Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:56 pm on November 20, 2024 Permalink  

  Wednesday the 20th 

  The forecast does not look good for anyone planning on driving great distances next week.  That might be due to the fact that every day the forecast changes.  Dennis and I will be tucked safe and sound on Stauffer Avenue.

  I thought about my mom Lena this morning.  A huge part of who I am today is what I learned at her elbow.  It was not only while I was at home during high school.  During my days as a homemaker and a new mother, Lena was only a phone call away to check on baking, sewing and cooking in general.

  If a cookie or cake recipe listed ingredients, you followed it to a “T”.  The baking soda and baking powder reacted in a totally different outcome for success dependent on the recipe.

  When it came to making dishes for a meal . . . whatever was handy and available . . . it worked.  In Lena’s kitchen, meal time dishes were very creative.  The basics of meat and potatoes and you had a meal.  The advent of the various soups allowed for as many different oven meals as you could imagine.  If the ingredients would work in a blue speckled roaster, in an oven of 350 degrees for an hour and a half, the crockpot would do just as well.  Toss ingredients in and you have a meal in four to six hours.

  Where was the internet when I needed it years ago.

  I use a digital thermometer when raw meat has been used in a crockpot.  Anything in a range of 155 to 165, I call it good.  If a dish comes out of the crockpot a bit on the soupy side, I call it soup and put it in a bowl.

  I really enjoy the “Better than Bullion” that I find in the specialty department of Hy-Vee.  It enhances any flavor of what you are working with.  It keeps in the refrigerator . . . within reason.  When last I Googled it, I think there were at least eight different flavors.  The directions of how much to use of the paste compared to the little cubes of yesterdays is on each jar.

  Having jellied cranberries on hand or apple sauce can round out any meal.  

  The wind today is nasty and it bites.  The little bit of snow we got is swirling.

  We are having left0vers of our oven dish of yesterday.  If Dennis likes it, it is a keeper so I had best write down what I used. Tee-hee.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:52 pm on November 19, 2024 Permalink  

  Tuesday the 19th 

  The wind is really whipping it up from the north.  

  My bedroom porch is always grateful to have a huge evergreen type bush on the northwest corner of my porch.

  I believe we had 1.5 inches of rain.  The drought monitor should be having a better reading this Thursday.

  My studio time is showing progress.  I have undertaken cleaning up an old trunk.  It is not a job for the faint of heart.  Slow, very slow.  The exterior has shown signs of having an oil-cloth glued-on finish.  Some is good, some is not so good.  It matters not.  I have been mulling this project over for some time.  I can only imagine the rough treatment this trunk has had.  My objective is to allow it a new life being used as storage of items that have an emotional attachment.  We all know those items are handled carefully.

  The stitching project I had been working on for some time is now in a frame.  It was a 16″ x 16″ frame that was in my stashes of items in the cistern closet.  Gotta love those dry storage areas.  From my perspective this is my sampler giving a bit of my thoughts and my earmarks along the way.  I never knew what the end pattern would be until I had one item was finished and then thought about what would be stitched next.  It was a thoughtful project.

  I am now on to doing a few smaller pieces of stitchery from the cherry red sewing chair in my bedroom porch.  I have a new book that is getting very interesting.  Dennis watches murder mysteries on television and I choose to read about them.

  I am going to be trying a new oven dish for supper using raw cubed chicken tenderloins and the pre-bagged shredded potatoes.  The topping is shredded mozzarella in a bowl stirred in with some mayo and a host of seasonings and that is spread over the top.  What’s not to like with an oven dish on this blustery day. 

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:50 pm on November 18, 2024 Permalink  

  Weather 

  And the weather is turning.

  The rain was promised and sure enough it is here.  The air is chilling and hitting the arthritis hard.

  Quite the difference this morning for me.  I was up at 5:30, having coffee ready for Dennis by six.  His PT was at 6:45 this morning.

  Once I am up, I most likely will remain as such for the day.  After two cups of coffee Dennis was back home.  Dan Kern the PT guy is also a wound doctor.  The incision from Dennis’ hip surgery needed additional TLC from Dan.   One spot always kept weeping.  Dan cleaned the area and the wound dressing he put on is to stay on even during showers until Dennis sees Dan next Tuesday.  Wonderful doctors so close to home.

