Baby, It's Cold Outside!!!!!!!!

Yup, it's that time of year! The time when parts of our province are actually colder than the North and South Poles! When boiling water turns instantly to mist, exposed skin freezes in a matter of a couple of minutes, and it hurts to breathe without using your scarf as a filtre.


Although this gives ample reason to stay indoors, play board games and watch movies, it's pretty hazardous to those who have to travel or work outside. 

It must also be a shock to those neighbours who are spending their first ever winter in this type of climate. I've never lived anywhere else, and it's tough, I can't imagine what it must feel like, if, last winter, you were residing in a much warmer part of the world.

Might be a good time to go through closets, put our hands on heavy winter coats we no longer wear, find an appropriate charity and make some room!

A New Year stretches before us, full of surprises, adventures awesome things, and, very likely, some, not so awesome things. I look forward to the ride!

Now, some New Year's Resolutions...........

Dear 2018 I hereby promise the following


1. I will absolutely not be opening for Kenye West in Madison Square Garden.


2. I, most definitely will be partaking in some grown-up beverages and some form of chocolate.


3. I will refrain from running marathons.......on my hands.


4. I will absolutely be attending book-related events, meeting new people, and having a blast.


5. I will not be participating in any conga lines in the South of France.


6. I will continue down an avenue that involves the Toronto Film School.


7. I will not be learning to parkour, using Manhattan rooftops as my playground.


8. I will most certainly be singing some karaoke somewhere, at some time, more than once.


9. I will not ride pajama wearing zebras in tornadoes or hurricanes.


10. I will be working on my next Children's book, and other projects.


I vow to do my very best to stick to these resolutions.


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Well, Christmas was fast, furious, fantastic, and, of course, included at least one sicky. In this case two. One grandbaby and one Son-in-law were down for the count. It wouldn't be Christmas without at least one fever and a few chills! Once medication and some naps were added to the mix, a relatively good time was still able to be had.

Now, on to the New Year! I can't, nor would I want to, greet a New Year without a look back a few years. This year, it will be 28. New Year's Day, 1990 we welcomed our third daughter to our growing family. A firecracker, for sure, and the red hair to prove it, but, also a kind, generous, warm, loving, loyal person. But, never mistake her kindness for weakness. That, my friends, would be a mistake.

As you welcome the new year, take a moment to reflect, wish 2017 a fond farewell, then, turn and give 2018 a big ol' smooch!

Looking forward to see what 2018 has in store!



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See you next year! Until then........


May you ring in the new year full of hope, full of laughter, toasting to all great things to come.
May your fond farewell to the past be filled with gratitude for what was, and wasn't, for need the bad with the good to create a complete sum.

May you walk into the new year a kinder, more patient, happier version of yourself.
May you do this, even without the snitching threat of that crazy elf on a shelf.

May this new year bring you everything that makes your heart sing and your soul smile.
May you greet this new chapter with grace, remembering all good things come, but sometimes, you just have to wait a while.



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Happy New Year!


www.margyreidbooks.com     

Happy Holidays!

Hi!


Well, the waiting and prepping is drawing to a close as the Holidays are here!


For a lot of us, it's a time for family celebrations, get-togethers, fun, and laughter, as it should be.

For some, it's anything but a happy holiday.

It might be the first holiday after the loss of a loved one, a break-up, loss of a job or an illness. There is no getting around the fact that this isn't going to be a jolly time of year for some.

For those walking your way through this tough time, reach out, there is no need to walk alone, hold dear the memories, let the tears cleanse your soul, but know that, if you feel it, it's okay to smile.

Let's all take a beat amongst the hustle and bustle and use that minute to be kind, patient, and willing to do that little bit extra.

Maybe it's a leaving a bigger tip, handing out gift cards to strangers in the street, making the overworked staff at your local store smile, maybe it's simply reaching out to someone you know could use a friend.

Whatever it is for you, don't hesitate, kindness is never a mistake.

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Well folks, the week of Christmas concerts has passed. The kids are so freakin' adorable!

The teachers take such care to come up with creative ways for the little ones to celebrate. Thank you, teachers! You do an incredible job!


A bit short and sweet this week, as I still have some cookies to make, bake and decorate, and other little things to do before everybody comes home. It will be awesome to have everybody under one roof again, even if only for a short while.

