March 31, 1985

Dear Betsy,
I am at Friendly's drinking coffee.  It is 53 degrees and raining.  Tomorrow is to be a high of 30-35 degrees and snow.  I hope it is gone before Sandy comes.  When are you going to come?  I miss you.  My right hip bone and ankle bone have a bad sore on each.  I am on antibiotics now.  I guess I will have to sleep on my other side.  I found a prayer of love…

God is never beyond our reach
He only's a prayer away
Trust Him always, look to His love
He's watching and waiting today.

When trouble comes and things go wrong
And you've reached the end of your road,
Just tie a knot and hang on tight
Look to God for Him there's hope.

When ski's above seem dark and gray
And clouds hold promise of rain
Count your blessings, trust in the Lord
Soon the sun will shine forth.

When day is done and shadows fall
And the night seems dark and long
Worry not then a child of God
Sleep, for soon cometh the dawn.

His love endures forever more
There never was such a friend
Thus He stands so eager to help
With courage right to the end

No, God's never beyond our reach
He's only a prayer away,
Trust Him always, look to His love
He's watching and waiting today.

So how is work?  Are you busy all day long?  What do you do with your evenings and weekends?  I love to hear from you.  I don't have much to write about.  Bob is doing better. I may get my very long hair cut short but I hate to.  It is so coarse and think.
I wish you could see my new wedding rings.  They are so pretty.  I wear my gold band also.
Well, I hope you have a nice Easter.  Will you go to church with someone?  Remember I miss you and love you dearly.

All my love,
Mom

March 25, 1985

Dear Betsy,
I just came from the GYN doctor.  He increased my Estrogen to double it.  I hate pelvic exams.  Now, I am at Fisches Big Boy for soup and salad bar and coffee.  It is so good.  I got this care for free from Current stationary.  It made me think of you.
I hope you are feeling better and sleeping at night.  I have trouble sleeping also.  Soon Sandy will be here.  When are you coming?  When is your vacation?  I'd love to see you.  You are always welcome.
Our weather is warmer today and sunny.  Oh, I have lost 6# without knowing it.  So I guess I'll get to making milk shakes or something.  I don't know how I lost so much.  I asked the nurse if the scale was right and she said yes.
I don't think I'll keep going to the Mormon church.  I don't know what I'll do for Easter.  I may go Baptist or Episcopal depending on our weather.  The Episcopal church has been supplying us iwth meals for over a week.  It is really nice of them.
Bob is home sleeping.  I got to go home and make supper for him. I got him 2 apple sticks for breakfast tomorrow.
I have been doing pelvic rocks the past two days and my abdomen hurts to say the least.  My appetite is good.  I should be gaining weight and not losing.  I only weight #112.
Well, I hope things are better for you in all matters.  How is David?  What about Greg?  What happened with the others your wrote about?
Well, I must close.  Please write me and get will for your mom.  I love you so much and MISS YOU.

All my love,
Mom

March 16, 1985

Dear Betsy,
It is really good to have a lovely daughter like you.  I am so proud of you.  I remember when you were a little baby and now you are grown.  I missed those five years so much.  I wish we could have another visit like we last did.  I hope this card arrives on time.  Buy yourself something to remember me when you see it.  I hope you have a very nice day and many more to come.  I really do love you and miss you.

Love always,
Mom

Happy Birthday to a wonderful daughter who is lovelier every year…
and even more dear.  Have a wonderful day!

January 16, 1985

Dear Betsy,

I was so thrilled to get your phone call on Sunday.  It was great.  I really did miss you.  Bob said I have much more happiness since you called.  Did you get my letter yet and have your mailed all of yours to me?  So you have a secret admirer?  Must be nice to get flowers.  I remember the teen and early 20 years.  You sound like you are enjoying them.  So what about Raleigh?  That was Bob's Father's name.  Bob fell yesterday and aches a lot today.  He stays up at night and sleeps days and lots of the evenings.  Today I made chili.  It takes a lot of time.  I made apple pudding a few days ago and Bob ate it all.  I think he is gaining weight.  I wake up early and put coffee on and then I put in the bedroom and drink it as I read, etc. I have to sleep with the cradle on.  I get such hot feet and legs and knees at night.  I still have to take lots of medicine.  I sit in a chair every day with my legs up.  Before hed I have to soak my feet in cold water and put on lots of cream on my feet.

