August 1945

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August 1, 1945 (Wed)

I wrote a letter to Dwight - to be exact I typed it. It was a little chilly this mroning, but really hot this afternoon. I typed all day except for 45 minutes when I checked with Thais in the Ditto Room. Phyllis is at Lake Wawasu this week- lucky girl. Betty and I made a bet today - on who is going to be married first. The loser buys the other a sheer black nightgown to be worn on their wedding night. Ohh! I came straight home from work. This evening I laid the green and white material out for my skirt. I also washed my hair, and Mom, Dot and I straightened the house up. Gosh, I haven't heard from Bud Gremaux or Pauline for a long time. I suppose I should write to them anyway. It's after 10 now so good night.

August 2, 1945 (Thurs)

I typed a letter to jackie. I've still only received one from her so far this week. I checked all morning with Penny and she is trying to talk me into going to Purdue - she'll probably succeed too though Dad doesn't like the idea. The fortune teller told Betty that a dark-haired friend of hers was going to talk ther into taking Home Economics in college and that what Penny takes. That fortune teller must be pretty good. I drew $25.11 this week. I checked with Betty all afternoon. I got sick soon after I got home. Dr. Conley left some pills here for me and they helped. All evening I just read - Sherlock Holmes, Seventeen (magazine) and American. Mrs. Christman called this evening - we are going down there for dinner a week from Sunday. Sounds like fun. It was pretty hot today again.

August 3, 1945 (Fri)

I didn't feel too good this morning so I didn't go to work. I slept and read till ten. Then I got up and ate a little. I washed the breakfast dishes up and was just going to do some sewing when Margaret called and wanted me to take care of Marge and Dave while she went downtown. The kids slept all afternoon while I looked through a book on sewing and read some more Sherlock Holmes. I made 55 cents. I'm going to save my money and try very hard to go to college for a year anyway. Dot got my dress suit downtown for me this evening. Its even more beautiful then I thought it was before. I wrote letters to Director of Admissions at Purdue and sent for a handbag pattern. I went to bed about a quarter after 9.

August 4, 1945 (Sat)

I wrote a letter to Dwight this morning. I started typing on Spec cards this morning and then Ruth put me on Specification Sheets. They are much harder to do, but are a change so I didn't mind them too much. I got to type on the Electromatic too. Betty Greenwood is going on her vacation next week. Dot got a letter from Bob today and she said he probably wouldn't get home till sometime this winter. After I got home from work Dot talked me into going to the Emboyd with her and Wanda this evening. We saw "The Valley of Decision" with Greer Garson and Gregory Peck (Ahhhhh) Afterwards we went to the Top Notch and ate. We came home in a taxi, got home about 10:30.

August 5, 1945 (Sun)

Mother and Dad got us up about 8:30. We all just got cleaned up this morning. We went to Jack Gross and Dorcas Wallace's wedding at noon at Forest Park Methodist Church. From there we went to Swinney Park for the Oberlin reunion. Aunt Blanche, Uncle Leon, Doris, Marjorie and Bill (home from Merchant Marines) were there. Dot and I took Marjorie (Wilson) to West Swinney and took her on some rides. About 3 we went to the wedding reception at Dorca's. I knew her brother, Bob, in grade school. He was pretty well lit and kept putting his arm around me. I got to kiss the groom too and 2 soldiers were minding the drinks. I think they spiked my coke. Then we went to the Inca Picnic. I came home and took care of Marjorie and David till about 10:30. I got to bed about 11. I ate more junk today.

August 6, 1945 (Mon)

Boy, did I feel terrible today. I had a terrible stomachache - ate very little all day and this evening. I had the running off of the bowels. I certainly hope I feel better tomorrow - Dot feels the same way I do - Dad's leg hurts him pretty much. I typed Spec Sheets all day. Phyllis was back today. It seemed strange without Betty too. After work I stopped downtown and bought some ribbon and a pair of brown and white shoestrings. I got a letter from Dwight dated July 10th and one from Pauline. Alice isn't our supervisor anymore- we just don't have one now. A new secret weapon - a very powerful bomb has been revealed. It is supposed to shorten the war with Japan by quite a few months. I ironed a dress and went to bed about 9:30.

