Memoranda 1939

On this page I will sum up what I can of the years happenings and etc. Starting with the F.Y.P. Ginny's engagement to John Hartmen, Ev and Art going steady, Noa and Dick Blackburn going steady, Dot and Irving have an understanding, Karin dropped out of the F.Y.P. and going with "Steve" (not steady).
Me - well who cares?
Now the Family. Karl still single (I guess). Marit being dated and getting very pretty and popular as well. Lawrence still a kid but growing and possessing a good sense of humor. Ruth also getting very pretty and I suppose it won't be long before she'll be growing up and stepping out. Mom and Pop still healthy and good-looking.

"I'm not going to keep a diary of 1940 so this will be the last diary writing I do for a long time. Well goodbye 1939 and Hello 1940.

Ingrid"

December 31, 1939 Sunday

December 31, 1939 Sunday

New Years Eve

As I am writing this it is almost 1:00 o'clock! The new year has been with us one whole hour. Welcome 1940 and may you bring nothing but peace and happiness to all. And P.S. don't let me spend next year at home - please. Mom, Dad, and I went up to Rachel's and had cocktails and lunch and saw the New Year in there. Ruth and Lawrence were next door taking care of Joanne and Marit is out serving for Mrs. Sunel. We Gjerpen girls are funny we both had chances to go out but preferred our own ideas. Not that I wouldn't go out if it had been some one I cared about. I'm not making resolutions (I think) but here's to a new year!

December 30, 1939 Saturday

December 30, 1939 Saturday

I silently cursed every and anyone who had anything to do with my having to get up and go to work this A.M. It was snowing and looked very peaceful so I felt better after that. When I got to work I felt real good and very silly. Fun. Ginny came home and had dinner with us and then we went to the movies, saw "Four WIves" with Lane Sisters and Gale Page, Jeffrey Lynn, Eddie Albert, and same cast as 4 Daughters. Very very good. After movies to Contaris where I had the last Sundae I'm going to have for a long time. Gee do I have to spend New Years Eve home this year too? I'm getting a little worried. Joke.

December 29, 1939 Friday

December 29, 1939 Friday

I went home with Ginny and had supper there. The plan originally was to go on from there to Noa's for meeting but we got word that Noa was sick so Ginny had meeting instead. We went over to see Ev and her mother for awhile. Ev had sinus trouble and her mother heart trouble. I hope they will soon be better. There were only three of us at meeting Dot, Ginny, and I. Ginny isn't doing anything special New Year's Eve but Dot is going to New York with Irving. I bet they have a wonderful time. Ginny she thinks they will be married shortly after Easter! That's wonderful of course but heavens what a drastic step! Still what's the use of waiting too long? Irv. took us home. He seems nice I wish we knew these F.Y.P. fellows better.

December 28, 1939 Thursday

December 28, 1939 Thursday

Called Ev up and she's feeling better but not well enough to come to meeting tomorrow night. I didn't think she would. She got a robe from Art for Christmas. Marit's gone skating. If I had a jacket I believe I would have joined her. As I sit here writing this the Xmas tree is all lit up and it's so pretty it makes me feel sad somehow it signifies so much. A year past a year coming enough of this or I'll be sobbing on my own shoulder! Bill B called up and asked me to go out New Years Eve but I told him I had a date. Somehow ----

December 27, 1939 Wednesday

December 27, 1939 Wednesday

I'm so sleepy these days I guess I haven't gotten over the Christmas Shopping rush yet! I really have been planning to get to bed early but oh well there's plenty of time for sleep. Ruthie went to Mrs. Jensen's today and wore her new blue Taffeta I gave her for Christmas, she looks like an angel in it. Ivar took them home and he dropped in here for a moment and they stayed to have a bite with us. All were very friendly and nice. Mrs. J gave Ruthie a pair of pajamas. Cute on her. I washed my hair and did my nails before I went to bed.

