Friday, January 9, 2009

What the heck was I thinking!!!

Back in August my friend and co-worker, Ashley asked me if I would like to design the annual/yearbook for this school year. She is the PTA president and her job entails finding someone to do the annual. The mother who did it last year no longer has a child that goes to the middle school. I thought about it for a moment and said, "sure why not."

What the heck was I thinking? Yeah, I was thinking this will be a piece of cake!! NOT!!

Well, back in November I felt as if I was going to have an anxiety attack doing this yearbook all on my own. When I say "all on my own" I mean....I am photographer, layout designer, writer, editor...I was doing the whole damn thing by myself!!! Well, Ashley is now photographer, layout designer, etc...with me. So, it's the two of us now. Yeah, still stressful!! I finally taught her how to do the layouts and she was actually excited....it's kinda like digital scrapbooking....but not as fun 'cause you have this deadline lurking over you!

O.M.G!!! The deadline is coming upon us fast and we aren't even half way done!! We have about 38 pages done out of 88!!! Holy Crap!! We have to have it complete by February 9th!

Tuesday we locked ourselves up in the classroom with our students and recruited several 6th, 7th and 8th graders to come and help us. We were working on the school photos and we were afraid we were going to put the wrong name to the photo. We told them that they are now on the yearbook staff and we took their photos helping us. We plan on doing a page and thanking them for all their help!

Here's Ashley with two 8th graders who happen to be her son & nephew!


Me with the 6th graders!!
You can tell by our facial expressions we are a little stressed. Unfortunately, I have to re-do the 6th grade layout! Yeah, I was pissed! The photos were to little. I am going to fix it tonight.

So tonight I upload 450 photos to my computer....sort through them....upload them 0nly 20 at a time (that's all that is aloud to the yearbook website)....put all 213 6th grade photos on 6 pages of layouts....type in all 213 students first & last names!!

Yes, I have opened my bottle of wine and I have already enjoyed 2 glasses!!! Heck, ya'll know that when I drink my creativity comes out!!! Here's hoping I don't screw it up!!

22 comments:

Susie said...

What a HUGE undertaking! Good luck on getting it all completed on time.

Heather said...

Just make sure you check your font.

Remember what happened last time you mixed wine with stress. Oh, that was cold medicine...whatever.

Good luck! Next time, learn how to say "NO" gracefully :)

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

I don't envy you, but I am sure you will get the job done! Sounds like you deserve those glasses of wine for sure!! :)
Carrie

angi_b72 said...

any plans for the one for next year yet?! haha

Joy said...

GIRL I FEEL YOUR PAIN. I was the yearbook sucker last year at my daughters school. I did have 2 other moms helping with layout and one other mom doing photography. OF course she only took pictures of her daughter. I was like there are 775 other students in the school. Can we get some pictures of them too.
It's tough. I'm still helping with it this year. But said no way to running the show again.
We used Jostens which company are you using?
It literally took over my life last year. I spent countless hours on my computer doing yrbk.
At least in the end you have a finished product. I was happy with the way it turned out and got a lot of nice compliments from the staff and some parents.

Oh and get this yesterday I'm at the grocery store getting out of my car and this woman sees me. She's in charge of yrbk at the school my daughter will attend next year. She sweetly asked if I would like to be in charge of the yrbk at that school next year. I looked at her like she had lost her mind. I promptly told her NO.


good luck!

Joy

Mesa said...

My Best friend did what you are doing one year and I thought she was going to end up in the mental ward she was so stressed..lol..Sending some good anti-stress vibes your way! :)

fawn & fern said...

you craaaack me up...
you'll make it...
& i love the new nancy sinatra song you added : )
good choice.
loves!

Stephanie said...

Holy cow! That is crazy woman!! Good luck! I know you can do it!

Michelle said...

Ok, now we know where you have been. I did yearbook for a couple of years. Hated it.

Just focus, stop everything else for a week, and get 'er done. You will be a happy camper after that. Then next year you make up a nice little excuse why you can't do it again. There. All done, no more stress.

Be careful with that wine. Watch your font. lol

Good luck girl.

Aubrey said...

Ummm, yeah. What were you thinking! LOL
I know you'll get it done on time and it will look fantastic! Enjoy another glass or 2 of wine!

MarciaBrady said...

WOW...that is a huge job!! But, I'm sure you'll get it done on time!!

Just stay positive and keep telling yourself "I can do it" using the voice of Rob Schneider in the Waterboy! That's what I do! Is that weird? Oh well, it helped me get through my crazy blanket venture! Of course, I was losing it a bit by that time. haha

Hang in there!!

Betty said...

I am not envying you! Sounds like a late night yesterday! I hope it turns out well, but like Heather said.......say "NO" gracefully and get the hell out of it! :)

Unknown said...

You can do it! Hang in there!

beth said...

There are always a few good Moms to handle the hard stuff and looks like you "get" to be one of them. Good luck.

April said...

Betty,

Remember the saying, "Don't sweat the small stuff"? You just do what you can do and let the rest take care of itself. It's not worth getting yourself all worked up over...life is too short! I'm sure you'll do fine and everything will turn out just great! Keep your chin up!

April said...

Betty,

Remember the saying, "Don't sweat the small stuff"? You just do what you can do and let the rest take care of itself. It's not worth getting yourself all worked up over...life is too short! I'm sure you'll do fine and everything will turn out just great! Keep your chin up!

Melody said...

It'll be easier finding time to do it now that the Holidays are over, right? I'm sure that you'll do a great job!

Becky said...

I was HEAD ADVISOR for the school yearbook for 3 years when Tatum and Jake were little. I know exactly the kind of stress you are talking about! The first 2 years we didn't do digital, so it was SO MUCH MORE WORK! geez! I feel for ya!

When it is all said and done, you will feel so proud and productive, and then you will put you foot in your mouth and agree to do it again next year!!!LOL!

Shell in your Pocket said...

Wow..that is a job!!!
-sandy toe

Jill said...

I am sure you can do it! If you can make your blog look this good.. WOMAN you are capable of doing anything!

What a good Mom!!!
Good luck... I will be anticipating the end results of the yearbook! It will make for a good post!

WheresMyAngels said...

Oh your nuts!

Friday at work I had a co-worker ask me "How the pamphlet coming?" Opps, I forgot that TWO months ago, I told a group I would make one for them. It also brought to mind that I was suppose to make a flier for another co-worker.

I really need to put this stuff in my PDA!

Mark Samuel Monroe said...

what school do you teach at? my mom works at ward central elementary in cabot and i was bragging on your family to her and she was curious as to where you taught those sixth graders.