Anyone want to wish Keith a Happy Christmas? More on that later...
And keeping on the Christmas Theme because I love it.
The water has gone from the paddocks from the last flood as you can see from the piccie, house is a mess, the Christmas shopping looks pretty thin, and the wasps have built a heap of nests I’m keen to shift before Christmas. But the granddaughters have put up the decorations, crooked and clumpy, I’m on holidays from the hospital and I love that I have seven whole days before Christmas to soak it up. That’s pretty rare for me and I’m guessing for a lot of us. 
My husband has been hiding from me because I’ve just sent off my twentieth book to my editor and a big sigh as I drop my shoulders. And just finished my first Italian hero so that’s a fab thing. Gianni’s a fish out of water in Lyrebird Lake and it’s been fun. And I’m learning Italian which I’m absolutely loving. I’ve been playing the audio tapes from the library in my car on the way to work every morning and despite my atrocious accent I can understand enough to be able to add, subtract, and ask your name – all in Italian. What a great language. When I get really good I’m going to try and read one of my own copies in the Italian translation (‘cause at least I can guess a bit) and then I’ll be hunting down my friends books. Can anyone read Italian? I’m giving away an Italian copy of one of my books to readers. Just send a contact Fiona form from my webpage and mention this blog at fionamcarthur.com
Today I’m off to Brisbane (485 kms Google maps tells me) to see the gorgeous KEITH URBAN in concert with my youngest son tonight. I’m so excited. Has anybody seen him in concert?
I’m picking up my lovely mother-in-law the next day to come home. May turned eighty-five and just laughs at the mess in my house and the troops that pass through it. So a bit of travelling in the next twenty four hours and if I don’t answer any blogs it’s because I’m not home yet but will drop in when I return.
After Christmas I’m camping with my fifteen-year old and even a night with my two little granddaughters so that will be fun. If 2010 turns out to be half as good as 2009 for me then I can’t wait. How was your 2009? Are you looking forward to the next decade? I see the new Chinese Year is the Tiger. Sounds auspicious.
My other good news is I’ve sold my first non-fiction Last Minute Little Birth Book to Penguin Australia. To come out late next year it’s a very simple, very quick guide for those who left it a little too late for birth class before baby, and my friends tell me it sounds just like me talking to my young mums in classes. I absolutely LOVED writing it so wish me luck for that one. I’m very excited about it.
That’s it from me, have to rush off like a chook with my head cut off, and try and make order out of chaos. Keep well, keep reading and most of all keep happy for Christmas and 2010
Best wishes for the festive season to all
Love Fi
fionamcarthur.com
The Midwife And The Millionaire
My second book set in the Kimberley's of Western Australia. Such fun!
HMB Medical UK May NA July 2010
I've seen Keith a few times
The first time I saw Keith Urban in concert one of the country radio stations was giving away free tickets to a concert he put on at midnight. He was in Calgary, Canada because he was going to be a guest on the CCMA awards. I think the nightclub held maybe 250 to 300 people and boy did he rock the place. My husband became a fan that night. The next time we saw him we stood in the pouring rain watching him put on a show at the Ponoka Stampede. Then we saw him as part of a Brooks and Dunn supershow. The last time was in our Saddledome here in Calgary. I must say the first very intimate concert was the best but he's never been a dissappointment. Hope you enjoy his showas much as we have. Enjoy your time off also and have a wonderful Christmas. All the best in 2010!
PS. Someone was looking for Italian romance books. I'm going to see if I can find her post and try to send her here.
February 2009 Member of the Month
When I get a little money I buy books, and then if any is left I buy food and clothes..-- Erasmus
Cats can work out mathematically the exact place to sit that will cause the most inconvenience.--Pam Brown
It sounds like you will be
It sounds like you will be very busy throughout this season. How exciting you have sold a non-fiction book, too! Enjoy your time of from the hospital (in between all the running around). Happy Holidays!
Nancy
January 2009 Member of the Month
Participant in Date with Destiny 2009
Participant in Pass the Plot Spring 2009
I couldn't find
the post with someone looking for books in Italian. Went back in the blog posting till end of October but didn't see it. Hop whoever it was comes acroos this post.
