On Winning or Not.....

A couple of weeks ago Lesley created a contest and the prize was a cute candy jar filled with bubble gum, and it reminded me of a promotion we encountered in England when we were on our mission.

(having an understanding of British humour will help)


We bought "Tango" drinks in a 6 pack and our favorite flavour was blackcurrant. Well.... the instructions on the front of the packaging said,"Rip open your Tango 6 pack and scour the innards for a winning coupon printed on the inside. If it's there, Yell,Roar,Shout, run to the hills and back, then exchange it for a free 6-pack of apple, lemon, or orange Tango"

Well I followed instructions, I did not find the coupon, in stead I found this:

"Commiserations.....Not all the laughter of all the children, nor the singing of all the birds, nor the playfulness of all the small animals in all the fields can bring one ray of comfort to the desolation that is in your heart. We can't all be winners, and you have not won today. We will now leave you to deal with this loss in your own way."

That is how I felt when I again did NOT win, in Lesley's contest.

I am dealing with it.

A Recommendation.......

....that I followed through on....


Melissa recommended this book,"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society". I borrowed it from the library and found it most delightful and add my recommendation to Melissa's. You will find her review in her blog in February. I found it interesting in this book the amount of letter writing that took place and mourn the passing of "writing letters"

Usually as the family have suggested books I have looked at them and tried but couldn't get involved but this was different, perhaps because of the British connection.

Because of being incapacitated recently I have had several books loaned to me, I like mysteries among other types and my Visiting Teacher loaned me a Mary Higgins Clark book that I devoured and that has set me visiting the library more often of late. Her books are very tense, but enjoyable.

I learned at any early age to enjoy reading and my family always had library cards that were well used. Of course back then we didn't have TV and all the modern devices to amuse us. So reading was prime.

The problem I have with reading is; I can't lay the book down till it is finished so other things have to wait. Well, things like laundry, and shopping, and cleaning, and cooking etc.

What about you? read any good books recently?

....Time

only is measured unto man. Alma 40:8

I sat beside my Sweetheart today in Church and listened to him sing and thought of all the years we have sat together and sang the hymns of the Church. Tears came to my eyes. Church is a great place to contemplate and take time to ponder. Not just on the spiritual but on what comes to mind. So as I thought of the years I thought of the buildings we have worshipped in.


One of the first was 13 The Mount, Belfast, home of the Belfast Branch.


Another was 10 Oxford Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. Alan's home Branch until he went into the army and we got married. It was in Dewsbury that Alan visited in 1979 and met several members whom he knew growing up and found them still faithful. It touched his heart.


There are beautiful purpose built chapels in these towns now. Actually several in Belfast.






We lived in Colchester, Essex, while Alan did his National Service.


Then we came to Utah.
We have always lived in
West Bountiful
and there are two chapels that we attended although we have been in meetings in many Utah Wards.


We went to Zion as an extended family once and my Dad organized us on Sunday morning to have sacrament. Also, in several other States.







We served our Mission in Wellingborough, Northants, England and the Branch meetings were held in this building in the foreground.












We go to the San Clemente Ward when we go to the beach and love to come out of the Chapel because this is what we are anticipating.


But the hymns are the same, the order of service is the same and the doctrine is true.

January 2010

January 5th I went to LDS Hospital for a right hip replacement. I was nervous. But from the time we entered the hospital everyone was friendly, courteous, helpful and full of confidence. I began to relax. And by the time Lesley and Lilian arrived to give their Dad moral support we were ready for a party. Well, they partied. The first person to visit was a respiratory therapist and this shows my efforts to get my lungs moving.
In about 4 hours they had me up on my feet with the aid of a walker. I had to get physical therapy. Alan of course went with me for moral support for me and hopefully a learning curve for him. (to help me at home). Well, needless to say Alan was in great form. There were some others there who had had knee surgeries and with long broad elastic "reins" were attempting to lift their legs. Of course Alan starts singing, "oh, the Deadwood stage is a'coming on over the hill". It wasn't all fun and games but they did take care of me. Alan was able to stay at nights and it was a comfort to me to see him when I opened my eyes.
Coming home was quite traumatic as the car seat was a long way down. But we made it and I was able to tackle the stairs. I have never used crutches before but they were surprisingly easy to maneuver. And now I am beginning to go on one crutch.

For a few days I felt like I was on a roller coaster as I dealt with reactions to various drugs and taking pills on an empty stomach.
I have had a Physical Therapist visit me at home three times a week to teach me and encourage me in doing exercises. I have also had a home nurse visit twice a week with 24 hour on call service.
On Wednesday I have a follow-up visit scheduled with the surgeon.
Some neighbors brought meals and others came to encourage. Cory took G'pa to a car show while Lilian "tended" G'ma. Jeffrey and Melissa brought me a Jamba Juice :o)
What a great job Alan has done/is doing in taking care of me. He would have done it for me if possible and we have shed a few tears together as I hurt and he hurt for me. But we have also laughed a lot too.
I am grateful for Heavenly Father who has put into the hearts and minds of men to develop these procedures and other procedures to help us here on the earth.

