Journey of the Heart

The Fun of Genealogy

Posted on March 2, 2017 | Leave a comment

lucille-ball-19 I love genealogy. I love the research aspect and more than anything I love the discovery aspect. My husband clings diligently to the “Adam & Eve” theory that we are all related and the rest is just a waste of time. That’s fine for him, but I guess I am more about the how of the connections. If I am potentially connected to someone, I want to know how, by who, or is it whom. Either way, I want to know.

So, I am a huge fan of Ancestry’s “We are Related,” and Family Search’s “Relative Finder.” I spent yesterday tracking my connections to some of the famous movie stars I am potentially related to. I am always tickled when I can line everyone up to fit.

Below is my most current list of potential famous movie star relatives.

Francis Phillip Wupperman (Frank Morgan)
Eldred Gregory Peck
William Edgar Buchanan
Elizabeth Victoria Montgomery
Humphrey DeForest Bogart
Burl Icle Ivanhoe Ives (Burl Ives)
Jackson DeForest Kelley
Harry Lillis Crosby II (Bing Crosby)
Jane Waddington Wyatt
Jesse Donald Knotts (Don Knotts)
Lloyd Vernet Bridges II
Margarita Carmen Cansino (Rita Hayworth)
Joseph Frank Keaton (Buster Keaton)
Fess Elisha Parker II
Lucille Desiree Ball
Mary Frances Reynolds (Debbie Reynolds)
Frances Ethel Gumm (Judy Garland)
James Harrison Coburn

judy-garland-m6

I look at this list and two things stand out for me. I am potentially related to the two main characters of the Wizard of Oz, and I am related to a number of strong, beautiful and very funny ladies. Must be in my genes.

Bonnet Creek Resort @ Disney (Review)

Posted on February 10, 2017 | 1 comment

For those of you who enjoy timeshares and Disney, this might be of interest to you.

The Bonnet Creek Resort is beautiful. We made an appt. via Sea World to attend a presentation regarding their membership opportunities. We knew what we were getting into and went willingly. We saw the presentation and Jay Im was best sales speaker I’ve ever seen. Our guide was very nice. And the tour of the facility was very relaxed and enlightening. We were doing great. Then we told t hem we would not be buying in. Our guide went and got someone else, and she pretty much told us we we were stupid for wasting their time when we obviously had no intention of “committing” when we got there. They kept lowering the price and we stuck with our decision to decline. So our guide gives us the paper to sign to decline and walks away, no good by, no bite me, nothing. Another guy rushes up and tells u to follow him to close out so we can get our free gift (7 nights vacation off their list, taxes only). We get to another table and the guy offers us a one time deal of getting almost what they offered inside for $100,000 for $58 a night for a year. Huh? We said no. He looked at us, let out a heavy sigh, handed us our papers and said go right at the blue sign. I began telling him what a lovely facility it…and he turned and walked away. Nothing.

Now, at this point, I would have actually recommended the idea to a couple other people, because it really was a good deal, but they are only nice to you until you say no, then you become invisible and unworthy of acknowledgement. Well, BITE ME.

When we got to the gifting center there was a nice young man, Angel-his name, who would give us our certificate for vacation. He was as nice as could be, offered a few tips, made eye contact, laughed with us and made us feel human again. I mentioned my displeasure with the previous few people and he looked me straight in the eye and said, “that is unfortunate. I am sorry that happened to you. I hope you enjoy the vacation in spite of it. He smiled and closed us out.

Thank you, Angel for being a kind person. I am giving the resort itself 4 stars (having not stayed can’t give higher.) It is a beautiful facility with tons of amenities right in the heart of Disney. I just hope the actual staff is better than the folks trying to sell the resort. I give them a 1.

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Posted in Blatherings

Today’s TO DO List

Posted on February 2, 2017 | Leave a comment

Good Morning, my friends. Couple of reminders.

1. Don’t forget to pick up your copy of my valentine’s day short story, SEDUCING CUPID, on Kindle today. Some folks say it’s funny. And I do tend to crack myself up. Just sayin’. Oh, the important part, it is FREE today. Now run along.

2. Don’t forget to tell your friends and family you love them. Oh, yeah, I love you all!

3. Don’t give up on America, it is ours and WE will fix it with love, compassion, and sheer strength of will. WE ROCK!

4. If you pray, don’t pick and choose who you pray for. Pray for the world that we may all find our happy place.

5. Send Jelly beans. Not to the world. To me. Well, I guess you could send them to the world too. But send to me first, before you run out of stamps and money. Not that I am more important than the world, I just really want jelly beans.

While today I am battling a bit of a cold, I feel pretty good and will begin working on a NEW story idea! Right after I do some research on my very elusive ancestors on my DAVIS side. Evasive little buggers.

Have a super fantastic day.

Hugs!