Sun May 13, 1945

Celebrated Judy's birthday. She liked her dress & everything. Edna & I went to Baccalaureate this morn. I drove our car. Duane down this aft. & I had on shorts. Ah-oh-. Really a nice day. Went with John & Evelyn. Saw "Winged Victory". Swell! Duane went to sleep with his head in my lap & I slept coming home. He's so darn swell!! Everyone sorta quiet tonight! Got along well.

{I just found another blog diary from the same time period in which the same movie was mentioned -- Winged Victory. What a neat find. Adding this site to the blogroll!}

Sat May 12, 1945

Went with "Gen" after work to buy pr. of shoes. To Mother's this aft. She liked Tabu. Duane came after me about 8:15. Went out & walked around carnival. Went to dance at Illini. Evelyn, John, Dorothy R & Paul Hupp there. It was swell. Ate at Steak n Shake. They were there, too. Really got along well.

{random photos}

{I'm sure all of these I have posted before, but it's sometimes fun to see them again -- enjoy! I am hoping after the holidays I can start scanning more again to share. It just takes so much time. I'm glad I have the opportunity just to post again. Thanks for all the positive feedback in reponse to "grandma's diary" coming back.}

Fri May 11, 1945

Lorene went with me at noon - bought dress for Judy's birthday & dickey for Ruth for Mother's Day. Evelyn & I worked this eve. Went to supper with Eileen Mc. She's a "scream". Got out about 8:30. Stayed all night with Mother. Washed hair.

Thurs May 10, 1945

Was sick this aft. Worse cramps I have had in ages. Evelyn sick. Dorothy is going with Paul Hupp Sat. night. Mrs. Miller was here this eve. Bought some cards up uptown. "Gen" & I to lunch together. She, Lorene & I talked after work.

Wed May 9, 1945

Duane came about 7:00 & (I was) just washing. Drove out by carnival, then to show. Saw "The Invisible Man's Revenge" & "I Belong To You". Everything was just about perfect tonight. We acted kinda silly part of time, but Duane was so sweet to me. Oh, I hope.

Tues May 8, 1945 V-E Day

Time cover on May 7th, 1945.

This is V-E Day. It's great but pray and hope for complete victory soon. My other wk of vacation is Aug 20-26. Finished letter to "Zombie" & wrote letter to Duane. Folks in town. Piece in paper about "Zombie". Got some Mother's Day cards.

Mon May 7, 1945

Rained & cool. Germany surrendered unconditionally but V-E day not proclaimed as yet. Wonderful news. Busy day! Got pictures taken 2 wks ago Sun. Real good. At Likins awhile this eve. Called Duane. I've been so lonesome!!

{Finally! Sorry. . .}

. . . for the delay with posting. If Grandma's Diary isn't out where I can see it, I absolutely totally forget to post. And then it's just been so so so busy. Just trying to get settled here in a new town while re-establishing my business, starting Noah in school and being a stay-at-home-mommy all at the same time has been pretty difficult and very time-consuming. We also just had 3 birthdays (Noah turnd 4, Maia turned 2 and Neil turned 31 - gasp!) all last week (within 7 days). On top of that we threw a housewarming/Halloween/birthday party. Even though the parties have been fun and memorable, I am so so so thankful October is almost over. Not to mention that it's been difficult remembering 1 year ago. I miss grandpa so much, as I know we all do. 2 years ago he held Maia for the firs time. Last year we told him goodbye. I can't believe it was just last year that I held his hand as he left us. Life goes by so fast and we need to remember to really savour every single second. Our life here on Earth is just a tiny fraction of eternity.

I really really hope I haven't lost too many loyal readers.

Love,
Valerie
(Duane and Shirley's granddaughter)

Sun May 6, 1945

Swell day. Washed some clothes & ironed. Grandma here. Duane came about 6:30. Saw "To Have & Have Not". Pretty good. Saw Evelyn & John at Park Inn. Got along swell till got home. Duane was tired (took cattle to Pennfield this morn) & I don't know what was w rong with me but evidently something.

