I guess just about everyone has at one time or another. For me it has been, over the past 50 some years: "why me?". Of all the people who have been born into this world, why was I lucky enough to be born in this Country. Why was I able to move from Ohio to California and meet a native of the State, by some giant coincidence, the only one in his family not born in Utah. Making the miracle that could find my 'eternal future'? Why?
My Dad was born in England and my Mother the only one in her family born in Iowa. Why was that? How was it, that they happened to meet on a blind date in Ohio? So many questions, and yet such interesting happenings that brought everyone together at just the right time and in the very place that all these 'happenings' could happen!
In doing our Family History, I have found that through my Maternal Lines we have a number of ancestors who came over on the Mayflower and were signers on the Mayflower Compact. That is pretty interesting stuff. I sort of thought that curious; seeings I believed some of the Grand Parents may have come from France, but I have not varified that bit of information so far.
What a slim possiblity to have more than one member on any Ancestrial Line who could be traced back to such a Historical Event. Only recently I had read about the trip from England by those on the Mayflower and how they were bound for the Virginia Colony. There they felt they would be entering in with settlers who had established a government and were organized successfully. However, a storm blew them over 800 miles North of their desired landing site. When they realized this they quickly organized themselves and wrote the 'Mayflower Compact'. This would be their govenment and bind them together. They did not set foot on land until they were sure they could work together in difficulty and prosperity.
Imagine their surprise when they did land and found a lone man from a tribe of Indians, the sole survivor it turned out. The biggest surprise, he greeted them in their own language. I just learned today that this Indian had been captured and taken as a prisoner to England where he had learned the English language and had found his way back home, only to learn his entire tribe has been wiped out by a plague.
That may not seem like so much of a 'big thing' to most, but to me it opened avenues of thought I had not had before. Here were some of my own ancestors who had left their homes, under went a great challenge to travel by sea to a land they knew nothing about. When they were met with the problem of being miles from where they had planned to be, they quickly made sure they could be successful once they started a Colony in this 'wilderness'. There awaited them someone who could help them in so many ways. Point out where to make their first settlement. How to get water and food. How to find the things they would need to help with these first important challenges. (What kind of a blessing was that?)
The Virginia Colony had nearly starved to death before they recieved help from a ship that was bringing more settlers. They had lost most of their original group in their struggles. Had these Mayflower Pilgrims made it to Virginia they would have had a great deal more to face than they found in the uncharted place they actually came to. Think about it. So many whys?
The Lord knows each of us, He knows what is good for us. It is his Plan and His desire for each of us to be 'happy' to be 'successful' and to accomplish all that is in our power to accomplish. We know that nothing can come from nothing, so it should be no surprise to learn that from the tiniest of steps things are moved forward, or as the Scriptures tell us, weakness is what brings forth great strength.
My lines could have brought me almost any place, but it was not ment to bring me just 'any place'. It was ment to bring me 'in time' and to THE 'place' where I too might accomplish all that I am ment to be and to accomplish. It was not by accident, but by a 'devine design'. Something that I had not given a thought to before. What a revelation! When we are told in the Scirptures that He knows even when a Sparrow falls, or that He has 'dressed' a Lilly fairer than - -, well that should open our eyes to just how special each of us really are.
Today we hear of people who suffer from 'depression' and lack any faith in themselves. It brings to mind some things I have heard over the years. "If you knew who you really were, you would be amazed". Well, I don't know, but I am beginning to realize that the depth of me and the bredth of me is far more than I had given thought to and am just now seeing that it took a great deal to bring me here, and I should be more sure of where I wind up. I have, for a long time, had a strong testimony, but as I set here now and write about this new 'revelation' gleaned from reading and a TV program, I am inspired!
Another question, why now? At such an advanced age, why am I given such an insight as to 'how I got to where I am'. I may not know this side of 'eternity', but I am happy to realize that those who made my journey possible in the way it has played out, are finally revealed to me. No longer just characters in a book, or names on a Pedigree Chart. They are real, and have been guided in THEIR lives, as I know I have been in MINE. If we had been 'valiant' in pre-earth life, we earned a place in the 'Saturday Night' of time. We are not an accident that had waited generations to happen. No, we are where we earned our right to be. Others have gone before who laid out a way for us, ME, to 'full fill our destiny'.
Which brings us to the BIG question: "what am I doing to full fill it?"
Looking back, I can see I made a few right choices, but also see a number of choices I am not at all happy about making. I guess we will all have some of those. The time that remains must be used more wisely and put to more valueable endeavors. Maybe there will be someone down MY line who will need a similar inspiration to help them 'get along'. No wonder we are encouraged to look after our ancestors, to gather their names and submit them to the Temples to have their work completed. We are one BIG FAMILY and need to be joined together.
I have long been aware that those for whom we do their work, will be waiting to greet us as we cross over into immortality. I have had a number of experiences doing the work to know when they accept what is being done for them. How much more eager will I be, to thank those who made: "My Turn On Earth" possible. I am aware of them, and by name. How wonderful!
Written this 18th day of August 2010
by: Eileen Rosenberg
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Jay Could Cook
That's right. Jaybird loved being in the kitchen. In fact, I think it was the main reason Dawn learned to cook. I never had the patience to stay with it. Jay was a 'cook book' guy. I never liked to use one myself. Just stick with the standard stuff. I hate baking cookies. Jay loved to bake. In fact, he would spend time in the kitchen baking or making candy. He was great at both. Oh, and fruitcakes. He loved Fruitcake!
When I retired he would have dinner on the table waiting when I got home. Not just meat and potatoes. No, he would have a beautiful salad before the main course. He wasn't much for cassaroles. He would eat them, but they were not his favorites. I could put a 'pull together' meal and he would not say anything until after it was over. If he liked it he would say: 'ya it wasn't bad'. If he didn't care for it he would simple say:
'don't make that again'. Of course I never did.
I believe he started working with Dawn when she was around 5 or 6. They would spend hours in the kitchen working on one thing or another. Well, they would work together on about any project when it comes down to it. But I believe the one thing that Jay enjoyed most was having the kitchen to himself to just work at something that the whole family would enjoy. One Christmas I remember we were attending a cooking class weekly at one of the appliance stores, or was it a night school, heck, I don't remember. Anyway he got it in his head to make fancy liquere. We spent weeks looking for special decanters to put the stuff in. For not being a drinker, it was quite a project. He got all the ingredients and then had the recipes to put it together. He was still working at the time, and this was for gift giving to some of the other 'Bandits' and of course his 'Broker' who got work for him. Anyway, he worked for weeks on that project. I will have to admit it was more than he had expected it would be, but I believe he enjoyed it very much.
The Decanters looked beautiful, and it was even more appreciated knowing that he had especially made it for the receivers. He was always ready to take another class, and we did have some neat experiences. I was never the one to get excited about fancy cooking, but Jay loved learning all there was to know about herbs and various types of cooking skills.
