Vacation time

Vacation Interuptus – Some Sort of a Break

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Vacation time

Well, I’ve threatened to do it a few times, yet could never bring myself to do so, but I’m taking the blogging break plunge . . . I think, sort of. I’m going to try, LOL.

 

I’ve been blogging for just short of four years now and have never taken a break. I’ve blogged through vacations, illness, and some of life’s most challenging times, but I now feel the time has come to take this well needed break.

I know 2016 wasn’t a most spectacular year for many of us, and I can say with certainty, it was an extremely challenging year for me with many life and health issues with my husband. I am grateful that we have managed to be able to fulfill our plans for traveling this winter with all the extra health insurance costs in place and my husband’s remarkable progress.

Everything I’ve been through has helped me re-evaluate just how precious every moment of happiness is worth. Being cooped up in my four writing walls and most outings consisting of doctor and hospital visits with my husband have enforced my desire to take in every moment of our upcoming vacations, meaning, I will be prying myself away from blogging to take in all of my vacation time.

I’ve always felt that if I didn’t blog for a few weeks, people would forget me and abandon my blog, something I’ve worked hard to build up with readership and friendships along the way. You know, that old fear, ‘out of sight out of mind’? Yes, I’m a great worrier of all things, but despite that, I don’t feel I should even pre-schedule drafted posts because I would be compelled to reply to comments – because after all, isn’t that what blogging is about, engagement?

And being that we are soon happily on our way to Florida for a few days before joining on a ten day Caribbean cruise, I want to be busy doing social activities, given that I’ll be let loose out of my solitary writing confinement, not to mention, internet is always unpredictable while at sea. Plus, I FINALLY get to catch up on some reading! So my plan is to forego blogging and when time and internet affords me a connection, I may at least show up on Facebook with some fun fact or photo snippets of my surroundings.

This break also means I won’t be spending my usual nightly three to four hours reading and commenting on your blogs, as it just won’t be possible. But don’t be surprised if I poke my avatar in on a blog randomly if I manage a few spare moments and a connection. On the off chance I find a way to post a video or a few photos on my blog, and forget to close the comments, please know replies will come sporadically.

My next treat comes in March, after barely returning from Florida, we’ll be heading back to our beloved Arizona for that month. We have lots of plans for things to do, places to go with friends and relatives who will also be meeting up with us there. Lots of fun and sun and spectacular mountain view sunsets to be had. But at least while there, I’ll have access to internet, so don’t be surprised if you find me posting randomly in March.

With all this being said, my plans for after my return are to continue on with my ‘author with a new book’ series, once or twice a month instead of weekly, book reviews on new books I’ve read as I finish them, more ‘memoir bytes’ stories, and of course, my usual posts about writing and anything else I find useful or newsworthy to share.

I also plan on getting back to writing my roughly drafted next book throughout the spring and summer, and may be taking the plunge into doing some freelance content writing. I would also like to spend more time learning about doing video and podcasting.

As you can see, my calendar is full. And, oh ya, I forgot to mention, I have FULL INTENTIONS of going to the UK and visiting my bestie in June, timed perfectly to be able to attend the annual BLOGGER’S BASH in London!

Sooooo, with this all said, and my plans laid out, I want to ask that you guys to don’t forget me! Do check your WordPress Readers, or if you’re subscribed to my posts from my blog, you may find the odd surprise post in my absence. I just wanted to let you know why it will be quiet around here starting next week.

Oh, and one more thing . . . DON’T FORGET TO COME BACK!

Happy Blogging!

