Highway Collisions and Smurf Invasions!

Hi There!

Well, I have to tell you this week did not go as planned, at all!

Monday, we left for work at about 5:45am, as usual, stopped in Delisle for gas, as we do every morning. So far, a day like any other. Then about 6 miles down the road, after our gas fill, we are passing the turn-off to a mine, just off of the highway.

Now, they have widened this part of the road and added lights, as it is a very busy turn-off, especially at shift change. We pass it every morning, at shift change. This time of day, at this time of year, the sky is just beginning to lighten with the first peeks of sunlight. There is a heavy stream of traffic coming from the opposite direction, heading to the mine for shift change.

Well, Monday morning, sadly, a deer ventured out of the north ditch and began running, most certainly terrified, across the, what I'm sure seemed like endless lanes of traffic. She was almost successful.

From what we can piece together, what came between her and safety was running into our car. With the combination of a lightening sky, the newly installed man made lighting and the heavy, oncoming traffic we didn't even see her. My husband didn't even get a chance to get his foot off of the gas let alone make any attempt at stopping.

We feel so bad for the deer, but even after playing it over and over in our heads and talking about different scenarios, there really isn't anything we could have done differently.

So, the first picture of this week's ramblings, is one of what is left of our car. We are ok. A little whiplash and seatbelt bruising for me, some bruised ribs and general achiness for my hubby. It could have been a lot worse, and for that, we are definitely grateful. I shudder to think what might have happened if, on the narrower, old version of this same road, the deer had hit us, and bounced into other traffic. Thankfully there is now a meridian. Thankfully.

So, the rest of this week was spent dealing with insurance, finding and buying another car, and healing.

Now on to much brighter things! I received the rough sketches for my new book and they look awesome! She said I can expect the finished illustrations by the end of this week! I can't wait!

I also gave a send off to the application for the Sundog Trade Show which takes place at the beginning of December. Am I on the ball or what!

That, my friends, brings us to today. We decided to undertake our first road trip since the accident, and head out to my niece's skating carnival. Hence, the second photo. Sadly, she is much too old to be one of the smurfs, but she is one of their teachers. It was great, the kids are so cute scooting around in their costumes. It brings back a lot of memories of our girls when they were little.

Now, for the upcoming week.

Well, to start it off right. I will be celebrating St. Patty's Day with the girls' weekend I mentioned last week. My friend is coming into town, we are attending a get together at my daughter's house and then who knows where the evening may take us!

Sunday will be spent resting, doing laundry, and getting ready for the work week ahead.

Then, in the days to come, I look forward to hearing from insurance people about the car, getting back to a normal routine (whatever that is), and seeing the finished illustrations for "Tags Go In The Back".

Should be a good week!

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



May you get through your week safe and sound, getting to that and this.
May happenstance intervene, and make any sure collision, nothing but an unnoticed miss.

May any close calls be not close at all, may there be plenty of room for error.
May not one of you experience that sharp,yet, shortlived terror.

May angels watch over those not so lucky, those fighting their way to well.
May those angels give them the strength of ten, to find their way back from hell.

Until next week!

www.margyreidbooks.net

Hatched Egg Salad! What?!

I know, I know, I know......... I promise this will be the last one for a loooooong time.  I just couldn't resist this one.....Just look at that face!!!!!


This little guy turned a month old this week! It's crazy how fast the time is going! Before you know it he'll be running around wanting to make lunch for his Mom, just like his cousin Ethan did this week.

Yep, I received a call from my daughter, Ethan's Mom,  telling me how Ethan came into her room as she was folding laundry, and said he was going to make them some lunch. She, thinking this was one of many of his imaginary games said, "Sure , ok."

A couple of minutes later, she attempted to enter the kitchen under great protest from her young, chef, son. Entering against his pleas to please stay out, she found herself in a kitchen with a lavish carpet of raw eggs covering the floor, with Ethan, diligently trying to clean it up with clean dish towels.

She asked him what happened.

