Now I feel better that my car has been cured. Seeing is believing. This is the split in an air inlet tube.
I can feel the difference when I drive after getting this $99 part replaced. I think I'll use it as a garden decoration!
I loaned an outfit to a former coworker so her grand daughter could portray Mrs Garfield at school. On the way to Thayer, the wind was blowing over the farmland of Route 4 and the salt trucks were out there to fight the glaze over but on the way home, there were 2 cars in the ditch. My car was so dirty until I washed it with a snowy wash rag on Sunday.
Thursday was busy. At 8am I went to Yoga, 10AM Church Lenten discussion group, 2PM Therapy Dog visit, 5PM Lincoln Monument Association meeting, 7PM Catholic War Veterans. No time around the house at all except for a quick walk with Sophie and cleanup before the visit.
Friday Morning I went to special presentation called "Lincoln and the Todd Relatives" by Erica Holst. Wow, what a big family and so Confederate that they some of her sisters still tried to neutralize negative talk about their sister's husband and president. I celebrated Lincoln's Birthday with a Civil War Dance at the Old State Capitol. I took this photo using my camera's timer but it did cut off part of the top.
Here I am getting ready to dance the Schottish with Peggy as we listen to instructions.
Saturday I cleaned up around the house and paid some bills that were put off because of the busy week. In the evening I went to the Vandalia Moose Lodge for another dance. I was a bit disappointed in the turnout to that event.
Sunday morning I read the second reading for the First Sunday of Lent.
We had snow for Valentines Day
I went down the hill on my tube. It'll warm up this week so the snow will not last.
On President's Day, I answered a call to help volunteer at the Lincoln Tomb. I'd never given tours there before. I'd only done a watch job (babysat the site) for a half hour just to let people through the tomb for a short while. I was testing my hearing aids in the marble halls of the tomb. Acoustics in those halls are bad still but a little better. The tour is much easier than the tour at the Old State Capitol.
Monday my furnace motor went out. Fortunately Bob Bergman Heating specialist came quickly and determined the problem but I'll be without heat over night. I have a space heater that I've been trying to sell on craigslist and I guess that will supplement the fireplace. I slept under my down quilt on the couch comfortably while the rest of the house was closed off as best as possible. Part was installed in the afternoon.
Watching Westminster Dog show. It's addictive.
So
far I've sold two our DVDs fro the Lincoln Monument Association. I'm
not much of a "twist your arm" salesperson so I just let the sign speak
for itself.
Monday night at dance practice night we practiced for the following:
Barely got around the block walking the dog and it started raining 3/4
the way around the block. Do you think Sophie would stop sniffing every
mail box post.....Nooooo.
Tuesday was groundhogs Day. I don't understand the big deal. Whether he sees his shadow or not the answer is still the same.
Wednesday I dropped my car off again for repairs and got a ride home.
Well, not yet. I have a $92 part on order and will have to go back on Tuesday.
They will not charge me labor under the circumstances. They will install it while I can wait.
Thursday afternoon I completed my 50 visits for Therapy Dog International to transition from "associate" to "active" member. I scanned my sheets and had the documents mailed via certified mail. While at the care facility, the director offered me a bundle of flowers that were in 4 buckets donated to the
Now here's an oddity: I usually bathe both myself and Sophie before a visit. While getting ready, I heard a funny sound since I had not yet put my hearing aids in after the shower. I moved around to see where it was coming from. It wasn't the furnace running nor the toilet. It was my hair dryer that I had in the drawer.
Friday morning was a double duty exercise day. Unfortunately the new class before the 8:15 senior strength class was only attended by one....me. The other members or our "silver sneakers" sat at the break area. You know what that means. I wanted to get a few errands taken care of because of an afternoon appointment with the Lowes installation. I'm glad we moved the date from Monday to Friday because it snowed all day Monday and Friday was about 40. I had a squirrel in my trap to deport and a freecycle exchange. I did both at the meetup spot. In the afternoon my side door was installed in the garage. It's nice to get in the garage without the door sticking.
Sunday the Broncos won the Superbowl. I was glad for that but I did watch Downton Abby and Mercy street knowing that the Superbowl would be easy to catch up on.
