Christmas.......December thru the Years

A few things that have happened in my life in December:

1941 My brother Bryan was born. I remember going to see my Mother at the
hospital with him.

1954 I got engaged on Christmas Eve.
First time we saw "White Christmas"

1956 Alan was cruising in the Mediterrean (courtesy of HM Queen) on HMT Dunera
my Dad and Bryan went to England for Christmas and I was home all
alone.

1959 Archie was born.

1962 First Christmas in America. I remember doing the same things I had in
Belfast, being tired as a result on Christmas Day, looking forward
to Boxing Day and getting up on the 26th to find Christmas was
over and some people's trees already in the curb for pickup.

1982 Timothy and Margie got married in the Jordan River Temple.



1985 Lilian and Cory got married in Salt Lake Temple.



1985 Lesley held first family Christmas Party.

1988 Ammanda born day after her Dad's birthday.



1989 Our Christopher passed away unexpectedly.
What a terrible Christmas.



1997 Went to York Minister on Christmas Eve. We were serving in the
Birmingham Mission at the time. Actually we were gone two Christmases.



1998 Jeffrey left to serve a mission in Seattle.



2010 I had cancer surgery.

Christmas.........

As a child growing up in War time Belfast and shortly thereafter, Christmas was very simple. There wasn't a lot of money, sweets were rationed. BUT..... what has that to do with anything?

I would hang up my stocking, an ankle sock and ultimately search everywhere for it next morning. It seems like I did always receive a new doll because I remember the smell of it, and while my Mother cooked a fine dinner my Dad took my two brothers and me for a walk. We always ate brussels sprouts for dinner so I associate this veggie with Christmas. The big shops had a Santa's Workshop and for a small charge we would get on a "sleigh" and ride through the toy department made to look like the North Pole. "It's a Small World" at D'land always "reminds" me of this activity. Anyway, at the end of the ride we met Santa, I guess made a request and received a gift. Thus the "small charge".

I remember when I was about 8 receiving a scooter. As I remember it was a BIG scooter but I realize my eight year old size made it seem big, but it did hold both of us kids. Anyway, the neighbour kids and my brother Joe and I would go to the end of the street where there was a "hill" and we would ride our various toys down this hill. What joy, what a grand time as my brother stood behind me and did the necessary work to mobilize the scooter and both of us "sailed" down the hill. :o)

My Mother was a great cook and laboured hard to fix a traditional Christmas dinner complete with Christmas pudding and even managed to set fire to it as you have seen in "A Christmas Carol" with Alistair Sim. We always went to the Pantomime, and sometimes the Circus. So for me there were not a lot of gifts maybe one or two small ones, but the excitement of "once a year" treats were to be anticipated.

We also went "round" the Christmas Tree at City Hall. I'm talking a LOT of years ago and lights were very minimal. But there were always crowds of people and Christmas music and it was wonderful.

When I was ten years old we moved to East Belfast and a nicer neighbourhood, I don't remember getting many gifts after turning about twelve. Maybe a pair of slippers and a box of chocolates. A small box.

As as teenager 14?15? I used to go to dance studios to learn ballroom dancing, my Mother encouraged this as she felt this was an important skill to have. So now Christmas took on a new additional form of entertainment.

My Mother died when I was 15 and Christmases didn't hold much joy for a few years.

But happier times did return, so watch this space.

What-A-Day x 10

Ashleigh would often lament "what a day" I have had a week of "what a days"

Nov. 3 Sander Michael Leger was born
Nov, 5 Jeffrey and Julee had birthdays, and Rebecca was baptised
Nov. 7 Chelsea turned 17 (yeah for pizza and birthday cake)
Nov. 8 Election Day and Katelyn Hawks (Nielsen) went to the Temple.
Nov. 9 Lunch Bunch and VT Meeting

Nov. 10 Tara came from California, and then "caught" the bouquet




Nov. 11 Alan and Katelyn were married



Nov. 12 Aubree was baptised.




I enjoyed all of these days, I really did not have to do anything, just be there. In the words of our favorite Lesley

"It is just a pleasure being nominated"

All love together. Started out with Dad, Mom, and Lesley and has now grown to encompass 54 of us. WOW!!!!!!!

