It may have been noticed that there has been a bit of a gap in time since my last post. Or it wasn’t. This time of the year can be a busy one for many of us and I think that we can become somewhat over bombarded by emails and advertisements in addition to all of the other goings on in our lives. Some bloggers will take a break for a week or two so as to enjoy the holidays with family and friends. Maybe that’s what happened for me?
There was no announced break or step back although, in hindsight, I should have learned my lesson during this past summer and done so. Back in July, I found that it took about two weeks before head cleared from the anesthesia and the pain meds following my mastectomy and reconstruction surgery so there were a few planned blog posts that were never written. I’d assumed that since gallbladder surgery is much less invasive that I wouldn’t experience nearly as much downtime and that I would be able to keep up with my usual blogging schedule. Not wanting to believe that I couldn’t do it all, I’d even made sure to take photos for several blog posts just in case I didn’t feel up to taking them in the week or so following the surgery.
The surgery went fine and my recovery has gone very well. It was on a Tuesday and I was back at work the following Monday but not without some minor discomfort although each day I felt better physically than the day before. However, I found my mental energies to be tapped by the end of the day and I lacked the desire “to blog”. Adding to my mental state was the weather in SoCal which had been unseasonably warm and dry, and brushfires raging in several communities near where I live. There was also a post published by another blogger that included yet another list of other bloggers that the author thought worthy of highlighting. I have a love/hate response to those types of posts because while I applaud and cheer the recognition that the other bloggers deserve, I find myself profoundly disappointed to not be included and then start to doubt my own self-worth as a blogger.
With all of that, I decided to not push myself. Once I allowed myself to embrace the notion of taking a break, I felt better about doing so. My only regret is that I didn’t announce it and just went dark. I tried to put together a Last Week, This Week post this past Tuesday (even have the photos) but with holiday festivities there’d been little free time over the weekend and I was still too much in my mental fugue to attend to the task in the last few nights. And so just as I released myself of the guilt and decided that I would skip today’s post as well, I was struck by inspiration. Actually, the inspiration came courtesy of The Husband.
I was still debating if I would publish a post (and what it’s content would be) when he suggested doing a “look-back”. At first, I wasn’t very keen on the idea but I did find it intriguing. During this time away, even though I’ve paid less attention to my blog stats, I do know that I’ve not been forgotten. And as I look over the course of the past year, I’m fascinated by which posts have been the most popular. Given that the theme for this week is Reclaim-Recycle-Reuse, the concept of a “look-back” seems to fit quite well. I won’t bore you with a long list of my greatest hits, I’ll just highlight the top 5 published in 2017. They are;
Let’s Wrap This Up
Now, onto the Fine-Whatever link up for this week. Remember just a few paragraphs back when I shared my love/hate for posts that include lists of other bloggers? Especially those that exclude me? Call me a hypocrite, but I’ve got a list as well. However, I made no judgment as to who would be included on this list, it was up to the bloggers (or Instagrammers as applicable) themselves. Those that are included are contributors who have added at least one post to at least one of my weekly link-ups in this past year. By downloading the links that were added each week and sorting through them, I’ve been able to create this list. I also tabulated the number of link-ups each contributor participated in (‘cuz I’m a stat nerd) and I’ve highlighted the five bloggers that top the list.
| Blogger | # of link ups | URL |
| Ada | 24 | http://eleganceandmommyhood.blogspot.com/ |
| Amanda | 2 | http://www.midwesterncasualchic.com |
| Amy | 30 | http://www.amyscreativepursuits.com |
| Amy | 9 | http://stylingrannymama.com |
| Andrea | 36 | http://www.andreaswellnessnotes.com |
| Andrea | 1 | http://livingoncloudandreanine.blogspot.com |
| Ann | 1 | http://cairncottage.blogspot.com |
