My week

Wednesday was busy.  I went to an Amvets meeting at 6PM.  After that I got the cake mixes sorted out with Libby for Lana's medical fundraiser on Saturday.  After that I dropped my letters for honor flight roll call and winnings from the Amvets 50/50 was donated to honor flight. On the way, I released the trapped squirrel over by the interstate near Cracker Barrel.  I doubt this squirrel will survive traffic cuz it was set loose in the triangle area. I'm exhausted. Got up too early and runnin' ever since. Had my flu shot this afternoon too.

Thursday evening I went to a lecture on "Lincoln and Voting".  Of all the events I could have attended (there were 2 others) I went to the event that I could hardly hear.   When I sat down, I felt my phone vibrate.  After the lecture I returned the call and it was Richard to talk about Sunday's pilgrimage to the tomb of Lafore Lock.  

Friday morning I woke to 36 degrees.  I needed my winter coat to take Sophie around the block.  I brought my plants inside:  Cilantro, Spider plant, Citronella, and pansy.  Hope these make it through the winter. 

I had gotten an email from Microsoft's OneDrive saying they will no longer provide OneDrive.  I went to see what I had on my OneDrive and saved a few photos and moved them to Facebook.  One was my accident.  Even though I dated the photo and explained the post was 2010, I've gotten so many get well wishes.

Sophie just got her Civil War nurse dress from Dogs of Gettysburg. Now she's a reenactor and a therapy dog.  I'm in the process of making a cap for her.

 Friday evening I attended an opening ceremony for a banquet at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum with the 114th Regiment.  It's a brief ceremony.

Saturday morning we had our first frost.  I had covered my tomato plants the night before.  They still have little yellow flowers.  After walking Sophie early, I started to make cakes for the Lana Benedict medical fund raiser.  Since we started the planning, her condition worsened and she passed away but after 7 months of hospitalization, it's more than the family could bear.  She had been so active in our community helping in particular with the American Legion fish fry.  So it's time to give back.  I donated a CD set from Garth Brooks for the auction table.  I'd never fixed cakes in big quantities before.  4 cake mixes to a big pan.  I learned to use the mixing in my deep sink.

I did find a cute little clasp reticule at the Goodwill that will go with my ball gown.  I picked up some chainettes from Joanne Store to sew onto the hem of my skirt to hold my fan/reticule.

I also picked up some permanent fabric paint to cover some tar stains on this used dress I got for $60.  After being cleaned the tar stains didn't come out so I figure a reverse Sharpie cover will do. 

Saturday I spent baking cakes for Lana Benedict's medical fundraiser at the American Legion. 

It was a good turn out.  

I got a wooden mallet and a nut cracker on the silent auction.  Dan Bedell said the mallet was a good traditional work of art and needed Danish Oil to preserve the wood.  He showed me how to do it myself in his garage.  This would make a nice addition to reenacting props.

Sunday morning I awoke to 28 degrees out and I walked Sophie down the street. I decided to light all those twigs I'd hoarded all summer stuffed in the fire place. As usual, the detector went off. All is good and cozy.  I did put the heat on for a short while.  That cold snap affected my flexibility too.

At the LA Fore Lock pilgrimage in honor of Pvt Lock who was killed in action in 1918 in France. At Oakridge cemetery Springfield, IL

 Speaker Capt  Tristen Meyer BN Signals Officer will be representing the 130th Infantry on Sunday.

 Our WW1 doughboy.  (Reporters on the right)

 Don and Bob discuss freshening up the flagpole that marks the grave.

The newspaper covered the event here:
http://www.sj-r.com/article/20151018/NEWS/151019557

 So I got an email from Microsoft saying they were going to shut down "One Drive" and that all documents would be lost.  I checked to see if there was anything there that I wanted to save.  I found an old photo of my rehab from my motorcycle accident back in 2010.  I decided to load it to my motorcycle album on facebook and boy did the comments fly.  They thought it was recent.

Even though the photo had an explanation, few read it and posted "get well".  A few called to see if I was alright.

