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........)