Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:19 pm on November 13, 2026 Permalink  

  My Friday 

  By this morning the battery that was charging was ready.  Yesterday Amazon delivered my lightweight leave blower.  The front deck with all the pine needles is clean.  It blows so well all of the steps as well as the sidewalk to the driveway is clean.  Mission completion.  It may very well take care of some snow.  Time will tell.  For storage it slides right along the west wall of my bedroom porch.

  I had a 12:30 appointment at Chuck Spaeth’s in New Ulm for an oil change on the car.  As I got in I glanced at the sticker on the inside of the windshield . . . 82,620 miles.  A good thing to get done while the roads are dry.  The only thing needed was new windshield wipers.  I paid the bill and told them I would see them in 2027.  The gal added “God willing.”

  As I drove I noticed the field work.  All the crops are in.  The tractors with tracks on, looking like huge worms crawling along with very long equipment trailing behind the tractors.  Cha-ching, cha-ching.

  I stopped at Hy-Vee on my way out of New Ulm.  Their produce section is like a display of art waiting to be bought.  We are having tator-tot hotdish for supper right from their Market Meal section.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:52 pm on November 12, 2026 Permalink  

  Thursday and Elves 

  Yes, Mother Nature, we get your drift.  The fourth season is upon us.

  Dennis’ daughter Sandy and Tom from Mankato brought Tom’s car for storage in AJ’s garage.  Believe you me, we had a bit of a bucket list; inside, outside all around the home.  Mission Accomplished.

  Yesterday the repair man from Windom came to check the washing machine.  A very thorough job indeed.  As with anything mechanical, it can be a phlox that happens.  He did allow me to know how to use the pump setting to drain out the water from the tub if it ever happens again.  It was well worth the $140.00.

  The fellow said he would look into ordering a new handle for the dryer.  The dryer’s door is now operated by a cord that is hooked into the slots where the plastic handle had been.

  This morning at eight, I got a call from the repair shop in Windom.  She was letting me know that a new handle could be ordered and also to let me know what the cost would be . . . $324.80 installed.  I thanked her for her time in checking into it, but I would be passing on the replacement.  I think I will be getting along with the cord that we have been using. 

  Lewis Drug sends out a text when a prescription is ready to be picked up.  Dennis did have his six month appointment with our primary yesterday and the renewal of his meds was on the list.  Lewis Drug was letting us know that there were four meds to be picked up with the amount to be paid, $11.74.  Not hard to take.

  This was a great day with the sun peeking out from time to time.  Much to be grateful and thankful for.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:33 pm on November 11, 2026 Permalink  

  Gray Skies 

  Changes are coming.  My joints are telling me that and they are on full alert.

  I am not busy, busy all the time during a day . . . my day.  Sitting and watching the world go by from my bedroom porch allows for thinking.  I feel at this juncture in my life I have peach, I am at peace.

  Peace doesn’t come from fixing or explaining.  It comes from stepping back from nonsense that drains you.  Distance may feel harsh at first, but constant pressure is worse.  Some live in drama and make noise.  Staying close to that steals your energy.  Peace means fewer reactions from either side and stronger boundaries.  Remember this . . . access to me is a privilege, not a right.

  Some days are meant to think, to ponder and perhaps even talk to yourself out loud.

  Someone once said “If you don’t let people experience the consequences of their behavior and actions toward you, you’ll remain a safe place for their worst behavior.”

  All of these thoughts came about after Marianne left after we had enjoyed lunch together.  It was so enjoyable, I felt true peace and the thoughts just rolled within me and out of me.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:18 pm on November 10, 2026 Permalink  

  Well, Well 

  Today was the day for dipping water out of the washing machine tub after yesterday’s debunked laundry day. I was not in a hurry.  Mindless activity via two cups at a time.  I had phoned an appliance and repair shop in Windom and they would have someone here Wednesday or Thursday.

  As I had gotten the water out as much as possible, I wiped up the rim of the tub.  I stood there just staring at the machine audibly swearing at it.  I took my index finger and gave the start button a push it wouldn’t soon forget.  Take that!  It made some clicking sounds and started filling the tub with water.  Well, well.  Had shutting off the circuit breakers actually worked and my usual soft poke on the start button yesterday didn’t give it enough of a message after it had re-calibrated?  Hell’s bells.

  We decided to go ahead with the service call as perhaps something in the control panel needed a check.  I would hate to repeat yesterday’s event and/or wonder when the next stall would be. 

