Lia Mack

Mally Beauty...Forget Bulletproof, It's Zumbaproof!

2012-01-28T07:40:00.001-08:00

Zumba is my dance club...and I love to dance.We all do!Hence, we go out dancing, zumba style...And you know the deal. You go out dancing and you've got your hair all gorgeous and your outfit is kickin' from head to toe and your makeup is perfect.The effect?You're stunning.Men stop in their tracks to look at you. Random people snap pics of you with them. Your friend who lives in Alaska texts

Reading While Writing...The Hunger Games!

2012-01-14T14:12:00.000-08:00

When I read, I read for enjoyment and the craft of writing. In my "Reading While Writing" blog posts, I list and discuss the lessons I feel each book contained for me. Feel free to follow along and add your own lessons learned :)Craft lesson #1: come up with a KILLER idea!And yes, PUN INTENDED :)Okay, spoilers aside...this novel idea was excellent! I don't usually delve into YA (I

Giving In & Letting Go...How to Open Yourself Up to Possibilities in Healing

2011-11-16T11:45:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking about the importance of some of the crap we humans have to endure and survive lately. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. People who play by the rules. People who say please and thank you. People that just do good and are good. I mean, honestly, don't we all find it crazy making to witness lightning striking in the path of good people.Yet...does lightning ever ask?Or

What are Body Memories? And How to Heal Them....

2011-11-09T07:55:00.000-08:00

Recently I was invited to be a guest blogger at www.survivormanual.com. My superhero, Angela Shelton, asked me to write up an article. And whenever any of your superheros call on you, you answer! And with a smile :)And a big ol'goofy grin it was. I have so so missed writing. Anything! It was so relaxing, better than a spa relaxing, to get the draft going, run some research, edit, edit and edit

What's Next, Zombies?!

2011-10-14T10:25:00.000-07:00

A little while back, we had an earthquake and a hurricane, all in one week.Hurriquake 2011lol...no, really, a friend of mine actually thought of making t-shirts ;)So, a few days later, here I was, driving around after the storm blew over and the waters receded, and I saw a sign posted in Annapolis - prim and proper Annapolis of all places! - that asked the simple, yet obvious question:What's

And I'm Back...Tangents And All

2011-10-07T10:00:00.000-07:00

HELLO OUT THERE!So long I've been gone, no?Lots to talk about, lots of lost time. I stopped writing - blogging, noveling, everything - back in May because, well, let's face it. The ol'brain just wasn't workin' right ;) And I winky-smile after saying that because, well, let's face it. If you can't smile, what's the point?;)So, what's new... Well, I've got the house almost to myself right now,

Dealing With Life's Ups & Downs...Mostly Downs...

2011-05-18T10:28:00.000-07:00

Nothing do, but smile through.Smile through...This has become my new mantra as of late. A few too many overwhelming items plopped onto my plate, what else can I do?Cry?Complain?You do too many of either one and you start loosing people to cry to, complain to, talk to...Then what? You end up alone. No good. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade... no matter how much that cliche hurts your head

A Novel from a Dream...When Your Subconscious Does All The Work

2011-04-19T10:57:00.000-07:00

I woke up about forty-five times the other night - okay, more like five or six times - and each and every time I woke up, I wished I could return to the dream that was interrupted by the wakefulness. I've had dreams before where I was eating or shopping or skiing down a mountain, dreams that I'd love to dream forever, only I'd wake up during the best parts, never to return again. No matter how

Reading While Writing... "The Opposite of Love" by Julie Buxbaum

2011-03-19T19:51:00.000-07:00

When I read, I read for enjoyment and the craft of writing. In my "Reading While Writing" blog posts, I list and discuss the lessons I feel each book contained for me. Feel free to follow along and add your own lessons learned :)craft lesson #1: cover art...Make sure the WHOLE title is visible!!! Don't let the pic to the right fool you. You can't even see the words "the opposite of" on the

5 Reasons to Attend a Writer's Conference...

2011-03-08T10:12:00.000-08:00

For the longest time, I thought Writer's Conferences were merely a day spent trying to network and mingle with a room full of introverted writers.Painful.So I steered clear. Kept my nose to my manuscript. Edited away. Who needs networking when I've got work to do. Then I saw a posting for a nearby conference boasting classes, informational sessions, and, yes...food. Breakfast, lunch, snacks. Oh,

Reading While Writing... "House Rules" by Jodi Picoult

2011-02-18T10:04:00.000-08:00

When I read, I read for enjoyment and the craft of writing. In my "Reading While Writing" blog posts, I list and discuss the lessons I feel each book contained for me. Feel free to follow along and add your own lessons learned :)Wow, what a fantastic book! I almost didn't finish it, knowing from past Jodi Picoult books that she doesn't always end the books the way I'd like them to live on

Back in the Swing of Things... Writing After a Break

2011-01-10T10:59:00.001-08:00

Anyone else just now rising out of the ashes of this past holiday's chaotic-fun? All I have to say is, geeze laweeze (or however you spell it).... Every year I vow to not allow the holidays to derail me from my on going routine and goals. Yet, every year seems to still get away from me.Now, I'm not altogether a total ba humbug. I'm not. (My husband says I am, but really, I'm not. Honest!) I do

Lia Mack's 2010 NaNoMo Recap...

