Last week I had an extremely sluggish hard drive and it was bordering on being an emergency situation, because I had a gigantic newborn photoshoot to edit. And I mean gigantic. It was the second time in my career that I shot so many photos in one place that I nearly filled up my memory card. Luckily for me, I got a brand new memory card for Christmas, and it will hold about one trillion photos. So I’m all good for the next shoot. But this shoot! It was so beautiful. So.. new. So fresh. And I can’t share it yet, but I will. I really will. And in the meantime, I will gain control of the “technical stuff” that plagues me.
Generally my computer is a little slow when I run both Photoshop and Lightroom on it, and sometimes I’m dumb enough to have a browser open too. This has always been tolerable, although slow, but after getting really into Photoshop actions in the last few weeks, my computer pretty much told me to what to do with my giant actions. Photoshop actions take your editing to new heights, and I write my own recipes. It’s wicked fun but my computer thinks it’s a giant pain and told me so.
Luckily, there was relief last week. Apparently it’s “Clean Up Your Computer Month” and I received a “Clean Computer Calendar” from Singlehop – a wonderful technology focused on cloud computing. Now I’m sharing it with you. As you will see from my next paragraph, I ended up going with DropBox Pro for my cloud hosting, because I’ve had an account there forever and didn’t know better, but SingleHop seems to have some amazing options for private cloud hosting as well.
I now have two weeks under my belt, and oh boy, was the perfectionist in me happy to clean up my folders during the first week. My iMac desktop is actually sparkly and shiny. It was timely to organize my documents because I was writing more for submissions and I was having trouble finding the new ones. Not cool. So that was straightened out. The biggest step for me was to organize photos. I started a new photo backup system. I save all of my photos onto SmugMug Pro, then onto Dropbox Pro, and then I put them on an external hard drive, and delete them off of my computer’s hard drive after they’re fully backed up. There are definitely better photo organizers in this world than me.. like.. tons of people. I’m just telling you what I do since I get asked that a lot! My photos were so vast and disorganized that I was using over 80% of my hard drive.
***Ok, now that I got your attention.. with otters, ice balls and grasshoppers.. I need to tell you something. I will be in Florida for a week. You will be visited by three spirits on this here blog. On Christmas Eve. Oh wait. I screwed that up. You will be visited by three amazing guest bloggers on this here blog. A month after Christmas Eve. I hope you’ll welcome them. You’ll probably even recognize them. They’re close to my heart. I’ll still be popping in here and there, because Florida and exhaustion and kids in bed early and “grown-ups” in bed early and iPhone addiction and I’m not ashamed. See ya. SOON.
Aww, I loved that intro at the end and you will be missed, but we will certainly hold down the fort while you are gone!! Love you always and just have fun (you totally deserve it) and don’t think of blogging at all (now if only I could take my advice later this year when we go away, too). And when you come back, I am totally going to pick your brain about the computer cleanup, as my MacBook could so use a good cleaning of files and such, as well.
You know I will totally think of blogging! I’m a nerd like that. I will also have tons of fun. Can’t wait to see your post on here!
Aww, Tamara again we are twins, because you know I will be doing the same (as much as I tell you not to) when my time comes! And very excited to be on here, too 🙂
I know you will! We are the real deal, and we take this so seriously. Love you!
Aww, we are the real deal and you know I love you, too 😉
You have a wonderful time in Florida! Enjoy the sun, the warmth, the beach, family and Disney.
p.s. cleaning no matter your computer or home does a lot of good to the soul (and speed ;))
Good for the soul and good for the speed, is pretty awesome!
I’m so excited for Florida, thank you!
I hope you have a fantastic time in Florida! And the reflection in Des’ eyes? Amazing!
Thanks! And thanks again! I’m a big fan of traveling when cold, and seing reflections in his eyes.
Otters! And giant kindergartens! And us all together. So fun.:) Biz is about as big as some 4th graders. It’s kind of crazy. We’ll see if it lasts. Have fun in Florida!
His dad is tall, right? With my kids, Cassidy is tall and I am medium height, but I was a very late bloomer. So I think it will happen one day.
great photos, especially B&W w/grandparents and those pics of your children from last summer.Seemed to warm me up temporarily. thanks for the boost.
I’m so glad! And I will send you some warm air from Orlando.
See YOU soon! 😉
I love these pictures. There was obvious joy, and it is beautiful.
Yes, seriously! I was just telling Cassidy about it. I hope we are close to you, but we will have a car.
You have a river beach in your backyard?? It’s settled I am coming to visit this summer! I will bring tamales 🙂
Well how did you know I love tamales?
Come soon!
