"MY" Swedish Adventure ~ Förbereda ~ Post 1

It has been a couple years since I first auditioned for the Swedish television show, "Great Swedish Adventure." I did not make the final cut, which was disappointing to say the least. I wrote a series of posts about that adventure starting March 2011. You can find the links to these on the right side of this blog. 

From the time I was cut I believed I was going to make my own Swedish Aventure! 

Although time has passed, this goal has never been forgotten. My plan? I am going to Sweden this year! Yes, that is right, I am planning on going THIS YEAR! I can hardly wait!

I haven't been blogging much, mostly because I don't seem to find the time. I have made some changes this year so I am not quite as busy. Even though I won't be as busy with so many different things, I will be busy planning and focusing most of this year on my trip. 

So, because of this strong focus, I decided to start another series, this time called: "My" Swedish Adventure! 

There will be three sections to this series. The first section will be "Förbereda" which means "preparing." Just as it sounds, I will blog about my preparations and the time leading up to this trip.  

The second section will be titled "Slutligen, Sverige!" ~ "Finally, Sweden!" I am excited to share my adventures with you, especially when I finally do reach Sweden!

The final section, "Reflektioner" will be my reflections of "My Swedish Adventure!" I know I won't be able to "do it all" but I hope to give some wonderful reflections on the trip, remark on what worked and what didn't as well as updates on what I would do if I were to plan a second visit.

I hope you will enjoy this journey with me! Please don't hesitate to leave comments regarding your thoughts and ideas as I go along. They just may help make my journey even better!

Thanks for stopping by! 

Wishing you success in all of your genealogical treasure hunts! 

 Copyright © 2013 Cheryl Palmer All Rights Reserved

Sentimental Saturday on Sunday

Been laying pretty low the last couple of days due to a head cold. Yesterday, I wrote a quick list of "house projects" I would like to see myself accomplish along with a list of "craft" projects to be completed. Of course, I always have the genealogy list along with my personal list going as well. To many lists as always, but that is another story. 

The last few days have been beautiful outside and I am reminded winter will be over before I know it. When winter is gone, staying home, in the house to accomplish things on my lists will be mostly forgotten.

Yesterday, I decided to crochet. The princess, my granddaughter (3 years old), stated a few days ago that she "needed a new blue scarf" to match her blue coat. Whatever the princess wants the princess gets (are you a grandparent yet?) but winter will be over soon, so it was important to get the scarf crocheted ASAP.  It wouldn't be enough to get the scarf completed though, she will need to wear it awhile too before California's summer hits. I managed to whip out a scarf for each of the grandchildren yesterday, can't do for one and not the other! I plan to add something on each scarf, my grandson wants a baseball, basketball, or football on his and my granddaughter asked for a unicorn again, but I will find something new for hers, probably something sparkly and princess like.

Entertaining me while I crocheted, was a movie on TV which I quickly became engrossed with. The movie was about Rosa Parks. The tears couldn't help themselves, I was so emotional. When the movie was over, another one quickly followed, "Queen," the continuing story after "Roots." I do not watch much TV, however this series roped me in also. It was a three part series with each part shown consecutively. More tears. 

Ridiculous amount of hours watching TV. Amazing amount of tears. The stories and lives of those involved in these movies sure wasn't anything new to me, however each movie found me emotionally involved in the main characters life. Years ago, "Roots" was the emotional movie that affected so many of us. These movies yesterday again brought back to my mind the realities of the lives of so many who lived in this country before me. 

Yes, I was very sentimental and emotional. Slavery, prejudice, deceit, terror, abuse, lies, hatred and love. Just some of the emotions and thoughts that triggered me yesterday. The majority of my ancestors came to America after slavery was abolished, however I was alive when Rosa Parks refused to leave her seat on that bus. 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Wishing you success in all of your genealogical treasure hunts! 

