A Tremendously Interesting Year - December 31, 1963

1963 will soon be over - in 20 more minutes. With a few exceptions, it has been a most wonderful and tremendously interesting year. So many nice things have happened to me and I've done so much. It's always interesting to recall past New Year's Eves. This was a quiet one - I spent it reading Phyllis's and my letters home for this trimester. Phyllis and I went to town this morning. Dr. Smith decided to get my glasses changed somehow since my eyelashes were rubbing against the lenses. Phyllis got her hair trimmed and set. I bought a new winter coat, $40, on sale for $21, at Wards. It looks as good as any other I've seen - blue, nice lines, with a gray "mink" removable collar. It seems such a short time ago that I began this diary. I can't believe the speed of Father Time, who's just about to make another "new" appearance.

Right on Schedule - Monday, December 30, 1963

My train got to Fairfield right on schedule. It really must have been the first time in history. Beginning at 3:30 there was an eclipse of the moon. I looked out once. My grades came today: teaching of reading, A-; theory and technique, B+; personality, C+; social problems, C+; psychological statistics, C; and physiological psychology, D. That's bad, but at least I didn't flunk it. That course! I got a letter from Fred. He is a good letter writer. Betty drove and we girls went to Iowa City with her, and Mom took Orlena, Florence and Mrs. Woodford to the ceramics shop. I looked for a winter coat but didn't find any I liked. I called Mrs. MacDonald. Tonight Mom, Grandma, Marion and I went to Rubio to a shower for Carole Jungbluth Bishop.

Hawks and Meadowlarks - Sunday, December 29, 1963

Dr. Nix and his brother-in-law drove me to Stillwell this afternoon to the train. The 2:00 train was 40 minutes late. As it was, I wondered if we'd ever get there "by 2:00" - I didn't know the exact scheduled time, although I hoped Mr. Nix did - since the two of them - bird watchers - had to slow down to look at every hawk and meadowlark we passed. We drove through the Cookson Hills. I saw more of the Ozarks on the train. We went through Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas and back to Missouri. We went through Neosho (Gloria and her mother had driven over for the wedding). Evelyn had told me to look for the pink house where they used to live in Pittsburg, Kansas, but it was dark when we got there. We got to Kansas City at 8:30, a nice amount of time to make the connection with the train to Fairfield. For the first time in history it was leaving on time so I put through the fastest long distance call in history and ran to catch it.

Vivien Was a Beautiful Bride - Saturday, December 28, 1963

The wedding was lovely and Vivien was a beautiful bride. Everyone commented on the pretty cranberry velveteen bridesmaids' dresses. They all turned out very much alike. We had a bridesmaids' luncheon today at the home of a former Sunday School teacher of Vivien's. Regina Stuewe Carlson and her husband from St. Louis were here when we got back to Nixes. I visited with her (as did Vivien) while we all did last minute things. About 5:30 Vivien and I went to the Hagerstrands (their house looks like a model home for Better Homes and Gardens) where Vivien and the attendants had the use of a huge bedroom and two baths to get ready for the wedding. The ceremony (I almost got dizzy standing), picture taking, reception and receiving line were as usual. We three helped Vivien get ready to leave, and then, amidst rice throwing, guess who caught the bridal bouquet! There are several guests at Nixes now, but I excused myself when Regina and Ken left.      

Helping Vivien and Charlie - Friday, December 27, 1963

Mrs. Nix let Vivien and me sleep late this morning. We felt guilty, but I guess we needed it. I helped Mrs. Nix get ready for a buffet lunch for Charlie, his sister, parents and brother-in-law. Roosevelt Rostagan, Charlie's roommate from Iran, got here after lunch. After helping him get settled at the Grovers, Vivien and I went to the courthouse (a landmark in this quaint Indian town) to get the marriage license, took her going-away outfit to Sally's house, where the reception will be, and took my dress to the cleaners to be pressed. The rehearsal was at 6:00, and then we went to a nice new restaurant for the rehearsal dinner. Their minister's wife, the former Joyce Graff, grew up in Washington, knows the [West Chester] Stephens girls, and used to go with Don Argo. Small world! The attendants helped Vivien and Charlie pack wedding gifts tonight.

In Oklahoma for Wedding - Thursday, December 26, 1963

Varners stopped for me at 7:30 this morning and drove me to Kansas City where I directed them to the train station. We got there at 1:30 and the train for Tulsa left at 5:00. I called Evelyn while I waited. I wanted to call Fred but I couldn't remember the name of the people he's staying with and the number wasn't in the student directory as I had thought. (I spent some time looking through the E's in the phone directory!) Vivien and her parents met my train. It takes about two hours to get to Tahlequah from Tulsa. We drove past the Northeastern campus. Two Hundred North Street isn't what I pictured it as, but it's very nice. Vivien and I are going to have to clear wedding presents off her bed so we can sleep in it.

