My Week

I got my invitation to the Dixon Camp Confederate Ball on Jan 25th in Belleville.  That was so nice last year.  I may not belong to the Dixon Camp Sons of the Confederacy but I really felt comfortable there.

Wednesday I met with my financial adviser and then ran off to the tail end of a meeting of the Interveterans Council of Sangamon County.  That was a long evening.

Thursday evening I went to Boondocks to see "Here Comes The Mummies".   The ticket said 7PM but there was an opening act and the Mummies didn't come till 9PM.  After the break between the pre-show and the Mummies, I was starting to get tired and closed my eyes so I could enjoy the show once it got started.  This is one of those places where most of the audience stands but I was fortunate to find a chair on the side.  However, once they started playing, folks began to stand in front of my chair and I crouch to see between their sides.

I really do like their animation and talent.  However, I can understand the lyrics better on YouTube than the noise at Boondocks.

Friday after work I rode Wheezer over to the Capitol City Shopping Center to see the parade of cars take off for the Route 66 Mother Road Festival.  I rode Wheezer because he's a Route 66 Special Edition Yamaha 250.  The parade had already begun so I would have had to go to the end if I wanted to ride the route but the flagger seemed to imply I couldn't leave the exit of the parade so I felt...screw it. By then it was getting dark.  I got to see all the cars (some of which I have no idea why they were even Rt 66 special).

Saturday I got up at 5AM so I could leave about 5:30 to ride to the Retiree Appreciation Day at Scott AFB.  Ended up leaving at 5:50 chasing a run away Marley in the dark.  I stopped for gas in Troy and thought I might be late for the event but that 7AM was really just a breakfast social and sign up.  I really had plenty of time.  Well, I didn't win any door prizes.  Just as well because most of them were $50 gift certificates at the commissary and as seldom as I get down there, it would be better to use that the same day.  My saddle bags were all ready full of handouts and freebies from the booths at the event.  I got home about 1:30 and really wanted to nap but had to get ready for an evening event and there was still some minor sewing on this dress. 

So in the evening I reenacted as Alice Edwards (Ferguson) in the Fiery Trials of Abraham Lincoln at Edwards Place.  I felt unworthy of her role for our age difference but can get away with this in stature.  Many of the guest thanked me for my portrayal and thought I did a good job.  The only problem I had was testing out the new dress. I decided to lengthen my dress with the original trim that was on it but only with 2 inches rather than the full length of about 6 inches.  I seemed to trip on the hem a lot. Laura thought the length was right but that it may need a bigger hoop.  I'd like to get that problem fixed by the January Dixon Camp Confederate Ball.

A number of our guests asked me what that horn was on the table.  I didn't know and asked the curator and she didn't know either.  So I shared a close-up of it on Facebook and found a similar on the Metropolitan Museum.   It's an ornate drinking horn.

Sunday I woke up with a headache which seems to occur more on that day of the week probably from the busy day before.  I didn't have any aspirin because I had purged my medicine cabinet of expired meds.  After church I stopped at Walgreens for something and picked up some marked down items too.

I fixed some sausage, potato and cheese casserole and Sean seemed to gobble it up.  I also chopped up apples and made apple sauce.

My sister sent me a few photos of my neice.  Made me feel a bit homesick.

My Week

I've noticed a cyst or blood blister gradually growing on the underside of my pointing finger.  I wish I could cut it out myself. If I was a little girl, my dad would have bled it. Well, Mary Kerby told me at the AmVets Convention that I should be concerned about infection if I did that. I even asked the nurse who was doing blood pressure checks at Mass and she shrugged.   I made an appointment for Wednesday morning only to receive an appointment with a dermatologist on Thursday afternoon.  I was really happy when she told me that the next available appointment would be middle of November.  If I was a little girl, my dad would have cut it himself with a razor blade and taped it up. Now days we worry about infections.  So I go to the dermatologist and sign in, get seen by the intern in training then when the doctor comes in,  she backs off the surgery to remove the bump and refers me again to a plastic surgeon.  Geez...I had to stop by the clinic for a doctor's referral because of the HMO.

