Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:18 pm on September 6, 2025 Permalink  

  Not Today 

  No trip to Mankato today.  Dennis was not feeling too perky.  There is no point in perusing what the body is not up to.  What items we had planned on picking up can be done anytime, any day.

  The Amazon order was delivered this forenoon.  As well as the vitamin D and calcium, I wanted the order to be as complete as we needed.

  When Sadie cleared all the greenery north of the patio porch, my 20 year old shrub clipper threw its spring out of gear.  We never did find the spring.  Stauffer Avenue is back on track to take out that which chooses to pop up where it is not needed.  The last item in the box was a yard flag holder.  For decades we had had a small USA flag stripped over a steel electric fence post.  During the horrific winds, we have no idea where it took of to or where it may have landed.  We are now back in business with a small lawn flag at the end of the front sidewalk.

  There was no padding of any kind in the Amazon box and I was surprised the pill bottles hadn’t rolled around enough to have self-opened. 

  By the time Dennis put the new lawn flag holder together, he was feeling better.  We may try our trip tomorrow.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:26 pm on September 5, 2025 Permalink  

  Sweater Weather 

  When I reach for a sweater, you know there is a chill in the air.  Couple that with a brisk wind and we are reminded we are on the last quarter of 2025.  With these cooler temperatures, the two patio kitties are sticking tight to their baskets.  Even the wandering fool, Snuggles, knows what is best for him.

  With the medical appointments we had yesterday, I did hear the often used phrase, “due to your age.”  Yup there it was . . . out in the open, not even able to be debated.  With that in mind, I did ring up Amazon last night.  I will be adding over the counter Vitamin D and Calcium upon the doctor’s recommendation.  Three months ago there had been visiting about taking something for continual bone growth and repair.  At that time I did have the bone density x-ray.  The results were minimally changed from the x-ray in 2022.  Check that off of my list.

  The fabric that I had ordered from Michael’s came yesterday.  A split shipment from Texas and Arkansas.  I had banked on it being billed at $3.50 per yard.  Some of it was at $1.99 per yard.  For what the project is geared toward, I didn’t need the quilt fabric quality of $10.99 a yard.

  With a new blade in the rotary cutter, I did make some end-rows in the studio with KNUJ playing in the background.  The plan has been formulated.  One thought out step at a time so as to not make an error.

  Tomorrow we will head to Mankato.  The quest is for a gallon of Behr black opaque deck stain.  The lateral surfaces are indicating a new coat is required.  The hot sun does a number on it.  At that time we are also going to choose a leaf blower and a weed-whip, with both appliances using the same battery.  I know we will find something doable at Home Depot, as that is where we are getting the stain from.  The detour is still in effect through Lake Crystal, so Dennis has found a route to the south on hard surface roads.  The actual detour is a two-lane highway and the traffic is merciless with a lot of trucks using it.

  That’s all for now folks.  Enjoy this wonderfully cooler weekend.

  With that I will take my leave. ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:42 pm on September 4, 2025 Permalink  

  Clinic Visit 

  Today Dennis and I had an appointment at the local health clinic.  It would be the first time that we would meet our new primary health provider.

  Dennis does see the VA health providers at the VA clinic here in town on a yearly basis but it feels good to have a local clinic connection as well.  All of Dennis’ meds were gone over as well as having them renewed for a year.  Two of his daily meds are gotten from the VA pharmacy in Minneapolis.  The cost of those meds are $15.00 per month, which is much less than our Lewis Drug prices would be.  We found out this morning, that our primary could also work with the VA for the yearly renewal.  Sweet.

  When Dennis’ official appointment was completed, he went out to the car for a wait.

  It was my turn.  Three months ago I did have a med added as my blood pressure read high . . . three times it was taken and always read high.  I have been on the additional med for the three months and I have cut back significantly on my caffeine intake.  The blood pressure reading was 118/70.  Everyone was happy . . . most of all me.  My heart does not need any more pressure put upon it than necessary.  My lungs and heart were listened to and all was well, along-side of a look in the ears, eyes, nose and throat.  I do have to return next Monday for a pee test as I am on an opioid.  The opioid is for the discomfort . . . strike that . . . for the pain of the arthritis in my back, hips, feet and hands.  The dose is a 50 mg tablet three times a day.  No . . . there in no way I can remain active to offset the pain all the time.  I know when enough is enough.  I do not seek any other remedy for the arthritis.  There is always a mention of some possible surgery to take out or deaden nerves in the effective areas.  I say no, what may remain could be worse, meaning less mobility or use than what I have now.  I want my life, my days to be as mobile as possible.  For that, I will take my catheter and pee in a cup.

