Dearest Family,
Roy, Timothy & Jesse are with me and I am
LOVING it!!! They left to go snowboarding about 7:30 this morning and I
think I frightened them about the threat of avalanches in the mountains
- Roy finally told me they don't go anyplace near where avalanches
occur. We have had ALOT of snow in the mountains - it has rained in
the valleys and they are even predicting our drought may come to an end
this year. That would be SO good.
They were here when I came home from the
temple yesterday, (Saturday) about noon and they didn't have very long
to rest before we headed South. We left Farmington about 1 o'clock to
go to REI in Salt Lake and shopped for a little while - I think I
hurried them because I wanted to get to John's home while it was still
daylight. I asked them to help me "wrap" the pine trees that are by
Lynn's grave in Lehi and they did it and I just watched. The heavy snow
breaks off the branches if they're not wrapped with that burlap stuff.
THEN we stopped at Lehi Roller Mills for a little while - they were
selling all their Christmas wrapped mixes - buy 2 and get one free - WE
COULDN'T PASS THAT UP!!! It was absolutely freezing cold in the
cemetery and they didn't complain one bit and I appreciate it SO VERY
MUCH!!!
THEN we got to John's home about 4 o'clock
and it was still daylight. John had spent the day taking his Christmas
lights down and he didn't feel very good - (I hope it isn't the flu
bug). I have tried to call him today to see if he felt better but he
doesn't answer his cell phone. His home was SO beautifully decorated
for Chistmas and I know THAT IS ALOT OF WORK!!! John has had a
difficult week - Ha!!! He ordered MANY tons of sand to be taken to his
barn and the first day the big truck went there the lawn was quite hard
but then we had warm weather and the truck got stuck in his lawn. He is
going to fix it next Summer. His barn looks WONDERFUL - he doesn't have
his horses there yet and he could have a "REAL HOE-DOWN" there - it is a
"HUGE BARN". He has bought a tractor to help. He has always loved the
outdoors and all it has to offer - especially animals. It is always fun
for me to see "Tar" and Roy explained to Timothy & Jesse how he is
"Sammy's Father". He has a GREAT place to run and then go to his "home"
in the garage when it gets too cold outside.
John had invited all of us for "Sandwiches
and Soup" and they had delivered the sandwiches from "Subway" about the
time we got there. The Weinerts came first and Jeannie had made
delicious minestrone soup. The Woolleys came soon after and Annie had
made delicious corn chowder. I took some chili and that broccoli cheese
soup. I would like to list those who came: Jean, Rick, Ricky and his
friend Dallin, Sarah and her friend boy, Greg, Ann, Ron, Jessie and
Jared, Russell, Lee Anna & Jimmy. Jeannie and I had tried to guess the
number to expect and we thought about 20 so we were almost right with
Roy, Timothy & Jesse. It was important for Roy to meet Jared since the
Roy Mellors probably won't be able to be here when they are married. I
WAS VERY HAPPY THE COLLEGE KIDS CAME - I know traveling that far isn't
easy and I was glad we didn't have snow. The Bob Mellors couldn't be
with us because Bob was "on call". Boyd & Barji just returned from
Hawaii Saturday morning and Mary Ann had to work late so she and David
couldn't come. We missed all who couldn't come. I just LOVED the
entire evening - we all enjoyed the "barn tour" and being in John's
lovely home. THANK YOU, THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CAME AND TO JOHN FOR
HIS HOSPITALITY!!!! I JUST LOVE JOHN'S HOME!!!
Patrice - I want to hear about your new
job. She told me when I was there a couple months ago that she was
changing jobs and won't be at the Arts Center anymore. There is a new
and VERY large library in downtown Little Rock and she started working
there the first of January. Roy says she is going to try to work 20
hours a week and do it in about three days. That sounds ideal to me!!!
We miss you and Emily now - it has been a very long time since Patrice
has been to my home.
Susanna - THANK YOU SO MUCH for your
WONDERFUL pictures of Jackson & Caroline as they enjoyed and played in
the snow in Utah. I know that must seem unreal now that you are back
home in Chandler, Arizona where you don't have snow. You have surely
had ALOT of rain though - an unusual amount that has caused quite a bit
of flooding. I hope it hasn't caused any damage to places around where
you live.
I probably did the funniest thing I have
ever done last week that concerns my "hair problem". I have struggled
this year and have experienced many different beauticians. The last one
I had in Salt Lake moved to South Salt Lake and she is VERY expensive
and I haven't liked the way she did my hair - I kept thinking it would
get better. ANYWAY - I decided now would be a good time to make a
change. My friend in Willard goes to a beautician in Willard who works
out of her home and I think Helen Jane's hair always looks good SO I
decided to try her. The only day she could take me was Wednesday early
morning - I left here about 7:30 on a very snowy morning to drive to
Willard and when I got to her home I thought, WOW, THIS IS DUMB!!! So
far I REALLY like my permanent and I would WALK that far for a good
one. I have learned that most beauticians don't like to give
permanents.
I continue to receive phone calls and
e-mails from my friends in Thailand. My last companion, Myrth Kidd,
wrote to see if I would go with her so we could help with the children.
I think we would just "be in the way" and I won't go but it is
heartbreaking to see the news on television and the great damage and
suffering the "Tsumani" caused. I have never REALLY liked water sports
or even being around large lakes, oceans, etc. - I like to have my feet
on the ground - Ha!!! I was in Phuket for overnight when I was in
Thailand and it truly was a gorgeous place AND we waded in the very
water that has swept away complete villages and had over 150.000 people
die. One of my friends there wrote, "Barbara, don't worry about our
country. You taught me that things happen for a reason and I believe
that". I don't remember ever telling her that but I do believe it. It
has been interesting to me to listen to "Larry King" - he interviewed
many religious leaders the other day and some of them couldn't give any
explanation at all as to why God would allow this to happen. I guess it
would be hard to give a satisfying answer to that question at this time.
It is a very cloudy day today - I was hoping
for some bright sunny days for Roy and "his boys" but it "ain't going to
happen" - they are predicting more rain and snow tomorrow. I hope they
are having LOTS of fun and I know they are - just being together in the
mountains is fun!!! I remember those days but I'm content to be at home
in a warm dry place - Ha!!! AM I EVER GETTING OLD!!! I NEVER hear any
disagreements or unhappiness and they are such a joy to have in my
home. They are going to leave on Wednesday and when I complained about
them going home so soon, Roy said "Mom, I'm taking the boys out of
school this week" and I know that is hard and I'm just VERY happy they
would come for a few days.
I had such a nice letter and pictures from
Chris & Wayne Smith. They didn't send any citrus fruit to me this year
and they explained why - all their citrus trees were taken by the
hurricanes. The pictures they sent are very, very sad - big trees blown
on their home and alot of flooding. Natural disasters can not be helped
and I'm convinced I don't want to live close to water!!!
That's all the news I think. I LOVE EACH
ONE OF YOU SO VERY, VERY MUCH. PLEASE BE SO VERY, VERY CAREFUL IN
EVERYTHING YOU DO. Grandma B XXXXXOOOOO