  Dennis stopped at Casey’s after PT and brought home biscuits and gravy for us for a breakfast.  Dennis was wanting to try them for some time.  The review from Dennis was made in the comment that he was not impressed.  The biscuit was solid and not willing to soak up any gravy.  Now we know.

  I was in the studio when I got a call from nephew Eric.  He first asked me about how to go about getting the power of attorney over his dad’s affairs.  Here it was 11:30 on a Monday morning and he already had a unit of an assisted living nailed down for his dad in Cloquet.  The unit will be Calvin’s new home.  It must be a fairly large complex as Eric said the building his dad would be in had 16 units.  It was just two days ago, Saturday, when Calvin had been broached by Eric for a move from Decorah to the Duluth area.  Talk about swift plans being nailed down.  Cloquet is 25 minutes from where Eric lives.

  Eric was on his way back to Decorah and I have no doubt a U-Haul trailer will be backed up to Calvin’s mobile home by dark this evening.  Small kitchen stove and refrigerator in the unit and Calvin’s furnishings that he chooses.  Calvin told me yesterday his landlord would inherit what he would leave behind.

  I am so pleased for Calvin and even more so for Eric.  Jason does over-the-road wide load hauls.  With the interstate right at Cloquet, Jason may well be able to have a load in the vicinity and get an Uber to see his dad. 

  Yippee . . . leftover Chicken pasta dish from last night.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥ 

   
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  Noreen 2:58 pm on November 17, 2024 Permalink  

  Oh Happy Day 

  Yesterday I mentioned I would call my brother in these next days and feel him out as to the visit his son Eric had made to him.

  Calvin called me this morning and shared with me that Eric had visited.  Calvin wanted me to know that in the not too distant future he would be living somewhere in the Duluth area.  I believe Calvin was relieved to have this move be in the works.  Calvin wasn’t concerned if it would be in an apartment or in an assisted living.  One of his comments were that when you hear a bell ringing find out what the message of it is.  Definitely growth on Calvin’s part.

  I visited three different projects I have going in the studio today.  Spending a little bit of time on each as the thought process is in gear.

  The sun is streaming into my bedroom porch this afternoon, almost making it hard to do this blog.  “Oh let the sunshine in, face it with a grin.  Smilers never lose ——-.”  Amazing how small ditties flutter in and out of my mind.

  Dennis went shopping this afternoon to one of the two dollar stores.  For a dry throat or perhaps a habit, Dennis likes Lemon Drops.  Yup, they can cause the throat to constrict.  From the looks of the plastic bag on the table, he may well have bought all they had on hand.  It’s not uncommon that the store cannot get them in.  Dennis is well set for Lemon Drops.  

  I have a container out of the freezer for supper.  It is a chicken oven pasta with carrots dish.

  The day seems to be flying.  In part it may be due to the fact that when Calvin called I was still in bed . . . sound asleep at 10 a.m.  Hmm.  No explanation needed, it must have been needed.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:37 pm on November 16, 2024 Permalink  

  Dreary Day 

  The strong south wind has finally let up a bit.  

  The sound of lawnmowers is telling that the weatherman’s prediction is being taken seriously.

  Our morning was spent at Maria’s salon here in town.  Haircuts and pedicures were on the docket.  Dennis could hardly wait.  The pile of hair around the chair as Maria snipped told the rest of the story.  For myself, traveling five minutes from our home, this day makes me feel kempt.  Our next appointment is December 21st.  It brings to mind how 2024 is dwindling.

  When we got home, I noticed a missed call from my nephew that lives in the Duluth area.  I called Eric back as I knew something was going on with my brother Calvin.  Eric was in Decorah at his dad’s.  Calvin has been having some issues staying upright.  Eric will be heading home to Duluth in the morning to begin finding some housing in an assisted living around Duluth or in the Cloquet area.  It was a sad phone call to get but totally understandable.  Calvin was not privy to Eric calling me, so sometime this next week, I will make a call to Calvin and chat just like we always have and not make mention of future plans.  The distance from Duluth to Decorah is not conducive for care visits.  Hmm.

