Tag Archives: Emma (Lawhead) Foster

Carbon Paper (Gladys)

Before she was married, Gladys worked as a stenographer. After she married Roscoe, she continued to work as the family’s secretary. One tool of her trade was carbon paper. This is a term that has quickly gone by the wayside. Who uses carbon paper anymore? And based on some of the articles I came across while researching the origins of said paper, our youngest generations have no idea what carbon paper even is. For myself, I learned to type on a good, old-fashioned manual typewriter. When I went away to college, one of my going away gifts was an electric typewriter, not a computer. I didn’t get one of those until I was out of college, left graduate school and had been married several years. But I digress. By virtue of the fact that I know how to operate a typewriter, I know what carbon paper is and have used it on many occasions. Although not recently, and probably not in this century.

Gladys made duplicates of all her correspondence using carbon paper, except (as she mentions on November 6th) not the letters she wrote to Roscoe. We have it so easy these days with photocopiers, except of course when the machine is broken and then the world stops and everyone is screwed. Ever been in a teacher workroom, during recess and had to make a single copy for a class in a pinch before recess is over, only to discover that the copier is down? It’s not pretty. Over the years, Gladys used carbon paper to make duplicates, a practice that was passed down to her sons. This weekend as I was going through some of the OTHER folders of family correspondence, I chanced upon a particular letter of my father’s. In the 1970s, my father wrote a weekly letter to various family members and friends. At the end of that letter he wrote,

“I will continue to write my weekly letter. The original will go to my folks in West Lafayette, with copies, as usual to…”

And how did he manage this feat without a photocopier? With our trusty friend the carbon paper. For a little history on carbon paper, read here.

: November 6, 1942 Envelope

: November 6, 1942, p. 1

: November 6, 1942, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Nov 6 – 1942

Dear Daddy,

Rec’d one letter this AM – the one telling me you had one letter dated Oct 9. If I had kept carbon copies I could send you duplicates of all the intervening ones, but what about your commission. I sent it air-mail as you directed. If I could remember some of the things I had written before. I also sent pictures – do hope you get them – Also hope you get your Christmas box – there are some good snap shots in it. I’ll mention your laundry again. I put something in besides laundry. I want it to be a surprise so if you get your laundry and there is anything else in the box you can let me know. If not you won’t be disappointed. It wasn’t anything of value but I thought you would get a “kick” out of it. I was glad you specified 5 to 7 oz a week weight gain for David. He has been doing about that – he still seems so tiny but makes a steady gain – takes his formula, cod liver oil and orange juice. He hasn’t too hearty an appetite but probably will get hungrier when he grows a little – “according to the chart” he should take 4 to 4 ½ oz per feeding every 4 hrs. He usually takes 4 oz – sometimes 3 ½ but he is so good – sleeps all night except for the 2 AM feeding and sleeps most of the day too. He is good when awake so surely he isn’t hungry and his stools indicate his food digests. His birth weight was 6-11 but he lost the 11 oz while cursing the breast. At two weeks he was 6-3 ¼ and at 6 weeks 8-2 so that shows he is making progress. He seems slow because Funk’s baby weighed nearly 13 lbs at 2 months (He was 8 – ¾ at birth) Helen & Carl Koon’s baby is another “overweight.’ He looks so fat and so much larger than David. The present formula is 10 oz carnation 18 oz water – 2 tbsp Dextri-Maltrose. That makes 28 oz for 24 hrs but he never takes the 28 oz. If he takes more than 4 oz at a time he throws up so he probably takes all his stomach can digest. I suppose when he develops more he will take more. He was on a 3 hr schedule but that was too often and he didn’t take each feeding as well as he does now. He is getting Mead’s Oleum Percomorphum (In case you don’t get the letter I told you about it) The bank balance is 825 and if I pay Physicians (30⁰⁰) Massengill (8.99) – Aloe (21.70) & Fa David 15⁰⁰ – will reduce it to 748 – that bal. includes my birthday gift. I haven’t had a chance to do any shopping since receiving it, but I haven’t been in a hurry to shop – I have been so busy taking care of David and trying to get house cleaning done and things back in the “groove,” I feel about normal again. I am still taking Liver & Vit B shots but think I’ll need them yet for a while. I am cleaning house with the help of John & Mark. They each have a bond and also David has one. J & M now have 25¢ stamp books and are to put a stamp in a week. Mother went to Cosmopolitan Club with Mrs. Zell this afternoon. She gets ‘blue’ if she doesn’t hear from Jim every so often. I told her she shouldn’t feel badly – at least he is where she could get to him if necessary and he is still in U.S.A. I don’t think she should go back to T.H. and be there alone – what with traveling being curtailed and gas rationing. It will soon be so one can’t travel by train or bus without a priority rating – that is the talk now and some of the busses have been taken off. But I will let her decide for herself.

