Marjorie marries Russ and they move in together into a nice little apartment in the City . . . with Paul.
Yes, the newlyweds somehow think it's appropriate to share their first apartment together with a man named Paul, who seems to have no credentials other than being "a writer"—imagine that! Does he write screenplays? Dark novels set in and around the seamy underbelly of San Francisco's tawdry Mission and Tenderloin districts, haunting The Apartment by day but donning his fedora and raincoat to prowl the alleyways by night?
WE DON'T KNOW! And that makes everything just so much more fun . . .
September 23, 1951
Marjorie to her father, John Reed—Brazil
Marjorie to her father, John Reed—Brazil
D'you know, just three weeks from Monday you'll be here, and just four weeks from yesterday I'll be married—26 days more—and something more—people I want most to come will be there—my whole dear family—and maybe Louise and Jack—and maybe Mr. Puckett! Mother & Helen are truly on their way today in our cute little green Studebaker.
Tonight Russ & I are going after the keys to the apartment—our apartment.
It's wonderful, Daddy, four nice big rooms and a little storeroom off the kitchen. I'm so pleased. Two big front rooms plus the bedroom & a nice kitchen, and it has plenty of light—and a balcony!! Can you imagine—$62. So much nice room. We can truly have company.
And we have so many beds: a double, 2 singles & I do believe there's a bed in the living room closet. There's lots of nice closet space which will be wonderful.
October 21
Marjorie to her parents, Louise & John Reed—Brazil
Carmel, California
Such a lovely place Carmel is. We got here a little after dark last night, and after a couple of Old Fashioneds we had probably the most wonderful filet I've ever tasted. It's so lovely here.
Beautiful blue Pacific and all the lovely trees. Just like the movies or whatever you'll "imagine. Today we walked along the beach for a couple of hours. All the lovely homes they have here. It's such a quaint little town. . . .
Such a lovely wedding and breakfast you gave us. It was all so perfect and beautiful, something to always treasure.
Here we go with the detailed information.
Russ is reading the paper, the radio (naturally) is going full blast & it's nearly one-thirty. Can't quite hear the ocean, but we can imagine its roar, 'cause we heard it all afternoon. Walking along the beach was really a treat.
The Pacific was acting up just as the Atlantic in Rio acts, dashing upon the shore. One home we saw just being built is actually constructed on the prow of a ship jutting out into the ocean . . . it was quite novel and lovely.
Imagine sitting by a fire and hearing the waves dash up against the front window!!! Honestly, we walked nearly four miles, because after we went back for the car we clocked our walk and it amounted to 1 and 9/10ths.
We even watched the sun sink into the sea. Quite a beautiful sight because it simply sank within a matter of two minutes. We could see it disappear.
Last night when the little man brought us into the cabin, on the dresser was a lovely bouquet of flowers. It was with congratulations and best wishes from Andrew Lerios Travel Agency. He was the one (Andy Lerios) who treated us to a bottle of champagne when he found out we were engaged, and through whom we got the reservations for the Highlands Inn.
We had our breakfast in Carmel this morning, and then we walked around the town. It's most charming, full of little shops which in turn are full of interesting things. Truly we're having such a good time. The whole atmosphere is conducive to complete relaxation, quiet and lovely, and the food is out of this world.
The thing that positively tickles me to death is the name they affix to each cabin. All so Scottish it hurts. Ours, of all things, is "Macbeth." They surely couldn't have truly been thinking when they named it that!!! with the radio off and the front window open we can hear the ocean roaring upon the shore. It's really quite a way down so you must know it's truly beating upon the “rock bound” coast of California.
Tomorrow we must take the 17 Mile Drive around Pebble Beach and Monterey. We only walked today. But we must have been very tired because we didn't waken until nearly noon today, and I thought it was early in the morning.
Such a relaxing vacation we shall have, not having to do anything, or go anywhere, or do what should be done 'cause there's nothing to be done. I'm so happy and completely at ease with the whole wide world.
November 3rd
Marjorie to her parents, Louise & John Reed—Boise, Idaho
San Francisco
It's such a beautiful day, so warm and sunny and lovely. Sorry I have to work. It must be lovely out of the City too.
Everyone is on the street in short sleeves and no coats. Looks like spring rather than fall.
Russ brought me some violets, so I rather think it must be spring. He stayed home today with his cold, except for a little while around noon. Long enough for coffee and work & lunch—odds and ends to catch up. . . .
