With thanks...
OCTOBER 2009
I am grateful for full moon energy, time with my beloved and the striking of inspiration...
With thanks... Thursday October 1...
Today I am grateful for an afternoon and evening off with my love - we ordered thai and watched Mulan (and Mulan 2!), and are still drinking tea, curled up on the couch reading and chatting...
I am grateful that I got some work done today, and that the words are starting to flow...
I am grateful for the pretty pink flowers in Fairyland, which are raising awareness for Breast Cancer Awareness month, and all the sweet and caring messages flying around the gardens...
I am grateful for a fun, funny card from my friend in England, and for the sharing of beautiful news from another who's OS...
And now I am grateful for the cool breeze blowing in the window, after a stifling hot day. I'm a bit nervous about summer!
With thanks... Friday October 2...
Tonight I am grateful for this beautiful, wild storm, for thunder and lightning and much-needed rain...
I am grateful that I got some work done, although I wish it had been a little more :-)
I am grateful for orders from bookstores in WA...
And I am grateful for a cute night in with my love, for Law & Order and peaches and cream...
With thanks... Sunday October 3...
Today/tonight (it's 3.30am) I am grateful that the Platinum Brunette gig was so awesome, and that the crowd *loved* them. I am grateful that they all laughed derisively when the bride wars were mentioned, grateful for a brand new song, and amused that Juz was invited for a "drink" by a new fan :-)
I am grateful that I found inspiration, huddled amongst the gear in the stairwell while they set up, and scribbled a big chunk of my new project in faded light, cigarette smoke and noise.
I am grateful for a breakfast catch up with my aunty and uncle, and the loan of their car for the night...
I am grateful for a beautiful afternoon with my love, relaxing on the couch between bits of work and fairy garden sprinkles...
And now I am grateful for bed...
With thanks... Sunday October 4...
Today I am grateful for the beauty of the full moon, behind its mysterious cover of clouds, although it seems just days since the last full moon...
I am grateful for the intriguing tales of the Mooncake Festival, which falls on this day this year, and its stories of the moon fairy who lives in a crystal palace and dances on the surface of the moon, because in China legend tells of the woman in the moon, as opposed to the Western version of the man in the moon.
I am grateful that I found a golden dragon and a pink flamingo today. The flamingo is dancing through Fairyland this month to increase the profile of Breast Cancer Awareness Month...
I am grateful for the memory of my grandfather, whose birthday it would have been today (101!), and that we had so long with him...
And I am grateful for a cute night in with my beloved, having a picnic and watching Pocahontas. I'm catching up on my Disney Princesses for work... A little suss on this one, but it was beautifully done...
With thanks... Monday October 5...
Today I am grateful for the thunder and lightning, a fiery meeting of the elements as I wrote about fire and earth, and sought inspiration and creativity, and found it in the bottom of a pot of chai, and out the window in the sparkling, crashing, rolling heavens... And finally got some work done...
I am grateful for the beautiful still full moon that occasionally peeked out from behind the gotham city clouds...
I am grateful that the sweet lady staying in Mum's chalet rang her today to tell her that she'd been awake at 2am, staring at the full moon, and had gone downstairs and found my Magical Journey book, and stayed up reading it, crying, and writing for two hours straight, and felt cleansed and soothed by my words, and the process they inspired, and that she wants to use the book in her workshops. And I am grateful to Sharne for letting me know it has touched her too...
I am grateful for the lovely emails between Michele-lee and me today, plotting, planning :-)
And I am grateful to my beautiful beloved, who made me tea today while I worked, and I am grateful for our sweet night together :-)
With thanks... Tuesday October 6...
Tonight I am grateful for the beautiful moon that rose, just off full, all big and golden and low in the sky, peeking through a gorgeous, gothic cloud scape and filling my heart with the beauty of the moment...
I am grateful that it washed away the stress of a hectic day, which began with a migraine hangover (not the after-fun kind) and didn't improve much...
I am grateful to Michele-lee and our lovely supportive planning together, and the magic we will weave with Lucy at the Mind Body Spirit festival soon...
