What I learned from my picture dilemma

Where has time gone?  I cannot believe we have only six days left in January!  As promised, I will share what I learned from my picture dilemma of late.   The underlying problems were my desire to take advantage of a special promotion on pictures in a local store and my pride for which reason I wanted to "do it on my own."   My gut told me I wasn't sure what I was doing, and I should have stopped.   This would have saved me money and  heartache.  Not to mention that I would've had my developed pictures in hand by now and all of my 231 photos would still be 100% intact.  When you consider the monetary cost of the recovery effort ($50), I might as well have ceased efforts at my on-line order that night. So much for saving money!  I need to learn to be patient and wait on those who can help me, even if they aren't available to assist immediately.

Now that we've talked about the root problems, let's get technical.  I thought I had learned as an adult that "There is always a way" to solve a problem.  Too bad that didn't occur to me before I took five pictures using the same memory card I'd just erased!  If I hadn't done so, the recovery effort may have been more successful.   So, my first piece of advice is not to assume (as I mistakenly did) that "It's too late.   There's nothing that can be done now."  Second, do not use the affected medium (i.e. memory card, etc) in any way until you've had an opportunity to seek recovery of your photos.   While these steps seem rather basic, let me say that when one wants to take advantage of a better price than usual and wants to do everything without asking for help, the results can be disastrous!   More to come...

A Scrapper's Tip

Well, last night I made 2 (almost 3) Christmas scrap book pages from our family's holiday in 2010.  Yes, you read that right.  You might say I'm a "little" behind in my scrap booking.   The last few times I've scrap booked or made cards, I've started a new practice at the end of my session.  I look for any 6 inch by 6 inch "scraps" and use them to make lovely 3 inch by 3 inch mini-cards.  Not only is this a great way to use up my "scraps," but also my loved ones can enjoy a cute little card!   An added bonus for my family and friends who enjoy using their remote to change television channels is that the 3 inch by 3 inch cards don't interfere with changing channels!  It's amazing what beautiful creations you can make with "scraps."  Well, I'm gonna go enjoy my fourth cup of coffee from my beloved Keurig brewer!

My Christmas Gift to Myself...

Greetings, all!  Well, winter finally arrived here in Chillicothe, Ohio last Friday, January 13th, and I find myself iced in today under a level 2 weather emergency!  This means time for scrap booking and enjoying coffee from my beloved Christmas gift to myself, a Keurig mini (personal-size) brewer!   When given money for Christmas in the past, I used to save it.   While seeing my mom enjoy her new Keurig brewer while home at Christmas, I found myself thinking "Hmmm.  I think I might want one of these for myself."  So, I used my Christmas money to buy my Keurig coffee brewer, which I've come to call "my little red fire engine."  I have no idea why I chose that nickname, except perhaps it created the excitement for me that a fire engine creates for the kids (both young and old) who receive them!  Or, it could be its cherry red color.   Anyway, what I love about my machine is that I can brew one cup of coffee at a time without the mess of cleaning up coffee grounds and everything else associated with a regular coffee maker.   A bonus is that I get to experience the "coffee house" aroma in my apartment.  I don't know about you, but I absolutely love the aroma of both a Starbucks store and the coffee aisle in the grocery store.  Not to mention that the cherry red color enhances my kitchen.   I would show you a picture of my brewer, but you know what happened with my latest pictures, and I'm not taking any chances with trying to move any more pictures until I have an expert at my side!    Enjoy your day, and stay safe in whatever weather conditions you've been given.

Confession of a "photo-holic"

Well, I learned something about myself today.  I confess that I really do take too many pictures!  Let me put this in perspective for you by sharing that I spent 1/2 hour (yes, thirty minutes) tonight deleting the duplicates (or should I say quadruplicates) of many pictures I felt so sure (at the time) were so necessary.   Don't get me wrong.  Pictures are very important in preserving and recalling memories, but when you have four to six shots of the same basic picture/theme/event...

For the first time ever, I can see why some of those around me have rolled their eyes, made facial expressions, and even verbally commented about the number of pictures I take!  I really need to work on two things:  deciding which pictures tell a story and limiting the number of shots I take. 

As for my deletion dilemma of the other night (1/2/12), I have consulted some computer savvy friends of mine.  So far, I have not been successful at recovering the lost photos.   Tomorrow after work I intend to drop off the affected memory card at a Chillicothe business that has several programs that can be run to help recover such photos.   I plan to share my lessons learned through this experience another time.  As for the picture recovery, I expect to know something later this week.  Last evening, the Lord gave me a sense of peace about the pictures.   I cannot explain that sense of peace nor say that my beloved photos will be recovered.  I can only hope that I will be able to accept the outcome (whether recovered or not).   As I sign off tonight, I ask for forgiveness from all of my family, friends, and felines who have been very patient as I've taken so many pictures.

Tags, Treats, and Trouble...

Some of you know all about the challenges I encountered in a Christmas tag swap in November.   The brief version is that I mailed twenty-two tags (intending to receive twenty different tags in return) to another state, only to receive my own tags back three weeks later due to human error.  In addition to sharing with you how I used my tags, I decided to post them here.  

I found myself thrilled to be "done" holiday shopping in early December, yet I kept browsing for more gifts for my family!  As a result, I needed more tags than I'd expected, and I attached my homemade tags to presents for my family.  I mailed some of my handmade tags  to some paper crafting buddies, and I will probably use one or both tags in my holiday scrap booking.  

As for treats, so much for me continuing to give up chocolate this holiday season.  I made it two days without chocolate and finally decided I could no longer resist those luscious homemade buckeyes, peanut butter bars, chocolate-covered pretzels, etc that stared me in the face each time I passed the dining room table!  No bad headaches so far.   Let's hope it stays that way.

I'd planned on discussing my kitty troubles today when I found myself having photo troubles as well.  After having lived in my current residence for greater than one year with no attempt by either of my cats to enter into the garage, that is exactly where Smokey ran today as I prepared some boxes for the dumpster!   Who ever would have thought after 18 months the cat would venture into the garage, of which I'd thought she was afraid?!  You need to understand something about Smokey in order to see why this concerns me; she is a very playful yet naughty cat who usually turns new tricks into daily games.   In other words, the whole garage thing may become a daily ordeal for Smokey and me! 

As for my photo troubles,  I accidentally deleted our family's Christmas pictures from my memory card tonight.   I am so sad to think that all of our memories of Christmas 2011 may be forever lost - that I may never again experience the joy or laughter I felt as I observed my family's reactions to receiving their goodies (or in some cases, gag gifts).  That is, unless one of my computer-savvy friends can help.   As I sign off tonight, I wish all of you and your loved ones a safe and blessed 2012.