Tara tara tara. Here is the winner of the latest and greatest caption contest. There were again, soooooooo many very funny captions submitted. But Mrs Horton did in fact choose my dis-allowed caption....muttering something about I only wish....!!??? However in the spirit of fair-play,integrity and aboveboardness......and the toss of a Loonie, the winner is Heather, with:- "One-little-two-little-three-little meerkats, four-little-five-little-six-little meerkats, seven-little-eight-little-HEY QUIT PUSHING!!!" Congratulations Heather and may the force be wit chew! "Horton" P.S. I'm wondering if a new thread should be started as this one is becoming very long? What do you think Semper, you is the boss?

I don't have 16 or 20 years of photos to so, but my first album was for my first daughter's first two years (because that's when I started.) I couldn't decide how to organize them, either, so I did a variation on the ABC album. I picked pictures I wanted to put in the scrapbook and sorted them into 26 envelopes each having a different letter of the alphabet, writing on the front of each an idea or "theme" for each of the pictures that started with that letter. Clear as mud? :) i.e. for the "A" enveolpe I had pictures of aunts and uncles, alligators (for our trip to an alligator farm), "B" had birthdays, blowing bubbles, bathtime, "C" had Christmas, cousins, and so on. I made sure I included the letter on the page and all the captions or theme for the page centered on that letter. I didn't stick with just one page for each letter like the traditional ABC albums, rather had as many pages for each letter as I wanted with as many pictures as I wanted. That way I had the best of both worlds. I was able to organize them into a theme for the whole album and I could also organize them into chronological order within the certain letter. I also put die cuts, stickers, etc. in the envelope if there were particular ones I wanted to use. Some pages had several different pics if I had a single picture of a few things and didn't want to do a whole page for each. For example there was a mixed "S" page because I had several small single pictures that I could title with an "S" word but didn't want to do separate pages. There's "S" is for sandbox, stories with Daddy, "Soooooooo big!" and sliding and swinging in Savannah, GA. all on one page. It's a simple page, but it looks very pretty. All in shades of blue. I was able to experiment with different techniques and styles with this type of album, too. It was a great way to do it. As always, of course, some pages turned out better than others, but I love how it turned out on the whole. It is kind of hard to picture, I know, but if I wasn't clear enough on something feel free to email me and have me clarify. Good luck and happy scrappin'! -Sarah

Joann: Thank you for the design and all of the example pics. You and your DH are really very talented. Did either or you ever do this work professionally or is it a hobby? Thank you for highlighting all of the architectural details. That is exactly what I need to see. DH and I were debating about this glass as the side panels are quite narrow so your pics are very helpful to visualize the whole effect. I should mention here that this is not a fully custom shop. We basically get to pick different door/cabinet styles, wood species/stain/hardware, height/width, drawers and component configuration so I may not be able to order some of the lovely design details you incorporated, though I will bring in the pics and inquire about it on Sat. I did notice the bottom doors on the console are not full overly which it looks like you designed for the sides. I'm going to guess my top option will not be full overlay so we'll see. Also, my hinges are not the euro style on bottom and stick out the sides. Wouldn't they need to match? As the TV is 50" wide, I was thinking of having the center opening be 51". Then in the vertical direction with the TV height at 31" I was thinking we should add a bit of beathing room--say about 3" extra on top so the TV box would then be 51"W x 34"H. I think I'll check the TV specs to see any ventillation requirements, though I know DH wants some holes in the back for cables, etc. I notice hoosiergirl's TV is very tightly set into the built-in. I'll let you know what they come up with when we go in over the weekend.

I would scan the pictures, put them on a CD and then have them printed at a photo place. Actually photos that age can be enhanced so that they turn out much better looking if you take the time at a photo kiosk to fix each photo. I can understand your Mom's feelings. My birthparents never did tell any of my nine half brothers and sisters that I exist. I was born a few years later than your brother and my birthmother felt really ashamed. My siblings still don't know I exist. I met my birthmother 18 years ago and have kept her secret even though I know a lot about my half siblings and could find and tell them so easily. If I could make one suggestion to you it would be to think of your brother as a friend, not a brother. Not growing up with him, you really don't have a true sibling connection. Take your reunion slow and easy as reunions can be emotional roller-coasters. The best ones are done carefully and slowly. Wishing you a wonderful close friendship with him. Your brother will treasure those photos. He probably would enjoy any family stories that you have and also a copy of things such as a copy of your mother's writing. Was he searching or is this all very new to him?