1981 Catherine's Letter -Dec.15

 

Tuesday, December 15, 1981

Dear Mother, Dad, Mary & Mie Young,

Hi!  What's new in Ohio?  We had lots of snow here on Saturday and Sunday and then yesterday it started to rain and is still raining today so the snow is almost gone.  Very messy weather.

I meant to tell you on the phone, Mother, Wendy loves the advent calendar.  It has really helped her count the days until Christmas or at last be more aware of what the date is.  I just opened one of them.  I gave her the Sunday School books and thought I would save the other coloring book for Christmas.  We didn't really decide on the phone which present you would like to give her.  Do you have any preference?  I should find out today how much of the order arrived (hopefully all of it).  It will be almost too late to order anything else.  The stores here don't have a very broad selection.

I signed Wendy up for dancing lessons.  Several of her friends have been taking them.  The teacher picks them up at the Day Care center and takes them to the Grange (across the street practically going toward the Elks) where the classes are held.  After the class I will pick her up and take her back to Day Care.  We told Wendy it was a Christmas present.  She has her first class tomorrow at 10:30 and then not again until the first Wednesday in January.  We are going to get her the required ballet shoes for Christmas.  And she will also need "ballet pink" tights.  It costs $18.00 per month which seems steep but . . . .

We are thinking of getting a water bed for Christmas.  Our bed is becoming increasingly unsatisfactory.  It was guaranteed for 10 years (prorated) and we have had it half of that.  It doesn't bother me much but Gerry's back is alot more sensitive and he wakes up all stiff.  One of his friends who had similar back surgery has a water bed and is very strong in favor of them.  We figured our bed would fit into DeeDee's room but with not much room to spare.  Then we would put the bunk beds in Wendy's room.

We are looking forward to a few days without meetings.  Gerry has Lodge on Thursday night the 17th and then no more meetings for either one of us until Tuesday, Jan. 5.  On Thursday of that week we will be leaving for convention.  We are both looking forward to that also.  I think Wendy will be staying with the Woll's.  Got to go . . . ...

Love, Catherine, Gerry, & Wendy

1981 Catherine's Letter -Dec.8

 

December 8, 1981

Dear Mother, Dad, Mary & Mie Young,

Hi!  I am in hopes this will reach you by Friday so as to arrive on Mother's birthday but just in case it doesn't -- Happy Belated Birthday.  Speaking of birthdays, do I need to remind you that Gerry's is coming up?  It is the 17th.  Since it is on Thursday he will have a Lodge meeting so doubt if we will do too much at least on that day.The Elks birthday dinner is on Wednesday so at least he will get a Birthday dinner close to the day!  Also that Wednesday is the Red Cross Blood Drive.

The Charity Ball went off OK.  I wore my new long skirt and blouse that I had bought.  Gerry (and all the other officers) wore their matching suits.  They didn't have as big a crowd as at the 25th Anniversary but still a fairly large turn-out.

Wendy is getting all excited about Christmas.  We had thought of going shopping in Bend this weekend but decided we really didn't want to make the trip so I am getting ready to give Sears an order.   DeeDee won't be coming for Christmas this year.  She decided she would rather stay in California.

Got to go.

Love,

Catherine, Gerry & Wendy

1981 Catherine's Letter -Nov.15

 

Monday, November 15, 1981

Dear Mother Dad, and Mary and Mie Young,

Hello.  Sorry I didn't get a letter off to you last week.  I have to keep my schedule very regimentalized or I don't get anything done.  When I didn't write on Monday morning there didn't seem any other time to do it.  So I'll keep trying to get it off on Mondays!

I went to the library meeting last Monday evening in Bend.  There were about 25 people -- combination school or should I say media librarians and public and three from COCC.  After dinner at the Inn of the 7th Mountain we went to the Deschutes Public library for a meeting and tour.  It was very interesting.  We talked about censorship as the Redmond school libraries are being challenged right now because of Judy Blume books -- someone wants all Judy Blume books removed from the shelves.  It made me rather paranoid as this library doesn't have any book selection policy whatsoever.  Although the board has said they will back me up (we did have a minor flap over the Rajneesh books) I think we would have a better case if we had a written book selection policy.  So I have been working on that.  This morning I am going over to the School District library office as they have a book that has the policies form many libraries and that should be helpful.  The next board meeting is Dec. 1st so if I have something by then maybe I can get the board to approve it.

Gerry had lots of meeting as last week with Investigating Committee on Tuesday, Trustees meeting Wednesday and regular lodge on Thursday.  Friday we went to Bingo and made out pretty good.  Gerry won $10 and a free dinner ticket (worth $7.50) and I won $9 and a free drink ticket.  We took Wendy out to dinner between work and Bingo so she could have her favorite -- clam chowder.  We went to the Meet Market.  Saturday we worked at the Elks and then had dinner there (steak) with Wendy to use Gerry's dinner ticket.  Then the babysitter stayed with Wendy while we stayed later at the dance.  Yesterday we did a little work around the house and then spent a few hours at the Elks working.  I am working on the Club books for October right now having finally finished the Lodge's second quarter.  Gerry is getting everything together for this month's issue (or rather December issue) of the Bulletin.

I have an AAUW meeting tonight but not sure yet if I am going to go.  The program is on technology and the speaker is coming from COCC so should be interesting.   Wendy has a birthday party at 2:00 this afternoon.  I am going to pick her up from Day Care at 12:00 which is after their lunch but before nap.  She has a ride to the party and then she will be dropped off at the library afterwards and I can take her back to Day Care.  She won't be going to school until later this morning as I am going to deliver a new batch of books to the Nursing Home this morning and she likes to go with me to the Nursing Home.  They always make a big thing out of the children.  She wanted to wear a dress this morning as the last time we went there several people thought she was a boy.  We compromised on a blouse so as to save her dress for the party.

