Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 4:39 pm on February 22, 2021 Permalink  

  Mud Making Day 

  Yesterday we pushed snow off from the drive and it was icy underneath.  Today the drive has been dry since the morning and Stauffer Avenue has turned to mud.  What a difference a 40 degree day can make.  Hopefully it freezes over the night hours and it slows down the thaw.  

  We have been getting text messages to schedule our covid vaccines.  We have not made any appointments. Our calendar is full for some time ahead.  Dennis’ medical appointments come first.  If Dennis is willing for his eye injection schedule and then two cataract appointments, taking a chance that he would be one out of 1,000 that would have a bad reaction to the shot . . . we will decide when and if we take a later schedule.

  We did not feed the deer this winter but our backyard has trails that the deer have used many times to travel here, there and everywhere.  When Dennis has done the little red pickup road trips, he has noticed that the area behind our water plant does not have and has not had much snow cover.  There have been several events of thawing in between our snowfalls.  Shrubs and brush will hold them over for another month and then there will be green abound to nibble on.

  When we were in Mankato on Saturday, I picked up quite a few green options in the vegetable department.  Tonight we are having sliced mini cucumbers, onions and mayo.  The onions smelled so good as I sliced away.  I have been watching the onions in our local grocery story.  Soft to the touch and I know not much would have been usable.  I have passed on them all winter.  I bit and bought a 5lb. bag in Mankato as they passed my quality control.  On the bag the suggestions were given on how to keep them at peak.  I took the option of wrapping each onion in paper towels and putting them in the refrigerator crisper.  Hmm.  Time will tell.  We do like onions and work them in whenever possible.

  I didn’t purchase the brush for the cats I had intended to in Petco.  I bought the glove for Dennis to wear that has spiky nodules on the palm with which to brush the cats as they schmooze on his lap.  The cats are literally standing in line waiting to get on Dennis’ lap to have their turn.  Soon when Dennis opens the patio doors all three will be out checking what they have missed during these last two months.  Each day he would crack open a patio door . . . sure enough, they would sit in the open doorway but not venture out.  Smart cats.

  Time to wind down and do the kitchen stint.  Chicken titties and cucumbers.  Dennis usually tops supper off with a piece of jelly bread.  I would swear Dennis is a blood relative of my dad . . . meals on time each and every day.  That’s o.k.  I may loose a battle here and there, but it kind of all balances itself out and Stauffer Avenue has happy people at the end of the day. 

  Yup, my oldest kid is heading to the house and he has mud on his shoes.  What . . . it is concreted from the house to the garage . . . he must have had the need to explore.

   
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  Noreen 2:35 pm on February 21, 2021 Permalink  

  Scrappy Flannels Competed 

  It is time for a new theme in the sewing studios.  It seems as if I have been doing scrappy flannel for a long time.  I did work on my Santa quit as well as the embroidered blocks for Megan’s quilt.  But to have three of the flannels done out of the scrap pile feels good.  I  did want them to have some personality each to their own. The colors of two of the blocks were identical.  The size and the backing made each different.  I feel comfortable with having several giveaways if needed or request. The very first of the flannels was a bit more colorful.  I really had no idea how it would all shape up.  There is nothing like a surprise ending when the last stitch of the binding is in place.

  Cleaning the sewing area was the last step in the process.  Considering all the fuzz . . . everywhere . . . I think I will stick to cotton for a time.

  This morning as I was considering getting up, I looked out the north window and saw the evergreen tree with the snow falling and settling on the branches.  I realized I didn’t want to pop out of bed.  I closed my eyes several times and drifted off.  I have done this previous times.  The house is still and it is the best way for me to start my day.  It’s not to say that eventually my bladder will determine how many times I drift.  We take our special moments when we can and we treasure them.  Each day has more to be thankful for than not.

   
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  Noreen 6:26 pm on February 20, 2021 Permalink  

  Too Pooped to Pop 

  We had a good long day, even if the sunshine let us down.

  I kept busy on the first floor until Dennis got up from his nap at eleven.  The grocery list was grabbed with a botte of Boost for Dennis and we were off to Mankato.

  Our pantry was showing signs of emptiness.  Sam’s club is still used for many of the items I know we can use in bulk packages.  Then again there are other items that I don’t care to handle because the containers are too large for my hands.  We hit the pet store for a new brush for the kitties and the last stop was Hy-Vee.  That took care of the groceries.  I had a good workout and Dennis caught a few cat-naps.

  We were off to Charlee B’s three o’clock birthday party.  Quite the mad house of small people.  We were on our way home by five.

