Life's A-Changing, June 1981

I must say I really enjoyed my stint of being Relief Society President in 1978-9 as I had learned to delegate and had so much help.  I know it was hard for my girls though because they often had to fill in and do things I did not have time to do.  Now my life would really change.

Richard really felt the need to use my skills and time in his business to help him rather than to be helping other people all the time.  He was always urging me to get my Real Estate License.  I had resisted as long as I could.  When he opened an office of Jones Mortgage in a building not far from our home in La Jolla, he really needed me to commit to being there full-time.  I took my first class in Real Estate in April 1980.  It was called "Creative Financing in a Tight Money Market" and I completed Anthony School's "Real Estate License Course" in November 1980.

Richard had also gotten into Help U Sell as a way to do the real estate side of the foreclosures on their investment properties for their clients.

Because of all the foreclosures, there was a need to bring in another type of income and Richard was trying to figure that out.  He had traveled to Florida to learn about brokering and he finally brought in a woman to lead them in that direction.  She was charming and knowledgeable about one certain type of loan called the Wrap and used me to type and do things for her.   I still had hope I could help out a little and then go back home. Before I knew it, I had learned too much and there would be no going back...I was definitely in the loan business.  I was not in charge of the A paper loans which go to banks, etc. instead of private individuals.

     Richard wrote a letter to his brother Martin in June of 1981 and spelled out our family and business situation:

Dear Martin and Kathy:

... Economic pressures of interest rates and competition in our business are changing the business dramatically.  I am trying to find where we fit.  It is harder to do business on a profitable basis and we are getting more loans with foreclosure properties.  We have several properties we are taking over through foreclosure sales.  This is a new dimension of our business that we haven't done before.  We are still solvent.

       I have a lot of family in the business.  Family members in the business is a double edge sword.  It is advantageous to have them available so that I can give them direction, but it also places more responsibility on me to make sure they are successful.  I've got Matt Hardy, Linda Hardy, Maria Hardy, John Hardy, Janet Hardy and Richard Stevens who are working in the business.  Vaughn Leavitt is still here and he has his niece from Las Vegas here for a few weeks for the summer.  She is also working in the business, I don't know how long we can keep it up, but it certainly keeps us involved.

     Janet works in the business every day.  It seems our time is well taken.

     Let us know how you are doing, and how your children are faring.   

     

     John and Jennifer bought a spec house on foreclosure in Escondido.  I thought we could get in and out really fast, but it turned out to be more of a problem that we thought.  Now we are trying to get our money out.

     Love,  Richard 

My Views in October 1983

Letter to Mom and Jeanne...

We attended a Seminar in Las Vegas with Mr. and Mrs. Jones put on by the Mortgage Broker's Institute.  It was all about the heavy regulation in the business and the necessity of having all forms and disclosures correctly done.  And, of course, representing things accurately to your clients.  lt was very informative.  Richard is the one who appears to be in charge of this so it was especially important for him.  You can be liable so easily if you do not know what you are doing and saying.

I get very depressed because I do not really like the business and every day l have to be something I am not and it is fatiguing.  There are not many women in this business but there are getting to be more and more.  All of them seem to be somewhat frustrated because of the way things are and just not sure where they are going.  The days of the loan on the house alone are over and credit on the borrower is getting more and more important.  It is good we have learned how to broker FNMA loans but I was really inspired, I think, on the way over to Vegas with an idea for the business.   Richard and Jones are both excited about implementing it immediately.  Richard makes me feel so necessary that I can't even think of quitting even if I could make money doing something else.  Sometimes I get so miserable I think I can't possibly go through another day but I pray about it and something always keeps me going and makes me feel enthused again for a while until I get discouraged again. 

One day you can be working on a million dollars in loans and the next day you have lost most of them for one reason or another.  There is so much competition in the business and it has changed so much--that is why everyone is so discouraged and then, of course, the foreclosures.  A lot of the seminar was about the foreclosures. etc.  You have to be somewhat aggressive in this business to make it and it is just not my nature but you can be that way if you have too--it is just hard, I would so much rather be doing something else.  And I feel so bad that I am such a bad homemaker and never have any decent meals on.

