Crisis Averted? I Hope So!

I was absolutely blown away by the beautiful setting in which this incredible wedding took place! Just gorgeous!

To think it exists in li'l ol' Saskatchewan! Blown away.


It really was an incredible wedding. One that romance novels are written about. The absolutely adorable couple have been dating since the ripe old age of 13, where "dating" apparently consisted of hanging out at school and 10 minute phone calls. They then became engaged at their high school graduation, and are married now, 3 years later, at 21.

I know for all of the jaded sceptics out there, this seems a bit nuts, being so young, never having dated anyone but each other. I know what you're thinking. But, you know, I have been to a LOT of weddings, and I have to say, this young couple seems to have such a complete connection to each other. One that a lot of others can only hope for. Plus, did I mention that they are soooo freakin' adorable!?!


Anyway, the wedding went without a hitch, and everyone seemed to have a really good time. Mission accomplished.

The rest of the week had it's own, shall we say, charm. Everything was going along swimmingly, I was joining my mom, my sister, and her family for a celebration for my nephew when.... I received an email from the layout guy at the printer. Apparently my ever so carefully planned "map" for "Wishes", in which I sent all instruction as to what photo goes where etc., was pretty much useless to him. I guess, after he brought the text down to size the page numbers no longer coincided with the photos. So, I ended up taking an impromptu day "off" and basically redid it all, making sure it was all in a single file, this time. That was Tuesday.

Then, yesterday, imagine my excitement when, after a day filled with work, taking my Mom shopping, picking Ethan up, picking up my hubby, and meeting another of our daughters and her boyfriend for supper, I received an email from the layout guy. re: Wishes!

Not being able to open attachments properly on my phone, I waited until we got home and had
Ethan settled, to open it. I was actually going to get to see the beginnings of what the first few pages of "Wishes" were going to look like!

Well, to make a long story short, I had to send another email. Text and photos were not at all how I had planned. One, which was supposed to be black and white, wasn't. I just hope the email I sent back was in English, and made sense this time. I wrote it when I was pretty wiped out, I hope to hear back from him soon. This experience is definitely different than writing, and putting together kids books. But, I'm learning, I'll be better at it next time around, if I get the chance to have a next time.

As for the rest of the week, I didn't get as much accomplished as I had hoped. Although,I did get a good start on the music for our next wedding gig. It's in 5 weeks, lots of time! Yeah, right!

So, for the upcoming 7 days......


I really need to get at making the posters for "Tags"

I have to track down another easel, the ones I like are hard to get your hands on, everybody else apparently likes them too!

Hopefully, receive good news about "Wishes"! (crossing fingers, toes... basically anything that crosses)

Toddler wrangling, ladybug safaris, playground attending, dinosaur condo building, snack making, countless evil grins, dog poop dodging walks, and endless games of tag ( some of which I am not made aware until I am tagged!....crafty)


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


May your mind become next to comatose with quiet, as to allow your body to rest.
May you be at peace with the "done" on your "to do", you know you did your best.

May any strains and pains completely vanish from your weary bones.
May all that causes your heart to ache, subside, so a real peacefulness, you'll own.

May the busy noise of your "everyday" not overwhelm your soul.
May you put it aside at day's end, to replenish, to refresh, become whole.



Thanks for taking the time to read these ramblings!

www.margyreidbooks.net and on FaceBook!

Mother's Day, Wedding, and Books, Oh My!

This, my friends, is the hard copy proof of "Tags Go In The Back"! After looking it over, I faxed the client approval form, phoned in my deposit, and that about does it for "Tags"!

Next on the book agenda is to get the layout and cover squared away for "Everyday Wishes For Your Extraordinary Life."

The emails will be fast and furious for a couple of weeks, and then, I will get the hard copy proof of that as well.

Normally time would completely drag from the final ok to holding the books in my hands. Luckily, we have 4 weddings to prepare for, and a summer to enjoy, so I'm sure the next few months will go by quickly.

Speaking of weddings, we have the first one of the season this weekend. It's at a resort in Northern Saskatchewan, and looks beautiful on the website, I'll try to get some photos to show you next week.

Other than going to work and the usual shananigans that fill my week, the hubby and I, along with all of our daughters, attending the grand opening of our daughter, Sarah's place of work. We couldn't help but have our chests puff up just a bit when time and again, as she was introducing us to her coworkers and supervisors, they continually commented on what a great worker she is and how great she is at her job.

A really cool "Mom" moment.

