Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 4:30 pm on February 2, 2019 Permalink  

  A Spring Reprieve 

  What to do with a 70 degree difference in temperatures!  It felt as if Spring was here, right now.  

  We are now two days out of Dennis leaving for his trip.  He is one busy ole cowboy.  The ice from our furnace exhaust has been taken right down to the level of the grass.  About that time, neighbor Jan came outside and she assured Dennis she could see the exhaust from her kitchen window and there would not be a chance of it getting out of hand.  Dennis took the filters out of the water in the horse tank that allows for the Koi to have bubbles.  The entire contraption was taken down into the sink in the basement for a clean up.  Would the filter have clogged up within the next several weeks . . . it doesn’t matter as they have been attended to today.  Out of storage came the garden hose and Dennis added water to the horse tank.  Granted, it is in the garage but evaporation does its deed.

  With the temps being in the high 30s, there was a bit of ice to get rid of by the back door.  Dennis took one swipe with the ice chipper and the handle broke off.  Hmm. It’s only twenty-five years old.  What is up with that.  Off to Fleet & Farm we went.  Dennis made sure he bought one that has a hardwood handle on it.  Nice and heavy duty and $23.98 later he was back to getting rid of unwanted ice.  With it being so warm out, I have an idea there will be new ice from the re-freeze over the night hours.  It is quite wonderful to have the concrete driveway thawed off.  

  Dennis has had both vehicles up to the gas station and both have full tanks of gas.  He is now cleaning windshields.   Have you ever heard of people being over stimulated?  Bless his heart.  Dennis so much wants as much taken care of before he leaves so as to not put me in a bind.  Again, I say, bless his heart. 

  If tomorrow is as nice as it was today, I may suggest a road trip of some sort.  It will take Dennis’ mind off of other items that he wants to take care of . . . of which there is none.

  On a light note:  There were seven deer in the backyard last night at intervals.  Dennis thinks the buck has shed his antlers by this time, as there was one that looked huge even from the 30 feet from where we were enjoying them.  I knew I would have livestock chores to do while Dennis is gone.  The three cats in the patio porch have now taken second fiddle to the wonders of the white tailed deer.

   
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  Noreen 5:20 pm on February 1, 2019 Permalink  

  The count down is on for Dennis and… 

  The count down is on for Dennis and nephew Brett to begin their road tip.  This was again a busy day of last minute checks and balances.  The VA visit for Dennis was a positive one.  All systems go in regard to health.  

  We had great service from the privately-owned Thrifty White Pharmacy in Mountain Lake.  It was worth the 26 mile trip.  It was the last of Dennis’ prescriptions that we need for his trip.  On a side note:  It seems Lewis Drugs has purchased the pharmacy from Shopko.  It will be some time before there is a location in St. James.  Madelia, 15 miles to the east of us, is also a Lewis Pharmacy.  We are really so glad that we have our prescriptions on hand as each of our prescriptions do include a 90 day supply.  By that time the red tape should be processed to visit a pharmacy here in St. James.

  While we were in Mountain Lake we stopped for a lunch break before continuing north to Fairfax to stop in at Kevin and his place of work.  Kevin had snagged a variety of Velcro products.  I am hoping to use some of it in The Santa Project.  I will be working on making a new Santa Jacket for the six foot tall Santa we had on display during the Christmas season in our patio porch.  It seems to be the logical time to do it before Christmas of 2019 is upon us.  It will be a slow process.  The most current plan I have is to split the jacket in the back using the Velcro so the maintenance that may be needed with the movable parts will be easier to get to.  Santa is 55 plus years old, and like the rest of us, a bit of TLC doesn’t hurt.

  As I said we are down to three days before Dennis leaves for all points west and I have my plans in place as well.  

   
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  Noreen 5:11 pm on January 31, 2019 Permalink  

  We had a high today of one above… 

  We had a high today of one above zero.  It felt balmy.  Snow flakes came down every once in a while.  We may have had a half inch in total.  Several times I suited up and pushed the driveway clear, especially the end of the drive where the road plow can really pack it in.  It felt good to get some exercise and, of course . . . fresh air.