Nice! Enjoy your trip, Tamara! And thanks for reminding me to backup my computer 🙂
Yes! Back it up! And I’m so excited for this trip, thank you.
Oh, those photos are all sweetness and delight! So cool the eye ball close up! Kay, really good advice on the computer clean up. I just did my closet and bedroom so my computer is next. Have a wonderful trip, Tamara!
The computer is so important! I never realized that they get as cluttered as closets.
I’m so happy you love the photos!
My MacBook Air died on me recently, most likely because had SO many photos and videos on it, and they weren’t even ALL of it. I have some in an external hard drive, and many more still on my camera’s memory card. Now with this new computer, I feel like I have SO MUCH SPACE – but I don’t really because I still need to move those files off the old computer, but the hard drive doesn’t have enough space, and I need to upload the memory card photos and OMGIAMOVERWHELMED.
Anyway, HAVE FUN IN FLORIDA!
I feel what you’re saying there! And yes overwhelming.
I think it’s interesting when you get a new computer, and not only is it new but technology has changed so much, and it feels incredible.
My computer gets really cranky with me sometimes. That’s when I remember I have a MacBook Air with limited hard drive space and I have to move all my photos to my cloud storage/external hard drive. Then my computer is happier again and doesn’t move sooooooo slooooooowly. Loved seeing the photos from the summer. And those otters were so cute!
Have a WONDERFUL time in Florida!
Thank you so much! And I miss last summer. We need to all get together again.
Computers definitely get happier when we take care of them.
Beautiful pictures, Tamara! Those cute little baby feet, sweet baby Eve, and your beautiful babies. Happiness.
I must check out your Single Hop calendar further in-depth, my computer is a hot mess!!! I cannot seem to keep up with myself; I clean the desktop and boom a new mess. 🙁
Have a fun {magical} trip!!
XOXO
Yes I will email you better information! Or I’ll put it in the comments when I finally get to a computer again. I am phone bound for the day.
Sweet baby Eve is now sweet toddler Eve. And that adorable newborn above is a much older baby now. Although the first one of the feet? She still only a few weeks old.
You know I have a yellow sticky on my desk with Single Hop on it…. and sadly I still haven’t looked into it. I seriously need to get my bootie in gear. 🙂
XOXO
You have time! It will still be there for you.
I never read your delightful blogs only once Tamara I read them twice and three times, and admire all your photos that bring ear to ear smiles. Enjoy your “Me Time” and “Me And My Family Time” in Florida! It will be warm and sunny and sandy and beachy, so you otter have a Great Time!
Thanks Eddie! I think you’re my favorite reader. And I love that you tried hard to leave me a comment. That means a lot. I’m not sure what was wrong with the comment system. It’s pretty flawless usually. Lindsay uses the same hosting as I do.
I could read your words and look at your photos all day, Tamara. My computer is a total mess! I’m sure something like this would be helpful. Lovely photos and reminder to slow down long enough to capture the moments.
Thank you so much, Adrienne!
I can’t believe how out-of-control I let my computer get. It was very bad. I’m not saying it’s back to normal, but it is running considerably faster.
So much beauty and wonder in this post. I know I say this EVERY time, but I love your pictures and yay for getting your computer cleaned up! I can’t wait to see who the fabulous guest bloggers are! Enjoy your trip!
It means something every time you say it.
So thank you.
My computer was so happy. It’s almost like you could hear it breathe a sigh of relief.
Enjoy Florida! Yay!
I need to get my MacBook cleaned up. I have all sorts of crap on it.
Thank you! And I will be thinking of about how you guys will be there in March.
I have two large containers of ice in my freezer right now, and they are hiding some toys for my preschoolers to find on Thursday! They will be just as fun to watch as the otters finding their treats!
What an awesome activity! Ice play? Love it.
Love your photos.. you are great at capturing moments! I always get inspired when I stop by your page! <3 – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
Well I feel the same way about you!
D’awwww, yer makin’ me blush!! <3
Love this post. Such wonder, awe and joy in these pictures. Enjoy Florida, it’s going to be so amazing!! Wish you were coming way down to Miami 🙁
I know! I would totally visit. And I bet it would be even warmer there. I think we will be bundling up north.
Wow, lady – those close ups of the littles with the grandparents: amazing.
Thank you for the calendar and letting me know that such a thing even existed. Shooting in the raw is taking up a ton of room on my computer (even though I’m not actually doing anything with those massive files yet). Enjoy Florida and your “break.” 🙂
Thank you so much! I can’t seem to get enough photos of them with their six grandparents. I never know what to do with raw files after I’ve converted them. Am I supposed to be keeping them? And I’m a professional photographer and I don’t know!
once again, incredible photos!