February 2009 Member of the Month
When I get a little money I buy books, and then if any is left I buy food and clothes..-- Erasmus
Cats can work out mathematically the exact place to sit that will cause the most inconvenience.--Pam Brown
Buongiorno, bella!
Hi Fi!
Congratulations on your foray into non-fiction! Last Minute Little Birth Book is now officially on my wishlist so please be sure to let us know when it's available to buy!
And congratulations on handing in your 20th book! And on taking Italian lessons!
Enjoy the concert with Keith U! And may you have an equally fabulous year of the Tiger!
Buon Natale!
Sharon
Sharon Archer
www.sharon-archer.com
Blogging at http://lovecatsdownunder.blogspot.com/
Bachelor Dad, Girl Next Door --- UK Apr 2010, Aus/NZ May 2010
Your first Italian hero?
That's one of the things I especially like about writing... that I can have heroes from all sorts of places.
Latin lovers are a particular favourite (well, DH has French and Portuguese blood in with the Scottish and English and, apparently, a hint of Hawaiian somewhere in the distant past, so I'm hoping that's going to help with the dancing lessons
)
And isn't it great that we can give our heroes all the really yummy attributes of the different nationalities... the dark flashing eyes and the sexy smiles, to say nothing of their kissing capabilities
Josie
Congratulations
Congratulations on selling your first non-fiction.
December 2008 MEMBER of the MONTH!
A true teacher is a person who, at the end of the school day, still likes children!
Fi, Congratulations on your
Fi, Congratulations on your sale to Penguin. Super stuff
Congrats also on book 20! What a milestone. I too wrote my first Italian hero this year but I take my hat off to you with the language tapes. I cheated and used two friends who are fluent in Italian....I'll let them know about your comp.
Have fun experiencing Christmas through the eyes of your granddaughters and I hope Keith was brilliant in concert. In fact when I saw the picture of Keith I just assumed Kate Hardy was blogging and it wasn't until I read, 'water from the paddock has gone' that I was jolted out of that mind set.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Cheers,
Fiona
Fiona's Website
Her Brooding Italian Surgeon OUT NOW!!
The Most Magical Gift of All Nov ’10 in USA/UK
Single Dad's Triple Trouble Feb 11 USA/UK
Keith
Lucky you, Kaelee. To have seen Keith Urban a couple of times in Canada. Thanks so much for sharing that.
I had the BEST night at the Brisbane concert. First song I was up, dancing with a big grin on my face, and my 15 yr old son just smiled and stayed and moved to my seat ('cause I was on an aisle) OMG OMG OMG. What a gorgeous guy, just oozes warmth and sincere appreciation of his audience, no pretention, just a fab muso who loves what he does. Lovely dedication to Nicole who couldn't be there, and sang from a heap of different places in the audience to share the thrill. I have a FAB few minutes on my phone with him about six feet away singing on a stool, so cool. So now home, catching up, and chilling out for Christmas. I really hope everyone gets a chance to do the same before the rush. xx Fi
.
fionamcarthur.com
The Midwife And The Millionaire
My second book set in the Kimberley's of Western Australia. Such fun!
HMB Medical UK May NA July 2010
Ciao Nancy
Thanks, Nancy. Love that you've sung in Italian.
xx Fi
fionamcarthur.com
The Midwife And The Millionaire
My second book set in the Kimberley's of Western Australia. Such fun!
HMB Medical UK May NA July 2010
Ciao Sharon and Josie
Heh Heh. Thanks guys, practising here. Bello concert (o).
xx Fi
fionamcarthur.com
The Midwife And The Millionaire
My second book set in the Kimberley's of Western Australia. Such fun!
HMB Medical UK May NA July 2010
Love the by-line
Thanks for the congrats, Ellen
I do love your teacher by-line. I've made some amazing friends in the young mums I've had the pleasure to meet in birth classes.
xx Fi
fionamcarthur.com
The Midwife And The Millionaire
My second book set in the Kimberley's of Western Australia. Such fun!
