Taking Another Crack

A friend of mine sent me a few of her poems to read which I am afraid, despite my praise, she'll only see that I have left her drafts black and blue ( I find red ink so threatening).
Little projects, such as this, have distracted me, and inspired me, and has answered the prayer, "Father, please help me keep my mind off things." Many of you have no idea how much you have helped me. Accept a thank you, because if you are reading this- odds are- you helped without even knowing.

I am glad to have so many good friends.

Anyways, I haven't written a poem since the Spring of 2007, so I figured now- since Caleb can busy himeslf with safe tomfoolery- I'd take a crack at it again. No professor or pretentious poet-classmates scrutinising every line break and syllable, wringing you out for the details.

Just a poem. Just for me, no pressure. Whew.

Sounds wonderful, doesn't it?

click to enlarge

I am also posting the last installment of the "Genealogy is..." series early this week. I won't let you wait. It is my favorite of the series. Next week is the challenge, and I am very excited! Stay tune!

Genealogy is... Creative

Before Michael and I were married, I graduated institute. After we were married we both continued to attend institute classes together and separately, which was a great blessing for us. We enrolled in a Family History course one semester and I was very smug as I sat down for the first class. The instructor had us fill-out a survey about our family history experience, what was completed and what we had yet to get done. I confidently checked box after box, indicating my familiarity with the subject, until the last question made me pause.
Do you have your four generations on display in your home?

...What? No.
I do now though, thanks to Sister Hopkins. My parents have theirs as well, and my son’s is in the nursery, I’ve given pedigrees as gifts, and by helping others create displays have made friends . Often when we think about doing our genealogy, we imagine ourselves hunched over a keyboard at the Family History Center in dim lighting for hours. Not so, though, unless you prefer your time spent this way… then… keep trucking, I guess… but you can be hunched over your craft bench as well.

Here are some ideas from around our home and out-and-about the internet:

From Our Home

Artifacts: Use family textiles, pictures of ancestors and genealogical landmarks or objects to decorate your home.

Pedigree display: frame your pedigree and showcase on a bookshelf or sitting area. If you need a template, I have templates for individual and couples' predigrees.

Activity Book: Fun for younger family memebrs. Take genealogical information and create cross-words, matching, and other activities.

From Out and About the Internet

Using Photographs as displays

Scrapbooking-This is from my friend Caitlin’s craft creations blog, I love her dearly and she is the most self-reliant woman I know. This display is a wonderful idea., and of course Caitlin is a great scrapper and can execute it perfectly.

Recipe books- Gather up recipes, family traditions, and other related material and make a recipe book for the family

They always said in school if you can make the infomation meaningful to you, you'll remember it better. Use your talents to make family history meaningful to you and others!

Until next Thursday,
Don’t worry, get scrappy!

Memorial Day Parade

I would share my thoughts on the town's memorial procession, the activities that were held, the popsicles given on the front porch of the American Legion, the sound of artillery in the morning and much more... but I have a lot of cleaning and planning to do before we have friends over for dinner this Friday.

Just know, life is great. And there's a reason for that... it's because it isn't free. Everyone needs to put their shoulder to the wheel. And what that means exactally, is different for everyone.

(Please click the pictures above and get a better look! I'm quite proud of them! Can't wait to photoshop them!)