  Too bad we didn’t have an elf to unpack the groceries when we got home.  My way is to get everything where it belongs as soon as we hit the house.  

  That is the sum total of our Saturday.  The laundry that waited for me in the washer from this morning is now spinning to completion.  I think my chair is going to feel great this evening.

   
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  Noreen 4:29 pm on February 19, 2021 Permalink  

  Sound of Dripping 

  Thank goodness, what I hear is dripping water and it is not within our home.  The sun is showing the ice cycles who is boss.

  Today I walked down to visit my friend June at the end of Stauffer Avenue.  June is a bit older than I am and has been a widow for two years.  June shared with me that she has a huge project ahead of her.  She has had a dripping pipe in her basement that she has put off having it fixed for some time.  It was easier for her to check on the bucket under it several times a week.  June needs work done in her bathroom as she knows if she wants to stay in her home, it’s time to make it June friendly.  I do feel for June.

  Making changes in an older home is not always as easy as saying it out loud.  It’s been some time ago when there were changes needed in our home.  My oh my.  If I would have been making notes on a role of toilet paper, it would have taken a role plus.  The project didn’t start where I thought it would . . . in the bathroom.  It started in realizing our soil pipe that looked like solid copper wasn’t very solid.  The entire top of the huge pipe was eaten out.  So began the huge project of plumbing, electrical, walls coming down, walls going up.  The entire east end of the house was affected.  

  Now, looking back, that huge project done in love, sweat and tears has given us a home that is senior citizen safe and friendly and will be for some time to come.  Thanks Kevin!  Many of our friends have moved to assisted living complexes due to the fact their homes were no longer able to allow them safe mobility.

  Today, I knocked on one of the Dennis’ grandson’s forehead.  Ryan is in charge of measuring and working up bids for nephew Brett’s concrete business.  We need to have the steps that service our front door redone.  The small area right outside the front door needs to be able to service a walker or a wheelchair to exit the home.  No . . . we do not need it right now.  If something would happen to Dennis or I . . . it would be too late to get the work done.  I have been known to be a bit pushy, as can easily be attested to by my children.  It’s time to push those that can get this done before it is needed.  No rotting boards, but concrete.  Yes, there are plans to use these new steps far longer than the boards of today’s quality.

  The things I have just touched on are the things that cause homes to be left behind for a facility.  Small investments here and there are minimal compared to the thousands of dollars spent per month because of having to leave a beloved home as it has not changed with the owner’s needs.  I have seen it happen to many of our friends. 

  I am so proud of my friend June wanting to stay in her home that she is working towards continuing to live independently.  Dennis and I will continue enjoying our forever home for many more days as glorious such as this one.

   
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  Noreen 5:57 pm on February 18, 2021 Permalink  

  Chalk One Up 

  Over the last three days I have been machine quilting one of my projects.  I had embroidered the flannel blocks in the early winter.  I surely could have sewn the eight inch blocks together and called it done.  Why not enhance the project when I can.  It made me happy to do it.  The flannel for the blocks had been given to me.  The batting was cobbled together and also had been given me.  The flannel backing and border were on me.  Yes . . . you could say that I am conservative and frugal using to the max whatever I can and have on hand.

  I am going to take a break before I work on the binding.  In my later years, I can tell when I have been working over an uncovered cement floor, my legs can tell it, even with my heavy duty walking shoes on.  Do I want carpet on the entire floor . . . no.  I have a small piece of bound carpeting that brother Calvin gave me and I have that in the ironing board area.  It is a real challenge to clean fuzz and thread off of it let alone the entire area.  The answer to my legs recovering is to stay out of the sewing studio for a few days.  The transition of having the furnace run often and now with the temps changing, the furnace doesn’t run quite so often makes a huge difference.  

  The dusting of snow didn’t take long for Dennis to use the leaf blower and clear the drive.  You bet!  I took time to do several laps.  I had a bit of time before supper needed to be started so I sat in my chair with the heating pad over my legs while being covered up with a treasured afghan.  Sweet. 

  This latest from the sewing studio will soon be chalked up and then . . . next?

  I am getting a bit tender as to what my body reacts to, but I am wealthy via being healthy.

   
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  Noreen 4:31 pm on February 17, 2021 Permalink  

  Moving on Up 

  The temperatures are moving on up.  The cold was still the best of the last days as the storms, tornadoes and power outages would have been horrific for most of us to get through.  I have a fare amount of body fat in conjunction with knowing how to dress to take it in stride.