[page 2] Seems I was too long winded for one sheet so will finish on this half. I am so glad I have kept the “Daily” letter habit. Someone said they couldn’t see that is did any good but if I hadn’t maybe you wouldn’t have gotten that one. The boys just came home from school and are gathering the clothes. They didn’t want to just now but it is getting damp out – and they won’t dry any more. It has been alternately sunny & cloudy today but the clothes didn’t dry well. Soon have to hang them in the basement. I got a perm. yesterday and while in the beauty shop one of your patients came in who owes 22⁰⁰. She didn’t seem to know me. I had just sent her a statement reminding her I wanted some money but haven’t had a reply – probably won’t get one. I sent out several statements last week but so far “no go,” (as Mark says). John brought home the script for their stunt so I will have to read it. After I read it maybe I can write you what they are going to do. That boys has a sense of humor that is “precious” – like his Dad – where as Mark is more like Floyd – his is the more obvious type – if you get what I mean. He still imitates radio characters with quite a relish.

I haven’t given you any outside news today – been too busy talking about us. You should be getting the Enterprise. Bart sends it – I got your “white poppy” just a little too late to put on your Christmas & Birthday boxes –

Love
Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/10/carbon-paper-gladys/ ‎

David – Six weeks old (Gladys)

1 Reply

Today’s post features three pictures that were taken around November 4th and 5th, 1942 at David’s six week mark. He is being held by his grandmother Emma Foster.

Letter transcription:

V-mail, dated November 5, 1942

LT (JG) R.S. Yegerlehner
Navy SSA (White Poppy)
c/o Postmaster
San Francisco, Calif.

Mrs. R.S. Yegerlehner
Kentland
Ind
11-5-42

Dear Daddy-

Thurs. and no mail but maybe several will come tomorrow. I have an appointment to get a perm this afternoon at 2:30 David is 6 weeks old so feel like I can leave him with Mother long enough to get a much needed curl. At present he is asleep but acts like he is going to wake up. It is raining and windy today – real fall weather. I scanned over the paper to see the election returns. Cliff was defeated – seems everything went Rep. except one Township Trustee. This year the 7 & 8^th grades get to put on a stunt for stunt night. John has a leading role in the 7^th grade class. He has tickets to sell – was complaining because even the “players” have to buy tickets. I think Mark has been getting into a little trouble with his teacher from some of the things he says. He and some other boys threw spit wads in music class and were sent out. His grades were all pretty good so he evidently didn’t bother the teacher too much. I think he doesn’t care so much for this teacher as he did his 1, 2 & 3 grade teachers. He is doing much better now otherwise. Doesn’t seem so nervous. He & John are both taking oral vaccine for colds. However John did develop a slight case of laryngitis but it didn’t last long. I am still giving myself liver once a week and Vit B once each week. I feel I still need it – tho I am feeling much better. Hope you get your birthday box & cards.

Love
Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/07/november-5-1942-gladys/

Halloween (October 31, 1942) – Gladys

3 Replies

Today’s letter features some great re-capping on Gladys’ part. At this point in the letters, Gladys knew that a chunk of letters were missing in action. We learn a bit more about the night David was born and Gladys finally has the news that Roscoe was aware of David’s birth. She provided a lot of answers to questions that Roscoe had been asking over the last month or so. How much money was in the bank account? Who was helping around the house? Who had enlisted and who was still in town?

: October 31, 1942 Envelope

: October 31, 1942, p. 1

: October 31, 1942, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Indiana
Oct 31-1942

Dear Daddy-

At last I received a letter from you saying you had the news about David – and the middle name is Anthony – I wrote all the details in a letter while I was in the hospital but just in case it was lost I will try and give you a brief resume .