His reply," I tried to make us egg salad, Mommy,  but all of the eggs hatched all over the place all at once!"


Ahhhhhh, 4! I really did try not to laugh, I really did!


So......... this week.


Last week I told you about Telemiracle......well this year, we did it again. We broke another record! We are a province of barely a million people. In 20 hours we raised $5.9 million dollars! I say we... and it does feel like we. Truly incredible.

So, while the telethon was finishing up on Sunday afternoon, I thought I would send an email off to Hazel, my illustrator, to let her know "Tags" was ready to go. I was very surprised when she emailed me back with the news that she wouldn't be able to do the illustrations! She's booked up and until July and then has her own projects to work on.

I read her email and as the words sunk in, I began to panic a bit. Now, I have this book ready to be illustrated, and nobody to do it! I'm also under a deadline, self imposed, but very real. I need these books on the shelves by the end of August!

What do I do?!?!?!

After a few "Holy Crap, Now What?!" induced tears, I took a couple of deep breaths and dove deep into the Internet. That's how I found Hazel, I would just have to do it again. I need to look at it as an opportunity, not an obstacle.

So, after looking at a LOT of portfolios, I found one that looked like it could be a good fit. Someone who could maybe do illustrations for this new book without them looking completely disjointed from the other two books.

I contacted her through her website, found her email address and sent one directly to her, as well. Luckily, she responded quickly. By now, we've corresponded back and forth several times, and I should have some sketches by Monday!

She seemed to understand all of my crazy "notes"that I attach to the story for the illustrator. You see, I try to describe the way I see the story, as best as I can. Kind of a " if I had lick of artistic talent, this is what I would draw" type of thing.

Yay, Valerie! Valerie, from New York, I hope this is the beginning of a beautiful, and very long friendship!


 This week, the application for the Sundog Craft Show came! I have it filled out, and will get it sent away in the next few days.

And, as of today, I have finished and filed, 2 of our 4 daughters' income tax. Done and done!


Also this week, I turned 46! My husband made me a wonderful birthday cake, and a lovely supper. As it turned out, my birthday fell on one heck of a snowstormy day, so the day was ours, with no travelling! I highly recommend having your birthday on a snow day, it's awesome!

Driving in the days following the snow day, not quite so awesome. Although the crews try their best, the residential streets of the city of Saskatoon, completely suck! It's really melting this weekend, so hopefully they are a little better by Monday........ Hopefully.


Yeah, so after that bit of hectic craziness, I took today, and had a long soak in my wonderful tub, read my book, and enjoyed a very nice glass of wine.

So folks, for the upcoming week.........

Monday: "work", then in the afternoon meet with upcoming bride about music for their wedding.

Tuesday: Housework and laundry.......yipeeeee! Work on possible grown up book project...... check out some feasibility issues......

Wednesday: work, then run errands, hopefully squeeze in some baby snuggles, and 4 year old hugs.

Thursday: Start putting music for May wedding together, laundry.

Friday: Work, nail appointment, pick up hubby, then off to Unity for my niece's figure skating carnival!

Saturday: Girls' Weekend! Dana is coming to town, we are attending a get together at my eldest daughter's house, getting a hotel room and spending the night catching up.....looking so forward to it!

As a result, my blog will be posted a bit early next week. Probably Saturday morning.


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



May you look back on what has been, with no regret, no guilt, only appreciation for experiences past.
May you see even that, which has been painful, hurtful and cruel as the, "not so pretty mortar" that holds your character fast.

May you see all of the battle scars of childhood handed out so generously by parents, siblings, or maybe "so called" friends, as the badges of honor they are.
May you understand how utterly strong that child was, to withstand those trying battles, and to  ultimately win the war.


May you strive to be the hero that child so desperately, longingly, hoped for.
May you be that hero for yourself, here and now, be your hero in your life, evermore.


www.margyeidbooks.net

Playing "Hide/Peek" and Hunting Fake Rabbits!

Hi!