Times "2"

Well, there was this Irishman that went to England to work and stayed in a boarding house. The first day his landlady made him a lunch of 2 slices of bread. He complained that was not enough so next day she made him 4 slices. It still was not enough so she made him 6 slices and so on until he was up to 10 slices. When he still complained, next day she thought I will fix him. She took the loaf of bread, cut into 2 halves made him one huge sandwich. She waited for his report when he returned.
Landlady: "How was your lunch today?"
Irishman: "I see you are back to 2 slices" :o)

So..... what has that to do with the price of tea in China?

Most of you know, Granpa loves Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. He has a good friend who occasionaly brings him some. Well, of course it is never enough so last night he brought him some and figuratively speaking he is back to 2 PBCs.

Hazy Lazy Days of Summer

As you know we went to San Clemente for a period of recuperation after my recent surgery. HAH!!!!!
Well. we did relax.
We sat several times, for several hours on the beach.
We did celebrate my birthday.
We did shop in Laguna Hills.
We did buy pastry in Laguna Beach.
We did go to Pick-UP-Stix.
We did go to check if someone was in our house
AND THERE WAS........HAH!!!!!!!


We did go to Rocklin and saw the California Marsdens
We did go and visit Uncle John and Auntie Bea.
We did go to the Treat Box in Truckee.
And finally to In-and Out in Reno.
We did come home exhausted!!!!!!!
But we had a great time.

NOW....as we say in Belfast.....
"it's back to porridge"

So today we bought corn on the cob....DELICIOUS
and froze it.
Dad is suffering quite severly with his sciatica
or whatever it is that causes him so much pain. BUT....
no slackers
he schucked the corn and then as per usual he had to have a pun. :o(
Any idea who he thinks he is??????
Bless Him!!!!




Captain Horatio "Corn"blower.

Memorial Day

10th May 1955

All those years ago my Alan began employment with Her Majesty the Queen. As did all 18 year old young men in England.
He began his National Service in York, England.


This handsome picture made my girlish heart flutter (it still does)

Which one of us was robbing the cradle? Probably Alan he was 7 months older than me. :o)



After a spell in Egypt and a Mediterrean "cruise" courtesy of Her Majesty, and his regiment being posted to Northern Ireland, he came out of the Army with 2 stripes. And we began our life together in Belfast. :o)



The rest is history.

A very interesting and eventful history.

Women's Conference 2011

My how time flies when you are having fun.

What joy to be with 2 daughters, 2 daughters-in-law and a grandaughter at BYU this year. And, because of Temple sealings and ordinances the mother and 2 sisters of one daughter-in-law, and the 2 sisters of the other, we are all one happy extended family.

The weather cooperated really well, and apart from not being able to attend some desired classes, we all learned many things.

I am copying Lesley's idea of recording some statements I enjoyed.

We need to see each other as God sees us..

Real love does not support destructive behavior.

My love for you is not on loan to you but is yours to keep.

Everyone can master a grief...but he who has it. (Shakespeare)

No scriptures......No answers
Know scriptures....Know answers

Getting home from Provo was quite a challenge BUT ...... we made it.
And hopefully next year the construction will be complete, "but if not"
we will still plan to go.

EASTER

I love Easter. And Springtime.

Usually about the middle of February when the snow starts to melt I start looking for the flowers to pop their leaves above the dirt and I continue to inspect the various trees and bushes for signs of their survival. When I notice the first signs I greet each plant with a tender touch and greeting, "You survived the winter" :o)
Yes I talk to my plants and let them know how beautiful they are. It encourages them!
Then I get tender feelings in my heart because of this renewal as I realize the reality of the Resurrection. This past week I thought of this event and some of the people I will be reunited with in that glorious day.
Here are a few.

My Mother and Father

Alan's Mother and Father

Grandma and Grandpa

My sister Jean and her husband Billy

My brother Roy and his wife Frances

Alan's brother Roy

Alan's sister Marjorie

My sister-in-law Maureen

Alan's cousin Margaret

My friend Doris

Our two precious angels Christopher and Ashleigh


How grateful I am for the Plan of Salvation, for my Saviour's sacrifice, and the promise that
"FAMILIES CAN BE TOGETHER FOREVER"

Off with the old....

