Winter Storms and Monkey Chunks!



Hi All!



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


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


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


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

Speaking of which,

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


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

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

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


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

Watch the Oscars!


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


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



Until then I'll leave you with this wish:



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

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

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

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


Until next week!

www.margyreidbooks.net

Yay! Baby Snuggles!

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

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

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

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


So, for this past week....

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

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

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

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

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

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

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




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

More baby snuggles!

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

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

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


Until Next Week!

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



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

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

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


Until Next Time!

www.margyreidbooks.net

Oh Baby! Oh Baby! Oh Baby!



Hi Folks!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Until Next Week!

www.margyreidbooks.net



Ready For The "Go Time" Call!

Hello, folks!



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


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

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

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

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

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


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

So folks, for the upcoming week?

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

www.margyreidbooks.net

The Countdowns Begin!

Ok, you caught me.

Hey, we're sneaking up on February, so a little daydreaming about summer is allowed. Long, warm days, bar-b-ques and sipping cold drinks on the deck. Won't be long now. Well, let's see.....groundhog day is approaching, and I believe this is how it works. If the groundhog either sees or doesn't see his shadow we either will or won't have approximately 6 weeks of winter left. Now, let's see, 6 weeks from groundhog day is...........oohhh March 15. Yup, wouldn't be too surprised if the weather starts warming up around then!

Excuse my sarcasm, I certainly don't mean to offend any groundhog day fans. I blame the cabin fever, or, as we call it where I come from, getting "shack wacky."

Well folks, about a week or so from now, my new grandbaby is due to make his way into this world.

The finishing touches on the crib and other preparations are most likely being done as we speak. We were able to get the majority of things done on Friday, but ran out of time. Today was spent going on a little road trip with my oldest daughter to my Mom's house a couple of hours away. The reason for the trip? My mom is awesome! She is giving my daughter a great baby cuddling chair as a baby gift! Kerianne was thrilled when she found out!

I'm so excitedscaredhappyworried for her. She will be a spectacular Mommy!

Soooooo, on the book front.

This week, I sent out a few "feeler" emails to try and pick some brains on marketing children's books.

Here's hoping I get a reply from at least one of them. The trick with this is getting information for free. Well, it's worth a try, if it doesn't work, I'll just have to find another way. There has to be one, I just haven't figured it out yet.

Also, this week, I started the polishing process on the story that is going to become the next book. I'm going to have to rework it a bit, to take it from "story" to "book", but it's coming along. I have a few more weeks to make it work. I'm still working toward having the book and notes ready to send to Hazel to begin illustrations by the beginning of March.

So, for the upcoming week:

Be on the ready for "go time" with grandbaby!!!!!

If I don't receive an answer from any of my "feelers",  come up with some brilliant plan to put my books on the best seller list by the end of the year. (Piece of cake, right?)

Put further polish on the next book.

Gratuitous nose wiping, diaper changing, and playing of ring around the rosie

The heady glamourousness that is laundry and housework.

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

May joy lead the way of all emotion, followed closely by confidence and gratitude.

May everyone you encounter be experiencing only the most glorious of moods.

May every day bring with it happiness, laughter and success.

May a light be shone on the great "little" things, for they usually are the best.

May you feel an undeniable, insurmountable urge to skip down the street where you live.

May you be, just bearly, able to suppress the impulse to break into song, for you know it's there in your GLEEful heart to give.

Thanks so much for reading these ramblings!

Until Next Week!

www.margyreidbooks.net





"Lexi" and "Crazy" Head to New York? Maybe!

Hellooooooooooo!


Well, this has been quite a week.

Along with so many around the world, I was very saddened to hear about the passing of Etta James. She was an incredible voice, and did so much for women in music. Her courage and determination to, not only follow her dreams, but to do so through incredible hardships and with such passion, makes it very clear I, for one, have no excuses not to chase down my own.

When those before us break through and overcome more barriers and difficulties than we can even entertain as a thought, I feel it kind of becomes our responsibility to give our dreams a real shot. I can't believe, in good conscience, they went through all that they did so we would sit around  doubting ourselves, and talking ourselves out of things because of what others might think or say.

That being said, we are all still human, and in a lot of cases, fear failure, and, I think, in even more cases, fear success. Either way, it's fear. Fear can't drive our lives, that job, I beleive,  is for Joy.


You may have noticed the picture of "Lexi's Magic Clothes" and "A Crazy Day" at the top of the page. I stepped another step out of my comfort zone this week, and sent an email to the McNally Robinson in New York. I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, and it might not turn into anything at all. In fact, it more than likely won't. It's something I've been wanting to do for a while, but, have been very hesitant about doing. I'm not even sure I can explain why. Fear. Fear of the unknown. Will there be rules about going across the border? Will they give me a shot? What if they don't? What next? What if they do? What next? I'll be sure to let you know if and when I hear anything back.

Also this week, I managed to get to work for one whole day! Yep, it was only a matter of time before old man winter reared his ugly head here in good, old Saskatchewan. With the wind, it felt like 45 degrees below zero for most of the week. Travelling any distance at temperatures like that is not something you do unless you absolutely have no choice.

The good news is, the cold snap didn't last very long. We are looking at much more reasonable temperatures for at least the next little while. But, hey, it's January, it's Saskatchewan, it's a crap shoot.


