April 1945

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April 1, 1945 (Sun)

Today's Easter and April Fool's Day. I was going to church, but Zimmerman's decided to go to 9:00 church instead of 11 so I wasn't ready. Mother and Dad sewed the sleeves in Dot's and mine housecoats (April Fool you know). Howard, Ahleen and the girls came over for dinner. Kay is getting so thin, everybody's pretty worried about her. Dot and I took some pictures of the kids and each other. Dot and I went to the show (Paramount) this afternoon and saw Our Hearts Were Young and Gay starring Gail Russel and Diana Lynn. It was really wonderful and so funny. I started reading the book Keys of the Kingdom. Jackie recommended it.

April 2, 1945 (Mon)

Ahh! Spring Vacation! How I love it! Didn't get up till eight. I'll admit I didn't work too hard. I straighten the bedrooms, ran the sweeper in the living room and washed dishes. I cut out my dress material. Its going to be fun making the dress. This evening I started sewing it and I had the waist two inches too long. It really looked funny. Ray and La Von came over for awhile this evening. Mother and Dad got a seven quart pressure cooker today. Its really a honey! They are awfully hard to get now. We've had our order in for months. We were lucky to get one.

April 3, 1945 (Tues)

I got up again at 8. I don't think I'll ever need an alarm clock. I always seem to wake up at 8 on the dot. I straighten the bedrooms up this morning and Margaret did a washing. I watched Marjorie and David while she did. Or as Marjorie would say, Marnie and Dabs. I got a letter from Dwight today dated Feb 10th. I did some more of the ironing I started yesterday. I'm so mad! This evening is ourformal banquet and inspection at Jobs Daughters and I have to go get sick. I cried and cried. I've been looking forward to it so and then I have to get sick. I'm really down in the dumps today. I wrote a letter to Dwight and finished reading Keys of the Kingdom. It's a wonderful book.

April 4, 1945 (Wed)

I guess I shouldn't brag on myself. I didn't wake up this morning until a quarter of 9. I straighten the bedrooms and the living room this morning and then sewed some more on my dress. After late lunch I washed the dishes and finished the ironing. I called Jackie and she wanted me to come down so I went down there for awhile. Jackie is having trouble with Gene. Now that he is in the Army Air Corp he keeps writing her mushy letters and yesterday he called her from camp. From what Jackie said I guess I didn't miss too much last night. I took care of Marge and Dave from 7 to 9:30. Made a dollar. My dress is getting to look like a dress now.

April 5, 1945 (Thurs)

Aunt Elma came in at a quarter of eight and I was still in bed asleep. Auntie did her washing here today while I sewed the sleeves in my dress. Dot called at noon. Jackie called me this morning so this afternoon we went downtown to the Emboyd and saw The Song of Bernadette. It was really wonderful! Pictures like that make you stop and think. Afterwards we went to Wolf and D's Fountain Room and had a sundae. This evening then Mother showed me how to make buttonholes so I made 6 of my 9 buttonholes on my dress. Then I washed my hair. Thats all. Night, diary.

April 6, 1945 (Fri)

I went downtown this morning and got my working permit . Took two rolls of film to Howard's and bought a pair of shoulder pads for my dress. I stopped into Neisners and talked to Janet Swinford for awhile. This afternoon I cleaned the bedrooms and straightened the living room. Then I finished making the buttonholes, sewed the buttons on and put the shoulder pads in my dress. Dot pinned the hem in for me. About 8 I went over to take care of Marjorie and David. Over there I put the hem in my dress and wrote a letter to Dwight. I got home about 11. Made a dollar and a barbecued beef sandwich

April 7, 1945 (Sat)

I didn't get up till 9 this morning. Kinda lazy. Margaret washed over here this morning so I watched Dave and Midge and cleaned the living room. I got a postcard from Gloria today. She was in Iowa this week. This afternoon I straightened the kitchen and bathroom and pressed my raincoat and dress. I also ironed some of the things Margaret washed this morning. Ahleen called and wanted me to come over and take care of the girls. So I got cleaned up and left here at 6. Ahleen met me at the end of the bus line at 7. I read to the kids and played games with them and put them to bed at 9. I stayed over there all night.

