#70 - Genealogy

1. Sorry, I will not "create a free account" on any further websites. I really do not care if I look like any known celebrity, and I already know which parent I look most like.

2. I'm sure Footnote and websites like it are really helpful for people who are using the internet to search for ancestors and fill in family trees. I think it is great that people will post items for the public that have nothing to do with their own histories. My own family has compiled research and filled in the family tree back to the mid 1600's the old fashioned way - searching documents in libraries, court houses, churchs and cemetaries; and by visiting relatives both known and newly-found and adding what they know to what was already known.

#69 - Genealogy

In HeritageQuest, I found my maternal grandfather listed in the 1920 US Census in Dormant, PA, and in the 1930 US Census in Stamford, CT, which agreed with 'written' history from the family.

My grandparents moved from the North East to New Orleans in the 1930's, and my Grandmother had her children, my Mother's three older siblings write their version of the move. These stories or essays have been kept with the family records for more than 60 years.

#68 - Genealogy

I haven't persued an oral history, and probably wouldn't, just as a preference. I used a 'tree' form, and really did like the way the information was readily available for each name.

I could not figure out how to search for the oldest grave in a cemetary; however, I did find the listing of my paternal grandparents burial sites, in the Lawndale Cemetary, in Houston.

#67 - Genealogy

I began researching my family tree when I was in high school, by interviewing my Grandmother and my Mother's siblings who were all at least 12 years older than my Mother. I would suggest this as a way to begin research for any family tree.

65 - Coin collecting

I know that coin collecting can be profitable and fun. But it really never interested me as a hobby. The weight of the coins for a collection would be an issue, I think.

I looked at the coins in my wallet - and found nothing with more than face value, not that I expected to.

On GoogleMaps, I found a coin shop in Humble at 113 1st Street West. Maybe I'll go "window shop" sometime; however, I still do not see this as a hobby I would persue.

#60 Recession Busters

At the Recession Cookbook website, I found recipes for Black Bean Soup, made from bagged black beans, and Arugula, Avocado, Orange Salad. The cost of the raw materials for this meal was less than $10.

One useful tactic I use at the grocery store to save money is to use coupons. I use them for items on sale and also for items that I use often, and stock my pantry ahead of my needs.

Shopping the sale ads for seasonal items, checking shelves for discontinued items and seeking out the 'bent & dent' bins for items that I can use right away can be a way to reduce the 'pain' at the checkout register.

#84 Writer communities

I have gone to some of my favorite authors websites - actually what is written on the book jacket is usually enough information for me. Even though some of my authors have websites, I do not wish to interact via the web. I consider that way too invasive.

Books published on popular vote is way too close to voting for a politician-I would have way less faith in the material.

#83 Paper to pixels

I prefer the traditionally printed on paper books.

I don't normally buy books - paper or digital - I wait until thety appear in the library and borrow them.

I guess for those who buy books, the preview would be a good idea.

#82 Publishing Evolution

Looking at the published book list on the self publishing web sites - none of the titles seemed familiar. I was truly amazed at the number of web sites for self publishing. As a reader, I would prefer books that have passed through the 'ritual of fire' and been published the traditional way.

#59

I was unaware of how a Credit Score was calculated until I read "How Credit Scores Work".

The budget we use in my home is very loose-but it seems to work for us.

The TCDRS site was interesting. I found all the ways(5,I think) I can choose to get my funds from them.

Money & Finance #58

My bank does offer online banking, however I do not use their service.

I know that budgeting is a good tool to use, and I do it in a very loose way.

The article on cutting back on spending was good. I do employ some of the ideas expressed in the article. My grocery store offers a 10% discount for store brand items, and also a 10% discount for shoppers over 55 years of age. I also seek out the 'bent & dent' bin for items that I use all the time.

Zines

I cannot see any reason why I would make a 'zine'. I barely have enough time to apply myself to my favorite interest, let alone write about it to share with anyone.
With as much information that is available on the internet, I fail to see why homemade, handmade items should be catalogued in our library.

#62

Many years ago I did decoupage projects as gifts, so this craft is not new to me. I didi greeting cards made into placques for the grandparents of my sons. I enjoyed doing them: however, I don't think I will be doing any more of it.

#61

The "apron tee shirt" @ craftzine really looked cute. I would prefer written instructions, with perhaps video as a back-up. Sometimes seeing is more helpful - but not always.

#75- Searching Google and beyond

My three searches in Blindspot hit google once and yahoo twice. It really seemed to me that a lot of the tag lines were the same in each column, just arranged in different order. Google was the top of the Hitwise list on January 26th. I thought it very interesting that Bing offered cash back on items pruchased on line through its offering of merchandisers. Interesting, however, I rarely purchase on line so it really doesn't make that much difference to me. It is good to know that there are new search engines available, but I probably will stick with the ones I currently use, just because of familiarity.