Ora Carpenter Omerza journal, September 15-16, 1982

15 Sept 1982

It has been a month since I did any writing. It was a busy month. So much to do to get ready to move. Most of my days were spent in packing and cleaning.

On Aug 20th I went to a ward farewell party for Paul Trim. They had a cake auction to get the money for his fare to his destination. The auction went well. I’m sure they got enough money. Paul will make a good missionary. On Sunday Aug 22nd I went out to the Stake House to get my Temple recommend signed. My last recommend in the Phoenix Stake. On Wednesday the 25th my Relief Society President Mae Jones her two counselors Rowena Roat and Carol Cluff and Phyllis Farrell took me out to lunch. We had Mexican food it was a very enjoyable day. They gave me a beautiful plaque, a woman in prayer. It stands on a little stand. They told me I was to think of them every time I looked at it. I hope I will. I have enjoyed my work in the Relief Society so much. It was so thoughtful of them and I appreciate it so much.

The 25th of Aug was Jennifer’s birthday. The next day 26th Aug was Brent’s birthday. Since I was getting ready to move I didn’t go to Mesa for their birthdays.

All week the Realtors were promising me the money for the house and it finally came through on the 27th on Friday. Saturday the 28th of Aug was moving day. The boys came early. They rented a big moving van. We loaded everything in. It was full but we got everything in. It was a real trying day. The temperature was 113º and we were working hard. By nine o’clock Madge came and picked up a few things like plants, clothes, pictures, mirror. She left and by 2:30 PM we had everything loaded and the house cleaned. I dreaded the time I would have to walk out and leave the house. However it wasn’t so bad. We took the things to Ted’s and by strategy and brute force the boys got everything in Ted’s garage. We were through by about 6:30 PM. I went to Madge’s and she had a refreshing bath and dinner all ready. I was so weary and I know the boys were dead tired. They worked so hard and so efficient. The day really went well I felt like we were all given a little extra strength. So it was the 28th of Aug 1982 I was out of my house and didn’t have another. I felt a loss I can’t explain but Madge and her family welcomed me into their home. I stayed with her for three days and on the 1 Sept I went to the Temple with Bertha and in the afternoon went to Thatcher. It still feels like home. I am enjoying my stay here. We have been canning apples, freezing corn and peaches and just taking things as they came. No definite responsibility. Its very relaxing.

On the 6th day of Sept (Labor Day) Bertha and I went to the Thatcher cemetery to water the trees and to clean up the lot a little. We visited some of the graves of Grandparents, Great grandparents, Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, and friends. There is a lot of work that should be done there. Cleaning the weeds off mostly.

11 Sept 1982

I went with Bertha to visit Pearl Curtis. She is 93 and I remember her as one of Mother’s friends. We had a good visit with her. She seemed so glad to have us come. She doesn’t get out much any more. From there we went to visit June McBride. She is mother’s cousin. She just celebrated her 90th birthday this year. She still drives her car a little and is very alert. She was so sad, feeling the loss of her youngest daughter Reva who passed suddenly about a month ago. I felt so sorry for her. She misses her so much.

On Sept 12 we went to visit Annice Cope. She is feeling very well after her serious illness in the spring. They showed us pictures they had taken at her granddaughter’s wedding.

16 Sept 1982

Each day we are busy with apples and preparing corn for the freezer. Bertha’s neighbor gave her apples, grapes, and a few peaches. We pick them ourselves. The grapes are just going to waste so we have grapes all the time. They are so delicious. Today we went to dinner with Blanch Lee. She took us to the Branding Iron. It’s a place across the river. It’s up on a hill and from the window you can see the whole valley. The view was magnificent and the food delicious. We had ribs. Their Thursday special – all you can eat. We enjoyed it very much. After dinner we went to Blanches home and she showed us a quilt she was making for her grandson’s wedding. It was beautiful. It was fun getting together again and talking over old times.