It Was a Nice Christmas - Wednesday, December 25, 1963

It was a nice Christmas. We had dinner at Grandma's. I called Vivien to tell her I'd get to Tulsa at 10:00 tomorrow night. I also talked to Grandma Kay when Mom called to Ohio. I guess I'm about packed to go to Oklahoma. For Christmas I received a pink sweater, Cotillion perfume and talc, shoe tote bag, red and white blouses, diary, and slippers from Santa Claus, soap from Phyl, slippers from Virginia, a pin from Ann, lint brush from Schwartzes, money from Grandma Kay, desk sorter and coat hanger from Grandma and Grandpa. I must get to bed - otherwise I'm going to feel tired one of these times at the wrong time!

Bridesmaid's Dress About Finished - Tuesday, December 24, 1963

Well, we have the dress finished except for the hem. After it hangs for a night, it won't be hard to finish up. I had it on with my matching heels tonight and it looks real nice. I finished writing Christmas cards and sent the ones I had left over to the girls in Stephens. A little late I realize, but better late than not at all. I guess I didn't do much else today. Virginia reset the sleeves in the dress after I had gotten in too big a hurry, and Mom did a lot of the sewing, too. I wrapped my gifts for the family. So it's another Christmas Eve.

A Visit at the Journal Office - Monday, December 23, 1963

We went to town this morning. I had an appointment to see about my glasses. I need new lenses and I picked out new frames - black metal with silver trim. Poor Fred - these will probably gouge him worse than the plastic ones did! I got a pretty good start on my dress but will have to start over on the sleeves. I went in to the Journal office this morning. Everyone was glad to see me. I met Dallas Kinney, Bob Elliot's replacement. I did a little shopping, too, and got Vivien and Charlie a wedding present - a luncheon cloth set. Mom and the girls did the wash, though I guess Virginia stayed home and did her share here cleaning house.

Sunday School Christmas Program - Sunday, December 22, 1963

Tonight was the Sunday School Christmas program. The youth fellowship had a candlelight service. I intended to write Christmas cards this afternoon but didn't get very far. I got Evelyn's Christmas present - a madras plaid handbag - ready to mail. Varners are at Grandma's. Jeff and Calvin are really a pair - never a dull moment with those two around. Betty Peters was in a bad mood today, but finally tonight she got a little more spark in her. Any place is what you make of it, so her medical technique school in Minneapolis can't be that bad. I guess I'll stay up and write some cards.

All Night in Union Station - Saturday, December 21, 1963

My train never left the station until 5:00 this morning, so we got to Fairfield at 10:00, and home at 11:00. Luckily I called for the second time last night at about 3:00 and told them - just as they were about ready to leave for Fairfield - that we hadn't left yet and they might as well go back to bed. It was disgusting in a way, yet funny, too, to sit all night in the train station after four hours sleep the night before. The train was cold, too, but I slept three hours, waking up each hour. Mom and I got the dress cut out this afternoon. Traveling sort of interfered with my plans this time! I slept a while this afternoon. Ann, Mom, Daddy and I decorated the church tree tonight.

An A on Resource Unit - Friday, December 20, 1963

It's such a feeling of relief to be done with finals. I can't believe the trimester is over - it went so fast. Fred was over for an hour before and after supper. His mother is getting here by jet in the morning. Karon hasn't seen her since she started college. I really didn't think the physiological final was bad at all. At any rate, I'm not going to worry any more about it. I couldn't work - satisfactorily, I doubt - a statistics problem in the theory and technique test - after a semester of psychological statistics! Here's hoping Mr. Carey doesn't remember I was taking it! I got an A on my resource unit.

Personality Test Out of the Way - Thursday, December 19, 1963

For some remarkable reason I don't feel very tired in spite of the fact that I've been going like I have. Physiological psychology - there's just too much to learn - so maybe I won't. Horrors! I took the personality test today to get it out of the way. It was hard, but I hope I came out okay for the course. Dean Gibson wasn't there so I took it in the old public relations office. I got a C- on the soc test and a C+ for the course. He graded each question and I got a B on the one I nearly lost sleep worrying that it would flunk me!?!

Christmas Dinner in Commons - Wednesday, December 18, 1963

Well, so far pretty good - I hope. I made three attempts, everyone else two, before I got the social problems test taken. First of all, I had memorized the finals schedule wrong - it was at 10:15, not 8:00. Then at 10:15 Mr. Gibson didn't show up because he thought the test was to be at 3:00! So we had to take it tonight at 6:30. Now I have to study for my personality test which I want to take tomorrow at 1:00. They finally got around to serving a Christmas dinner in Commons.

