October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer awareness month and I have been super busy promoting awareness in my local community. Every year Toowoomba is well known for it's Carnival of Flowers and this year we successfully incorporated a breast cancer survivor float to raise awareness in our community.

I have also made a guest speaking appearance at Fitzy's on Church for their Color of Change Luncheon to raise money for the Toowoomba Hospital Breast Screen Clinic. It was also a good opportunity to promote my book. A great day was had by all.

Wakakirri Performance of Eric

Exciting, spectacular, wonderful, mindblowing and so so soooooooo proud are a few things that come to my mind after viewing the Wakakirri performance of my book by Kartwheel Kids Gymnastics Academy. Thanks to the kids and support team that put together a fantastic production. Heartfelt.

Cutest Dingoes you've ever seen.

Hanging around with a couple of possums

Cuddly Koala

Weekend away

I have just had a relaxing weekend at the Bunya Mountains, about an hour west of Toowoomba, enjoying bush walking, fine food & a bottle of wine with friends. I managed to see quite a few of the wonderful wildlife that feature in my book....possums, kangaroos, kookaburras, bowerbirds but no echidnas (had to do that in my own back yard Thank you to Kay & Terry who run the Bunya Forest Gallery & Tearoom for the lovely afternoon tea of yummy treats & for including my book for sale amongst the arts & craft at their gallery.

Eric reaches for the Stars

I'm soooo excited!!!! My little book is about to hit the stage. I can't believe it but move over JK Rowlings & Stephanie Meyer - 'Eric the Echidna Has Lost His Spikes' is about to become a stage production in the 2010 Wakakirri competition. If you haven't heard of Wakakirri it is similar to Rock Eistedfod and involves 7 minutes of story telling, music, dance and costumes using one common element of reduce, reuse and recycle. (I've included a sneak peak at one of the costumes. Cedric the Crocodile) Kartwheel Kids Gymnastic Academy on the Sunshine Coast has taken the story of Eric and turned it into a major production for their entry in this years competition. I can't wait to see it. Good Luck Kids.

Echidna in my garden

Talk about miracles & magic moments. I was visited in my garden by a real Echidna who even came up to me and said hello. Even though I have written a book about an Echidna I've never actually been up close & personal with one until yesterday. What a humbling moment......They are my knees in the photo as he walked passed - so close, I could touch him???????

Welcome

Welcome That's Life readers to my blog. When I sat down to write my book I never imagined that there would be notoriety involved. I even had a chuckle to myself as I was introduced to a classroom of year one students during book week last year, as a Famous Lady who had written a story. Never the less I was excited to see myself in this weeks edition of TL. I'm not sure how my children ages changed in the article. But Josh will be 20 in June & Kirsty is sweet 16.
But by getting noticed I hope to achieve two things. Firstly by get my book out there and being loved and read by children & their families. The second is to raise awareness for women, that it is important to do their self breast checks, as early diagnosis can save your life. In Australia in 2010, 14000 women will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer. If we can decrease the numbers that actually die from the disease, it is a good thing.

Fun day at Angus & Robertson

Kids fun day at Angus & Robertson was a great success. Echidna loving 7 year old Jennifer Evans brought her entire Echidna collection in to share with me & to add a copy of my book to her collection. There was also face painting, mask making & a drawing competition. Thanks to all those who attended and brought a copy of my book.

Cairns here I come!

I will be signing books at Angus & Robertson Cairns City Central on Saturday the 27th of March, from 12-2pm. Please come and say Hi.

Books are still selling well. With the Pyjama foundation ordering some for their libraries. The Pyjama foundation are a group of dedicated people who read to foster children. I hope they enjoy one on one time with Eric.

Angus & Robertson Grand Central are organizing holiday activities over the Easter Vacation and are having a fun day with Eric on Saturday the 11th of April from 10-12pm. Activities include making masks, drawing, enjoy a reading and I will also be on hand to sign your copy.

New Year, New Hope

2010 brings the start of a new year and for me it's the start of being cancer free. I've had all my scans and tests and have been given the all clear. It also means more book promotions and another donation to breast cancer charities. This time $1000 to the BCNA. Thank you to those of you who have a copy on your book shelf, may you always enjoy that special bond that comes with reading books to children.