July 26, 1988 Orem, Utah
Dearest Johnny; Roy, Patrice & Emily; Bob, Claire, Michael, Laura, Brett, & Katie; Rick, Jean, Ricky, Barbara Jean, Mary Ann & Sarah; and Ron, Ann, Susanna, Jessie, Russell, LeeAnna & Jimmy:
I writing my letter on Tuesday morning again - yesterday was the big Mormon Holiday - 24th of July (celebrated on the 25th because the 24th fell on Sunday) and the post office was closed and I knew the mail wouldn't go out. Johnny went to work as usual and kept saying all day, "It's a Mormon Holiday and my business is with people out of the State of Utah"!!!!
The big news for this week's letter is that we have bought a "Fishing Cabin" - we have looked at cabins and cabin sites all over Utah and finally decided on this one. When Ray heard that Daddy was looking for a cabin he called and said his friend in Scofield had one that he wanted to sell. When Daddy first saw it he said it would be too hard to fix up so that it was livable but the more he looked he decided the price was right and he would LOVE to work on it - you know Daddy!!!! The worst thing about it as far as I am concerned is that we don't really own the land that it is on and I hate for Daddy to put a lot more into it because we could be asked to vacate. We signed the papers yesterday and they gave us a three year lease - we are only paying $7,000.00 for it so even if we put $3,000.00 more into it I'm sure Daddy will get $10,000.00 worth of fun out of it. They assured us that we could have it for as long as we want it - the land is in an estate ownership some way that makes it impossible for it to be sold. Once you have seen it, it is easier to understand that the property is not really marketable so I guess we don't have anything to worry about. There are 63 people who own homes of one kind or another in the area and it is called, "Scofield West" - most of the homes are mobile (trailers, etc.) but ours is not and when we vacate, we will just vacate because the "cabin" would be too hard to tear down and wouldn't be worth anything anyway. There is no indoor plumbing at this point - BUT there is a WPA outhouse!!!! They have put a sewer line in but it isn't connected to the house yet and probably won't be until next Summer. They have just completed putting in the electric system and Daddy will put that into the house soon. The house has two propane heaters and a gas cooking stove and gas refrigerator. It's funny - the foundation is BIG ROCKS!!!! The very best thing is that it has a boat dock and is right on one of the best fishing lakes in the State of Utah. We can tell that Johnny is not thrilled to pieces with it but when he is 68 years old if it is still there maybe he will like it - Ha!!!!
The Woolleys and Bob Mellors went with us to inspect the cabin on Sunday afternoon and the children had a "Ball". It really could be a fun place for families who like to fish and just relax for a day or two and there are plenty of beds and places to sleep - it's about 130 miles from Layton - 70 miles from Orem. There is also a storage place for Daddy's fishing boat. This morning he is calling all over to get good prices on windows, paneling, paint, etc. - he is anxious to fix an upstairs room because it will have a beautiful view of the lake.
Jessie is doing really good and we are so thrilled about that - I worried about her at the cabin on Sunday because she was climbing on all the rocks, etc. but it is impossible to keep that energetic little body just sitting still. Ron called one of the world renown ophthalmologists in Dallas yesterday - he gave them a lot of suggestions and also referred them to an ophthalmologist he has worked with in Salt Lake. Life is full of challenges over which we have no control and as Marion Hanks says, "the only control we have is our response to those challenges" and we are really proud of the Woolley family!!!! Ron & Jimmy both celebrated birthdays last weekend!!!!
Jean & Rick are in Sun Valley, Idaho for a little vacation (they are probably home by now - they went early Sunday morning) - we hope they have had a fun, relaxing time. We haven't heard from Roy & Patrice for awhile - it could be they are in New Jersey (?) - I know they were going to visit friends but I can't remember when. We have little Emily's picture on our wall and we keep looking at her - what a doll!!!! Johnny is doing great in his work and since Bob told him to stop water skiing for a little while his sore throat has cleared up - he has also been taking antibiotics!!!! Daddy has also been putting some antibiotic eye drops in his right eye - he has some kind of infection in it, I guess, because it is all bloodshot. He should wear sun glasses when he goes fishing but he doesn't - I think the sun is hard on his eyes when it reflects off the water.
Daddy and I drove to Brigham City on Saturday afternoon - we picked up Mel & Ellen Mae in Kaysville. It was Ellen Mae's and my 45th High School Reunion. We just had a WONDERFUL time - at least I did. Most of my friends have been to other reunions they have had - they have them every 5 years - but this is the first one I have been to for 40 years (I went to the first one). It was kinda' fun for me to see a man who used to be my beau all through High School - in fact, as I went into the reunion I must have had a dozen friends come up to me and say, "Arthur is here". He and his wife live in Fort Worth now - we had so much fun visiting with them and others. I'M SO GLAD I MARRIED DADDY!!! I feel bad that some of our children won't have the same allegiance to their high schools and their friends that Daddy & I do - I'll bet Roy will though!!!!
I can't think of any more news. Barb Andrews just called and she & her Mom are coming to visit on Friday - she is here visiting from Little Rock and maybe she'll have some news that I will include in next week's letter.
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!!!!