There May or May Not Have Been.........................

Hi!





Ok....so a few shenanigans may or may not have taken place over the past weekend.......maybe......

There may or may not have been a bit of dirty dancing conga line crashing. There may or may not have been some drunkenese spoken with such a thick accent that the only thing understood was a demand for dancing, a refusal for dancing, and a guy who really didn't want his name to be Jose. There may or may not have been a few adult beverages of varying strengths, proportions, and colours involved................maybe.....


All in all it was a blast! It was so fun to hang out with our girls and just have a good time.

Then it was back home, rest a bit, then back to the shop on Monday!

That was the day I got to go on a bit of a field trip to the City for parts..........Construction, the season that piggybacks every season that doesn't involve snow.


As you sit in the line up waiting, it becomes fairly apparent, fairly quickly that, in general, humanity seems to approach this impromptu lesson in patience in one of two ways.

Some people get agitated almost instantly. You can see them making frustrated gestures, banging steering wheels, ever trying to inch ahead, even though the line is completely still, like that extra inch will somehow get them to their destination faster.

Others, take this opportunity to check their phones, bop along to the music on the radio, some even leaving their vehicles to chat with  fellow hostages. There is absolutely nothing you can do about it, so you might as well enjoy the down time.

Personally, I choose to indulge in the latter. Why get yourself all worked up, anxious and frustrated over something like this?

I am neither a surgeon on my way to perform an emergent, life saving procedure, nor a courier of donated organs, where time is paramount. I am just a person going down the highway.....slowly. 45 minutes one way or the other just isn't going to have any kind of earth shattering impact.

Travelling our busy highways can get a bit crazy, especially on these long weekends. Just remember, whomever you are going to see would much rather have you show up late, and in one piece, than suffer the alternative.

Enjoy the downtime.


Well, as predicted, this week has been very busy.


I did manage, however, to rectify the whole lack of grandbaby squeezes situation that has plagued the calendar, as of late. Dang they are cute! I got to hear all about soccer practice, math homework, a wonderful collection of sticks, dinosaurs, and a very animated conversation with our sweet Peanut, filled mostly with babynese and and lot of talking with her hands.

Music is ready to go for this weekend's wedding...............

Laundry is caught up...for now.....

Some dust bunnies have been hunted down and put to rest................


As for the next bit................

Shop will be busy..........

WRITE!!!!!

Get some last bits of daughter's wedding worked out......3wks away!!!!!



Well that about does it for this time................


Until next time..........not every day is a good day, so for those going through some bad ones.............




May the darkness be lifted at least so far as to see the light you truly are.
May you recognize that a bad day is simply that, a day, a new one is never far.

May you see that we are with you, every step, every stumble, every anxious breath.
May you know, even though the right words struggle to find flight, we do our very best.

May you rediscover your joy, it's still there, it's just hiding, frightened of the dark.
May you bring it out into the sunshine, let it feel the breeze, take hold, light a spark.

May you find you your smile, the real one, not the one painted on the mask.
May you find it, nurture it, and keep it, do whatever it takes to make it last.




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


check out www.margyreidbooks.com

The Mother Of All Days!

Happy Mother's Day!



You may recognize this group of hooligans from previous photos. One of which is I....the head hooligan, so to speak.....the others...........


Well, the others in this photo are the reason I am.  They are the reason I've done everything........anything.  They are why whenever I have felt like I can't, I do. They are why I know my love is limitless. They are why I smile. They are why I breathe. That never goes away.

That is probably a very good thing because...........They are also why I started getting grey hair at a young age. They are why I get a sharp pain in my right hip, every now and again. They are why my cellulite isn't so lite. They are why my abdomen looks like some faded map penned by a visually impaired, drunken topographer who refuses to draw with anything but the white crayon.

In short, they are a piece of every part of who I am.


They are strong, independent, fiercely loyal, and incredibly kind individuals. They each have a great capacity for compassion and are never afraid to show it. They stand up for what they believe, ever willing to fight for it.


Definitely worth a tangle or two with a certain drunken topographer..........................

And now that they are adults and the parental heavy lifting has become more of a leisurely stroll with an occasional steadying hand, it's become so much fun to just hang out with them as grown women.


Tomorrow will be one of those days, as we will be attending the youngest daughter's wedding shower. There may be some shenanigans involved..........maybe...........likely..........probably............


As for the past week................................


Busy..busy...busy....shop is busy.......awesome!


