Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:38 pm on October 28, 2026 Permalink  

  It’s Coming! 

  You know winter is right around the bend, when . . . the long length of garden hose is stretched out to drain before reeling it up for the last time to be stored in the garage.  Dennis may have made it an all afternoon job, but it was “Mission Completion” all the while remaining upright.  Sweet!

  Marianne came for lunch after her PT appointment.  An unsolicited review of the chicken salad I had made yesterday.  As the second cup of coffee was being enjoyed, Denise stopped in, straight from Cassey’s.  A new pan pizza was being introduced: Chicken Bacon Ranch.  Oh my goodness, this was very tasty.  Dennis is not a fan 0f pizza but indeed took a second helping.  We will remember this offering.

  As the afternoon has been rolling along, so also is the damp gray skies.  The .80 inches we had earlier might well have some added.

  There still remains no stitching being done.  A stubborn cart yesterday in Sam’s plus tackling the rotisserie chicken . . . “uncle” was called for the remaining day and into the evening.

  This afternoon, grain trucks are kicking up a bit of dust as they drive past towards the elevator.  There remains a lot of the corn crop in the fields from here along the highway to Mankato.   

  The fair for this evening’s supper is either the left over pizza, magically warmed over, or chicken salad.  During my busy kitchen time yesterday, Dennis was fixed a Maria meatloaf meal straight from freezer to oven.   It is what it is.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥ 

   
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  Noreen 2:10 pm on October 27, 2026 Permalink  

  Hello! 

  Hello everybody, hello!

  This morning by 10:30, we were in the Limb Lab in Mankato.  Dennis, with no toes on the left, receives shoes from the VA.  Both shoes, right and left, are fit with orthotics, one more than the other.  This year Dennis was able to receive two pair.  One pair for walking with one Velcro strap.  The other is a pair of house slippers.  Each pair is fitted with the orthotics.  Both pair are the “step in” at the heel.

  This was a good appointment to do before our winter weather.

  Dennis filled the car with gas at Sam’s Club while I toddled inside.  The rotisserie chickens at $4.98 is a great buy.  I could not believe 12 oz. of raspberries were $1.99.  Here at our local store the price was $3.99 for six oz.  We will be having a treat with ice cream sometime this week.  I will fight the seeds for that treat.

  The ole cowboy is napping and I have the chicken boned out.  Several bags of cutup chicken in the freezer for future use is a good thing.  I did mix up one container as chicken salad for either a sandwich or on a lettuce leaf on the plate.  Of course the option for the sandwich mix had diced up onion. 

  The sun is trying very hard to peek out.  When I look out my bedroom porch windows I see the city crew has done quite the number on Stauffer Ave.  They bladed this way and then that way finishing off by spreading a load or two of crushed asphalt.  Farther to the east, Stauffer is nothing but a washboard.  The asphalt would need to have a packer work it. 

  I haven’t stitched for several days.  Perhaps tonight will work to keep the wrists, arms and shoulders limber and up to speed.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:11 pm on October 26, 2026 Permalink  

  Drip, Drip 

  The early morning rain did a number on lulling me to sleep a bit late.  I had my day planned.  There was no need for time needed to strategize.

  The rain forecast was rain off and on for the entire day.

  When the spirit is willing, the body has already been given the order of total participation to the fruition.  All that remains is to put on a happy face.

  The formula that I just put forth has carried me through the better part of my 80 plus years.  It surely doesn’t work for everyone.  I don’t give a rats ass about everyone or anyone.  Each day: my goals, my home.  Each day: your home, your goals.  They are not meant to be mirrored one to the other.

  I have had a great day and am now content to watch the raindrops go plunk, plunk in the mud puddles on Stauffer Avenue.  Way back in saved photos and currently in my memories is Megan, all of three, in her bright pink rain jacket with the hoodie tied under her sweet chin, stomping down Stauffer Avenue to the east to see how far the raindrops could be splashed out of the puddles.  Sweet.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:47 pm on October 25, 2026 Permalink  

  It Happens 

  The skies are gray.  The traffic noise is telling me that the grain elevator is not open today.  It’s just the usual, less the grain hauling semis.

  As I stab and poke some stitches, there is nothing going on on Stauffer Avenue.

  Then it happened, the needle had fallen away from my fingers.  My eyelids had closed, deciding to check for cracks.  My caffeinated coffee had forsaken me. 

  A break was needed.  I decided today was the day, as we had decided, to take down the flags that have been flying all season.  Easily done now before there is wet or snow underfoot.