Tomorrow I am getting my hair trimmed.  Jeanette is 23 and will come here to do it.  She has been a real friend.  She gave me $20 for Christmas.   She goes to Bethel Baptist church and her mom is a couple years older than me and a good Christian friend.  Jeanette works as a beautician in a shop and on the side.  Plus she works at Friendly's Ice cream parlor.  She is very busy.  I have to wash  my hair before she comes.  She'll cut it wet.

Last night a friend called from the Mormon church and came and went to the grocery store for me.  We get $30 from Bob's church and she used that.  It still costs me $12  more.  I still have another store to have someone shop at tomorrow for Bob's beer and wine and other things.  We can barely afford anything.

Grandma was really upsetting to me on the phone and she hasn't called.  I did nothing wrong. She said I shouldn't have married Bob and we live in a dump.  It really hurt me.  I can't help it we are poor.  Grandpa has painful neurolgia and has to take medicine so Aunt Ida says.  They haven't called.  I guess I should.  

It is really cold here.  We are to get snow now and during the night.

Well, I am out of any good news. Please keep in touch with me.  I miss you.  Remember I love you with all my heart.

Take care and write,

All my love,

Mom

December 16, 1984

Dear Betsy,
I haven't heard from you for a long time.  I am lonely and miss you today.  I can't afford to call and I never know when you are home.
My left hip is really bad and hurts so bad.  I ended up crying to sleep.  Today I washed my hair and did 2 loads of laundry in the basement.  The stairs really hurt the hip.  I am on 2nd round of antibiotics.
We have been having rain here and warmer temperatures.  My feet are bad.
Last Saturday our 1/2 bathroom (I mean 1/2 of the BR flooded and towels were put on the floor)  They smelled and turned brown.  Well I wore thongs but I got impentigo on the toes.  So now I am painted purple.
So I hope you are better off than me.  I never see any family.  My mom had 2 big parties this past week.  She has no time for her family.  She will see what she has done some day when it is too late.  I would never be too busy for you.  You'd be first.
Bob is feeling a little better but he sleeps days and evenings so I am lonely.  I don't know what makes him so sleepy.
My hair is really very long and curls by self but I will set it in a little while.  My hair keeps me warm.
My church news came today and I haven't had a chance to look at it.
So what are you doing besides the working?  What about David?
I guess Bob and I will have Christmas by ourselves.  My parents will probably invite us the day before or Christmas day.  I don't plan to go there.
They are playing Christmas Carols on the radio and they are so pretty.  Did I tell you I have been playing my violin a lot?  It is hard work but sounds much better.
Well, I sure hope you are enjoying life and happy.  It is important to be happy. Remember I love you dearly and miss you so much.  Ask Bob how much I cry because I miss my daughters.  I love you!!

Merry Christmas.
All my love,
Your mom

November 28, 1984

Dear Betsy,
Sorry I haven't answered your letter sooner.  It turned cold today after 60 degree weather.  My ankles are swollen and I have to keep my feet up.  Tomorrow I have to bake apple pudding cake for a sick person and have company coming from church.  The living room got a mess tonight.  Bob and Friend got the rest of the things from Bob's apartment so the place needs lots of work.  We have having trouble getting a ramp after it was promised.  The owner is living in California.
I hope your Christmas presnet get there.  I haven't mailed them yet.  Now, down to the subject at hand.  David!  It sounds to Bob and me that he wants you only when he does.  It reminds me of the way your dad was.  I got a broken heart Betsy.  You are a beautiful girl with a great personality.  There has to be the perfect someone for you out in the world.  Now, you think about it and make a decision.
Grandma and Grandpa are being awful to me.  All they do is complain about me.  I really feel badly and I don't even want to be with them for Christmas.  I hope I never treat you like Grandma does me.  She never comes here and I really cry a lot.  She thinks I was crazy to marry Bob, but it is my life.
I read a lot and study the scriptures.  I can't be out much now because the cold weather.  I am writing this in bed so excuse my scibbling.
Well, I will close for now.  Bob and I had a small roast for Thanksgiving.  It was good and nice.  Didn't your dad invite you?  What did you do on the special day?  I would have liked some turkey.

