My Walk Through Life 2/9/2024

 I was excited today to find out that had sold one of my genealogy books on Ebay! I have been researching the family trees of both myself and my husband. Les had wanted to start it but didn't follow through, so I dived in. I started with The Family Tree Maker Program which is a great program to start out with. You can add information in and generate reports to see what you have, how relationships work, and so much more. Then I purchased an Ancestry.com account, which also connects to the FTM program. 

I made a HUGE mistake at first. I followed everyone's trees, assuming they had done their research and knew what they were doing. I found out that all trees lead to the Mayflower and Royalty, whether they should or not. I have spent many years pruning my trees, using a paper trail versus everyone else's research. My husband does actually have some German royalty on his side, but mine consists of pickpockets released from Newgate and sent to New England as indentured servants. That isn't entirely true, Nathaniel Woodward came after the Mayflower and was the surveyor for the Plymouth Colony, and others from Ireland, Germany, Norway, Sweden, and England who came to look for a better life. Some were founders of various towns across the United States. Some were infamous such as John Wesley Hardin. All are interesting and part of my history, good, bad, or indifferent. 

My husband passed away in 2009 and I worked harder on genealogy just to keep my mind going in a positive way. I started writing books on the various lines of our family tree. Now I take care of an invalid mother, so my writing and research keep my mind busy as I sit at home. My trees are growing and are always interesting. The one thing I have found is that my husband and my trees connect in various places. We share a distant great grandfather, his uncle married one of my distant cousins, and various distant cousins married each other's distant cousins. We are from different parts of the US. (My kids think it is creepy). With my research, I feel certain to find friends I am related to. 

I have a growing list of FREE genealogy links in the page section of this blog. Great resources to help you get started in you research. 

If you are interested in learning more about starting genealogy or interested in getting a jump start, feel free to contact me. Are we family? I am always looking for Woodwards, Andersons, Spears, Bakers, Hansons, Steel(e)s, Ruddick (various spellings) and Cattles. 

The Genealogy Helper

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Years ago I purchased a book called Cheaper & Better by Nancy Birnes. It is no longer published and hard to find. It has some great recipes on how to make products and food you use often. Here are some fun recipes for your pantry.

Healthy Bread Crumbs

2 cups stale bread

1. Preheat oven to 250F degrees

2. Arrange bread in a single layer in a shallow baking pan. Bake for 20 minutes to crisp. cool.

3. Break into small pieces and feed, slowly, into a blender or a food processor. Store crumbs in an airtight container. Crumbs will keep for several weeks on a pantry shelf and indefinitely in the freezer. Continue to replenish as you get stale bread. Stir the new crumbs in with the older to mix.

Diced Minced Vegetables

Good use of batches of vegetables before they get totally limp, ie celery, green peppers, onions, or mushrooms

1 to 2 cups vegetables, finely chopped

1. Preheat oven to 120F degrees

2. Spread finely chopped vegetables in a thin layer on a cookie sheet. Dry in oven until crisp. The drying time will vary, depending on amount of moisture in the air and in the vegetables. Plan on leaving the tray in the oven for at least 12 hours, stirring occasionally. 

3. Cool and store immediately in a sterilized dry glass or metal container with a tight-fitting lid for up to 6 months in the pantry.

Shake-in-a-Bag Mix for Chicken

1 cup Healthy Bread Crumbs

1/2 cup Flour

2 teaspoons onion powder

2 teaspoons Dried Minced Celery (recipe above)

2 teaspoons poultry seasoning

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon cayenne

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1. Mix all ingredients and store in a tightly closed container. The mixture will keep on the pantry shelf for 1 to 4 months in dry weather. if the temperature is hot or humid, you can keep the mix in the freezer for 6 to 12 months.

To Use: 

If you have the around, use brown paper bags to shake chicken in

Have ready

1/2 cup milk

1 egg, beaten

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees

2. Gently beat the milk and egg together in a bowl deep enough for dipping

3. Cut chicken into serving size pieces; wash and pat dry with paper toweling. Fill a paper bag with 1 cup of the coating mix.

4. Dip each piece into the milk-egg mixture and then drop a piece of chicken into the bag and shake. Let pieces dry thoroughly before baking.

5. Place chicken in a shallow, lightly greased baking dish and bake for 1 hour or until very tender when you test with a fork. 

Look for more ideas every Friday.