Wednesday night this week is the Elks birthday dinner.  It is a week early this month becauses of Thanksgiving.  We were invited to a party on Friday night but don't know if we will go.  Both Gerry and I have to work on Saturday.  i had told Betty she could have this Saturday off and Debbie was going to work for her but then Debbie found out she couldn't work so I will be doing it.  No big deal since Gerry will be working and I will probably just bring Wendy with me.

Better close and finish getting the books ready to go to the Nursing Home.

Love,

Catherine, Gerry & Wendy

1981 Catherine's Letter -Oct.19

 

Monday, October 19, 1981

Dear Mother, Dad, Mary & Mie Young,

Hi!  It sure was nice having you to visit -- seemed so brief though.  Sorry the weather couldn't have been a little better but I guess it didn't really stop us from doing anything.

As expected we have been busy since you left.  On Thursday I took Wendy with me to work and let her stay for story hour.  After I took her to Day Care I got to feeling worse and worse and finally had to go home when I started vomiting.  I must have had a different version of what Wendy had on Monday.  I felt better on Friday  and was able to go back to work which was good as I didn't want to miss the festivities at the Elks over the weekend.  They had a real good crowd both Friday and Saturday nights -- estimated at 350 attendance for the special session that honored the charter members.  Gerry read off the names of all the charter members as they were presented pins and then he also read the names of the 66 deceased charter members.  He got lots of compliments as his voice came through strong on the microphone -- it was a good presentation.  We were able to take Wendy with us for the continental breakfast on Saturday and Sunday and also to a party on Saturday afternoon for the "VIP's".  The club took in $7400 (including dinners) for the weekend as compared to the income for the month of September which totaled $6800.

I am now at the library.  Wendy and I have been riding to work with Gerry in the morning and then spending some time here before she goes to school.  This morning she about had a fit as I brought cereal for her to eat but I forgot her toast.  You'd think it was the end of the world.

I had to type an article this morning about the Elks Anniv. for the Madras Paper.  I'll have to take that over later on.

Some people I had met previously from Rajneeshpuram came into the library on Friday and said that Prahtima (our guide) told them that we had been there.  The girl that I talked to on Friday's name is Probbode.  She said they can either keep their original names or the Rajneesh will give them a new one which ever they prefer.  I have an article I hope to include about how they are trying to incorporate in Wasco County.  Probably because Jefferson County has given them alot more hassle.

I also had an article to send you about the town of Brothers but I left it at home so will try to send it to you next week.  Or wait until this afternoon to send this off.

Wendy has finally calmed down about her lack of toast and is off looking at books.

Bunco was changed from last Thursday to this Thursday which was OK by me since I was sick on Thursday.  Tonight I have AAUW and on Wednesday is Lady Elks which I will probably skip -- can't do everything.  Gerry has meetings this week on Tuesday and Thursday so it will be another busy week.

Serena called last Wednesday evening thinking that you would still be there.  Sorry you missed her call.  We got your post card today.  You must have gotten home very late.  Thanks for everything.  Hope you will be able to visit again soon!

Love,

Catherine, Gerry & Wendy

1981 Catherine's Letter -Sep.20

Sunday, September 20, 1981

Dear Mother, Dad, and Mary,

Hi!  Wendy was using this as her practice sheet so thought I would use it since it is already in the typewriter.  I thought about getting her a typewriter (toy one) for her birthday but since she is used to using the real thing I don't know if she would be satisfied with a "toy" one.

I think fall has arrived here.  We had our first rain in almost three months on Friday night and since then it has been on the cool side and overcast today.  We played golf today for the first time since late in July.  All this Elks business has eaten up our extra time.  After we played golf we worked at the Elks for a couple hours.  We took Wendy with us both to the golf and the Elks.

As I mentioned on the phone, we have a busy week ahead of us.  Tomorrow night I have an AAUW meeting.  They are having a speaker on women writers so that should be interesting.  I am taking a guest -- a woman lawyer who recently went into practice here.  I would like to see more non-school teachers in the AAUW as that is what most of the women are.  Tuesday is the Open House at the Library.  I need to make cookies for that -- hopefully after I finish this letter I will do that.  Wednesday of course is Wendy's birthday and also the monthly birthday dinner at the Elks.  We ordered Wendy a western Barbie along with a horse and a jeep for her birthday.  Thursday the District Deputy and another dignitary are coming to inspect Gerry's records at the Elks and I get to help entertain their wives during the evening.  Also the Library Board is having a luncheon at one of the members houses that day.  And Friday I am going to the library meeting in Hood River.  Then Saturday is Wendy's birthday party at the Grizzly Bear.  Also we should be getting the Bulletin back from the printers on Monday or Tuesday so we can start putting the addresses on them.

I just got the first batch of cookies in the oven -- snickerdoodles.  Hope they turn out OK as that is all I am planning to make.  Wendy loves to help -- but mostly her help consists of licking the bowl.  She is good at pouring the measured ingredients into the bowl also.  We asked her today what kind of birthday cake she wanted as she has been discussing this for months.  Her answer was a "yummy" kind.  Hopefully whatever we get will be OK.

We got a nice letter from Elizabeth Johnson a few days ago.  She said that after Grandma has seen everything maybe she will hire Roberta to take her a few places!  The cookies are all done now (they came out OK) and Wendy is in the bathtub washing the grime of the day off of her body.  Sure hope you have a good time in Fontana -- or had a good time in case you don't get this until you return.  I don't know if I would recognize the place or not -- has it changed much in 20 years?