I wrap up this edition of "My Week" with a therapy dog visit to the Regency.  I hope to go there every 2 weeks.  It is a much larger facility than the one I have been going to locally.  I do get to see a friend there briefly but Sophie and I are volunteering.  It's so hard to pull her away from a hugging resident and let someone else get a chance too.  The time flies and the next thing you know, the residents are off for lunch.  The janitor was kind enough to ask if the vacuum would scare the dog.  Supposedly she's trained to remain calm during noise .... just not that 21 gun salute.

My Week

Fall is upon us and leaves are changing.  Wind is bringing down the leaves and burs are gathering in Sophie's fur. Sophie seems to look forward to her bath because 1) it takes away the nasty burrs that get stuck in her fur and 2) she knows she's going on a TDI "visit".  There's a lady that sings to her.  This time she sang "We Love You Conrad, Oh yes we do"

Wednesday I missed exercise to pay honors at Camp Butler for the semi-annual unaccompanied burial ceremony.  The Patriot Guard Riders were in attendance but short a flag so I gave up mine.  Besides, getting over a cold, I'm most likely one to fall out.

 I had lunch with Michael as usual and noticed Eddie Long and the director of IL Veterans Affairs, Erica Jeffries, sit down at the next table. So I had to say hello.  I did a little shopping and then got ready for the Chatham High School's Homecoming parade for which the Legion did the color guard.   Some applauded but I think the applauded because the parade had started when they saw the colors.  Others acted more patriotic-like.
 I held the POW flag and our Post command held the American Flag.

Thursday there were only 2 seniors that showed up for our Yoga class.  In the afternoon I went on my therapy dog visit.  It was rewarding once again.  My hearing impairment seems to help me keep  confidentiality to TDI and HIPA rules. However, I can feel the connections a dog makes to a residents' day has meaning.
In the evening I went to a meeting for the Lincoln Monument Association at 5PM followed by a Catholic War Veterans meeting at 7PM.
 Here I'm about to let some residents get some "hands-on" therapy with Sophie.  This was posted on the TDI Facebook page with the sign photoshopped out for privacy.  I was concerned because of an email about new associates not wearing the dog scarf right.

 
Friday I had my long awaited appointment with the audiologist at Springfield Clinic. I have significant hearing loss. Duh! That's what I've been sayin'. I am on steroids to see if the hearing chart goes up before the inevitable need for hearing aids. I have a follow up appointment Oct 30th. I need my potassium to go with the steroids.  I hope the steroids don't make me have muscles (in all the wrong places).  Here's a funny clip from facebook that was shared.

Well she said she would share it under my quote because she has the same difficulty but that's a very personal quote pertaining to me.

I caught and released my 4th squirrel.  Always somewhere where it would have to cross the interstate to return.

Nice finds at ALDI today, Cinnamon apple cheese and Halloween wine.  By the way, I went in for the potassium rich bananas to go with those steroids.

Saturday morning, Sophie made a bolt from the front door in the morning as I tossed out recycles.  I chased her using all the commands we learned in training.  She was in play mode until she stopped to pee then I gave her the down command and got her.  Remedial training required apparently.
I had a picnic with Pam and Gary Siegler (POW).  Pam wanted to meet the famous Sophie therapy dog extraordinaire and the park picnic was perfect.  I made chili and she brought a much bigger array of goodies including her pumpkin cakes.   I showed them my husband's brick in the square.  While there, Gary got a call for a request for another veterans event appearance.  I think he had to turn it down.  I looked at him and said he had a lot of fans. I then nodded over toward Pam saying she was the first fan.  Gary is not much for conversation but I saw the look that he knew I was right about that.

