1964 Diary
(transcribed by Charles Miller)

July- Sept

October

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1964- Went to Mass. Rode down with Gene & home with Marilyn. I got my washing started and had 2 batches & also washed 3 rugs. Wilma came and worked hard all day cleaning up my house for me & also waxed floors. I worked hard too, for me, & got a pretty good dinner. Quiet eve, no company. Worked on a quilt block, watched TV. and made my Holy Hour.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1964- Rode to Mass again today with Gene & home with Marilyn. I made telephone calls & got appointments for the Dr. at 3:15 Monday. Joann called. Ann & the children came over for a while & the children played until dinner time. Later in the p.m. I set out some house & got slips to take to Sister M. Mr. Wheeler came over & paid the rent. Mrs. W. & Donna came later.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1964- No Mass today, but got up in good time and got started to getting cake baked & fruit salad made. Had quite a list made out of work to do, but got finished in pretty good time & Betty & I went to Confession. Then they came over & I made them supper for their anniversary. We had bantys cooked outside on the grill.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1964- Went to 7:30 Mass with Gene & then home with him for breakfast. Then he brought me home in good time so I could get things packed up to take to Sister M. Then I got my lunch & got ready. We went a little after 1:30 p.m. I think. Had a real nice afternoon. Louise & Carl were already there. Then Ben & Joann & 3 youngest came. Then they all left & I was alone a little while with Sisters. Then Leonard's came & I came home with them. Gene & Betty were on their way to Cedar Rapids & got in a car wreck and damaged their car quite a bit. Betty got bruised up. They ran into a car that stopped.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1964- Rode to Mass with Gene & home with Marilyn. Lillian took Betty & Philip to the Dr. this morn & they are fine but for Betty's bruises. I did some hand washing this morning and started getting ready to town to the Dr. & bank etc., etc. Marilyn left Donna Jo here so Louise & I took her along downtown. Louise kept her & shopped while I went to the Dr. B.P high again, 200/95. I don't know why as I was feeling pretty good. They gave me medicine for arthritis & stuff to rub on. Also got my change and also a flu shot.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1964- Rode down to church with Gene & home with Marilyn. Didn't get much done today. Marilyn & girls came over a little while before noon. Joann, Wilma & Pat & Betty called on the phone. Rested some this p.m. Went with Louise to Card Party this eve. Small crowd, only 13 all together there. Up rather late this eve writing checks to pay bills.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1964- Rode to Mass with Gene & home with Marilyn. Talked with Mrs. Watts this morn when she brought the mail. So I didn't get much done - after making a good breakfast. Joann brought Barbie out & I kept her while Joann went to a sale. I finished a quilt block & wrote a letter to Bro. John & a short one to Sister M.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1964- Rode to Mass with Gene & home with Marilyn. I feel pretty good today. I finished Bro. John's & Sister's letter & mailed them. Also did my washing & 2 rugs, dried clothes the dryer. Gerald & Pauline came for a little while in the p.m. In the p.m. I rested a little, folded clothes, etc. In the eve, sewed on a quilt block, made Holy Hour.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1964- Didn't get to Mass today, but got around in pretty good time. Mailed card to Pat & Glenn & telephone bill. Then got started on my ironing. Had quite a few telephone calls so didn't get finished until afternoon. Ann came over & brought me a big piece of cake & we had coffee & cookies together. In the eve went to Paul's for Ben & Joann's 20th Wedding Anniversary Celebration. 10 of my children & wives & husbands + 2 & also to played cards. 22 in all.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1964- Got up in fairly good time. Pretty tired today. Got my little cleaning done before dinner. In the p.m. washed up dishes and rested some and sewed some on quilt block. In the eve Doug & Diane came over for eggs. Watched TV. some & saw the end of the 3rd. game of the World Series. Betty walked over with Philip. Quiet eve, no company.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1964- Went to 7:30 Mass with Gene. Coming down the Church steps I fell & bumped my head & hurt my back some. So thankful it wasn't worse. Louise came over & talked a while & I felt better after noon. Libb, Lyle, John, & Rita came. They had been to see the baby Lee Allen Baptized. They came for me & I went home with them. Later we went to Nichols to the Church supper. It was very good. Plan to go to Ed's tomorrow for a few days.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1964- Got up in pretty good time. Got note out to milk man & mailed letters & did my washing. Talked on the phone with the girls. Mary came after me in good time & we got away pretty soon after that. Got back before the school kids got home. Had a nice supper & nice evening. Ed & Mary went bowling.