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Mrs. James H. Standley 2854 Louis Road, Palo Alto, California
Sept 2, 1959
Dear Mother & Daddy,
Life has settled down with a loud crash. This week, we are all enjoying a flu bug, something Pooh brought home. We all went to a drive-in movie Sat. night, & as closely as we can figure, in the warm closed car, the little bug did it's job. Up to then, Pooh had a runny nose that could have been from teeth. The next morning, we all had it. It sure is nice, lying around the house all day, watching Pooh try to tear it down, walking over to the park in the afternoon. If only we didn't feel so lousy, & have to chase Pooh down periodically to wipe her nose.
Pooh has a new toy, the novelty of which has lasted for about three days, & is still going, it's just a little plastic & wood turtle that she pulls across the floor on a string. It quacks like a duck & its tail wags, & she's
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nuts about it. She calls it turd-y. That & George have been her greatest joys recently. The day we got home from our vacation, she grabbed George, & has been hanging on ever since. I won't attempt to duplicate her pronounciation of George, but we know what she means. She's in a growth surge. All of a sudden nothing fits, & I had to get out the too-big box & dig up all the things I thought she wouldn't be wearing for another year. I filled another box up with outgrowns. Since the weather has gotten a little chilly, she finally has the opportunity to wear the new shoes she's had for months. She's very proud of them & loves to hear herself clump around the house. If we don't put them on her, she digs them out & loudly asks to be shod. As you requested: She is about a size 3 in T-shirts, about 18 mo. in everything else. When in doubt, buy BIG. She doesn't need anything in particular, but for the next few months, will be wearing warm things. In toys, she's coming
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3. Mrs. James H. Standley 2854 Louis Road, Palo Alto, California
into the take-things-apart & visa versa stage. Pull toys also are big. One of her favorites is her Playskool wagon with blocks in it, & her Playskool mailbox. Being a versatile kid, she's also fond of canned goods & the clutch release bearing that we took out of the Merc. She's a real plutocrat with two strollers. We call them the FORD & The Cadillac. At this moment she's getting very upset because her shoes won't go on over her pajamas. By the way, she said to tell you that she is revolted by things that need ironing.
Thought you might like to know that I passed the P.O. test. I had a very interesting interview with the chief P.O. She said she thought I'd fit in nicely. At first, she suggested that I might benefit by another 6 month or so at the Welfare Dept, since the job is supposed to require a year of experience. Toward the end of the interview
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though, she said that I might as well take a week or so to make up my mind, since she still had some other people to interview. That suits me, because I still haven't made up my mind to change. The additional money & things like a private office are nice, but I really can't complain about my present job, or call the salary inadequate. In 6 or 7 months I probably would have fewer doubts, but I still have a few days to let things hang in a state of indecision, so that's just what I'll do for now.
Jim is very pleased with his new job. He worked there before, & always described it as an excellent place to work. Though that was in 1950, they have continued to regard him highly, & even sent us a wedding gift. The fact that they're paying him more than the last place, is also nice. He was looking for an excuse to quit Menlo, anyway, so when this
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5. Mrs. James H. Standley 2854 Louis Road, Palo Alto, California
offer came up, he siezed the next opportunity to say what he'd been thinking about Menlo & give his notice. They're still friends, because what he said is true & two other guys quit when he did for the same reason. Another fellow will quit as soon as he lines up another job.
If your offer still stands we have been thinking about driving down to B.H. for Thanksgiving. We don't know yet if we'll be able to make a 4-day weekend of it, but we'll try.
The postcards, comb, & clippings arrived. We are enjoying all three, & thank you very much.
Did the pictures come back yet? I have a roll of color film which includes some shots of her first birthday with the cupcake she threw away & the candle she ate. I'll send you some prints as soon as I get them.