121 thoughts on “Vacation Interuptus – Some Sort of a Break”

  1. You have more than earned both he break and the loyalty of your friends 🙂 I can’t see any of us going anywhere while you are away. Have fun… and we’ll look forward to hearing from you when you get back..or when you can 🙂

    (And UK in June? We have to meet up 🙂 xx )

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    1. Thank you so much Sue for your lovely wishes and blessings. It does make me feel nice. And yes, of course we shall hug at the Bash. Did you notice on my Blogger’s Bash post I did mention you? 🙂 ❤

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  3. Isn’t it strange how we think we ought to apologise for a blogging absence? You are the second person this morning that has told me they are taking a break. I’ve also done the apologising myself, a short while ago, but the break never happened. I’m new to blogging and convinced I will fall off the blogosphere if I stop, but hey, what does it matter? We can always pick ourselves up and start again…
    Maybe we should all adopt the 5-2 method of blogging, which is my current eating plan! Eating relatively normally for five days a week, and fast on two days, eating no more than 500 calories…… for ‘eating’ substitute ‘blogging’…..
    Have a lovely holiday, we won’t forget you and will be here when you return!

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    1. Thank you so much Georgie for your well wishes and good advice. I like that 5-2 rule! Maybe I’m going to consider that in the spring when I return and my plate will be very full. It’s not only about me not blogging, but about the great information I get from reading other’s blogs that I hate to miss out on. I’m sure by the time I get on the ship and adjust my vacation attitude I’ll adjust but by March I’ll be scouting around again. 🙂

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  4. Debby, have a FANTASTIC break!! ?? You won’t be forgotten and life is so precious, enjoy the time with your husband in Florida and the amazing cruise. Arizona sounds spectacular and then the UK. Wow! Perhaps we will even get the chance to meet up!! I’m not too far from London. Everyone understands the odd hiatus and your input on WP has been intense and immense – relax, enjoy, savour the world outside the four wall of blogging and writing! Happy Holidays!! Warmest wishes, ♥️

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    1. Thank you so much Annika for your wonderful wishes and blessings. And thank you for making me feel worthy for my contributions. I didn’t know you were from the UK! Yay, I hope you will be at the Bash too! ❤

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  8. Four years without a blogging break! I think you have certainly earned one! You have a lot of fun stuff coming up. I don’t think anyone would want to spend a Caribbean cruise hunched over a computer! I hope you have a great time with it and your other trips and then come back to blogging with fully recharged batteries. 🙂

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      1. I don’t know how you managed to do it for four years straight without a single break, Debby! Seriously! There should be a blogging medal for something like that. 😀

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    1. You stay well Patricia. Who knows, maybe next year a bunch of us can meet up at the US Blogger Bash. I will try and show up in suprprise places when I can on social media throughout February. In March, I’ll have more access to the internet, so I imagine I’ll start posting events from this trip. Thanks again. ❤ ❤

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  10. Wishing you a wonderful, fun filled and fulfilling break Debbie…don’t worry, we are all here waiting to hear all those stories of your cruise when you come back. 🙂 love those plans!
    Wishing you and your hubby good health and happiness too. Stay blessed!

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    1. Thank you for the lovely send off Balroop. You can bet I will have some fantastic stories and photos to share with all of you. Thanks again for the wonderful blessings. ❤

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  11. It has been a challenging year for you, Debby, and yet you were also so crazily productive. Breaks are key and give yourself permission to use those free hours to simply rest, relax, enjoy. Above all, have fun 🙂

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    1. Thanks for the lovely wishes Diana. I’m sure I’ll have to re-learn how to just sit, lol. But the luxury will be lounging and reading books! There will be lots to share when I return. 🙂

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  12. Well, if you’re not gone yet, happy vacation! You deserve it! Anyone who works full time gets a vacation. No one is going to forget you, silly! We’ll just all be jealous, wishing we were on the cruise doing “nothing!” You can always share some photos of you having fun on instagram and facebook! That’s what I do on my blogging breaks! And when you get back, rethink about the compulsion to blog every day. 2-3 days a week is sufficient for any blogger! Have a wonderful time!

