Tues Mar 6, 1945

"Gen" back to work. It was swell!! Duane and I went to Illini. - 1st time. Really had a wonderful time!!! Billy Bishop there. Duane really enjoyed it, too. Is getting to be a good dancer. Was really swell! Before we left Duane came in bedroom & saw me in slip. Acted kinda mad but wasn't so much. Duane wanted me to write something cute, but kinda crazy that he said that this eve. - "I'm going to wash my hands and comb my hair." Gee, I hope he loves me as much as I do him.

Growing!

We've been linked over and over! How exciting that Grandma's Diary is growing so. I'm thrilled!

Mon Mar 5, 1945

All Evelyn could talk about was Jack. He leave Tues. morn. "Gen" at bank - starts work tomorrow. Daddy started in nights this eve. Called Duane to see how he was. O.k. - he said. Rained & hailed. Read this eve. Really warm last few days.

Sun. Mar 4, 1945

At Edna's this aft. Edna, H.M., & I went walking. Like old times. Lyn here this morn., went with G. Malone last night. Must have been wonderful. D. & I went with Jack & Evelyn. Saw "Woman In the Window". Real good. Duane was sick. He didn't feel good at all. Laid with head in my lap & slept most of eve. He's so sweet. Had fun. To bed at 1:00. J. & E. swell.

Sat Mar 3, 1945

All Evelyn talked about today was Jack. I know he liked her a lot too. Don't know what she's going to do about Bob. Went to Mother's in aft. Washed hair. Edna here a while in eve. Grandma here for week-end. Wrote letter to Duane.

Fri Mar 2, 1945

Really had fun tonight. Evelyn & Jack went together on a "blind date" with us. Saw "Kismet". Loads of fun. They really seemed to like each other. Have a date for Sun. night. Went out to rock garden but couldn't go through. [At Nelson park perhaps?] Ate at The Five Hundred. Nice. Got to bed about 12:45.

Thurs Mar 1, 1945

Gone "steady" 21 mo. today. Evelyn & I bought cross for Dorothy for birthday. It's really pretty. Really nice out today. "Gertie" Elston here for supper & all eve. Edna Mae over for a while too.

FYI . . .

Some facts were corrected in "Who's Who".

(Thanks!)

Cyndi's List

We made it onto Cyndi's List, a genealogical online resource.
Check it out!
(Scroll down and Grandma's Diary is under March 20, 2007)

Wed Feb 28, 1945

Marguerite & Willard have split up again. Duane came down about 8:15. Got car fixed - took a little ride but were home most of eve. We both cut-up and acted kinda silly at first. Tonight was really wonderful!! Duane acted & talked like he used to. Talked about getting married & our children. Duane said his grandpa likes me. He said I were nice & darn cute. Really made me feel good. Didn't get to bed until 2:00. Marguerite gave me crocheted dutch cap.

Tues Feb 27, 1945

Argenta played Bloomington in Regional at Clinton today. Rather dull day - not much happening. Lorene's birthday. Liked friendship bracelet. Wrote letter to "Zombie". Daddy got put on nights. Won't get to see much of him now. Not going to like that. Starts Mon. Lonesome -- plenty.

Mon Feb 26, 1945

Gee, I'm lonesome & have been all day. Evelyn & I went to sleep at noon. Duane was going to take car to garage to be worked on. Wonder how he came out. Daddy went to town. Got letter & picture from Zombie. Really good. Washed some things, put up hair, listened to radio, & to bed.

1940's photo booth pictures

Here are more photo booth pictures. I just love them. I am not really sure of the time frame of any of them except for the ones of grandpa are from August of 1945. The girl is grandma. The one at the bottom left is grandma's little brother, Bud. Isn't he a cutie? Down in the "Who's Who?" post, I mention him.

Who's Who?

I have had a lot of people questioning who certain people are. And so since we have so many people reading this blog now who are not related, I thought I would explain the names of the people mentioned (with any and all other information I feel could be pertinent) so you can grasp the "story" and get to know my Wallace-Duncan-Pope family better.

(If anyone has anything I can add, please email me. And if I have any facts wrong, please feel free to correct me!)

• Grandma's first name is "Shirley"
  
• Duane: grandma's boyfriend in the diary, who will later become my grandpa, or I guess I should say, I will later become his granddaughter!
  
