Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 4:30 am on November 27, 2015 Permalink  

  Whew! What a grand slam dunk of a successful Thanksgiving Day. Lots of laughter always makes for a wonderful time. Thanks to Kevin putting up some shelving and Jeremy doing a bit of plumbing work in the bathroom . . . yup a great day.

  It was unfortunate that the weather turned a bit dicey with some rain that turned to snow that turned slippery. I have promises that I will receive phone calls when everyone arrives safely home.

  I am already in my robe and slippers and plan on getting leftovers tucked away before I hit the sofa. Yes, a happy type of day.

   
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  Noreen 5:09 am on November 26, 2015 Permalink  

  Another great mild day for us to enjoy. A bit of sun would have been nice, but the furnace does love a day off.

  I do believe my sinuses are cleaned out via onion chopping today. I emulate my Dad when it comes to the flood of tears that onions bring on. It may have been Dad’s favorite addition to most items from the oven for dinner or supper, he just couldn’t handle the waves of the aroma that some raw onions can create.

  My secret for adding the flavor of onions in some dishes is to have them shopped super fine. My other secret for serving up a good meal for Thanksgiving is to have Dennis at my elbow. His strong arms can stir and whip ingredients together better than I could ever do it.

  Preparation the day before is key for a stress-free morning that is yet to be. It will be our first time using an attached meat thermometer for the meat dish tomorrow. Time for the Stauffer Avenue older ones to move on up in the world. The chopping, dicing and mixing is done for this evening. It is time to sit back and make a few written notes for myself as to not forget some of the events for tomorrow.

  A P.S. on a previous blog post in regard to my left leg. I have been wearing compression socks. After a long day of standing on my feet today in the kitchen, I am sold. The level of comfort is good.

   
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  Noreen 5:15 am on November 25, 2015 Permalink  

  This was a type of day that does not happen very often: I went to Mankato alone!

  Dennis hung around the body shop where his little red pickup has been since last Wednesday. It didn’t need a lot done, but the fellow came down with the flu.

  The pickup is back in the garage and Butter Ball and Snuggles have already checked out the rafters above the pickup. I am sure they were afraid they would never get back up to their favorite hangout. The pickup needed a bit of work under the running boards to stabilize them and then Robby wrapped bed liner around the running boards as black paint doesn’t stand a chance of staying on. The area right behind the rear tires got sandblasted and is sporting new red paint. Talk about the price of paint . . . on second thought, not. The pickup looks sharp and my ole cowboy looks sharp behind the wheel. Gotta love that fellow.

  I ran some grocery errands in Mankato and I am totally ready for kitchen prep work tomorrow for the following day, Thanksgiving Day. Excitement is in the air.

   
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  Noreen 5:22 am on November 24, 2015 Permalink  

  Hopefully, after today, the doctor appointments are finished for awhile for the team here on Stauffer Avenue.

  Dennis needed a lung scan and that in turn denoted spots on his liver. With another check and test, it was determined that the spots are cysts that are benign. He is in good shape for the season.

  I had noticed a time back that my left leg was a tad bit larger than the right. Leg problems can be a marker for heart problems. Not to miss anything, the doctor ordered a full blood workup. I didn’t know I would have that much to spare as she started swapping out vile after vile. All the results were good; heart, liver and kidneys are good. The level of cholesterol and triglycerides were an acceptable level, thus giving me a bit to work on to get it better.

  The next test was today. The ultrasound would be the indicator of a blood clot. They checked both legs from the groin down to make sure there was consistent readings. I just checked my email and Dr. Eatwell was on top of the lab results and passed them on to me. ALL is good. The leg may be reacting from the knee replacement twelve years ago, having some veins that rerouted themselves or . . . just a fluke. It was suggested to wear some compression socks. Hello! I have many, many pair of them from just as many surgeries. I can handle that.

  Not all things in the human form, created after God’s image, can have a medical or logical explanation.

   
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  Noreen 6:26 am on November 23, 2015 Permalink  

  And Then What? 

  Grandpa Dennis came home yesterday with a bundle under his arm.  The bundle was navy blue flannel bags sewn with lots of gold thread and gathered up with gold cords.  Who knew that this is how Crown Royal is marketed in the liquor stores?  I still do not know what Crown Royal is.

  Grandson Ryan has tricked out his garage for a hangout where he and his friends can gather.  I can hear the gears of his gray matter as he cranked out the thought, “Who else could make a window curtain out of egg-shaped liquor bags but . . . Grandma Noreen?!” I do not want to know what expanse of time it took him to collect these or how much each bag represents in dollars.

