Hello there and welcome to Post Comment Love - or #PoCoLo - it's great to see you and if you were here last week, thank you - I've some catching up to do after a busy couple of weeks, but hope to get over to you after this weekend. If you're new here, then welcome, it's great to have you along, Morgan and I are both pleased you've joined us.
I've already hinted that it's been busy this week, and it has as we've been gearing up for our 110th party this weekend. There's still way too many jobs on my to do list, and it's being revised regularly, so that it's not unrealistic and aren't so exhausted that we can't enjoy our own party. With the deadline looming, things have been quieter, both here and on social media, but I've some crackers of some posts coming up.
Oh, and 110? At the end of May I turned fifty, then last week we celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary - thank you for all your kind wishes for both, and then at the start of next month MOH is also fifty. So 110, and well, it's not like me to do anything normal...
We made it harder for ourselves of course by wanting to get the garden finished, or as close to a we could; that meant finishing those circles, installing some sleepers and the small matter of the gabion basket installation to sit the pizza oven on. There's still a bit more finishing to do - but after the party - the majority of it is done, and it's done enough, if you know what I mean.
The garden is coming together and while the peonies have gone over, other flowers are timing it just about right, including the yucca which is in full bloom. It's reverted to a more horizontal state than I'd like, but I'm not interrupting it right now when it's delivering these beauties.
Of an evening the garden smells of jasmine, and we're starting to see the tiny white flowers appear. The mock orange is likely to join in by the weekend, along with the white scabiosa, the pink roses and the clematis which are all holding on. If we're very lucky the sweet peas might flower too, but the plug plants bedding I bought a while back is still very tiny so I'm trying to work in a garden centre visit if I can!
And if I don't get to everything on my list, even if it's the revised list, that's ok because really Saturday isn't about being super-perfect and finished to the nth degree, it's about spending time with friends and family and remembering that ten years and a week ago we were doing something similar too!
Many will have been at our wedding - we had the reception in our back garden - and many things have changed too, so it'll be interesting to see if our friends notice the changes we've made to the place!
Blogger Showcase: Justine from GirlGoneDreamer
1. Who are you?
Hi my name is Justine. I'm (amongst other things) a writer, dreamer and notorious drama queen! I talk way too much and consider myself a friend to anyone and everyone.
My day job is at a dental practice, please don't all show me your teeth! (Happens everywhere I go!) Every minute I'm not at work I am girlgonedreamer personified.
2. How did you discover blogs/blogging?
Honestly? It was because of an article I read in Cosmo magazine about two years ago now. Zoe Sugg had done an interview and I guess you could say it piqued my interest. I thought hey if this girl can do this then I can too.
3. Why did you start blogging?
Originally it was because I wanted a platform from which to launch my writing career. (I've been working on a novel for a while now.) These days? I genuinely love blogging in itself. It's become so much more than I could ever have anticipated.
4. What do you find most challenging?
The blog/tech jargon as I like to call it. Anything to do with coding, uploading new templates, adding plug ins, etc etc etc! You get my drift. I hate all that. I literally just want to write, create and to inspire. Thankfully most of the time I've had help with the stuff mentioned so I don't need to stress about it. There's plenty of fellow bloggers ready and willing to give a helping hand for a reasonable fee.
5. What is your favourite topic to write about?
Hmmm tricky question. I have several. I do love opening up with my more personal posts and letting the words just flow. But then I've loved coming up with my latest blogging tips posts too. Can I say both of those?
6. Are you blogging for fun or do you have goals?
Originally I started with a goal. GirlGoneDreamer was created as my writing platform so I was determined to have success on some level. But that was a big mistake. I ended up hating almost every minute of it. Once I stopped trying to make it something, stopped comparing myself to other bloggers, and started to write just for myself, I began to really love it and I caught the blogging bug. Now I always blog for myself first and foremost and it's a huge amount of fun. I have recently also added healthy goals to work towards too.
7. What is your favourite thing about blogging?
The coming up with ideas and writing content. I've loved writing ever since I was a child.
8. Have you ever attended a blogging conference?
No but I'd love to. My anxiety disorder has kind of stopped me going to any... so far. I like the feeling of being safely hidden behind my computer. I tend to hide behind GGD somewhat.
9. What are your three best posts?
As in my own personal choice or statistically speaking? We'll go with three of my favourites. Too many to chose from but I'll plump for these:
1. In Which I Get A Bit Personal... Hopes. Fears. Dreams.
3. How To Fall Back In Love With Blogging
10. Describe yourself in three words
Crazy. Loving. Kind.
That's how my nephews would answer at any rate! I think I'd have to agree with them.
11. Are you a tea and biscuits or coffee and cake person?
I'm a tea and cake kind of girl.
12. What's your idea of a perfect night out?
I prefer nights in as I'm a bit of a recluse. PJs, duvet and glass of wine for me. But if I had to go out, it'd be to the movies or theatre.
13. Your perfect night in?
As above!
14. What would your best friend/OH/mum or kids say is your best quality?
Hmmm. I'm not sure but I often get told that I'm just a really nice person. Is niceness even a quality, I dunno?? 😂
Thanks Justine, there's some great answers there glad you had fun answering our questions, please do grab your "I was featured on PoCoLo" badge. If you're reading this wondering how you can be featured, please get in touch.
