September Memoranda 1939

September Memoranda 1939

I don't know what to write on this page. I wish I knew what to do with me. I'm getting bored with just sitting around listening to everyone talk about their boyfriends and etc etc. Well what I need is a little excitement I guess and I'll leave it at that ---

At the end of this month I want to have lost enough weight so that I weigh about 130 lbs or less! I also want to have at least started my fall and winter wardrobe.

"Where there's a will there's a way!"

That will be my motto for this month.

September 30, 1939 Saturday

September 30, 1939 Saturday

Got up at 10:30 and of course seeing as I got sick yesterday I didn't feel altogether perfect today. I cleaned the house or part of the house. Mrs. Seibert is ill so we couldn't go down to the shore. I hope she recovers soon. It was nice to spend a day at home. I fixed the pictures in my album, a thing I've been putting off for ages. Marit went to the football game N.B. won and now she's gone to a "Y" dance. No wonder she's losing weight or is she? She got a new shirt and sweater (Blue teal and blue boxie) They fit me! Mr. and Mrs. Christopherson here.

September 29, 1939 Friday

September 29, 1939 Friday

Ginny came home with me to supper and Karl drove us to Dotty's. We were all at meeting except for Karin. We had such a very nice meeting. Ginny told the girls she is definitely going to get a diamond for Christmas. I can only hope and pray that he's the right one for her! I do so want little Ginny to be happy. Noa wore her new red corduroy dress and looked stunning as always. She told us Terry expects a baby in February and I think that's wonderful. Noa's Mother and Father took us home. Noa gave us little souvenirs from her vacation. I got a little red dog.

September 28, 1939 Thursday

September 28, 1939 Thursday

We're going to the FYP meetings on Friday starting this week so no meeting tonight. Mom asked me to go with her to Bingo tonight so I, having nothing else to do, decided to go. It was fun but not very exciting. Of course didn't win a thing and neither did Mom. Noa called up before I went and wanted to come up but seeing as I'd promised Mom and she was so insistent that I go of course it was Bingo for me. Mom looked so nice, she's a very good looking woman. I decided that at Bingo when I sat looking around at all the women.

September 27, 1939 Wednesday

September 27, 1939 Wednesday

It has been a rainy, dreary and short day too. Ann Marie's birthday today, she was eight years old and I sent her a dollar in a card. Home after work and settled myself in with a magazine until supper then finished my story after supper, listened to radio, didn't take long of course and finally got ready for bed and here I am. I'm getting so discouraged concerning my diet. Somehow when it gets colder I just have to eat I get such an enormous appetite but well where there's a will there's a way and that's my will I will get down to 125 lbs. I will.

September 26, 1939 Tuesday

Lillian Larsen Shower

September 26, 1939 Tuesday

Of course seeing as the shower was tonight it would rain! Olga came for me. She had Lydia with her and then we got Jane and went down there. Myrtle met us at the door and Betty A. introduced us. The front room was dark and crowded with people. Lots of them I didn't even know! There were 53 present. We waited ages for Lillian to appear and finally when she did we all shouted "surprise!". She took it quite well, I'm sure I would have passed out. Our department gave her an iron. She got loads of stuff. Ginny and Dot there in new dresses, they looked sweet. Got home about 11:45. A good time had by all - I think.

September 25, 1939 Monday

September 25, 1939 Monday

The usual kind of an office day but after work I went with Ginny down to Conns where she had her new dress fitted. It's so sweet green with a bustle back. We then met Noa and Ev in the Candy Box and had a hot dog and coke and then went to the Strand where we saw Gary Cooper, Robt. Preston, Ray Milland and Susan Hayward in Beau Geste  also a Nancy Drew Staircase Mystery. Good show. Home and had supper and heard most of the Lux Radio Theatre play "She Married Her Boss" with Ginger Rogers and Geo. Brent - good. Mom told me Rachel had talked to Mrs. Jensen who said they are moving to Hartford in 2 weeks. Well thats that and I suppose Karin and I won't be seeing much of each other.

September 24, 1939 Sunday

September 24, 1939 Sunday

Time changed today so we were all mixed up and it seemed so strange to have to get dark so early. I won't write about anything about the kind of a day it was or what we did because it was very usual. (Noa and Dick came down and Ev and I decorated Marcel's car while he and Jess were looking for oysters). I'm getting so I want to scream and I do mean scream when the girls start talking about their boyfriends: what they do, say, eat, and how they laugh, smile, make love, etc. and etc. Guess I need a man. But darnit I don't want to get settled down and stick altogether with one steady or do I? Strange when you don't know your own mind!

