Climbing The Corporate Ladder.....To Make The Top Wrung Cry....Just A Little....

 

 

Just in case you needed an adorability booster shot......

 

 

 

Well folks, it's been another crazy week!

 

 

After all of the excitement of wedding dress shopping last weekend, it was back to work on Monday!

 

 

 

Another trailer....more parts......order parts.....find out parts are not being manufactured at this time and production is not expected to continue for the foreseeable future........yay...........will have to fabricate ourselves........another trailer......order parts.....2 parts..one order......sent at exactly the same time.......one piece arrives....where's the other piece?............didn't make the truck........tomorrow for sure...............tomorrow comes............no part..............where's my part?.......track online........scanned unable to deliver an hour after we open........hhhmmmmm...........time to call......where is my part?.......why scanned unable to deliver? we were standing right here........bad address?!....same one as yesterday, when the first half of delivery showed up! how can it be a bad address today?.......finding driver? he will still deliver today? great, will wait, tying up work bay..............waiting.......waiting.....waiting....time to call again.......is he showing up today? yep by end of business....yay.............closing time........track package online.......truck is back at depot...package scanned there..........next day.........time to call.........where's my part?.....on the truck....goody, forgive me if I'm not overwhelmed with excitement.........part shows up.......find out name of driver who drove yesterday....time to call........your package has been delivered.......no shit Sherlock..........congratulations, it took you two days to deliver a package an hour away.........I'll be sending you a bill for the eight hours of shop time that this cost me.........don't do that? not your policy?........interesting..........what if my negligence cost you $760.00.........would you be willing to accept that it's not my policy to make it right?............awaiting response.............have driver name, "team leader" name and name of  team leader's supervisor......printed webpage with all tracking information including "unable to deliver"..........time to start climbing the corporate ladder until I find whoever signs the cheques.............and maybe make him/her cry a little.......just a little......

 

 

People who confuse laid back kindness with a willingness to be a doormat..........silly people.......

 

 

 

 

As for this weekend and the upcoming week?

 

 

 

Tonight, my hubby is on a bro date with our grandson, Ethan.  A trip to A&W + a Batman comic book +  going to see the Lego Movie +  a sleepover =  A very excited 6 year old!

 

 

Tomorrow I'll be taking part in a great tradeshow at the civic centre in Rosetown. It's going to be a blast! I'll be sharing table space with my youngest daughter, who makes custom cakes!

 

After we get packed up at the end of the day, it's off for a quick overnight visit with my Mom. Haven't been able to stop by there in quite a while, it'll be nice to get caught up.

 

 

Then, next week begins a new month! With any luck, the snow will melt....for sure, this time...and the promise of Spring will be able to peek through.

 

 

I'm sure I'll be having some interesting conversations with some courier executives............

 

 

I plan on sneaking some snuggle time with some grandbabies.......

 

 

Month end bookkeeping chores will be in full swing................

 

 

Hang out with my Honey, fixin stuff..................

 

All in all...have a pretty great time! Why? Cuz, I can!

 

 

 

So, my friends, that about does it for this week........until next time I'll leave you with this wish....

 

 

 

May your puddles be jumpable, your potholes, be shallow and few.

May your pant legs never even graze your car, keeping your good clothes free of mucky goo.

 

May your households' rubber boots have nary a hole among them.

May they keep little feet dry, no matter how the little ones test them.

 

May the splash pants be strong, worn, not forgotten, in a backpack, in a locker, far away.

May they be remembered and adorn every recess of every single school day.

 

May you be understanding of the mud encrusted creatures who inevitably forget, soaking themselves to the core.

May you be understanding, make a paper boat or two, join in the fun, after all that's what puddles are for!

 

 

Until next time!

 

 

 

 



It's On The Internet, So It Must Be True!

 

I sized it up a notch or two to be sure you could see it clearly. It's on the internet, so it must be true!

 

 

Ok, ok, ok........so according to this test and a few others like it, I look like Scarlett Johansson, I was a hippie in a past life, Morgan Freeman should play me, if they ever make a movie about my life, my future husband will be a scuba diving ventriloquist named Sven, and the career most suited to my personality is a bikini wearing tuba player who leads parades at the North Pole.

 

 

It's on the internet...soooooo.......................................

 

 

 

 

 

So, this week has been pretty fun.

 

We did our St. Paddy's Day show and had a great time. There was plenty of green jello shots for everyone! The next day, we were able to stay for a bit and have a nice visit with my brother and his wife.

 

Then it was back to the races!

