Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 4:02 pm on December 4, 2018 Permalink  

  Could this day be any grayer or drearier? I know there is a sun somewhere up there. I can report that Dennis and I have no bad side effects from the last several days of playing in the snow. That is a very good thing. At the wonderful age of 82 and 74 it is a good feeling that we can still do for ourselves to maintain our forever home. Doing a bit here and there and not waiting for anything serious does us proud. That is not to say we can be all knowing. Life happens and our hope is that we will take it in stride.

  The group of fellows had a good coffee clutch at McDonald’s this morning. Dennis came home and shared what they had talked about. It’s a good thing for fellows to get together to chat and reminisce. I opted for oatmeal with my morning coffee. I have really gotten into it since the cold weather has hit. A good start of protein and fiber for the day.

  Other than doing a load of laundry and boiling a batch of catheters for myself, I have had a laid back day. I thumbed through a drawer and happened along a batch of memorial leaflets. I went right to my 1960s birthday book and entered in the end time of many people who have been listed in the book, so I wouldn’t forget their birthdays. Friends and family members lost to me but not forgotten. Michael, lost recently, still brings a bevy of tears. Grieving does not have a time frame and neither should it. When the heart hurts it needs to be nurtured.

  I did wander down to the sewing studio. I gave it a once over but passed on digging into anything serious. What came to mind was Proverbs 31:13 – “She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.” I did work willingly with my hands yesterday using the snow rake. We had a team effort going. Gripping the handle repeatedly needs to be honored. I appreciate what those hands willingly have done and do and I need to let them have a break as I have more to ask of them in time to come. Priceless!

   
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  Noreen 4:35 pm on December 3, 2018 Permalink  

  I think we wore each other out today. “Good Lord, Dennis, is there no end to your job jar?” Yesterday was about securing clear doorways and walkways after the snow dump. Today it was about securing the patio porch and garage roofs. The ole cowboy had a plan of action that I needed to follow to the letter of the law. Ya, like that was going to happen without a fight. You’re right, I didn’t fight it. Dennis used the snowblower to clear the front and back patios. It was a good 8 inches deep. I was then going to use the roof rake to pull down snow from the roofs that Dennis would then again blow off of the patio. There was a huge amount on the roofs, and being pro-active was a better plan than having a roof collapse.

  I pulled out the roof rake out of the garage and didn’t think I would ever get to the end of the handle. It was a good 12′ long. In its own right it was not heavy, just clumsy with the 24″ shovel at the end of the handle. I couldn’t get it lifted high enough to get anywhere near a roof let alone rake any snow off of the peak of the roof. I stood on the patio much like a person with a long cane fishing pole with the end of it wobbling like a huge carp I had just caught. Dennis looked at me like “anytime now.” I put the rake on the patio and crossed my arms and patted my shoulders. I could see the light go off in Dennis’ eyes. He forgets that my shoulders don’t do much if it means movement above my shoulder height. It can be easily forgotten as there isn’t much that I haven’t been able to work around with less movement than usual with the titanium shoulders.

  We found a solution. Dennis planted the rake head on the roof and handed me the handle. All I had to do was back up on the patio to the full extend of the handle and then walk forward letting the handle slide up along the edge of the roof . . . the rake head was airborne. With lifting the handle shoulder height, the working end of the rake sank into the snow at just about the peek of the roof. Walking backwards the rake pulled down the snow onto the patio. It worked slick. All I needed to make sure of was to not let the rake head slide totally off the roof. Success! This was doable, as I can’t operate the snowblower. The jerking on the shoulders as the snowblower needs to be manipulated would surely not be a good thing. We needed to work as a well oiled machine and we did. Damn it’s good when a plan comes together.

  It took us quite a while as breaks in the patio porch were warranted. The treat at the end of the job was fried egg sandwiches. Priceless!

   
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  Noreen 2:12 pm on December 2, 2018 Permalink  

  Stauffer Team Nailed it! 

  First thing that is heard in our home is the coffee pot going off at 7:00 a.m.  That sound must be like an alarm for Dennis.  What is more precious than being able to stumble around the house after just getting out of bed while all senses are coming alive.  Because I know this for myself, I stay snug in bed and allow the real Dennis to wake up and get his bearings.  There are, after all, rituals.  When I hear the back door close as Dennis heads to the patio porch with a cup of hot coffee and a breakfast snack in a baggy, that is my cue that I get to stumble around as I become fully awake.

