Tag Archives: Arlene Funk

Pretty well up to date (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Jan 22-1943

Dear Daddy –

Have been writing V-mail this week but thought I would try this again. As far as my letters going by air in the past I am sure most of them didn’t the way you haven’t rec’d them. I wish I could do something to speed the delivery at your end of the line. I have gotten 7 letters this week – The last dated Jan 12 so that makes mine pretty well up to date.

It is sunny this morning and the boys are back in school after being out due to blizzard Tues & snow drifts making travel uncertain. Three days this week school was out. I suppose they will have to make that time up somehow, but school was started early last fall so they could get out earlier in the spring. We still have snow. I started to run the car in the garage and got stuck in the snow – Had to

[page 2] shovel the snow away from the tires. The first sow we had was Sept 25 while I was in the hospital. Clara M. said we would have 25 snows this winter and I am beginning to believe it. Last night the moon was full and it made the snow look beautiful. I wish I had taken a picture of the front yard Wed. after the wind Tues. The snow was blown in drifts and it looked like rock formation. Then the mail man came along and walked across it and spoiled the scenic effect. There are tracks over it in every direction now and it isn’t very pretty. It has been so cold and so much firing there is a lot of soot on it now.

Bill brought us a load of wood on his wheelbarrow. He said he would keep us supplied. He called me Tues night and said he was writing you a letter. They were so glad to hear from you. Arlene is going to review the article in

[page 3] Nat’l Geographic for Literary Club and has asked me to help her out some. I am going to loan her the shells & necklace for display. I gave your Mother some of the shells you sent and gave Betty & Buddy a few. We still have a dish full that we show off when anyone comes who hasn’t seen them. I haven’t mounted the coral yet but have been trying to get an idea how to do it.

In your letter rec’d today you wondered what rationing is like. So far it hasn’t bothered us because I get all the coffee I need and 4 gal gas a week in winter is more than I have used – due to so much snow haven’t traveled much. The meat situation hasn’t bothered us due to the locker and Parttens have promised us another quarter from one they are fattening now. Zells got 300 baby chicks and they are getting almost heavy enough to fry so think I’ll buy a few and put in the locker – if they aren’t too high. I don’t believe

[page 4] the price will be any lower in the spring. I told you before they have a chicken house directly north of their house. He is more like a farmer than any Agent we have had here in the last three. I said something about them living on a farm and Mrs. Z. said the farmers in this county don’t want their agent living on a farm for competitive reasons. Mr. Z. says he is going to have the entire back part of their lot in garden this summer – I think he is inclined to be a little “hot headed” but they have been good neighbors and have gone out of their way to help us. They aren’t the card playing, drinking kind. In fact they don’t even play cards. They have 3 girls and the Mr. wanted a boy so bad he was almost reduced to tears when the last girl was born. Hope I haven’t bored you talking about the Zells but I got started and kept on rambling.

Irene was over Sat. afternoon. She is still talking like she did before you left about working. She seems to be developing a nervous

1943-01-22 Yegerlehner, David 1943-01-22 Yegerlehner, Gladys (Foster) with David

[page 5] complex and can’t stand to be in crowds. She went to see Dr. Cole and he told her if she didn’t get better she would have to rest in the hospital. She said she wrote you a letter – Maybe she told you about her symptoms. She doesn’t look sick but that doesn’t always mean anything. We took some pictures in the den and the one enclosed shows the baby pretty good. He will be 4 mo old tomorrow and if the weather permits we are going to Hubertz and have some pictures made – of all of us. The pictures I took with our camera do very good for indoors but aren’t as good as in the sunlight. If I had a speed Kodak I could do better, but it will be warm enough before long and we can go out in the yard for pictures.

As yet the uniform money hasn’t come. I am going to see Agnes and get the taxes figured out. Have the figure you sent. She says we should file separate returns but I don’t know all about that – Have only talked to her on the phone so far. Will

[page 6] go to her office and get it all straightened out next week.

