My week

Fall is upon us and the trees are turning.  This summer has helped to resurrect my dying spider plant by putting it on the back porch and plenty of natural rain.  I brought out my macrame plant hanger and was so proud of myself to be able to twist out a rope that was wrong.  It took a lot of experimentation.  I don't think I could do it again.  I'm not much of a green thumb with indoor plants but I know they help oxygenate the house in the winter.  That's when I usually kill them. I am also amazed that the Christmas Cactus is going strong and growing. I also have a Boston Fern with similar issues.    It hangs over my kitchen sink in the winter but on my front porch during the summer.  I don't know where I'll place this spider plant on macrame. It had a pedestal before.

 Wednesday is thrift store senior discount day.  While out shopping, I got a short notice call that veterans were needed for a back drop for the governor's announcement of money for the Salvation Army's homeless shelter for veterans.  Yours truly at 1:10 on this video. He mentioned many of the veterans by name Including me.  Veterans shouldn't be homeless. Thanks for making it happen.
 Here is the press release with audio at the bottom of this page.
http://www3.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=2&RecNum=12652
I had a nice look around in Spirit Halloween Stoor.  Saw a guys German costume for the upcoming German dinner.

Also I  might go back for tights with scars on them for my zombi look.

 

Thursday I helped at the Old State Capitol.  I gave 3 group tours.  There were at least two starlings flying around inside.

In the evening I helped the Beddels with their computer. Apparently they lost their CD for their Nikon software and I downloaded it for them.  I also showed them how to reduce the size of those large pictures from 5 meg to 66k using a little program called Pixrisizer.  They gave me some apples from their tree.
Friday I went to a PGR flag line at Camp Butler for Gerald Raines .  After that I wanted to do my part to help with set up for Saturday's hog roast benefit for the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight.

Saturday I went to the Illiana Civil War in Danville.  I got off at the nearest exit and should have taken the next.  I ended up going all around the lake the long way.  I bought a crinoline cage that I ordered to my size when I was at the sutler in Boscobell last month.  In the evening there was a barn dance.  Since I knew most of the dances, I helped the caller as a lead.  When it came to the hat dance,  a girl who was reenacting in Union Blues tried to join the line of ladies in the dance line.  I pointed her back to the men's line saying, "they'll kick you out of the army!"  Ahhhhh, if looks could kill.

When I got home, I checked my mail and got "free mail" from a soldier thanking my for the box that I sent earlier in the month.

After church I did minor clean up at the post after the hog roast.  I did some floor sweeping and pick up but since there was only one mop and the fact that I was softening a butternut squash in the oven, I then left the small cleaning crew to come home and finish cooking.    I made Squash soup. 

Monday my son was in town for business so we all had lunch together with the Vet Center staff at Applebees.  I used the gift card my brother gave me and it made my day.

My Week

Thursday I went to the Old State Capitol. I was going to ride and had the little bike warming up but when I turned off the choke, it died and wouldn't restart so I drove. I volunteered to answer the call to the tour schedule expected.  The tours were spread out on the schedule but they ended up to arrive all at the same time so we were staffed to for an emergency such as this.

Friday I went to an escort for the Illinois Fallen Heroes Wall.  I filled up the tank in Springfield and we rode to Griggsville, IL where the wall would be set up and displayed for the apple festival.  I filled up on the way home at Jacksonville where gas was cheaper.  So I rode 96.6 miles and filled up to calculate 55.5 MPG.  Not bad at all.  We didn't have police escort until the exit at Griggsville. Funny note here about that police car. Where I'm standing to take this photo was were the police parked. Moments later the radiator blew and spewed. He was able to drive off shortly after relieving the pressure.

When I got home I cut the grass then went to a senior pot luck at church known as the OWLS (Older Wiser Lovable Seniors).  Usually I'd rather be affiliated with like minded groups rather than age-based groups but I made an exception because of the guest speaker.  Michael was the presenter about turning blind.   I usually sit behind him and his wife, Jackie, in church.  When I process in with the Gospel book, I leave my purse in my pew and ask Michael to watch it for me (he's blind).  He says he'll keep an eye on it.  LOL

I went to Monticellocelebration.  Danced with friends from our Metamora group.   We got the public involved in the dance.   It rained on my way home.