 Copyright © 2013 Cheryl Palmer All Rights Reserved

The Simplest Things

Sometimes it is the simplest things in life, truly it is! This morning I reflect on the awesome evening I had last night. For the first time in months and months I worked on my genealogy without it being "scheduled" as something on my "to do" list. 

I am not sure what drove me to my family tree initially, but before I knew it I was working on sourcing and entering people in my "New" tree. Then, I realized I had spent a few hours doing this. I really felt like I accomplished so much and found it so enjoyable too. I tuned out the rest of the world and maybe other things I should have done, and it felt great!

Redoing a family tree is not fun, and the thought of it usually just sounds like work to me, but last night I was reminded of things I didn't remember and learned a few new things also. SO refreshing! 

I have come to realize that I should NOT schedule time to work on this tree, I need to let it happen simply and naturally. If it takes me years to complete it, so be it. The enjoyment of doing it is more important to me, and it doesn't seem like work this way. Heck, maybe I will even get this project completed sooner, if I actually enjoy it!

I am only about 1/16 of the way to completion of this project, but oh how nice it will be! I have to admit that I actually included a bit of research while working on the project. Now that is the way to do it!

Thanks for stopping by! 

Wishing you success in all of your genealogical treasure hunts! 

 Copyright © 2013 Cheryl Palmer All Rights Reserved

It's Here!

Two days ago a package came in the mail. I had high anticipation of what it was. Of course it was the Rosetta Stone I ordered! I set the package off to the side for awhile as I was involved in doing something else when it arrived.

By the time I finally got to the package and really looked at it I found out it was not the Rosetta Stone package. I was surprised how that affected me. My heart sunk. The package was actually beads I had ordered for a class I will be taking later this month through Skype. You would have thought I would have been excited all over again, right? But strangely I wasn't.

I feel I need every bit of time I can to learn some Swedish if I am going to make a trip to Sweden later this year. I already feel the pressure because one week this month has already disappeared with nothing accomplished in that regard.

Fortunately, I did receive the Rosetta Stone package the following day! Again I was immersed in other things so it took me a couple days this time to open and explore this package. I was not so impressed. I didn't find any real instructions with the program, on the box or inside the box.

Yesterday while I was waiting for my hubby, we planned to go to the gym together, I decided to open and explore the package more closely. I tried downloading the program probably four times before I realized no matter what I did it wasn't going to work. I thought I was missing something. So frustrating.

My husband told me to call the company, but I decided to try the online help first. Well, the help was great, it took some time, but I was taken care of and pleased with the help. I apparently needed a link of some sort to add to the program, almost seemed like an update, but it wasn't because I would get the update link already. I am thinking it was an activating link. I just wish there were instructions to let you know you needed help to make the darn thing work. Had I known it was going to activate the actual contact with someone speaking Swedish I would have waited with that part, but to late now. Next time I will be more aware and understand how this works!

Needless to say, I never went to the gym. I was very frustrated and probably spent a good 3-4 hours getting the darn thing set up! One thing I wish I understood ahead of time was that they activated me for three months with the live communication in Swedish. I have three months, that is all unless I pay more money and I have no idea how much that would be.

So I feel the pressure. I need to immerse myself in this program. I certainly hope these lessons aren't as difficult as setting the program up was...

Thanks for stopping by! 

Wishing you success in all of your genealogical treasure hunts! 

 Copyright © 2013 Cheryl Palmer All Rights Reserved

Memories

I took this fun and happy photo in June 2011 of Joan Miller while at Jamboree in Burbank, California. We had so much fun! My memory particularly goes to Joan, Susan Kitchens and Elyse Doerflinger when they impressed the heck out of me by doing different plank poses at the Marriott Hotel one evening. I posted one of those photos on my blog post  ~

Jamboree 2011 ~ A Few New Bloggers I Met, And A Photo NOT Staying at Jamboree!

I remember how impressed I was with the strength each of them showed. There was no way I was in any kind of shape that I could do anything like the poses they shared! Just confirmed how out of shape I was!

