Hello bloggers, near and far; dear and dearer. I am alive. Yes, this summer is almost over and already sliding into memory. I meant to visit you right after Labor Day, but was sidetracked—I needed to catch my breath. Whew.
The best part is the kids are back in school. Life should get back to normal, whatever that is. I flipped my daily schedule upside down: work first and play later. This means blogging will not happen until the latter part of the day. I cannot be trusted on social media for an hour or two at a time. Twelve hours disappear before I even notice. Poof, the day is lost and I’m wiped. I wonder how long this setup will last. It’s failed before, but I must try.
I managed to do some of what I’d planned this summer and even some I had not. The bottom line is I needed a break from my break. Yeah, I’m a wuss—a shock to me too. Oh, oh. Do I see you rolling your eyes?
I still have a mountain of unread books on my dining-room table, which hasn’t shrunk by much. Sigh. It will take a little time to work my way back and I may not manage to be quite as vigilant as before. I have missed so much of what’s been happening in Blogland and all of you, of course. I feel like a stranger. I will never manage a catch up, but I am on my way back. I hope there’s still a place for me at the coffee table.
Here’s a link I came across this morning. Fits me like a slinky dress. Some of you too, right?
Hugs all around. Mwah.
See you next Friday?
September 16, 2016 at 5:43 pm
So nice to hear from you, Tess. “See” you next Friday.
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September 16, 2016 at 6:09 pm
Thank you, John. I plan on keeping that date Friday. Nice to talk to you all again. ❤ 😀
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September 16, 2016 at 6:59 pm
I’ll bring the wine.
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September 16, 2016 at 7:03 pm
Ha ha. Sounds Fabulous. 😀 I’ll scare up a blog post.
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September 16, 2016 at 5:46 pm
Welcome back Tess!!!!! It’s great to see you blogging again. Needing a break from your break surely means you were doing something right. Right? LOL, maybe not relaxing quite enough? Mega hugs my friend.
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September 16, 2016 at 6:08 pm
I have to confess, I never do anything the easy way. Sheesh. It was busy, painful, ouchy, busy, ouchy and then some more. Ugh.o_O
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September 16, 2016 at 5:47 pm
Hey Tess! So happy to hear from you. Welcome back, my dear. Big hugs to you.
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September 16, 2016 at 6:03 pm
What a lovely welcome, Len. Thank you. I hadn’t realized how long it’s been. ❤ ❤
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September 16, 2016 at 5:48 pm
That pile of books to read never goes down! As soon as I read one, another one ( or two) is added to the pile to replace it!
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September 16, 2016 at 6:04 pm
Exactly. I volunteer in a charity bookstore. Need I say more?
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September 17, 2016 at 9:38 am
No! What temptation!
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September 16, 2016 at 6:09 pm
Hi Tess!!!!! So nice you’re around again–I missed you!
I hear you about missing from Blogland–me too. I need to get my act together; loved the article you linked us to–great tips!
Be all and looking forward to Friday!
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September 16, 2016 at 6:29 pm
Welcome back, Tess!! You were missed! Happy to hear news from you! I’m guessing it was not a vacation at the beach break! See you next Friday! 💛 Christine
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September 16, 2016 at 6:29 pm
Welcome back, Tess! We all need breaks and I had one too. . .I am looking forward to hearing what you have to say on Friday. Whew! you really put pressure on yourself by setting a deadline 🙂
It’s good to have you back and as for the stack of books, the level never goes down 🙂
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September 16, 2016 at 6:31 pm
Welcome back, Tess! I actually just stopped by the blog a couple days ago to see if I missed your return. Glad to see I didn’t. 🙂
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September 16, 2016 at 6:32 pm
Welcome back, Tess, I can relate. My book pile never gets smaller, but I can’t say no to a new book.
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September 16, 2016 at 6:56 pm
I remember you. ☺ Welcome back, Tess, hope the break was all you hoped it would be. 💝
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September 16, 2016 at 7:04 pm
You do? Bless you Van. Some break. It was full of ups and downs–kids out for the summer, you know?
