December 1st, 1978-in which Nancy writes a biography for Peter

Peter is "Child of the Week" at his school.

Peter was born November 6th, 1972 in Manchester, England.  His father lives in England.  Peter came to the United States when he was 12 months old.  He flew in an airplane across the Atlantic Ocean.  Peter has Leukemia and sometimes Dr. De la Paz lets him give his own IVs.  Peter and his mother went to Newport for a vacation this summer.  They rode on Amtrak.  Peter saw the Pacific Ocean and built sand castles on the beach.  Peter likes fire engines and Super Heroes (especially Batman and Wonder Woman_.  Peter has five pet fish that live in an aquarium in his room.

Date Unknown (1978)-in which Nancy records her very bad dream

I dreamed I was in a church yard in Kansas.  The gravestones were all flat markers surrounded by red bricks.  The church was red brick, too.  There was a large rectangular pool by the side of the church.  It was bright blue.  All around the countryside was dust.  I decided to go into the church but inside was a witch making corn dollies and poppets.  I knew they had to be burned, but when I tried to burn them in the alter flame, the witch put a curse on the fire and it turned black and wouldn't burn.  Thre was straw on the floor and I tried to drop lighted matches into it because she'd forgotten to curse the floor.  That meant the whole church would burn instead of the dolls, but it had to be purified.  Then I was in the ruins of a house and  I found a brain in a bowl of liquid that was creating a disturbance all around the house.  I knew it had to be destroyed but I didn't know how.  My mother and father tried to destroy it, but when they got close, they just shriveled up like burst balloons-only their empty outsides were left.  Then we sent for a minister and a doctor but we hadn't destroyed the brain when Pete woke me up...

November 28th, 1978*

 *PUBLISHING NOTE:  I've made an editorial decision to move the story along a bit into 1978 (prior entries have been from 1977) in order to add some variety to the daily proceedings (though perhaps we'll circle back at some point), I felt the changes that came in my first year in school might add something to the previous year's rhythms and information (new people, new situations, et. al.).  Additionally, I'll be (within the best of my abilities) trying to stay more concurrent with corresponding dates/time frames as applicable- (i.e. logging entries from December 1978 as we proceed through December 2016)-noting that perhaps BECAUSE of the increased activity, Mom jumps around a bit more in her daily recordings.  

Thanks to all who've voiced your support and continue to have an interest in this project!-

-Peter
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We had our first snowfall today and Pete hand his first real birhday party.  The United Methodist Women gave Yai Kido $20.00 to do something for Pete's birthday, and she suggested a party at MacDonald's.  Pete had never had a real birthday party before, so he was very excited about it.  It was scheduled for November 6th but Pete was ill and had to stay home.  Then it was scheduled for November 27th but Dr. Vestal scheduled his spinal tap that Monday.  Finally it was set for Tuesday, the 28th.  Then, this morning, it snowed.  But the snow had all melted off by this afternoon and Mike Kido had a cold and couldn't come.  We had Fawn, Vicky, and Tricia, and Pete and me in Yai's car.  Marilyn had to go to the bank so she met us at MacDonald's with Nicole and Kristen.  We ordered and then one of the girls came out with a target and velcro wrapped balls, and they had a contest. 