  Much to Dennis’ surprise the walk to the garage was manageable.  The last thing I did before I went to bed last night was to go outside and shovel a path through the snow from the back door of the house to the garage for just this moment for Dennis.  Oh yes!  We had snow.  The news this morning was stating about 8 to 9 inches for St. James.  Unfortunately the path was not as clear as I had left it last night as the snow continued at various times throughout the night.  The most that the ole cowboy in his PJs and slippers had to walk through was several inches.  Very doable.

  Neighbor Randy came and did a bang up job this forenoon on the driveway.  After Dennis and I had oatmeal for breakfast, we suited up to tidy around the doorways.  Where no one had trod, the snow could be moved down to the bare concrete.  It was wet heavy stuff.  Where Randy’s snowblower had worked its magic, it was as hard as a rock and icy.  Dennis worked on clearing a path through to Stauffer Avenue for garbage collection and also to work on clearing the doorway for the pickup that backs out onto Stauffer Avenue.

  I dare say we have had a great workout today.  When I came into the house, I plugged in the Christmas tree and pulled the last bit of breakfast coffee from the pot.  Dennis is in his recliner watching the farm channel and we are off the clock for the remainder of this day.  Priceless.

   
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  Noreen 5:10 pm on December 1, 2018 Permalink  

  True to the forecast: It has dumped quite a bit of snow. First icy drizzle, then beautiful large flakes that when they landed on your jacket you could see each one was different.

  I did push a bit of the snow so traveling from the house to the garage could be done without snow shoes. It is wet. It is heavy. The snow pushing was to get rid of some angst. When websites have designs to sell it is usually a smooth transition. Not so today. Of all the files that the designs could be converted to correctly, the EXP file could not. I must have my Bernina Art Link program open to receive files that are specific to EXP. The EXP file went straight to opening it in a Microsoft Word program. So not going to give a happy ending. I have worked with Amanda, my Bernina gal, in Bird Island, enough to know that from the get-go, there should be a list of the options for the download. My bad. I should have moved right on to an alternate website when the product information was lacking. $5.00 shot right up the butt. Live and learn.

  Dennis and I had our snow removal gear ready by the back door when the long green line of Randy’s John Deere was already on the driveway. Last year when I visited with Jan about “Ready Eddy Randy” she just chuckled. The rest of the story is that Randy loves to play in the snow. We surely wouldn’t want to take that away from him. We’ll be going out a bit later and tidy up around the doorways. I think this snow is going to stay for a bit.

   
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  Noreen 3:10 pm on November 30, 2018 Permalink  

  Thursday evening: “Dennis, what do you have planned for us to do tomorrow?” Picking up branches and sticks before they get covered in the snow that’s coming this weekend. Sure enough. This Friday morning, after we were both awake with coffee under our belts, we did pick up branches and sticks in the backyard. I had not paid much attention as Dennis had. Sitting in his rocker in the patio porch he had a clear view.

  Our neighbor to the south has a burning pit. We can use it as long as we clean up after each time we burn branches. Once Dennis got it going, it felt good with each trip to feel the warmth. Our huge Maple and the neighbor’s huge Oak is bound to let loose some of its weaklings with all the wind we have had in November. It was amazing how long we could keep the fire going. We did take a fair amount off of Randy and Jan’s yard as long a we were at it. A little extra elfing never hurts. It was either do it now or in the spring of the year. There always seems to be plenty to catch up on in the spring with yard work. This was a great plan that Dennis had.

  My observation: Dennis is feeling good going into the end of 2018. His energy level does even surprise himself. I am hoping between the four footed kids in the patio porch and myself we can continue finding ways for him to enjoy the fruits of that energy. No! Jigsaw puzzles aren’t going to cut it. When we needed a shelf to be put up in the bedroom, Dennis got into finding a board and getting it contractor ready. That might be a clue. I do know that with the nephropathy in his hands and fingers, the challenge can be daunting. Each day is different and he takes each day on in a good mood. Knowing what can be accomplished each day is a mystery for all of us. We’re thankful to have each day.

