My Week

I haven't done too much Christmas shopping but with supporting Alan, a plumber, and furnace repair, and dentist, plus all the busy activities, I look forward to just the movie. Saturday before Christmas, Alan and I went shopping for our food for Christmas dinner. Monday evening I had our last dance practice prior to the New Years historic ball. Tuesday I went to a Chinese buffet after work with some of the friends at the Old State Capitol. There were a number of December birthdays in the group as well as a holiday to celebrate. I was so stuffed. Afterward, I picked up a chicken dinner at the VFW for my son. After my dentist appointment, I volunteered at the OSC on Wednesday after work for the Old State Capitol’s Holiday Walk. The evening was really quite pleasant and there was a long line at the Santa House. We had a special candlelight tour of the Old State Capitol and our resident “Boy in Blue” talked about his life. Many of the shops were open late. The weather was pleasant and people came out. I wore my historic costume. I went to a church discussion group Thurs evening to talk on the topic of Advent. Most of the other sessions were lunch discussions. Dinner was also served. Discussed humility. How Mary said “My soul magnifies the Lord”. Fr Harman told us about how he got his mother a poinsettia every Christmas and always seemed excited every year despite the same (and expected) gift. He said well this year he happened to go to Quincy and picked one up there instead because his schedule was so busy. As a result, she told him, the poinsettia isn’t doing too well. Then here comes the stab, “Where did you get it?” The point was that we criticize things indirectly and point the finger at others. Fr John thanked the kitchen help for the meal and introduced me to a new name for an old dish, funeral potatoes. Those are the potatoes in a casserole dish with the cornflakes on top that are served at funerals. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funeral_potatoes

Christmas eve my furnace quit, again. Brr. I’m till trouble with my furnace that is less than 2 years old. The local guy said I needed a dealer in this model because of warranty on the circuit board. I called the yahoo brothers that installed it for a referral in the model as a distributor. I told my story to Shawn Butler (referral). He's familiar with those Yahoos and has been following their jobs around fixing them. Furnace was repaired on Tuesday after Christmas. Two contact switches were bad. He also insulated and shifted the angle of the pipe in the attic. No extra charge since I paid $250 a week ago. We had difficulty lighting the un-split log to stay warm over Christmas.

Saturday morning I got groceries and supplies for Christmas with my son at Aldi and Walmart. On the way back to the car, I asked if he had seen any of the "PEOPLE OF WALMART". He looked at me funny and I repeated, "you know". He said he was lookin at one. I put my green jeans and purple coat in the Goodwill bag when I got back home. Saturday night I went to Mass with my sons and there was some fantastic singing. Christmas day we opened our presents. Sean loved the scope I gave him for his riffle and was totally surprised. We had ham and lots of trimmings. The kitchen was a busy place. But we ate in the living room because of the cold house. Then went to see the movie “War Horse”. It's been mild so far but that's about to change. It's freezing rain and there was snow on the ground when I got up for work Tuesday which quickly melted by 8AM. Even my outdoor cat came in. Glad I took the dogs for a short walk earlier. The furnace was repaired Tuesday morning. Something about 2 contact switches that were locked up. He also did some insulating around the pipe in the attic. He said he found a cat up there. Must have been my cat, Dave. I started the motorcycles up on Christmas Day after seeing a rider go by in sunny 47 degrees. The Aero started up almost right away but the little one didn't want to start so I had the charger put on. That means the seat has to be removed. Then it quickly fired up. Hardly seems worth it to get all leathered up just to go around the block. But it is good to let it run awhile. Besides my we went to a movie at 3. Alan got some EvoraPet oral care for my dog's bad breath. Funny thing is that his pedigree name is Bentley's Titanium Kiss and his kisses smell real foul. He has fractured teeth and won't let me in to brush. This stuff seems to work and I was a skeptic. http://cooltvoffers.com/evora-pet-oral-care/ Alan saw it on TV.

Funny thing happened at work since I also filter our help desk tickets to those that can fix things. A lady in could not access her application and the one that usually handles this was off for the holidays so I sent it to Chuck, the number 2 man. He asked “Has this person ever been able to get into this application? Does this person have the correct rights? Is this a new person?” I called and she said she had gotten into the database on Friday. So Chuck, (who also has her phone number) asks me to call and ask her “what has changed?” Knowing full well I’ll get an answer “I don’t know”. I’m a middle man!!!

I got ‘free mail’ from a lady soldier through the Soldiers Angels Ladies of Liberty Team that I sent a box to on Nov 17th. Whoo Hooo!

Tuesday night I stopped by the Apple shop (not an Apple store since the nearest is in St Louis) to ask about a cable that came with my new laptop. Seems it was more like an extension cord that goes into my existing charger. I have to remove a part to plug that extension cord in so all I can see is a risk of losing that part. I stopped by the VFW, not to pick up my usual chicken dinner but to drop off some pictures that I ordered via Snap fish of the Purple Heart Viola Day fundraiser. I also discussed with Bob about the group for our post that I started on MyVFW.org. I was so exhausted that I crashed in bed by 8PM and got up at 6. My YMCA lunch time exercise sessions have been free these 2 holiday weeks.Alan has a potential interview for a human resource job in Danville, IL at the Veterans Administration.

I’m getting ready for the Historic Civil War ball. Practicing by watching the videos online and repeating the steps in my head. Here’s my dress and headpiece. I’ve had to shorten the dress between the ruffles and added black velvet puff sleeves to make the dress more conservative. Here are the dances:

Oh Susanna (easy)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA4Atjm9M_g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3GpysVsa3s&feature=related

Duke of Kent’s Waltz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7UbMvxfpmk

Spanish Waltz (moderate)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbAsA68pICs&feature=related

Ted’s Triplet (moderate

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD7Q6dWN430

Opera reel (moderate)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEqtXbFlM_c

Corn Rigs (moderate)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvRnVmp9qgw&feature=related

I found a real nice dressy dress for next year’s committee party at the Hilton for only $5 at the Goodwill store. It’s just a little low cut so I got a piece for that. Also found a nice pair of shoes for dancing because the pair I had were too tight despite the correct size.

My Week

I had a luncheon with the Womens Overseas Service League on Tuesday. I got a nice Christmas Cactus and a blueberry loaf. My busy schedule doesn’t give me time to bake.

I left work early to go to the dentist Tuesday afternoon and still have a swollen cheek. In fact, it’s bruised. Since I didn’t have to go back to work, I did my Christmas shopping at Subway. I put gift cards in my Christmas cards. Then I went to the post office to mail a box to my soldier in Afghanistan and had the clerk supplement my old stamps for postage on my Christmas cards. I shopped at Walmart for dog food and wine and came back with a lot more than I shopped for. Alan called and wanted a chicken dinner from the VFW. It was near closing but I got it. I learned that a valued member of our post had passed away the night before and that his funeral would be on Friday. I couldn’t make the funeral since I went to Chicago. During the day, I had a plumber fix my leak so all in all an expensive day.

Wednesday evening we had our AmVets Post 61 Christmas party and we celebrated with dinner at Lonestar. We had a nice turnout but then who wouldn’t show up for a free meal. I sold some 50/50 tickets and the commander’s wife won. Then our post commander gave a few words for Christmas. My sons were also there.

