A few years back, I got interested in my family history. My grandmother had been telling us all stories for years, but at some point, a switch flipped in my mind and suddenly I had an intense interest in stringing these stories together. I thought I’d write up my method for researching including some of the tools I use. Please excuse the verbose brain dump but I wanted this page as a reference to be a one-stop shop for myself as well as anyone who is interested in genealogy.
Books I Read in January
These are the books I read in January.
Get Plucky with the Ukulele: A Quick and Easy Guide to All Things Uke by Will Grove-White
This was my hands down favorite book I read this month. It is a comprehensive introduction to the ukulele. It shares history and random facts in an entertaining way that makes you become more invested in learning to play the Ukulele. The chord progression taught made me feel like I made progress quickly.
Simplify by Joshua Becker
With my word of the year being “Simplify” how could I not read this book? It is a satisfying short read (46 pages) for anyone thinking about or just starting the process of simplifying their everyday life.
My Blog Traffic Sucks! 8 Simple Steps to Get 100,000 Blog Visitors without Working 8 Days a Week by Steve Scott
Again this is a shorter read (82 Pages). I read this on a whim because it was free with Kindle Unlimited. I basically blog just for me, but because I’m spending time doing it, I thought it might be time to do it “right”. I didn’t like the book as I read it. Probably because “only thirty minutes a day” here and “only thirty minutes a day” are extra time sinks that I am rebelling against. I have no expertise to claim if that time spend would be worth it. I will say that I did get several common sense ideas that I plan on trying out – one at a time. Maybe.
Sovereign (Sovereign Series Book 1) by E.R. Arroyo (At the time of posting, this book is free so read it now!)
If you are a fan of dystopian fiction (a la Hunger Games) then yes, please read this book. Cori has inner dialogue that is acute yet muddied by her own experiences, making the story seem so much more real. You get wrapped up in the plot twists but there is enough predictability to make you feel comfortable with the story. If you read this first, you’ll have to read the second.
The Offering (Sovereign Series Book 2) by E.R. Arroyo
This is the second in the Sovereign Series. You know it is a good book when you mope around because it is finished and no other book seems appealing. It was a satisfying duo and the ending was left with appropriate closure. A small part of me feels there could still be a third.
For my reading this month, I started very strong as most of these books were read in the first week and a half. I’ve been listening to an audiobook (I joined Audible earlier this year) but I’m only half way through listening to it. I have a 15 minute commute so at this rate it’ll take me about a month to get through this 15 hour audiobook. I’m not always the best listener because I zone out, but I’m giving it a try.
Book Count for the Year: 5
Photo a Day {22-28}
This week I have both my least and most favorite picture I have taken thus far for my Project 365. Is taking photos of black cats bad luck? Both are slightly fuzzy photos and because of this, my least fav.
{22} – Anderson Chocolates (A delicious annual gift from my family in Illinois.)
{23} Cat Band
{24} – Kitty Salt and Kitty Pepper
{25} Freckled Man (My favorite shot thus far. It’s my husband. Of course I love it…)
{23} The Motor Shines
{23} Eye See
{28} Cat Mouth
What I Decluttered in January
January is “finished”. I’m not really calling it done because I know it is always a work in progress, but my initial and thorough pass is finished. Here are some successes and tribulations with decluttering my kitchen and living room space.
Success:
- Since my mid-January update, I’ve sold some dishes and unused appliances on eBay, as well as some books on Half. This adds $142.74 to my total profit. (This is the actual amount I made. I deduct out all fees, shipping costs, etc.)
- The total time spent on these two rooms was much less than I feared.
- I finished both these rooms!
- Overall, everything feels like it has more “breathing room”.
Tribulations:
- Packing items sold on eBay is not fun for me. At all.
- Motivation at times can be difficult so I decided to use the funds I make to buy myself rewards. I spent $53.73 on a pair of nice work pants and a work shirt. I figure 11 bags out and only one shirt and one pair of pants in is a win over all. This technically puts my profit at $126.19. I do agree that “getting organized should never be an excuse for more shopping”…oh the lies we tell ourselves!
- I feel like I still have more “stuff” in these two rooms than I need. I am finding the more I simplify, the easier it becomes, but I still feel guilt. I read this after the fact (but my whole house is still in progress) and it was helpful.
Just for fun, here is my finished to do list.
Kitchen
PantryCabinetsPlate/Bowl CabinetsGlasses CabinetMug/Travel Drinkware CabinetTea/Coffee CabinetUnder Island CabinetsUnder Sink CabinetsPots/Pans CabinetsRandom CabinetMedicine CabinetSmall Appliance Cabinet
DrawersSilverware DrawerLarge Utensils DrawerPlastic Bags/Tinfoil DrawerDishrag DrawerHand Towel DrawerTupperware DrawerBig Junk DrawerJunk Drawer on Island
FridgeCounter SpaceCoat/Shoe Closet
Living Room
Large BookcaseSmall BookcaseEnd Tables- Coffee Table
Okay, okay the coffee table isn’t crossed off. Adam has been using it for his 3d printing. I should probably try to get him to move his projects to the office space, but I really don’t mind. We both go through phases in which we utilize a non-traditional workplace in our home. I chalk it up to the creative process.
February brings a new month and a new list. My office and laundry room are next. These rooms are lighter in terms of physical bulk, but heavier in terms of needed time to simplify. The office seems like it will be most time consuming due to the mess of papers and files. I usually get my taxes done in early January but this year that didn’t happen. This makes file cleaning all the more appropriate.
Current Simplifying Stats:
- Rooms Complete – 2
- Cash Profit – $179.92
- Number of Bags/Boxes Full of Items Donated – 11
Photo a Day {15-21}
This is the third week of my photo a day journey.
{15} – Birthday Cupcake for the Pops
{16} Glinty Kitty
{17} Pillivuyt Bowls (I found these at a thrift store and sold them on eBay.)
{18} Dinner with Family
{19} Goals: It’s all about the journey. (MiGoals Goal Setting Diary)
{20} Joys of Cat Ownership
{21} Post Yoga
