The blog posts below are taken from my grandmother's diaries. Althea Green Smith Crook was lovingly referred to as Nanny to her immediate family ~ thus her diaries are called Nanny's Diaries.

Nanny wrote in her diaries when she remembered to - mostly in the evening. There will be some years in which she didn't keep diaries and there will also be some days/weeks in her yearly diaries in which she skipped or forgot to write in them. For the most part, these are her words - written as she wrote them. There will be typos, forgotten punctuation, and other grammatical errors - but I am rewriting these as my Nanny originally wrote them.

As with all old handwriting, there are some entries that I can't quite make out - and these entries will be followed with a (?) to signify that this may or may not be correct or I can't figure out what she is trying to write.

Thank you Nanny for leaving us 50 years worth of memories! We miss you!

Tuesday, February 28, 2023

April 7 - 10, 1985 Easter Sunday

Sunday, April 7, 1985

 

We was guest of Carmen, Kim and Eddie Boulter (Kim’s friend). At last a very nice sunny day. Easter dinner at Carmen and Kim’s. One of the nicest ham dinners we ever ate. It was so good to see the sunshine after six days of snow and rain. Fern moved up to Dorothea’s. Fern, Bill, Milan, Betty, Billie, Betty, Walt, Zack, Dorothea and David and me.

 



 

 

Monday, April 8, 1985

 

Well it was cloudy when we got up then in a few hours it burned off and a very nice sunny day. I washed. Cleaned my bureau draws and closets. Billie went to the eye Dr. (eye). Betty took him. Also Betty Smith went to look for some new chairs, couch and carpeting. Kim got her car back today. She is very pleased. Rosalie Edwards got burned out last night.

 

 

 

Tuesday, April 9, 1985

 

A very nice day after a snow cover in the morning. After the sun came out the snow went in a instant. I been busy all day. I done the closet and draws in Billie’s bedroom. Also his bed. Milan called. In evening I called at Milan and Betty’s. They was very glad. She is quite excited about getting the new furniture, rugs etc. Billie and Bill out and in today.

 

 

 

Wednesday, April 10, 1985

 

I cleaned the bathroom cupboards and draws and tile. I watched soaps in PM. Carmen called today. Kim down to Betty’s to paint.

 

 

 

Monday, February 27, 2023

April 3 - 6, 1985

Wednesday, April 3, 1985

 

Bill beginning to feel better. He went to town to get chips and soda. In PM he took the checks down and cashed them.

 

 

 

Thursday, April 4, 1985

 

A very nice sunny day,  that snow is all gone. Like spring again except they say more snow tonight. I done up my work, got ready to go shopping with Dorothea. We both did a lot of shopping. Got home at about 12:30. I got my supper to going after lunch then I watched soaps. I went down to see what they had got done at Betty’s. Kim and Eddie had been painting today. Fern had a miserable day. Her shin (or skin)  is bothering her. Milan called this evening a little while.

 

 

 

Friday, April 5, 1985 school buses running one hour late

 

A cloudy rainy day and snow came. I washed, cleaned the oven, made a pie. Been busy. Watched most of the PM soaps. Milan and Betty called. Dorothea and David down to Milan and Betty’s this PM.

 

 

 

Saturday, April 6, 1985

 

Cloudy and showery all day. I put a rinse on my hair. Did regular work, washed floors, dusted etc. Zack and Betty been moving Fern’s things up to Dorothea’s.

 

 





 

 

 

Sunday, February 26, 2023

March 30 - April 2, 1985

Saturday, March 30, 1985

 

A nice sunny day. I got up, got the work done up. Washed floor and all. About 9:30 Kim called at her house, they are out of water. She had Bill come down so she could come up to go to the bathroom and take a shower. Eddie came too. They had a light breakfast. After that she and Edward took a walk way down on the power lines than went home. Carmen came up and got them. Kim went to work. Carmen worked at the nursing home and at Bob’s store. Billie out and in, he did rest of raking.

 

 

 

Sunday, March 31, 1985

 

Carmen came early. She was dead tired, a dite on the bleak side. Billie and I down to Milan and Betty’s. Betty has got a lot done. David came this forenoon. Kim down to Betty’s this a.m.

 

 

 

Monday, April 1, 1985 SNOW NO SCHOOL

 

When we got up this morning it was still snowing, all told got about three or 4 inches. It is sickening. I did my wash. Got ready. Milan, Betty S and I went down to the nursing home to see Fern. We asked Milan to take the clause out of the document of Fern saying we’re to pay for that well and septic system. No luck. I don’t know what will come now. Billie to see Dr. Saunders. He is in pretty fair condition, got to lose some weight. His foot and hand never will be better. Bill to the Dr. for checkup. His get go back tomorrow for blood transfusion. Carmen called tonight.

 

 

 

Tuesday, April 2, 1985 still snowing flurries, steer went last night

 

Bill to NCM hospital for blood transfusion. I worked at my desk all day making out the bills etc. I enjoyed having the day to myself. Billie took his truck over to Ray Cross to get it fixed. I did the ironing. Carmen called in evening. Bill didn’t get home till late. He was flushed and went straight to bed. Kim worked at Betty’s, no water yet at Carmen and Kim’s. Billie got his truck back tonight. I had fried chicken for supper.

 

 

 

Saturday, February 25, 2023

March 27 - 29, 1985 Betty And Milan Move To Maine!

Wednesday, March 27, 1985 MILAN AND BETTY ARRIVED AT THEIR NEW HOME, IT WAS FERN’S HOUSE

 

I got my work done up in good season. Kim came and got my cupboard painted second coat. It looks nice and I’m very pleased with it. Betty called today and Dorothea. Milan and Betty arrived here about 12 o’clock. They both looked as though they were beat. Betty especially. They are pooped. They are so pleased with her new home. Betty Horton went down and she and Betty did some unpacking of the boxes. I cooked a roast beef supper, onions, lima beans, made some good Pillsbury rolls, had blueberry pie and ice cream. I got to watch my programs today. Billie done some raking. Milan and Betty came for supper. They were bushed from the trip. Happy to be here.

 

 

Soaking up the Sun!

 

Thursday, March 28, 1985

 

On the cloudy side, not very cold. I done up the work. Went to town to shop in forenoon with Dorothea. In PM I watched some of the soaps. Went down to Milan and Betty’s, no headway made there. After supper we went to the nursing home. That was a blowout according to what the outcome was. Dorothea and Betty here in evening. Billie raking today again. Bill scraped a little paint, not much.

 

 

 

Friday, March 29, 1985

 

Cloudy in a.m., in PM it cleared away. Billie to town and out raking. I did the washing. Changed the beds. Made cupcakes etc. etc.