September 23, 1939 Saturday

September 23, 1939 Saturday

Little Junior woke me up saying over and over again until he got an answer "Hello Ningie" etc. Mom came in and I told her about last night. Then Ruthie made breakfast (She loves it, it makes her feel so grown up) and Mom and I visited some more. Ev's mother called and said we would be going down the shore right after dinner so I got dressed and packed and cleaned up my room. Had dinner and Ev called for me and off we went. As usual just lolled around until supper time then we went up and got dressed, had supper, and went to the movies where we saw "The Rains Came" with Geo Brent, Myrna Loy, Brenda Joyce, and Tyrone Power - very good.

September 22, 1939 Friday

September 22, 1939 Friday

I think I'll devote this entire page to our visit with Helen. Betty M. and I met downtown where Ann and Olga picked us up and we got Janie and Betty A. We then went to Hartford where it didn't take us long to find Helen's Apt. It's so cute. It makes me feel as if I'd like to get married myself maybe - someday. Course I smoked and then Helen offered us wine and I had two glasses, later on we had a rye highball and on top of that 2 glasses of beer and I didn't feel it any at all. Well almost not any. Naturally I got a trifle happy but I can't say I was dizzy. Helen looks good and we had such fun. Her husband came home and took our picture such fun!

September 21, 1939 Thursday

September 21, 1939 Thursday

We're going to see Helen tomorrow and I hope we have a few. When I came out of the office tonight who should be there to greet me but Karin! She had a gift for me a black sweater. It's adorable and I wore it to meeting tonight. I walked up to Birnbaums with her as she wanted to get something new. However she didn't find anything she liked. She didn't come to meeting tonight because she hasn't seen her mother for ages so she thought it best to stay home. I walked to meeting again and we sat and talked. Not having a boyfriend I should say I listened oh well single women blues hum. The girls gave me an adorable pink nightie and another birthday card, making fourteen -

September 20, 1939 Wednesday

September 20, 1939 Wednesday

Counted my birthday cards. I got thirteen! Now if I were superstitious which I'm not etc etc - I feel nice and clean I've just taken my bath and I'm all ready for bed. I didn't do anything special today but anyway things seem to be looking up. I've got a new slant on things and I feel much sunnier and less morbid. Marit is lying in bed spelling out loud for a test tomorrow, Ruthy is fast asleep. Why is it children always drop off to sleep almost the minute they get into bed? I'll never know or will I? Well thats that.

September 19, 1939 Tuesday

My Birthday 21 Years

September 19, 1939 Tuesday

Today I am of age! 21 years! Today also is Moms and Dads 24th Anniversary! I rushed downtown straight after work and bought a card then took the bus out to the Flower Shop and bought a bunch of flowers for Mom. When I got home Eunice was here and Marit had baked an apple cake and Mom had supper ready. After supper Ann Marie brought her victrola down and we moved the table over in the kitchen and danced. It was fun. Rachel baked me a cake so we had coffee and cake. Then they gave me my presents. $3.00 from Marit, Hankies from Eunice and Ruthie and $3.00 from Mom and Pop. Laurie and I walked Eunice partly home. Brought my cake into the office today. Good but a little heavy. Did they kid me! I know they didn't mean it. Got loads of birthday cards.

September 18, 1939 Monday

September 18, 1939 Monday

The Russell and Erwin Girls Club started up again. We had a supper and then our regular meeting. We're going to have a free dance in the middle of October just for the office employees and their escorts! Well it was nice having meeting again. I washed my hair and then with Marit's help we made a cake for the girls in my department. It looks good but of course you never know. I'm so excited about my birthday tomorrow you'd think I was going to be 12 instead of 21- Wow! I feel as happy as a lark and I don't care if I don't get a thing as long as it's a nice day and I feel wunnerful!

September 17, 1939 Sunday

September 17, 1939 Sunday

Marit and I were the first ones up so we started breakfast. We were shortly joined by Laurie and Ruth and soon after Mom and then Pop. We ought to run a cafeteria it would make meals a much easier thing! Stayed home all day and read the funnies, wrote a little more of my letter, and managed to keep busy doing nothing. Life is very boring but at least it's not as horribly exciting as it must be over in Europe. Russia marched into Poland today and thats that! You might know she'd step in and get what she could now that Poland is so very near the end of her rope!

September 16, 1939 Saturday

September 16, 1939 Saturday

Slept late and then after dinner Marit and Mary Vare and I walked downtown where we met Ginny. Her father drove the bunch of us down to the park where Marit and Mary joined their gang and Ginny and I got seats elsewhere. The game was good but not particularly exciting. It was so hot! I got sunburned! Imagine sunburned at a football game! The score was 18 to 7 N.B. won. Bristol scored in the last few minutes of play. Ginny and I went uptown to Contaris and had a coke. Betty M came in and we sat with her and had another coke. Home and supper and I started a letter to Jante Karen in Norway. I'll finish tomorrow.

