December 1944

Grandma Betty received this diary for Christmas. Here is the beginning of her entries that she kept every day. Any comments in this color, explain who people or places are. They are not part of the entry.

December 23, 1944 (Sat)

Al and I went double with Jackie an Eugene to the Emboyd to see "The Merry Monahans". Afterwards went to Jackie's. Doug wouldn't go to bed so we four went down to my house and then Jackie stayed all night. We go in bed about 2:30. Mistletoe, Ahh!

December 24, 1944 (Sun)

Got up about 9:30. Ruth Ann was sick so in the afternoon we took our Xmas presents over to Howard and Ahleen's. This evening we had a lot of company about 15 or 16 besides our family. Took a flash-light picture of them all. Hope its good. We opened our presents about 7. I got a new dress, chenille housecoat, this diary, silver bracelet and earrings, billfold, bubble bank (only $1.25 in that bank now), subscriptions to Calling All Girls and Seventeen, red neck scarf, stationery, and cosmetics bag. Not bad eh? Dot and I went to midnight mass at St. Andrew's with Mrs. Stalte. I didn't care much for it. Too long. Got in bed at 2 tonight or rather this morning.

Dot is Betty's sister She was 22 years old in December 1944. She still lives at home.

December 25, 1944 (Mon)

Merry Christmas! Got up at ten. Aunt Elma called and we went out there for dinner today. Jim and Millie came over this afternoon. Jackie came down and we played ping pong for awhile. Then we went over to her house. Mrs. Zimmerman, Doug, Jackie and I went walking in the snow. It was so beautiful outdoors. Came home about 10. Jim and Millie had a flat tire just as they pulled out of the driveway.

December 26, 1944 (Tues)

Dot woke me up this morning when she called at 9. Seems good not to have to go to school. Got a letter from Dwight today dated Nov. 27. I took care of Marjorie and David from 10:30 till 2. — $1.00. Not bad. Straightened the house up this afternoon. Went down to Jackie's for about a half hour. What would I do without her? This evening I wrote a letter to Dwight and read "Madame Curie" for a book report for English. Good-night!

December 27, 1944 (Wed)

Dot called about 8 this morning but I was all ready up. We got a card from Uncle Ralph today. He's in North Hollywood, Calif now. I spent most of the day washing blouses, sweaters, scarfs, etc. out by hand. Made hot ribs this afternoon for supper. After supper Dot and I went out and shoveled the snow off the walks. We had a lot of fun; laughed a lot and got all covered with snow. I was supposed to go over to Nancy's this evening but didn't. Pauline came over and we played cribbage, flinch and muggins. She left about 9 and then I read some more of "Madame Curie". I must shine Dad's shoes now. Bye.

She not only has a sister, Dot, but a friend Dot. She is shown at the left.

December 28, 1944 (Thurs)

Woke up at 8:30 this morning. I ironed most of the day. I received a letter from Bud Gremaux today. He seems to think that he seems to think that he is coming home the early part of January. Hmmm! Talked to Jackie twice on the telephone, and then went down to see her this afternoon. Oh yes. Bud sent me seven pictures he took in Alaska. Dot is going to the Berghoff Gardens with Jean Rosselot (home from Illinois U. for the holidays) and another couple this evening. I might get to go to a party with Al Jan 13th at Eugene's uncle's. Gosh, I hope so. I'll keep my fingers crossed anyway. Jackie wanted me to go ice-skating this evening but it was too cold for me. I stayed home, played cribbage with Dad and wrote a letter to Bud. Then Dot and Jean came home and talked about their eating lobsters. Guess they had quite a time. Good-night. Happy dreams. P.S. oh yes, Oddra called and she is coming over Sunday afternoon.

December 29, 1944 (Fri)

Didn't get up this morning until 9. Cleaned the bedrooms in the morning and then went downtown this afternoon. Went down to Rogers Studio to get my pictures but they weren't finished. Dorothy is going down tomorrow. I hope she can get them then. It really doesn't seem that very much happened today. Didn't even talk to Jackie. I did wash my curly locks (?) though, and read some more of "Madame Curie". Its getting rather boring., the book, I mean. Gosh darn that Al. I thought sure he would call this evening, but he didn't. This seems to have been one of my off "days'. I've been getting to bed pretty early this week. Its ten now so bye, dear diary.

December 30, 1944 (Sat)

9 seems to be my rising hour these last few days. I called Jackie about 9:30, and was really surprised that she was up. I cleaned the living room this morning, and the kitchen and bathroom this afternoon. See, I really worked today. Al finally called and I have a date with him this evening. Ahhhhhhhh! I received a letter from a girl, Betty Morris, who lives in Edgware, England, just 10 miles from London. She is 18; the letter is very interesting. Al and I went double with his cousin, Wally and Wally's girlfriend, Marion Davies. We went to the Emboyd and saw "Can't Help Singing", then to Gardners. I got in pretty early (12:00) My pictures weren't finished today either.

December 31, 1944 (Sun)

Sunday — Got up this morning at 10. Just loafed around in the morning. Went down to see Jackie about 1:00. I came home then, and we ate dinner. We were doing dishes when Oddra came. I helped Oddra with her term paper for business 7. She left about 4:00. Ron, Edna, Tammy and Sharon were over in the evening. About 8 I went down to Jackie's. Then at 8:30 we went over to Ralston's where Jackie was going to take care of Susie and Mary Lou. About 10 Eugene and Doug called and they wanted to come over but we wouldn't let them. Jackie and I stayed awake until midnight and heard the New Year of 1945 come in.