Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 4:14 pm on December 20, 2019 Permalink  

  A Trip Down South 

  With the great weather today, I decided to take a trip south right on MN HWY #4.  The Old Alley Quilt Shop will have new owners on January 2nd of 2020.  There was a window before Christmas when the current owners were having the coffee pot on.  Today was my day.

  With the changing of hands, Sharon and Becky were also having a 30% off of anything and everything.  That was my window to purchase a new cutting mat.  My Olaf cutting mats are over 20 years old.  With Rotary cutters, there comes a time when the grooves and valleys on the surfaces are hard on the rotary cutting blades causing them to be replaced more often than necessary.  Things just don’t cut quite as smoothly as they should.  I have my eight point pinwheel blocks being completed and as of this afternoon, I have the backing and the batting for a time when I complete it.  My goal is to totally quilt this one on my own.  Today totally felt like a Christmas treat for me.

  As Sharon and I were visiting, she mentioned that one of her old college classmates had moved back to St. James.  Sharon and he had reconnected.  Out of the past came the wife of her classmate.  Bobby Moody and I worked together for a time in the courthouse.  Our offices were next door to each other.  Bobby and her husband had eventually moved north of the metro and we had lost track of each other.

  Bobby was a very interesting personality.  She was all about learning how to raise their own food.  When we lived at South Branch, she would come over and learn rural “101.”  They were living in a cabin on Kansas Lake and she had raised chickens.  Now Bobby needed to learn how to butcher self same chickens.  Oh for the memories.

  I did get Bobby’s phone number from Sharon.  I called her this afternoon and sometime after the first of the year we will get together.  At the time of the call she was in Steam Boat Springs as they are visiting their daughter.  She also does fuzz and threads, aka: quilting.  I had remembered her as much younger than myself.  Come to find out she is only two years younger.  It will be fun catching up with her. 

  Nothing great, but I am looking forward to having pizza for supper.  It is not often but it seemed like the perfect meal.  Chicken Alfredo Pizza . . . sure to be a winner even if it is a frozen pizza.

   
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  Noreen 4:08 pm on December 19, 2019 Permalink  

  A Good Thing 

  It’s a good thing that we are done elfing, so we can get through the last of the medical and eye appointments for the end of the year.  Kind of a necessary pain.  It shoots the entire day when it is one for Dennis in the morning and then one for me in the afternoon.  Of course it is hurry up and wait.

  I had not known that Medicare offers a yearly question and answer period at your local clinic for items that have occurred in the last year.  It is to make sure they have the records correct at the clinic of your family doctor.  It also includes little tests such as: “I will give you three words to remember.  After I give them to you, I would like you to draw the face on this clock diagram with the numbers on it with the end result having you show me where the hands would be if it were 11:10.  Then repeat to me the three words. ‘Banana, chair and sunrise’.”  Nailed it!  There were also questions in regard to what we had in place for safety measures in our home, whether we felt we needed assistance within our home, etc.  Medicare paid for the 45 minutes I met with the RN . . . so why not.  My blood pressure and pulse were in the best of markers.  The scale showed less than previous, so it does encourage for continued progress.

  With the adjustment for Dennis’ meds he is not feeling as cold as he had been last week.  His blood was too thin at that time.  It is all about us older folks keeping track of ourselves and also those with whom we share our days.  One slip up could make the difference in our day-to-day lives.  What I have noticed is that Dennis enjoys conversations about what his years have given credence to.  The stories of being in Korea, the stories of him hauling milk for the dairy farmers, his part time job of city policeman and bartending in between times.  I have lived in St. James area since 1978 and it makes it easy for me to join in and follow the stories.  Conversation is important for a healthy mind.

  With that being said I give myself permission to continue talking to myself as I go about the days.  There is no better solution to challenges than having a frank, open discussion about it with someone who shares the same interests . . . ME!  Ya kids . . . keep an eye out.

  I have just enough time to do my neck exercises for the afternoon.  When one particular exercise is done, it is almost as if I move my neck farther to the side, I hear the click much like the minute hand on our living room clock.  The gristle is bucking.

  Soup and a ham sandwich is the fare for tonight’s supper.  I have two bags of soup in the freezer for another day.  There is no way Dennis nor I will ever go hungry.  There is always a “plan B” not too far away.

