10 Apr April 10, 1944

Letter
from: Alice Shonkwiler
to: Pvt George W. Shonkwiler
April 10, 1944
9:35 P.M. Monday

Hello, honey,

Well, I’m back safe and sound and we’re both in the best of health, so hope all
your worries are over now.  I didn’t have any trouble finding the way and today
on the way back I must not have been going too fast, as the white State Police
car passed me up.

I did have a bit of trouble today tho, as I was making a "U" turn and went
just a

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wee bit on the shoulder of the road and it was soft and my back wheel got stuck
in the mud.  A couple of fellows with a truck and chain pulled me out.  I gave
them a dollar, but guess they didn’t think it was very much, but after all it
only took them 5 minutes.  I was lucky to get out, anyway.  Outside of that I
had no trouble whatsoever. Does that make you happy?

Murray was over this afternoon, and he said all you worried about was your car.
Is that right?

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By the way he sold his house yesterday.  He didn’t get $9,000, but he didn’t say
how much he got.  This couple he sold it to are about 50 years old, and they
were concerned about whether or not this was a quiet neighborhood.  Just wait
till all the kids in the neighborhood start playing war like they did last year.
Also Judy and Ronnie in the backyard raising Cain.  (Will they be sorry!)

I’m sure disappointed in

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having old folks for neighbors, but guess there’s nothing I can do.  [I] Hope
they aren’t disagreeable.  Murray said they barely looked at the house.  Didn’t
even look in the bedrooms upstairs.  Just said they’d take it.  Of course he
has to pay Brants a commission, as they sold it.  These people had to move out
of their apt. and were desperate for a place to live.  I think he said the
fellow is [a] manager of some Co.  I can’t remember what tho.

Ronnie got an Easter card from Marge and Murray and one

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from Oralee.  Elinor gave him an adorable yellow bunny (about 18" long) with
blue and red overalls on.  Edamae gave him a white bunny eating an orange
carrot modeled out of Castile Soap.  Chuck and Betty gave him a big Easter
basket of candy.  Gene Gallacini brought a box of candies for him too, while I
was in Rkfd.  All in all Ronnie did all right for himself, don’t you think?
He didn’t get anything from me except a coat, hat and trousers. He

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thinks they’re "pretty" anyway.

Received your letter today saying the cakes got there O.K.  I’m  so glad, as I
was sure they’d be a mess.  You’re not kidding when you say they were O.K. are
you?  Was the icing on all the paper or still on the cake?

I got the oranges.  They came to $3.82.  They’re very good, altho a few were
spoiled.  I gave a 1/2 doz to Murray and a 1/2 doz. to the Pages.  Was that
O.K.?  They’re nice and juicy as we had some for dinner.  I got a juice glass

full from

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each orange.  You should really have bought them for yourself tho, as you say
you only get one a week at camp.  Thanks lots for sending them as I appreciate
them very much.

I got the telephone bill today and it was $10.19.  There’s a charge of $1.17 on
Mar. 1st, is that the time you made an appt to call at 9:00 o’clock?  Mar. 1st
is on a Wed. so that must be it, and they charge you a $1.17 service charge. So

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be sure after this that you get <? thru> if you make an appt with the operator,
as you have to pay this service charge even if you don’t talk to me.  The two
Florida calls came to $7.16.  I also got the gas bill which is $27.82, and the
electric bill is almost $7.00.  I also have a grocery bill.  By the time I pay
all this, I’m beginning to wonder what we’re going to use for money in Florida.
Guess I’ll worry about it when the time comes.  I also owe Elinor $3.82 for the
oranges.

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Chuck sold my vanity at home for ten dollars, so that helps.  More than paid
for my trip To Rockford.  I had almost forgotten about it.  Sure came in handy.
Wish I could think of something else to sell around here.

I’m going to wash and iron curtains and wash walls of living room and dining
room for this week - envy me?  Wish you were here to help!

I’m going to mail this right away so I’ll tell Mrs.

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Page to watch Ronnie while I’m gone.  Of course he’s sound asleep, but I don’t
want to leave without telling her I’m going.  Well, Bye, Sweetheart, and it
won’t be long now,

L-O-V-E
Mommie and Ronnie