My Week

Monday evening I went to dance practice.  We are practicing for Lincoln's Birthday Ball.  This is a new one that I haven't seen anywhere else and it's called Harvest Home.

Tuesday morning I got up early and missed senior exercises to help clean up the wreaths at Camp Butler. That was exhausting. I saw hoof prints from deer. Then I saw deer droppings on a grave which I brushed off with an evergreen branch. I found a cherished note to a loved one that read: "Merry Christmas Mom and Dad, Hard to believe it's already December. The holidays are never the same without the 2 of you. We talk about you often and share memories every chance we get. I think you would enjoy this picture of my grand kids. How you would have loved seeing them. I know you both watch over us - don't ever stop. Love & kisses to you mom & dad. Forever Missed!"

So I got out to my car to unload and Sophie slips out the door. She runs down to the end of the cul-de-sac and I thought I had her cornered when she slipped between an unlocked gate. Nooooo! She found she could slip out the back end bars too. I chase and chase. Finally hopped in the car with the leash to the next block over. More chasing. I thought I had her pinned down as she was admiring the smell of some other dog's shit. Nooooo! Chased her again and she went into someone else's yard that had the gate open. This time I got in it and closed the gate. This yard's fence had less gaps. When I got home, I walked her in and out the door on the leash about 5 times to show her the proper way. She was pretty dirty. She deserved a bath. I gave her a blow dry. I'm considering taking a curling iron to the Pekinese tail of hers.
— feeling annoyed.

Wednesday morning, my senior sneakers group went to IHOP after exercise to celebrate a belated birthday.  I brought coupons for IHOP and we used them all. 

Had a nice meeting last night at the Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC).

I announced the Veterans Book Group on Feb 19 and the Feb 28 anniversary of the first Gulf War at the Military Museum.

Before I went to my yoga class, I had a nice Skype video with my sister Patty.  She told me that our sister's house is for sale.  Gloria and her husband Dave built that cord wood house with environment in mind.
http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/Ferryville-WI/113652336_zpid/31554_rid/43.470861,-90.842857,43.223692,-91.278191_rect/10_zm/1_fr/
I put the used wreaths in the shed that were in my car and it felt rather nice out.  Later I attended a Patriot Guard Riders mission at Camp Butler and my toes got real cold.   The fire truck ladder hoisted a big American Flag at the entrance to the cemetery.  The deceased was a Vietnam Veteran and Gold Star Father of Jonathan L. Gifford who was KIA on March 23 2003.
https://www.patriotguard.org/showthread.php?399021-John-Gifford-USA-Vietnam-Veteran-Decatur-IL-21-22-JAN-15

Friday, after my exercises session, I went to the Old State Capitol for  Looking for Lincoln Workshop.  That should be good for 2 hours of continuing education towards my CIG.  

I've started steaming the wall paper off my kitchen walls.  That's a good winter project a little at a time.  However, if the weather is nice, I'll do some work in the garage as a priority. 

There's a squeakie toy in Sophie's Micky Mouse that she got from the pound but she can't squeak it. She bites the nose and not the forehead of the stuffed animal. Boy does she like that little hedge hog from Meijer. She is so smart that she knows how to get my attention away from my laptop to play wither her by hopping up and pulling out that magnetically attached power supply. (the battery still powers but you know what she's trying to do).

Saturday I went to Yoga 101 at 9:45.  Came home.  I stopped by and paid my condolences to Betty Nichols at our American Legion Post for a celebration of life.  Then briefly stopped in at the tail end of a meeting for the Catholic War Veterans of IL.  Then the biggie!  I was at the Old State Capitol from 2PM-8:15 assisting with the 7th Annual Slow Food Springfield Film Festival.  I did get an organically prepared meal curtsey of Troy from the Bear Creek Farm and Ranch.  I picked up a few items at Meijer on the way home and filled my gas tank.  I was tired.

Sunday I made a nice oven baked pork and burned it.  I put my nativity away in the attic and put out my Passion figures. Well, I'm in the process of pealing wall paper. I'll do a section at a time.  I'd like to have the kitchen walls lightened up.  

