With thanks...
MARCH 2009
I am grateful for the start of my new book project, and my surprising productivity :-)
With thanks... March 1...
Today I am grateful to be home, in my own bed, after a hectic weekend in Brisbane with my love, and his band... A sweaty gig, five death metal bands and Platinum Brunette (right), sweaty metalheads, coffee (and a short reprieve from the music) at 2am, and a tiny hotel room...
I am grateful my love and I made the most of Brisbane, walking into the city and checking out King Edward Park, walking home from the gig at 3am through the gorgeous balmy night, holding hands and laughing at the world. And we are looking forward to our own little adventure, alone together...
I am grateful that, after a few days off, I got back to work, although the constant yawning made things a bit difficult. Tomorrow!
With thanks... March 2...
Today I am grateful for beautiful friends...
I am happy that Angela was so excited when she met the baby swamp hens for the first time today, and grateful that she shared her joy with me...
I am grateful for the new U2 album which keeps swimming around in my head (Moment of Surrender is my favourite song at the moment, but every one is amazing), and for Bono's inspirational dedication and commitment to helping people (and countries!) and changing the world, even in the face of such vicious and petty criticism...
I am grateful for a day of work on my new project...
I am grateful for a beautiful night with my beautiful love, the genius of Boston Legal and a last little vegie pizza before I start a 10-day detox tomorrow :-)
With thanks... March 3...
Today I am grateful for... the intrigue of the process of writing this list.
I'm tired and headachey, and not sure I'll have much (anything!) to write, but perhaps that is the point. Some days you have to look harder than others...
I am grateful that the distributor ordered another hundred books (there's something!)...
I am grateful for the pretty hour-long walk to work in the sunshine this morning, listening to the new U2 album on my U2 iPod...
I am grateful that I got through day one of the detox without problems, even though I was at work and had a birthday lunch. (I did miss my Gloria Jeans soy chai though, and the birthday cake looked yummy, but I was strong.)
And I am grateful that I just remembered I had to pay my quarterly tax instalment today - do they penalise you for being a few hours late???
Best be off and do that now!
So, mostly I am grateful that I found a few things to be grateful for :-)
With thanks... March 4...
Today I am grateful for a day at home, packing up books for the distributor, interest from a newspaper that wants to do a story about it, and another bookstore selling 10 copies and arranging to pay me :-)
I am grateful for a long walk with my love, dinner with beautiful Ange in our favourite cafe, and long conversations with a bittersweet edge as we will miss her so much when she moves to Byron...
And I am grateful for resolution, standing strong, and confirmation it was the best decision I ever made...
With thanks... March 5...
Today I am grateful for the crisp, cool autumn air that has begun to flow at last. Maybe I'll be able to sleep at night now :-)
I am grateful for another hundred books being on their way to the distributor.
I am grateful for lovely friends and big plans...
I am grateful for watermelon; carrot, ginger, lemon and parsley juice; and the willpower to resist a GJs chai...
I am glad I renewed my gym membership (despite them dropping the Thursday night yoga class, I just noticed), and got an extra two months added on for being speedy...
I am grateful for singer Bif Naked's music and her amazingly inspiring attitude of gratitude even as she battles breast cancer. She truly sees the beauty in every moment, in the most beautiful way...
I am grateful for the long walk Cutes and I took, and that we got to the duck pond just before sunset. It was SO CUTE. One of the *baby* babies came out of their little reed hideaway, closer than ever before, and so close to us that we could have touched it. It still can't swim, and is all tiny and fragile and fluffy and so sweet, with bits of blue around its face. It was fascinating - we took some bread, and they were a bit more frenzied than usual - the bubba got knocked under by a "friend" for a moment, but then they settled down and all took turns feeding it and looking after it. It's not just mother swamp hens that feed their babies - the siblings do too...
With thanks... March 6...
Today I am grateful for Facebook, and the sharing and encouraging and inspiring that goes on in this little community we have created.
I am so happy for Ange and her wonderful news...
I am grateful for U2's inspiring album, and their five-nights-in-a-row performances on Letterman.
I am grateful that this detox is much easier than I imagined, and yummier too :-) Day Four is DONE!
I am grateful that I got some writing done today, although I am struggling a bit. But I remember that it was like that at the start of my last book too, so I just have to be patient with myself... while being aware of my deadline!
With thanks... March 7...
Today I am grateful for a productive writing session. The clock is ticking louder by the day, which usually increases my output somewhat :-)
I am grateful that I found the willpower to go to yoga (although yesterday's hooping session was fun! :-) ...
I am grateful that I have completed day five of the detox (half way!), and feel fine, although I'm a bit worried too. Shouldn't I be feeling *some* pain? Does this mean it's not working?
