July 23-July 31

{ All these pages have been torn out. Interesting... }

Sun July 22, 1945

Grandma here. Collie died. Judy, Lyn, Gen, Lorene, Lorraine & I to S.S. picnic. Came sick this morn. & just felt terrible. Couldn't eat. Broke out in cold sweat -- cried. Laid out on beach. Read hot but only there about 1-1/2 hours. Duane & I saw "Diamond Horseshoe" tonight. Pretty good. Didn't feel so good this eve, either. Rode around, ate and home.

Sat July 21, 1945

Drove car in to garage. Brought grandma & Lynette home. Took Lorene home. Slept from 6:00 til 7:40. Duane didn't get down till 10:15. Went to sleep with his head in my lap. Felt like something wrong this eve. Guess it's just me. A big collie dog lay out by our hedge this eve. It was hurt. Daddy gave it some water.

Fri July 20, 1945

Lorene fixed my hair on top of head. Liked it. Evelyn had toothache this aft. so Dorothy worked with me. Had a nice time. Swell talking to her for a change. Had I.D. bracelet laid back for Aug. 19. Went with Gen at noon to buy her China. Really pretty. Daddy met me after work. Washed hair.

Thurs July 19, 1945

At last - gee, this week has seemed so long. Slept at noon. Everyone was tired. Duane came down about 8:30 - just in from field - took Daddy to town after car & then out to Duane's so he could eat & get cleaned up. Duane is so swell. Gee, it was grand being together. Had a wonderful time. Laid out in yard on blanket - went to sleep.

Wed July 18, 1945

Well, the shower was quite a success. "Gen" & I bought Mother a corsage. Lorene got so many nice things & the girls from Springfield, etc. were so swell. I loved bunco. Had fruit salad, cake, nut cups for refreshments. To bed about 12:00. Glad it's all over.

Tues July 17, 1945

"Gen" & I bought a few last minute details for shower. Stayed with Mother all night. Went to Lorene's, Dorothy's to get card tables, etc. Mother & I read awhile then to bed early. Golly, ~~~~ I'm lonesome.

Mon July 16, 1945

Pretty light day for Mon. Lonesome as would be. Didn't feel so good - kinda droopy. Can't see Duane till Thurs. Gee, that seems a long way off. Party at Bill Parr's tonight but D. didn't think should go out tonight. Sure feel awful about it. Hope he didn't think too much about it. Read Duane's old letters.

Sun July 15, 1945

Went to S.S. Washed & ironed this aft. John Rucker called this morn. Duane came about 6:30. Saw "Without Love". Really swell! Ate & home. I didn't feel so good & felt kinda doubtful but Duane helped me & feel much better. Cried though. Duane said he didn't believe in God. Wish he did. Would make him & me both feel better. He says the sweetest darn things & he can do so much for me. Ah, I love him!!!

Sat July 14, 1945

{The writing is really faded in this entry and her writing really sloppy, so I'm not sure if I'm interpreting correctly.}

Drove Kirby's car in this morn. & I dented a fender. Didn't say anything but I sure felt awful. Lyn & I ate at Park Inn this aft. & went to her Aunt Lennie's & then home. Duane down about 8:30. To Illini. Met J. Ruskin's girl, Joan Longsdorff -- very sweet & cute. Also Alan Jones & Helen Crabtree. Had a little feud but got over it quick. Felt kinda droopy but had a swell time. We were so close!!!! Was beautiful.

Fri July 13, 1945

Pay-day. Bought prizes, etc. for Wed. night. Saw Mrs. Wallace, Edythe, & Barb -- also Jackie. He's the sweetest thing. Bought roll of film for Mrs. Wallace. Washed hair, plucked eyebrows, cleaned shoes, & washed some dresses. Got letter from Carl Riley.

Thurs July 12, 1945

So tired today. Don't know why. Duane came down about 8:30. Went to Garfield playground to see Gley (?) & Mildred. Ate and had another perfectly wonderful eve. He's so darn swell, sweet, wonderful, & do I love him! Some of the conversations we have!! It's swell -- love.

Wed July 11, 1945

Duane called this morn. Went to doctor for physical exam. Have to take douches and pills. Had blood test and everything. Went out to grandma's to see Aunt Jesse. She's really nice. [more about douches...]

Tues July 10, 1945

Girls at bank had picnic for Lorene at Nelson Park. Quite a bit of fun but sure tired. Lorene liked her dishes a lot. Danced at beach house. Spilled orange on Lorene's dress. Gen's swell. Stayed all night with Mother.

Mon July 9, 1945

Tired. Hair so sticky from water. Addressed invitations to shower. Ruth's kids in town. Wrote letter to Duane this morn & to Carl Riley this eve. Got letter from Wayne Morgan & card from Dorothy June. Bill Parr here few min. this eve.

Sun July 8, 1945

"Gen", Lorene, & I to beach at noon. Got sunburn a little. Saw Betty, Duane, Bob F., and Mugs Allsup came about 2:30. Went in water. Duane sure "ducked" me. Had so much fun!!! "Mugs" had to go home at 6:30 so the 3 of us went to show. Saw V. Johnson in "Between Two Women". Swell. Bob called us Mom & Pop & he was Jr. We're crazy little morons but we like it.

Sat July 7, 1945

Grandma here this eve. Daddy met me after work this aft. Took nap. Duane called & came down about 8:45. Went to Illini. Talked to Eddie M. Saw Evelyn & John. Had good time. Duane tired & me, too. Left about 10:30. Ate & to Mother's for night. Duane left about 12:00.

Fri July 6, 1945

My hearts still singing today but gee, I'm lonesome. Gen & I got invitation for Lorene's shower. Evelyn & I worked tonight -- Lorene, too. Went with Wanda after work to see dress she'd picked up. Daddy, Ruth, & kids met me.

Thurs July 5, 1945

Another busy day. Lorene got letter but he still wasn't in Calif. Wanda, "Gen", & I bought Lorene's dishes - gifts from girls of bank. Got letter from Jack Groves. Pressed some clothes. All I've been able to think about today has been Duane & the things he said last night. I'm afraid to be so happy.

July 4, 1945

Ironed all morn. Duane called twice this aft. Dedication of Honor Roll at Arg. this eve. but didn't go. This was the most wonderful eve. we've ever spent together! Went out to the beach, to the carnival, & to Arg later. All Duane talked about was me, us & how much he loves me & that made me so happy. He said some things I've been wanting to hear for a long time. Everything was perfect!!! Wore my new white eyelet. Duane teased me all eve. I'll never forget tonight.