I was trying to quit my sugar addiction when...

I was awarded a fabulous Sugar Doll Blogger Award!

wish I had of at least brushed my hair to accept it.

What a start to the day!

Woo-hoo!

Quix from Quixotic Life (ha ha sorry don't know her name!) has awarded me a most prestigous award for my blog.

I would award it back to her but then this would never end.

Thank-you!

So in return I am to pass it on.

Now just yesterday I gave a big shout-out to all my favourites - so looks like I have to go there again.

There are some I plug all the time who I think deserve this so heregoes:

Mommy Nanni Boo Boo this woman is funny. Seriously. (upcoming guest blogger for me..)

Woah Mama - great humour, inspiring fitness regime!

Consumption Rebellion - inspires me to be a better human being in general

Maisie and More - like her style

Girl Gone Child - this blogger is big-time, but hopefully not too big-time to accept award from Sharnia! Her blog is the epitome of cooool mama blogs.

Check out these if you haven't already - I sing their praises almost daily.

I am meant to write 10 things about me here aswell but feel I have done this already (times ten) 100 random facts about me here if you missed them.

Grist Almighty! Inspirational new author interview

I am so excited to have met another woman who does what she loves.

Alice Grist.

She has just had her first book "The High Heeled Guide to Enlightenment" published and it really strikes a chord with me and I haven't even READ IT YET!

"In the modern age of high speed, high tech, high maintenance, Alice Grist brings us the warm and witty book, The High Heeled Guide to Enlightenment for women who are looking to connect to something other than their internet provider and gain an understanding of alternative spirituality.

This book provides spirituality for the sexy socialite, enlightenment for the lipgloss dependent and a crash course in serenity for the yummy mummy!

Veering between the wildly faddish and fashionable to the freakier and less familiar, the High Heeled Guide sheds a pink and intelligent spotlight upon a diverse collection of spiritual options that well suit the modern woman.

An intriguing, informative and hilarious read for any woman who knows deep in her worn down sole that there is more to life than cars, careers, kids and cocktails."

Alice's book is receiving much hype in the UK and I have no doubt this trend will continue internationally.

Here is my interview with Alice:

Tell me about yourself and why you wrote this book.

I was born the daughter of a vicar in Manchester UK.

My parents divorced and my mum moved in with her first gay partner.

My dad became a Wiccan.

I grew up with feminist leanings coming from both parents.

I studied Women’s studies at university.

Following uni my heart was broken by my first love and I moved far away from home.

I met my husband to be and ventured into a rock and roll kinda life, much, much fun, for many, many years!

I experimented with several versions of myself and then writing re-found me.

Writing teamed up with my personal spiritual interest and the book was conceived.

Since then I got married, bought chickens and continue to tap away at my keyboard!

I wrote the book because I had been unhappy, I had entirely lost track of who I was, who I wanted to be and what I wanted out of life.

I returned to my spiritual roots via Reiki and Buddhism.

I soon realized how hugely beneficial these things were to me.

It seemed suddenly natural to write a blog, the blog became an idea for a book within about 5 minutes!

I then continued my personal spiritual path, experimenting with a great number of spiritualities, healing techniques and divination and writing it all up in a fun, humorous and accessible way.

I wrote the book for me and as a tool to share all I have learned.

I believe spirituality can transform your life for the better, and I felt that was something young, modern women needed to know.

What challenges did you strike along the way towards having your book published?

Working full time whilst writing the book was a challenge, as well as trying to not become a recluse.

I think I went missing in action for a good few months!

However I needed to do that to get the book done, I’m glad I did.

What are your greatest joys from doing what you love?

The transformation in my own self has given me a lot of joy.

I was not happy prior to writing the book and setting off on my spiritual path, now I feel grateful and joyous most days.

I love the adventure of it also and the education that comes as part and parcel of research.

I love being a student of this great, crazy, spiritual universe!

What inspires you?

Nature is a big inspiration, it is so healing, peaceful and energizing.

Whether I am digging holes in the garden or taking a walk in the hills I always find nature reinvigorates me and gives me fresh ideas to work with.

Also other people’s devotion and commitment to their work is inspirational.

My mother was an inspiration in this respect, and my husband too.

My husband’s devotion to his music has given me a tremendous example of somebody working hard at what they love and continually doing so because it is part of their soul.

He certainly inspired me to find that quality in myself.

What was the turning point for you from writer to published author?

Any tips for the aspiring author?

It all happened so quickly.

I was at work when I found out that my book would be published.

I had only been writing the book for a few months and despite that I was not surprised.

I had complete conviction in the fact my book would be published since I had the idea of the book in the first place.

I was very lucky that this was the case, and I followed this up by continual positive thinking.

My advice to aspiring authors is to write what you believe, do so with passion, enjoy it and believe in yourself.

Can you be into clothes and fashion and 'stuff' and still be spiritual?

I don't believe that fashion and spirituality are mutually exclusive.

We live in a world that worships at the alter of consumerism, and to be spiritual you may have to question that and how it impacts on you, your ego and your general existence.

