February 1980 - From my Journal

February 2, 1980

I really haven't been writing as much as I should in this journal.  I'll try harder.  This is Saturday morning & I'm washing & cleaning my home.  Roger has gone with Bruce to Tooele to cut wood to burn in the new woodburning stoves they're coming out with.  Linda & Bruce have just bought one.  I'd sure like to get one but we probably couldn't put it in this apartment anyway. I've been doing allot of crocheting lately.   I've made 2 blankets for the baby & now I'm starting on a bunting.

Roger's been on unemployment, but he really shouldn't be,  he's worked almost everyday this week.  Layne & him will be doing Uncle Don's house tomorrow.  I wish he wouldn't on a Sunday, but what can I say?  I can't remember if I wrote about us tending Casey about a week ago.  It was SO fun.  It really made me think about Ambure allot.  It brought back so many memories.  I can hardly wait for this little one that is inside of me now.  I only have 2 more months in this pregnancy & only 30 more days to work.  Carol Wilkinson quit yesterday, her boy is due at the end of this month  I can't believe it's February already!  Dad has been to Tucson this past week doing work for the college.  Erika & Grandma Tonks will be going to Florida on the 13th, they are both really excited.  Me & Erika get along so much better since I got married.  I'm teaching her how to crochet one of the blankets I made  . She really catches on fast.  The girls dance is coming up and I think she's gonna ask Kenny Hicks.  Mark has been snomobiling allot lately.  Roger & me went the other night and it was so fun.  I have a doctor appointment.  the 5th, and I've been watching what I've been eating.  I'm gaining too much 148!!  YUCK!!  Well I'd better get back to work at cleaning YUCK!!

February 10, 1980

Today is Sunday.  We went to all of our meetings today.  The cub scouts put on a program in Sacrament meeting.  It was really good.  We spent the rest of the day up to Rich's visiting.  I took up a picture of Ambure that I want made into a pillow.  Aunt Shanna does it.  She made one for LuAnn that's really beautiful.  Roger has still been laid off from work, but he has gone a few days & worked for Dick Parsons.  I went to the doctor Tuesday, he said the heartbeat sounded like a little girl.  I gained 5 pounds. (too much!)  I'm suppose to go back in 2 weeks.  It's only a little ways off now.  There's only 26 more days until I quit work.  I sure hope Roger's back to work by then or we'll sure be hurting for money!

February 16, 1980

This is Saturday morning and I'm all by myself with nothing much to do so I will be writing quite a bit more than I usually write.  Dieter Mudrow is finally here to hook up our dryer with  a 220 electricity line.  It will sure be good to have one (a dryer) for the permanent pressed things, and to make the babies things soft.  I haven't really been bothered without  one, and I'm sure that our electricity bill will go up if I use it like I did down at Andersons, but I have lines here and I'll still continue to use them. 

Roger has gone to Tooele again to cut wood for his mom's stove.  I really don't mind him going at all , the only thing that worries me, is that the he'll get hurt while using the chain saw.  But we had family prayer before he left and it seems good to know that Heavenly Father will be with us and protect us.  I have started reading the Book of Mormon and unlike other times, I have gotten past the first chapter.  I am up to the part where Lehi and his family have traveled over desert and ocean and finally reach the promised land.  I usually get up in the mornings at 5:00 a.m. and sit in the tub and read till 6:30  This is the easiest time for me.  Erika and Grandma Tonks left for Florida 4 days ago, and I imagine they're having a wonderful time.  Grandpa Dickson's birthday is tomorrow  the 17th of February. I think he'll be 75 or 76, I'm not sure . Tomorrow we will be very busy in doing what is right. After attending all our meetings, Roger has to help his dad for awhile, and also home teach & go to evaluation meetings.  Also we must find time to go up to Grandpa & Grandma Dicksons.  Mrs. Loosli (our landlady) was taken to the hospital yesterday.  Wednesday while doing sealings in the temple, she fainted and she doesn't seem to have much energy.  Doctor Martineau checked her blood and it was awfully low so they're running tests on her.  I certainly hope it's nothing serious and she can come home soon.  I'm going to make Shirl Loosli a pie today.  I hope he likes cherry!

The church came out with the announcement last week that starting March 2nd, 1980, (first Sunday in March) we're going into block times.  This will combine Relief Society, Priesthood, Primary, Junior Sunday School, Senior Sunday School and Sacrament meeting all together in a 3 hour time block on Sundays.  I know this is an inspired program, and after all the bugs are worked out, it will work well.  I hope that Roger will especially like it, and it might be easier for him to go.  He is becoming so strong and I love him SO much!  Last night he asked if we might be able to buy him some pop, so he wouldn't have to drink beer with all the other guys today.  I'm so proud!!! I just wish that I could help him with his cigarette habit.  He's cut down an awful lot, but he just can't seem to quit completely. But I must remember to be patient with him and not push to hard.

Thursday was Valentines Day, and he got me a beautiful plant.  The leaves are green and  they feel like velvet and it has big red bell shaped flowers blooming on it.  I hope I can keep it alive and growing.  He also got me a card that joked about me not looking too sexy in my condition (7 1/2 months pregnant, HA!) But then he wrote a little saying that we memorized, and that really means allot to both of us. Here it is:

THE YEARS MAY COME, THE YEARS MAY GO,

AND TIMES MAY CHANGE IT'S TRUE.

BUT TIME WILL NEVER CHANGE THE LOVE,

WITHIN MY HEART FOR YOU

When I read it I started crying.  He is always so sweet & thoughtful.  We figured out our income tax last night and it's enough to make us sick.  We're going to wind up paying Federal $109.00 and State $176.00.  It sure is a good thing I'm still working.  I guess that's what part of my last big paycheck will go towards.  When I go back to work on Tuesday, I'll only have 18 more days to work, Hurrah!! 

The baby is only a month and a half away.  I can't believe it!  The time has gone so fast!!  It seems that the baby is all I think about anymore, wondering what it looks like, whether it's a boy or girl, and if everything will be okay with it.  I go to the doctor on Wednesday, he's gonna be upset when he sees how much I've gained.  I now weigh 152 pounds.  When I delivered Ambure I weighed 160 pounds.  It's a good thing I'll get to go back to Little Audrey's (Health Spa) for awhile after this baby.

Boy, I sure am writing allot today!  I can't do much else, though, because our electricity is off due to the dryer line being installed.  I guess I'm going to try and nurse this baby again, like I did Ambure.  I will try especially hard and hope I have better luck than I did with Ambure.  We went to those Cesarean childbirth classes and now I'm more scared than ever to go through that again.  I sure hope that the baby is turned the right way and Dr. Godfrey will let me try to have it normally.  It's just that it hurts so much being cut open and healing up again, it's just like a major operation!  Well I guess I'll read the Book of Mormon for awhile since there's no electricity.