Sat Mar 31, 1945

What a day! Really busy but had good luck. Got out about 4:00. Duane picked me up in town about 7:30. Rode around & went out to lake. He was talking to me about figure. Kinda made me feel good. Had fun. Went to dance at Illini about 9:00. Sure lots of kids we knew. Took Johnny R. & "Jackie" Mc to eat afterwards. Didn't get along so good after got home.

Fri Mar 30, 1945

Good Friday. Bank closed but worked from 8:00-9:30. Dorothy, Evelyn & I went to Springfield on bus. Rained. Went to show. Saw "Roughly Speaking". Really swell. Didn't find much of anything. Got pr. pants. Stayed all night at Mother's. Washed hair.

Thurs Mar 29, 1945

Duane & I took Charles & June with us tonight. Went to show. Saw "Three is a Family". Fair. Ate at Park Inn & sat in front of June's house till 12:25. Pretty late. Had a pretty good time. Charles doesn't seem to have changed a bit.

Wed Mar 28, 1945

Didn't feel so good today. Ordered corsage for Mother. Don got his draft call the other day. We kids are going to miss him. Golly, it's really swell today - so warm. Girls at bank having party for Janice Butt & Mary Vee B. Harris but didn't go.

Tues Mar 27, 1945

Had another round with Virginia this aft. Duane came about 8:00. Stayed home awhile (folks gone). Then went to town. Took a walk by the lake, ate and then back home. Starter (?) stuck and car had to be pushed & had flat tired when Duane got ready to leave here. Left about 1:30. Golly, tonight was really wonderful! Had such a swell time & Duane was so sweet.

Mon Mar 26, 1945

Warm but windy. Herb told me my vacation to be July 6-22 but may be changed. Wrote to Duane at noon & Evelyn to Jack. Called Duane this eve. Over talking to Edna awhile. Charles Amacher home. Would sure like to see him.

Sun Mar 25, 1945

Got letter from Duane. He really wants to go into Service. Rained part of day. Helped Daddy mow yard this aft. Had late dinner. Duane and John Rucker here a while in morn. Duane came about 6:00 & we saw "Till We Meet Again." Real good. Ate at Park Inn. Had sorta bad eve. Was mostly my fault, I guess. Cried & really felt awful.

Sat Mar 24, 1945

Evelyn got letter from Jack yesterday. Virginia really threw us off in about an hour she was here this morn. Out to Mother's in aft. She pinned up my Easter dress. We took Carl Riley & Mary with us tonight. Saw "Together Again". Not so good. Had pretty good time. Willard here about 1:00. Wanted me to meet his girl but wouldn't do it. Had on pajamas.

Fri Mar 23, 1945

"Herb" said something would be done about Virginia. "Gen" talked to him again today. So warm - just spring weather. Swell. Sure tired - bet Duane is too. He's working in the fields. Washed hair this eve.

Thurs Mar 22, 1945

Had big mix-up at bank with Virginia, of course. Something has to be done. Went to Hard Times bank party at Decatur Club. Swell food & more fun! Sat beside Don & we laughed most of the time. Really had fun! Duane came after Dorothy, Evelyn, & I about 9:00. Went to Illini - Don Reid's orchestra. Good but not as good as last one. Really love to dance with Duane. We both acted like silly little morons. Really had so much fun. Took girls home from dance. To bed at 1:30.

Wed Mar 21, 1945

Really having mix-up at bank - (not us) - people getting moved around. Got letter from Bill Parr. He's at sea. "Gen" & I had pictures taken at dime store. Pretty good. Johnny L. got hurt this eve. Bought Easter cards. Evelyn hasn't heard from Jack yet. She's been so darn grouchy.

Grandma and two of her friends: Delores Ferrill & June Ater.

Tues Mar 20, 1945

Rainy, windy & cool today. Duane came about 7:30. Took his folks with us. Saw "Ladies Courageous" and "Gangs, Inc." Good. Had more fun!! Ate at Fletcher's. Leaving there Duane put his arm around me and his dad said, "Oh-oh, I see where I should have driven home." They're swell!

Mon Mar 19, 1945

Rained so don't suppose Duane worked. Was going to work in fields. Got Judy's Easter dress: really felt good. We girls acted so darn silly but was fun. Willard & Marguerite have separated & Ruth said this eve. that he has got some girl he's been going with into trouble. Supposed to have only gone with her 3 wks. Really makes me feel terrible!

Sun Mar 18, 1945

Duane came after me about 12:30. At his house all day. Golly, but I love it there. I just enjoy myself so much. I know that Duane is most wonderful person in the world! Didn't go anywhere this eve. Came home pretty early. Girls were gone this eve. & just talked with his folks & played with baby (Jack). Gee, but it was wonderful!

Sat Mar 17, 1945

Went out to Mother's after work. Washed hair. Luetta in hospital & Mother is keeping Diane. Lyn home this week-end. Came down this eve. & went to Argenta with her. Then to her house for supper. Listened to games. Decatur played Champaign in State Finals & won 62-54. Is really wonderful!! What a time for them!

Fri Mar 16, 1945

Decatur beat Galesburg tonight in a very exciting game. Won 73-72. Got Easter dress outfit & hat today. Really a swell letter. Duane came home unexpectedly this eve. Is going to Champaign tomorrow & won't be down. Had a fuss to begin with - as usual. Had a wonderful time the rest of the eve. Just went riding but was really swell. Decided we're pretty darn dumb for quarreling so much. That won't stop us though.

Grandpa (middle), grandma (right) and Helen Crabtree. {thank you, Tisha, for letting me know!}

Thurs Mar 15, 1945

"Nean", "Barb", John Rucker, Duane & I went to St. Tournament at Champaign today. Was really thrilling & wonderful. We girls saw "Meet Me In St. Louis" in aft. Super! Decatur won. Bob Doster & D.H.S. broke records. Won $50 from D on Champaign's game. Called Lyn. Really had argument on way home. As a whole today was really super swell.

Wed Mar 14, 1945

Just got home & Mrs. Wallace stopped to take me out home with her. Really had a swell time tonight. Went with Duane to do chores. Have 8 little calves & little tiny pigs which are Duane's. At his house for supper & all eve. - then home. Gee, it was swell!

Tues Mar 13, 1945

Warm again today. Supposed to have date but Duane called this aft. & said hadn't got brakes fixed on car so couldn't drive it. Of all nights - darn it! Really lonely this eve. Ruth & kids in town & Daddy working. Sat. got post card from Chicago saying "Guess who?" Duane said was John Rucker's writing.

Mon Mar 12, 1945

Oh, this spring weather! Gee, all I can think about is Duane. Oh, I hope he loves me, but he's just got to believe that he's the one for me. He just has to. Dale's name in draft list in paper today. Gee, I'm tired. Didn't get to bed till 1:30 this morn. Duane broke window in car. Wrote to him.