Monday, July 31, 1961

Today had a very big washing. Ironed some. Didn't get much else done. Tonite Ron's folks came out & they & Ron washed & cleaned up the boat. Dave Taylor came out & came in & we sat around until about 10:30 & talked.

Sunday, July 30, 1961

Got up at 4:45. It was raining but we left at 6 for Clear Lake - picked up my folks. Stopped for breakfast. We got to Clear Lake about 9 or 9:15. Got the boat in water at Touristville for the first time. Then Mom & I were off to take the kids to Sunday School. We took them to Methodist Church - waited till they were out of S.S. then went to State Park where we got our swim suits on - went in water, picnicked & boated. Ken & Marian & Barry drove up & spent the day with us. We left about 5:30. Stopped at Roadside Park on this side Ia. Falls to eat picnic supper. Home about 8:45.

Saturday, July 29, 1961

Busy today - doing daily housework as I didn't do any yesterday. Went & got groceries. Stopped uptown - had 3 pr. jeans laid away. Got a 25% discount (balloon). A pr. of shorts - $1.00 for Todd. Cooked chicken & potato salad for tomorrow. Karna called. She wanted us to come out for supper so we went out about 6. Nice to see her, her kids grown so much. We had fish they had caught in Rock Creek that afternoon. Gordon & Doris & their boys were there too.

Friday, July 28, 1961

Today was Ridiculous Day. Margaret & I went uptown this morning shopping. I bought 3 pr. shoes, all canvas. 1 pr - $1.97, 1- $1.00, 1 - 87¢. A pr. shorts - $1.00. An iron tray - 50¢, 2 wood trays - 50¢, a piece of material 50¢, 2 belts at 49¢. Had Jane Guthrie to stay with kids. Got home about noon - had lunch then Marg & I took our kids up to the parade. Marg won $5 in mdse. at Western Auto. We went to shopping center then home. We went to Root Beer stand for supper. Tonite we had Jane again & we played bridge at Fausts with Marg & Dec - Moe & Bev.

Thursday, July 27, 1961

Worked hard today. Cleaned upper part of house & both bathrooms good! Washed Jill's sheets. Had coffee with Wilma.

Tonite we had Linda baby sit & Ron & I went to movie Solomon & Sheba. Pretty good.

Rain tonite.

Wednesday, July 26, 1961

This morning I had to go uptown to pay a couple of bills & get a birthday present. We stopped over at Mother's. Before lunch - took Todd over to Steve Howell's for birthday party. We picked up order at Sears & went to library. Tonite it rained.

Tuesday, July 25, 1961

Today I began taking care of Debbie Terrentino. Washed sheets off our bed. Got quite a bit of ironing done. Scrubbed the kitchen floor. Watered my flowers outside. Had a cosmo blooming today - first flower to bloom other than ground crawlers. Tonite Ron took boat up to have canvas cover put on. Mary Ann took Todd over to watch Scott's ball game. After supper, Ron took him back over. This was Debbie's birthday.

Monday, July 24,1961

Washed today. Went uptown & finally got 7-day pattern for Joni. Cleaned little room up. Fixed my hair. Tonite Ron took boat up to have motor put on - 40 h.p. Evinrude. I went to play bridge at Pat Empting's. Linda Rutherford stayed with the kids. We had 2 subs for Pat S. & Marian - Kay Mueller & June Blackett.

Sunday, July 23, 1961

Kids went to Sunday School. Finished my striped shirtwaist dress. We went for a ride & had Ron's folks & Mary Ann & Barron out for steaks in evening.

Friday, July 21, 1961

Rained off & on all day. I cut out striped shirt-waist dress for myself & sewed on it. Took hem out of Joni's plaid dress & put it back in.

Blogger note: Dress image is "Montgomery Ward's 1961 Shirtwaist of tropical colors printed on all cotton. Kerchief included. Sanforized. $22.84".

I'll bet the fabric and pattern for Mom's cost less than $5.00.

Thursday, July 20, 1961

Went over to Pat U.'s & had coffee. Stopped at Ward's & picked out some material for school sewing. Returned some dishes to Mom. Clarence & Nellie left this morning for Canada trip.

Wednesday, July 19, 1961

Finished mowing the yard. Fertilized my flowers.

Monday, July 17, 1961

Ron went to D.M. tonite & took Norm from Tyler's.

Sunday, July 16, 1961

Ron's dad bought a boat today. 16 ft. 6 passenger - Span. Am. Kids went to Sunday School. We went to Ron's folks for dinner. Phil & Ernie came in aft. Mom & Zen came over. We cooked steaks out.

Saturday, July 15, 1961

Didn't do much today. Ron went out to sell. Dreary day. Shirley was at Mom's - they came out late afternoon & kids & I went home with them. I helped Mom cut out & sew a dress for Shirl. Home early.

