Ready

This is me in Ireland in 1975; re-creating a picture taken of my Mother at the same spot in 1956 while on her honeymoon. This is what we refer to as... a tender moment.

I'm ready to go on my trip. I still have a lot to do... but I'm ready. All the planes, trains, hotels and B&B's are booked and London theatre tickets await us at will call. This has been a monumental task, much different than planning a trip to the beach house. I have lists of things to be done at home and at work (which now includes hiring and training a new employee). I will bring my suitcase out this week and start my "collection" of things to be packed. I am writing notes to myself practically every day so as not to overlook any detail. I have preparation plans written on certain days in my planner; for example: on conference weekend I must review all of my airline instructions so that I know what I can and cannot take in my purse and carry on bag, and what time I should arrive at the airport. Another example written on another day: I must write checks for all of the bills so that Mike can mail them while I am gone. There are moments as I'm going through this process when my stomach starts to hurt. There are other times when I feel a glimmer of excitement. I'm hoping that the glimmers will soon overcome the aches. Don't misunderstand. I am excited. I'm also scared. I admit it. But I have had great helpers in my family who have been so excited for me to go, that they have gone to a lot of work to share any information they have from their recent trips to Britain. My brother Alan emailed me several pages months ago with advice based on his experiences as well as links to the places we will visit. He also supplied me with links to the West End Theatres, trains, airlines in Britain, Abbey Road crossing web cam... he sent me different scenarios of how to plan our trip, for example: London, Yorkshire, Belfast or Yorkshire, Belfast, London or Belfast, London, Yorkshire. You get the idea. In case you're wondering... we are going to Yorkshire, Belfast, London. I decided it would be best to do London last. My sister (in-law) Margie asked where we planned to visit in London. She surprised both Caitlin and I with pages she printed for us with links to the local sites which included hours and prices. She recommended the hotel in London where we are going to stay. Margie also emailed me her daily journal of her last trip which was a great help. It helped me to determine just how much we can see and do in a day. I read it through twice. My Mother printed off a colored map of the underground (tube) which I have been studying. I have texted Tim, Alan, and Margie (a lot) with multiple questions and they have all eagerly responded. Thanks you guys!! You can be sure there will be many more texts in the next couple of weeks. Reading this post you would think that I was going to a strange place where I'd never been before... this is my 4th visit to Britain since I left as a child. It is my first visit where I am completely in charge. I recognize that all of the planning and preparation has been a great learning experience for me, remember... I'm the one who said, "if I can build a float... I can do anything". Glimmers are starting to overcome aches. Yep, I'm ready. 

"If Your Irish..."

This is me in June 1975 in front of the home in Belfast where I lived as a child. I don't know that guy behind me... but I think he's enjoying being in my picture.

My parents emigrated to the United States in 1964 when I was just a four-year-old. I've written about that experience on my blog before so I won't review the details now, but I will say that coming to live in America has truly blessed my life.

I love the verses of scripture found in 2 Nephi 1:5-7. Part of it reads "... the Lord hath covenanted this land unto me, and to my children forever, and also all those who should be led out of other countries by the hand of the Lord."

I know that my family was led to this country by the hand of the Lord, I even inserted the words October 1962 next to this scripture so that I will always be reminded of that when I read those verses.

Next month I will have the opportunity to visit the land of my birth for the first time in nearly 38 years. My memories of my early childhood in Ireland are very dim; but I feel gratitude that I do actually have my own memories and not just the stories that my parents share with me.

I am so grateful that I live in this promised land. But I am also grateful that I was privileged to be born on a beautiful emerald isle across the sea, and I am very much looking forward to being there again.

When We Obey, We're Happy All Day

We have always been very fortunate to have faithful hometeachers visit our family. When our boys were little we had a particular companionship of hometeachers that the boys loved. They came diligently each month and were prepared with lessons that were specifically catered to our sons.

One month our hometeachers shared a lesson on obedience. They began the lesson with this little motto: "When we obey, we're happy all day". It left an impression on our family because not only did we add to it... "when we did not, we were sad we forgot"; but this motto has been repeated many times in our home through the years.

Whenever I hear a lesson or a talk on obedience, I can't help but remember a time that I wasn't obedient and was very sad that "I forgot".

As mentioned in a previous post, I had the opportunity to spend a great deal of my summer vacation between my junior and senior years in Great Britain. My trip was divided between my mother's sister in Northern Ireland, my dad's two brothers and my Grandma in England. My mother's uncle and aunt lived in London. Because I was flying in and out of London she arranged for me to stay with them for a few days upon my arrival and the last few days before I returned home.

Of course we didn't have "on-line" anything back then, so I had to make all of my travel arrangements from England to Ireland and then back to England, after I arrived in Britain. My mom took great care in "tutoring" me to ensure that I reached each destination safely and without incident. She provided me with a notebook where she had written all of my relatives names, addresses and phone numbers. I had been given instructions as to when I should arrive at each relatives house and how long I should stay there.

I was booked on a chartered flight which meant that all of the same people were on the flight to and from Britain. Consequently, I knew some of those people. My mom had arranged for me to sit with the George Allan family from Bountiful on the flight over. Upon our arrival in London, the Allan's would be traveling to Scotland, so my mom had asked Maureen Scott, an Irish friend, to accompany me from Gatwick Airport to Victoria Station in London where my mom's Uncle Harry would pick me up. Because I did not know Uncle Harry, nor he me, my mom had told him that I would be wearing a green ribbon pinned to my clothes so that he could identify who I was. With all of those plans and instructions given; off I went.