This week, an action shot depicting our eldest grandson "hunting" a battery operated hamster/rabbity looking thing with a  pvc pipe pop gun whose ammo consists of a cork on a string. He's 4, with some deeply running country roots, no further explanation necessary.


I was trying to think of some clever way to work this picture into some incredibly insightful metephor for life, but, you know what? Sometimes cute is just cute. There is something in the pic that brings to mind the old story.....what is it... oh yeah.... "Peter and the Wolf"! The version I'm familiar with was done by Disney, both the book and cartoon. If you have a chance, look it up, great story!


Alrighty then,


This week was a pretty busy one.

Monday, I went back to work. My munchkins are just too cute sometimes. One of the twins, about half way through the morning, looks at me all sad. MarMar bye bye, then grins, hugs me, and says, MarMar home!

Tuesday was full of baby snuggles and laundry.

Wednesday I booked off of work, and, after an appointment for baby, took Kerianne and Jakey home to her apartment to stay. I have very mixed feelings about the whole thing. On one hand, I'm so proud of her for being ready to stand on her own two feet so soon. On the other, we are going to miss them around here! Definitely going through newborn baby snuggle withdrawals!

Thursday was spent vacuuming, dusting, moving furniture around, laundry, scrubbing down bathroom and kitchen, yeah, pretty much anything but being still. The house was toooooooooooooooooo quiet.

Friday was back to work, where I began the first hide and seek, (or hide/peek, as they call it), lesson for the twins. One caught on pretty quickly, staying in the kitchen and counting as only 2 year olds can, and then would come and find me. The other, would follow me as he "counted" then, instead of hiding quietly with me, jump up, wave, and call to his searching brother, "Hello, Jay!"
They are so funny! We rounded out the morning with some snacks, some songs, some stories, and making carwashes out of vegetable brushes. All in all, a good day at "work."

That, my friends, brings me to today.

You may have noticed I'm posting a bit earlier than normal this week. That's because it's Telemiracle Weekend! Now, non-Saskatchewanites.....Saskatchewanians....Saskatchewanists......those not of Saskatchewan, may not be familiar with Telemiracle. In a nut shell, this is what it is......

A local telethon that is in the Guinness book of world records for raising the most money per capita of all time. This will be the 36th edition. The funds remain in the province helping those facing medical and physical challenges. It really is quite incredible, it makes me so proud to be a Saskatchewanianiteist! Google it if you get a sec, you'll see what I mean!

Also today......... I finished the new book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it is now officially ready for Hazel! Now, as soon as I hear from Hazel that she is ready for it, off it will go! "Tags Go In The Back" will hopefully be ready for stores by mid- August. This means I need to have it ready for the printer by the beginning of May. Here's hoping all goes according to plan.

"Tags" copyright is now registered as well, another thing ticked off of my list.

So, now for the upcoming week!

Hopefully get "Tags" sent off to Hazel.

Start putting the fine tuning in to "Tags" for printer. (Font, Font size, layout,etc)

Hopefully, receive, fill out, and send back the application for the Sundog show which takes place in Dec. ( I might get lucky!)

Extract dirt and other unpleasantness from the garments in which we enrobe ourselves.

Remove unwanted particles, both from where we rest our buttocks and place our feet, from our dwelling.

Like my fancy talk?



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



May you look into the mirror and see yourself as others, who love you, do.
May you accept their vision of you as the truth,  no matter how you see you.

May you see past the wrinkles, grey hair, and the softness that stubbornly lives around your waist.
May you see the beauty of the life lived, the children raised, the dreams chased.

May you see beyond the once high and perky parts that have decided to start their migration South.
May you see the vibrant beauty and confidence that comes with time and wisdom without which there is no true voice emanating from your mouth.


Until Then!

www.margyreidbooks.net

Winter Storms and Monkey Chunks!



Hi All!