I am grateful for the sweetness of a sunshower after work as I giggled my way to the bus stop, not quite wanting to walk home in it, but soothed and amused for a short walk...
And I am grateful to my beautiful beloved, for his love and support, and his cute kisses and comforting cuddles...
With thanks... Wednesday October 7...
Today, to be honest, I am grateful that it's over :-) I woke up early with the worst migraine in ages, and threw up a few times before I managed to set off for work. (I know, I do have martyr-like tendencies at times...)... I am grateful that I made it through the day though, in a drug-fuelled haze... At least the nausea had lifted!
I am grateful that I made it to the Tickled Pink exhibition to support our artist friend Skye, eat a little pink cupcake and see all the breast cancer awareness-inspired artwork. (Sorry if I was a bit vague Skye!)
I am grateful for a family dinner with my cousin, who was up from Wollongong, for being able to just sit and listen as Juz and Uncle Pete debated the current state of the world, and for yummy baked pumpkin...
I am grateful for more book sales...
And now I am grateful for bed, and the fact I don't have to get up early tomorrow! xx
With thanks... Thursday October 8...
Today I am grateful that the cute little message of love I sent to my bee-loved won "sweetest message of the day" in a honey promotion - and he gets a honey hamper! Cute bee :-)
I am grateful that although my migraine was into day two, it did respond to painkillers, so although I was vague and dazed, the pain was bearable...
I am also so grateful for all the beautiful messages of sympathy I got from everyone today. Thank you for your kind thoughts and healing energy!
I am grateful that Mum sold several more books this week...
I am grateful for birthday coffee with my mother in law (that sounds weird! I usually just say Juz's Mum :-)
I am grateful for a cute night with Cutes, getting a bit of work done while he read a book next to me, then snuggling on the couch and watching Law & Order (and NICIS:LA, which really does suck, and which I am not grateful for :-)...
And now, I am grateful for restorative sleep...
With thanks... Friday October 9...
Today I am grateful that I got a lot of work done, thanks to liquid advil, oils of peppermint, lemongrass and lavender, and several mugs of tea :-)
I am grateful that the dresses arrived, and fit really well, and are so pretty. Now I'm tempted to get another one :-)
I am grateful to beautiful Daniella for her kindness...
I am grateful that a badger finally arrived in my fairy garden - it was the third time I'd tried to entice him - and that I spotted the elusive king parrot in someone else's garden...
And I am grateful to my beautiful love, for not laughing at my new project, and being supportive of my vulnerabilities...
With thanks... Saturday October 10...
Today I am grateful that I amused myself with visions Alice in Wonderland's Red Queen, and her chopping off of heads, rather than focusing on this stupid and never ending migraine :-)
I am grateful that I got some work done, although I wish I'd been able to do more...
I am grateful for the ease with which the Triple Goddesses are organising their Mind Body Spirit Festival stand, and learning about each other's requirements - and learning to speak up for their own - and I'm looking forward to our adventure...
And I am grateful for a cute night with my bee-loved, for the cool breezes of the day, and the beckoning night and the imminent fall into sleep...
With thanks... Sunday October 11...
Today I am grateful for a wonderful afternoon and night with our lovely friend, lots of cups of tea, naughty bikkies and yummy thai, serious debates, funny conversations and lots of laughter...
I am grateful for the intermittent sunshine, the sounds of the birds singing outside my window, and the cool breeze as I went to buy bikkies...
And I am grateful that, despite a middle of the day migraine that took a while to control, I got a lot of work done (I'm stubborn if nothing else...). Seems perhaps I was a little hasty in stopping the migraine medication... I'd certainly forgotten just how bad and how frequent they were without it, sigh...
With thanks... Monday October 12...
