random

Random Thoughts:

I'm still compiling all of my summer activities for you, in case you were wondering. Maybe by the time I am done with it, it will be really cold and it will take me back to the fun in the sun I had this summer.

I also fell off the weight loss band wagon. I am back in full force at work and it's been crazy. I have been so lazy when I come home at 8:30-9pm. that I don't want to do anything, even cook. We have been eating out like crazy and I have gained some (not all) pounds but I know that once I turn this apartment back into something wonderful, I will be back at losing the weight.

Which brings me to my next random thought - my apartment. It's in shambles. Complete and udder embarrassing shambles. Let me paint a picture - there was a foot and a half path from the front door to the living room that you could walk in between all the STUFF that I had laying everywhere. That STUFF was from summer camp, junk mail, shopping, my mom's house (that's another story for another time and place), Mark's Grandma's house, work, conferences, etc. Since Mark is working AND going to school full time AND I am working at work and at home MORE than full time, barely anything is able to get done. I became soooooo overwhelmed with it all that I didn't even know where to start...until this weekend. I've been a cleaning maniac today. It feels good. It felt good. And I'm sure I will be sore tomorrow.

Mark is graciously taking 3 bags and 3 boxes full of stuff  to Goodwill tomorrow AND we are getting a storage unit so we can properly use our closet space for the RIGHT reasons. Like hanging coats in and all that jazz. I didn't really know how cheap storage spaces were and if i did research before TODAY then I would have totally had one a long time ago. I can't wait to store the holiday decorations and the new appliances that Mark brought from his Grandma's house and the GIANT workout bench that I have concealed in my dining area AND everything else that we DON'T need right now.

One of my goals this year was to become more organized. Does it matter that we are approaching month eleven and I am just now taking the steps? Heck no...at least I'm doing something about it!

It's not too early

The holidays are fast approaching and it's that time again to think about Christmas cards!

Snail mail is one of my favorite things to send and receive and this year Shutterfly has yet again outdone themselves on the options you have for Christmas Cards.

I love the whole collection but here are some of my favorites

 

 

There is most definitely something for everyone (even your fur babies) so I encourage you to head over to Shutterfly and check out their special offers.

If you are into social media, check out Shutterfly's Social Channels:

• Facebook

• Twitter

• Pinterest

• Instagram: Shutterfly

• Google +

• Blog

 

*This is a sponsored post and I will be compensated for promoting products of Shutterfly.



cheers

So it's been about a hundred years since I last blogged. I think that I was just having a blast this summer and then got hit with the W word so hard that I couldn't even think straight. I still can't.

Work has been incredibly busy for me so I don't get a whole lot of me time. I mostly don't even get to use my laptop (I blog better on a computer) to do anything since I am either in my car or in my bed; unfortunately with my phone.

Once I find my camera USB (which is stuck in some bag that I used this summer), I will upload some pics of my FUN summer so ya'll don't start to think I am that lame.

Here's to more consistent blogging...

how it all turns out

This could not have come at a better time!!!

violated

Has something ever happened to you in your life that completely made you feel so vulnerable??

I've seen a lot and been through a lot in my twenty-eight short years but nothing has made me feel so violated than the one small incident that happened yesterday.

In short, Mark was hanging out with some (so-called) "buddies". Some things went down between them and they stole Mark's cash, his day old new cell phone and the most important thing, his keys. His keys with my car keys, house keys, etc. on it.

I've never felt so paranoid, so afraid. I'll take the loss on the cash and the phone. I'm glad that Mark is okay (even after a trip to the hospital only to find out that one of the guys had put something - read: roofie or drug of some kind - in his drink). But I'll tell you what I'm not okay with - someone having full access to my car, to my house and to all of my possessions. Talk about a sense of fear, vulnerability and stress.

Mark is nice to anyone and everyone he meets, I honestly think he's too nice to people most days but he insists that "they just need a hand", or "they just need someone to talk to", etc. but this time around, he got dealt a bad hand of no-good people and took advantage of him, of us.

So hopefully Monday night I'll eventually get to sleep when the maintenance guy will actually be allowed to make my apartment safe because apparently being cheap and not wanting to pay your worker for overtime is more important than my safety. Until then, you will find me at home looking for a new place to live.

Moral of the story: Be careful who you hang out with, never take a drink from a stranger and leave before it gets worse. I never thought I would be writing such post as this stage (and age) in my life.

Summer Pics!

Lately, I feel like every time I start a new blog it's "Sorry I've been away" or "I've been busy" or "I know it's been awhile" but really, I am sorry that I've been away and I really have been busy and boy, do I know that it's been awhile since my last blog...but, sometimes I feel like I don't have anything blog worthy to say, but today, I'll just show you...

I spent a week here at Sr. High Camp! I don't have any pics of me from the actual camp because I was the one behind the camera this time :)

I've been learning how to be a really great fish mom. We added a couple, lost a couple and now we only have Kiki, Maui, Flash, Jeff, and Wiggles. They are pretty entertaining to say the least.

I've been crazy busy with the garden at work. Lots of time and days spent in the scorching sun but it's looking really good (and this pic only shows half of it).

Visited the Tipp City Antique Show, bought an all maple double dresser for $50 and saw these two favorite friends of mine and scored some soap and a FREE $10 gift card to Living Simply Soap!!

Marked "Seeing Dave Matthews Band in concert" off my bucket list. AWESOME!

And I completed my first 5K as an adult in 45:13 coming in 69th place in my age bracket and 919 overall out of 1,053 and average 15:31/mile. I seriously only wanted to finish but I beat all of my previous times! I am sooooo PROUD of myself. I even beat Jared, the subway guy, who came in behind me!

Since I am a girl who loves photos (obviously - see above), and capturing those unforgettable moments, I want to tell you all about Shutterfly's Long Live Summer Contest!

All you need to do is log onto Shutterfly's Long Live Facebook Photo Contest page during July 9 through August 12 and participate in the multi-week summer themed photo sweepstakes and be eligible to win instant prizes. 

Here is the skinny on this awesome (and fun) contest!

You could 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

So what do you have to lose...go ahead and show Shutterfly what your friends, family and YOU are doing this summer!!!

Shutterfly Sweepstakes - Official Rules

Thanks for allowing me to show you what I've been up to, now tell me what you have been up to this summer...

prep work

I know it's been awhile since the last post, like usual, but I have been preparing for a summer camp AND preparing my youth at work for their summer schedule AND trying to keep my apartment from being turned into a girl's camp cabin which leaves me very little time to blog or do much of anything lately.

If I don't update BEFORE I leave on Saturday. I'll catch you up AFTER I come home...and sleep for approximately 20392782934729 hours before I return to work that Monday.

Have fun and be safe out there, friends!