February 26, 1996 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:
WOW!!! We're having another snow storm. The weathermen have been predicting this one for several days but they would keep changing their minds saying it was going South of the Wasatch Range but it is really snowing now. I REALLY LOVE TO WATCH IT COME DOWN and it's fun to watch the students over at the college slip and slide all over the place - Ha!!!
We had a big meeting here this morning - it started at 9 o'clock and just now ended and it's almost noon. We are planning the Relief Society Birthday Celebration for March 20th and I had a BIG disagreement with the "Food Chairman" because I was trying to save the budget and suggested we have it potluck. She is a lovely woman but she likes to be in charge and she didn't think we should ask the sisters to bring food for this when they brought it for the "taster's table" each month. The meeting ended with the budget paying $150 and the sisters on the committee donating the rest of it. I know this probably doesn't make sense to you!!! The food chairman said she would cook all the meat for 120 people - she says she has done it before with her two ovens. She is going to get rump roast and then we will have baked potatoes, green salad, corn, bread and strawberry cheese cake. SOUNDS DELICIOUS!!! Kathryn Wood is her name and her son recently married the daughter of some of Ann's good friends. This daughter already had a little girl when she married and Kathryn was caring for her so she brought her to the meeting - she is two years old and a darling little girl.
We have a good program planned for this party. I went to Salt Lake and got the booklet "The Long Road From Vermont To Carthage" from the distribution center. It is a Reader's Theatre adapted from S. Dilworth Young's prose poetry. We have a couple in our ward that has consented to "chair" this for me. I am excited about it. It is about the persecution of Joseph Smith and his followers when they were in Missouri - I hope it won't be boring.
I am SO glad that last week is over. We had our big Visiting Teaching Workshop on Saturday and that involved a lot. We had a WONDERFUL chairman for it and it turned out just perfect. The guest speaker used different Barbie Dolls as illustrations for the different personalities we visit when we go into the homes of different women. It was just excellent. We served a brunch - that egg and bread casserole, salad and cinnamon rolls. We had almost fifty come and that is a GOOD crowd on a Saturday morning. The decorations and favors were outstanding - the chairman had really "outdone" herself - Wendy Tippets. Her Mother-in-law helped her and brought beautiful fresh flowers for it.
John - thank you for coming over on Saturday!!! He came over to wash his car and get his mail but he wasn't in a hurry like he usually is and it was wonderful to visit with him. Julianna was at the library working on her thesis - she has to have that done in a couple weeks!!! John had been traveling all last week and he practically fell asleep as we visited - I could tell he was completely worn out. He showed me the genealogy he has on his lap top computer and I can't believe it - he has some WONDERFUL disc programs - I AM VERY IMPRESSED!!!
Bob & Claire - thank you for your phone call!!! I am SO glad you are having your basement finished - that will be WONDERFUL. Bob said they have had to "re-route" the rain drains on their house because water has come into their basement. I have had that problem with my sprinkling system but so far I don't believe I have had it with the rain. Bob is going to keep his workplace in their basement and then they will finish some bedrooms, a bathroom, and a television room. Families just need a lot of space to spread out. I get all excited about fixing a little kitchen in my basement and then I think THAT'S DUMB!!!
Jeannie - thank you for your phone call too. I ADMIRE you SO much. The Stake Relief Society asked her to be in charge of the decorating for their big March Celebration. I still can't believe they would do that except that you are SO talented and willing. She is decorating with flags of the different countries in some way. I hope we can get together for the "Imperial Tombs of China" before it leaves BYU. I have already seen it with Laura and Katie but I will be happy to meet you half way and get your children if they would like to see it and it is very good.
The Woolleys came over last night and we had a good time, as usual. Russell was in charge of Family Home Evening and we played the game "The Book Of Mormon Challenge". I never did quite catch on but it was fun. Lee Anna has "contacts" and it has made such a difference in the way she looks. Jessie drove over - I can't quite get used to that!!! Ron didn't come - he had left for Michigan earlier in the day.
I haven't heard from Roy and Patrice this week. I can just imagine how busy they are with their remodeling and all. I can't help but think of Daddy - he would be doing a lot of that work himself and having a "ball" and I would be wishing he would have it done professionally like they are doing.
I haven't talked to Chris and Wayne for a long time. It is my turn to call them - I never know where they are - Alabama or Arkansas but I could at least try to find them.
I visited with Ramona one afternoon last week - she seems to be doing fine. Her grandson from Virginia who is going to Ricks College in Idaho had been with her for a couple days. Elaine has been back in the hospital - she has had bone grafting in her leg and also her ankle. She has had such a hard time!!!