My Week

Tuesday evening I met with the ladies of the Soldiers Aid Society.  We talked about the upcoming Civil War Fashion show at Edwards Place February 23d. 
 http://www.springfieldart.org/civil-war-fashion-show/

I went to Speedy Lube on Wed and they put a sticker on my windshield for the next change at 3K.  Should be double that with synthetic oil.  I also had the fuel injection job.  Now my engine light is on.  He said it would go off in a little while but was on all weekend.

Thursday, after work, I stood in a PGR flag line for  Bruce L. Gibson but only the last hour of the visitation.   I dare save taking time off from work while our union is pushing for a strike vote.

I got a box returned that I had sent to my adopted soldier in Afghanistan.  I have been getting back the letters that I had sent him for about 2 months but on chat he swears he's still there till March.  I adopted Kwame who is there til May while I keep Adrian in my prayers.  Saturday, Big Lots had a 20% off sale on anything so it was a good time to pick up items for the soldier's boxes.

 Saturday evening I went to the Lee-Jackson Ball in Belleville. hosted by Lt. George E. Dixon Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.  There was even a Scarlet in a green curtain dress there.  The lower level ballroom is usually rented out for events but the upper portion is a Masonic Temple which we were given a tour.  The ceremony involved a salute to the decendants and a ceremony to honor the dearly departed members of the camp including Lee and Jackson with a table ceremony and the NCO flipped the glass at each sitting.

Sunday morning was icy to my surprise since the sky coming home late last night after the ball was clear and full of stars and a full moon.  Needless to say I went to Mass with the Catholic War Veterans for our Memorial Mass at 10AM at the Cathedral.  Many from our group had shown up for a change and Joan thought that the roof would cave in when Cole even showed up.  I thought it would be a great opportunity for a photo.  I also uploaded this to our post's website.

I did have a few sliding stops at the intersections on the way to church downtown.  Fortunately not too much Sunday morning traffic.  I just had a chill all day.  It was cold in church and my hands were cold.  Quite contrary to the evening ball with a sleeveless ball gown off shoulders in which the dance warmed me up.  Especially when it got aerobic like as the music sped up.  Then I had to step outside for fresh air in the cold.

While on the  Lt. George E. Dixon Camp website, I found a photo they had of me from Wreaths Across America.  http://www.flickr.com/photos/civilwarfamily/8279397596/in/set-72157632260129747/

My Week

Tuesday evening I got my chicken dinner at the VFW and brought one home to my son. I ate "IN" so I could enjoy Jerry's 80th birthday.

Lesson for Thursday: Always be prepared for when someone brings their little kid to work. But that's not the only reason I have a Tickle Me Elmo...sometimes one just needs a good laugh.  In the evening, I went to an ABATE meeting and officers were elected. We also discussed an upcoming swap meet which I created an event on Facebook.



Friday I had lunch at Steak and Shake with Michael. I had a nice cranberry nut salad with chicken. Since it was crowded so we sat at the counter. I believe we get better attention there anyway. Although the service is good for a busy lunch time and there is plenty of help. While eating I can watch the cook staff behind the counter. Couple of older gentlemen probably need more $ in their retirement. I felt so sorry for the man that was flipping burgers and his shoe was untied. I knew he couldn't tie it during the heavy period and also removing his gloves. So when we were done and things seemed to slightly slow he turned around for a breather and I waved him toward me. I tied his shoe. The waitress whom we blocked temporarily, said "That's the nicest thing I've seen in a long time". :)
Saturday the weather was wonderful and motorcyclist were all about. I couldn’t get mine to start. That's what I liked most about the aero, less maintenance but it’s not fool proof.

I liked Mr Battery. When I needed a bat for the Yamaha, they were cheaper than Walmart (who wanted me to add my own acid and charge it) and even all motorcycle places. Just had to drop off the old and pick up the new. Trouble is that I can’t wrench that bolt off under the seat. I may be grounded. 

Saturday I went to the annual meeting for the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight.   Well I guess I didn't win the quilt raffle.  The guest speaker was from Ohio and the founder.  His speech was great.  He echoed a lot of what we knew, that World War II veterans waited a long time for their memorial and now many did not have the means to see it and were getting up in years.  The first four veterans when on a private plane and the idea was presented to a skeptical family who were worried about this chance of a lifetime to turn out to be a scam.