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1964- Got up in time to eat breakfast with the family and did the breakfast dishes for the family & then got busy in putting the hem in Rosemary's dress. Then I patched another dress for her & then started cutting out quilt blocks up until supper time. A nice evening again with the children watching TV. Ed & Mary went bowling.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1964- Got up in good time. Did the breakfast dishes. Mary out helping Ed as usual. Later Reg & Anita & boys came to help with watermelon pickles. Then Mary came in & canned them, they had 15 qt. I mended some again today & cut out quilt pieces for Mary & did noon dishes. I wrote letter to Sister M. & Bro. John tonight. Ed & Mary bowling at Columbus Junction.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1964- Got up in good time and the children got off to school. I cut out more quilt patches and continued to help Mary what I could. I made out my hamburger patties this forenoon. Mary helped Ed all she could. In the eve before supper they dug the sweet potatoes & got 4 bushel. Anita helped. In the eve Dean & Anita & Duane came down & Ed showed their vacation pictures.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1964- Got up in good time. Ed & Mary planned to go to Rock Island for motor for combine but found out it had to be ordered, so they didn't go. Ed picked corn. Mary & I got 5 watermelons for pickles. Then she was busy in & out of the house so I cut more quilt pieces for her. She went to Iowa City to get something fixed for the corn dryer. Then she went to airport groceries, got me more hamburger & meat pie & shampoo for Sister. In the eve Dick's & Dean's & Joyce & boy friend came home, also Marilyn & Bill. Bernice & Louis, Paul & Lillian & Linda came for me. Got home late.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER, 17, 1964- Got up fairly good time and worked around unpacking. Done a little hand washing. Betty got my groceries and then came over & put up my hair after I had washed it. Ben & Joan & the 3 youngest came out with their Christmas Cards and visited a while. Linda also came with cards & then Debbie. So I spent $ 4.00 for cards today. Louise came over for a while & visited. Quiet eve, no company. Talked on the phone to Betty , Lillian & Gene.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1964- Went to 7:30 Mass with Gene & then home with him for breakfast. Then Paul came for me & I rode down to Richmond with him to get Sister Margaretta. Then we came back & got Lillian, Linda & John & then took off for Dubuque to visit Catherine. We stopped at the Swiss Chalet for dinner & had a very nice dinner. Then we went on to the convent and a little later Gene & Betty & Philip, Tom, Phylis & Dorthy F. came & then it was time we went in to see Catherine. She looks fine & seems very happy. We had a real nice time. We left around ?:00 p.m. Sister M. & I rode with Gene's. Left Betty & Philip off at home. Then Gene & I % Sister got hamburgers etc. at McDonald's & then took Sister home.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1964- I didn't get to Mass. I had a pretty good nights rest, in bed 8 hr., pretty good for me. Joann called & talked a while & said Benny had to have his eyes tested. Marilyn & girls stopped in for a visit. After noon Louise came down for a while & brought me a lb. of butter & we had a good visit. Later Wilma came out for a little visit. We had coffee together. I was alone all evening as usual, got to bed at 10:00 p.m.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1964- Went to Mass this morning. After breakfast I went with Betty & Philip out to Pat's for eggs, got back in good time. Then I cut up the small pumpkin Douglas gave us & cooked it & gave most of it to Betty. In the p.m. I had phone calls from Joann, Louise, Betty & Pat. I sewed a little on a quilt block. Got my prayers read. Watched TV. a while in the eve & sewed on a quilt block.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1964- No Mass today. Got up around 7:00 a.m. got my breakfast, read my Mass Prayers, then started making pies. Made 4 small pumpkin, 2 peach pies, 1 crust. Dropped the biggest peach pie & broke it all up. So that was wasted. Mrs. Yoder brought me small pumpkin pie too. Quiet p.m. & eve. Wrote to Bro. John.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1964- Went to Mass. Joann talked to me quite a while, but first wrote a letter to Sister Magaretta. Then I got at my washing. Marilyn stopped in and hung out my starched clothes & brought me some apples & egg boxes. Gene & Betty got my groceries. Gene came over in the eve while ????? came out to take ?????? census.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1964- I got to Mass again today And also made the Stations. Then Joann called me early and we talked quite a while. I also visited a little with Eva. Then I got my ironing done before I ate my dinner. Gas man out to check for gas leak. Found a small one by the furnace. Libb, Lyle, Rita, John, Dave & Bob here tonight.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1964- No Mass today as usual on Saturday. Pat brought her 4 children in & some food & they had breakfast & dinner here as she had to work big busy day at the flower shop with Homecoming & Hoovers Funeral, besides other funerals to get flowers made up for. In the eve I went with Gene & Betty, also Tom & Phyllis to Confession & then to Paul's for Paul's Birthday. Played cards & had candy ice cream & cake.