• Grandpa is a "Wallace", and the Wallace family are spoken of quite often. Grandpa had 7 other siblings with a very wide age range: Dale, Grandpa (Duane), Norma Jean, Barb, Mary Louise, Richard, Edwin, and Jack. Grandpa was the 2nd oldest, at around 18 yrs old, in the diary, and the youngest was Jack, who was born in December of '44 so he would be 2 months old.
• Both grandma and grandpa went to Argenta High School
• Grandma's mother (Nellie) and father divorced when my grandma was 5. She lived with her father (Mr. Duncan) in neighboring Oreana. Her dad was married to Ruth. Her mom will marry later (a great man I will get to know later as "grandpa Pope")
  
• Grandma talks a lot of her friends: "Gen", Dorothy, Evelyn, and so on . . .
• Grandma worked at Millikin Bank in Decatur
• When this diary began, grandpa was working at a coal mine. Right now, in the diary, he is no longer working there. He will soon begin as a full-time farmer just like his father.
  
• Grandma had two 1/2 siblings, Judy and Bud (will later have more)
• Edythe is Dale's girlfriend in the diary and they will later marry
  

I am going to "sticky" this list in the side bar and update it as I need to. So check back!

Class of 1944 . . . and the legacy continues . . .

I've metioned before that grandma and grandpa went to the same high school. This is their senior class picture. I circled them. What I personally find really neat is that I went to the same school and graduated in 1994, exactly 50 years after they did. I walked the same halls, sat in the same class rooms and sat in the same gym. (My husband also went to this school - he and I were "high school sweethearts" like my grandparents were.) Unfortunately, the school is no longer there, but I'm so proud to say I helped carry on the Wallace legacy for many years in that school. Of course there were lots of us Wallace's between grandma & grandpa and myself . . . and there will continue to be more Wallace's in the new school with my cousin, Andy, living in the area and putting his own children through school there as well.

1945 Dealer's Warranty

Remember the Ford Deluxe car that grandpa bought in Feb 1945 that grandma talked about? Here is the dealer warranty for that car. Check out the price grandpa purchased it for!

Sun Feb 25, 1945

Don't feel any different being 18. Duane came down about 5:45. Started to town but decided better not drive car till is fixed. Went to Wallace's. Really did have a swell time!! Just the girls there most of eve. Played with Jack. So sweet. Duane can say some beautiful things. Seems like I'm always seeing a new side of him. It's wonderful --- love. I mean, Duane is the most wonderful person in the world! I know that.

How neat.

Really quick. . .

I have been featured at a site called 5 Minutes for Mom, which is a big site in the motherhood world, "bringing moms the best in blogging, shopping, parenting and entertainment". What I really love about it is that it's a Christian site, and the two girls that run it are not only moms, but stay-at-home moms with small businesses (and blogs) like me! Anyway, please take time to look at the article and then roam the site. (I love it there. I even got Anissa to be a part of a the group!) I'm just really flattered and I think grandma and grandpa both would be as well knowing that even more of the world is getting to know a little more about them . . . and more about all of us. They both would be tickled to death.

By the way, if you go to the sidebar column here at Grandma's Diary, near the bottom of it you will find a world map. The red dots on it show where all the visitors who read the blog are from. I didn't start the map until this past week, so we're missing a thousand or so visitors, but for now on it should keep good track. I find it pretty interesting so I wanted to point that out and share it with you.

Looking back some more . . .

[I'm going out of town for a few days . . . so in the meantime, down memory lane with more pictures . . . I'll be back next week, so check in then! ~ Val]

Is this grandpa's car? I thought his was cream, this does not look cream to me? Maybe his daddy's car?

Not sure where this was taken? Possibly Niagra Falls? Anyone know?

Isn't this a great one of grandpa? Boy, was he handsome! (And still handsome when I last saw him . . . but wow, look at him here . . . that smile . . . one I will never ever forget . . . Been missing you, grandpa, a lot and thinking about you a lot. I think it's because my birthday is upon us and you never ever forgot me . . . I'm still waiting on a card in the mail from you this year. Love you, one of your "girls", Valerie )

Sat Feb 24, 1945

[Grandma's Birthday today]Got off early - 2:00. Went to Victory & came home with Daddy. Got beautiful bracelet from Dorothy & Evelyn, "Singing Rain" ordered by Lorene, housecoat from Daddy & Ruth, and blouse from Judy & Buddy. Duane came after me before he went home. Spent the eve. at his house. Had fun. New car really swell but having a little trouble with it. Duane got me 8 piece Richard Hudnut (can't read her writing?) make-up kit in leather case. Really nice & do I like it! But I love him more. Had a swell birthday.

