Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:20 pm on October 30, 2024 Permalink  

  Changes 

  Changes in the weather are coming.  I felt a drop of rain earlier in the day, but nothing since.

  Out teeny tiny home is accustomed to noise.  The street out front is a county road and also a thoroughfare of the town.  The railroad tracks are two blocks north of us and have multiple trains traveling through day and night.  I take all that noise in stride.

  The straw that broke the camel’s back was a 2015 HP laptop that has had a coolant fan going out for quite some time.  The Geek Squad had told us there was no resuscitation possible.  I am sure even the best full time barista working with grinding coffee beans for eight hours a day could take the noise.  Dennis could tolerate sitting 12″ from it day after day after day.

  Yesterday, via Amazon, a very plain Jane HP laptop with not very many bells and whistles was delivered to the front door. This morning, I went to work setting it up.  Amazingly, I used some of the same markers in the set up and the new HP went out and loaded files from the old one.  Dennis tried the thumb pad to navigate the laptop, but the wireless mouse is still the best for Dennis and also for me with my laptop. 

  I enlarged the size of the curser and made it a bright lime green.  Let me tell you, it is really a bright green.  The text is enlarged to 175%.  I put a post-a-note on the wall next to the laptop with the new pin.  Solitaire is Dennis’ favorite to play and he can get the best country western music via Facebook.  He is then one happy ole cowboy.

  I knew this day would come.  After lunch Dennis wanted to go out to his patio porch.  With a walker to help out, he made it out just fine.  The three kitties did a second look.  When Dennis’ son was here on Monday and the fellows sat on the front deck, I knew what would happen.  Ken lit up and of course Dennis begged a cigarette . . . and the rest is history.  So be it.  I had hoped that after four weeks it would have gone differently.  It’s not my body, even though I do take care of his body as best I can.  Of Dennis’ five children, Sandy the nurse was the only one that didn’t and does not smoke.

  For supper we are having Bird’s Eye chicken stir-fry.  I have never tried it.  Time will tell.  

  I am going out to retrieve said cowboy from the porch.  The six o’clock curfew is staying in place.  It was so nice to have all three of them in and all doors could then be locked until morning.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:17 pm on October 29, 2024 Permalink  

  A Tuesday 

  Warm and Sunny today.  Denise came over this forenoon to keep an eye on the ole cowboy as I had a medical appointment.  I left at eleven and the two of them were sitting on the front deck.  I got home at one and they were still in the same spot watching traffic and whatever the neighborhood would bear.  Nothing more than spending time together.  

  My Echocardiogram went well.  Believe me, when I needed to lay on my left side with my left arm high above my head, I propped it there until I had to coax it down.  No way was my comfort important enough to squelch a successful scan.  It was too important.  Initially there had been no openings until January 2025 and I was squeezed in.  Sweet.  I had to wait a bit as she downloaded the scans to radiology in Mankato successfully.  Step one done and I see my cardiologist in the early weeks of November. 

  Other than folding laundry before supper, I am taking myself off of the clock.  Supper is frozen waffles and Jimmy Dean frozen breakfast sausages.  I am still being mindful of the salt consumption at the supper table.  I have a lead on a different brand but it’s not available here in town.  I have a photo of the packaging on my phone until I get to Hy-Vee.

  There’s a new hatching of house flies.  Itty bitty little devils hang onto clothing big time.  

  Dennis had a hard time settling in last night.  He was sure his hip incision was coming apart.  So many layers that need to heal, each layer doing its best to let Dennis know they are not to be taken for granted.

  A bit of a nap is taking place in the living room.  Hmm.  I can’t say I blame him.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:26 pm on October 28, 2024 Permalink  

  Warm Winds 

  Winds are strong but not strong enough to keep the Asian Beetles at bay.

  Today Dennis’ son Ken from Masa, Arizona, has spent the day visiting Stauffer Avenue.  The post brought the shower chair and Ken is putting it together as I type.  Father and son chit chat on the front deck as well.  Ken will be 65 in July of 2025.  He plans on retiring and getting a job hauling for the fertilizer company in this area.

