My Week

The lunges from my last exercise session did not affect my dancing much. I still feel sore this morning. Arrr
I’m getting better at dancing and getting the rhythm of stepping off with my right foot. My diabetic partner ate before dancing (cookies) and looked better than he did the night before. Unfortunately, my dance partner fell and has a black eye. I haven’t seen him since the accident but spoke on the phone. I guess when I see him on Tuesday I should scream. Ouch!

Alan did clean the house. He said he wanted to finish the bathroom the following day and asked me if I could find time to straighten up my makeup area. I didn’t find that time this morning but I did sew up a hole in his tee shirt. It was not until the weekend that I could remove stuff from drawers and shelves. I then cleaned and used an old toothbrush with furniture polish on the cabinetry to get all the dust and woodwork perked up again.

I went to Walgreens for shoe inserts and I always look at the mark down shelf for things to put in my soldiers boxes. I also look at the flyer for coupons. Spent $90 and was talked into saving $15 by signing up for their rewards card. I have a separate wallet just for discount cards and still get asked constantly to get an ACE rewards card too. All they want to do is track spending habits in exchange for discounts.

I shared a message regarding Agent Orange and Navy ships with a friend from my VFW post who really needed proof for VA benefits that was posted information in your message posted here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VeteranIssues/message/5287
This provided the proof that he needed for VA claim that the ship, Chevalier, was on the Saigon River. Wow, so glad to have helped in such a small way. It reminds me of when a network of knowledgeable friends led me to share an economical and efficient way to ship the excess Beanie Babies to Afghanistan that were collected by a Vietnam Veteran as part of his PTSD project. Shipping is so high and they were taking collections for shipping but Don knew someone at Scott AFB that could launder and use them as packing on their pallets at no cost. I took a box of Beanie Babies and put a few in all of my boxes to the troops. So many veterans do not see the point in paying membership dues to veterans organizations but it is a good way to network if they are not receiving those retiree newsletters like I am.

I got tickets for my sons and I to see Cirque du Soleil, Quidam on February 15th.

I put this note on the fridge

I had a 4 pack of Ensure nutrition drink in the door of this refrigerator. Yesterday, I had one and gave one to Michael and that accounted for 2 of the 4. This morning there was only one.
Please, I hope whoever took one of my 4 Ensure drinks had a desperate need like diabetic low. If that is the case, you are more than welcome to anything.
Rose
Oh, and I added a PS with the price sticker peeled off onto the note which says
you can get your own Ensure at Big Lost for $6.30

I got a new debit card and called to validate the card but again, as in the past 3 years, I needed the last 4 of my SSN which was still coded under my deceased husband’s last 4. I think it won’t happen next year.

While walking my dogs, I stopped to as a neighbor who is a cop in Jerome to ask, "How's Vader?" Vader was a Jerome drug dog and he told me that Jerome had to give that nearly $8K trained dog back to the trainer because he was costing too much. The village of Jerome claimed gas was expensive but the officer stated he drives it either way. He also told me that Pawnee had to give up their donated police dog as well. Hmmm, I wonder how Chatham's police dog is fairing after our American Legion made a contribution to the drug dog?

I was hoping on going to go to the big Operation Iraqi Freedom Homecoming in St Louis on Saturday but the logic of the 1.5 hour drive for ½ hour parade in the cold when I have things to do didn’t make sense. Instead, I got meds from the veterinarian, visited a hospitalized veteran, and take advantage of Big Lots 20% discount day (which a lot are for my soldier’s boxes). So I missed a crowd but the photos and video were online.

This weather is not very January-like. They said snow next week.

I’ve had a lot of holes in the toes of my socks lately. Doesn’t seem to happen with a quality pair but at the same time, that pair seems to get more lint buds all over.

Michael Ramirez Political Cartoons 01/24/2012 - Investors.com

Michael Ramirez Political Cartoons 01/24/2012 - Investors.com

My Week

I haven’t put the wrong year in my check book yet. Ha, I use debit cards more.