| Anna | 12 | https://lookingfabulousat50.blogspot.com.au |
| Anna Shirley | 15 | http://glamadventure.com/ |
| Anne | 3 | http://spygirl-amb.blogspot.com |
| Ashley | 1 | https://www.lazydaisyjones.com |
| Audrey | 9 | http://fivefootnothingshopping.com |
| Berry | 12 | http://www.mummabstylish.com |
| Bi Ti | 12 | http://www.pret-a-vivre.com |
| Carrie | 2 | http://astylishfit.com |
| Charlotte | 1 | http://www.sublimemercies.com |
| Cheryl | 8 | http://www.cherylshops.net |
| Cheryl | 7 | https://www.northwestmountainliving.com |
| Chi Chi | 1 | http://www.thestyletune.com |
| Chioma | 3 | http://www.csevolutionofstyle.com |
| Christina | 3 | http://abooksandmore.blogspot.co.za |
| Claire | 2 | http://www.clairejustineoxox.com |
| Colleen | 2 | https://50daysofnogrey.wordpress.com |
| Dawn Lucy | 6 | https://fashionshouldbefun.com |
| Debbie | 1 | http://www.fashionfairydust.com |
| Diva* | 6 | http://cutecapsulelife.com |
| Edwige | 36 | http://hypnozglam.com |
| Emma | 23 | http://www.style-splash.com |
| Gail | 4 | http://www.isthismutton.com |
| Jacqui | 5 | http://www.mummabstylish.com |
| Jane | 8 | https://styletters.blogspot.com.ee |
| Jaymie | 2 | http://www.jaymieashcraft.com |
| Jen | 12 | https://librarianforlifestyle.com |
| Jen | 1 | www.diyglamour.com |
| Jenna | 2 | https://rainonatinroof.com |
| Jennie | 27 | http://www.apocketfulofpolkadots.com |
| Jess | 20 | https://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com |
| Jodie | 40 | http://www.jtouchofstyle.com |
| Joi | 34 | http://inmyjoi.blogspot.com/ |
| Jonet | 1 | http://fabulouslychicover50.com |
| Joy Marie | 5 | http://outfitzest.blogspot.com |
| Jules | 6 | http://www.julesinflats.com |
| Julie | 3 | http://www.gingerphotog.com |
| Kallie | 8 | http://kallieflexman.com/ |
| Karen | 1 | http://ladyinviolet.com |
| Kelsey | 2 | http://acupofteawithkelsey.blogspot.com |
| Kim | 15 | http://www.champagneistablog.com |
| Kim | 2 | https://instagram.com/kandidlykim |
| Kimberly | 7 | http://www.mudbootsandpearls.com |
| Kristina | 30 | http://www.thekontemporary.com |
| Lanae | 31 | https://modestbudgetbelle80.blogspot.com |
| Laura | 1 | http://www.walkinginmemphisinhighheels.com |
| Laurie | 38 | https://www.vanityandmestyle.com |
| Leelo | 22 | https://www.beautybymissl.com |
| Lily | 19 | http://www.lilyseymour.com |
| Linda | 10 | https://www.alabouroflife.com |
| Linda | 7 | https://rchreviews.blogspot.com |
| Maggie | 14 | https://thriftshopfashionistablog.wordpress.com |
| Melissa | 33 | https://www.themelissalifestyle.com/ |
| Melissa | 5 | http://momwithstyle.com |
| Michele | 3 | https://instagram.com/seechele_styles |
| Michelle | 39 | http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com |
| Mimi | 22 | https://inmyprimetime.blogspot.com |
| Miri | 1 | http://currentlywearing.com |
| Miriam | 3 | http://www.be-sparkling.com |
| Mother & Daughter* | 1 | http://amotheradaughterandlife.com |
| Nancy | 39 | https://www.nancysfashionstyle.com |
| Neti | 9 | http://www.madamtoomuch.com |
| Nicole | 40 | https://highlatitudestyle.com |
| Nina | 2 | http://aworldofdresses.com |
| Nistha | 14 | http://www.fashionistha.com |
| Olivia | 1 | http://pizzazzplusfashion.com |
| Onyinye | 11 | http://www.modavracha.com |
| Pamela | 9 | http://www.style-yourself-confident.com |
| Pamela | 1 | http://itspamdel.com |
| Patti | 12 | http://notdeadyetstyle.com |
| Rania | 16 | http://the-wardrobe-stylist.com |
| Rosie | 27 | http://www.rosiekennielli.blogspot.com |
| Roxanne | 2 | http://glassofglam.com |
| Sam | 8 | http://www.fakefabulous.com |
| Sandy | 6 | http://www.sandyalamode.com |
| Sarah | 7 | http://sewsarahr.com |
| Sheela | 7 | https://sheelagoh.com |
| Stefanie | 3 | http://thestylesafari.com |
| Stephanie | 8 | http://www.gofashiondeals.com |
| Stephanie | 7 | http://glamorousandgeeky.com |
| Suzy | 15 | http://www.suzyturner.com |
| Suzy | 3 | https://atrayofbliss.blogspot.com.au |
| Tianna | 6 | http://storybookapothecary.com |
| Trina | 17 | http://www.tipsyheelz.com |
| Yvonne | 6 | http://funkyforty.com |
* actual name of blogger unknown
There’s a total of 91 link-up contributors on the list above and I want to thank each of them for their show of support. My apologies that website URLs are not active links. I’ll work on updating that and I’ll be adding this list to Wall Of Fame. An indicator if any blogger offers a link-up themselves (including the day of the week that it publishes) will be added to the list as well.
