Whoop! There It Is!

Hi!


At the risk of sounding like a whiner, I would just like to say that I am officially sick of winter!!!!!

There, I said it. I know to some, that statement may make me a wimpy Saskachewanian, but seriously? I simply would love to wake up for more than a few days in a row where it's not -40 flippin' degrees!

Okay, I'm done.


Now, on to much happier things. This week was awesome!

My books showed up at my house safe and sound. They took an extra day to come, due to weather, big shocker!.

My website, I am happy to say, is up and running! Yes, I can receive your orders for both books through http://www.margyreidbooks.net/ . I've already sent 5 copies on their way!
How cool is that! And I think that is the official name of my new company!
You see I was going to just run the books through our Rainbow Entertainment business and keep things very simple. Well, that plan was thwarted by my accountant. he says it`s a much better idea to run it as a completely separate company.

So, it`s official. www.margyreidbooks.net is my official company name!


Let`s see, other happenings this week. Okay, well, it`s not really book related, but I asked my hubby to pick up one of those big exercise, yoga ball thingys for me. Being I have some holidays, I thought it would be a good time to add a new activity. Well, slowly but surely, I am getting familiar with it. The good news is I haven`t fallen off or hurt myself yet. The bad news is, I can`t do some of the exercises they show on the chart. This is because I`m built in such a way that my butt has a fairly close proximity to the ground. But, I can sit on that bad boy for very long periods of time without touching my feet to the floor and just balance there! Don`t laugh! Okay, I guess you might as well.


Alright, on to the upcoming week.

For this week I will begin work on my exercise video, "Balling for Shorties", okay, maybe not, but somebody ought to!

I will however, begin getting things ready for upcoming events.

March 7th & 8th : Prince Albert readings.
March 18th: Reading at pre-school in Saskatoon
March 19th: Small trade show in Saskatoon at George Vanier school
April 15th: Big Trade show in Outlook at the Jim Kook Rec Plex.
April 30th: Reading/signing at McNally Robinson in Saskatoon

Also this week, I need to:
Take my laptop in to have a new antivirus put on it, take books to McNally and sign new contract with them. I need to take extra, as they are putting some in their Winnipeg store! Yay!
I need to buy another easel for promo poster of "A Crazy Day", I need to drop my daughters' copies of "Crazy" with them. I need to buy shipping envelopes for sending books. (Yep I'm out! Yay again!) I need to do some banking, deliver some copies of "Crazy" that were pre-ordered, pick up a few groceries, and oh yeah, I get to have my nails done!

Oh, did I mention I will be doing all of the things in the above paragraph in one day? I know, but I'm still on holidays and the fewer days I have to get up at 5am, the better. I'll just have to be quick!


Until next week!


May every person you come across be in incredible humour.
May you take some of that with you each day, through every traffic jam and office rumour.

May all those you depend on, be nothing but efficient and dependable in everything they do .
May you finish all of your "have to's" in record time, then take some time for you.

May good fortune follow you relentlessly like stalkers follow Hollywood stars.
May it follow you throughout your week, so you have your best one, by far.

Take Care!

Brrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Geez!

Hi!


So yeah, I wake up this morning, the sun is shining, the sky is blue, it's looking like a beautiful winter's day. Then I find out that it's -42 and there is a windchill warning in effect. To those unfamiliar with Saskatchewan weather, that's when it's cold enough that even we consider not leaving the house! To put into perspective for you, at this temperature, to quote the warning, "frostbite will occur in less than 10 minutes". Yippee!


Oh well, this bout has to be the last of these kind of temperatures for this year. I mean we are heading into the end of February, right? Right? Right?


Well, at least I have a warm house to curl up in and enough food to keep us going for weeks. You certainly don't have to look very far to find some are not so lucky.

Okay, so during the past week, the game of email/phone tag with Webguy continues. I'm not sure what the delay is, but I'm determined to find out by the end of this week.