  Eric mentioned he had taken some time off of work as his wife, Cycelea, had undergone breast cancer surgery several weeks ago. 

  This afternoon Dennis’ daughter Sandy from Mankato has been visiting.  We sent the flag home with her that the honor guard had presented to Dennis at the celebration of life for Jeff in September.  It being in a glass display case, our tiny home had no place to display it safely.  Sandy’s daughter Sadie, being in the military, will gladly add the flag to her family room where she has collected military items which include Dennis’ items from Korea.

  A busy day on a dreary day.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:39 pm on November 15, 2024 Permalink  

  I Spy 

  I spy with my new glasses what had been a-miss.

  When the eye clinic called that my new glasses were in, I was very surprised by the swiftness of it all.

  Immediately,  I knew there would be a period of adjustment.  I have worn no-line bifocals for quite a few years after giving up the contacts.  Glancing down was like the first time when the floor met me up close and personal.  No reading or stitching today.  The peepers will have a quiet day.

  I decided to spend time in the studio.  I have had additions in the studio.  Several years ago, neighbor Jan brought over two old trunks from her attic.  From her attic to our potting shed.  This last week I decided to either do something to utilize them as clean storage or burn them.  Hello studio . . . come on down.  I have thought long and hard about this project.  I am going to tackle the smallest one first . . . but not today.

  I am still in the “taking it easy mode” for today allowing for a lot of ruminating.  The arms need a bit of TLC from shopping at Sam’s on Wednesday and doing the sewing machine yesterday.  My first line of defense in the studio will be using my studio vacuum.   Many commercial stores or shops had garbage bins that the circular bottom fit and sat securely on a base that was embellished with a circular raised area that meshed perfectly with the garbage bin.  The huge base has five casters that roll very easily.  We actually have two bases that were in one of the houses that we demolished years ago.  If it rolled and might come in handy, they were saved.  Dennis totally cleaned one of the units up and that is now in the studio with the smallest chest on it.  As I decide going forward the rolling unit will make it easier rather then having the chest sit flat on the floor and man-handing it.  Working smarter rather than harder.

  Tomorrow is our haircut day and pedicures.  Dennis missed out last month as he was in the Pleasant View facility.  Seeing Maria is always a treat as I come home feeling pampered. 

  We are having baked potatoes and canned beef for supper.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:29 pm on November 14, 2024 Permalink  

  Yuk Fog 

  This morning, I headed out of town at eight, heading towards Bird Island.

  Amanda’s husband Kelly is the ace Bernina man.  Their shop in Bird Island services only Bernina sewing machines.  Yes, in a pinch he won’t leave some little grandma in a lurch but he doesn’t carry parts for other makes and models if its more than a tangled thread issue.

  The fog wasn’t the heaviest I have ever driven through but it was not to be taken for granted either.

  The quick stop in Fairfax was just that.  Kevin’s shop was busy and I wanted and needed to get home.  I have had a very busy week for this Grammie.  But now . . . there is nothing beyond our little town that I will need to venture out in after snow and ice decides to make an appearance.  What a great feeling.

  When I got home Dennis was waiting for me.  Dennis had made it out to the patio porch using his walking cane.  Leaving the walker for a bit, the legs strengthen. 

  Dennis took the sewing machine out of the back of the car and set it in the entry going down to the studio.  After I had a cup of coffee, I took it down the steps and into the studio.  It is easier for me to take the machine literally one step at a time going backwards keeping my center point of gravity leaning forward.  All 70 pounds of the beast in on its table, plugged in and ready for what I can do.  If I can imagine it, I can make it happen according to my rules, my tolerances and likes.

  The remainder of the week is quiet.  I am looking forward to it.  Not too long ago, I could have gone full bore for days on end with boundless energy.  No more.  I do stretch myself with my activities.  Having to concentrate on what I am asking the body to do, darn it, it zaps the energy a bit more than I would like it.  So what!  Getting done what is needed is satisfying and gives independence for a bit longer.  Get done what is needed and tomorrow morning I may sleep beyond eight . . . or not.