  Putting the flags away, I checked on the patio porch kitties.  Snuggles and Harriet were curled together on the seat of the rocker.  The two of them have no problem getting ready for the days when the door to the outside will not be open for them to wander the neighborhood.

  The next order of business was that a snack was needed.  Sitting at the dining table chunking up an apple, I hoped for something to take away the yawning.  A dab of peanut butter on each chunk felt like a treat.  A treat, but not like the dish of treats just an elbow away on Dennis’ computer table.  Dennis is playing solitaire on his computer with the dish to his right.  Hmm.  Perhaps a method is in place here: if the game is won, the treat is had.

  The gray day goes on and the forecast is for several more to come.  Back to the stab and poke.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:02 pm on October 24, 2026 Permalink  

  The Process 

  The process of fall house cleaning has been an institution from generation to generation.

  I recall there was a powder product to use, diluted with water, specifically for cleaning wallpapered walls and ceilings.  Yes . . . my grandparent’s ceilings were wallpapered.  I actually witnessed the day when my great grandmother, Christine, had my grandmother Laura, Alma, Laura’s sister snag the next generation to wallpaper the dining room ceiling.  That next generation included my mom, Lena.

  Christine spoke no English, but then all that were present for that day spoke fluid German.  Laura and Alma were the portion of the assembly line that had the dining room table stretched to the max and that was where the lengths of paper were cut and smeared with wallpaper paste.  It was such a muted design, there was no design to match.

  The men had brought in saw horses with lengths of lumber, two wide, to go on top of for my aunts Esther, Corinne and Dorothy to take a width of papers that Lena and Janet handed to them.  It was a technique of many feet of wet folded paper by the width of the room.  It was applied with brushes and damp rags as the first woman applied and fit it to the ceiling as the other two held the width of paper and slowly moved the length of the lumber underfoot unfolding and handling it as the full length was achieved all the while using the special brushes and rags to take out air bubbles.  One length at a time over the day’s efforts.  The aunts trading out being up on the lumber.

  Elvera was old enough and had the job to keep the floor picked up of scraps.  My cousin Shirley and I were too small for anything and stayed out of the way.

  Of course there were coffee breaks out in the summer kitchen that was west of the house.  The men folk did not go hungry.

  It got done in a day and it was the year of 2025 that that dining room was included in a remodel where my cousin Dan is living as it is now his home.

  As I started out, I come from generations of family that never blinked an eye in keeping a home tidy, tidy.

  With that i will take my leave. ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:59 pm on October 23, 2026 Permalink  

  The Clock 

  It is just about three in the afternoon and I have decided I am off of the clock for this Friday.

  I do so enjoy my retail therapy which happens to be the Super Fair grocery store.  I need to check-in with Dee at the deli.  She lost her husband earlier in the year and we hug it out.  She and are I are the same age. Brad in the meat department always has a smile.  Brad is married to Dennis’ neice.  Brenda at the checkout is also a caregiver to her husband as he recovers from a serious accident at the Swift food processing plant.  Giving her moral support when I see her.  James Mitchell is my carry-out fellow.  When Dennis drives me to the grocery store,  he knows it’s the vehicle with the ole cowboy behind the wheel, whether it is the little red pickup or our car.  Dennis and James enjoy visiting with each other.  James and his wife moved here to be close to their daughter and grandchildren.  His Hispanic background has not hindered him from mixing into the community nor with the fellow workers in the grocery store. 

  Our refrigerator and freezer is well stocked as I calibrated what would be needed for a week’s worth of suppers, plus a variety of freezer meals.

  Our backdoor screen door is sporting shiny clean windows as well as a wiped down wood door.  Our 100 year plus home has a few air leaks around the backdoor that the horrific winds of this season can whistle its while and deposit some dust on the wood panel door that works with a skeleton key for security. 

  The late afternoon is cloudy with temps that definitely make for a fall feeling.

  We have leftovers for supper allowing me to have that “off the clock” status.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:24 pm on October 22, 2026 Permalink  

  Good Forenoon 

  It was a good forenoon to get a few items done.  Getting the kitchen and bathroom windows done sure felt good.  I don’t get in a rush, taking things slowly . . . the end result is good.

  The fall house cleaning will ensue.  I know where the major dust bunnies are that cause me the most grief.

  I had all the ingredients for a chicken, carrot, Alfredo sauce and pasta oven dish for this evening’s supper.  Getting it put together also let my eye discover the need for the kitchen range top to be taken down.  Hot suds, plus spit and polish did it.  Tidy, tidy feels oh so good. 