Sat May 5, 1945

Went to Mother's after work. Duane, John, Evelyn & I went to Illini. Out to Nelson Park first. Boys wouldn't go so Evelyn & I went walking. Duane got in my purse & made me mad. He really felt bad about it later. Evelyn & I dressed alike - wore new pinafores. Duane said was cute. Drove Duane's car in town so came home by ourselves. Got in about 1:00.

Fri May 4, 1945

Evelyn & I worked tonight. John & Duane met us. Went to Steak n Shake to eat. Got so mad at Duane. Even got out of car & cried -- I was so mad. It was a silly thing to do, but got everything straightened out & rest of eve. was swell. It really got John -- I don't think he's ever seen a girl cry before. I love Duane so much!

Thurs May 3, 1945

Jackie Mc called me this morn. about V-12 dance. Called Duane & talked to him about it but I knew he didn't want to go very much so I guess we won't. Wrote a letter to "Zombie". Has rained all day. Pinned up hem in Ruth's dress this eve. To bed early for a change.

Wed May 2, 1945

"Gen" ill. Just Evelyn & I on machines. Not so busy though. Lennie called Lorene last night & asked her to marry him when he comes home but her mother objects. Sure hope they can. German troops in Italy surrendered*. Grand news! Duane down this eve! - he & John Rucker. Said he had been thinking of me all day. Said was great, asked me when we were going to be married. Said could hardly wait. Gee, I'm so happy ---- I just can't believe. Am almost afraid to. But I'm sure he wouldn't say it if he didn't mean it.

* and Hitler dead!

May 1, 1945

"Gen" & I both had headaches this aft. Evelyn & "Gen" at each other's throats - practically. Duane came down & we saw "When the Light Go On Again." Swell. Got along grand. I went to sleep in car. Duane was really sweet to me.

Mon Apr 30, 1945

"Gen" knew right away this morn. that something was wrong. Dorothy on vacation. Evelyn & Gen aren't getting along so good. Edna came over this eve. & I cut her hair. Wrote Duane a letter. Not at all like last one but just the way I feel about everything.

Sun Apr 29, 2007

Ruth really liked all of her gifts. Bought her whip cream cake. Duane called this morn. & wanted me to come out. We walked through the fields to Dale & Edythe's in aft. Their home is really darling. Had a super wonderful time today. Took care of kids this eve. Duane went to show (I had seen it), then came back here. Something happened - we just didn't "click" this eve. He couldn't say exactly what he meant & what he did say hurt my feelings. Started out to be a wonderful day but tonight wasn't so good. Sure tired.

Sat Apr 28, 1945

Ruth's birthday but isn't opening presents till tomorrow. Got off work pretty early. Wanda N., Dorothy, Evelyn, "Gen", & I went bowling. Duane & I went to Illini. Really had a wonderful time!! Though we did have a quarrel about my going bowling. Duane is just a little jealous. See it's swell to be dancing with Duane's arms around me. Tonight was swell!! Lots of kids there. Talked to Jackie Mc. Invited to formal dance at Champaign May 11.

Fri Apr 27, 1945

Dorothy P got word last night that her brother had been severely wounded. Wanda Nelson & I bowled a game after work - made 84. Washed hair & wrapped Ruth's presents. To bed about 10:00.

Thurs Apr 26, 1945

Just another day at work. Very light. Ringworm coming back on hand. Duane came about 7:30. Saw "Something For the Boys". Saw Evelyn & John, too. Duane didn't put arm around me in the show & hurt my feelings but didn't say anything. Otherwise the eve. was especially wonderful. I just can't believe that I'm not dreaming - if I am, I don't want to wake up. Talked about book. Duane took it to read.

Wed. Apr 25, 1945

Lennie called Lorene last night & they got troubles straightened out. Sure glad. Evelyn called me this aft. Talked to Daddy over phone. Have been reading book about love & marriage. Have learned a lot. Rained this eve. Ed M. got home for 15 days.