  Today was time to get Dennis’ bags out of storage and into the living room.  What a fellow needs for a road trip that will be several weeks long is amazing.  Yes . . . we started several days in advance with written check lists.  Both Dennis and nephew Brett use the CPAP machines for sleeping.  I can only imagine how the coin flipping will go when it comes time in a motel to see who gets the electrical plug-in for the their favorite side of the beds.  Come to think of it . . . when I am done with my blog, I am going to put a good extension cord in Dennis’ CPAP bag.  Better safe than sorry.

  The enjoyment that we have had this year with a pair of Cardinals gracing our Lilac bushes is more than words can say.  I realize that Blue Jays get the bad rap when it comes to birds, but I must say we have quite a few of them and they don’t seem to intimidate the Cardinals.  The smaller birds ignore all that is around them and find neighbor Jan’s feeders just fine.  The open water in our backyard from the sump pump reminds me of the conversations that have been referred to as “the water cooler gossip in offices.” It is come one, come all and get a drink  The only creatures I have never seen at the open water is the squirrels.  Hmm.

  The fresh air and exercise has caught up with me this late afternoon.  Once supper is over with, I will be in my chair awaiting all the good shows on PBS this evening.  Oh the joy of watching a full length show with no commercials.  

   

   
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  Noreen 4:29 pm on January 30, 2019 Permalink  

  Accepting the Cold 

  There is nothing more to do than acknowledge the cold and get on with the day.  No point in grumping about it.  The sun is bright and there are some that are having it worse than us by far.  I do not believe Dennis’ furnace is even able to have a shutting down point for a break in the patio porch.  The thermostat doesn’t go below 45 degrees.  No way are we going to shut it off.  We will endure and be thankful for all that could break down in the cold and has not.

  The deer returned last night for their shell corn.  That in itself was a bright spot.  Dennis had moved the top of the bird bath so it was right in line with what can be seen from our east bathroom window.  What a wonderful sight to take in as they were eating.  It was colder than I thought we should be out . . . but . . . with Dennis going to be gone for his road trip coming up on the 3rd of February, we headed to Fleet and Farm.  There now is close to 150 lbs of shell corn in the garage.  I will be able to put out corn while Dennis is gone.  How cruel that would be to have food for them and then stop feeding them.  

  I knew that today I was going to pack away the contents of the plastic tub that has been under my bed for thirteen years.  We had purchased a plastic Fisher Price doll house and the contents for it when Megan was two.  Megan stayed with us for more wonderful times than I can count to. The doll house was in our closet and the tub for the contents under the bed: close at hand in a heartbeat for hours of pretend play. 

  Megan made trips with me to the Fleet and Farm store when she visited.  From the time her little nose could reach the display for the Schleich small plastic animals that the store sold, I was suckered in.  Two at a time.  The doll house would become an animal hospital or a people hotel.  We got our monies worth.

  When Nicholas came along and both kids would stay with us, Megan clued him in.  A trip was made to the Fleet and Farm store.  They each would pick out two animals.  Over the thirteen years the doll house was played with and the animal collection fit into three empty ice cream pails. 

  I digress:  I emptied the tub of the doll house furniture onto the sewing tables in the basement.  I made sure the batteries were taken out of the several items that had them in.  Of course I had to push the buttons and hear the melodies.  I had to push the steering wheel of the doll house family car to hear it honk as I maneuvered the family members into their seats, fastening their seat belts.  The doll house family consisted of a mom, a dad, a young boy, two twin babies and a gray haired grandma.  I carefully tucked all the pieces in place . . . and my tears rolled.  I couldn’t help it.  It evoked so many sweet memories.  It was time to move on.

  I took a photo with my camera and then sent the photo and a text message to Megan, letting her know that the doll house family was moving on until such time that perhaps they would find a place in her home some day.  Yes, I was still weepy.  I had no more than put the tub and the doll house into their storage place when I got a text back from Megan.  “Aww  🙂  Hugs too!  I’m getting my driving permit today!” 