Sunday morning I went to a Memorial Mass with the Catholic War Veterans.   There were only 4 of us but one was Charlie, a 92 year old WW2 veteran, away from the Regency nursing home that he lives.  Our commander had permission from his son for his release.  It was great to see him.  He's a real sweetie.  Although I couldn't hear much, I knew we were warmly welcomed and in the end,  Sister Mary Jean Traeger invited veterans in the congregation to raise their hand.  I looked around.  They are everywhere.  Afterward we had breakfast.  I learned that our CWV secretary quit following our Thursday evening meeting.  I believe it was over her request for a "personal interest" of $6K donation request to an historic church's need for a refurbished railing that the vote only turned out to be $200.  She knew the post had the money if funds were moved around and tried to read by-laws in her favor. All seemed to feel that a large donation to only one parish would detract unfairly to our donations of the specific needs of the parishes hosting our monthly memorial Mass. If there's one thing I learned in life, don't quit a veterans organization when things don't go your way ~ make it happen yourself so you don't have to rely on voting.  That way, you won't reduce their membership in this time of dwindling support.

I came home to a quick change for my obligation to help man a fund raising booth at Walmart for Wreaths Across America. I expected the booth set up but I thought I was asked to give the regulars a break and maybe be alone.   I brought my giant wreath that's about 4' tall to attract our cause for wreaths at Camp Butler.  My experience with the others helping (those that I was there to help with a break because they do it often every Sunday) that people were interested to come to the booth to pet the 3 great danes.  I too brought Sophie for the same reason.  Although it was a good strategy, I felt that our booth looked more like a pet adoption cause than veterans related.  I did have my CWV shirt on with a veteran ball cap but the others didn't give an impression that it's a veterans organization booth.
Monday I made a Colonial pocket from a painter's apron.  Not too much is machine made and putting the two sides together was tricky so that thread could go through both pieces.   It's worn under the skirt and won't weigh down the hoop.  Nice to hold keys.

I've opened an alternative to Youtube.  Invite your friends and followers to follow you on Vidme by sharing your profile link: https://vid.me/ivetret
I haven't loaded any videos as of this post.   


 

My Week

Our local County Market likes to stack the soda cases in an artistic style.  They've done this before but this is the latest.

The weather is turning.  Little Miss Sophie is spoiled with 3 walks a day and I won't want to walk in the cold mornings. 

Tuesday, Patrick Lam took a photo on his cell phone of Sophie and Edith.  I gave him our TDI photo release for his daughter to sign. 

Then Thursday I met his daughter who was there with her little dog.  She asked me if I knew Rose Hutches!!!!!  Of course I do.  She was the tester for TDI.

See photo below that is Non-compromising of HIPPA rules.

Wednesday I got a call back from the Regency nursing home about bringing in Sophie for regular visits.  I was informed that I would need a background check as a volunteer so I did the paperwork and got my fingerprints done.
Tuesday evening I went to Honor Flight's homecoming. Les Morgan was impressed with my flag socks took this with the following comment:  "She does anything to get people to salute her. 🇺🇸🇺🇸"

Thursday evening we had our dress rehearsal for the Murder Mystery Dinner at Edwards Place.  I learned the difference between acting and reenacting.  I mean, it was fun and all but I'm used to trying to portray history not myth.  I did well with our test audience.  I was afraid of yielding questions with my hearing loss.  I stood, and moved close to hear the question.  I was only asked 2 questions.

I shipped a box to my soldier and when she gave me the total, I knew it was wrong.  She replied it wasn't a flat rate box but it was.  She had to get help and make an adjustment.  She was new.   Why would I want to spend $18 in shipping for a small flat rate box of cookies?  In the end it was back to $12.  As I got back to my car, I saw a man who pulled up with two little dogs on a platform seat.  I thought they looked like Pekingese but he said they were Japanese Chin.  I never heard of that breed so I did a search and the breeds do resemble each other.  The Chin seems to be more of a paint spotted marking and a little bit stockier than the Pekineses.  He had one that was brown and white and the other was black and white.  So cute.

Thursday we had our dress rehearsal for the Murder Mystery Dinner at Edwards Place with a test audience.  Friday and Saturday evening was the real deal and we were historical characters that were associated withe the house.  I played Elizabeth Todd Edwards, sister of Mary Lincoln and wife of Ninian Edwards. It was a big step going from a reenactor to an actor in my opinion because I've always tried to present history accurately and this was more for entertainment. Unless I think more along the lines of Rocky Horror.  I mean, it was fun and all but I'm used to trying to portray history not myth. I did well with our test audience. I was afraid of yielding questions with my hearing loss. I stood, and moved close to hear the question. I was only asked 2 questions.  I was least suspect.

