News for Thanksgiving and Christmas, Meagan Coming!, 1986

We have been having some interesting Meetings with Compufund, we have a franchise with them and Choice Mortgage.  I think it will be good for us and they appear to be doing better than they were when we were Jones.

Another lender invited me (one of six from San Diego) to a meeting to introduce a new loan.  They said they like working with me because we bring nice clean loans and we are honest!

We have moved the loan business upstairs and it is fixed up really very nice.  It is so much better organized and neat and quiet.  Isaac B works with me as loan agent.  He also was at La Jolla Newport.  He is a Mexican Jew and has a son 19 and a girl 15.  He is very pleasant to work with and says the Jews have a fun religion with lots of celebrations.  Isaac has a darling 5 year old and he takes him to Jewish school.  He says he does not want to dedicate Willie to God.  He was joking but he means he is too adorable to give to anybody, even God, I guess. 

We sent Jimmy a package with 25 presents, not expensive and mostly edible.  It is supposed to be for him to open one a day till Christmas

Richard closed quite a few deals this week so was feeling good.  He is taking vitamins too and I do think it helps us.

My brother Dave and his wife Dorothy took Mary (wife of my brother who died) on a trip through the New England states and they had a wonderful tune.  Mary said they saw Mom in Utah and that she has gained 10 pounds and looks better than ever.  She does appear to be happy there.

Meagan is flying down next Monday for Thanksgiving and we are going to Disneyland Thursday and have our turkey dinner Friday night.  John will be going with us and I think the Fuquas and Maria, Mark and Michael.

I guess John will be going to Park City with us for Christmas, too. Yea!

We have our Christmas shopping done and the Ward is having a Christmas party at our house on the 13th.  We will have our house decorated by then and we leave for Park City on the 20th.

      

Lots of News About Family, Date to Move to Remodeled Choice Mortgage Office, 1987

Richard and I are still working 14 hour days.  I hope eventually the new office and new people we have will cut down on our workload.  Now it seems I just have to spend more time teaching other people and less time to work on my own deals.  With the new owner of the building making changes our office will be like new and on the ground floor.

We are moving into the  new office on the first of April.  They have painted the office and we have selected carpet, they will be putting in the phones next.  

We had $30 in overdraft charges, communicating and handling the money for James' mission is a continual problem.

Last night we went to the movie "Lethal Weapon" with Mel Gibson.  Very exciting.  We still go to Horton Plaza on Friday nights for our eat treat and movie.

We are really enjoying Michael, he is such a fun baby, makes all kinds of faces, about. 15 months now.  Maria and Mark are staying here till she has her new baby boy in March.   

I hope we can eventually make enough money to remodel the bathroom, kitchen and add a deck to this house.  We've decided if we can make it here we will not sale this house, also want to add a west window to the front west bedroom, wouldn't that be a great view. 

We took Meagan and John and the Pulsiphers to Disneyland and it was relaxing.  The new Star Tour is really exciting.  These two creatures take you on a flight in space and it is the driver's first trip so we have sudden drops, lots of swerves, bump into things, have sudden stops and starts and travel at space rate, very realistic.

John has a nice apartment in LA.  It is a 3 bedroom with large living, dining, and lots of light.  He has a roommate but it is still expensive.  His office is very impressive and he is very well-liked for his work, etc.   

The strawberries are finally planted and we have had lots of rain lately so they look very good.

 It is a real blessing to know how to work and be willing to do it.  I feel blessed for having such responsible, sensible, and beautiful children.

I pray for Jimmy in his travels and pray he comes home to us safely after his mission.

No Christmas Card 1986

No Christmas Card again this year and the only pictures taken were of Michael.  What a cutie he is.

1986 was the year of the refinance.  Rates went down and everybody wanted to get in on the lower rates.  Banks could not handle the volume so for me and my team it was a banner year for doing loans.  Of course, there were not enough appraisers and things took a long time.  We literally worked around the clock.  It was a very hard year but we were up to it and did very well.

But no time for anything else but work!!!

