Tuesday, July 29, 2008

K.I.S.S: Step Three of Four

Announcements at the end.  Important... especially if you are from, live near, or have enough frequent flier miles to get yourself to Pennsylvania.

So little to talk about, so much time.  That's the way it goes with a keep sake system as easy as mine.  I'd talk about equipment, but there isn't any.  No fancy quilling paper ($5.49 per package); paper cutters ($48.99); paper punch sets ($26.99); storage systems ($24.99); stencils and templates ($2.99 each); or scrap booking organizers (129.99).  So... other than the plastic storage box from target ($6.99), the plastic folder ($.59 cents), and a couple other items, there's no equipment to speak of.

Got any good jokes?  We've got some time to kill.  Here's one...

A bear walks into a bar and says, "I want a bourbon and................. coke."
The bartender asks "what's with the huge pause?"
The bear says, "I've had them all my life."

It's my delivery.  It's off.  I'll stick with preserving keepsakes for the time being.  

A quick review of yesterday.  To begin the Claudia Beeny approach to "keepsaking" you'll need one plastic container and one plastic envelope for each year you intend to collect items.  That is Step #1 and Step #2.  This system, by the way, works not just for your kids.  It also works for grand kids, newly married couples, or individuals who are committed to leaving behind a modest, yet organized, paper trail (which your family will undoubtedly appreciate!).

Today we address the issue of photographs.  Let me preface this by saying I know there are avid picture-takers in the audience.  Naturally there's a continuum of how people deal with photographs - with one end of the extreme being my neighbor who has over 40,000 photographs on her computer (and backed up in multiple locations) and others who can barely scrape together the two childhood photos with crinkled edges, found stuck at the bottom of a cigar box in your family's guest room.  I fall somewhere in the middle.

Just to earn a little bit of credibility, let me share that my nickname during college was "Captain Kodak" AND.... when I came home from college, no matter the holiday, I would spend hours at my kitchen table cutting and pasting them into photo albums.  Now that you know, I am not a cold, heartless, thoughtless person, with no sense of sentimentality... I'll keep going. 

To complete Step #3 you will need a $1.00 photo album typically containing enough sleeves to hold 60 pictures.  Don't be an over achiever and think if a $1.00 album holding 60 pictures is good, then a $10.00 album holding 200 pictures must be even better.  False.  The $1.00 album is what you need.  It will hold plenty of pictures for our purposes and it will fit nicely (even when chock full of 60 pictures) in your .59 cent plastic folder.... which in turn will go in your $6.99 plastic tub.

Here's the trick.  Twelve months... 365 days... 60 picture sleeves.  That, my friends, is an average of a picture every 6.1 days.  That's plenty.  Really.  I know you think you need 47 pictures of your child in last year's Halloween costume, but really, ten years from now... heck, even three years from now, you will be perfectly satisfied with the one or two CHOICE pictures you decided to keep.  This is the beauty of a digital camera.  Embrace it.  I have a good friend and valued colleague who once made this very wise comment.  He said, "The average person takes far too few pictures, but keeps far too many pictures."  Darn.  I wish it was I who said that, because it is SO true.  We might like - and feel secure - with the 78 pictures we took of Christmas morning, but in the end it is really three or four of those pictures that perfectly encapsulates that year's festivities.

So here's what I do.  One 60 sleeve photo album per child, each with a label bearing his name and year on the cover.  I take pictures regularly.  Once a week I print the pictures I want and they go immediately into the boys' $1.00 albums.  Example... I take a picture of the three boys wrestling on the living room floor.  I think, "oohh, that's cute.  They'll like having that when they're older."  Print three copies.  One for each album.  Take a picture of Jack getting his first hair cut.  While Matthew and Ricky love him, they don't want or need that picture.  Print one copy.  In it goes to Jack's album.  No, not two copies... one for Jack and one for me 'cause, "I might want it one day."  One copy.  If I really want to see it, I'll visit his $1.00 album. 

When I find a picture I really like, I calculate in my head... one for each of the boy's albums; one for Grandma and Grandpa New York; one for Grandma and Grandpa Beeny; one for Dawn who I haven't written in a while; and on the list goes.  I only print pictures when I know EXACTLY where they are going to go (a family member, a frame, or the $1.00 album).  Few to no exceptions.  This eliminates those stacks of random pictures we consider too sacrilege to throw away, but for which we have no real need or plan.   

A few final notes.  I keep small white mailing labels in my drawer.  Before I put the photos in their $1.00 albums, I try to jot a note or two including date, names of people in the pic, etc....  That way, when the boys look at the pictures years from now, they will know who all the kids were huddled around their birthday cake ready to pounce.  Second.  I'm archaic.  To get prints of my pictures, I still take my digital card, get in the car, drive to Cosco, walk up to the machine, put my card in, select my pictures, and then do my shopping while they are being developed (ALWAYS in less than an hour).  There are readers looming the site at this very moment who use a much more streamlined and efficient process.  I will let them share their methods in the comment section.

