Sanity Saver: Christmas in July

RESOURCE WEDNESDAY

Providing Happy Traditions Strengthens Family Trees

I have had a wonderful summer and hope you have, too. We went to Utah for three weeks visiting family and then home for a week (to pay bills) then to California for more family time and then to my High School reunion, HOWEVER . . .

July is almost over, and I have almost missed one of my favorite things to do in July. I call it “Christmas in July”. (This can be applied to other holidays, as well.)

I have been surprised to see there are lots of other people who have a “Christmas in July” also. It’s meaning, to me, is that I simply get out my Christmas master planning paper, upon which I plan and list specific gifts that I will give to each family member, friend, neighbor, teachers or anyone else to whom I give a gift at Christmas. Then I begin my purchases (without using credit cards). I wrap the gifts and hide them away.

Each step has some handy tips I use to be able to remember where the gifts are and what’s inside. If you’d like to see more details about the process I use, click here. It’s found on my website, if you’re interested. While you’re there, you may want to scout around the navigation bar to explore the many family-oriented gifts that are available to be ordered online. I've put some links at the bottom of this post, as well.

I love Christmas in July. I plan early July, so that I will not be so pressured, rushed and hurried when the holidays begin. (I consider that to be in October, with Halloween.)

I’ve spent one too many holiday seasons feeling that I was missing lots of the fun, joy and peace because I had too much on my mind with planning, purchasing, wrapping, etc., etc., etc. I have a fairly large family and spinal issues that make shopping, standing and wrapping very difficult. This plan makes it easier for me in every way. I’d like to hear some great ideas you have as well. Please feel free to comment and share with other readers some holiday sanity saver ideas you use to avoid the pressures that traditional events can bring or let me know if my plan helps you, too.

As promised, here’s some links to get you started:
The Family History Store

The Family Tree Quest Bookstore (also search journals and self-improvement as well)

Photo Projects

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Disclosure of Material Connection: It is clear from the text that the links point to my Family Tree Quest website. I have an affiliate relationship with the companies represented in the links. I believe them to provide a valuable service to my readers, and I help support my family with the commission made from sales resulting from links clicked. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Memory Lane Monday: 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy – Challenge #30

Memory Lane Monday

Here’s your weekly genealogy challenge: Emergency Chain

View the entire description of this week’s challenge, by using my Examiner.com, Phoenix Genealogy Examiner link. Click here

Remember to choose only the challenges that suit you and fit into your schedule.
These challenges are meant to be a blessing, not a burden!

Amy Coffin of the We Tree blog has put together the helpful 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy series. These prompts are hosted on the Geneabloggers website. You may be interested in seeing posts about the challenge from other Geneabloggers. Both sites have been voted among about the Family Tree Magazine’s Top 40 Genealogy Websites this year.

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Note from Family Tree Gal, Carolyn: Have you joined the Family Tree Quest at www.familytreequest.com ? I also invite you to join me on Facebook and Twitter. Check out my Family Tree Quest Blog if you haven’t done so already.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation from Amy Coffin or Geneabloggers.com for writing this post. I am listed on the Geneabloggers Blog Roll because I find it to be a valuable, shared community resource. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Somber Day

Family Tree Friday

Today was a somber day.

While on vacation, I received the news that my dear friend's 38-year-old daughter had been killed suddenly in a car accident. Her funeral was Thursday in Utah.

Another young woman who is dear to my heart was to have a baby. Her due date was in a week. Last Thursday the doctor reported all was well, and Friday she felt something was wrong. The baby died. She delivered it. The funeral is today.

I cannot imagine the sorrow in the hearts of these two mothers. (As well as in the hearts of all the family and friends.)

I am also reflecting on the memorial wall at my High School Reunion. So many classmates have already passed on--as well as two of my dearest friends.

Let us always remember how precious life can be. Let us value the time we have together. On this Family Tree Friday, it is a good reminder of how our Family Trees can be in a constant state of change--births, deaths and with the ongoing ebb and flow of life itself.

I found this video that comforts me. Perhaps there are those of you who will receive comfort from it's message as well. I respect the various, individual beliefs of all my blog visitors. I am Christian, therefore the context of the video shares a Christian viewpoint.

Grief is an interesting thing. The tears coming from my eyes seem to be cleansing tears. I sorrow over the loss my loved ones have endured. I rejoice in life everlasting.

High School Reunion

Above: Me and my friend, Nancy N. Friends for over 50 years!

Talk About It Tuesday

I recently attended my High School Reunion. I agree with a classmate who said, “This is really fun, in kind of a strange way!”

This was my 40th reunion. When I got the invitation, I couldn’t believe it. It seemed like a mistake. 40 years? Really? I had a hard time wrapping my mind around the idea.

