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My 5th Birthday
Today I turned 5. Mother celebrated by baking me rock cakes and sewing me a new dress for church. It is very pretty, with pink embroidering and multiple layers. I had a big meal and my brother, Sam, helped my dad make me wooden doll out of the extra fire wood we had. It was a very good birthday, much better than the other years. -
My Household Routine
Mother taught me how to tend to the duties around our home. Yesterday, she taught me how take care of a scrape. Sam, My younger brother by 2 years, scraped both of his elbows and the top of his knee by climbing onto a shelf that we keep in our barn.
The cleaning schedule for the week is daily tidying of the kitchen and parlour, laundry on Monday, ironing and mending on Tuesday, baking on Wednesday, thorough cleaning on Thursday, more cleaning Saturday, and baking once more on Sunday. -
First Day of School
School was very hard. Mom made me wear my new school dress and ribbons. We learn only by rote (memory), and also by listening to the older children. We started with arithmetic, and my seatmate got the strap for doodling. I will never doodle, as I want to learn to be a good smart girl without getting the strap. -
Mother Teaches Me to Sew
Today mother taught me how to sew. She says that I need to be able to help mend and repair our clothes, including my own. I find sewing quite interesting, especially the part where you have to cut and measure the cloth to fit. I want to make something super nice one day. -
Last Day of School
Today was the last day of school for 2 months, where we are released for the sommer months to help our families in the fields. I am most certainly moving up in the fall, to 3rd year! I had already reached second year by Christmas, so I am the smartest of my age, and the youngest of my year. -
My Epiphany
That's it! I have officially decided that I want to be a doctor of medicine when I grow older. There is so much in the world to discover, and I want to help. -
I Saved a Bunny
As I walked Sam home from school, I became aware of a fox chasing a rabbit. I scooped the little creature into my arms and brought him inside. After removing some thorns, the rabbit seemed okay. I set it free, my idea of being a doctor solidified inside my head. -
The First Snow of Winter 1871
Today was the first snow of winter! Sam, Mary (our neighbour) and I all danced around walking home, tasting the fresh, crisp snow on our tongues. -
Head of the Class!
Today, on my 12th birthday, I was head of my year! I recited all of my arithmetic without flaw, and I was rewarded for it. I am among the oldest in my school, so further education away from the school house will be coming soon. -
Last Day of School-Period
Today was, predictably, my last day of school. The schoolhouse nearest my home only teaches children up to age 13. From there, you must attend an academy far away. Being only working class, my family cannot afford to send me. -
Mother's Surprise
Upon waking this morning, I found mother nowhere to be seen. She returned home an hour later with a large, heavy parcel. Using extra money, mother had talked to my former teacher and gotten me all of the fancy academy's textbooks! I now can continue my studies at home. -
My Startling Disappointment
I had decided that I wanted to be a doctor of medicine years ago, and only today, 6 years later, did I realise that there is no medical college for girls. Also, no regular college will accept girls. I guess I will have to find a new passion. -
My 16th Birthday
Being my 16th birthday, mother has decided that I am now suiting to be a fine wife, and she urges me to start looking for a proper husband. I however, do not even want to think of such a thing until I have finished my studies. This did not go over well with her, as she was in a rather foul mood for the remainder of the evening. -
A Political Miracle!
I cannot believe it! When I was younger, I did not know about politics. Now that I am older, I pay more attention. This will be John A. MacDonald's 10th year as the Prime Minister of Canada! From the pacific scandal and other governmental prolems, I wasn't sure that he would be able to stay in Parliament for so long. But he has and will continue to lead our country to great things. -
A Christmas to Remember
This year was the first year that my family was able to afford a Christmas tree. Ever since I saw a picture of the royal family in Britain around a Christmas tree, It's been all that I've ever wanted. We ate lots of food, sang carols, and played festive games. It was turely a Christmas to remember. -
My First Day on the Job
Seeing that I am 19 and I still have no husband, I thought that since I am going to have to support myself soon that I should get a job. I got hired at a dressmakers in town. I have to cut and measure the fabric and cloth using my seemingly unbeateable arithmetic skills. The other lady, Diana, sews and repairs the dresses. She says that my skills will improve over time. Although this is no doctoring job, I could see myself doing this further in the future. -
I Finally Meet My Suitor
Today I was in town looking for a house on my own, when I ran into a handsome young man. I was awestruck when I watched him help an elderly woman with her dropped purse. He noticed me staring like a statue, and introduced himself as Charles Fitzgerald. We then began talking, and he paid for my carriage ride back to the house. I truly think that he is the one. Father knows him already and has given his approval! -
The Death of My Parents
Today my mother and father where going to attend a show later in the evening. Upon their cab ride there, they toppled off a bridge and into the river. I know that the are both dead, and it pains me. I loved them so much, and now they are taken forever. I miss you, ma and pa, and I hope to have your blessing with Charles. Protect Sam and I, and I will never forget you. I will tell my children all about you. I love you! -
My Engagement!
After an enchanting date and night out with Charles, he got the cab to drive me to center of town instead of home. There, amongst the quiet and peaceful town, he got down on one knee and pulled out a beautiful ring. I agreed to let him have my hand in marriage. What a truly enchanting night! -
My New House!
I finally moved into my new house with Charles! We bought new furniture, and the house now feels cozy and warm. It is the perfect wedding preparation for us to live together. The stress from the wedding is very bad, but none the less I am excited. -
My Wedding!
