I don't really like making New Year resolutions! They sound so very demanding ! I prefer a little bit of flexibility and a possible escape route so I can change my mind and I don't feel guilty about doing so 😀
I do know I definitely have to see to the following!
As it is the start of a New Year it is a good time to get on with it.
I really must organise the mass of Family History papers that I have got and those that I brought back with me from my Mother's house in 1998 when she passed away. That was 23 years ago and I still find it hard to look at her notes ,her diary and the F/T sheets she compiled. Mother started me on the Family History research as she had been researching her side of the family for quite sometime. We used to do it together.
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| extract from my F/T research data base |
Uploading all data to my F/T data base is an enormous task but I definitely have the time now.
My problem is I get easily distracted when I am doing it...so many queries arise,which makes it quite time consuming.!!
Let me give you example:
I found some information about one of my ancestors who, in the 18th century,was brought up to the local assizes for stealing bread. Instantly I got distracted as I started hunting through papers to see if there was a record or any evidence that she was found guilty and shipped off to Australia, as was the case for many people at that time. So fascinating......you can see my dilemma can't you?
I do know I need to concentrate on all the data I have and upload it to the data base and once I have the basic information for each person I can then start looking at interesting and possibly interlinking snippets of historical facts or events to research and add. On reviewing what I have written here that sounds right and the way to do it...but I still get distracted. Tch!!!
BOOKS
I read! I always have a book on the go. I am mainly a sci-fi,magical fantasy,treasure finding adventure,historical,time travel fan although I will read anything if I find it intriguing.
Liz on her blog Shortbread and Ginger has recommended a series of books which I am tempted to purchase. She mentioned that the Shardlake Series -follows lawyer Matthew Shardlake as he investigates various crimes during the chaos which followed Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries.I feel like getting my teeth into an Historical novel for a change and if there is a bit of intrigue too well better still,so I am going to get the first one;
Dissolution.
Wrapping presents:
Yes...again!!! All for the Kings Night tonight.
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| The three Kings arrived by sea last year. Spain. | |
We won't be celebrating it this evening as usual because of the new curfew and C19 restrictions here in the Valencian region. We will be going to my daughter's again for lunch tomorrow on the King's Day and also to hand over the presents.
Blue skies can be deceiving!
I receive many comments about the beautiful sunny blue skies in the photos I often upload to my posts. I do get the impression sometimes that no one believes me when I say its cold or freezing cold here in Alicante. It is a haven for sure most of the year but there are a few weeks per year when it is cold and unpleasant!
I went with my daughter for a walk along the beach this morning and afterwards we had breakfast at our favourite cafe.Unfortunately she has inherited my thin blood and also feels the cold quite a lot!! Perhaps this snapshot I was allowed to take of her at the cafe, where you can see she is fully equipped for the cold, will convince you that it does indeed get beyond chilly here in Alicante (note:woolly gloves on table).
This was at 10am approx this morning
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| No wind today but still icy cold |
Another fiesta day to endure 😀
As they say here "Feliz Reyes"... Happy Kings Day....the last day of Christmas!
Stay safe and Take care
Amanda :-)
Hello Amanda, I'm totally with you with the resolutions, I never manage to keep them up and then I feel guilty. I took a free trial of Ancestry a few years ago and the amount I found out about my family in that short month was amazing but it totally consumes you! being distracted and trying to find out the interesting snippets is what it's all about. It's also very frustrating when you seem to come to a dead end. I have a print out of what I did find out and am leaving it at that for now. I always have a book on the go too but never have the time to read that much. It does look chilly there a good excuse to wear home made hats and mittens although I have to be honest I hate going out in the cold. Enjoy Kings day! xx
ReplyDeleteA dead end....that is so true and I get quite annoyed I can't find a clue or proof so I can carry on with that thread. It is there hanging in the air so to speak tch!! I am not surprised you do not have time to read much with all those lovely/gorgeous different types of craft that you do...and do so well! A x
DeleteI can heartily recommend the Shardlake series of books. I simply tore through them, they were so good. Great story lines and wonderful historical insights.
ReplyDeleteI had already read a few good reviews about the book but you have convinced me! :-) That's it then I shall download it on my kindle tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by :-) A x
DeleteHope you enjoy the book, Amanda! I know exactly how you feel about family history - it is so easy to get distracted. There's always another interesting story to follow up. Good luck with getting your notes organised. Liz
ReplyDeleteHi Liz. Thank you for stopping by. I have bought the first book and I am looking forward to reading it :-) keep well A x
DeleteMy Dad researched our family history, my sister has all his research now. He did find out one of his ancestors killed his wife with the poker. He wasn't hanged because he claimed he was hitting the "blacks" (cockroaches) on the walls and accidentally hit her over the head. I don't know which I find more shocking, cockroaches in the house or him killing his wife!
