November 1948

Weaver still up north. Gone to Oregon. I'm so lonesome and sad. It's almost unbearable. Thank God for Pop and Farmor. Should be home in a week. Seems forever.

Fire in Topanga! Windy as the dickens. Looked bad the first day but seems to be under control. Depends on the wind. Praying for the best, Mike at Farmor's. 

Sold Manhatten lot for 1800. Better than we expected. Need it. We're sure in debt. 

Strike still on but doesn't concern us anymore, thank goodness. 

Weaver finally home. He was gone 11 days. Going back up in a month to buy a place and I'm going with him. Second honeymoon. 

Trying to finish this place up fast. My lovely , lovely house. Every day it gets nicer. Susy's room is paneled and so is mine. The hall and boys room next. 

Zylpha and the kids are coming over on the 18th to stay until Thanksgiving. 

Maude and Carl were up.

We took the kids to the zoo at Griffith park . Had a fine time. Met Bea, Zyl, Petey and Betty, also John, Jeanne, Christina and little John. Also Patrick and Dutch. Quite a crowd! Saw everything and rode on everything. 

Thanksgiving! Had a lovely dinner and lots of fun at Farmor's. Elmer and Luella and Pammy. Also Minnie Berg, Bette, Ben, Linda and Skipper. All had a great deal of fun. 

(26th) Elmer's birthday! 36 years old.

Took the Mercury down to have a new motor put in. Also going to get a new paint job and seat covers. Aren't we classy? 

House progressing very well. Weaver lining the hall now. Next, the boy's room. 

Got the Mercury back and the motor works beautifully. Changed our minds about the paint job and seat covers at present. Short of cash!

Susy is going to stay with Dora while we're gone. Boys are going to Catalina and visit Zylpha. 

October 1948

 

Walker won!!! $51,583. Isn't it swell? (but poor little Cassie) Now Cannon will have about $16,000 for education and start in life. 

John and Lorna married! Took Dora on honeymoon with them. Will wonders never cease?

Pressure system works swell. Really is a deal! We are all very pleased. Going to move out soon. 

Pop and Farmor came up to help putty the outside of house. We will finish up tomorrow (Friday, 8th)

Strike still on, over a month now. Elmer Holman came up for a few days. Dodging a subpoena!

Well--we made the MOVE! Yes, we are out in our new house and we love it. (Oct. 10, 1948) Weather is dandy too. Looks and feels like rain and we have a fire in the morning as well as the evening. Still lots of work to be done but we think we will finish it faster now. 

John, Sue and Mike have their beds in Johnny's room (dormitory style). Weaver, Maggie and Cannon are in Maggie's room. 

Went over to Jeanne's with Granny (9th) for Christina's second birthday. She sure is a cutie. Very plump, but sweet. Pretty too.

Mom told me today that Zylpha is going to marry Leo. Happy days. Now I guess I won't have to worry about her and the kids anymore. He'll make Betty and Petey a good daddy. 

(Oct. 15th, Friday) Just got a letter from John and Lorna today. They are coming for my baby on Sunday. I sure will be lonesome, even though I know it's best in every way. 

(17th) Well Walker and Lorna came down and so did all Lorna's relatives. Walker slept and poor Lorna had to visit with everyone, but it really wasn't that bad. They're all nice people. Went to dinner at Farmor's on Saturday the 16th. Had a nice time. Cannon's last visit.

Monday- The day! He's gone! I don't think I've ever felt so sad- lonesome. Everyone says I'll forget soon. I hope so- I don't like it at all. 

Strike still on and things look bad. Weaver is feeling quite low. Hates to Holman and a few fellows suffering because a bunch of jerks going back. 

The house is nearly all painted outside and really looks nice. We are all quite happy about it. I will get at the trim as soon as possible. 

Farmor and Pop were up for lunch. They sure are sweet and good. Gave us 25.00 more for food and shoes for poor Sue. Her feet were on the ground. 

Well- Weaver is kissing the Union Oil good-bye. I'm glad. He is going to work for Ray Bauch- Dora's friend- cement work. Might be a good thing, who knows?

(22nd) Ho! Ho! Pop came up with a letter from Lewis Terven offering to finance Weaver to cattle ranch. Says he can probably lend him 20 to 25,000. What a break for Weaver if it doesn't fall through. 

Weaver gone to El Centro with Pop and Farmor to Elmer and his friend, Kurt, in Yuma. Wants to talk to Kurt to see what he says.

Weaver home and gone again (30th) This time it's up north to see Lewis. We both want to see what is really cooking. Took Pop's car. Sure wish I could have gone with him but too much family and horse. 

