The Gift of Confidence

Doesn’t it feel good when the people you love have confidence in what you are doing? I take that back – it doesn’t feel good – it feels wonderful!

Creating this blog has been something I have talked about for a long time. It was a longing of mine – a longing to share with others my passion for creating and decorating. For 32 years, I owned my own floral and gift shop, and I loved to work with my customers, to help create their own special places. The thought of a blog to once again to be able to connect and share with others, just wouldn’t leave my thoughts.

My mind raced as I planned just how I wanted this blog to look, to feel, to reach other people. I was supported by my daughter, my sister and friends to continue on when I would get discouraged as I tried to learn how to put it all together.

Even though it would certainly have been much easier, I didn’t invest in a web designer. I really wanted to learn all I could about creating the site myself. I am a hands-on kind of girl, (maybe woman is more accurate –I’m afraid I no longer qualify as a “girl”), and I loved learning all of the ways to make things work and fall into place.

Through it all, my sweetie listened patiently as I filled him in on the progress….as I grumbled about the setbacks … or when I learned something new and exciting – exciting to me anyway. He would reassure me that I would learn how to make a banner, add a widget, figure out the whole process each time I would throw up my hands in exasperation.

But he just didn’t have the same enthusiasm the “girls” had when I talked about my site. He didn’t “ooh and aah” over the colors … the pictures … all of the numerous details. Although he patiently listened, there was nothing about golf … nothing about politics … nothing about investments … nothing that really excited him the way it did me. I am almost certain once in a while I would see his eyes glaze over as I would share every little detail … because … after all he is a man!

How to put a wreath together – how to decoupage eggs – none of this was really “his thing” and I have to say I think I am glad about that (insert smiley face).

He had a very good “point and shoot camera” I had been using to capture the photos for the site. I had even begun the process of learning to shoot in manual mode after reading encouraging photography tips from so many of my blogging “friends”.

I was now craving a camera of my own. I began the process of researching what camera I thought I wanted. I read all the details of what each camera could do. I poured over sites on photography and I read with yearning the cameras that many bloggers used.

My sweetie enjoys photography so this was something he could relate to. He helped me research and analyze each selection. He encouraged me to get a camera that would grow with me as I became more experienced and my skills grew … and then he gave me his vote of confidence … he wanted to invest in my dream and help me get the camera … one better than I had ever considered.

Today I just had to show you the camera that recently arrived.

Source

I am feeling overwhelmed by all of the buttons and settings, by shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. I am, however, determined. How can I not be? With the confidence of my sweet husband, I know I will do it. With the help of my family and friends to carry me along, this is going to be a great experience.