Each of the children got a certificate for free french fries, and Tricia, the winner, got two.  Then Pete opened his presents.  Tricia gave him a pretty blue shirt, Nicole gave him checked blue pants, Yai & Mike and Mr. & Mrs. Peters (friends of Yai's) gave him Superman socks, RDD2, a Battlestar Galactica shirt, and a Spider Man shirt.  Fawn gave him a Mickey Mouse shoe bag and two balloons.  I gave him a Star Wars X-Wing Fighter (PL NOTE:-soooo wish I still had this!).  We ate hamburgers and french fries and drank pop-it came in special plastic glasses for the children to keep and each child got a party hat and a plastic MacDonald's Christmas stocking.  They brought out the cake with six candles on it, and the staff sang Happy Birthday to Peter.  He had some trouble blowing out the candles-it took three puffs.  The cake had Ronald MacDonald with balloons and a little plaque that said Happy Birthday from Ronald MacDonald.  Pete got the Ronald decoration but just ate the chocolate cake under it.  It was moist chocolate cake with a thick creamy vanilla flavored vanilla flavored sugar icing.  Yai took lots of pictures (PL Note: Sadly these have been lost over the years).  The party came to just under $14.00 and Yai said she'd use the rest of the money to have the film developed.  She's going to give pictures to the United Methodist Women too.  Then it was time to go and we put everyone's coats back on-Fawn's under protest.  Marilyn took Nicole and Kristen home, and Yai took the rest.  We dropped Fawn and Vicky at Fawn's house then we brought Tricia home and I phoned Connie but she wasn't home.  I phoned Lorraine but got no answer.  Tricia and Petey played for a while and then there was a knock at the door-Connie.  After Tricia left, Petey tried on his new shorts.  They're big, but he likes them.  He has three new pairs of pants from Grandpa too, a new sweater from Daniel and Maria and a new shirt from Kay and George, so he's really well outfitted for a while.  Petey liked the party and it went well-no crying, no arguing, and no spills.  After waiting so long, I couldn't believe it finally came off so well (we sent home a hat, a stocking, and a hamburger/french fries for poor Mike).  I felt guilty about not inviting Lolita and Cindy but they didn't come the first time they were invited, nor bring Pete a present, and he hasn't played with them since before he got sick, so we asked Tricia, Vicky, and Nicole instead.

Monday, September 12th, 1977

Pete had a nosebleed @ 3:00am today.  The alarm went off at 7:00am.  Peter turned it off and I slept till 8:00am.  Then we rushed around a bit and were ready when Lorraine picked us up at 9:00am.  We had to wait a long time-didn't finish till almost 10:00am.  Then we had to stop by Ontario Pharmacy to get Pete's Methetrexate (I counted the pills this time-there were eight).  Then Lorraine dropped us at the Dairy Queen.  I used the last of my change to buy us each a corn dog, milk for Pete, and rootbeer for me.  Then we watched the construction men working.  They had a snorkel truck and a man was climbing up one of the lamp poles to take down the street light.  We got home just as Lorraine arrived, having dropped Connie for her surgery.  I gave her a lukewarm cup of coffee (in too big a hurry to let it heat properly) and Tricia and Reggie played with Pete.  After they left we took our naps until Marilyn called at 2:00pm.  Then Pete and I played outside (tag and hide and go seek).  He watched TV and I cooked an early dinner, cube steak and carrots.  Pete ate a little but was more interested in the TV.  Vicky called to say she was sorry about saying she had a stomach ache yestereday-that it was just a fake.  Told her Pete couldn't have company this afternoon because he was getting ready to go out.  Then she wanted to know why I didn't have Laurie babysit.  I told her Pete was going to a friend's house to play with some children.  I didn't like the idea of having only two teenagers in the two houses here in case anything did go wrong.  Marilyn got Jana, Pete's Sunday School Teacher, to babysit-so Pete was happy.  Susan (whose last name I can't remember) and Marilyn took me over to Weiser for the A.A.U.W. meeting.  They had a salad bar, coffee, and non-alcoholic punch.  Struck up an instant friendship with a woman named Beth, a retired school teacher and another smoker...in fact the only other one, so college education may have advantages.  There was a discussion on whether the U.S. should intervene in the export of baby formulas (being substitueted in 3rd world countries for more advantageous breast feeding).  Longed to point out that most U.S. mothers don't breast -feed, and formulas are considered "modern" here too, but felt myself on dangerous ground so kept quiet.  Then the group had a "brainstorming" session to decide their study topic for the next two years.  They finally decided to research chemicals, additives, and preservatives (necessity for, screening of, etc.).  Tonight's Argus had an article on DBCP, which causes sterility in men and doesn't break down (as previously believed) but leaves a residue in carrots, radishes, and other root vegetables.  Told Marilyn about Fuji (sp) Robesky (a biochemist and taster for DelMonte) saying that the "non dairy" toppings and dips are just flavored plastic.  Clipped the article on DBCP for Marilyn together with one urging farmers to resist control of pesticides.  She invited me to attend other meetings with her, though she knows I won't be able to pay the dues for some time (ever?).  I enjoyed it and hope to go again.  We split the babysitter's fee so I owe her a dollar.  Found Pete, as Roger put it, "lying down staring at the ceiling"-scared because it was so dark outside.  He doesn't like being out at night. He worries about being "given away" since I was sick.  Read him The Brave Little Tailor.

