Talk About It Tuesday-- Friends

I learn a lot about the past in my present moments.  This last week, my dear friend's husband had a heart attack.  It was extremely serious--to the extent that it looks like a true miracle that he's doing well now.

My friend (from Jr. High and High School) gave me a call.  Another friend who lived nearby had been notified.  Each one of us wanted to "run to" my friend to help her. I've noticed that loving friendships can endure the separation of time and space and return as if no separation had ever occurred.  Love is an amazing thing.  I'm so grateful for my friends.

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I intended to do a Memory Lane Monday post using Amy Coffin's challenges, but it's now past midnight.  My favorite food was homemade hamburgers, with chips or fries which we would dip in Thousand Island or Blue Cheese dressing, and green beans.  I liked the familiarity of this Friday night meal more than the food itself, I think.
To see a more interesting post about food, Click here to see my Examiner article and Betty Harrell's comments.

Thankful Thursday: Family History Expo's M. Bridget Cook

Today, I’m grateful to have attended the AZ Family History Expo last weekend. As usual, it was well organized with awesome presenters, vendors, and amazing people who were there to have a good time and to learn a lot.

I appreciate being asked to be a Blogger of Honor and met some wonderful fellow bloggers—some of whom may become life-long friends.

I especially appreciated coming to know M. Bridget Cook, who delivered the Distinguished Keynote Presentation at the Friday Night Banquet. She is the mother of three who loves “discovering and sharing the dynamic possibilities of each human soul”. Since my focus on helping and healing family lines is similar to hers, I was very interested in her topic for the ‘Friday night presentation: “Handling and Healing the Skeletons in Your Genealogical Closet”. Her words helped those present realize how our personal stories can help family members survive and thrive. Even those whose history is horrific, can choose to change their lives for the better and become a powerful influence for good.

This is what the Family History Expos site says about Bridget and her books:
“Always curious and awed by the extremes of human behavior, Bridget Cook authored national best-selling Shattered Silence, the Untold Story of a Serial Killer’s Daughter (Sweetwater Books, Cedar Fort 2009) with Melissa G. Moore, daughter of the infamous Happy Face serial murderer. Despite its title, this book has been inspiring millions of people and has been featured on Oprah, Dr. Phil, Good Morning America, 20/20, People Magazine, E! Animal Planet, In Touch Magazine and in other prominent news leaders throughout the world.


Also the author of Skinhead Confessions: From Hate to Hope (Sweetwater Books, Cedar Fort 2008) with former high-ranking, neo-Nazi skinhead leader TJ Leyden, the book and its message now turn thousands away from gangs as TJ works together with universities, law enforcement and military to educate youth and adults alike on the dangers of gang activity and extremist groups. TJ and their book, Skinhead Confessions has recently appeared on Dr. Phil, The History Channel’s Gangland Series, and CNN. TJ often makes regular appearances on CNN and NPR as a national pundit for tolerance and peace activism.

Currently working on Holocaust survivor stories, Bridget continues to delve into the inner workings of families who have suffered tremendously horrifying situations, and yet have triumphed over their circumstances. In addition to her motivational speeches and workshops, Bridget is also a dynamic business leader and entrepreneur. Her incredible energy has led her on a diverse path of business, publishing, humanitarian, genealogy, and even social work as a tracker and mentor for troubled and gang-related youth in Colorado. Having an authentic interest and flair for writing family histories and conducting research, Cook has also been a staff member on Everton’s Genealogical Helper and also The Handybook for Genealogists (Tenth Edition) and currently owns three businesses.”

I enjoyed two of Bridget’s classes about writing personal and family histories at the Expo. I’m grateful for her newfound influence in my life.

Watch Bridget's inspirational video

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Disclosure of material connection: I was a Blogger of Honor at Family History Expos and received free admission and a free dinner and admission to the Friday night event. I am an affiliate of Amazon.com.  Links in this blog are affiliate links. 

Family History With Your Digital Camera

Use your digital camera as a family history tool.
1. Take photos of gravestones
2. Take photos of ancestral homes
3. Take pictures of family heirlooms
4. Take photos of records and documents
5. Take photos of family and friends
6. Take photos of localities where your ancestors lived and worked

Thank you to Beth Snow for sharing this family history tip.