   
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  Noreen 4:01 pm on November 29, 2018 Permalink  

  A Sunny Day Brings Much to Enjoy 

  Waking to full sunshine just speaks to what kind of day it is going to be. We had light snow off and on all yesterday afternoon. The driveway was completely white when I went to bed. This morning the snow glistened in the bright rays of the sun. When I toddled to the bathroom and looked out the east window, Dennis had the leaf blower going on the far east patio. Yup . . . in his PJs and slippers.  Go gettum cowboy!

  A Grammie can’t be rushed in the morning. There are things that need to be attended to right off the bat. After I had my paperwork done in the bathroom, I got on my jeans and flannel shirt, suiting up to help what I knew was Dennis’ intention . . . clearing the remaining patio and the 90′ driveway. After a bit even the electric leaf blower gets heavy.

  When we got done it was about ten in the forenoon.  It  seemed fitting that a bowl of oatmeal was needed. As I poodled around in the kitchen, my mind was right back to the farm in Boon Lake Township.

  It was usually ten in the forenoon when I could come into the house and stay for the morning with my part of the chores having been taken care of.  I am not sure how I managed to keep two wee ones busy in the house while I had helped Orlin with the barn chores . . .  much like what Dennis and I had just finished. Not a real good comparison, but thinking that the 50 years plus in between then and now . . . chores is chores and it rang true. It came to me in a flash: many, many trips back and forth from the barns to the house.

  Channel two had children’s programs for most of the morning. Carrie with puzzles to work on, could be counted on to not venture far from Kevin who was in his playpen, or from the screen soaking up what Mr. Rogers was doing. Kevin couldn’t get out and neither could Carrie lift him out of the play pen.  We couldn’t go wrong with Cheerios as the snack of choice for either of them.  There may even had to be a diaper change in between the the chicken barn chores and the cow barn chores.  It was all taken in stride.  Neither of my two children were ever out of my reach for more than a few minutes at a time.  The best part of the late morning was me shutting off the babysitter, aka: television.  With favorite blankets in hand we headed for a rocking chair that had been Grandma Schafer’s.  Both kids on my lap we read stories.  The chair had been an overstuffed chair that had been made into a rocker.  We had room for the three of us with room to spare for favorite stuffed animals and plenty of books.  Kevin generally had snuggled in so deep, sleep was his worst enemy.  It didn’t matter if he was sleeping, Carrie and I read on until she got squiggly and wanted to play with her dolls.   

  Could all these wonderful warm memories have been decades ago?  They are as fresh as that glistening snow had been on the driveway.  The oatmeal was good that Dennis and I shared.  The snow on the driveway is gone.  My memories are never gone, just resting in the back of my mind ready to spring forward in a heartbeat, keeping me company or flooding in when least expected. I love that.  As I grow older, I know I may be alone once in awhile bit I will never be lonely.

   
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  Noreen 4:30 pm on November 28, 2018 Permalink  

  Snow Removal Time 

  Today was my choice of days to run errands.  Sure enough there was white falling from the sky.  It didn’t really qualify as snowflakes.  It was a very wet sleet that still managed to coat the cement.  Just enough mess to track in.  It didn’t take long, Dennis had the electric leaf blower out taking off the majority of the new.  Unfortunately I had to pick up a prescription for Dennis earlier and had driven the snow down to become a snow pack.   

  

  Yup . . . there is Dennis in his PJs and his garage slippers putting in his time for local effort. Gotta love the ole cowboy.

  Before heading out to the bank and grocery store, I asked Dennis if there was anything that he had to add to the list that I had in my hand.  Dennis had not one thing to add.  Now that is contentment. My goal was to try several different types of apples to bring home.  I have gotten spoiled by the Minnesota grown apples that we got at the apple barn on the way to Mankato.  They closed two days before Thanksgiving.  My first choice is to purchase fruit that is already pared.  Late this fall I opted to having an apple or two on hand each day.  Less cost and just as good for me.  

