December 1946

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December 1, 1946 (Sun)

It was a quarter after 8 when I got up. Mother got the dinner while I straightened the house and got cleaned up. Dot and Bob, Mr. and Mrs. Christman, and Harriet and Bud and Charlie came about 11. Today is Dottie and Bob's 1st wedding anniversary. They liked the desk set. We were just eating dinner when Fern and Ray came. This afternoon after we did dishes we played tone poker. Charlie and I lost 19 cents. I have $14.14 in my bubble bank now. Howard, Ahleen and girls and Margaret, Jess and kids were also over for supper. We drew names for Christmas. I got Howard and Charlie - Ahleen. It snowed today - 1st time. All went home except Harriet, Bud and Charlie. We saw Margie at Paramount - very good and had hamburgers afterwards. They left about a quarter after eleven.

December 2, 1946 (Mon)

Gosh, but it was cold out today. I wore my fur mittens and boots. Miss O'Rourke was back to work today - but very grouchy. We were pretty busy all day - I had to type the labor report. Helen, Kathleen, Evie and I ate lunch in snack bar - we discussed social diseases today. I was rather tired all day. I came straight home from work today. Dad was at the garage trying to get a part for the car so we had a late supper. I called Pudgie this evening but she wasn't home. I washed out nylons, shined two pair of shoes and did a little pressing. Lucile called me this evening and we talked for quite awhile. It is almost ten and I am dead tired so good-night.

December 3, 1946 (Tues)

A tiny bit warmer today than yesterday. I was pretty busy all day. I finished the labor report, dashed to drugstore for a birthday card for Miss McCrory and figured Miss O'Rourke's checking account etc. Evie, Anna May, and I ate lunch in the snack bar - we went to Hillman's - the set of dishes I'd like for Christmas is a service for 8 at $15.95 - very pretty - now to talk Mom and Dad into getting them for me for Christmas. I came straight home from work tonight. We finally got our car fixed today. This evening after we ate and did dishes, I read the newspapers and "Better Homes and Garden." I called Pudgie, and we talked for quite awhile. I called Pat, but she wasn't home. I shined a pair of shoes and pressed a dress. Its almost 10:30 night.

December 4, 1946 (Wed)

The weather wasn't bad again today. Mother took me to the busline. We were very busy again today. I finished writing checks for Miss O'Rourke. There was another Board of Directors' Luncheon at noon today so Evie, I and the rest of the girls who serve went to cafeteria at 11:30 - ate and then served the luncheon. Afterwards we had lemon pie. It was about 1:30 when we got downstairs. I went down to Wolf and D's with Anna May after work and then home. Charlie came up about - I really wasn't expecting him and I wasn't cleaned up. Mother and I taught him how to play Flinch and we played a couple of games. We sat and talked etc. till midnight. He was going to leave at 11:00 but didn't make it.

December 5, 1946 (Thurs)

I was already for work when I got sick so I didn't go to work today. I felt pretty rotten all morning. Dr. Conley came out about noon and gave me a shot - I felt much better afte that. This afternoon I read magazines, slept a little and finished crocheting the one red and white hot pad and started the stovepad. I still didn't eat any supper this evening, but Mother and Dad went and got me some ice cream. I listened to the radio then and crocheted some more on the stovepad - have it over half-done now - it certainly looks nice. I got up and put my hair up and now it is after ten so good-night, dear diary.

December 6, 1946 (Fri)

I went to work today. The weather is still a little warm. Anna May wasn't at work today. She was absent the day after I was last month too. Our lunch hour has been changed - its from 12 to 1 now. Evie, Helen, and I ate lunch in snack bar - then I met Mother at Hillman's and she bought the set of dishes I had picked out for me for Christmas. This afternoon I took Miss O'Rourke's fur coat to Poinsette and went after it - bought Dorothy some embroidery floss and some crochet thread for myself. I took care of the kids a little while this evening. I washed my hair, shined some shoes, washed out hose and pressed a dress. It was about ten when I got to bed.

December 7, 1946 (Sat)

Mother called me at 6:30, and I got up and got ready to go to work. Dorothy and I worked for Mr. Brown in the Mtge Loan Dept. doing typing work. We typed all morning - worked much harder than we do in our office. We ate lunch in our office at noon and then went downtown. Dorothy did a little shopping, and I bought a pair of sachet hangers ($1.59) for the name I drew for the Mtge Loan Christmas party. I also got 2 yards of black sequins - 20 cents. Mother got me a white shirt yesterday for Charlie - $5.95 - silk broadcloth. Its beautiful. I got home about 2:30. I sewed a little on my black dress. After supper I got cleaned up and did some more crocheting on my stove pad. Charlie came about 9 and we played a few games of muggins. Charlie was here till about 1. We certainly do have enjoyable times together - just the two of us.

