July 1946

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July 1, 1946 (Mon)

Kinda damp out today. Jess took me down to busline. Dorothy is on vacation this week. I certainly worked hard today. Evelyn, Janet and I ate lunch in snack bar, and then Evie and I went downtown. Took films down to Erwin's and got me watch - it seems good to have it back. After work this evening Evie and I went downtown, and I got a new dress $12.98. Its very pretty brown and cream striped. I got home about 6, ate supper, redded the dishes and gabbed to neighbors in backyard. While I was shining some shoes some man from International Business College. I called Oddra - she will go with Devon. All I thought about today was Charlie. This will be my 3rd night for sleeping on the Monding cake - wonder who I will dream about. Its after then now so good-night, dear Diary.

July 2, 1946 (Tues)

July 3, 1946 (Wed)

It was pretty warm out today. I worked hard again this morning. Evelyn and I went downtown at noon and got her a new dress - tan - cute - I picked it out. After work I went downtown and got a new photograph album, a keyring and photograph mounting corners. Mother and Dad went fishing this evening so nobody was home when I got home. The telephone was ringing when I came in the door and it was the ex-sailor again, Ralph Adair. He wanted me to go out, I told him I was going steady now, but that didn't seem to discourage him any. Said he was going to call back next week to see if I still was. I put photographs in album, took a shower and I got to bed about 10.

July 4, 1946 (Thurs)

I got sick this morning - I was sick last 4th of July too. We didn't have to work today - a holiday. Dr. Conley came out this morning. Mother and Dad went for a drive with Alma and Roy. Charlie called me at 7 - I was still half-asleep and he said he was coming up tonight - also Devon Brubaker. I finally got Bonnie O'Neill for his date. I read and slept till about 4. Then I got up and put a hem in my new dress. Charlie and Devon came about 8:30 and then we picked Bonnie up. We went to see "The Well-Groomed Bride". Pretty good. All the eating places were closed so we ended up at the Pennsylvania Station. We took Bonnie home and then I got home about and then to bed about 1.

July 5, 1946 (Fri)

Gosh, it was hard to go back to work again. Miss McCrory wasn't in today and Miss O'Rouke had a Salary Committee Meeting so I didn't work too hard. In fact, I typed a letter to Jackie. Evelyn and I met Mother at YMCA at noon for lunch - then we went downtown and bought Mother a new dress. The Sal. Committee decided to give Anna May, Evelyn and I our raises retro-active to when we went on full-time. That makes me very happy indeed. I came straight home from work for a change. This evening after I ate supper I helped Mother and Margaret pick peas out of the garden. I took care of the children this evening. I just read magazines over there and then finally went to sleep. Margaret and Jess got home about a quarter of 12 so I got to bed about 12.

July 6, 1946 (Sat)

I got up about 8. I really put in a busy day. First, I built a fire in the little stove, ate breakfast, washed my hair and moMon the grass - both front and back lawns. We bought some chickens to eat and they got loose and we had to run them down. After we ate dinner, then dishes. I cut a dress out for Motheer. About 3:30 I put on my bathing suit and took a blanket and laid in the sun for a whole hour and I didn't even get a little pink - its disgusting. I got cleaned up then. Pat, Oddra and Evelyn all called me today. Evelyn, Johnny, and Dick (Evie's cousin) picked me up about 7:30. We went to Columbia City roller-skating. We had a lot of un. Came back and ate at Gardners. They brought me home about 12 and I got to bed about 12:30.

July 7, 1946 (Sun)

July 8, 1946 (Mon)

Back to work again. Oh, how I loath Monday mornings. Dorothy was back today. I worked fairly hard this morning. Evie and I ate lunch in snack bar then downtown to look at material and patterns. We saw Lucile, but only got to talk to her for a couple seconds. It was raining when we got out of work - I got soaked. Dad picked me up at Tuttles. Devon Brubaker was in town so he stopped by to talk about Pudge for a few minutes. This evening I just ironed 3 dresses and finished writing a letter to Betty Morris. Evie said all Dick talked about yesterday was me. He was nice but can't compare with Charlie. It is 5 minutes till 10 so I had better hurry to be in bed by a quarter after 10.

