February - March 1988 - Calendars, letters, and journal

February

6 - Baptism (for primary)

9 - Valentine's dinner presented by the young men and women

9 - Dr. appt.

11 - Zac goes to K.C. Durrant's birthday party after school

12 - WIC

17 - Eat lunch at Como

20 - Farm bureau banquet

23 - Zac eye appt.

25 - Zac's wrestling meet

27 - Blue and Gold banquet

March

2 - courthouse tour 

3 - Dr. Paulos

5 - Stake temple day

8 - Dr. Godfrey

8 - Soccer meeting at courthouse, I am secretary

9 - S. Summit wrestling tour.

10 - Zac wrestling - Roy

10 - Ward temple night

11 - WIC

14 - Primary meeting

16 - Wrestling N. Summit

17,18 Parent Teacher Conf.

19 - Swap meet 1 p.m.?

20 - Inservice

22 - Amanda 4-H (horse?)

March 5, 1988 - Letter from Terri

Dear Gwen, Hi, how are you all doing?  How have you been feeling?  Is the baby growing alot?  I am so excited for you!  How is Roger's knee?  I sure hope he is feeling better now.  Things here are just fine.  We have been looking around for some furniture and have found some pretty good deals so on payday, we will probably get some.  Pat also bought a queen-size waterbed from one of his friends that we are going to get tomorrow.  Then we will be all set.  Have you heard from my parents lately?  I am so excited that they are coming home in June.  My dad said that he wants to take us to Disneyland.  Pat hasn't been there before, so it ought to be fun.  I don't have a job yet, but I got a call from a Toys-R-Us store for an interview on Monday.  So, I've got my fingers crossed.  It's only a couple of blocks away from here, so I could walk to work since Pat needs the truck to get to work.  Well, it's bedtime, so I will  let you go for  now.  Give the kids and Rog a luv.  Take Care.  Love Pat and Terri

March 9, 1988

Well, here it is 3 months later. These haven't been too good, but hopefully we're back on track.  It seems the devil works extra hard sometimes.  I am 5 months pregnant, and weigh 165 pounds.  Too much!!!  Amanda starts horse 4-H soon, and Zac is in recreation wrestling and soccer soon.  Rog is back to work.  He went back the first of February.  He is now relief foreman, and will be foreman this summer.  Amanda and I are reading the Book of Mormon.  The kids are doing good in school too.  Parent teacher conference is next week.  We are slow at work, but it will pick up.

March 10, 1988 - Letter from Linda

Dear Rog, Gwen, and kids,  I know it's been a while, but I haven't forgotten you guys.  So how is everyone?  All over your winter colds?  It was good to talk to Rog and Zac.  Zac talks so grown up!  I wish that you (Gwen and Amanda) could have been there too.  I'm glad everything is going good for you now.  I hope your knee keeps healing well.  So Gwen, send us a picture of you so we can see how you are growing!!  We are getting excited for that new baby.  I hope it doesn't come before we get home.  I am so glad we have finally made that decision. Financially, I guess, we should stay.  But we miss everyone so much.  A lot of people once here, think that family ties mean nothing.  They are everything to us.  We all have colds again.  Todd has been out of school 3 days.  But he's feeling better and will go tomorrow.  He still has a flaming romance going.  Darrin, he ignores the girls here. (thank goodness)  And Brenda, she just wants to drive all the time.  So how are both your jobs now?  I hear Rog has a new one.  We talked to Terri on Monday.  She sounds good, and also very happy.  Boy, I can't tell you how hard it is letting go of these kids. It doesn't seem possible they are old enough to be on their own.  Enjoy them while they are small!!  Well, mom says a lot of deer are down now.  A lady here told us if you would put some human hair in some baggies and puncture some holes in it and tie it on your shrubs and trees, the deer won't eat the plants.  Maybe this will help?  Try it!  Well, I'll close for now!  We love and miss you.  Love Linda

Approximately March 1988 - Letter from Linda

Dear Rich Family,  It's 5:45 and I'm ready for work, so I thought I'd write.  I'm also watching "Dirty Dancing" which is a good movie.  So, how have all of you been lately? I hope old man winter is leaving you now, and taking all the colds with it.  How is the old knee doing, and the P.G. mom?  What's Mandy and Zac been up to?  I can't remember, do the kids there have spring break?  These kids have all next week off.  Then again the 8th of April.  Spoiled huh?  But over her, they need a break away.  I hope this darn rain will stop soon.  It's warn, but it gets depressing after three solid months of it.  Somedays it rains only 1/2 days.  Well, we're down to a one car family now.  We got rid of the van yesterday.  I'm afraid it's going to take a while to get used to only having one.  This way me and Bruce go together.  We are all getting anxious to come home.  In fact, it's making all of us a little on edge.  I guess homesick.  I hope the time passes fast.  We won't know the exact date until after April 8th.  This place makes us wait for everything.  How are you and Gwen's jobs by now?  Is Gwen going to work after the baby comes?  Looks like I"ll have a hard time finding a job at home, with the freeze on.  It will be a big adjustment to go from 2 checks to one.  I guess I'll have to get all the kids a job.  So do you still have your rabbits?  Will you have little ones for Easter?  Gosh, can you believe another month gone?  YAY!  Well, it's time to leave for work!  Yuk!  We love and miss you bunches!  Love, Linda

