My Week

The boys and I went to a very lovely Christmas Eve Mass that began at 10PM.  However, there is music before hand and if you don't get a seat by 9:30, you might have a problem. The green decor, lights and choir were so so nice.  That's what Christmas is all about. 
Sang:
Silent Night
Psalm 98: All The Ends Of The Earth (Haas/Haugen)
From the Cradle to the Cross
Wizards of Winter (famous music that accompanies the light show)
A rare event...I'm baking: Molasses cookies with mincemeat and a little (alot) leftover cream sherry.  Tastes good but not much to look at.    I got a Soda Stream got a starter kit and diet coke syrup, Pyrex set, calendar, book about Civil War Ladies, candles and scented toiletries.  My sons got a puzzle cube with money in it.  Sean solved his puzzle first.   The soda maker has been giving me a heck of a splash until I learned how to screw the bottle into the spritzer device.
Alan liked the iPod Nano that I gave him.  Sean got an Astro A40 MLG Gaming Headset ; Mixamp that he wanted.
I bought myself a few gifts too:  Civil War DVD set and an ice mat for that slippery sidewalk trip to the car.   It was fun to watch the neighbors try out a remote control helicopter on their front lawn.

We watched the National Lampoon Christmas Vacation on TV.  My poor little Bentley hacked all day.  Both Marley and Bentley had a ham bone from the dinner.  Tails wagged.

Thursday I went to the dentist and got a crown and a filling.  It wasn't too bad. I got 2 letters from our lady soldiers thanking me for the box that I had sent.  Whoo Hoo!  It's always nice to know that the boxes get to the intended one because I always check on the customs form to abandon if undeliverable.

Friday evening I screamed when a stool fell on my big toe.  I'm sure it's been fractured.  I put ice on it and wrapped it up.  It is swollen.  My son was on his phone and heard me scream but didn't come to check me out.  The sad part is that I knew I had to dance after months of practice. 
Saturday I went to our dress rehearsal for the First Night Ball.  I got there early and provided some visitors with a tour while wearing my ball gown.

Sunday I went to church but  I developed a stuffy head throughout the day.  I fixed a green bean casserole and it worked this time.  Boys loved it.  I slept about 11 hours with this head cold.

Monday I have to work and then the First Night Dance is at 7PM.  Normally the site is not open on Mondays so the doors will open at 5PM.  I told Justin I would help out with Freedom's First Day at the Old State Capitol.

Then I'll stop by Night Watch briefly since I will be in bed at midnight.
WATCH NIGHT/FREEDOM'S FIRST DAY
Watch Night, December 31, 2012, 8:00 p.m.
Freedom's First Day, January 1, 2013 1:00 pm
Watch Night- Westminster Presbyterian Church, Springfield, Illinois
Freedom's First Day- Old State Capitol, Springfield, Illinois
http://www.abrahamlincolnassociation.org/events.aspx

My week

Tuesday evening I got my chicken at the VFW and afterward I went to the Christmas on the Front event held at the Illinois State Military Museum.  Gene followed me there because he's never been there and really liked it.  I can't believe his buddies on the Sangamon County Burial Detail didn't tell him about this local gem of a museum.  There were WW2 reenactors in the trenches with a lighted path to get there. 

Wednesday evening I went to church for group photos for the directory.  I was in the group photo for the Eucharistic Ministers and the group of lectors.  Afterward I went to the VFW for line dance practice.

Thursday morning I awoke to 51 degrees.  By late lunch, it started snowing and blowing.  I got the ball rolling to call off our the ABATE meeting to be held at 7PM.  It was supposed to be an important meeting because of elections.  I posted a notice on facebook and hopes no one will be crazy enough to go in this blizzard. I made it home in the white out. Back porch screen door is blown shut so the doggies won't be able to go out on their own. I can hear the whistling wind over the roof. It scares Marley and she's hiding in her safe place. Even too windy for a fire in the fireplace. Dare I put my new trash can out for pick up day tomorrow?  Results were a tree down at work and my plastic Nativity scene all messed up.

