Hello Dear Reader,
I don't remember exactly when Philip Youngblood returned from his mission and swept LeAnn off her feet but it was probably in the summer of 1965. It wasn't long until he proposed and the wedding was planned for December. The Salt Lake Temple seemed to be the only satisfactory place for their wedding to take place and so, at the beginning of December Grandpa (Wes), Grandma (Mary), Marilyn, LeAnn, and Billy piled into the car for the trip to Utah for the anticipated occasion.
Grandpa chose a southern route which took them across Texas at its widest point. It was probably the most boring trip the family had taken together to that point. Well, not completely boring. Long, boring stretches of road were interspersed with sheet terror that we wouldn't make it to the next gas station. We were all very happy to be out of Texas.
The wedding and reception were lovely but the family was sad to leave LeAnn in Provo with her new husband. She had always been a source of fun and laughter and it wasn't long until we missed her greatly.
Love,
Aunt Genni
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Vinegar
Hello Dear Reader,
The Carter household was always full of happiness and laughter. Grandpa and Grandma bought a wonderful new stereo and, when Grandpa returned home after several days on the road, he often had a new album or two for the family to listen and dance to. And we danced a lot. The girls dated fairly frequently, went to church activities regularly, and hung out with the girls who served as office staff in the Church Building office. They also "laid out," working to get beautiful tans which were usually preceded by terrible burns.
One evening LeAnn had a date with Kenneth McIntosh, a young man in the Data Processing program at DeKalb Tech with Marilyn. The girls had been in the sun all day and when they went indoors they were pretty red. But no matter, they knew the cure--apply vinegar liberally. The vinegar took the burn out of the skin but left a rather pungent smell. LeAnn, however, looked georgeous and we were all anxious to see her off on her date.
When Kenneth arrived we all gathered to see his reaction to our beautiful LeAnn. He was polite but it wasn't long until he said something like, "You smell good. What kind of perfume do you have on?" LeAnn quickly responded, "It's Vin-e-garr." I still laugh when I think about it, nearly 47 years later.
Love,
Aunt Genni
The Carter household was always full of happiness and laughter. Grandpa and Grandma bought a wonderful new stereo and, when Grandpa returned home after several days on the road, he often had a new album or two for the family to listen and dance to. And we danced a lot. The girls dated fairly frequently, went to church activities regularly, and hung out with the girls who served as office staff in the Church Building office. They also "laid out," working to get beautiful tans which were usually preceded by terrible burns.
One evening LeAnn had a date with Kenneth McIntosh, a young man in the Data Processing program at DeKalb Tech with Marilyn. The girls had been in the sun all day and when they went indoors they were pretty red. But no matter, they knew the cure--apply vinegar liberally. The vinegar took the burn out of the skin but left a rather pungent smell. LeAnn, however, looked georgeous and we were all anxious to see her off on her date.
When Kenneth arrived we all gathered to see his reaction to our beautiful LeAnn. He was polite but it wasn't long until he said something like, "You smell good. What kind of perfume do you have on?" LeAnn quickly responded, "It's Vin-e-garr." I still laugh when I think about it, nearly 47 years later.
Love,
Aunt Genni
Life Goes On--Even Better
Hello Dear Reader,
It wasn't long until the Carter family settled into a routine. Neither Grandpa or Grandma mention anything specific in their life stories after summer and for the rest of 1964 except that the three children still at home were in school and that we moved from Stone Mountain into Decatur. I seem to remember that the lease was up on the house in Stone Mountain. But, anyway, the move put Grandpa closer to his office in Decatur and it was only a few minutes more for Marilyn and LeAnn to get to school. Billy had to change schools again but he seemed to be happy.
We were now about 10 minutes closer to the stake center in Atlanta where we attended church. Grandma was called to serve as a counselor in the Atlanta Stake Relief Society presidency and we made many good friends at church.
We all learned to appreciate the Southern culture. The civility of the Southern people, their hospitality, their soft-spoken ways, their charm, and their gentle sense of humor all enhanced our outlook on life and made us better people for being there. The slower pace of life, the beauty of the area, and the mild climate also contributed to our sense of well-being. It was easy to love living in the South.
Love,
Aunt Genni
It wasn't long until the Carter family settled into a routine. Neither Grandpa or Grandma mention anything specific in their life stories after summer and for the rest of 1964 except that the three children still at home were in school and that we moved from Stone Mountain into Decatur. I seem to remember that the lease was up on the house in Stone Mountain. But, anyway, the move put Grandpa closer to his office in Decatur and it was only a few minutes more for Marilyn and LeAnn to get to school. Billy had to change schools again but he seemed to be happy.
