My Week

The great thaw of the volumes of snow happened Last Wednesday and Thursday but not for long.  Of course the cold returned later but we had the warm melt down that eliminated a lot of the snow into the sewers.  My son lives on the lower level of an apartment and when he got out of bed the morning of the bit melt down, his floor was wet.

I went to a Patriot Guard Mission on Friday to honor Bobby Biddle.
His mother recognized me from my facebook post and thanked me as she left the cemetery.

In the evening I stopped by the Amerian Legion Post for the fish fry and left early with Les, Jerry and Mary for color guard duty at the Hoogland. I met a young mother with a Soldiers Angels pin and told her I was an Angel too.  When the chorus sang their tribute to the branches of services, we couldn't find enough veterans for each branch of service so some of us in the color guard filled in.  I waved the marine flag for their song.  I guess being a marine mom qualified since there were no marines in the audience for this show.

Saturday I went to a workshop with our Soldiers Aid Society.  We learned to make hat boxes.  Thank You for putting on the workshop Dorthy.

I learned the importance of a bigger and better glue gun.  So that's what I got later with a coupon from Joanne's.

I used a little program called Pixresizer to shrink my photos from our pilgrimage to Germany. I put them on a jump drive which is in a photo frame for a little reunion gathering on Sunday. Be careful which one you download. The first one was bundled with bugs. CNET is the real deal. I made German potato salad to share.

I've been having trouble with my washer so I stopped by the place that I purchased it for repairs.  The looked it up in their computer and I purchased it in June 2010.  I have made an appointment for Tuesday.

Monday evening I went to Metamora courthouse for the first practice with the Central Illinois Civil War Dancers.  It's about 70 miles away but they are the best.  What are the odds that they practice on the second and third Mondays because I have American Legion on the first Monday and VFW on the third Monday.  The local group that does Civil War dancing has their heart in ethnic dance and Civil War dancing is a side that they squeeze in between. 

Tuesday morning we had a 1/2 inch of snow.  So.....

Spring Countdown

My Week

I am hoping that this is the last post I have to complain about the weather.  It's been a horrible week for snow and ice but the future looks #bright.
I sometimes fear that I am not involved enough in my son's life but thanks to facebook I can be there:

Tuesday I had lunch with the Womens Overseas Service League.   Then I went over to work for a couple hours to show Dave how to find missing fees that mismatched.  After that I went to the "Courting Couch Revealed" at Edwards Place.
Click here for the story and interview: 

And of course, I seem to have a tradition posing with couches but I don't dare desecrate an artifact.

Wednesday I celebrated Lincoln's Birthday by attending the American Legion Pilgriamge to the Lincoln Tomb.  Boy was it cold.  My toes got numb.  So I left the tent and stood in the sun.  Then the legionaire from Indianna pushed me in front of the camera who wanted to interview someone a little more local.
http://www.wandtv.com/category/182814/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=9833805


Wandtv.com, NewsCenter17, StormCenter17, Central Illinois News-


Later I went to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum at 3PM to see a performance by Fritz Klein as Abraham Lincoln.  While we waited for the doors to open, I snapped this picture of a girl wearing Lincoln stocks.

Now I know that Lincoln had a sense of humor but the lady next to me seemed to have a high threshold for humor.
I saw this in the Museum store.

Thursday I saw a motorcycle out because the temperature reached 40.  I still wouldn't have done that with all the slush regardless of how clean you make your own driveway.
In the evening I went to a meeting of our Catholic War Veterans. *2 hours is so long for a meeting*  Afterward I stopped by Walmart for dog food.  I found some with salmon and no grains that I'll try.  It sure smelled good when I opened the bag so we'll see if Marley and Bentley like it.  I can't believe all the people shopping at 10PM.  Well it was Valentine's Eve and many were after last minute gifts.  But still the whiny kids should have been in bed.

Well the snow that they predicted for Valentines Day was expected to begin at midnight had disappointed me because there was nothing *new* on the ground when I got up. That disappointment changed rapidly and it started as soon as I dragged the trash can to the curb. Oh boy, here come the inches now.

Saturday morning I went to the Civil War Ball in Quincy.  I had to make a stop in Jacksonville on the way to pick up a period had that was left at the Greirson Gala the week before.  I got a little lost in town but found the address.  The time and the snow made it impossible to get to the ball in time for a diversion on the path to see the eagles wintering along the river.  I didn't win a door prize but Nancy gave me a book of Civil War art that she said she didn't want (or possibly had already).