My water broke at 11 P.M. – without any pain. I called Dr. Cole & he said to come to the hospital. I called Bob & then Dorothy – Clarice also went along. After we started I began having hard pains and Bob drove as fast as he could. We were on 4^th floor by midnight. David was born at 2:03 and I had ether as soon as they got me strapped down so didn’t know much about the pain at the last. I was just beginning to get very hard pains when they took me in to the delivery room (1:30) so you know I got thru in fine shape and of course no tears inside or out because the little fellow only weighed 6-11. I suffered more with my breasts than I did having him. I tried to nurse him and he kept losing weight – he went back to 6 lbs – and my breasts were well stimulated. They gave me stilbestrol and I had to take twice as much as I did the last time. Dr. C. made me stay in the hospital two weeks. When we came home David weighed 6-3 ¼ and now weighs almost 8 lbs and he will be 6 weeks old Wed (Nov. 4). When I left the hospital I sent for my bill and the nurse came in and said it had already been taken care of. We are feeding David Carnation, Dextri-Maltrose – orange juice & Oleum Per.

Everything here is going along pretty good now that I am able to be up and doing again. The furnace is O.K. So far the boys have been taking care of it with help from the neighbors now & then. Link has taken the clinkers out and Mr. Zell cleaned the soot & clinkers out once. I think the boys & I will be able to keep it in shape now. Joe got the storm windows put up and after the leaves all fall I will have the guttering cleaned. I think everything has been attended to. I had antifreeze put in the car & winter oil put in. I keep the tires checked. The bank acct. at present is around 700⁰⁰ that includes the birthday gift. I have paid the coal bill and of course ins. as it comes due. There are a few drug bills to pay but altogether they won’t amount to 100⁰⁰. I will pay those one day when I take a

[Written on side margin] Jim’s address is still Camp Bradford Norfolk but he is moving to another location so don’t know what it will be.

[page 2]notion. They don’t bother me much with statements maybe if they did I would pay them.

Tomorrow is my birthday. Mrs. P. sent me 5⁰⁰ and a gift to David (3⁰⁰). Dorothy Krull sent me a potted plant. Mother brought me a gift when she came in Sept and gave it to me then – a set of bowls. She is still here and I don’t know when she is going home. Nothing has been said about it lately. I tried to get help with housecleaning but “no go.” I will do it myself as I have time & feel like it. I am not going to make myself sick doing it however.

The boys (John & Mark) are taking Sherman oral vaccine. Maybe that will keep them from taking cold. John had a slight head cold when he started taking the pills & after two his cold was gone. He had a sneezing all thru hay fever tie. I was of the opinion he had some allergy.

If all my letters get to you, you will get all the local news because I tried to put all of interest in my letters. So many have gone into service – here is a list – Art Kenney – Paul Bruck, Kenny Jones, Emery J. Jr., Eddie Britton, Leo Yose, the two Mullen boys, the Myers twins (Al didn’t enlist). There are many others but I can’t think of them now. I think I told you Newell Lamb has the office. He was appointed Prosecuting Attorney due to the present one going to service. Clifford S. as you know is running for election on the Dem. Ticket. He didn’t do much with our collections. I saw A. Taylor yesterday & he gave me a check for 9⁰⁰. He said he thought that was all he owed. I told him I would send him an itemized statement. He said if I was right he would pay the rest.

I talk to Mrs. R. rather often. She calls me or I call her. I told her you hadn’t had news for a long time & didn’t know about the baby. Earl stopped there en route to an Army Camp in Pa. and she told him. He came to see me and was going to help me get word to you when I got your letter saying you at last had my V-mail letters. I sent several while I was in bed at home and in the hospital. I don’t believe you rec’d all. If you get my previous letters this will be a rehash.

I tried to call Mrs. Ash while in Laf. But didn’t get an answer. I haven’t talked to her since she saw me in the hospital. I didn’t write to Mrs. W. Sorry he had to go, because I know you enjoyed his company from your letters.

I rec’d two letters yesterday and six today which brings things pretty much up to date for me. Hope you get the Christmas boxes being sent. We sent one. I am sending another for your birthday but don’t know when you will get it.

Love
Mother & Boys

[written on side margin] I wrote yesterday explaining the radio-gram.

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/05/30/halloween-octo…31-1942-gladys/

October 30, 1942 (Gladys)

3 Replies

John on October 24th, 1942

This letter gives another reference to the photograph of John, taken by Ruthie, in his new coat, on October 24th. Apparently there were two pictures. Thankfully, at least one survived through time. Maybe the second one will surface someday.

