After today there are no Hasenpheffers hiding in our yards. Four of the great grands covered every inch of the yards today. Addison at 9, Ava at 7, Bella at 5 and Josie at 2, had the best time collecting walnut shells, acorns and pine cones that were left to be found after the winter was over. Of course, cookies, rice crispy bars and water bottles kept them on track. Taking turns on the swing . . . now that was a tough pill for Josie. I could have swore her eyes were getting to be little slits, but when asked if she wanted to stop, the answer was a strong “No.” As Erin and Paul rounded up the kids for the next stop it took some time as the older two needed a little more time to say goodbye. When the last child was buckled in Josie was already asleep. Priceless.
Updates from April, 2017 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts
-
Noreen
-
Noreen
Five in the afternoon and the sun finally decided to show itself. Dennis and I had a great road date. Driving along it was interesting that there were fields that were getting fertilizer applied. I have no doubt the soil is still very cold, but then hard telling how many acres they need to prepare.
After a trip to the Hy-Vee grocery store in Mankato, I made a side trip to the Goodwill store. Dennis decided to check his eyelids for cracks during that time. Spring cleaning is about to hit the kitty baskets in the patio porch. Out with the old. For a few dollars next to nothing I picked up a comforter that will adorn the kitty baskets over the spring and summer. There is no way I would even consider laundering all the love and fuzz that has accumulated over the winter. It will be interesting to see the response from the spoiled critters. I am sure they have grown fond of the way they can curl into the folds of the blankets just as the two legged ones here on Stauffer.
-
Noreen
I have had a great day. My six month check up at the eye clinic gave me a clean report. In times past I have had laser surgery on both eyes for detached retinas. Cataracts are common once the age of 70 is reached. I asked Dr. Pinke how I would know if they have occurred. It would be like looking through a film. I am okay in that department. My lens did not need changing so I will continue reading and sewing to my heart’s content. Later in the afternoon I got my walking orders from Curt the chiropractor. No more appointments needed. I feel like a million dollars. The gardens have been raked off and I have good walking shoes . . . both of those items have either not caused harm or have increased good movement while walking. Tomorrow we are having a road date to Mankato. My first priority will be getting up a bit earlier to get my walk in before the ole cowboy whisks me away.
-
Noreen
The rain had missed us and so now has the snow. I am hoping for a fairly dry Easter Sunday for Megan and Nicholas’ sake. Today the main event was “Haircut Day” on Stauffer. Friend, Jean, has moved back from Colorado. She had at one time a salon here in town. Now in her early 70s . . . hey . . . just like me, she has not renewed her Minnesota license, but gives good haircuts for a price point of a “tip.” It’s been a great day. Biscuits are about done in the oven and that will be followed by some chicken mozzarella meatballs with Penne pasta sautéed in Alfredo sauce. Dennis is a good sport when it comes to trying new items for a supper. Gotta love that guy.
-
Noreen
And So It Begins
So it begins. The Koi pond is full of water with Dennis’ pump in place making bubbles. After several days any additives from the city water will have dissipated and then the seasonal residents will be added. Dennis took care of the pond work and I picked up branches and did a bit of raking where the leaves had really piled up in some sheltered areas. The strong winds cleaned out the huge Maple of any branches that were on the verge of letting go, and the same can be said for the winds taking most of the leaves off . . . maybe to “the cloud.”
-
Noreen
It’s a pretty special day. Grammie got a new pair of walking shoes!
-
Noreen
Traveling through town today to get to the Shopko Pharmacy was just like a puzzle someone had drawn on a map. Talk about impatient people. The detour for those out of town people who are not used to stopping at every corner of a block for a four-way stop sign I am sure is frustrating. In time they will figure out their own route. It sure does not impact me.
We have been dog sitting all day for Sandy’s terrier, Tix. She found out if she laid on the bed in the west porch and nestled her body up to where the pillows are, she could snooze and had eye to window contact for watching traffic. Dogs are amazingly smart.
I stitched a bit this afternoon after I had finished a book that was getting a bit thrilling. Humorous murder mysteries . . . who knew?
-
Noreen
After these last two days spending it with Carrie, Kevin, Kersten, Megan and Nicholas and, of course, my ole cowboy . . . life just couldn’t be imagined any sweeter. Nothing fancy for meals shared . . . it was the fellowship shared on multiple levels and plans being made for possible times of getting together again. When Nicholas came into the house this late afternoon asking his mom if she thought dad could bring clothes to St. James so he and Megan could stay for a couple of days . . . for grandparents nothing could sound sweeter even if the request could not be granted.
For a thirteen year old and a nine year old to still enjoy being with the older folks that much, I heard the angels sing. A 240 mile round trip for the dad to then have to be followed home by the mom ——. It may be possible to grant Megan and Nicholas’s wish for an overnighter before Easter. We will keep our fingers crossed.
-
Noreen
Happy Birthday to Me! A great year it has been. Hubby, children and their spouses, grandkids and friends. I have it all and I don’t take any of it for granted. I am anticipating this next year and I will embrace all that comes my way.
-
Noreen
So what does that say when I would rather spend a shopping trip to a sewing machine dealership in downtown Bird Island than shoe or clothes shopping. Well! Let me tell you I am all about giving the creative gray matter a cocktail of new ideas. Karen and Al are great. For a fee of $59.00 Al goes through the sewing machine from stem to stern and that includes making sure the foot pedal is also checked. Where does the foot pedal sit . . . of course the floor, where all the fuzz, thread and bottom of the shoe naughtiness lands. Amazingly there were three additional decorative stitches that were added to my options when Al did the “firm ware” update. I think of myself as an avid sewer. Within the 16 months that I have had the machine the needle has stitched the equivalent of 900 hours. There is no way I could count the number of hours it takes me to poodle around getting the layouts ready to go under the needle.
I felt really happy this morning as I anticipated the day. It meant a road date with Dennis and we always enjoy those. As the day progressed, it just got better and better. Dennis and I don’t rush on our dates. A stop for coffee just adds for smiles, hugs and visiting. Life is really good up in the northern country.
A noon lunch at the Broaster and a Dairy Queen on the way home makes for a pretty sweet road date.