Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:51 pm on April 28, 2022 Permalink  

  April Showers 

  After many months of doctor appointments heading to Mankato, Today Dennis wanted to run an errand . . . to Mankato.  I was invited along for the ride.  I enjoyed watching people as I waited in the pickup outside C&S.

  My stop was Hy-Vee.  Part of my breakfast includes sugar-free applesauce over my flax meal over some cottage cheese.  I top it off with a few blueberries and a few raspberries.  I can no longer handle a large jar of applesauce so the six-pack of individual servings suit me just fine.   Yes, there is a price for convenience.  Here in St. James a pack of six is $3.69.  Today I paid $2.50 per pack.  Needless to say I have enough to last a while.  Seeing as this was a road date, we enjoyed some doughnut balls and a cup of coffee from Hy-Vee on the way home.

  On the way home it rained so hard coming out of Lake Crystal heading west, Dennis had the hazard lights on as well as the headlights.  I don’t think we got all that much here in St. James.  We can usually tell by the sidewalk if there has been garden debris that has washed over.

  I did get a few licks in down in the studio this morning.  I have scraps cut for 19 pineapple log cabins.

  Dennis had a good checkup at the VA Clinic this morning.  We have a new VA Clinic being built across the street from our clinic and hospital.  That will be ready by 2023.  Dennis has commented that St. James VA serves 2,300 veterans from the southern portion of the state and also into Iowa and into South Dakota.  The older veterans aren’t getting any younger and the younger veterans coming back from the Iraq era, need just as much help with possibly more severe situations.  Dennis’ era didn’t have the survival rate due to lack of triage available.   

  We are heading towards a quiet weekend.  Goodie, goodie.

   
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  Noreen 11:51 am on April 27, 2022 Permalink  

  Best Shot 

  As I have been working on the next block of my crazy project, I did really take my time in pinning seam allowances.  I gave it my best shot.  I do see some signs of improvements from the finished burgundy block to the brown block.  As it were, I ran out of bobbin thread.  That was also my cue to clean under the hood.  I could not believe the mess of fuzz and lint.  This pattern called for using cotton thread.  What I was using was the cotton thread, the brand Aurafill, the thread that Old Alley sells.  I had heard that cotton thread acts that way and for the most part, I sew with Isacord.  That is the brand that Bernina packages in the sewing machines when purchased.  It is not cotton.

  The project I am working on is not up for any consideration such as Best of Show.  I wound the bobbin with Isacord and threaded the machine with it as well.  The next time the bobbin runs out, it will be interesting to see what is under the hood.

  Back to my two finished blocks.  I can say that these two blocks were the most challenging in regard to the amount of individual fabric pieces.  I have been turning the pages of patterns . . . one at a time.  Won’t I be surprised with what may be ahead.  For me it’s not about the perfect stitch.  This project is to keep my left arm and hand engaged in activity.  During the many days of Dennis’ doctor appointments, by the end of those days my left hand would be a tight fist.  The stroke wanted back what it had dealt me in 2/2021.  There is much to be said for the fact that if you don’t use it, it will be lost.  I do look forward to my own version of PT in my studio . . . a bit every day.  It’s not about the quality nor the quantity . . . it’s about me trying.  The old adage . . . you can’t fail if you don’t try.

  It is so cloudy out the birds have called off their tweeting.

   
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  Noreen 2:00 pm on April 26, 2022 Permalink  

  Trains 

  I could not believe it!  Between 2:30 a.m. and 4 a.m. there were three trains that went through town during the early morning hours.  The train tracks are only a block north of us.  The trains have to blow their horn when they are traveling across a street intersection.  With the strong north winds, they sounded as if they were right outside the house.

  There was a huge noise on the street right outside my bedroom at 2:30 this morning that had me wide awake.  I got up and looked out the window.  The neighbors across the street were putting out their garbage for the morning pick-up and it apparently took two to do it and they were having a loud conversation.  I was so wide awake I actually thought about getting up and calling it a night.  I think it was the third train whistle and the noise of the rumbling train cars that lulled me back to sleep.  I did sleep until eight this morning.  I decided I would put in a full day and be ready for bed this evening.

  On a happy note, the kitty that had been AWOL was home by nine last night.  Dennis had to make one more check and when he opened the back door, even I could hear from the living room as Honey Bunny let out a loud MEOW!  Today Dennis reported she hasn’t been out of her basket all day.  Just tuckered out from being on her own the previous night.  Those patio porch kids have Dennis wrapped around their paws.  That’s not all bad.  

  With a run to Lewis Drug, Dennis came home with three prescription refills: one for me and two for Dennis with with a total of $7.34 spent.  Sure can’t beat that.

  The kitchen was turned over to the ole cowboy today and we have an oven dish to pop into the oven for today’s supper.  There is another thing you can’t beat.  Dennis enjoys having one hot meal a day and from the looks of the round blue speckled roaster . . . he, we will be guaranteed that hot meal for at least three suppers.

