A happy day at the wedding reception of Julie and Aaron.
Take a gander, a gaze, a good long stare at that photo of my dear wife Karen and I above. That’s what we looked like before I discovered WordPress. It was a celebration for the wedding of our dear friends Julie and Aaron in October, 2008, nine days before we slipped away to City Hall in Niagara Falls, N.Y., to wed ourselves.
Carefree. Joyful. Not a stress line to be found, even though we were holding in the secret of the pending elopement from all the great friends around us.
Farming the blogs of WordPress again, Mark?
And above here we are after a year of my commitment to write and read and read and write and be a hustling, bustling, everyday WordPress man of heavy presence. Great Halloween party, it was, yes, but can’t you see the blog-induced worry and stress?
So …
My dear wife Karen arrives home from work today, New Year’s Eve, some quarter hour after her 3 p.m. dismissal from SMG. She’s not due back until Monday morning.
Once she steps through the front door of our beloved Little Bitty in the Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood, I will be taking my first break from reading on WordPress since Oct. 27, 2013. No comments to your comments on my blog. No reading of and commenting on anybody else’s blog.
Oh, you’ll see stories from me popping up on your Reader. I’ve planned them, and well, drafts are a wonderful thing. If you’re good enough to comment on them — and I hope you are, because wait until you see what’s comming up on Friday, in particular — I’ll respond come Monday. I’ll work hard to catch up on my reading and commenting on your great work come Monday.
Until that Monday, Jan. 5, enjoy the extended holiday weekend.
What’s the longest you’ve stayed away from WordPress? Do you appreciate time away from the blog world or find yourself staring nervously at your laptop/tablet/Smart Phone? Do you plan to step up or reduce your WordPress time in 2015, and why?
Mark Bialczak 
Mark? Hello? Are you there? OK, I guess you’re really not. In any event, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! See you in 2015.
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I really took a planned four-day break from reading WordPress, Barbara. It’s Monday morning, Jan. 6, and I am back in the game. Happy New Year, and glad to be back talking with you in 2015. I’ll be reading your blog to catch up ASAP.
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Great questions and good for you for taking time off. It’s a tough one, wanting to read other blogs especially when folks are kind enough to come by mine. I’m taking a few weeks off of posting, but trying to keep up with reading. Yes, takes a lot of time and downside is not making a penny. But it’s fun 🙂
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And I miss you not posting your blog, Liz. To add my two cents to your answer now that it’s Monday and I’m back and reading WordPress and commenting again.
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I’ll check back tomorrow.
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I did it, Kerbey. You didn’t have faith, did you? Monday morning, and I’m back commenting a little sharper, maybe. Happy 2015, my friend, watch us roll.
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enjoy and relax 🙂
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We enjoyed, and we relaxed, most certainly. Thanks, Leyla!
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Enjoy your break Mark. You sure deserve this time off, and with Karen getting some time off also, it’s perfect. We both know I’ve been away from blogging for a long time, but not really by my choice, more like life happening. Realized I just have to blog, even if no one reads it. It gets to be in the blood, so the day is not complete until that post has been written. Don’t always publish them, but I write them, then delete. Enjoy your long weekend, and we’ll see you again on Monday.
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I remember your breaks, Angie, you know it. I didn’t stop writing, either, just the reading part (this time). It’s Monday, now it’s back to it. Happy 2015, my friend.
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and on the 365th day, he rested. enjoy your long weekend and don’t worry about us, we all need and take breaks sometime. it’s good for us. love the pictures ) happy new year to both of you crazy kids )
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The break was what we needed, Beth. Hey, thanks for that cool card, which arrived during it! Now the crazy kids are back to Monday working. Happy 2015 to you, my happier Michigan friend.
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Good for you to relax and enjoy your wife’s company and her time off! I’ll miss you and look forward to your return next week! 🙂
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We had a very nice weekend, Rachel, full of fun and unwinding both. Now it’s time to tackle 2015, my friend.
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I can’t wait to see what you do with it! 😀
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you enjoy that well deserved break and romance your wife.
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Thanks, Louise, the break was really good for both of us, and now it’s Monday and back to her SMG job and my WordPress job.
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dude ya back.. did you and ‘the good wife have a g8 time??? hope so. we hijacked one of your blogs and it got real funny. its gunna b 98F + again tmrw here.
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Louise, you are hot today! 98F plus hot. Wow. Yeah, the wife and I had a good break right here at home. I saw the blog hijacking. You all were like teenagers with the parents away. 🙂
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you were not supposed too tell us you were at home… And you broke your rule by checking in.
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No, Louise, all of my comments here are from after my return from the break …….
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I’ve been busy backing up files and moving all my photos to new drives so haven’t been able to work on my blog. In transferring, I discovered I took over 12,000 photos in 2014… enough material for quite a few posts. I intend to take my blogging more seriously in 2015… and have more fun doing it! Happy blogging to you!
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Ros, I really look forward to seeing you blogging and having more fun now in 2015. This is going to be great, my friend.
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Everyone needs a break once in a while, Mark. Enjoy yours! The best to you and the lovely Karen. (Your second photo cracked me up!)
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The break was marvelous, Kate. That second photo was our Halloween costume this year. We were American Gothic, as you see. 🙂
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Lovely photo of you and your lovely wife, Karen. Enjoy your break away from WordPress. Recharge. You’ve worked hard. Now play – and rest – hard. Happy New Year to you and your family. 😉
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Thanks, Judy. I’m back and facing a more rested Monday than a long time. Happy 2015, my friend.
