My Week

I'm now on the 2015 registered participant list for the 2015 Lincoln Funeral reenactment.  You can see the complete list here:
http://lincolnfuneraltrain.org/reenactors.ph

Very sad that I can't get the Honda or Yamaha motorcycle or Toro mower to start.  I got a new battery in the Honda in August.  Battery was bone dry in the Yamaha.  I have receipt from 2012. I got the battery out and took it to Mr Battery. He said it was dry and will never recharge.  They sold me a nice maintenance free battery but it was the wrong size.  I took it back and they discovered the error.  That would have kept me from being frustrated over not being charged.  They said that even their competitors would not have a maintenance free battery in this size.  I put it in and it's really tight getting the screw in there.  I held it using a needle nose pliers. Then I see sparks.  Now I am dwelling on the problem with a bottle of wine and looking over a half unfinished wall paper removal feeling frustrated and depressed.

 

I got cold walking Sophie. She sniffed out some huge size dog turds. I picked them up in my bag along with Sophie's turds. If cow chips make good fuel, do you think these would go well in the fireplace?

I had my appointment for an Ion Foot Bath. The offer I used is here but now expired.  
http://greaterspringfield.nimbledeals.com/deal/springfield/15-for-an-ion-foot-bath-a-30-value-1-1-1 

 

In the evening I went to our AMVETS meeting.  Our commander is having college this semester and our treasurer was in the hospital.  Outside of that, we still had a pretty good turn out.

Thursday morning I went to the Lincoln Tomb because the American Legion had an annual pilgrimage.  I was in my period dress because in the afternoon I danced for Lincoln's Birthday at the Old State Capitol.  When I came home, I changed clothes and went to a meeting of the Catholic War Veterans.

Saturday morning was calm with snow.  That didn't last long.  The snow melted but followed by bitter wind.  It was actually warmer walking my dog in the snow than later in the day with the sun.  I have a fire in my fireplace. Static has been a problem both sewing and petting the dog.  I stopped by Regency Care Center to visit Charlie Barber who is a WW2 veteran in our Catholic War Veterans post. He's needed care since he had Pneumonia and has difficulty with his balance.

Sunday I checked in on my son's dog while he went to help paint his brother's house.  I went to a fundraiser for Penny Roscetti.  There was a good crowd.  Many Leatherneck Motorcycle Club members from surrounding states came as well as other clubs and ABATE.  This is a great picture of her arrival but not a picture that I took.

I had my picture taken with her as well as everyone else.  She thanked me for coming.  I think she's smiling under that mask.

Monday morning was presidents day and there was snow on the ground.  I got up to shovel.  I understand that the snow got deeper further south of me.  I wathched a movie with my son while he did laundry.  The movie was "Field of Lost Shoes".  The review did not look too good tut the Civil War Setting did interest me.  It's based on a true story.
https://thedissolve.com/reviews/1092-field-of-lost-shoes/
Then we watched "The Grey"
http://www.thegreythemovie.com/

My Week

Came home on Monday from a wonderful trip to Wisconsin to see 3 of my 4 my sisters.  I left with this in sight.

A packers themed bus near Soldiers Grove.  It wasn't alone but the only I stopped to photograph.  My car was a mess so I went to the car wash knowing another snow storm was on the way.  I just couldn't stand it and even loading something in or out would rub white salt stuff on my clothes.  I also sent two boxes to our lady soldiers serving overseas.  One was a vegetarian by the profile so I removed the jerky.

Tuesday I spent the day doing something I should have done a long time ago - putting my dolls up for sale.  I put a bunch of stuff on Craigslist and on Ebay Classifieds.  Here's the link:
http://www.ebayclassifieds.com/user/toga42
I got my utility bill and it was higher by $38.  I also got my cable bill and it was higher by $29.  I stopped by the office on Wednesday and cut HBO.

I'm still a little angry that Sophie ran from me when she slipped out the door in Peoria.  I found myself a little dejected when she ran to my son instead.  So back to basics. I got out of my closet the pinch training collar.  She thinks she's playing all the time.  Yes, she greeted me like she knew me as her owner coming back for her unlike the welcome she gives to everybody else.  She needs work and play.  Too much play.  She always wants me to play Squeaky and when she gets loose, it's a game of chase.  Oh but she's so cute.  She's gonna give me a heart attack.

