Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from January, 2025 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 3:08 pm on January 24, 2025 Permalink  

  A Busy Friday 

  Last night over supper Dennis asked me what my plans were for the next day.  I did share that it seemed like it would be a heavy first floor day.  His bedding needed to be laundered.  I had crab meat that I wanted to make into our favorite crab salad as a noon snack to tide us over for a hot supper.  I also had everything needed for a tuna oven meal to make a large enough batch to put one container in the freezer.  “What can I help with?”  I don’t think he expected me to answer as quickly as I did.  Yup . . . I came back with the plan.

  If Dennis would pull his bedding apart after he got up this morning and deposit the sheets and pillow cases next to the washing machine, I would have them washed and dried when he came in at noon.  If he would then tidy up the floor with our little first floor vac before he dressed his bed.  I assured him I would have the salad and the oven dish going in the kitchen and do up the prep dishes.  Dennis thought that all sounded good.

  I was making great headways this forenoon.  The buttons for the laundry had gotten pushed and I was breezing into getting the Suddenly Salad box opened to get the pasta boiled.  I had the raw onion diced as well as the crab meat diced up.  I use the crab meat out of the refrigerated section of the grocer’s that is a USA product.  I was onto mixing the envelope contents for the dressing.  You have heard of the commercial of a Dollop of Daisy sour cream.  I had the dollop going when the container spun out of my hand and flew to the floor doing a cartwheel but still landing right-side up on the floor.  The cartwheel had landed a spray of sour cream on the kitchen wall and floor.  Stop the presses.  Breathe.  Tidy, tidy and we were back in business for the salad to be completed and in the refrigerator.

  On to the tuna oven meal.  More pasta boiled, three cans of the Albacore while tuna opened and drained.  We have realized when we get a 12″ tuna Subway that the onions we request with the rest of the goodies goes really well with the tuna.  First time adding them to the oven meal.  I diced more onions using the large onion up I had purchased yesterday and sauteed them until translucent.  A package of baby green peas out of the freezer and a jar of Alfredo sauce opened.  So close to a finish in the food prep.  I added a bit of heavy cream to the empty Alfredo jar with a shake shake to get every bit.  I had enough for a glass container of the tuna dish to be put in the freezer for another day.  Sweet.

  During all of this Dennis came in at noon, just as usual to find his bedding washed and dried.  I turned a very self protecting deaf ear as the grunts and sounds ensued from his bedroom.  The comments varied from difficulty as to which way the fitted sheet went on as to where I had hid the small vac, yada, yada yada.  I remained doing the prep dishes, cleaning the kitchen range, etc.

  I soldiered through having continued from start to finish while in conversations with Dennis during his multiple breaks and catching of his breath at the dining room table.

  Wonder of wonder, we both completed our tasks.  I never got off of the first floor being busy.  Dennis had asked and his wish had been granted.  He has a fresh bed to retire to and we have several good options of healthy foods over the next days.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 4:01 pm on January 22, 2025 Permalink  

  Damp Day 

  There is enough humidity in the air to allow a snowflake once in awhile.

  During this cold spell, I spent time at my desk in the bedroom porch of mine.  It has been a good feeling to get to several projects that I had on the far, far back burner.  The first was the circular wooden box of Ester Schafer’s.  It is now a sewing box holding many of the mini pillows I have stitched.  The second was using some of Esther’s silk floss that is now a bell pull sampler hanging next to our front door.

  The third project is now done.  I have been saving some small wooden blocks for decades.  They had been stored in Esther’s wooden box.  They were 1.5 x 1.5 varnished and waiting.  My dad, Raymond, had cut them for me.  Dad passed away in 1992.  Hmm.  These blocks have waited and needed to have something done with them.  You all know I was not going to do away with them.

  These blocks are now donning decals on all sides.  Some floral decals, some Christmas ones.  They are now housed in a wonderfully wooden bowl that my great uncle, Roy Grunewald, worked his magic on in his workshop.  Dad spent many hours at Roy’s house as Dad learned the ins and outs of using wooden shapes to be glued together and then turned on a wood lathe.   I have a lamp base and two smaller vessels that Dad turned out using walnut wood.