Tues Apr 24, 1945

Evelyn on vacation this wk. Seems funny without her. Duane & I went to program at A.H.S. Real good. Gosh, tonight was swell. We had talk. He know that I believe in him & I'm going to try to make him believe in himself. He wrote me a letter & oh, gosh, everything was swell.

Mon Apr 23, 1945

{Some of this entry I either cannot read well or I don't know what she is talking about, but I write it as I see it. If anyone has any corrections, please do let me know.

By the way, I'm back after almost a month away! We are all moved in and still getting settled. But we love our new home and town. Glad to be back here with you.}

Put V.J. in Sav. Dept. Oh boy! Don in Proof. Pretty busy & gosh am I tired this eve. Talked to Lorene this eve. She's a good moral builder. Kids all seemed to like my hair. Ruth baked checkerboard cake. Pretty.

Sun Apr 22, 1945

Helped Daddy plant potatoes. Duane, Johnny, & Ed in Decatur in aft. Harriet M. came down & we rode around at Argenta. Talked to "D" & other kids. Fun! We went with John Rucker & Evelyn. Saw "Objective, Burma!" Good but oh .... Herb Hupp killed in action in Germany Apr 6. It's so awful. Duane & I got into it in eve. Didn't end very good.

Sat Apr 21, 1945

4 girls alone with no help at all. Got along good. Got out at 2:00. Don got letter saying doesn't have to go May 1st. Got hair cut real short this aft. Sorta like it. Duane calls me "Zip". We took Evelyn & Bob Ferrill with us tonight. Went out to Nelson Park. Went through rock garden & messed around. Lots of fun. Then to Illini. Lots of kids there. Ed M. home. Sure looks swell. Had a nice eve.

Fri Apri 20, 1945

Gosh, a wonderful day. "Gen" & I worked tonight. Had lots of fun. Lorene working too. What conversations we had. Mother met me & went to show. Saw "Keep of the Kingdom". Wonderful!! Walked home. Stayed all night at Mother's. Tired.

Thurs Apr 19, 1945

Guess Bob F. is going with Evelyn Sat night. Delores knows it, too. Don Chapman got draft call today. Edna here awhile in eve. Bought pair non-rationed baby doll shoes. Cute, I think. Talked with Evelyn after work.

July 5th update from Val

{I apologize for not being on top of the diary like I had hoped to have been. You know how hectic summers can be. We were on vacation for one week, then I lost my hard drive on my desktop and now we close on our new house tomorrow and spend all weekend painting. Despite the frustrations with packing up what seems to be hundreds of never ending boxes, we are absolutely thrilled to be moving! It just makes everything else have to be put on "pause". Once we're settled I hope to be more diligent like I once was. Anyway, so here's a few entries to keep ya going. Don't give up on me!

And for those of you who haven't seen my kiddos in a while, here are some pictures of them over vacation. The other little girl in the pictures are my niece, Ella, who went on vacation with us, along with my in-laws, b-i-l, and two s-i-l's. We had the best time ever.






Thanks for looking! Grandpa sure was proud of these great-grandkids of his!}

Grandma won another award!

Look! Isn't this exciting?!

Linda, from Second Cup of Coffee, has awarded Grandma's Diary for this Blogger Reflection Award! Is it not the neatest?!

I feel so bad because I have not updated here at Grandma's Diary in over a week, but it's just been so impossible to with having been on vacation and then just being so so busy (basically both at home and at "work") packing boxes in order to move into our new home. But don't worry, entries (and myself) will return. I promise!

Anyway, I was taken for a (shockingly flattering exciting) surprise when she told me this. Thank you, Linda, for giving Grandma and her generation recognition they so greatly deserve.

:c)

Update from Grand-daughter land!

{Sorry I have not updated in such a long time. We put our house on the market and thankfully it sold in 9 days, but that's much faster than we ever dreamed it would! Now my family and I are off on vacation tomorrow out east (Sea Island, GA, anyone been there?! I absolutely cannot wait!) but first today I shoot an all-day wedding. I seriously don't know how I will be ready for tomorrow, but hopefully if I put my mind to it, I can do it. Anyhow, I just wanted to let everyone know where I've been and where I'm off to so that you don't give up on me and Grandma's Diary! Hopefully I can get some time once we're back and before we start packing boxes, painting rooms and moving to the new house. All that happens the middle of July. But I know how everyone is so busy this time of year, so hopefully you're all not sitting around wondering where I've been. Just wanted to tell you not to give up on this site because I'll be back strong in a few weeks. Take care and happy summer! In the meantime, here are a few new (well, old!) amazing pictures . . .

