Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from August, 2017 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 4:06 pm on August 15, 2017 Permalink  

  It had been a long time since dense fog welcomed me from my sleep. Not to be deterred, I got my walking gear on and settled in for additional coffee as I joined Dennis in the patio porch. It didn’t take long and I knew that my walk would happen. It has gotten to the degree that there is no second guessing. I am going to get and take my walk. I feel so much better. Oh yes, the extra junk in the trunk still wants to buck every once in awhile. Arthritis doesn’t take a holiday. I do know that while walking, good posture is the key. The shoes that I have for my daily walk are strictly for that walk. The platform is good and the cushion is good.

  My kids will be happy to know and learn that since I have been walking, I can no longer do the flip flops that once served as my daily gear. I have gotten very accustomed to having “a shoe” on my foot. With having a good shoe on, comes with wearing stockings, aka: anklets. When I move, my body temperature rises and that includes my feet. Putting my bare foot into my shoes, knowing that there is no barrier between my sweaty foot and the inside of my shoes . . . so not going to happen. So, this old gal now has a pair of “shoes” for gardening, a pair for walking, and a pair to wear when we have road dates. They are shoes that actually hold the foot firmly while giving good support. Who knew! Having a spray can of Lysol handy for the end of the day also helps for the that fresh feel and smell the next day. Ya . . . that would be a “Lena thing” as Mom would take care of Dad’s shoes each evening.

  Thus said, taking my shoes off and putting them back on as I go in and out of the house is no longer a top priority. It sounds like a no brainer to take them off and put them on repeatedly, but I need to use a shoehorn each time. Remember that comment about Arthritis? Yup. Oh how I have learned to use that handy dandy little gadget that used to be given away every time you bought shoes . . . well shoes that you bought in stores that were dedicated to selling shoes. My handy dandy gadgets have come from a fellow that used the shoehorns to have advertising printed on them for his insurance business. The cool part is the handles of the shoehorns are 24″ long. It allows me to stand while slipping my feet into my shoes. Gotta love gadgets and the common sense to not fight what happens to be a part of everyday life. A very good life, I might add.

   
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  Noreen 4:28 pm on August 14, 2017 Permalink  

  Magnets compared to Velcro . . . and the Velcro wins hands down. The CPAP mask that Dennis wears every night for sleep apnea had a new and improved face mask that held the mask straps in place with magnets that would affix onto metal spheres implanted in the face portion of the mask. The improved mask was also not able to be taken apart and washed. Oh yes, even those wearing the mask for consistent breathing during the night do occasionally sneeze during the night. Yup, can’t be washed the next day.

  Dennis did try wearing it several nights, only to get up during the early morning hours and put on the old version. The Velcro straps allowed Dennis to position the mask and tighten it via the Velcro straps for a perfect fit of gasket to facial skin. A good fit and there would be no air leaks. Those air leaks as the individual moves during the night can make some weird noises. Have you ever heard a baby calf bellow? I have in real life and also here on Stauffer Avenue during the night coming from Dennis’ CPAP mask. No, it did not wake Dennis up, but it sure kept me wide eyed.

  Dennis and I took a road trip today and returned the new improved face mask to the Mayo Store in Mankato. From here on in, his original style of face mask will be mailed to him from Rochester, Minnesota. It is to be on an automatic schedule every six months . . . .  “But just to be sure, Mr. Curry, keep an eye on the calendar schedule.”

  All supplies for the CPAP are on a reorder schedule, thus allowing our insurance to cover the cost. Staying on track in life is wonderful, but you have to be willing to put in the time to keep it that way.

   
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  Noreen 5:39 pm on August 13, 2017 Permalink  

  We have been totally missed by the rain that was promised. The cracks in the gardens are thirsty. Out of the blue my cousin, Arlan and his wife Vonnie, stopped in on their way home to the Dassel area from Sioux Falls. What a treat. It may have been their first visit . . . ever, but our Lincoln has found its way to their home in times past and I assured him we would return the visit.

  The skies are gray making the day seem later than it is. Perhaps a rain drop or two will find its way to Stauffer Avenue.

   
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  Noreen 6:31 pm on August 9, 2017 Permalink  

  It rained today. Hurray! It was a day “off” for both Dennis and me. Dennis visited with a friend down the way that shares stories of St. James from decades ago. I ran away from home and visited with two very dear friends. Catching up in person far surpasses the social media contacts. Not that getting in on photos of their current events hurts via Facebook isn’t wonderful. No matter who we are, where we live, what we have been through it touches the heart to relate one on one. I treasure these two gals and I champion the events that they plan on until we have moments like today again.

  Coming home to Dennis . . . what can I say, is always a treat. Over scrambled eggs with asparagus we caught up with each other on our day.

   
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  Noreen 5:07 pm on August 8, 2017 Permalink  

  Well dang! The older ones on Stauffer did hit the “local effort” today.  The estimator for the new basement windows was here this morning and we got the lowdown. The windows were ordered on the spot. The company is “Complete Basements” from Mankato. They are the company that has allowed us to have additional square footage of usable basement utility much the same as if our home was of a split level dwelling.

