My Week

The hulls are falling off the trees and soon there will be leaves.  Weather has not been kind enough to take a good photo of my new wheels.  I had to clean it up and it was warm enough to add the chrome bumper protector on that I had got for it.

Tuesday morning was tight.  I had the first of a 3 week dog class from 9:30 to 10:30 and I requested to go first since I needed to be downtown by 11. 

Rep Stephanie Kifowit (former marine herself) met and recognized these amazing Female Veterans from all around Illinois! I am humbled to also recognize Gold Star Mother Olivia Segura and remember the ultimate sacrifice her daughter Army Specialist Ashley Sietsema who died Nov 12, 2007 in Kuwait. @ State of Illinois House of Representatives

video here:

https://www.facebook.com/skifowit/videos/10218711077750974/

We gathered first in the office and introductions were made.  AmVets ladies were well represented.

Here are the group photos inside the capitol:

Here's the certificate we are all holding (I guess I left the cover down in this photo)

Rep Kifowit is seated upper right in this photo of us in the gallery.  She was a marine.

After the recognition she treated us to lunch at Boone's Saloon.

I had a 6PM appointment for my taxes in town and a 6:30 appointment at church to practice our Sunday Passion ensemble.  There's no rescheduling for the taxes this late in the season so I went early and I was done early too.  I didn't miss the practice but then they were slow getting things together and talking.

https://www.stlouiscivilwarball.com/?fbclid=IwAR3cUVPMZ_pwY89cjfagMfZe79T--kRaKuO-AFzsTxIW4azrCXac1AAKcUU
 

I have trouble the hair.  Pondering this, I wore pin curls there.  The regency look has wisps instead of bangs.  This is a problem for my widow's peak forehead.  I found a china doll that had been passed over for weeks at the Goodwill that had just the right hair.  I tore of the wig and cut it in half and sewed it into the turban along with a hair clip to keep it from sliding.  The side curls are my own.

Those cheap gloves really were hot and smelled vinyl-like.  When I pulled my hand out, my sweaty hand tried to pull out the lining.  These gloves are no longer in my wardrobe. 

Loved these impressions as well.  Dave also portrays Jeff Davis.

Whittingtons always sharp as  well.

A photo of the regency ball was in the St Louis Post Dispatch and shown at the Civil War ball the following evening.

The second night, Saturday, was a Civil War ball.  Those that stayed overnight toured some sites like the Old Courthouse and the arch.  I didn't do these because I've been there and there's dogs to love at home.  It rained on the way down but was dry on the way back.  This temperature change caused my glasses to fog up inside the MaryAnn's Tea Room for the banquet.  It used to be a florist so the ceiling was glass and a few drops of condensation dripped.   Parking was easier at the Mahler Ballroom so I just walked to the banquet and back the the dance hall.

 So this is the dress I had altered to fit.  Most ball gowns hook or lace in the back but this is in the front and nice for someone like me that dresses by herself.  No those aren't real ladies behind me but funny figures. Here is the group looking for a place to sit.

 You have to walk thru this boutique to get to the dining room in the back.

  Here is the dance set for the Civil War Ball.

 Here's a selfie I took in the gallery.  This dress is more elliptical and I wear a bum roll.  I took numerous poses and some looked better without my glasses and looking up seemed to show my neck's age.

On the way home, it wasn't raining so I decided to use my cruise control.  I learned something.  As I approached another car ahead, I slowed down.  The computer's calculator measured distance and speed of the car ahead and adjusted the speed. When I changed lanes,  the car went back to the set cruise.  Wow!  Now if I could only figure out some other settings like the built in map that thinks home is in Ohio and won't delete.

Sunday I took Communion to Sharon.  She like the snuggle sheet I gave her last week that helps mobility getting up and down.  I'm glad she liked it and helped.  Then I went to practice our Passion program.  I tried to do it from memory and screwed up a line.  2 more practices to go.

My Week

Mornings are frosty but that means a nice afternoon sun.  I was able to bury some purple asparagus roots.  It's rained a little so that's when the instructions say to finish the trench.

Monday I was on a TDI visit at Regency and came across a room where I knocked and the room seemed high class. The room was decorated like an apartment with photos and seemed to have more of a living room/bed room area.  I asked the man in bed if he was interested in a therapy dog and welcomed the visit. He seemed familiar with therapy dog program and kept thanking me. Usually patients talk about the dog. He said this more than once. On my way out, I looked at the pictures in the room and noticed that one was a certificate to a doctor. No wonder he had a nice room and understood the volunteerism. We have visited with a doctor also at Reflections but nothing fancy.

