Sun on the run.

What a beautiful day it was yesterday. In fact, aside from some basic correspondence - Pilot, Crash and I spent a lot of the afternoon outside - WALKING. Old school (that means FAST). Spring has begun, but the beginning of spring around here isn't normally characterized by a lot of greenery. The beginning of spring means that the snow is gone and it's left huge piles of dust and dirt. Everything looks brown. That's okay because the green is coming.

After our separately busy days - Dan and I came together for an evening walk before we tackled dinner. Hello sunset. We went over all the things we'd done and all the things that are coming up: like unavoidable possible trips and weddings and visits and he said...

I knew exactly what he meant. It seems that just when we get a delicious little routine we love - there are all kinds of things to mess with it. Trips, visits, obligations... GRANTED - the messy parts are what makes life full... that's usually my take on hassle and mess. BUT. Right now - I have to say that I whole-heartedly agree with Dan. Pilot is changing everyday and I want to see it. I don't want to be so busy doing things to make other people happy that I forget about Dan, Pilot and MYSELF. I don't really care if that sounds selfish this morning.

I didn't take this photo - but, I LOVE IT. Trevor Stanhope sent me a collection of photos from his farm THAT HE TOOK HIMSELF. Some kind of fine mist of water was landing on his grass. He was wondering if this was art... well, I'd have to say it IS TO ME. It's amazing. It's also one of those things I love about living where it's cold.

Here's another photo I was sent... Audrey Williams sent me a photo she took when we busted out into a spontaneous Cargo & Woot book reading at Inspired. Thanks Audrey - this is a good memory for me. PS - big thank you to those of you who ordered Cargo & Woot Eat Beets. I anticipate that the second book will be available in about a week.

The Crash-meister was ripping around the park absolutely LOVING the sunshine and the snowless grass.

She is as cute as ever. I've come up with a new 'system' for cataloging my photos of her. I don't know if it's any better than having no system at all. How do you best organize your photos? I need help.

Today: Well, I better tidy up before the cleaning lady gets here. Pilot and I are heading to the airport to drop off a care package for a really nice US Customs man that I met on my way back from Charlotte. We're heading to TiberRiver to get Vanilla Pear body lotion because I am addicted. We're off to find a baby gift of our family's new person Hannah Hoberg who is not yet a week old. Tiny Art needs to be organized, confirmed and shipped. There are books that need to be packaged. I have decided to help with the Guardian Angel fundraiser and I have a toot-load of other projects to get underway. I want to wash the front windows - the sun blasts in and I want every ounce of it. OPERATION: Unload INBOX is in full effect this morning. And sweet, sweet lunatic Pilot has decided that she no longer needs to nap and that she is perfectly content laying in her crib with her eyes closed SQUEALING with delight AT THE TOP OF HER LUNGS for the hour instead. Fine with me, you little nut.

Alright. Let's see how this day pans out. GO!

Comments

[Michelle (Tiber River Naturals)]

I AGREE life is sometimes one big hassle! Make sure you grab some teething gel, new fresh boy lotion for Dan, and one of our new flavours of hand soap too.

[Shelley]

I'm sorry, I really enjoy reading your blog on a daily basis and usually love your outlook on life but I totally disagree with you today. Life is not a hassle to me. When things upset our routines, they are blessings, they are what makes life interesting, they are what makes up life, they are what makes us stay connected with others, they are what makes us realize how precious our family is. To me, life is one big blessing.

[Jessica]

my god life is a hassle! by the way - WE ARE NOT MOVING! YAY!!!

[Paulette Sarsfield]

sometimes to just "be" is where I'd like to "be" too...

[stephanie costello]

yeah life can be one huge hassle....and I love you outlook on life.xx

[Carleigh]

Okay, I gotta ask. What's with the bottle of Advil at the Cargo and Woot reading?

To organize my photos, I have a Grace and Abby folder, and within that folder is a 0-1 month, 1 month old, 2 month old, and so on and so forth. And makes it easy to find a specific picture a year later because you know about when it was taken so you can just look in that folder. Works for me.