April 8, 1945 (Sun)

Georgia tried to wake me at 6 this morning, but I just ignored her and turned over and went back to sleep. But not for long, they all 3 crawled in bed with me so I got up. Howard and Ahleen brought me home about 10. Dot went down to Christmans today — Raymond leaves for the army service next week. This afternoon Jackie and I went downtown to the Paramount and saw "Thunderhead" starring Roddy McDowell. It was good. We window shopped for awhile; got home about 7. Roy, Lavon, Raymie and Elaine were over this evening and we had a fish fry. I wrote a letter to Dwight this evening. Faith and Gail Staphlet were over this afternoon (friends of Mother and Dad's).

April 9, 1945 (Mon)

Went back to school. Its so hard to go back after vacation. We had a test in Shorthand. I had 12 errors on my transcription. I made my 20 period filing certificate in Cl. Practice. I had 96 on the test. In Typing I had 43.9 wpm and 88% accuracy. We went outside 5th since it was such a nice day. We graded out Civics test and I made 94. Gloria and I went downtown after school and I bought material and pattern for another dress. It's cotton material and its white, green and black checked. This evening Margaret, the kids and I walked down to Zimmermans and Jackie and I did exercises. I have such an awful cough so I took a hot shower, put Vicks Vapo Rub and flannel on my throat, etc. Jackie Orr and Jackie Zimmerman both called me this evening. Al got a letter from Pauline today.

April 10, 1945 (Tues)

My cold was worse this morning so Mother said I had better stay home from school. All day I kept taking cough medicine, aspirins, and kept rubbing my throat with Vicks Vapo Rub. This morning I cut my dress out and this afternoon I washed the dishes, baked chocolate chip cookies, made ice cream and peeled potatoes and carrots for stew for supper. I got a letter from Dwight today dated March 17th and Dot got a letter from Bob. Dot went over to Howard and Ahleen's tonight. I was sewing in the living room, Dad was fixing a light plug and mother was cleaning the utility room when Aunt Elma and my cousin Lu Benson and son Charles (Chuck) from Erie, Pennsylvannia came. After they left I took care of Midge and David till after 11.

April 11, 1945 (Wed)

I guess I coughed most of the night and kept Mother and Dad awake so they wouldn't let me go to school today although I wanted to. I didn't get up till 8:30. My cold seems quite a bit better today. We were supposed to get out report cards in school today. I sewed on my dress most of the day. It was such a nice day that this evening the whole family worked in the yard. I mowed the front and back lawns both. Jackie came down and brought me my books and assignments so I studied my Shorthand and Civics. We didn't get our dishes done until after 9. Perfume like Dwight sent me was advertised in J. G. and it costs about $25 an ounce. Dwight sent me an ounce. Gosh, now I'll be scared to use it.

J.G. probably stands for the Journal Gazette which was the morning newspaper.

April 12, 1945 (Thurs)

Well, I went back to school today. I guess I'll have to stary out more often, everybody greets me with such enthusiasm. I made 92 wpm on my Shhd. test Mon. This afternoon - 6th we listened to Junior Dramatic Declamation - 7th the Senior. On my grade card I made Shhd. A, Typing B+, Cl. Practice 1 A, Cl. Practice (1A) A and Civics A - I guess the whole world was shocked by Pres. Roosevelt's death. It was so unsuspected; we've really lost a wonderful man. Like Dad says, it's almost like losing a member of our family. Since his death at 3:35 that's all that has been over the radio. Truman has been sworn in as President. It just doesn't seem possible that FDR is gone. Nobody would believe it as first and some still can't. As I said, he was a wonderful, wonderful man.