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Happy Holidays!



May the spirit of the season run rich and deep through your home, steeping you in joy.
May you cherish the glowing faces of the little ones, let the magic in, enjoy.

May you, if this is the first without, reach out, take care, know you are not alone.
May you find the courage to do so, we are here, a heartbeat away, you needn't do this on your own.

May you be surrounded by laughter, good food, and those you hold most dear.
May you find you simply can't contain your joy, and share your Holiday cheer.



Until next time.......


www.margyreidbooks.com

For Santa: Cookies, Milk and........Motrin?!

Hi!

So, there is this challenge making its way around facebook. It involves taking, for 7 consecutive days, one black and white photo of your life that includes neither people nor explanations.

My sister was challenged, and, in turn, challenged me.

The above photos tell the story of my week.


If you would have tried to tell me, in December of 2007, that in December 2017, I would have a week in which I would do some work on my 8th book, do a "bit" of laundry, wrap up gifts without stress, tape an interview for a talk show, road trip, visit my sister, do a presentation for some fantastic grade 10,11,and 12 students for career day, and end the week with the 15th tradeshow of the year selling and signing the 7 books I had written.... I would have told you that you were completely delusional and should likely seek medical attention.

What I've learned.... That turning challenges into opportunities, refusing to fit in any box and obliterating the existence of comfort zones leads to some pretty great places, as long as your willingness to work hard matches your willingness to dream.

It's been another "pinch myself" kind of week.


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So with Christmas only a little over a week away, inevitably, if you have little ones, discussions about Santa become fairly frequent.

One such discussion that I know of went a little something like this.....


Mom:  So what do you think we should leave out for Santa this year?

4-year-old:  Milk and Cookies!

5-year-old: And carrots for the reindeer!

Mom: That sounds pretty good.

5-year-old: And maybe some coffee....

Mom: Coffee? Why do you think he would like coffee?

5-year-old: He might need the caffeine to keep him from getting sleepy, so yeah, coffee.

Mom: Okay, I guess we can do coffee.

After a bit of thought.....

5-year-old: aaaand maybe some Motrin.

Mom: Motrin?! Why Motrin?

5-year-old: In case he's not feeling good. The medicine will make him feel better so he can finish taking the gifts to everybody.

Mom: You know you just might be right. Motrin it is.


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Even though the past week has been pretty amazing, I look forward to what is coming up......


Christmas concerts starring grandbabies aplenty...........

Work the shop..........

A day of errands........................

Finish off the #ChristmasBaking.......

Write!!!!!

Have a cookie decorating day with said grandbabies!!!!!!!


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Well, that about does it for now...

With some bright-eyed students in mind, I'll leave you with this wish.....



May you see your dreams as tangible things, they are not made of mist.
May you see that the more you put into them, the more solid they become, persist.

May you understand that the only thing that stands between where you are and where you want to be is your willingness to work.
May you understand that curves, hardships, and setbacks are simply part of the journey, making you stronger, making you wiser, a priceless, prickly perk.

May you find yourself, someday, living a dream far beyond what your imagination is able to now, today, even recognize.
May you see that with passion, determination, persistence, adaptability, your limits live on the other side of the universal skies.



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

A Heartbeat's Length.......

Hi.


Whenever I hear the eerie shrill of an ambulance's siren scream through the air, I can't help but think of the lives that will change because of it.

Lives change in a heartbeat. Any time of year, under any circumstance it can be heartbreaking. During this time of year, when there is such a focus on family get-togethers, Christmas magic, and fun, that heartbreak is multiplied. When it involves a child, it's impossible to fathom the depths of the sorrow reached.

Growing up in a rural community you know everyone, attend school with everyone from miles around. This creates a great sense of extended family. People look out for and care for each other.

When tragedy strikes, the wagons circle, and the flow of love and support begins.


Such a tragedy struck my hometown this past week when the young son of a former schoolmate passed away.

The soul-eviscerating, heart-crushing grief that must strike when this happens is unfathomable. The question does not become, How does a person heal from this? The immediate question has to be, How do I keep breathing? How do I survive this? How do we survive this?

To the family, my heart aches for you, my heart breaks for you.


Although the gift of your son was given to you for but a heartbeat's length, his shine will remain with you in every heartbeat to come.



