Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 12:41 pm on September 8, 2023 Permalink  

  Short and Sweet 

  The appointment with his pulmonary doctor went well.

  The sleep study of Wednesday night also included an echocardiogram for Dennis.

  All is well.  Dennis’ sleep apnea originates in his brain, not his heart.  That origination may be in part to his age of 87, well not until Oct. 2nd.  That is what all the little sensors were for, all over him.  His pulse has always been in the 53 to 56 range.  His oxygen level was at 96% Wednesday night and at 98% today. 

  Dr. Ziegler read all the information from the sleep study.  She determined to treat the patient and not the graphs of the report.  No changes on the settings of the ResMed machine.  When Dennis told her we had a granddaughter that was a sophomore in college and that she looked about that age, she gave him a bit of a chuckle.  I agreed with Dennis, she did look young.

  We did stop for a meal at Perkins.  It had been a long time since we had.  Our first choice was Culver’s but they don’t open until eleven in the morning.

  Home for the weekend . . . sounds great to me.

  There is a hint of fall in the air.  Some of the corn and bean fields are brown awaiting the harvest, while just as many are grass green.  So many varieties in seed, it’s hard to say if they are 90 day crops or 120 day crops.

  We do have some Monarchs fluttering about.  I noticed they would perch on dandelions that still had a bloom and take a good snack.  I hope they make it to Mexico.

   
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  Noreen 8:24 pm on September 7, 2023 Permalink  

  Shh 

  Shh.  Dennis is catching up on his sleep today.  Last night at eight, Dennis checked himself into the Mayo East Ridge Clinic in the Sleep Study wing.

  It was a usual tri-yearly overnight sleep study to have the CPAP setting checked for changes in patients that use the CPAP machine nightly for sleep apnea.

  Though there is a furnished bedroom provided, Dennis reported that there were more electronic monitors stuck to him that he could have counted.  Limbs, chest and and head monitors give readings for oxygen levels.  Those results allow the doctor that we see tomorrow, to set his CPAP machine for what he now needs.  The CPAP machine sitting beside Dennis’ bed can be set via Mankato.  Last night, the nurse was in and out of the room many times if the face mask was not tight enough and was allowing air to escape around the gasket as well as other checks and balances.  Dennis still had marks on his face from the elastic when he came home this morning at seven.

  For individuals that have atrofibulation, aka: afib, an irregular heart beat, it is not unusual for the patient to stop breathing during their sleep.  The goal is ten times or less per hour.  What sparked this sleep study was that Dennis’ machine reported as high as 30 times per hour.  Not always consistently but higher than healthy.  Interrupted sleep takes a tole on one for the next day’s feeling of wellbeing. The CPAP machine reads those times of not breathing and when there is no breathing it pumps a whoosh of air through the tubing into the face mask to get the heart pumping.  Dennis’ machine also has a humidifier on it for moist air to breath.

  The nurse also shared that there are more women needing CPAP machines than men.  Hmm.

  In years past when someone died in their sleep it may have been assumed that they had a heart attack during the night.  They may very well have had an episode of sleep apnea. 

  I am keeping the house quiet for Dennis to catch a couple of naps today in his recliner.  Actually sitting upright in a recliner does assist in keeping the episodes of not breathing to a minimal.

  Dennis uses his machine religiously. The cost of the machine and the monthly supplies are covered by Medicare and our Blue Cross Blue Shield. 

  Dennis wants Eggo Waffles for supper.  I can get that toaster pulled in with no problems.  We will be in Mankato tomorrow morning by 9:15.

   
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  Noreen 2:48 pm on September 6, 2023 Permalink  

  Big Change 

  The cold front that was mentioned in the weather news yesterday has made a big change.  I would say a huge change.

  We didn’t get enough rain to amount to anything.

  Today, I am back to being the little ole lady reading and stitching from her cherry red chair in her west bedroom porch.  I have taken nothing today for the body’s discomfort.  I have even noticed my left titanium knee is not cracking.  One should never lock one’s knees when bending over at the waist.  It is really hard to keep from doing it, but I did try.

  Dennis is also doing the computer solitaire games today.  For both of us it is a deserved break from the last week where each day time was put in working on the front deck and then washing up the staining brush no later than 10:30 each day before the heat was upon us.

  Dennis’ daughter stopped in this forenoon.  Her shift at Casey’s has ended up in more twelve hours days than not.  They are very short of help . . . what place of business isn’t.

  Beans and wieners went over well for last night’s supper.  Neither one of us have done anything today to warrant anything called a supper.  I won’t be the one to bring it up first and see what happens.

  Happy hump day!