Approximately March 1988 - Letter from Lynette

Hi Rog and Gwen,  So, how is everyone doing down there?  Are you finally getting big Gwen?  What has the doctor said?  When is your due date?  Let me know, so I can mark it on my calendar  Ok? ok?  How is your knee doing Rog?  Does it bother you very much now?  And how is Amanda and Zac?  I bet they are growing up, huh?  Boy mine are sure growing.  Sommer is really growing.  I think she just might pass up Brooke.  But they are all doing really good.  They sure like school.  Well, have you heard what I've been doing?  All right, don't laugh.  HEE-HEE  Ye, that's right. I've been substituting in school.  I did Sommer's class for 2 days, and then I did Brooke's class.  I really enjoyed it, and I even get paid for it.  The teachers leave you an outline, and all I have to do is follow it.  And they finally got me for a Sunday School teacher.  It's Brooke's class, the Valiant's.  I was really excited about this calling.I feel really good about it.  I just hope I do a good job in teaching them, and I hope I can learn from this too.  I really enjoy the kids.  I guess you know that we are coming down for Easter.  The kids are sure excited to come down.  I am too.  When school gets out, I've told the kids that we can bring our little trailer down, and stay for a week.  We are going to do that when Bruce and Linda get home too.  I can't believe they only have 3 months left.  Those 2 years sure went by fast, huh?  Rog, we sure like our new Bronco, or new to us anyway.  It's a 1985, and it  is so nice.  He sure took good care of it, whoever had it.  When we come home with it, it got 17 mpg.  It only cost us $10.85 to drive it from Layton to up here.  Pretty good huh?  We can't wait to drive it back home.  How has the weather been down there?  Boy, all it has done up here is "Blow".  I can't believe the wind.  It never stops.  They told me that it would blow up here, and it sure does.Well, there's not much else going on for now.  So, we will see you all on Easter, Ok?  Take care, We love ya lots!  Love Lynette.  P.S. Hi Amanda and Zac, we will see you soon ok?  You be good, ok? ok?  P.P.S.S. Sorry it took me so long to write back.  I'm just slow,  Hee Hee  and lazy, Hee Hee, and old Hee Hee (just kidding)

March 14, 1988 - Letter from Mark

Dear Rich Family, Well, it really took me a long time this time, didn't it.  I'm glad you all read Mom and Dad's letter cause I'm a pretty poor writer.  I appreciate your thoughts and prayers and your letters, another one came today.  Your family is so neat, and it seems as though all is going just great for you all.  Thanks for the letter Amanda, you're a smart girl and glad you are my niece. If you study really hard, you'll be as smart as your mom someday, huh?  But I guess you don't think she's so smart.  Zac, it sounds as though you are the wrestling king, a real fighting kid.  I'd love to watch you wrestle.  Do you play basketball next year, or when?  Maybe wrestling is the best, huh?  I miss you two and will miss the new baby that's in your mom's belly when it comes!!  You'd sure like the cute kids over here, except they would be a little tough to understand I think.  How is the "Fuufu" doing?  That means couple, it sounds like work, keeping busy, taxes, all is wonderful.  Mom's letter says more, but I didn't want you to think that I'd forgotten you.  I'm having a good time, improving all the time and enjoying it more and more.  It's a struggle at times, but is worth it all. Wish I could see you all and talk with you, but that will be in less than 1 1/4 years now.  Keep the letters all coming.  I appreciate them.  Take care, Love,  Elder Dickson P.S. About those letters, Gwen, haven't asked yet, sorry, I'm lazy, patience.

March 22, 1988 - Postcard from Mom and Dad in California

Dear Gwen and Roger, Amanda and Zac, No we haven't been to Disneyland, but thought you would like this card.  The weather has been beautiful and WARM.  The ward members were happy to see us, and  wanted to know if we were there to stay.  Also, all the people at Hughes.  There have been a few changes, but we could still find our way around without looking at a map constantly.  Going to San Diego tomorrow, and will be home Friday or Saturday.  Love Grandma and Grandpa.

March 26, 1988

Well, I can't sleep at all.  It's 10:48 p.m. and I went to bed at 8:40 p.m.  We worked outside most of the day. The weather was great, probably 70 degrees.  We planted some more fitzers and hopefully, I can keep them watered good this whole summer.  Moved the rabbit pens by the well, and dug out around the cement under the deck.  Hopefully we an get it formed up for the walls and another cement slab soon.  Our income tax money comes back Monday we hope.  We want to pay a bunch of doctor bills and VISA, and then see about a sprinkling system.  Dad doesn't seem to think it is practical to pump clear up the hill from the ditch, but there is no way to have a lawn watered on our well.  It's depressing.

