Tuesday, October 27, 2015

My Week

Last week's blog I discussed the pilgrimage to the tomb of Lafore Lock whom our VFW post is named after.  I was pleased to learn that our VFW post had replaced the flag and painted the pole from last Sunday's pilgrimage to the tomb of Lafore Lock.

Tuesday I tried to knock out a few chores.  One of which was stretching the life of my back porch with paint.  The wood is so bad that it is warped beyond reattaching.  Every year I try to do a fix of the house so a new sun room or porch may be in store for next year. 
This year's home improvements already included painting the kitchen (which I'd prefer a remodeling job for $16K), closet doors, and a water heater.  So I think the quota for home improvements of 2015 is accomplished.  I asked RP Lumber if they would cut a replacement except they wouldn't do the notch needed for the railing post.

Wednesday evening I was so tired. I was so excited about riding that I tossed the night before thinking about the fun ride. Only Bob Cowels showed up. We rode to Grafton and had lunch at the Loading Dock. Beautiful day. I was really hungry because I had back to back exercise sessions with senior fit and senior zumba.  I recommended a polka song. The sleeplessness, exercise and fresh air can wear you out. Then on top of that the fund raiser for the Humane society.  I entered Sophie in her Civil War nurse outfit and we made the first cut but didn't win the doggie costume contest.Whew!



 We parked our motorcycles under the old warehouse and it has a retro bar for parties.
 I got back in time for a quick look at the Goodwill for senior discount Wednesday.  I couldn't get much on a motorcycle but had to look.  I picked up some silicone measuring cups.  I needed some new ones because I was missing 1/3 cup measure.  I found some new pajamas too.  Last week I found

I ordered my Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)  test from Ancestry.com.  Sean has already taken this DNA test.
I had dinner at Bob Evans because of the 15% kick back to Honor Flight with coupon.

I bought a coffin on eBay that I'll need to pick up.  It's about 200 miles away in Orlando Park, IL.  1) Halloween decor. 2) reenacting 3) my final arrangements. Have you seen how expensive caskets are????

I cold use a nice stand like the one above.

I need to make a satin liner.  It should also have a removable cover for the face window that is missing.

Saturday I stopped by a meeting for the Catholic War Veterans from LaSalle at the Navy Club.  I gave our commander some banners I had made for the car during the veterans day parade.   Then I went to New Salem Historic Site for 1830s Fall Festival.  I'd never been to the root cellar.  It's rarely open.
 Here's a building sign that a settler from Marrietta, OH lived in New Salem.  We've been to Marrietta.
 Then I visited the grave of Ann Rutledge, Lincoln's first love.
I'm trying to get my act together an sold my Thunder Shirt for $5 that used to fit on Marley who passed away last year.
Monday I went to a Patriot Guard mission/flag line for Ronald Luttrell. I got home and posted a a condolence online recieving the following in an email:  Thank you for leaving a condolence on the tribute page of Ronald Luttrell. Your contribution can be viewed at http://www.airsman-hires.com/tribute/details/6423/Ronald_Luttrell/obituary.html
In the evening I picked up my son, Sean, and we headed to Peoria to celebrate his brother's birthday at Jonahs-Seafood-House. I had some awesome tuna and cole slaw.  Was I ever stuffed and brought some tuna home too.  They threw in a birthday cake which I did not bring.  It was huge enough to share.    There was a nice full moon illuminating the riverside restaurant. 
Afterward we went to Alan's house and opened his gifts.  He showed my the cards from his aunts.  I gave him a football field door mat and monogrammed items.  Sean got him a spotlight.  We played with his dog, Hank, and made him pee with excitement. Since he lives in a neighborhood with a lot of kids, I brought him milk jugs to fill with water and about 10 glow sticks to drop inside when they have Trick or Treak.
I haven't had returned mail but I think I found my adopted soldier's unit on Facebook with pictures of a homecoming.  In the past, I've gotten returned mail months later.  Either way, I'm happy for him.

Monday, October 19, 2015

My week

Wednesday was busy.  I went to an Amvets meeting at 6PM.  After that I got the cake mixes sorted out with Libby for Lana's medical fundraiser on Saturday.  After that I dropped my letters for honor flight roll call and winnings from the Amvets 50/50 was donated to honor flight. On the way, I released the trapped squirrel over by the interstate near Cracker Barrel.  I doubt this squirrel will survive traffic cuz it was set loose in the triangle area. I'm exhausted. Got up too early and runnin' ever since. Had my flu shot this afternoon too.

