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I know....enough about blogging already! I'm getting the feeling, from some of the posts, that people are feeling like they have to set up a blog. NO, you don't!
Quite frankly, if you're feeling pressure to do it....don't do it. It's not for everyone. The blogs I really enjoy reading are updated frequently. Some people just can't spare the time. It does take away from other things. For example: Teddy Talk time.
Don't set up a blog because it seems like "the newest happening thing". Set one up because it's right for you and you'll enjoy it. Okay?
Skipping off on a lovely Saturday to go look at houses.....
Warmest bear hugs, :hug:
Aleta
aerBearsAre you trying to buy a new house?
I agree with the blog thing. I absolutely love reading them.... not so good about writing them. 
It figures, I was never good at writing in my diary when I was little.
Good luck on your hunt!
Aeri
Laurie Lou BearsI might get around to doing a blog one of these days but I would rather spend the time making bears and on tt.It can make you feel a bit pressurised when everyone says that they are going to do a blog but as Aleta says do one because it is right for you and no other reason.
Marlys you come across as a very nice person from what I see in your posts and you are very brave to tell us personal things about your life.People can be so cruel to you in life and they are not worth knowing as they are only trying to make your life a misery so don't feel bad about yourself because of it.Please post some piccies of your bears as we all would love to see them and if you enjoy making them that is all that matters and I am sure they will be lovely 
Laurie :hug:
Past Time BearsAleta, I wasn't feeling pressure from the list...only from myself. I have serious confidence issues.
My sisters were 16 and 13 when I was born and both were out of the house and married before I was 7 so basically I was an only child raised with nieces and nephews. My sisters tell me that mother wasn't real pleased finding herself pregnant again. Most of my childhood is sketchy until about 12, but my mother was not very nurturing and I never quite matched up with my oldest sister's beauty or my older sister's popularity. Nothing I ever did was good enough, nor was I smart enough. My mother told me I was ugly, called me not so kind names, said I couldn't do anything, would never amount to anything...you get the picture. I mostly tried to stay out of her way.
So for me, and even as a woman of a "certain age," I'm still affected by those things...and my mother has been dead for 20 years. You never really get over it. I've just always been very afraid of trying things. It takes great courage for me to take a step toward anything where I might be rejected. Even about joining TT, I agonized over it for months before I finally joined. I don't even want to post my bears because they just don't match up to what others here do...who are truly artists and I feel like an imposter.
Long story...I'm sorry...but I don't feel pressured by those jumping on the blogging bandwagon, and as much as I want to try it, it will take me a while to actually do it. Everyone seems to have so much fun with it and since I don't have a website (yet) I thought it might be a good way to start. While it's scary to me, it's also good to be around people who unknowingly challenge me to try things.
Now I'm going to hold my breath, close my eyes and hit the submit button before I erase everything.
I certainly understand where you're coming from, Marlys. What happened to your avatar with the lovely picture under it? I ran my mouse over it all the time because I thought what a pretty lady you are! If you get to the point where you are comfortable with sharing pics of your creations, I guarantee all you will get from us is support. I wish you courage and confidence in all that you attempt! :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
I totally agree, I set up a blog because I am waiting for hubby to get off his procrastinating butt and make me a real website versus the picture trail one I have...figured blogging would be a way to keep people up to date without having to resort to just emails and pictures
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us Marlys, I so enjoy our email chats and would love to see pictures of your bears, even if you only want to email them and share them that way. I feel as if I have come to know you during our chats and filling you in on some of the special exciting things that I myself am not ready to share the whole world just yet...You are an amazing woman and don't let anyone ever tell you any different.
Hugs,
Krista
Marlys, my mom wasn't like your mom, but like many I also suffer many insecurities. I'm not sure it even matters where they originate; they're just so dang hard to shake. All the self-talk in the world, which I "get" intellectually without any problem, just seems never to penetrate deep enough to convince my heart and my bones and my soul that worrying about being "good enough" isn't a productive, or even reasonable, way to spend my time. I try, though, every minute of every day, to stop that worrying.
I don't know you well but what I've seen of you I admire, can relate to, respect, and adore. Keep on being YOU... blog or no! :hug: 
:hug:
Hi Aeri,
No, we're not trying to buy a new house. We're just nuts enough to want to buy an old house....a house that is in need of a lot of TLC. We found a really sweet one today. A lovely little two bedroom cottage built in the 1920's with lots of character!! And by character I mean, we'll have our work cut out for us. We'll put an offer in on Monday.
Oh, but we won't be living in it. I certainly can't even think of giving up my castle for a cottage!!! Not yet anyway!
Warmest bear hugs, :hug:
Aleta
bears by beesley TMOh Hun, You make me smile you Silly Girl.
I commented on your first post on Blogs because I admire all of you who are doing this. I am feeling like an old fart in the dark because I don't even know for sure what a blog is! But I have gone to your blog on your web site Aleta and I think it is awesome. Very imformative and interesting material. You guys just wait.. I will become one of the blogging community too! It just seems to take me a while to get my big tail to spin clock wise.
Ha Ha Ha
Hugs Louise
Me too Marlys..I get seriously doubtful of myself too. My parents were loving and attentive to all of us but we had no money and I was very aware of other children who had things..and their parents had a car, a telephone and carpets on the floor.. and they had long hair with ribbons in..new clothes, toys etc..and it stays with me now..the hand me downs and the second hand toys and I do often feel very insecure and inferior to others. These things do leave their mark imprinted deeply, don't they. So I know how it feels and you are not alone.