April 13, 1945 (Fri)

Even though it is Friday the 13th it has been a pretty good day. I've asked Mr. Mertes, Misses Cleary and Bosh and Mr. Kimer to be chapereons at the Junior Prom. All the flags are flying at half mast because of Pres. death and practically all the world is now in mourning. In Cl. Practice 4th I'm back at the comptomers. I typed 47.2 wpm with 89% accuracy today. We had an assembly 7th period and so no Civics class. Loring Campbell, a magician, gave the program and it was fairly good. As soon as I got home from school we got cleaned up and went out to Aunt Elma's for supper. LuLu, Ken (her husband) Chuck and Chris Adams (their cousin) were there yet. Aunt Elma gave me a pair of earrings for my birthday. They are very pretty, small round gold with a pearl in the center.

April 14, 1945 (Sat)

Got up at 7. Started to straighten the house and then left a little after 9 to go to the Harvester for my examination. I got there at 10. Honestly I answered more questions and then the doctor examined me and the nurse vaccinated me for smallpox. I left there at noon, saw Mother and Dad and Betty. I went downtown then and got a white (pleated all the way around) skirt from Dot and angora blouse from Mother and Dad. I went home and cleaned the house. Jackie, Dot, Glenna Tarvers (a friend of Dot's) and I went to the Paramount and saw "And Now Tomorrow" with Alan Ladd and Loretta Young. It was very good! Jackie gave me a white slip for my birthday. After the show we went to Hobby House. Got home about 11:30 and Jackie stayed all night.

April 15, 1945 (Sun)

Jackie was a little sick during the night, but felt quite a bit better by morning. We got up about 9. We put on slacks and just monkeyed around being lazy. About 12:30, Dot, Jackie and I walked down to the bus line after Glenna. About 1:30 we had my birthday dinner although my birthday isn't until tomorrow. We didn't do much this afternoon except talk and play and do exercises and play records. Jackie had to go take care of kids about 4. After she left I studied my Shorthand and Civics. About 7:30 Dot and I walked Glenna to the busline. It's cold and rainy today. I hope it warms up a little by tomorrow. After we got back I wrote a letter to Dwight and read some more of "Our Hearts Were Young and Gay". Its a good book.

April 16, 1945 (Mon)

I'm seventeen today. Rather I was 17 at 2:45 this afternoon. We had a test in Shorthand. Pretty hard. We are still filing in Cl. Practice 3rd and working on the comptometer 4th. We got to hear Pres. Truman's speech 4th. We had a Pan-American assembly in memory of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Gloria and I went downtown at noon to get my working permit and the place was closed. We just barely made it back to school. I had 47 wpm and 89% accuracy in Typing. After school I went down, got my working permit and referral card. Now I can start to work. This evening I shortened my white skirt and then pressed it and my new blouse. It rained the biggest share of the day. I don't feel any older. Night!

April 17, 1945 (Tues)

We got our Shorthand test back 1st period - I made 94. We are still filing in Cl. Practice 3rd and are working on the calculators. Oddra set the time clock for 5 hours instead of 5 minutes. I seem to have hurt one of my ribs somehow. A sharp pain is always shooting through it. In Civics class we had 2 movies on South America. After 7th period Betty and I dashed out, caught a bus and got to the Harvester about a quarter of 4. I went to the employment office and got my temporary badge. They sent Betty over after me and I rang in at 4:08. I met all the girls and they seem nice. I typed cards all four hours. We bought sandwiches, pop and pie. I got home about a quarter of 9. I think I'm going to like working at the Harvester.

April 18, 1945 (Wed)

I worked in the Lib. during homeroom. Jackie was sick again today. We got to go to the Senior Declamation Contest today first period. My rib is still awfully sore and Miss Waterson made me take Phys. Fitness anyway. I typed 46 wpm - 88% accuracy today. Golly, I wish I could get my accuracy up. We got to go see the Freshman Declamation Contest 7th period. Betty and I were late for work 8 minutes, but it wasn't our fault at all. I like the work better today than I did yesterday. The girls seemed more friendly. I got a letter from Dwight today dated April 5th. He is stationed at Le Harau, France. I washed my hair and studied my Shorthand. I think I'm going to the doctor tomorrow about my rib.