  Even now, since the stroke in 2021, my left side experiences jolts as if the nerves are trying to engage into normal movement.  My brain works overtime.  If this happens, it is at night after supper when I am less active.  My left side will literally jump at bit.  When I experience restless leg syndrome, it is always on the left side.  I have a prescription for gabapentin for just such events.  I don’t take the 800 mg every late day.  I gauge each day on its own.  Yesterday, when my day didn’t start until 10:30, I had just given in and taken the extra rest.  With meds, if the system relies on them too much, they may no longer be effective and then what?  A stronger dose?  Not for me for now.

  Well . . . no secrets in the days of life of this Grammie.  I feel very fortunate each and every day.

  Meeting the new primary and all my cards laid out for review, I feel very comfortable with her.  Dennis agreed.

  With that I will take my leave. ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:27 pm on September 3, 2025 Permalink  

  Oh What a Day 

  Overcast with a breeze.

  I may have gotten a late start, aka: 10:30.  I had heard Dennis get up, do his usual and then when the backdoor closed, I knew he was on schedule.  I closed by eyes and that is the rest of the story.

  Now at mid afternoon, I have met my agenda that had been laid out for this Wednesday. 

  The laundry is spewing out its second load for the day.  First load is folded and tucked away.  When I had made a pork roast in the crockpot a few days ago, I diced up the remaining for two containers.  I had saved the wonderful juice and that had been poured over the top and they both went into the freezer.

  I realized I had not done an oven meal during the less than comfortable weeks so as to not heat up the kitchen.  One container came out of the freezer.  Two cups of uncooked pasta soon became cooked for the bed of the oven dish.  A bag of steamable brussel sprouts got steamed.  When they were done, I gently opened the bag so it would lie flat and commenced cutting them up a with a pair of kitchen shears.  So now then there, we were on our way to completion.  The pork with its wonderful juices and a jar of Alfredo were folded over the contents of the little round blue speckled roaster.  Other than an added covering of ground black pepper, the oven meal in on its way for a 4:15 met up with the 350 degree oven.

  By the time the oven meal is about to be put on the table, the pan of six cinnamon frozen rolls should be ready for the oven.  The biggest challenge with them is getting that sheet of cling free covered with Pam over the frozen rolls.  That covering allows the yeast to make a snug warm environment for baking.

  Dennis has volunteered dish-washing duty.  I sure do appreciate that.  It’s all about the barter system:  hot food on the table in exchange for tidy kitchen cabinets.

  Oh what a day.

  I think I will set my alarm tonight, just in case, for tomorrow we are both meeting our new primary doctor here in our clinic.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:59 pm on September 2, 2025 Permalink  

  Makes Sense 

  Some time back, Kevin had sent me a link to a chiropractor on YouTube.  It was several exercises to do for ringing within the ear.  It did and does help.  I saved that link and when something new pops up, I get a notification.

  Sometime back the notification was about pain, in general, that a body may experience.  It made sense to the point that I realized why I don’t sit a lot during the day hours or nap during the day.  Our wonderful brain is responsible for the pain alerts.  Keeping my brain busy with my projects or my curiosity over-rides the pain alerts.

  My walking gate is still clumsy throughout the day.  My shoulders and hands often don’t play well with me,  I just don’t pay much attention to the discomfort, aka: pain while I am in the troughs of what my day or days require.  My brain is amazing and it gets me through a whole bunch of tendons and muscles wanting me to sit down and give in.  Dennis often urges me to sit down and take it easy and rest.  My response usually is that I would rather keep moving and keep the resting for when I go to bed at night.  I do get a night of rest the majority of the time.  It is only the restless leg syndrome that will pop up occasionally that gets me back up out of bed for walking it off.

  I have many times thought to myself that my body doesn’t lie to me if something is askew.  Knowing full well what the “askew” is all about, I revert to working with my brain to maintain what I have going for myself.  One very busy and thus content person taking each day as it comes.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:13 pm on September 1, 2025 Permalink  

  Stauffer Alert 

  It isn’t often that Snuggles does the disappearing act.  Last night was one of those occasions.  Dennis went to the back door often and called and called.  Dennis then went into the patio porch and called for Snuggles.  Every time Dennis would call out, Harriet would give a sorrowful “meow.”

