Living well without spending a lot - my favourite way to live :)

 

Greetings from a sunny, crispy cool day at Ahuriri Beach for another lovely dog walk 😊

Daphne and Chloe have their coats on. Micky still refuses to wear one 🤣 I tried it again at home just before we left and he took two steps in it and promptly sat down until I took it off him 😂

The sun was so pretty sparkling on the water like diamonds. I thought it was just in that particular spot but as I walked along the path the diamonds followed me... that’s when I saw that they’d always be there, it was the sun, not that piece of water 🤣 I do worry about myself sometimes! 

 

 

 

But still, being followed by sparkly diamonds is quite nice.

Paul spends half his life waiting for Micky to sniff the grass, trees, rubbish bins. There is so much a little dog needs to explore, and tussock, that’s his favourite.

 

 

 

And of course, we let Micky take all the time he needs to thoroughly check everything out since he’s an older boy and we want him to enjoy his golden years.

I love seeing the shag birds on the branch sticking out of the rock at sea. They often hold their wings open to dry them and it’s so cute to see. Of course, no-one was drying their wings today when I wanted a photo 😂

 

 

 

In the photo below you can just make out snow on the hills in the distance. There were children swimming in the sea, can you believe that when even the air temperature was chilly let alone the water? Kiwi kids are hardy creatures!

 

 

 

I love activities that are enjoyable and don’t cost anything, and that’s what these doggie waterfront walks are for us.

 

 

 

It just costs a bit of petrol to get there (I know, petrol prices, hardly a ‘free’ outing 😂) and if we can resist the cafes we’re good. The food and drinks always look so appealing, and the thought of whiling away an hour or two looking out at the view does too.

Can you imagine us turning up with three dogs though? We’ve already been turned away from one place, and that was when we only had two dogs. They wouldn’t even allow us on the outdoor terrace!

Oh well, home for a yummy healthy lunch and homemade latte 😊

 

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Yay, the audiobook is finished!

I really do enjoy recording my audiobooks, and I’m so happy you all told me that you didn’t like the professional lady who did my first audiobook and you only wanted ME 🤣

Maybe I’ve discovered my calling... being an audiobook narrator. Well for my own books at least 😊

‘Life Is Good’ is now available as an eAudiobook in my eStore here.

And within the next few weeks it will filter through to Audible, they always take a bit longer. I see it’s already available on Spotify. If you have Spotify Premium you should be able to listen to it for free.

And, you can ask your library to order it in!

I get so excited seeing one of my paperbacks or audiobooks on a library platform.

I have a few more audiobooks that haven’t been done yet so I will complete ‘The Chic Author’ and also my blog books too.

I hadn’t done ‘The Chic Author’ yet because I thought I might update it, but I’ve since decided to leave it as an early snapshot.

For an update, I have outlined a new author-sequel book.

I have so many good ideas for new books!

That must really mean I’m feeling better.

Hoorah for that!

Happy listening 😊 

 

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Winter skies on my walk earlier this week 😊

I have had a few enquiries about paperback copies of ‘Life Is Good’ for readers in New Zealand, and I’m happy to send out signed copies.

In New Zealand dollars they are $25 each, with postage being $8 (or $14 for rural delivery).

I’ve ordered ten copies from Amazon Australia (the closest printing facility to me), and can get more if necessary.

Please message or email me if you’re interested.

But apart from that I am keeping cosy, and mapping outlines for new books. I have three hatching, and think I know which one will come next ❤️

And, I went swimming! I’ve been going once a week to a local heated pool and it’s great for my lymphedema as well as general fitness and gentle cancer rehab.

I was advised to avoid school holidays, haha, it would be a ZOO there! So I had two weeks off and it was nice to be back this past week.

Plus my outdoor walk each day plus I’m doing yoga once a week plus 2-3 half-hour strength workouts each week.

It sounds like a lot but it doesn’t feel like it. I just go for a walk each day and do some other activity five days a week.

I’m really excited about taking care of my body who has been through so much. I’m still getting there but feeling stronger all the time. And more healed!

It’s definitely a long road though (this picture is appropriate!), much longer than I thought it would be.

But that’s okay. I have time. It’s the ultimate slow living lesson.

I hope you’re having a great weekend 😊

xx Fiona

PS. To find all my links in one place you can always go to fionaferris.com (And my Amazon link is affiliate, thank you if you choose to use it!) 

 

Wintry goodness and Christmas in July

 

 Good afternoon from the middle of winter near the bottom of the world 😊

I hope you’re having a good weekend like I am!

