Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:52 am on March 19, 2017 Permalink  

  Cabin Days Are Coming 

  

  There are three great granddaughters north of Duluth that willl be spending most of their summer at the family’s cabin. There just can never be too many pillowcases when the family is busy all day and little curly haired girls wind down for the night after roughing it during the daytime. It gave me a chance to use up some of the stash in bright colors. Come to think of it, I have a few other family members that may need some extra linens. Dennis called from the trade show and his voice sounded a bit strained. Oh for the stories being swapped. Dennis was curious as to the weather here on Stauffer Avenue. Soon I will have to close the windows I have had open today. Nice days need to be taken advantage of.

   
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  Noreen 4:15 am on March 18, 2017 Permalink  

  Dennis is off to a three day weekend taking in a trade show. Different location, different buds to visit with makes for a well rounded outlook. Dust bunnies didn’t stand a chance with me today. I started in the northwest corner of the house and kept moving until I got to the southeast corner. Beds were stripped, windows on three sides of the house were cracked. My weekend will start with fresh air in the house being ready for new dirt and new lint. My treat for the weekend was getting a few grocery items that I am partial to . . . Nature Sweet Cherub tomatoes were on the top of the list.

  The best news to celebrate was that I received emails this morning that both the federal and state income tax forms have been accepted. Dennis just scratched his head wondering what the world has come to with what can be accomplished with a computer. Admittedly my world would seem diminished without a computer and all that I can access with just a few finger strokes. I could very well do without the telephone and tele-marketers. There is no such thing as a “do not call” option. They are sneakers.

  Now that the government has been satisfied with our tax returns, the house has been tidied, and I have a container of peanut butter cookies to pull out of the freezer for Dennis when he returns home, I give myself permission to enter the sewing studio tomorrow. I do put restrictions on myself. It really is all about balance in my life.

   
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  Noreen 2:56 am on March 17, 2017 Permalink  

  Well that is done! I don’t know why I put off doing our income taxes. I already know when we receive the info the end of January the dice have been cast. We use the “Tax Act” and it is the friendliest canned software that is out there. We have no deductions to list, no charity has gotten rich from us and dang it there are no kids that are waiting to be dependents of ours. Plug in the numbers and it is much like watching a roulette wheel as it spits out what the federal people want and what the state people want. In actuality . . . we are fortunate to have something to pay taxes on.

   
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  Noreen 5:20 am on March 16, 2017 Permalink  

  Sunny skies have turned cloudy. This morning while at the kitchen sink, a flock . . . I think that would be the right term . . . of over a dozen red breasted Robins making short work of whatever berries were left on the ornamental tree. Talk about plumb proud birds. They were so busy pecking off the treats. Some of the branches are very close to the window and I do believe I made eye contact with one. It was a great way to begin the day. They must have had an appointment as they didn’t stick around Stauffer Avenue.

   
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  Noreen 2:43 am on March 15, 2017 Permalink  

  Serenity 

  

  This was my view this morning when I opened my eyes. I had warned Dennis ahead of time that my intentions were to sleep in this morning. Grant it, it was nine o’clock.  Even though I knew most of the world had been up for some time, I did continue snuggling under the flannel sheets and just marveled at the bright blue skies and the wonderful left overs of the snow storm.  Now, that is what you call a view worth a million words.  Not that shoveling snow had wore me down yesterday, just that I had no hard and fast agenda for today. I will say that this last snow is the first time ever that Dennis had not participated in. Slow and easy is just what Dennis and I require some days being smart enough to listen to our bodies.

   
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  Noreen 4:14 am on March 14, 2017 Permalink  

  Oh for Pete’s sake. We did get snow. We did get dumped on to the tune of nine plus inches. The sun is definitely in our favor for this late season snowfall. Wherever I had pushed snow off of the concrete, the concrete is now bare. Our driveway won’t be quite that fortunate as the pile of snow on the south side will be thawing and there is nowhere for it to go but puddle on the concrete. During the next few nights, there will be some freeze drying.

  An interesting event to watch out of our northwest house window. A small hawk has found it quite advantageous to sit next to the area of the yard where the sump pump spews forth water that has collected in the tile that encompasses the perimeter of our basement. Last week I thought that perhaps his foot had gotten caught in the grate that is over the opening of the tile. Not so. If his luck continues as I have witnessed, he will continue feasting on the unexpected birds that have enjoyed open water all winter. It is the circle of life. It reminds me that if one is patient enough, things come your way.

