Janet's San Diego Scene, Part 2 -- from Mortgage Broker to Widow: 1999-01-17

Silver Wedding Anniversary, October 23, 1984, La Jolla, Ca

Our children organized a Silver Wedding Anniversary party and sent out invitations and somehow about 50 people showed up to our home on Sugarman Court in La Jolla on a Tuesday night.

We must have eaten before the guests came and taken pictures.

This is the note I found in the Anniversary Book about the preparation.

"Well, the kids did a super job--mostly Maria's organization--she is something else!! By noon the next day she had a book all completed for me with pictures and everything about the Anniversary Party--about 50 came which I was amazed at on a Tuesday night--Sherry did a beautiful fruit bowl--Linda and Jennifer, meat and cheeses and rolls -- there was a beautiful cake and punch--Connie, my loan processor, had a delicious Mexican dip--sending recipe, it was really a hit. John had taped music--they gave me a beautiful engraved tray. Enclosed are copies of pix taken before the party. Love, Janet " ( it must have been a letter to my Mom)

There were 14 cards in my book that had been mailed by out of towners.

Connie, my processor, and Sherry, my niece, and her son Zack. Connie was a San Diego City school secretary but would work with me after school. We worked very well together and became great friends. Sherry lived with us after she graduated from high school until she married. They divorced and Sherry and Zack came back to live with us. Richard had taught her the business and it was a good place for her to be until she got on her feet.

These gifts were listed:

Silver Platter from Maria, John, Linda, Gary, Jim, Sherry

Silver Frame from Jennifer and Meagan

Birds of Paradise from Nelia and family

Flowers from Arky and Marilyn

Plant from Candy

Silver tongs and sliver spoon and fork from the Fiorenza's

Chocolate Bar from JoAnne

See's Candy from Ron

This was at a time when we were working round the clock so here are a few interesting messages from cards.

My Mom.-"With Much Love, wish I could be there but I will be in Spirit. My best wishes for the next 25 years. Have some fun!"

"You've survived the test of time and I might say most graciously."

Candy-"For today well-lived makes yesterday a dream of happiness and tomorrow a vision of hope."-the Sanskirt

We opened presents after everyone left.

The girl's friend Patty.

John's friend John in the background.

Linda's daughter Kristi and Sherry's son Zack.

About the Business 1984

In late 1984 everything began to fall apart when Richard and his partners had strong differences of opinion as to the direction the business would take. For one thing, the partners did not understand the first trust deed side of the business that I and other agents were into and so the partners decided to close the La Jolla Office. Certainly, I could understand when we are not making money things have to be done but we had finally trained a "full-time processor" (very time consuming) had good calls coming into the La Jolla office and with some good agents could really have made it go. I figured out how much I alone made for Jones Mortgage and I was covering the cost of the office.

When the office was closed without so much as a word to me after giving so much time and effort (never compensated for), I felt it would be best if I worked where I was just bringing in income and not involved in donating my time for someone else. By this time I had sold whatever assets I had to keep us going. Our house was fully mortgaged, there was not enough income to cover 1/3 of our expenses, our personal life was a disaster, and my frustrations were greater than ever--of the two "best " opportunities I had, I guess I chose the wrong one. If I had gone with Fouts, retired football player who was starting his mortgage company and asked me to join him, I would perhaps have stayed there, however...

At La Jolla Newport it was great for a while. They bought me a new desk, a Xerox memory typewriter and all I had to do was bring loans in--all processing was done by them--they were completely computerized. Everything was great, except the way they treated clients and other agents. They were very kind to me, but... I finally could not work any longer where clients were intimidated and spoken nastily to, and put down, mostly because Don, as smart as he was, had serious problems. Because of their attitudes, they cost me at least $3000, but I did earn over $3000 net in the two months I was there anyway. After I left I again could have gone straight to Fouts or ICA or who knows. I didn't try to go anyplace, but the opportunities were there.

What I did is work from home for awhile but the plan was forming to split with Jones Mortgage.

So with the situation the way it was, Richard eventually split with Jones Mortgage and we formed our own company, Choice Mortgage Inc. and began to look for an office. Two of the Jones employees followed Richard and one of the LJN employees followed me. The partners in La Mesa accused Richard of possibly leaving them with liabilities and doing things for himself when he opened the La Jolla office when actually his whole time and effort had been spent in trying to make Jones Mortgage work. All our personal life had been completely turned upside down because of his financial involvement in Jones and his working all hours of the day and night to see properties and collect rent, etc. and then they accused him. It was unbelievable to me.

I do think his partners were probably not happy that so many of Richard's relatives were working in the business. It certainly was a challenge to see that everybody got the income they needed. So many problems, it is hard to know for sure what the right solution was but a new office and business is what we did.

Maria and Mark Elope, Christmas 1984 and Other News from the Year!

No Christmas card this year, in a disaster zone as far as the business is concerned and Maria and Mark eloped!!! So I do not know what I am doing about now. Maria saw Mark at the cash register at a local store and had us check him out. Next thing they were dating and then went to visit Jimmy at BYU and came back married! We had a dinner and cake celebration with friends at a restaurant at UTC and I can't find any of the pictures!!!!

They both appear very happy, came to the L J office to share the news with me. What a huge surprise!!!

The only pictures I have of us at Christmas are of Kristi, Linda and Gary; John and Meagan. Good grief, hope we do better next year!

