January 1949

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January 1, 1949 (Sat)

We had to get up at 7 and we hurried then to get chores done and ready for 9:00 church at St. Mary's. Buryel took care of Bobby and Mike while the rest of us went to church. Right after Mass Johnny was baptized and Charlie and I are the godparents. We went over to Dot and Bob's for dinner. Charlie's parents were there and Mother and Dad, Howard, Ahleen and girls, and Margaret and Jess and kids were there too. Oh yes, also Aunt Elma. This afternoon we played euchre and while the boys did chores I played card games with Georgia, Kay and Ruth Ann. We also drew names for next year. We also are going to buy gifts for the names we've drawn for their birthdays as well as Xmas but not let them know who sent the birthday gift till Xmas. I drew Howard's, Charlie - Ahleen's, and Mike - Ruth Ann's. Everyone stayed for supper. Everyone except Charlie and I had left by 7:30. We played some euchre with Dot and Bob and Bob popped popcorn. Harriet and Bud came over for a little while. It was 10:30 when we got home.

January 2, 1949 (Sun)

It was 8 before we got up. We were just too tired (or lazy perhaps) to go to church. We got ready to go over to his folks for dinner - but seemed to take us forever. It was noon before we got there. A lot of people were there from Buryel's side of the family. This afternoon we played euchre again. We left about 5 for home. This evening I cleaned eggs, we ate a bite of lunch and then to bed.

January 3, 1949 (Mon)

We didn't get up too early. Charlie cleaned his pigpen out while I cleaned today's eggs, did dishes and got Mike and myself cleaned up. We got up to Mom's in time for lunch. She took care of Mike while we went downtown. We were supposed to pick up Mike's picture, but they hadn't tinted all of it so now they are going to mail it. We bought some odds and ends at the dime store - safety pins, hairpins, combs, Kleenex, Q-tips and cleaning fluid. We also bought Mike a pair of red corduroy overalls and 3 under shirts for Bobby. We got back out to Mother's about 3 - we waited long enough to see Dad and then came home. We stopped at Bracken and then at Dot and Bob's and it was 6 before we got home. Mike is so sleepy here lately - he wants to sleep all the time - Mother said it was probably just his cold. We had chili for supper and went to bed about 9:30.

January 4, 1949 (Tues)

Charlie butchered today and I washed this morning. This afternoon I ironed, cleaned eggs, put clothes away and got cleaned up myself before Charlie got home at 7. It rained all day. We had pork chops, mashed potatoes etc for supper. We went to bed about 10.

January 5, 1949 (Wed)

Charlie butchered again today. We took our Christmas tree down last Monday morning, and so this morning I changed the living room all around. I do believe I like it much better this way. I did dishes then and cleaned the rest of the house. I also washed Mike's snowsuit, my hose etc. out by hand. We got a card from Mother. Dad is going to the hospital Friday and have his arm operated on Sat. morning. This afternoon I did a little ironing and a little mending. I also cleaned my eggs. It was a quarter after seven when Charlie got home. We went to bed about the usual time.

January 6, 1949 (Thurs)

We wanted to get up early this morning but didn't wake up till after 7. By the time Charlie did chores and we got ready to leave, it was 9:30. It was snowing when we left and the wind was blowing. We were afraid we were in for some bad weather. However, the closer we got to Indianapolis, the better the weather. We went to Charlie's mother's cousins, Leo and Nellie Dwyer first and got there about 11:30. She was certainly glad to see us but very disappointed because Earl and Buryel hadn't come along. We stayed there for lunch and she told us to be sure and come back for supper also so we could see Leo. It was just about 2 when Charlie, Mike and I got to Riley Hospital. However, we had to wait an hour before a doctor (Dr. Logan) examined Mike. He just confirmed what Dr. Huffman had told us, but seemed to think Mike was doing very well for being a blue baby. He sent us over to another building to have a blood count taken and x-rays of Mike's chest to determine what type of blue baby Mikey is and whether or not they can operate. Poor Mike - he's was so happy and good all afternoon until they took the x-rays. He cried then, but you couldn't blame him. He was under the x-ray machine for a half hour. They also put a tube up his nose down into his lungs and then pushed oil through it so they (2 drs and a nurse) could watch its passage through Mike. We have to take him back February 4th - then we'll know more about his condition. We were at the Hospital till 5. We went back out to Nellie's then and she had supper waiting for us. Leo was there too - he is deaf (was a soldier in 1st World War), but reads lips marvelously. Of course, you have to look right straight at him when you talk, but he does very well then. We were there till 8 and got home about 10:30. Bob had done chores for us. Mikey was so tired this evening and rather cross. We got a letter from Betty Jane today. It was 11 when we got to bed.

