December 1980 - from my Journal

December 21, 1980

It sure has been a long time since I wrote last, and this one probably won't be very long. Allot has happened.  Roger got a big raise, $2.10 an hour more.  We are ready for Christmas.  All our presents are bought, wrapped, and under the tree.  I've sewed 4 pair of pants for Amanda, and 2 shirts, and a jumper.  I'm pretty proud of myself.  We went to two family parties yesterday. Santa Claus came to both, and Amanda got a ball and a tubbie-toy.  Roger's still a sweetheart to me, and Amanda's crawling all over and standing alone.  She'll be walking soon. Looslis are back from their trip to Mexico.  They were gone from the 7th of November, to December 19th.  Well, Roger's ready to go to bed, I'll go too.

November 1980 - from my Journal

November 1980

1 - Mervyns, Red car, Mr. Loosli, Game ?
3 - Help Leora

4 - VOTE  Bazaar dinner (This is the one I made that quiet book for)

6 - Got Color T.V.

7 - Bye Bye Birdie ?  (did we go to the High School Musical)
8 - Look for car

11 - Bevan Whittier takes picture of Me, Roger, and Mandy

12 - Homemaking Club meeting

12- Casey's 1st birthday

13 - I.R.S. ( I'm trying to get a job)

15 - State football in S.L.C.

18 - Inservice meeting

20 - Michelle's wedding?

21 - Mandy's 1st tooth  (bottom left)
25 - Relief Society (make Rocky Road)

27 - Go to Aunt Barbara's for Thanksgiving

28 - To the Post (a bar)

29 - Refundle Bundle ( I am really into couponing and refund offers)

November 4, 1980

Well, Ronald Reagan will be our new President of the United States for the next 4 years.  Jimmy Carter lost really bad.  I voted today, and when I got in the booth  really felt special to think that my vote would really count.  I know you aren't supposed to tell anyone how you voted, but here's how I did.

Ronald Reagan - President of the United States

Scott Matheson - Governor of Utah

Jake Garn - Senator

Jim Hansen - Congressman

Don Turner - 4 year commissioner (Morgan County)

Frank Bohman 2 year commissioner (Morgan County)

Don Dinsdale (schoolboard)

Glen Brown - State representative #66 (district)

So far, Reagan, Matheson, and Garn have won for sure.  It's still to close to call between Jim Hansen and Gunn McKay. (Hansen won) Locally we won't know until tomorrow.  Today's Tuesday (Roger's day off). He came home last night at 10:30 p.m.,  and had to work today for 8 hours starting at 6:00 a.m.  Well I went up to Grandma Dickson's and he called me about 11:00 a.m. and said that they had asked him to drive to Idaho with Bob Wilson on a 16 hour drive.  So he didn't get to vote.  He'll probably get home about 3:00 a.m.  Mandy is all better now, and I'm so glad.  Tonight was our ward bazaar and election dinner.  I really don't think it was a very good turnout.  My Quiet Book was priced at $9.00 (WOW!)  Considering I only spent $3.00 in making it, I thought it was priced quite high.  Not very many things were sold.  I bought a little glass snowman for $4.00 and some baked goods for $1.00  I've been up to Grandma Dickson's today sewing on a dress for me and I'm going up tomorrow to finish it while Roger sleeps.  I heard tonight that Imperial Motel 400 is selling Color TV's for $100.00.  Joan & Chet got one, and I called down tonight and reserved us one, if we can come up with $100.00 by Thursday.  We are going down to Ogden Thursday to get my hair frosted and cut.  Linda also laid me away an electronic game for Roger for Christmas.  I'm still stuck at my weight between 125 and 130 pounds.  I sure wish I'd drop some more, but at least I'm still dieting and exercising.  The second weekend of deer hunting, Roger got a big 3 point, but he gave it to Buck. (Bruce's brother)  Mervyns had a sale on drapes and we went down and got a raincheck for some for our living room.  I'm really excited.  Next month we decided to get pregnant.  That will put me having a baby in the end of September, 1981.  I'm not looking forward to going to work in January.  The more I think about it, the more depressed I'll get.  Roger is really good with Mandy, but to think I'll not be with her from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. really bums me out.  I'm going to try to nurse her before I go at 6:00 a.m., and then Rog can feed her at 8:00 a.m. and at 12:00 noon  with maybe a bottle in between.  She might need a bottle in the afternoon, but I hope not.  Then I'll nurse her when I get home at 4:00 p.m., then feed her at 6:00 p.m., and before I get to bed at 9:00 p.m.  I'm glad I'll only be working for 6 months.  I hate our stupid car. (I think I'm referring to the orange/red maverick stick shift)  This Saturday we're going to Ogden and look at cars and see what one we want.