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1964- Went to 7:30 Mass with Gene & then home with him for breakfast. Then Betty brought me home around 11:00 a.m. I went with Gene's to Lee & Roseann's for Birthday dinner for little Lyle & Logan & we really had a good dinner & a very nice time. Then I rode back with Lyle's as far as Wilma's & stayed there for supper for Ann's Birthday. We had a very good supper & played cards before & after supper. Then Clarence & Wilma brought me home.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1964- Went to Mass this morning. Rode down with Gene & home with Marilyn. I got a bite of breakfast & Wilma came out for a while. We visited & then she vacuumed the rugs. Then had coffee & then went down to the Dr. & also picked up Connie & then they came out for lunch. After lunch we went over to West Branch to visit Hoover's grave & see all the flowers & then we went to the library & looked at things. Then home in good time.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1964- Rode down to Mass with Gene & home with Marilyn. Joann called again this morning. Mike not feeling so good again. I cut out more patches today. Feeling better than last night. Keeping off my feet today. Pat brought 7 dozen eggs in & then she & Betty went to West Branch to visit Hoover's grave & see the flowers. Betty had Fathers Benda & Bevenour for supper. I was all alone as usual.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1964- Rode to Mass with Gene & home with Marilyn. Then they got 3 dozen eggs. Usual work today, cutting out some patches for the baby quilt. Louise did some shopping for me & then later came back for eggs. Wilma & Libb each called. Mr. Wheeler came over with his bills & I paid him. Usual long evening.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1964- Didn't get to Mass today. I did my washing & hung out my aprons & knee caps & repotted my Gardenia plant. In the p.m. I kept Donna Jo here while Marilyn went to get her hair fixed. I worked on cutting out quilt blocks & then in the evening I made my Holy hour.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1964- Opening of our Forty Hours Devotions today. I went to Mass with Louise and she also brought me home. Joann called me & we talked this a.m. The rest of the day I cut out some quilt blocks & got my Halloween treats ready. Had 21 before we went to Church & 4 afterwards. 25 all together. My glasses came apart, screw came out.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1964- Rode down to Mass with Paul's and then Louise took me down to Hottel's to see if I could get my glasses fixed, but they were not open. So she brought me home. Then she got them fixed later for me. Pat brought Jerry out & then took the others to Catechism. After 11:00 a.m. she brought them all out and they had their dinner here 7 then she went back to work. In the p.m. Gene & Tom put up my new antenna and toilet hinges out. Libb & Roseann & 2 little ones came. Rita came up & Libb & Roseann & Rita got quite a lot of cleaning done for me. In the eve I went with Gene & Betty to church.

November

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1964- Went to Mass with Gene & then home with him for breakfast. Then he took me home and Paul came down & they finished the TV., putting in the plug in & switch & getting the antenna pointing right. I went with Paul's around 1:00 p.m. to go to Sister Margaretta. Linda, Phyllis & John also went along & then we got back to St. Mary's in time for the 4:00 o'clock High Mass & John had to serve. Then they brought me home & I was alone all evening. Gene called & talked for a little while.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1964- Rainy morning. Went to Mass with Betty and we had quite a bit of rain this forenoon, but it stopped. Betty took me down to the Dr. She j-had to get some medicine for Gene as he was sick today. My B.P. was still high, 185/100, so they had run out of pills & gave me a different kind & I hope & pray they will help to get the B.P. down. I sewed a little on a quilt block. went to our Card Party in the eve. Finished Bessie's letter after I got home.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1964- Rode to Mass with Gene. Home with Marilyn & she & the girls stayed & visited a while & she got 3 doz. eggs. Then Wilma & Joann both called. I finally got my breakfast & washing done. In the p.m. Joann & Barbie came out. Then I went to vote with Gene & Betty. Then home alone all eve. Betty came over with my white medicine & got 3 doz. eggs. Louise also down today & got 3 doz. eggs.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1964- Got up in good time & rode to Mass with Gene & home with Marilyn. Then Pat & Jerry came in for me & I went home with them to help Pat out with her work especially in the sewing line. Had Bob for dinner. I stayed all night & we all got along fine. New medicine tomorrow.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1964- Got up in good time & had breakfast with Pat & Glenn. Then I got busy as usual. I worked on baby blankets putting a binding on. Decided to stay until Saturday morning so went in with Pat to town. She got her shot & shopped a little, took eggs to Ben's, came out home here & got Holy Hour Prayer Book, milk & coffee pot. Glenn finished picking corn. Bob here for dinner at Pat's again today.