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Enjoy!
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Done, Paul!
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I’ve logged in to my blog every day for as long as I’ve been on WP, but there are always days I don’t get around to doing any reading. Nothing that would be considered a break… then again, I don’t really have anything better to do…
Have a great break, Mark! You’ll have a small cameo in my Sandy Awards post, which goes live a minute after midnight tonight… so you may want to check that one out when you return.
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Happy 2015, Bill! I did drop in for my Sandy Awards appearance cameo, you know, wily ESN!
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Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy your well earned break, Mark! Give Karen a hug from me (she’s a hugger I’m sure) and I look forward to seeing you again in 2015. Thanks for making 2014 great! Happy 2015!
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Yes, my dear wife Karen is a hugger and appreciated it, Angie McFly. Thank you for a great 2014, and we’re all into a Happy 2015 now, right?!
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You deserve a few days away with your bride. I’m wishing both of you a healthy and prosperous new year.
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The time not reading WordPress rested my eyes and mind, Apple Pie. Thank you, and Happy 2015 to you as well!
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Well deserved bit of R & R. Quality time with family and loved ones should always come first. Enjoy and all the best for 2015!
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The family time was restorative, Norm. Now I’m rolling into 2015. Regards, my friend.
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Enjoy your break. 🙂
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Thanks, Fishy! It went by quickly, now I’m rested and writing comments!
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We’re allowed to take a break from WordPress? I thought it was like the button on Lost that had to be watched over and constantly pressed…
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I wasn’t punished in the background for not pushing the button, Austin!
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🙂
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Haha, I love the photos. The WordPress weariness is evident in that photo collage! Enjoy your rest, and see you early next year!
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Thanks, Dave! Rested and ready to roll for 2015!
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Priceless, you make a great couple! Happy New Year.
Leslie
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Thank you, Leslie! Happy New Year.
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Hi Mark,
Enjoy your break, my friend 🙂 That’s great you will have family time! Such a nice top photo of you and your wife. Happy New Year!
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Thanks, Christy. Happy New Year, my friend!
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Take a MUCH needed and deserved WordPress break, Mr. B!!! You are so good to us every day, time to be good to yourself and the lovely Mrs. B!! Love the photos!! Feliz 2015!!!! 🎉🍸👏👍
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Feliz 2015, odd number withstanding, Mrs. B. ❤
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Have a great time!
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Thanks, Mer!
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🙂 ! I stay away when I go on tropical vacations, usually, like you Mark, I have drafts queued to go though. ❤
Diana xo
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Yeah, we do what we do, right, Diana?!
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Happy New Year and enjoy your break. The longest is one day which I have done twice but I have had to cut back visiting. I loved your photographic depiction of life before and after – made me think it is time I did the same.
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Thanks, Irene. Happy New Year down there! 🙂 Take that break, my fiend.
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HAVE FUN!!!! 🙂 I haven’t planned any time away. Maybe a day or two by chance. I’ve thought about it then decided against it. Though I have considered stopping all together. Only to deiced against that as well. 😉 See you on your return!!!!!
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Don’t you please don’t you never would you stop? Colleen? No? Pease?
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Aw, Mark, you are so sweet. 🙂 It’s a thought that comes and goes. I need the writing. And I love the communication and community here. So when I think about stopping….everything that would stop with it….comes to mind. And I stop thinking about stopping. 🙂
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Enjoy the break Mark, and rest those weary eyes!!
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Will do. Thanks, Mimi.
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Happy New Year, Mark and Karen. Enjoy your time!! Best wishes for a wonderful and restful break.
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Enjoy your time! Wishing you the best in 2015!
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Thank you, Darcie. You and yours, the best, too!
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What a beautiful couple. Looking good as a Modern Gothic.
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Thank you, Benson!
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Good for you Mark! I am proud of you and your break is well deserved! Enjoy your time and we will be waiting for you when you return. 🙂
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Thank you so much, Colleen. You realize your holiday break last week and reassuring words convinced me, right?
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Good. We work/write-aholics need our breaks to recharge. 🎉🍷🍷🎉
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Good for you, Mark! Enjoy your beauty rest and relaxation. We shall miss you, but — guaranteed– this place will still be here when you get back. Happy New Year to you and Karen.
I just found out, about fifteen minutes ago, about a strange and wonderful place called The Destiny Mall. Does your immediate destiny include a place like that?
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Destiny USA gets our feetprints often, Ann. If you are coming, let me know!
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I haven’t stopped WPing for the past 18 months I’ve been a blogger. Sometimes I feel like it would be nice to take a break for 24 hours or so, and then I get anxiety thinking about all those blogs piling up in my email. Have a nice break and good luck catching up!
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Yes, the piling up. Oy. Thanks, Marissa.
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How exciting! You and Karen are going to Niagra Falls again!! LOL I’m just kidding! Ya’ll have fun!!
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Thanks, PJ! No barrels over the Falls for us this long weekend. 🙂
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Enjoy!! 🙂
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I think the longest was holiday season last year, five or six days? This year, I think the longest I have gone is two days.
I am not sure what I am going to do for 2015. Keep posting mostly-daily, or go to a few times a week on a schedule? Not sure…pondering…
Y’all enjoy your time together and Happy New Year! 🙂
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Thank you, Sheena. Y’all have a good long weekend, too. Happy New Year, my friend. I still have 45 minutes to WordPress!
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Enjoy your quality time with Karen!
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Thanks, Debra B. Maybe I can fit in an author from another country for a book report! Happy New Year, my friend.
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