 

We were able to finish off two major projects at the shop and start a third. This one requires replacement of an entire wall and roof!  I'm sure I'll be learning a lot helping the hubby with this one!

 

 

The writing workshop with the Grade one class was awesome! The kids were fantastic, as kids are. They sat so well as I read my books and then were happy to participate in the little writing exercise I had prepared.  They are so cute! While they worked away, they asked a few questions, and a few of the kids took this opportunity to compliment me on my necklace and sparkly fingernails. But the one that stood out most of all?  It was the first time in my life I had been told I have a nice head! Who knew?!

 

 

Today, my friends, was wedding dress shopping day for my youngest daughter, Kerianne, better known, to us anyway, as Bink.  I would love to show you pictures, but I can't. Not yet. But, I will, after the wedding.

 

She tried on 4 or 5 dresses with her Mom, sisters, niece and baby daughter cheering her on. She fell in love with one so different from the pictures she had been showing to me over the past few weeks. You just never know what is going to make your heart sing until you try it, I guess.

 

She looks amazing, gorgeous, beautiful, and most of all, she looks like a woman about to be married, in that dress. After a few happy tears were shed, there were hugs and pictures galore, and then it was off to lunch!

 

Yep, my girls talked me into trying sushi for the first time. I have to admit, it was freakin' delicious! I would tell you what it was we ate, but I don't remember what any of it was called! There just seemed to be an endless parade of yumminess being brought to the table! I would definitely go again.

 

 

When we got back home, Bink's fiancé brought Jake out and we had a nice supper together and Grandpa and Grandma got a much appreciated chance to play with some grandbabies.

 

All in all, a pretty incredible week.

 

As for the next few days........................

 

 

As I mentioned, there is a trailer in need of a wall and a roof, I will be doing my best to help in any way I can with that.

 

There will also be some bookkeeping chores to be handled...........

 

Then, next Saturday I will be taking part in a trade show at the Civic Centre in Rosetown. I will be sharing table space with Bink as she promotes her new venture. She has started doing custom cakes for weddings and birthdays, etc. If you like, you can take a peek at some of the cakes she's done on her Facebook page. Kakes by Kran. (Shameless plug :)

 

So folks, that about does it for me, this week. My feet are tired, and my heart is full. A good time to say good night.

 

 

Until next week, I'll leave you with this wish............................

 

 

 

 

May you, as you ask the thousandth time for your child to say please and thank you, know it matters.

May you know, these little things, become the mortar that holds their character together as they grow, it matters.

 

May you, as you help your young ones understand and develop tools to handle life's storms, know it matters.

May you, as you allow them small decisions, complete with consequence, this is a needed skill, it matters.

 

May you know that with every tear dried, scrape kissed, broken heart put on the mend, it matters.

May you know that knowing you are there no matter what, even in discipline, maybe especially in discipline, it matters.

 

May you know that sending a child out into the world in the body of a grown up is cruel, it matters.

May you know, without life skills and tools, going out into the world can be nearly impossible, can break a soul, it shatters.

 

 

Until next time!

 

I've been asked where my books are available. You can find them at McNally Robinson, both in Saskatoon and Winnipeg, and online at www.margyreidbooks.com  They can be shipped anywhere!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ahhhh The Smell Of Spring!

 

Hi!

 

 

 

Spring is close.....I can smell it!     Literally, I can smell it. When you live in rural Saskatchewan, the first signs of spring go a little something like this......

 

1. The rabbits that roam our wide open spaces start changing back into their summer attire. Slipping out of their winter whites, into their spring wardrobes of greys and browns.

 

2. Migrating birds start showing up again, sometimes a bit early, therefore having a bit of trouble finding open, un-frozen water.

 

3. As the snow melts, there is mud. A lot. Of. Mud. Probably enough mud to keep the population of China sufficiently supplied if the whole country ever decided to take up the lofty sport of mud wrestling.

 

4. Then there is the smell. The air actually smells warmer, if that's possible. Or, maybe, it' just the fact that it doesn't hurt to breathe outside, anymore. There are some not-so-great smells that come with this particular change of the season, as well. Ahhhhhhh, the not-so-subtle hint of a thawing lagoon wafting in the breeze, one of the earliest signs of spring. Thankfully, that little assault on the nose gives way to the much more enjoyable scents of freshly worked land, lilacs and just-cut lawns, before too terribly long. 

 

5. Last, well, at least last on this list today, is, gophers. In Saskatchewan, when the first gophers start popping up, it makes it official. Spring has Sprung. I've yet to see any this year, and it most likely will be a few weeks yet, but it's coming.

 

I can smell it.