  It is now mid-day and Dennis and Harriet are still waiting for Snuggles.  When the kitties have free-range to come in and out of the patio porch at will, who know what may have tempted Snuggles.

  I put on all the lights in the studio and got serious about picking up a project that has been in the works for some time.  I say that, as the five counted cross stitch patterns of the Congress of Eagles is going to be incorporated with yardage.  When Megan was here, she gave me good ideas as this is for her fellow.  I never know what I will find in my stashes for the best choice in color or design.  I took down each box to take a look-see as to what yardage may work.  The boxes are labeled: red, blue, gray, black, etc.  Not a taker in the lot.

  I did realize it may be time to put a scrappy quilt top together as there are many pieces of fabric that are less than a half yard.

  My next move was to visit some online contacts for yardage.  The Michaels site came up with what seemed to be the best choice.  Labor Day sale of $3.50 per yard. Michaels is really trying hard to be  similar to the “no more JoAnn’s.”  The one fabric designer that they are going to be carrying came in multiple colors of the same mottled look that may well work.  I have the four colors coming, two yards each, no postage.  I could have driven to the Old Alley Quilt Shop in Sherburn tomorrow.  I know from experience that their yardage generally is $10.99 a yard. 

  I am now in a waiting room.  There was no rush on this particular project.  I think this is the first purchase of yardage for 2025.  When I had done the two-sided tee-shirt quilt for Sadie, I used what I had in my stashes.  I only used half of the Mountain Morning Mist quilt batting.  This project is going to be about 45”x 45″, working just fine for the batting that is remaining.

  We are having a quiet holiday as we wait out the Stauffer Kitty Alert.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:40 pm on August 31, 2025 Permalink  

  Sneaky Bugs 

  When Dennis and I were at the acre doing some weed-whipping, I didn’t realize till much later how many bug bites that been bestowed on me.  And . . . oh how they could itch.  Thank goodness I had a small tube of Cortisone.

  Last week when we dropped off items at Sandy’s in Mankato, I could not believe how many Boxelder bugs were on her home and patio.  As of this afternoon, I did see nary a one here on Stauffer.  Now that is unusual.  I had better not brag about that.

  This afternoon I had a call from Calvin.  He thanked me over and over for the photo album.  We had a wonderful conversation over the next ensuing hour.  It made me feel good that I had taken the time and effort.  How could I not do that for family.  In life, we never truly know what, if any, impact we have from what comes naturally . . . at least to me.   

  After the phone call, I did take the time to see how far Eric, in Saginaw, is from his dad in Cloquet.  Taking side routes, it is about thirteen to fifteen minuets.  Sweet.  I know Eric’s wife has been battling cancer but I did not query that.  Calvin’s youngest son, Jason, does over the road hauling out of his base in Georgia.  Again, I did not query.  Sometime, I will on both counts. 

  This morning before my first cup of coffee, I had our crock pot going.  Inside was a three pound pork butt roast lying on a bed of baby carrots.  I used the last of the hefty marinade that I knifed into the meat.  The top was covered in thick slices of onions.  Now, at mid-day, the aroma is filling the house.

  As I would keep an eye on Dennis, I could see through the window that he has been doing the tidy, tidy in the patio porch.  Tom decided to mow the properties.  With the abundance of rain, it still remains to be needed once a week.  That schedule could shift dramatically with September coming tomorrow. 

  With many emotional feelings fliting in and out on this Sunday, I am doing some stabbing and poking of stitches.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:08 pm on August 30, 2025 Permalink  

  The Weekend Begins 

  The morning of this weekend found me moving slowly.  Where would I have to rush to!  Yesterday late afternoon Dennis and I went to the acre with our trusty weed whip and two charged batteries.  Making tidy around the trees was our objective.  It also gave Dennis an idea of which tree bases needed more of the brush killer.  The grass is thickening up nicely.  Truth to tell: batteries that have been used and charged over and over don’t hold a charge long.  We did make some headway.

  Our main focus for local effort today was grocery shopping and a few errands here in town.  The light-weight tidy cat is sold at the Family dollar.  I had a grocery list made out for Super-Fair.  Dennis driving me to the store is always . . . what am I in for?  Dennis has his places around the community that he checks on whether in our car or his little red pickup.  I get a tour of places I would never think to drive by.