Put finishing touches on wedding music for next weekend.......................


Did not get to squeeze one grandbaby under the age of 7..........need to rectify that............


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

Enjoy tomorrow!

Will be hoppin at the shop.................

Work on music for our daughter's wedding.............

WRITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Squeeze every grandbaby at least once!!!!


That about does it for another week............until next time



May the privilege of motherhood not be lost in the giant piles of dirty clothes.
May your heartstrings be pulled at least as much as your pant legs, what's on your fingers?! Gross!

May you remember intently the sweet newborn smell that filled you with such awe.
May you remember this feeling as your toddler claims your entire wall as his canvas on which to draw.

May the love that fills you as you gaze upon those big eyes stand strong, stay true.
May it stay as such, as you discover every door knob, every light switch covered in a mysterious goo.

May the vision of those cherub cheeks burn into your very soul, etched forever deep.
May you visualize this clearly at the first sign of teenage disdain, adolescence will soak and steep.

May you recall the bountiful snuggles, abundant kisses and hugs, daily, without thought, a given.
May you soak them in now at every given chance, for they are busy, people to see, lives to be livin'.

May you recall the one for whom you are that reflection, the face, those eyes, that hug.
May you remember, even if it can only be with a whisper from your soul, give that pant leg a bit of a tug.


Until next time....



www.margyreidbooks.com

"I Have To Need That"...And Other Kidisms!

Hi!




I know I've said it before, and I will probably say it again many times......kids are awesome!



This week we received a visit from our two youngest grandbabies and their mom at the shop. Jake is pretty much convinced that he knows how to fix almost anything and when he's around it basically becomes Grandpa's job to hand him tools.

"I have to need that" is the general request. This is followed by whichever specific tool he requires.
Scoojivers, jills, hammas, you just never know. He takes it very seriously, and is smart as a whip. It's getting ever more difficult to pass off the "pretend" tasks as real fixes. He's beginning to catch on to the ruse. One can only hope that one day his ability catches up with his desire, and when it does, the desire still burns as bright. If not in pursuing "fixing," then with whatever takes it's place.


Speaking of burning desires.............at the trade show in Swift Current today, I had the privilege of meeting a pretty fantastic 8 yr old young man. This kid has more drive and less fear than most adults I've ever met. Once he found out that I actually wrote the books I was selling, he hung out at my table for quite a while. Besides having some really great questions for me, he also wanted to let me know that he writes too. He also draws, has told his stories at open mike nights, and continues to push for more. When Mom joined the conversation, she explained how he simultaneously fills her with equal parts pride and fear. She is trying to walk the fine line of protecting him while still encouraging him to pursue what makes him light up.

Never more than a few steps behind, was his little brother.....he's five. After obviously being instructed to stay with his big brother when not standing by Mom, he strayed slightly to the booth across the way from me to do a bit of research of his own. You see, the lady in the booth across the way had cinnamon buns, butter horns, and other delectable treats, most showing a price tag of $5.00. It didn't take long before he returned to his brother, who was busily reading my books and talking shop, to ask for the said $5.00. (This was, of course was before Mom joined the party). Upon finding out that his brother had no money, even after asking the third time, this little one hesitated not one microsecond before turning to my hubby, looking him straight in the eye and asking "Do you have $5.00?"

Before my hubby could reply, Big Brother stepped in, completely horrified by his brother's request. "You can't go around asking people for money! Just stay here and wait for Mom!"

The deadpan look on this little 5yr old's face was absolutely priceless. All he saw was the fact that $5.00 was the only thing standing between him and the treats, and he was going to find a way.  It seemed completely ridiculous for his brother to object to his methods...............


It was a day of being shown secret handshakes, getting the chance to snuggle a one month old little girl, (her mom had the booth beside me, what could I do?), getting great feedback from people, and sending some more books to good homes.

It was a great way to end what was otherwise a bit of a challenging week.

Business at the shop couldn't be better, that's always awesome............

It was on a personal level that we had the misfortune of dealing with a couple of unpleasant people.

Details and circumstances don't really matter, as my experience has taught me that unpleasant people will simply be unpleasant no matter what the circumstances might be. Why they choose to do this, I will never be able to comprehend. These are the type of people who are compelled to find fault with everything they encounter. It will be their meal in a restaurant, their service at a gas station, the way their groceries are packed, the sky being too blue, or the fact that that trees have seeds. Details and circumstances hold no relevance.