You know looking back on it, Jay was more exposed to cooking from his Dad who cooked for the Sheep Herders when he was young. His folks were raised in the Utah area until they were much older, so had lived with gleaning from the fields and doing their canning and processing of the things they would hunt and fish. Maybe that was the nucleus of his envolvement. As for me, I was raised by two parents who were raised more in city areas and had very little to keep their families going. I don't know that they didn't can, etc. but it was never that big of a thing that I recall. Mom was a good cook, but it was very plain, probably because the family she came from wasn't use to any exciting menus. I know Mom had to learn how to cook some of the English dishes that Dad liked from his own home enviornment. Nothing fancy, just different. She was great at making Christmas Steamed puddings. She made Steak and Kidney pie. I couldn't stand the smell of it. I don't remember anyone but Dad eating it either, but then the boys may have been more adventurous than I was. Mom made her own Mince Meat at Christmas time, I believe that was English inspired. Of course she made her English Tarts, that Dawn and her girls have picked up on those. Personally I could never make a pie crust you could cut. Mine you couldn't move from the pan even with an axe. No, Jay didn't do pies either as I recall. He was a cake man. That and Cookies.
I have always been greatful that he was so happy in the kitchen. Not that I didn't cook, but knowing that when he had to it was never a problem for him. He would usually try something different that he had liked from some place else. Or, possibly some recipe that he had seen and was interested in trying. What ever, he was a good cook, and was the main inspiration for Dawn in the kitchen. I am happy that Paul was able to get some training along that line as well. Not from me, but when he was young and worked at one of the Resturants in the area where the cook took him under his wing and worked with him when they were short handed. He learned enough through those experiences that he was able to keep afloat while serving his Mission in England. He was strapped with their lack of grocery items over there, but his Dad would make up packages with useful things from home that would help him put some tasty meal together for himself and his companions.
The Rosenbergs Cooked - and that's the truth!
Written this 16th day of August
by: Eileen Rosenberg
When I retired he would have dinner on the table waiting when I got home. Not just meat and potatoes. No, he would have a beautiful salad before the main course. He wasn't much for cassaroles. He would eat them, but they were not his favorites. I could put a 'pull together' meal and he would not say anything until after it was over. If he liked it he would say: 'ya it wasn't bad'. If he didn't care for it he would simple say:
'don't make that again'. Of course I never did.
I believe he started working with Dawn when she was around 5 or 6. They would spend hours in the kitchen working on one thing or another. Well, they would work together on about any project when it comes down to it. But I believe the one thing that Jay enjoyed most was having the kitchen to himself to just work at something that the whole family would enjoy. One Christmas I remember we were attending a cooking class weekly at one of the appliance stores, or was it a night school, heck, I don't remember. Anyway he got it in his head to make fancy liquere. We spent weeks looking for special decanters to put the stuff in. For not being a drinker, it was quite a project. He got all the ingredients and then had the recipes to put it together. He was still working at the time, and this was for gift giving to some of the other 'Bandits' and of course his 'Broker' who got work for him. Anyway, he worked for weeks on that project. I will have to admit it was more than he had expected it would be, but I believe he enjoyed it very much.
The Decanters looked beautiful, and it was even more appreciated knowing that he had especially made it for the receivers. He was always ready to take another class, and we did have some neat experiences. I was never the one to get excited about fancy cooking, but Jay loved learning all there was to know about herbs and various types of cooking skills.
You know looking back on it, Jay was more exposed to cooking from his Dad who cooked for the Sheep Herders when he was young. His folks were raised in the Utah area until they were much older, so had lived with gleaning from the fields and doing their canning and processing of the things they would hunt and fish. Maybe that was the nucleus of his envolvement. As for me, I was raised by two parents who were raised more in city areas and had very little to keep their families going. I don't know that they didn't can, etc. but it was never that big of a thing that I recall. Mom was a good cook, but it was very plain, probably because the family she came from wasn't use to any exciting menus. I know Mom had to learn how to cook some of the English dishes that Dad liked from his own home enviornment. Nothing fancy, just different. She was great at making Christmas Steamed puddings. She made Steak and Kidney pie. I couldn't stand the smell of it. I don't remember anyone but Dad eating it either, but then the boys may have been more adventurous than I was. Mom made her own Mince Meat at Christmas time, I believe that was English inspired. Of course she made her English Tarts, that Dawn and her girls have picked up on those. Personally I could never make a pie crust you could cut. Mine you couldn't move from the pan even with an axe. No, Jay didn't do pies either as I recall. He was a cake man. That and Cookies.
I have always been greatful that he was so happy in the kitchen. Not that I didn't cook, but knowing that when he had to it was never a problem for him. He would usually try something different that he had liked from some place else. Or, possibly some recipe that he had seen and was interested in trying. What ever, he was a good cook, and was the main inspiration for Dawn in the kitchen. I am happy that Paul was able to get some training along that line as well. Not from me, but when he was young and worked at one of the Resturants in the area where the cook took him under his wing and worked with him when they were short handed. He learned enough through those experiences that he was able to keep afloat while serving his Mission in England. He was strapped with their lack of grocery items over there, but his Dad would make up packages with useful things from home that would help him put some tasty meal together for himself and his companions.
The Rosenbergs Cooked - and that's the truth!
Written this 16th day of August
by: Eileen Rosenberg
Friday, August 13, 2010
I Loved Daily Vacation Bible School
As you will recall, I was born in the East, and there is where my first recollection is of any religous education I received. We lived in Greensberg, Pennsylvania so I would have to have been around four years old at the time. The family, which means my brothers and myself went to a big Christian Church at the end of the Street we lived on. Or that is the way I remember it. We would walk to Church on Sunday mornings. I don't really recall the sermons, etc. however. What I do recall is they had Daily Vacation Bible School. There were tables that I sat at and we did all kinds of fun projects and learned the Stories from the Bible. I was fun being with the kids my age, and enjoying the classes.
We moved to California in 1935 where I attended Church with my Grand Father; who was Episcopalian. I don't recall the boys going, but I loved to go and set with Grand Father and hear him sing. He was a Tenor and had a wonderful voice. In fact, as I believe I have stated before, sang on the Radio for a time.
When Dad and Mom bought the house on Belgrave Avenue we, the boys and I, attended the little Church down the Street from us. It wasn't very big, but it too had Daily Vacation Bible School. I was 8 years old by then, and took a great interest in the things that were being taught. The Boys had made friends with Johnny Strong who had a shop around the corner from the Church where he sold Tennis Rackets. The shop was right across the street from some of the Tennis Courts at Huntington Park High School. Johnny hand strung the rackets and both the boys were fascinated by all he did. In fact, I believe both of them learned how to do it, and strung their own rackets. They would keep their rackets in a "press" so everything stayed in shape. We all played Tennis. After all, we lived right across from some of the other Courts at the High School. They would light them at night, so there was always some place to play, day or night.
