US Open of Surfing - Wordless Wednesday

While in Huntington Beach, California this summer for a softball tournament, we had the pleasure of spending time down by the pier while the US Open of surfing was going on. There were lots of people and interesting things to watch.

© 2011, copyright Michelle Goodrum

Lima Beans and Peas - 52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & Family History

My parents made me eat them anyway. Gagging notwithstanding. Didn't matter if I waited until they were stone cold and Mom had cleaned up dinner and the family was enjoying the nightly TV show. I had to eat them.

Today, I love lima beans. I also love fresh peas picked right off the vine and eaten on the spot. Mmmmm... Cooked peas, they're OK.

Amy Coffin's series, 52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History is a series of blogging prompts that "invite genealogists and others to record memories and insights about their own lives for future descendants."
© 2011, copyright Michelle Goodrum

Create an Editorial Calendar - 31 WBGB

Creating an Editorial Calendar is the perfect assignment. I've attempted to put together an editorial calendar 2 or 3 times but have never some up with the format that is right for me. I love Tonia's spreadsheet (I'm a spreadsheet kind of girl too) with the color coding but something was still missing. I need the visual of a monthly calendar so I ran with Tonia's idea and put it on an actual calendar.

I was able to use a Word calendar template and make modifications to it so the necessary information would fit. Then I used the same color coding scheme as Tonia. Hopefully this will work much better.

Here is an example of my calendar for October.

Remember this TIP: Click on the image to view a larger version and then click on the back arrow button to return to this post. If the larger version isn't big enough try this: Windows users: hold down the Control key (Mac users hold down the Command key) and press the plus key to make it even bigger (minus key makes it smaller).

To use this calendar, just click in the cell for the date you want to edit. Then type in whatever information you want to see on your calendar. To fill the cell with color, go to the Home tab in Word and look under Paragraph for the Shading option which appears as a paint bucket.


© 2011, copyright Michelle Goodrum

Hobbies - 52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & Family History

The top 8 hobbies (that I can remember) from childhood, in reverse order:

8. Weaving potholders. Brenda over at Journey to the Past reminded me of this fun hobby in her recent post.
7. Collecting shells, rocks and beach glass.
6. Collecting coins (well pennies anyway). I had one of those books with slots for each year and city where the coin was minted.
5. Growing vegetables (something Dad and I did together).
4. Walking the beach.
3. Reading: Nancy Drew and the Little House on the Prairie series were among my favorites.
2. Photography. Dad started me out with a really simple point and shoot that I had through college. Occasionally he would allow me to use his nice camera.

My number one childhood hobby that carried me into adulthood were my horses. If I start talking horses now I might not stop for a really long time, so I'll save that for another day.

Amy Coffin's series, 52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & Family History is a series of blogging prompts that "invite genealogists and others to record memories and insights about their own lives for future descendants."

© 2011, copyright Michelle Goodrum

Brainstorm Blog Post Ideas-31 WBGB

I’m playing catch up for last week’s assignment which was to use mind mapping to come up with 10 ideas for future posts, using our last five posts as a starting point. After completing this assignment, I didn't feel like I came with the best ideas so I extended the assignment. I keep a running list of ideas for future posts, so I took a look at that and selected several to mind map. I felt like I really got somewhere. The next step was to use the memes that are going around right now (99+ Genealogy Things and the Tech SavvyGenealogist) and mind map some of those. The result: plenty of great ideas for future posts.

My favorite idea: genealogical uses for my new smart phone.

© 2011, copyright Michelle Goodrum

Mt Rainier - Wordless Wednesday

These photos fit in nicely with recent posts (Summer & Vacations and Water)that are part of Amy Coffin's 52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & Family History.

Mt. Rainier and downtown Seattle from about 25-30 miles away.

Next summer, I would like to be at this spot on a clear day as the cruise ships are sailing by on their way to Alaska!

© 2011, copyright Michelle Goodrum

Vacations & Summer - 52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History

Have you ever been fortunate enough to visit a place that becomes part of your soul? A part of your very being? A place that is seemingly timeless? Enjoyed generation after generation? Well I have. As part of my 52 Weeks catch-up, I've decided to combine Summer and Vacation into one post and tell you about my very special place.

My special place is in Puget Sound, Washington; enjoyed by my parents and my father's parents before me, myself, and my children. Spending summers on the beach is one of those wholesome things I wish every child could do: going for long walks and collecting shells, rocks and whatever else may have floated up; throwing sticks in the water for the dogs, playing with your new best friend; building forts and sometimes learning how to overcome boredom.

Some things never change and to this day one of my favorite things is to walk the beach and see the products of hours of scouring the beach for driftwood that washed up during the winter.

Summer 1968

Wood Wars. Building forts is not without its challenges and controversy. Sometimes the kids would come inside all bent out of shape because the boys down the beach had stolen some pieces of wood from their fort. This usually resulted in much plotting and planning to retrieve their wood after dark. Back and forth it would go, with the kids keeping a close eye on their forts in hopes of catching the thieves red-handed.