When I got home, the crinoline cage that I ordered for my size had arrived.   Maybe if I had that on when dancing I wouldn't have tripped and fell when I did that do-si-do and stepped on the back of my skirt. https://www.etsy.com/listing/119508884/reproduction-civil-war-cage-crinoline?ref=fp_nfyfs

I thought it was expensive but it was on sale for labor day and now the price is back up.  I can't beat quality and then there's my unique size.  It has ties to steady the bell when dancing.  I have to figure those out yet.  I think this will keep me from tripping too.  But I think the ties may be better on my back and tied to my belly in front.  As you can see from the dance photo with my other hoop on, that I put my hand in back to sort of push the bulk forward.  I'll ask the other ladies.

Sunday I was washing the chalices after Mass and wondering where all the help was.  Seems the nurses and other ministers were busy with a lady who fainted. There are 2 trays so that means 2 trips doing it alone.  So I finished one and took it back to the servers station and then brought back the other tray.  While washing the chalices on the second tray, another minister finally came to help and brought the clean tray (thinking it was not yet done) back to the sink.  Ha!  Too late.  I had already cleaned them and had to return that tray.

I went to an American Legion picnic.  The turnout was poor.  We played BINGO.  Anybody that won got one of the many 2 liter Sprite bottles that we had in excess and expired that month so we had to get rid of them.   I didn't win even with the small crowd.  The picnic was scheduled from 1PM - 4PM and as I was leaving there was a couple just arriving and they read the letter wrong and thought it started at 4PM.  I helped them with a leftover box and a bottle of Sprite.

I'm getting this CIVIL WAR ERA FICHU White blue gold beige lace from eBay. From Rebel Thread - A cotton lace fichu made from a Godey's Lady's Book Pattern of 1863. This fichu is made from cotton lace, edged with a crochet shell stitch done in a navy blue color cotton. The front 'v' neckline closes under a decorative brass hook and eye. The shoulder of the fichu is embellished with silk ribbon embroidery work. The front lapel and lining of the fichu is done in a creamy blended satin fabric. This fichu is an excellent way to dress up a basic dress to make it tea party worthy, but it is also appropriate to accessorize a ballgown for evening wear.

Monday I tried to fix some of my crafts.  Let's put it this way, I have my sewing machine loaded with white thread so I'm trying to finish my white sewing before hemming my purple dress with purple thread.  I needed a few things like purple ribbon and some sew-in clips for the hair caps that I'm making.  I found some purple ribbon on the marked down shelf at Walmart.  It was sealed and 10 yards marked down to 10 cents a yard.  I scanned it to verify but when I got to the check out, the clerk said it needed to be measured and cut in the fabric department.  I said forget it.  I found better stuff at Hobby Lobby anyway.  In the evening I went to dance practice in Metamora.  I brought a birthday card for one of our dancers whom I had seen a birthday wish on Facebook.  She brought homemade sour dough cinnamon rolls.  I have a problem taking off on the wrong foot doing the Schottish because of my military marching skills  (marching we start with the left foot but as a couple moving side-by-side we start with the outside foot and that would be the woman's right foot).  I usually correct the hop subsequently on the next step.  Hopefully it doesn't show under that hoop skirt.

First full day of Fall (after arriving last night at 9:29 pm).

My Week

My son had reported that my dryer wasn't doing it's job despite the appearance of working.  It was taking a long time and cloths were still damp.  Although it worked when the repairman got here, I had him change the coil before it really goes out.  I got 88 cents out of my dryer.  Repairs were done to my dryer for $160.

I've had lower back/hip pain for 3 days.  Thursday night I was almost in tears.  I missed our Catholic War Veterans meeting.  Friday morning I went to the clinic for a walk-in appointment. I explained that this pain seems seasonal and we did have a sudden cool down and lots of rain.  I can't think of anything I did to cause this such as a fall or something. I've been using ice packs based on previous season's with this problem. I took advantage of a walk-in clinic.  I told the nurse I knew the exercises and the cold pack but I had so much pain that I couldn't do the exercises.  I got Cyclobenzaprine,  meloxicam, and Tramadol (the strongest).  So I need to continue with that and take my pain meds.   I had a nap since they cause drowsiness.  I only needed them for Friday and Saturday and then my back pain was more tolerable so I could exercise again. 

I felt up to it (and they needed me) for the Fiery Trial by night exhibit.  I went prepared to explain how the Soldiers Aid Society aided the Widows and Orphans.  Here I am with Janet explaining (and getting empathy) from a visitor.