July 9, 1946 (Tues)

Another hot suffocating day. Dorothy wasn't in at all today so I had to work doubly hard. And we had a lot of work to. Evie and I ate lunch in snack bar - we Thurs at Evie's desk and talked for the rest of the lunch period then. This afternoon I went to the Pharmacal Bldg. for Miss McCrory. She also dictated a bunch of letters. After work Evie and I went downtown. I went to Wolf and D's to collect 3.50 from Betty's aunt, but she didn't have the money. I also bought nail polish. This evening I seMon one dress and fixed another. Howard, Ahleen and Kay were here for awhile. I fixed a pair of shoes and shined them. I filed my nails and polished them Its after ten now so you know what that means - bedtime!

July 10, 1946 (Wed)

Another hot day. Everybody was at work today for a change. This morning I got my nylons which I had ordered thru a girl at work - very nice. Evelyn and I ate lunch in snack bar - then downtown. I bought 2 pair of panties. We saw Donna Lou. After work I went back downtown and got shoulder pads and embroidery thread for Mother and a new dress for me - just like the one Evelyn got last week except mine, yellow darling - on sale for only $5. I got a card from Betty and Erv. I got cleaned up and did dishes. Charlie came about 8. Devon couldn't come so Pudge didn't go either. At circus 2 boys gave Charlie and I tickets. The show started at 8:30 and lasted till 11:30 and I loved every minute of it. My first circus - Ringling Bros.-Barnum and Bailey - 3 ring. We got home about a quarter of 12 and Charlie left about 12:30. I won't see him till a week from Sunday.

July 11, 1946 (Thurs)

A little cooler today - thank heavens. Miss O'Rourke wasn't in today. Dorothy and I talked a lot this morning again. Evie and I ate lunch in snack bar and then went to Top Notch and ate hamburgers. There was the nicest breeze in the office this afternoon. I came straight home from work. This evening I helped pick peas. I ironed some things of mine, seMon 3 bras, and put a hem in my new dress. Where we're going to stay in Columbus City for 2 days. I guess they have 2 boys 18 and 21 with an airplane. Sounds good what say. Of course I must remember I'm going steady now. Charlie wouldn't like it if I got too thrilled. Its way after 10 so night now.

July 12, 1946 (Fri)

A little cooler today - very nice working. Miss McCrory wasn't in today. Per usual - didn't work very hard this morning. I got my check today $50.59 after everything was taken out - pretty good, huh? Evelyn and I ate lunch in snack bar - then down to W and D's where I paid $18 on my charge account and got a jar of Coty's powder base. I almost lost my pants downtown - very embarassing. Work pretty hard this afternoon. After work I bought powder puffs, deodorant, ribbons, anklets and toothpaste. Aunt Elma was here when I got home. This evening I washed my hair, shined shoes, did some more mending, finished packing suitcases and some more ironing. I just finished my shower and its 10:30. If I intend to get up at 5 tomorrow I had better get some sleep.

July 13, 1946 (Sat)

We got up at 4:30 and left on our trip about a quarter till 6. I slept a little, but not much. We stopped and had pop, peanuts etc. We ate lunch at noon near Lake Erie. We drove for quite aways right along the shore line - it was just beautiful. Oh yes, about 10 we stoppped at Blue Hole in Ohio - a natural wonder - a small waterhole -very deep with no oxygen or food and blue. It was beautiful around there too. We also went thru Cleveland. I sent Charlie a postcard. We got to Erie about 5 (our time) 6 Eastern Time. We came to Aunt Ida's and Martha's. We ate, did dishes, cleaned up a little, and then went for a drive around Erie. Then peninsula we drove on goes 7 miles out into the lake. Its just 9:30 our time and I'm in my little room - its darling - just like a college dormitory room. I'm just dead so night.

July 14, 1946 (Sun)

They got me up about 8:30 (Erie time - 7:30 our time). After breakfast, we did dishes and set around and talked. I got cleaned up then. For dinner Lu, Ken and Chickie, Sarah, Johnny and Susan and Ellen, Bernie, Nancy, Bobby and Betty were all here besides ourselves. Quite a house full. This afternoon Sarah, Aunt Ida and I drove to the cemetary and then down to the dock. I played with the kids some then Mother, Dad, and I got some postcards - I sent a big Jumbo one to Charlie and drove to the dock again. Lu's going to get me a blind date either Monday or Tuesday evening - sounds like fun. I'm afraid I didn't enjoy myself too much - I thought a lot about Charlie - he had better be missing me too. Its about 10:30 now.

