April 1949

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April 1, 1949 (Fri)

April Fool's Day! I fooled Charlie several times, but he didn't fool me once. The sun shone today but still didn't get too warm. Our milk check came this morning - $51. Mike's potty chair also came - not bad. Charlie's Dad was over for a few minutes this morning. My goodness almost forgot - I washed this morning. This afternoon Charlie, Mike and I went to North Manchester. Charlie had some cow feed ground and bought himself 2 pr. of shorts and 2 undershirts. I bought myself a pr. of hose. We also bought groceries and went to the locker. We got home about 4:30. While Charlie did chores, I baked chocolate chip cookies, and did my ironing. This evening we ate supper and I did dishes and then to bed.

April 2, 1949 (Sat)

This morning dishes, Mike his breakfast and bath (he weighed 15 lbs 13 oz.) and cleaned Mike's room, our bedroom and the living room. We had spaghetti, tomato salad and strawberry shortcake for dinner. This afternoon I mopped and waxed dining room and kitchen. I called Dot then to see if she and Bob and boys wanted to come over for supper. Dot said she'd bring weiners and I could make waffles. So after that I cleaned eggs, helped Charlie do chores, darned a couple pair anklets and sewed buttons on a dress. I made some jello and then set the table, made the waffle dough and made the salad except for the dressing. Dot and Bob came then. We ate and then Dot and I did the dishes. We played euchre then. Dot and I won one game and Bob and Charlie one. Bob had a cold and didn't feel good so he laid down on the davenport and went to sleep. Dot, Charlie and I played a couple games of buck euchre then. It was about 11:30 when they left and then we went to bed.

April 3, 1949 (Sun)

It was a rather nice day - sunny but still a little chilly. I helped Charlie do chores again - that seems to have developed into a habit. We ate a quick breakfast and went to 10:15 Mass at St. Marys. Mike was very good - he went to sleep when the sermon started and slept the rest of the time. We got home about a qurter till 12 and Charlie pounded the steak while I peeled potatoes and got them on. We ate about 12:30 - steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, banana salad, cookies and ice cream. Charlie helped me do dishes, and then we just read the Sunday paper. Charlie started chores about 3:30 and I helped him. After he finished we got cleaned up again and were over to the folks at 5:30. Harriet and Bud, Fern, Ray and Stevie were there. Dot and Bob came soon after. The folks took care of the boys while Dot, Bob, Charlie and I went to Ft. Wayne to see a unit of the Ted Mack Amateur Hour Show at the Quimby. It was very good - there was also a movie - Jungle Patrol - it was just fair. Dot called Mom afterwards and then we went back to the folks and got there about 10:00. Everybody was still there. Charlie played a game of euchre and then we left. We were home and in bed about 11:30.

April 4, 1949 (Mon)

We got up fairly early - I straightened the house up and got myself and Mike cleaned up. Dot was supposed to be here at 8 but was a little late. While we were waiting on her, I took Mike out to the barn. The little pigs certainly fascinated him and he called the bull DaDa. Dot came then and we went to Ft. Wayne. It was a pretty day. We got to Mother's about a quarter of 9 and Dot left soon afterwards - she had an appointment for the dentist at 9:30. I cut my blouse out at Mom's this morning. The girls are all home this week - Spring Vacation. This afternoon Aunt Blanche, Doris, Marjorie, and Barbara were there. Barbara is 2 years old now. They were there about 3. After that I called Betty Jane and Lucile. We stayed till after Dad came home and then ate supper there too. It was about 5:30 when we left and about 6:30 when we got home. Mike's coat, hat, bath tub and our bed lamp came today. Mike's coat is cute and fits him good, but the hat is way too big. I don't think I can make it smaller. Charlie didn't finish till late and then we just went to bed. We got a letter from Dorothy M.

April 5, 1949 (Tues)

It rained today. This morning I did dishes, gave Mike his breakfast and bath and straightened the house up. This afternoon dishes again and then I cleaned eggs - I had quite a few and it took me most of the afternoon. After that I embroidered on the pillowcases. Charlie didn't finish chores again till late (I helped him),and so we just ate supper. I did the dishes and then to bed about a quarter till 10.

