OCTOBER
1 October 1978 Sunday
There was no church today because of Conference . I am still
fighting a cold and Fran and I just snuggled up all day long. Of course where
ever Fran and I are, Sam has to put his cold black nose nearby. Linda Suazo
will come home from the hospital tomorrow. There's nothing in the news except
the Camp David Accords. the weather is very fall like now with lots of color
everywhere. I would like to go up into the canyons before winter sets in.
.jpg) |
| Linda Erickson Fillman Suazo |
2 October 1978 Monday I got a call to
substitute but I told them I was too
sick to go in. I am still running a fever and cold sores on my lips. I'm really
a mess. Fran went into work, however.
3 October 1978 Tuesday
The district didn't call me today. They must have thought I
was still sick. Fran went to work though. Linda is home with baby now, although
I don't think I should go over there until I am over my cold.
4 October 1978 Wednesday
The district called me into
substitute at Tooele High School for Mrs. Angus 12th Grade English. It
was a very simple day with little to do. Afterwards I walked over to the Tooele
Library and checked out a book on Baby names. Fran was late picking me up so I
was a bit worried. She had taken the car back to Clines Tuesday to get the paint scratch removed but
they still weren't ready by tonight. So they've given her a Datsun pick-up truck
for a loaner.
5 October 1978 Thursday
There isn't any school today because of a teacher's
conference. If I would have known that I would have dragged my butt to school
last Monday so I would have taught as I will be off these next two days. Anyway I went into the city with Fran and
went to the genealogical library. I am
writing up Christian Fenter's family history and I needed to look up a couple
of census records and marriage dates. I spent most of the day at the library
except for going to Brighton Bank to make a deposit so we could pay this
month's rent or at least half of it. The
crusher news of the day however was later when I called Clines to see about the
car and they said that our check for
$300 from Walkers Bank hadn't cleared
the bank. I called Fran to find out what
is going on. She was just as upset and
said the bank said the check was probably in transit between Walker and
Brighton. Anyway I thought we couldn't do anything until we balance the check
book . When I did we found out that we were about $200 over drawn from checks
not written down by Fran. It was like a heavy weight had just fallen down on
me. How could we come up with $300 by tomorrow to pay for the car's
deposit? When we went to bed we were
very depressed and melancholy. It was a horrendous burden. By 6 tomorrow
evening we have to come up with $300 or
lose the car.
6 October 1978 Friday
We were up pretty
early to be in Salt Lake by 8 so we could find a financial company to loan us
$300. Fortunately we found one open at 8:30, The Metropolitan and we
applied for a loan. Later in the
day after our credit was checked we were
approved but only with a cosigner! Who could we get to co-sign on such short notice? We tried J R Peacock
but he was out on a job and never did call us bac until later that night. We finally decided that Lionel and Linda
would be our next best bet so we drove back out to Grantsville and finally
things started to go right. Lionel would home and off work in time to drive us
back in to the city to co-sign the loan papers before the finance company
closed at 6. he also git paid today and gave us $300 in cash to pay Clines and
we gave him a check from the money we were borrowing. . It all worked out as we
were in the city by 5:15, picked up Fran and hurried to the Loan company. We
got there at 5:30 and filled out the forms. We finished just as they were closing. The we drove to Clines to pay them
$300 and pick up the Datsun. It was so good to have the car back. But Fran
wasn't completely satisfied with the job the paint job they did and also they couldn't find the keys. Thank
goodness I had an extra set. We took Lionel over to a Church Welfare Project
where he said he would help them load potatoes. We really owe Lionel one big
time. We didn't get home until about 8. It's like a big weight has been lifted
. We actually borrowed $00 for two years and will end up paying back $600.
7 October 1978 Saturday
Now Fran is sick with
the cold I had. I think the stress wore her down. She stayed in bed all day to
catch up on he r rest and drank lots of fluids while I cleaned the house and
did up the laundry. I had to go into Slat Lak to deposit our check at Brighton
Bank> that is such a long drive into the city. When I returned for the rest
of the day we just snuggled in after I
got the laundry done. Fran and I just finished reading the God Father and we
are now reading Gone With the wind. a little at a time.
8 October 1978
Sunday
We went to our new
ward house chapel today. They are finally letting us use it. I went to priesthood at 8 but when I came
home Fran was still really sick so I stayed home with her the rest of b the day
and snuggled with her. We read The Sunshine Soldier for most of the day. Yesterday was her sister Kathy Helton's
birthday and Fran called her. Dean is still in Chicago getting training for his job at IBM. Last
Sunday Fran called her home in Kasson and all her other sisters Mickey, Connie,
and Julie had come home for a surprise to their mother. It really bummed her out that she wasn't
there. She had called Kathy to tell her about it. No news from Home is good
news I guess. I wrote a poem October Winds are new and clear, Thy seep the land
for Halloween. They snatch the leaves from the trees , Then soften down to the
faintest breeze. they bring a warning nip of frost, Reminding birds that
summer's lost, Than gently shoo the flocks away Before the winter winds come to
stay.
