Post #315 - March 8, 1944 It Feels Good to Really Dress Up Once in a While and A Bill has been Introduced in Both the House and Senate to Award a “Bonus” to Us G.I.’s

 

March 8, 1944. 

Darling Hubby, 

I didn't think I could get a letter off today as time is short and I didn't want to skip a day. I'm ready to go downtown with Anne as we had planned earlier in the day and I'm taking a few minutes, sweet, to type this. I'm going 'cause I have to get Jack N’s birthday gift and this is a fine opportunity. No mail today and I'm hoping there will be tomorrow. I house cleaned the living room, doing every stitch of woodwork, every nook and cranny, in preparation for Passover. I took Adele out all morning and Anne and I went to Broad Street and 11th St to shop. It's very cold today. 

My mom is tickled about my Dad's new job and she has been told by several people that if my father comes up to qualifications and is a success at it, he can work himself up to $100 per week. Boy it does my heart good to know it! My mother even suggested the possibility of you getting into that concern once the war is over. Think you’d like something like that? I don't know about the job, but the wages sure do appeal to me. 

I'm all dressed up in my fur outfit. It feels good to really dress up once in a while. I wish I could do it at least once a week. Well, sweet, I really must dash if I'm to keep my appointment. I have to work all day tomorrow, but I'll try to get a long letter in somehow. Mind if I add the oft-used, never worn phrase, “I LOVE YOU, DARLING” Just once more? I do, you know, and just for extra measure I'm sending all my kisses. Adele’s too. She sings herself to sleep with this tune, “Ah, ah, da-da.” Shows you how much she thinks of you! Good night, angel, 

Your Eve 

March 8, 1944

Darling Eve,

Just received a gratifying pile of mail. They are your letters of 12-13, 14, 17 Feb. with Jack N's enclosed, your birthday card, and Jack N's of 5-9 Feb. Your letters, Sweet, are both informative and tender, and could I only do so, I would kiss you for each and every loving thought. Jack's letter is the usual mixture of wit, sentimentality, and information written in his usual clever manner. It is six pages of very delightful reading, which is just about three pages more than he usually favors me with. He flatters me unmercifully on my knack for letter writing and applied adjectives to my "furlough” letters out of all keeping to their actual worth. However, I won't say it's unpleasant to know that he holds me in so high esteem. From the tone of his letter, he evidently considers you one of the world's finer women, and takes no pains to hide his affection for you. In that respect, Chippie, he is only "one of the mob.” He makes no bones, either, about his latest "love" (the quotes indicate that I'm still skeptical), but for his sake I hope it's not the customary one-sided affair. "His" Adeline would do well to recognize the worth beneath that rather plain exterior. I mean to answer his letter immediately after I finish this one.

First, I'll deal with the enclosures, the dress ads. I thought both styles very attractive, especially the black and white check. Too bad the quality was inferior, 'cause I certainly would have loved to see you in that particular dress, Chippie, The "Hollywood" print would be a radical change from the type you have been accustomed to wearing, and while it looks mighty attractive in the drawing, I'd want to see it on you before I would commit myself. While we’re on the subject - you never did tell me what you thought of my idea of a hat to go with your new fur coat. Is it because you didn't think much of the idea that you failed to mention it in any of your subsequent letters?

Hal Cohen certainly is a good looking lad, but he better be if he expects to stand a chance with our Adele. Wish I could have been there when the Cohens visited. Bet the kids were more fun than a circus.

Delighted to hear that Dad got himself such a swell position. I can well appreciate how happy you must all be at the break. One thing puzzled me in this connection, though, I can understand that the Pallers will need new furniture, but in the same breath you say "us" need to completely furnish a house! Maybe I'm crazy, but I thought we had just about everything but that elusive coffee table, and perhaps a coupla end-tables and accessories. Maybe you're thinking 'way ahead of me, Ev. Anyhow, I'd appreciate it if you would explain yourself. 

Sorry to learn that you haven't had the opportunity to visit C. P. yet, due to Adele's and your own recent indisposition, but it's enough for me to know that you have it in mind. I know I can depend on you to fulfill your promise in this respect at your earliest opportunity, Sweet. 
Your paragraph about the punkin and the Frommers made a very charming picture. I begin to understand why our daughter is lionized by all the neighbors.

Your precious day-dreams (and you had better keep them such) about joining a USO entertainment unit in order to get "over here are just so much foolishness, of course, but the very thought that you think in that vein thrills me to the core. (Tell me more, Sweet - I love it!) 
If you haven't as yet shopped for that cap and the underwear - forget it, I've managed to procure both since I asked you to get them for me.

