Dear Kids,
          Our basement is ready for carpet, but we’re not sure when that’s going to happen. Dan Sluga, of Wasatch Back Carpet, (who’s in Tom’s ward and stands next to him in choir) is supposed to have it ready to go, but he’s known to drag his heels, which seems to be happening now. No matter–I still have a few odds and ends to finish. Our only deadline is to have everything done by the time Sharon’s family comes in June. While we’re waiting for the carpet, we’ll invite John over for a plumbing party. He’s the king of toilet installations.
            It’s been snowing nearly every day, but it always melts in a couple of hours. We had a break yesterday, so Dad mowed the lawn and I sprayed a section of weeds out in back. For once, the horses were not watching me over the fence. They’ve been moved to another pasture in our neighborhood, and I’m worried that the property has been sold. The fence is broken down in a couple of places, so maybe the owner is just waiting to have it fixed, but my worst nightmare would be to have houses built there. I love looking out at that pasture!
          Tom always brings his portable internet hotspot when his family visits on Sunday nights, and I download library books and surf the net while it’s here. He forgot and left it behind last Sunday night, so we had lightening-fast internet until we took it back on Thursday. I’m sorry to say how many hours I wasted online. People laugh at us for not having high-speed internet, but I do a lot more useful things without it. Our basement wouldn’t be done, that’s for sure. 
          I’m racking my brains for any news, but I can’t think of any. I hope you all have your calendars marked for our Ackerson family reunion July 7-9, and for the Allen family reunion on August 6. Summer’s coming fast, although it’s still winter here. Spring? We had that last year.   
          Lots of love, Mom