My Week

Tuesday I gave a presentation to Iles School on the Soldiers Aid Society.  I passed around some hardtack.  When one of the chaperones returned it after everyone had a chance to see it, she showed me a worm that was commonly found in hardtack.  I just shook my head.  Afterward, I waited for Kat from the Old State Capitol's wardrobe room.  She said she wanted me to try something on and I could see it was my old (what I considered hopeless) Confederate Braid Dress on the dress form.  I had pretty much given up on it since the waist was not right.  I waited until 1:30.   I saw the dress on her dress form along with another.

In the evening I went to the Sangamon County Historical Society's presentation on Oak Ridge Cemetery, the second most visited cemetery in the US.  One of his slides was about the newly dedicated gate that Lincoln's hearse entered the cemetery to the receiving vault.  Michael Lely's presentation used this photo in his presentation taken by Donna Catlin.

The speaker said that this was a picture of Jon Austin and an unknown reenactor.  A few in the audience knew it was me.  I just didn't want to break the presentation.  Besides, many women during the Civil War era were not that forward.

Last Sunday, I let my son's dog out while he went to Peoria to help paint his brother's house.  I caught him eating rabbit turds.  Now, I just caught Sophie eating bunny beans too.

Wednesday I got dressed and hauled my props over to the Sangamon Prairie Reception Center as a guest of the Christian Womens Group. I believe they enjoyed my presentation but I'm my own worst critic.  I forgot my wind-down closure.  Afterward, I went to pay a bill that was late for my trash haulers still in my period dress.  I said I had an excuse but she'd probably not be interested.  I came home, changed, and was going to take in a last minute run through of senior discount day at the goodwill when I realized I left my purse at the Reception Center.  I got it and went to the Goodwill.  I didn't get too much.  I found a necklace and an aluminum folding table.  The table is a little shabby but very light weight.  

This is Ash Wednesday.  There were 3 services but I missed the first two because of my excersise class and the presentation so I went to the 6:30 service.  It was packed.  "Turn away from sin and believe in the Gospel" was said as the ashes were placed on our foreheads. 

Now I know that the Gospel says "When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites." Mathew 6 but this is "My Week" for my reminder.  Besides, this is the end of the day and I won't be a show off outside my own blog.  At the end of the service, Fr reminded us to wash it off before we lay our heads on our pillow.  

We Rise Again from Ashes

http://youtu.be/iPi9j0yuPUM 

Thursday was also very busy.  
I am part of a discussion group called Living the Eucharist at church  at 10:30.  
Then in the evening, bang bang bang in a row. 
I went to the Lincoln Monument Association meeting at 5:30PM
I went to the Veterans book group  discussing the book Soldier from the War Returning by Thomas Childers at 6:00 PM
ABATE at 7:00PM
During the ABATE meeting, Josh's daughter passed me this note.  I think she meant Rose instead of Ruth.

Friday I volunteered at the Old State Capitol in the afternoon.  I gave a few tours and got a book on the funeral from Prarie Archieves.  I took this picture in the Plaza.  Someone put a scarf on Mary Lincoln's statue. 

 My son was off of work because he was having carpeting installed.  Last weekend, both sons painted in preparation for new carpet.  Here's a before (from the realty list pictures) and after look.

A little more manly look for my son.

Saturday's workshop of our Soldiers Aid Society was canceled because of the weather.  A RECORD SNOW in Springfield! 8.9" by midnight broke the old record for Feb. 20 of 3.6" set in 1989.  By the time it ended there was 11".   We had a record snowfall for February 21.

  I shoveled and Sophie had a good time till she got cold and tiered then took a nice nap.  The temperature rose later in the day to 37 with sun so those that shoveled had a clear driveway and those that didn't until later had a heavy slush in their shovels while the sun dried mine.

I've been pulling off wall paper to paint my kitchen white.  I do a little section at a time but it's getting closer and closer to being ready for paint.  I may want to hire someone.

Saturday evening I was in a Trivia Contest with friends of ABATE having a table.  It was a fund raiser for Senator Andy Minar who helped fix the wording for our poker run bill.

 Dellanne took this.  Well we didn't win but we sure had a good time and nice refreshments.  Next time we need someone with a sports brain.

Sunday I was the first reader at Mass. It is the first Sunday of Lent and I read about God's covenant. Gen 9:8-15


Afterward I went to the ABATE swap meet at the fairgrounds. I got a nice hip bag from this vendo.

Fuzzball and Rose playing with Sophie at the swap meet.  Fuzzball is NOT the dog but a road name for the girl.