  Our groceries have now been put away.  There is a loaf of Cottage Bread that never ever was as fresh as I thought it should have been.  I am going to whip up what I call French Bread via the oven.  A concoction of milk, whipped eggs, cinnamon and some brown sugar poured over half slices of bread.  350 degrees for 40 minutes.  By that time the bread has soaked up the majority of liquid, making it like a custard.  Mrs. Butterworth will finish it off at the table come supper time.  Easy, peasy.

  I know as this last week was winding down, Dennis didn’t get the fact that I felt fatigued by sifting and sorting, all done in our living room.  I did not engage in explanations.  Going through the better part of eight decades of memories, for me the emotions were heavy.  Being able to relate and relive the dept of by-gone events by looking at and touching photos . . . not easily understood.  I am a very sentimental individual.  I took the task on and I am better for it.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:49 pm on August 29, 2025 Permalink  

  Every Day 

  Every day this week from forenoon to mid afternoon Mediacom is working our area.  

  About the time I think I am going to check on something on the laptop . . . nope.  This week I have finally turned on the television though no service.  With the volume up, I get good notification that we are up and running.   

  Dennis has television connection to the tower north of us.  AJ hooked that up for his grandpa for weeks such as this.

  This afternoon around one, nephew Eric gave me a call and the package had arrived at his home.  Eric went on to say that Saturdays he takes his dad’s week’s worth of junk food and Coke and would also take the album to Calvin.  Good thing schedules are in place.  So much for the balanced meals provided at the assisted living complex. 

  Dennis did run an errand to his cousin Sam’s farm this afternoon.  In all the sifting and sorting going on this week, there were several photos of Sam’s family.  Dennis’ father and Sam’s mother were siblings.  As both Sam and Maria are house-bound, the photos will bring about a lot of chit-chat.  That is always good for the soul.

  I do have a project in the studio that has been way-laid.  First by Megan coming for a sewing day and second by the wide hair I had that started all the sifting and sorting.  Let me tell you . . . it was exhausting making decisions keeping in mind the other people involved in those decisions.  Well anyway, as I’m fliting in and out of the studio, I noticed all is well and awaiting for my return . . . sometime soon.

  One of the last summertime holidays will be here on Monday.  I hope and trust that those that can take the day off do so.  Treat yourselves for all the days of labor that have gone by in 2025.  If you don’t give yourself a break, no one else will step up for you.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:21 pm on August 28, 2025 Permalink  

  Who Knew! 

  Who knew my studio could side-step to be used to prepare packages for mailing.

  I had a photo album to mail to Eric.  Not a box to be had here on Stauffer Avenue.  Grant it the album was an awkward size.  I had thought about this last night while waiting for the sandman to hit.

  This morning with a cup of coffee under my belt, I was ready for action in the studio.  For various projects, I have used foam sheeting.  What had once been a two-sided heat activated foam was now just a nice piece of foam.  I put the album in a plastic bag with several slits in it to allow it to hug the album and . . . I didn’t know if the foam would have residue that would stick onto the outside of the album whose cover was a type of padded vinal.  I wrapped the album in the foam.

  Out came the 3M strapping tape, taking as much air out as possible to secure the foam around said rectangle.  Round and round it went.  The next piece of goodie to use was the freezer paper that is always in its holder.  Just like the guys at butchering time when it was decided what size paper was needed and then . . . snap across the sharp metal on top of the frame for a perfect cut.   Of course, the first piece wasn’t large enough.  I used it as the first layer.  The second cut came out perfect.

  It wasn’t long and I came up from the studio with a very well wrapped attractive package.  It then dawned on me that the UPS Depot was no longer taking outgoing items.  They had farmed that off to the Fleet and Farm Store.  I did call to make sure my memory was serving me.  I made a call and the gal told me that generally the parcels were picked up by three in the afternoon.

  At twelve noon, Dennis and I were on our way to Fleet Farm, five minutes up the street.  The service was great.  The package, weighing almost five pounds was paid for and would be on its way to nephew Eric in Saginaw, Minnesota.  When I got home I sent Eric a photo of the transaction.  I was very surprised that the delivery date on the bottom of the paper stated August 29, 2025.

  Saginaw, I believe is southwest of Duluth, making Eric about 45 minutes or so from Cloquet where his dad is in an assisted living unit.  I know Calvin will have the album sometime this weekend and enjoy a few trips down memory lane.

  I feel relief, knowing that I have had “Mission Completion.”

  With that I will take my leave. ♥