Pop made down payment on house for Betty and Ben. They sure are tickled. Haven't seen it yet myself but everyone says it's swell. 

Bea is going to sign a lease for house in the valley near Farmor. Two year deal. I hope they like it and I think they will. 

Halloween tomorrow! Kids are excited. They have big ideas. 

September 1948

 September came in with a bag. We have never seen such terribly, terribly hot weather. 117 degrees in house at Camp. We are all melting! Extremely foggy at the beach. Odd, isn't it?

No water in pipes. What a miserable way to live. All water must be hauled from Zylpha's in buckets. Will everyday living ever be easy? We are counting on the new house. Hope it doesn't fail us. 

Johnny came home from Big Bear. Had a fine time.

Jeanne and her children were at Granny's. Chris is as wide as she is tall and as cute as can be. Little John is very sweet and laughs all the time. Cut his first tooth at four months, and is cutting four more now.

Sept 4th- Union Oil Co on strike! We are broke. Wonder if it will last for long?

Weaver and Maggie have gone to the show three times since Zylpha has been here. What a treat. Sure enjoyed it.

Summer school over! One week left until school starts. Will Sue get into the Catholic school? We haven't heard. 

Strike still on. 5 days old. Probably won't get our pay check and we need it.

Zylpha and her children left for Catalina on the 10th. Things are a bit quieter around this joint.

Jeanne's birthday! Sept 18th. 29 years old.

School again (13th) Johnny in 8th grade at Agoura. Sue got in the Catholic school and is as happy as can be. 4th Grade.

Mike is still too young but will go next Sept. He'll be six and a half then. 

Weaver working on tile in the bathroom. If the strike keeps up we may have the house nearly complete. 

Walker and Lorna were down for the weekend. Took Cannon for the day. I guess they will marry after the trial. 

Granny started school again. Good! Oil painting and pottery. 

John and Lorna were down. (21st) John gave us a honey of a photo of himself. Guess Cannon will be leaving us before very long. We'll sure miss him. 

Weaver ordered pressure system. Should come Monday. 

Strike still on. (22nd.) Looks like it might end soon though, we hope!

Stop by Dora's for coffee in the morning now and then. 

Granny Bea located Weaver some pipe- boy do we need it.

Edwards and family were up. Haven't been up for two years or more.

Lubig wired pump and put in electric motor. Sure is swell. Just press a button. (25th)

Pop was up (26th) and donated $100.00 to us poor strikers. We will pay him back though. He'd give us his shirt if we needed it.

Lorna gave me my first home permanent. Looks pretty good and it nice and short. 

John's trial in progress. Took Cannon down so the jury could see him.

August 1948

 Zylpha left for Catalina. She will be gone indefinitely.

I kept Patrick three days but finally took him to Bea's. Too tired! Too many kids! Family seems kind of small now with only four children to bath and feed. 

The electric sander came. Wonderful invention. Sure will save our arms. Does a good job too.

Weaver started his glass blowing job on the 4th. Thinks he will like it very much. Studies at night.

Johnny is staying at Farmor's for a week. Will go to school from there. Skipper is staying too.

Farmor isn't feeling too well. Bad cold or flu again.

Susy bought herself a bike for her birthday. She really is happy with it. Bea gave her a nice suitcase and five dollars. She bought a dress and plaid shirt to wear with jeans. Meredith gave her a lovely string of pearls. Farmor is going to have her down for a party next Saturday.

Had the bulldozer up again. Covered up the septic tank and made our road over in front. Swings around in a circle now. We all like it better.

Weaver poured shower floor. Very nice and he did a good leak-proof job.

What, oh what are my kiddies going to wear to school this year? No money for clothes.

Farmor gave Sue and Maggie a birthday party. Sure was nice. Beautiful cake! Sue got jeans, shirt, sweater (beauty) panties and dress. Farmor and Pop gave me a lovely set of dishes (Desert Rose pattern)

Farmor, Jackie, Johnny and Skipper were going to the drive-in theater and Skipper fell out of the car. Banged up pretty bad- tore his ear half off, but doctors say he will be alright. He's in Children's Hospital. 

John and Lorna were down on the 22nd. Say they are going to get married after trial.

Weaver is working on bathroom paneling. Really looks swell. It's going to be awfully pretty. 

Susy and Mike spent a few days at Jeanne's. They had a wonderful time. Went to the amusement park and went on everything.

Johnny has gone to Big Bear with Pop, Farmor, Leo and Jackie. 

Mike scared to death today (Sun 29th). Rattlesnake!!! Out at house. Close by. 3' long. Poor little guy was terrified. 