ReplyDeleteGlad you can meet your daughter and visit a cafe. Here in the UK we are back in full lockdown. Bring on the vaccines, I can't wait. Happy Kings Day (never heard of that before, so thank you for telling us) and stay safe and warm. xx
Hi HH, OMG that is funny...of course it is terrible he killed his wife...but that he got away with it with that excuse...phew!! Cafes & restaurants are open until 5pm now here ....these restrictions are destroying the economy...so many businesses have had to close down!! I am sending you this link to info on the Kings Day tradition here. I thought you might find it interesting :-) https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/epiphany-spain
DeleteA x
Thanks for the link. Very interesting. I think I may have learnt about those traditions when I did a project in junior school about Christmas around the world, but that was a few(???) years ago now and the little grey cells aren't what they once were. LOL. xx
DeleteDear Amanda
ReplyDeleteResearching family history can be such a time consuming activity, with endless rabbit holes, blind alleys and wrong paths. However, it can be wonderful too! I am lucky that a relative has done most of the hard work for my mum's side of the family, although I know very little about my dad's side. The book sounds interesting.
Happy Kings Day.
Best wishes
Ellie
Well I have brought the book and am eager to start reading it. Just finishing off the 3rd volumne of a fantasy adventure which unfortunately I am getting bored with but I have to finish it :-) Family History compilation is hard work but it is all worth it when you find unexpected interesting details about a member of the family. A x
DeleteHappy Kings' Day, Amanda.
ReplyDeleteI agree about the term 'resolution' in that context. I prefer to think of guidelines, challenges or hopes.
xx
Exactly Joy! Thanks for stopping by :-) A x
DeleteLucky you, having been handed a part of your family tree; I keep saying I have to start on mine, not being from "over here", my grandchildren might want to know one day.....I asked for cooperation from one side of my family, promises were made, but nothing :-(
ReplyDeleteBooks - you haven't got hooked on "Outlander" series, by Diana Gabaldon? Time travel, romance and all that, I have all 8 of them (published so far) and 5 seasons in DVDs (filmed to date) - yes, you could say I am an addict :-)
As for new year resolutions - does anyone keep to theirs? As things are at the moment - staying healthy would be good...
xx
Family History research can be a sensitive subject for some. Some of my family aren't very keen about giving details for the family tree, thank goodness its a minority! Oh! but I am too....I have read all of the Outlander books and seen all the series up to season five and hope there will be more. A x
DeleteHi Amanda! My MIL and our son are really into researching family history. They have gone back quite far. I have to admit that it's really not my thing but I do enjoy hearing what they've found.
ReplyDeleteI don't do resolutions either but I did choose a word for this year which I've never done before. I chose the word "HOPE". I have hope that this year will be much better than last year and we'll be able to do more things with family and friends.
It's cold here today...24F. Now that Christmas is over I'm ready for spring but I think we'll have awhile to wait yet.
Take care,
Blessings,
Betsy
Oh your daughter is so pretty. LOVE LOVE LOVE her hat and the beach!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathy! I made the hat of course. I think it was one of last year's stocking present at Christmas. A x
DeleteYou are so lucky to be able to spend time with your wonderful daughter. I always enjoy seeing your homeland. I think having at least a little cold gives you more appreciation of all your sunny warm days. Sending love to you in Spain. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteI count myself lucky now Teresa but it was very difficult when she lived in Chicago. I didn't think of it like that you know! I am inclined to agree with you especially so now we are weathering the Storm Filomena here in Spain. Many thanks :-) A x
DeleteYou're right, your photos do look as though it should be at the very least warm if not positively roasting!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend,
Jillxo
Freezing freezing Jill! No blue skies now colc rain for us here in Alicante but snow and lots of it in the rest of Spain. keep well A x
DeleteI quite like making New Year resolutions, I'm just not very good at keeping them. I've been meaning to try the Matthew Shardlake books for a while now, I hear that they are wonderful and historical mystery IS my favorite genre, after all.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
That is my problem too Amalia! I have bought the first book ....very keen to start it but must finish what I am reading at present. A x
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