All of us bloggers continued on with lots of fun that weekend, including the party time with the pinata. I know many will remember that!

Since that time I have started yoga. I can now do plank pose! I have a ways to go to be perform side plank, but every time I do plank pose I remember that particular night. I am so grateful for pictures!

This morning I woke to some very sad news. I read from Thomas McEntee that Joan Miller passed away. My stomach dropped to my feet. Such a shock...she was so young. 

I feel honored to have met her at Jamboree, and visit with her and her husband Reg for a couple years in a row. She was a great blogger, Luxegen Genealogy and Family History and person. My deepest condolences to Joan's family. She was a treasure and will truly be missed.

Joan, I will see you again and when I do we will do plank together!

RIP dear Joan.

Thanks for stopping by! 

Wishing you success in all of your genealogical treasure hunts! 

 Copyright © 2013 Cheryl Palmer All Rights Reserved

What will 2013 Bring?

2013! 

It is here, the New Year...I wonder what it will bring?

I am hoping lots of loving, healthy, and happy friends and family!

More blog posts? I certainly hope 2013 shares enough time with me to write more blog posts than I did last year! The second half of last year flew by for me, I should say it actually overwhelmed me. I have made some changes for this year which I hope will allow a bit more time for myself. I changed positions in the genealogy society (instead of being VP-Program Chair, I am the Corresponding Secretary) cut back on the amount of dogs I will care for at any given time, will have my grandchildren less while school is in session and hope to have a less stressful year in general!

There are a couple of vacations in store for us this year that I am really looking forward to. First a cruise to Alaska and also the long awaited trip to Sweden! But, more on that later.

I hope to steal time to work more on my "new family tree," remember? I have been trying to do this for a couple of years now. It's the one that will have all the sources added...along with making sure each person in my tree BELONGS in my tree. This is taking me longer than I anticipated, but maybe I can get another line of the tree done this year?

More schooling. This time, I will be taking a break from the National Institute for Genealogy Studies program a bit so I can, are you ready for this?????? Learn some Swedish! Yes, that is correct! The Rosetta Stone Swedish language program is on it's way to me as I write this. I would really like to communicate at least a little bit with my cousins when I take my own Swedish Adventure this year!

I have a few other plans going on in my head too. I am thinking more beading, scanning pictures, hitting up the new gym and more yoga for starters. Oh yes, and I will be working on a special project made out of pull top tabs from cans! Who knows how long that will take, I need about a thousand pull tops, so as I collect them I can work a bit on it here and there. 

Some updating of this blog would be in order...

I KNOW, I am AGAIN pushing myself this year and not really planning for any unexpected events. Those are rather tough to schedule in anyway, not knowing when exactly they may occur. 

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I would like to take a moment here to reflect on some of those unexpected things from last year. My family and I lost many special friends and family this past year. It took a toll on me for sure. 

We will always remember and be very grateful for these people who were and/or played a part in the lives of my family. Without you, many others would not be here. I have wonderful memories and so much love for you all. My heart broke with each of your passings...thank you for your wonderful contributions to our world. You will never be forgotten. 

In Memory~

Nina Pernilla Lundberg ~ April 24, 2012

Jack Granato ~ April 30, 2012

Ken Limtiaco ~ June 25, 2012

Terry Lagorio ~ July 20, 2012

Arline Mills ~ August 17, 2012

Ray Staton ~ August 8, 2012

Ralph Gil ~ September 12, 2012

Kenny Best ~ September 24, 2012

Ruben Romero ~ Dec. 2012

I know each of you are flying with the angels! Til we meet again...

2013 ~ Grateful for all of my blessings!

Wishing you a wonderful New Year filled with much happiness and many genealogy break throughs! 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Wishing you success in all of your genealogical treasure hunts! 

 Copyright © 2013 Cheryl Palmer ~ All Rights Reserved