Book Signings, and Catching ZZZZZZZ'S!

Hi!



Another whirlwind week has come and gone!


I know I've said it before, but I really wish there was some way to slow time down just a little bit. It seems like there is way too much to do and too little time in which to get it done!


This is yet another of life's many little issues that I know I do not go through alone.


If any of you out there are, by chance, a genius physicist, I would appreciate very much a solid effort being put forth toward solving this time stopping issue. A "pause" button, if you will, would be very handy indeed.


In the meantime, we will march onward and upward.


Yep, the week whizzed by, whipping through some errands, some wedding planning, some appointments, some shop stuff, some family stuff, and getting through the inconvenience of the loss of my "Z" key on my laptop.

I still have use of it, as you can see, but it sure slows you down when you have to pause and tap the little stumpy thing that is now the "Z".  I have also come to the conclusion that the mind can become fairly nimble coming up with alternate words, ones that don't have a  "Z".  But, if you have to lose a letter.......I'm just glad it wasn't the "E"!


First world problems........................



To put an exclamation point at the end of the week was the signing at McNally Robinson today! This is the first time I've launched a book during any season other that spring or summer. Although the traffic was a bit lighter, due to some unseasonably cold weather, (even for here!) more than a few books ended up in good homes. It still hits me in the heartstrings when someone comes up to me, telling me how much their little ones are enjoying the books and like to read them every night. Pretty freakin' unbelievable.


Physically, I'm feeling a bit wiped, a bit run down. There are a bunch of nasty fevery/coughy/ highly unpleasant bugs flying around, I hope I can stay ahead the little buggers! I did get the flu shot, after all, doesn't that mean I get a free pass on any and all sickness type things!? I sure hope so.


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


Make up for some time lost at the shop from last week due to errand running and appointment attending etc.................


Attend my first Christmas trade show of the year........ (right here at home! yay!)

Get in a day of writing...............

Do some wedding stuff shopping with my daughter...........


Spend some time with a grandbaby or two.......................



Well folks, that about does it for another week, Better go catch some zzzzzzzzzzzz's (not easy without the key)




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





May your rest be bountiful, your energy level high.
May you accomplish Everything without even having to really try.

May any germ that may be lying in wait be outwitted by your stealthy evasion.
May you feel full of happy effervescent frivolity on every and all occasions.

May you rest without guilt, the world will still turn, you can't be everything to all.
May you do all you can, but just what you can, taking care of you is not a fault, not at all.



Until next time check out my website www.margyreidbooks.com for a bit of Holiday shopping!

Remembering....................................

Hi.


It's mind boggling to think of the extraordinary journey these birds embark upon each year. For some of these geese, it will be their virgin voyage, struggling to keep up with the veterans in the group.

Some will succeed, others will succumb to a hunter's bullet, yet others will simply be too weak to make the overwhelmingly difficult trip.


There is no doubt they will face freezing rain, blinding snow, brutal temperatures and ferocious winds. The flock will likely be much smaller when they finally reach their much warmer destination.


They will do this, and in the Spring, they will be back. They will lay more eggs, hatch more young, help them to become strong and learn to fly. Then next Fall they will embark on this journey once again.

Doing what's familiar to them. It's in their DNA. It's the journey they are meant to take, even if it's hard.


I don't think that being higher on the food chain makes us immune to following the journey that is hard-wired into our own DNA.

Now, because, as humans, we are fairly full of self importance, we assume our journey is somehow more complicated and absolutely of much  more significance than that of other beings on the planet. I'm not so sure.

Individually, our journeys seem complicated and intricate, but as a whole, as the human species, we too seem to repeat what is familiar.

Are we so different? We have our babies, help them to become strong and fly on their own. Not all survive the journey, some will succumb to bullets, other will be too weak to make the trip,

Throughout our human history we have proven over and over again that we do what is familiar.

War

Poverty

Oppression

Hate

Terror


We provide our own worst storms. We bring about our own brutal living conditions.

The difference between us and other species that stroll the planet?

I think the biggest difference is that unlike our fellow globe trotters, we insist on blaming others for any adversity that crosses our paths.

It's our parents fault, our teacher's fault our spouse's fault, our neighbour's fault, our boss's fault, our government's fault, their government's fault, their religion, their belief system......................


