January 1943

Friday
January 1, 1943
Jan.1 found Ol & me at Colonial Club with the McCaul’sMelinas, Grasty S. Chestnuts. We had lots of fun came in at 4. Ollie & James went to the midnight show. Alice M. stayed home kept our kids. Bill went to May’s. Jack went on hike at Lake with scouts he was all in when he returned. The girls had to work today, Ol & I ate breakfast at 12 NOON. We lounged all day. George Lewis came home with A. M. for kidney stew & Black-eyed peas.



Saturday
January 2, 1943
Rebecca came to help today George Lewis is coming again tonight we are having baked beans.



Sunday
January 3, 1943
Attended Sunday School, played bridge with Burseys in evening, I sure felt terrible must be because I am going to dentist tomorrow.



Monday
January 4, 1943
Sam Callaway passed away this morn. Poor Sam he was one of the Best men I ever knew. The tooth is filled. Oliver went to Greenville on a service it sure was cold.



Tuesday
January 5, 1943
Sam’s Service at 4 P.M. today. Sure is cold.



Wednesday
January 6, 1943
Iorned all day we went to picture show in evening.



Thursday
January 7, 1943
Ma, Elbertine, & I went to eat Barbecue Shrimp at noon.



Friday
January 8, 1943
Fri. just the same of cleaning & cooking. Ol retires tonight as president of Shrine Patrol.



Saturday
January 9, 1943
George Lewis had dinner with us again. Patrol Stag.



Sunday
January 10, 1943
Attended Golden wedding anniversary of the Brooks, Thelma Ferrell’s parents. AM had a different Marine out today. Ol & I went to a picture show in evening.



Monday
January 11, 1943
Dentist today to have teeth cleaned.



Tuesday
January 12, 1943
On the phone all morning for Red Cross. Cleaned windows in girls room did family laundry. Ol told George to take a bath, he came to me & said “Mommie is it Saturday night?”



Wednesday
January 13, 1943
Night Club at Bursey’s lorn Alice Marie came home with a sore throat

This could be ‘HOME’ or could be ‘LAWN’ manuscript looks like ‘LORN’

Thursday
January 14, 1943
Alice Marie still home from work. I cleaned slip covers for furniture in living room.



Friday
January 15, 1943
Still just cleaning.



Saturday
January 16, 1943
Attended luncheon at Women’s Club University Women’s Club guest of Miss Anna Lehae. Bought more silver it’s about all gone.



Sunday
January 17, 1943
Sunday School, George said “My family are the slowest people”



Monday
January 18, 1943
George & I went to town early to buy things we had needed for a long while, hair dresseralso. (driving same car & rubber as a year ago)



Tuesday
January 19, 1943
Directors dinner dance (didn’t go) Knife & Fork Club (didn’t go) Don’t feel so god and is it cold everything frozen up. Suzanne DeForest married tonight.



Wednesday
January 20, 1943
Still cold, Oliver has service at Hearne. Marzelle due in Ft. W. today. Alice M. stayed all night with Jane Webb. With Betty Thomas tonight.



Thursday
January 21, 1943
Garden Club – didn’t go no one to leave George with. Pipes began to thaw two busted in Boys Bath & garage. Have to keep Jingle up this place is certainly a mess.



Friday
January 22, 1943
Weather is fine. Ollie was asked to be assistant in Biology for next year. She will be apprentice this next term.



Saturday
January 23, 1943
A beautiful day, I did the laundry.



Sunday
January 24, 1943
No Sunday School today for any or us A.M. had sore throat so we all stayed home, & cleaned the hillside, George Lewis was here for supper.



Monday
January 25, 1943
Made Canteen meeting at Ft. Worth Club, I have been appointed Chairman of #3 again, Bought more silver. George Lewis here again tonight.



Tuesday
January 26, 1943
Dinner for the B. Burks, Joe Mills, C C Cross, Ross Trimbles, a get together for the Captains. Uncle Charlie no better (Passed away tonight)



Wednesday
January 27, 1943
Wed. Night Club at Wyatt’s. Uncle Charlie passed away last night in Okla. City, in hosp. all alone as he lived mostly.



