What do I want my blog to say?

At first, I wasn’t going to answer this question because I thought the answer was included in my earlier post (23 October). Then I had a “re-think”. Does anyone else do this – make “snap” decisions, then regroup (if I’m smart) and go at it from a different angle? Usually it’s so much better when I do things this way; much more interesting.

So….back to the question at hand. Here’s what I, Jan Fursdon, want to say:

Love yourself. It’s that simple. And that complicated. But I think that’s where most of my own problems originate. I always hold myself up to a higher standard, always expect more from myself than anyone else. Then comes that nagging, soul destroying frustration when I don’t live up to those ridiculously high standards I’ve created which I don’t expect anyone else to live up to! Why is that? Is there some rule book that places this official demand on us? I don’t think so! So give it up!

Now I’m not talking about some wacky “love fest” where everything you say or do should be surrounded with hugs and kisses and globs of goo. But do some simple things for yourself. For one - stop picking on yourself! Give yourself a break! Make sure you give “you” the same chance you give everyone else (nothing more and nothing less). And when you fail – and you surely will because we ALL do from time to time – remember to forgive yourself the way you forgive others. Give yourself the same latitude, the same room to recover, the same encouragement to try and try again until you succeed. Don’t you deserve that? Don’t we all deserve that? I think we do. I know we do!

We’re all so hard on ourselves and it’s time to let go of all that nonsense! Embrace who you are as well as how you’ve come to be that person, that wonderful individual who is the sum total of so many different circumstances, different life experiences.

Be kinder than necessary, especially to YOU - because YOU deserve it!

May God Bless, Jan

Shades of Autumn

Just wanted to share these lovely photos of our back yard with you!

Have a lovely weekend everyone! May God Bless, Jan

Vintage, Spun Cotton Cupcake Toppers!

Try saying that three times quickly!  I found these at an antique shop in Seattle two years ago when I was visiting my daughter Liz.  Needless to say, I grabbed them up and thanked my lucky stars to have found them!

They originated from Japan and I remember seeing them on cupcake tops in bakeries when I was little (in the early 60's).  Money was scarce back then so a trip to the bakery was a very big deal.  Then, on "top" of everything else (pun intended!), to see these darling little toppers - I admit I still remember the absolute thrill and awe of just being able to stand in front of the glass pastry cabinets and stare at them!  It's a wonder I ever made up my mind which one I wanted, although the cake could have tasted like cardboard for all I cared; it was the toppers that did it for me! 

I think this little devil is my favorite! I love his frowning little face! 

I vaguely remember seeing a ghost topper when I was little.  And these little pumpkins are simply so sweet!  In particular, I find the discoloration on the bottoms of the "sticks" most charming because it tells me they were used instead of put away just to admire.  I can just imagine the delight they must have caused to little boys and girls.  How sweet those memories are!

Happy All Hallows Eve! Jan

My Baby (Oldest) is Home from Afghanistan!!!!

Welcome Home Laura!

No resemblance here! 

Each in their "Roma Italia" shirts Laura got on her recent trip to Rome. 

Sweet! 

"Gummy, aren't you through taking pictures yet?" 

"Isabel, you might as well smile cause Gummy won't quit till you do. So there!"

I have her till 6 November! Not long enough, but I'll take it!!  As you can also imagine, Isabel is beside herself with pure joy now that Mommy is home for awhile!

Love and Blessings to All! Jan

What is the purpose of my blog?

I think initially I started this blog as a way of promoting my very small online business at Etsy.  At least I think that's what I thought at the time. Now it's become all muddled up with.......what? Not sure.  But I wanted to try and answer some questions honestly and sincerely and see where they lead me.

I started reading Tara Frey's book, "Blogging for Bliss - Crafting Your Own Online Journal".  I found it in the bookstore the other day and bought it and finally, last night, I started reading it and I was impressed enough to want to change directions - at least try to change directions - with my blog and see where it leads me.

So here I am - back to the same question I was at before - only this time with a different answer.  This time my answer is that I want to communicate with people.  And I mean really communicate! With like minded people who enjoy some things I do, and perhaps think sometimes the way I think.

And I want to help people, even though I'm not at all sure exactly what that means or what it will encompass - "to help people."  But that's what I want to do. I want to share my own experiences with others and perhaps be able to get their stories from them, and learn from them.  And I just want to live an honest and worthwhile life,  knowing somewhere out there I'm talking with someone - really communicating with them - in a way I'd never thought possible only a few short years ago. 

Does any of this make sense?  Well, regardless, there it is.  My truth.  The purpose of my blog is to communicate and share and help and have fun and enjoy this life - this world we live in!

Whew! That felt good!  So I'm going to quickly spell check it because I have a quirky hang-up about misspelled words if I can help it.  Then I'm going to post it before I change my mind and delete the thing!  Wish me luck!  Jan

P.S.  I've also discovered a new blog (mentioned in Tara Frey's book).  It's called Dear Daisy Cottage and you'll find it here at http://www.deardaisycottage.typepad.com/.  Check it out and see what you think!  And she even has a doll house and doll house postings!  How cool is that!  Oh dear, I'd better get this posted because I feel way out of my comfort zone now and I'm starting to critique it too much!  See you! Jan

Lazy Days!

Did you ever have those days when you flat out didn't want to do anything?!  Days when even getting up out of a chair didn't seem quite worth the effort; when all you really wanted to do was just lie around in jammies all day, or perhaps take a nice long nap - in the middle of the morning!?  Well, welcome to my world right now!  I feel like a complete and total B.U.M.!!!!!

And yes, I realize that if I did get up and start "doing around", then I'd get more energy, and consequently feel better, and........yada yada yada........ain't gonna happen right now, I can tell you that!  Hey - I did open up the computer, log on and post this blog!!  What more do you want!?!?!

I found the cutest picture of Halloween cupcakes the other day in a magazine; I took a photo of them but now I can't remember which magazine they're in!  I have magazines (mostly my favorites from Stampington and Company) and books lying around everywhere, especially now that the holidays are approaching.  Oh well, I'll probably end up using my own recipe for the cake and just looking at the picture to do the little skeletons.
Oh.....I guess it would help if I showed you the picture, huh?

The heads are marshmallows and the bodies are just icing - I think! Anyway, that's what mine are gonna be cause it's a cinch I'm not gonna spend a whole lot of time looking for that recipe!  Well....Adios Amigos! Jan