   
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  Noreen 4:42 am on March 13, 2017 Permalink  

  Just as I had suspected, it was 8:45 before there were eyes open here on Stauffer Avenue. It will take us a bit to adjust to the time change. We have no reason to be setting alarms and I doubt that we would be missing anything if we do sleep a bit later. Sure enough the snow has arrived. As Dennis was pushing a path to the garage porch after supper it seems like the 5 to 6 inches of snow was right on target. Our city has reached out via automated phone calls that there is to be no parking on any street until the city crew has had a chance to clear the streets . . . or they will be towed and or ticketed. I am sure for some it is not as easy as it sounds to tuck a vehicle anywhere but on the street. On to a new week and all that it may hold.

   
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  Noreen 5:24 am on March 12, 2017 Permalink  

  A Waiting Game 

  We are on board to receive a significant amount of snow.  Dennis just came home from a trade show in Wells, Minnesota, with no snow being seen as yet.  Dennis walked into the house and not more than 5 minutes he was in his recliner.  I am sure a fair amount of shoe leather was spent.  Lots of walking, talking and stories about the latest and greatest of wares for purchase.  I will have to wait out the nap to get the real deal report.

  Yesterday while we were in Mankato I purchased an additional Olfa rotary cutter for quilting.  This ergonomic design should be a bit kinder to my right wrist.  The pressure that is needed to cut through several layers of cloth at one time does do a number when it involves many cuts before any sewing can take place.  With the purchase of this cutter it does conclude anything that comes to my mind to make my days in the sewing studio conducive to feeling good while I am having fun.  There is no perfect solution, but if I don’t try I have no one but myself to blame.  

  Tonight we spring ahead changing our clocks.  In all honesty I may very well not even notice a difference.  Pressure on the bladder . . . now that has its very own timing and the only one I pay attention to.  The morning may also bring about some snow removal.  

   
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  Noreen 5:14 am on March 11, 2017 Permalink  

  A bit of cooler weather and the furnace warmth feels good. After having coffee guests this forenoon, Dennis and I decided to take a road trip to Mankato. These small “road dates” are always enjoyed. Dennis had a few items to check into. As happy as we are to return to Stauffer Avenue after one afternoon away, this speaks volumes as to why we don’t do much in regard to far away travels. Life is very special here on Stauffer Avenue.

   
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  Noreen 4:42 am on March 10, 2017 Permalink  

  A Phone Call 

  A phone call today at three in the afternoon would have been oh so nice.  There are things I think of that I need to ask Elvera in regard to “do you remember . . . do you still have the recipe.”  I  am sitting in my sewing studio having just finished a fairly large project. Threads and snips of fabric need to be tidied up for the next project, whatever that may be.

  While I am sitting at my computer desk I have a 180 degree view of our basement and that that is how much of our basement area the sewing studio encompasses.  I was fair. We still needed the rest of the area for the furnace, softener, 1/2 bath, etc.  When I have a first time visitor here in the studio I hide a smirk as I can see their glances going up and down and to the right and to the left.  Yup, there is a lot down here and I know just where everything is when I need it or I am asked if I have such and such to share.

  When I look over the top of my laptop, I see the one and only thing that I have from Elvera.  I am sure it was from a Target or Gordmans store.  It is a 4″ x 6″ standalone plaque with the saying “I smile because you’re my sister and I laugh because there is nothing you can do about it.”  It has her signature smilie face and her own signature.  I know she enjoyed receiving my latest when I would crank out something specifically for her, either crafting, crocheting, needlepoint, greeting cards or quilting as evident of the placement in her home.  When I would go to Stewart and actually sit across from her for coffee there would be a show and tell of what she had been sewing and quilting.   Today it just struck me . . . HUH!  I had best take care of that plaque.

  Elvera did give me our Grandma Laura Wendlandt’s rocker.  My Mom and Dad had been the recipient of it years ago.  Dennis and I enjoyed putting life into it.  It needed springs, putty and love.  Now it is a very favorite rocker of mine to read in.  Grandma Laura was really short and thus the rocker is low, but by golly I can do it.  I am quite sure by the looks of the rockers that are from different wood it was customized to just her size.  

  For me, myself and I . . . there is much sentiment within me and I have room for more.  The treasures that I have from family members gone get peeked at, unfolded, admired and then lovingly they get to remain safe.  I have many of them labeled just in case they go to a new home someday.

  Today, right now, I need to get in gear and wrestle up some supper.  Thank goodness for leftovers that can be given a re-make, just like Laura’s rocking chair.  In the freezer there is some pork roast that was chunked right along with some of the roast’s dripping.  It is going to become meat and gravy over instant mashed potatoes with a vegetable on the side and some raw sliced English cucumbers.  It’ll work.