: October 30, 1942 Envelope

: October 30, 1942, p. 1

: October 30, 1942, p. 2

: October 30, 1942, p. 3

: October 30, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind
Oct 30-1942

Dear Daddy,

I sent a letter marked “clipper” yesterday but Tony said he didn’t know whether it would be sent that way or not. If so you should have rec’d it in about a week. If you do get it that soon I’ll send all via clipper. I haven’t had any letters since Mon. but tomorrow is Sat and maybe there will be a “flock” then.

I took the drapes down and cleaned the ones in our bedroom but just put the rest out to air. I took Mark back to school at noon so went on down to Perkins and Thelma promised to come tomorrow and do some cleaning. If I can just get help a day or so, think we can get the housecleaning situation in hand.

Mon. when I took the baby to Dr. C. he weighed 7-9

[page 2] This morning when I bathed him he weighed 8 lbs – not bad for a 6-11 – losing 11 oz and starting at 6 lbs. He was 5 weeks old Wed. so I think he is doing well enough. He tried to gag when I gave him his Oleum Percomorphum today but I gave him orange juice as soon as I could and he kept it down. He made an awful face when he got a taste of the oil.

I am enclosing some pictures Ruthie took with her camera. The two pictures of John with the over coat shows how it can be worn. The light side for rain & the dark for cold. Maybe before long we will be able to get a good (or better) picture of David. I hope you have the pictures we sent last week. Several of the baby were very good we thought. He rec’d another present today – a knit suit from Louise Glenn – she said on the card “to small fry.” That makes eight suits given to him. He is wearing one today. They are really much nicer for boys than dresses and warmer too.

I feel like I have an apology to make about your birthday but hope you get the cards we sent. I should have sent

[page 3] your birthday box out long ago but going to the hospital when I did (Sept 23) I didn’t think about sending it before then and since I have been home it seems like I am so busy with the baby & getting back on my feet again. I am afraid you won’t get it until after Christmas what with so much Christmas mail to be handled now. I hope you get it or the cards because we have thought about it and of course think about you all the time.

Art K. is due in Great Lakes Mon. I stopped in the drug store at noon and saw him. I wanted to pay him. He said he would come out and settle up before he leaves, but I don’t think he will. There were twelve from Newton Co. left for Indpls. Among those Paul Bruck, Leo Yost & Eddie Britton.

Marjory Wilson Ryan has a baby boy. She went to see Dr. C. Monday and stopped at the hospital to see about a room. She wasn’t due

[page 4] until Nov. 7. I told her to make it Nov. 1 – but guess she couldn’t wait.

The Equitable sent you the name of an examinee and I returned their letter with a note to the effect you are in Service. I had a letter to inform me that your status as examiner would be retained when you return.

School is out and the boys are home. I have quite a bit of mail to go out so will have to get busy and get it to the P.O. “My day” is certainly full – I can do just so much before I stop & rest – and it seems I never get caught up – but I would rather be busy. That doesn’t keep me from thinking but it helps me. I have so many letters that should be answered – but yours comes first and if I have any time left will answer others.

Love
Mother

P.S. I missed your Dad’s birthday but sent a gift later

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/05/28/october-30-1942-gladys/

Halfway Point!

8 Replies

At the end of this last week, my blog hit a quiet milestone. With this post, I have been posting for 184 days, just over half a year. I can hardly believe that I have been at this for six months. Yesterday (May 25^th) was my grandparents’ 84^th wedding anniversary. I would like to thank everyone who has been following their correspondence for the last six months and to welcome those who have recently followed their story. Here’s to the next six months!

: October 29, 1942 Envelope

: October 29, 1942, p. 1

: October 29, 1942, p. 2

: October 29, 1942, p. 3

: October 29, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Oct 29 – 1942

Dear Daddy-

Another day and no letters from you but maybe they will come tomorrow. There were two Mon and this Thurs so still Fri & Sat.

