#mcfarlandgen1

[oasisfrontier]

1855, Pebble Homestead

Eliza always said yes to Thomas, even when she didn't want to. She laughed at his bad jokes about chickens, and listened to him complain. She thought about finding her own perfume to cover the smell of Lily's that seemed to never go away.

But he was a good man! He provided for their family and kept them safe. What had she expected, answering a newspaper ad? Hadn't she whored herself out in a way? But she squashed any sympathy for Lily that threatened to appear; Eliza would never sleep with another woman's husband. Lily was betraying every woman in the whole town just because she knew how to prey on men's weaknesses!!

[oasisfrontier]

1855, Pebble Homestead

Eliza's careful nursing of Brandon paid off and he lived past the age of two. He was still fussy, and with his poor motor skills he always made a mess of himself, but Eliza was too relieved to mind. She loved running her fingers through his mop of red curls.

Eliza grew sick of Andrew's whining for her attention and sent him outside to be with his father. It was never too early to learn how to run the farm, and a pioneer needs to be tough. He was a healthy boy, what did he have to cry about?

[oasisfrontier]

1855, Lutheran Church

After the proper amount of time had passed, Bjorn Bjergsen and Mila Munch were wed.

It was a small affair with only a few friends and family. Bjorn invited the McFarlands, as he credited some of his business success to Eliza's industrious nature.

Bjorn and Mila wanted to create new family bonds immediately, but Sofia spent most of the reception at her mother's graveside.

[oasisfrontier]

1855, Oasis Outpost and Pebble Homestead

Thomas enjoyed his nights with Eliza, but there were certain things he wanted to do that no respectable wife would. So he went under the floorboards and took Eliza's savings to give Lily extra pay for her troubles. Really, wasn't he was protecting Eliza more than he was hurting her? At least that's what he told himself.

Now that Thomas was stumbling home at sunrise and sleeping until noon, all the farm chores and the parenting fell to Eliza. She tried to convince herself that this was a wife's lot in life. All men needed to sow their wild oats, and as the woman she was supposed to stay faithful. But she felt ashamed, like for all her efforts she still wasn't good enough, and she felt dirty by association from Lily. Eliza bathed herself and the children obsessively to avoid some strange disease.

[oasisfrontier]

1855, Pebble Homestead

Time was passing by luxuriously for Eliza. There were days when she could actually get a moment of peace to herself!

The McFarlands used their time well. Thomas focused on improving their homestead, and Eliza perfected her cooking and canning skills. She was well known in the Oasis Frontier for her preserves especially; Thomas had struck a deal with Bjorn at the General Store and he purchased from her wholesale. Eliza was hoping to save enough money to purchase a llama. She kept all her coins squirreled away under the floorboards.

[oasisfrontier]

1855, Pebble Homestead

Eliza was surprised when another year rolled in and she still hadn't gotten pregnant. Having their own bedroom had definitely improved their marriage; she and Thomas hadn't been intimate this often since their first year together. Had he developed an issue from all those nights at the saloon? She knew he still went, and she hoped that it was just to play cards.

Not that she was complaining about her lack of pregnancy. The whole family was more settled into a steady routine and the garden was really beginning to thrive under her care. Plus, if she got pregnant again she would be too sick to give Brandon enough attention!

[oasisfrontier]

1854, Pebble Homestead

Independence Day! Eliza had the perfect holiday. Thomas barbecued freshly caught fish from the river, and he found an old feed tub to fill with water for Andrew to splash in.

After the boys were both asleep, Eliza and Thomas cuddled up next to the bonfire. Cozily, she remembered to the Independence Days she had celebrated in the city back East and how different her life was then--it was so much better now, even with the struggles. Wasn't this real independence, anyway?

[oasisfrontier]

1854, Springscape Farm and the Lutheran Church

Tragedy struck the Bjergsen family early in the year. Clara died in a freak farming accident, leaving behind Bjorn to care for their two daughters alone. Bjorn owned the General Store and had relied on Clara to keep things running smoothly at home.

They held a funeral for her at the Lutheran church she had loved so much. The little church was packed, and Bjorn stoically choked out some remarks. His older daughter, Sofia, cried the entire service.

Eliza McFarland was scandalized to see Lily Pleasant in a church, but Mila Munch explained that it was Lily's identical twin Angela. Angela was the town schoolteacher, and once Eliza heard that she was very excited. She already had big plans for Brandon's future--he obviously wasn't suited to farm work. Angela was kind, but gently let Eliza know that she didn't teach children below the age of five.