Friday, July 14, 1961

Tired when I got up but I did get busy - washed the sheets off all the beds & put them back on - got the upstairs pretty well cleaned. Sewed some on Joni's jacket. Todd felt better - in afternoon he was feeling pretty good. Jill went over to Grandma Bishop's and spent the day.

Rained tonite.

Thursday, July 13, 1961

Kids still didn't feel too good. I cut out green short set for Joni.

Wednesday, July 12, 1961

Today is the birthday of Jill.

Rained off & on all day. Todd was pretty sick & Joni didn't feel good all day. Had to take Todd to Dr. - had strep-throat. Both complained of bad headaches. Poor Jill - not a very happy birthday - naturally couldn't go to D.M. to park & museum & home on train as planned. We did get a birthday cake at Barrett's for her. We gave her a stick horse, a diaper bag with bottles, Captain Kangaroo colorforms, new baby doll, pj's & 2 new pedal pusher sets. Grandma Bishop gave her a short set. Grandma Jones a swimsuit & jacket & bucket. Mary Ann - a baby doll & pj's. Ron's folks & sister came out in evening for cake. Bless her heart - she took it good even though we couldn't do anything to celebrate.

Tuesday, July 11, 1961

Went over about 8 to get the kids & ended up staying all day. Nellie came over to let Bev use Mom's buttonholer. We rode uptown with Nellie to do some shopping. Got 4 patterns & some material for Joni. Bought a pair of shoes on sale at Loupee's for Todd. Jack & Jill had a big sale. I bought pj's for Jill & Joni & Jan a shirt & swim trunks for Todd. 2 pedal pusher sets for Jill & a swimsuit for Joni, also a blouse & shorts. Joni & Todd had a headache & by the time we got home didn't feel good - went right to bed about 6:30.

Monday, July 10, 1961

Got some work done today. Had a big washing, fixed my hair, scrubbed family room floor. About 3:30 I went along with Ron to D.M. He had to go into meeting. We went to the Elks & had a drink. Then I went shopping & Ron went to meeting. Only bought 2 pr. shoes & some sun oil. Had fun looking but my feet hurt so bad I could hardly walk (my corns). Met Ron at Babe's at 8:30 & we went to Noah's Ark where other Family Record Plan guys were & had pizza. We got home at 11. Nellie & Mom kept kids & Mom was already in bed.

Sunday, July 9, 1961

Kids went to Sunday School. We did a lot of yard work - mowed lawn, trimmed & stuff. Cooked steaks out & Bunn's came over to play bridge in evening.

Saturday, July 8, 1961

Another big breakfast. Kids put on their suits & played in water until 11. I sat in sun for a while. Ron went out & sold 1 plan. I packed & we left at noon. We drove around a little then went to Mason City & ate at McDonalds. We got home about 4:30. Joni slept all the way. We picked up Kip. Came home, unpacked, then went to the shopping center for dinner. We had a nice dinner. Kids had a pony ride in parking lot - we rode uptown, messed around & came home to bed.

Friday, July 7, 1961

Woke up with morning paper under door with breakfast menu on it. Ate a big breakfast with Mary Ann & Barron. Barron really got sunburned. They left about 11. Boat had to be fixed again. Ron napped. Kids & I went shopping. Ron went out in afternoon & sold 2 plans. I took kids early for supper. Then we got a sitter from motel & Ron & I went out. During kids dinner I saw Bob & Dot DeRonde. They said Marg & Deacon were over at the State Park camping so we drove over & drank a beer & toasted marshmallows with them. Then we looked for The Ritz, couldn't find it so we went to Witkes & had sirloin tips & mushrooms. Got back about 11 & went to bed.

Thursday, July 6, 1961

Ron woke me up at 5. We packed rest of car, got kids up & left at 6. Pulled Dave's boat up. We stopped at Zearing & ate breakfast. Ron's folks, Mary Ann & Barron stopped while we were eating. Got to Mason City at 9. Went on to Clear Lake & found a place to stay at the Blue Horizon - 2 rooms & bath - $24 a day. Very nice. We boated & sunned & kids played in water all day. Ron met a kid - Ken from Cedar Rapids - & they took turns water skiing. In evening we went next door for a champagne buffet. It was really wonderful. $2.50. Jill fell asleep at the table. After dinner, kids sat on dock & Todd fell in with his clothes on. We were pooped & went to bed about 9:30.

Wednesday, July 5, 1961

Today I worked hard all day washing, ironing and packing to go to Clear Lake tomorrow. It rained most of the day. Seemed like the kids were pretty ornery - probably because they had to be inside all day. Ron went out to sell & sold 2 plans. At 4 I took the girls to Shopping Center & all of us had our hair cut. I kinda hated to have Jill's cut after it has gotten so long but also am tired of trying to keep it looking good. In evening we took Kippy over to Mother's to stay - borrowed some suitcases & came home to finish packing. Got to bed about 1.