Thursday night, At night, Sophie jumped off the bed. Moments later, I hear little light noise like crawling under the bed. She's not under the bed. I still hear the movement and looked under the dresser. Not there either. Where could she be? I found her in my wooden clothes hamper and the lid must have closed on her.

Tuesday I listed things for sale on both craigslist and Ebay Classifieds.  I took photos and posted back and forth.  Here are all of the ads.
http://www.ebayclassifieds.com/user/toga42
Wednesday I made my usual rounds.  I found some knickers that would go well with the German blazer that I got the week before.  I stopped by and turned off HBO since my cable bill increased after a year introductory offer.  The bill went from $73 to $104.  Next month should be about $84.

In the evening I went to a meeting of the Legion Riders.  It was cold and snowy.  I brought the bowl and Styrofoam to place the mini flags that I retrieved from  the wreaths at Camp Butler.  The mini service flags were embedding in the Wreaths Across America wreaths.  I'll have Dave deliver to Gary Sigler who presented our POW wreath.

Thursday evening I went to a presentation by Mark Depue and Robert Davis.  It was a bit slippery getting into my car after that.   There was a good size ice patch by the curb.

Friday I volunteered at the Old State Capitol after a winter hiatus.  Even still the tours were slight but I was fortunate to see the setup for the following day's presentation.

  Pedestals date to 1901. They held Lincoln's coffin during transfer from the vault to the current memorial.   More about the timeline can be found here:  
http://www.lincoln-assassination.com/bboard/index.php?topic=1222.0

 It's amazing to be that close to history.  I was able to be close enough to touch just to see what the make up of the stands were.  At first I thought it looked like leather but it was silk and velvet.

Saturday I went to the Old State Capitol for a presentation on the Lincoln Funeral.  We were asked to add atmosphere by attending in our period dress.   I wore my widows weeds.  We are not permitted to wear widows weeds during the reenactment of the funeral in May.

The first part of the presentation had a lot of facts that I already knew but he put them together in their relationships like mortar between the bricks. I did not know that Lincoln visited the opened vault of his son, Willie, monthly.  Death was thought of often.  Most did not live as long as we do today.  It was the most elaborate funeral related to the White House because of Prince Albert.  Each city along the route was more elaborate than the last and the hearse better than the last city's not to be out-done.  He even covered 5 different conspiracy theories.  The respect to return the dead to family cemeteries with honor prompted the increase in modern embalming.

 Sunday morning we had Mass at Little Flower Church with the Catholic War Veterans.  Afterward we had breakfast at the Knights of Columbus hall which was a fund raiser for Special Olympics.
The weather was real nice, 55 degrees, so I tried to start both motorcycles and the lawn mower.  Nothing works despite being on trickle chargers.  I took the seat off the little bike and the battery looks new and put the full charger to it as opposed to the trickle.  I couldn't start either motorcycle.  I can feel the charger's vibration but the needle hadn't moved in the last 12 hrs.  I had red on red and black on black but someone suggested just grounding the black one.  trying that now.  Battery looks new and clean.  Records indicated that I bought the battery 5/10/12.  Saga continues.  It will get cold again and I fear I missed a window for a winter ride.   A warm day is predicted this week but not for long.

My son fixed my Oster wine opener.  There was a bit of cork stuck up there that would not come out nor remove the cork from other bottles til that was removed. Life is good.

My electrician should be over next Friday to fix my ceiling light over my fireplace. 

My Week

Tuesday evening I went to a presentation by Johnathan Reyman on his experience at the Civil War Reenactment at Brice's Crossroads.  Ahh he even included the jigger bites.

Wednesday I did my usual bargain hunting.  In the evening I went to the Interveterans council.  I was the only one with a camera so I captured this picture after the new officers were sworn in.

Thursday I had my oil changed before my trip to Wisconsin to see my sisters, et al.  I asked about the corroded battery cap and I was told that they didn't clean them but I can just pour hot water with a little baking soda over it.  I tried it later and it worked.  While waiting for my car to finish, I noticed that the man who had just left had dropped his debit card and the Jiffy Lube looked him up in the computer for a happy reunion.  Afterward I went to Lowes and got a new screen filter for the hood of my stove.  Then a new battery for my watch (this was before cleaning the corrosion off my car battery who told me the same), and then stopped by Joannes for a peice of foam for a patriotic array of flags.  Hopping that those Wreaths Across America mini flags will go in this array so we can present them to Gary Sigler who represented our POWs.