Thursday evening I went to a lecture on "Lincoln and Voting".  Of all the events I could have attended (there were 2 others) I went to the event that I could hardly hear.   When I sat down, I felt my phone vibrate.  After the lecture I returned the call and it was Richard to talk about Sunday's pilgrimage to the tomb of Lafore Lock.  

Friday morning I woke to 36 degrees.  I needed my winter coat to take Sophie around the block.  I brought my plants inside:  Cilantro, Spider plant, Citronella, and pansy.  Hope these make it through the winter. 

I had gotten an email from Microsoft's OneDrive saying they will no longer provide OneDrive.  I went to see what I had on my OneDrive and saved a few photos and moved them to Facebook.  One was my accident.  Even though I dated the photo and explained the post was 2010, I've gotten so many get well wishes.

Sophie just got her Civil War nurse dress from Dogs of Gettysburg. Now she's a reenactor and a therapy dog.  I'm in the process of making a cap for her.

 Friday evening I attended an opening ceremony for a banquet at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum with the 114th Regiment.  It's a brief ceremony.

Saturday morning we had our first frost.  I had covered my tomato plants the night before.  They still have little yellow flowers.  After walking Sophie early, I started to make cakes for the Lana Benedict medical fund raiser.  Since we started the planning, her condition worsened and she passed away but after 7 months of hospitalization, it's more than the family could bear.  She had been so active in our community helping in particular with the American Legion fish fry.  So it's time to give back.  I donated a CD set from Garth Brooks for the auction table.  I'd never fixed cakes in big quantities before.  4 cake mixes to a big pan.  I learned to use the mixing in my deep sink.

I did find a cute little clasp reticule at the Goodwill that will go with my ball gown.  I picked up some chainettes from Joanne Store to sew onto the hem of my skirt to hold my fan/reticule.
I also picked up some permanent fabric paint to cover some tar stains on this used dress I got for $60.  After being cleaned the tar stains didn't come out so I figure a reverse Sharpie cover will do. 
Saturday I spent baking cakes for Lana Benedict's medical fundraiser at the American Legion. 
It was a good turn out.  




I got a wooden mallet and a nut cracker on the silent auction.  Dan Bedell said the mallet was a good traditional work of art and needed Danish Oil to preserve the wood.  He showed me how to do it myself in his garage.  This would make a nice addition to reenacting props.
Sunday morning I awoke to 28 degrees out and I walked Sophie down the street. I decided to light all those twigs I'd hoarded all summer stuffed in the fire place. As usual, the detector went off. All is good and cozy.  I did put the heat on for a short while.  That cold snap affected my flexibility too.

At the LA Fore Lock pilgrimage in honor of Pvt Lock who was killed in action in 1918 in France. At Oakridge cemetery Springfield, IL

 Speaker Capt  Tristen Meyer BN Signals Officer will be representing the 130th Infantry on Sunday.
 Our WW1 doughboy.  (Reporters on the right)
 Don and Bob discuss freshening up the flagpole that marks the grave.
The newspaper covered the event here:
http://www.sj-r.com/article/20151018/NEWS/151019557

 So I got an email from Microsoft saying they were going to shut down "One Drive" and that all documents would be lost.  I checked to see if there was anything there that I wanted to save.  I found an old photo of my rehab from my motorcycle accident back in 2010.  I decided to load it to my motorcycle album on facebook and boy did the comments fly.  They thought it was recent.
Even though the photo had an explanation, few read it and posted "get well".  A few called to see if I was alright.

I wrap up this edition of "My Week" with a therapy dog visit to the Regency.  I hope to go there every 2 weeks.  It is a much larger facility than the one I have been going to locally.  I do get to see a friend there briefly but Sophie and I are volunteering.  It's so hard to pull her away from a hugging resident and let someone else get a chance too.  The time flies and the next thing you know, the residents are off for lunch.  The janitor was kind enough to ask if the vacuum would scare the dog.  Supposedly she's trained to remain calm during noise .... just not that 21 gun salute.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

My Week

Fall is upon us and leaves are changing.  Wind is bringing down the leaves and burs are gathering in Sophie's fur. Sophie seems to look forward to her bath because 1) it takes away the nasty burrs that get stuck in her fur and 2) she knows she's going on a TDI "visit".  There's a lady that sings to her.  This time she sang "We Love You Conrad, Oh yes we do"

Wednesday I missed exercise to pay honors at Camp Butler for the semi-annual unaccompanied burial ceremony.  The Patriot Guard Riders were in attendance but short a flag so I gave up mine.  Besides, getting over a cold, I'm most likely one to fall out.


