Vada Paris' Diary

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January - 1938

(During January she is dating Lloyd Vincent and George (Wright). I can only assume that George's birthday must have been around January 27 or 29, 1916, because she has made a note at the top of the page with his firstname and the date on these two days.
It has been told within the Family that Vada and George were very serious at one time. Friends and family thought that George and Vada would eventually get married. As I understand it, George was a brother of Bonnie (who married Tim Heavlin).

In 1932 Vada went to live with Ray and Eithel Jaquith in Seiling so she could work and go to High School in Seiling. During those times an Eighth grade education was usually the last grade in the small town of "Tailholt, Oklahoma" (Chester, OK). If you wanted to go on to school, you had to move to a city or town that could accommodate those wantng to go on for their High School Diploma. That is when Vada moved to Seiling and helped the Jaquith's by doing housekeeping and babysitting in exchange for room and board so she could go to High School.

This Diary catches her in Alva, Oklahoma while she is going to Northwestern State Teacher College (NSTC). She had a Government Grant to attend NSTC, but she also worked at Warrick's Shoe Store, and did heavy housekeeping. Vada's older brother (Alvin) and Naomi were living in Alva while Vada was working and attending Northwestern. Vada did housekeeping for Naomi and Alvin while Naomi was expecting their first Child (Stan). Now I understand why she is so tired when she is writing in her diary. Her Sister, Zella and baby (Paris "Cobb" Wakeman) are also mentioned when she talks of the Dust Storm and buying the baby a blanket.

I will continually update the brackets of this Diary as I find out more of the Family Story. Enjoy! If anyone out there reading this remembers anything differently or things that I have missed, please email me a copy of your version of The Story! I would love to see it!]

5, Wednesday - Naomi and I went downtown after I got out of class. Studied all evening. Wrote to Eithel, Zella [younger sister], Don, The Folks.

6, Thursday - Slightly colder today. Ruth Riecker came over. We are planning to make cookies for Saturday. Got to have about 75 dozen.

7, Friday - Another week gone by. Been taking orders for cookies all day. Naomi went to Alumni meeting. Alvin [Older brother] to choir practice. I've had headache all day.

8, Saturday - Saturday Ruth Riecker and I started making cookies this morning at 8 O'Clock. Elsie got here about 9. Made 75 Dozen. Was far into the night delivering them on foot. Am I tired.

9, Sunday - What a day was yesterday. Still so tired I didn't go to church. first Sunday I've stayed at home all day since school started.

10, Monday - Ironed this morning. Foods class visited the Ice plant where meat is cut up. Bernie and Donnie stayed all nite with us.

11, Tuesday - Danced in the Ark for first time. Clara Munkres and I sat down in front of Safeway yesterday 2:30pm until 5:30pm drawing store front. Sorority meeting. Hamburger Fry at Jodena and Leota's apartment.

12, Wednesday - Cleaned house, and studied until late. Finally got a card from Eithel.

13, Thursday - Dust storm came up about noon, visibility about 2 blocks. Naomi and I went downtown. Interior decoration class visited Mrs. Oringdorff.

14, Friday - Last day of school this semester. Got another letter from Lloyd. Went downtown with Naomi. Started working on last minute studying.

15, Saturday - Ironed all morning. Cleaned the house after dinner. Mother, Les, and Ken came up on their way to Harper. Stayed all nite with us.

16, Sunday - Got up at 5 this morning. We all left here about 8:30. Zella looks well and the baby [Paris "Cobb" Wakeman] is sure cute. Dust storm again today. I gave the baby a blanket.

17, Monday - What a lovely day. Seems like Springtime. Studied all day. Luella and I studied History together at her house.

18 Tuesday - Two tests today. Goods under Rackley from 9 to 12 and History from 1:15 to 4:15. Luella and I went to the show. "Ebb Tide" at the Rialto.

19, Wednesday - Studied in library all morn. Two tests. Int. Decoration 1 to 3, and lettering 3 to 5, but didn't have to take it. Got a card from Eithel.

20, Thursday - Last tests at 3 o'clock. Wish I had a way to go home. George [Wright] came down. We all played cards until 1 o'clock.

21, Friday - Oh boy! Going home with Edna at one o'clock. Got home about 3. Eithel and Mrs. J. had gone to Woodward. Ray was down to his mothers. What a date (Lloyd Vincent).

22, Saturday - Eithel and Fay, Y'lona and Marylin went to Shattuck. Kenneth and I kept the home fires burning. A lovely day. He, Y'lona Jean and I went to the show.

23, Sunday - Ray and Eithel [Jaquith], Mr. & Mrs. Brady went to Castleton, Kansas to see about buying a farm. I kept Y'lona and Ken [Jaquith]. Went up to Mrs. Jaquith for dinner.

24, Monday - Mrs. Jaquith came out after the kids. I stayed out there all by myself. Ray and Eithel got home about 6 o'clock. Went to show. "Wife Doctor and Nurse."

25, Tuesday - Started back to Alva at 7 this morning. Had a flat didn't, leave Seiling until 8 o'clock. Got up here about 9:15. Couldn't enroll. Closed. Paying tribute to Mr. Griffith. Went to the Fresh-Soph. dance in the Varsity Room.

26, Wednesday - What a mix-up trying to enroll in two hours. Had to change my schedule. Couldn't take education courses. Finally got 15 hours. One class in the afternoon.

27, Thursday - [NOTE: George written at the top of Diary's page for January 27, and 1916 written in. I'm not sure what this meant when Vada wrote it in her diary. Can only assume.] Washed yesterday afternoon and hung out the rest of clothes today. Rented several of my books today. Four of them cost $5.35. "Not worth it the way I study."

28, Friday - Big basketball game tonite with Central Bronchoes and Northwestern Rangers. We're leading the Conference now. A swell game. 37-34, Tiny couldn't do much.

29, Saturday - [NOTE: George written at the top of Diary's page for January 29, and 1916 written in. I'm not sure what this meant when Vada wrote it in her diary.] Washed blankets. Ironed all afternoon. Cleaned house this evening and went to B.B. game. Southwestern vs Rangers. We beat again 46-44. Evelyn, Lydia, and I went to dance.

30, Sunday - Really cold this morning. Went to Sunday School. Went to League this evening with Luella and Sudie Fae. Slept all afternoon. George came down. Played cards.

31, Monday - Still pretty cold. Wrote to Eithel. Wilma called wanting me to get out the invitations to formal Sorority party.