Deep down inside, I know I don't need another Civil War dress but I did need a cool Summer Sheer.

I will definitely have to be accurate on the underpinnings because they will show through.  Awaiting for this to arrive to try it on.

I went to a book signing at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum for a book named "Mary Lincoln:  Southern Girl - Northern Woman".  It was a good crowd.  I couldn't find my wallet since it fell from my purse in the car but that may have been an omen because the book was $35.  I looked at the book from my seat in the auditorium and it is in very fine print.  The Q and A was dominated by Katherine.  I can't even recall what that question was about.  While there, I took these photos of an original apron since I am working on making my own patriotic Civil War Apron.

It says this is for a girl so the apron for a woman should be a pinner instead of a shoulder strap apron.  What amazes me is the variety of styles that the red-white-blue had on these patriotic aprons.

Friday after exercise class, I packed the car and headed to meet with my sisters in Wisconsin. On the way up I dropped off my dog with my son in Peoria to sit for her.   I saw two Amish buggies in Wisconsin.  I arrived in Viola and went straight to the high school where I met my sisters in the parking lot.  We went swimming while the men went hunting a coyote (seen but not shot).  I went off the diving board with a test of a plain jump then I dived three times.
That evening, we took pictures:

And some of you thought I was silly....

Saturday we went to run a few errands, including the city dump. Their neighbor was there at the same time and he was going to dump a rifle cabinet which I claimed and gave it to my son.  then to the ski jump.  See the website:  http://snowflakeskiclub.com/ 
I got in free because I am a veteran.  We met Nikki, Dan's daughter, there.  She recently completed her registered nurse training. 

 We had a ride on the horse cart around the lot.

The fur trader:

Ginny swapped out her knit head band for a rabbit fur cap at the fur vendor.

My favorite pose at the end of the ski jump of my sister in her fur cap doing "the stance".  I had never been to one before and was afraid of getting cold digits.  Thanks to my sister's boots and hand warmers, I was just fine.  Note to self....get boots like that. 

At the top, we met a friendly skier from Minnesota.  I blew it.  I'm ashamed.  In an effort to be inquisitive, I asked the omen of a question.


One of the winners with 138 meters from Finland:

My sisters, who both color their hair, asked if I would submit to them for a hair color.  Only your sisters would notice that I needed it.  I didn't know.  Sow we stopped by Walgreens.

Saturday night it started snowing.  Dan gave my sister and I a ride on the the snowmobile and I believe he got up to 100 MPH.  The farm is now known as the Kinsey amusement park.  Then he tied the toboggan on the snow mobile just like my dad used to do when we were kids on the back of the car.  At least Dan didn't go too fast.  We still tipped over a number of times.  Plus the rope and leather will need to be repaired.

Even the cows were snow covered:

I had planned to stop by Boscobel and see my other sister, Gloria, on Sunday on the way back but because of the snow, it was not safe to travel.  I was in no hurry.  I'm retired and the only thing I'd miss would be my exercise with the seniors at Powerworks but instead I got to watch the Superbowl with my sister.  Did you see me in the half time show? I was a shark.

I left on Monday and I stopped by my sister's work briefly to give her the same things I gave my other sisters:  A purse, chocolate and a jar of Slawsa.   I also gave her a dozen of eggs from our sister, Ginny.  I asked her co-worker to snap a sister shot.

I like the way she did her hair.

Roads were worse in WI but leaving Prairie Du Chein my GPS took me on the Iowa side down to Davenport and the roads were clearer.  I didn't see cars in the the ditch until I got near Bettendorf. Then I started seeing them, cars in the ditch (including a tractor trailer)but I stopped counting them because is saw one being pulled out by a towing service and saw more where tire tracks had been so the count was futile.

I saw a 4 eagles.  I stopped at the Illinois Visitors Center near Quad Cities and they have an Eagle just my size.

 The visitor center had a nice overlook of the Mississippi River.