9 October 1978 Monday
This morning I was called into work in Grantsville
Elementary in 2nd grade. I kind of enjoyed it. They have such a sweet
trusting spirits at that age. I wonder
what we do to destroy it. I was off work
by 3:30 and by the time I walked the two miles home it was 4. Fran had to work late tonight and
didn't get home until 10. She gave her two weeks’ notice also since we decided
it wasn't practical to keep driving that long distance into Salt Lake City.
Besides if I didn't teach in Grantsville
on the night she worked late in the city,
I wouldn't be able to work in Tooele at all as the library closes at 8:30 and
Fran would be home until 10. It was a pretty day today with lots of color and
was fairly warm.
10 October 1978 Tuesday
This morning I was
called at 7:30 to teach boy's PE at
Tooele's Junior Hugh. That was kind of a unique experience. I mainly
supervised games of soccer and no one
class was much of a problem Although the 8th grade boys are a bit mouthier than
the 7th graders. After school, I walked over to the Tooele public library which
was about a mile away but before that I walked to the medical building where I
had my stitches removed from my left wrist. At the library I worked on writing
up the Fenter family history, getting it prepared to be typed up. Fran picked
me up at 7:15 with Richard Namenworth, which was a surprise. He spent the night
on the couch.
11 October 1978
Wednesday
I was called back to Tooele to teach Metal Shop this time. I
didn't like this class at all and won't take the assignment again. Mainly the
same mouthy boys I had yesterday. I was glad when the day ended and again I
went to the Tooele Library to wait for
Fran to pick me up at 7. At home I fixed Tacos for dinner. Fran and I decided
to go to California for Christmas instead of to North Carolina. It’s just too
far to go for a week and too expensive. It was a warm day again.
12 October 1978 Thursday
I am back at Tooele again but this time at West Elementary
where I taught 3rd grade. I like the elementary
school at Grantsville better than Tooele's but I like Toole's high
school system better than Grantsville. Elementary takes more of your time and
energy that secondary does. The 3rd
graders are little more worldly and cynical than the 2nd graders. At the Public
Library I read Until Death Do Us Part by Vicent Bugliosi until Fran came to
pick me up. We went to King's Chicken for dinner but brough tit home to eat.
Poor Sam just goes crazy to see us come
home.
13 October 1978 Friday
Today is Friday the 13th but nothing extreme happened
according to the old superstition. I taught 3rd grade again at West elementary and it was a fun
day. For an art project I had the kids make black construction paper bats with
wings tied to string so they could fly them. When the day was over one of the
little girls came up and hugged me. Today was payday and in the mail I received
some of Dennis Wach's genealogy from his Grandmother about the Wach's family
tree.
14 October 1978 Saturday
We went into Salt
Lake City early this morning to deposit our checks in the bank. I went to the genealogy
library to look up census records on the Wach's family from Evansville,
Indiana. We came home, Fran finished
cleaning the house while I did some shopping and doing the laundry. We went to
bed fairly early from getting up early this morning.
15 October 1978 Sunday
I was up at 7 this
morning to attend Priesthood at 8 in the new Chapel. During Priesthood , none
of the instructor showed up so I
volunteered to give the lesson. I mainly talked
off the cuff about genealogical research. Between Sunday School and Sacrament, Kay
Wiker and Scott Draper dropped by to see us from Salt Lake. We had the go with
us over to Lionel and Lida Suazo for dinner.
Over there I made some Halloween decorations for the kids. It was a
rather cool day and this evening the Harvest Moon was just bright and
beautiful. This morning while I was at Priesthood, my Uncle RL called and Fran
said he was coming up to Utah next week and wanted to visit with us next
Friday.
16 October 1978 Monday
The School District office called and wanted me to teach at
Central Elementary's 6th grade as the
Teacher there was made the principal of Dugway Elementary. So I will be subbing
in his class until they find a
replacement. It was hard om the students
to have their teacher Mr. Segura leave at the beginning of the year like
that. It fills them with anxiety having
a new teacher so I am trying to relieve that
as much as possible. It took most of the day to understand Mr. Segura’s
class maintenance system but I think I finally
got it. During craft time, I had the kids make bats out of construction
paper ad I think they had fun with that.
After school, I stayed and made a new bulletin board geared towards Halloween as I am going to be
the classroom teacher for a while. On it I made a graveyard with tombstone cut
outs that I had the students write their
own epitaphs. It turned out rather neat.
