Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from December, 2018 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 4:09 pm on December 11, 2018 Permalink  

  Gray skies have become the normal. Dennis has had a full social day. He popped back in at Noon for lunch to do the dishes that were in the sink and then away he went. I brought up the crocheted blocks onto the dining room table. A good solid table to sit up to and the window light, though no sunshine, is still better than the overhead lights in the sewing studio. Plus, it’s nice to have the Christmas tree lights on.

  I am slowly weaving my blocks together and I do mean slowly. As I have had a few more birthdays, I find my patience has grown beyond belief. Well . . . maybe only for those things that are sewing studio related. That mellow feeling is bound to carry over to the world that lies beyond my basement steps. The world can only hope that to be true.

   
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  Noreen 4:56 pm on December 9, 2018 Permalink  

  A day as I have had in the sewing studio couldn’t be planned at any time, any day. Megan texted and asked how much fabric was left when she had done Nicholas’ comforter when she visited over Thanksgiving. That headed me to the sewing studio with tape measure in hand. Many “What if” . . . “How about” ideas ensued.

  It is the end of the day and Megan and I nailed it via text messages. I don’t know about how much data it entailed in texting and responding to photos. I do know that there is not any Harry Potter fabric left to speak of and Nicholas will be having a pillow case for his regular sized bed pillow and will also be having a throw pillow. I will need to get an actual 18″ x 18″ pillow for the day’s work to shine. That throw pillow has more pieces spliced together than I had cups of coffee today and . . . that is a whole bunch.

  The last photo I texted to Megan today had the “P.S.  . . . I will get that spot of blood out of the fabric before the end of the day.” It cracked her up when I texted that I had literally spilled blood, sweat and tears on his impromptu project for Christmas. Talk about a fun day with this young gal that I cherish. How could this Grammie have been so fortunate to have a granddaughter that Dennis and I have grown up with and learned so much from. Absolutely Priceless! I closed down the sewing studio with a song in my heart. I want more of days such as this. I will contend with many less than great moments in my aging life, if I may have more of “this!”

   
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  Noreen 5:01 pm on December 8, 2018 Permalink  

  Earlier today we had unexpected company from the North land. Dennis’ son-in-law is going to have hip surgery right before Christmas. This was to be their last road trip prior. It was a welcomed visit.

  I just got done cleaning up the sewing studio. Just another five minutes to finish up a challenge but it was time to walk away. I measured once. I measured twice. I cut carefully. I trimmed narrowly. Dennis would come down and give his nod that it was all coming together. The last five minutes will keep until tomorrow. It’s time to get supper going and let the sewing studio lights dim to a warm fuzzy feeling . . . literally.

  Dennis has a bit of a cold that needs tending. Chili sounds like a good hot meal. I also have a kettle on the kitchen stove. Not much water with just a well rounded teaspoon of Vicks. Mom always said that inhaling a bit of warm Vicks vapors would help and thus far Mom was right on. Besides it’s not a bad aroma in the kitchen. This is not the time of the season for the ole cowboy to be under the weather, but a good time for him to spend some time under the towel tent inhaling Vicks.

   
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  Noreen 6:08 pm on December 6, 2018 Permalink  

  Dennis has the Spirit 

  For my part the day really went fast.  I had put out the bulletin that today was sewing studio day.  I had put on the back burner starting a new project . . . today was the day!

  Dennis went about helping out our large shrub on the northwest corner of the house.  The 12″ of snow had literally brought it down to its knees.  When we met up for lunch, I peeked out the living room window.  It had its boughs lifted as if to say “Thank you, thank you!  We bid each other “See ya later” and we parted ways setting suppertime about 5:30.  I never want to take a spurt of energy for a sewing project for granted.

  

  It is definitely beginning to look like Christmas here on Stauffer Avenue. The six foot tall 50-year-old Santa came by way of the Fairfax kids, knowing it wouldn’t stay in the box over the Christmas season if Dennis had his say.

