My Week

Wednesday lunch with Michael at County Market and since the hospital is so close I dropped off my questionnaire at the volunteer office.

At 3 PM I was part of our Chatham American Legion color guard for the re-dedication of the WW1 memorial.  It was moved from North Grand Ave to Oak Ridge Cemetery with the other state memorials.

https://www.sj-r.com/news/20190925/in-rededication-donor-felt-wwi-memorial-needed-to-be-done
he World War I Memorial currently lists the following names. If you recognize the name of a family member, we encourage you to attend the ceremony on September 25th.

 Note that on the west wall, there's a woman's name that died in WW1.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/76020988/geneva-e_-casstevens?fbclid=IwAR0_E-Nw-7SkJY28EYV1GhEZF6R817k7mgYmghBL1qjyeBuwmo2xXBGQ0co

Amber's Halloween Pumpkin costume came in the mail.

I went to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum for “FACT VS. FICTION: World War II Movies”.
https://www.facebook.com/Lincoln.Museum/videos/803393853412404/

Very interesting but I had to leave before it ended so I could make Amber's Agility 101 class at Capitol Canine Training Club.  Amber was introduced to a new obstacle, the tire.

Friday morning I went to an orientation training session for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum.   It looked like a busy day there because of the busses and film crew.

Saturday morning I went to yoga class and we had a substitute instructor that was equally as good.  I went to the Wimmer Cemetery for their "Light up the Cemetery" fundraiser.  I had my "Off" clip on fan for the insects but apparently that doesn't work on knats.  the video I took is rather jerkey.  This lady was the best of their presenters and the only one that did not read a script.


Then I went to the Chatham Jaycee's Octoberfest breakfast in the park. I cleaned up the sun room which it had been too hot earlier.  

Amber went on her second therapy dog visit to the nursing home.  She entertained them with her tricks.  I had to call her a few times from wondering off and say "leave it" to some food on the floor.  She settled in nicely and the people seemed pleased.  She demonstrated "paws on a bucket",  sit, down, come, stay, sit in box, spin, shake, high 5, roll over, bang-dead dog,  kiss on my cheek and playing piano.   I am having difficulty having Amber carry her basket.

Sunday evening I went to the 114th Regiment's 50th anniversary banquet at the Northfield Center.

I bought the book about the 114th to keep up on the factual information about the unit we support.

I had some trouble with the front of my skirt being too long.  This dress has both a day bodice and a ball gown so dancing could change the length depending on the occasion.  The "skirt lifters" (little ties) were not helping and looked sloppy so I solicited some advice.  So when I got home I tried the advice before undressing.  I added an extra petticoat to pull the skirt bottom up.  It worked except that the petti showed so I can fix that by tightening the waist band hooks and shortening a bit.

Peggy spoke about the Soldiers Aid Society's role in supporting the 114th.

Monday I just got some chores done a little at a time since it was so hot and especially muggy after the scattered rain showers.  There was even a small tornado north of here in Lincoln.

My Week

Tuesday morning I skipped exercise because I was expecting a plumber to check the hot water on my washer. I had wanted to wash my chemise that had a coffee stain and realized after playing around with the faucet knobs that there was no hot water to the washer.  In fact no water passed when I turned off the cold faucet.  The results led my plumber to believe that the problem was the washer dial not allowing hot.  You see, the hot switch doesn't function at all.  The warm does.  So if I ever need hot, I'll boil the garment on the stove the old fashioned way.

At 9:30 I took Amber to our foundations class.  She did pretty good...except for that turbo run around the room.  Lisa Schmit has a PhD in physical fitness which is applied to agility.  She had picked Amber up and told me she could loose a pound.  Things like this happen so gradually.  On Thursday, I took my dogs on a nice visit to the vet. Nice meaning no poking or prodding ...just a weigh in and comfort in that surrounding. Amber was 19.4 and Sophie 12.4.   I didn't see the vet. I call this a "nice visit to the vet" 2 fold: get used to the office environment without stress and weight check. 
breeds. Sophie is right where she should be for a pekingese but Amber is 4 pounds over for a border terrier according to the standards here: https://www.petcarerx.com/article/dog-breed-weight-chart/267?fbclid=IwAR20qXhxZp56vM-25H401Rs_DhjUGdPE9f3PrXD3iajirckuTn_JPhce7Pk
I was surprised to learn this.  I have cut back on her food and rewards for training cut in half.

I had my physical in the afternoon and everything is fine.   Dr Sheedy was pleased with my BMI.  I got a shot ~  Pneumovax 23 25 MCG/0.5ML Injection.  Then on Friday I got my Flu shot at church.  Jim Kunke sensed I was nervous about getting a shot so he nudged me on the shoulder to distract me from staring at the man getting a shot next to me and of course...I screamed.  Sunday he asked me at church if I was mad at him.  Looking back, it is funny.

