February 1949

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February 1, 1949 (Tues)

Charlie butchered today and I washed. It was sunny out, but still very cold so I hung my clothes in the house. This afternoon I cleaned and I had Sunday's, Monday's and today's so that kept me busy quite awhile. Then I did my ironing and just finished when Charlie got home at 7:30. He did chores, we ate supper and then it was time for bed. Mike was a sleepy head this morning or rather all day.

February 2, 1949 (Wed)

Groundhog's day and the groundhog certainly saw his shadow today 'cause it was very sunny - so 6 more weeks of winter weather. The eggman came about 8:30 - had a full case for him. Mike weighed 14 lbs 4 oz. this morning so he's still gaining. I put clothes away this morning and dusted and swept the kitchen and dining room. This afternoon I mended and sewed buttons. Honestly, it seems as though I spent the biggest share of the afternoon sewing buttons on blouses, overalls of Mike, overalls and shirts for Charlie and dresses. Then I made a chocolate pudding, rinsed out some dirty diapers, washed out hose and Mike's overalls by hand and cleaned eggs. It was 10 till 7 when Charlie got home - oh, yes, he was butchering again. So he did chores, then supper and then to bed. Mike said Ma Ma today more than he did Da Da.

February 3, 1949 (Thurs)

No, Charlie didn't have to butcher today - believe it or not. So we took Mike over to Dot's this morning for about an hour while Charlie and I went to N. Manchester. We just bought groceries and went to the locker and drugstore. This afternoon I mopped and waxed the kitchen floor and cleaned the dining room and Mike's room. We still have the living room shut off. I also washed diapers, overalls and hose by hand and washed my hair, and cleaned eggs. We went to bed around 9:30. Charlie's folks stopped this afternoon - Charlie's mother is going with us tomorrow. We got a letter from Evie Lou and an invitation to a shower for Marilyn. This one is being given by Pat and Oddra - its next Wednesday. We also got, of course, Journal-Gazette, the American Home and Redbook.

February 4, 1949 (Fri)

We wanted to get up at 5:30 but didn't hear the alarm. Butch woke us up at 10 after 6 - he wanted out. It was 8:30 before we got over to Charlie's folks. The roads were pretty slippery but weren't so bad after Wabash. We got to Nellie and Leo's about 10:30. We stayed there for lunch and Buryel stayed there this afternoon while Charlie and I took Mike to Riley Hospital. Our appointment was for 1:00 pm. However, we had to wait an hour. Today, they just weighed Mike - 14 obs 6 oz and took his temperature - normal. We saw the same doctor who had examined Mike before. He said that Mike was still too little to tell definitely what was the matter, but he said the x-rays were suggestive that the artery between the lung and the heart is either partially or entirely closed thus not letting enough oxygen in Mike's blood. Dr. Logan said if that is the case then Mike's condition can be corrected by surgery. However, they would like to wait until he is 3 or 4 years old. They want us to keep coming back every 6 mos. to see how Mikey is getting along. He thought he was doing very well and just said to be sure and keep giving him plenty of liquids. Our next appointment is August 5th. We got back out to Nellie's about 3:30. Leo came home from work soon after. We had a delicious dinner, but it was about 8 before we left. On the way home we came through Elwood and stopped at Charlie's Aunt Midge's. Just she and Doris were there. We stayed there for an hour and by the time we took Charlie's mother home it was 11:30 when we got home. We got a letter from Betty.

February 5, 1949 (Sat)

We didn't get up very early this morning - we were all three pretty tired. I also didn't do too much. Dot called this morning and wanted to know if we wanted to go up to the cottage tomorrow. I guess we will if its nice. This afternoon I washed diapers, cleaned eggs and baked an angel food cake. I also baked a ham for supper. It was late when we ate supper so Charlie helped me with dishes and then to bed.