I stopped by Alan's work before picking up my dog and dropping off the rifle cabinet.  It was brief but nice to see Justin before his deployment.  Sophie was happy to see me and remembered me too.  Especially since I've only had her about a month.  It reinforced that this is a forever home.  But then, it happened again, she slipped out the door and ran and I chased and she played.  Sophie was picked up by Alan safely.  I got home in time to unload my car and get over to the Hoogland Center for dance practice for the upcoming Lincoln's Birthday ball at the Old State Capitol.

This has been a memorable week and this blog will lock that memory.

 

My Week

Monday evening I went to dance practice.  We are practicing for Lincoln's Birthday Ball.  This is a new one that I haven't seen anywhere else and it's called Harvest Home.

Tuesday morning I got up early and missed senior exercises to help clean up the wreaths at Camp Butler. That was exhausting. I saw hoof prints from deer. Then I saw deer droppings on a grave which I brushed off with an evergreen branch. I found a cherished note to a loved one that read: "Merry Christmas Mom and Dad, Hard to believe it's already December. The holidays are never the same without the 2 of you. We talk about you often and share memories every chance we get. I think you would enjoy this picture of my grand kids. How you would have loved seeing them. I know you both watch over us - don't ever stop. Love & kisses to you mom & dad. Forever Missed!"

So I got out to my car to unload and Sophie slips out the door. She runs down to the end of the cul-de-sac and I thought I had her cornered when she slipped between an unlocked gate. Nooooo! She found she could slip out the back end bars too. I chase and chase. Finally hopped in the car with the leash to the next block over. More chasing. I thought I had her pinned down as she was admiring the smell of some other dog's shit. Nooooo! Chased her again and she went into someone else's yard that had the gate open. This time I got in it and closed the gate. This yard's fence had less gaps. When I got home, I walked her in and out the door on the leash about 5 times to show her the proper way. She was pretty dirty. She deserved a bath. I gave her a blow dry. I'm considering taking a curling iron to the Pekinese tail of hers.
— feeling annoyed.

Wednesday morning, my senior sneakers group went to IHOP after exercise to celebrate a belated birthday.  I brought coupons for IHOP and we used them all. 

Had a nice meeting last night at the Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC).

I announced the Veterans Book Group on Feb 19 and the Feb 28 anniversary of the first Gulf War at the Military Museum.

Before I went to my yoga class, I had a nice Skype video with my sister Patty.  She told me that our sister's house is for sale.  Gloria and her husband Dave built that cord wood house with environment in mind.
http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/Ferryville-WI/113652336_zpid/31554_rid/43.470861,-90.842857,43.223692,-91.278191_rect/10_zm/1_fr/
I put the used wreaths in the shed that were in my car and it felt rather nice out.  Later I attended a Patriot Guard Riders mission at Camp Butler and my toes got real cold.   The fire truck ladder hoisted a big American Flag at the entrance to the cemetery.  The deceased was a Vietnam Veteran and Gold Star Father of Jonathan L. Gifford who was KIA on March 23 2003.
https://www.patriotguard.org/showthread.php?399021-John-Gifford-USA-Vietnam-Veteran-Decatur-IL-21-22-JAN-15

Friday, after my exercises session, I went to the Old State Capitol for  Looking for Lincoln Workshop.  That should be good for 2 hours of continuing education towards my CIG.  

I've started steaming the wall paper off my kitchen walls.  That's a good winter project a little at a time.  However, if the weather is nice, I'll do some work in the garage as a priority. 

There's a squeakie toy in Sophie's Micky Mouse that she got from the pound but she can't squeak it. She bites the nose and not the forehead of the stuffed animal. Boy does she like that little hedge hog from Meijer. She is so smart that she knows how to get my attention away from my laptop to play wither her by hopping up and pulling out that magnetically attached power supply. (the battery still powers but you know what she's trying to do).

Saturday I went to Yoga 101 at 9:45.  Came home.  I stopped by and paid my condolences to Betty Nichols at our American Legion Post for a celebration of life.  Then briefly stopped in at the tail end of a meeting for the Catholic War Veterans of IL.  Then the biggie!  I was at the Old State Capitol from 2PM-8:15 assisting with the 7th Annual Slow Food Springfield Film Festival.  I did get an organically prepared meal curtsey of Troy from the Bear Creek Farm and Ranch.  I picked up a few items at Meijer on the way home and filled my gas tank.  I was tired.