December 8, 1946 (Sun)

Mother and Dad got me up about 8:30. I didn't do too much this morning except get ready to go to Aunt Elma's for dinner. Mother and Dad went on out about 10. Charlie, Dot and Bob, Harriet and Bud picked me up at 11:00. We went out to Aunt Elma's and Uncle Mac's. We had just started eating when Fern and Ray came. After we ate, Harriet and I talked Charlie and Bud into wiping the dishes. We just sat and talked, and I took a few pictures. It was only about 4:30 when they brought me home and went back to N. Manchester. It seemed so strange to be home on Sunday evening. We ate a little and then I read the morning's paper and crocheted. It certainly has been very warm these last couple of days for Dec. Yesterday it was 62 degrees about. Well, its 9 and I am going to hit the hay.

December 9, 1946 (Mon)

Still quite warm out - rained quite a bit today. I was very busy all day. Miss O'Rourke dictated quite a few letters this morning and Miss McCrory dictated a very long one this afternoon. At noon, Evie, Helen, Kathleen and I ate lunch in snack bar - it was all decorated up for Xmas - very pretty. Evie and I went down to see Wanda Stabler at Wolf and D's and then tried to buy tickets for wrestling match Weds., but no success. I went downtown after work and bought for Charlie - a white blouse for Harriet and pyrex dishes for Ahleen - he had given me the money for them. I also got some shiny balls for on the Xmas tree. This evening I wrapped a package for Esther Eidier and Charlie's shirt. They look very nice. I also pressed a blouse. Its after 10 now so good-night. I called Pudgie and Evie.

December 10, 1946 (Tues)

Rained quite a bit today too. Jess took me down to the busline this morning. We were very busy again all day today. We ate lunch in the snack bar - Evie, Helen, Kathleen, another girl - Catherine and I. Evie and I went to Wolf and D's and looked at a pair of shoe roller skates for her. It looks as though we are finally getting near the bottom of our work. I came straight home from work. I lost the locket Charlie gave me on the bus - the chain broke. This evening after we ate supper and did dishes, I ironed three blouses and a dress. Then, I got my Xmas cards out and addressed 27 - I wrote short notes to Phyllis Hite and Penny Steury. I read the paper then and took my shower. Its after 10 so good-night, diary.

December 11, 1946 (Wed)

A little chillier today. We were quite busy all day today again. Miss O'Rourke decorated the table in our office - it looks very nice. At noon Evie, Helen, Kathleen and I ate lunch in the snack bar - another interesting with those two about the facts of life, Evie and I went down to Vesup's and got some pine boughs for Miss O'Rourke. Dorothy Murphy and I worked overtime tonight till about a quarter after six. By the time I caught the bus and came home, it was after 7. I certainly had to hurry and get cleaned up and at supper before Charlie, Dot and Bob got here at 7:30. We went to the wrestling - the first one Charlie and I had ever seen. Pretty good except the last one was pretty bloody. We took Wanda and Dale home and then they left here about a quarter of 12.

December 12, 1946 (Thurs)

Rainy this morning - Mother took me down to the busline. We were busy again till noon, but then the work began to slack up. Helen, Evie, Kathleen and I ate lunch in snack bar. Evie and I called Betty Jane at noon - we got a letter from her today too. We didn't work too hard this afternoon. Dorothy and I worked overtime for Mr. Brown till 6:30. Mther met me at Tuttles and I got some potato chips and a quart of ice cream. It was after 7 when we got home - I ate supper and cleaned up a little. I did a little crocheting and Betty Jane came around 8:30. She just came over to talk and we did too. She was here till around 10:30 when Erv picked her up. It was after eleven when I got to bed.

December 13, 1946 (Fri)

Very cold today so Jess took me down to the busline. We weren't very busy today at all. Today was payday - we got our 15th and 31st checks both today - so I drew $99.78. I went downtown for Miss McCrory this morning and cashed one of my checks and paid the balance of my charges at Paris and W and D's. At noon Evie and I ate lunch together - then downtown I went to Jack Lord's and got Dad a white shirt ($5.95) and I got Howard an address book ($1.50) at Howards. I did very little this afternoon. Dorothy and I worked till 6 tonight. Mother picked me up at end of busline. This evening I washed my hair, went over and took care of the kids for a little while, washed out nylons and read the paper. Now, I must go take my shower and then to bed.

