Car Estimate/Brad and Janice Birthday Visit

 Thursday, October 31, 2024

I drove to Royal Auto Body on Chase Avenue where Ivan Zaiats gave me the major news on my minor damage to my car. Because I have a Lincoln, everything is more expensive.  He gave me a lot of information about talking and dealing with the insurance company.  But the bottom line is that it will cost $5242.19 to repair my car.

Next I filed a claim online, which was pretty time consuming.  I should expect a call from an adjuster in a day or so.

We played sheepshead at 2:00 p.m. until it was time to join the Halloween festivities.  Barbara Leigh and Rikki Thompson were in the right spirit.

Brad and Janice came with my Birthday present: a book she had printed of our Door County vacation,  A CD of  "Captains Courageous" and some licorice.  We had a lovely visit and when they left I admired and relived our wonderful family time together

2024 Skeleton Class Reunion

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

The day could not have been more perfect for a drive to Hubertus to view the annual skeleton display.  This year's theme is "Skullview High 49th Class Reunion"

A Giant King and Queen dominated the scene,

greeting all the former classmates to have a good time dancing

to their favorite music

while the cheerleaders put everyone in high spirits.

(Click on the picture to see the video)

You can't remember your old classmates without a name tag. Even Funny Bone  is here.

And there was a grim reminder of the consequences of smoking.

We stopped to admire the beautiful colors of fall

before having a pizza at Johnnie Manhattan's.

Masako's 90th Birthday

Sunday, October 20, 2024 

I was invited, along with Peter, to a 12:30 p.m. luncheon to celebrate Masako's 90th Birthday at Oishi Sushi and Bar in Madison.  Masako thought she would be celebrating with just the local family; she was really surprised to see so many from far away, including Peter and me.  The guests included: Myleen, Mike, Emi, Mika, her husband, and 1-month baby boy Vincent, Kenji, Rachele, Troy, Koji and friend, Kai, Eric, Emily, Miles, Naomi, Kimi, Peter, Marcia and Masako, the guest of honor.

We had a private room that was a little tight for our large group.  Bowls of soup and rice were set at each place.  Next, servers brought out three huge "boats" of food: sushi, raw fish, and other Japanese foods.  Here are two of the "boats".

There were also hot dishes served on hot platters like fajitas of chicken, shrimp and beef. 

For dessert, there were frosted cupcakes, and Masako had a hot fudge sundae with a Birthday candle.

It was delightful connecting with the family and children that I haven't seen in a very long time; it was a challenge identifying them.

Ninety-second Birthday

Monday, September 23, 2024

I'm having an extended celebration that started on Thursday, September 19th, with the Ladies of Lee-sure at Erv's Mug.  Cindy, Wendy, Karen, Kay, Vicki and I enjoyed a very nice luncheon, followed by a complementary ice cream for me, with chocolate sauce and a cherry presented by the staff who sang "Happy Birthday".  

We had an exceptionally nice waitress who had a sense of humor and gave us excellent service.

Today,  Sue Cottrell, Charlotte Crysdale, and Eve Sylvester treated me to lunch at Café Hollander.  After yesterday's downpour, it's hard to believe we were able to have our lunch outdoors.  The yellow jackets were a little pesky, but we managed.  I had a very nice bacon, chicken avocado wrap.

Eve drove and took us through neighborhoods that I'd never been to before.

September 24

"Happy Birthday" at breakfast; "Happy Birthday" at Book Club, "Happy Birthday" in the elevator, plus many cards and best wishes.

Janice called me from Sussex, UK; Peter called and didn't realize that we were going to the Hob Nob tonight, but there was plenty of time to spare.

Driving was messy with a steady light rain, but we were on time for our 6:30 p.m. reservation.

We were amazed by the number of cars in the Hob Nob parking area, on a rainy Tuesday.  We were seated immediately at a small table by the window.  It was chilly with loud diners at a near-by table.  The hostess asked if we would like to move to a quieter area.  The new seating was a great improvement.

