25 Mar March 25, 1944

Letter
from: Alice Shonkwiler
to: Pvt George W. Shonkwiler
March 25, 1944, Saturday, 11.45 p.m.

Darling,

Well here I am writing to my husband when I wish with all my heart that he were
here beside me or at our favorite movie  holding my hand.  Why, oh why can’t
my wish come true just this once?

I have happy news for you as Ronnie is all well now and he has been sleeping
perfectly the past two nights.  But now I have a cold as I guess being up with
him those three nights and working hard all day got me down.  Can’t burn the
candles at both ends I guess. I’m

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really proud of myself for getting him back in good health so soon.  I kept him
on fruits and liquid diet all three days, also gave him hot baths and Vicks rub
twice a day.  Also kept him in bed as much as possible.  I also used a
couple of those glycerin suppositories on him as he was a trifle constipated.
Now if I could do as well for myself.

In last nite’s letter I told you it was warm and sunshiny.  Well it started to
snow in the wee hours and snowed all morning and is down to 20 degrees again.
Such weather we have!

We  (Eleanor and I) had planned on a nice day today, as we went to see
"Something for the Boys."

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with Joan Blondell at the Civic Opera House, but we had to run into bad weather,
of course. The play was pretty good as plays go, but I still like the movies
better, I think the costumes were gorgeous, and Joan is very pretty tho.

Edith took care of Ronnie, as June couldn’t come, but I gave Joan a box of
Andes chocolates so I wouldn’t feel obligated.  I think that’s what you would
have me do, isn’t it?

How much money do you think I’ll need outside of my train fare?  The fare is
$50.00 plus about $4 or 5.00 for meals enroute. Do you s’pose I could get by
on another fifty while there?  Of course, if I don’t get my

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allotment by then, I’ll be out of luck, as that’s what I’m planning on using.
I also have to get Ronnie a spring coat, and hat, and shoes, and myself some
shoes before then, and possibly a spring hat.

I hope that this summer, when I won’t have heating bills, I’ll be able to save
a dollar now and then.  I’m certainly not doing it now.  of course. I’ve had a
lot of bills all at once now such as telephone, 6.16, electric, $6.00, gas,
$8.00, $12 Tribune bill, $5.00 for Colliers, and I spent about $8.00 on you,
and $12.00 for slip cover material, $2.00 for plumber.  I’m tickled to death
that I’ve been able to do it without touching the allotment money so far.

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That’s pretty good, I think. I’d like to have bought something pretty to wear
down to Florida, but we’ll skip it, I guess.  You’ll just have to love me in
my old clothe!  I’ll fix Ronnie up pretty instead.

OraLee was over here tonight from 7:30 until 11:00 o’clock.  Eleanor went to a
bowling banquet and hasn’t come home yet.  Marge and Mary came in for a while
and Marge gave Ronnie his bath.  They stayed about an hour as Tom Schaustra,

and his wife were coming over tonight.  Guess Tom didn’t really want us over,
as he didn’t waste any time inviting Murray over after you left.  Guess you
made him mad that night razzing him about

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his draft status. I haven’t heard any more about how he came out with the draft
board hearing. I always forget to ask Murray about it.  Tom’s younger brother
(he’s 18) left last week for induction.

Oralee is having her whole apt. redecorated next week.  I don’t care much for
the paper tho.  It’s a large blue floral figure for the living room and a rose
floral for the dining room.  Guess it’s a little loud for my taste, but maybe
it’ll be pretty when it’s up, altho the rooms are going to look smaller than
ever.  I’ve thought of papering our bedroom myself.  Do you think I could?
It’s so soiled and faded now that I

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don’t like it at all.

Are you tired of reading this letter by now?  Tell me if you like long letters,
as I can make them much shorter!

I guess I’d better doctor myself up and go to bed as I’m starting to cough and
sniffle terribly and if I get down, who’s going to cook, clean, and wash for
my family?  Oh me!.

Eleanor goes on nites Mon. nite, so she’ll be sleeping on the [couch] again.
I sleep much better alone, as I’m afraid to even turn over for fear I’ll wake
her when she sleeps with me.

It’s 12:45 a.m. now and Eleanor isn’t in yet -- bad girl!
I told Eleanor about your proposition, and honey if

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I feel as bad then as I do right this minute, I’ll be glad to share you!
(Oh yeah!  Just try it!)  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not jealous!  At least I
never hope to be.  It brings too many heartaches I hear!

I’m half frozen right now.  I sure need a little thawing and not a soul here
to do it.  It’s a shame isn’t it?  By the way are you willing to share me when
I get to Florida?  After all you said everything you get there has to be
divided by 16 fellows.  Oh what am I saying?

Good night Sweetheart, and can’t wait to see you.

Always yours,
Mommy and Ronnie.

P.S.
Fern finally moved out and is sharing an apartment with an old widow who gets
up and cooks breakfast for her. Kisses her goodbye. And is just wonderful to
her.  She’s only been there a week though.  Are you getting the Tribune yet?

Mommy