But back to Daily Vacation Bible School. I believe most Christian Churchs have something that would follow along the same guide lines. They were planned for days when children were not in regular school. It was a perfect fill in for Summer as I recall. It lasted two weeks, and there were a lot of things I learned there that have helped me, even since I join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon). The Stories of the Bible have always been interesting to me, and I guess the basics that I learned in those various Summers has served me well in all the things I have studied and taught over the years.
Those young ladies who took the time to make up all the crafts we did and gave us so lovingly of their time, did not go un-noticed. Unfortunately I don't remember any of their names, but I do remember the things they taught me. Things that stayed with me when I was young and througout my teen years as well. Ground work that was helpful when I finally found the True Church and finally committed to being Baptized. Something that I had avoided until I was 23 years old. Now that was a long wait.
What one of the things those Summer Classes taught me, I believe, was dedication. When you take on a job, be dedicated and give it the very best you have. Of course my Dad and Mother taught me that as well. It was only reinforced by the other lessons I was able to learn.
I believe I was influenced by Johnny Strong as well. I spent a goodly amount of time with the boys in that shop. He was a wonderful young man. I think he and his wife took the three of us in because we were pretty much on our own when it came to Church attendance. Mom would come when and if one of us had a part on the Sunday program, other than that she wasn't a regular goer. Dad, well, he never attended - period. I guess you could say he was the first one to teach me something very solid about 'having your feelings hurt, or other wise effected' by something someone did or said at or about Church. Maybe that is why I am so hard headed when it comes to such things. For me, no one can 'run' me out. I may choose to leave, but in doing so, I only hurt myself. For the one thing I have learned over the years is, I am working out MY OWN Salvation and that means my staying is to keep me moving in the right direction. If someone else would vary my course, I would be the loser, not them. Soooo, I don't let what others do or say move me in that kind of a direction. Now, that does not mean in anyway that my feelings have not been hurt, or stepped on, from time to time but I can't let those things keep me from achieving my Eternal Goal. If I fall short, it is because I choose to fall short, not because I got side tracked by someone elses stupidity. I have never expected everyone to like me, and am not the least bit upset to find someone who doesn't. After all I have such feelings myself. I don't let them bother me and I hope I don't, on the other hand, bother them. My concern is that I am 'square' with the Lord. When I have made every determination that I am in the right with the Priesthood and the Lord, I can carry on. The hurt will go away if I don't 'feed it'. If I have been wrong, there is always repentance and seeking forgiveness for anything that might have been done in ignorance or non-intent. You can't always know how things are taken by others. We make the necessary adjustments and then we have to carry on. It is not the amount of times we stumble that count, it is the times we have the strength to get up, dust outselves off and keep moving that count. When we cease to move in the right direction we are sure to have missed the path, and set our goal further from our reach. There is not enough time to do those kinds of things. We need to keep striving to achieve. It is not how fast we go, but how steady we are in our pursuit.
It has been wisely said: "If you don't care where you are headed, it does not matter where you end up." I care where I am going, and have hope I will end up where I have been striving to be. Families are forever, and I certainly have been attached to a pretty wonderful bunch of folks, I would hate to miss when I arrive where I have set my course for.
I believe that those Daily Vacation Bible School classes were the beginning of the path I have been on all these years. I am greatful for all they added to my life. I am pleased to have been taught principles that have carried me over the rough spots of youth and grounded me well enough to not commit myself until I had arrived at the right place to make my commitment. I see new meaning in the words: "by simple things - are things made strong". Blessings not realized, but certainly not overlooked. 'I must have done SOMETHING good?' When, where, is not the question, but BECAUSE it is the way the Lord looks after us. When others may not see us, as we REALLY are, HE never misses it. This is very humbling. No wonder I Loved Daily Vacation Bible School!
Written this 13th day of August 2010
by: Eileen Rosenberg
We moved to California in 1935 where I attended Church with my Grand Father; who was Episcopalian. I don't recall the boys going, but I loved to go and set with Grand Father and hear him sing. He was a Tenor and had a wonderful voice. In fact, as I believe I have stated before, sang on the Radio for a time.
When Dad and Mom bought the house on Belgrave Avenue we, the boys and I, attended the little Church down the Street from us. It wasn't very big, but it too had Daily Vacation Bible School. I was 8 years old by then, and took a great interest in the things that were being taught. The Boys had made friends with Johnny Strong who had a shop around the corner from the Church where he sold Tennis Rackets. The shop was right across the street from some of the Tennis Courts at Huntington Park High School. Johnny hand strung the rackets and both the boys were fascinated by all he did. In fact, I believe both of them learned how to do it, and strung their own rackets. They would keep their rackets in a "press" so everything stayed in shape. We all played Tennis. After all, we lived right across from some of the other Courts at the High School. They would light them at night, so there was always some place to play, day or night.
But back to Daily Vacation Bible School. I believe most Christian Churchs have something that would follow along the same guide lines. They were planned for days when children were not in regular school. It was a perfect fill in for Summer as I recall. It lasted two weeks, and there were a lot of things I learned there that have helped me, even since I join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon). The Stories of the Bible have always been interesting to me, and I guess the basics that I learned in those various Summers has served me well in all the things I have studied and taught over the years.
Those young ladies who took the time to make up all the crafts we did and gave us so lovingly of their time, did not go un-noticed. Unfortunately I don't remember any of their names, but I do remember the things they taught me. Things that stayed with me when I was young and througout my teen years as well. Ground work that was helpful when I finally found the True Church and finally committed to being Baptized. Something that I had avoided until I was 23 years old. Now that was a long wait.
What one of the things those Summer Classes taught me, I believe, was dedication. When you take on a job, be dedicated and give it the very best you have. Of course my Dad and Mother taught me that as well. It was only reinforced by the other lessons I was able to learn.
I believe I was influenced by Johnny Strong as well. I spent a goodly amount of time with the boys in that shop. He was a wonderful young man. I think he and his wife took the three of us in because we were pretty much on our own when it came to Church attendance. Mom would come when and if one of us had a part on the Sunday program, other than that she wasn't a regular goer. Dad, well, he never attended - period. I guess you could say he was the first one to teach me something very solid about 'having your feelings hurt, or other wise effected' by something someone did or said at or about Church. Maybe that is why I am so hard headed when it comes to such things. For me, no one can 'run' me out. I may choose to leave, but in doing so, I only hurt myself. For the one thing I have learned over the years is, I am working out MY OWN Salvation and that means my staying is to keep me moving in the right direction. If someone else would vary my course, I would be the loser, not them. Soooo, I don't let what others do or say move me in that kind of a direction. Now, that does not mean in anyway that my feelings have not been hurt, or stepped on, from time to time but I can't let those things keep me from achieving my Eternal Goal. If I fall short, it is because I choose to fall short, not because I got side tracked by someone elses stupidity. I have never expected everyone to like me, and am not the least bit upset to find someone who doesn't. After all I have such feelings myself. I don't let them bother me and I hope I don't, on the other hand, bother them. My concern is that I am 'square' with the Lord. When I have made every determination that I am in the right with the Priesthood and the Lord, I can carry on. The hurt will go away if I don't 'feed it'. If I have been wrong, there is always repentance and seeking forgiveness for anything that might have been done in ignorance or non-intent. You can't always know how things are taken by others. We make the necessary adjustments and then we have to carry on. It is not the amount of times we stumble that count, it is the times we have the strength to get up, dust outselves off and keep moving that count. When we cease to move in the right direction we are sure to have missed the path, and set our goal further from our reach. There is not enough time to do those kinds of things. We need to keep striving to achieve. It is not how fast we go, but how steady we are in our pursuit.