September 15, 1939 Friday

September 15, 1939 Friday

Ginny and I went to the movies after work tonight and saw "The Women" with Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, and Rosalind Russell. It was so very good and unusual as there wasn't a solitary male in the picture. Home and grabbed a bite to eat and when I say bite I mean half a bite. After I had washed up and gotten ready for bed Marit and I sat on our beds and talked about our first kisses and loves and etc. Very interesting but I wish I had some love interest at present. Oh well. Ginny and I are going to the football game between N.B. and Bristol tomorrow. First game of the season!

September 14, 1939 Thursday

September 14, 1939 Thursday

Ginny had meeting tonight. I walked up alone because Noa is on her vacation and of course Karin isn't coming to meeting these days! We didn't do much outside of our regular gab session and Ginny tried on one of her new gowns for us. It's got a plaid skirt and a white blouse top. So very feminine and cute. I tried it on, I actually go into it size 12! I can hardly believe it! Dot and I left early because her father was going to take us home. We sat in the car in front of the office waiting for her father and talked about dating. When I finally got home I took a bath and then to bed. And thats that.

September 13, 1939 Wednesday

September 13, 1939 Wednesday

I went to Eunice's for supper after work tonight. We had "Brown Betty" for dessert and I liked it so much I'm going to see if I can't make it some night at home! Eunice showed me quite a few new things she has for her hope chest. I saw a picture of the best man she's going to have when she marries. He's rather young looking but not bad. Oh well - We sat around and talked for awhile then her mother went out and we decided after awhile to go up to my house. We talked to the folks and Eunice left a short while later. We got a card from Karl. He's having fun but I miss him.

September 12, 1939 Tuesday

September 12, 1939 Tuesday

I went downtown after work today and bought two more cups for my fiesta ware. I had some money left so I bought a couple of magazines and while I was at it I took my watch into the jewelers to have it fixed. It cost me $31.50 or it will cost me that much when it's ready. Money money money and all of it going out. I read a few stories and looked through my magazines for fall styles. I washed my pocketbook cover and now I'm ready for bed. Oh yes I finally got a letter written to Sue.

September 11, 1939 Monday

September 11, 1939 Monday

Let's see now what have I done today that I could write about.  Not much anyway.  I took out my winter clothes.  I knew I didn't have many left from last year's and I was right!  Well I cleaned out my closet and took a bath and washed my hair.  I can't think of anything else so maybe I didn't do anything else!  Life goes on very slowly with not much excitement but I'm glad we don't have the excitement they have in Europe what a terrible time they must be having over there!

September 10, 1939 Sunday

September 10, 1939 Sunday

Canada declared war on Germany. I'm so tired of this war and war news! We woke up to find it was pouring. Had breakfast and went after the Sunday papers. We couldn't find much to amuse ourselves but we danced and read until it was dinnertime and then we sat around some more until we finally decided to get started. We drove around the beaches quite a bit and down to the docks and finally home. I had supper and then Mom asked me if I'd like to go upstairs to Rachel's and meet the Norwegian guests so I did. Now the urge to go to Norway has returned and I'm going to try so hard to go in a year or so. Well it's late now and I must get my beauty rest ---

September 9, 1939 Saturday

September 9, 1939 Saturday

I slept late this morning and had my breakfast in bed. Such Luxury! That is, of course, if you count a piece of Lemon Pie and a glass of milk breakfast. Ruthie brought it in to me on a tray and we breakfasted together. We didn't go down the shore until after dinner. We went over to see Jessie and then walked over to Curtis's store (alias Dunnings) had a double decker ice cream cone (ouch my figure!!) and sat on the beach in front of West Walker for awhile. Had supper and Ev and I went to Saybrook to see Hedy Lamarr and Robert Taylor in "Lady of the Tropics". Good and Hedy is beautiful! Also saw Ann Sheridan in "Indianapolis Speedway".

September 8, 1939 Friday

September 8, 1939 Friday

Working an extra hour is getting to be a habit with me. We're not going down the shore tonight because Ev has to start working Saturday mornings starting tomorrow. I imagine we'll go right after dinner. Ginny and I went to see the "Wizard of Oz" with Judy Garland and Frank Morgan tonight after work. It was cute. Next week "The Women" is playing at the embassy and I'm anxious to see it. Marit made 2 lemon meringue pies today so I had a huge piece when I came home. Gee I'm glad she's back. Mother tells me the "Emeralds" lost again so I guess Karl will be home soon I hope!

