July 1945

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July 1, 1945 (Sun)

What do I do but wake up at a quarter after 6 and can't go back to sleep. But I had a nice dream. I dreamed Dwight gave me a diamond. Dot got up pretty early - Wanda came over and then at 9 the rest of the girls in the truck (nice looking guy driving too) and they left for Big Long Lake. Gosh, I bet they''ll have a lot of fun. I cleaned the living room and our bedroom this morning. I started reading the book "The Song of Bernadette" and its wonderful! I went down to see Jackie this afternoon and then came home and went to sleep. After I woke up, I read "The Song of Bernadette" some more and then went to bed at 9:30. Very early for me. It was a little cooler today then it has been.

July 2, 1945 (Mon)

Back to work this morning again. I wrote a letter to Dwight. I checked for an hour with Kathleen and an hour with Phyllis. I typed the rest of the day. I went downtown after work and bought a two piece playsuit. The blouse and shorts (?????) and the skirt several. It is very pretty light blue stripe trimmed in eyelet. I also got a beautiful white leather belt for a green and white silk dress of mine and a bottle of leg make-up. I saw Donna Lou and Pudgie both downtown. I called Mrs. Zimmerman and told her I wanted to give a surprise party for Jackie and Lucile called. I shelled peas for Mother and started to hem the skirt of my playsuit and ironed a dress. Its almost ten so night.

Buddy nor I could figure out the word after shorts — Sandy

July 3, 1945 (Tues)

I read some more of "The Song of Bernadette" at work this morning. That really is a wonderful book. I typed most of the day except for a little while this afternoon. Marge and I checked. I came straight home from work tonight. Dad and I went to the grocery. After supper I cleaned the car out on the inside and washed the windows. I put the hem in my playsuit and then ironed it. Jackie called and we had a nice long talk. I think she is excited about going to the lake tomorrow too. Mrs. Zimmerman is going after Lucile at 4:30 tomorrow morning so we can leave at 5. I got cleaned up this morning and all ready to go. Well, it's about 9:30 and I have to get up at 4. So good-night!

July 4, 1945 (Wed)

Today is the 4th of July. We got up at 4. Lucile and Jackie came down a little before 5 and we left at 5 for Big Long Lake. We got to the lake about 6:30 and we 3 went to bed for awhile. Then we went swimming, walked a half mile to the grocery, went rowing (Ginny, one of the six girls with Dot - she's 18 and cute - went with us) We went back to the grocery with Mom and Dad and Ginny - then to Pretty Lake. In between times we laid in the sun. So by noon we all had some honey of sunburns. We had chop suey for dinner. Around the table there were ten girls, Mother and Dad was the only man. In the afternoon we went swimming again and then the kids took pictures and we came home. got home about 6. I washed my hair, took a hem out of a dress and washed it. I got sick about 8.

July 5, 1945 (Thurs)

I was pretty sick till about 1. Dr. Conley was out on a baby case and couldn't come. I started to get ready to go to work but couldn't do it. I had to go back to bed. I didn't feel good at all today so stayed in bed all day. I received a letter from Dwight today dated June 20th. I also wrote him one. He sent me 20 pictures - 5 of which are of him and very good too. The rest he had taken there in Le Harve. I also received a letter from Betty Morris today. I guess England really went wild on V-E Day. I read some more of "the Song of Bernardette." Lucile called this evening and she is going down to see Bill sometime next week. Oddra called and so did Gloria. Jim and Millie were over this evening. David is a year old today. My sunburn really hurt today.

July 6, 1945 (Fri)

I read the "Song of bernardette" this morning and talked to Pat Garrard before 7:30. I typed all day except for an hour of corrections of cards. Everybody thought Dwight was so nice looking from his pictures. Stopped downtown after work and had my haircut at Wolf and D's in a feather bob. I kind of like it - I hope everybody else does. I got the reprint pictures from Howard's, some picture mounting stickers and a silver barrette with my name on it for in my hair. I walked part way home from the busline with Mrs. Sumney. She has a line as long at Wanda's. I put photographs in my photograph book most of the evening. Ray and Lavon came over this eveing. Well, its after 10 now so good night Diary. I drew $19.84 today.

July 7, 1945 (Sat)

I wrote a letter to Dwight this morning. I typed all day on a rush issue. There were quite a few people who weren't at work today. The office looked kind of bare. I came straight home from work. We got cleaned up and I pressed a few clothes before we left for the lake. We left about 6:30. On the way up I finished reading "The Song of Bernadette". That was really a magnificient book. We got to the lake about 8. Rosie, Dot, Dad, Mother, and I went over to the Shady Nook Grocery. I read some of the old magazines (1938, etc.) that were at the cottage and then went to bed a little after 10. I slept on the upstairs screened-in porch with Rosie.

