Ramblings and Then Some!

Well hi,

As I sit on my deck, sipping coffee and putting together what I hope to be brilliant ramblings for yet another week, I'm reminded, yet again, how my life has changed over the last little while.

As always, I'm thinking about the way I spent my last seven days, and what the next seven may bring. Compared to even 2 years ago, let alone 10, holy cow, what a difference!

Ten years ago, as I'm sure a lot of you have done, I remember contemplating what my life, and the life of my family might look in ten  years. It seemed so distant. The girls were 14,13,11 and 10. I was working 3 part-time jobs, one of which was the day home. My hubby was working one full-time and one part-time job. We were struggling daily just to keep up with the food and clothing that came with four growing girls.

We worked hard to try and create fun memories for them on a shoestring budget. I know it was hard for them to hear about their friends trips to cabins, Disneyland, West Edmonton Mall, and the like, while they had to settle for games of survivor in the back yard, bonfires in our own fire pit, and the odd trip to the Rosetown pool or Diefenbaker Lake.

As I look at my girls now, I can finally let us off the hook a little for not being able to, and saying no to, giving them all of the material things that little girls may grow up thinking are as important to life as breathing. 

They are generous of spirit, kind of heart, empathic of others, and having "stuff" is not a big priority in any of their lives.

So, I guess the point I'm trying to make is this. For those parents out there who are sacrificing your time with your kids to provide them with "stuff", maybe take a minute sometime and think about your "10 years from now".  It will be here faster than you think, and I can almost guarantee you won't be sitting on your deck, thinking back, wishing you had spent less time with your kids so you could buy them more "stuff."

From one parent to another, which is all this is, try to be mindful and careful of the time spent with your kids. You would be amazed to find out what you can hear from really listening to, not only what they are saying to you, but also what you can learn from the sometimes even more important message that comes between their words.

Wow, see, I don't call this my ramblings for nothing!

So, this past week.

This is where I got off track earlier! Thinking about the "10 years ago me", thinking about the "now me,"? Well, I feel very confident in telling you that having two best selling books on the kids "Bestseller List" at McNally Robinson for an entire week was not even close to being on the radar of what I thought was even remotely possible!
Yep, for the week following my reading/signing, "A Crazy Day" was #1 and "Lexi's Magic Clothes" was #9!

Holy Crap!

It never would have been possible for the "10 years ago" me to fathom that I would be doing interviews with newspapers, booking readings in schools and libraries, and doing all kinds of trade shows all over the place.

Don't sell yourself short, you never know what the "10 year from now" you is capable of!

In the upcoming week,

I need to get the glitch that is happening with my website straightened out. It is down for some reason, and I'm trying to get to the bottom of it.
Tonight is the grad party we are DJing for, which is why I am posting this now and not trying to write this tomorrow morning on no sleep. You think I ramble now! With no sleep, you would be lucky if it was written in English!

Also this week I need to get things together for the reading I'm doing at the Kindersley public library on Sat. May 21st at 2pm. The local paper will be there to cover it, so I'm told, pretty exciting!
I also need to get my application for the Unity Trade Show sent away. It's to be held on September 30 and October 1st.

Also putting the finishing touches on a trip to the Battlefords on June 3rd. Will be reading at, I believe, 6 schools that day! Gonna be a blast! I have to say thank you to Lori who put it all together, and to Dana, who has volunteered to chauffeur me around that day. I really don't know what I would do without you two!

Anyway, I hope you have a great week.

In honor of the graduation party tonight:

May you hold tightly to the kid in you, as you let the adult in you shine.
May you boldly step into this next chapter with care, but not fear, for life lessons are but mistakes plus time.

May you follow and chase your dreams until they have no choice but to submit.
May you realize early that kindness will take you much further in life than a stinging wit.

May you now come to the conclusion that your parents are geniuses and not the dimwits you thought they were.
May you discover this now, right now, before all of the "I told you so's" can occur.

May your parents be understanding and supportive of the life choices you will be in charge of making as of now.
May the choices you make enhance your life, always and in all ways, bringing every happiness the universe allows.


Until Next Week!

