My week

I am going back to my exercise class with the silver sneakers all week.  I even did Zumba (extra) light.  I am getting back into my routine.  I do have discomfort from a tight hamstring on my left leg so I've schedule a massage. 

There was a PGR funeral for Robert H Blackwell, 71, US Navy.  This was a short funeral with just an escort to Camp Butler and ceremony was held there.

They played a Hank Williams song that my husband liked also.  His widow cried.  It's a song they loved and we'll always remember their favorites.

Afterward I got home in time to change for Distant Memories.   Since last week's video had an error when I said a year, I redid the presentation privately without an audience just before the flag lowering ceremony.  The problem is that this solo on camera misses the closing because of the bells ringing at 7PM.

The previous video was loaded to youtube in my blog last week but the below is the same as the one above that was loaded directly onto blogger and I don't know if it's successful until after I publish this.

What did I find on my Wednesday shopping?
I got 2 nice dresses: one of which has a Hawaiian look which not only replaces a similar 2 piece skirt and top that I had for years but out grew but I'll be able to wear it to the rum tasting at Edwards Place for the Tiki era.  I got a dog toy for Sophie too.  When I got home, there were two of her toys that she dropped around the neighborhood on my front bistro table.  Neighbors are so nice.
In the evening I went to a meeting that wasn't.  Not held during July and August.  So, I stopped by the mall and went to Claire's and got me a tiara to make me feel better.

While at the Salvation Army and I found a shirt that says "Orthopedic Center of Illinois" and just had to have it. I feel like a part owner of that place.

Thursday evening I went to see the movie, Dunkirk.  There was very little talking in the movie but the loud sound made me constantly adjust the hearing aids.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunkirk_(2017_film)

Friday I went to our vacation bible school in my uniform to tell the kids how much the troops appreciate the letters that they wrote to them.

Saturday I went to the CMA breakfast. I then went to Jacksonville PAWS to check on a pekingese that was a puppy mill dog and she doesn't know how to be a pet yet.  They say she's about 8 years old and not yet vetted.  I brought Sophie to see how they got along and that didn't seem to be a problem.  She doesn't know the name they gave her and she doesn't mess in the kennel but goes out in the fenced run.  I don't know if she's house broke. I will say this, when I held her, she leaned against me for security and that's a start to bonding.   By the end of the day, the ad was removed from petfinder.  Maybe when she's here, we'll learn her personality and that will assign the name.

 My only concern is that she can come out of her shyness.  My previous dog before getting Sophie was Marley who never came out of it all the way.  But I think Marley may have been abused and "Cammy" just doesn't know love.  They had a lot of cute dogs there, unlike the Sangamon County Animal Control which has a lot of pit bulls.  PAWS is a no-kill shelter and should anything happen, she has to go back to them.  Since she is a bit senior, I hope to rescue her later years with knowing the pleasure just being a dog.

Saturday evening I went to a Rum Tasting fundraiser at Edwards Place.

I brought my own crystal shot glass but never had a chance to use it.  The second drink we went outside because it was brewed over an open fire and stirred with a hot poker.  It tasted a little like molasses only worse.  I'm glad it was outside because I poured it out by a tree.
 

Our 4th taste was from the prohibition period and it was a virgin drink.  Mai  Thai was last.  So we learned the History of rum.  Rum day is Aug 16.  Learn more here:
A Brief History of Rum for National Rum Day

Sunday I made scalloped potatoes and ham but it wasn't like my mothers cooking. The recipe I found included cream instead of milk and the cheese I used was fat free shredded cheddar that hardly melted.  I'm sure mom made it in a skillet but mine was baked and it would have been better in a tray rather than a deep casserole dish because it seemed to take forever to soften even thinly sliced potatoes. 

Well with all physical limitations that I've had, I didn't get to plant a garden.  However, end of June I squatted down with a garden kneel-er and planted some yellow squash late in the planting season.  Sunday I noticed a yellow flower so it looks like I won't be totally void of a garden.  This was the first weekend that my son didn't have to cut the grass because I did it myself.  Instead I had him cut out a wild growing tree behind the shed.  Baby steps.

My Week

This week brought to you by a "heat wave".  St Louis hit a record high.