Above is a photo in which I tried to capture the blustery February storm that is going through here this weekend. Unfortunately, wind is not very photogenic. But, you can take my word for it, it is very blowy and snowy. Not bad, though, it's only really snowed about twice this winter and we've only had a few days of the -40 business. All in all, not a bad winter. Listen to me! It's not even March yet and I'm talking like winter is on it's way out! That's Crazy Talk! It's Saskatchewan, after all! I believe it has snowed during every month of the year, here, with the exception of August. So, I better not start counting those spring chickens just yet.


Well folks, the first official review for "Lexi's Magic Clothes" was published this week! I can't even to begin to describe how exciting that is! It was pretty positive too!  the only criticism, really, was that it gets a bit monotonous for adults to read. Not so bad. The repetitiveness was very intentional on my part, kids love it! Anyway, here is the link, I'd love if you checked it out and let me know what you think!  http://www.umanitoba.ca/outreach/cm/vol18/no24/lexismagicclothes.html To let me know your thoughts you could leave a comment here or on my www.margyreidbook.net facebook page!


This week, I was able to take a bit of a run at getting the next book ready for Hazel. It's not finished, mind you, but it is closer to being done than it was last week. I'm rapidly running out of time, might just have to lock myself in a room for a day or two and just knock it out. No more lallygaggin'! ( real word, or not a real word, I'll leave the debate up to you)


When I do actually get the book finished and ready, the real decisions start. Font, size of font, size of book, layout, how many copies to get printed, how many more copies of "Lexi" and "Crazy" will I need? I try not to think about it all at once, if I do, I start to feel a bit overwhelmed. So, I really try to take it one thing at a time. Baby steps.

Speaking of which,

I Know! I promised I wouldn't pummel you with pictures of our little "Chunky Monkey", this, my friends, is by no means a pummeling, but a gentle nudge to the heartstrings. Okay, okay, I apologize. The Grandma-itis is still running fairly rampant. There is no cure, (thank heavens!) but, the symptoms do subside a little with time.


So! For the upcoming week......

No more slackin' off for this cookie.... back to work I go! (This is where you're supposed to feel sorry for me for having to return to my "job". You know, the one where I get to play lego, and tag with two year old twins........All together now..... oh you poor thing!) ( Not to mention come home to newborn baby snuggles!) It does require that I get up at 5am to get there on time, if that helps you to NOT want to smack me! lol

I can't believe how lucky I really am! Soooooo grateful.


Get new book finished!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Watch the Oscars!


Also this week, fulfill the tasks required of any executive domestic engineer.


I hope you all have a great week, and thanks for taking the time to read these ramblings. I am forever grateful for your continued support.



Until then I'll leave you with this wish:



May you find the time to take a walk, kick a rock or make a snowball.
May you find the time to read that book, watch that movie, or wander the mall.

May you catch a minute to find that old song which came to mind while you were folding socks.
May you take a second to facebook creep whats-his-name from highschool to see if he still rocks.

May you hold up a sec, have that second cup, before you run to your kids' rehearsal.
May you keep your butt upon the couch and not run and "do things" during the commercial.

May you know it's ok to, just sometimes, be truly still.
May you know, the running will all still be there afterward, it really, really, really....will.


Until next week!

www.margyreidbooks.net

Yay! Baby Snuggles!

Well, Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce to you the newest member of our family. This is Mister Jacob Randy Reid! As promised, here are a couple of the photos taken of the little guy, so far. As his older cousin, Ethan can attest to, this Grandma loves to take pictures! 

I knew I was probably getting a little out of hand when one of the ladies in the photo department at Walmart recognized Ethan's picture at a glance! I'm not making any promises of slowing down much with this little one either. I don't like to make promises I have no intention of keeping!  I do promise, however, not to pummel you with the photos I take. At least not too much.

Jacob, already nicknamed "Chunky Monkey", is now a ripe old 9 days old and doing very well. Mommy is doing well too. They are staying with us while Mommy gets her strength back, and gets whole heartedly back on her own two feet. Then, my baby will take her baby to her home and bravely begin her journey as a single Mom. This takes incredible courage, confidence, and maturity. Thankfully, she has more courage and has shown more confidence and maturity at 20 than I've seen in most at 30.

