Today I sorted burned photos of my kids growing up from the fire that

[mnhtnbb]

destroyed our house in August 2007.

The photos that survived were in albums on the lowest level of a bookcase on the lower level of the house.
The insurance rep found the albums when she and hubby were going through the house and told us how to remove the photos and dry them out. Our next door neighbors helped with the process--I was three weeks
post hip replacement and couldn't physically deal with the process.

The photos have been in a box in the detached garage which didn't burn. I tried to sort through
them a year ago--separate the ones that were salvagable--but couldn't deal with the smell. They stink
of smoke.

I took the box of photos to a photographer who wanted--get this--$28. per photo 5x7 or smaller and $32.
for 8x10 to just scan and print. If I wanted restoration, it was $63. for 5x7 and $68. for 8 x 10.
I gave up when I got his estimate.

We have decided to rent the studio apartment above the garage and move my son's drums into the garage space.
I thought I'd give getting the photos copied another chance. I put an ad on Craigs' list and was overwhelmed with responses. It seems that I can probably have the photos scanned and printed (no cropping)
for about $1.00 per photo and photos needing cropping might cost $5 or more. :wtf:

One woman came by today and took several of the ones needing cropping and several just needing scanning;
she's going to see how many she can do per hour to give me an estimate. A photographer who does this for a living is coming tomorrow and she's estimated $5-10 per photo that requires restoration.

When I got done with sorting the photos today--I made myself do it--I came home and wanted to throw up
from the smell of the fire. I can't believe how they've retained the smell. At least it's done.
At least I have some photos of my kids growing up. There's nothing from the last 8 years because
all those photos were in my closet waiting to be put into albums and they were destroyed. My wedding album, my honeymoon album, and an album of a trip hubby I took to England before we were married were all completely destroyed. All the 8 x 10's of favorite photos that were hung on the lower level hall wall of the house were completely burned up.

If you have favorite photos, be sure and store copies somewhere other than your home.

Hugs would be most appreciated. I went through most of a bottle of wine (Zinfandel--was quite good, actually) tonight to numb the pain of the loss.

[Midlodemocrat]

1. When my mom died, she had copies of all the pics I had sent of her

when the kids were little stored in boxes.

I put them, along with the negatives in the bank.

Now that I have a digital camera, I routinely back up the pics and put the disc in the bank box.

I feel your pain. I don't have as many pics of my parents as I wish I did.

[mnhtnbb]

2. There were pictures of my parents (who died in 2000 and 02) untouched by the fire

in an album sleeve in a metal filing cabinet in a closet. They still stink of smoke, but are completely
undamaged.

I haven't replaced the digital camera that burned up. I find myself not even wanting to take pictures.
Hubby and I went to Italy in early March, and I didn't even care about taking pictures. I can close my eyes
and remember landscapes.

[lizziegrace]

3. I can't begin to imagine how difficult that must have been

:hug:

I have a backup of the digital photos on an external hard drive in the fire safe. I need to scan the older ones. Lelapin's entire childhood is on film...

[GoddessOfGuinness]

4. ...

:hug::hug::hug:
I'm so sorry for your loss...

How about another trip to England, to make some new memories?
:hug::hug::hug:

[siligut]

5. Such a tragedy.

I am sorry for your loss.:hug:

Thank you for the good advice.

[Trocadero]

6. buy your own scanner...