August 7, 1945 (Tues)

I wrote letters to Dwight and Jackie this morning. I typed on spec. sheets and some miscellaneous work till 9. Then I started helping Izzie Ruch send the issues out. I stapled the cards together, tied them in bundles, hunted up issues and did some writing. It was a lot of fun and the time went fast. Mother and Dad didn't go to work today. I ate lunch with Phyllis, Thais etc. today again. I rode downtown on the bus with Kathleen. This evening I sewed on the blue and white striped bobby suit and on the green and white flowered skirt. I washed my hair, took a shower and went to bed about 10. It was a little chilly today - almost cold enough for a coat. Good-night now.

August 8, 1945 (Wed)

This morning I just talked with the other girls about the metonic (Betty's word). I checked with Phyllis today all morning and till one this afternoon. then I typed spec sheets till 4. I received a postcard from Betty Greenwood at work. She is at Lake George this week. I met Dot downtown after work and she told me then about Russia having declared war on Japan. I don't see how Japan can last much longer now. I received a postcard and a letter from Jackie. She sent $1.00 - she wants me to get her a couple of records. I also got a letter from Dwight dated July 17th. He sent some more pictures - in the order of those he sent in his last letter. I sewed on my bobby suit this evening. Its 20 after 10 now so bye.

August 9, 1945 (Thurs)

I wrote a letter to Dwight before 7:30. I typed spec sheets till 9 - then helped Izzie the rest of the day. I started typing a letter to Jackie whenever I got the chance today, but didn't get much typed. Another new girl started today. Another payday - I drew $18.46. Phyllis rode downtown with me after work. Dad and Mom were both at work today. I received another letter from Dwight dated July 24th. He sent another picture of himself, but it isn't good. I mowed the front lawn this evening, and helped Dottie do a washing. My thumb has been hurting so Dot put my hair up for me. Pres. Truman spode at 9. I finished reading "Lady in the Dark". Took my shower and got to bed about 10:30.

August 10, 1945 (Fri)

This morning at 6:35 our time Japan sent a surrender offer to the Allies providing they can keep their emperor. Everybody was pretty excited about it and thats all they talked about all day. I typed spec cards, spec sheets, some PBA letters, and did some sorting today. I've gotten some kind of poison on my legs from mowing the grass yesterday. I went downtown after work and paid $6 down on my coat, bought buttons for my rose dress, shoulder pads and snaps and the record "The Atchinson, Topeka and Santa Fe" for Jackie. I received a letter from Dwight dated July 22nd. He sent picture postcards and a picture of himself. Pretty good. All evening we just listened to the radio, but no more news as yet. I worked on my bobby suit this evening.

August 11, 1945 (Sat)

This morning I wrote a letter to Dwight. At 10:30 the Allies sent a note to Japan telling them that they could keep their emperor, but that he would have not power. Now we have to wait for Japan's answer. Harvester put up notices telling what we should do when V-J Day comes and we will be notified by a long blast of the whistle - if it happens during working hours. I typed spec sheets and cards today. I received a letter from Betty Greenwood today. She's having a good time at Lake George. I washed my hair, worked on my bobby suit and then went over and took care of Marge and Dave. While over there I wrote a letter to Jackie and read "The Gals They Left Behind". I came home about 11, took my shower and went to bed. Bob and Dot had a fight but I think it will turn out alright.

August 12, 1945 (Sun)

Mother got Dot and I up about 8:30. We got ready and left for Christman's about 9:30. Stopped at Howard and Ahleen's first and gave him his vise for his birthday (the 14th). We got to Christman's about 11 - nobody was there but Mr. and Mrs. We had the radio going just hoping to hear the news that Japan has agreed to Allie's terms. After dinner we went for a ride through North Manchester. One of Bob's cousins, a sailor, was there for awhile. We left about 5, got home about 6:30. I was sewing buttons on my bobby suit when a little past 8:30 a special bulletin came over the radio, saying the Japs had excepted the Allie's terms. The celebrating began but later it was denied - a false peace. Boy, is that ever disappointing. I read some and then finally went to bed - disgusted.