  Why are Dennis and I so content with not a single need or want to be had?  Our pantry is full of many choices for meals.  Clothing: when you are retired it is optional.  Not so much the wearing of it as the choices that may fill the bill from day to day.  It is not unusual for Dennis, the ole cowboy, to stay in his PJs all day to only change into clean ones for bed time.  Basically it doesn’t matter.  I generally enjoy a cup or two of coffee in my robe and then I have to get clothes on.  Nothing is more annoying than having too much robe fabric that can get in the way when I want to reach for something and end up pulling something over . . . only to make a mess to clean up.  Before I headed to the store there was no needs-analysis warranted. 

  I am still in limbo in the sewing studio.  When Megan finished her large project I did take the sewing machine down to the nubbins for cleaning and oiling, complete with a new needle.  A soft brush can catch a lot of fuzz.  I have several patterns lying on the table but am lacking that burst of “let’s get this going.”  I am waiting for some hardware items from Amazon to try something new.  Time will tell!  I will tell you that hardware may be purchased, fabric will not be purchased.  I have a need to buckle down and use what I have and become creative with it.  It is my personal challenge and I will have fun seeing what I can come up with.  Well . . . then . . . truth to tell, when Kersten’s mom handed off the Singer Serger, there was a second box that included yardage of various amounts and patterns.  Now this next ditty that I am about to share is that the fabric is much like when someone wants to loose weight.  If you share your target goal, it is harder to not stay the course.  I am sharing with you that I will use the fabric I have within our home and enjoy ending with some great finished projects.  So . . . be . . . it!

   
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  Noreen 4:19 pm on November 27, 2018 Permalink
  Tags: Lorraine ( 6 )   

  I am not one to be on the phone other than acknowledging appointments . . . or if I recognize the number of a family member. The computerized calls are awful. They don’t honor holidays or Sundays. We do not answer them. Thankfully, someone who does need to get ahold of us will leave a message. If I hear a message beginning, I will pick up the phone and thank them for being patient in me getting to the phone.

  Last night the phone rang and it was a number both Dennis and I know. It was aunt Lorraine in Arizona. She was having a very bad day. Due to eye problems that cannot be corrected with lenses, she had to give up her driving that day. Lorraine is 87 and comes to see us every summer and stays for several days. She has been able to use a car of one of the kids to motor around Minnesota. That was until last year when neither of her kids offered a car and Dennis and I didn’t question it. We picked up Lorraine at Chris’ and delivered her to Mark after our visit. Lorraine’s son, Mark, lives in Hastings. Daughter Chris lives in Lakefield. We visited for almost an hour last night and it gave her a chance to vent and share. What more could I do than give her positive support. No one likes change.

  I have no doubt this will be a challenge for Lorraine. Who wouldn’t want to remain mobile at will. It wasn’t Lorraine who finally made the decision. That made it hurt a bit more.

  Dennis and I talked about when Mom gave up driving. One day out of the blue, she told us that her car was going out to Michael’s for them to use and that was that. She was living in an apartment house in Hutchinson at the time. She had realized many of her friends in Park Apartments used the city transport. There was no moving the car when it snowed and all she needed was to step out the front door and she could continue doing errands. I believe Mom was 88 or 89 when she let the car keys go. Come to think of it, that is exactly the same way Mom decided to move off of the farm and take that apartment in Hutchinson. We all came for a Mother’s Day and she made her announcement. She perhaps knew in her heart what her limit was with what had been usual and customary all of her life. She was a trooper.

  I admit I don’t drive as much as I used to when I was working or when Megan and Nicholas were small and I would travel to the metro to help out when needed. It’s one thing to only drive once in a while compared to not being able to drive that “once in a while.” Actually, tomorrow is my “once in a while” to do some banking and grocery shopping here in town.  Snow is forecast and I hope to be ahead of it.  I don’t drive at night. My depth perception is not good. Car lights, reflective road signs all have a halo around them and it is quite difficult to remain focused. If I can’t get my crap together and get it done in daylight, it must not be very important. In the recent past, Dennis has even commented that if we go somewhere, he would like to be home before it gets dark. For us older ones . . . smart move. Yup, we continue to get smart to protect what we have for a wonderful life right here on Stauffer Avenue.

