April 12, 1958 Having A Time, In Church All Day, A Little Party and Borrowing Slides

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"Things are finally quiet.  Both Bob & Ann have friends staying all night with them so they have been having a time.

We're glad you liked the perfume.  Use it and don't try to save it because it will evaporate no matter how tight the lid seems.

Easter was a miserable day.  It was cold and rainy but that didn't stop people from dressing up and going to church.  We went at 7:00.  There was a short worship service & then the baptizing.  We ate breakfast at church and then came home for a few minutes before Sunday School.  I had to keep the nursery during church but the best went to church.  B said he felt like he'd been in church all day and it did seem long.

Toni & Watty came for a while in the afternoon.  They hadn't seen the upstairs since we moved into it.  They are still working on their place--finishing woodwork and such.

We went to a little party at Larsen's one night for her sister & husband.  Maybe I told you they were missionaries.  He is an Episcopalian priest--they have lived in the Philippines for years.

There has been something extra most every day this week.  I went to a meeting in Ann's room yesterday morning, to P.T.A. and then to Quill Club last night.  B had a dinner meeting last night too.  Some of the school people met with the Normal Town Council to talk about the school's needs & problems & future plans.

Sorensens are coming down tomorrow night for awhile.  We have all been so busy that they haven't been here in a long time.  He is going to Russia next summer & is really excited about it.  It will be a month's trip with other professors & Edna will not go.  She'll meet him later in Europe & they plan to stay in Italy for awhile.

Some people want to borrow some slides on Japan so I'd better go look them up."

                        Love to all,

                             Bonnie


NOTE:  The slide viewer was purchased in Japan and used for decades in selecting specific slides to use for various presentations.  Using it was a slow process, but it provided an excellent view (though small) of individual slides. 

April 5, 1958 Working Our Sox Off, Staying Up Late, Starting Off With a Bang, Happy Birthday and Happy Easter

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"Happy birthday, Mother.  Your package should be there when this letter gets there.  I hope both of you have a nice day.

Tomorrow is Easter.  It will be a big day around here.  Bobby is to be baptized at a 7:00 service in the morning.  We'll eat breakfast at church and have only a few minutes before Sunday School then.  It is my turn to keep the nursery during church so B will have to take the children alone.  Ann sings in the choir tomorrow.  I guess the children's choir will do most of the singing because the regular choir is mostly college students and they are still on vacation.

We have almost worked our sox off this week but we're going to move the kids upstairs sometime today.  B finished steel wooling the last time about midnight last night.  We have to sweep it up and he is fixing shelves in the closets now.  We have accomplished a lot this week.  There are still lots of things to do upstairs but we'll get them done in time, I guess.

The kids have been dyeing eggs.  They have enjoyed their vacation and they needed it as much as anybody.  The weather has been nice and warm.  They have played out a lot and we have let them watch T.V. later than usual.

Ann's Easter dress is pink cotton with a silver thread through it.  Belshes sent the material & it made such a pretty dress.  Bob has a new shirt & they both had to have shoes.  That is the extent of our new clothes.  I tried to find a blouse but wanted a pale green & didn't find it.

Next week will start up with a bang as usual.  The kids don't go back till Tuesday but there are a lot of extra things next week.  I have to help with Scouts on Tues. evening.

Our yard needs working over terribly.  I did a little work this week between jobs upstairs but it needs more.  A friend is giving me some iris when I can go get it.  Sometimes it is so hard to fit a little thing like that into a day.

I must stop & get busy.  Have a nice Easter & a happy birthday."

                    Love,

                         Bonnie

NOTE:  Getting to stay up a bit later to watch TV was a treat, and it meant I could watch 77 Sunset Strip.  I think I mainly liked the theme song, perfecting my finger clicking along with it and thinking I was grown up.  We still enjoyed the westerns like Cheyenne and Sugarfoot, the family programs like Ozzie and Harriet and Father Knows Best, and the usual variety shows, Red Skelton, Garry Moore & Ed Sullivan.  In case you've never heard of 77 Sunset Strip, take a look.