  We got a call last night after supper that Dennis’ little red pickup was ready to be picked up from the repair shop.  It made someone’s day.  Taking a whip around town just isn’t the same in a Lincoln.  I took Dennis to Steve’s shop this morning.  Dennis was gearing himself up for the repair bill.  It was the fuel pump that had gone out.  Out of the $620.00: $50.00 was for the tow, $150 was for labor.  All is well with the ole cowboy.

  With the night’s bound to be getting chillier, going to darn right cold, I put the freshly laundered flannel duet cover on my freshly laundered comforter today.  A tug here and a tug there, I got it buttoned in and left the heft and loafing to Dennis’ strong arms.  As with the last of the loafing it came down on the bed like a cloud of marshmallows.

  Being grateful and thankful that our fall has gone well . . . all things considered, we are going to the Hometown Cafe for supper.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:18 pm on November 9, 2026 Permalink  

  New Experience 

  On the south edge of town, across from Fleet Farm, a new car wash, pet wash and laundromat opened this spring.

  Today Dennis and I went through a tutorial on how things work.  Quite the learning curve for us older ones.

  Why, might you ask would we need to even visit for a tutorial.

  Our GE stackable does a bang up job located right in our bathroom.

  Right now it has a wash tub filled to about 1/4 full with nice sudsy water.  It also quit during the fill cycle.  Out came the laundry basket to take out the double sized sheet off of my bed along with two bath towels that were soaked up to the max.  We quicky took the basket outside to allow for water to run out through the holes in the sides of the baskets.

  I knew right off the bat that we were headed to the laundry center.  What the heck . . . one load or two loads or even three.  The remaining bedding came off of my bed which included my down/polyester comforter.

  As it turned out our entire mix of bedding went into one washing machine.  It was the largest capacity as it was equivalent to 8 loads.  The gal assured me that what I would have thought would be three as the comforter itself would have been one very large load.  She also assured me that with clothes that basically was not dirty, dirty, two pods would do the trick.  A credit card for $13.50 started the ultimate wash cycle.

  It’s the only washing machine that takes a credit card.  Dennis and I sat watching bubbles for the 35  minutes it took.  We then plugged in $5.00 for quarters for the dryer, also large.  There were six settings on temperature.  At any time, that could be changed.

  We are home with a clean and dry mattress pad, a set of sheets for a double sized bed as well as the down/polyester comforter.

  I will deal with the washing machine . . . not today, but tomorrow to empty it.  I looked on line with Gemini.  I shut the circuit breaker for the wash/dryer off for about a half hour thinking it could reset itself.  No dice.  My next thing is to check with a service tech in our area.  The combo is from eleven years ago and its dryer works like a champ.

  It’s still been a good day.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:04 pm on November 8, 2026 Permalink  

  Sunday the 8th 

  Radio church was enjoyed this forenoon.

  Bright sunlight plus the good word made for a contented feeling.

  Dennis is helping me with some cutting of fabric.  Two new blades were inserted into the  individual cutters so his hands could trade off.  A small bin of scraps came about after many quilts were done.  No intention of a hurry, hurry.  The end result will be many scraps 7″ long with various widths.  A scrapy quilt was featured on YouTube.  It looked good enough to try.

  I have begun working on a kit that includes the pattern and all of the needed fabric.  The individual pieces of fabric, some are 3″ square on up to 8″ square.  All is to be utilized within the project.   This will indeed be a slow as we go.  There was no definite log as to what goes where.  It was a gift of good intentions.

  We have a faithful walker, the owner of the lumberyard on Man Street, in rain or shine.  Today I notice a bit of a shift in his get-along.  He may well be in his 70s.  The lumberyard has been for sale for many years.  No new shipments of supplies come in.  Each piece that is purchased needs to be scrutinized as it may be warped.  The pails of paint have been on shelving whether it is 90 degrees or a minus 30 degrees.  Very sad.  His grandfather and father entrusted this business to be a part of our community into perpetuity.

  No . . . I won’t go into how sad our Main Street looks with many empty store fronts.  

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:48 pm on November 7, 2026 Permalink  

  A Spa Day 

  When the first Saturday of the month is near, it is much anticipated.  My hair begin to feel wooly and my toes feel like more room is needed in the socks.  Maria does a great service to and for the two of us.  When she handed me the next appointment card, it took me a bit to focus.  Oh my gosh, a date in December.

  Tom mowed our yards today.  It may very well be the last of the 2026 season, as it should be.  With the amount of rain we have experienced, the yards looks lush and manicured.  The only one of our trees not ready to relinquish its leaves is the Northern Red Oak in the back yard.  I planted it all of twenty years ago when I was as tall as it was and now it towers majestically. 

  Tom wasn’t alone as there were three of our neighbors doing likewise.