Debbie's [Gerry's sister] fiance is not reenlisting in the service after all so she won't be moving out this direction.  Sounds like they will be staying around Sanford.  Although I guess he is originally from Alabama but his mother is presently living in Sanford.

Better close now.  Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Love,
Catherine, Gerry & Wendy

1981 Catherine's Letter -Sep.7

 

Monday, September 7, 1981 - LABOR DAY

Dear Mother, Dad, and Mary,

Hi!  How was your Labor Day weekend?  We didn't do too much.  Both Saturday and today we worked at the Elks although only about half of today.  Yesterday we went rafting -- our usual trip from Warm Springs to Trout Creek.  We went with a guy who works at the Co-op and some of his friends. He had just got a new raft and was anxious to try it out.  It was a good trip.  We are keeping our fingers crossed that the weather will be good the weekend you are here so we can go rafting then.

I also worked at the library on Saturday from 1:00 to 2:00.  Betty wanted to go to the State Fair in Salem and said she would appreciate getting off an hour early.  I took Wendy with me and it was while Gerry was working at the Elks so it didn't interrupt any of our plans.  Now in return she will work an hour for me on September 25th when I am going to a LOCO (Libraries of Central Oregon) meeting in Hood River.  That way Debbie will be able to go to lunch.  How do you like the article on me?  I hope Dad is not offended by my referring to him as a "library fanatic".  I thought the article came out pretty well.  I was afraid it would make me sound really dumb and look ugly besides!  I have gotten quite a few nice comments on it, especially from people who didn't know about my ambitions until recently.

We are looking forward to seeing Roberta & Grandma on Sunday.  Sorry that they won't be here longer and that Gerry and I are unable to get time off from work.  But at least we will be able to see them.  And they'll be able to see more of Wendy.

The library board meeting went fine last week.  Mostly they discussed the Open House they want to have on September 22nd and also a luncheon on September 24th for all the old board members and new as well as for the retiring librarian & asst.  They are having it at one of the board member's house at 1:00 so I will be able to come after Debbie gets back from lunch.  The Open House will be at the library of course from 11:00 to 3:00 which seems like strange hours but that is what they decided.  Everybody is going to bring cookies.  The two things I had to bring up were that they should charge people who get things through Interlibrary Loan the postage one-way which they approved.  And I asked if the AAUW reading group (of which I am a member) could have meetings at the library once a month.  They had never discussed this before but finally decided to try it.  They were afraid lots of other groups would want to use it also but since the space is so limited I don't think they will have to worry about that.

Wendy did fine in readjusting to the Day Care Center.  Her present teacher decided to keep her for a few more weeks before advancing her to the four-year-old class.  Some of Wendy's friends have already moved up last week and the rest will be going before the end of the month.

Gerry talked to his sister, Debbie, last night.  She is planning to get married in November to a guy who is re-enlisting in the service and may possibly be stationed in Washington.  It would be nice as we would be able to see more of her if that is the case.  At any rate, we think it would be good for her to see some of the rest of the world besides Sanford.  She did come out to see us the first year we were in San Diego.

Love,

Catherine, Gerry & Wendy

1981 Catherine's Letter -Aug.24

 

Monday, August 24, 1981

Dear Mother, Dad, and Mary,

Hi!  Nice talking to you on Friday, Mother, and Congratulations to Mary on her singing at the fair.

We went down the river Saturday with another couple who live just down the street from us.  That made it convenient and they are alot more reliable than Jeff & Shirley who either don't know what they are doing until the last minute or are several hours late.  We bought sandwiches at the Deli and took some soda and chips and had a picnic on the river.

Yesterday Gerry and I worked at the Elks for a few hours.  I worked on the bookkeeping and Gerry ran the addressograph machine addressing the monthly bulletins and also a set of envelopes for the letters they are sending out about the 25th anniversary.  There are about 840 names on the mailing list.  The cooking for Thursday night will be easier this week as they served stew on Saturday night before the hobo dance and had alot left over so we'll be serving stew.  I'll probably fix a salad to go with it and have garlic bread or rolls.  So that won't be much work at all.

Saturday night we had sort of a party for DeeDee.  We had fondue which Wendy thought was really neat.  She wanted to have fondue again last night.  We also had a cake decorated for DeeDee -- alot of decoration and it said "Deanna".  It was angel food (which she had expressed as her favorite kind) with strawberry icing.  We did it this weekend as next weekend we have filled up with alot of other stuff like Gerry has to work on Saturday and then has a district Elks meeting on Sunday.  DeeDee will leave from Redmond at 3:50 on Monday the 31st.  Gerry will take the afternoon off from work but I doubt that I will as that is the day that my new assistant is starting.  She has about an hour layover in San Francisco where she changes from Republic to Western and then arrives in San Diego about 8:45.

Yesterday afternoon we went to Oma & Millard Eakin's 50th Wedding Anniversary.  They are the couple that lived across from us at the apartments and sort of adopted Wendy.  It was held at the church and they had quite a turn out.  It was held from 2-5 and their daughter sang at 3:00 and 4:00.  She had a nice voice but I couldn't understand a word.

Everything is going fine at the library.  I had my first two days without Barbara [my predecessor who retired] on Thursday and Friday and the place held together.  It is quit a shock to the patrons to see a new face as Barbara had been there since 1964 I think and Helen (the asst. who also retired) has been there 10 years.  The hardest part for me at the beginning is ordering books as I have to get familiar with what is being put out and also familiar with what people here like to read.  There is also quite a backlog of gift books and other miscellaneous things that have just been stuck on a shelf in the backroom.  I'd like to get them under control.

I will be glad to get Wendy back in Day Care next week.  The disciplined and more structured environment will be good for her.  Also it should help her disposition.  She hasn't been taking a nap this summer at least not with regularity and then she gets cranky and unreasonable.  She will be changing into the four-year-old class during September which will be a change for her also.

