Moving Day

Monday, May 24, 2021

Two Men and a Truck arrived about 8:45 am with a lot of energy.  They moved so quickly, even running up the stairs.  They made many trips and grouped a lot of boxes and other items in huge cartons and rolled the dolly up the ramp to the truck.  I couldn't believe how many boxes I had.  When they got to St. Rita Square one of the men unloaded the truck then the other man got them off the elevator into my apartment.  To see all the boxes in my apartment was shocking.  They didn't know where to put them any more.  That's when the realization set in that I brought too much stuff.  I'll have to call the movers again to take some of the stuff to Good Will.  I don't know where to start.  I tried  putting some things away, but it is going to be an overwhelming job.  I was getting so exhausted and I looked like a wreck; I wouldn't dare going down to dinner.  I made a couple of grilled cheese sandwiches and wanted some wine, but I couldn't find a corkscrew.  A beer hit the spot now that I know that my kitchen shears has a bottle opener.

I went to bed at 8:30 pm.

Winding Down

  May, 23, 2021

After the 8;30 am mass  I thought I would like to have breakfast at Honey Butter but there was about a 2 hour wait. I saw empty tables and I think they prefer more than a single. Denney's had a special for $6.99 of two eggs, two sausage links, two strips of bacon, two pancakes and hash browns.  I also had many refills of coffee and a very welcoming staff.  That would satisfy me until dinner.

I did some organizing until Claude and Peter drove up at the same time.  Claude tackled the TV and all the components in the living room, next the computer that he'll keep in his car until the movers are done.  Peter took down pictures,, hooks from the wall and other odd jobs..  We relaxed for a while before going to Bass Bay Brew House for chicken.  It was very tasty; a quarter portion was just about right, with a beer.  Peter stayed and visited for a while.

I cleaned out the frig and assembled things together.  Early to bed early to rise.

All Around Town

May 21, 2021

I had to get up extra early for my 6:50 am mammogram apptointment at Aurora West Allis.  I'm glad I had that appointment now i stead of having to drive across town.  Unfortunately,  there was no valet parking, but I was fortunate to find a spot  very close to the entrance.  I had my car loaded to go to the dump afterwards, but I still had to pick up a litter bucket.  I had thought about going somewhere for breakfast, but I should use up as much as possible of what I have.

After breakfast I packed my plants and other odds and ends to take to my apartment when I pick up the key; no sense going with an empty car. 

I had a haircut that cut off most of my perm and we're deciding if I should forego a perm.  I have some time to think about it.  I needed to stock up on cosmetics since the only other Merle Norman is in Brookfield.  The manager said there is no postage on purchases over $50.  That's no problem.

I picked up Peter on 76th St. and he drove to St. Rita Square.  I got my key and handbook, then we picked up a cart to take to the apartment.  We met two Vagabond ladies, Judy Schmidt and one I cant remember. Peter really looked the place over.  We made another trip with all my little crates that I filled up in the closet.  The only thing we had trouble with was the thermostat; we could not understand how to change the numbers.  The staff was already through for the day so we got no help there.  A woman in the dining room said you have to be patient, it takes a while for the thermostat to function.  I was surprised there weren't more eating in the dining room, also, they do not have a liquor license so they do not serve alcoholic  beverages, but you are welcome to being your own.

It was a challenge to find parking near Von Trier's, especially with speeding, heavy traffic.  After some cruising, Peter managed to park relatively close. There were no printed menus; the policy is to order online. But the waitress said they had fish fries, which is something we wanted anyway, with Andeker Bock beer. The fish was served in a lined plastic basket.  The fish was OK, but the potato pancakes were soggy and rather tasteless.  The room was very noisy, we could hardly hear each other.  But we satisfied Peter's desire to go to Von Trier's.

