This year has been such a shit-fest, sorry no other way to describe it, that I am not surprising myself that I am already thinking about next year.
Usually I hold on to each year until the last possible moment, but this year I have my two new calendars ready to go, I have plans to buy a non-officey desk diary .. hey next year is retirement year for us both, four months in the office do not need a diary. Instead of officey I am thinking bloggy, there you go ... spellcheck hates me!! 😄
At the moment I am thinking of moving away from Challenges on the blog, moving towards day to day simple living as it used to be on my Smaller Life blog. A little bit more homey, days outey, but still booky and foody. Continuing to annoy spellcheck with a gleam in my eye. 😎
I was looking at the stats on the blog the other day and over the course of the past couple of weeks have watched the Follower numbers going up and down with gay abandon. What is it about the numbers 87, 88 and 89 that leaves the little total going up and down like a lift with a mind of its own. I have no problem at all with fewer Followers, but being under the magic 100 does mean that I have the option of making the blog open only to those Followers, it's something that I am seriously thinking about the way the internet is going these days.
After all with over sixteen years of regularly posting on my various blogs under my belt, I have a beautifully, wonderful core of regular readers, blogging buddies and Followers that have put up with my comings and goings, my blog hopping and life changing ways and still for reasons best known only to themselves stay with me.
Brooke seems to know her tribe ... and I think I know mine.
Sue xx
I like your blog(s) because over the years they have had a glorious mixture of challenges which sound slightly crazy when you start them but wonderful as they unfold, days out and comments about life as they occur and a serendipitous mixture for the rest. Just keep on blogging!
ReplyDeleteI just don't keep on track do I ... but then neither does my life. It's always best to go with the flow I find. ;-)
DeleteI'm not sure if I appear as a follower on most of the blogs I read regularly; I add blogs to my feedly app as I find them, so that I never miss a new post!
ReplyDeleteI try to always click on the Follow section of any blog that I read regularly. My blog reading list is way out of date though as I don't seem to remember to click 'Unfollow' when I stop reading or when they stop blogging.
DeleteEverything that Frugally Challenged said, 😘😘😘
ReplyDeleteBrain currently mush, not very articulate . . .
Thank you. Oh gosh, I hope everything is okay. Take care of yourselves. xx
DeleteI'm not sure if I'm on your list of followers but I look for your blog everyday! Joan from Dublin
ReplyDeleteIf it says 'Unfollow' under the little images on the Followers section on my sidebar you are already a follower. If it says 'Follow', you aren't. Thanks for reading my mad ramblings. xx
DeleteI look in every day but didn't have a clue about following. After your reply here I went back and clicked the follow button.
DeleteNot sure it worked though because I just checked and it still says follow.
DeleteAh well Carol, you tried. 😀 Don't worry though, after reading all these comments I think that things will be staying just as they are.
DeleteBeen following your moves and changes and challenges forever so of course I'll keep reading although if you turn into private then I won't as I read blogs via the 'Blogs I read' on my blog and wouldn't find you elsewhere. I avoid all internet socials except some local Facebook groups, blogs and watching a few you tubers now and again - keeps me up to date without getting into any weird or nastiness.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I know if you are an invited reader I will still be open to you on your 'Blogs I Read' list. It only denies permission if you haven't got it. I'm being a lot more selective about what I read and watch these days, you just have to don't you.
DeleteI have been following you for years, way before the small holding in Wales, miss it when you don’t post, I do hope you include me in your followers please. As we are all looking forward to next year for some reason or other, happy new year 🥳
ReplyDeleteIf you have clicked the Follow button you are one of my followers, it's that simple. Thank you for my first 'Happy New Year' and the same to you. Also Merry Christmas. :-)
DeleteThought I’d best add myself as a follower just in case. Sorry if it’s made your numbers change again. Carol … LifeofPottering 😀
ReplyDeleteYes, this has meant the lift has shot up to the top floor, haha. That wasn't actually the plan, but it's nice to see.
DeleteI'm a long-time reader but not a follower. I don't follow any of the blogs I read, I just read them. What's the difference to bring a follower? Hoping next year is much better for you. Maeve
ReplyDeleteFollowing anyone's blog is just a polite way of saying 'Hi, I read your blog', and it means you can keep track of the blogs that you 'follow' much more easily as you will get a list.
DeleteThanks for explaining. I have followed now - definitely wouldn't want to lose you!
