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Amongst other things, this is a love story.... the theme changes occasionally... this year it is fitness and learning to love yourself.

21 March 2014

A to Z theme reveal - Not quite what I expected... #atozreveal #atozchallenge

I've decided to add all my links for the 2014 A-Z challenge posts here in my reveal post, so they are all together in the one post.  The A-Z challenge is a month long alphabetised challenge.  My theme is 26 Greatest Loves of my Life.


26 Greatest loves of my life - Let's call him Adam

26 Greatest loves of my life - Lets call him Baranaby

26 Greatest loves of my life - Let's call him Cazaly

26 Greatest loves of my life - Let's call him Dog

26 Greatest loves of my life - Let's call him Erik

26 Greatest loves of my life - Let's call him Father

26 Greatest loves of my life - Let's call him Geronimo

26 Greatest loves of my life - Let's call them Horny teenagers

26 Greatest loves of my life - Let's call her Ida

26 Greatest loves of my life - Let's call him Jeremiah

26 Greatest loves of my life - Let's call him Ken

26 Greatest loves of my life - Let's call it a Love song

26 Greatest loves of my life - Let's call her Mama

26 Greatest loves of my life... Nature

26 Greatest loves of my life lets call him Oh my Odin

26 Greatest loves of my life lets call him Peridot

26 Greatest loves of my life lets call it Quiet I'm reading

26 Greatest loves of my life lets call it Reflexology

26 Greatest loves of my life lets call him Sherlock

26 Greatest loves of my life lets call The Truth

26 Greatest loves of my life lets call him Ulysses

26 Greatest loves of my life lets call him Vent

26 Greatest loves of my life lets call them Wazza and Wyn

26 Greatest loves of my life - sounds like X's

26 Greatest loves of my life lets call him Yarra

26 Greatest loves of my life lets call him Zoro





Last month I asked for help choosing my theme for the A to Z challenge in my Alzheimer's, old-boyfriends, and aussie slang post.

1) Aussie slang - (to tempting to copy and paste)
2) 26 Boyfriends - (to revealing)
3) A to Z of Alzheimers - (to heavy for a light hearted challenge)

Check out everyone else's themes on the link list here

26 boyfriends was a standout winner... Perfect. Until I stating writing the posts and realised that
not everyone in my life needs to know about how many or how deep some of those boyfriends reached.

What I really want to share is why and how I fell in love. The fun, mistakes and lessons. This was supposed to be about different types of boys, but as I started writing the posts it became glaringly obvious that it was all about me. I couldn't write about love and leave out some of my greatest loves of all, not just old boyfriends. So a new theme idea was born.

Welcome to The 26 Greatest loves of my life.


There will still be a little smut, including my first kiss and that unforgettable first quiver, but I also want to keep it PG.  Some will read like a synopsis rather than the whole story.  Some of my greatest loves aren't even human.

I want to exercise my writing muscles, challenge myself.  My longest post is under 400 words, some of them are just a few sentences long.  Some are first person, some are third person.  There's even a poem or two and I might even chuck in some Aussie slang.  Fair dinkum I've loved some larrikins.

This challenge isn't just about writing, it's about connecting with other bloggers.  This year I've managed to get a good head start by scheduling half of my posts.  This will give me a lot more time to visit other blogs. The more blogs I visited last year the more visited me back.  It's a win-win. Positive comments are like rewards for effort, they become addictive.

Like many girls I started searching for love at a very young age.  I don't remember a time in my life where my relationships haven't been the single most important thing to me.  In order to have great relationships I had to learn to love myself.  If you are anything like I am, that was easy at first, became very difficult for a while, then greater than anything I imagined.

I hope you enjoy my 2014 #atozchallenge theme.  The 26 Greatest loves of my life.




Subscribe by email if you don't want to miss a post.  I promise never to spam you, I don't even know how to find out who has subscribed :)

Make it easy for other people to find you and leave a link to your post in the comments below.

It's not to late to join the the them reveal link list.  I've added it below (if the linky link works - if not click here.)

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Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list...

The challenge starts with the letter A on April 1st.  You can join that on the official A to Z challenge  page.

All the best to every participant.  Let the countdown begin.

117 comments :

  1. Ohhh I absolutely LOVE your love idea :) Can't wait to read them all!

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    1. That means a lot to me coming from you Kate - Thank you it should definitely be a bit of fun

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    1. Thanks William - it's exactly what I intend to do - the greatest laughs are at yourself -

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  3. Wow, A great theme. I am still stuck and I have only a few days left. I'm looking forward to read your post. :)

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    1. Are you kidding? I just read your post about the Library in your mind - it reads like a perfect theme - Thanks for stopping by.