2010-12-14T09:37:00.000-08:00

Well, it started off with a bang! And then fizzled into nothingness...November is NOT a great month in which to attempt a 50K word start to a novel. Heck, it's not a great month to do anything extraordinary other than trying to quiet the nerves in preparation for December!15K in two weeks. I think that's pretty incredible, personally ;). I would have had over 20K if I wasn't an editting freak

Do You NaNoWriMo?

2010-11-05T19:05:00.000-07:00

If you're doing NaNoWriMo this year, how's it going? So far, so good here. This graphic above will track my progress for the National Novel Writing Month. 30 days, 50K words.Will I make it...?Who knows, probably at the very last second, but it's been fun so far. I hadn't even thought to start writing this novel for another couple months, so it's nice to get an early start. And, honestly, I'm

What If?... Getting in the Mood for NaNoMo!

2010-10-22T13:00:00.000-07:00

What if?.... The question gets me in the mood every time.To write.Have you ever had this happen to you? You're walking down the street or sitting in a crowded room, watching what's going on, involved in something or other. Just minding your own business. When, all of a sudden, you see or hear something and wonder for a split second...what if?What if...? You ask yourself. And, in a split second,

A Poem... "Ask"

2010-09-27T19:15:00.000-07:00

Askby Lia MackCan you love yourself, despite yourselfand echo in the night?Can you take a trip and capture itand keep it 'till first light?Will you know no fear and sing it clear,a rumination to last?Or wither still, coward filledand sink away, pass?Can you love, love, love - sweet love - knowingthere's permanence in the past?And hallowed be - the future's might,and walk on toward star last?

Editing is Writing...and a tiny sneak peek ;)

2010-08-22T14:53:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I've been editing my little heart out for quite some time now. Quite honestly, this process is fantastically riveting, adverb intended. I love feeling out a sentence until it sings. First draft writing is nice, second draft writing is great, but after that tenth, fifteenth, twentieth revision...boy, oh, boy. I think we've got a winner!Whoever said writing is writing and editing is

Writing and Dogs...

2010-08-15T12:23:00.000-07:00

Ah, two hours.I've been given a gift - two hours of free, to myself writing time. Oh, the pages I will edit, the query letter I will perfect! Two hours where no child, no husband, no phone call, no electrical outage will keep me from my task....Two hours...And two dogs...Two dogs that beg my attention - and snacks - every two minutes.Two dogs with two sad eyes each that plead sorrowfully to go

Critique Groups...When to Say Good-Bye

2010-08-11T07:15:00.000-07:00

I'm free!!!I just quit my critique group and I feel so free and alive and able to write and think and be creative again!!! I started feeling smothered about 6 months ago, but I trekked on, thinking I'd be a quitter if I left. Other people love critique groups, so I should stay, right? I'm learning a lot about good and bad writing, enjoying getting together with other writers, so I should stay,

The Nook, The Book, & The Hook

2010-07-12T10:45:00.000-07:00

My husband and I just celebrated our anniversary. 11 years of blissful love...Before the big day, my husband said I was going to like the gift he got for me. Many questions later, all I got out of him was that I had 14 days to decide if I liked it or not... and it's electronic...When I opened my gift a few days later, after mentioning in passing conversation that I never wanted one of those

I Must Write, Come Hell or High Water...

2010-06-29T05:05:00.000-07:00

Or, in my case, come 10 consecutive days of 98 degree-90 percent humidity weather too hot for the kids to play outside, and for some odd reason now that it's summer vacation, the kids CAN wake up before 7AM and be UP and do on a daily basis. Up at 6, sometimes 5am. During the summer...hello!But...STILL, I must write. Only question is, when??? My writing time - the time when I get to write

Write First, Worry Later...

2010-05-03T07:31:00.000-07:00

There has been tons of talk lately in my little writing world about the woes of publishing. About how hard it is to get an agent to even talk to you, let alone find one that will think about reading your work. And I agree. There is much to worry about when it comes to getting your work published.Yet...Why worry until you have to?I mean, look at all the fun you are missing! Have you written your

Food Snobbery on a Budget...

2010-04-09T14:52:00.001-07:00

Hi, my name is Lia Mack, and I'm a food snob.I blame my parents for having us live in Italy for three years while I was growing up. Every Friday morning, the town we lived in held an open air market - mercato - where you could purchase anything and everything fresh.Fresh fish from the sea, fresh artichokes picked that morning, homemade pastas that took two seconds to cook...and eat ;) Oh,

Celebrating the Breeze!