This is doable.... even if your child is nine years old and you're thinking... "too late for me."  Wrong.  When it comes to preserving childhood memories... ANYTHING IS BETTER THAN NOTHING.  Start now.  Do it until he or she is 18 and still you're presenting them with nine well organized years!  What a priceless gift.

Two announcements:  
  • Taste of USA:  Cheryl and I are trying to begin making plans.  In order to do so, we need those of you trying to attend to weigh in on a few things.  First, we cannot hold the event on Saturday, September 20.  Instead we are looking at September 6, or September 13.  Ideally the 6th.  Please let us know which weekend works best for you.  Second item related to our Taste of USA trip.  Viewers from THIRTY-FOUR cities have frequented the site in the last month, coming from all over the state.  We are considering trying to decide between a central PA location (ie. Lewisburg) or a major city (ie. Philly).  Tell us what you think.
  • Highlowaha Projects:  As you may know from last week... two sets of people volunteered to coordinate the projects suggested by our readers (I LOVE the emergent leadership!).  Here's what you need to know.  Book Club: Julie and Melanie will coordinate our Book Club.  In upcoming days/weeks they will communicate with the readers via the comment section to get an idea of what kind of book viewers might like to read... and other details.  Holiday Service Project: Sue, Maureen, and Brian will work on this.  Sue will serve as the primary coordinator (meaning we will communicate back and forth).  In the next few weeks you will hear more from them as they seek feedback from you and lay out a time line.
Enough.  Signing off until tomorrow...

21 comments:

Julie said...

Although impractical, I feel I have to suggest that your visit to PA occurs in Erie :)

Just a little north of Lewiston is State College (Penn State). I know from experience that there is a fabulous ice cream shop (privately owned, still make their own ice cream, and still bottle milk in glass bottles - I think I wrote about that once upon a time.)

I vote for either of those weekends.

Everyone - Melanie and I have been chatting. We're tying up some loose ends and you should see a post from one of us within the next few days!

cpsgradstudent moves today - safe travels, Katie :)

Claudia @ Highlowaha said...

Yes, cspgradstudent actually begins her journey as a grad student today at 2:30! Exciting!

Julie said...

Dr. B - question: does your "year" of memorabilia run Jan - Dec or birthday to birthday? Not that I think in the end it would matter all that much, as long as one's consistent throughout.

Claudia @ Highlowaha said...

Great question, Julie. It matters A LOT! My year runs from August to August (I follow the school year). Tomorrow it will become more clear as to why.

In fact, why don't we use part of Friday to do open Q & A. That way we can ask specific questions about how to handle particular memorabilia,etc... Also, it will allow others to share their ideas.

Anonymous said...

A few quick notes before I settle in to my work day.
A- I was a nay sayer to "the system" because I thought I had a great electronic plan of "blogging" Lily's life with pictures included and printing out a year of her life at a time. That was until my hubby deleted our old blog entries when he updated our website...DISASTER. So, now I am exploring starting back at Day 1 and pulling together Lily's first year while it is still fresh in our minds.

B- My picture process I LOVE!!! We upload photos directly to Walgreens.com anytime we have a few we want to print off (the beauty of this is you can send one or one hundred at any time). Then we submit and can have them printed at our Walgreens of choice. For us, it is the Northwest Hwy location in Grapevine, Bal's parents use the Waldemere and Washington in Indy and my Mom the Winston Ave in Covington, KY. This is important because, given the 14 hours distance to both sets of Grandparents we can surprise them by sending pictures to their local Walgreens for them to pick up and I pay online so they get some fun pictures, fast and free of charge without the worry of them getting bent in the mail. Walgreens also sends out a monthly freebie to their online users that could be a photo pack of all sizes, 15 free prints or a free 8 x 10, you just never know.

maureen said...

Claudia, I eliminated one step from your process and that is" me having to get pictures developed." I just take and print what I want at home. I have at least 25 disposable cameras that havent been developed. I am going to make it a mission to start today and develop them. Heck who knows whats in them. I usually just get them for the kids to use. We all have our own digital now so I really saved on the unwanted or no good pictures. Its my way of going "green" LOL:)

As for PA I think that if you are going to visit Amish Country you will be an equal distance away. However I have never been a fan of Philly but it is 100 miles closer to me as for my schedule I dont know what will be going on until school starts in September. Unfortunately I am at the mercy of my kids.

Anonymous said...

There is someone new in our lives!

Man is he a Ray of Bright ideas!

I can't wait to share some with you guys.

Anonymous said...

I have decided since you are using this week to talk about your system and this is the week that I begin my next journey in life... I'm going to start using the system! Who says you have to use it on your kids, right?!

Thanks for the safe travel wishes! I do officially travel to Virginia today and move in tomorrow morning! You all won't be hearing from me on here for a few days most likely, but I'll play catch-up later in the week!

maureen said...

Cassie..... Wow! I had to read that at least 5 times to understand what the heck you were saying. Enjoy your new someone and when you are finished with him share his with the rest of us I hear he's "HOT"!