Russ got breakfast for me this morning, and I got to work on time. Tonite we're going up to Joyce & Dave's for a little while. They haven't seen Russ since he got back from New York and the friend through whom they met spent quite a bit of time with Russ while he was back there.
November 6
Saturday evening we spent with Dave and Joyce—not too long did we stay though because Russ has truly been sick, running a temperature, coughing, sneezing and not able to talk. We've doctored and doctored and have kept him in bed most of the weekend.
Now I'll get it, and we can go through it all over again.
Sunday, though it seems I've written it to you already, Russ got breakfast and brought it to me. Then I made him go back to bed while I cleaned the house.
I truly cleaned it too. It looks so well, and we hung the pictures. Took a nap, and then went out to Henrietta's for the nite.
Russ's friend from New York came in Sunday nite, so we visited with him for hours. He's a very charming fellow. I like him. His name is Paul Hourihan. Russ spent some time with him when he was in New York. We stayed all night out there, and yesterday washed clothes like mad, as well as my hair and everything in sight.
Kept Russ in bed 'til evening after dinner, and then we went to the show before going on home.
November 7
Last night we went home for a dinner of wieners and sauerkraut, peas and carrots, salad and coffee.
Bill & Russ were properly impressed. I'm pretty smart, I guess.
Rushed around this noon to Breuner's and the bank. Made arrangements to pay Breuner's a little at a time. I did make a down payment of $300. Now I have about $575 altogether & Russ will pay the rest of the Breuners bill.
We opened an account at the bank, and I sign my name Marjorie R. Robinson at the banker's suggestion. Joint account Marjorie R. & Russell. We're going out to the Montgomerys tonite.
Think the heat will do us both good. Maybe Nussbaum will break down before too long & turn the heat on for the buildlng. We actually had a little hot water last night. I enjoyed entertaining just the little bit I did last night so much.
November 13
Marjorie to her parents, Louise & John Reed—Chicago
The Counter has been just busy enough to make it interesting today—not many people, but consistent traffic.
I must have spent nearly 3 hours this morning helping an RTW passenger figure his flight schedules from Singapore to Djakarta, Soerabaja, Palembang, Rangoon, Mandalay, Delhi, Calcutta and Teheran to Baghdad. Quite entertaining.
By the time we finished I was all ready to go along with him. He was a nice old man.
I worked yesterday as I told you. Six of the eighteen hours that are to be worked into training for us this week are gone thusly.
Russ is an excellent lecturer. Everyone was quite impressed with his fluency & delivery & I was proud of him.
Last night we stayed at home, and read, fooled around with a crossword puzzle, and that was that, nothing of import. Tonite we may go to a show, but I'm not too much in favor of it. I simply cannot get interested in movies, at least until I'm inside one. No prior interest, shall we say. . .
My cold is still a cold, no doubt about that. Scares everyone half to death the way I cough, but I don't really feel too badly. Russ is almost over his. We've both been getting quite a lot of sleep, nearly eight or more hours every night. Russ says he's getting too much, but I notice he never objects when I say I'm going to bed. He always is there before me.
November 15
I finally broke down yesterday and went to the doctor about my headaches. She gave me some medicine for my head and my cold. I liked her very much.
Tuesday night Russ prevailed upon me to go to the show. We saw a British movie "Seven Days to Noon." It was truly excellent, and despite the fact I didn't want to go I was glad we went.
Yesterday was just a day of work & last night I went up to the apartment while Russ went to the Sales Executives meeting at the Yacht Club.
We spent the rest of the evening with Paul, the writer friend from New York. He's a most interesting person. I like him very much, a fine person, very intense as you might expect a writer to be.
We talked until nearly one, and then of course we were headed out to the Montgomerys, so it was a little late when we finally got to bed. The very first really late night actually that we've (or I) have indulged. Russ says he's getting entirely too much sleep, waste of good hours that he could put to instructive reading purposes. (P.S. I'm driving Russ slowly to distraction by calling him Jim, short for Jim Teddy Bear, my toy and plaything. Ducky fits when he needs a haircut, and truly, it's so fun to tease him).
November 16
Marjorie to her parents, Louise & John Reed—Columbia
We had the most enjoyable time with the Murphys last nite. First we met them at the Sir Francis Drake for cocktails, then we decided to have dinner while we were there, on the Starlite Roof. We took them out to the Cow palace for the Ice Show, and then drove here home.
November 17
Marjorie to her parents, Louise & John Reed—Kansas
Today is Sunday. I've rather liked it. The fact is, out of all the people in the world who don't like Sundays, I must be different, 'cause I like it.