   
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  Noreen 1:39 pm on September 5, 2023 Permalink  

  Tuesday feels like Monday 

  Days of the week can be a conundrum for Stauffer Avenue’s older ones.  That is why our calendar has a spot on the dining room table.

  This morning with stain pail in hand, Dennis did do a walk around the front of the house where our deck is.  Sure enough, there was a spot here and there that needed some stain.  When the brush was put into the pail, it did not have a problem touching the bottom of the pail.  The top of the pail was stepped on and will be set aside until some time later.  There was plenty of stain to do the anchor posts of the deck.

  It was time for a grocery run.  We use a few items that we can’t use up by the sell by date . . . milk.  We generally use it to make instant potatoes.  This evening it is beef wieners and beans for supper.  Yesterday while working on the deck, there were wafts of people in the neighborhood doing grilling.  The aroma of hot dogs sure smelled good.  Thus . . . our fare for supper.

  Dennis’ one request was ice cream.  So be it.  My add-on was butterscotch topping.

  The air is heavy with clouds that look like they might have a shower or two in them.  That would be welcomed.  Over these last days there were several Hosta that just plain gave up.  The leaves are totally burnt.  Oh well.  There is always next year for perennials.

  There may be some 70s in the rest of this week.  Sweet.

  I am heading back to my cherry chair for some stitching.  I finished a book last night and have not yet pulled out another one from my stash.

   
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  Noreen 11:33 am on September 4, 2023 Permalink  

  Labor Day the 4th 

  It is twelve noon.

  Lots of excitement as the last of summer festivities.  I am sure Godahl days are going fast and furious.  Several of our fire trucks made the five mile trip to be on hand.

  Dennis and I are enjoying the full afternoon of this day in peace and quiet.  We finished the deck staining just as the heat hit us.  It truly is a Labor Day finish.  After I had the railings done and a second coat on the deck boards, I handed off the pail of stain to Dennis, so he could go around the outside and hit areas that needed a touch up.  Dennis said he had some black in a spray can to do the anchor posts that are in the ground.

  The last day of this project and I got myself a splatter of stain, right into my hair.  Grr!  That brought to mind the Mother’s day of years ago, when I went to see Kevin and Kersten.  They were in the midst of staining their privacy fence.  Kersten’s hair had gotten the brunt of quite a bit of stain of spray back.  Her beautiful head of red-toned hair was now enjoying highlights of a brunet.

  For the two of us on Stauffer Avenue this was a wonderful job to have gotten done.  Oh . . . the car honking by passer’s by helped not one bit.  The pail still has about an inch left in it and the brush has been cleaned as Dennis is determined to make another check tomorrow of anything missed.

  Me . . . not so much.  Someone a while ago sent me a text after having painted my bedroom as to where I got my energy.  As of today, it has been checked into our local Motel 8.  My body . . . all parts are needing some time off. 

  My cherry red chair is due to have some reading, stitching and traffic watching.

  Last night I came up with French toast for supper.  For today’s supper . . . I’ve got nothing.

  Be sure to take care of each other as summer has got one more kick in the pants left.  Oh!  That’s not summer . . . my butt cheeks are complaining.

   
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  Noreen 2:01 pm on September 3, 2023 Permalink  

  Sunday, Sunday 

  Hello my Sunday peeps.

  This was a good productive day.  The second string of the deck staining project was on board.

  The 18-wheeler, chicken hauler’s strong arms came into play to help stain the deck boards.  We took turns to allow for coffee drinking.  It worked out great and no one was placed in a spot that had it been necessary to jump off of the deck.  We were done by 9:45 this morning.  Take that for the heat of the day yet to come.

  What remains of our project, are the areas . . . the 2 x 4s under the flat board, aka: the place for my coffee cup to sit upon.  Spots clearly show up that need to have some of the slate-colored stain applied that were missed.

  It never sounded like a wham, bam project.  Oh so many areas that needed covering where spindles were built into the project.  The one gallon pail of stain will suffice and my 1.5″ bush will also make it to the end.  The size of the brush was determined by what my hands could grip comfortably.

  Upon completion for the morning, Dennis decided his eyelids needed to be checked for cracks.  I decided to sit upon my cherry red chair and read.  That was followed by some stitching.

  After the nap was over, Dennis fielded the next project.  The black shutters that are on our house windows seem to have faded.  I didn’t realize it until I compared the south facing windows to the north ones.  The north side’s look as black as the day we put them on.  The south’s side look more like a gray from the hot sun over several decades.  Hmm.  I sense another project.  The shutters on the three south windows will need to be taken off of the house as the slats are not solid.  Besides . . . neither of us are up for being on a ladder.