My Week

I am so glad I went to the Inaugural concert.  I was not familiar with Buddy Guy but I am now. I especially liked his new song "I'm 74 years young" which he changed the last verse because he wrote it 4 years ago.  Amazing. Video here:  http://youtu.be/Y099Wjk-jTo

These weren't my pictures but someone else's whose were better.
I shared a video of the First Couple's dance on Facebook and from the comments, guess who's  an opponent of the new governor? 

"Immediately on entering an assembly-room, all thought of self should be forgotten. The ridiculous ambition of endeavoring to create a sensation, either by dress, loud talking, or unusual behavior, is greatly to be condemned, while the effort to monopolize a certain portion of the room during the evening and of forming exclusive circles where general unanimity and good feeling should prevail, is decidedly reprehensible."
SOURCE: Ferrero, Edward. 'The Art of Dancing;" New York: Published by Author, 1859; pg. 107. copied from: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CWBallroom


I just realized on my way home from exercise that my car turned over 100k on the way home from the concert.
Tuesday I went to our Womens Overseas Service League luncheon.  I also gave away some bottles with clamp down seals on freecycle that I had been collecting.

I'm in a photo in the Illinois Tourism catalog that can be viewed online page 12.  I remember that it started raining at the end of this photo shoot.  The complete tourism guide can be found here:
http://www.enjoyillinois.com/travelguides

Wednesday I had lunch with Michael at County Market.  Instead of salad we had chili.
In the evening I went to an Amvets meeting (at a different County Market).  Glad to see a long lost member show up.  I got the post cards from members that were returned "undeliverable" and did a little late night research.  Hope we can get their addresses or status straightened out.

Thursday evening I skipped out on an ABATE meeting to go to a Civil War Round Table discussion.  Topic was the reconstruction of the Old State Capitol. I had my NAI CE paper signed as proof of attendance.

Friday  I took advantage of a coupon for Meijer so I got my wipers with it.  I had dinner with the OWLS at Edgar's Coffee House this eve.  Afterward we played game.  I played Farkle.  Rita won.

Sunday I went to a board meeting for the Lincoln Monument Association.  I was elected to the board of directors for 2 years.  Not sure what I'm in for on this yet but it's an honor to be a part of the Lincoln Tomb Association during the 2015 sesquicentennial of Lincoln's death.

I got home in time to see the end of the football playoffs while changing for the 114th Illinois Regiment's Commander's banquet at the Chesapeake Seafood House.  I just finished the Bertha collar but it is a bit low in the back.  I just don't want to corset up to fully try that on you understand.

Monday morning, Sean and I went to see American Sniper.  There was a long line this MLK holiday because school was out and many left the line whey they announced that Paddington sold out.    Well Chris was the perfect American and I cried at the end.  I remember seeing the Patriot Guard and recalled the people along the road on escorts that I'd been on.  It is very upliftying to see fellow Americans mourning a soldier.  Chris Kyle is a true American Hero.   I remember images of the funeral in the football stadium in the news with that photo of him and his wife on the stand.  I remember the speech she gave at his funeral.  That video is on Youtube here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4qcV5ia1-Q
Her tears are so contagious.

I watched Comanche Warriors on the History Channel and would like to re-watch it.  They talked about Cynthia Parker who was captured but became wife of Peta Nocona and their son became Chief Quanah Parker.  A battle was fought at Battle of Palo Duro Canyon.  That's where Frank took me on our honeymoon.  I also watched Sherman's March on the History Channel.
http://www.history.com/shows/h2-specials/videos/shermans-march?m=5189717d404fa&s=All&f=1&free=false

My Week

Monday afternoon I attended a continuing education program at the Lincoln Home about Mary Lincoln.  I was at a parking meter and got ready to add a quarter and realized the meter said "FAIL".  There was a coin stuck inside and wouldn't budge.  I parked for free.  The lectures about Mary mentioned that she did she refer to herself as "Mary Todd Lincoln" like history does but her son, Robert, also had a wife named Mary.  We were shown a delicate cap that Mary made for her servant as a wedding gift.  It was a cap with very fine detailed slip stitches.  I was amazed.  I also learned that there was a form to document the training for renewing my certification.  After the presentation, the snow has begun.  We got about an inch.