October 1980 -from my journal

October 1980

2 - Mandy started on meats

4 - Buy Goldfleck hunting permit

7 - Temple class

8 - Homemaking

I am cleaning Loosli's home on Thursdays

10 - Amanda's doctor's appt.  14 pounds 12 ounces  25 inches long

11 - taco party

14 Deanne & Malan Johnson get married

17  - visiting teaching

18 - deer hunting

28 Relief Society Work night

October 1, 1980

Boy I can't believe it's October already.  Time sure goes by fast.  I can't remember if I told you this, but Roger and I made a deal about 2 weeks ago.  We got on the scales and I weighed about 141 pounds, and he weighed 135 pounds.  Well I just felt terrible, and so we got talking about it and we decided that if I could lose down to 125 pounds, that Roger would quit smoking cold turkey! Well you can imagine how excited I was, and from that day on I have kept to a very strict diet, and I've been exercising also.  Guess what!?  I'm down to 130 pounds.  I'm so excited for the day when  I'll weigh 125 pounds and Roger will then quit smoking!  Hurrah!!  He is still at work now, and it's 10:52 p.m.  He should be home anytime now.  All last night he suffered and had a toothache.  Finally at 3 a.m., he took a Percodan and it zonked him out.  This morning I called and made him a dentist appointment.  Roger went over and Dr. Crowther did a root canal ($75.00),  we don't have insurance, but Rog just can't suffer all the time. The Ensign came in the mail yesterday.  I just love reading all the stories and articles.  I'm helping to make a Quiet Book for the Election Dinner and Bazaar on the 4th of November.  Debi Rees is in charge, and she's getting different women to help her.  She is so nice.  Her little new baby is just a month old today.  They named her Allison.  She sure is cute. She reminds me of Amanda!  In Relief Society, they gave us empty garment boxes, and we're suppose to decorate them any way we want, and there will be a prize given for the best one.  I'm really excited about doing mine, and I hope that maybe it might take 1st. (it didn't)  Roger's Aunt Shanna can take ordinary snap shots and transfer them onto material.  So I'm getting a picture of the temple and putting it on the lid, and then I'll write "Families are Forever" across it.  Then I'm putting pictures of Roger's family, my family, & Ambure  and Amanda and me and Rog's wedding picture around the sides.  I hope it'll look nice.  I'm also starting to let my fingernails grow long again.  Heck it's been almost a year!!  Mandy's got a doctor's appointment on the 10th for her 6 month checkup.  She's doing really well, but she doesn't nurse all that much anymore, so I'll have to ask Dr. Gardner about her feedings.  I suppose I'll be starting her on meats pretty soon also.  She is growing so fast .  I bet she's almost 15 pounds and 25 inches now.  Maybe not?  I've got Tacos in the warmer for Roger when he gets home.  I wish he'd hurry!  Mark came over tonight and watched TV with Manda and me.  Mom and Dad went to the temple. Erika and Tonya were down at Whimpeys.  Well, maybe I'll plug in a Paul Dunn tape and try to go to sleep.

October 3, 1980

Boy it's 12:28 a.m. and I'm dead tired!  I was hoping Roger would get home before now, but I'm too tired to wait up any longer.  Tonight I worked on my Quiet Book, and it's coming along really good.  I went over to mom's for supper, and then I came home and did 3 loads of wash and fixed Roger some hamburger soup.  It's in the crock pot now.  Mandy is such a sweetheart.  I love her so much!  She's getting bigger and more grown up everyday.  I've really been keeping up my exercises good!  My fingernails are getting long also.  Looslis got home yesterday from Portland. They had a fun time, and on November 7th they're taking off for Mexico.  I've been invited to join the Morgan Valley Chapter of the Utah Homemakers Association.  Linda McClellan is president, and I'm pretty excited.  I'd like to write more but I'm beat.

October 13, 1980

I haven't been writing lately because I've usually waited up for Roger and then I forget.  This past week I've been working on my Quiet Book for the ward Bazaar. I got it all done and it's pretty cute.  Normally I'd want to keep it, but I repaired 2 books that mom had, and that will do.  Well I've been on my diet for almost a month and I've lost 11 pounds.  I'm down to 130 pounds.  Only 5 more to go until Roger will quit smoking!! HURRAH!!  I've done my exercises faithfully for 2 1/2 weeks.  I can't remember when I ate my last dessert, it's been so long. Mandy has been acting very strange these past 2 weeks.  She's been waking up 2 or 3 times a night, and has about 10 bowel movements a day.   I switched her off meats, and her mixed cereal, and I'm making sure she eats 3 good meals a day. She slept pretty good last night.  I hope tonight is as good.  If she doesn't improve in a week, then I'm putting her on the bottle, because I'm afraid that my dieting has ruined the quality of my milk.  I took Mandy to the doctor Friday and she got her 3rd and last shot for awhile.  Amanda weighed 14 pounds, 12 ounces, and was 25 inches long.  Since she's been born she has gained an average of 2 pounds and 1 inch a month or every 2 months.  Here is a record:

Birth 6lbs 8oz.