Speaking of meals, Richard and I kept eating the buffet there--twice a day--much too much food as you can imagine but cheaper than the restaurant and very good.  They had apple cobbler that I wish I knew how to make--and I think it was like your bread pudding with apples and raisins in it and a little juicier--where would I find that recipe??

Jimmy was home working on a research paper when I got home--he has taken a real interest in doing his school work this year.  John had had him using some of John's college books to read and Jimmy did very well with his paper.

Instead of going to a  show this year at Vegas, they are all the same and so expensive, we took $20 to play on the dollar slot machine and the last dollar I won $20 more and then we played and played for about a half hour and went home with $65.  l should have quit when I had a hundred!  I have never won like that before but they say the dollar machines are the best to play.  I should send some to Maria for her birthday, I know she likes school, but she really liked working and having her own money!

Jimmy is working as a photographer for the yearbook and tomorrow he and his friend are being disc jockeys at school, I do not know if that is for a long or just a one-time thing.  He does get out and do a variety of things and enjoys life.  He was nominated "Class Flirt".  He has also been doing some construction work but I wish he would keep working at Sea World,  he just doesn't like work all day Saturdays and Sundays, which I can understand.

Every time I come back to San Diego I realize what a gorgeous city it is,  Las Vegas is so ugly I can't believe it.  Lots of loan rate sheets waiting for me when I came back and I need to get them all looked at and in my notebook before tomorrow or it will never get done.

Thanks for sending me the money but I do intend to send it back, you need it as much as we do I am sure.  I have got to be careful not to call you when I get depressed.  I do wish I had someone to talk to, there just is no one,  it only makes Richard feel worse to talk about the problems and now Maria is gone and Linda is so far away and I see no one in the Church anymore except the young gals in Primary.

Christmas Card 1983

 Well, it's been a strange and wonderful Christmas!  We began with Christmas Eve on December 22 so Jimmy could be a part of it.  He and three friends left for Park City on the 23rd and are having a skiing holiday.

     Meagan, who continues to delight us, performed "Up on the Housetop" this year, with accompanying actions.  She also helped with the Christmas baking this year and wrapping of presents.  3 1/2 is a wonderful age!

     Maria arrived home from Utah and immediately prepared all kinds of Christmas goodies to give away.  Maria always makes Christmas fun and festive.  We are happy to have her back for a while...she is doing away with the poverty student routine and getting a real job...hopefully, in our mortgage business, she is a real dynamo at getting things done.

     John will be joining Jimmy for skiing also.  He is continuing his studies at San Diego State, working on his MBA!  We're very proud of John's graduation from UCSD with a very high-grade point average this last spring.  He received a Bachelor of Arts in History with a Minor in Literature.  (When John was once asked what he could do with a History Degree, he said he could make good conversation while standing in the Unemployment Line.)

     The most precious Christmas gift of all was delivered December 23 during the Holiday Bowl game (at a hospital) of course).  Kristi Marie Pulsipher made her debut into the world with both sets of grandparents and numerous aunts and uncles cheering from the hallway.  She is a real beauty and we are all looking forward to lots of baby tending.  Linda and Gary did a super job and will somehow jostle parenting, schooling, and earning a living.



     Richard is talking seriously about exercising and is continuing to sell all the foreclosure properties his business acquired during the economic slump we have had in San Diego.




     Janet lost and gained innumerable pounds this year and decided to go au naturale (grey hair).  She continues to be fully enmeshed in the very hectic, pressured world of commissioned loan officer but has managed to survive and even succeed--much to her surprise. 

     We enjoy hearing from you even though our cards don't go out every year like they used to do...Have a very Happy New Year!

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

Note written on Christmas Card to Mom:

We're off to Park City for a few days--never did hear back from Carole--be fun if they could come. 

Meagan says, "Grandma is going to Utah for a rest!"  I closed 18 escrows on Thursday and Friday I had all my other 8 loans approved!  So I am tired and need a rest.

The problem with this business is you're always in the middle of some others,  no rest.

Linda's Kristi is a doll and Linda feels really good.  

Enclosed is $500 I owe you--thanks so much.  We surely needed it.  