[cathy]

I smiled my way through your whole post today. thanks for that. reading your blog does two things for me right now...it cements the start of my day (it is definately part of my routine and I love that) and also, it also makes me wish I could redo time with my kids when they were little. hearing you relish in your time with Pilot is so awesome. I think I wished away a lot of that time.
but it's a good reminder to start today and enjoy them NOW.
oh, and i'm thinking of completely copying you and getting an excercise bike. Are you loving yours?

[Cameron Yates]

Love the photo of you that Audrey took! Now how come nobody snapped a picture when *I* read Cargo and Woot outloud to the group? Ha ha! ;)

I keep all my photos organized in folders on the computer by year then by month then by date/occasion. In each month's folder there is a "Best of" folder for all my favorite photos for that month. It makes it easier for me to find things when I'm crafting or making art (I have a photo printer at home so I just whip them off when I need them). At the end of the year my husband and I make one big "Best of the Year" folder and usually do something like make a DVD video slideshow for the fam or a photo book or something or a couple of things. :) Whatever grabs us each year. :) Oh, and we also have a digital photo frame with ALL of our favorite photos that our guests stand and stare at for hours. Sweet! :)

Good luck either finding a system or deciding you don't need one. And have a super weekend! :)

[Katie]

I laughed at your selfish comment. Selfish would be SOMEONE ELSE thinking that their time is more important to you than either your own, Crash's, Dan's, or Pilot's. Give yourself a break and really enjoy what's important to YOU. It is, afterall, YOUR life to love. not theirs.

SOOOOOOO bummed I missed the Cargo and Woot reading (though I would NOT want to tell your Uber-fan-Oliver about me hearing the reading direct from you, so I guess it was good that I missed.)

Love all the pictures today -- cannot believe how much Pilot has grown. What a cute, sweet little girl. Bummed to hear about the "done with the nap" comment -- I had, rather HAVE, a "non-napper".

Since you asked...I have two systems of sorting photos.

1. System of folders as described by Carleigh. Though I have each year (Oliver 0-1, 1-2, 2-3, etc)and within them folders marked with the month. I will also add an additional folder in the month folder if it's a big event. "Vacation" etc. My son was born in January so the month method works out really well because month 1 IS month 1. Then I NAME my photos: Date (year_month#_day so they sort properly) and then a BRIEF description of the event so I can do a search later if need be.

ex. 2008_04_04_Oliver_Cargo_Woot.jpg

2. Second sorting method is a completely different set of folders with a copy of the photos by subject "Oliver funny faces" or if I use them in a project "California Vacation Book". It's a lot of sorting, but it works for me.

Holy crud that was a long comment -- sorry!

[Beth in Wisconsin]

Kal, your daughter just CANNOT get any cuter!
I truly enjoy reading your blog each day.

And Cameron, I just LOVE the idea of "Best of the Year" - I'm going to incorporate that into my routine. Thanks!

[Molly]

good reading today. your little Pilot looks (and sounds) adorable.

[Nicole Cooper]

Photo Freedom by Stacy Julian!! I know you're not big on traditional scrapping but a lot of the idea has to do with PRINTING your photos so you and your family can ENJOY them!! Getting them into photo albums so you can enjoy them!

As far as digital storage to me I just set up a folder for each month that is in a folder for the year.. about once a quarter I'll go through these and place them in highlights of ones I love and then print those off. (Still arranged loosely chronologically)

[Audrey]

LOL about the Advil comment... We moved the bottle for other shots...

I have days that I think what a hassle the "other" stuff in life is.... and when I'm feeling really overloaded, well quite frankly, I feel like everything is a hassle.

[Kal Barteski]

IN a perfect world my life would be SPONSORED by Advil. Advil LiquiGels are magic on a bummed hip. Woot!

[bonnie]

Go Trevor, WOW! (as you already said).
Don't you just LOVE spring around there. Soak it up, the world can wait. I feel like a wiener saying this but let me know what your westerly travel plans are or if you're giving them the big bird. :)

[shannon]

trevor's photo is amazing! that's the kind of stuff that i love to see in spring and makes all the brown-ness okay for me. kinda like the little bits of green poking up in the garden now.

photos - i also just organize into folders by time and then every once in a while copy some of the photos into a print folder and do a big print when one of the stores has a sale on their print prices.

[camport]

Cargo & Woot Eat Beets is permanantly ingrained into my memory. 6 hours of flying left time for lots and lots of C&W! I can't wait for book #2!

