Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:27 pm on January 14, 2024 Permalink  

  Sun and Bright 

  The wind has gone down by a whole lot.  The cold is easier to take when the sun shines.

  At two this afternoon, I dressed fit for the weather and cleared off the front deck, the steps and the sidewalk to the drive.  It wasn’t more than an inch of dry snow.  It also wasn’t very white when pushed off, snirt.  I believe this winter storm was kind to this area.  Many pickups with front-load plows didn’t get the workout they had planned for.  We have portions of our drive that are bare concrete.

  It may have been in the mid 70’s when it was all Orlin could do, was to keep the pilot light lit for the LP furnace in the doublewide mobile home due to the strong wind from the north.  When morning’s light came the drive facing south was a just a huge snow drift.  If I remember, it was next door neighbor to the west, Bob Dascher, that blew a path through.  When leaving our drive, it was check, check to make sure oncoming traffic could be seen before we pulled out.  Memories.

  Winter brings what winter does.  I have never wanted to be a snow bird, traveling to warmer climates during the winter season.  There must be some bad things for our health that get snuffed out with this frigid temperatures.  If it’s all a myth, I sure feel better doing as I did with my time this afternoon.  If nothing else I got the stink worked out and off of me.

  I have been looking at the DonBar assist for our zero turn.  A few holes drilled into the foot plate and then an adjustment.  Something to reach for when getting on and the something to hang onto when backing off of the mower.  First search for the spring season.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 4:02 pm on January 13, 2024 Permalink  

  A Brr Day 

  It’s not a day fit for anyone or anything.

  I am surprised of the dirt that can be seen on the snow in the front yard perhaps coming from Canada.

  I don’t have much energy today.  Reading and listening to the wind howl, or stitching and listening to the wind howl.

  There is still a far amount of traffic.

  I read with sadness when Lisa Schumann, whom I had worked with for several decades at the courthouse, posted the obituary of her 36-year-old son’s passing of cancer.  Cancer does not have any boundaries.

  I am preparing a hot supper.  It wards 0ff no mind snacking.

  Megan is to fly home tomorrow.  I pray the flights are safe.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:58 pm on January 12, 2024 Permalink  

  Toss Up 

  Today it is a toss-up as to which is less desirable.  We had very little new snow but the wind is moving around as much of it as possible.  Toss-up or . . . either or.

  With the wind from the northwest, the seven foot tall shrub on the northwest corner of our home, that never gets trimmed and acts as a buffer, is a Godsend.

  A testament can be given for the Command strips that mesh together, bonding to hold up to 16 lbs.  I never planned on testing them to that extent.  They are marketed for hanging frames.  I used them to hang my scrappy quilt on the living room wall.  One strip on the wall and the matching strip on the back of the quilt.  This project was taken on with me going solo.  Knowing what and how this was going to be done, was easier on me than trying to explain it to a second party.  I do not take chances. I know and have the logic to proceed one step at a time while stepping on the second available flat area for my feet on the kitchen stool.  Using the third and the highest step was never an option.  If I wake up tomorrow and the quilt is still hanging on the wall . . . I will be thrilled. 

  We have had Jimmy Dean sausage and gravy on hand for some time.  The refrigerated package of four bags had an expiration date far far away towards the end of 2024.  The contents will be heated in the double boiler sauce pan.  I fear it would scorch if the heat contacted the bottom of the saucepan directly. Sometimes the microwave heated item does not stay hot for very long.  There were leftover instant mashed potatoes from last night.  They will be flattened onto a paper plate and microwaved.  Those I know I can get hot enough.  The Jimmy Dean goodies will be spooned on top for each individual’s liking.

  I have not given up on the studio.  My limbs need to recover from doing the two days quilt on the wall project.  It was one day to put the Command strips on the wall and today to get the quilt with matching strips hefted up onto the wall.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   

   
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  Noreen 2:24 pm on January 11, 2024 Permalink  

  A Feeling 

  Today it may feel just like our old clucks on the farm did when they were sitting on a nest that was soon to hatch.  When will the weather that is foretold actually be here?  A waiting stint.

  The weather people have all sorts of timelines.

  Us older ones on Stauffer Avenue are prepared for what may come.

  I spent some time working with Command strips.  Measure, measure and then . . . one more time measure.  The strips were put on the north wall this forenoon.  They are not to be tested immediately.  That’s a good thing, as my arms had had enough.  Where am I going that I need to rush!  Tomorrow will be phase two in the work towards putting up a quilt via Command products.

  Dennis had company in his patio porch today.  Randy from next door, our snow remover, came to BS for a bit.  His retirement will suit him just as all of our’s has.

  Dennis has announced that he is in charge of supper.  Hot diggity dog.  I am going to be as far from the kitchen as our home allows.  No one needs a pesky intruder when plans are coming together.

