2/28/1913 vs 2/28/2013

Dora:
Took Mother and Grandma Miller down to Grandpas.
Butcher came to kill cow.
So I stayed here swept and cleaned up.

Ray:
17-26 Fair
Drawed logs all day
Sold red cow

Note: Another hilarious comparison. Dora says, "The butcher came to kill the cow." There's a bit of a brutal element in that description. I know she was a hardened farm girl, but there is something about how she describes this that I find surprising. 
Then Ray just says, "We sold the cow" indicating the cow was cash to him. There is no mention in his financial ledger about cash received for the cow so the money must have gone to his father.

Cayla:
Worked at the neuro office today. Got home at a reasonable time.
After the kids went to bed Tarek and I re-stocked the freshly painted pantry. Excited about this new paint in the kitchen, it's going to make a world of difference!
Heading to Michigan tomorrow after we get home from work. Kids (and grandparents) are excited!

2/27/1913 vs 2/27/2013

Dora:
Regular routine A.M.
Sewed P.M.

Ray:
26-30 Fair
Drawed logs in a.m.
Cut a tree in pm

Note: I wonder what field or fence row they were clearning out. I also wonder what they did with the logs since I'm pretty sure they heated with coal.

Cayla:
Worked at the sleep clinic today. Ran errands after. Came home & peeling the sticky liner off the pantry shelves and then played Mama Doggie with the kids. In case anyone is wondering, this is where I crawl around on my hands and knees, barking and panting (with gusto and without any shame, mind you), chasing the kids and then pretending to lick them when I catch them.  Mama Doggie got tired out after too long and started to work on dinner.
After the kids went down, Tarek & I went to the basement and located his ski clothes. Then I packed in preparation for the weekend trip to Michigan.
Painting in the kitchen tomorrow! Yay!

2/26/1913 vs 2/26/2013

Dora:
A.M. Done up Grandmas work and canned her pumpins [sic] 3 1/2 qts
Came home about 2 P.M.
Snowed all day.
Sewed a little.

Ray:
30-38 Snow
Helped fix wagon in am.
Drawed logs in pm.

Cayla:
Took Maurice to pre-school. He is excited about our upcoming weekend in Michigan and suggested that we leave Ada at pre-school and then he and I could go ahead and go to Michigan. Little stinker!
Got my PPD test read. Went to Target briefly. Talked to my brother Tom for a bit on the phone.
Ada took a really long nap so Maurice and I got to spend more time together than usual.
Tarek was quite late from work again, but we all sat at the table together for dinner.
After the kids went down, we emptied out the kitchen pantry and closet in preparation for having them painted this weekend. That was quite a task....

2/25/1913 vs 2/25/2013

Dora:
Baked Bread & Cake.
Ironed A.M.
P.M. went down to Grandmas
Swept her parlor and moved down the bed
I stayed down overnight.

Note: Dora moved down the bed. First, that must have been quite a task by herself. Second, it seems that Grandpa, who keeps taking turns for the worst, really was worse and needed to be closer to the everyday activity. Either that or it was such a struggle to keep on top of keeping the house and farm that they knew they had to put him closer to the everyday activity to be able to do their daily duties.

Ray:
20-38 Fair
Drawed logs all day.
broke wagon.

Note: Ray notes in his journal that " Jay Mahar had 2 sows here Feb 25". This is the area where he notes who has their sows with his boar.

Cayla:
Did laundry and straightened up the house.
The tile guy came again to put a bit more grout down. I think that's the last time he'll need to come
Tarek got home a bit later than usual tonight.
I fixed a new recipe for dinner: Oven roasted potatoes, green beans, and garlic with  roasted chicken thighs in a mustard-thyme sauce. Ada ate it. Maurice did not.

2/24/1913 vs 2/24/2013

Dora:
Washed 2 washings
Mopped up the kitchen and mended a little.

Ray:
13-30 Fair
Took some feed down to Uncle Daves in am.
Drawed logs in pm

Cayla:
Went to church.
Napped when the kids napped.
Got groceries after dinner.
Chatted with Brian in the evening.
Will sit with Tarek and watch the Oscars...

2/23/1913 vs 2/23/2013

Dora:
Read A.M.
Went to S.S and church P.M.

Ray:
20 Fair & Snow
Went down to Grandpa in am church in pm home at night.

Note: Interesting that Dora does not go down to Grandpa's that morning.  I wonder if maybe they were annoyed they weren't seeing much of him. Or maybe he wanted to go visit on his own?

