My Week

 Seems like disappointment after disappointment.  Last week it was my exercise class. Three out of five were canceled.   A postponement in Amber's nose work class.  Instructor broke her leg in July postponing the class till August.  Then resumed and she postponed it due to a complication with her ankle and had to go to the clinic. Back again this coming Monday. Sometimes this box search game is not that much different than the "Muffin Tin Game".  I'm getting bored with it.

I got an updated DNA map from my ancestry.

Sean got the notice also.  So I told my sons "Feel free to marry anyone since the Connolly name is watered down"  This is my son's chart.

 

Tuesday I had my annual wellness exam and flu shot. BLOOD PRESSURE 118/60 BODY MASS INDEX 24.6 kg/m2 but now that I view online my medical record vitals, they have me an inch taller than what I measured. Maybe I'm fat.

Thursday my virtual yoga class at 8AM was canceled for lack of sign ups so I had just enough notice to get into a cycle class at 8:15.  

In the evening we took our AKC Elite Trick Dog Performer title.  Here's the video and the narrative is in the comments.   I will share it on Facebook once the certificate is in hand.

Amber's middle name is Ann. My sister was Kathleen Ann and born on Christmas Day.    Kathy passed 2 years ago in Aug and I gave her the middle name in her honor. I view this as a tribute to my sister.  Christmas was her favorite holiday.

I sold a couple of Frank's tools after the performance to another mechanic.  I don't know what most of his tools are or what they are worth.  This man came over hauling a BMW sports car on a trailer that he picked up in in Lincoln IL with a big truck so I know he was into mechanical repairs.   I was asking $10 for this crank tool but learned it was worth more and he was fair and gave me $25.  He found a few 2 things and gave me $35.  He went so fast identifying tools that I wish I recorded the names of each so I could record and ID them to fund over to Alan.

I watched a cartoon called "Tangled" on Friday.  They lived happily ever after.

Saturday afternoon I stood with the Patriot Guard for a chicken dinner fund raiser for the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight.   All meals were prearranged and I had missed the deadline.  However, by closing I was able to get a meal. 

 

Sunday I was a reader and Mass and watched "Enola Holmes" on Netflix.  I was curious to watch it after a friend on Facebook criticized the bustle dress for a 20-22 year old that was born in 1884.  Ok, who cares.  It was good and I'd like to watch it again. I fixed baked rigatoni for Sean and myself.

Some people just don't like the new Facebook but as an admin for a page, I hate it even more. Can't get a complete list of members in my group. Name search doesn't work in members tab. I can't sort on my daily scheduled posts by date anymore. So I got the plugin for the classic. 

Here's a new social media to consider: https://gab.com/

Half of my bathroom is out of power.  Fortunately it is not on the washer and dryer side. The outlet by the sink for my hair dryer and lights above are not working.  I've reset CFI and every circuit breaker in the house.  Looks like it's time to call my electrician.  So I stopped by Lowes to see if this would be a good time to upgrade the vanity lights and discussed it with a store representative.  He told me the pros and cons of LED and I think I'll stick with what I got.  I do like taking the dogs to Lowes.  Staff seems to like them also and the girls enjoy being petted in the shopping cart.

There's a sticker on my mail in ballot that I can peel off that says "I voted by mail" 

Well it looks like they are predicting a frost this coming weekend and the Farmer's Almanac is predicting a bad winter.

My Week

My Masters exercise group had three cancellations this week: Core, Yoga, and circuit.  I miss the motivation of group exercise.  I still got my mile walk in with the dogs.

Monday I went to the VFW meeting. After that I went to our 4th week of Nose Work class.  I had mentioned to Sandra that when Amber gets frustrated with the "find", she looks at me for help.  When it comes to nose work, I can't help her when she stares me down.  She did repeat this in class but it was a lot shorter of a stare down before continuing. 

Tuesday 36 Olsen pocketed masks and 2 another style sent to an urgent request in Idaho. 

Wednesday evening I took Amber to a private agility class in Rochester.  He rules ... not choke collar and I had come with a martingale chain collar to slip off easily on a run.  She let me get away with it this time but next time I need a regular collar.

Thursday evening  I attended a zoom webinar called "Belle Reynolds, Richard Yates, and the Politics of a Civil War Sex Scandal". Belle is the woman whom I've portrayed first person.  I was shocked at the slant toward the relationship of Belle Reynolds and Governor Yates as a sex scandal so I had to know what this was based on.  Apparently it was a slant by the governor's political enemies as a drunk and having a party boat. Belle is the young woman that I re-enact 1st person. I contacted the professor from IN and he said he did discover my blog research and plans to cite me as a reference in his book.

http://historicelsah.org/2020/08/the-lady-major-and-the-war-governor-belle-reynolds-richard-yates-and-the-politics-of-a-civil-war-sex-scandal/ 

I think the newspapers said they were in the woods together. Belle was religious, a school teacher, and nursed the sick physically and emotionally at Fort Donaldson so her heart was pure. She continued nursing during the war and later became a doctor. She left her relationship with the governor after he honored her as a major when she knew where it was headed politically.  In the end, James Fuller said he didn't really believe there was a sexual relationship although Gov Yates may have made advances.

Amber sniffin' Halloween butt.

Friday evening I took Sophie to open training.   She needs it more than Amber if I want her to finish Rally Novice on Oct 9.

Sunday I set up my Halloween decorations and went to Spirit Halloween store.  I picked up a plague mask.  It will be popular this year.  

