My darling –
Just finished dishes & I’m sitting out in front writing this. It’s getting dark so I may have to finish this inside.
Well, today was my big day again! 3 letters from my sweetheart & nice long sweet ones, too! Of course, all your letters are sweet, honey, & I don’t know what I would do without them. Besides our baby, they are all I have to look forward to these days.
Most of the stores were closed today on account of the 4th being tomorrow. We thought sure we would get off too but the railroads decided against it. All the big stores were closed, tho, & when we left work, downtown looked so deserted. I’m glad we don’t have to work tomorrow. It will be a good chance to clean the house. I’ve really only cleaned it good one time since I spring house-cleaned. It’s really dusty. I don’t feel like starting in to clean it good on Sat. aft. & just don’t get around to it on Sunday. I’m really getting lazy. But after I quit work, I’ll have plenty of time for the house – so I don’t worry too much about it now.
Honey, I still don’t like the idea of you getting 2 letters one day & none the next. Wonder why that is? I mail them at the same time every morning.
I’m so glad you had such a good game of horse-shoes with Smith! I didn’t know he could play so good? When the guys pitch h-shoes here – it makes me so blue & it almost seems I can hear you & Doc yelling at each other like you used to do. – No, Doc didn’t get married & didn’t say anything about it but Dot always talks like it’s all settled & they would be married now if it wasn’t for the war. I like Dot Ok. & I hope if she & Doc really love one another they can get married some day.
So you got to go swimming? I’ll bet you wish they had let you in with the WAVES! Is the pool outside or inside? Can you see the WAVES swim? Or them see you? I hope not! I’m glad you got to go, tho. What kind of pool do they have? Guess I won’t do any swimming this year. Of course, I wouldn’t want to go without you, honey, not even to Maplewood with the kids. Nothing’s any fun without you. And swimming was always our sport. Next year, tho, we’ll have to start teaching our baby to swim! Won’t we? I hope he (or she) likes to swim & is a good swimmer like his “Pop!”
Hon, I don’t know how long Mickey M. will be here – at least a month or so, anyway. I told him all about you & he said to tell you hello.
Yes, Frank, I agree with you about going to bed so late – I sure hate to give up the Armo but unless they start it earlier I’m going to have to, at least until I quit work. It’s not so bad if I have your letter written before I go – then I can come home & go right to bed & get 7 hrs. sleep.
I’ll send the pictures Thurs, And I’ll take some every once in a while, honey. We can always get film, I think.
Honey, I forgot there are 2 air bases in Salt Lake. But V. David is serving Mass this week, so he will get Fr. Auer’s address for you – from Sister – tomorrow. Fr. Auer should be there by now. I’ll send his address as soon as I get it.
Frank, I wish you wouldn’t say you want to go to sea! Do you really? I was willing to let you go before cause I knew it was your duty & I was proud of you for wanting to go – but I can’t see how you could possibly want to leave the States now! I’m sorry you saw that picture if it made you want to leave “Butch” & I!
Frank, don’t worry, I’ll get money from Mom when I need it. I just don’t want to take it til I have to. If I can pay what I owe before I quit work – I can live on my allotment & just use the Bond money for necessities that come up – Medicine, clothes, etc. But don’t think I’d be afraid to get the money from Mom. After all, it’s ours, & she knows I’m doing my best to pay off my bills without using any of it. I told her I might need some of the bonds later – I just don’t want to use them to pay Dr. W. or her.
Darling, I wish you would go see about your feet — and if you are going to just do carpenter work in Oakland – you could do just as much here at home. Maybe you could get out on account of them. You said you might stay in Oakland for the duration & like I said, – you could be doing the same thing here at home. You know what I mean. Anyway, ask the Dr. about your feet. I hate to be unpatriotic – but as long as you are not going to fight you could do your part at home just as well. Gamble has Defense jobs, don’t they? I want you to be with me so bad!
10:45 P.M.
The kids came home from T.G. park swimming & said there was a Concert in the park so Dot & I went over. It was really grand! There was a big crowd. You wouldn’t know the Park. They are having all kinds of activities there this summer for the whole family. Mom & Anna would have enjoyed the concert. They played lots of songs & then played songs so everyone could sing! Dot & I sure liked it. Wish you could have been with us. When they played “Anchors Aweigh” I wanted to cry. Everything reminds me of you, honey.
I’m so glad you got to go to Mass on Wed. What time is it? Do you have time to eat chow when you go? It’s a shame more boys don’t go. Jack says the boys really get religious when they know they are going overseas. I feel sorry for that Priest. Try to go as often as you can, honey.
So you have your radio again. I’m glad & honey don’t worry about your letters being “crazy.” I’m glad you can listen to the radio. Your letters are sweet no matter what you say!
I guess ‘Mom’ got my letter last Friday about the baby. Go back & see her often. She was always so good to us & I’ll never forget our “miracle” happened in her house! Guess we’ll have to reserve our old room every year or so! ha.
No, I didn’t hear from Martha & Geo. would have told me if she called. I’m so sorry I missed her but maybe she will call me on her way back if she comes thru St. Louis.
Frank, please don’t send me any of your money! I’ll be mad if you do & I’ll send it right back! I’m doing Ok. I have more money than you, anyway. And I can always get the bonds from Mom – please don’t send me any! I mean it!
I guess I’ll go to the Dr. every 3 wks. He won’t let me drive a car or I could go in Geo’s car – Don’t worry, honey, the street-cars aren’t bad & other women have done it before. I’ll be alright & I wish just as you that you were here to take me. But I guess God can’t give us everything! And he’s been so good to us already!
It’s a shame things are so bad up there – the CB’s acting so smart & Lt. Frey getting so mean. I hope, for your sake, you do leave July 15th even if you go further away from me! Let me know right away if you get another extension. They sure must like you guys even if they are mean to you – trying to get another extension. Just think, honey, I could have stayed with you all this time!
Honey, I’ll ask John about the coal & I guess I’ll have to use a bond to buy it. I forgot all about it but Dot says to be sure & get it on account of the baby.
I asked Vic about the shirts & he said he has 2 new ones so don’t get him any – but he still would like to have the watch band if you can get it. Let him know what it costs & I’ll send it to you in one of my letters.
When I talked to Ed about Phil about 2 wks. ago, they hadn’t heard from him since the Invasion but Ed said he thinks he is just busy. I”m sure he’s Ok. But I’ll ask Ed about him next time I see him. I guess his address is still the same.
Say, I’m beginning to think you like to go to the Pool on the WAVES nites! Why don’t you find out when the Sailors nites are? You better stay away from those WAVES & all the gals! I notice you & Smith are together a lot. Does he still go around with girls? I like him a lot but not if he wants you to go with girls or even talk to them! I guess he doesn’t think there is anything wrong in that, but I do! Anyway, tell him & the rest I said hello. How is Bea getting along?
Well, sweetheart, guess I just about answered all your questions. Thanks so much for writing me such nice sweet letters everyday. Just think, tomorrow – is the 4th of July. Remember the fun we used to have on that day? I hope we can all go to the river next year anyway – then we’ll have our baby! Won’t that be swell, honey?
I hope we can get a hold of a car after the war, even if it’s a used one – cause we will sure need it. Geo. never did say anything about the “Jeep.”
Honey, I have to leave you now but will write more tomorrow. Take good care of yourself darling, & God be with you always! I love you & miss you more every day! Please hurry home!
All our love & kisses, Jean & Butch
1944 