January 7, 1949 (Fri)

We didn't get up very early this morning - just too tired. Mother called about 7:30 and wanted to know what we had found out yesterday. Then I called Dot to let her know we were back. This morning I did dishes, gave Mike his bath, straightened the house up and cleaned eggs. This afternoon Charlie, Mike and I went to town (N. Manchester). Charlie had some cow feed ground and I went to the drugstore and grocery store. We stopped at the folks on the way home. Buryel bought Mike a pair of white anklets with red and blue hobby horses on - real cute. We got home about 5:30. This evening after I did dishes, Charlie and I worked on our books (income tax - you know) It was around 10:30 when we went to bed.

January 8, 1949 (Sat)

It was so nice today. So I washed and hung everything outdoors. Everything dried nicely except Charlie's work clothes. I also baked cherry cobbler for dinner. Also meat loaf, potatoes, gravy and Waldorf salad. This afternoon I ironed and cleaned eggs. I called Margaret to see how Dad got along and she said he was in quite a lot of pain and wanted Mother to stay with him all the time. This evening we went over to the folks to take baths. They were at the cottage though. Dad C. was going to go ice fishing, but it was so warm I doubt if he could. Dot, Bob, and boys came over there too. It was around 10 when we got home.

January 9, 1949 (Sun)

Mike is 7 months old today and he weighs 13 lbs 11 oz. and is 25 3/4 inches long. It is still nice out. We went to 10:15 Mass at St. Mary's - low mass. Mikey was very good through all of it. I had peeled potatoes and put a pork roast in the oven before we left for church and so didn't take long to get dinner. Charlie was helping me do dishes when Dot, Bob, Bobby and Johnny came. We all went to Fort Wayne then. Charlie and I stayed in the car with Mikey and Johnny while Dot, Bob and Bobby went up to see Dad and when they came back we went up. Jim, Millie, Don, Nancy, Mother and Marjorie were there. Then Howard, Ahleen, and girls came and some man (that works with Dad) and his wife so he had quite a bit of company. We left about 3:30 - Howard and Ahleen said something about our coming out there so we all went out there and no one was home. We waited awhile but they didn't come so we left a note and went home. We stopped at a fruit market and ate our supper on the way home. It was a quarter till 6 when we got home. This evening we played carrom and I beat Charlie 4 games to 3. Then we started stacking carroms to see who could stack them the highest. Silly but fun. Charlie had 22 once, that was the most. We went to bed about a quarter after 10.

January 10, 1949 (Mon)

It was started raining last night and it was damp but not too chilly all day. Charlie worked on the stairway all day today. This morning I did dishes, gave Mike his breakfast and bath (he is getting pretty good at drinking out of a cup now) and started cleaning eggs. This afternoon dishes again, I finished cleaning eggs and straightened the house up. Charlie finished the stairway too and it certainly is much nicer than going outside. We went to bed about 9.

January 11, 1949 (Tues)

Charlie had to butcher today so Mike and I were home all alone. I spent most of the day finishing my red and white seersucker dress. We got a letter from Pauline. It started snowing today and by evening the ground was just covered. Mikey just watched and watched the snow falling through the window. This morning I started sewing on my red and white striped seersucker dress and finally finished it late in the afternoon. I changed it all over and Iike it much better now - in fact, I think it looks rather nice. I also cleaned eggs, did dishes, gave Mike a bath etc. Charlie got home fairly early - 6:30. We went to bed about 9:30.