Office Doing Well and other Tidbits, 1986

This last weekend we had Carole's daughter Stephanie and her two children, Maria, Mark and Michael of course, and Carole, Len, Eric, David, Jon and Chris all living at our house and four families in one house is a bit much.   

We had been up to Park City but not much snow till it was time to leave.  Gary and John talked about their Sierra plans.   

Maria and I looked at houses and condos in Del Mar.  I still feel very strongly it would be smartest to sell this house, pay off the mortgages and buy a new, smaller place that would be the size and price I could eventually live in alone.

Gary and Linda are a happy family doing what they should be doing, we enjoyed seeing them.

Michael is a charmer.  He really is into music, moves his head and body to the beat.  Mark and Mark are doing very well, too and are looking to buying their first home this year.   

James is doing well on his mission and had a nice Christmas.  I sent him a little of the Stephen Covey philosophies that I am using in my business.  Perhaps it will help him in the mission field.

We have a great group at Choice Mortgage.  Connie is my right hand and works from 3:30 pm to 9 pm.  She is a secretary at one of the schools during the day.  She also has a part time assistant who is excellent.  I have a new gal Charlotte during the day and she is a really good worker.  We got the accountant's compilation and after all debts, bills, salaries, etc we still had $4000 profit so that is good.  I made very good money this year which has helped terrifically in paying for everything.  It was very good for us to go on our own and leave Jones Mortgage.

But I really want to have less we have to come up with every month.   Living in this house costs $3,000 a month with mortgage, utilities, taxes, maid, gardener, etc and after James goes back to college we really do not need it.  My plan is that in the summer we will strip all the wallpapers, except playroom and paint the house one shade inside so it is not so difficult for someone else to envision living in.  Then I think we should sell and rent while we take our time and find a good place to live.

Sunday School this year is the New Testament and Kaye is an excellent teacher.  I hope to follow along better.

James is getting good experience for being a parent or boss.  Getting others to do what they should is not easy.  Example is still the best teacher and love the best method tempered with discipline.  He seems to do it well as a missionary leader.

Happenings in 1987

News of 1987:

Maria came down and went to Church (La Jolla) with us and then she was tired after Sunday School so I was going home with her and the two babies  but Michael did not want to leave the Nursery--when Sis Jensen tried to move him over to us he defiantly said, "NO!" so I stayed at Relief Society and he got to stay till the end. Sis Hunsaker and Jensen are running the Nursery now and it's very organized and the children really enjoy it!!"

May 1987...Janet wrote to Jimmy(on his mission)..."John was here this weekend and Maria told him and  Ladd about all the letters you sent home so they wanted to read them from your girlfriends.  I told them they were just jealous and they said they were!  Anyway, they are both madly in love with Cathy--says her letters are so witty and full of personality!"

May 1987....Janet wrote to Jimmy..."All is well here, working very hard and paying off debts.  On Friday nights Richard and I go to a movie at Horton Plaza and have a bite to eat after work.  It is a fun, alive place with lots of people watching!

Carole was working at a flower shop today to see how she likes it, won't make much money but, Len still thinks he is going to make $5000 a week.  That would be nice!!!"

"I tell you Jimmy it is a real blessing to know how to work.  I am sure you can appreciate that in working with the other missionaries if you have a laggard or two.  You children area all so great, I want you to know how much Richard and I appreciate being the parents of children who know how to work."

July 1987...Janet wrote to Jimmy..."Maria is really getting me going on fixing up the house.  Yesterday we stripped your bedroom and the downstairs bedroom of their wallpaper...going to paint them white.  We had to steam and scrub, what a job, I'm so tired.  

Michael is such a happy boy all the time it's easy to do things and still tend him.  Maria is making the house child-proof and we're getting ready for Linda being here."

August 1987...Janet wrote to Jimmy..."It has been a zoo with workmen at the house and with Linda and Gary here.  But we do think of you all the time and talk about you--you are so special to us, we love you very much and enjoy hearing about you.  I like the phrase "Pied Piper" that the mission president calls you.  That does seem to fit."