Cayla:
Slept in until 7:45, at which point, Ada's warbling made it impossible to stay in bed.
I cut Tarek's hair after breakfast and coffee. We split up, Tarek took Maurice and I took Ada, and we ran errands in the morning. We met up for lunch and then I headed home to put Ada down for nap time.  As soon as Tarek got home with Maurice I headed out to get a TB test at the Minute Clinic and then to the mall to return some things.
When I got home, Tarek had fed the kids. 
Our neighbor girl came over to watch the kids and put them to bed while we went out and had dinner with new friends.
Busy, but nice day!

2/22/1913 vs 2/22/2013

Dora:
Went to Mendon too [sic] Grange about 9:30
Initiation and Washington Birthday Program got home about 6 P.M.
Oyster dinner served in K.O.P Hall.

(Wow. Oyster dinner?)

Ray:
31-26 Snow
Went to Grange all day

Note: I just love this. Two people, a man and a woman describing the same event....as hilarious then as it is now....

Cayla:
Worked at the sleep clinic.
Came home and had a nice slow afternoon with the kids.
Will spend some time sitting with Tarek tonight and probably watching a movie.

2/21/1913 vs 2/21/2013

Dora:
Done up regular work A.M.
P.M. Went down to the School House, visited the school and gave the children their song.
Came home and made brown bread for Grange.

Note: This is the same school house that is still standing, just down the road from my parents house. It has been converted into a house, actually.

Ray:
40-46 Fair
at home all day

Cayla:
Worked out at the Neuro office today. Got home around 6 pm, which is significantly earlier than usual, so that was wonderful.
Ada was so cute in the morning. As I was getting ready to leave for work, she came up to me and tried to zip up my coat, just like I do for her as we are leaving the house.
And Maurice had a wonderful day at pre-school, in which he followed directions and played with the other kids in cooperative games.
I feel so blessed to watch my children blossom!

2/20/1913 vs 2/20/2013

Dora:
Came home about 9 A.M.
Went to Missionary Meeting in the P.M. to John Millers.

Note: She has got to be exhausted!

Ray:
38-48 Fair
at home all day

Cayla:
Worked at the sleep clinic today. Had appointments afterwards.
Came home and Maurice was in a terrible mood.
Tarek made it home before bed time.
Maurice fell asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow, so I guess his days of no naps are catching up with him.

2/19/1913 vs 2/19/2013

Dora:
Came home from Grandpas and Ironed went back about 5 o'clock

Note:  Since her uncle and aunt left it appears Dora is doing double duty...

Ray:
40-32 Fair
Drawed a load of sawdust in am
Went to Grange in pm
Prayer meeting at Kate Schneiders at night.

Note: Ray notes in his ledger today that he purchased a "Button P.I.G." for $0.20.  I have absolutely no idea what this is....


Cayla:
Maurice didn't have pre-school today so I took both kids to an appointment I had in the morning.
Got lunch on for the kids and then got ready for work.
Worked the afternoon at the sleep clinic, filling a need for afternoon appointments.
Tarek was really late coming home from work, but he did get to see them before bed.
Joe came over and we finalized details about the shelves and cabinets he is building for the family room.

2/18/1913 vs 2/18/2013

Dora:
Washed a little in the morning yet A.M.
Went to S.S. Rally afternoon and evening in M.E. church at Mendon.
Speakers were Fred Washburn & wife of Benton Harbor.

Ray:
34-40 Fair
Drawed a load of wood in am
Went to town to S.S. Rally in pm. also at night.

Note: While Ray was at his Sunday School Ralley, he also found time to buy some candy. His ledger indicates that he spent $0.10 on candy. He also bought overshoes for $1.75.

Cayla:
Did the laundry today and the kids "helped" me. We have a silly song we sing once the washer starts agitating. We chant, "Agitator, agitator, scrub-a-dub-a-dub."  Yes, it's dumb, but it's cute when Ada tries to say it. And Maurice gets mad if he misses the agitator beginning.
I called people and did paperwork that had been building up during the kids nap time.
I also was texting back in forth with my brother Dan all day. He has a most unfortunate case of the shingles.
Folded the laundry while watching TV tonight.

2/17/1913 vs 2/17/2013

Dora:
Came home about 8 o'clock
Done up the work and the washing for our two families.

Note: I feel I can hear the fatigue in her voice.

Ray:
30-36 Fair
at home in am
Drawed 3 loads of manure on garden and [illegible] truch (?) patch
cut wood in pm.

Cayla:
Went to church. Had lunch at the Pancake place that the kids love so much.
I napped while the kids napped and Tarek worked on his naturalization paper work.
Ate popcorn and read books with the kids. Had dinner and more family time later in the evening.
Talked to Brian after the kids went to bed. Made coffee for tomorrow, and made pita chips. Will sit with Tarek and watch our Netflix movie once this is posted.

