Old Year Ending

 This is the day that ends this year. Oh, what a day this has been. I'm been on the go. And I'm finally settling in for the night. 

It doesn't feel like a Saturday. My routine day was turned around. I did what I could. I'm finishing up  things and my last blog for the year.

I'm looking forward to 2023. There are things that I plan to make some things a habit. The old ways of doing some things will passed away. And new things will be, will be. 

I plan to welcome in the new year. Time will time if I can do it. But, if I keep my mind on other things, I can. I normally work on  my family connections searching. 

I took a break from doing a lot of searching. This month was break time. I was doing other things.  I'll get back into the swing of things. 

A new year is about to give birth. We are on the thrush hold of  new things. 2023 is waiting for us to explore and discover. May we make the most of our days and believe for the best of what's to come. Amen!  

Thanks for reading.
Old Year Ending

In 98 days my new year begins.

Happy 2023!

God bless you.
S.A. Blakley 

Happy Eve Of New Year's Eve!!

 It's getting time to say so long to 2022. I've been doing my last dos of this week. And what a week this has become. It got up in the 60's. 

That "Cold Spell" last weeks  did through me off. I'm getting back on track, somewhat. I continue to look through my blogs sites. And I finished up my last blog for 52 ancestors today. 

I'm counting down my days till my next decade. I think the count down clock is two days off. December 30, 2022 should be the  99 days away. New Year's Eve will be the 98 days to go. I'm counting down to the very minute of my day. 

Happy Eve Of New Year's Eve!
Thanks for reading.

God bless you
S.A. Blakley 

Counting Down The Days And Reviewing Some Things

We're into the count down to 2023.

I've been mixing up the days of the week. I thought yesterday was Thursday. Today, feels like a Friday. It's in the low 60's and people think it's Summer time. 

As for the reminder of this week, I have one more place to go. Then after that, I'm in for the rest of the year. I have no plans to  go out to partying on New Year's Eve. The safest place to be on that day is home. 

I've been getting back into this mode for about for 6 years. I did go out to celebrate between  1993 - 2016 or so. I can't recall when I came back to my original tradition of staying at home. .

Beside, I gather  together with the church on Sundays. What a great time to join with the church on the first day of the new year. Amen! 

Reviewing Some Things:
I continue to think about some of my exiting accounts  that I have created since I've been on the internet in August of 2004. I'm adding to the list. My, my, I have at least 18 existing accounts.: Not  including my DNA accounts. 

I'm looking forward to a fresh new year. 
Counting Down The Days And Reviewing Some Things

Ninety Nine days until my next decade. 

Thanks for reading. 
God Bless you.
S.A. Blakley 

Glancing Over My Family Connections Information

I've been skimming through my family connections information. I'm seeing the over view of what I have discovered. And I'm looking at what to search next? 

I was browsing though my news clippings that I clipped on my newspaper.com. Oh, what the discoveries that were recorded in the news. News papers are a good source to search.

I was searching through my list of relatives on my Family Connections Family DNA Tree on ancestry.com  I was looking to see how many people have passed since 2020  through 2022. Sad to say, that there were two relatives who died of COVID-19. I stumbled across some relatives by googling surnames in  the State where relatives live. 

I need to add these relatives who passed on my list of family connections in remembrance. I noticed that there were family members without obituaries. Only that they have passed with birth and death dates.  

I was looking at the titles on my 52+ blogs that I posted mainly on The Chronicles of Susan, but also on my other family connections blogger and family connections facebook groups.  I've been doing the #52Ancestors 52 Weeks challenges; created by Amy Johnson Crow since about 2019. I'm looking forward to post in 2023.

Still, I have more to look over on my family connections journey. This is just a start to review and update what I have. I have uncovered a lot this years. Wondering;  what else will I uncover in 2023?


Counting Down My Days
I'm counting down my days to my next decade. I'm 100 days away.

Thanks for reading.
Glancing Over My Family Connections Information

God bless you. 
S.A. Blakley 

Finishing Out Each Day As They Come In 2022

I've been finishing up my daily dos for this week as we're  drawing closer to 2023. I've been reflecting over this year. And all the good and those experiences that made me stronger. God has been bring us through. 

Update on the newspaper:
It's free online, up to some point. People need to create an account if they don't have one. We need to subscribe if  we want unlimited access to the digital news. Or if we want the Weekender, printed copy with the unlimited digital news. I though there would be a catch to this. 

Journaling And Updating
I continue to journal every night before I retire for the day.
It's good therapy. I'm finding this to be a very good thing. I've been coming up with things that I haven't noticed and coming up with new ideas. 

