Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 1:55 pm on September 8, 2026 Permalink  

  No Preconceived Notions 

  No preconceived notions or hard and fast plans.  I have lived my life to this point taking each day as it comes, doing the best I can and grateful for where I am.

  Being thoughtful about plans that need to be made comes second nature to me.  Those plans always include doing my best even if plan “A” needs to shift a bit.  

  In particular, this day would bring about a solution to the dilemma of our home having poor water pressure.  I was prepared to have the city water department come and make an explanation for it.  I was not prepared to have them in my basement within ten minutes of my call.  That was plan “A.”

  The plan quickly shifted to plan “B” as it was found to be not the water department’s problem but the Colligan softeners’ problem that we rent a unit from.  Sometime, hopefully this afternoon, a service man from Culligians’ will appear with a solution to a filter problem.

  As I said, not a single notion or fast plan can stay in motion until the rest of the story comes into play.

  Our week is planned to be quite uneventful.  That is very acceptable to the older ones on Stauffer Avenue. 

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:07 pm on September 7, 2026 Permalink  

  Last Summer Holiday 

  After today, Labor Day, the shift in the wind and the feel of the outdoors is telling.  The 2026 year us closing down.

  Dennis and I have have done the year well to this point.  There is nothing foreseen to allow us to feel the remaining months will not follow suit.

  What I had not foreseen is that after the last tumble and fall that Dennis had early Sunday morning, there would be one injury I had not caught.  I did realize it when wherever Dennis sat there was blood.  I had been busy getting the house back in order.  I had not been following him.  His clothes that he had on, had been soaking up the blood but not until he had sat on his dining room chair and then sat in his recliner.  I packed the area of the left inside thigh high up until I could get him into the shower to wash away blood and totally check him over.  In thinking about it, I realized the top of the nightstand items were on the floor.  The nightstand was the last item with sharp corners.  Dennis had found it.

  Here we are in this last holiday with the beginning of the healing.  Whew.  Cold water with a bit of Dawn liquid has both chairs cleaned up.  I asked Gemini for the solution.  I didn’t want to practice on any other kind of solution that would have set the stains.  Good going.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:47 pm on September 6, 2026 Permalink  

  Maybe Rain 

  The weather map has shown possible showers all morning.  The plop, plop on the front deck can hardly fill in the empty spaces.

  An update on our supper of last night.  We had more like a stew than an oven dish.  I believe the hotdishes in the oven have a high heat for x-number of minutes allowing evaporation of extra fluids.  We decided it was tasty and we enjoyed getting out the bowls and spoons.

  The older ones on Stauffer are running on fumes.  I was just getting into the deep sleep last night when there was such a clatter, I rose from my bed to see what was the matter.  Dennis fell and was lying flat on his bedroom floor with a bloody elbow.  One thing at a time to see if he could get his feet and legs under him using his 2 x 4 chair.  One try was close.  I called 911 for help.  A bandage on his right elbow and two EMTs had him on his feet.  Sitting in his 2 x 4 chair, all vitals were good.  No head wound, also good.  Three in the morning and we tried for sleep.

  Apparently 6:30 is his time to get up and up he got to only go down.  With a walker, Dennis got up on his feet.  I got him dressed with his help and to his recliner he went for a long nap.  

  When he was awake at noon, there needed to be a talk.  It was “the talk.”  So lucky in these falls to not have had a break of bones or head wound.  Luck runs our ole cowboy.  It will be his diligence that allows him to remain in his home that he so dearly loves.  The front deck is outfitted to hold a coffee cup on the railing and cigarette breaks on an old metal folding chair.  Once in the afternoon, I will go out to the patio porch with him.  I will leave him there until he calls me on his phone tells me he is ready to come into the house and I will go out to assist.

  There needs to be clarity as to a schedule that will allow me not to wonder where he is.

  One time the EMTs may come and Dennis will go with them so the ER staff can assess him and his mobility.  I don’t think his first stop will be the assisted living units . . . it will be the nursing home.