September 11th, 1977-in which Petey experiences his first, but certainly not last, case of stage fright.

Petey really has a phenomenal memory.  Last night he asked me to read him the book "about how the little boy had to go to the bathroom".  He remembered that it was a Dr. Seuss book and had Cat In The Hat on the spine.  I thought it might be one of his and looked, but it wasn't.  Finally chased down in my diary-it was (Did I Ever Tell You) How Lucky You Are  and we read it months ago.  Then we were talking about church this morning and Petey said the next time Pastor talked to the children, he was going to sit where Erik sat today.  He said "It'll be just like playing checkers, mom-I'll take Erik's place and Erik will move somewhere else".  To my knowledge, he's never seen anyone play checkers.  I asked him how he knew how the game was played and he said "In my book about Gus The Friendly Ghost, he plays checkers with mouse" (but it doesn't show them moving the pieces or talk about the gameso if that's where he got it, he extrapolated on almost no data).
I called Margaret this morning and told her Linda Warren was picking us up.  Only Julie came to church.  Mike's away on a camping trip.  Pat Devore led the opening exercises, then they took a picture of each class and its teacher.  then the children all ppracticed singing "Jesus Loves The Little Children" and "Zacheus") and marching into church in a procession.  We only had a few minutes left at the end of the service for Sunday School to meet.  We were to march into church during the first hymn and everyone got rather restless.  Then we all marched in and sat down.  I sat in the pew just behind Petey's class, and he came back to me in tears.  Said he "just wanted Mommy" and wouldn't go up and sing.  I think all those people in church scared him.  He did go up for Pastor's "children's sermon" but he sat in a corner and afterward said "Mommy, Pastor didn't talk to me!"  He talked to Jana, his Sunday School Teacher after church and she reassured him that not singing was ok.  Dad took us to Safeways after church ($19.00) and then for a ride to see the cows.  Pete and I were exhausted (2 hours of church is a lot for a little one) and took long naps.  Then Vicky came over about 5:00pm and was here for hours.  She finally had to leave to get ready for church.  She said she had a stomachache this morning and I begged her not to come see Petey when she felt sick.  Then I called her mother and begged her too.  Paul Cheek felt bad in Sunday School, too, and sat right next to Peter.  I asked his mother to call me if it turns out to be flu or something.  The whole world is one big germ waiting to fall on Petey!  Daniel raked tonight and Pete "hauled hay" in his wagon.  Then Daniel played hide and seek with Pete.  He's so good to Pete!  Had ried clams tonight.  Pete and I took baths and he "read" me Batman (he knows it by heart) and I read him The Dead Tree.  Lorraine's pick us up at 9:00am tomorrow (Connie is having surgery at 10:30am and she's babysitting)