After school I walked over to the Tooele library and stayed there until
7 when Fan came to pick em up. We didn't get home until 7:30. We didn't have
much of a day together because by the
time we fixed dinner and settled down after Walkin g Sam it's time to go to
bed.
17 October 1978 Tuesday
I taught 6th Grade
again from 8:15 until 3:30. I stick around after school until about 5 or 6 to
make lesson plans, type or read. Then I went over to the Tooele Library to wait
for Fran to pick me up at 7.
18 October 1979 Wednesday
I only taught school half day because on Wednesday they let
out school early for LDS Primary. So I typed up family history on the Fenters
until 6 when then I walked over the
library. I stayed up late making pumpkin
-face cupcakes
19 October 1979 Thursday
I subbed from 8:15 until 3:30 again and I am starting to get into a routine
now and feeling like the classroom is mine now. Our check protection card came
in the mail today so no more bounced checks hopefully with our Master Card from
Brighton Bank.
20 October 1978 Friday
I had to be at work
at 7:30 this morning because school got out at 11 for the Deer hunt Weekend.. School will be
out all day Monday. Linda Suazo came and picked me up from Tooele so I didn't
have to stay there late today. She wanted me to help her move some furniture
around so I did. When I came home, I cleaned up the house and I am glad I did because my Uncle RL called and said he was in town. He had come to Utah to help[ of his named
"Willadeene Webb drive back to California. Willadene was staying in Tooele
taking care of her brother who had
recently died. RL came to the house and we visited until Fran came home. This
was Fran's last day at Auerbach’s. that
had been the best job for us
getting credit established and
such/ We all went to the store to get a
few items for tomorrow. RL looked really good and seemed to have gotten over Aunt
Jerry's death somewhat but I know it must
be hard being a widow. Tomorrow he wants us to meet Willadene so I think
there's something between them.
21 October 1978 Saturday.
This morning we went with R.L. over to Tooele to meet
Willadene Webb and I really liked her and I think Fran did also. Willadeen is
from Palm Springs and she met RL while going to church in Yucaipa. She began
writing to him after Aunt Jerry died and
they started seeing each other. I think
it's neat and I hope they get married. We then went on a sightseeing
excursion down to Provo, through the
Canyon then up to Midway and Heber City. We also drove through Park City down Emigration
Canyon and stopped at the This Is the
Place Monument. Afterwards around 4:30 we
down to South Jodan to visit with
J.R Peacock and Mary . the visit I thought was rather strained especially when their
daughter Reginia. JR said he had a house he would sell us for $12,000 if we
moved it and put on a new lot. That is something to think about I suppose.
Additional Material
Mary Gordon Peacock, our loving mother, grandmother, and
great-grandmother, died April 14, 2010 following complications of dementia. She
resided at 219 West Lisa Rae Circle (6780 South) in Murray, Utah at the time of
her death. She was born April 25, 1925 in Portales, New Mexico to Jessie and
Betsy Gordon. She married Jessie Rodden Peacock in Reno, Nevada; he preceded
her in death in 2002. She was a member of the Eastern Star. She enjoyed playing
cards every Friday with her friends. She also loved her pet cat, "Buffy
Cat". She is survived by two sons, Melvin and Dennis; as well as many
grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Graveside Services will be held on
Monday, April 19, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at Redwood Memorial Estates, 6500 South
Redwood Road (1700 West). A viewing will be held on Sunday evening from
5:00-7:00 p.m. at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 South State Street (100 East).
Published in the Salt Lake Tribune on April 17, 2010.
Regina Peacock married Larry Beach later divorced and was
killed in a car accident in 1988 at the age of 36
22 October 1978 Sunday
I guess R L and Willadene
left for California today since they didn't come over for dinner. I had
fixed enchiladas and tacos. Today would have been Grandpa Williams 76th birthday
had he lived and it’s my only niece
Denise's7th birthday
23 October 1978
Monday
Today was Deer Hunt Holiday so there was no school. Fran and
I did the chores t we needed to have done
last Saturday the 14th like
grocery shopping and doing our laundry. So We also went into the city to go to the bank and for me to get a
haircut. No barbershop was in Grantsville or Tooele for the Deer Hunt . While
in the city we picked up Richard Namenworth who we were going to take back with us to
Grantsville but Fran got into an argument with him and so Richard stayed in the
city. We decided to go to the show and we saw Animal House at the Centre Theater, It was about a
fraternity house that was crazy probably
in the early 1960,s. Before going, however, we went to see Greg Stembridge to visit.
It was really fun seeing him again. he told us about openings possibly in the
Unted Parcel Service where he works. We
went to dinner at the Chinese Noodle House before the show. We spent nearly $25
in all today but we hadn't gone or done anything of a very long time. We didn't get back to Grantsville
until 11 at night.
