February 16, 1993 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:
WOW!!! We're having a snow blizzard and I thought it was about time to plant. The daffodil bulbs that Daddy & I planted the Fall of 1991 are coming up - they're about two inches above the ground and it's fun to watch them. Daddy loved watching them bloom last year - it was so funny - I thought they were tulip bulbs but they came up daffodils.
I hope each one of you had as much fun on Valentine's Day as I did. I LOVE having my family for dinner and those who came "christened" my ten new chairs and they said "they worked". I have a plan that will work and I'm SO glad - when all of you can come, I'll put the extra leafs in the kitchen table and will seat people on the benches in there.
I was SO happy to have little Sarah call before they came down to see if they could spend the night. After we ate and visited, the "COUSINS" planned a sleep exchange - Sarah, Jimmy, Mary Ann & LeeAnna stayed here and Ricky & Barji went to stay with Susanna, Jessie & Russell. Monday morning when I came downstairs about 7:30, Rick & Jeannie were going out the door with Mary Ann & LeeAnna - they went to the Woolleys and picked up the other children and took them all to Sundance to spend the day skiing. Sarah and Jimmy played so good here and Jeannie and I just "had fun" until about noon when we went to the Woolleys. Ann & Jean & I went to do a "little" shopping and I bought a new lampshade for the den and then we went back to the Woolleys and left Ann and got Sarah & Jimmy and took them to the roller skating rink. I stayed at the rink with them while Jeannie went to Sundance to pick up the other children. We all met at the Woolleys for dinner about 5:30. It was a fun, fun day and they said it was just beautiful on the ski slopes.
Ron is doing REALLY GOOD. He can either walk or be in a reclining position - he can't sit very long or just stand - he is surely being a good sport and it doesn't seem to me that it has altered their life style any and I think that's WONDERFUL. He has been able to do some work at home too.
John leaves today for his trip. He is running on "overtime" and I can tell he is tired. He came on Sunday and stayed all day and then he dropped in last night for just a few minutes. Two of the young men he's going with are taking their wives so he will be "in good hands" - Ha!!! He will be gone until Feb. 28th. He wouldn't let me help him with any of his clothes so he "has learned how" - Ha!!! I surely hope he gets to see a lot of the "sights" but he keeps reminding me that it is a business trip and they hope to make a lot of contacts.
The Weinerts tell me that the Bob Mellors are doing good. I believe they are getting ready for the cruise they have been planning for a long time. I hope you have a wonderful time - I know it will be good for you to get our of our Wintry weather. Jeannie told me that you have had a lot of the "inversion" type weather they talk about on television - we don't get very much of that in this area and I'm GLAD.
The Roy Mellors have had some beautiful weather and it won't be long until their gorgeous Spring flowers and flowering trees will be in bloom. Spring and Fall in Arkansas just can't be beat anywhere in the world. I put all the pictures you have sent to me in my albums so I could show them when the family was together and then I forgot - I'm going to make a more accessible place for those albums when I get all the furniture "squared away" downstairs.
I saw Ricky and Mary Ann on television last week - they were just darling and were only on for a second but they had their names on the screen and one of my neighbors (Frances Anderson) saw them and called me. It's so much fun for me to have them here and hear about all their science fair projects and other things.
Jessie was elected "Valentine Princess" at her school. When Ann went to pick her up she came out with a crown on her head and with a bouquet of flowers - it was a surprise for Ann but Susanna said she had known about it. Congratulations Jessie!!!
They put in a new Laurel teacher on Sunday. They didn't release me so I really don't know what I will be doing but I am thrilled. The new teacher will be just wonderful and just what the girls need - she is an attorney and teaches at the law school at BYU. They also released the Young Women Presidency and put in a new President and kept one of the old counselors and put in a new one. I think it is so wonderful the way the church works in situations like this - we needed a change and it will work out just great and I hope no feelings were hurt. I have had a hard time with my calling for quite a long time - I'm too old to "connect" with 16 and 17 year old girls and the Bishopric made it easy for me - I may work with the 12 -13 year old girls.
I want to have this in my journal so I'll write it now. It probably won't be of interest to any of you but Roy. Daddy was given a large picture of his Dad as part of their estate and it was in a "goldish" metal frame. I didn't have a place for it so I have just had it stored. Well - soon after Daddy passed away, Ramona called and wanted it for her son Kim. I told her that would be fine with me. Then Ann said, "Mom, don't you think Roy would like that since he is named after him?" I really didn't know what to do so I asked John and he said, "Mom, if I were named after him I would like it", SO I am having a print made of it for you Roy and I'll try to find an antique type frame. There is a water spot damage on the forehead but I decided against having it restored - it makes it look REALLY OLD!!!