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.

Tuesday, June 6, 1961

Cleo came out for coffee with Mom. This afternoon it rained real hard & our lites went out for about an hour & 40 min. Lighting struck our TV antenna. I bought Ron a couple new shirts today. A pedal pusher set for Joni & some material for playclothes for the girls. Auth Ruth & Shirley came tonite. I sewed some tonite & Ron played bridge at the Y with his mom.

Monday, June 5, 1961

Today I planted a double hollyhock, foxglove, candytuft, a pink mum, creeping fox, 2 Sweet Williams, an old fashioned bleeding heart, golden alyssum, hardy pinks columbine, caster bean plant, toreador cockscomb, Dusty Miller, Flaming Bush - a purple alcea bush, a yellow forsythia & a blue sperea.

Saturday, June 3, 1961

Ron played golf this morning. I ironed this afternoon. Bought 3 cheap purses at shopping center. Tonite Ron went to races with Clarence. Mom & Zen came out with Jeff. They kept him while Lowell & Marilyn went to Alumi Banquet.

Friday, June 2, 1961

This morning took Bev & Delores to the beauty shop for Nellie as they are still at meeting. Bev for perm. Took Todd at 9:30 for dental app't. Most of the afternoon I worked outside planting flowers in the back. Really got my back sunburned. Tonite we went to Bunn's to play Bridge with Bachmans, Phil & Sue Loncar. Nellie stayed with kids till Ken got home from playing in band.

Thursday, June 1, 1961

Today was the last day of school. They go back tomorrow for report cards. Went to pay bills this morning. Bought a roll-out planter & planted it tonite. Bought 2 new pairs of pants for Todd & a new shirt. Bought me some new white canvas shoes. Mom & Zenas went to Des Moines with Clarence & Nellie to June Kick-off. This afternoon I had Marian, Margaret & Marilyn out to play bridge. We didn't get much bridge played between kids but had a good time. I took Todd over for Susie's birthday party. Ron bought a couple of pairs of wash & wear cotton pants after work. He stayed home tonite and mowed while I planted.

Wednesday, May 31, 1961

It got very hot today & sultry. Mom & Marilyn came out & we all gave each other permanents. It took most of the day. Seemed like they all turned out pretty good - not too tight. Ron went out tonite but didn't sell anything. Todd got an invitation to Susie Umbarger's birthday party tomorrow. We got a ring for her. Rained during the nite.

Tuesday, May 30, 1961

Decoration Day.
Pretty nice day until about 3 - then it got cloudy & rained. This morning, Ron & Todd went fishing down at Earl's cabin with Barron, Scott & Edith. They didn't catch anything. They got home about noon. I did some work, made a salad & deviled eggs, then went to store & took girls out to Maytag Park to play a while. About 1 we went over to Mary Ann's for hamburgers. Came home about 3 & Ron & Jilll slept. This evening Ron went to Y to play duplicate with Tom Bachman. I went over & had a drink with Clarence & Nellie & talked.
Mom had all 5 of Zenas' kids & familys, Howard & Marge, Avonell & Wilbur. We didn't go because it was rainy & Todd had a toothache.

Monday, May 29, 1961

This morning had to go to store for soap to wash. Stopped to take Marian's bowl back - stayed for coffee. Marg walked over and it was almost 11 before I got home. Then Marilyn & Mom stopped out & Nellie came over for coffee. After lunch I did some washing & some ironing - which took most of the afternoon. In evening Ron went out to sell. Came close, but didn't.

Sunday, May 28, 1961

Nice day!
Kids went to Sunday School. Marilyn brought Jeff out & he went with them. Ron's mom cooked a turkey on the grill & we went over for dinner. Mom had Cleo & John over in late afternoon for hamburgers in yard & we went over there. Then home.

Saturday, May 27, 1961

Nice day. Started to clean today, only got upstairs done, then I stopped & we took kids over to Ron's folks & went up & took a tour thru the new Maytag office building. Very nice! We picked up the kids & stopped over to Mom's. Marilyn & Lowell got there last nite. We came home & I did some cooking. We ate then took kids over to Rock Creek Lake to fish. It got cold though & we didn't stay very long.

Friday, May 26, 1961

Nice day - hemmed up a dress for Joni this morning - ironed this afternoon. Cleaned the kids up & we went to the shopping center & bought Todd some new jeans. I got a penny-candy jar for Mary for secret-pal Valentine gift. In evening went to club at Mary's. I got a black glass perfume bottle from my secret pal. We talked about out 10 year class reunion next year. Irene is expecting in Sept.

