With thanks...
MAY 2010
I am grateful for the launch of my collaboration with Lucy, The Book of Faery Magic, and for the fun we'll have together at the MBSF...
With thanks... Saturday May 1...
Today I am grateful for all the work I got done on re-doing my website, and the new little things I’m learning as I go :-) Only I would decide to learn to make my own website so I wouldn’t have to ask anyone for help :-)
I am grateful that the cute little faery bags Lucy and I are having made up for the book launch look so sweet, and will be ready in time (proofs today. yay!).
And I’m grateful for the fourth Chronicles of Faerie book by OR Melling, although sad that I finished it this morning! So beautiful and magical and of the earth :-)
With thanks... Sunday May 2...
Tonight I am grateful for a long chat with Mum, as I rang to wish her a Happy Birthday, and touched that she is so excited about the new book.
I am grateful for the heavy, orange-gold, not-far-past-full moon as it rose in the east, as I walked to meet a friend for dinner. And I am grateful for time spent with a friend, catching up and passionfruit cheesecake...
I am grateful for a sweet walk home with my beloved through the beautiful darkness, and for the slight chill in the air, even as the sun streamed in through my window during the day.
And I am grateful that I got my website *almost* finished - I just have to test then links and all that stuff before it can be relaunched :-)
With thanks... Monday May 3...
Tonight I am grateful that Cutes and I had dinner with some friends we hadn't seen in a while, and it was so lovely to catch up, and chatter incessantly, and share our news, and laugh... time just flew by...
I am grateful that Luke and I got the magazine ready to send two days early...
And I am grateful that Lucy and my magical book is on the cover of our distributor's upcoming catalogue, and looks so pretty!
W
ith thanks... Tuesday May 4...
Today I am grateful that it was such a beautiful sunshiney day, and that walking up to the post office to pick up our gorgeous Faery Magic banners and postcards and things made me smile, at the birds hopping around in the pretty glade I walked through, and the little kids running around being silly in the playground and giggling when they fell over...
I am grateful that all our merch looks so cool! (How rock'n'roll!)
And that I tidied up my office, and put away the teetering piles of research books and print outs, and put all the unopened mail (bills) in a nice neat pile (although they remained unopened - except for the quarterly tax bill, which was due a few days ago. Oops!), and sorted and made room for the new books!
And I am grateful that my beloved and I had such a beautiful night, snuggling up to watch House together, and celebrating the advance copy of the book that was couriered to me today, and just hanging out and drinking tea and talking and laughing (and that he is so patient and understanding and sweet when I have to do just a *bit* more work)...
With thanks... Wednesday May 5...
Today I am grateful for the beautiful crisp autumn air as I left for work, and the beautiful flurry of tiny birds that flew out of the tiny palm trees downstairs as I walked out to the bus...
I am grateful for a productive day at work, and that the magazine was sent early in the morning of our deadline day...
I am grateful for the brisk walk down to the Quay after work, bemused by the early darkness and so glad for the chill in the air...
I am grateful for a lovely catch-up with my sweet friend Daniella, and so excited that I could give her the advance copy of our beautiful book, which she was so much a part of with her beautiful illustrations and her immense generosity of spirit in helping us in so many ways...
And I am grateful to my beautiful love, for being so proud of me and the book, and so supportive and encouraging and wonderful, and for our cute night watching Dr Who :-)
With thanks... Thursday May 6...
Today I am grateful that our beautiful books have arrived, and that Lucy's witch's cottage and our paradisical realm have been transformed into Faery Magic Central :-)
I am grateful to my beautiful love for helping unload all the boxes, and being so sweet and supportive throughout this whole process - celebrating the triumphs with us when things went well, being a shoulder to cry on when we struggled, and being so happy for and proud of me...
I am super grateful to my lovely faery friends who have already ordered the book!
And I am grateful for a cute night with my beloved, and some well deserved time out...
With thanks... Friday May 7...
Today I had to go in to work in the morning to sign off dyelines and stuff, and I was so determined to keep working when I got home, but alas :-)
I am grateful that my beloved came into town with me, and waited while I worked, and that we walked home together in the beautiful late autumn/early winter sunshine, and chilled out together for a while before he had to go to work...
And I am grateful that I gave up on my idea of sorting out paperwork, and instead curled up on the couch and read a (not really trashy but not for research either) book for the afternoon... I did do a tiny bit of work, but then I decided I could have a half day off :-) Which somehow included not writing my daily note on time either :-) xx
With thanks... Saturday May 8...
