Halfway through May...

May has turned out to be a verrrry busy month for me and my family. (Sorry about the lack of posts lately!)
I've been going to rehearsal for the 4th grade play, subbing, helping in my kindergartener's class, and various and sundry other activities (such as cleaning the house and doing laundry). I wanted to catch up on some of my Instagram photo challenge pics (from "The Idea Room" blog) for the month. I know I have a few gaps and I aim to fill those in before the month is through.

I still need to blog about meeting Eoin Colfer (eeekkk!!) last Saturday at Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore. Next post, I promise!

May Photo-A-Day Challenge!

I love taking photos but sometimes I'm stumped about what to take a photo of...Enter in the "Photo-A-Day Challenge!"

This set is from "The Idea Room." I'll be on Instagram (you can follow me, if you want - 4melissabuell). Use the hashtag "#theidearoom" for this photo challenge.

Day One:

Colorful

Photo Challenge

Monthly Photo Challenge from "I Heart Faces"

"Creatively Framed"

"JoJo juggles apples"

This photo was submitted to the I Heart Faces photo challenge – www.iheartfaces.com

Photo Friday: Thorn Tree

Photo Friday!

I went to the Fullerton Arboretum and took lots of photos. I like to go here and get ideas and inspiration for books. I found this wicked looking tree. Hmmm....how to work it into a story?

B&N Book Signing - Feb 2013

I was at the Fullerton, CA Barnes and Noble on Saturday, February 16 to sign copies of THE SEVENTH BLESSING and THE HIDDEN BLESSING. Thank you to all of my family and friends who came by! I am so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life. :-)  Here are a few photos from the signing.

My mom and me

A friend from my son's school came by

My friend Amanda, one of my beta readers and writer friends

Friends from my husband's work

I'm up on the big Nook in the store!

My aunt and my little cousin. I speak his language. ;)

My little fan club! (My husband, my sons, and two of my nieces)

Here I am! Ready to sign books!

My sister Tiff came by to help keep an eye on the kids during the signing

Year in Review: 2012

So, everyone is posting their "Year in Review" for 2012...so I thought I'd do the same.
(My goals for 2012 post)
And, as per my usual, I'll show you in pictures! :-)

In January, I received this:

My first children's book was accepted for publication! SO excited!

Finished writing Book 3 of my YA fantasy series, THE CURSED BLESSING.

Storyboarding Book 3

We went to the Reagan Library in April and had a great time.

Went to the Renaissance Faire in April for the second time.

I did the A-Z Blogging Challenge for the month of April! It was fun!

May

Went to the "Summer Lovin' Book Tour" and met Jessi Kirby, Jenny Han, and Morgan Matson.

I had a book signing at Blue Chair Children's Bookstore

June

I WENT TO NEW YORK CITY FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER! 

It was for Book Expo America (BEA). Such a wonderful couple of days! You can read my posts about being there for the full story. I was able to hang out with some fun book people, make new friends, and see the sights of NYC.

And I went to ALA in Anaheim! I met more bookish people and had even more bookish fun!

Went camping at the beach in July

Went to Legoland

Went to a book signing for Lisa Schroeder and Lindsey Leavitt

Traveled to Las Vegas for my grandpa's funeral in August

September

Went to the SCBWI Editor's Day and heard some great advice from editors and agents

My children's book SOMETIMES MY BROTHER BUGS ME was released!!

Went to Shannon's book signing for KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES

November

My husband and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary!

My second book THE HIDDEN BLESSING was officially released...and then the printing was delayed. It was fixed and should now be out in the hands of readers! :-)

December

I had a book signing at Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore down in San Diego. What a great place! I had a fantastic time.

So, it's been a terrific year when I look back on it. I am still subbing, still writing, still crafting, still taking photos, still baking, still cooking...and taking care of my family, of course. Did I complete my goals for 2012?

I read 117 books. (I was aiming for 100, so yes!)

I finished Book 3 in the series. (Yes!)

Continued working on my YA contemporary story. (But didn't finish...so, no.)

House is more organized! My whole crafting closet still looks great! I'm able to finish projects more quickly now. (Yes!)

I attended BEA this year. (Yes!)

I attended several other conferences this year. (Yes!)

Didn't go to Yosemite this summer. (Couldn't get reservations!!)

Goals are good things to have. My goals for 2013 will be similar. Read, have fun with family and friends, write more, craft, attend writing conferences. And take photos. Lots and lots of photos. ;-)

Have a great 2013!

Beach Day!

We were able to go to the beach yesterday for a friend's going away party. This is probably our last trip to the beach for the summer since school is starting in about 2 weeks. So...of course I took pictures! :) We hunted for shells (as my friend Amanda pointed out, "Hunted? Like they are going to run away?" But I pointed out that, "Picking up shells just sounds lame." She agreed. Is there something in the middle??), talked with friends, got our feet wet (actually, my kids got soaked and didn't have a change of clothes. Good times!), roasted hot dogs over the bonfire, laughed, talked some more, and just enjoyed life!