March 30, 1958 A Great Week of Clubs, Cleaning and Communion

Look, Feb. 18, 1958

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"Easter vacation begins tomorrow and I guess the town will be pretty quiet for awhile.  The kids are ready for a vacation but I think we all need some warm, sunny weather.

B is working upstairs again tonight and has been doing it every night this week.  The work is slow now and you can't see much progress.  I haven't had time to do a thing up there but hope I can next week.  Ann's Easter dress is ready to wear but I want to fit my last year's suit skirt better before Easter.  It has always been too big.  I'd like to get a new blouse, too, but that will be all.  I want a new hat but I may not get it before Easter.

This week has been a great one.  We had a scout meeting Tuesday night that was a long one.  A woman showed slides on Alaska and they were good but she didn't know when to stop.  It went on and on.

Our women's group at church had a special communion service Wed. night and I was on the committee.  We set the tables in the afternoon and this was at night.  We made the tables into a big cross.  In the very center we had a big white plastic foam cross with an open Bible in front of it and then white candles all along the center of the tables.  At each place we put a little white paper doily.  During the short worship time in the chapel one of the girls put the bread and wine on each doily.  The minister conducted the communion.  It was very nice.  They have it every year but I've never gone before.

After that I went to a club meeting.  Then Thursday afternoon the Education Wives met and Quill club met that night.  Today I've been trying to clean the house a little but didn't get far.  The windows were so dusty I stopped to wash them on the inside so I'll have to finish cleaning tomorrow afternoon.  The kids have a recital in the morning.

The kids dyed a few eggs tonight.  I couldn't talk Ann out of it and they did have fun.  If they will just let us eat them it will be all right.

I wish we could come home too but that is out.  Dean Larsen is taking part of his vacation now so they can see some of their family who live in the Phillipines and are home for awhile.  B probably will come home a little earlier this week but he'll have to be on the job every day.

We hope you both are fine."

                         Lots of love,

                              Bonnie

NOTE:  In early 1958, the film starring Lee Marvin, Missouri Traveler, was in the theaters.  I can't imagine it competing with South Pacific, released at about the same time.  If interested, watch Missouri Traveler below, in its entirety and the original trailer to South Pacific.    I can still hear soundtrack to South Pacific playing at full volume and our dad singing along.

March 22, 1958 Unusually Quiet, So Cold, A Little Sewing and Sawdust Everywhere

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"B has gone to a meeting and the kids are in bed so it is unusually quiet tonight.  It is still so cold that the spring clothes in the store windows look awfully silly.  It manages to snow a little most every day, too.

I want to do a little sewing next week if I can.  Belshes sent Ann an Easter dress I want to make.  It is pink with a silver thread in it--looks like gingham but I don't know what it is.  I bought a new pattern--size 8--today.  She has grown so much this winter.

We have almost worked ourselves down this week.  B has worked late at night trying to get something done upstairs.  The walls are all sanded and he has started staining it.  I sanded all the finish off Bob's old desk and we stained it like the walls so Ann can have it in her room.  We wonder if we'll ever get the sawdust out of the house.  It is everywhere.

Bob still has a cold but it is lots better.  Mine is about gone.  It was in my sinuses and my head felt like it was going to split last Monday.  I had to give that talk and show slides that night which didn't help much but I did all right.

Ann's room gave a play this morning so I spent the morning at school.

I know your bathroom looks nice.  We haven't even thought about our tile yet and probably won't for a long time.  It makes me tired to even think of it.

Granny Gibson will be 95 in a few days so I want to write her a letter.  I owe so many letters.  She has written me two since I wrote to her last.

B has decided not to go to the Philosophy meeting at Easter time.  He'll have Good Friday weekend off but will have to work the rest of the time.  It is the first time he has missed that meeting since we came here, I think.

Take care of yourselves."