  I knew what I had planned for supper so I pushed the envelope right to the limit at 5:15.  As I made my way up from the basement, what to my wondering eyes did I see through the window of the back door?  Dennis had put up the four foot wreath on the west side of the garage.  That wreath has been hung in the peak of the car garage for quite a few years without being brought out.  I couldn’t believe that the lights were in working order.  Oh course, the ole cowboy was strutting his stuff about the time I was going to congratulate him.  Rightfully so, he should feel good about it.  It has been wonderful seeing him continue to find things to keep busy.  The recliner has been having separation anxiety.   This is going to be a great year end here on Stauffer Avenue.

   

   
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  Noreen 4:02 pm on December 4, 2018 Permalink  

  Could this day be any grayer or drearier? I know there is a sun somewhere up there. I can report that Dennis and I have no bad side effects from the last several days of playing in the snow. That is a very good thing. At the wonderful age of 82 and 74 it is a good feeling that we can still do for ourselves to maintain our forever home. Doing a bit here and there and not waiting for anything serious does us proud. That is not to say we can be all knowing. Life happens and our hope is that we will take it in stride.

  The group of fellows had a good coffee clutch at McDonald’s this morning. Dennis came home and shared what they had talked about. It’s a good thing for fellows to get together to chat and reminisce. I opted for oatmeal with my morning coffee. I have really gotten into it since the cold weather has hit. A good start of protein and fiber for the day.

  Other than doing a load of laundry and boiling a batch of catheters for myself, I have had a laid back day. I thumbed through a drawer and happened along a batch of memorial leaflets. I went right to my 1960s birthday book and entered in the end time of many people who have been listed in the book, so I wouldn’t forget their birthdays. Friends and family members lost to me but not forgotten. Michael, lost recently, still brings a bevy of tears. Grieving does not have a time frame and neither should it. When the heart hurts it needs to be nurtured.

  I did wander down to the sewing studio. I gave it a once over but passed on digging into anything serious. What came to mind was Proverbs 31:13 – “She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.” I did work willingly with my hands yesterday using the snow rake. We had a team effort going. Gripping the handle repeatedly needs to be honored. I appreciate what those hands willingly have done and do and I need to let them have a break as I have more to ask of them in time to come. Priceless!

   
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  Noreen 4:35 pm on December 3, 2018 Permalink  

  I think we wore each other out today. “Good Lord, Dennis, is there no end to your job jar?” Yesterday was about securing clear doorways and walkways after the snow dump. Today it was about securing the patio porch and garage roofs. The ole cowboy had a plan of action that I needed to follow to the letter of the law. Ya, like that was going to happen without a fight. You’re right, I didn’t fight it. Dennis used the snowblower to clear the front and back patios. It was a good 8 inches deep. I was then going to use the roof rake to pull down snow from the roofs that Dennis would then again blow off of the patio. There was a huge amount on the roofs, and being pro-active was a better plan than having a roof collapse.

  I pulled out the roof rake out of the garage and didn’t think I would ever get to the end of the handle. It was a good 12′ long. In its own right it was not heavy, just clumsy with the 24″ shovel at the end of the handle. I couldn’t get it lifted high enough to get anywhere near a roof let alone rake any snow off of the peak of the roof. I stood on the patio much like a person with a long cane fishing pole with the end of it wobbling like a huge carp I had just caught. Dennis looked at me like “anytime now.” I put the rake on the patio and crossed my arms and patted my shoulders. I could see the light go off in Dennis’ eyes. He forgets that my shoulders don’t do much if it means movement above my shoulder height. It can be easily forgotten as there isn’t much that I haven’t been able to work around with less movement than usual with the titanium shoulders.