Ok, my mind is boggled. Lately, people have been saying "killed it" which used to be a negative. I'm more used to "nailed it" when someone did something right on. I looked it up and seems "killed it" can be both positive and negative. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=killed%20it
After last week's snow storm, we now have had a nice weekend in the 50's and the only snow left showing is from shoveled mounds and tips of snowmen. The electric snowblower that I got in July sale did not work when I needed it last week. Now that it got warmer, I took another look at it and it does work. I must have had a loose connection.
Monday night I went to Civil War dance practice that has begun for the Lincoln Birthday Ball at the Old State Capitol. We learned:
Rory OMore Not my favorite. It's sort of like this with different music and instead of a center spin we'll just slide by face to face.
Tuesday morning I walked Sophie before taking my car in for a repair after having a check engine soon light. I had to leave it and got a ride home. I got a ride to pick my car up from the neighbor. I'm glad I fueled up on the way home because gas went up on Wednesday.Now on Monday, I have an appointment for the car on Wed. What ever they fixed last Tues didn't fix it. I had another check engine light on Monday and I didn't even drive Saturday so that's really less than a week.
Wednesday I had double exercise class: senior strength and zumba. I then did a little senior discount day shopping at the goodwill. I found some new soft, furry, grey Vera Wang pajamas. I like warm but not the Walmart fleece look. I then had lunch with Michael and learned that Deb had crochet a lap afgan for someone in need. I brought this up at the evening meeting of the Interveterans Council of Sangamon County. I got a lead for a 95 year old woman marine in at Regency Care. I met her on Friday to see if Margret O'Donnell would accept this gift and she said she would. I've made arrangements for both of us to be there to present it to her on Monday.
Monday I went with her to present it to Margret.
Oh and as a result of this, I suggested to the IVCSC that we need like a little black book of services for veterans in need and helpers to fill those needs such as above. I know that in the past, AMVETS was looking for help with a veteran in need of a ramp in Springfield and I also know that the local IL National Guard was looking for a job to help a veteran in the community but these were at different times and unmatched requests.
Well, it was the night to swear in the new officers so I took this picture for the website but it put me in a tricky angle to get them all in.
I also brought up a need for a women's PTSD group in our area. The closest (which isn't very close) is in Chicago. Women may be integrated into the military but their needs are different. I just think it would be hard to get that kicked off with child care needs and other demands.
I had posted on facebook that I remembered where I was when Challenger exploded on the 30th Anniversary. I was at work at Tinker AFB watching on TV with others who were shocked. As a result, a facebook friend in Belleville area whom I had met here through veterans events said he was at Tinker. We narrowed it down and we even lived on the same street in base housing but different command units. I lived at 5014 Twining Dr. and Larry Miller lived at 5082. He is a life member of the Legion, VFW, AMVETS, VVA, AFSA, AFA.
Friday I helped out at the Old State Capitol. I realize that it's not a big tourist season but I am trying to acclimatize my hearing aids to the acoustics. I learned that I can't even hear the desk phone with my hearing aids. I'm
replacing the Velcro on this hoop with hooks so that the Velcro won't
stick where it's not supposed to and while I'm doing that....Sophie is
in the middle.
I didn't even move my car Saturday. but I got one sewing project done and listed bunch of dolls and cleaned the floor (tho you wouldn't know that now with all the melting.) Here is the list for my sales items but they are also on Craigslist which does not have a group link. http://www.ebayclassifieds.com/user/toga42
Sunday I went to a meeting of the Lincoln Monument Association. I scanned some more old photos that were getting moisture damage. This picture was probably taken while I was still in basic training.
I don't even remember who I'm with in this photo. I even forgot that the AF used to have a white mess dress jacket. I was a buck sergeant or SSgt it appears.
Her I am with some coworkers at the 513th Supply Sq at RAF Mildenhall. I don't remember them either but the two on my left have both ladies version of fatique uniforms.
Frank's official photo for a special duty assignment.
This
was for the newspaper announcement before the wedding so my hair was
not done. No I did not have a zit on my chin. It's on the photo before
scanning. I can really see a resemblance to my sister Gloria. Then I found my first communion picture. I don't think it looks like me but I sure recognize the brick house. I'll always remember the date of my First Holy Communion ~ May 6, 1961.
I have lots more work to do in the area of scanning but it is so slow and boring.
Well I walked Sophie around the block and not just down the cul-de-sac. Brrr.
