Journal of Dorothy Decker Nelson Harmer (early married life)
Sat. Aug. 24, 1929 Beginning the second year of married life--
our first wedding anniversary. Today is a great day for the
Jos. C. Nelson family--Joe is 28 years old & we have been married
exactly one year. A great year it has been too, we have
both learned much and appreciate each other more than ever.
When the baby awoke for her 6 o'clock feeding I wished Joe a
happy birthday--thus started the day. As usual Joe left for
work at 7:30 thus the regular routine started of putting the
baby back to sleep, giving her a bath, feeding, sun bath, sleep,
feeding again at two, play and then Daddy comes home. In between
times, while the baby was sleeping I made a three layer
pineapple cake & frosted it for the birthday dinner. That afternoon
Joe came home with his arms full--chicken, sweet potatoes,
tomatoes, lettuce--just gobs to eat and a big box & a little
box. In the little box was some cleansing cream for me and
in the big box was a Pyrex pie plate--the size I broke a while
ago so it fit in the holder. You bet I was happy! Then we
tried to put the baby to sleep, but she felt the thrill of the
day also. Soon someone knocked at the door & I was ordered to
open it since Joe didn't have his shirt on--there was a man with
a big box which he gave to me. More excitement & thrills--we
finally got it open and there was the most beautiful bouquet of
flowers--half a dozen delicate pink rose buds and a bunch of the
prettiest dark blue bell shaped flowers and with them came a
little card which had written on it "My Sweetheart--Joe". Ah,
how my heart sang. How thankful I am for my darling husband--
he's just the best there ever was I'm sure. Well, we finally
got the baby to sleep & had supper or rather dinner at 9
o'clock--it was surely appreciated, everything tasted so good.
A right happy day we had. By the way, Joe got an advance from
the boss of $15.00 so we could be expensive. Ah it is a day to
remember for sure.
Sun. Aug. 25 Today Dorothy Rae is 3 months old--ah she's the
sweetest little tike, so happy all the time. I believe she's
getting better all the time, she doesn't cry half as much as she
used to. I didn't feel well at all this morning. I had some
hemrrhoids that bothered me a lot--I called the doctor & he said
to go to bed with an ice bag--hense I did. Joe was supposed to
talk in Sunday School this morning but he got there just about a
minute too late--he felt so bad about it and so did I. This
morning we weighed Dorothy Rae and she weighed 11 pounds 3 oz. a
gain of between 6 & 7 oz of the week before. We were almost
afraid we were going to have to put her on artificial feeding
since she hadn't gained the previous 3 weeks the way she should
have, but we're so thankful and happy now that she made this
gain. We had another nice dinner of the other chicken today--
Joe fixed it.
Mon. Aug. 26 Today I expected to hear from the folks congratulating
Joe for his birthday--the morning mail was a great disappointment
but that afternoon we got a lovely letter from Joe's
mother. Today the baby laughed a real (cute?) loud laugh--oh it
was sweet, she just squealed--she's quite the dear, only I'm awfully
worried about her bowels. Joe had to work tonite--I was
right lonesome.
Tues. Aug. 27 Ah, today we got a letter from Joe's Father and
one from my Mother, they both were great letters & it brightened
the whole day. The baby still worries me tho, altho she doesn't
seem to be in pain. I called the doctor tonite & she told me to
give her mineral oil besides an oil enema--wotta life!
Wed. Aug. 28 Well, this morning I had quite a time with the
baby and only got a little response--she's just stubborn, thats
it! Well I love her so much tho. This afternoon two packages
came, one for Joe & one for me, both from Mother Nelson. Joe
got two nice looking pairs of hose and I got a lovely scarf--it
looks nice with my black dress so I washed my dress. Besides
washing my dress I washed four lines full of baby clothes--I was
pretty tired tonite. When Joe came home he mopped the floor for
me & help me clean things up--we were expecting Waltons over who
are going back West Saturday. They arrived about 9 o'clock & we
had a very nice visit. How I wish we were ready to pack up &
leave. We'll miss those folks, they're lots of fun.
Thurs. Aug. 29. How quickly the week has passed, Thursday already.
Not much happened today out of the ordinary except the
baby had an extra good bowel movement all by herself. She has
had stomach ache from it all day & has been pretty cross, hense
I'm pretty tired tonite. This morning I ironed Joe a couple of
shirts & my black dress--it looks right nice. Well, Joe has his
feet up on the table sitting in the rocker sound asleep & its
10:12, so I must awake both my babies, one to feed, the other to
put to bed--Goodnite.