  Monday always calls for laundry.

  Lewis Drug was at the house by 11 this morning.  Meds delivered.  We are good.

  Dennis’ new driver’s license came in the post today as well.  He’s good for another four years.

  I have an Echocardiogram tomorrow at 11:30.  Denise will come and stay with Dennis until I get home.  It’s wonderful that someone from Mayo in Mankato can come and do it here in the St. James clinic.

  Dennis’ occupational therapy for today is swapping out a load of laundry.  Every little bit of movement helps get the left leg a little stronger.

  Supper is a frozen Mac and Cheese for Dennis and I am doing a salad.  That reminds me, I need to boil some eggs as I like a chopped egg on my salad as well as chopped onions.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:58 pm on October 27, 2024 Permalink  

  Sunday the 27th 

  All is going well om Stauffer Avenue.

  Dennis has been home a full day.  He did have a family function to attend for several hours last night.  He put on clean PJs and went to bed shortly thereafter.

  I had the house locked up, lights off and we had callers at the back door.  Four of Dennis’ family were bound and determined for a visit.  Yup, they were pretty well lit.  They’re not my family, so I unlocked the door and they went about visiting Dennis in his bedroom.  So it goes.

  Dennis got up during the night for the bathroom and went back to bed and slept until ten this morning.  He said it felt great to stretch and move around under the covers.

  this afternoon my cousin Mark stopped in.  He had been at a funeral in Jackson.  Mark was originally from the Jackson area and now lives close to Hastings.  Mark works for the Thompson Reuter printing company.  Until recently he worked on the floor as one of the pressmen.  He applied and got the job in the mechanics department.  He said it was more satisfying after putting in a day.

  Dennis is sitting on the front deck taking in some sunshine.

  Yesterday I ordered a shower chair from Amazon.  It will be here tomorrow.  It is height adjustable and the seat swivels.  It seemed like the best solution rather than a straight bench.

  Thank goodness, supper will be the remains of the tuna oven dish.  A side salad to go with it will fill the menu.  It went over well last night.

  Occupational therapy is alive and well on Stauffer Avenue.  Yesterday Dennis opened the can of the Albacore tuna.  Today he switched out the laundry from the washing machine to the dryer.

  A quiet Monday is on the docket.  May your Monday bring with it something to smile about.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:47 pm on October 26, 2024 Permalink  

  Wham Bam! 

  The ole cowboy was delivered to 109 Stauffer Avenue at ten this forenoon.  By 10:30 Dennis was on his bed wiggling around to get comfortable after sleeping on the army cot in the nursing home facility.  He was out like a light.

  In the mean time, AJ and his dad and his mom were all in the bathroom installing the grab bar that Dennis had asked for.  Tom and AJ had the tools and Denise was straw-bossing.

  At two I woke up Dennis to see if he wanted to go to the celebration at the Eagles for Jeff.  Yup!  He didn’t even realize there had been commotion in the house.  I took that to mean he really liked sleeping on his own bed.  He got up, I brushed his hair and Denise was in the driveway.

  In the meantime I have a tuna, pea, pasta and Afredo sauce in the blue speckled round roaster for supper.  I also have two containers in the freezer.  I made sure to make a big batch.

  Dennis told me that his son Ken, the trucker from Arizona, visited him last night at Good Sam’s as well as his daughter Sue from Silver Bay.  This morning , granddaughter Erin from Silver Bay brought breakfast donuts for all the residents.  I asked Dennis if he enjoyed his donut and his comeback was, he was too busy getting dressed to come home.  Too funny.

  If Dennis had any toes on his left foot, he would have clicked his feet together letting me know what I also know . . . there’s no place like home.

  The Good Sam’s sent home all of the thirty day meds that they had lined up.  I took the time to leave them in their packages but grouping them for either a.m. or p.m.

  It seems as if all ends well today . . . October 26th.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 12:55 pm on October 25, 2024 Permalink  

  Fluttering 

  The small thunder shower we had last night at supper, really has the leaves fluttering today.

