Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 4:55 pm on August 19, 2017 Permalink  

  The team on Stauffer is alive and well . . . if not a bit grubby and weary. Today Dennis was in charge of 100% of the mowing of the acre and I was the handy dandy trimmer of all things not able to be reached with the rider mower. During the first battery on the trimmer, all was well. When I swapped out batteries I took a look at the Bridal Wreath Bush. I should never have looked. Black Night Shade vines were everywhere . . . like a huge amount. I began trimming back the bush. By the time I was done the stumps of the bush are maybe 12″ high. Just perfect for next spring’s new growth. Dennis took a break from mowing and he hooked onto the two-wheel trailer. Off to the landfill we went with our load. After a short pickup ride, the trailer was back in the garage, Dennis went back to mowing and I continued trimming the remaining portion of the acre.

  It is now suppertime and when we get the energy to get showered up, the patio time this evening is going to be sweet. The acre looks marvelous. Somewhere in there we will pull something together for supper. It is such a great feeling to work together for a common goal . . . a wonderful spot here on Stauffer Avenue. It does puzzle Dennis when some of his acquaintances remark how bored they are.

   
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  Noreen 3:53 pm on August 18, 2017 Permalink  

  A bit of chit chat and planning while sitting on the patio enjoying coffee. We have the plans in place and the project is ordered for our new basement windows. It is now time to think on getting some landscaping done on the north side of the home where two of the new windows face. It is unfortunate that the air conditioner is outside the northwest window. It is what it is and the window fellow said they have faced worse challenges. The northwest window is sitting on ground level . . . and I mean “right on.”

  With the latest news that our favorite lumberyard is closing and getting ready for an auction, and I believe all their locations in this southern part of Minnesota, we mauled it over. We made a trip to Lowe’s today.

  In the history of Stauffer Avenue I think Dennis and I made history. We have done four, let me repeat, four road trips within one week. I think the little red pickup must be on some awfully high octane fuel and wants to go, go, go. Hmm, that being said, I should check Dennis’ prescriptions. Perhaps it is him and not the little red pickup that has gotten the “go.”

  I digress. We measured once, we measured twice and we now have on hand what we will need for the landscaping project on the north side of the house. In particular, we have the window well foundation item and also the clear vinyl cover for it. Neither of these can be installed until after the window is in, but we are prepared. Some dirt work is in our plans. Moving dirt back from the foundation and making it all pretty. We’ve got this.

   
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  Noreen 5:06 pm on August 17, 2017 Permalink  

  Just a good day here on Stauffer Avenue. I surfed the web for additional information for and on embroidery designs. Asking a few questions as to what would be possible, etc. Gotta love what is called “live chat.” I had been babysitting neighbor Jan’s potted flowers. They survived the visit to Stauffer and are now back where they belong.

  The cool weather is much appreciated . . . if the dew point would behave itself towards the afternoon hours. Fore told is fore warned . . . there is a pending road trip scheduled for tomorrow. A bit of landscaping needs to be done prior to the new basement windows being installed. Mankato, be prepared for the little red pickup to be heading your way.  By the way, we did get an inch of rain yesterday. It was hard to believe that Redwood Falls received 8.02. Too much too fast.

   
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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.