My Week

Tuesday sure was a busy day.   I had chicken dinner at the VFW.  I wasn't too hungry so I got my meal to go and just took advantage of the WiFi since I was killing time between work and reenactor's meeting. Then I went to the meeting of the 114th IL Infantry/Soldiers Aid Society meet at the GAR hall at 7PM.  This is the pride and joy of the GAR, a flag that was at Ford's Theater that graced the box holding our president when he was shot.  You can see the tear that John Wilkes Booth made with his spur as he jumped the balcony.

I headed over to the airport for the Honor Flight.  I brought my Welcome Home banner and the ground crew found a better way to hang it than I did with duct tape in the past.  He used rubber bands thru the ceiling tiles attached to those bull dog clips.  It worked great.

Wednesday I cut the grass using a riding mower.  As I rode across the front lawn, I reminisced about the mound of snow that was on that spot just a month earlier.

Friday I watched a movie called
Photographing Fairies
A little more on the spooky side than I expected.

Friday I was kinda hoping to have dinner with my sons after work but there was a car in the drive and they had already headed to St Louis for a Cardinals game.  So I had one of those light dinners I had in the freezer.  I picked up some weed killer and lawn patch and used them till empty.  I laid out all of my stuff for the Civil War reenactment in Keokuk, IA the next morning.  I got up early and noticed my son was in bed but I didn't realize both were there.  Sean on the back couch.  Apparently his apartment was robbed.  His back pack with school books, his gun and rifle, and the gaming head set that I got him for Christmas are gone.  He was up til 2 AM with the police and fingerprinting of his den.  He totaled up $3,300.  In fact he was surprised his music stuff wasn't taken like $2,500 guitar.  This theft made the newspaper's "police beat" section:

Weapons stolen from apartment

Now for some fun stuff at Keokuk.  The morning was nice but the afternoon had a light but steady rain.  This was my first time at this event and from what I was told, this was also the least amount of rain.  You could have fooled me.  My cape was damp.  I had dinner at a nice resturant and when seated at a table I notices the other reenactors and asked to be sat nearer to them.  I got the Early Bird Special of Prime Rib.  It was huge.  I brought some of it home.  I counted 12 deer and a coyote on the 2 and half hour way home. 
Here are some of the pictures.  Here we are waiting and waiting for our shuttle bus back to Rand Park after the Ladies Tea.

These reenactors were Pre-Civil War but very accurately attired.

I was pleased to recognise some of the reenactors from our Springfield, IL unit fighting it out.  Got a nice wave from Dwaine Carrol out there from the side lines.

Who needs fireworks when you've got the big boom boom?

After the battle, the medical unit puts on a reenactment of the amputations.  Here the doctor explains the Maltese Cross and how it dresses the amputated arm.

Then in the evening there was the lovely ball.  There is a discount fee for reenactors and as we paid they put a red dot on our hand to show that we paid.  For all it's worth, we wear gloves as Vicortians and the dot is covered.  Except that I had lace gloves and the dot showed through the lace.  Actually, it looked like I had a small sore through the gloves.

They put this tarp on the floor to protect the gym floor.  Sometimes I could feel my slipper grip with it which was sensitive to the folds and the duct tape.

 I recall during the lesson for the Spanish Waltz, I was paired up with a young lady in a lovely black and red Spanish looking dress.  I explained that it was a lovely, graceful dance and she'd better know it since she had a Spanish look.  She needed to get with the program.  Mr Banker fans himself too after a brisk waltz.

Mr Lincoln and a fine young lady.

Sunday morning I got up early for church and the pastor had commented on how today's Gospel reading (John 14:23-29) reminded him of the brevity of the Gettysburg address.  There was a visiting scout troop at Mass who were on their Lincoln Pilgrimage weekend.  Afterward I finally had lunch with my sons that I had hoped for on Friday evening.  We ate at Fulgenzi's Trattoria. The fried chicken on the buffet seemed over fried and dry on the inside.  Not my favorite place but the kids like it.