  The skies are gray but the snow that has been falling is dry as talcum powder, thus I can understand why the dew point is one.  I think we might have gotten an inch or so.  I went out with Dennis and it was easily pushed to the sides.  Fresh air and exercise . . . it’s a good thing.

  I continued on the meandering quilting of my flannel project.  When the bobbin is empty, I take apart what is under the hood.  Fuzz in abundance.  I have a very long-handled tweezers and it comes in so handy to get in all the small places to pull out the fuzz.  It was also a good time to change out the needle.  Taking a lot of breaks is key.  Using my right foot on the foot feed for the continual motion in quilting can take its tole as after a bit it can be followed from the foot right up to my right titanium knee.  From there it follows up the right side of the thigh.  Funny how the body works together in tandem.  I have my daily exercise for just such circumstances.  Shutting down the sewing studio is the best exercise.  Enough is enough.  Time to turn to some reading.

  Dennis is off to have afternoon coffee with his people in the apartment complex where his friend Lyle lives.  It is a supper of chili for us.  A bit of grated cheese and sour cream for toppings fill the bill.  

  I am pleased that I have managed to block over fifty phone numbers since the first of the year.  Now all I have to do is figure out how to shut off the alarm on my phone when I have chosen to use it.  Yes . . . it says tap to stop it.  My fingers don’t tap like they used to.  So be it.  Shutting off the phone for a bit also does the same job.

   
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  Noreen 4:49 pm on February 16, 2021 Permalink  

  A Feel Good Day 

  Though 1 degree above zero, it felt really good to take my walk today.  The sun is powerful and God is good.

  Local effort always needs to be attended to before I hit the sewing studio for fun time.  Keeping everything humming smoothly on the first floor of our home brings harmony.

  There is definitely some serious sewing going on in regard to the latest project that is under the needle.  I was timid when I knew machine quilting under the needle was the next step.  There is a certain amount of self satisfaction in completing a quilting project from A to Z.  The Old Alley Quilt Shop has done some wonderful long arm finishes for me.  My finishing techniques are not up for any type of grading for perfection.  I feel I am doing some wonderful projects that will keep someone warm and cozy.  I have invested into a sewing machine that can take a lot on.  I have the tools within the machine and using them is the only way for me to work towards proficiency.

  What I was tickled about today was the stitching areas I can pull together to make the motion of machine quilting easier for my arms and hands.  The church tables to the left of the machine are at the same height as my adjustable height sewing table, and my adjustable ironing board straight ahead of the sewing machine needle allows for an easier flow of a hefty project.  Slow and steady and this project will see completion.  I can tell you the walk outside today was literally a breath of fresh air to clear the head after a bit of too much stitching.  Keeping the day balanced is key for this Grammie.  Hmm . . . it’s been too long of not hearing my people calling me by that . . . whether the two legged or the tail wagging of the four legged.  During this cold weather, I am content knowing they are all safe.  

  Dennis has picked up a head cold and naps have been the order of the day.  Smart move.  He wouldn’t be napping if he didn’t need it.  I think resting up for the next week’s forecast of normal temps is what this doctor ordered. 

  Today my tip is . . . upon waking, think a positive thought and the rest of the day will follow as such.

   
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  Noreen 4:34 pm on February 15, 2021 Permalink  

  A Bit Longer 

  With full sun shining, I stretched my walk time a bit longer.  The strength in the legs needs to be amped up for the time when I don’t need to be wearing all the heavy clothing.  Stauffer Avenue is still packed ice and walking on it would not be wise.  Enough of the street that runs west of us has clear concrete in the center of it.  No one could miss my white hat and red gloves as I walk our drive and then head north on the street.  The secret is getting out in the middle of the street in the late forenoon or mid afternoon, traffic is less than earlier or later.

  I did work in the sewing studio to prepare for machine quilting.  My trusty 1962 Mary Proctor ironing board can be lowered or raised for ease of use.  Today I lowered it so it will be butted up to the sewing machine and be the same height as the bed of the sewing machine.  It will definitely take the weight of the quilt off as I move it back and forth . . . north and south and east and west.  I am still in the pondering process before going forward.  

  It is a blessing to have the threads and fuzz in the basement.  Even when Kevin and Carrie were tots, I had a sewing area in the basement of the farm house.  We had fixed up a play room in the basement complete with paneled walls and carpeted floor.  The kids had a television, a soft sofa and even an overstuffed chair as well as toy bins.  My sewing area was right around the corner and next to that was the fruit cellar.  The sewing room was large enough for the fly shuttle rug loom and my Sears sewing machine.  The entire family spent goodly time in the basement.  Nothing fancy but I could keep an eye on the kids, have the washer and dryer running and get some stitching done.  In the evenings after the livestock chores Orlin often worked off a yard or two on the rug loom while I sewed.  The rug loom brought in a few coins.  We charged $.10 an inch for those that brought over their own balls of sewn carpet rags.