December 26, 1939 Tuesday

December 26, 1939 Tuesday

Up and to work again today and back into the harness. Sleepy but still I love it. I'd hate to be so lazy I didn't care about work. Not of course that I don't get tired of it at times. Went up to see Rachel when I got home tonight and she asked me if I couldn't get Mom to let Ruthie with her and Ann Marie and Jr. to see Mrs. Jensen. Mom said no but I won her over. Mom went to play Bingo and won $2.50. Not bad for a nights work! I washed Ruthie's hair (also Ruthie) and got my things ready for work. Talked to Noa for awhile she's going to a dance tomorrow.

December 25, 1939 Monday

December 25, 1939 Monday

"Christmas Day"

Somehow it doesn't seem possible that Christmas Day is really here! Karl and a friend came home and I  presume they had had a very exciting night or morning I should say. I've got to list a few of the things I got for Xmas. From Mom a Satin blouse and kid gloves. From Marit a satin girdle (I wanted one). From Lawrence a bottle of Helena Rubinstein's Jasmine Cologne just like the kind he broke months ago - the angel. Dad gave me a pair of slippers. Karl's present hasn't arrived yet and I don't know what it is. Eunice gave me Helena Rubinstein's Apple Blossom Cologne and a pr of stockings. From Karin a darling bracelet and from the Karlsen's a small cedar chest for odds and ends. From Ruthie a bra. I guess that's all. Our tree is so pretty gee it's wonderful.

December 24, 1939 Sunday

December 24, 1939 Sunday

"Christmas Eve"

All year long I've waited so has everyone else I imagine and here it is Christmas Eve! Karin dropped in for a moment to deliver presents for Marit and Me. I got her to drive me up to Eunice's house with Eunice's present. When K was trying to turn around she caught her car bumper on the wheels of a parked car and it took three boys to help us get out of the mess. We stopped at Noa's for a moment then home. We had a delicious supper and the Karlsen's came down and we opened our presents, Karl called the names. We got so many lovely things and it was such a nice Christmas! They get better and better and that's the way it should be.

December 23, 1939 Saturday

"Last Shopping Day"

Noa called up and asked me to go to the movies with her and seeing as I can't say "no" I said "yes". We saw Joan Bennett in "The Housekeepers Daughter". It was very silly but entertaining enough. I went shopping after the movies and did I shop! I did Karl's as well as my own. I got Karl 2 shirts and a tie. Hope he likes them. Oh yes I also did quite a bit of Dad's shopping. I almost didn't get home I was so burdened with packages. Then I wrapt them up and I was so tired when I got through I just tumbled into bed.

December 22, 1939 Friday

December 22, 1939 Friday

F.Y.P. Christmas Party

Ev didn't come to our last party because of sickness and ditto this year. She has sinus trouble! Karl and I got Lawrence's bicycle tonight. It cost more than I expected but it's a bueat! Red with lights and very streamlined. They'll deliver it tomorrow. We stopped for Noa and Karl left us off at Ginny's. We collected her and then went over to Ev's. She was in bed and I gave her her pajamas and she gave Noa her present. We left her and then to Dot's where we opened our presents. Ginny had my name and gave me a lovely slip. Hazel gave us our lunch and gosh what a Xmas present that way. Ge that girl can cook! Sky took us home. Nice to see him.

December 21, 1939 Thursday

December 21, 1939 Thursday

Department Christmas Party

Oh so much fun. We had dinner in the Empire - downstairs in the banquet room. I had lobster and very good too. There was a banquet going on when we came in and we joined them later in singing carols - later we went shopping and I got a beautiful robe. It was mean't for a gift but now I don't know, it's so pretty maybe I'll keep it. Next we went to Helen's and had a very enjoyable time. Just our Dept. and Ann and Miss Bancroft. I gave out the gifts under the tree, Betty Miller had my name and I got a lovely black bag. Helen got up a delicious lunch. We got home rather late but had some cards to write so I wrote them!

December 20, 1939 Wednesday

December 20, 1939 Wednesday

I went downtown this noon and bought heaps of Christmas cards. Also got a pair of darling blue scuffies for Karin. I came home tonight and went up to Rachel's to fix her hair with that self permanent stuff. While waiting for her I wrote most of my cards out. Then I did her hair but we had to wait 4 hrs before the curlers could be removed so in the meantime I washed my hair and took a bath so that's done. Took out the curlers in Rachel's hair and while it isn't straight it's not terribly curly. Looks better though.