I am grateful, for my love, that Platinum Brunette were on Rage last night, and Metal Hammer requested a photo, so good things are starting to happen. Which is especially nice after the horror of the death metal weekend!
And I am grateful for (and looking forward to visiting) the swamp hens who live in *our* park. Cutes discovered them this morning, so we're going to introduce ourselves to them soon :-) There are cute creatures everywhere!
With thanks... March 8...
Today I am grateful that the struggle seems to be over, and the words are flowing again. (Phew!) I was getting a bit worried about how hard it all seemed, but then I remembered (or was reminded - thanks Cutes!) that it was just as tough last time, and some days were really torturous, but I got there in the end...
I am grateful for carrot, ginger, lemon and parsley juice; watermelon; four-bean-hommus and salad...
I am grateful for the cute little bear cubs on the documentary I glimpsed when I was getting a tape ready... So cute!
I am grateful for the fun of hooping, which makes me grateful for Andi, the hoop queen :-)
And on International Women's Day I am grateful for how far we have come - whenever I despair that it's not far enough, I just think back a few years. The world really has changed for the better in the last few decades. And it will keep changing, judging by the amazing, inspiring, powerful, gorgeous women I know who are out there doing their thing...
With thanks... March 9...
Today I am grateful that it's time to go to bed - I've had a bad head today, which made everything too hard, and I couldn't go to yoga, and I feel like giving up on my new project cos it all seems silly. I won't - I know I'll feel better tomorrow - but I don't have much to report today...
I am grateful though that Mum called to tell me that the bookshop in town ordered another six copies of my book, so that's nice :-)
Sweet dreams!
With thanks... March 10...
Today I am grateful for a day spent with a good friend, and the cuteness of her magazines...
For a clearer head this morning after a bad night...
For stealing a couple of hours with my love after he got home from work, late though it is...
For Midnight Sun, which I naughtily read for a little while tonight instead of getting back to work on my stuff...
For sweet comments and encouragement from new friends and old...
For those who saved my Fairy garden from wilting today :-)
With thanks... March 11...
Today I am grateful for the beautiful full moon that I watched come up over the apartments opposite us, shrouded mysteriously in clouds (before being obscured altogether)... And for lunar wishes from lovely friends...
I am grateful that I made some progress with this chapter, after struggling so hard with it and being so close to despair. I'm still not entirely convinced, but at least I have something to work with and I can start the next section!
I am grateful for a cute night with my love, cooking Mexican beans (no cheese for me!), working out our Top 20 albums that changed our lives for those who tagged us, singing and dancing along with the Bewitched theme song and giggling at the awful 50s attitude of the show...
Sweet lunar dreams...
With thanks... March 12...
Today I am grateful for a beautiful day with my Beautiful Love.
I am grateful for our two hours of walking, hand in hand (who needs the gym?), to the duck pond and back.
I am grateful for the time we spent with the ducklings, hand feeding the babies and marvelling at their tiny little fluffy selves - no feathers yet, just shiny black (and occasionally blue) down on their heads and little squeaks...
I am grateful for our time sitting in a cafe in Glebe drinking soy chai tea and planning my project...
I am grateful that I did a few hours of work in the afternoon, while Cutes sat in the purple beanbag bought just for that purpose, and read books and kept me company...
I am grateful that the Women's Health story I wrote about the Camino pilgrimage is out (despite some very strange subbing)...
And i am grateful that we have a cute morning together tomorrow before Cutes leaves for work, and I get back to mine...
With thanks... March 13...
Today on this grey old Friday the 13th, I am grateful that I found a copy of my book, Seven Sacred Sites: Magical Journeys That Will Change Your Life, sitting on the shelf in a major mainstream bookstore in the city, which was very exciting. It was in the travel section, not the spiritual one, interestingly enough. And I wonder, does this mean I'm a real author now?
I am grateful for the beautiful morning Cute Husbee and I had before we had to work - walking into town, drinking chai, buying book presents, finding a new Law & Order series, then racing home to chill out before work called...
I am grateful that my frenzied 10 hours of writing produced several pages for my new project...
I did have some disappointing news, but hopefully another door will open and I can be grateful for that...
With thanks... March 14...
Today I am grateful that I got a big chunk of writing done - and I am grateful that I was excused from jury duty so I can get the whole project finished in time. It's a fascinating process (I've been on a jury for two different cases), but as a sole trader/self-employed writer, I just couldn't do it right now!
I am grateful that a book shop in Margaret River ordered another six books - that's almost 30 for them alone, and there's another three stores in town that stock it too - and one in Bunbury has just sold 10...
