Yikes!

I just realized that I haven't posted on this blog for over a month! It's not that I haven't had anything to say, I've just been extremely busy with work. No complaints about that, though!

I've also been taking a class through my Freelance Success membership on Crafting Queries. It's been very interesting, though again, with work I haven't been able to give it my full attention either. My goal is to get out of the class with three saleable queries.

I just received a check from ALL YOU magazine for my first national consumer article. It's due to be printed in the February '08 issue. This was very exciting because it's my first national article, but also because I'm a subscriber to the magazine.

I've picked up a few new trade magazines. In addition to writing for the Engravers Journal, I'm also writing for Fabricator Magazine, International Bowling Industry Magazine, and Massage & Bodywork.

I'm also doing work for hire for the Teen Health Series and will be starting some website copy work for an attorney in Chicago.

Like I said...lots to do, but no complaints! I can always use MORE work, though.

Send a thank you card to our troops in Iraq

Something great that Xerox is doing...If you go to this web site, http://www.letssaythanks.com/ you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and send it to a soldier currently serving in Iraq.

You can't decide who gets it, but the card will go to some member of the armed services. How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!

Please send a card. It is FREE and it only takes a second. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these?

Whether you are for or against the war, our guys and gals over there need to know we are behind them.


Photo credit: Joshua, age 11, North Barrington, IL

bird by bird -- Anne Lamott

I just finished reading bird by bird by Anne Lamott. It was a gift from my sister-in-law who is a writer too. I loved the book!

At first I was thinking that the topic of the book didn't really apply to me because I have no interest in writing a fiction novel. I was wrong.

Anne Lamott has a way of looking at the world with a very unique eye. And though she is taking the reader step by step through the novel writing process, it seemed that I was reading a book on living. And I was. I was learning how to view the world through different eyes. A writer's eyes.

Thanks, Anne!

Common Sense Article and Other Stuff I'm Working On

Fall is upon us and the last quarter of the year is here. Where did all of the time go?

Summer always goes fast, but I think it went faster this year. With the days shortening and the weather getting more fall-like, my focus is back on my writing more than ever--and I'm getting busy!

Here's what I'm up to these days:

My new Common Sense Article came out last week. It's about my love of the library and how libraries have changed since I was a little girl.

I am working on my first national consumer magazine article. It will be in ALL YOU- one of the magazines that I subscribe to. I'm so excited to finally break into the consumer market! I'm motivated to get those queries out.

I am, also, writing an article for a "new to me" trade magazine. It's called Fabrications. I'm writing a profile piece for them on one of their Top Job competition winners. It's all new lingo, but I'm up to the challenge.

I'm still doing a lot of writing for The Engravers Journal. I enjoy the pieces that I write for them and the people at EJ are really easy to work with.

And finally, I'm editing one of the books in the Teen Health Series typically found in Public Libraries. It's a series of books that deal with all types of teen issues related to their health. This editing process is very new to me, but it's really a fun challenge.

What's going on with you?

When is it Time to Just Lie Down?

I just walked past my two dogs- very old dogs, aged 14 and 13. They were both just lying down, one in the house and the other outside, which they do most of the day now. This got me thinking.... When is is time to just lie down?

As human beings we are always pushing ourselves to keep going, to keep striving, and above all, to stay young- after all the new 60 is the new 50 is the new 40, right? My mom and I just had a conversation about this the other day. Her complaint? She just feels tired. And it makes her angry.

As I was looking at the dogs, I wondered just when is it OK to lie down? Not to quit living, mind you, but to just relax and smell the coffee, as they say. I'm not sure. What do you think?

God Bless America!!

My Newest Common Sense Article

My newest article in The Herald News came out today, "Bracing for season of fundraising." This one is near and dear to my heart since, as you'll read, I'm not a big fan of fundraising. It's probably one of the main reasons that I'm not all that thrilled with elementary school.

What do you think? Are you a fan of fundraisers?

Common Sense Article- Parents Beware of Teen Blogs

My newest installment in the Common Sense column at
The Herald News is Parents, beware of teen blogs. Check it out!

The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross

The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross (available August 7th, 2007) is a riveting tale of two women on opposite sides of the fence regarding motherhood. Thea, a classic stay-at-home mother of three and Amanda, a first time mom struggling with her decision to juggle her editing career and her baby, find themselves at once attracted and repelled by the other.

When an accident causes Amanda and her family to take temporary refuge in Thea's home, tensions between the women start to simmer. Once Thea becomes baby Malena's short-term nanny, trouble really begins.

Follow Thea and Amanda through their stories; why they chose the paths they chose, how they feel about their decisions, what makes them guilty, what they admire about each other- even in strife. Watch them grow and discover what's really important in their lives and their relationships.

Definitely and "must read" for all women- no matter what side of the fence you're on!


