Sneezing...........Toothpaste........Yeah, That Just Happened...............

Hi!






'Tis the season! Decorations are going up and having a grandkid hangout while parents are at a work related holiday gathering!


Some pizza, ice cream, popcorn, a Disney movie, and general goofiness were definitely in order.


So another busy week has passed and as a public service, I thought I would share some of the observations that, for me, have come to pass. You never know when one person's observations could save another's life, or at the very least some aggravation............


I guess the first thing is.........if at all possible, avoid sneezing when you are in the middle of brushing your teeth..............and we all know sneezes tend to come in threes............and I'm 49.............and have had four kids..................and this was in the morning.

So, I have to assume the mystery is completely gone now that my Honey walked in on me as toothpaste was spraying out of my nose, eyes watering profusely from the terrible burning, (3D White formula, no less), as I am simultaneously, desperately trying to undo the drawstring of my pajama pants before.......well you get the picture.


The second thing.................A strategic rewriting of certain "Frozen" song lyrics formulated to include specific bodily functions will make a seven year old boy laugh until he can't breathe. It's likely not completely appropriate, or appreciated, but, I'm the Grandma............ so I can...........


The third thing.................two year old little girls have the power to make grown men sit in the middle of the kitchen floor and eat toast. They wield this power mercilessly with the simple flash of big blue eyes and the utterance of a few simple words..........."Pleeeeeaaassse Pompa, sit on your bum!"


If this public service has helped even one person, it will have been worth it.


As for the upcoming days.............


Well, the next few will be spent writing..............My hubby will be participating in some tech training classes to stay current with all things RV. As he is doing so, I will be hunkered down in an undisclosed hotel room strapped to my laptop. (The recipient of the brain transplant mentioned in previous ramblings)


Then, it will be back to work at the shop, where things are humming right along....................


I also will be accompanying my daughter to a doc appointment (might just be finding out if this next little peanut is a girl or boy!)

I also am hoping to get a start on some Christmas baking.............



Well folks that about does it for another week........remember to check out www.margyreidbooks,com for some gift ideas!


Until next time I will leave you with this wish.................


May pleasant surprises fall at your feet, making your days pass brightly.
May you spend time with those you hold dear, smile big, squeeze tightly.

May you never miss the chance to smile at unfamiliar faces, for yours may be the only one they see.
May you never underestimate the power kindness carries, the power to lift heavy spirits, power without fee.

May you, as you scramble for the "perfect gifts," please keep in mind, one thing.
May you see there is no "perfect," only what you hope they'll like, albeit a rubber chicken or frosty bling.









www.margyreidbooks.com







......

Santa Has His List, I Have Mine.........................

Hi!



Before I even begin, I want to assure all of you that I am fully aware of all of the tragedies in the world and the impact they have on all of mankind.

I also want you to know that I am absolutely conscious of the fact that the following is complete and utter frivolity, and totally meaningless in the grand scheme of things.

Now, I shall commence whining............


I am afraid I have some bad news.........


My laptop is on death's door......no no, shed no tears, for it owes me nothing. Yes, the "Z" is missing, the exclamation mark sticks a bit, and she has had to make a trip to the tech doctor a few times, but I thought she might just have another book or two left in her well seasoned keys.

But, as I tried to start her the other day, her screen remained lifeless.  She has had some signs of hesitation a few times in the past, but I thought we had worked through them.

No, this time, I believe she is done.

Thankfully, the tech doctor will be able to basically do a brain transplant into another laptop. He assures me there should be no permanent damage. Everything should be able to be retrieved, intact.

This laptop has provided countless hours of music, Djing weddings, parties, and anniversaries. It has carried me through the baby steps of writing my first few words of Lexi's Magic Clothes, to now, well into my fifth children's book and first novel.

She owes me nothing.

Writing on another laptop will feel kind of weird and unfamiliar. I am using a temporary stand in for tonight, and if it's any indication, it will take a bit to get used to. For instance, I just had to go back and fix 5 typos in that last sentence.

Okay, I'm done whining............



This week has been another busy one on all fronts.......


Gratefully, things are still hopping at the shop............

I took part in a mid-week trade show........

Did a bunch of running around with errands......

Got a bit of Christmas shopping done......

Then today, participated in another tradeshow about 2 hours from home.


The photos at the top of the page give a peek into the day.


Our journey was about an hour old, when the sun decided to join the party.......man, we live in a pretty spectacular place..........

Then, upon arrival, we were able to get set up just in time for the doors to open to the public......

The last photo is kind of special. I can't explain why I haven't done this before, and, I think I will try to make it a habit.  These are the names of most of the wee ones who will be on the receiving end of books purchased today.

Some will be opened over the Holidays, some will be read at bedtime tonight, yet others will be making their way to far off places, in shoe boxes, alongside other goodies, to be opened by some who otherwise, receive little.


From tragedy grows strength. From diversity grows wisdom. Maybe, with all that is going wrong in the world, right now we, as humankind, will learn to harvest these, and feast on peace.




As for the upcoming days........



I know for sure I will be going to work.....

I know I will be taking my laptop in for a brain trasplant.............



Other than that, I could get struck by lightning or win the lottery, it's a crap shoot, really...........



Oh, and write.........I know I will write............




Well folks that about does it for another week.............




Until next time............





May you find a giggle in the little things, allowing the absurd to tickle your funny bone.
May life's natural slaps of irony send laughter to your depths, whether with others, or alone.

May satire delight and not offend, as it's rarely intended to do so, though, your choice, as a comedy consumer.
May you find, though, a way to lighten your heart, enjoy the silly, rekindle your dampened sense of humour.

