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.

My Week

Tuesday morning I went to my In The Zone agility foundations clinic.  I was so proud of Amber doing well.  Sure she did her necessary sugar-rush run around but when it came time to perform, she really did it.  I did film Mary while I was in the peanut gallery in an effort to learn as much as I could.

I cam home and walked the dogs and changed for the Lincoln Tomb.  I got there at 2PM and a new employee was getting an orientation for his first day.  He was picking things up rather well.  I have been trying to encourage people to come back in the evening for the flag lowering ceremony with the 114th Regiment at 7PM.

 
Well I was trying to show off the bum roll at the back of the dress but the big sleeves hid that feature.
I stopped by Vi's Pet Palace to make an appointment for Sophie next week.  The place was recommended by a worker from the nursing home.

Amber had another jolt from the pricks on Nut grass.  At least now I know what it's called.  

See Sophie on Page 24 of the Fall TDI newsletter. http://tdi-dog.org/images/Fall_2019.pdf
Friday evening I took Amber to ring-ready practice at the club.  Amber is intimidated by another dog named Hannah.  I worry about this.  I called Hannah's mom to see if they were in the upcoming classes together and was first told "yes" but then clarified that it was a different session.  I picked up some things at the Dollar General and one of them was a package of balloons.

 When you don't have grandchildren, you create your own child.  I introduced Amber to a balloon. What a riot. Short lived as with most real grandchildren.

Saturday I used a coupon at the Dollar General store.  I got a zombie dog and zombie dog shirt.

In the evening I went to the Lincoln Home for an event called "Party Like it's 1860".  The dance platform was really inadequate because later there were as many as 25 trying to dance there.  Last year we danced in the gravel road behind the white fence.

Here's my photo

Here's the group photo (yep short people in front)

Here's a link to the news:
https://foxillinois.com/news/local/event-showed-what-it-was-like-in-lincolns-time?fbclid=IwAR3ATqD6yzU-QfZbK2P15L5BimZXA1k8qK-MZwn8CcVmp_jQnPPbIz5PAy0

That night was a pretty sleepless night with a loud thunderstorm.  Amber was shivering and constantly moving around.  Even I, who sleeps without hearing aids, could hear the boom.  I understand we had 5"-7" of rain between 2AM-5AM.  Lightning burned a barn with antique car and tractor but the cows survived
https://newschannel20.com/news/local/overnight-barn-fire-under-investigation

I got some small sewing projects started and out of the way.  I replaced a side zipper in a dress I got at the Salvation Army that was real cute and had the half off color of the week.  I knew it would be difficult because the zipper had an outer shell and inner lining.  Then I started sewing some Civil War pockets but will need some hand sewing for the opening.  Left that for on scene reenactment time.and the machine part done.

Labor day was beautiful.  I decided to take the dogs for a walk in Jacksonville square to see the Fallen Heroes memorial

 this seemed rather special (not that others were not) because it was a fallen chaplain which reads "The safest place for me to be is in the center of God's will, and if that is the line of fire, that is where I will be" ~ Chaplain Henry Timothy Vakoc ~ June 20, 2009 killed by an IED on returning from celebrating Mass in Iraq.


There's a ferris wheel car in the square also.

 Lord, I ask you to watch over my men as we go into the Valley of the shadow of death.  I know that the enemy we face is not only and enemy of America, but an enemy of Israel, as well as an enemy of You.  If it is Your will that one of us from Weapons Platoon should fall, please let it be me and not one of my brothers.  In Your Name I pray. Amen ~ Cpl Adam Jones (Last Facebook posting dated Mar 8, 2011)

 Then on the way back I went by the dog park.  It's rather new and the water hasn't been hooked up and that's what the girls needed after walking in the square.

I met a new puppy down the street named Bruno.  He's 8 weeks old and half dane and mastiff.