I saw as cry for jumper cables on facebook and came to the aid but the truck didn't start.  Meanwhile I noticed corrosion on my own battery.  I took a wire brush to it but it could use professional attention next time I get my car serviced.

I renewed my membership with the NAI early to take advantage of a price increase.  Apparently I was a regular member instead of a volunteer/retiree so now that's fixed and I had a lower rate.  I think I paid too much because everyone else in this class at Lincoln Land was an employee and I was not.

I signed up for some continuing education later in the month for this certification.

Wednesday, after exercise, I did my thrift store shopping.  I found some exercise clothes and a Vera Bradly purse.  There was another lady who saw me looking at it and sad "that looks like a Vera Bradley bag".  I told her it was.  She said he full time job was listing things for sale on eBay.  So I wanted to see how much my $5.50 purse from Salvation Army was on ebay and search for similar items on ebay here are close for $40. This is it:

Thursday I helped out at the Old State Capitol.  There were only 2 visitors from O'Fallon.  It was so cold and they were looking for someplace close and indoors to do.  Justin was being interviewed about tourism in this weather.  Later, I asked him about the reception on Monday for the Governor's Inaugural at the Old State Capitol and that my last email said "more to come".  I had sent a follow-up email and left a phone message and got no response back.  He told me that they had to limit the volunteers to only four and apparently I didn't make the cut.  I was disappointed but tried to keep my head on straight.  He said that they had to get the names in  for  background checks so it would be too late now anyway.  Funny thing is that I attended the inaugural ball for our out-going governor four years ago by invite to a member of the Womens Overseas Service League and I brought my son with me. Deep down inside, I would be MORE HURT if invited out of pity instead of the fact that I'm a great volunteer.  So I am OK with with being stiffed.  So I decided to be positive and went to the Inauguration at the Prairie Capitol Convention Center only to learn I needed a ticket.  I was given a business card from a staffer who said it was sold out crowd but that I could view the inauguration from the Hilton overflow room and he'd email me tickets to the the Inaugural Concert by Toby Keith.

 

  I'm glad I went.  The speech was out standing and the pledge was given by Gold Star kids that made me smile.  I got home and emailed the staffer about the tickets and they were emailed to me right away.  I also noticed a picture on the Old State Capitol's facebook page with the following caption, "Today come tour the Old State Capitol Historic Site and meet and greet #IL Governor Bruce Rauner and First Lady Diana Rauner."

  

I thought it was a closed reception event by the way Justin was speaking to me about getting back ground checks and limitations to attend that afternoon reception.  I don't miss going to that reception after being stiffed.  I ended up being happy with the audience at the Hilton where we could openly comment on the speech and concert tickets to boot.

Thursday evening I went to our Catholic War Veterans meeting. We prayed and I needed that.  Thursday was really cold. 

So I did some power cleaning.  I filled my fireplace with thorns that would have been impossible to put in a yard waste bag.   That's a lot of trips in and out of the house however.  I even burned an old magazine rack that I never use.   I cleaned behind my stove and you can imagine that chore.   I dropped off some items at church for the food pantry and snapped this picture for my family who supports the Green Bay Packers.

Saturday I watched a movie on Youtube called "Against A Crooked Sky - Full Length Sexy Western Movies "Against A Crooked Sky" http://youtu.be/it0eUOMk658

In the evening I had dinner with my sons at Buffalo Wild Wings as it happened to be Sean's birtday on Sunday. We watched football.  When one game was over, we went to Doug and Christine's house to watch the next playoff with friends.  I tried a wine that was a blend of all the reds:  Merlot, Cabernet Sauvingnon and Sirah blend.  Later I had to see if there was a similar blend at County Market and found this:

Sunday morning I went to Mass at the cathedral with the Catholic War Veterans.  The bishop  presided this service and it was the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus.  I prayed to get over my pride for being turned down at the inaugurals as that wound was reopened by an email from a volunteer that got selected.   (which we now know turned out great)  On the way home I bought cheesecake and cream puffs at HyVee for Sean's birthday cake substitute.
I celebrated Sean's birthday watching football.  He was supporting the Cowboys and I the Packers.  We all know the rest of the story.  Moe and Sophie played in the back yard.  At least I think she was playing by the way she barked at him.  It was obvious Moe was doing the playful paws pat-down play bark but Sophie stood there still and showed teeth.  She'd get upset and chase with a vicious bark but it could be play.  I'm not sure and neither is Sean.  We just don't want Moe to go vicious on her because of their size difference.  Sean is very diligent about keeping Moe's behavior from turning pit bull.

