Have you ever had the feeling, that knowing, that life was going to be kind to you and roll in a direction you hoped it would roll? I had a feeling, after the past 24 months, that it was time for things to simply flow in a peaceful, productive, positive direction for me and mine. And I’ve been blown away by the fact, that it has!

I was sitting out in the sun, in my garden this morning with my first cup of tea of the day, getting geared up for hours of uninterrupted writing, and was thinking to myself, ‘Have I done enough this year, to make a real difference? Have I done everything I can, to help the souls in this world, have a better day, life?’
I felt I hadn’t done enough or pushed myself hard enough to make a real difference to anyone, so I thought I’d write a list of what I had actually done so far this year. Sitting down, I began to write down things I’d done from an author/publishers perspective…and once I’d finished, I sat back and felt a small glow of contentment.

Karen Mc Dermott holding the first print of my paper baby!

Janurary-March: I’d watched ‘Thirteen and Underwater’ come to life with finalising the manuscript, watching the cover evolve to finally holding the proof of my paper baby. That was a magical moment, along with spreading the word to my online Tribe, that Thirteen was coming out to the world soon, and there were so many excited individuals who were looking forward to reading about our journey. I’m pretty sure it was this month too, that we decided to host Thirteens launch party at our home! So renovations that had been quietly waiting for years, were on the go!

March- April: Thirteen was showcased at the London Book Fair, and I was so fortunate to also have Thirteen featured in the powerful, Ymag, magazine as a recommended read! I entered my first writing competition with Writers Victoria, and had a good laugh when I won the April challenge.
I was invited along to be a guest author speaker at the Docklands Library, to talk on the topic of Resilience, with two brilliantly talented Authors, Kelly Van Nelson and Danielle Aitken. This was my first public speaking event, and as nervous as I was, it was an absolute honour to be a part of this night. I think having the gorgeous Susan Wakfield MC this event, and seeing familiar faces in the crowd helped. On top of it being such an amazing event, it was the first time I got to meet my stunning publisher, Karen Mc Dermott of MMH Press, in person!
April also gifted me my first five star review, from Readers’ Favorite. Along with other reviews that melted my heart with gratitude. Of course, the renovations and preparations for the launch were under full swing!

March: The London Book Fair, showcasing Thirteen and Underwater

Author talk on Resilience at the Docklands Library with Co-Authors, Kelly Van Nelson and Danielle Aitken.

Speaking about Resilience.

First time I got to meet my stunning publisher in person!!

My first attempt at a Flash Writing challenge!

So thrilled to have Thirteen, featured in Ymag as a recommended read!

May: 24 days, non-stop prep and reno’s as the excitement kept building. Honestly, hosting a book launch from home is like having a wedding! For me, it was a bigger event than my actual wedding day! And the beauty of the launch day, both our sons got to share this special event with us. Priceless.
May 25th! It was an absolute spectacular day. Can I rewind and do it all again? Yes, it was that much fun. 🙂

Delighted to sign away!

Happy faces enjoying the sunshine.

Sensational crowd of enthused readers!

Talnented MC’s, Susan Wakefield and Adam Wallace, along with Publisher, Karen Mc Dermott.

June-July: Thanks to a brilliant press-release by talented Nikki Fisher, I was contacted by a local journalist along the Mornington Peninsual, and Thirteen and Underwater’s message was placed in two local newspapers. Unfortunately, the flu hit me hard the day the photographer rocked up to snap me in my gorgeous garden, but, the background looked epic, and Thirteens cover shone, so, very grateful for that! How did this next moment happen……I was nominated for the 2019, AusMumpreneur Awards this coming September! I’ll simply say, thank you. To attend this event and be surrounded by absolute powerhouse women, doing their all to make this world a better place. Absolutely blown away and so looking forward to rubbing shoulders with these super-Mum’s!
Another amazing moment was when my husband and I had the opportunity to join the brilliant MMH PRESS family, with the one and only, my gorgeous publisher Karen Mc Dermott! To be a part of her world, to learn about the publishing industry on a deeper level in order to help those that have a beautiful, heartfelt, soul-filled story to share with the world. I have no words. I’ve always known something huge was going to fall across my path and I can’t fully explain, how I felt when it did. It was that ‘knowing’ feeling. I mean seriously….this month was pretty full on!

Thank you Mornington Peninsula Standard Leader for helping me spread the word on Anxiety.

These two souls, who make life shine that much more

Had the privilege of being nominated for the 2019 AusMumpreneur awards!

Thank you Frankston Standard for helping me spread the word in Anxiety

Of course, every month I look forward to the meet ups with my Peninsula Writers Group, and any chance for an extra writerly-day is a bonus, with all the talent the Peninsula has to offer!
It was this month, July, after signing and posting books to gorgeous souls, that I felt I needed to step up and do more, when a light bulb moment came to me.
I have been invited to the Mornington Peninsula Writers Festival this October and I thought it the perfect opportunity, for me to give back to a service that had done so much for my family. Beyond Blue are always in my raider, and I do love being a Blue voice member. But I started to think local, and reached out to Headspace, Frankston and am delighted to say, I have a meeting with them this coming Thursday, to work with, promote and donate funds from my book sales. To have this opportunity to work alongside such a giving organisation as Headspace, makes me beyond ecstatic.

Every month, blessed to hang with a bunch of like minded souls!

The talented Peninsula Writers Club!

A few of my talented writer friends at one of our favourite meeting rooms, The Royal, Morninton

Looking forward to this event, and raise some funds for Frankstons amazing organisation that help so many, Headspace!

Sharing our story, our journey of Thirteen and Underwater is one thing I can do for other Mums, carers, individuals dealing with the often debilitating disorder of anxiety. My Mum wore a Tee Shirt that read, ‘I’m not perfect, but I’m so close it scares me!’
It represented her so well, and makes me laugh to this day, when I think of her wearing it. I also know I’m not a perfect mum. Close…in my heart….But! I’m certainly a very proud one.
So, looking down at my list, of what I’ve done so far, and where I’m heading, I felt that small glow of accomplishment. I have to keep giving, growing, helping, evolving. There are days I still have to motivate myself. Grief really is a nasty little parasite and doesn’t go away…..even 2+ years on, after losing Mum, I struggle. Some days are so much easier than others, and accomplishing many tasks in a day makes me feel like Mother Teresa. Other days, I can wander around my yard wondering what I’m doing here at all, and why don’t I have the mental energy to do more?
I know many can relate to this.
But right now, today I am ready to embrace every opportunity that comes my way, to make a difference and help all I can. Including the bees. I hope you too, are having a great year…..hugs to you all. 🐝🙏🏽😇