Well, I better close and see if there is anything else I need to do around here before going to work.

Love, Catherine, Gerry

DeeDee & Wendy

1981 Catherine's Letter -Aug.17

Monday, August 17, 1981

Dear Mother, Dad, and Mary,

Hi!  Sorry I didn't get a letter off to you last week.  Hopefully the one I sent to new Orleans will catch up with you sooner or later.

We have another busy week ahead of us.  No meetings until Thursday night when Gerry has Elks and I have Bunco.  But we have to fix the Thursday night dinner again this week.  There is a blood drive on Wednesday night so we will probably do the cooking on Tuesday night and then heat it up on Thursday.

We are hoping to go on a raft trip next Saturday as that will be our last chance to go before DeeDee returns to California.  The following weekend Gerry has to work on Saturday, we have to go to an Elks meeting (a district meeting) in Prineville on Sunday and then she is leaving on Monday.

Saturday I went to the AAUW brunch.  It is an annual event (two years in a row now!) to get things in gear for the fall.  There were about 30 women there and the hostess served this really delicious casserole made out of eggs, bread, milk, cheese and mushroom soup.  [Doesn't sound that delicious to me now.]  She served fruit with it.  They had some musical entertainment.  I am trying to get the AAUW to go together with the library to have a book sale.  They also have a lot of sub-groups which meet separately from the main meeting.  I am in the reading group and I'm in hopes we can get permission of the library board to have the meetings at the library.  My first library board meeting will be September 1st. 

Yesterday we went to the Elks picnic.  That was the third year we have been to that so we are beginning to feel like real old-timers.  They had a turn out of about 150 people so there was quite a crowd.  The Elks furnish BBQ chicken and drinks and everybody brings something for the rest of the pot-luck.  After that was over about 4:00 we went to a swimming party.  Wendy had a wonderful time swimming and playing with her friend Darcy but I think DeeDee was pretty bored.  It made for a big day.

Several months ago I took some of Wendy's and my clothes to the consignment shop here and Saturday I went to see how my account was doing.  I could hardly believe I made $34.25!  I thought that was good for things that I would have given away otherwise.  I make 50% of whatever they sell it for.  So I gave them another bag of things and see how well I will do on them.  After they keep the things for four months (?) you have the option of picking them up or they give them to the thrift shop.

Things at the library are going extremely well.  I have been through one week of the "routine" so this week should be even better.  I am amazed that there still seem to be lots of people here that I hadn't met!

Looking forward to seeing you in October and Grandma and Roberta in a few weeks.  This is our week for getting the monthly bulletin for the Elks printed and addressed.  I need to take it over to the newspaper office this morning before work so better close so I will have time to do that.

Love,

Catherine, Gerry, DeeDee & Wendy

1981 Catherine's Letter -Aug.4

 

Tuesday, August 4, 1981

Dear Mother, Dad, and Mary,

Hi!  I am a little slow in getting this letter off this week but I figured you folks would be in New Orleans anyway so you should get it at the same time!  This is a busy week for us.  Last night we had Carl (who works at the Co-op) and his family over for dinner.  His family (wife and 15 year-old daughter plus 10-year-old twin daughters - also a son but he is in North Dakota) is just here for a few days to look for a house.  They haven't sold their house in North Dakota yet and are hoping to sell it before they move out here.

Tonight we all went over to the Elks to cook the Thursday night dinner -- enchiladas, refried beans and Spanish rice.  Now all I have to do on Thursday is to bake the enchiladas, and heat up the beans and rice.  We were supposed to cook enough for 30 so we have 72 enchiladas, 6# of beans and 4# of rice.  I am getting off work at 4:00 on Thursday so I will have time to do everything.

Tomorrow night I have a Ladies of Elks meeting.  I am on the hostess committee for August & September.  Some of the other ladies are fixing the refreshments but I said I would help to serve and clean up afterwards.

Also the County Fair is this week.  Family Day is on Thursday and all the rides are half price so I plan to take DeeDee and Wendy out after we finish with the dinner at the Elks.  Then we will probably go over the weekend with Gerry.  The parade is on Saturday morning and then a big BBQ after that.  And then on Sunday the Elks have a Buckaroo Breakfast.

We took a raft trip down the river on Sunday.  We went to the next stop down the river from where we usually go -- to South Junction which is probably about another hour trip from Trout Creek.  It was nice because there were more rapids than in the part we had been on before.  We survived without any of us falling in the water.  DeeDee & Gerry did all the paddling so it was very relaxing for me.  I kept Wendy entertained.  We went with three other couples who each had their own rafts.  It was a long day though as Gerry left about 9:30 in the morning to take the truck to South Junction, and we didn't get back home until about 9:00 at night.  One of the guys kept stopping to fish (itis illegal to fish from a boat so you have to stop and fish from the side) and he was catching so many fish that he didn't want to quit.  That probably delayed us about two hours

We got a letter from Serena yesterday which she had mailed to New Vienna and then was forwarded to us at our old address -- better tell Esther (or whoever) about our P.O. box.  Better close now -- I have a few other things which should be done!

Love, Catherine, Gerry

DeeDee & Wendy

P.S. Gerry did take the girls to the fair last night.  They had a good time.  Wendy even went on a "whirly-gig" type ride with DeeDee.  Wendy's favorite was a place where you jump up & down on these big plastic bubble like things.  They didn't have a merry-go-round.  She also liked to ride the little cars & a train.  Today is half price on the rides so I'll take them tonight after I finish fixing dinner at the Elks.

Hope you enjoyed New Orleans!

