Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:17 pm on December 27, 2021 Permalink  

  Seeking Energy 

  Today was a day of replacing items that we needed for the two days of Christmas.  The extra chairs are back in the closet, the crock pot is back on its shelf in the basement.  All is well.

  I am seeking some energy to get back into a project or two.  I have had a new 1,000 piece puzzle from Creative Stitches in Bird Island.  Dennis suggested a card table in my west porch bedroom.  I wouldn’t need to worry about getting it bumped if it were on the dining room table.  Just as if I had wiggled my nose, Dennis brought in a round table freshly tidied.  It may take me some time as the puzzle depicts all sorts of sewing supplies.   The porch is a sunny venue with no need of extra lighting.

  For a backup project, I downloaded a project that was shared with me.  It is a min-quilt/wall hanging of summertime fun.  I had the DVD disk from Amanda and the multiple designs are now loaded onto a flash drive ready to put into my sewing machine as needed.  I will be visiting my scrap box to pull fabrics for the variety of blocks to complete this project.   

  I am not saying I am going to jump head first into either of these right now.  As much as I have enjoyed getting the home tricked out with decorations, planning meals, enjoying the company of my children . . . I do need a day or two to rejuvenate.  Humph!  I sure didn’t see that coming . . . Dennis did.  He sees me burning the candle on both ends and knows when it is time to snuff it out.  

  I am prepped and there is something to be said to have the projects at the starting point.  My goodness there is a lot of winter left.  That was evident as last night we had freezing rain that allowed for a covering of snow when all was said and done.  With the bright sun, the driveway is showing bare concrete.

  We have some wonderful leftovers for supper.  I have noticed Dennis has some favorite treats as he passes the dining room table.  So be it!  It can be Christmas for a bit longer.

   
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  Noreen 3:48 pm on December 26, 2021 Permalink  

  Merry Christmas! 

  We Merry Christmas’ d for two days straight.  What a joy!

  Kevin’s came on Christmas day, and pup Kluge had the run of the house.  A great trade off for a meal, cherry pie and treats was that my job jar was empty when they left for the day.  Photo frames were hung level, my office chair got the mechanism replaced and Dennis’ pleather recliner needed a repair on the back rest and arms.  Sweet!  The jobs on Stauffer are not the labor and physical intensity of years prior, but still mean the world to us.  Carrie’s were here today from the metro.

  As both of my children ended 2021 being new owners of their own businesses, there was no shortage of chit chat and questions.  How wonderful and this mom is one proud mom.  The spouses also get support from Dennis and me.  I am praying and pulling for all of them each day.

  I will say that a bit of that and a bit of this from the two day’s meals was tucked away in the freezer for Dennis and me to enjoy after the Christmas days are gone.

  Dennis’ Christmas presents found their homes.  Many different homes to be exact.  In 2010, Dennis started books of the United State’s National Park quarters.  Each year as they were minted, we would get a few select quarters for select states.  2021 we received the last to complete each book.  What a great run and they all found a home.  Dennis’ family celebrated Christmas at Silver Bay, Minnesota.  The quarter books had been sent along for the group when they were together.  Dennis got to firsthand see the enjoyment when Kevin’s and Carrie’s were here yesterday and today.

  Both days, I gave my ole cowboy off from doing dishes.  What helped is that I opted for large oval sturdy paper plates.  I pulled the fragile older person ticket.  As long as the food came out of the oven hot and tasty . . . that was my goal.  There are several cleaned serving dishes that need to be put away.  I can guarantee I will have my feet up before the day gets much older.

  What a wonderful feeling of contentment.  Every last family member was hugged and sent off with me saying to myself, go forth and do as you will to enjoy your health and wellbeing and know that I will do likewise.  Dennis and I do not want to be a worry to our children.  Our job is to take care of each other so family may look forward to come and spend time with us.  

  For myself, I don’t think I am Christmas’ d out yet.  I will sit in the glow of our Christmas tree for quite some time to come.