I was humored to learn that my little buddy at work who is hearing impaired had heard of the song "Oh Lord it's hard to be Humble" as a youngster at Camp Cilca and didn't know the words.  He thought it was a nice Christian type song.  I explained it was a satire.  Now there could have been new words to make it nice but it would not have been so understood without the original version.  I guess if you see the humor and silliness of our vanity then there's a lesson to be learned.  Here's the Muppet's Version:  

God Bless our fallen Airmen:

Dear God, sound the trumpets! Four warriors died April 27, near Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, in the crash of an MC-12 aircraft. The cause of the crash is under investigation, however initial reporting indicates there was no enemy activity in the area at the time of the crash.
Killed were:
Capt. Brandon L. Cyr, 28, of Woodbridge, Va. He was assigned to the 906th Air Refueling Squadron, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.
Capt. Reid K. Nishizuka, 30, of Kailua, Hawaii. He was assigned to the 427th Reconnaissance Squadron, Beale Air Force Base, Calif.
Staff Sgt. Richard A. Dickson, 24, of Rancho Cordova, Calif. He was assigned to the 306th Intelligence Squadron, Beale Air Force Base, Calif.
Staff Sgt. Daniel N. Fannin, 30, of Morehead, Ky. He was assigned to the 552nd Operations Support Squadron, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.

My Week

Remember last years drought?  Well, I think someone prayed real hard and this week our Lord answered.  I understand that lightning struck a building across from the govenor's mansion and knocked a few bricks but nothing major.  I don't think like the ants like rain either as they are taking up shelter around my kitchen sink.

I felt pretty congested on Sunday and thought I could make it through a day of work on Monday but just worked an hour and came home.  I was in bed nearly all day.  I was so stuffy that my nose dripped.  I'll probably have a raw spot under my nose again.

I had an audit of a phone call I made eight months ago at work to make sure it was official buisiness.  I keep a log of my long distance calls so I know the nature of the call but still ridiculous.

Tuesday I had chicken at the VFW followed by a meeting of the Soldiers Aid Society meeting at 6PM.  We discussed our upcoming Tableau Vivant to take place on Friday at the Illinois State Museum.  We are also making plans for the upcoming reenactment of the Lincoln Funeral procession in 2015 with a fund raiser at Edwards Place on April 30th.

Wednesday I went to a banquet at the Chesapeake Seafood house as a guest of the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County.  Three of their retired members were honored...two of whom I knew.  Here's a photo of Jean Goretski and her citation.

Thursday I should have gone to an ABATE meeting but I have not been home all week and had things to do at home.  I picked up some dog food and Planters NUTrision to try and like it.

Friday after work I went to the County Market before reenacting at the Illinois State Museum
I found this note on my windshield while shopping at County Market. "Thank you for supporting our troops and your service! & raising awareness of the local men & women who have served! I pray that if you know these men and women, they were a blessing to you. Thanks again! ~ a local army brat"

I headed over to the museum for a private party for the foundation members.  The Soldiers Aid Society performed the short version of our Tableau Vivant
As Laura described the impact of sending letter and boxes, I got teary eyed thinking of the note on the windshield just earlier and if the author only knew what it meant.  Well Laura passed around some of the contents of the box and someone dropped her mason jar of cherries.  Clean up on Isle one!

Saturday I went to St Louis for the Blue and Gray Ball.  I had lunch with my God Child Alyson who is contemplating entry into the Air Force.  I also learned that my nephew is joining the army in August....salutes!  The day started with the GPS not knowing that I64 was closed to traffic and re-routed.  Then the rerouted traffic also got rerouted.  The day time events included the Missouri Botanical Gardens, and the History museum which had a special exhibit on the Civil War in MO.  There were many there getting pictures in the gardens.  I accidentally said "congratulations" to a young couple in formals for prom thinking they were there for wedding pictures.  Opps.

Then the ball at the Mahler Ballroom.

I got home at 1:30AM.

My son's temporary contract became permanent.  That makes both of us happy and the future looks bright.  Never give up.

While vacuuming the house, I noticed that Bentley likes to be vacuumed.  His hacking is getting worse and his breath is no long just bad breath but more like death....a dead rat or something in there.

