December 16, 1978 - Saturday

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

I'm writing my letter on Saturday night because the house is quiet and it seemed the things to do. Daddy is at Priesthood Leadership Meeting, Johnny just left for Cotillion and Roy has gone to Fayetteville.

We picked Roy up at the airport last night about 10-15 - he looks so good and it's just wonderful to have him home - that is, if he stays home ever. We visited for a little while last night and we waked him up at 11 morning for a haircut appointment - Robert Tucker came over right after he came in from getting his hair cut and we haven't seen him since. Robert had to go back to Fayetteville to take an exam on Monday and Roy couldn't resist the temptation to go with him - they'll be home Monday night and then Roy goes back. Tuesday morning to get Jill and they'll be home Wednesday - we are disappointed but he's twenty-one-years old and has a mind of his own. Johnny said tonight that he thought we should force him to stay home - he won't think that why when he's twenty-one, will he????

We received the pictures you sent today, Ann - they're just darling and Grandmother and Grandpa Forrest look great - we also received your letter yesterday and it was so good. Is your apartment vacant now? I'm quite relieved you have another baby sitter - the one downstairs was very sweet and capable I'm sure, but all her little children around a new baby could be hard. Your decorations all sound so nice and Daddy is so pleased that you and Jeannie keep thanking him for the nativity scene - did either of you ever get a Manger? We don't have one for ours and I want Daddy to make one. I'll never forgive him for not getting Bob & Claire and Roy and John one - maybe he'll get back over there. We loved your phone call so much - the engineering party sounded great and I know how nervous you were about leaving Susanne for the first time. Susanne must be doing wonderful - really gaining and smiling and everything - we miss her so much. I want to know how you took the pictures in Mother and Daddy's home - Ron, have you perfected that? All of you were in it so you have.

Jeannie - your letter was so-o-o special and it just made my day. So many people have asked us - "Well all your children be home for the holiday?" I want to cry when I say No, but even thought we will really miss you it is so comforting to know how happy each one of you is (bad sentence!!!) and that you are establishing tradition in your own family - that is so important! This will be the first Christmas for us with such a small number but I remember Daddy's and my first Christmas and they were very special - be sure to take time to enjoy each other and do something that can continue through the years. Rick - we are so proud of your new calling - teaching the Gospel Doctrine Class is a real challenge - especially to the Young Adults - I'll bet it is a nice change from the Scouting, isn't it. I always try to find a seat on the back row in the Gospel Doctrine Class and then sit so the teacher can't see me and won't call one me - Dave Gonce taught it last week and just out of the clear blue sky he called me to answer a question - I had been visiting with Barbara Aday and was completed out of it - I was really embarrassed!!!! When Roy read your letter Jeannie - he laughed about how you could make all that diabetic food and not be tempted to lick your fingers. We're so thrilled you have gone on your part-time working schedule - also your new doctor sounds wonderful. If you like that cookie recipe I gave you, share it with Ann and Claire - John & Roy love it.

Bob and Claire - we haven't heard from you for quite awhile - I know you are really, really busy and we understand - Ann said that Bob was working a lot of extra hours and everything and we know you have been in finals Claire. We had a sweet note from your Mother on their Christmas card - it was so good to hear from them. Just for fun - we went to look at a home that was for sale on Biscayne - I have a friend in my Garden Club who has gone into the Real Estate business and I told her that if you got into Medical School here you would want to buy a home and if she saw any good buys to let us know. This one could be bought for $60,000 and it has three bedrooms, den with a fireplace, living room, kitchen and separate eating area - it's in good condition and has a beautiful yard. We'd love it because you would be close to us - but maybe you wouldn't like that. We told her to keep her eye out for a new home because it would appreciate more so she said she would - she said there was one in Echo Valley right now that wasn't completed yet and she would look into it - it's fun to dream she said the new homes were much better for investment property because of their appreciation. We hope so much that your drapes are up - it will be so much nicer for Christmas if they are.