2010-04-08T11:55:00.000-07:00

I'd like to dedicate this blog post to one of my writer buddies, Carolyn Parsons. Not only has Carolyn (aka: Breeze) published her fist book (ya!)...today is also her Birthday!Happy Birthday, Breeze!!! :)If you haven't already, check out her book, Wind Rhymes: Poetry from the Breeze. It's a wonderful compilation of inspirational and practical poetry. Every time I read one of her poems, I feel

Where Do You Write? Creating a Writing Sanctuary...

2010-03-16T19:23:00.001-07:00

It doesn't have to be big. It doesn't even have to be a room. And, contrary to popular belief (or want) it doesn't even have to segregate you from the rest of the world. Of course we'd all love to have that perfect little hideaway, secluded from noise and distraction."There, and only there, will I write my masterpiece..."But where you write best sometimes doesn't come with it's own key.I know I

Numbers...Do They Mean Anything?

2010-03-10T21:09:00.001-08:00

Tomorrow I have an appointment with a specialist that I've been waiting since October to see. It's a very important appointment, one that has me biting my nails and wondering if I'm ready. But what is really bothering me, though, are the numbers.311Why? Try this one on for size...My appointment is on 3/11 at 11am.Address of the doctor's office is 311.Phone number's last four digits? 3113.Tell me

Deadlines, Editing, and My Unofficial Query Letter....UNofficial...

2010-03-06T13:44:00.000-08:00

So, I totally blew my self-imposed deadline of March 23rd to have finished all edits and send out my first query letter. Death, taxes, 6 feet of snow, and the Olympics...all things totally unrelated, yet all things I've allowed to stray me away from my goal.Therefore I'm imposing a more SANE deadline of "by summer", and this gives me time to polish and shine my query letter. A few weeks ago I

Sanity Check...Keeping Your Characters at a Distance

2010-02-11T11:21:00.000-08:00

If you follow this blog, then you know I've written a novel, and I'm now in the process of editing it, start to finish. Although Waiting for Paint to Dry is a fictional work in it's entirety, it also has significant elements that ring true to my personal life, past. This brought up some great questions concerning the repercussions of doing so, mainly what other people will find out and how you

Breastfeeding: How I Naturally Weaned My Babies...

2010-02-10T08:18:00.001-08:00

The nursing relationship is just that - an intimate interaction, connection, between a mother and her child. It helps us bond, communicate needs, and transforms us into one beautiful little unit.From the beginning, though, many people - friends, doctors, family - all like to interject their opinions on what you are doing. How many times have we heard, "you feed him too much" or "I don't think

Body After Baby...A Week in Chocolate...

2010-02-09T23:14:00.000-08:00

Yep, that's what it was... a week in chocolate...And fast food, Chinese take out, left over chips, chips and more chips, a dip in the hidden Halloween candy dish, midnight runs to the kitchen for more junk...Yep...I think that just about says it all...Fatigue is a b*tch, ya'know? I just didn't have it in me to even cook for a few days running. It was all I could do to just keep up with the kids,

Body After Baby, Week 2...

2010-02-09T23:07:00.000-08:00

I gave it a try and succeeded to increase my activity level once last week. Not exactly a great start, but a start all the same ;)My daughter and I danced to an entire CD in the living room. I actually worked up a sweat, and she had a lot of fun dancing in her princess dress. I also took the stairs and parked farther away than usual. This week will be interesting. I'm feeling a bit winded for no

Body After Baby Challenge: I'm Joining!

2010-01-22T08:11:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I joined the challenge...I'm motivated...but do I have any goals that I'm hoping to reach? Hmm, I don't know...do I?I should, because having goals keeps up the motivation. So, ok, goals. Think, Lia, think...Alright, I got it!I don't have a goal weight in mind and I already fit into my pre-baby jeans, so I think my goals are going to go beyond the norm. That's ok with me, I enjoy my freedom

Creating a 10-Second Elevator Pitch for your Novel...

2010-01-16T17:55:00.001-08:00

Creating a one sentence, 10 second pitch for your novel is attune to condensing all the flavors in a margarita pizza into one small itsy, bitsy bite. Doable, but OMG, why?!Simple...what if you get stuck in an elevator with a pizza editor and you only have under a minute in order to pitch your pie?...Ok, so the scenario doesn't really fly, but the deal is that we as writers are supposed to

Writing a Novel Based on True Events... Should You Do It?

2010-01-02T20:56:00.000-08:00

My Grandmother was in town for the holidays and while at my house - freezing and watching my pathetic attempts to start a fire using my first draft - she asked to read a few pages.I beat around the bush for as long as she'd let me. "I don't know. This is my first draft and my second draft on the computer is so much better.""Computer?" Grandma isn't a technology friend. "Just give me a few pages."

Good-Bye 2009...Hello 2010! Bringing in the New Year with Peace, Love, and Good Health!