I put together an advertising poster for the McNally event. I'll start hanging them soon. I tried to put a picture of it on the blog today, but it's giving some trouble with adding pictures. Hopefully that gets straightened out soon.

Also this week, I was invited by a preschool to take part in a trade showesque fund raiser they are doing on March 18th. It's perfect timing to try and build a little buzz going into the McNally event. I'm so grateful for the opportunity.

Oh yeah, all the details are now in place for my Prince Albert trip. I'm going to do it in one day, March 8th. It's going to be very hectic, nerve wracking, definitely out of comfort zone, exciting,and phenomenal! I'm looking forward to meeting everybody!


"A Crazy Day" was not able to be delivered this week. They had a bit of a delay at the printer, but I will have them in my house during the upcoming week! I am so stoked!


Now, for the upcoming week.


I will, again, be trying to catch Webguy, either with email or phone. As I'm home all this week I should have better luck.

Yes, I have some days off. The family for which I munchkin wrangle, is on holiday to Hawaii, so I get some holidays myself. I'm really looking forward to it. I don't have Christmas to prepare for, book stuff is semi-under control, nobody's getting married, graduating, moving, having babies, has doctor appointments or having surgery.

Yep, other than doing things for "A Crazy Day", there will be a lot of sleeping past 5am, treadmilling, wii playing, movie watching, book reading, bubble bath taking, writing, and maybe a little gratuitous napping going on. I know that probably sounds pretty lame to most people out there, but to me, it's the next best thing to a tropical honeymoon!


I can't believe "A Crazy Day" will be coming this week! It's mindblowing! I actually have my second book showing up at my house! I'm going to get to read it to munchkins, people will have it in their homes reading it to their kids. I know this probably sounds stupid, but every time I think about that part of this whole book adventure it gets to me. I think I sometimes get wrapped up in the planning, doing, the nuts and bolts of things. Then, when I pause and let myself take in the whole of it, the everything, I can hardly contain the feelings that getting to bring one of my greatest dreams to life brings.


On that note, have a great week!


May all the things that need to happen, happen easily as a clock's tick or chime.
May you not once be put on hold, stand in line, or left to wait beyond your appointment time.

May things run as smooth as your hand on a brand new kitchen counter.
May all events go on hitchless, with absolutely no need to flounder.

May no mittens, hats or boots get lost in the pile at the school door.
May the wrong ones that come home, be returned without incident, evermore.

Take Care,
Until Next Week!

Oh Boy!

Hello all my blog friends!


Let's see, things that happened in the past week. I now can confirm that my McNally Robinson event in Saskatoon will for sure be April 30th at 11am!!!!!! Woot!!!!


I'm sooo excited to start the "Crazy Day" roller coaster ride. I'm sure some of the ups and downs will be similar to the "Lexi" ride, but, I am just as sure that some of the twists and turns will be very different and carry their own surprises.


I have been playing phone and email tag with my web guy all week, hopefully somebody will win by the end of the upcoming one! I really need "A Crazy Day" on there soon.


This next leg of the book journey is one that I find the most challenging. I've been thinking about it, and have come to the conclusion it's because it all boils down to shameless self promotion! lol

Now, as a small town Saskatchewan girl, brought up with all of the guilt feelings about being prideful, this is quite a hurdle! Looking back through the last 9 months or so since "Lexi" came out, I've taken stalk of the most anxiety ridden moments, the events and processes I found most difficult, they all come back to that same sentiment.


I guess this falls under the category of Suck It Up And Get Over It


The fine line I don't want to cross, I guess, is this. I need to go out and promote my books, it's the only way to get them out there. I just don't want to enter the land of obnoxious!
But, all in all, I still feel very lucky and grateful that I even get to have this problem, if it even qualifies as one!

Well, there I go rambling again! lol



So for the upcoming week.

Looking forward to catching up with web guy. "A Crazy Day" should be showing up at my house by the end of the week! I should also be getting the details for my Prince Albert visit finalized. I'm looking very forward to reading this new story to the kids.

