My Week

Monday morning I woke to a cool foggy morning.  After work I attended a VFW meeting.  I spoke about Wreaths Across America but will never make a motion for a contribution.  I explained that I was putting together a state-wide press release but was waiting to hear from a few others.  I reminded the post that they donated last year.  I did get a check from the post.  I also mentioned the veterans memorial dedication in Spaulding on 9/28/12.

I adopted a soldier who is serving in harms way. This time I had an email and he replied the following day. "this place is hell on earth in my opinion". God bless our troops. Those of us not there must use the imagination...like at a horror movie only it's real. http://soldiersangels.org/

The paper has photos of the barn dance I went to in Lincoln, IL for the Railsplitters Festival.

http://www.lincolndailynews.com/News/picturepage091712_RSPL011.shtml

Wednesday evening I went over to the church for a few lessons on French for my upcoming trip.  I fear the language barriers.

I had a blue blanket throw that has been washed one too many times and is falling apart leaving lint on other items now. Bye Bye.  The bedspread that I use in the summer months looks similar to those at the Old State Capitol so I'll stash it with my historical props.

Thursday I had lunch with coworkers at the newly renovated Boone's Saloon.  We had the lunch special was the Bandito Burger- a black bean veggie burger topped with pepper jack cheese, fried banana pepper rings, and chipotle ranch sauce! Yummy!  Thier wifi was free but weak.

Thursday evening I went to an ABATE meeting over at the VFW hall.  Our American Legion Riders commander went to speak about Wreaths Across America.  I asked if he was a member of ABATE and he said no.  I warned him that it would be tough.  I told him that last year when Dave spoke, he had to fork over the membership fee.  Then he said he wanted to show a 30 minute video.  I said Noooooooooooo.  Guest will not get that much time.  However, they did pass the hat for the wreaths and collected about $100.

Friday morning I juiced up some apples and grapes with ginger and cinnemon.  Since it was the last day of summer, we wore our Hawaian shirts.

I picked up my four tickets to the Rocky Horror Show:

Fri 10.26 - Sat 10.27.2012

http://www.hcfta.org/tickets/2-hoogland-center-for-the-arts/187-rocky-horror-show-live.html

Friday night I rode my 1989 Route 66 Special Edition Yamaha in the parade for the International Mother Road Festival held in Springfield.  I had three "you go girl" shout outs and two requests for wheelies from those watching the parade.   I made on dumb mistake, I should have dressed warmer now that it gets dark earlier.  Nancy loaned me her hoodie for the ride home.  I'll return it to her when I go to work on Monday.  I watched the rest of the parade with friends from the American Legion.  Dave posed on my bike since he's used to a much bigger bike.

Saturday I went to help out at the Old State Capitol since there was no one signed up when I looked at the volunteer list on Friday.  I expected the tours may be busy since it was the Rt 66 Mother Road Festival downtown.   However, there was plenty of help. Picked up something for my son and I to eat.  Filled the cracks in the patio.  Still need to pick up another tube.  Made a head dress for reenacting.  I wanted to use a buy it now on ebay but the seller must have blocked me.  

Sweet Heart HEAD DRESS
So I started on my own.

I may want to add flowers or a rosette.

Sunday morning was cool and I had put plastic over the tomato plants.  

I posted some Barbies on eBay Classifieds.

http://www.ebayclassifieds.com/user/toga42

Getting ready to take all the old VHS stuff to Goodwill too.

I went to a  Polka Mass at noon followed by a brat lunch for $7 a plate.  I wore my new custom sized corded petticoat for the first time underneath a Gunne Sax dress.  I did know a few people there from the Catholic War Veterans and ABATE.  Bobbi from ABATE suggested the Villa Maria location for a family biker event next year.  I didn't go to the family event at the zoo last year but am told there was a great turnout.  Bobbie thanked me for maintaining the facebook page for the Lincoln Land ABATE chapter.  After that I quickly came home and got into my jeans and jacket to ride over to the funeral home for a Patriot Guard Riders at the funeral for Kieth who was a World War 2 Veteran.
http://www.patriotguard.org/ALLForums/tabid/61/forumid/11/tpage/1/view/topic/postid/1888473/Default.aspx#1889296
After that I picked up some chicken on the way home and a gift card for my son to shop at County Market.  In the mood for chicken and noodles.  There was a lady in the parking lot admiring my bike.  She said she could never ride because she is only 5' tall.   I told her so was I and watch me go.  Alan had dinner ready so maybe later.

My Week

I received a call from the Veterinarian about Bentley's surgery and his growth was benign.  She wanted to know about his post surgery.  I told her he would jump up when he itched but couldn't reach the incision in his anus.  I explained that he was a money pit but loveable.  She agreed.  However, she also understood he is a very loveable cocker spaniel even compared to the cockers that she had owned.  I guess his lovable personality comes with a price and bad breath.

I'm am so happy that my son is getting some job interviews after staying home from college nearly a year and a half.  I have been praying for him and he's even on a prayer chain.  There is nothing more than a mother wants for her children than to be happy and have a family of their own.  This job situation is in the way of the future.