December 14, 1946 (Sat)

I got up at my regular time - 6:30. It was quite chilly again today. Dorothy and I typed for Mr. Cook till a quarter of one - worked harder in the half-day than I usually do in a whole. We ate our lunch in Miss O'Rourkes office and then downtown. I paid $18 on my living-room suite, bought Mr. Christman a wool shirt - $9.00, exchanged Dad's shirt for one the right size, exchanged Howard's address book for a memo book, got Bud a light green sport shirt $3.98, bought a tie $1.00 and 3 pair of socks $1.55 for Dad, a pair of socks for Howard $1.25 and a pair for Charlie $1.20. Dad picked me up at Tuttles. Boy, was I dead. This evening I got cleaned up and started wrapping the Christmas presents. Charlie came about 9:00 and we wrapped presents till around 10:30. It was about 1:30 when Charlie went home.

December 15, 1946 (Sun)

Although I hate to admit it, it was a quarter of 11 when I got up. We ate breakfast (?). I straightened the living room up, made my bed and straightened my room up, and shined about ten pair of shoes. Charlie gave me a catechism to start reading - I have read quite a bit already. We ate dinner around 4:00. By the time we got dishes done and I got cleaned up, read the newspapers etc. it was time for Charlie to come. I was reading the little gray book when he came around 8. It was snowing and was very slippery. I thought maybe he wouldn't come up. We played cards and both of us went to sleep on the davenport. It was around one when Charlie left.

December 16, 1946 (Mon)

I got a Christmas card from Betty and Erv. There was quite a bit of snow on the ground this morning. Jess took me to work. We weren't too busy today. Anna May, Evie, Helen and I ate lunch in the snack bar and just sat and talked all noon hour. Mr. Cook wants us to do some more work so we are going to work tomorrow night. I think after work I went downtown and bought Betty a beautiful light blue marguerite and lace bed jacket (I found out when I got home that one sleeve was sewn in wrong), a neckscarf for Pauline and some Xmas cards. It was about a quarter of 6 when I got home. This evening I washed out nylons, basted the sleeves in my black dress and sewed some sequins back on aqua and black dress. It is almost 10:30 so must go to bed now.

December 17, 1946 (Tues)

Jess took me to work again today - that is within 3 blocks of LL - very cold again today. We still weren't very busy today. At noon today Evie, Helen, Kathleen and I ate lunch in snack bar - then I exchanged the bed jacket at Tishmans, we went to Howards, down to dry-cleaners and then back to post office for stamps. This afternoon I typed a letter to Betty Jane. Dorothy and I worked overtime afte work for Mr. Cook again. We worked till 6:30 - went out for hamburgers and malts and ten came back and worked till 9. Mother picked me up at Tuttles about a quarter of ten. I got Xmas cards from Aunt Elma, Lucy and Bill, and Marceil Derickson. That makes 4 for me. I did very little this evening - just put my hair up and went to bed.

December 18, 1946 (Wed)

December 19, 1946 (Thurs)

December 20, 1946 (Fri)

Still chilly. Mother took me down to the busline. We didn't have much work to do, but Miss O'Rourke dictated quite a few personal letters. That kept me busy at noon. Helen, Evie, and I ate lunch in snack bar and Evie and I went downtown. Helen leaves tonight for Pittsburgh. I spent all afternoon typing letters for Miss O'Rourke. We went downtown after work, and I bought Helena Rubensteins "Heavensent" bath powder for Dorothy Murphy and a candy dish for Mother. Dad picked me up at end of busline. This evening I washed my ahir and washed out nylons. I went over and took care of the kids for a little while - I made a dollar. It was around ten when I went to bed. We had quite a snow today.

December 21, 1946 (Sat)

I got cards from Miss McCrory, Aunt Effie and Aunt Dessie, and Marilyn Long - makes me 14. I got up about 8:00. This morning Mother and Dad went downtown and I finished sewing sequins on my black and aqua dress and sewing the shoulder pads in. I also built a fire in the utility room. I got cleaned up - Ray came over and he and Dad took me to the busline. I rode downtown on the bus with Roger Pritchard. I got to the office party about 2:30 - Evie, Margie and Dorothy were already there. We had a nice time. I got a white headscarf in the exhange and I also got a hankie, holly corsage and a stick of peppermint candy. I stopped downtown and bought candlestick holders and a hankerchief for Miss O'Rourke and Miss McCrory. Roy and Alma were over this evening. They played euchre while I coached Ray from the sidelines - got to bed about 11 - still lots of snow.