Friday morning I got up early to catch the Amtrak to Chicago for the Veteran of the Month Ceremony. Jack Amberg was the December VoM and after his ceremony/speech, he changed sides of the stage to join the ‘Class of 2011’ Veterans of the month. There was a blind man getting on the train in Springfield and I permitted him to touch my back as I went to the train. As we approached the steps, I pointed him out to one of the conductors to help seat him. As the doors on the train closed, I heard a man complain that he wanted off. The conductor told him he should have never gotten on and the next stop was Lincoln. So there were a couple of stowaways on board. These stops are short and he should never have gone up the steps. I had some time to kill so I walked to the lake shore, watched the skaters in the park and had lunch. It was difficult to find the Pritzker Military Library since there was no sign on front. The auditorium was fancy but moderate in size. The Governor was to be there but he got called away. If it was a plane, well, same thing except that those tickets are checked before boarding. It was dark riding back on the train. I wasn’t sure what to wear know that I’d be among veterans wearing their service caps. I decided on wearing my red blazer with pins since it was a “Wear Red Friday”. There was another lady wearing red but she didn’t know about the meaning. She learned something that Friday that she promised to repeat. I did a lot of walking in Chicago. I also wore uncomfortable shoes. I had heel boots thinking that the governor would be there but he could not make it last minute. Some houses that had back yards facing the tracks had put up Christmas lights on their back decks for us riding the train.

The Illinois Veteran of the Month award is a distinction bestowed upon military veterans who give back to their communities. Friday's ceremony (Dec. 16th) honored all 2011 Veteran of the Month recipients.Pictured are 10 of the Veteran of the Month honorees in attendance at the year-end event including December 2011 recipient, Jack Amberg.
— at Pritzker Military Library.

Saturday morning I slept in after a long day in Chicago and dancing late the night before. I did a little laundry and then I went to the Old State Capitol for our Historical dance dress rehearsal. This was the first debut in my black and red dress and new hoop. I noticed that I had sewn (shortened) the dress between the ruffles but I had pinned a section under the ruffle and not sewn it as a test for length. I gave another dancer, Deb, my old hoop since she needed one and was getting by on a single boned hoop. I told her it was a nice flounced hoop and used but I trip on it. The new hoop I got was made for petite women. It had just arrived in the mail the day before.

After our practice, I learned that there was a special historic holiday house tour and I had time to make the last stop on the list at Edwards Place. There was Lincoln, Civil War soldiers and civilians as well as carolers. There was a reception afterward at the Pasfield house which is rarely open to the public so I went for a short while to see the inside. Summers I walk past that house and had been curious about it. It is rented for parties and B&B.

I did the readings at Mass. The second reader didn’t show up so I did both. I had to carry the book up in procession so I left my purse in the pew and asked the guy in front of me to watch it. He and his wife chuckled because he’s blind. She said she’d make sure he kept an eye on it. After weeks of being cold in the house, Sunday morning after church, I called Mike come look at my furnace. I need a part on my one year old furnace. The furnace is receiving power but not putting out 25 amps. That's why I'm cold. Sure it 55 in the house and only 34 outside but feels better in the sun.

♪♫ On the 7th Day of Christmas Soldiers' Angel gave to me...♫♪

My Week

I woke Wednesday morning to a cold house. It was 61 and my dog and cat were on the foot of the bed which they normally don’t do. Well, I did wash Marley’s sleep mat and it was still in the dryer.I saw a kid going to the bus stop in a pink blanket. Don’t they have coats or did they get out of one bed and just transporting to school “as is”? Had to start the car and get the first good frost off.

Wednesday I had a one-on-one lesson about our help desk work requests.
Thursday I went to a seminar on “Countdown to Retirement”. Friday, my Christmas present to myself came. I got a new Apple MacBook Pro.

Here I am with Katja at the Christmas parade with her Great Dane, Bozo. Bozo stole the show as our reindeer.

·After the parade, I went home to change into my suit jacket and put on my AmVets cap and then went to a Christmas Memorial at the Vietnam Memorial. I've been going to this for the last say 4 years. Weather was much nicer than in the past when it was so cold we couldn't wait for the ceremony to end so we could get out of the cold. There was a protester with a megaphone that was subdued by the Leathernecks.

In the evening I changed into my historic costume and went to the 1850s choir at the Westminster Presbyterian of Lincolns. Travel back to the 1850s this Christmas season—join Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln for special music, worship, and a carol sing. The Rev. Dr. Clifford J. Hayeswill portray the Rev. Dr. James Smith, who was pastor of First Presbyterian Church from 1849 - 1856. Dr. Smith officiated at the funeral for Eddie Lincoln.

Sunday I went to Mass with the Catholic War Veterans at St Jude’s in Rochester. Sunday was much colder than Saturday so I didn’t really go out. My sons and I had tacos.The Lincolns, portrayed by Fritz Klein and Pam Brown, will greet visitors — and everyone is invited to attend in mid-19th century attire along with our performers. Following the service, join us for Mary Lincoln's White Cake in the Commons.

I got Amtrack tickets for Dec 16th to Chicago for the Veteran of the Month ceremony for 2011.

Monday I had my exercise session during lunch. After work, I went to a Patriot Guard Riders mission locally for Ron Williams. I picked up a memorial card. After standing in a flag line from 5:15 go 6:45PM, I then went over to the Hoogland Center for the Arts for our Historic Ball dance practice for First Night. This time we practiced in semi-dress with hoops for the feeling of the swag. It was something like a train wreck. Somehow, our gender roles got swapped while changing partners. The show must go on.

I had lunch with a coworker at a Chinese buffet. Here’s his fortune. We experienced our first snow flurries for the season here in central IL.

Ramblings from a Retired Shooter: Lazarus And The American Veteran

Ramblings from a Retired Shooter: Lazarus And The American Veteran: Many of us know the story of Lazarus and how Jesus raised him from the dead. For those that do not know a good friend of Jesus named Lazaru...

My Week

I went to ABATE meeting on Thursday. I tried Miller Lite 64 calories. Not bad so I picked up a case.

I mailed a box to a lady in Afghanistan on Friday.

My son asked me to wake him up Friday before I go to work so he can take his car over for maintenance all day troubleshooting. The garage said they would give him a ride back. I woke him twice before I left for work at 8:00. I called him 4 times leaving voice messages. Then called Rugless Auto to see if he had arrived and they said “no”. How’s he ever gonna get a job? He called me about 2:25PM and told me he’s been up since 11 but he thought it was too late to take his car in and feared he’d have to leave it there for the weekend. Whatever!


I got an email Open Range, my internet service provider, that they were discontinuing its nationwide operations and by evening I was cut off. I’ve been having such rotten luck. My HP computer crashed in September and I had trouble getting a refund of the new hard drive much less acknowledgement of the extended service pack. As a result I’ve been getting by on my husband’s Macintosh. I needed a PC tower for the non-compatible Apple stuff and Internet Service so went to BLH and got a refurbished Dell and Xandadoo. Xandadoo is so slow that I don’t think I’ll continue its 7 day trial. My son needs internet for his Kingdom of Camelot. On the up side, I got an email the HP was finally refunding the cost of the hard drive that did not work and I had returned since I wrote and sent a copy of the postal insurance label. Tuesday I went to the cable company and got in on an introductory internet offer so I’ll cut off Xanadoo.



I rented a movie from Family Video and noticed they had a special display table for videos for the troops. I made a contribution at the checkout. The clerk asked me to sign the card for their wall. I pulled out a Soldiers Angles card and told him to staple my card to their card. I watched Water For Elephants with my son.