Thursday, May 25, 1961

We'll know in 2 days if Kip is a daddy.
This morning I planted 5 lemon seeds and 12 grapefruit seeds. Hope they will grow. Hemmed up the skirt to a summer dress. This afternoon I took Jill & Todd over to Mother's & she kept them while I went to visit school. After that I took books to library & got new ones & traded in my orange tickets at Stockton's for a bead & jeweled switch-plate. Joni got her Brownie handbook. We stayed home tonite & I did some typing for Ron.

Wednesday, May 24, 1961

Nice day - I washed sheets of all beds but Joni's & hung them out. Was planning to visit school this afternooon but 2 of the groups were having tests so I didn't. I mowed yard & planted lilac bush again & ageratum. Ron put in a 14 hr. day at factory & meeting with Hayler at nite.

Tuesday, May 23, 1961

This morning I took Todd & Jill to Karen Miller's birthday party. They came today & installed our water softner. This afternoon - hemmed up skirt - & took Todd to the dentist. Went over to Edith's & got Rhubarb & baked a cobbler tonite. Ron went to play duplicate bridge at the with Bunn.
John & Cleo got here.

Monday, May 22, 1961

Did a little bit of cleaning for bridge today. Being gone yesterday, house was still pretty clean. Had bridge here tonite. Margaret filled in for Pat Empting - & won low - a glass jar & Pat K. won high - 2 boxes candy. Ron had to go to Des Moines for a meeting. Nellie took all 3 kids over to her house & gave them their baths & kept them till after 9. We gave Marian & Diane their baby gifts.

Sunday, May 21, 1961

Very nice day. We went to church & kids to Sunday School. Ate at 15¢ hamb. & then drove down to Phil & Ernie's. Stayed till almost 9.

Saturday, May 20, 1961

Ron sold 1 record plan today. I spent the day cleaning good. Ron went to bank & signed to take water softner & they will install it Tuesday. We cooked steaks out tonite & then went to bed about 10.

Friday, May 19, 1961

Today meant to clean, got started putting winter clothes away so ended up cleaning out cedar chest & closets. Spent all day getting the up stairs cleaned. Tonite we went to the Root Beer Stand for supper & then took the kids to a circus - Hagen Bros. out at Pleasant Place in N.E. Newton. Their first circus - they sure enjoyed it & it was real good for a small circus.

Wednesday, May 17, 1961

Sewed - working on 2 pc. blue skirt & blue & white top.
Rain all day.
Called tonite about buying a used Lindsey water softner 6 wks old - cost $592 with interest charges - can buy for $300.
Ron's men's group had their duplicate bridge tonite at Bill Galloway's. Ron in 4th place for 3 mo. average.

Tuesday, May 16, 1961

Ron played Duplicate Bridge at the Y tonite with Andy.

Sunday, May 14, 1961

Mother's Day - Rainy. Went to Elks for dinner. In evening we had our folks and Mary Ann's family out for hamburgers. Nice day.

Saturday, May 13, 1961

Cleaned today. Ron went out to sell. Kids went to movie in afternoon. We cooked steaks out - stayed home.

Friday, May 12, 1961

Went to the Mother-Daughter Banquet at the church tonite with Mother & Nellie & girls. I had a corsage of 3 red roses & 2 white carnations - girls had a verigated carnation. Very nice!
Clarence got home while we were gone.

Blogger note: Clarence and Nellie were our next door neighbors.

Sunday, May 7, 1961

Kids went to Sunday School. Mom & Zen came out. Nellie came over & helped Mom work on purse decorations for Mother-Daughter Banquet. Cleaned some late afternoon.

Saturday, May 6, 1961

Windy today. Joni has a cold so the kids didn't go swimming. I dug dandelions in the yard just about all day. Ron put up my clothesline & started to put up the railings in the back entry. Late afternoon I took the kids & Lori & Gary to Woodland Park to see airplane & ride on horse swings. Stayed home in evening - went to bed about 9.

Friday, May 5, 1961

Today the U. S. shot their first man into space. He was recovered & okay.
Joni went to Brownies at Mrs. Jones today. Rainy, dreary day. Had coffee with Margaret this morning.

Blogger note:
Link to video of the Freedom 7 launch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h31c_yfemQY

Monday, May 1, 1961

Ron's back bothered him all week-end - still sore today & he stayed home. Took Todd to school today for pre-kindergarten tea. Took Jill along. After we got home Phyllis came for coffee. Then kids & I took May Baskets around.