May you see the value in laughter, even in the throws of our darkest pain.
May you know we have nothing to lose with laughter, but everything to gain.



Until next time, check out www.margyreidbooks.com to tick a few names off of your Christmas list!

A Freakin' Care Bear Ninja!

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Hi!



Another week has passed. A week in which we had the privilege of witnessing a star being born, and were able to take part in our first Christmas Tradeshow of the season.

My niece, Hannah, as you can see, has a brilliant future as a one-woman band, if she so chooses. All that's left is to come up with a catchy name and start booking some shows!

It was also a bunch of fun sending some more books to their new homes at the tradeshow.  It's always so nice to meet so many new people.


Also, over the last few days there have been some more horrible acts of violence in different parts of the world.

It seems humanity has learned nothing from our past mistakes.

I know there are no simple solutions to this putrid darkness that appears to be slowly sucking the joy from our planet.

I know it won't be simple, but it does need to be. We can't give in or up. The darkness can't win.


It would be nice to see at least one week go by with no acts of terror, no senseless violence.

Until that can happen, until the powers that be can figure this out in some real way,  I will keep these newest victims in my thoughts, wishing them comfort. Wishing them some sense of peace, some way for them to feel safe again.

I hope our world leaders can come together without personal agenda, without ego, and fight for real solutions.  Lead. I hope.

For now, I feel a real need to fight off that abhorrent darkness by living in such a way that would really piss off the evil joy suckers.

I'll be squeezin' grand babies, evoking smiles wherever possible, wrestling out a giggle or two when I can, and smartassing a few who crave it.

I am going to be a veritable freakin' Care Bear Ninja!


The rest if my time, in the coming days will be spent working at the shop, attending another couple of trade shows, doing some writing, and maybe getting a bit if a start in Christmas baking.........


With that, my friends I will leave you for another week with this wish................

To the powers that be............



May you see your darkness fade, the shadows growing weak, their power frail, carrying no weight.
May the fear you invoke overtake you, your soul absorbing what you choose to perpetuate.

May you, in that moment, realize that fear dressed as hate can bring nothing but despair.
May you see, in that moment, this can stop, cease, desist, we as people can heal, repair.

May those with big voices speak wisely, leading with neither agenda nor glory in mind.
May those with big voices speak wisely, only then can we leave this darkness behind.


Until next time.......


www.margyreidbooks.com

The Bits That Make Up Humanity...........

Hi!





So another full week has come and gone. As you can see, it involved some complicated fort construction and toddler snuggles. A great week!


I'm writing a bit early, this week, because the upcoming weekend will be spent hanging out with a few dear, lifetime friends.

Awesome people to have in my life, so grateful! So grateful for a hubby who supports the craziness!



Well, Halloween was a blast! Some amazing costumes once again, and ours weren't too shabby either, if I do say so myself. I will try and post a few pics to my Facebook page as soon as I can.

It's so cool to see people who, for the most part, live their day to day lives fairly far removed from artsy creativity, tap into their inner costume designer and then execute creations that would rival many movie set closets. It always blows my mind to see this level of talent put on display so nonchalantly.

Once again, world news is full of violence and desperation. But, I think, too, there is hope.

Even if the news shows tend to choose only to feature the violent, the scary, the ugliest side of humanity, we, also can choose. We can choose from where we get our information. We can choose to see the positive. It doesn't mean we bury our heads in the sand, pretending the dark doesn't exist, it simply means we choose to not let it overtake our lives.

It seems the source of the violence, the reasons for terror and bloodshed, all stem from wanting to be right.

One seems to think they know better than the other, their way is right, therefore, you must do things their way. Imposing personal beliefs on others has never worked. I wonder how long we will need to inhabit this earth, as human beings, before we really understand that.

If there is a judgement at the end of our time here on earth, I find it hard to believe that the being responsible for orchestrating a universe, creating the complexities of the brain, and deciding the colours of Autumn, will get hung up on whether or not you congregated in any particular building once a week, how you dressed, or the prayers and/or verses you could recite.


If there is a judgement at the end of our time on this earth, my belief is that it will have a whole lot more to do with how you walked through your life, how you treated others when nobody was watching, how much joy you brought to the party, and how much pain you took away.

Acceptance with no Exception. Passion with no Pretense. Embracing without Exclusion. Kindness without Conditions. Love without Fail. Protect the Vulnerable.

Nobody is "right" we are all simply the bits that make up humanity.



So..................


The time of year has come when I am going to try and snitch one, or maybe even two days a week to concentrate on writing. I really want to get my next munchkin book completed and released in the Spring. Time to get serious about it.

I'm hoping to make some real headway on the novel I'm working on, as well.....

Cross your fingers.........


As for the upcoming few days..........

Weekend with the girls!..........

Try and get shop stuff to a place that will allow "day snitching"...............

Get things ready for the Tradeshow in Rosetown on Saturday.............

Grandbaby snuggles...........

Write!!!!!!!!!!!!!



For now, my friends, I will leave you with this wish.............



With Remembrance Day (Nov.11) in Mind................



May your sacrifice be met with gratitude and care, may our appreciation saturate your soul.
May the open arms of your welcome home feel safe, feel good, feel right, complete, whole.

May you, if not yet returning, be brave, be safe, take care, we await your healthy return.
May the remainder of your tour be boring, uneventful, no real cause for any concern.

May you who served in years gone by, know our gratitude will never fade.
May you know we completely understand it's upon your backs our road to freedom was laid.

Thank you!


www.margyreidbooks.com