My week

Now we have butterflies all everywhere.  Fall began this week.

My picture from last week's presentation at the OWLS potluck that can be found in our church Bulletin here:
https://content.parishesonline.com/bulletins/01/0164/20160925B.pdf

Tuesday, Curt Woods and his son David stopped over about 11:30 but I was hoping to be first on the schedule.  The cause of my drain problem in the bath tub was the stopper connector corroded right off and the plug was just down there.

He said he can fix it but that he'll put a cover over the lever part and just use a rubber plug instead.  That would save $400.

Tuesday evening I went to the Sangamon Auditorium and saw a musical of Dirty Dancing.
Wednesday's good find of the day at the Salvation Army: A nursing pillow for Sophie. It's like the neck pillow only bigger.

As I clean and move things around the house, especial photos and documents, I found an farewell card from Tinker AFB from Don and Ip Pun Urtz, Barbara and Anthony Urtz from our parish at Tinker AFB when I had organized a social dinner club. Frank and Don became good friends. I decided to search to see if I could find him and instead I found his obituary. http://newsok.com/article/1927426

I did contact his daughter and she said her mother died in 2011.  Closure!


Thursday evening I went to a presentation and book signing by Gen  Borling.  It was very interesting and detailed so I hope it's eventually on YouTube. 
Some of what he discussed can also be seen on this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITzCGzLzENU

He recognized the WW2 veterans in the audience (there were 3).  Then he recognized the Korean veterans who raised their hand.  Then he recognized Vietnam and Vietnam Era veterans and I raised my hand.  The lady next to me said "You were in Vietnam?" I whispered "era".   Later I thought, I know we mention the various wars as "eras" but with Vietnam we seem to segregate "Vietnam Vets" from "Vietnam Era Vets" more distinctly that it has to be mentioned separately like it's another war or something. 

Friday afternoon I went to see Ken Serfass as US Grant.

Saturday I went to "Kites in the Park" and tried to get my para-foil kite up but it was much too calm a wind.  Even the experts kite flyers (I think they were from Chicago) weren't flying.  In the evening I rode Wheezer over to the VFW for an open event/bon fire with chili and hot dogs to celebrate September birthdays.  I didn't stay long because I wanted to be home before dark. 

Sunday I was the first reader at Mass:
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/16_09_25.mp3
Then I went to a PGR flagline for our gold star families.
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1101659254288&ca=48864000-b777-4daa-a8cb-a4ee81b591df
Here I am in the flag line and getting a hug from one of our Gold Star mothers.  It's really special when I intend to honor our Gold Star families and they really appreciate it. Most humbling for us. I think of them outside the flagline too.  I cherish this.

Here is the news coverage of the Gold Star Day events in Springfield at this link.  You can see me in the flagline at .30 seconds.
http://newschannel20.com/news/local/families-of-fallen-iraq-war-soldiers-recognized-at-special-event

In certain circles, I'm know as Sophie's mom.  I ordered her pet costume on eBay and I hope she can keep this hat on.  I fear I may need to get a one piece costume that covers the head and won't shake off.  Stand by for the answer to that question.  Besides, the model is a stuffed animal so I'm not to optimistic.

Sean got Moe a lion's mane last year and Moe couldn't keep that on.  Maybe Sean could wear it.
 

My Week

This has been the week of a full moon.  A nice one at that.  
Tuesday more painting with touch up Wednesday morning.  Perfect amount of paint without any leftovers.

Thursday I was finally able to go to exercise class and Therapy Dog visit.  
Friday I helped give tours at the Lincoln Tomb and the Illinois State Amvets came through with the National Commander.  I also met an old coworker, John Halvorson, from Edwardsville's Public Works when I worked there part time through college.  He said he still hasn't retired.  I explained that I knew Donna Ely had retired and was invited but I had a conflict.

In the evening I was the guest speaker at church's OWLS (older wiser lovable seniors) pot luck.  I brought Sophie and my DVD and talked about the Therapy Dog program.  I was a little nervous because I didn't know how well received we'd be and I don't want to push my little "lover puppy" on others because others think their dog is the best in the world just like I do.  Well it went over better than I thought it would.  There was a comment in the church bulleting which was obviously printed in advance.  See page 2 subject "Thank You"
https://content.parishesonline.com/bulletins/01/0164/20160918B.pdf

Saturday I went to a meeting of the Soldiers Aid Society but didn't stay for the whole event.  I then went to volunteer to assist with the Military Family Day at the governors mansion in period attire.

After the Family Day, I went the the state AMVETS picnic.  That was related to the visit mentioned above about the national commander of AMVETS being in town.

There was so much going on Saturday that I had to make some decisions.  One that was cut wast "Pets at the White House".  I took Sophie there last year and this picture of her with a little girl was part of the event's promo.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=getekjve6s8

Here I am at the Governor's Executive Mansion volunteering for Military Family Day. I helped at the table where kids made flags with Popsicle sticks.

