Grandma Betty babysits Ruthie, Kay, and Georgia from time to time. They are her cousins. Children of Howard and Ahleen Oliver. At the left is a picture of Dot (her sister), Ruthie, and Kay.
January 1945
In January of 1945, Betty is 16 years old. She turns 17 in April. She attended school in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Any comments in this color, explain who people or places are. They are not part of the entry.
January 1, 1945 (Mon)
Jackie and I stayed at Ralstons until 9:30 this morning. We went over to Jackie's then and ate breakfast. I came home about a quarter of eleven. I just had time to get cleaned up. I fixed the fire when Howard came after me. I didn't take care of the girls last night because Kay was sick. She is better today though but she was in bed all the time I was there. I got Ruth Ann and Georgia their dinner and then Georgia washed the dishes for me. I played Pollyanna and made clothes for their paper-dolls this afternoon. My second childhood already. Mother and Dad picked me up on their way home from work. Another $1 in my bubble bank. That makes $6. This evening I wrote letters to Dwight and Betty Morris. Todays the end of my vacation.
Grandma Betty babysits Ruthie, Kay, and Georgia from time to time. They are her cousins. Children of Howard and Ahleen Oliver. At the left is a picture of Dot (her sister), Ruthie, and Kay.
January 2, 1945 (Tues)
It was very cold out today. It was 6 degrees below zero when I left for school this morning. I didn't know whether to go or not but I finally did. It was practically freezing in school; the teachers even had their coats on most of the day. Nothing unusual happened in school. I did learn that Betty Greenwood is going steady with Jim Turner, and Lucile Houke's father was operated on this morning at 10. There is a Jobs Daughters meeting this evening but Betty and I decided that it was just too cold to go. I received 3 letters from Dwight today dated Dec. 7, 15, and 17. That makes me feel good. He is still in France. He sent a picture of a German airplane which had crashed there. This evening I wrote a letter to Dwight, did my English, and then read some of "Above Suspicion". Good-night.
January 3, 1945 (Wed)
It was a little warmer today and a great deal warmer in school. I almost knocked myself out this afternoon in shcool when I hit my head on a corner in the wall near a water fountain. I have a bruise and a bump on my head. Jackie and I worked in the library this morning during homeroom and after school until 4:15. I also worked at the desk 4th and 6th periods. After school Jackie and I went downtown and I got my pictures from Rogers. They are fairly good; I got 1 - 8 x 10 and 12 - 3 x 5. Gloria, Jackie and I were going to go to the State but it was late when we got home from town so we didn't go. So this evening I tinted one of the 3 x 5. It turned out pretty good. I also worked on my English and read some more of Above Suspicion. Got 4 P's on my report card. Mr. and Mrs. Christman and Charles were here for supper today.
January 4, 1945 (Thurs)
I forgot to bring my grade card home yesterday so I got bawled out for that in homeroom this morning. All the kids in school liked my pictures and I don't know whether or not I am going to have enough. We had a nice hard test — vocabulary — in English 3rd. Typed 42 wpm today. I got 99 on my Shorthand test. Betty, Jackie and I went to Dramatics 5th period, and Miss Suter (?) told us that we are going to be the prompters for the Senior Play. I've been hoping we would be. That makes our chances for being in the play next year even better. I got sick right after I got home from school today. The doctor just left and I feel pretty good now. Gloria gave me her senior picture today. It's pretty good of her. Good night now, Dear Diary.
This Betty she refers to is a very good friend of hers. She is now Betty Knott. She is shown to the right (click the image for a larger view), sitting next to Grandpa Charlie (Grandma Betty's husband).
January 5, 1945 (Fri)
I didn't go to school today. I didn't get much sleep last night so I stayed home and slept till 10:30 this morning. I got up and ate a little then. I worked quite a bit on my English, read "Growing Pains" and this afternoon I washed dishes and peeled potatoes for French Fries for supper. I received a letter from Dwight today dated December 17th. North Side plays South Side in basketball tonight at N.S. Its on our season tickets, but since I didn't go to school I didn't go to the game either. So this evening I just tinted pictures, and baked cookies. Gosh, just think, I won't see Al this weekend. Something is wrong with Al's father's car so he is driving Al's and he works nights. Isn't that a jab? Ray and Lavon came over this evening. I wrote a letter to Dwight and then went to bed. The cookies are delicious.