1981 Catherine's Letter -July 20

 

Monday, July 20, 1981

Dear Mother, Dad, and Mary,

Hi!  Now I'm down to four weeks before beginning at the library!  Today will be different than an ordinary Monday as I have the day off from work.  At 3:15 this afternoon I have my annual gynecologist appointment in Bend.  Gerry is taking the afternoon off from work so we will all be in Bend.  It will be the first time we have been to Bend together (I went with the library board for lunch in April & to the Inn of the 7th Mountain for that dental program fiasco) since February.  We plan to stop at the Canned Food store in Redmond and pick up some bargains and then also do some shopping in Bend as I need a few new clothes to wear at the library.  And Wendy is always in need of new clothes.  Then we plan to have dinner at the Riverhouse -- our long delayed anniversary dinner.  that is where I went to lunch with the Library board and I was quite impressed with the menu and the service.  Hopefully we won't be disappointed tonight.  At least when we do go to Bend we make the most of it!

This morning I have to go to the Courthouse and do some work for the Elks.  They (the Elks) have an old, old addressograph machine which they inherited from the Courthouse when the County got a new one.  The addressograph runs off the mailing list from little metal plates but the Elks don't have a machine to make new plates or to change addresses on so that is what I am going to the Courthouse to do this morning.  Hopefully we will be able to print the addresses on the August Elks Bulletin by the end of this week so I am trying to get all the addresses up to date before then.  I have about 75 to either make or change this morning.  I will take Wendy with me and that way she won't have to go to Day Care at all today.

Yesterday we were really industrious and rented a steam cleaner from the grocery and shampooed the entire carpet.  We moved the furniture out into the driveway so we wouldn't have to clean around it.  It was a really hot day so the carpet dried quickly and it looks super good.  Before we did it the hallway and around the table looked pretty hopeless but it perked right up.  When I went to the store to get it they also sold me a large bottle of shampoo ($6.19) and after we had done about half the house we noticed the bottle said "de-foamer" which is what you are supposed to put in the receiving tank if the carpet has been shampooed recently.  We didn't need the defoamer so I took it back to the store and talked to the manager who had sold it to me as "shampoo".  He apologized for his error and our inconvenience and gave me an even larger bottle of shampoo ($8.99) in exchange.  So we started over.  The defoamer had done a good job but the shampoo was much better at getting up the spots.  And now we have enough shampoo left to do it again.

Saturday night we got a babysitter and went to a western dance at the Elks.  We had a really good time but there weren't very many people there.  They had advertised it quite a bit but either there was something else going on or people just weren't interested.  This Saturday night the class of '71 is having their reunion at the Elks.  The reunion furnishes their own music and pays to rent the facility but members can still come to the dance.  Our friend Emily who moved to Wyoming last year when her husband re-enlisted in the Air Force is coming back for the reunion so we are planning to go so we'll have a chance to see them.

I have two loads of clothes to hang out so better close and get started.

Love,

Catherine, Gerry & Wendy

1991 Catherine's Letter -July 12

 

Friday

July 12, 1991

Dear Mother & Dad,

Hi!  Thanks for sending us the "partner" insurance policy information from that business magazine.  That was just what we're looking for.

How did the barbecue go?  I gather you survived your stint as chairpersons.

We got the invitation for the wedding [John & Julie's] yesterday.  Sorry we won't be able to be there but we did enjoy our visit in June.  It was great to see Grandma doing so well.

Gerry's sister Linda and he daughters, Karen (9) and Audrey (6) arrived last night so the house is a little livelier than usual.  Later this morning we're going out to see some of the sights, including the new (opened last Christmas) Arizona Center down town.

We decided to go to Tucson for two nights next week instead of Sedona -- much more affordable.  We have a suite for 6 reserved at Embassy Suites for $54.50.  It comes highly recommended by Roberta and includes a free "cooked to order" breakfast.

Have you sent us your Alaska itinerary yet so we can start mailing off all those cards and letters?  Have a good trip!

Love,

Catherine, Gerry & Wendy

1981 Catherine's Letter -July 6

 

Monday, July 6, 1981

Dear Mother, Dad & Mary,

Hi!  How was your Fourth of July weekend?  We certainly had a good time and did quite a few things.  Friday Wendy and I did play golf with Oma.  Even though we got to the golf course at 8:15 it was very hot (90º at 9:00) and both Wendy and Oma were wilted by the time we played six holes so that was all we played.  Wendy and I spent the rest of the morning taking the garbage to the dump, going to the library, and then she played in the park (which she loves with a passion) for a few minutes before we picked Gerry up for lunch.  We had lunch at Wendy's favorite restaurant, the Meet Market where they serve the best clam chowder in town.  Friday night we went to the Elks for awhile and then to some friends house the Behrend's who have two girls, one Wendy's age and the other 7.  Wendy ended up spending the night as she and Darcy are good friends and did not want to be separated.  Darcy goes to the Day Care Center also so Wendy knows her from there besides the family activities at the Elks.

Saturday we went to a pot luck picnic in Metolius -- kind of a community affair sponsored by a place called the Desert Inn.  We are friends of the people who run the place.  We went with the Behrends and another cuple.  After that we went to Warm Springs to see the fireworks which were interrupted several times as there were several fires the fire department had to go to.  By the time the fireworks really got going it was begining to rain so we left.  We spent the night "camping" at the home of Donna Behrend's parents.  They had planned to stay all night there as her parents are out of town and wanted somebody in the house.  They have a beautiful house right on the Deschutes River about three miles south of Warm Springs.

On Sunday we went to another potluck picnic.  This one was sponsored by the Elks for the exalted ruler and his wife who are about to leave for the national convention which is in Las Vegas this year.  It had been raining al day but cleared up about 3:00 so it ended up to be a nice evening for the picnic.

