Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from March, 2025 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 3:41 pm on March 5, 2025 Permalink  

  So it Blew 

  Last evening we ended up having heavy rain before the first of the snow could be seen flying sideways.

  We lost power at eight last night and it came on at 3:30 this morning.  The extra batteries.  Dennis went to bed about nine without the use of his CPAP.  I pulled one of our soft chairs closer to the bedroom door so I could here Dennis and cat-napped.  The house maintained a 58-degree temp for the duration.  That was the longest power-outage I can ever remember.  

  Dennis reported that from one of the televisions in the patio porch, we may have gotten between five to six inches.  It is indeed white.  Randy scrapped off the concrete drive and most of the drive is bare concrete.

  Sometime these last months, I had bought a box of Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix while in Sam’s Club.  Today was the day to use the last two pouches of the mix.  Dennis shook the eggs needed in a half-pint Mason jar and I put the butter to melt mode in the microwave.  With the butter and eggs then getting whipped into a frenzy in the KitchenAid mixer.  That beast rolled that cookie dough stiff enough that I could take a spoonful out at a time, roll it, and get it onto the baking sheet.  I did put some of the cookies in the freezer as I know from experience they don’t stay soft for too long.

  And how did I come about to have a KitchenAid mixer?  Several years ago, I helped out a previous employee when she was fighting Pancreatic cancer.  Her apartment was where she wanted to stay for as long as possible.  I was retired by that time, and I would be at her home every day as her daughter could not leave her work.  Lorraine didn’t want Hospice.  She was the most humble private person I have ever know.  One day when I went over, her daughter had made arrangements to take medical leave and could I please bring her mom to her home.  So it was determined. Lorraine had said that when her cookie making days were over, I was to take her mixer home with me.  A few days later when I tidied up her apartment, I did take the KitchenAid home.  Lorraine passed away within five days of being with her daughter. Whenever I use the mixer, I think of Lorraine. 

  But . . . this afternoon when the sugar cookies were done, I took the hot leftover coffee with a cookie and sat at the table.  I dunked this cookie as a homage to my great grandmother, Christine.  When I would stay at my grandparent’s home, Christ and Laura’s, Christine lived with them.  She spoke no English, but she always let me be by her side when she stirred up something to bake for the hard working multi-generational farm family.  In her long black dress with the ever fresh white apron, her and I would sit at the round dining room table to share a cookie.  She had heavily laced cream coffee and I had some coffee in my cup.  She would pick up her cookie and beckon me to do the same, and then . . . dunk!

  I have so many memories that seem to be freshened with the activities of my days.  What a treat.

  By the way, the oven dish of last night was very tasty.  Before putting the round, blue-speckled roaster into the oven, I covered the top of the dish with finely shredded Asiago-Parmeson cheese.  It gave a bite like no other.  A welcomed repeat for this evening.

  With that I will take my leave.

   
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  Noreen 2:37 pm on March 4, 2025 Permalink  

  Drip, Drip 

  We all were told there would be moisture coming our way.  The day was getting darker and darker this afternoon.

  I came up from the studio at one and in a heart beat there was a heavy shower of rain.  Now mid afternoon it is a drip, drip.  There may be more coming.

  The first item on the docket this morning was putting together an oven meal for this evening’s supper.  It was two cups of pasta to boil until tender.  One packet of boned out rotisserie chicken out of the freezer.  I only had peas in the freezer for some color.  When I drained the pasta while it was still hot I stirred in a heaping tablespoon of Better than Bullion, vegetable flavor.  That perked up the pasta big time.  One jar of Alfredo sauce folded in and we will be having a wonderful hot meal tonight.

  We did have a delicious hot supper last night as well.  Steaming bowls of oatmeal with a hearty fat pinch of flax meal.  Dennis had not had oatmeal for a while and he really enjoyed it.  The flax meal gives the bland oatmeal a nutty flavor.

  

  The assembly line of three box pouches is finished.  I brought them upstairs when I was done with the sewing, as the studio was chilly.  Mission completion.
  
  

  It all goes well taking it slow, one stitch at a time.  I may be sewing a few more of various sizes.  What’s not to enjoy using up stash items.  It will be easy handing off a pouch more so than the raw supplies.  The zippers by the yard and the packet of pulls were not doing any good as they were.  Items like that would not be given a second look if push may become pull.  I know that Carrie and Kevin grew up with me always doing something in the sewing or craft line.  They would have an awareness.  None of the three girls of Dennis’ could give a lick less with tools of the hands.

