I will transcribe my mother’s diaries, which she kept for many years sometimes daily sometimes not, here. They are the reflections of an ordinary woman born in 1922 about her middle years and onward until her death in May 2009.
Tricia Habberjam
1st January1989
Christmas over. Gerard and Megan, Lee and Amy went home two days ago. Not a very happy Christmas Bernadette and Ian still set on divorce. Gerard had a good talk to Bernadette so lets hope he got through.
6th March
Bernadette is taking Matthew to Gerard and Megan’s for a few days at Easter to try and sort herself out.
7 th March
Bernadette phoned Ian and asked him to meet her on her return she has sorted herself out thanks to G.&M., it was lovely news
Easter 1989
Things are a lot better with B. and I. After B. had been back a month she found out she was pregnant due in Aug. so that is lovely news. Matthew is pleased he is going to have a brother or sister. Gerard and M. visited again during the summer but there is something wrong there now.
27th April
W.I. group meeting at Pilling Lane a very enjoyable evening. It is Preesall’s turn next year to be the hosts so it will be all hands to the pump to get our entertainment organized.
6th May
Off to Yugoslavia for 3 weeks going with Vera B., Helen Lever and
Audrey Jenkinson, we fly from Manchester today. We get 3 weeks for the price of 2!
7th May
Here we are in Portoroz the hotel is beautifully situated facing the Adriatic with the coastline in the distance. We have a balcony. After unpacking we are going for a bite to eat.
8th May
Today we walked to the next resort a little place called Priam which has a harbour and is a very old place, we really liked it. The weather is gorgeous in the ’80’s, on with the suncream!
9th May
Today Helen Lever and I went for a a swim in the indoor pool it was lovely not too many in. We had to shower before as well as after and everyone had to wear a cap. Went back to our rooms and had a nice drink on the balcony.
6th October
Paid Jean and John (Flann) a visit in Tunbridge Wells, had a really nice time. The weather was gorgeous and Jean’s cooking was a real treat togther with John’s planning, we went to all sorts of places.
October 7th
Jean and I took the train to London spent a very pleasant day there. Went to Harrods, mainly the food hall which was well worth a visit. We had lunch at Dicken’s and Jones and did some window shopping then took the train back to Tunbridge.
8th Oct.
Jean and I caught the train to Folkstone, took our lunch, it was a really lovely sunny day. We sat on the prom. then walked the full length before catching the train back.
9th Oct.
Jean had a hair appointment in TunbridgeWells so I had a good look around the shops and the Pantils. We met for lunch at the Old Cotton Club which had been refurbished in the 1920’s style. enjoyed a really nice lunch in a lovely atmosphere.
9th Nov.
Gates of the Berlin Wall were opened at 9p.m. (B.S.T.). The East Berliners flooded through. A moment in history to be remembered.
10th Nov.
Today the German people are still flooding through the Berlin Wall to taste freedom and look at the shops. Tonight they have begun to destroy the wall with bulldozers. it is a wonderful sight, I am so happy for those people, but feel sad for the ones who died trying to escape. The wall was built in 1961.
Reflections on 1989
Dear Diary this has been an awful year in some ways– Gerard and Megan are going in for a divorce now–so here we go again.
Thomas Danson was born on 15th August a lovely baby. Thomas was Christened in November, all the family came. Uncle Gerard from Bromborough should have been one Godfather but wasn’t well so Pete stood in for him. We had a great time, it went off very well. Gerard came with Kay, his girlfriend, and Lee and Amy. Kay is very nice.
1990
A year of events, I am writing this in August so will relate events during the year that stand out in my mind.
7th January
Noel has finished at Cottage Loaf, the new owners have taken over, they seem very nice. Things will certainly be a lot different.
13th January
Patricia and Dave and Christina flew to Hong Kong for a 3week holiday stopping off at Vancouver, also went to Bangkok. Tricia and Christina had a dose of flu during the time in hong Kong but coped well and had a very enjoyable time. They bought table and chairs, very special, had them shipped over, still a bargin.
