Where She (Me) Went + Giveaways

Since I put up that "Out of the Office" post, I know that you, my faithful followers, have been counting the seconds until my return.  You can wipe away the tears, for I have returned!  Hooray!  I planned to post a "Sunday Stew" announcing that I was back yesterday, but as it is now Monday evening, I guess that won't work out.  Therefore, I decided to take it upon myself to answer all the questions you have. Yes, I know what you want to ask...I'm *that* good.

Nothing says "Lancaster, PA" like "Amish Stuff, etc"

Where were you?

I spent a few dates at the SWAN Conference in Lancaster, PA (SWAN = State-Wide Permanency and Adoption Network.  Yeah, I don't know how they get "SWAN" from that either.  It *should* be "SWPAAN" or at the very least "SWPAN.")  I tagged along with BFF Sarah, who is a social worker specializing in adoption.  While I was there, I got a chance to meet and chat with Ashley Rhodes-Courter, author of the book Three Little Words.  In this memoir, Ashely talks about her time in foster care (9 years and 14 different home) and her adoption at the age of 13.  She's a fascinating lady and I highly recommend her book.

Here's Ashley with her book and her brunch.  I like to harass authors when they're eating.

 After the conference, Sarah and I spent two days in the Chesapeake Bay area of Maryland.  It was over 100 outside, so we didn't do a whole heck of a lot.  We did see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2, which I thought was rather lacking.  Plus, the lady sitting behind us brought her 4 year-old son to see DH2.  Holy age inappropriate, Batman!

Other than that, I've been trying to catch up on my reading and writing...and failing miserably at both.

This is a small sampling of the many kids available for adoption at AdoptPAKids.org.

 I heard something about reading...what did you read?


Signs, pamphlets, email, Tweets...you know, the usual!  Oh, you mean, books!  While I was "away" I read an astonishingly low number of books.  I read Growing Up Amish by Ira Wagler (how appropriate for a trip to Lancaster!), Three Little Words, and I'm currently reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett (which could quite possibly be one of the best books I've ever read!) Reviews forthcoming.

This poor pregnant kitty was dumped at our hotel.  She's less than a year old.  Since she's hiding in a holly bush (to stay out of the sun.  She's really quite friendly), I decided to name her Halle and dubbed her unborn kittens "The Berries."  So you have Halle and the Berries.  Hardy har har!  But if you're looking for a cat, the Best Western in North East, MD is a great place to find a furry feline friend.

Did you do anything else worth mentioning?

Hmm...let's see.  I did have this hangnail that...oh, wait, that's not worth mentioning.

You needed to write a whole blog post about this?

No, but I thought it would be rude to just post a bunch of giveaways or go right into my RAK post.

Tell us about the giveaways!!!

Since you asked so nicely, I will share these wonderful giveaways with you....

Now through August 7, you can enter to win a ton of bookish giveaways in the Summer Giveaway Hop, hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Bookhounds.  Over at Backseat Writer, I'm giving away a copy of the book Passport Through Darkness, a true story about a woman's fight to end human trafficking around the globe.  In my review of this book, I said it "ruined me." And I'm glad it did.  Enter now.

Bumps in the Road is celebrating 100 followers by awarding not one, but TWO winners with TWO books of their choice (from an awesome list of titles).  The contest ends August 31 and is open to you as long as The Book Depository ships to your place of residence.

To garner support for Matthew 25 Ministries, an organization that provides humanitarian aid and disaster relief both nationally and internationally, Mommy's Reviews and Giveways is giving away a iPad 2 16GB.  Now, we all know I've been wanting to win one of these babies for a long time, but I'm also touched by the mission of Matthew 25 Ministries.  Check out the giveaway and learn about Matthew 25's work.  It's a win-win for all.  The giveaway ends August 6.

Lea over at LC's Adventures in LibraryLand is celebrating her 500 followers with a giveway (and a nifty giveaway icon...don't you just love it?)  All you have to do is be a follower (or join the other 500+) and fill out a form to win books (your choice!)  You have until August 31 to enter and the giveaway is open to you if The Book Despository ships to your residence.

Read me, Bookmark Me, Love Me has an astounding 850 followers and celebrating this milestone with--you got it--a two-part book giveaway (and another awesome giveaway button)!  You can choose from a list of recent/upcoming releases: Part 1 (May-July) and Part 2 (August-October).  Remember to enter BOTH parts. The contest ends August 15 and is open to you if The Book Depository graces you with deliveries.

I really want to read Lisa Genova's newest book, Left Negelected.  Fortunately, Stiletto Storytime is giving away one copy of this very book!  The giveaway ends August 6 and is only to U.S. residents only.

Carolina Valdez Miller always has a bunch of giveaways going on, but right now you can enter to win FOUR ARCs--The Scorpio Races, Fury, Noctrune, and Shelter. The giveaway ends August 3 and the giveaway is international!

Yes, I know that these are not books, but neither was the iPad.  But you can win one of these CAMERA BAGS (HA!  Bet you thought they were purses!) at Sweeps4Bloggers.  Personally, I think my Canon DSLR would look rockin' in one of these beauties, don't you?  The giveaway ends August 17 and is open to U.S. residents only.

See, now wasn't that fun?  You know it was!  What have you all been up to whilst I've been away?