  I feel so fortunate that I have the tools and the supplies to keep me involved, curious, content and happy.

  I have just a bit of cold coffee left to enjoy to fill out this afternoon as I watch the weather and the traffic from my bedroom porch.  Hmm.  There is even a loaded needle waiting for me before getting our oven meal into a 350-degree oven.  Sweet.

  One more thing.  I always check our bank account via the HP in my bedroom porch.  Halleluiah!  Our small but good refund from the state income taxes hit our checking account this morning.  April first the federal will yank out what we owe them.  Please oh please let this be one of the years, social security is taxed.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:15 pm on March 2, 2025 Permalink  

  My Time 

  My time has gone well today.

  Several goals have been met on the first floor of Stauffer Avenue.  It always makes me feel good when I can balance out my day and my energy.  Chased and caught a few dust bunnies that were hiding under a small cabinet in Dennis’ bedroom.  Gottcha!  Several threads were put into my stitching that I am working on in my bedroom porch.  I then headed to the studio.

  All things considered I am doing well with my creative “Cork 101.”  Sometimes I get a pouch done in a day, sometimes it takes longer.  Where in the heck am I going!  I even got a few eyeglass cases done out of some scraps.  Thus far, I am only using the scrap pieces of Amanda’s cork, fitting a zipper to the scrap, ending up with no two pouches alike.  The large pieces of cork, some measure 27″ x 32″, are still in their cellophane bags. 

  

  This evening’s supper is chili that has been taken out of the freezer and a grilled cheese sandwich.  Where, oh where, did ketchup on grilled cheese sandwiches come from?  It’s a Curry thing, not mine.  I will admit that I bought several frozen dinners during one of my trips to the local grocery store.  When I have had a day, Dennis gets his choice out of the freezer.  It is then paired with some apple sauce.  As I make sure it has become table-ready with my digital thermometer, I have tasted the sauces or the potatoes.  Frozen dinners have come a long way when I read the labels.  Those evenings I indulge in oatmeal with a toss of flax meal on top, also paired with apple sauce.  This Grammie is over stressing out of serving a hot supper.  Sweet.

  With that I will take my leave. ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:03 pm on February 26, 2025 Permalink  

  Hello! 

  It’s me . . . !

  I am the one perched on my cherry red chair taking in the sunshine and feeling the sun’s power through the windows.

  When I came up from the studio at two this afternoon, I admit, my fingers were a bit chilly.  No amount of jacking up the thermostat could make enough of a difference in the studio air.  I have a small ceramic heater that oscillates warm air.  I just don’t stay in one place for very long.

  Late yesterday I decided to bite the bullet.  I opened all the letters I had been collecting for doing our 2024 income tax.  Dennis was out and about and I knew that starting the process was a good thing.

  Amazingly, using the Tax Act program, the entire process went well.  Of course, our filing is such that I input what monies we had coming in and the revenue department takes what it needs.  We do not have itemized deductions.  That eliminates a huge amount of record keeping.  I did do the electronic filing.  The federal filing was free and the state’s was $39.00 and some cents.  We enjoyed our crockpot supper feeling a relief for having the tax filing over with.  We always have to contribute more to the federal as our social security benefits in part are taxable . . . 50%.  Wonder of wonders if  taxing social security in the state of Minnesota ever goes away.  There will be a small stiffen coming back to us from the state.  I doubt if we could fill up both of our vehicles at the gas pumps with that amount.  Oh well.   

  This morning when I sat down in front of the HP and checked on things, both the state and federal had accepted our returns. 

  We are having leftovers for supper.  It will resemble beef commercials less the bread.  The bread is always an option at the supper table.

  I did read a Facebook post this morning from the poet’s corner; “Love yourself with your whole being, as you will be spending a lot of time with yourself.”

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:40 pm on February 25, 2025 Permalink  

  A Day 

  When I opened my eyes this morning, the sun bid me a good day coming.

  The programmable coffee pot had not been set last night.  When I pushed the pot to begin brewing, I set the crockpot up so it could welcome a beef arm roast complete with some extras for flavor.  A few buttons were pushed on the washing machine.  A cookie sheet was hauled out of storage to welcome some frozen cinnamon rolls.

  I then poured myself a cup of fresh coffee and toddled to my bedroom porch to check out what the HP had to say for itself.