Other years we would build more of a one dimensional village. It turns out that this was not our original idea.  The author, Alice McLerran visited my children’s elementary school one year. She read her book Roxaboxen, about a village she and her friends built near Yuma as a child. It sounded very familiar to me and captured the imagination of my own children who built their own version that they dubbed The Burrough. They had shops, houses, signs and even money (using beach glass with different colors representing a specific denomination). As the summer wore on, The Burrough grew and grew and became a bit of a tourist attraction for people walking the beach!

To this day, the neighbors still mention our beach fort creations. I can’t wait for an excuse to build more! I still enjoy helping build these beach creations. But alas, my children are now too old for such fun. I’ll just have to wait for some more little ones to come along! In the meantime, I walk the beach and enjoy the creations made by the current generation.

My favorite creation this summer. Someone went to a great deal of effort!

My second favorite creation. Built in the perfect spot to take a break while on a beach walk, and enjoy the ships, wildlife or just relax.

Amy Coffin's series, 52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History is a series of blogging prompts that "invite genealogists and others to record memories and insights about their own lives for future descendants."

Disclaimer: Our family owns several of Alice McLerran's books. You could say we are fans of hers. The books were purchased with our own hard earned money (allowances in the case of the kids).

© 2011, copyright Michelle Goodrum

A New Sibling - 52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History

My earliest memory is that of Sibling arriving home from the hospital after being born. I would have been around two and a half. My grandparents were staying with me. I remember going into my room, the one with the flowered curtains, flopping down on my bed, picking at the flowers on my bedspread and wishing my mommy would come home. I remember being rather distressed.

Being that it was a fairly nice day (historical weather data bears out my memories), my bedroom window was open and I heard a car drive into the driveway. I would've had to stand on something to see out my bedroom window and I can't recall what that was but it's possible I crawled in my cradle and stood up on that. By the time I looked out the window, my mom was getting out of the car with this little bundle in her arms. Naturally I was very excited. After all my mommy was home!

Later I remember getting my first look at Sibling and Mom telling me to be very careful.

Amy Coffin's series, 52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History is a series of blogging prompts that "invite genealogists and others to record memories and insights about their own lives for future descendants."

© 2011, copyright Michelle Goodrum

Remembering 9/11

I don't yet have anything additional to add to my memories at this time, so I refer you to last year's post.

For an incredibly moving pictoral tribute to the events of that day, I encourage you to visit How To Be a Retronaut.

© 2011, copyright Michelle Goodrum

My New Smart Phone - The Bionic Droid

Motorola Lapdock

If you haven't been following along, I asked readers for advice on which "smart" phone to purchase and then wrote about my final selection criteria.

When Youngest Child and I walked into the Verizon store, we headed straight for the section that had the Droids. Lo and behold, there was a new phone sitting among the Droids that had been there the other day on my visit. Immediately I noticed the camera quality seem to be better than that of the other Droids. I also noticed you could get a device called a Lapdock which allows you to “plug” your phone into what looks like a mini laptop. Thus you have a larger screen than that on the phone and the keyboard to type on! I have to say those tiny letter buttons on the Droids were driving me crazy. So after playing around with the various Droids for a few minutes I was pretty sold on this new Bionic Droid phone. And I sprung for the Lapdock too!

I was able to meet my criteria of 4G, and a good quality camera. After much discussion regarding the battery life issue I learned the following:

• The battery on the Droid simply won't last as long as the battery on my old phone (I've been known to toss my phone into my purse for three days at a time and I still have battery left).
• I will need to plug in more often than I'm used to but I think that by plugging in when I'm at home, recharging on the Lapdock, and using a charger in the car I'll be fine. I'll just need to make some habit adjustments (no more leaving my phone in my purse for a couple of days).
• Also, I was told to turn off the wi-fi, Bluetooth and GPS when I’m not using those features. Apparently they are big power drains.

Regarding my requirement to have the calendar on the Droid sync with my Outlook calendar, I'm still working on it. It looks like I need to find an app and I'm confident that I will eventually.

Really good tip for anyone with a smart phone. Get yourself a stylus. It made all the difference in the world for me.

Another really good tip for Verizon customers. Verizon offers free classes on how to use your smart phone. It was worth my time. I feel like I'm going to be a power Droid user and have joined the 21st century.

© 2011, copyright Michelle Goodrum

Disclaimer: I am a paying Verizon customer. I received nothing for writing this post. I'm just saying what I think.

If you haven't been following along, I asked readers for advice on which "smart" phone to purchase and then wrote about my final selection criteria.