Thursday
January 28, 1943
Services here for Uncle Charlie, Bury him in Mount Olivet, a bad day, snowed a little.



Friday
January 29, 1943
Just answering letters and cards this is a beautiful day, just a little cold. Bill goes to J. P. Elder Junior High School today.



Saturday
January 30, 1943
Becky didn’t come today, she usually helps me on Sat. Morn. So I will just have to dig in. George has cold and a little fever put him to bed.



Sunday
January 31, 1943
Had lunch with the C. C. Crosses their home is lovely. Marzelle & Bradley spent the night with them. George Shannon is still in bed. George Lewis here in afternoon AM & George kept boys for us and we went to show at night.

December 1942

Tuesday
1-Dec-42
George clear of fever.



Wednesday
2-Dec-42
Night Club at Reynolds. George & I went out to see Margaret Pettiway to get a diet and list of exercises.



Thursday
3-Dec-42
Started 9 day diet to day with exercises. I weigh 160 lbs.



Friday
4-Dec-42
Diet OK have plenty to eat. Oliver offers to buy me candy. Oh how he hated diets.



Saturday
5-Dec-42
Alice M. has taken over the Marines. A new one every night. George stuck a tack in his knee. Ol & I went to picture show.



Sunday
6-Dec-42
George cried all night with his knee, took him to Dr. Helbing says it is serious fever high. Uncle Charlie came in with aszma nearly passed out. Worked with Uncle Charlie most all day.



Monday
7-Dec-42
Just a year ago today Pearl Harbor was bombed. Ol & I had a Bomb today. Pa has decided we owe him $14000 says I said’ “if it wasn’t for the old folks we could get along alright.” Well it is an idea. At least we wouldn’t owe $14000.00 Uncle Charlie better, George better.



Tuesday
8-Dec-42
We found we are $4000 overdrawn instead of the 14,000. Pa sure changes fast, I have a little bill to settle with him on my own. Uncle Charlie left tonight to go back to Okla. City, nearly passed out on Oliver guess he couldn’t stand the fussing.



Wednesday
9-Dec-42
Oh what a week George is clear of fever. Did part of my washing today, will try to finish tomorrow. Pa is still raving. What a life. Boys are saving wool.



Thursday
10-Dec-42
Finished washing and most of iorning. George has been a good boy just plays in his bed.



Friday
11-Dec-42
Iorned again & cleaned hours. I don’t feel so good. George is up in the house.



Saturday
12-Dec-42
I baked a cake for AM’s Marines & also one for ourselves.



Sunday
13-Dec-42
Ol has a cold kept him in bed all day.



Monday
14-Dec-42
Ol went with Plaxco to Dehorn cattle. I worked all day washed & iorned



Tuesday
15-Dec-42
Finished iorning, canteen served the Red Cross dinner was sure good.



Wednesday
16-Dec-42
Dr. Helbing’s Birthday. We took the Bryan Greagory’s to hear Upton Close, he sure tells about the Government but doesn’t tell us how to remedy it.

Upton Close (Josef Washington Hall) Upton Close is a pseudonym of Josef Washington Hall, who formerly signed his journalistic dispatches “Up Close.” The author was a well known adventurer, explorer, observer and writer on Asia.


Thursday
17-Dec-42
We had the night club Xmas Party lots of fun the Helbings were guests.



Friday
18-Dec-42
Kiwanas Club Banquet didn’t go Ol was busy. I sewed.



Saturday
19-Dec-42
Beauty Parlor – Bill fell & broke his wrist had him xray’d arm in cast. Shrine Patrol Dance at Texas. Most fun and best music in long time.



Sunday
20-Dec-42
Stayed home all day. Didn’t dress until 6 P.M.



Monday
21-Dec-42
Worked on AM’s comfort finished it went to Roy Montgomery’s wife’s funeral with Ester Ruth Sharp. Everyone gone this evening even to George things get quiet.



Tuesday
22-Dec-42
Finished one comfort & started house cleaning the family attended square dance at Joe Johnson’s al except Ol he went to Draft board.



