My Week

I had checked into getting insurance for my hearing aids and was quoted as $350 a year.  That's more than my car insurance so I turned that down.  My aids are under warranty till 2019 but not for loss or water.  I would probably have to get a new pair every 4-5 years anyway.  I think I'll just have to self insure.
Two of my Christmas cards were returned in the mail.  One of the recipients had sent me a card with same address that was in the return address.  It cost me 71 cents to mail this returned card.  I loved this card and it was my favorite pick for this year with all the lovely paper cutting work.

Wednesday, after exercise, I had my semi annual dental cleaning.  This was the first time with hearing aids so I asked Kip if patients usually took them out.  She said they did so I put them on my lap.  I had lunch with Michael for the last of this year. I did a little senior day shopping at the thrift store and found  a dress that will be perfect to wear to Star Wars.   I picked up my period glasses from Bergh-White in time for the evening holiday walk.  I told the gentleman that fitted me that many have asked me if my glasses were real.  I helped at the final evening of the downtown Springfield Holiday Walk at the Old State Capitol.  We had a good crowd at the Old State Capitol.  The weather was warm and windy and many states had tornados.  The moon was nearly full as random clouds went by.  The city has a bus all lit up for the holidays that plays music.  You can see a video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLi88h1axCY

I celebrated Sophie's third birthday on her adoption day of 12/22/14.  Now I learn from her chip by logging in online that her birthday is really 12/21/12.  Now she is 3 years old.

Everybody seems to be sharing photos of their tree on Facebook. I have a fence around the tree for the guest dog....Hank. Not only does he like socks...he likes bras too.
I decided to offer him my rags from my sack.  He did ruin a pair of patriotic mittens I had by the closet.

I got a gourmet stollen at Aldi like we had in Milwaukee.  My sons and I went to Christmas Eve Mass.  How nice to see the lit up sky with a full moon on Christmas eve.  Alan stayed the night and Sean commuted from the other side of town. When Alan got up on Christmas morning he opened a beer.  Even his dad waited till after the coffee pot was empty.  This worries me.

For Christmas I got a table for my laptop, aroma diffuser, ceramic knives, tilted wine glasses, gift cards and fabric cases for my glasses from my sister.  I was also treated to the movie.

First Full Moon On Christmas Since 1977
As Santa made his way across the world he was helped by the light of a full moon early this morning [Dec 25], which is actually the first full moon to fall on Christmas Day since 1977, and according to astronomers there will not be another full moon on Christmas Day until 2034.  The last time it happened was 1977..... hmmmm the original Star Wars was released in 1977 and the new one released now.  Now I saw a few people I knew there in Star Wars tee shirts and leggings.  I tried to go with a cape from reenacting, hair roll like reenacting, earrings from reenacting. Tan dress and belt from Salvation Army topped off the core of things for that desert planetary look. I really liked the 3D perspective on the bridge which showed a lot of depth. I asked for the hearing impaired headset.

There I am outside the theater with my headset for the hearing impaired and my 3D glasses in hand.

Saturday I took my trash to the curb since we will be a day late due to the holiday.  I also took my neighbor's to the curb since they are out of town.   I walked Sophie early since rain was predicted.  That was a good move because shortly after the walk, the rain came. Then I helped the Old State Capitol tours to cover their lunch hour.  I'm glad I brought a book because it wasn't very busy.

Our church was nicely decorated with evergreens and poinsettias.  I donated one in honor of my adopted soldier.

  I've been working with the family tree for quite some time.  I've made a little head way too.  My sons are eligible for Sons of the American Revolution.  I know they feel proud of this heritage.  Sleeping on the issue made me wonder if I should pay their membership knowing that they have no children and their seed is a dead end? 

All of this mild weather has now turned to rain and flooding in Illinois.  Tomorrow it will freeze and I no longer kept my ice skates.

My Week

Poor Sophie, my dog, she had her shots at the vet and worse was that fecal exam.  All is good except for a cataract.  The vet wanted to test a new chip wand and it didn't find Sophie's chip.  So he pulled out the older wand and there it was.  Afterward, she got to go on a therapy dog visit.

My article on a fictional account of Rose Hermann at the Lincoln Funeral was published in the Dec-Jan issue of Citizens Companion. It's my summer program on Distant Memories.  Barnes and Nobel doesn't carry this magazine either. So I subscribed online. I downloaded the PDF.  This issue has a theme of Christmas and mourning. It is 44 pages in PDF. The online subscription for a yr is $35.

Wednesday evening I volunteered at the Old State Capitol for the Downtown Holiday Walk.  We had a scavenger hunt to find certain wreaths throughout the building that represented the various historic sites.   Since I don't wear my hearing aids around the house, I realized in the car while listening to the radio that I forgot to put them on.  They are so light weight.  The turn out at the event was great.  I brought a copy of the first Christmas Card to show visitors.