Happy Mother's Day!

  Well hello there,

Happy Mother's Day to all of my fellow mothers out there! 

Ah yes, Mothers' Day, a day to reflect on what it means to be a mom. Even though not everyone reading this is a Mom, we all have one. Some of us are still lucky enough to be able to call our Moms up and wish them a great day, take them out to lunch or buy them a card.

Some of us are not so lucky.

To those who are missing your moms, I know this must be a tough day. My hope for you, on this day, is that you can let the fondest memories of your Mom come to you throughout your day, and with them, you will feel her hug your heart and smile. Just remember, you are the best part of who she was, and to honor her today with laughter and joy, is the best thing you could do to celebrate the spirit of the woman who would have, above all else, simply wanted you to be happy.

As I have no clever segue into the next portion of these ramblings, I will simply jump in.

This past week brought me a few steps closer to a few things.

I apparently still have a shot at getting into the Sundog  Craft Show at Credit Union Center in December. As it stood, I thought I had blown it by waiting too long to get my application in. That is where my rookie status rears it's ugly little head sometimes.  You see, in my naivety, when the idea of participating in this holy grail of shows of everything artsy, I thought I had loads of time to fill in an application and so forth. Yeah, not so much! Then about 10 days ago, I thought of it again, and decided to have a peek at the website to see what all was involved. I was very surprised to see that the deadline for applications was April 30th!

Needless to say, I hustled my butt, and quickly did everything I needed to do in record time! The adrenaline rush/stress I was feeling, not knowing if I was going to make it time, reminded immediately why I am not a procrastinator!

Anyway, I won't find out until June or July whether I make the cut of who gets a table or not, but at least I'm in the running!

In the upcoming week I need to put the finishing touches on the music for next weekend's grad party.

I also have a tentative date for doing readings in North Battleford on June 5th. That trip depends heavily on whether our teachers take strike action. It looks like it could go either way. With any luck, the teachers will get the raise they deserve, the paperwork can be signed, or whatever they need to do, and all will be well with the world.

Until next week,

 To the Moms;

May every parental decision you make come with divine inspiration.

May you be able to eat your children's version of breakfast in bed without hesitation.

May your day be filled with good books, long baths, and not one load of laundry to fold.

May it bring with it macaroni jewellery, gluey, glittery cards, and excited, proud munchkins to hold.

May you embrace your babies, and your interpretation of motherhood, mistakes, stretch marks and bad calls, of which there will be at least a few.

May you remember, even on the worst of any flu infested night, that being a Mom is absolutely the best thing you will ever do!

Take Care!



Expectations and Pants Kickings!

Hi, All!


This past week has been a bit of a roller coaster ride. Monday and Tuesday pretty much went by without a hitch, other than the people in the family I nanny for were all sick. Wednesday, I was home, doing what I need to do, you know, glamorous things like laundry and cleaning light fixtures, and I started to feel a bit rough.

Well, let's just say, the week ended with me hoping that I could get through my reading on Saturday without incident. Which I did. Thank Goodness!

Which so cleverly and subtly brings me to yesterday's reading. As you can see by the picture, it wasn't exactly the overflowing crowd that a person dreams of, but those that were there participated fully and seemed to have a genuinely good time.  Thanks to everybody that came down!

Before you start feeling too sorry for me, please know that throughout the signing portion of the day, which was until 2pm, there were still a decent amount of books getting signed and out the door. One on it's way to a lady's grandson in Germany!

After McNally, my hubby and I met up with some good friends, one of which is the genius that is putting together the Lexi puppet clothes. It's always good to see them, and I'm getting so excited to see Lexi come to life as the puppet.!

On our way home I found that I was beginning to feel sorry for myself about the turnout I had had at the reading. This is when I had one of those moments when I had to give myself a kick in the pants.

What was I feeling so "oh poor me" about, exactly?!  After all, I was at "McNally Robinson", for crying out loud, doing a reading/signing of my second children's book. Nobody booed me out of the room, people had stopped by, the whole time I was there, with congratulations, and buying books.

I'm getting to do what I love to do every day. How dare I, even for a second, feel sorry for myself just because there weren't as many people there as I had conjured up in my head!

