Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:08 pm on November 26, 2025 Permalink  

  My Days 

  Sometimes my days are overwhelming.  I know what I can do to keep our home running.  I am one individual needing to be the responsible one for the two of us.  It may seem at times that I am loosing.  I may loose a battle, or more than one, but I intend on winning the war.

  I have never been 89, that is where Dennis is at.  I have never allowed myself to not be in the present.  Hey, how would it feel to be me, myself and I!  I didn’t sign up for that.  I see each day clearly and what that day entails.  I don’t know how mindsets erode.  I don’t care to know.  I know that I feel very strongly in doing the best I can each day and I will stand up for “that best” and suffer the consequences. 

  So that’s enough about that.

  In the studio this morning, I brought forth three projects that I will be working on.  I started two of them some time ago.  Lena started her project decades ago.  I wish I knew how she intended it to be finished.  I am and will leave them setting on the church tables so when I look at them, they will need to be dealt with.  No additional material is needed, just puzzling them over and over in my mind until the lightbulb flashes.  In part that is what keeps me going . . . never being without something challenging to do. 

  When the challenging things can be set aside, I have my quiet hand stitching to become enmeshed in.  I love it.  I love a balanced day.

  The wind did howl last night.  Every once in awhile a gust of wind made the awning on the west side of the house buck, aka: my bedroom porch, but not enough to keep me awake.     

  This afternoon our drive is bare and dry, but make no mistake, Winter is here.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:28 pm on November 24, 2025 Permalink  

  Busy Grammie 

  No getting up at eight for me this morning.  I was having a cup of coffee by seven.

  Once a year our car is serviced whether it needs it or not at Chuck Spaeth in New Ulm.  Our 2012 vehicle with 86,000 miles gets an oil change and a checkup.  I was at the appointment by 10 this morning.  All checked out good and I was home by 11:30.  A good feeling that we have a viable vehicle that is road ready if needed for however far the trip is needed.

  After checking in with Dennis I was at the dining room table making out a grocery list for this Thursday and also for this Sunday.  As I drove out of New Ulm I had glanced at the Hy-Vee parking lot.  Bumper to bumper.  I wanted to shop at our local grocery store as I know right where everything is at.  With Dennis behind the wheel our first stop was at Lewis Drug for my prescription of Tramadol.  A one month refill as requested.  The arthritis and I are appreciative of its relief that it can bring.  The allotment is three 50mg tablets per day.  I did not take one before leaving home this morning.  I chose caution when driving out of town.

  Our grocery store was just as busy as New Ulm’s had been in relationship to our population.  I checked my list twice.  My carry-out person, James Mitchell, knows just where to find the cowboy in the little red pickup.  He was already coming back into the store as I was coming out.  His birthday is this Saturday and I gave him a birthday hug.  It took me longer to leave the store as I greeted Dee in the bakery department.  Her husband was taken to the Sleepy Eye memory unit this summer.  Dee is the same age as I am and she was waiting for a hug.  It’s been difficult for her adjusting and taking over the needs of her rural home.  My last stop in the store was Brenda in produce.  Her husband was injured at the Swift plant here in town, lunch meat processing plant.  He is paralyzed from the neck down, a patient in our local hospital, awaiting a second hopeful surgery in Mankato.  Dennis people watches as he knows I will be making my rounds inside the store before I get to the little red pickup for a ride home.

  Dennis and I are going to the newly re-opened Home Town Cafe for supper.  A new owner with a new menu.  It needs the communities support.

  Dennis and I are having a thankful week.

  With that I will take my leave. ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:12 pm on November 23, 2025 Permalink  

  The Sun 

  The bright sun on this mid-November Sunday sets the pace of the day.

  I did putz around in the studio until noon.  I always enjoy listening to the church radio on KNUJ.  As I putzed I did get the last of the eight little pillows stuffed and sealed.  I can no longer do the fine stitching to enclose the batting into said pillows.  I knew some sewists filled the pillows by cutting a slit into the backing fabric and after filled to their desire would then either by sewing or gluing an attractive patch onto the backing.