It has been wisely said: "If you don't care where you are headed, it does not matter where you end up." I care where I am going, and have hope I will end up where I have been striving to be. Families are forever, and I certainly have been attached to a pretty wonderful bunch of folks, I would hate to miss when I arrive where I have set my course for.
I believe that those Daily Vacation Bible School classes were the beginning of the path I have been on all these years. I am greatful for all they added to my life. I am pleased to have been taught principles that have carried me over the rough spots of youth and grounded me well enough to not commit myself until I had arrived at the right place to make my commitment. I see new meaning in the words: "by simple things - are things made strong". Blessings not realized, but certainly not overlooked. 'I must have done SOMETHING good?' When, where, is not the question, but BECAUSE it is the way the Lord looks after us. When others may not see us, as we REALLY are, HE never misses it. This is very humbling. No wonder I Loved Daily Vacation Bible School!
Written this 13th day of August 2010
by: Eileen Rosenberg
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
When the Kids Were Little
It is fun remembering - even if many of the memories are cloudy and foggy - there are things back then that are pretty neat. When Paul was born, it was winter and we had to bundle him up when we left the apartment we were living in. Back then there were no 'car seats', well none like they have today. When he could set up there was a seat that 'hooked over the front seat of the car. Oh, yes, front car seats back then were all 'bench'. That ment we hooked that funny seat in between Jay and I. Not very 'safe' by todays standards, but they sure did a great job for us back then. Those were the days when every kid wore a cap of some kind to keep their ears warm. They also wore a sweater and was covered well with a blanket tucked in around them to keep them good and warm. Not the way you see the kids of today. Most of the poor little things, even from birth, seem to be devoid of blankets, hats, or something on their legs. No wonder so many are 'cranky'. We wore what they called 'sacques' on new borns. They had sleeves that could cover the hands and a draw string around the bottom so little feet couldn't kick them off. Of course we never had disposable diapers back then - the dark ages - so we used a water proof pad between the baby and their clothes. Kept them from being 'soaked through'. Back then we didn't have the fancy gripper snapped items so common today. My Mother did make 'cover alls' for the kids when they were older with gripper snaps down the legs. Some of the first I believe that were available, but they had to be home made items.
I guess every kid gets somekind of a 'handle' that fits them pretty well. For Paul it was "punkin". He was cute, blue eyed blonde and with the curliest hair you would ever see. In fact it use to bug me when we would go shopping - everyone thought He was a She. When we finally gave in and had those 'locks' cut off, there was no question after that what sex he was. He was a 'cute little boy'. Much to my satisfaction.
Dawn came along much later and so some things were changed, but not all that much. We still use the 'sacques' and other things. By now however they had brought out 'rubber pants' that weren't really rubber but a soft plastic that came in colors. They were elastic around the legs so they did a 'fare' job of keeping things dry. I hated to wear them on her though because they did make 'diaper rash' appear. Neither of us liked that very much. It is the name that she acquired that has been interesting to me. She learned very early how to climb out of her crib. I wonder now how she kept from breaking her neck, but she would manage her escape and then run into our room and get in bed between her and Daddy and me. The request soon came: "scratch my back". After that was taken care of the argument would start. I think I started it, now that I think about it, but it got pretty heavy between the two of us with a whole lot of giggling thrown in the mix. It went something like this: "He is My Daddy, and I had him first! No, He is My Daddy, and I had him first! This was naturally combined with each of us trying to hug him the most. Poor Jay, got some pretty heavy maulings while all this was going on. It was during these times that the name came into being. Once we would hear her I would say: "Oh No, here comes Scratch My Back Betty Bug". Play time insued and everyone had a great time. I guess Paul was old enough he rarely got envolved. Too much frolicing for him I would say.
How old was Dawn then? Oh, I guess between a year and half to two and a half.
You know I don't remember her ever wanting to sleep in our bed, but she was pretty happy if she got to take over Pauls' bed. With his being 6 years older than Dawn, there always seemed to be a plea of: "Mom, can't you get her out of here?" She never felt like she was too little to be included in his play time. She never knew a day when he was not going to school. He was in Kindergarden when she was born. By the time she was up and aware, he was in the first grade and gone most of the day. I guess that was why, when he was home, she wanted his total attention. Her eyes were not blue, but she had the same blonde hair, only minus the curls.
We had to wait a long time for her, with some problems she came with , all of which were safely and successfully taken care of. Thanks to Medical treatment and surgery. We have truly been a blessed family. I think the thing that was most pleasing for me was that Dawn and her Dad had such a great relationship. I had been fortunate enough to have such a relationship with my Dad and hoped the daughter that Jay had wanted so much, was as much a joy to him, and she was. They enjoyed doing things together and were always close. That too was a blessing!
Written this 10th day of August, 2010
by: Eileen Rosenberg
I guess every kid gets somekind of a 'handle' that fits them pretty well. For Paul it was "punkin". He was cute, blue eyed blonde and with the curliest hair you would ever see. In fact it use to bug me when we would go shopping - everyone thought He was a She. When we finally gave in and had those 'locks' cut off, there was no question after that what sex he was. He was a 'cute little boy'. Much to my satisfaction.
Dawn came along much later and so some things were changed, but not all that much. We still use the 'sacques' and other things. By now however they had brought out 'rubber pants' that weren't really rubber but a soft plastic that came in colors. They were elastic around the legs so they did a 'fare' job of keeping things dry. I hated to wear them on her though because they did make 'diaper rash' appear. Neither of us liked that very much. It is the name that she acquired that has been interesting to me. She learned very early how to climb out of her crib. I wonder now how she kept from breaking her neck, but she would manage her escape and then run into our room and get in bed between her and Daddy and me. The request soon came: "scratch my back". After that was taken care of the argument would start. I think I started it, now that I think about it, but it got pretty heavy between the two of us with a whole lot of giggling thrown in the mix. It went something like this: "He is My Daddy, and I had him first! No, He is My Daddy, and I had him first! This was naturally combined with each of us trying to hug him the most. Poor Jay, got some pretty heavy maulings while all this was going on. It was during these times that the name came into being. Once we would hear her I would say: "Oh No, here comes Scratch My Back Betty Bug". Play time insued and everyone had a great time. I guess Paul was old enough he rarely got envolved. Too much frolicing for him I would say.
How old was Dawn then? Oh, I guess between a year and half to two and a half.
You know I don't remember her ever wanting to sleep in our bed, but she was pretty happy if she got to take over Pauls' bed. With his being 6 years older than Dawn, there always seemed to be a plea of: "Mom, can't you get her out of here?" She never felt like she was too little to be included in his play time. She never knew a day when he was not going to school. He was in Kindergarden when she was born. By the time she was up and aware, he was in the first grade and gone most of the day. I guess that was why, when he was home, she wanted his total attention. Her eyes were not blue, but she had the same blonde hair, only minus the curls.
We had to wait a long time for her, with some problems she came with , all of which were safely and successfully taken care of. Thanks to Medical treatment and surgery. We have truly been a blessed family. I think the thing that was most pleasing for me was that Dawn and her Dad had such a great relationship. I had been fortunate enough to have such a relationship with my Dad and hoped the daughter that Jay had wanted so much, was as much a joy to him, and she was. They enjoyed doing things together and were always close. That too was a blessing!
Written this 10th day of August, 2010
by: Eileen Rosenberg
Friday, August 6, 2010
A Day In Court
Well I really had a couple days in Court, the first time I don't care to Blog about. It was for the Auto Accident we were in, in 1952. We werent at fault, but the proceedings were most uncomforable. (It wasn't funny McGee!) This one, however, had some humor attached; that is what brought it to mind.
We were living in Anaheim, California at the time. Dawn had moved from Taft to be with us after the house sold. Her intentions had been to stay in Taft and work, she had a good job with the Telephone Company there. Things changed for her however, and she decided to come to Anaheim and find a job close to us.
She went to work for Voit a Part Time Agency and was placed as a Secretary in the Area. They liked her so she was put on full time, eventually.
It might help the story if I relate the fact she had a 'new car' which her Dad had made a deal on for her High School Graduation Present. It was her pride and joy. One morning on her way to work she was stopped at a red signal when she was hit from behind. I can't remember all of the details, but I do remember it cause her to be called into Court. The accident wasn't her fault, but I believe it had something to do with getting the guy or his Insurance to pay for the damages to her car.
She was a bit shakey about the whole thing so I went with her to the 'hearing'. This is where the humor comes on the scene. The Court was already in session where she was to appear. We walked into the Court Room and immediately caught the Judges attention. He began almost immediately to russle through the papers on his desk. He would then look up at us and go back to checking the papers again. I had to smile quite broadly. You see the Judge was our Stake President. With all the things he was handling in his Court Room that day, it had excaped him that someone from his group of Saints was due to appear. It was even the more humorous when he was perplexed when I was there, my name was no where apparently to be found. You see I was one of his Seminary Teachers at the time. He knew me well, but had not become acquainted with Dawn at that time.
He was relieved when the Case was brought before the Court and he understood just why we were there. We were not in trouble, we were just there for the Insurance Company to present their case for payment for the damages to Dawns' Car.
Things worked out for Dawn; and the Stake President was happy to see us after all. I know he must have had any number of other times when some one he was responsilbe for showed up in his Court Room, with some not being all that pleasant. It was kind of a shock to us as well. One hates to have to be 'in front' of their Stake President under such circumstances. He was a wonderful man, and I enjoyed working with him over many years while he was our Stake President and I was a Seminary Teacher.
Just another one of those moments when you are happy, to say the least, you are where you are for all the right reasons.
Written this 6th day of August 2010
by: Eileen Rosenberg
We were living in Anaheim, California at the time. Dawn had moved from Taft to be with us after the house sold. Her intentions had been to stay in Taft and work, she had a good job with the Telephone Company there. Things changed for her however, and she decided to come to Anaheim and find a job close to us.
She went to work for Voit a Part Time Agency and was placed as a Secretary in the Area. They liked her so she was put on full time, eventually.
It might help the story if I relate the fact she had a 'new car' which her Dad had made a deal on for her High School Graduation Present. It was her pride and joy. One morning on her way to work she was stopped at a red signal when she was hit from behind. I can't remember all of the details, but I do remember it cause her to be called into Court. The accident wasn't her fault, but I believe it had something to do with getting the guy or his Insurance to pay for the damages to her car.
She was a bit shakey about the whole thing so I went with her to the 'hearing'. This is where the humor comes on the scene. The Court was already in session where she was to appear. We walked into the Court Room and immediately caught the Judges attention. He began almost immediately to russle through the papers on his desk. He would then look up at us and go back to checking the papers again. I had to smile quite broadly. You see the Judge was our Stake President. With all the things he was handling in his Court Room that day, it had excaped him that someone from his group of Saints was due to appear. It was even the more humorous when he was perplexed when I was there, my name was no where apparently to be found. You see I was one of his Seminary Teachers at the time. He knew me well, but had not become acquainted with Dawn at that time.
He was relieved when the Case was brought before the Court and he understood just why we were there. We were not in trouble, we were just there for the Insurance Company to present their case for payment for the damages to Dawns' Car.
Things worked out for Dawn; and the Stake President was happy to see us after all. I know he must have had any number of other times when some one he was responsilbe for showed up in his Court Room, with some not being all that pleasant. It was kind of a shock to us as well. One hates to have to be 'in front' of their Stake President under such circumstances. He was a wonderful man, and I enjoyed working with him over many years while he was our Stake President and I was a Seminary Teacher.
Just another one of those moments when you are happy, to say the least, you are where you are for all the right reasons.
Written this 6th day of August 2010
by: Eileen Rosenberg
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
We Owned a Hillman-Minx
An English made mini-car that got outstanding mileage, but was soooooo small that it was not really a sensible family car. I can't for the life of me think of any reason we would have thought it was a good buy, but we bought it. It was pea soup green and had a stick shift. Between it and the truck I think it was what Paul learned to drive in. I know he took it to Seminary when he was licenced to drive and picked up others on his way to Church in the mornings. They, I don't believe, make them anymore. If you haven't seen one, which is more than likely, I know where there is a great example. The Movie "The Pink Panther". George dressed in a gorilla suit for the Princess' costume ball, escaped in a red convertible Hillman-Minx. Ours was just a tad bigger because it was a four door sedan. Not much more however.
What made me think of it was strolling down memory lane this morning I recalled a camping trip we made to the Big Sur in it one summer. That little car was packed from stem to stearn and the top had a carrier as well. We must have made a wonderous site driving up Highway 1 like that. In fact, it is a wonder the little thing could pull the family and all that gear to and from our vacation. We lived in Pico Rivera at the time so it was quite a distance. No question the little car made it up and down those hills in pretty good stead, but it wasn't built for speed under such a load I can tell you.
