Happy 2012!!!

Happy 2012 and where the heck did 2011 go???  Years are starting to fly by, which is sad for me as a mother and a writer.  I need more TIME!  So after my longgggg break from blogging/writing, I am back on the ol' horse again and it feels pretty good.  It's weird how writing relieves so much stress for me, I would rather sit and write for an hour instead of working out and it gives me the same kind of runner's HIGH. Only without the great abs. :)  That's okay, my husband is more of an ass man anyways. Hahaha, so enough with the jokes and on to my dreaded resolution for the new year.  My past resolutions are as follows: Be a better mommy, be the best mommy, etc.  I have come to terms with the mommy situation, and poor Daughter #2 is going to have to deal with what she's got, because my resolution this year is to write and read more!!  Of course writing is a given, but I have discovered that I need to read more books outside of my comfort area.  Maybe not too much science fiction though...  After working at the library for six months, I have helped many young adults and children find awesome books to read, but what about the older patrons of mine?  I'm afraid they get the short end of the stick.  I am not a fan club member of Fern Michaels and I tried twice to read Beverly Lewis, and as for David Baldacci, can't say I am turned on by him either.  My own story in the works is now a Young Adult, so I cannot help but gravitate towards younger crowds.  Nobody is perfect and surely I'm not the only one who doesn't go gaga for James Patterson???  I guess I have homework and room to grow. :) So I am psyched for a new year and a list of new books on my horizon!!  Cheers to everyone!!  xoxo Meg

Hot Flashes!

Whoa guys! I may only be 28, but this weather must be giving me major WRITING hot flashes! (yes, I just invented a disorder of writing, there will probably be more) One day I woke up and BAM, my so-called finished novel is now being twisted and turned into something quite different. My vision of a four book series with each girl given her own book is now being squashed-all four girls in each book, with each book being appoximately one semester of college. Whew, someone send us some cooler weather cause I definitely need to chill. I do feel somewhat relieved though and I am sooo excited to start on my other characters. But who the hell knows when THIS book will be finished?!?! :) xoxo Meg

PS
Just to get some new ideas flowing, what is your favorite way to chill during this hot as helluva summer? :)

Hello there stranger...

Hi bloggers!  Long time no see, sorry!  My life has been filled with dance recitals, t-ball games, and birthday parties.  Fun stuff, but not much time for Mommy and the computer.  Fellow writers, I have a few questions.  How long should a synopsis be?  I've heard the shorter the better, or short and sweet I suppose.  Also, do you suggest I send a query letter to more than one agent at a time?  I'm so new and eager at this, I keep telling myself to be patient and make sure everything is perfect first.  Oh yeah, I'm a library director now!  I just started working at the McCune Osage Township Library this week and I love it!  Who wouldn't love being surrounded by the smell of books? :)  For those of you that have little ones and live in SEK, stop by our Summer Reading Program next week, everyday at 1:00.  We also have a magician visiting on Tuesday and a singer on Thursday!  Yay!!  xoxo Meg

These are a few of my Favorite Things......Baby Edition!

Happy Memorial Day!  Before I start rambling on and on about my love of all things baby :) I wanted to give a big THANKS to all of the hard-working men and women who put their lives on the line so that we can live ours the way we want.  What would we do without these outstanding people?  This became especially true this last week for our four-state area.  After Joplin was hit with the tornado, men and women from the National Guard flew into action, as did others in the medical field.  What a horrible week it was to watch the news and hear the death toll rise, but it was heartwarming to see thousands of people helping those with nothing but the shirts on their back.  I feel extremely lucky and proud to live in America!

Now, back to baby stuff...

Babies always cheer me up!  Daughter #2 is like my own bottle of Prozac. :)  Here are my personal top five things I love most about babies!!!

5. They think you are beautiful, even with no make-up and dried chunks of banana in your hair.
4. A baby's huge smile!  This is the only age where toothless is sooo sweet!
3. A simple game of Pat-a-Cake will entertain them forever!  Well, maybe just a few minutes, but it's still easy!
2. Their soft skin smells wonderful, even without the baby lotion.
1. You can't help but love them unconditionally.  Even after a bad day, you can look into your baby's eyes and everything is instantly better.  Oh yeah, and according to my husband, you can always blame your flatulence on them as well. :)

Sweet baby dreams,
xoxo Meg

Someone to catch you when you fall...

Everything you do in life requires a support system.  When things go wrong or even when things go right, you always need someone to be there for you.  A mother, sister, friend, daughter, cat, or even a blog! :)
I started to write here and there at the end of 2009.  I came up with a crazy idea for a book while putting Daughter #1 to bed one night.  A year and a half later, my book is nothing like the idea I began with, which is a good thing!  And I have my friends and family to thank for that.  Although I was incredibly embarrassed to admit my secret hobby, not one person thought it was silly or a waste of time.  My family was my much-needed support system and took every word seriously. 
After a year and a half of writing, editing, rewriting, and having a baby :), my support system has grown and I have grown as well.   Maybe not a better writer, but a braver Mommy for sure.  Even an old friend has helped me out and sent readers over here to my youngster of a blog.  Thank you Linda!!  And thank you to my huge family that can give a mommy huge dreams.   xoxo Meg

P.S.  Drop by Linda's blog if you have a chance
http://lindakage.blogspot.com/

Life is but a Dream

After a loooong afternoon with uncooperative Daughter #1, Daughter #2 decides she too wants to be unhappy with me.  So on the car ride home from Grandma's house, D#2 starts to scream her head off.  You parents out there know that a screaming child is pretty distracting, unless you can block out the noise which I cannot.  Singing at the top of our lungs, D#1 and I calm her down with 'Row, row, row your boat.'  By the third round of the song, I am struck with a great idea.  The title to my first book will now be, "Life is but a Dream." Yay! :)  It has taken me months to think of a decent title.  I couldn't believe that an old nursery rhyme song could give me that much clarity on a title for my story.  Thank you D#2 for your endless crying.  I couldn't have done it without you.   xoxo Meg

Welcome, welcome, welcome!

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this crazy circus of my life squeezed onto the pages of a BLOG.  My life as a stay-at-home mom, trying to write/edit/create my first novel during the few minutes of nap time.  Sure, some days I may feel like I'm in the middle of a circus, juggling five things at once.  But most days I am content and happy to be raising my lovely daughters at home.
Happy late Mother's Day to all you lucky women out there.  I felt it would be fitting to launch my blog around this holiday.  I've been celebrating this holiday for three years now and each year I anxiously await a day filled with relaxation.  Daddy Baker brings me breakfast in bed.  Daughter #1 rubs my sore feet while Daughter #2 brushes my birds-nest hair.  What a vision that would be!
A normal Mother's Day is anything but relaxing.  Dishes will be done, floors will be swept, and of course, children will be children.  Instead of foot rubs, I get the usual splattering of pureed carrots across the cheek and don't forget about the dried spit-up on my shoulder. 
Whether it be relaxing or not, my girls will light up Mother's Day, as they do every single day of my life.  They are the honey that holds this family together.  Kinda sticky, but always sweet.  I love you all dearly.  Yes, even you Daddy!  You can bring me breakfast in bed tomorrow.
I hope you've enjoyed my first blog post.  Expect more gems of knowledge on Mommyhood and even some sneak peeks from my series, The Gifted Girls.        xoxo Meg