Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:22 am on June 29, 2017 Permalink  

  New Day – New Pattern 

  

  When Aunt Lorraine and I were in a quilt shop this last week, she wanted to surprise me by having purchased this kit for me that contained fabric and the pattern . . . without me knowing it. She did get that pulled off. Today, having had an inch of rain to spoil mowing the acre, I tackled the kit. I have it sewn and to finish it off, it is to be embellished with beads and beading to hold the fans open. Guess what? I have three feet of beads in this tote that Kersten and Kevin found for me a while ago at a garage sale. I won’t begin the beading today but I have plenty of beads to choose from. Priceless.

   

  

  The pattern was a challenge as it finished in a 3D effect. Right now pins are holding the fans open . . . but not for long.

   
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  Noreen 6:26 am on June 28, 2017 Permalink  

  A Bit of TLC 

  

  Time flies and Roger the Moose was due for a new coat of water sealant. What a great remembrance from the home family farm. Michael worked wonders with salvaging highline posts, thus: Roger. When I was visiting him last week with Lorraine, I spied a bear that he had also crafted. Lots of patience and I can tell you, Dennis and I were amazed at how much elbow grease we spent on sanding Roger so he would be entitled to water proofing.

   
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  Noreen 2:30 am on June 27, 2017 Permalink  

  Monday, Monday. There is an inherent surge that kicks in from decades old habits on a Monday. For one thing, it’s laundry day. Mom would have either Elvera or me out before we had a chance to do anything else and that was to wipe off the clotheslines with a clean damp cloth. If it meant that we had to get to it before the school bus for Elvera or for me before I walked to the rural school, it was not to be left undone. Just how much dust can land on clotheslines from one week to the next was immaterial. Mom’s laundry techniques were second to none. The wringer washing machine had two tubs side by side for rinsing after the washing machine had agitated to its heart content. I will say that Mom had the whitest of whites and the cleanest of clothes right down to the rag rugs that were the last load to be washed.

  For me this morning I had one cup of coffee complete with a teaspoon of sugar and a bit of cream in me when I hit our bathroom where the stackable washer and dryer are. I started the wash water for the washing machine with my liquid soap in the bottom of the tub and filled the softener portion in the center hub of the machine. As water filled I was adding my sorted clothes. Once the lid was shut, I headed for my two mile walk.

  Coming back from my walk about 40 minutes later, I had time to fill my coffee cup with straight black coffee and enjoy a few sips before the laundry was finished spinning and then swapping it from the washing machine to the dryer.

  Yes Lena, the Monday surge is still here for getting the laundry going but . . . my oh my, I feel so spoiled. Lena’s laundry Monday was a full day that wrapped up with some ironing being done as the breeze had taken out many of the wrinkles as the clothes blew on the clothesline. The hot iron finished it before the clothes was taken into each respective closet. Oh yes, even Dad’s work shirts got a touch with the iron as well as pillow cases. If I am vigilant with hangers at the clothes dryer as the cycle is complete, no ironing is needed. My oh my, I feel so spoiled.

   
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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.