January 1946

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January 1, 1946 (Tues)

Happy New Year, Dear New Diary: I had a very quiet day to start out my New Year. I didn't get up till 10:30. I didn't get to bed till 2:30. Margaret, Jess and kids were over for dinner today. After they went home this afternoon, I started making a pink and white blouse. Bob and Dot came over for awhile this afternoon. Bob is trying to sell his car. Aunt Blanche called and Bob landed in New York today. He'll be home soon. This evening I just read some more of the "The Thin Man" and listened to the radio. Pudgie called me this evening. She thought I had some boys calling her up, but I didn't. Its after ten now and I have to go to school tomorrow so I had better go to bed. 1946 should see Dwight home - What a happy year to look forward too.

January 2, 1946 (Wed)

Back to school today. We had to write an essay in class in English. I wrote one "On Reading Essays." 2nd period I typed a stencil and took a typing test. We had Phys. Fit 3rd period. We played volleyball. Its so terribly cold today at school. Not bad outside though. Same old Economics 4th. Pat and I ate lunch in cafeteria 5th. Jo Franklin was with us part of the time. We had 3 typing tests in Typing 7th. I don't know how I did on them. We had try-outs for Senior Play after school. Suter didn't give any parts out yet. We have to go back tomorrow, but I don't think I''ll make it and I wanted too so badly. I didn't get home from there till a quarter of 7. I got a letter from Jackie today. This evening I did my Shhd. and went through the play. Wish me luck tomorrow, dear Diary.

January 3, 1946 (Thurs)

It was rather warm out today. We had a play in English class first period. It was pretty cute. We learned something about the dictaphone in Clerical Practice today. I went to Dramatics 3rd period. Miss Suter talked all period. Economics was as terrible as ever. Our notebooks are due Monday and mine is terrible - I have to catch up on it this weekend. Pat was absent - Pudgie and I played some pingpong in Girls Gym before eating lunch in cafeteria. We had a test in Shhd. this afternoon and then transcription. I had to go down to Legend room after school and then to tryouts. Suter still hasn't made up her mind. We were there till 6 - go back again tomorrow. I studied Shhd., washed my hair and wrote a letter to Dwight this evening. Its 10:30 now so I had better go to dreamland. Night!

January 4, 1946 (Fri)

We had another play in English this morning. The one I was understudy for. I'm understudy and costume director for the one Tuesday and understudy for the one Wednesday. We did some filing in Cl. Practie 2nd. I worked at the desk in Lib 3rd and Bob Doelling came up to talk to me as he does every Fri. I don't see why he doesn't ask me for a date. Darn him anyway. Pat and Oddra were neither one here today so I ate lunch with Dolores and Evelyn. We had transcription in Shhd. and typing. After school Senior Play tryouts. Gosh, I just missed getting a part. We kids were going to go to the North Side - South Side game, but since they weren't in school we didn't go. S.S. beat us anyway. I finished writing a reveiw of Cyrano do Bergerac for English. I went to bed about eleven.

January 5, 1946 (Sat)

I got up about 8:30. We got ready to go downtown then. I called Oddra a little before 9 - she said she would call me back again his afternoon. Mother and I got our nylon's from Groths. Gosh, they are the most beautiful things I've ever seen. Nylons - Real nylons - The first I've had since before the war. I also tried to put in my application at Wolf and D's but couldn't. I put my application in at the Enployment Bureau then - but no jobs. Pudgie called this afternoon. I met Pudgie about 5:30. We went to the 6 o'clock show at the Paramount and saw "Kiss and Tell" with Shirley Temple. It was a riot! I thought I'd die laughing. I came home about 8:30. Gosh, but its nice out. 52 degrees above - seems like spring. I went to bed about 11:30.

January 6, 1946 (Sun)

I got up about 8. After breakfast I read magazines till about ten. Then I typed that review for English and started working on my Economics. I have my collateral all done. After we ate dinner and did dishes, I wrote my articles on the Business Department for the Legend. I worked some more on my back assignments for my Economics notebook. I listened to the radio and I did some Shhd. Margaret and Jess brought me 3 hotdogs home and Mother made some delicious custard. I shortened my green plaid skirt (it came back from the dry cleaners yesterday) and sewed some buttons on a white blouse. I finished my Shhd. and wrote a letter to Dwight. I dreamed Dwight came home again last night. Well, its after ten so night. Barbara Meyers called me about 9:30 about English.

