Me, Myself and Memories

Recent Updates Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

• 

  Noreen 1:58 pm on June 23, 2026 Permalink  

  Tuesday the 23rd 

  Dennis’ son-in-law met with me in the basement and took a look at the project, filling in a floor drain that we don’t use.  After Tom assured himself that the ball joint that is in place does not hold water, he will be back after the drain area is dry.  He will be back with his shop vac to clean all the corrosive material in and around the area and prep the site, leaving the ball joint in place.  I am leaving the project up to him.

  I had company this afternoon.  Angela Wellnitze is doing the city assessing.  I had received a postcard asking to phone the office and make an appointment.  Angela’s grandmother, Norma, worked for me in the assessor’s office until she retired.  I gave Angela the tour starting in the basement.  She asked questions and I answered them with the dates when we had done certain projects.  Total disclosure . . . just what I had expected when my appraisers had visited homes in times past. 

  New photos were taken to update the records.  A very pleasant visit indeed.  Time will tell what plays out in our value.  I shared with her that the negative in the home was that the beds could not be walked around when changing the bedding.  She took note of that on her computer that also had the diagram of the home with the property’s plot plan.

  Dennis ran the errand of picking up several prescriptions for me.  That included fills of two small gas cans that Tom uses, one per a mowing.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:06 pm on June 22, 2026 Permalink  

  Sounds 

  The sounds of mowers came from all directions in the neighborhood this morning.  Our yard was included in that group.

  I needed to make a call to the Watson boys this morning.  The Mayo Store needed a phone call this morning for Dennis’ CPAP.  By 12:39 all the “Have to” tasks were completed.  What a feeling of self satisfaction that was.

  With that being said, I totally feel like I am on vacation with not a care in the world.  The only stress was what I had put on myself.  There is a lot to be said about thinking on a task and then just doing it and its done.

  When Tom was finished with the mowing this morning, I knew he also did odd jobs.  I went out and asked him if I could hire him.  Some jobs need the licensed service people and some not so much.  Tom will be taking care of a project in the basement.  Tom’s timeline and I know it will be done to our liking.

  Dennis is in his glory.  All of his favorite foods are on hand for leftovers this evening.  I like that as well.  As I said, I feel as if I am on vacation.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:29 pm on June 21, 2026 Permalink  

  A Wonderful Father’s Day 

  The weather played out perfectly.

  Dennis had all his favorite foods and the best part was he will have leftovers for Monday.

  All is well with my soul.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 1:59 pm on June 20, 2026 Permalink  

  Got to Love the Weather 

  Today is the 20th of June and this type of weather is what Minnesota weather is all about.

  After I am done bustling about with first floor chores, a cup of breakfast coffee takes me to my bedroom porch.  As I sit facing south with double windows in front of me, the world is my oyster.

  Movement of cars driving by, bikers, walkers . . . I am in a fish bowl, looking out.

  The neighbors directly across the alley, named Stauffer Avenue, are Guatemalan.  I noticed the grill being brought out and a fire soon ensued in the grill.  What then surprised me was two gals each with a dead chicken in their hands.  Head and feet were still on the chickens.  It was a usual thing to hold a dead chicken over a fire to burn off the fine hair of the chicken’s skin before the gutting of the chicken.  It would take seconds to accomplish that.  That’s how Lena had taught us.

  What I wasn’t ready for was to bring out the grill’s top to put over the fire and then lay the two chickens on top of the hot smoking grill and walk off.  They came back after a bit to turn the chickens over and again backed away for a time.

  These were slight chickens to begin with and the skin on a chicken is very thin.  Hmm, a whole new technique that I would not want anything to do with.  Yew!  To each their own.

  I have not done any hand stitching all week.  I miss the quiet comfort and the sound of pulling the thread through the cloth that is stretched tight in the hoop.  A few too many days of the hands being busy in the kitchen for future meal preparations.  An endeavor oh so worth it.