                      Lots of love,

                            Bonnie

NOTE:  Almost anytime you see the phrase,"a dress", you can assume it means fabric to make a dress, unless otherwise noted.  And as for my grandparents' bathroom, I have to say it was my all time favorite.  It was tiled in white, except for the floor of black and white, with white towels on which small black penguins had been embroidered.   The bathroom was shared by 2 bedrooms and had a door on each side so that it could be entered from either room.  There was a large skeleton key in each door and I thought it was great fun locking and unlocking each one.

For more about Granny from an earlier post:  http://annbkennedy.blogspot.com/2012/10/november-1-1952-few-minutes-rest-eating.html

March 15, 1958 Quill Club, Filling Nail Holes, A Tiny Fever, A Japanese Meal and Playing Marbles

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"I had Quill Club here last night so my house is clean for a change.  We don't serve refreshments which is a help because we never know how many are coming.  There was a big crowd here.  I hadn't written a thing because I've been working on another talk for Monday night.  It is for a Normal club that's called the Literary Center--a couples club.  I spoke to them a long time ago and tried to get out of it this time.  I want to get my book rewritten but I don't have any time to work on it.

The upstairs isn't nearly done and it will be a while before the kids can move up.  None of that paneling was finished so we are trying to get it done.  It has to be sanded before we can do anything.  I have been filling nail holes every minute I have.  B hopes to do more sanding tomorrow.  Bob's room and part of the hall are ready for the stain.  We're going to use Phelan's butternut which should give a "pinkish" soft tone to the wood.  The pine has so many colors in it anyway that we decided to stain it a little so it would have an all-over tone to it.  We hope we can move the children up during Easter vacation.

Bobby had croup last night and a tiny bit of fever this morning so he's home this morning.  He doesn't feel bad but there is so much sickness around I decided he'd better stay home with the fever.  Scarlet fever, mumps & even whooping cough are in some of the schools.

We were supposed to go to the school circus tonight but if Bob still has a fever he & I will stay at home.

Our potluck group meets tomorrow night and we're going to have a Japanese meal.  It should be fun.  We're going to eat with chopsticks and most of them don't know how to hold them.

B has gone to Kewanee, Ill. for an all-day meeting.  He is to talk to a lot of teachers and will get paid something for it.  We don't know how much.

The kids have started to play marbles so I guess spring is not far off.  My neighbor brought me a big bunch of pussy willows and they are so pretty.  They are great big ones.  I'm going to try to get some rooted and put out.  I've tried it before but they always die.


I'd better get started on the nail holes."

                            Lots of love,

                                Bonnie

March 8, 1958 Cold Again, Underwear and A Shovel, Cleaning, Mending, Filling Nail Holes and Sanding

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"It's cold again but the redbirds are singing.  We're all ready for spring.  Ann discovered the tulips were up and simply jumped up & down.  Our yard sure is a mess but it looks like everyone else's --muddy & full of litter.

Thanks for the lovely birthday box.  I never have a pretty flower to wear and I always need underwear.  My birthday was real nice.  B & the children gave me a shovel I've been wanting, a subscription to a writer's magazine and some little things.  I guess I'll ask for a hoe next time.  Everyone laughs about my tools but I like them and I hate to borrow.

Our potluck was last Sat. night and one of the girls had baked me a big birthday cake so I really had a birthday party.  I showed some slides that night and then gave my talk at Wesleyan on Monday afternoon.  B left Sunday and I didn't have anything extra then until P.T.A. Thursday night.  I really worked while I had a chance--just cleaning drawers, mending, etc.  So many things get put back.

We didn't have very many for P.T.A.--around 60 but I was worn out when it was over.  Another girl and I went at 6:30 and it was 11:00 when I got home.  We had to wash all the plates and cups and clean up the kitchen afterwards.

We plan to work upstairs this afternoon--start filling nail holes & sanding.  I have some ironing to finish and the kids' piano practice to get out of the way so I'd better get busy.

Hope you both are fine."

                              Lots of love,

                                    Bonnie

NOTE:  I get a kick out of all the pastel appliance ads.  We always had white and Mom once said, "In a couple of years, people are going to regret putting in all those pink appliances!"  Given the current popularity and strong market for mid-century designed objects, some people probably wish they had kept them.

