My Week

Well it's been a week since Pearl was hit by a car and the memory came back on Sunday when the usual walk after Sean left left. 
So I compared my wine rack to my sisters.  She won. 


Monday I cleared 11 bags of leaves as my big accomplishment.  I was amazed that the wind didn't dump it all but each bag held the other one up in a group.  Then early Tuesday they were picked up.  Whew! Just in time.

Tuesday I picked up our fresh, Amish, turkey at Humphrey's Market for $42.  

 Wednesday was the anniversary of the 1963 assassination of President Kennedy.  I now learn he had a bad back too.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/jfks-assassination-aided-by-his-bad-back-records-show/ar-BBFtwpE?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartandhp
I got a few last minute items at ALDI.  I got their high end wine.  LOL.

Alan arrived just as I was about to leave for Thanksgiving Mass.   I quickly asked him for a hand to lower my lawn mower out of my SUV that I'd been hauling around since Tuesday.  The smell of its gas wreaked when I opened my door.  I took my table wine to Thanksgiving morning Mass along with donations to the food pantry.

 The shiny thing in the middle is my bottle of high class Aldi Rhine wine that is on its side like a wine rack would be.

Dinner was great.  You can see I got a roll of Amish butter in the middle of the table  The toy turkey doesn't work even with new batteries.  My sons did not take any leftovers with them.  I predict a much smaller meal next year.

All three of us walked our dogs.  We watched a movie on TV.

After they left I cleaned up the stuffing left from the stuffed animals they tore up.  I had to use a narrow pointed brush to get all of it out of the vacuum cleaner's channels.  I washed the table cloth and oven mits.  Now to get my Advent wreath out.

I ordered myself a new GPS unit on a Black Friday special only it happened to be on Tuesday.  The Tom Tom I'd been using was Frank's Father's Day gift so that meant it was probably at least 15 years old.  It would no longer update and the connections were corroded.  It arrived on Friday.  Should I use it now or put it under the tree labeled to myself?

Sunday I was a reader.  It was the Feast of Christ the King and the end of the liturgical year.  So I wore my tiara.  I sat in a pew with Jim and Suz and after Mass they invited me to breakfast.  

Sean came for his Sunday laundry.  I left in the middle of the cleaning to join the Sid Wood Toy Run but got home before he was done.  He fixed the broken ceiling fan chain mechanism that Alan had shown him after I got the part.

Here I am with Santa and Senator Sam McCann and the Wiezoreks.

 Moe wanted to grab my wig out of my hands while I was getting ready.  He thought it was one of his stuffed toys that I usually give him.

You can see me on the back of the Can-Am in this video at the 1:00 mark
 
I signed up for the No Gain-Maintain at Powerworks

I was gifted a ticket from Liz and Chris to Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis.   Wow, when I looked at the ticket, it was $72.

 

My Week

I guess I'll start out with the bad news.  Sunday I walked the dogs right after my son left and Pearl got loose and ran right into traffic.  She was fatally hit.  I don't blame the driver because there was nothing he/she could do but honk.  A number of other drivers saw this.  I picked her up and carried her limp body to the side of the road while I brought Sophie into the house and get a bag.  Neighbors felt I shouldn't take care of her remains so I got help burying her.  I so wanted to give this little scared "puppy mill" mama dog a good life.  That good life lasted three and a half months.  I know in my heart she's an animal.  We grieve for a selfish affection we lost.

I received this antique fan I got on eBay.  It was reasonably priced and will be great for summer reenacting.

I watched the "Touched by Auchwitz" documentary.  Since I was there recently, it was interesting to see the after effect.  Like most wars, the battle is short but the aftermath long.

Tuesday I had lunch with our Womens Overseas Service League and then Sophie and I went to the nursing home.

Thursday, after yoga, I helped out at Lincoln's Tomb while the staff had a meeting.  In the evening I went to the Civil War Round Table and paid my 20 dues.  Our guest speaker was key in the 150th Lincoln Funeral recreation and spoke of the hurdles.

Friday I had my 6 month check up with my orthopedic surgeon.  Everything is going as scheduled. I asked about the gossip in the forums about broken screws.  Dr W said he's only seen it once and the person was obese. I go back in July for my annual.

It looks like there's an alien in my core.