I used this wider view to show the emptiness of the parking lot:o(

On my way to Dick's the other day I noticed Rogers Memorial Theatre (RMT) it was named after Ralph Rogers who founded it, originally it was Pages Lane theatre,(before that the location was used for a laundromat and a Green Stamp redemption center) and thought,"A blog"

It is the end of an era. We have spent many happy hours in this theater watching David do what he does best. Number one, he met Christine here. And we are glad he did, Christine is a great addition to our family.

I have lost count of the performances he has done but none have ever disappointed. Usually we have gone on dress rehearsal nights with a lot of extended family, and additional friends.

He never shows he is aware of us being there, but on one occasion Auntie Bea was visiting and we took her to whatever he was doing and one of his movements required him to indicate "two" which he did in the British fashion. Auntie Bea was delighted.

Chelsea and Derek and Caitlin have also participated here. So that will always be a "bee" in their bonnets

.....IN WITH THE NEW



Centerpoint Legacy Theatre......
is located in Centerville, not too far from RMT. It is great and as you approach it at night it really is "A Theater" all lit up with big windows and people moving towards it. Anticipation....

The opening play was "Hairspray" and guess what part David played?.....
.......Wonder no more.....



He was great!!!!!!!!

So although there is nothing more constant than change, and there are some mixed feelings of leaving RMT we look forward to many entertaining nights ahead.....

Citizens

March 11th 1970 we became citizens of The United States of America.
One of the best decisions of our lives. It was not an easy decision for me until I realized we were raising American kids three of whom were born in Northern Ireland and two not shown in the picture and one yet to be born.
America has been "good" to us but then we have been "good" to America.

We always vote and have encouraged our children to vote. We have taught them to be good citizens at the same time recognizing their British culture. We feel we have done a good job.

Alan came four months before me and I like to say I came with three children and two suitcases.

They all have good jobs and are teaching their families to be good citizens.

So here we are forty one years later, and what started with a family of five in 1962 has now grown to a family of fifty 0ne.

God Bless America.

And God Bless The Marsdens.



(Well this picture is 5 years old so not everyone is here but........)

Springtime in the Rockies :o)

What a beautiful world we awoke to this morning......



Thankfully it is a Spring snow .....



.....and soon this will once again be on the agenda



and my favorite gardner will be doing what he "loves"



He does a fabulous job.

California

We just got home from a delightful week at our favorite beach. We had a wonderful time vegetating. We did go to the San Diego Temple for a session. We attended Sacrament Meeting.


We drove to Laguna Beach to visit a delightful bakery and to buy treats. YUM!!!

We walked on the Pier

, and on the Beach and

watched the sunset every evening.

With it being wintertime the sky was clear and we had fantastic views of

Catalina Island.

We did have a couple of showers one day but the rest of the time the sun shone and we basked in 55 degrees. Well, there was a chill breeze off the ocean but that's ok.


Our thoughts turned to the first time we visited California. it was President's Day 1968. We went with my brother Joe and his wife. We left Utah in driving rain and arrived in Riverside in glorious sunshine. We went to visit with my younger brother Bryan and his wife. As we drove we entered San Bernadino National Forest and I am looking for the forests like we have in Utah. Not in this part of the desert. All we could see were Joshua trees and they were few and far between.

We did stop in Las Vegas at 2am . The Strip stopped at the Stardust.

We visited Disneyland but it was evening and it was closed, but we were able to ride the Monorail and circle the Park which just whet our appetites for more.

This was the first time we visited San Clemente and our fate was sealed. Alan often talks about swimming and body-surfing in February.

We ate at a "fancy" resturant in Newport Beach called the Reuben E. Lee. (Therein lies another whole story) with 5 children at home we didn't do much "eating out".

Oh, and in talking about the children, we had "farmed" them out with friends back in Utah. :o)

Later in 1968 we took the children to California. There is another whole Blog on that trip.



We'll be back. That's a promise.