Sunday I was the first reader at Mass.  I picked up my copy of the church directory.  I really enjoyed looking at the pictures and associating names with faces of the people I meet at church but usually silent.   Then I got dressed for a filming at the Old State Capitol but I couldn't get in.   It was all locked up. I tried to call but could only leave a message.  Latter I got an email response with the only way in.  Oh well, I think I needed to stay home anyway as I'm still tired from the day before.  I then went to have chicken at the American Legion.

My Week

So proud of my brother-in-law's interview. 

Dan Kinsey S&S Cycle Legend

Last year I thought it was hormones but now I have battery operated statistics. I'm really hot at the office on Monday afternoon.  Then we a lot of us got overconfident and didn't wear jackets on Wednesday and it was colder.  Poor Marley is afraid of the the thunderstorms.

Friday morning I woke to one of these little thermometers in my bedroom that read 59.  hate to get out of my electric blanket and turn the heat on for only being home for an hour before going to work.

I've readied my new pink ball gown for the event in St Louis on April 20th.  I had to shorten the hem despite the used ebay ad saying it was petite.  That proved an advantage because I needed a bigger width in the top so I canabalized the hem for a stretch there.
Here are the details for that event
http://www.nationalblueandgreyball.com/

Seems my older TV has a different reservation for Daylight Savings and I've been getting up an hour earlier than I should.  That had to be manually set.   I've had some Riesling wine that was on sale.  Getting ready for that pilgrimage to  Germany.  Made me type a little funny. 

I'm moderator on a few facebook pages so that keeps me going. A co-moderator had posted an event that had a question about the kick-0ff time for an event at the VFW post which prompted me to make a few phone calls to answer.  Trouble is that the last place I like to call is the post itself because of the back ground noise.

I didn't get to exercise on Monday since my lunch spilled on my clothes in the gym bag.  Wednesday  I went and it was the last day of that session so I'll have to pay for the next session.  After work I went to an AmVets meeting.  We tried a new location at the Route 66 Hotel and Conference Center.  Apparently that didn't go over too well so we'll try a new location in Pawnee next month.  Some had complained of cold food.   Our post commander mentioned that we have forgotten that we still have a current POW and he started stumbling on Bowe's name. I interrupted and showed the POW jelly bracelet with all the details that he wanted to express where there. I passed my bracelet around for all to see before returning it to my wrist.

Thursday I went to a Patriot Guard visitation for Marty Vala after work.  Although the visitation had started an hour before I got off of work.  Stood among friends.  Saw my pastor come to the visitation too so talked with him a little.  The flag line broke down at 6:30 and that gave me time to head to the other side of town for for a 7PM meeting of the Catholic War Veterans.

Friday I decided to turn my heat back on in the house.

Saturday I got up early to car pool over to Quincy Veterans home for the quarterly advisory board.  It's like a 2 hour ride for a half hour meeting but I sure wanted to make sure that the organization that I represent, the Womens Overseas Service League, was among the veteran organizations present. I carpooled from Springfield with 2 others and one picked up in Jacksonville so then it wasn't so bad as last time.  I wore my white uniform of the WOSL.  Then we toured the museum and ate there.  I had brought some jig saw puzzles and caps for the veterans there.  I got home about 2:30PM.  About 5PM I dressed in my period hoop for a fundraiser at the ILES house.

Sunday morning my sinuses worsened.  My nose dripped when I looked down.  Even though the weather felt nice enough for a ride to church, I didn't because you can't wipe your nose and ride.  I went to Mass with the Catholic War Veterans at St Joseph church and we had donuts afterward.  I came home and put air in the tires or the riding mower which had been on a charger overnight.  IT STARTED!!  I cut the grass in the back which was the first of the season and the back always grows faster because it's the dogs bathroom and highly fertilized in clumps too high for the little battery powered mower.  After that my son came home to do laundry and we had steak for lunch.  Nap seemed to help my sinus.  Boy, I have these hooks on this Civil War ball gown for next weekend too far apart and need to move them in. Trouble is that I look down while sewing and my nose drips.