Saturday I fixed Shepard's pie for Sunday.   I'm glad I made it in advance because I had a full day of napping.   In fact Saturday Night's performance involved more dramatic crocodile tears with the hankie catching my nasal drips. I didn't even go to church Sunday.  I took my Flonaise and Zinc tablets and anything else I could get my hands on.  Sore throat kept me from a good night's sleep but when it went away, I slept and slept ~ nearly 36 hours of broken rest.  Poor Sophie didn't get to go for a walk and I didn't leave the house even to go to church.  My son came over for laundry and football while I napped in the recliner.  Again he found a station that was speaking Spanish.  I can't hear it.  I feel like a wasted a day of my life.  Moral: don't put off for tomorrow what you can do today.  I got a lot of things accomplished before this cold hit me, like mowing and painting part of the porch.

Monday I went to a funeral for Lana Benedict who had a slow agonizing death for the last 7 months. She had been very active in our community.  I skipped my exercise class on Monday since I'm still in recovery mode but I am slowly moving.  I went back to exercise on Tuesday.  Tuesday is also zumba gold day.  I feel I had sweated out some of the toxins left from my cold.  It was also Laila's last day as she starts a new job as activity director at the new nursing home opening in November.  I told her that I will be in contact.  I told her about Sophie and her TDI certification.  Odd that both nursing homes are called Reflections.  Maybe we will have to refer to the homes as Reflections 1 and 2.

Here's a few more photos from the Murder Mystery Dinner:

 Sworn in by the sheriff.

 I'm shocked at the scandalous relationships.

 explaining my sleeping draughts.

 Checking out the evidence from the victims room which had nothing to do with the crime.

The end.

My Week

Early Wednesday Morning, little Miss Sophie started barking about 3:30AM.  Apparently an empty bin that was stacked on my back porch had fallen and she was barking at it.  Then she went in the dark yard and barked at the shadows...at least that's what it seamed like to me.  This happens often when I walk in the dark.  She barked at a child's toy car left on a lawn.  Well now that Sophie is a therapy dog and I a Civil War reenactor, I've decided to combine our interest.  I've ordered her a Civil War nurse outfit that will look something like this:

It is coming from "Dogs of Gettysburg".

After exercise on Wednesday, our Silver Sneakers group went for coffee.  They used to do this monthly to celebrate birthdays but didn't get around to doing so in August.
 Friday, I just got back from the Villas of Hollybrook and sat there with Sophie over an hour while the activity director painted nails.  Well I got my sheet signed for the visit.

When I have 50 visits, Sophie and I graduate from TDI associate to TDI active.

I have a regular visit with the seniors at Reflections on Tuesday and Thursday at 2. 

I think I'll pick up by visiting an old WW2 Vet at Regency instead.  It is a little farther but I know him as a member of our Catholic War Veterans.

Saturday evening I went to Auburn for the "Light up the Cemetery Walk" fundraiser to help maintain the old Wimmer cemetery.  Everyone liked my presentation and I was the only one that did not read the script given.  I had to do research on my character to make sure the pieces fit into place.  They didn't when I made a timeline so I adjusted the script accordingly.

I'm glad I brought my bistro set.  I offered the spare chair to a guest with a cane.

 Here's the video.  I am embarrassed about saying 1818 instead of 1918 but I didn't do that in all performances that evening.  Too much Civil War reenacting puts me in the wrong century.  However, the other performances would skip something else anyway.  That's the risk of being extemporaneous.