"Meagan is now seeing a doctor about her cholesterol.  She has the same thing as you, John,  Linda and Dad.  Hyperlipoproteinemia, where the body not only doesn't use the cholesterol, it manufactures its own.  Evidently there is pretty good medication for it now and maybe you will all have to go on it.  When you come home we should have you tested again and see how you are doing.  We will see what they tell Meagan.  Anyway I am taking her to the nutritionist for Jennifer so I will see what the new word is.  In the meantime, eat well and stay away from the fats and sugars."

John and Meagan

"Craig is really a happy smiling boy who they feel looks like you!  He is very shy though so I haven't had a chance to get too well acquainted yet.  With all the work being done at our house Linda and Gary are out to El Cajon a lot. 

This last weekend the two workers were putting the tile in the kitchen and the one fellow and the boss had an argument and so they had to bring in someone else to finish and it looks terrible!!!  The rest of the house is looking pretty good excerpt for the shutters are bad, they said they can fix them, we will see.

Christmas 1987

1987  in Illinois

A Traitor Amongst Us and Help-U-Sell, 1987

"The one Mormon agent that was working for us  that I never have liked much and never would have hired if he hadn't persisted. Anyway, we've told him several times if he didn't like the way we did things he could leave. Well, he is leaving, he secretly purchased the Mira Mesa Help-U-Sell Franchise when he knew Dad had wanted it.  You know Dad, he is always so open and upfront about everything.  

Richard feels badly in only that the other man specifically asked that his purchasing be kept secret from Richard.  I think I am a pretty good judge of character.  I had an instant dislike for "his know it all" and "complaining about his last company" attitude.  I sent him to another bank to see about working for them but he kept coming back and really wanted to work with us.  

He and I have had several confrontations and I really held my ground and told him he could leave. Richard said he was amazed at how firm I was with him.  He would always back down and get so sweet and nice.  

We figured he was just waiting till he found out what else he wanted to try. We were right and my processors don't like him either.  I have had to tell him that he cannot tell them what to do or backtalk to them, he had to come to me if he wants something.  He could be so mean to them."

Christmas Card 1988 and Big Move to Rancho Bernardo

No time for photos this year,  We made the big move from La Jolla!!!

After 18 years we left La Jolla and the big house near the sea,
Settled in suburban Rancho Bernardo where the "old folks" tend to be.
The sun shines more and the population is less,
The living is low key and--hopefully, less stress.
However, we still drive into our office each day.
And sell houses and loans to bring home the pay!
We started over in our business just three years ago.
So we won't see retirement for a long time, you know.

Richard had to have bypass surgery last spring,
But thankfully recouped and was soon ready for anything.
In the middle of moving and with work, too.
It was a difficult time but the children helped us through.
Maria and Mark did more than we can tell,
Carried on in the business and did it very well.
Jimmy came home when we called and left all his fun,
Gave up his studies and such till the moving was done.

Craig and Kristi in Chicago in 88

Linda and Gary Pulsipher and their children,t00,
Still, live in Chicago till dental school's through.
Our trip this year was Thanksgiving with them--
Chicago was warm and the trip was a gem!
Played with Kristi and Craig in the neighborhood park
And from Sears Tower saw the lights of Chicago after dark!

The Valkos (Maria and Mark) live in Poway, just down the way,
So we have fun with Matthew and Michael often when they come to play.

John, the CPA is still with Pear, Marwick and Main
And he lives on the coast in El Segundo, not far by train!
His daughter Meagan comes on weekends to RB
To visit us and the clubhouse--swimming you see.

Jimmy is busy schooling in Business at the "Y"
Still loves skiing and girls and is a popular guy!
We're thankful so much for these children we love,
And the five special grandchildren sent from heaven above.

Christmas will be in our new home this year--
Not in shape for skiing at Park City, we fear--
But we're well and thankful for our new little place,
Come over and see us, we still have extra space!

Now to you and yours and your family so fine,
We wish Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in 1989!

Pictures of our house in La Jolla before it was sold.