HMB Medical UK May NA July 2010
Christmas with granddaughters
Thanks Fiona. I do feel blessed that I have these two little girls coming to share the giggles with me. I mean, most boys don't get it! How cool that I can do girl things - pretty tables, candles, singing carols, the funniest is the littlest (4yrs) can't hang the balls on the tree. I tell her to stand back and throw them on, they just stick in the branches. If they fall off we throw them in again. It's very funny. Miss six thinks we're not taking it seriously enough, but she has the biggest heart in the world and is happy as long as her sister is happy. They get here soon, so will off and wrap pressies because they complained there was none there for them under my tree. The girls are camping for a night or two at Nanny's.
xx Fi
fionamcarthur.com
The Midwife And The Millionaire
My second book set in the Kimberley's of Western Australia. Such fun!
HMB Medical UK May NA July 2010
Merry Christmas, Keith and Fiona!
Sounds like you'll be busy! I don't read Italian, but I'd love to learn. Language fascinates me.
This year has not been the best one for me. My elderly father became ill in June, so much of my summer and fall was tied up in caring for him and helping him cope. He passed away in late November, and, just to add insult to injury, my daughter's BF broke up with her a few days before my father passed, and she is devastated. So, there isn't much joy in Mudville (to quote the poem my father liked to recite: Casey at the Bat).
I'm hoping that 2010 will present a much different face! At least I'm hopeful that will be the case.
Adopt a shelter pet. Save a life; gain a best friend for life.
View my DD's very public video acting debut at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E-v05kMucw.
July 2009 Member of the Month
Looking forward to 2010
Hi JV
you did have a sucky year. Big hugs to you and your daughter and in fact to all your family. My mum passd away in December three years ago and I remember thinking her passing made my Christmas all filmy and hazy like a cataract haze, but it was bitter sweet to remember other Christmas. I hope the more happy years can give you a lift. Sounds like you and your daughter need to plan a weekend away to spoil each other.The good news is the new year will be a cracker, I'm sure, what with that Chinese Tiger and all.
All the very best and will send a warm and fuzzy wish to you on Christmas morning. It will probably come in on a heat wave as I got sunburnt yesterday putting some shade up over the old plastic pool.
xx Fi
fionamcarthur.com
The Midwife And The Millionaire
My second book set in the Kimberley's of Western Australia. Such fun!
HMB Medical UK May NA July 2010
JV {{{{{{hugs}}}}}}
JV {{{{{{hugs}}}}}} condolences on the loss of your dad.
Nancy
January 2009 Member of the Month
Participant in Date with Destiny 2009
Participant in Pass the Plot Spring 2009
Congrats to Fi and hugs to JV
Fi, I'm SOOOO jealous about you seeing Keith! (Tried to post yesterday but eharl decided it didn't like my password, sigh.) Glad you had such a good time. And congrats on the new book - fantastic news.
JV - hugs on your rough year, and may 2010 be much calmer and happier for you.
http://www.katehardy.com
http://katehardy.blogspot.com
Current and upcoming releases: Neurosurgeon... and Mum!; Red Wine and Her Sexy Ex; Champagne with a Celebrity
Hugs
Thanks JV
I hate being an orphan but I guess it's what our parents want because they don't want to see us go. There can never be enough hugs in the world.
Must make that one of my new year resolutions. Hug more people. Except I can't make the hug maker on my keyboard? ??? I wish you the peace that a quiet Christmas can bring
xx Fi
fionamcarthur.com
The Midwife And The Millionaire
My second book set in the Kimberley's of Western Australia. Such fun!
HMB Medical UK May NA July 2010
Keithhappy
Thanks, Kate
You should have seen my face at the first song, a big smile and up I was with all the other swayers enjoying his gorgeous warmth and singing along with the rest. A lovely night. Happy Christmas to you and yours
xx Fi
fionamcarthur.com
The Midwife And The Millionaire
My second book set in the Kimberley's of Western Australia. Such fun!
HMB Medical UK May NA July 2010
Kind thoughts
Thanks, everyone, for your kind thoughts. It has been a tough year, but we're getting through it, as Fi said, by remembering happier Christmases past.
Adopt a shelter pet. Save a life; gain a best friend for life.
View my DD's very public video acting debut at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E-v05kMucw.
July 2009 Member of the Month
Late, but definitely want
to wish Keith a Merry Christmas. ;) And to say congrats on your non-fiction project! That is fabulous, Fiona! Best of luck!!!
Dr DiAngelo's Baby Bombshell 6/10
Officer, Surgeon...Gentleman 10/10
www.janicelynn.net