Christmas Cards

I'm sure you guys have seen me brag about my Photo Christmas Cards from Shutterfly before, right? Well, this year I'm going to do it again, and do it early. I don't know if you're a planner like me, but I like to get pictures done early so I can get all of my holiday cards ready. In the past, that meant taking Christmas pictures in July, since my stepdaughter was only with us in the summer, and we wanted her in the photo. This year, I've been able to relax a little and browse more, since she's living with us (I get a Christmas picture NOT taken in the summer, when the sun is shining and they're wearing spaghetti straps!).

 I have purchased my photo Christmas cards from Shutterfly for the last 5 years, and this one is no different. This year, though, I am hosting a sponsored giveaway for Shutterfly! The Giveaway prize: $50 off total order (does not include shipping & cannot be combined with any other promos). If you would like to enter, simply leave a comment telling me which Shutterfly holiday card you would order, and why. The deadline to enter is October 28th, and the winner will be chosen randomly.

 While you're looking at Shutterfly's holiday cards, be sure to check out their awesome special offers, too!

 You can also check out Shutterfly any of these other ways:
 Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/shutterfly
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Shutterfly
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/shutterfly/
Instagram: Shutterfly
Google +: https://plus.google.com/+shutterfly
 Blog: http://blog.shutterfly.com/

  This post was sponsored by Shutterfly.com.

Books I've Read Since June 24, 2012

1. The Witch's Daughter, Paula Brackston
2. Unraveling (Unraveling #1), Elizabeth Norris
3. Hourglass (Hourglass #1), Myra McEntire
4. Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1), Marissa Meyer
5. Starcrossed (Starcrossed #1), Josephine Angelini
6. Dreamless (Starcrossed #2), Josephine Angelini
7. Hunting Lila (Lila #1), Sarah Alderson
8. Stray (Shifters #1), Rachel Vincent
9. Rogue (Shifters #2), Rachel Vincent
10. Haven (Winterhaven #1), Kristi Cook
11. Unraveling Isobel, Eileen Cook
12. Pride (Shifters #3), Rachel Vincent
13. Prey (Shifters #4), Rachel Vincent
14. Shift (Shifters #5), Rachel Vincent
15. Strange Angels (Strange Angels #1), Lili St. Crow
16. Betrayals (Strange Angels #2), Lili St. Crow
17. Jealousy (Strange Angels #3), Lili St. Crow
18. Defiance (Strange Angels #4), Lili St. Crow
19. Reckoning (Strange Angels #5), Lili St. Crow

Shutterfly's "Long Live Summer" Photo Contest

Win a trip for four to The Bahamas and a professional photo shoot so you’ll remember your vacation forever.  All you need to do is upload your favorite photo and caption based on the theme of the week.  Get a gift from Shutterfly just for entering! You can enter at any point during the 5-week sweepstakes period.

PHOTO THEMES

•       Week 1(7/9): Americana

•       Week 2 (7/16): Great Outdoors

•       Week 3 (7/23): Water Fun

•       Week 4 (7/30): Sports & Activities

•       Week 5 (8/6): Parties & Celebrations

PRIZES

•       Instant win prizes just for submitting a photo!

•       Weekly prizes (contestants can enter one time/week)

•       Weekly featured photos: up to 5 weekly entries will be selected from the gallery and featured on the Facebook fan page and awarded a $500 gift card on Shutterfly and a copy of the new Lonely Planet travel photography book.

•       Grand prize: trip for 4 to Bahamas, 4 nights, family photo shoot!

Official Contest Rules

Facebook Contest - Submit your entry!

Books I've Read

Books I've Read Since June 24, 2012

1. The Witch's Daughter, Paula Brackston
2. Unraveling (Unraveling #1), Elizabeth Norris
3. Hourglass (Hourglass #1), Myra McEntire
4. Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1), Marissa Meyer
5. Starcrossed (Starcrossed #1), Josephine Angelini
6. Dreamless (Starcrossed #2), Josephine Angelini
7. Hunting Lila (Lila #1), Sarah Alderson

So, not bad... 7 books in 4 days. There's not much else to do when you're feeling under the weather anyway, right? Beginning book #8 right now...

AUGH

I am not good with confrontations. This you all know, if you've known me for any amount of time.

When someone is upset with me, I much prefer that they come out and tell me, rather than tiptoe around the bush or walking on eggshells and just treating me like crap... but somehow, I can't find it in myself to do the same. I pretend that nothing is wrong, and I do it poorly. I can't figure out why I can't just come out and say, "Look, what you said/did upset me, and this is why." It feels like I've swallowed my tongue when I try.

Suffice it to say that, at the present moment, and for the last several days, I have been agitated. I am agitated. I am angry, hurt, frustrated, so on, and so forth. Add in all of those other words that mean that anger at you has stolen the joy from my last few days, and since you won't go away yourself, I have to find a way to cope with my anger towards you. This is me doing just that.

Thanks for letting me vent.

wow...

so it's been a while since I've blogged... not sure when the last time even was, since I haven't looked! I hope everyone out there in the blogosphere is doing well! In our house, we are preparing for the birthday party of my youngest daughter - and she's having a Pinkalicious party! I've been going through Pinterest like mad, looking for ideas, and have found a ton, but if anyone else has any, I'd appreciate shared tips and ideas! Right now she's at home sick - a double whammy of an ear infection and strep throat! :(

52 Books In a Year

52 BOOKS IN A YEAR

1. Hearts at Stake, Alyxandra Harvey (1/2/11)

2. Impossible, Nancy Werlin (1/2/11)

3. Blood Feud, Alyxandra Harvey (1/4/11)

4. Out For Blood, Alyxandra Harvey (1/12/11)

5. Extraordinary, Nancy Werlin (1/13/11)

6. The Candidates, Inara Scott (1/16/11)

7. Dead Beautiful, Yvonne Woon (1/16/11)

8. Ophelia, Lisa Klein (1/17/11) 

9. Hush, Hush, Becca Fitzpatrick (1/23/11)

10. A Certain Slant of Light, Laura Whitcomb (1/24/11)

11. Hex Hall, Rachel Hawkins (1/25/11)

12. Companions of the Night, Vivian Vande Velde (1/25/11)

13. Paranormalcy, Kiersten White (1/27/11) (loved this one!)

14. Firelight, Sophie Jordan (1/27/11)

15. A Match Made In High School, Kristin Walker (2/11/11)

16. Need, Carrie Jones (2/23/11)

17. Captivate, Carrie Jones (2/23/11)

18. Crescendo, Becca Fitzpatrick (2/24/11)

19. Fallen, Lauren Kate (7/26/11)

20. Torment, Lauren Kate (7/26/11)

21. Book of Spells, Kate Brian (7/26/11)

22. A Great and Terrible Beauty, Libba Bray (7/27/11)

23. The Summoning, Kelley Armstrong (7/27/11)

24. The Awakening, Kelley Armstrong (7/31/11)

25. The Reckoning, Kelley Armstrong (7/31/11)

26. Evermore, Alyson Noel (8/3/11)

27. Blue Moon, Alyson Noel (8/4/11)