Today marks 12 years since I started this genealogy blog! There have been some months that I’ve published posts quite often and some years I haven’t posted very much. My last post on this blog was back on August 1st of last year.
That doesn’t mean I have slowed down in my family history research. As is known to happen, real life events had to come before blogging. Last fall, a new baby was born into the family – our third granddaughter! That prompted a trip out of state for me. That all happened right after our grandson left for Army Basic Training – he is a National Guardsman. After returning from being with family, circumstances prompted my husband and I to move in to the parsonage in town and leave the farm. It took several trips with the pick-up truck moving our furniture and other boxes plus what could be stuffed in my vehicle. Finally, toward the end of October, we were fully moved in.
Soon, it was time to head to our grandson’s basic training graduation. The trip was long so we split it into 2 days’ of travel. Did I mention that Missouri was getting snow as we left home and drove? Our daughter was with us and our son, my grandson’s uncle, met us at our destination. We had a great two days of Family Day events and then graduation.
Not too long after arriving back home, the holidays were upon us which meant grocery shopping and cooking. As soon as Thanksgiving was over, it was time to decorate and shop for Christmas. Our grandson was able to get a two week holiday block leave from his advanced training so he flew home for Christmas. And of course – we had snow in and around the time he was home – which kept up through early January.
The snow and ice prompted me to stay at home. Why get out if I didn’t have to? Again, real life happened – this time not only was one of our vehicles out of commission and the pick-up truck needed brakes, but my car decided it was feeling left out so it was out. A new transmission and several other necessary mechanical work, and it was back in running order. That was after the truck was in the shop.
Just when I thought, I’d be able to finally get out – the stay-at-home-order was given. So, now my pastor husband is a televangelist! Facebook Live sermons is how he gets his church service out each Sunday now.
And what was I supposed to be doing today? Helping our historical society host the county’s bicentennial event – Pioneer Day – at the museum. Many volunteers were signed up to help; different events throughout the museum and outside were to be held ; and a new exhibit was going to be unveiled. All of this is still planned – just now it will be in July.
Since my first few months of the year was spent pretty much “at home” – being socially distant and contained inside is nothing new. I do miss being able to just go to the store without thinking about it – or spending twenty minutes sanitizing after I leave the store, before I touch my car, after I put my groceries in, before I touch my car again, after I put groceries away, and then washing my hands and sanitizing where my grocery bags had sat. In the last three weeks, I’ve managed to limit my exposure to being at Walmart just once each week.
I learned how to sew face masks – thank goodness I had my sewing machine fixed and tuned up just before all this happened. Originally, I was going to work on my first quilt. Today, I finished a granny square quilt top and seven masks. Just as I was about done with the eighth mask, my sewing machine needle broke. I now have to wait until I’m able to get back to the store next week!
In between all of this, I have been working on family history. I’ve had a break through of sorts on my paternal great-grandfather. I’ve been watching some fascinating webinars – especially on land records.
It’s been a fantastic twelve years blogging, and I hope I can keep it up for several more years because it has been cousin bait!
By the way – get your census turned in!
All My Branches Genealogy 