Fri Feb 23, 1945

Not as busy as thought would be. Evelyn & I worked tonight. Stayed all night at Mother's. Duane called me 4 times today - twice tonight. He got a car tonight. Boy, is he ever happy! - and me, too!! It's a 1939 Ford Tudor - cream colored. Can hardly wait to see it. Mother and I went to Luetta's awhile after work. Duane is getting so sweet.

Grandpa and that beautiful new car which he was so proud of!
Posted once already, I know. I need toget to scanning some more!

Thurs Feb 22, 1945

Mother & I were uptown all afternoon. Tog new slip & pr. brown sandals for birthday. Had dress for Easter laid away. Came home this eve. (Washed hair at Mother's.) Now at Grandma's & Luetta's. Washed clothes, ironed, put up hair. (Bank closed.)

I absolutely love this picture. It's a colorchrome photo and it's rare (from my findings) to find photos in color from this time. Isn't she lovely?

Wed Feb 21, 1945

Evelyn & I slept at noon. Duane called & woke me up. Stayed at Mother's all night. Called Duane & asked him to come over but instead went with Glen & Mildred. Started out to Wallaces but had to come back because of fog. Played pinochle & ate ice cream. Well, it happened. I couldn't help it. Duane talked to met about a lot of things but just couldn't talk. Afraid for him to think that I believe him too much.

Word getting out . . .

Word has been getting out about Grandma's Diary. Total stranger stopping by and enjoying our past. I welcome all visitors because it's such an honor sharing our history, which is in a sense, is everyone's history. Check out the comments throughout, especially below the entry Grandma as a Little Girl. People are so kind!

Tues Feb 20, 1945

Duane and I had 1st date 2 yrs ago tonight.

Decided not to give letter to Duane. Daddy took Evelyn, Dorothy, Duane & I out to Maroa game at Arg. Won 40-31. Dance afterwards. Really had a wonderful time & so did the girls! Danced with Duane, Bob L., Johnny R., D., & C. So swell being there again. Evelyn thought John Rucker cute. We acted all silly & had such a swell time. Wonderful dancing with Duane again.

Mon Feb 19, 1945

Rather sleepy, but, oh so happy! Been humming a certain song all day. Duane called this aft. Made me feel so good! Said had been thinking of me and wanted to call. Told me that this is last week at coal office. Am so glad - and I know he is too. Wrote letter to him in eve. Hope that wasn't wrong thing to do. "Gen" at bank. Went out with her at noon. She's leaving for N.C. tomorrow morn.

Grandma as a little girl.

Not having much time to work on the diary itself lately, I thought I'd share even more pictures from the past. I am just so fascinated by them . . . I hope you are as well. These below are more of grandma as a wee one . . . hope you are enjoying.

Please leave comments below sometimes so I know who visits. (. . . please?!) All you have to do is click on "comments" which resides below each post. It will guide you to a comment window. I don't think you have to "sign in" unless you have an account. You can comment anonymously even. It's pretty self-explanatory once you hit the comment link. I'd love comments because you've got to be thinking something when you see these old pictures! This is our past . . . and if you aren't related, it's still your past. This is how our ancestors lived. I find it extraordiary. I hope you do, too. Please share - this site is for everyone and a way for us all to stay connected.

Love ya all . . .
Valerie

Grandma, again, outside her home as a baby.

Grandma and her daddy. What a handsome man . . .

Grandma and her mother. She seemed so "proper". Some of you knew her. Tell me what she was like! (Wait, I think I posted this one before already . . . ah well . . .)

This old picture is one of my favorites. It shows so much. Look at the brick sidewalk, the tricycle, grandma's dress (how often do you see girls these days wearing stockings, mary janes and dresses when they play?), and the old wooden fence which you can see in the shadows. Priceless!

Yet again, the adorable toddler, our grandma.

Flashbacks in time . . .

Russell Wallace, grandpa's daddy, I'm guessing the very early 1900's?? Amazing picture.

The heart of Decatur . . . what is now West Main and Main Street, where the Transfer House was originally located in 1914. It is no longer there; was moved to Central Park years and years ago. The Decatur City Council is working to have it moved back to this original location.

Grandma Wallace (Shirley) as a baby girl . . . 1930's, with her baby doll.

This picture is just the neatest to me because I drive down this street almost daily. It's Monroe Street where grandma Wallace grew up. Her house is the one right above the bulldozer with vines all over the front porch. This was when they tore up the brick road, in 1941, and replaced it with cement.
Grandpa and his first car, the Ford Deluxe.