Thursday evening I went to a meeting of the Catholic War Veterans.  I went from being the post historian to adjutant.  But the big tension was a vote for post commander between Pat and Dennis.  Pat was next in line when the post commander passed away last spring.  All of a sudden a silent member comes forward and will accept no other position except post commander. He even mailed out a bio and requested our vote like a politician.  Well the results was 5-7 in favor of Pat.

Friday I took a long lunch hour to be with the AmVets whose national commander was on tour of Camp Butler National Cemetery.  I had lunch with cousin Kerbys at Golden Corral.  Paul Kerby will probably run for State AmVets commander next year.  I went back to work and boy it was like busy while I was gone.  After work I dressed up and went to the Railsplitters Ball in Lincoln, IL.  I picked up my dance parter, Gene Walker, who has been so busy lately between his recent move, his VA claim, the Sangamon County Burial Detail, and his short term commitment to a part in his play at the Legacy Theater as Odell Owens in Sordid Lives. Here he is doing the "Hat Dance" which you get to pick a partner to dance down the line.  He gave the next gent the hat so as not to disappoint either lady to dance the line. 



Gene chose both ladies in the "Hat Dance"




Lincoln Railsplitters Ball

There was video taken at the ball by the local news



The name of this dance is called the Tempest.

Saturday I went to New Berlin for a benefit poker run for the Veterans Memorial.  I cut out of the last stop to meet for a barn dance to begin at 7PM and park the bike on Gene's lawn.  Then went to Lincoln for the Railsplitter's Festival barn dance.  Met with Terry and Patti there.  She tried to get her husband on the dance floor but he left in early frustration

You cannot frown while dancing. The screw ups at the barn dance were actually funny. Now that I look at the YouTube video of us dancing, I can see much of what the square dance caller had us do was the same/similar to the Civil War dance.

I went to Mass with the Catholic War Veterans an the parish happened to have breakfast in the church basement.  There were only 4 of us in the group for our monthly memorial Mass.  We met a retired marine Lt Col and had invited him to join CWV.  He explained he wouldn't have the time because he was caring for his ailing wife who has Fibromyalgia. After that I went to the County Market to use up my coupons that expired that day.  Then I went to a picnic at the American Legion picnic.  After we ate, we played bingo.  I don't really have a good attention span for that because I'm using the free wifi to catch up on my blog.

I won $78 as third place in the American Legion cash drawing.  Then I got belittled by Bob Shotts for not donating it back.  Seems to me that Bob had motioned the post for financial support his little league at a meeting not too long ago.
I got a call about French lessons on Wednesday night at the church for an upcoming trip.
A couple times, my son asked me, "What ya doing?"  I said writing a check to pay a bill.

I really love my new Xhose that is real light weight and shrinks when not in use.
http://www.chamberofreviews.com/xhose-expanding-garden-hose-a-marketing-review/

My Week

We need rain and got some from Hurricane Issac.  Before it hit, I decided to cut my sparse grass knowing that the rain.  I had to cut it again upon return.

I picked up a reconditioned Dyson at Big Lots.   I only have a throw rug over laminate flooring but there was enough dog hair to build another dog.
http://www.biglots.com/browseItem/as-advertised/9110?zcp=1000&style=f&rid=6010872&zipCode=62703-4501&mid=48101&storeId=214

Saturday morning, my sons and I left for Ohio to visit family.  Sean couldn't get off on Friday so we made it for Saturday through Tuesday.  We had some rain along the way and it was humid. 
Sunday there was a family gathering at Kate's house.  I got to see the the memorial story boards for Neal.  I had no idea how skinny he got before he passed last year.

We returned on Tuesday and made a brief stop at the Wright Patterson AFB museum.
Photos from the trip to Ohio are here: 
Ohio Trip

Upon return, I rested up and then went to the airport to welcome home the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight.

Wednesday I dropped Bentley off at the vet for surgery to remove a tumor on his anus.  That costs $557.  The healing on that sensitive area really made him jumpy.  In the evening I went to a meeting for the American Legion Riders.  I shared some scones that I picked up on the way as a less sweet pre-birthday treat to share with the group.

I wore a nice, coral colored dress and a birthday ribbon to work on my birthday. I had over 60 wishes on my facebook page and loved every one of them.  I went to "It's All About Wine" with my sons and had a flight special: $10 Grand Cabernet Flight (a $24 value).  Sean brought cheese and crackers.  After that I went over to the biker night at Quaker Steak and Lube since it was on the way. Not exactly fitting in with the bikers in that dress.  I got a necklace, patriotic iron on, lottery ticket (won $2), and a needed garbage can.

Friday evening I had dinner at the Route 66 Motel with some of the Red Knights from up north that came down to the capitol for a 911 memorial.  They went on a ride on Saturday but I didn't go since I had a prior commitment with the Poker Run to raise funds for Wreaths Across America.

I got this on ebay.  "Rebel Braid Dress" is an original design. The martial braid motif on the bodice is inspired by Confederate officer's insignia.  It needs some sewing around the waistband.  But it'll look nice.

Friday I had dinner at the Route 66 Hotel with some of the out-of-town Red Knights.  The local Red Knights took them on a ride on Saturday but I opted for the American Legion Riders a poker run to benefit Wreaths Across America.  Sunday morning I met the Red Knights at the hotel after church and we rode to the capitol for a brief memorial for 911 at the fallen firefighters memorial.  The bronze statue of the firefighters got to wear a vest for awhile.