My Week

Wednesday morning I put out my recycle bin.  When I left for work, I brought it back and noticed a plastic bag on the lawn.  It was one of the dog walking poo bags that accidentally got in in my recycle bin that the collector had tossed on my lawn.  I feel bad about that and didn't mean to insult the collector.   On my way to work, I was following a blue Elantra that was switching lanes without signaling.  At a stop light, she moved behind a bus which made a right turn onto Walnut St and had to break suddenly at an angle. Seeing that the lane wasn’t clear she then went through the light.  At the next stop light, she changed lanes again, this time in front of me.  I couldn’t help but notice her bumper sticker that said, “don’t tailgate-spinal injury”.  Geez I wonder how she got a spinal injury.

Tuesday evening, I took my bike for a tire repair.  I stopped by Joanne fabrics for a few things and then I went to a meeting at 7pm with the Soldiers Aid Society.  We discussed some after action issues such as the fundraiser for the 2015 funeral coalition at Edwards Place.  It seems that with all the hoopla and carriages, reenactors made up half the crowd and the others were highly involved in other ways.  I don’t see how they could call this a fund raiser.  Laura snickered at the lady who got on the carriage and exposed her Nike shoes and lack of underpinnings.

After the SAS meeting, I went over to the airport for the Honor Flight homecoming.  The area teen queens were there with their crowns greeting people.  I had to show our Chatham queen that I was wearing a Legion Riders vest from the Chatham post.  That got a thumbs up.

Here's the video of the homecoming 

  
After work on Wednesday, I came home and fed the dogs and mowed the lawn.  I never know if my mower will start and complete the job.  Then I left at 6:30 to make a meeting at the Navy club for the Inverveterans Council of Sangamon County.

After getting into the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum on Mike's membership pass to see the Central IL Civil War Dancers a few weeks ago, I decided to get one of my own.  That will especially come in handy when my sister comes to town.

Thursday I had a salesman  from Sears give me an estimate on my front door in the amount of $3900. 
Saturday morning was decorate the graves time at Camp Butler.  There were many scouts there.  It was a good time because after that it started raining all day.  I placed a memorial at Frank's grave that has a butterfly and a lighted candle that flickers.  I know it won't stay as they police national cemeteries well.

Joe, who works at Camp Butler asked about riding.  I may want to ride to the ceremony on Monday afternoon because of the parking congestion.  But then I could wear my widows weeds since there is also a volly of firing for the Civil War Soldiers buried there. We'll see.

I had gotten an email from SEARS that my rechargeable mower repair would cost $277.  I think I'll get a new one.  I got the rechargeable mower in 2008 because I cannot pull the cords on most mowers.  I will be looking for a gas mower with an electric start.  Then I got my riding mower picked up for maintenance Saturday afternoon too.  So while I was waiting I vacuumed out my car.  I was looking for the oil filter for the motorcycle while moving things around in the garage.  Didn't find it but I had forgotten a long lost gas weed whacker that my husband had bought.  Haven't been able to move around much in the garage since it had been used as storage for my son so now's the time to look around.

Sunday's hour-by-hour weather report said zero precipitation.  It lied.  Poor Marley and the thunder.  It finally cleared up late in the afternoon.  Along with that I had a big, 2 tylenol headache.  That finally cleared up.  I realized why a black cat was staring through my fence in the back as I was walking my dogs.  There's a young rabbit that took up residence under my shed.  He is nibbling on my new vegetable garden.   This hasn't happened in the past because I have Marley ~ the hunting dog.  She thinks squirrels and rabbits are delicious.  I guess with all the rain and thunder, she's  been hiding more than hunting.
With the headache gone, I needed some exercise ...rode my bike the short route or better known as the long route for dog walking.
Monday morning I got up and showered, put out five large flags on PVC out on my lawn and walked the dogs.  There were back to back PBS documentaries on that had interested me at 7AM and 8AM so I had to get those chores done before watching TV.  Then at 10AM I went to the Chatham Square for our Memorial Day event.  Since the ground was soggy from rain the day before, we had the ceremony indoors.  I had put the flags on my trailer hitch.  I said hello to the teen princesses who recognized me from the Honor Flight last Tuesday.  I was a rifle bearer in the color guard.  Mayor's son, Lt Gray, was a guest speaker.  Afterward I had a sloppy joe at the VFW.  I then came home to put on my widow's weeds for the ceremony and Civil War volley to the veterans at Camp Butler.

got caught in traffic leaving the Camp Butler Memorial Day Ceremony. While in bupmer-to-bumper traffic, I hear there was a tornado warning to cover. I pulled up to the office building and went in the basement. All those lovely flag poles bent over.  The wonderful flag poles that were once an Eagle Scout project were ALL bent in the wind.  One fell right in front of my car which I drove around on my way to shelter.  Hundreds gather at Camp Butler to honor fallen soldiers 

There was a train was stuck on Woodside road on the way to the DAV for the retreat ceremony at 5PM. It was still there on the way back at 6:30. Must have had a tree down.  What a busy day.  I look forward to the normalcy of a day at work. 

