.
235. Amazing Department teachers who promote music to young people in regional Australia. S.B. you are doing amazing work and ensuring our wind musicians of the future.
236. For banding contests. It's one big friendly catch up. Planned on going for a coffee in my hour break but instead stood around talking for 45min to people I haven't seen in ages!
237. My fellow clarinets for sharing with me a mutual love of playing on stage. Our quartet rocked!
238. My workplace colleagues. There is much love & support and I am privileged to be a part of that
239. To be able to open the window in the laundry. How a little creature could make such a big stink is beyond me!
240. To have a year off committees! If I agree to be on any committees for 12 months, you have permission to slap me!
241. The guilty pleasure of slightly crap but entertaining TV as a welcome distraction for my brain.
242. That there is no shortage of supportive encouraging people in my life.
243. Beautiful Aussie sunshine.
244. My nan who has shown me unconditional love all my life.
245. Warmer days. It's nice to not be wearing 10 layers for a change.
246. Frothy chick books. May seem vacuous but they make me smile & have been a welcome distraction the last few days.
247. A night off band (as much as I love it).
248. To the lady in shopping centre carpark who kindly gave a warning to me as I was leaving the carpark that a stupid old fart was about to back into me as he wasn't looking.
249. The volunteers of the band association for all the work they do in supporting and nurturing the banding movement in SA. More of the member bands need to realise this and show support & interest in return.
250. That I live in a country where I could have my say in the election of our leaders in a peaceful, democratic fashion without threat, without violence, without fear of persecution. Whilst I'm disappointed about the outcome, I am grateful that I was raised to care about taking the voting process seriously and to take into consideration the welfare of our population no matter age, gender, religious persuasion, sexual preference or financial status, not just what suits me at the time.
251. Chamber music. Playing in small ensembles = so much fun and very musically satisfying.
252. Youtube. I needed to time concert for Tuesday week so just looked up each piece online and voila! Job done in 5 min!
253. For a warm home that I'm finally settling into and feeling comfortable in.
254. A really fun band rehearsal.
255. To have friends who ask me if I'm okay on ANY day of the year. Whilst I understand the sentiment/reason behind R U OK day, too many people missed the point entirely
256. For the lovely company of my workmate D.F. It's been really nice getting to know him over the last term and it's a bit sad to see him finish up in a couple of weeks.
257. To learn that a friend in hospital is doing well and is being looked after. She is one of the nicest people I know
258. For a good rehearsal with awesome friends.
259. Puns! So silly and hilarious and keeps life lighthearted!
260. To my good friend N.S. for coming from interstate to play with us. Always fun to be around
261. To finish up early at work and make the 2nd half of our new MD's first rehearsal.
262. That the car was able to be booked in to be repaired straight away and that he was 100% in the right.
263. Good Samaritan pedestrian who picked up our rubbish bin when the damn recycling truck knocked it over. Again. At least it wasn't dropped on to my car tis time.
264. My coach for helping me get past this mental and physical block with skating.
265. V & A for once again, being great hosts! Great for belly laughs too!
266. The first full night's sleep I've had in over a month.
267. The pure joy of seeing the young RAA guy get my car started by hitting it with a bloody great hammer! You're a legend, mate! That's my kind of repair... totally made my day!
268. That my car started with a simple tap to fuel tank. Now to grow Go Go Gadget Arms to be able to do that and crank engine at same time.
269. To march for the 1st time in nearly ten months
270. That it was the last day of term! Wooh hooh!
271. The wonderful powers of healing. Skated for an hour without any padding!
272. S.J., D.B. and S.W. for another fun quartet experience.
273. That the wind stopped my cat from running any further than the front porch when the sneaky little bugger got out. Obviously didn't want to mess up his hairdo!
274. To have a day at home since I could feel the presence of the man-flu rearing its ugly head.
275. My partner for fixing Ernie. xx
276. A good laugh, even if I had no one to share it with.
277. To have an opportunity to farewell K.C. at a function with the band. You will be missed, mate.
278. 4 hour nanna nap. Must have needed it. Pity you always wake up feeling worse afterwards.
