27 more Sleeps!

Hi,

This week Hazel finished the sketches for "A Crazy Day"! Next, the cover design. I've sent her what I picture in my head, now she does with it what her brilliant artistic mind does with that, and BOOM! There it will be, the cover!


After that comes a practice in patience for me. The colouring process takes some time, as it should. But, I feel like a kid waiting for Santa to show up while I'm waiting to see them.

It's probably a really good thing that Christmas preparations will keep me relatively distracted. That way, I hopefully won't be driving Hazel nuts!

In the whole Christmas scenario, I'm happy to report that I only have 2 more people to buy for! I have a few batches of cookies, muffins and some fudge in the freezer! I'm so loving my new mixer! It definitely is better than doing it all by hand!

Also, while Hazel is busy with putting colour to the sketches, I need to work on the layout of "A Crazy Day." What type of text, size of font, any use of bold or italics. Or, if I should maybe use some colour. I need to figure out the wordage for each page, how that will lay on each page. This is where I do my best to put it all together so it comes to reality the way it's been living in my head for the past year or so.

I guess what plays in my mind is that "Lexi's Magic Clothes" has done and continues to do more than I ever expected. I really hope that I can prove to myself more than anything, that it wasn't a fluke. That "A Crazy Day" will be as good or better.

These are the bits of self doubt that can get in the way of a person chasing a dream. I want to be very clear that the nigglings of doubt are not coming from anyone but me. My family and friends have been nothing short of incredibly supportive. I have always been my harshest critic and probably always will be. But, it's not always the worst thing, it really makes me put in 100% on everything I do.

I despise the feeling of looking back at something and thinking I could have done better. I always want to know in my heart that I absolutely did everything I could, that way there are no regrets.

I think I'm getting better at it with time and age, the kicking myself in the butt with 20/20 hindsight incidences are getting fewer and farther between. This is a good thing, as my butt was getting pretty sore through my 20's and 30's!

Now, for the upcoming week!

Well, more shopping (malls are already getting nuts!), more baking, some work on layout, more baking, work, laundry, decorate house, more baking, wrap more presents, prep for Christmas party we are performing for on the 11th, more baking, oh and did I mention baking? lol
Oh, I also have my consult with laser eye place on Tuesday! Hope they have nothing but good news!

Until next week,



May everything you need to happen, happen without cause.
May you avoid any talks that involve "there isn't really a Santa Claus."

May the spirit of the season fill you, from the top your head to the tip of your toes.
May any parties attended not include a dress tucked in your pantyhose.

May simple, happy, kind surprises be bestowed on you all week long.
May you pay them forward to others, for it will fill your soul and make it strong.

May you and yours enjoy a happy healthy hope filled holiday.
May you enjoy all the preparation work, but take the time to play!


"Lexi's Magic Clothes" would make a great stocking stuffer! Tell all your friends! (Shameless plug finished)

www.margyreidbooks.net

Hello!

Well, let's see, where to begin.

This week went pretty well. Didn't miss any whole days of work for weather only one half day. You guessed it...more snow!!!

Dentist went well on Wednesday, and the craft fair was fun that afternoon as well. I was able to get caught up with some friends, sell some books, buy some stuff, in general, have a good time.

One lady told me, after kind of just standing there and staring at the books for a couple of seconds, how she thought it looked familiar. Apparently, she had seen and read a copy in the waiting room at one of the hospitals in Saskatoon, while her husband was in for an appointment.
She said she really enjoyed it,which is so nice to hear.

I sure hope the little thrill I get every time I talk to or hear of someone reading and enjoying "Lexi" never fades. I don't think it will because it's kind of like hearing nice things about your kids, you never tire of that either!

Friday, when we got home, I was rushing around, putting purchases away, getting things organized for the weekend and in the midst of the bustle, checked my email to find a pleasant note waiting for me. It was McNally Robinson in Saskatoon needing another batch of "Lexi" books! Apparently they were down to their last few again and wanted to stock up for the holidays!


Last night was my husband's work holiday party. It was a great time! Lovely meal, followed by 2 hours of stand up comedy that had us in stitches. Laughing until I cry is one of my most absolute favourite ways to spend an evening. This is why I try to do it on a fairly regular basis.

Also this week, I received more illustrations from Hazel. I wish I was more computer savvy and was able to put some up on here. I'm not giving up, I will figure it out. Hopefully in time for next week's blog.