Organize all these photos using Heritage Collector Suite, your complete family history management system.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I am happy to be an affiliate of heritagecollector.com. Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Memory Lane Monday: Homes

I was fortunate to live in one home the entire time I was being raised.  A white stucco home with shutters and a big picture window in the living room.  My parents purchased the house for $12,000, paid it off, and sold it for about $250,000 fifty years later.  There was a sidewalk going up one side which led to a gate.  Beside the sidewalk was a garden area.  Roses were planted there for awhile, but the types of flowers would change when my dad decided to try something new.  The kitchen window overlooked this area.  When I was in elementary school, there were multi-colored, fragrant sweet peas growing on a trellis under that kitchen window.  I felt so special when mom would suggest I take some flowers to my teacher.  

I can see now, that I need to take many more days writing about my childhood home.  I like these prompts by Amy, so I can have direction to my writing this year.  I will continue to update or write about my home.  Even without its complete description, however, what's deeply important to me is the love that always could be found there.  Amid normal ups and downs, it was love that filled the air--wrapping my insecurities in light.  For that, I am most grateful!  

The home has been sold and my parents have passed away, but the memories are locked in my heart forever with the spirit of love in the "home" they created for me.

To use this week’s ’52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History’ challenge for your own personal history records, view the entire description by using my Examiner.com, Phoenix Genealogy Examiner link.  Click here.  Click subscribe (at the top) if you’d like to get my articles automatically delivered to your inbox, or click the RSS icon to read my posts via a feed reader.

The ’52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History’ series is authored by Amy Coffin of the We Tree blog.  These prompts are hosted on the GeneaBloggers website.

Looking for UNIQUE GIFT IDEAS?  Click here. 

Note from Family Tree Gal, Carolyn:  Have you joined the Family Tree Quest at www.familytreequest.com ?  I also invite you to join me on Facebook and Twitter.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation from Amy Coffin or GeneaBloggers.com for writing this post. I am listed on the GeneaBloggers Blog Roll because I find it to be a valuable, shared community resource. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

Enjoy Yourself at the AZ Family History Expo Exhibit Hall

Here is a list of exhibitors at the AZ Family History Expo.  I hope I haven’t left anyone out.  As you can see there is a wide variety of displays accompanied by friendly people to answer questions and provide tools and tips to make discovering your ancestors and strengthening your family line a pleasant and rewarding experience.

AGES-Online

American Family Chiropractic

Ancestral Quest

Ask-The-Pros

The Blog House

Criminal Research Press

Daughters of the American Revolution

Digital Scrapbook Memories

DMT Publishing

DNA Consultants

do Terra

Easy Family History

Family History Expos and Prize Drawing Area

Family History Society of Arizona

Family Roots Publishing

FamilySearch

Family Tree DNA

Flip-Pal

Gene Tree

The Genealogical Institute

Genealogy Gems Podcast

Generation Maps

Heritage Collector

Legacy Family Tree

My Vintage Roots

The Perfect Word
PhotoTree.com

Prize Drawings

Roots Magic

Sons of Confederate Veterans

Stories to Tell

Story Time Felts

Timeless Footsteps

Universal Genealogy Center

Visit My Past

West Valley Genealogical Society

Stop by the Expo.  There is no charge to visit the Exhibit Hall.  There are fees to attend classes.

At the Door Registration is $75.00 (2 days)
One Day Registration is $40.00
Attend just a few classes for $12.00/ a class

Arizona Family History Expo
Mesa Convention Center
263 North Center Street
Mesa, Arizona 85201

January 21-22, 2011
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I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  I am a Blogger of Honor this year for AZ Family History Expo for which I will receive a Tweet Pass for entrance and will attend the Friday event without charge. I have attended the Expo at my own expense before and highly recommend it based on my personal experience there.  Flip-pal, Generation Maps, and Heritage Collector are my affiliates.

Today’s the Day for the AZ Family History Exp

The day has finally come to attend the AZ Family History Expo.  Head on over to the Mesa Convention Center.  There is an abundance of classes to choose from.  Each person who registers receives a complimentary copy of the CD Syllabus with their registration packet when checking in. The syllabus is a compilation of class handouts for the more than 100 classes being offered.

The classes are fabulous, the presenters are well-prepared.  There is something for everyone.  Last year I was amazed at the attention to detail in every facet of every class and in the Exhibit Hall.  There were also giveaways that made the Expo so much fun.  I hope you can attend this fantastic event.

At the Door Registration is $75.00 (2 days)
One Day Registration is $40.00
Attend just a few classes for $12.00/ a class

Arizona Family History Expo
Mesa Convention Center
263 North Center Street
Mesa, Arizona 85201

January 21-22, 2011

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I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  I am a Blogger of Honor this year for AZ Family History Expo for which I will receive a Tweet Pass for entrance and will attend the Friday event without charge. I have attended the Expo at my own expense before and highly recommend it based on my personal experience there.