Saturday morning I got up early and did some grocery shopping. I had some coupons at County Market to use up before Sunday. Items were greatly discounted but mostly things that I don’t use. However, I got them and took three bags over to the Food Pantry.


I stopped by the Avenue Thrift store and picked up this double Lane recliner. It had stuffing coming out on the top right but I patched it and you can hardly tell. It is so comfortable and nice for a lap dog. The recliner did not fit in my Murano by just a little bit so my son and I had to borrow a pick up to bring it home. I found a matching pillow with a yellow tag (the half off color at the time) and a tapestry with a yellow tag that complimented this. That should stretch the life of the chair especially with pets.



Sunday after church I went to the Kumler Church where ABATE was hosting the annual Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless. Time are tough and even our motorcycle poker runs had trouble raising money and donations for silent auctions but organizers got plenty of donations for this dinner. Kudos. One of the first in the meal line was my cleaning lady, Margret. It was nice to see her. I told her I’d been helping with the dinner the last 3 years and she didn’t remember seeing me last year. I thought for a moment and then realized that was the year of my accident. However, I did take pictures of the Thanksgiving dinner so I know I was there but probably was seated more.

When I got to work on Monday, I learned that a coworker’s father had passed away. His mother had passed in May. How sad. I've been having everyone sign a card and accepting donations for the charity mentioned in the obit.

In the evening I continued my lessons for the historic ball that’s coming up. These are really more like social mixer dances because we change partners frequently but I would not go without a partner because some of the women have to dance in the male position. I can’t do that so well with my height because we have to create a high bridge at time for others to go under and stuff like that. I’ve been going with Gene from the VFW. He seems to be enjoying the lessons. He said he really liked the movie “Of Gods and Generals”. I loaned him an outfit for the event from my collection of historic costumes but warned him that it’s not a general but a sergeant outfit.
I got a letter in the mail from one of the ladies that I had sent a box of goodies to in Afghanistan thanking me for the package. I’ve also been watching the facebook reunion of my previously adopted soldier on his return to his family.

It rained on Tuesday so I didn’t get to walk my dogs. I did see someone riding a motorcycle in the rain.

I’m trying to get my advent wreath candles to stay upright with foil. Floppity Flop Flop!

The eBay auction with items donated to Soldiers' Angels in support of Project Valour-IT is now LIVE! There are 23 items up for bid, with auctions ending anywhere between early Sunday morning and mid-day Monday.  Auction items handcrafted jewelry, a handmade camo-print purse and consumer electronics.  Go check it out!

My Week

I took a ½ day off on Tuesday and all day Wednesday to ride to Pekin, IL for a PGR mission for KIA LCpl Jordan Bastean. Weather this time of year gets real iffy for riding but the plan worked well.  Mornings and evenings are too cold but mid-day is fine.  The way things worked out, I went the 70 miles in the afternoon for the visitation, stayed the night with the Kerby’s, and rode back Wednesday afternoon after the funeral.  He was only the second burial at the new Prairie Haven Cemetery in Pekin.    The city could not have done a better job at honouring this 19 year old that died for our country.  The people on the streets stood there as we went by and their emotion was contagious.  A floral shop had employees at the side of the road with blue and white shoe boxes which I presumed they held flowers to be thrown on the hearse.  I later learned they were white doves.
There was a little girl in our flag line with full leathers and red sunglasses.  I told her I had red sunglasses and then put them on to show her we looked alike.  She was a real show stopper. The procession of motorcycles was real slow and difficulty standing up without an occasional foot down.  I saw the lady ahead of me periodically shaking her sore clutch hand.  It was hard but it didn’t kill me.  It was a bit windy on the ride home but doable.

 

On my way home, I had a cell phone message from IL DVA about a ceremony in Chicago at the Pritzker Military Library on Dec 16, 2011 for all the Veterans of the Month for 2011. 

 

Wednesday evening we had a meeting of the American Legion Riders. We discussed our POW Missing man table, Wreaths Across America, and food drive during the Christmas parade. 

 

Saturday I didn’t feel well.  I had belly cramps so I was in pain.  I didn’t get too much done but I managed to take down the Halloween decorations.  Sunday I got the leaves raked and bagged for pick up this week’s pick up.

I picked up a bunch of 1/2 off Halloween candy for the soldiers' boxes at Walgreens. I left one bag in the stores' own drop off for the local guard too.

 

Alan yelled "BOO" and made me scream --- again.  I got to be careful to make that SMACK playful. After all he does have PTSD and you should see me snatch the remote from his sleeping hand.

 

My sister in Wisconsin reported seeing a bald eagle on a tree outside her window.  That’s cool.

 

 Sunday I treated my sons to Annual Mostaccioli Dinner at church.

 

Monday I went to an American Legion meeting.  I brought up the fact that military retirees will get the Jan COLA on Dec 31^st thereby making 13 pay periods for tax purposes.

 

Now I’m putting together plans for Veterans Day.  There’s an annual ceremony by the mayor honoring veterans on Thursday followed by the Catholic War Veterans meeting.  Friday there’s a ceremony in the Chatham Square at 11.  Then there is a free meal at Applebees for veterans.

 

11/01/11

---

To honor Americaís veterans and support Project Valour-IT, Soldiersí Angels is holding an eBay auction on Veterans Day Weekend and your donations are needed to make it happen!

From patriotic to practical and beyond, your gift will help a severely-wounded hero receive an adaptive laptop from Soldiers' Angels.  We need to move quickly, but Angels have an amazing way of coming through under pressure!

To submit your item for auction or ask any questions, email beths@soldiersangels.org with subject line ìAuction.î  Be sure to include ALL of the following in your email:

1. Quality photos of the item you are donating for auction
2. Full description of the item, appropriate for posting on eBay 
3. The minimum amount for which you want your item to sell 

Items must be mailed to Soldiersí Angels as soon as possible (in most cases, before the auction is completeóshipping details will be provided when you email).

Our Florida Soldiers' Angel blogger sent a link to a story at Big Hollywood about a singer using his talents to support Soldiers' Angels:

Whenever we meet folks who take the time to show their appreciation to our brothers and sisters in uniform for all the sacrifices they have made and continue to make for freedom’s sake, we take an instant liking to them… especially when they turn out to be extraordinarily talented and are using that talent to support our troops. That is exactly what singer-songwriter-musician and owner of Guilty Dog Studios Joe Merrick is doing.

Go read the whole thing.

Business Honors Fallen Marine With Dove Release

Business Honors Fallen Marine With Dove Release

My Week

Looks like things will get busy again with the Rocky Horror Show coming.

Monday night I went to a VFW meeting. I laid info on the podium for the commander to tell about Wreaths Across America and Honor Flight fund raiser. The post voted to donate $60 towards wreaths and an individual slipped me an extra $20 on the side.

I resumed my Monday and Friday exercise class after taking a hiatus session while on vacation.
My office is right above the parking garage. I park out in the lot but the garage below was closed on Monday for major repairs. I’m wearing my headphones that I use on the firing range.

Monday and Tuesday we got a much needed rain and yet I still haven’t had frost on my cana and tomatoes.

Somehow, I do not trust drivers in front of me that have not checked their out tail light(s) to have checked their brakes either. Especially when the roads are wet.

Tuesday my cleaning angels did my house and it was nice to come home to a fresh smelling home. Normally they come on Friday. I picked up some chicken at the VFW in a to-go box. I pinched my fingers on the tongs and was bleeding. After giving my son his dinner, I went off to my Catholic group. I came home and watched Sons of Anarchy and during a commercial I remembered to pull my camera out of my purse to charge the battery. I couldn’t find my charger and went nuts. Went to bed angry and woke up and found my charger. I’m so sorry.