March 28, 1988 - Letter from Bruce

Dear Roger and Family, We sure do enjoy your letters, they mean a lot to us.  Gwen's and Amanda's and Zac's too.  We all are happy to hear your knee is getting better.  I hope it is just a little bit sore, so I will be able to keep up with you when we go hunting. (Just kidding)  I bet you enjoy watching Zac with his wrestling and Amanda with the 4-H.  When we get there we can put some of it on a movie for you to remember.  We will have to plan some hunting when we get back.  Me and the Big Creeps can hardly wait.  Today I feel just like this saying at the bottom of this page (It said:  Sometimes I get so frustrated that I don't know whether to cry, scream or wet my pants!)  I turned in my papers to start my orders around the first of March.  I asked for the 15th of June to go home.  Well, last Friday, I found out that on June 20th I would get a raise to a Step 2.  About 56 cents an hour increase.  So I went to personnel to change my date before they typed up my orders.  If I stay to that date at least I can take that wage home with me.  Anyway, Friday they couldn't find any of my papers.  I was fit to be tied.  They told me to come back Monday.  I went back Monday (today) and the lady was on leave who did the orders.  Her boss knew of my problem and started looking for my stuff.  After he looked through everything he knew of, he said I'm sorry I can't find it.  I was upset, but kept cool.  I happened to look on the desk and on top of everything was my folder.  He said she must of found it Friday and put it on top and we overlooked it there.  I got the date changed and it looks like around the 28th of June, but nothing firm till the 8th of April.  "What a Joke"  And now the rest of the story.  A week earlier, I changed my check mailing address.  I had my check sent to America First Credit Union.  I couldn't understand the account number, so I went to payroll and asked them to explain.  The dummy's messed up good.  My check got sent to the account number of the zip code, not my account.  Anyway, they told me it would be 2 weeks, before they could give me another check.  What a joke again.  $1,300.00 and I can't even spend it.  I will be so glad to get back and get on schedule and forget all the messing with payroll and personnel.  I don't want this to sound like a sob story.  I just want you to know how much fun we are having in Okinawa.  I hope Gwen is feeling okay and also that she waits till we get back to get the baby.  I need some movies of a mother to be.  I'm sure she will agree.  Everyone is ready to get back.  All they do is moan at what I do.  The first date I applied for to come home was the 29th.  Everyone said change it.  I changed to the 15th.  No one pleased yet.  They said school is out the 17th, and my raise in the 20th.  So I changed to the 28th.  I only told Linda this time, and she said "I like the 15th better"  Oh well, it's going by fast now.  We only have 90 days.  We love and Miss you all, Bruce

March 28, 1988

I'm getting ready for work.  The kids are playing video games.  Me and Amanda are meeting mom to go shopping tonight. Slept good last night.  I'm 6 months pregnant and 167 pounds.  Quite a lard___.  Oh well, we're all looking so forward to this baby.

March 30, 1988

It's 1:30 a.m. and I can't sleep.  Went to bed at 8:30 p.m. and woke at 11:30 p.m.  I'm so tired, but can't go to sleep.  I thought I'd write a few things.  Last Saturday was a gorgeous day and we worked in the yard all day and planted some fitzer starts.  Zac was bugging me all morning to get out there and plant the crops.  He's so cute sometimes, and such a hard worker, and he doesn't complain while working either.  Cliff Johnson came up yesterday and explained a pumping system to us, to water our lawn.  It will be great if we can get it all into place. But allot of hard work too.  I'm anxious to do allot in the yard, but Rog isn't much of a yard person.  It's hard.  So much happens I want to write about.  We had a little cat that was so cute and playful.  He died the other day.  We think maybe he got a poisoned mouse?  Hard to tell.  We've still got Duchess and the 2 rabbits.  Both doe rabbits.  We're going to get a buck from Uncle Grant for awhile, so they can have babies.  Amanda was sure disappointed yesterday, because Horse 4-H was cancelled because of the weather.  She really enjoys it.  We got her a pair of Roper boots $5.00, 2 shirts, $4.00 and $5.00, and a hat for $7.50 at a swap meet sponsored by the 4-H clubs.  We also got a youth saddle for $50.00 from Jessie Mae Frannich.  The other day Amanda was asking me about different sizes of beds.  Ours is a Queen, and Erika's is a King, so she wondered if her's was a Jack!  She's sweet and smart.  Both kids had glowing reports at parent teacher conference.  Lately I have enjoyed them so much more than usual, and we get along allot better.  I have been reading the Book of Mormon and praying regularly, and having the Lord's help, helps me so much.  I went on an Arthritis Campaign yesterday.  I've got to call Gwen Hayes and set up a visiting teaching appointment tomorrow.  I go back to the Doctor April 5th, (6th month)  Gaylene Kimball is due anytime. (Chase is the baby she had)  Keysto's birthday is April 2nd, along with the Easter Egg Hunt at the park.  Hope it's nice weather.  We've got to get planning Amanda's party for her birthday on April 9th.  So much to do, and not enough umpfh to do it!  We got our refund back from the taxes. $1,800.00 from Federal and $600.00 from the State.  Not too bad.  Allot of it will go to bills (Doctor).  These operation's have really set us back!  Money-Money-never enough.