{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.}

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?!

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.

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.

Wordless Wednesday ~ "Daddy"

Grandma's daddy who she talks about quite often in her diary.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Beautiful Young Grandma

For Wordless Wednesday, more photos of grandma as a little girl. Do you ever wonder what colors people are wearing in old photos? I always picture grandma in pink dresses because that was her favorite color. :)

There is no way I can go absolute "wordless" with photos that speak as much as these do. I can't help but notice little things like in the photo above . . . the brick road, the huge metal basket on the front of the big bike . . .
And then look at this one . . . the car in background . . . are they on a picnic, at the lake, beach? And the man standing in front of that car, that is her "Daddy". Makes me smile. She loved him so much.

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.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Bathing Beauty

grandma looking fabulous in her bathing suit . . . I am guessing this was taken at Decatur Lake in the middle 40's

{Wordless Wednesday is something I participate in at my blog, Purple Valley, and thought since I've got some fabulous pictures of grandma & grandpa, that this would be a great way to share with all. You can see more WW photos at 5 Minutes for Mom. Check out my friend, Amanda, as she always showcases old photos of her family's from around the same time as Grandma's Diary.}

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.

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!}

Grandma, Nean & Barb

This is a neat picture because of the cars you see in the background, but mostly because it's grandma (on the left) with grandpa's sisters, Norma Jean ("Nean") & Barb.

Barb is in the hospital right now in Chicago as she suffered a brain aneurysm April 6th. She had surgery the following day (survived!) and is now in the ICU at Northwestern hospital. Cousin, Lori, has been posting updates on her condition at the blog she developed for Barb here.

I have a feeling Barb will come through this. I know these days right now are the most critical for her, and that the biggest fear is a stroke, but she is strong . . . she is a Wallace.

I mentioned in Barb's blog, in the comments section, that my dad (also a Wallace) suffered a brain aneurysm when I was in 7th grade. Reading it made a lot of memories come back for myself and for mom and I know even more so for dad. I am sure he can relate to what Barb is going through and I hope one day they can share their experiences. Dad was in ICU for 2 weeks and in the hospital total for 31 days. It's difficult to go back and remember this time, but at the same time I see it as encouraging because, as I said, Dad is a Wallace and he pulled through like most Wallaces seem to do! He has that diligence that Barb has along with a strong relationship with God, which I think (no, I know) is proof that she will get through this also.

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.

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.

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.

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 )

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?

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.