I had only attended one other reunion, my 10th. At the time, it seemed amazing to me that so many people that held such importance in my life just ten years earlier, had taken on a different role-- most of them were included in my “past” at the time of the reunion. I was happy for those who were finding success in family life as well as finances, yet they were no longer my role models and peers. I remember being amazed at the way life was moving along.

Now, my 40th reunion beckoned me, mostly because my friend since preschool was on the committee, and we both wanted to really SEE each other again. It’s one thing to send emails, and it’s quite a different thing to be in each other's presence. I was concerned that someone might remember me without my remembering them. My husband and I went, and I soon discovered I was not alone in my concern. In fact, it became quite funny to see the smiles on so many faces as we looked at name tags and shook our heads from side to side, indicating that there was no recollection of memory with that person.

I was grateful however, to reconnect with those I cared about those many years ago. There were three friends I wish could live nearby me now and forever! It was fun hearing the old music, seeing memorabilia, watching people smile as they remembered old times, and sobering to see the memorial wall of classmates who had already passed away. I'm very grateful to the planning committee for their untiring work in organizing such a happy and well-run event.

Now that I’m home, some memories haunt me, and I find myself making deliberate efforts to push them aside in order to get back to my work-a-day world. It will be good to write in my journal so I remember many specific things that I don’t want to forget.
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I’ve learned that it’s worth it to reunite with people we care about. I’m glad my friend “twisted my arm” and encouraged me to participate. I’m left wondering if YOU have had “reunion” experiences that benefited your life. Did you record your experiences in pictures or words? Please feel free to share your thoughts and experiences that may encourage others to attend “reunions” in the comments section. It's an important part of our family history and personal history, I think.

Memory Lane Monday: 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy – Challenge #29

Memory Lane Monday

Here’s your weekly genealogy challenge: Practice reading handwriting.

View the entire description of this week’s challenge, by using my Examiner.com, Phoenix Genealogy Examiner link. Click here.

Remember to choose only the challenges that suit you and fit into your schedule.
These challenges are meant to be a blessing, not a burden!

Amy Coffin of the We Tree blog has put together the helpful 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy series. These prompts are hosted on the GeneaBloggers website. You may be interested in seeing posts about the challenge from other GeneaBloggers. Both sites have been voted among about the Family Tree Magazine’s Top 40 Genealogy Websites this year.

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Note from Family Tree Gal, Carolyn: Have you joined the Family Tree Quest at www.familytreequest.com ? I also invite you to join me on Facebook and Twitter. Check out my Family Tree Quest Blog if you haven’t done so already.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I am listed on the Genea Bloggers Blog Roll because I find it to be a valuable, shared community resource. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Memory Lane Monday: 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy – Challenge #28

Memory Lane Monday

Here’s your weekly genealogy challenge: Patents and Trademarks

View the entire description of this week’s challenge, by using my Examiner.com, Phoenix Genealogy Examiner link. Click here.

Remember to choose only the challenges that suit you and fit into your schedule.
These challenges are meant to be a blessing, not a burden!

Amy Coffin of the We Tree blog has put together the helpful 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy series. These prompts are hosted on the GeneaBloggers website. You may be interested in seeing posts about the challenge from other GeneaBloggers. Both sites have been voted among about the Family Tree Magazine’s Top 40 Genealogy Websites this year.

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Note from Family Tree Gal, Carolyn: Have you joined the Family Tree Quest at www.familytreequest.com ? I also invite you to join me on Facebook and Twitter. Check out my Family Tree Quest Blog if you haven’t done so already.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I am listed on the Genea Bloggers Blog Roll because I find it to be a valuable, shared community resource. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Memory Lane Monday: 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy – Challenge #27

Memory Lane Monday

Here’s your weekly genealogy challenge: Google Scholar

View the entire description of this week’s challenge, by using my Examiner.com, Phoenix Genealogy Examiner link. Click here.

Remember to choose only the challenges that suit you and fit into your schedule.
These challenges are meant to be a blessing, not a burden!

Amy Coffin of the We Tree blog has put together the helpful 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy series. These prompts are hosted on the GeneaBloggers website. You may be interested in seeing posts about the challenge from other GeneaBloggers. Both sites have been voted among about the Family Tree Magazine’s Top 40 Genealogy Websites this year.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Note from Family Tree Gal, Carolyn: Have you joined the Family Tree Quest at www.familytreequest.com ? I also invite you to join me on Facebook and Twitter. Check out my Family Tree Gal Blog if you haven’t done so already.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I am listed on the Genea Bloggers Blog Roll because I find it to be a valuable, shared community resource. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”