February 6, 1966
Dear Mom & Dad,
It's about one o'clock now and Tom & I just finished
lunch. The McCoys left about eleven, so we've been busy since
then cleaning up. Tom did the breakfast dishes while I
tackled the living &, between the two of us, it didn't take
too long.
I don't plan to do much today except rest - we had a nice
weekend, but tiring. The McCoys arrived at 11:30 yesterday
morning with a full car - reminded me of your visit when he
took about 4 trips to the car to get everything unloaded. I
guess Mrs. M. told you her bridge club had a small shower for
me, so she brought the presents down. The gifts I got were a
dish drainer (going to exchange), 2 strainers, 4 terry dish towels,
a ceramic automatic egg boiler, 2 more bridge chairs to our
set, a Corning Wear Sauce maker, a clothes basket, a silver
dish with spoon, a Rever Ware Pot (copper bottom), a green linen
table cloth and two sheets (top & bottom). If I don't watch
myself, I'm going to get spoiled - every week seems to bring
more presents. And, luckily, they're all pretty, useful things.
Even the egg boiler. Mrs. M used it today and its so somple -
just push in the eggs, a 1/4th cip of water & wait 8 minutes. And
all this can be done at the table. The sheets, tablecloth & dish
towels, though, I plan to put back for a while. We really
don't need them now & it's a good feeling to know you have
these things in reserve.
Then Mrs. M. brought some things, too. She finished the
baby quilt & it's just darling - Goldilocks & the Three Bears.
She also cross-stitched 2 fancy bibs for going visiting and two
receiving blankets - one yellow & one aqua. And she also brought
food - a medium sized ham, a huge loaf of salami, a pound of
Swiss cheese, 3 pounds of oleo, Tom's favorite pickes and a bag
of oranges. I don't know if they thought we couldn't afford food or
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that I couldn't cook, but never look a gift horse in the mouth I
guess. Regardless, I baked that lemon pudding cake which was
some proof of my domestic skill & Mr. M. practically ate all the
cholocate chip cookies - he's really a big eater when there's plenty
of food around. Oh, one funny thing - he brought his bottle of
liquor with him (& hit it pretty heavy.) We had bought him a
6 pack of beer & he drank all that too. I just sometimes
wonder - Of course, he's wonderful to us & terribly sweet to
me, but he & Holly always have a few sharp comments. They
took us to Shady Inn for dinner (lobster!) &, even there, they
almost got into a squabble. Tom had to tell them that "we're
here for fun, not fighting." They stopped then. I think the
thing is that they have so little in common. He's so excited
about N.Y. & she's definitely not. At this point, it looks like
she won't move 'till June or July. He'll commute back & forth.
Tom & his dad did our income tax yesterday, filing
separate returns on Tom & I. As they figured we'll get back
$81.42 & $81.95 (total - $163.37) from the Federal Gov't &
$33 something combined from state. Tim will mail them today
so that's a pretty tidy sum. Mr. M. said he had to pay a
thousand - kinda high, isn't it.
Tom was given a $350 Nat'l Defense Loan for this semseter,
but I don't think Mr. M. was overjoyed. He wants to pay it
for us so we won't start out with bills, but I don't know,
Tom is getting almost overly ambitious now (prob. from his
Dad's promotion) & he wants to assume his own debt. I'm just
keeping out of that deal. Mr. M. also have Tom some more
money for the rest of this month (I think it was $250), but
said he'll put in more Tuesday. Heaven knows, we don't
need anymore, at least for this month, but maybe I'll get
the squirt a bassinette - decided that for diapering it would
be wonderful.
The McCoys brought down the Polaroid this weekend so we
took 2 rolls of color film. Some turned out pretty good, so
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Mrs. M. is going to make some copies. She's so overjoyed with that
camera that she suggested we buy one. Mrs. M. is not nearly as
nervous as before, but, still, she lacks some in common sense. Of all
the things we don't need is a $100 camera, esp. since Tom has all
the slide equipment. Oh, I know she means well, but, in all honesty,
I won't regret her being in New York. For short times she doesn't
bother me, but for extended periods it gets hard to take. Like she gave
me a recipe for rice pudidng - not once, but 5 times. I bet I dream
about rice pudding tonight.
But enough of the McCoys - how are you? Daddy, it sounds like
you're becoming a meeting-attendee. I don't know how you like
them, but I always preferred a good meeting to work. But I'm
just anxious for you to become a full time teacher. I do know
you'll like that.
I was really surproised to hear about ol' Kent. Still waters must
run deep! I can bet, though, that does upset his parents. They
were always so quite & really refined in their own way.
Tell Rose I made a chuck roast her way - with the onions & all.
And did it turn out good - so tender you really didn't need a knife.
I was kinda surprised, 'cause the meat was awfully cheap - on a
special, like everything!
Tomorrow night is when we go over to Bergs - I had my dates confused.
I'm hoping we'll learn a lot. Sure am anxious for May to get here -
that'll be a big month in the clan. Tom is anxious, too. He had
a wonderful attitude about getting out of school & making good. You
know a lot of the boys around aren't very anxious to work. Tom's
old room mate's, Dan, biggest amition is to have an abundance of
booze money. I'd hate to be married to that sort.
Well, I want to get some potatoes on for dinner so I'll stop now.
Don't work too hard & we'll see you soon.
Love,
Betty