  

  Imagination was at a peak today on Stauffer . . . kind of like making a purse out of a pig’s ear.

  Why not just hit this project for all I had, as my sewing table was not lacking for projects awaiting finishing work.  This needed a fast turn around.  It didn’t make the project easier as there were various sizes of the egg-shaped bags.  Dennis lent a hand at the ironing board, all the while being careful to stay on the wrong side of these bags once they were taken apart and trying to lay flat.   Totally sewn with gold thread, it was more like plastic that melted in a puddle if hit with the hot iron.  My challenge at the sewing machine was dodging the metal eyelets that were corralling the gold braid.

  I do believe part of the draw and charm of this product is the bag that is dripping with gold adornment.  Banking on that assumption, I decided to keep as much of the bling appeal as possible as I know the remainder of Ryan’s garage setting is quite “out there.”  Ryan’s garage decor screamed for something that would not, could not, be duplicated in any of his buds’ garages.  The end result was a curtain for a 46 x 27 inch window opening.

  The finishing of this project meant a cleaning of my sewing area. These little bags were messy with fragments of lint once the original bags were cut in to.

  Who knows what will be the next request of the Stauffer Avenue Sewing Center?  I am always open to listening and then trying.  The results of what they may get is still a “take it or leave it.”

   
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  Noreen 6:48 am on November 22, 2015 Permalink  

  Good things happen each day. What a blessing that there are more good things than bad. When a bad thing happens . . . UGH!
  I have had a Hotmail account since the mid 1990s. My current email address and password, I have had for some time. Today, the earth shook and my password does not register. Oh, there are to be checks and balances to retrieve info, but I have yet to find it. Initially, my home phone number was in the database. They would text me a new password, but the cell phone number I gave them causes more red flags. Oh well. My next step will be to set up a new account for them to correspond with me.

  Now for the good things that happened today. I am anticipating having some shelving installed by one of my elves on Thanksgiving Day. Dennis took the measurements and the two boards to his grandson. Ryan has a table saw and it was a smart move on Dennis’ part. Our selection of power tools is less than good. When Dennis came home with the boards the correct length, he had a goodie bag for me. Ryan needs a new curtain made for his garage window. He sent along the material from which to have it made: multiple drawstring navy blue flannel bags that Crow Royal is sold in at a liquor store. I do not know if this brand is rum, whiskey or chocolate flavored alcohol. I have the measurements and this late afternoon, I have all the bags de-constructed. Perhaps tomorrow, I will find out what I can salvage from each after they are ironed out and trimmed out. The barter system is alive and well. I realize Ryan has no idea of what his wish is in relationship to logical, but Grandma will deliver and he won’t be the wiser as to the mechanics of getting the curtain done. It will be unique.

  Dennis made supper for us and I was thrilled when he called down to the sewing room that the “Sweat Shop” needed to close. His Tuna Noodle hotdish with green sweet peas was fantastic.

  So many good things on Stauffer Avenue to be thankful for.

   
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  Noreen 4:59 am on November 21, 2015 Permalink  

  First Project 

  

  First project on the first day of turning on the new Bernina sewing machine. This is the first upgrade of a sewing machine for me since 1968. My first township assessing check of $200 covered the cost of the Kenmore sewing machine in 1968.  It still is close at hand as not too long ago it had its third motor installed.

  No more reading of the manual. It was time to plug this sewing machine in and do a test drive. I felt straight seams would be a sure bet. With the first snowfall of the season today, how could I not sew up some flannel pillow cases for the kittens and cats to snuggle into? Portions of the machine’s shipping cartons were perfect for the used pillows with flannel casings to be used.  There is a formed piece of hard Styrofoam in the base of these boxes for additoanal insulation.  The kittens and cats visit the rafters in the garage, as evidence of the many foot prints on our vehicles. The largest box will be placed above the pickup on the rafters and the smallest box will go above the car. Dennis’ garage and porch furnace never allows the area to get colder than 40 degrees.  Heat does rise, so this is our best shot of keeping the critters comfortable as winter is here.

  

  Much to learn on this Bernina sewing, quilting and embroidery machine.

  Now on to the first run on the sewing machine: the pressure foot goes down with a push of a button, the needle goes up or down with a push of a button, and the thread is cut off at the end of the seam with a button. No longer does the needle need to go down and grab the bobbin thread, it is done automatically when the machine is engaged. The bobbin winds for fills with just a push of a button and holds almost a total spool of thread. The machine will tell me when it is running low as to not be in the middle of a sewing project when the refill is needed. No longer fighting to get the bobbin case into the machine: it is under the needle. It is loaded from the side. I can manage the height of the pressure foot by a choice of three. Today was some very practical practice. I found myself reaching to lower the pressure foot from old habits. One day at a time and each setting will allow me to expand my horizons.

