My Week

Second to the last of the retreat ceremonies at the Lincoln Tomb and I got some tar on my petticoat that won't come out.  We shared cookies and drink at the park office.

Marley seems to enjoy digging up cicadas.  They are easier than squirrels.

I started watching old episodes of the TV Show, The Monroes on YouTube.


I had a stupid moment.  Sean gave me a set of keys that seemed to be old keys from our House in Edwardsville.  I threw them away.  They not but were to his new house.

I have on order a new front door.  It will have the built in mini-blinds and a storm door with a drop down screen.  It'll be a cranberry color.

Saturday I volunteered at the Old State Capitol.  I met Bill Sherer there who used to work there.  We reminisced about the fact that the whole staff has turned over.

Sunday I went to two gatherings, a back yard birthday party and a gathering from my tour.  Our host is a great cook.  She told me about her daughter-in-law who went vegan but is not necessarily pushing it on the rest with one exception:  The kids must refer to beef and pork as cow or pig, even when eating out an ordering. 

I had a warning to change my furnace filter and now I can't get the warning off since I changed it.  In the process, I ruined my A/C program and now I come home to hot house.   I fiddle with it and it comes on but it's all wrong.


Tuesday evening we had our last of the season's Civil War Retreat Ceremony at the Lincoln Tomb.  It was also the hottest of the season but not as hot as the year before.  Many of the ladies came dressed in modern clothes except one other and myself.  As a result, it was suggested that I pull the name of the winner of the lowered flag from the basket of entries from the audience to receive it.  I pulled Tom Lincoln.  My jaw dropped.  How strange to pull that name in such an honored place.  Afterward we had a little gathering at Jim and Mary's on the lake.  We had Italian beef, coleslaw, beans, dip and cookies.  We got to see Jim's man cave and his historic vault of antiques.

My Week

Thursday was the Feast of the Solemnity of Mary so I went to Mass over my lunch break at the Cathedral downtown with Michael.  My son's house is starting to look like a home now.  Sure there's stuff unpacked but the bed is made and it's getting there.  I came to help put the slip cover on the tight fitted couch after washing it.  Then we went out to dinner at Casa Real.  Since I was on the north side, I made it to the ABATE meeting at 7pm.  Someone there asked to borrow my little motorcycle to take the rider test.  I told them that Wheezer was on the trickle charge to be check on this evening.  Sure enough, I got him started.
 Not on the first try mind you but needed a good choke too.

Saturday I went to the funeral for our deacon and his son that was killed in a car crash.  I finally had a ride on my little motorcycle have attaching a battery tender and it was a good thing because there were many cars in the parking lot of the church was crowded.  I had to wait in line to sign the book and then to wait in line to pass by the caskets.  I guess I just couldn't believe this happened without seeing them.  The Mass began with about 50 priests and deacons in procession.  The bishop presided and made a very meaningful sermon.  I couldn't keep from tearing up.  

Sean helped a departing coworker move and gained a table out of the deal.  It really fits the little nook of a dining area in his new house.  Of course, he put a table cover over it since he's still moving things around.  Looks like he'll need that home warranty for electrical work.  He has a little tester and nothing is grounded.

Sunday morning, after walking the dogs, I took the little motorcycle to Mass with the Catholic War Veterans.  We move around to different churches once a month for a memorial Mass.  Ya know, we went to this church last year but this year I really noticed the beautiful grotto like the one I'd seen on my vacation to France last year.  Afterward we had breakfast.  Joan didn't go because she's worn out from the beer booth fund raising at the state fair.  
Thanks to the manager of D & J Cafe for surprising us by covering the bill for the 5 of us in our Catholic War Veterans attire after Sunday Mass. Salute! 

I'm expecting a vintage croquet set for reenacting.

 I ordered a new front door from Lowes that has the sealed in blinds and a storm door that has a drop screen.   The screen door will be in cranberry color but I need to find a painter to do the door between delivery and installation to match the storm door.  He explained that it costs over $300 to have it done by Lowes because it has to be shipped back and forth and most either do it themselves or have a painter do it before installing.  My son picked up a mower and weed trimmer for his house while there.  I picked up some slug killer too for those nasty slimy things.  The salt just makes them slime even more.