It is now Tuesday a.m.  sorry I didn't get this mailed yesterday.  Gerry had the day off and took me out to lunch so I didn't get home to finish this as I had planned.  Gerry just got elected secretary of the Elks (The previous secretary resigned) so we have been busy working on that.  The secretary also does the bookkeeping for the lodge and the club.  There is quite a bit of work involved, however, it is paid position, so that helps to make it worth the time.  It does mean that we will both be alot busier though.  Some of the work can be done at home but alot of it has to be done there.  The problem now is that there is quite a bit of catching up to do and the former secretary and his wife are out of town on vacation so can't explain anything to us.  I'm sure we can figure it out -- will just take longer this way.

Time's up.

Love,

Catherine, Gerry & Wendy

1981 Catherine's Letter -June 21

 

Sunday, June 21, 1981

Dear Mother, Dad, and Mary,

Hi!  Wendy thinks it is her turn again [to type] already so I can see I am going to have to type fast!  Gerry is playing golf right now and Wendy and I are going to join him and play another nine holes in a few minutes.  We decided not to get a babysitter today being as it is father's day.  Happy Father's Day, Dad!  Hope you got the card before the big day.

We are having a beautiful day today for a change!  Maybe this is the beginning of the nice days!  Madras has been inundated since Wednesday with a convention of "Good Sams" at the fairground.  It is some kind of Recreational Vehicle organization.  The newspaper estimated 800-1000 families are here with the farthest ones coming from Illinois.  This is an annual deal that is held here every year.  The stores always go out big with promotions like sidewalk sales, etc.  The town doesn't seem the same with all the extra people milling around.  Evidently none of them had toothaches though as they didn't come into the dental office on Friday.

Gerry put the boot into the truck on Friday with the help of one of his friends.  It involved taking out the back window of the truck and the front window of the canopy and then putting this boot in between to seal off the opening from the outside.  With the new carpeting it really changes the look of the interior.  Wendy is looking forward to DeeDee's arrival so they can ride in the back of the truck together.

Well, we just got back from the golf course.  Wendy made it around another nine holes.  We had some slow people in front of us so it gave Wendy plenty of time to rest.  Now if we can just keep her awake until after dinner she will probably get a good night's sleep tonight.

It is now Monday a.m.  Wendy did stay awake until after supper last night -- but by then she had her second wind and as usual had a difficult time going to sleep.  At least she sleeps well once she zonks out!  Another nice day today so I think our yukky weather is over for a few months.

We have decided to save our money and not go somewhere fancy over the 4th.  If we do go anywhere we will probably camp.  Not too much going on this week.  The Elks monthly birthday dinner is on Wednesday and Wendy always enjoys that.  June and July birthday both are celebrated this month as there won't be another birthday dinner until September which will be for August & September both.  In August the Elks will be having their annual picnic.  I also have Bunco this week as it was postponed from last week.

Time to go!

Love,

Catherine, Gerry

& Wendy

1981 Catherine's Letter -June 15

 

[random letters]

Monday morning, June 15, 1981

Dear Mother, Dad & Mary,

Hi!  Here it is the beginning of another week and from the looks of it outside this morning we may at last be in for some summer type weather.  Saturday was very cool, windy and cloudy here.  Sunday we had a brief shower in the morning then it cleared up in the afternoon but was still cool.

We took Wendy to Day Care on Saturday while we played nine holes of golf -- had intended to play 18 but the cold weather discouraged us.  Then I took Wendy to her friend's birthday party at the Grizzly Bear.  There were over 30 people there including the children, parents, and family.  A little big for my taste and she got so many presents everyone else got restless while she was opening them . . . .  Wendy had a good time, though -- the Grizzly Bear was there in Person -- or in costume might be more accurate and that was a big thrill.

Yesterday we took Wendy with us and played 9 holes of golf.  She was dragging by the time we got to the 8th & 9th holes but she did pretty well.  Afterwards we went out to dinner at Wong's and had some Chinese food.  We'll consider that our Anniversary Dinner until we have a chance to get to Bend -- possibly in two weeks.  We need to do some shopping and we haven't been there since February.  

Thanks alot for the anniversary card and the check.  It was very much appreciated.  I bought a salad set that has a pepper mill (which we needed badly), a salt shaker, and some serving utensils.  We will consider that as being from you!

[more random letters]  The line at the top and this one are notes from Wendy.  Let me know if you can figure out the code.  We are going to leave early today and go to Safeway before work to turn in some film to be developed.  This includes pictures we took in Chicago.  We finally finished the roll yesterday.  So maybe in next week's letter we can include some pictures.

Thanks for the clipping on Bend -- I had just read it at the library before going to the post office to get your letter!  Gerry was able to read it though!

Thanks again!

Love, Catherine, Gerry & Wendy

1981 Catherine's Letter -May 11

 Monday, May 11, 1981

Dear Mother, Dad, & Mary,

Hi!  Hope you had a Happy Mother's Day, Mother.  Gerry had to work Saturday so we didn't have a very long weekend but managed to keep busy.  Saturday night we went to a housewarming for my boss -- they recently moved into a house they had built in a subdivision (rural) about two miles south of town.  It's a two story house with about 2000 square feet and a greenhouse - passive solar system on the south side.  There were probably about 50 people there.

Yesterday late afternoon we played golf and Mona stayed with Wendy.  The wind was over 25 mph so it was a little breezy.  The temperatures haven't been very warm either.  Last week we had several days that didn't get above 50 and the wind made it feel even cooler.  Maybe this week we'll have some warmer weather.

