My Week

 Seems like disappointment after disappointment.  Last week it was my exercise class. Three out of five were canceled.   A postponement in Amber's nose work class.  Instructor broke her leg in July postponing the class till August.  Then resumed and she postponed it due to a complication with her ankle and had to go to the clinic. Back again this coming Monday. Sometimes this box search game is not that much different than the "Muffin Tin Game".  I'm getting bored with it.

I got an updated DNA map from my ancestry.

Sean got the notice also.  So I told my sons "Feel free to marry anyone since the Connolly name is watered down"  This is my son's chart.

 

Tuesday I had my annual wellness exam and flu shot. BLOOD PRESSURE 118/60 BODY MASS INDEX 24.6 kg/m2 but now that I view online my medical record vitals, they have me an inch taller than what I measured. Maybe I'm fat.

Thursday my virtual yoga class at 8AM was canceled for lack of sign ups so I had just enough notice to get into a cycle class at 8:15.  

In the evening we took our AKC Elite Trick Dog Performer title.  Here's the video and the narrative is in the comments.   I will share it on Facebook once the certificate is in hand.

Amber's middle name is Ann. My sister was Kathleen Ann and born on Christmas Day.    Kathy passed 2 years ago in Aug and I gave her the middle name in her honor. I view this as a tribute to my sister.  Christmas was her favorite holiday.

I sold a couple of Frank's tools after the performance to another mechanic.  I don't know what most of his tools are or what they are worth.  This man came over hauling a BMW sports car on a trailer that he picked up in in Lincoln IL with a big truck so I know he was into mechanical repairs.   I was asking $10 for this crank tool but learned it was worth more and he was fair and gave me $25.  He found a few 2 things and gave me $35.  He went so fast identifying tools that I wish I recorded the names of each so I could record and ID them to fund over to Alan.

I watched a cartoon called "Tangled" on Friday.  They lived happily ever after.

Saturday afternoon I stood with the Patriot Guard for a chicken dinner fund raiser for the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight.   All meals were prearranged and I had missed the deadline.  However, by closing I was able to get a meal. 

 

Sunday I was a reader and Mass and watched "Enola Holmes" on Netflix.  I was curious to watch it after a friend on Facebook criticized the bustle dress for a 20-22 year old that was born in 1884.  Ok, who cares.  It was good and I'd like to watch it again. I fixed baked rigatoni for Sean and myself.

Some people just don't like the new Facebook but as an admin for a page, I hate it even more. Can't get a complete list of members in my group. Name search doesn't work in members tab. I can't sort on my daily scheduled posts by date anymore. So I got the plugin for the classic. 

Here's a new social media to consider: https://gab.com/

Half of my bathroom is out of power.  Fortunately it is not on the washer and dryer side. The outlet by the sink for my hair dryer and lights above are not working.  I've reset CFI and every circuit breaker in the house.  Looks like it's time to call my electrician.  So I stopped by Lowes to see if this would be a good time to upgrade the vanity lights and discussed it with a store representative.  He told me the pros and cons of LED and I think I'll stick with what I got.  I do like taking the dogs to Lowes.  Staff seems to like them also and the girls enjoy being petted in the shopping cart.

There's a sticker on my mail in ballot that I can peel off that says "I voted by mail" 

Well it looks like they are predicting a frost this coming weekend and the Farmer's Almanac is predicting a bad winter.

My Week

My Masters exercise group had three cancellations this week: Core, Yoga, and circuit.  I miss the motivation of group exercise.  I still got my mile walk in with the dogs.

Monday I went to the VFW meeting. After that I went to our 4th week of Nose Work class.  I had mentioned to Sandra that when Amber gets frustrated with the "find", she looks at me for help.  When it comes to nose work, I can't help her when she stares me down.  She did repeat this in class but it was a lot shorter of a stare down before continuing. 

Tuesday 36 Olsen pocketed masks and 2 another style sent to an urgent request in Idaho. 

Wednesday evening I took Amber to a private agility class in Rochester.  He rules ... not choke collar and I had come with a martingale chain collar to slip off easily on a run.  She let me get away with it this time but next time I need a regular collar.