Wednesday
23-Dec-42
Finished comfort, AM had George Lewis out for dinner when I wasn’t prepared. Baked Fruit Cake Bars tonight Ol made country funeral. Ollie is working at Leonard’s every day during vacation, has a vacation every night she is worn out. The Joe Mills brought ua a 20lb ham. Umm umm

First mention of GL
Leonard Bros. Department Store was a downtown landmark and attraction. Only evidence left is a coffin size historical marker. Even the Leonard’s Farm Store has been razed for TCC campus.


Thursday
24-Dec-42
Xmas Eve again & I’m so tired, going to cemetery & deliver Xmas gifts. Bills Birthday.



Friday
25-Dec-42
Alice M celebrated by having a date with a Marine and coming in at 4A.M. Munnie and Daddy were waiting up to her surprize a lecture went on the rest of the night. Santa was good to us I have a starter of “Silver Plumb” Sterling. Received a telegram from someone about Uncle Charlie. Phoned him, he (in hospital) says he is alright, Dinner at Ma’s.



Saturday
26-Dec-42
The usual open house at Pa’s (for 30yrs) was quieter than usual on account of gasoline rationing, everyone tired, the house is a wreck. Took Jack to Dentist, Bill to have arm dressed; Ol & I took Elsie, Marvin, & Elbertine to eat French Fried Shrimp I played rummy at house later. A.M. had George Lewis for dinner.



Sunday
27-Dec-42
Ol has funeral at Bowie today I intended to go but cold wind blowing. Broadcast tonight telling us of food rationing. Ol returned at 6 we went to the O D Wyatts for supper. Ted (some Marine was here sketching AM’s picture we left the boys with them. Ollie went to camp for a few days it is sure cold.



Monday
28-Dec-42
Received letter from Uncle Charlie he has a bad spell most every day. Alice M. is so miserable she is so in love with love that she loves them all a different one night. She’s still on her vacation, took Bill & George to the picture show it snowed last night, most all melted off, but plenty cold.



Tuesday
29-Dec-42
Lilly came back to work today, she cleaned my kitchen good. I feel like Mrs. Astor.



Wednesday
30-Dec-42
Jester dinner at colonial hair dress & ironed.



Thursday
31-Dec-42
Dance with McCaul’s at Colonial. Lilly didn’t show up, working with the Government. She is sure dumb, I don’t know how they will train her. Dried black eyed peas.

November 1942

Sunday
1-Nov-42
Drove out to Springtown to see farm Ol wants, about our last side until the duration

“duration” is probably rationing which starts Dec. 1.

Monday
2-Nov-42
Clean house. Ol goes to draft board in evening. I play rummy at the house.



Tuesday
3-Nov-42
Dentist 11:30AM. Shower for Horace Carswell Jr. 2PM didn’t go either place no one to leave George with.



Wednesday
4-Nov-42
Night Club Burseys, Ol won high & I won cut. Canned spinach. A.M. Received letter telling her about the WAVES. Sure hope she doesn’t go. Rained all day.



Thursday
5-Nov-42
Canned Green Beans. Dr. Will Durerger to talk to Knife & Fork club. The Jim Floyds will be our guests. Jim is expecting to be called for the Navy real soon.



Friday
6-Nov-42
Dorothy Biddle lecture at Women’s Club.



Saturday
7-Nov-42
The Burseys here for enchiladas. Postponed because Ma had Rosy’s Birthday dinner.



Sunday
8-Nov-42
Nothing else to do so we have the Burseys & Barretts for Enchelidas. Hercules brought beans so we had to can them.



Monday
9-Nov-42
Usual round of housework. Same thing to do each day; never get caught up. Went to Dressmakers in afternoon. Ol went fishing to stay all night.



Tuesday
10-Nov-42
Our first norther blew up last night. Ol returned – no catch. Aubrey (Tex) Lassiter Tonant Field is Alice M’s latest locket picture. Poor Sap.

Does this mean LTF is from Aubrey, TX? “Poor Sap” really?