I noticed a condition on my eye so I called my optometrist office and was told that it would be classified as a medical check rather than optometry and would billed to my Blue Cross HMO. I asked if I needed a referral and was told that most HMOs no longer require a referral but I should check to make sure. So I made an appointment for that afternoon and then called Blue Cross. I was told I did need a referral and that the Dr I had an appointment with was not in the network of providers. So I called my primary care clinic for a referral to a network provider referral. I was told to call Blue Cross back to get a list of the providers in the area. So I called Blue Cross back and was told that there were 2 in the area and one was the Dr whom my appointment was with. So I called my primary clinic back for a referral to Dr JAMES D LOHRBERG. I got an answering machine to the person who creates the referrals. I followed up at noon to learn she was at lunch. I explained that my appointment was at 2:15 and will go to lunch before the appointment and it would be nice to know the referral was done before leaving for lunch enroute to this appointment. I went to see Dr Lohrberg, an eye doctor, and he said I have a common, benign eye condition ~ Pterygium (the p is silent). He said it was common for people who work outdoors. Hmm…must be from motorcycle riding. http://www.harvardeye.com/procedures/pterygium.html

My son pointed out that he saw news about a remake for my favorite show as a teenager ~ Dark Shadows. Johnny Depp is reviving Jonathan Frid’s character as Barnabas Collins. Movie comes out in May so I guess I must go to the opening but how shall I dress? Maybe the enthusiasm of going to Rocky Horror in costume makes me want to go in attire for Dark Shadows too. I’d love to go as Angelique but I’d probably look more like Dr Julia Hoffman now.

Saturday I went to a meeting of the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight. I met some real nice people there. I even got a great suggestion for how to hang my “Welcome Home” banner with Velcro at the airport for their return instead of the rolled duct tape I had been using. Once I had old tape that didn’t stick. There was a guest from Litchfield that discussed a new website that they were putting together for their stories from veterans. I looked up the site when I got home. I called “Pop”, the veteran whom I was a guardian for on the honor flight if I could share his story with others and I got permission. http://mymilitaryhero.us/harlan-bottles/ I suppose I should share this one too: http://extras.sj-r.com/photo-galleries/reader/send-us-your-remember-a-veteran-photos/6789/ So I called “Len”, the other veteran whom I was guardian to and got his permission to share his story as well. He agreed. I told Len I found out that his granddaughter had passed away. Len told me about her cancer battle. He told me that his kidneys were failing. I was so glad that he had a chance to go to DC on the honor flight when he did before any need for dialysis. I found a good deal at the Salvation Army store for my laptop. It’s a Targus Delux Tote that normally sells for $80 and I got it for $5. I didn’t realize what a good deal I had until I researched its regular price. I wanted a bag that didn’t say, “Steel the bag with the laptop in it” and this looks more like a larger tote only with the partitions for a laptop.

The exercise class on Monday involved some lunges around the room. I didn’t feel it until the next day. Just walking from the parking lot to my work was agonizing. I didn’t even realize that work out in the evening either when I went to Historical dance practice. I understand that since the special historical ball for New Years that the Springfield International Folk dancers practice this Historical dances monthly which alternates with other ethnic dances that they perform. A few of the advanced dances were introduced like the schottische which has a lot of skipping for a higher impact. On the up-side, it’s only 2 minutes long. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZvAhYDtNtc&feature=related All this took a toll on my diabetic dance partner who failed to find time to eat between a trip in Missouri and the 7PM dance practice. Vending machines were on another floor so that gave him a needed boost. We also have dance lessons in ball room basics like Foxtrot for 6 weeks on Tuesday.

Monday when I left for work I asked my son to do 2 small tasks, change a light bulb and fix the rubber press-on molding on the sliding door. Neither was done so I changed the bulb but didn’t get to the molding because of dancing. He saw me get the stool to climb up and change the bulb and said he could get the molding later because he’s more of a night person. He announced that he would clean the living room and bathroom on Tuesday. I’ll be home late after dance lesson so he has more time.

I’ve seen this before and after haircut on the internet that I thought would be good for me when I cut my hair. The article was about haircuts that make you look younger.

Here's the article:

http://shine.yahoo.com/beauty/haircuts-off-10-years-183600821.html;_ylt=Awrj4ixc_h9PaycAuQZXNyoA;_ylc=X3IDMgRjc3JjcHZpZANocmtqWTBvRzd2NjdablhvVHM3Z3dnVTBZdFFVRVU4Zl9XWUFDVDZLBGZyA3lmcC10LTcwMS1zBGZyMgNzZy1nYWMEbl9ncHMDNARvcmlnaW4Dc3JwBHBvcwMyBHBxc3RyA2hhaXJjdXRzIHRoYXQgdGFrZSAEcXVlcnkDaGFpcmN1dHMgdGhhdCB0YWtlIG9mZiB5ZWFycwRzYWMDMQRzYW8DMQR2dGVzdGlkA01TWTAwNA--?rnd=5471436404182442360263

Time to pull out the forever stamps. I only have a few 44 cent stamps that will need a penny stamp.