1 mo 8lbs 10 oz

2 mo 10lbs 4 oz

4mo  12lbs 14oz

6mo  14lbs 12oz

She is such a good-natured baby we love her so much!!  Lynette and Randy had Sommer blessed yesterday.  I went down and watched, then we went to the Sizzler and ate after.  Roger went to work.  It's 10:30 and he isn't home yet.  I hope he's alright.  It's suppose to snow at the 5000 foot level tonight

October 15, 1980

Well, I'm pretty proud of myself.  For the past 3 nights, I've read the Book of Mormon faithfully.  If I keep in mind that I'm only reading 2 pages a night, I usually end up reading more, but at least the thought of it isn't so bad.  I'm beat.  It's 10:35 p.m. and Rog isn't home yet.  It's rained and snowed on and off all day long.

October 16, 1980

It's 10:00 p.m. and I'm not too tired, and I thought I'd sit down and write.  Roger is still at work, and for the last 4 hours I've been making Hamwiches.  It is Janie Whimpey's recipe.  They look like crescent rolls with pressed ham inside.  The dough is seasoned.  They're for Roger to take deer hunting.  He's going up tomorrow night, and will stay Saturday night also.  He'll be coming home Sunday for work.  I'm kinda nervous to stay alone, but I guess I will anyway.  Today I found out that I've been accepted to work at I.R.S.  I'm happy, but I don't want to leave Mandy.  I'm sticking to my weight of 130 pounds, but I can't seem to get any lower.  It's getting kind of depressing. I guess I better end and do my exercises.  I've been very faithful with them.  Everynight for 3 weeks.

October 24, 1980

Roger still isn't home from work yet,  and it's 10:40 p.m. and tomorrow he's going hunting again with Bruce and Linda up Sheep Canyon.  Roger got a deer last weekend (a spike).  He tagged it with my tag.  So he's using his tag this time.  Amanda has been sick again. these last few days.  She threw up really bad Tuesday night, (I figured out later, that it was honey that made her sick. You aren't supposed to give honey to a baby under 2-years old) and she's getting over it slow but sure.  I really think I'm losing my milk for sure this time.  Mandy's sleeping really rotten at nights, and I wish I could tell whether she's spoiled or hungry.  I'm going pray about it tonight and see if that will help.  Well I'm down to 126 pounds.  I'm really excited.  I just hope Roger sticks to his end of the bargain.  I'd really love to get down to 115 maybe by Christmas.  I'm doing my exercises very regular every night and it only takes about 10 min.  I'm watching the news and I'm just reminded that the American hostages that have been held in Iran for almost a year, are finally suppose to be released this Sunday and Monday.  This is partially due to the war between Iraq and Iran.  Vivian Mellott and I went visiting teaching today. We caught Suzanne Carrigan, Evelyn Palmer, and Chris Carrigan home.  Well the elections are coming up on November 4th.  I'm still not sure who I want for President of the United States.  Ronald Reagan, or Jimmy Carter.  Amanda is such a little sweetheart, I love her so much!!  I sure wish she wasn't sick.  I hate to see her so onry.  She is usually so good.

September 1980 - From my journal

September 1980

2,3,4, Baseball tournament

7 - Eddie Rabbit concert at the State Fair

8 - Sommer is born

9 - Ward dinner

11 - Melinda & Mark McMillan's wedding

11 - Terri Frost's birthday

12 - Go to Linda's for birthday party

13 - Jack's wedding

15 - Eat at the El Matador

20 - Bake Sale

23 - pictures?

23 - Val's party?

September 6, 1980

It sure has been a long time since I've written, and I know it will make my descendants mad because when I read my mom and dad's journals and they skip for a long time without writing, it sure makes me aggravated.  Well so much has happened I don't quite know where to start.  Last time I wrote Mandy was sick. Well she got better (It must have been a little sore throat) and she's getting more fun everyday.  She can roll all over the place now, and she's even sitting up all by herself.  She started doing that 2 weeks ago, for 4 1/2 months I'd say that's pretty good.  I took Amanda to the doctor for her 4 month checkup and she weighs 12 pounds 14 ounces and she's 24 inches long. She is tiny for her age, but that's okay because she's a girl. It gets kinda old when everyone says how teeny she is.  Roger is to work today. It is overtime.  He has been working allot of overtime this past month and we're starting to get back on our feet gradually.  Tomorrow we start going to church in the morning at 9:00 a.m.  I think I will like this better.  I am going to be the new Sunbeam teacher in Primary.  I guess I will like it even though it's more like baby-sitting than teaching.  We've started going to the temple classes, but like last time, I don't think it'll do any good.

September 28, 1980

Today is a bummer!  Because I feel rotten, and Mandy's sick, and Roger is so onry!  Roger said he'd go to Stake Conference yesterday, (Saturday) but this morning it was a different story.

