Sunday, November 16, 1980

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

It's really a cold, rainy and dreary day, really, I am enjoying it because our meetings are over and I don't have to go out in it. Daddy went to Hot Springs early this morning and won't be home until late this afternoon and Johnny just left with his gun to go over to Derrick's place - they shoot minnows in a little creek over by his home. We have needed rain so bad but when it came it really ruined a lot of school plans - Denise Smithers was in the Homecoming Court at Hall and has her mother had made a trip to Memphis to get her a dress for it - I talked to her this morning and she said it got all muddy and wet but Hall won the game so it was worth it. My class at Brady went to the Planetarium at UALR and we had to walk quite a ways in the rain.

Jeannie - it was so good to talk to you and to hear little Ricky in the background. We would be so thrilled if you get to come home for some of the holidays - we surely don't want Rick to jeopardize his work to come but if his company is anything like Olin, they took most of the last two weeks of December off anyway. The duck hunting should be good for the men and the women could have such fun shopping - I would love to babysit.!!! We'll keep our fingers crossed. We are so thrilled that all of you are well.

Roy - Robert came over Thursday to tell us goodbye and I cried after he left - he said he didn't think I was convinced that the should do that and he is absolutely right. I think he should get away but not to go to New Orleans to work in a bar. He is such a nice looking young man. We know you are getting anxious for a little break from school and we hope you will really enjoy your Thanksgiving vacation - we are so homesick to see you - it seems like a hundred years since you were home. We hope school is going good.

Annie - we really love your letters and look forward to them so much. Little Susanna is growing up too fast - it was so funny, when Daddy read the part about her wearing training pants he turned to me and said, "We're missing the whole thing". We are happy that Ron has healed okay - his computer sounds fabulous and also his business plans. Each Sunday morning while I am sitting in Primary I think of you and what an asset you would be in your ward - our Primary Presidency is so inexperienced and this is the hardest calling I have ever had. We have classes for at least one hour and sometimes an hour and fifteen minutes and the manuals all have lessons that last for all of ten minutes. I would have loved to hear your story, "Alexander and the terrible horrible ---". Today the combined classes made little pinecone turkeys and they are cute. We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving is Jerome - tell the Woolleys hello for us.

Do you all remember that the Powers were expecting when they left about a month ago. They have the three boys and Garry wouldn't even talk about having another little boy - they both wanted a little girl so bad. Well - last Thursday about 5, the phone rang and Daddy answered the phone and said, "Well - what did you have"? I rushed upstairs but on the way, I heard him say, "Twin girls" and I thought, Oh he isn't talking to Garry, but he was. They had twin girls and neither the doctors herein Little Rock or there is San Antonio knew it until they were delivered. I just called Dianne and she came home yesterday and they went back and got the babies this afternoon. They are so thrilled they can hardly talk - Jamie Leigh and Janni Lynn (really Jamie and Janie) but they are spelling them differently. Dianne turned 39 about three weeks ago and I try to think how I would have felt if John had been twins - she will have her hands full. She said they look like Garry with his dark hair so he got what he wanted only double. Isn't that something????

Laura Gonce was released as our Relief Society President today and Sandy Blankenship was put in. Laura says she feels like a new person - she has been in for almost two years and she has had a heard time - she isn't an organized person and it has been very hard for her - Sandy will be really good. Chris Jordin is the new Education Counselor and a Sister Bailey is Homemaking Counselor. I don't go to Relief Society now that I am in Primary but I do know that it has really changed. Our Ward has really changed and it won't be nearly as hard to leave now as it would have been a year or so ago. I went to a Homemaking meeting last week and I felt like our leaders now are like they were when we came 17 years ago.

Bob had a happy birthday last week - we went over to wish him a happy day but they had gone out to eat but on Friday night they came over with an ice cream pie and we watched "Dallas" together and celebrated. They were going to come over for dinner today but Bob said at Sunday School that Claire was sick so they couldn't.

We had a letter from Mr. Hinton saying that don had called the surveyor and he had written up a new description of the land division of the 50 acres so it was divided at the well instead of the pipe - I guess he hadn't realized that until Ron discovered it. The new description gives us a little less acreage (like a foot) but at least sit is fair. They are really dragging their feet on that whole thing - we thought we would have had the deeds by now - we just home the Cleggs are taking care of the house because the pipes will freeze if the heat isn't on.

Daddy taught at Booker all last week - he is impressed with Mr. Barnhouse who is the principal out there but he said he wouldn't have his job for a million dollars a year. I am still at Brady - this next week will be the fourth weeks for Mrs. Hendricks in third grade. The kids are so anxious for her to come back, the kids all screamed "Oh no" and Mrs. Harrison heard them and she flew downs to my class and told them off like they have never been told off before - I really don't want to go back tomorrow but it's the right thing to do. There are twenty black children in my class and four white. We were excited when we read about the proposal to and bussing but many around here think that Little Rock will continue with it even if it is stopped.

Governor Clinton and Hillary Rodham have bought a home up in Pulaski Heights - in the same general area where Bob and Claire have their home. It's in a beautiful place but it is a really old home and they are paying $112,000 for it - there was a picture of it in the paper and then we rode by it. He is planning to practice or teach law unless he is chosen to be Democratic National Chairman. I'm not sure I like our new Governor.

John went to Cotillion last night - they go at 8:15 and then go for pizza and don't get home until about 12:15. We got a new Pierre Cardin navy blue sport coat to go with his grey pants and he looked so nice. He gave a talk in Sacrament Meeting this morning and it was really good. He enjoys his church group and especially Seminary - a group of them went horse back riding yesterday and he loved it. He got his report card; and he got three A's and two B's and straight O's in citizenship (that's outstanding) - did I already tell you all this. He has been running track and we were so happy because he really enjoyed it - then all of a sudden, he was coming home on the bus early and after a few days I asked him if he had quit track and he said, "Yes, and you will die when I tell you why" - we had just bought him a new pair of Brooks running shows for $50 and they were stolen. I think he could run in his others but he doesn't and we're not going to buy him another pair so he will just quit track. It's hard for me to believe all the theft that goes on in the schools.

Daddy and I went to the Priesthood Preview last night - Daddy had to talk and I had to help prepare the dinner. We served ham, that onion rice, peas, layered salad, and pumpkin squares - it was so-o-o good. We have about 21 eleven year old boys in the Stake and they were all there with their Priesthood leaders - they came from all over.

I am sitting upstairs in Daddy's study and it is so beautiful to look out and see the pretty fall leaves - even when it is stormy it is pretty. Our lawns are covered with leaves because we haven't had time to rake them.

We have ordered a new car but it hasn't come in yet - it will be exactly like the once we have except it will be the new brown color. We seriously thought about getting a Honda because they are more luxurious but we have had such good luck with Toyotas that we decided to stick with them. Our car has almost 40,000 miles on it.

Well - that's all the news. We surely do miss each one of you and we home you'll let us know if we can help you in any way. Annie you have birthday coming up soon!!!!!
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