Wednesday
11-Nov-42
Kids home from school & work all except ollie they can’t be satisfied all night for test. We are due to go to Carswell’s to see Horace’s wedding gifts.



Thursday
12-Nov-42
George said he wasn’t going to school next year because they just read and write and he doesn’t know how.



Friday
13-Nov-42
Everything at home clicked just right, rather enjoying it now. Shrine Dance Fall Ceremonial had a good time.



Saturday
14-Nov-42
Boys were fine to help today. Ollie says she and James Laverty are definitely quits, just can’t take it they danced at Casino ran out of gas.



Sunday
15-Nov-42
Sunday School – cooked lunch put up chow chow. Rested all afternoon. Ol & I went to Isis to see “Mrs. Minerva” again. it’s GooD.



Monday
16-Nov-42
Wind blowing hard and how I do hate the wind. Don has Chicken pox, Becky has mumps wonder what that gives us.



Tuesday
17-Nov-42
Dressmakers – Ollie bought new evening dress for dance tonight. George put on pair of Bills old pajamas & said “He hadn’t grown into them yet”



Wednesday
18-Nov-42
Bridge club at Garrisons Oliver won high (defense stamps) He had to go to graft board first. I did my ironing today.



Thursday
19-Nov-42
Garden Club at Mrs. Helbings. Had mum show. I won second red mums in green pitcher with pepper plant. Not so good.



Friday
20-Nov-42
Boys home from school since Wed. for gasoline rationing teachers registering. Did some xmas shopping. Played rummie with Ma & Pa& the gang.



Saturday
21-Nov-42
Today Ol and I have been married 22 years, sounds like a long timebut it doesn’t seem so long. I had coffee with Neta Ol worked until 1 PM. We listened to TCU game. Alice M. gave Ol & I Mr. & Mrs. Pajamasthey arer cute. We bought war bonds for our anniversary. Had dinner at triple XXX with the Chas. Twiss who celebrate their 20 anniversary tomorrow played rummie here afterwards. George called our anniversary our “University” he takes after his mother.



Sunday
22-Nov-42
Stayed home all day. Ol worked and so did I right here at home. I never get caught up, much less ahead.



Monday
23-Nov-42
Mrs. Woods in the canteen lost her husband, I am going to the office for the service.



Tuesday
24-Nov-42
Camp Fire extention com. 10AM.



Wednesday
25-Nov-42
Sewed all day.



Thursday
26-Nov-42
Alice M. had to work. Ollie went to school. Jack went to N.S. Pascal game. N.S. WONThe Floks & Ol, Bill, George, & I went to Elsie’s for Thanksgiving dinner. Don got sick Elbertine & Marvin brought her home. We left Wichita Falls at 3:45 PM. Got here at 7:10PM. Gasoline rationing kept us down to 35miles.

Alice M. worked a the rationing board at this time. Gas rationing starts in 4 days. W’Falls is now a 2 hr drive.

Friday
27-Nov-42
Just picked up. George said the pigs he saw on his trip to Wichita had knots in their tails.



Saturday
28-Nov-42
Did all my chasing around before gasoline rationing which goes in effect Dec. 1, 1942. Average citizen gets 4 gal. a week.



Sunday
29-Nov-42
Company all day. Ol & I had dinner out (Fried Shrimp) then went to a picture show.



Monday
30-Nov-42
Canteen Meeting, didn’t go George had fever, could be chicken pox or mumps.

Find out next time: Is it Mumps or Chicken pox?

Munnie's Diary - October '42

Thursday
1-Oct-42
SS meeting Mrs. Plumb’s Didn’t go George still has temp 102 just worked all day. Ol brought in 3 nice fish.



Friday
2-Oct-42
Ol speaks at Kawianis Club on “Selective Service” Shrine meeting tonight looks like this is Ol’s diary. George still feels bad. I call about 12 women every day for Canteen Duty.



Saturday
3-Oct-42
The boys and I started our Cold Seruims. I had to work at Safeway for Canteen in afternoon. Conner & Winnie had Dinner with us. We attended Ola Bell Stephenson’s wedding.