July 8, 1945 (Sun)

Mother, Dad and I got up at 5 this morning and went fishing. I caught 3 tiny fish which I had to throw back and Mother caught five but that was all. The girls packed up and we left at a quarter of nine. Patty Hanthrone, Rosie Koder and Dot were the only ones left there today. We got back to town about a quarter after ten. In the afternoon Mother and Dad went away so Dot and I slept all afternoon. I felt better after I woke up. I just read stories in magazines and shined my white shoes. It just poured cats and dogs this evening. Dot and I are planning on doing exercises every day and go on a diet so we can reduce our hips and legs. I hope we can stick to it. Its about 10:30 now.

July 9, 1945 (Mon)

I wrote a letter to Dwight this morning. I typed all day except for checking about an hour with Kathleen Dailey and Alice. I still eat with Mother and Dad at noon. I worked overtime this evening till 6. Gosh, we really have a lot of work. I went downtown after work and met Dorothy. We went to Bon Ton's to order a cake for my party Saturday night but they were closed. We met Mother and Dad then and bought birthday presents for Jess, David and Ahleen. We took Ahleen's birthday present out to her then. She is 31 today. I received a letter from Dwight today dated June 17th with 2 pictures. One is a very good one of him and the other is of P. W. there. We had some ice cream after we got home - I called Pat Smith and went to bed.

July 10, 1945 (Tues)

I wrote a letter to Dwight this morning again. He'll wonder what got into me - writing so much lately. I checked with Alice for about 3 hours today and typed the rest. I worked overtime again this evening. It will probably be quite awhile before we get caught up on our work. I got home about 7:30. Dot didn't work today - the men are on a strike. We haven't had any newspapers since last Saturday because of labor trouble. It seems sort of isolated without a paper. I called Gloria, Doris Smith and Oddra this evening. I also called Jackie - they have their house in Findlay and will probably move next week. I feel like crying every time I think about it. I took care of Marge and Dave for awhile this evening. Came home about 10 and went to bed. Dot went away this evening to the show and union meeting.

July 11, 1945 (Wed)

I started a letter to Pauline this morning. I typed all day and worked overtime till six. Phyllis and I really had a lot of fun this afternoon. We were both feeling good and kept teasing each other. We sat there and laughed till we cried. Izzie (Isabelle Buch) typed next to me from 4 till 6. I stopped downtown on the way home from work and took a book back to the library (the White Cliffs of Dover) Dot, Mother and I kept arranging the living room trying to figure out we liked it. We finally got it straightened up. I washed my hair this evening. Dot got a letter from Jean Rosselot and she's going to be married soon. Dot didn't work today either. Its 10:30 (or maybe a little after) so good-night - sleep tight.

July 12, 1945 (Thurs)

I wrote a letter to Dwight this morning (unusual, huh?) It was kind of chilly this morning, but much warmer during the day. I typed all morning, but checked from 1:30 on with some lady. I got paid today and drew $18.45 so I got paid for the 4th of July and the day I was off sick, but didn't get paid time and a half for Sat. but I'm not crabbing. I stopped dowtown on my way from work. I bought Jackie's present - a beautiful Indian bracelet. I bought prizes for Saturday night - a box of stationery, a Mexican bracelet and the booby prize - a child's book "Cheeky Chipmunk". I cleaned our bedroom and mowed part of the grass. Dot still isn't working. I called Jackie and Betty. I also bought myself some stationery - A letter a day - its cute - names of the day on the sheets. Night now.

July 13, 1945 (Fri)

I just talked with a bunch of girls this morning. The only day this week I didn't wear a raincoat and it rains. I typed all day, but didn't do too good. I guess I was a little tired. They had cigarettes at the canteen today. Mom, Dad and I got in line and we each got Dad 2 packs. Lucile left for Alabama to see Bill today. I stopped downtown on my way home from work and bought favors (cute little baskets), candles (decorated with blue flowers) and paper napkins with blue and yellow flowers. I got the cake from Bon Ton. Its absolutely beautiful and it says "Good Luck Jackie" on it. It is decorated with blue and pink flowers and green leaves. This evening I ironed, fixed the favors with lemon drops and mint candy and wrapped the presents. Donna Low called this evening. I also got the games ready to play. Friday the 13th but no bad luck.