  I am not sure how tonight will go for sleeping.  I am a very light sleeper.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 11:18 am on September 5, 2026 Permalink  

  Different Saturday 

  Maria had appointments early today for a wedding.  We will be primped and styled this afternoon.

  It gave me a lot of time to get Saturday items done.

  Our oven concoction is now a crockpot concoction.  Browning the pound of hamburger was the first step.  Draining the excess grease off and while the kettle was still warm, I took advantage of being able to easily fold in the cream of mushroom soup and white cheddar soup.  Next came the Simply Diced Potatoes to be folded in.  The package of the California Blend out of the freezer is microwaved a bit.  Cutting up the contents while still firm was my game.  All the ingredients folded until I could not do one more fold.  To transport this mixture from the kettle to the pot of the crockpot, I set the pot in the dry sink to give me a better lower height for my arms.  Last but not least an even sprinkle of fine crushed bread crumbs to seal the goodness as it heats.

  Before we leave this afternoon the crockpot will be turned on low as all ingredients have been pre-cooked.  As I walk by, my hand will brush across the outside of the crockpot to feel the warmth as it begins to prepare our supper.

  A time ago we were gifted the opportunity to have meals delivered to our home after we chose from the online menu.  Everything included:  spice packets, packets of sour cream, potatoes to peel, carrots to peel and the protein we had chosen.  When the funds of the gift were gone, I called the company.  I wanted to make sure there was no more delivered on a pay as you go method.  The gal asked why we were closing the account and I told her elderly people with physical limitations found the peeling and prep difficult.  She apologized as there were gift packets for just such customers.  Hmm.  I declined trying that.  Goodbye.

  I like what I can concoct in my kitchen and the ole cowboy never complains.  We’ve never gone hungry as I prepare meals much like what Lena prepared for Raymond.

  With that I will take my leave. ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:07 pm on September 4, 2026 Permalink  

  Out and About 

  Four of us were out this morning for a meet and great at 10:30.  By twelve thirty, even the air conditioning in the coffee shop was not doing it.  We agreed to see if next mid-week would work better.

  Coming back to the car even the car handle was not to be held for any length of time.  Dew point higher than humidity, it can feel like 101.

  I had planned on making an oven meal for this evening.  Any additional heat coming from the Whirl-Pool oven would be too hard on the AC.  Even the sky light in the kitchen brings more than wanted.

  Our supper is agreed upon . . . a cold supper with all major food groups still represented.

  Dennis is content this afternoon at his HP listening to country western music that can flip over to WWII history bits on the Reels.

  Off and on I take in a Hulu older television series while working an Amaze Go on my phone.

  Brother-in-law Orville called last night.  He needed to visit a bit and reminisce.  That’s the least that I can do for him.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:32 pm on September 3, 2026 Permalink  

  My Trip 

  This was the first day of the Super Fair’s Sale flier.  Here I come!

  My freezer had Dennis’ favorite oven meals, but . . . I wanted things in the freezer to make a meal out of.  Well, beef brats were on sale, I wanted at least three packages in the freezer, not so much for a meal but with sauerkraut, I guess that is one of our meals.  Seasoned two pound pork tender-lions for the crock pot were $3.99, one for the freezer.  I made some additional meat for the freezer pop into the cart.

  We have not had soup for supper in months.  Today Progressive soups at $3.59.  Hard to believe but I bought two cans.  Two cans of Campbell’s ham and bean for $2.99 each.  One can of Campbell’s white cheder soup for $1.99.  That is going into a hamburger and potato hot dish this weekend.

  Determination and a list.  The pantry needed a boost.  Dennis did get a treat of one Twin Bing candy bar at $1.75. 

  I always take the small carts for ease of getting around in the store.  The last items to top off my shopping was avocados, pears, peaches and grapes . . . my kind of treat.