Sunday the temperature dropped drastically. I went to a pancake breakfast after church. The boys came over to watch football and stayed home after that with a log in the fireplace.
Monday was a holiday…a cold day off at that. That also means one less exercise class this week. I stayed home until the VFW meeting in the evening. I updated the post’s website with information from the meeting while on my laptop: http://vfwwebcom.org/il/post755/

Tuesday I mailed out 2 boxes to soldiers and got a bunch of forever stamps before the increase next week. Then I met up with the ladies from the Soldiers Aid Society who hang around and knit and discuss reenacting. There will be a Civil War fashion show at Edwards Place on Saturday February 23, 2013 and documentation was shared. I need to fill it out. I’ll probably wear my Widow’s weeds and display my Vivandière outfit on my manikin.

Now, the best for last.  Alan got the word that he was selected 'readjustment technician' position at the Peoria Veterans center.   He hopes to start next month.  I sure wish him well.  He's been unemployed the two years since he graduated from college.

My Week

I sent out 3 boxes to our soldiers in Afghanistan this week.  Hope they enjoy the goodies and I will use my imagination of the grand opening.

Tuesday I met with the ladies of the Womens Overseas League.  I got a reimbursement check to defray the cost of the postage of the boxes sent to our soldiers.  Thanks ladies.   I also shared a thank you card from one of the recipients of the boxes.  Three of the ladies (Vietnam nurses) explained the origin of her name as being of Vietnamese origin.

Tuesday evening I attended my first meeting of the Soldiers Aid Society.  We met in Beth's home because that way she didn't have to worry about child care.  They had to make a vote for me as a new member.  I knew most of the ladies there from being at reenactments. 

Wednesday evening I went to an AmVets meeting.  Both of my sons are members but only one attends and he eats before we meet at the restaurant because the food is not that great.  As it was, I safely ordered chicken strips and only ate one of them and brought the rest home.  Yep, my son who doesn't go to the meeting will eat it but not go to the meeting and have his own meal.

Thursday the weather was pleasant but a little rain so I decided to wear a skirt to work.  This may make yesterday's rough day at work start off a little more pleasant.  Besides it was payday.  Then...the decrease in my paycheck ....the equivalent of bill payment.

In the evening I went to a meeting of the Catholic War Veterans.  I inherited a binder that was maintained by the previous historian.  It was very interesting to see past activity.  I've never met the person who created this album.  After the meeting I went to get dog food and a birthday card for my son's birthday on Friday.

I got my tickets for the 150th Anniversary Ball on Apr 20th.

 

Saturday I took a tour and preliminary interview with Dianne Blom from Montvaille Senior Estates who would like to have Civil War dancing on President's Day.  There was a free lunch just for going.  Afterward, I went to the Illinois State Military for a presentation titled.  Illinois State Military Museum Historians will display weapons, web gear, uniforms, and artifacts that illustrate the change in U.S. Army uniforms from blue to brown.

Friday we had a high temperature of about 63 and Monday about 20.  Brrr.  Dogs didn't get to go for a walk much in the cold.  They'll have to use the back yard.  Sunday we had a ice coated trees and cars but the road was fine.  I put a log in the fireplace.  I had difficulty opening the car door to go to church.  I was the second reader at Mass and this reading was Titus: 2-11-14; 3;4-7 for the Baptism of our Lord.  Now here's the tricky part, that's 2 long paragraphs ~ one long sentence each. What if I tried to say 75 words in one breath?  I took advantage of commas and conjunctions.

I sewed up a hem on a green wool skirt (set)  that I got on ebay for $15 + shipping.Of course I need to shorten the hem but they glued this on. I had to cut this center hem out and sew it together.  The rick rack trim that was on the skirt was 'farby' anyway. 

I had waited a long time for the trim around the skirting that was ordered in November.  It came the day after I'd filed a complaint.  It was supposed to arrive NLT Dec 17 and arrived on Jan 11.  Oh well, I did get a reversal of fees so it was free then.

In the evening I attended the 114th Commanders Dinner at the Chesapeake Seafood house.  It was great to see the reenacters all cleaned up rather than full of black powder.  Since it was cold, I wore the wool skirt that I had just hemmed along with my red wool thigh high socks.  Also wore my heavy paletote. My head was cold though so I ordered a knit bonnet the following morning.  I had bourbon salmon.  I asked a few about a spin-off of the Springfield International Folk Dancers that would just specialize in simple specialized Civil War Ball dances.  SIFD had turned down a senior home because the request was on a work day and would charge for the performance.  Actually President's Day was requested and that's a day off.  Seems to be favorable among the Civil War reenactors but the finger is pointing back to me.  Music and equipment would be needed not to mention learning how to call the dances.  If I limit this to the simpler dances that may be fine but no way could I pull this off by President's Day.