March 2, 1958 The Snow, The Chicago Meeting, The Recital, The Cub Scout Banquet and The Potluck Group

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"We're having winter again after some wonderful spring days.  It is snowing a little and even the kids are sick of it.  When Ann saw it was snowing again she said, "Oh, that stupid snow."

We have a recital this morning so both kids are getting ready for that.  Bob is going to a party this afternoon and Ann is singing in the choir at church tomorrow.  They are always about as busy as we are.  Bob's teacher is in the hospital with kidney stones so she'll be there awhile and the kids aren't too happy with a substitute.

B is going to Chicago tomorrow for a 3 day meeting.  I have my last scheduled talk to give on Monday at Wesleyan University.  I've been working on that, making plans for a P.T.A. tea, & trying to do a two weeks' ironing.  I have all three things about ready but none of them actually finished.

The cub scout banquet was Tuesday night.  I had to take a cake decorated in blue and gold to be used as a centerpiece.  I made an angel cake & iced it with deep yellow icing.  I put a ruffle around the bottom edge with blue & then wrote our den number on it in blue.  Ann helped me make cub scouts our of marshmallows & we put them on top of the cake.  It was real cute & the boys loved it.

I had an announcement from Ruth & Francis.  I got a little dress to send the baby but haven't mailed it yet. 

I hope Daddy's cold is better by now.  B has had a bad one too but he's better now.  There are so many sick people around. 

I'll try to find time to write to Beulah soon.  The days go by so fast that I don't get anything much done, it seems.  I told B that I needed to stay home a whole week to catch up on things.  We haven't had time to do anything more upstairs.

Our potluck group meets tonight and I have to take salad.  I'm going to make a big tossed salad.  We haven't had one in a long time and that's easy.  We're going to show some slides.

It's about time to take Bob to his party.  I had to take two hitches at this letter."

                       Lots of love,

                             Bonnie

February 24, 1958 One of Those Weeks, The Four Boys and Thick on the Streets

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"I am really late this week.  But it has been one of those weeks when I didn't even get my ironing done.  Last Monday night we had our second grade party and it was horribly cold but 180 people came anyway and had a good time.  Ann was sick so we had to get a sitter and Bob stayed home too.  B had his class to teach so I had to go alone.  B came over later and helped supervise the kids in the movies while the parents had a meeting.

Wednesday night was the Founder's Day dinner at school.  We had to host a table--just go to a table early and see that people got introduced.  The University is now 101 years old.  We went to another dinner Friday night and then had four high school boys come to stay all night.  They were real nice boys and we enjoyed them.  They left a nice Thank-You card on the piano.  Their meeting at the church began Friday evening & ended after supper on Sat. so they left their clothes here all day Saturday.  I got their breakfast & I thought I'd never get them full.

Our women's group cooked their dinner Sat. night so I made a salad at home for that & then went to the church about 3:00.  I worked awhile, then came home & got supper and went back to help finish up.  My feet are sure tired today.

This week is going to be as bad as last.  We have something every night but one, I think.

Today is such a wonderful warm day.  Cars are really thick on the streets.  We just came home from a ride.  It was so cold last Sunday that we had only a few at S.S.  Today the room was about full.  The kids are out without coats and I just hope they don't end up with colds.  Ann has a cough yet but that's about all her last cold amounted to.

Hope you both are fine.  I'll try not to be so late next week."

                           Lots of love,

                                 Bonnie

February 18, 1958 The Finishing Work, The Bathroom Floor, The Valentines, The Missionaries and The Responsibilitiy for 200

Simonize ad, American Home, January, 1958

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"The men finished their work yesterday morning but we haven't got things cleaned up yet.  We haven't got the bill yet, either which sort of scares us when we think about it.  The upstairs does look nice and they were very nice workmen to have around.  They did nice finishing work which is done so sloppily by so many carpenters now.  They kept the mess swept up as much as they could but there is always so much dust with that kind of job.  I usually clean on Friday but didn't yesterday because I wanted them to get out first.  I spent the morning on the bathroom floor.  I took all the wax off and put plastic on it.  It really looks nice but is such an awful job to get the wax off.  I'm plenty sore today--shows how lazy I am, I guess.