Wednesday I had an appointment with the hospice volunteer coordinator at Memorial Hospital.  I did a little of my shopping and then at 5:30 went to the Capitol Canine Club for rally practice.
Thursday consisted of Yoga-2PM Reflections - 6pm CW round table ~ 9pm Agility class.
I took Amber and Sophie on a "nice visit to the vet".   Nice visit because no poking...just a weigh in. Amber was 19.4 and Sophie 12.4.  Amber is overweight. 
https://www.petcarerx.com/article/dog-breed-weight-chart/267
 Then I went to our Civil War round table. I came home quickly for my 9PM agility class.
I was stingy on her rewards because of her newly aware weight problem.  She was introduced to a wobble board and a fit bone, a ladder, and poles.  A helper would rock the big teeter and the sound frightened her.  The helper would calm her with words and petting so she would get use to the mechanism.

Friday was trash day and out went an old recliner that Amber had chewed in her younger days. 

 I tried to reduce the size so they would pick it up and also maybe a few pieces of firewood.  That was hard.  I wasn't able to save much of it for firewood.

I replaced it with a bench by my window that I got through LetGo.  I put a cover on in and let the dogs sit there to look out my window.

Friday afternoon I helped with some crowd control at the Old State Capitol for naturalization ceremony.  It was a bit of a challenge to segregate guests of the new citizens from those wandering in for a tour.

Saturday morning I finished altering and sewing a patch on my my navy blue Catholic War Veterans blazer.  CWVs recently switched from light blue to navy since there were so many variations and shades in light blue and difficult to find that color blazer.

I went to the library to hear a first person reenactor of Elizabeth Kekly.  This was her display.

Afterward I went to Paws-A-Palooza.  Chatham Paws-a-Palooza is a pet friendly (on leash) and family friendly event hosted by Chatham Friends of the Park promoting pet adoption, responsible ownership and pet welfare.    Entry fee was $5.  Initially I had both Amber and Sophie but when I saw the schedule of events for a costume contest, I came home to change.   I had an my arm band to come back for the costume contest.  The park had some great kites flying.

 We didn't place in the costume contest.  That just shows how good the competition was.  Besides, I didn't need to win any doggie cup cakes.

News media report on the event here:
https://foxillinois.com/news/local/village-one-step-closer-to-dog-park



Sunday's Mass theme was about being a good steward.
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/092219.cfm
Courage, justice, and temperance are wonderful virtues, but without prudence, they are blind and finally useless. For a person can be as courageous as possible, but if he doesn’t know when, where, and how to play out his courage, that virtue is useless.

After church I went to the Clayville Fall Festival.  Here is the Broadwell Tavern.

Overlooking the porch at the events below

Historical plaque by the DAR

My station that I set up.

The door behind me leads to the porch where my display was.

Have a nice week.

My Week

Tuesday I had lunch with the ladies of the Women's Overseas Service League.

Wednesday of course was 9-11 and we were asked to wear red white and blue.

I went to our AMVETS meeting Wednesday night.  I had perch for dinner there at the Chatham Cafe.  Our Sergeant at Arms was ill and she usually brings the flag that we salute so I took the window flag from my car.  I mentioned this to the owner that it would be nice to have a flag in the meeting room and she said she would look into it.

Wednesday I got my reject letter from Thereapy Dog International  for the TDI evaluator position.

I worked over a year to get the necessary minimum experience they require on the evaluator checklist of requirements.  This includes going thru a probationary entry membership in the Capitol Canine Training Club, adopting Amber, numerous classes, weeks of time assisting other trainers, 4 AKC titles (Canine Good Citizen,  Novice Trick Dog, Rally Novice and Rally Intermediate).  I spent so many hours on Monday afternoons from July - March observing Lisa Potts private training sessions in her home. That was not enough to please TDI.  She was the trainer for TDIEVA Sophie since there was not availability in the local obedience classes before the next TDI test. Lisa Potts would not write a letter of recommendation after all the time I spent with her.  I have paid for Rally Advanced trial on Oct 11 and some upcoming agility classes and shall look no further.  I am now feeling "sour grapes". 

I started to take apart a recliner that was chewed up in Amber's early days of training.  I've been wanting to do this but was holding off.  Now is the time to work off my madness. 
This will bring closure on her past behavior.

 
Meanwhile I'm going through hospice orientation for Memorial Medical center .  There are some pretty lengthy videos online and my completion is recorded.  In addition I get a background check and lab work.  According to TDI, this is for experienced dogs.  That would mean Sophie goes.  I do plan to phase Amber into this after her first 50 visits.  Sunday  I took Amber on her first TDI visit to Reflections after Mass.  I cleared this with the activity director a week earlier but she will be off on Sunday.

Thursday was a busy day.  Yoga was a bit shortened because the instructor's father was not well and her shoulder had pain.  Then at 10AM I had my follow-up appointment on my hearing aids and had a tune-up.  The tips were changed.  He also used a camera in my ear and said I looked good.  I asked if he ever saw any "bots".  He said he has seen little spiders in ears with the camera.  They fall from bedroom ceilings.  He also saw ticks on more than one ocassion and the person didn't even know.  In the afternoon I took Sophie on her visit.  Then at 7pm I went to the Catholic War Veterans meeting.  I had to leave that a little early since it usually runs over an hour so I could make my 9PM agility 101 class.  