Thursday evening  I attended a zoom webinar called "Belle Reynolds, Richard Yates, and the Politics of a Civil War Sex Scandal". Belle is the woman whom I've portrayed first person.  I was shocked at the slant toward the relationship of Belle Reynolds and Governor Yates as a sex scandal so I had to know what this was based on.  Apparently it was a slant by the governor's political enemies as a drunk and having a party boat. Belle is the young woman that I re-enact 1st person. I contacted the professor from IN and he said he did discover my blog research and plans to cite me as a reference in his book.

http://historicelsah.org/2020/08/the-lady-major-and-the-war-governor-belle-reynolds-richard-yates-and-the-politics-of-a-civil-war-sex-scandal/ 

I think the newspapers said they were in the woods together. Belle was religious, a school teacher, and nursed the sick physically and emotionally at Fort Donaldson so her heart was pure. She continued nursing during the war and later became a doctor. She left her relationship with the governor after he honored her as a major when she knew where it was headed politically.  In the end, James Fuller said he didn't really believe there was a sexual relationship although Gov Yates may have made advances.

Amber sniffin' Halloween butt.

Friday evening I took Sophie to open training.   She needs it more than Amber if I want her to finish Rally Novice on Oct 9.

Sunday I set up my Halloween decorations and went to Spirit Halloween store.  I picked up a plague mask.  It will be popular this year.  

I had a coupon and picked up a plague mask.  This was popularized during the Bubonic plague and black death in the renaissance.  I do have a medicine bag and flat hat to go with it.

Well I must add that this mask is breathable and can be worn with glasses.

So now we have a late mosquito season upon us.  I hate mosquito bites.

 

my week

Tuesday morning Amber and I performed "Amber's Christmas Story" at the sun room window at the nursing home.  The weather was much better than the last time it was scheduled.  I just did our tricks in order of the story which was read to them on the other side of the window so I'm not sure if we were in snyc. I think they liked it  because there was a request for her to do and encore walk across that ledge.

 

 

Friday I trimmed the shrubs by the side of the house.  I found a nest among the branches.  Shortly after dragging the branches to the street, they were picked up.  The village only picks up branches once a month. I tried to yank roots out with the old tie-out leash and that didn't work.   The lead broke.  Crap, I need a professional.

 

Saturday, both the Springfield and Chatham VFWs got together to do a ruck march for 9-11 remembrance.   Boy did it rain hard on these walkers. 

 

 

I did not do the whole 11 miles, just the last mile.  I did drive and meet them on the side of the road with my flag for encouragement and photos.  I was told that 2 vehicles drove intentionally close as to try to hit the hikers.  There was nothing political.  Just American flags and a POW flag.  We live in strange times.

 

 

 

I watched a 1951 movie called "the Cattle Drive". It's about a spoiled boy that missed his train and forced to tag along with a cattle drive where his spoiled antics didn't fly too well.

Sunday I took Amber for AKC ACT agility trial for beginners.  The first run was the numbers 1 - 10 in circles and the second run in squares.

I left thinking we had it but got a text from the judge saying we didn't pass the 1st.   We didn't pass the first trial because she didn't stay in the yellow zone at the base of the A frame.  However, we had the best time on the second.  

 I need to focus on my purpose, to have Amber entertain on Therapy Dog visits. That is most rewarding. The rest is ancillary to keep up with the Jones' brag. No ONE else understands these titles outside the dog training circle. FOCUS. I must admit, I really believe, Amber is having fun.

I fixed a vegetable beef stew in the crock pot since I won't have time tomorrow and prob be hungry when I get home. Smells good so far.

I watched a 1951 movie called "the Cattle Drive". It's about a spoiled boy that missed his train and forced to tag along with a cattle drive where his spoiled antics didn't fly too well.

My Week

Well this week is my 104th birthday and Amber's 3rd.

Wednesday I got a call from a florist that was lost trying to deliver from my sisters.  Aren't they lovely?

My birthday selfie with tiara after church with mask.

Alan gave me a video doorbell called "Ring" and even installed this new technology. I can feel the ticking on my Apple Watch when there's activity near my door.  I can remotely view the motion in front of my house.

