Which means I will revert to talking about whatever thoughts. rants, events are worth talking about! And only post several days on the trot if I want! Of course I may find another challenge instead :) But at least not for a couple of days.
So what have I been up to?
A-Z challenge reflections
Hmmmm. I think overall I am glad I took part in the A-Z Challenge. I only found the challenge less than a day before it started. I would say that was a huge disadvantage. It would have been good to have longer to think about a theme, what I wanted to post, have some planned and written well ahead of time. A few posts felt like cheats as the mojo let me down with some letters and the posts were pretty short - is 2 words a bit short? Obviously there was photos as well :)! I am glad though I went with the topic I choose. My A-Z scrapbook was quite a few years old, so it was good to update my thoughts - I will probably print out the daily posts and add them to the A-Z scrapbook :) The comments were lovely to read. I know that most of my family and friends read my inane drivel, but to actually have comments at the end of a post - well, that was a super nice feeling ;) And it's really encouraging to have my followers in double figures! Being my first year I was very disorganised with visiting other blogs - I visited loads, but didn't keep a record, so with a few I wanted to revisit, well, the needle and the haystack? I did feel I visited and commented on a lot more than was reciprocated. I know one shouldn't do something just to get something back, but it was a bit disheartening. Chatting about me might not have been everyone's cup of tea, but a 'Hi, popping in!' would have been nice. Thanks to the A-Z blog I also learnt how to add a signature link to my comments and how to schedule posts, so those are really handy skill I am grateful for. I plan to visit all the blogs on the reflection list, and, unless something major gets in the way, will be back next year to have another go :)
2014
So plans are underway - excited much! I feel like a school kid who can't wait for their party. Mum and Dad have kindly split the deposit we need. Joseph will pay Dad back which will reduce the amount he owes us. Actually if he pays back all that he owes us it'd cover the whole event. Visiting the place on Wednesday - fingers crossed we like it IRL as much as on the internet.
Photos are of a meal out for Mum's birthday. Joshua was also there but wasn't in a photographic mood :( Bit ironic when I'm trying to persuade him to write off to some modelling agencies. We bought Mum a printer for the computer. Which is a good thing. I think. Except of course now instead of her ringing for help with skype, email, the computer .... we can now add printer problems to the list LMAO! I may regret that gift!
Girls Brigade
Agreed to help out at Joy's Girls Brigade group. Did some beading with them. 15 girls of various ages - could have been an 'God what possessed me' moment, but actually was fun :)
Crafting
Been furiously crafting for a craft fair at the weekend. Photos are just a couple of the items I made. Have to say I am in love with the canvas. Planning to make a lot more of those with different inspirational quotes and colours.
So what have I been up to?
A-Z challenge reflections
Hmmmm. I think overall I am glad I took part in the A-Z Challenge. I only found the challenge less than a day before it started. I would say that was a huge disadvantage. It would have been good to have longer to think about a theme, what I wanted to post, have some planned and written well ahead of time. A few posts felt like cheats as the mojo let me down with some letters and the posts were pretty short - is 2 words a bit short? Obviously there was photos as well :)! I am glad though I went with the topic I choose. My A-Z scrapbook was quite a few years old, so it was good to update my thoughts - I will probably print out the daily posts and add them to the A-Z scrapbook :) The comments were lovely to read. I know that most of my family and friends read my inane drivel, but to actually have comments at the end of a post - well, that was a super nice feeling ;) And it's really encouraging to have my followers in double figures! Being my first year I was very disorganised with visiting other blogs - I visited loads, but didn't keep a record, so with a few I wanted to revisit, well, the needle and the haystack? I did feel I visited and commented on a lot more than was reciprocated. I know one shouldn't do something just to get something back, but it was a bit disheartening. Chatting about me might not have been everyone's cup of tea, but a 'Hi, popping in!' would have been nice. Thanks to the A-Z blog I also learnt how to add a signature link to my comments and how to schedule posts, so those are really handy skill I am grateful for. I plan to visit all the blogs on the reflection list, and, unless something major gets in the way, will be back next year to have another go :)
2014
So plans are underway - excited much! I feel like a school kid who can't wait for their party. Mum and Dad have kindly split the deposit we need. Joseph will pay Dad back which will reduce the amount he owes us. Actually if he pays back all that he owes us it'd cover the whole event. Visiting the place on Wednesday - fingers crossed we like it IRL as much as on the internet.
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With my lovely niece - a beautiful soul :) |
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Jeez Jeff - not one of your best LOL! Also Uncle John |
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Mum, cousin Stewart, Aunty Jean and Rebecca |
Girls Brigade
Agreed to help out at Joy's Girls Brigade group. Did some beading with them. 15 girls of various ages - could have been an 'God what possessed me' moment, but actually was fun :)
Crafting
Been furiously crafting for a craft fair at the weekend. Photos are just a couple of the items I made. Have to say I am in love with the canvas. Planning to make a lot more of those with different inspirational quotes and colours.
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Obv my fav photo of the week - love Dawnie :) |
Laterz xx
Congratulations on the completion of the Challenge also a good reflection post,
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
A TO Z AMBASSADOR,
Hi Yvonne, thanks for the comment - you now know how much they mean lol! x
DeleteWell done on completing the A-Z this year. Also thanks for stopping by and commenting on my own blog,very kind of you. Hope to see you again next year, or indeed in between times =)
ReplyDeleteDale @ Smurfin'The Web
Hi Dale, thanks! To anybody that didn't do the challenge they probably wouldn't 'get' why I found it so hard to produce a daily post! x
DeleteMission accomplished, congratulations!