Grandma and Grandpa . . . such a nice looking couple. I think this was taken on Monroe, in front of grandma's house . . . you can see how the street is no longer brick.

The Wallace clan in the late 1960's (I think that is the right time frame??). Can you pick out everyone? Click on the picture and it should pull up in another window much larger.

Grandma and grandpa's farm in 1974.

This was at Chris's birthday in 1984. Check out Matt's socks and Skoal hat! I love it! (Sorry, Matt, I just had to throw this one in!)

Grandma and grandpa in 1992 at my Uncle Barry's wedding. Still such a beautiful couple . . .

Sun Feb 18, 1945

Duane down this morn. for a while. He is sweet to me. Came later about 5:45. Saw "Doughgirls". Fair. Ate at Brook's. Duane played "You Always Hurt the One You Love". Sure made a lump in my throat. I know he meant it. He said for me to write in my diary - "Duane always hurts the one he loves and he hurt me." I'm beginning to hope again that things will turn out like I've wanted them to. Hope I'm right. He has been wonderful to me. Both sorta dazed (? cannot read her writing again) & almost broke the promise to myself. We neither one could help it. To bed at 11:30!

A picture of grandma with her mother.

Sat Feb 17, 1945

"Light" day at bank. Duane called me at bank. Did that ever make me happy! No special reason - just called. Maybe I've got hope. Called from across the street - said had been waiting, thinking I might come out. Wish I could have. "Gen" at bank this morn. Is leaving for N.C. Tues. Gave me wedding picture. Very good. So sweet. Hope Duane is thinking of me a little.

Fri Feb 16, 1945

Got blue dress from Gushard's (?? Could not read her writing ??) & had another one laid back at Hecht's. Really cute. Sure a "light" day at bank. Met June at noon. Swell to talk to her again. Today not quite as bad but oh! - tonight has been awful!! Folks gone. Washed some things & listened to radio.

Love Letters

[Slowly I am stumbling upon more and more wonderful things from grandma & grandpa's past. Tonight it were love letters. I'm not sure the exact date that these were written, but I think around 1945 as grandma was working at Millikin National Bank - she wrote one letter on paper w/ this letterhead. Amazingly, grandpa wrote quite a few and he was pretty good with his words. Also, amazingly, they kept almost every letter or card ever written to each other. How sweet. And how lucky we all are today to be able to have them. So in love they were. I absolutely love reading these . . . ]

Mon. morn 8:55 A.M.

Golly, Honey, I hope you're as happy as I am this morning. My heart is so full of happiness that I feel as if I might burst if I don't say some of the things that I'm feeling. I don't know why I am so happy - - - unless it's because I'm in love. I know that's the reason. Isn't it funny, Darling, that it takes so little to make you happy when you're in love? Just to know that the one person in the world who means my whole life loves me - - - well, Honey, nothing could spoil the way I feel this morn.

I've never felt before just the same as I do this morning. I've felt lots of things before, Honey, but nothing ever as wonderful as this. Oh, Darling, I hope you know what I'm trying to say - - - there just aren't the words to say what I really feel - - - I think that's something you just have to know. This letter would sound awfully silly to someone who didn't understand but, Dearest, I think you will.

Honey, I wish you could know how much it means to me to know and to be able to be with a family like yours, but I know you can't. I can only say that - - - well, Darling, I can't really say what I mean - - - but it just gives me a feeling of everything being perfect. I can only hope that someday your mother and father and your brothers and sisters will love me just a little. I don't know whether I am or could be worthy of that, but I hope so, Honey, because that would really make me happy. I love them, Darling - - - of course, Honey, its in a different way than I love you, but I really do love them. I wish that in some way your folks could know how much it means to me to be there. Maybe they would love me a little more if they could know that.

Well, Dearest, I really must stop. I don't think there's anyone in the world as happy as I am. I hope you feel the same way, Darling. Please write, and I love you very much.

With All My Love Forever,
Shirley

Letter that grandpa wrote to grandma:

Dearest Darling Shirley,
I Love You.

I just got home from town a while ago. I had to take mom in because she was afraid to go by herself for fear of a flat (you know, one of those things like we had about a week ago.)

The girls & I have been wrestling all evening. They never hurt me but then I started wrestling with the two little boys & they just about knocked the devil out of me. Golly, Honey, but I'm lonesome for you tonight. Boy I'll be glad for the day when I can change that last name of yours (that is with your consent of course.) I sure hope you'll say yes. Honey, I really do love you aplenty.