In the evening I attended

HONVEE Annual Star-Spangled Dinner

 Since I had previously purchased a ticket and subsequently asked to be in the color guard, that affected my attire to the dinner.  Vince Speranza was the guest speaker and he wrote a book called "Nuts".  You can see him on youtube here:

We were asked by Vincent Speranza to search for "airbourne beer". Speranza is remembered for filling his helmet with beer and delivering to wounded Airborne soldiers in a make-shift combat hospital in a blown-out church in Bastongne, Belgium.
http://popularmilitary.com/watch-legendary-wwii-vet-leads-jump-school-graduates-singing-paratrooper-song/

Saturday I asked Google Home what the temperature was when I got up to walk the dogs.  Come to find out that 60 degrees was the high for the day.   I went to a workshop and meeting of our Soldiers Aid Society.  Robin is making a very interesting belt with a bow that is a precursor to the bustle.  Robin knows so much because she travels to a lot of historic workshops.

I've been preparing a temperance banner that we can carry in the St Patrick's Day parade.  We've been teasing about this for the last 2 years because of all the drunks along the parade route.  I doubt many will know what the banner represents.

Afterward I got an electric lawn mower on a facebook sale group that I know I can start.  I had taken my push button Toro in to get started.  Just when a cold front comes through.

After this I refer you to Sunday and my top of this page.  I've resorted to wine and cheese cake.  Did you know the Philadelphia makes ready to eat cheesecake?

My Week

 Veterans Day and Technical Difficulties

Monday evening I didn't go to the American Legion meeting but instead went to the Iles House volunteer dinner.  Food is better.  It was nice to learn that the Iles House burned their mortgage.

Wednesday evening we had our AMVETS post meeting.  I shared a thank you letter we received for donations to Operation Red Sleigh.  Then I got more items to take in for the donations for the less fortunate veterans.

Thursday I went to a ceremony at the capitol rotunda sponsored by the IDVA.  The governor was there to kick off.  November 20th is the deadline to donate your Holiday cards for our brave men and women. Wonderful holiday gift to remind them we are thinking of them! see the flyer for details on how to donate.

kickoff Honor 200, a wonderful initiative that highlights veterans in Illinois who go above and beyond the call of duty to give back to their communities.
https://www.illinois.gov/veterans/Pages/Illinois-Bicentennial-Honor-200-Veterans.aspx

 "Ladies Night Out" at ACE Hardware.  Oh the coupons and wine.  I spent a lot.  Later I went to our Catholic War Veterans meeting.

Friday I was part of our American Legion Color Guard at the Veterans Day Ceremony at Lincoln Land Community College.  you can see the video/slideshow here
https://www.facebook.com/LincolnLandCommunityCollege/videos/10155166877433861/

Saturday was Veterans Day.  I went to Camp Butler's ceremony and it was about 33 degrees. Not good for a turn out.  In fact I'm surprised I went.  I figured that if I didn't go, there would be nobody there.  One little dent in the scant crowd.

Then I met at the staging for the Springfield Veterans Day parade.  Linda and I carried our WOSL banner.

I showed the other ladies this photo at our monthly meeting on Tuesday.  They were glad our organization was represented.  The full parade can be seen here.  We are at 6:40 on the timer.
https://www.facebook.com/statejournalregister/videos/10159692248100232/
It's a parade for veterans and by veterans.  No politicians allowed.  High school bands were allowed. But the veteran theme was what it's about.  Even our Catholic War Veterans were in the parade.  Since it was cold, the top was not down on the convertible until the parade began.

 I had lunch at Texas Roadhouse and then I went to the Old State Capitol.  I anticipated to help out our Soldiers Aid Society but the place got busy and Justin needed a break.  I really didn't feel like changing into my period attire anyway.  Afterward I walked the dogs and went to our church's pot luck. 

Sunday was gloomy out.  We had our Catholic War Veterans memorial Mass at St John Vianney.  Veterans were given a blessing and medallion Shield of God at the end.

Since we had a good turn out, we needed an updated, group photo.

Monday I decided to have my muffler checked since I heard a little more noise when I accelerated. I had Sean drive/listen the day before but he didn't notice anything unusual but then he said he didn't know what it sounded like before. I stopped by Derringer muffler shop and they found the problem:

 After:

In the evening I went to Washington IL  dance with the Metamora Courthouse dancers for the residents of the Villas of Hollybrook.  Leaving Springfield was stressful since there was an accident fatality on the interstate.  Got there just in time.  Kay gave me a book she found on New Salem which I'm trying to learn more on.