April 19, 1945 (Thurs)

I went to the Doctor this morning before I went to school and he said I probably had a cracked rib. He taped it and gave me some pills to ease the pain. We had a test in homeroom which lasted all of the 1st period too. I worked in the Library 2nd. Jackie didn't go to school again today. Gloria and I didn't go to Dramatics 5th. Betty and I got to work on time today. We rang in at 3:56. A South Side high school teacher started working there tonight. I received a letter from Dwight today dated March 31st. So I wrote him a letter this evening and studied my Shorthand and Civics. My vaccination is beginning to get sore now. Its 10:30 now so good-night, Diary.

April 20, 1945 (Fri)

Its quite a bit warmer today, naturally, I wore my winter coat to school. Gosh, nothing unusual happened at all in my classes this morning. At noon, though, Lucile came to school. Gosh, it was really wonderful, and she is so happy. Bill's coming home on furlough and they're going to have a Church wedding at St. Paul Lutheran. Oh gosh, I can hardly wait. I think I am about as nervous as Lucy. I only had 43 wpm on my typing test. I get worse and worse every day. I made 91 on a small test in Civics 7th. Oh, that Charles Patterson. He talks all the time in Civics - he never stops. I was 4 minutes late to work. We had a lot of fun. We didn't work very hard, but then we never do. I can sleep tomorrow morning, hurrah! My rib feels better, but vaccination is like a boil.

April 21, 1945 (Sat)

I got up at 7:30. This morning I cleaned the bedrooms and the living room. I called Betty and later she called me. Jackie called me too. This afternoon I met Betty downtown at 2. We bought some stationery and then we went to Will Young's Music House to get a piece of music. We were there for 45 minutes. We went on out to the Harvester, rang in at 3:13. We went back and talked to Mother for awhile and then talked to Dad. We were in the office though at 3:30. We really surprised everybody getting there that early. After work we met Jackie and Dot and went to see "To Have and To Have Not" with Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart. It was good.

April 22, 1945 (Sun)

I got up about 9. This morning I typed some stuff for Clerical Practice. My arm is pretty sore and the typing didn't help it any. We had Dad's birthday dinner. Marg, Jess, Midge and Dave were over for dinner. I didn't feel at all good this afternoon so I slept most of the afternoon. I wrote letters to Dwight and Pauline. Dot went horse-back riding this afternoon. She had a good time but I bet she'll be sore tomorrow. I spent most of the evening in bed too. I guess that's what smallpox vaccinations do to you. Ron, Edna, Sharon and Tommy Tobias were over this evening. The Russians are in Berlin. Gosh that is really good news. It won't be long now, I hope, I hope.

April 23, 1945 (Mon)

Mr. Zimmerman took us to school this morning. I had a test in Shorthand 1st. I didn't take Physical Fitness because of my rib and arm. I only missed 2 on my filing in Cl. Practice 3rd. I think Gloria, Betty, Janet, Jackie, Oddra, Pat, Evelyn Hollmannn and Mary Berles are going to give a shower for Lucile sometime next week. I typed 45.5 wpm today. I made 64 on a test in Civics. Betty and I went over to the dispensary and the nurse put a bandage on my arm and gave me some pills. My arm was pretty sore today. After work I met Dot downtown and came home with her. I got a letter from Dwight dated April 19th. Obie is getting married May 31st - his 19th birthday.

April 24, 1945 (Tues)

I took a large box of clothes to school for the Clothing Drive for the people in Europe. It rained quite a bit today again. I made 92 on my Shorthand test. We are having tests in Clerical Practice on the calculators now. I think we are going to have our shower for Lucile a week from Friday at Jackie's house. We had another test in Civics, but Mr. Sinks didn't take grades on it. I made 70. Betty and I got to work at eleven munutes of four today. We are really getting good. We went to the canteen, got something to eat and then I went over to the dispensary. The nurse changed the bandage on my arm and told me to be sure to keep it covered. I got a belated birthday card from Lucy and the May issue of Seventeen.