I'm in bed. Richard's asleep here beside me (he's snoring as usual.)

Boring, aren't I??

I guess George & Helen have just about got their troubles straightened out, haven't they?

Gee, Honey, I hope that we never split up because I sure get a funny feeling that things aren't going so well & maybe you might quit me. I hope the day never comes when we find out that we don't love on another. Really, though, I don't think that day will come.

I'll Always Love You, Dearest,
Duane

Be dreaming of you . . .
Still love me, Darling??
Good night S.D. W.

Thurs Feb 15, 1945

Today has been terrible. Could hardly keep tears back. These days & nights are going to be bad but can do anything to gain Duane's love & make him want me for always. Had date tonight. Went out to his home. Just girls & baby there. Held baby for long time. Duane was so sweet & attentive. Almost like old times. Came home. Both went to sleep on davenport - not long though. One thing in particular is going to be different. Duane wanted it to happen ~~~ & so did I but I couldn't touch him that much if I wanted to - and I don't want to. Not exactly "trust" - I touch him even after everything. But I think that's partly what's been wrong.

Wed Feb 14, 1945

Stayed all night at Mother's. Off work at noon to go to Dale & Edythe's wedding. At U.B. Church at Argenta. Was very beautiful! Was formal & Edythe's dress beautiful! Duane "best man". Reception nice. Liked gift. Duane & I took them to station. Went to Chicago. Duane & I talked from 7:30 till 12:30. Knew something had been wrong. Said he loved me but wasn't sure of future. Will be hard to believe & trust him for a long time. Cried for long time. Want him to go with other girls & maybe will find out but won't do it. I love him so much & this is hard to take but I know I can make it. We're going to start all over and things are going to be different.

Tues Feb 13, 1945

What a day! Really busy. "Gen" home. Wonderful seeing her! Is home till she finds out where Jim is going to be. Met Mother at noon. Bought Damask luncheon cloth & napkins for Dale & Edythe. W.E. Duncans here a while. Duane suppose to call but didn't. (She later added:) - tonight either.

Mon Feb 12, 1945 - Lincoln's Birthday

Didn't work today. Washed blinds and cleaned room. Been wanting to do that for a long time. Went to town with Daddy to take Ruth & kids. "Mart" here in aft. & went to town with us. Heard that Ed M. had gotten an M.D. Sure hope so.

Grandma's Friends

Grandma talks a lot in her diary about Dorothy and Evelyn. Here they are in a newspaper clipping that I found:


And . . . I am pretty certain this is who "Gen" is(!):
(if you click on the pictures, they should open in a new window making it easy to read)

In the year 1945 . . .

I thought it might be fun to do an entry about happenings in the year 1945. I think most of us who read were not even born yet. It puts things more into perspective. Hard to believe sometimes how we are in the year 2007 and how our world, environment and society has changed. Hope you enjoy! ~ Valerie

(The following not necessarily in timely order)

• Yalta Conference (Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin) plans final defeat of Germany (Feb).
• Hitler commits suicide (April 30); Germany surrenders (May 7); May 8 is declared V-E Day. Background: World War II.
• Potsdam Conference (Truman, Churchill, Stalin) establishes basis of German reconstruction (July–Aug.).
• US drops atomic bombs on Japanese cities of Hiroshima (Aug. 6) and Nagasaki (Aug. 8). Background: nuclear weapons
• Japan signs official surrender on V-J Day (Sept. 2).
• FDR dies (April 12) and Harry S. Truman becomes president.
• Manhattan Project tests first atomic bomb in Alamogordo, New Mexico (July 16).
• A B-25 bomber flies into the Empire State Building, damaging the 78th and 79th floors and killing 13 (July 28).
• On 24 October 1945, the United Nations was officially founded, when the UN Charter had been ratified by a majority of the original 51 Member States.
• Mussolini's death
• January 17 - Holocaust: Nazis begin to evacuate from Auschwitz concentration camp.
• July 30 - WWII: The USS Indianapolis is hit and sunk by the Japanese submarine I-58. Some 900 survivors jump into the sea and are adrift for 4 days. Nearly 600 die before help arrives. Captain Charles B. McVay III is later court-martialed.