Sunday
4-Oct-42
Cooked all morning. Ol collected scrap metal for defense all afternoon.



Monday
5-Oct-42
Picked up all day. My mother gave me a framed motto picture on my 10th Birthday & as a girl I always had it hanging in my room. She asked that I have it for my motto. “To thine own self be true, thou shalest not be false to any man” Shakespeare. We saw a picture show last night “This Above All” based on that motto Joan Fontaine & Tyrone Power.

“Wartime romance rarely is more attractive than in This Above All, a wonderfully entertaining film, even if it ends up paying little more than lip service to the serious issues it raises. These issues include class consciousness and the morality of war”
- Allmovie.com

Tuesday
6-Oct-42
Canteen Meeting with Mrs. Noyce cold shots at 4.



Wednesday
7-Oct-42
Night Club at Wyatt’s Ol had meeting I went alone, he came later. I won cut.



Thursday
8-Oct-42
Sick with a cold, Ol came in with a cold.



Friday
9-Oct-42
Ol stayed in bed all day.



Saturday
10-Oct-42
Ma had all October birthdays dinner. Ol & Kids gave me a wrist watch imagine me with a new watch. Mama gave me last one in 1925.



Sunday
11-Oct-42
Sunday School first time in ages, Ol stayed in bed all day.



Monday
12-Oct-42
Alice M. took me out for lunch on my Birthday lovely.



Tuesday
13-Oct-42
Ambled around home all day, cold shot in afternoon Dr. examined me for Peutecis

‘Peutecis’ could not make out what this was.

Wednesday
14-Oct-42
Nigger ball game.
Canteen meeting here, we will serve Tarrant Base.



Thursday
15-Oct-42
Garden Club met with Mrs. B. Perkins Cleburne nice time.



Friday
16-Oct-42
Knife and fork meeting tonight letter from Marzelle



Saturday
17-Oct-42
Dinner with Plaxco’s, Draft Board. After 14 months Montgomery Ward’s paid me for an ironer they lost for me.

Plaxco’s in that someone that was on the DB with JOS1?

Sunday
18-Oct-42
Stayed home all day. Ol worked gave the pups away, Bill wanted to know if we haven’t better drain Jingle equals Jacks Bright remark about horse eggs.

Jack said: Re. Horse eggs. I suppose the comment about "horse eggs" was my effort to explain toGeorge ( 5 years old ) about the dog having pups.

Monday
19-Oct-42
Ollie is 18 years old today, Neta sent her a cake, Ol & I went to see the picture show to see Jan Garbo. Alice M. & Ollie had lunch down town.

Couldn’t find ‘Jan Garbo’ Greta G. made "Two-Faced Woman" in 1941. It was her last.

Tuesday
20-Oct-42
We get last cold seriums today, started fall house cleaning.



Wednesday
21-Oct-42
Night Club at Barrett’s. I won high.



Thursday
22-Oct-42
Birthday party for Mary VanZandt at Irene Kurdt’s.



Friday
23-Oct-42
Cleaned housse all day played rummie over at house won. Ol works on draft board 3 nights a week takes the gang to Foot Ball Game afterwards.



Saturday
24-Oct-42
Coffee with Neta, Elsie is down, Ollie works to 10PM. Alice M. going on picnic, Jingle helped gather tomatoes. She eats the ripe ones off the vines.



Sunday
25-Oct-42
Ol going fishing to stay all day. Ollie is going to help Francis Shotts with Camp Fire Group one afternoon month. I don”t know how.



Monday
26-Oct-42
Home Nursing Board Meeting 7P.M.



Tuesday
27-Oct-42
Dinner Party at Colonial Club in honor of Ray Wyatt who is leaving for the Navy 1st Lieutenant. Party given by Bryan Gregory’s (a grand time)

A Navy 1st Lieutenant is in charge of the men that operate naval guns, deck machines, and small boats.

Wednesday
28-Oct-42
Felt terrible



Thursday
29-Oct-42
Antique show at Women’s Club



Friday
30-Oct-42
Just work



Saturday
31-Oct-42
Halloween Dance at Colonial guest of K. K. Smiths, fun.