Outing with Brad and Janice

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Today was mild and perfect for the outing that Janice and Brad planned.  We would be going to the Cedarburg Quilt Museum, have lunch with Colin at West Bend Insurance Company and finish the afternoon at the Museum of Wisconsin Art.

The quilt museum is in a restored barn and located in a rather remote area of Cedarburg.

The museum featured quilts from Japan, and Cedarburg is only one of four cities chosen to display them.  https://www.wiquiltmuseum.com/current-exhibits

The attendant told us many details of the quilts and gave each of us magnifiers to closely examine the intricate work. The photos do not do these exquisite works justice: the needlework, use of materials, applique, symbolism and color were incredible.

 

Colin met us at West Bend Insurance and treated us to lunch at the company's wide and airy lunchroom with a beautiful prairie view. There were various stations for sandwiches, a vast salad bar and burgers, plus assorted beverages.

Colin gave us a tour through bright halls lined with artworks, comfortable conference rooms and attractive rest areas.  We finished in Colin's cubicle, tucked among numerous other cubicles in a huge office that dealt with different kinds of insurance claims.

There were many interesting pieces of artworks at the Museum of Wisconsin Art in various media arranged in spacious galleries.  

This is how we perceive animals in the dark, from the least to the most fierce.

And this seemed like a typical Wisconsin scene.

This was a perfect day.

Enough to Keep Busy

Sunday, January 4, 2026

I was ready to make breakfast and I could not find the eggs that were delivered yesterday.  I scoured the entire house, even the freezer.  I know they were delivered.  I went to the reception desk thinking that I forgot to put them in my cart.  They weren't there, but if that's what happened, maybe someone picked them up.  I wanted to check my receipt to see if I actually ordered them.  The receipt was for over $200 for items I never bought.  I called Kroeger and it took a long time to straighten it out (before mass!), but I'll get $20 credit to my account.

The first reading went very well.

Laura dropped in with the special potato chips, shaved salt and chocolate buttons for the potato chip cookies.  And we visited for a while.

I spent most of the afternoon working on my spending spreadsheet.  Now I have to wait for the AAA bill to come.

The movie was "Jumpin' Jack Flash", kind of goofy with Whoopie Goldberg. 

First Friday Fish Fry

Friday, January 2, 2026

I sent Peter a message that I'm FREE, meaning that I was free of bedbugs.

I placed a large grocery delivery order to Pick 'n Save, and another order to Amazon.

After the fumigator finished and gave me the "all clear", I got busy and started straightening my apartment.  I can't even remember what was in the storage boxes under my bed, so I took them apart discarding and arranging  the contents, including my closet.  It was an exhausting job.

I was overjoyed to get Peter's text suggesting making a reservation at Sazz's for a fish fry.  That was no problem and Claude agreed to join us.

But Peter misinterpreted my meaning of FREE.  I meant free of bugs, he thought free for the evening; hence the Friday fish fry.

That was the best mistake ever. 

 A good fish fry with beers was very satisfying, and it was nice to have Claude with us.

New Year's Eve, 2025

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Laura invited Peter and me for dinner, but since Peter suggested going to the Bavarian Bier Haus for their early New Year's celebration, I declined Laura's invitation.

We did not have a reservation, and even though there were empty places when we arrived, they were all reserved.  Peter seemed disappointed when we were seated in the sparsely filled dining room, but we found a table next to the fireplace and ordered beers.  It didn't take long for the room to get filled almost to capacity.

A manager asked if I'd agree to be moved.  I said, "No", but then he suggested a table to the side, and I agreed.  A large group occupied our table with another table added.

Two men entertained us starting at 4:00 p.m., while we had smoked pork chops for me and goulash for Peter.

When Peter came back after taking a walk, he was very glad we were not in the big hall.  It was very crowded and noisy.   So, everything worked out for the best.

I was home by 7:00 p.m. 

Annica's Birthday

Monday, December 29, 2025

Annika and her boyfriend Domonic picked me up for Annika's 26th Birthday at Jay and Laura's.  

We had appetizers before Annika opened her gifts.

The box with a string of $20s really thrilled her.

Laura prepared a Korean dinners with bulgogi 

, yachaejeona (Korean pancake) and ants on a log (I later looked it up and it's called ants in a tree).  

Because Annika is lactose intolerant, Laura made a dairy-free chocolate cake.

Cookie Delivery

Friday, December 26, 2025

Pat Favier posted a photo on Facebook with her and her husband Pat, and wanted to know where they were on a Road Scholar trip where we were given sarongs to wear; the site was familiar.  I searched through my photos and the place was Bali.  That took quite some time to find, but I love renewing those wonderful memories.

I wanted to take advantage of Walgreen's photo discount and did more searching, especially suitable for men; I have too many flower photos that are more suitable for women.

Laura came with a container of assorted cookies, and stayed for a short visit.  I put together a money box for Annika's birthday.

Peter and I had dinner at Termeric, right down the street.  We shared a bowl of biryani with lamb and garlic naan.  We both enjoyed its tang.

Afterward, Peter took me to the ATM and Walgreen's to pick up prints.

I'll have to think ahead of how I can utilize rides.

Christmas Day 2025

Thursday, December 25, 2025

I am still in quarantine; therefore, I will not be able to attend mass at St. Rita.

I began my day prior to midnight with the St. Joseph Church choir's  midnight mass prelude.  Janice was one of the soloists, and sang "Lulajze Jezuniu"

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNvvXPo-oI6ksRx8onCV2VzKI6lD7mYA_D0Ovvs

Sharon Malenda brought me Holy Communion after St. Rita's 10:30 a.m. mass.  I was pretty tired after staying up for the midnight mass, so I took a nap before going to Brad and Janice's.

Janice had some lovely appetizers waiting for us while we visited and waited for dinner.

The main feature were the pierogi that Janice, Brad and Claude made on Tuesday: 107, with only two splits, just at the start of the operation.  Janice also served a vegetable curry and a refreshing fruit salad.

We finished off the meal with Janice's gingerbread boys/girls and Laura's cookies with coffee.   Unfortunately, Annika could not be with us.