Melanie @ meandmr.com
Thank you so much! Means so much to hear.
That’s probably the only thing I DID get done over the break was organize my computer.. at least some of it. I am struggling to get back in the swing of blogging and was really to launch the new site, but been sluggish at posting. So glad you got your computer up and running! 🙂
I’d like to hear more about the new site. Just if I need to follow you somewhere else!
Enjoy your vacation!! I am terrible at organizing things on my computer, I treat it like one big garbage bag, saving everything and never deleting or organizing, its terrible!
I can understand that! It was starting to ruin my workflow and that’s why I noticed it finally!
I just saved that calendar. I REALLY, like REALLY, REALLY need to organize every single thing on my laptop. And then I need to get external drives to store all of my photos on because I had photos up to today all the way back to 8th grade on there… I’ve been graduated for almost five years so that’s just way too many pictures for one to have on one little laptop.
How is Light Room? I keep hearing good things, and although I’m no photographer, I need a better photo editor desperately.
Eighth grade! That was 20 years ago for me.
I love lightroom. Something tog of hers only use it. Others only use creative suites. Many of us use both. If I had to choose just one, I don’t even know what I would do!
Your photos are stunning! I need to clean up my computer soon too. Have a terrific week!
Thank you! You as well. And good luck with the computer.
Have fun in Florida! I need this computer clean up guide! Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you so much! Hope you have a great week.
Have an amazing time in Florida. You know, I simply commend all this organizational gusto – photos, files, folders… pure joy my friend! I’ve been at Tanglewood on a day like that… I think it was 120 degrees as well:) I always had the children who were short in kindergarten. Oh wait, we’re still short.
I’ve only been to Tanglewood three times, no four, and it was always perfect weather. I think I would be surprised if it was anything more than that!
I’m glad you like my organizational skills! It was time.
Have so much fun and thanks for leaving us with some treats! You are the best!! And otters? Amazing 🙂
I really have a thing for otters. They are amazing.
That was the day we wanted you to come along with us! Maybe next time you can meet us.
Have a grand time in Florida – I know you will have super guest bloggers here but I might just keep scrolling up and down this post because these pictures are incredible!!! I love the reflection in The eye shot but what I really love is that Des and I are kindred spirits -I’m always double fisting when we are out in the evenings (water + drink of choice for the night!!).
I hope that your trip is incredible – zero stress and all happiness!!!
Double fisting is the best! I always like to have a coffee in one hand and a water and another.
Enjoy the guest posts! I will probably be peeking in.
THAT RIVER?? Seriously in your backyard??! Now I’m so jealous! Your neighborhood is a gem!
I hope you enjoy Florida. See you on the world wide web whenever you can! 🙂
Well it’s not right in my backyard! It’s a bit of a hike. But totally doable!
I will be peeking in and I hope to see you even when I’m in Florida!
Have fun on vacation. I’m so afraid of frogs. My son is always telling me I don’t have to be afraid of frogs, but they always seem to pop out of no where and scare the crap out of me. Like sitting in my shower or being stuck to my kitchen window at night.I just can’t do frogs.
What?? That’s so funny about the frogs. I didn’t realize you lived in a place so heavy with frogs. I won’t tell you about the time it rained frogs when I was in Maine. Or the peepers we get in the spring here! Although they are shy and you could only hear them and not really see them.
So so awesome that you’ll be in Florida! I hope that you have an amazing time. Also? I want photos of my son with reflections like that in his eyes. You do such a good job of that. Seriously.
Well the reflections in his eyes might be me! Is that weird?
Have fun in Florida and you will be missed, but it’s good to know that you’ll be enjoying yourself and some well needed sunshine and vacation. I’m always amazed by the photos I’ve never seen and now I think I’m going to have to plan a trip to see you because it’s time for our long over due photoshoot. 🙂
Yes, the best photo shoot ever! I know you will love at least one of my guest posters. Probably all three, but I know you are friends with one of them.
Woo hoo! Wish I could see you while you are here! Have an awesome trip and oh…did you know Cheers is my favorite show?!
“Good looks can open doors. Good hair blows them off the hinges.” – Sam Malone
I love that you got my reference!
I am disappointed. We used to only go to southern Florida and then I would’ve been able to see you. But my grandparents have since passed.
Of course chocolate on the face is the best way to prepare for a nap! Chocolate is really the best way to prepare for anything. Have a wonderful time in Florida, and bring some of the magic home with you!
I will probably be preparing for my trip today with chocolate!
Thank you so much. I will share all the magic.
Have a wonderful, magical time in Florida!!! Can’t wait to see more pics!
