Saturday, July 01, 2006

Photo "Break My Back" Mountain



I hope, though I'm not holding my breath, that this is IT. I hope that this mountain of boxes and bins (and one basket) contains the majority, if not all, of the photographs in this house that have not been posted into an album. We already have countless albums so all is not lost but this is overwhelming enough that it has been a huge barrier to my going forward with anything that is truly expressive of my creative side. With this mountain set dead center in the middle of our front room, there is no ignoring it.


There are photos in these boxes that date back as far as the late 1800's. Fortunately, except of one, I know who all of the individuals are. So - the plan is to tackle these boxes and bins one at a time. I will be sorting, choosing, tossing, setting aside to give to others, and also creating a fourth pile that eventually will be cut into one inch squares (more about that later). Disposition of all this is pretty self-explanatory. I also plan to take a picture of this mountain as it sinks into the abyss of memory and then take a picture of all the albums that will be created.


So, in keeping with my To-Do List of the day, hair has been colored, and my nails have been primped and polished. The first item (that basket on the right) is about to be tackled.

13 comments:

Daisy Lupin said...

Oh Annie, we must be kindred spirits, I am laughing as I write this, your photo is just like the pile of boxes and cartons I have piled in my spare room to sort. The carrot on the stick for me is that when I have sorted and decluttered I am going to paint the room and move all my artistic activities into in. Once [probably in late autumn I don't want to waste the summer inside] I have moved my stuff into the room, the second bonus will be less clutter in the rest of the house.
Love Daisy Lupin

trailbee said...

Oh, Annie, I am howling. This is so funny. You are only one in a subspecies called "The Hoarders!" So am I. I have negatives and photos that just take up space. In Jan. I gave Hal a huge box of them and two empty albums, because I knew that if I did it, I would only shuffle photos from one pile into another. Men are so good at this-they are cold-blooded and will just toss, and toss, and toss. They don't care (unless it's a fishing photo). There's a good lunch in it for you if you get it all done. You name the place!

Annie Jeffries said...

You're ON, Biene. Stay tuned. I already have the restaurant picked out. LOL

trailbee said...

:)

vicci said...

Have fun Annie! My Dear...This cannot compare to all the boxes etc. etc. etc. stuff I have! I'm slowing going through things...but I swear it's never-ending!

Annie Jeffries said...

Vicci, this sure isn't IT. After the pictures, I have rooms of books I am going to unload. Then there is the kitchen and the top of my closet. And don't even get me going on the garage. LOL I'll be busy straight through retirement.

Star said...

Okay, I passed right over the stacks of pictures to the part about cutting a set-aside pile into 1-inch pieces. I can't wait to hear what that's all about! Good luck :-)

Beth said...

Hey Annie,,
How did you get my pile of photos all the way in Cali? lol Its on my to do list too. I already have so many albums. Alot of the photos I have in the boxes are going to be for the kid's scrapbooks,,that of course I intend to start one day soon,,lol. Can't wait to see what you do with the squares too.
Beth

diana said...

I love this post.... for a minute I thought those were my boxes of untouched photos... my boxes filled with anxiety and guilt... but now I feel so much better... there are others who have waited for the perfect moment in time to begin to assemble and disperse their photos. Thanks Annie for this post and for your sweet comments on my little blog.

Rosa said...

Wow! We keep all our old pics in boxes too. I've heard that's the best place for them. (Nanny nanny boo boo on those that were so organized and put them in celephane books! Now they have to take them all out!! --I'm bad!) I have to get my hair colored and cut soon too! I think I can see the gray popping! hehe

claireylove said...

Oh this has reminded me of the photo project that i have been putting off...good luck!

paris parfait said...

Annie, think of it as a wonderful photo project of which you'll be so proud when it's done. And it will be an important history lesson in the lives of Quanah and Kris. Good luck with all the sorting! You're on the right track! xo

Annie Jeffries said...

From my wonderful Phaa

Annie, you're doing so well with the decluttering and photo triage. I was so very happy to be able to help. Call me back anytime I can help. Apart from the actual work we did, which was Most Meaningful, it was the discussions, especially those at the java joint, that really helped all around. The connections between excess food, excess posessions, excess job when it's no longer meaningful, excess money going out ... all these finally clarified into one unified big picture. Together we found the secret path to solution.