February 6, 1949 (Sun)

The weather was fair this morning so we got ready to go to the lake. It took me forever and a day to make frosting for the cake and then it still didn't get hard. We finally left about 10:30 and met the folks and Dot and Bob on the way up - Ray was already there and had a fire started in the cottage. Fern and Stevie went to Goshen. Bob, Charlie, Ray and Dad went ice fishing while we took care of the babies and got dinner. Ray was the only one who caught any fish in the morning. After dinner they went back ice fishing even though it did rain and they all got wet. But they all caught some fish in the afternoon - Charlie caught 5. Fern came back in time for supper. So we ate, did dishes and left. We thought we left a little after 7 but Charlie's watch was off about an hour so it was 9 when we got home. Charlie had to do chores then. Aunt Elma, Don and Nancy had been here - they left a note. Of course, we would be gone. It was about 10:30 when we went to bed. Mike is cutting a tooth and one corner is there - it feels real sharp. He wanted me to hold him most of the day.

February 7, 1949 (Mon)

Ho Hum! Another Monday. Nothing unusual at all. This morning I did dishes and gave Mike his bath and breakfast and straightened up the house. Mike weighed 14 1/2 lbs today - getting to be a big baby. We were supposed to go over to the folks tonight for a fish fry, but Charlie's Dad came over and said Buryel had a bad cold and didn't think she should have the kids there so Dad brought us some fish. Charlie worked out in the barn all day - just did odds and ends I guess. This afternoon I cleaned eggs and baked a coconut cream pie. For supper we had fish, fried potatoes, salad, green beans, pie and cake. Charlie helped me do dishes and then we played a game of pinochle - I won 1120 to 1100. It was about 9:30 when we went to bed. Betty Jane called today. She wanted me to take Mike with me to the shower Weds. evening so she could take Sue. I said I would. She also wants me to call her if I couldn't go Weds.

February 8, 1949 (Tues)

Charlie butchered today and I washed. The usual thing for Tuesdays. This afternoon I ironed, did dishes and cleaned eggs. It was so very warm today just like spring weather - I hung Mike's diapers outdoors. Charlie got home about 7:30 and said Jerome would probably be down to use the telephone so I hurried and put clothes away and dusted and swept the dining room. Jerome came about a quarter of 9 - he wasn't here very long. Mike acted like he was scared of him. We ate supper, then I put Mike to bed about 9:30 and I just redded the table up and we went to bed.

February 9, 1949 (Wed)

Mike didn't wake up this morning till 9:30 - the old sleepyhead. Mike is 8 months old today and he weighs 14 lbs 10 oz.. Golly, I can't get over how he's gaining - I just hope he keeps it up. This morning the eggman came - I only had 29 dozen today - the hens certainly have been cutting down. The eggman also brought my egg check - $12.90 - we got 46 cents for eggs. Honestly, all prices are coming down - hogs, grain, cattle, milk and eggs and yet everything we have to buy is still high as ever - will be hurtin' for certain if things don't change. This morning I cleaned eggs, did dishes, mended Charlie's overalls and darned my anklets. I also washed Mike's snowsuit and corduroy overalls out by hand. Charlie had to go down to Metzgers today to help shredd corn. It was about 3 when he got home and I left right away and went to N. Manchester. The car kept sputtering all the way to town and I couldn't drive any faster than 30. However once I got to town it was alright. I bought groceries, went to the locker and drugstore and bought a beautiful blue blanket with white figures for Marilyn's shower gift and a pair of hose for myself. I hadn't any more than got out of town when the car started acting up. I came all the way home about 20 miles away. Charlie looked at the car and worked on it a little and thought he had it fixed. He did chores and we all got ready to go. I made sandwiches to eat on the wya and also cookies. We left about 6:15 and hadn't gotten more thatn 1/2 mile from home when the car started acting up again so we just went over to the folks and drove their car to Fort Wayne. We got down to 24 and then had a flat tire - honestly, more luck. However, Mike and I did get to Pat Ensley's apartment before Marilyn - it was a surprise shower. Marilyn, Oddra, Donna, Anna May, Betty Lou, Betty Jane, Mary Gerrard, Pat's mother, Marilyn's mother and of course, Marilyn were there. Me too and Sue and Mike. Charlie went out to Mother's. Ray and LaVon were there too. We had a good time at the shower - mostly talked again. It was about 11 when I called Charlie - we took Betty home. Erv was supposed to be at work at 11 but hadn't gotten up in time so hadn't left yet. We went in for a few minutes to see their new radio and drapes - very nice. And then home - it was about 12:30 when we got home and about 1 by the time we got Mike and ourselves in bed.