2010-01-01T08:08:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year!!! Hope you had a great time bringing in the new year last night :)I don't know about you, but I was actually glad to see 2009 go. It was a mentally exhausting year for my family.True, a lot of good things happened in the course of that year that I am thankful for. I became an Aunt two more times, a new niece in August and a new nephew in December. I love babies. Plus it gave me

2010 Writing Resolutions...

2009-12-31T08:59:00.000-08:00

I've been using my printed out first draft to start a fire and keep it burning all day long ...I just realized that it's sooooo different from my current draft due to all the edits and my writing is so much better now that I don't want anyone to read the first draft! My grandmother was in town for the holidays and took a few pages and started reading..."I can't tell what's going on, it's all over

The Great Christmas Tree Dilemma...

2009-12-19T04:41:00.000-08:00

Ok, so we just got a fresh tree this year. For the first 7 years we used my Grandmother's old fake tree...but it shed more than any real tree could ever and I had no idea if it was full of lead or what! So we freecycled it - still had all it's pieces and it kept the tree from going in the landfill.For the past three years we've gotten fresh trees. The first two years from a family farm - the

How Do You Celebrate this Season of Too Much???

2009-12-17T04:43:00.001-08:00

I know how I'd like to celebrate this season of too much. Fly to Colorado, hunker down in a cabin in the snowy mountains, sip hot tea in front of a roaring fire, and cuddle with my hubby and kids.The End!I don't want to do the presents thing or the deck the halls thing or the running around for four straight days thing. Call me a hum-bug (my husband already does) but for me the holiday season is

Writing During the Holidays...

2009-12-06T07:13:00.001-08:00

Ha! Writing during the holiday season?!It's basically impossible, if you ask me.Every free moment you run across gets taken up with getting those holiday cards out the door, trimming the tree, wrapping presents, cooking something to bring to holiday parties and cookie exchanges...and then there are the parties themselves! Fun, totally fun. But they take up all your weekends!So writing...gets

Elder's Meditation of the Day

2009-11-25T18:04:00.001-08:00

"People and nations who understand the Natural Law are self-governing, following the principles of love and respect that insure freedom and peace." --Traditional Circle of Elders, NAVAJO-HOPI Joint Use Area The Natural Laws work

My Favorite Darlings...

2009-11-23T09:37:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I need somewhere to put my all the darlings I kill. Some I do admit are a waste of time. They need to be offed. However, like this one, I just LOVE IT! And I might still use it somewhere in the novel. But for now, I'd like to share one of my favorite darlings.Oh, and if you're wondering, a 'darling' is a word, line of words, paragraph, or even a whole chapter that you utterly LOVE! But for

The Best Agent Blogs...IMHO :)

2009-11-21T19:18:00.000-08:00

I think every writer out there interested in getting published needs to read an Agent blog or two. Just to get into our heads just what they are looking for in terms of query letters, synopsis, and, above all, how to approach them!I've been reading the following literary agent blogs and I must say, I had no idea some were so heartless! While others are working like hell to get good books out of

Not My Daughter...Read Chapter One!

2009-11-09T08:44:00.001-08:00

Barbara Delinsky has done it again. Not My Daughter is her new upcoming book to be ready for sale early next year.But don't despair...you can read the first chapter online now!!!

Where is my LOST?!

2009-10-29T06:19:00.001-07:00

Anyone out there know if LOST is coming back?! I don't watch TV except for cooking shows while folding laundry and UFC night with my hubby, so I don't see many commercials.I miss my LOST!But with it taking so many months off just so that we can watch a new LOST episode every week, IMO, is anti-climatic. I really am loosing interest in the whole thing. And I can't remember what the heck was

Kill Your Darlings...

2009-10-18T14:36:00.000-07:00

I've heard this expression over and over again for as long as I've been writing. Recently I have been reading Stephen King's On Writing and I have finally come to realize what this phrase means!Yes, I know, I'm slow...not to be mistaken with blond, although my husband would beg to differ...Killing your darlings...Before I thought it meant that you should kill your darlings! As in whichever

Favorite Quote of the Day...

2009-09-22T15:45:00.000-07:00

"You can't get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me."~CS Lewis

A Sneak Peak into "Waiting for Paint to Dry", My Novel...

2009-09-21T09:01:00.000-07:00

Raising my eyes skyward, I know I won’t see any stars, but I look anyway. Illuminated by Baltimore’s city lights, the sky looks more rust orange than a midnight blue. And true to form, not a star shines through. Which is a gracious gift. Stars only remind me of the time I wished for something so big, so out of this world, that I got it. Only, there's a disclaimer written under the

Got Down Time? Write!

2009-09-19T12:35:00.000-07:00

I was just given a great gift today. I was sitting at my booth at the Green & Natural Living Expo today. Displayed in front of me, my wonderful mural and faux painting portfolio, waiting for some new like-minded customers. I haven't painted in a while. I need clients.Only, no one came.Why? Wine festivals... They took all the locals and non-locals who usually end up at the Expo. Bad timing, right?

Ok, I Lied...

