Tuesday's Tip ~ Passports

My husband and I were aware our passports were due to expire during the first quarter of this year. We each went and had new photos taken a few weeks ago in preparation of applying for our new ones. My husband took care of the applications and sent them in. 


It didn't take long. Before we knew it, the new passports arrived in the mail. When I opened my envelope to see my new passport I found a document inside which I proceeded to read. One of the things this document made me aware of, was the fact we had to send in our old passports with the application to receive the new passports. I immediately asked my husband if he indeed sent out passports in, to which he replied, yes, he had to.


Well, I about lost my cool! I had no idea they needed to be sent in! After all it had been 10 years and I believe my husband sent away for our last updates also. I explained to him that had I known, I would have scanned the passports before he sent them off. Poor guy, he knew I was upset, and had no clue it would have even bothered me when he sent them in. Of course, I wanted copies of those stamps of everywhere we had traveled. Well, what was done was done. I would have to learn to live with it.


Fast forward to the following day, late morning. My husband informed me that he called, Philadelphia (!) to find out if the passports could be sent back to us. As a matter of fact, they informed him, they were actually mailed back to us the previous day! Well, he had no idea they would be sent back to us, and yes, it made my day! We haven't received them yet, unless my husband retrieved the mail and they happened to be there and he forgot to tell me. But, I highly doubt that because he knew how important it was to me to have them back.


So, my tip for the day? If you need to apply for a new passport and are asked to mail your passport in with the application, why not scan the passport first? My thoughts now are, what if something happens in the mail and they never find their way back home? Better to be safe than sorry!


Thanks for stopping by! 


Wishing you success in all of your genealogical treasure hunts! 






Copyright © 2012 By Cheryl Palmer All Rights Reserved

Those Places Thursday ~ Great Swedish Adventure ~ Part 17

Those Places Thursday ~ It's all about Sweden, again!

I heard a couple weeks ago that the time was coming for The Great Swedish Adventure's Season 2's auditions. My initial reaction was that I wasn't sure I wanted to go through the process again. It was an amazing experience for sure, but very emotional also. I never expected to get as far as I did last year. When I made it through to the last phase (being flown to Burbank for a face to face interview) I began really feeling I had a chance to make the final cut. The feedback from the producer after the interview was very positive also, and unexpected, so my hopes at that point were set very high! 


When I was informed I didn't make the final cut, it was a blow. I needed to process that I actually didn't make the cut. It was very disappointing. Looking back now, I can still feel the disappointment, although I never had hopes of even getting as far as I did. My, how my emotions changed!


So now, here I am again. I was informed by someone that the time was coming, but I couldn't even think about it. I wanted to go so bad to Sweden last year, for a variety of reasons, but it didn't happen. I am ok with it now, as I am, again, trying to plan a trip to Sweden later this year. Kind of similar to how last year started though...


I was surprised though, when about a week ago I received an email from one of the casting directors I interviewed with, asking me to re-apply! I told myself, it was just a formality because I heard from others who applied for the show last year and made it to the final cut, that they too were invited back. Of course they wanted to know if I received the invite also and what was I going to do. 


One of these people decided not to try again and I replied I was going to throw this out to my friends on Facebook and see what kind of response I received before I made up my mind, but I doubted I would try again. I subsequently learned that someone I thought should have been invited to try out again, was not. So now I am not sure what the criteria was in sending out the reapply e-mails. The Facebook responses I received along with someone not receiving an invitation to reapply led me to think differently about applying.


Let me just say that I can not explain everything here, experiences since the try out for the show, emotions, etc. Yes, there were lots of emotions beyond the application period. Yes, the show's first season was a hugh success. Yes, I am proud that I was a part of the initial process, and had the opportunity to have a one on one interview with the directors. 


I can tell you though, that I have changed my mind about the application. I decided to send it in, and apply for the second season. Again, I do not plan on making it to the finals, nor the show. I have had lots of time to reflect on my experience last year and I have realized a couple of things that may have hurt me in that final interview. One of those things I can do something about, but the other I can't change.


Bottom line is, like many other things, I won't know unless I try. I do not want to look back at this as a should have, would have, could have kind of situation. My thoughts and ideas about some things are different this year. I have a different outlook on the situation than I did last year. Right now I felt the need to apply.


Trivia ~ Do you know the name of the actual show in Sweden? Do you know what that title means?


I would like to thank Anonymous for sending me the link to the "Casting Search for Americans with Swedish Roots."  I did not let the comment through on the page you sent it as I prefer to share the link here, in an appropriate place, to share with anyone else who has Swedish roots and would like to apply! I would love to know who you are anonymous, please don't be shy! 