I put together a crock pot of beans for supper. Tuesday I got a new water meter in my crawl space and the man that changed it told my son there’s a pipe leak and I’ll need a plumber. Well I also need some work on my sink too. After work on Thursday there was a frost warning so I frantically picked the rest of my tomatoes. I did so till the wound on my finger broke open and bled. You see, I pinched my finger on the tongs at the VFW chicken dinner and the band aid doesn’t stay on the tip that well so it came off. My son helped after that. I’m fixing fried green tomatoes. · ·

Thursday evening I went to ABATE. After the meeting I went to the Haunting of Edwards Place where the theme this year is about the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. There was a horror bride, funeral embalming with a widow crying the name of ‘My Billy’, Mary Lincoln's séance for Wily, Dining Room with a General and his wife over a table of body parts including a head centerpiece of "Jeanie", a Navy sea captain that lost his arm and was looking for it (then a hand came out from under the bed and grabbed my leg), and a surgeon doing an amputation. ·

Saturday I put Sea Foam in the tank in case this day is the end of riding season. I got 67 MPG on that last tank. I'm a great cook today. I fixed schnitzel and sauerkraut noodles. Yum. I picked up some crescent shaped bricks to finish off the flower garden in my front yard. I had to pull up the wood fence that was rotted out and plastic edger. The garden seemed incomplete without edging. I had some crescent bricks but not enough. It looks much better. I also got “free mail” from Afghanistan thanking me for a box that I had sent.

Sunday morning I saw a little humming bird by my cana. I thought that their migration season had passed. I read the 1st reading at Mass. There was a little girl who came to communion with her mother and got a blessing. She smiled and pranced in a circle after the blessing. In the afternoon I went to the ABATE toy run to contact ministries. I took this picture of a dead lawn flamingo down the block as part of a Halloween decoration filled the tank on the little bike.

My son’s birthday is Wednesday so we’ll be going out to eat.

10/11/11

---

Veteran Kelli Harmon knows what the support of Soldiersí Angels means to troops and their families, so she jumped at the chance to join the team in September. Kelli is the Soldiersí Angels Social Media Coordinator, a position in which she will focus on spreading the message of Soldiersí Angels through mediums like Facebook, Twitter and other online avenues.

Soldiersí Angels and Kelli have been partners for several years already. She initially encountered the organization in 2008 when Toby Nunn stopped in at the Fort Hood BOSS (Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers) office while she was the BOSS President for Ft Hood. As a previous Fort Hood BOSS President himself, Toby was interested in supporting Kelliís efforts in the position. Toby and Kelli worked together on a number of large-scale events that Soldiersí Angels supported. ìDuring my two years as BOSS President, Soldiersí Angels was the most supportive organization and they truly showed that they do care about Soldiers,î Kelli recalls.

In April 2010, Kelli was deployed to Camp Marmal, in Regional Command-North, Afghanistan with the 4th Infantry Division, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade and soon became the Brigadeís BOSS Representative. The Camp had no morale facilities when she arrived, so she set to work gathering resources to change that, including Soldiersí Angels. Her efforts brought about MWR opportunities that included a gym, USO facility, basketball and volleyball courts, a movie theatre and a number of special events. Kelliís tremendous work during her deployment garnered her two Army Commendation Medals and a Bronze Star.

Giving back to those around her has always been a part of Kelliís life. Before spending 6.5 years in the military, she chose a career as a firefighter before discovering that she felt as though she still was not contributing enough to her country. ìI loved it and will go back at some point,î she says, ìbut I wasnít giving back enough as a firefighter.î

With her background and experience, working with Soldiersí Angels after her military service was a natural fit. ìThe dedication of Soldiersí Angels to the average Soldier and Veteran led me to choose Soldiersí Angels as my next place of employment,î Kelli says. ìIím really excited to be working with Soldiersí Angels.î

Soldiersí Angels is excited to have Kelli on the team! Thank you to Kelli for her serviceópast, present and certainly future!

Illinois Locations for Wreaths Across America 2011

Wreaths Across America

Our Mission: to Remember - Honor - and Teach

Remember the fallen; Honor those who serve;
Teach our children the value of freedom.

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."
Ronald Reagan 40th United States President (1911 - 2004) The Wreaths Across America story began over 20 years ago when Worcester Wreath Company (a for-profit commercial business from Harrington, Maine) began a tradition of placing wreaths on the headstones of our Nation's fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery during the holidays. Over that period of time, Worcester Wreath has donated 90,000 wreaths which were placed by volunteers in a wreath-laying ceremony each December. But as word spread, the mission to Remember; Honor; and Teach about the sacrifices made by our veterans has captured the hearts and minds of many communities across the Country. December 10th 2011~ National Wreaths Across America event to honor veterans at Arlington National Cemetery, All 50 States and Puerto Rico. and at the locations listed below in Illinois.

We invite you to join us for the Statehouse wreath ceremony to be held 11:00AM on December 7, 2011 at the DAV during the Pearl Harbor Day ceremony – Springfield, IL. This statehouse wreath symbolizes the departure of the wreaths from Harrington, MA on their trek to Arlington.
Contact Information Location Leader: Chaplain Steve Holden, United States Emergency Chaplains Corps Contact Number: (217) 963-2772

We invite you to join us in 2011 at any of the wreath-laying ceremonies to be held nation-wide concurrently on Saturday, December 10th, 2011 at 12:00 local (noon EST silmultaneously with Arlington NC).

Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery - Elwood, IL Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: Operation Care Package (www.operationcarepackages.org) Location Leader: Debbie Smothers Contact Number: 815-723-6960

Alton National Cemetery - Alton, IL Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: N/A Location Leader: Margaret Hopkins Contact Number: 618-474-2005

Camp Butler National Cemetery - Springfield, IL Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: American Legion Riders Post 32 Location Leader: David McKnelly Contact Number: 217-415-6464

Danville National Cemetery - Danville, IL Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: Patriot Guard Riders - Illinois Location Leader: Dave Switzer Contact Number: 217-497-6682

Mount Hope & Funks Grove & etc McLean Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: DAV #60- Illinois Location Leader: Cleo Jordan Contact Number: 309-874-2717

Glendale Cemetery - Washington, IL Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: Location Leader: Carol K Moss Contact Number: 309-444-9076

Korean/Vietnam Memorial - Bloomington, IL Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: State Farm Military Affinity Group Location Leader: Larry Wilder Contact Number: 309-766-6954

Middle East Conflicts Memorial Wall - Marseilles, IL Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: Middle East Conflicts Memorial Wall & Marine Families Support Group Location Leader: Craig Herkes Contact Number: 815-462-5932

Mound City National Cemetery - Mound City, IL Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: Patriot Guard Riders - Illinois Location Leader: Brian Samuel Contact Number: 618-559-2849

Military Memorial Tuscola- IL Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: 328th Composite Sq based out of Mattoon Volunteer Location Leader: Tammy Brandt Telephone: 217-637-0244

Pulaski Park - LaSalle, IL Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: Location Leader: Toni Lucas Contact Number: 270-703-9799

Rock Island National Cemetery - Rock Island Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: Quad City Composite Squadron CAP Location Leader: Lt. Col. Thomas Nielsen Contact Number: 309-797-1588

