Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from November, 2024 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 2:52 pm on November 19, 2024 Permalink  

  Tuesday the 19th 

  The wind is really whipping it up from the north.  

  My bedroom porch is always grateful to have a huge evergreen type bush on the northwest corner of my porch.

  I believe we had 1.5 inches of rain.  The drought monitor should be having a better reading this Thursday.

  My studio time is showing progress.  I have undertaken cleaning up an old trunk.  It is not a job for the faint of heart.  Slow, very slow.  The exterior has shown signs of having an oil-cloth glued-on finish.  Some is good, some is not so good.  It matters not.  I have been mulling this project over for some time.  I can only imagine the rough treatment this trunk has had.  My objective is to allow it a new life being used as storage of items that have an emotional attachment.  We all know those items are handled carefully.

  The stitching project I had been working on for some time is now in a frame.  It was a 16″ x 16″ frame that was in my stashes of items in the cistern closet.  Gotta love those dry storage areas.  From my perspective this is my sampler giving a bit of my thoughts and my earmarks along the way.  I never knew what the end pattern would be until I had one item was finished and then thought about what would be stitched next.  It was a thoughtful project.

  I am now on to doing a few smaller pieces of stitchery from the cherry red sewing chair in my bedroom porch.  I have a new book that is getting very interesting.  Dennis watches murder mysteries on television and I choose to read about them.

  I am going to be trying a new oven dish for supper using raw cubed chicken tenderloins and the pre-bagged shredded potatoes.  The topping is shredded mozzarella in a bowl stirred in with some mayo and a host of seasonings and that is spread over the top.  What’s not to like with an oven dish on this blustery day. 

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:50 pm on November 18, 2024 Permalink  

  Weather 

  And the weather is turning.

  The rain was promised and sure enough it is here.  The air is chilling and hitting the arthritis hard.

  Quite the difference this morning for me.  I was up at 5:30, having coffee ready for Dennis by six.  His PT was at 6:45 this morning.

  Once I am up, I most likely will remain as such for the day.  After two cups of coffee Dennis was back home.  Dan Kern the PT guy is also a wound doctor.  The incision from Dennis’ hip surgery needed additional TLC from Dan.   One spot always kept weeping.  Dan cleaned the area and the wound dressing he put on is to stay on even during showers until Dennis sees Dan next Tuesday.  Wonderful doctors so close to home.

  Dennis stopped at Casey’s after PT and brought home biscuits and gravy for us for a breakfast.  Dennis was wanting to try them for some time.  The review from Dennis was made in the comment that he was not impressed.  The biscuit was solid and not willing to soak up any gravy.  Now we know.

  I was in the studio when I got a call from nephew Eric.  He first asked me about how to go about getting the power of attorney over his dad’s affairs.  Here it was 11:30 on a Monday morning and he already had a unit of an assisted living nailed down for his dad in Cloquet.  The unit will be Calvin’s new home.  It must be a fairly large complex as Eric said the building his dad would be in had 16 units.  It was just two days ago, Saturday, when Calvin had been broached by Eric for a move from Decorah to the Duluth area.  Talk about swift plans being nailed down.  Cloquet is 25 minutes from where Eric lives.

  Eric was on his way back to Decorah and I have no doubt a U-Haul trailer will be backed up to Calvin’s mobile home by dark this evening.  Small kitchen stove and refrigerator in the unit and Calvin’s furnishings that he chooses.  Calvin told me yesterday his landlord would inherit what he would leave behind.

  I am so pleased for Calvin and even more so for Eric.  Jason does over-the-road wide load hauls.  With the interstate right at Cloquet, Jason may well be able to have a load in the vicinity and get an Uber to see his dad. 

  Yippee . . . leftover Chicken pasta dish from last night.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥ 

   
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  Noreen 2:58 pm on November 17, 2024 Permalink  

  Oh Happy Day 

  Yesterday I mentioned I would call my brother in these next days and feel him out as to the visit his son Eric had made to him.

  Calvin called me this morning and shared with me that Eric had visited.  Calvin wanted me to know that in the not too distant future he would be living somewhere in the Duluth area.  I believe Calvin was relieved to have this move be in the works.  Calvin wasn’t concerned if it would be in an apartment or in an assisted living.  One of his comments were that when you hear a bell ringing find out what the message of it is.  Definitely growth on Calvin’s part.

