Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 4:23 am on January 28, 2017 Permalink  

  Need It? I Got It! 

  

  Yes, yes, the Bernina Sewing Machine can almost do anything . . . but . . . there are times I hearken back to projects that need the simpler supplies. My packet of Singer Dressmaker’s Tracing Paper comes in very handy. For the handsome price of $.39 I had the selection of nine sheets of paper, each at 6.5″ x 19.5″ in a choice of 4 white sheets, 2 yellow sheets, 1 orange sheet, 1 blue sheet and 1 red sheet. I could not have asked for more. After a season of doing a lot of scrappy quilt projects, I am working on a quilt with a bit more difficulty and am enjoying it to no end.  I will admit having the radio tuned to a station that spends a lot of time on the “Market Report,” tells me it would be a good time to ship out the hogs that tip the scale at 220-250 lbs. I sure wish I had several hundred of those wandering in the backyard here on Stauffer Avenue . . . I mean “range fed.” We would have gotten top price.

   
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  Noreen 4:35 am on January 27, 2017 Permalink  

  No one enjoys a phone call that alerted me that I needed to make an appointment with my doctor. Well, the deal is that after one year of not seeing my doctor, I could no longer get a refill order for my blood pressure meds. My, how time flies. Just a note: the refill for this last month was $1.00.  Once I was there, he also wanted to do a blood draw. Good thing I had not had anything to eat as yet today.

  I just logged onto the email notification from Dr. Eatwell with the results. All and I do mean ALL levels are in the beyond acceptable ranges. I was concerned about such things as good Cholesterol and bad Cholesterol and the God awful results of the Triglyceride level. Daily eating habits cannot hide from blood draws. Let’s hear it for keeping the frying pans on the wall hooks. I have agreed to taking a statin in regard to the good Cholesterol level and bringing it down even farther. With Dad and Elvera both dying from heart related instances, I respect the doctor’s advice.

  I wasn’t really happy to hear it has been five years since my last colonoscopy. I am scheduled for one in May. Dr. Eatwell was not concerned that I may be talking to myself more this year than last. I don’t take my health and mobility for granted. I like it and I like it a lot. My it be another year’s absence at the medical clinic that brings about a request of “show up or no meds” type of thing.

   
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  Noreen 4:55 am on January 26, 2017 Permalink  

  The forecast of snow was right on. In between six and seven inches. Before next-door-Randy had left for work, he had taken several swaths down our driveway as well as his own. It had started snowing about seven last night, slow and steady right through this noon.

  About noon it looked like it was about to quit snowing and that is when the older ones on Stauffer got geared up. Dennis takes it slow and steady with quite a few breaks in the porch. Our driveway is 90′ of concrete. I can only imagine how hard it would be using a small snowblower on a gravel driveway with rocks flying God knows where. The pickup garage opens to Stauffer Avenue and the city fellows are very kind and make sure their blade is facing onto the opposite side when they plow through. That side of Stauffer is a lawn, so “no fowl” in regard to blocking someone else’s driveway. I do my duty on the end of a shovel clearing out the patio on the front of the house and anywhere else where a snowblower can’t do justice.

  Dennis and I have had a great workout and have enjoyed some down time since coming in. Supper: pancakes and bacon with strawberries that Dennis has had marinating since this forenoon. Dennis is thinking the berries as a side dish, I am thinking of them on top of the pancakes. I repeat: We had just the best workout ever!

   
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  Noreen 2:21 am on January 25, 2017 Permalink  

  The Glider Rocker is Home 

  

  Bob estimated that the rocker was from the early 1900s. It will now be able to go forward being able to not only look at but to be enjoyed as a rocker.