Sean gave me an Android TV box similar to what he uses.    I guess he wanted more than my basic cable on weekends.  Win-Win for both of us since TV has been getting old during the pandemic. I'm really not interested in the exploitation of "The Bachelor" or the games. He gave me a fancy glass vase from the Pier One Imports store that is closing and a dash cam.  Boy he spoiling me with things 

Sean brought baked potatoes and salad.  Alan brought rib eye.  Since September is also Amber's birthday, she's going to get some rib eye trimmings to go through the weave poles.

Afterward we did our traditional group dog walk.

My brother sent me a cute card with dogs.

Gloria sent me a photo for my birthday via Facebook messenger.

I broke a glass and also a glass lid to a treat jar on my birthday.  I was barefoot too. 

Wednesday morning our senior strength instructor ditched the green mask I made for a chin face shield given by Ann. I see that these chin face shields are more for restaurant workers. https://www.amazon.com/MOTOTEKS-Restaurant-Protection-Protective-Environmental/dp/B086VR7N5J/ref=zg_bs_393327011_28/138-0176889-5593655?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=TKGFNADA931TV0DP3R5S

Since I broke the ceramic jar with "beanie fund" on it that I used in Amber's Christmas Story, I found a small cookie jar to replace it.  I also have a plastic one for practice.

Wednesday evening I attended Deb Auer's barn shed for agility practice. 

 Thursday I took both dogs to open practice at the club.  There's only a few of us that get together.  Sophie had the runs in the club and I had a clean up job.  Afterward I took her home for a quick ass wipe and then caught up with the others 

Friday I was going to walk the dogs and once again, Sophie dragged me toward the car.  I really think she wants her afternoon petting at the nursing home.  So I obliged and grabbed my purse drove over to the Sugar Creek Covered Bridge at Pioneer Park.  I took them Candid picture at the covered bridge.

Sophie on her pedestal

Amber on her pedestal

 Park plaque addresses Robert Pullium as the first settler in Sangamon County.

 The old man in the house behind mine died a few years ago and had been long vacant and neglected outside of mowing the grass.  The house had a for sale by owner sign for a long time but the house was a mess. The house was bought by investor that remodeled it and sold very fast.  In fact, the open house planned for the 13th will never happen.  So since I saw the sold sign, I asked the man working if I could see the inside.  

This is the picture I took from the master bedroom.  I wanted to know if the new owners could see into my bedroom.

I brought Amber over to meet our Santa narrator and get used to his voice before we perform Amber's Christmas Story.  She was a little shy at first but quickly got used to him and I had him give her lots of treats.

Birthday leftovers are like "Birthday Part 2"

My Week

 

I was going to perform Amber's Christmas Story on Wednesday at the window of the nursing home at 10:30 but it was too hot.  Rescheduled for September 8th with a back up date 15th.   Meanwhile, I practice.  I hope to do a final on YouTube with an evaluator on Sep 24th so I can submit it to AKC Elite Trick performer by October 1 for entry into their additional contest.

Wednesday evening I attended a Civil War Zoom meeting that I learned through https://civilwartalk.com/

 It's been so muggy that I just took forever to dry my hair naturally even after walking the dogs. I then used my hair dryer but then it was hot and muggy. 

 

Ya know, it's one of the few thing in this "new normal" that's an outdoor event with social distancing.

Saturday evening I helped Diann with her cat from the veterinarian clinic.  She is on a walker and needed a little help getting this "barn cat" in a rehab situation.  Seemed like I was the 4th person she asked for help.  I brought her some towels and plastic bowls.  Helped her set up a litter box for a recuperating cat in what she referred to as an apartment in the barn.

Sunday Morning I went on a balloon ride on "Glorious Drifter".

I offered my sons a ride with me but was turned down.  I learned that Sean was afraid of heights.
I got up at 4AM on Sunday to meet the 6AM meet at the Comfort Inn in Lincoln IL.  There where Air Force veterans on our balloon ride of 5 guests.

 Here is our group photo before take off at Mayfield Park in Lincoln, IL.  I understand there was room for one more on this flight.

Here I am with our pilot:  Tim Cloyd.  What a nice guy he was and very informative.  I can tell he really enjoyed what he does.

I know our pilot mentioned "sea level" but I think we were 300'. I think our balloon was higher than some others at the balloon festival but this was the largest balloon also. 

   Other balloons hover near the wind generators. I thought this was cool.  Pilot mentioned there was some wind affect in that area.