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1964- Didn't get to First Friday Mass as decided to help Pat. So I finished the blankets & did other mending etc. Helped out what I could. Bob was here again today for dinner. Rested a little in the p.m. Had Oyster Soup for supper. Grandpa Kasper came home. Pat & I played cards against the men & won all five games.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1964- Got up in good time & they hurried around & got dishes done & ready to go to town to Catechism. Pat brought me home. Then Louise had been here & left 2 batches of clothes for me to wash for her as her machine was broken down. And I just worked around & got things put away, plants watered and started on a quilt block.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1964- Dad's Birthday. Rode to Mass with Betty & home with her for breakfast. Then Gene brought me home & Leonard's came after me and took me with them for the 10:15 High Mass which was for Dad. Then home again. Started my dinner. Ben & Joann & Barbie came out & visited for a while. Then Gene & Betty stopped in too. After that I ate my dinner & rested some. Then Betty called & invited me over for supper as Dick was to be there. Dick & Gene came after me. Then Tom came down after his meeting & he ate supper there too. The rest of Paul's came later. We played cards & the women won 3 games & the men 2. Tom brought me home.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1964- Didn't get to Mass today but got up in fairly good time. Got milk bill ready & mailed it. Stayed outside a while & set out some geraniums in pots. Dick & Reg & family stopped in with the new baby. Anita & Duane were along. Pretty nervous today as I was expecting the shingle man & he didn't come. Also sort of worried about Wheeler's rent but he did come over with $20.00 & says he will pay the rest at the end of the week. So Gene & Betty took the money down to the bank.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1964- No Mass today. Stayed in bed until 7:30 trying to get more rest. Marilyn stopped in this morn so she helped me with my plant stand & we got plants on it so our tables aren't so crowded now. Gene took me to the Dr. this p.m. for blood pressure check up, 180/95, so he wrote a prescription for another kind of pills & more of the kind I was taking. So we shall see. I kept the Kasper children while Pat & Glenn shopped in Cedar Rapids. They were here for supper. We got along fine.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1964- Home again today. Quite a lot of headache, but I did my washing and I dried them in 2 batches & washed 3 rugs. Mrs. Watts carried them out to the line for me. Marilyn stopped in & made my bed for me. Wilma & Ann here in the evening. Sort of woozy from the medicine.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1964- Home again today. Feel sort of woozy with my medicine again. Wilma talked to the Dr. & he said I could stop on the blue pill at noon & just take 2 a day. I did my ironing and ironed 2 table cloths for Marilyn & she ironed a dress & 2 aprons for me. After supper Leonard & Marilyn & Debbie & Doug over for a while.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1964- Got up around 7:30 & had a fairly big breakfast. Wrote a letter to Sister M., worked on my bank account & all came out even. Still don't feel very good & don't get much done. Gene over & fixed my leaky faucet. In the eve Gerald's came, also Libb & Lyle & Rita & Bob while Dave & John went to the dance. Got to bed late.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1964- Didn't get up very early. Still not feeling very good. I started taking some stomach pills & I think they helped me some. Louise brought over 2 batches of clothes & I washed them for her. Betty & I went to Confession. I did a little cleaning around. Mike came out for clippings. Louise brought me flowers & then they fixed the garage door so mice couldn't get in.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1964- Rainy morning. I went with Gene to 7:30 Mass and then home with him for breakfast. Had a real nice morning. Then came home. I hunted up my last years Christmas list, so I made out this year's list. Had a light lunch, watched TV., rested a little. Wilma & Ann came up for a while this p.m. Linda came to play with Ann. All alone tonight.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1964- Didn't get to Mass today, Gene still on farms. Mr. Lewis called at 7:00 a.m. saying the shingles would be delivered & he would send a couple of men out to start. Only one came but he got a good start. Marilyn stopped in a while this morning. Louise took my coat to the cleaners this p.m. I looked over my cards this morning & started to figure them out. Also started a quilt block. Am feeling better.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1964- Got up in fairly good time, read my prayers after breakfast. Got letters from Sister M., Bro. john & Catherine today. I worked on figuring out cards again today, got along pretty good. Cooked a hen & had broth & crackers & chicken & celery for dinner. Marilyn stopped in the morning. Louise came for a while this p.m. Philip sick today.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1964- Got up in fairly good time & got my breakfast & then got my washing started. I dried everything inside as it's sort of cold out today. Philip is still sick so Betty made plans for me to go to Sister's tomorrow with Marilyn as far as Wilma's & Wilma to take me the rest of the way. So we'll see. Wrote letter to Bro. John this eve.