US GRANT HOUSE, Galena, Illinois, haunted silver butter server update.

of course, the haunted status of this item is a status I have unofficially granted. but I did find a pic online of the dining room that I stole. butter dish is on far left forefront of table.

I’m a month old!! Like: Cuddling with my mommy and daddy Pulling mommy’s hair Mommy’s breast milk Being swaddled Sleeping Bath time Dislike: Waiting for my food Sleeping in my crib at night Diaper changes I eat 3 ounces every 3-4 hours, I’m 7lbs 14.5 ounces and 21 inches tall. I’m spoiled rotten and love every minute of it. 💕

summer is skipping merrily along.

well, I guess it's technically over, since our grandkiddos are back in school. Kevin finally went fishing yesterday for the first time this year, used his pretty new blue rod and a lure he bought from our old neighbor Krystle's son.

yesterday I picked up Ann & Izzy from ER and hung out awhile holding baby. which is always surreal and wonderful. it just doesn't seem that long ago that our kids were babies. and now they're parents. I cleaned on basement, specifically Kevin's corner. scrubbed on some windows. and we did some porch sitting at Melissa & Dave's after Kevin helped him mechanic on something.

we slept in today. Kevin went fishing again. I stayed home, listening to podcasts and cleaning. put fresh pillowcase on Rip's pillow in travel carrier since he got carsick the other day. cleaned some glass and then polished some wood furniture. we do have some wonderful old pieces that look so amazing when I shine them up.

ok. didn't hear anything on the US Grant House tour about ghosts (or corrupt administration or alcholism)

nor have I found anything online yet, but there was an interesting occurance on our tour in the kitchen. The guide was showcasing the silver service, bought while they were in the White House, and was demonstrating the lid on the Butter Server. and the lid wouldn't stay shut. popped open several times. he chuckled nervously and gave us the rules about upstairs and sent us on our way. of course, it didn't occur to me to take a damn picture. this is the only room I didn't take a picture in. the guy in front of me was lining up some spectacular shot, so I just went on upstairs. But I know what I saw. and the more I think about it....I mean, yeah. very old piece. used daily by the family. maybe there's something wrong with the lid. but then why would he use it, knowing the lid had a problem and it is an irreplaceable antique? and he did have a kind of weird look on his face. but I just wasn't in ghost hunting mode, I guess. totally blew my big moment. we even came down from upstairs and had a backside view into the kitchen, and again....no thought about taking a picture. wow. but I wrote it all down, and my own personal ghost experiences are my own personal ghost experiences. It just didn't register as odd to me until we were walking in the historic district. hindsight. maybe I can find a picture of this piece online sometime? I am incredibly busy, of course. will try to pencil it in.

felt like someone was peeking out the window at me at The US Grant House in Galena, Illinois.....

Zerelda's first day of Kindergarten.

we have now knocked ZZ Top off our legends rock-n-roll list.

I love haunted hotels but the venue right across the street was almost TOO convenient. and I got an excellent nights sleep since I wasn't prowling the hotel and scrying into the night. there's no reason this hotel can't be as insanely haunted as The Julien. if (probably when) we return to Dubuque, we'll be staying at The Canfield, said to be haunted. and close enough to venue to walk.