Maybe that was the reason Jay got the Camper for the truck? I can't really remember. I don't remember us ever taking it another time for a trip like that. I loved driving the darn thing, but it wasn't safe with the traffic and all. It didn't take up much room in the garage and that was nice. We had it for quite a while, but I don't recall what we traded off when we got it. I know we traded it off for the Ford Station Wagon that was Orange and White. Come to think of it, it may have been the blue and white Pontiac we had that Jay never liked that we traded in. I never knew for years that the reason Jay was anxious to get rid of the Pontiac was he had been late one night going to work and forgot to shut the motor off and it idolded all night while he was at work. It did a job on the motor and we had to have it replaced. He never confessed that to me for such a long time. I liked the car myself, but I guess it was the experience that soured him against the car. What ever.
Not a great interlude in our lives, but something I thought was a bit interesting. Who would have thought Jay would have concidered having such a car? He was so practical. I guess it was the gas mileage that got him. We had the Hillman for quite a few years. It was a great car for me, but it was funny seeing Jay unwind as he got out of it. Good thing the kids were young, having to put the front seat back for him to drive didn't give much leg room in the back. No it didn't have bucket seats. In fact, bucket seats were an extra if they were available, and in standard cars they were not an option. You had to be putting money into sport cars, etc. to be able to have them. Bucket seats only became the norm many years after our Hillman days.
If I was to grade all the cars we have ever own, and there have been a goodly number I would have to say it was the blue Malibu. Jay regretted trading it in when he bought the cream and tan Buick he bought while Paul was on his Mission in England. He has since said he should have kept it and fixed it up for Paul. It was such a good car. Nothing really wrong with it. Jay just saw that Buick and his youth instinct kicked in. He had never had such a sports car before. Bucket seats, fancy dash board and a console in the center that was 'cool'. It was only a two door and that was not the best idea, but we only had Dawn at home at the time. I guess that was the car she learned to drive in. That and the truck. That dear old Chevy butter yellow truck that Jay was so proud of. He kept it until just before we moved to Paso Robles. He traded it in on his tan Nissan pick up. I suppose our most honored car was the 1941 Black Chev that Jay bought after he got out of the Navy. It had been stored for the duration of the War and was a real find. His Dad had found the car and wanted to buy it for himself, but Jay beat him to it. It was the car that gave Jay the purpose of asking me out on our first date. We loved that car.
A side light about that car is, it is the one that the horse tried to jump when we were coming home one night. Paul was just a baby and was asleep in my lap. (They didn't have car seats back then). We lived in Norwalk and it was rural country with no street lights. As we turned off the main street leading to our housing track we both thought we saw something cross the road. With only the headlights it was not light enough to be sure. As we came to the first cross street, we caught sight of this horse coming full gallop on my side of the car. Fortunately, the horse was a jumper. That was not good enough as the car was moving, even though Jay had dropped the speed down, the horse was not able to clear the car. As it hurdled the car its' front hoofs hit the dividing bar of the windshield (that cars no longer have), which saved both Paul and I from being trampled. With the motion of the car, the horse was thrown so its'
hind quarter caved in the side of the car - where a back door would have been, only this was just a two door car. The horse was pretty banged up. No one has any idea how the horse had got loose from its barn, but it did.
The people were upset that the horse was not able to perform in some kind of a show. They tried to have us sited some way, but the Police found it was unavoidable. The car was repaired and Jay had it painted a light blue. I think that was a mistake. Never looked as classey after that. We drove it for years, in fact it is the car in which I learned to drive. Oh, and it had a stick shift on the steering column. I guess I have driven about every kind of gear shift they have made. Great for changing cars safely.
Well from Hillman-Minx to the history of the cars we have owned and loved or hated. Maybe it is only interesting to me, but it is out there for everyone to see now. Enjoy!
Written this 3rd day of August 2010
by: Eileen Rosenberg
What made me think of it was strolling down memory lane this morning I recalled a camping trip we made to the Big Sur in it one summer. That little car was packed from stem to stearn and the top had a carrier as well. We must have made a wonderous site driving up Highway 1 like that. In fact, it is a wonder the little thing could pull the family and all that gear to and from our vacation. We lived in Pico Rivera at the time so it was quite a distance. No question the little car made it up and down those hills in pretty good stead, but it wasn't built for speed under such a load I can tell you.
Maybe that was the reason Jay got the Camper for the truck? I can't really remember. I don't remember us ever taking it another time for a trip like that. I loved driving the darn thing, but it wasn't safe with the traffic and all. It didn't take up much room in the garage and that was nice. We had it for quite a while, but I don't recall what we traded off when we got it. I know we traded it off for the Ford Station Wagon that was Orange and White. Come to think of it, it may have been the blue and white Pontiac we had that Jay never liked that we traded in. I never knew for years that the reason Jay was anxious to get rid of the Pontiac was he had been late one night going to work and forgot to shut the motor off and it idolded all night while he was at work. It did a job on the motor and we had to have it replaced. He never confessed that to me for such a long time. I liked the car myself, but I guess it was the experience that soured him against the car. What ever.
Not a great interlude in our lives, but something I thought was a bit interesting. Who would have thought Jay would have concidered having such a car? He was so practical. I guess it was the gas mileage that got him. We had the Hillman for quite a few years. It was a great car for me, but it was funny seeing Jay unwind as he got out of it. Good thing the kids were young, having to put the front seat back for him to drive didn't give much leg room in the back. No it didn't have bucket seats. In fact, bucket seats were an extra if they were available, and in standard cars they were not an option. You had to be putting money into sport cars, etc. to be able to have them. Bucket seats only became the norm many years after our Hillman days.
If I was to grade all the cars we have ever own, and there have been a goodly number I would have to say it was the blue Malibu. Jay regretted trading it in when he bought the cream and tan Buick he bought while Paul was on his Mission in England. He has since said he should have kept it and fixed it up for Paul. It was such a good car. Nothing really wrong with it. Jay just saw that Buick and his youth instinct kicked in. He had never had such a sports car before. Bucket seats, fancy dash board and a console in the center that was 'cool'. It was only a two door and that was not the best idea, but we only had Dawn at home at the time. I guess that was the car she learned to drive in. That and the truck. That dear old Chevy butter yellow truck that Jay was so proud of. He kept it until just before we moved to Paso Robles. He traded it in on his tan Nissan pick up. I suppose our most honored car was the 1941 Black Chev that Jay bought after he got out of the Navy. It had been stored for the duration of the War and was a real find. His Dad had found the car and wanted to buy it for himself, but Jay beat him to it. It was the car that gave Jay the purpose of asking me out on our first date. We loved that car.
A side light about that car is, it is the one that the horse tried to jump when we were coming home one night. Paul was just a baby and was asleep in my lap. (They didn't have car seats back then). We lived in Norwalk and it was rural country with no street lights. As we turned off the main street leading to our housing track we both thought we saw something cross the road. With only the headlights it was not light enough to be sure. As we came to the first cross street, we caught sight of this horse coming full gallop on my side of the car. Fortunately, the horse was a jumper. That was not good enough as the car was moving, even though Jay had dropped the speed down, the horse was not able to clear the car. As it hurdled the car its' front hoofs hit the dividing bar of the windshield (that cars no longer have), which saved both Paul and I from being trampled. With the motion of the car, the horse was thrown so its'
hind quarter caved in the side of the car - where a back door would have been, only this was just a two door car. The horse was pretty banged up. No one has any idea how the horse had got loose from its barn, but it did.
