This month I am grateful to my sweet hubby for doing the 40 Hour Famine with me, and to everyone who sponsored us…

With thanks… Monday August 1… Pump…
Today I am grateful that I squeezed in a Pump workout before work…
I’m glad I got lots done at the magazines – sent a mag to print early enough to sign off the dyelines in the afternoon (phew!), sorted out the next few, and even tidied a little bit of my desk, ha ha.
I’m really glad I did my at-least-30-minutes-a-day reading all last month – after not making time to read for ages, it was amazing how many cool books I managed to get through 🙂
Not so glad with the ongoing stupid migraine, but it’s gotta end soon, surely!

With thanks… Tuesday August 2… Combat… Dark Moon Blessings…
Wishing everyone much love, magic, healing and insight on this enchanted dark moon night. May you journey within with courage and find all the answers you seek. Much love and bright blessings. Blessed be xx
Today I am grateful it was a day off – my head was annoying, so I was glad I could chill out and read for a while… This migraine is driving me nuts – it’s so frustrating!
I’m happy that I finally managed to dull my head enough to put in a Combat disc and work out – it always makes me feel happy. It wasn’t great on my ankle, but mentally it was 🙂
And I’m grateful for a night spent with Juz and my aunty and uncle, and a chat with Mum when she called from Bali, and glad I gave up on writing when I got home…

With thanks… Wednesday August 3… Walking… New Moon Blessings…
Wishing everyone all the love, energy and inspiration of the new moon, and the magic and power of the coming of spring. May you connect with the dedication and the passion to begin whatever it is you’ve been longing to manifest into the world, and your month unfold with all the promise and potential you seek xx
Today I am grateful that I got heaps done at the magazines, and relieved that the painkillers worked for a while, although they’re making me feel a bit sick. Bleurgh.
I woke up with a shocker migraine though, so couldn’t face working out. But I’m glad I got a few mini walks in during the day and passed 10,000 steps, so not a totally slacker day…
And I’m grateful for some time with Juz when I finally made it home from work…

Supergirl, 40 Hour FamineWith thanks… Thursday August 4… Combat…
Today I am grateful for a day at home – and happy that I let myself read and relax, and tidy my office, and not stress about writing for the day. I pushed myself hard in July, so it was nice to chill a bit. And it was the first day in a week that I didn’t have to take painkillers for my stupid migraine, so yay!
I’m happy that I cleared off all the piles of… wip printouts/storyline calendars/filing/stuff… from my standing desk, so I could actually raise it again. So cool to alternate the standing/sitting thing…
I’m glad I managed to get through a half-arsed 40 minutes of BodyCombat, cos a crap workout is still better than no workout 🙂
I’m happy that my Sacred Sites: Hawaii book is finally back on iTunes, after they made me change the titles of all seven mini books – they objected to the word Pocket in the subtitle 🙂
And I’m grateful for a quiet night in with Juz, and some Supergirl episodes, and now I’m going to bed to read for a little while, instead of staying up stupidly late to work…

With thanks… Friday August 5… Combat…
Today I am grateful that I woke up without a migraine for the first time in a week. Bliss!
I’m happy I could do a Pump workout before work – I’ll miss it when I start my next program on Monday…
I’m glad I got lots done at the magazines…
And I’m grateful for an awesome night with Juz…

With thanks… Sunday August 7… Imbolc Blessings…
For the new beginnings of Imbolc and the start of spring, I didn’t turn the computer on, didn’t work out, and didn’t do any writing or work at all – I can’t remember the last time I did that, but it was amazing 🙂 Juz and I chilled out at home all weekend, reading books, drinking tea, chatting about everything and nothing, enjoying the rain of the last days of winter, having a Supergirl marathon, and refusing to feel guilty that I put my book on hold for two days 🙂