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1964- Went to Mass. Rode down with Gene. Then Marilyn came & took me to Wilma's, where I had my breakfast. Then Wilma took me to Richmond for the day to spend it with Sister Margaretta. We sure had a nice day and visited a lot & had good meals. Had a little snow flurry, but then it stopped. Charles & Anna May came after me & I got a ride in his new car.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1964- Stormy day. It had snowed & then the wind was so strong and made it a real blizzard outside. I worked on cards & letters today. I mailed a letter to Sister M. this morning as I am real worried about her. Pat & Glenn's baby girl born around 3:00 a.m. 9lb. 14-1/2 oz. Glenn & the children talked to me early. I wrote letters to Myrtle, Bessie & sent for Christmas pkg. for Sister M.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1964- Around zero this morning. Was up in fairly good time. Got my letters mailed in the mail box and did some extra work in the kitchen. Gene & Tom worked on fixing the cupboard to keep the mice out. Then Gene went down & got my groceries & some cash. In the evening Paul, Lillian, John & Linda came over. We played cards. Talked with Pat on the phone.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1964- Went to 7:30 Mass with Betty. Then home with her for breakfast. Then she brought me home. I watched TV. of Kennedy's Memorial Mass at Gene's & then watched more at home of other programs. Then had my lunch & got some letters for Christmas cards ready. Rested for a while & read some prayers & got ready to go to Leonard's for Donna's Birthday. Louise came for me & they brought me home.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1964- A beautiful day. Rode to Mass with Gene & home with Marilyn. Mailed my letters & also finished getting out the rest of my mail for Christmas Card Spiritual Bouquets. Sewed up some rips for Betty. Did a little sewing for myself. Rode with Louise to Cedar Rapids this p.m. We went out to Lindale Plaza. Home before 5:00 p.m. Home alone as usual.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1964- Went to Mass again today. Rode down with Gene & home with Marilyn. I made out orders for craft package & name tapes for Sister & got them mailed down town. Went to the Dr. this p.m. Gene took me down. My B. Pressure some better 175/95 & got another order for pills at Osco. Then later Gene, Betty, Philip & I went out to Pat's to see the new baby & had a steak supper with them. Came home early.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1964- Rode to Mass with Gene & home with Marilyn again. Then she stayed & visited a while & we had coffee. Then she took my clothes for the clothing drive & also washes 2 sweaters, one to give away & my stripped one which she brought back in the p.m. I did my washing in between visiting with folks. Ronnie came a while in the a.m. Gerald's came around noon as they wanted to get a bed at Paul's. Gene & the boys started to digging up the sewer. Gene's foot is hurting him.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1964- Betty & I went to 6:45 Mass this morning & I made myself a good breakfast for once. Gene & Tom & Ronnie & Johnie worked more on digging up the sewer & got it fixed by dinner time. Then Gene & Betty & Philip went to her mother's for dinner. Joe & Susie came after me in their new car & took me to Libb's for a big Thanksgiving dinner. All of their children & grandchildren were there & we really had a nice time. Lyle & Libb brought me home rather late and then I made my Holy Hour. Paul sprained his ankle yesterday. Gene' foot still bothering him.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1964- Didn't get to Mass today as there was no school & no way to get home and the weather wasn't very good either, quite damp & drizzling out. I wrote to letters to Bro. John & Sister M. before my breakfast. Louise called & talked a while. Paul had his ankle X-rayed & no broken bones, just a bad sprain. Gene's foot still hurting him. Glenn called and said Pat had a blood clot in her leg & had to stay in bed for 2 or 3 weeks. We are so sad about that & wondering how we can help out. Maurice & Joan & family came down & brought a good lunch with them. They are all pretty good.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1964- Got up in fairly good time. Doug came over to see about getting the stapler. I read my Mass Prayers & addressed a few Christmas Cards. Kathy called & said they were getting along pretty good. Betty got my groceries for me. Gene came over for a little while in the p.m. I did quite a lot of phoning to Club Members to tell them of our Christmas Pot Luck.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1964- Went to Mass with Betty. The first day with English in the Mass, went very good. Had breakfast at Gene's, then came home fairly early. Went with Gene & Betty to the Baptism of Nancy Joan, 1:00 p.m. Then I rode home with Glenn & the children & Phyllis to see Pat, who has a bad leg. Betty came out later & got me home. Alone all eve.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1964- Didn't get to Mass today as Gene thought it wasn't fit to get out. I ironed some of my clothes and got the birthday supper started for Gene. I roasted the 2 wild ducks that Gene got from Marilyn and they turned out pretty good, so we had a real nice supper. They stayed for a little while to watch TV. with me.