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    2. Oh, the library post was not actually meant as my theme for AtoZ. Im still pondering over my theme :( Thanks for stopping by :)

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  4. Hi Ida .. I agree with the others .. this sounds fun - and you're being creative ... cheers and enjoy the A-Z .. Hilary

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    1. Hi Hilary - just had a look at your reveal and it seems everyone is in the mood for a little fun :)

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  5. LOVE - Enough said!!! I am looking forward for your posts!

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    1. A great reminder to keep the posts short thanks iamstri

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  6. 26 loves ....yes it is a good theme. Love simplifies everything.
    Will Be Reading Of Love.
    Lots of love....lovely!!

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    1. That's a lot of love thanks Inderpreet. The best love of all is the easy kind but it can get complicated at times :)

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  7. I know, reading your posts on 26 Loves is going to be super interesting, Ida :D Waiting keenly for April, now :)

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    1. Thanks Shilpa, I hope you do find it an interesting glimpse into my past and why I am who I am today.

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  8. Oh wow I can't wait ti read them all! Looking forward to reading your posts :) All the best!

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    1. Hi Nabanita, I hope you do read them all - though my biggest challenge last year was finding the time to read all the posts I wanted to read - I guess that is what the rest of the year is good for too :)

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  9. Kinda like the way you started off with the 26 boyfriends ;) Now you have me intrigued! Hope I can get to see some sneak peeks at them through the challenge ;)

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    1. Love is the most intriguing thing of all. My journey still includes a lot of old boyfriends.

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  10. Are you going to name names? Like 26 literary boyfriends: mark Darcy,

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    1. There'll be names. No real ones though or there'd be too many S and not enough Q's. The boyfriends I keep in contact with will recognise who they are, so will many of my friends... I hope some of the ones I don't keep in contact with search the list for themselves, some might be surprised they made the list and others I hope I never find out :)

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  11. Oh this sounds really good. I like what you said about loving yourself first. I can't wait to read this series! I know I won't make all of them because as a co-host we have to be everywhere at the same time...yeah...impossible, but we do try. Good luck! Thank you so much for stressing the importance of visiting others. It really is the key to a successful A-Z Challenge!
    Tina @ Life is Good
    A to Z Team @ Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2014

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    1. Thanks Tina, I'm playing assistant in the PammyPams Unconventional alliance - Thanks for trying and your comment today.

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  12. Excellent spin on it, Ida! Very much looking forward to these posts :) And thanks for joining in the #A2ZReveal--today's going to be fun!
    Guilie @
    Quiet Laughter: The Mighty Theme Reveal

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    1. *sings* Fun, laughs, good times* - Thank you Guilie (and Tina) for adding your link to the comments - it makes it so much easier to find each others blogs :)

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  13. Wonderful theme! Look forward to reading the posts...especially about the non-human loves :)

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    1. They could form an A-Z all of there own :)

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  14. This looks a fun theme and one I definitely would never have thought of. I will be following along for sure. I am very interested to see what you choose and how it develops over the month. Fangirl Next Door
    Stormy's Sidekick Quackin Over Disney

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    1. Thanks Teresa, I gotta say I think your Disney idea is fabulous - coming from a short person the 'little' characters definitely need more attention.

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  15. 26 greatest loves are a great topic to write on :) You have chosen a very interesting theme, best wishes.

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    1. Thanks Sulekha - I am sure you will have 26 great topics :)

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  16. Replies
    1. I haven't found your reveal post yet - but I hope your idea for The Road we've shared is coming together beautifully

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  17. Aha! Such and interesting theme! Looking forward to your 26 greatest loves! ;)

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    1. Thanks Aditi, yours sounds as if it is going to be colourful to say the least.

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  18. Yet another really interesting theme, I can tell I'm going to be really busy in April buzzing around so many blogs. I've been to 42 so far and I already have 20 in the must make sure to visit column :). I look forward to seeing the loves you share with us.
    Tasha
    Tasha's Thinkings

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    1. That's a might effort Natasha, I must admit I get overwhelmed and lose track when I start hopping - you have prompted me to start a reading list for the ones that I really want to read - otherwise I'm happy for the readers I use to lead to all sorts of random goodness

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  19. That's just excelllent!! Though I would have loved to hear about your bfs :P

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    1. There will still be plenty of boyfriends... most of them :)

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  20. wow what a theme :D waiting to read it all. All the best.

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    1. Thanks Sunila, I hope you enjoy it all...

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  21. oh Love is in the air...............
    would love to read your love posts

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    1. all you need is love - love is everywhere - thanks Sitara my posts love to be read :)

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    2. Are you doing the challenge? I couldn't find any links to a blog.