Trivia answer ~ The name of the show is ~ 

Allt för Sverige which translated means All for Sweden

Final comment for this post ~ I noticed I did not link up all of the posts for the series Part 1-16 of last year. I can not do it at this moment, but I will try very soon to put them together in one post. For now if you are interested in reading the posts and my experiences from last year you can find them listed to the right under "Blog Archive" in March and April of 2011. 


Thanks for stopping by! 


Wishing you success in all of your genealogical treasure hunts! 





Copyright © 2012 By Cheryl Palmer All Rights Reserved

Wordless Wednesday ~ Mediterranean Cruise ~ Monte Carlo Casino ~ Part 7

Thanks for stopping by! 

Wishing you success in all of your genealogical treasure hunts! 

 Copyright © 2012 By Cheryl Palmer All Rights Reserved

Mediterranean Cruise ~ Monaco ~ Monte Carlo ~ Part 6

When I left off last, we were headed on the train to Monaco, specifically to see Monte Carlo. Monte Carlo belongs to Monaco, but is governed independently and is only 6 miles from Villefranche. Monte Carlo is known as the playground of the rich, it is famous for it's wealth. 

The cruise ship offered ten different tours you in Villefranche. The prices ranged from $56.00-$189.00 per person. We learned there was the train, from someone on the ship. Very reasonably priced and we could go everywhere on our own. It sure beat the price of the tours the ship was offering, only about five dollars each! 

We arrived in Monaco and started walking. It was only a few blocks to walk to see the Monte Carlo Casino. The picture below shows that it was a cloudy overcast day? I remember it being warm though, and perfect weather to walk in. When we came to this spot I just had to take a picture, and I love it! A bit of the mountains, city, a tree and a two level street!

We walked to about the construction zone and found a sign directing us to "le casino." It is the bottom arrow, bottom description. Do I even need to say, we turned right and kept walking?

I took many pictures as we walked down the street. I have chosen to share just a few of the closer shots. This picture is of a friend we met on the ship, Gerald. He and his wife decided to take the train and venture out with us for the day.

This walk was absolutely beautiful! The picture above is actually on the block and grounds of the casino. The picture below is a close up of a section of the amazing casino.  It is kind of a teaser, as I will post the view of the whole casino for tomorrow's Wordless Wednesday post. Be sure to come back for the full picture!

Thanks for stopping by!

Wishing you success in all of your genealogical treasure hunts!

Copyright © 2012 Cheryl Palmer All Rights Reserved

Mediterranean Cruise ~ Villefranche, France ~ Part Five

Were does the time go? It has been 4 months since our cruise and I haven't finished posting about it! How does one get so busy that their plate is so full, you need a platter? Guess it doesn't really matter. What matters is that I am here ready to add a post! I can actually relive this cruise now...

If you missed the previous posts, here are the links ~

Mediterranean Cruise ~ Part 1

Mediterranean Cruise ~ Part 2

Mediterranean Cruise ~ Part 3

Mediterranean Cruise ~ Part 4

Saturday, September 17, 2011, we are docked in the bay of Villefranche (Nice), France. We are tendered to shore and begin walking the cobblestone streets, admiring the city, just as it was. Clothes are hanging over banisters, 

drying in the very pleasant, 74 degree weather. Architecture and the local beach, filled with many sunbathers and beach bums, added to the pleasantries of the morning.

Another shot of the shoreline shares the "Welcome" hotel and a clock, on the left side of the photo, which states the time is almost 10:10 a.m., which is about right as we docked at 10:00 a.m. 

Back to the photo of the beach, you can see a concrete wall in the background. This is approximately where we walked to in order to  catch the train (BART, The "EL") to Monaco/Monte Carlo. There were many tours we could have booked on the ship, which were very expensive if you added up several tours for each stop. 

Somewhere in the wind, we caught the drift that you could board the train, pay one fee, and ride the thing all day long, back and forth and back and forth if you so choose. Sounded like a plan to us. The train was only 5 euros apiece! 

Here is a better view of the tunnel where the train goes headed towards Monoco.

Here is the sign at the train station showing us where we needed to be to board.

Watch out Monaco, and Monte Carlo here we come!

Thanks for stopping by!

Wishing you success in all of your genealogical treasure hunts!

Copyright © 2012 By Cheryl Palmer All Rights Reserved

Today is the eleventh anniversary of my mother's passing. This post is in honor of my mother...

My Memory Library

Imagine if I was given one moment,

just a single slice of my past.

I could hold it close forever,

and that moment would always last.