  A bit of lunch and Dennis was off to get the acre mowed. I went down into the basement and began preparing for the window project. Though there is a four to six week installation date . . . why put off what is needed. I had clear instructions on what would make the installers able to work on the project. We have not had bare south and north walls in our basement . . . forever.  I have retained my cutting tables and my sewing machine area free of extra stuff. What’s a Grammie to do if some indulgence can’t be enjoyed.

  Going towards suppertime Dennis has a manicured acre to be proud of. Grant it, this time of year, some grass is dormant and some is soft and long.  It matters not, Dennis did it up in great stead.  The “local effort” was obtained in total today.  Tomorrow there won’t be any time spent on looking for more of the same. Yippee!

   
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  Noreen 5:08 pm on August 6, 2017 Permalink  

  Another very good day of lower temperatures. Yesterday Snuggles and I worked in the gardens and noticed how dry everything was. Today was suppose to bring rain . . . not so much. I decided to get out my Mantis electric tiller and loosen the dirt round the square garden with the hope that when we do get rain there will be some loose soil to soak it up and not just run off. Once the hard crust was broken loose the soil was very mellow. Out of the blue Snuggles did show up to check out what was going on. Dennis worked behind me and raked the soil back off the areas where it had managed to get in the grass.

  Patio time for the three of us deemed it to be a good effort. It looks tidy to have a definition where garden meets lawn. Having a home and yard that reflects Dennis and me comes naturally. Perhaps others don’t see what has become of their surrounding. Dennis and I enjoy putting in the sweat equity and we do it for no one else other than us. Speaking of sweat, I sweat more than it rained today. Dennis went on to Fleet and Farm as the tiller had lost a bolt and nut. Snuggles found a spot on my lap while I had a cool drink. Snuggles would have stayed forever, but my legs were falling asleep. Another good day right here on Stauffer Avenue.

   
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  Noreen 5:11 pm on August 5, 2017 Permalink  

  Some days are busier than others. The dry air made the two-mile walk feel fantastic. I had a cup of coffee and my book on the patio table to enjoy when I returned home. The walk allows me to feel that I have done my body good and now it’s time to get the mind to enjoy a workout.

  The clouds remained all day with very little breeze. Snuggles and I put in some time in the gardens. The ground is rock hard with huge cracks. Rain would be welcomed.

  I had wanted to spruce up some pillows for a time. The “now” came about when Calvin and Lois brought to me a pillow that Mom had made using feathers. Lena always used the best of the breast feathers of the geese and ducks and the dense pillow ticking. Once I had made a pillowcase for it the remainder two bed pillows also received coordinating pillowcases. Lets hear it for using up three more yards of fabric in the stashes!

  I am by no means a gluten for punishment, but I had to try out the embroidery pattern that went wonky on me yesterday. Using the Bernina flash drive the pattern turned out beautifully. The brand of flash drive named SanDisk may work in the sewing machine 99% of the time, but that 1% can sure muck up a project.
  There are reasons when a sewing machine company markets their own flash drives carrying a guarantee.

  It’s on to taking some patio sitting time and enjoying the evening.

   
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  Noreen 5:10 pm on August 4, 2017 Permalink  

  As difficult as it may be, each and every day needs to be taken as it comes and appreciate all that we have to move forward to meet the next day . . . head on.

   
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  Noreen 3:56 pm on August 3, 2017 Permalink  

  Oh my gosh My ears actually felt the… 

  Oh my gosh! My ears actually felt the cool morning while on my walk. It was a good thing. Today was about doing a bit of that and a bit of this. I can tell you that technology can be daunting. I had used an image on my embroidery unit of my sewing machine several times in the recent past. This afternoon something within the loaded pattern was offset during the second to the last color of the thread embroidery. Thereafter it was less than good as the stitching was off just as if one were looking at a photo that was out of focus.

  Of course the project had to be trashed. I shut the machine off, disengaged the embroidery unit and started over with new material and stabilizer. It happened again at the very same place the stitching went wonky. I do have my patterns loaded on a secondary flash drive. Tomorrow I will load the image from the Bernina flash drive and see what happens. I am so over trying it again today.

   
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  Noreen 4:30 pm on July 31, 2017 Permalink  

  This Monday ended up being a very busy, rewarding day. On the last minute Dennis was on call to make a trip to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for concrete supplies for nephew Brett. We knew we would have company coming from Iowa. My brother, Calvin and my sister-in-law Lois, were making the trip from Decorah. It all worked out well. Calvin’s traveled safely to Stauffer Avenue and Dennis made it home in time to enjoy the later half of their visit. This evening, I will be putting up my feet and going through the huge amount of patterns Lois has shared with me for handwork and quilting. A Monday such as this . . . couldn’t have turned out any better.