Florence Puetz called me yesterday. Their baby boy born Dec 13 is growing too. He weighed 6-9 at birth and now is over 8 lbs. She said he is growing faster than Rita did. She goes to Dr. Cole. Said Ray had the flu and both children had had colds. There seems to be a lot of sickness around but that is to be expected this time of year with the weather as it has been.

Going back to rationing subject – what seems queer around here now is the filing stations closed at night – most of them – and John Krull’s restaurant closed. Also Boonies little place by Standard is closed temporarily. Dorothy says they have all the noon trade they can take care of. I suppose they would get some increase from the other two places.

The papers came today but I haven’t read them yet. David is taking a little nap before his 2 P.M. bottle – then he will be awake most of the afternoon – Will be glad when I can take him out again.

Love
Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/13/pretty-well-up-to-date-gladys/

Answering questions (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Jan 6 – 1942 [1943]

Dear Daddy –

Yours mailed Dec 31 (Dated 29) rec’d this morning. You will surely get lots of mail now. I called Funks to tell them about their letters and gifts rec’d but Arlene & Bill are in Missouri but will be back tomorrow or next day. They will probably write to you again. I just read your letter again to be sure and answer questions. The uniform money hasn’t come. I have had Mr. Monroe out twice to look at the furnace. I will have him go over the radiators again. He keeps it oiled. I have been keeping the car checked at Childress. I will have him take a look at the battery this week. In case you missed the letters I mentioned the baby’s feedings, I am giving him Vit C tablets. Now 3 tbsp pablum at 10 AM plus 5 oz milk. He acts like he is going to get fat

[page 2] but he has a good appetite and there isn’t much to do with a baby but satisfy their hunger. However he doesn’t take half the dextri-maltrose the Mead chart calls for. I am afraid he would look pudgy if I put in 6 tbsp instead of 2 ½ – 6 is what the Mead chart gives for 3 mo. old. I asked Jack Byrnes to write to Mead Johnson about baby food – since we use pablum dextri & oleum. I rec’d a letter from the Co. and said they were sending a bottle of Oleum but didn’t mention anything else. I haven’t talked to Byrnes about what he wrote asking them for. There seems to be a shortage of canned milk. I could only get 12 cans from Knowltons, 3 from Bairs, 2 from Fords, that is of Carnation. I went to Laf. again today so got a dz cand of Pet at a store there. If you get all my letters you will wonder about all the trips to Laf. I have been going to Dr. Ade for throat & sinus treatments. I asked him today why it was dragging along so and he said it was

[page 3] the nature of the “bug” that is around this year. I am not sick enough to go to bed but my throat & sinus keeps bothering me. I have been staying in very close – only go out to make the trips – I went Sat, Mon, today (Wed) and am to go Fri. I didn’t drive during Dec so still have enough gas tickets to make several trips is necessary. He told me today to take neopronticil. I told you in yesterday’s letter I am giving neo to the baby. Dr. Cole says he has a sore throat. He runs a little temp but seems to feel fine. His temp was running 100 every day and now since I have been giving him Neo it has dropped to 99 2/10. I suppose when I get my throat all well he will get over his. It doesn’t bother him. He sleeps good and after the 10 P.M. bottle sleeps till 7 A.M. (next morning). At present gains 1 oz a day, sometimes more. I sent you several picture just before Christmas. Maybe you have them by now. You didn’t mention the pictures Arlene sent, or did you get them?

[page 4] John doesn’t have to go to school tomorrow or Fri – due to exemptions from all exams. Now if you were the bragging type you would tell everyone that. Mark of course has to take all exams because that isn’t done in the grade school. John is going to do David’s washing in the morning – if you can call it that – putting the things in the Bendix & then taking them out – and by the way – the Borax does the trick for the ammonia diapers – we dissolve ½ cup borax and pour it in the last rinse and then we have no odor, otherwise the smell is bad the next time we remove a wet diaper. I am not bragging – just stating a fact. Mark tried out his skates today but didn’t do so well. We are having cold weather again. Just before Christmas it turned warm & the snow melted but it is cold again and there was snow today. Made slow driving but the snow plows were working both sides of the pavement. It seems like we are going to have plenty of cold weather this winter. The snow isn’t as heavy, unless it keep snowing, as it was before Christmas.

