BARB'S GENEALOGY TIDBITS- WEBINARS GIVE GREAT IDEAS

Since retiring, one of the luxuries has been the webinars online.

I have learnt so much from the many I have watched in the last year. I will confess the ones on DNA often have my head spinning. I also wonder what does one do with all the extra connections.

In my family history binders, I have so many family branches and lines completed so with DNA links it just expands them.

I am glad that many still use paper along with digital.

I am trying to put so many documents to Evernote.
I try the advice of having more than one place for the information. Thus the reason I forward as much information as possible to others.

So many of the webinars gave that advice.

I am writing those family history stories. I gave up the idea of a family history book. New information comes along so can be added to the stories.

I try to watch one webinar a week. So if the topic is really of interest, I try to print the handout. Otherwise I just take notes. I have always found that I retain more if I write as I go.

The links are so useful. I have found other databases in the talks that I did not know existed. I have used Early Canadiana Online but there are others that have digital references that can be used.

The family stories need some meat. The basic data is there but the story behind the data is so useful.

Heritage Legacy Series are amazing. There are many free webinars. If you purchase the subscription then the whole library can be accessed.

The webinars are always archived so can be accessed again or as often as needed.

Genealogy sure has developed over the years. I love webinars and databases. Most of all I like the idea I can do it from my home computer.

Accessing archives and libraries let's me list what I need from them before I venture to the physical location. Like the Toronto Archives. I am making a nice file of information I want before I head downtown at some point. My local library up the street has a Canadiana room so my file for there has all the references I want to see.

For the new, avid or experienced genealogist, webinars can only enrich your life.
#webinars#watchingwebinarsformewideas#writingthosefamilystories#HeritageLegacyseriesaregreat#earlycanadianaonline#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER WHEN YOU FEEL LIFE IS FALLING TO PIECES

Stressed. Overwhelmed. Life out of control. There can be minutes, hours or even days like this.

Start with one piece. Deal with it or put it aside.

Go to the next piece.

Can you go it alone. Or do you need help. Then ask for help. Call a friend.

If the situation is painful and sad, you are not supposed to feel okay. It is supposed to suck.

So admitting it allows you to feel it.

Well less is more. Can you take something off your plate? Like ordering in instead of cooking.

Leave the laundry.

Order your groceries online instead of racing to the stores.

Have a cry. A really good out loud wail for as long as you need it. Get it out.

If something sad it is the right thing to do.

Tell people that tell you to be strong to piss off.
 You are strong but allowed to feel all the feelings you are feeling.

Just get through the day the best way you can.

If the situation seems unbearable, do not look too far down the road. Just be present.

#puttingthepiecestogetherwhenyoufeellifeisfallingtopieces#onestepatatime#don'tlooktoofardowntheroad#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#howtogetthroughtheday

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE IN CANADA

Despite warnings of rain, the little ones are excited about Halloween. Parties at school, home and going out door to door are the deals of the day.
I posted some memories of Halloween on Facebook. Couldn't help myself!!
I don't get many children anymore as my street has aged. So I make larger bags of goodies for the few who come. Really large bags for my grandchildren- why not??
I miss seeing all the children little and big. I usually try to wear something to be fun. This year it will be a witch's hat. I know boring!!
So what are you doing for Halloween??
#Halloween#trickortreating#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#memoriesofHalloween

HALLOWEEN WEEK AND PREPARATION

I put out one little sign. Have some pumpkins on the front porch area.
I love the enthusiasts who put on major displays for all the little ones.
My street has changes so I get very few children. One year- 5 and last year- 8.
So the bags of candies have more in them as I feel the few children that come can get more.
I am putting out a sign for being accessible. I don't get any children who have issues but the message needs to get out there.
I have a nephew who loves Halloween so he and his daughter go all out for it.
I do love seeing the little children at the door. I try to wear something. This year it will be my witch's hat. I try to make it fun for them.

#halloween#childrenarefunatHalloween#givingoutlotsofcandy#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

GETTING ORGANIZED FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON

Shopping and thinking about the season is a normal occurrence for most women.
There are so many layers to the preparation.
Actually I always have a Christmas work binder started in August.
Listing the people that need gifts.
Potential social events.
Starting to buy some gifts.
Pulling out all the wrap, cards and tags. Some years I did not do this activity so missed on all the stuff I had.
So this year a goal is to use all my resources at hand. Not buy new stuff as there is so much to use.
Sales occur throughout the season so I do wait for those good ones.
Gift with purchase is always fun.
Needing to determine what dates little packages need to be sent.
Cards are done systematically. Overseas. America. Then Canada. So sending early cuts down on the expense. Always finding the smallest boxes to fit the goodies. Since the Post Office measures the items which adds to the expense.
The hardest activity is keeping the items hidden. The grandchildren visit often enough so I can not leave a room full of stuff. It reminds me of the times when my children were little and having to keep thing hidden.
Doing thing slowly and methodically keeps the stress from the event.
So do you organize early or do you do everything at the last minute?
#christmasplanningandorganizing#gettingreadyforthebigday#christmasseason#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#likingtheseason

FINDING PEACE IN A DIFFICULT SITUATION

Crisis. Conflict. Heartache. Grief.
They find all of us at some time in our lives.
Not postponing our feelings for a better day is the best advice I can give.
Breathe.
Sleep.
Eat well.
Do some exercise. Like dancing to a song on the radio.
Hug your loved ones. Support your loved one.

Pray even if you are not religious. God is always listening.
Watch for signs from your Guardian Angel. Feathers?? Penny?? Dime?? Cardinal??
Even the most stressful moment can give us a chance to find some peace.
Someone once said look for the helpers.

Are you facing something difficult today? Can I help?
#peaceinadifficultsituation#findingpeace#lookforthehelpers#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#breathe#sleep#eatwell

FALL AND ITS ARRAY OF COLOURS IN CANADA

Okay I love Spring the best with the flowers that emerge from the ground and bring the brown of winter to a wonderful pallet of colour.
However the Fall is so beautiful too.
So while walking last Saturday to an event I captured these photos.

The tree is so beautiful!

 I love the contrast of one leaf against the green

 Pointing my camera at the tree to see the light behind it

 This tree by The Wave Pool up the street was so vibrant with orange.

 A line of trees.

The Library property is always a photo op.
I would love to go on some country jaunt and take copious pictures. But the bird in the hand of seeing what is close to home works too.
#fallphotos#takingpicturesclosetohome#Fallatitsbest#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#orangeisabeautifulfallcolour