Springdale Cemetery Peoria, IL Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: Location Leader: Jon Austin Contact Number: 309-681-1400

Sunset Cemetery at Veterans Home - Quincy, IL Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: Amvets Post 104 Location Leader: Teresa Pickle Contact Number: 217 222 9571

Quincy National Cemetery - Quincy, IL Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: Amvets Post 104 Location Leader: Teresa Pickle Contact Number: 217 222 9571

Wreaths Across America was formed as a non-profit organization (501-C3 status - EIN 20-8362270) in 2007, in direct response to the many letters and requests from supporters all around the Country, about how they too could get involved and bring the Arlington Wreath Project experience to their local communities. If you would like to help sponsor one or more wreaths to be laid at one of the over 200 state and national cemeteries all across the Country, please sponsor a wreath at http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/act-now/ What started over 20 years ago, as one's man's dream to honor Veterans with Maine wreaths for the holidays, has become an annual event cherished by many. Humbled with a new understanding about the impact the Arlington Wreath Project has made, not only in honoring the dead, but recognizing the sacrifices of the living, Morrill Worcester - President of Worcester Wreath Company committed himself to doing more, by reaching out across the country. Morrill Worcester - President of Worcester Wreath Company explains his desire to develop the Wreaths Across America project: "Our goal is to expand the recognition of those who serve our country, both past, present, and future, as well as their families who deserve our support. Without the sacrifices of our veterans, there would be no opportunity to enjoy the freedoms, the life we live today."
WAA Press Release

Website offers opportunity to thank veterans | The American Legion | Veterans Serving Veterans

Tell us what Veterans Day means to you, honor a Veteran who has touched your life, or just say “thank you” with a written message.

click:
Website offers opportunity to thank veterans | The American Legion | Veterans Serving Veterans

My Week/My Trip to Ireland

I just returned from my wonderful trip to Ireland.  It’s amazing how much our Irish immigrants to America had influenced our American culture in their music, dance and values for freedom and land ownership.

Photos here:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2200026692948.115207.1615723034&l=dec0b38025

A group of about 30 something left by bus from the church parking lot to catch our plane in St Louis.  I was surprised to still see the airport boarded up since the April tornado had struck the airport.

The other half of the group left from Chicago and was supposed to meet with us for the flight in Newark to Ireland.  They didn’t make it till the following day with many difficulties along the way.

Once we arrived in Shannon, we were met by our bus driver and guide, William.  He dropped us off at our Bed and Breakfast house.  There were 2 houses we were split among. Later he took us to Moriarty's for shopping.  Nothing there that I needed.  William warned us that we’d have to go in the bushes to use the toilet but actually the entrances were in the hedge.  They hosted us with Irish Coffee (not strong at all kind)

http://www.moriartys.ie/

We saw a rainbow near the Gap of Dunloe where fairies frequent (so I’m told) by the McGillicutty Mountains.

I liked how the road signs said “Bends Ahead” and “Traffic Calming”

Saturday we had Mass at the “Prince of Peace” Fossa Church which was built in 1970.  The cross was outside of the church through a glass window with the mountains behind. The alter was inscribed with “Oh ye mountains and Lords bless the hills”.  It was the Saint Day for Saint Robert Bellarmine. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Bellarmine

A few of us opted to take a brief Jaunty Cart ride in Killarney National Park.

We enjoyed Irish Music at Murphy's Bar:

Ireland was formed by Eskers and drumlins left by the Ice Age.

We visited the Muckross House. http://www.muckross-house.ie/intro.htm

but were not allowed to take photos inside but there are a few pictures on the inside of the rooms used by Q Victoria on her visit.  It was really remarkable and ornate.  Often dark to preserve the contents of the house

We visited Kylemore Abby but didn’t have time to spare for the tour so it was a lunch stop. http://www.kylemoreabbey.com/ It rained there.  This is where Madonna wanted to send her daughter Lourdes to school some years back but was rejected.  No longer a school but just an Abby.  Also in the Connemara  marble factory that makes mostly jewelry now since there is not enough of the green marble left. http://www.connemaramarble.com/ and a pit stop at the Peacock Hotel where there is a replica cottage of the same in used in the movie “The Quiet Man” http://www.peacockes.ie/  I took a photo of the bridge that was featured in the movie thru the bus window.

I’m glad that I watched that on Netflix before going.

We toured Molls Gap and Black Valley.  At the gift shop I fell for a cute umbrella by Lisbeth Dahl but resisted because it was made in China.

We visited Our Lady of Knock Shrine. http://www.knock-shrine.ie/  It is traditional to say the rosary on the way and that is what we did on the bus.  There were no words spoken at the apparition but Mary’s message has always been fasting and prayers and the Irish already knew hunger so her message was prayer.  We had Mass and our St of the Day was Andrew Kim. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Kim_Taegon

We drove to see the Cliffs of Mohr but the weather got rough and the authorities were calling people back when we got there.  Wind gusts were up to 140MPH and there is no insurance payout if injured.  In fact, there’s a 10K fine to your heirs for the recovery of the body.  Turned out to be nothing but a bathroom stop.

We had dinner at Dirty Nelly’s dates back to 1620….. http://durtynellys.ie/

The last Day in Ireland was ‘Arthur Day’ celebration for the man who invented Guinness.  You know what that means – Pub parties.

I watch the Bridesmaids on the way there, and Spinal Tap and The Jones on the way back.

Since I was without a cell phone, I called from the airport in St Louis that I was on my way.   The airport was still boarded up since the April tornado hit.

http://youtu.be/oiV8VBygAbk  The bus driver took a rural route so it took a long time.  Without  a call on arrival, I was pleased to see my son waiting to pick me up.

Joanne had called me months earlier to inquire about sharing a room on the trip.  She was nicknamed Giggles on the trip. She brought 2 of those hang-on-the-hook cosmetic bags. She got up at 6AM and then woke me at 7AM so I could shower.  Even with a lead on time, I would be ready for 8AM breakfast before her.  Once she walked out of the room dragging hose from her shoe and once she left powder footprints on the carpet.  It’s a good thing she had a room mate.  On the plane she was watching a movie with the ear phones and laughing so much that she was making the rest of us laugh.  I don’t think she realized it with those ear phones.  HA!

Ah yes, over 400 emails in my Yahoo, not counting gmail and hotmail. 

Got up at 4AM on Saturday which is not bad.  I rode the little motorcycle downtown to the Route 66 Festival.  I walked around and looked at the cars.  Got a little hungry and had some chili.  Stopped briefly in the Old State Capitol which was good because I realized I have tour guide duty next Saturday.  I fixed a batch of zucchini that I had in the fridge from before I left that need to be used up.

My Week

It’s hard to believe that a priority mail box makes it to the troops faster than first class letters. Wow.

My son gave me a delayed birthday gift – a special bottle of wine with a motorcycle on it.

I renewed my driver’s license for my birthday. I think it was an improvement on my last photo.

Friday I left my cell phone on my desk at work. I really felt naked without it. I guess I’m getting prepared to go cold turkey without it while on vacation. After work I went to the opening ceremony for the Illinois Gathering of the Guard at the state fairgrounds. I stayed until about 8:30 and I was getting tired. Saturday morning I went to the bank to see if my Euros were there. They were not in the safe so I went back for the PGR meetings. Col Tony Libri was among the guest speakers. After his speech, Tony Libri received the Legion of Merit, in part, for his National Guard work helping to bolster the Afghan National Police in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Since Saturday afternoon with the Gathering was mostly local rides to the memorials that were nothing new to me, I focused more on my out-0f-town friends, the Red Knights. I had dinner with them at their fundraiser at the Route 66 hotel. They had auctioned off 3 special helmets.