279. S.J. for coming along to my show. It was nice to have some support! Glad you had fun!
280. To finally be over the worst of this lurgee.
281. To get a park right outside the door of the 'theatre', considering how many people were there. Amazing that a company with virtually no promotion, no web presence, a painted sheet as a sign and zero budget can not only sell out 3 shows but get a full standing ovation before the last number is even finished. It's like an alternate universe!
282. For the people in my life who are always there, never judge me and are always good company.
283. A good reed - a much better show than the previous night!
284. To have met and worked with some incredible people over the last few weeks, men and women who give their time, minds and hearts daily to helping others in the spirit of compassion and understanding, who are not afraid to stand up for human rights & who fight the good fight for justice and humanity. We need more people like them in the world.
285. That my cat is too fascinated with bugs, the bushes and warm pavement to go very far.
286. To, once again, play with some great musicians.
287. For the ease in which I was able to go back to work after 'holidays' - a welcoming workplace makes a huge difference.
288. To have a regular pay check. Unfortunately, many in our country don't.
289. To have the opportunity to know some amazing, strong people who inspire me every day with their fighting spirit in the face of adversity. You know who you are
290. To catch up with the lovely A.H. And also appreciative of C.T. for hanging around with me for ages afterwards.
291. To be able to catch the Reds game at a packed stadium, thanks to my partner. Shame about the result
292. That I had decided to put on pants a mere minute before my partner's elderly friend showed up at the front (and see-through) door unexpectedly!
293. Disney. Always makes me happy, no matter what mood I'm in beforehand!
294. The awe-inspiring power of nature. Love electrical storms! (although I think my cat did a little bit of a wee after that gigantic thunderclap...he jumped about 3 feet off my lap!)
295. A nice long sleep-in.
296. To be home to engage in my vice of shamefully bad reality tv!
297. An awesome first flute lesson. To be honest, I was a bit nervous about being picked on for having taught myself bad habits, but she was very positive about how I'd done thus far.
298. Our lovely year 12s left our area intact this year!
299. To be in the band cheer squad. Always good company!
300. Sitzprobe. Always my favourite part of a show season. Love me a good 'probe
301. To witness a whole new generation of band nerds being born at our instrumental workshop!
302. A quiet day alone.
303. Dave for being a truly awesome friend.
304. We now have somewhere to sit outside with new outdoor furniture
305. To have even got ten min sleep with all the crap going through my head.
306. I have made enough headway with my busted ankle that I was able attempt a change-foot spin.
307. My lovely Mum for a very nice family dinner.
308. Tax office payment plans after being slogged with a four figure debt going back to 2010 that I didn't even know about!
309. I remembered to bring my book. Now I just need to remember to bring a cushion to go on the uncomfortable 'chair'.
310. That I woke up to the sound of my cat puking on the suede couch so I could clean it up before it stained!
311. I appear to making progress on flute (albeit baby steps), especially with the technique of, you know, MAKING A SOUND. Who woulda thunk it that regular practice would help!
312. For a great opening night audience!
313. The city Xmas Pageant. So much fun to participate every year in this great free family event and watch the joy on all the kids' faces (and a few 'kids at heart' too).
314. My partner...just because.... xoxo
315. Our servicemen and women who made the supreme sacrifice so that we could enjoy all the freedoms we sometimes take for granted in this country. Lest we forget.
316. The man who picked up my purse and chased after me when I left it on the bench at shopping centre.
317. D.B. for being understanding when I had to quit sax lessons after just ONE lesson. Must be a record for him.
318. M.S. for being encouraging with my flute lessons. I'm finally seeing that I could actually improve on this instrument!
319. True friendship. It means so much to me when friends are there for me and even more when I can return the favour and maybe even make a difference sometimes.