It hasn't been a really stimulating day, and the skies are rather dull. We slept 'til almost 10:30. Last night we brought Joyce home with us for dinner and then we went bowling. Russell won. His game beats me. I can't find the spot!!! The highest score I made was 135. Pretty sad, isn't it? . . .
Russ wanted to go to the show. We saw "Kind Lady" with Maurice Evans and Ethel Barrymore. It depressed me, but the performances were excellent. We got home from the show about 8:30, and Russ is reading. Washed Russ's hair, but he got quite stuffy and wouldn't let me put it up on bobby pins.
November 19
Marjorie to her parents, Louise & John Reed—Chicago
We've been up for so very long. Got up this morning to meet the Montgomerys. The plane was even a little early, so we just made it.
We walked in one door as they walked in the other. They seemed quite glad to see us. It was raining and it could have been quite an inconvenience if we hadn't been there.
Drove home and had breakfast. Then after we finally got organized we packed all our stuff into the car and started out on our busy day.
We licensed the car, bought groceries, picked up the lovely picture you brought us from Carmel. Russ was thrilled to death with it. We then proceeded to check on the wallet pictures. They weren't ready yet. I got some Christmas cards to send south. Russ got his hair cut, and such a hair cut he has never had before. It looks so well, and I'm so proud of him—the new look you know. It really is peachy keen—looks truly fine!!!!
Finally got home in the rain about 2:30 to find all sorts of packages—my silver for one, a lovely silver candy dish and the boxes from Uncle Denton.
We were so thrilled we could hardly stand it. Everything went up in the kitchen immediately, knives by the sink, pans and utensil rack by the door. Looks so nice and shiny, and the pans are wonderful. The scales will be wonderful for us too.
All in all we were practically beside ourselves with the excitement of all the things to use. It's simply miraculous to have them all of a sudden when we do need them for Thanksgiving. I'm going to break down and try a pie, pumpkin I do believe. We've decided on a menu:
Fruit cocktail
Turkey
Waldorf salad
Dressing
Creamed corn
Mashed potatoes
Sweet potatoes
Relish plate
French string beans
Pumpkin pie
After we had put everything in its place we took a nap. Paul came over (the friend from New York who is writing a novel!). As a matter of fact he's going to stay with us for a while. He's such a nice guy, seems to belong to us somehow. Since we can't have a cat, he is our substitute.
We had dinner about 8:30—barbequed pork chops, baked potatoes, tossed salad and green peas. Tasted pretty good!
November 21
Last night we celebrated our first month anniversary. I had found a good looking sport shirt for Russ yesterday noon, and bought it, not only because he needs it but because it was the 20th.
When we got home, I found a dozen lovely red roses waiting for me, and we had a little wine before dinner. Dinner was wieners and hot potato salad which met with such approval. Marjorie without a recipe book has been getting by quite well truly!
I was so pleased with my thoughtful husband and the lovely roses, as well as the wine.
Then he wrote part of my letter to Kay, and to his Mother, and I did a cursory treatment of cleaning to the house.
Truly we have so many things to do, though it seems we accomplish something more every day. The mirrors are still to be put up, the silver must be cleaned, a couple pictures to hang, the knick-knack racks.
We have truly not lived in our apartment this first month of marriage, only moved in and out of it. Just about seven days we've really been there.
Have to get adjusted to it allover, and we'll certainly have to establish a morning routine. Russ is going to have kittens when he finally realizes that I've set up his watch & the clock so I can stir him in the morning.
We're beginning to have more fun than we had for a couple of weeks. I suppose it was our colds because we truly did have terrible ones, but we're so good now and have no troubles at all. I'm so happy and pleased with my life, and things in general. I truly have a very wonderful husband. I'm sure you'll know it some day too.
November 27
Marjorie to her parents, Louise & John Reed—Brazil
We truly had a nice weekend, but I guess I worked too hard because I folded in bed at 9:30 last night.
Saturday night we had wieners and potato salad for dinner, and I really forget what we did—not much I imagine.
I went to bed rather early (9:30 p.m.)—Russ read. Sunday we didn't get up until late.
I, in fact, got up first & it was 10:30, 13 hours of sleep.
I made turkey soup that truly was so good that two whole pans of it went in a flash.
Greg came up in the afternoon, so I fed him dinner, too: soup, potato salad, sliced tomatoes and I baked a pretty good cake. They really fell to at any rate.