The people were upset that the horse was not able to perform in some kind of a show. They tried to have us sited some way, but the Police found it was unavoidable. The car was repaired and Jay had it painted a light blue. I think that was a mistake. Never looked as classey after that. We drove it for years, in fact it is the car in which I learned to drive. Oh, and it had a stick shift on the steering column. I guess I have driven about every kind of gear shift they have made. Great for changing cars safely.
Well from Hillman-Minx to the history of the cars we have owned and loved or hated. Maybe it is only interesting to me, but it is out there for everyone to see now. Enjoy!
Written this 3rd day of August 2010
by: Eileen Rosenberg
Monday, August 2, 2010
Remembering Our Wedding
Yesterday, Sunday August 1st, 2010 was the 63rd Anniversary of Jay and my Wedding. Of course the day was actually a Friday. We both had to work. Pretty hard on Jay as his friends had hosted him at a Batchelor Party the night before and they had loaded his drinks pretty heavy. He was feeling mighty poorly. (For those in the family who have come along late, Grand Dad was not active in the LDS Church in those days). I worked a half a day and then went to town to get gifts for the girls who were part of my Wedding Party. You know as I set here writting, I am not sure I haven't already told a great deal of this, but, what the heck, I have it on my mind. If I have covered it before I may remember something that is not in the first telling?
We got engaged and I received my ring on the Third of July. There was not much time for planning. We set our Wedding Day for the First of August just a few short weeks away. The week after I got my ring, it hit me that the where we would be married wasn't all that important to me as I was not a memeber of any Church, and we had never really discussed it. I rode over to Jays place in Bell and brought the subject up with him. His Aunt Josephine Harris Dover was in the room and when Jay said it really didn't matter to him either, she piped up and said: "Oh yes it does!"
She went on to explain to us that we should be married in the Church. I had no idea what that ment, or what would be entailed, but she was up to the task. Our main problem was this was in 1947 just 100 years since the Latter-day Saints had arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley. Every Priesthood Leader it seemed was in Salt Lake for the big Parade and other Celebrations planned for the occasion. Finally Jay was able to find Bishop Lillywhite, who had been his Bishop when he was a boy and active in Church. Jay had gone to school with one of the Lillywhite sons. He was no longer a Bishop, but due to the shortage of Priesthood Authority in the area he was given permission to conduct the ceremony. The Huntington Park Stake Center was available and so arrangements were made for the Lounge in the Stake building to be used. (The Chapels of the Churchs are rarely if ever used for Weddings it seemed.)
There was a lovely room with a full length mirror that I was able to use to get dress. Oh, and dressing was not the usual as for most girls. I did not want a regular Wedding Dress. Too short notice, and I was not interested in spending a great deal of money on such things. I went to Morris Wardrobe in Huntington Park and picked out an off white buisness suit and found a Cocoa Brown silk blouse and Hat. The shoes became the biggest problem, but with some phoning by the shoe store a pair of ankle strap suede heels had been located in San Francisco and would be sent down in time for the Wedding (I wore sample shoes back then, they were few and far between in the best of circumstances). I borrowed a small book styled pendant (as my jewlery) from Teresa Lessa who was the Maid of Honor and Robert Hildebrands fiance' who was the Best Man. They were to be married in a few weeks themselves, but put it off for another year, as it turned out.
Mother had made arrangement for the flowers, they were all white with two baskets on either side of the Fireplace with a large arrangement on the Mantle. Made a nice back drop for the pictures. They were taken, incidently, by a friend of someone I worked with at Owes-Illinois Glass Company.
When I think about it now, it is amazing that we could get the Invitations printed (probably because of Ronald) and mailed and the ceremony all planned and executed with such completeness in such a short amount of time.
The Cake I arranged from a Baker that was just up the Street and around the corner from where Afton (Jays' sister) lived in Bell. I have never in my life ever had another cake that was a light and fine textured as that one. I wish I could find a Baker that did such fine cakes today.
We didn't have anyone to cut the Cake, and Jay and I had a struggle of how to make the first cut. We finally managed after a fuss. I believe one of the girls from Ownes took over and saw that the Cake was cut and put out for the guests to enjoy. That part of the Reception was held in the Patio of the Stake Center. We took time to open the Wedding Gifts and thank those who had been so generous with us. We had a nice group of Family and Friends that joined us. Betty Powers (Ronalds Sister-in-law and a friend of mine sang the song "Because").
With my not being a Member, and Jay not being active, it is a miracle we were able to have things so grand. There was not one person in the Party that were members of the Huntington Park Ward or any LDS Church for that matter. Jays family hadn't been in the Church for years to my knowledge. I believe now that I think about it, the Lord must have been helping, otherwise I have no idea how we could have been so fortunate.
I was 18 years old and Jay was just short a month or so from turning 21.
When I think about it now, I am not sure just what we were able to get everything done. I guess like most Brides you just 'do it' and take each task at hand as it presents itself. I know I had to have the suit altered which took some time and I picked out a 'top coat' that was chocolate brown. Figuring the money I spent on those things would be of use to a newly married couple who wouldn't have funds for such things for quite awhile. In fact sometime later - I believe it was a year or so I had the suit died Forest Green and wore it for some years along with the coat. Back then I was skinny only weighing 98 pounds. That slim and trim frame has like most other things in my life, came and passed!
I believe I have been complete in telling how terribly broke we were. You know I don't believe we got out of that condition for some time. Like most newly weds, we managed on very little. Just struggling along with so many other return Veterans who had served in the Second World War. There was so many things we could do with guests in our little Apartment that we didn't think we were all that bad off. Most of the friends we had were still single and were most happy to have a place to hang out on the week-ends. They would bring the drinks and snacks. While the fellas played cards in the kitchen, the girls would set in the living room and gab. I don't recall any of us feeling slighted in the least. That is the beauty of youth. At that time we knew how to make the most of what we had and enjoy just being with friends. I don't believe it is something we gave much thought to, but then things were so much different. Housing was at a premium and work was not all that plentiful either. Too many young men returning from the Service experiences to a Society that was not at all ready to take them back into a post-war life style. I wouldn't change things, for I believe we grew together in a way that would not be possible otherwise. Jay always said we had so much to prove. Marriage was something you had to work at and something that needed to be more than just rings or things.
I feel so fortunate that we were able to overcome the basic problems of the time and work together to make a home and family that have proved to be very good. Jay was the financial wizard of the house. What ever we did, we did together. We appreciated the indivuality of each other. He was always welcome to spend time with his friends and I was always encouraged to do the things I enjoyed. We worked together on every project whether it was for the house, Scouts or the Church. We even were envolved many times in projects at places we worked. Everything we did we seemed to grow and become better prepared for the next challenge that came into our paths.