The remainder of the week has been spent packing and getting organized for this wedding. I know it probably sounds silly, but I always get a bit nervous before doing a gig. Especially a wedding. This is probably going to be one of the most, if not thee most important day in the lives of these two people. I really do want to do everything I possibly can to make sure the happy couple and all of their guests have the best time the law will allow. It's always my goal to make it a reception people are talking about for a long time.......in a good way.

As for the upcoming week........


Tomorrow... work, hustle to my daughters house to  change, nail appointment, (Yay) pick up hubby and head up north.

Saturday....... do our part in giving these guys the best reception physically possible.

Sunday.....head home to enjoy what remains of Mother's Day.

Then.........work and errands.........start prep for the next wedding.........play email tag about "Wishes"...... set ball rolling on promo poster for "Tags"..........track down collapsible easel for said poster to take to trade shows.....supper with daughter and her boyfriend........grocery shopping..........bring Ethan our to our house for the long weekend!


On that note, I will leave you with a reminder to call your mom if you can this Mother's day, and if you can't, whisper your greeting from your soul, and know that she will hear.

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


May you know just how incredible you are, how precious, from your chubby little face to your tiny, perfect feet.
May you know how my heart leaps every day, every single day, greeted by your smile, so sweet.

May you understand how everything you do, you learn, fills my heart with pride.
May you get that goes for everything, walking, talking, your first belly laugh, your first real food bite.

May you know without doubt, every day you inhale, you are loved, you are valued, you are a true treasure.
May you feel this through first days of school, first bullies, first heart aches beyond measure.

May you look at your reflection and see strength where others see weakness, see a future beyond the high school walls.
May you know you still make my heart leap, from your purple mohawked hair, to the brooding quiet and the squalls.

May you know how thrilled I am for you, as you forge into your adult life, clearing a path as you go.
May you know how completely I believe in you, how you can handle anything life has to throw.

May you know how incredible you are, how precious, from your older, wiser eyes, to your sore and weary feet.
May you know how my heart leaps every single chance I get to see your smile, so sweet.




www.margyreidbooks.net
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Stethoscope Up The Pant Leg? All In A Day's Work!

Well, my friends, you are looking at what will be an introductory photo, soon to be found in the first pages of "Everyday Wishes for Your Extraordinary Life."  My hope is that it is a decent representation of pretty much any family's journey through life.

Yep, you heard it correctly. "Wishes" is complete and sent! I will probably get to see a rough draft of the final product fairly soon. So for now, I wait, with baited breath and sweaty palms. This is the part where I have to trust that my notes, and "map" of the layout, as I see it, weren't as convoluted as I feared the second after hitting the "send" button on the file.

It doesn't seem to matter how careful and thorough a person believes they are at any given moment, as soon as you hit "send", any and all confidence that it's been done right, disappears faster than chocolate during PMS week.

Here's hopin'!

In other news.............I think physio is going pretty well. I have a couple of sessions left and then, I think I will declare myself well.  My shoulder and neck really are improving, plus with weddings to prep for, and book promotion stuff to plan, the time I allotted for injuries is used up. Time to move on to better and brighter things.

In other, other news....... I was told by an extremely intelligent, bordering on genius, really, 7 year old girl that I was much too young to be a Grandma. I was so informed after showing the little girl I care for some photos of Ethan. She's asked on several occasions to see some pics of my family. Naturally, she's curious about my life outside of looking after her and her brothers. Well, when I told her that while I was taking one certain shot, Ethan was asking " Whatcha doin', Grandma?", she looked shocked!  "You're his Grandma?! But, you're too young to be a Grandma!"
Yep, borderline genius.

So, other than finishing up "Wishes", being complimented on being soooooo young looking, and surviving a "check up" by a couple of two -year-olds, which, as a public service, I have to warn you, involves one little guy smacking you with a plastic red pepper, while his ever-so-helpful counterpart attempts to shove a very cold, and poky toy stethoscope up the leg of your yoga pants. This, apparently, is hilarious! Yup, and that about sums up my job in a nutshell. Anyway, other than that, it's been a pretty normal week.

 As for the next 7 days?.........

Finish prepping music for wedding on the 12th.
Work..... squeeze grandbabies..... physio...... rehearse..... prep.....work..... physio..... attend daughter's grand opening at her work..... rehearse..... pack up equipment.....hopefully receive rough draft of "Tags Go In The Back"..... pack clothes (as most do not enjoy nude, middle-aged DJs, and those who do? Well, shouldn't.)..... get nails done (Yay!)..... Go and try our level best to give this Bride and Groom, and their guests, an evening full of great memories!