July 14, 1945 (Sat)

I wrote a letter to Dwight this morning. It rained most of the day. I checked all day - -most of the time with - - the rest with Alice. Mr. Herendun called all of the typists into his office this morning. He's going on his vacation next week and wants us to work hard. I came straight home from work. I got my income tax back from the government $46.63. Don't think that won't come in handy though. I received a letter from Dwight dated June 25th. Obie is in Calif. again - he didn't get married. The girls were supposed to come at 7:30 and Jackie around 8 so who comes down a quarter after 7 but Jackie. She says she didn't suspect anything but I think she did. She cried when she saw the cake and presents and so did the rest of us. Pat won the bracelet, Donna Lou the stationery and Oddra the booby prize. I walked Jackie home at 12:30 - got to bed about 1. Took 2 flashlight pictures.

July 15, 1945 (Sun)

Mother woke me up at 8:30. Didn't do anything this morning except dishes. Dot and I sang for awhile while Mother played the piano. I called Jackie - We're going to the show one evening next week. Dot went to a show this afternoon and Mother and Dad went to some lake with Alma and Roy. Margaret and Jess went to Big Lake for the weekend and Howard and Ahleen and girls went to Big Long (Jim's cottage) for 2 weeks. This afternoon I wrote an 8 page letter to Dwight, a letter to Pauline and one to Betty Morris. Dottie came home, got cleaned up and went to a dance with Wanda and another girl. She is going to stay over at Wanda's all night. This evening I just read stories in old issues of Seventeen. Its about a quarter of 10. Its been cold enough for coats today.

July 16, 1945 (Mon)

Back to work again. I started a letter to Dwight this morning. I checked most of the morning with Alice and typed the rest of the day. A new girl was hired into work today. I went downtown after work and just looked around. I saw a black chesterfield coat that I would just love to have - maybe I'll get it Thursday. I didn't feel very good at work this morning - I thought I was going to faint - Betty G. felt the same way this afternoon. I was sleepy all evening after I got home. Dot and I walked over to the little store on Curdes, I called Jackie (their furniture leaves next Mon.) and I finished the letter to Dwight. I went to bed early because I was so sleepy - a quarter after 9.

July 17, 1945 (Tues)

I intended to write to Dwight this morning but Penny, the new girl, came in and talked to me so I didn't get the chance. I typed all day and worked overtime till six. I met Dot downtown at 25 after 6 - we went to Carrolls Drugstore got something to eat and went to the dentist (Tully). He seems awfully nice and has a very nice office and 2 nurses. I was in the dentist chair for an hour and a half. He had to put the needle in 4 times before my jaw was numb. He filled three teeth and pulled one. (Did that ever hurt after I got home.) I have another appointment for Sept. 10. Mom and Dad came after us at the dentist and I came home and went to bed. Gloria called and Dot talked to her. It was a fairly warm day today.

July 18, 1945 (Wed)

I started a letter to Dwight this morning. Another new girl started today - June something or other. I checked about 5 1/2 hours today with Alice and Marion. I worked overtime again today till six. There's a cute kid who works near Mother - Bob Henderson - he's been saying hello - today he stopped and talked to us. Mother and Dad don't like him very well but I think he's nice. I came straight home from work. Margaret, Marge and David were here. David walks all the time and gets cuter everyday. I washed my hair, shined a pair of shoes and ironed a skirt. My jaw hurt quite a bit today. No wonder. Its getting warm out again - probably be hot tomorrow. Dot went over to Wanda's and stayed all night. According to the fortune teller, Bob is supposed to come home Sept. 7.

July 19, 1945 (Thurs)

I finished writing a letter to Dwight. I typed all day and as always went down to eat with Mother and Dad. Thais Baumert who works in the Ditto Room with Freddie is awfully nice. She and Phyllis run around together quite a bit. After work I met Dot downtown and bought me a new winter coat. Its a dark green Chesterfield trimmed in black velvet ($23). I also bought 2 polo shirts - one blue and white stripe and one green and white striped. I hurried home then and got cleaned up to go to the surprise party for Madonna Bauer at Emily Swank's house. Madonna was really surprised. We bought her a beautiful suitcase. I had a lot of fun although some of the snobs from N.S. were there. Despite the ten o'clock curfew I didn't get home till 11. I drew $23.05 today (made $30.50)

July 20, 1945 (Fri)

I just talked to the girls this morning. I typed all day again. Part of the Harvester walked out yesterday. Looks like there is going to be a strike. I worked overtime till six again today. Betty and I split a pint of ice cream about 4. It really tasted good especially in this hot hot weather. I got home from work about 7. I ate some chili - Dot and I did dishes. I laid down on the davenport and went to sleep. I got up about 9:30, put my hair up, took a shower and went to bed. My jaw is still pretty sore. Betty wants me to go to the fortune teller with her now - I don't know when we are going. Ervin Knott is getting pretty serious about Betty but she isn't about him. I don't know how it will turn out.