  It is sunny and bright today and the air does smell fresher.  Amazing what rain drops can clean.

  I am not sure what the rest of Dennis’ tribe is doing in regard to Saturday.  Denise and I have a plan. Denise brought one load of Dennis’ possessions from Good Sam’s.  Dennis has the bare minimum left.  Dennis will be discharged between 9-10 tomorrow from Good Sam’s.  Denise will deliver him here to our home.  About two-ish, her and Tom will pick him up and they will go to the Eagles.  After one hour, Denise and Tom will deliver him back home to me.  He will be at the Eagles for the military honor guard.

  Wow.  Wow . Wow.

  I have renewed all of Dennis’ meds and Lewis Drug will deliver them sometime this afternoon to our front door.  No delivery charge.

  Last night I finished a stitch project I have been working on for some time.  I really like how it turned out.  Nothing earth shattering waiting in the wings.  I do want to use up a bit more of the silk thread I have from Grandma Schafer’s.  I have a new book started.  I do have some machine sewing to do next week.

  This evening the quiet of the teeny tiny home on Stauffer Avenue will be experiencing the peace that passes all understanding.  Sweet.

  Time marches on.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:20 pm on October 24, 2024 Permalink  

  Purple Clouds 

  Purple clouds in the southeast.  Possible rain showers?  I think the air is too dry for it.

  How am I feeling about Dennis coming home this Saturday?  I was feeling a lot better until I found out what two of his three daughters have planned.  

  Yes, Sandy and Susie have planned the Celebration of Life for Jeffrey Curry, Dennis’ son, up at the Eagles this Saturday from 2-4.

  I am not sure how smoothly releases go from a heath care facility or any facility for that matter.  I do know that Denise would have been there for everything that needed to be taken care of.  Now I find out that Susie from Silver Bay was going to swoop in and pick up her dad and take him to the Eagles and then return him to Good Sam’s.  Hello . . . a little communication could go a long way.

  I am staying out of it all.  Denise knew I could be of no help bringing his possessions home and she didn’t mind it.  There was talk of Medicare having the PT gal from Good Sam’s coming home with Dennis for a look at the home’s safety settings.

  I have never had plans on going to the Eagles.  Jeff and I had our goodbyes in the quiet of the living room right here on Stauffer Avenue.  Everyone is offering the ride to take me to the Eagles and sooner than later, someone may well ask me if I am actually going.  The most important reason for my absence for Saturday is my own physical comfort.  Me sitting on a steel hard folding chair is comparable to shives going into my back.  Not going to do it and then pay for it for days after.  I do great, even more than great in my teeny tiny home.  Nough said.

  I guess I will deal with how Dennis can take it Saturday through the night and Sunday.  As I said I am staying out of it until I need to.

  I have vented enough.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:52 pm on October 23, 2024 Permalink  

  Hump Day 

  A chilly morning, turning into warmth and full sun.

  The care conference went well this morning with the team of caregivers at Good Sam’s.  Dennis had gotten his PT in at seven this morning.  It will be interesting as to what Dennis finds out this afternoon with the Ortho surgeons in Mankato.  Denise and Dennis were on their way by 1:30 for the 2:30 appointment.  Denise had paperwork in hand to give the Ortho people from the Good Sam’s people.

  The grocery store stop for me is like a meet and greet.  I had barely gotten into the store when Doc Durhiem needed a chat.  Doc is an acquaintance spanning decades.  Lots of hot air.  Wednesday is Senior Citizen Day.  I had had a list.  My total savings was $19.90.   I am working on building up our pantry as I know what Dennis likes to eat.  Dennis is too funny.  When Carrie visited Dennis, he commented on how tasty the food was, and . . . “It’s served hot.”

  Speaking of Dennis:  he may be coming home this Saturday.  The nursing home has put in his separation notice.  Mandatory regulation states that once the separation is filed, he is still needing to stay there for two full days.  Lots of paperwork.