  By 10:30 I was in the studio with KNUJ blaring in the background.  I did have a few things laid out, ready to stitch.  That went about three inches and the sewing machine needle dropped out of its housing, looking as if it was going to drop where no needles should dare to go.  If I tighten the needle housing too tight, I need a needle nose plier to help.  With this latest lesson, I think I will go for using the plier rather than having the sewing machine needing servicing.  I can’t imagine where rouge needles could cause all sorts of problems.  All went went well with a new needle in tow.

  Dennis’ help was enlisted with swapping out the laundry and after the cinnamon rolls had been out of the oven for one hour, there was a scant amount of frosting to spread over them.

  I continued into the studio and Dennis decided, with his little red pickup, to head southeast out of town to visit his cousin Sam and Marie.  Sam is wheelchair bound and Maria has Parkinson’s.

  I told Dennis I would see him about five for supper.

  As I sit and let my thoughts dribble out to the keyboard, I can’t help but notice looking out the windows that our lawns look totally freeze-dried.  No chance of winter mold.

  I have had a very good day with my objective having been met:  nothing stole my joy from me today.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:41 pm on February 24, 2025 Permalink  

  All is Well 

  No matter where I look, I see no snow.  I see the city streets wet but that may be due to the warm temps in the 50s making them sweat.

  I am maintaining a schedule spending time in the studio, but not over-doing it.  I need to do a balancing act.  If I over-stay my welcome, it might become such that I don’t get to visit at all.  I have lived within this body for over 80 years.  I know enough to listen to it when it gives me signals.  The most important thing is that I am happy with what my days hold for me.  I am content knowing what my limits are.

  There is only one thing that I need to police myself on.  I am a duty bound care-giver and that aspect could get away from me.  What I have implemented is tough-love.  I am a firm believer in trying.  I am a firm believer in thinking things through with logic and seeking solutions.  If both elements come back in a zero, then we will talk.

  The only grocery item that surprised me last week when I was in our grocery store in regard to price was Bisquick.  It was $7.49 for a not very large box.  I use Bisquick in the concoction I make when coating chicken or Tilapia for pan frying.  I always use it for making pancakes.  Grant it, a box kept in the refrigerator does last a long time. 

  That being said, that is what I am preparing for supper.  I can’t remember the last time.  The reason being, I have a hard time getting the wrist to accomplish a good flip of the pancakes.

  We had Subway last night and it was refreshing and tasty.  Splitting a 12″ does us just fine.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:55 pm on February 23, 2025 Permalink  

  Happy Sunday 

  Hard to believe how far the mercury on the thermometer has climbed since last week at this time.

  I had no idea what plans Dennis had for the day, so I played it by ear.  I was in the studio when a reflection in one of the studio’s window caught my eye.

  Grandson AJ from Mankato was here checking on his grandpa.  Sweet.

  I stayed in the studio and let the fellows solve all the issues of the world.

  When the back door opened and AJ called down to see if there was anything I needed help with, I took a pause.  Then I remembered.

  Our pull-chain lamp over the dining room table had called it quits some time ago.  We had a new one waiting in the wings and here was a tall fellow to help us out.  The only thing I wanted to save was the little Hummingbird that was affixed to the end of the chain and had been a gift.  It took all of five minutes and the new hanging lamp and its cord on the ceiling hooks . . . ready to use.  This lamp even has a dimmer aspect to it.  We are back in business.

  I have been muddling around in the studio.  I do want to use up a bit more of the cork fabric from Amanda in Bird Island.  I do have zippers that now have the zipper pulls on them.  My solution: forget about putting a lining in the box end pouches.  That is a bit more of a struggle than I need.  Dennis has some great grandchildren, one boy and seven girls that I could make some zippered boxed pouches for.  Main-streaming the design, I could make them look like pencil cases.  I have a plan going for another day.

  With all my muddling and piddling around in the studio, I am brave enough to fail at trying something new.  Isn’t that what life is all about!

  By the way the crab salad is a winner.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:03 pm on February 22, 2025 Permalink  

  A Thawing Day 

  Wherever snow was hiding, it is getting a run for its money.  Say hello to mud.

  Today I have laundry going and Dennis is in charge of changing it out as the cycles finish.

  . . . Hmm . . . Dennis just pulled into Stauffer Avenue.  He doesn’t fool me, he gets around A-OK.  Oh well.

  An ample bowl of crab salad is co-mingling in the refrigerator and I have chicken tenderloins sliced into chicken strips for supper.  