Jays Business venture was something he had to do, and something that we made work. He was able to be 'his own boss' just like he wanted. It was not as great a thing at times as he had hoped it would be, but he was always up to the task. He was inventive and hard working. He planned for the future while he was working for our daily bread. I don't believe he ever started something he did not finish. At least not until he came upon the fence at the Hogan Place address. The ideas he had were not successful, and he became to ill to finish that project. I know it was something that was important to him. The yard is a monument to his hard work and his imagination.
I was so lucky to have found him. Even luckier to have had him as a life long companion. What comfort to know we will be Eternal Companions as well.
Written this 2nd day of August 2010
by: Eileen Rosenberg
We got engaged and I received my ring on the Third of July. There was not much time for planning. We set our Wedding Day for the First of August just a few short weeks away. The week after I got my ring, it hit me that the where we would be married wasn't all that important to me as I was not a memeber of any Church, and we had never really discussed it. I rode over to Jays place in Bell and brought the subject up with him. His Aunt Josephine Harris Dover was in the room and when Jay said it really didn't matter to him either, she piped up and said: "Oh yes it does!"
She went on to explain to us that we should be married in the Church. I had no idea what that ment, or what would be entailed, but she was up to the task. Our main problem was this was in 1947 just 100 years since the Latter-day Saints had arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley. Every Priesthood Leader it seemed was in Salt Lake for the big Parade and other Celebrations planned for the occasion. Finally Jay was able to find Bishop Lillywhite, who had been his Bishop when he was a boy and active in Church. Jay had gone to school with one of the Lillywhite sons. He was no longer a Bishop, but due to the shortage of Priesthood Authority in the area he was given permission to conduct the ceremony. The Huntington Park Stake Center was available and so arrangements were made for the Lounge in the Stake building to be used. (The Chapels of the Churchs are rarely if ever used for Weddings it seemed.)
There was a lovely room with a full length mirror that I was able to use to get dress. Oh, and dressing was not the usual as for most girls. I did not want a regular Wedding Dress. Too short notice, and I was not interested in spending a great deal of money on such things. I went to Morris Wardrobe in Huntington Park and picked out an off white buisness suit and found a Cocoa Brown silk blouse and Hat. The shoes became the biggest problem, but with some phoning by the shoe store a pair of ankle strap suede heels had been located in San Francisco and would be sent down in time for the Wedding (I wore sample shoes back then, they were few and far between in the best of circumstances). I borrowed a small book styled pendant (as my jewlery) from Teresa Lessa who was the Maid of Honor and Robert Hildebrands fiance' who was the Best Man. They were to be married in a few weeks themselves, but put it off for another year, as it turned out.
Mother had made arrangement for the flowers, they were all white with two baskets on either side of the Fireplace with a large arrangement on the Mantle. Made a nice back drop for the pictures. They were taken, incidently, by a friend of someone I worked with at Owes-Illinois Glass Company.
When I think about it now, it is amazing that we could get the Invitations printed (probably because of Ronald) and mailed and the ceremony all planned and executed with such completeness in such a short amount of time.
The Cake I arranged from a Baker that was just up the Street and around the corner from where Afton (Jays' sister) lived in Bell. I have never in my life ever had another cake that was a light and fine textured as that one. I wish I could find a Baker that did such fine cakes today.
We didn't have anyone to cut the Cake, and Jay and I had a struggle of how to make the first cut. We finally managed after a fuss. I believe one of the girls from Ownes took over and saw that the Cake was cut and put out for the guests to enjoy. That part of the Reception was held in the Patio of the Stake Center. We took time to open the Wedding Gifts and thank those who had been so generous with us. We had a nice group of Family and Friends that joined us. Betty Powers (Ronalds Sister-in-law and a friend of mine sang the song "Because").
With my not being a Member, and Jay not being active, it is a miracle we were able to have things so grand. There was not one person in the Party that were members of the Huntington Park Ward or any LDS Church for that matter. Jays family hadn't been in the Church for years to my knowledge. I believe now that I think about it, the Lord must have been helping, otherwise I have no idea how we could have been so fortunate.
I was 18 years old and Jay was just short a month or so from turning 21.
When I think about it now, I am not sure just what we were able to get everything done. I guess like most Brides you just 'do it' and take each task at hand as it presents itself. I know I had to have the suit altered which took some time and I picked out a 'top coat' that was chocolate brown. Figuring the money I spent on those things would be of use to a newly married couple who wouldn't have funds for such things for quite awhile. In fact sometime later - I believe it was a year or so I had the suit died Forest Green and wore it for some years along with the coat. Back then I was skinny only weighing 98 pounds. That slim and trim frame has like most other things in my life, came and passed!
I believe I have been complete in telling how terribly broke we were. You know I don't believe we got out of that condition for some time. Like most newly weds, we managed on very little. Just struggling along with so many other return Veterans who had served in the Second World War. There was so many things we could do with guests in our little Apartment that we didn't think we were all that bad off. Most of the friends we had were still single and were most happy to have a place to hang out on the week-ends. They would bring the drinks and snacks. While the fellas played cards in the kitchen, the girls would set in the living room and gab. I don't recall any of us feeling slighted in the least. That is the beauty of youth. At that time we knew how to make the most of what we had and enjoy just being with friends. I don't believe it is something we gave much thought to, but then things were so much different. Housing was at a premium and work was not all that plentiful either. Too many young men returning from the Service experiences to a Society that was not at all ready to take them back into a post-war life style. I wouldn't change things, for I believe we grew together in a way that would not be possible otherwise. Jay always said we had so much to prove. Marriage was something you had to work at and something that needed to be more than just rings or things.
I feel so fortunate that we were able to overcome the basic problems of the time and work together to make a home and family that have proved to be very good. Jay was the financial wizard of the house. What ever we did, we did together. We appreciated the indivuality of each other. He was always welcome to spend time with his friends and I was always encouraged to do the things I enjoyed. We worked together on every project whether it was for the house, Scouts or the Church. We even were envolved many times in projects at places we worked. Everything we did we seemed to grow and become better prepared for the next challenge that came into our paths.
Jays Business venture was something he had to do, and something that we made work. He was able to be 'his own boss' just like he wanted. It was not as great a thing at times as he had hoped it would be, but he was always up to the task. He was inventive and hard working. He planned for the future while he was working for our daily bread. I don't believe he ever started something he did not finish. At least not until he came upon the fence at the Hogan Place address. The ideas he had were not successful, and he became to ill to finish that project. I know it was something that was important to him. The yard is a monument to his hard work and his imagination.
I was so lucky to have found him. Even luckier to have had him as a life long companion. What comfort to know we will be Eternal Companions as well.
Written this 2nd day of August 2010
by: Eileen Rosenberg
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