August 13, 1945 (Mon)

We are still waiting and as yet no news. I typed on a rickety typewriter today. Mine is broken again. A lot of the girls came back to work today - Marjorie Bill and Betty among them. After work I came right home, got cleaned up and went out to Aunt Elma's. Martha Adams was there from Erie, Pennsylvania. We stayed for supper - Millie and Jim were there too. On the way out we stopped at Buschbaum's and got some medicine for the poison on my legs - they are just covered and itch like mad. I even have some on my stomach and arms. Dot and I met Betty downtown at 8 and had our pictures taken at Grand Leader. We also got some film at Howard's and took some rolls down. I went to bed a little after ten. Night.

August 14, 1945 (Tues)

This is one of the most wonderful days of my life. Howard called at 1:30 AM, at 6 we thought the war was all over, but by 12 noon only discouraging news came through. Then - then at 6 President Truman held a press conference and announced the unconditional surrender of the Japanese. Golly, was that music to mine ears. We were downtown after 6:30. And I think everybody else in Fort Wayne and nearby was. I've never seen such a mob of happy people. Soldiers were wearing civilian ties and hats and kissing all the girls. Yes, even I was kissed. Practically everybody we knew was there - people were singing, laughing, horns blowing, fire crackers shooting and anything else that would make noise - confetti over everything. It was indeed a wonderful day. Dot and I came home in a taxi (no buses running) about a quarter of 11. I wrote a letter to Dwight and went to bed. Howard is 30 today and he says everybody was celebrating his birthday.

August 15, 1945 (Wed)

Howard came over after me about 12 last night and I went over there and stayed with the kids while they went to a party. I got up this morning about 8:30. I finished the letter to Dwight and Mother, Dad and Dot came over after me about 10:30. We went uptown and got an Indianapolis Star - the headline - Japanese Surrender - and two others - Japs Surrender and Jap's Sun Sets. We went over to Ron and Edna's and Roy and Lavon. We came home and Dot and I got cleaned up and Ray, Lavon, Mom and Dad took us downtown to see the Victory Parade at 3:30. We met Wanda then and we went to the Palace and saw "Escape in the Desert". I saw Penny downtown. Came home, ate supper, did dishes and got ready to go to bed. Today has seemed like Sunday.

August 16, 1945 (Thurs)

No work again today. Mother and Dad got me up at 7:30. This morning Mother and I cleaned the house while Dot baked pies and Dad fitted the storm windows. I ironed a dress and finished my bobby suit too. Mother and Dad went for a ride with Alma and Roy this afternoon and Dot went bowling with Wanda. I got cleaned up then and met Dot downtown about 6:30 and we went to the Emboyd and saw "Where Do We Go From Here" with Fred MacMurray and Joan Leshi. It was a comedy and very good. We stopped on the way home at Tuttles and got some ice cream for on the pie at home. Aunt Elma and Martha Adams were in this evening but I didn't get to see them. I still can't believe the war is over - no more gas rationing and canned fruits and vegetables are not longer rationed. Its almost 10:30, night.

August 17, 1945 (Fri)

Back to work again. I typed all morning, then checked with Penny this afternoon. Mother and Dad are back on five days a week. I'm still going to work tomorrow, but that may be the last Saturday. I drew $21.75 today. (made $28.60) After work I met Dot downtown and bought a new pair of shoes. They are black, sling pumps - all leather and non rationed. They are very pretty. Dot got a pair too. Millie and Jim were here when we got home. I received a letter from Dwight today dated Aug. 8th. Only 9 days to reach here - not bad. His dad bought a farm in Missouri - darn the luck anyhow. I also got a letter from Jackie. I hemmed my gray and white pin-striped suit and also washed my curly (?) locks. My weed poisoning is getting a little better but still not good. Got pictures from Howards - very good.

August 18, 1945 (Sat)

The alarm went off at 5:15 this morning - I got up anyway and before I went to work I wrote a letter to Dwight and started one to Jackie. Dad took me to work then. Penny and I checked together all day. More fun! I guess Mother and Dad go back on 6 days next week again. I came straight home from work and got ready to go to the Harvester (Dept. 35) dance. I went with Mother, Dad, Dot, Wanda, her brother-in-law, Bob and Rosie. I had a good time - danced quite a bit with Rosie, Dot, Bob, Jerry and another kid. The square dancing was a lot of fun too. We didn't get home till 2:30 and by the time I got to bed it was about 3. My poison is beginning to clear up now. Night.

