Please, please help - how do I take care of these?

[Debelieves]

I can't believe what just happened.

Just a few minutes ago, my sister was walking around the house looking for me shouting, "I have a surprise for you!" So kidding around, I asked, "Cher tickets?" ;D
She said, "Almost......" and came over to me with her hands behind her back. I couldn't believe what she gave me.

They were the only four Sonny & Cher/Cher LPs I ever owned, and I got them as a very young girl. One of them was a gift (it's actually my mom's, but I, um, "borrowed" it about 30 years ago), but the others I had to scrimp and save for (I only got about 50 cents allowance back then).

About 20 years ago, we had some pipes burst on the second floor of the house, when nobody was home, and water ran through the house all day (what a God awful mess that was!); we lost a ton of things. Over the years I'd search on and off in some of the boxes in the basement looking for my old albums, especially these, but I never could find them, and I refused to believe that they were destroyed in the flood. I'm so happy I have them in my hands again! Right now, I'm looking at Sonny & Cher - All I Ever Need Is You, Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves, Half-Breed, and Sonny & Cher Live (I wish I had a nickel for every time I played that way back when) in all of their 30-something-year-old glory. The picture on the inside cover of the Live album has always been one of my favorites. I wish I had a way of posting pictures of them for you, but I don't have the equipment.

Does anybody know how to take care of LPs? The records themselves are in really good shape (no scratches or cracks, and they're not warped, just a little mildew or something!). The cardboard covers and sleeves are OK, too, but just a little mildewy. Also, two of the album covers are stuck together, and I don't want to just break them apart; it'll wreck the album covers. Any ideas?

How can I keep them from warping?

I'm going downstairs now to see what else is in that box. I didn't have much of a music collection then (but you should see it now), so whatever's there would be really special to me.

I can't stop smiling!!!!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D


Debbie


OK, Lisa, here's proof positive -- Never, ever stop believing!!!

[Lisa]

That's wonderful that you got them back Deb..
I really don't know what to tell you about keeping them, maybe just keep them in a cool place somewhere.. I have 45's and that's what I do.. Don't know what you could do about the covers, sorry.. I'm happy you got them back, great memories there..

[Jan]

At least the records themselves are in good shape! WHEW! I am a Cher and Sonny and Cher record collector and each and every one of my LP's are covered in plastic..u can buy em online but I got mine like a nickel each or so at a local used record shop..U live in NJ right? they got em there too I'm sure..just keeps em in good shape and all..I am fanatical w/my Cher stuff! Glad u got em back Deb! Hey u comin to NY in July w/us? I know Gaby gonna try to make it..she is in NJ too:) Hope u can join us! Jan

[Debelieves]

I was looking at them again this morning before I left for work. You're right, Lisa, there really are a whole lot of memories connected to those albums. Woo Hoo! I'm finally a collector! lol! OK, it's only four albums, but you should see my ever-growing Cher CD collection. So proud (sniff)...it makes me want cry! (serious lol now!)

There are a few places around here I can check out for covers, or maybe some type of frame that will keep the covers from fading...then I could hang 'em up on the wall! I know that there's some kind of "helpful kitchen trick" for envelopes that get sealed from humidity or stamps that get stuck before you get to use them. You're supposed to put them in the freezer, which removes the humidity. We'll see. I know cool, moisture-free environments are best (oh, sure, that happens a lot here in the northeast, right???)

I would really like to join you in NYC in July, Jan, and finally get to meet you and my other Cher buddies. I may be resigning from my job very, very soon, though, so I'm trying to save as much cash as I can right now; I don't have another job to go to at the moment, but my current situation has become increasing intolerable, and I think today was the last straw ( :)but the cash for potential concert tickets is safely tucked away, 'cause I believe, right, Lisa?) I really need some serious fun! What's on the agenda?