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Let's not take for granted that tomorrow is guaranteed, that we have all the time in the world to patch up relationships, straighten out misunderstandings, heal old wounds.

Say the 'I love you', the 'I forgive you' the 'I'm sorry', or just silently let crap go, if that's what you need to do.

The words left unsaid can often be the loudest and hardest to shake.


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With a certain family in mind, I'll leave you with this wish.....



May you, as the noise settles, and silence echoes where his voice once rang, find strength, find courage.
May you find your breath, a way to put one foot in front of the other, to fight the invincible cocooning urge.

May you, in time, once again find peace, and some semblance joy, for other littles need to feel you smile, even though you may feel like a liar.
May you see that they are learning from you what it means to grieve, how to survive the pain, how to walk through this fire.

May you lean on those who surround you, and know the rest of us carry you in our prayers.
May you, as time inevitably passes, when the edges of grief are less cutting, find that smiles come more readily than tears.



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

May Your Goodbyes Be Sweet......

Hi.

It is, once again, with a heavy heart that I am writing this week's ramblings.

When you come from a large family, as I do, there are a ton of things to celebrate. Lots of milestones, weddings, pregnancy announcements, birth announcements, lots of reasons to send each other congratulations. Unfortunately, the flipside of that is losing people. A lot of people. 

Luckily, because of the sheer volume of people involved, none of us go through these losses alone. 

Not so long ago, we lost Uncle Mike the junior "Bookend" of the 14 siblings created by my Mom's Mom and Dad. Yesterday evening, we lost the senior "Bookend", Uncle Norbert. 

This was an uncle who fathered a string of 7 daughters, was the first to tear up listening to a beautiful choir, was always ready for a laugh and was one of the best huggers I have ever known.

The bookends. More than twenty years separated their births, their departures, but a blink between them. 

Five brothers now keeping a watchful eye, and no doubt sharing a rum or two in the process. 

Knowing Uncle Norbert's love of life, I feel he would want us not to dwell too long in sorrow, but raise a glass in his honour, and smile, holding the best of memories dear.

Sadly, Uncle Norbert's passing was not the only one felt by our family, this week. Earlier in the week, the father of three of our nephews lost his battle with a very serious illness. A hardworking man, not yet 65, left behind the broken hearts of many loved ones. 

Losing loved ones is likely the toughest thing we have to live through, as humans. The love and connection that lifts us and makes us thrive, is also what makes saying goodbye so difficult. 

So worth it.

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Besides receiving hard news, the past few days were filled with a bit of work at the shop, some gift wrapping, Christmas baking, marking calendars for grandbaby Christmas concerts and the completion of Snowmanpalooza!

The upcoming week will include a bum around day with my hubby, working shop, more baking, more wrapping, and doing my best to fix up a 4year-old"s self-inflicted haircut. (before Christmas concert), and spend some time with a fabulously big family sharing memories 

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Until next time, with loved ones in mind........

May your goodbyes be sweet, filled only with the most beautiful memories to help you through.

May you carry each other beyond the grief, lifting, consoling, lightening the load with all you do.

May you understand that although time may not heal all wounds, it does help them change, even fade.

May you give yourself permission to take that time, then, once again walk in the sun, away from the shade. 

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Until next week..... 

www.margyreidbooks.com 

Imagine The Magic!!!

Hi!


The Holiday Season has officially hit it the Reid household.  With tradeshows every weekend I started the decorating a bit earlier than usual because I have to do it a bit at a time.

Between this hip not being completely back up to par and fighting some weird cold/laryngitis type thing, a bit at a time is what it needs to be. Hardly the biggest problem in the world.


One of the upsides of early decorating is getting to steep in this little munchkin's reaction to everything. The snow globes, dancing snowmen, and Christmas tree, Oh My!

How incredible it must all seem to these young eyes. Last year she was a bit young to take it all in, this year you can see the magic of it all reflected in her eyes.

The lights that are beginning to appear all over town as you go for car rides. Everywhere you go and everywhere you look, magic, magic, and more magic.

To have the opportunity to experience this time of year through the beautiful eyes of this little face, once again, is priceless. We got the chance through our kids, and now through our grandbabies.