Anyway, now that I've unleashed upon you the pants kicking I gave myself........


For the upcoming week...

I'm hoping to set up a date for a mini tour of 3 schools in the Battlefords.
I need to keep working on the playlist for the grad party in May.
I'll be in touch with my puppet building lady about changing the eyes on the Lexi puppet (initial feedback dictates a change)
I'm doing a reading at a local hutterite colony.
And, as I have not yet gone to battle with the now dust particle jackalopes that have gone from taking up squatting rights, to throwing full-on neighborhood bar-b-ques under my fridge and stove, I need to do that.

Thank you all again for reading my ramblings, I do appreciate you, every day.

May you catch every kindness that comes your way, even if it's in disguise, and is not recognized at first sight.
May you gain the ability to deflect all negativity, even though you may not recognize it either, at first bite.

May every day of your week bring you at least one laugh that makes your face hurt, your belly ache, and your eyes shine.
May any tears shed be those of joy, pride, hearing a song that touches your heart, or seeing something so beautiful, it must be divine.

May everything you touch, this week, turn to perverbial gold.
May all kindness that you bestow, come back to you a thousand fold.

Until Next Week!

Mmmmmmmmmmmm Chocolate!

Ahhhh, the poster child of the sugar crash that is Easter!


I wish I could say that I'm not feeling a bit of a sugar hangover myself right now, but, truthfully, I can't.
It was a good time. It was good to see all my kids, and as a bonus, my baby brother and his crew! The day of chocolate bunnies, candy eggs, ham, scalloped potatoes, chocolate cheesecake, strawberries and cream angel cake, park playing, wii playing, and just general playing around went by all to quickly as usual.

The days of this past week, preparing for Easter, well, let's face it, there is nothing glamorous about standing in line at a checkout for 1/2 an hour. I had a couple of days where that was unavoidable a few times each day.

You do meet some interesting people standing in line,though. For instance, in one particular line up, I met a 4 year old boy who was convinced I just had entirely too much stuff in my cart. It apparently contained an offensive amount of junk food, and didn't I know that all that chocolate would make the sugar bugs go crazy on my teeth! He did let me off the hook a little when I explained how many people this all was for and that I don't buy stuff like this all the time, just for Easter. 

And people have to ask why I like spending time with pre-schoolers! They are the most honest people on the planet!

Needless to say, he was personally invited to my reading at McNally on Saturday. Hope to see him there!

Now for the upcoming week.

I will continue to build onto our music library for the upcoming grad party. I generally look for songs that make the girl in the back scream "I Love That Song!", which is immediately followed by her grabbing every person with her on her way to the dance floor. I love that girl, she may have a different name in every place, but she is always there.


Then, I need to make sure I have all my ducks in a row for the weekend. Yep, the reading at McNally, 11am, Saturday, April 30th. I'm not sure why this reading makes me so much more nervous then other ones. Maybe, because this is the one I played over and over in my head for years, when I never thought it would ever actually happen.
The things that go through my mind don't help. What if nobody shows up? What if the kids there don't like the book? What if I screw up telling the story? All in all, it's the negative niggling that likes to whisper, then scream in my ear. It may make me a little more nervous, but it hasn't made me quit.

Oh, I thought I would post the readings and whatnots I have coming up. If any are in your neck of the woods, come by and say hi!

April 30 -  Reading/signing McNally Robinson, Saskatoon. 11am signing to follow.
May 4th -  Reading at Dinsmore Hutterite colony school.
May 14-    Dinsmore Grad Party
May 21st - Reading/signing Kindersley Library 2pm
May 28th- Home based Business Trade show- Elks hall, Kindersley. 10am-4pm.
July 1st/2nd- Reading/signing at Denzil Centennial Celebrations- time and location not finalized.

Until next week,

May every Easter treat consumed roll off of your hips/tummy/thighs, like water from a duck.
May the chocolate/sugar/general treat withdrawals not hit you like a loaded semi truck.

May the laughter that loved ones injected into your home, echo there for weeks.
May you keep fresh in your mind the sweet smudge of chocolate on your baby's cheeks.