2009-09-18T09:52:00.001-07:00

I'm not killing chapter one...I'm adding to it!Long story short, I am putting in some background and dialogue to help build my main characters while also adding to my main character's reason for striving for a better way of life.And my kids are helping me with this one a little bit ;)Should make for a great addition! Wish I could post some on here, but I'm never quite sure how 'safe' my work

Chapter on the Chopping Block...

2009-09-01T08:01:00.001-07:00

Finally, I had my first chapter - chapter 1 - critiqued by the writer's group I joined last month. It was so much fun reading and editing everyone else's chapters, I could not wait for my chance!And then, the moment I submitted chapter 1, I realized something. Something that the little voice in the back of my mind has been trying to tell me, I refused to believe it was something that I had to do:

Sorry, but I can't write anymore...My heart is broken...

2009-08-17T06:15:00.000-07:00

I haven't been blogging at all for a while now and I'm not sure when I'll start up again. I can't seem to write. I don't have a feeling in my soul to convey, not a word to toss around, nor a story to concoct. My heart holds all these things and more...but my heart is broken...Last month I witnessed a horrible tragedy...one that I still cannot will myself to write about. Truth be told, I'm still

Be Your Characters...

2009-07-31T17:42:00.000-07:00

They say write what you know and we all abide by that rule, to a certain extent at least. I mean, honestly, how can we really live the lives of all our characters.We expand on what we know - add a little here, add a little there - until we create a world that is unlike our own. And that is what readers want: something to take them away from their everyday life...So, how then, do we write what we

The Cure for Editing Blues...

2009-07-05T09:43:00.000-07:00

Editing my novel has been sucking the fun out of writing. I was about to pack it up and call it a day when I got an idea...and got out my trusty note pad...and starting plotting...a new book!Thinking about new characters, new plot lines, researching different angles... I'm so excited now, all I want to do it edit my novel and get it out the door so I can start a new one!Haven't thought of a title

Eco-Friendly Alternatives for Everyday Cleaning...

2009-06-27T04:59:00.000-07:00

following list provided today by boat-dweller guest blogger mama Cindy Wallach at TheGreenMamas.com blog ;)Instead of using... Use these Eco-Friendly Alternatives Bleach... BoraxDetergent & Soap... Elbow greaseScouring Powders...

45 Life Lessons... by Regina Brett

2009-06-26T03:15:00.000-07:00

Numbers 29 and 32 made me LOL...oh, and number 40... ;)Here's to having a great day!Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio."To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written.My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.2.

The Best of Deterrents... How to Stop Writing Your Novel Today!

2009-06-19T16:00:00.000-07:00

Walking in the store today, I stopped by the book section hoping to see my favorite author's new release. Still not there, I pursed alternative titles. There were books by the Prez and his wife, more scandals novels by the romance gurus, and a few health tip books that looked interesting, but not enough to warrant their price tags.I picked up the latest by Jodi Picoult and started to read a few

I Love Love... Making Love in a Novel...

2009-06-09T08:38:00.000-07:00

Ah, l'amore...I love love. It's one of my most favorite things in the whole wide world: Love. Attraction. That first kiss...Life would be non-existent without it!And finally I've gotten back to the point in my novel where it all happens. What do I mean by getting back to it? Well, the 1st draft is written, and I read through it, edited, read through it again, and edited again. Now I'm in the

When Silence is Golden...

2009-06-04T03:44:00.001-07:00

Boy, oh boy...or maybe I should say Woman, oh woman... This week got a jump start in the insane category! Monday morning I felt fine, knew that the full moon was next week - when my cycle always starts - so I thought that I was starting out just another week of happy-go-lucky normalcy...Woman, was I wrong!I was in the middle of a La Leche meeting, surrounded by mama friends, my children at home

Camping Out in Mommyland

2009-06-02T07:27:00.000-07:00

So Many Camps, so Many Opinions, Where to Pitch My Tent?On my way to motherhood, I came upon many camps of thought surrounding birth. There was the "get an epidural" camp and the "induce your labor" camp, which were right next to the "opt for a c-section" camp. However, I knew that I didn't belong to any of these interventionalist camps. So I ventured over to the "just go natural" camp and found

I Love Blogging...Yet Another Reason!

2009-06-02T00:26:00.001-07:00

I've been contemplating why it is exactly that I love to blog so much. Given that I don't get paid from it and my writing has been 'lifted' a few times (it's appeared in the Washington Post, Nickelodeon Magazine, and some newspaper in Houston?!) I would venture to wonder just exactly why I keep keepin' on...But it does pay me immensely as it affords me instant writer gratification: I hear what

Keep America Beaufiful! There's Still Time...

2009-05-27T04:44:00.000-07:00

Have you looked outside lately? Take a walk around the block with your kids. Hike through the woods. Or just look at your own yard after a windy day. It's a mess!Plastic bags, ignored roadside newspapers, candy wrappers, water bottles and more. All just lying around cluttering up the landscape. On a recent hike my kids and I actually found a ceiling fan in the woods...A ceiling fan!?!?It is a sad

Rules for Writers...