  Talk about an ironic twist to the day.  I moved on and put the doll house memories away and Megan is just beginning to move on into a whole new dimension in her world making for more new memories to share with her Grammie.  I love it!  There is much to accept in our days, be it the cold or realizing that Megan and Nicholas are growing up on me.  Yes . . . much to take in and much to enjoy.

   
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  Noreen 6:48 pm on January 29, 2019 Permalink  

  Feel Good Times on Stauffer 

  Going back to Mom’s solution today when the winds were howling and cold could not be described.  The window shades on the west and northwest side of our home are pulled down and closed.  Perhaps it doesn’t dispel the cold from penetrating, but again, it worked for Mom.  

  Dennis spent a total of 10 minutes with the snowblower today.  The city plows and the county plows can really pile up the heavy stuff at the end of the driveway.  We did learn our lesson many years ago when the huge frozen deposit at the end of the driveway took off the muffler of the little brown Buick I had at that time.

  Dennis is on spot!  Last night after supper, I looked out to the patio porch.  Through the east slider widow I could see that the deer were enjoying the shell corn Dennis had put out in the top of the bird bath.  Dennis was elated.  When Dennis had gone out to check on the furnace and the kids . . . the half pail of shell corn was gone.  Dennis did put out a bit more when he was satisfied all was tucked in for the night.  Dennis reported this morning that again, during the night, the treats had been enjoyed.  This afternoon Dennis waited until about four before getting his empty ice cream pail ready with more corn.  His reasoning was that usually birds and squirrels are not that active in the late date.  Good times watching the deer.  With the deep snow and the cold, the corn does give them a bit of added body heat.

  I did spend some time in the sewing studio.  I have been on a bit of a sabbatical since getting the queen sized quilt hemmed. Surfing one of the closed Facebook sites that I belong to, I had downloaded a pattern for a currency sized wallet.  Hmm, zippers.  I took it slow as I had the perfect size of cork fabric and it didn’t allow for a boo-boo.  I have mentioned it before . . . it bares repeating . . . I like a good challenge.  If I would do a second one, of course there would be a few tweaks here and there.  It does hold six credit cards as well as the I.D. slot in the mid section.  Most likely it would include a snap for the closure rather than the strap for the top to be tucked behind to hold it in place.  Live and learn.  I love it.

   
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  Noreen 6:49 pm on January 28, 2019 Permalink  

  Randy made several passes on our driveway and… 

  Randy made several passes on our driveway and the 90 feet of driveway had nothing of the six inches of snow showing.  The bank of snow on the south side of the driveway and just off of the north side of Stauffer took the deposit.  After a heavy snowfall, I realize old habits kick in.

  Dennis had his snowmobile boots out and I knew there would be nothing to do but for me to suit up and join him.  No way was I going to have him outside in the cold alone.  More than likely he would say I get in his way.  Too bad.  If I can get the garbage and recycling containers out of his way he doesn’t need to spend time doing it.  Our front steps and sidewalk is manageable with my pusher.  That north wind was raw and a doozy.  Getting Dennis into the patio porch for a warm up does take some doing.  Hello!  We have all day to do this.  When Dennis goes after the snow . . . it is all concreted areas get cleared.  I get it.  Dennis’ pickup backs out of the garage onto Stauffer Avenue and that doorway was really socked in from the city’s early morning work.

  In time we had the east and west patios cleared off.  The last path Dennis made was around to the north side of our home.  Our vent for the furnace comes out of the foundation mid point of the length.  We have kept a close eye on that ice sickle.  When all was done and everything snow removal was put away, I headed towards the back door of the house and Dennis was going to get some rocking chair time in the patio porch.

  About the time I had a hand on the door knob, the neighbor south of us was headed for a visit with Dennis and called out to me.  Bob had just finished his snow blowing.  Bob’s observation was “Moving snow must agree with you.  Your cheeks are rosy and it makes you look so much younger.” WTF!

  When I have been out in the cold I go back to doing just what I did for Carrie and Kevin when they were small children playing in the cold and snow.  Slathering Vaseline on the portion of the face that is exposed makes for a protective shied.  If it doesn’t, please don’t message me.  If I believe it . . . it is so.

