My Week

What a week! I had my air conditioner off most of the time. How's that for July?

While giving tours on Tuesday, I got a call about my sister Kathy that she would be entering into hospice care. This is weird because I learned via a phone call at the same location a few months ago that she was diagnosed with stage four cancer.  I hate knowing she's suffering.  I found a chair for tomb that fits decor and accommodates a hoop.  It doesn't wobble and I got it at the Goodwill for $9.

I've been needing extra patience for dog training. We are making head way though.  I found out that Amber likes the hose.

Thursday evening I went to the Civil war round-table series. This is the eighth program in a special 12-part series: “Illinois and The Civil War.” Next to the Lincoln-Grant partnership, the Grant-Sherman team was the North’s “A Team” in leading the country to victory. Sherman from Ohio and Grant from Ohio and Illinois, despite their personality differences, formed a powerful bond that creatively found ways to win the war.
  
Friday I was at the Old State Capitol in the afternoon for History Comes Alive.  Afterward I went to the VFW and had fish while I waited to conduct the quarterly audit as a post trustee.  I was pretty tired after that and wanted to let Amber out of the kennel.

Saturday I spent most of the day at the American Legion helping with our Ron Otken Memorial Hog Roast fundraiser for the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight.  I brought my flags to attract our customers.  Dinner was served with a free will offering.  We raised close to $4,000 for Honor Flight.



The hog roast got me to reflect on the time that I was a guardian.  I told Joan about getting the Christmas Card returned in the mail that I sent to Len.  I suspected I'd find him on this website. I added photos.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/187877009/leonard-joseph-schwarz

Sunday I did the reading at Mass.

Sunday I called my sister and she's not doing too well.  I don't have much to say in her condition so all I could think of was the memory of my first pedicure when Patty and I visited.   I told her that I still had some of the sparkly polish on my toe nails. 

We had a lot of rain Sunday.  We needed it.

All this rain has put a set back in the consistency of Amber's potty training.  Amber seems to obey better in the training environment than when I'm home training her one-on-one.  I did get out the pinch collar for her pulling.

I've been doing some closet cleaning and downsized 2 of my Civil War dresses that I no longer need.  I sold them through facebook online garage sales.  Let's working on clearing some more. 
I did take this photo at the Lincoln Tomb on Tuesday evening.  Its normally my camp dress but I added the bonnet to dress things up a bit.

Let's see what the first week of August brings. Blessings to all.

My Week

Wednesday was back to back exercise classes with senior strength and zumba.  Here's a photo of Karen and me during our "masters program".  My sister said I'm using the wrong form so next week we'll work on that.

I wore my Sunday best for the Lincoln Funeral Hearse photo shoot for an Illinois Bicentennial Photo taken at the original site of 4th and Adams.

Here you can see the photographer lining us up.

Here's the objective however there were non-reenactors in the photo along with federal military which are not in the photo.

Thursday I took Amber and Sophie to the dog park run.  They got to socialize and play.  In the afternoon I took Sophie to Reflections.  I usually make small talk and explain that Sophie has super powers that you get when you pet her and the power goes up the arm and into your heart.  One lady said "I was afraid at first".  In the evening I went to our Civil War bicentenial series lecture on road side historical markers.

Friday afternoon I managed our Soldiers Aid Society display at the Old State Capitol.

Saturday I had breakfast at Applebees as part of the Christian Motorcycle Association's fundraiser.  Since it was close to Big Lots, I picked up a few things.  Then I went to Edwards Place to help the students making Wide Awake banners.  There were 2 previous sessions for preparation for an Aug 4th Wide Awake parade but they were held the same time as our History Comes Alive on Friday which cut our staff split between the two.
I watched  a movie ~ The Revenant ~ on FX

Sunday I read the first reading.
 http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/18_07_22.mp3
I was then changed into my color guard uniform for the Peace Keeper's Ride. 