24 October 1978 Tuesday
Frand didn't get a call to substitute today but I went back
to Central Elementary still teaching Mr.
Segura's class. I work until 4 when I went home to go to the Temple. Last
Sunday Craig had called to ask if I'd go to the Temple for a Priesthood
Assignment. I said I would so I did. Around 6:30 Wayne Green came and picked me
up to car pool with two other guys into
Slat Lake. Both were young, returned missionaries but kind of cultural Mormons.
I didn't fit in at all and no one event went out of their way to make me feel comfortable being with them so I was quiet for most of the
trip. Our priesthood session was at 8:15 and we didn't get out until midnight.
It was a long, long session. None of the others sat with me so I went through
the session alone. I needed the Temple and the refreshment it gives to keep me from temptation. However I didn't think it was right for those
other fellows to leave me out of
everything with no fellowship, comradery,
nothing. It made me realize why we left Utah in the first place last
year. It was a long trio home sitting in silence, My feelings were somewhat
hurt so I guess I'm still vulnerable. I guess that is a good sign I guess. I
have no male friends at all here in Grantsville.
25 October 1978 Wednesday
Frab was called in this morning to teach English at a Junior
High in Tooele. She was very nervous. I thought about her for most of the day it being her first day/ I
was out of school at 1 as it was Wednesday because of Primary but I stayed
until 3:30 typing up family histories regarding the Fenters. When I picked Fran
up she seemed to be in control of the situation and survived the ordeal of Jr.
High. She talked and talked d about her experience because it was so new and
different than being in an office, I know it was for sure for her.
26 October 1978 Thursday
I have been administering achievement tests to my 6th grade students for most of the day. They take so long. In
art however I’ve had the kids work on painting color wheels to
know primary and secondary colors. I am
really starting to know my students well now, Fran was called to work in Grantsville
High School teaching a Business Class. I wrote Mom and Grandma Johnson letters today. Halloween will be here soon.
We have decorated up the house with
crafts that franc and I made, Ther kind of cute. Sam is smelling some dog in
heat and is driving us crazy with his
whining o go outside but we need him in
or on a leash.
27 October 1978 Friday
I went to work at
8:15 and taught school until 3:30. I finished giving the achievement tests. they were such a pain
in the rear to administer. Fran taught
at Grantsville Hugh School again for the same business class. This evening we
went over to Lionel and Linda Suazo's where Fran did up our laundry . they had
us over for soup. Lionel's been out of work for a week now and they are kind of
low on funds so we loaned them $50 . It’s such a pretty autumn day. Over at
Linda's , I made homemade chocolate pudding because she was hungry for
something cholate. My check came in today and i made $210 and cleared $198 from
teaching. With Fran and I both working for the district we should be making
about $59 a day when we work. We are going to the Provo Temple tomorrow.
28 October 1978 Saturday
It was a good and bad day. This morning Fran and I drove
down to Provo through Stockton and Fairfield into Lehi to go to the Temple. We first stopped at
ZCMI where I bought two small
suitcases for our temple clothes. We then
went through a session at noon and was out by 2:30. I had made plans to go to the
BYU Harld B Lee Library to do some genealogy but Fran claimed to be sick so we
didn't go, It made me upset as that every time I want to go to BYU she claims
she is sick. I drove back to Grantsville and drove back to BYU anyway taking a
long time driving just to be by myself. When I came home as it happened Fran
was sick this time and in the evening she called her sister Kathy Helton
29 October 1978 Sunday
Fran was even sicker today so we just stayed home and rested
rather than going to church. I did go home teaching with Dave Lawrence and we
went to see three families
30 October 1978 Monday
I worked at Central Elementary until 4. The kids are getting
hyper for Halloween tomorrow. I've been reading ghost stories to them. I am on recess duty all week which
is a drag because i don’t have any breaks for myself.
31 October 1978 Tuesday
It's Halloween Night. I w worked from 8:15 to 3:30. In the
afternoon the kids had their Halloween Parade in their costumes. The last hour
of the day the 6th graders had a dance in the Cafeteria. This evening Richard
Namenworth came out by bus from Salt Lake City to spend the night with us
NOVEMBER
1 November 1978 Wednesday
Today was only a half day and the kids went
swimming over at the Municipal pool. Mr.