  Tonight before supper, Dennis felt he needed to get some of that shell corn put out in case the deer came calling.  What to put it in?  Around to the front of the house Dennis went and picked off the top of the concrete bird bath that has a spot there.  Perfect size and heavy enough to hold a Folger’s empty coffee can of corn.  The treat is awaiting on the east edge of the patio.  They have come that close before as they ventured to Jan and Randy’s yard.  Time will tell. 

  I never did check as to the temperatures today.  It would not have served any purpose and it would not have changed a dang thing on Dennis’ schedule.  After listening to the supper news, I know we did the right thing to get the outside work done.  The schools are closing tomorrow due to the cold, a good cue for the two older ones on Stauffer Avenue.

   
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  Noreen 4:53 pm on January 27, 2019 Permalink  

  How bad can the cold be when two… 

  How bad can the cold be when two doe and two fawn like our backyard!  We watched them through the patio porch windows last night for a good 30 minutes.  It was just at dusk.  Granted, Jan and Randy did put a hay bale out for them for just such a moment.  One of the doe got her nose up high enough to rattle the bird feeder.  Those must have been some very special snacks for them to hang around as long as they did.

  This afternoon we went to the Fleet and Farm store for a 50 lb. bag of shell corn when they opened this afternoon.  Dennis is on track.  Even if the shell corn gets damp from the snow, it is still munchable.  The cracked corn and other grains in the bird food would get soggy if we put it out.  There is much of winter left and having visitors is a huge treat.  Speaking of visitors: the pair of Cardinals that grace our lilacs during the day is quite sweet.  They enjoy Jan’s bird feeder and then off to the open water that we have where our sump pump bubbles to the surface.  Stauffer Avenue is the best place to be.  

  The snow has started right on time as per the forecasters.  It’s very fine and according to those who are out and about this late afternoon, the road surface is a bit slick.  We are tucked in safe and sound.

   
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  Noreen 5:18 pm on January 26, 2019 Permalink  

  It is to be a huffing and puffing… 

  It is to be a huffing and puffing spell for the furnace.  The forecast for the next six days doesn’t look very much above zero.  We worked outside for a time to clear away some fresh fallen snow.  With the sun and no wind to speak of, it didn’t seem bad.

  Today was swap out day for bedding.  I actually don’t swap them out.  The sheets get taken off the beds to be laundered and then put right back on.  A linen closet full of choices is not something that I thought we needed here on Stauffer Avenue. 

  As the bed in the west porch was being made, a chuckle came about.  When Michael and Joann were here in the fall of last year, I was showing JoAnn a quilt on the bed.  The bed touches three walls of the four sides of it.  JoAnn commented it must be quite the job to dress the bed.  As I was going through my antics to do just that, I chuckled.  An older adult conquering the quest of the bed versus walls.  It most likely would make a humorous YouTube video.  Our tiny home is our forever home and of course there are going to be challenges.  I am up for them.

  Dennis came in and said the livestock was down by one.  The oldest of the four cats has died.  Tabetha came to us as a stray battling snow banks for food.  We took her in and she had the best three years of her life.  It seemed fitting that I help Dennis take her basket bed apart afterwards.  Dennis went off to the laundromat with that and some other rugs from the patio porch and I began doing some cleaning.  It is now up to Honey Bunny, Snuggles and Harriet to keep Dennis company in the patio porch.  I think it will all work out just fine. 

   
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  Noreen 4:57 pm on January 25, 2019 Permalink  

  All is Back to Normal 

  It may have been cold out with full sunshine.  That was the just the ticket we needed to head out for errands.  I thought we had just done that!  

  Our pharmacy in Shopko is in a flux.  Monday, I went to fill one of Dennis’ meds that he needs for his trip with nephew Brett.  The are leaving Feb. 3rd.  It needed to be 60 pills to last 30 days.  When I received the bottle and had paid for it, I was told they could only do 40 pills.  I asked when I could stop back for the other 20.  Hello!!  The pharmacy is closing and they are no longer receiving meds for prescriptions.  If they happen to have them . . . you may get a full prescription or you may get less than what is needed.  They could have had a sign up.  