November 5, 1984

Dear Betsy,
I was so happy to get your letter today.  My right foot has been awful painful and I have been in misery.
Bob and I opened a joint checking account today at Ohio Citizens.  Now we have to have money.
Next day
Bob and I go to the hospital to admit Wednesday and he has surgery Thursday.  He and I both see the doctor today at 4:30.  Well, we saw the doctor and my medicines were changed.  Bob's are the same.  Now I really take plenty.  Now more.  This cold air is hurting my feet.  Our weather was in the 40s but it is going to warm up again.
Bob is sleeping in the green chair.  Boring election night for us.  I read my scriptures every day.  I am glad you got to go and wanted to go to Rainbows.  Good for you.
The missionary sisters were here Monday to show a film strip and cassette (A Family is Forever) I really cried.  It showed so many beautiful things.  I want to get a recommend again.  Sandy is sure for the church.  Where would you get married if David asked you now?  Which church?  I wish you could be married in Toledo because of my legs.
I wish I could be more of a mom to you.  I love you so much and am so proud of you.  We could go to the mall and have a ball.
Well, remember I love you and miss you so much.  Take care.  Have fun and work hard.

All my love,
Mom and Bob

October 30, 1984

Dear Betsy,
I am at Frisches now eating a salad bar.  It is very good plus cauliflower soup.  Bob had minor surgery and is sleeping.  I was going to the Mormon church etc.  But I don't know.  Bob and I are also Episcopalians.  Tomorrow we will go to communion service @ 11:30 and then eat for free.  I still like my coffee and my beautiful bikinis are not mormon code.
By the way they are small on me.  I gained 10# and they are size 6.  I eat too much ice cream.
Bob goes to the hospital for surgery on the 8th.  It is Urology surgery and ill be painful.  I hope all goes well.
Where do you want your Christmas presents sent?  I have part of it.
Well, I guess I will stick with the Mormon church.  Boy, it is cold here.  I am freezing.  It is only 45 degreees here.  The leaves have all fallen off.
Well, I am out of news.  Write back real soon.  Remember I love you and miss you.  I hope you are well and happy.

All my love,
Mom and Bob

October 25, 1984

Dear Betsy,
It was so great to talk with you last night.  Grandma was thrilled that you called and remembered her birthday.  I am glad you sound happy and like your apartment.  We are still unpacking.  Grandpa is getting a few groceries for me today.
Bob bought me the Triple combination which is the BOM, D&C, and Pearl of Great Price.  It is my late wedding present.  I had it engraved.
What do you want for Christmas?  So you are into Modeling!  I am glad you like it.  How do you like your new job?
I am taking my old scriptures that are underlined and marked and doing it with my new scriptures.  It keeps me busy.  Now, when you come I have a twin bed and bedroom for you.  Although you never complained about the sofa bed.  I still have that.
I have to take Bentyl 10 mgm all the time for my colitis.  It really gets bad some days.  I guess I am a very nervous person.
I will never forget all the fun we had this past June.  It is a treasured memory as our my pearls you gave me.  Bob thinks they are really pretty.  I really appreciate all your help in getting the dress.  We had fun.  You lit up my life once more.
How are you and David?  I hope good.  Are you saving money?  We are really stretched with our salaries.  Together we don't even make $700.
Well, I will close so this gets mailed.  Remember I love you so much and miss you.

All my love,
Mom

October 2, 1984

Dear Betsy,
I haven't heard from you.  I know you are busy.  Did the other 2 girls tell you I called?  We are really busy.  Bob got most things moved this weekend but lots of boxes remain behind and we got to unpack everything.  The apartment is smaller than Bob's.

October 5
I am still moving but progress is being made.  We have lots to come from Bob's.  Then more of the unpacking.  The Mormons only helped me and not Bob.  The Baptist are helping a lot.   It is hard to be handicapped.  Sandy called for the minutes today.  I hope she is okay.
How is work going?  I sure wish you'd write me.  I miss your letters.  I hope you like your job.  Bob is going to the American Legion tonight so I will be alone for the first time in our apartment.  Someone gave me these little notes.  This is the 1st I used one.  Well, I guess I will close so I can get Bob to the Legion. We'll got an ice cream cone on the way.
Remember I miss you and love you very much.

All my love,
Mom