We had our Ward Christmas Party and it was very nice - they put on a play entitled "A Rented Christmas" - Johnny played a little orphan in it and he was so cute - Shelley Cobb had the lead and she did an excellent job - Shawn Aday also had a big part and he is so-o-o- good looking. The Elder's Quorum put on the dinner - it was turkey tetrazzini, green salad, rolls and pumpkin cake. They had quite a few more come than they had planned on and it was chaotic - they tried to serve everyone an they were running around like crazy - there were at least 150 people there (most of them I have never seen before.) We had to leave before curtain call to go meet Roy's plan and then it was late - Johnny also missed the cast party at the Lucas' home.

We had our Relief Society Christmas Party last Wednesday - it was work day and there were a lot of things going on - I had a woman come from Ceylon to demonstrate making "crumb cookies" using a crumb cookie iron - it was so interesting, she rolled them around a pencil after they were cooked and they were delicious. They served a delicious chicken casserole, cranberry salad, Christmas cake and punch - Daddy came to eat with us. (I just re-read this and it sounded as if the woman came clear from Ceylon just to demonstrate making cookies - actually she is a neighbor of Sherry Rivers and her husband is a doctor here but I'm the cooking chairman). Viola Munk is the First Counselor to Barbara Sondrup and she was a week overdue with her baby but she came to the meeting - she had a little baby boy the next morning - I took her some cookies today and she was up and around - I can't get over this young generation - you're all so smart. Tony - her husband - took off work to care for the two younger children and they're getting along files.

The Barbees are leaving early in the morning to drive to Roswell, New Mexico to have Christmas with their daughter and her husband and family. The Woods and the Hipps will be here for the holiday but I'm not sure about the Bass Family - David and Donald have been there most of the time this past week and Roy and Maxine came in today - I get depressed when I look at that house and remember how much we used to be together especially for the holidays. Jane Sherrod had a party last Monday - it was very nice and Helen was there - that's the first I have visited with her for a long time - she said Jane had broken up with her latest boy friend and she was so glad. Dianne will be here for Christmas, and Doug and Tine are doing fine.

I went to a bridal shower for a young woman in our ward who is getting married the first of January - it was at Liz Tolman's home and we made a wedding dress out of white paper napkins for the bride - it took hours but it turned out so cute and then she sat down to unwrap her gifts and it came all apart.

Daddy has to go to Memphis tomorrow for a Regional Meeting - he has been gone all day today and then will be gone all day tomorrow too. He's going to take most of next week off and I have a lot of "Honey dew" projects lined up for him.

We have sold all our little puppies - we still have to keep one of them until Christmas Eve because a lady had bought it for her little girl but she had paid for it. We would like to bread Daisy and Hans at least once if it comes by naturally but we're not going to go into it as serious as we have in the past - maybe Johnny can earn enough that way to buy his Moped. By the way - he isn't getting one for Christmas. Daddy and I want to look at them and they told us they couldn't legally ride them until they're 14 so we decided it was just plain dumb to get it - most of his friends who have them are already 13 - he has said recently that he really doesn't want one anyway.

Chris and Wayne Smith are home for the holidays from Alabama - Daddy had them bring us a gallon of fresh oysters - we have eaten them at every meal - they only last a few days. They brought us some frozen red snapper - I'm going to stuff them with dressing and cook them they say they're great. Linda and Ken have gone back together and they have sold their home in North Little Rock and have rented an apartment right where Kathy and Law Henderson used to live so they'll be in our Ward - I hope their marriage works out.

WE HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS - we're going to call you at Ann and Ron's home on the 24th before 2 0'clock because Ann said you were having a dinner together - maybe we'll go to Daddy's office and use the "Squawk Box" - we probably won't be able to get in but that would be ideal. We surely do love each one of you and will really miss you!!!!

Return to Home Page