Oh, you think I will take pics??
Just kidding. I just got the most insane memory card just for the trip.
Hard drive problems are the WORST! I went through that last week when my computer decided to freeze. (it was totally my fault…I always have photoshop, VMware, safari and numbers open at the same time – and I hadn’t cleaned up my photos since I got the computer in June. The HD was completely full. Ugh) Anyway, glad to know you got everything under control and I hope you and your family have another fantastic trip to Florida!
I don’t think I had cleaned up my computer in two years! It was insane. It really is the worst problem!
The photos in this medley were exquisite (especially the one of the eye). Have fun on your vaca and I look forward to reading your guest posts. xo
Thank you so much! I didn’t like the eye one at first because it was a little blurry but I decided to go with it and I’m so glad I did.
I need to clean up my computer. It’s amazing how quickly it gets cluttered. Your pictures are beautiful and so vibrant!
I used to only have PCs and I found that they got cluttered in so little time. The Mac threw me off because I really thought it would last forever! Not so!
I so need to clean up my computer. I need to organize and do something about my photos because my computer is so slow. And my husband keeps thinking that I’m doing something to the computer when I want to shout, “No! It’s all the photos that we store on my computer!” And my desktop is another story. Have an amazing time in Florida!
You’re making me laugh because that’s the story in this house too. I always tell Cassidy that I’m no computer doctor, but even I know when somebody has too many raw files lying around.
So excited for your vacation – can’t wait to hear all about it!
Thank you! You have helped me get more excited about it with your trip.
my hard drive crashed and the magic people at Apple were able to fix it and I was able to restore it. So many amazing pictures that would have been lost! Have fun at your vacation in Florida!!! Maybe I’ll see you around 🙂
The people at Apple are magic aren’t they? Maybe I will see you! Sunning on the same amazing beach.
OMG! I think your spirit was talking to me yesterday because I had the day off so I started purging and organizing my online photos. I love this helpful calendar and am printing it out. I am loving that you found so many fun photos in that vast hard drive land. I hope you all have a wonderful trip! Cannot wait to see your photos too.
Thank you! I can’t wait to take those photos. Feel free to share the calendar!
Have fun in Florida!! I think the weather is going to cooperate very nicely for you!
I’ve been obsessively checking it, but it changes, the same way it does here. I can’t wait!
I so…need to clean up my computer. I have files, miscellaneous pictures and documents everywhere! The river beach in your backyard looks amazing! I would lose hours there! Enjoy yourself in Florida!
When I switched to Mac, I did find it easier than I did with the PC. But it still builds up!
Thank you so much!
wow what beautiful photos! I love looking at older photos too. 🙂 I hope you have an amazing trip and can’t wait to see who the guest bloggers will be.
Thank you so much! I hope you’ll enjoy their posts. First one is tonight!
good job organizing and thanks for sharing the photos! have a great trip!
Thank you so much! I will still be checking in and reading on occasion.
Have a great time in Florida, share that warmth when you get back! I love these pics! Though, I always love your pics! 🙂
Thank you! That means a lot. I will try to push all that warm air up.
Your talent…your GIFT as a photographer is truly special. Keep owning it, girlfriend. Know that you are badass.
You’re amazing. Let’s continue to write love notes on each other’s comments.
I really need to clean up my computer and phone. They are ridiculously slow! Thanks for the lead!
I broke my last phone that way! Don’t be alarmed because once I put all of the photos onto my computer, the phone got better. But then I slowed up my computer more!
Glad you got your photos stored away and in 3 locations, very nice! Amazon Prime members also get unlimited photo storage as long as files are less than 2 GB each. Have fun in Florida. LOVE the photos of the otters and of summer.
Very nice about Amazon prime! Thank you! Have a great week.
Please fly to Minneapolis ASAP to mentor me on all things cloud related.
Haha! I don’t know if I’m an expert, or even halfway there.
cool your photos are getting organized
I love the pics – I really love those otter pics – that is cool they like ice cube treats.
Have a wonderful time on vacation & will try to check out your guest bloggers 🙂
Thank you! You might even know my guest bloggers. Have a great week.
I loved the pictures in the post… heart-happy-yes!
Oh those delicious baby feet! And otters! And your beautiful children!
I LOVE that computer organizing/cleaning spread sheet. I have GOT to do that.
Have a wonderful vacation. I can’t wait to be be “visited” by those three spirits. LOL
xoxo
Ha!! I have no idea why I went all Charles Dickens like that. I just think it’s funny that I chose three bloggers for three days, even though I will have more than three blogs during the trip. I prescheduled! You will see my words too.
