Motivated

I'm sitting here feeling all proud of myself. I went to bed last night, or should I say morning since it was 3am...and got up Tuesday morning at 7am. Lyle had not roused her lazy butt out of bed to go to school so I woke her up. She was pretty impressive, she got ready in like 10 minutes and was out the door! Anyway, I decided to stay up instead of go back to bed. (I get home from work about 1am) I got so much done!

Monday night I'd started to practice skirt making. I have a pretty blue-green, perhaps one might call it aqua-colored fabric and decided to make a pleated skirt. Now, mind you, I've never made a skirt in my life, let alone pleats but I thought now was as good a time as any to learn! And as surprising as it is, it doesn't seem to be turning out so badly! The only bad thing about it is that the body wearing it belongs to me! I'm not the thinnest or most fit person on the planet. Okay, brass tacks time here, I'm pretty much a blob.

A while back I bought a rebounder and started using it! Every day , mind you! But the strangest thing happened. Every time I exercised, I ended up having a hard time breathing and my chest hurt for a week afterward! I went to my doctor and what he told me really made me feel like I was poster child for the 'biggest-losers-on-the-planet!" I have.......get this and I'm not making it up....exercise induced asthma!!! I kid you not! It exists! I have an inhaler I don't use because I am so tired of 'disorder of the month club', little pissy ailments that I end up getting. If my lungs aren't popping or falling out of my body, no medicine. Forget it!

Omg..total tangent time (TTT) okay, so where was I?. My skirt. I'm shocked at how not so sucky it is for a first try! I was going to show a pic of my maiden voyage but just as quickly decided against it. Why look at my unworthy scraps when there are many women Civil War Reenactors blogging here that can show you incredible masterpieces! I was roaming the blogs and saw an incredible laundress blog called 'The Laundress is In' You want to see a talented person? Check it out. I'm not kidding!


Oh god TTT again... Anyway No, my attempt is not a work of art but neither is it something to be embarrassed about considering I'm winging it! No pattern! I guess its just dabbling. I am, however, serious about making men's drawers and shirts to hang or crumple around Suds Row. I'm going to my Mom's house over the weekend and she's going to show me how to do it. I'm also putting together pin cushions. Why? I have no idea why. I guess its just that they're just so darn pretty.

What I really like doing is making washboards! In fact, I think it was my first blog, I'd mentioned that the little kiddie-poohs liked washboards. So, I'm making washboards that will attach (probably) by rope to a large tub so the future company laundresses and laundrymen can scrub to their heart's content. I think I'm going to ask the parents if my personal photographer (my husband) can take pix to use on my blog. The kids are just so darn cute when they're obsessed for 10 minutes then go away.

Its kinda neat that winter is upon us. Last year I vowed I'd spend the time putting together my impression, experimenting in cooking, mastering the laundress profession and spending time at the library researching. I didn't do any of those things, but this year I'm so motivated for some reason.

Oh wow it's 2am. I'm going to motivate myself right into dreamland.

Goodnight!

Mrs. Peters

Reenactment: ZOAR, Ohio

It's funny, Zoar was kinda like Hale Farm except not sucky. We were all psyched up to go and expected a chorus of angels, to be pitching our tent on a cloud, all the gods and goddesses would be in uniform... It kinda didn't happen that way. Don't get me wrong it was great. We had a really good time, lol, too good on Saturday night I must admit with a shamed blush.

See, what it is , is that Zoar was the second reenactment we'd ever participated in. We were mustered in at Hale Farm ( We were spectators) in August of '09, did a small reenactment in Hartville, now its called 'Black Horse' in Ravenna, Ohio. So the second re-enactement we did was Zoar. Zoar is a big deal in Ohio, its the biggest event in the state. I took Friday off from work so so we could go in early. We ended up getting there around 7pm I believe, and no one was there to direct us to where we were supposed to set up, It wasn't too long before we were shown where though. I was set up near the water source but away from our unit. I don't like being away from my unit. I am a company laundress! I am in the military! I am the first woman recognized by the US Army, I am the first woman with official status in the camp! I am not a civilian! I am a rock! I am an island! And, I'd be lonely so far away! I like my unit! They are all a great group of people and I am probably the biggest whiner you'll ever meet, so they gave me a really great spot on the edge of camp. lol, honestly I think they all humor me so they'll not have to listen to me any more than they have to! So anyway, we ended up putting up the tent in the dark. Yes, they all made sure my tent was up and my stuff unloaded. IMHO, they treat me like gold and for that I am very grateful.

