My Week that Was - March 1

internet image Oreo Dream Extreme.

We started the week by using one of the anniversary gifts we received for a meal at the Cheesecake Factory. 

It's been a while since we ate at the Factory. If you've not been, they feature an ornate dining room with marble-like walls, elaborate art and chandeliers. A large kitchen is surrounded by large windows and the open floor design creates an ambiance of privacy because the acoustics creates a low 'dull roar' that makes it difficult to hear the conversation at the next table.

The restaurant is known for its ample portions. We planned on finishing our meal with cheesecake, so we opted to choose from their 'skinnylicious' menu (which was new to us): a crispy chicken sandwich with salad. It was good and the right amount of food, which removed our guilty feelings when we ordered an Oreo Dream Extreme cheesecake. 

I didn't get my phone out fast enough to get a picture, so here's its description: creamy cheesecake layered with Oreo cookies, topped with Oreo cookie mousse and chocolate icing. I don't have to tell you, it was amazing! We extended the joy of eating the extreme dessert by eating it over two days - another way to limit our caloric intake. Yum.

The Badgers followed up a big win with a disappointing loss to the Oregon Ducks last Saturday. Wisconsin had a lead and was seemingly in control when a combination of the Ducks defense and a stretch of carelessness with the ball turned a 15-point lead into an overtime loss. Next up for Bucky was Washington Tuesday night before they finish with Michigan State, Minnesota, and Penn State before the B1G Conference tournament.

Monday the winter issue of our donor newsletter was finished. It highlights ways donor gifts make a difference at Oakwood. Before leaving work Monday, I placed the newsletters in resident mailboxes, then distributed the rest Tuesday on the Prairie Ridge campus.

Thursday morning at the gym something happened that hadn't happened before. I finished my workout just before 6, grabbed my keys and headed to the car, when I was stopped at the door.

As a 24/7 operation, Anytime Fitness members have fobs to unlock the front door and record our visits. When we're finished we use the push bar to leave. Except the door wasn't cooperating, it was locked.  I tried pushing on different parts of the door, and asked another guy what he thought was wrong.

Next to the locked door was another one. This one had a chain in front of it with a sign, "emergency exit, alarm will sound." That didn't seem like an option either, we stood there looking out the door, wondering if the next person with a key fob would enter. I knew people had because I saw a person enter before I picked up my keys. 

As it got later, it seemed the emergency exit was the only option. The question was what would happen if the alarm sounded, or if the police are notified, it was so late I pushed the door open and left without a sound. Before I went to the car, I used my fob on the entry door and it worked. After it closed, it opened a second time before it locked again.

I left a message for the gym manager while driving to work, expecting the door to be fixed by the time I get there on Friday. The door wasn't repaired, in fact, the guest door was pointed to as the exit door, at least for Friday morning. I shouldn't have been surprised, it usually takes a couple weeks for things to get fixed.

Friday morning, I gave blood for the first time in 2025, it marked 17 gallons, 3  pints overall. I had a new phlebotomist on duty, having started two months earlier, but Rachel did an excellent job, filling a bag with red stuff then sending me over for snacks in the canteen. 

It was another busy day. I went through a list of independent living residents to make sure I wasn't missing opportunities to meet new residents or follow-up with people who weren't new anymore but for some reason I never met. 

That's my week, let's see what happens with the gym door; and here's hoping the doors in your life are open wide. Thanks for reading!