May 19, 1992 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:
I was going to write a note yesterday and tell you that I didn't have time to write but I never did get to it - Ha!!! I am REALLY slow and don't get even half the things done in a day that I plan to do. I had our Family Home Evening group here last night and I spent yesterday getting ready for them and then after they left I wondered why I even bothered - I had made two beautiful fresh strawberry pies and then I bought a half gallon of sherbet for the man who couldn't eat anything with seeds and last night after they left I put most of it back in the refrigerator and freezer. I guess when you get our ages we just don't like desserts and you would think I would learn!!! I think that next time I am going to make Jeannie's spinach balls and have some cheese and crackers - I'll bet they would like that better. We had a good time though but it seemed SO different without Daddy!!!
I have talked to each one of you this week so this will be a short letter. Roy - I must tell you that the answering machine is the best thing I have ever had. I can't believe how much it helps and besides that it makes coming back into the house after being away so EXCITING - I LOVE IT. I have really shortened the message and it seems to work just fine. Yesterday I was out in the yard or busy in the house so I didn't answer it and I had six calls - Ray, Dolores Clegg, Shirley, Myron Checketts with Prudential who wants to sell me life insurance, Lil Richards who has just come home from her temple mission, and Kelly Spencer with Kidder Peabody. It is SO nice because I can return their calls and then I'm in charge of hanging up when I want to. I would recommend this to everyone of you who don't have one!!!
I went to Farmington on Sunday to go to a program with Jeannie and the children and it was just WONDERFUL. Bob & Claire and their children came over for a little while and I loved seeing them again too - little Brett looked at me as if to say, "You mean you are just here by yourself and didn't bring Jimmy". Jean tried to talk him into playing with Sarah but it didn't work!!! The program was a "Primary Celebration" and it was held in the old "Rock Church" in Farmington where the very first Primary was held in 1878 and it was SO well done and it was a treat for me to go into that church building - I have known about it all my life but I have never been in it. Mary Ann played the violin and Barji & Sarah sang for the musical part. They had a lot of Primary memorabilia on display and they had the samplers that Ann & Jean made when they were in Primary - it really brought back a lot of memories. I have told you this before but I'll tell you again - my mother was Stake Primary President for over thirty years in Box Elder County so I grew up with Primary.
SARAH - HAPPY BIRTHDAY ON THURSDAY!!! You will be seven years old and I will always be able to remember how old you are because you were born the year Daddy & I came home from our mission - 1985. We were so thrilled because we were able to attend your blessing. We hope you have a wonderful birthday.
Last Saturday, John came home and worked all day. First of all he groomed Hans & Frauie and they look WONDERFUL. Then he mowed and trimmed the yard. I went over to the cemetery and while I was gone, Annie came and while she was here we had a catastrophe on the lowest level of our yard. A water pipe on the UVCC campus broke and mud and rocks came into our yard and also into the Theobald's yard. Ann called the campus police and they turned off the water. I was sick when I saw it - it kinda' reminded me of when Daddy first started working on our yard. They came over yesterday and worked most of the day cleaning it up and it looks great now. The Theobalds had just roto tilled their yard and fertilized it and were already to plant when it happened. They'll have to do it all over again. I feel kinda' bad because I think the Theobalds called them and said they could take care of their own "mess" but I needed help. I really did though - it would have taken me the rest of the Summer to clean that up and carry all the stuff up to the garbage. Our yard looks pretty good - I had no idea how hard Daddy worked on it though - I used to scold him for spending all day on it but it really takes it. I enjoy doing it but it takes a lot of time. I don't know what I would do if John didn't help.
We are planning to spend Memorial Day at the "farm". I hope Brimley will have his horses out of it but I bet he won't. I am going to Brigham City on Sunday - I'll meet Jeannie at her home at 3:30 and we'll go from there to decorate the Forrests and little Christopher's graves. Then we'll all come back here and they will spend the night with me. Monday morning we will go over to Lehi and decorate Daddy's grave. John said he is going to Jackson Hole but will be home on Sunday night. Rick and Ricky are going on a "campout" so they won't be with us. Jeannie and her girls have a fun thing planned - they are going to Salt Lake and spend a night at the Marriott and do a "little shopping" - I'm not sure if it is going to be Friday or Saturday night.
FOOD FOR MEMORIAL DAY: I will get all the hot dogs, buns and slaw and also the "stuff" to make "S'mores" and I'll take our big cooler filled with lemonade. You guys fill in with what you think will be good. Please bring chairs and what you think would be fun to play - bats and balls, etc. I hope the weather will be good but if it isn't let's plan to come to our home.
I am going to the Orem Women's Club annual Spring breakfast in the morning and we are all supposed to make hats to wear. I have the hat and the flowers but it isn't put together yet. Friday I am going to Salt Lake to meet the "Brigham Bunch" for lunch at the University Hotel in that new research park - we always have a lot to talk about and it will be fun. I'M TOO BUSY!!!