I think I know why I didn't use the water proof camera much...2 photos and the battery is empty. It happens with 2 batteries that I have alternated in the charger. After a week, my other camera seems to have a normal picture again. Maybe the problem was the cold.
I had a box that I sent to a soldier returned despite the remarks to turn it over to the chaplain. I hate wasting postage only to examine the contents and reuse them.
The box was in bad shape and the Fretos were open and crumbled inside. I quit the Ladies of Liberty team and will just stick with the deployed adoptions team. The only drawback is that I have to try to vary the same old contents every month going to the same person but a one time package they don't have repeat contents. I'm tried my first themed box for the Superbowl. Since the PBS is showing a mini-series called "Mercy Street" facebook fans promoting the show have had an app to tintype a photo on your facebook page. I tried it with a few.
This picture was taken at the Old State Capitol in Springfield.
This is my latest ball gown taken by the Christmas Tree in the shop at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. Only drawback is that the bertha is flipped up.
Wednesday we woke to at least 4" of snow. My electric snowblower did not start. Needless to say, not many showed up for our exercise class at 8AM. There was only 3 of us and I was a little late due to shoveling. Then we were supposed to have Zumba but I was the only one. I told our instructor, Patty, to go home because I was sore from shoveling and the preceding senior weight class.
Thursday I did paperwork at the clinic for my hearing and took it to the VA for a benefits application. Now the ball is in the VA court. Then I went to pick up wreaths at Camp Butler. They were nearly done but glad that I came and helped for that last hour. There was a funeral planned at noon so we had to finish. Then I got my garage side door measured by Lowes. I need a special order the door size and it should arrive around Feb 12. Later I had a TDI visit and this evening, an ABATE meeting. Whew. Friday I went to my exercise class and had double TRX and senior strength. Then I stopped at Ruggless Auto regarding my "check engine soon" light. It's another sensor than the other two senors I've had worked on. I guess I'm on a roll to repair all 100 some sensors. Then I stopped by and arranged for my new door and it seems to be a good idea to use the 6 months same as cash. Apparently I never activated my Lowes credit card so that delayed my check out. I had a choice of the 10% veteran discount or the 5% to pay upfront. So I was ahead with the military discount and can pay over time. Then I went to the Old State Capitol to try to get back into the swing of things since I now have hearing aids. I gave a tour to a couple from Chicago that walked in. Other than that, the excitement was trying to get rid of a starling flying around inside the building. Saturday we had our Soldiers Aid Society workshop. We were learning netting. Lisa had shared her skill that she learned in a workshop and she's been making lovely shawls. Here she holds her antique tools. It looked easy but....
It
looked easier than it actually was. I got that loop knot in the wrong
place. I got the thread wrapped around the clamp at times. I got too
taught at times and couldn't pull my fingers out. After a while I got a
system down. Maybe in 5 years I can make a netted shawl. That would be nice since I can't knit or crochet. This is the goal.
Sunday I read the second reading at Mass to substitute for someone out of town. This year I've been trying to cross my legs less often. It's hard when trying to hold something up like a book or my laptop. Well at least I'll try. Monday I got up a bit late and it was difficult to get to Sophie's appointment at "Bubbles of Fun". I exercised while she was being groomed and then when I picked her up, I took her on a TDI visit. Monday evening, I went to dance practice for a ball on Lincoln's birthday. Whew. ~ till next week.
This week I went on a TDI visit when it was very cold. It was nice except Sophie's petting got to the point of hair standing up in this cold weather. Nice to visit with a lady on her 83d birthday. She loved Sophie.
Thursday was real busy. Yoga at 8. My financial adviser is visiting at 10:30 from Belleville. TDI visit at 2. In the evening I went to a meeting of the Catholic War Veterans and that had a poor turn out too. At least we got some prayers in.
Sophie sat on the lap of a lady who never had a dog. She always watched but seemed to not be interested enough to hold her till now. I think she liked having Sophie on her lap. I never pushed the issue as in our TDI rules but today I asked again. This time the lady was ready.
Boxes of cake mixes....
I thought I was helping out when Lana died by collecting her pantry of cakes to help bake for her fund raiser and our fish fry at the American Legion. Some went to the fund raiser for her medical expenses and the later dates on the boxes were saved for upcoming fish fries. I have very little storage space as it is but I thought I was doing the right thing by storing them for later as requested. So when the next fish fry approached, I brought the issue up. I was told that there were plans already for deserts from Sam's Club as an experiment. I nearly died to think I'd been saving them for this and an experiment had a priority meanwhile these cakes are recently went beyond their "best used by" date. I feel so used. Then I read this:
I shall try not to complain.
