May 20, 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:
I just came in from watering my tomatoes and squash and I had to wear my coat - it is cold in Orem!!! I had my evaporative cooler serviced last Friday because it has been quite hot and since then I have had to have the furnace on - I don't usually do that but this year is different!!!
WELL - my big party is over and the weather just wouldn't cooperate. I asked Ann if I could have it at their home in case of bad weather even before I sent out the invitations but I REALLY didn't think I would have to do that. I tried to reserve the Mellor Banquet and Reception Center in Lehi but it was already booked up. My yard will never look this good again - I have "slaved" over it and it is surprising what a difference a week can make. Last weekend would have been perfect to have it in the backyard.
I was going to borrow the Woolleys' big tables and John was going to go get them for me before he left town on Tuesday. Ann decided she didn't want to move them twice so the plan was for Ron to bring them to me Saturday morning - they still have their big van that comes in SO handy for things like this. Ann and I talked on Saturday morning and the weather was quite unpredictable but there was a good chance it would clear up - we set the time for 1:30 to make the final decision. WELL - I went out to hose off my driveway about 11 o'clock and about froze to death - I called Ann and asked if I could have it at their home.
I must have made about twenty phone calls telling people about the change. I gave them all the same directions but one carload of friends got lost and Ann had to go find them and bring them to her home. Talk about "coming to someone's rescue" - Ann and Ron really pitched in and saved my life. Their home looked just beautiful - Ron set up all the tables and went all over their neighborhood getting enough chairs - Ann found some centerpieces for the tables that perfectly matched the tablecloths (paper) I had taken - by the time my friends got there it looked like it had been planned to have it there all the time. I will NEVER be able to get even with them!!!
I want to list the names of friends who came since this is my journal. Ellen Mae & Mel Manning, Gene & Wayne Rich, Ida Smith, Phyllis & Del Holmgren, Eris & Clinton Holmes, Roberta & Merlin Larsen, Emma Lou & Melvin Thayne, Jean Thayne, Doris Ann & Shirl Bishop, Ruth & Ray Wilson, Helen Jane & Roy Lemon, LaRaine & Verl Peterson, Marion & Les Dunn and me. Charone & Thales Smith had planned to come but she called at the last minute and said she was too ill - she is receiving more cancer treatment. Paul Theobald, my neighbor, also said he would come to see his friend, Shirl Bishop but when I didn't have it here he decided to not come. I sent out the invitations about two months ago and it has been so much fun having them all call to respond - it was SO nice because they all WANTED to come. The Holmgrens came from Bear River, the Riches from Logan, and lots from Brigham City.
Jean and Rick came also and I appreciated that SO much. It didn't work out like I had planned - I'm sure they wondered why in the world I thought I would need so much help. Daddy used to help me SO much and when I do things like this I feel like I have lost my right arm so I lean on family. Anyway - I hope they understand and realize what an incapable mother they have.
The Carl Mellor Catering Service did a WONDERFUL job!!! I thought the food was just delicious - they had two other jobs that night so Carl wasn't able to come but the man who did come was very, very good!!! They left all the food in their catering pans and I will return them this morning. I would like to use them again sometime.
Jim Shumway did a WONDERFUL job entertaining for us too. I just love to hear him sing - he sang songs from several operas that I wasn't familiar with and I had especially asked him to sing "Fiddler on the Roof" so he sang that and also "Bring Him Home" from Les Miserable. My friends just wouldn't let him leave - they kept talking to him.
I had asked Ron to take some pictures and he was SO patient. I just couldn't get the group together. I'll be anxious to see how they turn out. I really had the party to celebrate Ellen Mae's 71st birthday and I would like to give her some of the pictures if they turn out.
When the weather turned bad the first thought I had was, "If I were in a condominium I could use the clubhouse". I sometimes wish I didn't love my home as much as I do because I probably should consider getting into a place that doesn't require so much maintenance. The Theobalds are renting their basements to non- family members and breaking the covenants that we all had to sign. Mike & Shawna (West of me) are renting to a family of four and I am very happy because this family is very special. Paul & Dorothy (East of me) are renting to a young married couple who are from our ward. ANYWAY - I know I could fix my basement and rent it out to college students who could take care of my yard when I won't be able to - twenty years from now - Ha!!!
I am going to Oregon with Ellen Mae and Mel this Thursday. I told them about three months ago I would go but I didn't realize it would be over Memorial Day and I feel bad that I won't be here to go to Daddy's grave. John has promised me he will decorate it. I am REALLY a "Home Body" and would prefer to stay home but I also love to be with Ellen Mae and Mel. I will be gone from May 23rd through the 30th - so I won't write next week!!!