Sunday I made a nice oven baked pork and burned it.  I put my nativity away in the attic and put out my Passion figures. Well, I'm in the process of pealing wall paper. I'll do a section at a time.  I'd like to have the kitchen walls lightened up.  

My Week

I am so glad I went to the Inaugural concert.  I was not familiar with Buddy Guy but I am now. I especially liked his new song "I'm 74 years young" which he changed the last verse because he wrote it 4 years ago.  Amazing. Video here:  http://youtu.be/Y099Wjk-jTo

These weren't my pictures but someone else's whose were better.
I shared a video of the First Couple's dance on Facebook and from the comments, guess who's  an opponent of the new governor? 

"Immediately on entering an assembly-room, all thought of self should be forgotten. The ridiculous ambition of endeavoring to create a sensation, either by dress, loud talking, or unusual behavior, is greatly to be condemned, while the effort to monopolize a certain portion of the room during the evening and of forming exclusive circles where general unanimity and good feeling should prevail, is decidedly reprehensible."
SOURCE: Ferrero, Edward. 'The Art of Dancing;" New York: Published by Author, 1859; pg. 107. copied from: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CWBallroom


I just realized on my way home from exercise that my car turned over 100k on the way home from the concert.
Tuesday I went to our Womens Overseas Service League luncheon.  I also gave away some bottles with clamp down seals on freecycle that I had been collecting.

I'm in a photo in the Illinois Tourism catalog that can be viewed online page 12.  I remember that it started raining at the end of this photo shoot.  The complete tourism guide can be found here:
http://www.enjoyillinois.com/travelguides

Wednesday I had lunch with Michael at County Market.  Instead of salad we had chili.
In the evening I went to an Amvets meeting (at a different County Market).  Glad to see a long lost member show up.  I got the post cards from members that were returned "undeliverable" and did a little late night research.  Hope we can get their addresses or status straightened out.

Thursday evening I skipped out on an ABATE meeting to go to a Civil War Round Table discussion.  Topic was the reconstruction of the Old State Capitol. I had my NAI CE paper signed as proof of attendance.

Friday  I took advantage of a coupon for Meijer so I got my wipers with it.  I had dinner with the OWLS at Edgar's Coffee House this eve.  Afterward we played game.  I played Farkle.  Rita won.

Sunday I went to a board meeting for the Lincoln Monument Association.  I was elected to the board of directors for 2 years.  Not sure what I'm in for on this yet but it's an honor to be a part of the Lincoln Tomb Association during the 2015 sesquicentennial of Lincoln's death.

I got home in time to see the end of the football playoffs while changing for the 114th Illinois Regiment's Commander's banquet at the Chesapeake Seafood House.  I just finished the Bertha collar but it is a bit low in the back.  I just don't want to corset up to fully try that on you understand.

Monday morning, Sean and I went to see American Sniper.  There was a long line this MLK holiday because school was out and many left the line whey they announced that Paddington sold out.    Well Chris was the perfect American and I cried at the end.  I remember seeing the Patriot Guard and recalled the people along the road on escorts that I'd been on.  It is very upliftying to see fellow Americans mourning a soldier.  Chris Kyle is a true American Hero.   I remember images of the funeral in the football stadium in the news with that photo of him and his wife on the stand.  I remember the speech she gave at his funeral.  That video is on Youtube here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4qcV5ia1-Q
Her tears are so contagious.

I watched Comanche Warriors on the History Channel and would like to re-watch it.  They talked about Cynthia Parker who was captured but became wife of Peta Nocona and their son became Chief Quanah Parker.  A battle was fought at Battle of Palo Duro Canyon.  That's where Frank took me on our honeymoon.  I also watched Sherman's March on the History Channel.
http://www.history.com/shows/h2-specials/videos/shermans-march?m=5189717d404fa&s=All&f=1&free=false

My Week

Monday afternoon I attended a continuing education program at the Lincoln Home about Mary Lincoln.  I was at a parking meter and got ready to add a quarter and realized the meter said "FAIL".  There was a coin stuck inside and wouldn't budge.  I parked for free.  The lectures about Mary mentioned that she did she refer to herself as "Mary Todd Lincoln" like history does but her son, Robert, also had a wife named Mary.  We were shown a delicate cap that Mary made for her servant as a wedding gift.  It was a cap with very fine detailed slip stitches.  I was amazed.  I also learned that there was a form to document the training for renewing my certification.  After the presentation, the snow has begun.  We got about an inch.

