Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 1:58 pm on April 3, 2025 Permalink  

  Tid-Bit 

  I will share an interesting tid-bit from last night’s supper.  Sometimes when I am heating something in the microwave that contains some liquid, I will set the dish on an ample sized potholder so I can easily grasp it.  Last night it was green beans.  Though I do drain the can of most of the liquid, there remains enough to keep the dish moist.  I was facing the kitchen range with my back to the green beans heating in the microwave.  Hmm.  I could smell something.  I turned around and there was a small flame in the microwave.  Opened that door in a hurry while then lifting the green bean dish out.  The potholder I had chosen was a crocheted one with the tiniest bit of a variegated thread that was metallic gold.  Just enough of a metal to cause the problem.  The potholder went into the sink and then I followed up by pitching it in the garbage.  Talk about freak circumstances.  The decades old potholder . . . no more.  Though I don’t leave the microwave unattended, this instance drove that home a bit harder. 

  Today was studio day.  Not to sew but to make preparations for sewing.  I have and had been doing some embroidery for family members when they visit.  Saturday when the last towel was done, I turned off the sewing machine as well as the lights.  Today the sewing machine was given oil, a new needle and checking for any wayward fuzz in the thread cutters.  I made sure to watch myself when choosing the options for the cleaning of the cutters.  New needles are so affordable via Amazon.  It does make the difference in a good outcome versus problems with tension.  Kelly from Creative Stitches in Bird Island clued me in that I don’t mess with the tension if I give my machine the love it is due . . . often.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:37 pm on April 2, 2025 Permalink  

  Another Day 

  This is Wednesday.  I think it is another good day here on Stauffer Avenue.

  I am feeling positive results from PT that took place yesterday.  One session at a time. I am keeping up with the home exercises that I have been given.

  Dennis met his new primary doctor this morning.  After one, two and three of his previous primaries have left our Mayo facilities, it was getting down to the wire for his options.  I totally understood why Dennis didn’t want the Hindu gal.  His primary is now a gal that has a rural farming background.  He and she can easily relate to each other.  That is important to the dialog needed for patient/doctor.  The end result after the meet and greet, lab blood work, etc.  Dennis need not go back until six months.  Very good news indeed. 

  I think today’s rain may be leaving puddles here, there and everywhere.  This type of washing off of the winter’s high intensely constant wind grime was needed. 

  I can also add that with the IRS pulling its warranted payment from our checking account yesterday morning at the stroke of twelve a.m. our economy is sound and stable.  Ya . . . right.  I am hoping 2025 brings the cessation of social security being included in taxable income for taxes . . . again. 

  In today’s mail, came yardage from New York City.  The purple quilt I have in the works needed a color and patterned fabric, I just did not have.  As luck would have it what I did have still had a bit of the salvage on it.  Onto the world wide web I went.  Benartex fabric brand with the fossil fern printed design was still attainable after what I had purchased over ten years ago.  It does pay to seek and search.  This purple based color-way is going to be the last of the borders where I had used all I had of the pink to mauve color-way.  I love it when a plan comes together. 

  The next PT for me is Friday.  That is the extent of what is on the calendar for this first week in April.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:52 pm on April 1, 2025 Permalink  

  Grr! 

  The wind from the southeast was horrific.  Grr!  Again I was at Lewis Drug noting the wind.  There was no way I could get around having it target my car.  I can’t do the drive-through as the left arm doesn’t do reaching through an open window and reaching.  No . . . I knew what I was up against with the wind not allowing the door to open easily and when I came back to the car, I nicely backed through the open door for my butt to find the seat.  Grr!

  When I got to PT, Mike wanted a re-cap of how things were since last week.  Upper right hip burned as if on fire.  The chine of my right leg was or felt as if it were numb.  That’s all he needed to hear.  Forty five minutes later I was lucky enough to see through the discomfort to make it out to my car.

  Dennis had a noon snack and hot coffee waiting for me when I got home.  Dennis had done his good deed and taken his friend Dwayne for McDonald’s coffee and then a drive around the county.  Dwayne and Dennis graduated together and used to go roller skating and old time dancing together.  A lot of history.  With Dwayne not being able to drive any longer he really appreciates a morning such as this had been.