The whole house needs to be cleaned from top to bottom.  I'll be so glad when spring comes but I'm going to try to start cleaning soon and not wait for spring.

The new of the BB gun has worn off a little and we haven't had any troubles with it, yet.  Dave Watterson got one about two weeks ago but it was for his birthday (which is tomorrow) and Watty wouldn't let him even load it until his birthday.  The stinker!

The kids liked the Valentines.  They got a lot of them but didn't get excited about Valentines until the last minute so they didn't mail many.  They even got some from Mike & David.

Yes, Frances & Bill Bray (our missionary friends) are going back to Japan late next summer.  Their little girl will get her American citizenship papers then.  You remember that she was a war orphan--half American, half Japanese.  When I look at her, I know how wonderful Brays really are.  She is such a happy child now and was so serious and quiet when they first got her.  She and Ann really giggled the time away.  They are Methodist but most of the Protestant churches in Japan are united into one big organization called the United Church of Japan.  So denominations are unimportant.  They feel they can do better work united.  The Japanese government forced them to unite into one group during the war.  Some withdrew from the union after the war but the others (and the wise ones, it seems) realized they were a stronger Christian front if they worked together.  The American Baptists are part of the United church but I believe Southern Baptists withdrew.  I don't know the names even of any Baptist missionary but you can find some of them in your Baptist magazines.

Our church is entertaining about 200 young people next week-end.  It is a district meeting.  We have to cook their meals at church for them and four students will sleep in our upstairs, I guess.  I'll have to help with the dinner Saturday night.

We have the 2nd grade party ( a family thing) Monday night.  It is a dessert and business meeting and I'll be glad when it's over.  It will involved about 200 people--too many, and B can't be there to help me.  Another mother and I have the responsibility of it.

Hope you both are fine.  Have you thought any about coming to see us?  The kids have vacation the week before Easter.  B will be gone to a meeting part of that time but for only 2 or 3 days."

                               Lots of love,

                                         Bonnie

February 11, 1958 The Wonderful Sun, Paste for Breakfast, A Meeting in Ottawa and A Real Surprise

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"The sun is wonderful today but it's terribly cold.  It hasn't been warm enough to thaw the snow in weeks so we still have lots of it.

Ann's group at school cooked their breakfast yesterday so she wanted to get breakfast for us today.  She got up & had the oatmeal cooked when I got up.  It was a pretty good job but Bob said it tasted like paste and it did.  Anyway, she tried.

There is a valentine party at Sunday School today & I have to make some cookies for them.

The upstairs is about done.  It looks so nice but we aren't going to let the kids move up until we finish the wood.  The men set one of the chests in wrong and I asked them to take it out so they wasted a half day but I wanted it done right.  They were real nice about it and it certainly looks better now.

I'm so sorry about Nobel's arm.  The seem to have the worst luck.  Where is it broken and how bad?  I don't see how he can do much work.

We are all fine.  I still cough a little but probably will until warm weather comes.  I didn't really have the flu--just my throat.

B went to Ottawa, Ill. to be teachers' meeting yesterday.  Two other from I.S.N.U. went too so they all rode together.

We had a real surprise last Saturday.  Some of our missionary friends from Japan called from Springfield.  They were on their way to Ohio from Oregon.  They are the ones with three adopted children--one a little girl that's half Japanese.  They got here Saturday night and stayed until after dinner on Sunday.  We all had a wonderful time.  The kids began to remember one another again and they really had fun together.  All of us talked as hard as we could.

I guess I'd better get to work on those cookies or Ann won't have them to take to the party.

Hope you're both fine."