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


May we, as people, valiantly try not to get caught up in the mindset of bigger, better, more.
May we be ever mindful of the little ones watching, soaking up how we keep score.

May we all be careful about leaving a legacy that speaks mostly to the importance of  having "stuff."
May we, instead, devote the lion's share of our time to teaching kindness, acceptance, and love.

May we, as adults, as parents, as people, as the generation responsible for the one to come,
May we ever strive to be the kind of human beings we hope our children will become.




Until next time........
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Thanks once again for reading these ramblings!

The "Project" Revealed!"

Hi!


I can't believe I woke up to snow.......again! This is getting ridiculous, even for Saskatchewan! I will be so  happy to see the sunshine. Here's hopin' it shows up soon!


Well folks, I should be receiving the final rough draft of "Tags Go In The Back" within the next week or so. Then, it will be right on track to be finished and ready to be picked up around the middle of August!  I'm really looking forward to the trip!

And, while there, I will hopefully be picking up the other "project" I've been hinting at. Yep, it looks like I just might get it finished and ready in time. I didn't want to say anything until I knew for sure.This other project actually sprouted from these ramblings. You see, a while back, I had a reader suggest to me that I put the "wishes" I close the blog with into a book. That they'd like to have one.

I was flattered, but didn't really give it much thought after that. Then, a little while later, I had another reader suggest the same thing, and over the next few months had several others asking if there might ever be such a book. So, I thought, if readers are asking, maybe I should take a serious look at doing it.

So, "Everyday Wishes for Your Extraordinary Life" started to take shape.  It's definitely different than putting together a children's book. It's pretty scary, really. This isn't a story that sprouted from my silly imagination. Although not all are serious, they do all come from the heart. It's a bit intimidating to put your heart out there for others to judge. Another step waayyy out of my comfort zone. But, I'm learning that stretching your comfort zone is good exercise. It keeps you young. Pilates for the personality.

I'll be sure to show you the cover, as soon as I can. I hope it turns out!

After I have it completed and sent off for printing, I can then give my full attention to the weddings we are playing this Summer.

We bought a new player with some cordless mikes. Yep, we have other players, but, the oldest one is getting pretty finicky and doesn't necessarily want to work 100% of the time. The newer one got a bit wet at an outdoor party we worked, and now, will only show gigantic letters on the screen. Not helpful.
So, I put the bug in our karaoke guy's ear a while back that we were going to need a new machine. Thankfully he found us a good one. We added the mike's, and now can accomodate bigger groups on stage, as well as allowing us more movement when doing a show. Nice!

So, for the upcoming week!

I will be spending every possible hour working on "Wishes", so I can send it off by the end of the week. I want so badly to do it right! Cross your fingers for me!

Munchkin wrangling, and trips to physio are also on the agenda, as is the usual errand running.

And that pretty much wraps it up for another week.

Thanks for taking the time to read these ramblings. I love hearing from you, feedback your little faces off!

Until Next Time:

For those about to wed......................


May your wedding be absolutely everything you always dreamed it to be.
May it be a beautiful beginning to the life in which "I" becomes "We."

May you learn to lean on each other when the harshness outside, pushes in.
May you give each other strength when the world is heavy, hard, seems grim.

May you start each day trying to make the other's life a little brighter.
May you spend your days making the other's load a little lighter.

May you share joy, silly secrets, and talks that last late into the night.
May you protect your love fiercely, defending it with all of your might.

May you always treat your spouse with kindness, making sure they get how much they mean to you.
May you continue to "date" each other, for the romance must stay true.

May you turn a blind eye to the odd uncapped toothpaste, discarded sock, or bad cooking.
May you know the true test of a good spouse is how you treat the other, when noone is looking.


www.margyreidbooks.net

Ever Have One Of Those Days?

Hi There!


Did you ever have one of those days where the motivation to do anything productive is somewhere between elusive and non-existent?

I'm having one of those days. There is so much I should/could be doing right now, buuuuuut, I just don't feel like it. Up to now, throughout my entire adult life, I've not really had a choice other than sucking it up and doing it anyway. There was no wiggle room, time wise, for most things. I used to wake up in a sweat, having dreamt I was drowning in laundry.

Today, I feel like playing hooky, so I am. And, I'm really trying very hard not to feel guilty about it. Guilt is a waste of energy. Guilt is a waste of emotion. Guilt is a waste. Period. (Okay, do you think I repeated it enough times to convince myself?)