Or: https://youtu.be/vSpSvlVXeeI
The above were taken by a photographer but this one was taken by me on my self timer sitting on a headstone:

Here's a link to my script:
http://ivetret.blogspot.com/2015/08/wimmer-cemetery-walk-on-september-26.html

Here is a link to Mr Jenkins portrayal by Tom Little.  Eliza Jane Turner was portrayed by Helen Lawyer.  Penrod Vancil was portrayed by Clay.  Jacob Henry Shutt was portrayed by Mark Johnson.  I give credit to the performers because I'll forget all their names for what I consider a one-time gig (fingers crossed).  I didn't know anybody in the Wimmer Cemetery Association except the president, Jan Gray, who was formerly on the board of the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight.  I did not know any of their relatives or have any connections but I support their efforts to upkeep the cemetery.  How often I have heard/read that there is an old neglected cemetery and somebody should do something about it.  I can't do it all so I hope the donations will help maintain the mowers that cut the grass and the repair of the stones.  There was a lot of competition for visitors that night to our event like the Route 66 Mother Road Festival and high school sports.

After a week of the Pope's visit and reading positive and negative comments on Facebook, Sunday's readings should be directed to all all the naysayers that feel their preaching is right and Catholics are flawed.

"Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp, "
Joshua, son of Nun, who from his youth had been Moses’ aide, said,
"Moses, my lord, stop them."
But Moses answered him,
"Are you jealous for my sake?
Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets!
Would that the LORD might bestow his spirit on them all!"  Nm 11:25-29

and

At that time, John said to Jesus,
"Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."
Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me. Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
audio scripture here:
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/15_09_27.mp3

The moral is: don't knock someone doing the right thing.  I heard others complain about the church and "sharing the wealth".   How do share something that is priceless like the art in the Vatican museum?  Do you sell it to help the poor which will solve the poor's problems for a limited time?  Do you destroy art like the Taliban has done thereby destroying history?  These people do not understand that time accumulates the appearance of wealth.  This pope has been living a humble life and it's not enough for people to stop complaining.  We are a sad people when knock the humble strides forward.  Jesus said "The poor will be with you always" Matthew 26:11
\RaNt

Sunday evening I walked Sophie during the lunar eclipse.  Once the moon was fully darkened by the earth's shadow, clouds came in.  I watched the news and the clouds got worse.  There was a brief opening in the clouds going by to see the crescent  on the opposite side as the eclipse was reversing.

Our Monday morning exercise group is growing. There were not enough TRX cables for all so I started cycling on the Cybex till someone left early and gave me theirs.  Soon, some will become snow birds and space will free up.

I caught another squirrel. The neighbors that loaned their torches for the evening cemetery walk have a bucket of corn for squirrels in their garage.  We are working against each other.  Well, I'm deporting HIM to the other side of the interstate.  He'll get run over if this one tries to come back.  Oh there's plenty more here.  I see squirrels dancing and courting in the street.

Now to look forward to my hearing test,  the Murder Mystery dinner and plan out all the places that are showing Rocky Horror in October.

My Week

Boy, I really need to get some new envelopes. They are all sealed and I have to pry and tear to get them opened. What must my soldiers think when they get a letter that appears resealed?

Tuesday I had two therapy dog visits at 2 nearby assisted living homes:  Villas of Hollybrook and Reflections assisted living.   I made a mistake on the Villas and got confused of our appointment by 1/2 hour.  You see, I had zumba gold at 10:30 to 11:15 thinking my appointment with the Villas was at 11:30 but it was at 11.  Opps.  I wasn't sure if I could make it to Reflections because Ken the handyman fixed my bathroom vanity's bottom that had been water damaged.  I'd been waiting for him for about 2 1/2 weeks but he was busy too.  Fortunately he was done in time for me to take Sophie to Reflections at 2PM.  Sophie did so well and I was proud of her.  One lady sang to Sophie a "Bessie the heifer the queen of all the cows" Song.   Somehow the name, Sophie, made her think of Bessie.