Monday I went to work and just did the necessary stuff and came home with an interim stop at Meijer.  I feel like crap. Why do dogs like to dig in the trash for snotty Kleenex?   I spent a lot of time in bed only to wake up to see news about the bombing of the Boston Marathon.   The World is not the same.  NEVER FORGET 911.
I got returned mail that I sent to my soldier a year ago (June 2012)

On April 15, 1865, at 7:22 a.m., President Abraham Lincoln was pronounced dead as he lay awkwardly in a small bed inside the William Petersen House. A country, recently rejoicing at the end of a bloody war, would once again be thrust into sadness at the death of the leader who guided them through the worst conflict it had ever known.

My Week

I drew a name for a ladies soldier box but I'm sure it's a guy. I researched and "Blaise" can be male or female but deeper research reveals a soldier from Alton, IL that fits the description. I learned that he was already assigned a Soldiers Angel.  Although I had Soldiers Angels fix the gender problem in their database, I sent him a package anyway.   In addition, I was flattered that the boss handed over some ESPN magazines to include in my next package.  That's support!

My eyes have been feeling tired lately and I don't think it's from lack of sleep.  I think I've just cried too many tears and my eyes are drying up.  Season changes could be a factor and maybe my office environment.  Well a coworker recommended I try GenTeal.

Now this does cost more than other tear drops ~ like over $10.

My boss gave me some ESPN magazines to put in my soldiers' boxes.  I also picked up some 1/2 price Easter candy.

I watched a movie:  "The King's Speech".  Seemed to start off a bit dry but sure got it later.
It's been a quiet week at work between a coworker on vacation, sick and in training.

Saturday morning I cleaned up and put a chimney sweep log in my fireplace and burned the thorns from the rose bush that I cut back.  Sure don't want to have those things bagged up.  I got scratched enough just doing the chore.  I made yellow peppers in the skillet that I got on the sale rack at Meijer.  Mmmm!  I put in my volunteer time at the Old State Capitol. I spoke to a young man who was from Germany and told him of my upcoming plans to go there.  We has a nice but brief exchange as mutual visitors.   I had a few one-on-one groups but my last tour of the day was a bus of 47.  I had to speak loud.  Then I came home and walked the dogs before heading over to Christine and Doug's for a wine tasting party with my son's and friends of the Vet Center. Had I known Alan would be there, I'd have brought his mail.

Sunday I rode Wheezer to church.  I brought a couple of baskets that I had strapped on for their upcoming silent auction as containers.  After Mass, a lady asked if it was I who did the story and I asked her if she meant the story at the talent show about the Warm Fuzzies.  She said yes.  She mentioned that Judy may want me to do a repeat performance.  I explained my busy schedule but I gave her my card.

I did a little work in the garden and cleared out some of the dry brush and found 3 asparagus spears. Not too faraway from the blooming dandelions. Well that's Spring.

then in the afternoon I helped with our American Legion Riders Italian Dinner.  I was the only one who rode there but I didn't ride on the cycle that qualifies for Legion Riders but rater on my Virago because it was such a short trip.  Got home about 7:30.  I woke to a thunder storm.  Between the high winds and rain, there are tree hulls all over the road.

I found an old blog in draft mode that I had never published until now.  If you wish to get caught up with the past, you can see it here:  http://ivetret.blogspot.com/2013/04/my-week_6.html

My Week

My son had a 20 minute job interview that is in the local area. I said he could save money by still staying in my home. He said he’d move out within 2 months because living with mom is so emasculating.

I went to the funeral for Daniel "Boone" Lonergan a member of our American Legion Post. Since I get off of work at 5 and had a meeting of the American Legion Riders at 7PM, I could only afford time for a 15 minute honor guard shift in between time. He not only was a member of our post but of our church.

Thursday I picked up my 5 artificial wreaths that I had left at Camp Butler so I can reuse them next year for Wreaths Across America. There was a PGR funeral going on during my stop that I knew about but put out of my mind knowing I could not afford the time. The weather was nice for January so there were motorcycles there.

