Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 1:45 pm on March 23, 2023 Permalink  

  It is Done 

  At least my portion of the t-shirt quilt top is done.  All in all it went well.  Right now I believe that this was the last king sized top I will make.  Of course, things are always subject to change.

  Dennis helped me fold the ungainly top up.  The pieced top and the fabric I had purchased for the backing is in a bag with handles and Dennis has put it in the car.  Tomorrow. I will be making a trip to Old Alley to let Val work her magic with the long arm.  What a great feeling!  Though I had nothing to prove, when a challenge is met it gives a feeling of a conquest.

  One of the first things I did this morning was to send a birthday greeting to Sharon Skolberg.  A life-long friend that I have no intention of loosing.  Oh for the memories when her and Ted farmed down the road from us to the north.  Orlin and Teddy were both from Hector.  Sharon and I both went to rural schools just a bit distant from each other.  Those memories can become oh so sweet.

  Dennis had a physical therapy appointment this morning and I hunkered down to do some tidy, tidy in the studio and also under the hood of the sewing machine.  Nothing is messier than course cheap t-shirt material.  It is the fuzz that keeps on giving.  When I go into the studio after it has been tidied, it is as if I am the first customer in a new shop.

  I kind of think that my friend Ann is not very interested in becoming a quilter.  First time visit . . . only visit.  She went home with good information plus the fabric for a first time project.  Time will tell.  I have no problem keeping myself busy.

  Supper is to be the last container of the beef vegetable soup I had made in January.  Dennis commented that it needs a bit of a kick on the flavor.  I can do that!

  The next item on the list is to contact Kelly in Bird Island as to when he can fit in servicing my machine,  I make this appointment once a year before Kelly gets busy in the fields.  This checkup is the most important to ensure another year of good stitching.  He updates the firmware and not one lint ball escapes him.

   
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  Noreen 3:19 pm on March 22, 2023 Permalink  

  Winding Down 

  There is an end in the horizon to this stage of the t-shirt quilt top.  Only the top and bottom borders need to be sewn on.  Pressing as I have been going is the ultimate.  My 1962 Mary Proctor ironing board with the 28″ x 52″ topper that Dennis made for me allows this huge project to be manageable . . . to a point.  Nothing has gone amiss and the sewing machine just keeps on.  Sweet.

  I did hear some good news on KNUJ in regard to the legislative session.  The possibility of having social security or a portion of it exempt from income tax is still alive.  The Democrats are fighting it.  Go figure.

  Yesterday while in Hy-Vee, I picked up a meal to go of meatloaf and two dollops of mashed potatoes in a microwaveable tray.  This topped off with a side of cranberries is the perfect meal for us.

  Studio lights are dimmed and soon to be shut off.  

  Sweet dreams everyone!

   
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  Noreen 2:48 pm on March 21, 2023 Permalink  

  Home is Oh So Sweet 

  We have returned from a medical appointment.  All reports were favorable.  We need not return for four weeks.  Sweet!

  I got my grocery list completed.  A fair amount of shoe leather was spent.  One small item: tw0 loaves of our Country Side bread was $5.12.  Here in our local town, each loaf of the exact same is $4.29.

  Dennis went to pick up his pails of shell corn that he had left at the elevator yesterday.  Each time he mentions that when these pails are empty, he is going to stop feeding the deer.  Hmm.  He has watched the deer try and paw through the ice crusted snow and fail.  I will leave that project to Dennis’ own timing.

  Bedtime was nine last night.  I slept hard and soundly.  When I heard the melodic voice calling “Culligan Man” I had quite the start.  I knew the back door was locked last night.  I knew the delivery man was in the house.  I had not heard Dennis get up and he is by no means quiet as he goes about his routines.

  There is no denying that I can wear myself out in the studio.  I so enjoy the challenges.  Yes . . . my body talks to me.  I swear it says, “Keep going, try harder.”  I do become wobbly by nine every night.  I am wobbly when I first get up in the morning.  So you can see that I have a narrower window of opportunity to get things done than in times past. 

  The sun didn’t stay out much today, but we did hit 37 degrees.  It’s a start.

   
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  Noreen 3:41 pm on March 20, 2023 Permalink  

  Thawing 

  The sun is working its powers.

