It started with a scanner and it got me thinking...

In case you haven't heard, there is a meme on the loose. It was started by the lovely and way-too-talented Tara over at Sticky Fingers and  is currently spreading across the blogosphere like wildfire.

We have been asked to post our favourite photo and say why we like it. I've added my contribution HERE. Everyone is welcome to take part, you do not have to be tagged!

And it would seem that it all started with a scanner. I have drawn this conclusion from the evidence available HERE. You may wish to check it out for yourself!

I spent several days looking through photo albums, looking at photos I had not seen in years and reminiscing as I tried to choose just one for Tara's meme. There were so many to choose from, too many favourites and too many memories.

I discovered some wonderful photos of IJ as a tiny baby, then others of her sitting smiling away yet in an orthopaedic chair because she needed physio to help strengthen her slightly-curved spine. Then there were photos of the day she finally walked, aged two despite the fact that we did not know if she ever would. The doctors had suspected not. Then there were the photos of her running, and climbing and jumping - the proof that she is absolutely fine.

I got emotional. I got very emotional. I wanted to post the photo of her tentative first steps; for me it is the best photograph in the world. It is more than I could ever have hoped for and seeing it again I cried with the relief I remember feeling on that day, in August 2005. I wanted to let others know that there is always hope, that life can have a funny way of surprising you, that the doom and gloom, the panic and worry does not last forever. 

Then I patted myself on the back because we got through all this alone - just the two of us - me and IJ. We are often stronger than we think. This was the reminder I needed.

But here's the thing - I had no scanner so I could not scan any of the pictures into my computer.

Yesterday, I received a small yet-not-unsubstantial donation to promote this website: Promotionalcodes.org.uk. It won't buy me a scanner but it will help towards it. Basically, they give away discount codes for hundreds of leading UK websites, like Tesco, Amazon and Argos, for example. They want to spread the word as many people are not aware they can use discount codes when shopping on-line. Two examples of their current discounts are £50 off with this Splendia.com promotional code, and 10% off with this Interflora voucher code.

So forgive me, because I want a scanner and now I'm half way there. And forgive me, in advance, for the emotional posts that may follow once I have one.

I promise to dig out some of the rather dodgy photos I found of myself with big 80s hair that demonstrated my clear lack of fashion sense and ability to colour co-ordinate at the time,  and I will post them on-line for the world to see.

Or maybe not!

Comments

[Tara@Sticky fingers]

Oh stop it stop it. I so want you to have that scanner. I'll tell you what, I haven't stopped using mine since I bought it and am desperate for someone else to 'embarrass' themselves with 80s photos too.
Good show Rosie, good show.

[Heather]

Oh yes, maybe we should set up a 'help Rosie embarrass herself fund' and contribute to getting you one. I'd throw a couple of quid as an investment in future hilarity.

[Selina Kingston]

What a cutie your daughter is. And you've made me cry! For both those reasons I hope you get your scanner soon x

[lulu Campbell]

Good luck with scanner - v cute - and thanks for your comment on my post today xx

[geekymummy]

Here in the US you can pop into a copy shop like Kinkos and scan stuff inexpensively. Maybe the same thing exists in the UK. Need to see those big hair pics. Bgg hair, I loved it, mine could never be big enough. Ahh, I can smell the Elnet hairspray now!

[Muddling Along Mummy]

I'm all for spreading awareness of voucher codes - realising they exist has saved me so much money (& good luck with getting that scanner) - we'll hold you to the promises of the pictures of the mad 80s outfits though

[Barbara]

Oooh, voucher codes, well worth more de-lurking for!

[Rosie Scribble]

Barbara, your comment made me smile. Feel free to de-lurk any time!