Soldiers Angels had a facebook gift giveaway as part of Angel Appreciation Day. I submitted this Wear Red Friday to support the troops photo:

My coworker that got a new Harley last fall was gifted a $25 gift card at Halls HD store. I chuckled because HD stands for “hundred dollars”. I know the parents are on retired income but still funny that the card alone will not be able to buy anything.
Friday evening I went to Anita’s 65th Birthday party. Her husband put on a wonderful surprise party. He told her that he made reservations at a spaghetti restaurant but on the way he got a call from Paula for a stop at the Sangamon Co Reception center and talked her into coming inside briefly. Then Paula said she couldn't find Judy to take a relish tray out and being the kind person that she is, took off your coat and carried the tray to the crowd who wished you happy birthday. The dinner was divine, and so were the photos on display, just like at a funeral. Oh wait, Paula and Dan do funerals and that would explain the slide show.
I had an old hard drive that didn't work but potential data on it may be personal so I took it out to the farm and put a .38 in it.
I told Ray I'd be willing to be a guardian again on the Honor Flight if needed.
Sunday’s sermon today for the Feast of the Epiphany was about the Other Magi ~ Artaban. My Sunday dinner was a flop and went to my dogs. It was supposed to be healthy lasagna but instead of spaghetti sauce, it was salsa. Yuk.
Most of the weekend was football and getting caught up with small things around the house.
Wednesday evening I met with the American Legion Riders. On Monday, A coworker and American Legion Rider, whom I sewed patches on his vest, has passed away this weekend. Andy rode on a CanAm Spider.
Alan shaved Bentley’s head and gave him a bath.

Sean’s birthday is Wednesday and I will give him his gift at our AmVets meeting. He already knows I got him a rucksack for his gear.

My Week

Funny thing Tuesday....since we had bad snow on Sunday, my son didn't attempt to come over and use my washer and dryer as usual and had put it off.  He came Tuesday and called about what to eat and suggested something from County Market.  I then realized that it was Tuesday and that Tuesday is chicken night at the VFW.  I used to bring home chicken from the VFW for my other son when he was with me but it felt different for my other son.  So that's what I brought home.

Wednesday I went shopping to kill time between work and the Interveterans Council of Sangamon County meeting.   While shopping, I got a sales call from Comcast.  I can get 60 extra channels and some more internet  for $9 more.  I'm already paying $130 month and half of these channels they are adding they have taken away.  It's like downsizing the package then bribing me to pay more to get back what I missed.  In fact I'd been thinking of turning off the cable TV and just keeping the internet since I don't watch much TV.

I brought my laptop to the Interveterans Council and made updates to the website that I'm helping them build. 

Wednesday night we had a full moon.  That brought a lot of brightness against the rapidly melting snow.

I made a correction on a Facebook photo posted by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum's Facebook page about this photo which was taken by about Mary and Abe in the snow in Metamorah, IL.  I responded "Only it's not 'Mary'. His wife didn't travel the circuit. That is Melissa Goings " http://historicmetamora.com/LincolnStatues.htm

They responded, "Rose Connolly, thank you for the correction. We've made the change in the description."  Now that made me feel proud.  Hey, study helps.

Thursday I picked up a plant to decorate the church for Easter and put a note on it dedicated in appreciation  of my adopted soldier. 

I dropped it off at the Holy Thursday Mass in which I was a Eucharistic Minister.   I sat instead of in front of, the same pew as a family of a Korean War Veteran who just came back from the Honor Flight on Tuesday. 
 I bought a frozen rabbit at Midstate Meat for Easter dinner.  I remember having that in a chow hall  a long long time ago at Easter.

The weekend weather warmed up and it took about an hour of trying to get Wheezer started.  When it started, I took a short ride on Saturday to visit my son and back.  Then on Easter Sunday, my son noticed the tires were low.  So I filled them all up.  I felt taller in the saddle after raising them up.

Easter Sunday was a nice service.  The plant I got for the alter had bloomed.  It was in thanksgiving for my adopted soldier on our Easter Alter decor. Placed there by his Soldiers Angel

I didn't notice right away that the tulle spelled out "Jesus Lives"

with the cardinal conclave on one branch, there was a lone cub fan cardinal on the opposite side.
I especially loved the gold fabric behind the risen Lord.  I was surprised that my son came from Peoria because when I asked he said "maybe".
I fixed pork and rabbit stew.  It was good.  Deviled eggs didn't last either.
The dogs had a nice Easter walk and Bentley got a haircut with a scissors.