With thanks… Monday August 8… H&C day 1 – 11,100 steps…
Today I am grateful for the early spring sunshine…
I’m happy that I got up early to do the first Hammer and Chisel workout – Chisel Balance, which was super tough and kinda fun, and I started to feel it by the early afternoon 🙂 And I was grateful for my awesome new weights, which came in very handy…
I’m grateful that I did some editing on my book on the way to and from work…
I’m glad I got lots of work done at the magazines…
I’m grateful I was migraine free til late afternoon…
I’m happy that I went outside at lunchtime for a quick walk through the park…
And I’m glad I kept up my reading vow – and that I made it to bed by 11.30. My new resolution 🙂

FlowersWith thanks… Tuesday August 9… H&C day 2 – 6320 steps…
Today I am grateful for books, and reading, and writing, on World Book Lovers Day…
I’m grateful I could make a donation to the Wall of Hands on International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (www.wallofhands.com.au)…
I’m happy that I finally cleared the clutter off my desk last week so I can use the standing part of it 🙂
Not so grateful that I woke up with a migraine and lost half a day, but I’m glad the painkillers eventually dulled it, and I could finally work out.
I’m glad I struggled my way through Hammer Plyometrics – it’s a love/hate one for sure! But the instructor makes me laugh, and it had some good moves that challenged my still dodgy ankle, and certainly got my heart rate up, so all good! (Was a little disappointed I didn’t hit 10K steps, but it was raining when I wanted to go for a walk. At least I got a good/tough workout in…)
I’m grateful for a lovely night in with Juz…
And I’m grateful for time to read in bed for a little while, and still make my curfew 🙂 xx

With thanks… Wednesday August 10… H&C day 3 – 10,301 steps…
Today I am grateful for blue skies and sunshine…
I’m glad I got up early and worked out – Iso Strength Chisel, one of Autumn’s workouts, which burned, in a good way…
I’m glad I got lots done at the magazines, and happy that I raced out for a quick power walk through the park in the afternoon, although not so grateful that it was another 12-hour day… But at least the gorgeous waxing moon was all golden and hazy as I left…
And I’m grateful that I eventually made it home to Juz so we could catch up on our days, and grateful for time to snuggle up in bed and read a book…

With thanks… Thursday August 11… H&C day 4 – 10,149 steps…
Tonight I am grateful for an awesome night out with sweet Selina, seeing the Aladdin stage show, which was really amazing. The performers were all incredible, the sets were breathtaking, and the Magic Carpet Ride was truly awesome – my favourite number, and my favourite effect. Guess I’m a Disney Princess girl at heart, ha ha…
I’m grateful that it was a scheduled rest day in Hammer and Chisel, cos I woke up with a terrible head again, which wiped me out for half the day – even more frustrating cos I’d taken an annual leave day to write 🙁
But I’m glad I got a little bit of writing done in the afternoon, and happy that I got a couple of quick walks in throughout the day so I hit 10K steps (just!), and tomorrow is a new day! xx

With thanks… Friday August 12… H&C day 5 – 12,057 steps…
Today I am grateful for an awesome catch-up with my writers group, and plots and plans and crazy-scary ideas 🙂
I’m happy that I got up early to work out – Iso Speed Hammer, which was interesting 🙂 And I felt a bit sore by the next morning, yay!
I’m glad I got some editing work done on the train to the Central Coast, and some writing done on the way back…
I’m grateful for a walk home from Newtown, admiring the magnolias and the signs of spring…
And I’m grateful for a beautiful night with Juz…

Telling It To The MoonWith thanks… Saturday August 13… H&C day 6 – 7,540 steps…
Tonight I am grateful for a quiet night in with Juz, cups of tea, and the Danish Girl on dvd, which was very moving…
I’m grateful for no migraine all day, the first time in a while, hooray!
I’m glad I got a bit of work done on the book. It’s still frustrating me, but I’m getting there 🙂
I’m happy that, after a bit of procrastinating, I got through my workout in the late afternoon – Chisel Endurance – and upped the weights. I love my new adjustable set!
And I’m so happy for, and proud of, and excited for, my sweet friend Stephanie, whose first book has just gone out into the world…