Yesterday I had ladies coffee out with my mum and aunty, their cousin, and her daughter. The usual crowd ❤️

And last night we caught up with Paul’s colleagues to watch rugby at the pub. New Zealand - the All Blacks - versus Ireland.

Sorry Ireland, but it just wasn’t your night.

I know the bare basics about following a rugby game but all of the finer points just go over my head.

Still, it was a warm and cozy evening with friends and a glass of bubbles.

Today is a day to recharge at home after getting some groceries in this morning. I’m outlining a new book idea, recording the final chapters of my ‘Life Is Good’ audiobook, and enjoying a relaxing Sunday.

I’m whizzing through the audiobook recording - up to chapter 22 of 26 now.

Almost there!

I do a little bit each day and it all adds up.

And, I went for my walk this morning after it warmed up a bit.

Let me know what you’re doing this weekend!

 

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With all the fun Christmas in July content around at the moment, let’s start putting a seed in our mind for a pleasurable experience at the end of the year too, even if we don’t know what our plans are yet.

(I don’t! Except that we’ll be in Hawke’s Bay and not travelling since Paul works for a local winery and it’s their busy time of year).

 

 

It’s so fun to dream and plan and make little notes of the kinds of things I want to do, movies to watch, outings to enjoy, and how I want the general vibe of December to be.

Last year was a total wash with my Christmas Eve breast cancer surgery, so I’m all for a more relaxing and normal Christmas this year. For sure!

 

 

(Jigsaw on Amazon here).

Since our Christmas falls in summer in New Zealand, I’m looking forward to long, warm evenings relaxing outside.

We even have an inexpensive 32-inch smart tv that we take out onto the patio table for a ‘drive-in’ (‘walk out and sit down’) movie experience.

 

It’s so fun on a lovely evening to watch a movie outside.

You can read my book ‘A Chic and Simple Christmas’ to create your own bespoke and fabulous plans for a gorgeous Christmas, whether it’s in July or December.

 

 

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It’s difficult to make the bed some mornings... 

 

 

From left to right:

Chloe, 12, keen popcorn fan

Micky, 14, free spirit and gentle boy

Daphne, 10, the most food-focused dog I’ve ever known

Who would I be without these three? I’ll tell you who. I’d be someone who:

🐾 Uses her white linen duvet cover without fear.

🐾 Goes away on holiday without extensive planning for dog accommodation.

🐾 Can wear her newer satin pyjamas without worrying about the fabric snagging.

🐾 Has tons more money because she’s not buying pet food, treats, vet bills, flea treatment and paying for grooming.

🐾 Has a bedroom that doesn’t look like a youth hostel due to all the dog beds in it.

I could go on 😂😂

But really, I love them so much, and the fact that Micky has slowed down a lot this year after two separate little ‘turns’ in the past months makes Paul and I so sad.

We will love and cherish him and his two sisters for as long as we have them ❤️

Please let me know what you would have too if you didn’t have pets! Just jokes but really, tell me 🤣

 

xx Fiona

 

PS. I’m tooting my own horn over here: Last week I was a gun adminner getting all my financial filing up to date, and next week I’ll be working on our tax information for the accountant for this year 📊

I love getting things done, and since it’s been many months since I’ve had the energy and motivation to power through, I’m thrilled to be ticking things off my list 😊

Can we just celebrate that??

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[My Amazon links are affiliate, which means I may earn a small payment if you order through them, at no extra cost to you. I’m appreciative if you choose to use my links ❤️]

 

Happy Matariki, and winter glam

 

Hello friends,

Here I am at a glam lunch out recently 😍

My new pleather pants are so cosy for winter.

These are the ones I bought on my radiation week trip from a store called Blue Illusion.

It’s an Australian store I believe, but so chic and French-style.

They’re the kind of place that doesn’t just have clothes, they have jewellery, shoes, scarves, soaps, books - all the lovely stuff.

It’s probably just as well there isn’t an outlet in Hawke’s Bay or I’d be there too often 🤣

It’s chilly and cosy here at the moment, and we saw family for Matariki (Maori New Year) lunch on Friday.

According to Wiki:

Matariki is the Māori name for the Pleiades star cluster, whose mid-winter reappearance in the early morning sky marks the Māori New Year. It is a nationwide time of remembrance, celebration, and planning for the future, marked by a public holiday.

How appropriate that I’ve just read the second Seven Sisters book (The Storm Sister), as the sisters are named for each of the Pleiades stars. As mentioned in a previous newletter, it was a glorious book, so rich and intricate. I am in awe of a brain that can come up with such an exquisite story.