Monday I woke to snow.  It was only and inch.  I noticed the neighbor at the end of the cul-de-sac had shoveled and realized I better to prevent a pack down and slip. 

Moral of the story for this week, don't sulk at home but act out in forward/positive ways that you can control and everything will work out in time.

My week

Tuesday, after my exercise class, I took Sophie to her first veterinarian appointment.  The Vet said Sophie is in good shape. I got drops for her eye because it is red and the inner lid is folded out a bit which may never go away. It's an inner lid and is said to be cosmetic. He thought she'd be a good candidate as a therapy dog because she submitted willingly and affectionately to the exam.

Friday was up to 37. I took my Christmas lights down while I could. Last year the stakes were so frozen in the ground that I couldn't get them out till late March. 

Boy Sophie's personality is showing. She plays with that stuffed flea. Scared up a rabbit in the back yard.  She scratches are on the inside of my painted front door. She loves a rub down with my damp towel after a shower. She was outside and I heard this scamper through the house and she had that chill on her from outside. She had a burst of energy looking for me.

New Years Day my house got colder and colder.  That darn furnace.  I just had my battery changed in my thermostat on our first cold day in November.  See previous blog.  I hate when things don't work.  Bob Bergman came just before 9AM and as soon as he got to the door, he had a call from his wife who couldn't start the car.  He left and came back shortly.  He unhinged the utility doors and examined the furnace.  He then blew through a couple of the rubber tubes and declared it working.  He rerouted the same tube in such a way that there would be little sediment.  I'm happy $90 later.  He told me that these Hi-Efficiency heaters need to be checked annually.  I mentioned that my water heater was in the budget because it has a date of 1995 on it and the neighbor had to change theirs in less than 8 years when the street work was done.  He told me that the older ones seem to last longer and I should let it ride.
This made me a little late for PowerWorks group strength exercise so I used the equipment and when the strength was done, I joined in with the yoga group.  I noticed a need to get a new sports bra while there.  Good excuse to shop so I went to Meijer and found something nice on the sale rack too.  Also found a nice and discounted lemon Merengue pie. Hey, I saw Doctor Sheedy there working out.   
The weather was nice so I knew I had to take advantage of that.  I put the Christmas up in the attic and trimmed the roses so I could put thorns in my fireplace.

Saturday I went to the Old Courthouse in St Louis for a French-American 12th Night Dance.  Here is the Program:

A young couple got engaged at the ball.  How sweet to follow the old tradition mentioned in the flyer.
I put together my own outfit for the occasion based on Jas Townsend.  I found skirts  (layered) from the Goodwill, I made the fichu from a thrift store nightie, and the blouse, shoes, cap I had.

I helped the dance caller lead a column for the grand march (since her other half usually does this and was busy).  I especially enjoyed watching the "Dance Couple"
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10204626724500804&set=o.660432490719333&type=2&theater&notif_t=video_processed

Afterward the volunteers went out to dinner at Sister Cities Cajun and BBQ restaurant.  I had a spicy salad and seafood gumbo.  Yum.  The heat from the spice made it linger in the mouth.

Sunday I read the first reading at Mass.
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/15_01_04.mp3
The temperature dropped and it started snowing.  We only had a dusting compared to further north.  I fixed steak and barley risotto for me and my son.

 I know we can make small talk with our dogs.  Sean's small talk is funny.  He talks football to his dog.  "5 yard penalty Moe".  
This is going to be a cold week and they've already postponed this quarter's "Unaccompanied Burial Ceremony" at Camp Butler.  My little dog insisted on going for a walk in 9 degrees against my wishes but she did make it worthwhile.
Well in late1880's the record low was -22.