I don't want to see any finger wagging from any of you either, because I'm sure you have all had bouts of "guilty to be still" syndrome.

We need to smarten up!

Well, now that's out of my system..........

This week brought with it progress on all fronts. I received the rough layout from the printer for "Tags" and got a couple of steps closer to having the rear cover figured out.

My "project" is coming along pretty well, I'll be able to share more details about it soon. I know this sounds like I'm trying to build some kind of fake drama around this by being myterious, but I'm really not. I'm just unsure of it yet, that is all.

I think the physio sessions are helping. I look very forward to the day that riding in the car for more than 20 minutes doesn't make my neck feel like it's on fire. Very forward, indeed.

Our oldest daughter is doing better all of the time. She's going to be on blood thinners for a while yet, but all in all, doing well.

Progress has also been made on the music preparation front. Ahhhhhh weddings.


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

Work, physio, errands, shop for birthday present for my munchkin girlie I care for,work, find and buy 6 ft table with collapsible legs(needed for DJing), work on "project", household crap, shop for bridal shower gift, hug grandbabies, work on music, finalize rear cover (hopefully), find new umbrella for patio table (old one had a run-in with some unpleasantness, but that's another story), household crap,project, work, present birthday gift, physio, errands, attend bridal shower. And most importantly, not forget anything!

So on that note, my friends, I will leave you for now, so I can get on with my very important task of playing hooky.

Until then........... for those whose hearts may need a hug.


May your soul take flight, be free, be weightless, released from the tethering gray.
May any clouds stealing your light, break away, revealing the brightest of day.

May life's inevitable troubles not deter you from your journey of finding a more peaceful place.
May you find a way to see life's goodness, and be able to put a genuine smile on that beautiful face.

May you see your way through, find the roots, develope tools, soon the darkness must relent.
May you find on the other side of this, a quiet heart, one which is truly and utterly content.


Until next Week!

www.margyreidbooks.net

Off To The Presses!

Hi!


Well folks, "Tags Go In The Back" is in Winnipeg and hitting the "presses" as we speak! The Hubs and I will be able to go and pick it up in August, during our Holidays.

This summer, we will be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary. We originally had plans to take a road trip to Tofino, BC, a beautiful coastal resort town, or so I hear. Well, with the damage done by the flood, the fact that insurance wouldn't touch it at all, and disaster relief covers very little, the holiday was then changed to renting a cabin for a few days at a nearby lake. Now, with the accident and having to buy a new car long before we had planned, our holiday has been further downgraded to a quick trip to Winnipeg to pick up books bookended by two weddings we are working.

I was really kind of hoping for that seemingly ever-elusive honeymoon. Maybe for our 30th.

Well, enough with the oh-poor-me crap, moving on!


As I was saying, "Tags" is now in the very capable hands of the folks at ArtBookBindery. I'm again happy/relieved/anxious about it. I'm trying to get better at stifling the doubts and fears of "what if kids don't like it." It was the same with 'Lexi" and "Crazy." I guess, I'll just have to accept that it goes with the territory. Maybe it's just one of those things that doesn't go away. Maybe it's a good thing that it doesn't. Maybe it's like the jitters I get before every karaoke show, I take it as a sign that I still care, and carry a passion for it. If, someday, the jitters quit hitting, it might just be time to stop.

I hope that never happens.


This week also involved my first ever appointment with a physio therapist. I'm very glad to say he didn't actually hurt me too badly, and is very optimistic that over the course of the next few weeks, seeing me twice a week, I'll be good as new! Yippee! I am very lucky. I ran into a friend in the waiting room who has been dealing with physio for a while already and may still have a way to go. Yep, I am very lucky, indeed.

I was also able to put a little more work into my "side project," unfortunately, this neck keeps me from working for more than about 20 minutes at a time. Hopefully I will still be able to finish by the end of the month.

Music for the upcoming weddings is coming together pretty nicely. We actually had to turn down two shows because we were previously booked. I feel bad when that happens, I don't like to have to say no, planning events can be pretty stressful, it's always nice to be able to help someone tick off the entertainment box on their planning list.

The week is definitely finishing on a high note! Our wee Jake is out for his first sleepover without Mommy! We are cuddling and spoiling him as much as possible before we get busted for it. We see it as our sworn duty as grandparents! If we didn't we may just get kicked out of the club!

As for the upcoming week?