July 15, 1946 (Mon)

I got up about 8:30 again. This morning after we had the dishes done and had talked awhile Mother, Dad and I took Aunt Ida and Aunt Elma downtown. Then we went out on the dock and rode around town. The water was so terribly rough and it was terribly windy. Too rough to go swimming. I wrote postcards to Evelyn and Charlie. We ate lunch then at some small restaurant - very good meal. We went out to Lu and Ken's for awhile - then back to Martha's. We got cleaned up and all went over to Lu and Ken's for supper. Afterwards another of the sister's, Bernice, her husband Paul and son Richard called. (they are from Minneapolis) So while we waited on them we played cards. It was about 10 when they came so we talked for quite awhile. Came back to Martha's - talked some more and got to bed about 1.

July 16, 1946 (Tues)

I didn't get up till 9 today. The air was still a little cool and windy, but much better than yesterday. I wrote cards to Charlie, Jackie and Lucy. Dad took Mother and I downtown. Came back for lunch. Then about 2 Dad, Mother, Bernice, Paul, Richard and I went down to dock and crossed over to the peninsula and back on a ferry. Then Mother and Dad took me out to Lu's and the girl across the street from her, Pauline, Bobby, Nancy, and I went swimming on the peninsula. I really liked Pauline. It was too cold for swimming so we just soaked in the sun. Everybody came out for a picnic lunch on the peninsula. We went back to Lu's and I got cleaned up there and Ken's nephew Jack, his girlWedend Clarrisa, and his sister Joan took me out to Woldemier (amusement park) then ate along the bay - I got home about 12.

July 17, 1946 (Wed)

We got up at 5 (our time) and left at 6. We drove through Pittsburgh and down through Wheeling, W. Va. The hills and scenery was so beautiful along in there. We sent some postcards - I sent one to Charlie. We went on to Columbus, Ohio and then to Martha Oliver Roby's farm (Dad's cousin). We got there about 6. She has 2 stepsons (therefore, no relation to me) - one is 19, Frank and very cute - hubba-hubba! and the other one Jack, 28, is rather a drip. They certainly have a nice. Martha and Elton also have a son named Tommy. Tommy just folloMon me all over - I guess he certainly likes me. This evening I met one of the boy's cousins Floyd. He and Frank went to some kind of meeting. I swung Tommy in the swing and the rest of them Thurs out in the yard and talked. It was about 10:30 when I got to bed.

July 18, 1946 (Thurs)

I got up at 7. Everybody but me had already eaten breakfast. We did dishes and I pressed some dresses and read magazines this morning. After dinner Frank and I was out in the yard and he asked me to go to a square dance tonight and I said I would. This afternoon Martha, Tommy, Aunt Elma, Mother, Dad and I went to Centerbury, Ohio to see more relation of ours - practically all Olivers. We got there about 5 and left about 8. It was 9:30 when we got back to the farm. Frank was waiting on me. I cleaned up a little again and we left about 10. The dance was in a little schoolhouse. There wasn't too many kids there - about 50. We really had a lot of fun - we talked and kidded each other all the time. It took us over a half hour to drive home - 5 minles. Frank said he had taken a lot of girls home but that was the first time he had taken one to her room. I got to bed about 12:30.

(grammatical errors are the author's)

July 19, 1946 (Fri)

I even surprised myself this morning by getting up at 6:20 even beat Frank in getting awake. I took some pictures - one of Frank - I hope they are good. We left there about 8. It only took us a little over 2 hours to get to Bob and June Klingers. More chicken for dinner - I've had so much chicken these last couple of weeks. Bob, Roger and Eddie were all three working in the field all afternoon.. We (Aunt Elma, Mom, Dad and I ) went over to Bluffton in the afternoon. This evening we started to take a lunch over to Bob and the boys when it started to pour so we had to come back to the house and eat it. We didn't do much of anything this evening. I went to sleep on the davenport and then went to bed about 10. Gosh, but it was hot today.

July 20, 1946 (Sat)

I got up about 6 again - I'm certainly getting up early for my vacation. We started for home about 8:30 and it was 10:30 when we got here. I'll have to admit I was a little homesick. This morning I unpacked my suitcase and caught up on newspapers. Last week I got another card from Betty Jane and a letter from Betty Morris. This afternoon I pressed a dress, washed my hair and took a shower. Harold and Pearl Cooper (Wedends of Mom and Dads) came over. Charlie called me and he, Dot and Bob are coming in at 9:30 tomorrow. Ralph Adair called me again - persistent cuss isn't he? I enjoy talking to him though. We talked for about a half hour. I took care of Marjorie, Jimmy and David this evening. Margaret and Jess came home about midnight. Ray and Lavon and Esther and Carl were also over to our house.