Our weather has changed a little. It was raining so hard this morning I took ours & Zell’s children to school. John had tow horn cases to carry and books so he could hardly manage walking. He brought the large saxophone home yesterday and had to take both horns back this a.m. He likes the regular sax much better than the straight one he had. David is sleeping now. He seems to like the 4 hr schedule as well as the 3 hr. He didn’t wake up until 3:30 this am for the 2 am bottle. I think maybe he will soon sleep right through although I don’t mind feeding him at 2 until he is some heavier. He weighed 7-9 on Dr. Coles’ scales Monday and will no doubt be

[page 2]past the 8 lb mark by Sat. He takes his cod liver oil & orange juice every day and so far both agree with him.

If you ever get the letters I wrote while in the hospital and letters others wrote, you will know we tried to send you a cable – well in your letters to me you said you hadn’t had any news for so long, so Bob Hufty contacted the Red Cross field man and he said he would get a radiogram to you if it was possible – I suppose by this time you will have received it and know why it was sent. I would have done that in the first place had I known we couldn’t send a cable – and that you wouldn’t get our letters – but we all thought you would surely get our letters in at least two weeks. After they told us we couldn’t cable you I thought the only thing left was a letter and when your letters kept coming and you weren’t getting your mail Bob decided it was high time something should be done.

Mrs. R called me this morning just to talk and wanting to know if I had any late news. She rec’d a cable three weeks ago

[page 3] but no news since then. Before the cable he had written three letters on board ship. He was detailed to the Southwest Pacific fleet, so she hasn’t the faintest idea where he is other than the S.W. Pacific.

There is a high wind today and we had a casualty. The west storm window in the boys room blew off and broke the bottom pane. I hadn’t gotten them all fastened and that particular one seems to be in a current that flips it off. Link is coming over this evening and help me get the rest fastened. I can’t even get some of the windows up. Joe should have fastened those the day he put them up but he was in a hurry to finish by noon and I haven’t felt strong enough to wrestle with the windows – but will get it done before any more blow out.

John has filled two stamp books so I am going to buy him a bond (as pledged) and he is going to get

[page 4] it at school so his grade will get credit. Mark still has a few stamp to buy before he fills his book but I will get him a bond before the year is over. I should buy David a $5⁰⁰ stamp with his gift from D. Mace.

I see in the paper that Bethel Wilson has been sent to Daytona Beach, Fla to a new camp. The Mullen boys are being sent to Ft. Bragg, N.C.

Harlan’s had Chuckie operated on for his eyes. They took him to Indpls but I don’t know who did the operating.

John Byrne is the man operating Art’s drug store. I knew his face but not his name. His family will occupy the Ross property on West Carroll St. (if you know which property that is – I don’t).

Mother had a head cold – started yesterday evening – so I made her take some Rhinitis – all I had was the child size so have her 4 last night – got a bottle at the drug store this morning and gave her a full size one – her cold is better now.

I must sign off-
Love Mother

This post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/05/26/halfway-point/

More on the Klines (Gladys)

6 Replies

In this letter, Gladys briefly mentioned Inez. The only Inez that I am aware of at this point in the extended family was Roscoe’s cousin, Inez Kline. She was the daughter of Nancy (McCoy) Walker Kline and the wife of John Ley. I don’t know if John’s nickname was “Bud”, but John and Inez did have a son John Ed[win] Ley. John Ed was the correct age to have served in World War II. In fact, according to his obituary, John Ed served in the Army Air Corp during World War II.

: October 28, 1942 Envelope

: October 28, 1942, p. 1

: October 28, 1942, p. 2

: October 28, 1942, p. 3

: October 28, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Oct 28 – 1942

Dear Daddy-

I am listening to a symphony – by David. He is a good baby most of the time but as Geneva Simons said about her baby he has his moments and when he decides to cry he just has to cry for it seems nothing we can do will get him to stop. Of course I always see if he is comfortable – that is, if his clothes are dry. For the moment he has stopped and seems to be going to sleep but – I spoke too soon – music started again. He seems to be doing “OK” on his new 4 hr schedule. Yesterday I mixed his formula in such a hurry I put in 10 oz water & 8 oz milk then gave him his bottle. When I went back to bottle the rest of it I discovered my mistake – but the increased milk content didn’t seem to bother him – in fact he seemed more satisfied after that first feeding than later on. However I mixed a new 24 hr feeding and

[page 2] didn’t give him but one feeding from the first mixture. You remember when you were home Geneva S. talked to you about her baby. Well she told me yesterday what the trouble had been. She said she had never told anyone and only she and Bob knew – but when she mixed the baby’s formula when she got home from the hospital she was a little nervous and made the mistake of putting in ½ cup Karo instead of ½ tbsp – Do you can understand why he was so upset. She didn’t catch her mistake until he had taken the entire 24 hr mixture. She said they had to put him on SMA to get him straightened out but have him back on milk now.