  Most of the traffic past our home this afternoon has one destination in mind . . . the tree dump.  We do have one limb down on the acre that Tom assured us he could take care of with his Husqvarna chainsaw.

  When I look out the windows to the south, one neighbor is bagging their leaves.  I have also noted that they used the bags of leaves up against their foundation as insulation.  Hmm.  I remember decades ago dad used straw bales against the north foundation wall on the old farmhouse.  Some endeavors to lessen drafts do not change.  

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:50 pm on November 6, 2026 Permalink  

  NahDah 

  There is nothing shaking out here on Stauffer Avenue that would cause major concern.  The sun is making everything looking green and lush on the yards . . . and they are.  Tom will be mowing before long.  ♥

  I did do a test with my sewing.  I needed my battery operated radio to be playing in the background for me to get the spunk and creativity going with the task.  Hmm.  If only all tasks could be so easily started to receive accomplishment.

  I have put away the list that my cousin Judy gave me yesterday.  Kinesiology and homeopathic feel-goods are not my bailey-wig when it comes to my health.  If it works for her, fantastic.  

  Dennis is taking a whack at getting the patios blown off of the carpet of leaves.  Many more to come after the hard frost has hit.

  I am adding to leftovers of yesterday for our supper.

  With that I will take my leave.

   
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  Noreen 3:39 pm on November 5, 2026 Permalink  

  A Thursday 

  Damp and chilly but the visiting here on Stauffer Avenue was kept at a brisk clip.  Mike and Judy Dent flew into Minnesota on the 3rd to make a few rounds of family visiting.  They are staying at Judy’s brother Dale’s place outside of Litchfield.

  Dale drove the trio and they were here by 10:30 this forenoon.  Dale offered to take us out to eat, but I assured him, I was prepared.  We never got beyond the dining room table.  Visiting always goes well over food.

  While Mike and Judy were in the Navy until they retired from the service, Dale grew up with all of the cousins and events with the aunts and uncles.  He was curious as to what I could share of my immediate family.  Dennis was curious to query Mike on how retirement went in Pennsylvania.  Dale and Dennis were pickup and car chatting.  There was something for everyone.  Judy’s husband and Dale are planning a day for he and Dale to get some personal financial business done for Dale.  How great for Dale to have someone he gets along with and trusts.  It was a great day.

  The remaining week is a quiet week.  As blustery as it is . . . I won’t mind hunkering down as various things are in plans that include fuzz and threads.  I am kidding Dennis about the great gas mileage he has been getting this last week with his little red pickup out of commission.

  There are plenty of leftovers to graze through for supper.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:42 pm on November 4, 2026 Permalink  

  Pissy Weather 

  With these days of the rain falling intermitentedly my pinfeathers are getting wet.

  Praise the Lord!  Steve from the garage south of us have the little red pickup towed onto their lot.  Steve told Dennis that if someone didn’t honor their appointment, he’d try and squeeze it in as soon as possible.  Thank goodness Snuggles and Harriet are empathizing. 

  Quite a few years ago, Amanda from Creative Stitches in Bird Island gave me a kit for a small quilt or it could also be a wall hanging.  I do believe I am done with dust bunnies and can get back to the sewing machine.  The kit came with a CD.  I had not worked with the downloads for some time.  Most laptops don’t have CD drives and our laptops are those.  I had a portable one that I had played music on many years ago.  Well, it worked just fine.  

  Saving it on the laptop and then loading the EXP embroidery designs on a flash drive was the next item . . . one I had not done for a while.  I no longer load more than one project on a flash drive.  I give myself permission to label each one with no more hunting through what each has.  I am thrilled that the HP printer works from both of my laptops as there were quite a few PDFs of instructions and also a thread color chart.  The parade of colorful threads have been pulled for perhaps this weekend’s project.

  Tomorrow, we are having company.  My cousin Judy Dent from PA will be here.  She is the daughter of my mother’s brother, Norman.  I will always remember the concertina music whenever there was a gathering.  Norman on the concertina and Orlin’s mother on the mouth organ.  Fun, precious times.

  Judy and Mike are also bringing Judy’s youngest brother Dale.  Dale never married as his hearing loss was not found until he entered school and there were lasting physical and mental issues. 

  I wanted to enjoy the special visit and I was not going to be worn out from preparing food.  Our menu has been planned and all ingredients are in the refrigerator, none needing a timeline.  Judy said they would be heading out Thursday from Litchfield and I needed nothing more.  Afterall, they could eat anywhere, the sharing and visiting is the importance.

  Judy is quite a bit younger then I am.  When Carrie and Kevin were tots, Judy came to stay for a week, so I could help her grasp sewing without fear of failing.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