My Week

Well we've had our first snow of the season and I'm having lower back pain this weekend. 
The past few days I have had pain in my lower back (Sacroiliac).  It hurts getting up and down and bending over.  I exercise but it's not helping.  It makes sleeping difficult. Sunday morning I took a pain pill.   I remember dad complaining of the same thing but I don't think this is hereditary.  Is it?

Tuesday morning I went to the capitol for the Nativity dedication and laying of the statehouse wreath for Wreaths Across America.  I had put together a temporary wreath till the live wreath comes in.  I used the flags from the first statehouse wreath.  Somehow there was a flag missing when I got to the rotunda.  I couldn't find the Navy flag.  I rechecked the security area and told the guard I was looking for the Navy flag that was missing.  The female guard was in the Navy.  I retraced my steps back to the car.  Nothing.  That meant I had to go through the metal detector twice.  My belt buckle set it off. I had to get the wand.  Well the security guard said it buzzed in the right place where my buckle was.  Then I found the Navy flag buried in the branches and went back to tell the security.  Funny thing, the guard that was in the Navy was relieved but the other guard...well...he was in the Army.  This was a temporary that I made. The Nativity was a week earlier than usual and WAA is a week later so I had to improvise for the ceremony with an artificial wreath.

Well the Navy flag was buried.  I saw the gold tip at the bottom but the Army flag at the top did not make it to the capitol.  I just hate having an incomplete set of flags even after the live wreath arrives to  replace this artificial wreath I put together for the ceremony.

 To the left is the first Fallen Heroes Tree.  I placed the wreath by the flags on the right along with others that joined me from the audience having family members who served.  Here is the program:

Note the comments on the back of the program  regarding 12 states with Nativities.  If I recall, the first time I attended, the program only mentioned 3 other states. 

I got a patch that I ordered from Wreaths Across America and made a sash for the above wreath to identify it's purpose.  The patch didn't arrive in time for the ceremony so I will make another trip to the capitol.  I got the red and blue ribbons that were edged in gold from the give-aways at the Old State Capitol and sewed them together over a white ribbon.  I put the patch in the middle.

When I got home I had a brief break before the 2PM Therapy Dog visit. 

I arrived at the nursing home just the activity director was staging the residents around the lobby Christmas Tree.  I had time to put Sophie in her elf outfit for the photos.  The director's name is Holly.  She took center when we sung, "deck the halls with boughs of Holly"

HIPPA doesn't allow handlers to take pictures of residents but look at those hands.

Wednesday I just stopped in at the local Goodwill after exercise.  I walked out empty handed and that's OK.  In the evening I danced with the Springfield International Folk dancers as part of the Downtown Holiday Walks.  When I arrived, there was a reporter waiting for a live broadcast and he even got in on the dance and when he went on with his report, I stepped in to take his place.
http://foxillinois.com/news/local/downtown-springfield-holiday-walk-routes-and-specials

Thursday I had my eye exam.  I was asked (and puzzeled) to have a Macular test that was not covered by insurance at an additional cost of $15.  I had to learn more before committing.  Well there's no cure but there are preventative steps for those prone to it such as light blue eyes.  I had it done and was on the boarder but not in the green zone.  I was informed to use Systane Balance and to eat green foods like kale, paprika, and orange peppers.  I told her I had grown red peppers but that's the wrong kind.

Friday I volunteered at the Chiara Center to help with the Nativity Festival.  I wasn't sure what my assignment would be but I helped with refreshments at the end of the tour.  Last year I had an entry in the display.

Saturday I went to the Holiday Vietnam Memorial Remembrance.  I put one of the ornaments on the tree as the name of an MIA was called. 

After we left and the chairs and the podium moved, these little heart ornaments for our Illinois MIAs throughout the month of December.

I put plastic window seal on my window.  The cheap plastic didn't fit so I ran back to Ace Hardware for the pre-taped Duck sealer.
Then I put my tree up that I got at an end of year discount last year at ACE Hardware.  It's a pop up poinsettia tree.

Last year I had a pop up tinsel tree but I prefer a little more green that this one had in their display model. I gave all my blue ornament balls to the Goodwill. 

Sunday I went to our monthly memorial Mass with the Catholic War Veterans. Commander Noel and I took up the gifts (I can walk but getting up and down is slow and painful).   It was raining but after church the rain turned to snow.   This was the heavy with big snowflakes.  Last year, Sophie didn't mind going for a walk in all sorts of weather. This year is different.  I usually walk Moe to the car when Sean leaves carrying his laundry but I had to have him make two trips because of my back and the slippery conditions.

I found someone interested in my Honda Aero for sale.  He is a former co-worker and has ridden in the past but currently not licensed.  I referred him to watch the classes posted here.  Well the bike isn't going anywhere till spring so he will save up and enroll in the safety course when classes are opened in February. 

Ohh the pain.