Donnie Selenke

 Monday, September 30, 2024

Today we remembered Donnie Selenke, who died after a long bout with cancer.  

He was regarded as being always joyful and in good spirits.  

Rose Smith.

 Friday, September27, 2024

https://obits.cremationsocietyofmilwaukee.com/rose-smith-nee-mirenda

Father Tim celebrated Rose Smith's funeral mass that ended with everyone processing out of the church with noisemakers while Iason played "When the Saints Go Marching In"

Many residents and friends gathered for the reception in the trattoria afterward, with Chef Dave's wonderful catering service providing a nice variety of delicious food.

Jackie and I gave five prayer shawls to the family: Wayne and Jan (daughter)

 John (son)

Marie (sister and resident at SRS)

 and John (brother).

Octoberfest

 Friday September, 2024

The Osher movie today was "Captains Courageous". one of my favorites.  We'll be seeing four more featuring Spencer Tracy.  Roy Krueger gave an introduction about Spencer Tracy's life and career before showing the movie. 

I was home in plenty of time for Peter to pick me up at 4:00p.m. to go to Octoberfest. Admission was free with the Bavarian app.  There was a light crowd when we got there. but the grounds were nicely spread out later on.  We shared a half chicken dinner which was plenty. I wish that I hadn't left the plates and utensils in the car; I prefer a plate and real utensils instead of a paper tray and plastic.  But the chicken was delicious; I'd order it again.  

It was a perfect evening. with a slight breeze. I was comfortable with my light gray sweater.  I'm sorry that I didn't tell Claude that we were going, it would have been nice to have him join us.

Friday, September 27.

Claude joined Peter and me at Octoberfest. It was quite breezy, but once we moved in front of the small pavilion we were shielded from the breeze. We had a very pleasant evening.

Pot Luck..

 Sunday, September15,2024

I made beans with ground turkey and baked it in the large Sunbeam bowl, since I didn't have a large casserole.  I transferred it to the small crock pot for serving.  My contribution was the largest in the buffet.  

 I don't think I want to continue providing food for so many people. who were lining up precisely at 4:30 p.m. We include Assisted Living residents, who do not bring food (understandably), and the Independent Living residents bring only small amounts to feed maybe six people, rarely main dishes. 

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United Health Care - Advantage

 July 20, 2024    

A number of people have signed up for United Health -Advantage after Tyler suggested looking into it.  Jackie signed up and encouraged others to do so also.  

I made an appointment with Margaret Schultz to give Peter and me information about the benefits of this insurance.  Peter did not think he would be saving enough to justify signing up; I decided to give it a try.

The first time I went to Walgreen's with my card I got a few over-the-counter items at no charge.  I also sent for some vitamins from the catalog.  The next time I tried using my card, it was rejected.  I called Margaret who said that there is some glitch with MPS, because it has something to do with my benefits.  So I had been canceled.  Margaret re-enrolled me beginning July 1.

Janice suggested that I meet with their agent Jeff to set my mind at ease that my plan is good for me.  We had a Google Meet on July 16, and he seemed to think it was fine, especially the $500 per year maximum out-of-pocket cost.

I am allowed $375.00 per quarter for over-the-counter merchandise.  Since there is no way that I spend $375.00 in three months, I am buying things for Kinship.  Dwight thinks it is unethical, but Jackie researched the situation and that is what she and some others do.  On July 18, I ordered over $300 worth of merchandise that included some things for myself: pillow, vitamins, hydrogen peroxide.  

On Friday, July 19, Rachel from UHC-A called to give me phone numbers and information when I need help.  My concern was that my physicians are in the plan.  She could not find Dr. Kostopoulos.  She recommended that I call Aurora billing department to see if he is on their list.  They could not help me.  I called UHC-A again and was transferred to another department.  I could not understand the person I was talking to who spoke rapidly and cut off her words; I was cut off.  I did research on my own and I found Dr. Kostopoulos on the list of cardiac specialists, so I was satisfied.

September 12, 2024

I have been getting two insurance cards: one from Advantage and one with an MPS logo; I though I had opted out of MPS when Margaret met with Kathy Narlock and me and signed forms to discontinue MPS coverage.

When I purchase feminine pads at Pick 'n Save, which is a covered OTC  item, my card was rejected.

I left messages at both Margaret and Lisa at UHC, hoping to get answers about dual cards and coverage.

Lisa called my an Tuesday, September 10, while I was at the Bavarian Bierhaus with the MARTA luncheon.  Trying to hear in the lobby, then outside with the freeway traffic overhead was difficult.  We spent a minimum of 30 minutes getting details of what my cards covered.  Lisa tried to convince me that I did not qualify for the Advantage plan because I did not live in a nursing home or assisted living; buy when she then included senior living, I did qualify.  She tried connecting me to MPS with no results.  The bottom line: I had to contact MPS to opt out of their plan.