The Johnson’s named their heir

[page 5] James Edward or “Jimmy Ed.” I would like to go see Lucile while she is in the hospital but won’t go unless I get rid of this head condition. Now I’ll have to return the buggy and I only used it a few times. Unless the weather gets a lot warmer won’t need one till spring. I rec’d the comb & brush manicure set & flowers for Christmas. I told you that before in several letters – Also the money you sent. Do you think I should put all our money, we don’t use for expenses, in war bonds – Let me know. The bank only pays 1% – the Bldg L. – 4% or they did but that may be cut now. After I get the insurance & taxes taken care of – and all the other first of year expenses will send you a financial report.

Seems like I have covered a lot of paper & not said much either but it is hard to write when the boys (two eldest) are asking questions & talking all the time but I keep hoping I’ll do better next time.

Love
Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/13/answering-questions-gladys/

Protected: Received 12 letters today (Roscoe)

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Protected: Monday Morning (Gladys)

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Three months old (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Dec 23 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

David is 3 months old today and weighs 11 lbs 10 oz –

Baby Book, p. 7

Well I had to have a round like John & Mark had – John is upstairs in bed and I am on the davenport. My throat got very sore so started taking sulfathiazole about 6:30 last night and have taken 10 tablets now. My throat is much better and if I have any temp. is very slight. Clara Molter stayed with us last night so she could take care of the baby and is staying today. Floyd called last night from Napanee about going home but I told him we were staying home due to present circumstances. I feel pretty good today but will keep quiet and try to get up tomorrow. This sulfathiazole is much easier to take them nilamide. The way I felt yesterday and last night I would have expected to feel much worse today but on the whole and everything considered I feel fair. School has been

[page 2] dismissed until Jan 4. The roads were so slick yesterday the busses couldn’t go out and evidently it isn’t much better today. This little upset of mine has kept me from getting my Christmas shopping finished, but somehow I don’t care a lot. Arlene & Bill went to Chicago and shopped before gas rationing and had their things mailed and they got lost in the mail so they are in a worse shape than I am because I haven’t spent anything & they have. I mean I haven’t spent for certain gifts. I sent for a pin for Mother and when it came is was about the size of a peanut. I had seen several of those Navy pins like Thelma has and thought that was what I was ordering but this one is so small I am afraid she won’t want it. I had Mr. Reinard order it so I think I’ll send it back and try for a larger one.

Mrs. Zell came over last night and swabbed my throat and Mr. Z. took out clinkers for me. I have been doing that job myself. I think that is more than the boys can manage. Mr. Z. has been classified as 3-B so there isn’t much chance of his going.

[page 3] and Mrs. Zell says they feel like they should help us out when we need it, because you are in service and he isn’t. They come over and ask if there is anything they can do. You know there is a difference in asking someone to do something and having someone offer to do without being asked.

No letters today but there were three yesterday so didn’t expect any today. I am afraid your Christmas boxes got wet. The one I sent especially for Dec 25th was packed in a shoe box then I put that inside a heavy corrugated box and tied it firmly with heavy cord. I thought I wrapped all the packages well enough but I suppose they get rough handling.

Mark has gone to town on an errand. He was detailed to amuse David and it soon got tiresome. He like to play with him if I am there but if it looks like work he doesn’t like to do it.

I told you we received the yen note, also the Hawaii & Noumea money. The children like to show the money. I wonder if you are learning any French from the lessons in your newspaper or do you have to know French when you shop?

Yegerlehner, David - 1942-12-23 #1Yegerlehner, David - 1942-12-23 #3

[page 4] We took some pictures Sunday in the house with our camera and two fotoflood lamps. It was very bright outside from the sun & snow so the pictures turned out very good. I’ll put one in this letter & one in Tomorrows etc., so you will get one of them in case some of my letters are lost. If we had a candid camera we could do better, but for outdoor pictures you know what good pictures we have had.Yegerlehner, David - 1942-12-23 #2

Dorothy sent your birthday greeting on your birthday but didn’t say anything about sending two, but since they came at the same time she must have. Birdie Steele called for your address this week so she could send you a greeting – but I think she was a little late for Christmas. Coke Foulkes also got your address yesterday.