All the foregoing just about answers your three letters.

Now I'm trying to think of "news" from this end, and believe me it's no cinch. I think the one big item is the direct reaction of the guys to the news in the “Stars and Stripes" that a bill has been introduced in both the House and Senate to award a "bonus" to us G.I.'s on the basis of $3.00 a day for domestic service, and $4.00 a day for Foreign Service, with a maximum of $4500.00 per man. Well, you can just imagine what effect that bit of news had on us! (or can you?) For the remainder of the day, and even today it is just about the sole topic of conversation and discussion. Everyone had his own particular idea of the ideal way to use that money. As for me, all I can think about is how many Duplex Apartments I can "tie down" with that kind of money. I've heard a hundred different money-making schemes from a hundred different guys, but I'm more than ever "sold" on our original plan - remember, Honey? Moreover, I intend, once this mess is cleaned up, to do my utmost to make our plans materialize, If that bonus doesn't go up in the smoke of political dissension, we stand a good chance to make a break in that direction. I'll be watching developments closely - and hoping. Even if the bill is "killed", I won't give up my planning and working to that end. There are other ways to make a start, and I mean to exploit them all. When I asked the state of our finances in a recent letter, I was thinking along these same lines, What are you thinking these days, darling? 

There isn't any other news worthy of the name for the time being. 

In closing, I return all your avowals of love and adoration in like measure, my Evvie. In that department you are peerless and I hesitate to enlarge on the simple fact that I love you above all things material and imagined, convinced as I am that you have said it in a thousand better ways, Tender my love to all, kiss the punkin for me, and wait with equanimity and patience for the corporeal evidence of the love of your

Phil 

Post #314 - March 7, 1944 Adele Particularly Likes My Brother, Jack and Do Not Envy Anyone Anything, for in All Likelihood, You are More to be Envied

 

March 7, 1944 

My Sweetness, 

Yours lovingly of the the 28 and 29 Feb. received this morning. Sorry about the lone

v-mail but the others must have showed up by now. I sure hope your luck was good

on your investment. You, as well as I, feel badly about that two day pass. Please try

to figure your money more closely to provide for the future. Getting a monthly

allotment gives me an opportunity to look ahead and plan for the month. I do, but

sometimes I wonder about you. You asked our financial state, sweet, and I had

purposely kept you in the dark for I wanted to reach a certain figure before disclosing

our present condition. I think we are darn close, so here Tis. I'd say we aren't doin’

badly, but that doesn't give us any reason to slow up. Heretofore, when I say I'm

broke, I don't say it meaning that we haven't a cent to our names, but that our

allotment won't see me through a given month. Our bank account reads $155. Our

bonds total $450, plus an additional $8 in 25¢ stamps toward the latest bond. Our

debts are as follows: Mom - $60; Betty - $20 (for my coat and bag); Adele's

insurance (due in April) $54; Adele's stroller $? (About $15 or $20) (I hope). I have

funds for the carriage, so actually we owe $134. Those debts, however, will be wiped

clean with my "large" overdue allotment check, which I figure should total about $152

or thereabouts. All in all I figure us to be close to $500 clear, “our" savings. How does

that make you feel? That, however, is strictly between you and me and no one else.

I saved all the money you sent me, managing as best I could on what I had or made

at Miss Hahn's. Incidentally, she called me today and I shall be working for her all

day Thursday. That extra money will see me through the month beautifully. Once

my $80 comes through regularly and I pay $40 board, I shall endeavor to save $10

monthly, but I'm counting on you to do the "Big" things. Both Moms would like to see

me return to work if the war continues. It would afford us a chance to save for a

home of our own. I know that I want my own home above all, but I don't wish to

purchase it (if we can some day) immediately after the war. I want to see, first, what

your earning power will be before I make any post-war plans. I want some thing

concrete to plan on. Guess that covers all. Any comments? (The $450 figure is

maturity value by the way). It would be worth approximately $340 if cashed in.

(I'm not thinking of returning to work, not at the moment, at any rate). 

I shall have to withdraw $54 for the insurance if I'm to pay board and manage next

month. "You have it, Bud", to close the subject. 

I mailed off the Milky Ways this morning and one of Ruth's packages for the English

children. I got the latter through on your request for razor blades. If you're wondering

what to write to fill up space at times, please, remember to request chocolate.I can't send packages unless I have requests and I doubt if I have more than one

on hand at present. 

