I cannot seem to find time for my diary these days. There always seems a job in spite of Rene coming every day. Perhaps I am slow too. I cannot hurry or seem to put any weight behind anything and the multitude of little jobs seems to fill the day and I can’t get down to a really long job of sewing or gardening. Also after dinner I often seem so tired and have to rest so long. Yesterday I got up at 7.15. put kettle on stove, made the fire, took Jean’s water and put it on the stairs for her, (It is nice having warm soft water in the boiler) cleaned her shoes, I do not usually do this but, cleaned them and rubbed Dubbin well into them and incidentally, found they needed new rubbers on heels, her blue ones were at the cobblers, so as she got them home last night she has taken brown ones to-day. I got breakfast for her but had to get some for myself before packing her dinner as I felt sick and rather faint and dizzy. After she had gone I fed rabbits, cleared away, washed up, and put out clothes line and clothes, folded the few that dried Monday. Cleared up kitchen and partly dusted. Washed myself and Jean’s stockings (She changes them every day as her feet sweat.) caught 10.30 bus’ to Stow’s and managed to catch it on its return from Point or should have had to wait for 11 o’c. Sat next to Mrs. Lindley, she was full of talk and I nearly forgot to get off bus at C[ouncil] Houses. Went to see how clothes were drying and to unwind one or two off line. Made and had a cup of Allenburys, pulled a basket of apples from lower branches of tree, picked up the fallen ones (a basketful) threw all the little potatoes together and picked some up. Then Rene came. I made a steamed marmalade pudding and cooked bacon and eggs for dinner. Rene dusted and pulled a few more baskets of apples. We had dinner then Rene made beds etc. The clothes were all dry then so while I rested she folded and mangled them and then I washed up and changed my blouse. I did a little knitting in between times.
After Rene went at 4.15. I fed rabbits, shut them up, had tea, not much as I have a meal when Jean comes at 6.40. knitted a little more, blacked-out all over and peeled pot[atoes] for Jean’s meal and steamed her marm[alade] pud. Tom came for tea for Rene. Then I mixed pot. cheese, marg and egg and fried it in hot fat for Jean. After tea had been cleared I stuffed the green vel. dog I had made Mon. I had to put feet squares in first. Finished it except for eyes, tongue etc, and a little more knitting of Jean’s cap. It is almost done. Then I washed tea-things and we had a drink, I of Allenb. F[ood?] and Jean tea, read a little and went to bed. I seem to have had a full day yet nothing much to show for it. It is a nice bright morning but as Father would have said everywhere is sodden. I think it has been a dry night, possibly a frost.
‘Dubbin’ is a branded protective shoe/boot cleaner.
Mrs Emily Lindley was a sister of Edith, Alice, Ada and Clara (also May) Crow. She had previously been housekeeper for Mr Lindley, originally from Nottingham, whose first wife had died. Their home was ‘Rosedene’, on the corner of St Leonards Drive and South Crescent (see Village Map).
‘Allenburys’ was a ‘food-drink’ manufactured by the Allen and Hanbury company.
Have you read an introduction to May Hill & family (includes photographs) and explored ‘The Casualties Were Small’?