  Our Lewis Drug sends a text when our prescriptions are ready.  A small service that is much appreciated.

  A new hatch of bugs is showing today in the warm sunshine.  The back entry door window is on the docket for cleaning but not until we have a cool, very cool morning so I can beat the bugs to the glass.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:24 pm on October 21, 2026 Permalink  

  Whiz Bang 

  We were in Mankato at eleven this forenoon.  The East Gate Clinic is where the appointment was at.  Dennis is due a new Res Med Sleep machine.  The doctor, Deb Theobald, has been Dennis’ sleep doctor for 19 years.  She feels it is time for a new sleep study.  Bodies change and according to the computer read outs, Dennis’ range of ceasing to breath should be 29 times an hour at the highest.  It is now in the 130 times an hour.

  Dennis will check in at East Ridge on the 29th of Oct. at 8:15 p.m. Everyone concerned thinks this would help for Dennis’ well being and his sleep quality.  It may require a different model of the Res Med.

  As a very late birthday bash, we ate a meal at Culver’s.  Great tasting food. 

  Haven’t done a lick today, but we are both feeling bushed.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:35 pm on October 20, 2026 Permalink  

  Fall is in the Air 

  The mornings are chilly.  With the sun shining and a soft breeze . . . I like it.  I like it a lot.  With the front and the back of the house having windows that are open, it adds to the good feelings.

  With a container of small pieces of various patterns and colors, it is my quest to use those bits that are begging to come out of a container and become a beautiful solid item.  It is setting right beside my sewing machine.

  Amazon delivered the Nurge hoops!  The round spring hoop literally sprung off of my project.  It was a small matter to lay everything out and push the fabric down, position it a bit to the right, a bit to the left and begin tightening it.  It makes the project easy to hold rather than clutching the back side of the spring.  Dennis asked why the fabric was so stiff.  Good question.  I knew the dimensions and the fabric count needed for this pattern.  When you send for what you need, it comes in the mail and you use it.  It would be great to walk into a retail needlework shop and be able to feel the various fabrics used for counted cross stitch work.  Albert Lea has a shop, Welcome Stitchery.  it’s a bit far to drive for a five minute seek and search trip. 

  Listening to the experiences of stitches from all over the world is the best available.  Ninise Lynn from Australia is one of my favorites.  She has a video once a week.

  Dennis delivered two bills into the post office this afternoon.  It is rare to use a stamp these days, as I am comfortable by paying via the internet.  I believe the stamps are $.75 each.  I do a daily check of our bank account.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:03 pm on October 19, 2026 Permalink  

  Continuing On 

  A restart on the hand stitching has commenced.  The 25 count per inch fabric will make the design doable.  The finish will be 14″ x 18″.  Not to worry as I have a magnifying lamp directly off of my right elbow.  I did additional needles.  I have two brands that are size 28.  I threaded up both needles to see how it feels with the punching and stabbing that will ensue.

  The fabric is quite stiff.  In time from handling it and doing the hooping and rehooping as the stitches go in, it will loosen up.  The situation that broached itself yesterday was that it took both Dennis and I to get the six inch spring hoop onto the fabric.  We got it done and that would have been great, other than the fact that each time the stitches would fill the hoop, the application would need to do done over and over.  Six inches sounds like a lot but only the center can be filled in comfortably.

  The hoop situation sent me straight to Amazon.  Watching numerous Floss tubers, one hoop was referred to many times by many stitchers.  The Nurge hoop from Amazon will be at our doorstep in several days.  I watched many videos.  Four different sizes for $29.00 plus tax . . . no shipping expense.  The Nurge hoop is used by tightening the screw when the fabric is as taut as desired.  I know!  I know!  A screw to be tightened with my arthritic fingers? 

  When we had the sewing machine to Bird Island a month ago, Kelly sent home with me the ScrewKeyDoo #2.  It is a hard vinal attachment and is two ended.  One end is metal to easily take the sewing machine needle off and on.  The other end is to slip over the screw of the Nurge hoop to loosen and tighten.  The ScrewKeyDoo #2 is championed by Bernina and is a product of Spokane, WA.   The first hoops by Bernina had had the same concept of the screw for their embroidery hoops, of which I have several.

  I have spent the cost of the Nurge order for something that will and may offer me  countless hours of entertainment with my stitching.  The stitching is all a part of occupational therapy.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