Feel sorry for Greg because he's alone here in the city 'til he gets married in December, so I asked him to come over if he got lonesome Sunday—he did.
Paul came home around six, so he ate some soup & went to bed, tired. He'd been with Dave & Joyce. When I did go to bed Sunday night I couldn't sleep, so I got up and wrote thank-you notes.
Yesterday I puttered I guess. Came home and got dinner and then I was so tired I went to bed at 9:30.
Russ came in to talk to me, for an hour. He extolled my virtues as cook, housekeeper, washer & ironer and asked me please to not try to do everything by myself & then fall exhausted into bed. Please, says he, mind your Mother—watch out for yourself you can't do everything and work, you have to relax. So I will cut down if I see I absolutely can't stand it. It seems like so little I do. I don't know why it seems like so much.
Think we'll go out for dinner & to the show tonite, though I should go home and deal with the wet clothes that are drying allover the bathroom and kitchen. . . .
I wrote to Kenny and asked him to come for Christmas if he wanted to come. 'Spose Russ & I will ever live alone? Or if we'd like it if we did?
We've really wondered sometime, but we truly do. He's so sweet and thoughtful and good to me, when I let him be, and I'm afraid I'm quite difficult sometimes about little things that truly don't make any difference. The wonderful thing is that he forgives me—and I can talk him into anything I want!!
November 29
Tuesday night Russ came back to the office from the airport and he took me out to dinner. We went to Luigi's, that Italian place we all went that night, and then we went to the show.
We shuttled from one to another and finally wound up going to see Gregory Peck and Anne Baxter in "Yellow Sky," a really good Western! I thoroughly enjoyed it, and we had such a good time.
Got home with a memento of the evening, a little wine bottle complete with the straw covering. We'll put a candle in it. A candle in the window. We're eating by candlelight, so long as the candles hold out! Have some from Thanksgiving still burning.
We didn't get to bed until late, but I felt so rested yesterday, and still feel good today. Took the car in for its health and wash yesterday. Changed the oil and checked everything on it. Now it runs like a top, bless its little heart.
Last night we had dinner at home. I found some vegetables for Chow Mein, so I manufactured some for us. It was truly good, almost better than the Chinese make. I was so pleased. Chow Mein and fruit salad, and cookies and coffee.
Russ did the dishes for me while I ironed a shirt for him, and then since I've been wanting to do it for some time, I waxed the kitchen floor "I'Dozed" it.
Looks beautiful now. Then I washed my hair and Russ's and all our nylon clothes, drank some coffee and went to bed about one.
Got up this morning, and you probably won't believe it, but I made some sandwiches and we brought our lunch! It was of my own free will—Russ had never said a word—but it just isn't too convenient to go home. It's a rush, really, and eating out every day is much too much . . . .
Think we'll go to the Redwoods this weekend. Russ has never been & I haven't been for so long. Thought we'd start out Saturday nite after work, just we two. Think it will be fun. Tonite we're going to have dinner with PAA, a "Know Your World" program on the Orient & Europe.
Mr. Peterson is speaking on his very recent trip to Scandinavia and Europe. . . .
We eat such good breakfasts, you'd be so proud of me. Juice, egg or cereal, toast and coffee. One morning we even had sliced peaches. I'm really being a pretty good cook, and Russ hasn't cooked once or even tried, and I thought I'd have trouble with him in the kitchen. He makes good coffee.
November 30
What a dreary, rainy day this has turned out to be.
We got to work in the nick of time this morning. Hadn't been here more than one minute before it began to pour. Big dash everywhere one wants to go.
The dinner meeting of "Know Your World" was held last night. We had a couple drinks next door with Greg before we had dinner. Practically half the office was doing the same. Had a good dinner, chicken pot pie, tomato aspic salad, coffee and cupcakes.
Mr. Peterson's speech was very interesting about Europe, and one of the outside salesmen spoke about the Orient. Next January will be the next meeting, and Mr. Peterson will continue his little talk and I've been elected to talk on South America.
I'm evidently the last person to have come from S.A. with any length of stay behind me. Russ is organizing the programs. Seems to me he gets an awful lot of responsibility dumped on him—always some project someone wants him to handle. . .
Things are still kind of slow at the Counter. Guess they will be the rest of the winter, or at least until March. Nobody travels too much.
'Round Christmas time everyone will decide to go to Honolulu and Mexico City. Wonder why people want to go away from home at Christmas time? . . .
