Happy Birthday, Benson!

Family Photos, circa 1985 (Part 1)

Sara Mossman, Minne Isley, Erin McDougal

Bill Isley, Benson Isley

Bob Young, Jill Mattingly, Allen Barteky

I could send Marian C.O.D. for you.

1981 - Monday

Hi Dad & Mom -

Happy Memorial Day...or is Memorial Day supposed to be happy. Not with this rain, it ain't. We went swimming, indoors, of course. Anna & Elisabeth showed off their new skills to Stan & Marian spent the hour trying to climb whatever "tree" was handy. Mostly me.

Anna is in seventh heaven because a new boy moved in down the street. He even called her today. Twelve more years of this will drive me crazy.

I'm writing to ask you to measure the diameter of your blue coat, and also the back length.

Or I should say, I need to know what diameter you want the new one since you're so skinny now and also the back length you prefer - I know you want it longer. Maybe you'll get it by father's day.

I presume Minne & Bill are back. Ah envy. Do you miss Benson, Dad? I could send Marian C.O.D. for you. Hell, I'd even prepay the freight. And she is housebroken now too. Just say the word...

Only 12 more dys, huh, Ma... Anna's counting, too - I'm surprised that she's sick of school already. Are you having a party?

What time on the 18th are you getting back from Alaska? I've been looking at our summer plans - will you take the girls Aug 3-7 and the weekend on either end? We're going to a workshop at Cal-Poly in San Luis Obispo. Depending on our monetary situation, we'de like to see San Francisco on the way down and LA on the way back. What I was wondering at the beginning of this paragraph is - do you maybe want to plan the Ocan trip the week of the 19th? We have the Burkhalter reunion the 25-26, so we could go straight from the ocean to California, which wouldn't be too restful, among other things. Other things being trying to pack stuff for three different "trips" all in one. On the other hand, you just might like more than a day or 2 to "rest up" and water all your weeds before you go again. Whatever.

Stan's on jury duty again this week. Hates it because of the detailed lesson plans he has to make up. He wrote about a dozen work sheets last night.

We went to a play Saturday nite - Ladyhouse Blues. Do you know when it was written? It was set in the 20's. We wondered because a lot of the jokes wouldn't have been meant as such if it was written back then (world coming to an end, last war stuff)

Le me know your measurements ma

See you soon

Jacque

Hi to Mark - I wrote you a lovely letter, but I lost it - unless Stan mailed it for me, which I doubt.

Fabric sample for the jacket:

Land Yacht on Bainbridge

"We've ordered a trained one"

Jun 12, 1978

Dear Mom & Dad

Thank you for all the goodies you've given Road King. I'm sure the baby won't need diapers or pins or wipe ups since we've ordered a trained one. Just in case, though...the quilt and pillow are really sweet. I've got them in the crib just waiting for what's his name. Thanks also for the plastic pants, bag & bottle stuff, and for coming all this way to the shower and for ths pictures.

I love you.

Minne Bill & Sara

Dad - Thanks for helping on moving day & for loving me still when I got rude.

Books & Buttonholes

Dear Mom & Dad

Here's the book plus info from Anastasia's father. Thanks for all the help with buttonholes. Bill built my wall of shelves in the shop. Next he'll build a cutting table hooray. I'm getting nervous about the show at the Trade Center. Frank Samuelson is working industriously to get the art done & printed. John & Susie will be here May 15. Maybe they can borrow the book?

Love you - Minne

Photo Friday: Aunt Minne

I get to see her (and Bill) tomorrow.

In Costa Rica.

So stay tuned until the 22nd...I'll be back!

I Need to Write My Thank You Notes

For now, these will have to do. Hey, I wrote the first one!

In 1980...

Hi Grandmother. I am going to say thank you for giving me those pajmas. I love you. Anna Elisabeth and Marian.

This one was written on a single long piece of brown paper. The scan does not do it justice.

7 January 1981

Dear Mom & Dad

Here's the thank you list: (that's why the paper's so long)

Thank you for the wooden deals w/ cork tops.

Thank you for the beautiful blouse.

Thank you for the still life with woodpecker beaded for Jackie's circle mat for my circle table.

Thank you for Benson's fabulous sweaters.

Thank you for Benson's blocks (which are a bitch in the night in the dark).

Thank you for Benson's book which is Englishly peculiar.

Thank you for Bill's scarf (he wore it today to 2 meetings w/ his sweater).

Thank you for Bill's workgloves (he hasn't worked yet).

Thank you for half a bottle of Estee Lauder heavenly irresistible lotion (he resisted).

Thank you for forgiving me for not making a list of what to thank you for, so when I haven't mentioned it, it's because I forgot.

Thank you for a week of bliss with Bill - never having to worry or feel there was a price tag attached to the holiday you gave us.

And thank you for being so loving to our children, we all love you so much.

Oh, plus thank you for a terrific dinner upon our return.

And here's the last ones to today - thank you for the sample bag offer (still looking), and for your house & $ support. I'll take the $1000 whenever you're ready! (I am).

I love you, Minne

And thanks for the juice and potatoes and squash and apples and address lists.

P.S. Sara has a swim meet @ Sumner 1/18 Sunday @ 9:00 am - thought we'd stay over Sat. & then go!