  Today we had an appointment with Dennis’ doctor for a new prescription.  Once the old one was processed, we had to start anew.  This med is a specialty.  Only one month prescription at a time and they must last 30 days.  The new start date of the prescription is Feb. 8, 2019.  Where Dennis and Brett will be on the 8th is anyone’s guess.  Upon advice from our doctor we drove over to Mountain Lake’s pharmacy.  It is a privately owned pharmacy and this pharmacist takes care of his customers.  He and our doctor are working hand in hand, so Dennis can pick up the meds on the first of February and have them with him when he leaves St. James.  It seems when a pharmacy is linked to a chain, there is no consideration for the timing of a vacation and how it interacts with what the label on the pill bottle indicates.  The store linked to a chain . . . does not recognize people.  They only work with numbers.  We are so fortunate to have good doctors that have a rapport with good pharmacists.  

  I on the other hand needed my blood pressure meds refilled.  Where to go?  I decided to have the prescription sent down the highway to Madelia.  It’s 20 minutes and I have a 90 day supply with each refill.  

  As lucks would have it, GEEK Squad in Mankato had left a message that the HP laptop was ready to be picked up.  I had called and we got an appointment for later in the afternoon.  I also made them aware I was bringing with me a Dell Laptop.  All was good to go.  Dennis and I stopped at home for a bite of noon lunch and off to Mankato we went.  There was no charge on the HP.  The HP got a total new top.  No more sticking keys . . . and there are no more worn off keys.  The Dell was looked at and tweaked with a minor adjustment under the hood.  I came home with both computers and there was no charge.  What wonderful service!

  On the way home from Mankato, we stopped in Madelia and I picked up my 90 day supply for a whopping charge of $2.95.   By the way . . . Madelia is hooked to the chain of the Lewis Drugstores, that is why our doctor sent us to the independently owned pharmacy in Mountain Lake for Dennis’ medication.

  Our last stop was here in town at the library.  It is to be cold for quite the stretch and nighttime viewing is less than wonderful.  I can while away the after-suppertime with a good book.

  This was a busy day.  After we got home and made ourselves a cup of coffee, I marveled.  We had spent the entire day out and about with an outlay of cash of $2.95.  Gas for the pickup was $1.97 per gallon.  What a heck of road trip for us.  It sure does feel good to have these annoying little issues taken care of.  Having everything covered before it becomes a panic or causes stress is . . . priceless.

  P.S. I had sent Nicholas and Megan some of my stitching.  Something totally out of the blue.  I had been playing around with cork fabric and thought it would be fun to make each of them a wallet. The one pictured was my prototype.  Nicholas’ was brown and Megan’s was black with silver in and among the look.  Grammie can’t always do the same old, same old.

   
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  Noreen 4:48 pm on January 24, 2019 Permalink  

  When the morning finally registered to my slumber… 

  When the morning finally registered to my slumber, I was hesitant to open my eyes.  It sounded horrible outside.  The wind chimes were a constant rattle.  The wind rushing through the evergreen outside the northwest side of the house sounded more like a train.

  Wonder of wonders, the driveway had not drifted over to any degree.  I could still see Randy’s tractor tire tracks that had drug gravel from the street.  The portion of the driveway I had cleaned off with the leaf blower was still clean.  I did not think the snow was heavy enough to have held firm.  Yippee for us.

  I am in between serious sewing and stitching projects and have decided to take a break and do some reading.  I had sent Nicholas and Megan a package with some stitching in it for each of them.  Obviously I don’t have any photos loaded here on the ole cowboy’s computer to share right now.  I may get the photos loaded but then I also need to download a program to resize them.  When Megan received the package in the mail, I got a text that said “awesome,” I knew I could take a bit of a break from the sewing studio. 

  The house smells oh so good as there is a pork roast in the oven along with an Acorn squash.  A good oven meal always adds a bit of warmth to the kitchen.

  I will add if I am to stay on the ole cowboy’s computer much longer, each one of these keys need to be cleaned . . . just saying.