John poses with Meagan in her Dance Costume

Meagan at '84 Christmas

News from earlier this year is that my friend Carla from Glendive is also in the financial business!!! She is a financial consultant for Shearson/American Express. This, after all her years in the music business and then as music professors in a private school.

Evidently the Wall Street firm is experimenting with teaching highly educated individuals (Carla has her Doctorate) to be financial consultants and use their contacts as clients.

News about the Silver Gate Cabin. I suggested to Dick sometime ago that we start having family times scheduled every year and that all families contribute to the cost and the ownership of the cabin goes into a Trust for all the heirs to use from now on. I think we are all on board to finally make it happen.

Business is Good but Always Problems and Miriam's Family revisited, 1985

I lost my calculator again!!! So I will have to buy another one. I have about 22 loans working right now, with only about 5 of them iffy that may fall out, that's over two million in loans!! I have been up till midnight every night and then up early.

Maria has had a kidney infection and been really sick so I've been running there, too. Her medicine cost $59 and I cannot use my insurance for it, bummer. I kind of hope they will decide to move back here and save some money. Maria says their home teacher calls them a lot and Mark is playing on their basketball team so that part is better than our ward.

Richard and I went to Seegmiller's for a Swiss Sunday night supper and it was potatoes with melted cheese over it, so good.

Richard turned his ankle today. Did not go in to the Doctor, called Kunzman but he wasn't there so he has been limping, do not know how he can go to Knott's Berry Farm with us.

I have been so busy I haven't even been able to buy a turkey yet, etc. Guess we'll have one Sunday at least. Meagan is spending the weekend. Maria's baby Michael was 14 lbs 10 oz at 2 months and he is solid as a rock!

Mark's car broke down and then my plymouth had something in the carburetor causing problems, just one thing after another!! But I did give a pretty good lesson in R S on Sunday on marriage. I envy James on his mission having classes all day, just learning more and more.

Susan Degn called and said they all love Escondido.

Things are so hectic, rates are down and everyone wants to refinance, don't blame them. A couple guys are getting foreclosed out and time is pressing. Richard is still having problems with Jones Mortgage but otherwise we are doing ok.

We are going to Knotts Berry Farm for Thanksgiving!!!

......................................................................

In 1974, Miriam, wife of Richard's brother Scott (death in 1962), remarried to Don and this is a picture of the family 11 years later.

Major Events in 1985 and Christmas and Christmas Card 1985

Park City, UT--January--Meagan learns to ski--Fun Trip!

Provo, UT--April 19--Jimmy and his bicycle collided with a garbage truck and spends six months recuperating at home

La Jolla, CA--May-- Mark, Gary, John, and Jimmy convert surf house to playhouse!

Big Bear, CA--July--Much needed vacation at Lagonita Lodge

Forest Park, Illinois--Move in September, Gary, Linda, and Kristi are at Loyola Dental School

Austin, TX--Sherry and son Zack move to Austin, Texas as Sherry secured a job in the loan business using the experience she has gained in La Jolla.

San Diego, CA--September 12--Michael Aston Valko born, Maria and Mark are the proud parents.

Glendive, MT--November--Janet's brother Dick passes away--Janet joins her family for a loving tribute. The funeral was very nice. Dave told about when they were young in the depression with one bicycle for two boys and doing the paper route for years. Marilyn and Jeanne gave the prayers at the funeral, Carole gave the prayer before the funeral and I gave the prayer at the viewing the night before.

Everyone was taking it all really well but it is scary to Mary and Cheri and Jeff to have the whole responsibility of the store. Right next door to the store Dick had just bought the building and got other merchants to come in. The rent will be about $3000 a month to Mary so if they can keep the merchants in there it should be good. It is called Anderson's Mini-Mall and he got a Citizen of the Month Award for bringing new life into downtown when the town is so depressed.

Dick and Mary

We gathered at Mary's house in Glendive, Montana

Dave and Dorothy

Carole, Marilyn, and Janet with Mom. Arky and Rod's wife and baby.

Remaining Anderson children with Mom

Carole and Len with their boys

Marilyn and Arky, Jeanne, Mary, Mom, Dorothy and Dave, Janet and Carole, Len and their boys

La Jolla, CA--November--Jimmy set apart as an Elder and at same time President Kimball passes away.

Jimmy traveled all over Europe after High School graduation and attended ski school in Austria and Italy with a rich friend and so was able to be on the BYU ski team. Just before trying to get ready for a spring ski trip to Colorado, he was hit by a BYU garbage truck while riding his bicycle. He received severe head injury and damage to his tibia.

While mending for 6 months he prepared for a mission and left last month for Colorado Mission. He was not able to go abroad because of possible head seizures and need for leg physical therapy.

Boulder, CO--November--Jimmy arrives at first city to serve on his mission!

San Diego, CA--December--John finishes graduate school at San Diego State. He is looking for a job

Los Angeles, CA--John begins his new career as a Tax Accountant with Peat, Marwick, Main and Co.

San Diego, CA--December--We are putting Maria in as Operations Manager, in charge of keeping all supplies bought and forms printed, turning the garage room into a mailroom, etc. We just have to get more organized and get Richard to spending his time doing the right things. We are also cleaning and reorganizing the Clairemont office for better looks and efficiency.

Christmas in La Jolla