Hi, my name is Melissa and I am a member of Infrequent-Bloggers-Anonymous.
That’s right, my name has been conspicuously missing from your Google Reader listing this month, and while I’d love to claim that I was actually doing you a favor this holiday season and staying out of your hair, the truth is that I have been busy learning some very important lessons. Lessons (I think) would be beneficial to share.
Lesson #1: While it is muy-muy important to back up your images, it is also muy-muy important to back up the OTHER information on your computer. Because one day, when your hard drive dies after only 10 months, you will spend countless hours recreating custom Photoshop actions, bookmark links and redoing all your computer settings that made life so easy before crash. And it will always happen at the worst possible time during the busiest time of the year. And you will start rocking back-and-forth in the fetal position, praying for strength when you encounter yet another thing that you didn’t back up. Just saying.
Lesson #2: If your gas or electric company offers a household service plan that covers furnace/water heaters/washer-dryers? Purchase that bad boy this minute. Sure, there is a possibility that you will never need or use this service plan but if by chance the temperature control on your water heater goes out on a Monday and the average temperature outside is a very brisk 20 degrees and all you want is a hot shower because taking a non-hot water shower from water pipes that are coming from a 20 degree outside temperature is NOT AN OPTION – trust me on this one – you will be glad you have the service plan. Even if it takes 5 days and 2 part delivery attempts… It. Was. Free.
Lesson #3: Make besties with your neighbors. This is important when your water heater is out. They have hot water; you do not.
Lesson #4: Learn to feel blessed through the stress. Eleven photo sessions in 20 days is draining, but without my amazing clients I would be nowhere. And for that I am grateful.
Lesson #5: It truly is better to give than to receive. A post on this later.
I have so much to share with you and can’t wait to do so but first I’m taking a week off to love on my (very neglected) family. I wish you the very Merriest Christmas.
i’m yours,
melissa
1) Have fun with your family this week, and make sure to take some time to R-E-L-A-X with your boys. 2) Someday I can tell you about my experience with losing a computer, CF card, external hard drive, THEN the hard drive on my *new* computer all in two months. A learning experience for sure. :) MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Very good lessons indeed! I’ve been meaning to do some of #1, and with the help of your urging, will be sure and do this over the week I have off between holidays. Have a wonderful holiday ahead!!
I know where you’re coming from – firstly – I am the worst blogger EVER! I have no excuse. I’m just bad at it :( .. Secondly – when I spilled tea on my laptop – I lost allllll my homemade actions, and have spent MONTHS trying to make them again back to perfection. :( :( :( Glad to hear you’ll be spending time with your family :) Happy holidays!!! :) :)
know that you have encouraged at least one christmas soul :) your humor is so unbelievably enlightening!
So true so true. Thank you so much for your sweet e-mail! It’s so nice to know that there are others supporting me. love you lady!
I love #5 very much.
Glad you have a good neighbor with hot water, and that you’re keeping perspective in the midst of the madness! SO glad you’ve gotten away for a break!