Author: Nichelle Barra Page 2 of 12

9 Aug 1946

Friday 9 August 1946

Dear Diary,

Went to work. After work met Char. went shopping with Pat + her. Bought me a horse picture, sketching paper + pencil carons. Got home at 5:30. Frances called but didn’t talk to him. Going to break the date with Dick + go with Fran. Went to the Court + saw “Roy Rogers” + “the Spiral Staircase.” Went with Eggs. Marion + Grant were over. Put up my hair went to bed at 1:00. Ate crackers in bed.

10 Aug 1946

Saturday 10 August 1946

Dear Diary,

No work.  Went over town with mom. Bought a new light green three corner length sleeved coat + a black and white plade skirt. Betty birthday tomorrow. Got her a pair of nolons stockings. Mom got her an umberall. Frances took me to the Temple saw “The Green Years” with Tom Drake was it good. Went to Fuzzy’s ate a ham. + coffee. Went for a ride. Saw Chrisholm’s farm. Got home at 1:00. G.T.K.’s F.F.

11 Aug 1946

Sunday 11 August 1946

Dear Diary,

Didn’t get up till 11:00. Was doing breakfast dishes when Marilyn came over. Went to the Franklin with her + saw “The Bride Wore Boots,” with Barbara Stanwyck + Bob Cummings. Came home. Sat around + drew. Took a shower + put up my hair. Listen to the radio. Jack, Grant, + Marion came over. Mary Jane called me up. She’s visiting her sis.

12 Aug 1946

Monday 12 August 1946

Dear Diary,

Seems heaven at work without Marie. Came home. B. Betty gave me a diet to go on. Went to the store for her. Was supposed to go to the Baneroff Hotel with Pat but changed my mind. Went to Eastown + watched them bowl. Bought two movie books + got a coke. Got home at 9:30. Stayed at Buds till 10:00. 

13 Aug 1946

Tuesday 13 August 1946

Dear Diary,

Went to work. Pat got sick went home. Came home with a bad headache. Took care of Marion. Mom + Dad went with Jack + Marge to the Temple + saw “The Green Years.” Got Marion a sunday. B.Betty came over look at movie book. Put up my hair + went to bed.

14 Aug 1946

Wednesday 14 August 1946

Dear Diary,

Had to work suppose to be my day off. Worked from 7:30 to 1:00. Went over to Tonkins talked till 4:00. Came home got ready for my date with Frances. Today we’re cel. “VJ Day” Went to Hoyt big fireworks. went to the Aud. Had a street dance. It was packed. So was the Aud. Got home at 11:00.

15 Aug 1946

Thursday 15 August 1946

Dear Diary,

Went to work. Got mad at Pat. Came home went to the stores. Ate. Went to the Court + saw “Laura” with Dana Andrews + Gene Tierney. Made the fifth time. Got out of the show at 8:30. Went over to Budd no one was there but Ray talked a while with him. Came home put my hair up went to bed by 10:30.

16 Aug 1946

Friday 16 August 1946

Dear Diary,

Went to work. Got paid $21/00. Bought 2 book Jane Eyre + Serenade. Went to the show with Bud at the Court saw “Blondie” + “Greenwhich Village” with Don Ameche, William Bendix + Vivian Blain. He got me a ice cream cone. Came home + dance with Dickie for a while. Gave Brian + Dick their toy watches I got them.

1 August 1946

Thursday 1 August 1946

Dear Diary,

Went to work and worked harder than usual. Saw some darling slacks, am going to buy them. Went for a ride with Mom + Dad. Frances called up. Going on a date Sat. nite. Went down to Dick + Betty’s. Got home at 10:20. Put up my hair.

2 August 1946

Friday 2 August 1946

Dear Diary,

Went to work. After work went to the store to buy the slacks and they were gone. Went to Enmisgu + got two new school dresses. One red, one blue. Went to eat some eggs with Mom + Dad. Went bike riding alone. Came home took a shower in the bath tub for the first time. Washed + put up my hair. Jack, Marion, + Grant was over.

3 August 1946

Saturday 3 August 1946

Dear Diary,

Went to work. Went shopping afterwards bought a new yellow dress + white shoes. Got home + Uncle Dick + Aunt Anna were here so was Evenlea. Went to the Bay with Francis, Bub + Barb. Fran won me a white piggy bank. Got home about 12:30. Went to get something to eat at Harry G.A.K.F.B.