I continue to update my blogger's  site Family Connections: Gathering The Generation. I've been adding more links to what I search. I hope that they will be helpful to those who are searching for your,

Working On Blogs:
I'm working on my last blog for my #52Ancestors 52 Week challenge 2022: Taking  A Pause And Looking Ahead: New Horizons. Also, I'm working on my first blog for 2023. "I'd Like To Meet..."

Counting Down My Days
I'm counting down my days to my next decade. I'm 101 days away. Next year, it falls on Holy Saturday. I'll be on the Holy Week journey as well. 

Thanks for reading
Finishing Out Each Day As They Come In 2022. 

God bless you
S. A. Blakley 

The Ending Of Some Things

There are things in the process of coming to an end this year. This morning, as I pick up the newspaper, I was thinking that this is the very last hard copy of newspaper for Monday. Then this Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday will be the very last hard copies. It's the end of an ERA. 

We will  be receiving a Wednesday hard copy and a Friday weekender hard copy starting in the first week of 2023.  Yes, it's the end of an era. And it's a new beginning.

The newspaper now, will be available free online. The Friday Weekender is a hard copy, we need to  subscribe to. The paper will be delivered by the mail carries. It's the end of paper carriers who delivered early in the morning. 

Even my computer will need an upgrade. My computer internet support service's expiration date is coming soon. I have to upgrade to the next level or get a new computer. 
 
My internet journey began in August of 2004. I can't remember some of my passwords, So, I have been reset some of them.. I don't know how many times, I had to change some my passwords. 

Now, I have to get use to reading the newspaper online. I have trouble reading the paper on my cellphone. So, if I want to read the paper, I have to get use to this new way. 

I have to get use to my computer as well.  I have to redo my accounts. I see that some of  the sites are changing as well. I'm finish up on searching over all my accounts. 

It's a good thing to make the change that we need to.  We can't keep doing the same things forever.. With the new technology that's coming, we have to change they way we do things..

May we  move with those changes. 

Thanks for reading.
The Ending Some Things

Happy 2nd Day of Christmas! 

God bless
S.A.Blakley 

Into The Christmas Season

 Happy Birthday, Jesus! Merry Christmas to all!
May we enter in and enjoy this Christmas Week and the Last Week of 2022!

We're into the Christmas Season.  Today, was a special Christmas to gather together as the church, Did you know that Christmas wouldn't  fall on a Sunday  again until 2033?  

The ending of  the Advent Season
I watched online the Christmas Eve candle light and communion services at 4 pm, 6 pm and 8 pm. It was beautiful. We heard the Christmas story of Jesus!  

After I turned off my tablet last night, I laid in bed. I started journaling until I was somewhat sleepy. However, I wasn't sleep, but I turned the lights out. I started praying.

I don't know how long I was up. But, normally, I could stay up till midnight. This time, I laid in bed. Because, the next day, we  would gather as the church on Sunday on Christmas Day.

As for last night, I recall looking at the clock and it was in the 10 pm,  then the 11 pm hour. I drifted off to sleep. Then I awoke up about ten till midnight. I prayed... then at midnight, I wished Jesus a Happy Birthday! I sung Happy Birthday to Him. 

I awaken again in the 4 am hour. Then I drifted back off to sleep. I was awaken by my fitbit. I laid in bed until I finally got up to prepare myself for the Sunday cchurch gathering. 

I made my way to the Upper Room  prayer chapel for the last time in 2022. I prayed. Then I  made my journey to the sanctuary to take photos of the Lord's Table and area. I went to greet some of the people in the foyer, wishing them a Merry Christmas!

The church Christmas gathering
We entered into our gathering and made our confessions. We worshiped, we sung Christmas songs, heard scripture reading and prayed. We listened to the message of The Christmas Angels. It was a nice message. I believe in angles. I thank God for them. 

We made our confessions and came to the Lord's Table to receive communion, We sung our last song. It was our last Sunday gathering in person for the year of 2022. A  blessing was spoken our us. We were sent out about our week with the words God bless, you, go in peace..

We got out about 10 minutes early. We had the opportunity to spoke with some friends. I  told some of them, I'll see them next year. I made my way home for the rest of the day. 

It's been an unusual start on this Christmas Day. It's not like any other. I received text messages from family members, friends and some greetings on social media. 

Praying for those who's are sick or have illness. Those who feel sad and alone; remember, God is with us in whatever situations that we are in. The Prince of Peace is with us. Everything is going to be alright. 

May we enter into the Christmas Season. Rejoicing in the good news of  God becoming flesh and dwelt among us. God sent His Word, His Son to be the Savior of the world. Amen! Merry Christmas!!

