Celebrating Christmas at SRS

 Friday, December 17, 2021

Our celebration began with lunch in the Tratoria: pork or beef tenderloin sliders, fruit salad, house made chips, and assorted cookies.  I joined a table with Dan, Jackie, Jim, Maryanne, Beverly, Sandy and Bob.  A cellist provided holiday music while we ate.

This was Mark Pietila's last day at SRS; he'll be moving on in his career.  As SRS becomes almost filled to capacity, he has less to do.

Following our lunch, we exchanged gifts with those that participated. We drew numbers to determine the order we would select one of the gifts on the table. Once one opened a gift it was up for grabs by anyone who wanted it and the loser would have to pick another gift, either from the table or someone else.  It seemed everyone liked the gift they chose.  My gift was a Milwaukee mug from Marilyn Minor.

We concluded our party with Marilyn leading us in singing ten Christmas carols.

Candy Cane Lane,SRS Decorations

 Monday, December 13, 2021

Our bus took four of us to Candy Cane Lane.  Many cancelled thinking we wouldn't see enough lights at 4:00 p.m. when we left.  But it was dark enough when we got there for us to appreciate all the effort these people did for this project.

We also drove on Lake Drive to view some of the lighting there.  St. Rita Square is also in the holiday spirit with lanterns on tables,

a Christmas tree that is growing with ornaments from residents,

and Frank's Nativity arrangement

Rockne Koch's Death, Marilyn Minor's gift and visit

 Sunday, December 12, 2021

The stollen with coffee for after mass went over well; I'm glad that I bought two.  Next week I'll bring the second one.  At least that way I won't be eating it all.

Sue Evans called asking me if I knew more details about Rockne Koch's death.  I didn't know more than she did, but we didn't seem to agree on when he died.  She is very heartsick with his passing because they became quite close.  At dinner recently he gave her a bottle of German wine because she shares her wine with him quite often.  I left some slices of stollen on his shelf when I knew he liked German things.  He promised me some of his maple syrup.  We also missed him at dominoes on Thursday; I know he really liked playing Screw Your Neighbor.  Sue and I had quite a lengthy talk.

Marilyn Minor called saying that she had a little thank you gift for me for including her on my membership to the Domes.  She came at 7:15 p.m. with a little jar of home made cranberry sauce/jam.  I had planned on watching the Packers/Bears game, but I invited her to sit down.  We started talking about various subjects when I mentioned that I watched TCM, which she was not familiar with.  I turned it on and "Finian's Rainbow" was playing.  We watched it to the end. I made tea in the meantime and we continued our conversation about SRS, her family and travels.  I didn't interject any of my travels for fear of prolonging the evening longer than it was going.  I did check the Packers' score on my phone, and was relieved that they won 43 - 30.  She looked at my digital clock and could not believe it was 12:44 a.m.  But we had a very comfortable evening in conversation and getting to know one another.

SRS Domes, WAUC Dinner at Brass key

Thursday, December 9, 2021

Just Jack and I showed up for the 10:00 a.m. sheepshead, so we played gin instead. He won big, just as expected.

Our bus took us to the Domes for the Holiday Show.  I could use my membership to include Marilyn (in the red jacket) with me.

The Show Dome was lovely, as usual.

We went through the Arid Dome.

                                                  Aloe

I love the imaginative use of containers.

And the Tropical Dome.

                                        Pitcher Plant

                                          Cocoa Tree

We were back at SRS by about 1:00 p.m., just enough time to have a bite and get ready for dominoes.

I won one game, but Jack won three.

We had a nice group at the Brass Key for our WAUC dinner.  We had a separate room, nicely decorated tables and a menu with a choice of four entrees.  Peter and I had sirloin tips over noodles, very tasty.  We sang some Christmas carols and played BINGO.

covid Booster, New Phone

 Monday, December 8, 2021

I was up way too early and couldn't fall back to sleep.  I got on my computer searching for locations to get a COVID Booster.  Walgreen's site offered boosters; I just had to fill out a form and pick a store and time that was convenient.  The first to pop up was the Walgreen's on 84th and Greenfield at 8:55 a.m. today.  Since I'm up, why not?  I skipped breakfast deciding to have breakfast after the shot.  I got there in plenty of time with a light dusting of snow on the ground and a very cold wind.  I walked very carefully.  

I  got the shot by a very personable pharmacist.

I drove to Pegasus Restaurant on 77th and Greenfield and had French toast and coffee.  That should satisfy me until suppertime.

I spent most of the day watching TV: Acorn and Midsomer Murders.

Terry called to say her phone was delivered; she had to sign for it.  Mine was in the mail room.

December Book Club Lunch at Ruby Tuesday

 Tuesday, December 7, 2021

We discussed The First Mistake with mixed reviews, generally favorable.

I don't usually join the Book Club group for lunch afterwards; it would interfere with sheepshead at SRS.  But because sheepshead is canceled, because of the COVID pandemic, I agreed to go to lunch at Ruby Tuesday Restaurant at Southridge.  Both Terry and Kathy had specials on their phones: Kathy had a buy one get one free; Terry for a $5 Cheeseburger.  Kathy could use if for just one other person; this Ruby Tuesday does not recognize Terry's.  Soon the manager came to our table explaining that the fine print on the offer applies to participating Ruby Tuesdays.  Terry was having a good-natured banter why his restaurant didn't participate and it should.  It went on for a while, but mostly in fun.

We enjoyed our meals with no other mention of the offers.  When it was time to get our bill the waitress said that the manager paid for our SIX lunches, including beverages.  We left good tips for our waitress.  The manager came to our table and we chatted about all kinds of crazy things and thanked him for his generosity.  We promised to be back next with with more complaints.

Terry and I got together afterward, examining our new phones and transferring data.

Visit with Laura

Sunday, December 5, 2021

We are still on lock-down with advice to avoid gatherings.  We are free to be out of our rooms and carry on our private business, but no group activities.  I decided to skip mass because that is a pretty crowded and there is no spacing.

Laura came shortly after noon with packages of turkey noodle soup and a package of frozen  rolls.  Lucky there was someone entering the building with her to let her in, because I was pressing 8 instead of 9 on my phone to answer her call.  She wasn't too thrilled.  We visited with a glass of wine.

The soup hit the spot with the hot crusty rolls.  Just enough for a Sunday supper.