I washed my car and then my siding of my house as far as my hose would reach.  I found 2 areas that had mud nests for wasps.  Eww.  With WD-40, you can spray the corners where the wasps like to build nests to stop them.

Monday I saw a driver wearing a mask and reported it to Springfaild ~ a site that clips oddities.

taken from the stop at MacArthur and Wabash about 5:19 PM on my way home from work. 
I guess he wanted to remain anonymous.

 

Then I went to the VFW meeting and took notes and shucks, the draft didn't save.

my week

Monday night I went to an American Legion Meeting.  It was the night for the installation of officers.  However, I gave many printouts to fuel our service officer with items to report.  I know our post well enough to know that information should come from the top as I am only a member at large.  I did speak up when asked about information that was "for the good of the post".  I did inform them that this coming Sunday will be Veterans Day at the State Fair.  I also announced the IDVA Veteran of the Month is from Springfield whom I nominated.  I was later informed by one of our members that they didn't know about it so I was glad I brought it up.  I was also given my silent auction winning from Sunday's Birthday fundraiser for Susan Baird by an officer of our post who stayed to the end.

Tuesday evening I went to the retreat ceremony at the Lincoln Tomb.  One of our other ladies who reenacts with me leaned over with her fan and remarked about how the wind seems to always die down just at 7PM when the ceremony kicks off.   Come to think of it she's right.  I too have to pull out my fan when it commences.

Wednesday evening I went to our American Legion Riders meeting.  Not too much interesting to share here outside of financials and review of the legacy run.  That was a first for our post so there is a lot to improve.

Thursday my son signed papers for his house.  It's close to the state fair grounds which was also the night for the State Fair Twilight parade that kicks off the 2 weeks of the fair.  So we parked in his driveway and walked over.  Entry to the fair is free on that night.

Saturday was painting day for the house. I had committed a long time ago this particular Saturday to do some reenacting at the ILES house so I couldn't help my son paint until afterward.  He called to say that one of the extended paint rollers was bad.  I picked up a roller that holds the paint inside the the long handle and takes less time.  He seemed to like that.  I helped with some clean up but left before 9PM.  He finished about 2AM knowing that Sunday was booked for veterans day at the fair. 

Sunday was free for veterans at the fair.  I was eager to see Linda get awarded a proclamation as Veteran of the Month for the State of Illinois at the fair.  I made her a special sash for the occasion.  I told her she should be thankful that I didn't get her a tiara.  There were so many fair queens running around.  I'm really proud of her and all she does.

Here is the official press release
 http://www3.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=1&RecNum=11438

She made the news.
http://www.enewspf.com/military/45273-springfield-woman-selected-as-illinois-veteran-of-the-month.html

http://www.sj-r.com/breaking/x369947137/Retired-Navy-specialist-honored

Here is the video of her ceremony.

http://youtu.be/ZhFgn3l008M

At 4 PM there was a parade for veterans down the main street of the parade.  Linda was the parade
Linda was our Grand Marshall of the parade and got to ride on the back of a convertible driven by Commander Noel of our Catholic War Veterans post.

Here I am in the parade in John's WW2 Jeep taken by my son.  We were escorting Larry Trappani who leads the Interveterans Council.

Well I filled all the necessary check off items that I had.  I had my "Voss" corn dog and a $25 bucket of sugar free taffy.  I walked through the draft horse shed and got to pet a biggie that seemed to like me.  The horse bowed to show me where he wanted petting.

I rode my motorcycle to work since I only planned to work a half day.  I thought my son might need my car to move.  The bike seems to sputter a bit.  I sure have a hard time explaining my problem.  I told him I've been having wide turns because of speed and balance as if it's hard to time the turns like a beginner does but I'm better than that. 

He rode it and couldn't feel it.  then went out of the parking lot down the street and tweaked the timing and now it is fine.
 I took Monday afternoon off to help my son move his stuff out of my house and into his new house. 