January 7, 1946 (Mon)

First I had play rehearsal for the "Lord's Prayer" before homeroom and then I worked in the Library. We had another play in English 1st. It was good. I typed a stencil in Cl. Practice and took a typing test. I think I got my 60 work award. I certainly hope so. We had Phys Fit. 3rd. I made the all star team in volleyball in our class. Isn't that thrilling? Pat and I ate lunch in cafeteria then at a quarter of 1 I had to practice again. And Huffman gave me the part of Pegay for Wednesday. We had a Shhd. test and transcription 6th and 7th. After I worked in Lib. then rehearsal of Pegay. I play opposite Van Bechtal. Gosh, I think he's cute, but a lot of good that does me. I got home about 5:30. I learned my lines in the play and studied Shhd. Pudgie called me this evening. I took my shower and its now 10:30 so (shorthand).

January 8, 1946 (Tues)

We had another play in English - the one I was costume director and understudy for. "The Lord's Prayer" I worked on the dictaphone in Cl. Practice 2nd. That was a lot of fun. I worked at the desk in Lib. 3rd period. After 3rd Betty and I went to see Miss Suter about some stuff for SPC. We had to hand our notebooks in in Economics 4th. I ate with Pat and Pudgie then at a quarter till 1 went to practice the play. We graded tests and transcriptions in Shhd 6th. We had typing tests in Typing 7th and I had 63 wpm with 92% accuracy on one. After school we rehearsed for the play till five. I got a letter from Dwight written Christmas Day. He didn't say anything about coming home. This evening I read a long play by James Barrie, did some work for SPC and worked on my part in the play tomorrow. Its just 10:30 now. Night.

January 9, 1946 (Wed)

We gave our play "Peggy" in English. I laughed during the play, but Miss Huffman said it was the best one yet. I worked on the dictaphone 2nd. That's more fun. We had Phys. Fit 3rd period. We had a test on Volleyball. Only one more Phys Fit period for me and thats all - absolutely all. Just discussion in Economics 4th. Pat and I ate in cafeteria 5th. We had transcription in Shhd. and Typing. Since I had so much junk for the play, Dad came after me after school. Bob and Dot were here for a little while. Mother I think is catching the flu. She feels terrible. Dad and I got supper and I did the dishes. I read the play, "You Never Can Tell" by G. Bernard Shaw for English, studied my Economics until I got so sleepy about ten o'clock I went to bed.

January 10, 1946 (Thurs)

We had another play in English "The Comin' of Fair Annie." It was pretty good. Betty and I learned to divide on the Electric Adding Machine today. That's fun too. We had Dramatics 3rd period. Betty and I worked together in the hall on our SPC records. She is Joint Recorder. Everybody wanted to know what we were selling. We had a test in Economics 4th. Pat, Oddra and I ate lunch in Cafeteria 5th. This afternoon in Shhd. and typing we filled out programs for next semester. I came right home from school for a change. I spent all evening writing appreciation and character sketch of the 2 long plays and reading 3 more one-acts, writing appreciations of them, getting some biographical notes on dramatists and then typing it all. I also washed my hair! It is after 10:30 now.

January 11, 1946 (Fri)

We had a test in English this morning. I made 87 on it. My last test to ever have in English forever and ever. Thank Heavens! Betty and I worked on the electric adding machines. I worked at the desk in Library 3rd period. We just had discussion in Economics 4th. Pat and I got SPC Dance invitations from Miss Suter's office and passed some of them out. Then we ate lunch in cafeteria. This afternoon we graded tests in Shorthand and figured our averages. In Typing we took tests. I had 59.5 wpm with 84% accuracy on one. I had typed 71.5 gross words. This evening I wrote a letter to Phyllis Hite and put some pictures in my Photograph Album. Betty called me. NS beat CC but I didn't go. We had a very heavy snow this afternoon and evening. Its very beautiful - a fairyland.

January 12, 1946 (Sat)

Mother called me about eight. Dorothy came over this morning to wash her clothes. I got ready and Mother and Dad took me downtown to meet Betty Jane at ten. We looked for a dress for Betty. I bought a jerkin pettern. We saw Oddra. We just shopped around downtown till about noon. Then we went to Morris' and had hamburgs, toasted cheese and malts. I got home about 1:30. I hunted all over for a black skirt I had once to make a jerkin out of it, but I couldn't find it. This evening I went over to Margaret and Jess and took care of the kids. I had to hold Jimmie all the time from 7:30 to 11:30. He just wouldn't go to sleep. I made a $1. I finished reading "The Thin Man". I got to bed about 12:30. I was pretty cold today.

Jerkin is a close-fitting hip-length usually sleeveless jacket.

