Author: David Haldeman

Thursday December 16th 1976
Played carols on piano before going to work. Shipment of a corsage boxes in and baskets from Merz. Took delivery to Rhoad’s restaurant with new center pole for his 8’ $110 Christmas tree. Show me his NCR250 register and gave me a cheeseburger. Delivered to Nordquist grave and ground so frozen couldn’t get easel in. Sleeting so I told Russ that Barry Reed and I would take most of the last delivery if he would take three near his house. But he wouldn’t use his car so that’s the end of him. To Ponderosa for dinner with Dave and family and Lil. Shopped- got flash attachment for camera I got for Karen.

Wednesday December 15th 1976
Wrapped poinsettias, got up orders, made 10 small deer arrangements, routed deliveries, sorted future orders, made out cut flower orders for wholesalers, gave Cheryl invoices to be paid, mailed Christmas and birthday checks to Kris and David Decker, drove Russ on East delivery, answered phone, waited on customers.
Just an average pre-Christmas Day. Thank goodness for Sis [Autumn Bills] on the phone. With four lines coming in, it’s hard to answer them all. Home at 7 and bacon and eggs for supper.

Tuesday December 14th 1976
Couldn’t talk when I got up- throat swollen. Howard has it much worse than me but Kass insisted I go to Dr. Lenzo. Found a little kidney infection too, so gave me penicillin capsules.
To Altrusa Christmas dinner and took pictures of all members in groups of 6 and found the lens cover was over the lens on Karen’s new camera!
Ruby Graham bought my dinner as repayment for giving her two tickets to the Fred Waring program. I left at 9 Kass called to see how I felt- I haven’t felt bad just a bad throat.

Monday December 13th 1976
Connie in with news that she and Rich Curl- farmer from Patterson- will be married on May 21st! Glad for her but will miss her in the wedding department. Took Lillian to dinner at Turoffs and then to Palace for travelogue “Broadway USA” on New York City. Very good.
Did Christmas talk for Future Secretaries Association at Tri-Rivers. Had to send them a bill for my fee! $10

Sunday December 12th 1976
Article about my giving Ray’s lepidoptera collection to Ohio Historical Society in Sunday Dispatch. Used his poem “I Meant to Get Things Done”. Ed Thomas column. Really nicely done.
G. R. Clark and True out to cut firewood. So decided not to go to Ada Altmaier’s birthday party or Artisans Christmas display.
Paris and Helen stopped by but left in time that I got to Lillian’s for shop party by 7:30. Fun exchange & the gang gave me a long skirt- gray striped- and a Deacon’s bench.
Trimmed Tree on Deck with lights.

Saturday, December 11, 1976
[No entry]

Friday, December 10, 1976
[No entry]

Thursday December 9th 1976 gorgeous sunset while I was driving in
Baked four kinds of cookies and made date pudding- made Barbecue Country Ribs for supper. In to the shop at 5 picked up Christmas letter at Hall-Beck’s.
Had talk on Christmas bows and wrapping for Home Ec club from Harding. Home at 9. Watched special on Richard Rodgers “Sound of His Music”. Figured out bonuses for shop people- totals $3,000 without mine. From $600 for Dave to $25 for new incidental help. Giving Kathi and Martha each $150.

Wednesday, December 8, 1976
[No Entry]

Tuesday December 7th 1976
My watch said 4:20 when I called John Henry company in Lansing to see where our Christmas pamphlets are & a recording came on saying they close at 5 p.m.
My watch was stopped and it was 5:30 which gave me just 30 minutes to get ready for talk for National Secretaries Association dinner at Brown House. About 25- good dinner and talk went well- paid me $20 and I sold about $70 stuff!