  

  I come from lineage that always had something going on the side after their daily work was done.  Did they think idle hands were the work of the devil?  I can’t speak to that.  What I can attest to is being creative comes second nature and it is oh so rewarding.

  The older priceless treasures have been touched and finished.  

  Today I went to the studio and pulled an embroidered pattern I had downloaded some time ago.  The pattern used Maderia brand embroidery threads.  I use only Isacord brand.  The first thing I had to do was to go online and find a conversion chart to print out matching color for color.  I liked the design enough to purchase it, so it warrants embroidering it.  All the spools are lined up on one of the church tables like sentinels.  I am giving serious thought on what to embroider it on.  Time will tell.

  Dennis is having a meal in a dish of the leftovers of last night’s supper.  I am having a steaming bowl of oatmeal.  It’s a win, win for each of us.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:23 pm on January 21, 2025 Permalink  

  Changes 

  Changes are coming!  My mail flap on the outside of the house is clapping.  The clapping is due to the wind being from the southeast.  Let’s hear it for the clapping!  To be honest, it does startle me at times.

  Time was spent on organizing and going through all of the stitching supplies I have used since late last summer of 2024 from my bedroom porch.  A container of beads here, a packet of beads there, a scrap of fabric too small to keep my interest.  I made one trip to the recycling with various small cardboard boxes and manilla envelopes that the mail had delivered and I had kept.

  Dennis took his friend Dwayne out for coffee this morning.  They had not seen each other since before Christmas.

  Last night after supper, I was transfixed to my bedroom porch watching the goings on kitty-corner from our home.  There was a fire at Hillesheim’s.  So many fire department vehicles and firemen in the blistering cold.  Our neighbor Randy had worked with Glenn at John Deere.  It was an electrical fire that warranted the ladder being used.  So sad, it does make one pause.  This morning, Dennis drove past on the south side and the lawn had various amounts of interior debris.  I cannot imagine the amount of smoke damage.

  What made me feel for Sue was my memory of how smoke filled our kitchen was when I let a kettle of what was to be boiled eggs boil dry.  Not long after, the kitchen ceiling got one layer of Kills painted on and then the semi-gloss paint.

  I have stayed on the first floor of our home today.  I managed to stay occupied.  Soon it will be time to start supper.  Canned beef will be thickened with corn starch to put over potatoes to go along with green beans and cranberries.

  Our week is open.  How great to not have appointments.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:34 pm on January 20, 2025 Permalink  

  So It Is 

  Today my goal for the morning was met.  Down into the studio with my shoes giving my feet good support, I made tracks.  Walking around the two church tables . . . around and around with KNUJ playing in the background.  Walking is walking.  Moving is moving to keep me going.

  While I was in the studio, I laid out some future plans.  When I had worked on a quilt for Megan with the OESD’s design package, “The Words of Wisdom,” I had some designs that were either duplicates or extras.  I have six of those extras.  I did cut each of them all down this forenoon to 9″ x 11.5″.  I pulled material to make them up into a small lap robe or a small quilt.

  I came upstairs with paper and pencil to plot out the rest of the story.  I believe it can be about 41″ x 61″ using plain colored block to intertwine with the embroidered blocks.  The 3 yards of flannel I pulled out to back it with, I need to pre-wash as flannel does shrink.  Shrink it now before completing the project, as the 100% woven cotton will not shrink.  

  My goal had been to use up some of the possibilities that were in the stashes, thus two placemats received embroidering.  I had very little left to use as a gift for . . . any occasion I make it.

  So what does the sewing machine work, the hand stitching work or reading add to my days?  It enhances my resilience.  When I attend to something else other than the stress of everyday life, or arthritic aches and pains, it helps.  It allows my mind to clear and detach.  I become so absorbed that it shifts me from small and annoying stressors.  My mind is in my safety zone.  