Fri. Aug. 30. Today I spent our last nickel for a cantaloupe--
funny the way money can slip thru our fingers, just like water.
The baby has been pretty good, had another movement by herself.
Tonite Joe came home with the broadest grin--yep he has a holiday
all day Saturday as well as Monday. He had borrowed $5.00,
so we can continue to eat. I don't know what Mrs. Finch is
going to do or say about us not paying till the 3rd of Sept.,
but the boss didn't pay us--so! I call the doc's office for an
appointment to have my hemrrhoids removed tomorrow--I dread it
so. Tonite we had a pretty good meal, beans, sweet potatoes, a
juicy T-bone steak and French fried potatoes & tomatoes & lettuce--tasted
mighty good. I was right hungry & the baby went
right off to sleep after her 6 o'clock feeding.
Sat. Aug. 31 Oh, what a day! The baby didn't awaken until 6
o'clock this morning--she's getting to be a pretty good girl
I'll say. We did quite a bit of rushing around getting ready
for the trip to the doctor. Finally the last thing we decided
it would be pretty hard on the baby and on us to take her with
us so we left her with the people downstairs. While we were
gone they took her riding in the car--I'm afraid it was all
pretty exciting for her judging from the way she acted during
the nite. Well we got to the docs at about 3:00 or he started
cutting. It was really a pretty sore & touchy operation--I
thought we'd never get home afterwards. When we did get here it
seemed to help hurting more & more, I couldn't get in any position
to relieve me. I was extra nervous too--oh it was quite a
few min. I spent there, when such happens I want my mother so
much, shes always so good to be around when you don't feel well.
But believe me Joe was wonderful--all of these experiences make
us closer and our love grow stronger. He's so good to me.
Finally he gave me a pill the doc. had given us and in time the
hurting seemed to be eased. He got me some ice cream which
tasted pretty good, and then later in the evening made me some
custard that was delicious. I was able to sleep off and on
pretty well.
Sun. Sept. 1. Ah, that nite is over, and it wasn't so bad at
that. I slept fine until 3 A.M. when the baby awake for feeding
then I had to take another pill to put me to sleep. This is our
great life! This morning Joe bathed the baby, I went in the
kitchen & sat down & watched him. Really he did remarkably
well--couldn't have done better myself. Ah he's surely a great
husband, does so much for me & so willing about it. Today he
also made some grape jelly which was extra good, he's some cook
all right--it came out so pretty. The poor kid had one day dish
washing. Really I don't know what took him so long--I didn't
know we had so many dishes in the place, but he kept at them all
day, off and on, and then didn't get them finished. Poor kid--
some week-end for him. This evening he toook the baby for a
walk to get some sun. papers he looked like quite the proud
daddy. I slept while they were gone. He got back at 6 for her
feeding. Well the day is nearly over and I feel quite a bit
better, I'll be glad when everything is all healed up.
Mon. Sept. 2. Labor Day. Another holiday--I don't know what
I'd do if JOe weren't home today. This morning I felt a good
deal better, so bathed the baby myself. However, after that
feat I went back to bed. This afternoon Joe & I played Rummy--I
beat him the first time & he beat me the second game. We finally
got the dishes all done up--thank goodness. This evening we
all went for a walk over to the store to get some sugar and ice
cream & eggs. When we got home we put the baby to sleep, ate
the ice cream and made up the rest of the jelly. Thus the end
of the holidays.
Tues. Sept. 3. This morning early I felt extra good, then I had
a movement and I thot I was killed for sure. Oh what a time--
it just seemed to rip everything all over again quite a bit of
bleeding also. Of course I went back to bed with the ice bag
and took another pill. Oh, how I wanted Joe by me, I thot I'd
never get calmed down. This evening I feel better tho. Got a
letter from Mother this morning that made me rather homesick I
guess because she started it "My dear little girl". Ah how I
miss my sweet Mother, if she were only near me to help me sometimes.
This afternoon I called the doctor again and he told me
to keep on the semi-solid diet & I must see him tomorrow too.
This diet is surely the limit, its actually starving me, I'm so
sick of eggs, milk & custards. I don't know what to do. Joe
came home not until 7:30 tonite & I was feeling pretty much down
in the mouth, tired, hungry, homesick and my hemrrhoids bothered
me. I had a good cry, which didn't make Joe feel any too good.
Finally we had supper, baked potatoes & milk gravy and ice
cream. Oh I'll be glad when we can have some vegetables again.
Joe had gone to look at some apartments before he came home.