  I visited three different projects I have going in the studio today.  Spending a little bit of time on each as the thought process is in gear.

  The sun is streaming into my bedroom porch this afternoon, almost making it hard to do this blog.  “Oh let the sunshine in, face it with a grin.  Smilers never lose ——-.”  Amazing how small ditties flutter in and out of my mind.

  Dennis went shopping this afternoon to one of the two dollar stores.  For a dry throat or perhaps a habit, Dennis likes Lemon Drops.  Yup, they can cause the throat to constrict.  From the looks of the plastic bag on the table, he may well have bought all they had on hand.  It’s not uncommon that the store cannot get them in.  Dennis is well set for Lemon Drops.  

  I have a container out of the freezer for supper.  It is a chicken oven pasta with carrots dish.

  The day seems to be flying.  In part it may be due to the fact that when Calvin called I was still in bed . . . sound asleep at 10 a.m.  Hmm.  No explanation needed, it must have been needed.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:39 pm on November 15, 2024 Permalink  

  I Spy 

  I spy with my new glasses what had been a-miss.

  When the eye clinic called that my new glasses were in, I was very surprised by the swiftness of it all.

  Immediately,  I knew there would be a period of adjustment.  I have worn no-line bifocals for quite a few years after giving up the contacts.  Glancing down was like the first time when the floor met me up close and personal.  No reading or stitching today.  The peepers will have a quiet day.

  I decided to spend time in the studio.  I have had additions in the studio.  Several years ago, neighbor Jan brought over two old trunks from her attic.  From her attic to our potting shed.  This last week I decided to either do something to utilize them as clean storage or burn them.  Hello studio . . . come on down.  I have thought long and hard about this project.  I am going to tackle the smallest one first . . . but not today.

  I am still in the “taking it easy mode” for today allowing for a lot of ruminating.  The arms need a bit of TLC from shopping at Sam’s on Wednesday and doing the sewing machine yesterday.  My first line of defense in the studio will be using my studio vacuum.   Many commercial stores or shops had garbage bins that the circular bottom fit and sat securely on a base that was embellished with a circular raised area that meshed perfectly with the garbage bin.  The huge base has five casters that roll very easily.  We actually have two bases that were in one of the houses that we demolished years ago.  If it rolled and might come in handy, they were saved.  Dennis totally cleaned one of the units up and that is now in the studio with the smallest chest on it.  As I decide going forward the rolling unit will make it easier rather then having the chest sit flat on the floor and man-handing it.  Working smarter rather than harder.

  Tomorrow is our haircut day and pedicures.  Dennis missed out last month as he was in the Pleasant View facility.  Seeing Maria is always a treat as I come home feeling pampered. 

  We are having baked potatoes and canned beef for supper.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:29 pm on November 14, 2024 Permalink  

  Yuk Fog 

  This morning, I headed out of town at eight, heading towards Bird Island.

  Amanda’s husband Kelly is the ace Bernina man.  Their shop in Bird Island services only Bernina sewing machines.  Yes, in a pinch he won’t leave some little grandma in a lurch but he doesn’t carry parts for other makes and models if its more than a tangled thread issue.

  The fog wasn’t the heaviest I have ever driven through but it was not to be taken for granted either.

  The quick stop in Fairfax was just that.  Kevin’s shop was busy and I wanted and needed to get home.  I have had a very busy week for this Grammie.  But now . . . there is nothing beyond our little town that I will need to venture out in after snow and ice decides to make an appearance.  What a great feeling.

  When I got home Dennis was waiting for me.  Dennis had made it out to the patio porch using his walking cane.  Leaving the walker for a bit, the legs strengthen. 

  Dennis took the sewing machine out of the back of the car and set it in the entry going down to the studio.  After I had a cup of coffee, I took it down the steps and into the studio.  It is easier for me to take the machine literally one step at a time going backwards keeping my center point of gravity leaning forward.  All 70 pounds of the beast in on its table, plugged in and ready for what I can do.  If I can imagine it, I can make it happen according to my rules, my tolerances and likes.

