#2. My Tree

Whew!!  What a summer....!  I just got back from a beach trip with the female members my family - 3 aunts, 2 cousins, and Momma, of course. We had a great time - but it got me athinkin' about my family tree. 

So today - I am an official member of www.ancestry.com. The official family tree website.

It's a little expensive - about $12.95 per month. But already, I think it's worth it. Many documents are available online: census, birth/death certificates, etc. It's truly fascinating! I'm a geeky history buff, so you know....anywho.

Good, interesting stuff. 

Guess what the professions were of both my great-grandfathers?

Farmers, of course. (from the 1920 census.)

See? Cool stuff...

More to come - so stay tuned for August!

Holli a.k.a Girl Turns 40

40th Birthday Bucket List - 3rd Quarter Highlights

I can’t believe it – it’s been 9 months since I started my journey of Girl Turns 40.  July marks the 10^th month, and into the 4^th quarter…with only August and September to go!

It’s been a great year so far, let’s take a little trip down memory lane, shall we?

In the Educational category – one of my favorites was taking a cooking class.

My favorite book so far has been The Help, by Kathryn Stockett. (Can’t wait for the movie!)

In the Health & Wellness section – definitely, love my monthly massages! (Can you hear the fountain?)

From the Family section – the Panthers game wins (even though they lost.)

On my Personal list – cupcakes and flowers, need we say more?

As a humble servant, I have really enjoyed volunteering from my Spiritual/Service list.

From the Treasure chest, my favorite item is my ring – so far….

And finally, from the Travel section: my favorite Trip-of-the-Month has to be Orlando. (Maybe because, I just got back…!)

Or New Orleans…

Or the Grove Park Inn.

Hmmmm……hard to decide.

My grand total is 29 completes!

And 11 more to go…..

Stay tuned - there's still more good Girl Turns 40 stuff to come.

 - GT40

#31. Magic Kingdom - July Trip-of-the-Month (Part 2)

I’ve only been once to Disney World, and that was close to 20 years ago. Thus, this “magical” place made it onto my Girl Turns 40 list.

So, Part 2 of my July Trip-of-the-Month to Orlando, was of course…to the happiest place on earth: Magic Kingdom. My work has been soooo C-R-A-Z-Y lately, going to “the happiest place on earth” seemed like a fairytale, indeed.

But yes! After a smooth plane ride (yippee!)…

and after checking in to a beautiful resort (the Hyatt Regency Cypress).

(Seriously, check out this pool!)

“Happiness” was beginning to set in.

Right away – we took off to the Magic Kingdom. The ultimate “happy” location.

And who wouldn’t feel lighthearted here?

There were parades in the daytime…

Parades in the nighttime…

Princesses…

Pirates…

And Mickey and Minnie, of course.

Oh yes, and fireworks.

It was ridiculously fun… (and ridiculously expensive. But we’re not focusing on that part.)

Happy July! 

Stay tuned for more….family fun ahead.

Girl Turns 40

#31. Wizarding World

It’s that time again – my Trip of the Month (drumroll, please…) to Orlando, Florida to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando!

And wow…if you’re a fan, you must go!

At the entrance, is the Hogwarts Express.

The design of the park is laid out as the village of Hogsmeade – famous in the books for the Ollivander’s (the wand shop),

and Honeyduke’s (the candy store), and much more…!

There are a few rides – two roller coasters, plus the big draw: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, which is everything you’d expect in a virtual reality of flying on a broomstick with Harry Potter, complete with giant spiders and snakes, and dementors – of course.  It’s not for the faint of heart, or children under the age of 21.  This Girl barely made it through, and I’m 40…you know.

My favorite part was the Village itself. The shops were great…

With entertainment, such as the Triwizard Spirit Rally showcasing Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students performing in a “pep rally” of sorts.

We topped it all off by having lunch at the Three Broomsticks.

I opted for roasted chicken, corn,and potatoes, and topped it off with a ButterBeer, of course. (BTW, ButterBeer is non-alcoholic and tastes like a foamy, butterscotchy cream soda. It’s good!)

Soooo much fun for Muggles everywhere!

 - Girl Turns 40