December

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1964- Got up in good time so I could give Watts key to the Culligan man. Then later Marilyn came & offered to help me address Christmas cards - so we worked on them quite a while. Then she made my bed for me & put on electric blanket. In the eve Louise came for me & we went to our Pot Luck Christmas Party. Louise & myself hostesses. Very nice time. 78 came. Bessie came this eve.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1964- Snowed about all day. Got up rather good time. Bessie & I had a good breakfast of grapefruit, oatmeal, toast & coffee. I washed a 2 batches of clothes today & we visited quite a lot. Bessie also addressed quite a lot of Christmas Cards for me. Then she went out to her Lodge's Christmas Pot Luck Supper.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1964- We got up in good time as Bessie was going downtown with Mathis at 9:00 a.m. We had pancakes & bacon for breakfast. I had more pancakes at noon. I worked around at different things this a.m. In the p.m. I went with Louise down to Jackson's. We had to help make out the report for Inheritance Taxes. Then Bessie & I rode home with Gene. Fried a chicken for supper. Nice eve.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1964- Got up in good time & we had a good breakfast. I worked all forenoon hunting up figures for Mr. Jackson to work out my Inheritance Tax. So didn't get to give them to him until the p.m. Bessie worked more on cards & put my hair up for me. I'm pretty tired & nervous tonight. Bob came after Bessie.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1964- Got up in good time. Quite tired today but worked around at my housework. Gene & Tom are working down at Watts & got new sink faucets put on for me & other work. In the p.m. I went with Gene & Betty & Philip down to Confession. Alone all eve as usual.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1964- Went to Mass with Betty & then home with her for breakfast. Then Gene brought me home. I read prayers today, got me a little dinner & started addressing cards, only got 3 done. Paul & Lillian & Linda came. Linda went to Betty's later. We visited, then I went with Leonard's out to Pat's for Debbie's Birthday dinner, which Marilyn took along. Pat getting along pretty good.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1964- Got up in pretty good time. Today I made out checks to pay bills. Had some long telephone calls. In the p.m. Wilma came up & we visited. Gene & Betty went downtown & mailed my letters and did some shopping for me. I was alone in eve as usual. I started another quilt block while I watched TV.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1964- Got up early & went with Betty to 6:00 Mass. The later Marilyn came for me & I went over to their house while Marilyn & Debbie went to Mass. Later she brought me home and I got some more Christmas cards addressed. In the p.m. I rested some. In the eve I got my cards stamped etc., etc.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1964- Today I did my washing besides talking on the phone. Marilyn brought Diane over to stay with me while she got her hair fixed. Gene & Betty mailed my letters. I wrote to Detroit about the cards I haven't rec'd yet. Gene & Betty brought me my first Christmas gift, a wheel with colors for Christmas tree.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1964- Got up in fairly good time as I wanted to get Sister's & Brother's letters in the mail & also a sick card for Pat. Then I addressed Christmas Cards all day & finally finished them until the last ones come. In the eve I stamped all of them so I was rather late in getting my prayers read & Holy Hour made, but I feel pretty good.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1964- Got up about the same time as usual. About 9:00 o'clock Betty called & said she was going out to Pat's & Glenn was coming after her, so I decided to go too. I ironed Marilyn's tablecloths & she stopped in & got them. Got my Christmas Cards from Marianknoll. Betty washed for Pat & bathed baby etc. I did some mending, washed dishes etc., etc. Early after supper Gene came after us. Frantz's came and Gene & Betty, Libb & the boys helped to get things fixed up & decorations up.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1964- Got up same as usual. Worked around a little this a.m. Louise came over with grapefruit for me. Then Gene took me down to the Dr. to get my B.P. checked. It was about the same as last time. 175/96 instead of 175/95 as last. I was pretty tired today so didn't get much done. Had to get more pills Osco, then we got groceries. Gene, Tom & Johnie got old flowers etc., etc. pulled up from around the house.