My experience also has taught me not to give these people any power over my life in any way. Their negativity is poison, it's their poison, and I simply choose not to partake. So much energy wasted clinging desperately to misery, wasting even more trying to get others to join the party. No thanks.


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


It will be another busy one at the shop............

Time to donate blood..............

Last of the wedding baking................

More prep on May 16 wedding music............

More writing..........




That about does it for another week....until next time.................



May your heart's desire never be squelched, in spite of the fear in which it's sometimes drenched.
May you hang on tight to your peace, others may try to tear it away, hold fast, fists clenched.

May everything that makes your heart sing be put before you in plain site, path clear.
May you wring every ounce of joy, without guilt, without regret, without fear.

May every brightness, every light, every happiness fill every corner of your life.
May any negativity be simply removed with the swift assuredness of a brilliant surgeon's knife.

May you go through your days walking in the sun.
May you share your joy, pass it on, for that's how peace is won.



Until next time................www.margyreidbooks.com

Hanging On With Your Butt Cheeks!

Hi!




Remember how last week I kinda went on and on about how Nature has a way of humbling us?

Well, these photos were taken on our ride home from Saskatoon this evening. We were just settling into Spring, had just nicely put our winter gear away............... Yep.........humbling............


At least we can be pretty certain this last little slap of winter shouldn't stick around too long. It was really more like rain with a bad attitude than it was real snow....... holding just enough of an edge to make your butt cheeks want to hang on to the seat a few times on the way home.


Speaking of which............... dress shopping for your daughter's wedding isn't as easy as it sounds.  It's not that I don't understand that I am the "Mother of the Bride." I get that, it's not my first rodeo. But, why, for cryin' out loud, does that particular phrase seem to prompt such an automatic response from sales people! They hear those words, and they immediately are filled with a burning desire to wrap you head to toe in 50lbs of whatever that very stiff, shiny, unyielding fabric is called.

As you may have guessed, if you haven't read in previous ramblings, I, my friends, am not a seamstress. I am actually whatever the opposite of seamstress is. A someonewhosewspocketsshutandtoherownpantswhilepatchingstress, if you will.

I am in no way passing any judgement whatsoever on those who enjoy and have adorned these dresses. Absolutely not. Everyone likes what they like, as they should. Not that you should give a tinker's damn what I think, anyway. But, I just don't think it should be the "go to" like it's some sort of uniform.

So, after a brief conversation, wherein I gave a "long story short" explanation of how, if I did wear, in June temperatures, a floor length, heavy gown that breathed about as well as a scuba diver with no tank, I might just turn into a puppy kicking crazy person who yells at babies, she understood.

After we got on the same page, it became a fairly simple process. Tried on several, found "the one" plus a bonus dress, a few bobbles and a clutch. All set!


All in all, it was a pretty good day. Despite the mess that was taking place outside, the mall was completely running amuck with munchkins. They were hosting some sort of interactive, agricultural based, experience. Little ones were checking out plants and bugs, petting small farm animals, having their faces painted, and, by the looks on the majority of the faces, having a blast!


By comparison, the rest of the past week was pretty tame.............


Busy at the shop..............which is awesome...........and a big part of the reason we...............

Put our camper up for sale............ we simply don't have time to use it, and it would be such a shame to have it just sit there...........sad, really...........

Did more baking for the wedding............cookies, cookies and more cookies........oh, and muffins.......

Did a bit more music prep for the wedding we are playing for mid May.........................

Sold our camper...........going to a good home and will get used............alot.........much happier scenario.......


As for the next few days..............


We'll be putting in some quality time at the shop...................


More wedding music prep.............

More baking..................

More writing.................

Month end will be once again upon us....................................

Squeeze grandbabies!.......................



So folks, that about does for this time around............until next time




May you never be what others assume, never try to fit in a designated mold.
May you understand deeply the importance of being your unique version of you, be brave, be bold.

May you fight for all things that fire your passion, dictated only by a soul fuelled by purest intent.
May you see the very best of you is yet to come, reflect, respond, replenish, re-invent.

May you see the only limits are those which are self-inflicted, others can only claim that power if it's given.
May you fight for the life you want, for your joy, for your peace, be your unrelenting hero, be driven.



Until next week..............Thank you so much for taking the time to read these ramblings each week, it means more than you know!

www.margyreidbooks.com

Thumb Smudges In the Sky!

Hi!


A couple of things.................



