Christmas Seson

Well, I think you will be putting aside you photo organizing during this busy season. As you begin shopping for Christmas presents for your family and loved ones, keep a lookout for albums you could use in your future projects (see post for September 20, 2008). You might consider selecting pictures from previous holiday celebrations. When family or guests arrive for Christmas celebrations, ask each member what they remember about the holiday to include for journaling in your albums.

Preserving these memories is captured in the following quote:

"Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see." John Whitehead

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year to count your blessings Gratefulness is having alertness to the benefits that we possess without waiting until they are gone to appreciate them. List things that you are grateful for. Savor the glittering moments that have brought you – and can continue to bring you – a heart that brims with joy. Pictures provide wonderful memories of those blessings. Here is an idea: transform badge holders purchased at an office supply store into an adorable brag book featuring favorite photos. You can keep your design seasonal with autumn colors and a Thanksgiving theme.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Duplicates or Blurry Pictures

I have mentioned before about using your photos in gift ideas (see post for September 27, 2008). Instead of throwing away the duplicates, set them aside and use them in projects for your gifts. You can add some journal entries to explain the stories in the snapshots. I think this is one of the best gifts you give because you will make people feel loved - people feel validated.

Also, consider saving some of the blurry pictures. They may be the only snapshots you have of Grandpa Smith and Aunt Martha. Keep them if they are washed out or so dark you can barely see the subject but capture a treasured memory. Besides, there may be an antiquated feel to the photo.

Daylight Savings Time Ends

The days will start being shorter and there will be less hours of light to peruse your pictures. Purchasing a magnifying lamp may be a wise investment. Look for them at local craft stores such as Michael's or JoAnn Fabrics. You can even find them online through websites such as Amazon.com or Ebay.com. The lamp helps to see fine details easily and clearly, reduce eyestrain caused by glare, and shows color more true to life. You would want one that provides hands-free illumination such as an armchair ( floor) lamp or a desk light that clamps to the table.

This might be a good time to write on the back of your snapshots such things as names of people, dates, and locations. I have thought over the years that I would remember and did not make any notations. I am amazed how much I have forgotten and much time is taken to chase after the details. It is easiest to start with the most current photos and work backwards. I usually enter captions in the computer to print out 'labels' for the upcoming albums.

Anniversary

Today would have been my parents' 61st wedding anniversary. Daddy passed away in March, 2002 and Mom died in April, 2007. I am so grateful to have most of my pictures organized because we can reminisce the wonderful memories that are captured in photos. In fact, the last thing Daddy 'read' the night before he died was a family album that I was assembling. This has helped us graciously survive the grieving period. I started to help other people organize their snapshots for this very reason and I feel a sense of urgency to pass history on to our children. I hope you will want to start your organization, too - I assure you that you will have a sense of accomplishment and be richly rewarded for your effort.