  Sewing, threads and fuzz has always been in my life.  Lena was a good teacher.  I hope to continue with my passion for some time to come.  Right now in retirement, it brings a balance to my life,  especially during the winters.  Sweet.

  We are rounding the corner with the below zero temps.  It has been such a Godsend that the winds were not in the mix as well as very little snow to pile up or blow.  Yup . . . blessings abound.  I have a sweet life and send thanks upon my rising and upon my slumber time as I am anticipating a bit longer in life.

   
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  Noreen 4:45 pm on February 14, 2021 Permalink  

  February 14h 

  Happy Valentine’s Day to my peeps.  What is more striking is that the month of February is half gone and spring will be here is some thirty days.  Lots to look forward to as we enjoyed some heart shaped cookies today.

  I did suit up for a few laps on the drive.  On the second lap I realized I had forgotten to acknowledge the grease zerks in my titanium knees.  Yup, I felt those knees and two laps were enough.  

  The sun was powerful today.  With the south windows allowing all those rays, I did sit in the west porch and read for some time this forenoon.  If Dennis’ three kitties would have been allowed in the house, they would have been vying for those windowsills.  I looked out the east bathroom window and checked on Dennis in his rocking chair in the patio porch.  With snowmobile boots on and the hood up on his heavy duty jacket . . . Dennis is persevering but not to the huge allotment of time as usual.  Come on, -19 and wind chill at -41, the warmth of our 70 degree home is hard to beat.

  Over the last several days I have the next machine quilted project to put under the needle.  On social media I belong to a group that has the 700 series of Bernina sewing machines.  It is pretty amazing that you can ask opinions and questions from people around the world in regard to what they have under the needle. 

  With this project I am using Odif 505, a temporary basting adhesive for the sandwiching of the backing, batting and pieced top.  As per many quilters, it is achievable to manhandle various sizes of quilts and have it retain those three layers consistently.  Some have used it for king size, 99′ x 109″ and all has held.  It does not stick to the needle as the sewing is done.  It sure beats hand basing or the ever arduous safety pins.   My project is 72″ x 82″ . . . a bit larger than some of my past items.  This is the project I went to Sherburn for to purchase the backing.  There was enough to add a border.  At that time I picked up a can of the 505.  Tomorrow I will check into thread color and what stitching design to use on this quilt.  No time frame, no pressure.  

  Dennis and I are each on our own for supper.  There is a can of Marie C’s chicken dumpling soup that has been brought up from the pantry.  I am thinking more on the lines of my grainy bread toasted with a side of cottage cheese with a dollop of the jellied cranberry that is left in the refrig.  There is something about that tangy cranberry and the creamy cottage cheese that rings a bell for me.  Dennis considers cottage cheese with sugar on it.  Not!

  I know everyone is anxious for warmer weather.  With anything in life, it’s painful to be patient but the rewards are and will be sweet.

   
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  Noreen 5:24 pm on February 13, 2021 Permalink  

  YouTube 

  This morning I did what I have promised myself for some time.  There were YouTube sites that I have made a note of in regard to stitching and machine embroidery.  As the skies decided if they were going to continue being gray while spitting out some snow, I logged on.

  There will always be someone that knows more than I could ever imagine to make the most of my sewing machine.  I may not implement what I watch but it does give me pause that I can stay as busy and creative as I want.  The joints in the finger and hands may not want to take part in my schemes . . . but I have controlling interest . . . so just buck it up.  We have much to accomplish over time.

  The mornings and afternoons are my best chance of using the computer on the first floor.  My trusty Dell that is in my sewing studio is still perking right along after thirteen years.  While I am in the sewing studio, it gets a regular workout.  Dennis has his schedule on the first floor computer as well after he has the kitties tucked in after supper.  What he enjoys is being able to lift his eyes a bit over the computer screen and take in what is on the RFD television channel.  I think it’s great that he wanders through his facebook, solitaire, cribbage and hearts on the computer.  It keeps him up to date on his family.  The card games are good for eye to brain to hand communication.

  We had a light dusting of snow that was through here by noon.  I took my turn at the leaf blower and we now have a clear and bare concrete drive, ready to do my laps.  The sun is out bright and I focus on that and leave the checking of outside temps for another day.  How could we not enjoy this day!  The Lord has allowed us to seek Him out for the encouragement and abilities that children of the “Old Adam” need.