Our Rancho Bernardo Home, 1988

Richard and I love living in Rancho Bernardo in this cute little house.  It is a great place for us and easy to keep up.

A couple who are buying their first home were out to our house signing some papers.  They had their children with them and they are excited about the new house, too.  The little girl, who is about 10, told us she wanted some curtains in her house just like mine and the little brother agreed!  The girl told me she liked my house, "It is like a china doll house," she said.  Not sure what she meant by that.

I love my little office.  We have an attractive neon light so it is as well-lighted as an office.  I have a nice built-in desk (no computer yet).  I also have a writing and typing desk and Richard has a desk.  It is funny though, in the morning when he makes a lot of calls before he goes to the office, he spreads his papers on the kitchen counter and stands up and calls from the wall phone there--just can't get used to sitting down and using his desk, yet.

Update

"That Mormon agent that was working for me that I did not like and he bought the Mira Mesa Franchise out from under Richard and then he started a loan business along with it doing just what Richard was doing.  

Well, yesterday one of the loan reps from Glenfed was telling me that he and his partner had a big fight and his partner (who knows the loan business and Jim does not) left and started his own company.  They (Glenfed) had been doing a loan for them and closed the loan and did not know which one of them to pay.  They ended up paying Gary and not Jim so now Jim is saying Glenfed owes him money. 

The loan rep was telling me she always felt uncomfortable around him--"he was so arrogant and yet was one of those agents who doesn't want to learn the detail of the business so they can do it right" (my sentiments exactly).  

At any rate, I was feeling very unchristian gleefulness to hear about his plight--he evidently isn't making it with Help-U-Sell and really does not know enough about loans to make a success of that, so maybe he is getting paid back for what he did to Richard.  The loan community is very tight knit and what goes around, comes around."

Business is Good, John's New Car, a Getaway and Grandchildren Pictures, 1988

Winter 1988

Winter 1988...Janet wrote to Mom and Jeanne..."Matthew heard me say "Michael, Michael, Michael" when talking to him the other day so now when he sees Michael he says "Micoll, Micoll, Micoll".  Matthew has had earache problems and is now teething so has had Maria or me up every night for some time.  He is such a happy little fellow it is hard to see him so gloomy."

Winter 1988...Janet wrote to Mom and Jeanne..."John's old Mazda broke down on the way to work the other day so he walked over and bought a new Hyundai, just as well he surely needed a new car...John is very helpful when I have any tax questions from clients.  He is doing very well.  I am hoping to get tickets for "Les Miserables" up there this spring and take him with us."

Winter 1988...Janet wrote to Mom and Jeanne..."Richard and I went up to Big Bear a couple of weeks ago and it was really a nice rest--we love it up there and should plan to go every month to get away.  Richard is the teacher in High Priests and enjoys that very much.  I substitute in Primary and enjoy that, too.

Winter 1988...Janet wrote to Mom and Jeanne..."Lately, Richard has had a few clients come to him from Jones Mortgage and they have said that since Mr Jones retired it is not the same place and Richard's presentations are so much better that they want to do business with him.  Of course, with Richard doing so much loan work he can't be chasing after the real estate agents all the time so they have got to be good.  It is the women who are the best.  One of them likes to do loans and she will be a great asset to me.  I am having hope in the business again. Richard is doing a lot of private loans and my loan business has picked up with the rates going down. " 

Summer 1988

"I gave Linda and Maria some money to buy all five grandchildren matching outfits and get their picture taken together.  I guess it turned out to be a real ordeal.  

First, finding the clothes to match for all different ages from 4 months to seven years and then keeping all of the kids happy and in tow. 

Then when they finally got ready to take the pictures all three babies were unhappy so they had to wander around and try and get them happy. 

Then Michael, who is a doll with a real temper, would not take his picture unless he was holding the box of popcorn and every time they gave it to him, he took it by the wrong end and it dumped all over the floor and he would throw himself on the floor and scream--Linda said she picked up the popcorn three times and he screamed three times before they finally all settled down and smiled for the photographer. 

She said the photography room was really a mess when they left.  So when you get the pix you can appreciate what went into it."