Feb. 3 Karene to Zelda

Tuesday, Feb. 3
Dearest Daughter:
Your mother is really slipping,uh. Here it is almost a week since I wrote last. You see, it has been like this-on second thought I'll spare you all the excuses.
I'll try no to let it happen again. But, maybe it's a relief, uh? 'Kiddin
We haven't had our mail for a couple of days, so we think there might be a letter from you.
How's your 'sagging 'moral? don't feel bad-yours isn't the only one that says. Mine has been so low that last few days. I stumble over it. I've decided I'd better boost it up somewhere before I bump my nose.
Don't worry about the 'pieced'letter-just read Colenes-they were almost the same. (Should have heard Dad)
Are you still having beautiful April weather?
I'm glad the owner's have done something to the house. I've thought how it could be fixed up. Glad you have some curtains in your room. I've wanted to send some, but my finances are nil. (Grey hairs)
Do hope the 'Babe is fine now.
and that you have sufficient 'efficient' help.
So did Alvah get the idea?
Hope you are having some good times.
I'm so glad to know that Emily is really happy. I just hope they can make the adjustment to Gail Lyme-how did Emily's folks feel about it all?
They will miss the little gal. I'm glad, especially for Emily's sake, that Louise's folks gave them a reception and are feeling better toward and about the marriage.
What brought Curt and Kate down that way-anything special or serious-it was such weather when they left here.
Congratulation-you are a Relief Society teacher! You needn't worry about giving a lesson-you can make one so interesting. I wasn't at home when my teachers came last week
If I could sleep some, for you! It worries me-your not getting some sleep, I mean Going to sleep while practicing the piano. Maybe you'll have to play sick one day, and just sleep.
Nice of Gary to send you a gift. How many more days? Faye always wants to know if I've heard from you.
Virgie,hadn't had her baby yesterday. Bertha said, last nite, she was going to have a big one.
We finally had a letter from Earl, saying he got the money for Xmas. I don't know-I had rather a strange feeling when I read his letter. Do you think he will really, down deep, appreciate his mission and all it can mean? He said to tell you he'd like a few lines from you. And don't send a postcard with a few lines on it. That was so funny. and it reminds me-on the Hush Hush, if you want a picture of your brother, you have to earn it-by writing him a letter.
I don't know how much "learnin" her and Chreyl Ann are doing. They bring books home almost every nite. Barry studied well until the last couple of weeks and he has been away, it seems almost every nite. Cheryl Ann really tried hard for a better mark in arithmetic last six weeks, but got the same D.
I was rather out-of-patience with Mrs Teihert I really think she earned a better grade-by her daily papers and her six week test. Dad said, " I should go in and talk to her. Cheryl Ann cried because she thought she would at least get a C.
It was rather discouraging for her, cause she doesn't like 'rithmatic anyway.
Otherwise, she had a good card, cost me $1.60 which I haven't been able to pay yet. As long as I can't pay she can't spend it. One thing I'm glad of, she pays her tithing. She always looks for Earl Brooks on Fast Day.
I don't know about Barry-I have a hard time getting him to talk about some things. He is causing some concern and a grey hair or two. I guess I'm just a corny mother to him.
He sat up to read, after the rest of us were in bed; and I finally got up to find him sound asleep in the rocker. Now, I'm having a one sad time to get him up. Dad called him before he went out. I told him he'd better stay home tonite and go to bed and 'course that didn't set too well. But, darn, he only goes to Mutual anymore, when there is something special-tonite their classes (Jr. Gleaners) are 'sposed to have a party. Come on, Ma, quit blabbing.
I'm 'sposed to go in for Primary today. They are in a quandary, now, as to a chorister, having finally released Elda to give her the secretary work-Marie the historian work.? And, so-if I go-I think I'll just stay with Cheryl Ann-as I'm 'sposed to meet Roy at Mutual. I had ask him to visit our genealogy class next Sunday and give a story, and he wants to see the lesson material, etc..
I don't know where I slipped up Sunday, I just haven't felt satisfied with the way the lesson went over. Kent slept during part of it, maybe that is what bothered me. He slept all through church to. Maybe he has been up at nite lambing or something. And, it just wasn't a lesson that I could adapt to a discussion-more a lecture type lesson. I'm hoping next Sunday will be better. Course Dad just gets after me for worrying. And I try to use him as a sounding board for some of my material and he goes to sleep. Here I go again. One day I'll write a letter with out any grumble. If you have any ideas that I need, send 'em along-and I need plenty.
Leelain and Tom are going out to Tacoma, Thursday. I wouldn't be 'sprised if the brought the little ones back with them for a time.
Grandma Lee is at Elizabeth's now. I don't think she is gong to stay there very long. She is feeling better-she was out to church Sunday. Do me a favor will you, when I get old see to it that I am clean and neat and do something with my hair. (Mother, what are you saying?)
I believe you'd better burn this letter. Maybe I should burn it before I send it. I just have to 'let off" steam sometime.
Let's see-dad and I went to Polson, Tuesday to get the license. Dad says:It sure takes a little time to take a lot of money. And then again he paid the insurance on the truck and car. We haven't dared write a check since-he says when we get the mail we'll be overdrawn. Let's see, when is the 10th.
Every check, I hope I can take 50 bucks out, but not yet. I've about decid3ed to see if I can get a job. Dad says he'll give me one-but no money there.
How are you doing? Do you have financial blues too. I feel like a stinker. And you don't even give me a pattern number-I still have a few pieces of print on the sewing barrel. Cheer up-I'm okay. Even if I am nuts.
Wednesday I met Blanche at the store and we went to Polson to Primary. Gilen, Betty Lou, Elizabeth and Lois were along. we took the car and when we came back to town a couple hours later, poor Lizzie was sooo-o tired. She didn't even go to get a chiropractic treatment-and that's where we thought she'd spend her time. It was funny by the time we got home. But I think Blanche loses patience with her.
Thursday we had the freezer installed (no money? well I think I've explained that-no money on it). I don't know whether I told you about the scratches on the first one-so Bud ordered a new one. then when they uncrated the new one out here, the tip of it is marred badly in several places. but he said he'll put a new door on it. Dad went to the store Friday to empty the locker boxes and I spent a couple hours arranging and rearranging in the freezer I threw some corn away-have corn from "54. And I found a dozen boxes of peas, you picked and shelled, and more strawberries! I found two fryers and a rooster and some Swiss stake. (We had fried chicken Sunday.) The freezer is almost full. And we still have half a pork to go in it. And Dad wondered if we shouldn't get a smaller freezer. I ask him, when he came in,where I was going to put the bread, cakes and so forth.
But we will use more now it is handy. In fact, things may disappear too fast-'specially the strawberries mmmmm. They are good. Every time I take some out I wish I could get you some (some to you I mean)I finally did the two weeks wash. The only thing I don;t like about the freezer is that it is so long. I can't get the dryer door clear open. Someday I'll have it turned around.
So, I finally go started to iron at 10:30 Saturday nite. And ironed shirts, blouses and pillow slips until one o'clock. Had a bath; then finished my material for Sunday School.
Guess I caught a cold somewhere along the way. I didn't do anything yesterday. Maybe all the pills had something to do with that. But I feel better this morning.
Our weather is-murky.
The trees look so bare, the snow is almost gone again. The mud is-ugh-terrible. I tell Dad-we have it every year.'It isn't cold. And a 'gear out of the truck so I can't get sawdust,' says Dad. Hope the part will be here today. So goes life on 'mountinside'. How goes it there?
Love you muchly xoxoxo Mom