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September 16, 2016 at 7:24 pm
Welcome back Tess!! I’m so glad we connected on FB where I saw your post. 🙂
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September 16, 2016 at 7:27 pm
So lovely to see you back Tess! Sending you warm hugs & the knowing that you are welcome at my coffee table anytime!💛
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September 16, 2016 at 9:21 pm
Tess!!! Did you hear me scream your name. Welcome back. Always love to see you pop up over the cyber horizon. ❤
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September 16, 2016 at 9:25 pm
Welcome back Tess. I am such a tardy blogger but I do like to keep in touch with cyber life and friends. Glad you are looking after yourself. I just read the link you posted. Oh dear, think I had better go sit in a corner and have a good think about myself :)))
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September 16, 2016 at 10:20 pm
Welcome back!
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September 16, 2016 at 11:30 pm
Nice to see you back, Tess 🙂
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September 17, 2016 at 9:19 am
Bless you, Joanne.Thanks for the welcome. My little heart is aflutter. ❤ ❤ 😀
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September 17, 2016 at 3:00 am
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Lovely to see Tess back with us after her summer break and I can see from all the likes that many others feel the same way that I do.. Tess has been part of my blog since the early days and of course there is room at the coffee table for you Tess.. looking forward to next Friday.. welcome back.
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September 20, 2016 at 6:55 pm
Bless your heart, Sally. Missed you all too. Life sure knows how to take over. It will be nice to get back, though I know it won’t be quite the same on my end. Still I’ve missed you. 🙂 😀 ❤ I believe I'm slowing down. Ugh.
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September 21, 2016 at 2:27 am
Never Tess…just taking more time to smell the roses.. hugs xx
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September 17, 2016 at 5:27 am
Welcome back, Tess 🙂 Lovely to hear from you x
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September 17, 2016 at 8:15 am
Hi Tess. So you’re taking the leap back into “Blogland”. Take it at your own pace. I’m not into the social media gig really. I rarely put anything on Twitter or Google+, and–get this–those are the only two media sites I associate with. I like the well-planned give and take of blogs so much more. It’s like writing and reading personal letters at my leisure.
I’m glad you’re back, Tess. I’ve missed your input and your stories.
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September 17, 2016 at 8:26 am
ackHaHa, “Fits me like a slinky dress.” Love it and me too. I feel your pain. The only schedule I can seem to keep is trying to find a schedule that will keep!. Glad you’re back and hope the summer break was a restful one. @sheilamgood at Cow Pasture Chronicles
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September 17, 2016 at 8:30 am
Welcome back!! So happy ro read you again! I’ve been gone too, and I’m looking forward to following your re-emmergance into the blogosphere! Let’s have fun!
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September 17, 2016 at 10:18 am
Good to have you back, Tess. A real-world friend and I were just wondering where the h*** you were!
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September 17, 2016 at 1:07 pm
Nice to see you again, and gosh, that forest path looks inviting.
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September 17, 2016 at 1:18 pm
I’ve missed you so I’m delighted to see you and there’s plenty of room for you at my coffee table. Welcome, welcome and see you next week x:-)x
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September 17, 2016 at 1:39 pm
So grat to see you back here, Tess. You have been missed. Glad you had a nice break.
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September 17, 2016 at 1:40 pm
Oops! should be great.
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September 17, 2016 at 3:49 pm
Welcome back Tess there is always room for you at the table! You have been sorely missed!
xxxxx
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September 17, 2016 at 9:56 pm
Yahoo, you’re back, Tess! So glad to have you here. Feels like the whole blogging family is starting to get back to the table. Big hugs and hope this weekend is treating you kindly. 🙂
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September 18, 2016 at 1:16 am
Oh Tess yay to seeing you back! Hoping you have a good success with your new schedule. I have been challenged by finding the right time to write. I look forward to hearing how it goes for you.