April 6, 1949 (Wed)

Washday again. I finished my wash about 9 so hung it upstaris. It looked cloudy then, but turned out to be a fairly nice day. Charlie got his oats sowed today - he is very pleased about that - last year and the year before it was much later than this before he could sow oats. This afternoon I ironed and put clothes away. After Charlie got his oats sowed he fertilized the garden and about 5 we went out and planted 2 rows - radishes, onions, lettuce and peas. Charlie started chores about 6:00. So this evening was spent like most - just eating supper, and going to bed.

April 7, 1949 (Thurs)

This morning I did dishes, straightened up the house, and gave Mike his breakfast and bath. I baked Charlie a rhubarb pie (no, not fresh - canned). then I darned socks, sewed on buttons etc. Charlie finally got started plowing this afternoon. After I did dishes, I got cleaned up and Mike and I went over to the folks. However, no one was home. But I stayed anyway. I had quite a bit of mending to do on the sewing machine, and then too I wanted to start sewing on my white blouse. I called Dot and talked to her awhile. Mike was good and played on the floor and took a little nap too. I got back home about 5:30. It rained a little this afternoon. About a quarter after 6, the folks stopped past - they had been at the cottage all week. Charlie finished chores about 7:30, and we ate supper then. In bed about 9:30.

April 8, 1949 (Fri)

Mike goes to bed about 9:00, and sleeps till 7 or 7:30 every night. Then after a bottle goes back to sleep and sleeps till 9:00 or 9:30. Then breakfast and bath and then back to sleep till about 11:30. Pretty nice for me - I can get quite a bit done in the mornings. This morning I did dishes, straightened up the house and cleaned eggs. This afternoon just dishes again and then I got cleaned up and about 2:30 I took Mike over to Dot's. When I left he was sitting on the floor playing with Bobby and Johnny. I took some cow feed to the elevator to be ground, bought paint for our bedroom furniture (dark green), got some Easter candy, buttons for the blouse I'm making and bought groceries. It was a little after 5 when I got Mike - Dot said he had been very good. Charlie was still plowing when I got home. I put groceries away, and was giving Mike his supper when he came up to the house. He started chores at 6:30 and after I got Mike in bed I went out and helped. It was 8 when we ate supper and 9 when we went to bed.

April 9, 1949 (Sat)

Mike is ten months old today and weighs 15 lbs 12 oz. and is 27 1/2 inches long. I put Mike in his bath tub this morning, and he didn't like it too well. He'll just have to get used to it - I think after a couple more times he'll like it. This morning I cleaned the bedrooms, living room and dining room and made chocolate pudding. We had chili for dinner. This afternoon I cleaned eggs, embroidered on the pillowslips and made orange cookies. We were going over to the folks, but Charlie plowed all day and was tired so we didn't. I washed my hair about 10, and we went to bed about 10:30.

April 10, 1949 (Sun)

We got up fairly early. While Charlie did chores, I did last night's supper dishes and made potato salad and baked beans to take to the lake. We left here about 8:30 and went to 9:00 Mass at Pierceton. Harriet, Ray and Fern were there too. Today was Palm Sunday. We got up to the cottage about a quarter till 11. Fern and Stevie went to Goshen. Buryel's Uncle Ed (Grandpa Baker's brother), Aunt Georgia and Betty were there for dinner. Grandpa Christman was also there, and Dot, Bob and boys too. In the afternoon Aunt Gladys, Uncle Ervin, Phil, Edna and her four children were there too. Harriet had brought a beautiful birthday cake for Buryel and me. We didn't leave till almost 7. I had a terrific headache when I got home so I put Mike to bed and went to bed myself. Charlie got his chores done about 10. I was awake when he came to bed and we listened to the radio till 11.

April 11, 1949 (Mon)

It was a very nice day - I washed this morning. Something is wrong with the water pump on our car and Charlie messed with it most of the morning so he didn't plow until this afternoon. This afternoon I ironed and put clothes away, and embroidered on the pillowslips. Charlie didn't stop plowing till late and so I helped him do chores, we ate supper and then to bed.