Sophie and I are mentioned in the TDI Newsletter on Page 33. Most of all, I love looking at all the dogs in the TDI scrapbook.
http://tdi-dog.org/images/Spring_Summer_2017.pdf 

Monday morning I went to senior balance class at Powerworks followed by 2 therapy dog visits. Sophie was sung "On the Wings of a Snow White Dove" by one of the patients.  Another patient loved Sophie so much that he handed me his cell phone to talk his family member.   I was player so I said what we were doing.  That felt a little awkward at first but I played along and life is simple.

Tuesday morning I went to my physical Therapy.  Wow, I can't believe I did a slow, methodical bridge in PT.

Then I went to an award ceremony for Staab Funeral Home for an award presentation by the State of Illinois for their support of veterans.  The award was nominated by our CWV Post Commander, Pat Noel, who spoke about the nomination.  Photo is a little dark because the podium was on the porch of the funeral home and I was in the HOT sun.

Here's a photo of me with the other veterans out in the hot sun.

News Media:
Staab Funeral Home receives honor from IDVA
You can see me on this news video:
http://foxillinois.com/news/local/staab-funeral-home-honored-for-contributions-to-veterans-07-19-2017

Tuesday evening I did my distant memories at the Lincoln Tomb.  I tried to record it but I need to get a good recording.  This would have been good but its off center and I made a mistake on the year.

In the evening I went to the Lincoln Tomb.  I recorded my presentation of Distant Memories but hopefully I'll delete this copy soon and make a better copy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLpCPobzMPc
I'll do a solo version just facing the camera next week without an audience.

Wednesday I did my senior day shopping.  Then in the evening I went to the quarterly Veterans Assistance Commission meeting.  I am the new secretary but missed the first meeting with that title because it was just before my surgery and evenings were very painful then. So I did role call and minutes.  I'll miss the next quarterly meeting in October too.

Friday I noticed that the lady down the street was taking her trash out and there was no car in her garage.  She told me that it was totaled on June 30th.  This is the same lady that helped me take my trash out when I was having surgery.  Later I went to the Old State Capitol in the afternoon for our Soldiers Aid Society set up.  In the evening, some neighbor kids that visited their grandparents came over to play with Sophie so we walked around the block in the heat.

Saturday morning we got some rain that lasted about an hour.  I stopped by the Illinois State Military Museum to see their military vehicle show.

 The business cards I left for the Womens Overseas Service League are still there.

 WWII Gold Star Mothers pin.

 Funny Hitler pin cushion with a soft tush and pin inserted.

Here's the news media link about the show.
http://www.wandtv.com/Clip/13516986/military-car-show-gives-people-glance-into-history#.WXSmry5FpMM.facebook
In the afternoon I went to a 50th wedding anniversary vow renewal for Les and Dodie.

I watched "The Immigrant".  I thought it was good.  
http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-immigrant-2014
I also watch "Jane Got a Gun".

Last week I was disturbed about the church requirement for a background check out of the principle that I did nothing wrong.  I have nothing to hide but it seems to make the ministry more of a job than a faith sharing service to my parish.  I've had this done 5 years ago and now it's time for renewal and I just keep dwelling on it.  Maybe I should just sit back and listen to scripture instead of reading it to the congregation.  I had 2 background checks for therapy dog visits.
Then this Sunday, on reflection of today's Gospel about the good seed and the bad seed and they must live together until harvest (aka Judgement Day) when they would be separated.  The weeds did choke the good plants. The farmer didn't pull up the weeds that were planted by the enemy lest they pull out the roots of the good seeds.  I didn't get that meaning initially from my church's sermon today but rather watching EWTN sermon for Knights of Peter Claver convention.  That's why we are vetted volunteers.

I read obituaries because I maintain a memorial of the day for Camp Butler Facebook page.  I saw this on the bottom of an obituary.  "I'll remain grateful, thankful and humble. Don't whine, don't complain, don't make excuses and never, ever quit."

My week

This week started off on a bad note.  It seems my last blog resulted in an insult.  I don't need that kind of negativity in my life.  My motto is "Don't worry...Be Happy".  Situations like that make it hard when I share my life, which involves volunteering, results in such a big put down.

