Bailey Nurss and Cousins: 1939 Diary

1939 Journal kept by Loha Geraldine Nurss [Bailey]

(This transcription is typed as written. Spelling, punctuation, wording and all as it is found in her original record. Should you discover transcription error please notify us at baileynursshistory@gmail.com These records, recorded in pencil, are fading fast. We have scanned them, saved them to a media file, and published them here. Any family member wishing a scanned copy of the books may contact us or you may copy directly from this blog. Finally, please note, for purpose of clarification we occasionally insert a word enclosed within brackets [ ] . Words in these brackets are for clarification for the next generation and are not in mom's original transcript. We hope you find these journals a meaningful way to get to know your Grandma Bailey, to reflect on her life, and your own. We are truly blessed to have her in our roots. )

Front Cover:

Inside Front Cover:

"Sunday, January 1, 1939 1st Day - 364 Days to Follow , New Year's Day"

"New years Eve, Don Lilly and kids were up, also Hank - Daisy & their kids. All went well and every body sober when the new yr. Rolled in. New yrs day we were here alone."

"Monday, January 2, 1939, 2nd Day - 363 Days to Follow"

"This is the Diary of a house wife who is going to for a yr. "try and write down the days happenings as they come along and also, any thing written herein will be the "Gospel Truth.""

"Monday, January 9, 1939; 9th Day - 356 Days to Follow"
[Many pages are blank with the exception of her X and O markings. Blank pages will not be posted to this blog.]

"Sunday, January 22, 1939, 22nd Day-343 Days to Follow"

"Went to bed early. Myrtle and Miles came in & I woke up. she is going to stay for a few days. Am going to take Son to the Dr. this week. Hope every this is O.K. with him. "

"Monday, January 23, 1939, 23rd Day-342 Days to Follow"

"Nothing to tell you tonite Diary."

"Got the Diary today"
"Tuesday, January 24, 1939, 24th Day 341 Days to Follow"

"Took Son to the Eagle Doctor. "Dr H. Jonez". He said their was nothing wrong with him. Told me to give him mineral oil and plenty of fruit juices. Went to town on the 10:30 bus & was back at 1 O'clock. Son going on up to school for the rest of the afternoon. First time I've been able to catch the 12:35 bus since I've lived here. Oh what bus service and how I like to wait for a bus. "

Wednesday, January 25, 1939, 25th Day - 340 Days to Follow
"Made a cake. And Mrs. Cady came after. I & Myrtle and took up to the club house to a card party. The money taken in, is supposed to be split & half of it is given to the P.T.A. Myrtle & I did the dishes while the others played cards. Walked home, got here just a few min. before the kids came from school."

"Thursday, January 26, 1939, 26th Day-339 Days to Follow"

"Washed clothes today and rather a rainey day to try and dry them. The kids home at 2 O’clock Teacher turned them out early in order to make out their report cards. Supper over with, and Troy back to the mill to work on a truck. This makes 3 nites he’s worked. The evenings are so long when he gone. Hope he doesn’t have to work tomorrow nite. Good nite."

Friday, January 27, 1939, 27th Day-338 Days to Follow
"Up and breakfast over with. To town on the 10:30 bus to have my eyes tested. Dr. put something in my eyes that blinded me for the evening. Hank – Daisy [Harding] & kids here in the evening, and Troy still working on truck. The kids got their report cards, and they were real good. Very proud of them and so was their Grandma. Got the new 1939 Licences for the Buick. "

"Saturday, January 28, 1939, 28th Day-337 Days to Follow"

"Troy off to work and I went back to bed. House dirty as heck. got up just in time to see my folks drive in, in a new car. They are trying to make up their minds. which make to get. Myrt & Miles lost their little place they were trying to fix up and start married life in. Folks over again this afternoon in a "39." Plymouth. waited for Troy awhile. Went home at 5:30 P.M. Troy home at 6:30. Feel rather blue & nervous tonite. and so to bed at 8:00 P.M. Good Night."