April 12, 1949 (Tues)

Another beautiful day. This morning I did my mending, cleaned eggs and baked a pinepple upside down cake. I took Mike outside for a little bit this morning, and he cried when I brought him in. I had the doors open all day - it was so nice. This afternoon I did the dishes and then went over to the folks to sew - I got all the machine work done on my blouse. I left there about a quarter till 5 and stopped at Dot's on the way home. She was cleaning eggs on the back porch and Bobby was playing in the backyard. Mike wanted to run and play with Bobby so bad. It was about 5:30 when I got home. Charlie finished plowing here today - outside of some pasture he doesn't want to plow till May. I helped him do chores, and then supper and bed.

April 13, 1949 (Wed)

April 14, 1949 (Thurs)

Charlie went over to the folks to plow again today. I washed this morning and had my washing done, hanging on the line and washer and tubs emptied and cleaned by 9:00. It was so warm then and washing dried so fast. I embroidered on the pillowslips and had given Mike his bath and was giving him his breakfast when Buryel stopped by. She was looking for their lawnmower, but it wasn't here. I got birthday cards today from Evelyn and Dick, Lucile and Bill and Aunt Georgia, Uncle Ed and Betty. This afternoon I washed up the dishes, ironed and embroidered on pillowslips. This afternoon it hailed and then rained and rained. It was about 5:30 when Charlie came home. He did chores while I finished embroidering the pillowslips. We ate supper and to bed.

April 15, 1949 (Fri)

Today is Buryel's birthday. It was much chillier today. It rained this morning and snowed (yes, snowed this afternoon) and it stayed on the ground all night too. Charlie took care of Mike while I went to S. Whitley. I had to wait till the milk check (70.49) came and just about missed Dr. Huffman. He took a blood test today and I got weighed and only weighed 113. I don't think he liked it too well because I lost 5 pounds since last month. I went down to the drugstore to pay electricity bill and had a flat tire when I got there. So I had a man come over from the filling station across the street to change it for me. I also paid telephone and sent money order payments for my sweeper and to Spiegel's. Thats the last payment on my sweeper. I got back home about 10. Charlie had dressed Mike and was fixing my ironing board for me. I gave Mike his breakfast and then about 10:30 I took Mike over to Dot's and Charlie over to his folks and I went to N. Manchester. I got our dry cleaning, took the flat tire to Westafers, went to the grocery, locker, bought myself a pair of hose, got our watches at Crownovers, went to the shoe repair shop for shoe polish, and then to the dimestore. By that time it was noon and the stores closed. This was good Friday. So I went back to Dot's and got Mike and then home. Charlie was home. We ate a quick lunch and then this afternoon I did dishes, and washed and ironed the pillowslips. I also did some more sewing on my blouse. Charlie did chores rather early and we went over to the floks after we ate supper. Dot, Bob, Bobby, Johnny, Ray, Fern, and Stevie were already there. We gave Buryel her pillowslips and she gave me a beautiful rag rug. I certainly need them because mine are all wearing out. Buryel also had buckets for the boys with easter eggs etc. in them. Dot had brought a cake over and we had ice cream and cake. It was about 11 when we left. And then home and to bed. Today I received a birthday card from Charlie's folks, and Mike got Easter cards from Aunt Effie and Aunt Dessie. Oh yes, I also got an invitation to a shower for Oddra on April 27th.

April 16, 1949 (Sat)

At last I'm 21! Now that I'm of age I can do anything I please. It warmed up just a little today, but at least it didn't snow or rain. I did dishes, gave Mike his breakfast and bath (he weighed 16 lb. 5 oz.) I received cards today from Mother and Dad, Margaret and Jess and Bety, Erv and Sue (Sue is just getting over the measles) Mike got an Easter card from Grandpa and Grandma Oliver and we got an invitation to Oddra and Bud's wedding. I finished my blouse this morning and started sewing the hem in my skirt. Charlie went to town this morning, and got back home here about 1. We had barbecued ribs for dinner. I did dishes then and was shining shoes when Dot and Bob brought the boys over here while they went to Huntington to church. I put my ham in the oven to bake and baked my cake. Dot and Bob weren't gone very long. I finished doing sewing etc. that I had to do. While Charlie did chores I dyed Easter eggs - Dot's too, pressed some clothes and got cleaned up. We just ate sandwiches and left here about 7. We took Mike over to Dot and Bob's and Charlie and I went to St. Mary's in Huntington to confession. We were going to go to the movies there but all they had on were cowboy pictures so we went to N. Manchester and saw "Rogues Regiment" with Dick Powell. It was pretty good. Afterwards we went to Louie's and had phosphates. And then back to Dot's. Mike was still awake. He hadn't slept at all. It was just a little after 11 when we got home and I put Mike right to bed. However Charlie and I didn't go to bed till about midnight.