May we cherish the silly, goofy, happiness that we sometimes take for granted.
May we try to pass the roots of it to others, who may not be so firmly planted.

Until Next Week!

You can currently find "Lexi" and "Crazy":

McNally Robinson - Saskatoon and Winnipeg
Our Drug Store- Unity
www.margyreidbooks.net

Ahhhhhhh, Spring!

Helloooooo!

A special hello and welcome to my new readers from the Emerald Isle, thanks to you and everyone for taking time to read these ramblings.


Well, this week was pretty great. Other than coming very close to having yet another day when we couldn't get to work because of icy roads, all was well. After talking to my sister-in-law in Oklahoma and seeing pics of the tornado that tore through their home and yard, I feel very lucky to live where I live. I'm very glad to say that no one was seriously injured. There were Christmas trees hanging out in fences and mattresses perched in trees, brick walls which crumbled, and teddy bears swimming in mud puddles. We are very grateful that those we love weren't tossed around like so many other things.

On a happier note, as you can see by the picture I've posted this week, "Lexi" the puppet is complete! She would get arrested for indecent exposure, but she is finished! Next, the genius seamstress and I will have to get together to get the clothes part of the project moving forward. I can't wait!

The trade show in Outlook yesterday went pretty well. My baby sister and my hubby were great help. We met lots of people and sold a fair amount of books. One little girl came by and, after taking a peek through 'Lexi," hung on to the book as if it were a favourite doll. Her older brother came up and proceeded to read "A Crazy Day" to me. It was so rewarding to see them enjoy the books so much. I was glad to see the parents buy the copies for them.

Throughout the day, there were several occasions in which 'Lexi" and "Crazy" were compared to Robert Munsch books. The best compliment, EVER!

As for the upcoming week.

With Easter coming up, I need to get my butt in gear with some meal planning and prep for the weekend. I've concocted a treasure hunt of sorts for the kids to find their baskets ever since they were little, and, even as grown ups, they still seem to get a kick out of it. It'll be so nice to have everybody under the same roof again.

Also this week, I hope to solidify a few more dates for readings. I need to start working on the music for the Grad party we are DJing in a few weeks. I need to pay some attention to the dust bunnies that have taken up squatting rights under my fridge and stove. It is also imperative that I sharpen up my Wii skills for the weekend, as I am certain there will be some sort of tournament of something at some point.

Also this week I will be working feverishly to squelch the worry that has cropped up from the fact that my second eldest daughter has decided that owning and driving a motorcycle is somehow a good idea. More grey hair, here I come!

Due to the holiday and the delightful distractions that will be occupying my home next weekend, my next blog will be going up on Monday, the 25th.

Take Care and Happy Easter!

Until then;


May Mother nature smile upon you and those you love, this Spring.
May you experience the sunshine and rainbows, and not the tantrums in which she throws things.

May she show her nurturing side, the warm, the dewy, soft breezes and showers, oh so sweet.
May she not rear her PMSing head in which she shakes the ground and stomps her feet.

May flooding waters subside, the earth beneath you become still, and any storms become but a scary story to be shared for a campfire delight.
May Mother nature bring for you days described in fairytales, and many sweetly dreamed nights.

http://www.margyreidbooks.net/

Who Could Ask For More?

Hi Everybody!

First off, I'd like to welcome new blog readers from Japan.Thank you, and all of you, so much for taking the time to read these ramblings!


Ok, so this week was pretty incredible. 

On Tuesday, I did a reading at an elementary school in Saskatoon. I read to the kindergarten kids, grades 1 and 2. Other than one little grade one guy, who was trying so desperately to act all cool and jaded in front of the older grade 2 kids, at least for the first few minutes, it went very well. Afterward, the kids and teachers had great questions and the principal said she would put a bit of a blurb about my McNally reading/ signing on the 30th, in the school newsletter. Who could ask for more?


After my reading that day, I went and did some shopping to add some things to the goodies I was taking up to that school in Prince Albert I was telling you about.  It was a very fun shopping spree. But, more about that later.

