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.

Wordless Wednesday ~ "Daddy"

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

Sun Apr 1, 1945

Lyn's birthday & Easter. Went to S.S. Rained. Daddy gave me box of candy. Lyn home. Came home with me for a while. Did some sewing. We took Judy to show with us this eve. Saw "Here Come the Waves". Swell. Duane liked my dress but didn't say anything about hat. Have gone "steady" 22 mo. today. Got home early but Duane left about 11:00. Didn't get along so good. I just can't seem to believe that he really loves me.

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.

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.

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.

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.}

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.

FYI . . .

"Who's Who" has been updated again :c)

(Thanks, Susan!)

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!

An award????

Wow, this is sooooo exciting!!

One of my very best friends, Alexis, an avid reader with a strong love for Grandma's Diary, has nominated it for a huge award, "The Best Blog of All Time"! This contest is a real thing and the winners will be announced in Orlando, FL at the Blogger's Choice Awards. What a huge honor this is to even be nominated. But what a tribute it would be to grandma if her blog WON!

To vote, all you have to do is go to this link ----> here or you can click on the Blogger's Choice Award badge in the sidebar, which will also direct you to it. Then once you arrive, just vote! You can only vote one time. So, once you do, if you feel this blog deserves it, pass the word along! It will only get votes if the blog is noticed and liked. So let's work hard to make grandma a winner, I think it would be really "swell"! (As grandma would have put it.) :c)

Added later *Anissa plugged me, so I'm plugging her (and thanking her!) for plugging me!*

Things that make you smile

I just discovered that Grandma's Diary has been linked yet again! It makes me grin from ear-to-ear. How exciting!! Thank you, Genealogue! See the article here <---- click on me.

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 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.

Sun Mar 11, 1945

Warm out. Got to see daddy. Duane came out at 5:40. Saw "Hollywood Canteen". Very good! Saw Dale, Edythe, & Gene T. there. Gene really looked good! Had quite a time tonight. Duane thinks he doesn't treat me right & that he's not the one for me . . . & that just won't work. I cried - said he couldn't stand it - said that his mother & I were 2 women he loved most in the world. Said lots of sweet things. But, golly, I don't know what to do.

{Dale is grandpa Duane's brother and Edythe is his girlfriend. Edythe and Dale will one day be married.}

Sat Mar 10, 1945

Really like spring yesterday & today. Went to Mother's after work. Laid down & slept till 5:45. Duane came after me about 8:45. Went to Illini. Dorothy & Evelyn there. Had fun but not as much as Tues. Felt that something was wrong.

Fri Mar 9, 1945

Evelyn sure talks about Jack a lot. She really seems to like him. Evelyn & I worked this eve. Had fun. She, Dorothy, & I danced a while downstairs after work in aft. Went to Mother's & stayed all night. Washed hair & to bed. Kinda tired.

Thurs Mar 8, 1945

Duane came down this eve. & we went to see "The Very Thought of You". Was really swell!! Reeally had a wonderful time! Ate at Park Inn. Sang songs & acted rather silly for a while, but, golly. Duane is wonderful!!!!!

Wed Mar 7, 1945

"Gen" talking about Jim & her wedding experiences. Wish I had some to tell. Evelyn saw Bob off this morn. She & I got pinafores alike this eve. Jeepers, wish Duane would call or would get a letter tomorrow. Had bank meeting this aft. about Red Cross. Washed some clothes, put up hair, and to bed. Stayed up till Daddy got home this morn.