  The remainder of the week is quiet.  I am looking forward to it.  Not too long ago, I could have gone full bore for days on end with boundless energy.  No more.  I do stretch myself with my activities.  Having to concentrate on what I am asking the body to do, darn it, it zaps the energy a bit more than I would like it.  So what!  Getting done what is needed is satisfying and gives independence for a bit longer.  Get done what is needed and tomorrow morning I may sleep beyond eight . . . or not.

  As it happens, I have a Hy-Vee prepared supper dish that I purchased on Tuesday when I was in New Ulm.  We are having Orange Chicken with soy sauce over brown rice accompanied with buttered toast.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 4:15 pm on November 13, 2024 Permalink  

  Welcomed Rain 

  I am sure the KEYC 6 o’clock news will let us know how much we got.

  I am here to tell you that my next cardiologist appointment is in the fall of 2025.  Yipee!  I am to stay the course.  Music to my ears.

  This week has been a busy one and I have one more item for tomorrow.  My sewing machine is going to Bird Island for a grease and oil change.  It has been overdue for its yearly cleaning.  I can do a lot, but Kelly takes it down to the bone.  I will set my alarm for the morning.

  What a great feeling to get so many important appointments over with while the weather holds.

  I did call Aunt Janet today to wish her a Happy 94th Birthday.

  I am going to figure something out for supper.  Dennis offered to eat in Mankato, but all I needed was to go home and enjoy my good news.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:46 pm on November 10, 2024 Permalink  

  Squirrels 

  With no snow cover the squirrels are tucking away goodies to last them through the spring of 2025.

  The sun popped out for about five minutes.  Heavy air is abound.

  First things first this morning . . . even before my first cup of coffee.

  The crock pot is doing its thing for our supper.  The fare will be a pork roast, carrots and onions.  This time of year onions are questionable.  The very center can be bad.  I cut three planks of onions, with the centers missing and laid them on top of the roast.  I will follow with boiled potatoes.  The potatoes that will be left over make great American fries for another meal.

  With my stitch projects, I thought I had hit a brick wall.  The project called Believe was stitched on a skimpy piece of blue fabric.  So much so, I glued it right into the hoop.  Out came Kersten’s stash of goodies from Dueber’s.  I really liked the lace trim with pearls sewn onto the edge.  With many, many pins, I glued the lace trim to the outside rim of the hoop.  When I went down to the studio this morning and took out all the pins, the lace cupped around the hoop.  Try hard as I could to stretch the outer edge of the lace . . . nothing.  Up on a nail hanging from the floor joist of the studio, I spied with my little eyes, a red embroidery hoop.  It is the same type I use all the time, only my favorite is much smaller and easier to hang on to.  It took a few tries to get the finished stitched pieced in the center of the hoop before I used the most tension possible to zap it on top of the project.  When the tension is released it snaps itself and the project into the ring.

  The stitched item called “Faith” ended up being an odd size.  I dug around in the cistern closet and found a frame I would need to make work.  In my fabric stashes I found the perfect blue to sew around the stitched item.  Of course it didn’t look straight.  Again to Kersten’s stash.  Gluing down the narrow trim with seed pearls in it allowed me to fudge and make it look better.  Hey!  If it were perfect it would have a label included that had a foreign country named on it. 

  Life is good here on Stauffer Avenue.  I decided the studio would be open again for business on Monday . . . or maybe not.

  Dennis starts PT tomorrow at 11:15 with Dan Kern.  I am excited for Dennis.  His left leg had gone through three angioplasties working to open up blood supply.  His leg being weak prior to the hip breaking needs this PT big time.

  The crock pot is telling me to get some potatoes ready for the saucepan on top of the kitchen range.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 4:27 pm on November 9, 2024 Permalink  

  Dreary Day 

  As long as it was going to be a dreary day we could have just as well gotten some rain out of it.

  Dennis’ plan were way-laid.  AJ called Dennis and said he would try again in two weeks to come over.  Bummer.

  I stayed busy in the studio until three this afternoon.  I had completed three stitching projects.  Rather than have them stuck in a drawer all wrinkled, I am going to give them a fully finished look.  It is quite the hunt and seek to find what I don’t even know what I am looking for.  I totally believe when I see it and touch it, the plan will commence.

