Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from Noreen Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

• 

  Noreen 3:13 pm on March 31, 2021 Permalink  

  A Sweet Day 

  A birthday any year is a good thing.  Having had the thrill of the hospitality of two hospitals recently, it is “Happy Birthday” to me.  Being in my home with Dennis causes me to celebrate so many small accomplishments on a day-to-day basis.

  Recently I have learned of others having had a stroke and not having a good recovery.  My recovering is in its infancy. Yesterday while I was waiting for Dennis to retrieve me from PT, a friend, Irene came in for her appointment. It gave us a few minutes to visit and catch up.  Irene being a nurse prior to her retirement had a comment about the Foley catheter . . . “have bag will travel.”  She went on to say that the catheter is needed for a duration but is not a sentence to isolation.  Wise comment.

  I am planning on having chicken strips for the main entre’ for supper with cauliflower as a side dish.  I know that some shredded cheese will be welcomed.

  It feels like winter out and I did see flurries earlier.  Last night was the first time I heard the sump pump for the season.  Yup, spring is here and I am thrilled also to be here.

   
• 

  Noreen 2:27 pm on March 30, 2021 Permalink  

  PT Day 

  I had a busy morning here at home.  A schedule seems to work the best for us, that way Dennis knows he is free to do what he has going on.  Believe me he is busy.

  The Koi are now enjoying Renville County via Mike and Jo’s farm. We had the pond for 25 years, Dennis’s grandson helped dig it out as a five year old.  Ryan just turned 30.  Dennis is busy with removing the pond lining.

  The biggest challenge we have here in the house involves getting me totally dressed.  I kid Dennis in days of old he could hug me and with one hand behind my back the bra would be unfastened.  Sure is a different story putting it on even with two hands.  It has become a laugh fest at times.

  PT was a good session.  Many of the movements can be manipulated, lacking the power of the muscles to follow through is the challenge.  Anything and everything that I do here in our home is a plus to fire up the memory retention of previous times.  I tested the waters when I got home.  Three lonely potatoes on the attic steps now became my target for supper.  They are cooling their heels in salted water, but the time it took me to peel them and the time exposed potatoes turn brown . . . it was neck and neck.

  Using the keyboard is serving the fingers well.  The thumb got its own exercises today as it is stubborn.

  Cool day, but around here, a sweat is broken easily.  Not so much from hard work but angst.

   
• 

  Noreen 2:52 pm on March 29, 2021 Permalink  

  Tuckered 

  There is a tuckered older one on Stauffer Avenue this afternoon.  Since the first of Feb., the last time we had stocked up on groceries, the pantry in the basement was whimpering. I suggested to Dennis that a son-in-law might like to ride with.  That didn’t go over at all.

  Today, Dennis and I had one of our famous road dates.  I was not asked to leave Sam’s with my additional baggage, so we completed our grocery list.  Dennis on an electrical cart and me right behind him as I pushed a cart for stability.  It felt wonderful to get home.  We were both tuckered.

  I will give an update on the pancakes that were planned for supper last night.  No pancakes were sacrificed to the floor.  We had three pans and each pan had a small offering as I wasn’t sure about the flipping.  It tasted as it was intended . . . a treat.

  Nough for today, my chair is beckoning.  Life is good when embraced just beyond what you think is doable.

   
• 

  Noreen 3:21 pm on March 28, 2021 Permalink  

  Palm Sunday 

  How fitting that Palm Sunday be bright crisp air with birds signing in our huge evergreen. 

  Our day started slowly.  Dennis and I agreed to get the paperwork out and finish up the 2020 income tax by writing the checks, complete with envelopes and stamps licked.

  I will complement my left hand for doing better each day on the HP keyboard.  Tried and true habits in the movements are not forgotten.  Now getting the left arm to raise at will from a resting elbow . . . not so much.  It is more likely to swipe everything in its path and let gravity do its thing.   Come on PT.

  What we did accomplish this afternoon is getting Dennis’ bedding into the laundry.  Fresh bedding makes for sweet dreams.  

  When life is hampered by situations such as what Dennis and I are experiencing, days of the week are dominated by what appointments are on the calendar.  Today was “our” day for taking time with breaks in between to keep up this sweet little home of ours.  Love it every day and can’t imagine any other square footage that could and would bring us as much contentment. 

  Time for a break before rounding up what is needed for pancakes for supper.  Thank goodness, we have some bacon in the freezer that had been baked out prior.

  What a great Easter week to be enjoyed.

   
• 

  Noreen 1:29 pm on March 27, 2021 Permalink  

  Check Off 

  What a good feeling!  The taxes have been electronically filed as of this morning.  Kevin came over from Fairfax and we visited over computer screens.  All we need to complete is to send in the money to both entities.  I thought for sure Minnesota would have had Social Security off of the tax rolls this year.  Can you imagine the mess I could have made entering numbers!  We use Tax Act for taxes and the format took all the same info . . . in different screen formats.

  Rain showers are on the docket.  How much greener can the grass get!

  The Fern Peonies have pushed up a bit of soil.  You can’t mistake those red tips wanting out.  I am thankful that the backyard is now a carpet of green grass and not the plentiful spread of perennials.  I will take care of all the Hosta that present themselves.