I know I don't have a signed release form for this photo card but this WW2 vet's daughter gave me the attached card that made my day.  She gave this card to the staff at Reflections Care.  David can't talk but can understand, nod and make sounds.  Notice Sophie on his lap in one of the photos.

When I first started the dog visits and the weather was nice, I asked his daughter if he'd be interested in a dog and she said she didn't think so while his hand reached out toward Sophie.  She was pleasantly surprised that her dad liked Sophie.  You see he can't talk but can understand and nod.  His daughter is often there during my visits (Tues and Thurs) so I know she's devoted.  I loved his Halloween costume as Duck Dynasty. 

Oh, and I also felt good about today's visit because I spoke to a DHS inspector while Sophie was on his lap.  I was pleased we made a good impression. 

Thursday I got the last of my Christmas packages to  the post office.  Now to prepare the house for Christmas after all the wrapping and Christmas events.  I went to a Christmas party at the VFW at 5 and an ABATE meeting/party at 7.  I turned down a party at Edwards Place historic site the same evening.

It was nice to see Bob Foster who moved to the Danville VA.  Funny that I got a Christmas card from my WW2 vet from Le Roy, IL whom I was an honor flight guardian in 2009 mention a man he met at the Danville VA who knew me.  So far apart and what a nice triangle.

Friday evening I went to the "Committee Ball" at the Hilton.  Here is Nita, whom I formerly worked for, with the 40th anniversary ice sculpture.

 There was a lovely tree in the lobby.

 And a very nice gingerbread house.

 Ok, I didn't eat the apple but I pretended to.

 These girls were out of place.  They looked like the were more accustomed to a bar atmosphere than a formal ball.   They danced like bar sluts with their purse on their side and beer in their hand.  They didn't have a table to leave this stuff.  Now the couple in the foreground were the dance stars.  They did all the fancy moves and dips.

Wednesday evening I helped with the Old State Capitol Holiday walk and on Saturday I helped with our Civil War Santa.  Saturday, a couple popped the question in Representative Hall of the Old State Capitol as a violin played up in the gallery.

After that I stopped by Sheels on the way home and got my picture taken with Santa and Blitzen.  Blitzen is 8 months old.

 You could take your own picture of Santa above and pay a tip, or you could do like I did below and pay $20 for two 5 by 7 prints.  I've been a good little Victorian.

Afterward I stopped by the Chatham VFW Post for an Ugly Christmas Sweater party/pot luck.   Boy did they have some interesting sweaters and many with lights.  Jay says " HI Rose, I understand your a member of 755?" Rose: where you going with this?

Sunday evening I went the Luminary display of the Dana-Thomas House.  It was much too windy for the luminaries however.

Monday it was 64 degrees.  The record was 63.   I tried to get a few things done in the garage like removing the battery from the motorcycle to bring in where it will be nice and warm.  I restocked the fireplace with twigs for the next cold snap.  I dug up some of the carrots that I planted and they were small.  In evening I went to a VFW meeting.  I won the 50/50 drawing and donated it back.

I adopted Sophie on Dec 22, 2014 from the Sangamon County Animal Control Adoptable Pets. I was told she was 2 years old so her adoption day will be her birthday. Happy 3d Sophie Lou Connolly!!!!  This was our adoption photo:

 

My Week

My son pointed out that my photo from last year was the teaser for the State Journal Register's share your photos with Santa submissions.
http://extras.sj-r.com/photo-galleries/reader/send-us-your-santa-and-me-photos/16638/

Tuesday I had a luncheon with our Womens Overseas Service League.  One of the few meetings that we had a good attendance and we shared some small gifts.  I was especially excited to recieve a personalized mug rug from Sue with her advanced sewing.

In the evening I went to Mass for the Feast of the Solemnity of Mary.  Seemed odd that 2 parishioners wheeled in on knee scooters and another in a foot cast.   I showed Dan a little German smoker that I had found in a thrift store for about a dollar.  He agreed that it was a smoker but that the bottom was stuck.  I gave it to him to look at.

Wednesday morning didn't start off too good since I didn't keep down my pills.  I took it easy but in the evening I attended our AMVETS Post Christmas dinner at Old Luxumburg.  I had lobster.  I met a former boss there, Nita, and told her about the stroke that Steve had.

Thursday morning I went back to Powerworks for Yoga class after being away a few days.  In the evening I had another Christmas Party with our Catholic War Veterans post at  the Chesapeake Seafood house.
 Friday I addressed my Christmas cards and wrapped a few presents.  What a mess without the cat.

Saturday morning we had such a fog.  I could see stars above but not far in the distance.  Everything is wet.  I took a squeegee to my car only to have it wet again.    I also got my stuff ready for Saturday which is busy.  I went to Wreaths Across America at Camp Butler, then the Holiday Walk and then the American Legion Christmas party.
Springfield hit a record temperature of 70 and the previous record was 64.
http://www.sj-r.com/article/20151212/NEWS/151219844
 This picture was published in the paper from the Historic Christmas Walk with Robin West from Bloomington at Edwards Place Historic Site.
http://www.sj-r.com/photogallery/LS/20151213/NEWS/121209999/PH/1

Although I saw the photo online (and clipped it above), I didn't realize it too up a good portion of the page in the print edition.