   
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  Noreen 4:40 pm on December 18, 2019 Permalink  

  Good Appointment 

  Today I received several exercises to do for my neck.  As Mike worked on the base of my skull, I told him it felt like he was rolling gristle under his fingers.  His response was that it was just about right on when it is tight and feels like a rope.  So . . . I have my work cut out for me until I see him on Christmas Eve’s afternoon.  I am in this to win it and I will do the exercises multiple times a day.

  Tonight we are having soup for supper.  Wide egg noodles and the last of the Prime Rib roast . . . yum.  I must say that out of the six lb. precooked roast the waste was minimal.  I did take in the comments that the roast was very tender when the family was here on Sunday.  I am always up for trying things that make my entertaining easier.

  One more package needed to be sent out today.  I was given a tracking number and it should find it’s destination tomorrow.  Dennis and I are now officially closing the elf shop for Christmas.  It feels so right having hit the markers that we set out for ourselves.  With no more elfing, it is time for me to work on those neck exercises and leave the sewing studio to take a deep breath.

  The post office must be overwhelmed.  We did order an item from the Meza, Arizona area on December 10th.  From that end it was sent with priority mail.  Today I had to give her a message that as yet we have not received it.  It’s up to her to now do the tracking of it.  With all transactions that Dennis and I have processed over the years, we have been so fortunate as to have nothing get lost.  

  Dennis is on alert.  Harriett didn’t come home last night.  Of the three cats, Harriett was always the basket baby, never staying outside for very long.  I do think those cats are far more suitable to do a night on the town than Dennis believes.  What can I say.  When I peek out the house window to see into the patio porch, I realize that there is an on going conversation going on, though one sided.  Hey . . . we all need our confidants.

   
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  Noreen 4:25 pm on December 17, 2019 Permalink  

  Farming 

  I sure hope the latest farm bill has included gentlemen farmers.  Our driveway today looks as if the hay baler just left after the latest cutting of hay.

  Needless to say Dennis was on a quest to find hay with which to feed the deer.  Home deliveries are alive and well.  For this evening fare there is a bright green slab of hay next to the huge Maple tree in the backyard.

  When I came home yesterday from the stitcher’s meeting I noticed there was an extra coffee cup on the cupboard and the cookie container was quite lacking.  Yup, Dennis had afternoon coffee guests.  When the visitor left, what was remaining was a night vision camera affixed to the clothesline pole adjacent to the patio porch. Dennis means to get some good photos.  Trying to get a good photo with our little camera through the screen and glass patio door just doesn’t do the event justice.  

  We are winding down the day and Dennis has kept busy most of the day.  Surprisingly the horse tank that the Koi are enjoying over the winter was in need of replenishing.  I am sure the heat from the furnace for the garage plus the water fountain making bubbles and oxygen for the Koe all makes the evaporation process a daily thing.

  So . . . what have I been doing?  I am working on a repair of a item I gave out to be used in day-to-day life as a prototype.  Stitching it and having it look just as I had envisioned is one thing . . . putting it to use is the rest of the story.  I appreciated the feedback and will keep this one aspect of the pattern in mind for future projects.  

  The world keeps turning and each day is given to be used and enjoyed . . . with visuals of local effort to show for how the day was used.  There are no d0-overs. When we awake, it may be such that we are not the same person as we were when we went to bed.  Perhaps those with whom we share our love and support within our families may have need of us.  Being prepared for possibilities is the best weapon to keep ourselves as healthy as possible.  All this is said to talk myself out of enjoying the remainder of the sweets that have been left over from our family gathering on Sunday.  I hope, I hope I win the battle.

   
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  Noreen 4:49 pm on December 16, 2019 Permalink  

  Stitchers Rule 

  Today, I traveled to Mankato to meet with fellow stitchers.  In my book stitchers rule.  A group of gals that make sense out of our hopes for projects that show those that we share them with how much they were thought of during the process.

  Sometimes those hopes that are hooked to dreams dash and the circular file, wastebasket, gets fed.  By and large we don’t give up or give in easily.  The mental acuity to put ourselves deep into a challenge can be physically exhausting.  While in that mental state, an interruption from life’s happenings can shatter hours of attention to detail.  Is there a “fix” for that?  Probably not, other than living in a cocoon with an interior lock and an alarm that beeps “Incoming, incoming!” 

  Our monthly meeting at Baker’s Square is important and what I glean from that carries over until the next month.

