September - December 1939.

   September 10th. Packed and left for nursing school in Red Wing. Schedule  will be 1/2 work, and 1/2 classroom. Much of the month of September is spent learning to take temperatures, make beds, give baths, and general patient care. For a break we walked down town Red Wing, where we would pick up nursing uniforms and go to a movie at the Chief for 12 cents per show. Met Bob on the 23rd at the movie. Went home on the 24th for the weekend and attended church with the family.
   October. A busy month where we settled into the routine of classes and work. Most of our time off was spent studying. Went to a movie at the Chief " The Rains Came", it was "very nice". My room mate is Leila Bremer, I went to school in every grade with her and we were confirmed together.
   November. The dumbwaiter broke and we had to carry patients trays for several days--very busy.    Nov. 7, I worked all day and received a blouse and socks from Jean and Leila, Two dimes from Aunt Ethel.  "I grumbled all day, and studied in the p.m." Nov. 11-17 Bob stopped by the dorm, and we walked to Red Wing. Nov. 20 I have been moved to the third floor. "a terrible place." "Cleaned out a mouse nest in a patient room." "Mr. Jones smells terrible." "I think I will quit!" . Nov 22. Mr Jones died, Nancy and I laid him out. Nov. 24. Mr Woodward brought in, we had to place him in restraints to keep him in bed. Nov. 28. A date with Bob.
   December. I was warned not to sleep through breakfast any more. Very busy: studied for tests, glee club Bible class, dates with Bob. Dec. 20 Christmas party. Some students left for vacation as they had long distance to travel. Eleanor stayed until the 25th. "Worked in the morning and Margaret picked me up in the afternoon." Dec.28 Dance in Goodhue, returned to Red Wing the following day.  Dec. 31. New Years Eve movie double header at the Chief:" Daytime Wife, and Eternally Yours" , stayed out until 2 a.m..
   I guess in today's world of 24/7 news, it is surprising to me that Eleanor made no mention of World war II beginning on September 1, 1939. I was surprised by her reaction to the Third Floor. I suppose everyone has a "third floor experience", where one is tested and tempted to quit. Eleanor mastered the challenge and wound up working quite a bit for others on the Third Floor. She doesn't have much of an opportunity to get back to Goodhue, I found only 4 entries where she went home in the last 4 months of the year.
Budget for December: 3 Movies @ 12 cents each. Ice cream 8 cents. Stamps 2@ 6 cents. Church 5 cents. Flowers 5 cents. Blouse 50 cents. Birthday card 5 cents, and candy 5 cents.

1939: January to September.

 I traveled to South Dakota and spent a week with Eleanor while Barb and Keith were on vacation in Colorado. We had a nice time visiting and worked on her Journal for 1939.

   . Eleanor is in her final semester of High school . She lived in Goodhue with Margaret while she attended school and went home on weekends . Most of the rural students lived in town while attending school, as the roads aren't good, and farm work keeps the family busy on the farm. It was quite an investment to send a child to school. Eleanor enjoyed going to basketball games, parties, and dates. She mentions Orrie, Norman, and Bob as dates during 1939, they went to Luther League, parties,debate team contests, 4 H meetings, and Prom. Eleanor was on the debate team and acted in "Miss Adventure", she earned a letter in basketball her senior year.
   In May, college days were held in Red Wing, and Eleanor attended two information meetings about Nursing School. The senior class trip went to Stillwater to tour the prison and the food factory; they went to Saint Paul for dinner, before returning home. State exams were May 29 through the 31st, and  commencement was on June 2. On June 3, Eleanor picked up her report cards."High school is over for good. I'm sorry because I had so much fun." June 10th. " Grandpas Nelson and Olson both died."

   My Uncle Howard was born in 1934, and Uncle Bob in 1936. Eleanor would have spent the school year in Goodhue and returned to the farm some weekends. My Uncle Bob has commented that he really didn't know Eleanor, and it is easy to understand, as she wasn't around much of the year. Eleanor's mom and dad were Republicans and didn't care much for Democrats and Roosevelt. We discussed radio programs and she remembers getting radio stations all the way from Texas. Her parents favorite station was in Yankton, South Dakota where a local station had a program featuring a young musician, Lawrence Welk. She went to her first Movie in Goodhue with her parent's hired hand. He offered to take her and they said no, but then decided she could go. The movie was shown on the side of a building downtown.

September thru December

 
September  5. Got  a dog and named him Prince. 8 Music lessons i first year book. 17 School starts. Hooray! Howard Albers is born. Many visitors the next several days. 26 Mama up. 30 Parents gone visiting with Howard, Lorraine, and Florence. I am home alone--nice.
October 9 Finished potatoes.  21 Home alone.--lovely. 22 Howard baptized. 31 Halloween party at school
November. 1  . Mama and Papa married 15 years 3 Music lesson. 5. Broke a lamp while cleaning. 6. Broke a cup.7. The honorable Eleanor Albers Esquire is 14 years old. Apron bracelet, and 50 cents for gifts.  Thanksgiving party at school.
December 5 Florence is sick.  7 Lorraine is sick. 9 Goose for dinner. 24 Program at church, no presents as packages didn't arrive. Big storm. 20 below. 27 Packages arrived--dress, girdle, PJs, hanky, pencil box