  Off and on snow squalls are making a showing.  Within the sheltered spots of the drive, there is a bit of collection.  Anything in the open has been relocated over and over with the wind. 

  For my money, I think a hot bowl of bean and ham soup with buttered toast will fill the bill for supper.  I will accept any other offer if it will be set in front of me at supper time.  Yaa, that is as unlikely as the thermometer here in my bedroom porch reading the outside temp at 50 degrees.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:35 pm on January 19, 2025 Permalink  

  Today is Sunday 

  This day is Sunday and I have quarantined myself to the first floor of our home due to a cold cement floor and cold walls in the studio.  Bummer.

  When I poured breakfast coffee into my northern wall cup this morning, the steam rose like a volcanic reaction.  The coffee was tasty and the second cup stayed hot longer.

  About the only positive spin I could put on the winter of these last months is that with no snow, ice or sleet, there is nothing coming into the house that may have been caught on the bottom of the shoes.  Dennis makes untold number of trips from the patio porch to the house during the course of his days.  Me . . . not so much.  The reason being he has no options for his awake time to keep his interest.  Really unfortunate, but that is how it is.

  There ‘s been more traffic moving in the bitter cold as the afternoon has gone by.  As I was stitching and having a YouTube video on in the foreground of my desk, a vehicle caught my line of sight pulling into Stauffer Avenue.  Yup . . . it was the little red pickup heading to the garage.  Dennis, Dennis.   

  I have been stitching and reading for this day.  Any progress is good.  It is amazing how making one stitch over another to make a cross does count up. Watching videos, in certain geographical areas, there are many that find stitched projects to save in thrift stores.  Those that save them are stitchers themselves.  The Goodwill thrifters soon pick up on the fact that the inventory is all color coded to indicate how long it has been in the store before it is moved on to the next step, whatever that may be.

  We had a supper last night of sautéed jumbo shrimp, instant potatoes and greens.  This evening, I will brown the leftover potatoes, mix in some scrambled eggs and cut up breakfast sausage and call it a skillet meal.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:39 pm on January 15, 2025 Permalink  

  Tuckered Out 

  Today is Wednesday and at this writing, I declare that I am tuckered out.  That is what happens when this Grammie does the “Merry Maid” thing.

  I didn’t even go near the studio today.  I had an agenda and having stuck with it, there was no energy or time left.  We do have a batch of chili ready to enjoy for supper.  There will also be several meals of the chili going into the freezer for another day.  I like to use one pound of 80/20 ground beef and one pound of plain ground pork.  The Italian seasoned pork has too many flavors I do not want in my chili.  Dennis opened three cans for me and one jar.  I use the quart jar of Classico red sauce.  I started the process of dicing a rather large onion and sautéing that in my soup kettle before adding the meat.  When the onion is sautéed the onion pieces turn translucent and not as noticeable as when you pitch in the onion right from the cutting board.  To get the meat into the nice sized pieces, I use two forks to pull at the meat while the kettle is hot and the browning of the meat can begin.  A dash or two of Cayenne pepper, a sprinkling of bacon bits and a swizzle of molasses.  I used two cans of red beans and one can of refried beans.  I have a circular ironclad plate to put on the burner.  At a low simmer the entire bottom of my kettle gets evenly hot.

  When Dennis decided to sample . . . he gave it a thumbs up.

  Our wonderful lightweight vac was pulled out of the closet and I did the floors on our first floor.  It was time to do a thorough tidy of the bathroom, making sure to vacuum out the area of the lint filter in the clothes dryer.  Giving the chili a stir once in awhile I got the damp mopping done.

  The “Merry Maid” is enjoying the last of the cold breakfast coffee while I type.  I have had a great day with much self satisfaction.  I so enjoy our little home after a day such as this one.  Will the tidy, tidy last?  Absolutely not.  Our home is meant to be lived in from the east end to the west end.