Deb

[Jan]

I relate to the intolerable job BS Deb! Only too well I am afraid..I have been out all wk w/bad middle ear infection that spread bad ...Orig. I wanted to see dr when pain began last fri but my IDIOT boss would NOT let me go! So finally by Mon it had gotten REAL bad and spread so i was outta work like practically all wk..he busted on me and made me feel so guilty..so I finally w/fever and all pushed in on Wed but I nearly passed out cause my balance is off from the infection..only lasted at work like 2 hrs or something..and been out since..HE IS SUCH A MORON to work for u have no idea..then again! LOL..but unfortunately NY job market here stinks ...so gotta put up w/it:( Isn't your place the one w/Cher fans though..? maybe we should trade! LOL..I dunno think about it before u just leave I did that 2 yrs ago once and regretted it..job market is just not the same since 9/11 my friend..I know soooooooo many ppl unemployed and so many companies are laying off now..Hope u make it July 4th weekend since u live so close:) We're all dying to meet ya! Jan

[Lisa]

Right Deb Hope your trick works..
And I hear ya about the job.. BS there too, big time!!!
Can't call off sick without coverage, no vacation without coverage and the boss, big a$$ that he is, is pushing trainings out the wazzoo!!! So we have to go to these stupid things in the a.m., like 9:30-1:30 then go to work for 2pm and work til 10pm, and that's including the 12 and 13 hour weekends.. Hate that place and can't find another job, noone hiring and if so it's minimum wage, 5.50 an hour.. This county is terrible for jobs.. Sounds like the 3 of us are in a mess..

[DEE]

Can't really complain right now about my job, I just love it! But of course all jobs have their bad sides and mine is Call. I got called in last night at 12:30 and did not get home again until 2:00 am which really sucks for the next day. Thanks god I am off today. Jan I still have not heard from Jane, so I will try and call her this weekend. Will keep you posted!
As for the records I have the plastic protectors that I put the albums in but the other day Micheal's ( a craft store here in Michigan) had record frames on sale so we bought a lot of them and Matt framed my favorite albums and they are hanging on my "Cher" wall right now! Thank God they are hanging high enough so the flood shouldn't reach them!!!
Hope all works out with you Deb on you career move. You have to do what you feel you have to do. I took a $2 cut in pay and froze 21 years of senoirity to take the job i have now and I am soooo happy I did! Everyone thought I was nuts to give up the better paying job and loose my senority but I had to leave the place I hated to work at! So you just never know.
Hope to meet you sometime, when things start settling down again for you.
Take "Cher" DEE

[Debelieves]

Jan, Dee, Lisa, thank you all for your help with the LPs and for your support with the job-related problems. It really helps. I know the job market is terrible right now, but when I said the situation had become intolerable, I really meant it. It really is hard sometimes when your brain is telling you to do two different things at once. Stay....go....stay....go....hide....stay....go....scream....stay....go.... It really has come down to what I feel is best for me, even if I really like some of the people I work with and earn a decent living. I strongly feel that things work out the way they're supposed to and for the best in the long run (sometimes it's that short run that's the killer!). I'm just grateful that the envrionment at work will be a different one when I go back Tuesday (new manager) and that the pressure is off, even temporarily; now I can hopefully get a real night's sleep, eat a whole meal without feeling sick, etc.

Yup, I work with a handful of Cher fans! The one woman asked me again today if I knew of any "good" Cher CDs to order. Of course, I did, then I told her I'd make a list of the ones I have and what type of music is on them so she can just go Cher crazy. Her eyes lit up, and it felt good to be able to make someone else happy when I was feeling so miserable. Feel better and please take care of yourself, Jan.

Lisa, my sister says she'll see you in MSG's front row later this year! (you should see her Believe-O-Meter; it's perpetually pegged at about 9 1/2!). Try not to get too worried about the job. I believe it will work out in some way for you, too!

I forgot all about Michael's, Dee; thanks for reminding me! There's one near here, so I'll probably swing by in the next day or so. I feel a trip to Tower coming on too, maybe I can find a CD or two for my Cher collection and I'll treat myself for making it to the end of a very bad work week. (insert a relieved, sighing smiley here).

The NYC jaunt is looking better and better! And I just remembered -- "Faithful" and the DVD video collection will be in my hands before I know it. See? Things are looking a little bit brighter all the time!

Thanks again, everyone, for the encouragement. You guys rock!!!


Debbie

[Lisa]

[glow=red,2,300]No problem Deb and tell your sis, I will see her then .. She sounds really excited, that's great!!! I hope you finally get some good rest Deb.. [/glow]