I had a very receptive crowd at the South Side Christian Church for my presentation of Belle Reynolds at their luncheon.  I was rewarded with a stuffed baked potato lunch.  I offered them to ask questions but warned of my hearing problem and I'd have to be up close.  Afterward I changed so I could look for a shelf for under my newly fixed bathroom sink.  I went to Lowes, Menards and Ace Hardware and didn't see anything without excess construction.  I looked online after checking my mail when I got home and had a flyer from Bed Bath and Beyond.   They sure did. 
I put 2 coats of white paint on my bathroom vanity floor before nightfall.

Then I went to a planning meeting for Lana's benefit.  

Thursday morning after yoga, I took Sophie to the Villas of Hollybrook.   In the afternoon we visited at Reflections and the manager and I finally met.  He made a copy of my...err...Sophie's ID card.  This time the singing lady sang "you put the lime in the coconut" song to Sophie.
I came home and fixed chicken and rice.  In the evening I had practice for the Murder Mystery Dinner.

Friday evening I went to the Railsplitters Ball in Lincoln, IL.

 Below with Larry Peetz.

 Below with Larry Hackman:

Other photos can be found here: http://www.newheraldnews.com/19916/s/railsplitting-festival-weekend

It poured hard on my way home.  So bad that I had to slow to 40 MPH on the interstate.  Many that chose to keep on driving in the storm had emergency flashers like myself.  When I got home, the roads were dry.  I walked my dog under stars while seeing thunderstorms to the north.

Saturday I went to the State of Illinois Amvets School of Instruction.  I won a door prize in the afternoon break out session ~ a car care gift pack. After the meeting portion of the day was over, there was a break before the picnic.  I knew parking would be a little tight at AMVETS HQ and that most would catch a shuttle bus from the hotel to the headquarters where the picnic was held.  I came home and let Sophie out and came back on my little motorcycle to save space.

I had the chance to pay my $12 dues for the AMVETS Riders while there.

I watched a movie on EWTN about Padre Pio but you can also watch this online here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOdHZiuKq68

Sunday I prepared lunch for Sean and myself.  I made Italian sausage and red beans and rice.  Sean asked me if I could hear my TV and after having him repeat the question, I nodded yes.  Then he asked me if I could hear that the TV sound was in Spanish.  I said no it's English, see the sub-titles in the closed caption?  As I got close to the TV, I heard Spanish.  I must have messed with something when I found the closed caption menu.

Monday morning I got up early to drop Sophie off at "Bubbles of Fun".  After dropping her off I went to my exercise group and came home to wait for a call when she was done.  It felt weird coming through my door and not having her there to greet me.  She smelled nice.  I made her next appointment for Nov 2d.

Tuesday morning I had a 10:30 free hearing appointment with Audible.  She tested then showed me sample hearing aids that were adjusted via wifi from her computer.  It made a difference.  Not the aids are about $5K.  I do have an appointment with an audiologist on Oct 9th and she said that she would only release the results to another audiologist.  TRICARE doesn't cover this.  Yes, I did file a claim but that could take forever.   I have a 3:30 meet at Sam's Club who also does free tests.   I do not have a membership there so I met with Mary who does have a membership.  At least Sam's will provide a copy of the results to me.

Since a elderly man busted in on my 3:30 appointment for an apparent adjustment that was supposed to last 10 minutes, I didn't get tested until about an hour later.   I didn't leave Sam's till 5:30 making it tight for my rehearsal at Auburn Cemetery. I have to thank Mary for letting me in Sams with her membership.  She was a nurse and had conducted these hearing tests before she retired.  I couldn't have asked a better person to accompany me on this test.  She knew what was going on without upstaging Mike doing the test.

I asked a lot of questions including one about being able to stand on your head or do "down dog". with hearing aids.  I asked the difference between and audiologist and ENT specialist.   Then there could be a need for an MRI to see if the bones in the ear are a medical condition because of the sudden loss of hearing.  I'm down about 60% loss.

The rehearsal in Auburn went well and I was the only one that didn't read from a paper script.   This is amazing since I am trying to memorize 2 scripts for the next 2 weeks.  I don't know how real actors can do it.  There were a lot of mosquitoes there so I'll have to remember to bring spray.  There was also the scent of a skunk near the rural cemetery.  Ewww!  By Saturday, we should have a brighter moon, just shy of a full moon. 