December 19, 1939 Tuesday

December 19, 1939 Tuesday

"The world is so full of a number of things. That I think we should all be as happy as kings". Just a poem I heard and quite true but when you analyze it, Are kings happy? Here's the news for today, we bowled our opposing team and won! I got a score of 85. It was so exciting. Eunice came up to supper and later Karl drove us down to pick out a Christmas tree. We got a very lovely tree and Eunice helped us to trim it. Eunice brought us some Xmas presents and we put them under the tree. I'm beginning to feel more and more as if Christmas is really on the way.

December 18, 1939 Monday

December 18, 1939 Monday

I hurried downtown tonight and got the Hartford bus. Karin met me at the station. We had to take another bus and got there finally. They have a nice place but it's not the same as on Brighton Street. We had a nice supper and K and I gabbed or hours. Althea came down and took us to the "Mark Twain Diner" where we had a cocktail. K and I went back and talked for hours. Karin's views have changes very much since last we talked. She made a remark that's pretty typical of her new idea, she said, "The F.Y.P.'s were too conventional!". I don't know! Maybe we are a bit. I only hope she doesn't get too unconventional. Her new friends seem a bit wild!

December 17, 1939 Sunday

December 17, 1939 Sunday

I didn't think I could get up and go to church this morning but once I got up it wasn't bad. To my surprise Dot was sitting there when I came into church. Marit, Mary Vase, and I went to the movies in the afternoon and saw Loretta Young and David Niven in "Eternally Yours". Very Good. Karin called up after supper and said she might drop in for a moment but at any rate she asked me to meet her in Hartford tomorrow. I agreed, I've got more shopping anyway. I've got a hunch Mrs. J wants to give me presents for the kids or at least Ruthie.

December 16, 1939 Saturday

December 16, 1939 Saturday

Got up around 10 and hurried around until 11:00. I decided to get the 11:15 bus and went up on the corner waited about 5 min and saw it coming and then it turned up the st. before the corner I was waiting on. Was I flabbergasted. I ran downtown and got the 11:30 bus just as it was pulling out. Met Noa and we shopped for hours got package after package after package. We had a good dinner in the Empire. Noa called Dick up and he came and took us home. I wrapt up all the packages and they all look so very pretty. It's very late now and I'm tired oh very tired.

December 15, 1939 Friday

December 15, 1939 Friday

I tried on more dresses both this noon and night and couldn't find a thing. I decided I'd better go to Hartford so tomorrow I'm going to meet Noa and we;re going shopping. I had meeting tonight. It was originally planned that Dotty would have it but we're having the Christmas Party next week and she asked to have it so we rearranged our plans. We drew names for our grab bag and I got Ev's. We talked and fooled around as usual. Really had fun. It's a lot different than it used to be but still nice. I took a bath and washed my hair before they came.

December 14, 1939 Thursday

December 14, 1939 Thursday

Our Banquet Tonight. I wore my black dress and pearls and didn't look too bad. Betty Miller andI went into the Casino (where we had our banquet) and I had a martini and she a rum and coke. We took them with us to our tables and I didn't drink all of mine. The table looked so pretty and I had the Turkey dinner and it was delicious. We had a minstrel show and it was a scream. Everyone enjoyed themselves and later other people came in and we danced to the nickelodeon. I had a Cuban Libre and only drank half, Ginny the other half. She had about 4 of them but never showed it. All in all our banquet was a huge success.

December 13, 1939 Wednesday

December 13, 1939 Wednesday

Rained today veddy veddy much. Marit met me in Parkers and I tried on dresses. One I liked very much but it was black, also 19.95. I think I'd better get a colored dress. Marion asked me to go with her to a basketball game but I didn't think I'd go. I did though and am I glad! I've never seen such an exciting game. New Britain Machine against American (indecipherable word). The score was tied at the end of the game and they played overtime. N.B.M. won. I'm hoarse from cheering. Donald took us home. I see where I'll have to go to more of the games.