Sena went swimming with the kids while I didn't. The day was too cold and I was
just getting over a cold myself. Fran taught over at the Tooele Jr. High
2 November 1978 to 17 November
1978
For the first two weeks in November I continued
to teach for Mr. Segura's class as if I would be there all year or at least until Christmas
Vacation/ However without warning Mr. Rupp the principal informed me that the
district hired a new teacher who would
replace me almost immediately. In a way
I was really upset because I wasn't given enough time to terminate my feelings
for the class. I felt kind of rejected but also somewhat relieved at the same
time. I was doing all the work of a full time teacher with none of the monetary
befits. Fran continued to teach at both
Grantsville and Tooele deciding that
Junior Hugh was her favorite age . The Friday that was my last day at Center
Elementary, my class threw me a big going away
party. We had a dance as well as
a party almost the entire day. I really have mixed feelings about that 6th
grade class. In so many ways it was completely exasperating but still there were some nice rewards
18 November 1978-30 November 1978
The week following my leaving
Central Elementary was Thanksgiving Week and we were only called in to work one
day out of that entire week. We left Utah on Wednesday the 22nd and drove straight through to Garden Grove. We arrived there about midnight. We took Sam
along with us of course. The trip was good going down with good weather all the
way. It felt really weird being home again as it’s been almost two years. So
much has changed while still it seemed as if nothing had changed. They put a
stop light in on Dale Street and Orangewood just a few houses down from Mom and
Dad. All the time I was growing up the
intersection had just stop signs. That was
really a shock to see the stop lights. For 25 years there had only been a four way stop on that
corner. They also put in gutters and sidewalks
finally along Orangewood between Dale Street and Magnolia after all these years.
It sure has taken away the rural
look we always had. Everybody was fine at home although Charline and
Dennis had Thanksgiving over at his folks place and Donna and Ken ate his
folks. RL brought Grandma and Minnie down from Yucaipa. James stayed with mom
and dad rather than going over to Walt and Janet Peavy’s for Thanksgiving. Mom
went all out and cooked up a big turkey dinner which we hadn't expected because we didn't tell mom we were coming
home for Thanksgiving until last Tuesday before we left out. We didn't do much
the entire time we were in California
except visit. On Friday the 24th , we did go to the Movieland Wax Museum
which Fran did enjoy Mom and Dad went with us and treated us. On Saturday
morning the 25th we left to drive home
but did stop in Yucaipa to visit with Grandma and Aunt Minnie. RL came over to
see us off also. We left about 11
and drove into St. George where we spent
the night as we were tired. It was just as well we didn't try to drive on in because
the weather turned stormy and the roads were icy. We didn't leave St. George until
Sunday afternoon and drove on in to Grantsville where we arrived early. Once there
Fran's Mom called her to visit for a
long time that she rarely does. Fran was really surprised as it was so seldom that Lorna ever calls and
she never writes to her. I guess she was just in a talkative mood. The last four days of month were slim
pickings for work. I was only called in to sub a half day on Wednesday all
week. Fran spent November getting
adjusted to her new job as a substitute
teacher and she does a terrific job considering she’s not taken any education
classes. One of my projects during November was finishing compiling the Fenter
family history and writing to my great Aunt's on the McLeod side of the family.
Well that stirred up a tempest in a tea pot because Grandma Johnson was mad
that I was writing to her sisters. Everyone of that generation has hang ups
about divorce and Grandma Johnson was afraid I would spill the beans about Kay,
John and Donna having divorced. Grandma thinks her family has to be perfect
because she is so jealous regarding what her sisters think.
Additional Material
Bastian Finter- Christen Fenter-William
Henry Fenter-Andrew Fenter- Mary Ellen Fenter- Tressie Margret McLeod-Wilma
June Johnson- me
DECEMBER
1 December 1978-13
December 1978
Fran and I haven't really decided to do anything of r
Christmas since we decided to go home to Garden Grove e again. Fran was wanting
to go to Minesota but it's too impractical
this time of year with the weather. Frab's piece Connie's daughter is getting
married this summer and no one in Connie's family had written her to tell Fran
the news. the only one she keeps in close contact with is Kathy and Dean Helton
and that’s because while Dean was in Chicago being trained for a job there with
IBM, Katy was really lonely and Fran was the only one writing to her. But still
Kathy and we have more in common than the other members of Fran's family.
Fran's sister Mickey and her husband own a bar ibn Chicago but I guess they
have problems too. When Fran and I were
home in California I saw little Kenny
for the first time, now he's a toddler and not a baby. He sure is cute but a
hand full. Donna and Ken live in Long Beach In a house that sits over Ken's
folks appliance store, rent free. Although I don't think they are happy there.
Charline and Dennis have moved to a townhouse
they rent in Stanton. They seem to like it better than their old place
in Corona. It still seems strange however that Tom and Jean Horan don't live across
the street from Mom and Dad anymore. That's a real heartbreaker. Fran and I
worked as substitute teachers for several days but not consistently. I've
had somewhat of a cold since I came back
from California.
