February 18, 1991 Orem, Utah
Dearest John; Roy, Patrice, Emily & Timothy; Bob, Claire, Michael, Laura, Brett & Katie; Rick, Jean, Ricky, Barbara Jean, Mary Ann & Sarah; and Ron, Ann, Susanna, Jessie, Russell, LeeAnna & Jimmy:
Today is President's Day and it is a beautiful day. We awakened to snow but it has quickly melted and the sun is out so bright and we love it. We have had some rainy days and then with this snow I believe we have had more moisture this week than we have had a for whole month.
John went to Moab on Saturday morning to go bike riding and they had planned to stay through today but when it turned cold they came home last night. He said they had a wonderful time and the weather was quite nice - it was good for him to have a little relaxing time. He is doing good!!!
When I took Barji & Sarah home last Monday we were so surprised to find that Jeannie was home - Rick had gone to get her earlier. I was prepared to stay for a few days but I didn't even unpack my clothes. She looks good, Rick was scheduled to be in town for a few days and Barji is such a big help when she doesn't have to go to school so I knew she was in good hands. We have called several times and she is getting stronger each day - she knows we can come help if she needs us. She has wonderful neighbors and they were bringing in dinner every night last week.
Ron is moving into his new offices today - what an exciting time for them!!! Ann & Ron had gone over one day last week to clean the carpets, etc. and he was moving his office equipment in this morning. We're proud of Ron for being brave enough to "make the break" - we know he will be much happier.
We haven't talked to Bob & Claire yet but they were supposed to come home from their cruise yesterday. I feel bad that I didn't call to see how their children were doing - I intended to do it while I was with the Weinerts but then I didn't stay. It will be fun to hear all about it!!!
We talked to Roy & Emily yesterday and they're all doing fine. That little Emily is SO cute on the phone - she said "We're coming on the airplane for a visit". I was kinda' hoping the snow would stay on our hill so she could have fun playing in it but it was SO dirty I'm glad it's all gone. The forecast is for beautiful weather on Friday so maybe it will stay that way - Roy keeps reminding me that they're not coming for the weather.
Daddy did one of his smartest things last week. He piped the natural gasoline into our fireplace so we could have gas logs. I still can't believe he did it but he did and we LOVE it!!! I have wanted that for a long time but I didn't think we could have it. I believe we have made all the improvements on this home that we should - I hope we can stop now!!! Daddy is anxious to get out and work on his hill - he worked on it all one afternoon last week and was looking forward to raking the leaves from the bushes today but then it snowed. He is going to the dentist in the morning - he believes he has an abscessed tooth.
I must tell you about the man who got us involved in the genealogy work. Calvin Bartholomew had worked on the royalty Mellor line for several years and he had been so diligent. Well - he & his wife were called to serve as genealogy missionaries in Germany - he taught German at Provo High for a long time and served a mission there when he was a young man. They were both SO excited about this calling but Calvin was very worried that the genealogy work he had done would go by the wayside while he was gone. He called Daddy and just coaxed him to take his place for 18 months - Daddy said he would if I would go with him and if Ramona & Winston would go also. I had made up my mind that I would really try to get a lot accomplished before Calvin got home so he wouldn't be disappointed. Do you know that he had a heart attack in Germany last week and died??? They will have his funeral tomorrow - Daddy & I are going to the mortuary tonight but won't go to his funeral. He was 74 years old and such a special man - they have 8 children and most of them live around the Provo area. He is a cousin of Daddy's.
Daddy went fishing with Ray one day last week - they left early in the morning and went way down in Southern Utah. They were home early in the afternoon with their limits. They are going again on Wednesday. Daddy can hardly wait for Summer so he can go cat fishing on Utah Lake.
I told you about our friend who passed away before Christmas - he & his wife belonged to our Family Home Evening Group. Well - his wife was ill with the flu all during the month of December and was just getting better when she fell on the ice in front of her home and cut her head - she had to have 18 stitches taken. She has really been in bad shape for quite awhile. I went over on Saturday morning and helped clean her home - she has a big house!!! She's 78 years old and needs to have help.
It's too bad all the publicity that Paul Dunn is getting, isn't it? He has always been such a popular church speaker and I guess he has embellished some of his stories to make them more interesting. A man who lost his job at BYU is publishing reports that many of his stories are untrue - Bro. Dunn doesn't deny this but I feel bad for him. He's 66 years old and not in good health and this will hurt him. He spent much of his childhood in Arkansas and was a friend of Chick Lutens. He stayed with us during one of his conference visits and we tried to get Chick to come visit with him but we couldn't. Life is funny!!!
We're looking forward to our family being together next Sunday. I am going to wear that purple dress for the picture - I would like to get Daddy a purple tie to go with it!!! Love you all!