August 20, 1978 - Sunday

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

This will really be a short letter. It's about 8:30 p.m., and we came home from Florida about 7:00 p.m. we had a wonderful trip - we had thought about taking Ronnie Caveness with us because Johnny enjoys things so much more if he has a friend - I didn't think his folks would let him go but Daddy called and invited him and they didn't even hesitate - we left Tuesday morning about 7:30 and made it to Pensacola that night. The next day we went to Lakeland the next day. (What a sentence - you can tell I'm tired!!!!) Do any of you remember Feris Tuohy - he has been a good friend of Daddy's for a long time - they have gone fishing and duck hunting together for many years. He works for Amax Company and has just moved from Stamford, Conn. to Lakeland. Well - he had arranged for us to use Amax Apartment while we were there - you wouldn't have believed it - it was just gorgeous - two large bedrooms, two baths, a beautiful living room and dining rooms, a sun porch and kitchen and to make it even nicer, the kitchen was completely stocked with the most delicious food for us - it was like a little bit of heaven. Johnny and Ronnie had a ball - eating smoked clams, cashew nuts, Sara Lee cakes, all kinds of cold drinks - just everything to snack on and luncheon meats for sandwiches and bacon and eggs. It was so nice. We stayed there Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights - Ronnie and Johnny unpacked all their clothes and really settled in. Ruth Tuohy had us all for dinner on Friday night - they have a gorgeous home and Johnny and Ronnie played pool and really had fun. They have big avocado trees in their back yard and they loaded us up with avocados when we left - I just finished making avocado dip to freeze because they all ripened on the trip home. The boys loved Disney World and Sea World and then we stopped last night at Panama City and they swam in the ocean for about three hours. We stayed in Mobile last night and then came home tonight.

We were so thrilled to receive your letter before we left Bob. Your trip to the canyon sounds great and really brings back memories - I love the Utah canyons. We're proud of all your canning and also your garden - you've proved to be quite the gardener!! We hope your typewriter works out - I would be lost without one. I had a letter from Mabel Jones (one of Aunt Marvel's friends) and she said you were taking such good care of things there. Daddy and I were talking about the carpet - we think a light color of green is such a good color to decorate around - you can use just about any other color with it. I think a multi-color green (mostly light tones) shag would be good and then have the walls and drapes the same tones - I think the short shag wears a little better. There was a carpet store in Lehi when we were there this Summer - I think it would be good to patronize the local stores if there isn't too much difference in price. I also think it would be a good idea to take the carpet into the bedroom - where your bed is because the carpet that is in the living room is just too old to move to another place. They may have to do something to the floors before they can put carpet in. Your idea about re-wiring the house sounds good - we just don't want it to be a big burden and job for you but if it can be made safer we're all for that. I believe we would all be happier if you had a good vacuum cleaner - maybe a new one would be the best. We're so happy you have church jobs - Claire, you have a tough job with those 18 - 19 years olds but you can handle it I'm sure - they get smarter than I am about Johnny's age.

Jeannie and Rick - thank you so much for calling last Sunday - I realized after we hung up that we forgot to tell you we were going to Florida. We had called and called you and then you beat us to it. I appreciate more than I can ever tell you your going to visit Grandmother and Grandpa and arranging for them to get to the airport - Guess What!!!! Roy left a note that we found tonight saying Grandpa had called last night saying he wanted to go to Mayo too - I think that's good idea but I'm a little surprised. We have motel reservations there and will send their tickets and all of you as soon as we get them. I'm trying to talk Daddy into letting me drive so I'll have a car there!!!! How's your home coming - we're so anxious to hear all about it.

Annie and Ron - we were so thrilled to have a card from you when we came in tonight. Ron - I have great admiration for husbands who write postcards!!!! We can hardly wait for you to call and tell us all about everything. We will be relieved to hear from you.

Roy took Jill to Fayetteville today - he'll be home Wednesday. He goes to school.
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