26th Jan
Gerard’s 30th birthday. That’s gone quickly!!!!
28th Jan
Gerard phoned, the divorce is going through there are one or two hitches. He has the children at weekends.
29th Jan
Bernadette’s birthday she is 33 today. That has gone quickly too!!
4th Feb.
Gerard’s divorce was finalised, thank goodness, he was in touch with Patricia at New Year and himself and Kay are going out there for a holiday in August which is good news.
14th Feb.
Things are hotting up as far as the group meeting concert (W.I.) goes, it is our first practice to night, a lot to learn.
15th Feb.
Worked a full day (at the bread shop, Cottage Loaf), don’t like that, Maralyn was off.
April
Bernadette announced that she is pregnant again, an accident this time, so here we go again, due in November.
May.
Bernard and myself borrowed B. and I.’s caravan and went up to the Lakes and Clitheroe, later. At first it was very nice up there and we had good weather, did quite a bit of walking.
August
Gerard and Kay came back from Canada with the news that they are going to emigrate. It will be sometime during 1991 if they are accepted. They also got engaged while they were out there. Gerard got accepted for a job, so I hope it all works out for them.
September
Went up to Lakes in B and I’s caravan.
November
I have finished my patchwork quilt and made numerous other items including some Christmas presies.
25th November
Adam Danson born, B and I now have 3 little boys. Matthew is growing up fast and Thomas is coming on fine, he is a little love always smiling, he is a right little chubby one.
25th December
We spent the day at B and I’s, Ian did dinner and he made a good job of it too. When we came home it had done a little snow shower, only thin layer.
Gerard and Kay Lee and Amy are coming for a few days on 5th Jan. So it will be Christmas all over again for us. They will all be here on the Sunday including the Dansons.
1991
5th January
The day went well, it was like a mad house but we all enjoyed ourselves especially the kids. Gerard and Kay are going back Tuesday. Lee slept at Matthew’s on the Monday night they both behaved themselves very well.
Here we are on the threashold of another year and on the brink of war in the Gulf. Let’s hope S. Hussain sees sense and pulls out of Kuwait, he dosen’t appear to want to do that……
17th Jan
The Alies have gone to war against Iraq, S. Hussain has not withdrawn from Kuwait he has the whole world against him, it is very sad that so much life has to be lost becuase of such an evil man.
Linda Thompson died after struggling for hearly 2 years against cancer, she was only 48. The church was absolutley packed to the seams at the funeral, poor tony he must be broken hearted.
Mum’s diary 1997-8
31st December 1997
Went to hospital in the morning for treatment on my hand. Gerard and kay arrived in the afternoon for new Year. Chicken Salad andgooseberry pie for tea. Then they went around to B. and I’s to see the new Year in arrived back about 1:45 am
1st January 1998 Thursday
After a lie in we prepared the buffet for B and I and children who are coming down later- a good time was had by all- the boys brought some of their toys- Matthew came down for eats then went back to his computer.
2nd Jan
G. & K. Bernard and self went to Lancaster called in at Atkinson’s coffee shop bought spiced tea andvarious coffees. Then had look a around Lancaster shops- called into Potters café for a coffee and Toasted tea cake which we all enjoyed.
3rd Jan
G. & K. returned home today left about 11:45. We had a very wet and windy night, it was still very windy this a.m. but fine. They had a good journey back, only took them 31/2 hours, no hold ups.
4th Jan
Well it’s all quiet on the western front today, seems funny. I started taking some decorations down today will finish tomorrow- also lots of washing to do. Tom phoned tonight, he had a long chat with Bernard and self sounded very well..
5th Jan
Finished tazking all decorations down today did some washing but it isn’t drying outside. Paid TV licence and vacuumed downstairs. Must get down to writing some letters this week.
6th Jan
Did more washing another very wet day Matthew came for tea wrote part of a composition for his homework.
7th Jan.
Made some marmalade today. Went to Poulton this A. m. another wet day, sun shone for awhile this afternoon. W. I. tonight first meeting after coming off the committee.
8th Jan
Hospital today physio treatment (ultra sound). I hope it works so far no change, this will be the third session.