U.S. OKs increase in nursing home tax to bring in more Medicaid money

U.S. OKs increase in nursing home tax to bring in more Medicaid money

My Week

Our Springfield area is honored again to have another Illinois Dept of Veterans Affairs Veteran of the Month, Terry Vance. His ceremony is Jan 31st.

Tuesday night I got gas since the price was going up and then stopped at the grocers to get a pre-paid card for my son. I also stopped by the Goodwill store to see if a pewter cross necklace was still there that I had resisted getting on Saturday when I had looked around after making my donations. It was still there. While in the checkout line, a lady ahead of me was purchasing the ottoman that I had donated on Saturday for $8.

Wednesday I went to the funeral of a coworker, Andy. He was a member of our American Legion Riders and had riden a CanAm. A mission by the Patriot Guard Riders was provided. 5 motorcycles showed up for that chilly morning ride. During the funeral, I sat in the back for the funeral with Michael and Brian. Brian bawled during the ceremony. They must have been close.

I met a young reservist in a PGR flag line for Andy. He was on leave from Afghanistan. I mentioned that I was writing to a soldier in Afghanistan. He said he was stationed up in the mountains near Baghram. He received a flag that I had signed last August at the Illinois Gathering of the Guard.

That evening, we had an Amvets meeting. We sang happy birthday to my son but insisted that his gift not be opened at the meeting.

Thursday morning we had snow. Leaving my cul-de-sac, I told the neighbor girl to wear a hat and zip up her coat. Then I noticed that there was traffic ahead at the stop sign leading to RT 4 and knew I should take an alternate route. Problem is there was a back up on Iron Bridge Rd as well because of a car in a tree. I took this picture from my car window as I went by. There were other cars on the side of the road as well.
Friday my sons and I celebrated a birthday by going out to eat at Alexander’s Steakhouse right after work because it was on this side of town. We save a few bucks by grilling our own on their open pit. I was so full. Then we went to a movie which I was unprepared for and had a coupon for $5 off the theater ticket so I had to run home and get it. We saw the new Sherlock Holmes movie.
I bought a garment bag at a thrift store for under $10 to keep some of my historic costumes in. I thought I could use it as a pattern to make one for my other dresses too since these plastic garment bags rip. So I looked on ebay to see what I had.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l2736&_nkw=vera+bradley+garment+bag

Mine has tan with flower and strawberry print on quilted material. I couldn't find a brand name but a label that it is cotton and made in China. I think I scored a deal on this

I went to a "WTHeck Were They Thinking After Christmas Gift Exchange" at the Red Lobster. We had a post Christmas gift exchange. I think I came out ahead and brought home some healthy dog treats.

The Catholic War Veterans had a Memorial Mass at the Cathedral on Sunday. Afterward I went to my own church’s pancake breakfast. The proceeds went to the food pantry. I was able to bring home some of the leftover sausage from the breakfast and Alan put it in lasagna. Yum.

I was off for Martin Luther King day and the weather was so nice. So nice that I brought a log in for the fireplace but did not go back to close the door. I forgot about it until I felt the draft. I also noticed a large fly in the house to swat in the Middle of January. The warm weather was good for walking the dogs and putting some things in the garage. While walking the dogs, I saw a motorcyclist coming home. I chatted it up and he had a good ride but pointed to the sky with a front coming through and said I missed the window of opportunity. I explained that my garage faces north and always has a patch of snow to melt longer. I wouldn’t want to roll the bike over that. I swept the rest of the snow and slush off the sidewalk as best that I could. I had the car washed before the next big weather pattern strikes this week.

I went to the VFW Monday night. I had reminded Joan to come since she normally has a conflict on the meeting night. I keep telling them at the post that I’m not the only female member of the post but there are other ladies in our Womens Overseas Service League that are members. Post commander said I was missed last month because they needed a woman’s advice on post décor issues. That’s when I was practicing for the First Night Ball. So they brought up remodeling of the rest rooms. They want to make them more handicap accessible. Well then they wanted to know if taller or shorter stools in the ladies room would be better. Joan said taller and I said shorter. Ha! So much for that.

I learned that one of our Honor Flight veterans has passed away. RIP Gene Owens of Le Roy, IL. Here is his obit:

http://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/obituaries/gene-owens/article_8e93878a-3f27-11e1-971e-001871e3ce6c.html

I got this dress on eBay and await it's arrival. I hope to wear it to the Grierson Ball. Alan had accused my black and red dress as the "Queen of Hearts". Yesterday, the windscreen for my little motorcycle arrived from China. Both of these had no additional shipping charges.

