Some days just make me smile

I guess I’m lucky that I’m a fairly upbeat person. Most say I smile a lot but like everyone I have my down days. Like the other day I was rushing here and there and getting a tad stressed. I was just about to back out of my driveway and saw the most exquisite flower in my garden.

I believe this flower is a Hippeastrum cultivar in flower - growing in my own garden.

Suddenly I was smiling. There’s nothing like something beautiful to make you smile. Later when I came back home I took a photo of it. Then I saw two others about to bloom.

It reminded of me of a couple of days before that. I’d been walking (yes back into the fitness regime) and saw a flock of white Cockatoos fly overhead cawing (as they do). I thought isn’t that awesome as they perched in a large tree like white Christmas decorations. Again, I smiled. In another day that had been rush rush it reminded me that nature goes at its own pace and we should observe it and be grateful. It made me take more notice of everything else that day. The sun setting in the west, the smoke haze from the bushfires in the valley, the smell of the burnt bush air with fires so near, the gentle spring breeze on my skin giving me the warm glow of the nearing summer, children giggling as I passed their front yard, an old lady smiling as she took her daily walk and the good aches of my body as I exercised it. Smile.

Then there’s my great-niece Ella who just turned two years old. Her mum Hayley had organised a barbecue down by the river near The Anchorage at Tweed Heads. I hadn’t been down that way for years. It was picture perfect with the sun high in the sky, the water clear blue-green, boats and jet skis passing in a flurry of excited boat goers in swimwear and caps, and soft white sand in the little bay where Ella and her older cousin played. I’ve missed the river (we used to be regular skiers) and I looked yearningly at the slick boats and thought about one day (when I have spare money…) I’ll buy a boat and anchor it on the river so I can laze back and read a good book (if it’s a ski boat a bit of skiing would be fun too). Dream on…but smile anyway!

Ella playing with the 'Dora the Explorer' facewasher I gave her for her 2nd Birthday - the simplest things keep kids happy

On the weekend my sons made me smile. Blake because he spent the whole day with his family (he is 16, say no more). Joel because he played his Grand Final (Rugby League Q Cup Fogs Colts) and lost but graciously. Though he was concussed and can’t remember the game or much afterwards. Actually his whole team played an awesome game that went to golden point and accepted their defeat with dignity. Coming from fourth spot they accomplished a milestone and had a great season. Okay I wasn’t smiling when they lost because I was sad for them but later I smiled because of how well they handled it and what a great bunch of young men they are. Also my daughter in law, Elise, joined us at the game. It was priceless watching my son, Blake looking out for her and warning men off her – cute. Smile.

The next thing to make me smile recently is (actually yesterday) I finalised my website and completed artwork for my business cards. I emailed this artwork to my brother, Brad who is a printer at Inky Graphix. Very soon, along with my new website Donna Munro Writing Services I’ll have business cards to hand out. Officially – WRITER!

So, if anyone needs some writing done just direct them to my website which is www.warmwittywords.com.au and I’ll provide the write (right) service for their writing needs.

Anyway since I’m on reason’s to smile there’s plenty more:

• kindness
• beautiful things
• intoxicating smells
• adorable babies
• nature at its best
• gratitude
• respect
• accomplishments
• family (Kris coming home safely from Afghanistan)

Joel and mate Zeke after their grand final at Suncorp. I'm glad I took this because both were concussed and may not remember this classic moment otherwise.

Here is the artwork that made me smile but I can’t wait for the actual business cards:

My new business card for Donna Munro Writing Services

Brain strain and no physical pain

Wow, what a few weeks I’ve had.

Taking on a graphic arts contract when I haven’t really been in the business for nearly a decade was a daunting task. Technology moves so fast and I had moments of doubt whether I could keep up. You’ll be pleased to know I did. I feel a sense of accomplishment as I handled every day, pushing deadlines, dealing with customers who don’t know what they want until they see the artwork that they ‘don’t want’, keeping creative and trying to figure out a program similar to what I was used to (Freehand). It was Corel Draw and some things are the same but others have alternate names or the tabs and toolbars weren’t where I expected them to be. Just figuring these out was like discovering a new language in a foreign country. Anyhoot it’s done and I’m back to two days here and two days there and many more days at this keyboard getting some sort of writing done.

Thanks to everyone who has subscribed and sorry that through this months the posts have been seldom. Don’t worry it’s all back on track. Thanks also to anyone who has purchased Dad Love It’s going well so far but I’d love some testimonials so please just post a comment on the Dad Love page.

Due to all this work, work, work I’ve had little time to play. Play to me is usually exercise. Strolling with my dog (she sniffs things so much I could hardly call it power walking), beach walks and strides up and down Burleigh National Park. That’s next – back into a routine of exercise and good eating. I’m sure it fuels the brain and avoids the brain strain I was sure I’d be enduring this month. My brain is fine but really I want some physical pain. I want the sting of tight sore calves and I want to be out of breath so my heart rate is elevated just enough to know I’m making progress.