North Side and South Side are two of the High Schools in town. Grandma Betty went to North Side.
January 6, 1945 (Sat)
Got up at 8:20. Boy, I'm really getting good. I cleaned the bedrooms and started on the living room this morning. This afternoon I finished cleaning the living room, cleaned the kitchen and bathroom and got cleaned up myself. Then I worked on my English. North Side beat South Side last night 35 - 22. We have won all 3 of the city series games that we have played so far and we seem to be the favorite for the city series title. This evening I went over to Bruick's and took care of Sandy and Dickie. I got there about 7 and then I played with the kids till 8:30 and then I put them to bed. I worked on my English and read "Growing Pains" until 11:30 when they came home. I came home and read some more before I went to bed. It snowed quite a bit today again. Made 75 cents at Bruicks. That makes $7.45 in my bubble bank.
January 7, 1945 (Sun)
Mother woke us up at 9:30 this morning. Howard, Ahleen and the girls were over for awhile this morning. Also Margaret, Jess and Marjorie were over. I've been hungry for some cinnamon rolls for quite some time. So this morning I made some. And then the girls came over and ate everyone. I never even got a taste of one. This afternoon I tinted another picture, studied my Shorthand and read some more of "Growing Pains." Golly, that's a long book, but good. Roy and Alma Gross came over for dinner this evening. I've got $8.00 in my bank now. Going up. Just think, I haven't seen Jackie since Friday. I did talk to her twice yesterday but that's all. In the evening I just read "Growing Pains" and thats all. Golly, but this was an uneventful day. I think I'm catching a cold but I certainly hope not. Dot cut my hair and changed the style.
January 8, 1945 (Mon)
The weather isn't so bad out now. Everybody at school liked my hair, but I still don't know whether I do or not. I got 92 on that vocabulary test in English and we had part of a Purdue test today. I have two books overdue in the library now. I just keep forgetting them. I made 92 on my Shorthand test today. That's the lowest I've made this semester. Jackie and I went backstage after school this afternoon but we didn't have to stay for play rehearsal. On the way home, Jackie and I had quite a discussion. She wants to be a nurse and an old maid. I want to get married and have a family. Golly, I'd hate to be an old maid. Wouldn't it be awful now if I would be? However, I think Jackie will get married. This evening I did some Typing for History and studied my Shorthand.
January 9, 1945 (Tues)
It's getting colder again, and the temperature will probably go down to 5 degrees below tonight. Shiver, shiver. I wish it were summer. In school today we finished our Purdue test in English, and in Shorthand this afternoon I made 99. Not bad, eh? I'm getting to like my hair better but I think I am going to change it a little bit again. This evening I just typed some more on that list of men we have to have for U.S. History 2, studied my Shorthand, read some more of "Growing Pains", wrote a letter to Dwight, and read my History for tomorrow. Dorothy is staying over to Howard and Ahleen's all night tonight. I'm afraid I'm going to get chilly tonight without her. Well, dear diary, I guess that's about all the news for now. Oh yes, I walked home from the bus line with Enid Wood and I don't think I like her very well any more. Bye now.
January 10, 1945 (Wed)
The temperature didn't go down to 5 degrees below but just to 2 degrees above. So it wasn't too terribly cold today. Jackie and I were late for library this morning again but it wasn't our fault. I left my house at 25 till 8 and the bus didn't come until after 8. No tests today at all. We were supposed to have a Shorthand test but didn't. I worked in the library after school too but I did most of my work 6th period so I could go to play rehearsal. We rehearsed just the last Act of the play till 6. Gosh, I was hungry when I got home at 6:30. Gloria and Jackie both called this evening. As if I don't see them every day in school. I finished that typing this evening, studied my Shorthand and memorized a poem for English by Wordsworth. Good night dear diary.