First................I'm not 100% certain, but I think I can say with some confidence that the sign in the top photo doesn't necessarily adorn the doors of many fine hotels around the world.  In Saskatchewan, however.................. My mind immediately goes to the circumstances that prompted such a sign.

I can't help but imagine a herd of over-enthusiastic 13ish year old, hyper kids, with adrenaline to burn after the big game. They have absolutely no desire to be still, the word "unwind" is not in the realm of their vocabulary.

Their parents, on the other hand, are exhausted, and after  endless unsuccessful attempts to contain the high octane teens by plying them with pizza and movies, they consent to what has been pitched to them as a "very quiet session of just passing the ball around in the hallway."

My guess is after a few hotel guest complaints and maybe an accidental mark or two on the walls the game was hastily concluded.


And a sign was born......................................


Second................ Thumb smudges in the sky...........

There are many things in nature that humble a person. All you have to do is look around to know that, as humans, we really are just one very small part of our world.  For me, the sky never misses making that exact point. Whether it's at night contemplating the billions of stars, during a storm in which Mother Nature's sheer power is both frightening and awe inspiring, or on a day of blue skies, with a spattering of thumb-smudged clouds.


We like to think we are important, and that we, somehow, have a say in the grand scheme of what happens. I guess we do...to a point.


We invent things, create things, things that can be dangerous. Say a car, for instance. Then, for the next years we busy ourselves inventing safety features to protect us from the very thing we invented. Seat belts, air bags, etc.....  theeeennnn we need to come up with things to counteract the damages caused by these inventions, carbon emissions etc........

We busy ourselves with our delusions of power and grandeur, with our wars, politics, and commerce, then Mother Nature reminds us of our place. A tornado, a hurricane, a snow storm, a tsunami, a very clear reminder indeed of who or what is actually in charge of what happens.

But, we are human. We are important. We are precious. At least as precious as everything else. As a species, we have survived many things that could have just as easily wiped us out. We must be here for a reason.We must have a purpose. Maybe, just maybe. we are not as in charge of the direction of that purpose as we would like to think.

Funny what comes to mind when looking at thumb-smudges in the sky..................................


So in the past week.................


We were honoured to participate in a very special day with some pretty fantastic people.

It was sincere and tender, fun-filled and silly, with tears of joy and laughter, pretty impressive dance moves, all enveloped in a love that was palpable. The best kind.


It was another busy one at the shop........always a good thing.........

I was able to put a bit more baking in the freezer for our daughter's wedding.........

Knocked out a few more pages in my book...............(Yay)!

Had a last minute booking to do a karaoke show for a local service group this weekend...........

Put in an inquiry about a trade show in Estevan, Sk. that seems pretty promising...............

All in all a good week!......................



As for the next few days.....................


Wait a reply from Estevan................................

Get started on music prep for wedding coming up on May 16th..............

It'll be another busy week at the shop................

More baking.............................

More writing............................

Squeeze some grandbabies!!!......................................



Well, that about does it for another week........................

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



May you take the time to look up, look out, look around, look beyond what is absolutely immediate.
May you take the time to consider your place, take in the horizon, let your stresses shrink, granulate.

May you absorb the reality of a bigger picture, a grander scheme, feel small, it's ok, be at peace.
May you consider your place, for even the tiniest of brush strokes is significant in the creation of a masterpiece.

May you know your place is important, even if it's purpose is, as of yet, unclear.
May the grand view fill you with inspiration of limitless possibilities, not self-doubt, never fear.



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

www.margyreidbooks.com

Little Traffic Jam On The Prairie!

Hi!


I'm afraid this is going to be a bit short and sweet............time is not my best friend today.....



For those who have ever wondered what a traffic jam in rural Saskatchewan looks like, these photos depict it, exactly.  Talk about stereotypes coming to life!

The crazy thing is, these things happened on the same day! One, on the way to the shop, the other went right by the shop!


Where I call home, seeing giant pieces of equipment making their way down the highway is just as much a sign of spring as the geese coming back.

Around here you can be pretty much guaranteed that the equipment has one of two purposes.

If you meet something of this magnitude on the road, and it is not a house, it will either be farm or oil related. It's pretty rich soil, and from the soil come the spoils that make our world go 'round ..........literally. Fuel for humans and cars alike.


Granted, running giant equipment isn't the optimal way that a person would like to see these industries thrive, environmentally speaking, but, for now, it's what we have. Technology is making strides every day to find  better, more environmentally efficient ways to do things, but in the meantime, the world's gotta eat. We do what we can with the tools available to us.