I was the only one that brought a bucket. There were not enough for all so someone used mine and the dog peed on it. Of course the rules involve the owner to clean up but I sanitized it when I got home.  I know about the scent drive and I do use this bucket inside.  The buckets from the club were smaller. I should get a small one to get her to put front paws on one and feet on another.


Had late practice Thurs night at 9 for Amber. we are in Agility 101. I think we are ahead of the rest of the class actually. Then I was busy with 2 back to back exercise classes. then I got a PayPal payment for 2 of my barbie dolls to ship.. I picked up a new small bucket at the tractor store. then had 7pm Ring Ready obedience training

Saturday morning I took Amber and Sophie to Southwind Park for  APL's first annual Donuts and Dogs 5K Fun Run.  I did not pre-register and there was a long line for those that did not register in advance.  So we went to visit the booths. Amber got a doggie massage which was really good for her because she seemed skeptical (shy) at first.
This is not Amber's massage but another dog by the same masseuse.  I really think the doggie massage was good for this budding therapy dog.

 Amber was interested in the balloons

 Nice photo op at the with the sunflower that doubles as a solar energy source for the park.

 Mini waterfall and off course they both got in the stream.

Afterward, I took the dogs to the Cool Cruzers car show since I wanted to see the booth for our Legion Riders and Wreaths Across America.  I also ran into Peggy and Dean there with their car, Gertie.   She snapped this photo of me and the girls hiding in the shade of a neighboring parked show car (not Gertie)

 In the evening I went to Gordmans to pick up some hula hoops for my dog training.  These are a little hard to find at the end of the season.  While there I saw a rug that was in the sale rack with no price tag.  I inquired and was offered a decent price and said I'd take it so the man brought it to the register for me.  When I checked out, he only charged me $1 with the condition of "no  returns".  Heck yeah!

Sunday I was the first reader at Mass.  Listen here:
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/2019/19_09_15.mp3

Well it's kinda like those parents who take pictures of their kids' first day of school. This is Amber's first Therapy Dog visit. She's not much for laps but the residents really enjoyed her tricks. She played piano, paws/feet on bucket, roll over, spin right/left, obedience walk around, basic rally work, dead dog, roll over, hi-5, and demonstrated "leave it". We need to learn more tricks!

My Birthday Week

Tuesday started with a early morning drop off for Sophie at Vi's Pet Parlor.  That pretty little bow did not last till we got home.

 Carla said that Sophie was well behaved.

 Then I got Amber's TDI credentials in the mail.  Now to arrange her first visit but it will be a lot different than Sophie's visits.  I think Amber would perform for people more than sit on laps.

For my birthday, I went to exercise in my tiara on my birthday and our Powerworks masters group sang to me.  I had breakfast at Hardees.  Since I only have an estimate of Amber's birthday, she celebrates with me.  I put on the little dog tee that says "woof it up it's my birthday".
I got a call from my brother and sister.
My sons gave me the humble, affordable gifts I asked for plus an apple watch. I was really surprised because I didn't want them to go all out like that.
We had dinner at Sun Tai and it wasn't crowded because of the big high school football game in Chatham.

My sister gave me a gift that I was sworn not to open until my birthday.  She lovingly made me a sister banner.

Thank you to all who remembered my birthday, all 160 wishes on Facebook!  That doesn't count the comments on other birthday wishes, just the post count.  I hope I posted "thanks" on each one.

Even Google home knew it was my birthday.  "Ok, Google when is my birthday?" She knew!  But when I asked her to sing Happy Birthday, she sang perfectly but not personalized.

Saturday was beautiful.  I walked the dogs and did not have my Apple watch on to count my activity so this is an experimental day.  I did get a facebook message on there and I like the way it gives me a little jolt on my wrist.  Especially nice if I don't have my hearing aids on and when I got a phone call.
I went to yoga.  I took Amber to Petsmart for free sample Saturday and then I went to the Marbold Farmstead in Greenville for the artisan fair.

 

Loved this trailer that sold shaved ice.  "A bonfire is just a redneck night club",  "More Cow Bell", "Junk Yard Survivor", "My mason jar has runneth over", "my Ya'll is authentic",  and

"There's no way everybody was kung fu fighting".

     

Amber had to behave herself.

 

Afterward I drove through the town off the highway and saw this cute Marbold building near the square.

Sunday I had Mass with the Catholic war veterans.
Luke 6:1-5
In short, he is claiming that he is above their rituals, even perhaps the defining practice of pious Jews, because he is the Lord. Thus the rules must be placed in subordination to the kingdom of God, the kingdom that the Lord Jesus is ushering in even here and now.

Then I went to the "Ride to Remember" but of course I no longer do the ride.   I've attended many times before.  There were some raindrops.  Here's a video taken behind my back.

Here's some I took

The approach to the capitol building had an huge overhead flag welcoming the procession. Intersections were secured by police as we went by.

 Motorcycles lined up for the long way to the capitol.

 Pre-departure briefing short and simple.

 Roady said the departure prayer.  He prayed everyone safety three times.

 Sunday evening, Amber thought it would be better to have fresh water than that of the bowl on the floor.

 So I end this on Monday after Sophie's nice Therapy Dog visit today and VFW meeting.