Sunday - October 15, 1978

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

I feel sorta funny writing this letter when I may be in Utah when it arrive - I probably should write a personal one to Roy since I'll be seeing the rest of you soon. We are so excited about our new grandchild and every time the phone rings I just know it's going to be Ron. I asked Daddy last night if he thought Ron would call if she is born in the middle of the night and he assured me that he was sure he would and I'm glad we can count on that. We're so thrilled to hear that Sue has had a little baby boy and that everything is fine (Sue is Ron's sister who lives in Salt Lake) - it will be so wonderful for two little cousins to grow up together and be so close in age.

Roy - we really loved your letter and we were surprised to receive on since we had talked to you recently. We were surprised that you didn't have classes on Columbus Day - in fact, I was surprised that the Post Offices were closed on that day - have they always been? I agree with you that you need a secretary to get everything done - you are over programmed and you have always been - I surely hope you are allowing yourself enough time for eating and resting because the other things can go but if you lose your health it takes a lone, long time to regain it. Please take good care of yourself!!!! Your computer classes sounds hard to me but then all do. Are you still enrolled in the Astronomy class? We're so happy you are enjoying your weather - yesterday when we were watching the World Series game being played in New York they kept showing pictures of the sky and it looked so dark and gloomy and I envisioned you huddled in a cold room studying - I really need to visit your school and see your surroundings because I have a mental picture that isn't quite right I'm sure. We surely are proud of you and hope so much that you're happy - I don't worry so much about the Utah kids because they are close to each other but you seem too far away and without anyone to do your laundry or make you go to bed when you're sick!!!! Roenna (sp.?) - that really is the name of Ellen Mae's mother.

Jeannie & Rick - we really loved your letter too!!!! As Daddy said, that's our letter from Jeannie for 1978 - Ha! You surely do have an excellent Doctor and we are so happy and we're also happy you are following his advise. Your job at the hospital sounds so hard to me - I could never cope with that responsibility. We loved talking to both of you too - your home sounds great and I'll bet you'll bet you'll be in there by the time we come out for the baby. Ricks job sounds just wonderful and we hope you'll be in the time we come out for the baby. Ricks job sounds just wonderful and we hope you'll enjoy the time you spend in Denver for the training session - Daddy could probably come see you if you went to Houston but I don't believe he could make it to Denver. We're hoping you won't miss the excitement of the baby - it is really hard to plan around the birth of a child - they have a way of coming when they're good and ready and no earlier or later. The Court of Honor for the Scouts sounded just super. They have that here now but they didn't when Bob received his - at least not that elaborate. They still have a long ways to go and I'm afraid John is going to lose interest. There really are so many people who expect so much and give so little in return - this is preparing you for the time when your sons will go through this and you will be so appreciative.

Claire & Bob - we surely hope they get the furnace in before your weather turns really cold - did I understand that they have the duct work to do yet? We are amazed that they have done as much as they have - that seems like such a monumental job to us. I'm anxious to take you around and show you the property that Aunt Marvel owns - I think it would be ideal for pheasant hunting - I thought you knew where it was. We'll save you a little puppy dog - we talked about it this morning and thought it would be a good idea to bring you one when we come for the baby - would you like Winky and one of her puppies? That way, we could bring the bottle along with us since they are too young to leave their mothers. We are definitely going to give Winky to someone and maybe you could find a home for her out there. We won't be able to have your dog's ears fixed because they have to be about ten weeks old before that can be done - you can have it done in Utah though just as well. This is, if you want your dog now or do you want to wait until Christmas? Please don't worry about the house being in a mess when we get there - we'll understand, I promise!!!!

Annie & Ron - just think, in a matter of days your whole life will be completely changed and Much for the Better. I can't believe you are still teaching Annie and besides that, you're still bottling fruit - that is really great. We're so happy you have felt so good during the last part of your pregnancy. You sound so prepared and everything - that little baby is mighty lucky to come into such a wonderful home. Everyone at church and in the neighborhood is calling to check on you. Chris says she has your quilt done so I'll bring it out - she is famous for her quilts (baby) here. We just know everything is going to be fine so try to not worry - I'm sure you're not.

Daddy and I went to the Wilhites yesterday - it was their 64th Wedding Anniversary. We couldn't think of anything to give to them so I went to Safeways and bought a beautiful green plant - well, you should have seen all her plants - I'll bet she has a million!!!! They are so sweet to each other that it is a real joy to visit with them. He is 87 and she is 81 - he blacked out just before we got there yesterday and she said she thought he had passed away, but he was fine while we were there.

I went to a rally for Bella Abzug on Friday night - actually I went in opposition to her coming here to support ERA. There were about thirty church women who went and we all wore STOP THE ERA buttons and sat right in the front rows - that is definitely not my thing but I went. There were about a hundred Church of Christ women from Harding College there for the same purpose so it made it easier. Actually there were more in the audience against her purpose than there were for her but she didn't back down one single bit - I really enjoyed her talk and learned a lot. Bro. McChesney went from our Stake to Washington to protest the ERA movement just before they voted on it and Senator Hodges told him he would oppose it and then changed his mind and supported it - Politics!!!!!

Johnny played a football game again yesterday - it is so much fun to go to Forest Heights and watch the games - that is a beautiful stadium. He doesn't get to play very much but it is a learning experience for him and he needs that - we're trying to work on his negative attitude right now - do you remember when you went through that Bob. I tell him he is exactly like you were so maybe you could give him some advice. Ronnie was over last night and the four of us played poker and tripoly for awhile - it was fun.

I was co-hostess for my Garden Club last Thursday - I made pumpkin bread and spread cream cheese on the slices - it was good. We had a demonstration on arranging flowers - we have so many talented women in our club that I just watch most of the time.

I had a good visit with Roy Bass the other day. He is going to get married on Nov. 4th and then move to her home in Plain Dealing, Louisiana where he says they will live for a year - I really doubt that he will ever live here again and I don't blame him. John Robert and David and Donald will take care of his home here. It will be a year next week, Oct. 18th since Janie died and it has been a very difficult year for him.

Daddy says the rumor around the office is that they will have things worked out for the employees by the first of the year. Celanese doesn't have an Agriculture Division so it will be different from some of the other divisions - they have told them it will definitely affect the Chemical's Group of which the Ag. Division is a part. He is certain that they will dissolve many of the jobs so there will be changes made - it's exciting for us. Bob said there was a good article in Newsweek about the mergers of Olin and some of the other companies too if any of you have access to Newsweek - I haven't read that one.

Well - I will close for now and go mail this and go visit with Aunt Marvel before our Sacrament Meeting begins - we have the 5:30 meeting and that is so late. She is doing better than she was for awhile - she sleeps most of the time though. She had her hair done one day last week and she looked just beautiful. I made an appointment for her to have a permanent tomorrow.

Our Stake Temple Excursion was last week - 54 people went on the bus - Dick Cobb just called to tell me that he and some of the others had food poisoning - they just got home last night. Daddy has been to Clarendon all day and now he is at our ward having interviews.

We surely do love each one of you - please be careful in everything you do!!!!! Let us know is you need anything.



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