This place is really a little too small--it would be so much
better for the baby if we had a bedroom, also it would be nice
to be in a place where the landlady doesn't live on the premises,
as it is we feel that she has her thumb over us all the
time. However this place is cheaper than we could get elsewhere
& I guess we'll stay. Thank goodness we aren't here for ever &
ever.
Wed. Sept. 4. Last nite Joe & I laid down on the bed at 10:00,
waiting till time to feed the baby and didn't awaken till 1:30--
Poor child! Today things went along as usual--I went to dr. &
he took out the stitches--which hurt a lot, then I met Joe after
work & we came home together.
Sept. 11 Wed. Gee. I've certainly missed a long period of time
here, but oh how busy I've been. Thursday a week ago tomorrow
who should drive up but Stan & Lyle from home. Oh how happy I
was to see them, I didn't know I was so homesick. They both
went just wild over the baby--naturally--Stan surely thot she
was "a cute little stinker." They drove here in a Mr. Shriver's
car--Shrivers didn't want to go home by way of auto--one good
break for Stan & Lyle. Stan left the next morning Friday for
the University of Illinois and Lyle has now stayed for nearly a
week. I guess she'll leave Saturday. Oh but we have had so
much fun--talking, laughing, shopping and what not. I don't
know just how I'll ever be able to get along without her--it'll
seem so extra lonesome again I'm afraid. Well its 8:00 A.M. and
while the baby isn't crying I must wash the dishes so we'll have
the pan for her bath.
Sept. 13 Friday Looks quite unlucky--no? Well Lyle is going to
leave for sure in the morning--Believe me its surely going to be
mighty lonesome in the day time for me from now on. I do certainly
hate to see her go. Tonite Joe & Lyle have gone over to
Uncle George's & Aunt Alma's place--it's even rather lonesome
now. Gee tho, I haven't had a word from Mother all week & I'm a
little worried. Last nite Joe & I celebrated. Lyle stayed home
with the baby & we went to the Ambassador--It was a pretty good
show and a lot of fun being "out" with each other again. On our
way coming home Joe told me the boss had called him into the office
& told him he was afraid he'd have to let him go in a couple
of weeks, work was too slow to keep five draftsmen & since
Joe has been there the shortest time, of course he was the legitimate
one to leave. I think the boss was pretty white letting
him know beforehand like this--but Oh gee, why must it happen.
How I dread to heave to worry, worry, worry about where
our next nickel's coming from. It seems that we're just pushed
from one thing to another. And I did want Joe to go to school
this year so much--maybe we'll have to hang around here for two
or three more years. I guess such is life! I wonder what we'll
be doing in another month. Perhaps it wouldn't seem or be so
hard if it weren't for the baby--I could get out and work to
help a little. But then, oh little Dorothy Rae is such a dear &
we're so thankful for her. Well, I know everything will come
out for the very best--but it is a terrible worry. And darn it,
jsut when we start to be kinda' getting on our feet and feeling
settled this happened. I guess I must stop worrying and let
things drift--hope for the best, expect the worse & take what we
get. Goodnite--I must iron a shirt for Joe to wear in the morning.
Sept. 20, Friday. Well Lyle left last Sunday, she didn't go
Sat. because going over to Uncle Georges last Friday she tore
her hose & Sat. she stayed over to buy her some new ones rather
than get in her trunk. All this week I've had to keep especially
busy so I wouldn't be too lonesome for her. Today I scrubbed
the floors, the first time for months--it feels so good to be
able to do things again. Joe called me up today and told me the
boss said he would be able to keep him on--Oh isn't that wonderful.
My you don't know how thankful we are and how happy that
makes us feel. Oh but thats a big worry off our shoulders, and
what a relief! I met Joe over on Delmar this afternoon with the
baby.
Sept. 21, Saturday. Today I've been rather lonesome--no letter
from home & I expected one so much, and then Joe was away until
nearly 7:00. He went with a couple of fellows looking over residences
in St. Louis. He came home just before he left and he
brought a new bathtub for the baby. Oh what a beauty it is--we
got it with out Eagle Stamp Book which was worth 2.50 plus a
$1.00--quite a bargain. I just can't wait-to give her a bath in
it. Ah but I love Joe so much, he's such a considerate kid--he
hated to have to leave this afternoon too, but I'm glad he could
go. Afterwards he thoroughly enjoyed it. He did my shopping
before he came home for Sunday, bringing a nice roast of beef.