I cooked for Lyle and myself at Zoar. Ok, well I guess I must admit this up front. Lyle/Lily tends to sneak off to the Flying Turtle to indulge in a few bottles of rootbeer and other goodies while I'm not looking. So, I'm guessing they're feeding her/him more than I am...No worries, Lyle/Lily has a good appetite while reenacting. It was tough for her. In this event, there wasn't enough guns to go around. Lyle uses a loaner when she goes to battle. Because of this she was not included in a couple of cool military things that weekend and ended up with a bad case of hurt feelings. Being the trouper she is, she got over it fast. She's a great kid. Like I said in previous posts, I miss having her around Suds Row.

I thought I was going to be able to try out some of the things I've been neglecting this time, but as usual, I didn't. I have a laundry list of things I need to learn and practice like: starching, ironing, Oh, one thing I did finally get the hang of was tending the fire. As a matter of fact everyone said I was practically glued to the fire! Ha! At least it didn't go out! Lyle got into it too!

We borrowed Doreen's fire blowey thingie. Roy said he was going to make one for us as well. Roy is a camping guru I kid you not. He made my stakes for my tent, is going to make the fire thing. He also made a stove for Doreen to cook over! Pretty cool huh? One cool guy that Roy!

I got to use my yoke again! Boy did I haul water. I'm telling you, I felt like thats all I did the whole time! You'd think with all the non stop activity at a Civil War Reenactment, one might shed a few pounds, at least water-weight! But NOOO! As you can see in the picture, I've shed nothing but dignity.

You can't see him but my husband is the one taking the picture and the whole time he is reciting that Dane Cook thing about how the victorian people didn't smile on purpose. I'm trying not to smile and he's in front of me yelling, don't smile, look she smiled! She looks like she's happy to be alive! She ruined the picture!

See that brown and white apron? =======>>

That is made from one of those incredibly cheap (at a thrift store) button up, sleeveless 100% cotton summer dresses! All you have to do is cut off the buttons and then cut off the bodice leaving a bit of fabric for a waistband. Cut the skirt part to the fullness you desire. Then fashion the ties from the left over material and sew them into the waistband. Some dresses actually have ties on them so all the work is pretty much done! Lazy, cheap and easy! See? I actually took one of my irons out of the fire!

Okay, so Saturday night. I love the campfires. I love sitting around the campfires talking. I especially love it when someone has an instrument and plays and when sometimes there is singing! At Zoar there was good conversation, good Jagermeister and a few other yummy things. Life is good at reenactments, very good indeed.

All about Zoar and Lyle Cleaning Her Gun!

I think Lyle was the belle of the ball! (not speaking literally of course) She is really picking up the Infantry stuff really fast! Everyone is impressed! Lily is even cleaning her own gun after use! Here are a few pictures of her first lesson. She was so eager to learn it all. She is so excited to go to events now. Our next event is in Zoar, Ohio. Its our biggest event.

I can't wait for Zoar. Zoar , if I remember correctly, was settled by German Separatists. They borrowed money from their church in Philly and headed out to the Western Reserve. I think the story is that no one told them it was cold in Ohio and also that the foot traffic was zero to none! So there the poor Germans dwelled, almost starving and freezing to death until by the grace of the gods the canal was scheduled to come through. By then the little town had become a communal society to survive. Everyone worked, everyone got the same food, cloth, fuel etc. Soon the young men and women started to marry and stop working in favor of raising their families. That caused a severe man/womanpower issue resulting in a ban on marriage. And also, of one had a child over 3 years old, the poor kid was forced away from Mom and Dad to live in a dormitory, one for boys and one for girls. Can you imagine? Talk about living in Suckville. Well the folk in town were paid to dig their part of the canal and they made enough cash to pay off their debt. However, being exposed to the the people who came down the canal enlightened the young men and women to the 'real world.' They wanted their freedom and later the communal community was disbanded. I'm sure there is more to it but that's my story and I'm sticking to it. The buildings and stuff have all been restored and its really a pretty cool place to visit.

Anyway, I guess I'm alone in Suds Row for the rest of the summer and fall. It's no big deal, the amount of people who stop by are really interested in hearing about the Company Laundress is unreal. Very few people walk away before I'm finished and there are always questions. I get kind of a high when a spectator stops by and knows nothing about the Company Laundress; The first woman with official status in the U.S. Army. Men and women alike, they want to know more!