I've been training a back up for some of my duties at work and setting some priorities for a cowroker.

He got new hearing aids and keeps telling me all the new things he hears.  It's a little cute and child-like innocence learning what the sounds are and direction they come.  The things we take for granted are renewed through his hearing aid re-experience.  I must admit, his adoptive parents have raised him well in this hearing World and his speech (not perfect) is better than most with this hearing loss because of his parents' patience.

Thursday I went to an ABATE meeting.  George brought up the new Charity laws.   Howard mentioned there were only 2 African Chestnut trees in Springfield and the nuts are really spiny and hurt. 

Friday evening I went to the Railspitters Civil War Ball in Lincoln.  Yeah....I had a ball.  This year the ball was preceded by a fashion show and dinner.  It was far from authentic.  I mean, really, a Japanese  umbrella is no parasol.  When I was asked to be part of the fashion show, I was given little information.  I figured it would be more like a parade of ball gowns since the dance was to follow.  Phylis assumed I'd wear my widows weeds as seen in our local fundraiser fashion show at Edwards Place.  It was never mentioned what to wear and I do have outfits for many occasions.  Later the Central IL Dancers joined us at 7PM because that is what the Railsplitters website said.

Photos from the event can be found here:

http://www.lincolndailynews.com/  page 1

http://www.lincolndailynews.com/News/picturepage092113_CWB01.shtml page 2

http://www.lincolndailynews.com/News/picturepage092113_CWB02.shtml page 3

http://www.lincolndailynews.com/News/picturepage092113_CWB03.shtml page 4

http://www.lincolndailynews.com/News/picturepage092113_CWB04.shtml page 5

http://www.lincolndailynews.com/News/picturepage092113_CWB05.shtml page 6

Rose, Larry, And Shirley and the rest of our friends at Lincoln Railsplitters fashion show and ball in Lincoln.  I think I was saying something about dancing leads to happiness. You cannot be sad and dance at the same time.

Saturday morning was an early start too.  I got on the bike and put the flag on it.   I was stationed at position #2 at the State Fairgrounds for the "Run for the Fallen". Our marines tried to recreated Iwo Jima Veterans Center style. The four Vet Center marines (my two sons) went all out putting up the flag pole.

This was the finish line which I kinda ran through after I was relieved of my post.

 

Then I came home and did a few chores.  I cleaned out some plastic drawers that my son left in the garage from his college apartment's bathroom.  One of the items had oozed over others and needed cleaning.  Then there were some free samples of men's cologne.  I threw out his expired items which included items that he wouldn't want his mother to see.

I got a call from Anita asking if I need any of her surplus tomatoes from the garden....sure!  I had left my USAF ball cap at their house last Sunday any way and needed to pick that up. 

I sat in the grass in my back yard to play with my dogs.  I saw a humming bird come by my canas.  I suppose if I were out there more often I'd see this every day.
 

I picked up a jar of spicy pickles at the County Market and they are good.
http://www.famousbbqstore.com/78780.html
 

Sunday afternoon  was a picnic for the American Legion and afterward we played BINGO.  I never win at this but it seems that the post commander had gotten to yell BINGO twice.  Then declared that all the luck in his card had run out.

Looks like the BINGO cards at the American Legion were marked as hand-me-downs from VFW Post 755.  No biggie, my card was a looser anyway.

Well I stocked up on dog food on my way home from work.  I also picked up 2 aloe vera plants through freecycle.

So I'm going to play Alice Edwards in the Fiery Trials: Civil War Stories by Candlelight at Edwards Place on Saturday.  During the Civil War, she was engaged to Capt Ferguson so she will show visitors her "comfort box" that she has prepared.  That would make her about 20 yr old. I can get away with this in stature but.... fake-out age-wise.

Time to uncover my Rosemary Zombie Girl that I got at Spirit Halloween store last year.  She's been guarding my back door all year because I knew that the heat in the attic would damage her rubberness. 

My Week

Well, continuing from last week, I had rented the movie Ester from Family Video.  I later found a much better version of the story on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSx24EOA-EQ


Not only did I attend a wedding last weekend, but reaped the benefits of a few toiletries from the honeymoon suite to put in my soldiers' boxes.  Now that's a special care package.