Sunday, July 2, 1961

We went to Mom's for dinner - took Dave's boat & we all went to McQuirter's Lake boating & swimming.

Saturday, July 1, 1961

Ron went out today to sell. I wasn't much in the mood to work. Did a little - late aft. In evening we went over to Mother's for our fish fry. Rich & Bette were there (for wedding). Marge & Howard had company and couldn't come.

Wilderman's came to DeBoom's this weekend & were over. Kids left this morning on band trip "On to Toronto".

Thursday, June 29, 1961

Ron's Maytag vacation started tonight.

Wednesday, June 28, 1961

Today I put avocado seed in water to hope it will root. Washed this morning & fixed my hair. Watered my flowers. We need rain. This afternoon I went to see Joni's proofs. 2 of them were pretty good. Cut into my pretty blue & purple material. Hope I don't make a mess of it. Dave Weiss came this afternoon & back this eve. Ron played bridge at Elks with Kirwan tonight.

Tuesday, June 27, 1961

Kept busy. This afternoon was going to mow but couldn't keep mower running. Went over to get Joni. Mom was baking bread so I stayed til it was done & she gave me a loaf. It was delicious. After work - we went over & got Ron's folks mower & I mowed the yard. Ron played bridge at Y with Bunn.

Monday, June 26, 1961

This morning - sewed on covers to re-cover lawnchairs. Fixed my hair. This afternoon went over to Mother's to return her fishing things. Brought home a bunch of flowers from her to set out. Joni stayed over there. Ron rode to D.M. to meeting with Jim Korns. I worked outside til dark. Bought a pair of $7.98 white knit slacks at Fashionette for $3.00.

Sunday, June 25, 1961

We went to church this morning as Ron was supposed to usher. First time we had heard student pastor Joel Bensima. Kids went to Sunday School. We had coffee with Clarence & Nellie. Then had a quick lunch. Bacon & tomato sandwiches & watermelon. Mom called & we all went out to Howard & Marge's to fish. Caught 25 nice bull heads. The kids had a ball. Got to Mom's & had forgot Kip so Ron & Todd went back after him. We ate at Mom's then came home & kids went to bed & Ron cleaned fish.

Saturday, June 24, 1961

Didn't do too much today. Sewed on my duster. Washed Jill & Todd's bedding - sheets & spread - and rug. Nice day for them to dry. Saw a sign of life on 2 of my rose bushes. Ron went to Prairie City - sold 1 all day out. He had an awful headache tonite. We stayed home & went to bed early. We were all in bed by 9:30. Todd went to Y with Gary this afternoon to swim.

Friday, June 23, 1961

I woke up tired - was typing a letter to G. M. about my bedspread & Mom came out. Men all had to go to Grinnell to all day meeting so Mom, Bette, Nellie & I went uptown shopping. We went to shoe sale at Graham's. Bought a pair for Jill for 98¢. Saw the Miss Jasper Co. parade at noon, then we bought stuff & went to park for a picnic. We went to shopping center & came home. We saw Bette's sewing. She's doing real well. Ron went out for a while. He came home about 8:30 then I went to club at Martha's. Had a good time. We played jackass. They also had a purse game. Took nightgown for my secret pal's anniversary. Got sewing book & cassarole book from Irene. She was through work today.

Thursday, June 22, 1961

Today - did some washing. Sat out in sun for a while. This afternoon Mother came out & we went over to Nellie's & with Bette the four of us had one of our old bridge games. Had a lot of fun. A lady called & wanted Ron to come so they could buy Family Record Plan. First time that happened. So Ron went out tonite. I was tired & went to bed early.

Wednesday, June 21, 1961

Straightened up house a little. Very nice day - I did washing & some pressing. After lunch I planted the other 2 rose bushes I bought on sale. Don't know if they will grow or not. Washed windows outside & in. Washed Todd's hair tonight. Ron went to Bunn's to play bridge. Might note here that my grapefruit & lemon seeds are up. The grapefruit are splitting the seeds apart now. They were planted May 25. Bette & Pam came to Nellie's tonite.

Tuesday, June 20, 1961

Today is the Birthday of Joni Lee

Joni had a big day. We gave her our gifts when she got up. I decorated her cupcakes - got the house straightened up - the morning passed quickly & it was time for the party. Her invited guests were Debbie Deskin, Karen & Kathy Grandia, Pam Ratcliff, Kathy Lanham, Joanne Mottet, Vicki Badger. Vicki brought her sister, Lori. We had Bev & Delores over to help with games & with Jill. We had 12 girls. She got many nice things. The weather turned out nice so they were able to play games outside. After the party I took her to Olan Mills & had her picture taken. We went to Root Beer stand for supper. Ron's folks & Mary Ann & Barron came out & brought her gift in evening. I put buttonholes & buttons on her robe & gave it to her before she went to bed.

