Who Is Lizzie?

Elizabeth Ayres, affectionately known as "Lizzie", is my great-great grandmother on my father's side.  Her son, Melton, was the father of my grandfather, Allan.  Got it? :o)
She was an amazing woman.  I have an unusual amount of information about her due to the careful preservation of some thoughtful family members.
She moved to Kansas in 1871.  She and her husband, Franklin (a.k.a. "Frank"), raised their children here.  The first house they lived in after arriving in Kansas is my home.
Part of the information I have about her includes several journal entries.  They are quite fascinating to read.  As I am living in her house, I decided to journal back to her.  I would love to pick her brain about some things.
Look for the entries entitled, "Dear Lizzie..."  Not too hard, yes?  These are my random thoughts as I ponder what her life was like, and what she would think of mine.  Two women, years apart, but bound together by many common things.