July 21, 1945 (Sat)

I slept from 7 to 7:30. All the factory walked out today, but the office is still working. Dad called me about 10 and said they were leaving so I went down after my lunch. At noon I ate with Thais, Phyllis and those kids out on the grass. We had a nice little picnic. Boy, was it hot today. I came straight home from work. Pauline had been over but I missed her again - she had to go back to Chicago at 6. I went down and talked to Jackie for awhile. Her mother and Doug are in Finley - just Jackie and her grandmother are here. I'm taking care of Midge and Dave while Marg and Jess went to the show. I wrote a letter to Dwight and called Betty Greenwood. I read a magazine and slept. Also called Jackie.

July 22, 1945 (Sun)

I woke up about 8 this morning. I washed my chintz dress for the first time today - it washed nice. I also washed my light green sweater and my blue one. Then I got cleaned up. Today is Aunt Elma's birthday. We got her a lace tablecloth. She, Uncle Mac, Don, Danny, Marg, Jess, Marge and Dave were here for dinner. Jackie called this afternoon and I went down there. Tomorrow they are moving to Findlay. We just talked all afternoon - then Jackie came down - I took a picture of her and Dot and I and then Jackie made a record. It turned out good and clear. Dot and I walked Jackie home then. That will be the last time I'll see Jackie for a long time. I came home and cried then. Dot and I started doing exercise - another diet. Its almost a quarter of 10. Night.

July 23, 1945 (Mon)

Back to work again - getting up at 5:30 - oh me! I just talked to the kids this morning. I checked with Penny practically all day. Gosh, but I think she's cute - she will be a Junior at Purdue this fall. I worked overtime till 6 again today. I got a raise today - I think its a nickel raise but I'm not sure - I hope so. I met Dot downtown after work. She bought herself a new dress and I got the most beautiful dress suit I've ever seen. Its gray with a white pin stripe - soft wool and two piece. The top is a cardigan and the skirt has pleats. I love it - $16.98 for it. We bought Mom and Dad 8 sherberts and 8 water galsses for their anniversary the 25th. I got a letter from Dwight dated July 11th and he sent 2 more picture of La Harve.

July 24, 1945 (Tues)

I started a letter to Dwight. Gosh, but it was terribly hot today - I typed all day except for the 2 hours overtime when I checked with Penny. Dad hurt his leg someway - it was pretty sore so he and mother came home from work this morning. I ate with Thais, Phyllis and those other kids. I came straight home from work. I ate supper while reading "The Sign of Four" (a Sherlock Holmes book). I'm also reading this diary over - its pretty good if I must say so myself. Gloria called and I'm going out to her house for the weekend. I made an appointment with the fortune teller for Sunday afternoon at 2 for Betty and I. I finished writing my letter to Dwight - took a shower and went to bed.

July 25, 1945 (Wed)

Today is Mother and Dad's 31st wedding anniversary. That's a long time. I wrote a letter to Jackie or rather typed it this morning. Mom and Dad didn't go to work today, but his leg feels a lot better now. I typed all morning, ate lunch with Phyllis, Thais etc. This afternoon I checked with Betty G. - a lot of talking, but not much checking was done. I worked till 6 again and Mother and Dad met me at work. We went over to Margaret and Jess's for a chicken supper. Mom and Dad liked their glasses and sherberts. This evening I washed my hair and washed out my white dress, rose dress and white purse. I ironed my green, black, white checked dress, took a shower and went to bed. It was a little bit cooler today.

July 26, 1945 (Thurs)

I wrote a letter to Dwight. I typed in the morning. I checked with Betty G. in the afternoon. You can imagine how much work we got done. I worked overtime and checked with Penny then from 4 to 6. I rode downtown with Penny on the bus. I really think she's the nicest and cutest person. I received a letter from Jackie today. She didn't have too much to say except that they are getting their house straightened up etc. I went over and took care of Marjorie and David. Marge and I ate some ice cream before I put her to bed. I'm reading all the Sherlock Holmes books now. I made a dollar. Winston Churchill has been defeated in the election in England.

July 27, 1945 (Fri)

I talked to the kids this morning. I checked with Penny all day. Except for the two hours overtime - Penny and I are typing on a 290 card issue now. We did very very little work the last hour today. Penny and I rode downtown together again. After I got home I got me something to eat, did the dishes, ironed my white dress. My white purse really washed nice. I packed my suitcase. Gloria called and we talked for quite awhile. I received a letter from Dwight today dated July 1st. He is getting pretty serious again but still says he doesn't want to get married till he has a good job and money in the bank. I got to bed about then.

