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1956 letters
1956 Feb Irene by Irene Pfleger Wachdorf to son-in-law Les, "I can hardly wait to hear the good news that you have a new son or daughter, it shouldn't be too long now and I'll be glad for Dolores as I know how these last few weeks drag on..."
1956 March Irene by Irene Pfleger Wachdorf to daughter Dolores, congratulations on birth of new child, will put her picture by most treasured possessions--pictures of grandsons B & J (by Dolores) & A (by Jerry & Charlotte). Mentions Cy & Eleanor Cahill visiting.
1956 Mar 23 Irene by Irene Pfleger Wachdorf to daughter Dolores, on the new baby, "I am dying to see it--oh why did we ever move to Calif?...I am sure she is the most adorable baby ever born...don't overdo it honey as you will pay for it later and you can't afford to do that as Les and the babies need you very much," Larry marveling at his sister's ability to name which sex her babies will be, he is planning a trip maybe to Minnesota hunting with Peanut, "Dad" in yard after departure of Cy & Eleanor Cahill trying to get it in shape, on the peach crop, "I've been trying to catch up on my ironing + house cleaning etc oh yes sleep too as I know we didn't get to bed one night before 1 or 2 o'clock as we played pinochle every night until 12:30 or 1:30 A.M.," gets up early to beat line for the bathroom, wonderful of Les' mother to take care of kids, did oldest son try to crown the baby with a toy like he did his brother?
1956 Apr Irene by Irene Pfleger Wachdorf to daughter Dolores, on the new baby and whether or not the existing sons are being helpful, mentions again that Dolores' mother-in-law came in to help out, talks about peach trees & other yard issues, worries that Dolores is not getting enough sleep/rest, says at end she must go because she has to write to Jerry's eldest daughter too.
1956 Aug 1 Irene by Irene Pfleger Wachdorf to daughter Dolores, worrying because she hasn't heard anything. Have "youngsters" visiting (doesn't say who( and husband's sisters Mae & Madeline, followed by Murf (friend Mrs. O'hare/O'hara), followed by Geralda Gotsch (friend), soon to be followed by her cousin Hilda & husband Emmet and Hilda's half-sister Henrietta & her husband George Doyle, "I will really have to step on it + do some real house cleaning."
1956 Aug 19 by Edward Wachdorf Sr to daughter Dolores, joking that gift shirt is too small so Larry has his eye on it, compares her sons in photo to Eisenhower, on way to see Florence Lynch (nee Wagner) for christening of long desired child, and to see Florence's father Frank & sister Christine (former friend of his late daughter Sis, and future 2nd wife of his son Ed Jr)
1956 Aug 31 Irene by Irene Pfleger Wachdorf to daughter Dolores, visiting unnamed "kiddies" departed with son Francis returning them to their parents, "seemed like a morgue after they left. Janet King our neighbor across the street said she would send her daughter Marcia about 5 over with a drum to help dispel the gloom," visitor Geralda Gotsch (old school friend) also departed, encounter with members of Wagner family incl Chris (future 2nd w/o her son Edward) and Florence Wagner Lynch & Mr. Wagner, Florence had baby after 10 yrs trying, details of their visit, on Dolores' three children and her fear she might be pregnant again too soon ("God fits the back to the burden and he won't send you anymore than you can take care of"--and in fact Dolores miscarried), reference to Dolores' possibly moving so she should visit Henrietta & George Doyle or Lou Pfleger and daughter, comments on photos of the grandkids
1956 Sept 22 Irene by Irene Pfleger Wachdorf to daughter Dolores, wondering if they've offended someone, getting no letters at all for a month except from Ed's youngest and Jerry's eldest, son Larry didn't get a single card on his birthday, so lonesome he played pinochle with them (she lost 30 cents), went to Del Mar race track and lost the cash they gave him for a new bowling ball but didn't mind, gone back to college taking mathematics classes at night, looking at pictures of kiddies expect won't recognize them growing so fast, expecting her cousins Hilda and Henrietta to visit but no word
1956 Oct 18 Irene by Irene Pfleger Wachdorf to daughter Dolores, thanking her for letter & listing everyone who has or hasn't written, Larry's daily routine (watches football with lights out and yells "Kitchen!" if anyone opens the door), invited to visit May Wachdorf's friend Ann Cooke whose parents were in Sunday Evening Club (pinochle) with Oscar & Annie Pfleger, but didn't go due to ear trouble, Ed missing the rhubarb that was offered ("drooling"), also due to visit Flo Wagner Lynch
1956 Oct 20 by Edward Wachdorf Sr on being pestered by neighborhood toddlers, working jigsaw puzzles, Irene's ear improving, his cough improved by ceasing to drink, both had spirits raised by visit from Bunk & sons, teases people about buying gifts for his birthday too small for him, got rosary from Bunk via Harry but broken, congratulates Harry on quitting job in "hell hole," tells Dolores to see Hertzy Stalzer about having her toddler son fitted with a telescopic downspout, description of Irene checking the mailbox ten times a day, and pleasure at getting mail, "Even Larry does handsprings or throws a cushion at Mom just to vent his feelings when is the recipient of mail..."
1956 Oct 30 Irene by Irene Pfleger Wachdorf to daughter Dolores, appreciating photos and tales of her grandchildren, on her grandchildren via son Ed, going to church with Mary Armstrong or a nice young man, on Larry spoiling the kids who come "Halloweening" and on health of neighbor Frank Vrzak who is always helping with repairs because "neither Larry or dad were ever good fixers and putting a new cord on the drapes really looks quite complicated."
1956 Nov 9 by Edward Wachdorf Sr to son Jerry, copied to Dolores, a good one for news of Jerry's kids, scolds Jerry's son for leaving out fishing poles, or maybe it was Bunky's sons, asks about Jerry's daughters, laughs at youngest child's antics, and about the dog. Warns with a son like theirs they should always reach into the bottom of the toilet bowl to see what he's thrown in there. Went into L.A. and bothered by smog, very hot, got more sand for the seedlings to break up adobe ("sure funny how people can devise ways to bury money"), driving to out-of-the-way gas station so Irene can get green stamps.
1956 Nov 13 Irene by Irene Pfleger Wachdorf to daughter Dolores, getting down to writing after wash day, Larry enjoys hearing nephew's antics. He's car shopping, also looking at color TV's. His school and sport schedule, most of the "lads he works with are married and that kind of lets him stranded over the weekend." Good to hear Dolores cooking etc, hope she puts on weight. "Do you have a mix master? If not you really should have one as they are a big help."
1956 Dec 5 Irene by Irene Pfleger Wachdorf to daughter Dolores, letter-writing time spent next door with Loretta, whose husband has been sick, invited to Stanley party by Ruth Kelly, good time playing pinochle with Ann Cooke, the weather, hoping for mild winter in Chicago ("I worry about everyone getting to work and back when it gets icy. Edward has so very far to go that I really worry about him"), wishing it were possible to come in & see the kids celebrate Christmas