Corrupted JPGs

that's what I had...

a whole folder of them! I knew what some of them were but not all of the or I thought I knew what they were but it turns out I didn't!

How disappointed I was when I discovered that I had lost all the photos from the zoo! Over Memorial Day Maggie had come up from Florida to visit and we too her to the Philadelphia Zoo. Then I realized I had also lost half of the photos from William's end of year skit. I really wanted them back! I spent hours on line trying to find programs that would reconstruct the files that were in the folder. It seemed like all the data was there, it was just when I tried to open them I got a red X. Noting worked.

Then I found this program that said it could save corrupted photos but only if they were on a memory card. I had already deleted and re-formatted the memory card several times but what the heck! It let me try it to see what was there but then you had to pay the $30 if you wanted to save whatever it reconstructed. This program found 517 photos on an empty card. All the zoo photos, the skit photos, Phillie's game photos (that I hadn't realized were missing yet!), and a bunch of other things...some I had and some I didn't. let me tell you it was one of the best $30 I ever spent!

I was really disappointed that everything was missing. We had so much fun at the zoo and Tom, William and Uncle Tim had so much

fun at the game and it was all missing! All in all it was a good

night! Glad I didn't give up!

So if you loose your photos give me a call - I know a guy!

We have Pirates! ARG!

The Pirates have invaded! What a great weekend! After a really long few weeks we got to have some real fun this weekend. First we had a great time at the Pirates and Princesses birthday party for our friends Cathleen and Aiden. It is so hard to believe they are 6 and 4 now. I find it hard to believe that all of our little six pack (now 7!) is growing up so fast!

I got a real treat this year and got to make Aiden's birthday cake. I had been wanting to make a Pirate ship cake for some time now but neither of my boys had ever wanted one, so Aiden let me make it. I got a great photo and so great guides from a friend at work, plus found some directions and suggestions on-line. We really had a lot of fun here making it - Tom and William went mini Pirate hunting..my mom baked the many cakes involved in the construction, and Tom and Patrick went candy shopping for the decorations. It really looked good if I do say so myself!

And then we went outside... icing glue and 95 degree weather and things started to melt...by the time we got to the party, one side of the cake looked like it had already been in battle. Luckily...it did not matter to Aiden...the smile made it all worth it. The panic, the blasting of the AC all the way to the party, the emergency icing at the house and the frantic emptying of the freezer...in the end the smiles went on for miles and while the Black Pearl it was not...neither was it the Titanic...

Today we got up and met the Stillings at The Renaissance Faire for Pirate day! WE always have so much fun when our two families spend time together, sadly we don't get to do it often enough! Our three pirates wore their earrings and had lots of fun! It never ceases to amaze me the wonderful people that go there. The boys were stopped all day by amazing costumed people bearing "booty" for all the kids. A lot of them don't even work there, they just love the place and they love the kids and families that come to visit. What characters! And how amazing that they stay in character the way they do! We have been several times and have seen and done new things every time. We always have a great time.

This year, Patrick adopted a baby Dragon at the Orphanage. He has wanted a pet for so long and he really like this little guy. He came with adoption papers and everything! His name is Big Rock...Rockey for short...he eats crickets and baby food. We shall see...I guess I will have to try and hold the lizard... ugh!

William on the other hand was captured by the mud people...the only way to get un-captured is for someone to put $ in the basket...and in the process take the risk of getting captures themselves. William had gotten captured saving someone else. It took a little bit of debate between us to see who was going to attempt to save him...the rest of the crowd wasn't moving...so daddy to the rescue! I am not sure I have seen him move that fast in a very long time...he did not get captured and we were on to the next adventure! We saw a joust, several shows, LOTS of Pirates (including captain Jack Sparrow!), took part in a treasure hunt, and pretty much ate our way through the village! We missed the human Chess match...but there is always next time and I for one can't wait!

I have fallen...but I am up!

Where have I been you ask? Well I have NOT fallen off the edge of the earth! I have been all over though…entertaining guests from London…”Hi Rema!” Working until all hours of the evening..dress hunting for my nephew’s wedding (found it!) Tux shopping for the boys…back to school shopping for William – if only he would stop growing all would be well, but we barely get home from the store and they are too short again! We killed the kids fish…I was sick all weekend..and I am sure just like most of the rest of the people trying to get ready for the back to school rush I could go on and on and on....I even get to bake a pirate cake!

I am now looking forward to two fun days with family and friends...oh, and Laundry! and maybe a bit of scrapbooking!

Deena is in Alaska this week..she was supposed to email me a photo of her on a glacier but it is Thursday and I have seen nothing yet…but I have not given up hope. I will post again soon, but I wanted to break the dry streak and the streak of "started and interrupted" posts...maybe I will finish some of them, they were interesting!

That's enough of that!

We are here!!!! SAVE has begun! A weekend full of paper, photos and 90 of my closest friends...and of course, my mom...

I always look forward to these weekends but this one was specially needed. Things have been a bit stressful with all the comings and goings of late. Tom and I have had many late nights at work, and we have had many full weekends, which were fun...but left little time for laundry and life which had to get squeezed in between sleeping and everything else which stresses you out a bit. There was a very fun trip to Rehoboth beach...a trip to Virginia for the shower and visits with family, then the CKC Convention. The CKC convention was last weekend, VERY busy! but VERY satisfying! MLPA made a very nice showing for their first year, both their class and their booth got rave reviews..I love our local scrapbook store!!! We did get to take the boys to see Ratatouille last weekend - really cute! We had fun!

So now we are here! The long awaited SAVE weekend...twice a year, me-n-mom...and 90 -200 of our closest friends... No kids, no husbands, no dishes, laundry or responsibilities! All our meals are prepared for us, someone else even makes OUR bed...

We get to sort through photos, memories, paper and adhesive...lots and lots of adhesive! I am so glad Rollie ran with our little idea, going on year three and each one is more fun than the last. So thanks Rollie for these weekends, and thanks Tom for doing the work of 4 for 4 days! and all I can say is there is just one thing missing... Deena! So hurry it up! Your seat is empty!