  Got it all tucked away and me . . . being tuckered.  Breakfast coffee still is good.

  My little cart, full to the top at $105.12 with $29.78 in markdown savings.

  With that I will take my leave. ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:02 pm on September 2, 2026 Permalink  

  Not So Nice 

  It’s not a very nice day out . . . sticky feeling after a short burst of rain last night. 

  Yesterday when I went to pick up our car tabs at the courthouse, there was no feelings of been there, done that.  Walking down the long hall to the motor vehicle office, not one live person could be seen in the four offices I passed.  New inner doors with touch key-pad locks.  Plex-a-glass over a four foot tall counter with a bell that would, could, might bring someone.

  It felt as if it would be a real chore to service the public with so-much as a greeting unless beckoned.  I am glad I worked at the courthouse when it was a “happy to see you” place.  I did take note that the wallpaper I had insisted on in that long hallway was still there as well as the homey light fixtures that replaced the two bulb fluorescents that hung from dusty, rusty chains.  Yup, memories.  Just give me the PERA and I will call it even.

  Our city water department has been busy in the backyards of our block.  Water pressure is slow to non-existent at times.  A small town’s infrastructure is always a work in progress. 

  Dennis went to see his cousin Bruce today after Bruce spent 26 days in the VA hospital for lung cancer.  Bruce had worked in a platting plant for years.  It brings to mind, toxic fumes.  Bruce lost 36 pounds and is reported to be very week but glad to be home.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:01 pm on September 1, 2026 Permalink  

  Much Has Been Done 

  In the span of 24 hours, both trees that needed to be take care of, have.  The crew pulled out this morning at 9:15.  The areas look as if they have been swept.  Actually, they have.  A skid steer loader can hook up and unhook attachments as fast as I can change feet on my sewing machine.  Now comes the waiting . . . for the bill.  It’s called life.

  I got the new tabs for my 2012 MKX.  $56.25 every year.  Hopefully that may change to the downward next year.  Last time there was any action was when Jesse Ventura was governor.

  What will still need to be done, is a trip to Subway for a 12″ Tuna.  Working men may do away with a 12″ on their own . . . us older ones on Stauffer do just fine sharing one.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:02 pm on August 31, 2026 Permalink  

  Monday!! 

  We are like Grand Central Station here for a Monday morning.

  Tom came by to let us know that our tree man was setting up equipment on the acre to take care of a fallen tree.  As Tom was visiting, AJ came in the back door.  AJ is checking on his crew that is the Fedium fellows installing underwire cable.  Lots of chatter.

  I left for the grocery store with list in hand.

  When I returned, there was a second crew of the tree man’s working on the Hackberry tree.  Two for one on this Monday.  Why not.  We are very lucky that the list we were on will soon be over and done.

  This is a lot of excitement for my ole cowboy.  It is also a day when we honor taking care of our property and we do it well.

  Grocery’s have been tucked away and that will do us for a week and a half.

  With that I will take my leave. ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:18 pm on August 30, 2026 Permalink  

  Sometimes 

  Sometimes, one day of the week feels just like the last or the next.

  Whatever . . . I like this day.  I find joy in the day and what it brings.

  Today, there are many, many Monarchs fluttering about.  A sweet site indeed.  Such mighty tiny beings preparing for their winter flight.

  Last night, I prepared what will be our supper this Sunday evening.  A bag of diced rotisserie chicken thawing out of the freezer.  A quarter of an onion diced and before I knew it a meal had been prepared for a day that promises to be a quiet day.  What’s not to like.

  I have a book that I am getting involved in, The Tin Man. A few stitches have been put into a new project.  Going through the endless amount of junk paper that finds itself coming through the mail slot as tomorrow is recycling day.  Lighten the load to make room for more.

  There is only one bandage left on the ole cowboy.  It’s on a rough spot on his left elbow.  The elbow that has a spot on his computer chair and could be tempted to be rubbed into bleeding.  A bale of gauze should do the trick.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