April 17, 1949 (Sun)

Happy Easter! We got up at 6. While Charlie did chores I made frosting for my cake, did dishes, shined Mike's shoes and got our clothes already to wear. I had to wake Mike up at 8 to give him his bath and bottle. Dot and Bob came about 8:30, but we weren't quite ready. It started to snow about 7, and by the time we left the ground was just covered with snow. It snowed more here this morning than it did last winter at one time. By the time we got to Fort Wayne the snow had changed to rain. We took the boys to Mom's and Dad's, and went to 10:00 Mass at St. Jude's. When we came out of Church it was snowing hard as it was when we had left home. And it snowed most of the afternoon. All the family was there for dinner - all 20 of us. Then this afternoon Aunt Elma, Don, Nancy, Jimmy and Danny were there for awhile. Also Edna Tobias, her boyfriend, Sharon, Tommy, Thelma Purdue, Orville, Danny Purdue and his girlfriend, Beverly. It was 6 before we left, about 7 when we got home. Oh yes, I got a set of colored Pyrex mixing bowls for my birthday and I think they were either from Howard or Ahleen. I put Mike to bed about 7:30, and then I helped Charlie do chores. We went to bed about a quarter after 10.

April 18, 1949 (Mon)

At least it didn't snow today, but it did rain most of the day. I didn't do a whole lot this morning. Just did dishes, gave Mike his breakfast and bath, read part of yesterday's paper and got dinner. We had scalloped potatoes with ham, peas, tomato salad, jello and cake. This afternoon dishes again and I cleaned eggs - 16 1/2 dozen of them. Then I caught up on writing in here and also caught up on my bookkeeping. Oh yes, I received a birthday card from Aunt Elma. I helped Charlie do chores again. Nothing unusual this morning - just went to bed about 10.

April 19, 1949 (Tues)

Once again washday. The weather was nice enough that I could hang my wash outdoors. Charlie rented an electric floor sander from Littles Hardware - it was about 2 before he got it and he sanded our bedroom and Mike's room. I ironed this and then helped Charlie do chores. After supper he sanded till one o'clock. I did odds and ends of things this evening and finally about 10:30 I made some. I went to bed about midnight and Charlie a little after 1. Our house is certainly messed up. We are sleeping on our interspring mattress and springs in the middle of the living room floor. The rest of our furniture is in the kitchen. Mike's bed and furniture are in the living room too.

April 20, 1949 (Wed)

It was just a fair day - a little cool but sunny. This morning I painted our bedroom ceiling and part of the walls light green. I used Ace-tone. I got us a quick dinner and then dishes. This afternoon Bob came over and helped Charlie buzz wood. I finished painting the walls in our room and varnish the floor in Mike's room. This evening I put an undercoat on our dresser, commode and bed. It was about 11 when we went to bed.

April 21, 1949 (Thurs)

Charlie was able to plow today so he went over to the folks. This morning I varnished part of our bedroom floor and ran out of varnish. So I got ready and Mike and I went to N. Manchester. It was such a nice day and I used Dot's stroller. Mike certainly enjoyed our trip to town. I bought 2 more quarts of varnish, bought birthday cards for Dad and Evie Lou. I also went to Crownovers and got Charlie and my watches. I went to grocery and then to locker. I fell down in front of the locker and ruined a pair of hose. One of those which I had just bought last Friday. I have more bad luck with hose here lately. I stopped past Dot's on the way home and got home about 12:30. This afternoon I finshed varnishing our bedroom floor and painted our dresser, commode and head end of the bed dark green and then I ran out of paint. I helped Charlie do chores when he got home and then. It was about 11 again when we went to bed.