  We are having a mix of moisture.  Snow, rain . . . the birds don’t care.  It is allowing patches of green to be seen in the yards.

  My next PT is Friday.  With tongue in cheek . . . I can hardy wait.  It has to be done and I know it will get better.  Sometimes the cure is worse than the pain.  No!  That is not true.  I want to navigate our home as best I can.

  Our supper is going to be a tuna sub.  Sweet.

  With that I will take my leave. ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:26 pm on March 31, 2025 Permalink  

  My Birthday 

  It is indeed my 81st birthday.  How does it feel?  Not really any differently than a yesterday.

  My mom, Lena, had reiterated to me the day of my birth.  She had been helping with the farm chores just as she did every day.  On that Friday in 1944, a horse was used getting hay from the stack to be used for the milk cows.  The horse had had a mind of its own and Mom was pretty well shuffled around.  Later that day, Dr. Hovde from Winthrop came to the farm and I had a birth day.

  Today, in 2025, it has been a quiet day.  It’s chilly enough for the furnace to run once in awhile.   There was some extra laundry as Kevin and Kersten had assisted with a tidy, tidy in the attic.  Over time, things that had been covered up while stored.  Some has since been removed and those coverings needed freshening.  Yes . . . I like lightening the load.

  We have just enough of leftovers from yesterday to make a supper out of it.  That’s always a good thing.

  In between the laundry loads I managed to stitch a few lengths of threads in my bedroom porch. 

  Tomorrow I will have PT at the clinic and run a few errands around town.

  With take I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:29 pm on March 30, 2025 Permalink  

  Sunday the 30th 

  Too Pooped to Pop . . . a great feeling!

   
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  Noreen 2:05 pm on March 29, 2025 Permalink  

  Drips 

  We are having a drip here and a drip there, not enough to constitute a rain shower for today.  Last night after supper we had claps of thunder that rattled several of the house windows accompanied with a rain shower.

  We are prepared for having company tomorrow from Fairfax.  Hmm.  I even have a list for what is known as a little help for the older ones on Stauffer Avenue.  Sweet.  Our next batch of company will be coming at Easter.  I am quite sure another list will be ready by that time.  Sweet.

  This afternoon I am doing some stitching in my bedroom porch.  PT Mike also looked over my right wrist and encouraged activity for it.  Nothing strenuous, just continued movement.  Got it!

  Both the heating bill and city utility bills have posted.  The worst of both for the 2024 and early 2025 are over.  Whew.

  Our supper this evening is a cup of soup with a meat sandwich.  A perfect meal for a dismal day.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:06 pm on March 28, 2025 Permalink  

  Friday the 28th of March 

  We are in the middle of rapid weather patterns that can change.  The best way to prepare is to take it the way it comes.

  PT was interesting this morning.  Mike had me walk a hall with just me at the helm, no cane.  The stroke effected my left side.  When I walk my brain doesn’t trust me when I poke out my left leg for a step.  I put out that left leg but am in an unvoluntary hurry to allow my right leg to take the brunt of that step and every other step I take.  This has gone on for some time.

  It didn’t surprise Mike that after the stroke I received a lot of occupational therapy.  After a prescribed amount of that therapy I was released.  Those at that time do work with the neurological side of a stroke.  Mike is now interested in working with the physical stability post stroke.  Its never too late.  The services that PT offers does not come out looking for patients to help.  I have exercises to do at home to build the stability in my hips so the mental alarms become fewer.  Had I not bit the bullet to come for help after a fall, I would be missing out on . . . the rest of the story.  

  Our bodies and minds are so amazing in what we can do.  They also are masters at protecting us . . . from ourselves.

  I came home hurting and did a bit of local effort and then took the time to run a few hand stitches, and then back to local effort.  That is how my afternoon has continued.  Nothing done excessively.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:37 pm on March 27, 2025 Permalink  

  A Good Day 

  I had a very good start to this Thursday.  I could definitely feel some good result of PT of yesterday.  I didn’t feel all that great when I came home yesterday.  No mercy is shown. 

  I took advantage of that and spent about four hours in the studio.  I will go back to PT at 8:30 tomorrow morning.  When the lights went out in the studio, everything had been tidied.  It is so much more enjoyable when a new day in the studio does not have to do a cleanup job of a previous time.