  Two of the three projects have glue drying.  The third is pinned down on the padded mat Kersten found for me at Goodwill.  I lightly sprayed it with Good Press starch and out came many many pins to square it up.  It will be about 15″x16″.  I had been saving a clean piece of sturdy carboard for just such a project.  Adding a layer or two of quilt batting to the back of the finished stitched piece will add some dimension. Out will come some heavy duty thread meant for sewing denim.  I will slowly start lacing the finished stitched piece with the batting on the back of it with the back of the carboard facing up.  Bringing the right side of the stitched fabric over the edge of the carboard, lacing can begin. I’ll be starting in the middle from north to south with a few stitches, and then take stitches from east to west.  Working evenly back and forth as the right side of the stitched piece will begin having a taut surface.  Checking often, the lacing does have a little wiggle room to make sure the margins of the stitched piece are where they were intended to be.  Solving problems go hand in hand with creativity.  

  Supper is up for grabs this evening.  Not to worry . . . no adult will be harmed by this decision.

  With that I will take my leave. ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:43 pm on November 8, 2024 Permalink  

  Sunshine 

  Lots of sunshine on this Friday.  I hear lots of lawnmowers that are mulching leaves and many more doing other yard work and not needing a jacket.

  Dennis is anticipating AJ coming tomorrow from Mankato.  It should be an interesting visit.  Dennis has a brush burner.  Last spring he rigged it up on our little trailer from Fleet Farm.  At that time Dennis and Jeff were going to take care of some weeds on the acre.  I watched as the two got ready.  Jeff pulled the trailer behind his three wheel electric bike and Dennis was on the Sears mower.  Tally-Ho!

  It didn’t take too long and the work crew was back.  That which had been the target to use the brush burner on was too green, it wouldn’t burn.  What did burn was the trail of leaves that led to the homes to the south of us.  Scurry, scurry.

  Dennis has already cleared it with me as to what AJ can burn off.  

  My question: does the brush burner fall under the “No Burning” ban? 

  Today our calendar came in the post.  Oh my gosh!  We have a calendar in large print.  Fantastic.  I already have two appointments on it.  A 2025 calendar containing these last months of 2024 is just what the older ones on Stauffer Avenue needed.

  The studio has been closed down for the day.  I will need to take my sewing machine to Bird Island for a general cleaning.  It’s been 18 months.  I know the thread cutters are in need of replacing.  AJ is coming tomorrow and he can lift and put the machine in the car.  I know when I get to Bird Island, Kelly will meet me at the door.  All I need to do is call Amanda and Kelly and make the appointment.

  I will take care of the sewing machine appointment and also a service visit to New Ulm for an oil change on the car.  I am not a procrastinator.  Those that are always prepared have the assurance that there is something to look forward to, thus giving them this day as a day to kick back and relax.

  Supper is leftovers plus a salad.

  With that I will take my take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 4:01 pm on November 7, 2024 Permalink  

  A Day 

  I had a fairly good rounded day.  Much better than yesterday.

  I have had the sewing machine going in the studio this morning. 

  I brought up some items from the pantry in the basement and proceeded to get a chicken carrot pasta dish ready for supper.  When I use canned chicken meat I also use the Better Than Bullion Roasted Chicken.  That product has a variety of enhanced flavors to add to dishes. 

  This afternoon I spent some time reading as I was waiting for the postal person.  I anticipated a calendar in the mail.  Not today.  Our one day mail service from Fairfax used to be just that.  No more.  Our post office is seeking help for the counter work as well as sorting mail.  I am sure my calendar will be here tomorrow.  All I had had was a tiny multi-month calendar to keep track of appointments.  Not as many businesses here in St. James pass out full sized calendars anymore.  After last weekend, I knew I would have a full sized coming in the mail.

  My hand stitching items are down to the one that uses Grandma Ester Schafer’s silk floss.  The full hank of silk floss is variegated going from a pale blue to a navy blue to the fall colors.  I sure would have liked to know what grandma had acquired it for.  I put the full hank into two braids so I can pull a thread out as I need it.  Dennis looked at the one braid I am using from and doubted if I would use even one of the braids up.  I have three counted cross stitch projects that I will be totally finishing as I spend more time in the studio.

  As much as I would enjoy a retail therapy shopping trip . . . I have enough in my stashes to keep me busy for a balanced life.  Being busy is also my key to contend with arthritic aches and discomfort.

  Time to put the oven dish into the 350 degree oven.

  With that I will take my leave.