Today is Thanksgiving in Canada (I discovered from my Fairyland friends)... I personally think every day should be thanksgiving, and we should count our blessings daily - it does change your mood, because it's hard to feel depressed (bad head not withstanding) when you are listing all the things you have to feel grateful for... A nice quote: "Happiness is a conscious choice, not an automatic response," said author Mildred Barthel. I also love that the word silly derives from the Greek 'Selig', meaning 'Blessed'. And I am grateful that I am silly (or blessed!) so often...
I am grateful to my gorgeous friend Daniella for her kindness...
I am grateful to the lovely Michele-lee for her organisational skills that match my own, her good cheer, encouragement and support...
I am grateful that I got a lot of work done (in between dealing with the people at ACP who make being paid so hard!)...
And I am grateful that my love has another gig this weekend, that he's enjoying the band so much (at last!), and that he is plotting and planning and moving forward...
With thanks... Tuesday October 13...
Today I am grateful that I made lots of progress on my new project...
I am grateful that is quieter now, after a few hours of screaming babies, car alarms, loud conversations across the coutyard and the piano from next door. Never noticed how loud it gets til I was trying to tape something :-)
I am grateful for a cute night with my Cutes, and for NCIS (the original)...
And I am grateful that I realise that, although I feel a bit blah right now, that will change, and I will be my usual cheerful self in no time :-)
With thanks... Wednesday October 14...
Today I am grateful for the cool breeze and warm sunshine, and the alchemical blend of the elements that lifted my mood as I walked up to the post office through our favourite little glade, which was full of cute crested pigeons which always make me giggle...
I am grateful (and relieved) that I got the first part of my project done and sent... such a huge weight off my mind... And I am grateful for the efficiency of the people I'm dealing with...
I am grateful that Optus called and offered me a new phone and twice as much credit, since my old one is on its last legs...
And I am grateful for a fun night with my beloved, popping by the Walkley nominations event, walking home in the beautiful twilight, more work on my story, cups of tea and lots of love...
With thanks... Thursday October 15...
Today I am grateful that I got my story finished, captions written and photos organised, and all sent off by the deadline...
I am grateful to my beautiful, patient, supportive beloved, who didn't complain that I spent all of our day off together at the computer, who made me lunch, and several cups of tea, and gave me little kisses of encouragement and support...
I am grateful for lovely friends and lively debate...
I am grateful for book sales from Hong Kong...
And I am grateful for fun plans and impending travel (just to Melbourne!), and new friends to drink tea with :-)
With thanks... Friday October 16...
Today I am grateful that my beloved came into town and met me after work, and that we had such a beautiful walk home in the still bright sunshine, holding hands and catching up on our day...
I am grateful that the hiccups at work got sorted, that I posted the books off smoothly and the barcode I ordered appeared in record time...
I am grateful for the happy (but surprising) news of a friend whose baby is due in two weeks. Guess I hadn't seen them for *quite* a while...
And I am grateful that it's time for bed. I'm sick of writing about my pesky head, so I shall sign off for now :-)
With thanks... Saturday October 17...
Today I am grateful that I got up so early, painful though it was, and got straight to work. Between yawning and strong cups of tea, I got heaps done...
I am grateful that I wrote a large section, did some artwork and also updated my website...
I am grateful to my father in law for his help with my new project...
I am grateful that Margie and Pete lent us the car for the gig - and even delivered it to us!
I am grateful that Platinum Brunette's show went so well, that Demonica and co rocked so hard, and that I managed to get a lot of work done, scribbled down while they were setting up, then packing up...
I am grateful for the very pretty om symbol we had stamped on our wrists...
And I am grateful that we'll be in bed before 3am (just)...
With thanks... Sunday October 18...
Today I am grateful for the smell of star jasmine wafting around our courtyard and in through the windows. Such a beautiful summery spring sunshine scent :-)
I am grateful that, despite a chronic shortage of sleep last night after the gig, I was super-productive and got a huge amount done, was inspired and artistic with design as well as words, and can see the end in sight (for this project at least :-)...
I am grateful for tea, honey and soy milk :-)
I am grateful that old friends have found me on FB - it's so nice to be in touch again, and reminisce about my 10 days of silence, Christmas in Newtown, climbing 1650 steps to get t Dracula's lair...