February 10, 1949 (Thurs)

Gosh, but we were tired today - Mike slept and slept - hardly could keep him awake long enough to feed him. Charlie took the folks car home and brought ours back - he says it runs alright now. He worked on his tractor - it had a valve sticking. This morning I just did dishes, picked things up, dusted and swept etc. We had pork roast, potatoes, gravy, tomato salad and peaches and angel food cake for dinner - yes, there was still some of that left. This afternoon I just did dishes, cleaned eggs and baked an orange cream layer cake with orange filling and an orange icing. It certainly is good and looked like a picture. This evening, dishes again and then Charlie and I played a game of pinochle - I won just by 10 points. We went to bed about 10.

February 11, 1949 (Fri)

I washed again today while Charlie hauled manure. This afternoon I did dishes, ironed, and put clothes away. Also cleaned eggs. Charlie did chores early so we could go to the basketball game tonight. We ate a quick supper and got cleaned up. We took Mike over to the folks but they weren't home so we took him over to Dot's and she said she'd take care of him. So Charlie and I went to Chester to see Chester and Roann play. And Chester won! 37 - 29. Metzgers were there - their son, Ronald plays on the Chester team - one of the first five - he's a guard. The Jr. class at Chester had a cakewalk afterwards so Charlie and I stayed for that and Charlie won an angel food cake. We stopped by after Mike and gave Dot some of the cake. It was 11 when we got home - Mike was certainly tickled to see us.

February 12, 1949 (Sat)

This morning I did dishes, gave Mike his bath and breakfast and cleaned eggs. We had barbecued ribs for dinner. This afternoon dishes again, then I mopped kitchen and dining room, but only had wax enough for kitchen. I also cleaned Mike's bedroom, washed hose out by hand, cleaned some more eggs, and put towels and diapers away. We decided to go over to the folks tonight, but nobody was home and it was all locked up. So instead we went over to Dot and Bob's and played euchre till about 10:30 and then home. Mike weighed 14 lbs 11 oz.

February 13, 1949 (Sun)

It was around 50 degrees this morning - a very warm but rainy and muddy. While Charlie did chores I cleaned our bedroom, straightened up the dining room and did last night's dishes. Of course, as usual I fed the chickens. We went to 10:15 mass - high at St. Mary's. Mike was very good - he didn't fuss or sleep at all. Just looked around and jabbered a little. We stopped at Bracken on the way home and bought some ice cream for dinner. So I hurried and made a meat loaf for dinner in the pressure cooker. We also had potatoes, gravy, tomato salad, cheese, coffee, angel food cake and ice cream. Dot called about 1 and wanted to know if we would take care of Bobby and Johnny while she and Bob went to the show this afternoon - we said we would. So about 2 they brought them over. I gave Johnny a bottle and he went to sleep and didn't wake up till they came after him. Bobby was good too, but wouldn't take a nap. Also Mike wouldn't go to bed either as long as Bobby was up. Charlie helped me do dinner dishes and then we played pinochle - I beat him 1230 to 1220. He won one. He did chores then and I read the paper and started working on the crossword puzzle. Dot and Bob came then about 6 after the kids. Charlie finished chores about 6:30 and we ate a light lunch - just sandwiches and ice cream and then played 3 more games of pinochle - 2 of which I won. It was about 10:30 when we went to bed.