January 13, 1946 (Sun)

I got up about nine. After eating breakfast and reading the funny papers we got ready to go over to Dot and Bob's for dinner. Morrow Nut House advertised for a high school girl for parttime work so I stopped there. I have to got back tomorrow at noon. I certainly hope I get the job. I lost my pearls today that Dorothy gave me - Darn it anyhow. I baked cookies this afternoon and wrote letters to Pauline and Dwight. It was terribly terribly cold out today. My cousins, Bob Williams, and Bob Layman (he had never seen his 1 1/2 yr old son) were discharged from the Army last week. I also studied my Shhd. Yesterday David had his first haircut. He looks cute with his short hair. Its after ten now so night.

January 14, 1946 (Mon)

It was very cold again this morning. I worked in the Library during homeroom. We just read a play in English 1st period. Betty and I counted money for Mr. Reeves 2nd. We had Phys. Fit 3rd. We were all three on the all star team and had to play a game in Volleyball. Betty had Erv's camera here. It takes 36 pictures on one roll of film and takes pictures indoors. We had more fun taking pictures. At noon Mother picked me up and took me downtown - I went to Morrow Nut House, but somebody else had already gotten the job. We had reading test in Shhd 6th. I typed a stencil for Mr. Reeves 7th. Then I took 2 Typing tests - did terrible. I worked in Library after school. I got a letter from Pauline today. This evening I shortened my robe for Job's Daughters, and learned my ritual. Marjorie stayed over here all night. I took my shower and went to bed about 10:30.

January 15, 1946 (Tues)

We had to give that play with costumes and such for English so I had to learn my lines during homeroom. The play went over pretty good in Eng. Betty, Evelyn and I filled out programs for next semester in Clerical Practice. I worked at desk in Library 3rd. We had Current Events in Economics. I made A- on my last test. Pudgie, Pat, Betty and I ate lunch in cafeteria - our last time. We had a Shhd. test 6th and reading tests 7th - I had 112 average on that. Betty and I had to do several things after school then I came home and got ready for Job's Daughters. Dad took me down to the Scottish Rite Temple at 5:30. We had our potluck first, then practice, then the meeting. We got through it fairly well. I got home a quarter after 10. I washed my hair and went to bed about eleven-thirty.

January 16, 1946 (Wed)

We got our grades today. I got English 7 - A, Cl. Practice A, Economics A, Shorthand A, Typing A and Phys Fit B. Well, I'm a Post Grad now. Sounds good, but gosh, its going to be lonesome with Pat, Oddra, and Betty gone. Betty cried and cried - she didn't want to leave after all. Pat and Oddra took several pcitures of us and Mr. Northrop. I got home about noon. After lunch and dishes I did some ironing for Mother. Then Marjorie, Mom and I went to the grocery, Howard and Ahleen's (she has a beautiful formal for me and she had pictures she took day of Dot's wedding) and after Dad. This evening I wrote the minutes for the meeting last night and for SPC the last meeting. I worte a letter to Jackie and started one to Dwight. I'm so sleepy so night Diary.

January 17, 1946 (Thurs)

Mother woke me up about 8:30. I got ready and went downtown job-hunting. I walked all over downtown hunting for a job and nobody wanted part-time help till finally I went to Lincoln National Life Insurance Co. and there I got a job in the Stenographic Department. I start next Monday. I think I'll like it. I bought quite a few Valentines too. I got home about 2 and was about dead. Then I got ready for the Senior Banquet. Bob and Dot came over and took Betty and I down to the English Trinity Lutheran Church. Oddra, Betty Lou, Nancy, Janet and I sat at the same table. (Pat was sick and couldn't come) We had a nice time. We had ham, scalloped potatoes, corn, salad, rolls, ice cream and cake and several speeches. Afterwards Betty's mother picked us up and brought us home. It was about 10:30 before I went to bed.

January 18, 1946 (Fri)

It was about 9 when I got up. This morning I cleaned the bedrooms and dusted the living room while Mother cleaned the kitchen and bathroom. I washed some clothes out by hand while she mopped the utility room. Then after dinner I washed most of the dishes while she finished cleaning the living room. I took my shower while she went after Dad. We went downtown then - I took my working permit down. I cut my jerkin out of that old black skirt. I called Pudge and she called me. Bob and Dot came over. I went to the NS - Elkhart game with Pudge and Betty Lou. We lost by just one measly little point - that's disgusting! I went to bed about 11:30.

January 19, 1946 (Sat)

Mother called me at seven o'clock. We got ready to go out to Aunt Elma's. Uncle Mac, Don, Jim and Mart Clegwood were butchering pigs. That's the first time I had ever seen that done - it was all very interesting. Nancy and Millie were there too. Aunt Elma said there were a couple boys (18 & 19) in her Sunday School class who had seen my picture and wanted to meet me. So she promised me she would ask me out for the next class party. We didn't get home till about five o'clock. I finished my jerkin then - I think its pretty cute if I must say so myself. Alma and Roy came over this evening and they and Mother and Dad went away for awhile. Its about 9:30 now and I'm veryvery sleepy. Night!