2/16/1913 vs 2/16/2013

Dora:
Regular Sunday Routine. (written in ink)

I went down and sat up with Grandpa. (written in pencil)

Ray:
27-28 Fair
at home in am
church in pm

Cayla:
Did some shopping in the morning with the kids.
Went to Chick-Fil-A with the kids for lunch and let them run off some steam before naptime.
I got groceries while the kids were napping.
Had a nice, lazy evening sitting in front of the fire place spending time with the kids before bed.
Plan on reading some Neurology this evening.

2/15/1913 vs 2/15/2013

Dora:
Uncle John and Aunt Angie went away about 9 o'clock
Baked bread
P.M. Hunted pieces to sing for meeting.

Note: Uncle John and Aunt Angie came after a bad spell that Grandfather Stahl had on February 1st.  They came on February 2nd.  So, those times Dora was sitting up with Grandpa, her mother Ella, her grandmother, her aunt, and uncle were all in attendance. And Dora was doing the wash for everyone too.  I wonder if she was relieved that they were gong back home or if that meant that she and her mother were going to have to do more work.
I also wonder which songs she picked out to sing...
Ray:
30-40 Cloudy
Drawed 12 loads of manure

Cayla:
Worked at the sleep clinic today and saw some more interesting cases.
Did a little shopping after work. I was supposed to do some computer training, but that got cancelled, thank goodness!
Tarek came home from work early and we had a nice evening with the kids. I did a little kitchen re-organizing in the afternoon.

2/14/1913 vs 2/14/2013

Dora:
Swept and done some baking getting ready for Kloses in the afternoon at 2 or 3 o'clock.
Made Ice Cream.

Ray:
18-38 Fair
Drawed a load of wood in am.
at home in pm

Note: Really, Dora?  I wasn't kidding when I mentioned before that they had to have ice to support Dora's ice cream habit...  It's her second batch since Ray cut the ice.

Cayla:
Worked in the Neuro clinic today. 
It was a strange day.
Everyone's computers acted up, I got hung up on one patient and then ran, trying to catch up all day.
Lots of medically complex patients today.
Made it home around 7:20 and Tarek had kept the kids up so I could see them on Valentine's Day.
Sweet snuggles before bed.
Tarek brought me flowers, beautiful flowers....

2/13/1913 vs 2/13/2013

Dora:
Made Ice Cream
Baked pie
Sewed a little and puttered around.

Ray:
5-24 Fair
at home in am
got a load of wood in pm

Cayla:
Worked in the sleep lab.
Met up with and old friend for lunch.
Came home, the kitchen back splash was done so I put the kitchen back in order. 
Made valentines with Maurice for pre-school.
Prepared dinner, put the kids down to bed and then Anita came over to see the back splash.

2/12/1913 vs 2/12/2013

Dora:
Went down in A.M.
Took the clothes, cookies, and hoarhound candy down and brought Ma home.

Ray:
10-18 Fair
Went to sale all day

Note: Ray's financial log does not show that he bought anything on this day. I would suppose that if anything were purchased it would have been paid for by his father, George.

Sounds like Dora went down to her grandparent's house alone and returned with her mother. And, if you've not had the 'pleasure' of having hoar hound candy then...um....you're probably better off.  Hoar hound is one of those tastes that people of a certain generation seem to like, or even love, my father being one of them.  It has it's own unique (read: TERRIBLE) taste, worse, in my book, than even anise.
That said, I wonder if Grandfather Stahl had a craving for hoar hound. Or perhaps he wasn't eating anymore and they were hoping to tempt him to eat with an old favorite.  Or maybe Grandmother Stahl was the one, worn and tired and in need of a pick up.....

Cayla:
Took Maurice to pre-school.  Came home with Ada and waited for the men to show up to do the back splash.  Once they came and we established what was being done, I left and went to go pick up the last remaining light for the kitchen. Ada and I did a little shopping after that and then went to get Maurice. We had lunch at McDonalds because the kitchen was un-usable.
The men finished around 4:30. They are coming back tomorrow to do the grout. Looks really good!

2/11/1913 vs 2/11/2013

Dora:
Ironed and baked cookies
Mother down there all day
Retired early

Ray:
24-20 Snow
Helped at ice in am
at home in pm

Note:
I sure would like to know what kind of cookies Dora baked...