Today I am grateful for sunlight streaming in my office window, and the beginning of the paperwork victory...
I am grateful that I finally got to the pile of unopened mail, and only found a few slightly overdue bills :-) It does always feel good to tick things off...
I am grateful for interesting conversations and political debate, and always happy to chat with Ally...
I am grateful that I finally heard from the lady about the bags (I should stop calling her the bag lady), and that she explained the problem (the printer's heaters had broken down), and assured delivery by Tuesday afternoon at the latest...
I am grateful that I allowed myself some time to chill out and finish off my friend's book, which was sweet and fun, although I always picture her as the main heroine, which probably isn't strictly true, but it's hard to separate it!
I am grateful for the new Courtney Love album, Nobody's Daughter (although she's released it as Hole, despite the demo versions being under her name)...
And I am glad for a relaxing night with my beloved, and will possibly even have an early night!
With thanks... Sunday May 9...
Today I am grateful for a beautiful morning with my beloved...
It being Mother’s Day, I am grateful for Mum (although I’m grateful for her every day), and grateful that we keep in touch so well and so often, and I am grateful that Pauline is raising the egg faeries so well...
I am grateful that I’ve finally worked out that Dr Who is on Sunday nights, so I could tape it (along with House and The Good Wife) to watch with Cutes later...
I am grateful that, after clearing my office the other day, I could finally make a start on my tax... And I am grateful that I periodically get all organised, and sort things out and go through invoices etc, cos it wasn’t in quite the mess I anticipated :-) I’m not quite ready to hand it all in, but I’m getting there!
With thanks... Monday May 10...
Today I am grateful for the beautiful early morning, early winter sunshine...
I am grateful that my day at the magazines wasn’t too stressful...
I am grateful for a brisk walk home through the early darkness, and grateful it is so much cooler now...
And I am grateful for a sweet night in with my beloved...
With thanks... Tuesday May 11...
Today I am grateful for a crazily busy but productive day at the magazines. A little more time would have been nice, but it all got done in the end...
I am grateful that I managed to function given the hellish migraine I woke up with at 5am, which couldn’t be shifted or more than slightly dulled with painkillers, and I hope hope hope it’s the only one I get this week...
I am grateful to Margie and Pete, for lending us the car for the MBSF, and for making us a yummy dinner when we went to pick it up after work...
I am grateful to my beautiful love, and to lovely Lucy, for laughter instead of panic when things went slightly pear shaped, for practical discussions punctuated with humour... Everything will work out beautifully :-) xx
With thanks... Wednesday May 12...
Tonight I am grateful that it’s time for bed - what a day!
I am glad that the faery bags were finally delivered - to the wrong place, so I had to go pick them up, and it was all a bit hectic all to a soundtrack of Green Day... But they are here, and they are pretty, and I have sent out the first load of books complete with their cute purple book bag :-)
I am grateful that, though we were a bit thrown last night when we were told our festival stand would now be bigger, when we’d actually requested smaller, it all worked out fine, and it looks beautiful, and we’ve easily filled the extra space with sweet little faery things - wands and ladybirds and rainbow crystals and hearts...
I am bemused that lunch was a little packet of twisties and a chocolate bar, since I was too busy to eat (any excuse, hey).
I am grateful to Lucy, for we had fun setting up, and there was no stress, and I am immensely grateful to my beloved, for lugging boxes for me all day, and helping so much in so many ways...
And now, to rest and restore before the festival starts in the morning...
Wit
h thanks... Thursday May 13...
Today I am grateful for the beautiful winter sunshine, and the gentle moments of rain in the darkness as we left at the end of the festival...
I am grateful that the first day of the Mind Body Spirit Festival went so well, and Lucy and I sold some books, and had lots of fun together, and met some wonderful people...
I am so grateful to the lovely lady who came by just to tell me how much Seven Sacred Sites had affected her, and helped her, and the magical experiences she had as she read it. Writing books is done in a kind of vacuum, and I was really touched and quite humbled that she kept thanking me for writing it.
I am grateful to all of my friends who came by to say hi, and glad it was a slightly quieter day so I could catch up a little. And I am grateful to Viv for the coffee, and Nolita for the yummy cupcakes!
Most especially I am so grateful to my beloved, who spent the whole day there with me, helping me and being so sweet and supportive...
And now, to bed, to rest up for day two...
With thanks... Friday May 14...
Today I am grateful that day two of the festival went so well, and that Lucy and I had so much fun. I’m grateful to all the friends who popped by, especially my Fairyland friends, and my sweet political debating friend Ally, and to Thomasina for helping us out, and modelling our faery bag all over the festival...