   
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  Noreen 3:35 pm on December 24, 2021 Permalink  

  The Most Great of All Births 

  This is the eve of the birth of Jesus.  I can only imagine the weariness of the shepherds as they followed the star.  The wise men may have followed their trail, and they came in meekness as they offered their gifts. 

  Today I feel weariness as I prepare my gifts from my kitchen for those that are coming to our humble home.  Having guests on Christmas day as well as the day after does not dim the excitement to make each day special.

  Dennis has been busy making beds in the porch for his kitties.  A remodeling is ensuing.  He felt that they are all getting older and a more substantial basket was needed. The day is gray but the temps are liking the 40s. 

  I am hoping we can do a light supper as this Grammie is “food prepped” out and no, the pie does not get cut into.

  I have sent out greetings to many and this is a Merry Christmas to all.

   
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  Noreen 2:17 pm on December 23, 2021 Permalink  

  It is Getting Closer 

  I believe I can hear jingle bells.  Christmas Eve is just as special as Christmas day.  I am prepared in all aspects.  

  In my preparation I so enjoy a quiet home.  Even the radio can remain silent.  I can only imagine how busy the family is.  It would have been no different when I was working full time.  The days were always too short, the list of things to get done were too long.

  In my days of retirement, I appreciate that I still know what is important to put on a list to keep hearth and home in good stead.  Dennis is right there to help.  The secret is I need to ask.  He can’t read my mind.  My eyesight is unique compared to Dennis’.  I can see a dust bunny at twelve paces.

  I am excited for all and any family time.  It is my time to sit back and take in what has been happening in their days since last we visited.  It will be my children that are coming to our home. 

  Dennis’ children are traveling to Silver Bay to his daughter Susie’s home.  Each year they take turns celebrating in the Mankato area one year and then up north in Silver Bay the next.  Dennis has made it known that we would  not be spending that much time driving on Christmas.  Weather patterns can change as well as road surfaces.  We had goodies that we made sure would be at Susie’s in our absence.

  I can easily remember that my dad would very likely still be finishing up a few things in his workshop right up to the last minute.  Lena would have made sure that her sewing machine would be covered by this date before Christmas.  Her focus would be totally in the kitchen.  I can relate to that.

  My kitchen may be small, but we can still hit it out of the park.  Who wouldn’t want a bit more counter area.  It has been my observation that those that have a larger kitchen also have more clutter in it.  Sending out a thought to my sister-in-law Joann.  Tee Hee.

  Here we are with a temp of 45 degrees.  I love it, and our furnace does also.  It was time for a walk down Stauffer Avenue.

   
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  Noreen 4:17 pm on December 22, 2021 Permalink  

  Dennis’ Day 

  Today we hit the highway for errands that were Dennis-specific.  A perfect travel day.

  The shoppers were everywhere.  We were not in a rush and by taking our time, we did not have any cart tracks over our shoes.

  When Kevin and Kersten were elves taking me to Rochester, we had met Carrie at a Hy-Vee parking lot.  Kevin’s and myself went into Hi-Vee and had lunch.

  Today as we were in the Hy-Vee area, I picked up a few treats for the weekend.  Dennis and I are having a Hy-Vee heat and take . . . Goulash. 

  I am tuckered and will catch you all tomorrow.  Great temps are on the way.

   
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  Noreen 2:26 pm on December 21, 2021 Permalink  

  The Christmas Tree 

  I know several friends that do not put up a Christmas tree.  I would need to be incapacitated severely not to enjoy the magic that a Christmas tree evokes.

  I truly believe the Charlie Brown trees we enjoyed as a child were the best.  The tree had short needles on it as I know the Super Value store in Hutchinson did not have the variety of trees that is now available.  Water the base as we did, did not keep the needles from falling early on.

  Those early Christmas seasons sunk deep into my bones.  I truly believed in the miracle of the baby Jesus and the wonders that his birth brought going forward.  Going forward for me, all the sad times, disappointing times of the year are washed away each Christmas leaving only the best of memories.  The new year starts with a clean slate. 