I started a 6 week session of ballroom dance with Gene on Tuesday evenings. I discovered that all that drill and marching can mess up us military gals. We’ve been taught to start with our left foot. In dancing the men start off with their left foot and women mirror this with a right foot start. No wonder I’m such a klutz. I had been a drill leader as an instructor for NCO leadership school and it's unlearning for me.

US general fights alcoholism after public collapse | abc13.com

US general fights alcoholism after public collapse abc13.com

Vets: Make Memorial Thefts a Federal Crime | Military.com

Vets: Make Memorial Thefts a Federal Crime Military.com

Father makes trip to Iraq to see where son died

Father makes trip to Iraq to see where son died with the help of Soldiers Angels

Soldier may Face Punishment for Paul Endorsement | Military.com#.TwTjy0BgJNk.facebook#.TwTjy0BgJNk.facebook

Soldier may Face Punishment for Paul Endorsement Military.com#.TwTjy0BgJNk.facebook#.TwTjy0BgJNk.facebook

My Week

I had free exercise classes between the holidays. I tried to pay up for the next session last Friday but was turned away because the gal at the desk was clueless. Went back on Tuesday and got it all taken care of. I went to the First Night Civil War Ball at the Old State Capitol. My son called me the Queen of Hearts in sarcasm so now I’d like a new ball dress. The ball was fun, great exercise, and educational. I was proud to be a part of this. Also I was glad that as a volunteer tour guide at the Old State Capitol, I was able to help some of the guest dancers in small ways such as the sound system. There are more photos at:http://www.dancingdates.com/ When Mrs Lincoln stepped away, I caught a photo with Abe. The fireworks were cancelled because of high winds. I gave away 2 pair of rubber skids for walking on ice thru freecycle last week. I still have a pr for myself. I’ve been cleaning closets. I had no idea how many unmatched socks that I have and I keep wearing socks with holes because those are not shoved in the back. I got a few gifts that you'll say to yourself "It's the thought that counts"I think I'll give away my purple parka. After all, when Alan and I went to Walmart, I asked him on the way out if he saw any of the "people of walmart". He looked at me and said yes. He pointed out that I had a purple coat on with green jeans and a white knit cap New Years morning was the reader at church. The first reader did not show so I did both readings. Later I learned that she had emailed me about 40 minutes before Mass that she was ill. Then when I got to work on Tuesday, she had left a message on my work number that she couldn’t make it. New Years day was so windy that the landscape bricks are blowin' away. I was listening to the radio about City of Springfield's dilemma regarding health insurance for the newly approved civil unions. Then it came to mind that you don't have to be gay to be in a civil union necessarily. Reminded me of the TV show "Three's Company" where Jack, played by John Ritter, was a straight guy pretending to be gay in order to share an apartment with 2 unmarried women. Plot revolved around the charade for the convenience. Monday night I went to the American Legion meeting. We had ham and beans and cornbread. A motorcycle club asked for money for postage for sending boxes of goodies to Afghanistan and read 2 letters of thanks from past boxes. There was a motion made to give more postage money to the motorcycle club. I asked why we (as the Legion) were not doing something like this. I was told that the legion along with the VFW were included in the letters as senders of the boxes. Another vouched for how refreshing it was to receive these boxes from home. I think they misheard my question that I was against sending boxes but I will never be against someone doing the right thing and I vote in favor of the funding. I don’t deny the cause but I’m sure those thank you letters were addressed to the motorcycle club and not the AL or VFW who had a hand in the sending of those boxes. I know that when I was in the military that I remembered kindness. These recipients could be future members of the post with the visibility. The same meeting discussed the shortcomings in our membership. The post reaches in the wrong direction for visibility. I made some oatmeal cookies with rough cut oats and instead of raisins I used crasins. I used low calorie sugar too. My son’s flat screen TV will no longer turn on. When he moved in with me, there was a small TV in the cabinet which he replaced with his TV. I moved that small TV and its cable box to his bed room which he had not slept in since I bought him 2 dressers and a new mattress for the guest bed. He had been sleeping on the couch near his game, Knights of Camelot so he could defend his castle. He slept there last night. My hair is getting long and tangled. It will be cut for ‘Locks of Love’ during Lent. I have an invite to a surprise birthday party for Anita Bedell on Friday. Her husband is good at a straight face but told me he was having a rough time keeping it from her. Dan and Anita were so kind to me when I was laid up by bringing meals and walking my dog.I went to a PGR mission on Dec 29th for a young Iraq war veteran that died in an auto accident. I didn’t take time off but just my lunch hour to honor him in the flag line at Camp Butler National cemetery.