I am bemused by some of the conversations we had, and grateful to Michelle for the beautiful faery-angel gift...
I am grateful that I made it to Juz’s gig in time, and that it was so much fun, and that the crowd loved them! I’m also grateful that battling the craziest traffic and having to park practically at home and walk back to the venue didn’t throw me (I just turned Green Day up super loud), and bemused that I realised just as I got to the pub that I was still wearing my faery crown :-)
And I would have been grateful for a bit more sleep, but never mind - Lucy and I are surviving this weekend on slightly delirious, manic energy, soy chai and lots of laughter...
New moon blessings to all...
With thanks... Saturday May 15...
Tonight I am tired beyond belief and starting to hallucinate, but the festival went well today! Lucy and I sold lots of books, and met some lovely people (and some that were... a little challenging, to say the least...).
I am grateful that the migraine I woke up with was battered into submission with painkillers, and though a little slow, I managed to get through the day.
I am grateful to my beautiful beloved, for coming in with me and helping out until he had to leave for a long, til-midnight shift...
I am super happy that the Faery Magic stand was runner-up as the best, prettiest stand at the awards last night (although I was in Newtown by then, watching a punk gig, and Lucy had gone home to collapse)... We’ve had so much fun together, both with working on the book and sharing our stand...
And I’m sure other things will come to me later, but for now I will just be grateful to put my delirious little head to bed :-)
With thanks... Sunday May 16...
At the end of Day 4 of the Mind Body Spirit Festival, I am grateful that Lucy and I had so much fun together, and weathered the odd storm together (who would expect anything less?!), and met so many lovely people.
I am grateful that I could finally meet in the “real” world my gorgeous Fairyland friends Michelle and Luanne, from the Goddess Playshop stand, and spend a little bit of time with them. Not much though :-( This was the busiest festival I’ve done, which was great in other ways :-) But the Melbourne festival is not too far away...
I am grateful to my beautiful love, for swapping for the early shift so he could help me load out, and to Lizzie for chai, help and laughter...
I am grateful for a fairly smooth pack up, and a fun - and funny - dinner with Lizzie and Cutes...
And I am grateful that so many people loved our Book of Faery Magic, and that something we put so much of ourselves into was so warmly embraced...
With thanks... Monday May 17...
Today I am grateful for a well deserved sleep in, and a day of doing nothing much. There were things I could have done, and hoped to do, but I gave up on that. I’m so super tired, but in a nice way :-)
I’m grateful for time spent in Fairyland, and catching up with all my faery friends :-)
I’m grateful for a long conversation with a dear friend, and sharing news, and so so happy that her new life is unfolding so beautifully and magically...
I am grateful that a Facebook petition led to food giant Nestle announcing they will no longer use palm oil sourced from areas where forests are destroyed and orangutans endangered in order to harvest it...
And I am grateful for a night in with my beloved, salad for dinner (after living on muesli bars for four days), an interesting Q&A show on the economy (and no, I’m not being sarcastic), and the thought of climbing back in to bed...
With thanks... Tuesday May 18...
Today I am grateful it was a non-deadline day at the magazines...
I am grateful the migraine I woke up with was kept under control with painkillers...
I am grateful for the cute little Hungry Caterpillar bag I got to review. I usually give the cool products to the designer for his daughters, or the publisher for hers, but this one is so cute I had to bags it (no pun intended!)...
I am grateful for a cute night with my beloved...
And I am grateful that my little “With thanks” notes inspired a friend to start a gratitude group - I’ll check it out properly tomorrow, but thank you for letting me know! :-) xx
[On another note, I was so disappointed on the bus home from work - three elderly people got on, and me and another girl were the only two to stand up and give them seats - everyone else studiously ignored them, turned up their ipods, buried their noses in a book. It made me sad...]
With thanks... Wednesday May 19...
Today I am grateful for a day off with my beloved...
I’m grateful we snuggled up on the couch for most of the day, drinking tea, reading books, relaxing...
I’m grateful I got to read my friend’s new book, The Littlest Witch, a cute nine-year-in-the-making story of magic and young witches, elves and vampires. Very cool :-)
I am bemused I dozed off and had a little nap - seems like the festival is catching up with me...
And now I am grateful for bed...
With thanks... Thursday May 20...
Today I am grateful for a cruisey day at home...
I’m grateful that I did a little bit of work, plotting and planning, but that I let myself chill out a lot too... Thanks for all your reminders that I’m allowed to take a day off...
