upcoming Winter Break

Laurie Lane

1-26-86

Dear Lottie & Bob,

Got your nice great-grandparents card. Already put it in Collyn's own book - better system than I had for any of my own kids or grandkids. Where did you ever find such an appropriate, specialized card?

About the dud of a phone. I dug up the sales slip, called the Federated Group at 5220 Indian School - 245-1900 - explained the problem and whereabouts of the phone. No problem (so the young man said) just take the sales slip and the phone to any Federated Group and everything will be taken care of. So - enclosed find sales slip. Transaction must be done prior to Feb. 16.

The Feb. 20 to Mar. 7 dates for your "winter break" are fine - a little bit skimpy but better by far than nothing. We'll just use the time optimally. It was 79 degrees yesterday and just as lovely today - hope the weather is as fine for you - be sure to tell Bob.

Now about the check. You returned the one for $130, dated 12-2-85, and kept the one for $25 dated 12-17-85. NO FAIR! Besides you crossed out the check in INK so I haf'ta wite a whole new check - FOR SHAME!

Betty called yesterday. She seems very happy and is planning a trip to Michigan in Feb. Will get to stop-over in Detroit to see Ken's school play hockey and on to his home for a special dinner for 8 (Betty cooking) and a reception on Feb. 14 with 50 or 60 invitations sent out. She's using up her vacation time - GOOD!

Gave Elin a call yesterday. Jan. 16, 1932 was their wedding date. I asked her to write down her early recollections and send them to us. She sounded obliging and same as always. Ray is making a special plow to use in the garden.

We're going along as usual. Sorted and stored Christmas decorations - making some serious moves to corral the garage. Made arrangements to take Joel for a balloon ride on his real birthday, Jan. 31 - also fulfills a promise to Frank for last year's birthday gift from me.

Lots more to chit-chat about but about out of paper.

Love - to both of you

Marie & Frank

Thunderstorms thump across the skies of an evening

The Regency

8-10-86

Dear "L" & Bob - (Owners of the Revolving Door mat)

Hi! Just an impulse to write - and send some pics we promised L. So I will accomplish two things at once.

You can guess that it continues warm here. Thunderstorms thump across the skies of an evening, sometimes providing only dry noise. But we have not wilted away yet - and the lawn looks nice. So I guess we will sweat it out O.K.

Marie is busy getting acquainted (by phone) with Stephany's mother trying really to track Stevie down. Where else is it more logical to start then at his girl friend's house?

I have been busy - we both have - these several weeks and I have learned much about dog sitting and about Jeffrey. Now I (we) are relaxing a day or two before turning our thots to a trek to Greer. I'm still doing my best to take care of my Marie - as if she really needs it! - but I enjoy it. And she enjoys & works hard at taking care of me. So it works out well.

The families continue well & busy - (that's news?). Jeffrey & Joel had a regal time the other nite. Jeffrey spent the nite there and had such a good time he didn't (at first) want to even go meet his parents at the airport. But after a short fit he did it, of course, was glad to see them.

(Sorry for the change in ink color. The last was criminal ink & finally escaped from the pen!)

We just got home from Becky's where Marie went to have her hair done only to have the bonus feature of a roast beef/mashed potatoes, etc. etc. Sunday dinner. Kathy & Mark were there also looking happy & busy discussing matters concerning their home & work, etc. Friday we attended Kathy's commendable commencement exercises at ASU & then all those of the family attending went to Monti's for a delightful dinner and a truly beautiful family time together.

We haven't seen much of Steve & family since the reception. Our chief focus is Stevie right now who is trying desparately to coordinate what appears to be a losing proposition re: their week-end at Greer next week. Punk transportaion; unjibed schedules; lack of call backs to Marie have "called" us to alter plans and we must let the kids know. So it goes.

John & Susie have left after their whirlwind visit. They thoroughly enjoyed their time at Greer. And Susie thought the grape-vine wreath was wonderful!!! She really likes it.

We enjoyed your brief visit. The kids sincerely appreciated your presence at generosity! And Jeffrey knew what preserves were Aunt Lottie's preserves and ordered them for his muffins by name. "Aunt Lottie's Jelly" - regularly - exclusively!!

We still have plenty of food left - so why not fly down help us consume it? Planning to come down next winter? Bill & Maurine might stop by for a short visit after attending an organ convention at Denver in October.

Marie & I have put off any further work on organizing the garage until cooler weather comes - which means October probably. In the meantime, the trusty Toyota will just have to sit out in the sun trying unsuccessfully to get a tan. (What I'm afraid of is skin cancer! That car has such a light complexion!)

Tomorrow Marie sees Dr. King who will probably measure her girth, draw some blood, and tell her she's doing good. "Come back in six weeks." (He'll tell me I'm the one who's puny! 'But I'm not your doctor!')

Come summer I eat less; sweat more & lose a few pounds. It's about the only change in weight I experience.

We are glad that we presently are in as good health as we apparently are. Marie did extraordinarly well - and now, thankfully, is relaxing some. I hope she can relax at Greer. The weather there is lovely.

I have work to do: rent a P.O. box, change my registration to Greer precinct, get a report on happenings at the Sanitary District meeting (which unfortunately we will miss because they changed the date), examine proposed changes in Civic Club by-laws suggested at a recent Board pot-luck, try & drum up some person's to run for Sanitary District director openings in November, and attend the 8-25 regular public meeting of the Civic Club. I may even drop over to Eagan to meet the chairman of the Apache County Board of Supervisor's chairman, etc.

Well, once again... HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOB... and have many more!! Call, write, visit when you can.

Love F

P.S. The wedding pics haven't come back yet - will share when they do.

P.P.S. If you have any good shots (as I said to the doctor) will you kindly share some with us? Thank you. OK - by shots I mean "photos" of the wedding!!

We will be at Greer until Aug 26th.

Marie & Frank's 45th Anniversary

"Just like Grandma Friend!"

(click to enlarge)

Photo Friday: The Next Generation

At least these yahoos have great talent...with straws...

The next generation of the Jensen/Norby family is in good good hands...

Joel Dent, Mike Pritchett, Jason Dent, Steve Durand Jr

Lisa Pritchett Chiles

"There's No Place Like Home...Except Grandma's and Grandpa's"

August was always Grandchildren's Month in Washington. Apparently this was also a tradition in Arizona.

Remind me sometime to tell you about chicken cutting lessons that were included in one of my visits. Yep...that was a classic Grandma Lottie move...

Marie, to her credit, was also not above creating her own agenda. Check out the evening activity on June 11th. Hope Steve was able to come through...