  Yesterday our family gathering was not just about eating and joking with each other.  There was a serious job jar that was cracked.  I have had a three tier flower stand cemented into our patio for several decades.  Kevin brought along a saw and the stand has now been retired.  The stand has totally left Stauffer Avenue.  I am cutting back on flowers that need attention every day as they would dry out quite quickly.  Secondly, I am not the handiest, so Kevin tightened the new toilet bowl lid I had put on.  There was no way I could tighten the nylon bolts enough to keep the lid from doing a soft and slow slide to one side when sat upon.  Rest easy, there in now no chance of pinching that tender little butt skin when the slow slide became dangerous.

  I so appreciate my computers.  I so detest the touch pad that they insist on installing on the keyboard.  The arthritic thumbs would caress that touch pad without me even noticing it until my text had been discombobulated to no end . . . or it was totally deleted.   Jeremy took care of that item.  As I am typing right now, I am still leery.  There are several thousand photos on the Dell computer that is twelve years old.  I still enjoying using the Photo Gallery program as photos can be loaded into individual files.  I could pull up multiple photos of Dennis in a heartbeat.  I was afraid that at some time the computer would fail and all could be lost.  I do backup my computers, but is it 100% reliable?  Why take a chance.

  The job jar got dusted off, the special dishes that we used are tucked back where they are stored, and there is just the right amount of leftovers for Dennis and me.  What is left is to do a double Swiffer on the floors.  Two fur-babies in the house needs some Swiffer action.  It could have been done today, but . . . the stitchers came first.

   
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  Noreen 5:43 pm on December 15, 2019 Permalink  

  Sweet! 

  The kids plus two fur-babies were home for a late Thanksgiving and it was sweet and fantastic.  Dennis and I washed dishes and enjoyed the whole troop laughing and enjoying each other.  Very special when everyone can make it.  Forest Gump said it best . . . “That’s all I have to say about that.”

   
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  Noreen 5:48 pm on December 14, 2019 Permalink  

  Here to Tell You 

  I can tell you the feather comforter was a winner last night.  I usually go to bed with fresh white socks on.  There is a good reason.  The foot end of my bed is against the north west wall of my bedroom.  That says it all.  Insulation can do only so much when the wind continues to insist to blow in the double figures.  Halfway through the night, the socks came off.  Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

  I have had a great day.  Some days click right along as if going to a hard and fast schedule.  If Dennis were to be asked, he would say all my days have a schedule.

  Dennis just called from the patio porch.  Someone must have rang the dinner bell for the deer.  The dinner guests have gone from four to seven.  Dennis gets a kick out of the yearly buck with the ever so slight horns that will become this yearling’s pride and joy antlers.

  Tonight is my night to be showered up early.  My favorite PBS shows start at seven sharp.  With the PBS shows having no commercials,  no quick errands can be run as I may miss something.  

  May everyone have had a day as great as mine.  Catch ya tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 7:09 pm on December 13, 2019 Permalink  

  Fought the Good Fight 

  I fought the good fight with feathers today.  I dug out the feather comforter that I have had for a long time.  With it came out the flannel duet cover that the comforter goes into much like a pillow case.

  The feather duo didn’t seem to work with Dennis as Dennis equates weight with warmth. 

  Now that I am sleeping just a few feet away from Dennis in my own bed, I decided to get it out and see how it feels.  Poking a double sized bed amount of feathers into the cover so all four corners indeed have feathers tucked in is quite the process.  I got it done and time will tell if I stay warm enough with the comforter over a flannel sheet.  So says the experts . . . my grandparents.  

  In my Grandmother Laura’s day all feathers from the duck and goose butchering were saved, washed and dried for just such a comforter as I have.  The only feathers that were saved were feathers from the breast of the ducks and geese.  The remaining feathers were too course.  The wings were saved in tact and they were used as dusters.  Hmm.  I have lived in a wonderful time to have such sweet memories when transitions in day-to-day living were huge.

  Physical therapy went well today.  I believe in the treatment and I believe that God knows how much I have to look forward to.  In visiting today with Mike, the end results were . . . you either fight like a banshee for good health or you roll yourself up in a ball and give in.  Yup . . . you all know me so well.  The second option . . . is NOT an option.