14 December 1978
Thursday
Today Fran went to Tooele High School to teach drama while I
got called back to Central Elementary to
teach 4th grade for Mrs. Milburn. This
morning Paulette Gasparac called Fran to
tell her about a friend of Connie Newman
and hers who died of cancer. Last night Fran and Linda Suazo went into Tooele
to attend a school board meeting about allowing home schooling which Linda
wants to do for her kids. When I went to
Central Elementary , Mrs. Smith said that the school pictures
came in and I was given some pictures I was in when I substituted Mr. Segura’s
class.
15 December 1978 Friday
Fran and I both subbed at Toole Junior High today. I took Mrs. Christensen's English
class while Frand had Miss Volga’s Music
class. My day was a breeze while Fran's
was somewhat hectic which subbing music always is. We had an assembly after lunch where there
was a guy who was supposed to be telepathic. Most of his act was really predictable
while some of it was really kind of interesting like when he was supposedly
mind reading of some of the students in
the audience to find out their names. He made several predictions I thought
were interesting enough to write down to see if they come true. He said that
within 90 days there would be a serious airplane crash similar to the one that
happened last September in San Diego. he said the crash will be in either New
York or New Jersey. within next year
John Wayne and Mae West will die and Puerto
Rico will become our 51st State. He also said that Jimmy Carter will be a one
term President and Ronald Reagan will be elected President in 1980 but won't
survive the term.
Additional Material
John Wayne did indeed die in 1979 but Mae West died in 1980.
Jimmy Carter was indeed a one term president while Reagan survived his
assassination attempt. Puerto Rico never became the 51st State. obviously.
The most notable plane crash was in Chicago not New York or New Jersey claiming
273 lives in May which was not within 90 days .
16 December 1978
Saturday
I still felt kind of groggy from my lingering cold. I
cleaned up the house really good today while Fran did the kitchen ad defrosted the
icebox. Kay Wiker came out this afternoon
to visited and stayed until 3 in the afternoon. We had a nice visit
catching up on news. Scott Draper's missionary farewell is tomorrow. He's going
to Seattle. Kay wants to go on a mission but I
know he won't. It's been really
cold the past couple of days down to 15 degrees. It has to get warmer as I just
can't stand it when it’s this cold. I
made some Christmas decorations that look like paper poinsettias. in the
evening we went over to Lionel and Lina Suazo's for a visit. Linda is now
really into home teaching versus public education. I think she is odd on this
one. Jimmy Carter announced yesterday that starting January 1st we are going to
recognize Red China and both will send Ambassadors and have trade agreements. Some say we are basically handing
Formosa back to China by ending our defense treaty with Taiwan. Some say it’s
really just a giveaway like the Munich agreement the 1930s'.
17 December 1978
Sunday
Fran was set apart as
a Junior Sunday School teacher today by Bishop Burgess. Fran talked with the Browns
and wants us to become better friends with them. After Sunday School, we went
to Linda Suazo's for a Sunday roast beef dinner and then we went to Sacrament
meeting together. It only last one hour. Fran really likes those short
meetings. After Sacrament we went back to Linda's where we talked and visited until leaving for
home about 6 where we watched some TV for the rest of the night. There was an
hour long special episode of All in the Family
18 December 1978
Monday
Fran and I both were
called into work in Tooele with Fran teaching Mrs. Vogels Music class at the junior
high and I taught Mrs Hobb's Special Needs class at the High School. Fran had difficult day as her teacher didn't leave
any lesson plans to follow. My day was
pretty easy in comparison. Right after
work, we drove in to Salt Lake to do some
Christmas shopping at ZCMI. We returned
some boots I couldn't wear and mainly bought some things for my family.
We just couldn't go home to Garden Grove without something for Charline and
Donna's kids as they wouldn't understand that we were stone broke. We only
shopped at ZCMI as I was tired. I'm sure glad we only had to do shopping for
one day. Of all people, I saw Darwin Ross at ZCMI and it was so good to see his
face from my BYU days. He said he's left the church all together and is living
with some girl up in the Avenues. Even the elected will fall away in the last
days. I know I am a wicked sinful person myself and I hate to have to be accountable for my sins as I
know I will be but at least It can be said
I never turned my back on the church. we bought an assortment of toys
for the kids and some nice handkerchiefs for Grandma Williams and something to
embroider for Aunt Minnie. We bought a nice frame for Mom and Dad with our
picture in it. The weather looked stormy all day but it never did. We are supposed to have a big storm heading
our way.
19 December 1978
Tuesday
Well the storm really hit hard today. It was snowy and
blizzard like all day. We were called into work today so we had to drive into
Tooele from Grantsville on very icy roads. I taught again Mrs. Hobbs class and
while Fran taught Mrs. Bennett’s P.E. Class. Fran didn't have a very good day
while mine was okay. When we came back to Grantsville, we went to the Post
Office and bought some stamps to send
out Christmas Cards and then to the store to buy items to make a candy cane
cake for Linda Suazo’s kids. As soon as I was home I worked on it and spent
about 4 hours baking it and decorating it. It turned out really cute but the icing
started to droop a little. Fran and I took it over to Linda's before it could
droop some more and the kids went right for it. they loved it. That was really
fun to see. Linda bought Sam some leather shoes for his paws and some handkerchiefs
for me. She’s going to make Fran a quilt.
