March 21, 1995 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:
I'm writing my letter on Tuesday morning this week. I rode with Ann, Susanna, Jessie & LeeAnna yesterday morning and we went to Salt Lake where we met Jeannie and we had a WONDERFUL day. Last year we tried to get together for shopping and lunch once a month but we haven't been able to work out our schedules to do that for about six months so it was really fun. Ann didn't realize that her children would be out of school until they brought home notes on Friday - Jeannie had furnace problems and she had to wait for a repairman - I was on the lookout for Carol in case she needed help for her doctor's appointment so it was really a miracle that we got together. Ann, Jean & I spent time at "Modern Display" where they have a lot of home decor that is very unusual and beautiful and then we went to Crossroads Plaza where Ann had taken her girls to shop. The Woolleys are trying to get ready for their cruise so they needed to shop for bathing suits, etc. We had lunch at the food court and that was really fun!!!
I have been working out in the yard as everyone else has. We have had such a mild Winter and now an early Spring and everything is blooming. My daffodils are so pretty - I really took care of them last year - I didn't cut off the leaves after they had finished blooming like I usually do and it has made a difference. I have cut out a lot of dead stuff in the front yard. I took 8 large bags of leaves and weeds over to the farm on Saturday and then filled my garbage can and Vonnie's can full for the garbage man yesterday. I already have my can full again. Two little girls from our ward came to "help" me on Saturday and they stayed all day. My neighbor bought a lot of rose bushes at the new Home Base store by us for $1.88 - he said they looked good to him. I have had such terrible luck with roses that I might just try some - we have always bought the expensive ones.
A couple weeks ago Ann called and asked if two second grade classes from Jimmy's school could come have their lunch in my backyard and then go to a ballet that was being presented at UVSC. It was REALLY fun to have them come. They were SO cute, polite and appreciative - they ate their lunches and then went out the back gate and walked to the college. They all wrote me "thank you letters".
Claire - thank you SO much for those darling pictures of me with Laura and Katie - they are even good of me!!! I have missed the girls and hope they will come back again really soon. I received your phone message on the answering machine this morning - I am embarrassed to say that I was in bed when you called. I worked out in the yard after we came home from Salt Lake yesterday and then went to bed early to read and fell asleep.
I am thinking of Roy & Patrice and their family. I keep checking the weather bulletins and it sounds like you are having good weather on your trip. I know how much you enjoy the beach and I hope all the poxes are gone and you will have a wonderful vacation. I think it is ironic that they are perfecting a chicken pox vaccine now after all your children have had them. I'm not sure I would feel confident in the vaccine anyway since it is so new. I AM ANXIOUS FOR MY TRIP TO BE WITH YOU.
Julianna - it was fun to visit with you on Saturday and I'm SO glad you came over. I hope you will have a great time on your trip to Phoenix this weekend - we will miss you at the Orem Women's Club luncheon. Your parent teacher conferences sounded interesting - she said there were only three parents who didn't show up. John says you REALLY put a lot into your job.
Bob & John went to Flaming Gorge last weekend for a fishing trip. The weather was good so I'm sure they had a fun time. They have said on the news that Lake Powell is supposed to be one of the best fishing places in the country this Summer - I just wish there would be an easier way to clean them.
Jeannie & Rick - I hope your furnace is fixed for good - I guess this isn't the first time they have had trouble with it. It was fun to hear Jeannie tell about how they coped with no hot water ªsomehow their furnace is connected to their water heater. I can just see Mary Ann bathing and shampooing her hair in cold water!!! I also hope you fight your "ticket" successfully. Jeannie got a ticket for parking in a handicapped area - it was in a place that was vacant and closed for the night (I didn't really understand exactly where it was). I'll bet she is successful - I always remember her talking the policeman in Billings out of a ticket - that impressed the missionaries.
We had our annual Relief Society Anniversary Celebration last Thursday - it was such a beautiful affair and very well done but we didn't have as large a crowd as I had hoped - we served dinner to about 120. I talked to Chris Jordin on Saturday and she told me what they had done in Little Rock - they divided their group up and half went to the Ronald McDonald house and completely cleaned the house and the other half prepared lunch for them. I compared that to our group and when I went over to the church early to help, one of the ladies came up to me and said, "If you don't get it warmer in here I'm not going to stay" - our group is very spoiled!!!
Susanna went roller blading with some friends last weekend and had an accident. Her leg and arm are all scratched up and she can hardly walk - it made me hurt to look at her yesterday.
Congratulations to Ricky - he has his first job. He is going to work at Lagoon. I don't know exactly what he will be doing but it won't be cleaning bathrooms or trying to get people to play their games. I'M PROUD OF YOU RICKY.