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Last year I was motivated by my friend Carla to start a “365 Project.” What is that? It’s taking a picture every day of the year – something you want to remember. I had already done that for the first part of Annie’s life, but I liked the challenge to keep it up. Now as 2011 comes to a close, I find that I have a picture of Annie for virtually each day of the year – and I’m tickled with myself! Annie loves to sit down at the computer and let me scroll through her pictures. I can tell it’s already important to her, but I know that as she grows it will be even more important – to her AND to Barry and me.
Let me just tell you something right now – my mind is totally shot. I have Momnesia. Sometimes I have a hard time recalling specifics from the past…..I even have issues telling you who came to my wedding. But when I sit down and look at Annie’s pictures, I remember things. It brings stuff back to my memory that I otherwise would have forgotten – and for me, that’s worth more than gold. And yes, I have to look through wedding albums to see who came to the wedding – or ask my mom – or ask Barry….heck, everyone except me remembers. I need to take Ginkgo-Biloba.
It doesn’t have to be something super-duper amazing for you to take a photo. And I find that’s the most charming thing about it…….it helps me remember ordinary days. Our lives are made of ordinary days – why not document it so that we remember? I found myself taking pictures of Annie doing her daily activities – brushing her teeth, eating her lunch, going to the bathroom (yes, it’s true),combing Barry’s hair. It’s not just important on days that she has a milestone – it’s important to me as I find her reading to her babies…it’s important when I find her unrolling the entire roll of toilet paper…it’s important when I find her hiding behind the bed with the remote control…it’s important when she wears a bucket on her head.
I also find that this project is cheaper for me than taking sporadic photos and getting them developed for a photo album. Since I DO NOT scrapbook, I get these pictures developed into a Shutterfly book. I’m able to make notes under them that way. I try to wait for various times during the year when Shutterfly runs sales – now I’ve got my book and my photos – I didn’t have to get them printed or find a nice photo album.
Next year I plan on doing the 365 project again since it was so successful this year. Join me?
*This post is linked on Think Pink Sunday at Flamingo Toes.
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About Stacy
Hi, I'm Stacy! Welcome to Stacy Makes Cents! I'm a naturally-minded, frugal living mama, who likes to blog about living debt free in everyday life. Delicious (and healthy) recipes, money tips, and frugal living posts abound here! Enjoy your stay. Romans 13:8 
Look at how that girl has grown!
Brandy recently posted…Views from Here :: Indian Summer
I know! It’s really scary………..
I’m doing a project 365 this year.. I think it’ll be neat to look back on at the end of the year!
Carla recently posted…Do you remember…
I am having a totally fun time looking at all the pictures from the year!
I love this idea….i take lots of pictures of my two girls but not everyday. I will be for 2012. Love your blog and your ideas. Thanks Stacey.
Have fun Jennifer! It’s a total blast.
What a perfect gift from a mother to her child! Yes, mom benefits too but your child will mostly as she sees your heart through these photos.
I love this idea! Do you just store them on your computer, then add them all to a Shutterfly type book at one time or keep it going throughout the year? Also, how do you keep track of the order? I’m a detail-oriented person, so I think I’d feel like I wanted to keep them in order! Thanks for the idea and your blog!
I keep a file on the computer called “365 Project.” Every day I pull off a photo from the camera and title it for the date; example being 12.31.11. Then I keep them all in that file. Throughout the year I wait for Shutterfly deals and when I find a good one, I use it. So, I might have a Shutterfly book that is January-April and another one that might only be May-June. Does that make sense?
That’s a great idea.
Hallee the Homemaker recently posted…“How do I look?” Part 4 of 7
Thanks Hallee!
Yes, that makes perfect sense! Thanks for responding!
Some of my friends have done this. I know for sure I wouldn’t remember and would skip days on end, which would frustrate me to pieces. I’ll just enjoy others vicariously, lol.
Anne @ Quick and Easy Cheap and Healthy recently posted…A Sparkling New Year: Make Your Own Sparkling Cider
Sounds good to me!
Wow, every day? Impressive.
Warmly, Michelle
I keep my camera in view all the time so I’m sure not to forget.
We made the goal to make sure we take a picture weekly of Samuel. For his first birthday, we will have 52 weeks of pictures so we can see how he changed from week-to-week. However, I’m sure we probably were pretty close to the 365 project.
Leigh Ann @ Intentional By Grace recently posted…Comment on ‘Tis the Season to Sing Really Loud Even if You Can’t Carry a Tune by Leigh Ann
That sounds awesome!
Was just trying to think of the best place to post and collaborate these . . . FACEBOOK! So uploaded today’s I KNOW I have pictures from the last 2 and CANNOT find them
Have to see if maybe I used my dad’s camera while they were here.
Today’s was our little guy – tomorrow it will look like we got a new son – haircut today!
Sara Shay recently posted…Benefits of Breastfeeding
Good luck Sara! You can do it!
You make some great points. I especially find that I am more productive when I surround myself by motivational quotations and light incense.
I love motivational quotes!
“If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up somewhere else.” -Yogi Berra