~ Valerie}

Here's another one of Grandma's mother . . .
These bottom two pictures came from a collage of pictures that had been scanned and put together, I think, for all grandpa's siblings and himself. So the quality isn't the best, but hopefully you can still enjoy. If you click on these picture, they will be blown up really large in your browser and then you can see faces and details much better.

This one here is a "Sears House", built by William E. Wallace - finished May 23, 1919. Sitting the picture is: Wm E. Wallace, Flossie Wallace, Sinah (?) Hester (Dawson) Wallace - Wm Wallace's mother, Ella (Evey) Wallace and Lewetta Wallace.

This one is titled "4 Generations". Sitting here is: George Washington McMillen (born on Pres Washington's b-day, hence the name), Charles David McMillen, Grace Ellen (McMillen) Wallace, and Russell Dale Wallace (grandpa's oldest brother). What truly amazing pictures, huh?!

Wed Apr 18, 1945

Got along by ourselves today & good. Ordered Edna's corsage for Fri. night. Bought purse for Ruth from Daddy & dress from me. Duane came down about 8:15. Went to show. Got along well except something happened which shouldn't. Don't know ~~~~~~~~~.

Tues Apr 17, 1945

We 4 girls again. Got along swell. Wanda N. helped quite a lot though. Got housecoat for Ruth's birthday from Daddy. Folks in town. Sure lonesome. Duane has been on my mind all day - naturally. Saw Delores W. & Dorothy Wisnant in Decatur.

Mon Apr 16, 1945

Back to work again. Virginia on vacation. Glad to be back. Kids seemed glad to see me. We 4 girls by ourselves but awfully busy. Had to have some help. Lorene talking about Lennie leaving. Gen heard from Jim & he's in France. Golly, I'm lonesome tonight. Talked with Gen this evening. Made me feel better, too. She understands.

Sun Apr 15, 1945

Ed M. home for today but didn't see him. Duane down awhile this morn. Had talk with Daddy this aft. about D. & I. Feel better now. We took John & Evelyn Rucker to show with us tonight. Saw "Lost in a Harem". Fair. Had a good time. Acted as if wasn't worried about anything, just having good time, & I didn't mention last night. Duane rather quiet. Asked me for date Wed. night. Oh, I love him.

Sat Apr 14, 1945

Ironed. At Edna's awhile this eve. Luther's here. Duane came about 8:15. Saw Bob Hope, M. Carroll in "My Favorite Blonde". Everything just "burst" tonight. Duane read that letter. Decided to "split-up" for a little while anyhow. Don't know what will happen. He just had to be sure. Cried so very hard & so did Duane. 1:45 when he left. Hardly slept all night long.

Fri Apr 13, 1945

Jeepers, what a day! Wrote letter to Duane. Told him exactly how things stand. I just don't feel that I can stand this much longer. Much news & comment about Pres. death. Edna here & Harriet M. brought me one of grad pictures. Really good!! Read & to bed. Rained.

Thurs Apr 12, 1945

Didn't do a whole lot today. Walked down road. Came home on 6:30 train. Pres. Roosevelt died. Terrible shock to everyone. Duane came after me about 10:00. Ate and then home. Seemed to get along pretty good but, golly, he just doesn't say anything at all about loving me or anything at all anymore. Cried myself to sleep.

Wed. April 11, 1945

Up about 8:00. Went with U. Mike to get & milk cows. Took walk down by spring & through pasture. Mother & Aunt Hazel picked greens. We listened to radio & played rummy in eve. Have had cramps all day. Washed, put up hair & to bed about 10.