Anyway, I still don't know why the gun thing is such a big deal. I mean...everyone had toy guns as a kid right? Everyone has played with a toy gun! Old news! How many people get to play with Lye soap? With wash tubs and with an honest to goodness yoke to haul water...huh? Huh? We laundresses have LOTS of fun! TONS of fun! I mean when you think of fun the first thing that pops into your mind is the washboard! Yup! Not only does it have a mundane job during the day, it's part of the music scene at night!

When All Good Little Civil War Reenactors Die, They Go to Broadview Heights!

I you are a good little Civil War Reenactor, when you die, you go to Broadview Heights, Ohio! Our last reenactment had to be the best one yet! It was a small event, yet a wonderful event. I'd planned to arrive the night before but ended up not feeling well at all. I have this pain-in-the-butt thing called fibromyalgia that (among other things) just annihilates me with any tiny-teeny weather change. What a waste of a day-off. Anyway we arrived that morning, late. John and Roy, two, wonderful, awesome , great guys of my unit put my tent up for Lily and me.

Oh wait a minute...Did I say Lily? You know, Lily, my adorable, wacky daughter and side-kick? Sorry, I mean to say "Lyle", my adorable and wacky teenage girl pretending to be a boy in the 7th Ohio Volunteer infantry. "Yes!" I emote, conflicted with her choice to abandon her mother in the laundry in favor of having great fun out in battle with the unit. Hmmm...Laundry, or fun...Laundry or fun...God that's a tough one! lol, oh well, I have to say, I do enjoy watching her be so enthusiastic now. Its obvious that she was enduring the laundress gig just for dear old mom! Love ya Lyle! Yes, she not only has a new persona, Lyle the transvestite soldier, she has a new enthusiasm. One can't help but chuckle!

So anyway, So I started to set up on Suds Row. It was slow going as bad as I was feeling. I didn't get my fire this time, which to me is a huge buzz-kill. My impression seems half-assed without it and feeling as cruddy as I did everything was an excuse to bum out. Gosh darn those Broadview Heights folks! Every time I was all revved up to shut down they came over like guardian angels! No lie! Get this! I'm putting up all my sstuff all...'Oh god I have to get water...I don't want to haul water...I'm going to die hauling water...I HATE water! I wish water didn't exist....blah blah blah blah...blah!" So suddenly, out of nowhere, this I don't know what it was...maybe a golf cart kind of thing? Two guys stop by and say..."Need anything?" I'm standing there with my wretched buckets in hand. "No, but thank you for asking", I say. "We can fill your buckets for you!" They say with a smile. I'm all "Huh? Really? OK!" and hand over the buckets. No lie! They came by to fill by buckets constantly though-out the event! Water is a good thing! Water is a good good wonderful thing! Oh, oh and it gets better!!!! On one of the Angelmobile visits that morning I ask, "Do you have ice?" Probably all events offer ice, straw too sometimes, for not what I would call a small charge. One of the Saints on the vehicle replies,

"Oh yeah! How many do you want?" "How much?" I ask.

"Nothing." The young man responds, It's free."

"Really? Can I have two bags?"

"Sure!" They motor way happily and return with 2 large bags of ice! I'm telling you people were rejoicing in the camp! Lyle was called away to guard the Mayor's tent. An ugly mood was rising. Talk of sucession was splitting this boarder town right down the middle! I heard that shots were fired! Duck Lyle!

It was Lyle's first battle! Lyle was shot and killed in the latter part of the battle. She shot the gun, which is hysterically, almost as big as she is! I loved every second of it. I wish my son Wil wasn't so busy with college stuff. It would be so cool to have both of them there. Here is a link to a few photos from a professional photographer's site. They took the pictures there.

So anyway, Dinner was like, half a roasted chicken, corn on the cob, omg..to die for little red potatoes drenched in butter , cake , watermellon, coffe, iced tea or lemonade...My God, I'm not worthy!

They did have a dance, and gave away kick-ass cookies there. Lyle and I got lost going to Giant Eagle to find provisions for the next day. she/he missed the first dance since she/he started reenacting. It was indoors! So we retired for the night, exhausted but incredibly happy. Next morning breakfast was provided. Pancakes, sausage, coffee and orange juice! Someone who was organizing the event must be a perfectionist, obsessive compulsive or something that motivates them to strive and achieve infinate perfection! The pancakes were served by flipping them into the air and the diner having to catch them on their plate! OMG it was soo entertaining!