When we arrived at home on Tuesday evening, we found a message on our voicemail that our half a beef was ready to pick up. So after some conversation with the butcher guy, made a date to pick it up the next afternoon. Side note: butcher is an hour and a half north of us. As it turned out, Butcher guy's wife teaches grade one in Biggar, so I left him my card. Who knows, right?

As I was planning on spending my Wednesday sorting and making ready the supplies for Prince Albert, things got bumped up a little. With my hubby's help we ended up getting everything sorted and figured out that evening. Thanks, Honey!

So, after Thursday went by pretty much without a hitch, other than my road trip partner changed from baby sis to baby daughter, and a few anxious moments loading the car, Friday was very quickly upon us.

Friday was AWESOME!  I left work a wee bit early, picked up my youngest daughter, and off we went to PA! The traffic was pretty heavy, and the road itself isn't in the best shape, but it was great spending time with my baby girl.
Now, I know I've mentioned in the past, these little niggling voices of doubt that live in my consciousness. Well, they started yelling at me again on the way there. What if this is too much stuff, what if it's not the stuff they really need, what if I completely missed the mark in what I felt and saw in my first visit? What if I offended the school?

By the time we actually got to the school, I was pretty nervous.

We entered the school, and went to the gym, where some of the 8 and 9 year old children were. It took them about a half a second to recognize me and then my nerves were completely drowned out by the chorus of "Hi! You're back! We missed you!" It's hard to feel anxious hearing those words as your being tackle/hugged by about 15 kids! I stopped second guessing myself right there.

It was incredible. They had no idea why I was there, they didn't know I had brought anything for them.

After a bit of  a conversation with the Principal, it was decided that the staff should maybe go through everything first and decide how it all should work. Thanks to everyone who contributed, there was......
Board games, 3 big boxes of story books for all ages, musical instruments, puzzles, crayons, markers, scissors, glue, pens, pencils, funky erasers, scrap books, flash cards, a whole learning system, toys, glitter, construction paper, computer paper, and I'm sure more that I'm not thinking of at this moment.
Thanks everyone!

It was priceless. After my daughter and I brought in the first armloads, the principal started saying her thank yous, I just looked at her and grinned. "Oh, but we're not done."

As we brought armload after armload, the staff was like a bunch of kids at Christmas! One of the teachers was talking aloud to himself as he moved each box from the entryway, "Oh, this will be awesome for this kid, that one is going to go crazy for all of these books!"  He became more animated with every box. The tired soldier, not so tired anymore.

Yep all in all, a very good trip! Who could ask for more?

There was a little sad news to be brought back from this trip, though. I found out why my tour further north has been postponed. Apparently the reserves where Cheryl wants to take me are having a lot of flooding right now, and it's going to get worse before it gets better. I guess, sometimes these schools have to close for up to six weeks! I guess I better quit complaining about the mud puddle in my driveway!

So, now she is looking at putting together a tour in the Fall. It will probably be for about a week and include several schools.

This kind of works out pretty well. This way, I can take time to hopefully put together something really fun, musically for the kids. I'm thinking I might just learn as many basic chords on the guitar as I can, and just write some stuff around them! Just might work! Who could ask for more?

Oh before I go, I have to tell you about the email I received from McNally Robinson. Apparently, they have pretty much sold out of  "A Crazy Day" in both Saskatoon and Winnipeg and need more books, pronto!
How cool is that!? Who could ask for more?

For the upcoming week.

This week, I'll be working, and getting organized and prepared for the trade show in Outlook on Saturday, April 16th. Come check it out if you are in the neighbourhood!

Other than that, the week should be pretty tame. Who could ask for more?


Where to get "Crazy"
Our Drug Store, Unity
McNally Robinson, Saskatoon and Winnipeg
as always online http://www.margyreidbooks.net/

Until next week,

May you have the chance to hug those with mouths that smile, but eyes that tell a deeply different tale.
May you know that there are those with cherib faces and adult souls who, as grown ups, we have failed.

May you have the joy that comes with bringing even a glimmer of lightness and laughter to these eyes that have seen too much.
May your soul be filled to the brim, by holding them with what, though distant, they recognize as a mother's touch.