2009-05-25T08:32:00.000-07:00

Today I'm taking a break from blogging to meditate on Barbara Delinsky's Rules for Writers. She has been my long time favorite author and her blog is always one that I refer to regularly for writing tips, ideas, and all that jazz ;)"How to define a writer? I call it anyone who puts words to paper, whether for a living or for fun, and that means book writers, letter writers, journal writers,

My Hair is Back!

2009-05-22T07:19:00.001-07:00

I realized something yesterday as I walked past a mirror and saw my reflection...I finally look like myself again! It's been a long time coming too.Last March I had to chop all of my hair off. The October before, it had started to fall out and what was left by the new year was a knotted frayed mess. Before it started to fall out in clumps, my beautiful blonde hair was long, healthy, silky and all

The Breastfeeding Promotion Act... Mark your calendars & meet me in DC!

2009-05-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

Back in 2005, I drove down to DC with my little breastfed baby boy, popped him in my sling, and waltzed onto Capitol Hill to show support for the Breastfeeding Promotion Act. It was an awesome afternoon indeed, full of nursing mothers, breastfed babies, lactivists, speeches, cheers, and a powerful showing of our joined support for the Act that would surely help protect nursing mothers in the

When Rituals Die...

2009-05-17T08:20:00.000-07:00

I just realized something. I am not following any of my writing rituals that I had so minutely assembled in order to write. I'm sitting here, editing chapter four, and there are no candles...no snack...no nothing!A year ago today, I was in the early days of starting to write my first novel. However, in order to actually sit down and write, I first needed to drink some water. Then see what I had

Green is as Green Does... A New Blog is Born! :)

2009-05-11T12:58:00.001-07:00

I'd love to introduce you to a new blog, The Green Mamas, authored by both my beautiful sister-in-law and I. The blog is all about our adventures at being green in everything we do, every way we can ;)So, please feel free to come on by, kick off your shoes and stay awhile...this is going to be fun!:)

Do you LOVE to blog?

2009-05-07T11:20:00.000-07:00

I think I have a problem...I think I'm in love...with blogging...Why, you ask?Well...it's just so...fun!Honestly, why is blogging this enjoyable?! I mean, this is the one thing I was going to do just because I thought I had to do to - you know - get my name out in the world, so that in the event my book is published that someone, somewhere would know of me...and potentially buy my book, of course

Not exactly the swine flu, but...

2009-05-05T17:00:00.000-07:00

I've taken a bit of a break from blogging this past week due to my darling daughters mysterious all-of-a-sudden illness. She's back to her normal bouncy healthy self now, thankfully! But for a moment there I was actually scared!Bright and early last Friday morning she woke me up saying that her belly hurt. Now this is not an out of the ordinary occurrence. Both she and my son wake up with this

Get Rich!....A Secret To Absolute Wealth

2009-04-29T03:01:00.000-07:00

Oh, yeah, baby...I'm rich!I'm the richest person I know...And I'm richer than I've ever been in my entire life! I have everything I've ever wanted and more...Why? I'm blessed.And I feel more and more blessed each and everyday.How? I'll let you in on a little secret. I have close to nothing and almost everything, all at the same time."They may not have a lot of material things, but that doesn't

No More Emotional Stalling...Time To Move On! :)

2009-04-28T11:44:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited to report that, starting today, I'm starting to edit chapter three! Phew!I always knew chapter two was going to bite my ass...Editing chapter one was a piece of cake. I changed the tenses, fixed the POV and DONE! It was only a few days going...Then came chapter two...this is where my MC finds something from her past that jolts her awake, leaving her with a choice: keep on keepin'

What Did You Say?...Make Your Body Language Heard

2009-04-28T10:00:00.000-07:00

Ever email a friend and, due to their incorrect interpretation of what you sent, that friend turned into a foe? Ever receive a text message and get instantly perturbed because, lo and behold, the actual meaning didn't really come across exactly crystal clear on your 50x50 pixel screen?Some say the art of communication is becoming endangered. Others argue it's already dead. Well, at least that's

What do you do in YOUR bed?

2009-04-24T09:26:00.000-07:00

Flex came out with a new mattress ad today that features one of life's most important miracles: the birth of a child. This Spanish company totes your bed as being "el lugar más importante del mundo" - the most important place in the world.Seeing how everything wonderful in life can happen in bed - from sleep to conception to birth - its easy to see how they came up with the beautifully coined

The Easy Green To Do List... Making Every Day Earth Day

2009-04-22T08:28:00.000-07:00

Happy Earth Day, everyone!I hope that you have a chance to get out and do something for people and planet today in a very green way ;)And as much as I love a whole day devoted to celebrating and taking care of our beloved Mother Earth, I think it much more meaningful to make EVERYDAY Earth Day. And why not?!So...To make everyday Earth Day, I am posting this easy green to do list I received from

Paint it Green! :)

2009-04-20T04:11:00.000-07:00

Back in 2005 I started a venture: beGreenDesigns, a custom painting business...Well, actually, it wasn't all that green to begin with. I - nor did the majority of the us - know all the harmful effects that VOC's (volatile organic compounds) did to us or the environment (they cause your indoor air quality to be worse than the most polluted outdoor air!) However, while painting two years later -

Will You Be My Friend?...

