January is flying by!

Week 1 of my meal planning effort didn't go so badly! We managed to eat 5 of the 7 planned meals, which I feel like is a huge accomplishment!

We would have eaten all 7, but my nephew and his friend surprised us by coming over on Friday and staying the night so that the guys could play video games. And you know, feeding 2 teenage boys was really not part of my meal plan, so I ended up making biscuits and gravy one night, and pasta the other. Not too shabby, Patty!

Making a plan for this week is stumping me so far. I kind of like how organized it forces me to be. A friend of mine was recently telling me how her friend meal plans and how shopping with her is a breeze because of how organized she is. I doubt I'll ever be that put together, but it's been nice sitting down to a home cooked meal every night.

In my genealogy news, I am having a blast. I totally feel like a detective when I sit here trying to read old census records. So far I have recorded 12 generations on my mom's side, with the help of some personal recollections (my mom, her uncle), and with all of the amazing data on ancestry.com. I was even able to show my mom the WWII Navy muster roll from when her father was sent to Honolulu, HI. She was so excited!

Clearly, I have been enjoying my time off of school and work. The vacation will be ending soon, though, which is bittersweet. I haven't done any of the things I had planned to do during my break, and I feel a little worried about some pressing deadlines, but I am still having just a wonderful break.

Let me leave you with a picture of my most scary relative, my "4th great grand uncle", Milo Andrus Sr.:

(click the link! You won't be disappointed!)