With thanks… Sunday August 14… H&C day 7 – 14,100 steps…
Today I am grateful for a day with Juz…
I’m glad I got up early(ish) and did some writing…
I’m grateful (I think!) for a kick arse workout – Total Body Hammer really did hammer me, and I’m nicely sore from pushing up the weights…
I’m grateful for spring sunshine and a walk up to Enmore for lunch with Juz, even though our favourite cafe was closed… And the 65 minutes of walking meant that despite two lower-step days, at least I hit my average for the week 🙂
I’m grateful for long chats about politics and plot points, and support as I vented about my writing frustrations – things were a little clearer by the time we got home, and words flowed and events wove themselves a little tighter than they had been at the start of the day…
I’m grateful for a couple of Big Bang Theory episodes over dinner, to make us laugh…
I’m glad I was migraine-free until 10pm (I’m a glass-half-full-girl)…
And I’m happy that we curled up on the couch and read together for a while, and grateful for another writing session before bed…

With thanks… Monday August 15… H&C day 8 – 12,517 steps…
Today I am grateful to Juz, for signing up to do the 40 Hour Famine with me again this weekend, just so it won’t be quite as difficult for me…
I’m grateful to a sweet friend for being my first sponsor (my fundraising page is https://40hf2016.everydayhero.com/au/serene, in case anyone would like to sponsor me 🙂 )
I’m happy that I got up early and got through my workout – Chisel Cardio, which was pretty tough – and that I passed 12.5K steps…
I’m glad I got lots done at the magazines, and relieved that a couple of approvals came through earlier than expected – one less thing to stress about!
Not so grateful for the blinding migraine, but at least painkillers helped me get through the day…
I’m happy that I did some editing on the train to work…
I’m glad I got a tiny bit of reading in…
I’m grateful for the beauty of the waxing moon in the evening dark…
I’m grateful for the strength and eloquence of people such as transgender advocate Georgie Stone, and for the equal parts frustration and inspiration of tonight’s Q&A panel…
And I’m grateful for time with Juz, to catch up on our days…

With thanks… Tuesday August 16… H&C day 9 – 10,226 steps…
Tonight I am grateful for a fun dinner with Juz and Margie and Pete – so much laughing, and a little bit of political/current affairs debate too…
I’m happy I got some book writing/editing done…
I’m glad I also did a little bit of book reading 🙂
And I’m grateful for a cool/fun/tough workout – Max Hammer Strength – and glad I hit 10K steps for the day (just!). It’s tricky on work-from-home days when it’s a weights workout not cardio…

With thanks… Wednesday August 17… H&C day 10 – 14,225 steps…
Today I am grateful for an awesome workout – Combat Ultimate Warrior, cos Chisel Agility hurt my dodgy knee when I tried it before… and I’ve been missing Combat, hee hee.
I’m glad I could make it to the Pete’s Dragon screening in the morning so I can review it for the next issue, although I had to work back to make up the time – it’s a pesky deadline fortnight!
I’m happy I did some editing on the train to work, and also snuck in a bit of reading.
And I’m grateful for a little bit of time with Juz when I made it home 🙂

Pete's Dragon, Hammer and ChiselWith thanks… Thursday August 18… H&C day 11 – 10,608 steps… Full Moon Blessings…
Wishing everyone an enchanted full moon day, and a magical, light-filled evening. May the coming lunar phase be filled with the inspiration and dedication to make all your dreams comes true, and you find love, joy and peace. Bright blessings for a month ahead full of love, joy and enchantment xx
Today I am grateful to Margie and Pete for sponsoring me in the 40 Hour Famine…
I’m grateful for time to read on the train…
I’m glad I got lots done at the magazines, although it was another long one. Juz is very patient!
I was oddly grateful for a rest day in Hammer and Chisel (I usually refuse them), and being able to sleep a little longer. I made sure I got lots of little walks in though, to pass 10K steps…
And I’m grateful for the beauty of the full moon as I left work, and for a little bit of time with Juz to catch up on days…

With thanks… Friday August 19… H&C day 12 – 6303 steps… 40 Hour Famine begins!
Tonight I am grateful for a beautiful night with Juz – treat night done by 8pm, when the 40 Hour Famine started, and lots of cups of tea and a few episodes of Buck Rogers 🙂
I’m happy that our writing group sorted out our blurb for our first group presentation, at Book Expo, and sent off to the organiser. I’m terrified, but I’ll worry about it when it’s closer – no point wasting time on fear just yet!
I’m glad I got some tax stuff sorted for OS sales, and updated one of my ebooks…
And I’m glad I liked my workout – Hammer Power, which was pretty intense!