July 21, 1946 (Sun)

I got up at a quarter after 6. Just can't sleep anymore in the mornings. Charlie, Dot and Bob got here about 10:30. We went to 11 o'clock mass at St. Judes. This afternoon Howard, Ahleen and girls came over. I think Charlie was really glad to see me - its been 11 days since I've seen him. I called Pudge this afternoon and she has had 2 dates with Devon Brubaker. About 4 Charlie, Dot, Bob and I went for ride past Gremaux's. Dottie wasn't home though. We went to see "The Green Years " and afterwards went to Swanee Inn. We got home about 10. Charlie gave me his class ring - we have been going steady 3 weeks tonight - gosh, but it was good to see him. When I'm with Charlie, I think there is nobody else for me - Am I in love? I got to bed about 11.

July 22, 1946 (Mon)

Back to work again - it certainly was a nice day too. Everybody seemed glad to see me. We didn't have too much work. Evelyn and I ate lunch in snack bar - we certainly had a lot to talk over. We went downtown and put darling green alligator make-up kits in layaway - $8.46. After work I saw Betty and Erv, but didn't have a chance to do much talking - I guess they had a wonderful honeymoon. I picked up some pictures at Howards and then came home. This evening I put quite a few pictures in my photograph album and wrote little notes to Jackie and Lucile and sent them those pictures of our Ohio trip. I'm reading the book "Alice for Short" now. Pretty good - rather complicated though. Its only 9:30 but I think I'll read then hit the hay.

July 23, 1946 (Tues)

Another nice day to work. Just fairly busy. Dorothy is working all day now again. Evelyn and I ate lunch in the snack bar and then went downtown. Miss McCrory dictated a couple letters to me this afternoon - first time for a long time. After work I went to the dentist - just cleaned my teeth - otherwise okay. I got home about 6. I helped Mom and Dad snap beans. I called Betty Jane then - she wants to talk to me sometime - I wonder what about. Pudge called and I guess she likes Devon pretty well. She said Janet has been saying terrible things about Betty and Erv again - just wait till I see Janet. I did a little ironing tonight. Pudge also said that Sammy talked about me and he and Devon talked about Charlie. I guess everybody suspects it getting serious. Its 10 now. You know what that means.

July 24, 1946 (Wed)

Rather warm outside today. I ride to work in the mornings with Bonnie, Anna May and Barbard Mundenhall. I didn't work very hard today again - kept busy all day but no rush. Evelyn and I ate lunch in cafeteria. We went down to Howards then and back to Hillmans. I'm trying to find Mother and Dad something for their anniversary tomorrow. We saw Oddra at Hillmans. Didn't get to talk to her very long. After work Evie and I went downtown and looked around some more. I got home about a qurter of 6. We got a thank-you card from Betty Jane and Erv. This evening I fixed an aqua dress and one of my white ones. I also pressed both of them. I read some more of "Alice for Short." Its not even 9:30 but I am sleepy. Night!

July 25, 1946 (Thurs)

A little rainy and chilly today. We had very little work to do just spread it out and loaf the rest of the time. Evelyn and I ate lunch in the snack bar. I got Mother for part of their anniversary present a stove set (salt, pepper shaker and little dish). Today is Mom and Dad's 32nd Monding anniversary. After work I looked around - finally I would get them a lawn chair or smoking stand. I asked them and they would prefer lawn chair. I was sitting on davenport bare-footed reading when Charlie came about 8. I didn't know he was coming up. We Thurs and talked for quite awhile. Then Dad and I played Charlie and Mom 3 games of euchre. Beat them 2. Charlie and I also played a couple of games of Chinese checkers. He left about 11:30. I enjoyed the evening at home and I think Charlie did too. I'm glad Mom and Dad like Charlie. I got to bed about 12.

