There's going to be a couple of changes around here this year. In November, we decided to give up the allotment, mainly due to lack of time. Most of you know that I write another blog, The Good Life, which is all about my gardening hobby, but now that I no longer have the allotment I've decided to stop writing that blog. I shall still be growing things in the garden though so you will see a few gardening posts mingled in with my usual posts on this blog, I hope you'll enjoy them.
It's been quite time consuming keeping up with two blogs, it isn't just the writing but also answering comments and following along with other people's blogs too, so I'm hoping that these changes will free up a little more time for me.
As I mentioned in my last post, I'm not setting myself any new challenges this year, it's the first year for quite some time that I haven't had any specific challenges but once again, I'm considering the time they take.
I've been thinking about the things which are important to me and top of the list is family. 2016 is going to see some big changes as Eleanor will, hopefully, be leaving for university. Daniel's in his final year at university now so he may be moving back in or, if he gets a job, he probably won't, which means that Mick and I will be home alone for the first time in over twenty one years, I'm sure that will feel very strange. I want to make the most of these last months of us living as a family.
My parents aren't getting any younger, they're now in their eighties and as neither of them are in the best of health, I'm being called upon more and more to help them out. I know I'm very lucky to still have them both with me at the age they are so I want to be able to give them lots of my time.
We're having a family gathering today, I'm cooking for eight. Daniel and his girlfriend are here and so are Eleanor and her boyfriend and my mum and dad are joining us a little later in the day. I'm sure it will be another lovely day with lots of laughter. I hope you're all having a wonderful day today too.
Hi Jo, it is strange when there is an empty nest, I really miss my Jack when he is not in the house even though he is not far.
ReplyDeleteFamily are always at the top of my list as well xx All the best for the new year to you and your family x
It was very strange when Daniel moved out but I think it will be even stranger when Eleanor does as there'll be only the two of us at home then. Thank you, wishing you and your family all the best for 2016 too.
DeleteFamily is always at the top of the list ...
ReplyDeleteEnjoy New Years Day with yours, have a lovely day ...
I look forward, as always, to reading your 2016 posts here.
Happy New Year Wishes
All the best Jan
Thank you. Happy new year wishes to you too.
DeleteNothing else is as important as our family, you made a wise decision.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you all, have a lovely day.
Lisa x
I totally agree. Wishing you and yours a happy new year too.
DeleteOooooooooooooh enjoy the day - what are you cooking?
ReplyDeleteI made a beef casserole in the slow cooker, an easy option when cooking for eight. Carrots, swede and potatoes were cooked with the meat, broccoli and parsnips on the side, and mashed and roast potatoes, pigs in blankets stuffing and Yorkshire pudding. I don't think anyone went home hungry.
DeleteThanks, and to you too. I've always enjoyed both your blogs, and commenting on them. I also appreciate that you've replied to comments. All of which, as you rightly say, is time consuming.
ReplyDeleteYour family commitments in the coming year clearly need to be your priority.
I'm believe in doing less better which in terms of your blog and gardening you'll be doing, and well I'm sure.
Enjoy your day, and meal. Flighty xx
Thank you. Yes, to spread yourself around can sometimes result in not giving any one particular thing the full attention it needs, which in terms of family is no good at all so I'm sure I've made the right decision.
DeleteI totally understand why you want to spend your precious time with family. You may find there is time again in the future to take an allotment back up again but not now. Enjoy your family time, epescially your lunch today :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure we will go back to gardening on an allotment at some time in the future. Commitments change and so does the amount of spare time we have. For now, family definitely comes first though.
DeleteWishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. Anne xx
ReplyDeleteThank you. Wishing you all the very best for 2016 too.
DeleteHappy New Year to you, too. It has been a pleasure to read your blog all year round and I am looking forward to reading more. Enjoy your family gathering today, it sounds like fun. x
ReplyDeleteThank you. We had a lovely day with lots of laughter, which is just as expected.
DeleteSounds like a wonderful way to spend New Years Day. My kids can sometimes drive me nuts, but the thought of them leaving home at some point gives me that sinking feeling in my stomach - don't have to worry about that for some years yet, though (although time does seem to be passing faster and faster as we get older, doesn't it?)
ReplyDeleteIt seems like the blink of an eye since my two were little and here we are, soon to have an empty next. Make the most of these years when the kids are little as they pass by so quickly.
DeleteFamily first. I'll still be calling in your blog whatever you write about.
ReplyDeletexx
Family has always been the top of my list, it's so important.
DeleteI lost both of my parents relatively early and so you are right to make the most of them while you can. I have a blog and a website so I can empathise with you feeling they take up so much time.
ReplyDeleteI know I'm very lucky to have both parents still here at their age, many people aren't as fortunate. It was good to keep things about the allotment separate from this blog as I'm sure so many posts about gardening would have drowned the other content, but now that I'm growing things in the garden, I doubt there'll be quite so many posts about it, it makes senst to combine the two blogs.
DeleteHappy New Year! I hope that all will be well for you and your parents, it is very hard to help them when they get older isn't it. I am sure that you will do your best. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you. Happy new year to you too. My parents are still quite independent, and it does help that they're together, if they were alone I think I'd need to help a lot more than I do. It's very hard to see them get older though and needing help with lots of things.