We spent the evening in the front room around the fireplace, all snuggly
and warm and we all had a nice time
visiting. All the kids were scooted off to bed so it was just the adults. Linda's mother and
son Tony were supposed to have come in
tonight but the weather kept them snowed in at the airport. Out house is a total wreck. I can't see how it could get that way since I just
cleaned it on Saturday. Fran and I are talking about fostering a child next year like Linda does Brett. We could sure use the income. Something to
think about I guess. Salt Lake City is
going to start killing unclaimed dogs at
the shelter just 3 days after they are brought to the pound instead of 5. This decision
is making a lot of people really upset.
20 December 1978
Wednesday
I went back to Tooele
for Mrs. Hobb's class and I read to all
the classes, Charles' Dickens' Christmas Carol. I am so glad I won't
have to teach this class tomorrow as it’s
so boring. Fran stayed home and cleaned
the house and got ready for our trip
She's not feeling too well either. I hope she is not getting the flu
that is going around. I feel pretty good myself as I am finally over that cold I had for about two weeks. Fran did go with Linda Suazo to the airport
to pick-up Linda's mother and her son Tony Fillman who flew out from Minnesota
to spend Christmas with them. Lorna
Fuchs sent us a beautiful red and orange Afghan she made. In the
evening I called Dave Lawrence to see about doing home teaching tomorrow and I also called
Butch Durfee who is one of the people we are supposed to home teach. as the
night progressed Fran became Sicker and sicker and ran a fever when we went to
bed early. It's a winter wonderland outside as everything is covered in
snow. We had such a high electric bill
for a month of $70. We are well insulated
just turn the thermostat down
lower and wear sweaters and such in the house.
We have lots of lap quilts and Afghans to cover up in while we watch TV. We had the
landlord fix the bathroom facet that kept dripping.
Additional
Material
Anthony Michael Fillman was born 22 November 1962 in
Hennepin to John Francis Fillman and Linda Erickson who later married Lionel
Suazo in 1972
21 December 1978
Thursday
I went into work at
Tooele High School Again this time for Mr. Morgan's Math class. Fran didn't work today. We have so much to
get done before we leave tomorrow. We were paid today. I cleared $220 and Fran
cleared $120. In the evening we went over to see Linda and Lionel Suazo. Tony
was already in bed but we stayed to
visit with Tiny, Linda’s mother until 1 in the morning.
22 December
1978 Friday
I didn't go into work
today as we had planned on leaving in the afternoon but an accident to Sam
changed our plans. This morning I let
Sam out to go to the bathroom and went back to bed when Fran came screaming in
that Sam was hit by a car. Sam came running back to the house dripping blood everywhere
I called the emergency number for the vet and Dr. Marshall said he'd met us at the
vet clinic. The kids that him Sam came
to the door and said they were sorry for hitting Sam but poor Sam was howling
and yelping in such pain. We rushed him
to the vet's before he could lose too much blood however he was going into
shock.. The doctor said to call him back
around 11 to see how Sam was. he said it looked like Sam would pull threw. We
came back home and spent the
morning scrubbing and washing the blood
off the floor and carpet, walls and inside our car. It was so hard because we
kept thinking about poor Sam. At 11 the
vet said it didn’t look like Sam had any fractures or internal bleeding just a
terrible cut along the jaw line. he needed stitches and we could come and get
him around four. Fran and I decided not to leave for
California until tomorrow and let Sam
rest at home tonight. The vet said it was perfectly all right for Sam to travel or we wouldn't have gone. It cost
us $48 to get Sam fixed up. Poor old Sam. We are so wrapped up about that dog
it'd have killed us to lose him. We went over to Linda Suazo’s this
evening to leave Sam alone so he could
rest with the pain medicine he had. We visited with Tony Fillman and Tiny Erickson
and the rest of the family. Linda's cat had kittens gain. I guess Tony is going
to come live with Linda. I hope he likes
living in Utah again. He's 16 years old now.
23 December 1978
Saturday
We left out this morning to head down to California. We had
to go into Salt Lake first where we had our oil changed and then to Brighton
Bank to get our paychecks deposited. It was a pretty drive down to St. George where we spent the night at Motel 6. Sam
traveled well and mainly rested.
24 December 1978
Sunday
Fran and I were both up early to be on the road before dawn.
I drove from St. George into Barstow before stopping to get gas then didn't
stop again until reaching Garden Grove. We arrived about 1 in the afternoon.