   
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  Noreen 4:24 pm on December 12, 2019 Permalink  

  Feeling Joyful 

  Perhaps the 19 degrees above zero has stirred some joy within.  I believe that it was more getting an expected text of several sentences that totally tipped the joyful meter.  Special.

  Dennis decided that the patio porch dwellers needed to have fresh linens.  Baskets were emptied, cats were evicted to points unknown.  There were several carpet rag rugs that were in the mix.  A small bag of quarters and Dennis was off to the downtown laundry.  Our washer dryer isn’t built to take those rag rugs.  They weigh a ton when wet.

  I had several loads of laundry of my own.  Stauffer Avenue’s laundry will be done . . . for a short time.

  There was a huge packet in the mail for me.  It was from Med-A-Care. It contained all of the medical claims that had been filed in my name since July of 2019.  I sat down and got an education.  The claims began when I needed a preop physical for the cataract surgeries.  At that same time I had also made inquiries with my family doctor as arthritis was jerking me around.  I had requested a physical therapy prescription. 

  Not wanting the physical therapist to be working blind or even not having it be safe to do the physical therapy, the family doctor began ordering tests.  A CAT scan on my back, x-rays for both hips and an MRI for the brain as balance seemed to be an issue.  

  I am hear to tell you, there was nothing life threatening from the tests but physical therapist Mike had a lot of info to work from.  There is progress being made for this ole body that seems to be an incubator for arthritis.  The balance issue was actually the long tendon that runs from the pelvic along the thigh, along the knee and right down to the foot.  I was not putting full weight on that right side . . . because it hurt.  For myself the tests brought me assurance that though my body may be a bit more fragile that I would like it . . . if I do my part in self-care . . . life will continue to be good. 

  I took the time to look through all the paperwork that had come in the mail.  To date with the two hospitalized cataract surgeries, tests, blood work, and physical therapy, the bill was tallied at $26,176.00.  What was my portion . . . zero.  Dennis and I do have the higher end of the Blue Cross, Blue Shield supplement.  With all the ads recently about people having to re-enroll and then perhaps being able to change their coverage for 2020.  Of course there were many promises of getting something for nothing . . . we are automatically carried over with our coverage remaining.  Oh yes . . . or premiums did go up $13.00 for each of us.  Big deal.  We feel secure that we can and do receive health care that goes over and above what would be the bare minimum for others.  Security at our age is the ultimate. 

  Dennis has returned with baskets of fresh linens for his three cats.  Whenever I look through the east house window, there is always a pair of cat ears that I can see sitting on his lap.  Priceless.

   
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  Noreen 4:23 pm on December 11, 2019 Permalink  

  Brr! 

  I had an appointment this morning at ten for physical therapy.  When I backed the car out of the garage the interior dash indicated it was 45 degrees in the garage.  By the time I was at the clinic which is less than 10 minutes away, the readout was -2.  Brr.

  The good news is that my neck and shoulder situation is getting better.  Mike T. knows his business.  Neither one of us is giving in.  During the time with him I did comment that mobility was a good thing but I didn’t need the rotation of the character in The Exorcist movie.  I have no restrictions from Mike.  I have put restrictions on myself and am holding true to a few items . . . no pushing snow and vacuuming.  The last is Dennis’ contribution for my recovery.  Now wait a minute before he gets a lot of kudos for vacuuming.  We have a total of a 4′ x 8′ area rug in the basement sewing studio that requires care from the threads that happen when I miss the waste basket.  Our home is Swiffer friendly for the remainder of the floor area.

  I spent time in the sewing studio with some well needed needle time on several pairs of my pants.  I needed to put belt loops on two pair of pants.  Kevin has commented in the past, “Mom, you don’t have a butt.”  Well guess what?  Not all pants are created equal.  I am now sporting belt loops on all pants that I have in my possession . . . all four pair.  It made sense for me to take care of this as it is hard on the shoulders when the hitching up of pants is going on non-stop from the time they are put on in the morning right up to the time that it’s time to call it a day. 

  When I was at the clinic this morning visiting with acquaintances as we waited for out appointments, I did find out who Dennis can contact to purchase some alfalfa hay bales for his deer.  Last year the neighbors had some road ditch hay they put out for the deer.  That hay stayed laying right where they had put it until the spring thaw.  Not a lot of farmers in our area have need for fields of alfalfa as they are predominantly cash crop farmers. 

  Hang tough everyone, there are some warmer temps coming.