Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from January, 2025 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 3:08 pm on January 3, 2025 Permalink  

  Coffee 

  I do drink a fair amount of coffee through the day.  Our coffee pot is set to go off at six in the morning.  It will stay hot on the burner for four hours.  We can continue punching it until the coffee has been totally consumed.  We like our coffee rick and strong.  No flavored coffee for us.  Folgers all the way.  I may sleep in to various hours in the morning, but once I am up, I juice up with Folgers and I have been activated.  Within the first ten minutes of my morning I may have started the laundry and gotten a crock pot with the components of what will be our supper.

  Dennis is not a morning person anymore.  When he was a poultry transportoligist he had his 18 wheeler ready to go in a heart beat.  Now he is ready for conversation by noon.  He and the kitties need the patio porch time.

  Yesterday the pork roast was tender done by four in the afternoon.  I decided to make it a pulled pork supper with the boiled potatoes.  If we have ever been to an event or in a restaurant, I can guarantee you I will pass on their rendition of pulled pork.  By the time I was done 99% of the pork roast was in pieces no longer than an inch.  Longer than an inch I find it stringy and hard to bite and chew.  I left the shredded pork in the crock pot and it soaked up all the juices of the cooking process.  No flavor went by the wayside.  This evening, I can see having wonderful hot pork sandwiches with Mayo, or . . . heating the pork in a serving dish in the microwave with a damp paper towel over the serving dish.  I know the pork having all the juices within is not going to be dry to go with the fried potatoes left over from being boiled last night.  We don’t do much frying of our meals, but who doesn’t enjoy American fried potatoes with the edges having a bit of a crisp.

  The studio being a bit chilly, I kept my nose to the stitching today.  I did do a query about the yardage in a full hank of silk floss.  Minimal there is 1,000 yards of 6 ply floss.  Working with two strands each time the needle is loaded compared to a skein of six ply DMC, that entails many stitches.  DMC has 8 yards of six ply per skein. 

  We had and do not have any reason to go out into the cold in the next several days.

  I just finished the last of the 14 cups from the coffee maker.  

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:23 pm on January 2, 2025 Permalink  

  Thursday the 2nd 

  So much grayness after a few fleeting minutes of sun this morning.

  Our post master himself was delivering mail this forenoon.  I greeted him as I do each day whoever deliveries the mail.  It’s the least I can do when they are moving as fast as possible and they can hand off the mail rather than getting the mail into the small slot in the house wall.  I am not sure if there is a heater in their small vehicle that is parked several blocks away as they make deliveries in a loop.

  The kitchen is filling with the aroma of a pork roost in the crock pot.  I plan on doing boiled potatoes and green beans for supper.

  Dennis’ report came from his last lab work of the VA’s.  More foods with iron will need to be on Dennis’ menu.  Yup.  I was on the internet like a flash and each day’s menu will have what is needed.

  My stitching entails finishing the bell-pull that I have been working on.  The band across is 40 stitches.  I am using the variegated silk embroidery floss that was Carrie and Kevin’s grandmother’s.  Esther Schafer passed away in 1973.  I do know for a fact that from the time I knew Esther, 1963, she was totally into crocheting.  This full hank of silk floss would like to tell tales.  I feel very honored to be working with it.  My goal is to find enough projects going forward to use the majority of it up.  This bell-pull is my one current work in progress.  Well . . . there is one project I started in 2023 on fabric that is 20 stitches to the inch that takes one strand of floss in the needle at a time.  Esther’s project takes two strands over two stitches as it is 40 count making it equivalent to the 20 count.  This Grammie has a good feeling about wrapping up the bell-pull.

  I have a heavy duty mystery book I am just about to finish.  It is spell-binding.  It is less than 100 pages out of the 456 pages.  The reading, I usually do before turning in for the night.  Mark Greaney is the author and I have scored two additional books of his.  I have several authors that I like.  My stash is such that I do not blow through all of the books from one author but interject a break from one to another.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:31 pm on December 30, 2024 Permalink  

  Bearings 

  After a discombobulation of a holiday in the middle of the week, it’s difficult to get my bearings straight.  Yes, Grammie this is a Monday.

  Both Dennis and I slept late this morning.  If it were not for the mail person sliding mail into my bedroom porch via the slot, hard telling when the feet would have hit the floor.  

  The same will happen this week with the new year on a Wednesday.  I don’t think it will impact us the same as this week we are sticking close to home.  