I saw as cry for jumper cables on facebook and came to the aid but the truck didn't start.  Meanwhile I noticed corrosion on my own battery.  I took a wire brush to it but it could use professional attention next time I get my car serviced.

I renewed my membership with the NAI early to take advantage of a price increase.  Apparently I was a regular member instead of a volunteer/retiree so now that's fixed and I had a lower rate.  I think I paid too much because everyone else in this class at Lincoln Land was an employee and I was not.

I signed up for some continuing education later in the month for this certification.

Wednesday, after exercise, I did my thrift store shopping.  I found some exercise clothes and a Vera Bradly purse.  There was another lady who saw me looking at it and sad "that looks like a Vera Bradley bag".  I told her it was.  She said he full time job was listing things for sale on eBay.  So I wanted to see how much my $5.50 purse from Salvation Army was on ebay and search for similar items on ebay here are close for $40. This is it:

Thursday I helped out at the Old State Capitol.  There were only 2 visitors from O'Fallon.  It was so cold and they were looking for someplace close and indoors to do.  Justin was being interviewed about tourism in this weather.  Later, I asked him about the reception on Monday for the Governor's Inaugural at the Old State Capitol and that my last email said "more to come".  I had sent a follow-up email and left a phone message and got no response back.  He told me that they had to limit the volunteers to only four and apparently I didn't make the cut.  I was disappointed but tried to keep my head on straight.  He said that they had to get the names in  for  background checks so it would be too late now anyway.  Funny thing is that I attended the inaugural ball for our out-going governor four years ago by invite to a member of the Womens Overseas Service League and I brought my son with me. Deep down inside, I would be MORE HURT if invited out of pity instead of the fact that I'm a great volunteer.  So I am OK with with being stiffed.  So I decided to be positive and went to the Inauguration at the Prairie Capitol Convention Center only to learn I needed a ticket.  I was given a business card from a staffer who said it was sold out crowd but that I could view the inauguration from the Hilton overflow room and he'd email me tickets to the the Inaugural Concert by Toby Keith.

 

  I'm glad I went.  The speech was out standing and the pledge was given by Gold Star kids that made me smile.  I got home and emailed the staffer about the tickets and they were emailed to me right away.  I also noticed a picture on the Old State Capitol's facebook page with the following caption, "Today come tour the Old State Capitol Historic Site and meet and greet #IL Governor Bruce Rauner and First Lady Diana Rauner."

  

I thought it was a closed reception event by the way Justin was speaking to me about getting back ground checks and limitations to attend that afternoon reception.  I don't miss going to that reception after being stiffed.  I ended up being happy with the audience at the Hilton where we could openly comment on the speech and concert tickets to boot.

Thursday evening I went to our Catholic War Veterans meeting. We prayed and I needed that.  Thursday was really cold. 

So I did some power cleaning.  I filled my fireplace with thorns that would have been impossible to put in a yard waste bag.   That's a lot of trips in and out of the house however.  I even burned an old magazine rack that I never use.   I cleaned behind my stove and you can imagine that chore.   I dropped off some items at church for the food pantry and snapped this picture for my family who supports the Green Bay Packers.

Saturday I watched a movie on Youtube called "Against A Crooked Sky - Full Length Sexy Western Movies "Against A Crooked Sky" http://youtu.be/it0eUOMk658

In the evening I had dinner with my sons at Buffalo Wild Wings as it happened to be Sean's birtday on Sunday. We watched football.  When one game was over, we went to Doug and Christine's house to watch the next playoff with friends.  I tried a wine that was a blend of all the reds:  Merlot, Cabernet Sauvingnon and Sirah blend.  Later I had to see if there was a similar blend at County Market and found this:

Sunday morning I went to Mass at the cathedral with the Catholic War Veterans.  The bishop  presided this service and it was the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus.  I prayed to get over my pride for being turned down at the inaugurals as that wound was reopened by an email from a volunteer that got selected.   (which we now know turned out great)  On the way home I bought cheesecake and cream puffs at HyVee for Sean's birthday cake substitute.
I celebrated Sean's birthday watching football.  He was supporting the Cowboys and I the Packers.  We all know the rest of the story.  Moe and Sophie played in the back yard.  At least I think she was playing by the way she barked at him.  It was obvious Moe was doing the playful paws pat-down play bark but Sophie stood there still and showed teeth.  She'd get upset and chase with a vicious bark but it could be play.  I'm not sure and neither is Sean.  We just don't want Moe to go vicious on her because of their size difference.  Sean is very diligent about keeping Moe's behavior from turning pit bull.

