My Week

I don't plan to light the fireplace anymore since I'm out of fuel for the season so I cleaned it out.  Amber wanted to check it out since the doors were open.  This resulted in a bath.

Tuesday evening I stopped by the veterans homeless shelter and dropped off a nice supply of toilet paper.  Then I went to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum's presentation Fact vs. Fiction: Lincoln and Kennedy connection and rumors.

 So I learned that the parallel that Lincoln had a secretary named Kennedy and that Kennedy had a secretary named Lincoln is false.

Speakers were John T. Shaw and Sam Wheeler.

 Thursday I met with a representative from Butler Funeral home for my arrangements since the previous facility was sold to them.  There were some rough plans made years ago but never paid for since payment suggested was being a beneficiary on life insurance policy.  My financial advisor was against this.  I learned on this visit that this beneficiary practice is illegal in IL (maybe didn't used to be that way). 

I dropped my car off at Checkpoint for a steering sound and a burn out bulb. Power steering ($526.32) and constant velocity driveshaft ($464.85) expenses are in my future. Tires are due later in the year too.  I was hoping to get more of my money's worth out of my full brake job about 5 months ago.   Instead I'll be looking for a new vehicle. So this is stressful along with upcoming taxes, kitchen remodeling, vacation, and my cell phone (which was an easy fix but stressed)

Friday I met with Carol who has a therapy dog but she will not take up the vacant TDI evaluator need because she has CGC evaluator hat.  I wanted her to give Amber the once over so she will look good on my resume to become a TDI evaluator.  I need to practice leash training and separation anxiety. She did well meeting a stranger and letting someone give her the touching over.  I took Amber to Sophie's vet appointment looking for opportunities for socialization.  I asked the clerk to take her for 3 minutes for the separation test.  Amber freaked out.  Well, it was a veterinarian clinic full of stress anyway.   I have been taking advantage of this test with others.  She did fine with Sean and Donna.  Meanwhile, I'm freaking with frustration.  I've taught this little empty sponge so much and don't want to fail on anything during testing.  I don't have the patience. 

Friday I had a follow up appointment for Sophie's eye.  She has an eye drop prescription that cost's $105 a month.  I will be shopping around. I guess I'll also have to react with her blindness in that eye by touch and vocals.  

Saturday I went to the 1859 Washington Ball at the St Louis courthouse museum

Sunday I read the first reading at Mass.  There was a tongue twister in my reading that I had to practice from 1 Samuel, chapter 26 : "Saul's soldiers".  Try saying that fast!!!
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/2019/19_02_24.mp3
I took it slow and paused to enunciate.

I see that Sophie has a new title of TDIRVA (Therapy Dogs International Remarkable Volunteer Award).  I saw it in the newsletter before we got the certificate in the mail.
http://tdi-dog.org/images/Spring_Summer_2019.pdf 

I'm sitting on 100 more visits that I haven't yet turned in.  I am so proud of her visits.

My week

My last blog ended with the start of a sinus cold.  I had a lot of rest since then.  In fact I hated skipping gym class but I did attend the Lincoln's Birthday dance for 4 hours on Tuesday.  Then back to rest.  I frequently had to attend to my nose.  Friday morning, that brick of sinus congestion left.  Oh not the runny nose but the pain in the head was lifted.  Sunday, at Mass, I told Father I should get a refund on that blessing from St Blaise.

Here's the group photo.  I had already put my paletote on since it was over.Ya know I was eager to go home to bed again.

Wednesday I went to our AMVETS meeting. We didn't have a quorum.  Thursday evening I went to the Catholic War Veterans meeting.

Friday morning I did my good deed. There was a loose husky running around and I got my coat on and leash. She came right to me and I looped a lead around. I put her in garage (dare not introduce her to my dogs) and called police. They said they had a caller looking for this dog. Dispatch matched the frantic owners with my location. Happy ending.

Friday afternoon I went to the Lincoln Tomb to volunteer.  The scheduled bus tours didn't show in the afternoon.

Saturday morning I brought Sophie briefly to a visitation for Edith at church. Sophie sat on Edith's lap when she first became a therapy dog.   I think her daughter was glad I brought her.
Then I went to a meeting for the Soldiers Aid Society and then to Illinois State Military Museum for a program called "Getting Started as a Reenactor" for various eras of war.

I do have an update on a WW1 nurse outfit being custom made.  Not satisfied with this costume.

I watched a 1950s movie on Comet ~ Destination Moon. 
My Comcast bill payment was $111.61.  My next bill is $157.   This isn't looking good.  I tried to get it lowered through the "chat" feature.  All they did was point me to their plans.  I tried the "contact" and they called me back.  Same.  The person on the line tried to match me with an even more expensive plan.  I finally got a hold of someone on their twitter @comcastcares and got my old plan back.Whew!  I thought I was gonna cut the tv and internet there for a moment.

Sunday evening I took Amber to Capitol Canine for member only practice.  I got frustrated with her. Seems other dogs did better and I got a little mad.  Most of the other dogs had a trial title and we are new. I should have broken up the stations into smaller tasks for her.  I feel bad that I yelled at her and she crouched like when she's guilty of an accident in the house. Afterward I gave her a bath.  She smells better.