Grandma, Aunt Minnie and R.L. were down
from Yucaipa already and all were eating Sunday dinner when we arrived. Mom had
fixed a nice ham. Since today was
Christmas Eve, I wanted to do something special for the kids so Dad and I went
to Alpha Beta at the Stanton Plaza and
bought stuff so I could make a candy cane cake house like I did for the Suazo
kids. That took much of the late afternoon. In the evening Milton, Marie, Stepanie and
Gregory dropped by and it was good to
see them. Also R.L's girlfriend Willadeene
came over. Donna, Ken and little Kenny were at Moms with Charline, Dennis and
all their kids. It was also Aunt Minnie's 49th birthday. We opened our presents and Mom gave Fran and me
a queen size electric blanket. we had cakes, pies and candy coming out of our
ears. Tom and Jean Horan also came
over and as a real surprise Jerry Smith
and his wife Linda dropped by. It was really nice to see him again as it’s been
so many years. All in all it was a wonderful Christmas Eve,
25 December 1978
Monday
Fran was sick all Christmas Day and didn't even get out of
bed almost all day. Betty, Norman and Aunt Buelah Danforth came for Christmas
dinner but Grandma Williams wasn't feeling well at all. About 5 she felt so
sick that Mom and Dad drove her home to
Yucaipa so she could call her doctor. He said that there was a virus going
around probably one that Fran caught. Aunt Buelah made snide remarks about Fran
being in bed instead of out with the family.
We had a real nice Turkey dinner
for Christmas. Charline and the kids
were over however Dennis went to see his folks. We took down the
Christmas Tree for mom and cleaned the house for her.
26 December 1978
Tuesday
Since neither Fran nor
I were feeling well, so we didn't go to Disneyland with the kids as planned but stayed home with
mom and visited Dad had to be back at work.
27 December 1978
Wednesday
'We went to
Disneyland with Charline, Dennis
and the kids but we just could not enjoy it much due to the crowds. I had never
seen it so crowded before. Long lines, cigarette smoke blown in our faces,
tired children whining. It was just a mess and was not the happiest place on
earth
28 December 1978
Thursday'
Mom took Fran an me in the morning on a trip over to Downey to see Grandma and
Grandpa Danforth’s graves in the Pioneer
Cemetery there. Then we went over to Rose Hill to see where Aunt Jerry and
Grandpa Williams are buried. We also went by where dad works, which I had never
seen. There was lots of construction work going on, We ate in Downey at a good Mexican
Restaurant, California has the best Mexican food. I miss that. In the evening we
went over to Charline’s place to say goodbye,
29 December 1978
Friday
Donna and little
Kenny came over this morning from Long Beach so we got to see them before
saying goodbye for home. We left about 8:30
and drove up to Yucaipa to see Grandma Williams and Aunt Minnie before
heading back to Utah. We stayed with
them for about two hours and had lunch with them. Aunt Bonnie dropped by and it
was good to see her before taking off. We left
about 1 and drove into Barstow where we got gas there. In Las Vegas we stopped and had a bite to eat before
driving into St. George to spend the night at Motel 6. However once there the
motel was already full so we had to stay at another more expensive one. to get
a good night sleep.
30 December 1978
Saturday
We left St. George
after having some breakfast and drove a bit out of our way to see Zion's
National Park That was the only detour we took on our way into Salt Lake City
where we bought some groceries to bring back to Grantsville. We arrived
home about 8 at night. Tony Fillman and
Brett wanted to see us so we did. We also saw Linda and
Lionel and Tiny when they came home from a church party.
31 December 1978
Sunday
I didn't make it to church today as I felt really down like
I am fighting off another cold. Fran fixed clam chowder for our anniversary. It
was delicious. We didn't stay up for the New Years but went to bed early with
Sam at our feet.
Additional Material
I couldn’t even review the year in my journal on the last day nor anticipate
the new year. Life was bleak. We moved from Ft. Worth Texas to Salt Lake City
and to Grantsville all in 1978. Looking back now I know I was discontented with
my un authentic life. Fran and I were never “lovers” but more companions. We had
sexual relations because we were young but never with any real passion. It was
just marital sex. I had no real friends and nearly everyone I interacted with
were friends of Fran’s. I still had strong homosexual urges that I viewed as
part of sinful and wicked nature that I battled to control to maintain my
status within the Mormon Church which was my entire identity. . While I enjoyed
having Fran as a partner mostly in some ways and for social normality, I was
basically sublimating my true feelings and isolating myself. Especially once I knew that marriage didn’t
not cure my homosexuality as I was assured it would by the Mormon Church
authorities. All our moves also prevented any financial stability. As I was kind of in a dead state during this
period I rarely recorded news regarding the world
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment