Spielmanzug 2003 - 2024 (trans. Brass Band)

Saturday, January 27, 2024

Peter and I had prime seating at Vivian Jung's reserved table at the Homewood Suites in Oak Creek for this gala event.  The room was roomy and comfortable.

This is part of Mardi Gras, so the costumes were very imaginative.

This was a first-place winner

The Speilmanzug led the procession of dignitaries.

Prinz Julian Kegel greeted Austrian American president Frank Schmidt.

Schutzmann (police constable) Wolfgang Schweizer kept order when Board member Cindy Regenfuss misbehaved.

The Milwaukee Mullers, with their unique costumes, circulated around the room.

                                        

Muller musicians provided the music for the lively Muller parade

The Mullers have a national tradition and each of their costumes has a particular significance.

You can learn about the Mullers and their traditions here.

 http://www.milwaukee-mullers.org/muller-tradition/

Week 4 - Tarantino Mem., My Breakfast, Chamber Theater, Funeral,

Sunday, January 21 Sunny but cold.

Janice still beat everyone with 3 in Wordl.
The church was packed, since Father Tim celebrated. I could not believe Ava read with her father just having died, and she didn't break up when she read the petitions naming her father.
I watched a lot of football, more than when the Packers played. The Lions beat San Francisco and the Chiefs beat Tamp Bay.

I designed invitations for breakfast on Tuesday. I went to Fresh Thyme for pineapple; they were quite small at $2.59, I think. Metro Mart had pineapples twice the size for $2.49.

Monday

I made a pumpkin bread that smells divine. While it was baking I passed out invitations to breakfast.

We had an inspiring memorial service for James Tarantino led by a staff person from Capri. We prayed and shared memories. Brunetta said a prayer that was totally unrehearsed but so very meaningful, very eloquent.

Jackie sent an email that Happy Hour was canceled to make time for former WI Supreme Court Justice Janine Geske who will be speaking to us at 4:00 p.m. I went down early to get a good seat and the Trattoria was filled with people enjoying Happy Hour. Evidently, they didn't get the message.

I took my wine into the Cannoli Room and listened to Jenine talk for 1 1/2 hours. She talked about the process by which cases get into the Supreme Court and the big case of redistricting that might get there if the legislature doesn't find a solution to fair districts. She had such energy and passion for the courts and talking to groups.


Connie Haas' daughter, Andrea, owner of Riverwest Pizza provided pizzas for everyone in attendance, There was plenty of the four types to go around.

I cut up a fabulous pineapple, so sweet and juicy, and mixed together the first part of the oatmeal. I hope everything turns out well.

Tuesday. January 23
I really blew it in Connections. I focused on money with dollar and sterling. STILL was the word in Wordl.

I took the oatmeal out of the refrigerator to get it warmer, and then I added raspberries, blueberries and sliced almonds. I baked it for about 50 minutes and took it out of the oven at 8:55 a.m. My guests were gathering. I did not expect Jean Heinen and I was very rude to her by asking her to sit at another table. Dwight intervened and gave her a chair, and then added another table for all of us to sit comfortably. There were twelve of us: Rod DePue, Barbara Leigh, Rikki Thompson, Jean Heinen, Dwight and Marleen Morgan, Cheri French, Brunetta Soward, Bruce and Terry Wiggens, Jackie Haessley and myself. Everyone liked the oatmeal and appreciated my gesture. There is just enough for my breakfast tomorrow. I was very pleased with the result.
While we were eating, Chef Chris stopped to chat and answer questions about the food service. The big issue is the budget. He is making every effort to improve matters.

The cleaners worked on my apartment while I was gone. I sat in the Trattoria and worked the crossword and forgot about fitness. Since I had a sleepless night worrying about timing and adequate amounts I could use a nap. I felt very rested after a solid sleep.

I made some dumb mistakes in sheepshead and lost 60 cents playing alone with one fail card; I should have called a partner.
I lectored at the 4:30 p.m. mass
I had the rest of Jay's dinner from Saturday.

Wednesday
I was surprised to get the hardest category first in Connections; didn't do that well in Wordl with RELIC as the word.