4 August 1946

Sunday 4 August 1946

Dear Diary,

Didn’t have to work. Went for a ride in the morning with Mom + Dad. Marilyn came over she got her new bike. Went to the show + saw “Night + Day” with Cary Grant. Got a malted + walked home. Went over to Mrs. Holbrock got our fortunes told. Came home put up my hair went to bed at 11:00. 

5 August 1946

Monday 5 August 1946

Dear Diary,

Went to work. Worked part time all alone. Went over to Shaw’s she’s going to make my dress. Ate supper did dishes. Went to the Court + saw “Tokyo Rose” + Arturo De Cordova + Dorothy Lamour in “Masquerade in Mexico” Put up my hair. Made a sandwich. Went to bed at 11:00.

6 August 1946

Tuesday 6 August 1946

Dear Diary,

Went to work. Got my pattern for my dress. Frances came over. Took me to the Drugstore + over to Hines. Introduced him to the family + Mom. Went bike riding with Marilyn + Hazel. Got home at 10:00. Went over to Buds got home at 10:30, Marion helped put up my hair. Went to bed.

7 August 1946

Wednesday 7 August 1946

Dear Diary,

Went to work. Had to work alone. Got home went to sleep about 2 hr. Ate. Got ready for my date with Francis. Bud called said he couldn’t go. Went to the Court by myself saw “A Bell for Adano” with John Hodiak + Gene Tierney. came home along put up my hair went to bed. Bud + Barb came in the show sat with them. 

8 August 1946

Thursday 8 August 1946

Dear Diary,

Went to work. Got in my overhauls. Ate. Listen to Gene’s new Spike Jones record. Went bike riding alone. Went over to Shaw’s. Bud, Dick + I went bike riding about 9:00. Went to Mae Firys, got a … book. Came home listened to records. Danced with Bud. Made a date for Sat. nite with Dick. Don’t know what to do about Frances. Went to bed at 11:30. 

27 July 1946

Saturday 27 July 1946

Just moved in our new + own home. Worked at B. Tel. Helped moved some of things over. Am sleeping for the first time in my new bed. Frances Abat called + wanted a date. Tomorrow I shall let him know. Went off my three day starvation diet today.

28 July 1946

Sunday 28 July 1946

Dear Diary,

Got up at 8:00. Finished moving. Uncle Dick + Aunt Anna didn’t come up today. Francis + I went to the Michigan saw “Three Strangers.” Got a hamburg + choc. milk. Went for a ride. Got in at 12:30. Jack, Dick, Betty, Ned, Mom, + Dad were playing cards. Went to bed at 1:30. 

29 July 1946

Monday 29 July 1946

Dear Diary,

Went to Watson Lake with Gene, Jenette, Mary Jane, + Smuchie. Golfed all day long. Got a ride with three guys. Got home about 10:00. Jack brought the kids over had some ice cream. Put up my hair. My toe nail is starting to come off.

30 July 1946

Tuesday 30 July 1946

Dear Diary,

Went to work. Worked hard as usual. Finished fixing my room. It rained a little bit. After dishes I went bike riding. Went over to Hines she wasn’t home. Went over to Tonkins and talked about an hour an a half. Jack + Marge was over. Put up my hair.

31 July 1946

Wednesday 31 July 1946

Dear Diary,

Went to work. Worked harder than usual. Went to the Court + saw Pat O’Brien in ”              ” also David Bruce in ”          ” Saw little Donnie at the show. He sat with me. Walked home alone. Jack + Marge was over. Skipping my hair. 

Dear Diary (one day ahead)

Didn’t work today. Helped move some boxes. Found some navy pictures + letters from the gang in a box of Bob’s. Read some of them all afternoon. Went bike riding with Hines. Got home at 9:30. Put up my hair + went to bed.

Grandma in 1946, about 16 years old.

There were only a few entries for 1943 in my grandmother’s journal. They are crossed out and I believe it’s because they aren’t from her. These three entries have different writing, different scenarios (like a job) and different people mentioned than when it was my grandmother’s voice. Plus, one of these entries mentions going to a show with Mary Jane, who is my grandmother. I think these were crossed out when this person gave the journal to Mary. I’m wondering if these were from Betty, my grandmother’s older sister. 

18 May 1943

Tuesday 18 May 1943

Worked until 5:30. Went to the bowling ally. Got the prize money. Jack + Margie was over. Wrote Stan a letter. 

19 May 1943

Wednesday 19 May 1943

Worked hard today. No letter from Stan, but one from Gene + from Al Briggs. Went to the show with Mary Jane. 

20 May 1943

Thursday 20 May 1943

Worked today. Took inventory. Maxine McPhetias called me up. She is really a terrible girl. Wrote Stan a letter but am praying that he will forgive me.