Merry Christmas And Happy Holidays From Mister C And Me…

Mister C and Me wanted to firstly wish all of our avid readers and book fans, with family and friends around the globe and our Aussie land, a very Merry Christmas and a happy, sunny festive holiday. Sadly, there is much unrest over our globe at present, with ongoing hostilities and community displacement in the Middle East and Ukraine, while the cost and rise in living here back home is far greater than ever right now. We hope all families and communities can come together to celebrate this unique season, with whatever can be spent, spared or afforded (we really only need a little of anything to have a bit of fun?). We hope everyone will also be able to spend some quality time with loved ones over this time, while also remembering our loved ones not with us anymore (RIP my dear dad, Fix-it-dad, Oma and dear nan). For other families and communities who do not celebrate Christmas, we hope you all have a happy holiday and break from school (and work) too. Please remember to check on our older members in our communities and to share the kindness around (it will always pay it forward, no matter what the situation)…

As this is the holidays (today is Boxing Day here), I will be writing a shortened holiday version of the blog this week. Flossy and Mister C want to play a fun board game this afternoon, so I best get off the laptop very soon; not to mention I am pretty sore (right hip, shoulder and lower back) from standing in the kitchen, while helping with Christmas lunch and the clean up! I wanted to acknowledge Husband (always my rock) for all of his work and happy humming around the house these past weeks in the lead up to Christmas. I didn’t think I would be able to get through it all (especially the gift wrapping), but with Husband by my side (and the kids too), we got through it just fine (albeit my ongoing recovery pain that is still bothering me)…

I also wanted to thank Husband’s parents (Hiya M & J) for having us over last weekend, for a lovely early Christmas lunch and catch up. It was great to see and catch-up with G-Dad’s daughter and her family on the day as well. It was also G-Dad’s special birthday the week before to also mention; Husband did take a nice card and G-Dad’s favourite dark choc, as a little gift when he stayed over for work the week prior. Mister C commented when we got home in the later afternoon from seeing his Grandparents, “Wow, G-Dad is looking pretty fine for a salty codger, Mummy. I hope I can look as good as him one day, even when I’m older too!” (Love you G-Dad and Granny!).

Excitedly, our seventh children’s book has finally been published and is now available everywhere! This includes: Amazon, Apple, Kobo, Tolino, Books2Read, Smashwords, Goodreads and many more. We are also excited to announce, our book will not only be available as an eBook through these channels, but now also as a paperback book through Amazon (KDP)! Why don’t you take a peek at all of our books through Amazon and also check out my Author Central page too (Ing Ledlie Books)… We will continue to attend our local Rotary market bookstall each month (weather and my recovery and ongoing injuries permitting) and all books (including our two poetry books) as signed author copies will be available. We are extremely grateful and honoured to be able to continue to write our stories and share these books with you all. I am super proud of Mister C (and of course the girls). I wanted to say a big thankyou to my son for his continued zany words, dreams and stories. Without children the world would indeed be a too quiet place…

Flossy quietly mentioned to me a few weeks ago, that she didn’t have much cashola to buy us anything for Christmas this year. We chatted about the fact Flossy did not have a job as of yet (she is in the process of applying to a few retail stores after Christmas). I reassured Flossy that she didn’t need to contribute any cashola towards gifts this year, and that I had her back (labelled a few gifts from her to Widy and Mister C). As a little Christmas gift to me, Flossy commented that she wanted to set up and run a new TikTok account to help promote our children’s and poetry books. I was chuffed at the idea and notion, but then asked Flossy what TikTok was actually about! (I hadn’t seen or used this app much before). Indeed Mister C keeps calling it ‘Tik-tak’! … Thanks so very much, Flossy, for creating all of this for our books and for also explaining how this app works; it means the world to us, as you always do.

So… (drum roll) without further ado, here is our new TikTok account and platform for Me And Mister C! We’d love you all to check out our site, like and or follow as you wish. We will be adding new videos (TikTok’s I believe) each week and we will be adding some videos of my actual illustrating work as well (sounds a little exciting!)… 🧡

https://www.tiktok.com/@meandmisterc

As it’s the festive season, I thought you might like another Word From Mister C to end our blog this week… Enjoy!

While visiting with Dad to see Me in the ICU, Mister C was a bit shy and also in awe of the machines, lines and equipment that were all attached to Me, while I was resting in the hospital bed. Mister C lent over the bed and gave me a gentle hug, as I initially recovered from my neck surgery earlier that morning, which all took place on Mister C’s actual birthday. Watching the staff around Me, Mister C saw one of the ICU nurse’s put up a new syringe and he then whispered to Dad, “That syringe looks like it has glue in it, Dad! I wonder what would happen if glue was actually in the syringe?!” Dad quietly giggled and then shook his head, “No, my son, that wouldn’t be a good idea.” The male nurse looking after Me, looked up and chuckled, “I haven’t heard anyone say that before. I think the glue would get stuck in the machine!” Mister C nodded and then turned back to Dad, “What if the number on that noisy monitor went to zero?” We looked at each other and I attempted to hoarsely giggle, while holding the side of my sore neck; the male nurse smirked and replied to Mister C, “Trust me, that wouldn’t be a good thing!”…  

A Word From Mister C…

Sitting watching TV in the lounge room after tea, Mister C climbed up the staircase from downstairs in the rumpus room. Mister C sighed and then smiled, “Hey, Mummy, are we going to see the Christmas fairy lights around our town tomorrow tonight? It is Christmas Eve tomorrow, right?” I looked up and replied, “Yes, my son. It sure is Christmas Eve tomorrow!” Flossy was also sitting on the other lounge near me, staring at her mobile phone. Flossy looked up and giggled, “I’m actually looking forward to seeing the Christmas lights this year, Mum. Last year I wasn’t in a good place, mainly because of school and four of my best friends were all leaving at the end of the year too! Now things are much better!” I nodded and smiled back at Flossy, “I’m so glad, my Floss, we will have a fun time this year!” Mister C sat down on the rug near me and said, “Yes, I can’t wait to see the Santa lights. Did you know, Mummy, the lights help Santa see in the dark, so he can ride his sleigh with the reindeer, to deliver the presents to all the children around the whole globe. I don’t think Santa would see well without the lights, he might even get lost somewhere over the Sahara Desert!” All laughed…   🎅🎄

Stay tuned…

Me and Mister C wanted to wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year for 2024 coming up next week (it is very close!). I know we all are looking forward to the New Year and what this future time may hold for us. Me and Mister C are looking forward to attending our two exciting author and book events in ACT, early January (11th and 19th); we hope to see some familiar faces and families, as well as some new happy faces. We are truly honoured to have been invited by the ACT Heritage Library and ACT Libraries to launch our latest (seventh) book, and are thrilled to be attending these two events. Mister C said, “We’ll have to come up with something pretty great for the day, Mummy. I think a fun activity for everyone to make or do to add to the event would be good?” I thanked Mister C for his idea (what would I do without him?); we are now working on something fun to share for both events, stay tuned… 😊