I made 2 Carmel cakes for our bake sale and the rest got tossed. I'm through helping. Last time the American Legion post left me out that we had canceled the German dinner without telling me and I had posted it on facebook and Illinois Times. Next time they have posters to pass out, I'll pass on that.
Seems like my facebook friends are posting photos of Florida and cruises while I'm cold. Jealous!
Friday night I went to a meeting of the OWLS (Older Wiser Love-able Seniors) at Edgars Coffee Shop. After eating we broke up into different tables playing games. I played dominoes and won. Noooo....we didn't play stack and tip the dominoes. They were cheap little plastic ones that had uneven bottoms and wouldn't stack. Saturday I used my $5 off coupon on a $30 purchase at the Dollar General. Sure added up fast though. I spent a lot more than the minimum to get that $5 off.
I stopped by Lowes to get a curtain rod and ordered a new side door for my garage. The one that's on there now sticks and is hard to open. That door seems to be split in the center too.
Saturday I watched the movie, Mercy Street, online know that when it airs on Sunday, I'll be at the 114th Regiment's Commander's Ball. It's a PBS special about a Civil War nurse. Oddly, the ladies in the facebook for Civilian Civil War Closet are picking apart the costuming while those (mostly men) in the the "The American Civil War" love it.
Sunday I read the second reading. Since I've been cleaning up around the house, I found a donation envelope from a few months ago that I never turned in. I gave it to our priest and he was elated to get it. Joe Blankenship (local dog trainer) has been bring a medium size black dog named Diva to church as part of her training as a service dog. Diva went with him to Communion and tried to check out what's under Father's vestments. The digits are really freezing when I take Sophie for a walk around the
block. It was 9 degrees on Sunday. Oddly, finger-less gloves are popular. That's the part that
freezes first. If I need my fingers, I'll remove the glove. Sunday evening I attended the Commanders Banquet for 114th Infantry (reactivated) at the Chesapeake Seafood House. The guest speakers were Dawn and Ted Henry about their experience as chairs for the Lincoln Funeral reenactment last May. I would have taken photos but my camera died and looked pix elated like stalagmites. So these were take by Peggy. Thanks Dean and Peggy.
I'm talking with Lisa about our next workshop on netting and how I feel so craft handicapped.
Ken and Martha came too because they never miss a retreat ceremony at the tomb by the 114th.
There's our guest, Dawn Henry, in the background.
When I got home I pulled out another camera and started charging its battery. I got out another Olympus 550 WP (water proof) camera that I had that's almost the same age as the FE-370 that is destroyed. I haven't used the black camera much. It had state fair photos on it from when Linda Crites was Veteran of the Month. I got it in 2009 when I rode my motorcycle and it may be exposed to moisture. Then I brought both cameras on my European trips so I could alternate as batteries charged or camera got full.
My neighbor gave me some wood for the fireplace for which I'm very grateful with this freezing temperature. My son recently joined a rock band called "Set Piece" and he can be seen here at practice:
They haven't had a gig since he joined. The band's music is original. I had picked up a package of tomato/mozzarella pancake mix at Aldi and loved it and didn't burn it. Yeah, I know, you're not supposed to burn pancakes. So next visit I see that the packages were marked down to .49 cents and being discontinued.
Wednesday I went to a Legion Riders meeting. We discussed our American Legion Riders Legacy ride (whom Roger's children are eligible for benefits) and naming our ride his memorial ride. Then Saturday I went to the VFW for a memorial for SSgt Roger Gross who had been wounded in Iraq in 2006. Sen McCann gave a nice proclamation to his parents.
I brought my yard concrete soldier for
decor that is stamped "Iraqi Freedom" on the back. This same statue
was at a funeral for Chad Young. I think they appreciated the added
touch. Chad's dad also came to make condolences and I thought that was
very nice.