I got my videos from the weekend but when I tried to download them to my computer but the Dell that I got from BLH had died.  Blue screen of a bad hard disk.  I took it back because they have a forever wipe and reload policy if it's one of their recycled computers.  Good thing for the tera backup.


Wednesday morning I got up at 6AM and placed  six 3 by 5 flags on my front lawn.  I couldn't find a  hammer for the stakes so I pounded them in with a brick.  In the evening I went to an AmVets Meeting.

Thursday during my lunch hour I stopped by Capitol City Motorsports and learned my motorcycle was ready for pick up.  I got it after work and my neighbor took me back for my car.  During lunch, I dropped off the Dell computer to have it wiped after the blue screen.
In the evening I went to a meet up with some friends from church for discussion and wine.

Friday I dropped off my period dresses at the cleaners.  Probably pretty full of hot weather body odor.  Made me sign them away to cover their behind at Paris Cleaners ~ the fabric specialists. 

Watched a movie called Women in Prison.
Used my 5% off coupon at Big Lots.  Stocked up on a few items.


 Saturday evening I went to the AMVETS picnic (on Wheezer) and met some friends and some of the Pekin AMVETS riders.  I paid my dues to the riders chapter since it's due next month and I don't get up there very often. 

Saturday I started painting my new door in the garage.  It is scheduled to be installed on Oct 1st.   Sunday my son helped me flip the door over so I could paint the other side.  As I was in there, I decided to clean up another item left in the garage by my son that he brought from his college apartment.  It was the plastic drawer set that he had in his bathroom and it had numerous items that were expired and one leaked.  I cleaned all that up including some personal items that a mother doesn't need to see.

Monday was busy at work but rewarding.  In the evening I went to the VFW meeting.

My week

Well I left off last week with the Rocky Horror Picture Show at SIUE.  Here's the article in the school paper, The Alestle.

http://www.alestlelive.com/lifestyles/article_ea00e1fa-15c5-11e3-b067-0019bb30f31a.html

Wednesday evening I went to a Legion Riders meeting after work.  The bike still doesn't seem to handle very well since I had an oil change and new grips added.  I have had fear of control on turns and had to ride in lower gears to stay upright.  This can be a challenge on a turn.  So instead of my long awaited ride with friends, I had to spend the morning having my son follow me to Capitol City Motorsports.

Here I am on a swing with my birthday ribbon and button.

I had a lovely birthday.  My coworkers decorated the office and gave me a birthday card with a gift card for Longhorn.  Since I had a good breakfast, lunch was just a tort from a bakery known as Incredibly Delicious.  My sons and I had dinner there and it was good.  I really like prime rib on special occasions but sometimes that are fatty so I got the 16 oz over the 12 oz figuring I could get scraps for my dogs.  That meat was leaner than others.  I have plenty in my 'to-go' box for later.  Our waitress gave me an ice cream sundae since it was my birthday.  I didn't feel as guilty when she suggested three spoons for sharing.  Afterward they gave me gifts of a three serving crock pot, wall art, wine aerator and a map of Germany.  Alan spent the night with his brother.

Saturday I took advantage of a free video rental from Family Video.  I wanted "Gasdby" but it was all out so I checked out Esther.  Here is the trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko63DUcc8i4
It reminded me of Cinderella with a happy ending.

Sunday morning it poured.  Marley hopped into the bathtub when I opened the shower doors.  Bathroom is her safe spot against storms and tub is even safer.   I had Mass with the Catholic War Veterans.

It's a good thing I got ice for my water and found the soda can in the freezer left in there for his ride home.

I went to a wedding for Paul and Serena on Sunday evening.  Paul is the son of one of our favorite coworkers.  He collects bobble heads so they had custom bobble head cake toppers. Since it rained Sunday morning before the wedding, the reception was relocated to a dryer building on the state fair grounds.  Unless you were busy moving stuff, the guests didn't know.

 
Tuesday I went to meet with the Womens Overseas Service League.  Mostly discussed the bi-annual national convention.  We lost a member. RIP
The Home Medics clothes steamer that I had sent back to the factory for warranty came back in the mail with a new item.