September 7, 1939 Thursday

Surprise!!

September 7, 1939 Thursday

Again worked until six. I went home with Ginny to supper. Her mother is in Texas and has been for the last week or two. We got our own supper and then Ev and the two of us went to meeting at Noa's. Karin didn't show up at all. Eunice came to meeting and it was nice to see her once again. We sat in the bedroom and talked and when it came time to eat Noa shut the door and went out and fixed things herself. I didn't suspect a thing and it was a complete surprise when they opened the door and on the table was a birthday cake! For me! A little early but Noa is going on her vacation and she didn't want to go without being at my birthday party so she had it! She got me a rat trap with a poem on it to the effect that I was just a little girl and didn't know where I was at and that would prepare me in case I met a rat!

September 6, 1939 Wednesday

September 6, 1939 Wednesday

Worked until 6 tonight and then came home and ate a hearty supper - And I want to get slim! It's this cold weather - I get such an appetite. After supper I got a mag and apple and sat down to spend an evening reading. The phone rang and it was Noa so I asked her up and she came. She was mad at Dick because he wasn't impetuous enough and he arranged everything so clock like and etc so she told me all about it and then felt better. The kids came home and we had coffee and sat and joked and pretty soon we all were laughing away. Lawrence, Marit, and I walked Noa all the way to her door step. Got a card from Karl (the family did). So far so good. The Germans are expected to take Warsaw shortly - Darn em-

September 5, 1939 Tuesday

September 5, 1939 Tuesday

Here it is close to 1:00 A.M. and Marit and I wide awake - or are we? I've finished doing my nails and I've washed my hair and taken a bath and doctored Marit's sore. Marit was outside to hang up her bra and it was pitch dark and she fell over Lawrence's ice wagon and got a nasty cut on her thigh. It's very ridgy and rather deep. It doesn't take Marit long to start a little excitement! The infants start school again tomorrow and is Mom glad! Now she says her vacation will start. The war in Europe is still raging. There were 90 lives lost, as far as they can determine, in the sinking of the "Athenia". I never thought I would live to hear about a war between such civilized countries. I thought they had learned their lesson!

September 4, 1939 Monday

Labor Day! Woke up with Ev's "Wake up Pumpkin" ringing in my ear. We got dressed and went down to a hash breakfast. News over the radio that the "Athenia" an English passenger ship with 1,400 persons aboard had been torpedoed by a German submarine without warning of any kind. Most of the passengers were picked up by passing boats. Germany is again playing dirty tricks! We didn't di much all day and Art took us home. We stopped at the Evans's for awhile. Marit came home a short while after I did. She gained a few lbs but she looks adorable. She's got a lovely tan and it's so good to have her back. Claudine was down. Marit bought me a cute little leather change purse and souvenirs for everyone else. Karl has left for Chicago - for the 3rd time!

September 3, 1939 Sunday

September 3, 1939 Sunday

War has come! After many days of suspense the battle of nerves is over and a formal declaration has been made England first declared war on Germany who has continually refused to make peaceful negotiations and to remove her troops from Poland. France followed England's example and thats that! If only U.S. can keep out of the war! I think Hitler is the man most hated by the people the world over. Even school children, the younger ones, spit his name out disgustfully. England says she is not at war with the German people but with the present government! Art came down. He's going to stay over. Sat down by the beach for quite awhile tonight while Art and Ev pitched woo

September 2, 1939 Saturday

September 2, 1939 Saturday

Woke up to find it pouring so I went back to sleep and then woke up again to find the sun shining and seemingly all well with the world. I say seemingly because of course all is not well with the world. Things are getting blacker and blacker in Europe. Art came down and we persuaded him into going to the movies with us over in Saybrook. We saw "Winter Carnival" with Ann Sheridan and Richard Carlsen. Very good anyway I liked it. We then went home and Art left. Ev and I lay awake for quite some time talking. I tried to make Ev understand the way I felt about Karin but no use, she's definitely not even going to try to be friends.

September 1, 1939 Friday

September 1, 1939 Friday

As usual to work and also as usual got my pay check. I put $101.00 in the bank. I'm glad now I didn't take all my money with me on my vacation. I came home and took a bath and packed my clothes in preparation to go to the shore. Here I am rattling on about paltry doings when Europe is in a mess. War is very very close I'm afriad. Germany has already bombed several Polish cities and her troops have marched into Poland. England and France have warned Germany over and over again but to no avail! Ev, Jess, and I walked down the beach and talked. Jess is going to spend the weekend with Marcel's folks. Well, so to bed.