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  22. Gosh, I can't resist learning 26 things about a love life well-lived and well-loved!! Especially in the springtime when juices are flowing and hearts are beating and little cupids left over from Valentine's Day still have a quiver of arrows!

    See you in April for our A to Z antics-zoom zooms! Sammy at www.bemuzin.com

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    1. I didn't even consider the season, maybe I am finally acclimatising to the northern hemisphere after all. See ya round Sammy

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  23. Ida, fabulous idea!
    And? I enjoyed reading your "love story" under the header!
    Looking forward to the A to Z with you!

    Team Damyanti

    My April A to Z Challenge 2014 Theme Reveal #atozchallenge #atozreveal

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    1. Thanks for your comment and for leaving a link Vidya, so much easier to find your post.

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  24. Now that's a fun theme. Way to go, Ida. Love the tone here and your take on it. Looking forward to reading all about the 26 loves of your life.
    Silvia @
    http://silviatomasvillalobos.wordpress.com/2014/03/20/lets-do-this-pre-challenge-announcement/comment-page-1/#comment-1994

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    1. Thanks Silvia, I was tempted to reveal it on the #AZChat last night - not quite 26 ways to not leave your lover but kinda close :) Also you link is broken in the comment.

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  25. This is a fun theme. Love is universal and such a great balm for mind and body. I will anticipate your posts everyday. I like that we are back in touch too from last year and on the same A to Z team. :)

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    1. Me too Mary, thanks for commenting and I couldn't agree more with your mind body reference

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  26. What a great, juicy theme! I look forward to your posts in April! Subscribing too! ~ Angela, A to Z participant from Web Writing Advice and Whole Foods Living

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    1. Hi Angela, Your blog names aren't active links - thanks for subscribing - I hope you enjoy the posts

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  27. Sounds very interesting and I'm looking forward to your posts. Cheers!

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    1. Thanks Debbie and thank you so much for tweeting my post too. It certainly ups the fun factor

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  28. A winner Ida! You can't go wrong with this theme. It will probably be filled with nostalgia...
    Thanks for stopping by my place.
    See you around on the A to Z circuit!
    Writer In Transit

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    1. My pleasure Michelle, there is a bit of nostalgia in there, I was 5 when I first fell in love :)

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  29. Okay, this is bound to be good, and I'm really looking forward to your posts about past loves.

    MJ, A to Z Challenge Co-Host
    Writing Tips
    Effectively Human
    Lots of Crochet Stitches


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    1. So MJ I have spent a good part of my day checking out your crochet site - I picked up the crochet bug last year, so much to learn. Your idea of self help posts should be... well, helpful to say the least... anything with a positive spin is a winner in my eyes.

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  30. Ida,
    This might be the start of a memoir.

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    1. Hi J.L Thanks for you comment - now if only I knew how to write a proper memoir... Your google profile might need updating the link to your webpage is broken and it's hard to tell which blog you are doing the #atozchallenge with

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  31. Haha, I wonder what the boyfriends think about this :D Happy A to Z!

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    1. I know the Captain is loving my drafts. I'm not one to hold onto grudges - they all knew how I felt at the time :)

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    2. Tarkbarka - are you doing the challenge? I couldn't access your profile.

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  32. What a fun theme idea. Can't wait to read your posts in April.

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    1. Thanks Jillian, It should be fun - even though having so many boyfriends to write about would mean there has been a lot of break ups - not always fun :)

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  33. Hi Ida,

    Nice one, the 27 loves, sorry, 26 loves of your life. What a lovely theme, Ida. Have fun with the A to Z. I shall be back in June after the reflection posts about the reflection posts about reflecting about the alphabet. HELP!!! :)

    Seriously, have fun, Ida. A peaceful weekend to you, dear lady.

    Gary

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    1. HAHAHA :D :D :D soooooo much fun, especially now your here. Thanks G. I appreciate your visit and I want you to meet my dog - so I'll be letting you know when my D post is up... I hope you have a fun month too - shall we play hide and seek :D

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  34. Oh that's brave. Wonder what they'll think of it!

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    1. One can never be sure what others will think.

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  35. You had me at smut!! Wooohooo!! :)

    Carrie~Anne at That Dizzy Chick

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    1. The smut is tough one for me - One post in particular has me rattled - I suppose even smut is the wrong word - Did you know woman are blessed with the only organ designed for pleasure and pleasure alone - there is nothing smutty about that right?

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  36. This is going to be fun, I tell you! If you run out of past boyfriends, I could offer you some of my 'samples'! ;) Good luck, Ida!