When I got home, I couldn't untie a knot in my ribbon lacing in back to I had to cut it.   I have a few repairs to make before I wear it again.  I need to add a few hooks between the bodice and skirt to keep it from separating and showing white.

Videos that I created are here:

Lanciers Metamora Dancers at Washington, IL

https://youtu.be/viGwq8bVoug

Waltz Quadrille by the Metamora Dancer in Washington, IL

https://youtu.be/krxByTW-Yo0

Spanish Waltz then Circle Waltz Metamora Dancers

Windmill Quadrille
https://youtu.be/jRb114LxlWc

Photos from the Villas of Hollybrook (Washington) here:
https://www.facebook.com/TheVIllasOfHollyBrookWashington/posts/1532585610128548


I can't get the Toro mower started to do the leaves. Seafoam is no help. It's a battery starter and has been on a charger for 2 days.  I may go back to corded mowers.   It tries to start till it grinds down slowly into nothing but a click.  Grrrr!

My Week

Last Tuesday was Halloween.

I took Sophie to Reflections Care where the residents sat in a semi circle waiting for trick or treaters.  Nothing lights up their eyes more than children and animals.  I brought Sophie in her costume but I think I hurt her putting it on because she limped for awhile afterward.  (this photo was downloaded and obviously I didn't take this picture nor violate HIPA)

I wouldn't want her to wear this too often because there's not much petting area.

Wednesday I went to senior day at the goodwill and got a table lamp with a magazine rack on the bottom.  Boy did I need an alternative to my window shelf for my wine and coffee.  You wouldn't believe how many glasses and cups fell off the window sill.

Thursday I went to the Oral History Project ceremony. The choir sang the military services songs. I stood for the Air Force song (blue jacket on left) https://www.facebook.com/amy.k.dickenson/videos/10155112154208806/

The weekend of Nov 4th through 5th was a sisters weekend in the Quad Cities.  On the way up there, I stopped to see the birthplace of Carl Sandburg.

Sisters need a (royal) lineage tiara when together.  I think we look great.

We stayed in a little room in the Marriott Courtyard.
Friday evening we got some shopping in.  We ate at J's pub.  Shopped at Gordmans.
Our first stop on this gloomy day was to the Cordova Township Recreation Area artisan market.  This gentleman made guitars from boxes.

I got a wool and beaded necklace there.  It was fun chatting with all the vendors.  On the way back we stopped along the river edge at Port Byron which has this tall monument with bicycle

Then we stopped by the Chocolate Manor and they had these cute little chocolate spines. I'm saving the white one for my spinaversary.

 Then we got coffee at OMG Cakes.  It's a cute little place.  Patty had a scone and I had a bon bon.

Then we went to a 2:30 presentation at the German-American museum on the history of the harmonica and blues. Very interesting presentation. He worried that there wouldn't be more than ten in attendance for the distance he had traveled. Thanks for the duet.

Here are some photos taken inside the museum:

 See my sister looking around in her tiara.

 View from the window in the German American Museum.  It was foggy and overcast if you can see the Ferris wheel in the left.

There was a special, seasonal exhibit on Harry Houdini.

In the evening after the German-American Museum closed and chased us out with a flash of the lighting, we went to dinner at a Greek Orthodox Church.

On

Sunday morning we had a brief walk before it started to rain.  We saw a couple of black squirels. Then we had breakfast and departed ways.   I stopped at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church for 10:30 Mass.  This was also a morning for changing our clocks back one hour.  I met my son in Peoria.  His dog has a new trick with bubbles.

 We went to a cute little shack at Kuchie's on the Water by the river for lunch.  The road was rough and questionable that it was the right direction but there it was. Has a flamingo Santa Sleigh on the roof and a wire mermaid.  I'd go back there but would have to watch the weather and road conditions.

Alan went the the Marine Birthday Ball the night before.  He looked sharp and I'm proud.

One of my neighbors lost her boxer, Jackson, about a week ago.  She was out of town when I learned he was put down.  Now I got to sit with her and my dogs for comfort.  She asked me to go with her to her eye appointment later.