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September 18, 2016 at 4:39 am
Great to see you’re back, Tess. And breathe…. jx
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September 18, 2016 at 5:52 am
There’s always space’ welcome back darling lady…slowly..slowly… ❤️❤️
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September 19, 2016 at 5:39 am
Ah ha so you have rebooted to Tess 2.0, a sort of reTess maybe? Glad to hear your dulcet tones again and glad you are recharged, refined and ready to rumble…
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September 19, 2016 at 8:46 am
Real or memory or dream. Often no longer can distinguish it all.
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September 19, 2016 at 11:06 am
Welcome back. We all need a change at times and at my age I pretty much do things that make me happy. I do of course watch my grand children when needed. They breathe new life into me and keep me moving and that’s enough exercise for me, whew!
Yes summer is bowing out faster than most would like but some are awaiting fall and winter with open arms. Me? I live in Florida and the seasons change but not that much. The big difference here is the Snow Birds, they will be pouring into Fl. in a few weeks. Roads, restaurants, stores, beaches, parking lots and taverns will be packed. However we will get through it and the upside is I tend to meet some pretty interesting people during this extra season.
I look forward to reading your blog again and hope you enjoy reading mine.
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September 20, 2016 at 6:09 pm
Thank YOU. Indeed we do. ❤ ❤ ❤
Now I have another case of eye strain and screen time hurts. Ouch.
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September 19, 2016 at 2:27 pm
Welcome back! We all need a break from time to time!
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September 21, 2016 at 9:01 pm
Thank God you’re back!
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September 22, 2016 at 11:08 am
Yes, I thank Him too. Good to be back though I don’t believe I’ll be as present as before. Still, it’s a pleasure to talk with you all again. ❤ ❤ ❤
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September 21, 2016 at 10:58 pm
I’m putting the coffee pot on!! Great to see your lovely face here 🙂 ♥
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September 22, 2016 at 8:45 am
Sounds terrific! I’ll be right over. What would you like to munch on with the coffee? I don’t care for sweets but can bring fudge brownies. 😀 ❤ ❤
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September 27, 2016 at 6:06 pm
Hehe 😉 Brownies sound great! I will bring cheese and crackers with me. Knock knock knock ♥
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September 28, 2016 at 6:45 pm
Coming. I hear you knocking. Just taking the brownies out of the oven. ❤ 🙂
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September 29, 2016 at 4:20 pm
YOU are adorable ♥ Have a great day, Tess xx
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September 29, 2016 at 9:33 pm
Don’t go. I want coffe,e and the brownies are cooling.. 😀 😀
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September 24, 2016 at 3:39 pm
You are ALWAYS invited at my coffee table. Although, actually, it’s a ‘tea table,’ if that’s okay. 🙂
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September 24, 2016 at 3:44 pm
P.S. The linked article fits me like a slinky black dress that I forget to send to the dry cleaner, so I started worrying about what I’d wear, and then I realized that no ‘real’ friends would be at that party, and what would really make me happy would be to stay home and wear my fluffy slippers and sip a glass of wine. And then, I was happier….
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September 27, 2016 at 2:55 am
I seem to catch up backwards, but yes, I understand everything about taking a break and I’m pleased to see you. You’re always busy writing and commenting on people’s blogs and it’s difficult to find time for everything else too. I see many challenges I fancy but I know realistically I wouldn’t be able to follow through and I keep it to what I think it’s manageable. Lovely to see you back
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September 27, 2016 at 7:08 pm
Thanks so much, Olga. These days I DO find it harder to do it all. Grr. Must be slowing down.
I’m pleased to be among my blogging friends again but I probably won’t be as involved as previously. I’ve flipped my daily schedule and though it has been a short time, I hope this will work this time. My comments now come in the latter part of my day.
I envy all your reading and reviews. 🙂
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September 30, 2016 at 4:15 pm
Welcome back! Glad you got something of a break. Have a great weekend & new week – then repeat.
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September 30, 2016 at 10:16 pm
Thanks so much for the visit. I wish you a fabulous weekend as well. My return will be irregular at best for the next while. 🙂
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