January 12, 1949 (Wed)

Another butchering day for Charlie. I washed diapers, cleaned living room, did some mending too. I didn't work too hard today - even read some magazines. Charlie didn't get home till 9. He had already eaten at Metzgers so I didn't have to cook any supper for him. It was after 11 before we got to bed.

January 13, 1949 (Thurs)

Charlie butchered again. I had a tummy ache this morning so just rested and wrote letters to Betty Jane, Mother and Anna May. We also received a letter from Anna May today. I also washed some more diapers. I felt pretty good by noon so I washed dishes, cleaned eggs and mopped and waxed kitchen and dining room floors. Charlie came home about 7. Just ate supper, did dishes and went to bed.

January 14, 1949 (Fri)

I washed this morning and hung everything upstairs. Charlie went to N. Manchester and paid income tax ($39) - a little more than we expected. This afternoon we took Mikey to see Dr. Huffman in S. Whitley. He gave him his first immunization shot. We also paid telephone and electricity bills and bought groceries. Charlie did chores and then after supper and dishes we played 500 rum. I won. It was about 10 when we went to bed. Mike weighed 13 lbs. 13 oz.

January 15, 1949 (Sat)

Last night, Buryel called and wanted to know if we wanted to go up to the cottage tomorrow - they and Dot and Bob were going. So this morning I hurried and cleaned yesterday eggs and did part of my ironing. So about 10 we left for the lake - we got there about 11 and nobody was around so we came back home. We ate dinner and then I did dishes, cleaned eggs, finished my ironing, cleaned my bedrooms and dining room. Charlie went over past Dot and Bob's but no one was home. So this evening as we were eating supper Dot and Bob stopped by. We must have just left the lake when they got there. Somehow we just missed them. So we are going up tomorrow. It was certainly warm - just like Spring today. Now to its suppose to turn cold. It was after 10 before we went to bed. And Mike stayed up all that time.

January 16, 1949 (Sun)

Last night, Buryel called and wanted to know if we wanted to go up to the cottage tomorrow - they and Dot and Bob were going. So this morning I hurried and cleaned yesterday eggs and did part of my ironing. So about 10 we left for the lake - we got there about 11 and nobody was around so we came back home. We ate dinner and then I did dishes, cleaned eggs, finished my ironing, cleaned my bedrooms and dining room. Charlie went over past Dot and Bob's but no one was home. So this evening as we were eating supper Dot and Bob stopped by. We must have just left the lake when they got there. Somehow we just missed them. So we are going up tomorrow. It was certainly warm - just like Spring today. Now to its suppose to turn cold. It was after 10 before we went to bed. And Mike stayed up all that time.

January 17, 1949 (Mon)

Highest temperature today - 26 degrees. Charlie, Bob and Dr. Striggle (the veterinary) vaccinated our pigs today. Charlie hauled manure this afternoon. This morning I cleaned eggs, did dishes, gave Mike his breakfast and bath (he weighs 13 lbs 15 oz. now) and baked chocolate chip cookies. First time I used my new cookie sheet - it works much better than pie pans! Honestly, I thought one advantage of living in the country would be no salesmen, but no such luck. Today we had 3 - one selling "Farmers' Guide", one milking machines and one househould goods. This afternoon I cleaned eggs again - eggs were down to 40 cents - that's the lowest price I have ever gotten for eggs since I have sold them. I also washed some diapers this afternoon. One would think we lived on a farm to see some of the magazines that came in the mail today - Prairie Farmer, Hoosier Farmer, Farmer's Guide and Farm-Journal. We just played cards this evening.

January 18, 1949 (Tues)

Charlie butchered today and I washed. It was rainy out all day. This afternoon I ironed and did a little mending. It was pretty late before Charlie got home and so after chores and supper to bed.

January 19, 1949 (Wed)

Believe it or not but Charlie didn't have to butcher today. I certainly don't get much done when he is around the house. We got a letter from Pauline again so I wrote her one. They still want us to got ice finshing but I don't know when on earth we will make it. I did the usual things this afternoon and this evening Charlie and I played cards. Mike weighed 14 lbs today. Dot wanted me to go to Fort Wayne tomorrow but it got so cold that I called her this evening and we decided not to go. She said Mother and Dad were going to Chicago Friday evening and stay till Sunday evening.