The extra time at home wasn't spent toooo frivolously. I'm happy to report that our income tax crap, I mean, papers, are ready and waiting for the accountant. I was able to get completely caught up with housework, and, had time to cook meals that required more than a george foreman grill and a microwave!

I also took upon myself to set up a facebook page for margyreidbooks.net. I have a few "likes" already, and I'd love if you would search "margyreidbooks.net" on facebook, and "like" my page. I'm hoping to get more pictures on there of different trade shows and things. Again, I'm going by the seat of my pants, so we'll see where it takes me!


The week finished off in a great way. I spent today with my youngest daughter, sorting through, washing, and folding tiny little baby clothes in preparation for her little man who is due to make an appearance in about 2 weeks. That, homemade soup,Yahtzee and a Brad Pitt movie, a good day.


So, for the upcoming week:

Research marketing strategies for promoting books.

Drop off tax stuff at accountant office.

Work.

Attend  local Library Board meeting.

Laundry, toilet scrubbing and other glamorous things.


Thanks again for taking the time to read these ramblings. Wherever they find you in this world, I hope they always find you well.

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



May you spread the warmth of a smile, no matter how bitterly cold the weather may be.
May you share the light in your laughter no matter the hours of darkness remaining in the day.

May you pink up someone's "winter blues" with a grin or unexpected hug.
May you find fires to sit by, and mugs of hot chocolate and homemade soup to chug.

May your kids bring home their own boots and mittens from the kaos of the "hometime" bell.
May they only eat the "clean" snow, and keep their snowpants from becoming laundry hell.


Would love if you checked out my books!

www.margyreidbooks.net

Cat Stories and Baby Games!

Hello, Folks!

The above picture depicts our cat in the position in which he spends 99% of his time.  As cats go.... well, let me put it this way......... he's not exactly the the sharpest claw on the paw.  For example:

As we watched through the window one lovely afternoon, we discovered our cat in the midst of putting his instinctual cat prowess to the test. You see, there were several sparrows hanging out in the lilac bush in front of our house, and beside it...our cat. He crept, oh so slowly, and deliberately, toward said bush, stalking his, or what he so hoped would be his, soon to be, prey.

Then, his time came, his time to attack, his time to reap the rewards for all of his hard work. As it happens, the timing of "his time" was off, just a titch.

Long story short, he jumped waaaaaay to soon, scared all of the birds away, and landed himself square in the middle of the lilac bush. Stuck. Yeah, not the sharpest claw on the paw.

People sometimes ask what we call our cat. He is a cat. It doesn't matter what we call him, he doesn't answer to it anyway. He is a cat, he will call us when he wants something. He is a cat, an inept, starve to death if left to his own devices cat, but a cat, all the same.

Anyway.............

I don't know about you, but, this week went by very quickly!

 I did get in touch with the disaster relief people, ( an actual person! ), and they assure me that we will be assigned an adjuster by the end of the month and an assessment of the damage will follow shortly thereafter. Yay! The ball is rolling! It may be rolling at the speed of dark, but it is rolling.

Income tax stuff is not ready for accountant yet. Might be a good job for a Sunday. Ah, who am I kidding? It's not a good job for anytime, it will suck no matter when it gets done.

It was my first full week with my new schedule, with 2 days off during the week. First one went great, hubby had the day off too. We got a few little odd jobs done, I got caught up with my sisters and mom on the phone, laundry, etc. The second day off, I was going to take a DAY OFF! I was going to have a long soak in my beautiful tub, go downstairs and play around singing a bit, go for a walk........yeah, none of that happened.

You see, I was expecting a delivery from a courier and it was supposed to show up by no later than 1 or 2 in the afternoon. So I put off my soak in my beautiful tub, didn't dare go downstairs for fear of not hearing the doorbell, couldn't go for a walk, in case I missed him. Once 4 o'clock came and went, I tried to call the courier office and was met with a voicemail. I tried again at about 5, again voicemail. I then went to the website, typed in the tracking number, and, imagine my surprise when I saw on there that the driver had put in that he had attempted delivery, but the business was closed! Not exactly sure what business he was refering to, as the delivery address was that of our house.

I called the office again...........When we got home Friday after work, the package was in our entry, and there was a profuse apology on our voicemail. As the saying goes, "the squeaky wheel gets the oil."  Sometimes I can be a very squeaky wheel.

The week ended on a very high note. Today was my baby's baby shower. Organized by her big sister, hosted by her godmother/auntie, assisted by other big sisters, attended by good friends. It was a lot of fun, interesting games that involved examining and identifying contents of diapers, ( chocolate, not poop!), word scrambles, and DON'T say cute! All in all, a really nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

So, for the upcoming week.

Income tax stuff. (speaking of poop!)

Book polishing.

Help my daughter get her apartment ready for baby.

Play with munchkins at "work"

So, with babies on the brain, I'll leave you with this wish:

May you get the opportunity to snuggle a baby, and have them fall asleep in your arms.

May you breathe in their innocent baby scent and fall deeply under the spell of their charms.

May you take time to gaze at a sleeping face, where eyelashes so long brush a chubby cheek.

May you absorb some of the utter contentment and calm, that, as adults, we can only seek.

May you touch this angel's hair so fine, give each soft, gentle curl a lift. 

May you deeply understand, in that moment, how every baby, all babies, are truly, a gift.

Until Next Week!

www.margyreidbooks.net