I suppose you would like to know what the point of all of this is........................


Well, on November 11th, we, here in Canada, take the day to honour those who protect us. The ones who put their lives on the line to help us have a peaceful sleep at night.

Pretty much every country has, at one time or another, sent military troops somewhere on the planet for some reason or another.

My hope, is that someday we, as a species, will become evolved enough to break away from what is now hard-wired and familiar. That honouring soldiers will be something that children around the world will learn about in ancient history classes. That the need to send soldiers anywhere will be completely unnecessary.

That is my hope.


Okay......now that I have that out of my system ...............................................


On another note.................................



This week was another busy one at the shop. Trying to get some jobs caught up before the snow gets too deep.


Oh yeah,........ it snowed.


I can't say that I'm too excited to see the white stuff again so soon., It hasn't been gone long enough to miss it. At least not for me. I know there are many out there chomping at the bit, waiting to go skiing and sledding, and all of the other winter fun activities, and I'm happy for them.

I really am.


Yay.


On the upside?

I was able to sneak in some quick baby snuggles, this week.

I was able to get those extra copies of "Alfred" in to McNally's............

I completed the month end chores..................

We were able to send a few completed trailers home................


Then, today, we received some sad news. After a long struggle with illness one of my Uncles passed away today.

Our world now has one less infectious laugh, one less brilliant smile, one less smart ass sense of humour, one less animal lover, one less Husband/Father/Grandpa/Brother/Uncle and Friend.

He will be missed by many.



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


There will be some working at the shop...............

A day of writing, as Friday didn't work out................

Some errands to run..............

Then on Sat. Nov 15th at 1pm I will be attending a book signing for "Alfred Dinglewiggle" at McNally Robinson in Saskatoon!

Can't believe the time is finally here! Yay!




Well folks, that about does it for me, for now. With my Uncle in mind, I'll leave you with this wish...........




May your laughter ring once again, with your smile completely lighting up your face.
May your songs fill the heavens as your soul takes flight, earthly pain gone without a single trace.

May you, as you watch over your loved ones, see what an amazing legacy you've left behind.
May you see your wife, children, and grandchildren, caring, loving, and kind.

May those who will miss you most find a way to be strong.
May they find their way of mourning, knowing there is no right or wrong.





Until next week....................


www.margyreidbooks.com

Giant Babies, Pirates And Dancing Chickens! Yup, That Just Happened!

Hi!



Well, it's been a fun week!


The shop was humming..........staying gratefully very busy...........


So busy, in fact, that I wasn't able to sneak into the city to take more copies of "Alfred" into McNally Robinson.  I will try again, in the next few days.



The days flew by, and before we knew it, Friday was upon us and it was time to hit the road for our Halloween show!


I always love the creative costumes people come up with, and this year was no exception! There was a chef, an astronaut, a couple of smurfs, some garden gnomes, a pirate, Sheldon and Amy from "Big Bang", a pair of chickens and a giant baby, to name just a few! One girl simply wore a t-shirt that read "I was too lazy to buy a costume!"


I think it's safe to say a good time was had by all.


Once we had the truck loaded back up, it was off to Mom's house, where because of adrenaline, caffeine and pre-menopausal bull crap, I had a lovely 4 hour nap.

As my hubby and Mom were both still sound asleep, I made my way into the tv room in the basement and watched some tv. I was sucked into some lovely programming about a real-life evil little old lady who did terribly horrible things to people. To make a gory story short, it resulted in the digging up of her back yard, some DNA testing for identification and a little game of "the thigh bone is connected to the knee bone".


Yay, so now I'm sitting in a dark basement, alone, exhausted, with only my imagination and some evil game of dismembering twister to keep me company. Yeah, not a good place to be........at all.

Thankfully, part way through  the next program, "Creepy, Evil, Sick and Disgusting Guy Chases Girlfriend Around with a Butcher Knife" ......my hubby woke up.  Yay!

Shortly, thereafter we heard some stirrings indicating that Mom was up and about, signifying it was time for coffee.

It was a nice day, we were able to stay for a bit of a visit with Mom, and then a leisurely drive home, stopping for a bit of shopping, and just goofing off in general. I like those kind of days.