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My Walk Through Life 2/8/2024

Americas Got Talent is one of the favorite shows in my household. It took me quite a few seasons to get on board since I would only focus on the acts that are rather "stupid". However, now that I am a fan, I can see the importance of this show, as well as the entertainment value. I am amazed at the people from all over the world who come out to this stage to show their talents, some a little odder than others, such as the naked men dancing with plates. 

The show brings me to tears every time I watch it. Some of the stories are extremely touching. Nightbirde was a young song writer/singer who touched the audience with her song "It's Ok". She died shortly afterwards due to the cancer she carried with her onto stage. 

Kodi Lee who is blind and autistic is a pianist, singer, and songwriter who has gone on to win AGT and performs in Las Vegas.

The diversity the stage brings is incredible and shows the world that you can do anything if you set your mind to it. If you are homeless, start a choir. If you have one leg or no arms, you can be a dancer. 

This show brings joy to my life and I recommend it to anyone who needs to laugh, cry, or needs to learn how to follow their dreams. 

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We all have several bottles around the house. Here are some uses for those empty bottles. 

If you have cold or tired feet, you don't need to buy a heating pad. Fill up a 1 or 2 liter soda bottle with hot water and sit down and roll it back and forth under your feet

To keep your boots from folding over, put an empty 1 liter soda bottle into each boot. 

Freeze water in jugs or bottles to keep in your cooler while traveling or camping to keep your food cold.

Keep a couple of milk jugs filled with sand or kitty litter in your trunk or back of your car in case of ice when traveling. 

Make a summer sprayer for the kids. Cut three 1 inch vertical slits in one side of a 2 liter soda bottle, or make the slits at different angles for the water to spray out in different directions. Attach the nozzle of the hose to the bottle with duct tape securely (I personally like Gorilla Tape). Turn on the tap for hot weather fun. 

Cut water bottles in half and use the bottom section as seed starters. 

If you have a small space, like an RV, use creamer bottles to store sugar, snacks, coffee, etc. Good for camping also. 

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FREEBIES have been getting posted on my Facebook page as I find them.

LInk

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Need family tree help? Looking for a long lost ancestor? I can help

Link

My Walk Through Life 7/2/2024

 

I always see posts on Facebook looking for things to do with their children that are free or cheap. I tend to give the same answer everytime. Go out and geocache. This is not only a child's game, but adults travel all over the world searching for these hidden treasures. 

All over the world there are "caches" hidden in various types of containers of various sizes. I have also found flat magnets. Some are hidden in what looks like chewed up gum, dog poo, or less disgusting, they are hidden in fake electric outlets or sprinklers. 

Some of the caches are easier than others. They might include puzzles or codes or be in hard to get places, such as under water or in a cave. Many times you have to think out of the box to find these caches. I personally enjoy going for the search, but I am not very good at it. I take smart friends. 

You need a GPS or the geocaching app on your phone to make it easier to find the hidden treasures. On the website geocaching.com it shows you locations of caches, gives coordinates, gives hints, and everything else you need to know to be a geocacher. It is good to sign up with an account (There is a FREE option or you can subscribe to get even more access to caches.) When you find a cache, you get to mark that you found it and you get a smiley face. Kids love smiley faces, and so do I. 

Once you find a cache, you sign your account name and date on the paper provided inside. If items can fit inside the container (some are micros and very small), you can take a trinket and add one. I keep a box in my car that has small items and coins, a pencil, batteries, and tweezers. 

Not only is the treasure hunt a fun thing to do, but you can learn about the community you live in, see things you never saw before, learn about places you are visiting, get fresh air and exercise, and it is FREE! 

Link

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Freebies

Free idea book for gardeners

Free

Don't forget that Home Depot, Lowes, Michaels and other stores have free workshops for kids. Here is a list of upcoming events. 

Link

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A cute gift is homemade crayons in various colors and shapes, to include dinosaurs, Mermaid tails, animals and more. 

Buy

My Walk Through Life 2/6/2024

Me: I want to Travel.

My Bank Account: I can get you around the block.

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Most of the people in my life are struggling with finances. I don't run with millionaires. Many of the young people I know hold two jobs just to keep their head above water. Many of the older people I know have side gigs. I, myself, have a few side gigs and a few ways to save money to stretch the almighty dollar as far as it can go, ie: digital coupons, Ibotta rebates, reusing/recycling, or making my own products.

If you are going to do a side gig, I recommend one you are really interested in. I have tried direct sales, but found even if I love the product, that route is not for me. I have friends that are quite successful, however. 

I have friends who collect items, new and used, all year long and have great, money making yard sales in the summer. Some friends do photography and sell in shops, photograph families, and/or make calendars. I have friends who pet sit or dog walk. 