Saturday morning I went to St Louis to the Old Courthouse for a Civil War Ball.  This was especially nice because Christmas Parties and shopping was done and the comradeship and dance was for my pleasure. We had a workshop dance in the morning and then open dancing at noon.  Since it took place in the afternoon, I wore my day dress instead of my ball gown.  This dress is a bit longer so I had to wear a bigger hoop to take it up a bit.  I felt really bad for the young ladies with the ill fitted dresses that were too long and they were tripping on their hems.  One asked how long we've been dancing because we we seemed to know the dances.  I was flattered but I replied just a year.  The beginning of the ball started with a reenactment of renewal of wedding vows and the couple had led the Grand March.  At the end of the ball, in the center of the rotunda, I witnessed a young couple as he had knelt down to propose to her.  I had to congratulate them of course.  Afterward, a group of the reenactors went to eat at Guidos on the Hill.  I got home late and couldn't wait to get out of my clothing...especially the corset.  Photos courtesy of Mark Morgan.

Sunday morning I went to church and was a Eucharistic Minister.  The deacon opened his sermon by saying "When was the last time you danced?"  I knew this was a sermon to remember.  Point was that King David danced publicly before the Arc of the Covenant and John danced in his mother's womb when Mary was the vessel of Jesus.  I felt so full of Joy today as I ready for Christmas and light all 4 candles on my Advent Wreath.  My candles did get out of control and had to be put out.  The white candle in the center which is lit on Christmas day got melted by the other 4 candles.

Bentley's hacking has gotten worse.  He has an enlarged heart.  According to PetMed.com dogs with this condition are given 6 to 24 months to live.  Poor little guy still is happy and not lethargic as the article says but hacks so bad.  Alan refers to it as "honking".

I wanted to get a prime rib for our Christmas dinner since it is on sale but the cuts were too large for just the 3 of us.  Smallest was 7lbs at $51.  I settled on a ham.

My Week

Let's see, it's Christmas Party Week ~ Amvets Christmas dinner at American Legion Post on Wednesday, Catholic War Veterans on Thursday at the Chesapeake Seafood Restaurant.  Wednesday we had a snack day at work and one of those silly gift exchanges.

Friday I took the afternoon off to ready for a busy night.  I went to the Old State Capitol for Christmas With Santa which helped to support the troops.
Here is the publicity: Holiday Stories With Santa
I had just gotten a dress for my porcelain doll on ebay so I brought her with me to show the children and also to dress her.  She has a day dress and a wrapper complete with Chatelaine.

Here is Anna Bella in her new wrapper complete with a mini chatelaine.

I've been good.  I got away with a tug on Santa's beard.  It's OK, I didn't pull hard.  I think he liked it too by the smile on his face.

Afterward I changed in the parking garage into evening dress and went to the Committee Ball.  Here I am with a couple of coworkers, Brandon and Bob.  These late evenings seem to go so fast and the next thing you know it is realy late. 

Saturday I walked the dogs before going on my busy planned day.  I noticed that Marley had worms in her poo so I dog the bag to the vet and got pills for both Marley and Bentley.  Marley does like road kill.  However, I've let her bring home freshly killed squirrels but this past week, I noticed she'd been sticking her nose under some leaves and pulling out rotten stuff.

Then I got all dressed up in my Civil War dress and headed out to Camp Butler National Cemetery for Wreaths Across America.  It was the best ceremony yet.  I made arrangements for Philipa Porter, a Gold Start Mother from the first Gulf War, to sing the National Anthem and later she sang O Danny Boy. I wore my period dress for the six special wreaths ordered by the Sons of the Confederacy for the Confederate graves.   I suggested the 6 graves top and front.
This is a link to the news 20 broadcast reporting on Wreaths Across America at Camp Butler.
Wreaths Across America ~ Camp Butler Dec 12, 2012

 For more information on the Confederate graves, click here:
 Camp Butler cemetery home to Confederates

My son Showed up as well.  We went with her to lay a wreath on her son's grave.  Then Sean and I, along with Chaplain Steve and Gene headed over to lay a wreath on my husband's grave. I'm feeling a bit "farby" since my hair fell down from the bun.  The wind did pic up a little.