Here I am with Nancy, Rich, Gene, Shirley and Larry.  I remember a young ferderal soldier asking me to dance.  He told me it was only the second time for him so I asked him to mirror my steps and he caught on fast.  I asked what unit he was with and he said the 10th so I told him they have a band so he best learn to dance for his unit.  :) Here we were on the news. 
Civil War Ball Episode on WGEM


WGEM.com: Quincy News, Weather, Sports, and Radio  

I did the basic steps for the Schottische for the first time.  One, two, three hop, hop hop hop.  That's the basics but I haven't done the more advanced with the twirling as in the following video.  In fact I'll begin practicing with the Central Illinois Civil War Dancers next week for the first time.  It's a bit of a drive but should be rewarding and make me a better dancer. 



Sunday my son installed the new doggie door panel for my pups.  Thanks so much.  Later I went to a funeral for a dear supporter of the Old State Capitol.  I saw our group there and sat with them.  Afterward we went to Steak and Shake.  There was a storm predicted for Monday so I stopped at Walmart to pick up some logs for the fireplace.  It was a good thing too.  Monday morning I just walked the dogs around the block. It was SOOOOOOO slick outside, I had to fall on the floor just to crack the ice off my coat like a hard boiled egg so I could get it off!
Stayed home and cleaned the floor including moving the fridge.  It was a little warmer in the back room where my son installed the doggie door so I even cleaned the floor there too.
Finished sanding the window sill and stained the following day.  Boy, old sandpaper sure rips apart.
 I also replaced a collar on one of my historic dresses that I've been meaning to do.

My Week

Here I am watching the snow coming down heavily.  It looks pretty against that green mailbox still with the Christmas bow on it.

I used the Rebel snow blower in the drive until the thing needed a rest. It' real difficult to hold a button down, a bar down, and push the thing all at the same time. Soooo...I try real hard to back it up while still running because it's hard to get going again. Most the drive is clear and ready for the snow plows to fill it in again.

The morning had more snow and it wouldn't start.  Piece of crap snow blower. I even brought it in the house to warm up the damn thing and it won't start.  It has a button you press first then the lever. I've tried different outlets and turning the blade in case it has a gear.  I just shoveled the old fashioned (heart attack) way. I could do a better job but I could get out in an emergency.  I got it maybe 3 or 4 years ago at Menards on a Black Friday special. Waited in line a long time for this. It's always been finicky. Blah!

My old Air Force friend, Luz, called me Tuesday night for a long chat.   How nice to catch up since us active duty folks spread to the wind when we leave.  Guard and reserve seem to maintain their local ties much better than we do.

I did accomplish repair on a torn carpet bag and installing hook tape on a black silk blouse used for reenacting.

Thursday morning, well not first thing in the morning like before I retired, I had a cold shower.
I continued to my 10:30 appointment with Paula and she recommended that I contact her plumber.  I left a message.   Meanwhile, I looked at the roof and that seems clear. I put a flame to the top and it is drawn towards the shoot. I called a plumber over 2 hrs ago. Just called again to see if I need to find another plumber. I picked up a candle lighter for better reach rather than the match on the tip of a pliers.  After 2 hours, I was wondering if he got the message and may have been out of town (and away from this cold).  So I called back to find out if I should call someone else.  Curt came over and lit the pilot for me. I will be needing a new one though come spring. I know this water heater was there when I moved in but he didn't think it was original to the house (despite the dated tile under it).   Something else to budget for. Curt said it would require new plumbing to code. Curt was kind enough to run his suburban over the plow drift on the guest side of my driveway.   Does it ever end? 
Oh and I broke my ice scrapper stick.

Oh, and I need new closet doors for the spare bedroom that have never worked.  I think I made it worse.

Now the Dell computer is saying "a problem has been detected and windows was shut down...bad_pool_header...disable BIOS...memory options.
Friday I took part in a VFW honor guard at the Crown Plaza for the opening of the Voice of Democracy.  Everything went well.  We had to wear the white honor guard helmets instead of our VFW service caps.  I bumped into Larry Miller who just the day before pipped in on my facebook chat about my broken down snow blower.

Saturday evening I went to the Jacksonville Grierson Gala.  This was the third year that I attended and attendance has gone down.  I understand that many tickets were sold but that some didn't show up because of the snow.  Well, this is a fund raiser to keep the summer reenactment funded. I got a rose print rug on the silent auction.
Here's the dinner table.