Mary Parttens was here a few minutes this morning. She was going to school to get Jim and couldn’t stay long. She has been busy and I think has been helping Harold do farm work, since both Jim & Ruth are in school.

Had a letter from Inez this A.M. She said Bud had finished a course at Chanute Field and is somewhere in Ten. now. John Ed enlisted

[page 3] in Army Air Corps but hasn’t been called yet.

Floyd went to Blue Island again this week but Ruthie didn’t come over, said she had a cold and didn’t think she should be around the baby or me. Floyd is trying to sell his shop equipment and Mr. Zell is talking about buying it. Mr. Zell has taken quite an interest in Mark. He told Shirks he felt so sorry for our boys – the fact that you have to be away – that he was going to do all he can for them. Mark is taking his horn rather seriously. He said Mr. Webster got so disgusted with all the junior band he told them their music “stunk.” Mark said they all admitted they didn’t practice enough so he timed himself last night and claimed he put in 30 minutes. John said today Mr. W. is going to give him a regular sax now. He is doing good enough with this one that he can have a better one. David has dozed off again but don’t suppose it will last. It seems like

[page 4] I can’t get anything done except take care of him. Haven’t got any fall cleaning done yet but I haven’t felt well enough yet to plunge into much work. I am afraid if I don’t take care of myself I might have to go back to bed like Arlene did – and I wouldn’t want that to happen. Mother fell and hurt her right wrist a week ago Sunday and is just getting now so she can use it again. Of course she doesn’t feel like doing much any time so we just do what has to be done and let the rest go.

I have several letters to answer. I didn’t write to your Mother last week- Ruthis was here and she wrote but I must get a letter out this week. I have a letter from Dolores and one from Esther I must answer. I am going to try this week and get some statements out. (I think I told you that before).

If you get this before Christmas – I want you to know we sent you a box – Just hope you get it and all the other boxes and letters being sent.

I haven’t had any mail now for two days but hope I will get some tomorrow – Also hope you get some too. Just wish you could get yours as regular as I get.

Love – Mother

24th or 25th (Gladys)

2 Replies

Today’s letter was a short one. I believe it was written on Saturday, October 24^th, not the 25^th as it has been dated. Gladys typically did not write letters on Sunday. I do not know the rationale for this practice. Perhaps she was usually too busy with church activities (although she probably had not attended services for awhile due to the baby). In addition, the envelope has a cancellation mark dated October 24^th at 5 PM.

1942 Sears Fall catalog – Boys coats (Image from Ancestry.com)

The letter mentions John’s new fingertip coat for a second time. Now we know who took the picture (Aunt Ruthie). The picture of John was dated October 24^th so this also gives weight to my theory that the letter was actually written on the 24^th, instead of the 25^th.

: October 24/25, 1942 Envelope

: October 24/25, 1942, p. 1

: October 24/25, 1942, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Oct 25 – 1942

Dear Daddy-

Another beautiful fall day – however it is cooler now. Had a heavy frost last night. The heat feels good today. I am keeping the temp. at 70. It seems to be warm enough for everyone except Mother. I wear a sweater and the boys do part of the time.

Ruthie is waiting for Floyd to come. She took some pictures this morning. One of John with his new fingertip coat so you can see how he looks in his new coat when we get the film developed. I have a roll of film to take and if it is nice tomorrow will try to get more of David. I hope you get all we have sent you so far. I put some in your Christmas box.

[page 2] I am supposed to go see Dr. Cole Mon. afternoon. I want him to see the baby besides getting my check-up. I feel pretty good. I think I’ll be “O.K.” so long as I don’t overdo.

Next Sun. is my birthday and I haven’t decided yet what to buy with my ‘gift’ – Maybe nothing- or bonds. I am not going anywhere for a while so don’t need clothes. After the baby is old enough to ‘leave’ so I can attend club once in a while maybe I’ll get something – but you know I would rather stay home and take care of him myself than leave him when he is so small.

Mark is waiting to take this to the P.O. so must get it finished.

Love

Mother