My Computer Wiped My Photos — A Cautionary Holiday Update
Here’s the short version of a long, frustrating week: I bought my first computer with my own money, and during setup it somehow erased six years’ worth of my digital photographs. Family graduations, vacations, everyday moments — all gone in an instant. I’m heartbroken, and the recovery process is underway, but it may take up to three weeks. The technician is working on it, and while there is hope, I’ve been reminded—very painfully—how fragile digital memories can be.
Because I can’t stand being away from blogging any longer, I borrowed my husband’s computer tonight so I could catch up and share what I’ve been up to recently. If the photo disaster hadn’t happened, I would have posted the following updates and pictures.
Holiday Decorating — Leaning into Traditional Greenery
This year I’m keeping my Christmas decorations simple and sentimental, leaning into traditional natural greenery. I’ve been enjoying making paper garlands and using meaningful ornaments and family keepsakes. My favorite project so far is a handmade paper garland that adds a cozy, nostalgic touch to our home.
Hosting in the Home Office
My little “office” recently doubled as a dining space for its first dinner party. I cleared the desk and set the table, and it converted back into a warm and inviting dining area with ease. I did eventually give guests actual plates (those gold chargers were only temporary placeholders), though I forgot to photograph the fully set table before the meal began.
Kitchen Adventures: Lemon Blueberry Buns
On Saturday I decided to bake Pioneer Woman’s Lemon Blueberry buns. I was excited to try them, but I hadn’t noticed that my yeast had expired months ago. The buns weren’t a total disaster, but they didn’t rise the way they should have. I’ll try again soon and share a better “after” photo when I get it right.
Retail Therapy — New Boots
Before the computer meltdown, I went on a shopping trip with a friend and ended up buying a pair of boots I really like. For a while I worried I might need to return them to help cover unexpected repair costs, but after thinking it through I decided to keep them. Sometimes small comforts matter.
Health Scare — A Reminder to Be Grateful
I’ve been fortunate to enjoy good health for a long time, and recently I had a scare when my heart started behaving oddly. I saw my doctor and have started a series of tests. For now, it looks like an extra heartbeat issue, and a simple change—cutting out coffee—was recommended. I’m relieved that the solution may be straightforward and grateful for the reminder to pay attention to my health.
What I Learned the Hard Way: Backup Your Photos
Before I finish, here’s an important tip I learned the hard way this week: back up your precious digital photos in more than one place. Relying solely on a single device is risky. Use at least two separate backup methods—such as an external hard drive and a USB flash drive tucked into a fireproof safe, or a combination of physical backups and a reliable cloud backup service. Regularly verify that your backups are complete and accessible, and consider scheduling automatic backups so you don’t have to remember to do it manually.
If you value your family photos, vacation shots, and everyday snapshots, make a plan today to safeguard them. Trust me—you’ll be so glad you did.
