March 3, 1997

Dearest John & Julianna; Roy, Patrice, Emily, Timothy & Jesse; Bob, Claire, Michael, Laura, Brett & Katie; Rick, Jean, Ricky, Barbara Jean, Mary Ann & Sarah; Ron, Ann, Susanna, Jessie, Russell, Lee Anna & Jimmy:

We are back into Winter Weather - we had a snow storm last night and it is snowing again this morning. I truly LOVE the snow but we have had a little more than our share this year and everyone is worried about the Spring flooding. I am glad I am on "high ground".

I always turn the television on when I first awaken and I couldn't believe it this morning when they were interviewing Governor Huckabee of Arkansas and he was telling about the devastation of the tornadoes in Little Rock. I knew it was a terrible time to call the Roy Mellors as they were getting ready for school but I had to know. I was SO glad when Patrice answered the phone and I was able to talk to her about it. I knew that if I got their answering service I would worry until I got them. She said they were just fine but that Arkadelphia was practically wiped out and there was a lot of damage in Southwestern Little Rock. I was SO surprised that it had actually happened on Saturday - where was I all weekend??? I always watch the news but the local stations didn't have anything about it.

It was interesting to talk to Patrice. We didn't have tornado warnings when we lived there and I have thought how wonderful it is to have them now. She was telling me how that when the alarms go off people rush out of their homes to see if they can see anything and then go into their shelters - I know that is exactly what I would do and how dumb because sometimes you wouldn't have time to get into the shelter. I will always remember going out to call John home when he was playing with Carol in their backyard and there was a big wind coming. Dorothy was getting them in at the same time. I looked up in the sky and there were all kinds of things blowing around - big things!!! That was the year the tornado hit the church and some homes in that area. It didn't do a lot of damage but it was scary!!! I am SO sorry for the people who have suffered so much damage and according to the news there were two dozen people killed - how tragic!!!

I am going to hurry with this letter because two of my church friends, Sid and Dawn James, are going to come over and help me with my genealogy on the computer. I was supposed to start taking a class tomorrow but when I told Bob I had registered for the advanced class he frowned and said he thought I would be lost. SO I changed it to the beginners' class and it won't start until April 17. Sid and Dawn have taken this class and said they would be happy to help me. They have just returned from serving a two year mission to Adam-ondi ahman and they such sweet people.

I was SO happy to have two e-mail messages on the computer when I checked it yesterday. While my leg has been healing I haven't spent as much time with it as usual. Bob left a message saying that Claire, Brett & Katie were going to Disneyworld - I believe they left yesterday - and Bob, Michael and Laura will join them on Wednesday. They will enjoy getting out of the snow and cold weather. Disneyworld is such a wonderful place. I will be glad when Roy and Patrice feel like their children are old enough to go. They are going to Gulf Shores for a few days and that will be wonderful too - they have rented a beach house. I hope they will be able to find Chris and Wayne Smith - Wayne would love to take them fishing. I'm not sure Roy would trust his boat but maybe he has a better boat by now.

Patrice left a message thanking me for the picture of Grandpa Forrest. Roy called when they got it and I was SO relieved - he said it was in good shape. I told the UPS lady that they could ruin it if they had a truck run over it but with ordinary shipping it would be okay - I couldn't convince her though and she wouldn't take it. She said they are having beautiful Spring weather in Arkansas with daffodils and flowering trees all in full bloom.

Patrice also told me there was a good article about John's company in Forbes magazine. I will have to try to find it. I haven't heard from the John Mellors this week. I hope Julianna hasn't had problems driving to school. John has probably been traveling.

Jeannie - thank you for your phone message. I save them and keep playing them back - Ha!!! I am SO glad you and Barji will be able to go to California together in April. WHAT A FUN TIME IN YOUR LIVES.

The Woolleys came over last night - they are SO sweet to come when they have so many things going on. Susanna has a lot of church meetings she has to go to on Sunday evenings so she comes a little after the rest of the family. I APPRECIATE IT SO MUCH!!! Ann had a wonderful lesson prepared and I want to have it copied and will try to include it in my letter next week. It was about "heroes" and her questionnaire defined how each one of us would describe a hero. It was interesting to hear the different responses and as Ann said, "there are no correct or incorrect answers". Ron had to go to California yesterday afternoon so he couldn't come. His friend, Byron, had been with them for dinner yesterday. Do you all remember him? He is a dentist and is single and is about Ron's age - he lives in Washington D. C.

I had to cancel my luncheon club last Thursday at Thanksgiving Point. We had a terrific snow storm. I went to Lindon that morning to do my tutoring and I didn't have any problems but when I came home there were 8 messages on my machine from the ladies saying they were too frightened to get out in the storm. Many of them wanted me to reschedule but they are a "pain" when it comes to scheduling anything so I said No!!! I AM GETTING OLD AND ORNERY!!!

The Book Review was SO good. My friend, Anne Smith, reviewed the last of Erma Bombeck's book and it was hilarious (I'm not sure it was her last one). That morning one of the sisters in our ward and called and asked me if I could take care of her little girl - she was off track and needed a place to stay. I had a lot to do but she came and watched videos. I made Carol Ann's Biscuit Corn squares - they were very bland but they enjoyed them. I also made three different kinds of cookies and had a fruit plate and hot cider.

I love each one of you so very much and I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!! Please be very careful in everything you do and let me know how I can help you.

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