I am grateful for the power of the elements, and the sunshine and blue skies of this morning that so quickly transformed to an incredible downpour and stunning lightening storm...
And I am grateful for old friends being in touch, for sweet memories resurfacing, and support and encouragement that makes me smile.
With thanks... March 15...
Today I am grateful for working, working, working...
For big decisions and amazing support from my beautiful love...
For my gorgeous friends and the very touching ways we keep in touch...
For cheesies and Charmed after two (detox) weeks without...
For the very motivating power of a deadline...
With thanks... March 16...
Today I am grateful for the amount I got written, the fun information I came across, and the motivation a looming deadline has provided...
I am grateful for a fun night with my Cutes...
(Not so grateful for being landed with another bill from an ex...)
I am grateful for being able to keep in touch with friends on here, and for the fun I have in my fairy garden. I've even favourited one called Procrastination Gardens. Yes, I pop in there between jobs quite regularly :-)
With thanks... March 17...
Today I am grateful that my plans are coming together. I've made inquiries, ordered my ISBN and another barcode, confirmed a quote, mocked up the cover...
I am grateful that the Goddess Pages magazine with my story in it is out, online at least, and the hard copy version is on its way...
I am grateful that after a long day working I had a few hours with my Cutes, cuddled up on the couch, watching NCIS, eating watermelon, laughing and planning and dreaming...
I am grateful (and excited) to know that the Platinum Brunette album is available on iTunes in the US and the UK, as well as here. And that there is a gig coming up soon! Exciting times :-)
I am grateful to Peta for her thoughtfulness, Martine for letting me take the day off to keep working, and Ange for her joy...
With thanks... March 18...
Today I am thankful for a beautiful day with my love - we went into town, drank chai, wandered through bookstores, said hello to the copy of Seven Sacred Sites at Kinokuniya, pouted at Borders for not stocking it, and walked home in the hot sunshine, grateful for the little cooling breeze.
I am grateful that I got a few hours of work done, oh so productive now the panic of deadline has kicked in, and then knocked off to spend the night with my love, picnicking in the lounge room, watching Law & Order and getting excited about the upcoming Platinum Brunette gig! So exciting!
With thanks... March 19...
Today I am grateful for hard decisions and the courage to make them...
For perseverance, stubbornness and dedication...
I am grateful that my love and I had a day together, and even though we were both working hard to follow our dreams, we had lots of time for laughing, chatting, comparing notes, encouraging and supporting each other...
I am grateful for dinner with a gorgeous friend, waiters who understand tomato allergies and actually care, and the bright green shoots emerging on my elder tree through the autumn leaves that had faded, crackled and started to fall further up the branch.
With thanks... March 20...
Today I am grateful for the beauty of the season, and the gorgeous autumn leaves, and the energy of Mabon, the autumn equinox, at this time of balance and harmony.
I am grateful that I powered through a huge section of writing today...
I am grateful to two lovely friends for offering to help me at the Mind Body Spirit Festival...
For the letter officially excusing me from jury duty...
And now I am delirious and am grateful for the bed I'm about to fall into...
With thanks... March 21...
Today I am grateful for the gorgeous weather (I still needed the fan for half the day, but it cooled down in the evening).
For inspiring people and lovely words of motivation...
For birthday brunch with Margie and Pete...
For an absolute avalanche of work being done!
For cute suggestions from Cutes...
For encouragement, laughs and fun shared with Anita...
For delicious watermelon...
And long lost friends...
With thanks... March 22...
Today I am grateful to my love for buying me The Breakfast Club on DVD. I used to have it on beta videotape, but haven't seen it for a while :-) It was a big fave, along with Grease II and Sophie's Choice... (I know, a strange mix of silly and smart!)
I am grateful for the huge amount of work I got done - seems procrastination has taken a hike, driven out by sheer panic!
I am grateful for being able to sneak a quick lunch in with Cutes at a lil cafe up the road, for a brisk walk through the hot sunshine, for the cooling rains that just started to fall, and for the sweet messages from sweet friends...
With thanks... March 23...
Today I am grateful for the flurry of activity and the amount of work I got done. Nothing like a rapidly looming deadline to inspire a frenzy of writing!
I am grateful for some amazing comments, and a wonderful offer, that came through my website today...
I am grateful for a very brisk walk in the hot sun, then a cool breeze jaunt later on...
And I am grateful for a beautiful night spent with Ange and Cutes, chatting over dinner and chai, happy and sad at her oh-so-soon, exciting (but sad for us) departure for warmer climes and new/old love.
With thanks... March 24...
Today I am grateful for a cute day at Little Friends magazine, and my expanding knowledge of Dora, Diego and Thomas the Tank Engine...