April 25, 1945 (Wed)

Today is Dad's birthday. He is 50 years old. It was still a little cool today. Jackie and I worked in the library before homeroom. I didn't have to take Physical Fitness today again (hurrah! hurrah!) We are discussing Triple Check Automatic Filing System (and I don't care much for it) We are still taking tests on the Calcuators 4th. I made 50.4 wpm and 73% accuracy today in Typing. I'm finally improving a little. Betty and I were 3 minutes late again today. Betty typed 118 cards tonight. That was really good. Mother, Dad and Dorothy went out to Aunt Elma's for supper this evening. They weren't home when I got home. I received a letter from Pauline today. I started a letter to Dwight in school today. Night now diary, its after ten.

April 26, 1945 (Thurs)

My 1st payday I drew $10.69. Its getting chilly again today. I made 90 on my last test in filing. Jackie, Gloria, and I went to Dramatics 5th period. We got to see a movie 7th period in Civics. Betty and I were 5 minutes late to work. Jim Turner got awfully mad at Betty because she won't go with him anymore and he says he is going to commit suicide and everything else. Sometimes I wondered if he is all there. He quit work early and said he wasn't coming back. Ervin (one of the men there - he's 22) took Betty and I downtown and we caught our bus there then. I got a letter from Bud Gremaux. He asked me if I sent my picture to the Aluetians instead of Va. because he hadn't gotten it. I forgot to send it. I'll have to be sure and do that. I got a card telling me I was going to get a present from overseas (probably perfume). Its sort of late, I got the present over a month ago.

April 27, 1945 (Fri)

We were going to have a test in Shorthand, but Miss Furst postponed it till Monday. We are still having Calculators test in typing 6th. I didn't even bother to figure it up. We had a test in Civics 7th, I made 88 on it. Something is wrong with the clock at the Harvester and we rang in at 2:17. Jim came in late and then he went over to the dispensary and got a pass to go home. I guess Herin (the boss) wants to talk to him tomorrow. He'll probably give Jim another chance but I don't think he deserves it. I washed my light green and black sweater this evening.

April 28, 1945 (Sat)

I woke up this morning at 7:30. I cleaned the living rooms and bedrooms. I finished those about 10. Margaret came over with Midge and David and did a washing. I received a letter from Dwight today dated March 26th. he said he didn't know anything about his getting the Bronze Star. I went downtown about 11, put some money in the bank for Dad, bought him a shirt for his birthday and Jackie a white blouse for her birthday. Then I lost the shirt and blouse. Gosh, I'm always losing something. I got to work about 3, got my badge with my picture on (It's terrible) and went over and talked to Mother and Dad. After I got home I went over to Marg and Jess and taked to Jackie. Lucile and Gloria both called today. Roy and Alma were over this evening.

April 29, 1945 (Sun)

Mother got me up at 10. Dot went down to Christmans this weekend. I went out to Baer Field with Zimmerman's this afternoon. It was an air demonstration (airbourne division, glider patrol, parachutes, etc). It wasn't bad, but it was pretty chilly. It took us from 3:30 to quarter of 6 getting home. We had strawberry shortcake today. Its the first we have had this year. This evening I wrote a letter to Dwight, studied my Shorthand and Civics. There was a rumor going around yesterday again that the war in Europe was over. Mussolini was killed today by the Italians (official) and rumors of Hitlers death have been over the radio.

April 30, 1945 (Mon)

We had our Shorthand first period. It wasn't too bad. I didn't have to take Physical Fitness 2nd again today because of my rib. That rib is really coming in hand. We are using the Triple Check Automatic Filing System now in Cl. Practice 3rd. This was our last day on the calculators (comptometers). Back on the typewriters tomorrow. Oddra's sailor is home now. She is all excited and so is Betty. Her sailor is in the States and will probably get to come home soon. We got to work just one minute till four. Anyhow, we were on time. After work Mother and Dot met me at the end of the busline. I just studied my Shhd. War news sounds very good and so does the news from San Francisco conference.