I dropped my 30 plus flags off about 7AM at the Sangamon Co Reception Center but Less and Pat had to put them up because I needed to run off and get on my motorcycle to meet my fellow Red Knights at 8:15 to head off to Halls Harley Davidson for the Ride to Remember to the IL State Capitol's memorial. It's the only memorial on the grounds and not funded by the state. The weather was perfect. In the past I recall heat stroke like weather and 2 years ago there was a monsoon like weather that called it off. Hopefully you can hear the podcast for this event at: 
http://stationcaster.com/stations/wmay/media/mpeg/A_Ride_to_Remember_9_11_09_11_111315832548.mp3


I find it odd that our local tabloid radio station that had commentaries about 911 going overboard and used politically would share such a wonderful ceremony. Perhaps it was to ire their listeners.

After the Ride To Remember, the club was going to eat but at a restaurant I was unfamiliar with so I missed it. All was well because my sons had made Papa John’s Pizza. I was hungry. So I switched my vest from the Red Knights MC to the American Legion Riders vest. I needed to be there by 1 PM for the 2PM ceremony so we could practice. We practiced the posting of colors and the 21 gun salute. The honor guard was made up of members of the American Legion, VFW, Chatham police and Chatham firefighters. The posting of colors went well. I had hoped to be in the middle of the firing line up so I could watch others out of the corner of my eye. They said we were to line up by height. While waiting for the 21 gun salute, our police officer was called to duty regarding a potential suicide call. Another veteran was quickly put in his place. Let’s put it this way, our post has been losing a lot of members (well it was also a guard weekend) and they have to be pretty desperate to put me in there. It was not a bad one to cut my teeth on because the audience was indoors and would not notice if we fired together. Now it'll be a diff story Veterans/Memorial Day on the Square. After the ceremony, we set loose about 400 red white and blue balloons. I did this side by side with Bret and Jerry, our local gold star parents. He wrote a name on the balloon he released so I grabbed a pen and wrote my husband’s name on my balloon. Before we released our balloons, we all said “Let there be peace on Earth and Let it begin with me”. After the ceremony, I rode the motorcycle home to trade for my SUV to pick up the flags. I convinced my 2 sons to take a break from football and to come and give me a hand with the flags. Bret and Jerry insisted on helping me roll up the flags and pick up the stakes. That was more than kind but they wanted to do that. Les, who, was picking up the Springfield rifles had the sacks that I use to store my flags in. He brought them from across the parking lot. When he approached me, he saluted. I felt so humbled but instinctively I returned the salute. Les has done so much for our veterans as have I so he recognized the mutual respect.

I shall leave the flags in the car for the following 2 days since I will be taking them to the Honor Flight Homecoming on Tuesday night.
I told the news camera man not to video me because it was my first time firing for the 21 gun salute (at 1:05 on the timer). I hoped he just focused on our bugler.

http://www.wics.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wics_vid_4549.shtml

I feel that the media misses our local WW2 female veteran, Jean Goretski, and now focusing on me. I wish Les go the attention. Maybe if we got him to lose some of that belly.

That evening, I was sewing up the edge on the flag that flew on my bike while watching news about 911 tributes in NYC. How meaningful these two went together.

So my brother calls me Monday night to ask me for help (long distance) on how to change his password in Yahoo because his account sent out a spam message. This isn’t easy when I can’t be there over his shoulder. Well I get him to a certain point in the process where he's asking me "who his favorite author is". My help has ended. I told him to click on the live help (which is off at the time) later.

I saw such a full moon at the end of my cul-de-sac while walking the dogs.

Attached is newspaper article about a special adoption dated May 20, 1976. Michael happens to be my cubical mate.

My Week

I did adopt another soldier this week. I want to give a shout out to CW2 Jason *



I’ve went to the annual Rocky Horror Picture Show at Southern Illinois University @ Edwardsville on Aug 20th. Last year I missed it because of my accident. We had a blast and there were many first timers to the show (AKA Virgins). The host gave me a nice SIUE hoodie for helping MC the event. Photos here:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.203862683012054.53661.104814446250212&type=1



On Saturday, Aug 27th, I went to the Old State Capitol. The dancers from Peoria performed the Ballroom dances of the 1860s. I put the videos here:

Lancers 5 quadrille (a military dance

http://www.vimeo.com/28488434

Virginia Reel (I’m in this one out of costume)

http://www.vimeo.com/28486902



After the duty helping at the Old State Capitol, I went to Lincoln, IL for the Balloon Festival. A member of the Vet Center had invited a bunch of friends to a back yard BBQ so we got to see both. We carpooled to see the evening Balloon Glow and got real close.



Well, we had a hot day followed by a cold day. I had opened the windows and turned on the air evac system which blew out the pilot on the water heater. I had a nice luke warm shower.


Springfield sets record ~ Thursday was the hottest Sept. 1 on record in the city of Springfield The temperature hit 102 at 2:41 p.m. Thursday. The old record was 101 in 1984.



Tuesday I missed my coworker’s after-hours retirement get together because I had promised over a month ago that I’d be cashier for the VFW Chicken Dinner. I did inherit her stand-up computer desk.



Thursday evening I washed the dust off my car. Friday morning the birds left a deposit. I wiped it off regretfully.

It looks like I’ll partake in this through the American Legion: The 911 Community Day of Remembrance Committee finalized plans for 11 September 2011.
The program will be at Sangamon Prairie Reception Center, 8855 State Route 4, Chatham, IL 62629 from 2-4 pm. The actual event will be about 30 minutes.

Friday after work, I stopped by to watch the flat track amateur races over at the fairgrounds. I watched from the fence because I didn’t want to pay $10 admission.



Saturday morning I loaded up my car for my trip but before leaving, I met my son, Cheryl (the retiree mentioned above) and Stephanie (a cousin to a KIA) and we lined Veteran’s Pkwy with our flags for the arrival procession of KIA Sgt Andrew Tobin. I saluted as the hearse, family and motorcycles passed by. Afterward I left for the Quad Cities to spend a weekend with my sister.



Since my sister had to work a half day, I knew she’d meet up later. I had a nice drive until I got to the Quad Cities. There was a bad storm. I got there a little early so I stopped to see Hero Street in Silvis, IL. I climbed the hill to the Grotto in between the storms. However, I did step in some bad mud and ruined my shoes and socks. I later bought some new socks and even found some soft shoes for my upcoming trip to Ireland. I’m sure walking shoes will come in handy. Well, my sister and I met up at the hotel and were getting hungry. We called and got a reservation at Circa 21 dinner/play house to see “Nana’s Naughty Nickers”. Really a quaint old theater house on Rock Island. I wouldn’t mind going back for some of their other shows. We shared a bottle of Pino.


Sunday morning we had breakfast at Cracker Barrel where we met with Patty’s grandkids. Courtney has 2 sets of twins and they behave well. Really, she has to be an organized mom for something like that. Patty gave a pumpkin from her garden to the kids and me.

After breakfast we went to the Buffalo Bill Cody homestead. There were buffalo there of course. We toured the house. Then we followed the signs to a pioneer village. On the way we stopped at McCausland, IA to watch a neat game between firefighters spraying a barrel that was tethered between two trucks. That was pretty cool and timely along the way. Afterward, we continued to the pioneer village and there too was a special event for the weekend with reenactors and a festival atmosphere. How cool is that to stumble upon?