January 11, 1945 (Thurs)
6 degrees below at 7 this morning. Brrrr! jackie and I got to school pretty early this morning. Miss Rothenberger complimented me on my speech in history and my list of great men and women. That is unusual. Gave my poem very poorly in English. Played basketball in Phys. Fit. I made 95 on my Shorthand Test today. After school Lucile and I went downtown and I got a folder for one of my 3 x 5 pictures to send to Dwight and a pair of earrings. This evening I washed my hair, memorized two poems, and studied for my oral book report tomorrow. Al called this evening and I'm going to that party with him Saturday. Ahhhhh! again. Mr. Zimmerman was down for awhile this evening. I also read some more of "Growing Pains". I'll finish that book one of these days, you just wait and see.
January 12, 1945 (Fri)
It is quite warm today and all the ice and snow is melting. Miss Rothenberger gave me Excellent A+ on my list in History. That made me feel pretty good natcherlly (misspelled). I gave my book report on "Madame Curie" in English and finished giving my lines of poetry. I made 98 on my Shorthand test. I went to play rehearsal (Jackie was there till about 4) after school and we didn't get out until 6. I dashed home and got ready to go to the game by a quarter of 7. Jackie and I went down after Wanda Summey and then we went to the North Side -- C.C. game and naturally we won. 40-37. That makes our 4th straight win in the city series. We had loads of fun at the game. More boys we knew were there. Hmmm! That's all now, dear Diary.
C.C stands for Central Catholic, another high school in Fort Wayne.
January 13, 1945 (Sat)
Margaret called me about 8, and then Ahleen. Jackie also called once, and then I called Jackie. Later Dottie called. I cleaned the house today. My usual Saturday task. Betty Greenwood got a letter from a soldier (Fred Zwickl) who is with Dwight in France. The letter came here as he didn't know her address. I called her in the evening and she had me read it to her. He said that Dwight was continuely talking about Betty (me) and that it must be love. That I like. Mr. Bruick came over and wanted me to take care of the kids but of course I'm not. Wanda, Jackie and I went to the N. S. — Mishawaka game and we lost 35 - 36. The boys, Eugene, Al, and Ralph Reninger picked us up at Sandy's about 10:15. We went to the party which was at New Haven and had a lot of fun. We left Ralph and Wanda at Summys and then went over to Jackie's where I stayed all night. We got home about 3, but Eugene and All got stuck and didn't get out till 4.
January 14, 1945 (Sun)
Jackie and I didn't wake up till after 11, and we stayed in bed and read funny papers till 12. Margaret brought David over this afternoon for me to take care of. Al called and wanted me to go to the show with him, his cousin and girlfriend again but I had already told Bruicks I would take care of Dickie and Sandy. Al said his mother and sister woke him up at 7:30. Gosh, I bet he was tired. Darn, but I wish I could have gone. Oh well, I went over to Bruicks about 6, and was there until about a quarter of 12. I put the kids to bed about 7:30 and studied my History most of the time till they came home. I slept very little over there. Al also said he would call me sometime next week or rather this week. I' m keeping my fingers crossed.
January 15, 1945 (Mon)
It has been snowing all day and it is getting slippery all the time. We had the first two pages of our test in U.S. History this morning 1st and, boy, were they hard! Miss Rothenberger said that these were the two easiest pages so I wonder what the two will be like tomorrow. I made 180 in the Purdue Test. The medium for our class was 167 and for the other class 155. So I didn't do too bad. I made 96 on my shorthand test. My average in Shhd for this semester is 97 2/5. Jackie, Wanda and I stopped at Buschbaums on the way home from school and had an ice cream sundae. Brrr! This evening I wrote a letter to Dwight, studied my History again (probably won't do me much good), and got my picture already to send to Dwight. I wonder who I like the best Dwight or Al. Goodnight.