Wayne Walker had been in Australia and is home on a 30 day furlough – maybe I mentioned that before. I haven’t seen him but I haven’t been out much lately. Mrs. Roberts called me Sunday to wish me Christmas greetings. We were wondering if the Doctors would be sent home or kept for the duration. Earl Roberts seemed to think you would get to come home after one year out – but does he know?

Here’s hoping –

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/09/11/three-months-old-gladys/

My 6 cents worth (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Dec 22 1942

Dear Daddy –

Rec’d 3 letters this morning. I wish I had sent you several small boxes for Christmas. Maybe you would have gotten one. I had a letter a few days ago in which you told me what to do about Otto Paul – I finally got around to calling Boonie & told him to send the pills. This weather again – Yesterday looked like another blizzard but it calmed down and now it looks foggy and the snow is dirty and the roads are so slick the school buses didn’t go out so no school today. John didn’t feel so good and I had kept him home in bed. My throat was sore again this morning so I called Dr. Cole. He said to give John 1 sulfothiozole every 4 hrs and told me to get neo-pronticil for my throat. Neither of us have a temperature but John’s cold hangs on and this throat condition has been coming & going for some time. I thought I was entirely rid of it but it was present again this morning. I am not down but don’t like to be bothered so much and afraid it might develop into something if I don’t get it checked.

[page 2] I talked to Jack Byrnes about writing to Mead-Johnson and he said if I would bring a letter head to him he would write to the Co for me. I started David on Pablum yesterday. He was hungry after his 2 P.M. bottle. Arlene had called me and wanted me to come down and stay with her boys while she went to town – Louise was out. So I bundled David up and went down. She had a new box of Pablum so she opened it and I gave him some. He was satisfied then. This morning I gave it to him just before his 10 A.M. bottle. Arlene commented on how well he ate it. I said that was because he knew what a spoon was for – having given his orange juice that way – however I had to quit the orange juice because he threw it up every time after I had increased the amount. I am giving him the Vit C tablets now. He weighs 11 ½ lbs. He is taking 13 oz carnation – 17 oz water – 2 ½ tbsp Dextri – in 24 hrs – Even if you have forgotten about baby formulas – you can see he is getting pretty strong milk for a 3 mo old baby – but he wasn’t satisfied with a weaker mixture so had to increase it – He has normal stools and is good so that must prove he can take the richer mixture

[page 3]Mark’s ice skates came today and I gave them to him so he could be learning. He was very thrilled over them but he didn’t stay at the pond very long. He was sure he could just get on those skates and do the figure eight.

John says he is hungry so that must indicate his cold isn’t making him feel so bad – but I am going to insist on keeping him in bed today.

We went to the band concert last night and the wind was blowing and the snow drifting over the sidewalks with a layer of ice under the snow so you know the going wasn’t easy. I haven’t tried to get the car out of the garage this week. The streets especially ours are so slick I am afraid I would turn around trying to stop. There is some traffic but I notice the cars go rather slow. The band concert was very nice. We took Bobby Funk and he enjoyed it very much. When I was there (at Funks) yesterday afternoon I took Donnie up and changed him. I never saw such a baby. It doesn’t

[page 4] seem possible for him to be so big at 4 months. However I told you once before about Elizabeth & Bud Wilson’s baby – at 3 months he weighed 17 lbs and looked like he was 6 mo. old. Our David isn’t like that but he is developing very normally – makes an average ½ lb a week gain.

C. Foulks just came and brought the children some gifts – I didn’t have hers ready yet – in fact I haven’t had a chance to finish my Christmas shopping. This weather I have been talking about has been a handicap.