Today was my wedding day! It was held at the town's Roman Catholic church, and my dress was a beautiful ivory lace with a long trail.Charles looked dashingly handsome in his tuxedo and bowtie. It was a warm sunny afternoon, and nothing could have gone better! -
Period: to
Medical College for Women
I am now attending the medical college in Toronto.It was opened by Dr.Emily Stowe, who went to the United States, got her medical degree, came back to Canada and opened up this school. She said she would be delighted for me to attend the school,and Charles wants nothing more than for me to go. Since we live so close, I can still live at home with him while attending. Finally, my dream has come true! -
My Pregnancy
Today I visited the doctor in the hopes of him telling me that I am pregnant. I have noticed a slowly growing lump in my stomach, and I hope to start a family soon. I could not tell myself, as I still have a one more year of college. He confirmed it, I am going to be mother! I will eat only what is good for me from now on, as I am taught in school to use a method of home remedies and other techniques to keep the baby healthy, safe, and well nourished. -
The Birth of My Baby
On a snowy Christmas Eve at 6 o'clock in the evening, my daughter, Ellen Marie Fitzgerald,was born. She put me into 7 hours of labour, but it was all worth it to see her, alive and healthy. She is all I could ever wish for and more, but I wish mother and father could have been alive to see her. I know that they are smiling down upon our happy family right now. This will always be the best Christmas Eve that I have ever seen. -
Sam's Heartreak
Today I was brought to realise that my yunger brother's was going to have a baby.Unfortunately, Sam's wife lost the baby at around 3-4 months. It is such a shame, since he inherited our family's farm and I know that he wants nothing more than to have a kids to share it with, in additon to his wife. -
My First Doctoring Job
Today I finally had my first doctoring job! Little Ellen is getting older now, so it is time forme to put my skills to work. Being a prime time for colds and sniffles with winter coming, many mothers in the town are turning to me to help them or their children for a low price. I do use many medical techniques, however some medications are quite costly so almost everyone that I treat prefers the enhanced home remedies that I have come up with. -
Sam's Joy-I'm an Aunt!
Sam is now very happy again! After losing his first child, him and his wife had decided to try agian at having children. Today, early in the morning, I got a call that his wife Margaret had thier baby boy! I am so happy for the 2 of them, as they are very deserving of a good family. I cannot believe I am an aunt. His name is Willam Buford, and I think he prove to very successful in life just like his father. -
My Second Pregnancy
Today the doctor confirmed that I an going to have a baby. I hope that this one is a boy, because I know that Charles would want on as well. We are a middle class family, because Charles is a banker and I am doctor. It comforts me to know that we can comfortably support 2 or 3 children. I want them to be as healthy as possible, so that they might grow up to be as successful as I hope they are. -
Ellen's 5th Birthday
I remeber my fifth birthday very well, as my father and mother had spent alot of tme and money to make it a joyful experience. I did the same thing to Ellen this year, giving her a new doll and dress. Charles decided that we should also get her a horse, so Sam has let one his newer baby horses stay in his stables, and Ellen is allowed to have it. We will support the costs of it's food and blankets, and Charles and Sam will alternate days for care of the horse. She was so happy to hear this news! -
The Tragic Birth of My Son
Today, on my wedding anniversary, my son almost lost his life. He came out purple and almost blue, because he wasn't getting enough air. It was an especially painful birth, being that he was larger than expected. We were able to get him breathing again, but I am glad that Ellen was not there to see her new brother like that. She loves him very much, and I am so glad that he did not die. I am also happy that I didn't die, as I lost alot of blood and was light headed for the remainder of the day. -
Our Family Stuggles
I don't understand why Charles has been so unhappy lately. I am doing well in my job, cleaning the house well, Ellen is behaving and enjoying her school, and Charlie ( that is what I have been calling him lately to stop confusion), is not a collicky baby at all. In fact, he actually lets us sleep the night. There is nothing astray at his work, so I really dont see the problem. He comes home at night and yells, and then he resorts to drink to calm his nerves. I fear that one day he will hurt me. -
The Day Charles Left
Today Charles came home from work all upset and distraught. I asked him if he was okay, and he cursed at me. What startled me was that he wasn't drunk at all; this was all a completely sober rant. He told me how unfair of a wife I was being, and that he deserved better. He said that he would be back after a few days to take the children to his new home. With that, he stormed out. -
My Depression
It has been several days since I've last seen Charles. Although he never took the children, he returned and our marriage has never been the same. He doesn't ever talk to me, just plays with the children and retreats to his office at night. I hear him up late when he comes to bed. The only thing that keeps me sane is the children and my job. I honestly don't know what I have done wrong, only that he holds me to it. -
My Anniversary and My Son's 3rd Birthday
Charlie is a very playful young boy, and Charles is doing a great job at teaching him to be a restpecful young man. I typically do the caring for of the children, but Charles has a special connection with Charlie. I think I have this same connection with Ellen. Right now Charles and I are holding ourselves together in front of the children. It is a good thing that they don't know that we share an anniversary with Charlie's birthday, as there were no celebrations for it. -
Teaching Ellen to Sew
My doctoring practice has been going well, and I have even gotten a job at the local doctor's clinic. I see patients all the time. I taught Ellen to sew today because I want her to help me with the christmas decorations. I t was very fun and exciting, as I remember when I was a girl and my mother taught me to sew. It is one of the best memories that I have of her. Ellen enjoyed sewing so much that she practically begged me to let her help with the new drapes. Of course I will let her! -
Mending My Marriage
Charles still won't tell me why he has been so distant lately, however I feel that there is a mutual peace between us. He actually talks to me now, and I think that we are on the way to mending our marriage. Ellen is growing up to be so intelligent, and Charlie is taking after his father's good looks and character traits. We are on the road to be a great family again, and nothing could make me happier