January 16, 1945 (Tues)
I made 86 1/2 on my History test. I thought the last two pages were much easier than the first two. I wrote a letter to Dwight this afternoon in the library. We turned our books in too this afternoon. We got out of school at a quarter of 3 so Gloria, Lucile and I went out to Sandy's and drank a coke and just messed around till time for play rehearsal. Jackie also stayed for play rehearsal. We didn't get out until a quarter after 7. I would have been very hungry but Jackie got me a hamburger and coke at Sandy's. I got home about a quarter of 8 and Pauline was here. She gave me her Senior picture and I gave her one of mine. (Inkblot here) This darn pen! We played cribbage till 10. I got a letter from Dwight today and I mailed my picture to him. Dwight got to see Mickey Rooney. Bye now, diary.
Sandy's was a little coke and burger shop right next to North Side High. It was a "cool" place to hang out.
January 17, 1945 (Wed)
Just think I'm a Senior now! That sounds so wonderful. My grades on my card were: English A-, U.S. History A-, Typing A, Shhd. A and Phys. Fit Credit. Today was Lucile's last day in school. She has some kind of internal infection and has to take sulfa drugs so she has to stay home and rest all the time. Gosh, but I'm going to miss her. This afternoon Gloria, Jackie and I went down to Wolf's & D's to eat lunch, then went to see "Winged Victory." It was very, very good. Afterwards we went to Morris's and had a sandwich and coke. I wasn't very hungry this evening when I cam hom. I went over to Bruicks about 6:30 and stayed there till 9 taking care of Dickie and Sandy. Mr. Zimmerman came down this evening. I wrote another letter to Dwight this evening. That makes three letters I've written in the last three days. Dot went over to Glenna's this evening for supper. Good-night now.
Wolf & D's used to be Wolf & Dessauer, one of the biggest department stores in Fort Wayne. Every year at Christmas time, they had a huge Santa and reindeer on one side of the building that was all lit up and moved. We went down to see it every year. It was one of the highlights of the Christmas season. —Comments by Georgia Hudson.
January 18, 1945 (Thurs)
No school today. I got up at 8:30 this morning. This morning I straightened up the house, and made a couple sketches. That's the first time I have drawn anything in a long time. This afternoon I baked some chocolate chip cookies and washed some clothes out by hand. Irene Anderson called me this afternoon and wanted me to go to Job's Daughters' Drill Practice but I didn't go. I typed Jackie an 8 page letter (8x10 sheets too). I didn't have anything else to do. This evening I took some eggs over to Whitneys, then Browns, and then down to Zimmermans. They were all very glad to get them since eggs are so hard to get. I talked to Jackie for quite awhile while she read my letter. I thought Al would call this evening but he didn't. Gosh, what will I do if I don't see him this weekend? Oh unhappy weekend!
January 19, 1945 (Fri)
I'm really getting good. I got up at 7:30 today. This morning I cleaned the bedrooms. This afternoon I got cleaned up myself and then went downtown to put some money in bank for dad. I also bought some mixed nuts for Dwight $1.65 a pound so he had better like them. He said he wanted some. There was an article in this evening paper about Dwight (Pfc. by the way) having received the Bronze Star for "heroic achievement in action." He has also been awarded the Good Conduct Medal and is a receiving & shipping checker in Normandy, France. Obie, by the way, is going to Indiana Technical College now. Lucile is probably feeling pretty blue since her fiance Bill Hall, left for the Army today. Pauline was over this evening & Mr. Zimmerman was also down for awhile. Still no word from Al.
January 20, 1945 (Sat)
8:30 this morning. This morning I cleaned the living room, and took care of David. He just laid in his buggy & laughed & talked to himself all the time. This afternoon I cleaned the kitchen & bathroom, washed out some undies by hand, and did a little ironing. I received a letter from Dwight today dated Dec 31. He said that he is sending me some perfume from Paris Ahhhhhh! There was an article about Dwight in this mornings paper, and he was also mentioned over the radio on the 1:00 news. That's my hero. This evening Jackie was taking care of kids over to Ralstons so I went over there. We had a lot of fun just talking & laughing & doing exercises. About ten I went over to Zimmermans after Jackie's hairpins & Mrs. Zimmerman & I had a nice talk till Jackie called at 10:25. Than I finally came home.