About the author:



Gwendolen Gross is the author of the novels FieldGuide and Getting Out, and received an MFA in fiction and poetry from Sarah Lawrence College. She lives in northern New jersey with her family.

You can visit her website at http://www.gewendolengross.com/


Photo by Chia Messina

I need a vacation from my vacation....

Well, we're back from vacation...and what fun we had! All told, between us going up to northern Michigan for four or five days and then having visitors at our home from North Carolina for four days, I'm pooped out! I wouldn't trade the fun and memories, though, of spending time with loved ones that we live so far away from now. Every moment was to be lived to the fullest. And it was. Just the way I like it!

Scholastic Books

I was reading The Urban Muse post for Thursday, July 5th. She posted about Scholastic Books. I loved Scholastic Books as a kid and I love them now. Still a bargain, starting at about 99 cents, what kid or teacher doesn't love the Scholastic Book program?



Using the monthly Scholastic Book order, I came up with a really great gift idea for one of my son's teachers that has become tradition. When my son brings home a Scholastic Book order, and decides what he'd like to get, I round the check up or add a dollar or two with a note to the teacher telling her to use the remainder of the money for books for the classroom. I don't do it with every order, but occassionally through the year, and the response has been great.

What are your memories of Scholastic Books? Do you have any great gift ideas?

Have a little "Common Sense"

My first installment as a contributor to the Herald News' "Common Sense" opinion column came out in the newspaper (and online) July 5th. I'm contracted to write 14 articles that will be published approximately once per month. The concept is simple...I get to write about anything that I feel compelled to write about. What fun, huh?

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

I wonder why we started calling Independence Day the "Fourth of July?"

Don't get me wrong, I love the parties, the fireworks and the food that go along with the holiday, whether we call it Independence Day or the Fourth of July. I just think it's important, at this point in time, to stop and remember that our independence, our voice and our freedom- especially since we have men and women giving their lives daily- comes at a cost.

Every day thousands of people from other countries leave their homeland and come to the "land of the free and the home of the brave" to live the "American Dream". Shouldn't we stop and take a minute to be thankful that we were born in a country that is the ultimate dream for so many people?

I am very thankful. How about you?

Happy Birthday, America!

Got Your Ears On, Good Buddy?

Havin' some fun with Z...

At least he thinks it's funny!

I never know, as my boys grow up, just when they're going to think something is funny or not. C is only eight, so he's still pretty easy to read. Z is 17, though, so I'm never sure how he's going to take being teased a little. Looks like he has a sense of humor regarding the Mickey Mouse ears, though.

Isn't he cute?

It's gettin' hot in here

(AP Photo/Ben Margot)

This picture says it all!

The World's Ugliest dog, Elwood, looks the way I feel. I'm not sure it can get much more humid today in Joliet. I'm not complaining, though...

Yahoo! Gone mad with ads....

Alright... I think I've had enough now!

It was OK when Yahoo! added ads to my home page. It was annoying at first, but they only took up one little corner of the page, so I got used to it. I was willing to give them a corner...

BUT NOW they've gone and taken up half of my email page with ads too. They have a big box in the middle and about 3 or 4 boxes down the side. I can barely see my folders anymore! That's a bit much people.

I know that I could switch email accounts, but I really generally like the set up that I have. So I guess that I'm just venting... I did write them an email, though, and complained... probably won't do much good. They probably just read those emails and laugh...

Does anyone else get tired of ads?

I'm feeling a bit bombarded!

No offense, mom....

Yesterday I was sitting at my kitchen table eating lunch with my son who's sitting directly across from me. He says, "No offense, mom..." and starts pointing to my eye. I thought he was trying to tell me that I had food on my eye, so I start wiping. Again he says, "No offense, mom... but you have ahhh... crow's feet." And, then, without skipping a beat..."You know they have cream for that, right?" Gotta love them! Good thing they're so stinking cute...

Summer Vacation Has Started

I love summer. Summer is my favorite time of the year (as I've said over and over again ad nauseum). I love warm weather, flowers, sun, swimming and just the whole undisciplined manor of the season.

I love having my boys home too. No homework, lots of playing and swimming, late nights and bon fires. Lots of fun doing pretty much nothing really. But that's the beauty of summer, isn't it? Lots of time to take it easy.

I think all of us need a little bit of down time and I think summer provides that. Even if you work all summer, at least the days are longer. There just seems to be more time to live our lives and slow down a little bit. To stop and smell the roses, if you will.

What does summer mean to you?

Summertime!

Summertime is finally here!

Gardens are being planted, weeds are being pulled, lawns are being mowed, pools are being opened up.

I. Love. Summer!

Summertime means that we have family visit us here in Illinois from Michigan. Seems like every weekend is packed with things to do. Going to the city is a great trip for visitors. It's a great trip for us, too, since we don't go to the city much otherwise.