Jo Anne (my working partner) is so depressed I feel sorry for her.  She sees how neat our kids are and what a different life she has led and what problems she has because  of that and she's not making it moneywise besides.    

But we have been blessed and I appreciate so much our solid beginning from y and Dad.  We love you very much!  I didn't do well on the Christmas gift,  I never do,  I'll look for something else!

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

Business Update:

Since Richard Jones retired, Bill and Amy and Richard are at logger heads as to how the business is to be run.  We have agents doing the A paper loans, a couple in La Mesa office and a couple in La Jolla office and I supervise the whole operation.   But Amy and Bill do not understand that side of the business at all and there are and have been a lot of Richard's family involved in the business, which is good, but they are probably concerned about it all.  It has become very ugly.

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.

Business is Going Well! 1986

1986 is going to be as hectic as last year with everyone wanting to refinance and all sources strained it appears, but all is well at the moment.  Richard and I are feeling good and believe it or not Richard had a hot dog at Price Club and said he didn't like it!!! 

I had some really difficult problems on my loans this week though.  I asked the Lord to help me and we did get them done!!  When I went out to one of the Lender's where Dan Northcutt from our Stake works he told me he was amazed and said he had told the girls working for him that I could never pull it off,  but I did.   

I had one borrower in Austria on a ski trip who would be back three days late for the other borrower to be able to close and I had another borrower who could not qualify and since each person was buying the other person's house (three houses, four couples involved) everything had to work and if it didn't I would have felt very responsible because two of the borrowers were mine.  Thank the Lord we worked hard, negotiated with everyone and got the one in Austria to fly back early and got one borrower to pay extra to get a buydown so the lender would approve him and it all turned out ok.  

On another deal on a loan we had worked on for three months we had finally funded and were going to close the next day when the escrow officer called and said we were $19,100 short and the borrower had said he did not have any money to bring in and the lender had said they could not lend him any more and if we did not have it by morning the whole deal would fall through and the property would be foreclosed on. Payments were not being made and they could not see that the taxes were paid though and for some reason it did not show up till right at the the last minute.  We were panicking for about 15 minutes when the borrower called up and said his bank was opening up special for him to get a cashiers check and it closed.  So we had some close ones but we closed them and were paid!! 

We have about 25 loans going and it is so hard to keep up with it all but at least we can pay the bills and keep moving ahead.  This Saturday I taught four of the Help You Sell agents about financing and they said said they really learned a lot and enjoyed the class.  They are pretty good to refer loans to me.  Since brokers have become a thing now and not everything being done by the banks the real estate agents have a lot to learn!

Went by mistake to 7th Ward last week and they were having a Farewell for Johnny Rasimas to the Tonga Mission.  His sister Michelle is very vivacious and gave a good talk.  Donna Moncrief is so pretty and she gave a good talk and the father did also.   

Linda wrote that they are having problems with mice in Chicago and need D-Con!  We know all about mice from problems we had!!!

Maria and Mark are moving in here.  Most of the time baby Michael is very relaxed and a chubby, jolly fellow.  

James is doing well on his mission! 

We just realized that Brother and Sister Squires who were at the MTC when James was there are relatives!

News of the Children and Grandchildren, 1986

 Jimmy writes such great letters,  his "big" spirit lifts us all.  I need to take his advice and live the gospel and be happy.  So often I feel sorry for my role in life when I should be grateful the Lord has blessed me with a good mind and ability to do loans.  I had my biggest month ever.  $8900!!  It helped to pay a few bills but we still have a  lot more to go and unwinding from Jones.

We are starting a new company asap so we can get paid on both sides, by summer we will probably be on our own for better or worse.

I decided it would be smart to sell this big house eventually and to buy a new smaller free and clear with cash and not have to work so hard.  I think I would like to live where there is more openness.

This last month I worked every day from 6 am to 10 pm and caught a bug and went to the doctor today to try and get well.  Had to give up my walks with Jean but hope to be back tomorrow or next day at it.

I put Jimmy's stereo in my bedroom and really enjoy the good music so much.

Mom enjoyed a letter from Jimmy.  Glendive won the state championship in basketball again, 4 out of 5 years. Hunter plays on the team!

