An Old Gang Gab Fest - Friday, September 1, 1961

The party tonight at Helen's house was a real good old gang gab fest. Those present were Helen, Mary Ellen, Linda Scott, Linda Severt, Judy Johnson, Shirley Bush, Ronna, Billie, Elizabeth, Phyllis and I. We invited Lee in for a few minutes when he came for Judy. He said, "This isn't the kind of party boys have. We don't sit around in circles." I finished my skirt but it could stand some rejuvenating. Well, I've got the hem to do yet. A sonic boom and a huge crash of thunder were enough noises for one day.

Still Hemming and Sewing - Thursday, August 31, 1961

Today in the way of sewing I finished hemming my quilted skirt, finished my blue dress, made a laundry bag, and started a skirt from the striped material I got from Grandma Kay for Christmas. I called Helen Birkey and she had been going to call me to ask Phyllis and me to a get-together at their place tomorrow night. I'd better start packing. It's only a week now. I think I lost a couple of weeks in here somewhere. I haven't done anything and yet I have.

Sewing, Mending and Hemming - Wednesday, August 30, 1961

More sewing today. In fact, I spent practically every spare moment at or near the machine. I just have the hem left on my dress. The belt started coming apart, too, so I'll have to fix that when I finish it. I'm shortening my red quilted skirt. It has over five yards around the hem. I'll have to hurry to get all my sewing, mending and hemming done before it's time to pack. I don't know where the time went all of the sudden. I wrote to Rae Goush.

We Go to See the Movie "Parrish" - Tuesday, August 29, 1961

Tonight Linda and Abbie, Phyllis, Virginia and I went to see the movie "Parrish." Linda drove. It was a very good show. It starred Troy Donahue of "Surfside Six" but I haven't watched TV enough to know him. I got dinner for Daddy again and sewed my dress collar on and made most of the belt. I finally got a letter from my original "Big Sister" after all this. She was in Phoenix so that is why I hadn't heard from her.

Mom and My Sisters Go Back to School - Monday, August 28, 1961

They went back to school today without me. I guess Virginia and Ann got along okay at junior high in Kalona. They didn't say a whole lot about it except for their studies. Virginia is taking as a ninth grader subjects we took as sophomores. Ann is in an advanced math class and will be ready for algebra in eighth grade. Mom only has 14 in Kindergarten. She is using the second grade room this year. I went to the eye doctor for my progress report. They're okay. I spent some time with Marilyn and another girl. I don't think Marilyn is looking forward to college as much as I am. 

Have Never Seen a Faster Summer Vacation - Sunday, August 27, 1961

In all my life I have never seen a faster summer vacation - and I'm not even going back tomorrow and had about a week before they did. Phyllis Crone and I were going to get together this weekend but something must have interfered. I wrote to my roommate and "Big Sister." My poor pen pals are really being neglected now with my college correspondence. Phyllis and Daddy rode the horses this afternoon. Gee, I can't snap my fingers yet! The kids all can. It will seem strange not to go back to school on the first day of school.

Still Working on the "Big Sister" Problem - Saturday, August 26, 1961

Today I got a letter from Sandy Mossiman - the one I wrote to about my big sister. As I already knew from Vivienne's letter, we do have both a "Big Sister" and a counselor, and since I haven't heard from Rae Goush, Sandy herself offered to be mine. This afternoon Mom, Virginia and Ann went to town and Phyllis and I helped with the hay. They brought me a pretty purple vase to give to Norma for Christmas. I was going to get a piece of "glass" for her in Kansas City but this way I won't have to worry about it getting broken.