After Wreaths Across America, I helped serve refreshments with my friend, Joan, at The Elijah Iles House as part of the historical house holiday tours.  Here I am with Father Christmas.  James Cornelius, curator of the Lincoln Collection in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, was portraying Father Christmas in the 19th-century style, with a green robe and long white hair.  I wondered if he'd give me a switch with the leather because he could have been the Belsnickle.  Original Santa's were not in red.  After the refreshments, I got out of my period dress and into a skirt in the parking lot that was walled in (mostly).  I then went to dinner at Osaka with friends from the Old State Capitol.  Heck, I never know what I'm ordering there.  I just picked something with tuna in it.  It was more like sushi.  Hot meal would be a better choice.
Click here for the newspaper article on the Holiday House tour:  Historic Christmas 

Sunday morning I read the first reading at Mass which meant I had to read the petitions.  It was difficult to read the names of the dearly departed as one was our deacon's wife and another was the blind man's mother that sits in front of me every Sunday.  I told him after Mass that I gave him eye contact as I mentioned his mother's name (for what it's worth).  There were donuts afterward and I had one.  Not too many takers so there were probably a lot left.

I've been upset about the school shooting in Connecticut.  So many little ones killed and teachers by a young man needing medical attention badly. I fear the reaction politically regarding our right to bear arms.  Here in Illinois, the governor has been scaling back on prisons and mental health facilities.  So that could mean danger among us.  Illinois is last state that does not allow 'concealed carry'. Wisconsin approved it earlier this year.  Last week the feds mandated that Illinois allow concealed carry because this is a right.  Seems it's bad to defend yourself but it's good to loosen control on criminal and mental behavior that threaten us.

 
My new flat screen TV arrived this week that I got paid for on a black Friday deal at Walmart for a guarantee order before Christmas.  My son put it up in time for football.

I made a green bean casserole on Sunday which was a failure and tasteless.

My Week

Tuesday I stopped over at the YMCA to pay for my exercise session.  Next door is the Dana Thomas House and I saw Senator McCann coming out.  Took awhile for us to recognize each other in the dark.  He told me there was an event for some of the politicians and such going on but that I should feel free to go inside.  The luminaries lit the entrance.  Inside I met an old friend, Chet, who used to be at the Old State Capitol.  We chatted a bit and he encouraged me to sign in and get a name tag.  It was weird signing in below others that had senator by their name.  Well I walked around and looked at all the lovely decorations.  I looked around and had a glass of wine and then went to pick up some VFW chicken.

 Wednesday was the Feast Day of St Nicholas.  I have stockings up for the boys but they haven't gotten in them.

I didn't get to stay home that evening because of a Legion Riders meeting on the other side of town.  Sometimes I come home but just get to stay a half hour before heading out again.  I didn't do that this time.  Instead I did a few errands around before going to the meeting.  Mike Lee has really been workin' hard and we have 736 wreaths for Wreaths Across America. We will need more help with laying the wreaths. Sam McCann will be speaker, Gold Star Mom Phillipa will sing the National Anthem, News 20, 6 wreaths dedicated to confederates by Sons of the Confederacy, 21 gun salute and much more

Thursday I had an invitation to a book signing by Guy Fraker for his new book, Lincoln's Ladder to the Presidency The Eighth Judicial Circuit.  I went with George Tinkham.  He and I were part of the Lincoln Circuit Ride on motorcycles.  This took place at the Union Theater in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum.  Mr Fraker was asked to slant his topic for those on his book tour so this speech was about Lincoln and Spirits . Well not the spirit of the season but rather alcohol. Lincoln may not have been supportive of drinking but as a lawyer on the circuit, he defend sellers and temperance point of views when it came to justice. Odd to me that drink was bad but mercury (probably Opium too) was Ok by the knowledge of the time.