Saturday I went to a motorcycle show at Capitol City Motorsports.  It was then that I learned my little motorcycle was ready for pick up after an oil change and service.  Since I knew I shouldn't be riding on the medications, Leroy offered to ride it home for me.  When I got home, he told me he heard the noise at about 45 MPH that would never replicate when Cyler had it for maintenance.  However, Leroy knew that it was coming from the speedometer and I thought it was an engine noise.  That's sort of a relief.

Sunday I went to Mass with the Catholic War Veterans at St Patrick's Church.  Afterward I went to the State Capitol's Memorial to the fallen firefighters with some of the Red Knights that were in town for the event.

After 10 years the ceremony has quit the BIG program but a few (mostly the Red Knights MC) still gather to remember.

Monday night I went to the Honor Flight's pre-flight banquet.  Space was limited so we were asked that if we were finished and since there was no formal agenda, that we were free to leave and make space for those arriving.

Tuesday morning I got up at 3:30AM and off to the airport.  A lot of logistics by the Honor Flight staff but from our perspective it was "hurry up and wait".  That's understandable when some guardian is late.

Joan was our team leader and she warned us that there were NO LATE VETERANS ON THE BUS ONLY LATE GUARDIANS.  Well I only lost my veteran once while watching him, an unguarded wheel chair, and couldn't turn down someone's request to take a photo of them with their camera.  I looked around and he he was nowhere to be seen.  Like a mother hen I gave him hell for running off (with a cane no less).   On the positive side, this was the 5th trip for the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight this year and the first with suitable weather.  It has rained and snowed in DC.

We had a reporter along on the trip too.  On the way home we sang Happy Birthday to Alicia since she turned 25.   Here's Alicia Lewis
http://www.wics.com/news/top-stories/stories/vid_19103.shtml

In DC, I was surprised to see a deer along the highway in a ditch as we went by from the bus.   I'm sure many missed that. As we left, I was pleased to see my niece, Betsy, who just got off of work from her DOD position and met me briefly at the airport between the bus and going through security. 

This flight had a number of veterans that serve on the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County.

The T Shirts are color coded as follows:  Blue is a WW2 veteran, Yellow is a Korean War Veteran, Red is a Vietnam veteran, and green is for guardians (although many of the guardians were veterans as well like myself).

I have been a member of Women In Military Service for America (WIMSA) since 1994.  I finally got to see the memorial from the bus.  I had no idea how close it was to Arlington NC.   While there, I got a call for help at the Old State Capitol for some upcoming tours.  I obliged but requested an email back up since I was away.

Tom Pasko (back) is in green because he is a guardian for his father.  Tom is not a veteran but a special member of the burial detail because he is a member of Bugles Across America.  He brought his bugle and played at all 3 of the memorials -- a first.  The other in green in front is both a member of the detail and acting as a guardian.  Well it's hard to get a picture of myself at the Lincoln Memorial without a lot of other people so here it is:

Well it's starting to get dark earlier.  I got my grass trimmed along the fence and gutter cleared. 
It's Thursday and this is being published a little later than usual.  On my way to the Old State Capitol to volunteer.  Think I'll ride the newly oil changed Yamaha if it will flip the gate in the under ground parking garage.


 

My Week

Wednesday I went to a brown bag lunch lecture at the Illinois State Museum archives.  I told a lady next to me about my presentation on Saturday for "Spirits of the Civil War".  She then asked if I was an actress.  I said no.  "I'm a Certified Interpretive Guide".  She smiled and understood the message that I had to convey was a story.  I now see that this credibility this means.

I've been trying to make a lace cap.  The hardest part is finding the right stuff to make it with.  The hunt took the longest. 

Here is the finished product.  I have enough to make another.  I may even want to make another in ecru shade.  I have a lot of off-white that I found too.  Stuff that I picked up and looked white until I match it with the lace.  That won't work.  You won't believe that the center lace was from lace panties (who likes lace panties anyway?).  Outer lace was a lace scarf.  I bought the white finishing trim.  I had the purple ribbon.  I then sewed in clips I got at Hobby Lobby.

That's obviously on the back of a teddy bear.

Friday I had lunch at Incredibly Delicious.  I gave tours at the Old State Capitol afterward.  There was a naturalization ceremony at the Old State Capitol at 2PM. So I went upstairs to check it out and met a couple that sits near me in church. She is Anita from Venezuela and became a citizen today. Her husband, Felix became a citizen last year. Sister Veronica also became a citizen. She said she hadn't had lunch and didn't think she could hold it till the reception after. I took them to the break room and showed them the broken cookies they could have.