  I would not mind at all if waiting for the weather didn’t materialize.

  Stay comfortable in this cool to down-right cold, frigid weather.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:55 pm on January 10, 2024 Permalink  

  A Sweet Day 

  This sweet quiet day could only be better if the sun could poke through.

  I have an experiment going in the studio.  At some time when I had a wild hair, I thought the Command product that would allow picture frames to be put on wall surfaces with Command strips clicking onto other command strips.  One or two strips on the back of frames, meshing and lining up with one or two strips on the wall.  Hmm.  I was not going to risk any of the framed Santa’s stitching.  

  But . . . I decided to see how one of those strips on the back of quilted cloth would do meshing and clicking onto a strip on the wall.  The door going into the studio is where my test is taking place.  Each Command strip was to hold 16 lbs.  Ya . . . right.  I am not above using quite a few of these strips laterally on the wall and spacing them on the back of the quilt to match up to the wall.  Time will tell.

  In the meantime, I have taken leftovers out of the refrig to bring them closer to room temperature for our supper.

  I also started a second cross stitch project to have going while working on my focus piece.  This small piece is worked on 20 count Aida, 20 stitches per inch using one strand of floss per stitch over one.  The focus piece is 16 stitches per inch with two strands of floss over one.

  Some of the videos on YouTube that I watch for entertainment are amazing.  The gal known as the Highway Stitcher in upper Utah has 96 hooped designs going, also known as “whips”, works in progress.  How adventuresome for Grammie to have two in the hoop.  With two . . . that’s my max.  After all, you can only work on one at a time, and I take time to glance at a page from my latest book that I am reading.  

  One can never guess what the Grammie on Stauffer Avenue is up to.  It all makes for a sweet day.  

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:01 pm on January 9, 2024 Permalink  

  Better Late 

  Who ever commented on the saying, better late than never . . . hush your mouth.

  We were doing just fine with no snow.  It was a range of 3-4 inches of first wet mist and finally some official looking snowflakes.  

  Randy next door did not disappoint with his green line as he blew our drive off.  I made sure to have the snow off of the front deck, steps and concrete sidewalk and pushed it all onto the drive before Randy arrived.

  Dennis used his walk behind to clear the garage door opening that faces Stauffer Avenue.  If that little red pickup can’t get out, there would be a sad face.  I, on the other hand, don’t plan on going anywhere until I know there is no wind to polish road surfaces.

  I am a naughty Grammie sometimes.  My heritage is the “old Adam.”  It is better to give than receive.  I will go along with that. . . to some extent.  It took quite a bit of talking this Christmas to convince Dennis to forego giving gifts this 2023 Christmas.  He really, really always enjoyed getting his little stashes together for my children and Dennis’ children.  He would start making plans in October with lists of grandchildren and their spouses.  We were blessed with Thanksgiving guests and Christmas Day guests in our home.  Special.

  It would have been equally nice if someone from Dennis’ family had visited or called to visit in the latter part of December.  Nope.  Nada.  Not even the daughter that lives four blocks to the south of us.  Hmm.  Dennis was ready to receive well wishes from his family.  Maybe next year.

  I have retrieved some supplies from the studio.  I have a variety of Command Hooks, strips, etc.  Soon my Santa quilt will come down from the north living room wall.  I would like my scrappy quilt put up in its place for a while.  I have the adequate supplies, I now need a plan of attack.

  My attack for supper is a hot meal.  Two pork chops, au gratin potatoes and steamed broccoli.

  If you must travel, be safe.  I would rather think about you, than read about you.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:02 pm on January 8, 2024 Permalink  

  Dry Snow 

  It may sound ridiculous but an inch of dry snow it was.  It took just a short while and I had the front deck and steps swept off.  I think Dennis feels better as well as he got the faithful “Kevin snowblower” started for the first time this fall and winter season.  Good dose of fresh air all around.

  Solutions are out in this huge world.  Seek and ye shall find.  We have had numerous problems with coffee filters collapsing as the hot water washes over the coffee grounds.  In today’s mail was a box that contained Bunn coffee filters.  Their round bottoms are broad and settle right into the appropriate place.  They are also very tall and will withstand water sloshing into them.  No more coffee grounds in the bottom of my coffee cup.  Sweet.

  In tomorrow’s mail, I am expecting the crushed walnut shells I have ordered.  They work perfectly to fill pin cushions for hand stitching sewing needles.  The pins stay placed as well as keeping the sewing needle’s tip sharp.

  This ole Grammie could run her legs off in Mankato looking and seeking what I require, which isn’t a whole lot.  The right item for the correct expectations in all things great and small.