We had dinner at a sushi bar before going to the Imax Theater to see Pirates of the Caribbean in 3D. I’d never been to a movie with 3d glasses. Actually didn’t imagine mermaids to be the evil ones either.

Monday morning we did a little shopping before lunch at McDonalds and headed our separate ways.

My sister rides a scooter. She explained that it was easier and less time consuming to get to work that way. I asked her to explain. She said it’s the storage she can just throw her purse and stuff under the seat, throw on a helmet and go. No need to worry about boots and chaps or dual saddle bags to belt up half her goodies on both sides.



Tuesday I had numerous birthday wishes on my facebook page In fact is was so cool to post a wish on one of my former Soldiers that I had adopted thru Soldiers Angels who shared the same birthday. . I sent a box to one of our lady soldiers after work. A man at the next window thought I should get postage for half off because it was my birthday (still have the birthday ribbon on). I had a wonderful birthday with my sons. We went to O’Charlie’s. I had a steak and shrimp combo. I got a free desert for my birthday (I work a pin that said today is my birthday). The caramel pie was yucky. Afteward, my son and I went to stock up at Meijer for things like dog food while I go on my trip to Ireland. When I got home, I checked a few emails and the internet was slow. Since I was tired, I went to bed. I totally forgot to watch the new episode of Sons of Anarchy.

Help Veterans Affected by Texas Fires

Please donate to help our veterans who need supplies because they lost so much during the Texas fires!

Multiple fires have been raging across Texas, burning over 1,000 homes and 100,000 acres in the last few days alone. With the state's huge military population, that means many active duty personnel and veterans and their families have been displaced right along with everyone else, and many have lost everything they have. Even some of those whose homes have survived probably will not be able to return for several weeks.

Donations of funds for Soldiers' Angels to purchase items for these heroes and their families are desperately needed, as well as gift cards, and materials such as clothing and hygiene items or other things that a displaced person would need. Gift cards are needed as well.

Please donate below, or send items to the addresses indicated. Thank you for helping us help them!:

Gift cards (Walmart & Target): Soldiers' Angels Texas Fires 1792 E Washington Blvd Pasadena, CA 91104

Other Items: Soldiers' Angels Texas Fires 4408 N PanAm Expressway San Antonio, TX 78218

Thank you for helping us help America's heroes! On Wednesday, September 7, Toby, Jarrod and Patti stocked up at Walmart and delivered needed items to evacuees. "The place like a war zone," Patti said. More will be needed.

Above, a view of the fires from Austin.

Mama Mia! It's Jerky for the Troops

---

Entrepreneur Mia Styles is helping Soldiers’ Angels stuff care packages with her one-of-a-kind, delicious beef jerky. Starting today, Styles is offering Mama Mia jerky for $4.50 per bag (reg. $6.99) when customers donate that purchase to Soldiers’ Angels. Her goal is to send 5,000 bags to deployed troops through the Soldiers’ Angels warehouse in nearby Pasadena, CA.

Though Styles has been in business only since January, she already has an extensive history of charitable activities. She has conducted fundraisers for cystic fibrosis and breast cancer, and even turned down a potential major investor who wanted her to spend less time and money on her fundraisers.

Created with her father’s personal recipe that marinates the meat for three days before smoking it, Mia’s jerky is a big hit with everyone who tries it, including her Marine Corps friends in Afghanistan who inspired her to start this donation drive for Soldiers’ Angels. Since jerky is small and lightweight while offering concentrated nutrition, it's the perfect care package stuffer and easy for troops to carry when on patrols.

Click to donate jerky for the troops (only this link will send jerky to the troops).

To get some yummy Mama Mia’s jerky for yourself or a friend, visit MamaMiasBeefJerky.com (do NOT use this link to donate for the troops).

my week

If only I compared my stress level this week to that of a soldier in Afghanistan during the heated summer uprisings! Monday I threw papers because of the stress. 1) car had to go to the mechanic for the check engine soon light (turned out to be a loose gas cap) 2) stupid telephone call at work 3) trouble signing up for the payroll deduction of parking fees 4) had to drop the dogs off at the groomers for an appointment and the address was wrong on the gift certificate. 5) I got a call to pick up the dogs so he could make a 2:30 appointment and my son thought he’d get gas first. YIKES!

I found a screw in my tire at the post office while shipping 2 boxes to the troops. Funny that I just had my brake pads checked the day before. Hmmm! could I have picked it up at the garage? Wednesday I went to a tire dealer to remove a screw and ended up getting all 4 new tires. Not only was there a screw in one tire, there was slow leak in another, and a dangerous slash in another. All had low tread in the yellow zone of his measuring device.

Monday evening I missed the VFW meeting because I was stuck on the phone with Hewlett Packard support. It’s the hard drive going out. I ran a back up to my external drive. I have an extended service pack on the computer but the fellow in India said there was no record of it in his database. So after placing the order for a new hard drive, I was transferred to someone who could fix their records. Meanwhile he said he’d call same time the following day. Ah! I spoke to an American. How do I explain to her that the folks in India don’t have my care pack in their database without being too ethnic?

Tuesday after work I picked up some chicken dinners for my son and myself at the VFW under the pressure of knowing I may have to be home in time for and important call from India on my HP computer’s hard drive problem. I made it in time for the call.

On the way to work, I travel the new MacArthur Blvd extension between Springfield and the interstate which is lightly populated. There’s a cop that sits at an intersection to nowhere because they may want to make a road there in the future. It’s a 35MPH zone and just fields that people commute in a hurry on. That’s easy revenue in speeding tickets. Meanwhile there are thieves steeling copper to recycle from the air conditioners of homes and businesses that the thieves get a few bucks for but the owners have to pay 20 times to have repaired after the vandals.

A dear coworker announced that she’ll be retiring in 2 weeks and moving to S Carolina after selling her house. Wow, it was a surprise. She said she needed to be near her mom. She plans to go to culinary school. I asked to have her stand up workstation. Looks like I’ll be picking up some more duties too.

The tomatoes in the garden are flourishing now. They seem smaller because of the lack of July water and heat.
Thursday I skipped an ABATE meeting to go to a lecture at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential museum on the 1st Battle of Bull Run. It was very interesting comparison between the advantages/disadvantages between the N and S. Especially bad was the gray uniforms worn by Wisconsin regiments and friendly fire. They got hit twice when they retreated. Duh! The egos of the leadership played a factor in how they followed directions as well. The S had better discipline but the N had better resources.

Friday I took a half day off of work to nap for a late night of volunteer work at the state fair beer tent. I didn’t get much rest however. I did learn that during the day shift, Bill Peters, signed in for duty and collapsed and died. It was hot and a good walk from the parking area. Mr Peters was a member of the Catholic War Veterans and leader of the Interveterans Council. We had a moment of silence for him at our briefing for the evening shift. I ended up in the Miller tent. We had a good youthful band from Chicago play. They even played the latest from Lady GaGa. After I got off duty at midnight, I went quickly to a little theater showing the Rocky Horror Picture Show. It’s an old theater that had recently reopened and has known ghosts that haunt the place. Needless to say I got home late and had to get up at 6AM to help with the Run for the Fallen at Washington Park. Both of my sons were involved as well. My son that works at the vet center was at the starting point and registration. My other son and I manned a water table at the 1 mile mark. It was wonderful to see the first runners come by in their camo tee shirts that were issued for the run. Then, to my surprise, came the walkers who were gold star families carrying flags. As they went by I clapped in an encouraging way and was moved to tears. Now I see why the event was not publicized much. It was intended to be intimate for the local gold star families, many whom I’ve met at many of the veteran events that I attend. That evening, I recalled the day’s run with tears. I now understand why the publicity was limited to veterans organizations. The run was set up at the pavilion on Palmatier Road, named after KIA Jacob Palmatier. His wife walked this event.