January 20, 1949 (Thurs)

Charlie butchered today. This morning I just did the usual things - gave Mike his bath, did dishes and cleaned eggs. This afternoon I washed out clothes by hand and rinsed out some of Mike's dirty diapers. Charlie got home at 4:30. I was surprised to see him home so early. I washed my hair. This evening we played cards and I made fudge. It was around 10:30 when we got home.

January 21, 1949 (Fri)

Charlie hauled manure this morning while I did my work. This afternoon Charlie went to Columbia City to sign up for AAA program, and then about 4 we went to N. Manchester and bought groceries, got our dry cleaning and went to the locker. We got home about 5. This evening we played pinochle. I had almost forgotten how but remembered once we started playing. It was fun - something different for a change. We got to bed about 10

January 22, 1949 (Sat)

I washed this morning, and it was so nice out. I hung diapers and towels outside - the sun was shining so bright. I think this pen looks nicer than the other - the writing that is. I believe the point is smaller. Anyway I washed and Charlie hauled manure. This afternoon I ironed, put clothes away, cleaned eggs, and straightened up the house. This evening we went over to the folks to take baths. They had gone to a board meeting, but Grandpa Christman was there. I called Dot to see how they all were. After we took baths, Grandpa, Charlie and I played buck euchre till 11. Then home and to bed.

January 23, 1949 (Sun)

We got up about 7:30. Charlie did chores while I did last night's dishes. We went to 10:15 Mass at St. Mary's - high mass today. Mike slept through the sermon and was awake all the rest of the time, but was very good. I think he does pretty good for no older than he is. It was noon when we got home and we ate about 1 - roast pork, mashed potatoes gravy, egg salad and peach cobbler. Charlie helped me do dishes. We read the paper then played a little carrom. We had thought that this evening we would go up to Lucy's and Bill's but it rained and was foggy so we didn't go. After Charlie did chores, we ate a snack and then played pinocle. It was 10:30 before we got to bed.

January 24, 1949 (Mon)

It was 7 before we got up this morning. We were just sitting down for breakfast when the darn Fuller Brush man came. And he insisted he show me his stuff although I didn't want to take the time. I gave Mike his breakfast and bath then, did dishes and cleaned eggs. Charlie called Mrs. Snell (Blanche Metzger's mother) and I think I''ll start sending my eggs where she does - to Napoleon, Ohio. Hunter, Walton are paying too low to suit me. This afternoon I baked a butterscotch pie, and made macaroni salad for the Farm Bureau potluck tonight. We left about 6. Charlie's father is chariman again - tonight was his first meeting for the year. Certainly a lot of good things to eat. The meeting consisted of some songs, a playlet and pictures of an Alaskan trip made by a couple from N. Manchester. Of course, there was a "business" meeting too. Mike was good except he wanted to holler and jabber all the time. He just started saying Da Da all the time. Of course, that makes Charlie proud. It was about 10:30 when we got home and in bed.

January 25, 1949 (Tues)

Once again Charlie butchered. This morning I made me an apron out of an old wornout dress. In the mail I got an invitation to a baby shower for Marilyn Pierce and I didn't even know she was expecting. Of all days, though, it is to be on February 4th and that is when we are supposed to take Mike to Indianapolis. So I guess I won't be able to go to the shower. I also received a letter from Betty Jane - she didn't have anything particular to tell us. This afternoon I cleaned eggs, rinsed some diapers out for Mike, and wrote Betty Jane a letter. Charlie got home about a quarter after 5 - early for him. However, Charlie didn't start chores till 6 and by the time he finished and we ate and I did dishes it was time for bed.

