Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:57 pm on November 12, 2024 Permalink  

  Whew! 

  The wind is horrific enough to make one’s garters snap.

  I have returned from New Ulm’s Chuck Spaeth’s garage.

  Tires have been rotated with a complete total vehicle check over.  During the last month the message center on the left side of the dash had a “Low Tire Pressure” blinking light that would show for a few seconds and then would show “Oil Change necessary.”  Whatever was going on has now been taken care of.  I also have a new $188.00 battery.  The one taken out of the car was functioning at 45%.  Dennis needed a new battery in his little red pickup in September.  We are good to go.  Both of our vehicles had new tires in the last months of 2023.  Neither of our vehicles have been on the road much this year.  That’s beside the point.  Both vehicles are road ready . . . security.

  I was thrilled that the waiting room of Spaeth’s had two hard chairs.  The remaining chairs are as soft as Marshmallows and digging out of them to get back on your feet is not a pretty sight. 

  Tomorrow at 1:30 I will see my cardiologist in Mankato.  He will allow me to know what the Echocardiogram that I had two weeks ago has shown.  I am going to nab Dennis along to get him out of town.  I do plan on picking up some groceries.  The pantry in the basement is looking quite bare.  It’s a good thing to use it down to the bare bones, rather than some items waving as they have been in storage too long.

  We are having Chow Mien for supper.  It’s quick and tasty.  Lena used to take the bagged Chow Mien noodles, break them up, using her super powers to melt chocolate to pour over the noodles and with a tablespoon drop mounds of them on wax paper for crunchy cookies. 

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 4:13 pm on November 11, 2024 Permalink  

  Monday the 11th 

  Monday and we are off to a good start for the week.

  Dennis had his first PT appointment this morning.  He was amazed how many people were waiting to get to their appointments and how many were leaving.  Dan Kern assured Dennis he is on target with building his left leg strength.  Quite a few exercises to do here at home as well as what will be done at the clinic.  I entered his appointments onto our large print calendar.  The appointments will take him right to Christmas week.

  Of the two chairs from Office Max that we have been using at the dining room table, my chair lost its umph.  Today, thanks to neighbor Jan and Amazon, I will again be able to eat my meals with Dennis sitting up to the table.  The old chair was getting me just about at chin level with the table top.  The old chair was relieved of its casters and out to the curb it went.  Both the sewing chair in the studio and the cherry red chair in my bedroom porch may need replacement casters in the future.

  Jan and I compared notes in regard to our home owner’s insurance and our real estate taxes.  Both have been on the rise.  Jan and Randy do take in the daily news.  The economy is what they felt determined the election.

  Dennis and I are so thankful for the security we have with family if needed, our home and to have good medical insurance.

  Tomorrow at 1:30 I will be at Chuck Spaeth’s in New Ulm to have our car serviced.  No, I did not exceed the 3,000 miles of the usual oil change, but having it checked over brings about the security that if we need to travel somewhere, the car will take us.

  Supper is going to be left0vers from last night’s supper.  Tender pulled pork on buttered bread, carrots and American fries with lots of sautéd onions.

  Megan works as a hostess at the Texas Roadhouse.  She texted Grandpa Dennis to give him a salute for Veteran’s Day.  Apparently, the restaurant was busy today with veterans.

  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.

   
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  Noreen 3:43 pm on November 6, 2024 Permalink  

  Quite the Outcome 

  The 2024 election is over and whether you like the results or not . . . it is the outcome that we will have for the next four years.

  Today was my yearly eye exam.  It is a two hour exam that encompasses much.  A computerized check on Glaucoma.  Done.  Dilatation of the eyes to make sure the retina repair remains good on both eyes.  Done.  Checking the depth within the eyes.  Done.  Reading various eye charts.  Done.

  I do need to have new lens as both distance and close-up vision has changed a bit.  Dr. Pinke assured me I would notice an improvement.  This would be the first lens change since 2021.

  I checked out new frames that the new lens will go in.  I wanted frames that would allow for additional lens area than the frames I currently have.  As I read and stitch, as I look far and wide, I wanted what would serve me well.  I felt that the frame should be as wide as my face to allow the ear pieces to fit comfortably behind my ears and not have to bow out.  Yes, the bows need to be long enough to fit the face up close and personal.  I paid my bill and will wait for a week or two and then go in to have them fit.

  I could take my prescription printed out and take that prescription out of town to a Walmart or Sam’s Club.  My eyes are important enough that just as my primary doctor is here in St. James, I want an eye doctor that knows who I am and will look after my eye health if I need to come back with a concern.

  That’s how I feel about that.

  For some reason, I do feel disjointed this afternoon.  My eyes are slow to adjust to the dilation drops to leave.  Oh how we notice what we take for granted.  No reading of any great degree this afternoon and no stitching to any great degree this afternoon.  Tomorrow is plenty soon for all of that.  Besides . . . my arthritis is bucking today.  I should find a rabbit hole and pull it in after me.  I can have a day such as that.  I don’t feel the need to be on top all the time.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   

   
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  Noreen 3:47 pm on November 5, 2024 Permalink  

  Gray Skies 

  Gray skies, rain and a touch of fog.