  A window cracked on each end of the house to let the welcoming fresh air in.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:30 pm on June 19, 2026 Permalink  

  Friday Thoughts 

  It seems as if the week was plenty busy with appointments and thoughts going forward.

  I have taken to go with Dennis when he is called in for a visit with a medical doctor.  Two ears to hear and two minds to process.  Dennis tells the doctors that I came to hear what is going on as I take care of him.  Yes, I am Dennis’ care-giver.  Quite the position that I carryout willingly.

  Dennis and I have got it worked out so it works for us.  No one needs to contribute unless help is asked of us.  In the past we have and do ask.  When the help that is offered can make one feel like you are the last on the tail of a kite that is out of control, it feels disrespectful.

  The older I get, the more important I realize that peace is worth more to me than what the outside world may guess at.  Not every misunderstanding needs an explanation.  Not every opinion deserves a response, some cost more than they are worth.  I protect my peace, even if it means I am misunderstood.

  Dennis and I work together and we each do the very best we are able.  What a great colaboration.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:09 pm on June 18, 2026 Permalink  

  Cloudy and Cool 

  Today was the last of the medical appointments for the month.

  We needed to be in Mankato at 9:50 for Dennis’ eye injection for Macular.  All went well with a headache that went with it for Dennis.  I drove home, Dennis sat back with his eyes closed.  I am thrilled that that is not in my medical appointment book.  We were home by 1:00.

  When we got home, Dennis sat in his recliner.  I also sat in my recliner.  We both took a nap.  My alarm had gone off at 6:30 this morning.  We both have our rituals before hitting the highways.  The next eye appointment in Mankato is September 23rd.

  The remainder of the day did indeed feel “done, shot, used up.”

  For myself, I like quiet days.  The true feeling and reality that I have slowed down.  I like my ditties of a bit of housework, laundry, planning suppers . . . and “that’s all folks.”  Bugs Bunny hit the nail on the head.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 1:48 pm on June 17, 2026 Permalink  

  Bright sun on a Wednesday 

  We have had spurts of rain with the last spurt being a downpour for about five minutes.  We’ll take what we can get.

  Yesterday’s trip to the sleep study lab in Mankato was interesting.  The sleep mask that Dennis has used for the last nineteen years is being discontinued.  An entire new head gear with fasteners that are different are in the plan.  We are never too old to have to adapt.  His prescription has been updated at the Mayo Store and a sample that was tested right then and there was sent home with Dennis.  Time will tell.  I left Dennis to-it last night at bedtime.  I can’t do it for him.  I stayed up long enough to hear that he had met the challenge.

  As of last night Dennis has 30 banana nut muffins in individual sandwich bags in our freezer.  Horray for Dennis.  Horray for me.  No more make a sandwich for the breakfast box each day.  Would Dennis have made one for himself each day?  I tried that.  I am better off doing the muffins knowing he is not taking all his meds on an empty stomach followed by carcinogens of the cigarettes and allowing the stomach acid to build into a medical situation.  I realize my own path to resistance and not wanting to make hospital visits when Dennis would and did call from a hospital bed wondering when I was coming to see him.

  Yesterday, I brought home from Sam’s 2 lbs. of strawberries for $4.99, which would be one 1 lb. package here in town.  This morning I pared them, crushed them and have two freezer bags in the freezer with some for this evening.  A little backup plan helps. 

  Speaking of backups, Sam’s rotisserie 3 lb. chickens are the best for $4.98.  Dennis’ grandchildren that live in Mankato make special trips for them.  Our grocery has a small chicken for $9.98.  For supper, we had planks of chicken breast meat with a savory sauce I made.  I boned out the remaining chicken and there are two freezer bags ready for oven meals sometime.  Our freezer is looking mighty fine. 

  There has been no stitching for several days along side a dark studio.  Get the jobs done around the first floor before play time. 