Friday evening I had dinner with friends at the Hawaiian BBQ. Saturday Morning I started out in a bad mood. I got an email begging for an item (a flag donation) that would have cost anyone less than $50 but instead seeking a donation. Heck, nothing is free. I learned that the previous flag(s) were paid for out-of-pocket by Les from our post. He should be proactive and do it himself. I have always felt that if you want something done you got to do it yourself. Another thing I hate is charities begging from other charities for money. That's like some kids who don't want to hold a bake sale so they beg from those who did. I'm sorry but letter writing fund campaigns are not real fundraisers.
Have I not been charitable enough with all this begging going on? Hey I'm retired now and still giving and now I have expenses like hearing aids and eye glasses. I've seen what junk people buy for one-time uses and trashed on pick up days while walking the dog. Sometimes I'm guilty of buying junk but then I'm also charitable in other ways. So with that on my mind, I'm walking my dog and I see another pet peeve. This house that has a large shrub growing into the drive way so the lady has to have her car's wheels off the pavement. Why doesn't she remove the bush? Does she think it provides privacy?
Well, you know I mentioned that I walked the dog. I'm glad I did so early (like it was still dark and barely sunrise) because by 9AM it rained and then it turned to snow by 10:30. This was the first accumulation of snow but I still didn't have to shovel.
This snow rips my heart(s) out of my motorcycles. Here is where they rest for the winter.
Sunday it was one degree when I got up and walked my dog. I'm glad she did "it" fast. Later I walked her just as short of a walk and the wind chill make it feel even colder. I have a fire in the fireplace going. I went to a District meeting of the American Legion held at our post.
Names were listed in our church bulletin of donations of poinsettias for our Christmas decor. I donated one in honor of my adopted soldier through Soldiers Angels. I mentioned this to a fellow parishioner and she suggested I send my adoptee the Prayer to St Michael, patron of soldiers.
PRAYER TO
SAINT MICHAEL
THE ARCHANGEL
St. Michael the
Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen..
I took Sophie to Reflections home on Monday. I'm not allowed to take photos but they can and took a picture of her on the lap of one of the residents for their activity board. It made me proud of her.
We celebrated my son's birthday with dinner at Outback Steakhouse and then came home to give him his gift from both his mom and brother; a gift that he had dropped a hint. I got my DVD "Now He Belongs to the Ages ~ Lincoln Tomb" in the mail yesterday and haven't watched it. I purchased and advance copy last year. It's an hour long so I will watch it today.
I went to visit a fellow female veteran who was recently hospitalized for heart surgery.
I took Sophie with me since we had just left a visit from the nursing home. I told her I'd be happy to watch her dog, Jack, if she ever needs me. She had a double by-pass on Dec 13th. Black on black doesn't show very well but I'm holding a miniature pinscher. Jack was calm for a mini-pin. She welcomed Sophie in her home and Sophie just explored every room in the house. Sophie wasn't
In my last blog I mentioned a returned Christmas card to my niece whom I'd gotten a card from with the same address in the return corner so I sent it again. It came back again. I give up.
Wednesday I exercised at both of our senior classes: strength group and zumba gold. I did a little shopping at the thrift stores since it was senior discount day and then spent 3 hours with Polly putting together a lineage sheet for my son's application into the Sons of the American Revolution. Sunday I got the required signatures on the form. Now to find out about my other son and the fees for a life membership as I know from experience that annual dues collection is a pain. I also need to find out if there's a discount to submit them together.
I spent New Year's eve with reenacting friends at U. S. Grant's house. We played some nice games like truth or lie. I'm not a very good liar.
I wore my tiara instead of a hat. I love the dress that I found at the Salvation Army but it does leave little sparkles on the floor. The dress and jacket were hung in different areas of the store and I happened to find the pair.
Saturday I got a new soundbar and TV that helps with my hearing loss. I gave away my old TV because it was not compatible with the soundbar even though it was only about 3 years old.
Sunday I went to Mass at the cathedral for our monthly Memorial Mass with the Catholic War Veterans. Now that it's getting colder I'm trying to get the house cleaned up. I found the other tennis shoe under the bed that I had given up looking for and threw the other away. Ha!
I packed two boxes to send to lady airmen serving overseas and made a trip to the Post Office. Paid a few bills. I did some running around to get back ground material for a VA claim on my hearing loss. I found some records of my assignments and my firearms training card. I then took my Nissan Murano to the mechanic to look at a check engine light and it seems there is a sensor problem so I have another appointment for that on Thursday.
In the evening I went to the American Legion meeting.