                  Lots of love,

                       Bonnie

February 1, 1958 The Cold, The Extra Work, The New Joke and Hunting for a Groundhog

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"We have been filling out income tax returns so while B is finishing that I'll start my letter.  I haven't done much this week except clean the basement.  I thought I was over my sore throat but it hit me harder than ever and I've had a terrible cough.  It's better now, though and luckily I haven't had to be out except for piano lessons.  The kids have a recital in the morning.

B has been working extra hard since the beginning of a new semester means lots of extra work.  He has gone back after supper two nights and will probably work all day tomorrow.

Bobby's room is practically done and the men have started on Ann's room.  It looks real nice.

This is Sat. and the kids are watching T.V.  We just came from their recital and the sun is so bright.  It is terribly cold but we didn't get the big snow that St. Louis & other places got.

Bob wants to go hunting for a groundhog tomorrow.

I feel much better today and am not coughing so much.  I guess I'm getting this cold licked at last.

I'm co-hostess for a potluck supper next week for faculty women.  There will be only about a dozen in each party and they are having 6 or 8 suppers next week.  This is the first time I've ever gone but they have them every year.  Maybe I will be a hostess next year.

We've been laughing at a new joke.  A little boy had been real naughty and his mother said, "Just how do you expect to get into heaven when you act like that?"  The little boy said, "I'll just run in and out, in and out and every time I'll slam the door real loud.  Finally St. Peter will yell, "For heaven's sake, kid, either come in or stay out."

That's about all that's new so bye for now."

                        Lots of love,

                                Bonnie

NOTE:  Second only to her desire for world peace our mom wanted someone to find a cure for the common cold.  There were certainly plenty of supposed remedies, as there are today.  The ads pictured are all from Life, Jan. 15, 1958, among about a dozen in this issue.

January 26, 1958 The Sore Throat, The Big Snow, The Cedar Closets and The Nice Package

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"The kids are about ready for S.S. but I'm not going.  I've had a sore throat and it's better now but I still don't have much pep.  There has been too much going on and I got overtired.  We were supposed to go to a potluck last night but B had to go alone and take my vegetables.

The new semester begins next week so the kids will not have school tomorrow.  Their teachers have that day to get the new student teachers started.  B dreads next week.  It's always such a busy time and full of problems.

We have a big snow on and it's still coming.  The kids sure have a time in it.  This one is sticking to everything and it is beautiful.

The men are doing fine upstairs.  B hopes they will finish their work in about three weeks but I can't tell.  They don't waste time and the upstairs is beginning to look real nice.  Next week they will start on the ceiling in Bob's room.  The closets are cedar lined because the carpenter got a closeout price on some cedar paneling.   He even put it on the closet ceilings because it was cheaper than ceiling tiles.  He has lots of good suggestions to make and does a nice finishing job.  So far, we are real pleased.

Bob's room gave two plays this week that were real nice.  They were Bible stories--Joseph was one & the other was the story of David.

We went to Watterson's for Lynn's birthday on Wed. evening.   I had to leave right after we ate supper because that was the night I spoke at church.  Everyone said my talk was good but it sure is a lot of work.

Bob got a nice package from Beulah and I want to write to her soon but it took me all week to write a letter to Mabel so no telling when I'll get it done.

Hope you both are fine."

                            Lots of love,

                                   Bonnie

January 19, 1958 Bob is Ten, The Women Had a Good Time, The Men Started Working and Bonnie Buys a Petticoat

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"Well, Bob is ten today.  Seems like we've always had him and yet it doesn't seem possible that he can be ten.  We got him the BB gun he has begged & hoped & prayed for.  We may be sorry but his best friend got one for Xmas and we'll just have to have a lot of rules about using it.  Your package came yesterday and he was thrilled with everything in it--especially the sacks & informed me that he wanted them sewed together today.  He didn't want a party so we're having the Watterson kids here for supper tonight.  I have the cake made but not frosted yet.

I'm going to Heyworth, Ill. in the morning to talk to a Methodist Sunday School about Japan & then I have a talk to make to our own church women Wed. night.  I'm going to show slides to them but haven't got them picked out yet.