Sometimes, I would love to visit the "25 year old me." The wrung out, sleep deprived wife and Mom of 4 babies ranging from newborn to toddler. The penny stretching, endlessly diaper changing, hand-me-down wearing, laundry monster battling, puke/snot/poop wiper-upper. I wish I could just give her a hug and a glimpse into her future, so she could have proof that it gets easier.

Life still throws you challenges, but you get so much better at dealing with them as you go. The sleepless nights, the fevers, the teething, the laundry marathons, the meticulous menu planning to the penny, the constant feeling that you are somehow screwing it all up no matter how hard you try........It's sooooooooo worth it. All of it. You don't have to be perfect.....you can't be.....all you can do is your best. And you know what? That's pretty freakin' awesome.


To all those who may be reading this, and are presently some version of that "25 year old me," consider this your visit. Oh, and by the way........you're awesome.



So, for the days ahead............................



Hopefully, a quick trip into McNally Robinson to deliver books!


Some month end bookkeeping type stuff..............


Assist in some trailer repairs...................


Then, on Friday..........................write, write, and write some more....



So that about does it for me..............


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




May you live every chapter, savouring every word, for skipping ahead just cheats the story.
May your plot unfold with a healthy dose of comedy, stripping any drama of much of it's glory.

May you dream, imagine, envision your happy ending, keeping it always clearly in panoramic view.
May the chapters you write along the way invariably lead in it's general direction, especially when taking a scenic route or two.

May you pen your story with  purpose, with meaning, with storylines that stretch far beyond what you see in the mirror's reflection.
May you, at your story's end, look back, and be happy with the words, the chapters, the memoirs you've written, a story of kindness and affection.



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


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


www.margyreidbooks.com

Rug Pullers And Connecting The Dots!

Hi!


Well folks, another week is in the books!




The early part of the week was spent in the shop, hanging out with my hubby, assisting in repairs, making sure the paperwork on current customers is complete and making doubly sure our ducks are in a row for upcoming jobs.


There is still quite a bit to do before the snow flies, and as we are creeping up on the end of October, aaaaannnndddd we live where we live, that could be any day now.



Then, on Thursday, after work, I was off!


Yup, on Friday it was my privilege to do a reading at a Jubilee Community School in Meadow Lake, Sk.


What a great staff, and fantastic group of kids! Thanks so much for having me!



Even though I have had the honour of doing several readings in a bunch of different schools now, there are times when it feels like someone is going to bust in on one of these sessions, pull out the rug from under me and yell,

"Who the hell do you think you are?!"


Negativity is an evil little nibbler who likes to feast on any and all insecurities.


It's in these moments I have to take a step back, and take an honest look at how it is I came to be here.


This honour wasn't handed to me. Did I have help and encouragement along the way? Absofreakinlutely!!!



This wasn't an accident or a fluke. I've worked very hard to make it happen. I've had to be bold when I felt timid. I've had to crush every comfort zone that fictitiously lived in my head, I had to push, research, strike deals, and learn more than I ever thought would be necessary along the way.This was, and continues to be an incredible journey that presents both it's challenges as well as it's rewards.


One of the greatest rewards is to hang out with these incredible, future adults. I have the honour of reading them my stories, answering their questions, and hopefully helping them to connect the dots between dreams and reality.

You don't have to be from somewhere else, or be someone else for a dream to become a reality.

I know not every kid is an aspiring writer. But, if they can see someone, a real, regular person, a Mom/Auntie/Grandma person, turn her dream into a reality, maybe, just maybe, their dream becomes much more attainable to them. Maybe their "connect the dots" can start to take on more of a definitive shape, whatever it may be.


I know I am anything but alone when it comes to insecurities and negativity wanting to take up space and overshadow accomplishments.

To the rug pullers out there, I say, " Pull all you want,.My dream is flexible, strong and thinks well on it's feet. It will survive and thrive, just like it always has."


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



The week at the shop is going to be busy, for sure.


At the end of this week is Halloween! Yay!

Costumes are decided and pretty much put together...............

Some rehearsal for the show we are doing has happened, but it would be great to squeeze in some more time for that...........

I need to get more copies of "Alfred" into McNally in Saskatoon for their marketing display for my upcoming signing event. (How cool does that sound!) Crazy!!!!


