As a mother, I’m forever taking a million and one pictures of my kids & family; preserving the memories of our lives. It’s absolutely heartbreaking when something awful happens and pictures are lost. This happened to me just a few, short months ago.

I went to upload some photos to Facebook only to find that my entire Picture folder was missing (or at least most of it). I did a complete search of my hard drive including the recylce bin only to find out that my pictures [almost 3 years worth] were gone forever.

To answer your question, let me say that typically I upload my photos to my Photobucket account. Unfortunately, I gained the habit of re-sizing & editing my photos before uploading them. I ended up getting behind therefore pictures weren’t being uploaded.

Anywho, I retraced my steps & pin-pointed the exact day the pictures were lost/deleted from my computer [2 week prior to me realizing]. That day, I had been uploading files to the Zune. I removed some folders/files from the Zune software & apparently I click “remove from collection & computer” w/out realizing. I emptied the recycle bin that night as well. I distintly remember it saying “deleting BIG NUMBER of files” & I didn’t think anything of it because my computer had been glitching. Now I realize thats how the pictures were deleted.

One of Lovebug’s friends recommended a recovery program which I immediately tried. It didn’t recover anything that I didn’t already have on my hard drive. Bet hey, it had been 2 weeks since I deleted the pictures & I used my laptop religiously everyday since including emptying the recycle bin. Therefore, the files were no longer stored in the depth of the hard drive. If only I had realized sooner I would have had better luck recovering. *smacks forehead* I also tried to use ‘restore points’ but unfortunately they didn’t go back that far.

However, I had pictures from 2007 uploaded on Photobucket + some on MySpace. Since July 2008, I uploaded ‘some’ pictures to Flickr. I also had posted some pictures via Twitpic. Thankfully, I had previously uploaded my absolute favorite pictures + some to my digital picture frame [almost 300]. So even tho’ I lost a TON, I was able to recover quiet a few.

Then as if I hadn’t learned my lessons from that…

I went to upload the pictures from my digital camera the other day, only to find that 150 + pictures had been deleted [dating back to the end of May]. Courtesy of one of my darlin’ children who had been ‘using’ it a few days ago w/out permission. Thankfully, my handy recovery program was able to recover a handful of the pictures.

I am extremely happy to have recovered so many of my photos. However, I’m forever mad at myself over the ones that were lost. Especially considering it ALL could have been avoided.

Lessons Learned

• ALWAYS check your recycle bin before emptying it.
• Store your pictures in an online album or external hard drive.
• Upload pictures from your digital camera OFTEN.
• Keep your camera out of the reach of children.

Pictures are a reminder of our favorite memories. -yours truly

911 – 1. Porsche model with 11 variations in it’s 2005 model year. 2. Date of the worst terrorist attack on American soil. 3. Emergency-response telephone number.

666 – Believed to be the number of the beast. Also, called by some, the number of Satan.

4:20 – International Smokers Holiday, celebrated on the fourth month twentieth day on the fourth hour and twentieth minute p.m. (also a minor daily tradition to smoke at 4:20 p.m.)

69 – Simultaneous oral sex. The reference is that the numerals 6 and 9 are inverted versions of each other, reflecting the physical position that the couple must adopt when engaged in this sexual practice.

143 – Means “I Love You.” One letter in I, Four in Love, and three in You.

11:11 – The time of day when one should make a wish while looking at the clock.

Oh, the randomness that comes into my head in the wee hours of the morning.

Visitor Questionnaire

• Do you know of any other popular numerical meanings?

“I wanna have boobies” but seriously as a little kids we dream and fantasize about what we want to be when we grow up. We’d want to be a ballerina or princess one day and it would change to something totally different the next.

It’s funny how your dreams can change over time, like when I was a little girl my first dream was to grow up, fall in love, marry the man of my dreams, start a family & live happily ever after. And I can honestly say that is one dream that has NEVER changed. I can proudly say that I’ve [almost] fully achieved that dream. I just need the man of my dreams to [finally] marry me!