January 21, 1945 (Sun)
Jackie & I (believe it or not) went to Sunday School at Curdes Avenue Missionary Church. Obie & Donna were there so they must have made up. Mr. Bridger was also there but I didn't talk to him. Mr. Zimmerman & Doug were at our house when I got home. Jackie stopped in for a little while & then went on home. Later on I went over (about 5) to Buschbaum's with Jackie & Mrs. Zimmerman. I slept in the afternoon & wrote a letter to Dwight. I didn't do a darn thing in the evening. Eugene told Jackie & Jackie told me that Al almost killed himself last week. Accidently, of course. He was driving home & he got pretty dizzy. He found out that his heater was throwing gas fumes into the car so kept all the windows opened the rest of the way home. I guess he isn't going any place till he gets his heater fixed. Can't say I blame him.
January 22, 1945 (Mon)
Today was the first day of the new semester. Betty Greenwood & I have all our classes together. Here's the subjects I'm taking & the teachers. I have for them: 1st - Shhd. 2 - Miss Furst, 2nd - Phys. Fit - Mon & Weds. Miss Waterson, 3rd & 4th - Cl. Practice 1a Miss Chapman, 6th - Typing 3 Miss Furst & 7th- Civics - Mr. Sinks. I have never had any of these teachers before. This afternoon I went downtown & mailed the mixed nuts to Dwight & then bought my self a light blue cardigan. It's beautiful. My Shorthand teacher gave us an 11 page assignment & so I had to do that this evening. It took me all evening to do it too. Dot got a letter from Bob today. It's the first time she has heard from him in quite some time. It seems strange without Lucile today in school.
January 23, 1945 (Tues)
I had a pretty good day in school today. I liked my teachers better today than I did yesterday. No assignment in Shorthand. In Cl. Practice Mrs. Chapman told us to make a menu for a restaurant to type. It isn't due until Friday so Betty G. & I made out a silly menu but we had a good time doing it. I went down to the library 2nd & I guess I'm going to work there 2nd period on Tues., Thurs. & Friday. After school Jackie & I went to the library again & I took out Growing Pains again (Yes, I'm still reading that). This evening I studied my civics (Government) & wrote a letter to Dwight. Mother worked overtime this evening till 5:30. I did awful in Typing today. Typing 2 & Typing 3 classes are together this semester. No more room so I had better say good-night.
January 24, 1945 (Wed)
Jackie & I left for school at 7:20 today & we got there about 20 of 8. Miss Shroyer was really surprised to see us in the library on time. Right after I got to North Side I discovered that I had left my glasses & 10 Senior Play Tickets ($5.75 worth). I think I left them on the bus. I certainly hope I find them. In Clerical Practice today I typed a letter to Dwight. I have been nominated for a squad leader in Physical Fitness. Whether or not I'll be elected I won't no till Monday. This evening Jackie, Gloria, Lucile & I went to the Concordia Military Tournament. I enjoyed it very, very much. It was after 11 before it ended then Gloria, Jackie & I went downtown, met Gloria's parents, & went to Gardners. I got home about 12:30. In bed at 1:00.
January 25, 1945 (Thurs)
I got up at a quarter after six this morning so I was rather sleepy all day. I guess I am going to have desk work in the library on Tues., Thurs., & Fri. 2nd period. We had a Current Event test in Civics & I had the highest grade. I have a wonderful typewriter now in Typing. Its an L C Smith & it types so easy. After school I signed up for Dramatics 5th period on Thursday (so did Jackie & Gloria) & then I stayed for play rehearsal till 6. This evening I went down to Jackie's for a little while, washed my beautiful (?) hair, and made a menu for Clerical Practice. I told Mother & Dad this evening about losing my glasses. I still haven't found them or the tickets either. That's all, I guess. Bye near dear diary. Got a letter from Dwight dated Jan. 9.