I'd put the moment in a safe,

within my hearts abode.

I could open it when I wanted,

and only I would know the code.

I could choose a time of laughing,

a time of happiness and fun.

I could choose a time that tried me,

through everything I've done.

I sat and thought about what moment,

would always make me smile.

One that would always push me,

to walk that extra mile.

If I'm feeling sad and low,

if I'm struggling with what to do.

I can go and open my little safe,

and watch my moment through.

There are moments I can think of,

that would lift my spirits everytime.

The moments when you picked me up,

when the road was hard to climb.

For me to only pick one moment,

to cherish, save and keep,

Is proving really difficult,

as I've gathered up a heap!

I've dug deep inside my heart,

found the safe and looked inside,

there was room for lots of moments,

in fact hundreds if I tried.

I'm building my own little library,

embedded in my heart,

for all the moments spent with you,

before you had to part.

I can open it up whenever I like,

pick a moment and watch it through,

My little library acts as a promise,

I'll never ever forget you!

We all love and miss you Mom!

Thanks for stopping by! 

Wishing you success in all of your genealogical treasure hunts!

Photo by ~ themouser   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Poem written by ~ © Sarah Blackstone

Source: My Memory Library, In Memory Poem http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/my-memory-library#ixzz1ikNFEifZ 
Family Friend Poems

 Copyright © 2011 By Cheryl Palmer All Rights Reserved

Happy Birthday James Hal Fleming!

On this day, in 1904, James Hal Fleming was born in Yale, Payne, Oklahoma. He passed away on August 29, 1993, at age 89. 

Today would be his 108th Birthday!

Keeping in the spirit of my grandpa Hal, as he was better known, and his sense of humor, he would really enjoy this!

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Thanks for stopping by!

Wishing you success in all of your genealogical treasure hunts!

Copyright © 2011 By Cheryl Palmer All Rights Reserved

21COFH - The 21st Century Organized Family Historian - Week 1- Holiday Greeting Cards

Michelle Goodman is hosting the 21COFH and I am going to try to post to as many of these as possible. You can see her post here. This week~

This week, tell us what you do with your annual collection of holiday cards now that the holidays are over.

These days we need to start thinking about digital greeting cards as well. What is your plan to preserve them?

Last year Michelle came up with this plan~

Her criteria for becoming part of the Goodrum Greeting Card Archives: 

• It's from family.
• There is a photo.
• There is a note or holiday letter.
• It's from close family friends (especially those my children know).
• If it meets more than one of the above criteria, the item has a far better chance of being retained 

I like her set up. I would agree that I would keep these for my family also, the Palmer's. More than likely though, I would save only pictures, letters, and the family cards. I have an extra archival safe box now that I can dedicate for this, so that is perfect! I have all of my Christmas Cards from last year and the year before saved to go through, maybe with the grandchildren here today we can go through the cards together!

Photo courtesy of The Graphics Fairy

I actually save all of my cards. Those that I don't necessarily need to archive, I plan to cut up and make new cards for next year! (Note to self, will need to make 6.82 a month in order to be ready for next Christmas!) My grandson says he also wants to stamp on some of the envelopes. :-) So far this is a plan and he likes it!

The electronic cards I haven't actually saved. Most of those that I receive are from different clubs and friends that my children wouldn't even care about. If and when I start receiving them from family I will save them in the family file online for now. Will think more how I can transfer them to family history files or my tree when it actually starts happening.

So, I am off to feed the grandchildren, again, and to organize the two years of cards I have. Should be fun!


(*I just noticed, Tracy from the Pieces of my Past blog has a great suggestion! She posted in the comments section on Michelle's page ~ Make a Christmas card book! I love that idea and think I will implement it!)

Thanks for stopping by! 

Wishing you success in all of your genealogical treasure hunts! 

Copyright © 2012 By Cheryl Palmer All Rights Reserved

Just a Quick Note

Can you believe this blog, my Heritage Happens, made Randy Seaver's list?

Best of the Genea-Blogs - for the year 2011

You can click this box to go see for yourself...

I am in utter shock. 

Look at the others I am surrounded by...

Whatever will I do THIS year to compete with that?????

Nothing, I don't compete.

I am so honored! 

Thank you "cousin" Randy! I guess I will keep blogging awhile longer! 

(Maybe, one day, my blog will be good enough to be added to his side bar of Genealogy Blogs....could THAT be my goal for this year???????)  ;-)

Thanks for stopping by! 

Wishing you success in all of your genealogical treasure hunts! 

Copyright © 2012 By Cheryl Palmer All Rights Reserved