  Dennis took the utility bill to the drop-box at city hall.  By the way, our city hall is almost a mile from us now as they have converted the old hospital out by the Dairy Queen into the brains of the city.  I think they are encouraging us older folks to have the utility bill as directly taken out of our checking accounts.  We are not buying into that.  I still enjoy seeing what each and every item adds up to for the total amount.  Water, sewer and electric amounts do not even add up to half of the line items to make the total.

  I decided to come into the studio.  I flew a few items past Carrie yesterday in fabric choices and today I am going to start working on that.

  I only have one project in the works for my stitching in the cherry red chair in my bedroom porch.  Perhaps after today the fabric choice will be paired up with a new stitchy design.  Time will tell.

  Supper will be the remaining items from yesterday’s noon meal and then new meal plans will need to be put in place. 

  Dennis reported that the fog is worse than it was earlier today.  I think it will take having the wind come from the north rather than the south, to clear the air.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 4:59 pm on December 29, 2024 Permalink  

  Fog Setting In 

  The day was dark and cloudy all the day long.  The fog began setting in about four this afternoon.

  Carrie’s family left Eden Prairie in the fog this morning.  By the time they reached Mankato, all was clear.  They will be traveling home in the fog.

  I lightened the load a bit in the studio.  Megan was seeking fabrics.  I had an unused tote bag.  Who knew it would be the perfect thing!  It handled a small cutting board and I paired that with a small rotary cutter.  Megan had quite the variety by the time her and I came back upstairs.

  Nicholas was thrilled that there were scalloped potatoes in the mix for dinner.  The potatoes did cause me some concern as I had to alter the ingredients.  I had mistaken a container of heavy whipping cream when my intention had been milk.  It all turned out just fine.

  The kids took turns being out in the porch for some “Snuggles time.” 

  The day went well and the kitchen is as if no one had used it today.  Carrie and Jeremy did the dishes before anyone was ready for dessert.

  Dennis and I will be ringing in the new year on a quiet note.  I won’t mind that one bit and I am sure Dennis will agree.

  I will be getting into my robe shortly and putting my feet up.

  I will admit, yesterday was a kicker for me.  Sadie’s home is an extreme split-level home.  From the front door to the living area it was 12-14 stairs at a very steep assent.  The afternoon plus taking photos at street level and then back upstairs for lunch.  My legs were weary last night.  

  The new week is here and I am sure most people will take it in stride . . . I sure will.  Yup, I am spoiled and am the first to admit it.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   

   
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  Noreen 3:36 pm on December 27, 2024 Permalink  

  Pea Soup 

  The thickest pea soup has nothing on the fog that has swallowed us up.  I checked the advisory just a minute ago and we were were to be lucky, it is .1 mile that we could see out of the windshield.  That right there sends shivers down my spine as I know there are brave hearts that will be out in it.

  Dennis had an appointment up the street at the VA this morning at nine.  It was a blood draw to check on his red blood count.  The VA checked it after he came home from the nursing home and it was low then.  It could have been from the hip surgery.

  Dennis picked up a med for me from Lewis Drug before he came home.  It would have been $36.69 for a three month supply, but our co-pay was zero.  Sweet.  Our prescription insurance this 2024 calendar was $.50 each month for me and the same amount for Dennis.  We just got the new rate in today’s mail for 2025.  It stated the premium for January at $.00.  Or neighbors to the north have the same plan and their statement also read $.00.  Our carrier is Well Care.  Our policy was written by our insurance agent in Madelia.

  Our Blue Cross Blue Shield will be going up $21.00 a month for each of us.  We have always been told to never change it as that policy is no longer written but it cannot be taken away from us.  We never have a co-pay whether an office call or a surgery.  Dennis and I would be in the poor-house if that were not true.

  We are having a skillet supper this evening.  A mixture of sautéed onions, fried potatoes and eggs scrambled.  Sounds tasty to me.  The chicken tenderloins were great last night.  As soon as the meat thermometer hit 151 degrees, I shut the burner off.  A table knife cut them up perfectly.

  No stitching today.  A bit of housework and reading.  The damp weather has taken its tole.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:16 pm on December 26, 2024 Permalink  

  Second Christmas Day 

  We, on Stauffer Avenue are again doing the cloudy and not so bright.

  Christmas 2024 is on the books as a day where all was well here with Dennis and me.  I did receive my Christmas gifts from the ole cowboy.  Tucked on my family shelf here in the studio is a $2.00 bill.  The second part of my gift was a can of cold Coca-Cola right from his jacket pocket.  I had commented a time back that it had been months since I had had a soft drink.  Who says the ole cowboy can’t hear.

