Tues Jan 30, 1945

Guess "Gen's" in Texas by now. Duane called me this aft. Isn't working. Strained his back. Wrote to him & called him from Mother's this eve. Stayed all night at Mother's. Washed hair. Finished letter to Bill P.

Mon Jan 29, 1945

Don on "blotter". Sure seemed funny without "Gen". Really missed her! Wrote letter to Bill Parr at noon. Really snowed again. Tired & sleepy. Daddy brought "Lady" home. Poor little thing. ----- Bank examiners this wk.

Sun Jan 28, 1945

Didn't do much of anything. Letter from Duane - Swell! Duane came at 6:00. Saw "My Buddy" & "Babes on Swing Street". Fair. When in house Buddy got out of bed. He's the cutest "little man". Had swell time till Duane got ready to leave. Something inside me so that I could hardly stand for him to leave. He thought something was wrong. I love him!

Grandma in 1945

Sat Jan 27, 1945

Got out early. Sat at lake & talked. Went home with "Gen" for supper. Put on wedding clothes. Are beautiful! "Gen", Dorothy, Harriet M. & I saw "Since You Went Away" (again). "Gen" leaves Mon. Golly. I hate to see her go! Harriet & I came home on bus.

Fri Jan 26, 1945

Evelyn & I worked tonight. Got out at 8:20. Duane called me this eve. Sure swell talking to him. Daddy came after me & went home. Lynette R. hit lady today. She's at the hospital. Had to take her eye out.

Thurs Jan 25, 1945

Duane & I saw "Since You Went Away". Was very good - so true to life. Cried. Got home late & Duane didn't leave till 1:30. Sure feel a lot better. Have been kinda worried lately. He talked to me long time & that's what I needed.

Wed Jan 24, 1945

Girls had dinner at Decatur Club for "Gen". Was really nice. Played bunco. Mr. Imboden sent beautiful bouquet. Got "Gen" chenille bed-spread. Sure liked it. Tony Brady died this morn. Mother out there today.

Tues Jan 23, 1945

Had cramps so didn't feel good. Went to sleep while writing letter to Duane this eve. So terribly lonesome. Called "Gen". Washed hair.

Mon Jan 22, 1945

Staying at Mother's this week. Went to shower for "Gen" at Dorothy's. Really liked brunch coat. Got lots of nice things. Duane came after me. He met all the girls. Didn't seem nearly as bashful as I thought he would. From there went to our first Macon Co. Tournament at D.H.S. gym. Argenta played Warrensburg and lost! Kind of a surprise and not a pleasant one! We're out now. Walked home. Duane went to sleep.

Sun Jan 21, 1945

Ironed. Duane came down in aft. Sat in car and talked. Came back around 6:30. Snowing hard. D.P. home. We picked "Nean" up in town after he left. She was crying. Went to the Empress. Two pretty good shows. Got in pretty early. Had better time than Fri.

Sat Jan 20, 1945

Got out at 2:20. Pretty early. Looked around at some suits. Got lb. & 1/2 of Fannie May chocolates. Grandma here for week-end. Talked to Harriet M. in dime store. Washed out some clothes. Wrote letter to Duane this morn. I was sure a stubborn little fool last night. Sure sorry. Home this eve.

Fri Jan 19, 1945

Stayed at Mother's. She had club this eve. Duane came rather late. Saw "None But the Lonely Heart." Went to sleep. Had sort of a quarrel, but Duane wasn't mad. I got mad & he just laughed at me. Didn't feel so good & that made things worse.

Wed Jan 18, 1945

Evelyn & I picked out brunch coat for "Gen". Really pretty. Came home after work. Martie & Edna here, & Harriet M. came for awhile after supper. 1st time had seen any of kids for a long time - especially Mart. Was swell. Tired. Go to bed early.

pictures

[Pictures have been added throughout.]

Wed Jan 17, 1945

Mother & I went out to Luetta's & Grandma's. Grandma gave me another crocheted rag rug. Sure pretty. Duane & I saw "Song of Russia". Very good! Came at Mother's, sat on davenport, & talked. It was really swell! Just talking to him is wonderful!

Tues Jan 16, 1945

Daddy took me in town to Mother's in eve. Washed my hair. Called Duane. Really was swell to hear his voice. Mother & I went to bed early. Evelyn & I saw Harriet T. & Harriet M. at noon.

Mon Jan 15, 1945

Had trouble with machine again. A busy day - pay day, too. Got 2 sweaters - aqua & fushia. Washed some clothes this eve. Wonder what "my honey" is doing - hope he's thinking about me.

