January 15, 1979
Sunday

Dearest Ann & Ron, Jean & Rick, Bob and Roy,

This has really been a fun but hectic week. Tuesday afternoon I had to go get Johnny from school because he had a temperature - later on in the day he really got sick with a temperature of 1040 - I was worried about him but I was also worried about all the things I had going on. Wednesday was work meeting at Relief Society and Chris was going to teach a class in Chinese cooking and I felt I should be there to support her since that is the class I'm in charge of. Thursday was Garden Club and I was supposed to present a plan for our therapy project. Friday, Daddy had a man coming in representing the Egyptian Gov't. and we were supposed to go to a reception for him. Saturday was the Seminary Super Saturday and also Standards Day and I was supposed to give a talk and then Daddy and I were to be in a reception for their program that night. Also Saturday, our Regional Rep. was coming into stay with us until today. And then Mother called and said Daddy was going in the hospital Wednesday for a prostate operation. Anyway, when we got up Wednesday morning it was really cold but Daddy went to work and I started plans to stay home with Johnny and then it started to sleet - finally about 10:30 they canceled school and the school busses what to get the kinds from school and they cancelled Relief Society and then Daddy came home from work and it started to snow - the biggest snowflakes I have ever seen. It didn't stop except to alternate between snow and ice and by Thursday Little Rock was really "snowed in" - nothing moved, for the first time in thirty-seven years we didn't get mail delivery - Daddy couldn't get to work and neither cold anyone else - the police were handling emergency rides and I found out yesterday that one of the nurses at the Rest home had to have a policeman take her to work and she went in Wednesday morning and worked until Friday afternoon because so many people couldn't get to work. The kids had a "ball" and I really have felt bad for Johnny - he was much better yesterday so we let him go out for a little while - in fact, I went sleigh riding with him down Lyric Lane and we had so much fun. There is a lot of illness around now though - Ronnie just called Johnny and said Sherry is in the hospital with pneumonia. The man from Egypt didn't come because the airport was iced in - they cancelled all the Seminary activities for Saturday and Daddy called Bro. Low and told him not to come because he might not get out again. So instead of a busy, busy week and week-end we have had a very leisurely and almost boring one. I have played monopoly and super perfection with Johnny and Daddy had played backgammon - in fact, I don't know what we would have done without that game. I have also played with our Microwave Oven - I baked a bundt cake and corn muffins in it for the firs time and they are so good. The problem is that when I make them, then I eat them and I have gained so much weight!!!! Daddy has been as busy as usual but he has worked from the kitchen table and the telephone - for quite awhile we couldn't even get dial tones on our phone. They are predicting more of the same starting tomorrow so we might be in for a long time - I went to the grocery store yesterday and you wouldn't believe the lines - Skaggs were so long that I turned around and went to Safeway and even then I had to wait about 30 minutes in line. Really we could have done without going except for milk - we need a cow for our food storage.

Grandpa had his surgery on Thursday and Jeannie visited him a lot and you will never know how much that meant to us and to them Jeannie. He got along just fine - in fact, Jeannie had him call us and he was ready to walk out of the hospital that night. I called him again yesterday morning and he was quite groggy and very upset that he didn't have much energy - I imagine they had given him a sedative. He'll probably go home Monday. Grandma was so thrilled that Rick had called to offer to come get her to take her to the hospital - that was so sweet of you. She drives so many places but I guess she isn't feeling very well.

Annie and Ron - thank you so much for your phone call. I had just seen that special on the Today show about Little Rock and then you called - I'm glad you were watching. It was so fun to talk to you both and know you were interested in us. I have thought a lot about your suggestion that I get a job now that we have a microwave for "speedy" meals - Really would love to get a job in a department store but I would not make a penny - the income tax we have to pay now is ridiculous. When Daddy retires I'll get a job and it will be worthwhile. I couldn't teach now - even the kindergarten kids know more than I do - what I should do is to go back to school - may be I'll do that. I a.m. going to take an Institute class at UALR - Bro. Zimmerman is teaching it and it's the Doctrine and Covenants. We keep thinking and talking about your basement - I would really like to see it - is it about finished?

Bob - we received your letter and the inspection slip for "Old White" (or is it "Big"). Daddy was so happy to get that - he sent all the things in and will send you the license when he gets it - he is also sending you a couple shirts he bought in New York - I think they've really pretty but they'll probably be hard to iron. I think you're so smart to take the class in auto mechanics - that will really prove valuable I'll bet. W had a wonderful 1 letter from Claire's mom thinking us for having Claire - she sounds so sweet. She said that Claire was going to England in April - we didn't even ask Claire what her plans for the summer were. I miss having her around. Claire also wrote us such a nice letter- she's a lovely girl and so talented.

Roy - are you there???? They have really had some had weather in the East too so I'll bet you're more snowed in than we are. This week will be your finals and we hope so much you'll be pleased with the results - you always set such high standards for yourself and we don't went you to be disappointed - we'll have all our fingers crossed all week!!!!!

I went to Jacksonville for Lillie Maple's funeral - do any of you remember her? She was a little old lady who was so sweet and kind to the missionaries here for so many years - they lived with her and she took care of them. She was a good friend of the Wilhites and the Bradys and the Corpiers, Wiggins, etc. She had cancer and her son was taking her to the doctor for treatment and they had an automobile accident and she broke both her hips and had other injuries and she died. Geoffrey Wiggins was one of the pallbearers and I haven't seen him for three or four years - he looks so much like Pete and he didn't used to. He has a moustache and a beard and he's quite gray and looks at least forty years old - he's your age Jeannie. I had a good visit with Nell - she told me that Pete and his new wife had a little baby boy born on Christmas or the day after (I can't remember). Geoff is working for an envelope company - he gave up his plans to be a lawyer and they still only have the one little girl and his wife is teaching school. Pete is working for his father.

Guess who Rick Cobb has run into on his Mission????? Corte Haggard. Corte is Assistant to the President and when he found out Rick was from Arkansas he asked if he knew us. Corte should be coming home soon I think because he is a year older than you Roy and than would make him 21. I was so happy to see the picture of the Haggard family on their Christmas card - they look just the same.

Daddy fixed dinner today - fried chicken - and now he's doing the dishes with Johnny so I can finish this and we can go mail it before it starts to snow again. When we talked to Jeannie on Thursday and she said she still hadn't received my letter I was so surprised - usually when I mail them before three on Sunday you get them by Tuesday or Wednesday.

Johnny has Cotillion next Friday and it's Cartoon night - he and Nell Kirkpatrick are in a little skit they will put on there and they have been practicing at Mrs. Butts' home - it sounds a little risqué (sp.?) to me but maybe at their age its' okay - certainly not churchy though!!!!

Daddy is getting excited about his trip to Egypt - the may things are looking over there right now I think it's really risky to go. I have heard him tell others they have to go out into the faraway places and they're going all over. If you want anything special from some of those places over there be sure to tell him before he leaves. He's scheduled to leave January 30th and will be home February 26th.

I can't think of any more news. We surely do hope everything is going really well for each one of you - we love you very much and hope you'll tell us if you need anything. We could send you some snow - we hear you have it in the mountains and so the ski resorts are doing well but none on the ground. Is it cold?
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