Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:53 pm on June 8, 2024 Permalink  

  A Day 

  This is Saturday and I am calling it a day.

  This morning at ten, we turned ourselves in for pedicures and haircuts.  Five weeks is a bit too long, but Maria had a son’s graduation party last Saturday.  Very special.  There is no way that I could tell which of the two treatments felt better than the other.  Dennis was sure his eyebrows would need curlers.  Too funny.  It is a block of two hours for the two of us.  We’re worth it.

  A bite of noon lunch of pureed apple sauce and peanut butter felt good.  As I was leaving for the grocery store, Jeff road up on his battery-powered three-while bike.  For someone that has not worked a W-2 form job for a decade or longer, he seems to do alright for himself.  He is on medical assistance.  I bid him a good day.  Jeff and his dad can do and have much to visit about . . . or not.

  I couldn’t resist looking a few things up on the internet.  Jeff had had two instances of having fluid taken from his side.  It is called ascites.  Blood vessels not working in the liver weep their fluid into the body cavity.  For sure, not good, not comfortable with shortness of breath.

  Rain during the early morning hours was unexpected.

  For some reason yesterday I thought of my grandpa Christ.  Dennis was sleeping in his recliner and his profile of no teeth in his mouth reminded me of grandpa years ago. 

  Kevin was just about a year old when Grandpa Christ and Grandma Laura stopped in at our Boon Lake farm.  They had found that my parents were not home at their farm and they drove a bit farther.  From Brownton to Stewart along 212 and then 12 miles north, it made for a nice Sunday drive for them.  Grandpa always drove a dark blue Ford sedan.  It didn’t take grandpa very long before he had Kevin in his lap giving gentle bounces.  Carrie was busy sharing her dolly with grandma.  What a sweet visit as we sat on the lawn west of the house.  We had coffee and cookies before they left.  The cookies may have been soft or maybe hard, I knew grandpa would dunk them.  Just as I wish I now had his favorite knife at their round kitchen table during meals.  He had taken his knife to the tool-shop and fabricated a one-of-a-kind utensil.  Possibly as many as six peas or kernels of corn could be scooped up to lay in little divots on the wide blade of the knife.  Grandpa never missed a beat.  I enjoyed many summers with them on the Penn Township farm.  It was with great grandma Christine, Christ and Laura and uncle Jerold and his wife Marion.

  Grandpa Christ died at age 79 a year later, almost to the day on his July 8th birthday.  He died of Prostate cancer.

  Those dang memories . . . just keep getting sweeter.

  With that I take my leave.♥

   
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  Noreen 2:28 pm on April 2, 2024 Permalink  

  April Showers 

  2.5 inches of showers from the late March snow thaw and the April rain should get this area out of the drought situation.  That is the talk of the town.

  This morning I turned myself in to our dentist here in town for impressions to be taken and made for the final product.  It may take a total of a month before all is done and all is fitting well.

  Dennis had a call from a fellow that we would see once a month when the Korean Veterans would meet at the VFW in Mankato.  That chapter has been retired.  George called to ask if we could get together with a few of the fellows and their wives tomorrow, so as to not loose all touch.  I think that is a great idea.  The VFW serves a daily noon lunch.  We can enjoy a lunch together and catch up with one another.

  This afternoon, I was stitching at the same time glancing at and reading my latest book.  My eyelids got very heavy and I knew I had to get up and move about.

  My birthday on Sunday told me I am truly at 80 years.  I also have been retired for fifteen years.  I retired two months short of my 65th birthday, so I am rounding it up.  My status of being a retiree plus a fulltime housewife is going to shift a bit.  I have had a talk with Dennis.  I remember when a status had changed within a household.  If I remember correctly there was one household task assigned each day when the other went to work.  Dennis said he would have no problem with that as he often has not taken note that there might be something he could do and take that task from me.  We will see how this turns out.  As I am typing this, there is a process going on that will result in a clean kitchen floor.  Yup.

  The monetary portion of my life has never been the end all to be all.  I have often shared that what I deserve in life is a clean secure home.  Yup.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:01 pm on January 9, 2024 Permalink  

  Better Late 

  Who ever commented on the saying, better late than never . . . hush your mouth.

  We were doing just fine with no snow.  It was a range of 3-4 inches of first wet mist and finally some official looking snowflakes.  

  Randy next door did not disappoint with his green line as he blew our drive off.  I made sure to have the snow off of the front deck, steps and concrete sidewalk and pushed it all onto the drive before Randy arrived.

  Dennis used his walk behind to clear the garage door opening that faces Stauffer Avenue.  If that little red pickup can’t get out, there would be a sad face.  I, on the other hand, don’t plan on going anywhere until I know there is no wind to polish road surfaces.

  I am a naughty Grammie sometimes.  My heritage is the “old Adam.”  It is better to give than receive.  I will go along with that. . . to some extent.  It took quite a bit of talking this Christmas to convince Dennis to forego giving gifts this 2023 Christmas.  He really, really always enjoyed getting his little stashes together for my children and Dennis’ children.  He would start making plans in October with lists of grandchildren and their spouses.  We were blessed with Thanksgiving guests and Christmas Day guests in our home.  Special.