  The glider rocking chair is back home after several weeks of being in the repair shop. For as long as I can remember there had been veneer missing on the back side of the very top of the back rest to the rocker. In its place was a huge smear of putty to bridge the gap of the original veneer to the rougher wood used to create the curved top of the backrest.  I can only imagine how hard it was for Bob to get the aged putty cleaned out for a new piece of veneer to be placed and then carry the same curvature and detailed knobs at the very top. The seat has been reinforced from the bottom for many more bottoms to enjoy rocking away. One of the spindles on the backrest had been cracked. The only thing keeping it in place was the tension the remaining spindles recreated. Bob, my SOB, Sweet Ole Bob, made a slice in the narrow spindle and inserted a narrow steel rood for support with glue as the final touch. In the glider portion itself, one of the dowels going across the width had been replaced with a piece of broom handle that had then been painted black. Now, a new stained wooden dowel matching the rest of the dowels is in place. This beauty has had much TLC under Bob’s capable repair. The repair ticket taped to the back for the cost was for $30. I realize that Bob had been my boss for many years when he was one of the county commissioners, and we had a good relationship when I retired. He argued . . . but in the end a $50 bill stayed with him in his shop. There are not very many people who will take the time to honor older pieces of furniture that have a lifetime of sentiment attached to them. I feel so blessed to be able to not only look at this rocker and recall decades of memories, but it now has full utility to be sat in, and perhaps someday, a new baby will be rocked in it, just as I rocked my brother Michael when he was an infant 66 years ago.  The dusting of it . . . after all these years, still a challenge.

   
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  Noreen 4:47 am on January 24, 2017 Permalink  

  Today was luncheon day. Renee came over for lunch. It was the first work day in 22 years that she did not report to the Watonwan County Assessor’s Office. There are times when a change is needed and she is up for whatever the next journey in her life and her family’s life is. Working with real estate values and how it equates to real estate taxes can wear a body down. Wherever your next job will be, they will be getting a fantastic person. In the meantime, a bit of home time will be welcomed.

   
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  Noreen 6:03 am on January 23, 2017 Permalink  

  I am sure by now Dennis feels it is going to be a yearly event: tearing apart the sewing studio for a re-make. Now that I know my old sewing table allows me to sew with my arms at a 90 degree angel to the needle, it is sweet. The embroidery unit does work when the machine is lifted; the sides slid in and there is enough elongated room to work beautifully. Well . . . while I was at it, I raised the church tables by a second brick. They are now 34.5″ from the floor rather than the 30″ as they were from the factory. All of these changes should make a huge difference on the back, shoulders, arms, and hands. You cannot possibly move one item without it causing a domino effect. It all gives the arthritis a run for its money. My Dad, R.W., would be proud of the logistics that Dennis and I used today. On the down side, I am too wore out to do any stitching. There is always tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 4:27 am on January 22, 2017 Permalink  

  Never Give Up 

  

  When arms and shoulders want to buck . . . you never give up. Out of the depths I brought forward my 1968 Montgomery Wards sewing table. It was the ultimate at that time. As I sat in my sewing studio today and surveyed my options, I knew if I could give my arms a good three inches less in height to reach the sewing bed as I sat in front of the sewing machine, it would feel pretty darn good. The sewing machine is heavy enough that this sewing table is solid.  Have I thought it all the way through? No.  When I put the embroidery until onto the machine, I will most likely have to set the machine back up on the white table . . . but then, I am not going to pre-judge it.  For right now, I want to enjoy some straight sewing as it is set up.  In a day or two to come, I will measure once, measure twice and see what is needed.  This today . . . was huge.  It’s a good thing I had an emotional attachment to this table, or it would have been long gone over the course of 48 years.

   
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  Noreen 3:12 am on January 21, 2017 Permalink  

  Ever Wonder? 

  If anyone ever wonders how the older ones on Stauffer Avenue get ready for Christmas . . . I will let the cat out of the bag.  More to the point, how the ole cowboy on Stauffer Avenue gets ready for Christmas.  Many moons ago, we realized that there was nothing that we could buy for family that would hit the mark, or what family wanted or needed we couldn’t afford.  Dennis happened upon the idea of giving $2.00 bills to each family member.  

