My Week

Boy are the leaves falling.   They fall like a light rain in the breeze.  I walk Marley to a crunch under my feet and it's almost impossible to police her doo-doo among the leaves.

I got a new coffee maker.

I cleaned my old Gevalia coffee pot out twice through with vinegar.  The cord must have gotten wet in the sink when I dumped it to get the floating grounds out.  The next day I had to have coffee at Hardees.  Afterward, I found a Gevalia Basic Coffee for Two coffee maker at the Goodwill and it had the sticker color that made it half off.  I had picked up some number two coffee filters.  So far I like this coffee maker.  However, I wonder if I'll wear out the one side that makes a single mug.

Wednesday I helped out at the Old State Capitol while the staff was in training.  That evening, there was a volunteer appreciation dinner.  They took our pictures with a green background to add the Old State Capitol and emailed them to me.

Most just did a straight pose and some tried on costumes.  I just wore my blazer that I have all my historic pins and name tag.  We had to bring down that cardboard cut out of Abe for this pose.

Thursday was like my day off.  I hemmed two pair of pants, laundry, 

I cleaned my coffee pot yesterday with vinegar.  was going to rinse it thru this morning and the lights were on but the burner was cold and it wouldn't pass the water thru.  I went and got coffee at Hardees.

I gave my son a Lowes card for his birthday.  There's so much he'll need for his house like a replacement window that I had in mind.  They had a cute little card holder that looks like a black tool box.  At first I thought it was frivolous to get that too but then I figure it's a cute card and package and the card wouldn't fall between seats of the car.

Saturday I put the 3 by 5 flags on the bike and rode escort for the return of the Illinois National Guard.   They were returning from Kuwait.  There was a ceremony in Chicago and local here at Camp Lincoln.  When I saw the friends and family that were waiting for the solders to march in, I couldn't help but think of all the videos online of homecomings and hugs.  I got a little emotional seeing them and what was about to happen at the command; "dismiss".  I sure got teary eyed at this family reunion.  The awaiting families had wonderful signs to welcome them home. 

You can't see me but I was holding the second flag on the left.  The tall soldier on the right is Dave.  He is our American Legion Post commander.

Both Friday and Saturday I went to the midnight showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show.  One in Peoria and the other in Decatur.  I had a few shout-outs that gave me some moments of fame and hi-fives.

Sunday I read the first reading at Mass.  Since it was my younger son's birthday, my older son came over and did his laundry and then we went to Peoria to give him our gifts and had dinner at Granite City.  What a surprise!  We had the same waitress we had about 2 months ago for my birthday there.  She remembered us.  I ordered a "Supermodel Mojita" that was very good with all the peppermint leaves and lime.  I had Grilled Salmon Oscar and it was great.  Alan loved his gifts.
 He gifted me and Sean in return with a leather holster for our guns for our conceal carry.
Now to get my tickets for upcoming Rocky Horror Show (the play version) at the Hoogland later in the week.