We've decided to go on a budget come the first of the year. Together, with the income tax taken out, we get $440 a month.
In the past two weeks we have spent $245. Imagine!! Course I had a $67.64 bill at Roos, and the rent came due, another $62.50 & I suppose Thanksgiving cost us about $30, the car $27, and so on.
Course it won't continue to be so much, but I think if we know where the money is going it will be easier to see why. Heaven only knows money is no source of trouble between us, as I know you thought there would be.
Russ gives me about $15 out of every $25 we cash, so I do very well with our money changing. Last night we had a couple drinks with Greg before we got away to do our shopping. We did all the shopping we could think of to do, and then we went down to AI's Drive-In.
Had a really fine ground round steak, went home, and Russ put the groceries away while I watched. Then Russell made himself something to pass for a milkshake.
That Osterrizer is a peach for mixing most everything, and he loves to fool with it. Some of the weirdest concoctions.
Oh what a wind and rain storm there was about four or five this morning. Simply awful. Wakened me, and everyone else in town, except Russ of course.
I have to blast in the mornings to get him awake. He hates to give up & go to bed & he hates to give up and get up in the mornings.
December 4
And still it rains, and rains, and rains. Saturday night when we started out for northern California it was simply pouring, and it poured every minute we were gone.
But we had such a good time, and we were so snug in our little car that we couldn't have picked a nicer weekend in which to go. It was perfect!
We truly didn't think we were ever going to get out of the City. For the first time since the Golden Gate Bridge was opened in 1937, it was closed to all traffic because of the high wind. I guess it was swaying as much as 6 ft. So, determined as I was to go, we sat on the approach to the bridge, along with 2,000 other cars, for two solid hours.
They finally let traffic across again about 9:00 p.m..
We couldn't feel the bridge swing although there was still a high wind, but the wind in the cables and evidently even the slight strain made the most unearthly and unholy sound you've ever heard. It was completely weird and eerie. I was scared (but not very).
We drove past Santa Rosa for dinner. Had dinner at a regular road house, which absolutely fascinated me. Had such a good dinner too!
Then we drove on to Healdsburg, and we found a nice friendly motel to spend the night. It was such fun. We investigated folders the woman brought us to see what we should see in the Redwoods, and got up about ten Sunday morning to be on our way.
Had a whopping breakfast: ham, eggs, potatoes, etc. you know the kind I always want when we're eating out. It was delicious.
Then, in the rain, we drove up to within 40 miles of Eureka. Everything looked so clean and green, and just as I remembered it from twelve years ago. We drove thru the Drive-thru Tree and went into the Tree House, and drove up to the tallest tree in the world—364 feet. The trees were so impressive! It got so dark as we would drive through them. Every foot of the way it rained, but I loved it, and Russ enjoyed it as much as I did.
Sunday night we stopped at another nice motel and had another good dinner.
Drove home yesterday. Stopped at the Italian Swiss Colony Winery to taste the wine—didn't have time to go clear around because Russ had a lesson at four.
We arrived home about two thirty after a thoroughly enjoyable weekend. I'm so glad we went because it was such a good trip. . . .
I cleaned the bedroom & living room thoroughly last night. Russ got dinner, and then we dropped over to Joyce's for the evening. She had a friend she wanted us to meet, a Mills College sister, and we had a most enjoyable evening all evening. Another friend of hers was there and we sang and talked and generally enjoyed ourselves. Joyce's friend was most charming and interesting. She worked for Dean Rusk in the State Dept, and had just returned from 3 months in Europe. . . .
We stopped for one innocent drink last night with Ed Scandlen, who is in from New York—Greg and another couple fellows. We wound up with nearly 12 people in our apartment for dinner. There was no problem about food because Ed sent out for 10 of the biggest and most delicious steaks I've ever seen or eaten. I broiled them in the oven & in my roaster, and they were really fine.
The people Ed called up to come beside ourselves amounted to about 5.
Couple Pan Am stewardesses and I don't know where the fellows came from. Anyway, we had a party, and what a mess this morning! It's all cleaned up now.
December 7
Last night we took Greg home with us for dinner and we had scrambled eggs, ham, toast and sliced oranges. He seems to enjoy our company so much, and he flatters me into believing I'm a fine cook, so I like to have him.
Nick & Thelma Lauer came up about 9:30 and stayed til nearly eleven. They came to call, and to bring us our wedding present, a martini pitcher complete with modernistic little glasses.