Sometime between now and 5:00 tomorrow I have to make some cookies for the college kids at the church.

The church women seemed to have a real nice time.  I had 16 and they stayed till almost 11:00.  Some of the girls washed the dishes for me and I was really glad.  I was tired because I had the program to give, too.  I was lucky about the refreshments.  One of the old ladies had a birthday so her daughter had a beautiful cake made & all I had to do was get ice cream & make chocolate sauce.  I made coffee & both black & green tea.  Most everyone wanted to try the green tea. 

The men started working upstairs yesterday.  I hate the pounding but I can't wait for them to leave for lunch so I can see how much they have done.  We are using plain pine paneling for the ends of the rooms & the kneewall.  Then 4" grooved paneling horizontally for the sloped part of the wall & ceiling tiles like Buddy used on the ceiling. 

I hope Daddy's glasses help him.  Did the Dr. say there was a cataract on the other eye?  I still wish he'd plan to go to the clinic here.  They have machines here that can even show the inside of the eyeball.

I hope Uncle Floyd feels better by now.  We had a letter from Mabel.  I guess her surgery is over by now.  Steve was having tests to locate the reason for the high blood pressure. 

Granny Watterson has gone to Florida for a while.  She talked a little about getting a job but didn't get much encouragement from Watty about it.

I ordered myself a fancy big petticoat to go with the Xmas dress you gave me.  The kids & B have all been after me to get one but I hadn't anything to wear one with but this summer I'll have that & another one I bought on sale.  It is black.

Next week is a busy one.  We have something extra almost every night & it's final exam week.

I'd better get Bob's cake iced."

                      Lots of love,

                         Bonnie

January 11, 1958 Talking on Japan, Cleaning Each Day, Working Upstairs and A Huge Batch of T.V. Mix

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"We're into the swing of things again and up to our ears, as usual.  I'm hostess for one of our church groups Monday night and have the program to give.  I guess I'll be ready by the time the women start arriving but I sometimes wonder.  The program is on Japan and then I have two more talks on Japan coming up.

I've tried to do a little bit toward cleaning each day but it's slow progress.  I waxed the hall floor yesterday and almost wished I hadn't.  The rugs slide every time you step on them.

Bob is still coughing but is all right.  He stayed all night in the country last night & I haven't heard from him this morning.  Ann has a little friend here.  She had to have company since Bob was gone.  She has a cold now but maybe she won't be sick with it--I hope.

We're going to start work upstairs in about two weeks.  A carpenter was here to see about it this week but he's on another job right now.  He'll do only the carpentry and we'll do the floor tiling and the bath.  We think we'll tile (plastic) the whole bathroom--ceiling too.  We'll use the 8" tiles on the ceiling.

We'd love to have all of you come some weekend and anytime is all right with us.  B wouldn't get to see you much but wouldn't anytime until summer.  He'd have Sat. afternoon & Sunday off, of course.

This afternoon we have to look for a pre-built desk for upstairs.  We ordered the drawers for Bob's room but that's all.

I saw the Joplin article.  It was good.  I've been working on a child's story but it isn't ready to send out yet.  I wish I could sell one for a fancy price.  I took it to Quill Club for criticism & they liked it.

I made a batch of Marjorie's T.V. Mix and had a time finding anything to bake it in.  Started it in the roaster but had to use the dishpan to get everything in it.

We drove to Urbana last Sunday to see our missionary friends.  They were so happy to see us and we enjoyed seeing them.

I must get to work."

                        Lots of love,

                              Bonnie

NOTE:  First photo was taken in Nishinomiya, the others are of Tokyo, all 1953 Kodachrome slides.
And as for the Chex Mix, it was a favorite of the students in the neighborhood as well as the whole family and this recipe makes enough for a fraternity.  If there was any more room left in the baking pans, an extra can of peanuts or mixed nuts was added.

January 5, 1958 Snow Like Glass, A Blue Gingham Dress and A Pink Nash Rambler

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"Vacation time is about over and the kid's are beginning to think about school again.  They have had a wonderful time in the snow the last few days in spite of the cold weather.  You know our back yard slopes quite a bit and the kids take a run off the patio and slide all across our yard and into the next yard.  The snow is pounded down until it's like glass.