With thanks… Saturday August 20… H&C day 13 – 7106 steps… 40 Hour Famine…
Today I am grateful that I got up and did my workout first thing, before I got too hungry! It was Chisel Balance for the second time, which was tough (in a good way), and I liked feeling the muscle soreness later in the day.
I’m grateful for our “lunch” and “dinner” juices – carrot, lime, kale, spinach, apple etc (I’d make them more regularly if it wasn’t such a pain to wash the juicer… and OMG, it felt so wasteful to be throwing out all that pulp!), and for cups of tea.
I’m grateful for time to read, and chill out together…
And I’m glad I stayed up stupidly late to update some of my ebooks…

40 Hour FamineWith thanks… Sunday August 21… H&C day 14 – 10,110 steps… 40 Hour Famine…
Tonight I am grateful to Juz, for doing the 40 Hour Famine with me, just so I wouldn’t have to watch him eat all weekend…
And I’m so grateful to everyone who sponsored us – I’m not quite at my goal yet, but a few people mentioned they would sponsor me this week, so fingers crossed! (https://40hf2016.everydayhero.com/au/serene)…
I’m grateful for lunch, when we could eat at midday – OMG it tasted so good!
I’m grateful for time to read, and time to chill out with Juz…
I’m happy that, although I did seriously consider skipping it, I did my workout in the afternoon– Hammer Conditioning – then did Jillian’s Yoga Meltdown as well, cos I needed to stretch. And I passed 10K steps, so I hit 71,000 for the week 🙂
And I’m grateful for a lovely night in with Juz…

With thanks… Monday August 22… H&C day 15 – 10,200 steps…
Today I registered to do Steptember – 10K steps a day for a month – to raise money for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, and I’m very grateful to Viv for doing it with me 🙂 If anyone would like to join our team, let me know… (www.steptember.org.au)
I’m grateful for painkillers, but not so happy that I woke up with a shocker migraine, and there was no way I could work out before work 🙁 So I took my rest day early, and made sure I got some mini walks and stair climbs and things in, to reach 10K steps…
I’m glad I got lots done at the magazines though…
And grateful for time with Juz when I finally made it home…

With thanks… Tuesday August 23… H&C day 16 – 10,475 steps…
Today I am grateful for an awesome Hammer and Chisel workout – Total Body Hammer, with its heavy weights and descending reps… It might be my favourite one of the program 🙂
I’m glad I got a magazine off to print, and managed to escape by 6pm, and more importantly, that I managed to write half a chapter on the train to and from work.
And I’m grateful for a fun dinner with Juz and Margie and Pete, and lots of laughter between the more serious conversations…

With thanks… Wednesday August 24… H&C day 17 – 12,564 steps…
Today I am grateful that I finally managed to track down one of my favourite books from when I was a teenager, A Time to Love, A Time to Mourn. It’s been out of print for a while (such a shame), but this time when I checked for it, an eBay store had it. Can’t wait to read it again 🙂
I’m grateful for a fun Combat workout before work (subbing for Chisel Agility).
I’m glad I got lots done at the magazines – dyelines signed off for one mag, another issue sent for approval – and a meeting as well…
I’m glad I could finally leave work just after 7pm, and grateful for time with Juz, and happy that I could curl up and read for a while in bed – Selina Fenech’s Providence Unveiled from her Memory’s Wake Trilogy – love the hardcover Omnibus!