Started the week out early with morning physical therapy, a replacement military ID, and dental cleaning done.  I went for my dental cleaning and mentioned my spinal fusion.  The hygienist wondered if I was cleared to be there because of the risk of post-op infections. I told her that all restrictions were lifted.  So she called my doctor's office to get the OK.  This is some of my PT:

It's harder than it looks because of the legs and hips are weakened by the spinal fusion area.

Monday evening I went to Glen Carbon's library for a presentation on Women in the Civil War.  That evening we had a much needed rain storm.

Tuesday evening was our Flag Lowering ceremony at the tomb and my presentation of Distant Memories.  I was disappointed at the turn out at the old vault.  It was hot.  There were joggers in the cemetery and I'll bet they were hotter than I in my period dress.  So while I waited for visitors, I took a selfie. There were lots of cars for the Flag Lowering Ceremony but not may came to my presentation at the old vault at the bottom of the stairs.

Distant Memories used to be covered by a grant.  Even the State Historic Sites is not promoting it on the History Comes Alive or on their facebook events.  Between this small turn out and lack of support by the state, I have to question what I'm doing this for.  Our Friday afternoon Soldiers Aid Society at the Old State Capitol is listed.

11 weeks on this side now and rejoined my yoga class. I needed yoga blocks for the stretch that I didn't need last year this time but I was so happy to do a "down dog". I had trouble with a cobra and bridge but got some great ham string stretches and that ending relaxation was so rewarding I had a tear in my eye. 😅 I've only been able to get on the floor less than 2 weeks. Thank you for your support.  I was a bit sore the following morning and I had physical therapy at 7:45.

Friday afternoon I helped with our Soldiers Aid Society at the Old State Capitol.  In the evening I went to a meeting with the Mary Lincoln Coterie which continued on Saturday morning with a wreath laying at the Lincoln Tomb.  This is the Friday evening Strawberry Party social.   Yep, that's Abe at our table. Note the founder's head with the tiara.  I'll have one next year.

Saturday I stopped by a car show at Roberts Automotive before heading to Oak Ridge Cemetery for the Mary Lincoln coterie wreath laying ceremony.  I brought Sophie with me.  I did not register for the luncheon at Maldner's because the deadline was passed and I didn't know my condition at the time.  I was told there was plenty of room at the luncheon and I proceeded to take Sophie home and return to the luncheon. 

I wore my pink shirt with the picture of a corset on the front.

Well I slept in and barely made it in time for church.   I fixed Thai chicken and Sean cut my grass.   Then we got a much needed rain. 

I got my yoga mat out to practice some physical therapy exercise assignments but don't have the heart to move Sophie.

 

My Week

Welcome to those Lazy Hazy Dazy Crazy Days of Summer

Monday I went to Regency Care with Sophie and then later had an appointment for my hearing check.  I explained that I just thought they were set as "good as it gets" even though I avoid crowds and noise.  I told him that if someone had addressed me from across a table, I had to get up and approach the person to hear.  I had a few tweaks made.  I think I like the change but still experimenting the settings with the situation.  I don't understand why the TV in the waiting room doesn't have closed captioning turned on.

I like this chair because it's lighter than newer ones. I got it for $1.  However the canvas seat tore when I sat down because it was so old.  I found a remnant of upholstery fabric for $1.  I have enough of this upholstery fabric to do the back but shown here for contrast.

Doing  the back was more difficult.  There were more screws and I had to make the pattern taught.  I think the blue makes it look a little like furniture rather than camping equipment.  When I first saw the remnant for 99 cents, I didn't like it but now I do.  That rubber foot is the most expensive piece on there.

Since I was tripping on the broken patio blocks in the road that the neighbor used to brace the wheels on her boat, the blocks then became my problem. She braced the tires of her boat trailer when she got it out of storage.  It's illegal to park a boat on the street here and she was ticketed last year.  She said she can only park there to clean it up and reach the hose.  I picked up the blocks with my gardening knee stoop (with handles) and put them in the trash. They are heavy for someone like me but at least I won't trip on them when I walk the dog.

Independence day was busy.  At 10AM I had Mass with the Catholic War Veterans at Oak Ridge Cemetery.  The banner on the right I made and the poster on the left by Staab Funeral Home.

At noon I was in the color guard for the reading of the declaration and at 5:30 I was at the Lincoln Tomb coming in with a blast to do Distant Memories prior to the Flag Lowering Ceremony.