  I made a solo run to Old alley Quilt this afternoon.  The t-shirt quilt top made huge strides today.  Measure once, measure twice.  The realization dawned that I had nothing left for a border to go around it nor for the binding.  The trip didn’t take long as I didn’t let my eyes wonder while I was in the shop.  One project under the needle at a time, especially a 90″ x 108″ . . . for sure a king-sized goodie. 

  I couldn’t believe how broken up highway #4 is.  The worst may yet come.  KNUJ reports that the frost is not very deep.   

  When I got home, Dennis was getting ready to leave.  Tonight is the fish and game yearly fundraising event up town.  It is Dennis’ responsibility to make sure all the kids attending get something to take home.  By the way, he does a great job.  The club usually serves a good lunch.  I am having a bologna sandwich for supper.

  We are happy for the sun’s power.  I think Dennis’ today trip to the elevator for shell corn may be the last.  The woods out east may be able to have something sprouting that could be to their liking.  The deer have had a good run from our yard.  Before Dennis started feeding and the deer came into the backyard, Dennis commented how they had goopy matter in the corner of their eyes, much like cattle when when there is a concern on their feeding ration.  As close as the deer get to the east patio slider, the eyes are clear.

  I must get on with my sandwich and tuning in to a goof PBS television program.

   
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  Noreen 2:36 pm on March 19, 2023 Permalink  

  A Balmy Sunday 

  Does it really feel like 30 degrees?  It might if the wind would go down.

  A dish of chicken parmesan pasta has come out of the freezer for our Sunday supper.  Man oh man.  I wish I had thirty such dishes to pull out of the rabbit’s hat.

  I put in five hours in the studio today.  The electric heater felt good on the legs and feet.  It was the best investment of the winter.  It is three thirty in the afternoon.  I can’t say that five hours wore me out.  What I can share with you is that my left hand has had me hit the back button more than what the right hand has done for errors in spelling.  It is amazing the telltale signs of the stroke.  When I had been making all the bias tape strips, one night I had to get up and take a pain pill.  It was needed to settle down the muscles in the left shoulder.  I had not felt anything at the time I was working my arms.  The body sure can let this ole Grammie know who is boss.

  Last week we had no trips to Mankato for appointments.  This week we have one on Tuesday.  I have a grocery list going.  I am sorry to shop out of town, but our one local option is outrageous in prices.

  I hope everyone has a wonderful week ahead for them.  Spring begins tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 1:46 pm on March 18, 2023 Permalink  

  Brr! 

  This is beyond what we look forward to in the middle of March.  It is downright frigid.

  If nothing else perhaps some of the ice will be gone as it is freeze dries.  We do have a snowbank that looks like it is or was a time capsule.  The layers of this winter’s wonders is very apparent.  

  Today was a studio day.  Nothing newsworthy.  I am gaining on the t-shirt project.  The 16″ blocks have been done well enough that there is creative stitching needed.  The blocks line up perfectly.  Dennis came down to check.  The layout that he and I did has been followed.  All goes well when seam allowances are followed from the get go.

  It is mid afternoon and the studio will be closed down as soon as I check out some items on the internet.

  I have it on good authority Sunday, tomorrow, is supposed to be fairly nice.

   
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  Noreen 1:58 pm on March 17, 2023 Permalink  

  Sun’s Rays 

  The sun’s rays as they are shining onto the south studio’s windows is welcomed.  When Dennis comes and goes from the outside, the cold air from the open doorway sweeps down the steps into the studio.  Talk about a breath of fresh air.

  Yesterday when Dennis was vacuuming the studio floor, he commented how heavy the wand was for my old Filter Queen vacuum.  They made those tools to last.  It is ever so handy to have the Filter Queen handy.  Taking things up and down our steep basement steps is not for the faint of heart.  The weight difference is a lot different than the small shop vac we use on the main floor.

  Though it is not yet three in the afternoon, I have shut down the studio.  As the t-shirt quilt blocks were sewn together, five across, talk about heft when all six rows come together.  There is a limit in what the shoulder and hands should do in each studio session.  The measure tape read 85 inches across.  That will be increasing as two borders will be added.  The orange corner stones that are added as the rows are sewn together really pull it all together.  It is pleasing to the eye.  Once the shape flex is ironed to the t-shirt fabric, there is no stretch left when sewing the blocks together.  Yesterday when I cut all the fabric for the sashing and corner stones, I cut all the fabrics on the length.  There is no stretch on the length of woven fabrics.  At this point, I didn’t want any grief in matching up seams.