  For now . . . the quiet of the day is now prevailing.  Sweet!

   
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  Noreen 3:36 pm on September 2, 2023 Permalink  

  Here We Are 

  These days are like a seasonal re-run.

  Staining, stitching and reading right here on Stauffer Avenue.  Nothing can be accomplished if I don’t stick with it.  

  Today the stairs and toe kicks of the deck were stained.  Ugh!  Again with the black flies!  Mouth clinched or they would have flossed my teeth.

  Today there were three needles loaded with embroidery floss that were stitched. 

  Thus far, one chapter of my book has been read.

  It is beyond warm outside.

  I am fixing chicken tenderloins for supper with sides of cottage cheese and jellied cranberries.

  Dennis is manning a load of Curry work clothes in the laundry.  Nothing feels better than tugging on clean clothes every morning.  For myself, I must say there is one pair of pants that is laundered over and over that will take me through this staining process.  The pants are showing the slate black stain, but my shirts . . . not.

  Here is to this three-day-long weekend.

   
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  Noreen 1:42 pm on September 1, 2023 Permalink  

  A Good Thing 

  When I have nothing new to report . . . it’s a good thing.

  All is in a usual and customary routine here on Stauffer Avenue.  Both Dennis and I are staying upright in our activities.  A good night’s rest does wonders for the new dawning days.

  May this brief post find you well and content.

  Catch you tomorrow . . . I am counting on that.

   
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  Noreen 3:53 pm on August 31, 2023 Permalink  

  We are Home 

  We are home from the big town of Mankato.

  The staining of the spindles on the deck steps went well.  The breeze was hard to leave.  I did have an extra cup of coffee before gathering up the phone and the grocery list to head out.

  Dennis now has a product that should work on all sorts of nuisance vegetation that usual weed killing sprays can’t take out.  Before we came home, Dennis gave me a tour of the blue barn acre.  It is showing definite signs that someone is on board in the tidy, tidy.  When I have finished the deck project, I will be on board to lend a hand.

  The traffic going to and from Mankato was a good indication that this is the last summer holiday.  We will be tucked in here on Stauffer Avenue and leave the last of the summer festivities to others.

  My studio does get a brief visit now and then.  Plans have been in place for projects and will be on hold for a bit.  After taking care of that which is needed to maintain our property, there will be many chilly to cold days to stitch to my heart’s content.  Dennis is always on the same page with me.  If repairs are put off, where do you start when it all falls down around you! 

  Nothing more is going to be started for today.  Before we left Mankato, we stopped at Hy-Vee.  There is a rib, mashed potatoes, gravy and corn meal to heat up.  A $6.00 meal that beats a fast food option.

  Perhaps some reading or stitching will close down this Thursday.

   
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  Noreen 3:09 pm on August 30, 2023 Permalink  

  Hump Day 

  It is a day of checks and balances.

  I called our city hall today to find the amount of our currant utility bill.  I know it came in Monday’s mail and today it is missing in action.  I know it was me that is the culprit.  If I do find it, I will fess up to Dennis where I found it.  I also know that the lot behind us has a utility bill in our name, as it has a minimal amount charged as there is a water line to it.  That utility bill was not in Monday’s mail.  As per my phone call to city hall, I have a check written out for both amounts and Dennis will drop said check off at city hall tomorrow.

  My gripe is this . . . I am aware of sorting by name for mailings.  The county does it all the time for our notice of value information, as well as our real estate tax statements.  Our city hall tells me they do not have that ability.  Invariably that second utility bill always comes several days after our first.  Oh well.  That is my bitch for the day.

  My staining of our front deck is going well.  I need to be out staining that which needs me to be facing east before the sun rises over the house roof.  It is impossible to see my hand in front of my face, let alone what needs stain applied to it facing the sun.  Issues, we all have them each and every day.  Generally by ten or ten fifteen, I am washing my brush up for the day.  Tomorrow morning, I will be staining the east spindles going up the steps of the deck.  That will be the last of my rising sun challenges.

  Dennis did mention that after my staining of tomorrow morning, he would like us to go to Mankato.  He has a lead on a liquid product labeled by Bayer as Advanced Brush and Vegetation killer.  It is worth a try.  Dennis used to get a product that the county used in road ditches.  He no longer has those connections and I am sure the user needs to be licensed. 

  I also checked and our funds from the state have not as yet hit our checking account.  As a married couple meeting the income qualifications, it will be $520.00.  I checked on the internet and those that received a tax refund will be the first to have it deposited and paper checks should be completed by the end of September.  It never hurts to check.

  Catch you all tomorrow.