  Not a single Christmas goes by that Dennis does not relay the story of Carrie’s reaction the first Christmas we did this. There had been a  Christmas party planned at her church, and somehow she would have to find something in the closet to wear to the party.  Not much came forward out of the closet and less in spendable resources.  Along came Dennis’ $2.00 bill gift and she called Dennis with thanks, I think with tears, that she could now go out and purchase a new dress that would be appropriate.  If memory serves me, that little black dress was in her closet for may events to come.  Since that time the families have grown.  Dennis still continues his tradition.  

  This is such a part of his Christmas “good feelings.” With seven children, 10 grandchildren and six greatgrands, the savings towards Christmas on our part starts early in the year.  Once a year, we call ahead to the bank for them to order the $2.00 bills for us.  Not many banks mess with having them on hand.  It takes just about $1,000 for Dennis to play Santa Clause – and who has more fun?  This year he took it upon himself to use some of my crafting papers to make the envelopes for the stashes.  He did a great job of making it special.  While I was working on granddaughter Cheyenne’s t-shirt quilt, Dennis set up shop to do his elfing.  I so enjoyed watching him being so diligent with the counting. 

  Monday of this week, grandson Ryan and his daughter Addison, stopped in after Addison was out of school for the day with a big “Thank you.”  Yesterday, son-in-law Tom was out for a walk and noticed Dennis in his rocking chair in the garage porch.  Tom wanted Dennis to know he and Denise were very appreciative of the Christmas gift.  As late as today, we received a thank you from one of the granddaughters in an email to send out a thanks and allowing us to know that her son, three year Oliver,  put his bills in his Mickey Mouse bank that we had given him when he all but O.D. on Mickey Mouse cartoons.  

  There may be a few more that get added to the families over time, but I know Dennis will just get on the horn to the bank and put his order in.  Being able to do something for everyone is all the Christmas gift that is needed by us. 

   
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  Noreen 7:32 am on January 20, 2017 Permalink  

  A Long Day 

  

  Quite the long day, and if I don’t keep my fingers in the correct spot, I will delete this post like I just did the one that was ready to publish. There are still some items on this new laptop that give me a surprise now and then. . . .  Before Christmas we dropped off a pair of earrings at Stone’s Throw in St. Peter with us picking it up after the first of the year. Today was the day!  Years back when I was with Dennis at a trade show, these earrings caught my eye. The Zuni Indian Tribe sets much of their turquoise in what is called the Needlepoint design. The multiple small sterling clips set the stone. The clip on of back of the earrings were not comfortable. The white gold wires will allow me to enjoy them so much more. She did a great job cleaning the sterling that the stones are set in. From there we went on to Jiffy Lube to have the car serviced, then to Jo-Ann Fabric. With Dennis’ feet being wet 24/7 while serving the Army in Korea, what would feel better than giving us a treat of pedicures? My hands and arms don’t serve me all that well to get the right angle on the fi-dangle for doing my toe nails. After Hy-Vee was gone through and then on to Sam’s Club for our last stop. Dennis is an aficionado when it comes to litter for the five cat’s litter box in the garage porch. Sam’s Club is his favorite place for the cat shopping, and I don’t mind picking up a few things to replenish our pantry in the basement. We topped off the day with a bite to eat in Perkins. We are now safe in our home . . . all the groceries are put away and being in PJs feels pretty good.  Driving into the driveway our favorite UPS fellow had left a package at the back door. Tomorrow I will be in the sewing studio with said package, and I am anticipating a turn around in the mail the first part of next week. Yup, This was a huge day for the older ones on Stauffer Avenue.

   
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  Noreen 3:01 am on January 19, 2017 Permalink  

  Days such as this, with temps in the 40s, my littlest puddle jumper, Kevin, would have come home from grade school soaked to the knees . . .or the butt. Either there would have been a snow melt puddle before he got on the bus to come home . . . or he would have made sure to hit the shallow ditch upon getting off of the bus before he made it to the house. It just happens during a January thaw. I was going to go out and get rid of some of the ice sheets that have trapped water under it. There is nowhere to go with it even if it were 100% loose. The sides of the driveway have banks of snow from previous snowfalls. The slush can be pushed, but it will find its way back in a heartbeat. Best to leave things be until the sun can help evaporate some of it or it will freeze dry during the night hours.