Now, my mom had given me a shiny piece of green ribbon attached to a safety pin and rehearsed to me that I must wear it. I nodded my head, signifying to my mom, that of course I would wear it... I had not the slightest intention of pinning that green ribbon to my shirt. What teenager would do anything so humiliating?  No, I had a better plan... I would wear a green shirt.

I traveled with the Allan's to England as planned, I then traveled to Victoria Station in London with Maureen Scott, we then parted and I stood against a wall and waited... and waited, for Uncle Harry. I was sixteen years old, and alone in LONDON!!!

I had departed from SLC at 10 pm the night before, and it was now quite late in London. I don't remember how long I waited, but I know it was a long time as I stood against the wall with a suitcase on either side of me. I was SCARED.TO.DEATH; so what do you think I did? I started to cry. I had never heard the term "the ugly cry" until recent years, but I am sure it originated from someone walking through Victoria Station on the night of June 4, 1975 who happened to see a young girl (in a lovely green shirt) sobbing uncontrollably.

Eventually, an older gentleman who appeared to be very concerned, approached me, and in a frustrated voice said, "Lesley????" I could only nod through my sobs. Although I heard several references to the green ribbon, it was happy ending, or... beginning to my trip.

I have never forgotten that experience. How much better things would have been for me had I just obeyed.

I have been to England twice since, and am now embarking on that journey again. For almost a year I have been planning and scheduling; and in recent months, arranging and reserving. A few days ago I was having some difficulty with making on-line reservations for my hotel in London and in purchasing some theatre tickets, so I went to my parents house to arrange for those details over the phone (they have a good phone plan for Britain calls).

I know that this is a wonderful opportunity for me and my daughter to go on this trip; but for me it hasn't been without some stress, anxiety, and yes I will admit... some fear. As I sat at my parents kitchen table and finished these final details over the phone (and I was writing down every detail), I felt such a relief that it was all taken care of, but then the anxieties overcame me and I got emotional. As my tears flowed my parents both assured me that everything would be fine. As I looked at all of the details that I had just written, I couldn't help but laugh through my tears as I said pointing to my notes, "I'm wearing my 'green ribbon' this time." And I am.

It's Time For Favorites

I have a few of these sweaters from Lands End. I LOVE them. They are excellent quality and often go on sale (I never pay full price for anything, well... hardly ever).

I went to a Miche party last fall and purchased their Demi bag and two shells. You can change purses simply by replacing a shell over the existing bag. You can change straps and hardware too. I have two shells including the one in the picture. I would like to buy a red one.

I love Mrs. Cavanaugh's Mindy Mints. This year I received a heart like this one for Valentines Day. How many of you know that the color of the flower signifies what the center of the chocolate is? White flower = Mindy Mint. They have Easter eggs too! Mike... are you reading this?

What can I say... I love chocolate and Hershey Kisses are a fav. I love the holiday colors, especially the Christmas ones. I love them in my glass candy jars. I'm sure everyone reading this will disagree, but I don't care for all of the new varieties of Kisses... you don't mess with classics. Just my opinion. 

I am obsessed with California grapefruit lately. I eat them almost everyday and I eat them just like an orange.

I received this David Yurman bracelet as a gift from a former employer 4 years ago. It fit snuggly so I tucked it away and never wore it. I finally took it to OC Tanner (where it was purchased) to see if they could add some links to it, and I got it back just a few days ago. I loved it before, but after receiving more information about it from the OC Tanner company, I love it even more. Isn't it beautiful!?!

I discovered Pinterest last year. I love browsing and pinning. If I pin it, it means I really like it. It's a fun way to collect ideas. I am sometimes amazed at how clever people are. I wish that I could come up with something wonderfully creative. In the meantime, I will enjoy the benefits of the creativity of others. 

Yabba, Dabba, Doo and a... Thank You!!

Tuesday night Mike and I went to Pack Meeting to see Adam receive his Arrow of Light award and Zach receive his Wolf. Boy, was it deja vu!! There was a "cheer" box full of cheers (hence this post title), cub scout skits and songs, pinning pins on moms, hugging moms and being embarrassed (one boy even grimaced when his mom kissed him), and lots of gold and silver arrow points. Andy did a fabulous job as Cub master and Zach led the flag ceremony; Mike was there dressed in his mountain man clothes helping with the presentation to Adam. It was awesome!! It brought back memories of having three sons in cub scouts and the many, many MANY Pack Meetings we attended. I loved seeing my two oldest grandsons decked out from the top of their heads to their toes in cub scout uniforms. I was reminded of a snowy day a few weeks ago when I picked up Adam and Zach from school. I told the boys that they needed to get ready for scouts as soon as they got home. Adam was very excited because his den was going to the local high school's science lab where they would be setting their hands on fire. WHAT!! But get this... he didn't want to wear his scout shirt because he didn't want his sleeves to catch fire and ruin his shirt. Better the hands than the sleeves; I guess... not! 

Creating A Memory

During the summer of my seventeenth birthday my parents sent me on a 5-week trip to Great Britain to visit my relatives. Before I left my Mom gave me a bar of Yardley English Lavender soap. I was thrilled to have the beautiful lavender bar of smelly soap, up until that day all I had ever used was Dial soap. My Mom explained that by using this special soap on my trip, that forevermore whenever I smelled it, it would bring back memories of my trip. At our Favorites Party last October someone brought Yardley English Lavender soap as their favorite. Immediately remembering my Mother's theory, I hoped that my name would be picked out of the bowl. It wasn't, but I did get a chance to smell the box and immediately the memories flooded my mind, suddenly I was back in England in 1975 at my Uncle Derek's house. My Mom was right!!! So, today I bought a bar of Yardley English Lavender soap for my daughter... 'cause guess where she's going in a few weeks; AND guess who is going with her!!!

We Wish You A Merry Christmas!!