January 24, 1988 San Antonio, Texas

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

It's Sunday evening and we have just finished having a delicious dinner with Roy & Patrice - Roy said he would give me a "quick" lesson in using his computer so I could write my weekly letter.

As I told you on the envelope of my last letter we had our trip delayed by snow so we didn't leave on Monday morning as we had originally planned - instead we left on Wednesday morning. As we went through Monticello, Utah we were so thrilled we had waited - you just wouldn't believe all the snow they had - they were completely covered up!!!! It was so funny the way that happened - Daddy and I were completely packed including our ice box and our lunch and just everything when Roy called and asked if we had checked the weather bulletins. Actually he called Ann because he had just talked to us and we had said they could expect us sometime Wednesday and we saw on their weather station that the four corners area was in for a huge snow storm - he tried to call us and couldn't get us so he called Ann and she called us. I like to think we would have checked the weather but I'm not absolutely sure we would have done.

When we decided to not leave on Monday I called Ann and asked if she could give me a permanent - so that's what we did. It has been wonderful to have that unexpected luxury for our trip - it's a funny color but at least it is curly - Ha!!!! While we were at Ann's she told us that Ron was out of town until Wednesday - well - when we awakened on Tuesday we had a lot of new snow so Daddy took advantage of his opportunity to learn how to use Ron's new snow blower and we went up to help Ann clear their driveway. I don't think it would be hard to convince Daddy to get one of those things - they really work neat!!!!

We watched the weather really close and found that the roads from Monticello had been cleared and the predication was for good road conditions. We left about 8 o'clock on Wednesday morning and got to Albuquerque that night - to Ft. Stockton Thursday night and then on to San Antonio Friday afternoon. We called Patrice as soon as we got here but she had just stepped out (actually she had gone to get some beautiful fresh flowers for their home). We had a map of the city of San Antonio so we were able to find Woodheather quite easily and by the time we got here she had come back home. Their home is just beautiful and so tastefully decorated - we just love it. They are in a wonderful area with a large swimming pool, tennis courts, park, etc. not far from their home that is for the home owners in this area. They took us all over the city and showed us the Air force Base where Roy works and it has been such a treat for us to be here with them. We sat out on their back patio this afternoon and had lunch and went to sleep in their hammock - it was a beautiful warm sunny day. Last night we went to dinner and had the bar-b-que beef ribs that Daddy has been dreaming about for months and it really came up to his expectations - it was marvelous!!!!

Daddy & I went to church this morning - we found our church near the Air Force Base. The people were so friendly and we really enjoyed it. Roy was on call today so he had to go to work but he came home early this afternoon. He looks so handsome in his uniform. He says the military life is definitely not for him but he will enjoy it for the three years they are here. We have loved spending time with Patrice - what a wonderful homemaker she is!!!! We have looked at their wedding pictures and they have a lot of them and they are very, very good - it brought back the memories of the fun, fun time we had with them last June.

We talked to Johnny yesterday and he said it was plenty cold still in Utah but he was getting along fine. We know you are keeping busy with your rough schedule Johnny but it will pay off in the long run. Roy says to "hang in there and not drop any of your classes"!!!!!

Daddy is feeling good - he had a bad cough by the time we got to Roy & Patrice and I think they thought we had brought them the flu but he is much better now. I believe the cold, cold air on our trip brought it on along with the congestion he has had from the radiation.

We are going to leave in the morning and go to Gulf Shores to be with Chris and Wayne for the better part of next week. We talked to them yesterday and they are anxious for us to get there - Wayne says the fish are biting so I hope he and Daddy will have fun fishing for a few days. I hope the weather will be good for the rest of our trip. Chris said she had talked to Linda and she told her they were expecting snow in Arkansas this week - ugh!!!

We expect to get to Bon & Claire on Monday and will probably stay there until Wednesday morning when we will head for home. Claire - we hope you have a really Happy Birthday on Sunday!!!

This is a neat computer - Roy says you will be able to use the IBM computer for the rest of your life Johnny - he says it is really a good one. It is fun to use the "mouse" on this one. Speaking of a mouse - Roy & Patrices' cat, Ashley, has made friends with me. He didn't like us at all when we visited in Boston - he's a beautiful cat.

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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