After they left Russ helped me with the dishes and we wrote checks for our bills due, and made out our Christmas list.
Now for the shopping: his Christmas present (really I feel as tho it's mine) is having his eyes examined Monday at 2 p.m., and I hope having his glasses changed. He broke them while we were gone over the weekend. I'm not sure I deliberately sat on them but there is that possibility. Anyway, new glasses, my choice!! Russ calls it my "Improve Russell program" . . . .
We did go shopping last night. Got off for $8.74 including cigarettes and a ham. We got home about 9:30. I took a bath and went to bed.
So sleepy, and I slept beautifully until Russ came a couple hours later. He promptly went sound asleep, and I wakened and lay awake until nearly four—and for my pains we overslept this morning. I told Russ the reason was I couldn't sleep last night and his comment was that he was well aware of it, but why should I see to it that he didn't either.
I only woke him up three times. We came only about ten minutes late because I have the foresight every nite to set the clock ahead 15 minutes & then I promptly forget that I have. We brought the car down with us and went home for lunch . . . .
Tomorrow I'm going to make an apple pie and some vegetable soup. Have had a soup bone for nearly a week. Monday will surely be a busy day: wash, haircut for Russ, eye examination and the voice lesson. Think we'll go to the show tonite, after I fool with some Spanish Rice. I'm scared to death of cooking it by myself. Could you send me some recipes? Some easy ones that are tasty.
I don't know why we're never home but we seem not to be. Come the Revolution we must stay home. Neither of us doesn't want to, but we don't seem to make it always.
December 11
We've had the most beautiful sunny days of late. It's been crisp and clear and cold.
It's been so beautiful and tonite the moon is full. Riding up on the cable car tonite it looked as though it might settle upon the Shell Building. Our apartment hasn't been too cold, and the water is getting progressively warmer every evening.
I washed our respective heads last night and nearly burned Russ's ears and scalp!! Such a nice weekend we had. It was so pleasant. Saturday night we were alone. Had some real delicious Spanish Rice, as I told you I got some pre-cooked stuff & it was lovely. Then we read and fooled around until not too late.
Sunday was a nice day too 'cause we had most of it to ourselves. A nice leisurely breakfast complete with Sunday paper, and then I started operating with my pressure cooker.
The vegetable soup I made was truly good, and I baked a ham & believe it or not, a delicious (if I do say so myself) apple pie! I was so surprised because what I did with the dough shouldn't happen to any dough. It wouldn't roll & the crust was patched and pierced and some places on top there even wasn't any. But it was good!
And the ham has been so good don't really believe I could ever get tired of ham. We went to the show Sunday night, saw a French movie. It was cute, and quite refreshing. It was a cold cold night, and the little car took us there warm and nice and brought us home. . . .
Yesterday was a “do things” day: Russ got his hair cut and his eyes examined; I worked and got most of the clothes dry & ready to put away, changed the beds, washed heads, and we really had a good dinner too. Ham, escalloped potatoes, corn on the cob, tossed salad and coffee. No pie 'cause it was all gone by breakfast yesterday.
All in all, it was such a nice weekend that it was no effort to get up and go to work. I worked well, had plenty to do, came home and cooked up some Chow Mein (with the ham) and have ironed. Aren't I a good one?
Now Russell is reading, Paul is typing, and I'm sitting on the corner of the davenport writing to you.
December 12
Another day gone, closer to Christmas, and I can say today that we did some shopping.
Went over to the Mission Pak place and took care of the Sparks, Grandfather, Helen, the Jones & Russ's folks.
Did I tell you that yesterday we ordered two pair of glasses for Russ? One for reading & one for distance. Good looking ones, and he'll have the equivalent of 20-20 vision. At present his eyes are only 51% efficient. No wonder he can't see.
He's so pleased, and naturally I'm so pleased. He's so good to do the things I want to do, and so pleased after he's done them. Truly, I couldn't ask to live with anyone more reasonable or sweet to me. So good. He's getting dinner tonite so I could iron & clean the bathroom.
He's fixing spaghetti with ham for the meat. He didn't think he could do it without this & that but he's doing it. I made a Brown Betty for dessert. We bought a whole box of apples the weekend we went north, so must use them to advantage.
December 15
I did tell you when last I wrote that Russell was making spaghetti. It took a little while for the finished product, but truly it was delicious, extremely so. I'll hesitate before giving him some of mine, but maybe he can always make it.
There was plenty left over for the next night: spaghetti, vegetable soup & Brown Betty (which turned out very well).
