This is a long, ongoing process but I've decided to write about it as I know there are others in the same boat as I.

Back in 1994 we bought a camcorder. We chose a Sony Handycam for all the right reasons and loved it for years. It only used 8mm cassette tapes - which are different than Hi8 and definitely different than the VHS-C tapes that *most* camcorders used. The VHS-C tapes were the little cassettes you could literally 'pop into' an adapter VHS tape and play or record on your tv and vcr. The 8mm tapes are different in that they can only (yes... ONLY be played back through the camcorder. ) There is no adapter for 8mm cassette tapes to be easily transferred to a VCR tape. If you are told there is the person is either just misinformed, confusing VHS-C tapes or is outright lying and trying to sell you something.

Knowing this background you'll appreciate the fact that when we moved to our current home in 2004 we found the camcorder no longer worked. It powers up just fine and the viewfinder worked but it would absolutely not accept a cassette tape. Any cassette tape. It will hum and close and pretend to like it but then it pops it right back out and refuses to play or record or even function if there is a tape in it.

I found this out when I was attempting to hook it up to transfer the last 3 or 4 tapes we made in 2000 - 2001 to VHS so I could then transfer everything to disc. At this point we were now left with 10 years of home movies completely useless to us, trapped inside cassettes.

At this point I looked at my options which included

1. sending my cassettes to someone on the internet that could transfer for them for me
2. hiring a company locally to do the transfers (Walmart does them!)
3. Buying a new camcorder
4. Finding someone that owns the equiptment and either borrowing or having them transfer for me

I absolutely did not trust sending the only tapes I have of my children's childhoods through the mail and the cost of online services was astronomical. I tried to find a friend or co-worker than still owned a working, similar camcorder but our circle of friends came up short in that department. I gave all the tapes to a very good friend who thought he had the equipment to do so but found it was not compatible and after about 5 months of holding my tapes hostage finally got them back to me. I decided in the end to use Walmart. Their prices were going to run me about $300 to do my casettes but I talked myself into it as the end result would be worth it. Memories are priceless.

As I sifted through the cassette tapes I realized I had movies that included the birth of my children and just couldn't bring myself to allow perfect strangers to see this important, life changing event in my life. Frankly I don't trust the people working in these positions and knowing such a personal moment could be viewed by potentially millions of people (depending on what they do with captured images and video and where they post it...) I just was saddened by my choices. (Yes I know they probably don't CARE about the birth stories or video's of some anonymous woman... but I care.)

In the end I've decided to *attempt* to transfer them myself. The initial investment included buying a used camcorder, which I've now done and hopefully will be receiving the package in the mail this week.

I will then have to purchase an adapter to plug the camcorder in to attach it to my computer and hopefully burn my memories onto a DVD. It will be a learning process for me but my investment thus far is rather small - just a fraction of what transferring them through a company would be.

I'll let you know how this goes.

From my email box...

I have a great coupon code for Personal Creations! My readers know that I love Personal Creations. Actually my oldest daughter (18) now orders even more from them than I do as she has gotten almost all her gifts for her boyfriend and our family from them for the past 1 1/2 years.

I have been wanting to buy a new panel for my photo purse but I refuse to pay full price retail and I knew if I waited I'd see a better deal than 20, or even 25% off. And this morning I see my patience has paid off! 35% off with the coupon code; BGDEAL. Hurry though, it's expires July 13th!

'Budget' is a word that is different for everyone. Being a full time Mom with three small children at home when most of my friends, family and neighbors worked meant that my idea of 'budget' was buying new socks on clearance for $3 while for my close friend at the time, her idea of 'budget' was spending $72 on a pair of jeans that were originally $148 so she got a great deal. Some of my readers are going to be very excited to find a site called Armani Exchange. With a European flair combined with sophistication or urban youth, almost any jean can be made into an outfit that matches your personal tastes.


I was looking with my husband and 16 year old son in mind. I immediately saw 'bleach destruction' and 'painted bootcut' styles that would be perfect for either of my guys but my overall favorite? The New Zenith Boot Cut (shown below).



Coupled with the eagle t-shirt the model in the group photo wears above, it's perfect for both my husband and my son - although the model is wearing a bandana around his neck and I'm pretty sure that's a bit too European for my American guys. The jeans all start at just $98 each and if you purchase a pair of full priced jeans in store or online between July 7th and July 19th, you'll get a $20 credit towards your next purchase of $100 or more.