 I had lunch with Michael as usual and noticed Eddie Long and the director of IL Veterans Affairs, Erica Jeffries, sit down at the next table. So I had to say hello.  I did a little shopping and then got ready for the Chatham High School's Homecoming parade for which the Legion did the color guard.   Some applauded but I think the applauded because the parade had started when they saw the colors.  Others acted more patriotic-like.
 I held the POW flag and our Post command held the American Flag.

Thursday there were only 2 seniors that showed up for our Yoga class.  In the afternoon I went on my therapy dog visit.  It was rewarding once again.  My hearing impairment seems to help me keep  confidentiality to TDI and HIPA rules. However, I can feel the connections a dog makes to a residents' day has meaning.
In the evening I went to a meeting for the Lincoln Monument Association at 5PM followed by a Catholic War Veterans meeting at 7PM.
 Here I'm about to let some residents get some "hands-on" therapy with Sophie.  This was posted on the TDI Facebook page with the sign photoshopped out for privacy.  I was concerned because of an email about new associates not wearing the dog scarf right.
 
Friday I had my long awaited appointment with the audiologist at Springfield Clinic. I have significant hearing loss. Duh! That's what I've been sayin'. I am on steroids to see if the hearing chart goes up before the inevitable need for hearing aids. I have a follow up appointment Oct 30th. I need my potassium to go with the steroids.  I hope the steroids don't make me have muscles (in all the wrong places).  Here's a funny clip from facebook that was shared.

Well she said she would share it under my quote because she has the same difficulty but that's a very personal quote pertaining to me.

I caught and released my 4th squirrel.  Always somewhere where it would have to cross the interstate to return.

Nice finds at ALDI today, Cinnamon apple cheese and Halloween wine.  By the way, I went in for the potassium rich bananas to go with those steroids.

Saturday morning, Sophie made a bolt from the front door in the morning as I tossed out recycles.  I chased her using all the commands we learned in training.  She was in play mode until she stopped to pee then I gave her the down command and got her.  Remedial training required apparently.
I had a picnic with Pam and Gary Siegler (POW).  Pam wanted to meet the famous Sophie therapy dog extraordinaire and the park picnic was perfect.  I made chili and she brought a much bigger array of goodies including her pumpkin cakes.   I showed them my husband's brick in the square.  While there, Gary got a call for a request for another veterans event appearance.  I think he had to turn it down.  I looked at him and said he had a lot of fans. I then nodded over toward Pam saying she was the first fan.  Gary is not much for conversation but I saw the look that he knew I was right about that.

Sunday morning I went to a Memorial Mass with the Catholic War Veterans.   There were only 4 of us but one was Charlie, a 92 year old WW2 veteran, away from the Regency nursing home that he lives.  Our commander had permission from his son for his release.  It was great to see him.  He's a real sweetie.  Although I couldn't hear much, I knew we were warmly welcomed and in the end,  Sister Mary Jean Traeger invited veterans in the congregation to raise their hand.  I looked around.  They are everywhere.  Afterward we had breakfast.  I learned that our CWV secretary quit following our Thursday evening meeting.  I believe it was over her request for a "personal interest" of $6K donation request to an historic church's need for a refurbished railing that the vote only turned out to be $200.  She knew the post had the money if funds were moved around and tried to read by-laws in her favor. All seemed to feel that a large donation to only one parish would detract unfairly to our donations of the specific needs of the parishes hosting our monthly memorial Mass. If there's one thing I learned in life, don't quit a veterans organization when things don't go your way ~ make it happen yourself so you don't have to rely on voting.  That way, you won't reduce their membership in this time of dwindling support.

I came home to a quick change for my obligation to help man a fund raising booth at Walmart for Wreaths Across America. I expected the booth set up but I thought I was asked to give the regulars a break and maybe be alone.   I brought my giant wreath that's about 4' tall to attract our cause for wreaths at Camp Butler.  My experience with the others helping (those that I was there to help with a break because they do it often every Sunday) that people were interested to come to the booth to pet the 3 great danes.  I too brought Sophie for the same reason.  Although it was a good strategy, I felt that our booth looked more like a pet adoption cause than veterans related.  I did have my CWV shirt on with a veteran ball cap but the others didn't give an impression that it's a veterans organization booth.
Monday I made a Colonial pocket from a painter's apron.  Not too much is machine made and putting the two sides together was tricky so that thread could go through both pieces.   It's worn under the skirt and won't weigh down the hoop.  Nice to hold keys.