For me, I have written and conduct ghost walks in the summer, I have a successful Ebay store, and I write genealogy books on my family lines, as well as conduct research for others. 

Some of my extra funds go to my travel account. I don't go far, but I do try to go somewhere at least once a year. 

I thought I would share with you a few great ideas to help you travel and maybe help with a side gig. You can travel and pet sit, or you can craft and travel to craft fairs. 

I have a few friends who travel all over the USA and house and pet sit. I am not sure what service they are signed up with, but here is one: trustedhousesitters. I don't think this is a paid gig, but you get to stay somewhere for free. One of my friends uses her trips to conduct podcasts and does travel writing, so she uses her side gigs to get paid. 

Do you have an RV? Sign up with HarvestHosts. There is an annual fee but you can stay at wineries, breweries, farms and more. 

If you have a local Elks Lodge, join it for a yearly fee. The benefits are you can do good deeds for your community, meet friends, make business connections, and many of them around the USA have RV hookups for a safe, free place to park.

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Life Hacks- Travel Tips

Trying to keep a suitcase light and organized is very difficult for me. I have discovered a few tips that worked for me. I rolled my clothes and packed them in tightly. I used cheap shower caps to put my shoes in to keep my clothes clean, and I stuffed rolled socks into my shoes. Adding a dryer sheet inside the shoes also keeps things smelling better. 

Use a daily pill container to add moisturizer, eye cream, etc so you don't have to carry larger bottles. The pill container is also good to store rings and earrings. 

Don't trust the bathroom counters in hotels to be clean and sanitized. Pack a clothes pin, clip your toothbrush and use the top part to make a tripod, the toothbrush being the third leg. Keeps your toothbrush off the counter. You can also pack a clothes pin to secure the curtains together. 

Feel free to share your travel tips also. 

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Visit my Ebay Store for vintage, collectibles, music, games and more

 Link

My Walk Through Life 2/5/2024

 Last night the Grammy's were handed out. Fun fact, the statues are made by John Billings and a small team in a sweet Colorado town, called Ridgeway. This is also the area the John Wayne movie, True Grit, was filmed. There is a restaurant called True Grit which is worth the visit if you are in the area.

I was not able to watch the show last night, but saw some highlights on the news this morning. I was not surprised that Taylor Swift won so many awards, and not really surprised that Miley Cyrus mentioned not wearing underwear. I will have to research on youtube and see if I can find the whole segment with Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs singing a duet of Fast Car.

Her first album, self titled Tracy Chapman, came out in 1988, which included Fast Car. It was such a hit that Kim Waylans did a spoof of it, "I Write a Fast Song", on the tv show Living Color. 

I love Fast Car, but my favorite song is Baby Can I Hold You?. I recommend this album, on Cd, Spotify, Vinyl, which ever means you listen to music on. I personally have my original album.

Tracy Chapman does not tour any more. I am hoping that last nights appearance on television might lead up to a tour. I would be honored to attend.

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FREEBIES

If you love to fish and live in the Northeast, here is a free special edition to On the Water Bass Magazine.

Free

SAVE THE DATE: February 13th is Pancake Day at IHOP. Get a free short stack of pancakes from 7am to 7pm. If you are a regular customer, be sure to join their reward program.

Free samples of Brilliance shampoo and conditioner are being offered by SeaKind.

Free

SWEEPSTAKES

Enter to win a Kodak PixPro Beach Camera.

Enter

Enter to win a NFL gift card. Spin to Win

Enter

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If you look under the tab about turning off the TV, there are some fun Valentine Day ideas and crafts to do with the kids. My kids and I had done most of these when they were in school.

Pinterest has a lot of fun ideas. Here are some that I found that I like, with no candy included:

Buy plastic heart shaped sunglasses and attach them to printed card that says "I've Got an Eye on You Valentine"

Buy crazy straws and add a printed card that says something like "You are an Awesome Crazy Friend. Happy Valentines Day"

Check out Pinterest for more ideas and many of them have printables included. 

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I am a genealogist. I have been writing and researching for over 25 years. I can help you jump start your research or help find information on family members and ancestors. You can find more information here

My Walk Through Life 2/4/2024

 

It is February and it is cold. I am wishing for warm sun and a trip to the beach. I haven't blogged in years but decided to give it a try again. I had been using this blog in conjunction with a Facebook Page, The Widows Walk, and just was not getting much interest in either. I have been getting many views and likes on my page, so I will try it again.