Let's see, I think that is about it for now.

Thanks for reading!

Until next Week!


May you be able to meet every day with a smile that comes from your core.
May you go through each day with a vigor that makes you glad that there'll be more.

May each day bring with it a great anticipation of something new.
May that something always turn out to be a positive thing for you.

May you be able to view the "day to day" with a sense of humour.
May you discover quickly, if you don't, you become a daily fumer!


Take Care!

Wow! Here We Go!

Well hello there!



You know, when I sit down to write these, my ramblings and whatnot, every week, I kind of just sit quietly and try to reflect on the the week leading up to that point. I really try to let the impact of it soak in a little bit. You know what I mean, how all the little seemingly insignificant events, when strung together, can pack quite a wallop!

Well this week is no exception.


I had my appointment at the Lasik place. The good news? My eyes are not bad enough to even warrant a prescription pair of glasses, let alone a corrective laser treatment. The not so good news? The optometrist suggested I simply go down to the drugstore and buy the weakest strength reading glasses I could find. Yep, glasses. The kind that get lost, left behind, forgotten at home, broken etc. Exactly what I was trying to avoid with the whole laser thing to begin with! lol Oh well, at least they aren't expensive! Well, in the grand scheme of things, a pretty good problem to have.


On a bit of a sad note, the benefit we were going to perform at this weekend was cancelled due to lack of volunteers to run the event. My heart goes out to the organizers who were trying to put it all together. I know this preschool depends in a big way on this event to help keep it's doors open, I hope they stay around. It's an awesome preschool and Ethan along with my niece are both scheduled to attend in the fall. Here's hopin'!


On the happier side of things, well, this week was incredible!

First, I've found out that I have blog readers way beyond what I had ever dared to hope I have. Thank you all. I really want to say hi to everyone in Slovenia, Denmark, India, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, China, South Korea, Russia, the US and of course right here at home in Canada.

It completely blew me away when I discovered this. Thank you again, for taking this journey with me.



Another great thing that happened has to do with McNally Robinson. Well, two things, actually. First, I have a tentative date for the Reading/Signing of "A Crazy Day" it's Sat. April 30 at 11 am, in Saskatoon. Secondly, they sent me an email saying that considering the success of "Lexi", and the success they anticipate with "A Crazy Day" they would like to put copies of both books in their store in Winnipeg!

Cool or What!?

I'm so excited!

I was also contacted by the Library Services Consultant from the Prince Albert Grand Council, and invited to do some readings in the beginning of March. Two schools for sure and she is looking into doing a reading at a special needs school as well.


Yep, reflection, and soaking it in. I am so excited, a little intimidated, and a titch overwhelmed, by everything that is happening.

I get the feeling that "A Crazy Day" is going to push me out of and through comfort zones that "Lexi" only tickled the surface of. Don't get me wrong, even if it's with a touch of apprehension, I'm strapped in, and looking forward to the ride! I'm so appreciative that you will be going on it with me.


So, for the upcoming week.

As I haven't heard from my web guy yet, I will be getting in touch with him on Wednesday, to see what is shaking in that department.

I pretty much have my press release ready to go, I just need to get some feedback from some kids on "A Crazy Day", and confirmed dates, so I can add those in there.

It's still looking good for having books in my house in or around Feb. 16th or 17th. Can't Wait!

Until Next Week!

Thank you again for reading my ramblings!



May your week bring you news that is nothing but good.
May your job bring you satisfaction, as a job should.

May you experience the unbridled glee in a toddler's giggle.
May you come across something provocative that makes your mind wiggle.

May you crank the tunes from highschool, and dance like nobody else is around.
May you have a chance for quiet reflection where your breathing is the only sound.

Have A Great Week!

Getting Ready For Take-Off!

Hi everybody!