 

 

 

So this past week had it's usual craziness, with the added bonus of what I'm sure is the beginning of our Spring traffic at the shop. People breathe in the Spring type air and thoughts of camping start to dance in their heads. I know it has in ours. ( July long weekend campsite already booked! lol)

 

Along with scraping goop off of things, assisting in installing windows, doors and an awning, I was able to finalize the details on an Author Showcase that I'm participating in next month,  come up with a bit of a game plan for another school visit coming up on the 20th of this month, and received the paperwork for a library visit that also takes place in April.

 

It's going to be a great Spring.

 

 

In the upcoming week...

 

Tomorrow night we are doing a St. Patrick's Day Karaoke show in Luseland. Let the green beer and jello shots flow!

 

Thursday, I'll be visiting our local Elementary school, along with several other local authors. We are doing a sort of workshop to encourage kids to write. I get to work with wee ones in the first grade. It's going to be so much fun. Just what all parents crave, their children further developing  skills in telling tall tales. Hehehehehehe. 

 

 

Then, next Saturday, I'm taking my baby girl to buy a wedding dress. Wow. How did that happen?! I'm looking so forward to it. With her three big sisters and her Mom there to cheer her on, I'm sure she will find the perfect one for her.

 

 I know she will be gorgeous, but whenever I think about it, I get flashbacks of her, in pigtails, sitting in the restaurant where I used to work, playing cards with my boss. I see her on my kitchen floor with her carefully collected crickets, looking up and explaining how she was going to start a cricket circus, and how they were all named George. I see her, so careful, learning to ride a bike, learning to skate, things that terrified her, but she did them anyway.

 

I see her taking on a field where few women tread and even fewer are welcome, and excel. I see her becoming a young, single mom who struggled....hard, but managed. I see a young, brave woman, who is now Mommy to two beautiful souls, and soon will be the wife of a man who is, biologically, father to one baby, but Daddy to both. I see her for who she is. Magnificent.

 

My daughters never seize to amaze me with the incredible women they've become.

 

 

 

 

Well, that about does it for this week. I better go and finish doing laundry....................

 

 

Until then, I'll leave you with this wish..................

 

 

 

 

May every morning bring with it a fresh outlook, a fresh start, a decision to make it a great day.

May yesterday's worries find resolution, and today's challenges be minimal in every way.

 

May you find the lighter side to every situation, even those which carry incredibly.. dead.. weight.

May you find the humour in problems now, for you will look back and laugh later anyway, why wait.

 

May you take the time to breathe deeply, soak in beauty, bathe in a future so bright and so clear. 

May you dare and decide to be happy, you deserve every bit of it, it's yours, claim it, carry no fear.

 

 

Until next time.....have a great week!

 

 

 

 

www.margyreidbooks.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Is Ready To Rock! Almost.........

 

Hi!

 

Wouldn't it be nice to have the life of a house cat? It would like taking permanent residence in an all expense paid spa.

 

 

Well, despite the distraction that this creature can cause, this week was pretty productive.

 

 

 

 

After assisting in some siding installation, I was able to sneak a day to finish up some things for my next book.

 

Yup, the next story is now completely ready for Valerie (illustrator). I have the copyright in hand, ISBN number, layout figured out, font picked, estimated cost per book, blurb and photo written and selected for the back cover.

 

Now it's just a matter of getting the funding put in place. It's looking like I probably won't be able to have this book in hand before the end of the school year, like I had hoped, but I should have it by mid-summer. That will be in time for a reading I'm doing, and in time to plan a launch for early September. It should all work out ok.

 

Also, this week, I celebrated my 48th birthday.  So much took place in the months that I was 47. A new business, a new grand daughter, another daughter becoming engaged, yet another daughter becoming a home owner, a grandson starting kindergarten, and getting another book underway.

 

But, there were other, more subtle things that happened, as well.  My 47th year saw me get more comfortable in my own skin. I'm finding that, with the passage of time, I'm becoming a better friend to myself.  It's tough. For some reason, for me, anyway, I seem to hold myself to a much higher standard of expectation than I do anyone else.

 

 I have no problem forgiving, forgetting, or giving the benefit of the doubt to others. It's never been that hard to cut others some slack. For some reason, I just haven't extended that same courtesy to myself. It's getting better. I'm learning.

 

 

So, now I look ahead to the year of 48.  I have some plans, but, if time has taught me anything, it's that plans are great, but...............our plans are always trumped by life. If you are able to work even a portion of your plans into the weave of it all, you're doing pretty damn good.

 

 

As for the next week?