I picked up my silk Civil War era ball gown.  Here's a picture of the day bodice.

 This time I added the bum roll for a little more lift.  I may eventually want to belt the bum roll after I learn proper placement for lift.

 In the afternoon I had a massage appointment.  This was more like a follow up because I had a stiff neck. My masseur has colored hair like a peacock.  She noticed a difference in my neck mobility since my last visit.  I picked up one of those "My Pillows" at Bed Bath and Beyond.  It's not cheap but the coupon helped.

Wednesday I took the dogs to their new groomer at Cutright.  Then I went to get a brown bag lunch at Core Life and ordered their Korean BBQ.  Their idea of core was the core of the cabbage.

I know we've been shut in a lot this winter but I walk around the block with my dogs. Last week I saw an ambulance at Sharon's house. I waited a little while and then did a welfare check. I knew she had knee surgery around Halloween time. I learned she just had hip surgery and she told the ambulance took her to the emergency for complications.
She used to attend Mass and I mentioned what I knew with Sr Judy.  Looks like I will be expanding my Eucharistic Ministry to that for the home-bound.

Thursday evening I went to the Civil War Round table.  Dr. Tim Jacobs discussed Gen Logan. He came all the way from Quincy for the presentation.  His most interesting research regarded Logan's conversation from a pro-slavery, Democrat to republican and anti-slavery was probably the most interesting aspect.

Friday I volunteered at the Lincoln Tomb.  It was very busy and the season has begun. A boy from St Louis left a drawing memento at the tomb as a gift.

Saturday I was among those displaying Historical attire. Here is the program:

 Showing off my slipper

other photos on Facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/rose.connolly/media_set?set=a.10216794820095589&type=3

Sunday: I was a reader at Mass.  After Mass, I took Communion to neighbor who was recovering from surgery and she used to sit in my same pew.  That visit went well for a first time for me.  Sure I've been a Eucharistic Minister at Mass a long time but first for a delivery.   Sharon really appreciated it and I also gave her a snoozle sheet that I had made.  The sliding action under the bum helps get one to roll over in bed.  Then I went my  VFW post has lunch for Vietnam veterans,

I had my picture taken with, the new Illinois Acting Director of Veterans Affairs, Linda Chapa LaVia.  I was impressed that she came to our event all the way from Aurora.  She shared some photos on her cell phone of her family and recent trip to Rome.  She had a close up of the pope so they had a great position.

 
I stayed for the speech and presentations but left when food line was open.  I went to the church had a Golden Frontier trip meeting/reunion.  I got a CD with photos from the trip to Greece.The couple that shared their photos on the CD used a play program that's incompatible with my Apple.  It played on my old Dell computer and brought me a few smiles.


Monday afternoon I went to observe some dog training classes and that always inspires me to play with my own dogs.  So I dropped off a fee and CGC pledge for Amber to test next month and then I took Amber and Sophie to the park.

 

My Week

March:  Ok, I'll give you 60 degrees but at 150 MPH.  That's what happened on Thursday.

  This neck pain is really bothering me.  I tried neck rotations but that hurt.  Heat pad and Salonpas, hot shower, herbal tea, Advil and last but not least, I found an opening for an afternoon neck massage.  Still tight and makes driving difficult looking over the shoulder.
I went to the VFW meeting Monday night.  We will have elections at the next meeting so the line up for the ballot was outlaid and nominated.  My 3 year term as a trustee is about to end.
My custom WW1 nurse outfit arrived from Romania.
Here it is as advertised:

and here on me taken in the trench exhibit at the Illinois Military Museum.

Tuesday morning I went back to exercise at Powerworks but my neck was still tight.  I tried to take it easy but thankfully Tuesday's are more focused on lower body and core.  Then cycling again with my lighted shoes.

I had lunch with the Women's Overseas Service League.
Picked up some TVP. I was told about this at a meeting but when I got to Food Fantasies, I couldn't remember the initials so a man helped me based on the description. 

Well my old Singer sewing machine just stopped.  I dragged it and the table it was in to Sandy's Sewing Center.  On the way there, I thought about how clunky it was and decided I'd look at her new machines.  I came home with a Baby Lock Joy.  All the models had a cute little name.  I didn't want a computerized or embroidery machine but I did want one that does a button hole.  It came with a free case.  I knew I'd need a new sewing table so I stopped by Salvation Army and found this light weight table for like $15.  Sandy demonstrated it and then took a call while I threaded the machine with a sample fabric run through.  She said I should write down my questions and make and appointment for follow up.