  I checked out the backyard this morning.  The Bleeding Heart perennials are up as well as the Star of David plants.  The Star of David plants are up early and after they bloom, the greenery dies back.  As in last year, I will tend to what comes up on its own.  I will not be purchasing any annuals or potted plants that require a lot of watering and fertilizer as it gets warmer out.  The beautiful flowering potted plants will not continue blooming without a lot of fertilizer.  Our city has huge blooming pots hanging from the street lights as it gets nice out, every week there is a pickup with a tank to water them.  You can see that the tank has fertilizer in the water.  Good old Miracle Grow.  In the heat they get watered several times a week to keep them going.  

  I have had a great run of a yard full of plants in times past.  I do know that I have limits.  Hmm.

   
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  Noreen 2:19 pm on April 25, 2022 Permalink  

  Same Old 

  The temps are cold and the north winds make it feel colder still.  Same old, same old.

  By noon the second bed had freshly laundered bedding on it.  Of course the Swiffer found plenty dust bunnies under the bed.

  Dennis has one kitty that has gone AWOL.  It is the oldest, Honey Bunny.  She was a kitten in the spring of 2009.  She missed curfew last night. When I look out the east bathroom window, Dennis is looking towards the east, hoping to see her trotting home.  The day isn’t over yet.   

  With KNUJ on in the studio, I pecked away on the next nine 3.5″ each pieced block.  I am really taking it slow to prove to myself I can get this batch better than the last.  It need not be perfect but I still need to try.  I had completed the first round of sewing and decided to hit the west porch and do some reading.  It gave me a chance to watch traffic in between turning the pages.

  As I looked through the windows and took in the tree tops, there is the slightest hint and tinge of green in the densest of the trees.  Spring will not be detoured.  Ready or not . . . Mother Nature will have her way.

  Dennis came in at noon and had to comment on how wonderful it felt to not have to hit the highways this week.  Since the January 21st surgery on his left foot, Dennis can actually feel his foot.  The three veins that were opened up are pumping blood to that foot.  Healing the incision can’t be far behind.  That is the best news ever.

  We are having chicken titties, mashed potatoes, corn and cranberries for supper.  That is another thing I have noticed in Dennis.  With the sinus infection and the pneumonia beat, he has an appetite.  What a great way to welcome spring.

   
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  Noreen 3:30 pm on April 24, 2022 Permalink  

  Goodbye Spring 

  Unbelievable winds again today.  Earlier, I did see a kiddy pool flying south down Stauffer.  I hope the kids that used it yesterday didn’t have a huge attachment to it.

  Dennis visited the studio this afternoon.  He looked over the situation.  I had the color photo of my latest project lying beside my block that I had finished yesterday.  The cowboy logic had this to offer . . .  perhaps the original project used all sorts of colors and prints together in a single block as to throw on-lookers off track so as to not see imperfections.  Wouldn’t ya know it . . . a lot of truth in that thought.  At that, Dennis was off to the patio porch.  I may have to think on that logic going forward.  All that I got done after that visit was to pin the next nine block in a semblance of order so they are ready to go under the needle.  That might happen tomorrow. 

  One of the two beds now has fresh linens on it for this evening’s rest.  Tomorrow the second bed gets stripped.  Doing both on the same day is too much for this grammie.  I do have to know when to hold it and when to fold it . . . literally. 

  I thought for sure, the furnace would get a furlough . . . not!  The temps are going to take a swing on the cool side for the better part of this next week.  I will say that the Lilacs are done being screwed with.  The tips of the branches have tiny little green buds.  Last year we received a late rain that turned to ice about this time of the spring and we had no lilac blossoms.  Time will tell . . . just like it always does.

  If I sit still for too long today, the lull of the roaring winds could put me to sleep, so I have kept moving.  I am not a daytime napper.  I am still doing my nine p.m. bedtime.  I may not fall asleep right away, but the body feels good stretching out and I am then ready for the next day after a good night’s rest.

   
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  Noreen 2:09 pm on April 23, 2022 Permalink  

  Hang on to Your Britches 

  Oh my goodness what a hot wind.  I need to say hot as it is 72 degrees with 28-30 MPH winds from the south.  This is way too much of a temperature change.  I checked the radar and the good thing is there are no storms indicated . . . as yet.  There were still remaining some pine cones at the top of the evergreen on the northwest corner of the house.  They do not stand a chance with his howler.

  I was happy to hear that the well that was found under Kevin’s shop floor may soon be able to be filled in after the building inspector visits next week.  Talk about scary things in older buildings.

  Today I spent in the studio with thread and fuzz.  Nothing strenuous with plenty of breaks to keep up with what Dennis was doing.  Dennis runs his vacuum six out of seven days in his patio porch.  With spring coming the three kittens will spend more time outside and not be shedding so much on the green carpet.  Dennis can only hope.