   
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  Noreen 4:48 pm on November 26, 2018 Permalink  

  Grammie Pulled It Off 

  What’s not to like about a day to take challenges on: toe to toe, eye to eye.  In regard to the serger (previous posts) that was given to me, it was left last night as a re-do on the threading.  I pulled out all four spools of tread and started over while the YouTube video was loading: “A Man and His Serger.”  All was stepping right along until the video referred to a small hook for the upper loopers.  There was no small hook to be seen.  Dennis came down: watched the video, looked at the serger sitting on the table . . . no small hook.  It was time to get out the LED flashlight.  Dennis with his tiny eye spied a small hole.  It took a very small sewing needle poked into it to realize that it was the target for the thread.  Dennis exited: stage right.

  I decided a cup of coffee would be needed.  Thread is soft.  Thread is limp.  Thread that needs to span a space of 1.5 inches to be threaded into a small hole is NOT going to be completed on the first try.  I trimmed the thread.  I wetted the thread.  I cursed the thread.  Actually . . . I think that did it.  That one important step was what allowed the scissor action to work for the overlocking of threads.  I think someone in solitary confinement devised this little machine.  After the threading process we felt pretty smart about ourselves.  It was when I turned the next page in the written manual and also pushed the “play” button on the video that the rest of the story was revealed . . . the tension settings.  Dennis wished me good luck and declared he was going out to have coffee with his friends at the apartment building.  He knew what was good for him.  Tension of an ordinary sewing machine can be difficult.  Setting tension for four different spools of thread could bring anguish and the straw that broke the camel’s back. 

  Fast forward: It is now time for the sun to be setting and the serger and I are one.  It is working perfectly.  It was worth all the deep sighs, heavy breathing and cussing under my breath . . . and some out load.  It will take its rightful place in the sewing studio and be on hand for working with whatever any day may bring.  Priceless.  Megan, I am hear to tell you I also have reached success at tenacity.

   
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  Noreen 5:18 pm on November 25, 2018 Permalink  

  My Turn at Tenacity 

  Thanksgiving Day when Kersten and Kevin arrived, Kersten brought my sewing studio an addition.  Her mom, Nancy, and I had visited and Nancy was ready to hand off a Singer Ultralock Serger, that was not being used at her home or her mother’s home.  

  Yesterday I took it out of the box and Dennis was right there with small brushes, soft cloths, etc. to give the machine a once over on the outside and taking a look under the hood.  A can of air was also requested.  I got busy and downloaded an owner’s manual for it.  It is a 1987 Singer Ultralock #14U34.  I read the while Dennis cleaned.  I was then ready to see what I could do.  Four spools of thread at one time with two needles seemed daunting.  One step at a time.  One try at a time in the threading.  It truly was a challenge using every bit of my tenacity.  When I shut off the lights last night in the sewing studio, it was threaded and I left it at that.

  

  There is the little beast complete with a sample that is not correct. The machine is perfect for sewing seams of knits, putting rolled hems on light weight fabric and best of all Kevin . . . putting new knit cuffs on favorite jackets . . . when it is threaded correctly.

  This morning, I plugged it in and putting my hand on the electric foot pedal, I took it for a spin.  Ironically it spit out a sample.  It stitched and cut off the far right edge of the fabric.  There are two knives within the workings of the machine.  The sample did not look 100%.  Today I have surfed YouTube on various types of similar units.  Late this afternoon I happened upon “A Man and His Singer Serger.”  The twenty four minute video was with the exact same machine as I had sitting in my sewing studio.  Hells bells.  I do not have it threaded correctly.  All four threads are coming off of the spools going into the top of the machine incorrectly.  Of the four threads going into the belly of the machine, only three are correct.  It is amazing that I could even have a sample to take the photo with.  Tomorrow I will pull all the threads out and begin anew.  You know I will have this same video on the Dell computer in the sewing studio and pause and play, pause and play until we are one.

  This fellow that made the video has been sewing for just a year.  He found his little Singer in a trash bin and began working with it complete with purchasing a few parts. His main love is making his own caps.  All the pie shaped pieces that take the cap from the brim to the top are using his serger.  He claims it will be one item that will serve anyone well once they take the time to get it threaded correctly.  Ya, you bettcha! I even found a second video that he has put out labeled as “an update.”  Sweet.

  I think I did match Megan with tenacity today, but unlike her, I have yet to score success.  Tomorrow is another day.