Sleep, Sleep, Sleep - Monday, October 31, 1960

Halloween, Halloween, fun, fun, fun; goblins and witches, we run, run, run! I don't remember a worse Halloween, weather wise. And today was dress-up day. Ugh. Last night I had my windows open to cool my room off, now it's too cold! Some of my circles under my eyes are gone! Sleep, sleep, sleep! I'm going to bed in fairly good time again. It's contagious (sleep)!

Catching Up on Sleep - Sunday, October 30, 1960

We went to the restaurant in Keota for dinner. I rested all afternoon and was asleep while they were doing chores. I'm going to bed before 7:30 now--I've got to catch up on some sleep. Jim Orr came to borrow my college guide tonight for a Hawaiian boy at Coe. It has been such a rainy, dreary day. I wouldn't feel like studying if I did have to, and I do!?!

Senior Picture Beauty Appointment - Saturday, October 29, 1960

There is a bug in the bottom of  my ink jar. He looks like he's been there a long time. What a way to drown! The kids went to Iowa City with Mom. I might as well have gone. I didn't get anything done. I went down to Cuddebacks to call and get a beauty appointment for my hair next Saturday, my birthday. I'm going to have it styled for my senior picture. I also called Marilyn. Oh, for accomplishment!

Mid-Prairie Loses For First Time - Friday, Ocober 28, 1960

It was a sad bunch at Mid-Prairie tonight. Enough said! Regina beat us by seven points. We got to thinking we were too good and got paid back, I suppose. We didn't stay for the Honor Society dance. I went home with Helen Birkey after school. I like her family and home and it was a lot of fun. We ate at the pancake supper and then served. It was tiring work.

Tests All Week - Thursday, October 27, 1960

It seem like we've had nothing but tests all week--our third one (this one a quiz that I got all right) this week in chemistry, one that lasted three days in French (I got a B+ on my French conversation with Shirley). We had a unit test in government on Tuesday, and we're doing rate and power building reading tests in English. Phyllis has been having me help her with geometry. It's as hard for her as algebra was for me. Men math teachers!

School Paper Stencils - Wednesday, October 26, 1960

Phyllis and Virginia have gone skating tonight, Mom is at Lodge, and Daddy and Ann are in bed. Maybe I better stay up to see if the kids need a ride home, but I can see me driving the Dodge at night! I stayed after school to work on the paper. Not one kid stayed to type stencils. Grr! We had a class meeting and decided  to have our pictures taken at Driscolls. One of my classmates really makes me mad. I've got to get over it. It's a different kind of "mad" than usual.

Late With Chores - Tuesday, October 25, 1960

Jeffery Dean is the name of Patty and Delbert's baby boy born this morning at 4:00. It was supposed to be November 4, and I was even hoping for a birthday present! We were late with chores tonight since Daddy was helping Hal with his pigs. So it's almost 10:00, but maybe that's not too late to study,once in a while. But it seems like I haven't done anything.

Chemistry Terms - Monday, October 24, 1960

I spent about the whole evening writing chemistry terms and still don't know them. If I could only do just chemistry in my two morning study halls following class and my other subjects at night, French first. The school paper looks wonderful for as little as I did on it. I'm glad it's that way. I believe I'll have co-editors if I'm ever a school publications advisor. Those kitties from Rosses sure are cute.

Youth Fellowship Skating Party - Sunday, October 23, 1960

We had youth fellowship tonight because Mr. Peters couldn't remember we weren't supposed to have had a meeting Wednesday night. (He thought we were but didn't, so called one for tonight.) It was discussion only and I guess we're having a  skating party this Wednesday. Oh, joy! I read the supplementary reading in one of the other government books and did a little French and chemistry.

A Kitten Apiece - Saturday, October 22, 1960

Phyllis called Linda up a while ago and she said nobody made All-State, so I guess I didn't miss anything. However, Frank Stransky didn't even go! This afternoon we girls went over to Rosses and picked out four cute little kittens. They had seven to give away. Mine is yellow and named Tarzan. I think I'll let him keep that name. It sure seems like this day has gone fast, and I'm sleepy again.