Peter had a gin and tonic, I had a pinot grigio; we each had cheezy French onion soup; Peter had a spinach salad, I had tomato juice; Peter had a stuffed pork chop, I had beer battered scallops.

The waitress overheard Peter wish me a Happy Birthday, so she offered a dessert; we shared a crème broulee.

Thursday, September 26

We celebrated September Birthdays at SRS with pizzas on the piazza.  The day was great for being outdoors.  

What a treat to have Brianna and her guitar accompanist perform for us.

Wednesday, October 2

Claude invited me to dinner and suggested something near SRS.  He said that he liked Chinese, so I suggested Emperor of China, which Chuck and Jane Boecher really like.  I can see why!  It is a very lovely restaurant, and the food selection was extensive.  I had shrimp with pea pods; Claude had a chicken dish.  Both were enough for more than one meal apiece.  My shrimp were very large and the meal was delicious.  Claude enjoyed his meal also.  We had little frozen desserts to finish the meal. 

Thursday, October 3

Jackie Haessly took me to breakfast this morning.  When we go to Coffee Makes You Black, it was deserted and out of business.  I was thrilled when Jackie suggested the Plaza that I heard very much about.  It is kind of art deco style and very lovely.  I've always seen Eggs Benedict made with Canadian bacon; my Classic Eggs Benedict came with a huge slice of ham on each English muffing topped with perfectly poached eggs.  We had very good coffee, with refills.  This was indeed a wonderful treat.

Friday, October 4  Birthday Finale

Jay and Laura took me to North Point Bistro.  With all the heavy eating I've been doing, I was grateful that they suggested ordering from the appetizer menu.  I ordered a flaked smoked salmon with toast and a cup of French onion soup.

I had a special warm brownie to celebrate my Birthday.

 

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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Bass Bay and Much More

 Wednesday, July 3, 2024

A young lady was standing on the corner across from Pick 'n Save juggling bursting bags of groceries, plus a package of diapers.  As she tried carrying them, some fell and she would start over, with no luck gathering them in her arms.  I stopped and asked where she was going.  She said that she was going home.  I told her that she'd never make it with that load of groceries.  I told her I'd take her to her home, which she said was on Marshall Street, not too far, but incredibly far with those groceries.  Her name was Jenny and was most grateful for my help.

Only three tables at sheepshead, with not much luck.  Poor cards and weak partners didn't help.  I left early for my 4:00 p.m. hair appointment for our trip to Door County on Friday.

I told Peter to meet me at Salon Marie about 4:30 p.m. where I'd leave my car and we'd drive to Bass Bay Brewhouse for dinner.  With the weather rainy and cold the past few days, I wasn't sure we'd be going, but today was absolutely perfect: sunny, warm and calm.  Peter called as I was waiting for him that he was at Culver's.  He sounded very upset, and would not move from Culver's.  He was too upset to give me the address, like I failed to give him the address of Salon Marie.  He described where he was, and I though he meant the Culvers close to Greenfield Ave.  I managed calling him back and he said that I drove by where he was, on Forest Home Ave.  He had already left and was on Bluemound Road, heading home.  I told him to turn around and we'd meet at the Park & Ride on Hwy 100. That was a perfect arrangement and worked out very well.  We met as though nothing happened.

We waited about 45 minutes with gin and tonics for our table.  Peter had a Friday fish fry, I had grilled salmon with vegetables.  Peter took some of his home; my plate was clean.  We both enjoyed an almost perfect evening.

Walmart Madness

I needed to bring something for the pot luck tomorrow.  I did not want to buy more than I'd need, since I'd be leaving for Door County the following day.  Rupeena's was closed; I went into Walmart in West Milwaukee.  The place was crowded.  I found the recipe for grape salad that I thought I could manage and bought what I needed.  I proceeded to check-out and could not believe the long lines with overflowing carts, about 20 people in line before me, winding around the aisles.  I left my cart and left; no way did I need anything that badly.