I think I opened a can of worms with my breakfast. Jackie wants to make it a twice monthly pot luck on Saturdays. Bruce didn't think that was such a good idea because it would involve too much food. He suggested doing a sign-up for maybe three people to provide the food on a rotation basis. Everyone liked just coming for a meal (naturally!).
Abby drove us to the Chamber Theater for Moon over the Misbegotten, by Eugene O'Neill.
https://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/arts/2024/01/22/kelly-doherty-moon-for-the-misbegotten-milwaukee-chamber-theatre/72302734007/

Photos
https://www.jsonline.com/picture-gallery/entertainment/arts/2024/01/22/see-photos-from-a-moon-for-the-misbegotten-milwaukee-chamber/72311922007/

The Irish brogue was sometimes hard to understand but La Shawn Banks was outstanding.
When Abby picked us up it was very foggy. As we were riding home new residents Ron and Kathy said that their son gave them so many pints of Kopp's frozen custard there wasn't enough room in their freezer and invited those of us on the bus to help them eat it. We headed for the Club Room, but people were watching a movie; so we gathered in their apartment formerly occupied by Jim and Maryanne Szantor. There were about ten pints of various flavors of custard, including key lime pie. Ron scooped it out and Kathy distributed them according to our requested flavors. I had a caramel cashew with whole cashews almost more than the custard.





Out the window behind Bob is the dense fog making visibility extremely limited. ( I could have been driving home from sheepshead in this pea soup).
Bob was drinking some beer from a Pschorr Brau stein and I told him about our steins and how Peter chills them. He said his favorite beer was a Czech Double Bock and he offered those who wished to have a sample. It is dark and syrupy tasting.
Kathy said that her son collects packages of oyster crackers from restaurants. She had a basket of them to pass around; I took three packages.
Cookie ordered take-out from Panera today. I ordered squash soup (thick and hot) and a 1/2 ham sandwich (generously filled).
I did not make Genius level in Spelling Bee.

Thursday

BLOCK was the word in Wordl today

It was pretty foggy driving for my oil change at 10:00 a.m.  Gordie Boucher is all torn up.  The waiting room is in a big trailer, the restroom in another.  My car is in good shape.

Seven of us played dominoes until the Margarita Cocktail hour at 3:00 p.m., when Chuck and Jane Boecher left for Jim Tarantino's wake.  The rest of us continued to play after bringing our drinks to the game. Bob joined us, but thought the game too complicated.

Kathy Novotny said she was going to watch the Music Man at 6:00 p.m.  She didn't come, but I tried to get the movie and couldn't because Tyler's credit card needed to be updated.

I got to the Genius level again.

Friday

I'm not very good at Connections.

Abby drove a full bus to St. John's Cathedral for the funeral mass for James Tarantino.  Father Tim celebrated with four other priests.  The Cathedral was full.  Ava must have been totally exhausted from receiving hundreds of people with their condolences.  It was a beautiful service.

We got back just in time for the January Birthday party.  We were notified that only appetizers would be served, but there was a lot more than appetizers.  They were on the counter in the dining room, pork sliders plus cake.  It was quite substantial.  Frogwater provided Irish entertainment.

I finished a shawl that I hope to get blessed on Sunday to give to Ava.

 Fun Wednesday

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

I was surprised to get the hardest category first in Connections; didn't do that well in Wordl with RELIC as the word.

I think I opened a can of worms with my breakfast. Jackie wants to make it a twice monthly pot luck on Saturdays. Bruce didn't think that was such a good idea because it would involve too much food. He suggested doing a sign-up for maybe three people to provide the food on a rotation basis. Everyone liked just coming for a meal (naturally!).

Abby drove us to the Chamber Theater for  A Moon for the Misbegotten, by Eugene O'Neill.
https://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/arts/2024/01/22/kelly-doherty-moon-for-the-misbegotten-milwaukee-chamber-theatre/72302734007/

Photos
https://www.jsonline.com/picture-gallery/entertainment/arts/2024/01/22/see-photos-from-a-moon-for-the-misbegotten-milwaukee-chamber/72311922007/
The Irish brogue was sometimes hard to understand, but La Shawn Banks was outstanding. When Abby picked us up it was very foggy. As we were riding home new residents Ron and Kathy said that their son gave them so many pints of Kopp's frozen custard there wasn't enough room in their freezer and invited those of us on the bus to help them eat it. We headed for the Club Room, but people were watching a movie; so we gathered in their apartment formerly occupied by Jim and Maryanne Szantor. There were about ten pints of various flavors of custard, including key lime pie. Ron scooped it out and Kathy distributed them according to our requested flavors. I had a caramel cashew with whole cashews almost more than the custard.





Out the window behind Bob is the dense fog making visibility extremely limited. ( I could have been driving home from sheepshead in that pea soup).
Bob was drinking some beer from a Pschorr Brau stein and I told him about our steins and how Peter chills them. He said his favorite beer was a Czech Double Bock and he offered those who wished to have a sample. It is dark and syrupy tasting.
Kathy said that her son collects packages of oyster crackers from restaurants. She had a basket of them to pass around; I took three packages.  This was such an unexpected good time.
Cookie ordered take-out from Panera today. I ordered squash soup (thick and hot) and a 1/2 ham sandwich (generously filled).
I did not make Genius level in Spelling Bee.

Week 3 - Pot Luck, Jim Tarantino, Microsoft, MU, Sorensen Dinner

 Sunday, January 14, 2024

Below zero this morning; I'm glad I don't have to go outdoors.

Started my day with Connections and Wordl: DOING is Wordl's word.

I hardly ever work on my phone at church, but Don Skarda's email about Microsoft Office at $29.99 caught my eye and I bought it while in church.  I started entering information and I thought I would see my purchase on my computer.  When I got to my computer and entered the license I got the message that I already entered the license and could not enter it again.  I tried chatting with tech support, but got nowhere.  I was getting nervous because I needed to start the chili for the pot luck.  Hopefully, I'll get better results when I'm more relaxed (?).  I really would like that program, because I've been getting error messages while using Publisher, and that is my favorite program.

I started watching the Packers vs. Cowboys, and they were doing pretty good.  Pretty Good?? They won 48 - 32!

My chili was a hit; Dan Haessley and Bob had two portions.  The large slow cooker was full and got all polished off. It was a perfect day for chili: bitter cold and a football game.  Cleaned up the dishes when I got to my apartment and got to the Genius level in Spelling Bee.

Monday

Very cold with the wind chill.  Schools were off because of MLK Day.  I did not attempt contacting Microsoft,  I'm just not in the mood.  I managed to get dinner even though I didn't sign up.  Chris fixed me a take-out of chicken soup (delicious, but cold), shrimp with strained chicken from the soup and some cake.  I just can't seem to enjoy eating in that style.

Got through Wordl (BLOND) and Connections

Tuesday

I had my coffee and orange in the dining room.

I picked up a sheet from my shelf as I was going to Fitness, Jim Tarantino died yesterday.  Everyone is in shock; he was so active and interacted with us, especially when we had our coffee after mass.

I chatted with a Microsoft tech who got into my computer and seemed to fix my problem,  An email instructed me how to install Office.  It's Office 365 and does not have Publisher.

A lot of people were at mass today, including Jim's family.  Father Tim had the mass.

Wednesday

Did not get Connections at all.

Red Hat lunch was cancelled because HuHot was closed due to water problems.  I called everyone, and hopefully Janice got my message in time.

Instead of sheepshead in Muskego I tackled my Office 365 problem.  I got to chat with a tech who installed Office Pro 2019.  I have trouble losing the chat, but I got an e-mail as a follow-up.  Whenever I called I got such good response.

Did not do very much else.

Barbara Leigh, Jackie Haessley, Avery Aken and I gathered for the Readings.  Avery did a lovely poem

Thursday

Did the chair exercise Worked on another shawl.

We played dominoes on the larger table by the stairs which worked out well; we had a nice turnout.  I got the take-out meal (Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, peas; pasta salad, chocolate cake) and took it to my apartment to warm in the microwave.  It was better warmed.

Friday

Did the full workout. 

Rode with Bob Koebert and his daughter Donna to the At Issue lecture at Marquette on funding for museums.

I got to the Genius level with "Calculate"

Everyone received a letter from the Tarantino family on the death of Jim.

https://files.constantcontact.com/02dc5b33301/1b164097-b835-43ea-be7d-518857da82f9.pdf?rdr=true

Saturday

Janice beat everyone in Wordl with 2

Had my hair done with a much needed cut.  Filled up the gas tank, and headed to Walmart.  After going through that store and making so many steps, I felt very weak.  I took a long drink of water and felt better.  It was noon and I was hungry.  I spent over $100, but that included toilet paper and items I'd need for the oatmeal I'm planning for Tuesday.  I hope I can manage that.  I spent too much time searching for things.  Once I got outdoors, I felt refreshed.

I stopped at the Metro Market on 76th and Cold Spring looking for frozen cranberries.  There is none to be found.  I settled for canned pumpkin to make a pumpkin bread.  I finished my rounds at ECU's ATM.

After I put the groceries away I took a nap until Laura would pick me up at 5:15 p.m. for dinner.

Laura's phone call woke me up at 5:00, saying she was early after shopping for groceries for Annika.  On the drive she admitted to being an alcoholic.

Jay prepared a delicious Hanger Steak with smashed potatoes with a Caesar salad.  I had wine, Laura had a non-alcoholic wine.

We got to talking about alcoholism and whether Chet was an alcoholic.  I did not think so, but we agreed that his foul moods usually accompanied alcohol.  But there were many other issues we also discussed, like the lengthy silent periods and his hatred of my mother.

Laura is going to AA; Jay to AL Anon.  She, to face and control her problem; he, for himself in how to deal with it.  He feels their marriage is in jeopardy if Laura does not stay off alcohol.  I had no idea it was so severe.  She feels low self-esteem, mentioning that she could never play jazz piano like Chet wanted her to.  Jay and I really squashed that on many points, but I don't know if that is the only factor in her situation.  But she has a long road to travel, and staying away from alcohol must be permanent.

I said a prayer with them before I left.

I Managed to catch the Packers while they were leading San Francisco, and it looked promising.  But SF pulled away and took the win 24 - 21.  I don't think anyone expected them to make such a good showing.

I got to the Genius level again today.

Week 2 - Flood, Organizing, Dr. K, Snow, Game Night

 Sunday, January 7, 2024    

The fan is still going in my closet.  I opened the window most of the day, hoping the fresh air will help the carpet dry faster.  Sharon Malenda cautioned me about the possibility of mold; I'll keep an eye on it; they had to have their carpeting and drywall replaced.

I sorted my yarn and needles, arranged and will discard some vases.  I found a pair of prescription glasses in my tapestry bag that I missed more than a year ago.

The Packers beat the Bears 17 - 9

Monday

Many closings due to storm warning, but it only rained most of the day, with light snow beginning at about 2:30 p.m.  I think the cancellations were premature.

Started the day with Connections and Wordl. Most of us got Connections; I was low in Wordl.

I did the Balance with video.

Holiday decorations came down.  I organized and consolidated boxes.  I'm taking advantage of the turmoil caused by the flooding to put things in order.

Custodian Robert checked my closet; there is just the tiniest bit of dampness in the extreme corner.  I left the fan on until just about time for Complimentary Happy Hour.

Cookie Anderson arranged to have dinners delivered from Apollo Restaurant.  They were due at 6:00 p.m., but arrived more about 6:30.  A group passed out 26 orders of various dinners.  I had 1/2 chicken with rice, which was very good, enough for two meals.

Tuesday 

Anton, Aleksei and I tied for 4 in Wordl

I hit the Genius level in the Spelling Bee.

Jackie Haessley, Dwight Morgan, Joan Squire and I consolidated the pot luck supplies under the buffet in the dining room.  Consequently, I missed the weight fitness.

I continued working on putting things in order following my water problem.  My apartment still looks like a mess, because when I clean out one area I tackle another.  Also, I get pretty tired.

I lost 80 cents in sheepshead.

Read at the 4:30 p.m. mass.

Wednesday

Anton beat everyone in Wordl

But I hit genius level with "rhythmic"

I had French toast for breakfast.  

My apartment is starting to take shape.

Lousy cards didn't help me in sheepshead.  When I thought that I had very good hands, others had better ones.  I left at 3:00 p.m. to get back in time for the Residents Council meeting.  We are in the organizational stage to bring more community spirit in SRS.

I had the carry-out dinner: tomato bisque, port tenderloin, potatoes and rutabaga with warm sliced apples.  Very few people are in the dining room.  It almost makes more sense to take the food to one's apartment and heat it up.

Story telling about "New Beginnings" was very entertaining.

I'll get to bed early tonight for my 10:00 a.m. appointment with Dr. Kostopoulos.

Thursday

Enough snow was on the ground to make for slower driving.  Barely made Connections, but got Wordl in 4.

The word was BRIEF

I was really happy with my visit to Dr. Kostopoulos; all my tests were good.  He took me off baby aspirin because another medication was doing the same thing.  I could not find my car, used the horn and managed to locate it.  It was exhausting.  I felt so good after my visit that I had to reward myself with a butter pecan double dip cone from Leon's.  The parking lot was very slushy.

I took a nap before dominoes.  Nine people played, I played without a board.

I had meat loaf in the dining room; the big table was full, but the other tables were empty.

I got to Genius level in Spelling Bee.

Friday

Had an omelet for breakfast.  Worked on my puzzles.

After ripping the boa I was making with very fuzzy yarn countless times, one more dropped stitch and all the yarn went into the garbage.  I still have whole unused clump of it that I might give to Nancy who plays sheepshead.  I started a cap.

I sat in on the group that is organizing the Residents Council.  It's hard to say what they want to accomplish.  They are striving for more communal spirit and collaboration with administration.

Didn't do very much else.

Saturday

The roads look terrible with very much snow.

Wordl word was HEARD.

I'll keep safely off the roads this morning.  Salon Marie will not open because their power is out. Kat said that driving was impossibly slow.

I shopped for groceries for the pot luck tomorrow.  Our garage entry wasn't plowed, so I really had to gun the engine to get over the heaps of snow.  After checking my recipe for Tex Mex chili I still needed two more cans of stewed tomatoes.  It's getting very cold.

I managed to get to the Genius level in Spelling Bee.

No wonder that I was uncomfortably cold: I lost power and my thermostat wasn't set; it just was blowing air.  I reset it, also my clocks.

The chili from my freezer hit the spot.  People that ordered dinners were left hungry.  No one showed up.

There were two tables of games tonight.  I played Mexican Train with Bruce and Terry Wiggens and Barbary Todd; Charlotte played Sequence with Jackie and Joan Squire.

Week 1 - Pot Luck, SRS Dining, Janice, Annie, Vagabond FF, Flood

 New Year's Day, 2024

I worked on a bolo that I had ripped about four times already.  Now, I have to sit under the reading lamp with my glasses on and no TV to distract me to avoid missing a stitch.  The yarn is fuzz, with no way to pick up a dropped stitch.

I prepared spicy barbecue mini wieners for the Pot Luck today.  I had my small crock pot pretty well filled.  The dining room was well attended with residents and guests and the food was plentiful and varied.  

We mentioned the enjoyable time we had playing games on New Year's Eve, and it's possible we might organize a game night with various games.

I like playing Spelling Bee and I hit the Genius level.

Tuesday

A few of us helped Cookie Anderson with a mailing project.

Skipped fitness.

Attended mass.

Wednesday

Once I got up at about 2:00 a.m., I could not get back to sleep; my mind kept racing, thinking about making a group breakfast.  I even got up and looked up recipes on the computer.

Got to fitness.

Cleaned the refrigerator.

Didn't do very well at sheepshead; lost over $2.00. Terry said that I looked tired; no wonder, after a sleepless night.  Brian thought so too, and reminded me to concentrate on the game.

Janice's lentil soup hit the spot when I got home.

Thursday

I went down to fill my carafe with coffee.  When I saw Jackie having breakfast I decided to join her. 

I was early for my podiatrist appointment; when the scheduled person hadn't arrived I got taken and got a good toenail trimming.

I started making some Birthday cards with Publisher, but was getting too many error messages with "Publisher 2007 not supported", recommending that I buy another version.  I really use that program a lot, but I'm not about to pay for it.  I never have.

A group mail suggested we either buy or bring our own dinners today in order to keep our community spirit.  I ordered the dinner and joined Marilyn Minor, Barbara and Leon Todd and Dan and Jackie Haessley for a lively dinner. With the change and diminished dining options we are being very creative in organizing various ways to be together at dinnertime.

Friday

The first thing I do in the morning is check our group's score in Wordl and Connections.  Janice organized the group to include Laura, Anton, Aleksei and me.  We are in stiff competition who gets the lowest score in Wordl; Connections seems to be more of a challenge.  Because I subscribe to NY Times, I'm the only one who can work on Spelling Bee.  I work at that through the day to find more words.

Got to the fitness workout.  Afterwards, I worked on Spelling Bee with a stein of lemon water while I kept working on finding more words.  I got really excited when I got to Genius level so early in the day.  I was able to use all the letters with "likelihood".

Barbara Leigh is organizing a Talent Show to include other talents besides singing and performing; like other special skills.  She is planning on a fashion show with people modeling my shawls.