News media link here:
https://newschannel20.com/news/local/peacekeepers-honor-officers-and-ufc-hall-of-famer-matt-hughes

Monday I took Sophie on a visit.  While Sophie was on the lap, a lady asked me how I trained her to do that.  Funny, belly rubs and laps come natural.  It's the other requirements that were difficult for TDI certification.
https://tdi-dog.org/HowToJoin.aspx?Page=Information+Pack
 In the afternoon I went to see Lisa's private training sessions at her home. They were all agility related.  One thing I'm learning is that there's more to training than sit, down, and come.
In the evening I took Amber to her training class.  It was her second but owners came without dogs for the first session.  I go into the class with a wild puppy that's overly fascinated with all the scents.   Amber seems more interested in savaging for treats on the floor left by the previous class than what I brought in my pouch.  I don't know how I'll have the patience for the "loose leash" exercise.  She seems to enjoy the the "leave it" game with a treat in an open/closed hand and rewarded when she backs off. 

I finished my Service and Patriotic report for the Women's Overseas Service League and submitted my report.  I am the national chairman for that but disappointed that our unit was the only one that turned in a report.   Now to finish a nomination for Illinois 200 veteran nomination and a presentation on the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight for Daughters of the American Revolution in January.

My Week

Tuesday I tested out my PowerPoint program at Books on the Square for my presentation on Thursday. I later went and got an HDMI extender. Then I went to the Lincoln Tomb from 2PM -7.  We had a special visitor, General Grant, AKA Curt Fields.  I was also the master of ceremonies for the the flag lowering ceremony.  That was an honor.  Since I was rather busy between our special guest and visitors to the tomb, I was going to help Peggy take names for the recipient of the flag after it was lowered.  I only jotted down one name and his name was picked for the presentation!!!!

"Some 15,000 books have been written about Lincoln — more books, says Tetreault, than have been written about any other person in world history, with the exception of Jesus Christ." https://www.npr.org/2012/02/20/147062501/forget-lincoln-logs-a-tower-of-books-to-honor-abe

 Wednesday the dreaded dental check up.  All went well. 

Every now and then, someone will say I have a Milwaukee area dialect.   Huh!
Finally had a trouble spot fixed that often flooded my crawl space.  Thanks to Deep Roots in Chatham.

Can't wait for the next rain to see water come out here.

Thursday evening I gave my program on Civil War Widows and Orphans.  I had to explain why I couldn't do a widow in "first person".  If so, I'd be standing shrouded in a veil for 40 minutes saying little as was the custom.

I was a little nervous because this is a tough crowd of informed Civil War enthusiasts but I did clip this compliment.

Two U. S. Grant reenactors were present as well as the commander of our 114th Illinois Regiment which is parent organization for our Soldiers Aid Society.  I only saw one lady nodding off but there could have been other factors involved for her.

Friday I went to the Old State Capitol from 12:30-4 for History Comes Alive.  Afterward I came home and quickly walked the dogs and went to meet at Abe's Old Hat for dinner with four other veteran women before going to Theater in the Park at New Salem.  The musical was called "Distant Thunder" about the people that lived in New Salem.

Saturday Alan came over and I ended up dog sitting with three dogs. 

I'm beginning to think that Amber resembles a border terrier.  We need to learn our breed for the class.  I've been frustrated with her potty training.  She seems to potty outside then poo inside. Monday was our first obedience class and she amazed me.  Only 4 of 6 showed up.  Amber was a wiggle worm and I had to keep her away from the other dogs.  However, when it came to sit, down, stand and come, she amazed me.  I went from a bad day to a surprise ending.

He went to shoot targets with his brother and said he may be back around 2 or 3PM.  I made lunch for them thinking they'd be back.  I even left to go to the fiber guild demonstration on cording with a  lucet.  That was on their facebook for 12:30 but I didn't realize that a meeting preceded the lesson.  When the lesson started, Carol went around the room showing 14 ladies how to start the lucet.  She went around twice and both times she did it for me and then I waited for the next step left holding the string in frustration.  After she went half way around and I held this tool with no action plan, I got up and left thinking about the roast I had on low temperature in the oven.  Carol's instructions were copyrighted so I left the sheet there when I left.

Some day I will get this with a little more patience.  Once we had a Civil War Saturday and had kids do spool knitting and I was helping the kids but it was more like the blind leading the blind.  Most women reenactors have something they can demonstrate like knitting and I have NO SKILLS.  I felt useless.