  What this upgrade will allow for me is to continue being creative with fabrics and threads.  I know I will continue piecing wall hangings and quilts, but not to the extent of times past.  In the wings, I do have a request for three quilts for three great granddaughters with no time line.  Sweet.  What will be one of the new challenges is machine quilting some of my projects rather than visiting the Old Alley Quilt Shop for the machine quilting.  I am very excited to experience the embroidery options.  Wonderful projects to turn while the arthritic fingers and hands can take a break all the while watching the magic.

  Not to worry, I will not neglect Dennis.  Life on Stauffer just got a bit sweeter this winter.

   
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  Noreen 6:12 am on November 20, 2015 Permalink  

  First things first. The green afghan has been mended, and me, manned with the 3M lint roller, removed a lot of the bristly hair of the yarn-chewing dog removed. It was amazing how the hairs had intertwined in the stitches. I can just picture him snagging the afghan with an outstretched paw as the afghan was hanging off of the sofa. Once he had a portion of the afghan pulled into his kennel, he settled down for a chewing frenzy until he wore himself out, followed by a nap on his conquest. Piper is no longer in the household. Piper, being part Dingo, his energy was too aggressive for Megan and Nicholas to handle him or to interact with him. I think the new Labradoodle puppy is a much better fit.

  The afghan has been gently washed and rinsed multiple times. I was literally afraid to take it out of the washing machine for fear I had missed some stray. chewed off ends of yarn and the whole thing had unraveled on me. Nope. All was well and the dryer set on a low setting just finished it off perfectly. Some of the repair is less than beautiful. Considering how much was missing and how many raw ends of yarn were left to track backwards, I feel good about the project. I think Carrie will be pleased. I know if Carrie and Kevin’s Grandma Esther, the gal that taught me how to crochet, were here . . . she would be proud.

  Later today, I did begin taking a second look at my sewing area. It needed some work before bringing in a new sewing machine. I admit, I have stuff. I can whip up, crank out, and produce quality projects without needing to do a “shop hop” first. I love my sewing and craft area. It is better than drugs to sedate me. After some elbow grease and implementing some of my organizational skills, it is not surprising that I have some items to send home with Carrie and also with Kevin when the family is together for Thanksgiving. Sharing of the goodie stashes – priceless.

  It is time to wind down for the day.

   
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  Noreen 4:57 am on November 19, 2015 Permalink  

  Now? 

  

  Now? No, not yet! Still some work left to do on projects that were started.  Dennis is keeping an eye on the crates to make sure I stay on track.  What a fellow.

   
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  Noreen 6:45 am on November 18, 2015 Permalink  

  A ducky day that seemed to pass with many good things. I don’t have very many words left for my blog posting. Dennis and I were on the open highways today – a rainy day and us with our job-jar empty – the road trip was on.

  I spent a lot of time working with the shop owner in Bird Island in regard to purchasing a sewing machine. I had watched many, many tutorials online in regard to the machine I was interested in. We made the trip so I could have some “hands on” with the shop owner. The visit went well. I was so sure they would have to order the model that I had just test drove. No! We went home with the machine. Who knew that such a small shop would have one on hand?

  No trip to the north is complete if we don’t stop in at Fairfax to see Kersten and Kevin and Bell and Sophie. The two pups are always ready for snuggles and throwing a few balls for the game of fetch. The visit was short and sweet. So looking forward to Thanksgiving when the entire family will be with us.

  Here we are in the dark of this Tuesday evening and the sewing machine is still in the back of the pickup in its packing box. Truth to be told, it was such an exciting day, we decided to wait until tomorrow. Just as well. First off, there were two letters in the mail saying that several bills I had paid online had been declined. I called our bank and the bank has changed from being held privately to now being a part of a larger entity. I called the bank and lo and behold they have been contacted by multi customers that the routing number has been changed and only on some of the very old accounts. With the new routing number, and after some time online and on the phone, our bills are covered. I did ask about our paper checks as they have the old routing number on them. They were assured by the new Wells Federal owner that there would not be a new one for new checks at this time. Wonder of wonders.

  My next item was to check on messages that had been left on our land line phone while we were on the road. One was from my Aunt Janet in Brownton, Minnesota. After getting supper completed, I called Janet back and we spoke for over an hour.

  I have no idea why I thought I had so few words left in me. Sometimes it just feels good for me to recap the events of the day. After I get the green, puppy-ridden afghan repaired, and only then, will we unload the new sewing machine. Quite the thrill when it does happen.