December 12, 1939 Tuesday

December 12, 1939 Tuesday

Bowling after work as usual. Score 84 and 67. Our team is tied with Olga's as we're going to have a final game sometimes to determine who gets the prize. Home and had supper and were confined to the kitchen and Laurie's bedroom for the evening as Marit had her Sub Deb Club here for meeting. Ruthie, Laurie, and I played crossword Lexicon on the bed and had loads of fun. Karin was to call me tonight but didn't, well probably something came up and she couldn't. I still haven't got my dress for the banquet Thursday!

December 11, 1939 Monday

December 11, 1939 Monday

I met Marit after work and we went dress shopping. Up to Birnbaums and tried on dress after dress but couldn't find any we liked. Down to the other Birnbaum where Marit found one she liked but the color wasn't right so we're going to send for one in blue. She doesn't know it's Karl's present yet. Home and had supper and washed my hair while listening to Lux Radio Theatre. Very good. Kay Francis, Carole Lombard, and Cary Grant. Gosh Xmas is so near and I haven't got my cards or all my presents yet and I do want a dress.

December 10, 1939 Sunday

December 10, 1939 Sunday

I got up (and really I didn't feel much like it) I went to Church. I'm really getting very good. It must be that it's so close to Christmas. Home and Mr. Nelson is here. He stayed for dinner. Mom made a cake and Marit and I on the verge of going to the movies when who should come by but Mrs. Forjusen and a young man, hem! He couldn't stay very long but Mr. and Mrs. Karlsen and Jr. came down. Mr. couldn't stay for coffee but Rachel and Family did and we had a cozy time. Rachel gave me a list of what she wanted for Xmas so I can figure those things out. Oh how I love Christmas.

December 9, 1939 Saturday

December 9, 1939 Saturday

Woke up at 9:00 this A.M. and went back to sleep until about 11:30. It was wonderful! Noa called and wanted to go to the movies. We saw "Ninotchka" with Greta Garbo and Melyvn Douglas. She was good. Him too. Noa and I had ice cream in Eleanor Mae's and did a little shopping. She left me and I did a lot of shopping. Bought Ruthy a darling blue Taffeta dress with red velvet bows. Marit a tea rose slip, bra and panties, also a red sweater from Mom. Bought Dad a muffler and sundry other articles. Home and Ruthie and I got them all wrapt and put away. Karl and I are going to get Lawrence a bicycle I believe, whew and I'm broke now!

December 8, 1939 Friday

December 8, 1939 Friday

Very windy today. I went down to the bank and opened another Christmas Club one for me and one for Mom at $100.00 each. It's cold today in fact it was so cold I rather dreaded going to meeting. Karl gave me some money to buy Marit a dress with. I took Marit shopping with me and we tried to find a dress for her but no success. Home and called Ginny and who should answer but John. He said he's "Give her hell if it was anyone else!". Karl drove me up  and Eve, Ginny, and I had meeting. Dot went out to dinner with her dept. and Noa to a party. John came up later and Ginny and he took me home for which I was very grateful - so cold -

December 7, 1939 Thursday

December 7, 1939 Thursday

Directly home after work to find Mom in the midst of writing letters and cards. We got Pop to write some this noon much to my surprise. Mom got a letter from Ingrid Moseby today. She enclosed a picture of Aunt Anna and Uncle. Aunty looks like Mom. It's fun getting letters like that and I hope we get a lot of letters. Listened to the radio as usual. Just now we're all interested in "I Love A Mystery" it's so mysterious! I've got to make out my Christmas List soon. I really have news! We're going to get a bonus 1/3 years pay at 5% which will get me about $9.00 which is better than nothing.

December 6, 1939 Wednesday

December 6, 1939 Wednesday

Mom wanted me to buy some Christmas Cards so she could send them to Norway so I went straight downtown after work and went through all the stores until I got the nicest ones. Mom went to play Bingo tonight and when Pop came home was he sore! Marit's girl friend Dot came up for awhile. She's a cute little thing. Reminds me of our Dotty somewhat. I fussed around and didn't get to bed until late. It looks so nice down town now. The streets are all lit up and so pretty. I'm sure we're going to have a wonderful Christmas I hope.