And I am grateful to my beautiful beloved, for his support and encouragement and belief in me when I have doubts...
With thanks... Monday October 19...
Today I am grateful for a few moments to scrawl this note in a very busy day :-)
I am grateful that my beautiful beloved came in to town to meet me after work, because he missed me and couldn't wait for me to get home, and that we had a little chai together, then walked home in the gorgeous twilight...
I am grateful that it was such a beautiful spring day...
I am grateful for a busy but productive day at work...
I am grateful for success in my lunch-time wedding registry adventure :-)
I am grateful that I squished in a tiny bit of work on my own project...
And now I am grateful for bed!
With thanks... Tuesday October 20...
Tonight I am grateful that Mum arrived from WA for a visit, and that I saw her (briefly) when I picked her up from the airport...
I am grateful for the completion of my part of the new project :-)
I am grateful to my beautiful love, for all his help with it...
I am grateful for the smell of star jasmine wafting through the window...
I am grateful for hot tea and berocca (alternating, not together)...
And now I am grateful for bed (again!)...
With thanks... Wednesday October 21...
Today I am grateful that my beloved came with me when I walked in to the city this morning for work...
I am grateful that he came to meet me after work, and that we walked down to the harbour and smiled at the sparkling water, and drank chai and shared a cupcake :-)
I am grateful for a little excursion to a stationery store (I love them!) for a few supplies for the festival...
And I am grateful that today was the first day in two weeks that I didn't have to take migraine painkillers. It's such a different way to look at the world, pain free and without that weird dulling drug haze. Hooray!
With thanks... Thursday October 22...
Today I am grateful for dinner with Mum, who is visiting my side of the country for two weeks :-)
I am grateful for another productive day, and another thing ticked off my to-do list, although I'm still weighed down by a mild yet constant state of frantic-ness and chaos, the weight of so many things still to do... but I do like being able to cross things off my list, even if they're quickly replaced :-)
I am grateful that Cutes and I snatched a few moments together today, between his rehearsal and my working, and for all the cups of tea he made me :-)
And I am grateful for a second day without any migraine pain or need for painkillers!
With thanks... Friday October 23...
Today I am grateful for the sight of the massive black butterfly with little red patterns on its wings that I stopped and admired on my walk home from work tonight...
I am grateful for the gorgeous sky, which looked like a sunset even though it was at least an hour before time and the sun was still high in the heavens...
I am grateful for a fun night at the Platinum Brunette gig, that it went so well, and that Mum had a good time (and wanted to stay for the last band - I would have happily left!)...
And I am grateful for the hot soothing mug of earl grey tea and the little cupcake Cutes and I shared at 2am when we got home, yawning and chatting about our day, and so looking forward to some tome out of the whirl... Maybe next week...
With thanks... Saturday October 24...
Today I am grateful for the beautiful sunshine and the heady scent of star jasmine, as it lifted my spirits and made me smile after a strange, slightly frantic, tired and stressy morning...
I am grateful that I crossed a few more things off my to-do list :-)
I am grateful for the beautiful walk my love and I took in the late afternoon, after his work, along the beach at Coogee, and up the hill to my aunty and uncle's.
I am grateful for dinner with them and Mum, and the feast Petie whipped up, and interesting conversations about politics and religion :-)
And I am grateful that my head didn't start hurting until now...
With thanks... Sunday October 25...
Today I am grateful for a lovely afternoon at a lovely friend's kitchen tea, which was so beautifully and elegantly done, with the cutest cake I've ever seen (a pretty teapot!), and I am so glad that she is so happy and radiant and excited and in love, and has finally found someone worthy of her beautiful heart...
I am grateful to my father-in-law, for his wonderful contribution to my new project...
I am grateful for a roundabout drive through the harbourside suburbs of Sydney (as the bridge was closed), and pretty wooded glades and rain sparkled trees... So many beautiful areas I never see...
I am grateful for the sound of the rain falling gently outside, and the refreshing air all clean and jasmine scented...