"Sunday, January 29, 1939, 29th Day-336 Days to Follow"

"Up at 8:30. Home all day and no company. Troy put the second window in the garage. In bed at 10:00 P.M."

"Monday, January 30, 1939, 30th Day-335 Days to Follow"

"Had to go to town to finish my eye test. Dr. said I was far sighted. I get my glasses Saturday. They’ll cost me $15.00, Sure hope they help me keep from getting so dizzy and having a dull headach every time I turn around.Went out to Kate & Joes [Bartell]. Couldn’t get over how Kitten has changed, she has grown so and talks so much more. Hadn’t saw her since before Xmas."

"Tuesday, January 31, 1939, 31st Day-334 Days to Follow"
"Nothing unusual today Walked over to Helen Rutlidges in the after noon. Myrtle went along. Troy and Miles went out to Bartells after work, to get some junk we left there, when we moved from there."

"Wednesday, February 1, 1939, 32nd Day-333 Days to Follow"

"Went and got my glasses today. They sure don’t inprove my looks any but I do hope they stop me from getting so dizzy. Am going to try and go to a sewing class down at the foot of the hill tomorrow. P.S. Borrowed the $15.00 from Charlie Powell. Told him I would give it back to him the 5th of Feb."

"Thursday, February 2, 1939, 33rd Day-332 Days to Follow"
"Went to sewing class today and got a new Idea, How to make raised pictures. Am going to make one, think it will be fun. Helen had the car so she drove I & Myrtle down to the sewing class. Played cards in the evening, Myrtle beat us."

"Friday, February 3, 1939, 34th Day-331 Days to Follow"

"Should have washed clothes yesterday, but wasn’t home. Got it done today tho. Made the clay for my picture Im going to make. Nothing much to tell you these last few days. Such is the life of a Mother & wife. I’d not trade my life & work for anything."

"Saturday, February 4 1939, 35th Day-330 Days to Follow"
"Rather looked for the folks but they didn’t show up. Troy came home at noon, and we went out South Tac. and payed rent. Went out to Martin Bergers place with them in the evening. Troy is supposed to look at a tractor & estimate what it will cost to put the thing in running order. Got home at 11:45 and boy how it was raining. Myrtle went home today. “Gosh” how I wish the kids would get married. Myrtle want to so bad."

"Sunday, February 5, 1939, 36th Day-329 Days to Follow"

"Troy having to work all day. Sent his lunch down to him by Miles. He sent back word, that Don, Lilly & kids would be here for supper. The brought a big kettle of Sour Krout & spare ribs and boy did we eat. Don brought the Dodge up full of plainer ends, Gee I sure was glad to get them. “Oh Yess,” Daisy, Hank & kids came in as we were getting thru dinner so we set them up to the table after we got thru Troy went & got Melvin Clarke & he played for us awhile."

"Monday, February 6, 1939, 37th Day-328 Days to Follow"
"Went over to Helen and Mrs Cady came down & showed us how to cover our panel board with the cover clay so we could go ahead with our pictures. Mrs Cady couldn’t stay for lunch so Helen & I ate & we sure had a nice lunch. There was snow on the ground this morning, but it was all gone at 9 Oclock."

"Tuesday, February 7, 1939, 38th Day-327 Days to Follow"

"Back to Helens this morning to mold the flowers for my pictures. Left the junk over there last nite because my board wasn’t dry. I couldn’t bring it home. brung my picture home tonite, Troy thot it rather nice. Troy doesn’t work tomorrow. He is going to help move Kate & Joe into their new Apartment. He also is goiong to move our junk up on the hill."

"Wednesday, February 8, 1939, 39th Day-326 Days to Follow" "“Up” and all ate breakfast at the same time. Kids off to school. Thot I’d go out to Kates with Troy and Miles maybe, I could help Kate. wasn’t much I could do. Packed a few jars of fruit & rolled a rug, with Myrtles help. Kids coming home, from school so had to leave, brot Kitten home with me. She didn’t make a bit of fuss. Took her back in the evening. Also tried to find a bird Hospital. My bird Teddy pulling her feathers out & making herself bleed. am going to try to fix her up tomorrow."