I had a coupon and picked up a plague mask.  This was popularized during the Bubonic plague and black death in the renaissance.  I do have a medicine bag and flat hat to go with it.

Well I must add that this mask is breathable and can be worn with glasses.

So now we have a late mosquito season upon us.  I hate mosquito bites.

 

my week

Tuesday morning Amber and I performed "Amber's Christmas Story" at the sun room window at the nursing home.  The weather was much better than the last time it was scheduled.  I just did our tricks in order of the story which was read to them on the other side of the window so I'm not sure if we were in snyc. I think they liked it  because there was a request for her to do and encore walk across that ledge.

 

 

Friday I trimmed the shrubs by the side of the house.  I found a nest among the branches.  Shortly after dragging the branches to the street, they were picked up.  The village only picks up branches once a month. I tried to yank roots out with the old tie-out leash and that didn't work.   The lead broke.  Crap, I need a professional.

 

Saturday, both the Springfield and Chatham VFWs got together to do a ruck march for 9-11 remembrance.   Boy did it rain hard on these walkers. 

 

 

I did not do the whole 11 miles, just the last mile.  I did drive and meet them on the side of the road with my flag for encouragement and photos.  I was told that 2 vehicles drove intentionally close as to try to hit the hikers.  There was nothing political.  Just American flags and a POW flag.  We live in strange times.

 

 

 

I watched a 1951 movie called "the Cattle Drive". It's about a spoiled boy that missed his train and forced to tag along with a cattle drive where his spoiled antics didn't fly too well.

Sunday I took Amber for AKC ACT agility trial for beginners.  The first run was the numbers 1 - 10 in circles and the second run in squares.

I left thinking we had it but got a text from the judge saying we didn't pass the 1st.   We didn't pass the first trial because she didn't stay in the yellow zone at the base of the A frame.  However, we had the best time on the second.  

 I need to focus on my purpose, to have Amber entertain on Therapy Dog visits. That is most rewarding. The rest is ancillary to keep up with the Jones' brag. No ONE else understands these titles outside the dog training circle. FOCUS. I must admit, I really believe, Amber is having fun.

I fixed a vegetable beef stew in the crock pot since I won't have time tomorrow and prob be hungry when I get home. Smells good so far.

I watched a 1951 movie called "the Cattle Drive". It's about a spoiled boy that missed his train and forced to tag along with a cattle drive where his spoiled antics didn't fly too well.

My Week

Well this week is my 104th birthday and Amber's 3rd.

Wednesday I got a call from a florist that was lost trying to deliver from my sisters.  Aren't they lovely?

My birthday selfie with tiara after church with mask.

Alan gave me a video doorbell called "Ring" and even installed this new technology. I can feel the ticking on my Apple Watch when there's activity near my door.  I can remotely view the motion in front of my house.

Sean gave me an Android TV box similar to what he uses.    I guess he wanted more than my basic cable on weekends.  Win-Win for both of us since TV has been getting old during the pandemic. I'm really not interested in the exploitation of "The Bachelor" or the games. He gave me a fancy glass vase from the Pier One Imports store that is closing and a dash cam.  Boy he spoiling me with things 

Sean brought baked potatoes and salad.  Alan brought rib eye.  Since September is also Amber's birthday, she's going to get some rib eye trimmings to go through the weave poles.

Afterward we did our traditional group dog walk.

My brother sent me a cute card with dogs.

Gloria sent me a photo for my birthday via Facebook messenger.

I broke a glass and also a glass lid to a treat jar on my birthday.  I was barefoot too. 

Wednesday morning our senior strength instructor ditched the green mask I made for a chin face shield given by Ann. I see that these chin face shields are more for restaurant workers. https://www.amazon.com/MOTOTEKS-Restaurant-Protection-Protective-Environmental/dp/B086VR7N5J/ref=zg_bs_393327011_28/138-0176889-5593655?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=TKGFNADA931TV0DP3R5S

Since I broke the ceramic jar with "beanie fund" on it that I used in Amber's Christmas Story, I found a small cookie jar to replace it.  I also have a plastic one for practice.

Wednesday evening I attended Deb Auer's barn shed for agility practice. 

 Thursday I took both dogs to open practice at the club.  There's only a few of us that get together.  Sophie had the runs in the club and I had a clean up job.  Afterward I took her home for a quick ass wipe and then caught up with the others 

Friday I was going to walk the dogs and once again, Sophie dragged me toward the car.  I really think she wants her afternoon petting at the nursing home.  So I obliged and grabbed my purse drove over to the Sugar Creek Covered Bridge at Pioneer Park.  I took them Candid picture at the covered bridge.

Sophie on her pedestal

Amber on her pedestal

 Park plaque addresses Robert Pullium as the first settler in Sangamon County.

 The old man in the house behind mine died a few years ago and had been long vacant and neglected outside of mowing the grass.  The house had a for sale by owner sign for a long time but the house was a mess. The house was bought by investor that remodeled it and sold very fast.  In fact, the open house planned for the 13th will never happen.  So since I saw the sold sign, I asked the man working if I could see the inside.  

This is the picture I took from the master bedroom.  I wanted to know if the new owners could see into my bedroom.

I brought Amber over to meet our Santa narrator and get used to his voice before we perform Amber's Christmas Story.  She was a little shy at first but quickly got used to him and I had him give her lots of treats.

Birthday leftovers are like "Birthday Part 2"