  After the care conference Denise brought Dennis home until the 1:30 departure to Mankato.  In and out of his recliner without help.  He tried the bed assist and that went well.  Twice a week Dennis would be going out to our clinic for PT.  Several of that team worked with him as his left foot had toes no more.

  I am totally on board with Dennis’ return to our home.  First floor has all that he will need until his strength builds.

  When Denise picked him up, he asked what was Saturday night’s supper going to be.  There will be a tuna pasta oven dish.  Yup . . . the ole cowboy wins this set-back.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:08 pm on October 22, 2024 Permalink  

  Drops 

  Had it not been for the images of where each drop of rain had fallen during the night in the dust of the front deck, you sure could have fooled me.  Yes, they were actually individual drops.

  My day seems short today.  I think that is because it was 9:15 when my eyes opened.  By the time I sat on the edge of the bed, surveying the world through my four clean windows . . . it was much later.

  Other than unlocking the back door and letting the kitties escape from the patio porch, I had no particular plans for this the 22nd of October. I have even stayed during the duration of this day in what Lena described as a housedress.

  Breakfast and noon lunch kind of ran together.  The other half of my acorn squash did me right.  

  The grab bar that Dennis requested to go next to the toilet arrived in the mail.  All that this little home can kick out for safety has been done.  Many items had been addressed when I had had my stroke and heart surgery.

  When I look out the south window as I do this blog, I can clearly see across Stauffer Avenue towards the yard to the south of us.  They had a huge crop of sunflowers.  The seed heads are now dry.  The birds land on the seed heads just long enough to pluck a seed and then they are gone.  Haste makes waste.  Do not fear . . . the squirrels  swoop in and take all the seeds that may have dropped on the lawn below.  I am waiting to see if a daring squirrel would try to climb the stalk and do a huge killing of the seeds.

  We had been kicked off of Hulu, maybe from lack of accessing it over the last weeks.  With Dennis’ return looking like it might be sooner than later, I took the time to let them know that they may have my money, but access would be desirable.  It was a matter of updating to a new password.

  Not much to report.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:53 pm on October 21, 2024 Permalink  

  Visitor 

  I had a surprise visitor this early afternoon.

  Denise had taken Dennis to his eye injection in Mankato for the eleven appointment.

  I had had some baked out squash for my noon lunch.  It was wonderful with pepper and a bit of butter.  I thought I heard a car in the drive.

  It was Denise bringing Dennis for a home visit before turning him back in to the nursing home.  Sweet!  He used the sit-behind walker and was at the back door before I knew it.  The four steps from the house door to the kitchen went slow but sure.  I pulled a walker out from behind the television and the heavy duty one stayed by the back door.  It just about took my breath away.

  Denise commented that getting out of the car in Mankato and back in again went slick.  They had stopped at Hardee’s before heading home.  I was handed the card for Dennis’ next injection.  Oh my gosh . . . not until January of 2025.

  After sitting at the dining room table for a bit, Dennis headed for the bathroom for a sit and then on to his recliner.  We assured him, we would help him get out of it when it was time to head for Good Sam’s.  Denise went home for a bit and Dennis checked his eyelids for cracks.

  He had PT before he and Denise headed for Mankato and now getting into the house, the cat nap was well deserved.  When Denise came to retrieve him, he was out of the recliner before either one of us could help.  It was not a clumsy assent.  Wow!

  There is still discomfort but the attitude is determining his altitude of his returning to me and Stauffer.

  Wednesday, there is a care conference at Good Sam’s.  It’s routine.  Denise is going to be there as well as she can relay the Mankato experience.  That same day, the duo will be heading to Mankato to have a visit with the ortho team to have their take on his recovery.

  I had not expected the visit, thus there were some things that could have been moved back of the pathway, but Dennis managed it.

  From the 4th of October to this day being the 21st of October, I would say . . . all will be well here on Stauffer again.  Of course he checked out his bed assist and the location of the microwave.  He was content to see his wishes had been acknowledged.  Too funny.

  So . . . wow, what a day.  I feel blessed for so very many things . . . may you also.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