Here is a group photo of the ladies and First Lady of Illinois (in the green shirt).  There was a separate photo for the guys.

Sunday I rode to church, then to the anniversary party for Suttons who will be doing my sun room in October, then the Ride in Honor which was cut short for color guard for a funeral at 4PM.

Here's our group photo taken at the Spaulding memorial.  Where's Rose?

Two weeks ago I had Curt Woods plumbing repair my kitchen sink. It looks like my bathtub needs the same thing. It's draining slow and when I put the snake down to check for hair, I pulled out a chunk of corroded metal just like the kitchen had. Hopefully on Tuesday.

I've made arrangements for a family photo on Oct 12th at church for our church directory.  Folks told me that Sophie should be included.

My Week

My birthday started early with Eric painting my bedroom.  I want to get that done before my new bed that I ordered comes in.
I had 174 birthday wishes on facebook and some were not counted because they were comments on my profile photo (a rose with a birthday image) that was changed for the day to reflect the occasion.  I had a great day.  We got a good start on painting the bedroom, I had a TDI visit,  a steak dinner and went to see the new Ben Hur. Happy later with my wine.  I got bedding for my new bed, Victoria Secrets panties, a hand made zipper bag with scented, and peppermint shower gel.  I got lots of nice cards too.   I got to meet the new director at Reflections on her first day. 

Since I did have a birthday cake, I started a cake craving the following day.  As I went to the store, none of the cakes seemed appealing or too much of everything.  Then I ventured down the frozen food aisle and there it was:  Peppridge  Farm Lemon cake on sale.   Perfect answer ~ serves 8.  AKA 3 days for me. 

I got rid of a lot of full size sheets since only the guest room uses them now. I got 2 sets of queen. I had 7 pillows in this house and the boys gave me 2 new ones for the new bed for my birthday. I kept 3. Goodwill will not take used pillows either.

There was no painter Thursday...he doesn't drive and his wife drives him but she's got medical problems. She's prone to seizures.  Showed up after 9am on Friday when they said 8.  
Monday I figure since he was always after 10AM when they said they'd be here at 8, that I could go to my 8AM exercise.  Wrong.  I'm out a whole day until Tuesday.  I cancelled a TDI on Monday and Womens Overseas Service League and TDI for Tuesday for the painting.

Friday evening my mechanical bed was delivered.  I sewed a pocket in this stuffed snake I found at a thrift store to hold the remote.  I figure I could always find the tail of that snake somewhere in the bed easier than a loose remote.  Notice the steps for Sophie to get into bed.  This is the bedding was my birthday present.

Since this photo was taken, I dropped one of my angel pictures. 

Now I don't want you to think the rest of the house is in order because there's still painting going on and curtains to hang.  The hallway was partly finished by Friday's end and to be finished next week.  I've had to cancel some of my Therapy Dog appointments for this.

Funny how the realization that it was time for a new bed, led to painting the room, then the hall and living room, then new blinds (the attachments were yellow and brittle and breaking), new outlet covers next, and cleaning curtains, cleaning the newly emptied linen closet and lining the shelves.  I'm grateful to Sean for putting up the mini blinds as I was frustrated putting screws in.  Instructions said "easy".   Then I was looking for an extension cord in the back closet and a light bulb broke everywhere. Putting curtains back on the rods is like putting on socks with a hang nail.

Saturday I went to the New Salem Traditional Music Festival. I'd like to thank my neighbor for hooking up the back of my dress.
It was the first time that I volunteered there but not my first visit. I was told in advance that I'd be stationed at the Hill Residence with Mary Dissler whom I knew so that was a good pairing for my first time. We instead were at the Isaac Burner house. 1830s hair is higher on top of the head too and I wish I had a picture without the bonnet.  I was using my own hair rats on the sides.  I still could improve on the hairdo but it was better than most who just hide it.

One of the men outside the Burner house made his own instruments.  He had a dulcimer and I can't remember the name of the other instrument which he played with a bow.

 This is Kathy in the Kelso House.

Her husband and Michaela.

Just as I was leaving after 4PM, I met a former coworker there, Dave, who took over my duties when I retired.

Sunday morning I rode my motorcycle to Mass with the Catholic War Veterans Memorial Mass and had to leave right after for the Ride to Remember 911.  There were a lot of bikes.  There was a drone overhead recording it all.  Here's a picture of me with one of the historical musical reenactors, Bethie Rogers with her car in the background.  Between Mass and the depart, I got there about 20 minutes before we took off so I didn't remove all my gear for that short time just to put it all back on.  I mean look, helmet, glasses, sunglasses and now hearing aids which I don't wear while riding.  She had mentioned the day before while at New Salem that she wanted to tag along in her convertible. 

See if you can find me in this crowd of bikers at the capitol just before the program started.