For lunch we made sandwiches with the items we bought the night before, Lyle survived that battle that day and again was called to guard the mayor's tent. Someone told me they saw 'my boy' talking to the women of ill repute, Ha! Lies! The joke is on them! 'Lyle' likes the plumb cake Miss Lily, madame of the Chateau de reposte, serves. She is a very nice lady!

lol we packed up about 3pm. Thank you Broadview Heights! I look forward to next year!

Hale Farm, Home Sweet Home

The kids and I signed up with the 7th OVI at Hale Farm, two years ago this weekend. I'm sitting here with butterflies in my tummy for some reason. Well, not just 'some reason' but because its our anniversary. Spousie and I have been taking the kids to Hale Farm's 'Drums of August' since Jesus was a baby. (Ok, since they were babies...same difference)It was the first reenactment I'd ever been to and I was so enamored, it became an annual family event. (similar to the former annnual Gettysburg pilgrimage - more on that later) So, actually participating in the event as Reenactors is just, to me anyway, like..The brass ring..like a dream come true ,like oh good Goddess it's just plain monumental! And although last year was our first full year reenacting, to my dismay, our unit didn't go Hale Farm! Talk about wailing and nashing of teeth! So anyway, the last year's loss makes it so much more exciting this year! Ok, I know what you're thinking. - Here's a quarter,there's a two for one sale at Lives-R-Us, go buy a couple!- and you're probably right to some extent. but as for me, I couldn't be happier!

Beef Stew, Enamored Youngins and the Chamber Pot Comeback Tour

It was so nice at the living history event this past weekend. It was the maiden voyage of my new old tent and the first leg of the chamber pot comeback tour. I must say, I love the chamber pot. Woo-Hoo! I went potty at night...slithering out and into my bed, barely opening my eyes!

I spent all day, the day before fixing the darn thing. I'm no wood wizard so it really did literally take all day! However, it was well worth it indeed. The chamber pot, you say? Yes! and that does mean that my offspring didn't accompany me to this event. My daughter was feeling poorly and my son was taking a computer security class. I'm sure the reasons were sound, at least I think they were...hope they were...kinda

I cooked for myself this time! I made beef stew! Because of space issues I used a few short cuts like pre-cooked meat but omg it was so good! Besides the meat the only other foods I brought were fruits and veggies: potatoes, green beans, onions, apples, oranges, peaches, carrots etc. I wanted to make biscuits and breakfast foods but my daughter got sick while we were grocery shopping so we rushed home and I forgot my ice and other ingredients. Oh well, C' est la vie! There's always next time.

Boy was I exhausted! Hauling water all day in 90 degree weather isn't exactly a walk in the park. Check that bucket out! I got it at a Renaissance Faire. Its heavy when it's empty so imagine it full of water! Not only that, my legs are covered with bruises from where the bucket hit my legs while carrying it. Poor me...Poor, Poor me!

One of the more popular parts of the demonstration for the kids is the blue bag. Imagine my horror at experiencing a blue bag malfunction! I was robbed the oohs and ahhs of the usual excited bright-eyed children in awe of the magic I perform, turning clear water to blue. Seriously, the little ones love it. They also love washboards. I have small buckets for the tiny teenies, and my soaking tub for the bigger young ones who pose no risk falling into the soaking tub and getting hurt. They love taking garment to copper and scrubbing away. Its cute, very cute. However, what isn't cute are the magical mothers who disappear, leaving said enamored youngins in Suds Row, and for some reason expect the laundress to play governess! Yeah! Seriously! If you're a mom you understand that although the child has no business trailing you like a duckling, you can't just shush it away and tell it to go find mommy, good luck and have a good life! I never let my kids out of sight and seeing that so many do is frightening!

Set up on suds row

It will be 2 years in August that I set up on Suds Row.  I'd always wanted to reenact, and just as luck would have it, unbeknownst to me, friends of my husband  (Pam and Kevin) had been reenacting for 20 years and encouraged me and the kids to join the unit!   My son joined the infantry, and my daughter and I became laundresses. 

Mind you, I knew nothing about my new position, lucky for me I love research.  I dove right in. So here I sit, 2 years later. My husband complaining about having to dedicate 1/4 of the garage to my hobby, and my kids making fun of me. "Yes Mom, we know, we know...you found 3 pronged forks."
I love the time I spend with Lily, we two, side by side the whole weekend long! There she is in action! lol, to be fair, she was exhausted. The event was a mudbath and it rained like nobody's business. It's been 2 years and finally I feel comfortable. I have a decent impression. I got stuff. I'm not so bad at public speaking and gosh darn it.....I got my own fire this year! Woo hoo! And even greater than that is that Lily is growing in her presentation and public speaking skills.