150th Manassas Reenactment Photo Blog

As promised, a day late, here is the:

150th Manassas Reenactment Photo Blog

A Review of the 150th First Bull Run/Manassas Reenactment Part 2

First off, let me just say that cleaning my room today was an AWESOME success. I not only cleared my floor space, but under the bed, one closet, and rediscovered a chair. Whoo-hoo! Best of all, my one cup coffee maker is within arm's reach of my bed. Mornings just got brighter!

Moving on from yesterday, Manassas was hot. One fellow who came by to chat told us one of his pard's was a recently returned Iraq War Veteran...he said Fallujah had better weather. I rest my case.

A Review of the 150th First Bull Run/Manassas Reenactment Part 1

This review has three parts. The first is a review of the reenactment as an event. The second part is a review of the reenactment as a participant. The third is a review of the reenactment as a memory making experience.

First and foremost, if you were there or have looked at anything regarding how the event went, you know that is was hot. I don't mean summer time in Virginia hot either, I mean on Friday, the heat index was 117 degrees Fahrenheit in Manassas, Virginia. Saturday was 114. Without the heat index, one car temperature read 110. In all my years of reenacting, I have never been to an event as hot as this one. In all my life, I have never been anywhere as hot as this. By ten in the morning, there wasn't a dry spot let on one's body. My shins were sweating. I didn't even know this was possible.

Recovering from a Reenactment

I don't know about you, but I am one of those people who needs a vacation after a vacation. Teddy, Faith, and I finally got home about 11:00 last night and I hit the bed, not to move again until 9:00 a.m. Today has been spent recovering from the reenactment and pilgrimage to Gettysburg. The first step to recovery is catching up on the sleep. We did sleep while in the hotel, but our bed was not the best and nights we not very restful.

I'm going blog wild!

When I have access to my computer again. Oh my goodness, I have so much to tell you about! See, after we left Manassas a day early due to extreme heat and surprised Faith with her first trip to Gettysburg. We are currently on our way to Bird-In-Hand, PA to visit Kitchen Kettle and Shady Maple Buffet to celebrate Teddy's birthday, which is today! Yay!

Here is a quick and brief rundown of what you have to look forward to:

1)My first vlog: where I look and act utterly ridiculous.
2) Ghosties and history and ghostie relationships.
3) A review of some new places in Gettysburg... New for me at least.
4) A photo blog of the 150th Manassas reenactment.
5) Lore, legend, and my test of them.
...and more. Much much more but I can't remember it all now.

If we return to Jersey at a reasonable hour, I will start writing tonight.

Bound for Dixie!

And I could not be more excited! Teddy, Faith, and I are currently en route to the 150th Manassas reenactment in Manassas, Prince William County, Virginia. We borrowed Teddy's mom's van and we are packed to the max. We have two coolers, three tubs for our clothes and personal gear, another tub for camp and cooking supplies, tent poles, tent, bedding, an air mattress, a cot, three chairs, two suitcases, a duffel bag, three sets of hoops, two wooden crates to hide said coolers, a set of cast iron, a backpack, and two purses.
Over the past two days, I feel like all I have done is pack and unpack my car. It's been exhausting. Yesterday, I went to the New Egypt Flea Market and it was amazing! I had such a great time, I am definitely going back soon. It was super hot and, therefore, pretty slow. I was able to get rid of some stuff and made a little cash. I will be posting a photoblog soon.
I am going to try to post again while we are away, but they will be short as I only have Teddy's iPhone. Stay tuned!

A Load of Bull...

Bull Run that is. Yes, the first "real" event of the sesquicentennial is just around the corner, folks. The 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Bull Run (or Manassas) Reenactment is this weekend in Virginia. The majority of Federal Headquarters will be heading down in the next few days, but I won't be leaving Jersey until Thursday night.

Turning Over a New Leaf

It's no secret. I love Bruce Springsteen's music. In my attempt to lose weight (more on that later), I have been taking Banjo for long, long walks in the park. Today, I brought my ipod and fell in love again with the song "All That Heaven Will Allow." This song just personified my life today. Now, before you think that I think I am "all that heaven will allow," the line that really catches me is:

Fleas and Spiders

I have been such a slacker on blogging and I do apologize! On the plus side, I have so much fodder for new blogs, I have to make a list to cover it all! I'm going to keep today's blog on the shorter side because I got a second wind today and don't want to lose it. I just came upstairs from vacuuming the basement. If you are both blessed and cursed to have a basement, you may have had a similar experience as I just did.

Independence Day!

I have been remiss with writing and I do apologize! Being out of work has me scouring job boards and classifieds quite literally around the clock. As I mentioned in my first post I never want to use Mary's Modern Mishaps as a place to just whine about my troubles. However, this whole job search doesn't put me in a mood NOT to whine, so I find myself in a Catch 22. Fortunately, I went to church yesterday and my parish bulletin had a wonderful piece in it that I simply have to repost in honor of Independence Day: