Mary's life is full of Christmas anticipation

More Christmas planning. Sam goes to Seattle and Mary writes he would be attending a “clan” meeting. He does return with a new overcoat, and it sounds like it is a beauty, as Mary would say. Weather seems a lot like it is here.

Friday, Dec. 3, 1948

Today arose early and Mama had potato pancakes for breakfast. Very good. At 9:45 I went downtown to Conductresses Instruction Group where we had a very fine meeting. We had a nice lunch. Saw Mrs. Howell and several others I knew. Then at 3 I met Mama and went to doctor’s. He said everything was OK. We caught the 4:30 boat, and I took Mama out to Mrs. King’s who had made 2 crocheted bedspreads. I was surely thrilled and pleased! Left for home and Sam came in just after I did. Very cold out. I think it is going to freeze. Sam went to Belfair. Then I called on Betty Fischler and we chatted away like two magpies until late. Home and found Louie there so I have to get up early Saturday. He leaves at 8 a.m. Went to bed at 12. Very tired.

Saturday, Dec. 4, 1948

Arose early and got Louie’s breakfast. He left at 8:05 a.m. Sam got up about 8:30 and we went after the trees for Chapter. Drove up to Maggie Lake and we got a pine and a fir, both lovely ones. It was white with snow up there. We got a red rose bush at Squire’s for Mary Ruth’s birthday which we dropped off on our way. Home and wrapped all of Louie’s Christmas presents. Then at noon Louie came home so I made lunch. He went up to the Ranch before going to Bellingham. Cleaned house good and got all desk work cleaned up. Worked on Christmas cards, 282. Have everything ready for dinner for Fischlers for 6 p.m. We ate a fine dinner and had a very good time. After we had been at the house about an hour and out went the lights. So, I lighted my old lamp and we just sat there talking and enjoyed ourselves. A very pleasant evening and I hope we can repeat it again. To bed late. Snowed all evening.

Sunday, Dec. 5, 1948

Arose late and saw the snow about half gone due to the rain. The sun came out so bright and oh it is grand out! Ate a late breakfast and I cleaned house while Sam did the dishes. Then I worked on the Christmas program. Got it all segregated and now have it all in a folder for Jim Loss to use on the stage. Sam went to Seattle about three o’clock to attend meeting of the clan tonight. Then Shurfine annual meeting tomorrow. Got one Christmas gift wrapped so far. But have them all laid out so I can do it quickly when I get started. We had to tie up the rose bush by the cabin. The trellis broke in the snow. In the evening I went to Skene’s and had a good time. We spent the time talking about this and that. Home early as I was rather weary from working on Christmas party.

Monday, Dec. 6, 1948

Arose late. Went up to Small’s and got a lot of telephoning done. Then to Betty Fischler’s and got the cupboard and flower holder. Ate lunch there and chatted until late. Then to Skene’s and got a square table, rocking chair and a picture. After that to Blanch Hackett’s and got the Christmas chains for the tree and her old clock. Ah, it is a beauty! Home and ate dinner and cleaned up my desk work. Now I’m ready to wrap Christmas gifts. Very wet out. I cut forsythia for the house and took some to Betty Fischler. Found a couple for the stage so all is well. To the attic and wrapped presents until about 11 p.m. To bed late.

Tuesday, Dec. 7, 1948

Today I got stamps and got out all the cards. Now all I need is to tie them up and take them to the Post Office. Then Edith and her little boy came over for lunch and Graham had to stay home and dig on the sewer. So, when they left, I sent over the rest of the soup and a piece of cake. To Crosswhites and ordered 50 cookies for Wednesday December 15. Tried to make popcorn balls but they were a fizzle. Finished the rest of the presents so I shut the attic up. Very dark out tonight and quite cold. Went to see Duffield’s. Their son and wife found a house so they may not want to come out to stay while we are away. Then to Cleora’s and we had a nice visit, and I got a chance to ask her about this and that until 10. Showed Jim the program so he is satisfied it will be simple to do. To bed late.

Wednesday, Dec. 8, 1948

Today I sent all the cards off to the Post Office. Then had my hair done and it looks very nice. Saw Squires and he gave me some holly which I took over to Skene’s. Skene was digging on the water system and having an awful time. Home and made some popcorn balls. They turned out very good, so I put them in the ice box to save for Friday evening. Just before I went to Skene’s it started to snow and now the ground is white. I covered the camellias with a canvas, so I hope they are safe. Very cold out. I called Bette Fischler. They still have lights down there. In the evening the lights went out. So, I studied in my ritual and went to bed early. No Sam yet.

Thursday, Dec. 9, 1948

Arose early and went to the dentist. Stopped at the Masonic Temple where the girls were decorating the tree. Had my hair combed out and it looks very good. Went for Blanch Hackett at 3:30 and we had a nice dinner. Then to Chapter. We got Lovey and were there early. We practiced our addendum for the evening. It was a lovely evening, and everything went well. There was a splendid crowd, and the addendum went off very well. The Chapter room was decorated with huge cones of silver, gold, green, red in among the pine boughs. Also fir boughs with natural cones and hemlock with natural cones. Ruby Grey and Ethel Anderson did the decorating. We were thru early so got in bed early. I was glad as Friday is a big day. Sam was here when we got home with his new overcoat. It is a beauty and oh, is he proud of it!

■ Clydene Hostetler is a longtime Belfair resident, local historian, media archivist and documentary filmmaker of “Hidden in Plain Sight.” She has been researching Mary Theler’s life for the past 14 years. She can be emailed at [email protected].