  It would have been equally nice if someone from Dennis’ family had visited or called to visit in the latter part of December.  Nope.  Nada.  Not even the daughter that lives four blocks to the south of us.  Hmm.  Dennis was ready to receive well wishes from his family.  Maybe next year.

  I have retrieved some supplies from the studio.  I have a variety of Command Hooks, strips, etc.  Soon my Santa quilt will come down from the north living room wall.  I would like my scrappy quilt put up in its place for a while.  I have the adequate supplies, I now need a plan of attack.

  My attack for supper is a hot meal.  Two pork chops, au gratin potatoes and steamed broccoli.

  If you must travel, be safe.  I would rather think about you, than read about you.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:41 pm on January 7, 2024 Permalink  

  A Sweet Day 

  Yesterday, Dennis had spent the day with his grandson, as AJ wanted to go to the tradeshow in Northrop.  AJ had never been to one and felt better with Dennis most likely knowing all those that had set up for the weekend.  Good job grandpa. Today Dennis went back to Northrop to be able to sit and visit with the fellows that he had known for a long time, but had not seen them for a long time. 

  I took the day to take care of local effort on the first floor.  More importantly I wanted to think through my goals for 2024, and rough in my budget.  Both two very important items.  I had met my goal in 2023 in the month of December.  Nicholas will be going on his class trip in June, just as Megan had done between the sophomore year and the junior year.  Just as I had done for Megan to help meet each individual’s cost, I did the same for Nicholas.  It is one of those things that makes my heart smile.

  We had covered quite a few items last year in the home’s repair.  Nothing on this year’s calendar that is needed.  We take pride in ownership.

  I checked out the studio and I am totally equipped for the entire 2024.  I am a good planner.

  I will be ordering several items for our neighbor to assist in getting the zero-turn tricked out so I can use it.  I am doing that for myself as I have always enjoyed keeping up a yard.  Not a big item on the wish list.  Randy had mentioned that in the spring both of his sons had some plans for him in his retirement.  One son in Nicollet and the other in Mankato . . . good to to be able to help them out. 

  The afternoon sun is bright.  I have muddled through what my agenda was and I am on to do some reading.  We are having left-overs for supper.  Now that is a sweet deal.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:08 pm on November 20, 2023 Permalink  

  Peaceful Day 

  My usual Monday laundry day is finished.  It’s a very gray day with a shower of rain once in awhile.

  We are having company on Thanksgiving.  It will be six of us.  I had put out an inquiry as to what the grandkids liked to eat for Thanksgiving.  I heard back from Jeremy, the son-in-law.  Jeremy has a few days off this week and he is bring the Thanksgiving dinner in total.  Sweet and wow!  I did not ask any questions. 

  Dennis and I are doing the pies for dessert.  Dennis and I traveled to the Walsh Apple Barn yesterday and we now have the pies, fully baked and frozen in our freezer with instructions on when to take them out of the freezer and put them in the refrig. 

  Amazingly, the apple barn pie shop is open year around.  Last Wednesday they ceased taking special orders as they know what their freezer capacity is.  They also have a pie shop in St. Peter, it is called The Pie Monger.  The shop here on 169, furnishes the pies for St. Peter.  When Dennis and I were at the counter waiting, the glass viewing area into the oven area was amazing.  We have treated ourselves to one of their pies off and on.  Never disappointed.

  This afternoon, with the leftover breakfast coffee, I watched some of the YouTube videos that I have subscribed to.  The inspiration is amazing.  I do have finishes left to do on my scrappy quilt top with a border to assemble and sew on.  I did so enjoy my cross stitch project that I plan on doing another.  I have enough of the same fabric and it will again be done again with just one color.  It will be the same deep navy as the one I just finished and I have ample of that one floss.

  After this posting, I plan on doing some reading before supper.  Dennis requested one of his favorite Progresso soups.  Very easily done as neither of us have done any heft today.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 12:55 pm on April 13, 2022 Permalink  

  Hump Day 

  After a night filled with rains and winds, this is a quiet hump day.  A perfect day to be in the studio.

  Holy week is always a reminder to me that my dad passed away in holy week on Maunday Thursday.  The week also allows me to think about me and where I am in my relationship with my ole cowboy.  Way back when, I knew who he was and what his lifestyle had been.  Nothing serious hiding in the bushes.  Dennis was a hard working soul that had one habit then, that is still prevalent today . . . smoking.   When we spend our lives doing, being what we believe is acceptable, the long run seems like never, neverland.

  At 86 years young, regardless of health issues, Dennis is not going to quit smoking.  Dennis began smoking while he was in Korea and that is his addiction.  Alcohol abuse may run in his children’s lives, but Dennis never has had a taste for it.  I am thankful for that.

