December 6, 1993 Orem, Utah
Dearest John; Roy, Patrice, Emily, Timothy & Jesse; Bob, Claire, Michael, Laura, Brett & Katie; Rick, Jean, Ricky, Barbara Jean, Mary Ann & Sarah; and Ron, Ann, Susanna, Jessie, Russell, LeeAnna & Jimmy:
I didn't mention Annie's birthday in my last letter because I was using the November calendar - SO - Happy Birthday last Friday to Ann. I have talked to her and she had a Happy Day - I can't believe I have children that old - HA!!!!!
We are having a very good Winter so far - it did snow a little at my home one day last week so I got a little moisture and won't worry about the little trees. We even had hail one day - weird!
Rick - thank you SO much for making all the arrangements for my flight to Little Rock this weekend - I appreciate that more than I can tell you and I am SO excited to go. I absolutely have no clue as to how to make flight arrangements - I'm sure I could learn but it is really nice to have someone do it for me. I have friends (lady) who have been doing that all their married life and their husbands don't know how to do it - I haven't flown all that much and Daddy always had a secretary to do it for him. It is SO very nice for you to give me the ticket and then make all the arrangements too - thank you again!!!
The Woolleys came over for Family Home Evening last night and we had so much fun. Do you all use those "bell chimes" they gave each family several years ago? We have used them in other activities they have done and last night we played Christmas carols with them and I didn't want to stop - I hope you are using yours too. Russell helped Ann give the lesson and it was on "Samuel the Lamanite" - I am SO pleased to see how much my grandchildren know about the Book of Mormon and I always feel so guilty because I just don't study enough.
John came over one evening last week - he walked in and the phone rang and it was my neighbor who needed for me to find something for her and then it rang again and it was the little Primary children who visit me and they wanted to come over. John was in a hurry anyway so I got to visit with him for about one minute but it was good to see him. He said he had a good trip to Fort Worth. I worry about him because I think he is getting too thin - I know he is burning the candle at both ends and in the middle.
Brett - thank you for your sweet letter. I have an idea that they had a Family Home Evening at the Woolleys and the lesson was on gratitude because I received the sweetest letters from the children and Ron and I cherish them. I should be the one writing letters of gratitude to all of you. I got my pictures of Thanksgiving back and will send each of you one - I always wish I had taken more even at the risk of all of your wrath - Ha!!!!
Roy - thanks for your phone call too. PLEASE don't worry about picking me up at the airport - Rick said he had sent you my itinerary. If you're not there it will be easy for me to get a cab - I need to learn how to do these things. I have finished reading "The Widow's Web" and thoroughly enjoyed it - I will bring it back so you can read it (I didn't realize you hadn't read it). I know the kids here would enjoy it also - maybe you'll send it back after you have finished it. I want to find your home in a mess so I will feel at home and I hope so much that you two will be able to get away while I'm there - I just want to be with the children.
I have put up my Christmas tree and it seems like it took me forever. I put it on the table in back of the sofa in the living room so it can be seen from the front and back of the house and I also put a few more lights out in front just on the bushes. My street is SO pretty and I love getting up in the night to see everything - it's just like a fairyland.
I had a funny experience last week. When the "guys" were here helping me at Thanksgiving time they all said, "Grandma B, you need new tires on your car". I NEVER look at things like that and the car drove fine for me. WELL - I had to go get it safety inspected and would you believe they rejected it because of the tires. I would have been very surprised if I hadn't been warned. They told me the best place to go so I went to "BIG O TIRE" and they fixed me right up. There are A LOT of widows in this area and it's almost as if we have signs on us - people dealing with cars and other things that women don't know much about are very helpful.
I was over at the farm in Lehi on Friday - I had gone to the cemetery to decorate the headstone for Christmas and I most often drive by the farm and also the house where my grandparents lived. When I drive by that house I go very slow and remember all the wonderful memories of my childhood - I spent A LOT of time at my grandparent's home there. WELL - on Friday, there was a lady out shaking rugs so I pulled in the driveway and visited with her. It was like a page out of time and will stay with me for a long, long time. I really wanted to ask to go in the house but I didn't dare. She & her husband bought the house in 1957 so they have lived there for 36 years - they have sold off most of the property surrounding the house but she has two daughters who live in ramshackle places close by her and her husband is dead. They have had the home sided but it truly is a MESS and it kinda made me sick because it could be a beautiful place. Their last name is Robinson - Howard and Fern - and I remember that Howard was a friend of Uncles Hugh and Jesse. Aunt Marvel had a lot of Watch Tower publications and I believe Fern is a Jehovah's Witness. She told me they have indoor plumbing and a gas furnace but other than that I'll bet it hasn't changed too much. It was SO funny because this woman, Fern, had diamond (?) rings on every finger.
I hope you won't get too stressed out for the holidays!!!
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