I know society would dictate that I should be worried about my girl and how she will make her way through this world with her young bundle. But, society doesn't know her. She is very intelligent, determined, and has incredible maternal instincts. So, even though I know there will be challenges and set backs, and it won't be easy, she and her little man will ultimately be fine. As she knows, she may be a "single" Mom, but she is far from alone.


So, for this past week....

As you might have guessed a lot of Baby! Cuddles, snuggles, diaper changes and laundry. Trying to be a good assistant mommy.

Took Mommy and Jacob to his 1 wk. Doctor check up, which he passed with flying colours!

I did get a call from the accountant who had a few questions about book inventory and whatnot.... boring!

Also this week, I did manage to get the ball rolling on the new wedding which we booked last week.

I'm afraid I didn't get much polishing of the new book done. I should get more of a chance in the upcoming week.

I also was able to pop a few emails off to get info on future trade shows.

As I was trying to go to sleep last night, I was hit with a few lines that may very well start another book. It won't be a children's book, though. I plan on spending a bit of time with it, and see what it wants to turn into.




So...... for the upcoming week!

More baby snuggles!

Get book ready, or at least close to it, for Hazel! (I mean it this time!)

Check into the pros and cons of putting my books on Amazon.

Hopefully get a chance to so some follow up with some contacts made at the tradeshow in Outlook last weekend. You never know what can come of it!


Until Next Week!

As we celebrate new life in our family this week, others, are suffering terrible loss. For those I leave you with this wish............



May you get through to the other side of this struggle with your soul surviving the blow.
May you find and hold onto those you can lean on, may they hold you up above the storm.

May you, in time, be able to see through the darkness to the other side of the sorrow.
May you find in yourself the strength to just keep walking, and get to tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow.

May you know in your heart you are not all alone in your grief.
May you know we are here with you, if you're still, you will feel us, believe.


Until Next Time!

www.margyreidbooks.net

Oh Baby! Oh Baby! Oh Baby!



Hi Folks!

Well,, this past week, let me think....did anything exciting happen?  Oh yeah! New grandbaby! I haven't had a chance to get any photos yet, but I promise to put one on next week's blog.

As I sit here, typing, he is somewhat asleep in the next room. I am trying to let his Mommy get some well deserved rest, so I'm writing this with little sleep under my belt and with a fire under my butt, as I try to finish before he wakes. Trying to type with a baby in my arms takes way too much coordination!

Yep, Thursday night at about 20 minutes before midnight, Mr. Jacob decided to introduce himself to the world. All 9lb 8oz of him! And coming in at just shy of 22inches long he is a strapping young man indeed. We are all so excited he's here, happy, fat, and sassy!

In other news........ I was actually able to participate in the tradeshow in Outlook today, just before going to pick up Jacob and Mommy from the hospital. I love doing tradeshows. You meet so many interesting people.

For instance, I met a lady today, who translates traditional books into twin vision books. What she does, is break the binding on books, insert the braille version along side the regular print and rebinds them. It's great for parents or teachers teaching visually impaired children to read. Anyway, she bought a copy of one of my books for her bosses to have a read, and see if they will put it on her list of books to translate. Before today, I didn't know such a service existed.

Ok, wow! Just looked at the clock, apparently it is no longer Saturday the 11th of Feb. So, yeah, the tradeshow happened yesterday, met the braille lady, yesterday, picked up grandbaby and Mommy, you guessed it, yesterday.  Sorry, the baby woke up, and I didn't want him to wake up his Mom. It took a little longer to settle him down than I thought it would.

On a different note, an adjuster came by and did the assessment of the flood damage to our basement! I know! They said by the end of January, and actually showed up within a few days of of that! Better yet, it looks like we might actually get paid for some of the damage! Yay! How long that takes, on the other hand, is anybody's guess.

We have also been booked to do the music for another wedding! I love doing weddings, they are so much fun!