I took Sophie for Therapy Dog Test in the afternoon but nobody showed.
http://www.capitolcanine.com/calendar/tdi-testing/
I came home about 4:30 and emailed the tester and she said she canceled because of the weather and I wasn't on the list.   I had an email from Jan 23d with the date for testing.  I could say I was very disappointed but I said earlier that I feared her passing the test for "not jumping" on people too.  Next test is April 12th and fees were never mentioned.  There is a 6 month Therapy Dog Class in Springfield with Joe Blankenship for $165.  There's a one day orientation at Darnfar Ranch for $135 but does not include the certification.  It is 80 miles away.  I'm loosing my motivation fast.

Monday morning was frigged.   This will end my small supply of firewood.

My Week

I'm now on the 2015 registered participant list for the 2015 Lincoln Funeral reenactment.  You can see the complete list here:
http://lincolnfuneraltrain.org/reenactors.ph

Very sad that I can't get the Honda or Yamaha motorcycle or Toro mower to start.  I got a new battery in the Honda in August.  Battery was bone dry in the Yamaha.  I have receipt from 2012. I got the battery out and took it to Mr Battery. He said it was dry and will never recharge.  They sold me a nice maintenance free battery but it was the wrong size.  I took it back and they discovered the error.  That would have kept me from being frustrated over not being charged.  They said that even their competitors would not have a maintenance free battery in this size.  I put it in and it's really tight getting the screw in there.  I held it using a needle nose pliers. Then I see sparks.  Now I am dwelling on the problem with a bottle of wine and looking over a half unfinished wall paper removal feeling frustrated and depressed.

 

I got cold walking Sophie. She sniffed out some huge size dog turds. I picked them up in my bag along with Sophie's turds. If cow chips make good fuel, do you think these would go well in the fireplace?

I had my appointment for an Ion Foot Bath. The offer I used is here but now expired.  
http://greaterspringfield.nimbledeals.com/deal/springfield/15-for-an-ion-foot-bath-a-30-value-1-1-1 

 

In the evening I went to our AMVETS meeting.  Our commander is having college this semester and our treasurer was in the hospital.  Outside of that, we still had a pretty good turn out.

Thursday morning I went to the Lincoln Tomb because the American Legion had an annual pilgrimage.  I was in my period dress because in the afternoon I danced for Lincoln's Birthday at the Old State Capitol.  When I came home, I changed clothes and went to a meeting of the Catholic War Veterans.

Saturday morning was calm with snow.  That didn't last long.  The snow melted but followed by bitter wind.  It was actually warmer walking my dog in the snow than later in the day with the sun.  I have a fire in my fireplace. Static has been a problem both sewing and petting the dog.  I stopped by Regency Care Center to visit Charlie Barber who is a WW2 veteran in our Catholic War Veterans post. He's needed care since he had Pneumonia and has difficulty with his balance.

Sunday I checked in on my son's dog while he went to help paint his brother's house.  I went to a fundraiser for Penny Roscetti.  There was a good crowd.  Many Leatherneck Motorcycle Club members from surrounding states came as well as other clubs and ABATE.  This is a great picture of her arrival but not a picture that I took.

I had my picture taken with her as well as everyone else.  She thanked me for coming.  I think she's smiling under that mask.

Monday morning was presidents day and there was snow on the ground.  I got up to shovel.  I understand that the snow got deeper further south of me.  I wathched a movie with my son while he did laundry.  The movie was "Field of Lost Shoes".  The review did not look too good tut the Civil War Setting did interest me.  It's based on a true story.
https://thedissolve.com/reviews/1092-field-of-lost-shoes/
Then we watched "The Grey"
http://www.thegreythemovie.com/

My Week

Came home on Monday from a wonderful trip to Wisconsin to see 3 of my 4 my sisters.  I left with this in sight.

A packers themed bus near Soldiers Grove.  It wasn't alone but the only I stopped to photograph.  My car was a mess so I went to the car wash knowing another snow storm was on the way.  I just couldn't stand it and even loading something in or out would rub white salt stuff on my clothes.  I also sent two boxes to our lady soldiers serving overseas.  One was a vegetarian by the profile so I removed the jerky.

Tuesday I spent the day doing something I should have done a long time ago - putting my dolls up for sale.  I put a bunch of stuff on Craigslist and on Ebay Classifieds.  Here's the link:
http://www.ebayclassifieds.com/user/toga42
I got my utility bill and it was higher by $38.  I also got my cable bill and it was higher by $29.  I stopped by the office on Wednesday and cut HBO.