Tonight I feel allot better than I did this morning.  Roger has gone to work.  He left at 1 o'clock p.m.  He is working an afternoon shift starting today.  Lynette had a baby girl on the 8th of September.  They are naming her Sommer.  She is a cute little thing.  She looks allot like Heath did.  Heck, I don't know what I've written and what I have not.  I'm teaching the Sunbeam class now in Primary.  I have 20 little kids.  They are going to split the class in 2 weeks.  I'm also a visiting teacher now.  Vivian Mellott is my partner.  She is pregnant and is due in April.  Joan Adams is also pregnant and is due the end of March.  Lucas will only be 10 1/2 months old at this time.  It sure will be hard for her.  Roger and I have decided to wait until January to get pregnant.  Mandy will be 9 months old then.  That will put me having a baby around the 1st of October (Little did I know that exactly 1 year from today I would have another baby)  Amanda and that baby will be 18 months apart.  I've taken the tests down at I.R.S. and if I get a job I'll be going to work in January.  I'm hoping I can get on as a tax-examiner.  If Roger's still on swing shift, then it would be better if I could work days.  Then we'd only have to leave Mandy from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  That's not too bad for 6 months.  The only reason I'm working is because we want to get a new car and all my paychecks will be going towards it.  Amanda has been sick for the past week.  Ever since last Sunday when I took her to church. While I was teaching my class, the presidency was tending Mandy and they put her on the floor by a door.  When the class was over and I got her, she was TERRIBLY cold.  Her legs and arms were like ICE!!!  The next morning she woke up with a cold and it's hung on all week long.  I hope she's better tomorrow.  Looslis are gone to Portland Oregon.  We sold our truck that I wrecked in with Ambure.  Finally, after 21 months.  We got $1400.00 for it, but it sure has gone fast!  We are using the last of it to pay insurance on the truck and car.  We have changed companies.  Paul Butters has been good to us, but Farmers Insurance is the pits.  We have switched to Allstate.  It used to cost us $220.00 every 6 months for just the truck and now it's only costing us $139.00 for BOTH the truck and the car for 6 months.  Quite a difference wouldn't you say?  Mom and Dad brought up a new subject with me.  They said that they would pay for me to have my teeth fixed and straightened.  Boy, if that isn't a temptation.  My teeth aren't that bad looking, but they could be better. But I feel really low by having my parents pay for it.  Maybe I can talk them into waiting until our insurance goes into effect.

July 1980 - from my journal

July 1980

1 - started Mandy on cereal

1,2,3  Baseball tournament

9- Grandpa Reed Dickson hospital

11,12  Camp up Hardscrabble

14 - our anniversary

16 - Chet and Joan's party

23,24,25,26 mixed baseball tournament

26 - Dinner at Joan and Chet's

27 - Layne's birthday

29 - Rog and Dad's and Kelly's birthdays

30 - Mark's birthday and Court of Honor (Eagle?)

31 - Lagoon

July 8, 1980

Amanda will be 3 months old tomorrow.  I can hardly believe that time has passed so fast.  I love Mandy so much. Having Ambure, and then losing her has taught me allot about just how precious these little spirits are.  Amanda is so sweet and has the best disposition a mom could want for a baby.  I'm tending Lucas Adams now, but only for 2 more days.    We are so poor, but I guess we really don't mind it because we're happy.  But it's such a worry wondering how we're gonna pay the bills.  I paid our tithing today, and it was really hard.  Roger made $537.00, but only brought home $337.00 because of taxes ( I hate them!)  So we pay $53.00 tithing, and $231.00 for truck payment, plus we have over $80.00 in bills that have to be paid and there's nothing left.  No money for food or gas.  Well I know if you pay your tithing, the Lord will provide. So I'm just praying that he'll look down and find a miracle for us.  A sort of miracle happened yesterday.  Roger got a job putting Cable TV into houses in Ogden.  We hope this will be just a temporary job, but we can't wait around forever waiting for Evanston to call.  Malan Johnson and Dennis Peterson got on up there and I sure wish they'd call Roger and Layne too.  We're going camping up Hardscrabble Canyon this weekend with Linda and Bruce and LuAnn and Ben and Randy and Lynette and all their kids.  We'll be sleeping in a tent, so I hope Mandy stays warm.  Lately Roger and I have been so happy and loving to each other.  I do love Roger with all my heart and sometimes I treat him so rotten.  He's the best husband.  I'm just listening to my favorite song on the radio now, it's "Stand By Me".  Mickey Gilley sings it, and it was in "Urban Cowboy".   Our anniversary is in 6 days on the 14th.  Just think, 3 years of being married.  Not all of our married life has been happy, in fact I guess most of it has been pretty hard and sad.  But times are getting better.  I can tell.  I want so hard to live the gospel.  I want to raise our kids up good and in the church.  I still hope that someday we can be married in the temple and sealed together for time and all eternity.  Roger still smokes, and I've got to quit swearing.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying those are all our sins, we have many, but I'm getting so I can pray again to our Heavenly Father and I feel so good about it.  For awhile there, I wasn't praying, and I'm so glad I can again.  I don't begrudge our tithing for God gives us everything we have.