My Week

I nominated Linda Crites for  Illinois Veteran of the Month for March (womens history month).  When another got the award I felt my recommendation letter and solicitation of it's contents had let her down and got her hopes high.  I felt humbled for her to be at my cermony.  Well now I learned that she will receive the title of Veteran of the Month for July and be presented the honor in August at the State Fair

Here's a blog from the past
http://ivetret.blogspot.com/2011/03/veteran-of-month-march-2011.html

It sure is nice on Tuesday.  I had lunch with the Womens Overseas Service League.  I learned that gas went up so I knew that the gas in my neighborhood went up latter so I had to get home and fill up.  I figure that when traffic dies down and dogs taken care of that I could pull the motorcycle out of the garage and ride to the VFW for chicken.  I asked the neighbor to help me check the oil and it was ok.  I just needed to tip it off the kickstand.  It sure felt good to ride since I don't ride to work and that leave little time left.  Riding after work makes it feel like a mini-weekend.  Especially since some rain is in the forecast.  I went later than usual and tail end of the dinner period but I got in under the wire and it wasn't too crowded.  I learned that someone had dubbed me as a "fart in a skillet".  Normally that would be bad but if a veteran says it, it could be good...I guess.    It was real nice to be on a motorcycle and wave at the kiddies in cars.  See, that's what you can't do all caged up in your car.

I also got a call from Judy who is a gold star mom and she'll be getting her grandson for a while from his mother out of state.  I'm so glad she gets to see her son's son who died serving.  She has my utmost respect for a difficult situation and not the best in life.  I value her friendship.

I sent my brother a birthday card for his 50th birthday along with a card for Applebees.  Applebees is one of my favorites so I hope he likes it too.
There were abt 4 dead black and yellow bees on the back porch.

Wednesday I stopped by Tuesday Morning after work and then picked up the rain barrel that was on back order.  Even though I wasn't called, I'm glad I checked in because they only had 2 and no calls were made.  I explained that I was on the list and that was good enough for her to sell me one. Then  I spoke to Judy on the phone.  She is a Gold Star mother and is real excited about having her grandson for a year while his mother is in training.  However, she's concerned about the temporary custody papers, school, medical, etc.
I then went to line dance lessons at the VFW.  We learned the cupid shuffle, cat strut, & polka mixer.

Thursday evening I went to the ABATE meeting.  Small turnout probably due to bike night at Quaker Steak and Lube plus good riding weather.  I brought my laptop and updated the ABATE face book page while there.

So slugs like to eat dog food nuggets in the yard.  I HAVE SALT!

Time to take the electric blanket off my bed.  Packed it away.  Now I really need to change my shower from morning to night time.

Saturday I rode the bike over to the American Legion Post to participate in the honor guard for the opening of the Highland Games.  Four of us got together for the two rifles, American Flag and the American Legion Flag.  We were missing one person so we had to eliminate the POW flag.  I later saw that he went for a ride on his motorcycle and forgot about the honor guard.  I then went to the Illinois State Military Museum for the Armed Forces Day.  There was a new WW2 exhibit and a wildly colored Confederate shirt.  I got to chat with all the reenactors and many know me through the Civil War reenacting as well.  Yeah, they do all sorts of wars.  I recall the bazooka like gun and the strange 3" bullets.  I asked about them since the blank was blue and white and reminded me of a roll on deodorant bottle.  Then I came home to eat.  I made Brussels sprouts and guacamole.   After that I went back to see the closing ceremony of the Highland Games.  There were Highland cattle just like my sister has.  I fell in love with the English cocker spaniels and the Irish Wolfhounds.  The short time in the sun gave me my first sunburn of the year.
http://www.central-illinois-standrewsociety.com/2013-highland-games.html

My purple sage is flowering so I cut some and put it in a vase to smell nice in the house.