2009-04-16T09:48:00.000-07:00

Late one evening back in high school, a friend came to my door and asked if I'd take a walk with her. She had never asked me for anything like this before and, from the expression on her face, I could tell that she was in need. Some years ago another dear friend showed up on my doorsteps early one rainy day with the same look in her eyes. Other friends call at all hours of the day, night with the

New Month, New Goals

2009-04-06T12:03:00.000-07:00

Ok, I've dilly dallied long enough! Although I completed the first draft of the novel and gone through and done a first round of edits, I have yet to put them into the computer. Slacker that I am, I've been spending way too much time on facebook and mothering.com!I did, however, solidify chapter one and I am excited about it! Instead of starting at the beginning and going all the way through to

The Sausage and the Stool

2009-04-03T18:56:00.000-07:00

One morning long ago, I came downstairs dressed in my uniform ready for school when I smelled something wonderful: sausage. My mother had cooked up a batch and was about to set a plate of them onto the table. Eager, I propped myself up at the table. Fork in hand, ready to pounce."Now, now. Only two per person so we have some left for tomorrow," my mother lightheartedly - however seriously -

Be Green & Save Green: LiveGreen's Spring Savings :)

2009-04-02T10:09:00.000-07:00

50% at LiveGreen?!?! That's like free music to my frugal ears... ;)The Multipurpose BagMy most favorite eco-friendly shopping bags are on sale - I'm stocking up, and why not? Everyone deserves a good supply of durable reusable bags. And, since these bags have a wonderful green message on the front, I enjoy using them multipurposely: as a diaper bag, an overnight bag for the kids going to

Breastmilk is GREEN milk!

2009-04-01T20:06:00.000-07:00

"Breastmilk is one of the few foodstuffs produced and delivered to the consumer without any pollution, unnecessary packaging or waste, whereas the production, shipping, and preparation of formula and bottles requires large amounts of water, fuel, glass, plastic and rubber -- and produces significant amounts of garbage." - www.breastfeeding.comBreastfeed! Best for Baby, Mom, & Mother Earh!

Drawing Nipples on Barbie

2009-03-29T19:22:00.000-07:00

Ok, so my two year old daughter was given a barbie. I already have qualms about her having barbies period, let alone at such an early age! But I digress... She has the doll, loves it, plays with it often, however, she is perplexed about Barbie's milkies (this is what we call them as they produce milk...hence, they are Milkies...another blog, another time...)Getting back to my initial point, I'm

Maple Corn Bread

2009-03-29T18:25:00.000-07:00

from NDN cooking and homemakingThe best...BEST! corn bread you will EVER eat...and, it's easy too ;)what you need1 cup plus 2 TABLESPOONS cornmeal1 cup plus 2 TABLESPOONS whole wheat flour1 TABLESPOON baking powder1/2 tsp. salt1 egg beaten1/2 cup maple syrup3/4 cup of milk3 TABLESPOONS melted shortening (bacon grease, coconut oil, or butter)what you doIn a large bowl, mix together the cornmeal,

Music to my Ears...Jana Mashonee

2009-03-24T11:39:00.000-07:00

One of my all time favorite artists is Jana.Jana is brilliant: her voice is organic and her music and the messages therein are beautiful as well as useful. She bumped Gwen Stefani, Madonna, and U2 off of my top loves in music land, that's for sure...Her new album New Moon Born was just released and I can't wait for my copy to get here! Totally bummed I didn't get to see her in DC at the Inaugural

Let Me Lead a Simple Life...Blissfully Beguiling...

2009-03-23T10:26:00.000-07:00

"Everything's so simple, and we make everything so complicated. That's why we're confused." ~ Vickie Downey, TEWA/Tesuque Pueblo The Creator designed a very simple set of Laws for us to follow. If we follow these simple things, we'll be happy. If we don't follow these simple things, our lives become complicated.For example: Respect Mother Earth Love one another Be truthful Give to your

33 Coming of the Leaves...

2009-03-23T07:33:00.001-07:00

I have seen 33 coming of the leaves...33 snow melts...33 Springs...Today is my Birthday...Each year we are alive, we receive many gifts. Challenges that make us who we are. Revelations to steer us in the right direction. Visions that show us the way. And each year we live makes us wiser, not just older. Wisdom is the best gift of all, and the longer you live, the more wisdom you gain.“Never

Happy Spring!