February 14, 1949 (Mon)

Happy St. Valentine's Day! Just a usual Monday. Did dishes, cleaned eggs, gave Mike his bath and breakfast etc. Mike got a valentine from Marjorie, David, Jim and Betty Ann. I got one from Betty Jane. I baked a valentine cake for Charlie. It had pink icing - pink heart in the middle and coconut around it. He liked it. This afternoon we took Mike to the doctor for his second immuniztion shot. He also gave us some penicillin salve for Mike's eye. We also paid light and telephone. Our Spiegel's catalog came today too. This evening Charlie and I just played cards and went to bed about 9:30.

February 15, 1949 (Tues)

Charlie butchered today and I washed. It rained so I had to hang every thing upstairs. This afternoon I ironed and cleaned eggs. It was 8:30 before Charlie got home and he said he had already eaten supper so I ate while he did chores and it was around 11 when we went to bed. Mike got a valentine from Sue and Mother.

February 16, 1949 (Wed)

Gosh, but it was a beautiful day - so warm and sunshiny. And of course I washed yesterday when it rained. Dot called this morning to find out what time we were going to leave tomorrow. This morning I just put clothes away and mended sox and sewed buttons on. This afternoon Charlie went to town and bought groceries. I did dishes, cleaned eggs, shined shoes, washed some things out by hand, baked a banana coconut cream pie and started packing my suitcase. This evening we played cards and to bed about 10.

February 17, 1949 (Thurs)

We got up about 6. I finished getting things packed and ready to go. I gave Mike his bath and got cleaned up myself. It was about 9 when we left here. Mike and I went over after Dot, Bobby and Johnny but didn't leave there till 10. It was 11 before we got to Mother's. We ate lunch there. Then Marjorie and I went to the drugstore and grocery store. This afternoon Dorothy and I washed diapers. Dad got home from work about 4:00. After supper Mom and Dot did dishes while I washed my hair. Dot gave me a Toni home permanent then. Raymie and LaVon were there for a little while. I slept on the davenport in the living room while Mike slept on one of the big chairs. Oh yes, I talked to Betty on the telephone this afternoon.

February 18, 1949 (Fri)

Mike woke up at 5:30 for a bottle and I didn't go back to sleep after that. Mother and Dad got up soon after cause Dad had to be at work at 7. Dot had a dentist appointment at 8:30. While she was gone I baked an angel food cake and Mom and I did dishes and made beds. Dot got back about 10 and she and I left about 11:30 for town. We bought Dot a new dress and girdle, some things for the shower tonight for Mother, and a pair of baby scales (just like Mike's) for Millie's gift tonight from Dot, Ahleen and I. I also went to Kendale Studios for Mike's picture and the tinting was terrible so they are going to do it over and mail it (anyway so they say). It was about 4:15 when we got back to Mother's The car sounded so funny on the way home from town. This evening after supper Dot made frosting. I did dishes while Mom straightened the house up. Bob and June, Roger and Eddie Klingler from Ohio about 6:30. I gave Mike a bath and cleaned up myself. The shower for Millie was at 8 and Mother gave it. There were some ladies here I didn't know and also Aunt Elma, Millie, Margaret, Ahleen, June, Dot and Alma Gross - there were 14 altogether. Millie received some very nice gifts. We played bunco and then ate a lunch. Meanwhile Bob and Charlie had gotten into town and went over to Howard and Ahleen's where all the men were. It was about a quarter of one when we started for home and our car wouldn't run. So Charlie and I stayed all night at Mother and Dad's. Bob, Dot and boys went on home and Bob is going to do our chores in the morning. It was about 2 when we went to bed.