However I of course also realize we live on a modern planet and as human beings our nature is to pimp and preen.

I see no harm in that, we cannot all be Buddhist monks after all!

Spirituality can change your attitude to fashion, but it does not mean you have to be unfashionable!

Not by a long shot!

What advice would you give to a mother raising a child today?

One of the biggest keys for any woman who wants to be spiritual is the ability to know herself. Particularly to know herself very deeply so that she is in touch with her intuition and her essential higher self.

I imagine that having a child can be a big distraction to that because all of a sudden you have a little person who is wholly dependent upon you.

I would guess that under these circumstances it becomes easy to lose touch with yourself.

As such I believe it is important for any mother to keep in contact with her soul, for her own sake and for the sake of her young family.

Five minutes brief meditation a day would help her to remain clear and to listen to the little voice inside herself as opposed to all the little voices external to herself shouting ‘Mummy’!

What is next for you?

I’m writing a second book and exploring opportunities as they arise. It’s an exciting time!

How does it FEEL now you have your book out there for the world?

Was it everything you thought it would be?

It’s incredible. I never thought I would have written and published a book by the time I was 30. I still potter about in my day-to-day life and occasionally something will happen that reminds me of that achievement and the breath catches in my throat!

and lastly....

easy one

What is the meaning of life?

I actually answer this a little bit in the final chapter of my book, so I’m not going to give that one away!

However, one aspect of the meaning of life is to learn.

We are all here to learn our individual lessons.

Forgiveness, love, compassion and kindness are some of the key curriculum!

Thanks Alice - I like your philosophies and attitude and can't wait to read your fascinating book!

Any chance of a tarot reading to reveal if I am going to be a published author like you one day :=)

Lots of blogging (not so much jogging..)

I do not know where I'd be within myself now had it not been for the blogosphere!

(perhaps I would be more dedicated to my jogging and working out commitments? No I will continue to blame heat over blogs for that one)

It transports me out of the One Horse Town into other countries , other heads ,out of my dilapidated kitchen (temporary) into other people's non-dilapidated kitchens (reno pics soon), out of my problems headfirst into other peoples.

Blogging also provides me a form of expression that I had been lacking.

The last few nights Cowboy and I have been staying with my parents while our house is being renovated.

This has been great for having more time to potter around in bloggy land - I have had a chance to search cyberspace for more blogs to love and to follow.

I get a real kick out of discovering a newbie that I love. Admittedly there is a fair bit of rubble to scrape through to get there sometimes!!

Today I was the featured Everyday Everybody person on Fat Mum Slim's blog which gave me a buzz! Check it out for amazing insights into curing the hiccups and my vacuuming habits.

But now here are my latest discoveries I hope you will like them too:

Lost and Found in India : I have always been intrigued with all things Indian (could murder a butter chicken right about now, even though it is 10.30am) and it is my grand plan to get there and stay in my friend's holiday cottage in Goa.

Maybe when Monte is a little older...

In the meantime I will immerse myself in all things Indian via the author of this blog Braja Sorensen.

Interesting stuff.

Life as Sooz - This blogger describes herself as a 40s something woman finding her way.

I like her succinct style and she makes me laugh.

She is honest and witty and I just hope that she asks out her Toyboy soon...!

There are a couple of ladies who I follow religiously, daily where I always find a smile:

Quixotic Life - nearly as new as me to this world and obviously a passionate bloggette.

Insightful, funny, honest - regular poster - which I find essential as a disciple. Too long in between posts and I go a-wanderin...

The same could be said for WOAH MAMA!- she cracks me up daily with her dry and honest humour!

I have found a brilliant networking site for writers over at She-writes where I have formed some wonderful Aussie writing alliances including Heather from Verbal Report and can now boast international authors as my friends :-) - have just met an inspiring author Alice Grist whose book High Heeled Guide to Enlightenment is making a splash!

I have interviewed Alice about this book and will post it soon!!!

Of course all the blogs mentioned on my side bar are ones am a loyal disciple of.

I have enjoyed meeting some American gals in the form of Mommi Nani Boo Boo (who is currently on assignment for me - stay tuned) , Think Tank Momma and Six divided by Two.

I have been inspired by others in the UK in the form of Ranting and Rolling who seems to be the bizarro version of my family over here (seriously we are even discussing doing a house swap - and Laura is writing a guest post for me soon - excited!) , have just discovered Nunhead Mum of One also.

If you find any that you think I might like please let me know

My criteria is - honest, funny, insightful, inspiring - not much to ask is it?

Thanks to all those mentioned above and to the side for inspiring me daily.

Guest Blogger - Edwina : What freaked me out

I have started asking bloggers whose style / knowledge I like to guest post for the Chronicles.

Thought it might be a welcome break between stories of yellowing hair and humilating fashion moments.

This week I asked Edwina (pictured) from Maisie and More (who you met previously through her hilarious encounter with Jen-Jen) to tell me about the freakiest thing that has ever happened to her.

I have a line-up of other writers who I admire coming soon with their stories. Very exciting.

In between these I will share with you the major renovations going down at our house at the moment!!

