My Week

June 16th, I got a call that the Kovaleski's were heading through my way.  Seeing them made my day.  Tom got his mini-Army homecoming escort between Jacksonville and Springfield and he took this as he peeled of near the Springfield exit. He left Ft Lewis by bicycle but that road trip canceled in MO with major repairs for the bike.  I wasn't sure of the route nor when they would come through Illinois till I got the call.  I treated the 5 of us to lunch at Subway. Seeing them was long overdue and wish I could have convinced them to stay the night.  I think they were getting homesick and wanted to skeedadle.  It was long overdue.

Monday evening I went to the VFW meeting.  Officers were sworn in.  Plans being made for the 4th of July.

Tuesday morning I got an early call that my 11:30 dental cleaning was moved up to 9:30 because of a cancellation.  I quickly showered and got on the Wheezer.  Afterward, I stopped by my old workplace since it was close by.  In the evening, I went to the Lincoln Tomb for the flag lowering.  It was pretty hot. I gave our Queen of the Soldiers Aid Society a decade that I made like mine for her CIG pin.

Wednesday I made the rounds to the thrift stores for my senior discount.  I got some hard to find items like a blouse with 11 buttons.  Seems that Joanne store doesn't carry mass quantities of buttons with minimal inventory.  I would need four cards of button for my period dress.  I was able to sew them in time for Grierson Days Civil War reenactment on Saturday (see below),

 I just adopted "Spc Brian". There were 278 awaiting adoption. After the adoption I went back to check the number waiting to be adopted and it reads 277. http://soldiersangels.org

My garden seems to be coming along fine.  Most seeds were old and dated.  The seeds that never sprouted were replaced with discounted leftovers from Ace Hardware.  I got 2 eggplants (left side of the picture).  Never did that before but I do enjoy eggplant Parmesan.  I would like to expand the garden a few more feet for next year.

Thursday I went to the Old State Capitol but they didn't seem to need much help.  I did go because our seamstress is there on Thursday and she told me a few weeks ago she could help with a problem waist on my dress.  However, that priority got backed up.  Since there were plenty of people there already, I left early.  In the evening I went to an ABATE meeting but because of the start of the state party, we didn't have a quorum.

Friday I helped out at the Old State Capitol and assisted our Soldiers Aid Society.  I put my brown print dress on and popped a button.  This is the same dress that I got the new buttons (from a thrift store blouse) but had not yet sewn them on by Friday.  I fixed that later in the evening so I could wear it on Saturday.  Saturday I was able to wear my brown print dress because the buttons were there.
The rain came about 4PM and ended just as the ball was to get underway.  Reenactors get a meal ticket at one of the vendors for up to $7.  I had a meal of BBQ ribs and saved the bones for Marley.
I bought a summer Gody's 1864 summer bonnet from the Ladies and Gents Emporium (tent).  I had regretted not getting one at an earlier event.  Here are some pictures from the fashion show.

This lady sitting next to me kept feeling my hoop bumping into her space while I sat in the shade during the fashion show. She kept looking down at her basket and explained that he had lost her fan that matched her parasol. I told her that Battenburg was not Civil War and she just said it depends where you are. Then I looked at her sparkle, purple nails and realized it didn't matter to her.

After the battle, the president gave his famous Gettysburg Address.

The ball was held at the Nichols Park Pavilion which is officially closed pavilion because of renovation but the inside was opened specifically for this event.  A few photos from the ball.

Here are my friends Kay and Richard that I took from the stairs.

I just knew that this one would show up to haunt me.  I look hot and flushed but the building was air conditioned.

Well, I too felt a little guilty in the "period correct" World of reenacting but mine were less obvious.  I didn't wear my proper underpinnings because of the heat.  After the ball, I showed my true colors and took off my dress and hoop showing shorts and cami.  I was however, still wearing my socks and Balmoral boots.

Actually, I wish I went to the ball more like this:

I toured the the Governor Duncan Home.  Mrs Duncan was only 4' 5" and the curator showed a stick of her exact height.
Here are a few photos that I took in the home.

 Really interesting and delicate bonnets.

 This was a weeding gown worn by Elizabeth's daughter.  Very delicate.  The curator told me she had carefully cleaned it as best she could.

 This was interesting because I've never seen an antique wooden exerciser.

There was a rainbow over Nelson Park as the ball was begging to get underway and the guests were arriving.

Sunday morning I went to Mass on the little motorcycle.  I fixed manacotti and salad for my son and me.  I went to Aldi for a few ingredients for Ham and Navy Beans Emeril Lagasse recipe.  Aldi only had red pepper and I used a ham steak slice instead of ham hocks.  It smells good and tastes good.