Monday I woke to snow.  It was only and inch.  I noticed the neighbor at the end of the cul-de-sac had shoveled and realized I better to prevent a pack down and slip. 

Moral of the story for this week, don't sulk at home but act out in forward/positive ways that you can control and everything will work out in time.

My week

Tuesday, after my exercise class, I took Sophie to her first veterinarian appointment.  The Vet said Sophie is in good shape. I got drops for her eye because it is red and the inner lid is folded out a bit which may never go away. It's an inner lid and is said to be cosmetic. He thought she'd be a good candidate as a therapy dog because she submitted willingly and affectionately to the exam.

Friday was up to 37. I took my Christmas lights down while I could. Last year the stakes were so frozen in the ground that I couldn't get them out till late March. 

Boy Sophie's personality is showing. She plays with that stuffed flea. Scared up a rabbit in the back yard.  She scratches are on the inside of my painted front door. She loves a rub down with my damp towel after a shower. She was outside and I heard this scamper through the house and she had that chill on her from outside. She had a burst of energy looking for me.

New Years Day my house got colder and colder.  That darn furnace.  I just had my battery changed in my thermostat on our first cold day in November.  See previous blog.  I hate when things don't work.  Bob Bergman came just before 9AM and as soon as he got to the door, he had a call from his wife who couldn't start the car.  He left and came back shortly.  He unhinged the utility doors and examined the furnace.  He then blew through a couple of the rubber tubes and declared it working.  He rerouted the same tube in such a way that there would be little sediment.  I'm happy $90 later.  He told me that these Hi-Efficiency heaters need to be checked annually.  I mentioned that my water heater was in the budget because it has a date of 1995 on it and the neighbor had to change theirs in less than 8 years when the street work was done.  He told me that the older ones seem to last longer and I should let it ride.
This made me a little late for PowerWorks group strength exercise so I used the equipment and when the strength was done, I joined in with the yoga group.  I noticed a need to get a new sports bra while there.  Good excuse to shop so I went to Meijer and found something nice on the sale rack too.  Also found a nice and discounted lemon Merengue pie. Hey, I saw Doctor Sheedy there working out.   
The weather was nice so I knew I had to take advantage of that.  I put the Christmas up in the attic and trimmed the roses so I could put thorns in my fireplace.

Saturday I went to the Old Courthouse in St Louis for a French-American 12th Night Dance.  Here is the Program:

A young couple got engaged at the ball.  How sweet to follow the old tradition mentioned in the flyer.
I put together my own outfit for the occasion based on Jas Townsend.  I found skirts  (layered) from the Goodwill, I made the fichu from a thrift store nightie, and the blouse, shoes, cap I had.

I helped the dance caller lead a column for the grand march (since her other half usually does this and was busy).  I especially enjoyed watching the "Dance Couple"
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10204626724500804&set=o.660432490719333&type=2&theater&notif_t=video_processed

Afterward the volunteers went out to dinner at Sister Cities Cajun and BBQ restaurant.  I had a spicy salad and seafood gumbo.  Yum.  The heat from the spice made it linger in the mouth.

Sunday I read the first reading at Mass.
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/15_01_04.mp3
The temperature dropped and it started snowing.  We only had a dusting compared to further north.  I fixed steak and barley risotto for me and my son.

 I know we can make small talk with our dogs.  Sean's small talk is funny.  He talks football to his dog.  "5 yard penalty Moe".  
This is going to be a cold week and they've already postponed this quarter's "Unaccompanied Burial Ceremony" at Camp Butler.  My little dog insisted on going for a walk in 9 degrees against my wishes but she did make it worthwhile.
Well in late1880's the record low was -22.