Brand New Day

The Days of Thanksgiving

Tuesday, 1981
Getting ready for the Big Day. Every day is a brand new one where I forget yesterday and live today, dedicating my day to my idea of God, to live it with gladness and humor.  Work is therapy, especially preparing for a Turkey dinner with Plum Pudding, ordering beer, making salads, etc. Doing cleaning up after is no easy chore but my mind was not troubled.

Thursday, 1975
Went to Ann's for dinner. Waiting for us. Katy, George and children there. As we approached I noted a large mobile home on wheels in Ann's driveway. (Mike repossessed it. Children really had an uninhibited time playing in it.) Cold day. Ann's mother-in-law brought the turkey, browned as I like it, at 4:30. We had a good dinner. Mimi showed us her birthday presents. Got home at 9:00. Ilsa and Heidi dropped into bed.

Friday, 1992
Brighter day. I resolved to live as happy as possible, forget the dismal days - make every day a sunshine day. Hair done - Annette's husband there. Mary a little down. Walked over to Dora's - Virginia and she went to Joe's for dinner on Thanksgiving. Never does she pity herself, because of her sight -- she is thankful for many blessings. I must try to control my excessive talking- a definite symptom of age- over glamorizing. Rose called at 8. Went shopping at Gabes - got bargains for Christmas. I notice Christmas lights outside in Roscoe.

The Wig Transformation

November 19 – 25^th 1975

Wednesday,

Went to Charleroi – bought an outfit for Ilsa’s birthday (quilted top, Chinese influence, brownish with little pink designs). Got home, prepared to box it but it was the wrong size. Boxed clothes (maternity) for Katy, couple of Amy’s dresses for Heidi, and prepared Ilsa’s card.  Another warm day, wore no coat to Charleroi.

Thursday

Went with Dora at 10:00 for her wig appointment at Bonafeds (sp?). Took a suede coat (10 yrs old) to Pete’s to have it cleaned, exchanged Ilsa’s outfit for size 8, and went to Bonafed’s to watch the wig transformation—a very good complement for Dora’s hair, a fine wig.  She looked good in it.  Home – boxed Ilsa’s gifts, Daddy took to the Post Office. Another warm day.  However a pollution alert was sounded for Allegheny County.  Washington County was told to be ready for one also.  Cleaned bedrooms.  Got my retroactive check – 1095. 

Friday

Colder, took in all the dahlia tubers – stored in cellar. Cleaned rest of the rooms. Ann called, all is well. We promised to go there for Thanksgiving. Banked check (850) and  [illegible] Savings. 

Saturday

Hair fixed. Ate lunch with Daddy at Rego’s.  Met Sara Matheson. Home. Washed several articles by hand.  Called Rosemary, still not too [illegible].  Told me about Parkinsons.

Wedding at Fire hall. Cold day – wore a winter coat.  Daddy finally bought a pair of Earth Shoes in Paganos (30). Wanted him to buy a winter jacket but no, no.  Paid my bill at Fantasia.  No bills now. 

Home – finished all my washing by hand – little else.

Sunday

Cold – went to Mass. Fr. Smith must have forgotten about Charismatic Movement, platitudes.  I wish I could believe he is sincere but I can’t. He looked tired. Asked about John Cairns. Read papers. Made tarts, cookies.  What makes me so tired to-day! Called Ilsa on her birthday. They’re coming on Wednesday.

Monday

Another cold day.  Made fudge.  Black walnut. Baked cookies. Southern Pecan tarts and chewy coconut. Washed curtains and walls in living room.

Tuesday

Went to Monessen – picked up bread at Helen’s. Circus (book on espionage). Made more cookies – borrowed Mary’s [illegible] – so many antiques Mary has. Finished chocolate chips (too hard). Daddy – stiff neck – went to his weekly pool game.  Tired. Cold 24 degrees, a little snow.