Soooooooo, Let's Talk About The Boobs Squish, Shall We?

Hi!

Sooooooo, let's talk about the boob squish that some call a mammogram, shall we?

First, I want to make it abundantly clear how grateful I am to live where I live. I live in a place where, shortly after you turn 50, your boobs receive a letter from the health department to remind you that it's time for a mammogram. I live in a place where this is free. I live in a place where the only thing I need to be concerned about are the results. I know how lucky I am to be living where I do. I only wish this kind of medical care was available globally. Maybe someday.

Free, however, does not necessarily put in on the top ten list of fun ways to spend your time. 

For instance, I would bet my firstborn that the machine involved was invented by a male. You know that if it were guys having to put their testicles in a vice, there would absolutely, without a doubt, at the very least, be a chair. 

Just sayin'.

For instance, the design of said machine is such, that awkward, yogaesque poses are required to assure a good test. This means leaning, turning, and performing a couple of unrefined twists, positioning your arms and body just so. This, sometimes, requires some "adjusting" executed by the tech. In my experience, she was very professional, and kind, and, thankfully, had warm hands. The powers that be have figured out extraordinary things. Space travel, smartphones, Skype, but, a way to scan your boobs without having to have a total stranger go to second base as you impersonate an audition for the world's worst contortionist, somehow, eludes them. Just sayin'. 

All in all, a boob squish is just another one of those things that we, as women, have to put up with in order to look after ourselves. A small part of what makes us warriors. And, never kid yourself, warriors, we are. 

**********************************************

So, other than the little adventure with the boob squish, I also had a short meeting with Cheryl, the manager of a fine bookstore.

As a result, I'm happy to announce that Once Broken and Everyday Wishes For Your Extraordinary Life are now available at Cole's in Lawson Height's Mall in Saskatoon!

The rest of the week was filled with paperwork for the shop, laundry, slaying a few dust bunnies, writing and spending some time with some pretty fantastic people.

*****************************************************

I'd like to take a second to welcome and thank new readers of these ramblings. It never ceases to amaze and thrill me when I see new countries on the top ten list. 

THANK YOU!!!!!!!

************************************************

Until next time........

May we take a breath to recognize the fact that we are, all of us, survivors of our scarred, unique and imperfect circumstance.

May we remember, because of this we need to be kind, adjust perception, for people are rarely what they seem at first glance.

May we remember to embrace without judgment, for the impossibility of walking in another's shoes lies within the fact that each pair fits only one.

May we remember to support each other, lift each other, carry each other when needed, to lighten each other's burden, as many as we can before we're done.

May we remember to simply be mindful, considerate and kind, it costs us nothing.

May we remember, if done without expectation, the dividends are absolutely stunning. 

**********************************************************

www.margyreidbooks.com  

Let Me Menisplain It To You.........

Hi,



I'm writing this in the haze that generally follows a string of perimenopause-fueled bedtime hours laden with night sweats and insomnia.

I know there are many of you out there that understand completely what I'm talking about. The frustration and inability to talk your body into slumber can be mind-numbing. When a few of these nights string themselves together, it can start to feel like your body secretly hates you and is deliberately trying to drive you over the edge.

For those of you who are either too young, or too male to have experienced this fun little phenomenon, let me do you the solid of menisplaining it to you.

Imagine, if you will, a tiny, invisible tormentor who specializes in interrupting relaxation. This is typically accomplished through volleying from flooding your exhausted mind with worries, some real, some irrational, all stress-invoking, to cranking your inner boiler to the brink of detonation. Each and every time you begin to feel yourself relax, on the edge of drifting off, your minuscule menace hits again, each time, ramping it up a notch. This is repeated until you either give up and get up, or settle for laying in bed, fans going full blast, eyes held stubbornly shut, assisted by tears of stressed frustration.

When I asked Siri to take a selfie for these ramblings this morning, the Australian dude who does the voice-over work for her replied, "You've got to be kidding, are you sure?" Then he laughed.......Siri is an ass.

The other photo demonstrates why, without a doubt, I should never ever give up my day jobs to become a fish filleter! In case you don't recognize it, that's salmon. I swear I watched the youtube videos, and followed along like a good kid. Thank God the Queen canceled her plans to come for dinner! On the upside, it was very tasty, regardless of the hatchet job.

Filleting fish is just another one of those things that I have discovered, through the course of time, do not belong under the ol' strengths column on my resume.

Other things on that list?

* assembling things..... shelves, kinder surprise toys, display boxes, yeah, pretty much anything.
*sewing...... including patching, as I've been known to sew pockets shut, or sew things to the clothes I happen to be wearing.
*crafting.......this includes all types of painting, gluing, cutting, playdoughing,  sketching, hell, even etch-a-sketching and spirographing are a big ol' nope.

I'm sure more things belonging to this list lay in wait, yet to be discovered, and that I'm very likely forgetting a few things, but who could blame me after last night's hot date with my translucent, tormenting troll!


******************************************************

Before I go, I would like to thank everyone from all corners of the world who have purchased "Once Broken" for their Kindle and Kobo devices. This is my first digital experience, thanks for making it awesome!

Until next time........


May your sleepless nights be non-existent, or, at the very least, few and far between.
May your tormenting troll leave you alone, or, at the very least, not be so mean.