April 22, 1949 (Fri)

I washed again today and hung the clothes outside. I also washed the curtains in Mike's room and ours. Oh, yes, I varnished Mike's floor again. Dot brought Johnny over for me to take care of while she and Bobby went to town. I had her get me some more green paint. This afternoon then I stretched the curtains on the curtain stretchers. Dot didn't get home till 1 and then we ate a lunch. It was 2:30 before she left. I did dishes then and painted the rest of the bed and the dresser once again. I helped Charlie do chores and then I varnished our bedroom floor again. Once again it was rather late when we got to bed.

April 23, 1949 (Sat)

The cows all got out this morning, and I trid to run them down, but finally had to come back and get Charlie. We had gotten up at 5 this morning thinking we'd get a lot done and then those cows slowed us up a half hour getting them in. Right after breakfast Charlie helped me move the furniture back into Mike's room and our bedroom. Now we can actually move around. After that Charlie had to go build fence so the cows would stay in. While he did that I tried to finish straightening things up a little, gave Mike breakfast and bath and did dishes. Charlie came in about 11 for dinner so I got something quick and then he went over to his Dad's to plow. I did dishes again and washed the woodwork and windows in Mike's room and ours. I ironed the ruffles on the curtains and put them up. They look so nice. I ironed a few other things I had. Dot called and wanted to know if we would take care of Bobby and Johnny while they went to show. We said we would. While Charlie did chores I mopped the kitchen and dining room. Dot and Bob brought the boys over about 7:30. Charlie came in from doing chores about a quarter till 8. We ate supper and then I redded the dishes up and waxed the kitchen and dining room floors. Johnny slept all the time, and Bobby played and watched Charlie cut the bed down. Charlie cut six inches off of it. Then we finished straightening the room up and I made up the bed. We put our border up and were still at that when Dot and Bob came about midnight. Soon after they left, we went to bed.

April 24, 1949 (Sun)

We didn't get up till about 7. While Charlie did chores I cleaned the living room and baked a chocolate cake. He went over to Bracken after a few things and I gave Mike his bath and got cleaned up myself. After Charlie came back, I made filling for the cake and he helped me do last night's supper dishes and baking dishes. We were just finishing at 12:30 (where did the time go?) when Betty, Erv and Sue came. I hurried and peeled potatoes and put them on in the pressure cooker. For dinner we had baked ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, tomato salad, peas and chocolate cake. Sue really went after the chocolate cake. Betty and I did dishes then and then Charlie and I beat Betty and Erv 2 out of 3 games of carrom. By that time Charlie had to start chores. About 7 Dot, Bob, and boys came over. Dot had made doughnut dough and brought it over. We just ate a lunch of ham sandwiches, potato chips and coffee. While Betty and I did the dishes, Dot fried and sugared the doughnuts. I think Sue and Bobby tired to see who could out eat the other in doughnut holes. Then we had coffee and doughnuts and everyone left around 11 and we went to bed.

April 25, 1949 (Mon)

Today is Dad's birthday - he is 54. This morning I just straightened up the house, did dishes, and gave Mike his breakfast and bath. I called Mother and asked if Mike and I could come and stay all night Wednesday - of course, she said sure. This afternoon I spent the biggest share of the time cleaning eggs. Charlie plowed over to his folks all day. I baked an angel food cake this afternoon and made scalloped potatoes. We went to Farm Bureau potluck. Got home a little after 10. Mike was very good. I did dishes and then to bed. Charlie brought some of his mother's washing over for me to do since she has been in bed for the last few days.

April 26, 1949 (Tues)

Today is Charlie and my second wedding anniversary. Yep - all of 2 years - good ones too. It rained all day. I washed and had to hang everything indoors. Charlie went over to the folks again today. This afternoon I did part of my ironing. Charlie got home about 5, but then he went out and planted potatoes. So by the time he got done and we did chores, it was time for supper and bed. We got anniversary cards from Margaret and Jess, Anna May and Bell Mather and Dad, Aunt Elma and Evelyn and Dick.

