Sunday - March 30, 1980

Dearest Ron, Ann & Susanna, Rick, Jean & Ricky and Roy,

We have just put on little Ricky down for his morning nap and I'm going to try to write my letter before he wakes up so we can mail it on our way to church. He is best little baby and we have really loved having him with us - I told Daddy last night that Jeannie cried when we left Salt Lake and I'm going to cry when he leaves Little Rock. Johnny played with him on our big bed this morning while I rolled up my hair and he just giggles and giggles and is so lovable - his favorite spot is on a blanket on his tummy right in front of our glass door in the kitchen - that puts him face to face with Daisy and Hans and he just loves it. We haven't had one hard time with him yet - he sleeps from 8 p.m. until 7 a.m. and doesn't even wake up for his pacifier - believe w3e wear him out during the day - he hasn't had any congestion either - maybe the Arkansas climate is good for him and wow!!! Does he ever eat. Daddy gets up with him at 7 and feeds him his cereal and milk and then before he goes back to bed for his morning map I feed him a little more cereal and milk with a spoon and then at noon he eats vegetables, meat, fruit and milk - after his afternoon map we give him another bottle of milk and before he goes to bed he has milk and cereal again. He is going to be a big boy and I hope he keeps his happy, lovable disposition forever.

Johnny was upset that I didn't bring Susanna back too - if I could have managed on the plane I'm sure we could have managed once we got here because Daddy and Johnny are such great helpers. She is truly a little doll and so well disciplined - I can't believe how well she plays by herself and such a happy, sweet and beautiful little girl. We are so anxious for the new little one to arrive - Susanna is a hard act to follow!!!!

Roy - we have talked so much about since you left Rhode Island on Friday - we hope you have arrived in Florida safely and without any problem ant that you're having a wonderful time - we think it's really great for Keith's parents to allow you to use their condominium - we also hope you have taken your camera and that you will send us some pictures. We are really thrilled that you have been accepted into the Air Force program - that will be a wonderful thing financially and also it will give you some great opportunities and experiences. We are very proud of you for seeing that through and getting in all the applications on time, etc., because we know things like that are very involved - we're happy that it won't begin until next Fall and we hope you will be able to come home sometime during the Summer. We know your school work is really hard and we hope you have a fun and restful time this week - you need it!!!

Bob and Claire came over for dinner last night - Johnny and Daddy had gone to Beaver Fork one day last week and Johnny got a "huge" catfish and then they all caught quite a few bass so we had a fish fry and they were just delicious. When I was doing the cooking I "creamed" everything and now that Daddy is doing it he is "frying" everything and we are all really gaining weight. I am anxious to try some of the fish recipes in that "Trout Cookbook" Rick - there are some of the most interesting recipes in there - and I'm also anxious to try your roll recipe Ann and the "Wetbacks" that Ron fixed the night I was there and also the fish chowder recipe of yours Jeannie. It is so funny - of the twenty-four hours in the day I think we are either eating or planning something to eat twenty of them - that has got to CEASE. Bob and Claire have put some earnest money on a home near the Med Center - it is on Beechwood and it is an older home that has been completely refurbished and it is really nice. It doesn't have central heat nor air conditioning but they think they could five without that - it has a gravity furnace right in the middle of the house that would probably heat it adequately and they could get window air conditioners. The full price of the house is $47,000 and they have signed a contract contingent on getting 9% money to finance it - we don't think they will be able to get the 9% bond money and they'll be disappointed but we think they have such a good deal where they are. Daddy and I are old fashioned and we had such poor living conditions while we were in school that we feel they are very lucky but they want a home!! Claire's sister is pregnant - expecting in November and Claire is envious so I feel they will be starting their family soon and it will be very difficult for them financially. Bob really loves his schoolwork - they are going to operate on a dog next week, Roy. They chaperoned a young women's campout this past weekend at Maumelle Park - Bob was the only man - they had a wonderful time but they were worn out.

Johnny went on a Scout campout Friday and Saturday - his friend, Larry Shaw, and he plan all their meals together and share a tent, etc. They took Cornish Game Hens and cooked them over the fire and I guess they were really good. Larry's father is Bishop of Little Rock II and he took Johnny with them in their truck - they brought him home last night and after they left him they had an accident up on Louwanda and Gillette and did about $500 damage to the two cars and it was Bishop Shaw's fault - I feel so bad for them because they have a big family and are struggling!!!!

Daddy is going to start working tomorrow for Byron Magness in the Real Estate business - he called one day last week and said he has a big thing going and really needs some help. He has some modular homes and also some trailers that young couples can get in for $1,500 down and small monthly payments with some Government bond money if they qualify - low monthly salaries, etc. Daddy is going to try it for a couple months anyway and learn the business - it will be so good for him to get involved in something like that. Byron and Dave Gonce used to be together but they have split up and Dave is working with the Trade Exchange again and other Real Estate. Houses are not selling very fast in the price range of ours - the Mahan's home still has not sold.

There have really been some elaborate plans made for the Sesquicentennial Ball here Friday night - Daddy and I were supposed to lead the Grand March and besides that they are having a "Dignitaries Reception" before the Ball for the Stake Presidency and their wives and also the High Councilmen and wouldn't you know it - Daddy has to leave for conference on Friday in order to get there in time for an early meeting on Saturday. I have decided to not make a "period" costume but I'll just wear that black and white polka dotted skirt, a white blouse and a black shawl and work in the kitchen doing the refreshments. Many women have made beautiful gowns and others are renting them - Cissy says she is going to rent one - Carriage House is going to decorate the entrance hall and there will be reporters from the Gazette and everything. I believe the one is Salt Lake is going to be the same night.

Daisy is expecting her puppies any minute now - she is much larger than she has ever been and Johnny is hoping for at least "a dozen" - she'll probably have four!!!! We really thought she would have them last week - we finally brought her up in the bathroom and last night because it's quite cold outside.

Johnny got one of those "Cox" gasoline powered airplanes last week - we have taken it to the park several times but he hasn't been able to get it in the air yet - it keeps taking nose dives. He has really enjoyed his "vacation" from school but he's ready to go back tomorrow - he has gone fishing over to Quachita with the Cavenesses several times and to Conway with Daddy and he loves that. Wayne Smith has helped him and he has mounted two of his ducks - they are really something - I can't believe they could do that - they put them in the freezer right after they were killed and saved them until they were ready to mount. He wanted to mount his catfish but we talked him out of that!!

Daddy called Ramona the other night to thank her for the necklace for me and she was so sweet. Roy - she inherited Granny Mellor's diamond rings and so she had beautiful necklaces made for Shirley, Carol, Elaine and me with the small diamonds on either side of the large one - I just love mine and hope I will be able to keep it and pass it on to Susanna when the time comes - that was Ramona's suggestion that I wear it during my lifetime and then give it to our oldest granddaughter so Granny's memory could be passed on. Daddy surely has a lot of love in his family - I hope you all inherit that love!!!!

Speaking of love - we love you all so very, very much and hope you're all doing good. I worry constantly about you Jeannie and hope so much your health will be restored soon and I worry about you too Annie - those varicose veins are so painful, I'm sure. WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO SUMMER FOR BOTH OF YOU. Roy - I worry about you traveling in an old car and also scuba diving in the Florida Keys (?) and you're so far away. WORRY, WORRY, WORRY - no wonder I have so many wrinkles. PLEASE BE CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO.
Return to Home Page