I tried to call Floyd & Ruth to tell them we would stay home Christmas but they didn’t answer so must be on a company trip. I wrote to your Mother that we would stay home. I ordered a chicken today and it is a fry so John, Mark & I will eat our Christmas dinner at home. Since David is satisfied with milk & Pablum won’t bother him much about special days.

I feel a little on the dull side today so this letter may not be worth the 6¢ it takes to send it but I have stopped several times since I started and broken what constructive though I might have had. Will try to do better next time and get my 6¢ worth –

Love Mother

P.S. I called the enterprise about the visit of Uncle Wes & Paul Harris but they didn’t get give the item much space.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/09/09/6-cents-worth-gladys/

A Christmas party (Gladys)

Kentland Ind
Dec 21 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

Mon noon – I missed writing yesterday – seemed like I couldn’t get around to it – being Sun I should have managed but I was a little on the tired order from Sat. and tried to sleep in the afternoon while David slept, and last night I went to Funk’s to a party. I had started to Clara Moulter’s in the morning to ask her to stay with the children and met Bob & Dorothy (Vanscoryck) Schurtter. They asked me where I was going and I told them. They said Bob would stay with the children and I must have looked at them funny because they said he stays with Zells’ children sometimes when they go out, so I said, “O.K.” and that would keep Stevie for them sometime. They still live up at Kent. He said he used to take care for children while in college to help pay his expenses. I am going

William E. Funk family - c1960

William E. Funk family – c1960

[page 2] to the band concert tonight and Clara is coming to stay with the baby. He goes to sleep after his 6 P.M. bottle and doesn’t wake up until we take him upstairs to bed. Most of the time I have to wake him at 10 to feed him. If Bill can’t take Bobby tonight Mark and I are going to take him. I am sleepy today because I didn’t get home till after 12 and that was a little past my usual bedtime. The baby slept till almost 5 this morning but by getting to bed late didn’t help me much.

Had a letter from your Mother. I had written her about the contagious diseases, if there were any around. Floyd & Ruth want us to go down Christmas eve & stay till the 27th but I was afraid there might be something catching as your Mother had mentioned Judy Rae having whooping cough, but she said in her letter there wasn’t anything around now but colds. I haven’t decided yet but think we will stay home. I would have to get some one

[page 3] to take care of the furnace and since we are having a real “old fashioned” winter don’t like to venture away from home that far. I sent your folks a year’s subscription to Reader’s digest. Your Dad sent each boy a dollar. Your Mother had left John & Mark a book she bought in Joliet and sent me a table cloth & David a pr of bootees. I rec’d a very nice desk calendar from Prairie Realty. Geo Tilton said he sent you a calendar. I sent you one in the last box I mailed. After all the Christmas greetings come I’ll send you a list from all received. There were two who remembered to send greetings, who still owe us quite a bill. Maybe I shouldn’t think of things like that while reading a greeting – but it does seem a little farfetched – or does it? We received one from Mrs E. in Norfolk – and while remembering Norfolk, Jim’s address is James L. Foster SK2C, N.O.B Ship’s Company, Camp Bradford, Norfolk. I think I sent it before but can’t be sure. You mentioned my writing to Mrs. Walsh – Well I never did get a letter written, kept intending to then you wrote and told me he had been sent on. I really intended to write to her but I write to you and your Mother & mine and to Ruth M.

[page 4] & Ruth Y. so maybe all those will excuse me for not taking on another.

The sun is shining today but if we have more snow it won’t surprise me. This is three weeks we have had snow on the ground without a thaw. I have lost count of the layers but seems like every time the snow gets dirty there is a clean cover falls. I didn’t get the glad bulbs taken up and don’t expect to now. I shouldn’t put out anything that has to be taken up in the fall.

Washburn, Ursula - c1960

Ursula Washburn, c1960

Washburn, Howard C. - c1960

Howard C. Washburn, c1960

The guests at the party last night were Howard & Ursula Washburn, Ellsworth & Doris Wilson, Coke & Red Foulkes, Link & Irene and myself. We played bridge. All but Bill and he served drinks and filled in when Arlene helped the girl get the refreshments ready. It was too late to eat so much and I was careful because I didn’t want to lie awake the rest of the night. They served chicken salad, baked ham etc., celery, olives, pickles, potato chips, nuts & coffee. Of course mention was made about “Doc” liking olives & celery. They all asked about you and I wore the necklace which got a lot of attention. So you were much in our thoughts & conversation if not present – By the way Ellsworth wanted to know if you are taking on weight.

