Shutterfly for the Holidays

Are y'all on the Shutterfly bandwagon? If not, allow me to introduce you! Shutterfly is an online retailer where you can upload your pictures and then use them to make all kinds of cool things. This year for Christmas, I made my parents a calendar using family pictures. It was an affordable and special gift. We are also going to use Shutterfly to make WEG's aunt, mother, and grandmother a calendar, as well. It's so easy, even I could figure it out, as technologically challenged as I am!

Not only is Shutterfly great for the perfect holiday gift like a calendar or a photo album, it's also a great site for holiday cards and birthday cards! They have TONS (no lie, TONS!) of cute holiday cards to choose from. Cards that say Merry Christmas, cards that say Season's Greetings, cards that say Happy Holidays- you name it! Cards with one picture, two pictures, three pictures, or more! Really, if you can't find the perfect holiday card here, then something is wrong.

I've narrowed down my top 5, which was insanely hard!!

My favorites are:

Decisions, decisions! Which would you pick??

**I am receiving 50 free cards for blogging about Shutterfly. Want to know how? Go here!

Calling all mamas!

I need help! Christmas gift help from the experts- all my readers who are mamas. Yes, y'all are now experts....you're welcome :-)

I am trying to find a really cute gift (or gifts) for my "nephew." I say that in quots because he is not actually my nephew, but my best childhood friend's little boy and he does call me Aunt Em. But, I digress.

He is almost 3 and a half and he is currently into Thomas, Backyardigans, and Curious George. I'd love to get him a gift that has to do with one of those three things. For his birthday, one thing I got him was a book full of Thomas stories, which he loves.

Are there any toys, games, books, etc. that your kids love right now or loved at this age? I will also accept any ideas that are not related to the aforementioned characters!

Thank you in advance for your advice!

What a weekend!

This weekend was WONDERFUL in every way!

Friday we went to dinner with some friends that we rarely get to hang out with. They got a babysitter for their two boys and we headed to Liberty Tap Room for dinner and drinks. It was nice to hang out with them since they live so close, but we rarely follow through!

On Saturday I worked at JTT and then we went over to some friends to watch the USC v. Florida and Clemson v. Florida State games. Clemson did not fare so well, but the Gamecocks clinched the SEC East and are now headed to Atlanta for the SEC Championship against the Auburn Tigers. The game was awesome! Besides a 99 yard touchdown run on the opening kickoff, we made Florida look silly. They were inept on offense, and Lattimore ran all over them on defense. What a great feeling to come out of the Swamp with our first victory there ever (I think this is right- correct me if I'm wrong)! The Gamecocks have certainly had us on an emotional rollercoaster this year. From a big win against Alabama, then #1, to a crappy loss to Kentucky, mediocre wins against Vandy and Tennessee, and a slaughter at the hands of the Hogs- we've run the gamut this year. Now we have a rematch against Auburn. We lost to them earlier in the year due to a 2nd half collapse at the hands of Cam Newton. My biggest hope is the NCAA finds the dirt on him and he is ineligible for our game on Dec. 4th. Sorry, Tiger fans, but a girl has to hope! So, it's on to Atlanta, and if anybody has a lead on some SEC Championship tickets that do not cost $200 a piece, please help a sister out :-)

Moving on! On Sunday I did my grocery shopping and then we went to see Morning Glory. It was so good! Harrison Ford, Rachel McAdams, and Diane Keaton were great. WEG and I both enjoyed the movie, so definitely a good date movie. Afterwards, we went to Baskin Robbins....and yes, I had ice cream on top of the popcorn and Reese's cups in the theater. So much for Weight Watchers, right?!

Such a great weekend- I hope yours was too!

Fragmented Friday

Hi friends! My mind is fragmented today thinking about the weekend and being done with work until Monday rolls around again.

What is it about Fridays that make them feel super-long? The morning went by fairly quickly, but, so far, the afternoon is creeeeping. I think it's because we have dinner plans with friends for the evening and I'm itching to get home, get a run in, vacuum the house, and get ready for dinner. Somebody put me out of my misery and make the next hour and a half go quickly!

Tomorrow I'm working at Just the Thing all day. I've picked up quite a few days of work there during the holidays. I get 2 weeks off from my regular job, and I know I'll be bored if I just sit around the house all day, every day. So, nothing like making a little bit of extra money- especially with Christmas upon us. I'll be able to replenish the funds I spent on gifts!

Tomorrow night, my Gamecocks are playing for the SEC Eastern Division title against the Florida Gators. Granted, the SEC East is pretty weak this year, and there are at least 4 teams in the West better than everybody in the East, but oh well! It will be historic if we win, as it's never been done in school history. In fact, the only 3 teams to ever win the East are Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. Not gonna lie, I'm not optimistic. We've had a few bad weeks (last week was VERY bad) since we rolled over Alabama. But, here's hoping we can pull it out (and keep my blood pressure at a safe level).