April 27, 1949 (Wed)

It was a beautiful day today - pretty warm too. I finished doing my ironing this morning. Oh yes, after I helped Charlie do chores I cleaned eggs before the egg man came at a quarter till 8. I had 25 dozen for him this week. After I ironed, I straightened up the house and packed a suitcase for Mike and I. Then I got dinner. After dinner dishes and got cleaned up. Mike and I left home a little before 2, went past Buryel's and left off her washing (she is still in bed). We went to N. Manchester, I bought Sue a pink and white eyelet bonnet for her birthday which is next Sunday (she will be 2), and I got a light green luncheon cloth for Oddra for the shower tonight. Betty is going to pay for half of it. It was about 3 when Mike and I left N. Manchester. From there we went right to Ft. Wayne. It was about a quarter till 4 when I parked the car near Lincoln Life. I took Mike in to see Dorothy Murphy. That's the first time I've been back since I quit over 2 years ago. Mike had slept on the way to Fort Wayne and was in a very good mood. He jabbered and threw kisses to Miss McCrory and Dorothy. I took him upstairs then to Anna May's department. All of the girls got a big kick out of him. I left there just a little before 4:30 and went out to Mom's and Dad's. Mike and I ate supper then. I called Betty Jane before 5 at work and she said she wasn't going this evening. After we ate, I pressed my skirt and blouse and took a shower. It was about a quarter till 7 when I left there. Mother took care of Mike this evening. I stopped over past Betty's and gave Sue her bonnet. Betty's Aunt Louise and her husband were there. I went on to Marilyn's then. It was a surprise shower, but I don't believe Oddra was too surprised. Marilyn, Marilyn's mother, Anna May, Pat, Betty Lou, Gloria Heaston, Oddra and I were there. We embroidered our initials on tea towels and talked. Marilyn's baby weighs 11 lbs already - he is cute. We had strawberry shortcake and coffee to eat. I left about a quarter till 11, but couldn't get the car started so I finally went back up to Marilyn's apartment. I had to wait till 11:30 before Kenny, Bill C. and Don came to push me. Then I fell down the last few steps up to Marilyn's apartment and ruined my last pair of hose. I finally got out to Mothers a little before 12. She was sleeping beside Mike. She said he had been asleep since 8. I washed my knee and bandaged it and then went to bed.

April 28, 1949 (Thurs)

Mike woke up about 6 so I got up then too. Mother and Dad were already up. I fixed Mike a bottle and he went back to sleep for awhile. The car wouldn't start this morning again so we called up a garage to have the battery charged - they said they would come out after it about 8, but it was 9 before they got there. And it was 11 before they brought it back. Mother and I just did the dishes and talked. I left right after they brought the battery back. I stopped at Kroger store on State and bought groceries and then home. Mike slept all the way home. We got home about 1 and Charlie was trying to find something to eat. So I got us some lunch. After that I washed dishes - all of Charlie's that he used while I was gone. Then I put clothes away etc. This evening I helped Charlie do chores, we ate supper, I did dishes and then to bed.

April 29, 1949 (Fri)

Another very nice day. This morning I cleaned eggs, gave Mike his breakfast and bath and got dinner. This afternoon I took Charlie over to the folks and I went to S. Whitley to file mortage exemption. I had forgotten my billfold so I couldn't buy groceries. After I got home, I started to mow the lawn, but the lawn mower didn't work right so I quit. I went over to Bracken then and bought some groceries. When I got back, Fern, Stevie and Dad C. were here. They stayed just a few minutes. Charlie came home then, and I helped him do chores. We ate supper, I did dishes, and then to bed.

April 30, 1949 (Sat)

I washed this morning, and hung everything outdoors. They all dried so nice. This afternoon I ironed and put clothes away and straightened up the house. This evening we went over to the folks to take baths. Fern, Ray, Stevie and Bob were there too. I talked to Dorothy on the telephone. Buryel was up and feeling a little better. Dot and I are going to take dinner over to the folks tomorrow. It was about 10:30 when we got home and in bed.