DeleteThanks Maeve. ❤️
DeleteHopefully I'm a follower = it does say unfollow so I'm assuming I'm a follower. I love your blog and miss it when you don't post! Fiona x
ReplyDeleteYes, if it says Unfollow, you are definitely a Follower, thank you for your support. xx
DeleteSorry there has been a few gaps in posting over the last couple of months especially, but life has been 'challenging', and seemingly in the run up to retirement there is a need to work twice as hard, I thought we would be slowing down ... silly thought!!
Hopefully I’ll be considered a follower even though I don’t have a blog of my own. I enjoy all your varying posts and hope you do blog in your new and best life of retirement. Catriona
ReplyDeleteYou don't have to be a blogger to be a follower, you just click on the Follow button on the sidebar. You have been a regular reader and commenter and I really appreciate you, thank you. xx
DeleteI have followed you for a long time and enjoy your challenges, more day to day stuff, anything on your lovely pets (cried on your sad losses), moving homes and the many things you write about, which I hope you continue to do in retirement. I hope you both enjoy retirement, I love it. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that we are both Sue H's isn't it. I always do a double take when I see your comments on other peoples blog comment sections.
DeleteWe are both really looking forward to retirement, I'm lucky in that I am doing it a year early but hey I need to keep Alan company ... that's my excuse. :-)
i don't comment very often but i have followed you for quite a long time and really enjoy your blogs, and i love Mavis x
ReplyDeleteThank you, I'm sure Mavis would love you too if you ever to meet. She's proving to be a real draw at my Mum's care home with her friendly nature, and everyone loves meeting her.
DeleteI'm aware I've mentioned before what I like in blog reading - honesty, simplicity without boringness and definitely no lectures.........just a few of the reasons why I like your blog. I'm not at present a follower, like a couple of others above I've never done that for any blogs I read, just a kind of internet paranoia I guess - perhaps you can reassure me 😀
ReplyDeleteI so get it about difficult years, I'm hoping for a good 2025 already!
Alison in Wales x
Happy to reassure you about 'Following', there's no direct link for me to any of the Followers on the list unless someone has a blog that they want people to access.
DeleteI do like that I can see what some of my Followers are reading though and I have found many new 'like-minded' blogs to read through their lists of 'Blogs That I Follow'.
Your blog is one I look forward to. It really is about simplicity,books(my favorite), and food/cooking(also my favorite. It is refreshing and I always enjoy your content.
ReplyDeleteThank you, that is lovely to hear. ❤️
DeleteI bet you will be glad to see the back of this year. We've not known each other for long although we've both been blogging for the same amount of time. You're kind, warm, supportive and genuine with a wicked sense of humour who loves books and animals. Long may you continue to blog! xxx
ReplyDeleteAww, that's lovely Vix, thank you. From one long-term blogger to another. ❤️
DeleteSo far I have followed your blogs via newsfeed, and I will continue to do so as long as I can. Or until I can find out how to follow you - I don't see any "unfollow/follow" on the sidebar. This is not to complain, just to say I'll eventually find out, when my head isn't filled with fog.
ReplyDeleteThis year has been a drag, putting it nicely. I'll be retiring officially on Jan. 31 next year, but what with vacation days and overtime it should be happening on Dec. 20. And I'll be happy about it, too. I've had enough of people telling me openly and passive-aggressively that I am old and therefore quite useless. I stayed to keep the part of my pension that I'll get through my employer, but I'll be glad to say goodbye.
My plans are vague. Sleep in for a few weeks, I guess. I have promised myself that I'll take February to sit with the new situation and decide what to do with my time. I have ideas, lots of them, but they need sorting. I hope you have nice plans, too.
Lets hope that 2025 is much better fo all of us.
Oh gosh, those that tell you ... or even just imply ... that you're old and useless are going to have such a shock when they realise the experience and wisdom they are about to lose.
DeleteI love your plans post-retirement, a little hibernation and relaxation followed by a plan making stage. Just perfect. ❤️ I hope we can do something similar.
I think you already know but I LOVE your blog whatever form it takes :) Wow, your follower numbers have shot up!
ReplyDeleteAngie x
I know, it wasn't the plan, but it's nice to see. I need a rethink, and perhaps just leave things as they are. ❤️
DeleteI love your blog any old which way you decide to do. I read every day or check every day to see if you have posted. However I follow you the old way, with a link on my sidebar. Just a bit strange that way I guess. Hopefully you don't go followers only as that could actually cause you to lose some of us who really enjoy reading this blog.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
You have been a lovely commenter for so long. I look forward to reading your input on each post. ❤️ I am having a rethink after reading all the comments on this post, I would hate to upset anyone.