December 22, 1946 (Sun)

I got up about 9:00. We did little this morning. Mother and Dad went and got a Christmas tree and we put it up and trimmed it - looks nice. We got a large package through the mail from Aunt Dessie and Aunt Effie - a little package for each of us is inside - also a dress, 3 darling jumpers and 3 blouses for Marjorie. This afternoon Steve, Betty and Karen were over. Pauline came over and gave me 3 kitchen towels for Xmas - very nice. Jim and Millie were over today too. Mother, Dad and Midgie went to Harvester party. Charlie came about 8 and I was wrapping packages when he came. Mother, Dad and Midge came home about 8:30. Charlie and I wrapped presents till about 11. It was around 1:30 when Charlie left. Still quite a bit of snow on the ground.

December 23, 1946 (Mon)

The snow melted quite a bit today. In fact it even rained. Dorothy wasn't at work today so I was kept quite busy by the two old maids. At noon Evie met a beau for lunch so I ate by myself. I went downtown then in the rain. I looked for some Xmas tree decorations for Margaret, but couldn't find any. I bought some black sequins. I came straight home from work tonight. This evening I washed out some nylons and put the sleeves in my black and rose dress, put the transfer on and started sewing the sequins - I sewed till about 11. I got Xmas cards from Betty Lou and . If this weather keeps up, I don't think we will have a white Xmas.

December 24, 1946 (Tues)

Dot told Mom that she is going to have a baby. I hope she doesn't have another miscarriage. No snow left. We didn't do too much work today or rather this morning. We got a $25 check from Lincoln Life for Xmas - $20 after tax and social security was taken out. Miss O'Rourke and Miss McCrory gave me a peach slip and Dorothy gave me a neckscarf. Mother met Miss O'Rourke and Miss McCrory - we did a little shopping and came home. I sewed on my dress all afternoon and finally finished it this evening. We got cleaned up and the company started coming about 7:00. Charlie, Dot and Bob finally got here. Lots of other people came. Howard, Ahleen, kids, Margaret, Jess and kids etc. Betty Jane and Erv came over and I got a sewing kit and cologne from Betty Jane. Steve Holmes dressed up as Santa Claus - the kids got a big kick out of that. Dad handed the presents out. I got my set of dishes from Mother and Dad, a compact from Charlie, a tablelcoth from Jess and an apron from Aunt Dessie and Effie. Dot, Bob, Charlie and I left about 11:30 and went to midnight mass at St Jude's. Came back home - went down to Christman's about 3:30. Bud and Harriet were still up - we talked awhile and went to bed about 4:00.

December 25, 1946 (Wed)

The mistletoe worked fine - had some in the doorway at our house and also in the archway at Christmans. Charlie woke me up at 6, but I went back to sleep. At 8, Bud and Charlie rolled Harriet and I out of bed. We ate breakfast, did dishes and then I got cleaned up. Fern and Ray, Dot and Bob came and we opened our presents - from Charlie I got a pressure cooker, a set of 6 stainless steel tableware, from Dorothy - a blue chenille throw rug and a beautiful cardtable from Mr. and Mrs. Christman. For dinner we went to Charlie's aunt - there were an awfully lot of people there. In the grab bag I got a little wastebasket - cute. We went back to Christmans and while Charlie did chores - I cleaned the living room and helped get supper. We ate supper and Metzgers came. A boy down the road dressed up as Santa Claus. Charlie and I beat Dot and Bob a game of euchre. Charlie and I got to my house a little before 10 - we talked to Mother and Dad awhile. Elaine is here for a couple of days - Aunt Elma gave me a cute pair of white rayon and lace panties - save them for my wedding - Charlie and I both went to sleep and it was about a quarter till 2.

December 26, 1946 (Thurs)

Back to work again - boy was I ever tired. We didn't have a white Xmas after all - chilly, but no snow. Miss McCrory wasn't at work today. We were pretty busy all day today. At noon Evie and I ate lunch in the snack bar and then downtown - Evie did a little shopping and I bought a dark brown corde' purse for myself - its lovely. Busy again this afternoon. I came straight home from work tonight. This evening I was so tired I didn't do much of anything - Elaine is still here. I ate quite a few nuts, candy and such. We listened to the radio, put my hair up and starting writing in my diary to catch up - haven't written in it since last Sunday. Its almost 9:30 so I am going to get a little sleep tonight. 4 months from today is our wedding.