An Advent Tryst in Our Room - Tuesday, December 17, 1963

I didn't finish my resource outline until almost 4:00. I got it over to Mackay just in time to meet Mr. Carey on his way home. Such luck - also I finished my last page on the last line, so that there wasn't any gap between it and the part that I had done earlier beginning at the top of a page. I don't feel tired for having gotten up at 4:30, but I'm afraid I'm running out of time just the same. I was in charge of an Advent Tryst in our room tonight. I guess I'm the new Lucerne president. I only had time to see Fred at meals today.

A Picture From Fred - Monday, December 16, 1963

I'm afraid I'm going to have to risk a late paper for Mr. Carey - I'm just getting started on the "developing the unit" part of my resource unit outline. Except for going to class and some time with Fred, I spent the entire day working on it. Fred Alexander Haenisch gave me a picture tonight. We've been having fun teasing Evelyn by calling her Edna (her first name), so we decided Jim, Fred and I could be called by our middle names! What fun we don't have - at the same time, I'm still worried about everything I have to do.

Christmas Presents For Each Other - Sunday, December 15, 1963

Fred gave me my Christmas present tonight and I gave him his. He gave me a pretty cultured pearl and diamond set pendant on a sterling silver chain. I gave him a slide viewer. Between devoting time to Fred and and working on my resource unit, I passed the day in a hurry. I called Phyllis about going home, but she had to call back since the Tarkio switchboard was out of order and I couldn't get through. Nickel and Stephens went Christmas caroling tonight - Hawley, Herr House and the President's House. It was real nice - but cold!

More Library Gems - Saturday, December 14, 1963

I went back to Kansas City and got some stuff at the library. Some children's books about Kansas City will be gems - now to put it all together. I can't believe what I have to do in less than a week. Oh well, so we live or die. I picked up the shoes I had dyed for Vivien's wedding. I got Fred a slide viewer for Christmas. It was so crowded in the city - yet I ran into Vivien and Charlie, Sharon MacEachern and Janet Eger within 15 minutes. I guess Varners are going to Iowa on Wednesday or Thursday rather than stopping here as they thought they might be able to do.

"Steady" Boyfriends and Studies - Friday, December 13, 1963

I've still got some things to learn - like how to make a graceful leave-taking - if I was tired before Fred came at 11:00, then I'm bound to be dead by morning (12:45 now). He's wonderful. I always wondered how girls found time for both "steady" boyfriends and studies. It's not hard! I only wish finals weren't this week. I've never seen time go so fast. I worked for an hour tonight, then came back for our nice Stephens party with our stockings. The Morrills and Mr. Gibson were here. I got a B+ on the personality paper I threw together in such a hurry.

Two Gems in the Library - Thursday, December 12, 1963

I got up at 5:30 (first attempt was 5:00) to read phys psych. I also studied it tonight at the library. We didn't have statistics so I spent the afternoon reading existential psychology. We had an LLC meeting at 6:15 - Fred walked me over. Evelyn knows what my Christmas present is. I must get Fred something. I can't believe the speed at which these days are passing. I found two gems in the library - one of sample units and one of books for children in social studies.

"Happy First Snowfall" - Wednesday, December 11, 1963

I practically threw together the paper for personality. I hope it passes. I couldn't believe that Mr. Colliver would actually not hold class - he even came in and told us there wouldn't be any. I think everyone is operating in a trance of some kind. Right now I'm literally tired and hungry, but also more determined than I've been for a while. Hope that's a good sign. Tonight was "Happy First Snowfall." It began last evening. I first saw it when I left the library. Fred and I didn't go traying [sliding down Mackay hill on cafeteria trays], but we did go to the J. R. for cocoa and doughnuts for a study break.

To Kansas City by Bus - Tuesday, December 10, 1963

It's getting worse. I wasted most of a good evening when I could have been writing my paper on the control of human behavior. Here's hoping in the morning _____. I made use of the 3:30 and 6:00 buses to spend an hour and 45 minutes at the library in Kansas City getting information. I don't know if it was really worth my time (may have gotten the same here) but as it was, it felt "constructive." It was snowing when I left the library to come back to the bus station. I got word that Fred wanted me to call him tonight so I did. He sounds so nice on the phone. But then he is nice all the time.

