My Week

The First Night Ball went over well and all the practice paid off.  I got a second wind fighting this sinus cold in order to dance and periodically had to blow my nose.  Justin had opened a window in Representatives Hall propped open with a fireplace log to keep the room comfortable for dancing.  Here I am with Helen at the ball.

Afterward the dancers went to the Dublin Pub where I shared a pizza.  Larry and Miranda passed out little red bags containing a Scottish New Years wish known as the first footer which is said, that whoever the first person to set foot into your home on New Year's day decided the family's luck for the rest of the year.  There was a roll of bread for family, coal (chocolate) for warmth, whiskey for good spirits and salt.   This was a well thought out wish.  So I did a little research and learned another name for the custom is 'Hogmanay'  http://www.fathertimes.net/scottishnewyear.htm

On New Year's day I went to Mass for the Solemnity of Mary.  I bumped into friends I knew from the Old State Capitol who had recently retired and moved to my parish.

Then I went to the OSC to help with the 150th anniversary ceremony of the Emancipation Proclamation.  Looks like my help was needed too.  The odd thing is that the count in attendance was also 150.  I passed out the programs and helped a little with the refreshments.  I had Francine so the refreshments that required handling since I had potential sneezing and was in period dress to boot.  I wore my confederate dress which probably wasn't that appropriate for the event but I'm trying to get a feel for how to fix this problem waist band.  It may be out of my skill set of simple hemming.

Still feeling a bit under the weather, I ate dinner, shrimp, and then took a Nyquil and slept well.  

Wednesday I started a programming class that the instructor guaranteed a headache.  No kidding.  In the evening I went to the VFW for line dance lessons.  Gosh, you'd think I didn't know anything with all this training going on.

Thursday's class started the headaches in my programming class.  We ended the day with an exercise which instructed code in the wrong place and repetitive coding that taught nothing.  This is a course provided by Microsoft.  The instructor is very good.  He feels my sentiment that he remembers the days when he was frustrated and had to muddle around.  I too hope to share so that doesn't happen to others.  There was a woman in the class whom I believe works for the State Retirement System who would leave rather than work an exercise and during class was constantly on her iPhone.


After work I went to Aldi.  Had some Christmas goodies on sale so I got some for the ladies.  I don't care for dog food at Aldi so I stopped by Walmart for some without the corn in it.  Sale going on and got a top for $1 and black fleece hoodie and pants $3 ea.

My son seems excited to be closer in getting a job in Peoria.  I gave him a big pre-selection hug.

I got what is known as "free mail" for being sent from soldiers that don't need to use a stamp.  She thanked me for sending a box and letter and she likes dogs.  Whoo Hoo.

I sewed my very first carpet bag.  I'm only a simple sewer.  I had this tapestry fabric for awhile but lacked everything else. I had the tapestry a long time but didn't know what to do with it. Found some quilted pillow cases in a thrift store that were perfect for lining.   I started with the pattern found here http://creativedoll.blogspot.com/2009/06/do-you-want-to-make-your-own-carpet-bag.html and enlarged it onto a big piece of cardboard. After folding the model together, I realized I needed it to be more square than the pattern. One of our Lincoln impersonators carried a bag too so I studied that too.  Now if I can find the right materials I'll fix the flimsy carpet bag I got on ebay that was poorly made.

Brr it's been cold lately.   My nose is red and raw from blowing this head cold out.

Saturday morning I got up early since I crashed early the night before.  I watched a movie on TV:  Enemy at the Gate.  It's a 2001 movie that I'd never seen about WW2 about the German invasion in Stalingrad.
I found a series of clips of the movie on YouTube:
 http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2860BAAE13DC7399
Unbelievable the bodies on the ground that the snipers had to hide among.

Since my stomach has been feeling upset with reflux, I have been trying to lay off coffee.

Saturday morning I did a few chores:  Picked up my Civil War camp dress from the cleaners, took down the Christmas stuff.
Sunday I just went to church and then made Sheppard's Pie.  Kids watched football.  Dogs got their long Sunday walk since there was afternoon sun and time was not restrictive like on a work day.  I started to clean my bedroom AKA sewing room.  I have period outfits and trim everywhere and unfinished projects.  I was able to clean the top of my dresser for the first time in over a year.  Now, here's the problem, my fern which hangs outside in the summer comes into the house over a hook in my bedroom window.  It drops leaves there and dries out.  Once a week I give it a shower.  I really think that the heat duct below my window is too hard on the fern.

Til next time.