Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 5:45 pm on September 3, 2019 Permalink  

  All is Good on Stauffer 

  A bit warmer than the past few days, but sill doable.

  I will have a spell of personal endurance.  Today was my one month checkup after right eye cataract surgery.  I was excited to get a new prescription and the order for the new lens would be off and running.  Not so today.  

  In the beginning of June my left eye with corrective lens was testing at 20/20 while the right eye that was diagnosed as needing surgery with corrective lens was at 20/60.  Well, well!  Today the left eye with lens tested out at 20/30.  A significant decline in three months.  Next Tuesday I will be seeing my eye specialist to see if it would not be prudent to do the cataract that is on the left eye.  In June there was a speck of a cataract, much different today.

  Dennis and I had talked about it before I left for my appointment.  If it is to be, I will do the left eye as soon as possible.  I have adapted to a degree with each eye with a different focus.  Why spend the money on the new lens for both eyes when in six months, it would need to be addressed.  By the way . . . lenses do run in the the mid $400s to a high as $500.  New frames could push it well over the $500.  Now, our wonderful insurance is great but it does not cover anything beyond the six month eye checkup for vision.

  Hey folks!  I can handle this as I know it is temporary.  No so for some of my friends with more serious life-long situations.  

  On a lighter note . . . tomorrow Dennis will have the mower for his Cub-Lo-Boy put back on the tractor.  The blades have been sharpened and with the new paint and decal job, it’s been give an extended life.

  Life is good on Stauffer Avenue.

   
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  Noreen 5:20 pm on September 2, 2019 Permalink  

  Just like Times Past 

  I am posting this blog on my HP Notebook and just as the first day I opened it from the box.  This is a virgin post.  There is nothing of my last years within the HP . . . for now.  

  I turned the HP on this morning and nothing.  I mean totally zip.  I believe it was something that went south with an update.  No, I don’t think that is right.  I tried to get Dennis’s Candy Crush up and running after that was deleted after an update.  I did do some troubleshooting via the commands with no avail.  The last prompt was to “reset” before I closed it down for the night.  After attempting to it get up and running there were error messages that came up.  I followed the bread crumbs.  It is now 10 hours later and all the software has been reloaded.  I made it through enough prompts to have the keyboard type in English.   

  I do have my files backed up on the Click Free Automatic Backup.  That will be another day’s job.  

  One thing with computers . . .they no longer scare me.  What’s the worst that can happen?  Close me out?  Yup!

   
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  Noreen 3:57 pm on September 1, 2019 Permalink  

  Today was Open House on Stauffer Aveune 

  Today was open house for Dennis and me.  Family members who had traveled to St. James for Dennis’ sister’s funeral departed for home.  Though June had lived in Alexandria for many years, her roots were here in St. James and the family returned her here for the burial.  What was very much appreciated is all those who had come in on Friday and Saturday did stop in to have a few minutes with Dennis in our home today.  There wasn’t much of a change for one on one prior.  God willing there will be a family reunion before another family funeral.

  We enjoyed Sunday company from Colorado, Wyoming, and Arizona, and Silver Bay and Mora, Mn.  Many more had gotten together last night up town at one of the fraternal organization’s club for visiting.  Dennis and I had spent the evening at home together doing a recap of different individuals we had each spent time with visiting during the social luncheon.

  Tomorrow is Labor Day and these ole timers will be having a quiet two-some day right here on Stauffer Avenue.  Open house doors will be closed tomorrow until another day.

   
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  Noreen 4:00 pm on August 31, 2019 Permalink  

  Saturday Evening 

  It is Saturday evening and Dennis and I are home together after a full day of being with family and friends for sister June’s funeral.  It’s now time to let the sorrow meld into sweet memories.

  Now onto my quandary.  Last week I walked across the neighbor’s yard for a quick hello.  I didn’t have my walking shoes on, just a pair of slip-on shoes.  I have since been battling chigger bites on both my feet,  WTF!  In all my 75 years, I have never had chigger bites.  I can just see where the line of the shoe had sheltered the foot, and the rest was fair game. 

  It took several days before I realized what was going on.  We are gaining on it, but I dare not accidentally heed to the wanting of itching any portion . . . I would be hard pressed to stop before I drew blood.  What would we do without the Internet for our general health care information!

  Today is a Saturday that feels like a Sunday that will be followed by another day that will feel like a Sunday.  I hope everyone who has the chance of having Labor Day off from their employment enjoys these wonderful fall-feeling days.

   
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  Noreen 3:56 pm on August 30, 2019 Permalink  

  Together But Separate 

  Here we are on a Friday.  The acre has been manicured and by golly the laundry basket is empty . . . pretty sweet deal on this fine day.

  This afternoon, Dennis and I are together but separate.  Dennis in enjoying the RFD farm channel in the patio porch and I am in my sewing studio.  Sweet digs for each of us.

  Marsha from across the way brought over some tomatoes.  That will be my side dish for supper to go along with the left over chicken pasta dish from last night.  I peeled and sliced the last of the cucumbers to add to the leftovers of the creamed cucumbers of last night for Dennis.  There was no way I was throwing away the creamed goodness of cream, vinegar, a bit of sugar and then adding more onions and additional cucumbers.  Good eating and it takes me right back to Lena’s supper table.

  Once the garden started producing for Mom, it was veggie freshness every night for supper.  I was never a fan of the garden lettuce in a cream sauce.  It was generally served over boiled potatoes.  Whether I liked it or not, there was never a debate when it came to what was put in front of us.

  I did get a reminder call that the day after Labor Day, I will have an eye appointment for measuring and ordering new lenses for my eyeglass frames.  Hallelujah!  It will have been three weeks since the cataract surgery on the right eye.  Three weeks of winking, blinking and nodding to do anything within two feet of my eyes.  I still don’t understand the communication in total and at this point . . . I don’t care.  I am ready! Surprisingly driving hasn’t been a hassle as I have not done a lot of it and that was done very carefully.

  Tomorrow will be a busy day as it is Dennis’ sister’s funeral.  I don’t mind the church service and the grave site service . . . but with most of Dennis’ family the day after a family funeral, it is concluded by being up at the bars.  Just fling out the red checkered table cloth and call it a family gathering. I will be taking a powder for the late afternoon and evening . . . right in my home.  I don’t know how Dennis will handle it and it’s not up to me to decide for him.  All else fails, I’ll leave the light on . . . just like “Motel 6.”  We may spend the early evening hours tomorrow together, but separate.

   
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  Noreen 3:42 pm on August 29, 2019 Permalink  

  Weary 

  A sure fired clue that I am weary is having to put in a password four times before it flies.  Hmm.

  It doesn’t happen often but for no good reason, my eyes flew open at 4:30 this morning and there was no going back to sleep.  I started a load of laundry and puttered around in the sewing studio.  I surly didn’t want to make noise to awaken Dennis.

  Several days ago, I had gotten my blood from a pricked finger where I didn’t want it.  Out came the vinegar.  Mom’s recipe worked great with a touch of cold water as a chaser.  

  By nine, I had gotten quite a bit done in time to greet Dennis as he had slept in.  

  Could this mowing possibly be the last one this fall?  Surprisingly, the grass wanted to clump when Dennis was out in the far portion of the acre.  I had my faithful bagger on for the front yard.  Both Dennis and I got filthy by mowing.  The strong north wind managed to stir up a lot of dust when mowing around trees and shrubs where dry leaves had found a hiding spot from the last storm.