Sunday morning we had our Catholic War Veterans Mass at St Aloysius. Afterwards a few of us had breakfast at Parkway Cafe.  There we met the parents of Sean Sloe who died in a motorcycle accident a few weeks ago.  I gave them my condolences and told them I was a rider too.  I knew that a first responder would do the best in the situation and the accident was beyond his control.  I told them to think of Sean as their own Dale Earnhart.
 I fixed some Italian meat balls made with ground lamb.

The cucumber seeds that my sons and I planted on mother's day are starting to peek thru the mound.  The neighbor planted cucumbers from starts bought at the store so the race is on.  I planted some red Wave Pansies. 

Now that I have my patio furniture and enjoy a nice evening, the mosquitoes have found out where I am too.

My sister from AZ would like to stop off on the way to MI for her son's wedding the end of June.  She said she'd call this Saturday but didn't

July 6th I should be part of the opening ceremony for the New Berlin, IL veterans memorial.

Monday Morning's dog walk was cut short by Marley's fear when there was a clap of thunder.

My Week

Monday I came home from work and decided to get the grass mowed before the American Legion meeting at 7PM.  Got most of it done and then the riding mower quit on the front by the drive near my sign that says "Start Seeing Motorcycles".  I couldn't get it started although it sounded close.  So after the meeting, I came home and got the rider started just enough to get it in the garage...smoke and all.  Les Morgan from the post stopped by to help push just in case I had to leave it out over night.  Not something I'd like to do so soon after my son's apartment got robbed.  Fortunately for me it's safe but he said he had a referral who was also a member of the post that could look at it for me.  I'd probably have to have it trailer-ed over and I would still need help loading it on my trailer knowing I'm only semi skilled in backing it.

Tuesday I returned the VFW flag that I had mended the fringe on and then got my chicken dinner.  I had hoped to use the electric mower on the grass but it can only hold a charge for one strip of grass.  :(

Wednesday night I made a quick stop at the house to check on the dogs before heading to Pawnee for our Amvets meeting.  Sean was elected post commander and that's a biggie but he's got lots of support.  I would like to thank my neighbor for finishing my lawn where my riding mower broke down. I came back from the AmVets meeting and noticed. He helped me load the electric push in my SUV for repairs too. Meanwhile, I left a note in the box for someone who was recommended to help fix the rider. Veteran owned and a member of the AL post!! Hope he can help me...widow in distress!  With the evening getting dark but comfortable, I decided to use my laptop on the back porch and catch up on things like my blog.

I finally did some shopping knowing that my sons would be over for Mothers Day.  I got some groceries and on special request, a roast.  I also picked up a 4 piece  patio set for $199.  I did fall in love with a set at Kmart that was on sale for $499 but I'll take this one for so much less.  It looks like this: 


I had dropped off my Confederate Braid dress at a seamstress the first week of April for work on the waist and collar.  It was to cost $80 in sewing.  Tonight I called to learn that Ann declined to be able to do this.  I was hoping to do some hand stitching on the trim during our sewing day with the Soldiers Aid Society which was not part of the  bargain.   Devastated, I feel that if I can't have it, nobody can.  Anyone want to watch a dress burning?  I mentioned what had happened and Cat said she'd take a look at it.  I showed her photos of the dress that were on my laptop.  She thought it was unusual.   Well on Saturday I had cooled down a little.  I picked the dress up on the way home. 

Saturday I spent the time at the Old State Capitol in my new dark brown dress.

 

I got a lot of compliments and it was comfortable too.  I gave three tours and the groups were a pleasure.  Mike let me into the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum to watch the Central Illinois Civil War dancers at 11AM.  At the end of the performance there were two participation dances. Open waltz and Patty-Cake Polka.  I had to be careful because the length of a day dress is different than a ball gown.  There's a potential for tripping on a skirt if I'm not careful.

My mother's day was lovely.  I did the first reading at Mass but the reading for the Ascension  just didn't seem like the one that I had practiced.  So I read what was on the the podium.  If they noticed, at least nobody keeled over and we survived.

The boys gave me a nice card, a big bar of chocolate and a huge wicked sandalwood candle in what looks like a glass 9" cake pan.