Love – Mother –

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/09/07/a-christmas-party-gladys/

Just a week until Christmas eve (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Dec 17 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

Just a week until Christmas Eve. Seems like it is getting here rapidly and I still have some things to do. If we don’t go to C.C. (which I doubt our going) I will have to make some preparations for Christmas dinner, etc. Since Ruth & Earl can’t come here & Ruth & Floyd are going home we will probably have no company. I had a letter from Mother today and she said Thelma is going to Norfolk for Christmas. I haven’t heard any more about Jim coming home in Jan. I sent him two gifts last week and one to Thelma. I rec’d two boxes from her today. Jim’s came last week. We have been getting boxes every day and since the mail is so heavy we have to go to the P.O. to get packages. I couldn’t imagine where the two today were from. I didn’t expect any from Thelma since Jim had sent each of us gifts in his box.

The weather I wrote you about

[page 2]  this morning changed somewhat. The blizzard stopped and by noon the sun was shining and all was quiet. This afternoon the snow began to thaw and I went to town in the car and the streets were getting very slushy. There is quite a wind now but I think it isn’t a cold wind.

Arlene called a while ago and said she was coming up for a little visit. I went to town this afternoon and did a little shopping for her. Louise wasn’t there and she couldn’t leave. She said Donnie weighs over 16 lbs now. David weighed 11 – 4 today.

John is taking his turn being sick. There wasn’t any school today due to the blizzard this morning and the boys were home. By noon John said he didn’t feel so good. He was hungry and ate quite a good lunch. After eating I waited a while and took his temperature. It was 100 – I gave him ½ and at 6:30 ½. His temp. went up to 101 but he doesn’t seem to feel so bad. He drank a glass of orange juice for supper. I hope I can elude that little “bug.” I am trying to be careful so maybe I will be able to get by.

[page 3] I took a roll of pictures of the baby to try and get one to put on Christmas greetings. Out of 8 I got one that will do. I found some greetings at the variety store that the picture will fit in so will send a few to our close friends, Maces, Watsons, Mutch’s, Dolores, your Mom & mine and one to Mrs. P. After Christmas I am going to have the photographer make a picture of David and also one of myself for you as you requested.

Fri – John is much better but I didn’t allow him to go to school today. He is getting restless and that is a good sign. He is hungry so that is another good symptom.

The pictures are the ones Mrs. Zell took the morning I wrote about how beautiful & scenic it was. I was out of film that morning so didn’t get any with our camera. To get the full beauty one would have to take pictures with a movie camera.

The papers came today but have been too busy to read. Hume Sammon’s funeral was this afternoon. The Puetz have a baby boy – born Dec 13 – weight 6-9.

[page 4] After all the varied weather yesterday there was a little freeze and it was slick on streets where there isn’t much traffic. I went to town but drove very carefully and slowly. There wasn’t many cars on the streets so didn’t have much traffic to encounter.

I am going to the class party tonite and Dorothy is coming out to stay with the family. It was her suggestion. I wouldn’t ask anyone to do that but she offered her time. I have Clara M. engaged for Mon nite – the band concert – Arlene is having a party Sun nite so will have to get someone to come then – I haven’t been out much and it seems like everything is coming together. After Christmas there won’t be much going on so will stay home. I am going to take Bobby Funk to the concert Mon. nite. Arlene’s bridge club meets and she can’t take him so I told her Mark & I would take him. John of course will play in the band. It is about time for Mark to come home so will get this ready for him to take to the P.O. Helen W. Knollin has been here but is leaving Sun. She & her husband are in Chi. Now but will be back here tonite & tomorrow.