Here is another perk for my readers; Every day during the month of July they are giving away a pair of jeans! It's easy to take part in the text A|X campaign; Just text the word "DENIM2" to ARMANI (276264). They also have an A|X Blog some social media buffs may want to check out.

In 1998, purely by accident, we started a family tradition. My husband worked Friday nights so the kids and I would watch tv together while enjoying popcorn. Soon that included candy and before I knew it I implemented 'Family Pizza Night' with pizza for dinner followed by a movie and popcorn and candy and later, as the kids got older, soda.

Homemade pizza became a weekend staple at our house and although we had to revamp the schedule when my daughter was a Freshman in high school and cheered for varsity football games every night, we simply moved Pizza Night to Saturday night and for the past 'almost' 12 years now we've had this family tradition that kids and my husband won't let me out of... homemade pizza! Even my kids' friends know pizza night is Saturday at 6:30 and all are welcome, but you never know what kind you'll get. I make 2-3 pizza's and although I almost always make a pepperoni, the other versions vary each week from chicken ranch to bbq chicken, Greek inspired with feta cheese and spinach to my daughter's boyfriends favorite, sausage. One of their all time favorites is 'stuffed crust' pizza which is incredibly easy when you start with string cheese!


Roll your pizza crust out so the crust is about 1 1/2 inches larger than usual and hangs over the side of the baking stone or pan.



Roll up a stick of string cheese, continue all the way around your pizza and use your fingers to press the dough together and seal it.

Continue to top your pizza the way you normally would - with the sauce and toppings and baking as usual. Instant stuffed crust!

CLINIQUE: For those of you who swear by Clinique brand makeup and face care I've got a special for the holiday weekend that I almost missed! Starting yesterday, July 3rd they are apparently offering free shipping through Monday. Enjoy Complimentary Standard Shipping on any clinique.com purchase! Friday, July 3rd - Sunday, July 5th. Simply enter offer code JULY at checkout.


ALLOY: Another free shipping code, this time for the Junior's (teen) clothing site Alloy. Shop Alloy new arrivals. Free shipping on orders over $25! Use code AKHAFF. Offer ends 7.30.09.


PERSONAL CREATIONS: And one of my favorite (and my oldest daughter's favorite) sites to order gifts from - Personal Creations! Save 20% on an order of $75 or more at PersonalCreations.com. Use code: AF0935

This mornings post comes to you from my own email box. I've been a customer of Colorful Images since 1996 when I ordered address labels with my children's picture on them to send moving announcements and Fourth of July cards to friends and family. Before everyone had internet (heck, not many even owned a computer back then and those that did used it for word processing - but that was about it!) this was a fabulous option at the time... and still is. After my initial order I went on to order photo address labels again as well as a stationary set for my father-in-law, t-shirts and a pillow with a 'shoe' theme for my oldest daughter and many other items over the years.

One thing I haven't done is join their 'preferred customer club' but it might be perfect for one of my readers; Check them out here (or just browse their offers!!) Join Colorful Images' Preferred Customer Club for Big Discounts!

Budgeting and finances are going to be gone over with a fine tooth comb in our household soon as today is July 1st... my own self-imposed deadline of deciding whether or not to refinance our 5 year ARM that is going to expire on November 1st. If we do nothing it automatically rewrites itself at prime plus 2.25% so that is not a viable option.

When we moved here from out of state just over 4 1/2 years ago it was to be a short term relocation. Promised by my husbands company that he would be relocated within the year we bought a home based on the location, the immediate availability to move in for a short close (new construction, just finished) and never intended to live here longer than 18 months, 24 months at most.

My husbands relocation's however were all to local company locations that were within 50 miles so although he is at his 3rd location now, we haven't moved.

And thus; the need for decision making!

Up until now I was still mulling ideas; relocate, let the loan rewrite itself, rewrite at a current rate, sell the house and buy another local, build a home...

My self imposed July 1st date assumes 2 months for the process to go through (for market analysis, any inspections needed, paperwork flub ups, etc.) and then hopefully having everything in place by October 1st.

Calculators are being brought out. Pencils sharpened and budgets abound. Time to compare rates, pay down points, ARMS, fixed rates, closing costs and other pesky details that can change the payment of a loan by up to $300-$400 a month.

Let the games begin!