January 20, 1946 (Sun)

I got up about nine o'clock. I didn't do anything this morning, but read funny papers. Dad and I tried to adjust the bathroom scales, but with no success. Right after dinner I baked a peach upside-down cake. Its very very delicious - its over half gone already. Then I just messed around - cleaned my closet out, polished my nails and listened to the radio. I played some solitaire till Dad finally broke down and played 3 games of cribbage with me. I won 5 cents off of him. More solitaire then. I finally ended up reading magazines and a mystery novel in American. I wrote some more on that letter to Dwight which I started last Wednesday. I took my shower and now its eleven.

January 21, 1946 (Mon)

Back to school again. All the Post Grads are together in Mertes' homeroom. It seemed strange without Betty, Pat and Oddra. I have Library 1st, Health (Speigel) 2nd, Shhd and Typing (Chapman) 3rd and 4th. We just had 15 minutes periods today. Evelyn, Kathleen and I just messed around till 8th when we went back to homeroom. We got out at 11:50. Evelyn, Donna Lou, Kathleen and I went downtown and got something to eat. Evelyn and I went to Lincoln Life at 1. I'm working right there at the Personnel office most of the time. Evelyn is working in the Stenographic. There were around 20 girls hired in today. (Marcia Baker too) I typed records of girls hired in all day. I got out of work at 5 and got home about 20 till 6. Phyllis Meyer called and wanted me to go to SPC Dance this evening. Betty called - only 9 of those pictures turned out. I washed my hair this evening. Its ten now. Night.

January 22, 1946 (Tues)

Mother took me down to the busline this morning. It was 8 degrees below zero. I'll work in the library everyday 1st period this semester. I went to Health 2nd. I think I''ll like that. I had Shorthand 3rd - we had dictation all period. Typing 4th - we are planning on having a typing contest later on this semester. Evelyn, Donna Lou and I ate in the cafeteria 5th then Evelyn and I went to Lincoln Life. Got there just a couple of minutes after one. I typed for a couple hours. I had a rest period at 3 - I went up to see Evelyn and Marcia. The rest of the day I filed mostly. A lot of people are always coming and going. I got home about a quarter of six. I worked on my Shorthand this evening and read a little of "Main Street" by Sinclair Lewis. I took my shower and went to bed about 10:30.

January 23, 1946 (Wed)

It was a little warmer today. I studied my Shhd. some more 1st and started a letter to Dwight. We are studying posture in Health now. We had a Wave in our Shhd. class. I wrote some more to Dwight in there and in Typing. The rest of the period we decided on the rules for the typing tournaments. Evelyn, Donna Lou, and I ate in cafeteria then. Evelyn and I went to Lincoln Life. Got there about 5 till 1. Janet started working there this afternoon too. I typed part of the time - took some dictation from Dorothy Murphy and filed. At 5 I went up to see Betty Lou, Janet and Evelyn. This afternoon really went fast. I got home about a quarter of six. This evening I studied my Shorthand and read some more of Main Street. Its only about 9:30 but I'm going to bed now.

January 24, 1946 (Thurs)

Pretty warm this morning, but a little colder this evening. We had a Freshman B - English 1 class in Library this morning. We just had discussion in Health. We had dictation all of 3rd period. We drew opponents for Typing Tournament. I'll typo against Mary Jane Ross. We had a typing test - I had a strikeover. Evelyn, Donna Lou and I ate in cafeteria and then we went to work. Got there at 1. I typed a letter this afternoon. Miss McCrory dictated a letter to me and I transcribed it. I also did quite a bit of filing. Its interesting to read the records on the employees. I got home a quarter of six. I studied Shhd. and took care of the kids for about an hr. (50 cents). I got a letter from Pauline, a newspaper from Marietta College and Job's Calendar for this year.

January 25, 1946 (Fri)

Still pretty cold. I almost was late for school. We are discussing Care of Feet in Health now. More dictation in Shorthand. We had Typing tests 4th. I did awful on both of them. Evelyn and I ate in cafeteria, and then we went to work. We got there at a quarter after 1. I typed just a little, filed mostly. Janet and I stopped downtown and got some pictures from Howard's for Margaret. I got home a quarter of six. About 7:00 who calls but Jackie. Zimmerman's had just gotten in. Jackie came down and Doug, Jackie and I went to the Central - North Side game. We lost by 4 points. We went to the Hobby House with Lila Lee Hanselman and Mary Lou Dickerson afterwards. We got home about 12 and Jackie stayed all night. We talked till about 4 o'clock. Gosh, it was wonderful to have her here.