 In the evening I went to see fireworks and sat in the driveway of Graham with my dog Sophie.  She was a little more frightened of the fireworks than I expected.  Holding her calmed her down. 

Wednesday I had my first physical therapy at 9AM.  I still have a little pain on my left leg which I thought was a recurrence of nerve pain. However, it's a tight tendon instead. Thank God! A major nerve and tendon are almost in the same place so tendon elasticity I can work out.   My PT appointments seem to run the same time as silver sneakers, very early.

Later I went to a TDI appointment at St John's Hospital for the first time since my surgery. 
I loaned my hat and gloves to my activity director at the nursing home for a tea party/birthday party and she looked marvelous.

The brim of the hat seems to be curling up because of the original box it was shipped in is just a little too small.  I'll have to look for a fix or make a box that's just a little bigger.

Friday I brought scones to the Old State Capitol for our Soldiers Aid Society guests.  Seemed like attendance was down.  It's a new fiscal year and the Historic Preservation Agency is now under the Department of Natural Resources.

I got a request to renew my police background check to be a volunteer at church (reader and minister).  I don't have to repeat the class "Protecting God's Children" but this background checking is getting old.  It needs to be renewed.  I had to have fingerprints to volunteer at one of the nursing homes with Sophie too.   I understand new volunteers at the historic sites get this too now but I was grandfathered in.  I'm not going to have sexual relations with the kids of the parish. I have no desire period.  This is insulting to me.

Saturday I carried the American Legion flag as part of the 4 person color guard at the Highland Games opening ceremony.

Sunday morning we had Mass together with the Catholic War Veterans.  Afterward we had breakfast and Sean came over.  I told Sean not to cut the grass because it's not growing as much with the dry summer.  I took advantage of the 20 percent off day at Big Lots.  Mostly canned goods. 

Well I'm looking forward to more physical therapy.

My Week

 Tuesday I went to visit my sister in Wisconsin.  I was supposed to be a surprise for my other sister on Wednesday but that didn't happen. So we shopped the Amish places.  I got cheese, pickles, chocolate and honey.  It rained pretty steady most of the day.
My sister enjoyed a toy toss with Sophie and she works at a veterinary clinic where she could have lots of toy toss fun. She hasn't seen any pekingese dogs there. 
Here I am at the Boscobel Turkey on my way home.  Home of the Giddeon Bible.

Igor the cheese mouse in Fennimore, WI.

Well Frank's subscription to Car and Driver expires Aug 2024.  Had he lived it would expire when he would be 85.

Friday I helped with our Soldiers Aid Society display at the Old State Capitol.  It was Becka's debut in her new dress which is a modified Salvation Army dress that I found.  She had it altered to replace the zipper with hooks and the bottom red trim replaced in black.  Becka loved it.

I came home about 4:30 for a quick sandwich and little rest from the corset and then went to the Railsplitters Ball in Lincoln, IL.  I was the only one in a "day dress" rather than ball gown since I had worn it earlier in the day.

I only danced the slow ones like the "Grand March", "Spanish Waltz",  "Circle Waltz" and "Windmill Quadrille".  The rest I sat out.  I did sit for awhile with a guest who helped host and cater in modern day attire.  She noticed the pantaloons and lack thereof when dancing when the skirts twirled up.  She didn't know what they were called so I showed her mine and Kay next to me showed hers. 

I had been using my bent out of shape pet stroller to haul my recycle bin to the curb.  It got picked up while I was gone.  I'm a little disappointed because the recycle bin is a bit heavy after my surgery.  So Saturday I got a cart at Harbor Freight.  I want to put a tag on it with my name and a request not to steal it.

Saturday evening I was dog sitting while my sons went to a Cardinals game.   I had a lot of stuffed animals for them to tear up (and later clean up).  I'm glad my sons had a good time and that the Cardinals won.

Sunday I  got back into the church ministry schedule.  In the summer, I have to move in my pew during the summer because of a glare in the stained glass in my face.  Sean came and cut my grass and did his laundry.  He didn't care for the eggplant Parmesan that I prepared.  In the evening I went to the visitation of a former coworker at Staab Funeral Home. 

Before I left, Mark showed me a new sign he'd made for the Catholic War Veterans since the CWV wreath that I made disappeared from their closet.