Here's the official website for this book: http://www.lincolnsladder.com/the-book.html

Friday I took half the day off for the Pearl Harbor Day Ceremony at the DAV.  I was later informed by a friend that she spotted me on the news.  So since I was out that evening (see following paragraph) I found the media online here:
http://www.wics.com/news/top-stories/stories/vid_8489.shtml

 That's Ward Anderson on the left, John Kelly in the middle and on the right is Jean Goretski, a WWII WAVE.

I had been the local coordinator for the statehouse wreath presentation for Wreaths Across America.  I set things up and Chaplain Steve does the presentation during the Pearl Harbor ceremony.  WAA wants the ceremony on the day the wreaths depart Maine for Arlington but it is just too difficult to set up a ceremony when we can take a few minutes out of an existing ceremony format that is so near the date.  After the ceremony, I followed Chaplain Steve over to the capitol building and we placed the wreath by the veterans wall.  There were some students from Beardstown there in thier choir uniforms and I asked if they would like to sing as we placed the wreath.  I explained that the wreath was a gift to our state from Harrington Wreath Company in Maine in honor of all veterans and that they put wreaths on all the graves at Arlington. They sang very nicely and made the placement seem less of a drop off.

After work I changed into my Civil War dress for a "Victorian Tea" at Edwards Place at 6PM.  Since there was a Christmas Party for the AFSCME union at 5PM, I stopped there for 1/2 hour before going over to Edwards Place.  I went to the tea and this historic site was so beautifully decorated for the holidays.  I only had one problem ~ seems that true Victorian holly would be solid green and this fake stuff is got white outline on the leaves.  Another thing, the tea before had more authentic snacks.  Now we had mini cup cakes from the store and wraps.  The "TEA" I went to years ago had more authentic munchies.  I know it's because of the health inspection for public food now.  Afterward I went back to the AFSCME party at Vinegar Hill.  Time flew and I was there till the party was over at 11PM.  I brought home a white poinsettia from the center piece.  I learned a new word ~ Belsnickle
I knew that there was once a Santa that was feared by children but there was a reproduction figure that has hidden compartment for candy.  I found one on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290824037268&fromMakeTrack=true
Here is some background
The Belsnickle: definitely NOT Santa Claus

My son got his life membership card for the VFW for Christmas.

Saturday was the feast of the Immaculate Conception, Holy Day of Obligation, December 8. Mass at 8:30am.  I went to Mass and did a little bit of Christmas shopping.  Parking lots were full.  I went to Lowes and Farm and Fleet.  I saw Santa driving a mini van.  He had a real beard and retired military license plates. I waved and he waved back.

I saw this in an email captioned " it was a lot of work but I'm done ... got the tree up!! ". 

That inspired me on small gifts for friends.  I handed some of these trees out at our Legion Christmas party.  Only a few understood the joke.

I got all ready for Mass on Sunday with the Catholic War Veterans but a last minute look at my calendar showed that I missed the time.   I had just enough time to go to my own parish a few blocks away.  I think there was a reason too.  The blind man who sits near me in my parish lost his mother last night and needed a hug.  Saturday, Dec 8, was the 5th anniversary of my mother's death. 

I toured the Oglesby Mansion in Decatur.  There was a special Christmas tea.

Everything was decorated so nicely.  The rain was starting to fall and this was the front to bring in the bitter cold.

My Week

My Christmas cactus that I got last year is flowering.  This is a real miracle for my reputation with indoor plants.

Monday I finally gave in with this sore throat that I had since I returned from my trip to France.
 There was open walk-ins being taken.  There is a sign that says if you've been waiting more than 30 minutes to go to the counter.  Somehow I slept past that and had to be awoken when my name was called.  Well my throat was red but not strep.  Dr believes it could be stomach acid and I was prescribed something similar to Prilosec.