Then, Friday after work, it's off to entertain the ghouls and goblins in Denzil, for our karaoke show!

Looking forward to it, they are always a lot of fun and really put a ton of effort into costumes. It's always exciting to see what they will come up with!

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



May you see your dreams for what they are, your reality that's yet to be.
May you understand they are attainable, unleash the desire, just set it free.

May you take the steps to live the life you want, for standing still leads only to where you are.
May you understand that the first steps can be small, but in multitudes, they carry you far.

May you see that the life you desire is not a gift, nor brought forth through another's decision.
May you know in your soul you completely deserve every happiness you can possibly envision.






Until next time.......

www.margyreidbooks.com

The Princess And The Mistress!

First birthdays are awesome!



The wee ones have no clue what is going on, but they know it has something to do with them, and people show up with toys wrapped in cool paper you get to play with!


Yep, our youngest grandbaby turned one, this week. She is an adorable, bright, not-quite-walking-yet, little ball of fashionista princessiness with a good dose of rough and tumble hockey lover thrown in. One, and already a very complex personality. Love her to bits!



The week has flown by!


The shop was hopping, as always, but I did manage to take Friday off to write. It took pretty much all morning for my heart to give my mind permission to write without feeling like I should be doing something else. I'm sure it will take a bit to really feel like it's ok to take the time.

It's kind of like writing is my mistress, and hanging out with her is like cheating on the rest of my life. But, she is NOT a mistress. She is simply a sometimes bad influence, eccentric  second cousin who is a blast to hang out with, and when I do I tend to lose track of time. That being said, she needs me to take care of her, for if I don't, she will get lost, never to be seen again. I can't let that happen.

Maybe she needs a name. Maybe it should be Buella.


Once I settled in, I did manage to put forth a few pages. What it will turn into, only time and Buella can tell, but I'll be happy to go along for the ride.

In the meantime, I still need to come up with costumes for our upcoming Halloween show! I am open to any and all suggestions. It has to be something fairly simple, and easy to work in. Aaaannnnnd  Go!.........


Rehearsing for said show has been a bit of a challenge, but we are squeaking in some singing here and there. The pipes are bit rusty, but they still work. I'm working on a game involving old tv theme songs and tequila shots.........I didn't say Buella was the only bad influence.......................


The upcoming week will include a busy week at the shop, topped off with a reading in Meadow Lake some time spent with my incredible friend who has no idea how much I appreciate her, and taking in a family get together at my daughter's house.

It will be another full and fulfilling week. I wouldn't have it any other way......



Well, that about does it for me this time around......

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




May your week utterly explode with joy, a million little shots of happy become your norm.
May you, as the days grow chilly, be always cozy and always warm.

May a song bring a smile, a stranger's kindness bring a grin.
May you spread beyond what you see, the wonderful mood that you're in.

May the sharing of a smile become a habit impossible to break.
May you see it's so much easier to give than a frown, and much more a pleasure to take!


Until next week!



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

Starting With The Fifth................

Well folks, in Canada, upon this weekend falls a celebrated holiday of feasting with friends and family.  Thanksgiving.


Yep, this is the time we set aside every year to take a step back, examine our lives and consciously put forth an attitude of gratitude.


When the question of "What are you grateful for?" comes around, the reflex answer is usually "family, friends and health."  I mean, this probably is as it should be. Kind of like when someone asks how you are, your reflex reaction is "fine, how are you?"

But, what would happen if we had to take those instant answers off of the menu, so to speak? What if we didn't answer with the first, second, third, or even fourth thing that comes to mind?

What would the answer be if the "first" thing started with the fifth?


Starting with the fifth makes us dig a bit deeper, think a bit harder, feel a bit more.

Starting with the fifth tends to get past the "supposed to's" to "what is".

I think that sometimes it's good to get past the automatic thoughts and reactions we are "supposed to" have, or so we are taught and coached throughout our lives.   I think that sometimes, when we do, we get to know ourselves just that much better. The self beyond the titles and labels. The self behind the "supposed to's".

Starting with the fifth.


Now, along with an introspective examination of gratitude, Thanksgiving is also a time where, traditionally, diets become a foggy afterthought, many head home for Mom's stuffing, and pumpkin pie, and everybody breaks out their fat pants.