Cayla:
Nice day with the kids.
I also had an ambition to bake cookies, but as I measured out the flour noticed weevils, of all things...  Scrapped that. Will make them tomorrow hopefully.
Did the laundry and (Dora would be proud) did some mending too.
Made a quick Target run after the kids went to bed to buy flour for tomorrow.
The men are coming tomorrow to do the kitchen back splash, ahead of schedule. So Tarek and I cleared the counter for them.

2/10/1913 vs 2/10/2013

Dora:
Washed until about 2 o'clock
Sewed until dark.
Grandpa has another bad spell.
Mother and I stay until 10 P.M.

Ray:
10-30 Fair
Helped cut ice all day

Note: How much worse can Grandfather Stahl get? He keeps taking worse and having spells.  I am so curious about what he was suffering from.
And, during it all, Ray was cutting ice. My understanding is that they'd get a huge slab of ice from Lake Michigan, cut it into large blocks and then store it in sawdust in the ice house.  This is how they'd keep food cool (and fed Dora's ice cream habit) during the summer.  I would imagine it was hard work, cutting ice.  Sweaty, but chilly at the same time.

Cayla:
The day started out OK.  Ada coughed all night and woke up in a grumpy mood, but the mood improved throughout the day until evening struck and then Ms. Grump reared her cute, but curly head. 
I didn't take the kids to church today. Tarek was rounding and Ada's nose was pretty gooey, with a cough.  I started in with a migraine again in the afternoon.
Friends stopped by to see us, bringing wine, bread, cheese and grapes.  And I was reminded what a terrible friend I am and how I don't take the time to nurture relationships with people I love and care about.
I read an article about introverted people. It was essentially about how extroverts don't understand introverts.  It said that introverts don't let friendships go because they don't like the people, but instead spend a lot of time thinking about that person and appreciate them deeply.  It's the actual interaction part that tires the introvert out and sometimes appears to be not quite worth the effort.
This is true for me.  I've always developed friendships with people I went to school with or worked with and it was easy because I saw them on a regular basis.  I have an immense amount of guilt when I think of my friends, the ones from years ago, the ones from my recent life, and how I've been the one to not keep up my end of the relationship.  However, it's not an excuse.  So, I felt really bad that these friends felt they actually had to come over and bring us food and wine!! 
And then, after that, another friend came over and brought us dinner.  And paint chips, including a sample of what the back splash will be.  Because she knew it was a pain to drag the kids to all of the different paint places, so she just did it for me.
Seriously.
We have wonderful friends.  And we appreciate them ALL from the bottom of our heart.  And, we need to show it more.
So, to all of my friends, older and newer, I LOVE you!

2/9/1913 vs 2/9/2013

Dora:
Went to church and S.S. P.M.
Spent the forenoon reading
Grandpa taken worse in the evening.

Ray:
17-30 Fair
Went down to see Grandpa in am
Staid [sic] for dinner
Went to church in PM

Cayla:
Tarek is rounding this weekend.
Our neighbor girl came over and watched the kids while I went to an appointment in the morning.
Ada is getting another cold.  Maurice finally pooped on the potty again after holding it for like a week (OMG!).
Went to Costco after Tarek got home.
Played with Lincoln logs and made Elmo walk in Ada's shoes, which made her laugh hysterically...

2/8/1913 vs 2/8/2013

Dora:
Came home 9.30 a.m.
Mopped and swept until noon
Then went to Mendon to Grange. Came home about 6 o'clock.

Note: After staying up all night giving medicine to her ailing grandfather on the hour, Dora came home and apparently attacked the house with vigor.

Ray:
17-28 Snow
at home in am
Moved a load of corn
Went to Grange  in pm.

Cayla:
Worked in the sleep lab.
Came home and had the hard ware placed on the kitchen cabinetry.
Met Tarek out for dinner (Chick-Fil-A) and the kids played in the play area until they hyperventilated (kidding.).
Forgot to post the blog.
Oops.

2/7/1913 vs 2/7/2013

Dora:
Went down to Grandpa's about 11 A.M. Stayed all night.
Spent the day and evening writing letters and ripping up waist
Sat up to give Grandpa medicine every hour.

Note: It sounds like everyone is getting really fatigued caring for Grandfather Stahl. Dora would have been the youngest, healthiest person to stay up all night, giving their sick patient medicine every hour.  I really do wish she would give some hints as to what he was suffering from.  Strangely, though, it would appear that she didn't have much to do with him that day until night fell. I think she must have been called over to give her mother a break.

Ray:
14-20 Snow
at home all day

Cayla:
Rounded at the hospital today, all day.
Got home early enough to see the kids for a while.
Turning in early tonight.