Mary is sending us all a plan that I had suggested originally on setting a time for each family at the cabin so hopefully we will all use it.

John did not come home this weekend but Linda and Gary were here.  Gary is doing well.  Linda's cooked us all dinner and does all very well.    Kristi is very petite and she and Meagan play well together though Meagan gets a little frustrated because Kristi is not quite old enough for some things.   

Meagan gets more beautiful all the time with her silky brown hair and brown eyes,  Kristi looks like a pixie and Michael looks a lot like Jimmy did as a baby though his eyes seem much bluer.   He laughs and smiles all the time and has big dimples like Mark.  

Jimmy says his leg is getting stronger, he has surely had a challenge with that. 

Jimmy's bank statement show he spent a lot last month, he must be eating well!

                          Meagan, Kristi and Zack

Choice Mortgage, 1986-1996

These are some of the ads and letters that we used in Choice Mortgage.  But I found the best advertisement was word of mouth.  If you do well, your name gets passed on to friends and workers and soon you have clients that call you.

I remember one of the agents we were training wondered why I never had to cold call for clients, that is why because I had built up a good reputation for doing a good job and your name gets passed on.

The mortgage broker business was new in the mid-eighties.  People went to their bank for a loan.  That was all they knew.  But when banks started selling their loans into the secondary market such as FHLMC and FNMA a whole new business was opened up for independent brokers like ourselves.  I learned right along with all the others in San Diego learning a new business.  It was one time when my curious mind opened up a whole new life and career for me.  

Richard never did learn the secondary market of first grade mortgages.  He stuck with the second mortgage side of the business, making loans with individuals who had money to invest and wanted a higher interest rate than they could get at banks, etc.

One person was very frustrated with all the information we needed to get from them.  So I wrote the following to my clients.  Richard and I were both meticulous about sending out referral letters to old clients.  And it worked.  At one time I had so many nice letters that I received complimenting me on my good work.  Of course, there were a few that did not turn out so well, too. 

 And at the beginning when I was learning, there was the shysters who stole my loans away.  I learned a lot from guys already ahead of me in the business.  Most guys like to share their knowledge and I appreciated soaking it up.  But there are always those who take advantage as well.  I learned.  I toughened.

This was an advertisement for the kind of business that Richard did and his clients loved him.  He would stop at their home and tell them what was available for them and really had a personal relationship with all of them. 

This was Suzanne, a very faithful secretary to Richard.  She followed him over from Jones Mortgage when he left.  So did Candy, I don't have her picture.  Both were very good workers and served Richard very well.

 

Richard's nephew came to work for Richard with the promise that if he could do well in commission only sells, Merrill Lynch would hire him, and Richard gave him that opportunity.  He did very well and left for Merrill Lynch.

Some of the agents Richard tried to train.  Some made it.  Some did not.  Commission only business is very hard and not for every one.

Here was our rock, he was such a great teacher of the computer, a great helper in everything that was needed.  He really loved working with Richard and was so sad when Richard passed away.  

He was my greatest help at learning the computer.  Later we all took classes but at first there were none.  I was fortunate in that a loan processing developer told me he would teach me the computer if I would use his program.  I did and he did and it was a mutual good thing for both of us.  But he often became frustrated with my literal approach and inability to listen well to instructions.  His favorite phrase was "the computer is not forgiving".  

The Fuquas are Here!!, 1986

All the Fuquas are here, 15 people here this weekend! Gary has returned to Chicago  and Linda will be having her baby soon.

Eric has already had his car stolen, put the keys under his carpet and window open, etc.  Kathy (John's friend) was nice enough to meet Hunter before registration at La Jolla High.  

The middle bedroom facing the ocean we took the wooden shutters down and putting up mini-blinds, such a beautiful view and so light in there.  Linda and Kristi are staying in there.

Richard sold three houses this weekend and we funded almost a million dollars in my loans this month!!

J I Earl News, Linda and Baby News, 1986

Richard wrote to James and one of the things he told him was that I was working hard and very effectively.    He said I was extremely capable and  have proven to be a real sophisticated business person. Wow!

Although it was tedious to separate from Jones we now have eight of us, two computers, two memory writers as well as three typewriters and a large copier.  

