I Like My New Playdoh

Report Card: Jill

If you could move to Tacoma

P.S. I have written this with paper on my lap.

Nov. 21, 1948

Marie dear -

I have not heard from you recently so I will write to-day and hope these lines find you well. It is about a month ago since I received your last letter when you sent me a dollar bill and the receipt for $5.00 that you sent to Storage Company. Have you sent any since Marie? It was sent Sept. 20th and I hope you send what you can afford. Thank you.

Marie you wrote that you were going to leave Phoenix. Do you know where you intend to be sent? Well Marie I have been thinking that I wish that the next house where you live will be one with out any furniture because that way you could use my household goods what you will need. Have you made any plans so far? I hope you will be closer to Lottie. It is so much work to pack and move and so I hope where you settle down the next time will be for a longer period. If you could move to Tacoma it seems to me would be quite ideal. Have you heard from  Martin? I had a short letter from him in which he wrote that he had written to Lottie. I hope Lottie takes time to write to Martin and writes an interesting letter as well. Also Martin wrote that he will stop here on his way to your father's place next month. Isn't that of interest? And I sincerely hope I may be dismissed at that time Marie.

How did those kodak pictures turn out that you took when you were here? I wish you would send me 1, also save 1 for Martin. You could send him 1 to your father's place, for Martin and ask that you father keep it until Martin comes. Being that you haven't mentioned the pictures I thought I would explain.

It will certainly be good news when I hear that I may be dismissed.

Please write soon. This is Martin's address:

Rct, Martin Jensen

RA 17252261

Co. H

Fort Sill, Oklahoma

I remain,

As your won,

Mother.

They'd probably think you were dead

July 14, 1945

Dearest Lottie,

I'm sending you a letter which reached me just this afternoon. I could readily see that it demanded some prompt action and wanted to get it out to you as soon as possible.

Poor Ree! I don't envy her right now. How do you suppose the pioneers ever had babies?

We are going to move August 1st. At long last we've found a larger apartment. Other advantges include washing facilities, a telephone, a better landlord (the l.l. works at Meier & Frank) and a nearness to Reed College. You know I told you that I plan to go to Reed this fall if we can swing it. Our new address will be 1531 SE Carlton.

Marie has said that she will telegraph us when the addition arrives. I'll phone you as soon as possible.

We are going on our vacation about August 4th. We intend to go to Parma, Idaho to visit Morgan's sister and mother. The doctor has said it will be OK for me to be out of town for two weeks, but has said "No" to Barb's suggestion that we take a plane ride (She's a flying enthusiast.)

I guess that covers the important news from the Pritchett household. Please write soon as let us know how you, Marty, Bob, Roxy, and Mellie are. (I wrote to Bob a while back, but haven't received a reply.)

By the way, don't you ever write to Mom or Pop either? Shame on you! Every letter from them says "I haven't heard from Lottie for so long. How is she?" I hadn't dare tell them I haven't had nary a note since April - they'd probably think you were dead.

I still love you even if you are a terrible correspondent.

Love, Bets

I bought a bicycle

Welcome to our show

courtesy of Sara & Angie

1970s

80 as better than 70

Glendale, AZ

January 3, 1991

Dear L -

Just a brief scribbled note to say I enjoyed talking with you. It was LouBelle's idea to initiate the telephone call to you - that's how impressed she was with the book and how much she enjoyed it. You may say she had a "burning" desire for calling.

The new year has started out actively. And tonight we put many of the house decorations away for next year. LouBelle did a beautiful job at decorating. The house looked beautiful. (Of course, if she did a beautiful job.)

Not put away is the little train LouBelle bought for herself as her "Christmas Toy". Battery operated it chugs around the dining room table (on top!), headlight aglow, and steam coming from the smoke stack.

Tomorrow is one early morning visit to the dentist for LouBelle. Her tooth started aching just before New Years - and wouldn't you know the dentist (and staff) were on a week's vacation. I guess there was a death or serious illness in the family which made it necessary to go out of town to meet the emergency.

My dentist authorized a penicillin prescription, which has helped some - but not always the pain.

And tomorrow I take the "new" Toyota (14,000 miles) into the dealer to get the AM/FM cassette, cruise control, etc. put in - part of the deal for buying it. It is Almond Pearl in color - and, of course, is a station wagon. There are a few others "pay for" things we want.

And, Diamond, the cleaning lady, comes in the morning - and Orpheus Rehearsal in the evening - and...

Now. Hilites from 80 as better than 70. The first 80 years are the hardest. The second 80 is a succession of birthday parties.

Once you reach 80 eveyone wants to carry your luggage and help you up steps. If you forget your name or someone else or an appointment - or tel # - no one scolds you. If you survive until your 80 - everyone is surprised that you are still alive. They treat you with respect just for having lived so long. They seem surprised if you can walk or that you can talk sensibly.

At 70 people are mad at you all the time. They expect you to retire to Florida and spend your $ having a good time - but don't use up the estate $. They begin looking at furniture, jewelry, pictures, etc. suddenly remembering you or someone else said they could have this or that.

Must go - 12:45 AM   Love, Grape Scaldabones & Lady LouBelle

Clothing Needed

Roxanne Marie

June 28, 1942

Dear "Blue Windows" Family,

It seems an age since I wrote you, but I suppose Betty has kept you informed of this part of the family.

Roxanne and I came home from the hospital last Friday, and today is Monday. We're getting along just swell. Betty washed this morning, and is cleaning the refrigerator right now. Tomorrow she plans to go into town.

I'm still supposed to be in bed, but get up for meals, to take my bath and give Roxanne hers, and take care of her, mostly.

I don't like to ramble on about my health, but being you asked about the "complications" this was it. In the first place, I gained only six pounds (usual increase - and loss - is twenty). I was sick most of the time, had a kidney and bladder infection, and later developed a case of toxemia. This necessitated the elimination of absoultely all salt in my food. No butter, bread, bakery goods, canned vegetables. Not much left but fruit and milk. Then too, the baby was in backwards, and was born feet first. Due to the inverted position of the baby, the doctor thought it best to induce birth rather than to let it get any larger. In a breach birth the baby has to be born very quickly, or it will suffocate or stranglt. Also to facilitate a quick birth was a long incision, which is the reason why I can't sit down without a pillow. I had the best obstetrician in the city and everything went off just swell. Roxanne was born in less than 55 seconds.

The young-un is doing just fine. She regained her birth weight in one week and had gained 3.5 ounces when we left the hospital after ten days. Babies always lose the first few days and do not usually regain their birth weight until they are two weeks old.

Betty told us all about your new home, and it surely sounds interesting. I'd like to see it - especially the telephone pole beams and the privy "over yonder".

Our neighbor, Ruth Haakenson, just came in with two huge boquets of flowers. One of foxglove and canterbury bells, and the other a gorgeous arrangement of roses.

I must close now, and feed the babe. Betty, Bob, and Roxanne Marie all send their love.

L.

Hiatus...But Not the End

For any of you readers (are there readers out there?) you may have noticed the postings haven't changed much. My apologies!

My news: I have a new job! And as such my life has gotten a bit crazy as I finish out the last two weeks of work and then begin my new position a week later. But do not worry. I will be back in early August.

Annalei