I'm still a little angry that Sophie ran from me when she slipped out the door in Peoria.  I found myself a little dejected when she ran to my son instead.  So back to basics. I got out of my closet the pinch training collar.  She thinks she's playing all the time.  Yes, she greeted me like she knew me as her owner coming back for her unlike the welcome she gives to everybody else.  She needs work and play.  Too much play.  She always wants me to play Squeaky and when she gets loose, it's a game of chase.  Oh but she's so cute.  She's gonna give me a heart attack.

Thursday night, At night, Sophie jumped off the bed. Moments later, I hear little light noise like crawling under the bed. She's not under the bed. I still hear the movement and looked under the dresser. Not there either. Where could she be? I found her in my wooden clothes hamper and the lid must have closed on her.

Tuesday I listed things for sale on both craigslist and Ebay Classifieds.  I took photos and posted back and forth.  Here are all of the ads.
http://www.ebayclassifieds.com/user/toga42
Wednesday I made my usual rounds.  I found some knickers that would go well with the German blazer that I got the week before.  I stopped by and turned off HBO since my cable bill increased after a year introductory offer.  The bill went from $73 to $104.  Next month should be about $84.

In the evening I went to a meeting of the Legion Riders.  It was cold and snowy.  I brought the bowl and Styrofoam to place the mini flags that I retrieved from  the wreaths at Camp Butler.  The mini service flags were embedding in the Wreaths Across America wreaths.  I'll have Dave deliver to Gary Sigler who presented our POW wreath.

Thursday evening I went to a presentation by Mark Depue and Robert Davis.  It was a bit slippery getting into my car after that.   There was a good size ice patch by the curb.

Friday I volunteered at the Old State Capitol after a winter hiatus.  Even still the tours were slight but I was fortunate to see the setup for the following day's presentation.

  Pedestals date to 1901. They held Lincoln's coffin during transfer from the vault to the current memorial.   More about the timeline can be found here:  
http://www.lincoln-assassination.com/bboard/index.php?topic=1222.0

 It's amazing to be that close to history.  I was able to be close enough to touch just to see what the make up of the stands were.  At first I thought it looked like leather but it was silk and velvet.

Saturday I went to the Old State Capitol for a presentation on the Lincoln Funeral.  We were asked to add atmosphere by attending in our period dress.   I wore my widows weeds.  We are not permitted to wear widows weeds during the reenactment of the funeral in May.

The first part of the presentation had a lot of facts that I already knew but he put them together in their relationships like mortar between the bricks. I did not know that Lincoln visited the opened vault of his son, Willie, monthly.  Death was thought of often.  Most did not live as long as we do today.  It was the most elaborate funeral related to the White House because of Prince Albert.  Each city along the route was more elaborate than the last and the hearse better than the last city's not to be out-done.  He even covered 5 different conspiracy theories.  The respect to return the dead to family cemeteries with honor prompted the increase in modern embalming.

 Sunday morning we had Mass at Little Flower Church with the Catholic War Veterans.  Afterward we had breakfast at the Knights of Columbus hall which was a fund raiser for Special Olympics.
The weather was real nice, 55 degrees, so I tried to start both motorcycles and the lawn mower.  Nothing works despite being on trickle chargers.  I took the seat off the little bike and the battery looks new and put the full charger to it as opposed to the trickle.  I couldn't start either motorcycle.  I can feel the charger's vibration but the needle hadn't moved in the last 12 hrs.  I had red on red and black on black but someone suggested just grounding the black one.  trying that now.  Battery looks new and clean.  Records indicated that I bought the battery 5/10/12.  Saga continues.  It will get cold again and I fear I missed a window for a winter ride.   A warm day is predicted this week but not for long.

My son fixed my Oster wine opener.  There was a bit of cork stuck up there that would not come out nor remove the cork from other bottles til that was removed. Life is good.

My electrician should be over next Friday to fix my ceiling light over my fireplace. 

My Week

Tuesday evening I went to a presentation by Johnathan Reyman on his experience at the Civil War Reenactment at Brice's Crossroads.  Ahh he even included the jigger bites.

Wednesday I did my usual bargain hunting.  In the evening I went to the Interveterans council.  I was the only one with a camera so I captured this picture after the new officers were sworn in.

Thursday I had my oil changed before my trip to Wisconsin to see my sisters, et al.  I asked about the corroded battery cap and I was told that they didn't clean them but I can just pour hot water with a little baking soda over it.  I tried it later and it worked.  While waiting for my car to finish, I noticed that the man who had just left had dropped his debit card and the Jiffy Lube looked him up in the computer for a happy reunion.  Afterward I went to Lowes and got a new screen filter for the hood of my stove.  Then a new battery for my watch (this was before cleaning the corrosion off my car battery who told me the same), and then stopped by Joannes for a peice of foam for a patriotic array of flags.  Hopping that those Wreaths Across America mini flags will go in this array so we can present them to Gary Sigler who represented our POWs.