A large company just bought out Help U Sell,  we think this will give us a boost and help us build the business more effectively.

The J I Earl family is in the midst of compiling a a book detailing the life and posterity of Joseph Ira Earl, son of Sylvester Henry Earl.  Sylvester was the one who joined the Church, was in Nauvoo, and trekked to Salt Lake.  So Richard is busy gathering information on the children and grandchildren of his Mother,  Vida Earl Hardy.  Sounds like a big job. but Richard will make assignments and gather it in, he is good at that.  Ken Earl and his wife Ludeen Earl are going around the country and gathering pictures and information for the book.  He is son of Kenny and Verdie and Kenny was the son of J I.  Ken has a law practice in Moses Lake, not sure if he retired or just taking the time to do it.

Linda had her baby September 11 and I flew out with her and Kristi and baby Craig.  We keep calling him Michael by mistake.  Linda and Gary are renting a roomy, old house and Gary rides a motor scooter to school.  Some other dental students in the ward gave Linda a little shower.  It is interesting how Church people are the same all over, they look the same and talk the same.  Linda has high blood pressure though so she's going to have to slow down, she has things perfect all the time, such a worker.

Downtown Chicago is very alive and busy.  I was surprised at how hot and muggy it is though.  

The work is going well with Jimmy on his mission and we are so proud of the example he is setting and we're doing well on getting the bills paid.   

Eric and Hunter went back to Glendive to go to school, it was frustrating to start over in a big city.  Carole is reassessing what she is going to do, she can work here but she doesn't like techy work so will see.

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.

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."

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." 

James and Camber Are Getting Married!! 1992

In a letter to Jeanne and Mom in early 1992 I am telling them all the big news!

It's a Match!

I really got the giggles talking to Jimmy on the phone last night.  They are making lots of  wedding plans.  First there is an engagement party at Sun Dance in April for all their college friends and relatives in Utah, very casual with fruit, cake and punch.  Then they will marry in the Los Angeles Temple in August  with a honeymoon in Cancun and coming back and spending time at Big Bear.  

Camber is planning on going to Carlson Travel School and her parents will pay for that and James is going to work at Choice Mortgage, commission only.  He has been doing insurance along with college and wants to do that, too.  Work in the financial world and he thinks he will have a great client base.  

I said, "You are both starting jobs, but you plan on a two week vacation?  Where are you getting the money to go to Cancun?  Everyone is having such money problems here and Jimmy still hasn't figured out how to have regular money coming in yet so it really struck my funny bone!

But it is more scary than funny, I hope it works out, I really do.  Love conquers all, right?

Our financial work is pretty scary right now, the houses are not selling, rates are up so loans are down and it is one hard day after another with no certainty about anything.  There are so many people out of work down here.

Yesterday I talked to a young man from our ward who moved to Pleasant Grove and was just home for a visit.  He is working in software up there and said you would never know there was a recession in Utah County.

We are having such a hard time trying to lose weight!!!  One of our clients gave us gift certificates for Hungry Hunter so we had filet mignon the other night, it was heavenly.  Plus my sweet tooth has returned, always craving something.

California has never looked so beautiful since I came in 1956. it is green everywhere, my backyard is gorgeous with lush green lawn and spots of pink and purple.  I am planning on take Kristi, Craig, and Meagan to Disneyland on Thursday before the So Cal special is over,  but if it is still raining I am afraid we will not be able to go.  I've never seen so much rain!

There is an interesting lawsuit down here.  There are several corporations in the So California area who are run by Mormons and one young man who had been working at SCI is claiming discrimination because he was fired and our children's former Seminary Teacher took his place.  He says the boss ( A Mormon Stake President) had invited him to many socials and tried to get him involved with the Mormon Church and Mormon girls and the company like only Mormons to work for them because 10% of their salary went to tithing, which he figured would have been $207,000 out of the company last year.  He says he was fired because he did not join the Church.  It will be interesting to see if he gets anywhere with the suit.  Have you ever heard of anything like this???

Meanwhile I have really sharp gal working for me in the day part time.  However, if I do not get more loans in, I doubt I can keep her!  It is a really tough market down here right now.