Ugggh! I gave a real disdain for computer problems. I might be one of those people who are more organized, but I’m sure I have some areas that need tidying lol!
Anyway, what a great way to remember some warmth and joy!
But, seriously, have fun on your trip. Safe travels to you! 🙂
It’s funny how many of us are very organized in some ways, and very not in others!
Hope you have a great week!
Hahahaha love that last paragraph. And omg I need to go to that site and do that monthly computer clean! I have my photos pretty well organized (but I need to move 2014 somewhere else) but my videos….oh god the videos. Not only are they unorganized but they take forever to back up onto clouds and drives and all that crap. You’ve inspired me though. Have fun in FL!
Once that happens, you feel pretty great after it. Thanks so much about Florida! I didn’t even pack my vitamin D drops because amazingly, I might not need them for a whole week.
LOL at the christmas visitors…lol I definitely need to organized some files of mine. I get in this bad habit of saving things to my desktop and suddenly it’s covered with icons and overlapping icons and jghfjdhgd it’s a pain. I hope you’re having fun on your trip! OMG! SUNNY FLORIDA!!!!!
And really? a river in your backyard? What the!!!!
Well not directly my backyard. It’s a bit of a hike, but it’s absolutely doable. And it’s private!
These are some of my favorite photos yet! So crisp and capturing every single laugh just perfectly:-) oh, and p.s. that computer cleanup calendar…I need in my life! My poor desktop is so bogged down with files from years ago I never managed to organize…oy!
That means a lot! I just uploaded them. So I guess they are new, but it still means a lot to have photos that can make people happy.
I just can’t get over that first photo of the incredibly delicate and tiny newborn toes. Ugh. It’s fantastic! The focus, the lighting, the texture you managed to capture.
And Tanglewood! I need to get back there this year!
Of course, you’re motivating me to rediscover all of *my* photos that have been sitting on my memory card. There’s so much I haven’t shared from the past few months!
I hope your plane trip is smooth and painless, my dear! Have so much fun!
Thank you so much about all of that! I’m not highly experienced with newborns, so I just followed my heart.
When you are ready to share, I look forward to seeing the photos.
I. Love. Your. Photos.
And that is all there is to say. There is no more room in my heart. 🙂
Aw! Well if I ever make it to France, a family photo shoot on the house. Or author head shots! Although I think you have good ones.
Have a blast in Florida love!!! Haha I use Google Drive to keep my important files backed up – the laptop I use is my work laptop and I don’t keep much or fill it up with anything. Everything is backed up to Google Drive or my OneDrive (hotmail). 🙂 Have a blast in Florida and can’t wait tos ee more stunning photos!! Have a great one Tamara -Iva
Google Drive is awesome! Not that I know how to use it.
Thanks so much about the well wishes for my trips. I hope I can take even better photos than last year. I really liked last year’s.
AH yes I forget you’re an iPhone user right?It’s awesome – I have it on my phone and it integrates with my account instantly – LITERALLY! I LOVE Drive.. Google is AWESOME! 🙂 Go have fun! 🙂
Yup, iPhone user!
You might be in FL this week but…. You’ll be on FACEBOOKKKKK! 😉 ha ha haa ha ha! AND UHHHHHH clean up your computer month huh?! Well I need to jump on that because when people see my computer background they get stressed out because there are files EVERYWHERE! But I kinda like it that way! HA AH! It’s a BEAUTIFUL MESS!
Oh yes. FB and also WP too!
Miss you. You beautiful mess. (Just kidding – only your computer)
Ah I only have a laptop and it’s the sloweeest! Beautiful photos! As always! I wish we were neighbors so I can ask you stuff about photography! I would offer my services and be your assistant during shoots for free! 🙂
Being neighbors would be fun! And I could be your kitchen assistant.
Oh geez… I gotta run and check my computer hard drive because it is ALL on there. Like…. ALL. BRB
Ok phew! I still got lots of room. But no otters. how come I don’t have otters. I got a partridge and turtles; but no otters.
Hope you’re having a smashing good time on the beach!
So glad you have room! Cherish it.
But..otters.
You are so right about the expressions of joy, they are just so cute! Oh and the river beach is absolutely beautiful! I could sit and just listen to the water flow! Hope the rain has stopped and you are enjoying a bit of sunshine on the beach or maybe even a sunset!
Thank you! So warm and sunny for me right now.
Come visit the river beach anytime!
1. Otters are smelly but cool. Kind of like kids.
2. My car might be a mess and my desk a fire hazard, but my computer files are in order. What’s up with that?
3. I hope you have a cubano sandwich while you’re in Florida. I miss those.
I have never had the pleasure to be close enough to an otter to smell it.
One more day for a Cubano.