Next Saturday will be one of those occasional fifth Saturdays in a month which means that there’ll be a new installment in my A Woman I Know series. I’ve got another truly awesome woman to introduce to you and I know you’ll enjoy learning about her.
Let’s connect! Subscribe, tweet, follow, friend, love, pin … all options are available and waiting for you. I look forward to hearing from you. And don’t forget to add a post or two to the link up.
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21 Comments
I hope you are on the mend Rena? Thank you so much for all the link ups throughout the year. Don’t ever think your not good enough! You are a perfect you!
Merry Christmas xx
I always love to look back at the year, but I’ve never done it on the blog!! What a great idea, and maybe I’ll do that next year!!!
Enjoy the holidays, Rena!!!! I’m so glad we got to meet in person and connect!!! We are planning another trip out in March to see Lesley’s show. I’m hoping we will have time to connect again if you are around and not too busy??? We haven’t bought tickets yet, but I’ll let you know!!!
XOXO
I’m glad your surgery went well, Rena! Any procedure takes a lot out of you, so I’m glad you took time to catch up with yourself. I’ve so enjoyed your Last Week, This Week posts and look forward to all of your posts. I hope your holidays are wonderful!
So pleased to see you back nearly to your old self Rena
– just take it easy you’ve had a rough year. I am a recent convert to link-up parties and delighted to join you ladies – so thank you for providing the links and thank you for thanking us.
Merry Christmas to you all
Pamela x
http://www.style-yourself-confident.com
Happy holidays, and thanks so much for hosting the link-up! I also enjoy reading your posts!
Bethany from Cute Capsule Life
Happy holidays and and thank you for hosting the link up! I loved your list of bloggers who have participated in your weekly link-ups!
Yeah, I’m on the wall of fame!😂😂😂😂😂 ha ha, happy holidays Rena!
First, those boots! Rena, they are fabulous. Second, I am so glad to hear that you are recovering albeit slower than you expected. I find it gets harder and harder every time I have a procedure to mend as quickly. One of the downsides of aging, I suppose. Third, thank you for highlighting me. I appreciate all of your support as well! And I totally chuckled at your stat nerdom! It is totally you and a very endearing quality indeed. Fourth, your blog is fabulous and is included on my list of Favorite Blogs which is on my Fabulous Link Ups page. And last, keep rocking your style and sharing your thoughts. I look forward to what the new year will bring for all of us! Hugs to you, my friend!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Rena, thanks so much for joining my last #SpreadTheKindness Link Up of 2017! Stay tuned for the new link up tomorrow where this post is a featured favorite!
Happy New Year!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
that is so cool that you can conpile a list like that. hope you have a lovely holiday!
I wonder why my earlier comment on this post doesn’t show up here?
Anyway that gives me a chance to add that the boots you’re wearing in this post are really great!! I have some that are very similar and I LOVE the colorful floral embroidery. They kick your outfit up a notch too! 🙂
Hey! I made a list! That’s awesome! Love this post. I had gallbladder surgery too so I feel your pain! Have a Happy New Year!
wow you had a busy and crazy year. It’s good to hear that you are doing better. Hope 2018 is amazing for you!
http://www.mylittlenest.org
I have to say it did tickle me that we were mentioned even if we only linked once. I am not sure why it was only once but I am pretty sure it is because daughter and I usually don’t do fashion, we do lifestyle but thank you for the mention.
I’m so happy to hear that you are on the road to recovery Rena! Some personal downtime is well deserved –
in fact I’ve noticed that I take it too w/o making an announcement 🙂
Thanks so much for the mention today!
Xx
Joi
http://www.inmyjoi.blogspot.com
I love reading your blog and think you’re doing really well. Thanks for hosting throughout the year – it helps us all. Good to hear you’re doing well. I hope your positive feedback gives you the boost we all sometimes need. Glad to be included. x Jacqui
http://www.mummabstylish.com
Rena, thanks for hosting these linkups every week—I love seeing everyone else’s looks and finding new bloggers to follow, Selfishly, I also hope to make your wall of fame in 2018! 😉 Happy New Year to you!
Cheryl Shops | http://www.cherylshops.net
Glad to know that you are on the mend. You are one tough cookie. Thanks for including me in the list, I enjoy reading your posts. Happy 2018 to you & yours.
http://www.madamtoomuch.com
I hope you’re now fully recovered from the surgery and feeling better. I’ve found a few new blogs to follow from your list 🙂
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Thank you so much Rena, for hosting a fun link up party each week, I know it takes an investment of time and effort and I appreciate YOU! Thank you so very much for giving my blog a shout out on your list. I a grateful for all you do. Xo Jonet
I like the from combat to OTK one! Happy new year!!
https://the-wardrobe-stylist.com/2018/01/03/sore-back-care/