Joni's gifts on her 7th B'day
Silver Cat Ring - Mommie & Daddy
Stiff Can-Can - Mommie & Daddy
Robe - Mommie & Daddy
Whistle Dancer - Jill
Sack of Candy - Todd
Shorty P.J.'s - Mary Ann & Barron
Polished Cotton Slip & Panties - Grandma Bishop
Blazer Jacket - Grandma Bishop
Colorforms Garden Set - Joanne Mottet
Color & Paint Kit - Kathy Grandia
Lotion & Birthstone locket & bracelet - Bev & Dork
Puzzle, Jump Beans, Comb & Mirror - Vicki & Lori
Paper Dolls & Color Book - Debbie Deskin
Blouses & Shorts - Pam Ratcliff
Ballerina Paper Dolls & Hankies - Karen Grandia
Loom & Jewelry - Grandma Jones
Float & Tote - Grandma Jones
Skates - Grandpa Jones

Monday, June 19, 1961

Seemed like I had a busy day. In morning kids & I went uptown, in afternoon we went to center - to get things for Joni's party. I got her a ring & a can-can. Todd spent 40¢ & bought her a sack full of candy - lifesavers, etc. Jill got her a whistle. We went out to pay for Zen's rose $4.00. I was tired today. Tonite I worked on Joni's robe till about mid-nite - got it about done except for buttons & button-holes. Baked cupcakes for Joni's party after supper. Ron came in about 10:30 - he had gone to D.M. to meeting. He brought me home a compact to hold pictures which is a miniature of the album.

Sunday, June 18, 1961

Kids went to Sunday School. Ron & I went to Failors and got a Kordes Perfecta rose for Zen. Gordon Anderson stopped by. We went over to Ron's folks & cooked steaks out. In evening we went over to my folks for a while. In afternoon I started making a robe for Joni for her b'day.

Saturday, June 17, 1961

This morning I cleaned up little room - did some pressing & putting away clothes. Ron went out & sold one plan. This afternoon I went shopping at the center with Mom, Mary & Ann. Went to get a b'day present for Joni - ended up getting invitations & some groceries. About 9:30 I ran over to folks to say goodbye to Bob & Mary & hello to Shirley who came in just for nite.

Friday, June 16, 1961

Worked hard today. Ann & her baby came out in aft. as the folks went to Omaha to races. I ironed all aft. & really got a lot done. Ron called & said Riley just called to tell him that they signed up Tyler's Studio. Tonite I went to the Bible School program with De Booms. Ron couldn't resist going out. He didn't sell any though. The kids did real well at their program. I came home & straightened up the house & did dishes before going to bed.

Thursday, June 15, 1961

Today sewed a top for Joni. Bought 3 roses on sale - 2 Pres. Herbert Hoover (salmon) & 1 radiance - got the radiance planted. Bob, Mary, Ann & Mom were out in aft. - then stopped back later with Zen to see Ron.

Wednesday, June 14, 1961

Tonite went to Craft's club at Shirley Miller's. Ron sold 2 plans. Mom's company Bob & Mary & daughter & baby got here tonite.
Mowed the yard today with Ron's folk's mower.

Tuesday, June 13, 1961

Ron played bridge tonite. I was tired today & didn't do much.

Monday, June 12, 1961

Sewed a top for Joni today. Nellie & I & kids took Shirley to the train to go back to Ia. City. I played bridge tonite at Kay Ward's. Linda P. stayed with kids for a while. Quite a hard rain tonite.

Sunday, June 11, 1961

Went to children's day program at Sunday school. In eve we had Mom & Zen & Aunt Ruth out for steaks. Ron's folks were here too.

Saturday, June 10, 1961

Kids went swimming at Lori's. I made a little top for Joni today. Sat in sun. Went over & visited with Mermal for a while. Ron went out but didn't sell any. Stayed home tonite.

Friday, June 9, 1961

This morning stopped over & had coffee with Pat Umbarger. Jill stayed & played till after lunch. Took Joni over to Debbie's to play this afternoon. I went to Jean Jensen's for coffee with Nellie & Wilma. Picked up Joni & had lemonade with Marg & Marian then came home & ironed. This is Marian's anniversary so I kept Barry & Carol while she & Ken played golf.

Thursday, June 8, 1961

Mother & Zen went to Des Moines for Helen's surgery so Aunt Ruth spent the day with us.

Wednesday, June 7, 1961

I kept Barry & Carol this morning. Sewed on a top for Jill. Still rainy out all day. Straightened house up this aft. Tonite Shirley came out & stayed with the kids. I went to a Stanley Party at Mrs. Rutherfords. Noticed a few seeds from my EZ planter popping through the ground.