I took quite a few of the clothes that Wendy has outgrown to a consignment shop that has opened up here in Madras.  They will display items for three months and if they sell I get 50% and they get 50%.  After three months if they don't sell I get them back again.  It will be interesting to see what happens.  The girl running the place told me that business has been so good she is looking for part time help.  I also bought gifts for my Bunco group since they are meeting at our house this month.  We each pay $5 and then the gifts are worth $20, $15, $12, $8 & $5.  The Bunco will be on the 21st this month (third Thursday).

We got our raft!  Gerry ordered one through work so we got it at a discount.  The one we really wanted isn't available this year due to imports (made in Taiwan) so they sent one that is $30 more expensive at the same cost to us.  We haven't decided yet if we are going to keep it as it is really bigger than what we wanted.  Now we have to get paddles and life jackets and we'll be ready to head down the river.  We talked to some of our friends who are really into rafting (last year they went on 16 weekend trips and one week trip) and they said we could go with them anytime.  The rapids that they go through though I don't think we would want to take Wendy.

The next library board meeting is scheduled for the first Tuesday in September which will be my first week on my own at the library!  I guess there won't be any more for me as a board member.  Two of the older board members have resigned so at the last meeting we picked replacements for them and also one for me so the new board will have three new members.  Whether that will make it easier or more difficult for me remains to be seen!  It will definitely lower the average age of the board members as the new ones are all young.  Better close.

Love,

Catherine, Gerry & Wendy

1981 Catherine's Letter -Apr.13

 Monday, April 13, 1981

Dear Mother, Dad and Mary,

Hi!  Here it is another week.  Wendy and I were both sick over the weekend.  Wendy woke up in the middle of the night on Saturday and came into our room and vomited all over our bed.  After I got her cleaned up she went right back to sleep and seemed fine on Sunday.  I felt fine until yesterday afternoon and then I got bad intestinal cramps accompanied with vomiting and diarrhea.  I spent the rest of the day in bed and so far I feel OK today -- food doesn't have much appeal yet though.  Gerry doesn't seem to have been affected.

On Saturday I played the tape that you sent Wendy for her birthday.  She always enjoys hearing Grandma, Granddad & Mary "Aginia" on the radio . . . .  We couldn't find "The little engine that could" but she did follow along on the other two books and she talked back to the tape just like you would be there to hear her.  For the rest of day she kept saying "Mary Aginia is my Aunt Mary."

We called DeeDee yesterday to wish her a Happy Birthday.  Our answering machine has a special deal so you can tape conversations but it keeps going beep every 15 seconds so that you can't tape without someone else's knowledge.  We tried it out and it seems to work fine -- nice to replay the conversation so we could all hear both sides.  Wendy couldn't understand why we couldn't go to DeeDee's birthday party or at least have a cake of our own.  We told her we would have a cake when DeeDee came to see us.

This is our busy week of the month coming up.  Gerry has Elks Investigating Committee tomorrow night and I have to audit the books for the Lady Elks.  Wednesday night I have Lady Elks meeting (I have been considering dropping that and joining AAUW which meets the 3rd Monday of the month.)  and on Thursday I have Bunco and Gerry has Elks.  This Friday night is the last Bingo until next fall.  They are going to give away a microwave as a door prize.

Better close.

Love, Catherine, Gerry & Wendy

P.S. Thanks for  the get-well card for Wendy.  She enjoyed the card and has been wearing the bunny [?]

1981 Catherine's Letter -Apr.6

 

Monday, April 6, 1981

Dear Mother, Dad, and Mary,

Hi!  It's back to work and Day Care for Wendy and I today after our unexpected day off.  At least it will be an easy day for me as Dr. Woll has gone to the state dental convention today and tomorrow.  I will be working alone in the office today and then I will have tomorrow off.  We will be seeing patients on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday this week.

Tomorrow is the day the library board is going to Bend for lunch.  We are going to the Riverhouse where we have never been so it will be a good chance to check it out and find out if it is a place Gerry and I would like to go back to.  We go to Bend so seldom -- every other month maybe -- that we hate to take a chance on someplace if we haven't hear anything about it.  Oregon magazine reviewed maybe half dozen Bend restaurants in their latest issue, three of which we haven't eaten at.  One is a French restaurant and one a European of some sort which has a fixed menu which changes every two weeks.  The other is an Italian which we definitely ought to try.

We had a good dinner at home the other night with chicken livers fixed from a recipe in the microwave cookbook, with rice, and a fresh broccoli and mushroom casserole.  We figured it would have been $9.95 at a restaurant -- quite a savings!

We got our refund from state taxes last week and have our check ready to mail to the IRS today for the federal taxes so we have that out of the way for another year.  We should be able to send you the remaining $200 after the 15th.  We certainly appreciate your advancing us the money and helping us to subsidize Amtrak.

We got the box you sent on Friday.  Thanks.  We have been using the new towels and dishcloths which certainly come in handy.  Wendy has been playing with the purses and she has eaten several meals with the "Wendy's" spoon.  Thanks for everything.  We also got most of the things that Gerry gets as a bonus for his large pre-season order from Tisco (Tractor Implement Supply Co.)  The telephone answering machine (which we have set to go on while we are at work but mostly for the summer weekends that we aren't home all day but Gerry's customers need to contact him).  We also got a printing calculator, a set of silverware, and a digital alarm clock.  Gerry also got a cart for his golf clubs similar to mine but a little fancier.  Two items are yet to come -- a Coleman sleeping bag and a suitcase which has wheels on the bottom which DeeDee will like.

Better get ready for work now -- hope everything is well in New Vienna.  Are you still going to North Carolina?

Love,

Catherine, Gerry & Wendy

1980 Catherine's Letter -Dec.29

Monday, December 29, 1980

Dear Mother, Dad & Mary,

Hi!  This will probably be the last letter you get from us this year.  Did you see the comic strip where the guy writes 1981 on a sign and then hangs it upside down so that it read 1861?

