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.