And I am grateful for a cosy night in with my love, for soothing pats on my aching head, and the strange sensation of swimming through the day, slightly removed, as I viewed it all through a migraine haze (interestingly though, it somehow added depth to my project, so go figure!)...
With thanks... Monday October 26...
Today I am grateful for the beautiful cleansing rain and the cool refreshing breezes...
I am grateful for the most beautiful message from Daniella, and grateful to be able to share her wonderful, exciting, romantic adventure...
I am grateful for a productive day at work, juggling magazines and deadlines...
I am grateful for soy chai in the afternoon, and meeting up with my beloved after work for tea and chats and laughter and the odd yawn...
I am grateful for a lovely dinner with the family...
And now I am grateful for bed...
With thanks... Tuesday October 27...
Today I am grateful for an *interesting* day. The highest highs, the lowest lows. Incredible excitement that my project was ready, depression, sadness and stress as I realised there was a problem with part of it... I'm sure it won't seem as bad tomorrow, but tonight, at 1am, exhausted and frantic, it seems like the end of the world... It's all perspective :-)
I am grateful for a very productive day at Disney Princess magazine, and the prettiness of our almost-completed summer special...
And I am grateful for my beautiful love and his support, comfort, advice, honesty and love...
With thanks... October 28...
Today I am grateful that after a frantic morning in my wardrobe (quite literally – see, this will be a funny story one day!), the problem seems to sorted out, and things *should* proceed smoothly from here... Fingers crossed it won't affect the deadline, and I will have my new project back in time to launch it at the Mind Body Spirit Festival next week :-)
I am grateful for a fun adventure to Wollongong with Mum and my beloved, dropping Cutes off to see a friend, having a lovely lunch with my sweet cousin (and her two slightly-crazy but gorgeous boys), meeting back up with Cutes, hanging out, admiring the beautiful treeland and ocean vistas...
I am grateful that the next crisis seems to have been averted, and that my lovely father-in-law came over late at night and stayed til after midnight trying to sort it out...
And I am grateful to my beautiful bee-loved, who has been so supportive and encouraging and sympathetic and sweet throughout this...
With thanks... Thursday October 29...
Today I am grateful that – after a hectic, crazy morning, several cabs, a missed deadline and lots of tea and bikkies – my new project is at the printer and being manifested into physical form... (Fingers crossed it will still be ready in time!)
I am grateful for a lovely dinner with my love, my mum and one of my dearest friends, and long conversations and lots of laughs and good memories...
I am grateful for sweet messages and fairy fun...
And now I am grateful I can head off to dreamland for a few hours before heading off to Princessland for the day...
With thanks... Friday October 30...
Today I am grateful that Cutes came to meet me after work, and that we walked home in the beautiful late afternoon sunshine, and stopped to play in the jacaranda snow on a street near us lined with these gorgeous purple trees. It's like a carpet of purple on the sidewalk, and the flower blossoms fall and swirl and dance merrily to the ground...
I am grateful that the summer special is ready for the publisher to check on Monday morning so it can go to the printer...
I am grateful that my sweet cousin lent me the Charlaine Harris books :-)
And I am grateful (and relieved) that I have had almost a week without a migraine, especially given how stressed and completely zonked I am...
With thanks... Saturday October 31...
Today I am grateful for the genius that is Fairyland, and the immense creativity and technical know-how that created a Halloween extravaganza across all the gardens - with midnight skies, lit up jack-o-lantern pots and witches flying across the heavens, and haunted mushroom games and black cats and cute bats hiding in the gardens :-)
As I prepare for Beltane in a few days, I am grateful that Halloween is such a fun day, even if the real meaning is lost (Cutes said the store was overrun by drunk and obnoxious ghouls, pirates and sexy nurses filling in time until their parties started)...
And I am grateful that I got lots more work done on my story that is due tomorrow, and that once I file it I will be free to, if not sleep, at least relax slightly, and make final preparations for the Mind Body Spirit Festival, which starts on Thursday!
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