May you all feel the satisfaction, peace and gratitude, that comes from the chance to spread a giggle.
May you not allow the doubting voices to deter you, no matter how they nag or how they niggle.


Take Care!

A Day Late and a Dollar Short? I Hope Not!

Hi,

I'm so sorry I'm late with this week's blog. The hubby and I were away for the weekend, but I had every intention of writing up these ramblings when we got home. I didn't, however, intend to feel like a wrung out dishrag and have the energy of a sloth on sleeping pills.

So, I made an executive decision, and took my first sick day off work in a year and a half. I'm already feeling a little more myself, so I'm sure whatever it is, will be gone by tomorrow.


Well now, for this past week. let me start by saying that our "pajama party" last weekend was awesome! It was so good to get caught up with old friends. I was going to post a pic on my blog this week, but our photographer ( my youngest daughter) had a bit of trouble with my new camera, and there wasn't a shot that would have got a passing grade for the promise of "only using a good one."

As for the rest of the week, it went pretty well. I was able to shoot off some emails about upcoming readings. My puppet lady is making progress with the "Lexi" puppet, and the most talented, lovely seamstress in the world has agreed to giving a try on making the clothes once the puppet is ready for measurements! Yay, Lori! Ok, she maybe didn't 100% completely agree yet, but, because she is so awesome, I'm sure she will!

I did receive an email this week postponing my Red Earth, Shoal Lake trip for a bit. So, instead of waiting for that tour, and so the kids can get good use of the stuff before the end of school, my sister and I are going to make a run up to the residential school I've been telling you about on Friday, with their "care package."

Yes, about the care package. Because of the incredible generosity of the people who were kind enough to respond to the bug I placed in their ears, my hope of taking a full car load of books, markers, construction paper, colouring books, glitter, glue,etc. is coming true. Thank you all so much! I know it's going to mean the world to these kids!

On the musical front, I don't feel I've been struck by any genius inspiration yet. Other than the head and shoulders/bitsy spider idea, nothing has really jumped at me. I'm sure something will come to me, and it will work perfectly with whatever time frame/ age group/ musical ability/ willingness to participate I come across. Right?

Now, for the upcoming week. Tomorrow, I'm doing a reading at St. Phillips elementary school in Saskatoon. It should be pretty fun, it's a very happy, warm atmosphere. It was a great experience when I read "Lexi" there last year.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, I'll be sorting and packing all the wonderful things that we'll be taking to Prince Albert on Friday afternoon. I'm looking so forward to seeing the looks on the kids faces when they see everything! Will definitely have my camera!

Also this week, I'm hoping to hear back from some different places regarding readings etc. It would be nice to get my calendar sorted out.

Oh, I almost forgot. On the karaoke/dj side of things, we've been booked to do a grad party for a nearby high school. It'll be a good time. Hmmmm...for those of you who are reading this from anywhere other than Saskatchewan, a definition of "grad party" may be in order.

You see, this is an occasion where, after the high school graduating class has finished with all the pomp and circumstance of the ceremonies, fancy dinners, and pictures, they get to let off some steam.
Yep, there's a bar-b-que humming along all night, and a giant tent gets rented and erected in one of the graduates farm yards. Then they hire someone like my hubby and I, and they proceed to dance their little faces off until about 5am. Now, keep in mind this will be taking place here, in Saskatchewan, in the middle of May. So, it's a given that the temperature will dip very close to freezing, if not freezing, for a good portion of the evening. I know to some of you that doesn't sound like a good time, but watching those kids have such a good time, and being a part of helping that happen is soooo fun!

Have a Great Week All!

Until Then,


May your week be strong, and the time that passes within it, not be lost in auto pilot.
May you be aware and present for every minute, not to smell only the roses, but too the daisies and violets.

May you catch every smile and nod, and really feel every kindness given you.
May all that's hurtful go unnoticed instead, as usually the opposite is true.

May you keep close those who treat you well, and bring joy to the life that surrounds you.
May you have the fortitude and strength to weed out the ones who don't, for their toxic weight could drown you.

Thanks So Much!