I expect to have the candy I ordered from Rae shortly and that will start off the

next package. 

Ethel felt the baby drop and I think the latest Chase will make its appearance most any day. I shall have to return Ethel's hichair before Adele is finished using it. I don't care, for my mother has a friend who has one down her cellar and told my mother she could have it. I understand it's a nice one,,all wood, with a leather seat and in good condition. I'll need it til she's past two and that will see me through. That takes care of a carriage and a hichair and I feel lots better. 

I doubt if you'll meet up with Milt for I hear he is headed for the Pacific. I have my fears about him more so than for any other one we know well, except Harry W. for Infantry never was to my liking. Bea Brown will be 16 on March 11 and is a regular "glamour babe."

March 18 is Goldie’s 23rd birthday, so try to remember it in one of your letters. By the way, did you ever get that letter off to her father? I haven’tt written, thanking them, for you said you would. Please do it immediately if you haven't. The address is: Mr. D. Silver, 502 Church Road, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. We had a card from Harry & Goldie and they are having a grand time

Adele brushes her lower lip with her fingers and makes a "bub-bub-bub-like" sound.

She is very imaginative (like her daddy) and “makes believe" constantly. Mom thinks

Adele has my. temperment, but I don’t think so. She pays no attention to Mom's

commands and sort of teases her if she can. Adele listens to me, though I must be

extremely firm. I can't help spoiling her myself, but those occasions are fairly far

between. I give her plenty of love - you ought to know! As much as I am privileged

to shower my love on her there is a terrible loneliness in connection with my loving you. They are two completed different. feelings and while hers keeps me busy the other is constantly there - for you, Phil. 

Adele particularly likes my brother Jack. It's no wonder - he gives her whatever she asks for or desires. He has a way with kids. 

I taught Adele to give me a "quickie" kiss. I kiss her cheek, a short, quick kiss, and 
she immediately returns it. When I'm lying down, she comes over and puts her head down beside mine. 

Dot called. She has her package ready to send out, but lost the request. I think I have one that I can spare. Don't forget to send requests!! When I told Dot I had bought another coat she was surprised. I didn’t tell anyone outside of the family what I paid for the fur coat or where I got it - so --I got them all thinking. I said I had gotten it at an unusual bargain price. Ellie's baby has the chicken pox, at the tender age of 9 months. Dot seems quite broken up, though she won't admit it." I'm afraid 
I know her too well. She can't kid me, and I think she knows it.

You said in your letter of the 29th that you dreamed of me and played a dirty trick on yourself - what was it - I'm all ears..I thought the asterisk stood for "Home" and all that it implies, but now I don't know. Am I right? I hate to be teased, as you well know. Come on, baby, out with it - oops - better put it back (I'll be good - honest). All my love, sweetheart.

Your Chippie

March 7, 1944

Eve, dearest,

Received yours of 15 Feb with Anne Furr’s letter enclosed. The mail situation gets no better. After I receive your letter of 25 Feb.—I get one ten days older. Do you wonder that I'm all mixed up?

Lucky Yale and Shirley to be able to get a furlough every few months. But we are luckier, Ev, in many ways. I'm sure you appreciate what they are, so do not envy anyone anything, for in all likelihood, you are more to be envied.

After a typically routine day, Burdine and I went to the movie to see “Miracle of Morgan's Creek” with Betty Hutton and Eddie Bracken. I enjoyed this one immensely and was sore from laughing afterward. It was just one hilarious situation after another, and the theater was in an almost constant uproar. Betty Hutton is as sweet and appealing in some scenes as she is rowdy and boisterous in others. She has a wonderful sense of dramatics and humor (a rare combination). To my mind, she is not only one of the most pleasing actresses, she is also the cleverest. Mark, my word, Chippie, she will yet make her mark in “straight” roles, although I'd hate to see her give up her singing and clowning. Eddie Bracken, too, deserves high praise. He is the perfect foil for Hutton, and makes the most of it. His performance, always good, is exceptional in this picture. The story itself is both clever and original. I wouldn't spoil it for you by telling you about it. If you can possibly manage it, Sweet, see it.

Today being Tuesday, we had ice cream at supper. On Tuesdays, too, we “air out” our beds and since it is late and I have not yet reassembled my bunk, I'll have to cut this short. My love to you, Adele, and all the family.

Devotedly,

Your Phil