Sunday morning I rode my little motorcycle to church. I was the second reader. In the evening I went to the Muni to see a play of the Wizard of Oz. It was a great show and singing. I saw my coworker, Dave and his family get a golf cart trolley drop off from the parking lot to the front row area. At intermission I had a small visit.

There’s a gentleman that may be interested in buying my Piaggio MP3 400 that I have advertised. He just wanted to call on Tuesday to see if the warranty will be honored. Crossing my fingers.

Monday evening I took Bentley to the vet for a follow up. He had a little cist that I had the doctor look at. She needled it and out came water. No big deal except for the money part.

Ok, so I tried some chocolate covered bacon leftover from the state fair that was brought to work. Not bad.

Soldiers' Angels Warehouse

The Soldiers' Angels Warehouse in San Antonio is in need of the following items:

toothbrushes
deodorant
baby wipes
non-perishable food items (especially tuna and jerky)
individual drink packets
nuts
raisins
microwaveable meals

If you can get these, wonderful, and thank you SO much! Please can ship them to:

Soldiers' Angels
4408 N PanAm Expressway
San Antonio, TX 78218

My Week

I saw a mini-pin at the farmers market that got a lil aggressive. The owner stepped in. He noticed my AmVets cap. He told me he was home from a trauma hospital after his brain injury while in the 82d Airborne. I gave him SA thank you card from my purse. He said he lost his wife a week ago from a diabetic attack and that the mini-pin was her dog. The dog cuddled him and was calm.

Well now we’ve been told that employees have to pay to park. An extra $35/month will eat into that new $39.44 pay raise I just got on July 1.

Although I have not been riding my motorcycle to work lately, I did take the Yamaha to work on Thursday because it’s easy to park at the state fair after work. Friday my dog had his stitches taken out. In the evening I worked in the beer tent at the state fair with the proceeds going to veterans.

I rode my little motorcycle to work knowing that I could cheat park at the state fair on opening night for the opening Twilight Parade. After work, I went to a presentation over at the hospital conference room and got a complimentary screening for cholesterol. It was 226. Then I went to the parade. Yep, traffic was heavy and so I rode between a few barriers right down the parade’s staging area. Before getting into the parade area, I had to rejoin the traffic but ziggied my way along the curb till I got to the fair grounds. I had to be real defensive doing that because drivers are not looking for a little motorcycle along the curb. One little old lady wanted to turn left without looking so that was one brake there. Then there was another turning in at an intersection where a man with a flag was selling his lawn parking. We chatted about the traffic. I told him I was just looking for cheat parking. He said he had great motorcycle parking for $3. I said fuck that. Then rode right in and parked behind the Coors beer tent.
I had a chat with a few individuals about riding which I no longer do to work. There are too many folks in a hurry and not paying attention.
Bentley's stitches came out just fine. He's got another prescription. I went to pick it up at WalMart which they had but said it wouldn't be ready for 45 min. well I didn't want to leave Bentley in the car that long. I asked Alan to get the pills since I had to work the state fair. In the morning he wasn't home and I had forgotten that he told me he and Sean were going to Bloomington to fire his rifle at a longer range.

I went to the fair and worked the beer booth in "The Shed" with my son. Before my shift we ate Jerk Chicken at Ethnic Village. I got a T-Shirt that lights up and activated by sound. Great shirt for a beer booth with a band. Vendor was asking $30 and I offered $20. Settled in the middle. I was relieved of duties at midnight.

I made an appointment for Marley and Bentley at the groomers on Tues. I can drop them off on my way to work. I'll be using the grooming coupon I got in my basket from the American Legion Legacy Run auction. I talked with the owner and she's proud to support the cause. I told her what the vet said..."Bentley is probably deaf and don't clean his inner ear area" Then, Bentley heard his name and looked at me. Hmm! I got in my car to run errands and noticed that my car flashed the “Check Engine Soon” light. I went directly to my mechanic which was closed so I stopped by the Nissan dealer who told me that I would be fine to drive it but to come back ASAP next week. I figure that if I can wait, I’ll go to a local mechanic that won’t rip me off both in service and fees. Monday I dropped the car off and they gave me a ride to work. My driver hinted that there had been talks about moving the Illinois State Fair to Chicago. Oh yeah, that’s a Mecca for agriculture.

I got dressed up and off to the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Well they called off RHPS since very few showed up. I did finally get to see the inside of this theater that had a for sale sign for a long time. Jeff said the resident ghost, Joe, was glad to see activity in the theater after being closed for so long. I’ll try to go next week but I am working the beer booth Friday.

I can be seen on this video at 0.26 on my motorcycle
http://www.wics.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wics_vid_4420.shtml

The Coast Guard Silent Drill Team that performed is here:
http://troopbook.ning.com/video/coast-guard-silent-drill-team-illinois-state-fair?xg_source=msg_video_ready

NASCAR & Soldiers' Angels

At this weekend’s Watkins Glen NASCAR Race (Sunday, 1p.m. ET on ESPN), keep your eyes peeled for the Green Smoke Chevy, driven by T.J. Bell. Right behind each door will be the Soldiers’ Angels logo, and a decal on the bumper will read “Text Soldier to 20222,” encouraging viewers to donate. There’s a lot more to the story, including a very special American hero who has been made an honorary pit crew member with full NASCAR qualifications, so check it out!

The press release from The Hero Organization spills the beans about that honorary crew member:

In addition to representing Miami-based Green Smoke®, Bell will race for a special cause. He recently formed an alliance with the Helping Early Responders Organization (H.E.R.O.). H.E.R.O.'s primary mission is to support and assist the non-profit organizations that help the men and women who are firefighters, police officers, E.M.T.s, members of our armed services and their families in their time of greatest need. Bell and Green Smoke will host these heroes as their trackside guests. The Watkins Glen H.E.R.O. will be Captain Dennis H. Knowles and the non-profit organization that H.E.R.O. will feature is Soldiers' Angels.

"Captain Dennis Knowles will be with our Green Smoke® Chevy team this week at Watkins Glen," Bell said, of his guest that is a graduate of Buffalo State College and Canisius College. "Captain Knowles has served our country for twelve years and he’s now able to be on inactive reserve. It gives him the opportunity to be an asset and inspiration to the Addison Central School District where he teaches sixth grade. Hopefully the honors he’s earned for his years of service at the World Trade Center site, in Kuwait and Afghanistan make as much of an impression on his students as they have on me.”

Since Captain Knowles is a military veteran, the No. 50 Green Smoke® Chevy will feature a special Soldiers’ Angels “Text Soldier to 20222” decal as part of the team’s alliance with H.E.R.O. Soldiers’ Angels volunteers provide aid and comfort to the men and women of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, veterans and their families. By texting “Soldier” to 20222, racing fans will be able to immediately donate $5 to the Soldier’s Angels non-profit organization.

Check out the Green Smoke car (without the Soldiers' Angels logo, which won't be revealed until later this week), so you know what to keep an eye out for Sunday!