September 25, 2000 Farmington, Utah

GOOD MORNING!!! I have been looking forward to Fall weather for a long time and I believe it has finally arrived - we have had a little rain but this morning the sun is out and it is supposed to be in the 70's and I LOVE that. When I left the temple on Saturday about noon it was snowing and the brides in their beautiful dresses looked bewildered. I believe the saying is that when people don't have important news to write about, they write about the weather - Ha!!!

I belong to D.U.P. (Daughters of the Utah Pioneers) and I volunteered to have the opening social in my home. It was Wednesday and I served a light luncheon using Jeannie's chicken salad recipe. Looking back on it I can't believe how long it took me to "put it together" but it was WONDERFUL!!! The recipe calls for everything but the kitchen sink and I found myself having to check it every few minutes to make sure I had all the ingredients in it - the chicken is marinated in a honey mustard sauce and it is very good. I think I enjoy planning special events like this because it gives me the opportunity to "eat everything in sight". Steve's Aunt Betty had sent me a floral arrangement a week ago and I took special care of it so it would last and it added a lot to my home - it is still just beautiful!!!

I went to Mary Ann and Sarahs' violin recital on Thursday night and I just LOVED that - they do SO well and I'm proud of their self confidence. Sarah lost her place for a "minute" and instead of going all to pieces she just very calmly got her music and proceeded to do a GREAT job - can you relate to that Annie? I continue to be amazed that emphasis is put on the students to memorize everything - I guess I will never understand why that is so important. I thought about Emily yesterday as I watched the Mormon Tabernacle Choir presentation - they featured a flute player and she was SO good. I would like to hear Emily play again - I LOVE the flute!!!

Bob called me on Saturday night and they are having a good time in Washington D.C. They had been to the National museums that day and it reminded me of the time we were there when our family was probably too young to appreciate the things they saw like Thomas Jefferson's signature on the Constitution (is that right?) Laura, Brett and Katie came over for dinner last night and what a joy they are - they ate everything I had prepared and they're so gracious and happy to be around - Laura is doing such a good job "being in charge".

Sarah and one of her friends appeared at my door on Saturday night and Sarah showed me the "car keys" in her hand - I about fainted. I said "Oh my goodness, does your Mother know you have driven over here?" She laughed and said, "Oh, she is with me - just visiting with Margaret outside". I am NOT ready for Sarah to be old enough to drive - I guess I have lived through it with my other grandchildren so I will make it with her. Some of my favorite memories are the times when Susanna and Jessie came over after receiving their drivers licenses.

I had a letter from Polly Parkinson Taylor this morning - I believe you all remember Polly and David who are such sweet friends from our Montana Mission days. I had told her that my new church calling was being in the nursery - she wrote back that it is important to teach the children a short scripture and they were capable of memorizing one. Yesterday in the nursery I spent most of my time holding a child on my lap to keep her from crying and trying to keep two little boys from jumping off the tables and breaking their legs - memorizing scriptures was the last thing I thought of - Ha!!! Polly asked about you John and said to tell you "hello".

Laura told me last night that a woman from the Stake in Italy where Michael lives called them to tell them he had arrived safely and was doing GREAT. She had taken him to the store to get the things he needs and was planning to help him shop for a bicycle. I have never heard of a member calling a missionary's home so early in his mission but I know that relieves the family. I usually hear about missionaries who don't know if their sons or daughters have arrived even after several weeks of leaving Utah.

I LOVED hearing President Hinckley's talk at the Women's Conference - I didn't go to the meeting at our Stake Center but I listened to the re-broadcast on television. He gave VERY strong advice didn't he? The First Presidency is very opposed to body piercing and tattooing and he didn't mince words. I am "out of the loop" so I don't know how the young people took it.

Vicky, my friend who lives in Star Valley, called me early this morning - she has so much energy and had the Thai teachers to her home for a weekend in July and she was just now getting around to telling me about it - Ha!!! She is a cute woman and wants to re-marry and her friends in Afton want her to re-marry and I don't blame them - Ha!!!

I have sent the picture proofs back to the photographer in Provo with the one I have chosen. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP ANNIE!!! The picture is SO good. I would liked to have chosen one where Jesse is trying SO hard to pose just perfectly and is standing absolutely so straight but his eyes are closed. Michael and Brett will be "digitized" in it and I'm anxious to see how that will be done.

I will go to "Curves" in a few minutes - I have to force myself to do that but it is too cold to swim and I know that is good for me. They have a new machine at curves that is supposed to help the stomach muscles & WOW do I ever need that!!!