Sunday morning I went to Mass with the Catholic War Veterans.  Afterward we all went to a breakfast fund raiser for Special Olympics Torch Run.
At 2PM I went to a presentation at the Lincoln Home theater. There's a link with clips from the series here:
http://www.nps.gov/liho/historyculture/civil-war-the-untold-story.htm
The introduction to the presentation was by a corporal from the 114th regiment who had been working on his master's degree in history.

At 4:30 we had a meeting of our Soldiers Aid Society.  We discussed our upcoming fashion fair at Edwards Place on March 30th.  I talked a little about the website that I've been working on.
http://soldiersaid.yolasite.com/
I'm currently awaiting acceptance into the Civil War Webring.

I ran across this photo that I had taken when my son and I first looked at the house my son is buying. It says, 'I cleaned my house last week sorry you missed it'.  I guess they were expecting a potential buyer the day before.

My Week

Another cold week to start off. I really wanted to visit my sister but we are undergoing a nasty ice storm so I postponed the trip.  I just think this delay was meant to be.  Snow is predicted so I'm afraid I'll have to postpone a weekend visit to my sister in Wisconsin.

Tuesday I picked up my new Baretta Nano at Midwest Rifleworks.  When I ordered it, he said I could buy ammo from him but by the time I picked it up, he was out.  So I went to Sheels and got some for target and for conceal carry.  Too cold to try it at an outside range but need to make sure I have all the bits when the weather is better.

Mmmm. Who'd've thought that porabella's were not just another mushroom.   Cut them up in butter, onions, soy sauce, with pepper and it seems like I had a meal.

My son's home inspection found a few errors even though the house is advertised "as is".  Apparently those managing the estate will fix an electrical problem and bath vent.  Things are proceeding for his move in about March 1st.  Hopefully this will enhance his bachelorhood appeal. 


Thursday evening I went to a (free) presentation by Ken Martis - Regions, Parties and Voting: The Presidential Elections of Abraham Lincoln.  It was pretty interesting.  Funny how the territories voted in "upper Yankee land" and how the race census of the 1860s matched the same counties that carried in 2008.  Interesting how the 4 candidates really split the votes in Lincoln's favor against the odds.  Ken's presentation also had some neat political cartoons of the 1860s that helped the audience understand the dilemma of the time.
http://alplmfoundation.tix.com/Event.aspx?EventCode=620207

Friday I decided to build a website to help organize all of the data for Sons of the Revolution
https://sites.google.com/site/connollypatriot/
By posting the documents in the sidebar, I can see better where I need to work.  I have digitized when possible and paper copies stuffed in file folders is confusing and a mess.  I still have more to do on this and plan to visit it with Karl on the qualifications for this pedigree.  I used my Amazon Gift Card that my sisters gave me to get 'History of Roane County West Virginia'.  Sometimes it's hard to prove stuff like this.  If this doesn't work, there is a library in Profetstown, IL that has the W.V. Heritage Encyclopedia for a day trip.

I gave Bentley a bath and a trim Saturday night. He smells better but still wants to kiss me with his rotted out mouth. He looked at me like he knew I was trying to help. I don't want to invest $ in him with his enlarged heart which is terminal. Poor lil' feller. He's already surpassed the 24 months expectation listed online. 
http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/cardiovascular/c_dg_cardiomyopathy_dilated?page=2

Sunday afternoon I went to see “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon Abraham Lincoln”.  Many of my friends were there.  The presentation was produced by Lincoln Land Community College.
http://www.hcfta.org/hoogland-center-arts/six-degrees-abraham-lincoln

Afterward I went carpooled up to Lincoln with my son for a Superbowl party with Vet Center staff.  We had a great time.  My biggest concern was that Justin's past parties were garage parties and it's cold but that wasn't the case.  I had great eats and fun especially playing with their Weimeranger, named Ruger. 





Monday I built a website for our Springfield Soldiers Aid Society.
https://sites.google.com/site/soldiersaid/
Our parent unit, the 114th Illinois Regiment, had a website but quit paying on it in favor of a facebook page.

Tuesday starts another snow storm so I had to get my soldier to the post office early and stopped by to pay my utility bill.  We had an eAlert not to park on the streets so that the plows can get through.  Argg!  I've slipped and fell walking the dogs and had numerous close calls.