Sept. 22 Sunday. Last nite we decided we'd have Wesley Rigby
over for dinner--his wife is in Salt Lake, so Joe called him at
about 9:00 P.M. This morning we rushed like everything to get
ready for him--we said dinner would be ready right after Sun.
School. This morning Dorothy Rae weighed 12 lbs 4 oz. a gain of
8 oz. over last week. She enjoyed her new tub so much, she can
kick and straighten out her legs now. Well we finally got everything
ready for dinner at 1:00 and no Weck appeared--we waited
& waited. We called up his place & he wasn't there nor was
he at Church. I'll tell you, we were pretty mad there for a
while. We at last decided to not wait for him and eat alone at
2:15. We were just ready to sit down when in he came. Oh yes
we bawled him out alright & his only excuse was he'd argued with
the C.P. & forgot the time. The dinner tasted great, and then
afterwards we all went walking, except Dorothy Rae rode. Then
we came home & played Fantail & had Double Decker Sandwiches.
Dorothy Rae was a little Tartar to put to sleep--finally Joe had
to do it. Weck taught Joe how to play two-handed Pinachle &
after he left Joe taught me. Its lots of fun.
Sept. 23, Monday. Not a letter again this morning! I guess
they're getting Verna ready to leave. I'll bet they miss her a
lot, she's been there since July--and darn it she can't fix it
so she'll be able to see us. Gee how I wish I could see her,
its really quite a big disappointment, but she just can't route
her ticket thru here. That baby is a caution(?)--all day she's
just wanted to laugh and play, she hasn't slept for more than an
hour. This afternoon Dorothy Rae and I went over to Delmar to
meet her Daddy--its so much fun meeting him. On the way coming
home Dorothy Rae slept. This afternoon I ironed & ironed.
Tonite Joe & I played Pinochle again--its quite an interesting
game alrite. He beat. me too!
Sept. 25. Wednesday. No letter from my folks yesterday nor
today either. But I did get two letters that were rather surprizing--one
from Briant and one from Father Nelson. I got them
just as the baby and I were going over to Delmar to meet Joe &
for me to get a haircut. The one from Father Nelson was rather
a surprise--he suggested that we go to New York, for Joe to get
in an office there and then not get his degree here this year.
Gollee, that means farther from home than ever. Joe was pretty
late, he had to wait for the boss, so I went in to get my haircut,
leaving the baby & she cried too, but Joe came in just a
few minutes. On our way going home of course we discussed the
possibilities of leaving. Joe thinks it a mighty good idea. We
won't be able to leave for quite a while however because of lack
of money and we owe so many bills around here--hospital, dentist,
school, doctors & oh, so much. Well I guess we'll just
have to let things drift.
Sept. 26. Thursday. Today I've been thinking about New York,
and the more I think, the less I want to go. New York never did
appeal to me much, and it will mean of course two or three years
longer away from home. But if it will help Joe, I guess I'll
forget this other, because its Joe I'm living for and I'm his.
Sept. 27 Friday. Well at last the letter from Mother & Dad
came, and I feel a whole lot better. They heard about the idea
of New York and think it would be fine, so now I don't feel so
bad about leaving them. Verna left them last Tuesday and
they're mighty lonesome.
Sept. 28 Saturday. Today we took the baby down to her doctor
and I also visited mine. Dr. Bain was so happy about our baby--
but not half as much as we are. She said the baby was about as
near perfect as she could be. She's right up to weight now and
her length is right & shes so strong and hard & well developed.
She weighed 12'9" and the average weight for a 7 lb. baby at
birth is 12'11" & Dorothy Rae weighed at birth only 6'14" so
that's about right. The average height is 24.2 and she's 24"
exactly. I start feeding her mush now.
Sept. 29, Sunday. This morning Joe weighed the baby, watched
her have her bath & mush before he left for Sunday School--naturally
he was late. The baby didn't take so well to her mush but
we hope she'll learn. Shes surely a little dear. We went walking
with her this afternoon and got some pretty autumn leaves
and Golden Rod. We came home just as a most horrible storm was
starting, I left Joe at the store where he went to get some ice-
cream and ran home with the baby. Neither of us got here any
too soon & it was a real pour down. I made some hot fudge for
the ice cream and it tasted right good. Its a good thing tonight
isn't a week from tonite--Joe has to speak in Church & I'm
determined to hear him.
Sept. 30 Monday. Nothing much of interest happened today except
it was right cold & we had no fire. I hung out the laundry Joe
washed for me last nite and then we collected it in a terrible
wind storm. Boy it was cold! Dorothy Rae & I met our Daddy on
Delmar again tonite.