December 5, 1939 Tuesday

December 5, 1939 Tuesday

I couldn't go bowling tonight because of my finger so I hurried home and took a bath and washed my hair and had supper, Noa called and I asked her up. I decided to call Karin up. I haven't seen or heard anything of her for ages. She was surprised to hear it was me and we had quite a talk. She won't be coming to anymore F.Y.P. meetings she said she doesn't have to come and be treated like an alien and at first her heart was hurt but not now and as far as she's concerned it's all over. She wants to see me though and was glad I called said she'd been afraid to call up or come see me for fear I'd be just as cold as the rest. Well maybe it's just as well I don't know it seems rather ironic after all these years though. Noa came up and we practiced exercises and had loads of fun. Well that's all.

December 4, 1939 Monday

December 4, 1939 Monday

Marit met me after work and we went shopping first. I wanted to get a dress for Ruthie but I couldn't find one I liked. I think I better take Mom with me next time. I bought Mom a flannel nightgown for Xmas and then Marit and I went to the Strand and saw "Disputed Passage" with Dorothy Lamour and John Howard and Akim Tamaroff. Very good. Co Feature the Ritz Brothers and Jane WIthers Okay. Home and had supper and listened to Bob Burns and Anita Louise in "A Man To Remember" on Lux Radio Theatre, very good. To bed and Marit and I exchanged ideas on what we want for Christmas until late into that night.

December 3, 1939 Sunday

December 3, 1939 Sunday

I feel better now. I let myself go and had a good cry before. I guess anyone can guess why. I'm just sick and tired of sitting home night after night never going to dances, never having dates, and the fun and gaiety that all young people should have. The payoff is of course having Marit going out and talking about this "cute boy" and that "cute boy"! I'm not jealous of Marit, that would be dumb and I'm too fond of her to feel that way. It's just that I'm hurt and puzzled to find myself in a rut like this. I try to be sweet about it and pretend I don't mind sitting home while my kid sister steps out but underneath even though I hate to admit it to myself I want to hide somewhere and cry my eyes out. Gee I'm a fool!

December 2, 1939 Saturday

December 2, 1939 Saturday

It's been raining all day and not much doing. I called up Ginny and she's feeling better and then I called Ev, she has laryngitis but she's better too. I helped Mom a bit and then I sat and soaked my finger (it's still numb) and read and read. Marit worked today so I haven't seen much of her. I got together with Ruthy and we decided to go downtown in the rain and buy a few Xmas presents. Stopped in and saw Marit for a minute and then went on. Ruthie got most of her presents and when we got home we wrapped them. Karl got a letter from Carl today - He and Marius are in New Orleans and coming to Philadelphia. Gee I hope we can see them!

December 1, 1939 Friday

December 1, 1939 Friday

I'm writing this on Dec. 2. It was hard to get up this morning but I made it and even enjoyed it after awhile. I started for work this afternoon humming under my breath and feeling just wonderful. Just as I reached the corner of Winter and Clark the accident happened! I was rushing along and swung my hand into the fence. My ring caught on the wire and pulled me backward. The agony was terrible! I hardly know how I got to work and when I did my finger was terribly swollen. I went to the nurse and she wasn't there but Mrs. Berg helped me soak it and when the nurse came I soaked it some more and tried to get the ring off but it wasn't any use. Mrs. Scott was afraid that I had fractured my finger and suggested that I go to the doctor with it - she bandages it up and put a splint on it. I went to the Flanagan and when I went up in the elevator the boy gazed at my finger with great respect and sympathy in his eyes. The doc filed off my ring I thought it was going to kill me it hurt so. Said he didn't believe it was broken but of course took the bandage off also took two bucks! The ELevator boy congratulated me on my freedom of bandage and I thanked him and he asked how long I had worn it and I couldn't say oh about 15 minutes and lose his respect so I said only a short while and got by that way. Ginny sick and Ev ditto so Noa had Dot and I up to see her new gown and fuss.