When Youngest Child and I walked into the Verizon store, we headed straight for the section that had the Droids. Lo and behold, there was a new phone sitting among the Droids that had been there the other day on my visit. Immediately I noticed the camera quality seem to be better than that of the other Droids. I also noticed you could get a device called a Lapdock which allows you to “plug” your phone into what looks like a mini laptop. Thus you have a larger screen than that on the phone and the keyboard to type on! I have to say those tiny letter buttons on the Droids were driving me crazy. So after playing around with the various Droids for a few minutes I was pretty sold on this new Bionic Droid phone. And I sprung for the Lapdock too!

I was able to meet my criteria of 4G, and a good quality camera. After much discussion regarding the battery life issue I learned the following:

• The battery on the Droid simply won't last as long as the battery on my old phone (I've been known to toss my phone into my purse for three days at a time and I still have battery left).
• I will need to plug in more often than I'm used to but I think that by plugging in when I'm at home, recharging on the Lapdock, and using a charger in the car I'll be fine. I'll just need to make some habit adjustments (no more leaving my phone in my purse for a couple of days).
• Also, I was told to turn off the wi-fi, Bluetooth and GPS when I’m not using those features. Apparently they are big power drains.

Regarding my requirement to have the calendar on the Droid sync with my Outlook calendar, I'm still working on it. It looks like I need to find an app and I'm confident that I will eventually.

Really good tip for anyone with a smart phone. Get yourself a stylus. It made all the difference in the world for me.

Another really good tip for Verizon customers. Verizon offers free classes on how to use your smart phone. It was worth my time. I feel like I'm going to be a power Droid user and have joined the 21st century.

© 2011, copyright Michelle Goodrum

Smart Phones on Sorting Saturday

About a week ago, I posted asking for advice on which "Smart" phone to purchase. A few days ago, I took a deep breath, the list of suggestions and recommendations from my readers, and Youngest Child, before heading down to our Verizon store. I have to admit that when I began this journey, I really wanted an iphone. In the end, these factors influenced my final decision.

• Availability of 4G network on the device. Since this is the future and I hear it is much faster than 3G, I decided that this was a must have. Right off the bat the iphone and Windows phones were eliminated since Verizon does not have them with 4G. Had to think about this for a few days because I really wanted that iphone. Sorry Tracy (The Pieces of My Past), I was with you on the iphone!
• Address the battery life issue with the various Droids. Several of you pointed this out which got my attention. Thank you for the tip:
• Susan Clark - Nolichucky Roots
• Claudia's Genealogy Blog
• Nira Porter Chambliss - The Door Keepers
• Karen (sorry, I couldn't find a blog)
• Camera Quality. Since I love photography, a good camera is a must.
• Ability to sync the calendar on the phone with my Outlook calendar on my laptop. This is really important to me and it appears that I should be able to address it by picking out the right ap. I took a little leap of faith and made the assumption I would be able to get it worked.

Barbara (Life From the Roots), I hope you found this  and everyone's comments helpful. I sure did.

Hold on to your hats, next I'll tell you what happened when I went into the Verizon store to make my final decision.

© 2011, copyright Michelle Goodrum

One Ringy Dingy on Treasure Chest Thursday

Since I seem to have telephones on my mind these days, I thought it would be fun to share the story of this old-fashioned phone that hung on the wall in the kitchen of the Family Home since my earliest memories. These days it holds a place of honor in another home of our family.

The phone hung on the wall in the kitchen where the outgoing mail and any papers Dad needed at work the next day would be placed. I can remember as a child standing on a chair, cranking the little handle to get the phone to ring before I began my conversation with my imaginary friends. The bell still works today.

I never knew where this phone came from until very recently. In a conversation with another family member, I learned the story behind the origin of this phone. Thus emphasizing the importance of talking to other family members as their experiences no doubt are different from yours.

Anyway, Sibling relayed to me that one of our grandfathers found this old phone in an old barn. The other grandfather took the phone, refinished and fixed it all up before giving it to my parents. When you turn the little handle on the side the bell still rings!

© 2011, copyright Michelle Goodrum

Advice Needed-Why Do You Like Your Smart Phone?

We have come a long way from the olden days when a phone was a phone. Now we have all kinds of "smart" phones and I'm now eligible for one! Only I don't know which one to choose. There's so much to consider. I am hoping that my like minded genealogy friends will be able to provide some valuable advice. Do I go with an iphone, an Android or a Windows phone?

If you have a smart phone, or are looking to get one, what factors influenced your decision? Were there certain features one phone had that you liked or didn't like?

I figure besides the phone feature, I would mostly:

• Take pictures
• Blog
• Use Evernote
• Use Facebook
• Write notes and ideas to myself that would need to get to my computer.
• Make appointments on the calendar that would also need to get to Outlook on my computer.

I'm sure there's lots of other things a genealogist, blogger, mom, family executive assistant and college softball fan would want to do with a smart phone.

I would love to get your input and advice!

To read what happens next, read, Smart Phones on Sorting Saturday.

© 2011, copyright Michelle Goodrum