As far as blogs go though..no band wagon has ever been slow enough for me to jump on it..and I don't intend to run to catch up. I might do one ...then again ..I might not!! I just plod onwards in my own way!!!
I never put my picture up either..not coz I have a problem with it...just haven't got a recent picture!!
I have set up a blog, only because i don't have a web site and i never knew about blogs till people started talking about them on here 
Hugs
Vicki
JeannieB BearsI don't know what a blog is...yet! I'll look when I can....I'm a computer retard!
Marlys,
Just like you in a lot of ways....never posted a picture of me, etc. When I came to teddy talk I was a "closet teddy bear maker"...not even "real" teddy bears!! I crocheted them and had never met anyone like me. The people here accepted my bears and me....and after much coaxing...I began to make "real" bears! I was terrified when I first posted anything I made...and still a little scared. My "idol" teddy bear artists might see them.
Today I have some advice for you.....KEEP SHARING....because the joy you feel when you create a bear or critter is the joy we feel when we get to see it!!! It gets better and there are sooo many beautiful people on this site, I promise you won't be let down!!! :hug:
Big Bear Hugs,
JeannieB
Wild Thyme OriginalsToday I have some advice for you.....KEEP SHARING....because the joy you feel when you create a bear or critter is the joy we feel when we get to see it!!! It gets better and there are sooo many beautiful people on this site, I promise you won't be let down!!! :hug:
Big Bear Hugs,
JeannieB :)
Awww... Jeannie... that's exactly right!!! I started posting on bear forums when I was a total greenie to making bears too, so I completely understand what you are saying! When I think about how far I've come and how much boards like this one have helped me along that path, i am just overwhelmed. I'm thrilled to bits each and every time I'm able to encourage someone or keep them from making a mistake that I've made, etc... and I STILL get a little nervous each and evry time I post a new bear! 
:hug:
Kim Basta
Apple Dumpling DesignsI decided to start a blog not out of peer pressure...I gave that up YEARS ago but because I wanted to be able to easily post photos of my newest bears, etc. That, and I've really enjoyed reading others....they actually are fun and often brighten my day. I'm just not in a position to adequately maintain my website and not sure if I ever will be.
I've gotten a little sidetracked with my last blog post...you'll just have to check it out...but other than that I'll be mostly showcasing bear related stuff.
Hugs & Happy Blogging,
Shantell
Marlys wrote:Aleta, I wasn't feeling pressure from the list...only from myself. I have serious confidence issues.
My sisters were 16 and 13 when I was born and both were out of the house and married before I was 7 so basically I was an only child raised with nieces and nephews. My sisters tell me that mother wasn't real pleased finding herself pregnant again. Most of my childhood is sketchy until about 12, but my mother was not very nurturing and I never quite matched up with my oldest sister's beauty or my older sister's popularity. Nothing I ever did was good enough, nor was I smart enough. My mother told me I was ugly, called me not so kind names, said I couldn't do anything, would never amount to anything...you get the picture. I mostly tried to stay out of her way.
So for me, and even as a woman of a "certain age," I'm still affected by those things...and my mother has been dead for 20 years. You never really get over it. I've just always been very afraid of trying things. It takes great courage for me to take a step toward anything where I might be rejected. Even about joining TT, I agonized over it for months before I finally joined. I don't even want to post my bears because they just don't match up to what others here do...who are truly artists and I feel like an imposter.
Long story...I'm sorry...but I don't feel pressured by those jumping on the blogging bandwagon, and as much as I want to try it, it will take me a while to actually do it. Everyone seems to have so much fun with it and since I don't have a website (yet) I thought it might be a good way to start. While it's scary to me, it's also good to be around people who unknowingly challenge me to try things.
Now I'm going to hold my breath, close my eyes and hit the submit button before I erase everything.
I certainly understand where you're coming from, Marlys. What happened to your avatar with the lovely picture under it? I ran my mouse over it all the time because I thought what a pretty lady you are! If you get to the point where you are comfortable with sharing pics of your creations, I guarantee all you will get from us is support. I wish you courage and confidence in all that you attempt! :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
dead right - support is to be had here - i also grew up in an awful home and i'd rather my mother was dead then just didnt want to see me or my 3 girls ...
i take risks here - its great! and how i grow .... i just made this awful cat martha and some people have been very nice about her already (a friend asked me why i made an evil squirrel) .... i hope you can grow a little bit one day at a time ... time was id be in tears over martha coz i hardly allow myself to fail !!!!
HUGE hugs
cat xxxxxx
Waggle BearsThank you all so much. I am overwhelmed by your support. I had no idea all you wonderful and wonderfully talented artists also have your own personal issues. I'm so sorry I let myself write all that I normally keep to myself. You'll never know how much your responses means to me.
Marlys
Flying Fur StudiosI also don't have a blog.
Just not my thing. I don't really read them for lack of time and just don't have the urge to start my own. What can I say.
I have never had major confidance issues and I wish I could share how it's so but I don't really know.
Just like I wish i could share what I learned to quit smoking everytime I see a smoker.
it's kinda like telling someone how to move their ears....LO
sorry, just rambling now.
Bears by JodiLouise ... Jump in !! I just did last week or maybe 2 weeks ago. It is fun,But I need to come up with some interesting things to put on it . But I have added some. Mine isn't as good as some but I am having fun any way, and the computer and I are not good friends !!! So I am learning as I go .