The next dream that I had was to become a singer. Yes, of course, who wouldn’t want the fame and glory that goes along w/ it! I remember back in the day when my best friend & I wanted to start a group. We’d spent countless hours writing songs & singing to everything! I’ve always had my hand in music; from elementary music class, church choir, 9 years of piano lessons, school choir + after school voice lessons & teaching myself to play clarinet. Although being a famous singer would be awesome, it’s no longer a dream or goal of mine. I will forever continue my love for music. If the opportunity presents itself I would also love to learn to play the flute & violin. For now, I’m learning to play bass guitar & a little bit of guitar! & who knows, maybe one day, Lovebug & his brother will be serious about their talk of starting a ‘cover band’ w/ me as the bassist!

Growing up in church I wanted to become a missionary & serve in a foreign country as a school teacher. This dream has changed. I no longer feel the calling to become a missionary but I still hold the dream of becoming an elementry school teacher. I know that I would like to teach 1st or 2nd grade. Although, I didn’t go to college right after high school, I would LOVE to be able to go to school so that I can achieve this dream. With a degree in ‘elementary education‘, it also opens the opportunity of working w/in childcare centers which is something else I would seriously consider. I think it’s important to have some type of career opportunity lined up as I get older & my kids grow up.

In 2004, I picked up the hobby of graphic design. I later picked up web design & decided that maybe one day I could profit from my hobby. At one time, I dreamed of having my own graphic design business. Although, that dream was short lived. There’s just too much in running your own ‘small business’ or at least more than I care to do. Therefore, I started working as a freelance designer. I would like to get a degree in web & graphic design to better my knowledge in the field. But at this time, I’m content w/ freelancing and therefore have no desire at this time to turn my talent into anything more.

In 2006, I came upon the dream of becoming a model. This dream however, still sticks w/ me today. I did several photoshoots w/ Lovebug as well as entered a few online modeling competitions. I also had the opportunity to do a photoshoot w/ a local photographer. It was SO much fun & I love being in front of the camera! Life got complicated & super hectic so I decided to put my dream on hold. During this time, I continued to network w/ local models, photographers & MUAs. Now, I’ve come to a point in my life where I’m [finally] ready to seriously pursue it & see what becomes of it!!!

Visitor Questionnaire

• What have you wanted to be ‘when you grow up’?
• Have you achieved or done any of them [yet]?
• What are some of your current dreams that you’re working towards?

So, after using Lovebugs Zune for the past couple of years, I’ve come to the conclusion that I want an iPod. Although after some research, I’m stumped on which iPod I’d rather have; the iPod Nano or the iPod Touch.

Basically what I’m looking for is the Zune only Apple style. (I can’t stand the Zune software. I’m an iTunes girl ALL the way!) Obviously, I’d like to be able to upload/listen to music along w/ a radio. I’d also like to be able to upload/watch videos/movies, upload/view pictures & download podcasts. I want to be able to dress it up w/ cute backgrounds I can make & upload. Games are optional. I prefer to have something that comes in Pink.

So, that explains why I first considered the iPod Nano as it has most (if not all?) those qualifications. Then I heard about the iPod touch & it’s amazingness. From my understanding it’s basically an iPhone minus the calling & txting. I’m almost always at home & have my laptop nearby at all times so I honestly don’t need all the apps & features provided by the iPod Touch. I’ll mostly only use the .mp3 player while running around the house cleaning etc… (music is my motivation), during rare occasions when I’m out and about grocery shopping etc… OR while out and about and one of my children needs to be pre-occupied.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that I wouldn’t use the apps & features on an iPod Touch. They have an app for just about EVERYTHING. So, I’m sure some of the apps & features would come in handy. Especially since I don’t currently have a cellphone of my own. Not to mention, I have wireless internet & so do a lot of places around town. Now, I’m just trying to figure out if the iPod Touch is worth the extra money based on my situation & needs. Decisions, Decisions.

Care to help me with my decision? I’d appreciate your feedback by answering the following questions:

Visitor Questionnaire

• Do you have or ever had an iPod Nano? Love it? Hate it? Share your thoughts & opinions!
• Do you have or ever had an iPod Touch? Love it? Hate it? Share your thoughts & opinions!
• Based on my situation & needs, which one would you buy if you were me?