July 9, 1980

Grandpa Dickson was operated on today at St. Benedict's Hospital.  His operation was scheduled for 11:00 a.m. and something went wrong and they messed up the operation a little bit.  So tonight we just got a call, and they're taking him back into surgery at 9:00 p.m.  I am so worried.  Dad and Uncle Norris went down to give him a blessing and I hope and pray that everything goes alright.  I've been trying to call mom but her phone has been busy for the last half an hour.  Roger's first day on the job yesterday was the pits!  All he did all day was dig dirt for 8 hours straight.   Well anyway, to make a long story short, Roger's back hurts him really bad and so he went to the chiropractor and he gave him a disability slip, so now Roger doesn't have to work there and we can still collect unemployment.  Amanda is in bed now, and Roger has gone over to see who's talking on mom's phone.  I sure hope everything goes alright with Grandpa Dickson.  We love him SO much and I want Mandy to grow up knowing him  Grandpa and Grandma mean so much to us, and they give us so much love.  They are such good people.  Grandpa has the greatest stories to tell us about his childhood.

July - Roger started work at Wonder Bread Bakery in Ogden.

July 26, 1980

Boy, allot sure has happened since I last wrote.  Roger has FINALLY got a new job.   We are so happy and excited to think it's finally happened.  Wonder Bread Bakery hired him, and he's working in the Shipping Department. He really loves it, and this job has good benefits.  Rog is sheetrocking with Layne today though.  I'm baking bread.  I've just scrubbed my kitchen, and I'm gonna clean my car later.

July 31, 1980

Today is Thursday.  Everyone is going to Lagoon because it's our Stake Lagoon Day.  Amanda has really been out-of-sorts this past week, and especially yesterday and last night, so we aren't going to Lagoon.  Roger is to work and I'm just home being a housewife and mom. (It sure is fun)  Tonight we're having Jan. and Dwight, and Joan and Chet down for ice cream and cake to celebrate Roger's birthday 2 days ago.  I gave him a calculator and he also got a wallet, a shirt, and some t-shirts from everybody else.  Something's wrong with Mandy, and we don't quite know what it is.  For about a week now, she's just been a changed baby.  She gets so onry at night, and I wish she could talk so she could tell us what's wrong.  It's been really hot and I don't know if she's getting enough milk nursing from me.  I started feeding her a little Similac formula to supplement her just this morning.  Last night she woke up just screaming with a temperature of 102*, and this morning it was still a little over 100*  Amanda moans and groans all the time and she's started to suck her finger ALL the time.  I started my period last week and I was so surprised, because I haven't had one for over a year and I thought I wouldn't as long as I'm nursing.  So maybe I'm losing my milk.  I sure hope not, but I guess I'll be giving her Similac along with my milk to satisfy her.  She's been on cereals for about a month and they seem to agree with her and I started her on squash a few days ago and for all I know, that could be what her problem is.  I'm not giving her any solids today and tomorrow and see what happens.

June 1980 - from my journal

June 1980

4 - Take Grandma to Ogden

5 - Darrin's birthday

6 - Clean Loosli's house

10 - Amanda's Doctor appt.  She was 22 inches long, and weighed 10.4 pounds.

11 - Cindy Nelson Thomas' Home Interior Party

I am going to Little Audrey's Health Spa really regular

13 - Amanda rolled over

15 - Father's Day

18 - Primary party

19 - Grandma to Ogden

20 - Marci's wedding (Marci & Curtis Jones?)

21 - Ernie's wedding ( Ernie & Leslie Durrant?)

23 - Erika's birthday

26,27,28 - Uintahs

June 10, 1980

Well, it's been a long time since I've written. Almost a month.  Amanda is sure growing.  I took her in for her second month check up today, and she weighs 10 pounds, 4 ounces.  She gained 1 pound 10 ounces from last month.  Amanda is growing up so fast that sometimes I just want to slow things down, but the next minute I'm wishing she were older.  She is so much more aware and her head isn't bobbing so much.  Amanda got her shots today, and this afternoon she was miserable.  I've never seen or heard her cry so loud and you could tell she was really in pain.  She's feeling better tonight, and I hope she sleeps well.  Roger still is out of work, and money is pretty scarce.  But we're managing okay.  Ann Wardell had her a baby girl on the 21st day of May.  She weighed 6 pounds 8 ounces, just like Mandy.  They will name her Shannon.  I've started going to Little Audrey's again, and I'm losing weight.  

June 11, 1980

I'm writing this while I'm laying outside trying to get a suntan for our Lava Hot Springs vacation.  Amanda's sitting in her swing on the porch so I can be near her.  Roger is to work for Ten Hansen this week (sheetrocking).  We're still hoping he'll get on up at Evanston Wyoming pretty soon. 

