30 Oct October 30, 1944

Letter
from: Mrs. G. Shonkwiler
to: Pvt George W. Shonkwiler
October 30, 1944
Monday, 4:00 P.M.

Hye, honey,

Thought I’d write now, as I’m going to the post office in a few minutes to mail
you another 5 lb. request pkg.  This time it contains Barbasol, Ipana toothpaste
and aspirin (although I couldn’t get Bayer in the 100 tablet size, hope these
will serve the same purpose).  Even Ipana toothpaste is hard to get, as I went
to 2 stores before I got it.  I also put some candy in the box, altho I couldn’t
get very much in, as we’re allowed only 5 lbs.  Well someday you’ll get all the
boxes I’ve sent (15 in all, or is it 16 with this one?)  and you’ll have a big
feast.  I suppose some of the things will spoil, but maybe not.

I got two letters from you today, one dated Oct. 12th, and the other the 19th,
so that makes a 7 day lapse, but I suppose I’ll get them later.

I imagine one reason you’re getting such poor service in your mail, is

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the fact that it’s so close to Christmas and the post office is rushed with all
the Christmas boxes etc.

I’m glad to hear you’re finally getting some of your mail, anyway, even if it
is old stuff.

Can’t say it’s my fault as I’m still writing every day and have been since you
left with the exception of probably once a month, and that’s pretty good, I’d
say!

4:30 P.M.
Mrs. Dixon just stopped in so I was delayed a bit, but Elinor isn’t here yet,
anyway, so I can’t leave until she comes as Ronnie is still in bed.

About noon today Elinor’s girlfriend, Sue, from Pullman called and asked if she
could come over for lunch as she is on vacation and had an hour to kill before
she was due at the dentist’s office.  She brought a quart of chop suey, so we
ate that and some pie and coffee, then I took her back to 111th

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and Michigan to keep her appointment.  While there I bought your aspirin,
toothpaste, etc., so didn’t make the trip in vain.

Seems I had planned to do so much today, but got very little of it done between
visitors.  As long as I’m writing you now, I’ll have all evening to sew on my
jumper and do some mending.  Doesn’t it sound exciting?

Almost forgot the Pullman dance was last Saturday, but we didn’t attend, so you
see I’m just an ideal stay-at-home wife.  Oh well, I’ll make up for it when you
come back.  We’ll have dinner out twice a week, and go dancing and to movies
galore.  (Oh well, I can dream, can’t I?  Of course it will be up to you to
suggest doing all these things, as I’ll never ask you to take me out.  That
would be to hum-drum and not like I want my marriage to be - I hope!)

Gladys called just called and wanted me and

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Ronnie to come out next weekend, and I said I would.  She doesn’t have to work
on Saturdays so I’ll probably go out Sat. morning.  I’ll take the South Shore,
as I don’t have enough gas to go by car, and anyway what I do have I think, I’ll

use if I go to Rockford soon.  Just think Chuck’s baby is about 7 weeks old and
I haven’t seen it yet.

I still haven’t heard anything from Claude and Joe since I sent them that baby
gift, but Gladys said she hasn’t heard anything either, and she sent them a
gift, too.  Oh well, maybe people don’t send "thank you" notes anymore.

By the way, please send a list of people and children that I should give
Christmas cards and gifts to, as that would be a big help.

Well, bye, Darling, and remember we’ll keep on waiting for you and loving you
until you return, so don’t worry on that score.

Bye, love,
Mom and Ronnie

P.S.
Gladys says she just got a letter last Friday from you dated Sept. 30th, so
it took 4 weeks which isn’t good either.