  We found a solution. Dennis planted the rake head on the roof and handed me the handle. All I had to do was back up on the patio to the full extend of the handle and then walk forward letting the handle slide up along the edge of the roof . . . the rake head was airborne. With lifting the handle shoulder height, the working end of the rake sank into the snow at just about the peek of the roof. Walking backwards the rake pulled down the snow onto the patio. It worked slick. All I needed to make sure of was to not let the rake head slide totally off the roof. Success! This was doable, as I can’t operate the snowblower. The jerking on the shoulders as the snowblower needs to be manipulated would surely not be a good thing. We needed to work as a well oiled machine and we did. Damn it’s good when a plan comes together.

  It took us quite a while as breaks in the patio porch were warranted. The treat at the end of the job was fried egg sandwiches. Priceless!

   
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  Noreen 2:12 pm on December 2, 2018 Permalink  

  Stauffer Team Nailed it! 

  First thing that is heard in our home is the coffee pot going off at 7:00 a.m.  That sound must be like an alarm for Dennis.  What is more precious than being able to stumble around the house after just getting out of bed while all senses are coming alive.  Because I know this for myself, I stay snug in bed and allow the real Dennis to wake up and get his bearings.  There are, after all, rituals.  When I hear the back door close as Dennis heads to the patio porch with a cup of hot coffee and a breakfast snack in a baggy, that is my cue that I get to stumble around as I become fully awake.

  Much to Dennis’ surprise the walk to the garage was manageable.  The last thing I did before I went to bed last night was to go outside and shovel a path through the snow from the back door of the house to the garage for just this moment for Dennis.  Oh yes!  We had snow.  The news this morning was stating about 8 to 9 inches for St. James.  Unfortunately the path was not as clear as I had left it last night as the snow continued at various times throughout the night.  The most that the ole cowboy in his PJs and slippers had to walk through was several inches.  Very doable.

  Neighbor Randy came and did a bang up job this forenoon on the driveway.  After Dennis and I had oatmeal for breakfast, we suited up to tidy around the doorways.  Where no one had trod, the snow could be moved down to the bare concrete.  It was wet heavy stuff.  Where Randy’s snowblower had worked its magic, it was as hard as a rock and icy.  Dennis worked on clearing a path through to Stauffer Avenue for garbage collection and also to work on clearing the doorway for the pickup that backs out onto Stauffer Avenue.

  I dare say we have had a great workout today.  When I came into the house, I plugged in the Christmas tree and pulled the last bit of breakfast coffee from the pot.  Dennis is in his recliner watching the farm channel and we are off the clock for the remainder of this day.  Priceless.

   
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  Noreen 5:10 pm on December 1, 2018 Permalink  

  True to the forecast: It has dumped quite a bit of snow. First icy drizzle, then beautiful large flakes that when they landed on your jacket you could see each one was different.

  I did push a bit of the snow so traveling from the house to the garage could be done without snow shoes. It is wet. It is heavy. The snow pushing was to get rid of some angst. When websites have designs to sell it is usually a smooth transition. Not so today. Of all the files that the designs could be converted to correctly, the EXP file could not. I must have my Bernina Art Link program open to receive files that are specific to EXP. The EXP file went straight to opening it in a Microsoft Word program. So not going to give a happy ending. I have worked with Amanda, my Bernina gal, in Bird Island, enough to know that from the get-go, there should be a list of the options for the download. My bad. I should have moved right on to an alternate website when the product information was lacking. $5.00 shot right up the butt. Live and learn.

  Dennis and I had our snow removal gear ready by the back door when the long green line of Randy’s John Deere was already on the driveway. Last year when I visited with Jan about “Ready Eddy Randy” she just chuckled. The rest of the story is that Randy loves to play in the snow. We surely wouldn’t want to take that away from him. We’ll be going out a bit later and tidy up around the doorways. I think this snow is going to stay for a bit.

   
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  Noreen 3:10 pm on November 30, 2018 Permalink  

  Thursday evening: “Dennis, what do you have planned for us to do tomorrow?” Picking up branches and sticks before they get covered in the snow that’s coming this weekend. Sure enough. This Friday morning, after we were both awake with coffee under our belts, we did pick up branches and sticks in the backyard. I had not paid much attention as Dennis had. Sitting in his rocker in the patio porch he had a clear view.

