October 12, 1987 Orem, Utah

Dearest Johnny; Roy & Patrice; Bob, Claire, Michael, Laura & Brett: Rick, Jean, Ricky, Barbara Jean, Mary Ann & Sarah; and Ron An, Susanna, Jessie, Russell, LeeAnna & Jimmy:

It's Monday morning and the weather is "Fallish" - we have had 45 days of absolutely gorgeous weather and isn't it funny how we all welcome a change even if it is for the worse. Utah is really too dry and we need some rain - you would never know it by looking at our yard though - it is so green and healthy and beautiful!!!! Our water bill is the same no matter how much water we use so all the yards in the neighborhood keep so pretty - we think some of the neighbors abuse it but I guess that's the way it is.

Little Mary Ann had her fifth birthday on Saturday - we talked to her and she was so excited because they were planning a family birthday party at the 49th Street Galleria (whatever that is) - we know they had a good time because they always do!!! Jeannie said she wanted to invite all the cousins and everybody who went to Lake Powell - Ha! Jeannie says she is enjoying her work - she has organized it so she goes in three days a week and leaves after Ricky & Barji are in school and comes home before they do.

Ann & Ron were invited to a wedding on Friday night and the invitation requested "1920 attire" - it has been fun seeing Ann try to put together her outfit. The last time we heard she was going to wear a long lace brown gown with a long beaver (I think) fur coat and hat that she was borrowing form her neighbor. Their home is coming along fine - they say they will be in about four weeks but I don't think it will be that soon - they still have a lot to do!!!!

Roy - thank you so much for sending that collar to Daddy. He wore it faithfully for a couple of days but we decided it was too wide for his neck - he really hardly even has a neck!!! Anyway I drew a pattern from it and made it about an inch and a half-narrower and he has worn it a lot. We'll send yours back to you because I can see where it would really help if you ever have that problem again. We're so happy your weather has improved - from now on we will all be envying you and Patrice and Bob & Claire because your weather will be great.

Bob - thank you so much for calling. We love to hear about what you're all doing, etc. and it's wonderful that Claire feels so good. We were in Lehi yesterday and so many people asked us about both of you - you really made a hit over there!!!!

Johnny is officially off his mission now - Ha!!!!! He has given his mission report to all the places who claim to have sent him from their wards. The Bishop and his wife over in Lehi wanted to have an open house at their home for us after the meeting yesterday but we wouldn't let them. Daddy & I went to our ward services and Daddy taught our class and then we drove over to Lehi to hear Johnny speak. When we got there we found they were planning for all of us to speak - Daddy and I didn't take very much time and Johnny was left with about 40 minutes - he did a fabulous job. Those people over there are SO nice to us - I think they want us to move back and build a new home on our lot over there - that might not be a bad idea!!!!

Daddy is just about the same - I feel so bad for him but neither one of us knows what to do. His doctor here made an appointment for him to see the neurosurgeon but the first time he could get in is this Friday. In the meantime Daddy has talked to our neighbor, Keith Smith, and he told him he went to the same group of neurosurgeons for several months and they did absolutely nothing for him so he went to one in Salt Lake who found the source of his problem quickly and he got some relief. So Daddy made an appointment with that one in Salt Lake and he can't get in to see him until the 23rd. Our plan now is to keep the appointment here and if we're not satisfied then go to the one in Salt Lake. It is unbelievable that Daddy could be in such excellent health until those radiation treatments - we laugh at how the treatment did much more damage than the disease. We had two friends, Mel Manning and Francis James, gives us the name of a good drug for arthritis - Clinoril - so Daddy got his Doctor to give him a prescription for it. He has taken them for about five days and they haven't helped a bit so he has gone back to the Advil - he says they help more than anything. He has constant headache and neck pains. Everything we read about those radiation treatments say it takes at least four months to get felling good and it has only been two months so maybe we're just impatient. He says his tongue movement is much better.

Johnny had a lady from Lehi call him last night and offer him a job - she had heard him give his talk but we don't know her. It is with American Express and the hours are terrible but he says he is interested - he would go to their office in West Valley City from 5 a.m. until 11 a.m. and answer the phone for calls coming in from Spanish speaking patrons. She said he would have most of the time to study because there would be few calls - he is going to see more about it this afternoon.

Daddy & I went to the BYU Homecoming game on Saturday and it was fun even though BYU lost to Wyoming 29-27. Johnny went with his friends and they came over after for a little while - then they went to a big program at the Marriott Center- one of his best friends from Billings came for it. It's so fun to have them here.

Jim Griffin called to invite Daddy to speak at the dedication of the new Stake Center in Little Rock on the 23rd - if he feels A LOT better we may go. Jim says he has a place for you Bob.

That's all the news. We love each one of you so very much. PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO. Let us know how we can help you!!!!
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