Full Morning

 May 19. 2021

As I was passing time before my 11:00 am appointment with Mark Pietila at St. Rita Square.  Terry texted me wanting to know if we are going to Red Hat lunch today.  Oh my God!  I completely forgot; I didn't even remember the place that Kathy suggested in Greendale.  I hastily sent an email and said the lunch would be at Honey Butter, and just show up.

Mark explained many of the documents that I had to sign.  When we came to the pets, he said, "You know there is a $500. fee."  I said I thought it was $1000.  No it was reduced.  That was nice to hear.  He told me where Claude can unload when he brings in my computer equipment.  I can get the key on Friday and bring in some light stuff.

I finished with my appointment that would be enough time to get to the Red Hat lunch.  I called Terry, but she was really not in the mood, which was understandable after just losing her father.  I didn't thing June and Jane planned to come, neither Joy or Kathy, maybe Janice, but Julia always looked forward to the lunches.  I decided to just drop in at Honey Butter.  Julia called me as I'm driving saying that she was at Honey Butter.  I was so happy that I decided to go there.  At least that salvaged something.  She was waiting outside and there would be at least an hour wait.  We went to Point After and had a very nice lunch and a lot of conversation.  It was the most conversation we had when we could just be the two of us.

Then a really big shock.  Mike asked if I had the paid receipt for the radon work so I could be reimbursed.  I said I didn't think I was going to be reimbursed, but he thought I would be.  That would be very nice.

Sad Day for My Birds

 May 16, 2021

I went to the 8:30 am mass and got back just a little before Brad and Janice came to pick up my bird stuff.  I'm glad that I still had my tool box handy, because the joints on the feeder pole were really stuck.  Some WD-40 loosened them a little and Brad used a hammer and screw driver to get them apart.  I'm keeping a few feeders; hopefully some birds will find me at St. Rita's Square.   I watched a rose-breasted grosbeak and a male cardinal, plus many of the common varieties searching for food in the lawn.  I miss them already.

I went to Pick n' Save on Hwy 100 for boxes, but they didn't have any right now.  I headed to Festival Foods and approached a man stocking bananas.  He took me to the store room and gave me six, the same boxes that I had before.  The people were so gracious.

I filled a couple in the afternoon.

The day was very pleasant, warm and sunny.

Boxes

May 15, 2021

 After my hair and a salad at Culver's, I went to Festival Foods to see if I could get packing boxes.  I approached a group of men that seemed like store managers and asked if it was possible to get some boxes.  One of the men immediately led me to the produce department and asked the produce manager to furnish me with some boxes.  The young lady went into the back room and came out with three banana cartons; then came out with two more.  They have empty spots on the top and bottom that I could layer with cardboard to make them more secure.  But the boxes are very sturdy and easy to handle.

I had such a positive experience I'm sorry that I didn't patronize that store more often.  I was greeted throughout the store by store personnel of every rank: managers, stock boys, check-out, even a young man hauling in carts. 

When I got home I filled a few boxes and I'll get a few more.

In the evening Peter and I had a fish fry (delicious blue gills for me) at O'Sullivan's before driving to the Austrian American meeting, the first one since March 2020.  It was a good feeling to see those who attended.  Doug Scott thanked me for the chemo caps I sent him when he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.  He appreciated them especially when he slept at night because he was so cold.  They were light and soft enough without being bulky.

Mother's Day

May 10, 2021

What a difference from last year.  Claude is the only one waiting for his second dose to reach its potential, so we still planned a zoom in the afternoon.  I'm invited to Jay and Laura's for dinner that Anton will be preparing.

Brad and Janice came in the afternoon with a beautiful bouquet.

I told them about my radon, which they had installed some years ago, and my new apartment.  Janice took the stable and a cast iron skillet.

We zoomed at J & L's at 4:00 pm.

I did some knitting while Anton prepared Herb crusted salmon with dilled beans.

Everything was delicious.

Jay outlined a trip to the UP that he though Peter and I might enjoy this summer.

I enjoyed a lovely day.