January 26, 1949 (Wed)

Today is Stevie's birthday. He's a yar old. Charlie butchered today. Mike weighed 14 lbs 2 oz. this morning. He's been doing so well the last few weeks - I only hope he keeps it up. This morning the Napoleon Egg Auction man came. Its a farm co-op and sounds pretty good to me so I'm going to sell to them from now on. I had a full case of eggs for him. I cleaned the dining room and kitchen a little and defrosted my refrigerator and washed it out with soda water. Our record book for 1949 came and also a package from Pauline - it was a long sleeved knit shirt for Mike - cute - its still kinda large for him. We also got a letter from Pauline and a card from Mother. This afternoon I baked a pineapple uspide down cake, cleaned my oven out and did some mending. Charlie got home about 5:30. We played pinochle this evening till 10 and then to bed.

January 27, 1949 (Thurs)

Charlie butchered again. I washed this morning. It just rained cats and dogs all day. I called Dot this morning - we're going to go to Ft. Wayne tomorrow. This afternoon I ironed, did dishes, cleaned eggs, made a double batch of fudge for tonight and put clothes away. It was 6:30 before Charlie got home. He hurried and did dishes and got cleaned up and ate supper. We left about 8 and went down to Wilfong's. The folks and Dot and Bob weren't there but everyone else was there. We just sat around and talked and ate popcorn, doughnuts, popcorn balls, fudge and coffee. It was around 10 when we left and home and in bed about 11 - still raining.

January 28, 1949 (Fri)

Gosh, but it was windy all night. Then this morning it started raining and freezing. So Dot called about 7 and wanted to know if I still wanted to go to Ft. Wayne and I said I didn't. She has a dentist appointment at 11 and if she and Bob decide to go, they're going to leave Bobby and Johnny here. However, they must have decided not to go 'cause didn't hear any more from them. We got a letter from Oddra today. She said she and Bud would probably be married in May. This afternoon I mopped and waxed the kitchen and dining room floors and washed the kitchen chairs. Charlie came in about 5:30 and said he wanted me to make doughnuts. So after he did chores I mixed up doughnut dough and he fried them and I sugared them - they were certainly good. We called Dot and Bob to see if they didn't want to come over and help eat doughnuts but Johnny was already asleep and Bobby was ready for bed so they didn't come. This evening Charlie and I played pinnochle and to bed about 9:30. Mike is going to wear "DaDa" out - he says it the first thing in the morning till the last thing at night. Every once in awhile he sleps in a Ma Ma.

January 29, 1949 (Sat)

We didn't get up very early - even at that I got up 20 minutes before Charlie did. It got down to about 0 degrees last night - that's the coldest it has been this winter yet. The highest it got all day was 10 degrees above. This morning I cleaned the living room (then shut it off), then the dining room and Mike's room. Charlie went to N. Manchester and Wabash and didn't get home till about 3:30 so of course, I went ahead and ate by myself. I cleaned eggs this afternoon and after Charlie got home I took a bath. We had a fire going in the kitchen most of the day. Charlie started chores about 5:00. We ate then and he helped me do dishes. After that we played some more pinochle. It was a quarter till 11 when we went to bed.

January 30, 1949 (Sun)

It got down to about 5 degrees below last night - brrr! I made Charlie get up first this morning. We had both fires going again today. It was too cold to take Mike to church so we didn't go. Charlie peeled apples while I made the pie dough so we had apple pie for dinner. We were going to go to Pauline's this afternoon but still too cold so Charlie and I played some ping-pong - also some pinnochle. This evening we just played cards - buck euchre, fan tan, and cribbage. We went to bed about 10.

January 31, 1949 (Mon)

Almost left the last day of January out - just can't do that - it won't be back for another year. It snowed a great deal last night - very pretty and white out this morning. Charlie went to N. Manchester to file Gross Income Tax and to Wabash to the AAA office. Dorothy called about 10:15 and wanted to know if she, Bobby and Johnny could come over for the day. Of course, I said of course. So about 11 they came. Bob and Ray went ice fishing. Charlie got home about noon and we had vegetable soup. This afternoon I gave Dorothy a Toni permanent and helped her cut out a dress. Bobby wanted to tease Mike all day. Johnny is getting so big - we weighed him and he weighed 13 lbs 13 oz. - just 5 oz. less than Mike. He already looks bigger 'cause Mike is much smaller featured. They were also here for supper so we had waffles. Bob came about 7. Charlie helped me with dishes and then so I washed out a couple diapers and then to bed.