We were now about 10 minutes closer to the stake center in Atlanta where we attended church. Grandma was called to serve as a counselor in the Atlanta Stake Relief Society presidency and we made many good friends at church.
We all learned to appreciate the Southern culture. The civility of the Southern people, their hospitality, their soft-spoken ways, their charm, and their gentle sense of humor all enhanced our outlook on life and made us better people for being there. The slower pace of life, the beauty of the area, and the mild climate also contributed to our sense of well-being. It was easy to love living in the South.
Love,
Aunt Genni
Monday, May 2, 2011
Formal and Informal Education
Hello Dear Reader,
A new technical school was opening up in Clarkston, DeKalb County--a school free to anyone who lived in the area. This appeared to be an opportunity too good to pass up. So, with their drivers' licenses in their purses, LeAnn and Marilyn decided to inquire about the credentials and the courses that would be offered at the highly-touted school. After a tour of the facilities, LeAnn enrolled in Secretarial Science and Marilyn enrolled in Data Processing Technology. It would be fun to be in school together again. And this only about five minutes from home.
Thus began a new adventure for the Carter sisters. For the next eleven months every day was an adventure. Grandpa (Wes) and Grandma (Mary) Carter provided a car for them to drive. Sometimes it was the Volkswagon station wagon that the family had purchased in Germany--a total lemon. The girls had to be sure to park on a hill so, when the car wouldn't start, they could take off the emergency brake, roll down the hill, and pop the clutch to get the engine to turn over. They were learning more than secretarial and data processing skills.
Love,
Aunt Genni
A new technical school was opening up in Clarkston, DeKalb County--a school free to anyone who lived in the area. This appeared to be an opportunity too good to pass up. So, with their drivers' licenses in their purses, LeAnn and Marilyn decided to inquire about the credentials and the courses that would be offered at the highly-touted school. After a tour of the facilities, LeAnn enrolled in Secretarial Science and Marilyn enrolled in Data Processing Technology. It would be fun to be in school together again. And this only about five minutes from home.
Thus began a new adventure for the Carter sisters. For the next eleven months every day was an adventure. Grandpa (Wes) and Grandma (Mary) Carter provided a car for them to drive. Sometimes it was the Volkswagon station wagon that the family had purchased in Germany--a total lemon. The girls had to be sure to park on a hill so, when the car wouldn't start, they could take off the emergency brake, roll down the hill, and pop the clutch to get the engine to turn over. They were learning more than secretarial and data processing skills.
Love,
Aunt Genni
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Everyday Holds a Possibility of a Miracle
Hello Dear Reader,
Grandpa (Wes) and Grandma (Mary) Carter were still on their mission although they had been relocated to the Southern States. Their call was for three years but they could only obtain British visas for two years hence the new assignment. But funds were still short and it seemed impossible for Marilyn to return to BYU. Meanwhile, Marilyn and LeAnn decided it was time to get their drivers' licenses. So, on a whim, they talked Grandma into taking them to the other side of Atlanta to be tested. They read the handbook on the way.
Somehow, they were both able to pass the written test and headed outdoors to take the driving part. An obstacle course had been set up in a large parking lot. They stood waiting and watching while one woman ahead of them drove through the obstacles. Her driving was pretty pathetic but she certainly had more experience than either of them had. She failed the test.
Now it was their turn. Marilyn went first. The examiner gave her all kinds of hints such as, "Let's see a little sunshine on that arm." Parallel parking wasn't even close.
Then it was LeAnn's turn. Grandma, Marilyn, and Billy all stood biting their nails as LeAnn gingerly made her way through the course. When she and the examiner got back to the starting point, however, she sat and talked to the man for a few minutes, let out a yelp, and threw her arms around his neck. Both girls had passed. That had to be the miracle of the summer. Grandpa was amazed.
Love,
Aunt Genni
Grandpa (Wes) and Grandma (Mary) Carter were still on their mission although they had been relocated to the Southern States. Their call was for three years but they could only obtain British visas for two years hence the new assignment. But funds were still short and it seemed impossible for Marilyn to return to BYU. Meanwhile, Marilyn and LeAnn decided it was time to get their drivers' licenses. So, on a whim, they talked Grandma into taking them to the other side of Atlanta to be tested. They read the handbook on the way.