I took a short, "Biker Mom" ride down to the covered bridge with neighbor, Jerry, who just got his '81 Honda repaired and wanted a quick jaunt too. Felt good but still had a lot of outdoor chores do do so a short ride was nice.  My sons helped with my garden.  We planted tomatoes, varieties of peppers, collards, and cucumbers.  The patio set I bought at ALDI they assembled. We planted tomatoes, varieties of peppers,  and cucumbers.  Not sure if they will make it because they were older seeds.  Sean cut down some wild shrubs growing in the fence.  Hope that the roots die too.   I put my canna bulbs in the ground that I had stored in the crawl space over winter.  I added a few more asparagus plant crowns to my collection so I'll produce more than 2 stalks at a time.  Apparently I had planted some more in the past that never grew in that spot.  All that fresh air made me go to bed early.  I tried to catch up on my blog and email but then the internet went out.  I tried to reset it numerous times to no avail.  Then when I tried to clip to the wifi of an open neighbor's cable it failed.  That told me it was down period.  I was tired anyway.

When I got up, the weather man said possible (and unpredicted) frost.  I think I'll be OK, because it's only 40 degrees.



 

my Week

Tuesday evening I attended a fundraiser for the 2015 Lincoln Funeral Commission at Edwards Place. This was sent to my by Cheri Fry (pictured on the right) and also in this picture is Pam Brown, who often impersonates Mary Todd Lincoln.  She said it just didn't seem appropriate to be at the funeral events as Mary.  Even our Lincoln impersonator, Fritz Klein, came as himself.

Here is a group of the ladies in the Soldiers Aid Society.  All they said was that we were not to wear a camp dress.  I still had my ball gown out from last weekend.  I did have a dark spot on it that I had to clean up before this.  I figure that a fund raiser would need a best impression for the money to come in so I put on my best.

Wednesday I had exercise class in our new location from the 7th floor now on the 6th floor.  We were warned not to drop our weights to respect those on the 5th floor.

After work I had my first ride on the Honda to the American Legion Riders meeting.  Sure it wasn't far but it was nice.  We are planning our American Legion Legacy Poker Run for Jun 22.

Went to a Civil War Reenactment in Delavan, IL.  The road to the reenactment site from the intersate was lined with flags.  This was a nice show but it rained.  Apparently it rained bad down in Springfield but not so bad up north.  So I brought them some rain and it started shortly after I got there.  I didn't dress in period because of it.  Still my jeans were wet to my calves.  I'm glad I listened to our dance mistress, Connie, who said it wasn't worth getting gussied up to dirty my fine dress.  When I got home, I had a box in the mail with rubber rain tarp that I had ordered.     We'll be ready next time.  Now it will never rain ever ever ever again.  I brought home my bones from the ribs and the dogs were happier than usual to see me.  The next day they had stiff stool.  Ha!
There are some pictures in the local news here:
http://www.pjstar.com/photos/x1213313578/Civil-War-Days-in-Delavan?page=0
and professional photographer's are here:
http://tgdavison-photography.smugmug.com/Other/Delavan-Civil-War-Re-Enactment/29275405_372THN#!i=2495963274&k=G6dFW8d

Sunday morning I went to church.  It was raining.  Afterward I went to the ABATE Freedom Rally that kicks off motorcycle awareness month.  I decided not to ride because of the rain.  Since I was part of the color guard, I didn't think riding was as important as previous years.  I was a bit bold to non-conform to the uniform by throwing on my vest but I said "what the hell, I'm on both ends of this color guard".  The rain kept the crowd down drastically from previous years.  Well, as I departed the house en route, the skies had cleared.   I started to regret not doing both the ride and the color guard.  I met at the post where we discussed the cloth cap over the bucket.  One of the 4 of us forgot the post cap.  I did not like those bucket hats.  We found him a loaner cap.  We carpooled over and did 3 practice runs.  The VFW flag pole had a "wardrobe malfunction" which Rep Ray Poe happened to save the day with some tape. When the bikes arrived we posted colors.  After that, the guys went to Boone's Saloon.  Since I was an ABATE member and these were my friends, I stayed.  During the ceremony, the wind had tipped the American flag and one of the bikers held it.  Since the VFW flag (on my side of the stage) was taped, I thought it best to stand right next to it.  Just as the ceremony was ending and bikers were barely socializing...the rain came again...and poured.  The four of us went back to the post and took the VFW flag pole apart.  I brought the flag home to mend the gold fringe that was gaping before it splits more. 

There was an open house on Sunday for a house that Sean is looking into since his apartment got robbed.  I went to look at it.  I like it.  It has a nice yard and man cave.
http://www.fsbolocal.com/viewPropertyAd.htm?id=16768

Sunday was the first day of a new sale at "Tuesday Morning" and I wanted the rain barrel they had advertized for under $70.  Well they didn't have any.  The ad mentioned "selected locations" so that's their excuse.  I did put my name on a waiting list.

I had chicken dinner at church to support a youth camp.  Yum.