"Thursday, February 9, 1939, 40th Day-325 Days to Follow"

"House as dirty as heck and I had the nerve to leave it and go to the sewing class. Didn’t do much at class today. had the wrong kind of paint. Sure is a lot of snow here for this town. and boy the streets are as slick & icey as all get out. Hope it don’t lay on very much longer."

"Friday, February 10, 1939, 41st Day-324 Days to Follow"
"Froze & thawed all day. one minute my clothes on the line were as stiff as boards and the next min they were dripping with water."

"Saturday, February 11, 1939, 42nd Day-323 Days to Follow"

"Ironed all fornoon and Troy home at noon, got dinner, and then in the evening we went out to find Hank & Daisys [Harding] place. Think maybe we located the place but no one home. Coming home we stopped at Fife where a Willys Coupe had turned over in a ditch. Driver blinded by on coming car lights. no one hurt. Miles & Myrtle got marriage licenses today. Going to be married Sat the 18th of Feb."

"Sunday, February 12, 1939, 43rd Day-322 Days to Follow"
"Troy and Don hauled some wood for Don’s today & we were up there for dinner. Give the kids a bath while I was there & then took one myself. Came home at 8 O clock in the dodge truck. Saw Mert today she wants me to be Matron of Honor at her wedding. Wish she hadn’t picked on me. Guess Walter her brother will be best man if he comes up from California."

"Monday, February 13, 1939, 44th Day-321 Days to Follow"

"Helen went to town with me today. Had to help Myrt get her wedding gown, also got my dress for the occasion. Had to pay $7.99 for my dress. But after going to 9 different places looking & trying on dresses I just couldn’t do any better. Will get my slippers Sat. morning. Went out again tonite to hunt up Hank & Daisy [Harding]. Finely found them after huntin for an hour & 15 min. came home at 11 O clock & didn’t feel so hot. Rather sick & tired."

"Tuesday, February 14, 1939, 45th Day-320 Days to Follow"
"Called Miles [Nurss] at 8:30 and went out to get ceder boughs & ferns, to decorate the arch out at Hammekens for the wedding. Got soaked from the skin out. Boy how it rained all day. While out to Myrts started to hem my dress also. went up to Mrs Bowers to ask her if she wouldn’t make Myrts wreath for her hair. Said she was glad to do it."

"Wednesday, February 15, 1939, 46th Day-319 Days to Follow"

"Came sick today & feel rather bum. Put some water on to heat so I could scrub, but didn’t feel like it so did do any thng but lay around. Looked at the kids valentines that they got yesterday. They sure got a lot of them. I’m glad for them because it shows they are well liked. & I want every body to like them. Was going to go to Seattle last nite with Miles [Nurss], but didnt want to leave my Daddy here alone with the kids so I didnt go. He was so tired. Went to bed at 9 O clock."

"Thursday, February 16, 1939, 47th Day-318 Days to Follow" "Done my washing today also washed my curtains. Scrubed the house thru and then sit down when Helen came over to have cake & tea. Rather tired tonite and so to bed a 9 Oclock."

"Friday, February 17, 1939, 48th Day-317 Days to Follow"

"Tried to wave my hair & gosh does it look like heck. just couldn’t wave the stuff. Baked a cake to take up to the school. Am supposed to help serve lunch but can’t go. Have got to go out to Hammekens. and hang up the ceder boughs for the arch. Got my arms all scratched up. Hope it goes away before tomorrow."

"Wednesday, February 22, 1939, 53rd Day-312 Days to Follow" "Made a cherry pie today just as we were about to put supper on Hank & Daisy came, then Ma & Dad in a 1939 Olds. after waiting supper for about 1 ½ hours while they talked cars, we ate supper. Hank & his wife stayed for supper. Think maybe my Dad and Ma are sold on the Olds."

"Thursday, February 23, 1939, 54th Day-311 Days to Follow"

"Washed today and then in the after noon Myrt dressed up in her wedding gown, and I took her picture. It was awfull dark. I don’t think they’ll turn out any good. Started out to Hanks but got foggy so we come back."