  Our neighbor to the south has a burning pit. We can use it as long as we clean up after each time we burn branches. Once Dennis got it going, it felt good with each trip to feel the warmth. Our huge Maple and the neighbor’s huge Oak is bound to let loose some of its weaklings with all the wind we have had in November. It was amazing how long we could keep the fire going. We did take a fair amount off of Randy and Jan’s yard as long a we were at it. A little extra elfing never hurts. It was either do it now or in the spring of the year. There always seems to be plenty to catch up on in the spring with yard work. This was a great plan that Dennis had.

  My observation: Dennis is feeling good going into the end of 2018. His energy level does even surprise himself. I am hoping between the four footed kids in the patio porch and myself we can continue finding ways for him to enjoy the fruits of that energy. No! Jigsaw puzzles aren’t going to cut it. When we needed a shelf to be put up in the bedroom, Dennis got into finding a board and getting it contractor ready. That might be a clue. I do know that with the nephropathy in his hands and fingers, the challenge can be daunting. Each day is different and he takes each day on in a good mood. Knowing what can be accomplished each day is a mystery for all of us. We’re thankful to have each day.

   
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  Noreen 4:19 pm on November 27, 2018 Permalink
  Tags: Lorraine ( 6 )   

  I am not one to be on the phone other than acknowledging appointments . . . or if I recognize the number of a family member. The computerized calls are awful. They don’t honor holidays or Sundays. We do not answer them. Thankfully, someone who does need to get ahold of us will leave a message. If I hear a message beginning, I will pick up the phone and thank them for being patient in me getting to the phone.

  Last night the phone rang and it was a number both Dennis and I know. It was aunt Lorraine in Arizona. She was having a very bad day. Due to eye problems that cannot be corrected with lenses, she had to give up her driving that day. Lorraine is 87 and comes to see us every summer and stays for several days. She has been able to use a car of one of the kids to motor around Minnesota. That was until last year when neither of her kids offered a car and Dennis and I didn’t question it. We picked up Lorraine at Chris’ and delivered her to Mark after our visit. Lorraine’s son, Mark, lives in Hastings. Daughter Chris lives in Lakefield. We visited for almost an hour last night and it gave her a chance to vent and share. What more could I do than give her positive support. No one likes change.

  I have no doubt this will be a challenge for Lorraine. Who wouldn’t want to remain mobile at will. It wasn’t Lorraine who finally made the decision. That made it hurt a bit more.

  Dennis and I talked about when Mom gave up driving. One day out of the blue, she told us that her car was going out to Michael’s for them to use and that was that. She was living in an apartment house in Hutchinson at the time. She had realized many of her friends in Park Apartments used the city transport. There was no moving the car when it snowed and all she needed was to step out the front door and she could continue doing errands. I believe Mom was 88 or 89 when she let the car keys go. Come to think of it, that is exactly the same way Mom decided to move off of the farm and take that apartment in Hutchinson. We all came for a Mother’s Day and she made her announcement. She perhaps knew in her heart what her limit was with what had been usual and customary all of her life. She was a trooper.

  I admit I don’t drive as much as I used to when I was working or when Megan and Nicholas were small and I would travel to the metro to help out when needed. It’s one thing to only drive once in a while compared to not being able to drive that “once in a while.” Actually, tomorrow is my “once in a while” to do some banking and grocery shopping here in town.  Snow is forecast and I hope to be ahead of it.  I don’t drive at night. My depth perception is not good. Car lights, reflective road signs all have a halo around them and it is quite difficult to remain focused. If I can’t get my crap together and get it done in daylight, it must not be very important. In the recent past, Dennis has even commented that if we go somewhere, he would like to be home before it gets dark. For us older ones . . . smart move. Yup, we continue to get smart to protect what we have for a wonderful life right here on Stauffer Avenue.