B on Social Problems Test - Monday, December 9, 1963

I really sweated out the hour during physiological psychology since just before class I heard that of the nine who took the social problems make-up test, there was one B and eight failed it. I could hardly believe it to be true when I got the B and have hardly ever been so relieved. I'm getting groggy. I might be ahead to give up. Soon the crucial hours will really be here - I can't believe that I'm still procrastinating studying loads of material that must be done before the term's end. Now my procrastination in any one subject is because I'm frantically working in another course. Yes, it's bad this time alright. Sometimes I wonder about me. Fred says: "Mele Kalikimaka, Hau 'oli Makahikikou."

Bridal Showers - Sunday, December 8, 1963

I just got back from a shower for Vivien. Sue instigated it, but I "helped" a little. I really had meant to give a shower for Vivien since I'm a bridesmaid, but time sort of got away. This afternoon I went to one for Kathy in Alumni. I got Vivien sheets and pillowcases and went in with Evelyn and Nancy for an iron for Kathy. I went to church with Fred and then to the choir concert with him. I turned down going to Dearing's open house. It's about the homework element - I did get some reading done today.

Missouri Valley Room - Saturday, December 7, 1963

I spent the day at the library in Kansas City doing research for my resource unit outline. I made some progress. I got there at 8:30 on the bus, so spent a half hour window shopping until time for the library to open. I used references in the Missouri Valley Room. It's a real nice room on the third floor, all reference books. We decorated the Stephens Christmas tree tonight. Fred came over to help. I must be in a daze these days.

Nervous When Eating - Friday, December 6, 1963

Fred took me to see "To Kill a Mockingbird" tonight. We went to the second show after I got off work. Breakfast, lunch and dinner with him, and he walked me up to the health center. There's only one thing that's slightly embarrassing. Whenever I'm eating, I get "nervous" and can't eat - consequently I sit over a half eaten meal. Meanwhile, I'm starving to death! I guess I'm taking this a little too seriously. After all, Fred's human and I've got to eat to live and also pass six courses. The social problems make-up test was okay. I was surprised to see one of the military men taking it - he's tremendous in class discussions, yet got D's on the tests.

Course Worries - Thursday, December 5, 1963

We are about to hear the results of who will be new Stephens residents next semester. Our house meeting didn't last as long as we thought - there's just too much to do. If we're not careful _____ almost everyone seems to have course worries, so I guess I'm not the only one. We went to see the Singers' Show tonight - I guess Margie was looking funny at Jim and Evelyn and Fred and me. I went down to Parkville with Margie and Judy Cox this afternoon. I sent Mrs. Cowan a wooden salt and pepper shaker set for Christmas.

Slides of Hawaii and New York - Wednesday, December 4, 1963

Fred showed me some slides he had taken in Hawaii and New York. There were a lot of pretty ones. He and Jim have still been coming to take Evelyn and me to breakfast. I'm hungry - how awful - I can't help it if I "can't eat." I'm going to have to do something about my courses - I've never been this bad off. It really frightens me. I just hope and pray I'll come out okay in the end. There is so much extra stuff, too. I'm supposed to be helping Sue with Vivien's shower - so it goes. I guess less sleep will have to be the answer.

Bridal Shower Gifts - Tuesday, December 3, 1963

Evelyn drove in to get her mother and sister at the depot this morning and I went along. I made a hurried purchase at Penney's in North Kansas City - sheets and pillow cases for Vivien's shower Sunday night. Then Nancy, Evelyn and I went down to Parkville at 4:00 and looked around the hardware store until we decided on an iron for Kathy Gillespie's shower. I've got to get Mrs. Cowan a Christmas present. Fred played songs on Pat Frost's ukulele tonight and was teaching me how to play. After talking with Fred until 7:30 and going to the library, I went with Nancy to the chapel and read while she listened to music apprec records.

December Again Already - Monday, December 2, 1963

It doesn't seem possible that it's December again already. I've almost given up on trying to keep up with time. Pay day was today. Since I worked every Friday at the health center last month, I got $49.20 this time. By the way, my bank balance at home was $80 more than I thought it was. That was sure a nice surprise! The personality test wasn't too bad at all, I don't think. I hope I got a B on it. Then maybe I can get a B for the course. I wrote (finally) my two observation evaluations for theory and technique. We have to do self-teaching units on statistics for that course. At least, maybe my psych statistics background will help.

Hawley's Open House - Sunday, December 1, 1963

Fred took me to Hawley's open house tonight. Their rooms and Christmas decorations were real nice. Evelyn went along. Afterwards a group of us sang Christmas carols around the piano. That was really neat. We sat in Stephens lounge for another 45 minutes and talked. He's such a nice guy. Today was Communion Sunday (beginning of Advent). This year we go up to the altar instead of having it passed. Evelyn and I studied in Mackay his afternoon and the library tonight. Personality test tomorrow - gotta' get up at 6:00.