I gave a tour to a group here for a Navy reunion. They were scheduled for 2PM (same time as the Naturalization ceremony). I got a call at the desk that the group was running about a 1/2 hour behind. That was good for me so I wouldn't walk over the Naturalization ceremony. However, it made them late for the Lincoln Home afterward so I only gave them the tour of the 1st floor. I told them they could see the top tomorrow but that I wouldn't be there. Their guide came back after the Lincoln Home to thank me.

Saturday I was without internet but didn't have time (nor patience) to deal with Comcast's automated phone line.  I had to have my router pinged and couldn't get through to Comcast.  Restarting the power 5 times did nothing.  I called Comcast and get to the refresh signal and then says, cannot complete your call. Please hang up and dial again (and again, and again, etc). Then loops and happened again 3 times.  I called Sunday morning and instead chose option one for cable TV to connect me over to Internet side and spoke with a real person (with an accent of course).  It worked.

Saturday was my 98th birthday (see profile's birth year of 1916).    I got ready for my presentation as Belle Reynolds as part of the "Spirits of the Civil War" with a stop at Arbys for my Birthday Shake.  I tried their new crème brulee custard shake that I got with a coupon from my email.  Since "Spirits of the Civil War" didn't start until 1PM and Poncho Villa Reenactment at the Illinois State military museum started at 10AM, I went to see that exhibit first. The weather was perfect.  The rain brought a soothing cool front in from the rain the day before.  The acorns from the tree were falling onto the little presentation stage.

Here is the stage with my props and the 114th Illinois Regiment is in the background.  Speaking of
"Spirits of the Civil War", the flag poll's weights pulled the flag down to half mast at least 3 times and a staff member had to crank it back up again.  Really strange.  Must have been the "spirits".

I had a few ladies talk to me after.  The only thing I'd change is that I have to pictures of Belle and one frame.  Her old age photo and an 1870s picture behind it in the same frame.  I had her old photo in the frame and someone thought it was a picture of a man.
Here is a link to my script.

http://ivetret.blogspot.com/2012/05/my-portrayal-of-mrs-major-belle.html

 In the evening, I made a quick turnaround out of my period dress so I could have a birthday dinner with my sons.  Alan is having car problems so he proposed that Sean drive up there and get him and bring him back.  That would have been 2 round trips (he had the repair done Monday).  I proposed we eat up there.  Alan found a nice restaurant called Granite City Brewery.  They gave me a free desert.  Notice they gave me spoons to share because it was Sooooo rich.  I know it was expensive and my son paid.  I will never forget this.

I got a pellet gun from my sons to shoot that racoon.  I got a salt rock lamp, book and chocolates.   I got a canvas sack from my sister  and a motorcycle pillow with the famous psychiatrist quote from my sister.  Lots and lots of cards.  Thanks everyone for the wishes.

I fixed some homemade Spanish Rice because I had to use the volume of tomatoes from the garden. 

I added some Venison Garlic Smoked sausage the my son gave me.  I added a jar of sweet peppers that was in my refrigerator.  Not bad.  Just needed more pepper and garlic.

Sunday I would have liked to attend a PGR flag line for the 911 run and a Pow Wow in Litchfield. I felt it more important to go to church and settle my internet problems.  Fate would have it but I met Frank Clark at Church. He told me many nice things about me by our American Legion Post Service officer.  I told him that sometimes I feel a little outside because there are so many folks that click together from the guard and us active duty folks scatter to the wind.  He said I shouldn't feel that way and I agree but that it's sort of like the right and left side of the brain thing.  You "see" and "feel" differently than strength allows.   Well, I told him that he should join the American Legion  mainly because, as a Patriot Guard Rider, I've seen veterans funerals that were "unloved".  When you read their obituary, they have no post affiliation of any.  That's sad but I do understand getting out of the military and trying to assimilate back into society and forget the military past. 

However, last week I hosted Eric Peters on his walk for PTSD.  He gets to a new town and looks for veterans to talk to.  Where else to find veterans but at a post.  Guaranteed!

Sunday Morning, after church, I was sitting on my front porch with my laptop and watching the humming bird with Marley. Life is good.

I watched Twelve Years a Slave on HBO.  The movie ended late and it's too dark to cut the grass in back.

Monday night I went to my Civil War Dance practice.  On the way home there was the Super Moon over the flag in the roundabout square in Washington. Awesome.   I drove on fumes the last 30 miles and made it back to Springfield just in time to get to a gas station.