We will be celebrating with a birthday party for our youngest grandbaby, Laney. She's 1. Already.

Leading up to this fine weekend was a week that really flew by!


Many errands were ticked off my list of "to do's".

Dentist appointment.....check

Get new tires put on the car.........kind of check....the tires came damaged, have to try again next week.

Get some paper work caught up at the shop..........check

Have several fairly meaningless phone calls back and forth with various insurance people  about different clients claims.........check (try again next week)

Remember to go to nail appointment.........check

Get some rehearsal in for upcoming Halloween Show..........check

Laundry/cleaning/dusting/blah/blah/blah..............check

Attend the Family Harvest Festival Market...........check

Oh.....AAAANNNDDD get a definite date set for a signing event for "Alfred Dinglewiggle" at McNally Robinson! ....CHECK! It will be on Saturday Nov.15th at 1pm! So excited!



The upcoming few days will include some birthday cake, baby snuggles, toddler goofiness, 6 year old tomfoolery, and likely a bit of teenage angst.

There will also be another trip for new tires, more phone calls, glamorous dust bunny hunting, trailers to assist with, and maybe beginning this week, just maybe, I might be able to sneak a day a week to dedicate to writing. I hope I can swing it................


So until next time....I am very grateful to you. You, who take the time out of your day to read these ramblings each week. I am forever grateful to you and for you.



May your turkey be tender and your pie be sweet.
May everything turn out beautifully, every morsel, every treat.

May all who attend have a fantastic time catching up with each other's news.
May the subjects of conversation stay light, maybe steer away from political views.

May you, once the din dies down, and you are left with a heap of dishes, not one thing in it's place
May you see past it all to your reflection, where you carry a giant smile upon your face.



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



www.margyreidbooks.com

Living Life Full Frontal

Hi!




On our way home from our last service call, we came across an abandoned farm yard. Left, were the echoes of the family that once, long ago, filled this space with laughter, love and hardships.


I don't know this as fact, I only know this as true.  As I wandered, my imagined history of this place filled me with images so vivid, so clear, they seemed like memories.  As if my own distant past was being presented to me as a gift.

Among all that lies here, broken and forgotten, there is definitely a story. I saw it, I felt it.  Now, I just need to  give it wings.

It's such a cool experience, when this happens, but, it's hard to explain without coming off as a little mentally unstable.

I mean, it feels a little crazy, when it happens, and sounds even more so, when you say it out loud.

I'm often asked where I get my stories from......I guess the best explanation is that, although some stories have roots in reality, others, the majority, jump out at me from an image or a face, or they simply sneak up on me in abandoned farm yards.

I think it's an instinctual reaction that taps into the you you are meant to be. With me, it's the images of stories, bold and bright. With a teacher, it may just knowing the perfect way to reach that hard to reach child.  With a chef it may be knowing, without ever being taught, what flavors will tickle the taste buds in the most glorious way. With a repairman, it can be looking at something or hearing something, and instantly knowing what is wrong.


I think it's there for all of us, uniquely ours,  we just have to be open, and be more than a little willing to let ourselves feel a bit crazy, now and again.




Soooooooo...... this week was filled with more than a few late nights at work, some baby snuggles, some straight up 6 yr old grandson goofiness, month end bookkeeping madness, laundry, housework and other glamorous things.


I did manage to get a date narrowed down for a signing for "Alfred" . I will be sure to let you know as soon as it is solid.


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


Well, as well as a normal work week, this week will also involve a date night with my honey, a dentist, a nail tech, a tradeshow and most importantly our youngest grandbaby's first birthday party!

It's hard to believe she is going to be 1 already!

Life is full! Life is good! Life is blast! Enjoy!


Well, gotta run, so until next time I'll leave you with this wish.......



May whatever makes you unique, make you shine, allow the shimmer to thrive.
May you know that when you do, you'll truly start to feel completely alive.

May your inner, untold story come to light, full frontal, in your face, impossible to be ignored.
May you get to know it, become it, even if not to immediately share, allow into your soul, stored.

May you, when you're ready, share your shimmer, allowing it to light the path you are meant to take.
May you know your life is yours to live, devour, enjoy, leaving loving echoes of laughter in your ever dancing wake.


Until next time.......


Please check it out.......  www.margyreidbooks.com