Thank for reading. 
Into The Christmas Season

God bless
S.A. Blakley  

Out Of The "Cold Spell" And Into A Heat Wave

 This sounds weird, But we're in a heat wave in the Winter time.  The high today, was 17 degrees and the low was 2 degrees. It's been in the negatives  for the past 3 days.. We were in the "Cold Snap" or "Cold Spell:" since  Thursday. It's been a long week. 

I didn't go outside that much nor for a long time. I heard that the wind was the worst part of the Wintery Storm. We received snow, but not much. There was ice under the snow. Yes, there was some black ice. 

The wind is still blowing.  But, not as it was the last three coldest days. The wind chill was between 30 to 35 below zero and the wind blowing 30 to 40 miles an hour. I can't recall. 

Yes, it feels like a heat wave with 17 degrees. It's a relief. By next week it may feel like Summertime. I heard there were some people who weren't wearing much outside. 

Last year around this time, we were in the 60's. This was weird weather for us. We did have a power outage last year. I'm glad that we had power this time. 

I'm glad that this artic blast has passed us by. I hope that deep cold air killed the insects that need to be. I don't know how wildlife live outside in the Winter. 

Thanks for reading. 
Out Of The Cold Spell And Into A Heat Wave

God Bless
Happy Christmas Eve!

S.A. Blakley 

#52Ancestors 52 Weeks Challenges For January 2023

 I was looking over the January themes for #52Ancestors 52 Weeks for 2023 by Amy Johnson Crow. 52 Ancestors in 52 weeks does sound overwhelming. There's a suggestion to try doing 12 ancestors with a theme one per month . Still, this way is more than a challenge for me.

We can share our challenges whatever way we choose to. It doesn't need to be a blog. It can be an email. We can post it on our social media sites. It's up to us. It can be long or short.  There is no wrong way to do it. 

You can post at anytime. You can never be late in sharing. You can change the theme for the week if you like. The point is to share our stories of our ancestors and relatives.  If you want to take part sign up at  Amy Johnson Crow's site here.

January time to share :themes.
Week  1  (Jan 1- 7  )  :  I'd Like to Meet
Week  2  (Jan 8 - 14)  : Favorite Photo
Week  3  (Jan 15 - 21) :Out Of Place
Week  4  (Jan 22 - 28):  Education 

For the first week:
I think I'll blog about my Great grandfather, Isaac BLAKER (1845 - 1917) or my Great Grandfather, Robert L. Lankford / Lankfard. (1852 - 1919). I do have a photo of each.  And if  I did the Out Of Place theme, I don't have an idea on that one yet. As for education, I can be creative. 

I'm glad that I have the list of themes to get my thoughts together. First, I start searching for ideas to do. But, I wait for the weekly email for ideas to journal. This is a great help. There have been times, I re did my blogs before I would share them for the week. I have extra blogs for future posts.

I notice that some of the 2023 have about 12 themes that were in post challenges. Like the theme favorite photo. This is my three time for this one. I have to use another photo. I think I have been doing these challenges since 2019. 

I'm set for the 2023 challenge. I will receive my first theme email some time on Friday. Meanwhile, I have been thinking about who will I choose to journal about? Who Would I Like To Meet?  Well, I let that cat out on the blog on my week 51 blog in 2022.

Thanks for reading. 
#52Ancestors 52 Weeks Challenges For January 2023

God bless
S.A. Blakley 

My Websites And Ideas To Blog In 2023

Last night, I was thinking about what to do on my blog sites. When to post on which sites and so forth.  I think this will flow into place when I get the rhythm of things. 

I don't post much on my Family Connections: Gathering The Generations and Blakey Blakley WHITE Family Connections sites. Nowadays, I post there about once or twice a month. Or maybe three times a month, if there's a special anniversary day that will come up. 

On this site, Susan Ann Blakley's Journal, I have added more of my blog sites and other sites that I have created to my link of blogs and websites. I haven't realized how many accounts I have since I got hooked up with the internet in August of 2004. I'm aware that there were some of my accounts that were deleted by the server. Their sites were shut down. 

My first blog site was on Xanga which I created on Monday, September 17, 2007. Through the years  renamed my site Journaling_Susan .  I forgot what I named it was in the beginning.  But, Somehow, I felt like I didn't fit in with the Xanga community that  I was in. So, I started this blog so I could  journal more freely. 

Ironically, my Xanga subscription expires on Thursday, March 8, 2029. I had a lifetime subscription. I guess, this is the OLD Xanga lifetime expiration cut off date. Technology has change. 

I'm using this journal site, somewhat as my free writing exercises. I don't know what I will end up sharing. I come here with an idea. Then, I start typing. I have ideas come to me as I'm typing. I read what I typed and add in more as I'm reading. I go back for correcting typos as much as possible. 