I've opened an alternative to Youtube.  Invite your friends and followers to follow you on Vidme by sharing your profile link: https://vid.me/ivetret
I haven't loaded any videos as of this post.   


 

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

My Week

Our local County Market likes to stack the soda cases in an artistic style.  They've done this before but this is the latest.

The weather is turning.  Little Miss Sophie is spoiled with 3 walks a day and I won't want to walk in the cold mornings. 

Tuesday, Patrick Lam took a photo on his cell phone of Sophie and Edith.  I gave him our TDI photo release for his daughter to sign. 
Then Thursday I met his daughter who was there with her little dog.  She asked me if I knew Rose Hutches!!!!!  Of course I do.  She was the tester for TDI.
See photo below that is Non-compromising of HIPPA rules.

Wednesday I got a call back from the Regency nursing home about bringing in Sophie for regular visits.  I was informed that I would need a background check as a volunteer so I did the paperwork and got my fingerprints done.
Tuesday evening I went to Honor Flight's homecoming. Les Morgan was impressed with my flag socks took this with the following comment:  "She does anything to get people to salute her. 🇺🇸🇺🇸"

Thursday evening we had our dress rehearsal for the Murder Mystery Dinner at Edwards Place.  I learned the difference between acting and reenacting.  I mean, it was fun and all but I'm used to trying to portray history not myth.  I did well with our test audience.  I was afraid of yielding questions with my hearing loss.  I stood, and moved close to hear the question.  I was only asked 2 questions.

I shipped a box to my soldier and when she gave me the total, I knew it was wrong.  She replied it wasn't a flat rate box but it was.  She had to get help and make an adjustment.  She was new.   Why would I want to spend $18 in shipping for a small flat rate box of cookies?  In the end it was back to $12.  As I got back to my car, I saw a man who pulled up with two little dogs on a platform seat.  I thought they looked like Pekingese but he said they were Japanese Chin.  I never heard of that breed so I did a search and the breeds do resemble each other.  The Chin seems to be more of a paint spotted marking and a little bit stockier than the Pekineses.  He had one that was brown and white and the other was black and white.  So cute.

Thursday we had our dress rehearsal for the Murder Mystery Dinner at Edwards Place with a test audience.  Friday and Saturday evening was the real deal and we were historical characters that were associated withe the house.  I played Elizabeth Todd Edwards, sister of Mary Lincoln and wife of Ninian Edwards. It was a big step going from a reenactor to an actor in my opinion because I've always tried to present history accurately and this was more for entertainment. Unless I think more along the lines of Rocky Horror.  I mean, it was fun and all but I'm used to trying to portray history not myth. I did well with our test audience. I was afraid of yielding questions with my hearing loss. I stood, and moved close to hear the question. I was only asked 2 questions.  I was least suspect.


Saturday I fixed Shepard's pie for Sunday.   I'm glad I made it in advance because I had a full day of napping.   In fact Saturday Night's performance involved more dramatic crocodile tears with the hankie catching my nasal drips. I didn't even go to church Sunday.  I took my Flonaise and Zinc tablets and anything else I could get my hands on.  Sore throat kept me from a good night's sleep but when it went away, I slept and slept ~ nearly 36 hours of broken rest.  Poor Sophie didn't get to go for a walk and I didn't leave the house even to go to church.  My son came over for laundry and football while I napped in the recliner.  Again he found a station that was speaking Spanish.  I can't hear it.  I feel like a wasted a day of my life.  Moral: don't put off for tomorrow what you can do today.  I got a lot of things accomplished before this cold hit me, like mowing and painting part of the porch.

Monday I went to a funeral for Lana Benedict who had a slow agonizing death for the last 7 months. She had been very active in our community.  I skipped my exercise class on Monday since I'm still in recovery mode but I am slowly moving.  I went back to exercise on Tuesday.  Tuesday is also zumba gold day.  I feel I had sweated out some of the toxins left from my cold.  It was also Laila's last day as she starts a new job as activity director at the new nursing home opening in November.  I told her that I will be in contact.  I told her about Sophie and her TDI certification.  Odd that both nursing homes are called Reflections.  Maybe we will have to refer to the homes as Reflections 1 and 2.

Here's a few more photos from the Murder Mystery Dinner:
 Sworn in by the sheriff.
 I'm shocked at the scandalous relationships.
 explaining my sleeping draughts.
 Checking out the evidence from the victims room which had nothing to do with the crime.


The end.

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