Tuesday after work I went to a meeting of the Soldiers Aid Society.  Now that the season is winding down, we can start regrouping and planning, and sewing.  I showed my new bonnet and Laura showed hers.  I told her I also had a croquet set in good condition except for the wooden box.  We discussed "Miss Rose Percy" coming to Springfield in 2015.  This may be this doll's final showing.

Tuesday evening I went to the airport to welcome home the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight.  This time there was a band playing patriotic music in the airport before the arrival.  It was just like a party without the drinks...unless of course you count the concession at Subway.

I put flags on my lawn for 9-11-2013.  I couldn't find a hammer for the stakes so I used a brick.

My Week

I got the new bonnet from eBay this week.  It seems really well made and it was a good price.  I may want to tone it down with some matching tan bow to make it more versatile.  It doesn't have the skirt thingy in the back of the neck but seems to fit well without it.

I see that the scary house down the street that was foreclosed has a sold sign.  Lots of luck repairing that house.  It has a blue tarp over the roof indicating leaks.

Tuesday was our last Civil War retreat ceremony at the Lincoln Tomb.  It will begin restoration for the next 6 months.  It was hot so few wore period dress outside of the 114th who had to. I was asked to draw the name for the flag that was lowered over the tomb because I was in period dress and it seemed fitting.  My mouth dropped open when I read the name, Tom Lincoln.  In fact everyone was surprised.  How fitting to close the season with a sentimental name like "Lincoln".

Executive Mansion, please try to be there between 6:30 and 6:45.  The soldiers, at least as of now, will be outside to stand at attention as the guests arrive, and then we will be inside for the rest of our time there.  Around 7:30 we will present colors and those who wish to may leave, the rest are welcome to mingle with the guests.  The group is Case IH dealers from Australia, and I understand that some folks from Russia may be there as well, so I’m sure they will have lots of questions.  This will be our first opportunity to be in the Executive Mansion in many years, certainly since I’ve been in the 114^th.  Bring muskets but I suggest that you empty your cartridge boxes and cap pouches as security there may not be as easy-going as at other sites where we are familiar.

Getting ready for the Rocky Horror Picture Show.   Lower left is me as the MC for the show.

Friday evening I tripped and fell over Bentley in the dark.  Got to be careful.

Saturday I went to the Jerseyville Victorian Festival.  I ate a buffalo burger and had home made sugar free strawberry rhubarb pie.  Yum.   Toured the "Hazel Dell" mansion and saw a civil war funeral.

Here's the video that I cut off at the point where the lady next to me answered her cell phone and her conversation was recorded.

I've been thinking of my nephew who is in basic training at Ft Benning.  I'm proud of him as he enters a new phase in his life.  He's entering a culture that will change his life forever.  Veterans stick together more than any other group of workers.

Sunday morning I read the second reading at Mass.  Father's sermon was about the first reading from Sirach 3:17 and it reminds us of the song "Oh Lord It's Hard to be Humble".  I fixed chicken and rice with peas for a side. 

Later I attended the funeral for a 10 year old girl who died of cancer.  It was a lovely service and there were buses to take us to the cemetery but not many took advantage of it like I did.  Those that drove were parked in three deep.

Monday was a holiday.  My goal was to see the top of my kitchen table.  I did cut the crab grass in the back yard and found a lone asparagus spear under the brush.  It's a little out of season so that surprised me.

My son and I trailer-ed his dad's gas grill to his new house.  I know my son's are skeptics about me backing my trailer and I too lack confidence in my ability but I was able to perfectly place in spot when I was done.  Now if I only had the strength to hitch things up by myself, I'd be independent.  I would like to thank Jim Kunke for teaching me to back the trailer a few years back in the church parking lot.  He was soooo patient.

I guess with the longer weekend, I haven't turned on my alarm clock.  However, Marley jumps into my bed at 6:15 to check on me and that is so thoughtful because she is not real affectionate.  Marley is attentive however.

I'm watching Hell On Wheels.
http://www.amctv.com/shows/hell-on-wheels