My Week

Last week I lost my hearing the day after Sunday's sermon about healing the deaf.  Isaiah 35: 4-7 and Mark 7:31-37.   What does this mean to me?  Well I've watched less TV and no radio.  I'm missing a lot on the news.  I have an appointment 10:30 on 22d with the free hearing ck on Monroe that wants to sell hearing aids. I have an audiologist appointment on Oct 9th at Memorial (out of pocket). Monday I made a claim with the VA for hearing loss and tinnitus.

Thursday I took Sophie on her first therapy dog visit to Reflections Memory Care here in Chatham and Sophie and I were well received.   The place is newly opened less than a year ago and has 25 residents (35 slots available I believe she said).  Kristin is the activities director and her assistant told me they had just discussed a desire for a therapy dog recently.  Whoo Hoo and so close to home.  Sophie and I met with six residents outside.  She was well received and Sophie was only disinterested in one lady (or exhausted from all the petting).  But I also saw a miracle on the other spectrum.  A WW2 Vet was there with his daughter who said he wouldn't be interested while at the same time the man's hand reached for Sophie.  I put a lap pad down and he gently petted her to the surprise of the man's daughter.

I watched the video that came with the kit before going and did my best.  I added Reflections Assisted Living center to the TDI website.   Kristin signed a visit record.  I'd like to do this on Tues and Thur. The other facility nearby was inquired and their activity director stepped out for an appointment but we exchanged phone numbers with the clerk who seemed really really interested to see Sophie return.

I found a dead squirrel in my live trap Thursday morning. I hadn't checked it the day before. I used a stray corn cob that had been planted in my yard by the squirrels from last year. I reset it before going to the nursing home and Pets Mart. When I got back there was a live one in the trap and I didn't know what to do.  Ah ha!  Dump it somewhere else.  So on the way to my meetings, I let HIM (I know it was a he squirrel)  out at the Road Ranger field across from Golden Corral.  Friday I caught another little girl.  I was about to do the same but as I picked up the trap, the back opened because the pin wasn't secure.  Now that squirrel has a PHD about trapology.  Then I caught another girl but this time I let her loose. I took 'her' out to the cell tower on New City Rd. Both would have to cross interstates in order to come back here. I ain't done.  There's a squirrel unaccounted for I see burying nuts for winter.

Thursday afternoon I pulled pork for our Hog Roast benefit for Honor Flight.  I had 3 meetings that evening:  Lincoln Monument Association at 5, Practice meeting for the Murder Mystery Dinner at Edwards Place, and Catholic War Veterans.

I still smelled pork on my fingers during the last meeting even with wearing gloves.
Friday I was getting ready for exercise class and pulled out a brand new pair of patriotic socks that I had never worn because they wouldn't show under boots. Then I said to myself, "it's Patriot Day". I have patriotic shorts and tee. What a way to start Patriot Day. 
Afterward I went to see Kathy to help transfer a patch to a jacket for Catholic War Veterans.  She can't do it with Parkinson's.  Later I decorated the hall for the hog roast with all the patriotic decorations that I had in my stash.  I also added my tee shirt and cap from being a guardian as part of the decor/atmosphere.

Saturday I went to the Pets in the White House.  We got a little bag of goodies and I saw another brown Pekingese.  I dressed Sophie in patriotic shirt and I in mine. 

 There's a photo gallery of the event here:  http://www.sj-r.com/photogallery/LS/20150912/NEWS/912009998/PH/1

I really enjoyed seeing all the like-minded dogs and owners. To think that they loved their dog as much as I love my Sophie then there was a lot of love in Union Square.

Sunday I went to Mass with the Catholic War Veterans and afterward we had breakfast.  Our CWV commander mentioned that Staab Funeral Home may need me part time with funerals.  We'll see if I get a job.

This week is assisted living week.  I'll be taking Sophie to the Villas of Hollybrook on Tuesday at 11.  I'm expecting the handy man to come fix my vanity floor that was water damaged Tuesday afternoon. 