  Our tree has been up since Thanksgiving.  I plug my Christmas tree in as I walk past it each morning after getting out of the bed and unplug it each night as I walk past it going to bed.  I have no set schedule as to when the ornaments will be carefully tucked away.

  This morning at PT it was decided that my schedule will be going from once a week to once every two weeks.  Every step going forward is a success story in regard to my health.  I am very thankful for my health provider . . . Mike T.

  As near as I can tell, Dennis has been on a nap fest in the patio porch.  Far be it from me to interfere, he must need the rest.  Once I have gotten out of bed in the morning, needing a nap escapes me.  Sleeping until seven or eight might be the reason.

  Find comfort in knowing that Jesus is the reason for the season.

   
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  Noreen 2:21 pm on December 20, 2021 Permalink  

  A Sunny Monday 

  All is better when the sun shines and there are some determined birds singing in the evergreen outside my bedroom window. 

  Today was catchup time for me to make several phone calls with Christmas wishes.  A cousin on my dad’s side of the family and an aunt that was married to my dad’s brother burned up a few minutes on my phone.  My aunt is from Fairfax and she could relate to where Kevin’s automotive shop is on one of Fairfax’s main streets.  Small world.  After that I was reminded to purchase air time for the phone.  We have dropped our land line and we rely on it for many reasons.  I purchase air time once a year. 

  Do any of you happen to have a cup with pencils and pens in it?  I went through three such cups in various places in the house.  I sure lightened the load of pens that had long since dried up.  That being done, it also concluded the last of the housekeeping that took place around my HP desk.  The fairly small desk is where I have my command center for all of our personal business.  That tells you how little business us two older ones have to keep track of.  Sweet!

  There is a tool in our kitchen that we would not part with.  I am surprised that Kevin has any hearing left.  Every time we use it we say “Thank You, Kevin!” I am sure he gets a ringing in his ears.  Where Kevin found it, I have no idea.  I do know that he listens when we converse.  This wonderful tool will open a quart sized lid as well as a pill cap.  Without it, we would need to have store clerks open our containers, after the purchase, before we left the stores.  This gadget stays right at our finger tips in the kitchen.  Sweet!

  Another item from that same source is my car’s steering wheel spinner.  It is not large and I assume it is legal.  It also does not have the image of a naked lady on it as I remember some spinners did in the 50s.  It clamps onto the steering wheel in what would be the lower of the northwest portion.  Since the stroke has left my left hand a bit slow with limited power, this does the trick of me not having other car horns going off as taking corners while driving was slow.  One more time . . . Sweet!

  How could life on Stauffer Avenue not be good!  All that remains is finishing some items on the grocery list for the weekend.  When the sun shines, we oft forget to look at what the temps are outside.  It’s a good thing.

   
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  Noreen 4:03 pm on December 19, 2021 Permalink  

  Sunday the 19th 

  The chill of days gone by is now a sun-filled sky with temps at 31 degrees.  A roller coaster to keep us guessing.  

  Today I did an obligatory load of laundry so my PT uniform is ready for Tuesday.  It is a softer than soft, washed out pair of yoga pants and a shirt that mirrors it.  Nothing harsh or stiff.  I also caved and made an oven dish for supper.  It beats the last ditch efforts.  Dennis is a creature of habit.  Dennis likes a hot meal for supper . . . and who allowed that habit to build over decades of time?  Me!  I have no bitches coming . . . but . . . sometimes I like to stomp my imaginary foot.

  My heart always enjoys a visit to the studio where I can be whoever I want to be.  Today I enjoyed a muffin taken out of the freezer, a cup of cold coffee and Christmas music on the radio.  I dug around and found several more zippers I could use to make the cork zippered “what nots.”  