I am grateful for time spent with my beloved, for interesting FB discussions, and for all my sweet faery friends...
With thanks... Friday May 21...
Today I am grateful for the most beautiful walk home from work through the dark, chilly night, wood fire scent in the air, first quarter moon shining down, surrounded by a rainbow circle...
I am grateful for a fun lunch with a friend and plans for a girlie movie night...
I am grateful for interesting discussions about politics, society and unscrupulous journalists...
I am grateful that I got some work done on the mags, although it was one of those weird days that’s all about organising and planning, rather than seeming to get much physically done...
I am grateful that - because my head was a bit nasty, which I wasn’t grateful for - I decided not to work when I got home, and I had an apple-scented bubble bath and read a sweet book while I waited for Cutes to come home from his late shift...
And it’s funny, it’s Dad’s birthday today, and although my sister and I sorted his present ages ago, and it’s waiting for him at home, he’s off surfing in the Great Australian Bite, alone, camping on the beach and surfing all day with just dolphins for company, Which is his idea of the perfect day, so although I can’t call him to wish him a happy birthday, I know he’s doing what he loves :-)
With thanks... Saturday May 22...
Tonight I am grateful for a wonderful night with my beloved, seeing Christopher Hitchens speak at Sydney Town Hall (which I’d never been inside before, oddly)... It was wonderful to hear someone who is so intelligent, so well read on so many topics, so courageous and thoughtful. I am grateful he is brave enough to argue his point of view even when it’s unpopular - such as his unexpected stance on Iraq, which is based on actual knowledge of the situation and years spent visiting the country and speaking to its politicians, rebels and others... I admire his passion for life, learning and his adopted home of America, his desire to challenge himself and others, and never stop questioning what he does believe and why he believes it. I also applaud his view that the way to overcome poverty, low mortality rates in developing nations and other heartbreaking issues is to empower and educate women and ensure their rights.
I am grateful that it was such a beautiful early winter night, crisp and clear and all washed clean by the rain...
I am grateful that, after waking up with a migraine, it was dulled enough to go see Hitch, and that I managed to do a tiny bit of tax sorting, although sadly I’ll have to finish it tomorrow...
And I am grateful that a shop in Margaret River took 12 copies of Faery Magic, plus topped up on my other books. Hooray! xx
With thanks... Sunday May 23...
Tonight I am grateful for a phone message from Dad - he’s home safe from his surfing adventure, and loved every minute, but is glad to be home with Mum :-)
I am grateful that I woke up without a migraine :-)
I am grateful that I got some more tax sorted, although this one has been the longest I’ve ever spent on it! Trying to count up every book I sold online, at festivals, through stores, through the distributor, postage expenses, blah blah blah... It should be finished tomorrow! It *has* to be finished tomorrow! I’m really over it now...
And I am grateful for a cute night in with my beloved - Dr Who, House and pizza :-) And now off to dream sweet dreams xx
With thanks... Monday May 24...
Today I am grateful for the cool weather, and the cleansing rain, and the beautiful scent of flowers and damp leaves outside...
I am grateful that I finally got my tax ready to take to the tax lady... And grateful that, if I do it much sooner, next year’s won’t be as painful :-)
I am grateful for a sweet night in with my beloved, watching Splash (which surprisingly neither of us had ever seen, and which was so much more fun that we’d imagined), and playing around with CD cover designs...
And I am grateful for all the wonderful comments about the faery book that people have been posting. It makes me very happy to know that it is touching people’s hearts, and reminding them of their own magic :-) It’s always a little nerve-wracking sending a book out into the world, so Lucy and I do appreciate the feedback! xx
With thanks... Tuesday May 25...
Today I am grateful for a lovely gift from a friend (thanks Karen!)...
I am grateful that the new magazine is almost ready to go (and a little frustrated that some people really don’t understand deadlines)...
I am grateful that my beloved met me after work for hot chai and hugs...
And I am grateful for a lovely night with my aunty and uncle before they go away for the winter, and yummy baked vegies, and lots of laughter and political debate, and early birthday treats for Cutes...
With thanks... Wednesday May 26...
Today I am grateful for the beautiful scent of the earth and the trees and the flowers after the downpour, so sweet and fresh and powerful...
I am grateful that the magazine got sent on time (although slightly frustrated that the people approving it in Milan have been so hard to get hold of)...
I am grateful for my little Hungry Caterpillar umbrella, which came in handy today...
I am grateful for a cute night with my beloved (yet a little sad that Goren has left Criminal Intent. Pout!)...
