1970 Diary

(Transcribed by Kathy Desterhaft)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 1970 - This was a fairly good day. We went to 7:30 Mass with Betty. It was very nice. Then we had a good breakfast and started to watch parades, which were very good, and then a ball game. I rested quite a while. Sister M. went over with Betty to see Mrs. Woodburn's plants while she watered them. I got all my prayers finished. Louise came down for a little visit and gave us some cheeses & summer sausage.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 1970 - I got up rather early as I wanted to get quite a lot of washing done today, so Sister M. could make up the beds for me before she left, etc. So she got my house straightened up real good & watered the plants. Betty took her about 3:15 to U. I. Hospital to meet Sister Rose. I got my acct book for 1970 ready to go. Gene came over & fixed the aquarium pump for me.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 1970 - Well of course I miss Sister M. I got up fairly early & got started at my work. I made a rabbit pie for Gene's and slowly but surely got my work done. I lay down for a while & put my hair up & got all my prayers said. I finished sewing a quilt block tonight. My cold is some better. They say its awful cold out tonight.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 1970 - I got up early to go with Gene to 7:30 Mass then home and my breakfast. Elizabeth called to tell me that Gerald's couldn't come to she asked Gene's to come instead. So they took me & we had a nice day & a very good dinner & supper. We got home around 8:00 PM. I watched TV. then for quite a while.

MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 1970 - Gene's had 10 below zero this morning when they got up. So it was a cold day. I kept quite busy. I cut out quilt patches & packed up the crib & other Christmas decorations. Ben & Joanne & Barbara came out for a little while. I rested a little while. Gene's took my checks to the bank. They also brought me a bunch of new guppys (sp).

TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 1970 - It was 18 below zero in Ia City today. So they say & its pretty cold this eve. I worked around some with Christmas things, trying to get some packed up. Also watered plants, read prayers etc. sewed some on quilt block. Pat was the only one that called me today. I called Louise to tell her I wasn't going to the card party. This evening I wrote letters to Bro. John, Sister M. & Veatress & Harold D.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1970 - Around 13 below zero here this morning. I did my washing and got done early. Also cut out quilt patches & also called Civic Center to find out about sewer across the street. Louise called; she was sick all night & today. Joann, Betty, (Pat called twice), Wilma called along toward evening. Kept Brenda while Betty got groceries then she got run into and had to see about getting estimates on the car so she left Philip & Brenda here & Phil helped me take the Christmas tree. He also took down the cards. Very cold yet tonight.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 1970 - Its around 16 or 17 below this morning here and cold & windy all day. Gene brought the mail in. Betty went out to Pat's & helped make the sausage. I did my ironing & cut out more quilt patches so I kept busy. Rested a little while then made Holy Hour. Got supper. Finished a block, laid out another. Libb, Louise, Pat & Margaret called.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 1970 - I got around in pretty good time. It wasn't so cold today. I got the plants watered & some work done. Read my prayers. Gene called to tell me that the pump was frozen up and broken over at the Aluminum House, so I called Ben to se if he could help Gene, so they took it apart. Ben took it down to be fixed and Gene took me down to the banks & got that business done. Then Ben came back with the part & they got it fixed up and pipes thawed out.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 1970 - I got up & took my bath then got breakfast. Kept pretty busy all forenoon besides reading Mass prayers. Leonard's family came for their eggs & Marilyn washed my hair & put it up for me. I got dinner & finished up my work & got ready to go to confession with Betty & sat under the hair dryer a while. Then Gene called & said we, he & I, would go later & then stay for Mass, as it might snow by morning. The Kasper family came this eve. So glad to see them again.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 1970 - I got up in time to get my breakfast & then watch the Mass on TV for Shut-ins. Then read my Mass prayers. I read the paper and Gene, Louise & Wilma all called. Afternoon I had company. Libb & Lyle & Rita came & then Libb helped me get Christmas things packed up. I watched ball game some, said rosary & then rested after they went home. In the eve Gene's came. He took down the C. lights & we got everything put away but outside poinsettias.

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 1970 - I didn't get up very early but got around fairly good & got a letter written to Bessie. Got my prayers read and got a fairly good dinner. Gene & Betty took my big check in to the Civic Center to pay for my pavement assessment on this place. I rested some, sewed on quilt block this evening. Margaret Milder Smith called me from Davenport. Joann called before noon. Pat called this eve.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 1970 - I got up in fairly good time as I had my Drs. Appt. today, so I wanted to get the plants watered first then get ready. My BP was up to 160/100 sorry to say and weight 167 ½. So gained back 1 lobs. So I hope it will be better next time March 13. Betty took me out, God Bless her. - she left the children with Lillian. Pat & Nancy came today & Pat cleaned the aquarium & put in new water. I wrote to Alan & Bro John tonight. Watched TV. Sewed on quilt block.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1970 - I got around in fairly good time - got my breakfast and then wrote to Sister M. It took quite a while. Then I did my washing. Barbara Krall came over for a while. Then I read my Mass payers, got my dinner. Gene's got my groceries and after dishes I missed up my sausage & made it out into cakes - folded clothes, dampened clothes etc. didn't get any rest - Gertrude called to say that Nick got run into and bruised up a little & back of car bashed in.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 1970 - It was a fairly good day today. Still no more snow. Right after breakfast wrote a letter to Moe's & 1 to Myrtle. Also sent check to Regina Boosters Club & letter to Banker's Live & Casualty Co. Read my prayers & did my ironing, all before dinner. Ben, Joann & Barbara came out for a little while then I did my work up. Sherry came over for a little while. I didn't get much rest. Gene, Pat, Lyle & Libb & Wilma called. I called Gertrude to see how Nick was since he got hurt in a car accident yesterday. His neck still hurt but he went to work.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 1970 - I didn't get around too early but I got plenty done today. Cleaned up some drawers, watered plants, etc. etc. and got my prayers said. Pat called me twice. Wilma called and I called Betty once. It turned out cold today & looks like we are headed for zero weather again. Paul, Lillian & John came down tonight we played cards. Lillian and I had good luck.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 1970 - I got up fairly early & took a good bath and trimmed my toenails. It was snowing and kept it up until afternoon and it also was pretty cold and down to zero by night. So Gene said not to plan to go to Mass tomorrow. Well, as I always say, I am glad he cares. I guess it is a little slippery. Also, I watched T.V. as usual and sewed on quilt block.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 1970 - I didn't get to Mass. Gene thought it was too cold and slippery. He said it was 16 below this morning. I didn't get to see the Shut In Mass. It wasn't on, but I heard a good discussion on Church Unity. I read my prayers, then I started my dinner. I made a good dinner and got my work done, then Wilma came for a visit. Bill and Clarence went to the hospital to visit a Hills man. Long evening alone. Cold night.

MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 1970 - 18 below zero. I got up in fairly good time. Got my breakfast and did the work up. Planned inside for 6 potholders I want to make this week. Read my prayers. Joann called. Betty took out the garbage and brought the mail in. I rested some this P.M. Called Jill to tell her about the house key and sewer. Pat called just after supper. I sewed on quilt work and watched TV. and played Solitaire as usual.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1970 - 11 to 12 below, was 18 in the night. I got around in fairly good time. Watered plants and sewed up the insides of holders. Heard from Bro. John. More trouble with students again. Cold all day - all over the state. Big fire downtown tonight. Very bad night for a fire. I have 18 below zero. I wrote to John F, Sister M & Larry's tonight. Leaving Bro John's for morning when I can think better maybe.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 1970 - 24 below zero this morning. I got up fairly early & got my washing done & dried. Also letter to Bro John. Grocery list ready, Mass prayers read. After dinner I did up my work & did some patching. Didn't have much time to rest. Gene's got my groceries. Leonard, Douglas, Diane and Donna came this eve.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 1970 - I didn't get up very early today. Lillian called to tell me that John would be going for his 5 months Army service Feb 6 & that Sister Catherine got the job as director at the center in Wyoming. I have headache today but I got my ironing done before dinner. It started to snow the forenoon. We got 4 or 5 inches. Gene graded the lanes late this P.M.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1970 - I didn't get up very early again today. Joann called before I had breakfast. I watered plants today and kept busy all forenoon. I got a little sewing done on holders. Then Betty left Philip & Brenda here for a little while when she went to get her hair cut. I sewed more on holders this P.M. Didn't get much rest but feel better today. Gene took a little time to visit with me.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 1970 - The renters got the key. I got up in fairly good time & got my breakfast over & some cleaning done. Leonard's family came out so Marilyn could wash my hair & put it up for me. I got my dinner & done some cleaning & they then got ready to go to Mass with Gene at 5:10. I was pretty tired I guess & knees ached but really glad I got to go. The weather was quite nice.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 1970 - I didn't get up as early as I wanted to so I didn't have my breakfast eaten yet when Louise came to help me with my income tax figures. Well, we got it all done & I fell like it is O.K. Louise asked Betty to take the papers in for me tomorrow. Then Louise went home. Wilma called. I read my Mass prayers & I just got a small lunch at noon. Then dishes & read the Catholic. Messenger some. Pat called then later Gertrude & Nick came out & we had a good visit. I had a fried chicken TV. dinner for supper. Gene called & offered to take me to Paul's with them.

MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 1970 - I got up fairly early & kept busy as usual. Joann called & we talked quite a while. Then I called the Drs. Office & asked to have Dr call me, which he did later & then he ordered the capsules for me. Gene & Betty also took my income tax papers down. Now I have to wait to find out how much I have to pay. I started hemming up a dress. I wrote Sgt. Joe Milder.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1970 - I got up pretty early and got busy. Cut out some quilt blocks this A.M. & laid out a block, watered plants & talked to Joann. Read my prayers. Also wrote a letter to Bro John & Betty took it & one to Joe to mail today. This P.M. I finished blocks. Wilma & Pat each called. Sewed some on block and finished hemming up my dress.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1970 - A long day. I got up fairly early & got my washing done. Also washed the bedding. Joann called. Betty got my groceries and ordered eggs for me. I wrote to Sister & Carol. Pat's family came for supper. Brought sausage. Betty brought cup cakes. I made waffles. They took Pat's children to catechism & Leonard came out while Debbie was at catechism so we all had a pretty good visit.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 1970 - I didn't get up too early, but felt real good. I seemed to keep busy. Lots to do. I started stitching on holders. Also sewing on a block so I could finish it & get it pressed when I ironed. Ed & Mary came in this forenoon and I had them for dinner. I enjoyed it very much. They went after the story. I got my ironing done this P.M. & my prayers read. Then Mike & Linda & babies came. A very nice little family and I enjoyed them.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1970 - Today another long day. I got up fairly good time. Got my breakfast over and plants watered. Set trash out & planted a plant. Sewed a little. Anna May called to invite me to Stephanie's birthday party but can't go on account of our card party that Louise and I are hostesses for. Sharrie & Tammy came as I was getting a rest so had to get up. Libb, Lyle & Rita came & played a lot of cards. Was very nice to have them.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 1970 - I got up in fairly good time & took my bath. I then got my breakfast & cooked some prunes and kept quite busy all forenoon and had a later dinner. Then after dishes I got my rosary said and started to get ready to go with Gene to confession and Mass at 5:10 P.M. I am very glad I can make it in one trip. The weather was fairly good. I sewed on quilt block and wrote to Alan tonight.

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