  I got out an arsenals of scissors and cutting tools ready to find out which would work best for cutting out the narrow strip of cork for the zipper to be put into.  The tool that worked the best, the one closest to the bottom of the photo, is a spring loaded snippers that was sold as a tool for making rag flannel quilts.  The snipper is sharp right to the tip for making a clean curve of a cut on the cork.  For the rag flannel quilts, all the seams of the flannel squares were on the outside and this tools snipped into the seams.  The quilt was then washed and dried and the seams became fuzzy shreds.  Flannel loves to ravel.  Sister Elvera found out that the clothes drier got very very hot with all the loose shredded threads . . . very hard on the heating element. 

  I managed to putz the afternoon away.  The days end well when I have something tangible to show for my time.  In total I do have four of the zippered cases done.  Working with this small project wet my whistle and I may attempt something larger and more complex with the cork fabric.  Even to not decided is to have decided.

   
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  Noreen 3:22 pm on December 18, 2021 Permalink  

  Christmas is Near 

  The older I become, the faster Christmas sneaks up on me.  I remain totally committed to enjoy every Christmas song.  Even when the radio is not on, I am humming to myself.  Today, Christmas Eve Day is in seven days.  My days now are quite different from when Kevin and Carrie had Christmas church programs on Christmas Eve.  I often think I should prepare two brown paper bags loaded with apples, oranges, nuts, candy and have them sitting on our table on Christmas Eve. It would be exactly as were passed out decades ago when all the children filed out of the church proper after their program.  The church elders did a great job.  After the participants of the program were out, the elders went through the entire church giving out bags to children from infant to high schoolers.  Hmm. Memories!

  Saturday work is instilled in my bones.  Guess what . . . it has rubbed off onto Dennis!  We have a rather large refractory Oak table.  It has pullout leaves on each end allowing for up to eight to sit around it comfortably.  No one likes someone else’s elbow to hit their arm when there is a fork of mashed potatoes ready to find its target.  Recently, we realized there was a buildup of Murphy’s wipes: aka, wax on the table top. 

  Today while I was working in the kitchen and bathroom, Dennis was armed with a bottle of Formby’s furniture cleaner.  His strong 18 wheeler days of chicken loading arms make mine pale in comparison.  Top to bottom, from end to end the table got a fantastic cleaning.  We thought back when we had purchased the table and four chairs at a garage sale in Butterfield for $25.00.  We had a fellow in town replace the top with a new sheet of quarter-sawn oak.  Perhaps a bit too large for our home, but we do use it every day and enjoy it.

  The air is damp with stray snow flakes flying intermittently.

  Both of us are quite pleased with ourselves after a day of due diligence.  We are off the clock for the remaining hours of this Saturday.  Shh!  We are not as yet discussing supper options.  No elderly people will go to bed hungry during the interim.

   
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  Noreen 3:29 pm on December 17, 2021 Permalink  

  Raw Air 

  As I shook several rugs out I couldn’t believe how raw the air felt.  I took the broom out and worked at getting some of the pine needles and pine cones away from the back door that is on the east side of the house.  The evergreen tree is on the northwest corner of our home.  Winds have a way of decorating.  I couldn’t help but notice how much dirt has parked itself on the house siding.  Again . . . a present from the howling winds of Wednesday night.

  It was time for hair cuts at the Curry Comb this afternoon.  There were wings of hair sticking out here and there.  Some mornings are challenging enough without bed-hair that can only be controlled by sticking my head under the kitchen faucet and grabbing a brush.

  It is a dose of reality when I am reminded that Christmas is eight days away.  We are not in a panic as Dennis knows no one goes away from our home hungry.  I may have a bit of a job jar handy as well.  I hope no one puts stress upon themselves.  The reason for the season is the birth of our Savior Jesus.  Anything else is secondary.

  The weekend is right around the corner.  For Dennis and myself we need to remind ourselves what day of the week it is.  We have been known to have lost a day or two and then scramble to check our cell phones.

  Supper is chicken titties, carrots and mashed potatoes.  Stay comfortable as our bodies acclimate to the real deal . . . winter.