  As I finished a 9.5 x 12.5 block on my latest project, I knew taking the photo would hurt a bit as the errors in seaming jump right out.  Hey . . . there are 204 separate fabric pieces in this block and some seemed to have a mind of their own.  When doing a pieced project with larger pieces of fabric, the grain of the material can be honored.  Lengthwise grain sewn on to likewise length grain, etc.  With a jumble of scraps on the sewing table it is just that . . . a jumble.  I am quite sure as this project continues there will be additional times when I sit back and shake my head.  I chose a theme of like background fabric with various hues of the burgundy to finish each 3.5″  block.  Later on there is another such block, made up of nine 3.5″ blocks using the same pattern.  It will be 9.5″ x 9.5″.  I will again use the same background fabric with hues of browns to finish them.  This project will be plenty busy as it is without each 3.5 block using multiple colors.  I really have a hard time being that bifurcated in mixing prints and colors.

  It’s time to do a bit of cleaning of the kitchen, bath and entry floors.  I drag thread up from the studio and I am beyond having to take off shoes every time Dennis or I come in from outside.  It’s not like we are tracking in mud from the plow fields.

  See you Sunday!

   
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  Noreen 1:23 pm on April 22, 2022 Permalink  

  Wet Day 

  I heard it raining during the night and it has proved to be damp all day with bouts of rain.

  Yesterday when I got home, there had been a huge empty box delivered by our postman.  We needed to package up all of Mediacom’s Tivo boxes, electrical cables and remotes from the television cable service.  The best part was a postage free label.  We had promised ourselves as soon as the rain showers gave us a break, the box would in in the post office building.  Yup . . . we got it done. 

  Yesterday at our stitcher’s luncheon we shared ideas of threads and fuzz.  This afternoon I made myself a sample of a block that Lu had shared.  I may not get at this pattern for a while, but at least I have the basics of it within a sewn block for reference.

  I have been getting updates from Kevin on the project of the cement that needs to be removed for the site of the new hoist that will be installed.  It has been a long awaited improvement to his shop in Fairfax.  This would have been a day that my dad would have been right there taking it all in, especially when there was a 21 foot deep well that was discovered underneath the existing concrete floor.  My prayer was for safety as the day progressed.

  As we have Dennis’ leftover oven dish for supper, I am heading back to the studio to pick up on my project that has been patiently on the back burner.

   
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  Noreen 3:16 pm on April 21, 2022 Permalink  

  Spring is Here! 

  What a great bright day!  Though we have been on a wild ride with Dennis’ doctor appointments . . . today I ran away from home and went right back to Mankato to enjoy lunch with the stitchers.  There were seven of us that stuck our feet under a round table at Baker’s Square and exchanged the latest and greatest of the thread and fuzz world.  It is so much more fun than sitting in a doctor’s office or the waiting room of a hospital.  

  As much fun as this monthly luncheon was, I am thrilled that we have nowhere to go for the next two weeks.  There truly is no place like home. 

  One more visit from Mason tomorrow as he needs to caulk around the walk-in shower unit now that the new sheetrock has been painted.

  There may be some sticks that need picking up in the yards.  With the new 1/2 inch of rain the green of the grass is most welcoming.  How soft the yards are will be the determining factor as to when they get picked up and when we start a small bonfire.

  When I got home, Dennis had a tuna, peas and pasta oven dish ready for a 325 degree oven.  Sweet!

   
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  Noreen 3:32 pm on April 20, 2022 Permalink  

  Lord, Lordy 

  It is four in the afternoon and we are home!  The bestest news is that Dennis’ angiogram was a success. 

  When the surgeon showed me the x-rays of Dennis’ left leg before the procedure and then those of after, I could not believe the difference.  Dennis now has blood flowing in his left leg and foot.  There had not been a pulse to be found in the foot prior.  Now the whoosh, whoosh of sound of that pulse was just as wonderful as if the Tabernacle choir were standing at the foot-end of his hospital bed.  

  We were up at four this morning.  When we got home this afternoon Dennis told me how rested he felt.  Silly guy!  They are making those air filled hospital bed mattresses way too comfortable. 

  Nurse Ratchet . . . me, is still on duty to change the dressings every other day until such time that the incision of January closes.  With a blood supply, now it should make good progress.

  Back to normal . . . what’s for supper?  It is going to be Progressive soup and warm buttered toast.

   
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  Noreen 2:57 pm on April 19, 2022 Permalink  

  Rain? 

  It sure feels like it could rain as cool and heavy as the air is.

  Today at one Dennis had the echocardiogram of his heart.  A one hour procedure using ultrasound.  So many photos were framed to be read before Dennis could leave.  I hope and pray, it all allows doctors to realize the patient that these relate to for tomorrows procedure.

  A day away from home takes the “pee and v” out of me.  I am ready to spend more time within my home.

  I am one tuckered out Grammie.  Tomorrow we need to be at the hospital by seven.  Yup, a short night.

  Hopefully tomorrow’s post will be of good news.  See you then.