March 31, 1951 The Stroller, The Colds, The Promise of a House and The Story of the Cat Lady Next Door

Dear Mother, Daddy & Grandma,

"Our vacation is almost over.  B had all this week and the Good Friday week-end.  The weather has been so miserable that we couldn't do anything outside but did go to Peoria yesterday.  It was warm and cloudy and poured rain on us all the way home.  We bought Ann a stroller.  I couldn't find one to suit me here.  They are so high now.  I looked a little for a dress but it's hard to shop with the children so I didn't even try any on.

Ann & Bobby, April, 1951

We didn't do anything Easter.  I went to church but it was a gloomy day.  I didn't have anything new except a hat but it was too cold for spring things so I wore my winter coat.

B has worked all week on a speaker cabinet for his radio.  It is almost done and is real nice.  I went to Ladies Aid one night at the church and gave Eve her permanent last night.  Come over and I'll give you one.

Ann is still trying to cut a tooth.  She is cross as a bear.  The colds are practically gone and weren't very bad.

We have the promise of a house.  You remember where we lived our first year--in the duplex next to Toni's?  The Barbers who live there now have bought a place and the owner has promised it to us.  We don't like the bedrooms and bath being upstairs but it is such a nice place and we will have 3 rooms down and 3 bedrooms up.  There is a small backyard--well kept--and a big front porch.  It is so close to school.  The Barbers won't get possession of their house till mid-May or the first of June so we aren't sure when we will get to move.

There hasn't been much going on so there isn't much to write.  Hope you are all fine.

                     Lots of love,

                            Bonnie

Mrs. Smith (our cat neighbor) died last week.  She had been sick since Thanksgiving but wouldn't allow anyone to help her or call a doctor.  The milkman didn't see her for several days so he went to the police.  They broke into the house and found her on the floor.  She had had a light stroke but was all right mentally.  She refused to go to the hospital so they got a court order and the police took her anyway.  She died suddenly in about four days.  The cats have been exterminated but I don't know what they will do with the house.  It's a pitiful case but I can't understand anyone being so stubborn or proud that they wouldn't even call a doctor.  She was in the 70s."