Heather.... I am soooo happy it got there safe and sound. Enjoy it and if you ever want something special just email me my sister-in-law is in the wine distributing business.... FIGURES I DONT LIKE WINE!

Anonymous said...

Ooh, I like this idea!! Totally counter to my usual mode of keeping most of my pics on my computer, at the risk of losing them all in some crazy hard drive incident, but it still allows me to keep enough that I think it might be manageable.

When I do print pics (not often enough), I do it at www.mpix.com. Inexpensive, several paper choices, and a great product that shows up in the mail very quickly. Our wedding photographer--who was incredible, by the way--uses it, so you know it's good. And I've never received a bent pic in the mail. I do like Heather's Walgreen's plan for relatives, though. That's a great idea!

Safe travels, Katie K! Grad school's an incredible adventure, and I wish you all the best.

Anonymous said...

I'm crazy when it comes to photos and memorablia because of my scrapbooking obsession. I like your idea for organization and safe keeping but don't know if I can restrict myself in terms of numbers just yet.

Thanks for sharing your ideas...they're great!

Yeah for PA winning! I'm so excited. I was away for the weekend and wasn't able to see the winner until now. My vote is for the 6th because my class reunion is on the 13th. Of course, I'm bias and think your visit should be in Pittsburgh.

Brian K. Root said...

I take a lot of digital photos. In fact, if you were Facebook friends with me (hint-hint), you'd notice that I've got about 100 photo albums uploaded, most of which are of my students and campus events.

You'd think I'd have a good system in place for my photos, but I don't. I really need to pay more attention to this matter! I've got too much photo accumulation out there in the digital world.

......................

Hmmm... I would make an attempt to catch up with you if your visit to PA is somewhere in central or western PA. (I'm closer to Pittsburgh.) State College is probably reasonable. That's almost 2 hours from me.

Anyhow, PA is a big state and can take 6-7 hours to navigate through from end to end.

Cheryl Houston said...

Oh, you didn't tell me about this album part...hmmm. I'll have to let step three part soak in. I think you let me in on step four, which I started yesterday and to which I think I'll be able to do- maybe. But, step three... well, we'll have to see. :)

For printing pictures (rare occassion) I usually use shutterfly.com or kodakgallery.com. Every now and then they'll send out a free 15 prints and I pay for shipping only but then I just usually have 15 more photos floating around waiting to get in one of my pre-purchased Creative Memories books. You remember that paper I've had for 20 years... yeah, those books look like they have the same future.

And, if you already have all the scissors and organizers and crafty crap, you can still use them, right? But, there's no pressure to use them.

Cheryl Houston said...

Oh- and regarding PA...

6-7 hour road trips for you youngsters should be no problem! Think Thelma & Louise. Or, Easy Rider, Smokey and the Bandit, Mad Max!

Now, Texas is a big state! Did you know you can drive over 14 hours and never leave the state? That's over half a day and you never left the state!!

Now, grab your iPod, compile a "Road Trip" Playlist, pack your bags, hit the road and come have fun with us!

Anonymous said...

In regards to the trip to PA-

Assuming I can- I'll be there, no matter what part of the state you're in! I just googled Philly from Harrisonburg and it's about a 5 hour drive- sounds like a perfect road trip for myself and these new friends I'm about to make!

PS- I'm finished packing and just loaded up the car- 2 FULL hours before departure time- I knew I had it in the bag!

Anonymous said...

well, cheryl, considering me, cspgradstudent, and two other HLA lurkers just took our PA road-trip to our friend tera and treyes wedding a couple weeks ago...you are correct. its a pretty quick 7 or so hours from southern indiana to erie, PA. but im not sure we will be able to make this road trip once school starts...

im with heather, upload pics to walgreens.com and go pick them up at the walgreens closest to me!

heather, we need a chat very soon!

KATIE K!!! be safe and I WILL MISS YOU!!!!!!!!

Cheryl Houston said...

no, no, NO!

Nay Sayers Not Allowed, Cassie P! ;)

Repeat after me: "Wow, a road trip to see Claudia and Cheryl sounds like fun! I WILL make that happen!"

Though maybe we're getting a little ahead of ourselves since we don't know where we're going. Where is Cassie P and crew again? Maybe it's Tera and Treye that we have to pop in the car.

Anonymous said...

Cassie P and the 2 lurkers are in Southern Indiana and Louisville, KY. It will be a nice road trip for them, too! And I agree...no naysayers!

Cassie P- I WILL see you in PA! You have got to meet Cheryl and you KNOW you want to see Claudia!

I will miss you too.

Cheryl Houston said...

Thanks, Katie K!

Drive safely today to the State for Lovers!

Julie said...

whoever has been sending me fabulous stuff in the mail ... thank you :)

i love your little poems.

you've got me 100% confused, as i've received stuff from tx, ca, and ga. i have a feeling that's your plan!

Katie said...

I'm safe and sound in VA! Move-in begins in the AM! Thanks for all the well wishes!!