A Stumbling Blog

• A few days ago when I started this blog, I thought it would just be about vintage things, and I wouldn't make it about my family life. Without my family, however, I probably would have quit before I'd even really started because I'm so old school. I was a writer and editor for years, and my first computer was strictly a word processor. I still tend to view computers as just that-- a way to get words right (and of course a way to get those all important messages from teachers, coaches and team moms). But I was lonesome for someone who appreciated old things as much as I did, so I tried to blog. I picked a template, but I was dissatisfied with it. I wanted a blue damask background, but I didn't know how to create it. My sons worked on it and then my husband took time away from his deadlines to create it for me. Next, I was frustrated with how my photographs were turning out. My daughter stepped in and taught me the very basics of Photoshop, showing me how to adjust contrast and crop. Yesterday I picked up a copy of Artful Blogging and learned I'd broken a rule of blog etiquette--I'd mentioned people and had not linked my readers to their blogs. I asked my son to show me how to hyperlink and in the process I discovered there were a bunch of other useful icons I had overlooked. Last night, I tried them all, creating a silly practice post that was a patchwork of color, fonts, quotes and lists. My blog is a week old now and I'm glad I cluelessly jumped in. I've already met people with similar interests and sharing spirits. And here are some other things I learned this week:

1. I need to see old things in a new way.
2. I need to use (or at least try) all of the tools available to me.
3. I need to appreciate my talented family more. (Thanks Steve, Zack, Nick & Sarah)
4. I need to blog with heart.