Army Life – Dear Dad – An Apartment And Christmas Gifts – December 7, 1943

Judy Guion

May 3

Alfred Peabody Guion (Lad) and Marian (Irwin) Guion

Monday (Dec 7, '43, in Grandpa's writing))Dear Dad -

Lad is still busy monogramming every article of G.I. clothing he possesses with G-2058 - even his sox - and I finished wrapping some of our Christmas gifts, so I can think of no better time to write you and relate the latest happenings of the very happy A. P. Guion's of California.

First and foremost - we have finally located a place to hang our hats. Hallelujah! This business of vagabonding in the Buick has been fun, but it's going to be wonderful having our own place. It is in South Pasadena - a living room, bedroom, kitchen and bath over a garage, completely furnished - only four years old and sounds very nice. I haven't seen it yet, but we're moving in this coming weekend, we hope! I'll believe it when we are actually in, and not before. The new address is 1416 Stratford Ave., South Pasadena. I hope it will be fairly permanent. Seems to me that you had quite a time wondering just where to send your letters. Hope you won't have to think about any other address for quite a while. We are going to spend next weekend collecting our things from various parts of Southern California and concentrating them in one spot, and it's going to be wonderful. We are actually looking forward to moving!

Secondly, the photograph of Lad has never arrived. I have inquired twice at this post office, with no positive results. They said the best thing to do would be to start checking from your post office. Perhaps by now it's come back to you. I hope so.

- About wedding gifts. It's rather hard to tell you just what to say to Lad's friends- we don't want to get too many things so that we will have a hard time moving - and not knowing where we will be after the war makes a difference, too. However, linens of any kind are very acceptable. We haven't picked out our sterling pattern as yet, and are waiting until after the war to get our dishes - so, that's out - our Fostoria is the candlewick pattern - we don't have cake plates or cups and saucers in that - odd pieces of any fairly plain Fostoria would be acceptable. Vases are another thing we could use - does that help?

- We are sending our Christmas package to you this week. Hope it arrives before Christmas. Isn't very much, but with it comes a heartfelt wish for happiness for all of you and the fervent prayer that next year we can all be together for Christmas. Will certainly be thinking of all of you.

Mowry Addison and Marian (Rider) Irwin

Marian's parents, Marian (Ryder) and Mowry Addison Irwin, at their Wedding Reception

- Quoting from Mother's last letter, "I received the nicest letter from Al's father this week. I hope that we will get a chance to meet him sometime soon, for I know we will like him very much." She also said how startled she was to have you referred to Al as "Lad" 'cause three or four times while we were home she started to call him that because it seemed so natural. And she has never known that Lad was his nickname. I've never mentioned it in any letter to them. I always referred to him as Al. Strange, isn't it?

Lad asks me to tell you that, for the record, the pajamas, bathrobe and Christmas box have all arrived safely - and he hereby sends his thanks.

Will write again, soon,

Love to all-

Marian

Lad ads a note:

Lad writes: Thanks for your cooperation. All of the pkgs. have arrived in fine shape. As Marian mentioned, her temporary address will be 1416 Stratford Ave. I think monogram letterhead will be very nice. Something like this: Initials are M I G. More later. Love to all -- Lad