Just like with anything else in life. You do the very best you can with what you've got. That's all anyone can ask.



So things are flying right along!


In the past few days......

Celebrated a great Easter with some very special people.........................

Spring has hit the shop in a big way, very busy, we are forever grateful........................

Put the  finishing touches on music for this weekend's wedding...................

Ran what seems like a million errands.....................


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


Take part in a special couple's very special day... it's going to be fantastic! (hence early blog!)

Busy...busy..busy at the shop.............

Run another million errands.....................

Get more baking in the freezer for my daughter's wedding...............

Squeeze a kidlet or two or three.........................

WRITE!


Sorry to write and run, but like I mentioned earlier, time is not my friend today...........



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



May you find joy in all things, even if the silver lining seems ripped from your cloud.
May you find joy, and truly feel it, deep and strong and loud.

May you take notice of the smiles which are subtlety sprinkled throughout your  busy day.
May you take notice, you'll find they were likely much more plentiful than assumed along the way.

May you bring a smile to an unfamiliar face each day, for it's reflection will fill your soul.
May you bring a smile, for they may not see many, yours, their shield from life's toll.


Have a great week!



www.margyreidbooks.com

Chocolate For Breakfast? Yes Please!!!!!

Happy Easter!




Ahhhh the one weekend a year when eating chocolate for breakfast is completely acceptable, expected, even encouraged!



Now, if you are wondering about the photos.............


The first, is simply a happy Spring bouquet. A little something that was waiting for me when I got home the other day. (Did I mention, I have a very sweet husband?)


The other is a photo of me and my Mom.  We stopped in for a visit after our karaoke show last weekend.

Let me tell you a little bit about my Mom.


She may look like your typical sweet lil' ol' lady, and don't get me wrong, she is soooo that person. But, underneath, she is also one of the toughest, strongest, most resilient people you will ever have the privilege of meeting.

Not even taking into consideration her hardships as a child of a generation born in the late 1930's, not even taking into consideration the fact she came from a family of 14 children, where things weren't always plentiful, to say the least. Not even taking into consideration these things, and countless others. Jumping ahead years; years of struggle and heartbreak, triumph and laughter, living without running water, hailed out crops, raising 7 kids, seeing them out into the world. Even if you just take into consideration the last 15 years.......

She was diagnosed with skin cancer, lost my dad to a very sudden heart attack, beat the cancer, sold the farm, moved, buried her daughter, my sister, had two hips and one knee replaced, all while still handling all that comes with being a mom, now of six, Grandma to 18, and Great Grandma to 5.

You know how in the past I have talked about crap storms? Well, she certainly has had more than her share.

Now, Mom is not without her flaws, she is human, after all. Yes, she is sweet, but she is also a huge smart ass. She is considerate, but her mind to mouth filtre is not always in full working order. Mom also, well, she also has a few, shall we say......quirks.

For instance, if you move one of her knick knacks an inch one way or the other, she will notice....... instantly. She is a clean freak. She is the only person I know that made a habit out of cleaning the top of the furnace ducting in her basement on a regular basis. She has a few other OCD tendencies that shall remain nameless.

The best part, is she doesn't see these as flaws at all. As far as I can tell, she sees them as her super-powers.

Turn your flaws into super-powers.  I'll have to try that.


As for the past week.................


Karaoke show........visit Mom......................had a fun show and great visit...............


Busy at the shop................weather warming up..........yay!


Took Mom into the city for and appointment with the doc.........she's good.............


Bit of wedding prep for wedding next weekend..................

Bit of writing.........very little bit...........

Get ready for Easter! (Scavenger hunt for Easter baskets for Grandbabies!)


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



It will be a busy one at the shop...................


Put finishing touches on  wedding music.........................


WRITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Do my best to help make a special wedding day one to remember..............................



Aaaaaannnnnnnnnnd that about does it for another week....................




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



May your Easter be filled with chocolate covered smiles, sticky fingers, and crazy-dyed eggs.
May the giggles and games last all day, ending in sleepy hugs, barely standing on tired little legs.

May everything Easter and Spring stand for take hold of your being, from here on, everything is new.
May you embrace the unknown, welcome a different perspective, you just might enjoy the view.

May the colours of spring wash over you, leaving you light and strong, baggage lost in the wave.
May you save the colours for days that seem dark, remember their strength, they will make you brave.


Until next week, thank you so much for reading these ramblings!


www.margyreid.blogspot.com