Stepping back...adjust..focus.

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                                                          Last week I blogged about the things that I are currently on my plate as far as research goes. Between Ancestry and German language lessons, the post made it seem like those were the only subjects and activities I'm involved in. Far from accurate, big time. There are so many interests I have that consume my time and honestly, something has to give. I'm spending WAY TOO MUCH TIME every day on my devices, my phone. And where is it getting me? Sure, I enjoy them. The Ancestry and German lessons are fun and I learn new things daily, both being of great advantage to me, especially the genealogy. Sandwiched in between those two daily activities, I also indulge in occasional Pokemon Go, watching Netflix, enjoying various sites dealing with human sexuality and sociology, photography and some purely stupid fluff that does me no good.




























  Why???!! Why am I spending so much of my time on all of these brain numbing activities? The graphic above is what happens every sixty seconds online. Granted, this is a bit older and there are many sites not listed on this. I'm part of these statistics and you know...I'm tired. I have been SO involved in my daily routine that important things have taken a back seat in this vehicle called life.

Not just a back seat, but if my life were a truck, those previously important and calming activities that balanced me are on the back bumper now!!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

                                Ugh. :-(




                          Now, what daily and life activities were making me so balanced and happy? What activities kept me positive and healthy, happy and less stressed? A few of these I still do daily, such as my chores at home (yes, I actually enjoy doing dishes, cleaning,etc) visiting with friends and going out to shoot photos. What activities am I NOT doing that need to come back:

* Meditation. This is so necessary and I hate to admit I have been out of practice for a year. :-(

* Shakuhachi. My playing and practice is not only part of meditation but essential for centering .

* Tea. especially my green tea , which I love so much. It has gone missing for the most part.

* Mindfulness. Yes, I still practice it but a LOT less than before and that has made me more irritable.

* Buddhist philosophy and it's history. I miss it. Dearly.

* Classical music. One of my first loves, that has been a stronghold for me. With 5000+ CD's...yeah.

* Running, walking and cycling. These are a form of meditation and I NEED to get back to them!

* Reading BOOKS!! Real books. Not spending time on electronic devices.

So...there they are. I need to get back these and starting today, will be online a LOT less, on Facebook a LOT less and delving back in to the above listed. There are also a few health related changes I will be starting today....

* No alcohol. Done for awhile. Not sure how long but I NEED a break and will do my best.

* No coffee. While I love it and it's caffeine, it is tearing my tummy up. So tea it is.

* Less cheese and fatty foods. Carbs as well. NOT an easy thing for me but again...will try.

* Fewer sweets.

                       These are things that will help me lose weight and feel better for sure.


                                                                  Wish me luck!

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Ancestry update!

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                                                                 In Ancestry news.....


The new total number of ancestors and people in the family tree is up to 3325! These members of my family pretty much fall in line with the DNA tests I had done from both AncestryDNA and 23 and Me.

                                                  The core of my heritage comes from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, England, Germany and Switzerland. Tracing back through not only Ancestry's records but those on various other sites, the earliest years date to 1350 in Scotland. Also, the line extends to James I, King of Scots in 1394, who was the husband of my great grandmother x 18. The Stewart, Campbell, Douglas, Hamilton and various other clans fill in most lines in Scotland and when some moved to Northern Ireland and the Londonderry/Donegal regions, a few changed names to Reagh, Rhea and similar.  In Germany, my 12th great grandfather is Martin Luther (1483) and the line runs through my maternal lineage.


                                                  Both my paternal and maternal sides have copious amounts of Scottish and German blood. Most of the families immigrated here before the United States gained it's independence and quite a few fought in that war as well as the War of 1812. The last ancestors came here to America in mid century from Italy (paternal side) and the UK (both sides).


                                                  At this time , I am researching  the family trees of myself, Ann and Dena's families. This is keeping me active online and staring at a computer a lot! but the research is paying off with the Internet's reach of records. Next up is trying to break through that Italian wall on my father's side, before 1884, which is THE main tough one right now. Just not enough information to go by except the location and town my great great grandfather was born in, Colobraro, Italy. Sigh


                                          .
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                                                              After learning of my prospective college days being dashed, I took back to focusing on Ancestry and German both . And that has progressed well, with my language lessons proving positive. Now I have a 50% proficiency on Duolingo and while that is primarily in the reading/translating department, it shows my brain still has the capacity for languages.

  Duolingo has been working well for me and while Welsh has not been my focus for the time being, I shall get there soon! Between Duolingo and my textbook, "Neue Horizonte", there is hope for me after all!! Found that book with a set of CD's that are delightful!!














                                                                   So that is an update on the current state of passions involving my Genealogy and German, the two G's that take up my time right now!!

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