Ya know a couple of days ago, things were looking a little melty outside, now.....yeah, not so much. Again with the -30* windchill! Well at least at this point, we know it can't last more than a couple of more months, right? Right?

Well, let's see, looking back at the past week, there were no emails from my web guy yet, probably in the upcoming week.

I did talk with McNally about an event date, so that is underway, should have a date nailed down in the next few days. It was so nice to hear how excited they are about this new book. They said they are looking forward to getting it on the shelf asap, as "Lexi" has done so well! Cool, right?

Still haven't assembled the updated song books, very monotonous job, not looking forward to it. Ugh, probably how I will spend the remainder of my Sunday after visiting kids and grandbaby go home.

Speaking of, Ethan got a look at the printed proof and promo poster. The whole thing is worth it just for the look on his face when he recognized himself in the illustrations! This is where I give an official nod, once again, to the talents of Hazel Mitchell. I had sent her some pictures of Ethan, and asked her to "cartoonize" him and make him a couple of years older. She never ceases to amaze me!

On a personal note, I went for my second massage this week. I don't feel quite as beat up this time and she thinks one more session ought to do the trick. Note to drivers, please stop rearending me!

We also recevied some news on the hubby's end of things, no work until Feb. 7th for sure. He doesn't do still well. Thank God for Wii!

So for the upcoming week, like I mentioned, I should be hearing from the web guy. I have an appointment for a Lasik consult after work on Tuesday. Here's hoping they have nothing but good news. I'm horrible with glasses, but my eyes are starting to do that mid-forties thing and I'm going to be doing a bunch of readings with "Crazy Day." The object is to fix my eyes so I can put off glasses for another 10 years or so. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Also this week, another massage, hopefully the last one! Prep for the show on Saturday, get a date for the reading/signing at McNally, finish updating my press release, and then......get start getting some feelers out for doing readings before the McNally event.

Oh, and did I mention I received a tentative receiving date for "Crazy Day"? Feb. 16th! I can't wait!!!

Until next time, have a great week!

May you weather the weather whether it be on the warm side or cold.

May you find the gopher or ground hog, then winter's nearly over, so we're told.

May you embrace this next season with all the promise that it brings.

May you seize all it's potential, it's adventure, it's excitement, it's wings.

May you, in the spirit of spring, experience a renewal of confidence and grace.

May you feel the winter blues melt away replaced with such colourful joy you can't wipe the smile off of your face!

Have a Good One!

Closer and Closer!

Hi!

Well, let's see, this week has been fairly productive. I received, and approved the printed proof of "A Crazy Day" on Friday! That's a biggie! Might actually have it in my hands ahead of schedule. Yep, it's looking like at the end of February, I could be holding the finished book in my hands! I should reiterate how great the people are at Artbookbindery. They are phenomenal to work with.

Also this week, I made some posters for the upcoming fundraiser we are doing for a co-operative preschool on Feb. 5th in Saskatoon. It's the 3rd annual, and is always a lot of fun. There's cocktail hour, supper, silent auction, and of course the best karaoke party you will ever witness! lol I have an event page set up on our Rainbow Entertainment facebook page, if you would like all the details.

So, for the upcoming week. I'm predicting some emails from the web guy at artbookbindery, for one. We'll be adding "A Crazy Day" to my existing webpage. www.margyreidbooks.net. It won't show up there until just before I have the book, maybe a little after. I need to start figuring out a launch date with McNally Robinson in Saskatoon. I also need to start work on updating my press release thingy so it's ready to go as soon as I have the book in hand. I also need to update my ISBN status. They like to be kept in the loop as far as publication dates and such.

Also this week, I will be reassembling our newly updated song books for the Rainbow Entertainment part of my life. Thanks to my youngest daughter, all 2100 plus songs are now included and in alphabetical order once again. We will also need to get some rehearsal time in at some point!

Oh, here's a little something to make all of you hate me just a wee bit. I would like to give my hubby and myself a bit of a pat on the back for this. It's a big job out of the way. Yes, income tax is organized, at the accountant's office, processed and waiting for the efile system to open up on the government end of things! Okay, tooting of own horn is complete.