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/09/01/just-a-week-un…mas-eve-gladys/

There is a blizzard raging (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Dec 16 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

Received a letter today that was a little behind time but was glad to get it even tho it wasn’t the latest. The first letter you wrote was I think, the seventh I rec’d – It came “Sept 22” – the day I started to the hospital – I left here about 11:15 Sept 22 and it was 12:05 Sept 23 when I arrived on the 4th floor St E.

Dorothy came out this afternoon and we went to Sheldon and I got a supply of beef. The pork isn’t in the drawer yet. Will be next week. When we came back to town we stopped to see Mrs. P. and she gave me our Christmas gifts. I wanted her to see the baby. She said she would keep him any time in the afternoon for me. She said the gift was for you too – So since I sent you a box last week won’t send anything right now – I’ll wait until you mention something you want. I’ll wait until after Christmas and if you don’t get any of the boxes sent

[page 2] to you will send you something else to make up for them.

I have been thinking about the surplus in the bank and since I haven’t spent the gifts you sent to me will put that specific amt. in a saving acc’t and do you think I should buy more bonds than one a month?

The gift from Revlon came today – and thanks again for another gift. Dorothy was here so I opened it and showed it to her. I also opened the brush set and showed to her. She thinks they are both nice gifts.

Arlene just called me and invited me to a Christmas party Monday night. I should go to the band concert but I would rather go to the party – so that is where I decided to go. John gave me his consent. Arlene keeps asking me if you rec’d the letters they sent but you have never mentioned any. I think you would answer them if you did receive a letter.

I am sending St. E. a greeting and hope you have sent or are sending one from there.

[page 3]Had a letter from Ruthie today. They had your letter. They want to come over here Christmas Eve and take us in our car to C.C. for Christmas and come back Sun. following. I haven’t decided yet – I am not much in favor because I am afraid it will be too hard on the baby and his mother. Your mother said something about whopping cough down there and I certainly don’t want to get close to that. If it weren’t for that I might consider the trip – since the baby is on Carnation and his milk wouldn’t have to be changed. The baby is getting along so fine I certainly wouldn’t want him to get anything.

You mentioned the furnace. When I take out clinkers I always poke to the bottom and stir things around. I pull up the rings that form. Not long ago I cleaned it out and started a new fire and cleaned out the soot & silt too. I am going to put some baby things in the Bendix this evening and while down there for that take out some clinkers. Took out a few last nite.

[page 4] I am not up on local “gossip” – so can’t be very newsy in this letter. The paper will probably be out tomorrow but this will be in the mail by then. We are still having plenty of winter. It isn’t so awfully cold but lots of snow and ice. Seems no one can remember when we have had such an early winter. Nick said they had burned more coal so far this winter than all last winter. I can’t tell how much we have used – but will be able to figure out after winter is over. The coal in July was 69⁰⁰ and last week was 28⁰⁰. There is still room for more but Chet says they will get coal all along.

Fri nite is the class party and I will know who my mystery pal has been. I got Hannah a cake plate for her last gift. I haven’t anyone to stay with the baby, but I am going to the party & stay til 10 o’clock then if I haven’t anyone will come home. He sleeps after his 6 P.M. bottle until 10 – so think I can leave him with the boys that long.

If you go swimming again & can get it I would like some more coral. Also if you can manage – send your Mother a box

Sorry you didn’t like our pictures. Maybe if we keep on can get some good ones – I’ll have one made of myself after Christmas & send.

Love – Mother

[page 5] Thurs. morn – This weather again. There is a blizzard raging this morning and no school. It is coming from the south and the windows on the so. Side of the house are covered with snow & ice. I am certainly thankful for a good warm house and plenty of modern conveniences. I wrote to Mom & Ruthie and told them if this weather continues I know I won’t plan to do anything but stay home. In fact I don’t much like the idea of going now because of the weather and the baby being so small. I think we would be much better off at home and we can have our Christmas right here. I hear the baby cooing or making some kind of gurgling sound. He has been making a lot of changes this week – I think I mentioned he “chews” his left thumb.

The “bliz” is still going strong.

Love Mother

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