Sunday morning's Gospel was Mark 6:7 about sending the 12 to preach the gospel.  Our sermon was about "The Trouble Tree".  I realize I'm a bit hearing impaired hence I have to look up the story to see if I missed anything. I'd only like to think of my own tree after a storm that drops dead branches. Next time I pick them up, I will be clearing out my troubles.
http://www.inspirationpeak.com/cgi-bin/stories.cgi?record=113

I had lunch with the Mary Lincoln Coterie.  It's a group of (mostly) women who want to keep alive the memory of Mary on her death day.

https://marylincolnscoterie.com/
Here's a news clip:
https://newschannel20.com/news/local/mary-lincolns-life-honored-in-annual-memorial
You may notice me in the front row for the program as I don't hear very well.  The event concluded with a wreath ceremony at the Lincoln Tomb.

I stopped to put a rose on my husband's grave on the way to the luncheon.  There was an hour between anyway.

Seems that Mary Lincoln has the same death day as my husband.
https://ivetret.blogspot.com/2015/05/biography-and-life-of-frank-connolly.html
Tad Lincoln was also close dying on July 15, 1871.

It seems it's so humid that my hair never seemed dry all day.

Well I don't watch much TV but this show, The Proposal, seems so dumb.  How can anyone propose over a short TV show when actual dating takes much more time?   Seems so unreal.

My Week

This weekend I was able to turn off the air conditioner.  Only for two days though.  Summer is back in full swing. Here's Tuesday's photo at the Lincoln Tomb prior to the flag lowering ceremony.

Update on the new dog:
Regarding potty training: I think it was concept of a matter of "if not in the house, then where?" so i put her poo in the yard.   Thursday, while at yoga, I didn't kennel her since she had a long early walk and I would only be gone an hour. She was out in yard when I returned. 💩 was at least in sun room. Now to watch for consistency.
She seems to understand "sit" and "down" but  not properly at the side like a trainer.  Many manners are still missing.  Like stay off the coffee table and sewing machine.  Get out of the dishwasher.  She is smart and whinny when I leave. She's

I was fortunate to get her enrolled in obedience class on Monday night for 8 weeks.  I'll have a busy time ahead of me.

On the 4th of July, I went to Mass with the Catholic War Veterans at Oak Ridge Cemetery sponsored by Staab Funeral Home and the Catholic War Veterans Post 1916.

Here's the news media link
https://newschannel20.com/news/local/mass-of-remembrance-held-at-oak-ridge-cemetery
 Fr Steve Thompson was a marine during the Cold War era. and seminarian Austin Quick is also a veteran.

Afterward I went to the Chatham Square for the 4th annual reading of the Declaration of Independence.  I was a member of the color guard.

I'm good at "present arms" and "dismiss"

Let me tell you, it was hot.
I took a little nap and then went to the Elijah Iles House for the Clara Irwin's Strawberry Party.  I helped serve strawberry shortcake.

Friday was busy.  Took Amber to get her spay appointment early. Then I went to Ron Otken's funeral at Camp Butler.  I came  for a quick walk with Sophie and change to go to the Old State Capitol for History Comes Alive with Sharon.

 Mary made a new banner for our group.  I absolutely love it. 

I picked up Amber afterward and somewhere out there is an adoption photo in period dress.
Saturday I helped out at the Lincoln Tomb to cover the lunch hour and break.  Then went to a program at the Military Museum.

Sunday I went to our CWV Memorial Mass at Christ The King parish.  Afterward we had breakfast at Amber Jacks.

Looks like my neighbors are moving out and soon the new will move in. So I'll have new neighbors on both sides and directly across in less than 9 months.  Feels weird.

I called my sister in California.  At least it's good to hear her voice.  She sounds good but......continued prayers needed.

My week

Tuesday Alan went to the hospital with chest pains and they didn't find anything so they kept him overnight. I called to cancel my volunteering at the Lincoln Tomb. I went to pick up his dog, Hank.  I walked him around the block before putting him in my car.    Now I had to get his garage remote from his car to get into his house.  He had installed a new combination lock on the front door but never programmed it. On top of that, he uses a door knob blocker to keep people out even if I did have a code.  If he's that conscious, maybe his should just board up the doors!  I was able to find his second garage door opener and kept it in case of a similar emergency. I canceled my volunteer activity at the Lincoln Tomb.