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    1. Hi Corrine. I hope some of my stories inspire you to share some of yours - whether it's just in the comments or entire posts of your own - FUN :D

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  37. Oh my god, I love seeing how popular you've become. Obviously it's because you are one of the greatest people i know!
    I can't wait to read and stay tuned, much love!

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    1. hahahah - popular? Hardly. Just joining in on the fun. You my dear can be popular too, especially if you publish anything as good as your alliterating efforts last year.

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  38. Lovely theme Ida! Wish there are more of Aussie slang words in there ;) Following :)

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    1. @drgaurikekre G'day Doc... grouse that you shared my post on twitter, cheers. - I promise to pepper the month with some Aussie slang too :) Oo'roo

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  39. That's a 'Love'ly theme, Ida :) and this is indeed a post that has stirred my curiosity :) Looking forward to the loves :)

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    1. It's definitely one for the lovers of love and probably anyone that has had an ex or two :)

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  40. You really did work out this one pretty well. Looking forward to the theme already :D

    Richa

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  41. Your 26 love are in alphabetical order? That's wonderful. Looking forward.

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  42. Sounds like a lot of fun! Looking forward to your posts! :)

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  43. woo hoo.. you are already bookmarked..just spice up the stories for me please :D

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    1. Thanks Shiva, there is only so much spicing up I can do to avoid having the Adult Content tag - funny coz I was a teenager when the spicy stuff started :)

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  44. @ Diantha Jones - Thanks


    @ Richa Singh - It all just came together once I started writing it - I guess that's why it's important to write your intro after
    the conclusion

    @ WordsPoeticallyWorth Hi Andrew, You're welcome - Love loves love too

    @ sugandha - I have tried to keep them chronological - that meant changing a few names.

    @ Psych Babbler - I'm hoping to have a bit of fun too - if we can't laugh at ourselves.... :D

    @ A Daft Scots Lass - Thanks Doll - I have changed most names (mostly to fit the A-Z theme - most of my exes and friends,
    will know who they are - a couple are also a combination of the same type of bloke - not their fault I made the same mistakes :)

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  45. I can't wait to read your posts for the AtoZ Challenge. I'm still debating whether or not my posts will be themed. Part of me says yes in order to have structure, but since my page is entitled Ramblings on the Wall, maybe not having a theme will work out just fine. Only time will tell :)

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    1. I think it's perfectly acceptable to switch between having a theme or not - start with ramblings, think of a theme, change theme, back to ramblings etc etc... I hope you enjoy my theme :)

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  46. O ho... this sure needs to be bookmarked.

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  47. AWESOME!!!!!

    ARGH! I cant even think of a theme! It may have to be ... "HEY I AINT GOT NO STINKIN' THEME!"

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    1. Stinkin theme or not you will undoubtedly create something worth reading - You always do :)

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  48. Sounds good, Ida. I'll be there. Last year's theme was good too. http://shells-tales-sails.blogspot.com/

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    1. That's sweet of you Sharon - I'll look forward to seeing you around :)

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  49. Great theme! You made me smile reading your theme!!!....I can't wait to see your posts! Love and Gratitude! Jan@ www.MermaidsandCashmere.com

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    1. Smiling is a great result from a few written words - I hope it's the first of many

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  50. Thanks NZ - Your day in the life a housewife theme should be an interesting insight into your life too :)

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  51. Can't go wrong with a Love theme! sounds lovely. I'll be back!
    Gail at Making Life An Art

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    1. Thanks Gail, If like your blog title suggests, life and art collide then I 'm sure you'll enjoy some of my attempts at creativity -

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  52. Ah, love. Can't wait to read all about it. See you in April! :-)

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    1. I love that you are back on another adventure Ermie. Only one day to go :)

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  53. Sounds like a great theme.

    Liz A. from Laws of Gravity

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    1. Thanks for visiting Liz, hope you enjoy it...

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  54. Awesome theme! Have signed up by email in case I forget where you are in all the excitement :)

    Mars from Curling Stones for Lego People

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    1. Thanks Mars I find it's the easiest way to keep up to date, but I like to join people's social media page or add them to a blog reader, because I tend to unsubscribe after the #atozchallenge...

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    2. That's a very good point! Have just followed you on Twitter, I imagine it all may get a little crazy...

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    3. I'm following you too... I still catch myself remembering a blog from last year that I can't find.

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  55. Hi Ida,
    Thanks for the heads up on the photo for my Annecy post. Your love story is fabulous! Nice to "meet" you!

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    1. My pleasure Kimberly, thanks for visiting.

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  56. What a fun theme! Thanks for stopping by my blog....and I shall continue to stop by yours. :)

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  57. Mom is the best friend for life and those lines just touched me !
    Love
    Afshan

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    1. Glad you enjoyed the M for mama post Afshan...

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Enjoy