May your inner boiler break down, take a break, before it breaks your every will to smile.
May you, instead feel a constant cool breeze, blowing perfectly, for the next conceivable while.

May relaxing, restful sleep dominate your darkness, allowing you to awaken refreshed and rested.
May your frustration subside, your stress dissipate, evaporating, leaving you free, unfettered, untested.

**********************************************************************


Feel free to check out my children's titles and Once Broken on my website, Once Broken is also available on Kindle and Kobo!

www.margyreidbooks.com

I Didn't Get Here By Accident!!!!!

Hi!

On several different occasions, here, in midst of my ramblings, at schools, in responses to emails and notes, I've put forth my belief in the importance of obliterating comfort zones. I truly believe they are prisons existing under the pretense of safety.

Comfort zones are just that, comfortable. If we don't deviate, if we live within what makes us comfortable, within the convenient boxes that are all too welcoming, effortless, painless and uncomplicated, I believe we rob ourselves of what can be.

It's not easy. In fact, it's anything but easy.

It's been my experience that when you dare to step beyond the comfort, welcome the uneasiness, embrace the sweaty palms, and work through your disquieted heart, fantastic things await you on the other side.

In the spirit of destroying comfort zones, not only did I do a tv interview, but, now I'm sharing it on here. Both of these remain difficult for me, both make my palms sweat. To do the interview on camera is tough, bringing up all kinds of old ghost insecurities. To share it is another animal, altogether. To share it equals self-promotion, which is something that remains a real challenge. It requires squelching all of those little negative voices that like to creep in, telling you you aren't good enough, that you don't belong, that you have no business doing what you're doing.


I wish I could tell you that those negative little voices no longer exist, but, they do. However, I am, with time and practice, getting much better at telling them to shut the hell up, and bugger off.

I have to continue to remind myself that I deserve where I am. It didn't happen by accident. I am where I'm supposed to be, so of course I belong here.

I couldn't be here if I stayed within my comfort zone, not a chance.

Step outside, the elegant uneasiness and contorted self-perception are simply growing pains leading you to where you are supposed to go from here.


*************************************************************


I would like to take a second and thank you all for your continued support, here, in buying my books and in person.

I'm so grateful for all of the incredible feedback, and look so forward to what the future holds.

Thank you for reading these ramblings each week. Readership has surpassed the 60000 mark, coming from 5 continents and a ton of different countries, some of which are unfamiliar, requiring a google search to find out exactly where they are. It continues to amaze me.

Thank you.


***************************************************************

Until next time......


May you break free of your veiled cocoon, discover the strength of your uniquely beautiful wings, and fly.
May you find the courage to conquer the phantom whispers, snide and untrue, impeding access to your unfettered sky.

May you discover the freedom found in leaving the familiar, straying from your normal, walking in unfamiliar shoes.
May you uncover talents, unearth new favourites, pull the blanket back on what comes next, collide with your muse.

May you embrace the discomfort of living where new paths are commonly trodden, without a compass, without a map, without a concrete destination.
May you accept that you are the author of your story, write it, revel in it, for living by the opinions of others is but existing in pale imitation.



***********************************************

Until next week


www.margyreidbooks.com

Through The Sh*t And The Sunshine

Well, 2018 is underway, one week in and it's looking like it's going to be another busy, incredible year filled with new milestones, new undertakings, and new adventures.


We rang the new year in in style this year! We attended an event that included a delicious meal, (that I didn't have to cook) listening to a couple of talented comedians who made me laugh until my face hurt, and some dancing! The seating was intimate, and by that, I mean they had us crammed in pretty tight. Long tables, a lot of bodies. The kind of situation where you put off going to the bathroom because the path from seat to loo would involve about 200 choruses of  "excuse me."

But, because of the close seating situation, an opportunity presented itself to meet the people on either side of us. (They had couples seated facing each other)) On one side, it was party central, loud, excited, definitely ready to have a very good time. On the other, a young couple looking to bring in the new year in a more subdued manner, as they are a few months away from welcoming their first baby into the world.

Luckily we are equally comfortable with either approach, All in all, a fun night!


The days of 2018 are numbered, the first few have already flown by. How will you embrace each sunrise, each sunset? How will you weather the inevitable storms that are bound to be woven into the tapestry?

For me, I am going to do my best be open to every opportunity and welcome adventures as they present themselves. And also, to be equally as diligent in finding the upsides of the less than optimal situations that, no doubt, will come along. Sometimes it takes a bit of time and persistence to find them, but they're always there.

Now is the time to cut loose any anchors that are holding you back. Let go of past hurts, take the lessons from past mistakes, but let go of the shame. If you hurt anyone, sincerely apologize, truly do your best to make it right, then let go of the guilt.

Unfettered, there is nothing stopping you from taking flight. Take it.



**************************************************************


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


May you reach for the brass ring, only to find it's but a link in a chain of good fortune.
May every opportunity bear fruit, ripe and juicy, sweet and satisfying, each brought to a fulfilling fruition.

May you readily find the upsides, no matter how deeply they seem to be buried.
May you reach out for help if needed, the more the shoulders, less the weight carried.

May you look at the days ahead with excited anticipation, embracing the beautiful unknown.
May you look back, accept what was, both the shit and the sunshine, feeling blessed in how you've grown.



**********************************************************************


www.margyreidbooks.com