My Week

The First Night Ball went over well and all the practice paid off.  I got a second wind fighting this sinus cold in order to dance and periodically had to blow my nose.  Justin had opened a window in Representatives Hall propped open with a fireplace log to keep the room comfortable for dancing.  Here I am with Helen at the ball.

Afterward the dancers went to the Dublin Pub where I shared a pizza.  Larry and Miranda passed out little red bags containing a Scottish New Years wish known as the first footer which is said, that whoever the first person to set foot into your home on New Year's day decided the family's luck for the rest of the year.  There was a roll of bread for family, coal (chocolate) for warmth, whiskey for good spirits and salt.   This was a well thought out wish.  So I did a little research and learned another name for the custom is 'Hogmanay'  http://www.fathertimes.net/scottishnewyear.htm

On New Year's day I went to Mass for the Solemnity of Mary.  I bumped into friends I knew from the Old State Capitol who had recently retired and moved to my parish.

Then I went to the OSC to help with the 150th anniversary ceremony of the Emancipation Proclamation.  Looks like my help was needed too.  The odd thing is that the count in attendance was also 150.  I passed out the programs and helped a little with the refreshments.  I had Francine so the refreshments that required handling since I had potential sneezing and was in period dress to boot.  I wore my confederate dress which probably wasn't that appropriate for the event but I'm trying to get a feel for how to fix this problem waist band.  It may be out of my skill set of simple hemming.

Still feeling a bit under the weather, I ate dinner, shrimp, and then took a Nyquil and slept well.  

Wednesday I started a programming class that the instructor guaranteed a headache.  No kidding.  In the evening I went to the VFW for line dance lessons.  Gosh, you'd think I didn't know anything with all this training going on.

Thursday's class started the headaches in my programming class.  We ended the day with an exercise which instructed code in the wrong place and repetitive coding that taught nothing.  This is a course provided by Microsoft.  The instructor is very good.  He feels my sentiment that he remembers the days when he was frustrated and had to muddle around.  I too hope to share so that doesn't happen to others.  There was a woman in the class whom I believe works for the State Retirement System who would leave rather than work an exercise and during class was constantly on her iPhone.


After work I went to Aldi.  Had some Christmas goodies on sale so I got some for the ladies.  I don't care for dog food at Aldi so I stopped by Walmart for some without the corn in it.  Sale going on and got a top for $1 and black fleece hoodie and pants $3 ea.

My son seems excited to be closer in getting a job in Peoria.  I gave him a big pre-selection hug.

I got what is known as "free mail" for being sent from soldiers that don't need to use a stamp.  She thanked me for sending a box and letter and she likes dogs.  Whoo Hoo.

I sewed my very first carpet bag.  I'm only a simple sewer.  I had this tapestry fabric for awhile but lacked everything else. I had the tapestry a long time but didn't know what to do with it. Found some quilted pillow cases in a thrift store that were perfect for lining.   I started with the pattern found here http://creativedoll.blogspot.com/2009/06/do-you-want-to-make-your-own-carpet-bag.html and enlarged it onto a big piece of cardboard. After folding the model together, I realized I needed it to be more square than the pattern. One of our Lincoln impersonators carried a bag too so I studied that too.  Now if I can find the right materials I'll fix the flimsy carpet bag I got on ebay that was poorly made.

Brr it's been cold lately.   My nose is red and raw from blowing this head cold out.

Saturday morning I got up early since I crashed early the night before.  I watched a movie on TV:  Enemy at the Gate.  It's a 2001 movie that I'd never seen about WW2 about the German invasion in Stalingrad.
I found a series of clips of the movie on YouTube:
 http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2860BAAE13DC7399
Unbelievable the bodies on the ground that the snipers had to hide among.

Since my stomach has been feeling upset with reflux, I have been trying to lay off coffee.

Saturday morning I did a few chores:  Picked up my Civil War camp dress from the cleaners, took down the Christmas stuff.
Sunday I just went to church and then made Sheppard's Pie.  Kids watched football.  Dogs got their long Sunday walk since there was afternoon sun and time was not restrictive like on a work day.  I started to clean my bedroom AKA sewing room.  I have period outfits and trim everywhere and unfinished projects.  I was able to clean the top of my dresser for the first time in over a year.  Now, here's the problem, my fern which hangs outside in the summer comes into the house over a hook in my bedroom window.  It drops leaves there and dries out.  Once a week I give it a shower.  I really think that the heat duct below my window is too hard on the fern.

Til next time.