"Friday, February 24, 1939, 55th Day-310 Days to Follow"
"Got up & after the kids we off to school I ironed till 10:30. Myrt got up just as I was finishing it. She got some thing for us to eat & ten we cleaned up the house. Dad over in the afternoon to get the Buick. But Troy had to work over time. We went to mama’s in the evening, to take the Buick over. Didn’t want to go, but didn’t say any thing."

"Saturday, February 25, 1939, 56th Day-309 Days to Follow"

"After we had breakfast over to ma’s, Troy & Dad, and Miles went and got Dads new car. I’m glad he was able to get a new one. and I’m more glad to know that now the money we owed them is payed back even thou it means sacrificing the car. We’ll get along with out it. Troy is so good about any thing like that. never a word from him. That’s what makes me love him more & more. Don & Lilly [Bendera] came in the evening."

"Sunday, February 26, 1939, 57th Day-308 Days to Follow"
"Just got up when Don came after the Dodge & left the Plymouth. We drove the Plymouth up to their place & had dinner there. Went for a drive after wards Troy feeling rather out of place & me the same. I’d rather stay home on Sunday & cook up a nice dinner, I enjoy that lots better, because I know that’s what Troy would like to do too. Stay home & enjoy one another company. also gives him a chance to rest up."

"Monday, February 27, 1939, 58thDay-307 Days to Follow"

"Up and all my work done when Myrt got up. Didn’t do much today only sit & sewed. Wished the sun would come out so I could clean up the yard."

"Tuesday, February 28, 1939, 59thDay-306 Days to Follow "
"After the work was done we went out and vined up the rose bush & cleaned up the yard. about 1 O clock Hank & Daisy [Harding] came and Hand hauled the dirt away from in front of the house. looks lots better, Daisy trying to get the Jensen place to live in. They want to move on the hill and Jensens want to move off the hill."

"Wednesday, March 1, 1939, 60th Day-305 Days to Follow"

"Hoped it would be nice today but its raining can’t work out side today."

"Saturday, March 4, 1939, 63rd Day-302 Days to Follow"

"Nothing to tell you for a few days Dairy. Just the usual duties of a house wife"

"Sunday, March 5, 1939, 64th Day-301 Days to Follow"

"Rather tired today had 15 people here for dinner. Guess Hank & Daisy [Harding] will move on the hill."

"Monday, March 6, 1939, 65th Day-300 Days to Follow"
"Went to town today & house Put some covering on the cupboards this evening Myrt [Myrtle Nurss] & Jim [Charlene's nic-name] helped me."

"Tuesday, March 7, 1939, 66th Day-299 Days to Follow"

"Hank & Daisy [Harding] moved on the hill today. Down to cedear Heights. I cleaned up some more yard & took care of Daisys kids. Had them all here for supper. Dad & Mom over in the evening to get the ownership papers on the Buick. Gee I sure miss the car."

"Wednesday, March 8, 1939, 67th Day-298 Days to Follow "
"Went to town today & got me an oil cloth for my table. Went with Daisy & Hank."

Saturday, March 11, 1939, 70th Day-295 Days to Follow

"Kate & Joe & Kitten came up on the bus today for a visit. Had them & Hardings here for supper. Hank loaned us his car to take Joe & Kate home. They went home at 12 O clock. Miles took Blackie to the dog pond today. Hated to do it but I couldn’t feed him like he should have been fed."
[Most of the pages for dates March 12 through May 2nd are written on but have been cut out of the book. She makes a final entry in this book on the page dated May 3rd – see below]

“Stoped writing in my Diary. the 11 of March 1939 Then started writing again the 13th of March 1941. Got a new book and coppied these [arrow pointing to the stubs remaining from the cut out section] pages in my new Black Year book.”

Final pages in her 1939 journal, most blank but copied for your viewing.

To the left are Cash Account pages. Mom always kept a ledger similar to this. Someday, we'll copy those to the blog. It's fascinating to see how they spent their money and how much things cost back then.