  The alarm went off at six this morning and by 7:30 we were on 169 heading to Mankato for Dennis’ visit to the heart center.  His heart had been monitored for 14 days during the hip replacement saga.

  Interesting.  One of Dennis’ blood pressure meds was removed from him right after the hip surgery.  Metatropral slows down the heart beat.  He had been on that med for years.  No wonder his pulse was always in the mid 50s.  The heart halter gave a consistent reading for his pulse to be in the high 60s.  That is still low, but it is now his normal.

  Dennis does not need a pacemaker.  If such time arises that he is dizzy consistently or has episodes of passing out, in he goes for an out-patient procedure.  A battery operated little gismo will be placed under the skin with a wire going to the heart.  It is then monitored with a wireless reading just as his CPAP is done now.

  Henceforth, once a year, a cardiac doctor that travels to St. James once a month can do the same thing as we traveled to Mankato for this morning.  I like that.

  We were back in St. James by eleven this forenoon.  Dennis and I visited on the way home non-stop.  Even to not decide is a decision for us.  We are happy with our plans for this day, November 6th, 2024.  We came home feeling contentment. Dennis napped in his recliner and I did some stitching.

  Supper is going to be bean and ham soup.  Dennis likes a bit of vinegar in his bean and ham soup.  I have a small bottle of some fancy vinegar that he likes.  So be it.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:57 pm on November 4, 2024 Permalink  

  A Bit of Everything 

  This first full week of November has a bit of everything on our calendar.  It still doesn’t hold a candle to the last several weekends we have enjoyed here on Stauffer Avenue.

  Over two of those weekends there hasn’t been a dust bunny that has escaped in our home or in the garages.  The end result was that Dennis and I have lightened the load in both of those places.  We are far from being minimalists.  Taking a serious look as to what we can utilize in our day-to-day activity is an eye opener.

  Dennis knows his ability with tools and saws and they need to take a back-seat to safety.  Why not give to those that are able.  The days of measure twice, cut once and . . . it’s still too short can be chuckled over.

  My days of no longer beginning a collection or adding to a collection within our home only means there is less that needs dusting.  Two baking dishes, two saucepans and two frypans rounds out my creativity in the kitchen.  I gladly give away things in our home, if someone can make use of it.  Our potting shed used to bulge with lawn and garden flighty attributes.  Now, I eye up Dennis’ weed spray.  Rather than see the gardens overgrown in weeds, sprinkling grass seed is appealing.

  Dennis is back to driving his little red pickup.  It has been four weeks since his hip surgery.  Dennis is active and  happy to have a hand in things around our home.  Absolutely weariness sets in, but better from being out and about and being active than sleeping his days away as was customary while in the nursing home.  November 11th Dennis will have PT here in our clinic.  Dan Kern did a wonderful job of helping Dennis with his left foot when the adjustment of balance became an issue with no toes. 

  Soon the racing tracks of Dennis’ walker will be history.  Perhaps a cane may still be needed, time will tell.

  We will be having a repeat for supper of the all-in-one crockpot dish of yesterday.  I just love that.

  I will need to set my alarm as the heart center in the Mankato hospital expects us to be there at nine in the morning.  This visit will determine the readings of the heart halter that Dennis wore for two weeks.  The a-fibrillation of Dennis’ heart was being monitored in the event a pacemaker would be needed. 

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:15 pm on November 2, 2024 Permalink  

  Reprieve 

  There is no evidence of the snow that totally covered our landscape on Thursday morning.

  Today, I hear the sound of some homeowners that took the message of this first snowfall being a test . . . “Are you ready?”

  I am not sure what Dennis thinks about as he whiles away the hours in his patio porch.  His dime, his time. 

  As I sit in my bedroom porch facing south, the sun has amazing powers as it flirts with the clouds. 

  What I am truly amazed by is that this year is almost over and I have had my 80th birthday.  It has nothing to do with getting older.  It is all about striking out for new adventures while being in our teeny tiny home.  Oh my . . . so many choices to try my hand at, a big thanks goes out to YouTube.  Needing to have some retail therapy, I think twice.  The stores I have liked to frequent in the past are laid out to compare to the size of football fields.  With some thought of what is needed, Amazon never disappoints. Life is still a blast.  The times past of going to parties, picnics . . . even putting on picnics make for good memories.  It is now easier to keep the pantry stocked so we can enjoy our meals at home.  Our days of traveling beyond Minnesota are over.  It is, after all, “the same church, just a different pew. ”

  I do not lament about my life.  I have played so many roles in my 80 years.  Now I have evolved to my true being.  I am an introvert and have always been.  Taking the parts in life that I have played, some proving to have paid a high price for, has allowed me to sit here in my bedroom porch, facing south with just me and the flirty sun.

  With that I will take my leave. ♥