As February draws to a close, I took a little time to reflect on the last few weeks. It’s been tough – I’ve been in hospital, the cat is ill and required an enormous amount of vet treatment that I couldn’t afford and we found out that we are going to have to move again after only six months of living in our new house. However, February has also been a positive month, particularly in my little blogging endeavours, so I thought I would take the opportunity to share the five things that have been fabulous.
1. Suzie81 received it’s 100,000th view a week ago. This in itself was a monumental achievement and it exceeded any expectations that I had when i started this blog 10 months ago. I decided to bite the bullet and share a few of my posts with my friends on Facebook, most of whom had no idea that I actually had a blog to begin with. They shared one of my posts – ‘Why Being a Stay at Home Parent is the Toughest Job in the World…’ which was viewed several thousand times and ended up being featured on ‘Mumsnet,’ which was amazing! Since then I decided to share one of my older posts, ‘How To Know When You’re a Teacher’ and it has been picked up and shared over 3,000 times, giving me and extra 20,000 views in the last week. It’s still going – I have been boring The Bloke to death with daily updates and I have become a stat obsessive, checking it at least ten times a day. It’s so exciting!!! Every morning I wake up with this facial expression…
I’d also like to say a massive ‘thank you’ for all the lovely awards that I have been given over the last month, but more on that in a future post.
2. My school underwent a very tough and intense OFSTED. I was seen by one of the inspectors and was awarded an ‘Outstanding.’ This was the third one that I have been given in a row and as a ‘well done’ The Bloke gave me a beautiful Pandora bracelet to celebrate – I’m spoilt rotten!
3. I have been reminded yet again what amazing family and friends that I have. When I was taken to hospital my mum and sister drove half-way down the country to be with me, some of my friends came to visit me, my work colleagues sent me a beautiful bunch of flowers, and my mum spent the weekend at my house after I was discharged. During my recovery I have been inundated with messages asking how I am, with offers of support if I need anything. When I found out about the house move my friends offered to lend me money and help me move. I’m extremely blessed and once I get all this stress out of the way I am determined to show them how grateful I am and how much they mean to me.
4. The housemove has meant that I have been able to get myself a little more organised – I have been able to be ruthless and give lots of books, CD’s and clothes to my local charity shop. I received a letter from them to tell me that my stuff has raised £50 so far, so this gave me a warm fuzzy feeling.
5. And finally, I have been really pleased to see the fantastic response to the campaign to help Merbear, a fellow blogger, who suffers from Fibromyalgia and is a risk of losing her house. After reading a heartbreaking post by the lovely Merbear, who I have only had the pleasure of meeting recently, Zoe started a donation fund to highlight her plight. After only a few days she has managed to raise over $1,100, which is just unbelievable. If you can, please share her story – let’s get everybody involved! If you wish to donate, simply click here – no amount is too small! It has restored a little faith in humanity for me, and proved that the blogging world is one of the most supportive that I have ever had the pleasure to be part of.
For those of you who may have missed them, these are my Five Favourite Posts from February, simply click the image to be taken to the post.
21 Little Pleasures in Life
A Fat Disney Princess
Stop Apologising for Yourself!
Why Being a Stay At Home Parent…
My Love/Hate Relationship With Facebook
Hope you have a lovely Friday!!
You can also find me on Twitter and Tumblr @suzie81blog
We have been there with you on your frantic February journey supporting you at every turn. 🙂
Tiger came home yesterday, in a beautiful blue urn with his name engraved in brass disc which has been fitted to the top along with a small bunch of artifical flowers. Timmy is missing him and calls for him during the night, they have never been apart in 15 years, he gets us up, he then jumps on the bed with us curls up and he is happy. We plan to put Tiger in a big pot with a catkins tree. 🙂
Aww bless him – I’m so sorry Pete. If i’m being honest I dont think Wobbly is far behind…
Thank you so much for all the support you have given… It’s very much appreciated!!
That’s the problem with having pets they leave us to soon, but we have said no more, we said that last time but this time we mean it. Thank you 🙂
I am glad the month turned out ok, though I am sure it didn’t feel that way sometimes. Stay awesome, Suzie!
It certainly didn’t feel great at times, but this month has shown me that there are always others in more need of help than me! Thanks my lovely – it’s been great getting to know you a little over the last month… Love your blog!!
so happy you can see the positive even with all of the challenges you’ve endured. here’s to march and beyond! beth
Thanks Beth! Really appreciate it!
Being one of the 100,000 people who have read your blog, I just like to say thank you for being you and giving me an insight into your world wrapped in words. You do it so well. Well done.
Thank you so much, what an awesome comment! Really appreciate it!
I’m so sorry that you’ve been through so much. I’m just in awe that despite it you are able to see so much positive. Your post challenged me to keep looking for the positive. I hope March is a much better month for you! Thank you for mentioning Mer’s fund raiser, I really appreciate it. 🙂
Thanks! I did have an enormous pity party for about a week and just stayed in bed, but after a while there’s nothing else you can do other than to get up and get on with it! Thanks for your kind words – I’ll do my best to promote Mer’s fundraising as often as possible!
Sometimes it just feels good to cry and feel yuck it may be what gives us the strength to get up and keep going. 🙂
Thank you again about promoting Mer! We’re at about $1161.00 That’s not including a couple of Paypal donations. I’m just blown away!
It’s absolutely brilliant… I’m so pleased for her!
Me too!
Thank you for liking my blog entry! Your blog is great – I’ve just started so I have a lot to learn. Congrats on your achievements and I’m glad to see that things seem to be getting better for you.
Thank you very much! You’re welcome to stop by any time!
And just think – February is a short month! I admire your disposition through it all. You really encourage me to see the light in each day, and I can see how much it illuminates the load we all bear if we see the positives, such as the impact your donations of books and CDs have had.
Well done!
Thank you very much! What a lovely comment!
It was a good way to start a Friday – a bacon cheeseburger at lunch didn’t hurt to keep the momentum going!
Good to hear about the rays of sunshine in a kind of blah February 😊 and that is amazing achievements on your blog!!! Congratulations!!!
Thank you!
Have a lovely Friday and congratulations on your achievements!!! That is amazing 😊
Thank you very much!
Check you out, focusing on the positive.
Hope it lasts and lasts and lasts!
Thank you very much!
Awesome, Suzie! Sounds like you have plenty of things to celebrate despite a couple of setbacks.
Thanks TD!
Reblogged this on suzie81's Blog and commented:
Something to celebrate the end of February…
so very thrilled for you! Well done! Hope you are feeling better and that this move will be quick, easy and painless. You deserve a break!
Apologies for the late reply – thank you my lovely!
I really like your digests (I might attempt one too inspired by you). Hope everything gets better for you. And love the top pic 🙂
Thank you very much! I’d love to read it!
Congrats on your 100,000th view! That is a huge accomplishment.
Thank you!