December 5, 1994 Orem, Utah
Dearest John & Julianna; 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:
Well - I hope we are through going to funerals for awhile. John, Ann, Jean and I drove to Manti on Thursday to attend Uncle Elly's funeral. Jeannie worked extra hard so she could get her food all ready for their big church dinner and give her time to go with us. I think it was WONDERFUL for her to do that. It was also wonderful for John & Ann to arrange their time to go - it took the entire day. We left Provo about 9:30 and got to Manti about 11 o'clock and it worked out just great. I don't believe I have ever seen anyone look so bad in their casket as Elly did - I think they should have considered a closed casket. I would never have recognized him!!!
The funeral was just beautiful - much too long but I expected it would be because that is how they do things. He is buried in a plot just beneath the Manti temple and it was a beautiful day - the ground was all muddy because of all the rain and snow we have had but the sun was shining. They had a lot of beautiful flowers and since it was SO cold they were taking the arrangements apart and giving the fresh flowers to everyone. We took a fresh pine wreath that will be good to keep on the grave. It was really fun to see all the relatives on Daddy's side again - I hadn't seen many of them since Daddy died. Carol is doing fine. I kinda' expect her to move to California because she has sold her home in Manti.
We got home about 5 o'clock. John had locked himself out of his car and his apartment so he left with Ann - I'm sure that Julianna came home soon after that so he wouldn't have had to wait out in the cold. Jean left just in time to get in all the traffic out of Salt Lake.
I have REALLY been busy with my Relief Society job. I guess this time of year brings on a lot of welfare "stuff". The Woolleys came over last night and we had just finished watching "Elisha" on video when the Bishop came by to see me. I couldn't very well tell him I was busy and in the meantime John dropped in so it was quite chaotic and the Woolleys left. I felt REALLY bad because all they did was watch television and they have a much better television in their own home. I tell EVERYONE that my family comes over on Sunday evenings and yet I continue to have phone calls and people coming by to see me.. The Bishop's visit was really an emergency though and I can understand that. I have spent all morning today doing the things he came to ask me to do.
I was SO thrilled to have Laura call me last night. They had a wonderful time Claire's brother and his family in California - Laura was excited as she told me about Disneyland and everything they did. I also talked to Claire and Bob and I slept better knowing that Bob was home safe and sound. I REALLY worry about the small plane they fly in going to Mexico. I don't believe I even asked him about his trip - hopefully he will tell us all about it when we get together for Christmas.
Patrice - I loved your phone call too! I am SO excited to hear how Suzie is getting along. (Suzie would have arrived in Little Rock yesterday to begin a new life. Her home closed last week and she drove by herself - I believe her furniture and things will probably arrive after she is settled somewhat in her home in Little Rock) It was fun to hear little Jesse in the background and he was not about to be quiet while his Mom visited on the phone - I can remember those days!!! I watched all the news on television this morning about that home on Cantrell road that is decorated for Christmas - that is unbelievable!!! The last news I heard was that the judge had ordered him to "tone it down" because of all the neighborhood complaints - I wonder if he will. I don't believe I would complain if I were a neighbor to his home - it looks beautiful in the pictures.
Little Rock continues to be in the news a lot because of President Clinton. I am sorry to read all the news about Webb Hubbell - he is probably the only person I will ever know who was so close to the President of the United States. I didn't know him personally but we were close to a friend of his - John Robert Bass - and they spent time together in our backyard. Ann knew him personally I believe. He certainly did a lot of DUMB things that he should have known better about being an attorney.
Jeannie - how was your dinner??? Ann and I talked about you last night and wondered how it went. I still can't imagine how you did all the food. We are having a Relief Society and Young Women dinner next week and the lady in charge is panicked because a couple ladies of her committee of 12 won't be able to help.
Julianna - thank you for your help with my "crafty things" on Saturday. (I was trying to fix a little plain bag to put some goodies in for our board meeting and in about one minute she came up with the cutest idea.) She also had some great suggestions for getting good bargains in place that I never shop. I hurried and went there to get my supplies. She was also going to decorate John's office. It is SO funny - whenever I even start a craft project, my house goes completely to pot. I have several projects right now and everything is a mess. While Ann was here last night she did my dishes that had been in the sink for several days.
Ann told me they had received the notice of the gifts exchange from Emily so I'm sure the rest of you have also. I will plan to have dinner here sometimes on Christmas Eve day - the earlier the better I think but I will wait to hear what is best for all of you. I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT GOING TO SALT LAKE ON SATURDAY TO SEE MARY ANN PERFORM IN THE NUTCRACKER - I'M PROUD OF YOU!!!
Return to Home Page