Father's Day is this Sunday and I'm so excited to give him his presents.  I bought some Old Spice deodorant for Amanda to give him, and this morning Erika put Mandy's handprints in plaster of paris, so Mandy will give him that too.  Her card says.  "To my daddy, from his little angel"  Then after she gives him that, he'll think that is all he's getting.  Then I'll pull out my present for him.  It's a putter and a ball returner.  He'll be so excited that I can hardly wait!!  I've been going to Little Audrey's lately, and I can tell I'm losing inches and firming up.  I'll try to go each day for a month, then I'll go 2 or 3 times a week after that.  If I want a baby next April, when Manda's a year old, I'll be getting pregnant next month.  But I won't be able to unless Roger gets a job, because we won't have any insurance.  I'm suppose to be watering the lawn, but all the water is gone.  Loosli's are in Ogden, and I hope it comes back on pretty soon.  It's a beautiful day, and so warm.  I wish I could take Mandy for a walk, but I'm embarrassed about my legs being so lily white.  I'm going to a Home Interior party tonight, that Cindy Thomas is giving. Roger will be tending Mandy and I hope he gets on alright with her.  Tomorrow I'm going down to Ogden with mom to Weber State College for education week.  Robyn Peterson just came over and visited me, and we talked about good old times.  She sure is a nice as ever.  Well Mandy's awake, so I better get moving so I can be ready for Ogden at 6 p.m.

June 16, 1980

You know I forgot one of the most important things.  We blessed Amanda on June 1, 1980 in our ward.  Everyone was there, and Mandy looked so cute all dressed in white.  Dad (Bishop W. Lee Dickson) blessed her.  He did a really good job.  After church we all went to the park and had a cook out.  Roger has a boil or a huge zit on his back.  It's really giving him allot of pain.  He's so miserable.  Mandy's starting to try and reach for things now, and can sorta entertain herself.  Joan Adams is going to have to go back to work for 2 weeks, and I'm going to tend Lucas while she does.  It'll be kinda hard, but It'll bring in a little extra money for my secret savings account.  I passed out my home interior gifts today. Glad that's all over with.  Rog really loved his Father's Day presents.  He was so surprised.  I wish I'd get skinnier, faster.  I'm going to Little Audrey's everyday, but it's hard to see a difference sometimes.  Casey, Layne & Susan's little boy, got two teeth the other day.

June 25, 1980

Tomorrow is really going to be a busy day because we'll be packing for our trip to the Uintahs on the 27th (Friday).  There is a huge forest fire burning out of control up there, and it's only 2 miles from where we are staying.  We're going with Jan & Dwight Gailey, and their 2 kids, Steven and Heidi, and Joan & Chet Adams and their son Lucas.  I hope it will be fun.(We stayed in Dwight's boss's cabin)    Mandy sure is growing allot.  She smiles all the time now.  We went down and got groceries today.  (Joan, Jan & me)  and then went over to Debi Rees' and sat out back around the pool.  Mandy got a little too much sun I think.  Mandy hasn't had a bowel movement for 3 days, and it's kinda got me worried.  I sure hope she goes tomorrow before we go to the Uintahs.  Roger had a ballgame tonight, and boy did they get slaughtered.  He's down getting worms for fishing at Dwight's right now.  Grandpa Dickson's going into the hospital on the 9th of July for a cataract operation.

May 1980 - from my journal

May

6 - Brooke Hartman's 2nd birthday

8 - Appt. with Dr. Gardner for Mandy

11 - Mother's Day  Amanda rolled over

15 - Appt. with Dr. Godfrey for me

20 - Homemaking Day

21 - Browning (Did I take Manda down there to show her off?)
23 - Todd Frost's birthday

26 - Memorial Day, Breakfast at the park

27 - Home Interior Party at my home

29 - Tonya's Dance Recital

May 2, 1980

Well it hasn't been very long since I've written last.  I guess I'm getting better at writing in this journal.  But it's going to have to be short, because Mandy is waking up.  Looslis left today to go to Portland Oregon to visit their son Gary.  Roger has been to work 3 days this week.  It's been raining lately, but today is kinda nice.  I even took Amanda for her first stroller ride.  We went down around by the Stake Center.  She really liked it I think.  We've got to get busy outside, and get the lawn mowed and the house painted and the yard cleaned up.  We might go get groceries tonight at Bobco's in Sunset.  They're suppose to be really cheap.  We have really been BROKE lately with Roger being off work.  It's been really hard and I've been depressed.  I sure hope Roger can get on up in Evanston working on an oil rig.  But he'll be gone so many hours a day, we'll hardly ever see him and me and Mandy won't like that one little bit!  But everything will work out I'm sure.  That job for Mountain Fuel sure didn't work out.  The guy they fired called back and said his wife would divorce him if they didn't hire him back, so they did!  Darn!