Other than those things, no major plans for the weekend- what a nice feeling! On Sunday I need to get my butt in gear and get to church. We've been so busy lately and out of town a good bit that I haven't gone to church like I should. Sunday I need to correct that, especially since the next few weekends after this will be jam-packed. Ah, the holidays.

And that concludes my ramble- what's in store for you this weekend?

'Tis the season....already?!

Jeez louise! Can anybody believe that we are officially only a month and a half away from Christmas?! I know this is cliche, but it feels like last week when I was taking down my decorations from Christmas 2009, and storing them in the attic. What happened to the last 10 months? I think it must be this whole getting older thing- the years start flying by. I'm getting closer and closer to thirty, as we speak. My friend Holly likes to point this out every chance she gets ;-)

But, anyway.....what was I talking about? Oh yeah, Christmas and how it has just snuck right up on me. I have a few presents already bought and just hanging out in my Rubbermaid box until time to wrap, but not nearly as many as I would like to have at this point. I'm pretty sure that last year this time, I was nearly done- no joke. Today I made a list and started scouring the internet- which is, by the way, my favorite place to do my Christmas shopping. What's easier than hopping on Amazon, making a few clicks, and anticipating the box with the giant smile on it arriving at my door? Nothing, my friends, nothing! Of course, I like to go shopping at Christmas, as well- mainly for the atmosphere. But, I'd prefer to do it before the malls and stores get uber-crowded and parking spaces are like gold. Bah-humbug? Perhaps!

Okay, okay- enough of my aimless rambling. What are your shopping tips for a successful gift-buying season? Let's hear 'em cause I know you have 'em.

What's been up- the 411

So, what's been happening since I blogged last?

Well, the first, and most important thing, is the National Championship that my Gamecock baseball team brought home to Columbia. We certainly weren't the most talented team in Omaha, but we probably had the most heart. And one really special angel on our side. I've blogged about Bayler before- a special little guy who was fighting neuroblastoma. Bayler succumbed to cancer on the night of our win over Oklahoma in Game 3 of the College World Series. In fact, it was during the game when he took his last breath. Bayler was so special to our baseball team, and many of them visited him on a regular basis. How fitting that we would come from behind in that game and win. From that night on, we played like there was a higher being on our side. We again beat Clemson twice (shades of 2002) and went on to face UCLA in the finals. In dramatic fashion, we beat them in two games and sent Rosenblatt stadium out with a bang. Bayler's family was able to witness the two championship games from seats inside the Blatt thanks to the generosity of Carolina (and other) fans throughout the state of South Carolina. How very special.

When the team returned home, there was a ceremony at our basketball arena and a few days later, a parade down Main Street. Our flag flew atop the Statehouse for a day. It was a Carolina baseball fan's dream come true- I know this because I lived it, and I still haven't come down from the cloud.

So, what else have we been up to?

Well, let's see. We went to Fripp Island for a week's vacation. I went to Washington, DC for a work trip, and also Seoul, South Korea.
We've been to Fripp a second time, Edisto, Charleston, and Clemson. We attended a benefit concert for Chase, another special little boy with neuroblastoma (who is kicking its ass, I must say!)

And I had my 10 year high school reunion.

We've watched the Gamecocks and Tigers win some good games and lose some miserably (most notably the USC-Arkansas game this past weekend- yikes). We've celebrated birthdays, walked in the Alzheimer's Walk, enjoyed days at the lake, and worked our butts off through a busy few weeks.

And now, it's getting close to holiday time- the house is decorated with pumpkins and fall motif, and pretty soon, we'll be pulling out the Christmas ornaments and nativity scene. Wow, how fast 5 months flies by!

It's good to be back :-)

Who says you can't go home?

I'm back, y'all! And, oh, how I've missed you. This is like coming home! Sure, I've been reading along with your blogs, occasionally commenting, but I have certainly missed having all of you as the greatest sounding board imaginable. It's a wonder my wardrobe is decent and my recipes are turning out okay- seriously.

I can't believe I stepped away from blogging five months ago. And while I don't know if the reasons that prompted me to quit will go away this time around, I've decided I don't care. If someone finds something I say stupid or comical or outrageous, it's my blog and my outlet. It took five months for me to realize that and how much I missed having this place to come each day and type out what's going on.

I don't know if anybody is still out there, but if you are, I'd love to hear from you! I'll be back later today with a recap of what's been going on in my life since the first of June (psst- one big thing may have something to do with a National Championship!)

Stay tuned!