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1964- Went to 7:30 Mass with Betty and home with her for breakfast. Then came back here early so I could go with Bernice & Lois to Ed's. They came in good time. We had a good trip down & back & a very nice time all day. Wonderful meals & good card playing. Joyce was 21 yr. old.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1964- Didn't get up very early as my legs hurt so bad and didn't feel very good all day & slept quite a bit this p.m. In the eve I did a little work on my cards. Also got the last of my cards addressed today. Wilma, Clarence & Ann came out this eve. I wrote letters for 2 cards & Wilma was going to mail them.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1964- Got up in good time & got my breakfast. Worked on some mail & tried to get a bunch of cards ready to mail. Then Louise came & we got them ready & put them in a box. Then we went out to Pat's to help out. Pat still in bed. I did some sewing & Louise cleaned all around, got dinner & started supper. Darlene came out a while. Marion Kline also came over. Wrote letters late.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1964- Got up in good time again and trying to get more letters written. Wrote to Bro. & Sister & Larry's today. Then Louise came over & helped me get Cards scratched off my list & packed up and she took them down for me. Joan & Barbie came out & visited for a while. Then after she went Louise came with things I ordered & stayed and wrapped some gifts for me. Good help.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1964- Got up in pretty good time and trying to finish writing my letters. So I mailed them to Sister Hendrina & Sister Adele ( I think ). Then I did my washing. Anna Marie came over & brought me a nice plate of cookies. I was quite tired so I got the rest of my letters finished & a sick card fixed for Stephen. In the eve Wilma & Clarence, Libb & Lyle went out for supper for their Birthdays. Then came back to Louise's. They called & wanted me to come up & play cards. Lyle came after me.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1964- Today I didn't get up to early as I was up late last night. Betty took my letters & mailed them for me. I did my ironing before noon. The mail man made a mistake & didn't give me any mail so I called down & he came out later and got it for me. Louise shopped for me again this p.m. Then she came and wrapped the rest of my gifts for me and vacuumed the floors for me.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1964- Got up a little late. Read my Mass Prayers. Worked out on the breezeway getting cleaned up around the plants & got my dinner. Went with Gene & Betty to Confession for Christmas. Snowed some today. In the eve Gene & Betty & Philip took me & we drove around to see the Christmas lights in town. Got a nice Poinsettia from Gene's & Pat's families.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1964- Went to 7:30 Mass with Gene & then home with him for breakfast. Then he brought me home. I got ready to go to Wilma's. Then Paul, Lillian, Linda & Phyllis came & brought me Ronny's picture and also a gift from Paul & Lillian & 1 from Johnie & Linda. Then Tony came for me and I went home with him. Had a nice dinner. After 3:00 p.m. Leonard's family came for me & we went to Sister's with her gifts & was there from 3:30 to around 4:30. I went back to Wilma's & they brought me home after supper & we played cards.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1964- Got up in pretty good time & was getting along pretty good with my work. Then Joann called & told me how sick Barbara was & got me worried & I couldn't get much done. The I called Jackson & got appt. for to go to his office at 3:00 p.m. to get settled about Inheritance Tax. Louise came after me around 2:30 p.m. So it was pretty late when we got home. Called Joann & Barbie some better.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1964- Got up in good time & had a back ache. Louise called to see about me getting my hair fixed tomorrow, so she got me an appt. I made 2 batches of candy before my dinner, 1 peanut butter. 1 fudge, they turned out fairly good. Then later in the p.m. I cooked my cranberries for Christmas eve. Barbie better today. My back still aches.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1964-Got up in good time and did my washing and dried & folded clothes & put them away. Got more cards today, 127 now. Marilyn came over & wrapped Sister's umbrella. Then Geralds stopped & took it along to Sister. They brought me a ???? ???? & a chicken. Louise & I went downtown & got our hair fixed. In the eve Lyle & Libb & family came. She brought me a wreath for outside door. Lee's also came. Frantz's stayed & we watched Miracle of Fatima on TV. Very good.