I portrayed Elizabeth Todd Edwards and I felt I could connect with the kids there as I told them about my rocky, yet steadfast relationship with my sister.  Elizabeth was displeased that Mary chose to marry down in class and also a difference in political parties.  Mary gave her sister only one day to prepare a wedding while Elizabeth was 7 months pregnant and 2 children in the home.  But when things were bad during Willie's death, Elizabeth came to her sister's side.  When Abraham was assassinated, She came again.  Mary wed and died in Elizabeth Todd Edwards home.  Blood prevails.

Sunday morning I read the second reading at Mass.  Fr Manny told us to rejoce but that he couldn't find a pink/rose colored vestment for the service of Advent.  It was warm but this time with rain.  It rained all day so there was no choice but to walk my dog in the rain.

Monday morning I took Sophie to Bubbles of Fun while I went to exercise.  When I picked her up we went to a therapy dog visit to Regency Care.

Looks like I only had a few days respite for saving on my heat bill and now it's time to turn it back on.  I was about to mail a letter to my adopted soldier and I'm glad I waited for the mail to arrive because I got a thank you card for the box that I sent.  Made my day that I made someone else's day.

My week

Sunday I broke the wish bone from last week's turkey with my son and won. Ha, I told him now he has to get married.

 Tuesday the rain cleared up and I went to the 8th Annual Nativity Dedication at the state capitol.  I got the time mixed up and thought it started at 11AM but really was at noon.  I got there early enough to learn that Molly Metzgar is a tour guide at the capitol.  The crowd was down from past years.  We presented the statehouse wreath from Wreaths Across America.  Here's the program.

Wednesday I went on a day (or shall I say evening) trip to St Louis with the Mariner Club through the bank.  I went to the Cathedral and Winter Garden Glow.I got my picture taken in the snow globe on one foot.  Someone outside the globe held my camera and waved me to back up because of the light.  I hopped.

I was not feeling well on the bus trip and made frequent stops to the rest room.  I went to my yoga class but coughed a lot so I canceled my trip to the nursing home with Sophie.

I got a good deal on an antique lace shawl for reenacting for $50 on Ebay.  These things usually go for a lot more.  It's different because it ties at the neck.

Lot of frost Friday morning.   Back screen porch is all frosted like glass.

Well at 2pm I went to Carlinville for a ceremony with a Civil War flag dedication that had recently been restored.  The flag belonged to 122nd Regimental Flag Ceremony in Carlinville.

 

After that I went  to the Chiara Center to see the Nativity Festival.  My little plastic Nativity was exhibit 89 of 112.  It will be going on all weekend. The staff took the batteries out and without the music, this nativity looks like cheap plastic.

On the way home I had a low tire light but it was late and also cold so that was typical for a temperature change.  However, Saturday morning my rear tire was flat as a pancake.  That changed my morning plans to go to a meeting with the Soldiers Aid Society.  Instead I pumped up the air compressor and carefully drove to Discount Tires where I got them and had a warranty for flats. When I got there he told me that my tread was below the legal limit and instead of a repair he recommended new tires.  He did say the tires were evenly worn.  I asked a lot of questions and he noticed the dog tag on my keys and asked if I was military.  I said yes.  After showing my ID, he gave me a discount.  I missed the discussion on Civil War toys but I got there in time to  take a vote on our dues increase.  At 1PM is the Christmas memorial at the State Vietnam memorial. It was nice to see the governor there to read the names of the KIAs from Vietnam as a member of the audience placed an ornament on the fur tree.

At 6PM I went to the 1850s Christmas at the 1st Presbyterian Church about the same time as the Christmas Parade.  I wore my gold headdress that came in the mail that day.  I had a picture of me wearing it by my expression was less than favorable.

Sunday I went to our Catholic War Veterans memorial Mass in Rochester. I really didn't do much Sunday.  It really was a day of rest.  Probably in part because I wasn't feeling up to par.
Monday I had a follow up appointment and got a different pill.  It was a probiotic.  I took it right away and then off to the ceremony for Pearl Harbor on Lake Springfield.

I didn't go to exercise for 2 days.  The TRX straps have been crowded lately.  I had a squirrel I needed to release far away and deported HIM.  By the time I got to the gym the parking lot was really full and I a little late.  So I went to use my penny pincher coupons at County Market since I sure needed some yogurt for the probiotics.  Nearby I stopped by my insurance agent and told him about the 3 letters that I got in the mail switching my agent to Peoria as a result of my son getting off my policy. 

Well, I wanted to insure my hearing aids anyway.

And how is your week?