Saturday, September 10th, 1977

Got up at 7:00am to turn the TV on for Pete and went back to bed.  Then I watched part of "Batman and Robin" with Pete and slept some more.  Vicky showed up before we had lunch and I finally had to send her home so I could feed Pete.  She came back before he'd finsihed eating and I told her he had to take a nap and sent her home again.  Margaret Bunce called and offered to take us to Sunday School.  I told her I didn't know what arrangements Linda Petrasek had made.  Then Linda called and said she had arranged for Linda Warren to pick us up since they live close to us.  I tried and tried to call Margaret back to tell her, but they were out.  I will call again in the morning.  Linda said she'd pick us up at about a quarter to 10.  Linda P said not to worry too much about the lesson for tomorrow since the children have to learn a song for the Fall Festival and practice marching in and out of the church.  And there are the opening excercises, so it will be pretty busy.  Vicky was outside when the mailman came and took my mail out of the box.  Petey had a fit (and I nearly did too)!  I tried to explain to her gently but firmly that you just don't get out other people's mail, but I don't know if I made any impression at all.  I was schocked.  Betty Phipps came over and gave me her house key, a list of phone numbers including her daughter's, and a written authorization to seek medical help if needed.  I hope Bill doesn't get into any trouble while she's gone.  Betty told me she'd given him orders not to let the Plaza boy in, because he's "tough" and a fighter (a bit of a bully, I gather), so I hope there's no trouble with him.  I spent the whole day (in spite of Vicky) unpacking winter clothes, sorting them into outfits that go together, and hanging them up-rummaging all over for clotheshangers.  Finally got most them taken care of (I still have some sweaters left over that no longer match any skirts or slacks I have since I gave away some of my winter clothes last year).  My period started tonight-it would just before I have to teach Sunday School for the first time.  At least I know why I felt so tired today.

I ate the leftover squash and Swiss chard today.  Couldn't get Pete to touch any vegetables.  He's going to get sick if he doesn't start eating something besides meat-I don't think a daily dose of vitamins is compensation enough.  He helped Daniel water the flowers tonight.  he and Daniel sat in lawn chairs and had a long conversation.  Pete was pretending to speak Basque.  Daniel gave us some lovely onions (I really like them even though they always give me a stomach ache).  Pete had a temper tantrum today about putting on his shoes to go outside, but apologized for it repeatedly afterwards.  I baked a cake (out of things to snack on) and promised Pete I'd bake one for his Sunday School class on his Birthday (it's on a Sunday this year).  He bathed and washed his hair (under protest)-even brushed his teeth!  I read him A Friend For Jenny and Dr. Seuss' ABC.  I read Alchemy and Acadame (sci fi anthology).

Friday, September 9th, 1977

Pete had his Methatrexate today, but there were only 3 tablets left instead of four.  Fortunately, he only had to take 3 because his white count was low, but that's the second time I've been one tablet short.  When they're only dispensing 3 at a time, it doesn't seem reasonable.  Pete had 2 nosebleeds today.  The first he didn't tell me about, but I found his kleenex in the playroom.  The second began tonight while he was doing puzzles and watching TV.  Thelma had mentioned taking Pete along to the mountanins this weekend, but Dr. Baskerville must have said no.  Thelma was going to ask her this morning and call me, but she didn't call-and when I called her I got no answer.  I called Marilyn Cates this morning to see if she and Nicole were coming over, but her car had broken down so they didn't come.  She invited me to an AAUW meeting in Payette Monday.  I'd like to go if we can share a babysitter.  Betty Phipps won't be here.   She and Bill are going to Portland for a few days and leaving young Bill here so he won't have to miss school.  Felt quite flattered when Betty said he'd asked them to tell me.  She's coming over tomorrow morning to talk about it-must remember to get written authorization  to take Bill to the doctor if he needs it.  Vicky was here for a couple of hours this afternoon.  She and Pete watched "Mr. Rogers" and "Electric Company",  She wanted Pete to go over to her house 'till 8:00pm, but I was cooking dinner and her sister came to get her because they were going to a football game.  I finally cooked Dad's acorn squash and dressed it with brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and orange marmalade...but it still tasted like squash and Pete wouldn't eat any.  I made Daniel's Swiss chard, but we didn't eat that either.  I had it on low, with plenty of water , which was a good thing because I forgot it and left it cooking while I took Pete for a "tricycle walk".  We went around the Daily Argus building to the new city hall (admiring the flagpole) and then back home.  Called Dad tonight.  He wanted to know about Pete's first music lesson.  Mom might need surgery, but they don't know if she's strong enough to stand it.  Pete held the flashlight for me tonight while I bolted the back door "so I wouldn't be scared in the dark".  We watched Judy Collins on Boston Pops and I read him The Ghost Said Boo and The Binky Detectives.  I read The Night Spiders and The Missing Grandfather (pretty bad-gives me hope).