July 26, 1946 (Fri)

Kinda chilly today too. Dorothy and I had our work all done by 10. We loafed the rest of the morning. Evelyn and I ate lunch in the snack bar. We ran into Pudge downtown. She said Devon was up last night too and he told her he was going steady with a girl at No. Manchester. He wants Pudge to go steady and he'll break up with other girl. Pudge said no and he shouldn't come back while going steady so I don't know how it will turn out. They seem to like each other though. I didn't do a thing this afternoon. Mom and Dad went fishing so I ate supper by myself. Then I did the dishes and washed my hair. I started reading my diary - got to about the middle of April. Its funny how often I mentioned Charlie before I started going with him. I never knew it would be this serious this soon. I got to bed about 10.

July 27, 1946 (Sat)

Mother got me up at 8:30. This morning Mother, Dad and I went downtown and got a chair and double seat for our backyard. The chair is from me for their anniversary. We also got 2 chairs for Aunt Elma and Uncle Mac for their birthdays. We took care of the kids for awhile and I moMon the front and back lawns. This afternoon I laid out in the sun and kept putting suntan oil on, but got just a little more tan. Darn it anyhow and I try so darn hard. This evening I got cleaned up - took shower, shaved my legs, polished my nails etc. Charlie came after me about 9. We went to see Bette Davis in "A Stolen Life". It was wonderful. We got out about 11:30 and went down to N. Manchester - got there about 12:30. Charlie got a new phonograph and radio - RCA Victor - neat. I slept with Harriet. Gosh, but it was a nice day today.

July 28, 1946 (Sun)

I woke about 6 and Harriet and I talked till 7. We got things ready for reunion - then breakfast at 8. I got cleaned up then and Charlie, Dot, Bob, Harriet and I went to Wabash City Park to save tables. Dot and Harriet lost one of my white sandals, but later we found it. There were quite a few people there it seemed funny to be introduced to all of them as "Charlie's girl". We certainly had a lot to eat too. We took Dot and Bob home about 4 and then Harriet, Charlie and I played records, and Harriet took quite a few pictures of Charlie and I. I'll get one yet for in my locket. Charlie and I left about 7:30 and went to North Manchester. We were going to the show, but Standing Room Only so we had a sundae and then came back to Ft. Wayne. We talked to Mom and Dad for awhile and then they went to bed and Charlie and I Thurs and talked for awhile and he left about 10:30 so I got to bed about 11.

July 29, 1946 (Mon)

Back to work again, and I did work this morning, rather all day too. We started 5 new girls. At noon Evelyn and I ate lunch in snack bar and then downtown. I got our vacation pictures from Howard - most of them are pretty good. I really worked this afternoon too. I came straight home from work. After I finished eating and did the dishes, we talked to Steve and Betty Holmes (neighbors) for quite awhile. Dad and I sprinkled the backyard. Midge and I made fudge, and I helped Mom dampen clothes. I played pick-up sticks and solitaire - didn't win a game for quite awhile. Now I've got to put my hair and polish my nails so I had better go do it - its 9:30 now. Bye, diary. See you tomorrow.

July 30, 1946 (Tues)

Kinda sultry all day. Rain in the evening. I worked pretty hard again today. We had a lot of odds and ends to do. Miss O'Rouke wasn't in. I've got the best attendance in our department. Evelyn and I ate lunch in snack bar - went to drugstore and got a Reader's Digest - came back and Thurs in our office till a quarter of 1. Dorothy worked this afternoon. I came straight home from work again. The lawn chairs came out today. After supper we Thurs in them for awhile. I'm going to learn how to crochet and knit. Steve Holmes said when a girl starts that she's thinking of getting married. Maybe he's right, huh diary? I called Charlie. He and Devon are coming up tomorrow night. Janet is going with Devon. Try and get on good side of Janet so we can go to her cottage. I took care of the kids this evening.

July 31, 1946 (Wed)

Very rainy this morning, but sun shone this afternoon. We worked fairly hard this morning. Evelyn wasn't at work this morning so I ate lunch at noon with Janet. I got paid today ($50) drew $44.44. I went down to Wolf and D's and paid $17.95 - balance of my account there. I went down to Howard's and picked up some pictures for Margaret. This afternoon I went to post office and Koerbers for Miss O'Rourke. Came straight home from work. I helped snap a few beans then dishes and I got cleaned up. Ray, Lavon and Elaine were over. Betty Jane called me - they have moved again - now have an apartment on Zollnar - they like it. Charlie and Devon came about 9:30. We picked Janet up and then went to see "Jamie Gets Married" - I didn't like it very well. Afterwards we went to Gardners for hamburgs and malts - then took Janet home and got to my house about 12:30. Charlie left a little before 1 - I was in bed at 1.