Teaching Second Grade - Friday, October 21, 1960

Another Mid-Prairie victory, our sixth straight! We went to Cedar Rapids tonight and the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks beat the Prairie Hawks 26-0. It was their homecoming. I taught the Wellman second graders for about an hour and a half today. I bet they think I'm an old hag--they clapped when their teacher got back.

Pancake Supper Tickets - Thursday, October 20, 1960

These weeks are sure going fast. We'll be gaduating before we know it--we wonder where commencement will be. I don't have to go to All-State. It would have been fun, but I'm just as glad, since I'm so busy anyway. There's something I should see about but am forgetting, I think.The band is selling tickets for the Wellman Lions Club pancake supper.We are taking reading tests in English. Having no assignments is nice.

PSAT Test - Wednesday, October 19, 1960

Back to school, although I had the morning off to take the PSAT test. It was pretty hard, of course, but I think it was easier than the National Merit Qualifyig Test. I may not have to go to Cedar Rapids to try out for All-State after all, if Frank Stransky goes in my place. I hope I catch up on all of my work shortly. I love weekends, even if so far they've been nothing but school-catcher-uppers.

Iowa State - Tuesday, October 18, 1960

Mom got me up at 4:15 and Tom Bauer came and got me at 5:00. Then at 5:30 Mrs.Fordyce, Tom, Shirley, Mary Ellen, Curtis, Richard and I left for Ames. It's a nice campus but old and sort of crowded looking compared to Iowa City. Jack Shelley was the main speaker.We had a jolly good time all day. Mary Ellen and I rode backwards (back seat of station wagon) all the way home.We got home (or I did) at 8:00.

"Characteristics of a Good Friend" - Monday, October 17, 1960

I'm trying to beat my 9:00 deadline to bed since I have to leave by 5:00 in the morning for Ames. I'm just letting my homework go since I won't be in school tomorrow anyway. I filled out a questionnaire for the sophomore English class on "characteristics of a good friend." I pressed my blue suit for tomorrow.

Belgian Congo Missionary - Sunday, October 16, 1960

Surprisingly enough, I came along pretty good with my homework this weekend. I'm almost ready to type my government paper, and I got some more of my chemistry workbook done. We had a retired missionary to the Belgian Congo speak at church this morning. Cuddebacks came this afternoon and then Bishops (but not the boys) were here.

State Marching Band Contest - Saturday, October 15, 1960

We won last night, 20-6. I bet North English is having a fit! This afternoon the band went down to Mt. Pleasant to watch the state marching band contest. It was a cold and dreary day. We went back to the Wellman golf club for a hamburger supper. I didn't get up till 11:20 this morning, so I haven't had a chance to get much work done. I'm still sleepy.

Happy Birthday, President Eisenhower - Friday, October 14, 1960

I'm sure keeping my fingers crossed that we are beating English Valley tonight. They have a winning streak of 15 and maybe 28 (no one knows for sure) games. Phyllis went but I decided to stay home and study. Daddy has been looking at my college catalogs. I think he likes Sterling, Tarkio and Monmouth but thinks it doesn't make too much difference. Before our group started our discussion in English we stood up with the flag and sang Happy Birthday to President Eisenhower!

Pirates Win World Series - Thursday, October 13, 1960

Last week's homecoming has really gotten me down this week. I'm so sleepy. The Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Yankees 10-9 today for the World Series. We got to listen in both government and English classes. It was really a good game. If I could only catch up on sleep, I bet I could make straight A's! Ha. I almost dread to think of all the outside things coming up. I'll be in five towns (not counting football) within the next month.

Youth Fellowship Hay Ride - Wednesday, October 12, 1960

Tonight the McDowells took over  and sponsored a youth fellowship party. Peters are in Pella for a convention. Daddy took us on a hay ride and Mom got the refreshments ready. I talked to Mr. Sawyer about college today. So far it was pretty preliminary. He talked quite a lot about Coe--but I'm going out of state, I think. I got an A- on my government test, missed four. My chemistry is suffering badly.