  As it happens, I have a Hy-Vee prepared supper dish that I purchased on Tuesday when I was in New Ulm.  We are having Orange Chicken with soy sauce over brown rice accompanied with buttered toast.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 4:15 pm on November 13, 2024 Permalink  

  Welcomed Rain 

  I am sure the KEYC 6 o’clock news will let us know how much we got.

  I am here to tell you that my next cardiologist appointment is in the fall of 2025.  Yipee!  I am to stay the course.  Music to my ears.

  This week has been a busy one and I have one more item for tomorrow.  My sewing machine is going to Bird Island for a grease and oil change.  It has been overdue for its yearly cleaning.  I can do a lot, but Kelly takes it down to the bone.  I will set my alarm for the morning.

  What a great feeling to get so many important appointments over with while the weather holds.

  I did call Aunt Janet today to wish her a Happy 94th Birthday.

  I am going to figure something out for supper.  Dennis offered to eat in Mankato, but all I needed was to go home and enjoy my good news.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:57 pm on November 12, 2024 Permalink  

  Whew! 

  The wind is horrific enough to make one’s garters snap.

  I have returned from New Ulm’s Chuck Spaeth’s garage.

  Tires have been rotated with a complete total vehicle check over.  During the last month the message center on the left side of the dash had a “Low Tire Pressure” blinking light that would show for a few seconds and then would show “Oil Change necessary.”  Whatever was going on has now been taken care of.  I also have a new $188.00 battery.  The one taken out of the car was functioning at 45%.  Dennis needed a new battery in his little red pickup in September.  We are good to go.  Both of our vehicles had new tires in the last months of 2023.  Neither of our vehicles have been on the road much this year.  That’s beside the point.  Both vehicles are road ready . . . security.

  I was thrilled that the waiting room of Spaeth’s had two hard chairs.  The remaining chairs are as soft as Marshmallows and digging out of them to get back on your feet is not a pretty sight. 

  Tomorrow at 1:30 I will see my cardiologist in Mankato.  He will allow me to know what the Echocardiogram that I had two weeks ago has shown.  I am going to nab Dennis along to get him out of town.  I do plan on picking up some groceries.  The pantry in the basement is looking quite bare.  It’s a good thing to use it down to the bare bones, rather than some items waving as they have been in storage too long.

  We are having Chow Mien for supper.  It’s quick and tasty.  Lena used to take the bagged Chow Mien noodles, break them up, using her super powers to melt chocolate to pour over the noodles and with a tablespoon drop mounds of them on wax paper for crunchy cookies. 

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 4:13 pm on November 11, 2024 Permalink  

  Monday the 11th 

  Monday and we are off to a good start for the week.

  Dennis had his first PT appointment this morning.  He was amazed how many people were waiting to get to their appointments and how many were leaving.  Dan Kern assured Dennis he is on target with building his left leg strength.  Quite a few exercises to do here at home as well as what will be done at the clinic.  I entered his appointments onto our large print calendar.  The appointments will take him right to Christmas week.

  Of the two chairs from Office Max that we have been using at the dining room table, my chair lost its umph.  Today, thanks to neighbor Jan and Amazon, I will again be able to eat my meals with Dennis sitting up to the table.  The old chair was getting me just about at chin level with the table top.  The old chair was relieved of its casters and out to the curb it went.  Both the sewing chair in the studio and the cherry red chair in my bedroom porch may need replacement casters in the future.

  Jan and I compared notes in regard to our home owner’s insurance and our real estate taxes.  Both have been on the rise.  Jan and Randy do take in the daily news.  The economy is what they felt determined the election.

  Dennis and I are so thankful for the security we have with family if needed, our home and to have good medical insurance.

  Tomorrow at 1:30 I will be at Chuck Spaeth’s in New Ulm to have our car serviced.  No, I did not exceed the 3,000 miles of the usual oil change, but having it checked over brings about the security that if we need to travel somewhere, the car will take us.

  Supper is going to be left0vers from last night’s supper.  Tender pulled pork on buttered bread, carrots and American fries with lots of sautéd onions.

  Megan works as a hostess at the Texas Roadhouse.  She texted Grandpa Dennis to give him a salute for Veteran’s Day.  Apparently, the restaurant was busy today with veterans.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