DeleteBlogging can be time consuming thats why I don't blog everyday. It's difficult when you work full time and help the family out. You made a good call, its going to give you much needed time.
ReplyDeleteI think you need to strike the balance that's right for you where blogging is concerned. Keeping up with one blog rather than two will certainly give me more time.
DeleteWhatever you do, enjoy it to the full! I sometimes find 2 blogs a bit too much as well! I enjoy reading this one though, so I shall enjoy reading more.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure having just the one blog will be much easier for me as well as freeing up some time. Glad to hear you enjoy reading along.
Deletehello jo,
ReplyDeletefamily is always at the top on my list....
i wish you and your family a happy new year!!
hugs,regina
Thank you. Wishing you and yours a happy new year too.
DeleteWe love our empty nest, it's our time, our offspring are all settled and happy which gives us pleasure and allows us freedom to do as we wish.
ReplyDeleteI think an empty nest will take some getting used to, but to know that our children are happy and settled is all we can wish for.
DeleteYes, it will be a big year of changes for you, which is a challenge in itself. I still miss my kids and to think I've a 19 year old granddaughter. Hope all enjoyed the family time.. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how this year will pan out with Daniel finishing university and Eleanor hoping to go. I suppose all will depend on exam results and job applications. We had a wonderful time yesterday, it was lovely to have the whole family all together before Daniel goes back to university.
DeletePerfectly understandable. Have a good meal and here's to 2016 with family and friends!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I can't think of a better year than one shared with family and friends. Wishing you and yours all the very best for 2016.
DeleteI hope you had a great day with all your family, Jo. Happy New Year to you all! :o)
ReplyDeleteWe had a brilliant day. Thank you, happy new year to you and yours too.
DeleteHappy New Year Jo.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Happy new year to you too.
DeleteYou are at another exciting crossroad in your life, Jo! I am cheering you on to a Happy New Year. xx
ReplyDeleteThat's a great way of looking at it, not sure which path we'll follow though yet. Thank you, wishing you a happy new year too.
DeleteHappy New Year Jo, I hope your family gathering went well & 2016 is everything you want it to be xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, happy new year to you too. The family gathering went very well, we all had a lovely day.
DeleteHappy new year. Family are great and even better when they are in the same country. Mine are worldwide, so we see little of them. Everyone seems to be leaving NZ once again.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Happy new year to you too. I find it really sad when families are split far and wide, though distance seems much smaller these days with the invention of such things as Skype. We're lucky that we live in an age where it's so easy to keep in touch.
DeleteHappy new year Jo, sounds like a wonderful day with family xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, happy new year to you too. Yesterday was a wonderful day, we all enjoyed ourselves and there was lots of laughter.
DeleteIt is very strange to find that the kids have gone....my experience is that they keep returning home! Which is fine, it's a different world now and the young'uns have a much harder time of it all. It is lovely to still have your parents and good for you freeing up time to spend with them. All the very best to you and yours Jo, have a simply lovely 2016.xxx
ReplyDeleteDaniel has become very independent whilst living away and I know he'll only return home if he really has to. As you say, the world we live in has changed and it's very hard for them to start off in life these days so it will all depend on how quickly he manages to get a job once he finishes uni. Thank you, wishing you and yours all the very best for 2016 too.
DeleteBest wishes for the New Year. I also like to spend quality time with my ageing parents. Hope you manage to find a balance with the empty nest it takes some getting used to.
ReplyDeleteThank you, wishing you all the very best for the new year too. There was an adjustment to be made when Daniel left for university but I can't imagine how quiet it's going to be when neither of them are at home, I'm sure I'll get used to it eventually.
DeleteHappy New Year Jo to you and your family. Lots of changes in your household this year. We only have Adam at home now and although I cannot see a day when he will live independently he may decide otherwise. It is very strange as each one leaves home. The older three think they have been replaced by Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and they could well be right.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Happy new year to you too. I think it's definitely going to be a year of change for us, though replacing children with Cavaliers, hmmmm, now there's an idea!
DeleteFamily is important so I can understand why you're making changes to your blogging which is a satisfying interest, but also takes time and effort. Circumstances change and one wants to make time for family - it seems no time at all since Daniel started uni and now it will be Eleanor's turn. I just want to say that I've met like minded bloggers through your gardening blog and I'm sure we'll continue to follow and enjoy your posts when you combine both blogs.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I'm making the right decision in combinging the blogs, it will definitely free up some time which I'm badly in need of. It's great when blogging brings people together who have the same interests, I do hope that lots of the friends I made on my other blog will pop over and see me here.
DeleteHappy New Year! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you. Happy new year to you too.
DeleteI hope that you enjoyed that family meal Jo. A fabulous way to start a new year. Has Daniel been able to get back to York yet to resume his studies?
ReplyDeleteWe had such a lovely family time, it's been a great Christmas and new year this year. Daniel went back to York on the 2nd of January, it was a case of needs must as they had an exam on the 4th. He was very fortunate that the floods hadn't reached his house. Mick and I drove over yesterday as we had some things to take for him and the rivers are still spilling over, such a terrible sight with so much devastation, I do feel for all those who have been affected.
Delete