Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 171 – Relax!

27 May 2018 46 Comments

by Ritu in #bloggers bash, Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Quote, Relax, Serene, Smile, Spiderman, Spidey, Take A Break

“The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.“

Sydney J. Harris

Thanks, Spidey!

Did you know I haven’t posted for 4 DAYS!

That is a big thing for me.

I haven’t taken part in any creative challenges, blurted my thoughts out onto screen – NOTHING.

Because I realised that I had to stop, step back and relax up a little.

The quote above is so true.

I am at a crazy time in work, nearing the end of the year, writing reports, preparing for the new cohort who will join in September, Governor’s duties, fundraisers for my School Council and House Captains.

At home, the kids’ demands are increasing.

I need to start my rewrite of the novel. All feedback is in. It has been really good, and productive, but there is big work to be done.

So stepping back from the blog, writing at least, has been good, so far, and I think I need a bit more time away.

I have been physically exhausted, falling asleep way earlier than usual. I needed a break in some part of life, and since I can’t stop working, or being mum, this was where my opportunity came in.

Do you know what I have been doing in the time I’d usually be writing posts?

Mainly… NOTHING! Not even reading, because I fall asleep mid page.

But also being with my children more, and most recently, I have been binge-watching the series Black-ish. Hilarious! I can’t believe I have never watched this before! Nearly finished all 21 episodes of the first series… 3 more series to go!

Recognise when you need a break Peeps, and take it!

Happy Sunday!

One-Liner Wednesday – #1LinerWeds – Au Revoir

23 May 2018 81 Comments

by Ritu in #1linerweds, #onelinerwednesday, Children, Sonu Singh, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: #1linerweds, #onelinerwednesday, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Break, tired

“I’ll be back.”- (Arnie &) Ritu

It’s come, Peeps.

I am so exhausted at the moment, I think the time is ripe for me to take that blogging break I have always mentioned.

I’ll still read some posts.

I’ll answer comments.

I may even post intermittently, and Spidey will still be around on Sundays.

But I think I am on a ‘no-challenge’ break for a little while, until I feel refreshed, and I have managed to sort my rewrite out.

Hate to leave you challengers, but sometimes it just has to be done!

So, excuse my absence Ronovan, Colleen, Linda, Sue, and Charli, for a little while, as I recharge my blog batteries!

Peace out Peeps! I’ll still be around, but I’ll be quieter, then I’ll BE BACK!

For Linda’s #1LinerWeds Challenge.

RonovanWrites #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge #202 Fragile & Heartbeat

21 May 2018 18 Comments

by Ritu in #ronovansweeklyhaikuchallenge, Poems, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: #MicroPoetry, #ronovansweeklyhaikuchallenge, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Challenge, Fragile & Heartbeat, Haiku

Lovely Ron with his Haiku Challenge prompt words this week:

Fragile & Heartbeat

Frequency Healthcare Medicine Medical Equi

The frailety of life
Hanging upon a heartbeat
Once stopped, it all ends

Ritu 2018

Ronovan Writes Haiku Challenge Image 2016

The Bloggers Bash 2018 – My take! #BloggersBash #MondayBlogs

21 May 2018 112 Comments

by Ritu in #bloggers bash, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: #bloggersbash, Awards, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Fun, George IV, Mingling, Presentation

Saturday the 19th of May took it’s time to arrive, but equally, it sped its way here, if you know what I mean!

Nominated

The Annual Blogger’s Bash is one of the pinnacles of my year (I can’t say THE pinnacle… family might object lol!) and I always look forward to it immensely!

This year we were in a lovely venue, the George IV in Chiswick, and the weather was glorious!

Of course, we also shared the special day with a couple of other minor events, such as the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan (congrats!) and the FA CUP final, and my best friend’s daughter’s first birthday… certainly chose a popular date!

There were a few notable absences, where certain folk were either unwell, or caught up in the ridiculous traffic that clogged the roads and trains.

But there was a healthy turnout of both familiar faces as well as some new ones (to me, anyway!)

We chatted, mingled, networked, asked questions, gave advice, ate drank and were merry!

The committee was up there, introducing, presenting and generally making merry!

My nerves when I was speaking were evident, as I physically shook when I started, but once I got my groove, all was well! There were even questions at the end, which I’m told is a good thing!

Sacha’s presentation about mailing lists was really enlightening too! I may even start thinking of starting one!

Awards were handed out periodically through the day, as were book prizes for a raffle that had several draws… And I won one of those prizes!

Gotta love a book prize!

And I was also asked to be part of the panel discussion, where I felt just sitting and smiling through would be sufficient, but I did input a little!

And I am honoured to say I was awarded Third place Runner up for Best Overall Blog 2018. There was some tough competition, but what an honour, to get some recognition!

Thank you Voters!

There will be a much better one of this shot out there, but my long-suffering Hubby Dearest, who accompanied me, took a sneaky couple of all the attendees!

I am really grateful to Sacha, Geoff, Hugh, Suzie, Shelley, Graeme, Helen and Adam for taking so much time over the last year, organising such a fantastic get together!

The Fab Committee!

Thank you to all the Committee for creating such a wonderful event for us to be a part of.

Congratulations to all the Winners, Runners Up, and Nominees! You are all stars!

The awards are fun, but the Bash itself, and meeting other bloggers out there – priceless!

I simply can’t wait for next year!!!!

Privacy and GDPR Compliance

20 May 2018 42 Comments

by Ritu in Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Compliance, GDPR, Privacy

I have borrowed Marje’s wonderful words to convey the information about GDPR on my blog, as I haven’t a clue otherwise!

The wording and compliance has been set as a page on my menu at the top of the blog.

This is a short post re: GDPR which comes into effect on May 25, 2018.

Any cookies on my website are used to ensure normal website functions. These cookies cannot be switched off because the website wouldn’t function properly without them. However, it is my understanding that these identifiers do not store any personal data.

When you leave a comment on this blog WordPress will automatically store your gravatar name, IP Address, comment, and email address. Therefore, leaving a comment is considered a definite intention, as defined by the GDPR giving me consent to store this information, and permission to contact you in the future.

But please rest assured that your personal information will not be sold or shared with any third parties under any circumstances. If you wish me to remove your data for any reason please get in touch.

If for whatever reason you do not consent to the above, please don’t leave a comment on my blog.

If necessary I might amend this policy in the future – I don’t currently have an email list – but I do intend to do this at some point. Therefore don’t forget to pop back and check this page from time to time to see any changes that might have occurred.

I am no longer an Amazon Affiliate but if I do decide to do this again I will clearly state so on this privacy page.

I will be adding helpful links re – GDPR below to assist people:

https://www.selfpublishingreview.com/2018/05/gdpr-how-it-affects-authors-in-2018-with-free-privacy-policy-template/

http://nicholasrossis.me/2018/05/15/gdpr-and-authors-what-you-need-to-know/

https://www.codeinwp.com/blog/complete-wordpress-gdpr-guide/