May 17, 1981
Little Rock, Ark. 72205

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

Bob and Claire just left - we had such a relaxing time fixing dinner and visiting - usually one of us is in a big hurry but today we could all visit. Bob is through working and starts his rotation schedule at the hospital and Claire is finished with her night classes so they didn't have to worry. Daddy fixed pork chow mein in our Wok and it was really delicious - we might bring that to Utah with us - and then we fixed slaw in our Cuisinart - we can fix things like that in about one-fourth the time now because it takes a second to cut all the vegetables up that used to take at least thirty minutes.. They are having central air conditioning and heating put in their home and it will be a lot nicer for them - Claire was in New York last week and Bob got that done and painted the baby's room so they are all ready.

David graduated this week-end and Roy and Maxine and all their family came for it - Maxine prepared a delicious dinner last night and inviting our family and a lot of the neighbors and David's school friends. It was really nice - John Robert and his wife and family were there - his little baby boy is adorably and looks just like him - his wife is lovely. Roy and Betty and their two little girls were there and we just love that Betty Donald had a girl friend and she is really cute - he has lost a lot of weight and is dong well in that technology school and seems to have his "act together" finally. Maxine had made a huge cake that was decorated and said "David Wells Bass M.D." on it and they had framed his graduation announcement and had it displayed a lot with this diploma. Janie's sister from Shreveport came - it was a wonderful evening. They had put all the dirty china plates on a card table in the kitchen and the legs collapsed and everything fell to the floor - we were just sick because it was Janie's good china but Maxine quickly took care of it and tried to make everyone feel that it wasn't serious - Claire was close by when it happened and she said there were seven plates broken. Maxine is an outstanding homemaker - she had made delicious bread and rolls for the dinner besides the cake and she had a gorgeous linen suit on and said had made it - Roy is happier than I have ever seen him and we're happy for him but Janie would have loved to have seen David graduate. I'm sure she did but she wasn't there for all the celebration that she would have loved. When Bob and Claire were here we were comparing it to Jim and Marlene's graduation - they came by to see us after it was over and we didn't even know he is graduating and I don't believe anyone was here for it. David was happy for the celebration though and goodness know he surely deserved it - he has had some sad times. Anna and her family were there and she looked so pretty but nothing is said about marriage. We sat with Pete Hipps and Betty Luten last night and that Betty is such a case - she is "down" on everything and everyone - she told us that Mickey Luten is married again and lives in Tulsa - we hadn't heard that. Tommy is still living with them - Betsy is in an apartment and so is Randy.

The Woods went in opposite direction this week-end - Dorothy to Flagstaff for Dana's graduation and Dan to Fort Worth. They had a party last Thursday for people to come and meet Dana's fiancé - we went to the Parent's Dinner with the Dean for Bob's class so we went to the party late - it was really nice and Dana is so happy. They are getting married august 15th - Dana is working for Penneys and will continue working while he finishes school.

We haven't heard from any of you this week - we surely hope all is going great with you. Roy - I talked to Elizabeth Hardy's mother last night at the Bass's party and she said to tell you that Elizabeth is working at "Yosemite Institute" teaching and will be in California next year - she is coming home but not until the end of august. We took the gift over to the Prothros for Jill - I had called and talked to Ed and he said Ellen had gone through her last treatment really well and they were looking forward to the graduation. Jill is going to spend the Summer here and take some classes at UALR and then go to Flagstaff in the Fall where she is going to teach in the school system there. I just realized I have said Flagstaff when I meant Fayetteville - I always have had those places mixed up.

Our renters moved out and left a mess and many unpaid bills - Daddy didn't teach this week so he could paint the house and clean the carpets. We have put it up for sale and hope it gets sold soon - if it doesn't we still probably rent again and we have and the worst luck with renters - we have several people who want to rent it but Daddy is insisting they pay the fist month and last month's rent before moving in and that is hard for most of them to do. We're asking $50,000 for it and it isn't worth that much but it was appraised for $46,000 almost two years ago - I'm sure we'll have to come down. Daddy is going to put shutters on the outside and paint it and need a few places and that will help a lot - he loves to do that sort of work and I really don't!!!

President and Sister Jones came over and spent last Sunday afternoon with us - they are really lovely people and they are so anxious to tog back to their home in Prove. They didn't say anything about their lots up on the hill and I have an idea he isn't in a position to offer them for sale - they are trying to find money-making business so I imagine their building business isn't doing so well. They are leaving the Mission Home in such excellent condition and that is remarkable with six children and the smallest one a little boy - they have bought a lot of paintings to leave there and will also leave their microwave because she has one built in her new home - she said when they arrived here the Mission home was completely bare except for the furniture and she doesn't want the new people to have to do it.

Annie - John Robert asked about you last night and was happy that you have two little ones "already" as he put it. they all asked about all of you - it brought back some wonderful memories and I told Maxine she should move up here but she won't and I guess I don't blame her.

Jeannie - we're so thrilled about your piano and we're anxious to see it and hear you play it. It's so important that you practice and keep it up or you will forget how to play it. We can hardly wait to taste the cherries on your lot!!!

Would you like some hints I have picked up: Hair spray is absolutely wonderful in getting out deodorant stains - you just spray it on the problem area and put in the washing machine - just cheap hair spray - it's also good for stains like ink and magic marker. Also for you Ann and Jean - Clairol Kindness is wonderful when you set you hair in the heated curlers - Sandy Jones told me about it and I had a hard time finding it - you have to get it in the drug store - it's is a rather small blue aerosol can - it really is better than regular hair spray but it's quite expensive - $4.00 for 7 oz can but I think it's worth it.

This next week-end is our Primary International Leadership Meeting and then I will be released and I can hardly wait. Daddy is making some cute little Styrofoam balls painted like the world then I will decorate them with Primary colors for flags in the different countries. It is really getting old teaching all week and then spending the week-ends making things for Primary - I don't get anything else done. Gayle Littlefield is going to take my class for my during the Summer - her little sister is in the class so that will work out great. Gayle is just darling.

John is having a hard time staying interested in school - he wants so much to have it over so he can go fishing. The kids all over are wishing it were over - they had a field day at Mann last Thursday and allowed the kids to wear shorts and we had to have classes until 1:30 - it was pure bedlam. I will be so happy when school was over - one really good thing thought is that is has been cool - in fact, cold!!!! We have even had our heat on today and is something that has never happened since we have lived here - the middle of May and the heat on!!!!

The folks should be back from their trip tomorrow - we will probably call them tomorrow evening - I hope they have had a good time - I thought maybe we would get a card but we haven't beard anything.

That's all the news - we surely do love each one of you and miss you very much. Please be really careful in all that you do and let us know if we can help you in any way.
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