General Electric Assembly Program - Tuesday, October 11, 1960

Mom is up at some Lodge doings tonight. The Social Circle served the supper. I was supposed to wait tables, but it was my night to do chores. I blew a fuse in the barn. Just trying to feed the dogs! We had an interesting General Electric assembly program this morning. I wish I wasn't tired so that I could do a little homework well. Thank heavens, we don't have a lot!

Phone Conversation in Washington - Monday, October 10,1960

Tonight after school it was Phyllis and my turn to go to town while Mom washed. I bought a $2.00 red skirt length--I decided I needed some more splash and spark among my winter skirts. The government test wsn't too bad--I hope! I got a B+ on my French test, had hoped for better. I did have to give my speech. Ugh! I got a B+ on the last one. I hope this one's good for an A-! I talked to Marilyn on the phone.

Some Teachers Ride Horses - Sunday, October 9, 1960

After church we went out to Dusenberrys for a picnic. Daddy rode out on Duke and took Zig-Zag along. Miss Collett, Miss Asby, Miss Gerling, Miss Orr, Pearl and some other people were there. They took five horses around the mile and we followed up with the tractor and hay rack. We really looked like an expedition! I hope I don't have to give my speech till Tuesday. I also dread our government test.

Mom Campaigns - Saturday, October 8, 1960

Just one month till the presidential election. Mom did her part for the Republican party by going to about six houses with and about information. Nixon himself said last summer that his party would cover every house in the country.  I only slept till about 9:00 this morning, but I've been too lazy to get much (and I haven't got much) work done. I wrote my English speech to gain action on "How to Write Checks."

Float Wins First Prize - Friday, October 7, 1960

For me, a highlight of Mid-Prairie's first homecoming was the fact that our senior float, "Let's Feather Our Nest," won first prize. I did enough as chairman of the committee! Also, after a year of waiting, our new dyed black band uniforms arrived just in time for homecoming. We beat Camanche 49-6. In English class we gave impromtu speeches, but they didn't get around to me. Some of them were hilarious.

Homecoming King and Queen - Thursday, October 6, 1960

The only reason I'm not working on the float tonight is that I forgot my purse (and driver's license) after school so couldn't drive to Wellman tonight. We went with Peters to the pep rally. Ross Rhodes is homecoming king and Judy Johnson is queen. Everyone got big black and gold Mid-Prairie High School homecoming buttons. They must have decided we deserved presents for the way we've all cooperated at Mid-Prairie.

Float Shapes Up Fast - Wednesday, October 5, 1960

I hadn't planned to work on our float tonight but ended up going over with Mom as one of our chaperones. It really shaped up fast tonight, and there weren't too many people working. Mrs. Frazier postponed our French test a day and Mr.Jones let our government test go until Monday. I have found my chemistry workbook. I have to get busy in that now.

Progress on Float is Slow - Tuesday, October 4, 1960

I went over to work on our float again and took Lillian and Irene Hole along for driving company. Our float is progressing slowly but surely (?). Some boy broke one of the cans of gold paint. Thank heavens the kids are going ahead on their own. I got my three pocket books, one a French dictionary. Phyllis went to the movie Psycho with Linda Pence.

District Teachers Convention - Monday, October 3, 1960

The teachers (including Mom) went to the district teachers convention at Burlington, so we didn't have school. We went to town this morning to wash. I got a red handkerchief in with the white stuff, so we'll have pink socks for a week. I got the chicken wire, some paint and cardboard for our float. We got going pretty good on it tonight. (Holding my breath.) I at least got my government paper on city government written.

50-Star Flag for Church - Sunday, October 2, 1960

We had youth fellowship. We're going to start having our meetings on Wednesday night for a while. We went up to Peters afterwards for popcorn. I can just see my grades (and the senior float) about Friday. I'm going to have to buckle down before all my French gets away from me! We had Communion today. The church has a new 50-star and a new Christian flag.

Band Day in Town - Saturday, October 1, 1960

This afternoon was Band Day in town. Boy, what a life. Phyllis and I are going to owe Virginia and Ann about a trillion nights for chores. Shirley Bush helped me get the float "all planned." I guess we'll spray paint newspaper. Mom went to Saturday classes this morning. I did some ironing but sure didn't get the house cleaned or the grass mowed.