  I have found that leaving the opening to the bottom of each project works for me.  After front and back are sewn together, I press the seam allowance with steam.  The pillows are then filled.  The pressed seam allowance presents itself for gluing along the pressed edge with the slightest amount of glue using a toothpick.  My quilting clips have very sharp needle edges to clamp a 1/16th of the front to the backing.  It is quick drying and permanent.  I find this finish to satisfy a clean tidy closure.

  The trim that I ordered on, I think yesterday, from Amazon was delivered this noon.  That will be the rest of the story.  I know at one time Kevin ordered a lamp for me and let me know it would be coming.  When I called him to let him know it was here, he couldn’t believe it as he had ordered it the day before.  Sometimes the quick delivery is astonishing.

  At noon with light jackets we did what may be the last of the sweeps of our backyard to pick up some sticks that had found their way downward.  They were dead before they hit the ground.  Dennis made a small fire in the fire ring and short order was made of them.  I have thought it before, but I do think that is the last time for 2025 yard work.

  My cousin Mark Wendlandt called yesterday for a visit.  Nothing but a heartfelt visit . . . it was a good visit.  Carrie and Mark are very close in age.  He is my youngest cousin.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:24 pm on November 22, 2025 Permalink  

  Saturday the 22nd 

  The sun is extremely bright.  As I am working on this posting, I am sitting under a cardboard type umbrella so I may see my laptop screen.  As it’s just about three, I don’t have long before the sun has an angle to the southwest of my bedroom porch windows.

  I am on a roll in the studio.  Ten years or so ago when I got my sewing machine I was enthralled what could be obtained to embroider.  Some designs I purchased and had never stitched.

  What I am doing in the studio is stitching out one of those collections that have been waiting for ten years.  It is a series of eight depicting the Christmas story.  All of the designs are about 4″ x 4″.   My next trip was to my tote that had the blue hues.  At the bottom was a yardage I had bought many more than ten years ago.  It resembles a lightweight denim with gold metallic threads running through it. I know it was purchased in St. Cloud in the fabric shop behind the mall.  At the time it was being cut off of the clearance bolt, I was asked what I was going to do with it.  Hmm.

  This week I knew exactly what I would be using a portion of it for.  I am making eight little pillows out of the denim like fabric.  The majority of the designs are done using gold metallic thread, the remainder is stitched with a gold  rayon blend thread.  As of this afternoon I have six of them stitched, made into a pillow with the adequate stuffing.  It has been a busy week in the studio.

  As I was stuffing them I began taking in what I had in the studio for them to find a home in.  What had been housing Carrie’s Barbie dolls, a wicker type of purse/picnic tote is now home for the Christmas pillows.  The Barbie dolls are now housed in a shoe box and labeled.

  I am going to put gold trim around them.  I had the perfect trim . . . all six inches of it  With the trim in front of me, I found the identical trim on Amazon.  December 5th, I will be doing the finish on these pillows.  Mission completion.  I am thrilled, content and happy.

  On a sad note, Dennis seldom inquires about the studio work.  When I could go on and on about it, I see the glazed look that takes over.  That’s alright.  I am not doing this for anyone else but myself.  Inquisitive minds, make for curious minds and all that equals a healthy mind. 

  With that I will take my leave.♥

   
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  Noreen 3:23 pm on November 21, 2025 Permalink  

  Quilt Book 

  A time back, I had mentioned that I need to get a quilt book from Amazon.  That may seem counter-productive as I have a tote of such books heading to the recycling bin.  In early spring, I had cut all the fabric from my stashes.  Cut fabrics that could only be sewn up with a specific pattern in a special book.  

  When I had sought the book, my choice, giving the name of the book and the author, was a used book in fair condition.  The price would be $3.00 plus tax.  It would be coming from a Goodwill store in California.  It did come just as my receipt stated.  The book is in pristine condition.  With tax it was $6.30.  The original label on the book was that Hobby Lobby had carried it at some time for the price of $18.00.