But for now - here is what freaked out Edwina:

It’s the year 2000. I am 18 years old and returning home from a year away in the UK. On a whim, I decide to spend a month in South Africa with a friend I met when he was doing an exchange to my school in Hobart.

It is November when I fly in to Johannesburg and the dark undercurrent of crime and fear in the city is immediately noticeable.

On the way back from the airport, we take a wrong turn off the expressway and end up in a bad part of town.

Phil doesn’t bother to stop at traffic lights here.

We travel down the coast and it looks a lot like Australia, I think, with the gum trees and beaches.

But then I see the shanty towns and realise that’s where the similarities end.

We spend a week in a house in Durban with a bunch of other well-off, white 18-year olds. We have a maid, a black woman from a local shanty town who walks around behind us, picking up and caring for our discarded possessions.

On the fourth day she doesn’t come into work.

Her daughter had died of aids overnight. Her other daughter, the dead girl’s sister, turns up instead to clean up our empty beer bottles and wash our clothes for us.

The guilt is almost overwhelming for me but the others seem not to notice.

We continue our drive down the coast and end up on the border of Lesotho. We drive over it and the crossing guard offers Phil money for me.

I’m not sure whether it’s tongue in cheek or not. I hope Phil’s response of “$200 please” is.

That night we sleep at his family’s farm near the border. There has been lots of murders of Boer farmers here lately by people coming across the border from Lesotho in the dead of night. They come by the truck-load, turn up on the farms and steal what they can.

They kill the white families that live there and disappear back into the night.

That night, at about midnight as I am about to drift off to sleep, I hear the sound of tyres softly crunching the gravel driveway.

The vehicle is moving very slowly and quietly up towards the house and I have to strain to hear it at first. But it’s definitely there and it’s definitely getting closer.

I creep down the hallway to Phil’s room and wake him.

“There’s a car coming up the driveway.”

He crawls out of bed and to the window and looks out.

“Come with me,” he says and we leave the bedroom for the kitchen.

At that moment, the vehicle winds round into view of the kitchen.

It pauses briefly and we both tense.

Then, it drives past the house and continues down the driveway to the servants’ quarters.

“It’s the workers,” Phil says, sounding relieved. “They’re coming home late from the Speakeasy.”

That night, I sleep terribly, my dreams interrupted with thoughts of truck-loads of men with shotguns coming to kill me where I sleep.

In the two week duration between that night at the farm and flying home, we see more signs of a country in trouble than I’ve seen in the rest of my life elsewhere.

We accidentally interrupt two burglars as they strip our car of possessions. They leap from the vehicle at us, and we back away quickly. They get away with a few mix tapes, a bit of loose change and an inflatable telly tubby we got free at a bar.

We drive past an overcrowded minivan that’s come off the road, something Phil says kills thousands of South Africans every year.

We end up in a shopping centre full of men with assault rifles, but that’s a whole other story.

When I get back to Australia, I’m newly thankful for how lucky I am to live here.

Thanks Edwina very much for sharing your story.

That would have freaked me out big-time too.

If you would like to be a guest blogger on the chronicles - give me your pitch and I'll give you an assignment.

Designing a website : your thoughts required

hi - need your feedback please.

I am in the process of having a website designed. I am very excited about it.

There is a lot to consider though on top of colours and fonts - like functionality and gidgets and gadgets and all of those other words that confuse me

What is your favourite blog / site - in terms of design and functionality?

The prettiest with most useful navigation tools etc?

What appeals to you in website design?

What do you find attractive in a site?

What elements are important?

What elements are annoying?
I'd really appreciate any feedback and would love links to great designs.

Thanks in anticipation

On a more personal note is there any advice / suggestions you could give me on what you would like to see from my blog? More pics from the outback etc , competitions, networking?

Really appreciate any feedback.

Slices of weekend life

Other snaps from the weekend that was.

Including the Fashions on the Fields Rock Jobs!

Ps - in photo 3 I am winking - I am not squinting.

I am not one to wink, and judging from this photo will give it up , pronto.

Fashion Victims

I did it.

I entered.

Sober.

For new readers I entered the Fashions on the Field at the One Horse Town Races.

Humiliating?

Entirely!

Awkward?

Uh-huh

Did I do a demeaning twirl on the stage?

Yes.

I'll have you know I did it for one reason and one reason only.

I did it for the Chronicles of Sharnia.

Because I said I would.

So thank-you for inspiring me to do cracked things I wouldn't otherwise!!

Getting me out of my comfort zone and able to try new things and laugh.

It was a crabstick-esque moment.

I didn't even make the first round hahaha.

Next, Cowboy entered the Men's division. Again, clearly the 'suavest' competitor - but no, not a look in from the judges.

Eternally optimistic we then entered as a best couple and damn it we were!

Unfortunately... again, only according to us.

Sure we walked off laughing, shafted - for the THIRD TIME (!!!) beaten by the cloned non-fashionistas next to us.

We put it down to the fact the one horse town judges needed to visit towns with more horses occasionally - because we had it goin' on....