So, here is wishing you all a great week!

May you feel every single blessing to the very deepest core of your soul.

May hardships be deflected by the sheer gratitude you hold.

May every act of kindness you give, come back to you in spades.

May you transform negativity, so from every lemon, there's lemonade.

May you see the shine and not just shadows on even the darkest night.

May you know without doubt, shadows can't last, they have to yield to the overpowering light.

Until Next Week!

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm Not Sure What I Should Call This One!

Hi Everybody!

You know, I'm all for "let it snow" and everything, but really?! This is getting crazy!

The above picture was taken through my deck door this morning, I'm not sure how much more snow will fall before we can't see out the door at all!

Anyway, about this past week. We were able to have a fairly normal week, only having one snow day, on Friday. We left the house, got in the car, plowed our way out of town and made it about 10 miles pushing snow with our little car. It was then the alternator belt blew off because of all the snow under the hood. We turned around and made our way back home, fingers crossed the whole time that we make it ok. Being it was -29*C with wind chill. Not exactly ideal hiking weather!

I did go for my massage, all in all, it was worth it. My neck was very tender to the touch for a couple of days following the treatment but, for the most part, my neck did feel better. I will need to go back a couple of more times to really fix things. Apparently I have quite a muscular neck (surprise, surprise lol) and those muscles have basically circled the wagons around the injured smaller ones, hence, a couple of more sessions. Hey, if it works, it's worth it!

Also this week, I finally received my package from Hazel. I think the postal service on both sides of the border need to go back to basic training! It arrived looking like it had been through a war, a hurricane and a tornado! Luckily the contents were relatively intact, but the package itself was beaten and torn.

On the bright side of that scenario, I was able to get "A Crazy Day" off to the printer! Text, with notes, illustrations, rear cover write up, including picture for the back,done, done and done!

I have found, on both occasions where it was necessary for me have my picture taken for the back cover of my books, that I find it pretty stressful. I guess just knowing that this is the picture people will be looking at, it has to be a decent picture. What to wear, make up, hair, very conscious maybe too much so, of the kind of image I will be putting out there. It's very intimidating. Especially for a person who is not real crazy about getting her picture taken to begin with. Anyway, it's done. Hopefully it turns out ok.

Now, within the next few weeks the emails will be flying back and forth between the people at the printer's office and myself. The cover design lady, the print layout guy, the web guy, and the guy that orchestrates it all.

Proofing, making any changes, font, size of font, type of paper,what to put where etc. the mechanical side of writing books. It's very interesting, this is where I have to make a lot of decisions, although they seem small are very important, as to how they effect the finished book.

Before "Lexi", I had no idea how many decisions went into making a children's book. It's been an incredible learning experience, that I look very forward to continuing.

Today is my baby daughter's birthday. She turns 20 today. I think back to 20 years ago, my girls were 4,3,1 and a new born. I was 24, my hubby, 26, we were living on love, and not much more. Stretching pennies within an inch of their life! Would we change any of it? Not in your life! Every struggle started a ripple that spread out and touched a certain part of our lives. It made us strong as a couple and even stronger as a family.

So today, my baby is 20. Happy Birthday!

Until next week, a wish for all of my daughters.

May the road before you be filled with adventure, surprises, hills, and curves.

May you learn the skill of maneuvering through with adaptability, wisdom and swerves.

May you be open to all opportunities both the obviously loud and the subtly quiet.

May you have the insight to choose to pursue the ones right for you, without too much inner riot.

May you find a love that treats you with respect and consideration, who leaves you with no doubt that you are his one and only "one".

May you, in return, feel that without him, there would be no smile, no joy, no fun.

May you enter this next chapter of your lives with a sense of great anticipation and awe.

May you, in this chapter, discover, embrace, and celebrate the incredible women you are.

See you next Week!