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    1. Thanks a bunch Terri for some sound advice! No worries, I will be posting on FB, and must learn how to better use INstagram. Just think about photos I’ll have to blog about when I return! You may want to steal some, lol. Thanks again Terri. Yes, I’m still here til tomorrow night. 🙂

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  13. Go forth and rock the world, girlfriend! Don’t fret about losing your following; there’s no way any of us could ever forget you. You’re our most resourceful techie FBI and biggest cheerleader! So bon voyage, my friend, with a clear mind and easy heart. We’ll keep the light on for you … ???

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    1. Thank you for the lovely send off my beautiful friend. And thanks for your blessings. You know you won’t get rid of me that fast! Lol, I will FBI you! xoxo ❤

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  14. Out of sight, out of mind. Gee wiz, Deb. There are real things to worry about, as you well should know. If I can stay quiet for a month (*grimace, pain, convulsions, straighten up*) so can you. Enjoy your fresh air and sun, and those friends who love you so much. I will not be happy with you if reply. For real…you’re going to chance it. DON’T.

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    1. Lolllllllll don’t dare me Diana. I had to reply. I’m still here till tonight. Okay, I hear you! That was inspiring. . .’if you could stay quiet’, lol, great point! Thank you my friend. ❤

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  16. Hi Debby,
    I so understand you. Being a self-published author is very demanding as this blog so clearer points out: https://arrowheadfandp.com/2017/02/05/why-successful-writers-need-to-do-more-than-write-a-writers-path/
    Blogging takes a lot of time and energy, I know, and I too have cut down the frequency of my blogging posts and have not been as present as before responding to other bloggers.

    I have frequently taken blogging holidays and when I returned I have never found that bloggers that follow me abandoned me. Also, I have never abandoned bloggers who’ve taken holidays. Not to worry about coming back and finding all your follows have vanished :). You have a great blog and that’s really what makes others (me, especially) keep coming back.

    Iwish you a very happy holiday and hope that bloggers bash in London works out for you. I’m thinking of attending the one in Chicago next summer. May you come back resourced and refreshed. Your holiday is well deserved! Hugs. ❤

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    1. Thank you so much Carol for your beautiful comments and your words of encouragement. This will be a good time to test the slowing down the blog waters. I’m sure that by your doing so you are getting a lot more bookwriting time in! It’s tough doing it all. And btw, I appreciate you sharing that link but it comes up as a 404 page 😦
      I’ll be snooping around blogs when I get a chance. Don’t be surprised if you see my mug around yours. LOl ❤

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      2. Aw thanks for resending the link Carol. Lol, as it turns out, I saw my avatar there as already liked! Go figure we circulate the same reading of articles. ❤

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  18. Have a great time! And don’t worry about your blog. I can guarantee you won’t be forgotten, in fact, quite the opposite: you will be MISSED! ???

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  19. We could never forget you Deb…but we will miss you! I’m so glad you’re taking this time off, you deserve it so much. As I’ve said before, you won’t lose any of us, we’ll all be right here when you get back, waiting to hear all your news 🙂 And wow, a Caribbean cruise! Oh I am jealous now, lol! Seriously, have a fantastic time, relax, enjoy every second and don’t worry about a thing. I’ll see you over on FB in the meantime…just one thing, don’t forget me either, lol 😀 Keeping my eyes on June! Have a wonderful time my dear friend! 🙂 ❤ ❤ ❤ xoxo

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    1. Thanks dear Sher for your well wishes! Omg, I’m not forgetting anyone! I’ll buzz around FB when I can. Now just hoping to get out tomorrow as planned. Airports are madly lined up with travel lift ban and huge storm coming here early morning 😦 xoxo ❤ ❤

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      1. I know you won’t forget anyone Deb…you’re so lovely 🙂 I saw your post on FB after commenting here…so hope to read the good news soon that you got your flight and safely arrived in sunny Florida 🙂 xoxo ❤

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  20. Here’s a daily blogging challenge you won’t see often: Do NOT Blog – every day or *any* day!

    Do *not* read the posts of others, do *not* comment, do *not* respond, do *not* draft articles to post on your return — and zero Facebook as well!!!!

