Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 1:59 pm on October 23, 2026 Permalink  

  The Clock 

  It is just about three in the afternoon and I have decided I am off of the clock for this Friday.

  I do so enjoy my retail therapy which happens to be the Super Fair grocery store.  I need to check-in with Dee at the deli.  She lost her husband earlier in the year and we hug it out.  She and are I are the same age. Brad in the meat department always has a smile.  Brad is married to Dennis’ neice.  Brenda at the checkout is also a caregiver to her husband as he recovers from a serious accident at the Swift food processing plant.  Giving her moral support when I see her.  James Mitchell is my carry-out fellow.  When Dennis drives me to the grocery store,  he knows it’s the vehicle with the ole cowboy behind the wheel, whether it is the little red pickup or our car.  Dennis and James enjoy visiting with each other.  James and his wife moved here to be close to their daughter and grandchildren.  His Hispanic background has not hindered him from mixing into the community nor with the fellow workers in the grocery store. 

  Our refrigerator and freezer is well stocked as I calibrated what would be needed for a week’s worth of suppers, plus a variety of freezer meals.

  Our backdoor screen door is sporting shiny clean windows as well as a wiped down wood door.  Our 100 year plus home has a few air leaks around the backdoor that the horrific winds of this season can whistle its while and deposit some dust on the wood panel door that works with a skeleton key for security. 

  The late afternoon is cloudy with temps that definitely make for a fall feeling.

  We have leftovers for supper allowing me to have that “off the clock” status.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:24 pm on October 22, 2026 Permalink  

  Good Forenoon 

  It was a good forenoon to get a few items done.  Getting the kitchen and bathroom windows done sure felt good.  I don’t get in a rush, taking things slowly . . . the end result is good.

  The fall house cleaning will ensue.  I know where the major dust bunnies are that cause me the most grief.

  I had all the ingredients for a chicken, carrot, Alfredo sauce and pasta oven dish for this evening’s supper.  Getting it put together also let my eye discover the need for the kitchen range top to be taken down.  Hot suds, plus spit and polish did it.  Tidy, tidy feels oh so good. 

  Our Lewis Drug sends a text when our prescriptions are ready.  A small service that is much appreciated.

  A new hatch of bugs is showing today in the warm sunshine.  The back entry door window is on the docket for cleaning but not until we have a cool, very cool morning so I can beat the bugs to the glass.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:24 pm on October 21, 2026 Permalink  

  Whiz Bang 

  We were in Mankato at eleven this forenoon.  The East Gate Clinic is where the appointment was at.  Dennis is due a new Res Med Sleep machine.  The doctor, Deb Theobald, has been Dennis’ sleep doctor for 19 years.  She feels it is time for a new sleep study.  Bodies change and according to the computer read outs, Dennis’ range of ceasing to breath should be 29 times an hour at the highest.  It is now in the 130 times an hour.

  Dennis will check in at East Ridge on the 29th of Oct. at 8:15 p.m. Everyone concerned thinks this would help for Dennis’ well being and his sleep quality.  It may require a different model of the Res Med.

  As a very late birthday bash, we ate a meal at Culver’s.  Great tasting food. 

  Haven’t done a lick today, but we are both feeling bushed.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:35 pm on October 20, 2026 Permalink  

  Fall is in the Air 

  The mornings are chilly.  With the sun shining and a soft breeze . . . I like it.  I like it a lot.  With the front and the back of the house having windows that are open, it adds to the good feelings.

  With a container of small pieces of various patterns and colors, it is my quest to use those bits that are begging to come out of a container and become a beautiful solid item.  It is setting right beside my sewing machine.

  Amazon delivered the Nurge hoops!  The round spring hoop literally sprung off of my project.  It was a small matter to lay everything out and push the fabric down, position it a bit to the right, a bit to the left and begin tightening it.  It makes the project easy to hold rather than clutching the back side of the spring.  Dennis asked why the fabric was so stiff.  Good question.  I knew the dimensions and the fabric count needed for this pattern.  When you send for what you need, it comes in the mail and you use it.  It would be great to walk into a retail needlework shop and be able to feel the various fabrics used for counted cross stitch work.  Albert Lea has a shop, Welcome Stitchery.  it’s a bit far to drive for a five minute seek and search trip. 