I've really gotten quite a bit of work done even with the kids home.  But I guess that's because I haven't had to run to piano lessons and choir and everything.  I spent one day putting plastic on the kitchen floor.  That's a real job but it lasts a while and waxing doesn't do any good at all.   Toni gave me a permanent one day while all the kids went to the movies and she and Watty were here for lunch that day.

All of us went out there for supper on New Year's Eve for the kids' annual Christmas party they have together.  We didn't stay very late and spent the rest of the evening at home.  Mildred Wells and her son were in Normal for a few days so we went to a tea for them on New Year's Day.

I made Ann a gingham dress and she wore it to a birthday party today.  It was a remnant I bought last fall and a lovely piece of material--blue plaid.  We ordered her a coat too.  She may not wear it more than a year but a bigger one would have been sloppy.

We have the heat all in the upstairs now.  B went to see the man that had made some pipe for us last summer.  He came right out and then brought his workmen the day after New Years.  They worked until they finished it.  We usually have to wait so long to get anything done that it is hard to believe that the job is all done.  We still haven't got a carpenter to work upstairs, though.

1957 Nash Rambler wagon, image courtesy of www.pinterest.com

Wattersons have a new car.  They had trouble with their other one on their trip to Harrisburg to see Toni's dad so they traded while they were there.  They got a Nash Rambler station wagon.  It is pink and really a nice car.

I hope Daddy's cold is better.  Lots of rest and sleep seems to help me more than anything when I have a cold.

No, the chicken was not a fryer!  I found that out when I started to cook it.  We made dumplings and then I finally ground the leftover chicken for sandwiches.  Everything we brought home was fine--butter still hard and sausage still frozen but I forgot the blackberries.  Weren't you going to give me some frozen ones?  And we forgot the willow but Bob hasn't thought of it yet.

It's almost supper time and my sweeper is still in the hall.  I ironed all day yesterday instead of cleaning so I'd better get busy."

                             Lots of love,

                                     Bonnie

December 11 and December 14, 1957 Reviewing the Christmas Travel Plans, Writing the Cards and Skipping as Much as Possible

Ladies Home Journal, December, 1957

 Dear Mother & Daddy,

"We still plan to be home a week from today--probably late in the afternoon for we won't get up real early.  It has been so cold but we haven't any snow now.  Hope we don't get any next week.

I wrote Bessie that I'd bring all the cranberry sauce & relish, the olives & some cookies.

I promised Bob that we'd try to go to Beulah's one day but I won't get a permanent.  Toni cut my hair and it still has more permanent than I want to curl over.  I'll give her, Beulah, one if she wants me to, although Charlotte can probably do better than I can.

We'll spend Xmas Eve at Belshe's so you can go to Buddy's when you want to.  Traffic will be real heavy in the afternoon so start in the morning if you go then.  There probably won't be a lot of traffic on Xmas day.

Don't plan a big dinner for home--let's just have an ordinary family dinner one day when Beulah can be there.

I'll try to find some wool scraps for you.

I finally got my cards finished--worked three days on them.  But I still haven't got my shopping finished.  There have been so many things going on and we've skipped all of them that we can.  Next week will be full of things.

I must get busy so see you soon."

                         Lots of love,

                                  Bonnie
                              
                        

NOTES:   Mom kept a folder of magazine clippings she thought I should keep.  Included were several Christmas stories.  The one pictured above is too long to post easily, but it is a delightfully illustrated version of the Nativity.  And just for fun for those of you who enjoy 50's fashion,  below are a couple of pages of the Ladies Home Journal featuring a young Jacqueline Kennedy.  Sorry about the blurry print.

Dear Readers,  thank you for reading another year of letters!  As usual, it will take me a couple of days to organize 1958,  so enjoy a break or go back to find updates and added images, and check back in a few days for our start to '58.  Merry Christmas!