With thanks… Thursday August 25… H&C day 18 – 10,299 steps…
Today I am grateful for a coffee catch-up with a sweet friend…
I’m grateful for a long phone call with another friend. Distance sucks, but I love that when we chat the time just falls away.
I’m grateful for an update on one of my Kiva loans – it breaks my heart (in a good way) how much such a small amount can help someone become self-sufficient…
I’m not so happy that I woke up with a stupid migraine again, so I lost the first half of the day (sorry Rhiannon!). But I’m glad the painkillers eventually worked and I squeezed in a workout – Max Hammer Strength – between coffee and the call, and glad I managed to do a bit of work in the afternoon…
I’m grateful for time with Juz when he got home from work…
And glad I could do a little more work before bed…

Steptember, Memory's WakeWith thanks… Friday August 26… H&C day 19 – 10,007 steps…
Today (although I’m actually writing this a week later and no doubt forgetting most things) I am grateful for a day to write at home – but not so happy about waking up with a migraine that stole half my day from me.
But the painkillers finally kicked in in the afternoon, and I managed to do my workout – Total Body Chisel – and get a little bit of writing done…
And I’m grateful for a sweet night in with Juz…

With thanks… Saturday August 27… H&C day 20 – 15,366 steps…
Tonight I’m grateful for a quiet night in with Juz, chilling out, reading together, catching up after a busy week…
I’m grateful for a long (and fast!) walk to Moore Park for the Secret Life of Pets screening. It was very sweet, although sadly I missed the cat ears they were handing out cos the walk took a little longer than expected 🙂
And I’m glad I did my workout – Hammer Plyometrics (not a fave) – then did Jillian’s Killer Abs…

With thanks… Sunday August 28… H&C day 21 – 11,375 steps…
Today I am grateful for time to chill out, for sunshine and blue skies and cool breezes…
I’m grateful for lunch with friends…
I’m happy I got my workouts done – a nasty double of Iso Strength Chisel plus Glute Chisel – plus two walks, so hit a good step count – I’m practising for Steptember, which starts next week 🙂
And I’m grateful for time with Juz, plotting and planning, and a bit of writing before bed…

With thanks… Monday August 29… H&C day 22 – 20,258 steps…
Today I am grateful that I got heaps done at the magazines…
I’m glad I got my workout in early – Chisel Power, followed by Jillian’s Cardio Kickbox. Plus I got lots of extra walking in, to pass 20,000 steps. A great start to the Work Week Hustle challenge – although I don’t imagine I’ll come close again 🙂
I’m grateful to all the politicians who are fighting to achieve marriage equality, and grateful that Tanya Plibersek is our local member, and happy that Victoria has banned fracking. Come on rest of the country! xx

With thanks… Tuesday August 30… H&C day 23 – 10,158 steps…
Today I am grateful for a minor breakthrough with my book. It’s been driving me a little crazy structure-wise, and length-wise, but I think I have the solution at last…
I’m grateful to a sweet friend for (much-appreciated!) opinions and discussion and figuring things out as we talked…
I’m grateful that I only lost half a day to a migraine (silver linings and all – it could have been the whole day)…
I’m glad I finally got my workout done just before dinner – Max Hammer Strength, which I like… And although most of my walking involved moving from my desk to the kettle (I drank a lot of tea!), I managed to hit 10,000 steps…
And I’m grateful for time with Juz, and an episode of Buck Rogers, and making time to read before bed…

With thanks… Wednesday August 31… H&C day 24 – 12,493 steps… Dark moon blessings…
Wishing everyone much love and magic at this dark moon, as the energy of the new moon approaches. Look within, at this magical time, and get in touch with your inner wisdom and hidden truths, and the passion that can fuel your new moon wishes xx
Today I’m glad I fit in my workout before work – Chisel Cardio, the “sweaty mess” one. It’s not my favourite, but I got it done, and I got to add lots of small walks too, so my step count was good 🙂
I’m happy that I wrote part of a chapter on the train to work, and the late bus home, and that I got lots of work done at the magazines. Once this mag sends next week, I’ll be able to catch up on things, phew!
And I’m grateful for time with Juz when I finally got home…