Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:47 am on June 26, 2017 Permalink  

  Practice, Practice 

  The last days of December, 2016, Dennis and I drove to Eden Prairie to take in Megan’s first official ice skating lesson.  Not too far in the distant past we had been on board when Nicholas got his Black Belt in Karate.  It is always a joy to see the kids involved with something near and dear to them that pushes their limits.  Megan had been having quite a bit of ice time when she had decided to get down to business.  Just going forward on the ice was no longer enough of a challenge.  At the time we were at the arena and taking in that first lesson, my heart went out for her as the tension showed in her posture, body language and in her feet.  There were lines of concern on her brow.

  

  Megan’s first judged competition was yesterday. What a difference from just a short time ago. Her form was right on and if it wasn’t apparent in the fluidity of her routine, you couldn’t miss the expression she wore. It didn’t hurt either that a placing of “first” in the compulsory portion and then a third in “over all” just kept a smile going for the rest of the day. Nicholas gave her trophy a thorough inspection and deemed it a good one. Confidence for both Megan and Nicholas comes in trying new adventures with a huge amount of time, energy and resources invested by the mom and dad. Good job all the way around.

   
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  Noreen 7:13 am on June 25, 2017 Permalink  

  A very good day at Eden Prairie. It was Megan’s first ice skating competition. I will have more tomorrow, as Dennis and I need to unwind from a wonderful day, though a long one. This was my fifth day on the highways this week. My accelerator foot is in need of unwinding as well.

   
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  Noreen 3:32 am on June 24, 2017 Permalink  

  It was a great morning for a walk. I so enjoy the temps when they are in the 60s. I can’t say that I had a lot of ambition after I got home, changed from my walking shoes and took a cup of coffee to the patio. As I had mentioned yesterday, it was a whirlwind with Lorraine being here. Chit chat began in the mornings until the sun went down. We visited family members along the highway going north and caught my brother for a visit as we headed southerly coming back to St. James. It all told me how spoiled I am with my days that involve Dennis and me. Dennis and I may work together on the acre, share some conversation in passing . . . or not. We have our favorite programs on television and have the luxury of having more than one television in our home. To sum that portion of the week up, I am glad we were able to have the time with Lorraine. Lorraine is 86 and fragile and perhaps the trip next year from Arizona may not happen.

  Today Dennis and I spent time on a road trip to travel north and give our support to Kersten as she hosted a Customer Appreciation Day in Fairfax at her Casey’s store. What a bang up job she did. Kevin made sure to haul in several picnic tables for customers to sit and enjoy the root beer floats the dairy princesses were providing. It was a “come one, come all” event. Wonderful small town spirit.

  Dennis and I will be heading to the metro tomorrow to take in an event for Megan. She has been taking ice skating lessons and tomorrow will be fun to see her and her comrades out on the ice. Our summer schedule has worked out thus far so we won’t miss out. That was one thing Mom always told me, “I don’t want to miss anything if I don’t have to.”

   
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  Noreen 6:00 am on June 23, 2017 Permalink  

  It is Thursday and aunt Lorraine has been deposited at her son’s near Hinkley. It was quite the whirlwind week. I may need a bit of quiet time, like in “no talking Dennis, please.”

   
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  Noreen 8:32 am on June 22, 2017 Permalink  

  Twelve hours on the road today taking my aunt Lorraine visiting friends and relatives. Lots of coffee and more talking and listening than I have done since the first of the year. On to tomorrow after I fuel up the car.

   
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  Noreen 8:05 am on June 21, 2017 Permalink  

  Quite the day with Aunt Lorraine. We cut, we snipped, we cut, we measured and stacked. There was no slowing down until the deed was done. A large stash of fabrics is enough for 230 6″ squares to be used in a scrappy quilt, yet to have fine tuning and much machine stitching left. I am quite weary. Night, night.

   
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  Noreen 11:29 pm on June 19, 2017 Permalink  

  Company is Coming 

  

  This afternoon Aunt Lorraine from Arizona will be coming for a visit. Her daughter Chris from Lakefield will be delivering the goods. I already have her checked into the Super 8 for three nights. Lorraine has an agenda and I will put out my taxi hat for several days. This is the first year she has flown into Minnesota and not had her own vehicle for motoring through southern Minnesota. I believe that at the age of 86 a bit of TLC is well deserved. Thursday of this week we will be taking Lorraine to her son Mark’s home near Stillwater. Many adventures for Lorraine. The photo of the two of us was taken five years ago at her granddaughter’s wedding. Lots of water over the dam for both of us since then. Fun times for us two quilters is about to ensue.

   
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  Noreen 4:28 am on June 19, 2017 Permalink  

  Contentment 

  

  Today may have been officially Father’s Day, here on Stauffer Avenue it was total contentment. A breeze with temps in the 60s, patio time and the best part, full tummies with our all time favorite summer cold salad. Spam was meant for mixing with ring macaroni, celery, onions, English peas and a bit of mayo . . . and a slice of butter bread.

   
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  Noreen 6:01 am on June 18, 2017 Permalink  

  After a humid start to the day, the afternoon was perfect to be outside. I did do a bit of weed-whipping in the far east portion of the acre and sure enough, the biting bugs let me know I was more than welcomed. It has been an easy season thus far keeping up with all the flowerbeds. I am a firm believer in using Preen on newly tilled dirt. The weeds that do need to be attended to are those that are snuggled right up next to the stems of the perennials.

  I had the scare of Snuggles’ life today. The overhead garage door to the car needed to be put down before the heat of the afternoon sun crept into the garage. As the door was coming down I couldn’t figure out what was scrapping. It was Snuggles. He had gotten on the rafters via my car and then hopped over to lay on top of the garage door. He was scrambling to keep ahead of the door closing hoping to be able to jump back on the rafters. By the time I stopped the door at four foot from totally closing, Snuggles jumped out and down onto the driveway. The fur on his back definitely was ruffled from the narrow . . . literally narrow, escape. Dang kids.

   
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  Noreen 3:41 am on June 17, 2017 Permalink  

  The acre has been mowed, trimmed and manicured . . . a very self-satisfying feeling for Dennis and me. For Dennis, having a nice looking home, including the yards, it is the peace that passes all understanding. Looking out of the east house window and seeing Dennis sitting on the patio without a care in the world, priceless. It has been a blessing that biting bugs have eluded the patio . . . thus far. It’s time to give those creamed cucumbers a stir as soon they will be spooned over boiled potatoes.