February 19, 1949 (Sat)

It was about 7:30 when we got up. Dad pulled our car over to a garage to be fixed. We ate breakfast then and Charlie and Dad went back over to the garage while Mother and I did dishes and made beds. It was about 10:30 when Dad and Charlie got back and the car runs alright now and it only cost $5.75. We left for home then and it was about noon when we got here. This afternoon I just did dishes (had all of Charlie's to do for the last few days), cleaned eggs and dusted and swept. I also washed some things out by hand. This evening Charlie and I played cards. It was about 9:30 when we went to bed. I haven't menustrated this month yet - its been 37 days. So I suppose that means I'm pregnant although I don't see how its possible. I didn't want another baby so soon, but I guess if its to be we'll just have to make the best of it. (She is pregnant with me!)

February 20, 1949 (Sun)

We were three tired or lazy or something this morning and so didn't go to church. Charlie went over to Bracken and got some ice cream and cookies and also stopped over to Dot and Bob's. We had pork roast for dinner and Charlie helped me do dishes. We played cards this afternoon. Charlie did chores and we got cleaned up and picked up Dot, Bob, Johnny and Bobby and went over to the folks. They took care of the 3 boys while we 4 went bowling in N. Manchester. Bob didn't bowl. Charlie and Dot are both pretty good and bowled in the 130's. But me - I'm terrible and I bowled 31, 71, and 49. I never could bowl worth a darn. It was about 9:30 when we got back to the folks and about 10:30 when we got home. And then to bed.

February 21, 1949 (Mon)

It was a rainy dreary day today. I was so stiff and sore. The bowling didn't seem to bother Charlie at all. I did breakfast dishes, cleaned eggs and made vegetable soup for dinner. This afternoon dishes again, cleaned some more eggs and gave Mike his bath. I also swept the dining room and got caught up on writing in here. No particular mail today. I wrote letters to Lucile and Dorothy Murphy. Charlie did chores early, and after supper and dishes I read a magazine and we went to bed about 10.

February 22, 1949 (Tues)

George Washington's birthday so no mail today. As usual I washed, Charlie butchered, and it rained. This afternoon I ironed - certainly had a big ironing today for some reason. It was around 5 when Charlie got home - I had just finished ironing. He did chores then, we ate supper and I did dishes. I just read magazines this evening. It was about 9:30 when we went to bed.

February 23, 1949 (Wed)

The Sectional Basketball Tourney started in Ft. Wayne this morning so Charlie and I listened to that and I didn't get much else done. Mike hasn't been doing so well here lately - he just weighed 14 lb. 10 oz this morning when I weighed him. In the Sectional Tourney, Harlan beat Leo, Coesse beat Woodburn, Monroeville beat Elmhurst, and New Haven beat Concordia. The egg man came this morning and altough I had 23 dozen, for some reason I only marked 22 dozen on the card. So now I'll probably get paid for only 22 dz. This afternoon we listened to basketball games again, but I managed to get a little more done. I did dishes, baked chocolate chip cookies, dusted and swept dining room, did my mending and cleaned eggs. This afternoon South Side beat Laf. Central, North Side beat Arcola, Central beat C.C. and Hoagland beat Huntertown. Charlie did chores then, and we ate supper. This evening we played pinochle and once again I won. We couldn't hear the games - they were broadcasted over WKJG and it was just noisy. However, Coesse beat Harlan, North Side beat South Side, Monroeville beat New Haven and Central beat Hoagland. It was 10:30 before we went to bed.

February 24, 1949 (Thurs)

Charlie went to N. Manchester the first thing this morning after chores and breakfast so he could hear Chester game (they won.) He was also going to get a flat tire fixed and buy groceries. Buryel came over for about an hour this morning - mostly just to talk. Instead of going over there Sunday, we are suppose to go over to Fern and Ray's. It is supposed to be a surprise for Ray and Myron Baker (Charlie's cousin) Ray's birthday is Saturday. So I didn't get a whole lot done this morning. Mike's picture came from Kendale Studios finally. The picture is good of Mke, but the tinting is terrible. Before Charlie got home though I cleaned Mike's room, the living room and dining room. Charlie got home about a quarter after 12 and we ate a lunch then. We didn't do too much this afternoon. Charlie did chores early and after supper and dishes we played pinochle and I won.

