My Week

Tuesday morning I got my Soldiers Angels assigned Lady of Liberty.  I put my box together and mailed it along with an over-sized envelope of coupons.

I then went to the dedication ceremony for the nativity at the rotunda of the Illinois State Capitol in the rotunda.  The ceremony was great.  (except the preacher from "Broken Chains" church with his excessive, repeated "Amens" just for reading line at a time from the good Book).

Chaplain Steve did it again.  He knows how to put emotion and meaning into the Statehouse wreath ceremony for our veterans and first responders.  It was an outstanding job for the end of the program.  I looked to see if the horrid atheists sign was there as had been in previous years. Chaplain Steve told me he had written the governor about it.  It's not free speech when such a sign among a Christmas tree, Nativity and Menorah ends with there is no god there is no religion.  The sign's purpose was there to insult the other three displays.  You can read more about this on my previous blog when if first showed up:

http://ivetret.blogspot.com/2009/01/illinois-solstice-sign-vs-veterans.html

Mr Peter Breene gave this story about the flock of wild geese that would not go in a barn to safety.  The man said "I wish I was a goose and then the geese would follow".  So he went into the barn and holding his own goose honking as he held him, they followed to safety from the storm.  That is why God had to become a man in the form of a baby.  I found the story here:

http://www.crossroad.to/Victory/stories/geese.htm

Wednesday  I had a busy day. I went to the Goodwill at 9.  I found a leather covered trunk for reenacting but it didn't have handles.   Then I changed and went to the Oak Ridge Gate re-dedication at 11. 

Here is a link to the news video:
http://www.illinoishomepage.net/story/d/story/new-look-to-cemetery-elicits-history/10253/qOZsI3ATG0aFRTY_QhKMEQ

After that, I went to the Vachel Lindsey House for a recruitment for new volunteers at the historic sites.  I only stayed a little while for the sake of the parking meter.    Then in the evening I went to a  Legion Riders meeting at 6.

Thursday evening I helped with a holiday kids event at the Old State Capitol.  There was face painting, crafts and games which I helped with.
I tried out my remade bodice.  I replaced the black fuzzy trim on my dress with rouching ribbon. There was dual layers of the fuzzy trim which I would describe as a fuzzy narrow boa. I think it looks OK without the double row and the edge on the bodice. Here's a before and after. It does have a cross-over tail on the back that had fuzzy trim in the back but I didn't re trim that. I may want to put

something like a button at the center. Hmm. Let me think about that.  Here's a before and after photo with that trim. 

 I also made a new lace cap that I wore for the first time.
My sons and I went to Davenport IA on Friday and met my sister at a hotel. It was raining pretty hard when we left but we drove out of the storm. We watched Hunger Games Mocking Jay Part 1.   Dan said he paid for a full movie.  We had dinner at Rudy's Mexican Restaurant.  It just so happened to be their Christmas in The Village walk night.  

Here is a group photo at the Village after dinner at Rudys Mexican restaurant.

Then we parted at the hotel and stopped by the Worlds Largest Truckstop.

Oh the lights on the truck add-on department.

Just look at the size of this place.

Alan said he had a nice time.

On the way home we stopped for lunch in Peoria at one of Alan's favorites Lebanese restaurants that I was eager to try.  It was called Kabab-G.  The three of us had a plate of beef schwarmas.  The man taking orders recognized Alan and he boasted about bringing his mom to try.  They were friendly as could be.  He gave me a sample of Falafel.

 I went to an 1850s Christmas service at the church where the Lincolns attended.  I love Mary Lincoln's plaid red dress.  The collection went to the Salvation Army.

Sunday I went to Mass with the Catholic War Veterans.  Before Mass, I read our promo for the Catholic War Veterans.  Our post commander and I carried up the gifts.  St Jude had coffee and donuts after Mass.  I came home and half started cooking lunch before heading off to the Pearl Harbor Day ceremony.  I started a facebook event to help get the word out.
Then I went to a Nativity festival at the Chiara Center.  You can see pictures of last year's display here.