320. A & K for the lovely (although rushed) dinner; she's such a talented lady and great cook.
321. J.H. for being understanding about my inability to walk in a straight line and play!
322. A night off playing, as much as I love it and all....
323. Decent accompaniment rehearsal for contest on Sunday. Should hold together okay.
324. For decent sight reading skills!
325. To be back in the theatre that I love.
326. To have made so many awesome friends in those theatre pits. I always have fun with you. You know who you are x
327. C. T. for driving drunk people home, TWO HOURS out of her way!
328. S.R. for her support of me in contest, giving up other things to watch me play. Really appreciate it, mate.
329. That the invoice I received wasn't as high as I thought it'd be! Breathes sigh of relief
330. A new and different opportunity to play.
331. A short practice & early beer o'clock.
332. Mum for dinner, nice chat & tolerating 2hrs of Beauty & the Geek.
333. A great night out with the girls who I don't see nearly enough.
334. NO PAGEANT weekend!
335. Impromptu visit by mum who came bearing yummy fudge which I ate immediately because I have no self control!
336. My shiny new 2014 diary (which is already 30% full and I haven't finished writing in dates yet!).
337. G.E. for being so welcoming and encouraging at my new 'venture'. I had good fun, even tho we got told off for talking.
338. That the band has introduced me to some of the kindest, sweetest people in the world. Thank you for being so nice to me always, supportive, unjudgemental and always making me feel better with a smile. You're amazing xxx
339. To receive my new labels in the post so quickly! Finally all my music will have the correct phone number!
340. To find a pretty close park for pageant even though I arrived an hour later than usual.
341. That Pageant Season is over. It felt weird to not do the final one this year and to not be at bbq...
342. To have an opportunity to play horn again. I missed it!
343. That my cat didn't even try to escape with the solar guys coming in and out. He's a good boy... sometimes.
344. Parking inspector I saw mere seconds before I parked didn't return when I parked in a 10min loading zone for 30min!
345. C.T. for meeting up with me for coffee. Needed to see a friendly face and you are always one of those! xx
346. Great lunch at work with the Buddies I haven't seen all year - worst buddy ever!
347. SCHOOL HOLIDAYS!! Yay! Bring on a good book, some impromptu busking with friends and general frivolity!
348. Skating. Nothing beats the feeling of finally making improvements on something you've struggled with for over a year! It makes me happy! And did my first spiral since January.
349. M.G. for driving us into town yesterday. I would've had road rage big time with the dodgy parking and all the people with kids running across the road! Also to C.T. and C.L. for saving a heap of space for us!
350. All the lovely birthday messages! Thank you all so much! I had a relaxing day watching world destruction movies , creating the world's most aesthetically unpleasing Christmas tree and having dinner with my wonderful mum!
351. A well earned beer with awesome quartet-ians. Thanks guys!
352. Proper working a/c for the first time since I left home!
353. My clothes dried in less than 30min yesterday. Probably the only perk of 43 degrees!
354. My girl, C.T., for being the best friend ever. And I think she has made into more statuses this year than anyone else!
355. To catch up with K & T for dinner.
356. Cats were quiet all the way to Mount. 1st time for everything!
357. That my usual shopper's rage hasn't quite hit and I got most of it done.
358. A lovely drive to the Crater Lakes with my partner on a beautiful sunny day.
359. For the friggin' awesome present that my partner gave me after keeping it hidden for many months.
360. To be home to see my lovely mum on her birthday before the social butterfly went out!
361. Throat lozenges Honestly, why is it that I always get sick in the middle of summer?!!!
362. Spend time with awesome people and to make new friends.
363. P.E. for helping fix our flyscreen (after my cat climbed it and tore it to pieces!) amongst other things!
364. A day of quiet and rest, trying to kick this nasty bug which is unfortunately very persistant!
365. For the support from everyone with this little 'exercise'. It may seem small to some but it has actually been quite an eye-opener. In a year which saw a few disappointments, changes that were difficult to adjust to, exciting moments, new friends, real ups and downs, all beginning with an unfortunate broken limb, it has been made worth it by some of the great comments I've received from people. It was fantastic to hear from others about how they are enjoying my statuses, that it was nice to see positivity on an otherwise pretty negative medium, how it has inspired them to do the same and that is really the whole point of why I started it. So thank you everyone for being a reason why I should be grateful for every day!