We're still eating ham, every conceivable way we've used it: sandwiches, Chow Mein, spaghetti sliced, creamed, and now I'm thinking of a soup I could make beside split pea. 'Spose we could have ham and scalloped potatoes.
It's truly fun to fool around with so many different things . . . .
We haven't done anything this week except to go home at night. No playing until last night. We went up to San Rafael with Henrietta in her scrumptious new Cadillac. It was really quite fun.
They had a lovely dance and all the little boys were so cute with their girls. Riley didn't have a date so he was busying himself by checking coats. He danced with me and I enjoyed it. . . .
Russ thinks maybe we can ask for passes to Rio—indoctrination or something. Mr. Peterson could very easily do it for us, or we will try to afford it!! God only knows we want to come!! . . .
We went shopping a little today. Went up to a place called the Thieves Market. It's run by people who used to work for Pan American In Rio. . . .
Paul is moving out when Kay comes. We hadn't known until last night whether he planned to. I haven't said much; I thought I'd let Russ get fed up with it all, and he has.
Paul is fine, but we're tired of living with him. Russ is wiser about Dave & Joyce than I ever expected he was. We don't see very much of them.
December 18
Tonight is the PAA Christmas party. We'll put tomato juice in the ice box instead of the usual orange juice, and play Cinderella by getting home around midnite. We'll see all the office playing instead of working for a change. . . .
December 20
Kay was due in at 5:55 a.m., but her plane is two and a half hours late. She'll be in about 8:35, I guess.
I had a shirt to iron for Russ. Coffee's made, and radio going full blast. That's the only way we know what time it is because I always set the clock ahead 15 minutes or so before we go to bed, so we'll not be late. . . .
Monday nite we did some Christmas shopping for Kay; Tuesday nite was the party, which was an extreme social success.
The food was deliclous, the music very good, and there was plenty of liquor for everyone. The ladies all received gardenias, and everyone had a marvelous time. We sang Christmas carols, and danced—sambas were very good. Got home about one, and overslept yesterday morning until quarter of nine. . . .
Bless you for your Christmas present. $50 is wonderful!!! Think I'll buy a cashmere sweater and some rhinestone jewelry.
December 22
Christmas is so very close, only three days, and thank heaven they are free ones.
Finally finished all the shopping. Most, of course, was for Kay and Russ, and it's nearly all wrapped and under the tree. Kay's plane was four hours late. Bless her, she looked so cute when she stepped off, little hat, high heels & her red and black dress. We got back to the apartment around eleven, and I had to come in to work for a couple hours while people went to lunch.
Then I took the afternoon off for scheduled Christmas shopping. She had such a good time. Got Russ some socks, a new robe, and a couple ties. Two lovely ties and the robe is washable. The socks were on sale, irregulars, some orIon, and really pretty argyles.
Got him a little keychain for an anniversary present, and Kay got him a tie rack & a fingernail kit for Christmas. Last night I was wrapping the package you sent him from Columbia. Such a beautiful shirt & the tie is perfectly wonderful! The cuff links are lovely. He'll be so thrilled!!
Grandfather sent us each $5 so I bought Russ some shaving lotion and a brush & myself some lovely Henri Bendel soap. Smells delicious.
Got King's Men for Russell. . . .We accomplished so much Thursday, all our shopping, bought the prettiest tree. Stands about 4 feet high & is perfectly shaped. We decorated it Thursday nite after our beef stew dinner (& the California champagne Russ brought home for the 20th—$1.97 a bottle).
It looks lovely in front of the windows & the man finally came from Breuners & hung the mirrors, so the house is in perfect shape. We put all our Christmas cards up on the closet door behind the davenport. As soon as I get the house straightened up it will look perfectly wonderful.
I've ordered a turkey for Christmas. Kay wanted one, and we'll have chicken or ham for New Years. Think we'll stay home strictly over this holiday, although tomorrow we're going to see Pat & John and will probably go Christmas calling on the Montgomerys. It continues cold, gets lower and lower every day. Paul left yesterday for New York. He is such a nice fellow, but I can't say I was sad to see him leave.
Christmas Day, 1951
Han & Blondena were wonderful as usual. I enjoyed seeing them so much. We had a delicious dinner at a retaurant in Berkeley and got to the basketball game between Cal & Oregon State for the last two quarters. Went back to the hotel for a nightcap and came home. We sat up very late, and slept accordingly Sunday morning.