I received my list of 2023 Challenge for #52Ancestors 52 Weeks. I have been looking over the list for each week. I post these blogs once a week on The Chronicles Of Susan on word press.com  and on my facebook: Family Connections: Susan Blakley. I'm finishing up my last two blogs this week and next for the 2022 Challenge.

Thanks for reading. 
My Websites And Ideas To Blog In 2023. 

God bless 
S.A. Blakley 

Looking Over My Blog Sites on Blogger

I don't know how I have four blogs here on bloggers. Yesterday, I have renamed some of my blog sites. I reviewed each of my sites. They are in order as I created them. 

Susan Ann Blakley's Journal was created in 2008.

My first post was  on 
Tuesday, March 25, 2008. My title was called. New Beginnings

I am off to a new beginning. It took my a while to get here . I have been getting use to this weblog site.

I decided to start another weblog. Like I need another one. I just wanted something new and fresh. I am getting out of my comfort zone.

It is like I am starting all over again. New beginnings come with not knowing what to do. So I am off into the unknowing

Family Connections: Gathering The Generations. was created in June 30, 2009.

I began to blog about my family connections and searching. My first blog was on..

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

In The Beginning...

I thought to start a blog on my family history. I have been searching for over 30years. But where do I go from here in sharing what I have discovered? What will I share?

When I first started out I knew very little about my ancestors. I only knew my father, David, mother, Lula and my mother's mother, Mary. There was little data that I knew of them too

On My Journey was created in December of 2010.

I was doing some journaling from weekly assignments. I was writing poems and etc.. 

 My first blog  was on Wednesday, December 1, 2010. The title was call....
  
Been On An Adventure: With New Beginnings

Greetings to you! I'm off on a new adventure...again. This morning, I had this idea to create this site. I don't know what all, I will do here. I had an idea some time this year to set up a site with all my websites on.

Blakey Blakley WHITE Family Connections  was created in  2015.

I  divided  my four or five family connections groups. Things were getting confusing.
This one was only for my father's father's side. . My first post on....

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Slavery Descendants To Have First Reunion: Article ca 1971

This was the first article that I saw about the Blakey / White Family Connections in the 1970's.

I'm trying to make a comeback on my bloggers sites.
I think I can do it. 
I plan to use each one as one Idea.
This is my journaling site. 
Maybe I can journal what I'm doing her. 

Thanks for reading. 
Looking Over My Blog Sites On Blogger.

God bless you.
S.A. Blakley

Who To Follow And Not To Follow On Social Media ?

I came to my computer to do some searching. I ended up looking over my twitter account. I have 366 no 367 people who clicked on to follow what I post. And on my list to "follow", I had 85 and now 88. 

I did a little searching on some of  my 366 twitter "followers". I discovered that about one third of them, or so are  posting. I noticed that the others haven't posted as far back since 2011. I suppose that they have fallen away from Twitter. 

I've been reading that some people say that they are going to leave twitter. Well, some have already been doing that. And they left their accounts open to let people know that they were there. I don't know about twitter. Social media hasn't been the same since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March of 2020.

Though, I'm still on twitter, I don't post as I use to. I have been losing  the zeal to post. I have a lot  less people to interact with. Mainly, I'm "solo" on twitter. 

Mainly, I  post for the sake of those who will stumble across what I post. I'm not on social media to be in a contest with anyone. Nor am I to impress "on lookers" to see how many people I can get to "follow" what I post.  That's nonsense. 

 I like posts that brings the good out of life and that brings encouragement. I post things about Jesus and prayers. I share post about my family connection; hoping to connect with relatives. 

I've been on Twitter since January 20. 2010. I started following others and some I have un followed and or whatever choice to do  I have noticed that I can't follow every one  and more so some people I know. It's better left not to do so. When deleted as "following" can become personal. 

I don't know what I will end up dong on my twitter account. I don't want to waste time  on Twitter or on social media. I'm slowing down. I'm doing more blogging and searching for my family connections. It's a lot less stressful. I'm doing things that I'm enjoying. 

Thanks for reading. 
Who To Follow And Not Follow On Social Media? 

God bless 
S.A.Blakley 

Looking At My Websites

 I haven't blogged here but, once this year. As I was searching over my other blogs, I notice and  seen for the firs time some comments. 

I need to start using this site for something. I haven't  wrote poems in years. I gave it up. I drifted away for being creative. 

I'm more into my family connections. I have discovered so much over the past several years. I post my findings on my other blog sites. 

What's going on now: It's getting colder here. Winter is upon us. They say that it will be a hard Winter.  We have to make the best of what's to come. 

Thanks for reading. 
God bless you. 

S. A. Blakley