  The studio will wait for another day after Grammie has had a good night’s rest.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:56 pm on January 10, 2025 Permalink  

  Friday the 10th 

  The first thing I did today, the 10th, was to message my primary doctor to refill my prescription on the 11th that needs a message every month before it can be refilled.  It really doesn’t take that much time to get it done.  The 11th is on a Saturday.  Lewis Drug is open until three on Saturdays.  The prescription cannot be refilled on the 10th, it is quite fussy about the coverage that I have.  It can be requested after the 11th but not one day sooner.  I do have the prescription covered if I need to go until Monday to pick it up.  It’s called covering your bases.

  Dennis spent the forenoon in his recliner.  He had a headache and best to acknowledge it as he doesn’t get a headache often.

  I went about getting everything together for a chicken Rueben oven meal.  I had taken the chicken tenderloins out of the freezer last night in preparation.  I thought I was being smart by purchasing a small container of poultry seasoning that I was sure had a shaker cover.  Not.  When I was going to pull off the little round sealer of the container, I pulled off the barest of the sealer, so I could still use it as a shaker rather than having the entire container’s contents exposed.  The seasoning does add flavor but can also add way too much if not careful.  I strained the sauerkraut through a thin dish towel to get the kraut as dry as possible.  There is no way the chicken or the kraut will be dry patted dry enough to avoid a bit of juice when a totally dry scoop is wanted when the dish is table ready.  I had just enough of the 1,000 Island dressing to cover the kraut.  I poked holes through the kraut with the handle of my wooden spoon to incorporate some of the dressing down onto the cubed chicken.   

  In the past I had mentioned that a piece of fabric I had was just barely large enough for a new pattern I wanted to stitch.  I had already sewn on some matching fabric to use as a mat on each side.  Top and bottom would not be a problem.  Today was the rest of the story.  I started on the upper left hand side of my fabric.  My goal was to see how I would come out on the far upper right hand side.  Breathe.   Yup!  I have met my challenge.  I have a consistent right hand margin from top to bottom.  I will be using two strands of floss over one stitch.  The fabric mat along both sides of the design is what Carrie had helped me choose to go with the floss.  By the way, on the left side of this stitching fabric I have the huge amount of two extra stitches.  Grammie, Grammie.  I can and will work with this.  After all . . . we do what we can on what we have to work with.

  It’s time to get my oven pre-heating for supper.

  With that I will take my leave.

   
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  Noreen 4:04 pm on January 9, 2025 Permalink  

  A Fluttering 

  So it was promised, but at three this afternoon, it sure took its time to give us a fluttering of flakes.

  The air is dry but it didn’t take long to cover the streets and give less visibility as I look out of my bedroom porch windows to the roof tops.

  Our errand for the day was a trip to Lewis Drug.  We had that accomplished before noon.  Our car has not been driven on wet salty streets and today was no exception.  Using the car as we drove out on the Hammond highway was good to get everything realizing it still must work when called upon.  As I watch the traffic now, there is wet sticky stuff coming up from under the vehicle tires.  

  I take Metamucil everyday.  It’s not a laxative, but more of a binder for my body’s waste.  It is also very good for my heart.  After paying the high price at Lewis Drug for a container, I know when we travel to Mankato on Monday for Dennis’ eye injection, I will be purchasing several containers for the same price I paid for one today. 

  The only good buy there is here in town is at the Dollar General.  After Dennis had surgery for a blocked salvatory gland, he said his mouth always felt dry.  Carrie tuned him into the hard candy called Lemon Heads.  Tart is the key word to get the saliva going.  Our grocer sells the bag of some 4 ounces for $1.89.  Family Dollar sells the save size for $1.29.  Let’s hear if for Dollar General at $1.00.  Other than some colored Life Savors in their own little bag, the Lemon Heads take center stage.  I may have one or two for the day.   Dennis goes through many of them each day.  If not a cigarette, it’s a Lemon Head. 

  The day is heavy and gray.  It hasn’t done much for my level of energy.  Even less than good days are part of the process.  I just don’t make a habit of having too many in a row.

  It has been a no-account day so our supper will be light.  There are several meal entrées in the freezer that will be brought out with Mott’s apple sauce on the side as well as the last of the jellied cranberries from the refrigerator.

