I've let the first month of the year get away without writing and I promised myself I'd write here at least once a month, even if it be a few words. So here it is, three days past the middle of February!
Good intentions. I always have good intentions.
For information sake, I have been sick. The cold weather we've been having is not helping, believe me. I've rarely complained about Winter but this year, I am so looking forward to Spring.
Happier news, Sarah Elizabeth is pregnant and I'm so happy for her. I'm so happy for them. She seems to be riding a silver lined cloud of happiness.
Sarah set these shots up. She has such good ideas for photos and does a great job! I absolutely love the one of Rahlyja and his expiration date! Such a great shot!
I'm back to working on photos again. I'm trying to remember if I even mentioned this in any of my posts last year. I have pulled out every photo, sorted it into siblings (so far) then into years then began putting them into albums. Albums. Three ring binders actually. I try to make them look pretty and add little embellishments here and there but for the most part, they're being put into binders.
Actually, what I did first was sort and chronicle (by year only) things such as our gatherings. Reunions, graduations, special occasions etc. Those did go into smaller albums and I marked each with the year.
I really had no clear idea of what I was going to do or what I wanted to end up with when I started this. I'm still not sure I do but, I do know that I have Phyllis, Shelby and Arlie done. Well, don-ish.
I find things as I go that I think should go elsewhere. For instance, I'm working on Jeri's album right now. I've found a few photos that really should go in Arlie's or even Randy's. I'm not sure how I missed this but, I just tuck them into an envelope, mark it for where it goes and will go back to it later.
On Jeri's album, I was pleasantly surprised to remember that a few years ago, I tried to start an album for Bryon Thomas. Of course back then, I was using 12 x 12 albums and of course inserts. Three ring binders do not come in 12 x 12! So, I tore the pages apart and redid them into 8 1/2 x 11. Her album has expanded to a very thick three inch binder because of it. And then some!
After Jeri comes Randy. After Randy I intend to re-do it all! I know how silly that sounds but think about it. I'm doing these albums for different reasons. Myself first, and I hope for one of the nieces or nephews who might want them one of these days.
As I went through sorting, I of course made a box of photos for my album. Since I did that I have decided to go back through and integrate my photos into everyone else's photos. This includes any photo I can get my hands on of Mom & Dad. Mom's family, Dad's family, which means our Aunts and Uncles and cousins.
Can you see the memories I see when I'm working on this? There is very little I don't remember. I've had to ask a few questions of Shelby and Jeri sometimes but for the most part, when I look at these photos I'm remembering.
This has grown into quite a project for me but I'm enjoying every moment of it.
Aunt Leona and Mom
Catie and Bryon
Above photo is Dad as a baby.
Left: Phyllis, Shirley and Shelby
Jeri Lynn
Randy and Jeri
Aunt Leona and Uncle Paul's wedding Day. Back row: Aunt Dana, Aunt Emily, Virgil, Minister ?? and Aunt Olive, ??. Middle Row: Aunt Shirley, Grandma Smith, Mom (Nadine) Aunt Leona, Uncle Paul, Uncle Enos, Dad (Arlie). Front row: Little boy in front of Mom, little boy in front of Uncle Enos, Aunt Faye, ??