So folks, for the upcoming week, there will be much baby snuggling, laundry, cooking for a breastfeeding Mommy, and more baby snuggling. There will also be some book polishing, and some emails to tend to. I need to get that new book ready for Hazel, SOON!

I apologize if this week's ramblings give new meaning to the word. Lack of sleep really does a trip on the brain.

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

May your night's sleep be as long and solid as the trunk of a redwood tree.

May you have no need for an alarm, and just sleep until you damn well please.

May you not have not one sleep interfering interruption,  not even to have to pee.

May you sleep like the proverbial baby, only without the feeding at 3.

May your slumber's dreams take you places you can only fantasize about when you're awake.

May you awaken feeling better than you have in years, ready to give the world a shake!

Until Next Week!

www.margyreidbooks.net



Ready For The "Go Time" Call!

Hello, folks!



Above, is a photo of my baby, as a baby, as she gets set to have a baby any time now. In fact, I wouldn't be terribly surprised to get the "go time" call at some point tonight. Or.... the little one may decide to get stubborn and make us all wait a bit longer. Who knows, right?


A strange thing happened this week, and not too surprisingly, it came from Ethan. Crystal,(eldest daughter, mother of Ethan), Kerianne ( youngest daughter, soon to be mom of the newest addition), Ethan (currently only grandson), and I, were sitting at the table having lunch, talking about the upcoming excitement. Out of the blue, Ethan, in his most grown up, almost 4 year old voice, chimes in with "I can hear the baby".
To this I replied "Oh, really?"
He proceeded with the following.
"Yes. And I remember being a baby in your tummy, Mommy. It was like having a blanket over my head, and I couldn't move. Then I came out of a mouth, only it went up and down instead of sideways."

Yeah.......we didn't know what to think or say, either. By the time we picked our jaws up off the floor, he was off and running, busily playing with his toys anyway. I'm still not sure what to make of it.

I have, at times, entertained the theory that we, as humans, are all born knowing all of the answers to the universe and it's troubles, then, throughout the course of life, and it's influences, we forget.

It's a nice thought, but at the same time, kind of a sad one.

This week also included Groundhog Day. Now, if you read my blog last week, you'll know I don't exactly put a lot of weight on this event. I did try, however, to bolster some enthusiasm for the grand day, only to once again be totally confused by the whole thing. One groundhog saw his shadow, another didn't, and yet another apparently didn't come out of his hole at all! So?????????? Now what???????????????? Early Spring? Late Spring? No Spring? I guess I just don't get it.


Also this week, I received some pretty exciting news on the book front. "A Crazy Day" received it's first official, published review!!!!! You can read it at: www.umanitoba.ca/cm/vol18/no21  I was also informed that one for "Lexi's Magic Clothes" will be in an issue coming fairly soon! I'd love to hear what you think about the review!

So folks, for the upcoming week?

Most likely we will be welcoming the newest addition to the Reid clan into the world.

Depending on the little one's arrival or lack thereof, I either will, or won't be going to work. (My own version of Groundhog Day lol)

The rest of the week will have to be planned a day at a time. I am hoping to put some more polish on the next book, though.

On Saturday, Feb. 11th,  I'll be doing a tradeshow at the Civic Center in Outlook,Sk. (Depending on baby, of course) If I can't make, my sister has agreed to pinch hit for me. I appreciate it sooooooooooo much! It runs from 10am-3pm. Stop by if you're in the neighborhood!

With that, if you'll indulge me, I'll leave with this wish for my baby about to have a baby.


May you embrace motherhood with gentle calm and fierce passion as you do with everything you do.
May you take the time to enjoy the snuggles, as time is so fleeting, and soon he'll be taller than you.

May you truly register and remember that very first gaze into your baby's eyes.
May you get that the overwhelming love you feel at that moment, never fades or dies.

May you know that no matter what life brings, you'll always be "my baby" to me.
May you know in your heart, though you've been an incredible kid, what a phenomenal mommy you'll be!

Until next week! Thanks so much for taking the time to read these ramblings!

www.margyreidbooks.net