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.

Christmas Eve 2025

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Laura and Jay invited Peter and me to a Christmas Eve early dinner. What a marvelous idea.

Laura never spares the decorations, and this beautiful tree was the centerpiece.

Jay didn't spare decorations either; he decorated the girls with blinking lights.

I made these place favors for the dinner, Janice and Brad's Christmas dinner and my second floor SRS residents.

We had conversation with an assortment of appetizers before our meal.

Laura served beef tenderloin with hasselback potatoes, an arugula/strawberry/cranberry/pecan salad and garlic toast,

with a platter of cookies for dessert.

Needless to say, the beef was melt-in-your-mouth tender, and every accompaniment was delicious.

Afterwards, Peter and I drove through some neighborhoods taking in the holiday decorations.

Car Disaster

Sunday, December 21, 2025

Today may determine the end of driving for me.  

At 11:30 a.m. I had a serious incident with my car (not me).  I was going west on Pleasant Street, on my way to Peter's where he would drive us to Bullwinkle's for an Austrian American Christmas dinner.

My tire hit  one of those low islands that slow traffic and got my car really off kilter.

Two flat tires; the car groaned when I tried starting it; I couldn't move my steering wheel.

I called AAA for a tow.  I waited over 2 hours for a tow truck to take the car to Gordie Boucher on Hwy 100.

While I waited, it was so gratifying how many people came to ask if I needed help; Pete who lives down the block, at least five times to check if I was OK. (All, with the exception of one man, were Black, men and women. 

Peter insisted that I should still come to Bullwinkle's because I'd need a ride home, so I called Lyft to take me there.

I've had time to evaluate my situation, especially after the incident with the side view mirror.  With the cost of parts and labor's exorbitant prices, the repair will be in the thousands.  My insurance will not cover anything, since I have only liability.  How many Uber/Lyft rides can I get for the price of repair?

My only regret is my independence - getting in my car to go where I want, when I want.  And I'm still limiting my driving to daylight hours, since glaring lights are very disturbing.

I will have to make changes, but there are many options available.

Monday, December 22

Saturn called at 6:59 a.m. asking if I had ever done business with this dealership, because my phone number does not appear in their system.  I said I had been doing business with Boucher ever since I bought my car.  Unfortunately, this was Boucher Saturn, not Boucher Lincoln.  The car was delivered to the incorrect dealership!  I would have to have it towed to Boucher Lincoln.

I called the towing company (thank goodness for numbers stored on my messages) and Max would pick it up after he finishes with his job in New Berlin.

Tuesday, December 23

Gordie Boucher called at 7:43 a,m. telling me I had two flat tires, big news.  I told the serviceperson what happened and now the car is disabled.  He questioned the age of the battery; I did not have that information, but the battery was not that old.  He thought the damage might be more extensive; I agreed.  Diagnostics will cost $400, which I approved.  I asked what would happen if the cost would be more than I could pay; I would have to have it towed out.  Would GB assume possession of the car?  He'd have to check with his supervisor; it didn't seem likely.

Monday, December 29

The damage was really not that bad or expensive:  two flat tires, a rim, battery, alignment that would cost approximately $3000.  Do I want to pay that much?  How long will I drive?  How much driving do I do?

After careful thought and talking to Claude, Peter and Jay, I should really not be driving any more.

Tuesday, December 30

I called Salvation Army and had to give a lot of information, plus pay the cost of the diagnosis before they would agree to pick up the car; they also requested a photo.

When I called Gordie Boucher, I paid the bill and they would take pictures of the car and email them to me.

Thursday, January 8, 2026

I had my car title signed that Claude picked up along with shopping for some groceries.

I called Boucher telling the service person that Claude would be there when the car is getting towed.

I called AAA to cancel my insurance, and will get a refund of $668.73 on my insurance.

Friday, January 9

The tow truck driver called at 10:27 a.m., telling me that he was twenty minutes away from Gordie Boucher.  I called Claude, who was ready to meet him.

Claude called me at 11:20 a.m., that the car was gone.  A slight problem was locating the car on the lot;  otherwise, everything went well.

Friday, February 6, 2026

I received a letter from The Salvation Army thanking me for the $550 donation for which my car was sold. 

Ozaukee Choral Concert

 Saturday, December 20

The night was crisp and windy when Peter picked me up for the Ozaukee concert.  The parking lot was full; Peter dropped me off and parked some distance away.  As I was waiting, Brad came and we waited for Peter.

The concert was wonderful.  Such a beautiful and fanciful arrangements.  They sang two versions on Deck the Halls.  The one before intermission was jazzy and syncopated, the one had famous melodies for the fa la la: Beethoven's Fifth, a Strauss waltz and 1812 Overture.  The accompanist played a piano solo of sparkling variations of Silver Bells; two middle school choirs were also included with the program.

Janice and Brad wanted to get home to watch the Packer game; they left and I waited for Peter.  I knew because he parked so far away that it would take some time for him to pick me up.  But now it seemed much too long for him to be coming.  I was the only one in the building, except for one or two stragglers.  I called Janice and she, too, was concerned; it's been a half hour.  She said she was on her way to find Peter.  After a few minutes, Peter came.  He was lost.

Somehow he took a turn that ended in a service entrance.  He tried getting back, but ended up in a shopping mall.  He asked for directions until some woman guided him back with her car.  He spent a lot of time explaining and what the alternatives could have been.

We needed a drink, but closer to SRS.  We missed the North Ave. exit because my phone was dead.  The phone cable was not in the car; Peter can't remember where he put it.  Why it was removed does not make sense.

Peter dropped me off at Von Trier's, and again had to circle around to find parking, had luck across from Educators Credit Union.  Von Trier's was filled with very young people.  Peter had the great idea of Hooligan's, right across the street.  Again, very young people; what people our age go bar hopping?  We had very good old fashions and watched the Packers.  They were winning 16 - 9 against the Bears.  A Packer's fumble and a Bear's touchdown with an extra point tied the score.  The Bears won in overtime 16 - 23 after a spectacular pass and reception by the Bears.

When we got to SRS I wanted Peter to observe the sign on the men's john.  I waited too long and went to my apartment.  Peter was able to give me 27 gummy bears for the place boxes and an Amish limburger cheese.