It's a feeling so high in more ways than one. So happy to share these photos and happiness with friends.

 Below is our shadow in the early morning sunrise. We landed in that triangle patch right ahead by the trees.  I saw a deer running along the tree line and pointed it out to the others. We were told how to brace ourselves for the landing by bending our knees as the basket will tilt forward. The ground crew was right on us.  The pilot gave the balloon about a 4 foot lift above the weeds.  Then the ground crew tethered the balloon over to the clearing by the farm house. These were bad weeds with green burs.

There's our chase vehicle on the rural road staying close by for our anticipated landing.
The chase crew have apps on their phones to track the balloon when they can't see it.

 The below video shows the ground crew dragging the balloon to a across the nettled field to a nearby house with a nice open area for tear down.

"Dorothy Rose" has landed. 
It was so cool. Worth every penny to fulfill a dream in our Heavenly skies in a balloon with a cross called "Glorious Drifter". Taking off was smooth. The landing...well...brace yourself and bend your knees. We had a good pilot that let us down as easy as possible but the basket will still tip on landing.

This is our chase vehicle at the pick up point on the farm.

Yes I brought Old Glory on this flight.  Possed in front of the pallet flag on the property which we landed.

There was a closing ceremony after we arrived back at the motel.  A story and a toast.  We didn't toast but still got Champaign signed bottle.  I didn't expect that.  Guest were encouraged to sign their "memory book" after the flight experience.

 Of course the mask issue came up on Facebook.

 

 More photos found here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/39064462@N04/albums/72157715763142946

I came home and watched Mass virtually and then Sean came to do laundry.  I had Mo do weave poles with a lure. Sean seemed amazed that his dog did that so I had him try.  I told him that the dog must enter the weave poles on the dog's left shoulder but sometimes is skipped a few bars.  Sean was just elated that his dog could do it.  I showed him how Amber does it without a lure but rather a finger signal and reward at the end.  Still he was amazed.

I found more nut grass burs in Sophie's pantaloons when I brought her to bed. I hate this time of year that pains her so much 

My Week

Word is out that there were fewer fireflies this year.  I did see them in early July but not as many as previous years.  Now we are into spider season.  I walked into a web that wasn't there the day before.  Now we are into cicada season and Amber likes them.   They are like little battery operated toys that buzz when she bites them.

Tuesday I got the results of Sophie's virtual AKC Rally Novice trials.  She passed this one.  I added the judge's comments at the bottom of the video.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaeIJ7zTz4I

This video she did not qualify.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIAMUfy1n2E

I mailed off 25 hand made masks to New Mexico to help fill an urgent request on Get PPE.  I was low on elastic and it was on order and arrived the same day.

It's the anniversary of the 19th amendment and so many are dressing like suffragettes so I thought I might as well join the group of women.

So I shared a different angle from the back side of PowerWorks Fitness in a group know for pictures with bins (based out of Australia apparently that has gone global).  People from all over the world complimented my photo. 

 

Thursday I took Amber to open practice.  After the general practice session, I practiced our Christmas story but she was distracted because of a scent planted on a wagon in the room for nose work practice.  I had only had one class on nose work and was not introduced to any odors. Then the class suddenly was postponed because the instructor broke her foot and was laid up with surgery.  We just got the dogs used to fetching a kibble thrown in a box.  We were told NOT TO PRACTICE at this early stage. We resume the class this coming Monday. Amber is a natural sniffer.  I often wanted to cut that nose off her to stop her from sniffing and focus on my trick training.  Those present saw her instant and untrained talent but all I saw was a dog that didn't do what I wanted her to do. we go back to nose work class Monday. We stopped when our instructor told us don't do this at home and then broke her foot delaying the next class. I think Amber is in the wrong skill set when she did nose work naturally.  Well this is also the same weekend that some of my friends from the club got to boast of their nose work titles.  Here I am frustrated.

I spoke with my nose work instructor and she will not bump Amber up into a more advanced class.

 Sunday we received palms after Mass since church services were closed during the COVID-19 shut down.  Then I went to the VFW District meeting held at my own post.

 I made a website and a twitter for our Catholic War Veterans Post 1916.   National CWV keeps changing the given site and then deletes everything.  So it's about time we have something we can control.  Dues had been paid by our post if we worked the beer sales booth at the state fair.  Unfortunately, three years ago, the workers were not paid, so then we refused the following year.  Now this year, the fair has been canceled.

