August 3rd, 1861

My family lives in a 1 story house, in Ohio. Not very large but it suits us all. We don't live by large streams of rivers nor on a huge plantation. Nor are we large business owners anymore than a small town family. Money doesn't keep coming in every week. It comes in and goes back out. The budget has been tight and the government has been raising taxes, to send to the soldiers who are fighting in the civil war. Ever since Samuel left, money around the house has been spent for expenses for Emma and school. I have applied to a job in town at a market, it doesn't pay much, although it's based mainly off of tips. I will hopefully find out within the week if I got the job or not. Our family depends on it though, so I hope for the best to get the job.

It's difficult worrying about Samuel and trying to keep Emma happy. Emma doesn't have many friends and she's quite shy. She is a daddy's girl and without her dad around she doesn't speak much. Seeing Emma happy makes my world, but I don't know how to please her in this situation. Emma cries every so often asking when daddy will come home. But, no one knows..