  

  One more time there is determination to take care of Dennis’ recliner.  We have done the patching of the look-a-like leather.  We have done the fabric cover.  Today, I came up from the studio with my next fix.  Years ago we had room-darkening shades when Dennis was an over-the-road hauler.  Shade rollers can go bad.  I did not do away with the flannel backed vinal shades themselves.  Never underestimate my stashes.  With a strip of the Gorilla Duct Tape holding the covering to the top of the chair and doing a tuck, tuck here and there time will tell.  I can tell you, just getting that tape off of the roll is a work-out.  

  Actually at noon Dennis had thought we would be taking a road trip tomorrow.  When he saw me in action with his chair, he let on that he thought it was time for him to check out Slumberland in Mankato for a new chair.  All of the components of his electric recliner work just fine.  It’s the dodgy covering that is crap-o-la.  There was ample amount of the shade so that when Dennis sat in the chair, everything pretty much stayed in place.  Again, time will tell.

  Let’s hear it for farm-girl logic!

  With that will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:31 pm on February 20, 2025 Permalink  

  You Bet 

  It was above zero at ten this morning and . . . you bet . . . I was in the studio.  KNUJ was turned on with all the overhead lights.  Grant it, it had been some time, and there was some re-acquainting to get done to familiarize where I had left off.  The studio is my happy place.  It matters not how long it takes me to get some things done.  Zipper placement took many, many pins and multiple checks and balances.

  Once the zipper was sewn in place and the top stitching was accomplished, I was satisfied.  I shut the sewing machine down and opened up the tutorial on YouTube to check out what tomorrow would bring.  I do not want to hurry through the project as cork fabric does not take kindly to having to tear out stitches.  It did seem that this cork was heavier than I had used in the past.  Nope.  Same weight.  My hands and arms are different than in times past.

  I came up to have a cup of mid-afternoon coffee and soak up the sun’s rays in my bedroom porch.  A bit of hand stitching to round out the afternoon.  From somewhere there is enough snow to cause dripping off of the awnings.  It’s just a sight for sore eyes.  I am hoping this is not a false positive in the world of Minnesota’s weather.

  Last night we had pan-fried Tilapia with steamed carrots and Dennis’ famous instant potatoes.  I also threw in the last six shrimp in the pan.  I have enjoyed having them once in awhile.  Sam’s Club has the huge de-veined shrimp.  So easy to fix, once they are totally thawed.  Toss them in a frypan with a bit of Olive oil and give them a toss.  When the gray color turns to a pink, they are ready to enjoy.

  This evening the remaining of the potatoes will be warmed in the frypan to give them a sear.  Pre-cooked cut-up sausages tossed in and make sure they are heated through.  Add eggs that have been shaken in a fruit jar.  The eggs don’t take long and we have a skillet meal.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:46 pm on February 17, 2025 Permalink  

  So It Is 

  It is getting closer to the end of February.  With that comes my hope for less frigid temps.

  Staying put on the first floor of our home goes easier for me if I stay busy.  Easy Mondays can be done when the laundry baskets look as if an eruption has taken place.  Not difficult to push buttons.  I like to get the duds out of the dryer and into a lot of places from which to pull from.

  Dennis got the c0okie sheets down from on top of the refrigerator.  One sheet got a lining of Reynolds Wrap for a pound of Farmland bacon to be done in the oven.  Baked enough that when we want to use it, it takes a nano-second in the microwave.  The second sheet was covered with a baking sheet of parchment paper for a dozen of the Rhodes frozen rolls to thaw on.  The kitchen had the fragrance of a five-star restaurant.

  With several balls in the air, the day does fritter away.  This mid-afternoon there was a “Come to Jesus Moment.”  I would not deny Dennis a nap anymore than mom, Lena, denied Raymond a nap after the noon lunch break.  Upon the nap being finished, I need a partner that is in the present to pick up what I need help with.  I did remind Dennis that I am a hard nose but still harder on myself than I would ever be on him.  We hugged it out.

  We all were given the gift of “Free Will.”  I find that my free will has tighter boundaries than Dennis’.  In the end we are taking care of each other and our home is in fine stead.  Good grief . . . will I ever be able to put Esther Schafer’s voice out of my head . . . “It’s a great life if you don’t weaken.”

  A container of an oven dish was taken out of the freezer this morning and supper is a given.

  I did get a call from our clinic early this morning and rescheduled my lab work for tomorrow forenoon.  That is doable.

  So it is.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