Vacationing in Michigan is still a real treat for us. I guess that one can relocate, but it seems that home is always home.

What does summertime mean to you? Where do you vacation? Where is home-where you were born or where you live now?

The Department of Lost and Found by Allison Winn Scotch

Allison Winn Scotch's debut book, The Department of Lost and Found, is everything that I hoped it would be and more! This poignant, funny and enlightening story takes the reader on a true journey of self discovery.

TDLF is the story of Natalie Miller, a highly driven New York Senator's aide, propelled by her will to succeed (and someday become President). She will do everything necessary to get to the top- no matter who gets hurt in the process. Just when she feels that her life is on the right course, Natalie is diagnosed with breast cancer AND her boyfriend dumps her!

Feeling alone, Natalie learns to let go and lean on friends and family for support- a concept very foreign to her.

Though breast cancer is a tough subject, Allison does a remarkable job of weaving humor, strength and eye-opening life lessons into her debut book. Follow Natalie on her journey of self-discovery and you will not be disappointed! TDLF is a definite "must read"!




ABOUT ALLISON
Allison Winn Scotch is a frequent contributor to numerous consumer magazines including American Baby, American Way, Arthritis Today, Bride's, Cooking Light, Fitness, Glamour, InStyle Weddings, Lifetime Television, Men's Health, Men's Fitness, Parents, Parenting, Prevention, Redbook, Self, Shape, Weight Watchers, Woman's Day, Women's Health, and ivillage.com, msn.com, and women.com, as well as American Airlines Custom Magazines and American Express Custom Magazines. Her debut novel, The Department of Lost and Found, will be published in May 2007 by William Morrow, a division of HarperCollins.

You can read more about The Department of Lost and Found and check out Allison's Website and Blog at these addresses:

www.allisonwinnscotch.blogspot.com
www.allisonwinn.com

Oh, my aching muscles!

I am so sore! Not crippled, mind you, but my muscles are aching all the way up the back of my legs from my calves to my bum. What prompted this soreness, you ask?

Running.

I. Hate. Running. Anyone who knows me knows that I hate running. I have decided, though, that in order to drop the rest of the weight that I want to lose, that I must run. Not far. Just far enough to jar my body into weight reduction, which does seem to be working. It's been about a month and a half now and I have seen some weight loss... mostly in my face, but it is working it's way down. I just know it!

The soreness comes in because I've just recently graduated from running one minute at a time to running for 20 minutes straight. Yesterday it was 15 minutes, today 20, tomorrow I die! I'm thinking that maybe I've graduated too fast. (I'm asking myself: "How do people run five miles at a time...every day? Does the running get easier? When does it quit hurting?")

At this point you might be thinking that I'm a wimp. I know that I'm a wimp! Anything that induces pain is generally a no, no for me. But, I know that running has worked for me in the past, so I'm willing to give it another try. As they say, "no pain, no gain"- or loss in this case! I think I'll just put up with the discomfort for awhile longer and see where it gets me.

Anyone else going "against their grain" for some desired results?

Poisonous Plastic?!?

I know better. I ALWAYS check www.Snopes.com to see if emails that I receive are hoaxes or truths. This time I didn't. It's not such a big deal I guess, except I am a big proponent of checking the validity of viral emails. I couldn't tell you how many times I've steered friends and family to the Snopes website to "see for themselves" before forwarding emails.

So, what's the fuss? I finally, after getting about 20 emails regarding microwaving plastic (and reusing water bottles), threw out my plastic cookware- except one set of Tupperware- and bought Pyrex to microwave in.

That was last week.

THIS MORNING I decided to check with Snopes. Sure enough, the plastic story is a hoax according to their website!

OR SO THEY SAY...

My premonitions were so high to replace this cookware. I'm inclined to believe, even if there's no evidence, that maybe replacing the plastic with glass wasn't such a bad idea. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut.

I've decided...Even if microwaving in plastic is perfectly safe...the glass is prettier anyway!

Peaceful Warrior

I received an email from Blockbuster and Best Buy offering free tickets for the movie Peaceful Warrior starring Nick Nolte this weekend. I went to see it with my husband and youngest son. WHAT A GREAT MOVIE!! Not the exciting, sitting on the edge of your seat movie, but very intense and thought-provoking.

This movie is about Dan, an Olympic-bound college student who has it all; the grades, the girls, major skills. In a chance meeting, though, Dan meets the man he comes to know as Socrates (Nick Nolte) and his life is turned upside down.

Dan learns some great lessons in this movie and so did I. My definition of happiness and success were really called into question. My favorite lesson: "It's not the destination that brings happiness, it's the journey."

This story is from the best-selling autobiographical novel called Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman. I haven't read the book yet, didn't even know it existed until this weekend, but I'm going to get it and read it now.