Happy Matariki to you! 😊 

 

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Winter vines in our street on my walk 🍇

I’ve been told these are Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand’s most popular wine.

I’d probably choose most wines over this varietal but the vista is pretty 😁

And in writing news I am making notes for a new book.

I hope you are enjoying just-released Life Is Good and having a giggle at some of the stories! 

 

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I never dreamed I’d be able to say I was a ‘number 1 bestseller in breast cancer’, but here I am.

The last category I thought I’d ever find myself in!

Life has its twists and turns 😅

Also, the paperback is now available, for my paper-loving ladies 😘

Here’s the link for Life Is Good on Amazon US, and it should be available at your local Amazon too.

I am doing some background work to have the paperback be available through bookstores and libraries too, although I think you already can ask your library to order it in.

I’d love to be in more libraries!

Wishing you a lovely day.

It’s so cold here, but gorgeous. Blue skies and frosty.

Keep cool or keep warm wherever you may be 💛💛

xx Fiona

 

PS. My Amazon links are affiliate, which means I may earn a small gratuity if you click through them, at no extra cost to you. Thank you if you choose to use my links :)

New book out now - Yes, Life Is Good :)

 

Hello friends,

I am thrilled to announce the premiere of my latest book ‘Life Is Good’ 🌺

If you’ve been in my world lately, you’ll know that I’ve been through some stuff. Breast cancer specifically. And I ended up writing a book about it!

Please listen:

I promise you will really, really enjoy this book, even though it’s about cancer.

It’s not dry or a medical textbook (which is just as well since I’m not a doctor). What it is, is an honest, uplifting, and funny account of what it’s really like to go through breast cancer treatment.

There were many crazy moments and I’m sharing them all with you (even the ones that I wondered whether to or not… you’ll see 🤣)

Kindle is available right now, and the paperback in a few days (just keep an eye out for it at the same link).

For an Amazon alternative, you can order the eBook from my eStore too.

All my links are at fionaferris.com.

I’m now getting cracking on the audiobook. Just gotta limber up those vocal chords, it’s been a while since I have recorded one.

I hope you really enjoy this book, I’m actually quite proud of it 😊

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And I’ve been keeping things cosy here while many of you are sweltering. This morning was a sub-zero frost and it’s still only 4 degrees (39F) nearing 9am.

Micky dog is still in bed under his blanket. He’s definitely slowed down in the past few months now that he is 14, but I’ve never known him to sleep in so long. I did check he was still breathing! 

 

 

To make a little fun for myself I’ve been indulging in Christmas in July, along with a dash of self-care. I’ve been leaning on my self-care practices even more at the moment. In no particular order, here are my current favourites 😊

❤️ Reading books. I just finished ‘Dandelion is Dead’, by Rosie Storey: 4.5/5 for me. Loved the story, and the British sense of humour. There were a few too many back and forths before the ending so not a 5/5 but still a solid ‘would recommend’.

❤️ Sipping my morning latte. (always in a Starbucks cup!) I make a stronger brewed pot of filter coffee and then use it like cold brew – half a cup of coffee and half a cup of whole milk, heated in the microwave. It’s my version of the ‘no foam, extra hot’ latte I used to order at Starbucks ✨

❤️ Going for a walk. Always with an audiobook or podcast. I’m 3/4 through Emma Grede’s ‘Start With Yourself’ and am thoroughly enjoying it. And before that, ‘The Storm Sister’, the second Seven Sisters book was incredible. They are such involved, high-quality stories (almost 20 hours long on audiobook!) that it boggles my mind how someone can write such amazingness. We do have a treadmill but I prefer walking outside with the fresh air and soothing colours of nature.

❤️ Feeling cozy. It’s nice to rug up in the winter with fluffy socks and a warm jumper, but I like feeling cozy in the summer equally. It’s all about the softness of fabric. Washed cotton tee-shirts, soft linen, fine satin loungewear pants. And feeling clean too: just-washed hair, moisturised skin and a pretty body mist.

❤️ Being my own cheerleader. I’ve felt down during my recuperation more so than usual, so I’ve been calling upon my inner cheerleader regularly. She reminds me that life is still good, I’ve already come so far, most complications are only temporary, and oh, let’s go and do something fun.

Let me know your favourite, and please share your favourite self-care practice right now 😊

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Wishing you a wonderful weekend whatever you’re doing. And Happy 4^th of July to my American friends!

And I’d also like to say, thank you for being there with me. Even though I haven’t been online as much, I’ve felt the care and the love. It means a lot.

xx Fiona

PS. My Amazon links are affiliate, but it makes no different to the cost. I do appreciate it if you choose to use my links, as always ❤️