Sun Jan 14, 1945

Pressed & ironed this aft. around here. Helen had baby girl this morn. Duane & I took Judy to show. Saw "Casanova Brown". Very good! Another one of the most wonderful eve. we've ever spent together. Duane kept teasing me & we laughed & "cut-up" awhile. Had the sweetest talk. Planned how we wanted our wedding. Gee, he can make me so happy!!!

Sat Jan 13, 1945

Had trouble with IBM. Buzzed all the time. Went to sleep when got home (Mother's). Went to chili supper & Gley's. Delicious! Mr & Mrs. Wallace (Barb & Jeannette H. also), Dale, Edythe, "Dane", "Nean", & little boy there. The baby is so cute and sweet. Has changed so much. They [arrow points to Mr. & Mrs. Wallace] brought me home. Had a swell time.

Fri Jan 12, 1945

Stayed at Mother's. Duane called me at work. He's a sweet little moron (just kidding). He had to work late so I went to his aunt's. We all went to dance at Empress Ballroom. Felt kinda bad as we left & walked home. They came after him at Mother's about 11:30.

Thurs Jan 11, 1945

Mother & P. Maynor went to St. Louis. Daddy came after me there. W.E. Duncan here. Got letter from Bill Pass. 1st time in ages. He's out of states. Wrote to "Zombie". My side has hurt today. Don't know why. Really tired this eve.

Wed Jan 10, 1945

Stayed all night at mother's. Duane & I went to see Stage Door Canteen. 2nd time for me, but still wonderful! We really had troubles. Mother had company & I was afraid. He couldn't help himself but I couldn't either. I don't have much strength against him. Had to say good-night. Will not forget tonight.

Tues Jan 9, 1945

Below 0 degrees. Elayne's shower this eve. Didn't go but sent gift with Harriet M. Washed & ironed. Mr K. told "Gen" could have job when comes back from Texas. Kids really teasing her about getting married. More fun! Would give a lot to be "in her shoes".

Mon Jan 8, 1945

Got card & gift for Elayne at noon. Snowed hard & blowing this eve. pretty bad. Wrote to Duane in eve. Sure lonesome.

Sun Jan 7, 1945

Read some of letters from Duane in afternoon. Duane came at 5:00. Saw "Arsenic & Old Lace". Pretty good. Had just a perfectly wonderful eve.! Couldn't have been more perfect. Got last night straightened out - talked about getting married. Golly, I love him.

Sat Jan 6, 1945

Got off 2:10. Went to mother's & washed hair. Duane came down this eve. but didn't go anywhere. He left before the folks went to bed & that sorta made me mad. 1st time we've ever said good-night when still mad. Don't like it. Grandma here.

Fri Jan 5, 1945

"Gen" & I worked tonight. Evelyn has been mad but got her in good humor this eve. "Gen" going to Texas latter part of mo. to marry Jim. Daddy came after me. Got invitation to shower for Elayne at L. Kilser's Tues. night.

Thurs Jan 4, 1945

Had blue dress laid back. Duane & I went to show with his aunt & uncle. Saw "Ghost of Canterville". Cute. Duane really thinks he will have to go when he's 18. We talked everything over. Just makes empty feelings inside to think of his going. Cried. Feel better now though. At mother's all night.

Wed Jan 3, 1945

"Son" White & Elayne Barclay married this eve. "Gen's" birthday. Evelyn & I got her slip. Looked all over for Daddy some overshoes this eve. but no luck. Announced that farmers to be taken into Service. I hope Duane doesn't have to go - not that he's better than anyone else but . . . I love him.

Tues Jan 2, 1945

Busy day but could have been worse. Cold - not windy like yesterday. Plenty tired this eve. - bet Duane is too. Fixed hair different. An awfully lonesome eve. - 2 whole nights yet. Listened to radio programs, put up hair, and to bed. Wish . . .

Mon Jan 1, 1945

(Please note - I type each entry as it is written exactly in grandma's diaries. Keep that in mind as you read each entry.)

At Lyn's till she left about 3:00. Duane down about 6:00. Took Edna & "Nean" to show with us. Had a long talk - had about 2 hrs. together before Duane left at 12:00. Our anniversary -- 1 yr, 7 mos. Really cold - awfully windy. Had a lot to do but didn't get much done.

This is for you.

It is for my family, especially my cousins, that I do this. Hope you enjoy reading pieces of grandma and grandpa's history as I know I will enjoy reading and typing it out for you. This is my gift to you. I think both grandma and grandpa would appreciate my sharing a small piece of their lives with you, and I think that is why grandma wrote in a journal, so one day we could live a part of her and grandpa's history. I am also planning on scanning every picture that I can for you and burning all onto a CD for all to have, even the great-grandchildren, if they so desire to have one. Enjoy this daily journey into our family's history. I don't think there are many families out there who have such an amazing collection of memories from generations past. We are really blessed. Thank you, Grandma.

Love,
Valerie