Deep down inside, I know I don't need another Civil War dress but I did need a cool Summer Sheer.

I will definitely have to be accurate on the underpinnings because they will show through.  Awaiting for this to arrive to try it on.

I went to a book signing at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum for a book named "Mary Lincoln:  Southern Girl - Northern Woman".  It was a good crowd.  I couldn't find my wallet since it fell from my purse in the car but that may have been an omen because the book was $35.  I looked at the book from my seat in the auditorium and it is in very fine print.  The Q and A was dominated by Katherine.  I can't even recall what that question was about.  While there, I took these photos of an original apron since I am working on making my own patriotic Civil War Apron.

It says this is for a girl so the apron for a woman should be a pinner instead of a shoulder strap apron.  What amazes me is the variety of styles that the red-white-blue had on these patriotic aprons.

Friday after exercise class, I packed the car and headed to meet with my sisters in Wisconsin. On the way up I dropped off my dog with my son in Peoria to sit for her.   I saw two Amish buggies in Wisconsin.  I arrived in Viola and went straight to the high school where I met my sisters in the parking lot.  We went swimming while the men went hunting a coyote (seen but not shot).  I went off the diving board with a test of a plain jump then I dived three times.
That evening, we took pictures:

And some of you thought I was silly....

Saturday we went to run a few errands, including the city dump. Their neighbor was there at the same time and he was going to dump a rifle cabinet which I claimed and gave it to my son.  then to the ski jump.  See the website:  http://snowflakeskiclub.com/ 
I got in free because I am a veteran.  We met Nikki, Dan's daughter, there.  She recently completed her registered nurse training. 

 We had a ride on the horse cart around the lot.

The fur trader:

Ginny swapped out her knit head band for a rabbit fur cap at the fur vendor.

My favorite pose at the end of the ski jump of my sister in her fur cap doing "the stance".  I had never been to one before and was afraid of getting cold digits.  Thanks to my sister's boots and hand warmers, I was just fine.  Note to self....get boots like that. 

At the top, we met a friendly skier from Minnesota.  I blew it.  I'm ashamed.  In an effort to be inquisitive, I asked the omen of a question.


One of the winners with 138 meters from Finland:

My sisters, who both color their hair, asked if I would submit to them for a hair color.  Only your sisters would notice that I needed it.  I didn't know.  Sow we stopped by Walgreens.

Saturday night it started snowing.  Dan gave my sister and I a ride on the the snowmobile and I believe he got up to 100 MPH.  The farm is now known as the Kinsey amusement park.  Then he tied the toboggan on the snow mobile just like my dad used to do when we were kids on the back of the car.  At least Dan didn't go too fast.  We still tipped over a number of times.  Plus the rope and leather will need to be repaired.

Even the cows were snow covered:

I had planned to stop by Boscobel and see my other sister, Gloria, on Sunday on the way back but because of the snow, it was not safe to travel.  I was in no hurry.  I'm retired and the only thing I'd miss would be my exercise with the seniors at Powerworks but instead I got to watch the Superbowl with my sister.  Did you see me in the half time show? I was a shark.

I left on Monday and I stopped by my sister's work briefly to give her the same things I gave my other sisters:  A purse, chocolate and a jar of Slawsa.   I also gave her a dozen of eggs from our sister, Ginny.  I asked her co-worker to snap a sister shot.

I like the way she did her hair.

Roads were worse in WI but leaving Prairie Du Chein my GPS took me on the Iowa side down to Davenport and the roads were clearer.  I didn't see cars in the the ditch until I got near Bettendorf. Then I started seeing them, cars in the ditch (including a tractor trailer)but I stopped counting them because is saw one being pulled out by a towing service and saw more where tire tracks had been so the count was futile.

I saw a 4 eagles.  I stopped at the Illinois Visitors Center near Quad Cities and they have an Eagle just my size.

 The visitor center had a nice overlook of the Mississippi River.

I stopped by Alan's work before picking up my dog and dropping off the rifle cabinet.  It was brief but nice to see Justin before his deployment.  Sophie was happy to see me and remembered me too.  Especially since I've only had her about a month.  It reinforced that this is a forever home.  But then, it happened again, she slipped out the door and ran and I chased and she played.  Sophie was picked up by Alan safely.  I got home in time to unload my car and get over to the Hoogland Center for dance practice for the upcoming Lincoln's Birthday ball at the Old State Capitol.

This has been a memorable week and this blog will lock that memory.