Tuesday's lunch break was spent at the capitol rotunda.  There was a ceremony for the dedication of the Nativity display.  Illinois is one of only 2 states that have a Nativity display.
Illinois one of two states to erect a Nativity Scene in state capitol

The lottery was building up $500 million so my coworker bought me a ticket knowing that I'd never buy one for myself.

Sunday I picked a name tag off of a tree at church to get an unwrapped gift for.  I choose the name of a 12 year old girl.  

I had been disappointed that Joanne Fabric store ran out of my needed trim for a project I had been working on and had not purchased enough to finish the job.  So I thought maybe that Joane would have it online.  Drats!!!  So I googled further and found my trim on eBay.  Whoo Hoo!

During lunch on Wednesday, I atteneded a union meeting.  Since this is on our time, I brought my lunch.  I sat down at the table and nobody else brought their lunch.  One lady said I was bold.  I showed them what I was eating, green beans and fried chicken liver (left over from the VFW chicken dinner) and all but one unanimously "Ewwww".   Apparently Larry was envious one.

I bought a new paletote for my reenacting.

Wednesday night I went to the VFW line dance lesson.  I guess I need more practice. I'll probably make a seperate blog for lessons like I did with the Civil War Ball dances for First Night at the Old State Capitol.

I got my family portrait in the mail that was taken for the church photo directory.  I wore my Catholic War Veterans garb.

Saturday morning I got an email telling me about the annual Christmas Ornament ceremony at the Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Oakridge Cemetery.
Photos of the event are on the newspaper's website:
  Christmas Remembrance at Vietnam Memorial

It was so nice out that I rode the motorcycle there.  Attendees were allowed to place an ornament with a name of a KIA on the fur tree near the memorial.  On the way home, I was at a stop light and a woman in the car next to me gave me the thumbs up for riding this first day of December.  Can you believe it was 59?  I told her she had a nice dog in her car.  Yeah but she does ride well and I told her neither do my dogs.
When I got home I walked the dogs and we all took a bath.


I attended the 1850s Carol Singing
Saturday, December 1, 2012
5:45 p.m. Music Prelude | 6:00 p.m. Service
—Donations go to the Salvation Army Tree of Lights—
This Christmas season, travel back to the 1850s: the Lincolns, portrayed by Fritz Klein and Pam Brown, will greet visitors. If you wish, attend in mid-19th century attire along with our musical guests, the Sangamon Woodwind Consort and the Capital Chamber Singers, soprano Matilda Edge.
http://www.lincolnschurch.org/home.html

 This is the latest dress I found on eBay listed as petite.   I didn't have to make any alterations except the bonnet lining.  It was straw so I pulled an eyelet shirt from the closet and used the fabric to line the under brim.  I had saved a shoulder pad and put that in the back of the inside but I was having trouble keeping the hat from sliding off my head with my fine hair.  Next project is to keep that from happening again.

Sunday was real nice too.  I read the second reading and delivered my unopened Christmas gift for a 16 yr old girl through Mercy charity,  Instead of putting her  unwrapped gift in a shopping bag like everyone else, I put it in a shoulder purse that she can use.  When I brought it to church, a friend mentioned that it matched what I was wearing making it even harder to give it  up.

I did some grocery shopping and used my County Market discount coupons.  Some items like the pasta and macaroni and cheese I took over to the food pantry.

I came home and started cooking up a German dinner for the family.  I got great compliments from them too.  They are leery of some of my past experiments in the kitchen.   It is so nice out that I am writing my blog from my back porch.  Yeah that means I cleaned off the table back there too.

Monday morning's weather man said "Here it is Dec 3d and it's 60 degrees at 6AM.  It was so nice that I decided to wear a skirt to work.  Well, while walking the dogs, my panty hose slipped down to my knees because they were so old the elastic waist rotted and wouldn't hold.  Quickly made a change for another pair, also been sitting awhile but these seem to be holding.