Organinzing photos...I go by date. Each file already uploads into Adobe by the date it was taken and at the end of the month I compile them all into one general monthly folder. It works for me!

:)

[tz]

You WANT to clean the windows? :)

Photos - big rubber bin under the desk, with a lid.

[Lisa B.]

I have to disagree...Pilot is NOT as cute as ever...she is growing more beautiful by the day...how do you stand it??? I would never get anything done with her around...I'd be stealing kisses ALL DAY LONG!

[Lexy]

Haha I gotta admit the Advil stood out to me too! Good stuff. Especially when your brain feels like it trying to stab it's way out through your forehead. How's THAT for a lovely picture on a Friday morning? {Sorry.}

I agree with your hassle comment. My fiance and I WOULD like to take the dog for a walk together every afternoon and talk about life just like you and Dan did last night, but he usually has to work just a bit later and then it's too dark to go, especially with winter coming, and I have to go by myself, because we don't have any streetlights.

On the upside though, it means we can always see a shitload of stars!!!

[Debbie Mac]

I was over-sorting my photos. Now i sort by month, and also have one additional file for my absolute favorite photos. Simple, done. (Of course if all your pics of Pilot are like this then you'll just have one file for favorite photos)
Great photo of the reading...I have a couple of very cute photos of the previous reading so I promise to try and load them up tomorrow, Cameron. I loved our relaxing creative evening and both readings were a treat. Debbie Mac

[annette]

Life is a hassle...but a beautiful one. Enjoy it..

[paolo]

I really dig your real life approach and authenticity. Its even better that you have got your head on straight and are focused on your family. There is nothing selfish about that- its super inspiring if anything! Thanks for reminding us about the delicate balance of life and priorities :)

[maile]

i kept thinking all day yesterday about "life is a hassle"...that is so funny! And true!

love the frozen branches too!
have a fun weekend!

[Jaime]

Yep, life can totally be a hassle sometimes...lol. Sometimes, life just gets in the way - that's how I feel, anyway. But I get what you're saying...it's not a bad thing, it's just the truth! While life is wonderful and grand and makes us who we are today, somedays it's just plain crazy! :) But it's great that you're being "selfish" and making sure to spend it with your family as much as you can. Because family is what's most important!

God Bless!
-Jaime :)

P.S. I just noticed your new book you published, my friend just had a baby, I think I might have to buy it for the little guy! :) It's adorable - of course, because it's by YOU! :) Congratulations!!!

[beth]

it's all about priorities and living a life you love.
it's not selfish at all to want to be with your family and for them to be with you.
enjoy the moments...big and small.

[beth]

and yay on another cargo and woot.
it was so cool to hear YOU read it to us.
:)

[annie]

I can completely connect with this post. My family and I are all about making the most out of life and sometime it can be overwhelming!! By the way, check out Creative Memories' Memory Manager for organizing pictures. It does a great job of making digital picture organizing easy. For instance, say you have pictures of you and Pilot at the zoo. You could click on the set of pictures, press a button to save and then click three folders for you, Pilot, and zoo. They can be recalled by name, date occurred or date entered. It's pretty amazing!

[Lanne]

I have finally nailed a folder system that works for me... maybe it will help. *48,000 photos and my 5th year as a parent..LOL* there had to be a system!

The first year - we did each month. I called the main folder First Year and then we had sept, oct nov etc. Then we started 1, 2, 3, 4 and I do three monthly.. sept oct nov, dec jan feb. march april may, june july aug, then a new year.. It also corresponds to seasons (kinda helpful) .. and NO fuss. :) i can track down an image in a second and filing is no biggie! I have a SOOCS folder in each qtr folder and download EVERYTHING into it.. and then only the edited images sit in the folder... i can then access them quickly without losing the soocs.

and buy storage..lots of it.. come on.. she is ADORABLE.... you too shall have 10's of thousands of images soon! LOL

[dana]

if you are willing to invest...lightroom is a great ways to organize photos. you can search for them in lots of different ways. just a thought!

[Melanie Massey]

Have you considered taking the Library of Memories class offered online through Big PIcture Scrapbooking? I am in the process and it is really making me think not only about a new way to store my gazillion photos of my sweet baby girl, but also how to use them in projects/scrapbooking without the "guilt" of being "behind". Melanie