December 27, 1946 (Fri)

Mother took me down to the busline - pretty cold today. We were pretty busy today. I got a letter from Betty Jane. She also called - she wants to meet us for lunch next week. At noon Evie and I ate lunch in snack bar. We went downtown, and I bought a white lace brazzierre to go with my new white panties. Dorothy only worked till noon. We saw Mother and Elaine downtown. I went downtown this afternoon for Miss McCrory and got caught in the rain. I got my overtime check today - $10.42 after tax was taken out. I went downtown after work and paid off my charge account. This evening Mother and Dad took Elaine home. I worked a jig-saw puzzle and listened to the radio till about 10 - then finally got ready and went to bed.

December 28, 1946 (Sat)

I got up about 7:30. This morning the kids were here so we couldn't get much of anything done - did a little dusting. The kids were here for lunch. This afternoon I went through my closet and threw out all the old blouses etc. and the old dresses that I can make aprons out of. I didn't feel too good today - my throat was sore and dry. Oh yes, I washed my hair this morning - took a shower this afternoon. After I got all cleaned up, I crocheted awhile till Charlie came about 8:30. He went to a sale today and bought a breakfast set, a 6 ft. (length) sink cabinet, dining-room table, and chairs and a little stand for in the living room. We talked to Mother till 11 and then he talked me into going home with him - we got there about 12. Harriet and Bud were there and we went up to bed about one.

December 29, 1946 (Sun)

Charlie and Bud woke us up at 5:30 and we slept till 7 when Ray and then Charlie drug us out of bed. We finally got up. After breakfast I washed the dishes. I also read the morning paper. Ray went to Goshen and Harriet and Bud went to Peru. Mrs. Christman and I got dinner - I made the potato salad. There were just the 4 of us for dinner. After we did dishes, Charlie and I went over to our house to measure the windows - boy, what a mess - even a pile of straw in the living room. We went over to Dot and Bob's and saw the new furniture - I liked it all very very much. We played 3 games of euchre. Charlie and I went back to Christmans so he did chores while Mrs. Christman and I gabbed and got supper. After we did dishes, Charlie and I went back to Dot and Bob's and she cut my hair and we played some bid euchre. It was a little after ten when we got home. Charlie left about 1:00.

December 30, 1946 (Mon)

I was late getting around so Mother took me down to the busline. Just Miss McCrory and I were at work today. I was pretty busy up till eleven, but not after that. Betty called and I wrote a letter to her. Everyone liked my hair short. At noon Evie and I ate lunch in snack bar - just went to Linkendofus and we played dot and dash games. At 3 we went up to see Helen Bolubasz - she is back from her trip. I came straight home from work tonight. My cold is much worse today - I keep blowing my nose and sneezing all the time. This evening after we did dishes I read the paper and worked a crossword puzzle. The insurance man came and taked quite awhile. I washed some nylons out and now it is ten o'clock so good-night.

December 31, 1946 (Tues)

The last day of 1946 - it doesn't seem possible it has gone so quickly. So much has happened this last year - my starting to work at Lincoln Life, my birthday party after which Charlie and I started going together, our graduation from high school, Betty Jane's wedding, Charlie's proposal, my trips to Findlay, Ohio, another to Penn. another to Cincinnati, O., Kathleen Brenizer's wedding, Charlie and my engagement, Betty Jane, Dorothy and Kathleen all expecting now and then Xmas. What will tomorrow and all the other tomorrows hold for us? A very chilly and snowy day. Mother took me to the busline. Just Miss McCrory and I were here again today. I didn't feel so hot - this darn cold is getting me down. We had a couple girls, starting this morning. I got a letter from Betty Jane today. At noon Evie, Helen and I ate lunch in the snack bar. We went dowtown. Miss McCrory was going to have me go downtown, but decided I shouldn't because of my cold so I worked crosswork puzzles all afternoon. After work tonight I went to Wolf and D's and bought a diary for the new year. This evening I felt rotten, but ironed a few things, and when I was taking a shower Charlie came - about 8:30. I finished getting ready, packed my suitcase, and sewed buttons on a dress. Charlie and I left here about 9:30. We stopped at Dot and Bob's, but they were getting ready for bed so we didn't stay long. Mrs. Christman was till up when we got there. She talked to us till about a quarter after 11 when she went to bed. Charlie and I stayed up to see the New Year come in. I had a hard time keeping him awake so we went to bed right after midnight. It was nice ending to a nice year to have Charlie holding me in his arms.