ReplyDeleteEvalina, This and that...
Thanks Evalina :) x
DeleteHi, Suzanne,
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you, even if it's after the Challenge. Even thought I'd planned most of my posts, I still found it hectic.
Hi, thanks for stopping by :) I plan to be much more organised next year - have already got a theme in mind! x
DeleteCongrats on completing the challenge. I tried to ensure I commented on all the blogs I visited. Only one or two I didn't and that was because I didn't think of simply saying "Hi, stopping in from the challenge."
ReplyDeleteHi Patricia, thanks for stopping by :) I didn't comment on every one, but it was just a bit disheartening to sit down in the evening, visit 30ish blogs, and realise from my stats that my visitor count hadn't changed much and most of those that did visit must have thought my blog was so boring they couldn't think of anything to say LOL! x
DeleteHi Suzanne, thanks for dropping by and commenting at my blog. Looks like you have a pretty cool thing going on here so, consider yourself 'followed' by me :D
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to more great posts!
Hi Mark, thanks for your kind words about my eclectic mess! And for following - I now have over 20 followers - not bad for 7 years blogging right? LOL x
DeleteThanks so much for stopping by my blog today! I'm happy to find another crafter to follow! :)
ReplyDeleteHi JoJo, I'm loving the reflections list, finding blogs I missed with the big A-Z list :) And thanks for following :) x
DeleteCongrats on finishing A-Z and glad it taught you how to better schedule your blog posts. Following and thanks for checking out my reflection.
ReplyDeleteHi :) I must admit I was so pleased when I followed the A-Z instructions for scheduling - then extremely embarrassed when I realised how easy it is *blush* Thanks for following :) x
DeleteThat's amazing you managed to do the challenge, since you discovered it the day beforehand. I think I would've panicked. LOL! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Cherie, I didn't panic initially, thought 'that looks like a cool idea' - about 2 weeks in was another matter LOL But next years theme already decided so hopefully I'll be more organised :) x
DeleteCongrats on completing a-z. I find it's been a fun challenge.
ReplyDeleteHi Jessica, thanks for stopping by :) I did enjoy it, and glad it gave me the opportunity to update my personal A-Z - but next year with more organisation hopefully I can enjoy it more - well, that's the plan anyway LOL! x
DeleteWell done on completing, see you soon.
ReplyDeletemaggie at expat brazil
#atozchallenge
Hi Maggie, thanks for visiting :) x
DeleteHi Suzanne,
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog the other day and commenting :) And congrats on finishing the challenge, especially after you only found out about it right before it started! Way to accept a daunting challenge on the fly :D
This was my second go at the challenge and I still felt like I was left wanting in so many areas, especially the visiting and commenting. BUT next year, I won't have school to contend with :) Huzzah!
Happy to "meet" you!
Cheers,
Jen
Hi Jen, thanks for visiting. I am hoping for a much more organised, relaxing, A-Z next year :) x
DeleteHi, Suzanne,
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by my blog the other day... Nice to meet you. So glad you enjoyed the A-Z...
Getting through the reflections will be much easier than the challenge itself for sure!
Hi Michael, thanks for returning the visit :) I am doing quiet well with checking the reflections post - not quite as many as the A-Z!! x
DeleteHi Suzanne, great to meet you and congratulations on getting through the challenge! Last year I jumped into A-Z a few days before it actually started so I understand how stressful it can be. And how fun to find out your brother lives in Le Lot and Garonne. I have extended family that lives not far from there in the Lot. My family and I however live on the west coast a few hours south of Nantes. (:
ReplyDeleteHi Elise, thanks for popping in :) Some days were stressful, but I am glad I completed it, a good feeling :) And next years theme is already in my head - as I really won't be able to use lack of time as an excuse will I?! I love where my brother lives, lovely scenery and very relaxing xx
DeleteGood reflections post. I agree with a few of your comments in there, including the one about learning a few things which can help with blogs or future posting which have been useful to me.
ReplyDeleteHi! Thanks for visiting. The two new 'shortcuts' have been great, I use the signature code on every blog I visit. And the scheduling has helped with forward planning :) x
DeleteHi Suzanne - I’m popping by through the Reflection list as well as from your visit to my blog. (thanks for your visit)
ReplyDeleteI would like to commend you for joining the A-Z the day before it started - I did that back in 2011.
And, I want to congratulate you for completing it. Winging it isn’t for everyone but you did it! And that’s awesome.
It is quite daunting to write, post, visit and comment along with still doing our everyday stuff. So don’t stress the whole visiting thing - I always do my visiting after the event is over.
I remember the joy I felt, back in 2011, when my follower numbers increased… it was really exciting, so were the comments.
I’m happy to read you learned about the signature link and how to schedule posts - both very useful.
All in all, sounds like you had some fun with this challenge and that’s what it’s all about.
Cheers, Jenny @ PEARSON REPORT
Hi Jenny, I did enjoy the challenge - and am really enjoying looking through the reflections list, and then the road trip list, at a more sedate pace :) Thanks for stopping in x
DeleteGlad you made it through the challenge.
ReplyDeleteSad I didn't catch you *during* the challenge.
Glad we connected even after the challenge!
I really wanted to hit every participating blog, but it became clear a week or two in that it just wasn't gonna happen no matter how hard I tried. I did meet some great folks though and now I can add you to that list!
Hi Jeff, thanks for stopping by :) I'm looking forward to starting the road trip, only a few more reflections posts! At least, unless that thing called life throws a spanner in the works, I'll complete both of those! x
Delete