 I watched New World Order: The End Has Come (2013) | Full Movie | Rob Edwards | Erin Runbeck | Melissa Farley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku8-F4aR9bM

Sunday evening, I stopped by county market and only one of the four self-checkouts was working and I broke it too.  Clerk had to finish my check out at customer service and closed the the self checkouts.

I made some Olsen masks with a seasonal flare.

  I have more brilliant prints cut out but wanted to finish the fall collection.  I didn't think this fabric appropriate back in March but look where we are now.  I've still been working only with remnants in a trunk that was given me years ago.  The big deal is separating breathable cottons from other fiber types.

I end this with a night of Nose Work class with Amber.  Taking it slower than I'd like to get C-Wags.  I'm board with it so far but I guess Amber likes looking for treats in a box.  I only hope it curbs her distracting sniffing from her other performances.

 

My Week

 So many butterflies this time of year.  A storm knocked down most of the surprise lilies.  No surprise.  But we did need the rain.

My neighbor had  a Uhaul leave before the pandemic.  She told me she got a new job in
Washington DC but she won't be fully moving for a few months since her husband's job needed to transition as well.  This week the Uhaul came back.  I simply said "welcome home" as she shrugged.

Tuesday I went to core class followed by cycle.

 

That evening, I went to the VFW where scouts were interviewing veterans for a project. I brought my black robe from Saudi Arabia to show them.  I also gave them a scout photo album that was new that I found at the Goodwill the week before. Afterward I had chicken dinner there.

Wednesday evening we had our first Amvets meeting since the pandemic.  We had a few guests but I still worry about making a quorum.  So many of our older veterans in the group have passed away.  The deceased members do not drop off of our roster either when we report them.  So I created a memorial page about them. 

I found an old old old red dress at the Goodwill.  So old that the threads in the seams were rotting apart and needed reinforced.  I saw the potential for a Christmas program dress that would be much cooler for Christmas in July so I added the fur.  It slips right over my gym clothing so I don't have to worry about changing.

 I fixed some Santa masks for our local Santa whom I plan to recruit to narrate Amber's Christmas Story.

Les Morgan tried all of them on and this is the one that I feared would not fit.  He thinks the larger size will fill out with a fuller beard come Christmas time.  It was really fun being creative making these especially off season like this.

Thursday morning my yoga class was canceled due to lack of participants signing up.  I did take Amber for open practice and got there early to set up Amber's Christmas story.  We performed well until about two thirds through the program.  Amber broke out of the barrier and lost concentration when she heard a dog barking in the other room.  

Thursday evening I went to the Catholic War Veterans meeting.   Dues are up next month and I'm thinking of changing my status from annual to life membership.

After my exercise class on Friday, I gave a practice of Amber's Christmas Story to the group. She waited outside while we exercised. She was in my portable metal pen.  Once loose she had a double spurt of run before settling down.  There was a soccer ball player at the other end of the turf to distract her.  I believe she just needed the run.   Overall, it was a cute program.  I did decide to change the cookie scene to something lighter.  The spatula and snowman plate was cute but awkward for her.  This is the new cookie on a white plate which is a little more visible too.

I've also added a backdrop for her program.  It was on eBay by just the sheet of plastic.  I added a fur ring and slipped some pvc through.  I'm glad I left the excess fur off the ends because I may need that to clip onto something.  I thought it would be better to roll it than to fold now that I've to the pvc pipe on the top.  I looked everywhere for a pool noodle and they are all gone.  I used water pipe insulation foam instead and glued it right in the slit provided with rubber cement.   It's light and will blow in the breeze.

I just realized that I had a doggie Christmas stocking in the attic.  That will do for her end reward.  Boy this is fun!

Sunday I went to Mass and helped as a Eucharistic Minister. We wear masks when not in our pew or taking communion and then recover.  I noticed that afterward, when cleaning the cups, where all the removed misselettes were stored.  Our readings are on the big screen.  We have to sign up in advance in keeping with church capacity reduced restrictions. 

I learned a new medical term, "glossitis".

Notice any resemblance in Amber's natural look and our president?  Of course she has a summer cut now.