Here’s a nice place to pass while I’m getting fit again:

A beautiful and inspirational place, Talle Creek.

After a bit of exercise I’ll be back into writing mode again. Two articles to do and a novel to start. Wish me luck!

 

Dad Love for Father’s Day and every day

‘Dad Love’ was released on Smashwords. If you didn’t buy one for Father’s Day it’s still a great gift any time of year.

‘Dad Love’ is a non-fiction book about family releationships hat uses quotes, poems and memories by everyday people as well as celebrities, to help us better understand the love we have of our fathers. I am proud to have published this book and though it’s no great literary revelation it is a unique and poignant book that will appeal to anyone.

Thank you to those who contributed. I would have liked to include more quotes from real people but time was running out. I believe it’s a nice collection of quotes of memories, feelings, love, wonder and admiration for dads. I’ve also explained why we love our dads so much and included dads from history and now as well as quotes from celebrities as well as average Australians. I hope you enjoy it.

SEE AN EXCERPT AT SMASHWORDS

The cover of Dad Love by Donna Stafford-Munro

‘Dad Love’

by Donna Stafford-Munro

ISBN: 978-1-4661-3461-4

Publisher: Smashwords, Inc.

Buy it for only $2.00

at Smashwords where it is available for download in all formats.

Phew what a week!

I do like to keep busy but I think there is a fine line between busy and frantic. I aspire to be busy enough to stay focussed. Frantic only makes you stress and possibly make mistakes. So I pondered if I’d bitten off more than I can chew this week.

I’ve taken on a job as a graphic artist (just a fill-in position) for four weeks. The fact that I’ve been out of that particular industry (printing) for many years hasn’t seemed to phase me as it’s just like getting back on a bike. (Different programs but easily figured out). The thing is, because I took this on it put my book project ‘Dad Love‘ either on the burner or finish it quicker. As you would know from my last post, I finished it instead. Hopefully, I haven’t rushed the final edit too much but so far I’m pleased with the feedback.

You’re saying, “That’s not busy.” No maybe not but can I add the rest?

• Kept working as a marketing publicist for Zeus Publications.
• Plugged away at my own writing business (Donna’s Writing Services) by sending a flash fiction to a magazine.
• Sent another flash fiction to a competition.
• Wrote a letter to the editor to U on Sunday (The Sunday Mail) about an amazing young man  David Pocock and his organisation EightyTwenty Vision. See the link and donate to this very worthy cause.
• Sent a query on an article idea.
• Added new links to this blog and upgraded some pages (adding my book page for ‘Dad Love‘)
• Entered some competitions.
• Did some surveys.
• Worked a night shift twice a week.
• Fed my dog, Boss (at least every day). She barks on the dot at 4pm every day to let us know it’s feed time.
• Walked Boss (when there was no torrential rain).
• Put on numerous loads of washing and all the other mundane housework. Sometimes beds were made other times I had to let them be.
• Shopped for the family groceries (my fridge is never full with two teenage boys).
• Tried to kiss and hug my boys and hubby as often as possible.

Surely, I don’t have to itemize everything but just imagine all the other stuff all working mums complete as well as their career work. I’m sure there’s plenty out there who are frantic rather than just busy.

My brain isn’t frazzled yet but I do have a million things going on in it which makes it difficult to tune out at night and just go to sleep.

• There are plans for the new novel.
• Ideas for more articles.
• Thoughts on how to do my new job.
• How to fit in my old job?
• How to juggle the family and make sure my boys don’t start eating the furniture?
• Whether my husband is going to feel ignored (probably).
• Whether my dog will fret because I’m not home with her as often.
• How to find the time to still write?
• How to find the time to update this blog?
• Sitting my eldest son down and sorting out his tax so I can finish Tax Pack and send it away.
• Will I ever get time to relax and read a book again?
• What stretch of time can I allocate exercise to so my resolve doesn’t disappear altogether (and my waistline reappear)?
• When will this rain stop so I actually feel like going for a walk or jog?

See, what a busy girl I am. I’m not complaining and I rarely talk about how busy I am (it’s sort of annoying isn’t it?). I just wanted to note it all down and see if it looked like a reasonable request of myself. It is. So on with it girl. Now you’ve blogged so get onto the other stuff.

Boss strapped into the back of the car so we can drive to Tally for a walk to the beach.

Why not let me know what kept you busy this week. I’d love to read your comments. Did you finish a manuscript? Did you volunteer somewhere? Did you go on holidays and have a relaxing time? What did you do?

Oh, and did I tell you that you can buy Dad Love for just $2 now for Father’s Day?