The couple in front with matching shirts are in the newspaper link below.  I heard the reporter ask their name.  Here's the news article that estimates over 700 motorcycles participated:
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20160911/ceremony-parade-in-springfield-mark-anniversary-of-911-attacks

My arrival at the memorial is at 1:10 on this video:
http://wtax.com/news/101101-911-ride-to-remember-returns-to-capitol/

The house across the street that has been for sale all summer is getting a new roof.  I also noticed that they had a sign that the home was inspected by "BeSafe".  I guess the home inspector didn't check the roof. Maybe that's why other homes in the neighborhood listed later have sold sooner.

Sunday evening I cut my grass and nearly finished when I needed to make a gas run.   My utility bill last month was $101 and this month it was $172 and I also get a small senior discount.  I believe the rates went up.  I know it was hot and the a/c was on but we also had a rate increase.

 

My Week

Tuesday night we had our last flag lowering ceremony at the Lincoln Tomb for the season.  I decided to wear my first period outfit, the rational dress or also known as bloomer costume.  I thought it might be better since we had a picnic gathering at one of the member's home afterward.

Sandy Temple had twisted my arm to play the bloomer girl in "Mr Lincoln's World" around 2003ish.  The outfit in the OSC wardrobe room did not fit me.  Before this the role of the bloomer girl was played by Charlotte Oglesby and another lady.

The photo below is with Clara Wright who played the Irish lady and myself in the role for the first time.  I was still putting together a bloomer outfit based on photos and what pictures may have looked like.  Availability was a problem on short notice.  At that time, I found the polonaise jacket on ebay and it had an overskirt and cuffs. I had a black skirt on. The only bloomers available were white then.  This was a first picture of me doing this and although it wasn't too bad for the notice.  I probably felt humble with the more veteran role players in Mr Lincoln's World.

Later with author, Dr David Herbert Donald just before the candlelight parade at the opening of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in 2005.  (that was a hot day) I recognized him in the crowd with his son and asked are you ...Dr Herbert Donald?  I was a little "fan awed".  He was so cordial.  RIP dear scholar. 

 I found a lady who was shorter than me: Sharon Minor. Historically, people were shorter back in the day so we are just "historically correct". This was taken on Nov 6, 2010 at the Old State Capitol in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Election. By this time I had found a short black hoop.  I had bloused some brown velvet pants with crochet lace but I still am not satisfied at this point.

And today with bow and brown hospital scrubs for bloomers and black bow tie (above).  Looks more refined.

Tuesday through Thursday had a TDI visit.  One of the staff members referred to Sophie's tail as a "diva tail".
I mowed the grass and cleaned my oven and did 2 loads of laundry and still have a long list.

Thursday a check arrived for some Barbie dolls I have for sale on craigslist.  It seemed bogus because of the area code and the person to make the pick up I had googled was a felon from Florida.   The check was delivered to my bank rather than my home address which was good on my part.  I took the email and check to the police.  Once the mail was signed for he tried to contact me via text (which I didn't recognize but it was a Louisiana area code).  The check was from a business in Pennsylvania.  The Chatham policeman said there was nothing he could do but I turned it over.   When I got home, I received text from an unknown area code in Louisiana saying urgent.  It was him/her.  I explained it was turned over to the authorities and then blocked the number.

Thursday's weather was better for yard work.  I mowed the yard and weed whacked.  I removed the fence around the vegetable garden.  I cleaned my oven and fixed some summer squash.  In the afternoon, while on a TDI visit, Sophie's tail was described by a staff member as a "Diva's Tail".  I have to agree.

Friday evening I went to visit Ron Otken who is in the hospital and then I went to see Godspell at the Hoogland Center for my birthday.

 Boy, these young people could really belt out the songs.
More photos here:
https://www.facebook.com/donna.lounsberry/media_set?set=a.10209158244089072.1073741961.1109033224&type=3

Sunday I started the little motorcycle up and it started just fine.  I let it run about 10 minutes. I turned it off since it's air cooled and it was too soon for a planned to ride it to church.  Well time came to ride to Mass and it didn't start but made the "tic tic" sound so I had to hop in the car. A few moments on the trickle fixed that and in the evening I took advantage of it.  I was hot, and I started up the bike for a ride around the neighborhood to cool off before I drink my wine. It dried my sweaty forehead off. There was even a horse and buggy in the neighbor hood that I stopped to pet. Conversation was difficult because I don't ride with my hearing aids. Darn, when I got home, there were a few gnats floating in my glass of wine that I left on the porch.  I had to pour another glass.

I'm not sure if this 60 second of happiness will be visible to the public:
http://en.nametests.com/test/result/rose/anm_2138101086/index_new/?t=1473025067

I'm preparing to have some painting done in this house.  This was all motivated by the free space between my old bed and new bed that's on order.

My lovely Birthday eCard from a Texas niece:
http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=6305462337358&source=jl999&utm_medium=internal_email&utm_source=pickup&utm_campaign=receivercontent