January 26, 1945 (Fri)
Another school day. I guess I'm going to work every other Friday 2nd period at the desk in the library. We had a short test in Civics today. I missed 3 out of 15. This evening, Jackie, Irene Anderson, Mary Bules, Wanda and I wnet to the North Side - Central game. We won 37 - 35. Jackie, Irene, Mary and I all got mad at Wanda. Wanda goes to North Side, she was sitting on North Side's side and the rest of us go to N.S. and then she yells for Central. That burnt me up. She didn't come home with Jackie, Eugene, Doug and I so I guess she is mad at us too. It doesn't bother me in the least bit. In Dwight's letter yesterday, he said that Obie and Donna Rinchart were engaged now. I wonder if it will last this time.
January 27, 1945 (Sat)
I got up at 8. I called the News-Sentinel and put in an advertisement about losing my glasses and tickets. I took care of David and Marjorie from 9 to 3. This morning I cleaned the bedrooms and this afternoon the living room and kitchen I only got a dollar for taking care of the kids today. Jackie called and her mother says we did the right thing where Wanda is concerned. There was another game this evening; North Side played John Adams of South Bend, and we won 35 - 33. Jackie wanted me to stay down to her house for a little while and so we popped some popcorn. Then Eugene and Doug came from the Central game and we played pinocle. Doug and I lost two games to Eugene and Jackie. I got home about 1:30. Al says he hasn't got his car fixed yet and that was the reason why I hadn't heard from him. I don't think thats a good excuse.
January 28, 1945 (Sun)
Mother got Dot and I up at 9 today so I didn't get much sleep last night or rather this morning. This morning I learned my part (Gladys) in the play Lady Luck and then I put some photographs in my photograph album. This afternoon Jackie, Barbara Meyer, Mary Berles, Nancy, Janet, and I went over to Betty's house to practice our play which we are supposed to give Thursday, but nobody knows their lines. I got home about 6 and then went over to Margaret and Jess to take care of the kids at 6:30. Over there I did my Civics and Shorthand, wrote a letter to Dwight and read part of The Professor's House. Yes, I finally finished Growing Pains yesterday. I got home from Margaret and Jess's about 10:30.
January 29, 1945 (Mon)
I made two one hundreds in Shorthand 1st period. Good way to start the day isn't it? However, I wasn't elected a squad leader in Phys. Fitness 2nd. I got a C on my menu in Cl. Practice and I worked so hard on it and it looked so nice! I made 100 on our filing work for today. We have another nice long assignment for Cl. Practice tomorrow. Oddra Myers and Pat Smith ate lunch with Jackie and I (Gloria was sick) today. They are more fun! I made it through Typing and Civics all right this afternoon. This evening I did my filing for Cl. Prat., and studied my Shorthand. I also read some more of The Professor's House. Bud Gremaux came home yesterday so Dottie Gremaux will probably be coming home soon too. I hope so.
January 30, 1945 (Tues)
Made 1 -100 in Shorthand, and missed 1 on the other reveiw. I worked in the library 2nd period and Miss Shroyer gave me some typing to do for her. Miss Suter came in and bawled me out for not being there for rehearsal last night, but I didn't know I was supposed to. Jackie went home sick today so I prompted for her part tonight till 6. This evening I typed answers to 30 questions for Cl. Practice, and studied my Shorthand. I went down to Jackie's then and helped her with her part in the play we're going to give Thursday. I hope the rest of the kids know theirs as well as Jackie knows hers. Its getting late (11:15) so bye now.
January 31, 1945 (Wed)
I made 2 - 100 in Shorthand today. We have a test in there tomorrow. I only typed 40 words in Typing today. Gosh, but I'm getting awful. I made all 100's again in Clerical Practice. Mother and Dad got their proofs from Rogers. They still aren't too good. Yesterday Uncle Ralph called from St. Louis, Missouri. He wanted Dad to send him some money which of course Dad did. I put an ad in the Journal-Gazette today or rather it will be in tomorrow's morning (about my glasses) We went over to Mary Berle's at 7. (Betty G., Janet, nancy, Barbara Meyer, Jackie and I) We went through the play twice and the kids know their parts a lot better. I hope it goes over all right tomorrow. I got home at 10, and studied my Shorthand. I washed my hair before I went over to Mary's.