August 19, 1945 (Sun)

Mother got us up at nine this morning. After breakfast I cut out the pattern for that red and white striped seersucker dress and helped Dot cut her material for her raincoat. Dad had Mr. Priest haul all the old rags away, but I kept 5 dresses and a jacket that Mother wore years ago. They make good Halloween costumes for me and even better ones when the kids grow up. I ironed practically all all afternoon. Margaret and Jess went to Michigan today and brought back bushels of peaches for us. They are very good. I wrote a letter to Jackie or rather finished the one I had started. I've got to remember to send that record to her too. I want to get to bed early tonight so good-night now.

August 20, 1945 (Mon)

I wrote a letter to Dwight before 7:30. I typed all morning - in fact I typed 90 cards which is very good for 4 1/2 hours. My typewriter came back just before. Its all fixed again - now I hope it stays that way. All the women in Dept. 35 were sent home this morning - including Mother - no work. Dad and I ate lunch by ourselves. I checked (!) all afternoon with Betty. I rode downtown with Penny and met Dot then. We looked for a suit for Dot and a phonograph record for Jackie and didn't find either. We were down until about 8:30 when we saw Margaret and Jess and came home with them. We bought two books, some things for our prospective nephew or niece and a collar for one of my dresses. Its about 10:30 - night.

August 21, 1945 (Tues)

I wrote another letter to Dwight this morning. I helped Jerry all day with blueprints and issues. Same thing I did when I helped Izzie. Mother came back to work today again and will probably have two more weeks work yet. Betty and I got mad at ourselves again today for not having taken the college prep course in high school - I want to go to Purdue or any college so bad. I came straight home from work tonight and we started canning peaches right away. We only stopped to eat supper and do dishes. I was pretty tired after that so I just took a shower and went to bed. I'm reading "Hungry Hill" now.

August 22, 1945 (Wed)

I just talked this morning. I typed all day on my old faithful. Another new girl today - I don't see why they need anymore. Penny drove today so I rode downtown with her after work. I went to Howard's and got some reprints, a roll of film and some stamps for Dot. I went to Grand Leader and got those pictures we had taken. They are pretty good for the price. I still can't find that record for Jackie - I guess I'll just have to leave it go and send the other one. I received a letter from Purdue (an application form and a pamphlet) I also got a bond today ($25) - the pattern for purses and hat I sent in for. I started sewing on my pinafore dress. I sent an order in today for a doll for Midge for Christmas.

August 23, 1945 (Thurs)

I just talked again this morning. I typed all day and then checked with Betty Greenwood this afternoon - very little work done - we were designing hats and everything else. I got paid today - drew $21.75. Believe it or not I didn't stop downtown on my way home from work. Dot and I got cleaned up right away and at 7:30 we met Rosie downtown and then went to the Civic Theater to see Gerald Fitzgibbon, a hypnotist. He hypnotized Rosie and fourteen other people. He was really good and what he didn't make those people do. Dot and I just about died laughing. Rosie stayed all night. I got a letter from Jackie today.

August 24, 1945 (Fri)

One of the girls at work, Marjorie Gresley, said she knows Dwight and Thais said she saw a girl downtown who had Dwight Bridges written all over her stationery box - so it seems I have some competition. I typed a letter to Dwight. I typed all morning and Betty G. and I checked in the afternoon. I met Dot downtown after work and I paid my coat off and am having it shortened now. We ordered some more pictures from Grand Leader. I got a catolog from Purdue today. It sounds more interesting all the time. Dot and I tried to hypnotize each other this evening, but it didn't work. We laughed too much I guess - I washed my hair too.

August 25, 1945 (Sat)

Phyllis is having her tonsils taken out next week so this may be the last day I'll see her so I talked to her before 7:30. I got to help Jerry again all day. Mr. Henendun was bawling a lot of people out yesterday, but didn't get around to me - Thank Heavens. I guess this is our last Saturday to work. Darn the luck. I wish they would work next Saturday anyway. This evening I went over to Marg and Jess's and took care of the kids. I received a letter from Dwight dated July 28th. I wrote a letter to him and one to Jackie. I'm reading the book "Hungry Hill" now. Marg and Jess got home about 11:15. I made a dollar.

