Ann Helped Virginia Make Christmas Cookies - Monday, December 24, 1962

Christmas eve once again. The years go by so fast. I wrote a few Christmas cards this evening. I'm really late getting mine sent out this year. I got Margie's package ready and mailed it to her. This afternoon Mom and I drove to Wellman. Phyllis's colored picture was supposed to be ready, but we found out it wasn't after all. She got Ann a few more presents and we got some groceries. It seems like I'm wasting my time, but maybe a few days of doing nothing is good for me. At least I don't need to feel guilty about not getting any homework done. Virginia made Christmas cookies almost all day. Ann helped her some.

Luggage and a Card Table and Chairs - Sunday, December 23, 1962

Today we had the annual dinner and gift exchange at Grandma's. I got a pretty little brown coin purse from Grandma. All of the families together got Grandma and Grandpa a set of luggage for Christmas. This evening I helped Mom wrap up the card table and chairs she bought as the church's gift to Peterses.  The Sunday School program was tonight. For once I just sat in the audience (what there was of it) and enjoyed the whole thing. The college didn't even let us out in time to send Christmas cards to get there on time hardly, so since I haven't gotten around to mine, I guess they'll really be late.

Saw the Very Nice Mid-Prairie High School - Saturday, December 22, 1962

This morning I went with Phyllis over to Wellman to get her senior pictures and then we went out to get Virginia, Diana and Kathy who were helping decorate for the Christmas dance. Phyllis showed me around the new school. It's really nice. The meeting room for the school board has a big table and blue leather chairs! This afternoon we went to town. I got Margie a curler bag for Christmas (that's what she wanted) and that was the extent of my shopping. Patty and Delbert came on to Grandma's last night rather than spend the night in Boone since they thought the weather might get bad.

Train Was Three and a Half Hours Late - Friday, December 21, 1962

The train was three and a half hours late leaving Kansas City so we didn't get to Fairfield till 5:15 and didn't get home till 6:00. I didn't go to bed till after they left for school, then lay down and slept till they came home at 1:30 - not quite as bad as last year! I got to ride in a parlor car since the coach was filled up, but it was the last car on the train and didn't have any heat till 4:00. A man who works for the Rock Island, two girls going to Chicago, and I about froze! Phyllis and I went to the two girls basketball games at Kalona tonight. I visited with several of the college crowd.

Christmas Shopping in Kansas City - Thursday, December 20, 1962

I finished my finals with the French standardized test this morning. I checked on my soc grade with Mr. Gibson and found I only got a C for the course! The first low blow! He said he was sorry, but I told him it was my fault. I have him for ed psych next trimester so thought "well enough" was best left alone. I then went down to talk to Rev. Seamans about a scholarship contest, came back to Hawley and decided to pack, eat, clean the room and change clothes in time to go in to Kansas City on the 1:00 bus to Christmas shop. Vivien was going in, too, so we shopped till time for her 4:45 train. I took a taxi to the depot (my arm was nearly paralyzed after carrying my suitcase down to Parkville).

Called Home for First Time - Wednesday, December 19, 1962

I took the religion test tonight instead of this morning. My studying all day for it (I couldn't be ready for it this morning with my history test, too, I discovered), I'm not sure did me that much good. I hope I got a C on it. The history test I found to my liking, though, thank heavens! Well, fast changes again find me going home by train tomorrow night after all. Patty called to say Esteps can't come since their baby's sick. I called home then - first time. I don't know why our family doesn't make a practice of calling more often. Well, now to start packing! Hurrah, I'm going home! Thank heavens it's about over - that homework grind!

French, Sociology Finals Were Two Hours - Tuesday, December 18, 1962

I have done nothing today but take two tests - French and soc - two hours each - and study and hope and pray. All I can say is, that if I live (and pass both my history and religion finals), by this time tomorrow night I'll be the happiest person alive.