Mikey

February 25, 1949 (Fri)

It rained again today and I washed. Charlie worked outside this morning - doing what I don't know. This afternoon I ironed, cleaned eggs and baked date-nut bread - part of it for Sunday. This evening after I did dishes, Charlie and I played cribbage and he beat me 2 out of 3 games. Then he was happy. In the evenings we've been putting Mike on a blanket on the dining room table, and he is learning to crawl. He does it so cute - he pulls his arms forward first and then raises the rest of his body keeping his legs straight and moves forward. He gets such a big kick out of it. Mike went to bed about 10 and Charlie and I about a quarter of 11. I didn't feel too good most of the day so probably its so.

February 26, 1949 (Sat)

I'm always so glad to see Saturdays come around so I can look forward to tomorrow being Sunday. It was nice and sunny out today - of course, I washed yesterday. But I kept busy today. This morning, though, I just did dishes, gave Mike his breakfast and bath and got dinner. This afternoon I did dishes again, mopped and waxed the kitchen and dining room floors, cleaned eggs, ran the sweeper in the living room again and cleaned our bedroom. Charlie went to N. Manchester this afternoon - I forgot to have him get Dextri Maltose for Mike the other day. Besides he got to hear the Chester-Wabash game even though Chester did get beat. I listened to the Fort Wayne sectional this afternoon - N.S. beat Coesse and Central beat Monroeville (an upset). Charlie got back about 3. After he did chores this evening, we ate supper and went over to the folks. Dot, Bob and boys, Fern, Ray and Stevie and Harriet and Bud came too. Today is Ray's birthday. He's 25. I washed my hair and then took a bath. Afterwards we played euchre and ate a lunch. It was 1 before we got home.

February 27, 1949 (Sun)

Mike was so sleepy this morning - he didn't wake up till 9:30. I gave him his breakfast and bath then and back to bed. He weighed 14 lbs 11 oz. this morning. He hasn't been doing too well lately. While Charlie did chores, I cleaned celery, carrots, radishes and olives to take down to Fern and Ray's. I took that and date-nut bread. I also washed last night's supper dishes. We got cleaned up then and went down to Ray's and Fern's about 11:00. Dad and Bud were the only ones there besides us. Then Harriet and Buryel came, Dot, Bob, Bobby and Johnny, Fern's folks and her sister, Lois, Donald, Barbara and Donna Jean, Donna June, Herman, Aunt Ruth, Uncle Luther, Susan, Judy, Uncle Ralph, Sharon, Aunt Gladys, Uncle Ervin, Phil, Cleo, Don, Ronnie, Wilma, Myron, Michael Allen, and in the afternoon Edna and her four children, Max, Evelyn, Esther, and Lois. We had a delicious dinner. Afterwards, I washed all the dishes and then played euchre. It was a little after 5 when we got home. Charlie did chores while I put things away. Mike didn't sleep too much so I put him to bed when we got home and he took a nice long nap. After Charlie did chores, he popped popcorn while I made formula for Mike. We ate popcorn, and played pinochle. Believe it or not but Charlie beat me two games - boy, was he happy! It was about 10 before we went to bed.

February 28, 1949 (Mon)

Just the usual things this morning - dishes etc. I did write a letter to Pauline too. Charlie went to N. Manchester this afternoon and bought license plates for the car and a pump belt. This afternoon I made date-nut bread and scalloped potatoes to take to the Farm Bureau meeting. Dot called and said she would take care of Mike this evening. So we got ready, went over there and left Mike and Bob went with us. Tonight was a fish fry - there were quite a few people there and lots and lots of good food. It seemed so funny without Mike - some of the girls there were asking me where he was. It was rather a long meeting but a very enjoyable one. We took Bob home and got Mike (he was asleep) and came home. It was about a quarter of 12 when we got up.

That is what is says, must be an error! -- Sandy Buckley