Economics

• US GDP (1998 dollars): $223.2 billion
• Federal spending: $92.71 billion
• Federal debt: $260.1 billion
• Dow Jones High/Low: 195/155
• Consumer Price Index: 18
• Unemployment: 1.9%
• Cost of a first-class stamp: $0.03

Popular Music

• Gene Autry, "At Mail Call Today"
• Bing Crosby, "Aren't You Glad You're You?"
• Judy Garland, "This Heart of Mine"
• King Cole Trio, "The King Cole Trio"
• Glenn Miller, "Glenn Miller"
• Carousel soundtrack
• Frank Sinatra, "Put Your Dreams Away"

Popular Movies

• Adventure
• Anna and the King of Siam
• Bandit of Sherwood Forest
• The Bells of St. Mary's
• Caesar and Cleopatra
• Canyon Passage
• The Dolly Sisters
• Dragonwyck
• Duffy's Tavern
• Easy to Wed

Academy Awards

• Best Picture: "The Lost Weekend"
• Best Director: Billy Wilder ... "The Lost Weekend"
• Best Actor: Ray Milland ... "The Lost Weekend"
• Best Actress: Joan Crawford ... "Mildred Pierce"

Most of my information above comes from Wikipedia.org and the History Channel.

Sun Feb 11, 1945

Went to S. S. First time in ages. Just about like Spring out. Went to Champaign in aft. with Mrs. Kirby to take Lyn back. She has a real nice room. Duane & I saw "Cobra Woman". Pretty good. Golly, I'll never forget tonight. Don't think D. will either. Can't explain.

Sat Feb 10, 1945

Got off work at 2:30. Evelyn & I went uptown awhile. Saw "Dot" & Betty. Went to Victory & came home with Daddy. Wrote 6 page letter to Duane. Made fudge. Real good.

Fri Feb 9, 1945

Had two summer dresses laid away at Hecht's. Really cute. Duane to see me at lake this aft. First time I've seen him since Sun. Evelyn & I worked tonight. Duane met me. Saw "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo". Very good. Cried. Duane really liked it. Came home. Was about 1:00 when he left, but hadn't been together for so long.

Monday Memo

[I am really slacking at posting grandma's entries. Forgive me. It's been hectic beyond words at home right now. Check out Purple Valley and you will see why. I am going to try and be better this week.]

Thurs Feb 8, 1945

Still haven't heard from "Gen". Stayed at Mother's. Washed my hair. Called Duane. He really sounded wonderful!! Said had a letter at home. Mother & I sat around & listened to the radio. Duane is feeling better (he said).

Wed Feb 7, 1945

Snowed, rained, & damp all day. Finished Letter to Duane at noon. Bought more Valentine's for kids in service, & lipstick. Got letters from Duane & "Zombie". Our car being worked on in Decatur. Wrote to Duane. Golly, I'm lonesome.

Tues Feb 6, 1945

Bought Valentine's after work. Duane called me. Has the flu & has been at home so won't see him for a while. Darn it anyhow! Ironed, pressed, & wrote to Duane. Gosh, Fri night is a long way off & maybe won't get to see Duane then.

Mon Feb 5, 1945

Duane didn't call so hope he's all right. Lyn home between semesters. Met her after work & she came home with me for the eve. Folks at Willard's for supper. We just sat and talked & listened to the radio. Some good programs. Still no word from "Gen".

Sun Feb 4, 1945

Rained & slick. Duane called about 10:30. Judy, Buddy, Aand I at his house for dinner & all aft. Had swell time. Took "Nean" & Barb with us to see "Can't Help Singing". Good! Duane didn't feel so good. Had a fever & thought he was getting the flu. Baby is sure sweet.

Sat Feb 3, 1945

Pretty busy day but got off about 2:30. Evelyn, Dorothy & I sat at lake & talked till 4:45. Kinda fun. "Gen" called Dorothy's sister when she got there so guess she's all right but wish we'd hear from her. Didn't do much of anything tonight. Pretty tired. Grandma here for week-end. W.E. Duncan's here. Willard got new teeth.

Fri Feb 2, 1945

Stayed all night at Mother's. Duane called & wanted me to come to his aunt's - so I did. His folks there a while. Duane wanted to see about car but was already sold. Was pretty disappointed. Had a swell time. Mother had club. In bed by 11:30.

I have to throw this in for fun because it's just SO FUN. Anissa took this picture at our last family Christmas gathering. These are grandma's children - my dad, Bill, my aunt, Susan, and my uncle, Jerry. I absolutely love this picture! I think both grandma and grandpa alike would love it as well.