Weaver almost through lining bathroom. Sure looks pretty. Maggie bought some ivy for the kitchen. Makes a difference. 

Susie, Mike and Milo

July 1948

 

Warm weather is finally here to stay I guess. The Pauls were all up over the 4th visiting Zylpha. Weaver had three days off and great hopes of finishing the kitchen. However- too much company! He only got one cupboard door finished. Maggie and the children spent the day out there (5th) and all worked sanding, puttying and painting. Really looks swell.

One more weekend and Weaver should be finished in the kitchen. It is lovely. We are all very pleased.

Sunday, 11th- Cannon's birthday and all the relatives came. Virginia Doc and Millie, Gloria and Bud. Also the whole Talley family. Quite a crown and he got some nice gifts. Virginia had a lovely big cake made for him. 

Pop has sent us two crates of cantelope. Boy! Are they ever good! 

Johnny was sick for three weeks. Very sick! Rhymes thought he had pneumonia, I guess. Now Pete is sick. Same thing as Johnny we think, but doesn't run as high a temperature. Betty is covered with something. Always scratching. 

Mom made me two pretty dresses. She has lost a lot of weight. Looks swell.

The kids and Maggie spent a day at Farmor's. We all had a nice time. Johnny washed the car and did a beautiful job. Pop will be home soon.

July 16th- Our beaching started again. Sure was nice. Took all the Raritys, two Rorisons, and Dora came down with Bea. Mom got me a honey of a bathing suit. Looks good. Also gave me a lunch basket and it is a honey. We are all fixed up now.

Betty Little's baby will be here about Thanksgiving. She is well and happy.

Been going to the beach twice a week now. We all enjoy it. the weather hasn't been too good though. 

Maggie had a nice birthday. Bea gave her a swell housecoat and pearls, etc. Quite a few nice things. Dora made aprons and Zyl gave a purse. 

Farmor and Pop took Weaver and Maggie out for dinner. Went to China town. Had a delicious dinner. All very nice. Zylpha took care of the kids. 

Pop and Leo came up to view the house. Leo likes it fine. Anyway- So he says.

Maggie and Baby Susy- Malibu Beach

June 1948

 

Things are progressing nicely. Weather is pretty bad though. Cold and drizzly. The children will be out of school on the 18th. 

Dora has moved out temporarily. Packy staying with Zylpha.

Weaver went to Catalina with Edwards and Hagaman. Had a wonderful time. Bea and Meredith went at the same time but didn't see Weaver. 

John and Lorna down. Took all his dishes, etc. back home.

Abby brought our sink top. Boy does it ever look pretty. Weaver is doing a swell job of laying it. 

Farmor sold my stove for me. $85.00. Pretty good for a six your old stove. It was in good shape.

Hope we can get out of here pretty soon. This place is falling apart. 

John Wellington (Whelan) is an awfully sweet baby. We went over to see him.

Sink top and snack bar complete. Beautiful! We love it.

Upper cabinets in kitchen done except for doors. Plenty of room. Hard time getting lumber. 

Weaver changed jobs! (June 21st) Thinks he is going to like it much better. I hope so.

Had annual school picnic at Seminole. We all had a fine time.

Johnny passed into 8th grade, and Sue into 4th. Sue got all A's on her card. Smart gal!

Farmor gave Johnny a birthday dinner. A bit late but very welcome. We all had a good time and dinner was perfect.

May 1948

 May Day! May baskets everywhere. All the children made them. Aunt Dora helped. Very Pretty.

1st- Cannon fell down and cut his mouth. Maggie took him to docs and got two stitches in it. Says is won't scar as he gets older. Poor little guy is covered with poison oak. He looks miserable.

Graham and family were up. We all had a picnic at the house.

Weaver putting bricks up behind stove. Looks swell!

Fruit trees are doing fine. Covered with fruit. Will we get it, or will the birds? 

Zylpha may move to Porterville. John is going to live with her.

Granny Bea is under the weather. Too bad!

Johnny's birthday the 7th. 12 years old. He sure is a husky fellow. Had a crewcut too. Looks fine. Farmor gave him a watch. Bea gave him t-shirts and a watch. Jackie gave him money. We gave him a ten gallon hat and St Chris medal and key chain. More money from Meredith and Mikey. Bea made cake and sent ice cream. All camp inhabitants partook in the occasion.

Mother's day (9th). The children gave Maggie a box of chocolates and Weaver brought her a beautiful gardenia which she tucked in her flowing tresses. Ah me!

Weaver finished brick wall and snack bar in kitchen. Looks beautiful!!!

Zylpha's birthday (15th) 33 years old. Mom came up. Z. not going to Porterville. John has his own apt. and seems to like it.