I had gotten an ostrich pillow on ebay and then told the order was rescinded because it violated the rules.  Well, it came in the mail on Monday. My other son came from Peoria to help with the move.  We made two trips with my trailer and car following behind loaded.  Afterward, we went to Cheddar's pretty late.  I had 3 coupons that I got as a door prized on the 4th of July at the VFW which I was saving for the 3 of us on this very date of moving as a reward.

With all this warm weather, I've been really going through fans.  I ordered another on ebay.

funny for the week:
A termite walks into a bar.  Belly's up and asks "Where is the bar tender?"

My Week

Tuesday night at the tomb ceremony, I brought a flat Capt Stella to photograph for our lady soldiers.

Wednesday I mowed the yard and when I backed the riding mower on the side of the house to mow forward, Marley pulled in front to take a dump where no tractor can avoid.  I guess ya had to be there...well on the other hand...maybe not.

Thursday I got my new glasses without the rim around the lens.  Looks just a little less obvious but not as obvious as contact lens.  They cost more but are the "Cadillac" of the show room.  They are very light.  In the evening, my son suggested we go out for dinner and I suggested Bike Night at Quaker Steak and Lube because I knew I'd see friends there.  I guess he was board.

Saturday morning I fixed myself a strawberry, gluten free, pancake.  The first one I burned.  I threw the pan out too.  I guess I need coated cookware.

I helped at the Purple Heart Viola Days table at County Market.  My son did the shift right after mine. After my shift, I did my own shopping with those valuable County Market coupons that come in the mail flier.  To me it's more like a scavenger hunt.  After I checked out, the checker told me that next time, this was the express lane.  Opps!  Express used to be on the other end.  I thanked her for being polite about it.

I watched  a movie called "The Ballad of Lucy Whipple",  I like good historical flicks.  Their period dress was outstanding.  I remember when Lucy asked her mom "why?" after her brother Buford died.  Her mother replied, "When you see God, then you can ask Him?" 

My son took me shopping to get a new cell phone.  I have one of the cheapest plans but my phone audio is getting worse.  He took me to Best Buy and I got an Alcatel871a phone for $29 and swapped my sim card.  Not all phone numbers transferred.  At least the calls that I had stored as "Go Away" and "Spam" transferred to warn me.  I miss my Rocky Horror ring tone that I had purchased years ago.

I went to the church picnic by the lake.  Mass was held before the picnic which I did not attend since I have to go in the morning as being my turn to read the first reading.  I also read a change in the bulletin online before hand so that makes me the first under the new plan:

The role of Deacon as a Minister of the Gospel
One of the principal roles of the deacon at Mass is to proclaim the Gospel. In fact, he is the principal minister of the Gospel, even before the priest. As such, it is appropriate for the deacon to carry the Book of the Gospels in the procession during the Entrance Rite.
Readers who proclaim the first and/or second reading may follow the deacon in the procession. Deacon Frank will begin carrying the Book of the Gospel on the first weekend of August. In his absence, one of the readers will carry it in procession.

After Mass, our new priest was greeting people at the back of the church.  He thanked me for being such a good reader.  The reading was from Ecclesiastes.  Part of this hit home with how busy I was at work this past week:  "All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless."


At least the weather was better than last year and Lake Springfield did not dry bottom out.  Ant season has ended, and mosquito season is upon us.  I saw a cardinal chase a cicada.

In the afternoon I attended a birthday party and silent auction for 10 year old Susan Baird who is gravely ill.  There were a lot of people and even princesses which she likes.  Poor Susan couldn't make it.  Her pain level went to 9 and was helicoptered back to St Louis hospital.  She has a website:
http://www.goteamsusan.org/
Guests at her party were getting photographed for an album.  Here's mine.

I made a sash for the upcoming "Veteran of the Month" proclamation next Sunday.  I also sewed some neck coolers for the troops.

My son will be closing on a house on Thursday so it will be a busy week.  He does want to paint the pink bedroom which is unsuited for a young man.  That could be a delay as well as the state fair kick off parade Friday evening.  We are involved in helping with the beer sales on Friday.  We were so relieved that a 2 week notice was accepted on his apartment rather than 30 days.  He expected to have to pay for August.  His apartment was already rented out and was told he didn't have to pay for August.  That's a relief.  He'll need it for his new house.