DeleteI love your approach to a new, more simple way of blogging. I gave up challenges too. I am like Jackie, if you go followers only you may lose some of your regular friends. I follow you and if you do go followers only, girl... I certainly hope I don't get left out.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that's going to happen now, perhaps I'll scrap my idea and just keep things simple. 🙂
DeleteI’m a regular reader, but not a commenter. I’ll miss your writing if I get locked out. Lynn, Pecos, NM USA
ReplyDeleteI'm quickly coming round to the need to leave things as they are. ❤️
DeleteCan I be a follower w\o a Google account?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure, click on the button and see. But don't worry I think that I will leave things as they are. ❤️
DeleteI was shocked when I looked at the side bar and saw I wasn't following. I've followed you for years but somewhere along the line when the blog changed to one or another of your blogs I must have forgotten to hit the follow button. I fixed that sharpish!! I hope next year is better for you and me, take care.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, that's happened to me in the past on other people's blogs too. It's funny I always feel really guilty when I realise. It's like watching a YouTuber for ages and then realising that you haven't Subscribed.
DeleteThanks for hitting that button now. 😀
I've been having some issues with my computer so my DH has cleared all my cookies today😨 I managed to get back into blogger and thankfully I'm on your following list (a little Robin) phew as I've been following you for years. I'm truly hoping 2025 will be a much better you for you 🙏
ReplyDeleteMy laptop is playing up too, so I feel your pain. Thanks little Robin. ❤️
DeleteI have followed you for ever, or so it seems however I'm not shown as following on your sidebar.
ReplyDeletePlease include me in “the few” if you decide to put a cap on your readers.
I'm still struggling with the loss of Weaver and her blog plus several others and would miss your pithy, informative and often amusing comments.
Sue.
So many of us are missing Pat. She was an absolute treasure. 😔
DeleteJust pressed “follow” - been following you for years but your blog is an icon on my regular read screen on my phone & didn’t realise I wasn’t following you! I have also noticed I don’t see the full blog screen unless I click the “view web version” tab - you learn something new everyday. It seems like a lot of bloggers have moved over to Instagram. Don’t know if you followed “Rememering the Old Ways”blog - she switched to Instagram & has 148,000 followers (must be a full time job just keeping up with the messages!) Glenda
ReplyDeleteI used to love Remembering the Old Ways when it was a blog. Once you discover 'View Web Version' on your phone it opens up a whole new world doesn't it. I only discovered it a couple of years ago. 🙂
DeleteHere's hoping next year will be kinder to you, Sue.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved reading your various blogs over the years. Very happy to keep on following if you'll have me :)
Oh yes, you will always be welcome here. ❤️
DeleteI’ve been reading your blog for years but I never actually follow anyone, will have a look for the button. I loved your challenges but happy just to read along about everyday life. Hope fully 2025 will be kinder to us all. Lynda xx
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of us are looking forward to a fresh new year. 😀
DeleteWhoop, just checked and I am following, who knew ;) Lynda xx
ReplyDeleteThat's good. ❤️
DeleteI read your blog everyday as it is in my « favorites » but this is really difficult for me to open my Google account ( and Cloud account) and so on.Ho it was just perfect for me. I am sad that this is becoming more difficult to read you. CatherinefromFrance
ReplyDeleteIt won't be more difficult don't worry. Things are going to stay the same. ❤️
Delete🥰 CatherinefromFrance
DeleteJust checked to see if I was a follower and saw I wasn't - so now I am !
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the gang. 😀
DeleteWell, I must be a very bad follower as I didn't actually see this post yesterday - no Idea why. But I've read it now! You know I've been following you for years and will continue to do so. Oh and I'll come up as Anonymous with this comment as I'm on my phone and it doesn't allow me to sign in to Blogger for some absurd reason 🤔. It's Sooze by the way! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year for all of us! xx
ReplyDeleteHi 👋 I read anonymously , you are added to my favourites on my phone but I’m not sure I’ve followed you? 😂 glad to hear your blog is staying as it is for now ! Jane
ReplyDeleteI've read your blog for years but I have never followed anyone. I am glad you are leaving the settings as they are.
ReplyDelete