Helping and Healing Family Lines

The Family History Expo is almost here.  As a Blogger of Honor, I will be letting you know about some of the great speakers, exhibitors and all-out fun at this event.

Bridget Cook will speak Friday night.  As an author and researcher (among other things) Bridget continues to "delve into the inner workings of families who have suffered tremendously horrifying situations, and yet have triumphed over their circumstances."  She is currently working on Holocaust survivor stories. (from www.fhexpo.com)

Watch this interesting 4 minute video

Register now for this unusual and insightful evening! Tickets are only $33.00, and include a delicious dinner, keynote presentation, and your free, signed copy of Shattered Silence, the Untold Story of a Serial Killer’s Daughter. Keep in mind, tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance to insure your dinner and your keepsake book. Register online today or call 801-829-3295! Click here for more information.

Friday January 21, 2011 at 6:30 PM
Mesa Convention Center, 263 North Center Street, Mesa, AZ 85201
FREE parking

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I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  I am a Blogger of Honor this year for AZ Family History Expo for which I will receive a Tweet Pass for entrance and will attend the Friday event without charge. I have attended the Expo at my own expense before and highly recommend it based on my personal experience there.

Don't Miss the Expo or the Friday Night Event!

The Arizona Family History Expo takes place January 21-22, 2011 at the Mesa Convention Center, 263 North Center Street, Mesa, Arizona 85201.  There's still time to register.

Don't miss out.

Also, take note of the incredible Friday night event. 

Handling and Healing the Skeletons in Your Genealogical Closet
Friday Night Banquet & Distinguished Keynote Presentation
Featuring M. Bridget Cook, Transformational Speaker &
National Bestselling Author

Register now for this unusual and insightful evening! Tickets are only $33.00, and include a delicious dinner, keynote presentation, and your free, signed copy of Shattered Silence, the Untold Story of a Serial Killer’s Daughter. Keep in mind, tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance to insure your dinner and your keepsake book. Register online today or call 801-829-3295!   Click here for more information.

Friday January 21, 2011 at 6:30 PM
Mesa Convention Center, 263 North Center Street, Mesa, AZ 85201
FREE parking

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a Blogger of Honor for the AZ Family History Expo. I will receive free admission and am invited to the Friday night event free of charge.  I highly recommend this event, however, based on my last years attendance for which I paid full price.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Memory Lane Monday: ’52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History’ entry, challenge #3

Memory Lane Monday

This year for my Memory Lane Monday posts, I’m using the ’52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History’ series authored by Amy Coffin of the We Tree blog.  These prompts are hosted on the GeneaBloggers website.

To use this week’s ’52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History’ challenge for your own personal history records, view the entire description by using my Examiner.com, Phoenix Genealogy Examiner link.  Click here.  Click subscribe (at the top) if you’d like to get my articles automatically delivered to your inbox, or click the RSS icon to read my posts via a feed reader.

I skipped last weeks entry, because I referred to the winters in my life in a previous post.  Instead, I interviewed Betty Harrell for my Examiner article.  Her responses about Winter Memories got her started down Memory Lane.  Read her interesting comments by clicking here. 

Here’s my Memory Lane Monday post this week:  Cars

My first memory of a new car in our family was an old DeSoto.  (Yellow and Black)  It is quite amazing to think about now that styles have changed so dramatically.  My parents were so very excited.  Throughout my life with my parents, they usually owned Chevrolets-usually the Caprise Classic.

When I was first married we bought a very old Chevrolet Impala and were simply grateful to have transportation.  Later we bought a Lincoln Mercury Capri, dark green and loved its sporty feel.  We later owned a Honda Accord that suited our growing family.  I have fond memories taking my children to school in our Chevy Blazer.  

I'm now realizing we had more cars than I ever imagined.  We now have a Chevy Suburban and a Toyota Matrix.  I'll fill in the others when I write family stories.

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Looking for UNIQUE GIFT IDEAS?  Click here.

Note from Family Tree Gal, Carolyn:  Have you joined the Family Tree Quest at www.familytreequest.com ?  I also invite you to join me on Facebook and Twitter.  Check out my Family Tree Quest Blog if you haven’t done so already.  

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation from Amy Coffin or GeneaBloggers.com for writing this post. I am listed on the GeneaBloggers Blog Roll because I find it to be a valuable, shared community resource. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”