  Listening to the experiences of stitches from all over the world is the best available.  Ninise Lynn from Australia is one of my favorites.  She has a video once a week.

  Dennis delivered two bills into the post office this afternoon.  It is rare to use a stamp these days, as I am comfortable by paying via the internet.  I believe the stamps are $.75 each.  I do a daily check of our bank account.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:03 pm on October 19, 2026 Permalink  

  Continuing On 

  A restart on the hand stitching has commenced.  The 25 count per inch fabric will make the design doable.  The finish will be 14″ x 18″.  Not to worry as I have a magnifying lamp directly off of my right elbow.  I did additional needles.  I have two brands that are size 28.  I threaded up both needles to see how it feels with the punching and stabbing that will ensue.

  The fabric is quite stiff.  In time from handling it and doing the hooping and rehooping as the stitches go in, it will loosen up.  The situation that broached itself yesterday was that it took both Dennis and I to get the six inch spring hoop onto the fabric.  We got it done and that would have been great, other than the fact that each time the stitches would fill the hoop, the application would need to do done over and over.  Six inches sounds like a lot but only the center can be filled in comfortably.

  The hoop situation sent me straight to Amazon.  Watching numerous Floss tubers, one hoop was referred to many times by many stitchers.  The Nurge hoop from Amazon will be at our doorstep in several days.  I watched many videos.  Four different sizes for $29.00 plus tax . . . no shipping expense.  The Nurge hoop is used by tightening the screw when the fabric is as taut as desired.  I know!  I know!  A screw to be tightened with my arthritic fingers? 

  When we had the sewing machine to Bird Island a month ago, Kelly sent home with me the ScrewKeyDoo #2.  It is a hard vinal attachment and is two ended.  One end is metal to easily take the sewing machine needle off and on.  The other end is to slip over the screw of the Nurge hoop to loosen and tighten.  The ScrewKeyDoo #2 is championed by Bernina and is a product of Spokane, WA.   The first hoops by Bernina had had the same concept of the screw for their embroidery hoops, of which I have several.

  I have spent the cost of the Nurge order for something that will and may offer me  countless hours of entertainment with my stitching.  The stitching is all a part of occupational therapy.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:26 pm on October 18, 2026 Permalink  

  Measure, Measure 

  Measure twice before cutting.  The cutting was not even entertained as I had not even measured once correctly.  The hand stitching design was very specific as to what would be needed in fabric to achieve the finished product.

  It was a good thing I had only two days of hand stitching in, before I realized something looked off.  The only thing that was right, was the fact that the fabric was white.  Nothing too serious.  Start over and be thankful it was caught before too long.  I had two pieces of fabric in the drawer and I assumed the correct one had been pulled out.  Try, try, try again.

  Dennis received news today that his granddaughter that does the fighting:  kicking biting punching, barefoot will have her next match in France.  Yes, the same France that is now experiencing much upheaval.  There must be a much better, much safer way to make a living.  That’s all I have to say about that.

  The Subway treat was very good last night.  The Italian bread was very tasty with all the goodies.

  Catching an update on YouTube never hurts when I am not quite sure about a sewing element on the machine over and above of what I normally do.  Foundation paper piecing called for an update by me.  It worked out well.  It’s just too hard to be believable that it would not be one if not the first place to make an inquiry about..  I belong to a Facebook group specific to my model number of the Bernina sewing machine.  It blows me away, when some of the ridiculous questions come over and over.  Even referring to the owner’s manual would work.   

  It’s been a quite lazy day on Stauffer.  I am thinking an omelet could be the answer to this evenings meal.

  With that I will take my leave. ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:55 pm on October 17, 2026 Permalink  

  MEA Weekend 

  Our neighbors to the north ask us to keep an eye out on any comings and goings as they would be gone over the weekend with their son and grandchildren.  What a great weekend to travel to Omaha’s famous zoo over this MEA weekend.

  It did not take long today and the grain hauling is in full force past our home to the grain elevator.

  A jacket was needed this morning when I went to Lewis Drug for a prescription.  The north wind dang near swept me away getting to the door.  Drive-thru service would be great, but the left arm doesn’t play well for that to work.  It’s nice to greet Audrey as she man’s the counter.