July 28, 1945 (Sat)

I wrote a nice letter to Dwight and started one to Jackie. I typed all day - Penny and I are almost finished with that big issue. Howard came in to see us at noon. They came back from the lake last night. Mr. Huenden called me into his office this afternoon and told me that starting a week from Monday I would receive $1 more a week. After work I met Gloria's Dad and went out to her house. They have a cute place 2 miles out from the city limits. Its cool and nice out there. This evening Gloria and I saw "Bell for Adano" at the Civic Theater. I thought it was terrible. Too deep for me I guess. After Gloria and I got back we ate crackers and milk before we went to bed. It was after midnight and then we talked quite awhile after that.

July 29, 1945 (Sun)

We didn't get up till about ten. Even ate breakfast in our pajamas. Henricks brought me back into town about 1. Then I met Betty at one thirty. Rather I went over to her house - then we went to the fortune teller. It was lots of fun. She really told us a lot of stuff. I wanted to see if it comes true so I wrote it down in the back under "Important Events." I went back over to Betty's then and we sat and talked to her mother quite awhile. I came home and first Roy and Alma came over, then Uncle Leon, Aunt Blanche, Doris, Marjorie and Marjorie's future husband were over. Then Millie and the carpenter and his wife. All the company comes at once. I wrote a letter to Dwight and finished one to Jackie.

July 29, 1945 (Sun)
Visit to the fortune teller

Betty and I went to the fortune teller - Mrs. Trevy - this is what she said - I was going to marry a medium dark boy (Dwight?) I was going with now and he's away. I'm not sure I'm in love with him now but I am. I wouldn't be very old when I was married and I would live out of the state. Next April I'm going to receive something that will make me very happy and will be very important to me. I keep him guessing - he doesn't know whether I really like him or not - I'm so indifferent at times. He is backward - shy and keeps to himself a great deal. I'm supposed to go to Ohio and also another trip when I'm going to leave in a hurry and not tell anybody I'm going. I won't want to come back from Ohio but will. I'm going to have a great disappointment in the next week or 10 days but it will turn out all right. There were four in my family and we were very happy and that someone was coming home from overseas who was close to us. My sister is going to be married soon and the next 10 months she will have a lot of ups and downs. I was nervous but otherwise my health was good. The 8th is an important date for me and August will be a good month. At the end of August I am going to change my work and will like the new work a lot better. I've had one disappointment in love already with a light hair boy. She said Dad would be in poor health the next 3 years but after that he would be all right for quite awhile. But he would die unexpectedly - won't live to be old and bent. We've had quite a few ups and downs in the last 7 years but will be better now. She said I haven't been too happy these last few months. I'm going to have a family - probably two children and I'm going to have only one marriage and it is going to be a very happy one. She said marriage kept turning up and seems to be the main thing in my life. Betty G. is going to marry Ervin Knott in 1947 and have one very talented little girl. Of course, she told her a lot of other things too.

July 30, 1945 (Mon)

I didn't do much this morning before 7:30 except talk to Marion Vail. She's a tomboy. I typed till 10:30 and then Penny and I started checking our big issue and we checked the rest of the day. We aren't going to work overtime this week. So I met Dot downtown at 4:30. We went to Wolf and D's and paid $5 more on my coat. I only owe $11.98 on it now. We also bought 8 1/2 yards of red and white seersucker material to make Dot, Marjorie and I dresses. We had fried chicken for supper and after we did dishes Dot and I just teased each other. I got a letter from Jackie today again. Dot started a bobby suit a long time ago but never finished it so I talked her out of that. 2 things for me to make now. I sent a lot of my clothes to the dry cleaners this morning and also a couple pair of shoes to the shoe shop.

Here is an example of a bobby suit is

July 31, 1945 (Tues)

I answered Jackie's letter this morning until Marian came in and bothered me. I checked with Penny all morning and boy did it rain! I typed from 12:30 to 1 then I checked the rest of the day with Betty Greenwood. Penny still insists she wants me to come out for a weekend or overnight. I came straight home from work tonight. I got my August issue of Seventeen today. I started fixing that bobby suit over for myself and I found some green and white cotton material I'm going to make another summer skirt. After Dot and I did dishes we washed the silk pieces and our good cottons in the washer. I also washed two sweaters out by hand - my black and coffee ones. Ray, LaVon, Raymie and Elaine were over. I took my shower and went to bed about 10:30.