I didn't really have time to try it out after I got home because of a Therapy Dog visit and meeting with the Catholic War Veterans.

Friday I helped at the Lincoln Tomb but I left at 1PM since I had a 2PM appointment for a fitting.

I'm thinking I could use the bum roll in back after looking at these pictures.  The skirt has a matching day bodice that will need altering as well.

Our Soldiers Aid Society was in the St Patrick's Day Parade.  The Temperance banner made it's debut since last year's was canceled because of weather.

 

Mary and I carried the temperance banner.  Peggy and Laura held our Soldiers Aid Society banner.  Robin is so tall that she'd create an imbalance if she carried an end of the banners so she follows.

You can see the 114th Illinois Regiment that we followed.

 Amber's classmate, Pixie, was also in the parade.

Sure I wore green to Mass on Sunday but a man wore a kilt.

Looks like I'll be part of the Passion Sunday skit ensemble.  We hadn't done it in a few years but sure breaks up a long reading of the Passion.  I told our choir director that I'd do it if he couldn't recruit new blood.  Well...he mentioned he needed me.  Hope I get the same roll as before so I don't have so much to memorize.

I took Amber to open rally practice.  She's getting better but I wish she would focus on me and not sniffy the whole place.  It's like she's reading the ground for every dog that set foot in the place.  Others seem to be able to do the course off leash but Amber isn't ready for that.  She can do it when she focuses on me.

I took Amber to class and learned that I need to get Amber a Purebred Alternative Listing (PAL) number. It's in the mail.
These are the photos I sent with her PAL application.

On a sadder note:  There was an attack in New Zealand by and my niece's boxer died.  After all these months, Amber had a flash back and pissed on my bed.
 

My Week

Tuesday morning I went to exercise in my fluorescent tie dye shirt and lighted shoes and beads since it was fat Tuesday and knew I'd be cycling in the black light room.  I had my fluorescent tie dye shirt and lighted shoes on.

Lots of fun in the PWF Cycle Studio this morning! Every Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30 am we go on Virtual Rides all over the world... ❤️my job! @pwfchatham #pwfteam #powerworksfitness #pwfcycle #pwfcyclestudio #virtualride #indoorcycling

A post shared by Brittany Bisch, CSCS (@brittanybisch_cscs) on Mar 5, 2019 at 7:30am PST

I shopped around for Sophie's eye drop prescription since the veterinarian referred my to Osco.  I didn't like the $105 bottle.  I thought I could mail in a prescription to Chewy.com but they replied that they don't carry it.  I checked with Walgreens and it was higher and Walmart was $98.  I got it at County Market Pharmacy for $23.  I'm elated.

Wednesday morning I was the second reader for Ash Wednesday Mass.

Pretty generous with the ashes. I seemed to get dust in my eyes so that didn't make it till 1PM.  Father gave us a wooden coin that says TUIT (for getting a round to it) for Lent.  Previous years we were given a stone to carry during Lent and a wooden cross.

Then in the evening I went to the Legion Riders meeting.  I take the minutes.
I ordered some interactive dog toys for that busy little Amber.

Two are really good but that purple one is too difficult for her to open drawers.

Friday afternoon I volunteered at the Old State Capitol in the afternoon.  In the evening I took Amber to open training at the Capitol Canine Club. 

Sunday morning was the first Sunday in Lent.  It was also daylight savings time change.  The Catholic War Veterans held a memorial Mass at my parish.  Pictured:
Don Werner Fr John Nolan Rose Connolly Pat Noel Dale Smith Leon Scott Joan Garvert and Denny KIRCHGESNER

Sunday evening I took Amber to practice and there were not very many there so I had some quality time. I feel so silly. I don't know the difference between an agility, rally, and obedience trial.  I don't understand the meaning of the station signs. Since there were few there, Sherry had time to show me a little better.  This could explain my past frustration.
I did not sleep well because of a stiff neck.  It seems to be getting worse.  I did yoga on Thursday and Saturday and the neck rotation was welcome.  A chiropractor is out of the question because of my past.  See previous blog.  Dr T made my spondy worse. https://ivetret.blogspot.com/2017/02/my-week_26.html

Here's the banner that will carried in the St Patrick's Day Parade.  I wonder if the drunks will understand what the temperance movement was about.  But then I always felt that reenacting was more about educating than dressing up. Appearance just catches the eye to the learning experience.