I am grateful that I felt so good after so little sleep, as I stayed up late to finish a section of my new book...
I am grateful for the beautiful, brisk walk home as the sun was setting and the twilight descended, with a cool breeze to sooth my little red cheeks...
I am grateful for the encouraging messages from friends as I enter the last frenzy of my project, and my motivation in coming home from work and getting back to it...
And I am grateful that Cutes and I had a few hours together after he got home from his work at 10.45. Tuesdays are long days apart, but we make time!
With thanks... March 25...
Today I am grateful for an absolute frenzy of work getting done... Maybe I'll make this deadline after all :-)
I am grateful that I have my ISBN (fingers crossed the barcode arrives soon!) and the measurements for the book spine...
And I am grateful to my love, who made me cups of tea while I wrote, and cheesies for lunch, and patted my head when it was sore, and stopped what he was doing every time I took a break so we could spend as much time together as possible, and drew the most amazing, gorgeous and super cute illustrations for my book!
With thanks... March 26...
Despite being delirious from staying up working so late last night, today I am grateful for the amount of work I got done, this morning especially.
I am grateful to gorgeous Daniella for doing my next cover, and grateful for the magic she weaves in creating what I can see in my head but not physically express.
I am grateful that the barcode arrived just as I was burning all the pics and text and things for the cover to disc...
I am grateful for Skye's comment - it's nice to know my struggles to get this project completed are inspiring others to pursue their thing. It's amazing how such a tiny thing can have an impact, and make you keep going. I've been so grateful for little words of encouragement over the last few weeks...
I am grateful that Cutes and I took a little time off working today to hang out, walking into town, drinking chai, finding a dodgy printer since Kinkos appears to have shut down all over the place.
I am grateful for the ABC show about the history of surfing, which mentioned Dad (it's focusing on him more next week in part two). It was amazing to be taken back to the time that he was competing, and see footage and hear interviews with the people he mentions in his stories from that time. I remember when I was in Hawaii, and I called him from Sunset Beach, where he spent several months camping on the beach, stealing mangoes from plantations to survive - it makes it seem so much more real when you can see it...
With thanks... March 27...
Today I am grateful for the cool breeze that soothed my cheeks as I walked back from Newtown, after accompanying Cutes to work and posting some books out...
I am grateful for my motivation and sheer determination to get this DONE...
I am grateful for friends around the world and keeping in touch...
And I am grateful to Dad for being an inspiration, and creating Tribal Law, the surfers code of ethics to promote etiquette in the water. I know, you wouldn't think they'd need one, but they sure do!
With thanks... March 28...
Today I am grateful for small actions that can change the world. One billion people around the globe participated - or are about to - in Earth Hour, to raise awareness and change our thinking about climate change...
I am grateful that I got a fair bit of work done - some of it by candlelight - despite a little unplanned nap in the afternoon. I'll probably crash out for a week once this project is finished!
And I am grateful for the cute morning I had with Cutes, walking up to our favourite cafe and chattering over chai, then meandering back (behind all the slow walking behemoths) to King Street so he could go to work, and I could come home and get back to work...
With thanks... March 29...
Today I am grateful for the chat with my sister (and my nieces!) on her special day...
I am grateful that I'm writing this note before midnight...
I am grateful that my words continued to flow, as panic sets in, and grateful for chocolate when I was feeling so tired :-)
I am grateful that Cutes got home from work early (10pm), so we could have some time together...
And I am grateful for the beautiful cooling breezes of autumn. Such a gorgeous time of year...
With thanks... March 30...
Today I am grateful that the end is in sight...
I am grateful that I stayed focused all day and (barely) gave in to procrastination...
I am grateful for the break I took to spend with my love...
I am grateful for the invitation to a cute little tea party next week, when it's all finished...
And I am grateful for endless cups of tea and a sneaky bit of chocolate :-)
With thanks... March 31...
Today I am grateful for the gentle rains that have been falling and the cool breezes coming in my office window, which is such a relief from the heat - although I later saw on the news that there are floods in northern NSW, which is awful...
I am grateful to the gorgeous Daniella, for helping me with the cover of my book - I can't wait to see it tomorrow, and I appreciate her talent, her time, her sweetness and her immense kindness...
I am grateful that painkillers worked and I got my nasty head under control, that I worked long and hard and fairly productively, despite exhaustion...
And I am grateful for the chips and dips and things that Cutes brought home, and our little party catching up on our news and snuggling together to watch NCIS, before I got back to work...
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The Book of Faery Magic, Seven Sacred Sites and A Magical Journey are available from bookstores across Australia, distributed by Brumby Books, and through this website.
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