May 3, 1980

Today is Saturday, May 3, 1980.  Amanda is still in bed, and Roger has gone up to his Uncle Grant's to help brand calves.  It looks like a gloomy day outside.  It is overcast and will probably rain pretty soon.  I just finished reading an auto-biography of Emma Smith, wife of Prophet Joseph Smith, it was good.  Last night we went visiting.  First we went to Grandma Dicksons.  We just love to go up there. They are so good to us, and they love us to come up there and visit, because nobody ever goes up to see them very much.  I'm glad we're so close to them and we love them very much.  I dread the day when they'll be called home to heaven.  I certainly hope they die close to each other so that they won't be lonely. (Grandma and Grandpa ended up living until 1995, when they died within 18 days of one another)

Aunt Pam came over last night when we were there.  She is very special to me.  When Ambure died she said and told me things that comforted me so much, and last night she conveyed those same feelings to me when she was admiring Amanda.  She gave us a little pink and white dress for Mandy to wear.  Grandma, then gave Manda a little brown dress, and yellow dress.  They sure are cute.  Tonight for sure, we are going to get groceries.  Mark, my brother, lost the election in school yesterday by 7 measly votes.  He was running for Student-body President of the Middle School.  I felt so bad for him, but he didn't seem too concerned.  Kelly Rich, Roger's brother, won his election.  He will be Historian.

May 19, 1980

Today is Monday.  Rog hasn't been to work for 2 weeks, but next Tuesday for sure he's going up to Evanston, Wyoming,  and is most probably getting on at AMOCO with Layne (his brother) , Malan Johnson, & Dennis Peterson.  Amanda will be 6 weeks old, day after tomorrow.  She is growing like a weed!  She gained 2 pounds and 6 ounces in a month.  I couldn't believe she weighed 8 pounds 10 ounces when she went to the doctor on the 8th of May.  Roger has textured Grandma Dickson's, LuAnn's and Linda's ceilings.  He will do Loosli's on Wednesday.  The Looslis just got back from Portland, Oregon on Sunday.  They had been gone for 2 weeks.  They are going again this weekend.  Tomorrow I'm going to Relief Society for the work day.  We are making little rocking chairs out of clothespins.  Erika gave Amanda a little swing-o-matic today.  Roger and I really appreciate it.  Amanda will too!!  Next week, I'm having a home interior party.  I'm sending out invitations tomorrow.  I'm inviting over 30 people, and maybe half of them will come. 

Mt. St. Helen's exploded Sunday, and people were killed.  Looslis were up there, and said it was really spectacular.  Mandy sure was onry today.  I don't know what her problem was.  Malan Johnson & Deanne Christensen, and Mark McMillan & Melinda Judkins are getting married this September.  Deanne has asked me to sit at her book.  I'm really excited and honored.  We are going to go to the temple classes again in this ward, and hopefully this time we'll be able to go to the temple.   Chet and Joan had a baby boy on Sunday May 11th.  He was 3 weeks premature and had trouble breathing and now he has jaundice, but he's getting along alright now.  Ann Wardell still hasn't had her baby yet.  She is now over a month overdue.  Erika was elected Senior Secretary of her class.

April 1980 - From my Journal

April 1, 1980

Today is April Fool's Day.  Only 8 more days until we get our new baby.  I'm really excited, but kinda scared too.  Rog and I were alone for 8 months before Ambure, and we had her for 9 1/2 months, then we have been alone for a year and 3 months.  So that makes almost 2 years alone and although we enjoyed every minute of Ambure's stay with us, it's still kinda scary for me to accept all this responsibility of a baby again.  Now don't get me wrong, I want this baby with all my heart.  But Roger and I have adapted and grown towards each other and we're very close now.  I hope that this baby will bring us even closer, and not apart.  In a week from now I'll probably be just checking into the hospital.  I'm also scared of all the pain I'll be going through, but I try not to think about it.  I've really got allot accomplished since I've quit work and stayed home.  I've been able to fix up the apartment really cute and homey like.  All the baby things are ready!!  Today I'm kinda bored because I got everything all spic and span yesterday.  Layne and Susan are moving today.  We helped them a little last night. (This move was to a home on the Island Road )

April 8, 1980

Well, tomorrow's the big day!!  In just 10 short hours Roger and I will be the proud parents of a new little soul.  I'm so happy, scared, and excited all at the same time.  They did the amniocentesis on me this morning, and it really hurt, but I'm glad we know for sure that the baby's lungs are all right.  Roger is so good to me, and I love him so much!!  The baby has the hiccups right now.  I can't believe that I will be holding him or her in my arms so soon.  What will it look like?  Boy or Girl?  Hair or bald?  So many questions.  I worry that we will lose this lone like Ambure.  I pray God will be with me and comfort me.  I haven't forgotten little Ambure.  In fact I told Roger I expect to have them wheel her in to us instead of this baby.  Zana Wood, had a baby boy today.  Ann Wardell hasn't gone yet.  The nurses are nice to me, and I am getting along fine here at the hospital.