2009-03-20T06:02:00.000-07:00

Ah, finally. The first day of Spring.Usually I spend the day tending to my garden, pulling out all the old stuff, making a bonfire out of all the dead twigs and plants that, in turn, will amend my soil quite nicely for this Spring's plantings. However, per the request of my wonderful 5 year old, we are instead making a trip out to the beach.And it's amazing just how quickly a 5 and 2 year old can

The Joy of Coming Out of the Closet...

2009-03-19T14:14:00.001-07:00

Back when I was in the closet, secretly writing behind closed doors, I would never dare let anyone in on my daydreams. I thought you couldn't call yourself a real writer without having had published something in print so that people could purchase it at Borders or on Amazon.com.However, and thankfully so, it is not true. Like a good writer buddy of mine has penned, "A writer does not suddenly

How Wise is Your Tea?

2009-03-17T13:38:00.001-07:00

I started drinking Yogi Tea and it has changed my life! My cycle has always been out of whack, but in the recent months it had gone from bad to worse. Within one day of drinking this tea I was no longer possessed by the hormonal demons that were taking over my life, ruining my marriage, and causing me to go completely insane, one week out of every month...phew!What a relief to find a holistic

Good Lovin'...Part 2: Open Your Mouth!

2009-03-16T08:02:00.000-07:00

Ok, here we go... Good Lovin'...Part 2...The other day in Good Lovin'...Part 1, we learned that getting rid of distractions can lead to better sex. However, removing the obvious distractions from the bedroom is only the beginning in removing all the toxic distractions from your relationship. What we need to do is remove all the things that create the shadows, clouding our view, darkening our

Roman à clef: My "Novel with a Key"

2009-03-15T17:16:00.000-07:00

In the midst of editing and writing up query letters for agents/editors, I needed some way to explain that the book is part fiction, part true story, sort of an autobiographical fiction. However, I think I might use the term: Roman à clef "A roman à clef or roman à clé (French for "novel with a key") is a novel describing real life, behind a façade of fiction. The 'key' is usually a famous

My Writing Advice for the Day...

2009-03-12T19:05:00.000-07:00

...You have an idea and, as stunned as you are, you have time to write…so just do it: Write! And just keep going, from beginning to end. You have a general idea of where the story is going, so keep writing and don’t keep going back and edit. Keep up the momentum…get to "THE END"....I love writing this way because, after a while, my characters will tell me what they like and which way they want

Making your home "Walk In Ready"

2009-03-09T12:00:00.000-07:00

by Lia MackBeing a stay-at-home mom of a 2 and 5 year old, my home never stays orderly and clean. At first I tried to maintain perfect order and cleanliness and just about drove myself insane! Then I decided to let it all go. I mean, honestly, why bother picking up the same pillows, blankets, toys, and dishes, just to have to pick them up 20, 30, 40 more times in the same day, only to go to bed

All About Mommy...Answers from the Kids

2009-03-08T14:54:00.000-07:00

Cut and paste these questions and ask YOUR kids for their answers....I love stuff like this :)Answers are from my 2 and 5 year old... 1. What is something mom always says to you? *shoulder shrug* / I love you.2. What makes mom happy? Love / Love3. What makes mom sad? *shoulder shrug* / people being mad at you 4. How does your mom make you laugh? *giggles* / Jumping like a bunny rabbit5.

Good Lovin'...Part 1: Getting Rid of Distractions

2009-03-07T16:37:00.000-08:00

by Lia MackI'm starting a mini-series of sorts about how to have better sex because, quite frankly, it's good for your health, good for the planet, and good for your relationships (yes, if you have better sex, toxic people won't piss you off as much anymore, if at all). You'll just imagine them NOT having sex and relish in the fact that you are having passionate blissful sex all the time...you'll

Alternatives To Punishment

2009-03-07T01:04:00.000-08:00

I have this list posted on my fridge as a reminder that there are MANY alternatives to punishment. In tough times we can all get a bit stressed out and forget that we have the responsibility to our children to NOT be the bully they meet on the way to school...I find these tips REALLY helpful...not in the heat of the moment, but, posted on the fridge, I read them constantly...the one most needed

Whole Roasted Chicken

2009-03-05T18:19:00.000-08:00

First of all, you need to find a cage-free, free-range, antibiotic-free, good wholesome chicken, preferably from a local farmer. Go to your local farmer's market and, if there isn't already a vendor there that sells whole chickens, ask around. Chances are most everyone there, vendors and shoppers alike, know of a good local source. If you're lucky, you'll find a local organic farmer who raises

A Bowl of Popcorn, by Lia Mack

2009-03-04T06:20:00.000-08:00

It was a Friday night. My dear husband was hard at work, the night shift, and I had the house to myself. Well, technically, I wasn't alone: I was seven months pregnant with my little boy wonder. And we were both in the mood for some crunchy popcorn and a good belly-laughing movie.Up the stairs I huffed and into the kitchen I started to pull out the necessities: corn kernels, butter, salt, sugar (