And I am grateful to Sezza, who inspired me to write this note now, when I should, rather than waiting for the morning... And now, I am grateful that’s it’s time for bed...
With thanks... Thursday May 27...
Tonight I am grateful for a beautiful birthday eve night with my beloved (his not mine), our cute little chips and dips party and cupcakes with candles.
I am grateful for a sweet afternoon with Cutes (which I tried not to ruin with my sick face and bad migraine), book shops and soy chai, although sadly it was a bit too miserable outdoors to feed the ducks :-(
I am grateful for the beautiful early winter weather, sunshine taking it in turns with cleansing rain to appear...
I am grateful that I finally saw my tax person in the morning, and got my tax lodged, and was only two weeks late so it will only be a small fine...
And I am grateful for every day I share with my beautiful love, and all the help and support we give each other to follow our dreams, and all the beautiful moments we create.
With thanks... Friday May 28...
Today I am grateful for the beautiful birthday morning I spent with my beloved, before I had to go into the office to approve dyelines, and Cutes had to go to work...
I am grateful for the incredible beauty of Sydney. On my way to the State Library I walked through Hyde Park, marvelling at the beautiful tree lined path, the man making the biggest, rainbow-coloured bubbles I’ve ever seen, which floated off across the park, the guy playing a saxophone, the pretty fountain cascading down, the tiny birds wrestling with pieces of bread... Then I ventured down to the Rocks to meet a friend, past so many charming historic buildings, and the beautiful botanic gardens that take up so much of the city, that are filled with vivid colour, lovely scents and cute scuttling creatures...
I am grateful to gorgeous Daniella for *more* kindness...
I am grateful that I was down at Sydney Harbour as darkness fell, and the full moon rose so big and golden over the harbour, between two tall buildings, while the Opera House was lit up in a myriad of colours for an arts festival, and glowing lighthouse sculptures shed soft light, and the cool breeze swept gently across the water. I’m even kind of glad I missed the train by 10 seconds, because Circular Quay Station hovers over the harbour, with the most beautiful view of the Harbour Bridge, and the twinkling lights of Luna Park, and the clouds racing across the sky as the moon added an eerie glow to the night. So pretty!
And I am grateful that, though planning to work, I gave in to my tiredness and curled up on the couch and read for most of the night - Traci Harding’s An Echo in Time: Atlantis - and waited for my love to come home...
With thanks... Saturday May 29...
Today I am grateful for a cruisey day. I updated my website, and the Faery Magic one, then chilled out with a book for a while...
I am grateful for a fun afternoon tea party with my faery friend Lucy, with tiny teddy bikkies and planning our next project...
And I am grateful for a sweet night with my beloved, time spent chatting, and watching Doctor Who, and cuddling up on the couch as the rain fell gently outside. I do so love this cooler weather...
With thanks... Sunday May 30...
Today I am grateful for new beginnings, and all the excitement and passion that goes with starting a new project...
I’m grateful I found a few good causes to support relating to the awful Gulf Oil Spill - and that I adopted a baby duckling through the International Bird Rescue and Research Center (www.ibrrc.org). Another good one is the Humane Society, an international organisation that protects wildlife (www.hsi.org.au).
I am grateful for a nice time with the in-laws early this morning, drinking tea and chatting...
I am grateful for the beautiful sunshine that chased the clouds away, and the cool breezes of early winter...
And I am grateful Cutes got home from work at last, and we could snuggle up together and watch Doctor Who :-) xx
With thanks... Monday May 31...
Today I am grateful for the beautiful, chilly, early winter morning. It’s so nice to not feel hot (except for in the office, which is like being in a furnace)...
I am grateful that, when I raced up to the big Dymocks store in my lunch break, I saw 10 copies of Faery Magic near a copy of A Magical Journey (Seven Sacred Sites is upstairs in the travel section)... Plus a copy of my friend Anita’s book The Goddess Diet in the health section, and pockets and pockets of Martini’s book The Littlest Witch! So cool!
I am grateful to gorgeous Daniella, for helping with the artwork for Juz’s CD - she went above and beyond again!
I am grateful to all the wonderful people who have adopted a duckling or a pelican along the Gulf Coast, and the power of Facebook to get such information out to so many people...
And I am grateful for a sweet night in with my beloved, the pressure of knowing Sezza and Jenny are waiting for my note (I almost snuck off to bed without writing it, but they convinced me otherwise), and now, for the last few pages of Traci Harding’s book, which I’m going to snuggle up in bed and read! Sweet dreams xx
To return to the With Thanks homepage, click here.
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.
Send Serene an email.