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1964- Got up in good time. Wrote letter to Bro. John, Birthday to Wilma, sent in subscription money for Tabernacle & Purgatory, staightened up the house, got a good breakfast & worked around getting ready for company tonight. Ken & Joe came out & brought Christmas gifts. Pat & Glenn & family came in with ducks, sauerkraut & rice. I furnished the rest of the supper. In the eve we opened gifts.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1964- Got up early and went with Gene to 7:30 Mass & home with him for breakfast. We stopped at Paul's so Gene could take their pictures. Then Gene brought me home after breakfast. Paul came to borrow a table cloth. Later Carl came for me and I had dinner at their house. Mr. Miller & Anna May was also there. I also had supper there and spent the evening. Gene & Betty & Philip came up. We had a nice evening & home fairly early. A little stomach trouble before I went to bed.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1964- Got up in fairly good time. Felt pretty good. Worked around getting my house work done. Betty came over & vacuumed my floors. In the late afternoon we went out to Pat's to see their Christmas gifts & have a sausage & waffle supper. My stomach was acting up again so we came home early and I had a very miserable night & started taking white medicine.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1964- I thought I felt some better. I took my bath & went ton 7:30 Mass with Betty. I felt so bad I didn't go there for breakfast & I also couldn't go to our family Christmas dinner at Nichols so Gene wouldn't go either but I tried to get them to go. I felt pretty bad all day. Then in the eve Gene brought over his Paregoric & that helped. In the eve Louise came over & got my supper. Paul's came & brought gifts. Louise helped wrap TV. Trays that they brought home.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1964- Didn't get up very early, but feeling better. Not much of an appetite yet. Had quite a few phone calls. Johnie & Linda came down and got my mail for me. Louise changed my dress and also got me a larger pr. of overshoes. Betty brought me a loaf of bread & a can of soup for my supper.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1964- Got up in good time so I could give Watts key to the Culligan men, read my Mass Prayers. Betty came over & got mail for me. In the p.m. she got my pills for me, also some white medicine. I got caught up in my books & now in my diary. Oh yes, Ken & Joe were out & got the Christmas gifts.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1964- Got up around 8:00 a.m. Usual work. I got the mail & then took Watts mail over & looked around to see that everything was all O.K. Then when I came back I got company. Ed, Mary, Alan, Rosemary & Kieth came and brought dinner with them. In the p.m. Wilma came for a visit & Gerald & Pauline & family also stopped in. So we had quite a social afternoon. Ed & Mary went to the hospital to visit a friend. Quiet eve as usual.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1964- Got up in good time, had my breakfast, mailed Bro. John's letter. Then I did my washing. I shortened my blue dress first so I could wash it. A pretty quiet day, for me. Pat & Louise & Joann called me on the phone. Feel pretty good in the last day of this year and have many things to be thankful for.

The year of 1964 has been good to us. We have 3 more grandchildren born this year. Barbara Joann to Ben & Joann. Then Nancy Joann to Pat & Glenn in November and Gene & Betty adopted little Philip in March. Also 3 Great Grandchildren. Bill Jr. to Marilyn & Bill. Little Lee to Roseann & Lee & Andy to Dick & Reg. We now have 100 in our Family. 13 married children, 2 in religion, 6 married grandchildren + 50 more grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren & myself. We sold the Eisenhoffer place to Bruce Glasgow May 1st. at $11.00 per acre and still have the 2 renters, Watts & Wheelers for which I am very thankful. Sister Margaretta was sent to Richmond Iowa this year and we have had many good visits with her. Bro. John returned from Panama to the Abbey at Colorado and visited us August 2nd. to Aug. 5th. I had open house so the families could come home to visit him. Catherine entered the Convent in Dubuque July 31. On October 18th we visited Catherine at Convent in Dubuque, Paul's family, Gene's family, Dorothy Frantz, Sister Margaretta & myself. Sister Margaretta & Carol 2 times in the summer at Prairie Du Chien Wis. Wonderful happy days. On August 12 Carol received her White Veil and new name of Sister Mary Anton. I went up with Wilma & we stayed over night in LaCrosse. Ronald still at St. Ambrose as a Seminarian. August 1st. an accident in the family. Mary Lou was following Gene as he mowed the lawn and as he backed up the mower caught her foot & cut off the middle toe of her right foot. In all these comings & goings of this year I still miss Dad so much, but God's will be done.

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