My interest has been trying to stretch a dollar about as far as it could go. It was a necessity when I was a Navy wife with 3 kids. Then it just became a hobby. I like receiving free things, getting things for cheap, and reusing and recycling. I have collected helpful hints for years. Times are tough right now, and it is time to get back to making our money go as far as it can go, or even a few side gigs to pad the bank account.

I used to post affiliate ad posts, but I am not going to do that. However, if you have a business, I will gladly promote it for you. Ebay? Etsy? Scentsy? Send me your information at deadamongus@yahoo.com. (Excuse the morbid email address. Goes with my ghost hunting/ghost walk) I will post your ink on my blog and on my Facebook page. If this page grows, I will conduct contests/sweepstakes. I will accept donations later on if you want to promote your business with small giveaways. 

I have particular websites I follow that give good advice, post freebies, post sweepstakes. I will be sharing some of them here also. 

What would you like to see? I am always open to suggestions.

FREEBIES

Possible free samples of Big Fat Belly Seasonings. I signed up  so will see what I get

FREE

Check your local library to see what they offer for free with your library card. Mine offers museum passes and park passes to use for a few days. 

SWEEPSTAKES

$3 off Dawn and enter to win a chance for J J Watt to wash your dishes

WIN

SHOPPING

I have an active growing ebay store. A little something for everyone. Vintage items, such as jewelry and collectibles, holiday items, books, sheet music, cds, albums, new with tag items. 

Link

My Walk Through Life 4/26/2018

I love animal stories. Some make me laugh, some are so touching that they make me cry. Here are some I found today.

In San Francisco, the men in blue escorted a family of geese across the Bay Bridge to make sure they made it from one end to the other. It makes for a "feel good Earth Day Story"  

Link

A 6 year old Staffordshire Terrier named Blue Dozer and a 12 year old Dachsund named OJ are bffs. Their owner loved them dearly but became homeless and had to surrender the friends to the Richmond Animal Care and Control in Virginia. 

  Not only are the two dogs best friends, but OJ relies on Blue Dozer to show him the way, as he is partially blind. They sleep together, the go out to do "their business" together, they are inseparable. The shelter was determined to keep the two together. When they posted the two on Facebook it was emphasized that they friends needed to be adopted together. It didn't take long for someone to step up and offer them their new forever home.

© Richmond Animal Care and Control

Officer McLeod of the Clewiston Police Department in Florida, earned the nickname "The Pony Whisperer" when she captured a small horse running down U.S. 27. The pony was charged with eluding the police and returned to the pasture with all the other ponies.
Link

(Disclaimer: This blog may contain affiliate links)


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FREEBIES

Free sample of MakeUp Eraser

Free

SWEEPSTAKES

Win a Smart Coffee Table
Win

Win a $200 shopping spree from the Hunger Site. I love the products from this site as well as the good they do. A free/pay postage tote comes with this entry.
Win


Simple things can bring much joy to your life. Today, stop and listen to your world. Sit outside, and listen to the noises of your neighborhood. Listen to friends talking, the sound of a lawn mower in the distance, even someones television. There is something comforting about that. Comfort in belonging to a community. Listen to nature. The birds, the bees, or the farm animals, if you live in the country. Comfort in belonging to a world that you share with other living things. Listen to music, listen to the words of your family and friends, instead of watching television or staring at your phone. 
  Some other things to you can import into your life to bring joy:
  Fresh flowers. Flowers in a vase brings in color, beauty, and a lovely fragrance.
  Use soaps with your favorite fragrance. I love soap. I have honeysuckle hand soap in my kitchen, and various lovely scents I use in my bathroom. I don't care for soap that smells like they come from a public bathroom.
   We use our phone all during our waking hours. Put a wallpaper that makes you smile. I have my beautiful grandbaby on mine. 
   Use pretty dishes and cloth napkins. I love a beautifully set table. (mine has a constant jigsaw puzzle on it). I would love to have a formal dining room  that is always set like company is coming. 




I am a genealogist, researcher of families and history, and will put your photos, negatives, or slides on to a cd. Let me know if I can help you.

FROM FLYLADY.COM

Yesterday we worked on the nightstands and today we are going after the dressers! Get rid of anything that is not necessary! Instead of a pile up of cosmetics, place them in a ziplock bag and then store them in a drawer when not in use. For perfumes and colognes, toss what you no longer use and place you favorites on a pretty tray, plate or mirror. Keep this space neat and clutter free, you will love to wake up to the flat surfaces in your bedroom decluttered.

FlyLady Rebecca