April 9, 1980 - Amanda Rich was born

April 9, 1980

Well I just had my baby, a beautiful, gorgeous, beautiful baby girl.  I wanted a girl SO bad!!  It was so  neat when they pushed her out, and I said, "What is it?", and the doctor said, "Heck, you can't tell by the ears!"  Roger got kinda sick, and had to go out, but the nurses brought her back to me and laid her on my chest and I kissed her.  She is SO TINY, only 6 pounds, 8 ounces, and only 18 inches long.  She has curly black hair all over her head.  We will name her Amanda Rich, and just like the song says, she will light up our life.  I thank God for letting us have a perfect, healthy baby.  I prayed so hard that everything would be all right.  I love Ambure too, and we won't forget her ever.  This baby will know she has a sister up in heaven.

April 11, 1980 (morning)

Today is Friday.  Amanda is so adorable, and she's nursing so well.  I'm so proud of her, she is the perfect little angel.  Her hair is so dark, and it looks like a little cap on her head.

(evening)

Boy, today sure turned out bad.  Dr. Gardner came in and said Amanda has lost down to 6 pounds, 1 ounce.  It really worries me because she's been nursing so well. I'm getting so much conflicting advice from so many nurses.  One says my milk is in, one says it's not.  One says I nurse too long,  another says cut back.    Amanda has yet to really cry when she's around me, and I worry about that.  The Percodan pain killers I'm taking, goes through me to Amanda and that's why I think she sleeps so much.  Everything's got me SO worried.  I'm not nervous with her, but I worry that everything is not all right.  I love her so much, and I can't bear anything to be wrong.  Maybe tomorrow will be better.

April 12, 1980

Today IS better.  Dr. Gardner came in first thing this morning and said that Amanda gained, instead of lost an ounce.  Oh, that makes me so happy.  My milk has come in and I'm kinda uncomfortable.  Amanda nursed really good last night, but this morning she didn't do so good. She fell asleep.  I'm kinda feeling weird today,  and I wish Rog was here.  I'm kinda nervous and unsettled and tired.  My stitches hurt allot and I don't like to walk.  Last night Bishop Rees asked Rog to be the Aaronic Priesthood Secretary.  Rog wasn't too excited, but he accepted and I'm glad.  This will require him to be to ALL his meetings , ALL the time, which will be good for him.  But he won't get to come to Sunday School with me anymore.

I'm finally getting out of the hospital tomorrow.  I'm really getting bored up here.  I hope I can nurse Amanda good, so she'll gain and be a satisfied happy baby.  She is prettier everyday.  Her hair is fixed so cute with a little ribbon.  She's got so many presents too. 

4 sleep-n-play outfits, 1 pair booties, one sunsuit, a tank top & shorts and a beautiful quilt. I've got 2 planters, one from Roger, and one from Linda, Lynette & Layne & families.  Mom's looking for me a baby book for Amanda, just like Ambure's.  Well Amanda is starting to wake up now and I better get her.

April 27, 1980

I thought I'd better sit down and write since I haven't for such a long time.  I've been so busy with Amanda, and getting settled back at home that I've neglected writing in this journal.  Mandy is getting cuter every day, and I really think she's growing allot!  Her little legs are getting stockier, and she's filling out really well.  She is the best baby!  She hardly ever cries, and when she does it's only  because she's hungry.  We haven't given her a pacifier yet, and I don't think she'll need one.  I'm still nursing, and I LOVE IT!  It makes me feel so close to her, and I know she's getting enough because she's so satisfied, and she sleeps so good.  Sometimes at night, she sleeps up to 6 1/2 hours at a time, and I only have to get up once with her.  Mandy's cord fell off when she was a week and 3 days old.  That's early compared to Ambures falling off after she was a month old!  Amanda likes being bathed (I think).  She opens her eyes up wide, and thinks "Oh my heck, what-cha doin' to me momma?"  Roger is so cute with her, I can't believe it!  It makes me so happy to see him with her.  He always wants to hold her and pick her up and he even fed her a bottle once when I was eating.  I think we both realize how precious she is and how one minute we can have her and the next she could be gone like Ambure.  Ambure's death has made us really appreciate how lucky we are to have a baby, and Roger and I both love Mandy so much, it's almost unbelievable.  Today is Sunday.  Roger is to Priesthood meeting and is taking care of his new job (Aaronic Priesthood Secretary).  I'm so glad he accepted this responsibility, and I'm sure it will help him grow in the gospel.  We may have some good news tomorrow.  Mountain Fuel has released a man, and if they decide to rehire someone in his place, Roger will have the job.  That is what they told Uncle Norris.  But they might not rehire anyone.  We will just keep our fingers crossed, and not get our hopes up too high.  We are really hurting for money.  We had to tell Loosli's we couldn't pay the rent for another week.  Roger is painting the outside of the house this week.  It has been beautiful weather these past 2 weeks.  I hope summer is finally here.  My stitches are healing good,  and I hope to start exercising soon, so I can get into my clothes for summer.  Linda &  LuAnn gave us an umbrella stroller for Amanda.  We put her in it, this morning and I think she liked it.