  Rotisserie chicken does have a great flavor from the slow roasting.  When we purchase one in the grocery store we may get one meal initially.  The rest I bone out, dice out and freeze.  Today was a great day to take that frozen treat and get some pasta boiled.  We are having a chicken pasta hotdish for supper.  Philadelphia cream cheese stirred into and right after the pasta has boiled and is still steaming and drained. It coats each piece of pasta for deliciousness.  I added a steamer bag of mixed vegetables and Alfredo sauce . . . finishes the dish.  

  Our supper is on point and creamed cucumbers with lots of onion slices will add some crunch.  

  These two ole timers will be dining in fine style.  You can bet your bippy my feet will be up after supper.  But then, dang, it’s great patio sitting in the evening fanning the weariness.  Time will tell.

   
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  Noreen 12:53 pm on August 28, 2019 Permalink  

  Today May Be a Clue 

  Is life ever dull on Stauffer Avenue . . . not!

  Before I begin my tirade, this weather is such a gift.  Regardless of what comes during the day, this blessing cannot be taken for granted.

  There may be a clue as to why some elderly people decide to hang up the single family residence and find an apartment.  I made mention of another limb that was hung up in the ancient Maple.  It wasn’t safe to leave it swaying in the breeze 20′ off of the ground.  Addressing it was the next step.  Hmm.  Dennis dug out the 15′ fiberglass ladder and was off to get the Cub Lo-Boy out of the back garage.  The ole cowboy rides again.  Easy peasy! Dennis planned on going up the ladder and lassoing the branch with a rope and then using the Cub Lo-Boy to pull it loose and let it fall to the ground.  Fall to the ground . . . I had visions.  While Dennis headed back to the east edge of the acre to get the rope and tractor, I was on the cell phone. 

  Dennis’ sister’s funeral is Saturday.  No way on earth did we have time to plan a double funeral with the escapades of Dennis.  Son-in-law Thomas was over before Dennis even had gotten the tractor started.  Good man Thomas!  All was not lost for Dennis’ part of the project.  He was able to pull the huge limb out of the tree after Thomas had it all rigged.  Huge drama averted. 

  I usually greet the mail lady as she makes her rounds.  As I walked around the northeast corner of the house there was a puddle of water that caught my eye.  Wait a minute.  We had a hose connected at the house to take the sump pump water out into the street.  Aha! The blue plastic hose had split, letting just enough water to show up at the street with most of it spilling right into the lawn adjacent to the house.  I got Dennis a lawn chair and we began the task of taking off the clamps of the blue hose and reconnecting the water out-take from the pump, allowing it to drain underground.  Why had we disconnected it?  With such a wet spring and summer, we virtually had a swamp as the area with the underground drain had nowhere to go but pond. 

  With two possible problems taken care of, do we really want to give up our forever home with some needed day-to-day maintenance?  No!  Just enough activity to made us mindful of checking out the home from stem to stern consistently.

  With all things calm, it’s time for a cookie and some coffee.

   
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  Noreen 4:52 pm on August 27, 2019 Permalink  

  They are Still About 

  Negative things travel faster than the speed of light.  I had positive blessings come my way today. 

  With the good report of the MRI yesterday, you would have thought my doctor would have been off the hook.  Not so.  He called this afternoon to let me know he had gotten some time slots for me at physical therapy . . . with the fellow that has gotten me through two new knee hardware and two new shoulder hardware surgeries.  Dr Eatwell believes there is more here than scans are showing.  Something is going on with my balance and there may be a solution.  Doctors that go beyond are still about.  Oh my sweet Lord, I so hope there is a solution in sight.  I am so not giving up or in.  

  I find humor is all things great or small.  Dennis loves his oatmeal, side dressed with flax meal, cinnamon. a bit of sugar and milk.  When he is on a mission to prepare his fare . . . look out!  I believe if I had the entire kitchen work surface covered in plastic protective gear to dress out some poultry, he would move aside the entrails to get his oatmeal breakfast prepared for the microwave.  Yes, I agree, that was exaggerated a bit.  Nonetheless, it was the truth of the situation.  This morning it was just a matter of getting the cookie dough prep on hold.  