  I had to have a conversation with Dennis about the book.  No, it was my curiosity that fed the conversation.  The process of Amazon acknowledging my request and using some computer generated process to find it in a Goodwill on the west coast . . . how does that all happen?  I would love to be a mouse in the warehouse where this all transpires. 

  Dennis finds the entire Amazon shopping a good thing.  He realizes that burning shoe leather seeking and finding the items we use is no longer in our wheelhouse.  The angst of frustration might well be felt on his shoulders, put there by me.  Being predominantly a hermit that is housebound allows everything here on Stauffer Avenue to run just as smoothly as it did before I had had the stroke . . . via Amazon.

  The package that was delivered this last Sunday for $89.00 and some odd cents contained eight items I was using in the studio.  My efforts in the studio didn’t miss a beat.

  I am a happy and contented hermit in our home.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥ 

   
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  Noreen 3:20 pm on November 20, 2025 Permalink  

  A Positive 

  Oh yes, there is a positive to cloudy gray days.  As I stitch in my bedroom porch, I am facing south.  When the bright sun comes in for quite a few hours it prevents me from seeing my stitching, the printed pattern and the lap top screen.  Makes me feel as blind as a bat.  I have not contemplated any type of an installed shade.  What does work is a piece of carboard the same size as the window sash.  I can easily whip it in place when needed.  Easily accomplished.  On gray days the piece of cardboard is not needed.  Sweet.

  Tuesday, I had received a text that my friend Judy Friesen was not doing well.  This morning, her daughter had put on Facebook that she had passed.  Judy had been the assessor in Brown County.  Judy and I were the same age.  Macular degeneration is nothing to fool with.  Judy had been blind for the last eight years.  She was forced to live in a separate housing unit in Mankato than her husband’s due to his often dismissal of her and not being able to defend herself.   Yes, law enforcement and a restraining order.  Very sad.  Judy deserved better.   

  I count my blessings everyday.  Dennis and I have a safe and cozy home.  Respecting each other and understanding the shortfalls we may each have.  All is well with my soul.  That’s all I have say about that.

  This evening, Dennis will be having a Marie Callender supper meal of his choice.  I will be enjoying a salad of my choice.  It all works out perfectly.  The quality of those types of meals has so much improved from the 60s.  Even the pot pies of Maria’s have found their way into our freezer and onto our table at times.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:24 pm on November 19, 2025 Permalink  

  Wednesday the 19th 

  First things first.  My day today feels so much more settled than yesterday did.  It’s a good thing.

  Today is Nicholas’ 18th birthday.  He along with the rest of his senior class from the Christian high school he attends, left for the Dominican Republic for a mission week.  He will be coming home on the 25th.  Megan’s class did like-wise when she was a senior.

  A call to my Aunt Janet last night found her for the most part well.  Janet has been an avid reader all of her adult 93 years.  She is going to find out all of the details of the audio book from the library as her eyes struggle reading even the large print books.  I offered commiseration.  There is ten years between the two of us.

  I had a good session in the studio this morning, right into the early afternoon.  I made sure I honored a request from Dennis before I came upstairs: older fabric coverings for the kitty pillows in the garage porch.  I had saved terrycloth tablecloths from eons ago.  They had been in service in the attic to cover items. As I had washed them and tucked them in a tote in the studio, telling me I must have lightened a bit of a load in the attic.

  My eye doctor called me this afternoon, personally, to allow me to know all the computer read tests for glaucoma, and retina health were in the positive.  Good news.  I already have a May 14th 2026 appointment set up.  First heath appointment on the books for 2026.  No . . . that’s not right.  January 6th and 19th will be my annual cardiac appointments. 

  Monday, the 24th, at 10:45, I will be in New Ulm for the car’s oil change and a good check-over.  The long range weather looks favorable.

  The poor man’s oven dish of Monday night was met with favorable comments.  We took off last night to finish off the left-overs.  Tonight we will get the job done.  Waste not, want not.

