July 26, 2009

Today Is The Day

For awhile, I have been toying with the idea of creating a blog. I love reading other’s blogs. Sitting down at the computer to see what my children and grandchildren are doing today (my daughter in law, Marci, is the world’s most reliable blogger) is one of my favorite little self rewards. I tell myself, “if I empty the dishwasher (vacuum, do laundry etc), I get to read blogs”. It is one of the best parts of my day, and the reward system serves to keep my house quite clean:)

My biggest roadblock has been myself. I suffer from a form of perfectionism. I want to be one of those bloggers whose readers anxiously await her next entry because it is so well written, beautifully illustrated, interesting, and most of all….posted often. I just didn’t think I could deliver. But lately I have noticed thoughts creeping into my mind at unexpected moments. Thoughts like, “if I had a blog, this is what I would post about today”.

Another problem is that I am not sure I want to go to all the trouble of learning how to make a banner and what colors to put in the backround and then there are all the links and how do you do a sidebar, ugh. If I want my blog to be a desirable destination for blog stalkers like myself, I WILL have to learn all of these things or my audience will be disappointed. See, this is what it is like in the mind of a perfectionist, we are sometimes frozen into doing nothing at all because our high self requirements are overwhelming.

The number one reason I want to blog: it provides a wonderful record of our lives. Marci prints and binds her blogs and creates the most beautiful books full of memories….I would love to do that. I want to record my memories, that fade all too quickly, and bind them for posterity. I have never been a good journal writer or photo album filler and blogging would take care of that.

I like all kinds of blogs, even the very spare ones. So why not be one of those? I could do that. It would be an excellent exercise in loving myself just the way I am, which is a moderately interesting, occasionally articulate, decent photographer. Those qualifications could take me quite a way down the blogging road. And after all, this isn’t a competition, right? I mean, there are no Blogging Awards held annually in Los Angeles, though I have the perfect dress for the red carpet, should I get nominated.

The question I really need to ask myself is this, "If no one else reads my blog, would it be worth it to me to have a bound record of my life?” The answer is a wholehearted yes! “Even if it weren’t always articulate and beautifully illustrated, or even complete?” Yes! “Are you sure?" Yes. Well, then, it is settled. I am going to do a blog. For me; and today is the day.

11 comments:

Chrissy said...

Yes, do it for YOU... but let us all in on the fun :)

Is the dress you have ready the supa-hott gold one from 1987?

Marci said...

HOORAY!!! I am so excited!
And your blog will evolve as you get more comfortable with it. My blog has definitely changed over time.
I can't wait for more posts! I love the our parents are so high-tech and hip :-)!

Brittany said...

I love that you're blogging! And yes it is at times a bit taxing to keep your audience captivated but you are doing your blog for you and your records. I agree with Marci that it will evolve. Some entries are totally for record keeping and others are completely to give the readers something fun and the rest fall somewhere in between.

Anonymous said...

Yeah for your blog! I just went onto Chrissy's to see if she had anything new and I saw that you're a new link on her sidebar! I'm a total blog-stalker and I love to see what you guys are up to. Sondra found a photo album the other day and it had pictures from forever ago - of you guys and the Dutson's and the roadshow we all did. Time sure flies on by and we grow up and move on, but blogs are a great way to keep in touch. I can't wait to read more and see pictures of you guys and what you're up to!

Diane said...

Thanks for the comments, guys. This is fun! I need some pointers on getting a great banner and yes, Chrissy, that IS the dress. It is hanging neatly next to my Guess jeans from the same year.

lolomae said...

way to go Diane, now I can read another fun blog.

Zach O. said...

glad to see you starting this up. gives me another place to browse on my down time. i'll have to get the good times updated with you on my sidebar.

Jennifer Gibbs Kambourian said...

Tiny tells me that keeping a blog has been very satisfying to him, because he wants everyone to know how cute he is and all of the silly "chihuahuaness" he gets into...! I, for one, am so thankful for blogging because it helps me stay in touch with the lives of my favorite people, see and read about them in a way that keeps me feeling connected to them.

P.S. That "sisters photo" at the top of your blog is from around the 23rd (or so) of June, 2006. It was taken on the day we all went to the Fresno Temple for dad's endowments, and it was just a few days before my wedding. I love this photo of my dear sisters, and have it in my room next to my bed. Love, Jenn

Anonymous said...

I love that you are blogging! Sharing your thoughts and feelings with the world. I hope you post some of your paintings soon, I love them. Good job sweetheart!

melissa said...

Wohoo for blogging! I've loved reading your posts! It makes Texas seem not so far away. :) You've done quite a lot over the last week or so! Good for you. I blog in infrequent spurts, and the longer I go between posts the harder it is to start up again. I need some kind of schedule or something - hard to do when there are so many good excuses to use... But I'll try harder, if for no other reason than to post pictures of Rushton for my parents. Keep up the good work! (This is Melissa (Bain) - my blog isn't on blogspot and I can't get the wordpress blogger profile to work when I post a comment. So now you know who jakeandmelissa is. :)

Diane said...

You are special to me, Melissa; I knew, right away it was you. Thanks for your comment, I love to hear what people have to say. Since this is the journal I have never written, I am reaching into the past to tell some of those stories. When I get a little better caught up, I am sure my daily posts will slow down, but I am having fun and brimming with ideas, for now :)

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I married my high school sweetheart 34 years ago in the LDS Temple. I have 4 children (3 married, and a 14 year old) and 6 grandchildren. I lived my entire life in California, until 6 years ago. I now reside in San Antonio, Texas. The most important thing to me is my family; I have invested the most in them and it has paid great dividends. I love doing anything creative that beautifies my surroundings and I love nature. I minored in Art and majored in Interior Design at BYU, yet, my profession is a Tax Preparer.

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