Janice came with wine to celebrate one year that we have been having lunches together.  Today she brought Shepherd's pie with corn flour muffins and cut up fruit (apples, oranges, bananas, pears) sprinkled with cinnamon.  We had black bean brownies with caramel toffee crunch gelato for dessert.

I walked Janice to the elevator; she went down, I went up to the 6th floor for Readers Theatre.  Sheri French, Barbara Leigh, Program Director Abby Syverson and I read parts in a play.

Annie Hahn invited the sheepshead players to her apartment to help polish off some of her holiday treats.  Only Joan Squire, Bob and I were there; others probably had other commitments.  Annie had a table set with cheese, sausage, crackers and other nibbles that she served with wine, beer and/or soda.  I stayed until 4:15 p.m. to be ready for Peter to pick me up for the Vagabond fish fry at Open Flame.

Thirty Vagabonds barely fit in the side room of Open Flame.  As much as Peter likes to be seen with the Vagabonds, I told him to reconsider being part of such a large dining group.  There was not much opportunity for conversation, waiters are overworked trying to serve so many people; although our waiter was quite efficient, some things were omitted.  I enjoy having a leisurely dinner, but the wait for this size of group is too long.  I think I convinced Peter that we should rethink going to Vagabond fish fries.  

Mini's Birthday card was returned.  I called and left a message, but have not received a reply.

As I'm writing this, I kept hearing a strange noise.  Water is pouring from the ceiling of my bathroom and everything is getting soaked.  Tyler is aware and is working on the problem.

Tyler left at 10:30 p.m. after wet vacuuming the floor in the bathroom and part of the kitchen.  The valve came loose in Edie's apartment above me.

Saturday

I took a top from my closet, and it was wet; other clothes in the center of the closet were also wet.  Further examination revealed the carpet was very wet, some cloth luggage and there was a lot of water in my laundry containers.  I reported it to Holly before going for my hair.

We have some light snow flurries, but nothing to hamper driving.  It was great to see Jocelyn again after her absence due to the loss of her baby.  I bought some groceries at Festival Foods, and then got my 2024 calendar bound at Grafix.

My bedroom is a mess, with everything pulled out of my closet.  Tyler came at about 3:00 p.m. with a powerful fan to dry the carpet.

Good-bye 2023 - Greetings 2024

 New Year's Eve 2023

I lectored at the 10:30 a.m. mass. Afterward, many of us gathered for coffee and conversation.  I called Jim Tarantino's attention to the St. Rita Square Facebook page promoting a workshop on "Moving Made Easy".  With the exodus of people moving out, I asked him if it was information on moving in or out.

Jay, Laura and Anton hosted Claude, Peter and me to a delightful New Year's Eve Nosh with an astonishing array of light (?) food: Smoked salmon filled deviled eggs topped with caviar, spicy Korean chicken wings, jumbo shrimp with cocktail sauce, barbecued meat balls, taco spread with chips, Chex mix, spiced pecans, a vegetable platter with dip, home made pickles; and cheese and crackers from Claude.

We passed the time nibbling, imbibing wine/beer/soda and light banter.

We gathered around the dining room table to play Left, Right, Center with dimes for tokens.

Laura was the first winner, so she immediately liked the game.  I won another and, I think either Peter or Anton the last.  We played while enjoying Christmas cookies and champagne to welcome the New Year.

Peter and I stopped at the Cathedral for a Peace vigil that was held from 6:00 p.m. until midnight.  Claude joined us. Fireworks were blasting and lighting up the sky as we were leaving.

The party was still going at SRS that began at 7:00 p.m.  There was a great assortment of snacks and sweets.  Some people brought games and Bruce Wiggens organized Mexican Train dominoes.  I did some coaching for people new to the game.

This was a fine way to end the 2023

New Year's Day

I worked on a bolo that I had ripped about four times already.  Now, I have to sit under the reading lamp with my glasses on and no TV to distract me to avoid missing a stitch.  The yarn is fuzz, with no way to pick up a dropped stitch.

I prepared spicy barbecue mini wieners for the Pot Luck today.  I had my small crock pot pretty well filled.  The dining room was well attended with residents and guests and the food was plentiful and varied.  

We mentioned the enjoyable time we had playing games on New Year's Eve, and it's possible we might organize a game night with various games.