    DO have a wonderful blog-free/internet-free vacation so you can come back TRULY refreshed. We will all be waiting for your first post when you get back, never fear.
    xx,
    mgh
    (Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
    ADD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
    “It takes a village to transform a world!”

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    1. Lol you crack me up. I love the theory, but no doubt I will be buzzing around when time permits. I”m addicted, lol. But no blogging okay. Thanks a lot Madelyn. I’ll check in on you 🙂 xoxo

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      5. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But I guess as long as you are blogging you are not reading – lol – so maybe I’ll have a shot at keeping up when you return.

        I think you need to post selfies of your outfits for those of us who are still layered for warmth. 🙂
        xx,
        mgh

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      6. Lol Madelyn. Just a quick check in. No I’m not blogging, no time, and terrible internet. I don’t have 5 minutes for every page to open. Ya, I’m reading girlfriend so get your book on!!!! 🙂 ❤ Oh, and, there will be lots of pics of me on FB, the blog here will have to wait til end of February. Are you on FB? If so, friend me! 🙂 Debby Gies

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      7. I’ve been ON for years now, but hate it and rarely visit. I’d think about getting off but my blog autoposts there, not that it garners visits (only “likes” on that platform before people move merrily on).

        Next time I am forced to visit, I’ll friend you *just* to see your pics – but I really do avoid it mostly. The hyperfocus tractor beam is tough enough when I blog. I would have no life at all if I got started over there too.
        xx,
        mgh

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  22. Have a lovely holiday. My husband and I are off on a cruise as well at the end of next week, and so I look forward to meeting up again when we both come back refreshed and ready to blog again!

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  23. How we could forget you?! I am often negligent in commenting on your blogs, but I do look to forward and read them. I tried a 2 week cruise and keep up on blogging, etc. and it was a challenge due to reception problems. However, I did accomplish a lot of reading and working on a manuscript.
    Bon Voyage…have a great time…and will “see” you when you return.

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    1. Thank you Karen for the kind words. And you are so right. We as writers and bloggers try to do so much, and a cruise holiday and limited internet is limiting. So indeed I’ll be taking in the vacation, reading and of course doing some writing. 🙂

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  24. Of course we will be here awaiting your return…take as long as you need. It’s a priceless gift to self to honour you. To gift yourself and your lovely hubbie time. Enjoy your break ❤ Much love and ❤ flowing to you. Have fun my lovely, you deserve it ❤

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  25. Enjoy your vacation, Debby! Nothing better than a relaxing time off.
    Enjoy, relax, have fun!
    We won’t be going anywhere – ready to celebrate your return. 🙂

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    1. Lol, thanks Jacqui. I do hope everyone gets a chance to take a break. I”m just replying here from sunny Fort Lauderdale, just getting into the relaxing mode. I thought I wouldn’t even remember how. It’s like riding a bike! 🙂 ❤

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  29. I think it’s really important to take time to live a l life worth writing about. Enjoy you time away and we’ll be here when you get back. I’m sure you’ll have some great stories. I’m very pleased to hear the good news concerning your husband.

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    1. Thank you so much, and you are so right. If we didn’t live a little we’d have nothing to write about. Good point! So I think I will definitely have much to say when I return. I’m taking notes!!! 🙂

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  31. Good for you, finally taking a vacation! Four years on-stop blogging, wow! I have been blogging now (3 times a week) for a year and a half and I feel more and more burnt-out. The writing, and especially the choosing and editing photos to go with my blogs, takes a lot of time. Add reading blogs of others and commenting and there is barely any time left for the “real writing”. 🙂 Taking a break is hard for the reasons you mention and also, because a schedule like this feels somewhat addictive. Have a great vacation!! And, we will be here when you return. 🙂

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    1. Thank you so much Liesbet. You do indeed know what is all involved in a blogger’s life, and it is addictive because we share so much of our waking time here communing with people who feel the same way. I am responding from sunny Fort Lauderdale now. I can’t believe I’m actually here! 🙂 🙂

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    1. Thank you so much Sally. I’m astounded at the beautiful wishes from all of you and happy to report I am replying to you from sunny Fort Lauderdale! What a treat to see the sun! 🙂 xoxo ❤

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  34. I will miss you, Debby, although I haven’t followed you for very long I find your posts very interesting and helpful. Have a wonderful holiday and I hope your husband’s health goes from strength to strength.

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  37. Your declared absence pleases me immensely! It took me a while to feel okay taking the last couple weeks of the year off from blogging. But really, readers who are used to your presence are generally great about picking up right where you left off once you return to blogging. I’ve been gradually cutting down my number of posts due to more project work (which is good!). Every writer of a blog has to find their sweet spot. You’ll be missed, but it really is okay to take a break. REALLY!

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    1. I really appreciate your comment Jeri. It seems to me based on comments from so many here that everyone feels the same way in that a break for everyone is justified. But when it comes to myself, I’ve always tried to stay ahead of the game, keeping up with posting regularly, and as I’ve always had a great relationship with guilt I’ve always done my best to keep up no matter what life was dishing. So this will be my first testing the waters and it is comforting to learn from so many of my friends and readers here that many of you have been there and all will be just fine. So thank you for your words of encouragement. And you are so right, it’s difficult to create and put together posts daily while trying to write and market our work too. I hope to find that sweet spot. ❤

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  40. As if we could ever forget you!!!
    Have a great break and see you around 😀
    I’m not entirely sure if I’ll be able to get to the Bloggers Bash either – also conflicting diary dates – so we might have to arrange a meet up for all those who CAN’T get there on another day.

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  41. Have a wonderful, stress-free, margarita-sipping, book-reading, non-blogging holiday. 🙂 We will be here upon your return.

    You have a lot going on when you get back! Enjoy the time off. Well-deserved.

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    1. You are too kind. And thanks for the angels, the more the merrier. Sorry for late response Ann, internet connection at sea is rough. Just relaxing, forgot what it felt like. ❤

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  44. Have fun! Looking forward to hearing from you again. We do not usually forget people who have touch our heart in one way or another, I’m sure all of us here feel the same for you 🙂

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  46. Hi Debby,
    I hope you are having the most marvelous vacation and break from blogging. You have definitely earned it. It’s funny how we bloggers don’t like to give ourselves a holiday. There’s really no reason why we shouldn’t, but I feel similarly to you. I’ve set up my schedule and want to keep myself to it. No one else would probably notice, but I would!
    Apologies for being so late getting here. You could say I missed the boat. I hope you didn’t. The cruise sounds fantastic!
    I look forward to hearing of your adventures.

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    1. How kind of you Norah! Never apologize! We all have so much to do, we get ‘there’ when we can. I’ve been home here since Monday night, catching up and getting work done for my April return as I’ll be heading out to Arizona early next week for the month of March. Look out for some fantastical photos from that beautiful state. 🙂

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  47. I won’t forget you, Debby. How could I? You and your husband deserve a wonderful time together without deadlines and anxiety about internet connections. You put out a constant flow of material–too much for this writer to keep up with. I don’t know how you do it and get anything else done. But you do and I’m always impressed. As you know, I’ve gone to a blog every other week so I can turn my limited creative juices to new writing projects and big changes coming in my life in April which I’ll be writing about as the changes unfold. I know I”m late to the party here and I’ve seen a few FB posts about your trip. I’m glad it was wonderful. Have a sweet time in AZ, too.

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    1. Elaine, you’re never too late! I appreciate your visits and your compliments. And yes, it takes a lot to keep investigative, write blogs, do life and try and write books. My book writing has suffered since last fall, but I know that I’ll be spending the summer completing my next book, and somewhere we have to lessen the load to complete other things, it’s a continuous learning curve but I’m not stressing anymore – one day at a time.:)

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