  I have my next stitching project begun.  It’s a pattern of monochrome cross stitch.  Shades that define the pattern while worked in black floss over 20 stitches to the inch fabric.  One thread over one.  A small slow start until I decided to work one ten x ten grid at a time . . . it will still be slow, but less likely for counting errors.  I do like the monochrome aspect.

  At four this afternoon, I will be visiting Subway for our supper.  A twelve inch tuna on cheese bread with all the fixings does well for us.  A bag of sea salt and vinegar flavored chips rounds it out.  That combo is not to be found in our grocery store.  

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥♥

   
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  Noreen 2:20 pm on October 16, 2026 Permalink  

  Rain and Wind 

  During the night, the north wind really rattled the awning on the west side of our home.  I did not think there were any dried needles left in the evergreen on the northwest corner of the house.  Not.  The front sidewalk is covered. 

  This afternoon it was an hour long conversation with Calvin.  He was in good spirits.  I have no difficulty chit chatting and reminiscing.  Eric comes to see him once a week if he is not traveling for work.  Eric also knows what extra items Calvin wants for his apartment refrigerator.  The two of them might also have a meal out together. 

  We have some fresh dirt across the front of our yard where the new fiber optics line was put in.  The squirrels have been hell bent on digging in their stash.  Time will tell in the next years as to how many        black walnuts have escaped “the dig” when spring arrives.

  Unbeknown to me, I did not realize Dennis had broken the plastic on the prescription of his currant head gear for his sleep machine.  He had reverted to the supply of his old prescription.  Upon investigating, the noise that has become nightly is for the poor fit and the air escaping.  Last night it did sound as if a bull moose was trying to gain access to the house.  Next Wednesday, there is an appointment set up at the sleep center in Mankato.  Perhaps a tutorial and a gentler touch may be the answer.

  Dennis offered to help with supper.  He is now aware of the process of peeling raw shrimp and getting them ready for a quick sauté in the fry pan.  Live and learn.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:15 pm on October 15, 2026 Permalink  

  It Is What It Is 

  The rain has been coming down since sometime before I wanted to get out of bed.  I had slept well straight through the night.

  I have let many creative ideas that I had had leave my days.  I found someone that could make good use of re-purposing them.  It felt just as good doing that as the decision to look at bare dirt rather than flowers among the weeds.

  It is what it is.

  I am on a quest of quite a few things.  I have finished one small hand stitched item and that brought about what the next would be.  Pulling out fabric and counting threads to pair up with what the design calls for and then pulling out the floss.  Watching Floss Tube on YouTube is encouraging and also can be enabling.  I need no new products of any type.  The encouragement is sufficient.

  It is what it is.

  My sewing machine, as of this morning, is oiled and sporting a new needle.  There are more things for a sewing machine project other than mending, quilting, embroidering.  Much like the squirrels, I am gathering my supplies from the shelving in the studio.  Search and I will find.  I surprise myself as to what I can find in my stashes.

  It is what it is.

  Dennis has been in the napping mode most of the week.  It humbles me that I need to curb how much I tackle from the time I get up until I go back to bed at night . . . as when the physical umph has been spent . . . there is no more.  It saddens me that Dennis has no will to tackle anything any more.

  It is what it is.

  After laundry has been folded, supper will be considered.  Today I vote for fluffy waffles and sausages.

  The rain is continuing and the parade of harvest semi trucks has ceased for now.

  With that I will take my leave.♥

   
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  Noreen 2:41 pm on October 14, 2026 Permalink  

  Wednesday 

  What . . . again with the hump day?  The days of October are dwindling a bit too fast for my liking.

  Today was a day that was gray, damp and gloomy.  Are gray and gloomy similar adjectives describing the day we are experiencing? 

  A visitor dropped in this early afternoon.  It was a good thing the coffee pot was still hot.  Out of the freezer came some banana nut muffins to be thawed for a luncheon.  Much chatter arose over the feast.

  My next quest is to work with my Hp printer.  I want to enlarge the design on a piece of paper.  It is coming back to me.  I need to scan the item in the printer.  The next set is to save the image on my laptop.  I think then I have the ability to enlarge it and send it back to the printer to be printed out.  In theory this should work or I will fiddle with it until it does.  Time is on my side.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