  On a dreary day such as today, it is my job to make my own sunshine.  Mission completion.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:12 pm on November 18, 2025 Permalink  

  A Notch 

  A notch on the belt for another task taken care of.  The Eye Clinic of St. James was my destination at 10:15 this morning.  My exam was not completed until 12:10.  Every check possible was done.  Bummer, I do need stronger lenses.  I didn’t hesitate.  My eyesight is the one portion of my health that I want to keep at 20/20, bar any more serious situations.

  When I came out of the clinic, the air was a darn-site chillier.  We did have a good rain that began at bedtime last night and carried through to a drizzle this morning.

  The studio is staying dark for this afternoon.  Having had my eyes dilated earlier in the day, it wouldn’t be wise to do close work until the eyes are back to normal which seems to take longer the older I get.  That also takes out reading or hand stitching.  There is a morrow coming to enjoy all of it.

  My next appointment will to New Ulm to have the car serviced.  The last time I visited there was last year about this time.  Had I put on 3,000 miles in this year . . . no.  It’s just a good maintenance thing for a general check-over.

  Surprisingly, there have been several people that Dennis and I know, that have had a Covid experience and had been quite ill.  Hmm.  I like the fact that neither of us venture into large crowds or unknown territory.

  KMS – Call NLC

   
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  Noreen 2:58 pm on November 17, 2025 Permalink  

  Brisk 

  It did feel brisk outside this afternoon.

  KNUJ was keeping me informed where a rain shower might be.

  Oh my gosh!  This morning as we were getting up at eight, I heard a lawnmower.  It was Jan mulching out their leaves and ours.  What an elf!

  I spent time in the studio trying out a design with metallic thread.  The top thread broke several times before I hunted down a needle for metallic threads.  Again, several times the top thread broke.  There are three different spindles for the thread to be fed to the tension disks.  Spindle one and two . . . the top thread broke.  Spindle three was the winner.  The small design stitched out so well, I did a second design.

  Dennis took note that Jan had left with her gray car.  That gave the two of us time to take our prepared “door knocker” over to her back door.

  Jan has helped out with picking up blown down branches to put in either our burn ring or hers.  The leaves of this season have been mulched to the nth degree.  Dennis got a Casey’s card and we attached it to an embroidered Christmas towel complete with a ribbon to hang it from her inside door handle.  Good deed done for the many of Jan’s good deeds.

  The air is brisk.  We are having a poor man’s oven meal.  A bag of prepared shredded seasoned potatoes, sell by date November 18th, with a thawed container of meat-heavy chili mixed in.  I am tempted to put some, whatever I find in the refrig, shredded cheese over it.

  With that I will take my leave.

   
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  Noreen 3:18 pm on November 16, 2025 Permalink  

  Gray Clouds 

  Intermittent gray clouds shoving the sunshine out.  It was expected.

  Dennis and I both slept hard last night.  Dennis doing a bit in the garages allowing for things that will change once there is ice and snow being drug in on the tires.  I had chased lint and dust bunnies on the first floor with our little shop vacuum.  Even the Swiffer pads do not pick up the fine lint as well as that vacuum.  We have a second such vacuum in the garage.  Dennis made sure we had two replacement filters on hand.  The wand is long enough that I can shove the attachment that is on the wand far enough under the beds to reach the far walls . . . bend and stretch.  Each of the rooms were tidied.  I did not get to dusting the flat surfaces in the living room.  I saved that for another day.  Dennis’ bedding was swapped out yesterday as was mine.  It was a lot of activity along with all that the day had entailed on its own.

  This afternoon I had quite a bit for the recycling bin as I had been in the studio.  Having a printer in the studio, I had accumulated many stitching and quilting patterns that I would see on various sites.  Hit the little black button and the patterns were there for possible future projects.  Reality does hit home.  As the quilt tops I sew are donated to our church, I don’t vary the log cabin design other than the colorways.  Been there and done the challenging patterns.  

  My hand stitching is a rather complicated one.  Lots of little dots in black and white on the paper pattern.  There too, I don’t save the patterns of that that has been finished.  I know I will not repeat them.

  The week poses no appointments for us, always a good thing.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