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:24 pm on June 15, 2026 Permalink  

  Nice Day 

  Mid seventies with low dew point and humidity, makes for a nice day.

  I thought it might be gophers in the grass alongside Stauffer Avenue.  Nope, it was the new internet company doing their prep work.  I can see the cap of the gas line from my bedroom porch window.  Three other holes where the dirt has been piled on black plastic.  This is an internet company that Dennis’ grandson, AJ, is running the crew for Fiedium Cable.  This crew is Hispanic originally from Nebraska.  AJ commented to his grandpa that he wishes he could have three more crews just like them . . . good reliable workers.

  Fruit and cinnamon toast for breakfast with coffee.  The fruit that is my favorite is honeydew, cantaloupe, pineapple and watermelon.  The Golden Delicious are my favorite apples.  Grapes have a really high sugar content.  Dennis passes on all.  Plain Greek yogurt is my favorite.  It has the good gut bacteria.  

  Tomorrow we have an appointment at the East Ridge Mayo clinic in Mankato.  His prescription for his CPAP supplies was renewed via the phone but only with a personal follow up visit.

  A follow up to Sam’s Club is planned.  Dennis is in need of muffins for his breakfast box.  I also have a short list of groceries to fill at Sam’s as well.

  A day in the big town . . . there will be no post for the blog tomorrow. 

  With that I will take my leave. ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 1:44 pm on June 14, 2026 Permalink  

  Sunday the 14th 

  What a beautiful day.  Many more such as this wished for.

  I walked over to the acre this forenoon.  I marveled at where this acre has come from.  It was a community dump with old electronics, appliances and mattresses and everything else imaginable.  Today the grass is lush and waving in the breeze.  The one-time treatment from Spring Touch has kept all weeds at bay.  Dennis and I did good for no one else but our self satisfaction.

  Dennis was down for a nap this afternoon and I went to the grocery store.  I was totally out of the foods I enjoy:  fruit, yogurt, cottage cheese . . . I guess apples are fruit.  I like to keep the “Color Catcher” on hand for the laundry and also a small bottle of Woolite.

  The Hispanics shop big time on Sundays with their entire family joining in.  It all helps keeping our one good grocery store going.  Schmidt’s bakery used to do a grand business on Main Street.  It’s listed as an on-going bakery and half of the products showcase the Hispanic baker.  Times do change.  It gave our grocery store a chance to beef up their bakery department with three people in it.

  I listened to a video about the 9 worst cities in Minnesota via economy.  The bottom was Worthington, Fairmont at third.  It went on with Rochester being the number one worst.  It depends totally on the health care system.  Go figure.

  The oven dish went over well with steamed broccoli on the side.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:30 pm on June 13, 2026 Permalink  

  Saturday 

  Today is a bright sunny Saturday with nary a cloud in the sky.

  I was having breakfast coffee in my bedroom porch when I could hear . . . Marco, Marco.  It was faint but I responded Polo, Polo.  I followed and it took me right into the laundry area.  Sure enough, the basket was overflowing.

  There were items I wanted to watch and not let them go unattended.  That gave me enough time to cast my eyes downward.  Hmm.  The vinyl floors needed help.  Slow but sure the loads of laundry got swapped out and the floors were getting done as well . . . all but the back door floor.  Time for a break.

  It was time to put together an oven meal.  Long time a going since we had one.  My oven meal for today: 

  -one bag of Armor Swift all beef meatballs cut willy nilly

  -one bag of Real Potatoes hash browns from the grocer’s refrigeration section

  -one can of cream of mushroom soup

  -one can of white cheddar soup – both cans Campbells

  -mixed well, ready for the blue speckled round roaster that had been sprayed with Pam

  -half of mixture put in a container for the freezer for another time, sealed with Press and Seal and the cover

  At supper time, good covering of ground black pepper – preset oven at 325 for 40-50 minutes.

  The back door floor was the finale.

  Having an invite for the day would have only stalled on what was needed to get done.  

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