July 29, 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:
It is a little bit cooler here in Orem and I am SO glad. We have had some very, very hot weather - I have always thought August was the hottest month but it couldn't be any hotter than July.
I just had a phone call from my brother Don. Cheryl, his wife, had an emergency appendectomy a week ago and then she got an infection so she has really been sick. She has been in the hospital for almost a week but is better now. Don says his garden in Lehi is REALLY producing - he has a lot of new potatoes and also a lot of cucumbers. I am either going to have my garden spot tilled and fertilized next Summer or else I'm going to put black plastic over it. My tomatoes are doing well but the raspberries and squash could be better. I haven't watered them consistently and I'm sure that is part of the problem.
Jean and Claire - thank you SO much for your notes and also the pictures. I was SO happy to have one of Ron - I always miss someone and this year it was Ron!!! I LOVE looking at the pictures and "re-living" our trip. I am glad to be home but it was a wonderful time - Ann told me that the Lees decided to not go because of the heat and the children were not that excited about it. It is just different when the "man of the house" isn't around to take care of things like that - they will re-gain their interest after while.
The Woolleys came over last night for Family Home Evening and we watched the video about the "Reunion of Joseph" with his Father Jacob and his brothers. They always bring me dinner and last night they brought me a Cornish game hen etc. It reminded me of our trip to Branson - at Dolly Parton's restaurant we were each given one and that was fun. I have never cooked Cornish game hens and I can't imagine Ann cooking 8 of them but she said she did. Jessie is going to have her four wisdom teeth extracted this morning. Ann is going to take her to Lehi where the doctor is who specializes in that. I can't help but think of the times most of you had Dr. Luten take yours out and then you came home by yourselves - DUMB ME!!!
Emily - I wish you were here to play the piano for me!!! I hope you are enjoying your new home and new bedroom - I'll bet you are having fun fixing it just the way you want it. I'm sure it is hot there but not any hotter than it has been here. I wish you would write to me and tell me about your new neighbors and the friends you have who live close by you.
I didn't mention in my last week's letter about Bob cutting my hair while we were at Lake Powell. That is definitely journal material so I'm writing about it now. I JUST LOVE IT!!! Laura took a picture of it and it turned out so good - I look one hundred years old but I have to accept that. The interesting thing is that he cut it with manicure scissors. I had to coax him to do it but he does such a good job on Brett's hair that I knew he could do it - he kept telling me "Mom, you might look like Brett".
Have you all been able to watch the Olympics in Atlanta? I have had the television on a lot more than usual and I'm glad I have been able to watch the things I have. I watched the gymnastics when Kerri Strugg (sp.?) sprained her ankle and then went on to win the gold for the USA team - that was exciting. I have felt so bad for the girls who have made mistakes to eliminate them from winning medals. They are all SO good they should all win gold medals. I'm really glad Jessie isn't doing that anymore - she was VERY good but I think it is SO dangerous!!! I guess she still does it with her cheerleading but not in competitive ways.
The terrorist things that have been going on are mind boggling!!! That TWA crash sends chills through me as I know it does everyone else. The fact that they will probably never be able to recover many of the bodies is SO sad. I'm sure it will change the way they handle the security at all the airports and for all of you who travel by air it will take much longer - how do you feel about that? I personally don't believe they can control the things that are done regardless of the security they have - especially when they have airplanes leaving from other countries like Greece as the TWA plane did
John - I hope your trade show has been a success. I know you put such a lot of effort into those shows and I know you are happy it is behind you. When the shows are in Las Vegas there is a lot about them in the news but I haven't heard anything about this one in New Orleans. I know you and Julianna are anxious to get on with moving into your new home - this will be a busy time for you but a fun time.
I met Chris Jordin in Salt Lake on Tuesday. She had a three hour layover so I asked her if she would like to see where Jean and Bob lived and she said she would. It is SO funny - we drove by their homes and parked for a little while in front of them. I told her I couldn't take her in because Jean and Claire were still in Lake Powell. WELL - when I got back to Orem I found out they were home. They had run out of drinking water in the houseboat on Monday and instead of taking the houseboat back to the Marina to get the tank filled again they decided to come on home. They left Lake Powell late on Monday evening after cleaning it and doing everything they have to and Jean and Claire were towing the Sea-Doos and Ann & Ron were in two cars pulling their boat. Ann & Ron decided to stop in Green River for the night rather than risk going to sleep while driving. Jean and Claire drove on home and got to their homes about 3 o'clock in the morning. I don't believe they will do that again!!!