Somehow, they were both able to pass the written test and headed outdoors to take the driving part. An obstacle course had been set up in a large parking lot. They stood waiting and watching while one woman ahead of them drove through the obstacles. Her driving was pretty pathetic but she certainly had more experience than either of them had. She failed the test.
Now it was their turn. Marilyn went first. The examiner gave her all kinds of hints such as, "Let's see a little sunshine on that arm." Parallel parking wasn't even close.
Then it was LeAnn's turn. Grandma, Marilyn, and Billy all stood biting their nails as LeAnn gingerly made her way through the course. When she and the examiner got back to the starting point, however, she sat and talked to the man for a few minutes, let out a yelp, and threw her arms around his neck. Both girls had passed. That had to be the miracle of the summer. Grandpa was amazed.
Love,
Aunt Genni
Connecting to the Southland
Hello Dear Reader,
When May rolled around the Houtz family, who Marilyn had lived with while she attended BYU for the year, drove to Atlanta so Marilyn could be with her family after eight months of homesickness. It was wonderful to be reunited again.
LeAnn graduated from high school shortly before so we were free as a family to travel with Grandpa as he made his rounds to the twenty-two buildings that were under construction in the Southeast Area. One trip we took was to Miami Beach. It was the first time the family had been to a warm and sandy ocean beach. We basked in the sun--so much so that we all suffered terrible sunburns. Even the bottoms of our feet got burned. It was painful to walk for about a week. We were all sick to our stomachs for several days as well. It was as if we were so burned we became dehydrated.
But that didn't deter us from going with Grandpa every chance we got. The beauty of the South touched us immensely. We had no idea that future genealogical research would reveal that some of the places we visited were places our ancestors had lived. No wonder we felt a special connection to the Southland.
Love,
Aunt Genni
When May rolled around the Houtz family, who Marilyn had lived with while she attended BYU for the year, drove to Atlanta so Marilyn could be with her family after eight months of homesickness. It was wonderful to be reunited again.
LeAnn graduated from high school shortly before so we were free as a family to travel with Grandpa as he made his rounds to the twenty-two buildings that were under construction in the Southeast Area. One trip we took was to Miami Beach. It was the first time the family had been to a warm and sandy ocean beach. We basked in the sun--so much so that we all suffered terrible sunburns. Even the bottoms of our feet got burned. It was painful to walk for about a week. We were all sick to our stomachs for several days as well. It was as if we were so burned we became dehydrated.
But that didn't deter us from going with Grandpa every chance we got. The beauty of the South touched us immensely. We had no idea that future genealogical research would reveal that some of the places we visited were places our ancestors had lived. No wonder we felt a special connection to the Southland.
Love,
Aunt Genni
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Washington DC to Louisiana
Hello Dear Reader,
Grandpa (Wes) Carter's area encompassed all of the southern states from Washington DC to Louisiana. He was over 64 building missionaries along with 16 supervisors and their families. In addition he had four other men on the office staff (their families were missionaries too just as our family had been in England, and still was, for that matter) and five girls who were also called as "building missionaries." (They obviously didn't build chapels but served secretarial, clerk, and accounting functions in the office.)
Grandpa and Grandma became close friends to some of the supervisors and their families. They had the satisfaction of seeing some beautiful chapels built and witnessed the boys develop, shape up, and learn trades to last them throughout their lives.
The family attended the Atlanta 1st Ward on Ponce de Leon close to downtown Atlanta. The natives pronounced the name of the street, "Ponce de Lyn." Can you imagine that with a Southern accent?
Love,
Aunt Genni
Grandpa (Wes) Carter's area encompassed all of the southern states from Washington DC to Louisiana. He was over 64 building missionaries along with 16 supervisors and their families. In addition he had four other men on the office staff (their families were missionaries too just as our family had been in England, and still was, for that matter) and five girls who were also called as "building missionaries." (They obviously didn't build chapels but served secretarial, clerk, and accounting functions in the office.)
Grandpa and Grandma became close friends to some of the supervisors and their families. They had the satisfaction of seeing some beautiful chapels built and witnessed the boys develop, shape up, and learn trades to last them throughout their lives.
The family attended the Atlanta 1st Ward on Ponce de Leon close to downtown Atlanta. The natives pronounced the name of the street, "Ponce de Lyn." Can you imagine that with a Southern accent?
Love,
Aunt Genni
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