Tues Apr 10, 1945

Daddy brought me in town & Mother & I came to Taylorville on 2:30 train. Aunt Hazel living on farm now. Have had a lot of fun. Out in barn, climbing fences, walking around, feeding chickens & other things. Lonely as heck tonight though. Uncle Mike works nights & Donna in town.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Mother & Daughter

This is grandma and her mother. I'm guessing early 1930's? Isn't it a fantastic picture? I know it's just a studio picture, but wow, it still speaks volumes, making it "wordless" to me. Check out other WW's here.

Mon Apr 9, 1945

Vacation has begun. Really cleaned room today - scrubbed furniture & polished & everything. Ironed too. Went with John Rucker & Evelyn R. 1st date. Saw "Sunday Dinner for a Soldier" & "The Fighting Lady". Real good. Really felt bad. Had cramps. Had a swell time this eve. Duane is so sweet to me. Have been kinda worried but have no reason.

Sun Apr 8, 1945

Helped Daddy out in yd. this morn. Was fun. Got my legs all scratched up. Didn't feel so good again this eve. Went with Bob F. & Delores W. Saw "Gypsy Wild-cat" & "Step Lively". Both good. Had quite a bit of fun. Ate & went home. Got in 11:30.

Sat Apr 7, 1945

Saw Miss Vanderneer uptown. Didn't hardly know me with glasses. Looked for Ruth's birthday present. Duane & I went to "Jackie" Mc's house. Johnny there, of course. Had so much fun!!! Played Slap & Bunco & danced. Danced on porch part of the time. Went to the Mill for about 2 min. It's a mess. The eve. was so nice & had a wonderful time. Got in about 12:30.

Fri Apr 6, 1945

Pretty busy again today. "Jackie" McKinney called me this morn. Mary Manning borrowed blue formal. Sure was skin-tight. Went to play (Jr.) at Argenta. Real good. "D" wore my red formal. Didn't feel so good. Duane left pretty early (10:30). Ruined my good hose. Cried.

Bob Ferrill wants to go with Evelyn.

Wordless Wednesday ~ 77 years ago

Her and grandpa both would have been 80 this year . . . :(
Oh how I miss them . . .

You Always Hurt the One You Love

As we just found out, grandma and grandpa's "song" was You Always Hurt the One You Love. A friend of mine was thrilled for me that I was able to discover "their song". She's right. What a gift it is.

I found out a little more about the song, too. It was preformed by The Mills Brothers in 1944 and then in 1945 by Spike Jones & His City Slickers. But more recently it has also been sung by Willie Nelson and Michael Buble among many many more! Now I must go find it on itunes!

Anyway, here's some of the words:

You always hurt the one you love
The one you shouldn't hurt at all
You always take the sweetest rose
And crush it till the petals fall
You always break the kindest heart
With a hasty word you can't recall
So If I broke your heart last night,
It's because I love you most of all.


And here is a clip of it being sung . . . so sweet it is!

April 5, 1945

Lorene brought "Lennie's" picture. He's cute! Wrote letter to Bill Parr. Bought music to our song - we want to keep it. Bunch of young squirts here this eve. Washed hair, washed some things, & did a little sewing. Dwight Hartman (?) is home.

Apr 4, 1945

Pretty busy wk. so far. We girls had fun just conversing this noon. Duane came about 8:00 and we went to Illini. Al Karelin (?) there. Pretty good. Really had a super time. Talked to Johnny & Jackie quite a lot. We talked about our song "You Always Hurt the One You Love". Gosh, Duane is so sweet & tonight was so much nicer than has been. Gave Duane his sweater.

Apr 3, 1945

Gosh, another day without seeing Duane. Lonesome as heck. Edna here for awhile in eve. Folks in town. Delores borrowed formal for Fri. night. Ironed, went to bed & read. Got letter from "Zombie".

Mon Apr 2, 1945

Golly, this has been a lonely day! Rained all last night & part of today. Busy day. Washed Duane's sweater & some things tonight. Put up hair & went to bed. Jack Groves in hospital with scarlet fever. Evelyn got another letter from Jack.