Ray's Prescriptions

In Ray's journal he, like Dora, has several newpaper clippings and assorted notes that have been saved.  There is one piece of paper, written in pencil, that includes the recipe for two solutions.
They are:

Sugar of lead 3 Dracham
Warm water 1 Quart

and

Carbolic acid 2 teaspoonsful
Warm water 1 quart.

Interestingly, Sugar of lead is sweet and quite toxic. Apparently, it was used in ancient Rome as a sweetener. And it was implicated in the possible murder of Pope Clement II in 1047.  Other common uses were for cosmetics and is actually still included in the men's hair dye formula Grecian Formula.  It also may have been used to treat poison ivy.

Carbolic acid also was commonly used as a hair dye and in cosmetics. It was also used as an astringent.

So, what is the verdict? Poison ivy? Or was he losing his hair already and looking for remedies for hair loss?

2/6/1913 vs 2/6/2013

Dora:
Spend the time mending and sewing besides regular work.

Note: I'm feeling the absence of Ella in what Dora is writing. Clearly the stress of her grandfather on his deathbed is straining the entire family, or at least Dora as she is left to care for the household duties on her own.

Ray:
8-18 Fair
Went up to pay W.S. Brown in a.m.
Went up to [illegible] corn (?) in p.m.

Cayla:
Went to work at the sleep clinic today.
Someone came out and switched out the lights in the kitchen.
We ordered Lincoln Logs for Maurice and they came in the mail today.
I fell asleep with Maurice while we were snuggling and Tarek had to come up and wake me up.

2/5/1913 vs 2/5/2013

Dora:
Went down to Grandmas a little bit.
Took the clothes down and got the beef at Uncle Daves.
20 lbs @ 8 1/2.

Note:  Not quite sure what she means about the beef. 20 pounds for 8 and 1/2 dollars? That would be like $197.13 in today's dollars...

Ray:
10-14 Fair
Went down to Grandpas in a.m.
at home in pm

Cayla:
Took Maurice to pre-school and then ran errands with Ada.
The kids did NOT nap well, so I did not get much accomplished today.
Puttered around in the afternoon/evening.

2/4/1913 vs 2/4/2013

Dora:
Ironed A.M.
Went to Mendon in the afternoon for a broomstick and a few other things.

Note: In Dora's financial record she notes that she paid $.08 for canvas cloth. She doesn't have a broom stick on record, so I am assuming she put it on her parents tab at the general store. Also noteworthy is that Ray doesn't mention taking Dora in to town. It's likely she went in by herself.  My mom thinks that Ray would have gotton the carriage or sleigh ready for Dora on such occasions.

Ray:
10-20 Fair
at home in am
at woods in pm

Cayla:
Did laundry, folded it, put it away (except for the load I just remembered is still sitting in the dryer....).
Got groceries (with both kids-ACK!).
Talked to Brian on the phone.
Watched Suits on the DVR.

2/3/1913 vs 2/3/2013

Dora:
Went down to see Grandpa, brought the wash home and washed steady from 11 o'clock till 5 p.m.
Mother staying down there.
Very tired tonight.

Ray:
24 Fair
Went down to see Grandpa in am
cut wood in pm

Cayla:
We actually made it to church on time today.
Read Neurology while the kids were napping.
Anita and Charlie stopped over and then Pierre and Anita came over to watch the Super Bowl. 
We may have been the only Americans drinking wine and eating pate, Camembert, & Gorgonzola cheese during the Super Bowl!

2/2/1913 vs 2/2/2013

Dora:
Read A.M.
P.M. went to S.S. & church
Uncle John & Aunt Angie came on the 4 o'clock
Read in the evening.

Note: Their maternal grandfather is still ailing and distant members of the family are showing up.

Ray:
8-24 Fair
at home in a.m.
church in p.m.

Cayla:
Had an appointment in the morning.
Came home and made pancakes for lunch.
Napped when the kids napped.
Took Maurice for a haircut after nap time.
Went to Menards to get 3 more knobs for our cabinets.
Had pizza for dinner.
Planning on watching the IU/U of M basketball game tonight.

2/1/1913 vs 2/1/2013

Dora:
Swept upstairs and down
Baked pies and mopped kitchen.
P.M. read and etc.
Grandpa taken worse.
I telephone to Aunt Ang in from B. Millers.

Ray:
11-18 Fair
at home all day
tested milk & cream

Cayla:
Worked in the sleep clinic today. A slow day because of the cold.
After nap time I had fun with the kids, wrestling, playing and giggling hysterically.
We went out for dinner with Hope & Gary and Angela & David (sushi), during which time I diagnosed every body at the table with at least one health condition, while Tarek continually rolled his eyes.
Came home and chatted with Crystal and David. Heading to bed. It was a very nice day.