I tried calling MPS when I go home from the luncheon; that was a joke.  Expect a call-back in maybe two days.  I decided to personally go to MPS the following day.

I got to MPS Benefits office by about 10:45 a.m. The first person I spoke to did not have enough information about what plans I had.  The next person tried to discourage me for opting out because I was paying nothing for MPS coverage, plus getting some money every month; why would I pay for different coverage.  I explained that I would be getting added benefits from the Advantage plan.  They almost had me convinced.  But I signed the form and my coverage with MPS will end at the end of September.

LET'S HOPE!

Pizza Alone

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

I would have loved to go to a bier garten on this perfect day, but Peter decided to go to the Vagabond meeting to renew his membership.  He could have done so in October or November, when the day was not so perfect.  Calling him produced no results.

I did very well in  sheepshead, winning $1.95.  On the way home I contemplated picking up a quesadilla from a truck, but...what am I thinking?  I'm driving right by Catero's!  I would love a pizza.  I was the only one seated, until a man came and sat at a nearby table.  I ordered Catero's Special with a glass of Lambrusco.  I loved the quiet, without the clamor or other people.

 The pizza was as wonderful as I imagined it to be.  I ate one half, and took the other half home.  Alas, it will not be as delicious as it was in the restaurant.

Almost-New Computer

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

My desk top computer died and I could not revive it.  I emailed Brain about the problem on Sunday and did not expect to hear from him so quickly.  He called as we were driving to Carl Schurz Park for Frank Schmitz's Birthday.  Brian thought he'd be able to look at it on Tuesday.

As our breakfast group was having our breakfasts, Brian called and asked if he could come today (Monday, Labor Day).  Of course, he could.  He was here in about one-half hour and I directed him where to park.  He disassembled everything and took it away.

Brian called as I was watching TV last night, explaining my problems and said that I would need a new hard drive. Since I don't need my computer for fast-paced games, he considered it worth fixing instead of buying a new computer.  He would restore everything and put it in faster working condition.

Brian texted me to say that he would be over with my computer.  Everything is connected and working like a charm.  He had suggestions for making my files more easily accessible.

My files are all organized; my computer never worked so good, with my files where they should be.

Thank you, Brian.

Labor Day 2024

Monday, September 2, 2024

Laura and Jay invited Peter and me for a cookout, together with Claude and Annika and her two friends, Brian and Lucas.  Brad and Janice were with Janice's friend Heidi.

The day was perfect for eating outdoors.  Laura topped off the cookout with her signature apple pie, served with cinnamon ice cream.

Tablet Frustration

 Friday, August 30, 2024

I've been getting the message "Dangerously low in memory" on my tablet, even as I remove apps and clean out files.  I was planning to show a Power Point of my balloon ride over Cappadocia at the Travel Stories, and the program would not open.  But it worked on my older tablet.

I went to the hands-on WAUC meeting yesterday hoping to get help.  Tom and Brian both worked on it, but removing apps contributed to minimal improvement.  

Terry mentioned that Tom had his Kindle Fire 10 that he just bought and really loves it.  I looked at it and noticed how extremely light it was. Terry has been talking about Kindle Fire for years and how she loves it, recommending it highly.  I was always reluctant to buy one, but we looked at them together online.  Tom got his on Prime Days for $75, Amazon had it for $89.

When I got home from the meeting I ordered one.  It was in the mail room at 9:00 a.m.!  as I was going to Nancy Alioto's funeral (one of our Prayer Shawl members)  https://www.harderfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Nancy-A-Alioto?obId=32899541   

Also delivered were two magnetic shelves to attach to the side of my refrigerator.

I unwrapped the Kindle Fire and started going through the set-up.  When I tried setting up my email I had problems with my password and verification.  Then I got a screen with numbers like numbers on a phone. I was getting nothing buy advertising and nothing else.  Terry suggested calling Amazon tech support.  The number she gave me was robotic and asked questions about returning the product.  After a lot of shouting at the robot, I connected to a person who gave me the number for tech support.  That number wanted to sell me something.  I tried again, with more shouting at the robot until I got a wonderful tech who had me factory install the tablet.  I managed to complete the set-up until I got those stupid numbers again.  I was ready to scream.  Then I realized....those numbers were for me to enter my PIN!  What a dope.  After that fiasco, I was able to enjoy my tablet the rest of the day. 

Monday, September 1

As I'm using my Fire more, I'm really liking it, especially being able to write with a stylus instead of type.  I ordered a case and it's delivered.

Frank Schmitz's Birthday

September 1, 2024

Frank had an open invitation to his Birthday by announcing it on the German radio program on Saturday.  He belongs to a number of groups, and is well known; therefore, there was a large attendance at Carl Shurz Park. The Austrian American Society was well represented. We were lucky to find a place to sit.

Food was provided by the Carl Shurz members and included hamburgers, brats, potato salad, beans and various desserts.  There was unlimited beer and other drinks, also Jägermeister.  No one went away hungry.