This coming Wednesday, I'll be portraying Belle Reynolds for South Side Christian Church.  Hope it all goes well with 2 other scripts running in my head for the Murder Mystery Dinner and the Wimmer Cemetery Walk later in the month.
http://southsidechristian.com/events/senior-citizen-luncheon 

My Week

The corn is being harvested!  The weather is hot.  This is great weather to scrub the siding on the house and any splash back is appreciated.  I'm doing a little at a time/day.

Wednesday I went to exercise, shop and had lunch with Michael.  He paid my lunch and gave me a birthday card and chocolate.  Yum.
While shopping, I realized I needed more minutes on my Tracfone so I stopped by Walmart.  I also needed some office supplies for organizing my files (folder tabs). I don't shop Walmart often. Last time I was there was April when I bought my Tracfone. 

Thursday evening we had practice for the Murder Mystery. 
Friday I paid my utility bill on the way to the Old State Capitol.  I asked about the senior discount and was told 62 and no other working members in the household.  That would be me over the weekend so I filled out the form.  Old State Capitol sure needed me.  They had a staff meeting and I was the only one on the floor for about and hour and many visitors.  I was spread pretty thin.

I went to see The Adams Family musical Saturday night, the eve of my birthday. (͠≖ ͜ʖ͠≖)👌 Uncle Fester took a selfie before returning from the intermission.

I see that the Hoogland Center will also be having Rocky Horror again.

• Thu Oct 29, 2015 | 8:00PM
• Fri Oct 30, 2015 | 8:00PM
• Fri Oct 30, 2015 | 11:59PM
• Sat Oct 31, 2015 | 8:00PM
• Sat Oct 31, 2015 | 11:59PM

 At Mass I signed in to assist as a Eucaristic Minister since they didn't want to schedule during the holiday weekend.  I showed Fr Manny my birthday button.  He asked my name and later mentioned wishing me a happy birthday in front of the congregation.  Mary Alice (in the choir) came to wish me a happy birthday after Mass and said she tried to signal the director to sing for me but couldn't get his attention.  Whew! That would have been over-kill anyway.
I got a nice breathable patriotic shirt from my sister.  I got to open the present while on Skype with her.  I also opened my other sister's gift ~ briefs.  I got money from my brother.  I got an apron from my sister, also opened via Skype. My sons gave me a new set of towels, gun cleaning kit and a cover for my air conditioner. Thank you all!  My sons and I went to Indigo, an upscale restaurant and then we saw the movie "Train wreck".  I had 156 friends wish me a happy birthday on Facebook.

I hardly slept with Hank jumping on my be on and off all night then he started chewing one of my spools of thread.  In the middle of the night, I opened my back door hoping he'd have free range to the back yard all night.  He still kept me awake. 
In the morning we went to the Lefthanders Gun Club Range. I wanted to practice my self protection with my Nano.  I was frustrated that the nano had more than a few failures to eject shell casings. My sons knew the importance of order of choice so I shot the M4 first.  Saves on ripping up our target too much.

I tried Sean's new practice pistol, Ruggar Target light.  Easy. The last rifle I tried blew the target off the mount ~ Mossberg 500.

I can't hear after going to the Lefthanders Gun Club with my sons yesterday.  Yes I had ear protection but I think my earrings left a gap.  Hope this gets better like a bad concert or something.

I enjoyed the time with my sons but they spent too much money on me.  I got a gun cleaning kit, new set of navy blue towels, scented Burt's Bees Eucalyptus Mint candle, shower soap, air conditioner cover, expensive dinner and a movie.  I love the time most.

There was no exercise class on Monday due to the holiday.  Tuesday I really needed to get caught up and work off all the birthday cake.

Tuesday the mail finally arrived and I got my kit from "Therapy Dog International" and Sophie is a Therapy Dog and I an Associate Member (as her handler). Now I believe we can try to make a miracle.    I have some rules to read and contacts to make now.

***I can keep a secret.  It's just the friends that I tell it to can't. *******