  As you may have gotten the message, I have no wants of any substance.  Our day was spent listening to Christmas music in the background as Dennis was on his computer and I got a stitch or two into a project.

  My brother Calvin spent Christmas Eve in his new living quarters in Cloquet, Minnesota.  No doubt it will be an adjustment.  I know his son Eric has done all in his power for it to be a good experience going forward.  It is an assisted living complex.  Eric, via short-cuts, lives about 25 minutes away on the outer area of Duluth.  Calvin’s son Jason does the wide-load deliveries and passes by the interstate from time to time.  His plan is to take an Uber to see his dad when it works out.

  I had received a message that my primary doctor wanted me to set an appointment.  I called this afternoon to make said appointment.  There was no additional information about what the visit would entail.  As it was, my primary had no openings for some time.  I left it with the receptionist that I was doing quite well with nothing that would make me seek medical care.  But . . . if that changed, I would call the clinic and take it from there.  Jody made her notes on my chart.

  I am planning chicken tenderloins and boiled potatoes with a veggie on the side for supper.  A gloomy day speaks towards a hot supper.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 4:19 pm on December 22, 2024 Permalink  

  A Smile 

  I will have a very wide smile on this face with many laugh lines for the remainder of the day.

  Life long friend, Sharon Skolberg, called this afternoon.  The tires got very warm as we traveled down memory lane.  Knowing that she is well and will be going into 2025 within a cozy home that she and her daughter Gail’s family share in this wonderful tricked out “shed-home.”  Amazingly we always pick up right where we left off.

  I had been in the studio working towards the completion of the last few Christmas decorations I had stitched with the cross stitching.  It’s one thing to complete a cross stitched item but I refuse to start something new until all has been totally finished with additional fuzz and threads.  

  I have picked up on some gals on the YouTube channel that also enjoy stitching.  When I see and hear their tales of the number of “wips” (works in progress) they have, it boggles my mind.  Some are as high as 30-40 items all in their own project bag.  I am a monogamous stitcher.  One at a time.  That is why I will finish up these four projects that will end up as mini pillows.  My mind can only ponder of the amount of resources tied up in patterns, cloth and floss.  

  I have had a wonderful day and as soon as the last sentence of this blog has been posted, the lights in the studio will go dark.

  Dennis just came in and when he opened the back door and gave me a “Hello.”  I jumped. I was deep in thought.  He had been out to Fleet Farm and had purchased a mineral block to put out in the backyard for the deer.  The backyard has tracks up the wa-zoo.  Dennis commented the mineral block is supposedly apple flavor.

  Supper will be a bit after five.  I made a new batch of crab salad this morning and Dennis and I sampled it at noon.  Of course, it will be better after today as the flavors need to co-mingle while in the refrigerator.

  As we were at the grocer’s yesterday and had bought some broasted chicken, we had bought enough for this supper as well as last night’s.  Nether one of us will mind a repeat of the menu.

  Yes, indeed.  The lights are going out in the studio as I need to share with Dennis my phone call from Sharon.  Sweet.  Yes . . . Kevin got a shout out from Sharon.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 4:03 pm on December 21, 2024 Permalink  

  Quite a Day 

  Pedicures and haircut were the order of the day.  We always enjoy the time with Maria as we come out of her shop with happy feet and a lowering of the ears.

  After that I had my grocery list in my pocket.  Dennis came in and manned the cart while I lead the way up and down the aisles.  A little variety in the kitchen makes meals easier to plan for.  The list was fulfilled.  Dennis suggested we pick up something for supper.  The choice was several broasted chicken breasts with some macaroni salad as a side. 

  While we were unloading the groceries, grandson AJ from Mankato was at the little red pickup to help.  The fellows were off to the patio porch for more chit chat.

  Yesterday I finished a project I had been stitching on for some time.  Its not that it was such a huge project but finding just the right ones for the job was a challenge. 

  You all know, I don’t throw away anything if there is any kind of an emotional attachment to it.  I had been saving two spools from my dad’s workshop that he had in the basement of their home.  I have no idea what they were ever used for.  I know looking down the shaft of each one, something must have ran through them.  It matters not, because I wanted to do something with them that might cause someone a moment or two before they too couldn’t figure out what they were used for and throw them away. 