January 26, 1946 (Sat)

Jackie and I got up about 10. We got cleaned up then and went downtown with Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman and Doug. We shopped around till noon. Then we ate at the Miller's Cafeteria. Then we shopped some more. About 2 they brought me home and came in for awhile. Then they went back home to Findlay. I worked a jig-saw puzzle this afternoon. Janet called about 5:30 and wanted me to go on a double date with her and Paul Pripenbrink (Janet's brother) and me with Bill Ferguson. So I did. They picked me up about 8. We went roller-skating at Bell's, then got something to eat at Acme's, drove around for awhile. I got home at 12:30. I really had a great time. Bill's very nice - good-looking too. He's going to go to Purdue.

January 27, 1946 (Sun)

I got up about 10. Did nothing all morning except read the funny papers. After dinner Mother and Dad went to Aunt Elma's to see Aunt Dora, Uncle Frank, Aunt Lena, and Uncle Paul from Ohio. While they were gone I washed the dishes. Dad threw his thumb out of place and tore the ligaments. He went to the Doctor this morning. This afternoon I just listened to the radio, studied my shorthand, and read some more of "Main Street." I washed my hair this evening and finally addressed the envelopes for those last two letters I wrote to Dwight. Rather a dull day huh? After the last two - boy, was I tired today. Its only 9, but I'm going to bed anyway.

January 28, 1946 (Mon)

A little warmer today again. Golly, I was sore today from skating Saturday. Janet and I had a long discussion in homeroom and she said Bill and Paul both liked me. Gosh, I hope we have another double-date soon. We had a substitute in Shorthand 3rd period and so no test. We had typing tests 4th. I did terrible again. Evelyn, Donna Lou and I ate lunch in cafeteria. Evelyn didn't go to work with me though. I got to work a few minutes before 1. The afternoon really went fast. I typed and filed. We certainly had a lot of applicants this afternoon. I got home about twenty till six. This evening I read some more of "Main Street" and Dad finally got a National Geographic Magazine. Mr. Brown came over. Brown's are moving tomorrow morning. Millie was here too. Is 9:30 now. Night!

January 29, 1946 (Tues)

The weather - about the same. I'm still working in Library 1st and Health 2nd - still personal appearance. I started a letter to Dwight in there. We had a test in Shhd. I made 80 and 100. We had typing tests again in Typing. I don't know whats wrong with me this semester - I just can't type. Evelyn, Donna Lou and I ate lunch in cafeteria, then Evelyn and I went to work - got there a quarter after one. Dorothy wasn't there so I had to take over. I answered telephone, took care of applicants, took dictation from Miss McCrory and transcribed it, did some other typing and some more filing. The afternoon went fast, but I was scared stiff. Janet and I had another discussion about Bill and Paul on the way home from work. I got home about 20 till 6. This evening Don and Nancy came over. I studied Shhd. and read "Main Street". I got a postcard from Dot she sent last Sunday when they were in Wabash. Its 10 now.

January 30, 1946 (Wed)

It rained today so you see it was pretty warm. I started a letter to Pauline 1st period. We had a test in Health 2nd. More dictation in Shhd. and another Typing test 4th - only had 56 wpm and 87% accuracy on it. Evelyn, Donna Lou and I ate lunch in cafeteria then Evelyn and I went to work - got there on time today. Dorothy was there today. I typed and filed this afternoon. I got home a quarter till six. This evening I went over to Margaret's a little while and studied my Shhd. and read "Main Street". Janet said this morning that she, Paul, and Bill passed my house about 11 last night, but there weren't any lights on so they didn't stop. Darn it anyway. I changed my hair style again. I hope it looks alright tomorrow. I parted it in the middle. Well, its after 10 now. Goodnight!

January 31, 1946 (Thurs)

It was cold today - snow again. I read "Seventeen" in Lib. this morning. We read advertisements in Health 2nd about personal appearance. More dictation in Shhd.and another Typing test in Typing. I had 58 wpm and 87% accuracy on it. Donna Lou, Evelyn and I went to L S. We missed our bus again today so we got to work at a quarter after 1. I took some more dictation from Miss McCrory and transcribed it. I also did quite a bit of Typing. Dorothy and I had quite a talk this afternoon. She had infantile paralysis when she was only 5 months old - that's why she is crippled now. I got my first check from LS today - $10.58. I got home about a quarter of 6. This evening I studied my shorthand, listened to the radio and read some more of "Main Street". Its almost ten now.