Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:56 pm on August 16, 2017 Permalink  

  A Chuckle for the Day 

  

  Here is the rest of the “shoe” story. Yes, the shoehorn does help. What happens when I slip my foot into the shoe while keeping the backs from pushing down via the shoehorn, the tongues push down towards the toe of the shoe. These comfortable shoes do not have the laces that adjust. These laces are elastic to allow for give but are permanently in place. My arthritic fingers cannot grasp the tongue to pull them back in place towards my ankle. Pushing safety pins into and through the tongues of the shoes allows me to grasp the pins with a pliers and pull them in place. See . . . I told you it would warrant a chuckle. Hey, it works and I love the support these shoes that I wear for our road dates give. By the way . . . they are Skechers – Lite-Weight.

   
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  Noreen 4:06 pm on August 15, 2017 Permalink  

  It had been a long time since dense fog welcomed me from my sleep. Not to be deterred, I got my walking gear on and settled in for additional coffee as I joined Dennis in the patio porch. It didn’t take long and I knew that my walk would happen. It has gotten to the degree that there is no second guessing. I am going to get and take my walk. I feel so much better. Oh yes, the extra junk in the trunk still wants to buck every once in awhile. Arthritis doesn’t take a holiday. I do know that while walking, good posture is the key. The shoes that I have for my daily walk are strictly for that walk. The platform is good and the cushion is good.

  My kids will be happy to know and learn that since I have been walking, I can no longer do the flip flops that once served as my daily gear. I have gotten very accustomed to having “a shoe” on my foot. With having a good shoe on, comes with wearing stockings, aka: anklets. When I move, my body temperature rises and that includes my feet. Putting my bare foot into my shoes, knowing that there is no barrier between my sweaty foot and the inside of my shoes . . . so not going to happen. So, this old gal now has a pair of “shoes” for gardening, a pair for walking, and a pair to wear when we have road dates. They are shoes that actually hold the foot firmly while giving good support. Who knew! Having a spray can of Lysol handy for the end of the day also helps for the that fresh feel and smell the next day. Ya . . . that would be a “Lena thing” as Mom would take care of Dad’s shoes each evening.

  Thus said, taking my shoes off and putting them back on as I go in and out of the house is no longer a top priority. It sounds like a no brainer to take them off and put them on repeatedly, but I need to use a shoehorn each time. Remember that comment about Arthritis? Yup. Oh how I have learned to use that handy dandy little gadget that used to be given away every time you bought shoes . . . well shoes that you bought in stores that were dedicated to selling shoes. My handy dandy gadgets have come from a fellow that used the shoehorns to have advertising printed on them for his insurance business. The cool part is the handles of the shoehorns are 24″ long. It allows me to stand while slipping my feet into my shoes. Gotta love gadgets and the common sense to not fight what happens to be a part of everyday life. A very good life, I might add.

   
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  Noreen 4:28 pm on August 14, 2017 Permalink  

  Magnets compared to Velcro . . . and the Velcro wins hands down. The CPAP mask that Dennis wears every night for sleep apnea had a new and improved face mask that held the mask straps in place with magnets that would affix onto metal spheres implanted in the face portion of the mask. The improved mask was also not able to be taken apart and washed. Oh yes, even those wearing the mask for consistent breathing during the night do occasionally sneeze during the night. Yup, can’t be washed the next day.

  Dennis did try wearing it several nights, only to get up during the early morning hours and put on the old version. The Velcro straps allowed Dennis to position the mask and tighten it via the Velcro straps for a perfect fit of gasket to facial skin. A good fit and there would be no air leaks. Those air leaks as the individual moves during the night can make some weird noises. Have you ever heard a baby calf bellow? I have in real life and also here on Stauffer Avenue during the night coming from Dennis’ CPAP mask. No, it did not wake Dennis up, but it sure kept me wide eyed.

  Dennis and I took a road trip today and returned the new improved face mask to the Mayo Store in Mankato. From here on in, his original style of face mask will be mailed to him from Rochester, Minnesota. It is to be on an automatic schedule every six months . . . .  “But just to be sure, Mr. Curry, keep an eye on the calendar schedule.”

  All supplies for the CPAP are on a reorder schedule, thus allowing our insurance to cover the cost. Staying on track in life is wonderful, but you have to be willing to put in the time to keep it that way.

   
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  Noreen 5:39 pm on August 13, 2017 Permalink  

  We have been totally missed by the rain that was promised. The cracks in the gardens are thirsty. Out of the blue my cousin, Arlan and his wife Vonnie, stopped in on their way home to the Dassel area from Sioux Falls. What a treat. It may have been their first visit . . . ever, but our Lincoln has found its way to their home in times past and I assured him we would return the visit.

  The skies are gray making the day seem later than it is. Perhaps a rain drop or two will find its way to Stauffer Avenue.

   
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  Noreen 3:40 pm on August 12, 2017 Permalink  

  Gosh, I Love my life. 

  

  This is the real deal when action is needed. The bathroom items were moved aside and the end result was a clean dog that shook and shook and shook. Gotta love it.