  Today we are not doing anything that would resemble housework.  Being caught up feels good.  I do have an array of exercises to do and will do them after some chair time.  My energy becomes depleted way too quickly for my way of thinking.  I do acknowledge being wobbly in the first hours of the day as well as in hours before bedtime. Oh so humbling.  I do not mind one bit as I am in my home with Dennis.  Totally priceless.

   
• 

  Noreen 1:42 pm on March 26, 2021 Permalink  

  Wonderful Sun 

  It might not be out full time, but it makes me feel good.

  My aunt from Arizona called last night as Facebook had allowed family to know what has been going on at Stauffer Avenue.  She asked about naps and watching movies on television.  At 89, I followed her thought process.  Oh so far from the days Dennis and I actually have.

  All of the usual needs to be tended to.  As I am at physical half power, it takes a bit longer or with a different twist.  Dennis is right beside me.  I find myself taking quite a few breaks at the dining room table, looking out the window.  Stamina can be in short supply.  

  Working the fingers on the left hand on the keyboard is timely. The thumb thinks it is exempt. One on one and the yellow putty will be visited later on.

  Tuesdays and Thursdays will be PT days with back-to-back sessions.

  The clothes dryer in the bathroom is about to buzz.  Dennis will deposit the clothes on the sofa and exit to the patio porch.  I appreciate his exodus, as having him watch me and my folding process can make me anxious.

  What a great day of “local effort.”

   
• 

  Noreen 12:33 pm on March 25, 2021 Permalink  

  Each Day 

  As I awake each day, I peer out the window to the west to see what our huge evergreen can give me as a clue.  That right there is such a blessing after several weeks away from my sweet home awaking to the sounds of lying on a plastic covered mattress in a hospital.

  The stroke was in an instant, the recovery of hitting what was between me and the floor has taken a bit.  No rhyme or reason where the bruises appeared.

  Such a blessing to not have had my mind or speech effected.  The left leg lets me know each morning, it needs a bit of exercise walking with a cane for assurance.

  Each day Dennis and I tackle what we would usually . . . only much slower.

  The haircut yesterday was priceless.

  The left arm is now more intent and busy sliding off the keyboard than taking direction.  Time to get the exercise going with the band for the strength building in the arm via the muscles in my back.  A great time visiting.

   
• 

  Noreen 12:33 pm on March 24, 2021 Permalink  

  A Different Me 

  One month out from a a stroke.  My oh my.  The spirit is willing, fingers not so much.  I am hoping that making my left hand acknowledge the keys it needs to may help get the hand wanting to participate.  I am so very different but yet kind of like the old me as well.  Each day I hope to put a short post on for PT.  Big news today is going for a hair cut here in town . . me and my baggage.  If the left hand and arm come back to working order, my catheter won’t be needed. Enough today.  I here a muffled “uncle.”

   
• 

  Noreen 4:19 pm on February 24, 2021 Permalink  

  The Verdict is In 

  The good old fashioned head cold has its grip on me.  I thought I was better than that.  Humbling to say the least.

  Sitting in my chair covered with an afghan, looking out the west windows, I don’t have any problem counting cars versus trucks.  That is . . . until my eyelids have no power and drop much like the last vestige of the ice icicles from the warming sun on the window awning.  Clunk! 

  Notice was taken that even the train whistles sound happier now that the freezing temperatures are not stifling them.  Everything is aware that spring is within 20 plus days from now.

  Our chilly basement is off limits for a few days.  The south facing windows of our first floor have enough sunshine that can stream in, thus causing the furnace not to run as often as it did in the weeks past.  We do have an open register in the basement, but not to the point of it feeling like anything other than a basement.  Our heating bill came for the month via an email.  I was leery of opening it.  Surprise!  It was $30.00 more than last month.  I was sure with all the north cold winds it would have been more considering that heating the patio porch is much like heating an additional cabin.  Dennis did blow snow up onto the service door of the patio porch . . . almost five feet tall of snow in that area.  It is needing some repair this spring as the weather stripping is nil.  Taking a chance on how the thawing would go in relationship to the cold coming through . . . Dennis felt it was worth it.  Regardless what the heating bill would have been, the patio porch is an intracule portion of our living area.  Dennis and the three kitties would be on the first flight to Florida come December 1st. 

  Tomorrow is a new day and as long as I am able to get a good night’s rest, the head cold doesn’t have a chance of hanging around for too long.  The extra TLC from my ole cowboy hasn’t hurt any either.

   
• 

  Noreen 4:36 pm on February 23, 2021 Permalink  

  Hmm 

  Not my usual today.  Today I am not up to par.  There was a glint of it last night after supper.  I had hoped I would snuggle in and sleep it off during the night.  I can explain it as a dense fog that has encapsulated me.  I am drinking water and taking nutrition, just not much at a time.  Nothing has much taste.  My temp is 98.1.  Though feeling like this is foreign to me, maybe I need to sit still for awhile.

  Dennis had company today in the patio porch.  That did wonders for him.  The table in the patio porch got a cleaning and I noticed from the bathroom window the vacuum was danced around a bit.  Coffee and cookies were served.  Friend, Dwayne, must be perking up from the heart valve and pace maker job.  I do believe both of those fellows were having a bit of cabin fever.

  No sewing studio lights today.  I read a bit.  I sat in my chair and nodded off a bit.  A little of this and a little of that.  Tomorrow  is a new day.