  As Jan and I were visiting across the backyard fence this afternoon, we both took notice of how many dried branches are showing up in the Maple tree.  As we took a look up farther in the dense foliage, there is a limb that has been sheared off by the storms of late, but is caught in a snag.  Note to self . . . don’t sit on the back patio until that issue has been resolved.  Oh the joys of home ownership.  I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

  Being ever so watchful is still important.

   
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  Noreen 4:56 pm on August 26, 2019 Permalink  

  It Seemed Like a Long Day 

  As a watched pot takes forever to boil, so do the days when I am expecting news.  My news was coming from the local hospital.

  I had noticed during the spring and summer, my walking was wobbling.  Not to the point of falling, but to the point I would feel like I would stumble.  I kept telling myself that it was the cataract causing my eyesight to be the source of the problem. My eye doctor didn’t buy into it and neither did the eye specialist.

  As I am in the waiting game of getting corrected lens for my glasses, I decided to visit our family doctor.  He didn’t pull any pouches as to what may be the cause of instability.  It could have been a small stroke, a tumor or a small aneurysm.  An MRI was ordered on the spot of my head.

  Dennis dropped me off at the hospital at 7:30 this morning.  I told him I would call him when I was ready to come home.  I was back home by ten this morning.  And then . . . the waiting began.  For myself, I found I needed to take a nap and let some of the sedative wear off.  Holding your head during the MRI is absolute and I gladly took the sedative for the process.

  At 5:15, our family doctor emailed with the report.  Yes, my brain is that of an aging adult.  There is nothing unusual in my brain.  Very good news indeed.  

  Early on our doctor thought that perhaps the problem with walking was my shoulders.  The reverse of the shoulder replacements does impact how our arms function.  Our doctor suggested making exaggerated swings of my arms while I walk could naturally give me a better sense of balance. That was the doctor’s thought, but he went ahead and ordered the MRI to make sure we covered all bases.  Our family doctor’s next suggestion would be to ask my chiropractor in regard to a pillow that might make a difference in my neck and shoulders. 

  So much to learn about our bodies that we tend to neglect.  I am here to tell you I was nervous to hear the news of the MRI.  It did indeed make for a long day of waiting and now . . . the relief of a good report has taken the starch out of my legs.

   
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  Noreen 3:38 pm on August 25, 2019 Permalink  

  Cool Nights 

  Cool nights make for great sleeping weather.  Though we had a fairly long day of family and travel yesterday, my feet hit the floor at seven this morning.  While Dennis was sleeping in, I took care of starting the laundry and a few other housekeeping items.  We may get busy with family but for me local effort is key.  What is needed for Dennis and me on Stauffer Avenue is hands down #1 most important, and then the rest can come.

  Sure enough, the rest was nipping at our heels.  Dennis got up at eight and both of our cell phones began ringing.  Dennis’ sister, June, passed away this morning.  A punch to the gut, but in her case it was being called Home after fighting cancer.  Dennis and I each took down names of heads of family to contact.  They in turn would notify their family members.  It does make quick work of getting contacts made aware. 

  The day continued on with drizzle.  I sure do like the forecast for the entire week.  We have taken our share of the humidity and heat and I can most likely have an opportunity to bring out some lightweight cotton button down shirts.  This Grammie always has internal heat to burn.

  I puddled around in the sewing studio while Dennis came down and took in a few games of solitaire on the sewing room computer.  Dennis and I agree, this Dell Lap Top is 12 years old and is still handy to have in the basement.  It runs strictly on electricity as I couldn’t see spending $125.00 on a new battery.  This Dell old timer isn’t going anywhere but down here in the sewing studio with the two old timers on Stauffer Avenue.  It is a Windows Seven and there is not options for any updates on it.  It fits right in with us.  The HP Notebook in the living room seems to be updating something quite often.  As long as I can keep up with it, it’s a win, win.