  The weekend was here before I realized it.  Friday was anticipated as it meant . . . family, and lots of it!  It is difficult for Carrie to find a free day to make a day out of it here on Stauffer Avenue.  Being a realtor null and voids usual and customary hours.  The clock is no longer yours to control.  People wishing to buy or sell have the regular work hours and the realtor gets weekends and evenings to provide the service to accommodate.  Megan and Nicholas breeze in and make themselves at home.  They know every nook and corner of our home.  Their dog Kody, on the other hand, has his nose going 40 mph.  Is our home kid safe and friendly . . . yes.  Is our home cat safe and friendly. . .  yes.  Is it dog safe and friendly . . . apparently not.  I will not go into all the details here.  Just imagine a dog that has no idea what a litter box is for cats.  Imagine . . . how dogs love to roll around on unfamiliar smells.  Yep, Kody needed a bath.  Carrie and Megan went into action and our bathtub saw more action yesterday than it has in a long time.  My job was to bring out towels, while Carrie and Megan were both elbow deep washing Kody in the bathtub.  I had forgotten how far water can fly when dogs work to shake off extra water.  The end result was a clean dog.

  

  The fellows got busy to get those pocket knives shined up and lubed up.

  I gave Grandpa Dennis and Nicholas credit for getting very busy out on the patio during the dousing of Kody.  Nicholas inherited old pocket knives from us yesterday.  The boys got busy out on the patio cleaning the pocket knives and lubing up the mechanisms.  Smart guys. 

  The end result was just a great day of getting caught up and having good conversation, a lot of laughs and promises of coming back soon.

  Dennis and I had special plans for the evening meal as we were off to a celebration.  It is not very often we are out and about in the evenings.  It was great.  We came home with full bellies and overflowing memories of the entire day and evening.  It was hard to imagine that all that had happened and it was only Friday.  

  Today has been a bit subdued for us.  My batch of puppy towels have been washed and tucked away ready for any and all mishaps that may happen here on Stauffer.  Gosh . . . I love my life.

   
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  Noreen 2:05 pm on August 10, 2017 Permalink  

  A Replacement 

  

  Prickly Pear Cactus do have beautiful blossoms. They don’t last very long. The stickers, on the other hand, become a very long drawn out process should you brush the greenery and get them in your hand. Even a garden hose that happens to brush them will retain the fine whisker-like, small stickers that can be felt, but are hard to see.

  

  Last fall we dug out the cactus and this spring we put in 8 plants of Moss Roses. The blooms are continuous and the greenery does not leave a lasting effect when touched. I am hoping that the beauties will drop a lot of seeds. Next spring I will keep a vigilant watch in the hope that they have self-seeded. The exchange . . . a very good thing.

   

   
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  Noreen 6:31 pm on August 9, 2017 Permalink  

  It rained today. Hurray! It was a day “off” for both Dennis and me. Dennis visited with a friend down the way that shares stories of St. James from decades ago. I ran away from home and visited with two very dear friends. Catching up in person far surpasses the social media contacts. Not that getting in on photos of their current events hurts via Facebook isn’t wonderful. No matter who we are, where we live, what we have been through it touches the heart to relate one on one. I treasure these two gals and I champion the events that they plan on until we have moments like today again.

  Coming home to Dennis . . . what can I say, is always a treat. Over scrambled eggs with asparagus we caught up with each other on our day.

   
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  Noreen 5:07 pm on August 8, 2017 Permalink  

  Well dang! The older ones on Stauffer did hit the “local effort” today.  The estimator for the new basement windows was here this morning and we got the lowdown. The windows were ordered on the spot. The company is “Complete Basements” from Mankato. They are the company that has allowed us to have additional square footage of usable basement utility much the same as if our home was of a split level dwelling.

  A bit of lunch and Dennis was off to get the acre mowed. I went down into the basement and began preparing for the window project. Though there is a four to six week installation date . . . why put off what is needed. I had clear instructions on what would make the installers able to work on the project. We have not had bare south and north walls in our basement . . . forever.  I have retained my cutting tables and my sewing machine area free of extra stuff. What’s a Grammie to do if some indulgence can’t be enjoyed.

  Going towards suppertime Dennis has a manicured acre to be proud of. Grant it, this time of year, some grass is dormant and some is soft and long.  It matters not, Dennis did it up in great stead.  The “local effort” was obtained in total today.  Tomorrow there won’t be any time spent on looking for more of the same. Yippee!

   
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  Noreen 6:01 pm on August 7, 2017 Permalink  

  It Tells the Whole Story 

  

  Snuggles in the crook of our Maple Tree tells the entire story of Stauffer Avenue on this great August day. With the west-setting sun shining on the tree, a white cat caught on a photo can be a challenge. A pleasant sit on the patio after supper is a very good thing. It seems that each day we can log in “local effort” here on Stauffer. It might be that my eyesight is more than 20/20. I may always see more that could be done each day, but I also know when I need to zip it as well. Saving some of that “local effort” for another day . . . God willing.

   
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  Noreen 5:08 pm on August 6, 2017 Permalink  

  Another very good day of lower temperatures. Yesterday Snuggles and I worked in the gardens and noticed how dry everything was. Today was suppose to bring rain . . . not so much. I decided to get out my Mantis electric tiller and loosen the dirt round the square garden with the hope that when we do get rain there will be some loose soil to soak it up and not just run off. Once the hard crust was broken loose the soil was very mellow. Out of the blue Snuggles did show up to check out what was going on. Dennis worked behind me and raked the soil back off the areas where it had managed to get in the grass.

  Patio time for the three of us deemed it to be a good effort. It looks tidy to have a definition where garden meets lawn. Having a home and yard that reflects Dennis and me comes naturally. Perhaps others don’t see what has become of their surrounding. Dennis and I enjoy putting in the sweat equity and we do it for no one else other than us. Speaking of sweat, I sweat more than it rained today. Dennis went on to Fleet and Farm as the tiller had lost a bolt and nut. Snuggles found a spot on my lap while I had a cool drink. Snuggles would have stayed forever, but my legs were falling asleep. Another good day right here on Stauffer Avenue.