  The snowflakes have ceased fluttering, but I must say this week has quickly fluttered by.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:31 pm on January 7, 2025 Permalink  

  Tuesday the 7th 

  Each day for me, being retired, is never the same one unto another.  Each small nuance can shift the energy.

  This morning, the coffee smelled especially good as I poured out my cup of the 14 total cups.  The hot steam just rolled across the top of the cup.  My coffee cup sits in the kitchen cabinet which is on the north wall of the kitchen.  As hot as that coffee comes out of the pot which is on a hot burner, the coffee is hitting a cup that is quite cold.  I don’t mess around enjoying it as it can cool quite quickly.  I dare not sip while I walk me and the coffee to my bedroom porch.  I am not steady enough to sip coffee and walk at the same time. 

  When I got myself settled on the cherry red chair, I found myself gawking.  My command center from where I read, stitch, check out the computer and watch traffic was a cluttered mess.  I have to take credit for it as other than Dennis perching in the guest chair at least once a day, it’s my own personal doings.

  The mail slot is four feet from my chair.  As I sort through it each day, there was a pile of junk mail that didn’t need to take up space.  I am finishing a stitching project and the extra floss hanging from a light fixture over the desk should be taken care.  My stash of books yet to be read has tipped over from the tidy array they had been on the west window sill. 

  The only thing to my credit is that there were no empty drink containers or used silverware adding to the mix.

  I did get on it and decided a few items needed to be put back in the basement studio where I had fetched them from when I was finishing some small Christmas pillows.  When I got to the studio, I got sidelined as there were some of my treasures from embroidering that needed a bit of a tidy.

  As the day went on with me drinking coffee as I went from location to another, I did make inroads in my bedroom porch as well as in the studio.

  It is now that part of the day to think on making supper.  The fare will be baked potatoes, tilapia and cranberries.

  Tomorrow morning, when I have toddled into my bedroom porch to enjoy that cup of hot coffee, I can perhaps sit in my cherry red chair, give it a swivel enjoying the tidy surroundings . . . for whatever short period of time that may be until it becomes looking very liked-in and all mine.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:57 pm on January 6, 2025 Permalink  

  Set the Clock 

  I can set my clock by Dennis’ timeline.

  At eight, Dennis has opened his eyes, been to the bathroom, has a cup of coffee sealed so as to not spill, his breakfast box filled and out the door to the patio porch all by the time of 8:10.  I will greet him for the day when he comes in at 12:30 after he has caught the noon news on one of his two televisions in the patio porch.  Dennis is one that follows his habits and then is ready for the day in every good spirits.  There is no way I am going to mess with a routine that serves both of us well.

  From the time I get up, which is also eight, I have the run of our home’s first floor.  Believe me, I could literally run someone over.  It’s all about an agenda to keep hearth and home running like a clock . . . just not Dennis’ clock.

  When Dennis comes in at 12:30, I am up for whatever plans Dennis has for the remainder of the day.

  Today, we made a trip to our Dollar General here in town as Dennis was in need of distilled water for his CPAP.  I had an item I needed for the studio out of the school supply isle.  All of the new OESD designs have been printed off and it is time to get them into the embroidery library.  Sheet protectors I had, I needed a ring binder.

  While Dennis was parked to watch the traffic, I was using their bright yellow cart cruising the aisles.  Surprisingly I found quite a few items as I was checking their prices.  The orange juice of 64 ounces was a much better price, quality to quality, than when our grocer has 52 ounces on sale.  So I was impressed.  Our local Super-Fair is expensive.  I plan on shopping again sometime using a bright yellow cart.

  Dennis’ oven meal was fantastic.  He used the remaining shredded pork roast with medium sized cooked ( a bit on the gelatin side) egg noodles.  He added two cans of green beans he had diced and topped it off with a jar of Alfredo white sauce.  As I said, it was fantastic sitting down to a flavorful meal and all the prep work left the kitchen as clean as if I had been at it.  The remaining of his oven meal is for this evening.

  With that I will take my leave. ♥