  I am staying on the main floor today.  Reading for me is like watching television for the ole cowboy.  While I am doing some hand stitching I am contemplating on the finish of my “HOME” wall hanging.  My first step is to try out glue on a sample of a panel to see if it will hold and support the brackets or such to hang up the finished product.  The glue I am thinking of is the same glue Kersten and I used to glue the cement antlers onto the cement deer in the flower garden.  That deer, out in the weather, has shown off that repair for five years or more.  We will find out how that same glue will hold onto the fiberglass.  Of course . . . I have that glue on hand.  Mini Michael’s Craft Store right in my studio.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:41 pm on January 7, 2024 Permalink  

  A Sweet Day 

  Yesterday, Dennis had spent the day with his grandson, as AJ wanted to go to the tradeshow in Northrop.  AJ had never been to one and felt better with Dennis most likely knowing all those that had set up for the weekend.  Good job grandpa. Today Dennis went back to Northrop to be able to sit and visit with the fellows that he had known for a long time, but had not seen them for a long time. 

  I took the day to take care of local effort on the first floor.  More importantly I wanted to think through my goals for 2024, and rough in my budget.  Both two very important items.  I had met my goal in 2023 in the month of December.  Nicholas will be going on his class trip in June, just as Megan had done between the sophomore year and the junior year.  Just as I had done for Megan to help meet each individual’s cost, I did the same for Nicholas.  It is one of those things that makes my heart smile.

  We had covered quite a few items last year in the home’s repair.  Nothing on this year’s calendar that is needed.  We take pride in ownership.

  I checked out the studio and I am totally equipped for the entire 2024.  I am a good planner.

  I will be ordering several items for our neighbor to assist in getting the zero-turn tricked out so I can use it.  I am doing that for myself as I have always enjoyed keeping up a yard.  Not a big item on the wish list.  Randy had mentioned that in the spring both of his sons had some plans for him in his retirement.  One son in Nicollet and the other in Mankato . . . good to to be able to help them out. 

  The afternoon sun is bright.  I have muddled through what my agenda was and I am on to do some reading.  We are having left-overs for supper.  Now that is a sweet deal.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:08 pm on January 6, 2024 Permalink  

  Maybe? 

  Maybe we may have a dusting of snow coming.  We knew it would come sooner or later.  So far it has been a gift.  

  First floor local effort was done right off the bat.  No . . . the clothes have not folded themselves.  They are hiding in the clothes dryer.

  As a gift from my children, our first box of 2 meals of Hello Fresh was delivered yesterday late afternoon by UPS in an insulated box with a package of dry ice to keep all safe.  This morning, while Dennis was spending time with his grandson, I went about so we would be having turkey spaghetti for supper with sliced cucumbers and garlic bread.  Many seasonings I have not used before.  I sampled it and if Dennis wants his spicier, I held back and he can add more if he likes.  Sometime in the coming week, we will be having a glazed porkchop meal with trimmings.

  Yes, we had stressed no gifts were needed.  Sometimes ya gotta know when to hold it and when to fold it when it comes to family.  At least it wasn’t 160 acres.  Hmm.  Shame on you Grammie.  You should be better than that.  OK.  The horns have been pulled in.

  The air is heavy, damp and still.  The entire neighborhood has been quiet.

  Well, I am on to folding the laundry.  A Saturday in the new 2024 year and so much for the quiet as the neighbor kid decided to race up and down Stauffer with his dirt bike, riling up a lot of dust and loose gravel.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:49 pm on January 5, 2024 Permalink  

  Some Sun 

  Now as we are at mid afternoon, the sun is really struggling to show itself.

  After finishing a stitching, I am out of the studio for a break. A bit of a backache told me to head for the main floor of the home.

  I had been diligent in stitching out a banner-style project.  Unbeknown to me when I downloaded some letters, it was trial and error realizing these letters were not intended to be shrunk down and minimized.  A strip of linen was my choice to stitch for the banner.  Only so much in height or length to work with.  I have finished the stitching portion of this what-if.  Considering all the measure, measure to achieve the letters to line up as if it was one continuous download into the sewing machine, I feel good about it.  The fabric on top and bottom can be trimmed for the letters to be shown as level.

  What my stitching is laying on is a piece of a PVC panel that Kevin shared with me quite a few years ago when this product was used in construction of confinement livestock barns.  I have been waiting to see what I could use them for.  The width of the PVC panel has given me the idea to somehow use it to mount my embroidery onto it.  All sorts of thoughts.

  Maybe covering the PVC panel with a choice of fabric?  Hemming my banner to allow a border of that fabric showing.  Putting quilt batting under the banner and then stretching the hemmed banner over hard cardboard to give it a pillow effect as I did with the last cross stitched project that I framed.  Hmm.  

  Lots of thoughts.  That is what learning to use what is on hand is all about.  Not rushing . . . just allowing ideas to flow.

  Tomorrow Dennis’ grandson, AJ, is going to pick up grandpa and head to a gun show in Northrop.  How sweet is that!

  With that I take my leave.  ♥