A year in pictures

I'm not ashamed to admit it... really, I'm not. The truth is, I don't like to scrapbook. I've done it before... I've gone to workshops, bought supplies, even completed a couple of albums and enjoyed looking at the finished product. I love craftiness, I love looking at pictures of my boys, and the idea of making something unique and special to look at year after year seems like it it's a win-win situation (not to mention that my mom loves scrapbooking and does an absolutely beautiful job). I've urged myself just to get in and do it and maybe my feelings would change. But they don't and my pictures are still sitting in computer files begging to be printed and put in an album. I constantly put them out of my mind so I don't feel guilty that my kids don't have any album to physically hold on to and look at.

This year I decided to let my shame go and just accept it. I simply want to print out pictures and stick them in albums... maybe add a short explanation, maybe not... definitely the date and place... but not much more. Then I ran across this idea recently and fell in love. It's called Project 365 (they are selling a kit if you want everything in one fell swoop) and all you do is take one picture a day of anything and everything you want, print them out once a week or once a month, and then put them in an album with (or without) a short explanation. What you end up with is your entire year in an album, without too much fuss, and you've captured details of your life, things you may never think of capturing otherwise.

It reminded me of a little conversation my sister, niece, and I had with Alicia Paulson at her book signing about capturing memories. That a picture of a mug or that little corner in your home that holds your library books can be just as powerful of reminder of your life as pictures of your family are. We usually all take pictures of the people around us, but not nearly enough of the things around us. I started a new computer folder called 365 for 2009 and I'm adding one picture a day. I'm so excited to see the things that will end up there. Forgotten things that I hope will thrill me in 30 years when I look back and remember. Here's a couple examples so far:

My boys, always. I know they will be in many.

A collection of our hats, scarves, and mittens sitting by the front door.

A common sight in Jeremy's office where he works from home 2 days a week.

I saw this idea from Aimee at Living, Learning and Loving Simply. Here's a great list of ideas if you need some. I'll post pictures every so often, or mayble I'll post my picture everyday along the sidebar.... hmmm... I'll think about that one...

Just a side note.... there is a lot of info on it, especially on the creator's site, Becky, if you feel like browsing around. I'm not going to buy the kit or 'scrapbook' in any of the traditional sense. Mine will be very simple, mostly pictures and writing, no fancy papers or pens. Otherwise, I will be right back to where I started! So feel free to do this any way you want, it's all up to you how easy or hard you want to make it.

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