Ya know, we live in a society that does not believe without seeing.  Earlier in the week, on Facebook, Pam didn't believe ISIS was in Chicago because there was no photo of the man who was convicted by a judge for an altercation with police that started with an ISIS flag out of a car window.  An sample photo was used with the article but not an actual photo. That makes the story false. What about the judge's ruling?  Now the football player, Ray Rice, who knocked his wife out in an elevator last May.  The league didn't act serious until there was a video.  Again, the court system against the football player was not enough but the video was.  Blessed are those who believe without seeing. 

My Week

Whew, upset tummy last Thursday.   You know, the kind that keeps you near the toilet.  Then on Monday, my dog had the squirts.  What a mess.  

I learned that TRICARE is not paying for my medical bills since I retired in January.   TRICARE was given a letter of termination from Blue Cross that was on record.  They did not get a termination from Health Alliance which was terminated in 2011 for the Blue Cross plan.  Then I tried to login to Tricare and apparently the password I saved is not working so I requested a reset.  To do that, I needed to answer a question: What was the name of your first pet?  I typed in Smoky, that didn't work.  I typed in Smokie.  That didn't work.  So I called and learned it should read "Smokey".  Then, I got the following email:

This is a notification that an unsuccessful attempt was made to reset your 

myPay Password online effective 08/29/2014 at 09:58:02 Eastern Time using 

responses to your Security Questions for Password Resets.  If you did not 

take this action, contact a Password Administrator at 1-888-DFAS411 or 1-888-332-7411, 

Commercial 216-522-5096, or DSN 580-5096, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. 

Option 5 is for myPay questions or issues.
 

 I thought the reset password would come in an email but it comes snail mail.  Oh this is frustrating.  I did ask Health Alliance (whom I canceled in 2011 for Blue Cross under a threat to be dropped as a provider) to mail me a termination statement which will take awhile because of Labor Day.  Saga continues.

I went to a Brown Bag Lunch "Reveal" of the remodeling of Edwards Place.  It was interesting the way Erica defended Edwards Place (over Iles House) as being the oldest house in Springfield.  Her slide of the Iles house in poor shape being moved boosted Edwards Place as being older.  She also explained the problems she found with archeological facts.  For example:  there was wallpaper found in the old kitchen.  Now why would they wallpaper a kitchen with a fireplace stove and soot?  Hypothesis was that they didn't and the wallpaper was later or it wasn't a kitchen afterall.    http://restoreedwardsplace.blogspot.com/2014/08/that-mysterious-arch.html
There is another today.
http://www.museum.state.il.us/ismsites/main/events.html

We, the Soldiers Aid Society, got a nice thank you note from the crew at Looking for Lincoln for working at the State Fair.

I went to the Arthur Cheese Festival.  I rode on an Amish Buggy by a standard bred 4 year old horse named Amy.

Long way to go for groceries.  I got whole wheat noodles, peanut butter,  fruit twists, rhubarb nut bread and pickled sweet watermelon rind.  I noticed that the cheese was already in the refrigerator and missed a photo opportunity.

I bathed my dog and took her for a walk to help shake it off. About 3 feet in front of her, she saw a cicada in flight and caught it in her mouth. It's her favorite snack but very seasonal.

I'm so proud of my son Alan, who can be seen at 1:26 on the video:
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=601546869877088

Here's a link to the interview that I had with a reporter for the Alestele  when I helped with the Rocky Horror Picture Show at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.
http://www.alestlelive.com/lifestyles/article_bcb73b26-2cb3-11e4-aeb7-001a4bcf6878.html

I watched a movie online:  Cheyenne Warrior (1994)
As war is brewing between the Union and the Confederacy, Matthew and Rebecca are travelling west to start a new life in Oregon. Along the way, they stop at a remote trading post, where they meet up with some Cheyenne Indians. Though the Cheyenne are friendly toward the pioneers, Matthew doesn't like them and warns a group of hunters that hostile Indians are preparing for an attack. In the confrontation that results, only Rebecca and a single wounded Cheyenne warrior named Hawk are left alive. As the winter closes in, and the two are forced to rely on each other for survival, they begin to understand and even feel affection for each other.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d30uekCLdZk 


I picked some carrots and eggplant from my garden.  One of my eggplants was a twin.

I don't seem to be too successful at eggplant Parmigiana but if I do it saute like buttered carrots it works. 

Monday I sent a box to a lady soldier after receiving her assignment from the Soldiers Angels Ladies of Liberty team.