For the upcoming week. Like most everyone out there I am getting ready for Christmas. I'll be shopping, wrapping, baking, decorating etc. In addition, I'm hoping to come up with some kind of clever, inspirational, free, fun, did I mention free, way to market "Lexi" for the Christmas season. I would love her to be in countless stockings, everywhere! Don't laugh! It could happen!

Also this week, I'm hoping to find out more about the Sask writers' guild, and what the benefits of membership are.


Until next week;



May all the shopping carts you push have had all their wheels aligned.
May none of them have that one stuck wheel that makes you feel you're driving blind.

May traffic be slight wherever you may roam.
May the skills of fellow drivers always be equal to your own.

May all the messages on your phone be nothing but good news.
May any telemarketers only call with offers that you would choose.

May none of your children need your assistance with homework once this week.
May they not have one squabble with a sibling, and be oh so sweet.

May they suddenly discover that chocolate cures cancer, obesity and insomnia.
May they find too that ice cream has this capability in it's formula.


See you next week!

Who says you can't mix business with pleasure!

Well hello there! Long time no see!

I'm sorry I wasn't able to get my blog up last Sunday. I thought I was going to be able to, but didn't have wifi at the trade show and for some reason could not piggyback into my friend's wifi at her house. Not sure why, had her password, tried it on all the systems that my computer was showing as available. Hey, if one of you guys has an idea, please let me know. That information may very well come in handy another time.

Enough of that. The Mistletoe Craft and Gift Show in North Battleford was awesome! My oldest daughter came along, and there, we teamed up with one of my oldest and dearest friends.(bottom,center photo). Crystal, my daughter was a great sport dressing up as "Lexi."

I was able to meet a lot of very interesting people throughout the weekend, had a blast hanging out with Dana and Crystal, and sold 49 books!

Once again, without "Lexi," I would not have had this same opportunity.

Now, for this past week;

Well, I went to work Monday, pretty typical day. Tuesday, on the other hand was not so typical.

My husband and I attempted to get to work, but the roads were just too bad. They weren't exactly great when we started out and got progressively worse as we went! Highway was covered in slow/slush/ice. Yay Saskatchewan!

So with Wednesday being my usual day off, Thursday being Remembrance Day, and Friday my family didn't need me because they were getting company for the weekend. I had an impromptu 6 days off!

I took advantage of being home during office hours and ticked some things off my to do list.

*confirmed dentist appointment

*booked in for complete physical ( say it with me, yay!)

*booked a table for our local craft and gift show

*booked a consult with an eye laser place

*booked hair appointment

What does it say about me that the thing on that list that gets me most excited is the eye laser place? I know it sounds a little scary, but, my eyes need help and I'm terrible with glasses. Especially if I don't need to wear them all the time, I'll just end up losing them!

During this time off I also managed to put a few miles on my treadmill and break in my new mixer, which gets the assist in knocking off two batches of cookies to pop in the freezer for Christmas! That's right, Christmas baking has begun! lol

Now, before you nominate me for sainthood for being such a diligent little worker bee, I feel it necessary to inform you that in and amongst said time off, there was also some gratuitous Oprah, Dr. Phil, and movie watching. I also managed to sing through my entire collection of Christmas karaoke songs(60)! And before you ask, because I can! lol

Oh! I received the first sketches from "A Crazy Day" from Hazel! They are AWESOME! I showed you the character sketch last time, and I tried to give you a peek of what the actual story sketches look like, but I couldn't get them to load for some reason. I will figure it out and pop a couple on next week if I can.

So, for the upcoming week. Hopefully it will remain a normal work week, roads permitting. Wednesday is my above mentioned dentist appointment and the local craft fair. I'm looking forward to the fair, will get to catch up with some friends!

Oh, did I mention that I am now an official member of the Saskatchewan Writer's Guild? I'm not exactly sure what all the benefits of it are yet, it's still pretty new. I'll definitely keep you posted!

Until next time,

May all on your Christmas list give you obvious hints.

May you find all of the gifts you seek in the bargain bins.

May all you buy through the internet be delivered in one piece and on time.

May you be the millionth customer and win all the purchases you made on line.

May your office parties be truly fun, no awkward moments with the boss.

May the weird guy from accounting not striptease like last year, giving his undies a toss!

May your Christmas bonuses be huge and come with a big pat on the back.

May you be able to spend them freely without thought of the bills in a stack.

May you come out on the other end of this pre-Christmas season, with nothing but good experiences and a smile.

May you realize when all the craziness is over it was definitely all worth while!

Have a great week!