Russ and Kay went out for about 3 hours and I cleaned the house. We had hash for dinner, and Kay and I just spent the evening by the tree talking.
Russ went to the show, saw "Quo Vadis." Couldn't talk either Kay or me into going, so he went by himself. He came home and told us all about it, and I guess it was nearly four before we went to bed. Just sitting and talking.
Yesterday I made some split pea soup for lunch, and about three we all went down town. There was an egg nog party at the office, so we dropped in there for a little while. I came home and took a nap 'til Russ came home about 7:30.
I couldn't imagine where he had been or why, but I found out soon. None of us was hungry, so we decided to open some of our presents. Each of us opened one and then Russ and Kay went whispering out to the kitchen and brought back a huge box which they deposited in my lap.
I tore off the paper, lifted the lid and there wiggling around like a little fur ball was the most beautiful Persian kitten you've ever seen!
Russ's Christmas present to me. She's the dearest little ball of fluff you've ever seen and the cutest, most friendly and playful little thing. She's a pedigreed tortise-shell Persian with an ancestry a page long.
I was SO thrilled and taken aback with surprise that of course I cried and laughed and nearly squeezed the little thing out of breath.
Her eyes are copper,colored and her markings are beautiful. She's so cute and so little. She doesn't weigh a pound. Just 3 months old, house-broken and so lovable. We've gotten such a kick out of her because she has played most every minute she's been here.
We named her Princess Mistletoe of Christmas and call her "Missy." (I can just hear Daddy calling her "Messy," and she has made a couple of mistakes). But she's so cute, and how thrilled I am with her.
She kept Kay awake most of the night jumping up and down from her bed. . . .
We truly had a wonderful Christmas. such lovely gifts. I was so pleased with the lovely aprons you sent from Lord & Taylor. They're beautiful, and of course with my name on the white and black one I was completely impressed and thrilled.
Kay gave us an ice bucket and the cutest candle snuffer, plus a time clock for the pressure cooker, a board scraper, and a tie rack for Russ. I love the handkerchiefs you left for me. Kay & Russ gave me a darling plaid umbrella.
Russ was so pleased with his robe and socks, tie, shirt, etc. . . .
We went to bed early last night, completely exhausted. Even the kitten settled down with only a minimum of fuss. I think I've been up forever today. At any rate I got up before eight and put the turkey in the oven by eleven. (Course I had to play with the cat and see that she annoyed everyone who was sleeping to the utmost tail, teeth and claws unsheathed).
We had dinner about 3:30 turkey, candied sweet potatoes, dressing, peas and carrots, and apple pie. After we had almost recovered we drove out to the Montgomerys, and from there to see Til Lethco and his wife.
Had a couple egg nogs, and now we're home. My little "Missy" looks just like a little Australian koala bear. She's so cute, and her furry tail stands up so proudly!
December 27
Lunch time at PAA for the Robinsons. Russ is reading a magazine, and since his office is completely screened off from everything else now, all we need is a davenport or something. Do hate to leave "Missy" all day long alone, but it takes too much time for the most part to go home and come back in an hour.
We're pretty good about time schedules in the office now, so one feels like a deserter if he's five minutes late. We did go home for lunch yesterday—turkey and split pea soup. This turkey certainly solves the eating problem for the rest of the week. Practically eat it for breakfast. Then last night we went home and had dinner, and for the first time I can remember since we've been married I too spent most of the evening reading.
Guess it was about 1:30 a.m. when we went to bed. About 11 we got wound up in a discussion about geography and maps for training here at the office, and didn't unwind for two hours. Should talk earlier in the evening I guess.
"Missy" had slept all day long so she was more than alive and playful. She is so cute and funny. She looks just like a little bear!! She chased a piece of cellophane around the living room last night until we were in hysterics. She helped me iron a shirt for Russ, and was very good while we brushed her.
All in all, she's a dear little thing, and so cute and playful. She looks so big because of all her fur, but she doesn't weigh a pound.
Russ wants to add a note:
RUSS:
Merry Christmas!—a bit late.
I really enjoyed opening all of your thoughtful gifts, and as a matter of fact I'm wearing one right now: the blue tie, which I think is stunning (just my type). The shirt and cuff-links are being held in abeyance for our open house next Sunday—but I'm sure they'll be fine.
My belt is very handsome but has too many holes and Marjorie keeps insisting I use the last one which I cannot comfortably manage. I'm planning to plug it up. Thank you so much for your gifts! Happy New Year, and love from Russ.
—END RUSS
