March 'Month in Numbers': a reminder + a request

Hi, hi, hi.

Welcome to your local friendly reminder that if you're planning to blog your Month in Numbers for March ... we're halfway there already.

Although, having said that, just because I blog mine on the last day of the month - it doesn't mean you need to. In my eyes there's no such thing as being 'late' to post your numbers. They're yours to do with as you wish. Anyway ...

At the last count 23 of us summarised our February in statistics and, once again we all took a different approach to presenting your numbers; from layouts and digital images, to text-only posts it's great to see the individuality coming through. [If oyu missed them you can catch-up on all the posts I was able to pin to the Pinterest board here - or re-visit the original post here.

Things which struck me from February's posts:  

• I was particularly touched by the stories of personal sadness, loss and difficulty documented by several of you last month. I truly hope March is treating you more gently.
• Lots of your posts reminded me that we'd had snow early on in February ... a memory I'd apparently completely suppressed until I saw your photos.
• Several of you try out new recipes each month. Which is something I rarely [if ever] do. you know how some men treat instruction booklets? [i.e: they can't be bothered reading them and would rather just get on with what they know?] Well that's my relationship with recipe books. But your numbers suggest you're far more of a domestic goddess than I am! [And if we ever have a Month in Numbers party ... I'm coming to you for the catering.]

And, while we're at it ..

• we can probably start a Month in Numbers Ten Pin Bowling league judging by the occurence of bowling nights we had in Feb's stats! [But, trust me, you won't want me on the team!]

The Month in Numbers-blogging 'community'
I hope you've been enjoying the increase in bloggers taking part in Month in Numbers as much as I have and judging by the comments I've seen dotted around, it's clear many of you are helping foster the community spirit. Which makes me happy, because that's really what I've been trying to do; create a fun, useful and shared experience.

• I visit each link left for me as I'm always interested to see how an idea I had a few years back - to round-up my month's experiences in a fun simple structured way - has been endlessly interpreted by others.
• I get so excited when I read how someone's not blogged all month, had no inspiration, and then has dipped back in just to blog their numbers.
• I love it when someone new joins in after seeing it on one of your blogs, and they recognise how the structure could work for them too. 
• I aim to leave a comment on everyone's post.
• And, recently I've been pinning posts to Pinterest [leaving full named credit for each individual post] to make it easier for everyone to see - at a glance - who else joined in that month.

No one makes me do it. I know that. I do it because I want to, because I like to connect with others ... however ...
I ask that if you are submitting a link for both me and others to come and visit and/or pin please bear the shared experience aspect in mind before you do.

By which I mean:

• When you swing by to drop off a link to your Month in Numbers post - please leave a comment for me while you're here. Not because I'm needy ... but because it feels fair. Reciprocal.
• Please link to my blog in your post. As much as I'd like to think that everyone who reads your blog already knows what 'My Month in Numbers' means... the truth is, they don't. So unless you explain where the idea comes from and how your readers can join you in doing the same next month, they are none the wiser.
• Please take a little moment of time - at some point in the month - to visit and comment on some of the other posts too.

When someone drops by, pastes their link and then leaves without another word it feels a little like someone pressing a scrap of paper into my hand with their home address written on it but then ... when I turn up at their house later ... they don't speak to me.

So, please, speak to me! I'm usually quite nice. And the more mutual hopping, reading, commenting and sharing the better for all involved.

I hope this doesn't put you off joining in, because that's not my intention. It just means that now I've said what I wanted to say... I can get back to fully enjoying My Month in Numbers.

I'll now get back to my counting for March starting with ... 1 = the number of awkward blog posts I had to write ...

See you soon.

Julie :-)