Here's what some other famous people had to say about the movie:


"A lot of movies promise happiness, but most often it's the 'fleeting' happiness of a thrill ride, and when it's over, it's over; you feel empty, and begin searching for the next thrill. Very few movies actually question what happiness is, or suggest ways that it can be sustained.Peaceful Warrior asks this question and in doing so takes you out of your mind, and those who would consider themselves sane would be 'out of their minds' not to see it. Peaceful Warrior is an important film, an inspiring film, and a film that could change lives."- Sting

"A beautifully crafted and enormously entertaining film that speaks to the strength and resiliency of the human spirit. Peaceful Warrior offers a powerful, yet rare glimpse, into the human soul. It reminds us what we are made of, reconnecting us to the power that lies within so that we feel and embrace it. See this film and it will impact the course of your life forever."–Tony Robbins

"A stunning and extraordinary film that takes you on a journey out of your mind and into the present moment. Watch it and be transformed."–Eckhart Tolle (author of "The Power of Now")

"When you hear the truth, it sounds familiar. Like seeing a reflection of something you already posses. This film is that clear and simple reflection. I enjoyed every moment."–Jim Carrey (actor)

"Absolutely inspiring! Spread the word about this film."–Joe Trippi

“Like ROCKY for the soul!”–Straw Weisman - Associate Producer of WHAT THE BLEEP DO WE KNOW!?

Definitely a movie worth seeing and, I'm guessing, a book worth reading!

Have a great week,

Lisa

Heat Wave!!

The weather here in Joliet has been absolutely gorgeous for the past two days! Sunny and near 80 degrees. I know that this is a fluke, but it sure is nice to see that summer is truly on the way.

I didn't have any trouble staying focused on my writing today and I'm sure I won't for the rest of the week because I have deadlines. If I didn't, though, I'm wondering if I'd get any writing done at all. This has been on my mind lately because I really need to stay focused throughout the summer. This is my full-time job now after all.

How do you stay focused when it's gorgeous outside?

Spring has Sprung!

March 21st!! I can't tell you how ready I am for spring! Summer, really, but spring means that summer is on the way.

I saw my first robin about a week ago. The sighting is always my signal that spring is just around the corner. I love hearing all of the birds in the morning too. Gives me so much energy!

Did you ever notice that you don't see the dust and dirt in your house until the spring sun is shining bright? Is the dirt invisible in the winter or does the sunshine bring a new awareness to our surroundings? I think the latter.

I am so revved up in the spring to get things done! Cleaning included, which is not normally something that I look forward to. I'll do it because it needs to be done usually, but in the spring it's as if someone changed my batteries and I'm raring to go. The Energizer Bunny!

Do you feel a renewed energy when springtime rolls around? What do you like to accomplish in the spring?

Quirks and Sputters...

We've lived in our house for about eight years, but it's about 13 years old.

We are experiencing all kinds of quirks and sputters with mechanical and non-mechanical items around our house...inside and out! The TV repairman just left, my dishwasher soap dispenser won't dispense (well at least not on a regular basis), my pool is leaking (nothing to do about that until spring, except to keep putting water in it as needed), my refrigerator and furnace make noises on alternate days, my son's laptop has decided to reject its operating system and my garage interior light works sometimes and not others.

I just realized that I said my house is 13 years old...unlucky number 13! Do you think that could be the problem?!?!

Is there anything strange going on at your house?

Lisa

Lots of Energy!

I have so much more energy when the sun is shining! Makes me feel that spring is just around the corner. It is...isn't it?

This week I'm working on an article about Promotional Products...you know, the "freebies" that we love to get when we go to trade shows, etc. I love them and use mine all of the time (must be the cheapskate in me!). My favorite promo items are: pens, pencils, magnets (especially the strong ones!), calculators, can coolers and t-shirts.

What are your favorites? Have you received something really unique? Tell me about your experiences with promo products. I just might be able to use the info for my article.

Happy writing!

Lisa

I'm READY for Spring!

I am so ready for spring! The weather here has been so crazy! One day it's semi-warm, the next it's freezing. One day it rains, the next day there's a blizzard. Argh!

I'm not much of a winter person anyway, but February and the beginning of March seem to be particularly hard for me. I think it's because I know that spring is just around the corner and, soon, I'll see my first robin of the year.

Anyone NOT ready?

Feeling up to the Challenge??

Are you feeling up to a challenge? Well Kristen King has challenged us to a query challenge! Check it out at:

:: inkthinker ::: Official 2007 Inkthinker Query Challenge Kick-Off

Also, Allison Winn Scotch is guest blogging at The Debutante Ball . Definitely a must-see!

Check out her blog too. It's fantastic!That link is: Ask Allison

Happy writing...oh yeah, AND querying!

Happy New Year!

Well, the holidays are over. I love them, but find I'm glad when it's time to "get back to normal". I'm excited to get back to work. I really want to see how much I can accomplish this year. How about you?