  Once I had a design stitched I wondered how to affix the fabric stitched out pieces to the spools.  I glued buttons on both sides of the designs.  After they had dried, I used butcher’s twine to lace the two sides together.  When someone comes with two viable hands I am hoping to have a better job of the lacing done.  Noreen, well done. Another fine job of keeping times past to be current.  If nothing else . . . to add to the mystery of what Raymond’s treasure was actually used for.

  The sun has gone down and I can feel it in my sewing porch.

  This has been a wonderful day.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:39 pm on December 20, 2024 Permalink  

  Indeed 

  Indeed, we did get a snow that piled up to several inches.

  The back door and a snow pusher got a path out the door and to the car’s garage door.

  Next on my docket was the front deck and the steps down to the sidewalk.  The sun was forecast to shine today and no matter how cold it is, the sun has power.

  Today is the day!  The solstice.  The days will begin to get a bit longer.

  Yesterday I was going to make a call . . . no service.  Yup, it was time to purchase some time on my Tracfone.  The last time was in May of this last year.  It never gives a clue.  $135.00 and I was back in business.

  The call I was going to make was to my brother, Calvin.  Calvin did answer and he and his son Eric, had landed at Eric’s home late Wednesday night.  All ties to Decorah have been cut for Calvin.  Calvin’s son Jason will pick up the last his items at the mobile home park where he has lived the last several years.  I am so happy for Calvin.  Cloquet is where the assisted living unit is that Calvin will settle into.  It’s about 25 minutes from where Eric and Cecilia live.  Jason runs the interstate quite often and when passing through grabbing an Uber to visit Calvin will be a good thing.  As in our family genes, Calvin never talked about feeling isolated, but it took Eric about five minutes to broach the topic of moving.  Good deal.

  Amazingly, my Command strip replacements came in today’s mail.  They are up on the studio wall and tomorrow I will hang up the hoops.  Sweet.

  Dennis’ daughter and her husband needed to go to Mankato yesterday morning and about 5 miles from Lake Crystal there was an Amazon truck in the ditch.  Denise said the trailer was so far in the ditch a small car could have driven under it with the angle of the accident.  She said there were also two security trucks with multiple fellows handing the freight up to the road side like an assembly line. 

  Denise had her eyelid surgery last Thursday, just a week ago.  There is so much swelling and she said it felt like lit matches were in the lids.  She is working and can’t wait to get home to put the goggles with ice pockets on.

  This evening’s supper is Bisquick pancakes and Jimmy Dean’s pre-cooked breakfast sausages.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:42 pm on December 19, 2024 Permalink  

  Every Day 

  Some snow is finding its way here to Stauffer Avenue every day it seems.  I did get a broom to the front deck.  Man, is it heavy and wet!  Our Watonwan County Sheriff is warning that most hard surface roads are packed and slippery.  We had nowhere to go today.

  This morning was unusual for me.  I had slept through the night without a bathroom trip, but at six, it was necessary.  The coffee pot goes off at six and the aroma of the Folger’s coffee grounds hitting hot water tempted me to stay up and I did.  I watched the street in front of our house come awake at people were finding their way to work.

  At eight I returned a phone call to the VA here in town.  When Dennis had his yearly check up to the VA, the end of November, his hemoglobin level was low.  It may have been form the hip surgery, but enough time has passed that they would like to have a new blood draw.  We got that set up and the date and time is now on the calendar.

  I and coffee went to the studio earlier than usual.  I had one stitch-out that was white on black, a Christmas design.  The finish was 8.5″x 12″.  That is the largest for me to stitch in the mega hoop.  I don’t run the machine at a very fast rate.  That does bring to mind that Amanda in Bird Island always runs her embroidery at top speed.  Her comment was that if something went wrong, her hubby, right there in the shop, could fix it.  I am not that brave.

  As this stitch-out of 35,000 stitches over two hours worked away, I went about looking for better ways to store the hoops for the embroidery module.  A nice white space on the wall of the northwest corner of the studio.  I knew I had a box of Command Strips that each hoop could hang from.  Dang.  The box was older than I remembered and not one of the strips had any sticky remaining.  Amazon will have a box of 12 strips for tomorrow’s delivery to me.  With this snow, I am not banking on that.  But . . . the solution is pending.  The studio was closed down at one this afternoon.

  The shrimp and baked potato supper was an easy fix.  Once the shrimp looses their transparency and they turn pink, it’s just a matter of serving them hot.  This evening, I took out the container of the arm roast that I had fixed in the crockpot that had been popped into the freezer.  I am thinking of hot beef sandwiches.

  There was a covering of snow when I got up at six and it really hasn’t stopped all day.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