  This weekend has some weather issues left.  Sunday may be nice out and then there was mention of freezing rain mid week.  Spring begins on Monday as per the calendar.  Time will tell.

   
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  Noreen 2:02 pm on March 16, 2023 Permalink  

  Is That All? 

  So far this Thursday afternoon, we can say, “Is that all of the storm?”  It has rained with some little ice balls once in awhile.  All the schools have closed pretty much by noon today.  When nightfall comes, things could definitely change.  If there is no snow to speak of, I am sure strong winds could move existing snow onto roadways.

  We were up fairly early today.  My plan was to finish sewing what needed to be done on each of the individual t-shirt blocks.  Dennis said once I was done with making snippets of threads and fuzz he would vacuum the studio.  What a fellow!  Dennis has been very helpful in getting AJ’s project as far along as it is.

  After noon lunch, Dennis and I were both in the studio with cleared off church tables and the thirty quilt blocks.  Putting down the blocks as they will be sewn together is not an easy task.  AJ’s t-shirts to cut up to be used were not very colorful.  The thirty blocks were laid down on the church tables and then the challenge began.  I could not count how many times each of us walked around the tables, moving the blocks around for a semblance of a quilt top.  There is no wrong layout, nor is there a correct layout.  We have agreed.  What there is, is what there shall be.  

  I had mentioned early on that this was not a quilt top for competition’s worth.  AJ had kept his more desirable shirts to wear when he was on his Harley.  I can say that Dennis and I gave it our all.

  I took the time to clean the sewing machine complete with an oil and lube job.  There is a new needle in the machine, a bobbin has been filled and the machine is threaded.  I have the sashing cut to join the rows of blocks.  I can say that that is all for this day.  Tomorrow is another day here in the studio.  It will feel good to come down to a tidied floor.

  We are having chili for supper . . . straight out of the freezer.  Priceless.

  I hope everyone is safe and sound today and for the remainder of this weather threat.

   
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  Noreen 3:31 pm on March 15, 2023 Permalink  

  The Eve 

  This is the eve of our last snow storm.  No . . . I am not putting any money down on that.

  Ann needed to take care of grandchildren today, so her sewing session in the studio is being put off for a week.  Her grandchildren go to Fairmont schools and I have no idea why the school closed at noon.

  I have had a good session in the studio.  I have three more blocks of the thirty to sew on the 1/4 inch border.  At that time I will have sewn 60 yards of the quarter inch embellishment.  Yes, it has been worth it.  Satisfaction is 9/10th of the measure.

  The stitchers were set to meet tomorrow at Baker’s Square, but due to possible weather issues we have postponed that until April 13th.  Wise choice.

  Dennis had an eye injection today at our local eye clinic.  That is one item I am thankful for not having to have done.  He takes it like a trooper.

  This evening we are having Johnsonville brat patties for supper with mashed potatoes and creamed cucumber.  A little variety in the menu.

  I will catch you all tomorrow whether rain showers or snow showers.

   
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  Noreen 1:38 pm on March 14, 2023 Permalink  

  A Tuesday 

  A day when things are looking up.

  First off, Dennis had a good report from the wound doctor at our local physical therapy department.  The wound is looking good with good pink tissue.  Dennis asked if the wound still needed changing every day.  The response: “It is looking so good from what was the onset, why change what is being done.”  That was all I needed to hear from Dennis.  I am on board to a daily change out of the wound dressing.

  I had a great day in the studio.  By two this afternoon I was ready to close down shop.  Of the 30 t-shirt quilt blocks, 19 of them have the quarter inch border sewn in place.  I have all the half inch fabric cut for the remaining 11 blocks.  Many of the sewn blocks need to have the border fabric trimmed down.  When things are going great it is time to take a break before I screw something up.  Dennis came down to check on things.  He is ready to see how these blocks will be aligned one unto another for the total quilt top look.  That may happen this weekend. 

  Tomorrow afternoon, my friend Ann is coming back for another sewing session.  I know myself well enough that that will be the end of the studio time.

  Before I shut all the lights off in the studio today, I need to give my machine some oil and check to see if there is any of the threads and fuzz to be cleaned out as well.

  As wonderful luck would have it, there is one more sunset meal left of the tuna dish.  Sweet.