Monday I took Sophie to the nursing home and then went to dog training as an observer.   Then I watched the 2019 American Dog Rescue Show.  Too cute for words.

My Week

The melt has begun with the rain that brings mud. Then the freezing temperatures bring ice. That sums things up this week.  Oh that wind chill returned on Thursday.  Oh and my thumb on my left hand grows worse with arthritis. Hard to pick things up and open zip lock bags.  Hoping it's the weather but not keeping positive.  I had the same problem on my other hand but seemed to massage it and it improved. It's not working as well on the left hand.  My hands are dry and cracking from cold and doing dishes.  The cold weather is making my nose run and sneezing.  That will lead to a raw redness for sure.

I think it's time to find a new groomer for Sophie. Her last grooming was
Friday, October 19, 2018.  I was advised to wait until after the busy holiday season so I did and got an appointment for Jan 10.  That was cancelled because of a death in her family.  I got a new appointment a week later on the 17th but then I had to cancel because Sophie went to the Brewer Animal hospital for her eye surgery.  I got a new appointment for Feb 6 and the groomer got pneumonia.  It was rescheduled for Feb 13th but I felt that was too long without a grooming. Thursday I looked for another groomer before Sophie's Therapy Dog appointment.  They did a good job but a little more expensive.  Within 24 hours, Sophie was itching and in pain from razor burn on her private area.  I tried spraying the rash area with Solarcaine and the next morning she's still writhing in pain.  So Saturday morning I tried Gold Bond and then took her for a walk because she would not use the back yard by herself.  Yes it was cold.

Tuesday evening I went to the general membership meeting for Capitol Canine Training  Club.  Since Amber has been through a 6 week beginner obedience class, 4 week leash class, and basic ground work class, I had asked where I went from there.  Next would be "foundation" and that would be in April.  I want to get Amber tested for CGC (Canine Good Citizen)

Wednesday I got a call from the Sears foreman for my kitchen remodeling project.  Apparently 2 of his workers had family difficulties so it looks tentative for March. If you heard the sob stories he gave me, my kitchen was really low on the priority list.  He should be by later for some specific measurements.   Meanwhile, I wash dishes by hand and my shelve contents are in boxes.  I have a new dishwasher in the box in my kitchen to walk around.  Odd that I was worried about it arriving after the work had begun and thus having to pay extra for the install charge after the fact.

I had a "try on" for some alterations on a silk Civil War dress I got. She charges $25/hr so I limited her to $200. It will look nice.

I was watching Jamestown on PBS.  That's a complicated show.
https://www.pbs.org/show/jamestown/

Saturday I went to Mt Pulaski Courthouse to see Grant's presentation on Lincoln's Birthday.  I admired this photo on the wall and tried to imagine myself in the crowd.

Sunday morning I went to Mass at Little Flower Parish with the Catholic War Veterans at 10AM.  I was worried about the drive since we had sleet followed by snow.  We usually go for breakfast afterward but I opted for safe N sound at home.

I now learn that Google is eliminating G+ (equivalent of social media) and sites (free websites) for which I have genealogy (Connolly) and (Sturdivant).

I will be part of this ceremony

Well I must rest.  The sinus headache has begun.

My Week

Temperature ups and downs like -14 degrees on Wednesday and 50 degrees on Sunday.  Many witnesses to the freeze quake rumbles.  I did not hear any but then I wear hearing aids.

Then Sean said his heat when out when he got home from work and his dog was shivering.  He quickly packed up and stayed the night with me.  I sealed the windows.
Thursday the heat was restored.  The serviceman replaced the thermal coupler but told him that next time it would be a full replacement.

Friday evening I went to a ribbon cutting and open house for the newly remodeled Prairie View Reception Center. 

Saturday we warmed up and ice started melting.  I went to Petsmart for sample Saturday and used a coupon for dog food. Oh, and I went to the car wash so that Nissan and I look presentable.  Lowes delivered the dishwasher that I ordered and should be installed when the kitchen gets remodeled.

Before Mass on Sunday, Fr John greeted people as they came through the door.  I had my throat blessed.

Details regarding the miraculous healing of the boy vary. One account relates that the miracle occurred during the journey to take Blaise to prison when he placed his hand on the boy's head and prayed; another that the miracle happened while Blaise was in prison when he picked up two candles provided to him and formed a cross around the boy's throat. The use of candles for the blessing of throats stems from the candles that Blaise used while in prison. When an old woman's pig had been miraculously rescued from a wolf by Saint Blaise, she would visit him in prison, bringing him food and candles to bring him light in his dark cell.

Afterward I went to a visitation for the funeral of Mary Palazollo.  Her husband was a member of our Legion.

Monday I went to the gym, Therapy Dog Visit, Lisa's dog training, then American Legion.  I caught a hawk eating a squirrel in the neighbor's yard.  One less squirrel digging up my yard.  At times I'd see a dozen squirrels frolicking (and..more)until the predator moved in.

 
I watched a movie on Lifetime called "The Help".  The reviews of the book didn't seem good but I liked the movie. Academy Award Winner Octavia Spencer won Best Supporting Actress!  Oh, and I'm addicted to Masterpiece theather's "Victoria"