 

 

At the shop, we'll be finishing up one big project, working in a smaller one, and then start another big one.

 

Hopefully, we can squeak in some rehearsal time for our St. Patty's Day show we are doing next weekend.

 

Other than that? Who knows!

 

 

Well folks, that about does it for me for another week.. until next time.....

 

 

 

 

May you extend the same kindness to yourself that you do for those around you.

May you allow yourself to celebrate everything you are and all you do.

 

May you be open to all things positive, all, not just the things you've planned.

May you discover the power in rejecting the negative, let it fall, a pillar made of sand.

 

May you see it's not pride or conceit being displayed when you do things to feed your soul.

May you see it's merely being kind to a friend, showing respect, taking care, that's all.

 

 

 

Until next week..........................

 

 

www.margyreidbooks.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why Can't We Just All Get Along?!!!!

 

 

 

Hi!

 

 

 

Did I happen to mention that I live where it tends to get a bit chilly now and then?

 

 

Thought so, nuff said.

 

 

 

 

You know, after seeing the forecast, and knowing what new kind of special frozen hell this morning was going to bring, I was ready to have a complete Mother Nature meltdown all over this blog.

 

I was, until, while I was cruising Facebook last night, I came across a photo posted by a friend of mine.

 

 

This photo depicted a teenage boy, his face battered and bruised, his eyes, equally sad, scared and angry.

 

You see, this boy had been beaten by other teenage boys. The bruised up boy hadn't hurt anyone, or taken anything he wasn't supposed to, or done anything whatsoever. He simply was.

 

This battered child had been assaulted for something he had no more control over than having freckles, how tall he was or what size shoe he wears.

 

 

This boy had his mouth crushed hard enough knock out four teeth, he has black eyes, and swollen cheeks, and worse, he had his dignity and innocence crushed beyond recognition. Why? Because he is.

 

This boy, you see, is gay.

 

Now, some like to argue that being gay is a choice. By that logic, it stands to reason that all gay people must be crazy. After all, who in their right mind would "choose" to be persecuted, beaten up and denied simple basic rights, like getting married?

 

 

It's incredible to me that otherwise, seemingly intelligent people can't seem to grasp the concept that gay people are just that. PEOPLE who happen to be gay.

 

I saw an article just the other day about how Arizona is either going to pass, or already has passed a law allowing discrimination against gay people.

 

The fact that it even was a glimmer of a thought in some misguided politician's mind, is sad enough, but to see it get this far?

 

Upon doing some leg work, one of the politicians said she was shocked to find out that "gay people have money and buy things just like normal people". She is now thinking banning gays from stores and restaurants may have an economic impact.

 

 

What's next? Segregated schools, different entrances, "hetero only" water fountains? I don't know about you, but I'm getting a wicked case of de ja vu.

 

 

I think what saddens me more than anything, is the fact that this happened to a teenager, perpetuated by other teens. That means we are still teaching our children to hate. Hate anything we don't understand or maybe don't agree with. Hate them, hurt them, ban them. Ring any bells?

 

 

We need to do a better job of teaching our children to love and accept others. If we are going to teach our kids to be good judges of character as they grow up, shouldn't we be basing the criteria on how these characters treat others and how they treat themselves, not whether or not they have tattoos or piercings, how they wear their hair, or, for crying out loud, who they love?

 

 

I hope the boy in the picture can come back from this brutal, vicious display of ignorance. I hope the sadness and fear in his eyes can be replaced by joy and peace. I hope he continues to be brave enough to be his true self, and I hope my grandchildren never grow to know a world where this kind of hate still exists. I hope that by the time they have lasting memories, these kinds of stories are just that. Another shameful part of our human history that should have never happened.

 

 

 

Soap box dismount...in my regular ninja style....................

 

 

 

In other news.................

 

 

A few other things I learned this week.....

 

 

Wrestling checker plate is hard on the shoulders..............

 

-54 degrees makes your eyes freeze shut in a hurry so blink faster than normal........

 

Witnessing the complete and utter cuteness of grandkids never gets old............

 

 

 

So, my friends, until next time, I'll leave you with this wish........................

 

 

 

 

 

May you take hold and celebrate everything that makes you... you.

May you see, no matter another's opinion, you're completely beautiful, through and through.

 

May it always be remembered, before we judge another's worth......

May it be remembered, that's someone's baby, someone's child, love first.

 

May we strike the word tolerance from our lips when we speak of our fellow man..

May we replace it with acceptance, for no one wants to be "tolerated." It's time, I know we can.

 

 

 

Until next time.....

 

 

www.margyreid.blogspot.com