Sorry about the delay in getting the airline tickets back to you.  I didn't want them to get lost in the Christmas shuffle but I suppose the post office could lose them just as easily any other time.  We got a new schedule from Amtrak but all the trains we will be on won't be changing - at least not yet.

We had a nice Christmas even if we did wait two days longer than the rest of the world.  I got contacts and a warm-up suit.  Gerry got a set of weights, an exercise bench, some new clothes and we got ourselves a set of bucket type pillows for the bed.  The co-op gave us a food processor.  I used it yesterday to chop up vegetables to make pea soup.  And then to slice ham for sandwiches and for quiche.  It also grates cheese -- did about ¾ pound in 15 seconds.

DeeDee gave us a matching towel and pot holder set.  DeeDee got a "Game of Life".  It had been several years since I last played that in New Vienna!  She had also requested some electronic games -- Simon & Merlin if you have heard of them but they are both on the expensive side so we decided she could spend her Christmas money on them if she wanted to after she gets back to San Diego.  We also got her some desk accessories as she just got a new desk.  

Wendy seems happy with her new toys.  She helped me sweep and mop with her new housecleaning set which also contains a vacuum sweeper, apron, dust clothes, brush, etc.  She's better equipped than I am!  She really likes her Fisher-Price school which comes with about 100 pieces.  Fortunately they all fit inside the school which closes up and can be carried around.  One of her other favorites is the Baby with her Treasure Chest (see p. 516 of the Sears Christmas catalog.)  She loves to push the baby around in the stroller.  The housekeeping set is on p. 547 and the school p.607.  We are looking forward to enjoying our present from you in March.

The weather here turned slightly more winter-like yesterday with the high in the 40's,  The low last night was 35º and the sun is shining now so it may warm up more today.  Western Oregon had alot of floods because of the warm weather but it didn't affect us any -- we did have two days of rain though.

Wendy will be staying home with DeeDee this week instead of going to school.  I will have another long weekend this week with Thursday and Friday both off.  Gerry will have to work Friday and Saturday though.  DeeDee will be flying back to San Diego next Tuesday afternoon from Redmond.  Gerry will take the afternoon off or however much time he needs to get her there but I will probably stay at work as it is difficult to get time off.

Almost time to go to work so I better close.  Happy New Year!

Love,

Catherine, Gerry & Wendy

1980 Catherine's Letter -Dec.15

 

Monday, December 15, 1980

Dear Mother, Dad & Mary,

Hi!  Here I am at work with a little extra time so thought I'd get a letter started to you.

Now we are thinking perhaps it would be better to make our stop in Ohio on our way back from Maine rather than on the way there.  Does it make any difference to you?  That would mean we would arrive on either March 17 or 18th and have to leave on the 20th.  Please think about whether that would be worse than the previous week for you as we are flexible.

We went shopping in Bend Saturday and got Wendy some new shoes.  She is now wearing a size 9 ½ -- same size as mine!  Ha!  We got a couple more little things for her -- a puzzle, a fork with Cookie Monster on it, and a jogging suit size 6 so it should fit for awhile.  We also got some things for DeeDee.  Now our shopping is about all done except for stocking stuffers and we should be able to get them here.  I finally got my Christmas cards off this morning so that is a relief.

Tuesday morning.  We have a busy week this week.  Tonight I have UMW -- my last meeting as secretary.  That will be a relief to be done with that.  Tomorrow is a Red Cross Blood Drive, and then the monthly Birthday dinner at the Elks.  Gerry will get a free dinner since his birthday is this month and it will really be a birthday dinner since it falls on his birthday.  Thursday night Gerry has Elks and my Bunco group meets.

I need to go to the store this morning so better close.  I will be calling soon!

Love, Catherine, Gerry & Wendy

1981 Catherine's Letter -Jan.6

 

Tuesday morning
January 6, 1981

Dear Mother, Dad, & Mary

Hi!  We got your letter on Friday with the news about Mie Young so guess we didn't miss any mail after all.  I hope you got the tickets OK.

It seems like the New Year has started off busily.  Gerry had to go to the annual meeting of the Jefferson County Co-op yesterday.  Actually the employees get fed lunch, introduced to the members and then they go back to work.  I  had an appointment to get my contacts checked at lunch time yesterday but their office was running behind and I didn't get back to work until 3:00 (I had a 1:30 appointment.).  I have to go back again next week but I have an appointment at 8:45 PM.  I may be there half the night but at least I won't miss any work.  I got a stronger right lens as my left eye was seeing better than the right.  Now they seem to be matched fairly well.

Gerry is taking DeeDe to the airport in Redmond at 3:45 this afternoon.  He is taking the afternoon off from work so they will probably go out to lunch and do some shopping.  Wendy is thrilled that she gets to do something that Mommy doesn't.  I have a library board meeting at noon today so we set appointments from 9-12 and 1-5 instead of our usual 1-2 lunch.  Yesterday I found out that we may be closed on the 29th as Dr. Woll may have some friends coming from California.  Of course either Debbie or I would have to work like we do on alternate Fridays.  The Woll's are putting an ad in the paper this week for a new assistant as Debbie is expecting a baby the first of April and only want to work until sometime in February.  I got several large insurance payments last week which brought the monthly collections up to enough that I will get a $54 bonus.  I had a 96% collection rate last month.

We keep reading about all the cold weather you are getting in the east.  We hope you get a warm spell in March!  The weather has turned a little cooler here but the ground is still not frozen.  The low yesterday was 34º with a high of 43º.  Right now (8:03 a.m.) the sun is shining brightly and the temperature is 35º  DeeDee won' have to worry about her plane being grounded by the fog anyway.

I better finish getting ready for work.

Love,
Catherine, Gerry & Wendy