When our kids were small, things were so hectic, and stressful. If I could give my younger self some advice, it would be to relax more and just enjoy it. I would tell my "young mom me" to accept the fact that there is no such thing as a perfect Christmas, and give myself permission to just let it not be perfect. I would tell my "young mom me" to not stress so much over that perfect gift from the wish list, just give them the magic, it's what they will remember. Trendy toys come and go, but the magic lives forever.


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Over the past several days...........

A great tradeshow in Swift Current where a bunch more books found new homes despite the fact that when I tried to chat with people it came out more like a drunken cat gargling peanut butter.

This was followed by days unable to be of much use on a phone etc at the shop.

I was able, however,  to get a bit of a jump on a presentation for the upcoming career day in which I need to say something brilliant to inspire some teenagers. Inspire might be overshooting, I'd settle for not bored.

I also had a nice chat with a new acquaintance about a possible new writing adventure.....

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

Tradeshow tomorrow in Kindersley at the mall.

Working the shop

Running errands

Prep for tradeshow next weekend in Cupar

Write!!!!!!


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Until next week....



May you allow yourself to see the magic of the season, and let it soak in.
May you celebrate the imperfections, real joy lives in games played and words spoken.

May you enjoy the giggles, the wide-eyed wonder, the lights, the endless verses of jingle bells.
May you never tire of "Twas The Night Before Christmas" and other stories of Santa and his pals.

May you celebrate this time with family and friends, cherish every minute, tomorrow is a gift but not a promise.
May you give yourself permission to relax, watch some "Grinch," pour some wine, eat chocolate in your pajamas.

May you allow yourself to experience the magic, let it make you smile.
May you give yourself permission to enjoy, it's really okay, at least every once in a while.




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www.margyreidbooks.com

The 2017 Snowman Migration Begins!

Well folks, before now, I imagine you were unaware of the fact that snowmen migrate. Well, they have officially begun their annual journey from the basement. It seems, every day, a few more make their presence known.

My family loves to tease me about my fascination with these little guys, but, honestly, how can you look at them and not feel at least a little bit of holiday spirit seep in. Though, what is featured in the photos is a thin representation of the whole, it is more than worth the teasing when tiny people visit my home, and after taking it all in, with wide eyes and huge smiles, inform me with conspiratorial whispers that "Christmas lives in your house."

I'll take the teasing, gladly.


With office parties revving up, the constant stream of what to buy for that perfect gift, the wishlists to Santa taking shape and 'Elf on a Shelf ' back on facebook, there is no denying that the holiday season is here.

Inevitably this triggers the narrative that there is some conspiracy to stop people from saying "Merry Christmas."


Over the years, I have put forth a few of my own experiments on this very subject. In a variety of different crowds, in several different places in the presence of people from multiple cultures I have, in rotation wished people either Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, and Happy Quanza. The only reason I didn't include more, is that I'm not completely confident in the specific names of the twenty plus other observances that happen during the month of December.

This is what I came away with........


I never came across one single person who was offended by any greeting. Neither did any person correct me or try and stop me.

What I think?

"Happy Holidays" seems to be the most inclusive greeting. It's not because "Merry Christmas" or other greetings offend or anger anyone, it's the simple fact that "Happy Holidays" excludes no one, and personally that, as far as I can tell, best aligns with the spirit of the season.

No one will be offended by you sincerely wishing them well. Happy greetings cost nothing, feel free to be generous with them.


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The past week included some grandbaby snuggles, a superhero movie marathon, giving my hubby a haircut, some prep for future book promotions, dust bunny hunting, laundry, Christmas shopping, and fighting with some weird cold/laryngitis thing that, in turn, had me helping out with the shop as best as I could from home.

 Life is running at its usual crazy pace. Trying to take time, make time, to let the bits of downtime soak in.

The upcoming week....

Tradeshow in Swift Current on the 18th......

Work the shop..............

prep for tradeshow on the 25th.....

Assist in the snowman immigration........





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Until next time......

May you revel in the beautiful chaos that this season of giving provides.
May you sustain your sanity, take a beat, let it be fun, let any anxiety subside.

May you release the vision of perfection that can overtake the joy.
May you realize the magic, for your little one, does not live in any toy.

May you see the real magic comes from the fun, the laughter, making a decoration, nibbling a special treat.
May you see wish lists change from year to year, toy trends fade, enchanted memories remain forever sweet.


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www.margyreidbooks.com