Saturday night we all went to Lilian and Cory's to celebrate Alan's birthday and what a great way to celebrate my "coming out" of the house.

But the Child that is born on the Sabbath Day.....

.... is bonny and blythe and good and happy. Well, I can't use the other word!!!
It seems only a few short years ago that Archie asked me how I felt about my kids turning 30!!!!! now my Grandkids are turning 30 and Archie is the second of our kids to turn 50!!!!!
He was born at home, 36 Trassey Close Belfast, At 4:20am on a Sunday morning. While we waited for the midwife to come it was just Mom and Dad (Lesley was asleep in another room) waiting. All was quiet and dark and we were just waiting....... a very special spiritual moment. He was named Archie after his paternal Grandfather, and does a great job of honoring him. As a baby he "failed" to thrive and was in hospital for several weeks. A good friend Sammy Douglas, fasted for two days before going with Alan to administer to Archie and within two days Archie was home and hasn't looked back. He was always a quiet child not always talking but when he did he would use BIG words and speak clearly. We would look at each other in amazement. He was always quite patient BUT if you teased him enough he would let you know, as in one time when we were living at Uncle Roy's waiting to come to Salt Lake, Keith teased him enough that he formed a fist and said to Keith, "If you don't watch it I'll give you that" He wasn't yet three. He has always been very loving and compassionate. Once I was potty training one of the littler ones and Archie sat on the bathroom floor to keep the child company and said, "don't worry, your Archie is here". He was about six.

In later years he introduced his Dad and I to the National Park in Utah that is named after him !!!!! Well, it would have been if the namers knew him!!!!!
He is a hard worker and is/was welcomed with open arms when LDS hospital was changing it's computer system. He brings a feeling of competency with him. And always with a laugh and a smile.
He served a mission in Auckland, New Zealand. And later when the girls attended Catholic private school was involved in their various activities. The Priests enjoyed his humor.
He is very generous and kind. He is surrounded by women, he has a wife and three daughters, even the dog is a girl. I admire him.
He is very tender-hearted and has a philosophy that when JuLee is happy everyone is happy. Smart man.
He loves the Lord and his neighbor. He goes the extra mile.



Alyssa, Archie, JuLee, Ammanda, and Aubree.
You will have to imagine a lovely yellow lab "Biscuit" at their feet

I enjoy reading Archie's blog. I have learned a lot about him.

Happy Birthday son, and many more. We love you .

P.S. Take another look at Lesley's family friday on Archie and everyone's comments.

Comforts of Home

Oh the weather outside is frightful (4ins snow)
and the fire is so delightful
and since there's no place to go
LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW.

and a nice bowl of homemade soup.

A GIRL!!!!!!

WHAT JOY!!!!
After three boys we were excited to have another girl. Lesley couldn't believe she had a sister!!!! She was born on the day before Thanksgiving and named Lilian after my Mother. So, being so excited to have a girl how do I explain my leaving her all alone when just a few weeks old in the laundromat? I can't. And, being so excited to have a girl how do I explain leaving her behind at the Church when she was 4 years old? I can't. I am just grateful I missed her and went back, and that a neighbor recognized we had left her behind and brought her home.
She was hospitalized for several weeks, starting at New Year's of 1967, first with pneumonia and then other unspecified conditions. What a worry! It took about 6 weeks but finally she came home to stay.
We all delighted in our baby girl. Even in the cause of photography when her Dad took away her easter egg and caused her to cry. It made good video but......... and then when we took her to the beach for the first time when she was 18 months she didn't like the sand so would stay on the blanket. Suited me, we didn't have to chase after her :o)
Nowadays she loves the beach and all that it entails, and she loves Disneyland.


She is the loving and devoted Mother of 5 boys, and has served in all capacities of Cub scouting. She has earned the right to be happy that her boys have out grown that program. She has been a diligent supporter of her Taylor as he has been involved in marching band and music. Now she is into missions and marriages as her eldest boy got married.

Although born in Bountiful, Utah she is proud of her British heritage and has visited England a couple of times and knows her way around like a native, or even better than some. :o) On one of her trips she saw the Queen or should I say the Queen got to see her.

She is the Queen of scrapbooking and got all of us involved in blogging. She has a nice big home and is always generous in sharing her home for family parties etc.
She makes fabulous sugar cookies and takes time to decorate them.
She has developed (no pun intended) a talent for photography and is generous in sharing her talent.
She has several friends who love to party with her and enjoy the ridiculous.
She is very patient.

She is devoted to the Lord and fulfills all callings as they are extended to her. She is teaching her boys to honor their Priesthood and women. She is someone I look up to and respect.

We love you Lilian, always have, always will. Happy Birthday Sweetheart and many more.

Lilian and her favorite people at one of her favorite places