  I have learned that harping upon an action that I don’t understand, does only one thing . . . I upset myself.  The last thing I, or my heart needs is to be upset.  At times the best is . . . “live and let live.”  There are many more wonderful qualities in Dennis than not.  I am thankful for that.

  A little late in my life . . . but I have learned to accept rather than expect.  With that as my road to travel, I am at peace with family and friends.  I have not walked in their shoes, nor they in mine.  At the end of each day, I like my size eight and a half shoes.

  As I was in the studio today, thinking about a whole lot of things, I finished yet another square in my latest endeavor of the pattern called “A long Time Ago.”  It was the Trip Around the World pattern that was my mom’s favorite.  166 pieces came together for this 13.5 inch block.  I did shut off the sewing machine, the iron and the studio’s lights to have a bit of coffee with Dennis.  I have no idea what the next block will be.  As I finish one block, the page has not yet been turned as to what is coming next.  Kind of like what life has to offer.  Stay tuned.

   
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  Noreen 3:34 pm on October 20, 2020 Permalink  

  So Much White 

  I was anticipating a light dusting of snow today. I think five inches could be a scooper if it were not so wet as some of it wants to melt that is closer to the ground.

  My first floor tasks included making some egg salad that Dennis said he had a hankering for.  I will say several of those eggs were not cooperating.  Holding a boiled egg under water for peeling does help.

  On a wintering day that presented itself today, I am thankful I can pull from activities that were honed decades in the past.  When Orlin and I were farming in Boon Lake Township, winter presented itself on just such a day as today.  With two small children it was possible that days indoors could well last until Easter. I am trusting that we will still have some fall days ahead.  Today I did head for the quiet of the sewing studio, taking my best memories with me for company.

  In those day of old, indoors with Carrie and Kevin meant I needed to be on my “A” game.  Carrie at the age of four, needed to emulate whatever I was doing.  Then, as now, thread and fuzz were my companions and I would be well supplied for what resources would be needed for the winter days that would follow.  I do recall that at one point,  I took a white dish towel and made dots to denote various items on the towel. The towel would then be put in a small hoop.  The entire towel was full.  With a huge plastic needle and floss, Carrie could go from dot to dot to fill in the outline.  Ya . . . I was the forerunner of the dot to dot color books with which someone made a million dollars.  Wouldn’t ya know!

  Kevin, navigating as a two year old, didn’t need structured activity.  A cardboard box with some toys, the bottom portion of the gas kitchen range that housed pots and pans, or waste baskets that needed emptying and sorting.  All was fair game.  Luckily Kevin could make the basement steps safely.  All that was required of me was to follow up whether it was up or down to see what could be rescued.  Snoopy, the family dog, had his rug in the back entry and that was always a favorite stop for Kevin.  Looking back, naps were always my favorite part of the day for those two wee ones. 

  Today may set the tone for some days to come.  I am prepared today much as I was in the mid 60s.  I like to stay busy and I like to have something to show for my days.  As I can easily become distracted in my sewing studio, the day may go quickly with quite not so much to show for it.  I am content. 

  I did check on Dennis often today in the patio porch.  He was content having the three cats off and on his lap while he had the Rural Farm channel on.  As long as I can see him as I look out the bathroom window and I can see the steam billowing from the chimney of the patio porch’s furnace . . . it’s a good thing. I took afternoon coffee break items out to enjoy with him at three.  I am secure in how my winter will be. Time will tell about Dennis’ days . . . taking one day at a time.

   
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  Noreen 5:07 am on March 18, 2016 Permalink  

  Fleeting Thoughts: 

  I do wonder why my kitchen scissors was being stored in the refrigerator.  Dennis says it is the same reason several dust pans disappeared while Kevin was helping us doing some remodeling years ago: someone is not paying attention and he is looking right at me.

   
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  Noreen 4:52 am on January 28, 2016 Permalink  

  Fleeting Thoughts: 

  As we get older, we do watch our life partners for signs of less than good health.  This morning out of the corner of my eye, I could see Dennis pause his breakfast eating and swipe this right arm with his left.  Once, twice, the third time I wondered about cognitive situations.  Come so far, there was a thread on his place-mat that was being blown up onto his arm from the furnace register that is located right by his chair.  He thought one thing, I was thinking a whole lot darker thing.  Whew!

   
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  Noreen 5:26 am on January 13, 2016 Permalink  

  Fleeting Thoughts: 

  As I work on sewing projects, my mind has a propensity to enjoy some re-runs of memories.

  When Megan was about a year a half, staying with us, her favorite yellow blanket needed new binding.  I was on one side of the sewing table and Megan was in a highchair opposite from me.  I had pulled out a rather large container of thread to match up as best I could with the blanket.  When our quilt store had closed,  I bought a large supply of various colors at a reduced rate.  As I sewed, I watched as Megan pulled the container within reach.  Megan would finger each spool.  Soon each spool had been shed of its clear plastic shield. Megan was so content and so busy lining up her conquest, I could just watch and enjoy.  Memories: life would be so empty without them.