  Dennis drove me to the grocery store here in town this afternoon.  We are getting company on Sunday for my birthday.  Sweet.  I was not going to count on feeling the flight of fancy tomorrow.  Saturday is my prep day for Sunday.  Planning is what allows all things to fall into place.

  We have tinges of green showing here and there in the yards.  The birds are really going after the tuffs of grass looking for a snack for themselves.  The Thrush birds have been checking out our awning spots for next building.  They are repeat customers.

  The groceries we purchased need to be put away.  The kitchen floor was just for giving me a short respite.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 11:13 am on March 26, 2025 Permalink  

  Needed This 

  It is not yet noon, but after a huge event in the studio that I worked my way through, I needed this.  To sit down and put a few words out as the sewing machine is working its magic on an embroidery project.

  Early this morning I got a call to re-schedule my morning PT to one this afternoon.  No problem as I am very flexible.

  I had two projects set for the studio and this re-scheduling would allow me to have some studio time.  First on the agenda was a sweep of any loose threads caught underneath.  A new needle and then some oil.  It is a good idea to clean the cutting blades.  The cutting blades save me having to take a scissor in my hand and nip the threads off of the needle.  Another thing is when the embroidering is going on and colors need to be changed, the cutters cut the thread before a new color begins sewing.

  I went into the “settings” of the machine to find the icon button to begin cleaning the cutters.  I knew it the moment I did it, I hit the wrong icon button.  All seemed well and I continued with threading the sewing machine and putting on a hoop.  Then . . . nothing.  I mean nothing.  There were lights on but no one was home.  The sewing machine was frozen.   Of course I felt panic.  I went back in my mind to when I had hit the wrong button and realized that icon was to re-calibrated the sewing machine.  I had never had to do that.  

  I didn’t even notice my coffee cup was empty, I turned around to my Dell laptop and typed in YouTube.  What a marvel YouTube is.  Yes, the computerized sewing machine needed to be re-calibrated.  A gal told me to shut the machine off, which buttons to hold down and then turn the sewing machine on.  A screen came up with cross-hairs on the upper left.  With the stiletto that came with the machine, I needed to hit the middle of the cross-hairs, the screen took the cross-hairs to the bottom right.  When I hit that middle the screen went to the bottom left.  As soon as I had done that, the sewing machine gave the usual grunt when I turn it on. Wow!

  Grammie learned to slow down and realize not to take for granted the steps to do what we love to do.  There are definite reactions to my hurried actions.  I put a very favorable comment to the YouTube.  By putting this post out while everything was so fresh in my mind helped to cement in my mind what and how I would feel if my sewing machine was seriously sick and needed to go to Bird Island to have Kelly fix it.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:16 pm on March 25, 2025 Permalink  

  A Tuesday 

  It is mid-afternoon and I have just come up from the studio.

  I have had such a gratifying day . . . me, myself and I.  When everything goes well it is truly sweet.

  Last night on a YouTube, I happened upon a site in regard to rug weaving.  It was so entertaining and it took me back.  Taking me back to the Boon Lake farm.  I am not sure what ad had been answered, but it allowed for a Necome four harness fly shuttle loom to be set up in our basement farm house.  The rest is history.  By the way, when Orlin and my dad went to pick it up, the Kimball area rings a bell, there was a huge amount of rags yet to be cut up to make a rug with.  Never a dull moment thereafter.

  Seeing as how Lena had had a rug loom for a long time, she was a great one to learn all the ins and outs.  Raymond knew how to put it together for us. 

  Oh for the memories.

  As luck would have it, there was one more goodie to come out of the freezer.  Our supper is going to be a rotisserie chicken pasta Alfredo casserole.  Gosh, if only an elf could only fill up our freezer with more goodies such as that. 

  Tomorrow morning I will have my second session at PT here in the clinic.  I am ready for it.  Dennis cautions me to rest or take it easy.  No way am I going to let what does work in my body atrophy.  My tendons and muscles need to move.  Sitting is the worst thing for it and the worst thing for anyone else for that matter.  What I do do in my days is not what caused the current situation.  Besides, staying busy and productive takes my mind off of discomforts.  The mind can fool the body. 

  With this I will take my leave.  ♥