Wednesday I went to "Porch Chats" on 'Growing Up in Springfield' at the Elijah Iles House.

Now I think I came to an Ah Ha moment that I don't need to replace my second dog, Pearl, who died last November.   I had saved searches on PetFinder.com and what I want must be really popular because they are taken before me.  I had a request for Lusis locate in O'Fallon through "Once Upon a Prayer".  I was asked to provide my phone number but then I got a "bait and switch". I was texted this same photo of a dog called Cosmo who was also listed as Miko. Then told he was adopted.

Cosmo was then adopted and I was turned toward a schnauzer named Hank:

By this time, I felt a run around and this was all the same shelter.  The phone number I received texts from was in Joliet and not in O'Fallon.  Since I've been wanting a second dog since loosing Pearl and could not find the perfect one, that it wasn't meant to be.  When you pray for something, sometimes the answer is no.   THEN, Thursday I got a bulletin from a friend about a new arrival at Animal Protective League.  I call this text an "Amber Alert" because she was called Ember.   She's a cairn terrier mix or Glen of Imaal Terrier and will be one in December. Return is possible but she walks and is trainable. She is coming into her first heat but has a spay appointment for Friday, July 6. Only been a few hours and first few were in kennel. I was told she's not house broke. Previous owner couldn't keep her by landlord. Then a lady returned her after week because of intolerance to the potty training but a volunteer at the APL told me that lady expected a ready made pet. She's not real noisy....yet! There was a whimper in the kennel. 

She wasn't used to the booster seat.  Note the rain on the window.

I got her in the car in the middle of a nasty lightning storm.  They called her Ember but she doesn't know her name.  She may become an Amber because of the alert given by a friend and plus her amber color.  I also recently got an amber necklace on ebay that reminded me of the Baltic amber from Poland.  I got it for $4 plus shipping and it said glass beads but I think it's genuine amber.  http://polamjournal.com/Library/APHistory/Amber_in_Poland/amber_in_poland.html
My son doesn't seem to like the name Amber so I challenged him to come up with something better.
It's heavy too.

Here's her first time kenneled when I had to leave. She's not pleased.  However, she's quiet overnight.

In addition, I've asked my sister with cancer for updates.  She replies that she'd update after she gets news from her procedure the following day and then never does it.  I hate to ask every day. Now I learn she had multiple strokes.  I just don't know how to properly react to all this.

Look at this weather on Thursday, Jun 29, 2018!

Friday I went to the Old State Capitol.  I came home to let the dogs out and then went to Lincoln for the Railsplitters Ball.  Here's Amelia's Waltz.  I like the waltz.

Saturday night I went to see "Gone With The Wind" in Gillespie. It's just short of an hour drive.

It was a dress up party.  I loved these ladies outfits as plantation workers.  But most just did modern vintage look plus those red hat ladies.

They loved our Southern attire.  Trouble is that the theater was not air conditioned and there was a heat advisory this day.  There were ceiling fans in this old theater.  It's a long movie and I constantly fanned myself.  We got the real Southern BBQ party atmosphere for sure. 

 Some of the winners of the door prizes.

The show would have gone on till 11PM and with an hour drive ahead I was feeling a bit drowsy so I left a little early.

Sunday Moe met Amber (still not her permanent name).  She passed the Moe test.  I did fix lunch for Sean but warned him to at at the dinner table and not the coffee table because she hasn't learned manners yet.
In the afternoon, I went to the ball park for color guard opening to the Springfield Sliders game.  Scattered showers were predicted but looked off in in the distance.  Well after the national Anthem, I left and later is poured.  I heard on the radio that the game was canceled.

Looks like a playful pup....

I too was having trouble with her potty training.  She would pee outside but poop inside.  The potty training triangle recommended on "Lucky Dog" was not working.  Then, instead of scolding and cleaning up the mess, I put the mess in the back yard where I wanted her to go.  The next day it worked. 
I end this on a sad note of my older sister's poor health in decline.  She's gone from cancer to stroke to heart problems.  Her voice sounded fine on the phone though.