August 26, 1945 (Sun)

I got up at 7:30 this morning. It seemed good to have colored funnies to read at the breakfast table again. Dot and I washed some things out in the washer and I sewed a little on my dress. Then this afternoon I got cleaned up and Betty met me at the end of the busline and I went over to her house. Janet was there - that's the first I've see her since last June - she's been to the lake all summer. We listened to records and just talked (mostly about college and boys) till 6:30. Betty and Janet walked me down to Tony's. We ate a cone, then I caught a bus and come home. I saw Millie and Jim at Tony's. I just read some more of "Hungry Hill" after I got home.

August 27, 1945 (Mon)

I talked to Thais and Marge Bill this morning. Phyllis had her tonsils out at 8 (Central Victory Time). I typed all day - in fact I typed 150 cards. Hendrendun and Carroll are cracking down on everybody and so I had to work hard. Penny got back from Purdue, had a wonderful time and thinks she is in love with Bob Morris now. I came straight home from work. This evening I sewed on my dress, wrote a letter to Phyllis and one to Dwight. About 8 Vera Mill called and said she and another girl were coming out so Dot and I hurried and straightened the house up. They are still here and its about 7:30 now. The Magnovox is on strike and the Inca is going on one now. I'm going to bed. Night.

August 28, 1945 (Tues)

I read some more of "Hungry Hill" this morning. Gosh, its getting better all the time. I typed all morning and really typed - 106 cards - this afternoon I checked with Penny. Marian and Marge Bell were checking back in our little corner too. It was really a noisy bunch there. I received a letter from Jackie today. She seems to be having a good time. This evening Mom and I canned a bushel of peaches. Dot didn't work today - Inca is on strike. Gloria called and wanted me to go to the show but I didn't. I ironed a couple of dresses and some other things of mine. Just a week from today I'm going to quit working. I can hardly wait.

August 29, 1945 (Wed)

Ruth Ann is 5 today. I started a letter to Dwight this morning. Then Penny came up and I didn't get it finished. I typed most of the day, but checked with Ann Burgess from 2 o'clock on. After work I went home with Penny. They have a super farm - very modern and nice. I met her Mother, Dad and sisters, Verna (17) and Estella (24). She has 3 more besides. After we finished eating and doing dishes, Verne, Penny, their cousins, Florene (19), Ruth (17), Shirley Ann (8) and Mary Alice (11) and I all went swimming at Pine Lake. We had more fun! We went to Berne and picked up another cousin, Claire, and by the time we got back to Penny's it was about 11:30. We looked at some of Purdue's yearbooks, got cleaned up and were in bed about 12.

August 30, 1945 (Thurs)

We got up at 6 and had to be ready by 6:30. Gosh, was I sleepy! I finished my letter to Dwight. I cut two of my toes yesterday swimming, and I can't step on them now. One of them is all festered. I typed an hour on shop specs, then checked with Penny the rest of the day. I drew $21.75 again today. I got a letter from Phyllis Hite. She is feeling pretty good. My foot was pretty sore by the time I got home so I soaked it in salt water. I read quite a bit of "Hungry Hill" this evening. I also washed my hair and took care of Marge and Dave for awhile. Marg and Jess brought me home a ham sandwich. Jim and Millie were over. Dot and I ate some watermelon and its about 10:30 now.

August 31, 1945 (Fri)

I finished reading "Hungry Hill" this morning. I didn't work too hard today - it was too hot. I typed all morning, then checked with Betty Greenwood from 1:15 on. Most of that time we wrote picture letters. I was going to stop downtown after work but my toes hurt so bad I didn't. The one was all festered again. Mother and Dad went down to the dentist in Monroeville this evening. After Dot and I finished dishes I went over to Margaret and Jess's and took care of the kids. While I was over there I soaked my toes in salt water. Then I started reading the "Reader's Digest", but was so sleepy so I went to sleep. They came home a little after ten.