Monday: Work in the morning physio in the afternoon

Tuesday: Work on "project" laundry

Wednesday: Work in the morning and in the afternoon, a much needed trip to the hair salon ( trust me, needed,is putting it mildly)

Thursday: project, housework

Friday: Work in am, physio in the afternoon.

Holy Crap! My third book is at the printer! All I can say is Holy Crap! I wish I could whisper that into the ear of the 24yr, sleep deprived, buried in diapers, scraping grocery money together me. It would have probably made those tough years a little easier, then again, it would have spoiled the surprise!

On that note I will leave you until next time. Time to go snuggle a baby!

I'd love if you became an official "follower" if you haven't already! Thanks!

Until we meet again, I'll leave you with this wish:




May any challenges faced, be crushed by your absolute, utter brilliance.
May your complete awesomeness blind all those who are a pain in your pants.

May you sidestep any poop pucks thrown at you by any monkeys on your back.
May your particular monkeys find better homes, so you can get on the right track.

May you develop the ability to sincerely high five yourself for all the good you do.
May you realize the value of all things accomplished, instead of focusing on what's left on your "to do."

May you discover the treasure you are, have been, and always will be, a treasure because you're here.
May you discover this now, not later, for lack of self-worth serves but one purpose, to create fear.



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Long Weekends Are Awesome!

Hi!

To those who celebrate Easter, I hope this one is the best ever! To those who don't, I hope you are having a great long weekend, as well.

It's a bit chilly where I am, with a wind that could carry away a small child, I'm hoping wherever you are, a nice leisurely coffee on your deck/patio/balcony/stoop/front porch is on the agenda for this weekend.

I can't wait to be able to wear flip flops without the threat of frost bite! Sooooon, very soon!

The kids are hitting home pretty sporadically, this weekend, Our oldest, her hubby, and Ethan, came Thursday and left this morning, the other three girls and Jake will be here tomorrow. I'd love it if they could all be here at once, but, I'll take it.

Our daughter is doing much better, feeling stronger, slowly but surely. Hopefully, soon, she will be feeling 100%. Thanks so much for all of your well wishes and notes of concern.

So, last Saturday night, while our youngest daughter and little Jake were here for a visit, we decided to go to our local theater to go to the movie "Big Miracle", it was a great movie. Jake did great, he was sooooo good through the whole thing! No small feat, if you take into consideration that our "local" theater is 20 miles away, and he is, shall we say, less than crazy about spending that much time in his car seat.

Well, I'm glad to say "Tags Go In The Back" is pretty much ready to go to the printer! I just need to check with them about the timing. You see, my hubby and I are taking some vacation days in August, and would like to use a few of them picking up the new book in Winnipeg. Generally, it takes about 3 months for the first printing to be ready, but if there are any glitches it can take a bit longer. I need to find out if they will charge me storage if the books are finished before I am able to pick them up.

I'm pretty excited to see the facility and meet the people I've been emailing and speaking over the phone with for so long. Not to mention, I'll be saving the pretty significant shipping charge!

Also, this week, I bit the bullet, and made an appointment to see a physio therapist about my neck and shoulder. Can't really say I'm very excited about that. Actually paying someone to beat me up, something about that doesn't sound right, somehow.

On a brighter note, I did get a chance to work on music for the weddings coming up this summer. Getting closer and closer to being ready. The first one is May 12, at a resort here in Saskatchewan, it's going to be beautiful!

Thanks to 2 of my daughters, I'm pretty stoked about the progress made on my "side project" this week. I'm still not sure it's going to come to fruition as soon as I would like, but, time will tell.

So, for the upcoming week:

I need to get the situation with "Tags" figured out, and hopefully sent away.

Go to work

Go get beat up by physio therapist.

Run plethora of other errands of which I am sure most of you are very familiar

Work on "side project"

Work on Wedding music

Hug grandbabies and daughters

So, folks, that's it for another week. Thanks so much for taking the time to read these ramblings. If you are so inclined, I'd love if you "liked" my www.margyreidbooks.net page on Facebook and maybe share it with all of your Facebook friends!

Until Next Time:

May the breeze of spring renewal fill the sails of your imagination.

May you be inspired to try new things, travel outside your comfort zone, without planned navigation.

May April showers fall upon you, nurturing the buds of ideas and creativity growing within.

May your May "flowers" bloom with such vibrance and strength you can't resist giving in.

May the thought of possible failure not hinder your pursuit of coloring outside the lines.

May you know the only true failure, is to not even try.

Have a Great Week!

www.margyreidbooks.net