Tom died today in Lancaster hospital he was taken ill Sunday- he went peacefully.
10th Jan Saturday
Hazel called today to tell us the arrangements for the funeral. She saw Ann Wilson about the flowers for the church instead of at the grave which is what Tom wanted.
11th Jan
Horrible wet day.
13th Jan Tuesday
Tricia phoned tonight she only got the E.mail Monday night she was greatly shocked at the news. Will phone Sheila in due course.
14th Jan.
Today was tom’s funeral Sheila had him at home all day yesterday last night he was taken in to their local church St. Thomas Moore in Lancaster. This a.m. there was a requiem mass at 9:30 after which he was brought to St. Bernard’s at Knott End for an ecumenical service- then buried at Preesall, after at Rycroft. Everything went well and the sun shone for him. Goodbye Tom.
15th Jan
Went for physio treatment on hand again today, not doing much good so far.
16th Jan
Went to Poulton today did usual shopping not a very nice day.
17th Jan Did usual bit of shopping in the village. Did not see Doris.
Got some sewing done this p.m.
Liverpool only managed a draw today.
18th Jan
Wet day- we had chicken for dinner, wrote some letters this afternoon.
19th Jan
Another hospital appointment re hand- no success with ultra sound so have to see Dr. Cornah again.
Insurance didn’t come.
20thJanDressmakingtoday new term so had to pay got a shock 37 pound it’s a bit much really. This afternoon was friendship, speaker very interesting, slides on Cyprus and home. Pearl Insurance came tonight.
21st Jan
Another hospital appointment for a test on my hand electric shock treatment, no reaction on left hand- it all depends now on what Dr. Cornah says. It is quite a worry really and painful constantly.
22nd Jan.
Today has been another horrid wet day. Bunty took Sheila and I to friendship on Tues.- she told us the shock news- she has a lump under her arm has known since November so lets hope they can do a successful job on it for her. Posted Gerard’s birthday presi.
23rd Jan
Posted some mags to Jean USA today.
2nd Feb. Monday
Ian’s birthday
I went for a consultation with Mr. Cornah at Blackpool Victoria, he is going to operate again, soon as possible.
3rd Feb.
Sewing class this a.m.
Friendship this afternoon- had a phone call from hospital today to go for admission on Friday at S. Shore hospital 8:15a.m.
4th Feb
David D’s birthday 3 yrs old.
W.I. tonight, pay Joyce annual subs. John is not at all well
5th Feb.
B&I’s wedding anniversary 21yrs.
6thfeb.
Arrived at s. shore hospital 8:20a.m. all necessary preparations were made, pre op. blood pressure, pulse etc. went down to the theatre 10:45a.m. back in ward 12:30p.m. all went well. The show in theatre was brilliant I had a lovely dream. Hand seems a lot better. I was allowed to go home 6p.m.
7th Feb.
Lovely sunny day
Had a good nights sleep-no pain in hand. Went shopping this a.m. Bernadette and kids came down to see me. Gerard phones, Sheila W. phoned and Tricia also. Had a very pleasant day except that Liverpool lost at home to Southampton 2-3 but Man United only managed a draw with Bolton W. 1-1 at Old Trafford.
8th Feb.
Dull miserable day-Sheial t. phoned to enquire how I went on with hand op.
9th Feb.
Doris may call this a.m.
Dear Diary Doris did call she brought me some cakes and buiscuits home made- she is a gem, we had a good natter, it cheered me up.
10th Feb.
S. shore hospital 2p.m. for dressing change.
11th Feb.
Chiropodist today
13th Feb. Friday
Went to Poulton this a.m. did not do much shopping- couldn’t carry it. Beautiful day really warm 13-14C amazing for the time of year.
14th Feb.
Child minding tonight for B.& I. John S. is taking them out for a meal it will be a real treat for them. I went shopping up the road this a.m. can not ride my bike yet, I miss it it for carrying shopping.
15th Feb.
We went for a run-visited Barton Grange Garden Centre- didn’t buy anything we just looked.